tallahassee family magazine-holiday 2014

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18 Years and Three Generations p. 10

Naptime Tips & Tricks p. 40

Choosing the Right Toy for the Holidaysp. 35

Easy Glitter Ornaments p. 27 What is Project

Night Night?

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FIRST Issue!

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WELCOME TO TALLAHASSEE FAMILY MAGAZINE! I am Jackie Karlberg, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of this brand new magazine. I am so glad you have a copy of it in your hands (or on your PC, tablet or smartphone, for that matter), as our goal at Tallahassee Family Magazine is to reach EVERY family in Tallahassee. As you read each issue, we hope you will be able to relate to many of our articles and that they will be a great use of your time to improve your family relationships.

Many people ask how Tallahassee Family Magazine came to be, and my answer is that my cousin—who has similar education to mine—started a family magazine in her city, and she shared her stories and successes with me. I was intrigued by the idea and soon discovered that Tallahassee would be a wonderful place to start such a publication. I researched and researched and researched some more, and then decided—I can do that!

I am a wife, a mother of one sweet two-year-old boy, a teacher, and I celebrate traditional family values. By using the talents I have been blessed with and continue to improve, I have built this magazine from the ground up and am so ecstatic to see my personal efforts as well as many of those in our community come to fruition in this first issue.

As a Tallahassee transplant, I was worried about what Tallahassee would have in store for my family. As I have come to get to know the city, and most of all, the people, I have come to appreciate the rich legacy of families Tallahassee has to offer. It’s the biggest small town I have ever been to! While many may know of Tallahassee as “The Capital” or “A College Town”, I hope this magazine will help us all to realize what Tallahassee really is: a wonderful family-friendly city.

Within these pages you will find articles written by local experts who are anxious to share their knowledge of their specific subject matter with Tallahassee families! This issue highlights the Holiday Season that is upon us, and I hope you will find great value, as I have, from our local experts. Look forward to a variety of articles in this issue: from delicious recipes from Klassic Katering, to safety articles from the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office, from wellness tips from Healthy Heather, to the Leon County Library corner, and much, much more.

Not to forget the four groups of individuals that I have personally had the opportunity to get to know and the great work they are doing in our community.

A HUGE thank you goes out to our guest writers, my photographer, Shana Beiro, my graphic designer, Laura Power, and all the businesses that have helped us to make this all possible by advertising. Thank you for believing in the cause of Tallahassee Family Magazine!

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or anything else this time of year, above all I hope it will be a cherished time to spend with your family. I will be celebrating Christmas with ALL of my family—and we’ll finally be able to be together for the first time since my wedding in 2011. With all the hustle and bustle of buying, giving and receiving gifts, I hope we won’t forget to spend quality time with our families.

And so, without further ado, put up your feet, relax, and enjoy a locally-published, locally-written, and locally-loved magazine about YOU—a member of the Tallahassee Family!

From the Editor:

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TallahasseeFamilyMagazine.com | Holiday Issue 2014 3

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jackie Karlberg, M.Ed.

PHOTOGRAPHYShana Beiro

Shana Beiro Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSLarry O. Barlow

Sandra M. Barlow Karen ChapmanGregory Cohen

Kimberly FortuneHeather FuselierJerome Gaines

Lori Savage GraysonDoris Johnson

Jackie KarlbergLeon County Sheriff’s Office

Chelsy RayKayla Smith

Cindy ThomasHugh TomlinsonStephanie WiseVeronica Wold

GRAPHIC DESIGNLaura Power

Jackie Karlberg

WEBSITE DESIGNJackie Karlberg

Tallahassee Family Magazine LLC is a free, trusted re-source designed to inform, serve and enrich local parents and families throughout the greater Tallahassee area. Material in this publication is copyright 2014, Tallahas-see Family Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduc-tion or resale without permission of Tallahassee Family Magazine LLC is prohibited. The views expressed in the magazine are the views of the writers and do not neces-sarily reflect those of Tallahassee Family Magazine LLC.

Please send all editorial correspondence to [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 181031, Tallahassee, FL 32318. All correspon-dence is sent on a non-confidential basis and Tallahas-see Family Magazine LLC will be free to reproduce, publish, edit, and/or use any such communications. All materials become property of Tallahassee Family Magazine.

MAILING ADDRESS:TALLAHASSEE FAMILY MAGAZINE, LLC

P.O. BOX 181031TALLAHASSEE, FL 32318

[email protected]

FACEBOOKfacebook.com/tallahasseefamilymagazine

TWITTER@TallyFamilyMag

TO ADVERTISEcall (520) 227-7720 or email

[email protected]

FeaTuRe FamIlIeS32 On the Cover: Project Night Night

4 Beyond the Grand Meal: Thankful Families10 18 Years and Three Generations

21 One Extraordinary Woman

SaFe FamIlIeS #Where’sTheBeep?

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

KID’S CORNeR Holiday Crossword Puzzle

lIBRaRY leSSONS Babies & Children & Teens, Oh My!

SmaRT SCHOlaRS Reading & Writing Go Hand-in-Hand

The Art of Playing

Your Child’s Absorbent Mind

HOlIDaYS & SeaSONS An Attitude of Gratitude

Choosing the Right Toy For the Holidays

TallY CRaFTY Easy Glitter Ornaments

lOVe & maRRIaGe Maintaining & Enhancing

Relationships

FamIlY aDVeNTuReS Top 10 Tips for Traveling With

Children

WHaT’S FOR DINNeR? Season of Thanks

PeTS aRe FamIlY TOO Foster Parent ...for Dogs?

HealTHY & FIT FamIlIeS Family Mealtime is About More

than the Meal

aGeS & STaGeS Naptime Tips & Tricks

NON-PROFIT NICHe The Tallahassee YMCA

CaleNDaR OF eVeNTS Mid-November to December

KIDS eaT FRee!

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“Gratitude is one of the most important human virtues

and one of the most common human deficiencies. Gratitude

does not develop without effort.”

-Dieter F. uchtdorf

Do you ever wonder how to help your children better understand, feel and express gratitude for all they’ve been blessed with? Heather Fuselier and Vickie Dieth, the founders of Thankful Fami-lies, pondered on that very question and created an uplifting meeting to help families better utilize gratitude in their lives. I was warmly greeted as I caught up with them one Sunday afternoon at Christ Presbyterian Church.

Wandering over to observe those in attendance, I saw parents sitting with their children at long ta-bles covered with paper garnering the words “I’m Thankful For…”. Each were writing words, draw-ing pictures, or cutting out pictures from maga-zines and pasting them on the butcher paper.

The pictures or words included such things as: clean water, health, pets, transportation, grandpar-ents, trees, lemons, the American Flag, cupcakes, toilets, shelter, TV (with 10 lines under it), lollipops, church, food, babies, butterflies, blankets, children, and much more.

The opening exercise, along with all that Dieth and Fuselier were trying to accomplish, was geared to have families begin thinking about what they truly are thankful for, and to open up this discussion be-tween parents and children.

The series of six Sunday afternoon sessions “came from my personal desire to infuse some gratitude and defuse the sense of entitlement I saw develop-ing in my third-grader,” said Fuselier.

“When I started talking about it with other moms, I thought perhaps my idea was something others could relate to and we could do more as a group.”

Fuselier then collaborated with Dieth (who she calls her favorite “brain”) to create something to open up the eyes of children and adults to being thankful for more than just material gifts.

“The point of our program is not to burden our kids with guilt or ‘you should be so thankful,’ but rath-er to raise their awareness of the world outside of their backyards, and to the level of need—not just world-wide but in our own community,” continued Fuselier. “And, to connect them with ways to help locally while thinking globally.”

FeaTuRe STORY

Beyond the Grand Meal:

Thankful FamiliesBy Jackie Karlberg

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The meeting went on with a hands-on story from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament about the story of the 10 lepers and how only one of the 10 came back and thanked the Savior for ridding them of the terrible disease. Both children and parents were bandaged up like the lepers, and had a little taste of what it would be like to be away from town, and away from their family and friends.

Later, each parent and child was invited to make a “Gratitude Jar,” for families to insert things they’re thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving, and to read them all Thanksgiving Day. “When we get to Thanksgiving Day our hearts will be over-flowing with thankfulness,” said Dieth.

Each individual then had the opportunity to deco-rate empty boxes, cans, mason jars, or other con-tainers with markers, colorful paper, raffia, ribbon, stickers and more.

Thankful Families is just one way that people in the Tallahassee Community are striving to make this world a better place for our children to be raised. Fuselier, Dieth, and others in our commu-nity are striving to help the community realize how to infuse gratitude into our daily lives—not just during this time of Thanksgiving.

Dictionary.com defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” May each of us dur-ing this season of Thanksgiving, be ready to show appreciation for the things, circumstances, family and friends we have, and to return kindnesses to those who have helped us along the way. Talla-hassee, may we all find time in our daily lives to express this gratitude, and to help teach our chil-dren as well.

Tips for Inspiring GratitudeExample, example, example. Children learn best by example. Are you always using the two impor-tant words “thank you” in front of your child on a regular basis? How do you express your thankful-ness for man-made things versus things in nature and individuals that have an impact on your life? If you’re only expressing thankfulness for material goods, think of how you can share your gratitude for family, friends, seasons, nature, and the other beauties of this world.

President John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the high-est appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Here are some topical suggestions for showing your gratitude through your example, but be care-ful on each of these subjects that your negativity doesn’t outweigh your thankfulness:

Make it a goal to naturally show your personal gratitude for these topics and more while your children have a listening ear or a carefully watch-ing eye.

Shelter Food

Nature: Trees Sunshine Animals

WeatherFamily

FriendsFreedom Things that make you

happyGood, kind strangers

...What else are you grateful for?

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SaFe FamIlIeS

Submitted by Chief Jerome Gaines, Tallahassee Fire Department

When was the last time you tested the smoke alarms in your home? Was it last week? Last month? A year ago?

If you’re like many people, you may not even re-member. Smoke alarms have become such a com-mon feature in U.S. households that they’re often taken for granted and aren’t tested or maintained as they should be.

Working smoke alarms are a critical fire safety tool that can mean the difference between life and death. Less than two weeks ago, an individual in our community was able to escape his burning home unharmed because his smoke alarm was working properly and alerted him of the fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Associa-tion (NFPA), smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. NFPA data also shows that home fires killed more than 2,300 people in 2012; many of these deaths could have been prevented with proper smoke alarm protection. Statistics from the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office show 26,658 fires occurred throughout Florida in 2013.

As a member of the fire service for 31 years, I’ve seen the devastating effects of fire first-hand. The burn injuries and the loss of homes and posses-sions are distressing. What’s even worse is wit-nessing a family’s anguish after a loved one has been killed in a fire. It is heartbreaking.

That’s why this month the Tallahassee Fire Depart-ment is teaming up with our national partners at the NFPA and some regional and local partners to

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promote the importance of working smoke alarms. The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Of-fice are helping us canvass our community, ask-ing ‘Where’s the Beep?’ Together, our efforts will motivate citizens to install smoke alarms and test those alarms this month and once a month going forward.

Testing your smoke alarm is as easy as pressing the button until you hear the beep to be sure it’s working. Doing this will help ensure you and your family members are warned in the event of a fire.

My sincere hope is that all Tallahassee and Leon County residents hear our message and under-stand the importance of making sure they have working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes. So, I’m asking you - “Where’s the Beep?” Please go find yours by testing your smoke alarm today!

Additional smoke alarm tips:• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside

each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

• Test alarms each month by pushing the test button.

• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound and understands what to do when they hear the smoke alarm.

To learn more about fire safety visit Talgov.com/fire and stay up-to-date with the department by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cotfire and following @COTFire on Twitter.

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Holidaycrime preventionDuring the holiday season, crime rates tend to rise. By remaining aware of holiday sea-son risks you can better protect yourself.

Out and About • Shop during daylight hours & with a friend.• Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention

to who is around you. Be aware of someone watching or following you.

• Don’t overload your arms with bags while shopping.

• Park in a well-lit area.• Do not leave your vehicle unattended while

the engine is running, even for mere seconds.• Have your keys out and ready.• Be aware of how you carry your purse or wal-

let. Remove any unnecessary items and leave them at home.

• Carry only the amount of cash you need that day and limit the number of credit cards.

• Discuss situations with your children. What will they do if you are separated or approached by a stranger?

• Practice an exercise used often by police called Crisis Rehearsal. Consider what you would do in various stressful situations. Make a plan in your mind. Practice the plan so you will be able to think more clearly.

In Your Home • Install secondary locks on windows and doors

- deadbolts, stick in the slider etc.• Light the exterior of your home.

• Trim hedges and trees around your home so you can be certain there is not an intruder in-side.

• Place gifts where they cannot be seen from outside.

• Avoid opening the door to strangers.

In your Car • Lock your doors and windows.• When walking to your car, try not to do it

alone. Go with a friend, or when another group is walking out as well.

• Do not exit your car if you see a suspicious situation. If you are in doubt, drive away.

• If you are being followed, go to a public place and call the police.

• Do not let anyone approach you while using the ATM.

From the Leon County Sheriff’s Office

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11/1/14, 11:05 PMWord Search Puzzle

Page 1 of 2http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp

Holiday Crime Prevention Search

F Z S C Y N P P X C H S E I K

R R W N O L R O R J O U C S E

A Q I S O O I I H L L O I K Y

C L A E T I M M A S I I L S S

W E O E N E T S A L D C O I K

S V C N I D R A O F A I P R W

P T B O E A S C U O Y P A O F

W A L L E T K E M T O S W A L

C Z J H S I S I R C I U A W J

D A E S T R A N G E R S R P L

H R S T F I G T R E E S E T P

F T K H N A L P P Q S B A F T

ALONE AWARE CARCASH CRIME CRISISFAMILY FRIENDS GIFTSHOLIDAY KEYS LOCKPLAN POLICE PROTECTREHEARSAL RISKS SEASONSHOP SITUATIONS STRANGERSUSPICIOUS TREES WALLET

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Solutions for DistrictsWhat We Offer Who We Are

Free ResourcesTeachers Parents Students

Forgot username or password? Passcode/Create New User Help username password LOGIN

Current Users Login Here

Holiday Crime Prevention Word SearchThere are 25 words from the Sheriff’s Office article hidden in this word

search. See if you can find them all!

Write down the words you found here:

1.__________________2.__________________3.__________________4.__________________5.__________________

6.__________________7.__________________8.__________________9.__________________10.________________

11.________________12.________________13.________________14._________________15._________________

16.________________17._________________18._________________19.________________20.________________

21.________________22.________________23.________________24.________________25.________________

KID’S CORNeR

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18 Years and Three GenerationsBy Jackie Karlberg

FeaTuRe STORY

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Elizabeth George came to Tallahassee in 1980 to attend Florida State and could never leave this beautiful place. Eventually she married, and had three children. Elizabeth is Jewish, and although her husband was not of the same faith, they raised their children in a Jewish family.

In the Jewish culture, the term, “mitzvah,” refers to a commandment, or, in this case, a charitable, beneficial act performed by another person. Elizabeth tried to infuse these values in her young children, and one year when the family was not going to the father’s family home for the holidays, Elizabeth decided that they needed to do some-thing to give back on Christmas Day.

Elizabeth had done some work with Christmas Connection before, but read in the newspaper about Trinity United Methodist Church and how they feed the homeless on Christmas Day and their need for volunteers.

She thought it would be a great opportunity for her and her family to do to “give back.”Even though they were Jewish, religion didn’t matter—what mattered was helping their fellow men.

Elizabeth arrived with her family at 10 a.m. that crisp December 25th morning in 1995 and eventu-ally figured out how they could each be of help to prepare for the feast of turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy and end-less pie for their neighbors who struggle on Tal-lahassee’s streets.

After helping out for a couple years, Elizabeth took it upon herself to organize the event a little better to streamline and improve the experience for the volunteers and honored guests. Since then, the event has never run smoother.

“It’s kind of like being in a restaurant where you start as the dishwasher and move your way up,” said Elizabeth. Still, there are those that excel at their specific jobs so they keep at it. For example, the same woman who slices the pie with tender care year after year. Some stalwarts are there ev-ery year, and many others come and go.

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This Christmas Day, Elizabeth and her family will mark 19 years of helping at Trinity United Meth-odist. “It’s a great time to help out, and for my children, it was a good example to them. I like giving because you get more when you give,” she said.

Elizabeth’s oldest daughter, Erin Macdonald, her husband Ian, and their 3-year-old son Jackson all share in the tradition.

“We wanted to bring Jackson in as soon as pos-sible,” said Ian. “We wanted to teach him early that Christmas isn’t about gifts, but it’s about giving back. It’s about being gracious about what you have, and cognizant about what people don’t have.”

Elizabeth, Erin, and Jackson, make three genera-tions of selfless giving every Christmas morning.

If you have teenagers, you know getting them to do anything outside their comfort zone can be a challenge. Erin was an active helper during her formative years, yet she never remembers not wanting to go. “I always loved it,” she said. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to go. I felt grown up doing it. I got to be the server, I got to help other people, and I was proud to do it. I was able to talk to so many people and hear their stories of how they got there. It has always been a special tradition.”

Elizabeth’s second daughter, Sarah, who has come each year with the family will miss the tra-dition this year, as she is living in New York City.

“The thing I enjoyed the most helping out at the community lunch every year was the joy,” said Sarah. “People would sometimes look at me sur-prised that this nice, JEWISH family had such an interesting way to celebrate Christmas each year. But it wasn’t about being Jewish or being Chris-tian. It wasn’t about religion at all. It was about this one day of the year where every person you came across had a smile on her face.”

The family reminisces about the different people that have come and gone over the years—the homeless and the volunteers—but one thing is al-ways the same: everyone has a smile on their face. “It’s really nice to hear their gratitude for one day, one meal,” explained Ian. “Seeing that smile on their face at least one day out of the year makes it all worth it.”

And so, this holiday season, the George and Macdonald families, along with Tallahassee Fam-ily Magazine, invite you to help give back to your community. They say, “Find a place to volunteer and do it! You won’t regret it!”

FeaTuRe STORY

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As mentioned in the article, the Trinity United Methodist Church and Christmas Connection are two places you can volunteer with around the Holidays! Look for other opportunities in your own

neighborhood as well - there is always someone in need!

14

Where can you find a variety of fun children’s programs throughout the year for FREE? At all of your Leon County libraries! Leon County Govern-ment recognizes and supports the importance of reading to children starting when they are infants, and encouraging children to keep on reading. The LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library offers free children’s programs for all ages at the Leon County Main Library, located in downtown Tallahassee, and its six branch libraries. Regular programs include Baby Time, Story Time, Family Time, Second Saturday Science Lab, Teen Gaming, and Teen Book Club, which are held year-round. Special programs are also available, including the annual Teen Poetry Slam, Teen Writing Workshops, Young Adult Book Challenge, and popular summer reading programs.

The library’s goal is to inspire a love of reading and a life of learning. What better way to start than with early literacy? Our weekly Baby Times are interactive programs for ages 0-3 and their caregivers. We learn rhymes, sing songs, read short stories, and have a fun time. Even at a young age, babies can learn how to handle books, rec-ognize letters and understand that reading is an enjoyable experience. It is also a wonderful op-

portunity to interact with and learn from other babies and their caregivers. Baby Time is held at the Leon County Main Library, East-side Branch, Lake Jackson Branch, and Northeast Branch.

Babies and Children and Teens, Oh My!

There is so much to do at your public library

By Kimberly Fortune, Information ProfessionalLeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, Lake Jackson Branch

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Weekly Story Time programs for children ages 3 and older and their caregivers are presented at all library locations.

Join us and enjoy songs, stories and rhymes. At the Leon County Main Library a special Family Time program is held on Saturdays. Families with children of all ages come to experience favorite songs, stories, and games with us. In addition to our regular offerings, the library hosts special pro-grams for children throughout the year. And keep an eye out next summer, as it is full of entertaining and educational programs for the whole family. Leon County teens are fortunate to have a variety of library programs from which to choose. Middle school and high school students can check out fascinating presentations during Second Saturday Science Lab at the Leon County Main Library. In past science labs, we learned about building robots and the science behind the real CSI. Does your teen enjoy video or board games? They can test their skills at monthly Teen Gaming sessions at the Leon County Main Library. If you have a fan of Young Adult books in your family, then the Teen Book Clubs at the Lake Jackson Branch and Northeast Branch are a perfect match. Whether they love or hate the book, there is no shortage of discussion (or snacks) at our Teen Book Clubs. Other programs for teens include the annual Teen

Poetry Slam and occasional Teen Writing Work-shops. Look for program announcements on our website, www.LeonCountyLibrary.org. No matter what your child’s age or interest, there is a program for them at the library. In fact, Leon County Government has continued its commit-ment to our public libraries even when other local governments cut funding. Also, you do not need a library card to attend any library programs. Some programs may require registration due to space limitations. To confirm program locations and times, please check the calendars on our website, www.LeonCountyLi-brary.org or call (850) 606-2665. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Baby Time Ages 0-3 and their caregivers•CollinsMainLibrary-Tuesdays&Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.•EastsideBranch-Tuesdays,11:30a.m.•LakeJacksonBranch-Fridays,11:00a.m.•NortheastBranch-Wednesdays,10:30a.m. Story Time Ages 3+ and their caregivers•CollinsMainLibrary–Thursdays,10:30a.m.•Dr.B.L.Perry,Jr.Branch-Fridays,10:00a.m.•EastsideBranch-Wednesdays,10:30a.m.•FortBradenBranch-Saturdays,11:00a.m.•LakeJacksonBranch-Wednesdays,11:00a.m.•NortheastBranch-Thursdays,11:15a.m.•WoodvilleBranch-Saturdays,11:00a.m.

Family Time Children of all ages and their families•CollinsMainLibrary–Saturdays,11:00a.m. Second Saturday Science Lab Middle and high school students•CollinsMainLibrary-SecondSaturdays,2-3:30p.m. Teen Book Club•LakeJacksonBranch-SecondSaturdays,2:00p.m. •NortheastBranch-LastSaturdays,2:00p.m. Teen Gaming•CollinsMainLibrary-LastTuesdays,4-6p.m.

Library Programs

Collins Main Library 200 West Park Avenue606-2665 Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr. Branch2817 South Adams Street606-2950 Eastside Branch1583 Pedrick Road606-2750 Fort Braden Branch16327 Blountstown Highway606-2900 Lake Jackson Branch 3840 North Monroe Street606-2850

Northeast Branch5513 Thomasville Road606-2800 Woodville Branch8000 Old Woodville Road606-2925

Library Locations

Trudy Innes Richardson

Family Law ◦ Business Law ◦ Litigation

Guilday, Schwartz, Simpson, West, Hatch & Lowe, P.A. 1983 Centre Pointe Blvd, S-200 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 850.224.7091

lIBRaRY leSSONS


By Doris Johnson, MEd, Former Arizona State Reading Specialist

When children learn to read and write simultane-ously they begin to understand that reading and writing are vehicles to communicate, learn and enjoy. Parents can help young children to do just that, which gives them a jumpstart on writing as they are learning to read. Encouraging a child to draw a simple picture can be the vehicle to con-nect reading and writing, and can be an important part of literacy development.

As children draw pictures about things they understand indelible impressions are left upon their minds. Writing about the picture and read-ing what they wrote helps them to enhance their reading comprehension and writing skills. Three examples follow of children at different learning stages—all benefiting from opportunities of using picture drawing to connect reading and writing.

Example #1 - Two kindergarten children, Mark and Lisa, played together one morning. Lisa’s mother encouraged them to sit at the small table and draw on a piece of paper. Mark spent a long time drawing and “reading” his pictures. He added occasional letters of the alphabet, “M” be-ing the most popular. Lisa drew what resembled a person and covered the rest of the paper with big letters she was learning to write.

Lisa’s mother accepted their draw-ings and attempts at writing and asked them to “read” their papers. Both children gave clear oral mes-sages about their works.

Clearly, they had emergent literacy experiences.

Example #2 - Six-year-old Sarah’s mother pur-chased a “write and draw story pad.” The top half of each page was blank for drawing and the lower half had lines for writing. Sarah drew pic-tures of something she experienced, and then she used her new skill of hearing sounds in words to do the best she could to write about her picture. Her mother encouraged Sarah to “read what she wrote” to different family members. After dating each “masterpiece,” Sarah inserted it into a plastic page protector in her three-ring binder titled “Sar-ah’s Stories.” She frequently re-reads her stories.

Drawing pictures has helped Sarah to connect the reading and writing processes. Sarah’s binder reveals a great deal about her progress in writing and learning to read. At the beginning the content of her real life experience is evident, despite run-together words and no capital letters or punctua-tion. The ending stories display finger spacing between words, and sentences that begin with capital letters and end with periods, as well as more sentences with more descriptions included.

Example #3 - Eight-year-old Jason, labeled as a poor reader, said he did not like books. His grand-mother wanted to help him learn to read so she chose some simple high interest chapter books. Jason came to her house after school three days a week. Grandma instituted a regular routine: She read one chapter from the book, Jason drew a picture about some happening in the chapter, he wrote three or more sentences about his picture, and then he “read what he wrote” to Grandma. Jason’s confidence grew to where he wanted to read part of every page. His writing and com-prehension improved, and after a few months he enjoyed reading books to Grandma.

Each of these examples is appropriate, and when regularly used, will help your child connect read-ing and writing by drawing pictures. The result will be improved ability to comprehend and write.

READING & WRITING GO HAND-IN-HANDSmaRT SCHOlaRS

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By Lori Savage Grayson, MMSc, CCC-SLP

As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist who has been “playing” for 35 years, I am never sur-prised when parents whisper to me that they do not know “how” to play with their child or that they feel “silly” playing.

There is often a feeling of failure that accompanies their whisper, as if they should already know what to do and how to do it. But, the truth is, the art of playing is not taught to parents. Instead, it is an-other set of parenting skills to be acquired.

Yes, there are some lucky parents, who have re-tained their gift for playing, others who come by it more naturally or, like me, have been trained in the art of playing. It is true that my car, my home and my office are filled with toys…lucky

me!

Maria Montessori’s quote, “Play is the work of a child” is often spoken, but is sadly accompanied with a chuckle, as if play could actually be consid-

ered

work. Let’s be clear, play is work and a child’s work is to play!

Quality play (both free-undirected and purposeful) promotes the growth of each child’s development, including but not limited to their senses, fine and gross motor abilities, cognition, oral language, lit-eracy, and social communicative interaction.

Recent studies further support the association between quality play and a child’s sustained atten-tion, thinking, learning how to learn, and academic success. These skills are interwoven, build upon each other, and form the foundation for success on the playground, in the classroom, and later in the workplace.

Welcome to your child’s world of work, let the fun begin! Infants play through exploring with their senses, observing, imitating and interacting with their toys and those around them…think rattles, squeaky toys, mobiles, and textured books.

Soon, your child is sitting up and handling toys that can be stacked; containers that can be filled and definitely emptied over and over again; early themed sets with animals which leads to making animal sounds; vehicle sounds for each car or truck (”honk”, “beep”); puzzles, sorting toys, and balls.

Next, beginning around 18 to 24 months, constructive play (build-ing) and dramatic play (pretend with scenarios) enter the picture and together solidify the gateway to symbolic play (representation-al)…lasting a child’s lifetime.

It is through constructive and dramatic play that each child’s early language becomes visible and allows us to see what and how they are thinking.

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Now is the time for building and pretending with various types of block, logs, gears, and other con-necting sets; gathering the art supplies; finding the barn and zoo sets; locating the vehicles and driv-ers; feeding and dressing dolls or stuffed toys; play-ing dress-up; making music; gaining an assistant in the kitchen; playing outside, and on and on.

Teach through modeling, but also follow your child’s lead. Let your shared constructive and dra-matic play intermingle and create sequential story schemes.

Blink and your child turns five and board games appear in every size and shape.

Yes, you will play them over and over, but these games support skills which are essential for turn-taking, conversation, problem solving, winning and losing, and peer interactions.

Blink again, you have a tween…then a teen…but playing does not stop. It continues to evolve

through extra-curricular activities, organized sports and yes, even electronic gaming, all which add value to your child’s development. So, relax, laugh, and most of all enjoy playing with your child.

As for me, when a parent asks their child what we do in our Speech-Language Pathology sessions, a favorite compliment is when the child says, “All we do is play!” And believe me, we work hard at play-ing!

Children’s Communication Center offers com-prehensive Speech-Language Pathology Services including “Show & Tell” groups developed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers & parents. “Show & Tell” answers your questions regarding the stages of early communication & shares activities to facili-tate expressive communication through gestures, sign language & social communication interaction. ~ IT IS FUN with a PURPOSE! https://www.facebook.com/childrenscommunicationchildrenscommunicationcenter@comcast.net850.386.8886

Maria Montessori, in her book, “The Absorbent Mind”, describes education as “aid to life”. She discovered that “education is not something which the teacher does, it is a natural process which de-velops spontaneously in the human being.” Mon-tessori found that “individual activity” is the one factor that stimulates and produces development for all ages of children and that “The child can de-velop fully by means of experience in his environ-ment. We call such experiences ‘work’.” She states, “The child has a mind able to absorb knowledge and the power to teach himself.”

Maria Montessori describes the period of birth to six years of age as a very special time in which a child easily takes in his environment; that is why it’s so important to have quality learning experi-ences within the environment.

Montessori brings the world of knowledge into the classroom through all the disciplines; Art, Music, Math, Science, Reading, Language Arts, Geography and more. Extensive learning opportunities like those provided in the Practical Life area (learning to polish silver and furniture, tying knots, sweeping floors, using real pitchers and cups to learn to pour and serve liquids), are not found in all educational programs. When you enter a Montessori classroom you will see happy children feeding their minds.

Imagine your child in a peaceful Montessori envi-ronment where the love of learning takes place, a school in which your child’s day unfolds much as it would if he were at home with you. Your child chooses an activity and then puts it away before moving on to the next. Your child sits at a little table and shares a snack with a friend. Indoor time is filled with activities, stories, music, numbers, reading, learning about the world, and so much more. Outdoor time is spent with friends, where there are so many choices: climbing, swinging, play houses and exploring nature by gardening, Continued on the next page

YOuR CHIlD’S aBSORBeNT mIND:THe PReSCHOOl YeaRSBy Cindy Thomas, Head of School, Seminole montessori

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watering plants or observing the birds and squir-rels. Because early childhood is a once-in-a-lifetime period in which your child can absorb knowledge exponentially, the teacher prepares the environment to meet the needs of each child within the classroom. In fact, a Montessori teach-er will often prepare a lesson just for your child’s individual needs.

Children are eager to explore and discover this carefully planned classroom; so many things to touch and manipulate that engage the absorbent mind. Your child can engage both the conscious and unconscious mind as he or she explores the classroom environment. Using the five senses, your child brings into focus the different dimen-sions and attributes found within these specially designed materials, preparing the mind with a strong foundation for future learning.

At Seminole Montessori School, we strive for excellence in education. Our goal is to give your child the necessary tools for a lifetime of success. Please contact us at 850-386-3125 to schedule a tour at your convenience.

3 Years—Kindergarten

WHY MONTESSORI?

*Children learn responsibility and to respect others through daily lessons

*Montessori emphasizes individuality based on children’s desire and ability

*Montessori materials teach children through hands-on learning

www.SeminoleMontessori.com FREE REGISTRATION! When you present this ad by January 31, 2015

VPK PROVIDER

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FeaTuRe STORY

It’s a warm and humid Saturday morning and I’m out jogging around my new neighborhood and I site a yard sale not far from home. When I finished my run I mentioned it to my husband and since we had just moved in we decided to check it out and see if they had anything we could use.

About an hour later my husband and I with our young son in tow went for a walk to check it out. To our surprise, everything at the yard sale was free! Buyers were limited to only two of the bigger items (bookshelves, dressers, night stands), but anything else they wanted was free.

People rummaged through the clothes, toys, kitch-enware, and more while we picked up an electric juicer and a vase. We were only asked to write down what we were taking so they could restock inventory. The sheet I filled out had a place where I could write down different things that I needed, including furniture, housing items, and even personal counseling. The woman who seemed to be in charge of it all gave me her card on our way out.

“Min. Arbutas Williamson, Help From the Sanc-tuary” the card read. Over the next few days, I couldn’t get her off my mind. With this publica-tion in mind I gave Ms. Williamson a call to see if I could come and interview her. She hesitated, but we arranged a time to meet in the coming week.

I had no idea what an extraordinary woman I was about to meet.

As my two-year-old son and I entered her home, there was an instant sense of security. Ms. Wil-liamson’s loving and humble demeanor left an indelible impression upon me.

She asked if my son would like some toys to play with, and I agreed, and so she got out a big plastic box filled with building blocks and cars (my son’s favorite). I sat down, not knowing exactly what

Ms. Williamson was all about, but I knew she was someone special—the type of person many try to emulate.

She began by explaining “Help From the Sanctuary”—a program created in 2009 to help those in need in our community. Initially the founders, of which she is a member, were just go-ing to focus on children. Back then her first action was to solicit donations. She and her team set up in parks and different locations where they had hot dogs and drinks and allowed people to gather goods, sit down, eat, and talk.

“It got to a point where all those who were with me in the beginning moved or were blessed in some way and couldn’t devote the time to it any-more, and so I was left alone,” Williamson said.

Continued on the next page

ex traordinaryONEWOMANBy Jackie Karlberg

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Come and meet some Tallahassee

Mormons

You might even see some familiar

faces!

Find a Tallahassee meeting house near you at:www.mormon.org/meetinghouse

Williamson worked as a social services case man-ager and was consistently in contact with people that needed help. She lovingly provided help with clothes, food, and would refer them to other orga-nizations. Yet for some she came to realize there was nowhere for them to go.

As she gathered experience, she wrote the mission statement of Help From the Sanctuary—some-thing she tries to live by: “This establishment will provide assistance to individuals or those that find themselves involved in catastrophic or detrimen-tal incidents. I will be a first response agency that will provide assistance by directing the individuals to the agencies or organizations that will provide assistance to fit their needs. It will also provide whatever assistance that is available within the confines of their walls. All of the assistance will be temporary, and designed to help these individu-als stabilize their lives, and get them to the next step, which could be referral to another agency or organization. This will be a non-profit community help center with certain services provided 24-7 that will serve the surrounding area.”

While working in this program, Williamson found that there were many waiting lists, and some people needed immediate help. She started to reach out to these people that had no place to go because they didn’t have good credit or may not have any proper identification.

In September of this year, she even took it upon herself to rent a house; making it possible for one man to have a place to live—a man that had no identification. She works with these individuals and helps them get back on their feet by either referring them to another agency or organization, but ultimately strives to teach them to be self-sufficient.

She calls these individuals she helps her “chil-dren,” as she takes care of their every need. “I have other children, I have about five of them,” she said. “They come to a point where they need to pay for their medication, or pay for food, and they choose food. The stories hurt because I can relate to them. You can be middle-class, working hard, and still not have enough to be self-sufficient.”

FeaTuRe STORY


She does this all out of the goodness of her heart, and her wallet, This entire program is run as a non-profit organization and accepts donations, but ultimately, the funds come from her. Extraordinary.

In order to help these individuals better, she is studying to receive a Masters of Psychology. She doesn’t claim to be a mental health specialist, but with the time she has put into the profession, she has learned a great deal.

Not only does Williamson help whoever comes in contact with her, and is working on another degree, she is also a Guardian ad Litam—a volunteer child advocate.

“We’re the voice for children in the court,” she explained. “We gather as much information as we can for the courts and are assigned to a child to work in their best interest. We try to do whatever it takes to help them get through it. The goal is to make them feel safe.”

Ms. Williamson’s plea to her community is to just give. She wishes she could make her zeal for help-ing others contagious. She doesn’t want you to just send her someone that needs help, but she wants you to have the blessings and do it yourself.

“If everybody tried to help as many people as they could in every neighborhood on every block, what do you think would happen?” she said. “People are catching on a little bit, they are trying, and that is what matters.”

“Clean out your stuff, hold a yard sale and when people gather up everything they’re ready to pay for, just tell them, ‘It’s free!’ You’d be amazed at the looks you get,” said Williamson.

That Saturday morning when I first met Arbutas Williamson I felt the same way—but I also could sense that she was doing something for the greater good. And boy was I right!

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By Stephanie Wise, Wise Realty Co.

When we think of November, we think of Thanks-giving. We gather our families and friends together to celebrate with an attitude of gratitude and to hopefully make more cherished memories. We remember those who once sat at the table with us to celebrate Thanksgiving, but are no longer with us. We celebrate the new family members that may be celebrating their very first Thanksgiving this year. We notice how much the children have grown and changed with each Thanksgiving. We notice that our parents are aging and we are so grateful to have another Thanksgiving with them. We look forward to our Aunt Alice’s famous des-serts or the multitude of family chefs that give their best efforts to make this a feast to remember. We gather to share our thankfulness with the hope that we will carry this attitude of gratitude in our hearts all year long.

While considering what we are truly thankful for, we sometimes overlook the simple things. When you woke up this morning, did you celebrate the fact that you actually woke up? You have a brand new day before you. When you stepped out of your car at Lake Ella this morning and the crisp November breeze enveloped your senses, did you smile in that moment? Did you breathe it in and unconsciously take a step forward into the breeze? Does the smell of autumn in the air bring back child-hood memories? In these simple things, we can have an attitude of gratitude.

Perhaps, we all have been guilty at one time or another of taking a loved one for granted, when we should have been grateful for them instead.

AN ATTITUDE OFI am a very busy Realtor and I am truly grateful to love what I do, but I really try to make time for those dear to me. Every time that I have to take my mother’s arm to steady her and walk beside her, I do it with love and an attitude of gratitude for all that she has done for me. She knows that I amthereforhereverystepoftheway–nomat-ter how long or short the journey may be. My dad is no longer with us and this time of year makes me nostalgic for days gone by. Is there someone in your life that you are so grateful to know and yet maybe you have not told them so? No time like the present to share your attitude of gratitude with your loved ones. If it is difficult to speak the words you want to say, write a short note or even a long letter.

As we consider all that we have to be grateful for, I sincerely hope that we will not look at the mate-rial objects in our lives, but rather at what really matters when all is said and done. May we face each day with an attitude of gratitude, not just at Thanksgiving, but every single day for the rest of ourlives–nomatterhowlongorshortthatjour-ney may be.

850.385.1166 office850.727.3052 mobile

[email protected]

2508 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303

Wise Signs ...Soon Say SOLD

Stephanie Wise, RealtorCertified Home Marketing Specialist

Wise Realty has been Serving the Real EstateNeeds of Tallahassee for Over 50 Years!!

In-depth Community and Market Knowledge,Marketing Expertise, Effective Negotiation Skills

and a Client First Philosophy.

www.StephanieWiseRealEstate.comwww.WiseRealEstateTeam.com

GratitudeSeaSONS & HOlIDaYS

What you will need• Clear glass or shatterproof ornaments• Fine glitter• Pledge with Future Shine floor cleaner (for glass ornaments) or MinWax Polycrylic (for shatterproof)• Foam egg carton or styrofoam cups

Holiday Craft: Easy Glitter Ornaments

1. Remove the hanger cap off the top of the ornament.

2. Squirt a little floor wax inside the ornament and swirl it around to coat the inside thoroughly.

3. Pour the excess back into the bottle and let the ornament sit upside down for a minute until it’s no longer dripping (roughly 2 minutes). Foam egg carton/Sty-rofoam cups work well.

4. Using a funnel or rolled up piece of paper in a cone shape, pour the glitter into the orna-ment and shake until the entire surface is covered. You can even pour the extra glitter right back into the bottle too.

5. Replace the hanger cap.

For fun personalization, use stickers or paint pens from your local craft store to add your fa-vorite name, sports team, draw-ing, or year!

Chelsy Ray, OwnerSweet Bean Designs

Specializes in unique, custom gifts and apparel.

www.facebook.com/sweetbeandesigns

Directions

By Chelsy Ray, Sweet Bean Designs

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By Larry O. Barlow, Ph.D., LMFT and Sandra M. Barlow, Ph.D., LCSW

If you knew there were mechanisms to help you successfully maintain and enhance your couple relationship, would you utilize those tried and true methods? Turns out that, based upon research, examining couples who have sustained and en-hanced their relationships, we do know what works. Successful couples think and behave differ-ently from those couples who chronically struggle in relationships. Here is a summary of what we know.

The first mechanism has to do with what research-ers call Cognitive Strategies: how successful couples think about their partner and their rela-tionship.

• Cognitive Interdependence is the perception of overlap in the lives of the couple with we, us and ours replacing I, me, and mine.

Couples in therapy often argue using the per-sonal pronoun. Many couples carry on argu-ments by text messages demanding “my way,” or “I want…” Successful couples realize that once we make the commitment to marry, it’s all about us. We are a team. The saying “We are in the same boat” makes sense now. If we change the way we think, then that frequently helps us move away from where we were as a single adult. I give up the “my life” for a bet-ter path. It’s not that successful couples never think about their individual needs or wants; thoughts just change to a different context. “I think about me in the context of us.”

• Positive Illusions refers to idealizing each other and perceiving the relationship in the best pos-sible light. We judge our partner’s faults as trivi-al and relationship deficiencies as temporary aberration. No one marries the perfect partner. We all share imperfections and after the hon-eymoon is over, we recognize those imperfec-tions in our partners. But we don’t focus on and emphasize those imperfections. Dr. John Gottman’s research tells us that 70% of the problems couples argue about are issues that are not changeable. My partner’s withdrawn or extroverted temperament will not change. With positive illusions we learn to overlook those faults and appreciate the many likeable charac-teristics. We laugh at the little annoying habits. We recognize that everyone has a bad day and maybe tomorrow will be better.

• Perceived Superiority describes committed partners who tend to think of their relationships as better than most. Maybe this mechanism would be viewed by some as naïve, but it’s im-portant. The process of couple therapy works to help couples recognize their strengths-to focus on what’s right about their relationship rather than stay stuck on what’s wrong. Successful couples tend to appreciate that they are happy to have chosen each other.

• Inattention to Alternatives is a characteristic of satisfied partners who are less likely to be look-

Maintaining and Enhancing RelationshipslOVe & maRRIaGe

ing for other lovers. Contented partners tend to be relatively uninterested and unaware of options. It’s not that these couples are blind to or do not notice someone else, but they quickly turn away from flirts or others who might come between them and their spouse. They quickly turn back to their partner and put up barriers between their relationships with others who might threaten to harm the marriage. Yes, the idea of someone else paying attention to you might be exciting, but the outcome is almost always painful and hurtful to one’s partner and family.

• Derogation of Tempting Alternatives describes the commitment which leads people to dispar-age those who could lure them away from their existing relationship. While they can appreci-ate attractive individuals, they also recognize the self-serving nature of someone who would break up their marriage or threaten their way of life.

The second mechanism is the Behavioral Strate-gies: behaviors that successful people use to main-tain and enhance their relationship.

• Willingness to Sacrifice is an important behav-ior which can seem trivial, such as choice of which movie we choose to see or what res-taurant we choose to eat at a particular day, or it can also involve substantial costs in which people tend to endure long periods of depriva-tion. A substantial sacrifice is made when one’s partner decides to return to school or to ac-cept a new position which requires relocation. Maybe we give up a home or a lifestyle tempo-rarily, but we can all gain in the long run.

• The Michelangelo Phenomenon is a term to describe the fact that relationships prosper when our partners behave toward us in ways that encourage us to become the people that we want to be. This is simply supporting your partner to grow. We recognize that the painting, once a dream, can become a work of art.

• Accommodation is a behavior that allows com-mitted lovers to swallow minor mistreatment from their partners without biting back.

The natural response to a negative or hurt-ful comment is to strike back; I hurt you the way you hurt me. Accommodation allows a constructive response which can support your partner’s feelings and return the couple to a positive state of being.

• Play is an important part of human interactions. Couples are usually content when they find ways to engage in novel, challenging, exciting, and pleasant activities together, such as hik-ing, biking, dancing, attending concerts, going to movies. Play helps us add dimension to our relationship and keeps focus from always being just the business side of running a family or home. Play leads to romance.

• Forgiveness is another important aspect of our lives. Persons who are successful in marriage are more likely to forgive after a partner’s be-trayal. This does not mean we do not deal with minor or major issues, but we use forgiveness to help us quickly heal both relationship and person.

Dr. Larry O. Barlow is the Director of the Florida State University Center for Couple and Family Therapy and has an independent practice in Talla-hassee. Dr. Sandra M. Barlow is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, and she has an independent practice which focuses on working with children and their families.

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By Veronica Wold, Effortless TravelTop 10tips

My fondest memories of my childhood are the ones traveling with my family. I have always strived to do the same for my children, us-

ing every available penny to make memories that will last.

Here are my top 10 tips for traveling with children:

Everyone should have a passport, includ-ing children. It’s not a requirement for domestic travel yet, but I anticipate that it will become one.

Here’s a valuable tip: Make a copy or take a picture of your passport and email it to yourself. If you should ever lose it, this will save you a nightmare.1

Always carry a snack bag. As a young mother, I was flying with my

toddler and missed a connecting flight. Flights were full resulting in

a battle for stand-by seats. When we finally boarded, I had a very

cranky child and was so thankful when another mom handed me a bag of Goldfish crackers and a

juice box.

23Children should wear some

identifying information, even if you’re just traveling in the car. There are many options including paper bracelets but I recommend one that’s waterproof and longer lasting.

4Purchase a Trunki or something similar for kid stuff. This product is a suitcase, as well as a ride-on toy with a pull strap. Remember to add Modeling Clay, Window Gel Clings and sticker books to their gear.

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5Involve your child in planning and

have them create a vision board us-ing magazines, etc. Explain that this

is their vacation too and you want their input. Planning together en-

sures they feel important, acknowledged and invested.

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Utilize the services of a travel expert that will assist you in planning and executing your vacation. Traveling with chil-dren can be complicated and an experienced travel agent can ensure that you are pre-pared. They can create an itin-erary to encourage exploration, education and fun while you focus on your family.

for traveling with children

6Use the money you will spend anyway as incentive. Give your child a bag of money when you leave. Use quarters and small bills so younger children can easily make change if they make a pur-chase. Either add money as prizes for great behavior or impose fines for poor behavior.

Carry a small First Aid Kit; include over-the-counter and prescription medica-tions as well as duct tape

for a quick fix. For car travel, make sure you have a road-

side emergency kit.7 About Veronica WoldVeronica Wold grew up in Key West and loves to travel the world. She has traveled all over the US, throughout the Caribbean, to Canada, and many countries in Europe. Veronica took her passion for travel to the next level when she started Effortless Travel (www.effortlesstravel.net) years ago. She has since passed her love of travel to her children as well as the many travelers she’s been blessed to serve. Veronica resides in Crawfordville with her 13-year-old daughter and visits her 20-year-old daughter in Tallahassee often. Email her at [email protected].

Get each child their own personal travel pillow. This would have been a life saver when I was growing up and there were 3 of us in the back seat. Every trip was a battle where the middle person had nowhere to lay their head and the other two had only the hard window.89

Plan play time. If you’re traveling by car, stop at rest stops or other spots and let your kids run and play. If flying, research the airports because most have a play area. Chicago for example has a spot touted by Nickelodeon magazine as the “Most Awesome Airport Play Area!”

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COVeR STORY

a BaG, a BeaR, a BlaNKeT, aND a BOOK: Project Night Night Reaches TallahasseeBy Jackie Karlberg

Imagine you’re a child again and for one reason or another an officer is at the door of your home, tak-ing you away from your family or whomever you are living with. You have no time to take anything with you but the clothes on your back. When you settle into the police car, you are given a new canvas bag, with a brand-new blanket, a stuffed animal, and a book you’ve loved reading at school. You are told that they are yours to keep, and you instantly embrace the items, and for at least a mo-ment, forget your situation.

This is the realization for many of Project Night Night’srecipients–providing“‘NightNightPack-ages’—free of charge—to homeless children from birth to pre-teen who need childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant” (www.projectnightnight.org). Whether children are being removed from a home, or are in a home-less shelter with little to call their own—the Night Night Packages can be at least one thing for which they can claim ownership.

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The Project Night Night organization was founded in San Francisco, and has donated over 25,000 bags nationally and are filled with an age-appropri-ate book, blanket, and a stuffed animal for a child in need.

Tallahassee native, Lauren Byrd, happened upon Project Night Night in a Southern Living magazine five years ago. The Project was voted one of the best non-profits in the country; and it just spoke to her.

“I saw it in the magazine, and I knew that I wanted to get involved in something to help my communi-ty, but I also wanted something that wasn’t going to take time away from my 6-month old,” Byrd said. “I started to look more into Project Night Night and found that they had great tools to help you get involved, which made it easier to implement.”

Byrd was interested in Project Night Night not only because of the ease of implementation, but mainly

because it strives to reach the psychological needs that are stripped from a child when they are found homeless or removed from a home.

“A blanket can provide comfort and security, a stuffed animal can be something that they can love and have possession and ownership of when they don’t feel like they have anything; and a book to foster educational needs and a creative outlet for these kids that don’t have anything else,” said Byrd. “Project Night Night gives something to chil-dren that is above and beyond the basic needs that other organizations provide, and helps foster their psychological development in times like these. I have been really impressed and so touched in how deep a small gesture like this can run.”

Soon Byrd introduced the idea to Kelly Bench and Lindsay Elliott, also native Tallahasseans, and they too felt like they should help bring Project Night Night to Tallahassee.

It took the women nearly eight months to try and find the best ways to distribute the bags, and they agree that it is still a work in progress to be able to reach every child in need in Tallahassee; but the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was their first connection in the community.

“We received an overwhelming response from DCF,” said Elliott. “They were the first organization we found that had a consistent need. Oftentimes the officer picks up the child and brings them back to the office for a few hours and they’re just sitting there. So these bags give them something that is immediately theirs and immediately something they can bond with and take with them to the fos-ter home where they will be placed.”

The Department of Children and Families were also extremely grateful to Project Night Night in provid-ing this charity because they don’t always get a lot of support since they are dealing with such a difficult subject.

“This is a part of their job that people are sensi-tive to,” said Elliott. “People don’t want to hear the stories of when they have to remove kids from homes.”

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In the last year and a half, Project Night Night Tal-lahassee has donated over 100 bags to DCF, and they are also in the process of providing bags to the Hope Community, a local homeless coalition.

Byrd, Bench and Elliott want to provide an easy way to help people get involved in Project Night Night and give. “We want people to think of Project Night Night when they’re cleaning out their clos-ets and instead of sending everything to Goodwill, send your books or stuffed animals that are in good condition to Project Night Night,” explained Byrd.

“It’s very meaningful and hands on,” said Byrd. “We are getting very specific donations and put-ting together very specific packages, to help reach a very specific need in a child’s life.”

The blankets must be new, but the stuffed animals and the books can be slightly used. The women try to gather gender-specific and age-specific items, but also have some bags filled with neutral items.

“We have really been touched by people that have been willing to help,” said Byrd. “The community of Tallahassee has a great source of people that rally around organizations like Project Night Night.

I want to give our community the opportunity to give rather than me just going out and buying all the items to throw together. I want to try and raise awareness to give everyone an easy way to rally around the children in our community.”

The women expressed their joy in making this organization a reality in Tallahassee. They spoke of one situation where a DCF officer encountered a mother and her boyfriend—both alcoholics and ad-dicted to drugs—and her four or five children that were living with her. DCF came in and explained to the mother that either her boyfriend had to leave, or they were going to take her children. She said, “Take them.”

“As a parent, I just can’t fathom that. It just doesn’t make sense,” said Byrd. “There are things that I take for granted just by being mentally healthy. And so, in a situation like this, if a parent can’t be there for their child, I am happy that I can be there for that child in some way, shape or form through these bags.”

“These are the types of underlying ugly issues about the children that we serve,” said Elliott. “I want them to feel at least some ounce of love. Because if a child doesn’t feel love, then they won’t know how to love in return.”

To Donate to Project Night Night, please drop off your items at one of the following

locations:

206-B South Monroe St.

Hill, Spooner & Elliott2001 Thomasville Rd

If your business would like to be a drop off location for Project Night Night, or have any other questions regarding the organization, please contact Lauren Byrd

at (850) 228-2706.

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By Gregory Cohen, Lofty Pursuits

As the owner of Lofty Pursuits, I once said my store is my personal vendetta against Nintendo. This is not really true, but as all good sayings there is a grain of truth in that sentence that I hope has value. It seems we spend more and more time sitting in a row with entertainment in front of us instead of fac-ing each other and entertaining each other. This is what family is about, and what I think Christmas is about and what good toys as gifts should promote.

Toys without limitsThere are toys that are limited not by the object itself, but by the player of that toy. Look at a yo-yo, it’s not like a video game, it can’t be beaten, it has no end, there is never a game over, only a knot from time to time. Limits are set not by some program-mer out there, or a marketing committee, but by the yo-yo player. No matter how good you get, there is one more trick that you can do to push yourself to do and take the toy further. (Don’t believe me, Google “Videos of the World Yo-Yo Contest.”)

There are a lot of toys like this, like Kendamas, Frisbees, juggling kits and stunt kites. Keep in mind with a toy like this quality counts. It’s frustrating to get a kite that nobody can fly or a yo-yo that is so light or imbalanced that you can never learn a trick with it. Don’t think that everything in this category is limited to older kids toys. There are toys like the Billibo that is a toy that has no purpose, but every kid figures out how to use it, as a hat, or a tunnel, a crib for a doll, or a spinning chair.

Toys for interactionSo much of today has become sitting in a line look-ing at a screen, not looking at each other. Don’t get me wrong, looking at a screen is entertainment, and it is enjoyable, but play is like a family dinner where people interact with one another, and share an experience that is unpredictable. Board games are a great example of this. Games have changed a lot over the past 20 years, with new classics like Set-tlers of Catan, a world building game, or games like Pandemic or almost any game from Haba that are

cooperative games, where everyone is playing to achieve a common goal and everyone wins or loses together. There are hundreds of these amazing games, some that we have don’t even require the player to be of a reading level, and still let grown-ups enjoy themselves.

Toys for imaginationItems like dolls, puppets, toy cars and building toys let kids roll play and experiment with who they are and who they are not.

Toys for the sensesThese can be musical toys, or for the baby tactile or texture toys. They can also be toys that change color, or shape when shaken, and can even make something that is not there come alive. This cat-egory is broader than it is obvious, because every age range sees this differently. What a baby wants will be very different to the magic kit or illusion kit for an older child.

Because toys are not just for kidsRemember, you do not outgrow toys, but as one gets older the toys become different things that let you interact with others and escape to play. A funny mug, an umbrella that looks like a samurai sword and board games are designed to be a toy for the kid in all of us.

Opening a toy as a present is a joyous moment, but the right toy is more than just a present, it’s a gift of bringing people together. Perhaps it is a bit of your own childhood passed onto the next generation, or a challenge to be met. While I did not plan this, it is what my life’s work has been about.

Gregory Cohen is the owner of Lofty Pursuits, from 2000-2013 he ran the World Yo-Yo Contest. The N.Y. Times referred to him as the leading expert on the American Soda Fountain, and he is a hand made hard candy maker—who is about to make more candy canes that he can imagine. His wife says that at times he is about 5 years old.

Choosing the right toy for the holidays


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By Karen Chapman, Proprietor of Klassic Katering

September’s end always seems to excite me. It sig-nifies the start of autumn which brings the change of colors, crisp morning air, twinkling of lights, shorter days, the clamor of friends and family, gor-geous skies, football, kids and parents knocking on doors for trick or treat, and the start of the Holiday Season. It is a great time for sharing and caring for one another. I can already smell the aroma of the turkey cooking in the oven and the taste of pump-kin pie with lots of homemade whipped cream. Thanksgiving, which is just around the corner, is a holiday devoted to family, food, and gratitude. It always touches my most inner beliefs. Being able to share food with people we love whether they are our family, close friends, or those we know are in need becomes a spiritual experience whether you are religious or not. It pays to be humble as it reminds us that life’s simple things such as food, companionship, and shelter are what truly matters.

The Thanksgiving meal is the largest and most fill-ing meal most people indulge in for the year. Left-overs always seem to be a staple in most homes! If you haven’t noticed deviled eggs have made a comeback and have become center-stage stars. The mashed hard-boiled egg yolks are now being paired with foods such as bacon, crabmeat, capers, pulled pork, smoked salmon, guacamole, and any other additions you may wish to experiment with! Regardless of their stuffing they are considered a great comfort food, a light hors d’oeuvre, and a Southern tradition.

Below is an Andouille Deviled Eggs recipe I love and would be a delicious addition to any Thanks-giving used as a hors d’oeuvre or served with the meal:

Andouille Deviled Eggs Ingredients: 12 large hard-cooked eggs 1 teaspoon vegetable oil ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon finely chopped andouille sausage ¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper ½ cup mayonnaise or Creole mustard 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Garnish with fresh parsley

Serves approximately 61. Peel each egg, and halve lengthwise. Set aside.2. In a small skillet, add oil, and heat over medium heat. Add andouille and bell pepper, and cook, stir-

ring, 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels; let stand until cool.3. In a small mixing boil, add egg yolks, and mash with a fork. Add andouille mixture and mayonnaise or

mustard. Season with salt and cayenne pepper, stirring to combine. 4. Spoon yolk mixture into egg whites, garnish with parsley. Chill 1 hour before serving.

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For a sweet twist on a traditional dessert I suggest trying this Gingersnap-Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe for a wonderfully decadent ending to your Thanksgiving meal.

Gingersnap-Pumpkin CheesecakeIngredients: 2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (30 to 40 cookies), plus extra for garnish ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 3 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 large eggs 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 cup heavy cream, whipped, or Chantilly cream

Serves 10 to 12This makes a nine-inch cheesecake and it is very rich.

1. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by tracing it onto a sheet of parchment paper. Lightly grease the bottom of the pan.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the crushed gingersnaps and brown sugar in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the melted butter and process until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the side of the springform pan. Chill for 10 to 20 minutes.

3. Beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until the yolk disappears. Add the cream, vanilla, and pumpkin puree, mixing to just combine.

4. Remove the crust from the refrigerator. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Let the cheesecake cool at least 30 minutes. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.

5. To serve, remove the cheesecake from the pan and transfer it to a serving plate. Slice and top each piece with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed gingersnaps.

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By Kayla Smith

When I was 19, my parents agreed I could either adopt a dog or foster one. Determined to raise my own puppy, I adopted a young rescue dog, but con-tinued following local shelters on Facebook. Eleven months later, I found a scruffy, black dog that tugged at my heartstrings. Before I could talk myself out of it, I took in my first foster dog. Two and a half years later, I am fostering dog number eight. Most people, upon learning about my ‘hobby’ of rescue, shake their heads and claim they “could never foster a dog”. But I shake my head right back at them and say, “It isn’t difficult!” Aside from mon-etary donations, foster homes are the most valu-able resource for rescues. Every animal lover should think about fostering a pet. Fostering is an inexpensive way to make a huge dif-ference. The cost of fostering depends on the rescue, but in many cases it is free. Most rescues provide veterinary care, medications, and many supply food. If money is a concern, fostering is a much more logi-cal choice than owning a pet.

A common concern is that foster animals require lots of work. Potential foster parents need to have open communication with their rescue about their lifestyle, fears, and comfort level. If a foster owner has a busy schedule, they should avoid young pup-pies in need of house training or rambunctious adolescents who require obedience training. Many rescues also have plenty of “owner surrenders” - an-imals who came from homes where they may have already been trained, which could be a better op-tion. Another source of apprehension for potential fos-ter owners is the fear of growing too attached to an animal. Fosters love their animals dearly, but the fact is that not every rescuer becomes a ‘foster fail-ure’ - someone who adopts their foster pet. Most foster owners recognize that if they keep a foster animal, they won’t have room to save another, but if it’s meant to be, adoption is welcome!

Many people are unsure about their future, and don’t want to commit to take an animal forever. While some foster owners take pets for an unspeci-fied amount of time, some are very short-term. I have fostered dogs while they went through medi-cal rehabilitation and others until they could be transported to a rescue. Since I began fostering, I am better at reading canine behavior. I’ve become a more patient person. My self-esteem is through the roof and I have become quite skilled at photographing sprinting targets. I’ve crossed “save a life” off my bucket list about 7 times over, and I’ve made the most selfless friends. If you still believe you “can’t foster”, there are so many other things you can do:

• Share adoptable animals on social media• Transport rescue animals• Photograph shelter dogs• Help fundraise• Operate adoption booths• Write to our politicians about your cause

It’s easy! Find a rescue, fill out an application, and join the club. We’ve got puppies! Kayla has worked with a handful of rescues both local and nation-wide. She is currently fostering a Golden Retriever mix through Aussie and Me Ani-mal Rescue. She also writes an animal welfare and education blog. Keep up with her and her pack on www.dreambigbarkloudly.com or Facebook.com/dreambigbarkloudly

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By Heather “Healthy Heather” Fuselier, Certified Wellness Coach

This month, families across the country gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, honor-ing timeless traditions and recipes passed down through generations. In a time when family meals are more often eaten on the go or in the car than around an actual table, days like Thanksgiving are indeed a treat. But studies show that making an effort to eat together as a family can mean more than just togetherness. Children in families who eat meals together, perform better in school, are disciplined less often, and eat healthier.Thebenefitsofafamilymeal–regardlessofwhichoneitis–gobeyondchildhood.Childrenwhoeatin family settings are more likely to be at a healthy weight, eat fruits and vegetables, and have healthy eating patterns. As they age, they are less likely to smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs. All of this research is promising and positive, but it doesn’t alleviate a major obstacle to family meals: the time, energy, and organization that it takes to pull one off! Well, relax. Not every meal needs to be Thanksgiving. In fact, there are some simple ways to gather the family around the table for a benefi-cial and heartwarming time without slaving in the kitchen all day or quitting your day job.

Plan Meals in AdvanceLook at the calendar and plan which dinners each

week will be eaten as a family, and set the menu ahead of time. It’s a good idea to pick a day of the week to make your meal plan, grocery shop, and prep as much ahead of time as possible. A little planning makes the leftovers from Tuesday night’s baked chicken a lot easier to toss in with whole-wheat pasta on Wednesday!

Give Everyone a JobAssigning jobs like setting the table, fetching in-gredients, and washing vegetables can help keep kids occupied and invested in the meal. Don’t for-get to give someone the job of clearing the dishes to the sink after dinner!

Take Time to TalkOne of the benefits of eating meals together is the opportunity to talk and share. Especially for younger children, family meals are often their first exposure to the value of reasoned debate and con-versation. Mealtime can provide a sense of secu-rity, belonging, and structure. Reliable mealtimes can also serve as a comfortable transition time for children with attention deficits.

It doesn’t have to be a national holiday to gather around the table for a meal. Choose a few nights this week to have dinner together as a family, and take comfort in the fact that the benefits go far beyond the time spent together, and into the future of your children as they grow.

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By Meredith Carter, Growing Room

How often do you wish you could squeeze a nap into your busy schedule? As adults, we would love for someone to make us lie down and take a nap each day. Why is it that children seem to want to fight naps? Knowing that nap time is an important part of a toddler’s day, it is important to encourage children to lie down and close their eyes for an al-lotted time each day. According to Dr. Jason Coles, a sleep specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, “The goal of nap time should be the equivalent of a total sleep cycle or 90 minutes.” As parents, we can be successful in get-ting our child to sleep only to find they are waking up 30 or 45 minutes into their nap.

So how can a parent be successful at getting their child to sleep and staying asleep for that full sleep cycle? Below are some helpful tips to get your child to do just that:

• Create a specific sleep schedule: This will include a specific bed time, wake time and nap time. Children thrive on consistency and the routine will trigger your child’s natural body clock.

• Eat right: Foods can affect energy level and sleepiness. Foods high in protein and sugar can generate alertness while carbohydrates

can have a calming effect on the body. Some good pre-nap foods are whole wheat toast and cheese, bagel and peanut butter, oatmeal and bananas.

• The right sleep environment: Make sure blan-kets are warm, but not too warm because it’s hard to sleep when you’re over heated. Ensure your child is dressed in comfy clothes or pa-jamas and allow them to have a comfort item such as a stuffed animal or favorite doll.

• Promote relaxation: What should a child do once they get into bed? A good pre-nap ritual can do wonders. Play soft music, sing a nice lul-laby, or read them their favorite story.

At Growing Room, with our infants we work with our parents and follow the schedule the child is on at home. As the baby’s first birthday is approach-ing our teachers work to get the children to move from two naps per day to one nap per day. At this time the entire class begins to adhere to more of a classroom schedule. We provide a peaceful setting in the classroom with soft music playing, a blanket for the child to snuggle with, and loving teachers who help comfort the children as they are drifting off to sleep. If our parents are having trouble get-ting their child to nap at home, we encourage them to do some of the same things we are doing in the classroom. We find that consistency and routine each day are keys to successful naps.

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Locally Owned and Operated

Love & Learning:The Growing Room Way

3 Tallahassee Locations • 386-GROW (4769)We are proud to beAPPLE accredited

and a DCF Gold SealQuality Preschool GrowingRoomChildCare.com

Licenses: C02LE0507, C02LE0518, C02LE0578

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By Hugh Tomlinson, YMCA Board President

Over sixty years ago in 1952 a concerned group of Tallahassee citizens spearheaded the charter of the Tallahassee YMCA. This group was made up of prominent Tallahasseans including Leroy Collins who would become one of Florida’s finest gover-nors. This group believed deeply in the YMCA’s principals of healthy mind, body & spirit and be-lieved our community needed such an organiza-tion, in particular to serve our community’s youth.

Since that time the Capital Region YMCA has done exactly that. Our local Y has served hundreds of thousands of people, the majority of them being youth, and has provided scholarships for program-ing and services to those who could not afford them, well into the millions of dollars. Still today the Y’s long standing mantra stands that no one is turned away because of the inability to pay. If you want to understand how important this is just ask the thousands of struggling moms and dads who saw their kids flourish while given the opportunity to participate in the Y’s youth sports or camps. Ev-eryone will tell you that there is no safer or better place for your kids then the YMCA.

Many misconceptions exist regarding the YMCA. “Some see us as merely a first-class gym which is true but we are so much more, we are a char-ity with a cause, which is to serve our community in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” said Ray Purvis, Presi-dent/CEO of the Capital Region YMCA. The YMCA literally serves from the cradle to the grave. Many people don’t know that worldwide the YMCA is the largest provider of childcare services, and if you visited any of our local Ys around midmorning you would see dozens of senior citizens interacting with each other and participating in Silver Sneak-er’s exercise classes. A great YMCA is a commu-nity and that’s what you find in our Tallahassee Y.

Membership dues, program fees, and charitable giving are the three parts that fund a YMCA’s operations and community impact. Many YMCA’s have struggled due to the popularization of low cost gyms and with charitable giving being way down. When someone is a member or benefac-tor of the YMCA they are really paying it forward and improving other’s lives. Really it’s providing a sanctuary for some as the Y becomes family to many that otherwise have none. It also gives many kids a place to fit in, make friends and be part of a team. Like many YMCAs our local organization is in need of increased revenues to really have the community impact and stability they seek, but the local volunteer Board of Directors teamed with the CEO are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep the YMCA as a vital piece of our community fabric.

Some of the current focuses of the local YMCA are facility improvements, building and expanding life-saving programs, and expansion in the northeast side of Tallahassee. While the equipment and exer-cise programs are top notch, much of the facilities haven’t been updated in two decades.

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CEO Ray Purvis believes with some renovations the membership will skyrocket and help fund more community impact activities. Several new life sav-ing programs are being developed including what is now being called “Swim for Life.” This program’s intent is to prevent and reduce the occurrence of accidental drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of deaths of children and is a generational problem in the minority community. “We have traditional swim lessons, but this program will teach water survival skills and will absolutely save lives,” said Hugh Tomlinson, Chief Volunteer Of-ficer/Board Chairman. There are some successful models out there to emulate, including Moultrie Georgia where all elementary students are bused to the YMCA to learn water basics as part of the school curriculum.

Expanding into the Northeast is a top priority for the YMCA. That part of town is experiencing tre-mendous growth but outside of restaurants there is very little for the whole family. Elizabeth Ekk, a local realtor and recent addition to the YMCA board, wonders how all the families keep their kids physically active and some of the older ones out of trouble. “Most all the other sports activities are real competitive; one northeast middle school had more than four dozens girls try out for only 9 open posi-tions. Where do those other kids go?,” asked Ekk.

Some of our teens get out of school very early and with few places to go sometimes trouble ensues. “A robust community YMCA we envision in the northeast would have age appropriate program-ming and be place for everyone to go,” continued Ekk.

The board of directors sees a new family YMCA as much more than a fitness center. As fitness centers go most do not cater to the entire family like a Y wellness center. “We see it as a community center, a real asset to the northeast, improving lives daily,” added Board Chairman Tomlinson. While they don’t have a location yet, they are embarking on a Northeast Y capital campaign and just received their first $25,000 pledge. “If just one half of a per-cent of the families and businesses north of Inter-state 10 made a meaningful gift this can become a reality,” said Tomlinson. Studies have shown that a northeast Y would be supported overwhelmingly by membership but it will take considerable com-munity investment to happen. A robust northeast Y could even enable the Y to serve more neighboring communities. Anyone interested in helping should contact Hugh Tomlinson at 850.321.4090 or email [email protected].

Meanwhile, the Capital Region YMCA continues to serve thousands of individuals and families at their two locations as well as through their collabo-rations with other nonprofits. For some the daily blessing they get from a Y may be friendships and sense of belonging, a father figure for a kid involved in youth sports, a safe place for a parent to entrust their kids, or just a nonjudgmental wellness center to improve one’s health. What is evident is that to the 10,000 communities nationwide with YMCAs and the 22 million members they serve, the Y is a community treasure and one much needed.

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CaleNDaR OF eVeNTS

Ongoing eventsTuesdaysMornings with Mommy10-11 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday and Wednesday of the month at Faith Lutheran Church, 2901 Kerry Forest Pkwy. $5 per family. Check website for more details: http://faithlutherantallahassee.com/content.cfm?id=339

Baby Time at Collins Main Library10:30 a.m. for ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Baby Time at Eastside Branch Library11:30 a.m. for ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Teen Gaming at Collins Main Library4-6 p.m. Last Tuesday of the month.

Family Night at Chick-fil-A in Bradfordville & Capital Circle5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Family night with crafts, story time, and entertainment. Check individual location websites for details.www.cfarestaurant.com

WednesdaysMornings with Mommy10-11 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday and Wednesday of the month at Faith Lutheran Church, 2901 Kerry Forest Pkwy. $5 per family. Check website for more details: http://faithlutherantallahassee.com/content.cfm?id=339

Baby Time at Collins Main Library10:30 a.m. for ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Story Time at Eastside Branch Library10:30 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Baby Time at Northeast Branch Library10:30 a.m. for ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Story Time at Lake Jackson Branch Library11 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Storytime at Books-A-Million3521 Thomasville Rd. 11 a.m. Featuring stories, activities, and crafts for all ages. See website for local details: www.booksamillion.com

Lichgate Garden Program1401 High Rd. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. All ages and families come to garden for the Damayan Work Program. Tools and gloves provided, bring water. www.lichgate.com

ThursdaysStory Time at Collins Main Library10:30 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Tots on Trails11 a.m. on the second Thursday and second Saturday of each month. Ranger led activities for pre-school children. Lasts about 45 minutes.http://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147536257

Story Time at Northeast Branch Library11:15 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Doing Science Together at Barnes & Noble2415 N. Monroe St. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Third Thursday of each month pack in fun science activities. http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/community/sciencetogether.html

Food Truck Thursdays at Lake Ella Local food truck vendors gather in the evening, accompanied by live music.

FridaysLittle Ones Music PlayTallahassee Memorial Hospital Women’s Pavillion: 1300 Miccosukee Rd. Help infants and children develop language, motor skills, and cognitive skills through interactive music activities. 18-23 months: 9:30 a.m., 12-17 months: 10:15 a.m., 6-11 months old: 11 a.m. $5 per family per week.www.music.fsu.edu

Capital Music TherapyMusic Play classes for ages 2 and 3. Age 2 at 9:30, age 3 at 10:30. Classes are $10 per family. See Facebook page for details.www.facebook.com/musicplaytallahassee

Story Time at Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library10 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Baby Time at Lake Jackson Branch Library11 a.m. for ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Tallahassee Bazaar at Lake Ella2 - 6 p.m. Food, jewelry, furniture, fresh vegetables, clothing, art, music & more!

Board Gaming at Lofty Pursuits6 p.m.- close on the 4th Friday of every month.www.loftypursuits.com

Parents Night Out - Northwest YMCA6 - 10 p.m. on the 4th Friday of every month. Staff members entertain children from 3 months of age to 12 with games, snacks, pizza and drinks! $15/$25 member/non-member price.http://capitalregionymca.org/2012/04/parents-night-out/

Arcade Age1018 Commercial Dr. 6 - 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month - free play on all games, no quarters necessary!http://arcadeage.com/portfolio/events/

Railroad Square Art Park’s First Fridays 567 Industrial Dr. 6 - 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Visit over 80 galleries and shops, listen to music and eat!http://railroadsquare.us

High School Happening at Chillax Teen Club2819 Capital Circle NE from 7 - 11 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. Music, dancing, games, movies and snack bar.http://www.chillaxtc.com

Imagination Fountain Show1001 S. Gadsden St.Water, music and light show8, 8:30 and 9 p.m.http://www.discovercascades.com

Downtown Thomasville Main StThe first Friday of every month enjoy live music, shopping, dining and fun for the whole family.https://www.facebook.com/events/1490112397896484/

SaturdaysHome Depot Kids Workshop3200 NE Capital Circle 9 a.m. - noon. How-to workshops designed for children ages 5-12. Offered free of charge the first Saturday of each month.https://www.facebook.com/HomeDepotKidsWorkshop

Challenger Learning Center Free Activities200 South Duval St. “Sky Guy” Planetarium Show first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Public Mission on second Saturday of each month 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Kid’s Day on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. for free IMAX or planetarium show for kids 12 and under with paying adult. Hands-on science activities offered afterward. http://www.challengertlh.com/Info/programs.html#mission

Kids Club at Michaels1524 Governors Square Blvd. Drop in from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and take home a completed project. $2 per project - ages 3 and up. See website for upcoming crafts.http://www.michaels.com/kids-club/ca-kids-club.html

Rainbow Loom Meet Ups at Michaels1524 Governors Square Blvd. 10 a.m. - noon. Create fun bands! $5 per child, supplies not included.(850) 878-5622

Copy Cats Kidz Club1415 Timberlane Road Ste #309. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for kids ages 8 and up, no parents allowed. Come and play in the colorful world of art! $30.http://copycatsstudio.com/kidz.php

Tots on Trails11 a.m. on the second Thursday and second Saturday of each month. Ranger led activities for pre-school children. Lasts about 45 minutes.http://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147536257

Upcoming Events in Tallya Calendar of events for mid-November to December


Family Time at Collins Main Library11 a.m. for all ages and their families. Second Saturday Science Lab for Middle and High School students 2-3:30 p.m.

Story Time at Fort Braden Branch Library11 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Story Time at Woodville Branch Library11 a.m. for ages 3+ and their caregivers.

Family Program at Museum of Florida History11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. Hands-on history for the whole family.http://www.museumoffloridahistory.com/

Arcade Age1018 Commercial Dr. 1 - 5 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month - free play on all games, no quarters necessary!http://arcadeage.com/portfolio/events/

Teen Book Club at Lake Jackson Branch Library2 p.m. Second Saturdays of the month.

Teen Book Club at Northeast Branch Library2 p.m. Last Saturday of the month.

Kid’s Art Camp at Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint3122 Mahan Drive. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Parents get a “date” lunch while kids ages 3-13 do arts, crafts, face painting and more!

Mayela Special Needs Dance and Movement Class12 - 1 p.m. every other Saturday at Gym Force Gymnastics, 2860 Industrial Plaza. Class for children with special needs - autism, downs syndrome or other developmental disabilities engage in a dance and movement class. FREE for ages 4-17!http://www.maye-choreography.com/special-classes.html

Storytime at Barnes & Noble2415 N. Monroe St. 12 - 1 p.m.Children of all ages enjoy storytime, crafts, and other surprises.

Colonial Crafts at Mission San Luis2100 W. Tennessee St. from 12 - 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Children make crafts to take home, free of charge.

Lofty Pursuits Yo-Yo Club1415 Timberlane Rd. #410 1-3 p.m. Come practice your yo-yo skills!www.loftypursuits.com

Family Night at Fun Station2821 Sharer RoadAfter 4 p.m. enjoy the family night special - pizza soda, 4 activities and a $5 game card for $24. http://itsfunner.com

Contra Dances7:30 - 10:30 p.m. at the Old Armory/Tallahassee Senior Center 1400 N. Monroe St. 2nd Floor Ballroom. Usually on the second and fourth Fridays.http://www.tallydancer.com


SundaysFamily Night at Fun Station2821 Sharer Road$1.50 activities between 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. http://itsfunner.com


Second Sunday at Spring House3117 Okeeheepkee Rd. 2-4 p.m. Spring House is the only private Florida residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Kids under 12 are free.www.preservespringhouse.org

November events November 20-23James and the Giant PeachFlorida State University School of Theatre presents the play Nov. 20-22 at 7 p.m., Nov. 22-23 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 23 at 4 p.m.http://www.theatre.fsu.edu/Performance-Season/James-and-the-Giant-Peach

Saturday, November 22Antique Tool Show & Sale7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd, Blountstown, FL. www.panhandlepioneer.org

Sunday, November 23Tallahassee Turkey Trot8 a.m. at Esplanade Way in SouthWood.Four races: 1-mile, 5K, 10K, or 15K http://www.tallyturkeytrot.com

Sunday, November 23Backstage at the BalletFree behind-the-scenes look at The Tallahassee Ballet as it prepares for performances. 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3 - 4 p.m.https://tallahasseeballet.org/events/

Saturday, November 29Sugar Cane Syrup Making Day8 a.m. at 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd, Blountstown, FL. Delicious demonstration of the pioneer way of making syrup - served with a country breakfast. www.panhandlepioneer.org

Saturday, November 2917th-Century Apalachee & Spanish Cooking 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. See demonstrations of traditional food preparation by historical interpreters in period dress. See website for more details.http://www.missionsanluis.org/visitorInfo/events.cfm

November 29 and 30The NutcrackerPas de Vie Ballet presents The Nutcracker at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Lee Hall Auditorium at FAMU, 1601 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (850) 644-6500http://pasdevieballet.com

December eventsSaturday, December 6Culture to Culture Rock-a-Thon9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Cascades Park: 1001 S. Gadsden. Entertainment, kids activities and rocking chairs!www.talgov.com

Saturday, December 6Christmas Celebration5 - 8 p.m. at 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd, Blountstown, FL. Following the Blountstown Christmas Parade. www.panhandlepioneer.org

Saturday, December 6Holiday Open House at the Knott House Museum 6 - 9 p.m. at 301 E. Park Ave. Part of the Tallahassee Festival of Lights. Enjoy holiday decor, hot cider and Christmas cookies. Free, but donations are accepted.

Sunday, December 7First Sundays at the Refuge2 p.m. All ages meet in the Barred Owl Room for a topical presentation. For more information call (850) 925-6121.

Tuesday, December 9FSU Capital Children’s Choir Performance5:30 - 6:30 p.m.at Kuersteiner Music Bld, N. Copeland St. at FSU. Program for children K-9th. Please come hear what they’ve been working on this semester! www.music.fsu.edu

Sunday, December 14Winter Solstice Celebration10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Celebrate American Indian culture and heritage. Fine craft shopping, drumming, flute music, presentations on history and astronomy and more.http://www.missionsanluis.org/visitorInfo/events.cfm

Friday, December 19-20Ballet Arts Conservatory of Tallahassee Presents Snow WhiteShows run the 19th at 8 p.m. and the 20th at 2:30 p.m. http://www.bactdance.com/#!performances/c1v6z

December 22-23The Art of Giving9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Students ages 6-12 create unique art projects perfect for gifts for family and loved ones, just in time for the holidays. There are multiple other camps and workshops available. See website for more details.http://www.lemoyne.org/holiday-workshops/

Wednesday, December 31Downtown Tallahassee New Years Eve7 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. in downtown Tallahassee. Live bands, food vendors, kidz zone, VIP lounge, and midnight fireworks show.http://www.downtowntallahasseenye.com/

DOeS YOuR ORGaNIZaTION HaVe a FamIlY-FRIeNDlY OR KID-

FRIeNDlY eVeNT YOu’D lIKe lISTeD HeRe? PleaSe CONTaCT uS aT

[email protected] TO ReSeRVe YOuR SPOT TODaY!

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KIDS eaT FRee!

Kids Eat Free!Tallahassee Restaurants that LOVE Tallahassee Kids!

APPLEBEE’SKids eat free on Sundays

See website for various locations.applebees.com

AZU LUCYHO’S RESTAURANTOne free kids meal for children under 8 on

Mondays with purchase of adult entree for dine-in customers.

3220 Apalachee Pkwy, Suite 13893-4112

azulucyhos.com

BAGEL BAGEL CAFEKids eat free on Mondays with purchase

of adult meal.Hours: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

1460 Market Street668-9900

b2cafe.com

BARBERITOSKids eat free with purchase of an adult

meal after 4 p.m. Plus 99 cent tacos from 2 - 4 p.m.

1815 Thomasville Rd #630765-5712

www.barberitos.com

BARNACLE BILL’SKids eat free on Sundays with purchase of

adult meal.1830 N. Monroe

385-8734barnaclebills.com

BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’SKids eat free on Tuesdays with purchase

of adult meal for kids 12 and under for dine-in customers.Hours: 4 - 8 p.m.

See website for various locations.beefobradys.com

BIANCA PIZZAKids eat free on Tuesday nights.

444 Appleyard Dr580-5020

biancapizza.com

BLACK BEAN CAFEKids eat free with purchase of adult meal

for dine-in customers.2205 Apalachee Parkway

656-7848blackbeantally.com

CABO’S ISLAND GRILL AND BARKids eat free with purchase of adult meal

on Saturdays. Hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

1221 Apalachee Parkway878-7707

cabosgrill.com

CAPTAIN D’S SEAFOOD99 cent kids meal on Thursdays with pur-chase of adult meal for dine-in customers.

151 East Orange Ave325-1100

captainds.com

CHINA SUPER BUFFETKids under 3 eat free everyday.

2698 N. Monroe553-9292

CODY’S ORIGINAL ROADHOUSEKids 10 and under eat free on Mondays

and Tuesdays with the purchase of adult meal.

1926 Capital Circle NE402-3014

codysamerican.com

COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGEKids eat free on Mondays with purchase

of adult meal. Hours: 5 - 8 p.m.

2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy894-4110

cooshs.com

DENNY’SKids eat free on Tuesdays and Wednes-

days with purchase of adult meal.Hours: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

2690 N. Monroe523-4491

dennys.com

EARTH FAREKids eat free on Thursdays with purchase

of adult meal.Hours: 4:30 - 8 p.m.

2425 Apalachee Pkwy656-2279

earthfare.com

GENGHIS GRILLKids 11 and under eat free on Tuesdays

with purchase of adult meal.Hours: 4 p.m. - close

1400 Village Square Blvd #26422-4444

genghisgrill.com

GOLDEN CORRALKids 3 and under eat free with purchase

of adult meal.1630 N. Monroe

224-4363goldencorral.com

HOPKINS EATERYKids eat free after 5 p.m.

Lake Ella location: Thursdays, Capital Circle location: Sundays.

Hours: 5 - 9 p.m.1660-9 N. Monroe

hopkinseatery.com

HURRICANE GRILL AND WINGSKids 12 and under eat free on Tuesdays

with purchase of adult meal.6800 Thomasville Rd

597-9129hurricanewings.com

IHOPKids eat free every night from 4 - 10 p.m.

with purchase of adult meal.2840 Apalachee Pkwy

656-1621ihop.com

LITTLE ITALYKids 10 and under eat free spaghetti with

purchase of adult meal on Mondays.111-17 S. Magnolia Drive

878-7781littleitalytallahassee.com

LOS AMIGOSKids eat free on Wednesdays with

purchase of an adult meal. Dine-in & children’s entertainment provided.

2736 Capital Circle NE385-9992

facebook.com/losamigostally

LOS CAMPADRESKids eat free on Sundays.

2102 W. Pensacola St.576-8946

bestmexicanfoodtallahassee.com

MELTING POTKids 12 and under eat free on Sundays

with purchase of adult entree. 2727 N. Monroe

386-7440meltingpot.com

MILLER’S ALE HOUSEKids age 5-12 eat free on Tuesdays with

purchase of adult meal.722 Apalachee Pkwy

222-0364millersalehouse.com

MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILLKids eat free with purchase of adult meal.

Check website for locations.Hours: 3 p.m. - close

moes.com

MORELIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANTKids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays

with the purchase of adult meal.1355 Market Street

907-9173moreliasmexican.com

PEPPERS MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA

Kids eat free on Monday nights with purchase of adult meal.

1140 Capital Circle SE #15877-2020

peppersmexican.com

PIGGY’S BBQKids eat free after 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and all day on Saturdays with minimum

$8 adult purchase.1887 Capital Circle NE

piggysbbq.com

PIZZA HUTKids eat free on Tuesdays with a paying

adult. Dine-in and buffet only.1610 Capital Circle NE

942-2265pizzahut.com

PO BOYS CREOLE CAFEKids eat free on Mondays.

1944 W. Pensacola St.574-4144

poboys.com

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILLKids eat free on Sundays with purchase of

adult meal.Multiple locations - see website.

qdoba.com

THE RED ELEPHANTKids eat free on Tuesdays with purchase

of adult meal.2910 Kerry Forest Pkwyredelephantpizza.com

ROLY POLY SANDWICHESKids 12 and under eat free on Saturdays with purchase of adult combo and drink.

2202-1 Capital Circle NE386-7659

rolypoly.com

RUMMY’S PIZZAKids 12 and under eat free on Mondays

with purchase of adult meal.Hours: 4 p.m. - close

2887 Kerry Forest Pkwy878-8669

rummysgrill.com

SAN MIGUEL MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays with purchase of adult meal.

200 W. Tharpe St.385-3346

sanmigueltally.com

SHANE’S RIBSHACKKids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays.

1424 W. Tennessee St.309-7427

shanesribshack.com

SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-QKids 10 and under eat free on Saturdays

with purchase of adult meal.2707 N. Monroe St.

sonnysbbq.com

SOUTHWOOD GOLF CLUBKids eat free on Wednesdays with an

adult purchase.3750 Grove Park Drive

942-GOLF (4653)southwoodgolf.com

STEAK ‘N SHAKEOne free kids meal for every $8 spent on

adult meal, on the weekends.1459 Capital Circle NW

steaknshake.com

UP IN SMOKE PIT BAR-B-QKids 10 and under eat free on Mondays

with purchase of adult meal.402 Tennessee St.

upinsmokepitbbq.com

VILLAGE INNKids 10 and under eat free on Saturdays


villageinn.com

VILLAGE PIZZA & PASTAKids 12 and under eat free on Mondays

with purchase of adult meal.Hours: after 4 p.m.

893-9001villagepizzaandpasta.com

THE WARF EXPRESSKids 8 and under eat free on Thursdays


656-1688facebook.com/thewarfexpress


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