Augusta Family Magazine Dec. 2014 - Jan. 2015

Dec. 2014/Jan. 2015 SMALL STEPS = BIG RESULTS NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN FITTING IN EXERCISE

Winter

Wonderland Scout Pittman, 5, is the son of Justin and Brandi Pittman of Grovetown.

Photo by Branch Carter.

Family AUGUSTA

m a g a z i n e

w w w. a u g u s t af a m i l y. c om PUBLISHER Kate Cooper Metts

Contents

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EDITOR Karin Calloway PRODUCTION Art Director / Web Producer Michael Rushbrook

A New Year’s Countdown That Will Have You Looking Up

ADVERTISING Director of Advertising Lisa Dorn

By Lara Krupicka

Advertising Sales Doressa Hawes Lisa Taylor Maidi McMurtrie Thompson Mary Porter Vann

Baby Steps To a Better You in the New Year

By Lucy Adams

Audience Development Manager Jessica Seigler

Best Gifts of the Season

PHOTOGRAPHY Branch Carter and John Harpring CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Adams Kim Beavers, MS, RD, CDE J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Mallory Daniel Cammie Jones Lara Krupicka Mary Ashton Mills Jennie Montgomery Danielle Wong Moores

departments 7 9

editor’s page mom2mom Hark! Hear the Bells -Jennie Montgomery

10 12

PRE PRESS SERVICES .JDLFZ ,JCMFS r ,FMMZ :J

news&notes eating well with kim Deck the Halls with Hectic Schedules and New Year’s Resolutions!

-Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE Augusta Family Magazine is published 10 times per year and distributed throughout the Augusta and Aiken area. Send press releases, story ideas or comments to the editor at karin.calloway@augustafamily. com or mail to 127A 7th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or telephone (706) 828-3946.

For advertising information, telephone (706) 823-3702. For circulation/distribution, call (706) 823-3722.

15

doctor/dad

I Run, Therefore I Am

18

Hygiene Helpers

qu ick pick

-Mary Ashton Mills

30

fun food Party Plates

-Courtesy of Family Features

32

inspiration station Mom on a Mission

-Danielle Wong Moores

34 46

-J. Ron Eaker, M.D.

16

health&home

Dec./Jan.

smart mom’s guide Exercise—Fitting It In -Cammie Jones

calendar go girl!

April Allen Weldon -Mallory Daniel

“Expectations cause people to commit to comprehensive revamps of their lives without any real plan for implementation. Dig for the answer to this conundrum in the middle ground. No one has to do it all. One small shift in behavior, one baby step, can obtain big returns.�

Read Lucy Adams’ article about how small changes can equal big results over time on page 26.

ON THE COVER Scout Pittman, 5, is the son of Justin and Brandi Pittman of Grovetown. Photo by Branch Carter.

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editor’s

by Karin Calloway

Tripp, 23, and CC, 21, will be heading home from UGA for the holidays.

I

Keeping It Real

hereby give you permission to take a deep breath. No, I’m demanding that you do so right now. It’s that crazy time for moms. Between the holidays and all of the demands—from planning holiday meals, wrapping gifts, hosting out-of-town guests—and the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, this is the time when a gentle reminder to just breathe is welcome and, often, necessary.

This year I’m forgetting my Martha Stewart aspirations and I’m keeping it real. My kids will be home from college and I just want things to be relaxed and fun. So, I’m not going to fuss with every single decoration I’ve stored in my attic.

Heck, I may just decorate the tree and call it “done.�

I’m also going to keep it real with the resolutions. I’ve sworn off them for the past few years and I haven’t regretted it a bit. But, if I do make any resolutions, I’ll follow the advice from Lucy Adams’ feature on page 26 and take “baby stepsâ€? instead of going all-out and resolving to change everything overnight. Or, I’ll take Lara Krupicka’s advice and tackle resolutions that simply enrich my life‌ things like planning date nights with my husband, catching up with old friends and dreaming up two (just two) projects to work on in the coming months.

If you’re a die-hard resolution maker and plan to amp up your exercise routine in 2015, Cammie Jones’ Smart Mom’s Guide has some great tips from an exercise pro that will help you find ways to make the most of your workout.

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season and blessed New Year! Until February,

KARIN CALLOWAY is a wife and mother of two. She’s also a journalist and recipe developer who writes the Wednesday cooking column for The Augusta Chronicle. Watch Karin prepare her recipes on WJBF NewsChannel 6 on Tuesdays during Mid-Day and Wednesdays during Good Morning Augusta.

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2

mom m m

by Jennie Montgomery

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL RUSHBROOK

Hark! Hear the Bells

Are you hearing bells lately?

It’s the season for those volunteer bell ringers at Salvation Army Red Kettles.

You know, you see them at the entrances to grocery stores, Walmarts (not Target, remember?) and malls.

I love to hear the bells ringing! It’s a sound that makes me remember the anticipation I felt as a child, when hearing the bells was a clue that SANTA CLAUS was coming! Just watch a Christmas movie with your kids. It’s there, that sound‌ the non-stop, upbeat, sometimes frantic ringing of a little Salvation Army bell.

It’s a sound that resonates much differently with me now. Yes, it still signals the coming of Christmas‌but it also reminds us that the season is more about giving than getting. The bells ring out because there is joy in giving.

One of my family’s biggest commitments is to Black Friday at the mall. We’re not there to shop! We’re there to greet the die-hard shoppers with our tinkling bells as they come inside to find the best deals.

It’s a festive time! We get to share good wishes with strangers, smile at people who might need a little pick-me-up (for goodness sake, they’ve been in this shopping frenzy since midnight!) and collect coins and folded up bills for people‌ r 8IP XPO U CF TQFOEJOH IPVST BU UIF NBMM r 8IP XPO U BOUJDJQBUF TVSQSJTFT TUVĒFE JOUP 4BOUB T CBH r 8IP XPO U CF XBUDIJOH B $ISJTUNBT NPWJF XJUI UIFJS LJET My girls have already texted me from college to make sure we’re ringing the bells the day after Thanksgiving. They’ll invite friends to join us, take turns going to Starbucks or the Food Court. They’ll spread old-fashioned Christmas Cheer.

They’ll take pictures with little children who race to the bright red kettle to drop in a fistful of change‌one coin at a time.

These are the memories they’re taking into adulthood. A day of feasting, of over-indulgence for sure—followed by a day of service, a day devoted to making a little ripple in a tide of homelessness.

Yes, the holidays engage all of our senses—from sight and smell, to taste and touch. But when you hear the holidays in church choirs, carolers and Pandora Christmas radio‌listen again.

Listen for the bells. v JENNIE MONTGOMERY anchors the evening news at WJBF-TV. She and her husband, Scott, have three children: Zack, 21, Maddy, 20, and Sky, 19.

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news notes

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TedX Augusta Talks It Up Great ideas are meant to be shared. On January 30, 15 speakers from the CSRA and around the country will each take 18 minutes to share just a little of what inspires them—and maybe it will inspire you too.

Toy Safety EACH YEAR NEARLY 120,000 CHILDREN under age 14 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. ‘Tis the season for holiday shopping, and Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, would like to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of purchasing age-appropriate toys.

You can help prevent injuries not only by buying the right toys for a child’s age and abilities but also by making sure children use toys in a safe manner.

Happy—and SAFE—Holidays from Safe Kids!

Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Greater Augusta is a member of the Safe Kids Worldwide & USA network. To ďŹ nd out more about local Safe Kids programs, call 706-721-7606, or visit grhealth.org/safekids. Read the whole article about toy safety at www.augustafamily.com.

TEDx Augusta is part of the global TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) community, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to spreading ideas in the form of short powerful talks. CEOs, artists, writers, doctors, librarians, directors, teachers, musicians, innovators are just a few examples of the type of folks who spoke at last year’s inaugural TEDx Telfair Street.

The first TED event hosted by a city is always on a probationary basis, limited to only 100 tickets sold. After last year’s success, TEDx Augusta (the city’s name may be used in the event name only after the probationary period) has moved to the 800-seat Imperial Theatre, featuring not only speakers but also interactive demonstrations. Other activities will also take place along Broad Street and at the City Club across from the theater.

TEDx Augusta is one of only five TED events in Georgia in 2015, with three scheduled in Atlanta and one in Athens. While about 20 percent of the speakers come from outside the area, organizer Grace Belangia says a big focus is sharing stories and information from people in this community that audience members might not otherwise be aware of. “We really try and use TEDx Augusta as a platform for local talent because we think we have amazing people here who have ideas worth spreading, which is the mantra for what a TEDx event is,� says Belangia.

Tickets are on sale now for $65 for students/military/seniors; $75 for general admission; and $99 for VIP, which includes an after party. All tickets include lunch and refreshments as well as the daylong event on January 30, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit tedxaugusta.com.

augustafamily.com FRESH FACES

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FRESH FACES

2015 14/Jan. Dec. 20 RESULTS PS = BIG SMALL STE NTDOWN R’S COU NEW YEA E IN EXERCIS FITTING

Winterand

Wonderla

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR THEIR “close up?� If you think you’ve got a “cover kid,� submit their photo and on our website pers H e linformation and they may grace the cover of Augusta Family Magazine!

Girl GO

KNOW A MOM who deserves a “Go Girl!� (see page 46) in an upcoming issue of Augusta Family Magazine? Submit her on the contest page of our website.

n, 5, is the i Scout Pittma and Brand son of Justin Grovetown.

Pittman of r.

Branch Carte Photo by

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WIN ONE OF TWO FAMILY FOURPACKS of tickets to the circus February 5-8 at the James Brown Arena. Winners will be drawn on January 26.

! c i t s a App-T

stories etc, IS AN E-MEMOIR APP POWERED BY PUBSOFT THAT ENABLES ANYONE TO CREATE A POWERFUL TOOL FOR RECORDING AND SHARING YOUR STORIES through web-based reading. It’s fun and very easy to use. stories etc helps you tell your life stories in your own words and in your own voice.

The app asks you questions about your life, from early years through current times and life philosophies and wisdoms, etc. You push a button and answer the life questions (video, audio or text) and the app will save them for you and roll them up to an e-book memoir. You can share them with anyone you wish.

Compatible with iOS 6.0 or later for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The app is optimized for iPhone 5.

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eating well with kim

by Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE

DECK THE HALLS With Hectic Schedules and New Year’s Resolutions!

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Sugar Snap Peas and Tomatoes—Holiday Style

This is a wonderful appetizer and is a cut above the standard raw veggie tray.

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he holiday busy season is upon us and as a mother I am aware of the increased stress for parents—moms in particular— and the increase in “junky type� foods available from multiple parties and events. The goal of this article is to help you both increase nutrition and decrease stress. I have a list of my favorite go-to items for grab-and-go eating and basic food preparation. These foods are not equal to home cooking in value or nutrients, but they do come close.

Having healthy foods available is a key component in maintaining a healthy diet! Pairing any of these foods with fresh produce will have you eating healthy in less time than it takes to pick up fast food.

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The Best Convenience Foods From the Supermarket

Frozen Burritos: r "NZ TÂĄ 0SHBOJD CFBOT SJDF CVSSJUP r &WPMÂĄ $IJDLFO CFBO SJDF CVSSJUP r #PUI PG UIFTF BSF SFBTPOBCMZ MPX JO TBUVSBUFE GBU Frozen Fish Fillets/Sticks: r .PSFZ T ĂŞTI DSFBUJPOT IBT NBOZ NBSJOBUFE ĂŞTI r 4PEJVN JT B MJUUMF MPXFS UIBO BWFSBHF GPS UIJT UZQF PG QSFQBSFE GPPE JO UIF NH SBOHF options. r $IPPTF UIPTF MPXFTU JO TPEJVN BT UIFZ SBOHF GSPN Other Frozen foods: (400-700mg of sodium). r .PSFZ TÂĄ DBO CF GPVOE BU NPTU DIBJO HSPDFSZ TUPSFT r $IFFTF PS WFHFUBCMF SBWJPMJ UIJT JT HSFBU GPS B DIBOHF GSPN UIF TUBOEBSE RVJDL ĂŞY TQBHIFUUJ BOE in town. if you use the vegetable version, even better! r *BO TÂĄ -JHIUMZ #SFBEFE 'JTI (MVUFO GSFF

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Vegetables: 1 8-ounce bag fresh sugar snap peas 1 pint grape tomatoes ½ cup light balsamic vinaigrette, divided Microwave the peas according to the package directions but reduce the cooking time by about 30 seconds. Transfer the peas to a bowl of ice water to shock them and stop the cooking process (they should still be bright green). Drain the peas and pat them dry and toss with dressing. Place the peas on a decorative platter. Now, toss the tomatoes with the dressing as well. Add them to the platter with the peas and serve with decorative tooth picks.

Yield: 15 servings Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 25, Fat 2g (0g saturated fat 1g monounsaturated fat), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 45mg, Carbohydrate 2g, Fiber 1g, Protein 1g.

Percent Daily Value: 4% Vitamin C, 2% Vitamin A, 2% Iron, 0% Calcium Carbohydrate Choices: 0 Carbohydrates Diabetes Exchange Values: 1/2 Vegetable

KIM BEAVERS is a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator for University Health Care System. She lives in North Augusta with her husband and two children and she is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim, which airs at noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday on WRDW. To join the recipe club or view recipes, visit www.universityhealth.org/ewwk. You can also watch the segments at www.wrdw.com/ewwk.

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doctor dad

by J. Ron Eaker, M.D.

I RUN Therefore I Am

I

tend to over-analyze things, and this even bleeds into my favorite activity—next to throwing darts at Honey Boo Boo’s head shots—which is running. I can take the simplest of topics, quantum physics for example, and turn a completely straightforward dissertation into a circuitous romp. After all, quantum stuff—it is just really, really small things moving really, really quickly! So it’s no wonder that I have thought about running the way one would scrutinize Kim Kardashian’s love life, in way too much nauseating detail. Again, isn’t running simply putting one foot in front of the other and trying to not fall down?

Well, not exactly!

I run for all the wrong reasons.

I am a voracious reader of all things running, and in every magazine, book, essay and tattoo, I am bombarded with stories of camaraderie fostered out on the running path. Thelma and Louise-like bonds are formed. Pets become soul mates and lovers become friends.

Well, I run not to befriend but to get away from everybody! I am a terminal introvert who masquerades as a social animal, and running for me is an escape into who I really am. Not to say I don’t love spending time with my wife and kids, they are my life, but tell me I have to go to a social gathering and I break out into a cold sweat and get hives on top of my hives.

This may be a surprise to some as I work in a very social, people-centric profession. However,

when it is “my� time I prefer the company of a Garmin watch and a good pod-cast on my iPhone.

I love the social atmosphere at race expos, those gatherings of three percent body fat runners and the obligatory vendors trying to sell blister-free socks and chafe-less bras, but that is as social as I want to get when it comes to my running. I don’t want a running partner anymore than I want a fever blister the size of Montana. I don’t want to meet a running group on Saturday mornings for a long run, although I am sure they are lovely folks, and I don’t want to take my pet iguana for a run. In the slightly altered words of the late film star Greta Garbo, “I want to run alone!� Various running magazines and books have laid a heavy guilt trip on me for not wanting to run in a pack like a group of ravenous coyotes, yet I have overcome my guilt by realizing these are the same people who recommend lathering your inner thighs with Vaseline before a race.

I don’t run for speed.

I am long past setting a personal record and whether I finish a marathon in four hours or four days is largely immaterial. A small part of me will always relish a decent time, but what constitutes a decent time changes with the style of my running shorts. I began running in the late 70s when standard shorts were just a bit longer than “hot pants� and if you weren’t careful you could have a very embarrassing wardrobe malfunction of epic proportions. I have pictures from those days where I look like Richard Simmons in prep school. Thank goodness the length

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of the shorts has grown in proportion to the length of my marathon times. Now finishing without a major stroke and being able to walk the next day are my benchmarks for a successful race.

Another contrarian running habit I possess is loading up on technology. I read many essays of Thoreau enthusiasts claiming the spiritual and aesthetic virtues of minimalist running. They speak in reverent tones of barefoot running and the sounds of nature. To each his own, but I say give me my custom orthotics, my iPhone, my Gymboss interval timer and my Garmin 5000 timer/GPS/intervals/ heart rate/watch and I am one happy runner. There is a certain hedonistic pleasure I get from laying out all my gear the night before a long run. Even my custom fitted hydration pack containing my personalized mixture of water and PowerAid and my carbohydrate infused energy beans send warm tingles up my leg as a place them gingerly on the bedside table the night before a twenty miler.

And to top it off, I read a recent report in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology that said runners reduce their incidence of premature death by one-third and extended their lives almost three years over their couch-potato colleagues.

What was so amazing was that this effect was achieved with only 15 minutes a day of exercise!

At my current rate of running I should live to be about 179 years old, and won’t I look cute in those shorts! v Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters in college.

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smartMom’sguide

by Cammie Jones

EXERCISE —Fitting It In W

e are all busy people. Dealing with children, jobs, volunteer opportunities and just the daily grind of life fills up our days, nights and weekends.

Something has to get left out and in many instances, this is exercise for moms. However, we all know that exercise is crucial to our health and well-being, both mentally and of course, physically. I talked with Paige Usry, a local fitness guru, who gave me some tips to fitting exercise into an already jam-packed day.

1

Schedule it on the calendar. “Make some ‘me time’ and put it on the calendar,� says Usry. The key is to make exercise a priority— like going to the grocery store or picking up the kids from sports—and stick with it. She suggests writing it down and committing to exercise three to five times a week. And, it doesn’t have to be a long workout—even 20 to 30 minutes works.

2

Work hard!

Even if you don’t have a lot of time, make the most of your workout by working really hard. “It’s really the best way to achieve results,� says Usry. “Who wants to spend an entire hour working out when you can get it done quickly by going hard!�

Interval training is a great way to maximize your workout time. Alternating between high- and low-intensity

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levels really makes a difference. In fact, research has shown that intervals burn three times as much fat as running twice as long at a moderately hard, steady pace, says Blogger Stacy St. Louis (twitter: @fitness_ mama). You can run on a hill for two minutes either on a treadmill or outside, then walk for two. Or speed walk for a few minutes and then do a set of pushups or lunges. Keep alternating between and you will feel the effects the next day, no matter how long you do it.

3

Be an exercising “Soccer Mom.�

When your child is at soccer practice or dance or any after-school activity, take this time to get in a cardio workout. “You can walk or jog to the nearest telephone poll and then walk to the next, while your child is at practice,� says Usry. This is a great cardio workout and you are using your time wisely.

4

Burn calories during commercials.

The baby is napping and you can’t leave the house. “Commit to doing a certain exercise during each commercial,� says Usry. This can be anything from push ups, holding a plank, wall squats, abdominal work, triceps dips or the dreaded burpee. “Body-weight workouts are just as effective if not more so than lifting weights,� adds Usry.

5

Stroll, baby, stroll.

If your child is in a stroller, make a point of

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smartMom’sguide

meeting another mom in your neighborhood and going for a walk. “This is a wonderful way to interact with other young moms, plus it keeps you accountable when others are committed.�

6

Join a gym.

If you are not self-motivated, finding a gym may be key to fitting in workouts. Just make sure you find one with a safe and clean nursery. This will give you peace of mind when you are working out.

Also, if you work outside the home, head to the gym before or after work, depending on your work hours.

Or make a point to head that way after you drop your kids at school. In other words, don’t go home where all the distractions will entice you to stay home and not go workout.

7

Clean your house. “Cleaning your house is an amazing calorie

burner,� says Usry. Just turn up the music and scrub, vacuum and sweep away.

8

Use a fitness video.

Purchase a fitness video that you can do at home whenever you can squeeze in time.

Make sure it is an exercise type you enjoy doing— yoga, kickboxing, body sculpting, etc.

You can also find workouts “on demand� if you have cable television. Most are free so pick one and get going.

9

Go early.

I was never an early bird exerciser until kids and life got in the way. Now I wake up before the kids several mornings a week and either run outside or go to an exercise class. I’m home before they wake up, and they don’t even know I was away. Of course this can only happen if there is another parent or adult home while you are away.

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St. Louis agrees that early workouts are beneficial and says, “An added benefit is that since your body continues to burn calories after a workout, you maximize your weight loss results by burning more calories throughout the day than if you were to work out in the afternoon.�

10

Set a basic goal.

The key to any exercise program you would like to begin and maintain is to set a reasonable goal for yourself. Look at your weekly schedule, no matter how hectic, and find time to exercise. Set a goal of three times a week for 20-30 minutes and see what happens. I do believe that you will see mainly positive outcomes, both physically and mentally, which in turn will make for a happier mom. And, you know what they say, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!� v Cammie Jones is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.

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health home

by Mary Ashton Mills

Hygiene Helpers

Tips for Teaching Your Preschoolers About Personal Hygiene

B

e a Good Bunny,� the sweet little cross stitched saying, handmade with love by my mother, still has a place in my adult home today. It hangs on the wall in my children’s bathroom as a gentle reminder to do all the “right� things to keep good personal hygiene. This needlework throwback from my childhood preaches hygiene tips such as “Brush your teeth. Wash your face. Go to bed early.�

If only teaching our children these lessons were that simple. Just hang a checklist in their bathroom and instantly they always look and smell clean as can be. Unfortunately the reality is that unless I stand in my children’s rooms, shouting out orders like a drill sergeant, they would still sometimes skip one of the all-important bedtime hygiene steps like brushing their teeth or using the bathroom before bed.

Maybe I fell down on the job early in the game. With two children who are 20 months apart, the first few years are a complete blur to me. While in survival mode, I might not have done the best job reminding them to floss their teeth, wash their hands or put the dirty clothes in the hamper. Fast forward a few years, with some growing pains in between and we are getting really close to being able to confidently say, “Go take your bath and get ready for bed,� and have them actually succeed.

For parents of preschoolers or younger, teaching these lessons early in life is a key element to staying healthy and helps establish a good personal hygiene routine that can last a lifetime. Take it from me, its better to teach them early rather than trying the total reformation approach.

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Bath Time By making sure the right safety precautions are in place and having the necessary bath products, you are preparing your child for an independent bath down the road. While it may seem like you are just going through the motions every night, remember your goal is to teach them correctly so that they will be able to bathe independently in the years to come. Removing dirt and body odor should be the main focus.

Local father of two girls and pediatrician, Clay Stallworth, MD, with Georgia Regents West Wheeler Pediatrics says, “It’s a mistake to turn bath time into more playtime. I treated it like an important job to do, and to do well. I wasn’t a drill sergeant about it, and I would make up silly songs on the fly that had to do with bath time and cleaning properly so it wasn’t drudgery.� He adds, “The bathtub is not a good place to play. It’s a hard surface, there are metal fixtures, not to mention the standing water in a tub (small children have on rare occasions drowned in very shallow water), and so a lot of bad things could happen.� Stallworth recommends keeping bath time to five minutes and does not encourage the use of bubble baths.

Make sure there is plenty of tear-free soap and shampoo and there are washcloths and towels easily accessible to the child. In addition, show your preschooler where to put the washcloth and towel when they are done with their bath and hold them accountable for keeping it hung up.

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health home As your child gets older, Stallworth says you can give them more responsibility in the tub by standing outside the bathroom, checking in every few minutes and offering to check the areas they have cleaned. If you are confident that your child can enter or exit the tub alone, Stallworth recommends you have a slip free bathmat and appliquĂŠs inside the tub.

boys $1 if they leave the toilet seat up or forget to flush in the downstairs family bathroom. If they have to pay with their own money a few times, they will learn their lesson a lot quicker than hearing a nagging lecture repeatedly.

Oral Hygiene

By placing a dirty clothes hamper in your child’s room or closet and explaining that things like socks and underwear should go in the hamper at the end of the day, you are not only saving yourself from picking up clothing off the floor, but also teaching them independence and accountability. Trust me their wives and husbands will thank you for teaching them one day! The general rule about socks, underwear and sports clothing is that they should go to the dirty clothes hamper after being worn.

Proper brushing and flossing as well as mouthwash are keys to maintaining a pearly smile and a clean mouth. Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day and eventually learn to brush after meals as well. They should also floss their teeth or have their parent floss for them for the first few years until they can do so independently. Without proper oral hygiene a child can wind up with gum disease, tooth decay and premature loss of teeth. Children should visit a dentist within 12 months of their first tooth or by the age of three.

Hand Washing Teaching your preschooler when and how to wash their hands can help prevent sickness and infection.

Stallworth says washing your hands alongside your young child will help show them the proper technique. “Wash at least 20 to 30 seconds, and wash both front and back and also in between the fingers,� says Stallworth. He also points out that hand sanitizers are good when there is no soap, but warns that they don’t protect against all germs such as rhinovirus and norovirus to name a few. He recommends a product called GloGerm, which takes a while to come off while washing, and can show you areas that need improving.

By pointing out places where germs are more prevalent, children will become more aware of the need to wash their hands. For example germs lurk on grocery carts, grocery checkout lanes, a community piano they may play during lessons, public bathrooms and many other places.

Potty Time Teaching proper bathroom hygiene like how to wipe, how much toilet paper to use and what the seat should look like when you are finished in the bathroom are important lessons for your children as well.

One local mother I know charges her grade-school

Clothing

So here’s hoping that you will have a house full of clean, good little bunnies that learn the importance of excellent personal hygiene at an early age.

Old habits die hard!

More To Teach Your Preschooler r 5FBDI UIFN IPX UP LFFQ OBJMT USJNNFE BOE DMFBO UP BWPJE IBOHOBJMT UIBU DPVME MFBE UP JOGFDUJPO %JTDPVSBHF OBJM CJUJOH PS QJDL JOH BT UIFTF DBO TQSFBE HFSNT BOE DBVTF JOGFDUJPO r (JWF UIFN OPTF CMPXJOH UJQT UFBDI UIFN IPX UP VTF B ,MFFOFY BOE UIF QSPQFS XBZ UP EJTQPTF PG JU r 5FBDI UIFN UP DPWFS UIFJS NPVUI XIFO DPVHIJOH r 4IPX UIFN IPX UP LFFQ IBJS EFUBOHMFE BOE CSVTIFE SFHVMBSMZ r .PN %BE $IFDL DIJMESFO T IBJS NPOUIMZ GPS IFBE MJDF r 5FBDI UIFN OPU UP FBU GPPE PGG UIF ĂĄ PPS PS VTF VUFOTJMT UIBU IBWF GBMMFO PO UIF ĂĄ PPS

Mary Ashton Mills lives in Augusta with her husband and two children.

Her work has appeared in Charleston Magazine, The Post and Courier and Augusta Family Magazine.

www.augustafamily.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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1. Customizable Yeti Cooler, $249.99 and up Customize with any kind of graphics you would like.

Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta 2. Lily Pulitzer Market Tote, $10 Cudos! | 1257 Augusta West Pkwy., Augusta

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3. Perfume Roll-Ons by Olivina, $12 Custom Pharmacy | 1202 Town Park Lane, Evans 4. Simply Southern T-shirt, $24.95 and up Cudos2U | 400 Town Park Boulevard, Evans

5. Red Check Empire Dress, The Bailey Boys, $79 Posh Tots | 343 Highland Ave., Augusta 6. Augusta Apparel, $54 - $81

Embroidered Augusta polos and pullovers for the men in your family.

Augusta Visitor Center & Gift Shop | 560 Reynolds Street

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7. The Azalea Cocktail, $6.95 Share an Augusta tradition with your friends and family!

Augusta Visitor Center & Gift Shop | 560 Reynolds Street 8. Pandora Bracelet, see store for pricing Cudos2U | 400 Town Park Boulevard, Evans

9. Unisex Warm Up Booties, $45 Tutus & Dance Shoes | 3604 Verandah Drive, Augusta

11. Boy’s Red Corduroy Bubble, $42

By mom & me.

Posh Tots | 343 Highland Ave., Augusta 10. Women’s and Men’s Apparel

Styles and prices vary, see store for details.

Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta

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12. Mudpie Corinne Dress in Peacock, $47 Custom Pharmacy | 1202 Town Park Lane, Evans

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13. Owl Christmas Decorations, $8.50 each Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta

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14. Burlap Holiday Pillow Wraps, $8 - $12 Custom Pharmacy | 1202 Town Park Lane, Evans 15. Bethlehem Ornament, $9.99

Made from authentic Bethlehem Olive Wood.

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Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta 16. Kawai Digital Piano $995.00

Headphones, music books, and 3-year warranty included.

Turner’s Keyboards | 2358 Washington Road, Augusta 17. Lily Pulitzer Tumblers, $25 each Cudos! | 1257 Augusta West Pkwy., Augusta 18. Capezio Legwarmers Tutus & Dance Shoes | 3604 Verandah Drive, Augusta

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19. Marshmallow Gun, $24.99 each

One of the top selling gifts of the year!

Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta 20. Spartina Jewelry

Charms, bracelets and necklaces. See store for selection and pricing.

Communigraphics | 1400 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta

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A NEW YEAR’S Countdown That Will Have You Looking Up

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By Lara Krupicka

‌9‌8. Across the globe the last seconds before midnight on December 31st draw people together to follow the tick of the clock. The collective count down heightens our anticipation. It culminates our celebrations. And it anchors us in the transition from old year to new.

Why not bring that same sense of anticipation into the hours and days past midnight by looking ahead to how you want to spend the next twelve months. Count down from ten to one the plans, intentions and activities that will make it the year you hope for.

Check out the prompts below for ideas to start your countdown.

10

Create a list of 10 new date night activities or destinations you want to pursue with your spouse in the coming year. You could format it as a passport book listing each of the 10 options on a separate page. Then stamp or write the date on the activity’s listing when you complete it. For suggestions, check out the book Take Your Marriage from Good to Great One Date at a Time by Steve Pare.

9

The holidays can be a great time to catch up with those we don’t see often. But instead of waiting until next December for a frenzy of socializing, spread the good times out across the year. Scan your contact list or Facebook friends roster for nine people you would like to see face-to-face. Then make a plan for contacting them to arrange a meet-up. Your list may even spur a road trip (see number 6).

8

Are you sleep deprived? Carving out eight hours each night for sleep could be one of the best moves you make for yourself this year. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep has an impact on your immune system, mood, cardiovascular health, appetite, stress hormones, reasoning, problem solving and more. If a child’s sleep challenges prevent you from catching enough z’s, sleep expert Malia Jacobson has resources for parents on her website, maliajacobson.com.

7

Declutter your house by collecting seven items to give away.

If that does not make a dent, collect another seven to throw away. Repeat this activity on a room-by-room basis for further deep purging. And if you can engage the whole family in contributing, you could amass enough for a garage sale this spring.

local attractions to explore your home region. If you’re anticipating a road trip, choose activities and outings to coincide with your vacation plans.

5

Consider five of your strengths or skills. For each, brainstorm one new way you can put it to use, whether to improve everyday life or to contribute to your job or an organization you belong to. By doing so you create a win-win as you sharpen your skills and make an impact on others.

4

Bob Goff, author of the bestselling book Love Does, likes to quit something every Thursday. You don’t have to be so radical. Instead devise a list of four things you want to leave behind in the New Year. Your list may include bad habits, unhealthy relationships or a volunteer position that no longer fits your life.

3

Aim for dinner together as a family three or more nights out of the week, as researchers suggest the benefits to your children, such as improved psychological well-being, greater academic achievement and protection against the effects of cyberbullying, start accruing after three meals together weekly. Make time for conversation or play a game. TheFamilyDinnerProject.org offers suggestions for conversation prompts, dinner games and recipes.

2

Dream up two projects you would like to pursue in the next twelve months. They could be home improvement projects, service projects to help a charitable organization or craft projects to give as gifts throughout the year.

1

Many people like to choose a word that describes their hopes for the coming year. What word would you choose?

Post your word in a location you will see daily, such as on your bathroom mirror or the refrigerator door. Notice how it shapes your days and inspires you to live up to it.

Happy New Year! Using a countdown like this one, you can count on living more purposefully. Prepare to celebrate your best year yet! v

6

Gather ideas for six family outings you dream of taking together in the year ahead. Make it a goal to go on bi-monthly excursions. Or use the summer months to complete all six. Look for

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Lara Krupicka is a parenting journalist, mother of three and author of the book Family Bucket Lists: Bring More Fun, Adventure & Camaraderie Into Every Day.

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BABY STEPS TO A

BETTER YOU

NEW YEAR IN

THE

By Lucy Adams

N

ew Year. New You. Every ad on television has us swooning over the dramatic changes that will sweep over us on January 1. For now, we gorge on pumpkin pies and caress our Christmas cookies, but come the New Year everything will be different. We will be different.

Optimism runs high on January 1. We resolve to throw out the honey buns and invest in apples. We plan to take up running marathons. We make dates to meet friends at the gym for 60 minute spin classes. We thrill over the anticipation of dropping 10, 20, maybe even 30 pounds and buying a new wardrobe. We will change ourselves, our families and the world!

Yes. This will be the year. Forget last February when we cracked and hid in the pantry quietly removing the crinkly cellophane wrappers from an entire box of Little Debbies, eating one after the other until we slumped in a blob of guilt and remorse.

New Year. New You. New Approach.

Pop-culture sells the idea of setting pie-in-the-sky goals at the outset of the year paired with complete surrender to accomplishing them. “Socially, over the centuries we have been conditioned to believe a new numerical year is a time for doing things differently,� explains Dr. Julia Scalise, DN, PhD, a holistic health practitioner and the author of Do One Thing: Feel Better, Live Better. If we choose not to participate in the ritual, guilt rings in with the chime of 12 midnight on New Year’s Eve. It seems there’s no way to win. For most of us, we’ve faltered by February, we have serious misgivings by March and we’re apathetic by April. Old habits defeat best intentions and cast us into the cavernous pit of despair over human weakness. Taking on this tall order year after year takes a toll. “People think it has to be the Cecil B. DeMille production,� says Dr. Scalise, “but it can be the school play approach.�

Expectations cause people to commit to comprehensive revamps of their lives without any real plan for implementation. Dig for the answer to this conundrum in the middle ground. No one

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has to do it all. One small shift in behavior, one baby step, can obtain big returns. “We are creatures of habit,� says Dr. Sean Lynch, M.D., a family practitioner with Southern Family Medical Center. Changing old habits and developing new ones requires consistency and patience. Dr. Lynch compares over the top New Year’s resolutions to a ship’s captain attempting to turn his craft 180 degrees on a whim. When results aren’t immediate, folks lose heart, give up and go back to munching potato chips and watching The Walking Dead.

New Year. New You. How To. “Small gradual changes are what it takes to move a large entity like our life,� Dr. Lynch says. No one lost the svelte figure of his or her youth in a single day or a single year. He attests, “In my 15 years of being a doctor, I have yet to have a patient successful at dramatically altering his life with a New Year’s resolution.� The alternative and more reasonable approach to achieving better health is to take incremental steps in the right direction. Alter one behavior in a minor way and stick with it. Persistence and consistency over three to12 weeks will transform the new practice into a new habit.

Enjoy the victory. Let it energize you. Then take another baby step toward success.

New Year. New You. What To Do. Identifying a starting point poses a challenge. Assess the area with which you or your family need the most help and address that first. Or let each family member choose his or her own baby step, while siblings and parents act as accountability partners for each other. Experts have offered suggestions that effect the most benefit with minimal effort, but don’t try to tackle everything at once. r %FDSFBTF UIF OVNCFS PG TVHBS TXFFUFOFE CFWFSBHFT DPOTVNFE EBJMZ “That’s the biggest, easiest thing to do,� says Dr. Lynch. Soft drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, coffee, bottled fruit juices and other beverages contain large amounts of sugar. People who drink sugary drinks in general have lower overall dietary quality. Sugar-sweetened beverages are also a major contributor to extra pounds and obesity.

There’s no need to go guns blazing, however. That will create a feeling of deprivation, which will in turn lead to cravings. And binges. Start with one less per day. Give yourself or your family time to adjust, then subtract another, and so on. r *ODSFBTF DPOTVNQUJPO PG XBUFS Hydration energizes muscles, reduces fatigue, improves memory, improves skin texture, aids kidneys in transporting waste products from the body and reduces constipation. To determine how much water to drink each day. Dr. Scalise suggests dividing one’s body weight by 2.2.

The result is the number of ounces of water the body needs daily. r 3JE UIF QBOUSZ PG QSPEVDUT XJUI IJHI GSVDUPTF DPSO TZSVQ Added to many foods to enrich flavor, high fructose corn syrup contributes to fat in the belly area, which is associated with metabolic diseases like diabetes. Read labels of foods commonly consumed in your

household and begin finding substitutes for the ones with this sneaky additive. r &BU PÄ’ PG B TNBMMFS QMBUF Research demonstrates that people eat less when their plate is smaller. It mechanically changes portion sizes, thus calorie intake, without altering the perception of having a full meal. r #F NJOEGVM PG NBJOUBJOJOH QSPQFS QPTUVSF Poor posture has been associated with depression and also appears to be linked with anxiety, weight gain, migraines, heartburn and respiratory conditions. Good posture facilitates a taller appearance, deeper breathing, improved well-being and increased energy.

Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, M.D., an orthopedic and spinal surgeon and the author of Keys to an Amazing Life: Secrets of the Cervical Spine, says, “Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and the ‘angel wings,’ or the shoulder blades, retracted. In this proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished, for it is in its most efficient position. Studies are showing that with shifting into good posture people experience elevations in testosterone, increases in serotonin (the feel good hormone) and decreases in cortisol (the stress hormone). It is easier to have a better day and then a more productive life.� r 1VSDIBTF GFXFS QSFQBDLBHFE TOBDLT If you normally buy three bags of chips at the grocery store each week, drop back to two. Replace the third bag with snacks like apples, carrots and celery sticks. These have the same grab-and-go convenience of packaged snacks plus a good supply of nutrition. Once everyone adjusts to this change, take another baby step toward a prepackagedsnack-free household. Dr. Lynch assures parents who fear their children will starve, “If they’re hungry and healthy snacks are all that’s available, they’ll eat it.� r 1SFQBSF BU MFBTU POF IPNF DPPLFE NFBM QFS XFFL BOE EJOF BT B GBNJMZ “One constructed home-cooked meal accomplishes a lot of things,� assures Dr. Lynch. Foods prepared at home are generally less processed and healthier. Eating together tightens family bonds. It’s a time to give and receive encouragement for small victories in making small changes. r (FU IPVST PG TMFFQ QFS OJHIU Infants, children and teens need more. Dr. Lynch notes, “We live in a culture where the number one complaint of parents with school-age children is that they’re busy, stressed-out and tired.� Inadequate sleep is associated with reduced lifespan, depression, suppressed immune system, impaired memory and reaction times and other issues. Slip into bed a little earlier each week until gaining the extra sleep needed. r (P PVUTJEF BOE QMBZ It’s a great way to get exercise without grueling and expensive visits to the gym. Schedule a weekly game of kickball or h-o-r-s-e or tag with the children. r $VMUJWBUF HSBUJUVEF Data suggests that a person’s level of gratitude is related to his or her

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BABY STEPS TO A BETTER YOU IN THE NEW YEAR level of overall health. Counting blessings is associated with release of endorphins, an enhanced immune system and reduced stress. r 5BLF B EBZ FBDI XFFL UP SFTU Rest and rejuvenation combat exhaustion caused by the fast-paced week.

New Year. New You. New Plan.

Don’t begin the New Year destined for failure. Dr. Scalise urges individuals and families to avoid common mistakes that occur when motivation meets reality: r 1MBO GPS SPBECMPDLT For example, Tuesday afternoons are set aside for hitting tennis balls with the children, but, oh no, it’s raining. Have a plan for how to play anyway. A game of charades or indoor hide and seek might be good alternatives. r %PO U USZ UP EP UPP NVDI UPP GBTU Take one small step at a time. r 1MBO JO BEWBODF If planning to prepare a home-cooked meal, decide the menu and purchase the ingredients in advance. Solicit the help of family members beforehand. Then it won’t be a mad scramble after work or an idea that’s ditched altogether. r %PO U FYQFDU NBKPS DIBOHFT UPP RVJDLMZ Change takes time. Remember that you’re turning a ship. “Build on results when they come,� says Dr. Scalise. Stay the course until they do. v

HELPFUL APPS Daily Water Free-Water Reminder—Allows users to set and track goals and supplies reminder tones throughout the day. (Free) Map My Walk—Turns users’ iPhone into a pedometer. Tracks the route, pace, calories, time and distance of a walk. Also check out Map My Run, Map My Hike, Map My Ride apps. (Free) Pepper Plate—This menu planning tool provides recipes, shopping lists, a menu calendar and timers. (Free) Gratitude Journal 365—Enables users to input and track daily expressions of thankfulness. Users can also document gratitude with pictures. ($1.99) SleepBot—Tracks sleep cycles, provides hints for better sleep, emits ambient, soothing sound, summarizes sleep statistics and more. (Free) Way of Life—Helps users track behaviors and build or break habits. Set goals, get daily reminders and enter data. (Free) Posture Aware—Increases awareness of one’s posture positioning and includes instructions for exercises to improve posture. Even has an alarm to prompt self-monitoring of posture. (Free)

Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, Ga., with her husband and their four children. Contact Lucy at lucybgoosey@aol.com.

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funfood

Party Plates Recipes That Make Holiday Entertaining Easy

F

or many hosts and hostesses, planning a holiday gathering involves many details and careful planning of everything from the tablecloths to the dessert plates. Free yourself from this stress, and focus your attention on creating a holiday menu that includes plenty of tasty bites, sweet eats and flavorful drinks. Focus on the food and watch all the details fall into place, making your festive celebration the most memorable event of the year.

Apple Pie in a Glass Servings: 2 12 ounces fresh apple cider 2 cinnamon sticks 2 thin slices fresh ginger root Freshly grated nutmeg 2 teaspoons ďŹ rmly packed light brown sugar 3 ounces dry sherry 2 ounces apple brandy > Put cider, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and brown sugar in small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. > Remove from heat and divide between two Irish coffee glasses or mugs. Transfer cinnamon stick to each. Top each with half the sherry and brandy.

Serve hot.

For more recipes, visit www.usapple.org.

Grilled Salmon Nachos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream Servings: 4 (or 20 chips) 2 tablespoons jerk marinade 1 package (6.3 ounces) Gorton’s Classic Grilled Salmon Fillets 1 fresh mango, diced 2 tablespoons minced red onion 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno 1 teaspoon honey Salt, to taste 2 tablespoons fat free sour cream 1/2 teaspoon lime zest 1 teaspoon lime juice 1 teaspoon fresh chopped cilantro 20 tortilla chips Cilantro leaves and lime wedges (for garnish)

> Spoon marinade over ďŹ llets and cook according to package instructions. > Mix mango, red onion, jalapeno, honey and pinch of salt in medium bowl. Set aside. > Mix sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro and pinch of salt in small bowl. Set aside. > Arrange tortilla chips in single layer on platter.

Top each chip with mango mixture. > Cut cooked ďŹ llets into approximately 20 pieces and place one piece on top of each chip. > Top with lime sour cream and garnish each chip with cilantro leaf. Serve with lime wedges.

For more recipes, visit www.gortons.com.

Brie with Chilean Grape Salsa and Tortillas

1 1/2 cups quartered fresh Chilean red seedless grapes 1 small mild red chile pepper (jalapeno), chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon honey Pomegranate seeds (optional) 4 ounces wedge Brie cheese 6 (6-inch) our tortillas

> Combine quartered grapes, chile pepper, lime juice, honey and pomegranate seeds (if using).

Stir well. Keep chilled. Upon standing, salsa generates delicious grape “juice.� > Cut tortillas into triangles. Place on baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, until brown and crispy. Bake Brie until soft and melted about 5–8 minutes. > Serve grape salsa from bowl or spoon it over top of warm Brie.

> Preheat oven to 350°F.

For more recipes, visit www.fruitsfromchile.com.

Servings: 4

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funfood Salted Chocolate Tart with Chip Crust Servings: 9-inch tart Recipe and image courtesy of Gaby Dalkin, author of “What’s Gaby Cooking�

Note: Tart is best when prepared and chilled one day before serving.

For crust: 1 “Sharing Sizeâ€? bag Kettle Brand Chips, Sea Salt avor 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup all-purpose our For ďŹ lling: 1/4 cup heavy cream 10 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8teaspoon salt For topping: 1 cup heavy cream 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips Flaky sea salt, for garnish

> To make crust, ďŹ rst preheat oven to 350°F. > In food processor, pulse potato chips until ďŹ nely ground. Add melted butter and our and pulse for 30 seconds to combine. > Press potato chip crust into bottom and sides of 9-inch tart pan. > Transfer to pre-heated oven and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. > To make chocolate ďŹ lling, combine cream and chocolate chips in medium pot over medium heat; warm cream until chocolate starts to melt. Whisk both ingredients together until completely smooth.

Add eggs, vanilla and salt and continue to whisk until smooth. > Pour chocolate ďŹ lling mixture into cooled tart shell and place back into oven and bake for 22–25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes. > To make chocolate ganache topping, heat cream in small saucepan and add chocolate. Whisk together over medium heat until mixture is smooth and all chocolate has melted. > Pour mixture over middle of chocolate tart and use offset spatula to spread around evenly. > Chill tart overnight in refrigerator. > Dust with aky sea salt before slicing and serving.

For more recipes, visit www.kettlebrand.com.

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inspirationstation

by Danielle Wong Moores

Mom on a Misson Genice McCoy Found a Way To Connect Parents of Children With Disabilities

A

s a young Army wife with a deployed husband and two sons with autism, Geneice McCoy remembers how lonely she felt as she struggled to advocate for her children. “I remember feeling that I had nowhere to go,� she says.

At school, her opinions weren’t respected—and she often felt judged, that somehow she did something wrong to cause her sons to have autism. In the ‘90s, autism wasn’t as well understood as it is now, but McCoy took her own experience to heart, vowing that no other parent would feel as alone as she did.

When she and her family moved to Augusta, she joined the Parent to Parent support group. She also became active in public advocacy, taking a Partners in Policymaking leadership and advocacy course and then becoming a parent advocate with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. And when Parent to Parent folded, she started a support group of her own.

The Common Bond Parent Support Group launched in 2006, and from the start, McCoy wanted to make sure the group was open to any family who had a child with a disability—not just autism. The group’s description reads: For parents of children of all ages and diagnoses with challenging disabilities but remarkable perseverance and resilience. “We’re support group focused, but not any disability specifically,� she says.

Following Her Passion Although she is a realtor by trade, advocating for parents of children with disabilities is her passion. In between calls to close or show houses, she talks to parents struggling with finding resources or who need help advocating at school. “It’s all about inclusion,� she says. “I connect people who are not affiliated with the disability world with those who are. Sometimes families are secluded. Sometimes there’s shame involved. I ensure there’s a connection between the two worlds and they know there’s somewhere to go.�

For example, McCoy says that at their most recent meeting, they celebrated the success of a single mother who used to be afraid to go into her child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings alone. McCoy and the group helped teach and train her so that she could stand on her own two feet and advocate for her child. “She’s had a lot of victories‌The biggest issue for parents is developing the confidence.

Some parents feel they don’t have the education to advocate for their child, but it doesn’t matter what you’re supposed to know. You know your child better than everybody else.�

Over time, membership in the group has ebbed and flowed. And the group itself is changing. While it will always be focused on support, McCoy hopes to grow the group into more of an action-oriented group,

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inspirationstation one that takes up a disability-related cause and sees it through. These causes will be led by the parents, not the group, but may be supported by it. For example, says McCoy, “We have a member interested in doing something pertaining to accessibility in the city since Augusta is (already) working on that.�

For these types of causes, if they all agree, the group may support their members by attending commission meetings and other tactics.

Seeking Connections McCoy herself reaches out to as many parents in need as she can through her business connections, word of mouth and even just stopping a parent in the grocery store with a child with a disability and inviting them to Common Bond. But she wishes there was a better way to connect parents with services and resources. “There’s no easy way, and it’s not easy to navigate,� she says. “There’s no one-stop shop.�

It’s why her big dream is to make that happen. “I want to build, to have the largest parent empow-

erment center in the nation,� says McCoy. “Right now I don’t even know of one that exists, but I want a parent to come into that building and to just go to the resource room or media room and find what they need.� She envisions the center offering a gym, music therapy, classroom instruction and inviting speakers to present on disability-related topics.

It’s a place she dreamed of back in those days when she was struggling alone on a military installation, with no support group or resources to turn to. “Life is stressful enough when you’re raising a child with a disability,� she says. “I needed a place, one place, to get what I needed. Raising the kids with autism was not the main problem—dealing with society was the worst problem. That’s why I’m inclusive of all.�

It’s also how she hit upon the name Common Bond. “Regardless of disability, race or age that separates us‌ our common bond is everything we go through. It’s the same—the emotions are the same, the exhaustion is the same, society is the same. The feelings are the same.

And those things in common are our courage, our tenacity, our will to thrive and our will to advocate.�

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Although Common Bond is going through a metamorphosis, McCoy sees it continuing on well into the future. “Even if it’s a support group meeting with just two of us, that’s fine with me,� she says. “I’m not caught up in the number. We have no problem giving anyone that help through a crisis.�

She waves her hand around her realty office. “This feeds the body, but this advocacy is what I do for the soul. This is my calling.� v

Need Support?

Common Bond meets on the last Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and location, call 706729-0012.

Danielle Wong Moores is an Augusta freelance writer and frequent contributor to Augusta Family Magazine, Augusta Magazine and The Augusta Chronicle.

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calendar Dec. 2014

Jan. 2015

The Nutcracker The spirit of the season is no more beautifully embodied than in the timeless Nutcracker ballet. On December 5, the Columbia County Ballet brings the magic of this classic holiday tale to life with brilliant costuming and set design. Journey with Clara through the mystical pine forest and colorful Land of Sweets to rediscover an imaginative world of childhood dreams.

7 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-860-1852.

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calendar

HOLIDAY EVENTS December 5. The Nutcracker. The magic of this classic holiday tale comes to life as performed by the Columbia County Ballet. 7 p.m. Imperial Theatre.

706-860-1852.

December 6. Elf on the Shelf Welcome Back Party.

Santa has given all children permission to "touch" their elves and bring them to CommuniGraphics in North Augusta for a special party featuring photos with Santa, games, elf snacks and prizes. 9 am.-6 p.m. 1400 Georgia Ave. 803-278-7217 December 6. Christmas for the Birds. Bring apples, oranges, peanut butter for the birds and pet food for local pet adoptions centers. Or just bring yourself and the children to share the joy of creating and giving gifts at Christmas. Cider and cookies will be served. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. North Augusta Living History Park. 803-279-7560 or www.colonialtimes.us.

December 6. Tea & Tutus. An elegant afternoon tea with the Columbia County Ballet. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706-860-1852.

December 6. Columbia County Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting. Create fun crafts and visit the vendor village full of local artisans to get a jump on your Christmas shopping. Live entertainment. Evans Towne Center Park. Dec. 7, Martinez-Evans Christmas Parade. 2 p.m. www.evanstownecenterpark. com.

December 6. Christmas Light-Up Spectacular.

Come down with the whole family and ring in the holiday season with an array of activities for the children, the 12 Bands, vendors, Christmas Parade and a thrilling fireworks show! Noon to 6 p.m. at the Augusta Commons. Free. For more information, please call the Downtown Development Authority at 706722-8000.

December 6-8. Holiday Open House and Artisans Market. The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta will be alive with holiday music, light refreshments and artistic creations during their third annual Holiday Open House and Artisans Market. Peruse the work of potters, jewelry artists, sculptors, painters and fabric artists. Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 8, noon-4 p.m. 803-441-4380.

December 7. Photos with Santa. Have your family photo or your children's photos made with Santa.

No Session fees or appointments necessary. 9 a.m.-

4 p.m. at the Old Government House, 432 Telfair St. Call 706-821-1812.

December 8-13. Holly Days. Come enjoy a festive shopping and dining experience in Downtown Aiken. Participating shops offer a variety of treats to put you in the holiday spirit. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 803-6492221.

December 9. A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols.

This annual event featuring guest choirs and readers is the highlight of the Christmas season. The traditional English Christmas program was originated at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge University, England. Reservations required. 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706-826-4700.

December 11. Night of 1,000 Lights. Sponsoring businesses in downtown Aiken stay open late. Luminaries will line the streets as you shop for those special people on your list this year. Food, festivities and other events round out the evening. 5-9 p.m.

803-649-2221.

December 12. A Charlie Brown Christmas With David Benoit. Since launching his recording career in 1977, Benoit’s expansive career as a contemporary jazz pianist and composer has included more than 25 solo recordings. 7:30 p.m. Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. 706-726-0366 or www.augustaamusements.com.

December 12 & 13. Jingle Jam 10K. Now in its fourth year, the Jingle Jam 10K is a fun-filled, Christmas-themed road race featuring music, choirs, Santa Claus and a costume contest. Runners get jingle bells to lace into their shoes so they can “jingle all the way� to the finish line. Packet pickup on the 12th, race on the 13th. Go to jinglejam10k.com.

December 12 and 13. Columbia County Orchestra Community Christmas Concerts. Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 7 p.m. St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. www.columbiacco.org.

December 12-23 and 26. Christmas in Hopelands.

Hopelands Gardens is spectacular during all four seasons, especially during this time of year when it is adorned with lighted holiday displays and pathways creating a whimsical fantasy land. In addition to the lights exhibit, special events, such as concerts and children’s crafts, will take place each evening.

December 12-23 and 26. 6-9:30 p.m. www.cityofaikensc.gov.

December 13. The Truth From Above. Messiah

www.augustafamily.com

excerpts and more as performed by the Augusta Choral Society. 7:30 p.m. Saint Paul’s Church. 706826-4713.

December 13-14. A Christmas Carol, the Musical.

Presented by The Augusta Players. Dec. 13, 8 p.m.

Dec. 14, 3 p.m. Imperial Theatre. For tickets, www. augustaplayers.org.

December 14. Augusta Chorale’s Annual Christmas Concert. 706-830-0991.

December 19-21. The Nutcracker. As performed by the Aiken Civic Ballet. 7 p.m. USC-Aiken Etherredge Center. 803-641-3305.

December 21. Christmas With John Berry. Between 1979 and 1990 Berry recorded and marketed six albums on his own Clear Sky Records label. Capitol Records signed him in 1992 and it was there that he had a string of hits. But it was his stunning performance on the 1995 album “O Holy Night� that led to his most enduring legacy. This year marks his 15th consecutive Christmas concert series. 7 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

December 24. Christmas Eve Concert and Lessons and Carols. Featuring the St. John United Method Church choirs and orchestra. Part of the Concerts With a Cause music series. Benefits the United Methodist Children’s Home. 10:30 p.m. St. John United Methodist Church. 736 Greene St. 706724-9641, extension 4.

SPECIAL EVENTS December 4-6. 14th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon. This fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Georgia, the local Children's Miracle Network hospital, is broadcast with radio personalities from WBBQ 104.3, KISS 96.3 and the new country station G 105.7. 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on the 4th and 5th, 7 a.m.-noon on the 6th. Pledges can be made by calling 706-922KIDS (5437) or toll free at 1-866-412-KIDS (5437.

January 9-10. Monster X Tour. The event features outrageous motocross jumps, crushed cars, racing and some of the biggest names in Monster Trucks— all across more than 1,000 tons of dirt track. 7:30 p.m. both nights. James Brown Arena. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

January 16. Jerry Seinfeld. America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. 7 p.m. Bell Audito-

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Church Services This guide to the CSRA’s many Christmas Eve and Christmas Day church services is also available on augustafamily.com. Click on resources at the top of the screen to download a pdf and share it with family and friends.

St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church

First Presbyterian Church of Augusta

1420 Monte Santo Ave. r Augusta GA 30904 r 706.733.6627 www.stmaryonthehill.org *Christmas Eve, December 24 6 p.m. Mass, 9 p.m. Mass, Midnight Mass *Christmas Day, December 25 9 a.m. Mass, 11 a.m. Mass *New Years Eve, December 31 6 p.m. Vigil *New Years Day, January 1 9 a.m. Mass, 11 a.m. Mass

5FMGBJS 4U r "VHVTUB (" r XXX ê STUQSFTBVHVTUB PSH 3FHVMBS 4VOEBZ 8PSTIJQ 4FSWJDFT BU BOE B N BOE Q N *Christmas Evensong Services, Sunday, December 14 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.—Lessons and Carols featuring the children’s Canterbury Choir, adult Chancel Choir and orchestra. *Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Family Candlelight Services Children’s story, traditional Christmas carols, special music with strings, harp and organ.

Saint Paul’s Church

First Baptist Church, North Augusta

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*Sunday, December 14 7 pm Festival of Christmas 'FBUVSJOH 1PJOU PG (SBDF XJUI '#$ 8PSTIJQ $IPJS r 'SFF HFOFSBM BENJTTJPO *Christmas Eve Service 5 pm – Christmas Eve Family Worship Traditional Christmas carols with special music by Choir and Orchestra

Whole Life Ministries 2621 Washington Road r "VHVTUB (" r www.wholelife.org *Christmas Extravaganza, Sunday, December 14 10:30 a.m.—Presented by Adult Choir, Children's Choir and Hand bell Choir *Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Wednesday, December 24 7:00 p.m. *New Year's Eve Service, Wednesday, December 31 9:00 p.m.

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January 17. The Diary of Black Men. A theatrical production that has been touring since 1983, this play is laced with comedy and discussions about manhood from a black man’s perspective. It examines the relationships between black men and women using six male stereotypes, including a hip-hop revolutionist played by Tommy Ford, who starred in the classic African-American film, “Harlem Nights.�

7 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

January 24. The Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble. A blur of movement, visionary hoop dancing, powerful drums, elegant traditional dancing, soaring powwow vocals, ancient flute songs, Northern Plains sign language and authentic stories of the First Nations. 7:30 p.m. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. GRU campus. 706-667-4100.

January 17-24. 36th Annual Augusta Futurity. The largest cutting event east of the Mississippi, this competition also includes championship bull riding.

Shop for the best in western apparel, riding equipment and other specialized items. James Brown Arena. www.augustafuturity.com.

January 30. TEDx Augusta. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. 9 a.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

THE ARTS, MUSIC AND MORE December 2. Aiken Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. USCAiken Etherredge Center. 803-641-3305.

December 5. Orleans Six Band. The group is regarded by fans and musicians alike as one of the hardest swinging bands in New Orleans. Ben Polcer (trumpet/vocals) and Bruce Brackman (clarinet) have collaborated on a simple mission: to round up the best traditional jazz players in New Orleans and play jazz the way it was meant to be played, with tons of fire to get people dancing. Part of the USC-Aiken Cultural Series. 7:30 p.m. USC-Aiken Etherredge Center. 803-641-3305.

December 14. The Aiken Choral Society Presents: A Winter Concert. Featuring yuletide madrigals with period instruments and costumed singers. 3 p.m.

Cornerstone Baptist Church. Aiken. Tickets may be purchased at the Aiken County Museum and at the door. www.aikenchoralsociety.com.

December 15. Augusta Collegium Musicum. Annu-

al concert of holiday music from around the world.

7:30-8:30 p.m. Augusta Museum of History. 706722-8454.

December 18. Continuo Collective of the South.

Ensemble dedicated to the vast repertoire of Baroque chamber music. To enhance this benefit concert for Aiken Performing Arts Group educational outreach programs, wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and Christmas sweets will be available prior to the concert. 7:30 p.m. URS Theater. Aiken. 803-643-4774.

December 18. Suzy Bogguss Christmas Show.

Some of the artist’s accomplishments include 10 albums for Capitol Records, one of which has been certified platinum and three others gold. Eight of her singles have cracked country music's top five.

Bogguss is the recipient of a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album as well as several awards from the Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, and CMT. 7:30 p.m. Imperial Theatre.

706-722-8341.

December 19. Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day. Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music with 57 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five Grammys, 47 numberone singles and approaching 11 million albums sold. Third Day’s hits include “Cry out to Jesus� and “God of Wonders,� potent rock anthems infused with the substantive, life-affirming lyrics that have always been the bedrock of the band’s music. 7 p.m. James Brown Arena. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

January 9. Sarah Jarosz. Rolling Stone has compared this 22-year-old phenom to Gillian Welch; Mojo labeled her a “newgrass prodigy� for her skills on banjo, guitar and mandolin; and the normally reserved New York Times hailed her as “one of acoustic music’s finest talents,� with song writing chops to match her instrumental prowess. Presented by the Morris Museum of Art’s Budweiser True Music Southern Soul and Song. 7:30 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

January 24. Jamiee Paul. Imagine a 1940s jazz club with the voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney, and others. Jaimee Paul and her jazz combo deliver just that. At Last, a tribute to that wonderful era and those fabulous female vocalists of that time, will certainly take you back to the glory days of yesteryear. She has toured with the Judds, Wynona, Jim Brickman, Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5. 7 p.m. Burke County Office Park Auditorium. 706437-0070.

January 2-3. Poison Peach Film Festival VII. Forbes Film and the Imperial Theatre present a weekend of independent film, including a premiere of Forbes

www.augustafamily.com

HOLIDAY DAY CAMPS December 22 & 23 or December 29-January 2. Camp Kroc Day Camp. Kids will play games, swim, do arts and craft and make memories while parents go to work without having a break in their schedule. Register early as spots are filled on a first-come firstserved basis. Ages 5-12. Camps are held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Added cost for early drop-off or late pick-up. Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1833 Broad St., Augusta. www. krocaugusta.org. 706-364-KROC. December 22-26. Session 1 of Winter Camp at the Family YMCA. Camp at the Family Y offers a safe environment where children can learn social skills and develop values. A focus on character development through core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibilities and faith. Offered at the Aiken County, Augusta South, North Augusta, North Jefferson, Steiner Branch and Wilson Family Y’s, as well as the Family Y’s Child Development Center. No camp activities will be held December 24 or 25.

Please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle.

Fees vary by location. Discount for additional siblings. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622.

December 22, 23, 29 & 30. Christmas Art Camp. Ages 5-12. Kids will create art with Nanette Langner while parents are getting ready for the holidays or working. Full and half-day camps available. Each day has a different theme. Supplies included. Register for each day separately. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Call for fees. 1833 Broad St., Augusta. www. krocaugusta.org. 706-364-KROC. December 29-January 2. Session 2 of Winter Camp at the Family YMCA. Camp at the Family Y offers a safe environment where children can learn social skills and develop values. A focus on character development through our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibilities and faith. Offered at the Aiken County, Augusta South, North Augusta, North Jefferson, Steiner Branch and Wilson Family Y’s, as well as the Family Y’s Child Development Center. No camp activities will be held January 1. Please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Fees vary by location. Discount for additional siblings. Financial assistance available for all Family Y programs. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622.

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Films’ horror feature “Cabaret the Oblique.� 7 p.m. both nights. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

repertoire, and commitment to educating audiences of all ages about live music and the brass idiom.

7:30 p.m. Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. www.soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705.

January 6. Tuesdays Music Live: Davidson Fine Arts Chorale Presents the Roy Goodwin Concert.

Enjoy lunch and at concert at Saint Paul's Church.

Advance lunch reservations are required and can be made online at www.TuesdaysMusicLive.com or by calling 706-722-3462.

January 16-February 27. Marianna Williams. Paintings and mixed-media. Opening reception, Jan. 16.

6-8 p.m. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-7225495.

January 8. Art Exhibition Opening Reception: Judy Avrett and Lucy Weigle. 5-7 p.m. Exhibit through Feb. 27. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706-826-4700.

January 16-March 20. Lillie Morris. Multi-media and collage. Opening reception, Jan. 16. 6-8 p.m.

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-722-5495.

January 9-10, 16-18 and 23-24. All My Sons. Set in post-World War II, this story follows the Kellers, a seemingly All American family. But the father, Joe Keller, has concealed a great sin. Innocent soldiers have died and someone is to blame. Jan. 9-10, 1617 and 23-24 at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803-648-1438.

January 17. All Bach. Featuring Melanie Scafide Russell, soprano; Yulia Van Doren, soprano II; Jay Carter, countertenor; Steven Soph, tenor, and Ray Feener, bass. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Mass in B Minor. 7:30 p.m. First Baptist of Augusta. www.soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705.

January 10. Manhattan Brass. For more than 20 years, Manhattan Brass has been known for its innovative programming, dynamic performances, varied

January 20. Tuesdays Music Live Presents David Burgess. The guitarist is performing the Martha Curtis Concert. Enjoy lunch and at concert at Saint Paul's Church. Advance lunch reservations are re-

quired and can be made online at www.TuesdaysMusicLive.com or by calling 706-722-3462.

January 23. Stanislav Khristenko. The Ukrainian born pianist has been performing on four continents since his first solo recital at the age of 11. Khristenko has appeared as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Belgium, the Cleveland Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, and the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra, among others. He has won top prizes at some of the most prestigious international piano competitions. Part of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Series. 7:30 p.m. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. GRU campus. 706-667-4100.

January 27-31. Rapunzel. A musical presented by Storyland Theatre. School shows, Jan. 27-3 at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Reservations required. Saturday family matinee, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.

No reservations needed. Meet the actors after the show. Active duty military personnel and their families admitted free with military ID. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. GRU campus. 706-736-3455.

January 29. The Tempest. Part of the USC-Aiken Cultural Series. 7:30 p.m. USC-Aiken Etherredge Center. 803-641-3305.

SPORTS Columbia County Parks & Recreation Department 5445 Columbia Rd., Grovetown.

706-863-7523.

January 5-16. Spring Soccer Registration.

CSRA Defensive Arts 803-221-0330 or csraDefensiveArts.com.

Martial Arts Classes. Ages 8-adult. Goshinjitsu, Kindai Karate and Kobojutsu. Call for information.

RECREATION PROGRAMS Champions Made From Adversity P.O. Box 980, Evans, Ga. 706-364-2422. www.cmfa.us This nonprofit organization strives to advance the lives of people with physical disabilities and their families through sport and leisure opportunities.

Current weekly schedule: Monday—Adapted fitness at the Kroc Center, 2-4 p.m. and wheelchair basketball at Garrett Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m.

Tuesday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and quad rugby at the Kroc Center, 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday—Wheelchair basketball, 6:30-8 p.m.

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calendar Thursday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and Adapted Fitness at the Kroc Center, 3-5 p.m.

Friday—Adapted cycling at the uptown VA, 1:302:30 p.m.

The Family Y Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622.

December 2-23. Swim Lessons session at the Family YMCA of Downtown Augusta. Swim lessons for all ages and skill levels, ages 6 months to adult beginners. Lessons are held in two-week sessions on Monday through Thursday.

December 1-19. Adult Boot Camp at the Steiner Branch Family YMCA. A one-hour, high-intensity class with a focus on calisthenics, strength and cardio. Class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 a.m. or 7 p.m. for six weeks.

December 13. Parent’s Night Out at Family YMCA of North Augusta. Fun, entertaining nigh for children ages 2-12 years from 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is December 12. Freedom Friday at Family YMCA of Augusta South. It’s hard to find time for yourself when your spouse is overseas. Let your kids, ages 8 weeks to 12 years, have a fun evening at the Y from 6-9:30 p.m. Free for active duty military families.

December 13 & 27. Parent’s Night Out at Marshall Family YMCA. Fun, entertaining nigh for children ages 2-12 years from 6:00-9:30 p.m.

December 20. Parent’s Night Out at Steiner Branch Family YMCA. Enjoy a date night while your kids have a fun evening at the YMCA! For kids ages 2-12 years from 6-9:30 p.m.

December 20. Parent’s Night Out at Family YMCA of Aiken County. Fun, entertaining nigh for children ages 2-12 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. Discount for additional siblings.

December 22-26. Session 1 of Winter Camp at the Family YMCA. Camp at the Family Y offers a safe environment where children can learn social skills and develop values. A focus on character development through core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibilities and faith. Offered at the Aiken County, Augusta South, North Augusta, North Jefferson, Steiner Branch and Wilson Family Y’s, as well as the Family Y’s Child Development Center. No camp activities will be held December 24 or 25. Please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Fees vary by location. Discount for additional siblings.

December 27. Parent’s Night Out at Wilson Family YMCA and Family YMCA of Augusta South. Enjoy a date night while your kids have fun at the Y from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.

December 29-January 2. Session 2 of Winter Camp at the Family YMCA. Camp at the Family Y offers a safe environment where children can learn social skills and develop values. We focus on character development through our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibilities and faith. Offered at the Aiken County, Augusta South, North Augusta, North Jefferson, Steiner Branch and Wilson Family Y’s, as well as the Family Y’s Child Development Center. No camp activities will be held January 1. Please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Fees vary by location. Discount for additional siblings. Financial assistance available for all Family Y programs.

January 5-18. Spring Soccer Registration. Offered at the Aiken County, Augusta South, Marshall, Steiner Branch and Wilson Family YMCA’s. Ages 5-12 years old. Season runs from March 2-April 18. .

January 5-18. Spring Soccer Plus+ Registration at the Steiner Branch Family YMCA. Soccer Plus+ is a new training program offered in conjunction with the Spring season. You will receive a high level of soccer training by hired Coerver Coaching Clinicians, endorsed and recommended by the top soccer federations, associations, legends/experts of the game, club teams and corporations. Each clinic is 1.5 hours a week for the duration of the season for a total of 8 weeks. For ages 5-12 years old (Age control date August 1). Season runs from March 2-April 18.

January 10 & 24. Parent’s Night Out at Marshall Family YMCA. Fun, entertaining nigh for children ages 2-12 years from 6-9:30 p.m.

January 12. Team Lean 2015 Kick-Off at All CSRA Family YMCA Locations. Get leaner and stronger together. Team Lean is a 12-week weight-loss competition for individuals or teams of 4 or 5.

Cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 contenders in the categories of Male Team, Female Team, Coed Team, Individual Male and Individual Female. Free weekly health seminars throughout the competition will provide the tools for success for teams and individuals.

January 19. School Days Out at the Family YMCA of Aiken County and Family YMCA of North Augusta.

School days out is for students, K-5th grades when there is a student holiday or teacher work day. We focus on character development through our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. Activities are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., early drop-off at 7 a.m. and late pick-up at 6 p.m. are available at

www.augustafamily.com

My Best Friend’s Sewing Room 3850 Washington Rd., Suite 4C, Martinez.

Contact Jordan Nuques, 706-993-8819 or email mybfsewingroom@yahoo.com Call or email for class fees.

Pre-registration is required.

December 11. Homemade Christmas Gifts. The kids are in school so take a break AND sew your own holiday gifts starting with this mug rug and coffee cozy at this open sewing event. Adult beginners are welcome. Sewing kit included. 10-12 p.m.

December 13. Mommy and Me. Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew with your child? Now is your chance. Sew a holiday pillow and share some precious time together. Supplies are included. 10-12 p.m.

Children must be ages 9 and up.

December 13. Sip and Sew. Make a holiday-themed table runner at this open sewing event. Beginners are welcome.

Sewing kit included. 7-9 p.m. This class is for adults only.

December 18. Sew Blessed. An open sewing event for adults. Bring your own project to work on and borrow sewing machines. Christmas ornament sewing kits provided. All class fees will be donated to Julie’s House. Bring a sack lunch. 10-1 p.m.

December 20. Sewing Seeds Club. Learn the basics of sewing, a valuable life skill, while completing a fun project. Sewing machine and kit provided. This club meets the third Saturday of every month. 10-12 p.m. Ages 9 and up.

December 22 -23. Drop and Shop. Trying to fit a little time in for Christmas shopping? Drop your child off to sew a Christmas-themed project while you cross off your Christmas list. Bring a sack lunch.

10-2 p.m. Ages 9 and up.

December 29-30. Kids Sewing Camp.

School is out, so come learn the sewing basics in this 2-day camp and complete two cool projects. Bring a sack lunch.

10-2 p.m. Ages 9 and up.

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calendar no additional cost. Pre-registration is required. Bring a lunch, snack and water bottle.

child during Toddler Tuesday. Activities from 10:3011 a.m. and swimming from 11 a.m.-noon.

January 17. Parent’s Night Out at Family YMCA of Aiken County. Fun, entertaining nigh for children ages 2-12 from 5:30-9 p.m. Discount for additional siblings.

December 5, 12, 19 & 26. Kroc Tots Activity Hour.

Inspire your toddler's social growth, cognitive and physical development with children's literature, art and craft projects and social play. A guardian must remain with the child. Walking toddlers through age 5. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

January 17. Parent’s Night Out at Steiner Branch Family YMCA. Enjoy a date night while your kids have a fun evening at the YMCA! For kids ages 2-12 years from 6-9:30 p.m.

January 24. Parent’s Night Out at Wilson Family YMCA and Family YMCA of Augusta South. Enjoy a date night while your kids have fun at the Y from 6-9:30 p.m.

January 26-31. Launch Week at the Family YMCA of Downtown Augusta. Launch Week is the perfect time to try one or all of our extraordinary group fitness classes. Join our instructors as they introduce new music and choreography that’s guaranteed to be challenging, inspiring and fun! All of our classes are designed to accommodate ALL fitness levels.

Launch classes are FREE to members & non-members, so bring a friend (or a few)! Join the fun and try your new favorite class!

January 5-February 14. Adult Boot Camp at the Steiner Branch Family YMCA. A one-hour, highintensity class with a focus on calisthenics, strength and cardio. Class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 am or 7 p.m. for six weeks. $35/session for Members and $65/session for Non-members.

Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center 1833 Broad St., Augusta. www.krocaugusta.org.

706-364-KROC or info@krocaugusta.org Call to register and for fee information.

NOTE: The Kroc Center will be closed December 24, 15 and January 1.

December 6. Art Club. Kids in grades K5-7 explore different media and styles while creating individual works of art inspired by the season. Class is taught by Nanette Langner. Supplies provided. 10 a.m.-noon.

December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30. Toddler Tuesdays.

Bring your toddler to enjoy the Kroc Center pool’s splash area with fun toys and take part in a variety of activities with other children his/her age. One adult is free per paid child admission. Swim diaper and swim suit required. Parent must remain with the

December 5. Kids' Night Out. Ages 2-12. Activities may include swimming, gym play, inflatables or crafts. Dinner included. Children must be potty trained. Children ages 5 and up should wear a swimsuit, bring a towel/change of clothes and wear tennis shoes. 6-10 p.m.

December 13. The Kids Table. Cooking classes for kids. Celebrate Christmas with favorite sweets to share with your family. Ages 9-12, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ages 5-8, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

December 13. Cookies With Santa. Enjoy dessert with the biggest lover of milk and cookies. 3-5 p.m.

Parent must remain with child. Call for fees.

December 19. Family Movie Night. Members may reserve seats up to a week in advance.

Spots are filled first-come, first-served. Refreshments available. Free. Adult must remain with children. 6 p.m.

December 22 & 23 or December 29-January 2.

Camp Kroc Day Camp. Kids will play games, swim, do arts and craft and make memories while parents go to work without having a break in their schedule. Register early as spots are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Ages 5-12. Camps are held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Added cost for early drop-off or lage pick-up.

December 22, 23, 29 & 30. Christmas Art Camp.

Ages 5-12. Kids will create art with Nanette Langner while parents are getting ready for the holidays or working. Full and half-day camps available. Each day has a different theme. Supplies included. Register for each day separately. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call for fees.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES Aiken Home School Times Playgroup 803-648-7042 or fourmckeels@yahoo.com.

Thursdays. This playgroup is open to all home schoolers. Meets at the O’Dell Weeks playground for unstructured play for the children and time with other home school parents for the adults. Noon.

www.augustafamily.com

Augusta Jewish Community Center 898 Weinberger Way. 706-228-3636 or log on at augustajcc.org.

Ongoing. The Mothers Circle. Free course, resources, education and events for women of other backgrounds raising Jewish children. Call for details.

Sign Up for Class! The AJCC offers a wide variety of classes for children of all ages and adults, including athletics, the arts, cooking, language and more. Log on to download a complete listing.

Classical Conversations www.classicalconversations.com.

Classical Conversations is a community of home educators following a Christian, classical model of education. Five locations currently serve families in the CSRA—Augusta, Evans, Grovetown/Martinez, North Augusta and Aiken.

Monkey Joe’s 368 Furys Ferry Rd. 706-922-JUMP (5867). www.monkeyjoes.com.

First Sunday of Each Month. Special Needs Night at Monkey Joe’s. This event is held the first Sunday of each month after general store hours to ensure a calm environment for special needs children and their parents. 6-7 p.m.

North Augusta Homeschool Playgroup Meets Thursdays at various North Augusta parks for play. Field trips will also be scheduled. All homeschoolers are welcome. Call 803-613-0484 or e-mail emilykohlbacher@hotmail.com.

CHILDBIRTH, BREASTFEEDING AND PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS Augusta Area Mommies Contact Jennifer Stanley at 706-855-0072 or phlegalesfan@att.net.

A community for moms in the Augusta area offering support, friendship and fun as well as the opportunity to exchange information. The group, which is part of The Mommies Network, also provides discussion forums, an events calendar and more.

Meeting are held online, at local parks, members homes (for monthly BUNCO) and on field trips. All mothers are welcome.

Augusta Food Allergy Group Does your child have severe, potentially fatal food allergies. Would you like to get together with other parents who face the same challeng-

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calendar es? This group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Evans Government Center Auditorium, Building A, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr. Free and welcome to anyone dealing with food allergies.

Meetings often include special guest speakers.

6 p.m. Contact Sheena Whitlock at swhitlock@ augustafoodallergy.org or go to www.augustafoodallergy.org.

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Moms Connection

Contact Donyale Clarke at 803-384-0522.

This Autism support group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at AGC Teacher Supply.

Preregistration is required. Attendance is free.

#VSO 4VSWJWPST 4VQQPSU (SPVQ The Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation invites all burn survivors to attend this monthly support group. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday each month at 2 p.m. at the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, 3614 J. Dewey Gray Circle, Building C. Call 800-650-BURN or go to www.sfbd.net.

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www.momsclubofgrovetown.weebly.com Momsclubofgrovetown@gmail.com Members come from Grovetown, Harlem and the communities of Fort Gordon. The group is not affiliated with any parenting style, religion, or ethnic group. MOMS Club is open to and accepting of any and all moms who are at-home with their children.

Call 706-721-8283 for more information.

NOTE: Moms Connection will not meet in December but will resume meetings in January at a new time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Every Tuesday. A free weekly support group for new mothers. All new moms are welcome and can bring their baby. Information from International Board Certified Lactation Consultant/Educator/Perinatal Nurse. Weigh your baby, share refreshments and meet other moms while getting answers to your questions along with timely advice from the Georgia Regents Women’s Health team and guest speakers.

10:30-11:30 a.m., Georgia Regents Medical Center, second floor, Terrace Dining Magnolia Room.

Email RoseforHealth@aol.com.

Meets the third Tuesday of every month in Suite 120 of the Summerville Building, adjacent to Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Open to those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or on a gluten-free diet.

Discussions include information on celiac disease, do’s and don’ts of a gluten-free diet and more.

7-8:30 p.m.

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Geneice McCoy, organizer.

706-729-0012 or commonbond@comcast.net.

For parents of children of all ages and diagnoses with challenging disabilities but remarkable perseverance and resilience. Meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Call for location.

-B -FDIF -FBHVF This breastfeeding support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2204 Kimberly Dr. Evening meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. Call 706-737-2405 or log on at lllusa.org/web/AugustaGA.html.

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Ever feel like you’re the only mother who stays home? You are not alone! Come meet other at-home mothers at the MOMS Club, an international nonprofit organization.

Did you have a child at age 35 or older? Are you expecting? This group of “older� moms welcomes you for meetings, support and play dates. Disabled children welcome. Contact Ami McKenzie at 706-3645245 or hoopnhollar2@yahoo.com or go to http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/MaMasInAugusta/.

A nondenominational Christian group for mothers of preschool-aged children. Childcare provided. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, 642 Telfair Street. Call Amy Toney at 803-341-1904 or go to www.firstpresaugusta.org/MOPS. The Aiken charter group of MOPS meets the Second Tuesday of each month for moms to learn, share, support each other and socialize. Meetings are held in the South Aiken Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 1711 Whiskey Rd. Free childcare and dinner for those attending, reservations required. You do not need to be a member of South Aiken Presbyterian to attend. Check out MOPS Aiken on Facebook, contact Jennie Beat at 803640-4742 or email mopsaiken@gmail.com for more information or to register for childcare.

/FJHICPS 5P 'BNJMZ 801 Greene St., Augusta.

Call Kimberly Lee-Branch, coordinator of licensing, recruitment and training at 706-396-2180, ext. 107.

The goal of this organization is to revolutionize fos-

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www.augustafamily.com

ter care by keeping siblings together while building healthier families.

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A non-profit 12-step support group for people addicted to food. No dues or fees for membership.

Meets in Augusta on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3551 Wheeler Road, and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way.

1BSFOU 4VQQPSU (SPVQ The Child Advocacy Center, a program of Child Enrichment Inc., a nonprofit organization serving victims of sexual abuse in our community, is offering a support group for parents and caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Groups will be held the second Tuesday of each month. Call 706-7374631 for information and location. This group is not appropriate for sex offenders.

1FBDFGVM 1BSFOUJOH "VHVTUB This unofficial Attachment Parenting support group is for families who believe in parenting gently and building children’s spirits, minds and bodies through nurturing, attentive and practical approaches. Join their Yahoo! group at Peaceful_Parenting_Augusta or email Jen at theotherbradford@yahoo.com.

Prevent Child Abuse Augusta Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services: 706-7245200. preventchildabuseaugusta@gmail.com.

Prevent Child Abuse Augusta is a volunteer-based non-profit organization which meets on the third Wednesday of each month at University Hospital.

Meetings include informative speakers and other community representatives. If you are interested in participating in this collaborative effort or would like more details please call or email.

HOSPITAL PROGRAMS %PDUPST )PTQJUBM Call 706-651-BABY (2229) or go to doctors-hospital. net for registration and class location. Pre-registration required for most programs.

December 13 & 14. Short and Sweet. A weekend childbirth class covering the process of labor and delivery, comfort techniques and childbirth, medication/epidurals and relaxation and breathing techniques. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

December 18. Babies, Bumps & Bruises. 7-8:30 p.m.

calendar Georgia Regents Health System Register online at gru.edu.

Ongoing. Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy. Call 706-721-8299.

December 2 & January 6. Autism Spectrum Disorder Support and Resource Group (The “A-Team�).

6-7 p.m. Call Family Services Development at 706721-5160 for more information.

December10. Your Amazing Baby. This two-and-ahalf-hour baby care class includes topics such as baby's first hours, making the connection, diapering and bathing baby, sleep and crying patterns, normal newborn characteristics, hospital routines and infant safety. Both parents are encouraged to attend. All classes are taught by certified instructors. Registration is required. 6:30- 9 p.m. Georgia Regents Medical Center, 7th floor south, Room 7524.

December 30. Breastfeeding Class. This free class, led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, helps expectant parents gain knowledge and support to ensure successful breastfeeding; meets third Tuesday of each month. 7-9 p.m. in Georgia Regents Medical Center, 7th floor west, room 7001.

January 14. Child Safety Seat Inspections. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Dr. Call 706-541-3870 to make an appointment.

January 8 & January 28. Car Seat Class. Safe Kids Greater Augusta offers car seat safety, education and training. Financial assistance is available to Medicaid and Peach Care eligible families. Safe Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call 706721-7606 to register. 5:45-8 p.m.

January 21. Cribs for Kids. Co-bunking and inappro-

priate infant furniture are putting area babies at risk.

Learn how to provide a safe sleep environment by knowing what dangers to watch out for. Families who can demonstrate a financial need (Medicare, Peachcare or WICC) will receive a portable crib, fitted sheet, sleep sac and a pacifier for a fee of $10 per registered child. 9:45 a.m.-noon. To register or for more information, call Rene Hopkins, RN, Safe Kids Coordinator, at 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org/safekids.

Trinity Hospital of Augusta Call Women’s Health Services at 706-481-7727 or visit trinityofaugusta.com for information and registration.

December 1. Childbirth Education 101. Learn about the signs and symptoms of labor as well as labor and delivery. 6-8:30 p.m.

December 4, 11 & 18. Mommy Stretch and Tone.

5:30-6:30 p.m.

December 5. Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding.

Two popular classes offered together. 9 a.m.-noon.

December 6. Saturday Express Lamaze Childbirth Education. Helps mother and support person understand the final stages of pregnancy as well as labor and the birth of your baby. Covers natural and medicated deliveries, Lamaze coping techniques and more. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

December 8. Infant CPR. Learn how to respond in an emergency situation using infant mannequins and a simple step-by-step method. 6-8 p.m.

December 13. Baby Food Basics. Learn how to make baby food at this informative session held at Earth Fare, 368 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez. 10-11 a.m.

University Health Care System Call 706-774-2825 or logon at www.universityhealth.

www.augustafamily.com

org/calendar for information. Registration is required for most programs.

December 1, 8 & 15 (Mondays) or December 3, 10 & 17 (Wednesdays). Prenatal Education. This multi-week series of childbirth preparation classes is designed to inform and prepare all expectant parents regardless of birth plans. Class topics include various stages of labor, breathing and relaxation and how to care for yourself and your new baby. 7-9 p.m. in the Women’s Center Third Floor Classroom. Registration required.

December 2. Parents Healing Together. For parents, families and friends who have lost infants through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth.

Meets the first Monday of each month.

December 3. Breastfeeding Support Group. A monthly support group for pregnant women, nursing mothers and their babies, including mothers who have infants in University's Special Care Nursery.

Anyone looking for a breastfeeding support network can attend. Held in University's Special Care Nursery, 3rd floor. 1-2 p.m.

December 5 & 6 or 19 & 20. Childbirth Preparation Weekend Class. A complete childbirth preparation class designed for those with time constraints or fluctuating schedules. Class meets from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Also included is a follow-up evening at the W.G. Watson, M.D., Women’s Center for a tour, questionand-answer session and review.

December 18. Introduction to Infant CPR. Do you worry about knowing how to revive your baby should the need arise? This class provides an opportunity to learn and practice infant CPR on mannequins and learn other aspects of infant safety.

Space is limited, so early registration is suggested. 7-8:30 p.m. v

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Girl GO

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by Mallory Daniel

April Allen Weldon | Compassionate April Allen Weldon, 45, of Evans, is the CEO of the Augusta Performing Arts Center. She and her husband, Christopher, who serves as the coordinator of institutional research at GRU, have two teenagers and a Springer-Sheppard mix named Sydney.

April is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and volunteers with the Girl Scouts and the Cultural Society.

Dream job: I would be an author. (This is also what she wanted to be when she grew up.) Qualites she admires the most: Honesty, kindness and integrity. Favorite food: Pizza and lobster. Favorite place to take the kids: New York City during Christmas. Favorite TV show: My all-time favorite show is “A Different World.� Hobby: Reading. Life lesson: I’ve learned that it is always important to give back to your community not only because you’re helping others but because of how much you are enriched. Something surprising about you: That I really can’t be quiet. Best thing about being a mom: Watching my children reach their potential and hearing them call me Mommy. They still call me that even as teenagers. Hardest part about being a mom: Letting go and having faith that everything will be alright. Favorite Indulgence: Cupcakes from Smallcakes in Evans. Love all of them. Admires the most My mother, Emma McClain Allen. She is my best friend, my confidant and my cheerleader. Everyone comes to her and she’s always there to listen and encourage.

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www.augustafamily.com