ER Exclusively for “For the kind of care they gave us, I would have driven across the country.” ~ Lisa G., mom of Samantha, a St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital patient
When Samantha complained to her mom that her stomach was burning, her mom took her to the local hospital first. “They didn’t have what was needed to properly care for a child, so I chose to have her transferred to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.” At our kids-only ER, Samantha was seen by pediatric specialists and had surgery that night. “The whole atmosphere is calm and serene; it doesn’t even feel like a hospital.” The Steinbrenner Children’s Emergency and Trauma Center offers: n Expert care by double board-certified pediatric emergency physicians n Privacy and comfort in one of 22 private patient rooms n Complete trauma care in two dedicated rooms with the latest critical care and imaging technology n Family-friendly environment dedicated to kids
When your child needs emergency care, choose the only ER staffed by physicians board certified in both pediatrics and emergency medicine.
n Kids-only waiting area featuring interactive activities and bubble towers n In-room kid-focused entertainment system featuring movies, educational programs and computer games Watch Samantha’s full story:
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Contents
10
30
344
46
features 30|teen dating violence
10|heart warming success Advances through collaboration, innovation
The growing epidemic
34|coming out
18|classically cool How to orchestrate an early love of music
Teens revealing sexual identity
42|give thanks
22|gifts of gratitude
Best holiday gifts
Teaching kids to be thankful
46|extraordinary woman
26|minding p's & q's Teaching good manners and social skills
Heather Barrow
every month
Kid Winners Chloe Grimes
Pg. 42
10|health and wellness
Give Thanks! The best
20|education
the family.
holiday gifts for everyone in
48|south Hillsborough News
and Brady Rich spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather at Fire Flake Farm in Lutz. The girls played together under the canopy of trees and saw ducks and geese.
50|north Hillsborough News
Check
52|south pinellas News
see the list of Cover Kid
54|north pinellas News
Finalists, and from Nov. 1 -
56|pasco News
page
65
to
15, cast your vote for your CoverKidSearch.
60|around town 62|calendar of events 67|directory
TAMPA BAY PARENTING
out
favorites at TBParenting.com/
58|pet guide
4
Photograph by Nicole Geller of Nicole Geller Photography. For this month’s cover, Cover
06|Letter From The Editor
40|what's happening
on the cover
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
I have to lead by example now.
Seven pounds and growing.
It hasn’t hit me yet. I’m a mom.
Health care is about the human spirit. Which is why Florida Hospital goes beyond symptoms and treatments, helping people live healthier, happier lives. Because you’re not just having a baby, you’re delivering a little miracle to the world and your family. This is more than quality, expertise and compassion.
Discover the Florida Hospital difference at InspiredTampaBay.com
Florida Hospital
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Centra Care Urgent Care
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Locations Throughout Tampa Bay Florida Hospital Physician Group
Founder & Editorial Director
Angela L. Ardolino Editorial Assistant
Krista Byrd Associate Editor
Anu Panchal Contributing Writers
Gayla Grace Lisa L. Thompson Jill Hechtman, MD Lindsay Perez Danielle Caci Kelly Smith Erica Taylor Laura Buddenberg Jill Assalti Calendar & Neighborhood Stories
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida CEO Jessica Muroff and I at the Straz Center’s Broadway Ball.
Chris Kuhn Director of Sales & events
David E. Estevez
so thankful
account executive As we get closer to the holidays and my birthday (Nov. 29 for those who’d like to send me gifts – I love gifts), November is a time to reflect on how important family is. I love having everyone in my family together under one roof—including my five dogs. To celebrate the furry members of our families, this month we have compiled some of our favorite pet products into one place. Whether you are looking for the purrfect gift for your feline friend or something fetching for your pooch, check out page 58. We’ve also brought together the best pet shops, vets, and groomers for your furry family members. Visit TBParenting. com/Pets for our complete pet guide.
Ralf Gonzalez Melissa McClung sales assistant
Katherine Lavacca Johnny Garde
One of the things that I like to do every year at the Thanksgiving table is to say what we are all thankful for. On page 22, mompreneur Erica Taylor shares tips to help teach your children gratitude and how to keep their gratitude practice going far beyond the holiday season.
public relations
Theresa Stanton Lesley Rowland Contributing photographers
Nicole Geller Jeanine McLeod Amy Pezzicara
Just as we teach our children gratitude, we must also teach them social skills. On page 26, writer Laura Buddenberg offers up ways to introduce good manners to your kids and help them interact with their peers and friends. While school is out Thanksgiving break, your teens may want to spend time with their boyfriend or girlfriend. But not all relationships are healthy. On page 30, Jill Assalti shares how dangerous teen dating violence can be and how to get help if your teen is in a violent relationship.
Social Moms
Lisa-Marie Leihy Rachel Long Peggy Stines-Munnings Ana Peralta Laurie Winkles
For doctors and children with illnesses, the holiday season can be especially difficult. Associate editor Anu Panchal shares the story of Whitaker Hall, a baby who was born with a heart defect. With the help of pediatric cardiologists at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Whitaker is able to live a happy life with his family—holidays and all. Read more about Whitaker’s story on page 10.
Tampa Bay parenting Magazine
To get a head start on holiday shopping, don’t forget to check out our annual holiday gift guide on page 42 for all of the hottest gifts this season!
This month, we are proud to feature an Extraordinary Woman who has dedicated her life to helping moms with high risk pregnancies. Check out page 46 to read about Heather Barrow, founder of High Risk Hope.
320 W. Kennedy Blvd Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone: 813-949-4400 Fax: 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com Become A Fan at:
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.
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heart warming success Collaboration and innovation are key in pediatric cardiology advances By Anu Varma Panchal
w
hen Maggie and Ben Hall were told that their newborn son had a hole in his heart, the first-time parents were stunned. Amidst the confusion, they were assured that it was a common condition, one that would correct itself within a year. They were asked to come back in four months. At that next appointment, they were told little Whitaker has a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and an issue with a pulmonary valve, and were instructed to come back six weeks later, at which point the cardiologist who had been seeing him asked why they were there, recalls Maggie Hall. That’s when a frustrated Hall asked for a second opinion. Within an hour with Dr. Anna Bernus of Pediatric Cardiology Associates in Brandon, Whitaker underwent an echocardiogram that revealed a supra crystal VSD with mild pulmonary stenosis—a condition that would definitely entail open heart surgery when the baby was around age 1. It was not until Hall met Stephen Langley, M.D., Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, that she finally relaxed. “I immediately had peace,” she says of Langley, who would be leading Whitaker’s surgery a month from the meeting. “He put every nervous or anxious thought we had at bay. He answered all our questions. He told us one or two times, ‘we’re not trying to scare you, but we want to give you a full picture.’ He won’t sugarcoat things. He will tell you. He’s very honest, very sensitive.” Langley’s not too keen to follow that train of conversation; however, he’s more than happy to sing the praises of his institution. In October 2014, St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital began a partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC for pediatric heart services. Using resources from both institutions (St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital has one of the largest pediatric cardiovascular programs in the southeast while Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is consistently ranked one of the top 10 children’s hospitals), St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital provides families across Florida with unprecedented access to the highest level of pediatric heart care available. “We treat patients from minus 9 to 99,” says Langley. Even a fetus can be treated for cardiac conditions, and having heart patients of all ages centered in one institution means that care continues throughout
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Pediatric Care in Tampa Bay Has a New Name:
BayCare Medical Group
Connect with a physician close to home HealthPoint Medical Group, Morton Plant Mease Primary Care and Specialists, St. Anthony’s Primary Care and Specialists and Suncoast Medical Clinic recently joined to become BayCare Medical Group. With more than 150 pediatricians, pediatric specialists and family medicine physicians in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, care for your family is always nearby. The signs may change but your doctor and office staff will remain the same, and will continue to help your children stay healthy. Our participation with your insurance will not be affected. Thank you for allowing us to care for your family. Now accepting new patients. Most major insurance plans are accepted.
To schedule an appointment:
(855) 466-6686 BC1502701_0415
BayCareMedicalGroup.org
the patient’s lifetime in one place, which is important—with more patients surviving congenital heart conditions well into adulthood, about 25 percent need repeat surgeries later in their adulthood. Teamwork is key to quick recovery “Our program—we’re different from everyone in the state,” Langley says, pointing out that while the mortality rate for children undergoing heart surgery for congenital heart conditions is about 3.5 percent nationwide, it is only 0.7 percent at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Collaboration is key. Every patient who is about to undergo surgery is the subject of a weekly meeting during which the entire team that will be involved—from pediatric cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensive care doctors and nurses and operating room nurses—is present to discuss the patient. Staff from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC join in these meetings too. “We’re making the right decisions before surgery in a more collaborative way,” Langley explains. “This style involves everyone. It’s important because it’s not just the surgeons and cardiologists that determine decisions that affect the patient. There are others, and input from them can be incredibly valuable.” Around the country, 19 percent of all patients who undergo heart surgery are extubated (“woken up” from anesthesia) while still in the operating room. At St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, that figure stands at 75 percent. “It sets a steep trajectory toward recovery,” Langley says. “When a patient is breathing on their own, it is one less step for recovery once you get to the ICU. Once you have the momentum, it continues. It sets the course for rapid recovery.” Langley also is proud of the hospital’s recovery period, which he believes is a surrogate for the overall quality of a congenital heart program; he says the length of stay here is less than half the national average. The Halls can attest to that. Despite reassurances from hospital staff they would be home in a few days after the surgery if all went well, they figured it would take at least a week. Whitaker went in on a Wednesday for the surgery. The whole family was home in Lakeland by lunchtime on Saturday. The future of cardiology is here In America, Langley says there are 1.3 million adults living with congenital heart disease. Only 50,000 are getting the specialized care they need, even though treatment options are better than ever. Children born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (half a heart) 20 years ago did not have a very positive prognosis. Today, Langley explains that it is routine to operate on a newborn born with this complex heart defect. Following a series of operations, it is possible for these children to live remarkably healthy lives, he says. Some children are born with a narrowed pulmonary valve between the heart and the lungs along with a hole in the heart, a condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This is treated surgically by enlarging the valve and closing the hole in the heart. As the child grows, the valve inevitably leaks and needs replacing before the heart grows dangerously larger and larger. Previously, the only option for these patients was undergoing another open-heart surgery to replace the leaking valve.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
2nd
l a u n An
First Time
M o m s, E x p e c t a nt M o m s, D a d s & Fa m i l i e s Join us for a baby shower like no other. Free educational event to offer moms and moms to be a place to talk with healthcare professionals about all aspects of welcoming a new life into your family. You can be planning to have a baby, expecting a baby or just had a baby, we welcome all moms or moms to be. Lactation Consultants, Midwives, Nutritionists, Doulas, Pediatricians, OB/GYN’s and Admissions will be on hand to answer your questions. EMS will be present to help you with any of your car seat questions. Massages will also be available. There will be drawings every hour and fun giveaways for our moms and dads too! Babies, Dads, Families welcome. * Must be present to win drawing
November 14, 2015 | 10 am - 1 pm U n d e r t h e b i g te n t !
( h o s p i ta l p a r k i n g l o t )
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Today, because of a new medical device called the Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve, doctors are able to replace dysfunctional valves in some instances without open-heart surgery. In less than four hours, a doctor can insert a catheter into a vein in the upper leg, and then guide the Melody Valve up to the heart, replacing narrow or leaky valved conduits. Dr. Jeremy Ringewald, a pediatric cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, performs more of these procedures than any other doctor in Florida. “Children born with blocked or leaky heart valves usually undergo multiple open-heart surgeries before reaching adulthood to replace conduits that have worn out or that they have outgrown,” Ringewald says. “This groundbreaking technology can markedly prolong the time between surgeries for many patients, with the goal of maximizing heart health and minimizing invasiveness.” While a leaky or missing pulmonary valve is relatively common in the world of congenital heart defects, other, rarer, conditions have also become more treatable. Ebstein’s anomaly, for example, is a tricuspid valve (the one between the right chambers of the heart) malfunction that was previously inoperable. People who suffer from this show damage not only in a valve, but also in the right ventricle of the heart. If the problem isn’t detected and fixed early, the only solution used to be a heart transplant. Now, Langley is one of a few surgeons that perform a specialized procedure to fix the problem before it gets out of control. “It’s shown tremendous success,” he says. “It’s gathering momentum with regard to wider applicability.” Surgeons today also can do cardiovascular procedures on younger and younger infants—even newborn and premature babies—prolonging tiny lives to lengths unimaginable even a decade ago. Langley performed a surgery in the United Kingdom on a 900-gram preemie. “The fact that we can do more is not so much a testament to skill,” he insists. “The field is so much further ahead. We can do more complex operations on smaller and smaller children. The survival rate is much better. Twenty years ago, the mortality rate was more than 5 percent. Now, it’s 3.5 percent nationwide.” Whitaker is one of the large percentage of thriving patients. Within a week of his surgery in September, he was back to crawling, opening and closing doors, pushing around the ottoman in his bedroom and celebrating his first birthday surrounded by an outpouring of love and help and attention from family and friends. Other than a diuretic, he has needed no medications after surgery, not even a painkiller. He will have a few checkups over the coming year, but after that, is expected to be fine with an annual echocardiogram. His only problem might be that, after undergoing open-heart surgery before turning 1, it’ll be tough to convince his parents of any other problems in his life, jokes Hall. “We are overwhelmed and humbled by how he has recovered,” says Hall. “I hope even in a small way to give hope to people who are going through this.” “What I love about this job is being able to do something better than I used to do five years ago, 10 years ago,” Langley says. “Every single day I think about that: how we can do something better than last week or last month. It’s a constant process, a journey, not a destination.”
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
presents
Asthma Workshop & Support Group for Parents Saturday, December 5, 2015
at the TGH Community Health Education Center located at TGMG Family Care Center Lois, 2106 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33629 Asthma Workshop – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Does your child suffer from Asthma? If so, Tampa General Hospital invites you to attend our free Asthma Workshop. During this informative workshop, medical professionals will discuss asthma symptoms, triggers and medications. They will also provide tips on increasing communication with healthcare providers, how to use asthma devices, the importance of creating an emergency asthma action plan, and what to do when your child is having an asthma attack. Participants will receive asthma resources to take home. Caregivers, child care providers and early childhood professionals are encouraged to attend.
Support Group – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
A community of patients, family members and friends dedicated to dealing with asthma. A complimentary lunch will be provided to all participants who register in advance and attend.
LUNCH: 12:00 p.m. SUPPORT GROUP: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. LOCATION: TGH Community Health Education Center located at TGMG Family Care Center Lois, 2106 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33629
CONTACT: Pamela G. Sanders, MSN, RNC-NIC, CENP, pgsanders@tgh.org for more information about the support group.
W. SAN RAFAEL ST.
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. W. SAN RAFAEL ST.
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INSTRUCTORS: Jennifer Keane CRT, AE-C, TTS & Nancy Zoffer, RRT, AE-C, CTTS
685
S. LOIS AVE.
WORKSHOP: 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
This workshop and support group meet at TGH Community Health Education Center located at TGMG Family Care Center Lois, 2106 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33629. Free parking is available.
Registration required for workshop and/or support group. Call 1-800-822-3627.
STAY ON TRACK TOGETHER WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER: PRESENTING
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TAMPA •METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA | tampaymca.org | NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
TAMPA BAY PARENTING
1
Keep up with your regular workout routine! While your schedule is being inundated with extra errands and fun, it is important to remember to keep up with your healthy routines. It may be a challenge, but remember how hard you worked to create your healthy habits; work to avoid having to start all over after the holidays!
3
Add family activities to your holiday plans for some extra exercise and FUN! Go for a family walk to see the holiday decorations in the neighborhood, bike to a nearby holiday event, play an impromptu soccer game after dinner. The options are endless.
4
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In all of the hustle and bustle, remember not to skip meals. Avoid waiting until you are “starving” to eat. Keep healthy snacks available while out shopping to avoid the urge to splurge on tempting fast food options available on the go!
Celebrate without food! Invite friends over for crafts: decorating holiday cards, playing games, making ornaments.
5 Give the gift of health! A YMCA membership is the perfect gift for everyone on your list…plus, you can join with your friends and SAVE 20% off your membership dues FOREVER. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving!
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17
classically cool How to orchestrate an early love of classical music By Kelly Smith
t
he Florida Orchestra kicked off its season in October, gifting parents with the perfect concert option for their children. It’s no secret that classical music has benefits that go beyond entertainment, and perhaps the best way to introduce young ears to the medium is with a live concert. “A live orchestra experience is so powerful,” says Michael Francis, the new—and, at 39—youthful, Florida Orchestra Music Director. “Once you see it and hear it, you will never forget it.” With Francis’ dynamic style that integrates pop-up concerts and school interactions with traditional orchestra work, now may be a better time than any to introduce a young child to live classical music. The orchestra even offers free Classical Kids tickets for ages 5 through 18 for Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts. Here are five ways to make classical music cool for your child: Start with the familiar: Kids will be more open to a concert if they recognize the music. A good example: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” (Oct. 23-25), which pops up in commercials, TV shows, movies and even the elevator. Your kids have heard it somewhere. Here’s a chance to hear it as it should be – performed with power and passion, live on stage. And if that’s not cool enough, check out photos of violinist and leader Lara St. John with an iguana perched on her head at larastjohn.com. She also has a blog, and there’s video of her playing “The Four Seasons” on YouTube. (The program also includes Bach’s “Violin Concerto No. 2” and Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.”) Make the most of those piano lessons: If getting little Johnny to practice the piano is a struggle, inspire him with great pianists. Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3,” one of the most revered and feared piano works of all. Another powerhouse standard is Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4”. For something a little jazzier, try Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major”. ‘Just like me:’ Music composed by a bunch of white guys who have been dead for 100 years gains new life when performed by young musicians, especially those not much older than your kids. Violinist Simone Porter, who will perform Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto” later this season, is just 18 years old; she made her debut with a professional orchestra at age 10. Another young violinist to watch is Tianwa Yang, who is in her 20s. She will perform Brahms’ “Violin Concerto”, widely thought to be the inspiration for “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” in the musical “Evita” (listen to the third movement).
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
DIY percussion: For those kids who just aren’t buying into a traditional concert, surprise them with programs like Mozart & More. Mozart, who is pretty kid-friendly with his upbeat melodies, is the meat of the concert, but the dessert is John Cage’s “Third Construction.” The 12-minute modern percussion piece showcases a long list of instruments that don’t really seem like instruments: tin cans of different sizes (think coffee cans), a conch shell, cowbells and even something called a quijadas—a jawbone of a donkey. What kid wouldn’t love that? Let them try it for themselves: For young kids in pre-school through second grade, Florida Orchestra Family Concerts could be the perfect introduction to both the music and the instruments. First up is “Alice in Wonderland,” in which a string quartet follows Alice down the rabbit hole to a wild world of songs, rhymes and music. The daytime concerts combine a chamber ensemble with an interactive story, art activities and the Instrument Petting Zoo, where kids can try out instruments from violins to trombones, all for only $5. Concerts are Oct. 31 at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Nov. 7 at HCC-Ybor Performing Arts Center and Nov. 21 at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. See floridaorchestra.org for details.
If you go The Florida Orchestra runs through May, typically with concerts on Fridays at the Straz Center in Tampa, Saturdays at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg and Sundays at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Tickets for the Tampa Bay Times Masterworks and Raymond James Pops concerts are $15, $30 and $45. Buy online at floridaorchestra.org or at 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286. Free Classical Kids tickets: Kids ages 5 through 18 get into Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts free with an adult ticket purchase. Available through The Florida Orchestra Ticket Center. Pre-concert Conversations: Come 1 hour before curtain time to hear musical guests share inside stories behind the music and the composers for Masterworks concerts. Follow the orchestra online on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube for behindthe-scenes tidbits, photos and videos.
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Your Family’s Destination for Comprehensive Skin Care Your family members may have different priorities when it comes to skin care.
Dana Hess PA-C
Dr. Linda Flynn, M.D. Board Certified Dermatologist
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Whether you are trying to control acne before it becomes scarring; are concerned about a suspicious mole; or just want to minimize wrinkles and look more youthful and refreshed, you want to see dermatology experts who have the knowledge, experience and resources to address your concerns. You want Comprehensive Skin Care.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
FRACTORA FIRM ZO SKIN HEALTH
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Our practice is proud to be certified by:
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hen our children are young, it is very natural for them to be ruled by their ego. In fact, it’s part of the developmental process. Their worlds are all about them and “I” always comes first, hence the relentless cries of, “No, that’s mine!” “I don’t want to play with Ryan,” “I don’t want to share with Vicky,” “Mateo is sitting in my spot,” or “It’s not what I want.” Sound familiar? Well, the relentless nature of children’s ego contributes to why so many of us identify parenthood as a stressful experience, but this doesn’t have to be the reality of parenthood. In fact, it is possible to lead with confidence, calm and control and create a more dynamic and positive parenting and family experience. Here is a little something I do to help offset the natural drive of the ego and encourage an awareness that goes beyond the self---my family’s nightly Gratitude Practice. I share this because it’s a simple way for each of us to participate in a family experience that encourages sharing, taking stock of the day and looking beyond stress and challenges. It creates awareness of the good things in our life and gives us an opportunity to give thanks and appreciation for who and what’s around us. This practice is simple, easy and something everyone can do. My two children (3 and 5 years old) share a room, and while in bed before we turn the lights off, we take turns highlighting something we’re grateful for from the day. Either my husband or I go first (to positively model the practice), followed by the kids, and we end with the other parent. We try to make sure we stick to highlighting something from that particular day and not something from the past or future. This is purposeful so that we concentrate on the present and really appreciate each day as it presents itself. The true beauty in this practice has been how my children, at such a young age, have really grown and developed their comprehension of gratitude. Not too long ago, their highlights of gratitude were materialistic things. Now they really contemplate the thing they want to mention, ask insightful questions and feel proud about recognizing and identifying different people, relationships and events to be grateful for. There are even times when they remember before we do. By no means is this a direct route to having our kids volunteer to share and do acts of endless kindness or behave selflessly, but it is most definitely a concrete way of building their awareness of the world that goes beyond the Ego/Me/Mine. It’s an opportunity to create a reference point for our children on how to behave with love, kindness and respect. As I reflect on my experiences, I want parents to know what I’ve learned: that our attitudes of parenthood are subjective, and because of that, our attitudes can be altered and shifted. The key to true success in this journey of ours is bringing awareness and consciousness to the very world we’ve created for ourselves. Our families thrive when we begin to think, feel and act like the leaders we are meant to be in our homes. “Parenting with Leadership” is my approach to redefine leadership to go beyond the workplace/career world to the world of our family by addressing our perspectives, attitudes and approaches as we parent. I recently came across this quote, “Your child will follow your example, not your advice.” It resonated with me on so many levels and I felt like it was so perfect for this piece because this gratitude practice is just one example of how we lead by example in some of our most private, simple and discreet moments. Erica Taylor is a life and leadership coach (Self Balanced Solutions) and “mompreneur.” Her latest venture is Cozy Joey by Mulier™, the ultimate 3-in-1 mommy coat.
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Gifts of Gratitude Why teaching kids to be thankful can lead to better parenting
By Erica Taylor
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Grateful activities The Thankful Tree One great way to make a centerpiece for the table and have fun making it is to have your kids gather a few sticks in the ways, then using paper leaf cutouts and string, have each family member write down what they are thankful for and attach it to the tree. At the end of the meal, have everyone pick a stick and guess who wrote the leaves on it.
A Jar Full of Thanks Using an old jar, have your kids make a turkey with construction paper and attach it to the top of the jar, leaving the top open. Every day leading up to Thanksgiving, have each child write what they are thankful for on a slip of paper. Starting on Thanksgiving and running through the holidays, read one strip of paper a day at the table.
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The Grateful Vine To create a fun decoration before Thanksgiving, run a string, yarn, or twine along the walls where the kids can reach. Using clothes pins, attach leaves made from paper that say what each child is thankful for. If you have guests, add their leaves too!
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Minding p's & q's How to teach your children good manners and social skills By Laura Buddenberg
a
s parents, we all want our kids to behave. In a perfect world, kids would be good all the time and everywhere, but that’s a pretty tall order and doesn’t always happen. For most of us, if we have to pick between good behavior at home or good behavior in public, we’ll go for public every time. After all, most parents have great kids, and we want others to know and appreciate them too. When your children throw public temper tantrums or neglect to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ they aren’t being their best selves. The good news is that you can help your kids shine in public by teaching them good manners much like you teach them to tie their shoes and make their beds. As an added bonus, the start of the school year provides great opportunities for children to practice “good manner” skills. They have new teachers, classmates and coaches, and they will interact often with other kids and adults. If they are prepared with good manners and social skills, everyone will like being around them. Pre-teaching is the key! Remember, learning social skills and manners is a gradual process. At a neutral time (everyone’s calm and no one’s in trouble) and before your child needs the skill, describe exactly what you want him to do. Young children learn best when lessons are brief, consistent and repeated often. Give step by step instructions. Think in basic, clear terms, such as, “When someone gives you something, you should look at the person, smile, and say thank you.” Make instructions clear and concise. Add each step one at a time. Allow your child to practice the steps separately before practicing the skill as a whole. The best way to make the skill “stick” is to have your child practice often and in many different situations with lots of different people. You expect your child to practice soccer skills or math facts as they learn, so why would social skills be any different? When you first start teaching manners and social skills to your kids, you should focus on the basics. If your children can introduce themselves, say please and thank you, and follow instructions, they will already be ahead of the game. These skills are necessary for being a good friend, classmate, student or person in general. They form the foundation for all social interactions, and it’s crucial that kids learn these early in life. Remember to be brief; children have short attention spans. Be consistent; you may need to teach a skill multiple times. Repetition is crucial. Model the skills and behaviors you want your child to emulate. Your kids always are watching you! Make sure to provide lots of practice opportunities. After your child masters please and thank you, introductions and following instructions, you can move on to other important skills that will help him or her grow socially. Teach disagreeing appropriately, listening and respecting differences using the same method. Don’t forget that practice really does make perfect. Last, but certainly never least, praise your kids enthusiastically and sincerely when they
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use their social skills. You cheer when they make a basket or get a base hit after much practice and hard work—in the same way, praising your kids when they use good social skills builds your relationship with them and betters the odds they’ll excel socially wherever they are. Be consistent and praise often, and you will be amazed by the changes in their behavior. Remember, it’s your job as a parent to teach your kids good manners and social skills. Humans aren’t inherently born with these skills. It is up to you to ultimately raise well-rounded and respected adults. As long as you remember to break the skills down into simple behaviors and have them practice as much possible, your children will catch on quickly and others will enjoy being around them as much as you do. Dude, That’s Rude! Kids today need manners more than ever, and “Dude, That’s Rude!” makes it fun and easy to get some. Full-color cartoons and kidfriendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more. The Golden Rule Everyone knows a version of the Golden Rule. But what does it really mean? And how do you follow it? In this gorgeously illustrated book, a grandfather explains to his grandson that the Golden Rule means you “treat people the way you would like to be treated.
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teen dating violence The growing epidemic By Jill Assalti
W
e all have heard of domestic violence. However, there is another quiet epidemic that is affecting our youths in middle and high schools—dating violence.
These are the critical years when our children begin to become interested and engage in their first romantic relationships. However, because of their age, they usually aren’t at the maturity and experience level to understand the consequential impact of an unhealthy and abusive relationship. Studies show that one in three teens experience some form of dating violence. Unfortunately, once initiated, these unhealthy relationship patterns can become acceptable into their adulthood. Many don’t realize that anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or economic status. The importance of our teens having the knowledge and resources at an earlier age could potentially help stop the escalation of dating violence into domestic violence. The problem is that many students are reluctant to reach out for help, because they are embarrassed or scared about the mandated reporting implemented by the education system. Having resources available to the student/teen who may be hesitant to report the abuse is invaluable. Teachers and administrators also need to be equipped with the proper knowledge and training in order to not only assist the teen with getting the help they need, but also being able to have a system in place for the teens that wish to get help anonymously.
Dating violence is controlling, abusive and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can happen in straight or gay relationships. It can include verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or a combination. According to the website loveisrespect.org, warning signs include when a partner: • Consistently checks your cellphone or e-mail without permission • Constantly puts you down • Is extremely jealous or insecure • Has an explosive temper • Isolates you from family or friends • Makes false accusations • Physically hurts you in any way • Tells you what to do • Repeatedly pressures you to have sex
TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• • • • • • •
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Blame yourself Feel isolated and alone (angry, sad, anxious, depressed or confused) Feel helpless to stop the abuse. Feel threatened or embarrassed. Feel like you can’t talk to family and friends. Fear that verbal or physical attacks will escalate Feel protective of your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Get Help Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear or do gives anyone the right to physically or verbally hurt you. • •
What Is It?
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If You Are a Victim of Dating Violence, You Might:
If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. Don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor or nurse. • If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, such as the police or child protective services. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers, and in some cases, coaches or activity leaders. If you want help deciding to whom to talk, call a crisis line in your area. • Resources are available to you: Dating Violence Teen Tool Box offers resources to victims nationwide as well as training and technical support to victim service organizations www.victimsofcrime.org/docs
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How You Can Help a Victim of Dating Violence If you know someone who might be in an abusive relationship, you can help. • • • • • •
•
Offer your friendship and support. Ask how you can help. Encourage your friend to seek help. Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships. Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend. Physical or Verbal Abuse of any kind should meet with zero tolerance. Domestic/Dating Violence can be confusing and scary at any age. It is our duty as adults to protect our teens and inform them that love shouldn’t hurt. Family and educators’ involvement in arming our youths with the proper knowledge and resources is critical in our continued support for non-violence in teen dating relationships. We can make a difference!
For more information: www.fcadv.org/projects-programs/teen-dating-violence National Center of Victims of Crime 2015, loveisrespect.org Jill Assalti is a motivational speaker and author. You can visit her online at www.Jillography.com.
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coming out Teens revealing sexual identity By Krista Byrd The Robertson family.
w
hen Ryan Robertson was 12, he was on fire for God.
He prayed and attended church youth groups where he was just one of the guys. He was adventurous and could memorize scripture faster than other kids his age. But Ryan was fighting a battle within that he was afraid to let anybody else find out about. That is, until the night he decided to tell his mother. “Well, I don’t know how to say this really but, well…… i can’t keep lying to you about myself. I have been hiding this for too long and i sorta have to tell u now. By now u probably have an idea of what i am about to say,” Ryan typed on AOL Instant Messenger from his computer in his bedroom. “I am gay. I can’t believe I just told you.” Ryan’s parents, Linda and Rob Robertson, were shocked. The Robertson family was active in their church community. They had neighbors and friends who were gay, but to have a son who was gay felt like an attack on their spirituality. “At the time, we felt like our son was walking in the middle of a busy highway. All of the things we had heard for years and years had terrified us,” says Linda. “The story of gay that we had heard was that gay men were reckless and wild and of course they don’t believe in Jesus Christ. We were very aware that it would be unacceptable to be supportive of a gay son.” Linda sought help from friends and family, but all she found was her fears being echoed. After researching and dealing with their collective anger and emotions, the family decided to pursue the “ex-gay” route. This entailed Ryan praying, seeking God, reading literature and trying therapy to help him become straight. “In that time, he became so passionate for Christ,” says Linda. “We did everything we thought we were supposed to do. We thought it was God promising to make him straight, but it was just the church.” The Robertson family’s story ended tragically . Today, Ryan could have been planning a party for his upcoming 27th birthday, or standing in a tailored tux as his little brother got married. But, as he changed from a terrified 12 year old boy into a hurt and broken 18 year old man, he became addicted to drugs and followed a much more dangerous path than the Robertson’s could have ever imagined. Ryan spent 17 days in the hospital before passing away in June of 2009.
Helping Hands When Justin Lee was growing up in a Southern Baptist church,
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people called him “God Boy.” But like Ryan, he was also hiding from an important part of himself. “People want to think that there couldn’t be a gay person in their youth group, or in their congregation, but the fact is that we are in church and we are struggling with ourselves,” says Lee. After years of studying scripture and feeling like he had nobody to connect with, Lee started the Gay Christian Network (GCN), where parents, teens and gay Christians can connect and find support in a faith-centered community. What started as a message board has now transformed into conferences and various ways to connect with other gay Christians. “There are members of our groups and other religious groups who oppose same-sex marriage and same-sex sexual relationships,” says Lee. “My advice to those is that there are groups who support gay Christians and others in living a life that is consistent with their theological beliefs without suggesting that they’re no longer gay.” Groups like Lee’s seek to undo the damage they perceive has been done by “ex-gay” ministries such as Exodus International that use various methods of therapy (including reparative and conversion therapy) to “cure” homosexuality. Many ministries, including Exodus Ministries, have shut down operations. Their methods have been proven to not only not work, but to cause psychological and emotional harm to participants. As was the case with Ryan, participants in this program begin to believe that God has abandoned them when it doesn’t work, and the damage can be irreparable, says Linda. “This is a part of their identity and who they are, so to reject a teen or someone going through an identity crisis can have long lasting results,” says Nekeisha Hammond, PsyD, owner of Hammond Psychology. Groups like the Gay Christian Network are also supportive of Christians who choose not to follow their sexual identity. Although GCN supports gay Christians who decide to be celibate (which is referred to as Side A of the gay Christian argument), they also support gay Christians who believe in loving committed same-sex relationships (or Side B). A recent study published by the Psychiatric Times shows that there is a link between kids revealing their sexual identity to their parents (regardless of religious beliefs) and overall happiness. The same study also shows that kids who are not accepted by family members after revealing sexual identity have a higher risk of long-term negative effects and self-esteem issues. continued on page 38
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“When teens are coming out, there is an increase in their anxiety. Teens who are not supported by their family or their community can have a lower self-esteem and this can really have long-term results that stick with them,” says Hammond. “When you reject a teen coming out, it can even push them toward suicide.”
is listen—regardless of your beliefs.
Feeling as though God had abandoned him, an 18-year-old Ryan began walking down a much more dangerous path: drugs. He moved out of the family home and became addicted to drugs and living a dangerous lifestyle. He began breaking into his family home to steal and pawn family members’ belongings, and he grew further away from his family and from God.
Another important thing to do, even if you don’t think that your child is LGBTQ, is to watch the things that you say when they are young.
After trying fervently to become straight, the results were not what the Robertsons had hoped for. Ryan felt like God had given up on him, and he became hopeless. Linda and Rob felt that Ryan still shouldn’t pursue a gay lifestyle, not realizing the pain this would cause. “I have been so blessed with a wonderful marriage, and at the time we never realized that we were telling our child that he can never have what we all have,” says Linda. “If I could go back, I would say to him, ‘We’re in your corner, we have your back.’ We had – unintentionally – taught Ryan to hate his sexuality. And since sexuality cannot be separated from the self, we had taught Ryan to hate himself. So as he began to use drugs, he did so with a recklessness and a lack of caution for his own safety that was alarming to everyone who knew him. We feel like we have responsibility for his decision to use drugs,” Linda says through tears. Again and again, advocates counsel that if your teen decides to reveal his or her sexual identity, one of the most important things you can do
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“Listen, express love, have an open dialogue with them, and commit to remain open and to explore together what this means for their life,” says Lee.
“You never know if by saying things like ‘Oh look, Ellen is a lesbian. Gross,’ or something like that, [you might] affect your child. You don’t know what they might be struggling with, and those types of comments might make it harder for them to want to be open with you,” says Linda. Although your religious beliefs may not support same-sex relationships, it is important to get educated and find support for yourself and your teen. One resource is through an annual conference that GCN holds where teens and their parents can connect with each other and learn scripture as well as find support. When Lee came out to his parents, he confided in a pastor whom he trusted fully before coming out to his parents. Although the pastor didn’t support homosexuality, he was able to help Lee build the courage he needed to tell his family and was able to provide a level of support that Lee needed. The issue of your child’s sexuality isn’t black and white, Linda warns. “There is a credible scriptural defense that God can bless gay marriages, and your child may have been struggling and studying scripture far more than you might have,” says Linda. “It is so important to listen, and to realize that if you jump to giving advice on something they have
struggled with for months, it can drive a wedge in the family.” After Lee came out to his family, he realized that he was one of the lucky ones. His parents listened and recognized how hard it was for him to tell them what he knew they didn’t want to hear. They expressed their love for him, and although the years wouldn’t be without a heated conversation or two, they supported him. Because of this support, Lee knew that his call to ministry might have been different from his original plans, but was something he could use to help others.
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If your teen has revealed their sexual identity and relationships were damaged in the aftermath, counseling can be an important step, says Hammond. After struggling with his sexuality and Christianity for years, just 10 months before his death, Ryan was ready to start over. The Robertsons went to therapy with Ryan and things began to improve.
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Just as you sought support when your child initially revealed their sexual identity to you, it is important to seek support when the relationships were damaged, says Hammond “Before you start counseling, really talk and listen to what each member of your family has to say,” says Hammond. “The next step to mending the relationships is to come to counseling and work through it together.” Although the Robertson family loved their son fiercely and tried to mend the damage, Ryan relapsed and Linda received a phone call that shocked her. She needed to come to the hospital to identify her son.
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“Ryan died on July 16, 2009. And we lost the ability to love our gay TampaBayParenting-Nov.indd son…because we no longer had a gay son. What we had wished for… prayed for…hoped for…that we would NOT have a gay son, came true. But not at all in the way we used to envision,” says Linda.
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While the Robertson family story had a heartbreaking end, teens are still coming out in conservative or religious families today, and there can still be hope. “Parents don’t want their kids to walk away from Jesus because of their sexuality, but then the opposite of our fears happens,” says Linda. “When we don’t listen and support them [our kids], we push them right into the fire ourselves.” For more information about the Gay Christian Network, visit www. gaychristian.net. Justin Lee’s book, “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.- Christian Debate” is available now.
Ryan with his three younger siblings.
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What's Happening Goody Goody Turkey Gobble On Thanksgiving morning, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is inviting the community to participate in a fun 5K or 1-mile walk/run in downtown Tampa. All ability levels are welcome to participate. The 5K is happening on Thursday, Nov. 26th, and is a chip-timed race, on a USATFcertified course beginning and ending at Amalie Arena. 100 percent of proceeds raised from the Goody Goody Turkey Gobble 5K will support the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program for cancer survivors and their families. The cost is $30 per adult and $15 per child to participate. Register online or the day of the race. www.TampaYMCA.com
2nd Annual Baby Shower at St pete General Join St. Pete General Hospital for a baby shower like no other. This free educational event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 gives expectant moms, dads and families the opportunity to talk with healthcare professionals about all aspects of having a new baby. Pinellas County EMS will be there to help you install your car seat safely, and massages will also be available. There will also be drawings every hour with fun giveaways for everyone in the family. www. stpetegeneral.com
St John's Soaring Eagle run This fun run will take place in Gadsden Park in South Tampa (6901 South MacDill Ave.) at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The event is a fundraiser for St John’s Episcopal School as well as a family-friendly race intended to encourage community members and SJE families to exercise and maintain healthy lifestyles. The event will be chip-timed by TRC Race Management. All participants will receive a goody bag and a special race t-shirt. Medals will be given to every child who participates in the 5K or 1-mile run. Registration online is encouraged. www. stjohnseagles.org
High risk Hope Tot Trot The High Risk Hope Tot Trot is an annual family-friendly 3K that raises funds to benefit High Risk Hope. November is Prematurity Awareness Month across the globe and your family can help spread the word and win the #fightforpreemies! The Tot Trot will take place at Gadsden Park in Tampa and begins at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 14. Strollers, bikes and families are encouraged. The cost to participate is $25 online or $30 for adults the day of the event, and $15 online or $20 the day of the event for children 5-12. Kids 0-4 are free. www.tottrot.org
Junior league holiday gift market Join the Junior League of Tampa from Nov. 13-15 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall for this exciting holiday shopping event. Over 135 specialty merchants will be under one roof to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Tickets are $6 and 100 percent of the proceeds raised by the Junior League will support the League’s programs and community projects in the areas of education and child welfare. Presented by Publix Supermarkets. www.jltampa.org/holiday-gift-market.
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• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
November 24, 2015 - January 3, 2016 • 2 million lights along with acres of stunning décor • NEW ICE! theme - 2 million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice sculptures and slides featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas • NEW - The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt
• NEW - Cirque Dreams Unwrapped stage show • Alpine Rush Snow Tubing • Gingerbread Decorating Corner sponsored by PEEPS® • Breakfast with Mrs. Claus and much more...
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PEPSI and Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. The Elf on the Shelf ® and © 2015 CCA and B, LLC. All rights reserved. PEEPS® trademark Just Born, Inc. © 2015. All rights reserved. PEPSI_H1_NB_MEDIUM_4C (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4")
Tbp product guide
Kitanie Coloring for All Ages Kitanie Coloring books are not your typical coloring
our favorite
books. Think of them as “the evolution of the coloring book.” Each coloring book has an uplifting theme and is perfect for adults and kids alike.
ozobot
$10 www.kitanie.com
Expand your child’s horizons with the help of Ozobot Bit - the tiny tinker robot. There is no end to the possibilities as your child creates a different landscape of adventures, games and coding with Ozobot Bit. $60 www.ozobot.com
give thanks essio shower diffuser Turn your shower into a spa with this easy luxurious product. ESSIO works with virtually any shower to diffuse 100-percent organic essential oils into the shower for an aromatic experience. $45 www.essioshower.com
ask amy doll Encouraging emotional and language development, Ask Amy responds to 12 verbal prompts to answer questions, provide words of inspiration and motivate children to sing along or recite a variety of poems. Each 22-inch Ask Amy doll comes with a storybook and interactive
kid-o-bunk Great for sleepovers, camping trips or holiday travel, Kid-OBunk can be configured into a stackable bunk, two single cots or a bench in minutes. It uses patented lock-in discs, so no tools are needed for assembly. It packs down into its own zippered carrying bag. $290 www.kidobunk.com
phrase list $120 www.askamydoll.com
vivitar selfie monopod Take selfies to a professional level with this 40-inch extension, Bluetooth-enabled selfie stick. The smartphone cradle and tripod mount have a 180-degree ball head for the best photos. $15 www.vivitar.com
tegu toys These ecofriendly and sustainable heirloom-quality magnetic wooden toy blocks are perfect for fostering your child’s creativity. Now available in more colors and sets, this is a toy that will last past the holidays. $35 www.tegu.com
Something cool lush bubble bars All Lush products are made from fresh fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthet-
super max the turtle
ics. Hold your Bubble Bar under the tap as you run your
Super Max is the tiny turtle with BIG stars—small
bath. Splash the water around to create big, frothy
enough to fit into the palm of your hand but big
bubbles. Let it dry out in between uses. $10
enough to fill an entire bedroom with a starry night
www.lushchristmas.com
sky. Super Max the Turtle has three calming color options to soothe little ones to sleep no matter where bedtime lands. $22 www.cloudb.com
worry eaters
dr. squatch soap co.
These cute little creatures help your kids with anxiety.
With eight unique, outdoorsy scented varieties, these
Simply write down your worries and fears, feed them
handmade bars have all-natural ingredients. Become a
to the worry eater - he’ll hold them for you—and
“soapscriber” for a new scent every month, or try the
remember you’ll get through this together! $23
gift set that comes with four soap bars in a custom
www.haywiregroup.com/worry-eaters/
wooden box. $7 http://drsquatch.com
delicious salad love Light and refreshing, salad love dressings are made with whole organic ingredients—real lemons, tomatoes, kale, herbs, and farm-fresh cheeses—for that super fresh and delicious taste. In four flavors, salad love’s lemon agave, white cheddar, kale parmesan and fresh tomato Italian are created with chefs to flatter and enhance the natural flavors in organicgirl greens. They make great marinades, dips and sauces too. www.iloveorganicgirl.com
cricketzzz Kids heading to a sleepover or to a relative’s home for the holidays will love snuggling in these plush sleeping bags with built-in pillows. Each bag is extra-soft, durable and sold in awesome prints and patterns. $160 www.cricketzzz.com.
build and imagine set Build & Imagine toys aim to expand a child’s possibilities by developing foundational skills for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These are fields in which women represent only 24 percent of the workforce, leading to what the President has termed a “gender gap in innovation.” These toys help girls and boys learn through play. $50 www.buildandimagine.com
ripley's eye popping oddities “Eye-Popping Oddities!” is the annual collection of strange-but-true stories from Ripley Publishing and features 256 pages of mind-blowing stories of animals, feats, art, pop culture, the human body and more. $29 www.ripleyentertainment.com
tivoli audio Tivoli Audio products combine state-of-the-art sound quality with great looks, making them perfect presents for the holiday season. All are sold in a variety of colors and finishes. Several models are available with Bluetooth wireless technology, so you can play music from a smart phone, computer, tablet or iPod. $250 www.tivoliaudio.com
diggin' rigs max the cement mixer play doh set This hard-working vehicle is covered in half-molds for additional construction-themed play, and can make Play-Doh cement and streets. When the cement is in place, use the roller tool to smooth out and finish up the road! $20 www.playdoh.hasbro.com/
the running buddy Perfect for the runner in your life, the Running Buddy is a lightweight, comfortable pouch that can carry more than just one energy gel and is belt free. The magnetic closure allows you to wear the pouch and run hands-free. It includes a water and sweat-resistant inner pocket to hold phones, iPods, and other personal items, and its Dri-FIT material keeps the pouch comfortable against your skin. $13 www.therunningbuddy.com
robomow Give dad the gift of spare time with this handy lawn mower that lets you mow the whole lawn from your seat. Compatible with smart phones, you can control the mower with an app and watch as it keeps the lawn neat and tidy. $1600 www.robomow.com
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4 2 # n o s a e R D O life f GO o e g a t s or every Accounts f
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Extraordinary
Woman
By Angela Ardolino
Mastering the art of motherhood, work and community. High Risk Hope Founder Heather Barrow was just 24 weeks into pregnancy with her second child when her water broke and she went into labor. Doctors immediately prepared Barrow and her husband Bennett for the impending birth of her son Hill, warning he would have a 50 percent chance of survival and would certainly face some type of severe and permanent disability.
was recognized as the 2015 Nonprofit of the Year by WEDU/PBS. Barrow, as founder and executive director, was recognized in 2014 as the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Woman of Promise, in 2013 as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero, as one of Tampa Bay’s “10 Leading Ladies” by Blu Tampa Bay, as an “Everyday Hero” by Bay News 9, and as a “Hometown Hero” by FOX 13 News.
Preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24 weeks is rare, and the mother and baby’s life is at risk as long as the pregnancy continues. Barrow and Hill were closely monitored due to the potentially fatal risk of umbilical cord prolapse and infection. With the cushioning amniotic fluid between the baby and umbilical cord gone, any movement could cause the baby to roll on the cord and stop the flow of oxygen, resulting in brain damage or death.
what do you think is the secret to your family's success? We try to always do our best and not take success or ourselves too seriously. I tell my children, Claire and Hill, if at the end of every day they did more good than bad, it is a successful day.
Thanks to an excellent medical team, prayers, the support of loved ones and a positive outlook, Barrow remained pregnant for 59 days on complete hospital bed rest. To the surprise of an operating room full of nurses, obstetricians and neonatologists, Hill was born kicking and screaming at 32 weeks by an emergency C-section. Despite being born two months premature, and having no amniotic fluid for two months in utero, Hill needed no breathing support during his brief stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. Since his birth in 2009, Hill has met or exceeded every developmental milestone and has shown no complications related to Heather’s hospitalization or his premature birth. Helping other mothers who may find herself in that situation has since become Barrow’s mission. Armed with determination, her experience and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting from the University of Florida, Barrow founded High Risk Hope, a for purpose organization that provides support, encouragement, information and resources to women and families who are experiencing a high risk pregnancy resulting in hospital bed rest, potential premature birth and neonatal intensive care after delivery. Today, Barrow leads a team of non-compensated volunteers who reach out to more than 1,200 patients annually at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital and Tampa General Hospital. As a result of High Risk Hope’s outreach in the Tampa Bay community, High Risk Hope
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what is your biggest fear? The day someone I love becomes very ill. what advice would you give to other women? Ignore the negative chatter. There is a constant voice in my head saying I should be doing almost everything better. Whether it relates to raising my children or running High Risk Hope, I am my own worst critic. Sometimes it is spurred by misplaced criticism from someone in my inner circle or a negative comment from strangers on the Internet looking to stir up trouble. The bottom line is I am doing my best with the time and resources I have and that is enough. Every woman reading this article is doing enough too, ignore the haters, including you. what is your proudest moment? Every year since Hill was born, Bennett cooks (and our family delivers) Thanksgiving dinner to the high risk obstetric nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. I am extremely proud that Claire and Hill have embraced this tradition and understand the importance of showing gratitude to the people that helped our family during our time of need. what is your biggest achievement? I was able to remain pregnant on complete hospital bed rest for over eight weeks. That extra two months gave Hill a fighting chance at a full life without severe disabilities. I am not sure I will accomplish anything more significant in my lifetime. what makes you happy? My husband Bennett, hearing my kids laugh, meeting healthy High Risk Hope babies, coffee and country music concerts.
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
how do you relax and take time for yourself? I am working on doing this more. My main escape from the craziness is riding my bike several mornings a week on Bayshore, usually around sunrise. what kind of message would you like to give women in the area? The quote we live by in our home, and at High Risk Hope, is, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough,” by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. I have it on my keychain and framed in the office. When I was pregnant with Hill, Bennett and I were terrified to hope we would leave the hospital with a healthy baby. Hill is now a healthy and normal six year old, breezing through Kindergarten. Almost every day over the past five years I have been terrified about what we were planning for High Risk Hope at any given time. From making our first hospital delivery at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital to moving into office space in Ybor City to our expansion to Tampa General Hospital to hiring our first employee, our biggest accomplishments were preceded by a large opportunity for failure. Make sure your dreams for your family, career and community are big enough to terrify you. what else would you like to share? I firmly believe to whom much is given, much is expected. My family was given a healthy baby, when for months we were uncertain Hill would survive. Although most families with healthy children do not have our unique history, they have the same gift to be thankful for. I want those families to remember the half million families in our country every year who deliver a premature baby who enters this world with an uncertain future. There is an opportunity right here in this community to give thanks for healthy babies by supporting families who were not as fortunate. High Risk Hope has ways for every member of your family to be involved in our fight for preemies. what is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is to try to be a role model for my children. I don’t always get it right but have realized if I am critical of my own appearance, parenting, accomplishments and relationships, then my kids will learn to mirror that criticism about them. If I tell them to be charitable and kind but do nothing to show them how, I cannot expect them to grow into charitable adults.
Heather Barrow Heather with Moose at her home in Tampa. Photo by Amy Pezzicara, Pezz Photo
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South hillsborough apollo beach | lithia | riverview ruskin | south tampa | valrico | fishhawk
Workshops Invite Community to Break the Cycle Visions of Hope International hosts a free series of Breaking the Cycle and Learn Workshops and invites those in the Bay Area interested in learning more about the organization and breaking the cycle of domestic violence in their community. Visions of Hope International is a transitional domestic violence agency that educates, inspires and motivates individuals who have been affected by physical, emotional, verbal abuse and bullying. Through a variety of programs, workshops and affiliate partnerships, the group sets out to assist individuals in gaining independence and rebuilding their lives and self-worth. This month, the group holds its Community Education Power Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at its Riverview office located at 10008 Park Place Ave. During the luncheon, members of the team introduce themselves and explain how the group works in the community to support individuals, provide valuable resources and partner with others to educate people about the prevalence and impact of domestic violence. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Visions of Hope hosts Breaking the Cycle and Learn, also 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. This workshop is focused on domestic violence in the workplace. During the event, attendees will learn how to recognize the warning signs, better understand the effects and learn about how they can help and what resources are available. Later in the month, visitors can learn about the ABCs of Breaking Free – Warning Signs, a special workshop open to all community members 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24. Topics covered during this workshop include warning signs, how to recognize patterns, the control wheel, safety plans and emergency resources. To RSVP for any of these events, email lorianne@vhinternational.org. Learn more about the organization at vhinternational.org.
Tampa YMCA Gears up for Goody Goody Turkey Gobble Registration is still underway for the Tampa YMCA Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble 5K sponsored by Goody Goody™ restaurant to be held on Thanksgiving. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA invites community members – of all ages and ability levels – to participate in the fun 5K or one mile walk/run in downtown Tampa Thursday, Nov. 26. “Goody Goody is the title sponsor because I believe in the Y and in fitness,” says Richard Gonzmart, fourth generation co-owner and president of the Columbia Restaurant Group, which owns and will operate the restaurant. “And the course is close to our location in Hyde Park Village, where we’ll open in early 2016.” Goody Goody is providing free breakfast to all participants after the chip-timed race takes place on the USATF-certified course beginning and ending at Amalie Arena. The route is an out and back course, taking participants across the Platt Street Bridge and along scenic Bayshore Boulevard. Awards will be given to top finishers for male and female and adults and children ages 12 and under. The next 50 male and 50 female finishers, regardless of age, will receive a commemorative gift. Strollers are welcome. All proceeds raised from the Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble 5K will benefit LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program for cancer survivors and their families. Registration is available at active.com. For more information about this or other events, go to tampaymca.org or call the Downtown YMCA Wellness Centers at 813-229-1305.
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dates: Nov. 1 and 8, 1:30-3 p.m. Mouse Etiquette and Emotional Intelligence Workshop Sign up the kids ages 6-9 for a two-week Sunday Soiree at The Enchanted Spot at Silly Dilly’s Tot Spot in Tampa. Day includes sweets and a take-home Maileg mouse memento. Cost is $125 per child. sillydillytotspot.com
Nov. 3, 5-7 p.m. Bayshore Christian School Open House Learn about the programs available for students entering grades PreK-12 at this admissions event at Bayshore Christian School in South Tampa. Tour the campus and meet up with school teachers and administrators. bayshorechristianschool.org
Nov. 5-8, various times Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. Relive the popular 1970s cartoon shorts with Patel Conservatory students onstage at TECO Theater at Tampa’s Straz Center. Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $20. patelconservatory.org
Nov. 7, 9-10:30 a.m. Ride It On Home! Come out to show your support for this year’s “spinners” in this sold-out cycling fundraiser at SOHO Cycling Studio in South Tampa and help each spinner raise $1,000 for each child in the Heart Gallery. Supporters can join in 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the afterparty fun at They Hyde Out. heartgallerytampabay.org
Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Organicgirl Good Green Fun Lunch Organicgirl salads is hosting a FREE lunch for parents and kids that promises to entice little ones to eat their vegetables. In addition to a tasty salad featuring organicgirl’s new Sweet Pea and PEPPERGREENS salad mixes and salad love dressings, you’ll have the chance to win prizes throughout the day, like greens for year! iloveorganicgirl.com
Nov. 20-21, various times Pig Jam Get ready for tasty barbecue, live entertainment and plenty of family fun at this annual Plant City tradition hosted by Suncoast Credit Union and held at the Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex Stadium. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. facebook.com/pigjam
November 13th-15th Florida State Fairgrounds - Expo Hall
to purchase tickets, visit www.jltampahgm.eventbrite.com This shopping event features more than 135 specialty merchants from across the country offering unique gift items. Holiday Gift Market includes merchants selling everything from clothing, jewelry, and handbags to food, art, and children’s items. 100% of Holiday Gift Market’s net proceeds support The Junior League of Tampa’s education and child welfare programs and community projects. presented by:
celsiusmarketing.com
north hillsborough carrollwood | citrus park | lutz | new tampa odessa | temple terrace | westchase
Corbett prep Invites Families to Nov. 17 open House Corbett Preparatory School of IDS hosts a Fall Admissions Open House for prospective families at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Parents can learn more about the school’s mission to produce students who are creative, innovative thinkers; to develop their ability to collaborate and lead; and to instill and build confidence in students to accept new challenges. Each Admissions Open House at the school, located at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in North Tampa, begins with an overview of Corbett Prep, founded in 1968 on the premise that all children deserve a gifted education. During admissions events, Headmaster Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman will discuss Corbett Prep’s academic curriculum as well as its fine arts, sports and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs. Corbett Prep also offers an International Baccalaureate Programme at all grade levels beginning at PreK3.Swarzman also will discuss how Corbett Prep employs brain-based teaching strategies in classrooms and the commitment teachers make to regular trainings, in-house and nationally. “Our vision is to make the learning process joyful and challenging, as well as stimulating and productive,” says Swarzman. “Our master teachers put children first, focusing on excellence and developing a positive approach to life and learning.” Middle School student ambassadors will lead Open House guests on a tour of the lakeside campus and answer questions from their perspectives. A light breakfast will be served. To RSVP, contact Dr. Jennifer Clark, Director of Admissions, at jclark@corbettprep.com or 813961-3087. For more information, go to corbettprep.com.
BayCare offers online Scheduling for urgent Care BayCare Urgent Care patients can now go online to schedule appointments at any of the health system’s Urgent Care sites using the healthcare system’s new Save Your Spot app. Patients can make a reservation from a smartphone, tablet or computer anywhere they have a wireless connection, and the app will automatically send texts or emails to update wait times or to reset reservations if necessary. “This patient friendly program allows for anyone to hold a spot at any one of our urgent care centers and then go on with their day before coming in,” says Nathan Keith Waldrep, MD, director of physician services, BayCare Urgent Care. “Patients can select a time that meets their schedule and reduce the amount of time spent in the waiting room.” Walk-in appointments will continue to be welcomed at all BayCare Urgent Care locations, which are equipped to provide a total care experience including X-rays, lab work, EKGs and prescriptions. In addition to two urgent care locations at 13670 Walsingham Road, Largo, and 4821 U.S. Highway 19, New Port Richey, BayCare has opened five new locations since October 2014, including a Carrollwood location (11921 N. Dale Mabry Highway., Suite 7, Tampa) and a Tampa location at 6909 W. Waters Ave. BayCare also has confirmed three more locations planned to open this year including one at 3426 W. Dr. MLK Blvd. in Tampa, near St. Joseph’s Hospital. For more information about Save Your Spot and BayCare Urgent Care, visit baycareurgentcare.org.
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• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
dates: Nov. 1-2, various times 17th Annual Tampa General Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament Tee it up at this fundraiser weekend to benefit Tampa General Foundation. Attend a Pairings Dinner at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Hit the links at Avila Golf and Country Club in Lutz 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Proceeds benefit TGH’s Fund for the Future. For questions or additional information, call 813-844-7273.
Nov. 7, 2-6 p.m. Fall Festival at Vista Gardens Bring the family to enjoy a thriving garden at this Carrollwood Cultural Center event at Carrollwood Village. Afternoon includes live music, face painting, sustainable living educational presentations and a tour of the grounds. Free. carrollwoodcenter.org
Nov. 12, 7 p.m. CDS High School Open House Ask questions and tour the campus at Carrollwood Day School. Get info about CDS high school programs. RSVP to Julie Johnson at 813-920-2288. carrollwooddayschool.org.
Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m. Movies in the Park Pack up the kids and blankets and head to West Park Village on Montague St. in the Westchase community. This month’s film will be The LEGO Movie. westchasecwa.com
Nov. 14, 8-10:30 a.m. Trot Thru the Terrace Sign up for this GFWC Temple Terrace Junior Woman’s Club fundraiser at Riverhills Park. Event offers 5K and 10K runs, and a pet-friendly 1-mile walk. Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. with race to follow at 8 a.m. Cost to participate is $10-$30. ttjuniors.org
Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Our America with A.C.T. for Youth Listen to multi-cultural folktales and sing along to songs from the American experience brought to life at Carrollwood Cultural Center. Families can hear stories from a variety of cultures and learn the history of the Underground Railroad. Tickets are $7 members and $8 general admission with a $28 family 4-pack available. carrollwoodcenter.org
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AFTER 30 DAYS
20% OFF use code: TBP20
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South pinellas pinellas park | seminole | st. pete beach largo | st. petersburg | treasure island
The Mahaffey's New Season of Family Fun
dates:
As cooler weather and the holidays approach, great entertainment rolls into the Tampa Bay area along with it, taking the stage at some of the area’s most popular venues. Though it may be known for offering an eclectic mix of music, comedy and special guest appearances to entertain audiences, Mahaffey Theater is big on family-friendly entertainment in its 20152016 season, kicked off by a recent visit from “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Live on Stage” in October.
Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Along with November’s “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog – Live!,” the St. Pete theater’s lineup of family-friendly performances includes the Feb. 19 return of “Wild Kratts Live!,” with PBS’ animal-crazy brothers Chris and Martin Kratt (they’re animated on the TV show; they’ll be live-in-person at The Mahaffey). The Kratts’ 2015 appearance – combining both laughs and lessons - was a huge success and sell-out. Later this spring, another live-action PBS adaptation comes to The Mahaffey as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” arrives. Based on the animated hit from the Fred Rogers Company, this much-anticipated show for the whole family arrives in the neighborhood May 15. “We’re dedicated to quality entertainment across the board, for everyone,” Mahaffey Theater General Manager Joe Santiago says. “And for that reason, we choose our family and children’s shows very carefully. We want families to have a great time, and to enjoy it so much that they come back for more.” For more information about this season’s scheduled entertainment or to purchase tickets, call 727-892-5767 or visit the venue online at themahaffey.com.
Shorecrest Open House Join other families with students entering grades 5-12 for a night of learning more about the educational programs at the St. Petersburg private school. Guests will get to meet teachers and tour the facilities. RSVP at shorecrest.org/events.
Nov. 5-8, various times St. Jude Fall Festival Take the kids out for a fun weekend of rides, games and food at St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral School in St. Pete. Event also includes live music and an arts and crafts show. Visit stjudefestival.com and purchase presale ride wristbands.
Nov. 8, 11 a.m. Fall Into Fashion Spend time with friends indulging in food, fashion and designer purse bingo at this fundraiser by the Junior League of St. Petersburg at St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Tickets are $50 and include one bingo card. Additional cards available for purchase. jlstpete.org
Nov. 12, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Conference Looks to Hook Families on Achievement Area parents, teachers, school administrators and members of the community are invited to take part in a unique conference from Pinellas County Public Schools this month. The Alliance for Family Engagement Conference returns with “Hooked on Family Engagement to Increase Student Achievement.” This special event is being held 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at the St. Petersburg Hilton Bayfront Hotel, located at 333 1st St. S., and features a variety of speakers and interactive activities focused on raising student achievement by way of family involvement and a commitment to making education a priority at home. The conference features 15 workshops covering a range of topics from critical thinking skills for children and arithmetic that sticks to time-sensitive areas of concern such as cyber bullying and social media. The day also includes a vendor walk for guest to explore, as well as a presentation from keynote speaker LaShawn Frost, Principal for Booker Middle School, Sarasota County Schools. Tickets for the event are $85 and include continental breakfast, lunch and door prizes. (Parking costs an additional $5.) For more information, call 727-588-5050.
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• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
WeeTime at Weedon Introduce the wonders of both the natural and cultural worlds as part of this monthly program for kids ages 35 at Weedon Island Preserve in St. Pete. Event includes storytelling and handson activities connecting children to their environment. Free but advance registration required. Register at weedonislandpreserve.org.
Nov. 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Annual HUGS of Florida Family Fun Day and Awareness Walk Take a one-mile walk around Largo Central Park to promote the awareness of neurological conditions that impact Bay Area families at this Largo event. Day includes lunch, entertainment, games and arts and crafts for families. All proceeds benefit Hugs of Florida Family Support Group. To register or donate, go to hugsflorida. org.
Nov. 16, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Anthony’s Hospital Auxiliary White Elephant Sale Find new and used treasures at this annual event in St. Anthony’s Auditorium in St. Pete. Proceeds benefit programs and services at the hospital. To learn more, call 727-896-5478.
oldNE-journal-ad-2016-aa.pdf
NEW FAVORITE
Roasted Turkey, Apple & Cheddar Sandwich Roasted turkey raised without antibiotics, Vermont white cheddar, fresh apple and cabbage slaw, arugula and special sauce on new Whole Grain Cranberry Walnut Bread. C
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north pinellas oldsmar | clearwater | dunedin palm harbor | safety harbor East Lake | tarpon springs
pinellas Culinary Students Cook up Success
dates:
Students at the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy at Tarpon Springs High School recently took part in a unique competition designed to create a brand new sauce for Sonny’s BBQ Restaurants. Eighteen teams, each comprised of three Jacobson Culinary Arts students, prepared barbecue recipes from scratch. The rules prohibited students from using garlic, onions or peanuts in their recipe in order to create a sauce for customers who may have certain dietary restrictions. The sauces were judged based on the taste, color, texture and aroma.
Nov. 5, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Winning teams included: First Place –Jonathan Conrad, Kaitlyn Farrar and Finn Haasl; Second Place—Derek Warzen, Elizabeth Stone, Claire Ferrari; Third Place—John Bookman, Bobby Karterouliotis, Emily Richo; and fourth place-Atila Wright-Isguzar, Zach Thompson and Rain Test . The winning teams in first through fourth place received nearly $4,350 worth of cash prizes donated by Sonny’s. The company also donated all of the ingredients to prepare recipes. Judges included: the Pit Bosses from Sonny’s BBQ, local area barbecue chefs, Mike Wells and Ashley Giasone from the Ryan Wells Foundation, former graduates of the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy and members of the Pinellas County School Board culinary staff. Edward Titen, the franchisee owner of Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ restaurants in Palm Harbor, New Port Richey and Largo, announced the winners. Titen said the first and second place winning teams will receive additional money and will be invited to join Sonny’s professional chefs to work on their new recipes for national competition. If the student sauces ultimately show promise, they may be included at a later date as a side sauce on a future menu. Titen praised the participating students for their creativity in the kitchen and for their professionalism working together as part of a team. “We feel very honored to work with the kids and their families and all of the staff here at the culinary school.”
Dunedin Jays Hit It out of the park for Autism Awareness The Dunedin Blue Jays have announced that they raised $2,651 during Autism Awareness Night held Friday, August 28th when the Jays hosted the Lakeland Flying Tigers. During the event, the Dunedin Blue Jays players and coaches wore special Autism Awareness jerseys for the special evening, featuring white Dunedin script across the chest with Autism Awareness puzzle pieces on the sleeves. Leading up to the game, the team held an online jersey auction as well as a live auction which continued through the fifth inning. Jersey winners in attendance received signed jerseys that evening from the player or coach wearing it during the game. Signed jerseys were also shipped to the highest online bidders. All proceeds from the jersey auction, 50/50 raffle and pre-purchased fundraiser tickets (for $6) through a special Blue Jays link benefited Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs of Dunedin Elementary, Dunedin High School, San Jose Elementary and Garrison-Jones Elementary. The $2,651 raised was divided between the four participating schools.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Grape Escape Garden Party and Wine Tasting Enjoy a magical evening under the stars as you sip fine wines and specialty beers and sample appetizers from the area’s top restaurants at Earthscapes Garden Room in Palm Harbor.Support the Greater Palm Harbor Y’s financial assistance program. Tickets are $45 each or $80 per couple. suncoastymca.org
Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Book Time at Brooker Sign up the kids ages 3-5 to connect with the wonders of the natural world through storytelling and hands-on activities at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs. Event is free but advance registration required. Register at brookercreekpreserve. eventbrite.com
Nov. 7-8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Art Harvest Check out the work from over 200 artists in this juried art show organized by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin at Highlander Park in Dunedin. Event also includes craft activities for the kids. Free admission. jlcd.org
Nov. 13-14, various times RMH Charity Golf Classic Spend the weekend on the golf course with friends for a good cause as part of this annual golf fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. Take part in two days of activities or become a sponsor. For details, go to rmhctampabay. org.
Nov. 14, 8 a.m. - noon Community Garage Sale Browse for hidden treasures or reserve your own booth to sell your own at this community event at Hale Senior Activity Center in Dunedin. Free to attend. Cost for vendors is $12 for a 10x10 space. For more information, call 727-298-3299.
Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Friday Fun: Giggle, Giggle, Quack & More Bring the little ones ages 3-5 to enjoy movies featuring storytime favorites as part of this Youth Services Preschool Series at Dunedin Public Library. No registration is required. Free to attend with popcorn provided to guests. To learn more, call 727298-3080, x1732.
November 14th | 9:30 a.m.
Gadsden Park,Tampa
3K S T R O L L . WALK. RUN.
Trot to prolong high risk pregnancies and improve the outcomes for premature infants. Stay for food, fun and family friendly activities!
3K WALK.RUN.STROLL.
CHARACTER APPEARANCES: Elsa & Anna, Star Wars, Thunderbug, Raymond
ADULTS CHILDREN 4 AND UNDER
DJ JAKE DELA CRUZ
$25 $15 FREE
USE CODE TBP AT CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF
FIRE TRUCK & AMBULANCE TOURS
DRINKS & SNACKS: McDonald’s Smoothies/PDQ Chicken
REGISTER NOW AT WWW.TOTTROT.ORG
TODDLER PLAY AREA
CRAFTS
PLAYGROUNDS OF TAMPA BOUNCE HOUSES
photos by TheGalleryStudios.com
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pasco dade city | land o' lakes | new port richey trinity | wesley chapel | zephyrhills
Photo by Nicole Geller Photography
Tampa YMCA Turkey Trot
dates:
On Thanksgiving morning, the New Tampa Family YMCA invites community members to participate in the 3rd Annual Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot hosted by The Shops of Wiregrass on Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel.
oct. 29 - Nov. 1, various times
“The Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot is our way of giving back to the New Tampa community,” says New Tampa Y Executive Director Monica Mirza. “We are honored to, once again, join forces with FITniche, The Rotary Club of New Tampa and other organizations to promote charity and family fitness this Thanksgiving.” The Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot will start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 with a chip-timed 5K around the Shops at Wiregrass. A one-mile run/walk around the mall will start at 8:15 a.m. About 2,000 runners are expected and will receive a commemorative gift and 2015 tech shirt. Special prizes will also be awarded to first, second and third place positions for both male and female participants in each age group. Proceeds raised from the Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot will go to the New Tampa Y, Feeding America Tampa Bay and The Rotary Club of New Tampa. For fee information and registration, visit wiregrasswobbleturkeytrot.com or call Brian Brink of FITniche Wiregrass at 813-4286945.
EcoFest at Starkey Wilderness park Pasco EcoFest turns five this November and is celebrating with a renewed focus on education and stewardship of the Bay area’s natural assets. In the past, EcoFest has been celebrated across a variety of events in multiple locations across West Pasco. This year, the entire event will be hosted at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park over two days Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22. Admission is free. EcoFest consists of a full lineup of scheduled walks, talks and demonstrations and features some of the region’s top experts in their respective fields including well-known Urban Farmer Jim Kovaleski from Freedom House Farm who will be joining the super panel that closes out the event Sunday afternoon. This year’s Pasco EcoFest also offers some fun for the kids, including an EcoKids camp area hosted by Soulshine Family Arts Center that will have hands-on activities for little EcoFesters. A full schedule of all of the weekend’s events can be found at pascoefest.com.
Academy at the Lakes Admissions Events Interested families are invited to attend a variety of upcoming admissions events being offered by Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes. The private school is hosting two open houses this month. Those with students grades PreK3-4 can attend an open house 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Wendlek Campus, 2220 Collier Parkway. The school hosts an open house for parents of students entering grades 5-12 from 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the McCormick Campus, 2331 Collier Parkway. RSVP for either at academyatthelake.org/ rsvp-open-house. The school also resumes its Neighborhood Coffee Conversations, where school representatives are available to answer questions in an informal setting. This month, parents can attend one of these meet-ups: Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Dr. in Tampa, 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 12; or Estancia Club, 4000 Estancia Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 19. For more information about these and other upcoming events, visit academyatthelakes.org.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Trinity Fest Enjoy four days of carnival fun and family festivities hosted by Generations Christian Church in Trinity. Fest also features food trucks, craft fair, business expo, 5K, Fun Run, music and more. Buy $15 wristbands and hop on rides all afternoon. generationscc.com
Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 10-11 a.m. Kids Club at Shops at Wiregrass Bring the kids to Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel Wednesdays at center court for fun group activities. This month, kids meet up with My Gym (Nov. 4), Color Wheelz (Nov. 11) and Mr. Tommy (Nov. 18). Free. theshopsatwiregrass.com
Nov. 7, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Family Fun Day Kids can traverse a climbing wall, hop in the bounce house and take part in other fun activities while the rest of the family enjoys live music, food, drinks and giveaways at this event hosted by Grove Community Church in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call 813-782-2111.
Nov. 13, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Annual Empty Bowls Event Spend your lunch hour giving back at this annual benefit at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Dade City. All proceeds benefit the supper program at Lewis Abraham Lacoochee Boys and Girls Club. Guests receive a handcrafted bowl made by a local elementary student. Tickets are $10. For information, call 813-991-2334.
Nov. 21, 2-6 p.m. Skydive City Brewfest Mom and Dad can sample commercial craft and home brewed beers while listening to live music, checking out food trucks and watching demonstrations by worldclass canopy pilots at Skydive City in Zephyrhills. Come early to take part or cheer on participants in the 5K Mud Run (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.). Those interested can register at mudendeavor.com. Brewfest admission is $30 advance or $40 at door. skydivecity.com
Nov. 21-22, 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. 2015 WAR Cyclocross Race Series Gather the whole family for the last race of a fun, healthy cycling series organized by Wicked Awesome Racing (WAR) on the grounds of Stanley Park in Lacoochee. Participants can compete in kids, juniors, men’s, women’s, and specific age categories in this USA Cycling-certified race series. For entry fees and registration details, go to wickedawesomeracing.com.
World Premiere
The Day Before Thanksgiving
Wednesday
November 25 Only on PBS KIDS!
pbskids.org
Channel 3.1 or Bright House 1003, Comcast Xfinity 440, Verizon FiOS 503 & WOW! 905
wedu.org/kids
PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS Logo are registered trademarks of Public Broadcasting Service and used with permission. Wild Kratts® © 2015 Kratt Bros. Co. Ltd./ 9 Story Media Group Inc. Wild Kratts®, Creature Power® are owned by Kratt Brothers Company Ltd.
FRESH
MARKET Bruce B. Downs and SR. 56 Wesley Chapel
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
10AM - 2PM
(813) 994-2242 TheShopsAtWiregrass.com
November, December and January Local Food • Crafts • Live Music 57
polk auburndale | bartow | haines city lakeland | lake wales | winter haven
WE3 EXpo Highlights Diverse polk programs Polk County families, students and their neighbors are invited to check out the WE3 EXPO, a unique showcase of elementary, middle, high and adult school programs. WE3 Expo comes to The Lakeland Center Friday, Nov. 6 through Saturday, Nov. 7. Local businesses have partnered with Polk County Public Schools to create a newly expanded event, a collaborative effort that highlights Polk County Public Schools’ variety of school options and programs at the Center located at 701 Lime St. in Lakeland. During this year’s event, a number of programs will be presented for attendees to experience and learn about covering all levels of education, from Pre-K to adult education. Attendees will have opportunities to visit more than 400 booths featuring information VPK; Polk Academies; The Arts; JROTC; Career & Technical Education; International Baccalaureate; Choice; Charter; Magnet; and Elementary, Middle, High, Career and Adult Schools. Area businesses, local service providers and other education-centric vendors will also be on hand to exhibit and talk to visitors. More than 10,000 attendees are anticipated at this year’s expo. Hours for this year’s event are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. For more information about The WE3 EXPO, visit polkacademies.com.
dates: Nov. 6-8, various times St. Joseph Parish Carnival Pack up the kids for this 50-year tradition on the St. Joseph grounds in downtown Lakeland. Hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Rides, food and beverages can be purchased with tickets. stjosephlakeland. org
Nov. 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. When Pigs Fly South Gather with friends and family for a fun day of barbecue, beer, cars and airplanes at the Sun-n-Fun Convention Campus in Lakeland. Experience the Warbird fly-in. Take part in the cooking competition or just sample and judge. Admission is free; parking, $5. sun-n-fun.org/pigsflysouth.aspx
Nov. 13-14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
BayCare Medical Group Expands in Winter Haven In late summer, bulldozers began clearing land at the State Farm property donated to the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation and construction crews prepared to build 5,300 square feet of new clinic space for BayCare Medical Group. Winter Haven Hospital, part of the BayCare Health System, is financing the project expanding BayCare Medical Group to the south Winter Haven community at a cost of $2.3 million for the first phase. The new building will house 12 exam rooms, six provider office spaces, two larger rooms for procedures, a phlebotomy station, as well as storage and support space. BayCare Medical Group, also part of BayCare Health System, has more than 450 providers and 30 specialties in more than 100 locations. Their current clinics in Polk County include six family health centers, two cardiac specialists, urology and oncology. The 3.33-acre property sits at 7599 Cypress Gardens Blvd., on the southeast corner of State Farm’s Florida headquarters site. Future phases of the project will allow for nearly 16,000 total square feet of improvements.
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City of Davenport Horse Creek Festival Celebrate the area’s history along Allapha St. in downtown Davenport. The day includes the Florida Heritage Invitational Art Show, quilts on display, heritage tea, and the horse creek corral full of singers, musicians, poets and Chuck Wagon style cooking. Free admission. For more information, call 863-419-3300. mydavenport.org
Nov. 14 and 28, 8 a.m. - noon Lake Wales Farmer’s Market Browse fresh, homegrown produce and other local goods, including handmade items at this monthly Farmer’s Market held the second and fourth Saturday in Market Square between Stuart Avenue and Park Avenue in Lake Wales. Free entry. lakewalesmainstreet.com
Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m.
“The building itself is designed to grow with the future health care needs of Winter Haven and the Ridge corridor,” says Steve Nierman, president of Winter Haven Hospital. “Adding access to more primary care and specialists is a priority of BayCare and Winter Haven Hospital, and we’re making that happen with this project.”
Angels Among Us Join Girls Inc. of Winter Haven as they kick off the holiday season with their annual fundraiser hosted by Arabella Ristorante in Winter Haven. Guests also can take part in silent and live auctions. For more information, call 863-967-2874.
Construction is expected to complete by spring of 2016.
Nov. 28 - Dec. 6 Kids-Only Elves Shelves Gift Shop Children can sneak into the gift shop at Lakeland’s Polk Museum of Art to browse for reasonably priced gifts. Elves Shelves fun includes a wrapping station. Free admission to gift shop event. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. polkmuseumofart.org
pet pages Whether you are a dog lover or a cat lover (or a lover of birds, iguanas, fish or hamsters), pet parents all have one thing in common: Our pets are part of the family. This month, we have brought together the best pet shops, vets and groomers for your furry family members. Visit TBParenting.com/Pets for our complete pet guide.
Dr. Harvey’s Sweet Potate’r Fries
A certified organic treat for your dog with just one ingredient, natural sweet potatoes, these delicious chews are a healthy safe alternative to rawhide and molded chews. The chews are high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, have no added salt or sugar, and are great for teeth and gums! tbparenting.com/petfries
Boz Ball
This floating ball is perfect for the water, made out of 100 percent recyclable materials, BPA and phthalate-free, and made in the USA! Light, bouncy and soft enough for dogs to catch with their mouths, Boz™ dog ball has a durable exterior texture that engages fetch fanatics. While human hands can’t typically squish Boz, dogs can compress the ball between their teeth giving them a satisfying endorphin release. Unlike a tennis ball, Boz is durable, squishy and doesn’t contain any toxic glues or lead. Size small fits in a standard ball thrower. $12, tbparenting.com/bozball
WAD Ad.indd 1
10/19/15 11:14
Grandma Lucy’s Valor Turkey Valor™ is a bold food that has risen above the rest to bring pets a diet with only the top ingredients quinoa. Quinoa is not a new food but actually was a staple of the ancient Incan diet. The United Nations termed 2013 the official International Year of Quinoa to celebrate this superfood and all of its protein and nutrient rich characteristics. From $36, tbparenting.com/petturkey
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
All-Natural, Healthy, & Delicious Treats For Your Pampered Pooch!
YOUR PET ONLY THE BEST
Join Bella’s Treat of the Month Club!!!
Sign up today to automatically receive Bella’s favorite! Only $12 per serving per month! ** Delivery Fees Apply **
Can be made gluten-free, grain-free, wheat-free, meat-free or vegetarian
Call for more info today! 727-457-5932 Or visit us on our website at
www.BakeBELIEVESweets.com Locally Owned & Operated
813.251.4086 feedpetpurveyor.com
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6 TAMPA BAY PARENTING
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
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Around Town
To see more photos, visit: TBParenting.com/Facebook
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TJ Couch and Eli Somers at the UACDC 4th Annual Secret Garden Gala.
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Judy Genshaft of University of South Florida, Linda Greco and friend at the Straz Center Broadway Ball.
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Kelley Parris, Executive Director of the Children’s Board with TPD officers at the National Night out Event.
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Joe Straughan III, Angela Ardolino, Kelley Parris and Walt Moore at the Glazer Children’s Museum Annual Imagination Gala.
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Paula Scott, Director of Public Relations for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, at the National Walk to School Day with Lucy Gonzalez, safe routes coordinator from USF, and Sara Huffman, PTA president from Bevis Elementary.
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Drs Pavalli and Shrian Patel with Dr. Neel Desai and his wife at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts Broadway Ball.
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All Children’s Hospital nurses dressed up for Princess Day and visited patients like Sofia Anderson.
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Commissioner Ken Hagan, Comissioner Sandy Murman, and Tampa YMCA President and CEO Tom Looby at the Big Bend YMCA Ground Breaking.
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Wendy Leigh, UACDC Chief Development and Marketing Officer, with guests at the UACDC Secret Garden Gala.
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On Oct. 7, 43 elementary schools and one middle school participated in the annual International Walk to School Day with All Children’s Hospital.
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november Events In Part Two (Nov. 10), attendees will learn and practice useful skills for effective assertiveness behavior in their own situations. Cost is $10 per workshop and includes a light lunch. thecentre.org Moms
Military Moms resource Group
Nov. 5, 12 and 19, 11 a.m. - noon Military moms can connect with other military moms at Hammond Psychology. Group is open to active duty moms, retired military moms, military reserve moms and spouse/partner of military member (active or retired). Free. Sign up at 813-654-0503. hammondpsychology. com Moms
Nurturing parenting
e v e n t s & f e s t i va l s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Through Nov. 16, various times Indulge yourself in an international array of cuisine, fine wine and culture as part of this popular culinary event. disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot Moms
Nov. 5, 12, 19, and Dec. 3, 10, 17, 5:30-6 p.m. Attend a workshop for parents to help them understand human behavior and its effect on the parent-child relationship at this 6-week workshop series held in Hyde Park through the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women. Topics covered include new techniques for establishing democratic relationships and using encouragement and logic to modify children’s behavior. Cost is $60. Register at 813-571-1684. thecentre.org
Nov. 1, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Take advantage of special members-only access to the Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa. Invite family to join in the fun (up to five guests admitted at no charge; must include an adult). Guests also can buy a membership for 20 percent off regular cost. glazermuseum.org Everyone
Nov. 1, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Join in a celebration of Hispanic arts and culture at this annual family festival at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Event features performances by national acts, traditional ethnic foods, art on display, a youth area and more. Free admission and parking. congacaliente.com Everyone
Hillsborough Magnet School Deadline
Nov. 3 - Dec. 15 Submit your child’s application during the designated timeframe for Hillsborough County Magnet Schools. For information about specific elementary school, middle school and high school magnet school programs available, call the Choice Information Line at 813-2724692 or visit sdhc.k12.fl.us/magnet. Everyone
Children's Board Free Tuesday
Nov. 3, 2-7 p.m. Spend an afternoon at the Glazer Museum as part of this free admission promotion courtesy of The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. Bring your child to view current exhibits during designated hours and meet up with special guests. Adults must be accompanied by a child and vice versa. glazermuseum.org Everyone
Assertiveness Workshops
Nov. 3 and 10, Noon - 1:30 p.m. Sign up for this two-part series offered through the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women in South Tampa, 305 S. Hyde Park Ave. Part One (Nov. 3) is focused on the benefits of assertive behavior and how to identify it.
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
Safety Harbor Wine Festival
Nov. 7, 5-11 p.m. Enjoy a night of wine and live entertainment on multiple stages along Main Street in downtown Safety Harbor. Evening includes tasty food from local restaurants, arts and crafts and more. Proceeds will benefit five local charitable and civic organizations. Free admission. cityofsafetyharbor.com Moms & Dads
Light the Night Walk
Nov. 7, 5 p.m. Join in the effort to raise funds to cure blood cancer as part of this fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at Port Tampa Bay. Form a team and walk with friends and family. Register at lightthenight.org/sun.
Everyone
First Friday at the Henry B. plant Museum
Zoofari
Nov. 6, 5-7 p.m. Kick off the weekend the first Friday each month at the museum located on the campus at University of Tampa as part of a special free admission promotion. Visitors can take a docent-led tour, listen to live music on the veranda, sip something delicious from the tasting table and explore the museum’s exhibits. plantmuseum.com
Everyone
Conga Caliente
Nov. 7, 4:30 p.m. Take a stroll to remember and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones at this special benefit walk at Largo Central Park. Event is free with donations accepted. Proceeds benefit Empath Health and its members, including Suncoast Hospice. For more information, call 727-5233419. suncoasthospicefoundation.org Everyone
Moms & Dads
& Dads
Member Mornings
Suncoast Stroll
extra life
Nov. 7, 8 a.m. Extra Life works just like a run, walk, or bike event, except that you never have to leave the comfort of your living room to participate. Just log on to extra-life. org and register yourself and/or your fundraising team. Then, ask your friends and family to support your efforts to Play Games and Heal Kids for as little as $1/hour. Everyone can participate. From hard-core gamers to families to athletes, as you can play any game(s) you want on any platform you want! If you love games of any kind, register today to help support All Children’s Hospital, your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital! Visit extra-life.org to register. Everyone
Step out Walk to Stop Diabetes
Nov. 7, 9 a.m. Lace up the sneakers for a good cause at this fundraiser walk from Amalie Arena to Bayshore Boulevard in downtown Tampa. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. stepout.diabetes.org Everyone
Tampa Bay veg Week
Nov. 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate and learn about vegetarian and vegan cuisine at this annual event presented by Florida Voices for Animals at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in Tampa. Stop by booths to sample foods from area restaurants. tampabayvegfest.org Everyone
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
Nov. 7, 7-11 p.m. Bring your appetite to this annual party at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. For one ticket price, guests can enjoy open bars and a sampling of the area’s best restaurants, browse an art auction and dance to live music. lowryparkzoo.com
Moms & Dads
safe baby express
Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.-3p.m. This class at St. Joseph’s Hospital covers CPR, infant/adult CPR (non-certifying), care seat safety, SIDS, childproofing and Shaken Baby Syndrome. Cost: $75. Call (813) 443-2046 to register. baycareevents.org Moms & Dads
veterans Day Military Appreciation
Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. In honor of Veterans Day, members of the military (active-duty, retirees and veterans) and up to three direct dependents are invited to visit the Zoo for free on Veterans Day. The military member will need to show a valid military photo ID at the Zoo’s ticket windows. lowryparkzoo.com
Military & Veterans
veterans Day at Florida Aquarium
Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Any veteran, active duty, retired or drilling reservist or National Guardsman is entitled to two free FLAQ admission tickets for themselves and a guest. Additional family members (up to 4 people) can receive 50 percent off admission and must present military ID at time of purchase. flaquarium.org Military & Veterans
veterans Day at the Glazer Children's Museum
Nov. 11, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Military families receive free admission to Glazer Children’s Museum with proof of military ID. glazermuseum.org Military & Veterans
The Mother of All Baby Showers
While great care was taken in compiling the calendar, it’s always best to phone ahead to confirm information.
Nov. 13, 5:30-9 p.m. Attend this adults-only night out presented by Tampa General Hospital Women’s Center at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa. Expectant parents and parents of newborns through preschoolers can enjoy educational sessions, giveaways, mini-spa treatments, tasty treats and swag bags. themotherofallbabyshowers.com
Moms & Dads
Champion of the Year Gala
Nov. 13, 7-11 p.m. Come out to show your support for Best Buddies Tampa Bay at this special fundraiser at The Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg. For more information or tickets, go to bestbuddiesflorida.org/tampachamp. Moms & Dads
Holiday Gift Market
Nov. 13-15, various times Shop for stocking stuffers and gifts from over 135 specialty merchants at this annual Junior League of Tampa fundraiser at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 at the door. holidaygiftmarket.org Everyone
High risk Hope Tot Trot
Nov. 14, 9:30 a.m. Take part in a family-friendly 3K in Gadsden Park to raise funds to benefit High Risk Hope and its efforts to improve outcomes for premature infants and prolong high-risk pregnancies. Walk, run or stroll the course, then stick around for food, fun and family-friendly activities. Cost is $25 adults and $15 children. Register at tottrot.org Everyone
My Doll and Me: Kit
Nov. 14, 10 a.m. - noon Kids can travel through time with their favorite doll at this fun event tied to the American Girl© book series at Tampa Bay History Center. Explore the past with crafts, games, snacks and gallery visits. This month, the museum celebrates Veterans Day with Kit. Dolls are welcome but not required to play. Cost is $20. tampabayhistorycenter.org 6-12
press play Gaming Expo
Nov. 7 and 14, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Indulge in all things video games at Tampa’s MOSI. The museum joins forces with Verizon FIOS to host multiple video game competitions in action for a unique tournament. mosi.org Everyone
Symphony in Lights
Nov. 14 - Dec. 31, various times Get into the Christmas spirit early at The Shops at Wiregrass with an inspiring light show choreographed to the holiday music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Check out the 55-foot tree decked out with more than 25,000 twinkling lights and experience a magical snowfall on the hour at Center Court. Free. shopsatwiregrass.com Everyone
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Nov. 15, 7 p.m. Get lost in the wondrous festivities as gingerbread men flip mid-air and toy soldiers march along thin wires onstage at Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete. Performers twirl, bounce and soar through the air to original music and seasonal favorites. Tickets are $29.50-$59.50. themahaffey.com Everyone
Santa's Workshop opening at MoSI
Nov. 20, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join Santa as he teams up with MOSI to spread holiday cheer at the museum. With the help of his elves, Santa helps kids dream up the perfect present for any member of the family. Photo opportunities will be available with Santa and Mrs. Claus in MOSI’s Idea Zone. mosi.org
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Dessert First
Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. Indulge in dessert before dinner and experience oneof-a-kind, Girl Scout Cookie desserts created by some of the Bay Area’s most notable chefs as part of this fundraiser for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. Tickets are $100 and include complimentary wine and a buffet dinner. Guests can take part in a silent/live auction. gswcf.org
Moms & Dads
Tampa's Downtown on Ice
Nov. 20 - Jan. 3, 2016, various times Go ice skating in 80-degree weather under the palm trees at downtown Tampa’s seasonal rink off Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Rink is open daily (except Thanksgiving) with skating available for $10, including skates rental. Concessions are available to purchase. tampagov.net Everyone
run for Wildlife 5K
Nov. 21, 7:30 a.m. Support animal conservation efforts by taking part in this event to benefit the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and held at Busch Gardens Tampa. Registration includes post-race admission to the park (valid for participant only on Saturday, Nov. 21), race shirt, finisher’s medal, race bib with timing chip and light refreshments. buschgardenstampa.com Everyone
Christmas Town
Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, various times Visit Busch Gardens’ special holiday village as this new Tampa Bay tradition returns for 20 select dates. Enjoy live music and entertainment, twinkling lights, festive treats, and holiday shopping. Plus, guests can stop by Santa’s House presented by Coca-Cola® and meet Santa for photos. Christmas Town is included with park admission. buschgardenstampa.com Everyone
Bright Nights
Nov. 27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 5:30-8 p.m. Experience Glazer Children’s Museum as an enchanted land of lights, seasonal music, and holiday cheer Thursday and Friday evenings Nov. 27-Dec 18. Play within your favorite Museum exhibits lit by a dazzling light show. Tickets are $10 for members or $15 for general admission. glazermuseum.org/brightnights
Everyone
Drop and Shop
Nov. 28-29, various times Drop off the kids at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and take advantage of a little free time to tackle holiday shopping or gift wrapping. Cost is $30 for first child and $10 for each additional child in the same family. lowryparkzoo. com 3-11
Holidays at the village
Nov. 28 - Jan. 3, various times Celebrate the holiday season at Heritage Village, Pinellas County’s 21-acre living history museum in Largo. Walk through historical houses decorated for the season true to their time period and location, from an elaborately decorated Victorian home to a simply adorned 1852 log cabin. pinellascounty.org/heritage
Everyone
Macy's Family Day parade
Nov. 21, 10 a.m. - noon Get ready for a parade for the whole family at Shops at Wiregrass in celebration of the 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Children’s activities will follow the parade in the Macy’s Wiregrass Children’s Department (second floor). theshopsatwiregrass.com
Everyone
Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Stroll
Nov. 21, 5-9 p.m. Embrace the holidays at this Hyde Park Village event and enjoy a variety of live entertainment, food and beverages, and a beautiful light disappearance. Guests may even be greeted with an appearance by the jolly one himself. All proceeds benefit Make a Wish Central and Northern Florida. Free admission. hydeparkvillage. com Everyone
Tasty Traditions Week
Nov. 23 - 28, various times Connect children to different cultures through the most important ingredients of any holiday celebration at Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa. Kids can explore holiday traditions from around the world through recipes the family can re-create at home. glazermuseum.org Everyone
spECIAL NEEDS AMC Sensory Friendly Movies
All Month Go to participating AMC theaters for sensory-friendly movie screenings with monthly showings every second and fourth Tuesday and Saturday. During shows, lights are raised, sound lowered and audiences encouraged to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing. Look for November releases “The Peanuts Movie,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2,” and “The Good Dinosaur.” amctheaters.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films 6 &
Older
Move with Me: Dance Class
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, various times Sign up the kids for one of two dance classes designed with modified dance movements for children who may
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november Events have social difficulties or physical limitations offered through Movement with Meaning in Tampa. Classes for ages 2-5 run 10-11 a.m. and for ages 6-10 from 5-6 p.m. on Mondays. movementwithmeaningtampa.com 2-10
Toodles Early Steps playtime
Nov. 4, 13, 17 and 27, various times Take the kids to this open gym playtime for infants and toddlers with special needs as part of the Early Step program at locations throughout the Bay area. This month, playtimes are scheduled in Odessa, Land O’Lakes, St. Pete and Clearwater. Fees vary by location. For schedule and location info, call 727-767-6705. allkids.org 1-4
Sunshine Sunday
Nov. 29, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit Glazer Children’s Museum and explore its exhibit rooms with lights and sounds lowered and special programming for those with special needs to enjoy the museum exclusively. Advance registration suggested. Free for members and $5 nonmembers. www. glazermuseum.org Everyone
custom home and holiday decor, dazzling jewelry, purses, unique gifts and more. Admission is $6 adults and free for kids 12 and younger. One paid admission is good for both days with a hand stamp. bucklercraftfair. com Everyone
Family Support Group
Nov. 3, 6:30-7:30 a.m. Chat with other parents of special needs kids as part of this monthly parent-to-parent support event hosted by All Children’s Hospital Child Development and Rehabilitation Center in St. Petersburg. To RSVP, call 727-767-2885. allkids.org Moms, Dads
film
Free Autism Screenings
Nov. 3 and 5 Take advantage of this valuable free service offered by Dr. Kinsler and Associates. Sign up your child ages 18 months to 22 years old for screening on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Trinity office or Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Tampa location. Advance registration is required at 813-443-5311. kinslerpsychology.com 2-22
National Autism Conference
Nov. 5-8, various times Attend this informative conference sponsored by the National Autism Association hosted by the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach. During the conference, guests will hear from leading experts on autism and connect with parents, doctors, researchers and exhibitors. For schedule and registration, go to www.nationalautismconference.org
Moms & Dads
Great Connections
Nov. 8, 10 a.m. - noon Experience Great Explorations Children’s Museum with other special needs families with exclusive access to the museum while closed to the general public. Museum modifies lights and sound to create a sensory-sensitive experience and provides a cool down room when guests need a break. Cost is $5 each (free for members). greatex. org 6 & Older
Special Needs Screening: The peanuts Movie
Nov. 14, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. See a sensory-friendly screening of this new animated tale featuring the whole Peanuts gang at Studio Movie Grill inside Tampa’s University Mall. Rated G. Adults are $6, and kids and siblings are free. studiomoviegrill.com 6
& Older
SpICE IT up for Autism 2015
Nov. 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join the Clearwater YMCA as it hosts a tasty event to raise money for the Y location’s Camp COAST (Children on the Autism Spectrum Together), a summer day camp for kids on the spectrum living in Pinellas. Taste and vote among delicious chili recipes or take part and share your own plus enter to win great prizes. For information and tickets, go to suncoastymca.org or call 727-461-9622. Everyone
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TAMPA BAY PARENTING
Art Florida's Wildlife Corridor Photography Exhibit
Through Nov. 14 View a photography exhibit by Carlton Ward. Jr. inspired by the 2012 and 2015 Florida Wildlife Corridor Expeditions while on display at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Ward takes visitors on a virtual journey to experience some of Florida’s most intriguing wildlife and native habitats. spmoh.org Everyone
Marvels on the reef at FMopA
Through Dec. 28, various times Travel deep into the waters at this new underwater photography exhibition and collaboration with the Florida Aquarium hosted by the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa. Get an up-close view of aquatic life and curiosities captured through diving experiences and candid photography. fmopa.org Everyone
Homeschool Art Studio with pollyzoom
Nov. 6, 13, 20 and Dec. 4, 11, 18, 12:30-2 p.m. Sign up the kids for a six-session art series that encourages kids to explore drawing, painting and sculpture to channel artistic inspiration at Morean Art Center in St. Pete. Students receive personalized instruction from Pollyzoom’s Paula Allen. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $80 members and $95 non-members. moreanartscenter.org 4-18
Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival Nov. 21-21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Browse a vast selection of handmade crafts and affordable, functional art at this 23rd annual event along Dunedin’s Main Street. Patrons can also shop at a Green Market offering an array of exotic plants, dips, and other gourmet items. Free entry. Everyone
Buckler's Craft Fair
Nov. 28-29, various times Check out an eclectic mix of handmade crafts and creations by local and national artists at the Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa. Discover
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
veterans - The Telling project
Nov. 4, 7 p.m. See a new compelling one-hour documentary from WEDU PBS when it premieres locally at Tampa Theatre. The project details a five-month process from storytelling to stage and the veterans’ journeys along the way and will air on WEDU later in the month. After the premiere, guests can stay for a brief Q&A session. For reservations, go to wedu.org/thetellingproject. Teen
& Older
The peanuts Movie
Opens Nov. 6 Catch up with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang in this new animated feature film. Rated G. Check local theaters for showtimes. 6 & Older
Miss You Already
Opens Nov. 6 Gather the girlfriends for this new film starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette about girlfriends facing life-altering situations that put their friendship to the test. Rated PG-13. Running time, 112 minutes. See local listings for ticket information and movie times. Girls
Night Out
Jaws 40th Anniversary Screening with richard Dreyfuss Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Return to the small island community of Amity as a police chief, marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop a great white shark that’s brought terror to the beach as Capitol Theatre hosts a special 40th anniversary screening of the film. Following the film, theatergoers will get the opportunity to see a Q&A with the film’s star Richard Dreyfuss. Tickets start at $39.50. Buy tickets at rutheckerdhall.com. Moms & Dads
Flicks & Food Trucks
Nov. 19, 6-10 p.m. Come out every Thursday of the month for gourmet food truck fun paired with independent short flicks and live music at Grand Central at Kennedy. Indulge in everything from burger to vegetarian bites while enjoying micro brews and tasty cocktails. tampabaymarkets.com/flicks-and-food-trucks Girls
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2
Opens Nov. 20 Catch the conclusion of the popular book and film series centered on Katniss Everdeen as she and District 13 put a revolution into motion. Film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Rated PG-13. Contact Bay area theaters for showtimes. 12 & Older
The Good Dinosaur
Opens Nov. 25 Meet an apatosaurus named Arlo who makes an unlikely friend --- a human --- in this new animated film from Pixar featuring the voice talents of Jeffrey Wright, Raymond Ochoa and Steve Zahn. Check local theaters for showtimes and ticket information. 7 & Older
Mother Goose: A pocketful of rhymes
Alice in Wonderland
Nov. 14, 11 a.m. - noon Revisit classic fairy tales as Stages Productions brings everything Little Boy Blue and The Cat and the Fiddle to high-stepping Yankee Doodle Dandy to the stage at Largo Cultural Center. Tickets are $8.50 adults and $7.50 children with a $26 family four-pack also available. largoarts.com 7 & Older
Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and 21, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Catch an engaging concert by Florida Orchestra as it brings to life the Lewis Carroll classic in a few scheduled performances. Concerts will be held at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the following venues: Dunedin Fine Art Center (Oct. 31); HCC Ybor Performing Arts Building (Nov. 7) and The Dali (Nov. 21). floridaorchestra.org Everyone
Shaping Sound
Straz Live! in the Park
Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Witness the electrifying mash-up of dance styles and musical genres onstage at Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center in Tampa. A dynamic company of contemporary dancers hailing from “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars” bring rhythm, speed and physical strength to explosive choreography and take the audience on a visual journey. Tickets start at $39.50. strazcenter.org 10 & Older
The 39 Steps
Nov. 18 - Dec. 13, various times Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have this latest production at American Stage in St. Petersburg, based on the book by John Buchan and film by Alfred Hitchock, and adapted by Patrick Marlow. For tickets and showtimes, go to americanstage.org. 12 & Older
Latin Nights
t h e at e r & d a n c e upstairs/Downstairs at the Tampa Bay Hotel Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2 p.m. Experience live theater as a series of single-character vignettes bring turn-of–the-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests to life at the Henry B. Plant Museum on the University of Tampa campus. Performances are open to the public with museum admission. plantmuseum.com/upstairsdownstairs
Everyone
Silence! The Musical
Through Nov. 22, various times Catch this award-winning, unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs before its run ends at Straz Center in downtown Tampa. Note: for mature audiences only. Tickets are $29.50. strazcenter.org Moms, Dads
West Side Story
Nov. 6-13, various times See Shakespeare’s tale of Romeo and Juliet transformed into a pair of young idealistic lovers in modern-day New York City as Eight O’Clock Theatre presents the classic love story onstage at Largo Cultural Center. Tickets are $26.50 general admission and $12.50 students (age 22 and younger). largoarts.com 10 &
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Mary J. Blige
Nov. 8, 7 p.m. Sing along with the R&B singer as she brings her award-winning vocal stylings to the stage at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. Blige has invited special guest Tamar Braxton to join her on her latest tour. Tickets are $48.40-$128.40. livenation.com 8 & Older
Mannheim Steamroller
Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Start the Christmas celebration early with the signature sound of the group as it brings its unique take on seasonal classics and dazzling multimedia effects to The Mahaffey in St. Pete. Tickets start at $45.50. themahaffey.com Everyone
veggie Tales Live! Little Kids Do Big Things
Nov. 13, 8 p.m. Dance in your seats as the powerful vocalist whose music has crossed eight music genres arrives at St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater to bring old favorites (“I’m Every Woman” and “I Feel for You”) and new songs to her fans. Tickets are $42.50 - $75.50. themahaffey.com 8 & Older
Nov. 22, 2 p.m. Bring the whole family for a fun musical review that celebrates how a little help and faith can support kids in whatever they want to achieve, onstage at Straz Center’s Carol Morsani Hall. Tickets are $20-$45.50. strazcenter.org 5 & Older
Clifford the Big red Dog
Nov. 22, 3 p.m. Meet up with the beloved character as he comes to life onstage in a BIG way in this interactive musical at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. Join Clifford, Emily Elizabeth and all of their friends from Birdwell Island as they embark on an adventure filled with singing, dancing and life lessons. Tickets start at $22.50. themahaffey.com 6 & Older
Chaka Khan
Lewis Black
Nov. 14, 8 p.m. Spend the night laughing out loud at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall when it welcomes the popular stand-up comedian, actor and author who first rose to acclaim from his work on The Daily Show. Tickets start at $28.75. rutheckerdhall.com Moms & Dads
The Magic of Christmas Starring The New York Tenors
Nov. 28, 8 p.m. Experience the exquisite sounds of the singing voices of famed Irish tenor Andy Cooney, legendary “singing cop” Daniel Rodriguez and newcomer Christopher Macchio onstage at Mahaffey Theater. The trio will perform timeless Christmas classics and new numbers bound to become future seasonal favorites. Tickets are $57.50$127.50. themahaffey.com Everyone
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Everyone
Nov. 19, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Indulge in an evening of Latin-inspired food and dancing at Maestro’s Restaurant in downtown Tampa. Enjoy tapas and drink specials while moving to the rhythms of a live salsa band and DJ. Dance instructors also will be on hand from Simone Salsa dance studios. Tickets are $15. strazcenter.org Girls Night Out, Date Night
Older
Nov. 10-15, various times Read all about it as this crowd-pleasing new musical, fresh off of Broadway, is delivered to the Bay area by way of Carol Morsani Hall at Tampa’s Straz Center. Tickets are $35-$105. strazcenter.org 12 & Older
Nov. 1, noon - 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a delightful afternoon of music at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa courtesy of Straz Center in celebration of National Opera Week and in partnership with Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Hear favorite Broadway tunes from The Lion King and more as well as familiar arias sung by singers with Opera Tampa. Concert starts at 3 p.m. Event also features art on display and Bay Area food trucks. strazcenter.org
music & comedy
• NOV. 2015 • TBParenting.com
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