Chattanooga Parent - September 2011 by Chattanooga Parent

September 2011

Fr e e

N O R T H

G E O R G I A

letters

Dear Chattanooga and North Georgia Parent:

September, 2011 Volume VI • Issue 7 Advisory Board Becky Barnes Hamilton County Department of Health Dan Challener Public Education Foundation Mai Bell Hurley Community Volunteer Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee Read 20 Alison Lebovitz Community Volunteer Bea Laurie Girls, Inc.

Michael Kull Publisher/Advertising Jennifer Crutchfield Managing Editor/Advertising Jenny Hammond Copy Editor Evan Faires Design & Production Contributing Photographers David Andrews Jennifer Crutchfield Kate Forbes Dallimore Carol Guerra Dennis Palmer Rick Owens Photography Hatch Trovillion

Linda McReynolds United Way of Greater Chattanooga

Contributing Writers Liza Blair Sarah Clark Jennifer Crutchfield OJ Morgan Stevie Ray Dallimore The Bright School Kathie Fulghum Janis Hashe Henry Schulson Creative Discovery Museum Shelley Headrick Lu Lewis Dave Loftin Ray Swoffard Jas Milam Hamilton County Susan Sawyer Department of Education Edna Varner Mary Tanner University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Parent publications are GREAT places to advertise! For more information, please call: (423) 643-8499. Contact Info: Phone: 423.643.8499 Fax: 888.457.9602 E-mail: info@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com Chattanooga Parent is published monthly and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. North Georgia Parent is published monthly and is distributed throughout Walker and Catoosa Counties. Both publications are available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per monthly issue. Both publications may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

Chattanooga Parent and North Georgia Parent are published by Chattanooga Parent, LLC P. O. Box 4070 Chattanooga, TN 37405, phone 423.643.8499 fax 888.457.9602 The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted and property of Chattanooga Parent, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publishers. Chattanooga Parent and North Georgia Parent utilize freelance writers, and the views expressed within this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers or editors. Chattanooga Parent takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials. Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. Chattanooga Parent and North Georga Parent reserve the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Please keep letters within 500 words in length.

I just wanted to write and express my gratitude for the opportunity you provided for me to enjoy the Riverbend Festival last week. Thanks to the VIP tickets, we had a fantastic view of the Machine with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Their performance of Pink Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon was superb and even though I know you are not in charge of the weather it was great as well.But as I wrote I realized I have never said thank you for the magazine itself. Even though my child is grown now I still pick up a copy (free I might add) of each issue. I especially have enjoyed reading Dad’s Dispatch over the years. Keep up the good work, there is a whole new wave of parents coming!Once again, thank you! Mike GrayCrystal Daniel Cadieux New in town...found your magazine at the library and LOVED it. Great resource for local parents. Thanks! Billy and Sarah Andrews I read Jon’s article (Dad Dispatch August 2011) and it was fabulous! Ann-Marie Jerman Fitzsimmons via Facebook. We welcome your letters! If you have a question or comment for Chattanooga Parent or North Georgia Parent, please e-mail it to JCrutchfield@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com. Letters may be edited to meet space requirements.

contents

15 Chattanooga’s Parks and Recreation Department:

Live and Learn: The art of lying

Allied Arts: Partnerships Build Communities

Childwise: Art Therapy: A valuable tool for families

22 Feature: The Interfaith Homeless Network

The Kid’s Plate: A Honey of a Treat

25 “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”

The List: China

25 The “Next in Line” Internship Program

Servings from the Cereal Bowl

25 Calls for Chattanooga Artists

History Mystery: The Tunes and Triumphs of the Tivoli

28 Augmented Reality coming to a work of art near

Recreation Destinations

19 Calendar: Chattanooga family fun

you

29 The Dad Dispatch: From “Upstate Manhattan” to

House Calls: Low dosage, less stress at CT Ranch 12 Feature: We Have Met Education and It Is Us

Chattanooga; A dad, a director and dialogue

30 Because I Said So by Alison Lebovitz: Dear Tooth

Fairy

on the cover:

Chattanooga’s parks, Public Art and ART360 Chattanooga make a perfect playground for these tech-savvy youngsters. Photographer David Andrews found the Pritchard, Tuttle and Crutchfield kids introducing out-of-town friends to their favorite places and sculptor John Petrey’s blue Rhinoceros was top on their list. Photo courtesy David Andrews

DavidAndrewsPhoto.com

Read us on the Web (including the full page version)!

ChattanoogaParentOnline.com 3

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

The art of lying

Say it ain’t so! Edna recalls her own student days— and the tricks of the trade of factual “misdirection”

u Lewis does not have a deceptive bone in her body, so when I mentioned my bright idea for this month’s article, I knew I would be on my own for source material. I do have deceptive bones in my body, and they are perhaps what drew me to the background noise playing on my television the other day while I should have been focused on paperwork. Family Feud was on the Game Show Network. If you’ve ever watched Family Feud, you are familiar with the host’s prompt: “We surveyed 100 people, and the most popular answers are on the board.” On this particular day, the prompt ended with “Name someone you have lied to many times.” The number-one answer (36 percent of those surveyed) was “My Spouse.” A close second, named by 33 percent of the people surveyed, was “My Parents.” I thought the top answers would be “My Friends” and “My Coworkers.” But the bottom line is this: Both the answers and the prompt itself suggest there’s a lot of lying going on. Can this be true? In his essay, On the Decay of the Art of Lying, Mark Twain says, “None of us could live with an habitual truth-teller; but thank goodness none of us has to.” Ouch! Dr. Gail Saltz, author of Why People Lie, said in an interview on Today: “Everybody lies. It may only be ‘white’ lies, but everyone tells lies or ‘omits the truth’ sometimes. We start lying at around age 4 to 5, when children gain an awareness of the use and power of language.” The “art” of lying? The “use and power” of language? I have a theory, newly formed: Really good lying is an art requiring incredible talent, years of practice, and a fair amount of self-discipline. (You won’t have your parents nagging you to stick with it!) People on the receiving end of the well-crafted lie may prefer it to the truth, but they also have very high expectations if they are going to be duped. Once they discover the lie, they need some confidence that only a truly masterful lie could have been so convincing. Consider the following:

and I were naïve at first, believing the rumor that if you changed one word in a quotation, it wasn’t plagiarism. Once we really understood what expert plagiarism requires, we faced the fact that we weren’t that good at masking someone else’s ideas as our own. There were other acts of academic deception requiring less skill. I never used “My dog ate my homework,” but a personal favorite was inventing sources for my research paper. It’s a dated art form now; since the introduction of Google in 1996, it’s too easy to get caught. But back in the day it was an extraordinarily creative outlet for the budding genius (or future crook). We still talk about it at class reunions. In those days, teachers required 10 sources for the senior paper. Our thinking was, “Why search for 10 sources when you have enough quotations from three?” The solution: We simply invented the additional titles we needed. The secret to creating a credible source was to choose a very common author’s name. “James Richardson,” for example, was a safe choice. But make up a name like “Devon Richelieu,” and you would get caught for sure. My special gift for misdirection in a reference was slipping in an occasional “et al” after an author’s name, to please an English teacher’s heart. Another secret to inventing a source was choosing the right date of publication. We never chose a really recent date. With an old date, you could always claim the book was out of print; you just happened to find the quotation when your grandpa pulled the book from his private collection as you discussed your thesis with him during a school break. (That would be your grandpa in Mississippi, so a follow-up call to him in the ’60s required a long-distance charge.)

Joking aside, we all know lying is wrong, and any kind of deception (omission, deflection, silence) is still a lie.

The out-of-towners: When you need to tell a lie to decline an invitation, geography is everything. You simply tell the person extending the invitation that you can’t attend her party because you will be “out of town.” Think about it—a short drive to East Ridge or Rossville, and technically you are telling the truth. You did go out of town, if you reside within Chattanooga city limits. Use this excuse repeatedly as a way to fire the friends you don’t want. They will stop calling unless you trip up and run into one of them in the supermarket, when you are supposed to be on a plane. One other note: Take advantage of this opportunity to stretch the truth while you can, because the impending annexation of surrounding regions will require a longer drive. School days: Any student who has been found guilty of plagiarism can tell you it is not something you want to experience. When I was in school, my classmates

So tell me the truth: Joking aside, we all know lying is wrong, and any kind of deception (omission, deflection, silence) is still a lie. Those little tales we tell our spouses or parents to escape the consequences of our actions can cause real family feuds for generations. A lie to one friend can backfire, costing us the friendship we treasure most. And as for the art and skill required to keep a lie believable, some of the most famous liars we’ve known—people who were really good at it—are currently serving jail time. Crafting a good lie requires too much time and effort. Who has that kind of time? And if you find yourself constantly on the receiving end of a lie, try this response: “Tell me the truth, even if you think I won’t like it.” Your actions after you hear the truth will determine whether you ever hear it again. Because accepting the truth is an art, too. Veteran Chattanooga educators Lu Lewis and Edna Varner collaborate each month to address a topic of particular concern to area parents. If you have a concern you’d like them to discuss in print, send it to Lu and Edna care of Chattanooga Parent at Info@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Partnerships Build Communities By Rodney Van Valkenburg

Allied Arts has received a $250,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to become one of the 51 “Our Town” projects spread across 34 states. Allied Arts President Dan Bowers explained that, “Thanks to the ingenuity that our community partners brought to the table, this is the largest NEA grant that Allied Arts has ever received.” The new park, expected to be completed in the summer of 2012, will feature public art and will combine sculptural and interactive elements in a playground setting to be known as “Main Terrain”. The park will serve Battle Academy and the Chattanooga Convention Center, four neighborhoods and several corporate campuses. Through a partnership between the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Parks & Recreation, Department of Public Works, Public Art Chattanooga, local businesses, and non-profit organizations this new park will create a distinctive urban center that will combine sculpture, green space and a unique place for physical play. Photo courtesy Public Art Chattanooga Neighborhood partners include PlayCore, an international outdoor equipment manufacturer that will ensure the park design meets industry standards; Outdoor Chattanooga (a division of the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation); green|spaces; Ross/Fowler; the Trust for Public Land; the Active Living Transportation Network; the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Kennedy, Coulter, Rushing & Watson; two urban hostels; and two fitness centers. “The park will enlarge the Heavy Metal, an interactive s revitalization footprint by creating a installation at Coolidge Park, is a gathering space for the community, will great way to teach children about making sounds while enjoying use interactive public art to encourage the green spaces and outdoor fun active lifestyles, and will serve as a along the Tennessee River. catalyst for economic and community , growth”, said Peggy Townsend. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “In this time of great economic upheaval, Our Town provides communities an opportunity to reignite their economies.” Public art is designed to enrich the places and spaces where Chattanooga families live, work and play. While enhancing our city’s landscapes, public art installations also provide opportunities for interaction and aesthetic appreciation, stirring conversation and providing creative dimensions to civic spaces, encouraging outdoor activity and supporting tourism. More than 100 public art installations provide Chattanoogans and our visitors with unique opportunities for reflection, enjoyment and conversation, whether it is learning new dance steps on Frazier Avenue, making music with Heavy Metal at Coolidge Park or using the cell phone links to listen to the descriptions of art works on Main Street. Rodney Van Valkenburg Director of Communications/Arts Education Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga www.alliedartschattanooga.org

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Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Art Therapy: A valuable tool for families By Jas Milam, MAAT

here are many applications “K. painted without a word for art therapy: relaxation/ meditation, self expression, psycho for almost 30 minutes. It was education, self awareness, trauma when he titled his painting Sad relief and psychotherapy are just about Divorce that he revealed a few. Art therapy can address physical, emotional and spiritual his layers of watery sadness.” pain and can benefit people in hospitals, treatment centers, schools, and her husband, K’s father, are and nursing homes. It can both divorcing. K. , a quiet, beautiful, complement and pre-empt other blue-eyed boy, has not been talking therapeutic modalities. about it even when prompted. His Art therapy may be used with mother was concerned that he was children, teens and adults from age 4 stuffing his feelings. up and works in both individual and After an initial assessment it group settings. To be an art therapist was clear that he would be a good one needs an MAAT, a master’s candidate for art therapy. He was not degree in art and art therapy, and can Art is a powerful medium of expression and “K”, an 8-year-old boy, shared his very verbal, loved art and responded be board certified and registered. fears about divorce through silvery lines on a canvas. very positively to drawing and The Chattanooga area is home to seemed to “speak art”. We set out to quite a few art therapists who may be cover a 6 week Divorce for Young People series of art expression and education contacted through the Tennessee Art Therapy Association (TATA). sessions. The boy’s sister, age 5, will come to art therapy next. “One reason that art therapy is particularly effective for children One reason that art therapy is particularly effective for children is that they can express through art making things that might be too hard or too is that they can express through art things that might be too hard sophisticated to communicate verbally. K. was experiencing many strong or too sophisticated to communicate verbally.” feelings about a complicated subject and was ready to get them out. To facilitate emotional release I chose working with paint on paper. K, 8 year-old boy with divorcing parents The fluid quality of paint is perfect for evoking and expressing feelings. K is an 8 year-old boy. His mother brought him to see me because she K. painted without a word for almost 30 minutes. It was when he titled his painting “Sad about Divorce” that he revealed his layers of watery sadness. TACA Member Art Therapists in Chattanooga More importantly he heard that he could talk about the sadness any time he wanted. Sidonna Bright Blythe Mayfield LCSW, RPT, LPC, CGP MA in Art Therapy He heard that divorce is sad for most people, including children and parents. 423-596-0365 423-505-3184 He heard that his feelings were okay and that they would flow, just as he sidonnabright@yahoo.com thaloblue26@aol.com imagined, coming and going, happy and sad and that he was safe to feel it all. More importantly, he learned that painting was a good way for him to get his Cam Busch Jas MilamMAAT feelings out. M.Ed., RN, PMHCNS-BC, ATR-BC, LPAT 423-265-3056 cambusch@comcast.net

Chattanooga, TN 423-322-2514 jas@jasmilam.com

Megan Castronova MA in Art Therapy, BA Special Education 423-243-7308 megan_castronova@hotmail.com

Heather StanleyATR-BC Chattanooga, TN 423-413-3133 heatherstanley@gmail.com

Carrie May Ezell ATR, AP-BC 423-653-8116 carriemayezell@gmail.com

Jas Milam graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and completed a Masters degree in Art and Art Therapy. She is a former board member of AVA and was a presenter at the 2010 Tennessee Art Therapy Association conference. Jas currently conducts workshops for individuals and groups at the Rivoli Art Mill in East Lake and facilitates art therapy groups at local treatment centers and at the AIM Center. Parenting question? Send it to Childwise c/o Chattanooga Parent via e-mail: info@ ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com, or send a letter to Childwise c/o Chattanooga Parent, P.O. Box 4070, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Nutrition, food, and fun

A Honey of a Treat By Liza Blair

Remove from grill and drizzle with honey before serving. For an extra treat, wrap the honeyed fruit in a whole wheat tortilla that has been brushed with cinnamon flavored honey. Photo courtesy Creative Discovery Museum

ne of the best things about honey bees is the honey they produce! Honey has many nutritional benefits plus it is a natural choice for a sweetener kids will love.* For older kids and adults the honeyed treats below will be a sweet way to enjoy another aspect of these honey Bee-u-ti-ful marvels of nature.

Chattanooga children learn all about honey and the valuable role bees play in our world at Buzz Alley, the new feature at the Creative Discovery Museum.

Flavored Honeys For any of the recipes below try adding herbs or spices to the honey before you use it. Some great ideas for flavors include… Minced mint - try a variety of mints such as spearmint, chocolate mint or orange mint Minced rosemary Cinnamon, apple pie or pumpkin pie spice Honey Tortillas Spread a whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter, Nutella, cream cheese or butter. Add a sprinkle of granola for a little crunch. Drizzle with honey. Roll the tortilla and enjoy a spectacular Sometimes -Treat. Add a banana or some shredded carrots to make this a main course sandwich. Honeyed Grilled Fruit Choose firm ripe fruit such as yummy fall apples or pears, fresh pineapple, or even the last of summer’s peaches. Cut in half or into slices thick enough to stay on the grill. Brush with oil to keep it from sticking to the grill. Grill on both sides over medium to low heat until grill marks appear.

Honey N Cheese Ever thought of honey on cheese? It’s delicious. Choose a whole wheat cracker. Top it with a small chunk of cheese – cheddar, goat, Gouda or any other flavor you like. Drizzle with a little honey – even a flavored one – and enjoy. Honey Ice Cream For a Sometimes-Treat, drizzle a flavored honey over any flavor of ice cream. For an All-of- the- TimeTreat, add a little honey to Greek yogurt and stir in your favorite fruit. Sprinkle with granola.

* Please note, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends honey not be given to children under the age of 12 months, so check with your pediatrician before preparing any of the treats listed below for your toddler. Liza Blair is arts manager for the Creative Discovery Museum.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

China

One World, Many Stories – The Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Compiled by Shelley Headrick

Children’s Department, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

for libary information visit: www.lib.chattanooga.gov

Ruby’s Wish By Yim Shirin Bridges Reading level: PreK – 2nd In a time when most girls abandon their studies at a young age, Ruby dreams of going to university.

Liu and the Bird: a Journey in Chinese Calligraphy By Catherine Louis Reading level: K – 4th While introducing Chinese calligraphy, this book follows the The Runaway Rice Cake story of a young girl By Ying Chang Compestine and her dreams. Reading level: K – 3rd In the tradition of The Gingerbread Boy, a rice cake runs away from the Chang family. Dream-of-Jade: the Emperor’s Cat By Lloyd Alexander Reading level: 2nd – 4th A cat becomes an advisor to a Celestial The Warlord’s Beads Emperor of ancient By Virginia Pilegard China. Reading level: K – 3rd

A boy and his father count a warlord’s treasure by using an abacus.

The Emperor’s Painting: a Story of Ancient China. By Jessica Gunderson Reading level: 2nd – 4th An arrogant student believes he is the most Lin Yi’s Lantern: a talented painter in Moon Festival Tale China. By Brenda Williams Reading level: K – 3rd Lin Yi is sent to market to buy supplies for the Chinese Moon Festival.

Tofu Quilt By Ching Yeung Russell Reading level: 3rd – 6th In 1960s Hong Kong, a young girl aspires to become an author and poet.

Garden of the Purple Dragon By Carole Wilkinson Reading level: 5th – 8th Ping cares for a baby purple dragon, the last of the Imperial dragons.

The Kite Rider By Geraldine McCaughrean Reading level: 5th – 9th In 13th century China, a twelve-year-old becomes a circus kite rider.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Servings from the Cereal Bowl

Sample the Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl

Grab you kid and a cup of coffee and tune in to the “Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl,” hosted by Dave Loftin Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. on the Web at WAWL.org. He posts his weekly playlists on SaturdayCerealBowl.com. And now you can take your cereal bowl with you�in podcast form! Go to SaturdayCerealBowl.podbean.com, or simply search the iTunes store. Don’t worry, parents, it’s free!

Chris Ballew, front man for the alt-rock band The Presidents of the United States of America, once again connects with the smaller set on his latest Caspar Babypants CD, Sing Along! This release, his fourth in about three years, is once more a great mix of original tunes and whimsical twists on nursery rhyme classics. But like his previous work there are quite a few standout tracks. “Funny Bone” is nothing short of a soundtrack for spending an entire morning running around the house playing with your toddler, then collapsing to the floor in laughter when you catch him. Chris is never short on the purely silly songs. Point in case, “My Flea Has Dogs”. He’s even been able to make “Ba Ba Black Sheep” appealing. Many guesst join Caspar; “Weird Al” Yankovic (of course) plays accordion and Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard brings his bongos. Kindie artists Johnny Bregar, Frances England and Recess Monkey lend their talents as well. Sing Along! will have your tots laughing, singing and having the time of their lives.

The Hipwaders

The Golden State

Kindie-rock trio The Hipwaders have been rockin’ for the kiddies for the last six years and show no signs of slowing. The first track from The Golden State, “My Dog Steve” takes me back to the straight-up alternative sounds of the ‘90s. That song gets you ready to move and shake to “The Ramble”. You 30-something parents will enjoy the Matthew Sweet-esque “Go Go Girl”. The bouncy ska sound of “Stand Up to the Bully” delivers some words of wisdom concerning how to deal with the tormentor. The Hipwaders continue to educate kids about rock and roll and also keep parents jamming right Concussions_HalfPgAd_PrntMag2011_CTP_HR.pdf 1 8/31/11 along 3:30 withPMthem and The Golden State is a prerequisite at the kindie university.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

The Tunes and Triumphs of the Tivoli By Jennifer Crutchfield Photo courtesy the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

he “Jewel of the South: sits grandly on Broad Street in T Chattanooga. The ninety-year-old historic showplace opened in 1921 and the Tivoli’s high domed ceiling, grand lobby and elegant foyer

accentuated its place as a state-of-the-art facility, unique for its ability to host both silent movies and live performances. A 1963 Benwood grant saved the Tivoli as television thinned its crowds and placement on the National Register of Historic Places saved it from demolition. The City of Chattanooga preserved it during a 1989 restoration and today its ornate chandelier sparkles with the sounds of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association. Chattanooga children thrill at the Beaux-Arts style of decor, the Wurlitzer Piano and the history that graces the walls as they attend live performances in a building that has hosted generations of their ancestors. Allied Arts, formerly the Chattanooga Arts Council, was one of the early leaders in preserving the iconic landmark and in 1979 they received a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to perform a feasibility study to restore the Tivoli. A private campaign finally raised another $3.2 million and with a contribution from the City of Chattanooga work began in 1986. The two-year renovation included a cosmetic overhaul and a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting system. The orchestra pit was equipped with a hydraulic lift, a new “green room” was built and rehearsal facilities were added. Over 14 feet were added to the stage depth to accomodate the requirements of modern concerts and theatrical tours.

The Tivoli was one of the first public buildings in the country to be air conditioned and in 1926 Chattanoogans were “cool customers”. The Tivoli is home to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association and hosts a variety of road tours every year. Graduates of Chattanooga High School in 1933 gave the first concert of the newly Did you know that these are some of the famous actors and entertainers who came from Chattanooga, Tennessee? Actor Dennis Haskins, Film star Samuel L. Jackson, Opera singer Grace Moore, Blues legend Bessie Smith, Pop star Usher, Daytime TV star Nancy Sloan. Can you and your children name some more?

formed Chattanooga Symphony, guided by a passion for playing classical music. Melvin Margolin and Borden Jones led their former schoolmates and began a tradition that continues today. An amazing couple, a pair of musicians who were escaping from Nazi-occupied Germany, were drawn to the Scenic City and in 1943 Dr. Werner Wolff and his wife Emmy Land Wolff founded the Chattanooga Opera Company with a Chattanooga local, Dorothy Hackett Ward. Their fame in German opera houses followed them to Chattanooga and they were able to draw international celebrities to their productions. Isaac Stern, Artur Rubenstein, Oscar Levant and Robert Merrill performed for Chattanooga audiences as well as stars like Beverly Sills, John Vickers and Norman Triegle. In 1985 another first hit the Tivoli and Chattanooga became home to the first and only symphonic and opera organization of its kind in the United States. The merger created the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association (CSOA) and it celebrated its 75th year entertaining our families in 2008. Chattanooga children thrill to the sounds and sights of the incredible Tivoli and families are drawn to diverse and amazing offerings at the historic venue. Visit www.Chattanoogaonstage.com for event schedules and ticket information and plan an exciting musical adventure for your family.

Visit www. chattanoogasymphony. org for a concert calendar with information on activities, events and ticket sales.

Jennifer Crutchfield, managing editor of Chattanooga Parent, chases mysteries along with her boys George, Will and Max. Contact Jennifer at JCrutchfield@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Low dosage, less stress at CT Ranch By Susan Sawyer

Photo courtesy Rick Owens Photography

ummer Cobb steps into the CT the dosage, the better.” Ranch at Children’s Hospital at Equipped with a special software Erlanger, and her face lights up with package, the CT scanner performs a big smile. Unlike most sterile exams at lower radiation, but with medical settings, the whimsical the same image quality as higher western motif in the new Emily dose exams. “And we tailor the Ransom Pediatric CT Ranch exam to the patient’s size and health immediately puts kids like five-yearcondition,” Dr. Sammer explains. old Summer at ease. Tailoring the exam is a Colorful wall murals and collaboration between the patient’s comfortable furniture carry the physician, the pediatric radiologist, western theme throughout the and the pediatric CT technologist kid-friendly space. The cartoon– all working together at Children’s like characters on the walls take Hospital to provide exceptional care away some of the intimidation for patients like Summer. and stress that sometimes occurs The Emily Ransom Pediatric when children are exposed to an CT Ranch, named in memory of unfamiliar medical environment. Jonathon and Wendy Ransom’s The daughter of Jennifer and daughter, opened earlier this year. Clinton Cobb of Chattanooga, During Emily Ransom’s battle Summer undergoes CT scans four against a rare form of cancer called times a year. A cancerous tumor neuroblastoma, the two-year-old had robbed the child of her right kidney routine scans at Erlanger. Wanting Summer Cobb has to undergo CT scans four times each year. The new scanner at shortly before her third birthday, to provide a pediatric CT scanner CT Ranch makes it easier for kids like Summer. and regular CT scans now help at Children’s Hospital in Emily’s physicians make sure that Summer memory, the Ransoms and the remains tumor-free. community helped to raise funds to purchase the scanner. The new 64-slice scanner at the CT Ranch is dedicated to making tests easier Now kids like Summer fearlessly enter the CT Ranch, and parents have the for kids like Summer. Since it’s tough for kids to stay still, the lightning-fast assurance of knowing that Children’s Hospital at Erlanger is the right place for speed of the scanner makes it much easier to obtain an accurate detailed image kids…right here at home. in the shortest amount of time. This advanced equipment can scan a child’s abdomen in an average time of 4 seconds. Young patients also benefit from the knowledge of physicians working Susan Sawyer is the Publications Editor at the Erlanger Health System. behind the scenes at the CT Ranch. Three full-time, board-certified pediatric For more information, call 423-778-LINK(5465). radiologists at Children’s Hospital are experts in interpreting and performing pediatric imaging studies. “We’ve implemented low radiation dose protocols for the new CT scanner,” explains Marla Sammer, MD, pediatric radiologist at Children’s Hospital. “And we also collaborate with clinicians to ensure the appropriate imaging study is performed, utilizing ultrasound or MRI – imaging studies that do not use radiation – as alternatives.” Ivy Academy is a tuition-free, public charter high During routine quarterly CT scans at Erlanger over the last two years, Summer school focusing on hands-on learning with an received the current pediatric protocols, which were designed to be low dose for kids. But on her first trip to the new pediatric CT scanner at the CT Ranch with outdoor classroom. its additional protocols and new technology, her radiation dose was less than half For the active learner! the dose of her previous exam. On average, CT’s similar to Summer’s have been performed with 45% less dosage than prior scanners. 8443 Dayton Pike * Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 And the lower dosage puts her mother’s mind at ease. “I’ve been worried 423-305-7494 about the long-term effects of so much radiation exposure,” explains Jennifer www.ivyacademychattanooga.com Cobb. “After all, who knows how long she’ll have to have CT scans? The lower

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

We Have Met Education and It Is Us Communities reach out to improve schools By Janis Hashe

ecognizing how important artists. These residencies are communities’ contributions made possible with our Allied Arts are to great schools isn’t new: The and Tennessee Arts Commission national nonprofit Communities grants. in Schools has been around since “Musician parents and artists the ’70s, fulfilling its mission from the Folk School of Music of improving graduation rates. have also performed and made (www.communitiesinschools.org) presentations for our students in But at the national level, music class.” bills supporting community These connections have been so involvement have been unable successful, she says, that Battle is to get through Congress. The always looking for more ways to federal Keeping Parents and further them. Communities Engaged (Keeping “This year, we collaborated PACE) Act of 2009-10 would with artists Steve Terlizzese and have supported the work of Isaac Duncan in the creation of Communities in Schools—but permanent works for our school,” died in committee. she says. It’s become apparent that “Our new mosaics at the corner Photo courtesy Carol Guerra the involvement of local of Market and Main have made Carla Guerra and her students at Battle Academy are all smiles when they talk communities, on their own our school a prominent part of the about their school and the art that they create. initiative, is key to improving Southside community. Students public schools. Increasingly, created hundreds of clay works to communities in Hamilton County are stepping up to partner with schools to incorporate into this mosaic and parents worked with Mr. Terlizzese to help get give students the education and opportunities they deserve. our panels grouted and ready for installation. “Our first outdoor sculpture, located in our rooftop garden, was designed Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy in collaboration with Mr. Duncan and our Garden Club third-grade students. At Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy, community They worked through the design process with discussions, sketches and the partners included a diverse range of organizations, corporations and private creation of small paper models. individuals. Part of the Benwood Initiative since 2003, the school partners “Funding for these came from the community and local businesses. The with Crabtree Farms in the innovative Farms-to-Schools program and has artists themselves are our invaluable patrons in collaborating with us to make its own, flourishing garden. In May, the school dedicated its Wetlands Living this possible for our students.” Classroom, made possible through partnerships with TVA’s Partners in She adds, “At our school’s fall festival, we host a number of local artist Education, the Hamilton County Water Quality Program, Chattanooga State, vendors who also donate a work of art or service to our silent auction to Earthscapes and Engineered Verdant Solutions. Principal Becky Coleman support our arts education program.” described the project as a “working lab” where both science and art projects will take place. Nearly 110 community volunteers planted more than 500 native species to make the wetlands project happen. CDESA students also launched their own literary magazine, Black & Bright, with the encouragement and help of community volunteers. Art was also a part of the project, supported by partnerships with the Art with Dad program and nonprofit Art Part, which offers art classes to urban schools.

“These connections add an additional layer of arts instruction and exposure of various art forms for our students in the visual arts, drama, music, dance and puppetry.”

Battle Academy Battle Academy has a long history of partnerships between the school and artists in the community, notes Battle art teacher Carla Guerra. “We partner with artists from the Southeast Center for Education in the Arts, and Ballet Tennessee, to run residencies with various grade levels during the school year, making connections to classroom curriculum. Kofi Mawuko, from Mawre & Company and the band Ogya, is also one of our longtime teaching

The students benefit in multiple ways. “These connections add an additional layer of arts instruction and exposure to various art forms for our students in the visual arts, drama, music, dance and puppetry. They provide a varied venue through which students can experience classroom curriculum, connections to other disciplines and showcase their learning,” Guerra says. Guerra also teaches children’s art classes locally through Townsend Atelier, located down the street from Battle Academy, and founder Peggy Townsend

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

hopes to create a partnership between her studio and the school. “We’d love to explore that, and help augment what they do,” she says. And beyond Battle, she would like to look into helping other schools. “There are so many schools that have no arts education at all,” she says. Townsend Atelier also allows high-school students with parental permission to attend life-drawing classes. “These are very important in building a portfolio for students seriously interested in pursuing art,” she says. Normal Park Museum Magnet Both the lower and upper schools at Normal Park Museum Magnet have achieved nationwide recognition for innovative community partnerships. The upper school recently broke ground for its outdoor classroom, the Sunlab, made possible through the involvement of multiple parents and community partners.

heard.” Community partnerships of this kind can’t help but play a bigger role in helping schools and students achieve, he says. “As budgets get slimmer, it’s crucial to come up with more creative ways to generate opportunities. And many people and companies are eager to be supportive of education.”

“We want the Dalewood students to see that the community is committed to helping their school. Our intention is to go on and help other schools.” Dalewood Middle School Yet another partnership is helping to spruce up Dalewood Middle School. On April 8, a 24-hour “CreateAThon” was held at the school, a joint project of CreateHere, the Community Foundation and the UTC design department. Kate Creason, a CreateHere Arts Fellow, has been hands-on with the idea from the beginning. “More than 100 people from the community participated in one way or another in the CreateAThon,” she says. “The UTC design team was very proactive in reaching out to the community.” For 24 hours, the volunteers brainstormed on projects, selected them, and began the design process, she M explains. “Brainstorming went on from about 10 ore v ies, & began.” o M a.m. to 3 p.m.—then selection , ’s oks, CD were ultimately selected: Redesigning the school’s art room to d Boprojects UseFour

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Continued on page 14...

Photo courtesy Hatch Trovillion

Normal Park student Corbin Beck focused his attention on the camera as he and other middle school students produced a documentary about Chattanooga and LEED certification.

In December of 2010, 13 students from the upper school’s Digital Media in Motion Lab premiered their original documentary film LEED, Follow or Get Out of the Way. The students, ranging in age from 6th to 8th graders, were led by teacher Matthew Craig, who explains that the project began as a suggestion from local actor, filmmaker and substitute teacher Dylan Kussman, along with support from green|spaces’ Jeff Cannon. “Dylan, Jeff and I were all having dinner when the idea originated,” Craig says. “Jeff said green|spaces needed a visual piece explaining what LEED certification is, and I saw a connection with the media lab students.” Kussman acted as “associate producer” of the project, facilitating the preproduction, shooting and post-production of the film, while Cannon appears in it, and provided green|spaces for the doc’s premiere. The film was shot in 10 days and was very much the students’ own project, Craig says. “We were driving the project for a couple of days, and then it was very much, ‘Get out of our way,’” he laughs. “What I took away from it is that they aren’t old enough to vote, but they’re old enough for their voices to be

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Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Rhythm and Schools:

...Continued from page 13

“As budgets get slimmer, it’s crucial to come up with more creative ways to generate opportunities. And many people and companies are eager to be supportive of education.” create more space and make it more student-friendly; redesigning the lobby area, creating seating, a visual timeline of the school and a banner system promoting school spirit; redesigning the school’s virtual presence through a new web site and an online gallery for students’ art; and documenting the design process so that the school has a record, and also so that it potentially can be replicated in other schools. “We want the Dalewood students to see that the community is committed to helping their school,” Creason says. “Our intention is to go on and help other schools.” The projects are currently being implemented in the school and more volunteers are needed. Contact Creason at kate@createhere.org or (423) 648-2195 if you would like to help. What one takes away from all these projects is that community engagement is the future of great schools. But the schools mentioned represent only a tiny fraction of all Hamilton County schools. Is there a way you or your company can get involved and help? There is truly no time like the present—and no more important contribution you can make.

e asked founding Shaking Ray Levi Society member (and percussionist extraordinaire) Bob Stagner about the SRLS’s ongoing commitment to schools. Chattanooga Parent: The SRLS has a long history of being involved in the schools. What was the original impetus to get involved?

Photo courtesy Shaking Ray Archives

The Shaking Ray Levi Society produces an interactive drum workshop for students at schools and recreation centers. These students at Carver Recreation Center created a sonic vocabulary with hand drums and simple percussion instruments!

Bob Stagner: It’s funny to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Twenty-five years ago, when SRLS was a baby, our group invited itself to be a part of Allied Arts Artist-in Residence (AIR) program. Artists were asked to present their work in workshop/performance. There’s always been a focus to direct students to band or orchestra systems, but nothing for the children thinking beyond and into the normal/healthy/creative world of improvisation. In writing, and sometimes drawing, students are asked to create from available resources, but never sound. So we tried, without really knowing it at the time, to fill a void. A void that exists to this day, now that most AIR programs are being replaced by field trips. I’ve now had the rare chance to meet with teachers from our days of early development and have been surprised to hear how our methods are comparing to 45 years ago. CP: What schools are you currently working with? What are you bringing to them?

BS: As working artists living in Chattanooga, you cannot stand still or refuse to evolve. We are open to any any and all schools that invite us. In the past decade, we have been working with the most underserved, but most deserving, such as Dawn School in Bradley County, Dade Elementary in Hamilton County and in rural areas. Great things are happening in these places—for example East Lake Middle’s weeklong acoustic/electric instrument-building workshop presented last year, and preschool/adult classes at the Signal Centers. CP: Do you foresee more community/schools partnerships as districts are forced to grapple with budget cuts? BS: Yes. We have joined forces with a number of organizations. Our work with TRAP (The Rhythmic Arts Project) a proven percussion-therapy program is a perfect fit with our existing workshops. We now have residences in Signal Centers, Orange Grove Center, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, VSA in Nashville, Sweetwater Autism Camp, Tennessee Association for the Deaf and Blind, and teach throughout the South—not just at schools, but centers working with all intellectual disabilities. Budgets are always going to be an issue, but where there’s a will there’s a way. CP: What would make community/school partnerships even better?

BS: Just shadow anyone working with the arts and in our schools. We welcome you. For more information about the SRLS, visit www.shakingray.com.

CHATTANOOGA & NORTH GEORGIA

Calendar of Events September 1-31, 2011

Featured Listings for September Project Ready for School Birthday Bash! Warner Park Sunday September 18 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm Fun, games, face painters more!

Little Piggies Kids Consignment 1906 Taft Hwy Signal Mtn, TN 37377 www.littlepiggiesconsignment.com

Monday, September 12th: 10 am – 2 pm Tuesday, September 13th: 9 am - Noon & 6 pm – 8 pm Wednesday, September 14th: 10 am – 2 pm Thursday, September 15 th: 4 pm – 8 pm Friday, September 16th: 10 am- Noon (25% off day) Saturday, September 17th: 9 am- 2 pm (half price day!) Interested in being featured in our calendar? Contact a Chattanooga Parent representative by emailing info@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com today!

DAILY LISTINGS Thursday, September 1 Mystery at the Nightmare Office Party 138 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN Vaudeville Cafe

Friday, September 2 Latin Fire @ The Incline Railway Chattanooga, TN Incline Railway, 3917 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 8214224. www.ridetheincline.com. RailFest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum http://tvrail.com/pages/Railfest, Chattanooga, TN Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special

celebration on Labor Day weekend, Sept 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2011 starting at 9 AM. In addition to train rides, attendees will be able to enjoy live musical entertainment, children’s activities, festival food, and more. Warner Park Splash and Play Warner Park Pool. Chattanooga, TN Open Friday 10-2pm (splash and play only), Saturday and Sunday 12:30-5pm (pool and splash and play) starting Wednesday, August 10th through Labor Day. The Pool and Splash and Play will open 12:30-5pm on Labor Day! Just $3 for adults, $2 for 13 and under, 2 and under FREE! Don’t miss the fun before summer is done! Contact Peggy Grall at 423-797-1385 for more information and times. Event Website: h t t p : //www. c h at t an o o g a . g o v / P R AC / 3 0 _ WarnerParkPoolSprayPark.htm

Saturday, September 3

Sunday, September 4

RailFest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum http://tvrail.com/pages/Railfest, Chattanooga, TN Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special celebration on Labor Day weekend, Sept 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2011 starting at 9 AM. In addition to train rides, attendees will be able to enjoy live musical entertainment, children’s activities, festival food, and more.

Warner Park Splash and Play Warner Park Pool. Chattanooga, TN Open Friday 10-2pm (splash and play only), Saturday and Sunday 12:30-5pm (pool and splash and play) starting Wednesday, August 10th through Labor Day. The Pool and Splash and Play will open 12:30-5pm on Labor Day! Just $3 for adults, $2 for 13 and under, 2 and under FREE! Don’t miss the fun before summer is done! Contact Peggy Grall at 423-797-1385 for more information and times. Event Website: h t t p : / / w w w. c h a t t a n o o g a . g o v / P R AC / 3 0 _ WarnerParkPoolSprayPark.htm

Monday, September 5 RailFest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum http://tvrail.com/pages/Railfest, Chattanooga, TN Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special celebration on Labor Day weekend, Sept 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2011 starting at 9 AM. In addition to train rides, attendees will be able to enjoy live musical entertainment, children’s activities, festival food, and more. Jack and Jill Kid’s Sale 5770 Brainerd Road, Brainerd Village, Chattanooga, TN Sept 5-9 10am-7pm Sept 10 (1/2 price sale) 10am4pm

Daily Listings continued Tuesday, September 6 Jack and Jill Kid’s Sale 5770 Brainerd Road, Brainerd Village, Chattanooga, TN Sept 5-9 10am-7pm Sept 10 (1/2 price sale) 10am4pm

Wednesday, September 7 Jack and Jill Kid’s Sale 5770 Brainerd Road, Brainerd Village, Chattanooga, TN Sept 5-9 10am-7pm Sept 10 (1/2 price sale) 10am4pm

Thursday, September 8 Jack and Jill Kid’s Sale 5770 Brainerd Road, Brainerd Village, Chattanooga, TN Sept 5-9 10am-7pm Sept 10 (1/2 price sale) 10am4pm

Friday, September 9 Jack and Jill Kid’s Sale 5770 Brainerd Road, Brainerd Village, Chattanooga, TN Sept 5-9 10am-7pm Sept 10 (1/2 price sale) 10am4pm

Saturday, September 10

Beverly Semmes: Starcraft Until Oct. 23 Featuring installations, photography, collage, pottery and crystal.

Fall Classes for Kids • Art After School (classes for ages 6 to 13) •Pre-K Days and Pre-K Holidays

Call 423.267.0968.

huntermuseum.org

Brainerd Farmers Market Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, TN The Brainerd Farmers Market reopens this spring with more seasonal, organic produce and fruit than ever, grass-fed beef, lots of farm fresh eggs, coffee, flour, plants, flowers, jerky, worm compost, crafts and displays. Brainerd Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from June through October from 10 am to 1 pm Come meet the farmers, see your neighbors and friends, and take home delicious, healthy food. For more info call (423) 458-6281. Doggie Paddle at Warner Park Chattanooga, TN The McKamey Animal Center will host the 2011 Doggie Paddle at Warner Park. For more information visit www.mckameyanimalcenter. org. Battle of Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment Tunnel Hill, GA The Battle of Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment will take place September 1011, 2011 at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. Parking: Free (donations accepted) NOTE: Admission to the Heritage Center and Tunnel are included with the Reenactment fee. For more information contact 706-876-1571 or visit www. tunnelhillheritagecenter.com/#!reenactment Downtown Gallery Hop Chattanooga, TN Presented by the Association for Visual Arts (AVA), the sixth annual Downtown Chattanooga Gallery Hop will take place on Saturday,

September 10 from 2 to 9 p.m. Check out incredible local art at more than 20 galleries and artist studios. Enjoy special exhibitions, artist demonstrations, and refreshments as you do the hop. It is a free and fun evening for everyone in Chattanooga to come and see something new. For more information, please visit www.avarts. org/galleryhop For more information. 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM Prairie Home Companion Summer of Love Tour Memorial Auditorium. 399 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion Summer Love Tour 2011 stops in Chattanooga as the crosscountry tour takes the popular radio host and his pals from East to West Coast, Alaska to Texas and over a dozen other cities along the way. Tickets are $68.00, $48.00 & $38.00. Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show begins at 7:30 PM EDT.

Sunday, September 11 Battle of Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment Tunnel Hill, GA The Battle of Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment will take place September 1011, 2011 at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. Parking: Free (donations accepted) NOTE: Admission to the Heritage Center and Tunnel are included with the Reenactment fee. For more information contact 706-876-1571 or visit www. tunnelhillheritagecenter.com/#!reenactment

Monday, September 12 Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon

Tuesday, September 13 Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon

Wednesday, September 14 Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 From 9/1 to 9/30/11 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon

September 1 – 31, 2011 Thursday, September 15 Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon

Friday, September 16 Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon CAMOMC Children’s Consignment Sale Chattanooga, TN 1517 Tombras Avenue #2, East Ridge, TN Terrific community consignment sale!

Saturday, September 17 Brainerd Farmers Market Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, TN The Brainerd Farmers Market reopens this spring with more seasonal, organic produce and fruit than ever, grass-fed beef, lots of farm fresh eggs, coffee, flour, plants, flowers, jerky, worm compost, crafts and displays. Brainerd Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from June through October from 10 am to 1 pm Come meet the farmers, see your neighbors and friends, and take home delicious, healthy food. For more info call (423) 458-6281. Little Piggies Consignment Sale 1906 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN Sept 12 10am-2pm Sept 13 9am-noon 6pm-8pm Sept 14 10am-2pm Sept 15 4pm-8pm Sept 16 (25% off sale) 10am-noon Sept 17 (1/2 price sale) 9am-noon CAMOMC Children’s Consignment Sale Chattanooga, TN 1517 Tombras Avenue #2, East Ridge, TN Terrific community consignment sale! Southeast Social at Bendabout Farm McDonald, TN The 3rd Annual Southeast Social will be held at Bendabout Farm in Cleveland, TN. The event is a casual and fun party where The Land Trust for Tennessee’s friends and partners come together to help raise funds for the on-going and future conservation efforts. For more information please visit www.landtrusttn.org or call (615) 244-LAND(5263).

Let us know about your family-friendly event!

Send calendar submissions to Calendar@ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com. Please include event address and contact information, and submit at least six weeks prior to event date.

Daily Listings September 1 – 31, 2011

Sunday, September 18 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages. 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Project Ready for School Birthday Party Chattanooga, TN Project Ready for School Birthday Party with games, fun and excitement for children of all ages.

Monday, September 19 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages.

Tuesday, September 20 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages.

Wednesday, September 21 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages.

Thursday, September 22 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages.

Friday, September 23 All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high quality merchandise for children of all ages.

Saturday, September 24 Brainerd Farmers Market Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, TN The Brainerd Farmers Market reopens this spring with more seasonal, organic produce and fruit than ever, grass-fed beef, lots of farm fresh eggs, coffee, flour, plants, flowers, jerky, worm

compost, crafts and displays. Brainerd Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from June through October from 10 am to 1 pm Come meet the farmers, see your neighbors and friends, and take home delicious, healthy food. For more info call (423) 458-6281. All About Kids Consignment 3605 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank, TN Consignment sale with high merchandise for children of all ages.

quality

2011 Skyhoundz World Championship Chattanooga, TN man’s best friend will take to the skies to compete in the 2011 Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship at AT&T Field, home of the Chattanooga Lookouts on September 24, 2011. Admission to the World Championship is free for spectators although a one-dollar per person donation to the McKamey shelter is suggested. Enchanted Maize Blowing Springs Farm, Chattanooga, TN Minutes from downtown Chattanooga at the foot of Lookout Mountain, the Enchanted MAiZE is a fun-filled, interactive experience for all ages. Submerse yourself deep inside our specially designed cornfield. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www. enchantedmaze.com.

Answered Prayer Parents Tell How Struggling Son Discovers His Potential

“When we started with the LearningRx program we were already attending a local tutoring center, but noticed Justin was still struggling through his sophomore year schoolwork. They were tutoring him to bring him up to his grade level, but there was still something missing. Justin had been on Ritalin since 1st grade, but it no longer seemed to be working. He wanted to stop the medication, but every time we tried, his grades plummeted quickly.

Call your local LearningRx Center to get the full story.

We prayed for a solution to our problems...”

Chattanooga

(423) 305-1599 www.learningrx.com/chattanooga-east

Call to schedule a cognitive skills test today.

A Walk for Cammy’s Cause Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN The Mary Cameron Robinson Foundation is hosting its sixth annual fundraiser, “A Walk for Cammy’s Cause,” in memory of Mary Cameron (Cammy) Robinson. Registration starts at 8:00am and walk begins at 9:30am. For more information visit http://www.mcrfoundation.com. Hamilton County Fair Chattanooga, TN Hamilton County Fair @ Chester Frost Park – 10 a.m. The Hamilton County Fair, held on Dallas Island in Chester Frost Park, will officially kick off the fall season in Hamilton County Saturday, September 24 through Sunday, September 25, 2011. The event celebrates the community’s heritage and traditions with arts, crafts, music, food and blue ribbon awards.

at Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center December 16-18

held at VanCura Ballet Conservatory Patten Center 3202 Kelly’s Ferry Road September 10: Noon-1:00PM: Boys & Girls ages 6 & 7 1:00-2:00PM: Boys & Girls ages 8-10 2:15-3:15PM: Boys & Girls ages 11-15

Prepared? 33336283

We offer training for:

5959 Shallowford Rd., Suite 212 • Chattanooga, TN 37421 www.wercpr.com • 423-553-0400

The Nutcracker

Community Nutcracker Auditions

Is Your Family • Adult, Child and Infant CPR • AED Training • First Aid • Baby Sitting Classes • Other Safety Training Classes

Presents

www.BalletTennessee.org (423) 821-2055

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

The Interfaith Homeless Network

Ending Family Homelessness One Family at a Time By Kathy Fulghum Photos courtesy Interfaith Homeless Network

One out of four homeless people in Chattanooga is a child and 40% of our city’s homeless are families.

1 out of every 4 homeless people in Chattanooga is a child.

“I

know you all very likely couldn’t imagine being homeless, much less having six kids. It is something you could never get used to,” said Michelle Lane. “There isn’t a day that you don’t wake up from your sweet dreams or even a nightmare and say, ‘God, please let today be the day.’” Michelle and her family are not alone. One out of four homeless people in Chattanooga is a child and 40% of our city’s homeless are families. The Interfaith Homeless Network is devoted to helping end family homelessness one family at a time. Through IHN, families find temporary homes at churches and synagogues that open their doors to provide for the basic human needs of homeless families through volunteer support, meals, overnight lodging and hospitality while guest families search for employment and housing. There are more than 50 churches and synagogues that support homeless families 365 days and nights a year. Through volunteering, congregants come to realize that the faces of homelessness aren’t any different than their own.

“My week at St. Timothy’s Church showed me that I am a little fish with six kids, and we’re all in His big pond, and in God’s pond there are great things,” said Michelle. “There were days I felt like giving up, but there was a smile from a stranger that said, ‘You can and must go on.’ When I felt like hiding my face, there was a person who said, ‘I’m happy to see you.’ When I was at my lowest, they may not have known there was a hand much like the hand of God there to help me up.” “We feel blessed and honored to help our guest families regain their stability, employment, housing and self-sufficiency,” said Mary Ellen Galloway, executive director of IHN. It is not only our mission; it is our life’s work.” IHN families receive help with tangible support services like transportation, counseling, case management, life skill classes and support services to assist them in their transition to employment, stable housing and self-sufficiency. All IHN families are transported to work, school and childcare. More than 1,800 homeless people, including 1,140 children, in 600 families have been served since IHN opened its doors in 1998. With the goal of rapid re-housing, IHN families are assisted in their housing search and employment search and linked to community resources. Available, affordable housing, employment, support services and follow-up are there to help end family homelessness. After the families leave IHN, there’s a need for successful reintegration into the community with follow-up and mentoring. Once families transition to stable housing, they continue to receive follow-up services and home visits. “Many friendships and mentoring relationships grow because volunteers from churches and synagogues want to stay connected with their guest

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

families and help them remain stable and successful members of the community,” said Mary Ellen. The IHN model is proven effective and efficient in transitioning homeless families to permanent housing, and is consistent with the evidence-based recommendations of the 2008 Blueprint to End Homelessness in Chattanooga. IHN is an affiliate of a 23-year-old nationwide model of success and efficiency in helping homeless families called Family Promise. There are 158 affiliates in 41 states. IHN serves the whole family and prevents families from being separated, as it has no age or gender requirements for admission. IHN serves underserved segments of the homeless population such as homeless fathers with children, two-parent families, custodial parents and pregnant women, as well as single mothers with children.

Also in 2010, the IHN shelter case manager provided case management for 43 homeless families, which included 138 homeless individuals and 95 children including 51 children 5 years old or younger. At exit, all families received supportive services, 90 percent with employment and or income supports and 89 percent transitioned to permanent housing. IHN has a history of support in Chattanooga. Since its beginning in October of 1998, funding has come from individuals, support of congregations, corporations, events and the Chrysalis, Lyndhurst, Hamico, Benwood, and Community Foundations, the Emergency Shelter Grant and Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Food and Shelter Grant, the Grateful Gobbler Walk for the Homeless and the IHN Camp Out to Stamp Out Family Homelessness. Continued on page 24...

“There were days I felt like giving up, but there was a smile from a stranger that said, ‘You can and must go on.’ When I felt like hiding my face, there was a person who said, ‘I’m happy to see you.’”

IHN partners work to provide environments that foster quality family time for children and parents with an emphasis on learning and education.

IHN is a centralized location and one-stop agency for homeless and near homeless families to access guidance, intakes and referrals to community resources. In 2010, there were 463 families, 564 adults and 1,002 children who received these services. There were 633 referrals made to community resources.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

...Continued from page 23

At UT Chattanooga, we achieve, and so will you. Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorates

Certificates Youth Programs Non-Credit

We Shall Achieve www.UTC.edu

The University of Tennessee is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution.

And then there are the volunteers. In 2010, congregation volunteers logged in 31,200 hours at the two IHN overnight shelters. At the day center, 441 volunteers logged in 4,313 hours. These volunteers provided $637,200 in volunteer time. IHN collaborates with area service providers such as the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Community Kitchen, Homeless Healthcare Center, Fortwood Center, Joe Johnson Mental Health Center, Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga Housing Authority, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Metropolitan Ministries, Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, AIM Center, UT Agricultural Extension Program, Policy-Studies Inc., Metropolitan Ministries, STS, Department of Children’s Services, and the YMCA. IHN provides internships and supervision to human service students from Chattanooga State and social work students from the UTC School of Social Work. That’s a lot of help and a world of difference for Michelle, her children and the other IHN families. “I once heard a saying, ‘Be careful what you do to others, you just may be entertaining one of God’s angels,” said Michelle after her stay at St. Timothy’s. “Well, I know I spent the week with some of His best.”

Camp Out to Stamp Out Family Homelessness Saturday, October 8 from 5 p.m. until Sunday, October 9 at 7 a.m.

Please join us for our 2011-2012 season: Symphony & Philharmonic Orchestras

Prelude & Etude Orchestras

Winter Concert Monday, March 5 7:30 pm • Brainerd Baptist Church

Winter Concert Monday, March 12 7:30 pm • CSAS

Spring Concert Monday, April 30 7:00 pm • Tivoli Theatre

Fall Concert Monday, November 7 7:30 pm • Brainerd Baptist Church

Fall Concert Monday, November 21 7:30 pm • CSAS

Special Symphony Concert with Austin Pipe Organ Monday, May 7 7:30 pm • Memorial Auditorium for more information, call 267-9011 or chattanoogasymphony.org/csyo/csyo.htm

To raise money and awareness, the Interfaith Homeless Network (IHN) is hosting its third annual “Camp Out to Stamp Out” Family Homelessness event Saturday, Oct. 8 at the First Tennessee Pavilion. Participants experience what it’s like to be homeless by bringing their own tent or cardboard box, spending the night outdoors and eating from a soup kitchen. The purpose of this event is to bring the Chattanooga community together (businesses, families, groups and individuals) to create an environment that will raise awareness about the plight of homeless families and to raise funds to help homeless families successfully transition to stability, employment, housing and selfsufficiency. For more information, please call IHN. You can even register and pay online. 423-756-3891 www.ihnchattanooga.org

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

“If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.” By Sarah Clark

hances are your parents passed this advice to you and now you repeat the same adage to your children. Unfortunately, our society is plagued with scammers targeting those who are most vulnerable, often our kids. As online activity increases, children are exposed to more opportunities to compromise their identities and succumb to fraudulent offers. For this very reason, it’s critical that we prepare our children to distinguish truth from deception by teaching the following principles: Consider the source. Individuals or organizations should always have the appropriate credentials before goods or services are exchanged. A source can be verified by contacting the Better Business Bureau, or by asking for referrals or a list of accreditations. Remind children that popups and spam emails are not reliable sources. Avoid sharing personal information. Kids should not provide their name, date of birth, social security number, phone number, email, or physical address to any party without checking with an adult. Refusing to provide personal information will protect your child from predators, as well as scammers who will bombard your him or her with fraudulent offers. Practice safe shopping. If your teen shops online, be sure that he or she knows that bank account numbers or credit card numbers should only be shared with recognized, secure websites. Secure websites typically display a padlock icon at the bottom of the screen. Beware of up-front fees. Individuals or organizations that request pre-payment are unlikely to deliver the product or render services to your full satisfaction. Explain to children that oftentimes they may not receive anything for the payment they made - their money will disappear along with the scammer. And most importantly…. Be skeptical of appealing offers. It’s doubtful that your child will receive a free iPad for simply visiting a website or correctly answering a trivia question, especially if his or her personal information or a fee is required for “processing.” Teach your kids to examine offers with a critical eye. And keep reminding them: “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is!” Sarah Clark is the Community Partner Education Specialist at Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a non-profit organization committed to helping individuals resolve their financial difficulties. If you have questions about scams or think you’ve been targeted by a scammer, call 423-490-5620 or email CCCSreception@partnershipfca.com for free assistance.

The “Next in Line” Internship Program provides leadership and job training

tudents who participated in the Chattanooga’s Parks and Recreation Department’s “Next in Line” Internship program received a standing ovation from members of the City Council at a meeting on August 16, 2011. Those students demonstrated Photo courtesy Chattanooga Parks and Recreation. their commitment to their community The “Next in Line” internship program provided and themselves by a $300 stipend for each of the 41 students in this successfully completing innovative program. the internship program and each received a $300.00 stipend. The “Next in Line” program is a part of the Department’s S.T.U.N.T.I.N.G. (students that unite and take initiative against gangs) program provides teens with safe and productive outlets for their creativity and self-expression. The program includes activities like music, arts, graphics, photography, fitness, video editing and leadership training, celebrating success while engaging students in discussions about their goals and life objectives.

We aren’t just having fun - we are teaching life skills. Through our Character Education Program, Parks and Recreation has adopted character values to which have been incorporated in each of our programs. These positive values include: Confidence, Courtesy, Honesty, Integrity, Judgment, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility, and Sportsmanship and are inspired by the First Tee program. Teens who participated in the “Next in Line” internship program each received a $300.00 stipend after completing the program requirements and a money management session sponsored by Suntrust Bank. Learning money management skills was a part of the job orientation exercises, mock interviews, resume development and team building activities, all designed to prepare Chattanooga teens to be successful adults. These teens were provided opportunities to work and taught workplace readiness skills while conducting organized game training and supporting the staff at their neighborhood recreation centers. Pride in a job well done was as tangible as the financial reward and these teens continue their work with the S.T.U.N.T.I.N.G. programs at the Brainerd Community Center, the Eastdale Community Center, the South Chattanooga Community Center, the Washington Hills Community Center and at the Westside Community Center. These teens are on the road to becoming leaders in their communities, taking responsibility for their future and goals as they become young adults. The sound of the applause from the City Council members and the sense of pride in a job well done is a great start for these young Chattanooga leaders. As we continue to integrate life skills into our programs, we ensure that our children grow as confident individuals while preparing them for the future.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Calls for Chattanooga Artists

Chattanooga artists and families can step up and be creative! “State Your Plate” Contest

Visit www.tn4arts.org for information

Tennesseans for the Arts is recruiting artist submissions for a new specialty license plate. All Tennessee residents are eligible to apply for this unique opportunity to see your design on moving canvases on our roads and beyond. Experts from all over Tennessee will judge the first round of the contest and public voting will determine a winner from among the Top 20 entries. Tennesseans for the Arts encourages artists to be creative, emphasize a Tennessee theme and use simple, bold graphics or images. Important Dates & Information: • Visit www.tn4arts.org/state-your-plate for templates, design guidelines and instructions for uploading. • Deadline for entry is October 15, 2011. • Top 20 voting begins November 7, 2011. • Winner announced December 7, 2011. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone – teacher, plumber, lawyer, student or professional artist – to showcase their work across the largest gallery in the state: the road,” said Jonah Rabinowitz, President of Tennesseans for the Arts. “We invite everyone to submit their design for Tennessee’s next specialty license plate.”

NormalPalooza T-Shirt Contest The annual NormalPalooza Arts Festival celebrates the partnership between Normal Park Museum Magnet School and the Chattanooga arts community. This yearly event features a juried art market, local crafts and artisans as well as a unique array of food and music, representing the eclectic tastes and sounds of Chattanooga and the Northshore community. Visit normalpalooza.com Artists are invited to visit www. for an online application and submission guidelines. normalpalooza.com to submit an application and to enter the annual t-shirt contest.

Each year an artist’s work is chosen to be the graphic image that represents the festival on t-shirts, billboards, commercials and promotions. The winning artist also receives a free vendor space for the Saturday, November 12, 2011 festival. Entries can be submitted online or via email at normalpalooza@mac. com. Artists are encouraged to visit the site for submission guidelines. Successful entries reflect the spirit of the school, community and commitment to the arts and education. NormalPalooza has something for everyone with over 60 artist vendors with unique works, great local food, fun games for children of all ages and music that has the sidewalks in the North Chattanooga neighborhood hopping.

Folk School of Chattanooga Call to Fiber Artists The Folk School, Chattanooga’s place for banjo, fiddle, guitar, dulcimer, and other musical instruction, has just relocated to the modern twostory silver metal box on Forest Ave., only four doors up from Frazier. We are looking to fill our walls and halls with sound absorbing fiber art. Items can be for sale or they can be for display only. Large pieces, such as quilts, are especially welcome! Contact Christie Burns at 423.779.6581 or christie@mmfolk.com. www.chattanoogafolk.com

In-Town Gallery

26-A Frazier Avenue, Chattanooga

In-Town Gallery, a juried fine art co-operative in Chattanooga’s thriving North Shore neighborhood, is inviting visual artists to apply for membership. 3-D works are in demand. The jury committee is interviewing potters, woodworkers, sculptors and glass artisans at this time. For jury guidelines and membership benefits, visit In-Town or call 423.267.9214. To request an email application, write to intowngallery@ bellsouth.net or download an application from our web site at www. intowngallery.com.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre Auditions

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever October 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm A co-production for CTC’s Youth Theatre and MainStage seasons. The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

But when rumors of free snacks lure them into church one Sunday afternoon, they inadvertently take over the annual Christmas Pageant. The delightful chaos that ensues teaches everyone about the true spirit of the Holiday Season. You’ll never look at the three wise men the same way again! A holiday treat for the whole family. This play is a joint production of the MainStage and Youth Theatre. Emperor’s New Clothes October 10 & 11 at 4:30 pm Festival season is upon the land and the narcissistic emperor needs new duds. Two con men take advantage of the wonderful emperor and possibly teach him a much-needed lesson. This is sure to be a funny, fast-paced comedy the whole family will enjoy.

Chattanooga Symphony & Opera

Parent/Child Preschool/Kindergarten Grade School Gymnastics

A running, skipping, twirling, rolling, galloping, leaping, jumping, head start! $10 Off

Awesome Birthday Bash

Cello (2 positions) Auditions will be held September 10, 2011. Section Cello B-Contract & Section Cello C-Contract Second Bassoon Auditions will be held September 09, 2011. Second Bassoon B-Contract Violin (3 positions) Auditions will be held September 10, 2011. Section Violin B-Contract (2 positions) & Section Violin C-Contract (1 position) The CSO currently performs a series of 7 Masterwork programs, 5 Pops programs, 3 Chamber Orchestra programs, in addition to other concerts throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Employment to begin in September 2011. To reserve an audition time, please e-mail a one-page resume to Eric Anderson at CSOACTINGPM@aol.com. A fully refundable audition deposit of $75.00 will be due no later than September 1, 2011. Cancellation within 24-hours of the audition forfeits the deposit. Please make checks payable to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Association. Directions and maps will be sent after August 15 and upon receipt of the deposit. Please mail deposit to: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Re: Orchestra Auditions 701 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402

Expires 11/30/11 Membership not required. Cannot be combined with other offer.

The lessons your child learns at The Little Gym will fill you both with pride: How to reach higher. How to listen better. How to tackle challenges with confidence and a smile.

$15 Off

2011-2012 Season

Tuition

Call to schedule your FREE introductory class!

Expires 11/30/11 Valid for new enrollments only. Cannot be combined with other offer.

7540 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 Phone: 423-296-9001 or www.thelittlegym.com

BaylorPrepares “Before Baylor I thought it would be hard to get into the college of my dreams. instead, I had more college acceptances and choices than I ever dreamed!”

BaylorLeads Admission Test Date: January 7, 2012 | www.baylorschool.org | (423) 267-8505

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Augmented Reality coming to a work of art near you By CP

Photo courtesy Jennifer Crutchfield

Safari or Firefox as a browner for our internet. ugmented Reality (AR) is already all ART360 Chattanooga is a pilot project that around us but advances in technology are catalogs over 170 works of art in a partnership allowing applications that can add a rich layer with Public Art Chattanooga, Chattanooga State of information to every part of our day. A local Technical Community College, Hunter Museum business has become the 5th American partner of of American Art and the Bluff View Arts District, an international company that is leading the way allowing citizens and visitors to experience and in AR technology. learn about the work of art by quilting together The partnership between Layar and Second web links, sites and information that appear on a | Site LLC, a local company started by three smart phone. dynamic men, could have exciting implications for the Scenic City. Already heralded for our It’s Free and it’s Fun innovations and seen as a pilot city for our Layar is a free download on your smart phone. revitalization efforts Chattanooga is about to Launching ART360 Chattanooga is another free be layered with links and information about click that circles you in your current location everything from art to history, culture, dining and with the public art closest to you, complete with shopping. artist’s name, descriptions, web site links and how When the line of scrimmage moves on our many feet away they are. television screen that is an example of augmented Wow, call me a Mom but I smelled a really fun reality. The digital image (the yellow line that way to learn! Armed with a picnic basket, bocce isn’t really on the grass) is overlayed on the image balls, snacks, our family iPad, some markers and that appears on our television screen. The new construction paper it was a magical afternoon. incarnation of Augmented Reality works with Two second-graders, boys who love to play and Brooks and Max had a great adventure at the Bluff smart phones, sensors, cameras and GPS systems run and draw, learned without even realizing it View Arts District, playing bocce ball and learning to add layers of information streaming from our because they were having so much fun. about the sculptures in the garden. smart phones. They read aloud from the iPad, heads touching Quilting together new and existing media as they eagerly soaked up the words. The combination of the outdoor play, with GPS-enabled smart phones adds information that brings greater context the technology and the aesthetic beauty of the art made the experience great. to a work of art, place, business, property or historic landmark. Layar is an Eavesdropping was terrific and sure enough, they not only had fun, they got international company who operate as a browser for AR, much like we use tired, learned about art and talked about art.

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Get onoe of these cool maps for your very own! Just visit http://www.publicartchattanooga.com/PDFs/ chattanoogamap.jpg.

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

From “Upstate Manhattan” to Chattanooga; A dad, a director and dialogue By Stevie Ray Dallimore

t has been nearly a year since I had was playing a kangaroo in a play Photo courtesy Kate Forbes Dallimore moved to Chattanooga with my by a 4th grader named George in family from Washington Heights Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. in the northern part of Manhattan. The 10 minute play was called “Upstate Manhattan” we like to “The Fighters”, or something like call it. Now I am on a mountain in that. My character was a kangaroo Georgia. The view I had in New and my friend was a horse. We York was nice – the New Jersey hung out, went to dinner, fought, (as Palisades, Hudson River, the George in fist-fought), but then we made-up Washington Bridge. I miss it. and went on a trip to Jamaica where The view I have from here is very we sang a song. I played banjo and different – green trees of varieties I my friend the horse played a guitar. know nothing about; a lot of grass Sounds simple – but it was very that I get to mow; flowers and plants profound and a whole lot of fun. my wife has planted and a stream It was part of a weekend of fullythat cuts through the front yard that produced short plays by 10 yearruns when the rain comes down. olds. The kids are the playwrights And dogs. And people who wave. and they sit on the stage in a But the view I like most is of little desk with a sign that says my kids playing out there. In the “Playwright” on it. So you, in the stream, in the grass, running all over audience, watch the kid watching the yard. Sometimes with friends, his or her play. The Muse of Fire Project bring kids together from diverse backgrounds and sometimes with each other and often The actors in this weekend of allows them to create short plays and direct adult actors. alone. It is a view I couldn’t have plays were some of the best theater seen no matter how much I might and film actors in New York. They have wanted to from our fifth floor apartment. I like that. It is a trade off, one were directed by professional stage directors; lighted and costumed by pros that I signed up for… and the music was composed by a professional composer. (The kids often I have been many things: an actor, musician, teacher, dad, husband, wrote songs in their plays and the composer would set them to music). Yet the volunteer, community activist, waiter, emcee, producer, writer. I have started whole weekend had a light and whimsical touch. I have never laughed so hard. my own projects – some of them worked, some failed. I have helped other (Although, sometimes I cried too.) people with their projects too – The company who does this work in New York is The 52nd Street Project many of them had to do with kids; and I wanted to be like them when I grew up so I came to Chattanooga and or with my kids’ school; or with a started The Muse of Fire Project. neighborhood that wanted to do And here we are. We have already produced our first round of “Playmaking” something fun for it’s kids – so I guess plays. We had ten kids from different neighborhoods in Chattanooga. They it boils down to kids. I like kids. wrote about love, friendship, sharks, circus performers, lemons-on-sticks, I have been on Broadway, France, Pac-Man, Pac-Boy, divorce and saving the universe among many other Off-Broadway, in movies, TV, things. The classes and the performances were all held at The Downtown commercials. I have acted on stages Public Library. We had two nights of full houses and a great response to the in Utah, Wisconsin, Washington work. Awesome local actors contributed their talent. Wonderful people have DC, New York, Florida, Michigan. come out of the woodwork to help. Massachusetts and many more. I I am thrilled and honored to be doing this here. have done numerous readings and workshops of plays and screen plays. Stevie Ray Dallimore is co-producer of Muse of Fire with his wife Kate Forbes I have narrated audiobooks, I have Dallimore. Stevie Ray is an accomplished actor with roles on Broadway, on network and daytime television shows as well as in several feature films. visit rocked out in bands. But one of the them on Facebook at Muse of Fire Project. greatest performing moments I have

“...the view I like most is of my kids playing out there. In the stream, in the grass, running all over the yard. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with each other and often alone.”

Chattanooga/North Georgia Parent • September 2011

Dear Tooth Fairy

ow that I am officially in my forties (okay, so I just turned forty-one), I am desperately hanging on to all of the things I took for granted when I was in my twenties and thirties – my wrinklefree skin, my ability to function on less than seven hours of sleep, my short-term memory, my long-term memory, and most importantly, my teeth. Yes, you read that right – my teeth. A few weeks ago I had to have one of my back teeth pulled. It was cracked and much to my dismay I was told that fixing even a small crack in a tooth is not as simple as fixing a small crack in your windshield. And certainly not as cheap. To make matters worse, the doctor never gave me my tooth. So I had nothing to put under my pillow. And since I had nothing under my pillow (do you see where this is going?) there has been absolutely no sign of the Tooth Fairy. So, in the event that the Tooth Fairy happens to read this column, I decided to pen and publish the following letter to her: Dear Tooth Fairy, It certainly has been a while, and I really hope you remember me. The last time you visited me was around 1979, before I got my braces, and I was living in Birmingham, Alabama. Oh and my last name wasn’t Lebovitz back then, it was Goldstein. Ring any bells? Anyway, you may not realize this but last month I lost a tooth. Apparently, when my parents explained to me years ago that the baby teeth fall out to make room for your permanent teeth, they failed to prepare me for this third phase in the equation. Unfortunately, I am not actually in possession of said tooth, but I know this won’t be a problem because of the “Pickle Incident of 1978” when I bit into that pickle at day camp and accidentally

swallowed my tooth with it. Remember that? Good times, good times. Even though I didn’t have a tooth to put under my pillow my parents assured me that you would know I had lost it and sure enough, there was a crisp one dollar bill under my pillow the very next morning. So, Ms. Fairy, imagine my disappointment when I woke up the day after my oral surgery without a tooth or any sign that you had been there. In fact, all I found under my pillow was a ragged piece of gauze that had evidently fallen out of my mouth in the middle of the night. I was not happy. And not just because the left side of my mouth was completely swollen, I had a bruise the size of Texas on my cheek and I basically looked like a rabid chipmunk. It’s because if there is one thing I always knew I could count on and believe in [insert pregnant pause] it’s you. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for all the times you left me little treasures and notes, and for the dozens of times you have visited my own children over the past few years. And I guess I could look on the bright side. I do have one less tooth to brush and floss these days. And sometimes when I eat Lucky Charms for breakfast, I later find one of the marshmallows stuck in the hole where my tooth used to be, and it is still magically delicious. But, I still don’t understand why you never came to visit? And frankly, the tooth I lost had to be at least four times the size of one of those baby teeth you collect. I am not sure what else there is to say. If you were Dirty Fairy, I could say, “Go ahead, make my day.” If you were Fairy Maguire I would yell, “Show me the money!” But instead, you seem more like Fairy David these days, so I guess I should just curb my enthusiasm. Thanks for listening, Tooth Fairy. And if it’s okay with you, I’ll just plan on holding on to the rest of the teeth I still have. Sweet Dreams,

Alison Goldstein Lebovitz

Got feedback for Alison? Contact her via e-mail at ChattanoogaParent@gmail.com or post feedback to her column at ChattanoogaParentMagazine.com.

Education: onE of thE building blocks of a strong community help area students when you stuff thE bus for Education the next school supply drop-off location is the Project ready for school birthday Party at Warner Park on sunday, sept. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit liveunitedchattanooga.org for more information.

INVESTING IN

CHILDREN & YOUTH the need: • about 25% of children in hamilton county start school without the skills they need to succeed. • more than 70% of high school drop outs will be unemployed and 80% of those will be involved in crime.

WHAT UNITED WAY IS DOING: united Way works with people and organizations to assure that children are born healthy, start school strong, and have the learning supports they need throughout their school years to graduate and become successful and productive adults.

YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE! • more than 18,000 children receive free books in the mail through united Way’s Project ready for school. more than 210,000 books were mailed directly to children in 2010. • 90% of the children screened in united Way-funded child care programs had average or above average literacy skills. • more than 400 youth involved in united Wayafter-school programs have improved attendance in school and are achieving proficient grades in reading, spelling, math and language arts.