June 2012 • FREE
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Our 14th Year of Serving New Hanover, Brunswick & Pender County Families!
INSIDE:
choices in
CHILDCARE Solving the
Childcare Puzzle Provider/Resource Listing
Summer Field Trips Find Your Teen a Summer Job Let’s Play Badminton! A Great Family Game
Kid _ a _ Palooza
Wright Family Mission Spreading the Word
Book Review
Local Pediatrician Writes for Dads
June 2, 2012 at Cameron Art Museum See Page 43
Cover Kid: Maris
Dental Care Tip #7 Beat the Summer heat & tooth decay... DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!
Julie B. Dimock, DDS, MS • Adam W. Weinberg, DDS
Board Certified
3505 Converse Dr, Ste 175
PHN
910-794-2266
info@ccpedo.com • www.ccpedo.com
910-383-2615 • www.bluewavedentistry.com
Now Scheduling Appointments in Leland at . . .
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Accepting Applications for 2012-2013 An Independent School for 18 Months - 8th Grade
Where ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE is not just a goal, it’s the natural and consistent result of a rich and creative educational environment where students enjoy and are truly engaged in learning and questioning. Call us today to schedule a visit and experience Friends School.
PreK-2nd Grade l 207 Pine Grove Dr. l 910.791.8221 3rd - 8th Grade l 350 Peiffer Ave. l 910.792.1811 l www.fsow.org
Robert T. Kelly, DDS & William R. Cherry III, DDS, MS
Happy Father's Day! Specializing 31 Years in Children’s Dentistry, Ages 1-17 Preventative • Restorative • Cosmetic Nitrous Oxide and In Office Sedation Available • Early Morning/Late Afternoon Appointments Available Photo of Dr. Cherry and his son, Will, taken by Peter Artemenko of latentdesign.com.
1635 Doctors Circle Wilmington, NC (910) 343-1735 • www.drkellydds.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 1
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Is Your Child Struggling in School? Below average reading skills, careless errors, poor memory and concentration, reverses letters? If this sounds like your child, we can help.
How Can Our Center Help?
First, we test and diagnose if a child has learning-related vision problems. If such a difficulty exists, a vision therapy program is recommended to meet the child's special needs. Your child will work on specific goals with a certified optometric therapist, under the supervision of a developmental optometrist. The ultimate goal is to allow the individual to perform up to his/her potential in the classroom without unnecessary struggling.
What Do I Need To Do?
If your student is in the 1st grade-college, and is struggling academically, call us to set up an initial appointment. When diagnosed early, we can significantly improve and often alleviate the problem entirely. Many insurances help cover the cost of testing.
Tracey Glendenning, OD, FCOVD 201 Racine Drive 395-6050
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 3
in this issue
June 2012 SPecial Section: Choices in childcare
24 solving the childcare puzzle 28 resource listing 21
23 35 35 42
spreading the word: wright family summer field trips summer jobs for teens book review: dad to dad Badminton for everyone
DEPARTMENTS 5 6 8 10 12 14 22 30 32 34 36 39,41 44
Editor’s Note short stuff family finances Growing Up Online Reel life Calendar In the News FIT FAMILY school notes Going Green Book Beat meet the expert Peanut Gallery
Publisher/Editor in Chief Keith Jaworski 910 343-1226
E-Mail: WilmingtonParent@ec.rr.com
Features Editor Danielle Villegas 910 343-1226
E-Mail: danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com
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E-Mail: calendar@wilmingtonparent.com
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erin.dailydeals@gmail.com
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Wilmington Parent is published 12 times a year. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication's standards. All contents of Wilmington Parent are protected under copyright. Reproduction of any content requires permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Wilmington Parent PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 © Wilmington Parent 2010 Seaside Media, LLC Complimentary copies of Wilmington Parent are available to the public at various locations in the greater Wilmington area. One copy per family is permitted. Additional copies require the written permission of the Publisher. Subscription rates for home delivery are $24 for one year. member
Cover by Blue Whale Portraits and Design www.bluewhaleportraits.com, 910-292-9002. Please recycle this magazine
4 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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department | editor’s note
O
k Dads, it’s your turn! Father’s Day is June 17th, so let’s be sure we celebrate all those wonderful men out there that are trying so hard to be good dads! If you’re looking for a nice gift for dad, check out the new book by Dr. David Hill (one of our writers and a local pediatrician) called “Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro”. There is a review on page 37, and the book’s release date is June 1st. Summer is finally here! Most kids are getting out of school till August, and parents are making final plans for vacations, fun, and relaxation for the next couple of months. Don’t let those lazy days of summer slip away without accomplishing at least a few things on your list! Laura Amann’s article, “Summer Field Trips: Scheduling Time for Fun”, and Julie Landry Laviolette’s article, “Teen Guide to Summer Jobs”, both have great advice on how to make the most of your summer. June is also our Choosing Childcare issue, and even if you have some time before you need to find childcare, starting your search early and being well-informed is the best way to ensure a positive outcome. The article “Solving the Childcare Puzzle”, on page 24, provides insight into what parents should be looking for in a childcare provider and tips on how to effectively search for providers that fit your family’s needs. We hope to see everyone at Kid-APalooza on Saturday June 2nd from 9am3pm at Cameron Art Museum. Admission and parking are free! Plans for the festival include bounce houses, pony rides, performances and demonstrations from local kids, storyteller Diane Bonney reading Skippyjon Jones, and so much more! There will also be an art show featuring student art from area schools. Plus free art classes with Cameron Art Museum! Here’s to hoping we all enjoy a wonderful, relaxing summer!
Danielle
Now Enrolling for 1/2 Day On-Site Summer Camp
Young children learn about our wonderful coastal environment in the safety of the Montessori classroom. This exciting marine experience is appropriate for children ages 3-6. Curriculum includes many sea critters, art, music, movement and many exciting takes of the sea! Sea life provided by Hieronymus Fishing Charter and Guide Service
Is your child struggling in School? When forced to read, does he or she struggle, make careless mistakes and then quit reading? r Reverses words, numbers or letters r Has poor reading comprehension r Frequently losses his place, skip words or whole lines of text
r Has difficulty copying from the board or a book, has sloppy handwriting or excessive erasures r Has difficulty remembering spelling words r Has been labeled LD, ADD, ADHD or dyslexic
Dr. Stephen Kaluzne, Optometrist, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of visual efficiency and visual processing problems.
The Vision Therapy Center • Stephen J. Kaluzne, O.D., P.A.
7655 Market St., Suite B • Wilmington, NC • 910-319-7996 • www.visiontherapycenter.org www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 5
department | short stuff
short stuff Blueberry Festival The 9th Annual NC Blueberry Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16 beginning at 9am in downtown Burgaw! Admission to the event is FREE, but come prepared to stock up on fresh blueberries and to celebrate the historic, economic and cultural significance of blueberries in this region of North Carolina. The Festival includes live music, car show, running race and golf tournament, arts & crafts, children’s activities, refreshments and more. Call (910) 259-9817 or email info@burgawchamber.com for details about the schedule of events.
Family Day at the Farmers’ Market Poplar Grove Plantation will host a free “Family Day” on Wednesday, June 27 from 8am to 1pm (normal Farmers’ Market hours). Families should expect fun, educational activities featuring easy, hands-on learning for kids. Activities will include animals, safety, cooking and gardening. Look forward to a day of shopping, learning and enjoying a refreshing summer morning! Visit www.poplargrove.com for more information. (Note: cooking classes require advance registration by contacting jeannew@poplargrove.com.)
Carolina Beach Music Festival Don’t miss this 27th annual event to be held on Saturday, June 2 beginning at 10:30am on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Hosted by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, this event is called the “biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the NC coast.” This fun-filled day features shag and beach music and fun for the entire family! Call (910) 458-8434 for details. LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE 11am: Craig Woolard Band 1pm: Band of Oz 3pm: Jim Quick & Coastline
Shop Personalized Products Host for Rewards Join in the Success
Mandy Holder, Independent Creative Leader • 910.619.6138 • www.thepersonalizedbag.com
Jenkins
More than play at JPA JPA
P reschool A cademy
Half day classes
Summer Camp Certified teachers Sessions Small class ages 2,3 sizes and 4 Nurturing & fun
(910) 367-7210 | www.jpawilmington.com | 7888 Market St 6 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
Make your next event www.allaboutfunonline.com
All About Fun! Call James Merritt, LLC
(910) 471-2277
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Grown-Up Game Night Feel like at kid again on Friday, June 15 from 7-10pm! Join the fun for GrownUp Game Night at the Cape Fear Museum. The evening will feature appetizers and a chance to play all kinds of games…from Battleship to Spades (and new games you may never have heard of)! Admission of $7 includes appetizers, a visit to the Museum’s Toys and Games exhibit, and game playing with friends. Contact (910) 798-4362 to reserve a spot. (Games provided by Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington Board Games, Cape Fear Games and Learning Express Toys.)
$1 Summer Kid’s Movie Extravaganza
Register for Summer Gymnastics Camp Today!
It’s time for the Summer Movies at Mayfaire (featuring two movies to choose from on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) beginning June 12 at 10am (doors open at 9am) and running through August 8. Concessions are available at regular prices and movies are just $1. Call (910) 256-0556 for more information. DATES
MOVIES
June 12 & 13
Kitt Kittredge (G) / Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
June 19 & 20
Dolphin Tale (PG) / Happy Feet 2 (PG)
June 26 & 27
Yogi Bear (PG) / Legend of the Guardians (PG)
July 3 & 4
Hugo (PG) / Cats and Dogs 2 (PG)
July 10 & 11
Adventures of Tintin (PG) / Puss and Boots (PG)
July 17 & 18
Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG) / Rango (PG)
July 24 & 25
Rio (G) / Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (PG)
July 31 & August 1 Chimpanzee (G) / Hoodwinked Too (PG) August 7 & 8
Arthur Christmas (PG) / Smurfs (PG)
Beginner Skateboard Clinic Greenfield Grind Skatepark is offering a Beginner Skateboard Clinic for children ages 7 to 12 throughout the summer. Skaters will become familiar with their equipment, learn to identify potential safety hazards, begin to understand the “setup” of a skatepark, and establish fundamental skateboarding skills. The first clinic of the summer is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 from 10:30am to 12pm. The cost is $15/person and includes clinic, a pass to skate free for that day, and 2 additional free day passes. Call (910) 3628222 for more information and all available clinic dates.
Two New Inflatables! Book Your Party Now ~ call or go online
910-796-1896
www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com 3529 Carolina Beach Road
2012 summer
camps From insects to artifacts, dinos to plants, Cape Fear Museum Summer Camps combine the curiosity of science and the fascination of history.
Half day camps for ages 5-14 814 Market Street l Downtown Wilmington www.capefearmuseum.com l 910.798.4362 www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 7
department | family finances
family finances
Saving for College? Not So Fast system. “I think many young families are given this blanket advice that of course you should pay for college, but … it’s very oldfashioned advice, given that we now have a third party involved in the process.” That third party is the federal government, and here’s how the system works. Parents fill out a form, called the Free Application For Student Aid, that tells the government how much income and assets both the parents and child have. The FAFSA form runs all that information through a formula and spits out a number: The family’s Expected Financial Contribution, or EFC.
Say, for example, a family’s EFC is $10,000 per year. If Junior is accepted at a college whose tuition is $40,000 per year, it’s up to By Robyn Passante the college to put together a package for the family that makes up the $30,000 difference. Typically that’s a mix of student loans, grants and scholarships, though the ratio differs for each school. “Harvard gives no loans, only grants, because it’s a wealthier school,” Snyder says. If your child is accepted at more omewhere in the back of most parents’ than one school, it pays to shop around for minds we’re all fretting about the same the best deal with the lowest number of stuthing: How are we going to pay for our dent loans. kid’s college tuition? We know higher educaBut to lower their actual EFC, Synder sugtion is a must these days; we also know it’s gests middle-class families redirect their focus exorbitantly expensive. Nobody wants to sadfrom saving for college to sheltering their asdle their child with tens of thousands of dolsets from the FAFSA formula. lars in school loans, but with today’s cost of living and tomorrow’s uncertainties, who can “This is no different from taking all the deafford to set aside much of anything to help ductions available to you when you file your pay for it? And where should we set it aside? taxes,” she says. “You need to be sure to take
S
If you’re feeling bad about not having much (if anything) saved for your child’s college tuition, relax: Turns out not saving for college could actually save your family more money when the tuition bill comes. “Most families don’t understand that the amount of savings you have for college can impact whether or not you qualify for finan-
advantage of all the options available to your family before filing for financial aid.” A few ways to save money that won’t show up on the FAFSA form: 1.Pay down your home mortgage, as home equity is not taken into consideration on the FAFSA form. (Note: There is a separate financial aid form, called the PROFILE, for private
Saving for college in the middle class is like running on a treadmill, because the more you save, the higher they raise the price cial aid,” says Dr. Bonnie Snyder, a certified college financial planner in Lancaster whose book, “The New College Reality: Make College Work For Your Career,” hit bookstores in April. “For some families, saving for college can actually be counterproductive.” The problem, Snyder says, is that not enough families understand the financial aid
8 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
universities, and home equity is assessed on this form.) 2. Lose extra cash by paying off your debt. Debt is not factored into a family’s ability to pay, but extra cash certainly is. 3. Buy the car (boat, computer, etc.) before you fill out the financial aid form, not after.
They’ll take the money you had saved for the big purchase, even if the car was to get Junior back and forth to college. 4. Don’t keep a savings account in your child’s name, as a child’s assets are factored much more heavily than a parent’s assets. “When it comes to money saved by parents, they look at the parents’ expenses, the fact that they probably have a mortgage, a family to feed, retirement to plan for, so they say ‘We’re only going to take about 6 percent of your assets each year.’ But a kid’s assets are different, a child’s savings account screams ‘Oh clearly this money is for college,’ so they’ll take a much higher percentage – 20 to 25 percent.” This last tip is probably counter to what your financial adviser has told you, and in a way both are correct. “Oftentimes financial planners will advise you to keep a savings account in a child’s name for tax purposes, because children are in a lower tax bracket,” Snyder says. “It’s not bad tax advice, but it’s not good college savings advice.” The trick, she says, is to figure out early on where you are likely to land on the FAFSA scale. (Check out the EFC calculator at http://www.finaid. org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml) If you’re wealthy, chances are you’ll be footing most if not all of the college bill anyway, so your focus should be sheltering yourself from taxes. If you’re low-income, you’ll be receiving quite a bit of aid for school. It’s the middle class that has to figure their way around the system. “Saving for college in the middle class is like running on a treadmill, because the more you save, the higher they raise the price,” she says. One final tip for families, Synder says, isn’t necessarily one we can all make: “Have twins.” OK maybe not multiples, but having children close in age means most likely you’ll have two or more in college at the same time, and since your EFC is the same regardless of how many kids in college you have in a given year, you’ll save money in the long run. If, on the other hand, your children are five years apart, you’ll end up paying the EFC for eight straight years. Doesn’t lowering your EFC still just mean your child will end up with more student loans? Possibly, Snyder says, but by paying down your debt and your mortgage, you’ll be in a better financial position to help them with those, if need be. Securing your financial future will give you the breathing room to help with theirs. v Robyn Passante is a freelance writer who is suddenly feeling pretty good about her sons being 21 months apart. She can be reached at rspassante@gmail.com.
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We created
W ILLIAMSBURG, VA
just for your little ones.
And you’ll find big fun for them at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Look for the KIDsiderate logo to find all of our exciting attractions, entertaining shows and delicious dining options perfect for children 9 and under. Have an adventure spinning, flying or splishing and splashing on one of our many kid-friendly rides. Be sure to visit Land of the Dragons® and Sesame Street Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens, then H20 UFO® and Cow-A-Bunga® at Water Country USA – our imaginative playlands designed especially for younger kids. There really is fun for everyone. To learn more, visit buschgardens.com/va or watercountryusa.com TM/©2012
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. © 2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 9
department | growing up online
growing up online
These websites should help. All do independent reviews, and most sort apps by age group and subject area. Mind Leap Tech reviews educational apps with three things in mind: 1. Does the app trigger genuine learning? 2. Do kids enjoy using it? 3. Will they want to use it more than once? Apps are organized by grade level so you can pinpoint what works for pre-schoolers or fifth graders. And you can sign up for an e-mail that will alert you to new apps in particular areas. (www.mindleaptech.com)
Finding Apps to Beat Summer Slump Common Sense Media now reviews apps in addition to movies, video games, TV shows, websites, books and music. Run by a nonprofit, this site uses an easy to understand rating system that helps parents zero in on content that is developmentally appropriate. Reviews also include a “learning rating” which considers engagement, learning approach, feedback and support. (www.commonsensemedia. org/mobile-app-lists)
By Carolyn Jabs
Digital-storytime reviews picture books that have been adapted for the I-pad. In addition to a candid assessment of the book, each review includes screen shots and videos so you know what you’re getting before you buy. There are also some helpful top ten lists, many organized around topics that appeal to the author’s young son such as elephants, pirates and planets. (www.digital-storytime.com)
A
few years ago, educators starting warning parents about “summer slump.” This drop off in academic skills forces teachers to spend the first weeks after Labor Day re-teaching things their students knew at Memorial Day. Of course, summer won’t feel much like vacation if it’s crammed with workbook exercises. Instead, parents can keep young brains fresh by encouraging kids to imagine, explore and inquire about things that interest them. Whether it’s done with paper or pixels, reading continues to be one of the best ways to nurture young minds, followed closely by activities that motivate children to think their way through problems.
Happily, both of these activities are a prominent part of many of the apps designed for children. The challenge for parents is to sort through the thousands of apps being produced to find the ones that will actually intersect with a particular child’s age and enthusiasm.
International Children’s Digital Library offers a free app that gives children access to more than 4000 books from around the world. Many of the books have been translated so kids can listen to stories in more than one language. The Digital Library also offers an app that helps children write and share their own stories. (http:// en.childrenslibrary.org/) Storia is another free app that gives readers easy access to many of the popular books available from Scholastic book clubs. You can choose five free books when you download the app. After that, you’ll pay from $1.95 to $20 per book (www.scholastic.com/storia). Apps in Education reviews 1000 apps each week to identify the ones that are most likely to be useful to teachers. This is a great place to look for apps that will help a child catch up on fractions or some other subject that he or she didn’t quite master last year (www.appsineducation.com). Teaching Appz is another good source for apps endorsed by teachers in Great Britain. The reviewers are quite selective so you don’t have to wade through a long list to find topnotch apps in various subjects. Reviews also include tips about how to use each app to stimulate learning (www.teachingappz.co.uk).
Wilmington School of Ballet & Creative Arts Center
Princess Camp
Summer Camp
a
Fine Arts Arts Preschool Preschool
Music Together
Themed Parties
910.794.9590 www.wilmingtonschoolofballet.com • www.skittleskids.com • www.wilmingtonartspreschool.com 10 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Daily dose. Several apps make each day a learning opportunity by delivering new content to your mobile device every 24 hours. Read Me Stories provides a daily book ideal for children who are just learning to read (www.8interactive.com). Brain Pop offers a mini-movie about a random topic likely to interest elementary age children (www. brainpop.com/app). To be honest, kids from families who can afford smart phones and tablet computers are less likely to experience summer slump. “All children backslide in math,” says James Kim, a Harvard researcher who has studied summer slump. “In literacy, the gap between high and low socio-economic status children widens. Low-income students, who may not have the same level of access to books and literacy resources, tend to decline more than wealthier students.” Parents can help close this gap by getting involved in local literacy projects. Sort through your family library and donate outgrown books, games and educational toys to programs such as firstbook.org. Or use the interactive map under Volunteer at RIF. org to find and support a literacy initiative in your school district. You may find that the best way to prevent summer slump is by joining with other parents to be sure that all the kids in your community have loads of opportunities to learn this summer. v Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years. Visit www.growing-uponline.com to read other columns.
Thank you Wilmington!
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 11
department |
reel life
Fierce female warriors, familiar
zoo animals, and loveable whales
are heading to screens this month. Here’s a look at what’s new in theaters in June.
By Jane Louise Boursaw
reel life
Jane’s Reel Rating System 1 Reel Even the Force can’t save it. 2 Reels Coulda’ been a contender 3 Reels Something to talk about. 4 Reels You want the truth? Greatflick! 5 Reels Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Snow White and the Huntsman
PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sensuality. In theaters June 1. Ok for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http:// www.snowwhiteandthehuntsman.com/.
Central Park Zoo in New York City. But first, Alex (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer) need to find those misbehavin’ penguins. So they travel to Monte Carlo where they crash a party and get in trouble with Animal Control. They’re soon joined by the penguins, King Julian (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer), the monkeys, and a performing llama. But how does this rag-tag group travel through Europe without attracting attention? They join a traveling circus – the perfect cover. Jessica Chastain, Martin Short, Bryan Cranston, Andy Richter, and Frances McDormand also voice characters in this cute installment to the Madagascar franchise. While not as entertaining as the original movie, this is still a fun flick for little ones.
This retelling of the classic fairytale takes a dark turn with scary Charlize Theron playing the soulsucking evil queen who decides that Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is by no means the fairest of them all. So the queen sends a handsome huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to kill the innocent girl, but instead he ends up training her to become a fierce warrior capable of bringing down the queen. Director Rupert Sanders has no major credits to his name, but no matter, because the female warrior storyline is epic. Also epic? The dwarves: Ian McShane, Johnny Harris, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Brian Gleeson, Ray Winstone, and Nick Frost.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
PG for some mild action and rude humor. In theaters June 8 (2D, 3D). Ok for kids 6+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.madagascarmovie.com/. That quartet of loveable animals is back, and they’re still trying to get home to their beloved
12 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
Brave
Not yet rated; likely PG. In theaters June 22. Ok for kids 7+. Reel Preview: 5 out of 5 Reels. http://disney.go.com/brave/. www.wilmingtonparent.com
department |
reel life Designed to bring Miley Cyrus into the grownup world, this movie finds the pop star playing a street-smart, gun-toting private eye who’s hired by the FBI to go undercover and protect a mobster’s daughter in a college sorority. I know, it seems unlikely, doesn’t it? But we’ll go with it, as will her many fans. Directed by Tom Vaughn, perhaps best known for What Happens in Vegas, this movie also stars Jeremy Piven, Joshua Bowman, Alexis Knapp, Autumn Reeser, Kelly Osbourne and Megan Park.
Ashley Michael Providing outstanding client service in the following areas of family law: Adoption, Alimony, Child Custody/ Visitation, Child Support, Collaborative law, Cooperative law, Contempt, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Equitable Distribution, Post-Separation Support, PreNuptial Agreements, Separation Agreements. 701 Market Street Wilmington, NC Phone: 910.815.0085 • Fax: 910.815.1095 www.craigeandfox.com
Female warriors are rocking the big screen this month, and this one sets the Disney Princess theme on its head, causing brave moms everywhere to fall to their knees and thank the film gods. Set in Scotland during mythical times, Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly MacDonald) is an aspiring archer who makes a reckless choice that goes against all the customs in her kingdom. The resulting chaos and peril forces her to spring into action and set things right. But as the title says, she’s Brave with a capital B, so here’s a note to whatever beastly curse is out there: Be afraid. Be very afraid. The sublime voice cast features Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Robbie Coltrane, Billy Connolly, Craig Ferguson and Julie Walters.
So Undercover
People Like Us
PG-13 for language, some drug use and brief sexuality. In theaters June 29. Ok for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://ppllikeusmovie.com/. You would think that a movie from Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci would have a sci-fi bent to it, but the helmers of Star Trek, Transformers and Fringe are dipping into the family drama pool. People Like Us stars Chris Pine as Sam, a 20-something, fast-talking salesman whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns of his father’s sudden death. Against his wishes, Sam is called home to put his father’s estate in order, reconnect with his estranged family and … learn that he has a 30-year-old sister named Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) he never knew about. Olivia Wilde, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jon Favreau, Mark Duplass, and Michael Hall D’Addario also star in this movie about family, relationships and priorities.
Call to schedule a tour A unique half-day academic program for students in grades 1-8 with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder 4:1 teacher to student ratio Empowering children who have learning differences with the skills needed to become confident, independent learners
Jane Boursaw is a syndicated family entertainment writer specializing in movies, TV and celebrities. Visit her at http://www.reellifewithjane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net.
PG-13 for some mature and suggestive content. In theaters June 27. Ok for kids 13+. Reel Preview: 2.5 out of 5 Reels. www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 13
• PLA N YOUR MO N TH WITH US
CALENDAR
june | 2012
1 Friday
Free with admission. Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information.
Haunted Cotton Exchange Tours Daily (Year Round). Cotton Exchange, Downtown. Experience chills and thrills! Tales of mystery of the Cotton Exchange ghosts. $10/Adults. $8/Students & Seniors. Free/ Under age 12.Visit www. TourOldWilmington.blogspot.com or call 409-4300 for tour information.
Create a Teacher Gift 4 – 5pm. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Reverse paint a beautiful glass plate for a special teacher. $7 for materials. Ages 7+ and a helper. Call 509-0153 for reservations.
Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Shaving Cream Exploration.” Projects and activities for ages 4 and under and their special grownups to work on together. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington. org for more information. Family Yoga 10:30 – 11am Fridays. NHCPL Main Branch. Parents & children 6 months and older listen to stories while stretching and learning basic yoga postures. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. No registration. Call 798-6353 for details. American Legion Fish Fry 11am – 7pm.American Legion Post 129. $8/plate includes whiting fillet or catfish, hush puppies, slaw, potato salad and drink. Call 458-4253 for more information. Leland Community Garden 3:30pm Fridays. Leland Community Garden, 102 Town Hall Drive. Gardeners work individual plots and donate all produce to Manna Ministries food bank. No charge for the plots and water provided! Visit www.townofleland.com/ParksAndRec_ Programs or call 332-4823 for information. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “ African Mud Cloth Painting.” Experience different forms of art each week. Ages 5-8. Space is limited. Call 2543534 to pre-register. Book Reading 4pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Local author reads her new book “Meet Panda” and children stay to create their own books and more.
14 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
Music on the Town 6pm Fridays. Mayfaire Town Center. Live music in Mayfaire Event Field every Friday through July. Family friendly. Free. Visit www.mayfairetown.com for event details. Airlie Concert Series 6 – 8pm. Airlie Gardens. Enjoy the music of The 360 Degrees. Tickets $8/Adults. $2/Children. Free parking for Airlie members. Contact 798-7700 with questions or visit www.airliegardens.org for 2012 concert schedule. Sundown Concert 6 – 10pm Fridays (through 8/31). Riverfront Park. Weekly live music in downtown Wilmington. Free. Visit www.music.enjoywilmington.com or www. wilmingtondowntown.com/downtownsundown/ event-info for list of bands. Theater in the Park: Finding Nemo 6:30pm. Wrightsville Beach Amphitheater. The Performance Club Studio Theater and Wrightsville Beach Parks & Rec presents the delightful story in a musical performance. Call 256-7925 for more information. Barnes & Noble Storytime 7pm Fridays. Barnes & Noble. Enjoy weekly storytime in the Children’s section. Call 509-1880 for details. Sesame Street Live 7pm (through 06/03). PNC Arena, Raleigh. Super Grover has lost his super-ness and Sesame Street needs Elmo’s Super Heroes to help. Don’t miss the singing, dancing and fun lessons on healthy habits. Tickets $12 - $50.Visit www.thepncarena.com/ events for more information.
Shakespeare on the Green Festival 8pm (through 06/30). Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Experience live outdoor Shakespearean drama “Midsummer’s Night Dream.” All shows are free to the public. Donations gladly accepted. Contact 3992878 for information.
2 Saturday Kure Beach Summer SportsFest 7am (through 06/03). Kure Beach. Double sprint triathlon along with planned events including disc golf, tennis, cornhole, and a tennis clinic for ages 6-10. Awards ceremony on Sunday. Contact 458-8216 for registration information. Katie B. Hines Senior Center Pancake Breakfast 7:30 – 11:00am. Senior Center. Call 458-6609 for details. Run for Hope 8am. Mayfaire Town Center. Benefitting Women of Hope.Visit www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org for registration information. Riverfront Farmer’s Market 8am – 1pm Saturdays.Water Street Downtown. Features fruits and vegetables from local farmers, plants, herbs, flowers, dairy, meats, baked goods, jams and more. Free admission. Call 538-6223 for more information. Carolina Beach Farmer’s Market & Art Show 8am – 1pm Saturdays (through 10/13). Carolina Beach Lake. Come for locally produced fruits and vegetables, plants, baked goods, live entertainment and more. Free parking. Contact carolinabeachfarmersmarket@gmail.com for details. Surf-Sun-Sand 8am – 6pm. Oceanic Pier (Access 38). Co-ed Beach Volleyball & Bocce Ball Tournaments. All-day competitions.Volleyball Entry $100. Bocce Ball Entry $45. Call 256-7925 or visit www.townofwrightsvisllebeach.com. Kid-a-Palooza! 9sm – 3pm. Cameron Art Museum. A festival featuring the talents of local kids in music, art and dance—
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plus vendors, exhibits and demonstrations for the whole family! Bounce house, pony rides, crafts and more. Free admission & parking. Produced by Seaside Media/Wilmington Parent Magazine.Visit www.wilmingtonparent.com for more information. ONE Coffee/Tea 9am. Port City Java, 2099 Market St. Join Rachel Fox, volunteer Congressional District Leader for ONE (an advocacy organization giving voice for those living in extreme poverty), for a meet-up to learn what others are doing in the community to make poverty history. Contact rachelfox.onewilmington@gmail.com with questions. Family Fun Saturdays 10am & 1pm Saturdays. NC Museum of Art, Raleigh. Tour gallery plus studio workshops for families with children ages 5-11. $3/Members. $5/Non-Members. Call (919) 715-5923 or visit http://ncartmuseum.org for information. Stormfest 10am – 4pm. Cape Fear Museum. Meet meteorologists from area news stations and learn about weather phenomena. Organized by the National Weather Service. Free. Call 798-4350 for more information. Carolina Beach Music Festival 10:30am. Carolina Beach. Enjoy beach music and dance barefoot at this 27th annual festival. Tickets $15/ Advance or $20/Gate. Call 458-8434 or visit www. pleasureislandnc.org for details. Screen Gems Studios Tour 12 & 2pm Saturdays. Screen Gems Studios. Learn how filming is done and view sets from previous productions. One hour walking tour.Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time. $12/Adults. $5/Ages 5-12. Reservations not required. Call 343-3433 or visit www.screengemstudios.com. Create a Teacher Gift 2 – 3pm. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander. Reverse paint a beautiful glass plate for a special teacher. $7 for materials. Ages 7+ and a helper. Call 313-3100 for reservations. “Sand Blast” Hammerheads vs. Orlando City 7:30pm. Legion Stadium. General Admission $10/Adult and $6/Youth. Call 777-2111 or visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com for event details.
3 Sunday Airlie Gardens Free Day 9am - 5pm. Airlie Gardens.Visit the parks and Arboretum for a full day of family fun. Contact 798-7700 or visit www.airliegardens.org for more information. Cape Fear Museum Free Day 1 – 5pm. Cape Fear Museum. NHC residents are admitted free to the Museum the first Sunday of every month. Call 798-4350 or visit www.capefearmuseum. com for information. Movies by the Lake 8:45pm (through Labor Day). Carolina Beach Lake Park. “War Horse” (PG-13). Free movie every Sunday evening. Bring a chair.Visit www.pleasureislandnc.org for complete event list.
4 Monday Wrightsville Beach Farmer’s Market 8am – 1pm Mondays (through Labor Day). Old Causeway Drive. Shop for fresh, locally grown produce. Contact 256-7925 for details. Birding on Bald Head Island 9am Mondays. Bald Head Island Conservancy. Bring binoculars to experience fantastic opportunities for birding. The island is home to egrets, herons, ibis and dozens of other species. Call 338-0930 for registration information. Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Preschoolers meet new people,
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hear wonderful stories, and enjoy an activity.Visit www. playwilmington.org or call 254-3534 to pre-register. Little Explorers 10 - 11am. Halyburton Park. Children ages 2-5 are invited to enjoy stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts regarding “Silly Snakes.” $3/child. Call 341-0075 to pre-register.Visit www.halyburtonpark. com for details.
Art Classes Young Artist’s Series
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books 10:30am Mondays. Mayfaire Town Center.Visit www. brilliantskytoys.com or call 509-3353 for details. Victorian Afternoon Tea 2 – 4pm. Bellamy Mansion. Held in the elegant formal parlors. $35/person. Call 251-3700 x103 to reserve a spot. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Make a chair out of paper.” Hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process using simple materials. Ages 5-9.Visit www.playwilmington.org or call 2543534 to pre-register. Wilmington Sharks Baseball TBA (Various dates through 06/29). Legion Stadium. Enjoy the summer baseball league. Call 343-5621 or visit www.wilmingtonsharks.com for ticket information.
5 Tuesday Leland’s Little Learners 9 – 10am Tuesdays. Town of Leland. Enjoy storytime, arts & crafts, and playground time. Free. Ages 3-5 (parents/guardians remain with children). Contact 3324823 to pre-register. Barnes & Noble Storytime 10am. Barnes & Noble Tuesdays. Enjoy weekly storytime in the Children’s section. Call 509-1880 for details. Little Explorers 10 - 11am. Halyburton Park. See 06/04.
Kids Classes Adult Classes Summer Camps
• drawing • painting Abby Kampschroeder Age 7
Nationally Recognized, Professional Artist & Art Educator Carolyn Faulkner 3803 Wrightsville Ave #8, Downey Branch Office Park
Call 910-685-5137
Kids Cooking Club – Going Global 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Going Greek – Yogurt spread & Hummus.” Explore foods from all over the world. Free with Museum admission.Visit www.playwilmington.org for details. Call 254-3534 to pre-register. Family Night Brilliant Sky Toys & Books 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Call 256-0854 for more information. Board Blast Family Night 6:30pm. Carolina Beach, Cape Fear Blvd & Canal Dr. Enjoy fun activities for kids, teens and adults. Free. West Side Story 7:30pm. Durham Performing Arts Center. Enjoy the musical that changed theater forever when it hit the stage 50 years ago. Call (919) 680-2787 regarding age appropriate content.Visit www.dpacnc.com for complete schedule and ticket purchases.
Faith...Intellect...Character
6 Wednesday Poplar Grove Farmer’s Market 8am – 1pm Wednesdays (through 11/21). Poplar Grove. Featuring fresh local fruits and veggies, dairy products, meats and cheeses, baked goods, and sweets…plus arts and crafts, cut flowers, and more. Free admission.Visit http://poplargrove.com for details. Preschool Science 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Archeology 101.” Hands-on activities for preschoolers to explore the world around them! Call 254-3534 or visit www. playwilmington.org to pre-register. Baby Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Enjoy gentle, low-key musical fun for little ones. Newborn to 1 and a grownup. Free but must pre-register at 509-0153.
Wilmington Christian Academy
HigH ScHool • Middle ScHool e l e M e n ta r y S c H o o l • P r e S c H o o l
wilmingtonchristian.com • 910.791.4248 1401 N. College Road • Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 15
9 Saturday 30th Annual Rogallo Kite Festival (through 06/10). Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head. Two day festival featuring signature kite flying on the dunes, including exhibitions, demonstrations, and stunt/power kite lessons. Call (252) 441-7132 for more information. Splash into Summer 9am – 1pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 06/08. Battleship 101 10am – 4pm. Battleship NC. Engage in a Battleship tour including the gunnery, radar, engineering, and more. Call 251-5797 or visit www.battleshipnc.com for more information. The Family & the Breastfed Baby 10am. Pine Valley United Methodist Church, Shipyard Blvd. Join La Leche League for an informational evening. Babies welcome. Call Chrissy at 262-5288 for details. Leland Market 10am – 2pm. Leland Municipal Park. Purchase fresh produce, baked goods and handmade crafts. Contact 332-4823 for details. Author Reading & Book Signing 10:30am. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander. Meet local author, Becky Shuford as she reads her book “Woody and the Hens.” Ages 4-94. Call 313-3100 with questions. Learning Center – Creative Chemistry 1 – 4pm Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. Investigate matter, explore solids, liquids and gases, and experiment with acids and bases. Free with admission. Visit www.capefearmuseum.com or call 798-4350 for more information. Movies in the Park 8:45 (dusk). Leland Municipal Park. “The Muppets.” Free family movies under the stars throughout the summer. Contact 332-4818 for more information. Advantages of Breastfeeding 10am. Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive. Join the La Leche League for breastfeeding education. Babies welcome! Call Sylvia at 5123293 for more information.
fireworks on the beach during the summer. Free admission. Call 458-8434 or visit www.pleasureislandnc.org for band listings.
Discover Science 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Create a Thaumatrope.” Explore and learn about the scientific process through critical thinking. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org to pre-register.
Splash into Summer 9am – 1pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Kick off summer with a pool party and slip n’ slide. Bring a swimsuit and towel.Visit www.playwilmington.org for details.
Legally Blonde 8 – 10pm. Thalian Hall. Opera House Theatre Company presents the hilarious movie as a smash hit musical. Tickets: $25/Adult and $23/Student/Senior. Contact 632-2285 or visit www.thalianhall.com for all show dates and times.
7 Thursday Happy Little Singers 9:30am Thursdays. Leland Classroom Annex, 102 Town Hall Dr. Music and movement class for children 9 months to 6 years (and caregiver). Sing, dance, play & jam on instruments. $10/class first child. $5/additional child. Call 332-4823 to register. StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Goldilocks & the Three Bears – Ultimate Porridge.” Cooking club for preschoolers. Read a story and create a dish inspired by the book. Call 254-3534 to pre-register. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. (Pirate Month). “Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABCs – Pirate Hats & Spyscopes.” Create a masterpiece that reinforces a fun book. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org with questions. Fireworks by the Sea 6:30 – 9:15pm. Carolina Beach. Enjoy live music and
16 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
8 Friday
Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Tots Splash Into Summer.” See 06/01. Hooks & Needles 10am – 12pm. Leland Classroom Annex, 102 Town Hall Drive. Come crochet with others. Bring a current project or start a new one. Free. Call 371-5563 or 371-1117 for more information. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Ancient Roman Mosaics.” See 06/01. Jazz at the Mansion 6:30 – 7:30pm. Bellamy Mansion. Enjoy the musical stylings of El Jaye Johnson. Call 251-3700 for more information. Summer Concert Series 6:30 – 8:30pm. Kure Beach, Ft. Fisher Air Force Recreation Area. Bring blankets and chairs for family fun. Boogie to the beat of “Eastbound.” Food allowed. No beverages or pets please. Free. Contact 458-8434 or visit www.pleasureislandnc.org for details. Thalian Association Children’s Theater proudly presents Disney’s Camp Rock the Musical! Performances are June 8-10 and 15-17, Friday & Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage, 120 South 2nd Street $10 General Admission Contact (910)341-7860 for complete list of show dates and times.
10 Sunday Movies by the Lake 8:45pm (through Labor Day). Carolina Beach Lake Park. “Cars 2” (G). See 06/03.
11 Monday Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly”. See 06/04. Sand Paint Exhibit 10am (through 06/16). 8800 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill. The monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery return to create a sand sculpture. 100% of proceeds go directly to support, educate, house, feed and clothe the 2000+ refugee monks living in Southern India. Contact ebarkley@monkstour.info or (919) 368-4517 for admission information. Family Storytime @ Carolina Beach 10:30 – 11am (Weekdays through 6/29). Carolina Beach Library. All ages come for stories, finger play, and activities. No registration required. Groups welcomed. Call 798-6385 with questions. Family Storytime @ NE Branch 11 – 11:30am (Daily through 06/30). Northeast Regional Library. All ages come for stories, finger play, and activities. No registration required. Groups welcomed. Call 798-6373 with questions. Family Storytime @ Myrtle Grove 11:30am – 12pm (Weekdays through 06/29). Myrtle Grove Library. All ages come for stories, finger play, and activities. No registration required. Groups welcomed. Call 798-6391 with questions. Book Break @ Myrtle Grove 2 – 2:45pm (Mondays & Fridays through 06/29). Myrtle Grove Library. Children ages 5-10 enjoy stories and more.
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Summer camps and other groups welcomed (call ahead with number of participants). Call 798-6391 for details. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Design a kite.” See 06/04. Family Reading Night 5:30 – 6:30pm. NHCPL Main Library. Preschoolers tune up for the 2012 Summer Olympics with the inaugural Library Olympic Games. Contact 798-6301 for details.
12 Tuesday Lap Sit Storytime 9:30 – 9:50am (Also Tuesdays 06/19 & 06/26). Main Library Children’s Room. Babies 18 months and younger are invited to enjoy 20 minutes of books, songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes and bounces. No pre-registration. Call 798-6303 for details. Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:30am (Also Tuesdays 06/19 & 06/26). Main Library Children’s Room. For enthusiastic toddlers ages 18 - 36 months! Activity-time filled with books, flannel boards, songs, and finger plays. No pre-registration required. Call 798-6303 for more information. Preschool Storytime 10:30 – 11am (Also Tuesdays 06/19 & 06/26). Main Library Children’s Room. Ages 3 to 5 years are invited. Different theme featured weekly. Includes books, songs, flannel boards, finger plays, and other fun activities. No pre-registration. Call 798-6303 with questions. School-age Storytime 11 – 11:30am (Also Tuesdays 06/19 & 06/26). Main Library Children’s Room. Children going into grades K – 4th are invited to enjoy books and music. No preregistration. Call 798-6303 with questions. Book Break @ Main Library 2 – 2:45pm (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays through 06/28). Main Library. Children ages 5-10 enjoy stories and more. Summer camps and other groups welcomed (call ahead with number of participants). Call 798-6303 for details. Book Break @ Northeast Library 2 – 2:45pm (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays through 06/28). Northeast Library. Children ages 5-10 enjoy stories and more. Summer camps and other groups welcomed (call ahead with number of participants). Call 798-6373 for details. Kids Cooking Club – Going Global 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Going Indian – Mango Lassi & Aloo Raita.” See 06/05. Family Night Father’s Day Creation 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Call 256-0854 for more information. Author Book Reading & Signing 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Author Dorothea Benton Frank presents her new book. Contact 509-1464 for details. American Girl Night 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Discuss American Girl books, enjoy a craft activity and have fun. Free. Contact 5091880 for more information.
13 Wednesday Airlie Bird Hike 8 – 9:30am. Airlie Gardens. Free to members or free with Garden admission. $5/Adults & $3/Children (ages 6-12 years). Bring your own binoculars. Bird guides provided.Visit www.airliegardens.org or call 798-7700 for more information. Lap Sit Storytime 9:30 – 9:50am (Also Wednesday 06/20 & 06/27). Myrtle Grove Branch. Designed for babies under 18 months. Features stories, songs, rhymes and activities. No reservations required. Call 798-6393 for more information.
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Baby Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander. Enjoy gentle, low-key musical fun for little ones. Newborn to 1-½ and a grownup. Free but must pre-register at 313-3100. Preschool Science 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Mini Air Rockets.” See 06/06. NHCPL Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:20am (Also Wednesday 06/20 & 06/27). Myrtle Grove Branch. Children 18 - 36 months are invited to storytime! Enjoy stories, songs, and pre-literacy activities. No reservations required. Call 798-6393 for further details. NHCPL Preschool Storytime 10:30 – 11am (Also Wednesday 06/20 & 06/27). Myrtle Grove Branch. Ages 3 - 5 years are invited to enjoy a different theme every week. Includes books, songs, flannel boards, finger plays, and other fun pre-literacy activities. No pre-registration. Call 798-6303 for more information. Discover Science 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Part Car/ Part Sailboat.” See 06/06. Snake & Turtle Feeding 4pm. Halyburton Park. Ages 3 and up enjoy a brief presentation about live display animals and watch them feed. $1/person. Call 341-0075 to pre-register. Coupon Class 6 – 8pm. Leland Classroom Annex, 102 Town Hall Dr. Contact townevents@townofleland.com for details.
14 Thursday – Flag Day NHCPL Lapsit Storytime 9:30 – 9:45am (Also Thursday 06/21 & 06/28). Northeast Branch. Babies 3 - 18 months enjoy fun stories and songs. No registration required. Call 798-6373 for more information. NHCPL Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:20am (Also Thursday 06/21 & 06/28). Northeast Branch. Children ages 18 – 36 months join others for stories, songs and other fun activities. No registration required. Call 798-6373 for details. StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Stone Soup - Stone Soup.” See 06/07. Bi-lingual Storytime 10:30 (Also Thursday 06/21 & 06/28). Main Library. Preschoolers and their adult chaperones enjoy stories and songs in Spanish and English. Call 798-6301 for details. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. (Pirate Month). “Captain Flinn & the Pirate Dinosaurs: Missing Treasure – Treasure Maps.” See 06/07. NewBridge Bank Bridge to Bridge 6pm. CFCC Schwartz Center. 4-Mile Run.Visit www. wilmingtonroadrunners.org for registration information. Fireworks by the Sea 6:30 – 9:15pm. Carolina Beach. See 06/07. Doug Elkins & Friends 7pm. Durham Performing Arts Center. American Dance Festival presents an exciting evening that will delight the audience.Visit www.dpacnc.com for ticket purchases. Forward Motion Dance 7 – 8pm. Cameron Art Museum. Enjoy premier works and excerpts from the 2011 Dance-a-lorus and 2012 NC Dance Festival in modern, contemporary, and jazz. Q&A to follow. $5/Members & Students. $10/Nonmembers. Call 395-5999 or visit www.cameronartmuseum.com for more information. It Starts with a Voice 8pm. Thalian Hall, Main Stage. Benefit concert featuring Broadway music and world premier of Ben & Amy Wright’s new song “It Starts with a Voice.” 100% of
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 17
proceeds donated to Special Olympics. Call 632-2285 or visit www.thalianhall.com for details.
15 Friday Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Father’s Day Photo Frames.” See 06/01. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Japanese Fish Kites.” See 06/01. Duct Tape Tie for Dad 4 – 5pm. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Make a colorful duct tape tie and a handmade card for Dad. Free. Ages 7+ with an adult helper. Call 509-0153 to pre-register please. Airlie Concert Series 6 – 8pm. Airlie Gardens. Enjoy the timeless standards and jazz by Grenoldo Frazier. See 06/01. Grown-up Game Night 7 – 10pm. Cape Fear Museum. Bring friends and enjoy appetizers and games galore. $5/Members. $7/NonMembers.Visit www.capefearmuseum.com for details. Love to Laff Comedy Tour 8pm. Durham Performing Arts Center. Presented by Laff Mobb to take the audience on a hilarious, heartfelt journey through the absurdities of life.Visit www. dpacnc.com for ticket purchases.
16 Saturday NC Blueberry Festival 9am. Pender County Courthouse Square, Burgaw. Celebrate the historic, economic, and cultural significance of blueberries in this region of NC. Includes
entertainment, vendors, and more! Call 259-9817 or visit www.ncblueberryfestival.com for details. Learning Center – Creative Chemistry 1 – 4pm Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. See 06/09. Duct Tape Tie for Dad 2 – 3pm. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander Dr. Make a colorful duct tape tie and a handmade card for Dad. Free. Ages 7+ with an adult helper. Call 313-3100 to pre-register please. Summer Reading Club Kickoff 2 – 3pm. Northeast Library. Don’t miss the Action Animals Show to kick off the summer theme “Dream Big”. Contact 798-6371 for event information.
17 Sunday - Father’s Day Cape Fear Skies: Greek Myths & Legends 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30pm. Cape Fear Museum.Venture into outer space while listening to mythical tales and exploring stars, planets, and more. Parent participation required. Free with admission. Call 798-4357 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information. Movies by the Lake 8:45pm (through Labor Day). Carolina Beach Lake Park. “Zookeeper” (PG). See 06/03.
18 Monday Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Bea’s Own Good.” See 06/04. Little Explorers 10 - 11am. Halyburton Park. Children ages 2-5 are invited to enjoy stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes and crafts regarding “Beautiful Butterflies.” $3/child. Call 341-0075 to pre-register.Visit www.halyburtonpark.com for details.
Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Launch It: design air-powered rocket.” See 06/04.
19 Tuesday Nutrition & Weaning 10am. Grace United Methodist Church, 4th & Grace Streets. Join the La Leche League for a morning of information. Babies welcome. Call Rica at 622-3792 for details. Kids Cooking Club – Going Global 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Going Mexican – Stuffed Burritos.” See 06/05. Family Night Cool Summer Fun 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Call 256-0854 for more information.
20 Wednesday – First Day of Summer Baby Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. See 06/06. Preschool Science 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Float My Boat.” See 06/06. Hands-on Learning with Lego 2pm. Barnes & Noble. Ages 4+ and their parents are invited to a Lego Building Event. Reserve a spot on the in-store sign-up sheet. Call 509-1880 with questions. Discover Science 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Stack the Cups.” See 06/06. What to Expect When You’re Expecting 6:30 – 8pm. Tmuffin, 2133 Wrightsville Ave. Meet other expectant moms at this free informational session for pregnant moms regarding exercise, nutrition, and more. Contact (718) 753-1174 or gaby@Tmuffin.com for details.Visit http://Tmuffin.com additional information.
21 Thursday StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Wemberly’s Ice Cream Star – Ice Cream Soup.” See 06/07. The Frog Prince 2 – 3pm. Carolina Beach Library. The NC Aquarium presents a lively telling of the classic story where participants meet real frogs and toads. Free but registration required by calling 798-6385. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. (Pirate Month). “How I Became a Pirate – Treasure Chests.” See 06/07. Mother Goose Math & Science 3:30 – 4:30pm. Main Library. Storytime for ages 2-8 to learn all about cities and towns and about what makes Wilmington an awesome place to call home. Call 7986365 to register for this free event. The Frog Prince 4 – 5pm. Myrtle Grove Library. The NC Aquarium presents a lively telling of the classic story where participants meet real frogs and toads. Free but registration required by calling 798-6391. Sounds of Summer 6:30 – 8pm. Wrightsville Beach Park. Concert in the Park featuring “Soulbeam.” Fireworks by the Sea 6:30 – 9:15pm. Carolina Beach. See 06/07. The Art of Breastfeeding & Overcoming Difficulties 7pm. Pine Valley United Methodist Church, Shipyard Blvd. Join the La Leche League for a morning of information. Babies welcome. Call Julia at 791-2853 for details.
18 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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Magic Tree House Night 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Discuss book #11 Lions at Lunchtime. Contact 509-1880 for more information.
22 Friday Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Dough Collage.” See 06/01. Hooks & Needles 10am – 12pm. Leland Classroom Annex, 102 Town Hall Drive. See 06/08. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Mexican Metepec Clay Suns.” See 06/01. Big Red Monster Hug 4 – 5pm. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Bring a camera and say hello to Elmo. Call 509-0153 with questions. Fourth Friday Gallery Walk 6 – 9pm. Downtown Wilmington. A self-guided tour through several Wilmington galleries and studios. Includes artist discussions, live music, wine tasting and other artbased activities. Call 343-8997 for more information. Summer Concert Series 6:30 – 8:30pm. Kure Beach, Ft. Fisher Air force Recreation Area. “Spare Change.” See 06/08.
23 Saturday – Olympic Day Learning Center – Creative Chemistry 1 – 4pm Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. See 06/09. Big Red Monster Hug 2 – 3pm. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander. Bring a camera and say hello to Elmo. Call 313-3100 with questions. Movies in the Park 8:45 (dusk). Leland Municipal Park. “Soul Surfer.” See 06/09.
24 Sunday Movies by the Lake 8:45pm (through Labor Day). Carolina Beach Lake Park. “Dolphin Tale” (PG). See 06/03.
25 Monday Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “The Grouchy Lady Bug.” See 06/04. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “On Target: paper cup-zip line.” See 06/04.
26 Tuesday Preschool Science 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Rescue Mission.” See 06/06. Kids Cooking Club – Going Global 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Going Vietnamese – Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce.” See 06/05. Family Night National Wildlife Fed 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Call 256-0854 for more information.
27 Wednesday Makin’ Music 10am. Learning Express Toys, 3804 Oleander (New Location). Introduction to rhythm and a chance to shake the willies out. Ages 1-½ to 5 years. Free but requires reservations. Contact 313-3100 to reserve a spot.
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 19
Family Day at Poplar Grove 10am – 12pm. Poplar Grove Plantation. Celebrate children with free, fun educational, hands-on activities. Includes shopping for the entire family. Call 686-9518 for details. Discover Science 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Make a Windmill.” See 06/06. Coupon Class 6 – 8pm. Leland Classroom Annex, 102 Town Hall Dr. Contact townevents@townofleland.com for details.
28 Thursday StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Blueberries for Sal – Blueberry Pie.” See 06/07. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. (Pirate Month). “Roger the Jolly Pirate – Design a Jolly Roger Flag.” See 06/07. Sounds of Summer 6:30 – 8pm. Wrightsville Beach Park. Concert in the Park featuring “Dutch Treet.”
29 Friday Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Sticky Suncatchers.” See 06/01. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Ancient Egyptian Cartouche.” See 06/01. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 8pm (through 06/30). Durham Performing Arts Center. American Dance Festival presents one of the most original and forward-thinking contemporary dance companies.Visit www.dpacnc.com for details and ticket purchases.
30 Saturday
pediatric dentistry Visit our newest location in Jacksonville. Now Open!
NC 4th of July Festival Freedom Run/Walk 8am. Waterfront Part, Southport. 5K Freedom Run/ Walk and 1-Mile Freedom Run/Walk. Contact 4575578 or visit www.nc4thofjuly.com for event details and registration information. Learning Center – Creative Chemistry 1 – 4pm Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. See 06/09. Wikki Stix Play Day 2 – 4pm. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff & Oleander Drive locations. Bend, stick, create and learn about this wonderful, reusable and travelfriendly item for ages 3+. Free. Call 509-0153 or 3133100 for details. Wilmington Hammerheads vs LA Blues 7:30pm. Legion Stadium. Includes fireworks. Tickets $10/Adults and $6/Youth. Call 777-2111 for more information.
To submit events to the calendar,
Specialized Dentistry for Infants, Children, Adolescents and Children with Special Needs
.
.
8115 Market Street Ste. 204 910-686-1869 www.GrowingGrins.com
please email calendar@ wilmingtonparent.com Deadline for submissions to the July issue is June 9, 2012.
Conveniently located on the 2nd floor of the Medac Building in Porters Neck 20 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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Spreading the Word with the Wright Family Empowering the Children The Wrights feel it is important for parents to explain to their children that by using the “R” word, they are actually saying something that is hurtful. Children may not realize the effect this word has on others, and sometimes it is helpful to explain it in a way that would be meaningful to them. Also, get children involved in helping or mentoring a child with intellectual disabilities. Lilli, the oldest child in the Wright family, teaches an “Art from the Heart” class at First Baptist Activity Center. This art class is designed for children with special needs, and it gives Lilli another outlet for supporting her brother and sister. There are many ways families can volunteer in the community. Acceptance and respect comes from understanding, and volunteering can open a child’s eyes to the unique lives of children with disabilities.
Thinking Big! What’s next for the Wright family? Through social media and blogging, the Wrights are expanding their voice! “We want to make this worldwide,” says Ben. They are in the process of booking international conferences and venues. But the next stop is DC! Ben says,” We have been invited to perform “It Starts With A Voice” at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention’s closing ceremony in Washington D.C. this July.” At this performance, Ben will be backed up by “The Miracles”, a nationally recognized choir consisting of the beautiful voices of people with intellectual disabilities.
W
e have all heard the word “retard(ed)” tossed around. Sometimes in a joking manner, other times in a demeaning way. This is a hurtful word that causes others to feel uncomfortable and disrespected. 1 out of 6 people have someone in their family with some type of disability. So this word hurts not just those with intellectual disabilities, but also those family members that care for and support their loved ones who are living in a world that doesn’t always understand them.
The Wright Family Ben and Amy Wright have four very special children. Lilli, 13 and Emma Grace, 11 are supportive and understanding of their younger siblings, Beau, 7 and Bitti, 2, who were born with Down syndrome. Beau is a happy little boy who loves playing at the beach, singing, and dancing. Bitti loves to do anything Beau is doing! However, not everyone sees that side of them. Often Emma Grace will stand up to her peers at school and ask them to not use the “R” word. These children feel hurt and offended when others don’t recognize the hurtfulness of this word and the beautiful, wonderful, and fun personalities of their siblings. The Wrights have also seen how the “R” word has been carelessly used on TV shows, in movies, and even by adults in public places. One day, while attending a support group meeting of the Down Syndrome and Exceptional Friends Network, Ben and Amy heard a guest speaker talk about a new campaign and decided it was time for them to join the fight!
Passions Unite Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign to raise awareness of the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. After hearing of this worthy cause, Ben and Amy went home and immediately began thinking of a way to help get the word out about this issue. Since Ben and Amy both have strong musical theater backgrounds and successful Broadway careers, one passion helped promote another passion. The result is a song that they have written and recorded called, “It Starts with a Voice”. Amy says, “We plan to perform the world premiere of this song, June 14, 2012, at a Benefit Concert at Thalian Hall. The evening will begin with a concert of Broadway showtunes and culminate with the world premiere of our song.” The very next day the song will be available for purchase on iTunes. All the profits from the benefit concert and a portion of all sales on iTunes will be donated to “Spread the Word to End the Word”. The Wrights say, “It is our hope, that this benefit concert will raise awareness and help fund the ongoing efforts to spread a message of inclusion and acceptance.”
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“This is about more than just eliminating a certain word from your vocabulary; this is about a revolution of our attitudes toward a population that has been stigmatized throughout their lifetime. They deserve respect, and removing the R-word from our everyday speech is one step we can take toward showing them that respect.” Where Can I Pledge? Tell your children, family, friends, and anyone that will listen to go to www.r-word.org and pledge to make a change. Over 300,000 people have made an online pledge to stop using the “R” word, but there should be so many more! Ben and Amy Wright want everyone to remember, “This is about more than just eliminating a certain word from your vocabulary; this is about a revolution of our attitudes toward a population that has been stigmatized throughout their lifetime. They deserve respect, and removing the R-word from our everyday speech is one step we can take toward showing them that respect.” If you would like to attend the special benefit concert, all tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Thalian Hall (910) 632-2285 or online at www.Thalianhall.com. A limited number of tickets may also be available for purchase at the door the night of the show. Remember, beginning June 15, 2012 we are asking everyone to search for and please purchase the song, “It Starts with a Voice” on iTunes! For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.r-word.org. v
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 21
in the news
department in the news
Lobster Fest Church of the Servant presents its 28th annual fundraising event on Saturday, June 9 at 12pm. DINNER SELECTIONS CLASSIC (cooked lobster, cole slaw, corn-on-the-cob and bread) $24 COS BOIL (cooked lobster, sausage, corn-on-the-cob, new potatoes, cole slaw and bread) $25 LANDLUBBER’S SPECIAL (sausage, corn-on-the-cob, new potatoes, cole slaw and bread) $10 (Extra sides and fresh baked desserts also available) Fresh Lobsters available for $19 (live) or $21 (cooked) Dine in or carry out. Simply visit www.cosepiscopal.com and click on the Lobster Fest tab to place an order (free delivery for orders of $15 or more). The last day to order is Tuesday, June 5. Contact (910) 470-1876 or lobster@cosepiscopal.com for more information!
Raise the Roof Gala & Auction The Raise the Roof Gala & Auction benefits Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). It is hoped that this evening will raise enough funds to repair the roofs of ten local low-income families. The Gala will be held at the Country Club of Landfall on Friday, June 22 at 7:30pm. Guests should arrive in elegant island attire and plan to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music performed by Da Howlies. (Auction items include trips, local adventures, tickets to ACC basketball games, jewelry, golf packages, and more.) Call (910) 399-7563 or feliciamilliken@warmnc.org for event details and ticket purchases. Ed Hobson, Shelley Hobson and Harriet Loweth, courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.
“Great Friend to Kids” Awards Ceremony & Breakfast On Monday morning, April 23, The Children’s Museum of Wilmington hosted a breakfast and awards ceremony to recognize individuals and organizations across Southeastern North Carolina for making outstanding contributions in the interests of children. At this first-ever event, the Museum presented four “Great Friend to Kids” awards and one “Unsung Hero” award. AWARD
RECIPIENT
“Curiosity” “Innate Love of Learning” “Imagination” “Inspiration” “Unsung Hero”
Phil Marion Danny McComas Ed & Shelley Hobson Mary Ellen Laughnan Jon Evans
Congratulations to the recipients of these awards for your efforts in reflecting the core values of the Children’s Museum of Wilmington! (Special Thank You’s to Bob & Harriett Loweth for their sponsorship of GF2K awards and to Dumay Gorham for designing the beautiful trophies for this event.)
22 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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Summer Field Trips: Scheduling time for fun By Laura Amann
I
t’s hard not to dream big at the beginning of summer; a tantalizing prospect of activities seem to stretch endlessly ahead. Then swim lessons, summer camps, work, and lazy days creep up until August arrives. And who hasn’t tried to cram a summer’s worth of activities into the last week? This year, before summer slips away, put it down in writing. Find a time, grab some friends and plan a few field trips.
Friends, calendars, ideas In the same way that having a workout partner increases the likelihood of actually working out, having activity buddies increases the chances that you’ll do some of the things you plan. So find some friends whose kids are around the same age or temperament as yours and who you enjoying hanging out with. Start by charting out the summer and reserve some days for getting out. Simply by etching the time into your plans in advance means you’re much less likely to blow it off. You don’t want to be too rigid (there’s plenty of that during the school year) but you don’t want to let summer slide by either. “Five to six outings for the summer – about once every two weeks – is ideal,” says Leslie Conneely, a professional organizer. “Keeping it always on the same day of the week (“Fun Fridays,”) serves as an easy reminder and routine.”
What to do? Brainstorm with your kids and friends draw up a good variety of options. Some ideas include museums, nature preserves, cultural events, local historical sites or areas, and amusement parks. Add a few indoor places in case of inclement weather as well as some that cost nothing. Balance educational-based (museums) with just-for-fun (water parks) to keep everyone happy. “When our neighborhood planned weekly field trips, we made sure there was something for everyone so no one got bored,” says mom-of-three Laura Rehling, whose neighborhood field trips included strawberry picking, a historical site and a museum. “We had as much fun as the kids did!” Activities can be as varied as a large museum, a carnival, an outdoor concert, a hike at a nature center, or a visit to a historical center.
Take charge Once the basic itinerary and dates are nailed down, find a group leader for each trip. Ideally, each person only plans one outing and some will be easier to plan than others. The leader does the legwork for the rest of the group, nailing down directions, cost, parking, snack or lunch options and a general description of the activity. If a museum trip is on the agenda, take some time to figure out what exhibits you’ll try to hit. If it’s a trip to pick fruit, find a good farm and get directions. As much planning as you can do in advance, the easier it is to pick up and go on the day. The best part of summer is the break from routine and the chance to relax and have fun. With young kids, sometimes that means doing a little planning ahead. It’s worth it when you look back proudly at all you accomplished rather than with regret at what you didn’t do. v
• Counseling for Children, Adolescents, Adults & Families • Kindergarten Readiness Screenings • Psychological Assessment for Behavior, Attention, & Learning Issues • Child Specialists for Collaborative Law/ Divorce Cases Shelley Chambers, L.C.S.W • Christine Hook, Ph.D. Ben Rigby, Ph.D.
See our website for more information...
www.potentialsnc.com (910) 254-4545
Play & Language for Autistic Youngsters A developmental treatment program based on the DIR/Floortime model for children 18 months to 6 years of age with Autism. Our in-home services are both evidenced based and effective! Sherry M. Waters, P-LCSW, MSW Licensed Home Consultant 910-233-5339 . playprojectnc@gmail.com Visit us on the web: www.playproject.org
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All types of events • Can set-up INdoors or OUTdoors • We deliver and pick up
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 23
Solving the Child Care Puzzle By Danielle Villegos
B
efore you turn your precious child over to their Kindergarten teacher, your child’s brain has already been through some significant developments. The caregivers of a child age newborn to 5 years old have the unique responsibility of being the child’s very first teacher. A big part of that job is in the hands of the parents. However, for a growing number of parents that job is shared by a child care provider. In New Hanover county over 5,500 children live in a home where both parents work. For those working parents, that means finding a caregiver they can trust to properly care for and teach their child during a time of critical brain development. Choosing a high-quality caregiver for your young child may help put your child on a path to success in school and life.
SPECIAL SECTION: Choices in Childcare
Smart Start So where do busy parents turn when making such an important decision? Smart Start of New Hanover County is committed to ensuring the welfare and future success of our youngest children. Not many people realize exactly what role Smart Start can play in helping parents decide on quality child care. “We collaborate with a network of community services on behalf of children and their families in order to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enter school prepared for success,” says Krista Turner, Educations Services Manager at Smart Start of New Hanover County. Smart Start is a community-based comprehensive approach, serving all children 0-5 and their families. Smart Start funds services in the community that offer: • Health Care • Family Support • Early Care and Education
PUZZLES Smart Start provides funding for 18 different programs in the community such as, literacy programs, obesity prevention, new and expectant mother programs, exceptional children assistance, and child care referrals. Smart Start PUZZLES Center is a unique program that provides parents with assistance in finding child care. Looking for a child care provider can be an overwhelming task! Beth Bowen is the PUZZLES Coordinator at Smart Start and she says, “Finding child care for your child does not need to be stressful. Here at PUZZLES we provide parents with information about choosing quality care, listings of local child care businesses that fit your personal needs, and help with understanding the Star Rating System.”
How Can PUZZLES Help? Counselors at PUZZLES provide invaluable help to parents by phone, email, and in person. “We can help you meet the individual needs of your family while taking into consideration preferences such as location, care for infants and toddlers, hours of operation and care for children with special needs,” says Bowen. PUZZLES also has a new Family Resource Room!
24 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
For a $5 annual fee, the Family Resource Room membership includes access to: • Theme-based kits with educational toys and materials • Baby slings and wraps • Infant massage kit • Food mill with healthy recipes • A two week trial membership to the Wilmington Children’s Museum • A wide variety of other books and materials available for check out For the kids, there is a fun and safe area for children to play while parents browse through the large selection of resources.
Choosing Childcare When it comes time to make the decision about who will care for your child while you work, you will have many options. PUZZLES can help you sort through all the different programs in your area and assist you in choosing a child care program that best fits your family. Types of Licensed Child Care • Center-based programs • Religious-sponsored child care facilities • Head Start • Early Head Start • More at Four • Family Child Care Homes (anyone who provides care for more than 2 children who are not related to them) • Centers in a residence • School-age child care Types of Non-Licensed Legal Child Care • Part-day preschools (4 hours or less a day) • Drop-in child care (maximum 4 hours at a time) • In-home caregivers (such as nannies or baby-sitters) • Informal child care (family, friend, or neighbor care) • Summer day camps (school-age only) Each family has unique needs and not every child requires the same type of care. Look at your child’s needs. Do they respond better in a smaller, home-based environment? Or is your social butterfly more suited to a larger school-type setting? All these choices have positives and negatives. What works best for your child is what you should choose. What works perfectly for one family might not work for another, and in the end a parent’s gut instinct should not be ignored! Pros and Cons Child Care Center: • Pros – prepares children for a larger group setting which is similar
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to a Kindergarten classroom. Similarly aged children grouped together allows for teachers to plan age appropriate daily schedules and lessons. • Cons – Sometimes there can be a high teacher turnover rate. High staff/child ratio could lead to less one-on-one attention and less flexibility. Family Child Care Home: • Pros – Home-like atmosphere with more flexibility. Lower staff/child ratios. When care setting includes children of different ages, skills, and abilities there is a potential to lead to increased empathy. • Cons – Only one provider means there is not a back-up care provider. So if they are sick or take a vacation parents need to find alternate care for a day or so. Nanny: • Pros – One-on-one attention. Less disruption and transition for the child during the day. • Cons – Nanny agencies have their own qualifications and education requirements for their employees. However, they are not required to meet state licensing and accreditation requirements. Possibility for decreased socialization. Typically more expensive.
What to Look For
SPECIAL SECTION: Choices in Childcare
The right caregiver for your child during this critical development period is someone who will: • Provide solid guidance towards developing good social skills. • Teach them to be empathetic. • Consistently teach them to follow directions. • Adhere to daily schedules which reflect the learning through play philosophy. • Be actively engaged by talking to your child throughout the day, and playing with them while introducing them to a variety of materials. • Provide a balance of active and quiet times. • Follow good health practices and teach your child to do the same. • Allow for outside play time. • Use teaching time to sing songs, encourage a love of books, expose your child to different drawing/writing utensils, and begin teaching early literacy. • Adhere to legal staff/child ratios at all times. • Encourage family involvement. • Strive to reduce caregiver turnover and encourage higher education among staff. Keep these basic guidelines in mind when visiting potential child care providers. Ask lots of questions, and keep a record of your thoughts and first impressions. Make sure you write down everything you want to remember about a facility while it is still fresh in your mind. Later you can look back and compare multiple providers with less confusion. PUZZLES provides helpful checklists upon request! Mebane Boyd, Health and Family Services Manager at Smart Start says, “During this time in a child’s life, the brain grows to 90% of its adult size and children are eager and ready to learn.” Choose your child’s caregiver carefully. Stay educated about child care accreditation requirements and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone at Smart Start really wants to help educate parents. “When parents are more informed and ask more questions, then child care providers feel the push to improve their services,” says Turner. In the end, it’s the children that benefit the most from the improved child care. For more information and to obtain useful child care checklists, Call: New Hanover County (910) 815-3731, Pender County (910) 259-9978, Brunswick County (910) 755-3362, or Columbus County (910) 642-8189 Email: beth.bowen@newhanoverkids.org, krista.turner@newhanoverkids.org, or mebane.boyd@newhanoverkids.org Visit: www.newhanoverkids.org/puzzles v
Five Steps to Choosing High-Quality Child Care 1. Start early – Start looking far in advance. Often some of the best centers have waiting lists. 2. Call your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency – Finding a child care program can seem overwhelming. PUZZLES, your local CCR&R can help! 3. Visit and ask questions – Always visit any child care programs you are considering. 4. Make a choice – Think about what you saw at each visit, and make the best choice for your child and family.
5. Stay involved – The work isn’t over when you find good care for your child. You and your child’s caregiver are partners now. Ask your child care provider how you can be involved, and make an effort to talk to your child care provider every day!
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 25
B'nai Israel -
A Conservative Congregation Jewish Education for the 21st Century • Creative Tots Program • Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program
COME JOIN IN THE FUN! Northside Weekday Preschool • 2501 North College Road • NOW ENROLLING FOR 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR Half Day Preschool Programs available: • Toddler Class, 2 days (18-23 mo) • 2 and 3 year olds, 2, 3 or 5 days • Pre-K, 3 or 5 days (4-5 year olds)
For more information or to enroll, contact Jennifer Groves
SPECIAL SECTION: Choices in Childcare
791-6053 or jgroves@enorthside.org Call for Special Rates for young families.
www.
wilmingtonparent
2601 Chestnut Street Wilmington, NC 28405 762.1117 • http://bnaiisraelnc.org/
.com
Winter Park Presbyterian Preschool Offering you creative ways to target your audience and grow your business.
Half Day Preschool
• Ages toddler - pre - kindergarten • Low teacher/child ratio • Nurturing & fun environment • N.C. early childhood certified teachers Enroll Now for 2012-2013 Call for availability
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791-5893 • 4501 Wrightsville Ave. www.winterparkpres.com SIGN UP TODAY TO RECEIVE FREE EMAIL OFFERS. REFER 3 FRIENDS, EARN $10! www.wilmingtonparent.com
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Metzger Tutoring Services
Specializing in tutoring, test preparation and enrichment
Keep comprehension and critical thinking skills sharp this summer! Metzger Tutoring Services is offering special book clubs for students in grades 3-8.
Book Clubs provide: • Educator facilitation • Literature exploration • Intellectual motivation • Quality time with friends Get Noticed & get sales - have your business featured! Contact Erin 910-386-1453 to get started! 26 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
Call or e-mail for more information. 910-262-6810 bmetzgertutoring@gmail.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Shop and save money! Consign and make money! The Pass It On Cape Fear Children’s Consignment event Shop for up to 90% off retail prices for quality items!
Retail $14.99 Consignment $3.99
Retail $7.99 Consignment $2.00
Retail $52.00 Consignment $12.99
*Prices are approximate and vary on retailer and seller.
Save on all this and more... High Quality Child Care That Will Last Your Child A Life Time We are now offering a Morning Program 4 days a week
• Clothing • Shoes • Toys • Baby equipment
• Nursery gear • Maternity wear • Baby carriers • Bedding
Save the date...July 13-15 at the Schwartz Center on Cape Fear Community College campus Free admission and Free parking!
• Infant & Toddler Program - Safe, nurturing & Loving environment • 2 to 4 year old Preschool Classes - Preparing your child for kindergarden • 2 to 4 year old Morning Program - 8:30 - 12:30pm Tues - Fri • School Age - After School & Summer Camp • We are an official 4-H club.
Sign up for our email and like us on facebook to consign and earn money. Shop and save money. www.facebook.com/PassItOnCapeFear
Located off 23rd St. w/ easy access from MLK or Market St
www.PassItOnCapeFear.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 27
SPECIAL SECTION: Choices in Childcare
Retail $129.00 Consignment $59.00
Choices in Childcare Guide 2012
Childcare AAI Pharma Learning
The Children’s School House
2320 Scientific Park Drive Denise Ward or Mary Kosterman 910-254-7384 denise.ward@aaipharma.com
612 S. College Road Wilmington Lucy Hieronymus Phone:910-799-1531 lhieronymus@aol.com www.childrenschoolhouse.com
5222 S. College Rd; 2619 Newkirk Ave Jennifer Varella; Maurica Bennett (910) 799-8023; (910) 799-7195 kidscompanycollege@gmail.com www.kidconc.com
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Ages: 3 years to 6 years
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Availability: Call for openings
Availability: Call for details
Availability: Call for most recent availability
Comments: A 5-Star Program with degreed teachers, low staff/ child ratios, and a Project Approach based curriculum. Full day, After School and Morning Programs available.
Comments: Wilmington’s Oldest Montessori School, 25 years of excellence, also offering Montessori Marine Science Camp.
Center
B’Nai Israel Congregation 2601 Chestnut Street, Wilmington Antya Ledbetter (910) 762-1117 Biofficecontact2@gmail.com www.bnaiisraelnc.org Ages: 4-16 Availability: Call office for availability from 9am-1pm. Comments: We are a conservative Jewish Sunday School and bar Mitzvah preparation
Childcare Network 10 Locations in New Hanover, Brunswick and Bladen Counties 866-521-KIDS www.childcarenetwork.net
Friends School of Wilmington
Kids & Company
Comments: 4 star licensed centers. Two convenient locations. Nutritious meals and snacks included.
Leland Christian Academy
207 Pine Grove Drive, Wilmington Contact: Ann Souder Phone: 910-791-8221 AnnS@fsow.org www.fsow.org
517 Village Rd NE, Leland Kim Burch, Preschool Director 910-371-0688 www.lelandchristian.org
Ages: 18 months – 8th grade
Ages: infant to pre-K4 Kindergarten
Availability: Childcare offered for 3-4 year old enrolled students M-F until 3pm; Kind – 8th grade enrolled students M-F until 5:30pm. Call for an appointment.
Availability: Call to arrange a tour
Comments: Friends School emphasizes academic excellence in Montessori program for 18 months – Kindergarten and Inquiry based for 1st – 8th grade. Child care is offered for FSW enrolled 3 year old students – 8th grade.
Jenkins Preschool Academy
Comments: The school’s objective is to train the student in the knowledge of God and the Christian way of life and to give the student an excellent education. Starting with our preschool (Infants - PK4 Kindergarten) and continuing through our elementary school and middle school, we work to assist the parents in their responsibility to equip their children with spiritual, academic, physical, and social excellence in order to serve God. Also offering a summer camp.
Ages: 6 weeks – 12 years Availability: Infant and toddler early learning curriculums, Preschool, PreK, and More at Four Programs. Young Achievers Program for school agers, including Summer Camp
7888 Market Street Wilmington 28411 Contact: Alethea Jenkins 910-367-7210 momofktj@aol.com www.jpawilmington.com
Comments: We offer working parents the best value in childcare with the best combination of learning, safety and fun at an affordable price.
Ages: 2-4/preK
1501 Beasley Rd. Wilmington NC 28409 Contact: Sheryl H. Hartwell 910-395-0059 noahsark@masonborobaptist.org
Availability: limited for all age groups
Ages: 6 weeks – kindergarten, afterschool
Comments: Also offer summer camp sessions; Call for a tour.
Availability: Pre-K Fall 2012
28| | June June2012 2012 | | Wilmington WilmingtonParent Parent 28
Noah’s Ark Children’s Center
Comments: Christian-based 5 Star Center with low ratios, experienced and educated staff offering a loving, hands-on learning environment now enrolling for 2011-2012 school year.
www.wilmingtonparent.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Drop-In Childcare Northside Weekday Preschool 2501 N. College Rd., Wilmington Jennifer Groves, Director 910-791-6053 jgroves@enorthside.org www.enorthside.org Ages: 18 months-5 yrs old (pre-K) Availability: Call for openings Comments: Enrolling now for 2012-2013 school year, hours: 8:30-12:30. We are a halfday preschool “leading preschoolers in their first steps toward a walk with Christ”. We follow the W.E.E. Learn Curriculum and all of our teachers have either their degree in education or their N.C. credentials.
Wilmington Preschool of Fine Arts
Simply Play 3818 Oleander Drive 910-791-0022 www.simplyplay.com Ages: 12 mos. To 12 years drop-in care from 1-5 hours Availability: M-Thur, 8:30am8:30pm, Fri-Sat, 8:30am-11:30pm Comments: We offer safe, flexible care when you need it. Huge play area with everything from plasma cars and basketball to trains and tiaras! Open Sundays for b-day parties.
Resources Smart Start of New Hanover 3534 S. College Rd., Suite F, Wilmington Mebane Boyd 910-815-3731 info@newhanoverkids.org www.newhanoverkids.org Ages: Birth-5 years Comments: Smart Start of New Hanover County, a non-profit agency, offers a wide array of support to families with young children including helping parents find childcare, after school programs, and summer camps; assisting parents accessing community services to meet their child’s needs; and offering a lending library with educational materials and toys, children’s books, activity ideas, informational books for adults.
3834 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 794-3025 Preschool Director info@wilmingtonartspreschool.com www.wilmingtonartspreschool.com Ages: one year to five years Availability: Half and full day. Comments: The Wilmington Preschool of Fine Arts is a magical place of music, movement, imagination, nurturing, and fun. Every day includes art time, music class, movement programming, literature learning, academic preparation, discovery exploration, and center play.
Winter Park Presbyterian Preschool 4501 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 Mary Jane Coble, Director 910-791-5893, Ext. 29 preschool@winterparkpres.com www.winterparkpres.com facebook.com/winterparkpresbyterian preschool Ages: Toddler – PreK Availability: Toddler – Pre-K, Half-Day Preschool Program Comments: We are a half-day Christian Preschool. We offer low student/teacher ratios, an experienced, nurturing staff and a FUN preschool environment.
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Wilmington WilmingtonParent Parent | | June June2012 2012 | |29 29
department | fit family
fit family Local Races
Pool Time!
Run for Hope benefiting Women of Hope Saturday, June 2 @ 8am Mayfaire Town Center, Wilmington
The public pools in Wilmington are a great place to cool off during these hot summer days! Here are the City of Wilmington public pool locations, hours, and prices.
NewBridge Bank Bridge to Bridge 4 Mile Run Thursday, June 14 @ 6pm Swartz Center, Wilmington North Carolina Blueberry Festival 5K Saturday, June 16 @ 7:30am. Burgaw, NC *Visit www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org for more information
Legion Pool 2131 Carolina Beach Road Sat. June 2nd and Sat. June 9th 12pm-5pm Beginning June 11th Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1pm-5pm Wednesdays 1pm-6pm Saturdays 12 noon-5pm Sundays CLOSED Robert Strange Pool 410 S. 10th Street Sat. June 2nd and Sat. June 9th 12pm-5pm Beginning June 11th – Monday-Friday 1pm-6pm Saturdays 12 noon-5pm Sundays CLOSED
Northside Pool 750 Bess Street Sat. June 2nd and Sat. June 9th 12pm-5pm Beginning June 11th – Monday-Friday 1pm-6pm Saturdays 12 noon-5pm Sundays CLOSED Northside Splash Pad 750 Bess Street May 26-September 7 Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm Prices $1 for children 17 and under $2 for adults 18 and up Splash Pad is free! www.wilmingtonnc.gov/community_services/recreation/pools.
The end of the school year is here! Stock up now for your summer fun activities • Summer Bridge Workbooks • Travel Games and Toys • Arts and Crafts
10% off total purchase
*can not be combined with any other sale or promotion
Follow us on Facebook: Teacher’s Aid Inc (Wilmington, NC) University Square 831 South Kerr Avenue Wilmington, NC Mon-Fri - 10a.m. - 6p.m. & Saturday - 9a.m. - 5p.m.
910-799-0101 www.teachersaidnc.com 30 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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Sidewalk chalk = Part art, a little learning, some fitness, and a bunch of fun! • Tic-Tac-Toe – This can be played the original way by drawing X’s and O’s until someone gets 3 across, or have players toss a stone onto the playing space and wherever it lands they mark their X or O. • Kick the Disc – This game is set up like a shuffleboard court and the disk can be anything plastic and round, like a jar lid. Then have players kick the disc to the other player’s side. The trick is, the kick has to be controlled so that the disc lands in a points area and not beyond. • 4 square – For this you’ll need a ball that you can bounce. Draw a big square and divide it into 4 smaller squares. Number them 1-4 and have a player stand in each square. The basic object of the game is to bounce the ball into another player’s square and then they bounce it to another square before it bounces a second time and they can’t let it get away from them! For the complete rules of this game visit, www.squarefour.org/rules. • Alphabet board games – Draw 25 square and toss a stone onto a letter. Then children can think of or write out five words that start with that letter. Older kids can continue tossing stones onto the letters to spell out the words. This requires better aim and is a little more challenging. • Hopscotch Challenge – Try different, longer and more complicated designs. For younger kids let them hop on both feet in each square and for older kids have them try to hop on one foot the whole way and back! If they complete the course, they can write their name or initials in any square they want and then the next person has to jump over initialed squares. • Calculator Hopscotch – Draw a calculator and toss a stone onto any number. Then jump to create a number sentence that has that number as the answer! (Example: stone lands on 3 – jump to 1+2) Once that gets too easy have a player write a grid of larger numbers off to the side and toss the answer stone onto the grid. Then continue to use the calculator to make harder math problems! Does your little athlete need an even bigger challenge? Try one foot jumps for odd numbers, two foot jumps for even, and cross foot jumps for the +-x÷ signs. • Sidewalk Art Twister – Draw a “spinner” with different shapes and pictures. Then draw a twister grid with the different shapes and pictures randomly drawn on the grid. Have one player toss a stone onto the “spinner” and let the twisting begin!
Bring Back the Classics Summer is around the corner and the kids will be out of school soon. So we asked some friends, “what outdoor games did you play as a kid (prevideo games) that you would love to see make a comeback?” Here’s what they said! Nora G. - “Kickball, Hide & Seek Carol C. - “Riding bikes” Tammy S. - “Building teepees in the yard” Sandie Loudermilk (WP Calendar Editor) - “Freeze tag with flashlights!” Irene B. - “Although it’s no longer PC anymore, Cowboys & Indians, Cops & Robbers” Morgan P. – “Hopscotch, horseshoes, double dutch, hula hooping!” Let’s get our kids back outside this summer playing the games we loved as a kid! There’s no need to spend a lot of money to entertain everyone this summer. Write these games on little slips of paper, plus any others you can think up, put them in a jar and draw a different one every day. Let the kids try something new (old) each day until they run out, then start over with their favorites!
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Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 31
school notes
department | school notes
Amphibians in the Classroom More than 1,000 toads are sounding their call today, happy to be back in their natural habitat after being released by New Hanover County students over the last few weeks. For the fifth year, the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher offered “Amphibians in the Classroom” to foster a sense of environmental stewardship among students, while creating a better understanding of amphibians and the environment we share. Five area New Hanover County Elementary schools started with tadpoles collected locally by Aquarium staff. With the help of Aquarium educators, students raised the tadpoles from eggs, watching as they grew to tiny Southern toads. In the past two weeks, students from Carolina Beach Elementary, Anderson Elementary, Wrightsville Beach Elementary, Mary C. Williams Elementary and the Cape Fear Center for Inquiry released the toads in area parks and ponds.
DC Virgo Preparatory Academy to Open The DC Virgo Preparatory Academy will open its doors in the fall of 2012 for 6th grade only and will add 7th and 8th grades over the next two school years. The Vision for this school is “Creating a high performing environment that prepares students to enter high school ready to achieve at the highest level.” Daily schedule: (Hours of Attendance: 8:30am – 4:30pm) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Six 70-minute class periods including Math, Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, PE and Arts Education Wednesday 8:30am – 1:30pm: Extended time-blocks used for project-based learning, performances and interdisciplinary work 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Creating connections with enrichment opportunities including field trips, clubs, team building, career exploration, college visits, Battle of the Books, and service projects. While the school does have an “attendance zone,” a student may also apply to the Academy through Open Choice. Visit www.nhcs.net/virgo for a complete information booklet about the school.
Comprehensive Greenway Plan Needs Your Input The Wilmington Metro Planning Organization, the City of Wilmington, and New Hanover County have joined forces to pursue a Comprehensive Greenway Plan. The planning process that began in January of this year is expected to reach completion by then end of 2012. The Plan is one that will affect schools by providing walking and biking trails to not only enhance recreation but to also provide new ways of getting to and from school! Feedback from the community is helpful in the planning process. Please visit www.wilmingtongreenway.com/comment-form.html to complete a short questionnaire by June 30, 2012.
2012 GRADUATION SCHEDULE School
32 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
Location
Date
Time
Wilmington Early College
Minnie Evans Arts Center
May 26, 2012
11am
Isaac Bear Early College
UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium
June 2, 2012
10am
Mosley Performance Learning Center
Minnie Evans Arts Center
June 8, 2012
7pm
Hoggard High School
UNCW’s Trask Coliseum
June 9, 2012
9am
New Hanover High School
UNCW’s Trask Coliseum
June 9, 2012
12:30pm
Laney High School
UNCW’s Trask Coliseum
June 9, 2012
4pm
Ashley High School
UNCW’s Trask Coliseum
June 9, 2012
7:30pm
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Mommy, can we please go to Toddler Time at
Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry? Time for your toddler’s first visit? Call for an appointment
School’s Out for Summer!
June 6 & 7 Special Guest Splash, the surfing tooth!
New Hanover County: Traditional Schools: June 7 – Half Day & Last Day for Students June 8 – Teacher Work Day June 9 – High School Graduation June 11-12 – Teacher Work Days June 12 – Report Cards Mailed Year Round Schools: June 14 – Half Day & Last Day for Students June 15–19 – Teacher Work Days June 19 – Report Cards Mailed Isaac Bear Early College: June 2 - Graduation June 8 – Last Day for Students June 11-13 – Teacher Work Days June 13 – Report Cards Mailed Wilmington Early College: June 1-30 – Summer Vacation CFCI Charter School: June 8 – Last Day for Students June 11-12 – Teacher Work Days Pre-K Calendar: June 7 – Half Day & Last Day for Students June 8 – Teacher Work Day June 11-12 – Teacher Work Days June 12 – Report Cards Mailed
Brunswick: Traditional Schools: June 8 – Last Day for Students June 9 – Graduation June 11-12 – Teacher Work Days RBA Charter Day School: June 6 – Kindergarten & 8th Grade Graduations June 7 – Last Day for Students / Report Cards
SKIP TYSON, D.D.S. STEPHANIE HEANEY, D.D.S. infants • children • teens surf our website
www.catchasmile.net
457-0111
791-7380
4330 Southport Supply Road Southport, NC 28461
2606 Iron Gate Dr.Suite 200, Wilmington, NC
Stork Greetings & More Personalized Lawn Sign Rentals New Baby Storks Sibling Stars Kids Birthday Signs Adult Birthday Signs
910.465.7736 910.399.2580
StorkGreetings.org
Stephanie Kimbro, Esq. Attorney and Mother
Brunswick Early College: June 1-30 – Summer Vacation
Pender: Traditional Schools: June 8 – Last Day for Students June 11-13 – Staff Work Days Penderlea Year Round School: June 1-30 – Student Vacation June 1 & 4 – Staff Work Days Pender Early College: June 1-30 – Summer Vacation Visit www.nhcs.net, www.co.brunswick.k12. nc.us or www.pendercountyschools.net for more information.
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Consider a Last Will and Testament after: - Birth or Adoption - Divorce - Moved to NC from Another State - Change in Income - Need to Name a Guardian for Children www.kimbrolaw.com • @KimbroLaw Providing Secure, NC Estate Planning Services Online
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 33
department | going green
Bug Off!
going green
Natural ways to keep insects away
By Brandy Metzger
T
his year we enjoyed a mild winter with very few days of freezing temperatures. It made for a pleasant season, but now we’re paying the price in the form of an abundant insect population. According to Michigan State University’s Department of Entomology, “Freezing temperatures are detrimental to many forms of life, including most insects.” Insects in our area didn’t suffer the consequences of a hard freeze and now they are more numerous than usual. There are many chemicals on the market that can be used in your home and on your body to repel insects. However, if you’d like to avoid possibly harmful chemicals, there are more natural ways to protect your home and your family from attack by creepy crawlers.
In and Around Your Home: • Know what plants offend bugs and keep them close. Herbs such as basil, lemongrass, rosemary and citronella repel insects of all sorts. Plant these near your doors and in window boxes to deter bugs from entering your home.
Insects in our area didn’t suffer the consequences of a hard freeze and now they are more numerous than usual. • Keep your home neat and clean. Elimination of clutter will remove areas in which bugs can live. Thoroughly cleaning floors and surfaces in your home ensures that bugs don’t have a food source from crumbs or spills. Cleaning with vinegar will help to repel insects while getting your house squeaky clean. • Get some bay leaves. Bay laurel leaves repel
34 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
roaches. You can use the dried ones found in the grocery store on the spice aisle or get a plant and spread around some of the leaves. • Put household items to work. Ants don’t like cinnamon, baby powder or chalk. According to liverenewed.com, you can sprinkle cinnamon or baby powder on ants or around areas that they enter the house to keep them at bay. You can also draw a circle in chalk around the opening from which the ants are entering to keep them out.
On your body: • Avoid strong smelling body products. Perfumes, lotions, deodorant and hair products with a strong scent will attract insects, so go for unscented hair and body products during bug season. • Burn some candles. If you are seated outdoors, burn a citronella candle near you to keep bugs away. • Rubbing citrus peels or onion on your skin has been thought to keep pesky insects away. Unfortunately, the onion may keep your friends away as well! • Create your own natural repellent. Wisebread.com recommends using lavender or vanilla extract on your neck and pulse points to keep mosquitos away. For more information on natural insect repellents, please visit our website at www. wilmingtonparentmagazine.com. v Brandy Metzger is a freelance writer with a passion for green living. She is also a mother and a principal educator with STIZZil (an online education company).
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Teen Guide to Summer Jobs By Julie Landry Laviolette
W
hen Becca Baker was 14, she looked at her neighbor’s Girl Scout troop and saw a job opportunity. She began offering babysitting services to moms of the girls, and soon had a steady clientele. Now 17 and a high school senior, Becca works three jobs: as a babysitter, Dairy Queen cashier and restaurant hostess. In March 2012, the national unemployment rate was 8.2 and displaced adult workers are now competing with teens for some of the same jobs. For example, more adults are working in fast food than ever before. Here are some tips to give teens an edge on a job hunt:
Determine your interests One of the most important things is to know what interests you. If you like clothes, look for jobs in retail. If you have a driver’s license, you can make deliveries for a restaurant. If you want to be outside, check out camp jobs. Yanique Jean Philippe, 20, always had a knack for fashion. When she was a high school junior, she began fashioning her own clothes out of thrift-store finds, adding rips, zippers, rhinestones and studs to give them an urban edge. By her senior year, Philippe had financed her prom, homecoming and Grad Bash with proceeds from selling her designs to friends.
Assess your skills Do you know how to use special programs on a computer? Are you a good swimmer? Do you like to draw? Figure out what you do better than potential job competitors. When Andres Cardona was 16, he got turned down for job after job. “I thought ‘what do I love so much that I would do it for free?’” said Cardona, now 18 and a student at Florida International University. The answer was basketball. As a high school junior, Cardona founded a basketball academy that offers year-round clinics to help players develop skills.
Network When Baker began babysitting, she created a network of clients by reaching out to coaches and friends. She took a childcare class her freshman year in high school, and distributed promotional fliers. Then she pounded the pavement at neighborhood shops. “Just apply at all the little places. Apply everywhere. When you’re in a restaurant, say ‘By the way, are you guys hiring?’ That’s how I got my job at Dairy Queen, when I went in for ice cream one day,” Baker says. She snagged the restaurant job because a friend who works there gave a recommendation. “Use your network. Tell your friends, your parents, your parent’s friends,” says Mason Jackson, CEO of Workforce One. Stop by businesses in your area. Have a script in your head and look like you’re ready to work. Check with your city government – often there are camps, community pools or parks needing summer workers. If you’ve chosen a career field, see if a business in that industry is looking for an intern. An internship can be a great opportunity to test the waters in a particular field and get real world experience.
Be prepared Have a resume and reference information ready to upload if you apply for a job online. Ask permission before you use someone as a reference – then get his or her name, address and phone number. Use a conservative email address. Some kids have email names for friends and games, like hotbaby33.com. Instead, get an email address specifically for job hunting. Be careful what you post on Facebook – a prospective employer may check your page. And keep in mind that it’s not the place to complain about your boss, work schedule, etc. Look up a company online before your interview, so you know what they do. Review past experience and see what transfers to marketable skills, Jackson says. “Just because you haven’t held a job before doesn’t mean you haven’t worked.” Look at your school, church and club experience. Teaching Sunday school can show dependability. Volunteering at a camp can show responsibility. Running a school club shows leadership. “Try to relate what you’ve done in the past to the job you’re applying for,” Jackson says.
Dress the part If you land an interview, dress for success. Guys should wear a collared shirt and pants, but no jeans (and no underwear showing.) Girls should wear a dress, skirt or pants. Cover tattoos and wear understated jewelry. “Be sincere. Be engaged. Show enthusiasm,” Jackson says. Once while he was at a movie theater, Jackson saw a teen talking to a manager about a job. The teen was slouched over and uncommunicative. “Sometimes young people use that as a defense mechanism, showing
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an attitude they don’t care,” Jackson says. “But you have to look interested if you want someone to give you a job.”
Make a good impression Turn off your cell phone before you speak with an employer. Make eye contact when introduced. Shake hands firmly. Be ready to talk about yourself – do some practice sessions before with a parent or friend. If you look eager and ready to work, that speaks volumes. Conversely, if you look like your parents pushed you there to get a job, you’re not going to make it past the front door.
Create your own job If you can’t find a job, create one. Start a lemonade stand, babysit or have a garage sale. Offer house painting, lawn mowing or taking care of pets. Ask your neighbors if they need help with car washing or pulling weeds, Jackson suggests. Create a flier with odd jobs and prices, and leave them with neighbors you know. “Make it clear up front that you’re not a volunteer and it’s not a favor,” he adds. “Agree on a fee before you do the work.” Philippe and Cardona turned their ideas into businesses, with help from the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (Nfte.com). Cardona said he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In middle school he bought candy in bulk and sold them by the piece at a profit to classmates. In high school, he bought used graphing calculators from graduating seniors and resold them the next year to incoming students. In October, Cardona launched his second business, PublicizeUs.com, to help small business develop websites and eCommerce. “If you have an idea for a business you should launch it,” he said. “Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is only going to make your next business that much stronger.” v Julie Landry Laviolette is a freelance writer.
Resources: www.teens4hire.org www.groovejob.com www.shagajob.com www.internshipprograms.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 35
department | book beat
For the Father in Your Life
Grill-It!
book beat
(Sluice)
Darth Vader and Son,
When summer comes, Dads start grilling! Download this app for both Apple and Android products before you fire up the grill. With free recipes and marinades, a simple user interface and great photos, this app will be well used by summer’s end.
by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle).
By Julie Hubble
A must-have for Father’s Day, the Dark Lord is envisioned actually having to parent the adorable little Luke. Does Vader have the ultimate power in the universe? Apparently, that is not enough to raise a 4-year-old… Brown’s comic book drawings capture these classic images doing everyday things like making breakfast, playing checkers, and fighting with, of course, a twin sister!
Tyrannosaurus Dad, by Liz Rosenberg, illustrated by Matthew Myers (Roaring Brook). A human boy named Tobias has a Tyrannosaurus for a Dad. Field Day is coming, and Tobias, more than anything, wants his father to play in the baseball game. But Dad is always working. Will he show up on the big day? Rich and expressive illustrations make this title a true winner. (Ages 4 – 8)
Story Time New Hanover County Libraries
http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/LIBR/Pages/DeptInfo.aspx Main Library – 201 Chestnut Street – 798-6301 Myrtle Grove Branch – 5155 South College Road – 798-6391 Northeast Branch – 1241 Military Cutoff Road – 798-6371 Carolina Beach Branch – 300 Cape Fear Blvd. – 798-6385 Lapsit Storytime (Babies under 18 months) @ 9:30am Main Library: Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Toddler Storytime (18 – 36 months) @ 10am Main Library: Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Preschool Storytime (3 – 5 years) @ 10:30am Carolina Beach Branch: Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Main Library: Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Family Storytime @10:30am Northeast Branch: Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Main Library: Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Main Library: Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Main Library (Yoga): Friday 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29 Bi-Lingual Storytime (Preschool ages) @10:30am Main Library: Thursday 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Carolina Beach Family Storytime (All ages) @10:30am Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Thursday 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Friday 6/15, 6/22, 6/29
36 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
NE Branch Family Storytime (All ages) @11am Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Thursday 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Friday 6/15, 6/22, 6/29 Saturday 6/16, 6/23, 6/30 Sunday 6/17, 6/24
Pender County Public Libraries
School-Age Storytime @11am Main Library: Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26
Hampstead Fetch: Wednesday 6/13 from 4 – 5pm
Myrtle Grove Family Storytime (All ages) @11:30am Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Thursday 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Friday 6/15, 6/22, 6/29
Brunswick County Public Libraries
Book Break (ages 5-10) @2pm *Call ahead to register Myrtle Grove: Monday 6/11, 6/18, 6/25 Main Library & NE Branch: Tuesday 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 Main Library & NE Branch: Wednesday 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 Main Library & NE Branch: Thursday 6/14, 6/21, 6/28 Myrtle Grove: Friday 6/15, 6/22, 6/29
Special Events
Main Library Family Reading Night (Olympics Storytime): Monday 6/11 from 5:30 – 6:30pm Northeast Library Action, Animals, USA – Summer Reading Club Kickoff: Saturday 6/16 from 2 - 3pm
www.youseemore.com/PENDERPL/ Burgaw Central Library – 103 S. Cowan Street – 259-1234 Hampstead Branch Library – 75 Library Drive – 270-4603 Burgaw Teen Lounge: Wednesday 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27 from 2 – 4pm Journey Stories: 6/2, 6/9, 6/23 – 6/30 @10:30am
http://library.brunsco.net/”http://library.brunsco.net/ Barbee Library – 8200 East Oak Island Drive – 278-4283 Harper Library – 109 West Moore Street – 457-6237 Hickmans Crossroads – 1040 Calabash Road – 575-0173 Leland Library – 487 Village Road – 371-9442 Rourk Library – 5068 Main St. – 754-6578 Contact branch for June schedule.
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books www.brilliantskytoys.com Mayfaire Town Center – 509-3353 Storytime Mondays at 10:30am
Barnes & Noble
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2156 Mayfaire Town Center – 509-1880 Toddler Storytime Tuesdays at 10am Fridays at 7pm
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Review
Try these ideas for the person who expands the world for you and your children.
Faster! Faster! by Leslie Patricelli (Candlewick). Patricelli’s trademark bright colors and wide smiling faces return in this ode to a special father-daughter bond. As a young girl takes her father’s necktie in her hands like reins, she climbs aboard her most beloved ride and yells “Faster! Faster!” Daddy changes into a dog, then a rabbit, followed by a host of other animals, all wearing his purple tie. Finally, he collapses with exhaustion as a sea turtle, and they share a tender moment. (Ages 3 – 7)
GeekDad.com You’ll find this blog at www.wired.com/geekdad/. Raising Geek Generation 2.0, this site will provide all kinds of great ideas to impress little minds. Legos, homemade batteries, first time gardens, comic strips and all the new electronic toys come streaming to you straight from Wired Magazine with the new dad in mind! Although not completely intuitive, there are plenty of articles that will catch your attention, with a full staff of editors and a large community of contributors.
50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do), by Gever Tulley and Julie Spiegler (Penguin).
Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro
J
ust in time for Father’s Day! A parenting book written just for dads, hits the shelves June 1, 2012. “Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro” is written by David Hill, MD, FAAP, a local father, writer, and pediatrician who helps us answer the question, “Dad, what are you good for?”
Dr. Hill says, “My own experience as a stay at home father, child of a two-parent family, and a single father led me to write this book. I knew that I could relate to the multiple roles of a father”. Dr. Hill sees fathers today that are stepping into larger roles in their children’s lives. As a pediatrician, he sees how children benefit from a close relationship with a positive father figure. This book provides dads with answers to questions ranging from the simple ones that they are afraid to ask for fear of embarrassment, to more complicated ones. Don’t worry about this book simply being a list of do’s and don’ts. Dr. Hill entertains while keeping the advice reliable and easy to understand. This book is a humorous approach to teaching fathers how to keep their sanity while learning to be an amazing dad. Dr. Hill has gathered information from brilliant minds on vaccines, ADHD, teen and adolescent medicine, and much more! Helpful quotes from dads all across the country begin each chapter, giving us a variety of expert advice on fatherhood. This book covers the lifespan of a child, from the moment your child is born, helping mom with breast feeding (yes there are things fathers can do to help!), sleeping through the night, how to survive the toddler years, an invaluable chapter on vaccines, information on fevers, picky eaters, discipline, and even a chapter on sex education! Dr. Hill is first and foremost a father, and he understands the concerns that dads have about their children. He has a 12 year old daughter who has recently decided that bright red hair is the way to go, a 10 year old son who loves to build dioramas, and a 7 year old son that runs around non-stop until the inevitable crash! Dr. Hill knows fatherhood can be a scary place, but he believes that dads are brave enough to handle it all, with the right guidance and a sense of humor. He wants parents to know that he understands you sit up at night worrying about every sound your baby makes as they breathe, each little bump, spot, color, or rash. Not to mention the other end of the spectrum, how to deal with your daughter needing her first bra. Thankfully, Dr. Hill’s book is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and all advice and guidelines are evidence based. With the official voice of a trusted group of health professionals at your fingertips, written specifically for fathers, dads can finally feel there is a book out there for them that addresses their concerns!
In 2007, Tulley spoke at a TED.com conference on the 5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do which was an excerpt of this book. The video has been seen by millions and touched on something very primal in parenting. Tulley believes that child safety regulations and overzealous parenting have ballooned to the point that children are unprepared to handle the sharp corners of life. Do you agree? Do you let your children play with fire? Then you’ll like this book.
Julie Hubble is a mother and a freelance writer.
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 37
Summer Camps
Summer Camps
Dive into Summer Fun with UNCW Youth Camps Explore academic enrichment programs in art and design chemistry and forensics engineering and robotics history, literacy, and
MarineQuest Half and full day commuter camps for ages 4-17 Some single gender camp options An EEO/AA Institution
For more information or to register call 910.962.3195 or visit us on the web at
www.uncw.edu/youth
Afterschool Karate Program Our program offers transportation from school, a snack, structured homework time, karate instruction for an hour each day and participation in active play such as dodge ball, nerf games, and other team building activities. For more information, please see our afterschool website.
Kids and Adult Karate Classes Kids Classes Mondays/Thursdays (6-7:15) Saturdays (4-5:15) Adult Classes Mondays/Thursdays (7:30-9) Saturdays (5:30-7) Advanced kids and weapons classes also available.
Summer Karate Camp Program Cape Fear Isshin-Ryu offers a summer karate camp. Our program offers karate for over an hour each day and participation in active play such as dodge ball, nerf games, frisbee tag, obstacle courses, team building excercises, and more. In addition we will take a daily field trip from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm. Our field trips will include, but are not limited to the movies, sword fighting at the park, swimming, and more!
910-274-6902 www.capefearisshinryu.com or www.capefearisshinryuafterschool.com
Surf School
New All Day Surf/Adventure Camp
$300 off for 2012! Price only $595 per person per week.
8 am to 6 pm Camp includes... daily surf lessons, daily ukelele lessons, body boarding, stand up paddling, tubing, and many other local excursions. Lunch, snacks, and drinks included. All equipment is provided.
910-274-3565 • www.indojaxsurfschool.com 38 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
www.wilmingtonparent.com
department | meet the expert
TOYS THAT CAPTURE IMAGINATIONS When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero. —Fred Rogers, American children’s television host 1928–2003
W
elcome to a place where play happens when children (and adults) begin trying out games, pretending, creating art projects, building structures, piecing together puzzles, making magic, experimenting, and discovering. A generation of Wilmington kids has grown up with this locally-owned specialty toy store, open since 1995. The elves at Learning Express Toys pride themselves on introducing customers—from newborn through young at heart --to some of the most creative and innovative toys in the world. They think “out of the box” with plenty of hands on activities and games to try in the store. Their goals: learning, enrichment….and delight!
BIRTHDAY WISHES COME TRUE Children love to wish. Ten days before they celebrate a birthday, kids are invited to visit a Learning Express Toys store to build a Birthday Wish Box. Jumbo bucket in hand, they cruise the aisles and load up a bucket full of wishes. Friends and family arrive before the party and shop from the birthday child’s Birthday Wish Box, and their gifts are wrapped for free. While birthday kids love to wish, friends and families love the convenience of Birthday Wish Boxes at Learning Express Toys!
CREATE, PRETEND, MAKE MUSIC, GET A BIG FURRY HUG Special events create opportunities for children to play and explore and for parents to connect. Baby Musik and Makin’ Music classes for babies and preschoolers are scheduled weekly and led by a licensed Kindermusik educator. French for Tots with a native French-speaking teacher is a recent introduction. Summer “Art Attack” activities are scheduled weekly in July and August. Learning Express Toys has hosted a Star Wars Galactic Gala, a Royal Wedding Reception, a Pinkalicious Power Hour, and you never know what famous storybook character might show up. Recent guests include Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, Olivia the Pig, Llama Llama (red pajamas), and Skippyjon Jones.
POPULAR, PERSONAL PERKS Grandparents get VIP treatment and a year-round discount at Learning Express Toys when they enroll in the Grandparents’ Club. On the team of elves are artists who paint original designs on lap trays, clip cases, ceramic piggy banks, totes, moo mixers and critter cases. They can almost always add a child’s name to an item while you wait. Personalizing at Learning Express Toys is a free, and very popular, service. Gift wrapping features a recycled paper option….and is always FREE. Learning Express Toys has a local website for browsing 24/7 and for shopping with an in-store pickup option: www.wilmington.learningexpresstoys.com. The stores are located at 1437 Military Cutoff Rd. (at the corner of Eastwood Rd), 3804 Oleander Drive (next to Whole Foods Market), and in the Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Play is the beginning of knowledge.” ~ Anonymous COME OVER AND PLAY!
LEARNING EXPRESS TOYS Progress Point, 1437 Military Cutoff Rd. 910-509-0153 Oleander Place, 3804 Oleander Dr. 910-313-3100 (new location) Children’s Museum of Wilmington www.wilmington.learningexpresstoys.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 39
Summer Camps
Summer Camps
Leland Christian Academy SONNY’s Summer Camp June 11 — August 10, 2012 Leland Christian Academy will be kicking off its annual summer camp with SONNY the Eagle. This program offers a variety of activities such as recreational events, water day, service projects, story time, and daily devotions based on weekly themes. Your camper will enjoy exciting field trips to local attractions and visits from the Ice Cream truck. Snacks and lunch will also be provided daily.
Leland Christian Academy
SONNY’s Summer Camp
SONNY’s Summer Camp has openings for children ages PK3 to rising 6th graders. For your convenience, you can download the registration form online.
Leland Christian Academy is
located just over the Cape June 11 - AugustFear 10, 2012 Memorial Bridge and
An affordable tuition ● One time activity fee
Leland Christian Academy
close tocamp HWY Leland Christian Academy will be kickingconveniently off its annual summer offers a such year with SONNY the Eagle. This program offers a74/76. varietyLCA of activities round preschool as recreational events, water day, service projects, story time, program and daily for Infants to PK4 and a devotions based on weekly themes. Your camper will enjoy exciting traditional school setting for field trips to local attractions and visits from the Ice Cream truck. students in Kindergarten Snacks and lunch will also be providedtodaily. 6th grade. Visit
www.lelandchristian.org SONNY’s Summer Camp has openings for children ages PK3 to or contact the school office rising 6th graders. For your convenience, you can download the for more information. SONNY’s Summer Camp registration form online. An affordable tuition • One time activity fee June 11 — August 10, 2012 LCA is presenting its first annual Soccer and Basketball camps. Campers will learn the fundamentals of each sport by practicing dribbling, passLeland Christian Academy will be kicking off its annual suming, and shooting. Both camps will bring a quality experience mixed with mer camp with SONNY the Eagle. This program offers a variety FUN and EXCITING passion for each sport. The dates for soccer camp are of activities such as recreational events, water day, Juneservice 25 -29 and dates for basketball camp are July 9 -13 . The cost of camp is $50.00 with a $15.00 registration fee. Ages will range from projects, story time, and daily devotions weekly based oneach Kindergarten to Eighth grade. th
th
th
th
themes. Your camper will enjoy exciting field trips to local attractions and visits from the Ice Cream truck. Snacks and lunch will also be provided daily. 517 Village Road ● Leland, NC 28451 ● (910) 371-0688
SONNY’s Summer Camp has openings for children ages PK3 to rising 6th graders. For your convenience, you can download the registration form online.
LCA is presenting first annualisSoccer and Basketball camps. Campers Leland ChristianitsAcademy will learn the fundamentals of each sport by practicing dribbling, passlocated just over the Cape ing, and shooting. Both camps will bring a quality experience mixed Fear Memorial Bridge and with FUN and EXCITING passion for each sport. The dates for soccer conveniently close to HWY camp are June 25th-29th and dates for basketball camp are July 74/76. LCA offers a year 9th-13th. The cost of each camp is $50.00 with a $15.00 registration round preschool program fee. Ages will range from Kindergarten to Eighth grade. for Infants to PK4 and a traditional school setting for 517 VillageinRoad• Leland, NC 28451• (910) 371-0688 students Kindergarten to 6th grade. Visit www.lelandchristian.org or contact the school office for more information.
An affordable tuition ● One time activity fee
LCA is presenting its first annual Soccer and Basketball camps. Campers will learn the fundamentals of each sport by practicing dribbling, passing, and shooting. Both camps will bring a quality experience mixed with FUN and EXCITING passion for each sport. The dates for soccer camp are June 25th-29th and dates for basketball camp are July 9th-13th. The cost of each camp is $50.00 with a $15.00 registration fee. Ages will range from Kindergarten to Eighth grade. 517 Village Road ● Leland, NC 28451 ● (910) 371-0688
Sponsored by:
ages 7-11
www.wbsurfcamp.com
ages 6-10 www.guppycamp.com
Call Today for a Free Catalog!
910.256.7873
40 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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department | meet the expert
Pastoral Counseling and Psyhotherapy, PA
Other things may change… But we start and end with family —Anthony Brandt
Families come in different shapes and sizes, but they all have the same main focus of love, respect, and happiness. Bridge Builders is here to help families refocus on what is truly important.
B
ridge Builders Counseling Center is an outcome based therapy practice using a direct approach to achieve positive results. Bridge Builders Counseling relies on a wealth of education, experience, and compassion to guide you toward resolution and healing. Our experienced personal therapists can give you techniques to help manage life’s day-to-day challenges-whether they are professional or personal; things that happened yesterday or years ago. We provide a comfortable and supportive environment to help each client realize his or her goals for resolution and growth. We have caring and experienced counselors available to see children, teens, and adults. We specialize in a number of different therapies including Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy. We also offer a parenting program “Raising Kids in the 21st Century: Teens and School Age Children”. Check out our website for a complete list of services.
What is Family Therapy? Family Therapy works with the entire family to create changes to the interaction and communication patterns within that family. We believe that involving the whole family is key to improving overall psychological well-being for everyone. The belief is that everyone in the family has to participate in the change OR a whole new set of problems will arise. Think of it as having four bald tires and only replacing one.
How does it work? The focus of therapy is on the “process” – how families talk to each other, work together, handle problems and settle differences. We do not focus on the “content” necessarily. It is not as important to know the specific cause of a problem – it is more important to understand how to work out the problem in a productive and positive manner within the family. The therapist points out patterns of interaction that contribute to on-going problems and then teach the family successful communication and interaction methods. The therapist will then monitor the family’s use of these new techniques and encourage and support the family every step of the way. **In conjunction with traditional family therapy, we also offer pastoral counseling and art therapy for children and teens. What if I can’t get everyone to attend sessions? Getting started may be difficult for some families, this is not uncommon. We start with any amount of family members that are willing to come even if that’s just one. Many times after one family member attends and changes occur, it makes it easier for others to begin. How long will we have to attend therapy? We aim for 10 sessions, yet some families will require more time. It can take a few sessions for everyone to “warm-up” and get settled in and feel they can be honest without fear of reprisal. Each case is different and each family has different needs, therefore we tailor treatment to fit these differences. Your therapist will discuss this with you at your first session. Bridge Builders offers a variety of payment options. We accept most major insurance providers including Medicaid, BCBS, NC Health Choice, Medcost, Aetna and Tricare. Services are available at reduced rates and possibly free for individuals, couples, and families without insurance coverage or who are experiencing financial hardship.
5919 Oleander Drive, Suite 104 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: 910.792.9888 www.bridgebuilderscounseling.com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 41
Badminton anyone? By Tanya Scherschel
ily “hits the backyard” for only 10 hours all summer, you’ll have spent about five bucks an hour for quality family time. Compare that to a trip to the movies or an afternoon of bowling.
Open the door to conversation Maybe it’s our collective nostalgia, but summers seem to be a lot busier than they used to be. Parents are cramming more work into a week to accommodate vacation plans and family reunions, while sports programs, enrichment classes, and day camps can keep our kids busier in the summer than they were during the school year. Sitting in front of the Xbox or watching a movie are good ways to spend some evenings together, but talking fosters the relationships you want for your family. Badminton gets you out of the house, gives you a collective goal, and, by virtue of its low intensity, allows you ample breath for conversation.
Teach sportsmanship
Y
es, it’s Victorian. Yes, your husband may complain that being seen in the back yard with a foo-foo racket in his hand will cause the neighbors to revoke his “man card.” But when it comes to bringing the family together, badminton’s got it goin’ on.
Anyone can play, anywhere The rules for badminton are simple: hit the birdie, also called the shuttlecock (but never by your husband), over the net to where the opposing team can’t get it, giving you the score. The game is played to 15 points. Badminton rackets are made of a lightweight metal, and the shuttlecock is made with a rubber stopper attached to a lightweight, feathered cone, so grandparents and little ones can all have a go. The court is small: 44 feet by 20 feet for four players with a five foot tall net in the middle. Adjust the dimensions as needed. At our house, for example, anything close to the prized hostas is out-of-bounds, and there’s no penalty for not chasing a fair birdie if that’s where the dog has just done his business.
Bang for your buck A badminton set contains one or two nets, four rackets, and two birdies. Sets can be purchased at most big retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart for around 40 dollars, and often for less through companies like Amazon. Purchase additional shuttlecocks because they tend to end up in a gutter or torn from wear. Buy them in cases of three for around 12 dollars. Badminton has come a long way, and you can now buy sets for use in the pool as well as LED illuminated sets for play after dark. If your fam-
As with all sports, badminton gives us a winner and a loser, tests our frustration levels, and reveals that some players are naturally more agile than others. This is an awesome opportunity to teach good sportsmanship to kids. Make it clear from the start that this is a game, and the object of the game is to learn and have fun together. Model this behavior. Tell younger children, “This is what I DON’T want to see,” and then stomp your feet, throw your racket, or slink off to a corner and sulk. Remember that for older children, your behavior sets the example. Encourage each other. If it takes Mom six tries to serve the birdie, say something positive six times. Congratulate your kids for good attempts, laugh at yourself when you make mistakes, and have everyone say “good game” when you’re done.
Bring them back to nature Ever wonder if your children are missing something by spending so much time indoors? According to Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, “Natural settings are essential for a healthy child development because they stimulate senses and integrate formal and informal play.” Granted, badminton alone won’t replace this generation’s lost time outdoors, but it may help you answer “yes” to the following: Have you been outside for so many evenings in a month that you saw the moon pass through all its phases? Do you know that crocuses and morning glories close their petals at night as the temperature drops? Were you aware that lightening bugs come out just before the sun sets and then go away a short 30 minutes later? And how about this: Did you know that dragon flies are territorial and will attack a shuttlecock in air because they see it as a threat? No? Well, before we started playing, we didn’t know that either. v Tanya Scherschel is a freelance writer, mother of three, and an avid badminton player.
Fun Facts about Badminton After soccer, badminton is the most frequently played sport in the world. In 1955, Joe Alston became the first, and the only, badminton player to make the cover of Sports Illustrated. Badminton can trace its roots over 2,500 years to cultures in China and India, where the game was known as poona. The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was formed in 1934 In 1992, badminton was introduced to the Summer Olympics as a full medal sport.
42 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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presents
Free ADMIssIOn & pArKInG!
a z o o l a P Kid-a At C A M e r O n A r t M U s e U M
June 2, 9am-3pm AT CAMERON ART MUSEUM a festival featuring the talents of local kids in music, art, and dance plus exhibits and demonstrations for the whole family!
Art sHOW MUsIC DAnCe CrAFts eXHIBIts DeMOs BOUnCe HOUse pOnY rIDes
SPONSORED BY:
produced by Wilmington Parent - Seaside Media
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | June 2012 | 43
department | peanut gallery
Vincent C. 5/3 • 2yo
Shelby
• 2yo
Rachel M. 6/25 • 3yo
Henry S.
6/18 • 1yo
Caleb B.
6/26• 1yo
Keira F.
Fisher K.
6/19 • 4yo
Fiona H.
6/2 • 2yo
Dallas S.
Brooke C.
5/10 • 2yo
Kaitlyn B.
6/23 • 11yo
Andrea B. 5/29 • 5yo
6/12 •5yo
6/15 • 4yo
Dylan W. 6/8
Miliy B.
6/2• 1yo
Juliet S.
6/14• 2yo
AJ T. 6/8• 1yo
Niko
5/23 1yo
Isla W. 6/26 • 1yo
Maddie P.
6/18 • 10yo
Aubria&Auree 6/17 • 2yo
Does your child or grandchild have a birthday iN July? Honor them by having their photo published in Wilmington Parent. Here's how: e-mail image (size not to exceed 1mb) to birthday@wilmingtonparent.com. Deadline for publication: 6/13. We have a limited number of spots, so if you sent your child’s picture and do not see it this issue, please check back next month! 44 | June 2012 | Wilmington Parent
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We pay you
We Make Frugal Look Fabulous
Cash on the Spot to buy your “gently used” like new clothing, shoes & designer purses
for your gently used better name brand women's clothing in sizes 0-26, as well as maternity, purses, shoes, accessories and more!
4720-C New Centre Dr. Wilmington, NC Across from Target (910) 794-6888 www.clothesmentor.com
We Buy and Sell Gently Used Brand Name Clothing and Accessories for Teens and Young Adults. 4720-B New Centre Dr. Wilmington, NC Across from Target
(910)792-1572
www.platosclosetwilmington.com
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“Kids Stuff With Previous Experience”™ Target Shopping Center
4719-J New Centre Drive Wilmington, NC
(910) 452-9976
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Sell Us your gently used Tween/Youth stuff!