Columbus Parent April 2012

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getting started: TABLE OF CONTENTS ColumbusParent.com

34 S. Third St. Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-461-8878 (voice) 614-461-8746 (fax) 614-888-8888 (classifieds) www.ColumbusParent.com PUBLISHER

Katie Wolfe Lloyd kwolfe@columbusparent.com DIRECTOR OF NICHE PUBLICATIONS

Brian Lindamood blindamood@columbusparent.com EDITOR

Jane Hawes jane.hawes@columbusparent.com NICHE PUBLICATIONS ADVERTISING MANAGER

Amy Bishop abishop@columbusparent.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

LA Castle lcastle@columbusparent.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Megan Merrell mmerrell@columbus.parent.com DIGITAL ADVERTISING SPECIALIST

Vanessa Micic vmicic@columbusparent.com

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTO

ON THE GO 06 10 11 12 13 14

NEWS ON THE GO: Including the Summer Camp Guide Extra PRODUCT PIX BEST BETS GOOD NEWS, DAD NEWS: from Joel Oliphint TAKE IT FROM TRACY: 10TV’s Tracy Townsend NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Canal Winchester

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

FAMILY FUN 26 54 56

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HOT TOPIC: SUMMER CAMPS 16 19

THE WAY TO NEW NORMAL: Where are you headed after the diagnosis is delivered?

AGE-APPROPRIATE: PEER RELATIONSHIPS AGES 2-5: Preschools that integrate special and typical needs AGES 5+: Friendships matter for both special-needs and typical kids AGES 14+: Dating for special-needs kids

NEED TO KNOW 22 23 24

PEDIATRIC HEALTHSOURCE: from Nationwide Children’s Hospital FAMILY FINANCE: with Denise Trowbridge THE GO-TO GUIDE: Smaller Museums, Part One

60 62

HANDS ON: A rain-cloud mobile from Clintonville’s Wholly Craft COOKING WITH KIDS: Colcannon made

by The Friendship Circle of New Albany PARTIES: Mr. Game Room goes gaming with the multiple-disabilities students at Ridgeview Middle School DAY TRIPPIN’: The brand-new Greater Cleveland Aquarium EATING OUT WITH KIDS: Harvest Moon Café in Canal Winchester REVIEWS: Books, apps and a familyfriendly website

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Rebecca Zimmer rzimmer@columbusparent.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Michaela Schuett mschuett@columbusparent.com PHOTOGRAPHER

Alysia Burton aburton@columbusparent.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Heather Weekley hweekley@columbusparent.com CONTRIBUTORS

CALEN DAR:

251

THINGS TO DO THIS M ONTH

ON THE COVER: Brett and Scott Kingsley share a quiet moment at their church PHOTO BY ALYSIA BURTON

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Will Shilling wshilling@columbusparent.com

Tessa Berg, Joe Blundo, Olivera Bratich, Melissa Kossler Dutton, Kriss K. Galloway, Colin Hawes, Jackie Mantey, Joel Oliphint, Phil Pikelny, Tracy Townsend, Denise Trowbridge

DISTRIBUTION If you would like to receive Columbus Parent at your business, or to report delivery concerns:

John Henry 614-410-1797 jhenry@dispatch.com

Columbus Parent is published and distributed by The Dispatch Printing Company every month, available at more than 1,200 locations throughout Central Ohio. One free copy per person. Circulation: 52,000 copies. Copyright ©2012 The Dispatch Printing Company

OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS NOW!

You Have a Choice!

Serving Grades K-8 State Approved Curriculum

Challenging Curriculum and Daily Sports Instruction!

No Tuition!

All Students Wear Uniforms Strong Academics/State Approved Curriculum Small Class sizes – No more than 18 students per class All Day Kindergarten

Extended School Day from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Daily Fitness Regimen in Martial Arts, Soccer and Tennis Participation in all State Mandated Academic Testing Programs

Choose from 1 of 5 conveniently located campuses!

1258 Demorest Rd. • Columbus OH 43204 E-mail: jhursey@EdVantages.com Phone: 614-318-0606 K-8

1875 Morse Rd. • Columbus OH 43229 E-mail: agraver@EdVantages.com Phone: 614-318-0600 K-8

3474 Livingston Ave. • Columbus OH 43227 E-mail: ryoung@EdVantages.com Phone: 614-324-4585 K-8

Information Meetings will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012 • 6-8 p.m.

274 E. 1st Avenue, Suite 200 • Columbus, Ohio 43201 E-mail: jpammer@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-318-0720

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2220 South Hamilton Rd. • Columbus OH 43232 E-mail: jszallai@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-314-6301

K-8

www.edvantages.com # www.performanceacademies.com columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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getting started: LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Columbus Parents,

COLUMBIA PICTURES AND SONY PICTURES ANIMATION PRESENT AN AARDMAN PRODUCTION “THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS” HUGH GRANT DAVID TENNANT IMELDA STAUNTON COMUSIC MARTIN FREEMAN JEREMY PIVEN BASED DIRECTOR JEFF NEWITT

BY THEODORE SHAPIRO EXECUTIVE UPON THE BOOK SCREENPLAY PRODUCER CARLA SHELLEY “THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS” BY GIDEON DEFOE

BY GIDEON DEFOE PRODUCED DIRECTED

BY PETER LORD DAVID SPROXTON JULIE LOCKHART

BY PETER LORD

I’ve always felt that becoming a parent has made me a better person than I ever thought I could be — or than I ever wanted to be. When I consider how deep and how strong the wellspring of parental energy and emotion runs, it’s a little overwhelming. And I know it’s the doing of these marvelous creatures who made me a parent.

When I meet the parents of children with special needs, I’m even more overwhelmed with awe. We’re talking a magnitude of energy, emotion and just plain strength that trumps any sleepless night I’ve ever spent worrying about my kids.

Any bathroom (or path to the bathroom) I’ve cleaned up thanks to a stomach flu.

Any hoops I’ve had to jump through in order to get the housekeeping staff at a hotel 473 miles from home to look for a small stuffed elephant that got left behind.

These are what I call my “motherlove” stories, the ones I’m going to relish reminding my kids of ad infinitum. But these other parents I meet, and especially the ones I met working on our annual special-needs-focused issue, have mother- and father-love stories that are punctuated with Code Blues in neonatal intensive care units, by encounters with rude strangers in supermarkets who think they have a right to know their family history, with mountains of bills and health-insurance paperwork, with calendars and datebooks more jampacked with entries than the log book in an air-traffic control tower. And they glow with pride and love as they explain how they navigate these challenges.

I wonder if they ever thought they’d be capable of doing what they do now and of becoming the people they are now. Did they ever imagine that someday they would know and understand more about chromosomes than their 10th grade biology teacher? That they’d know and understand more about edu-

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTO

cation law than any member of their district’s school board? That they’d be better at securing a tracheotomy tube than their family doctor?

Probably not.

Not everyone rises to the challenge that parenthood offers us, but I’d like to believe that most of us do. And I hope that the parents of children with special needs know that, in addition to letting their children transform them into better people, they have also become profoundly inspiring heroes to the rest of us parents.

CONNECT WITH US ColumbusParent.com | Facebook: Columbus Parent Magazine Twitter @ColumbusParent and @jane_hawes EMAIL: contact@columbusparent.com or jane.hawes@columbusparent.com

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

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on the go: NEWS ON THE GO

200 REASONS why columbus is a great place to RAISE A FAMILY

61. SCIOTO MILE: This redeveloped downtown park along the Scioto River quickly became part of Columbus life when it opened last year. Things can only get busier and better this year!

62. RAINBOWS: We have some pretty spectacular ones around here, wouldn’t you agree?

63. MUSEUM GIFT SHOPS: Probably the coolest places to find really unusual birthday presents (we’re addicted to the shops at COSI, Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory and the Wexner Center) 64. THE COLUMBUS CLIPPERS AND HUNTINGTON PARK: One of the most beautiful ballparks in the country for one of the most successful teams only one stop away from The Show.

65. THE COLUMBUS CREW AND CREW STADIUM: The first soccer-only stadium in the country and home to some of the most dedicated fans in the soccer world.

66. EARLY-CREDIT PROGRAMS AT AREA UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES: Taking the bite out of future tuition bills is easy around here with so many quality schools to work with.

67. THE WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS: The cool quotient at the Wex is off the charts from visual arts to performing arts, and now they’re expanding their community-education efforts, including a teen learning lab.

Continuing our countdown:

68. CONCRETIONS: Who doesn’t find these millennia-in-the-making geological formations fascinating?

69. WENDY’S: Dave Thomas put this town on the fast-food map back in the day and those yummy burgers and Frostys keep us there.

70. THE ECUMENICAL SPIRIT: In a month when major religions are celebrating different holy days, we deserve to give ourselves a pat on the back for how well we all play (and worship) together here.

71. THE COST OF LIVING HERE: On the U.S. overall cost-of-living index, Columbus scores 89. The U.S. average is 100. Chicago scores 116, New York City 159 and San Francisco 185. Not bad, eh?

76. THE HONDA TEEN DEFENSIVE DRIVING PROGRAM AT THE MID-OHIO SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON: Calming the frazzled nerves of parents when they want their kids to really learn how to handle black ice

79. THE CAPA BROADWAY SERIES: [insert cliché here about who needs to hop a plane to NYC]

77. REDBUD TREES: or Cersis Canadensis as they say in the horticology biz. These trees with the purplepink flowers are one of the prettiest signs of spring around here.

80. ONCE UPON A CHILD: The idea for this industry-changing kids-clothing resale shop was hatched here in Columbus in 1985 by Lynn and Dennis Blum.

Family clothing budgets have been breathing a sigh of relief ever since.

78. GEOCACHING: It’s hot, it’s happening and it’s one of the most ingenious ways to get a kid out from behind the Gameboy (just give ‘em a GPS unit instead if their thumbs get lonely).

72. COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE: CSAs are like the produce aisle, only better.

73. LIVING HISTORY COMMUNITIES AT SLATE RUN AND OHIO VILLAGE 74. AND SPEAKING OF LIVING HISTORY, our close proximity to Amish country sure beats reading about this fascinating culture in books.

75. AND SPEAKING OF LIVING GEOGRAPHY, Columbus is home to a large number of top “first ancestries” in the country, meaning people who identify most with a country of ancestor origin like Somalia, Morocco, Ghana, Turkey, Ethiopia, Liberia and Zimbabwe.

THE BEST IS BACK! Voting opens on April 2 in the 2012 Columbus Parent Best of Columbus contest and runs until noon on Monday, April 23. We’ve expanded our categories to 68 this year (Best Mac ‘n Cheese, anyone?) and listed a lot more nominees to help you figure out who’s best at what (but write-in candidates are always welcome).

The winners will be featured in our June issue, so get online at ColumbusParent.com/bestofcolumbus and get voting for the best gluten-free menu, the best place to buy school uniforms, the best birthday-party venue, the best moms’ night out destination and much, much more!

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

61. SCIOTO MILE

YOU AND CALIFORNIA CLOSETS CAN MAKE MOM QUEEN FOR A DAY And it’s also time to unveil our “Queen for a Day” contest: Just go to ColumbusParent.com/queenforaday and enter the most deserving mom you know to win a prize package from California Closets!

We’ll be collecting entries from April 2 until noon on Monday, April 16.

One winner will be drawn at random and announced in our May issue.

Around Town Where the happening kids just happened to be ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE kindie-music concert at What the Rock?!

March 15, 2012

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTOS

Tracie Baum claps with son Jasper Baum

• Cash back rewards on all purchases and balance transfers Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin of kindie band Rolie Polie Guacamole

• No balance transfer fee • No annual fee

Apply online today! kemba.org Blake DiGiacomo enjoys a song with his grandmother Kathy Runyan

888.926.5905 Joseph DiGiacomo and mom Kristy DiGiacomo

A better way to bank columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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on the go: COLUMBUS PARENT & THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

2012 Summer Camp Guide Extra Here are a few more summer camp options for Central Ohio families this year: THE 2ND & 7 FOUNDATION’S FUNDAMENTAL FOOTBALL CAMP

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

June 25-27, half-day 8 a.m.-12 noon sessions; kids learn the basic fundamentals of football in a non-contact setting, while also learning about important attributes such as teamwork, goal-setting, positive attitude and commitment; camp fee includes daily snacks, lunch and camp shirt; proceeds benefit the 2nd & 7 Foundation Ages: 8 to 14 Cost: $100 Camp Location: Hilliard Weaver Middle School, 4600 Avery Rd., Hilliard 43026 614-794-0221; secondandseven.com

BRIGHT MINDS ACADEMY CAMPS June 11-July 20; weeklong, full-day sessions include “Fun Invention” camp for third-graders and older, and “Fun Engineering” and “Engineering Camp Extraordinaire” camps for 5th graders and older Ages: entering Grades 3 and older Cost: $235 to $275 Camp Location: locations in Powell and Westerville 740-816-1530; youngbrightmindsandinventorsacademy.com

BROADWAY2LA SUMMER ACTING CAMPS June 14-Aug. 10; trains campers in the craft of acting; activities include acting in film, TV, commercials and plays; each camp ends with an acting showcase for local talent agents Ages: 7 to 18 Cost: $175

Camp Location: Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave., Columbus 43215 614-572-9005; broadway2LA.com

CLASSROOM ANTICS TECH CAMPS June 11-Aug. 10; weeklong day camp teaches video-game design, LEGO robotics, computer programming and stop-motion animation Ages: 7 to 13 Cost: $199 to $449 with early signup discounts available Camp Location: multiple locations throughout Columbus suburbs 800-595-3776; classroomantics.com

CREATIVE STRINGS WORKSHOP June 19-23; study string instrument improvisation, composition and non-classical styles in an experiential learning format with professional artists; students will perform publicly more than 25 times during the workshop; students will need to provide own instrument and should have completed four years in a public-school program or graduated from Suzuki Book 3.

Ages: 10 to 15 for youth day camp; 14 and older for overnight camp Cost: $159 (youth day camp), $675 (teen/adult residency camp) Camp Location: Columbus College of Art and Design, Loann Crane Center for Design, 112 Cleveland Ave. 3rd floor, Columbus 43215 614-332-8689; christianhowes.com/ education/creative-strings-workshop/csw-2012-registration

THE JAY RICHARDSON FOUNDATION YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT FOR MALE ATHLETES June 15-16, 9 a.m-6 p.m. each day; local professionals and pro athletes will conduct workshops on topics including media training, conflict

resolution, employment skills, nutrition, dressing for success, philanthropy and fun ways to stay in shape over the summer Ages: entering Grades 6-12 Cost: $25 (financial aid is available) Camp Location: Dublin Scioto High School, 4000 Hard Rd., Dublin 43016 614-219-9538; thejayrichardsonfoundation.org

KIDZ TEMPO June 11-Aug. 31; day camp in operation from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with before-care offered from 7-9 a.m. and after-care offered from 4-6 p.m.

Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 6 Cost: $155/week (day camp), $39.50/week (before-care), $39.50/week (after-care) Camp Location: Multiple locations throughout Columbus 614-328-9845; kidztempo.com

MATH PLUS ACADEMY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) CAMPS

June 11-Aug. 17; weeklong, halfday camps cover elementary and middle school math, problem solving, computer programming, entrepreneurship, chess, LEGO engineering and LEGO robotics; camper-to-teacher ratio averages 3:1 Ages: 5 to 13 Cost: $197 to $247 per week Camp Location: Math Plus Academy, 9681 Sawmill Rd., Powell 43065 614-792-6284; mathplusacademy.com

MOHICAN SCHOOL June 11-15; day camp; campers will learn how to safely operate different types of boats and can earn an Ohio Boater Education Card upon successful completion of course Ages: Grades 6 to 9 Cost: $310 Camp Location: Mohican School’s Environmental Learning Center, 5370 Bunkerhill North Rd., Butler, OH 44822 419-938-6671; mohicanoutdoorschool.org

MONTESSORI SUMMER FUN June 11-Aug. 10; weeklong sessions include gardening, swimming, exploring nature, arts, sports as well as exploring the city on weekly field trips Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 6 Cost: $2,100 for nine weeks (and daily schedule from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.); weekly tuition (with daily 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. schedule) is $210 with additional $50 per week charge for 4-6 p.m. after-care; accepts Title XX funds Camp Location: Columbus Montessori Education Center, 979 S. James Rd., Columbus 43227 614-231-3790; columbusmontessori. org

PREMIER KIDS SUMMER CAMPS June 11-Aug. 17 (with break from July 2-6); weeklong sessions offer indoor and outdoor gym games, crafts, swimming and special visitors; in operation from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. each weekday Ages: 5 to 12 Cost: $145 to $165 each week for members of the Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club, $180 to $205 for nonmembers Camp Location: Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club, 3111 Hayden Rd., Columbus 43235 614-336-2582; premieratsawmill.com

PURPLE DOG SUMMER ART CAMP June 18-Aug. 10; painting, drawing and sculpting projects focused around different art-history themes Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 8 Cost: $180 per session Camp Location: Purple Dog Art Studio, 28 S. High St., New Albany 43054 614-226-0650; purpledogart.com

UPPER ARLINGTON CAMP ONCE IN A WHILE June 11-Aug. 17; a drop-in camp patterned after UA’s Summer Day Camp (see listing for description); daily hours run from 7:30 am.-5:30 p.m.

Ages: 6 to 12 Cost: $240 at registration for Upper Arlington resident or $250 at registration for non-resident includes one-time registration fee, pool pass and $150 punch card. Cost thereafter is $5 per hour with a $35 maximum charge per day.

Camp Location: Reed Road Park (shelter house), 3055 Reed Rd., Upper Arlington 43221 614-583-5300; uaoh.net

UPPER ARLINGTON SUMMER DAY CAMP June 11-Aug. 17; day camp with variety of planned activities, sports, arts and carfts, games, quiet recreation, movies, swimming, library visits and field trips; each day runs from 7:15 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ages: 6 to 12 Cost: $230 at registration for Upper Arlington resident or $240 at registration for non-resident includes one-time registration fee, pool pass and five days of camp attendance Camp Location: Barrington Elementary School, 1780 Barrington Rd., Upper Arlington 43221 or Thompson Park (north shelter house), 4250 Woodbridge Rd., Upper Arlington 43220 614-583-5300; uaoh.net

UPPER ARLINGTON SUMMER SOCCER CAMP June 11-14 (with June 15 raindate); soccer instruction through fun soccer games, activities and skill building for older age groups; Kinder Kickers sessions (ages 3-4) offered from 9-9:45 a.m. and 10-10:45 a.m.; Soccer Stars sessions (ages 5-6) offered from 9-10 a.m. and 10:3011:30 a.m.; Skill Builders sessions (ages 7-14) offered from 9 a.m.-12 noon Ages: 3 to 14 Cost: $70 (Kinder Kickers), $75 (Soccer Stars), $115 (Skill Builders) Camp Location: Thompson Park (south soccer fields off McCoy Rd.), 4250 Mountview Rd., Upper Arlington 43221 614-583-5300; uaoh.net

UU PINK June 25-29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; girls-only camp designed to help build the skills to attain and maintain a healthy weight; staffing includes a registered dietician, exercise scientist and mental health counselor who specializes in weight loss and wellness Ages: 11 to 14 Cost: check website for more information, some scholarships available Camp Location: Ultimate U Total Health, 5791 Zarley St., Suite B, New Albany 43054 614-855-9489; ultimateu.org

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on the go: PRODUCT PIX HIT OR MISS

A great option for grandparents shopping for teens (or vice versa!) because the card game Hit or Miss ($20) is multi-generational! The game involves choosing a category card and in 45 seconds players write down as many related words as they can think of. You’re rewarded for thinking in sync but also score points for coming up with creative answers. Winner of multiple awards including: Mensa Select, Dr. Toy’s Best Product Award Winner and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Find Hit or Miss at the new Toyville store in Old Worthington.

679 High Street, Worthington, 614-824-8187, On Facebook: Toyville

BALL POPPING FUN

ROBO USB HUB Ditch the drab and hitch this Robot USB Hub ($20) to a computer and school work gets a lot more fun. With light-up eyes, arms that move and four ports hidden in the rubber wheels, this pint-sized robot is bound to be a fast favorite when it comes to desk accessories. On the rack and ready to roll at COSI’s Science2Go! store.

Little ones are sure to be enthralled at the lights, sounds and moving balls on the Playskool Poppin’ Park Pound ‘N Pop Carnival ($20). Balls can be rolled down the slide; the elephant’s ear lights up while the toy plays eight different songs (at a decent noise level, we might add).

Available at toy retailers, including Babies R Us, Meijer and Walmart.

333 W. Broad St., Downtown, 614-228-2674, cosi.org

MOBILE DOLLHOUSE The Playmobil Take Along Dollhouse ($50) is a mobile home like no other. The sturdy, detailed doll house snaps shuts and has a handle so your preschooler can carry it from room to room or take it to Grandma’s.

The doll house includes a family of four and furniture.

Larson’s Toys and Games, 1617 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington, 614-486-7701, larsonstoys.com

THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO THE MARKET… And this little piggy is polished and pretty! Piggy Paint ($10) is a non-toxic nail polish with natural ingredients that is safe for young children. The low-odor paint dries quickly and provides little ones with fun and stylish nail art. And after you paint their nails, you might as well paint your own! Piggy Paint comes in an array of colors, and we found them at Petit Green.

Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Pkwy., Ste. 1214, Columbus, 614-840-0544, petitgreenbaby.com

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

WHOOZIT WHATZIT It may look like an over-caffeinated clown but Manhattan Toy’s Baby Whoozit ($13) is actually the latest in award winning toy design. Made specifically to develop handeye coordination and provide visual stimulation, this fanciful friend will delight baby’s senses. The plush velour body, high contrast patterns, rattles, squeakers and a variety of textures and shapes will fascinate and amuse little eyes, ears and hands while the compact size make it small enough to slip into a pocket but large enough to be loved.

Available at Target, multiple locations, target.com

on the go: BEST BETS

2012

Spring is here, and so are lots of family-friendly events in Columbus throughout the month of April.

MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS The youngsters will get a kick out of the battle between huge monster trucks. Watch the trucks in action as the national tour makes its way to the Schottenstein Center on Saturday, April 14. With truck names like Bigfoot Bessie and Transaurus, the gigantic vehicles are sure to provide some interesting and exciting entertainment. The show begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are $10 for children 2-12 and $20-$50 for adults.

555 Borror Dr., Campus, 800-745-3000 (for tickets), schottensteincenter.com

In honor of Earth Day, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has planned a day full of environment-related activities. Partake in games and crafts, meet characters and say hello to animal friends. The celebration will take place on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular zoo admission rates apply: $14.99 for ages 10-59, $10.99 for ages 60 and older, $9.99 for kids 2-9, and under 2 are free. Columbuszoo.org has more information.

4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell, 800-MONKEYS, columbuszoo.org

Adams Photography photo

APRIL

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

DISNEY IN CONCERT IMAGINATION MOVERS Now the stars of a Disney Channel show, the band Imagination Movers is on tour and coming to Columbus! The Imagination Movers are a highenergy band that performs rock and pop songs suitable for all ages. Kids will be entertained as they sing songs about relatable topics and interact with the audience. There will be two opportunities to see the show: 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20. They are performing at the Palace Theatre, and ticket prices range from $16-$36.

34 W. Broad St., Downtown, 614-469-0939, capa.com

Hear your favorite Disney classics performed by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra during Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies. Enjoy songs from ‘The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and many more as the orchestra is led by conductor Albert-George Schram. The performance is 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at the Ohio Theatre. Tickets are $23-$68.

39 E. State St., Downtown, 800-745-3000 (for tickets), columbussyphony.com

THE KENTE PROJECT In a joint collaboration, the PNC Arts Alive program and the Greater Columbus Arts Council present “The Kente Project,” a performance that presents West African folk takes through various mediums. The Columbus Children’s Theatre, Columbus Children’s Choir, Thurber House and the Thiossane West African Dance Institute will come together to share the stories with the community. The Kente Project will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. All three shows are at the Lincoln Theatre, and tickets are $15-$18.

769 E. Long St., Downtown, 800-745-3000 (for tickets), capa.com

DISCOVER: SUMMER CAMP 12 WEEKS OF NON-STOP SUMMER ADVENTURES!

Our age-specific camps for preschool to school-age children are smart, fun, and offer busy families flexible scheduling.

Join us for a summer to remember! at KinderCare® For dates and details, call 888.518.2201 www.KinderCare.com/Summer columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

11

on the go: GOOD NEWS, DAD NEWS

DISORGANIZEDSPORTS I didn’t know what to expect when my wife and I introduced our 4-year-old, Liam, to the world of sports through the Whetstone Community Center’s fall soccer league, but I think I’m ready now.

Kate, my wife, thought a 4-year-old with a summer birthday might be too young for competitive sports, but I thought we could harness Liam’s boundless energy.

Better to kick a soccer ball than his little sister.

We were both right. Soccer did sap some of his energy, but I underestimated how much work it would be, explaining competitive sports to a 4-year-old. Liam

had never counted off by numbers. He’d never done a shooting drill. Heck, he didn’t know what “shooting” was. Just the difference between “goal” and “goalie” had to be explained several times.

At practice, I often ended up cat-herding the Panthers with Liam’s coach, who had neither coached nor played soccer. Turns out neither of those limitations mattered much. Coaching strategies were less about drills and more about sensing when the group’s attention span had tanked so we’d send them running to a faraway tree while screaming, “Pantherrrrrrrs!”

On the day of the first game, everyone was excited.

Liam dashed onto the field in his purple uniform, but then stopped abruptly.

“Daddy,” he said. “What are those people in the yellow shirts doing here?”

“That’s the other team, Liam,” I said. “That’s who you’re playing against.”

“But I wanna play with my team,” he whined.

I had more explaining to do.

Our biggest breakthrough came in a midseason game when Liam had to play goalie. He was still more interested in the grass than the game, so I told him to pretend he was Spider-Man,

and the other team’s players were the bad guys, and he had to keep them from getting the ball in Spider-Man’s net. Standing in a goalie shirt that was so big it could have passed for a dress, Liam looked across the field with the fiercest superhero face he could muster, clenched his teeth, and said, “OK, Daddy.” Competition finally made sense.

Kate and I had our own light-bulb moment during the first game. We finally understood why our own parents did their best to make it to every childhood sporting event. Initially, it was easy to see soccer as yet another weekly commitment.

Congratulations to Greg Blosser, winner of the “Name This Column” contest!

For his prize, Greg and his family have won tickets to an upcoming Columbus Children’s Theatre production.

BY JOEL OLIPHINT

But it only took one game for Kate and me to become those parents. You could hear us on the sidelines yelling, “Go, Will!” and “Good try, Tatum!” We were Panther parents and we loved our team — even if it sometimes resembled a swarm of purple bees tracking something sweet.

It also provided instant camaraderie with the other parents. I suppose it’s the common goal that brings families together. We wanted our Panthers to win — or, at least, have a good time for half an hour. In school, the common educational goal is too nuanced, too undefined.

It takes sports to form an

Joel Oliphint is a freelance writer, often running his mouth about music in The Other Paper and other pubs. His two kids refer to Bob Evans as Bob Dylan’s and still don’t know the purple dinosaur’s name.

instant bond.

I anticipate some concepts will require re-teaching this season, such as, “It’s okay to get muddy” and “Stop holding hands with girls during the game” and “You’re going the wrong way!” But I’ll be ready with superhero analogies, and Liam will be ready with his steely gaze.

Ecole Francaise Summer Program The Solar Express: The fast track to learning fun!

This Pre-School through Grade 5 program features weekly academic themes (including French language and exploring the summer Olympics!) for kids to hone their skills and learn new concepts through hands-on activities. Special events and excursions will enhance the fun!

Children may enroll for selected weeks or join us for all nine! We offer half-days, academic days, and fulltime programs.

Program Dates: June 11th, 2012 through August 10th, 2012.

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

on the go: TAKE IT FROM TRACY

Summer PLANS

http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/childcare.stm

It will be here before you know it — summer vacation! There are nearly one hundred days and counting, depending upon your school district.

My son, Ian, more than likely has the exact number of days left in the school year written down somewhere. At the very least, I know he’s making mental tally marks as the time goes by.

We had success last summer by mixing things up a bit. Ian attended a sports-themed day camp for several weeks then got a break, hung out with extended family out of town, and squeezed in a basketball camp on a college campus. This year, we’ll try to keep it exciting, economical and interesting. Of course, like last year, I warned you of how some of the camps fill up fast. We’re still working out our plans and I wish you and your family the best as you tackle the summer camp scramble, too.

Tracy Townsend is a news reporter and anchor with 10TV News HD.

BY TRACY TOWNSEND

Our family is already one of thousands deeply engrossed in the summer camp crunch (it started last month when Columbus Parent published its summer camp guide and continues this month with its mini-guide for more camps). So, where to send Ian to enjoy the long hot days of summer? To date we’ve had pretty good success with a combination of YMCA camp, sports camps and time away with the paternal and maternal grandparents.

This year we’re challenged a little more as our “baby” is now 10 years old.

We are venturing into the pre-adolescent or tween years and — gulp — it looks a bit daunting. The key is to find activities and camps that will hold his interest

because, as every parent knows, it only takes a minute for a child to decide “there’s nothing to do.”

Last year at this time, I wrote about the rush for a spot in Central Ohio summer camps, particularly the day camp operations. Competition can be stiff because for working parents, “camp” is more than a place to hang out and interact with other children, it is critical child care. My best advice when it comes to finding a camp is research.

The operators of any camp should be more than willing to take your questions about activities, safety, experience and background of their staffers. Don’t forget to check the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) for inspec-

tion reports. You can do this by simply going to their website to search for inspection reports. Here is a link,

FRANKLIN COUNTY FOSTER FAMILIES: JOIN OUR NETWORK OF STRENGTH. Like you, we think the world of kids. For the past 26 years, Starr Columbus has been providing exceptional foster care services to the Columbus area. We’re proud to stand behind our foster care partners, giving you the tools and support you need, helping you to be the best parent you can be. As a member of the Starr Columbus Foster Family, you’ll receive support, assistance and a competitive per diem to ensure your child’s needs are met. We offer in-home counseling from traumacertified, master’s level therapists 24/7. Additional services include respite care, crisis intervention and family stabilization to help your child receive the therapeutic, educational and medical attention they need.

You’ve welcomed a child into your family. Now, we welcome you into ours.

FIND OUT MORE

To join the Starr Columbus Foster Care Family, call 614.491.5784 or visit starrfostercare.org.

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

13

on the go: NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

Canal Winchester The covered bridge at the James H. Kelley III Preserve

Jack’s Pets

STORY BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON • PHOTOS BY ALYSIA BURTON

Bruce Jarvis likes to compare Canal Winchester’s downtown to a Norman Rockwell painting.

“We consciously try to make a feeling of small town America,” said Jarvis, the executive director of Destination Canal Winchester. “I think we’re pretty successful at it.”

The historic downtown is home to several thriving, locally owned businesses and restaurants, Jarvis said.

The city also is served by a bustling retail district on Gender Road that offers numerous chain restaurants and stores. Jack’s Pets is a fun stop on the way in or out of town. The friendly staff is open to answering questions and willing to let kids pet and hold many of the critters.

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

“It has a small town feel with all the amenities of a city,” said resident Amanda Lemke. “We can go do things just like we were in larger city and then go the center of town and feel like we’re in a small community.”

Many locals like to start their day at the Wigwam Restaurant, an old-school diner with a counter where patrons can watch their food be prepared. The eatery, which closes at 2 p.m. most days, specializes in breakfast and pie.

Another yummy spot for good java and great meals is Harvest Moon Café. Located in the same building as The Garden Herb Shop, the restaurant focuses on healthy foods made with fresh ingredients and organic herbs and spices.

Families also enjoy eating at Shade on the Canal, a sports pub that welcomes children, or at Kingy’s Pizza Pub, which attracts families from all around the area.

For something sweet, stop into Fantasy Cupcake.

The quaint bakery usually has 12 different flavors of homemade cupcakes from which to choose. They also sell cake pops for a smaller treat.

A few doors down from the bakery is CornerSmiths, a shop that’s chock full of treats for mommies. The store carries unique antiques and funky home goods as well as handmade accessories for women. Parents can easily pay a quick visit with kids in tow (they have bribe ammo — candy dishes — strategically placed around the store) Families also are invited to visit Studio 7.5, a working artist studio and gift shop. The studio is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment.

The downtown also is home to The Ed Jeffers Barber Museum.

“It’s the only one of its kind,” Jarvis said. “It’s very stunning to step in there and see all the back bars,

ED JEFFERS BARBER MUSEUM 2.5 High St. 614-837-8400 edjeffersbarbermuseum.com

CANAL WINCHESTER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY COMPLEX 10 West Oak St. 614-833-1846 cwhistory.org/index.html

The Mid-Ohio Historical (Doll and Toy) Museum is another interesting museum in the area: With a million-dollar inventory of mostly dolls (some

ST E

RR

FANTASY CUPCAKE 9 S. High St. 614-524-6914 fantasycupcake.com

D. N W

SHADE ON THE CANAL 19 S. High St. 614-837-9873 shadeonthecanal.com

JAMES H. KELLEY III PRESERVE Ashbrook Road and Washington Street canalwinchesterohio.gov/ Residents/recreation.aspx

KINGY’S PIZZA PUB 7470 Hill Rd. 614-837-5664 kingyspizza.com

T. NS O GT IN SLATE RUN LIVING H S WA HISTORICAL FARM 1375 State Route 674 North 614-508-8111 metroparks.net/ parksslaterunfarm.aspx

Canal Winchester Area Historical Society Complex.

“They’re all available to tour by appointment,” Ippoliti said. “You don’t have to be a group.”

The tours offer a flavor of the area’s history and the role agriculture and the transportation industry played in it.

-LA NC A

WIGWAM RESTAURANT 4 S. High St. 614-837-0202

GROVEPORT RD

GENDER RD. fancy bottles and shaving mugs.”

The museum, which is open by appointment, began as the personal collection of Ed Jeffers, a lifelong Canal Winchester resident, said Mike Ippoliti, president of Canal Winchester Area Historical Society.

The society also gives tours of a one-room school house, historic grain elevator and railroad depot located at the

COL UM BU S

ST. LOO T ER WA

GUILER PARK 180 Groveport Road canalwinchesterohio.gov/ Residents/recreation.aspx

HARVEST MOON CAFÉ AND THE GARDEN HERB SHOP 7 N. High St. 614-834-8100 hm-cafe.com and gardenherbshop.com

DILEY RD.

JACK’S PETS 6334 Gender Road 614-548-0090 jackspets.com

CORNERSMITHS 1 S. High St. 614-834-9725

STUDIO 7.5 7.5 N. High St. 614-582-3861 artstudio7-5.com

HIGH ST.

E PIK ER EST NCH WI

MID-OHIO HISTORICAL (DOLL AND TOY) MUSEUM 700 Winchester Pike 614-837-5573 dollmuseumohio.org

hundreds of years old), train sets and toys, it’s a must-see for doll scholars! The museum re-opens for 2012 on April 4.

Families can learn more about the history of farming at nearby Slate Run Living Historical Farm that depicts farm and family life in the 1880s. The historical farm, operated by Columbus Metro Parks, offers

visitors the chance to perform chores and interact with costumed staff members.

Other fun outdoor places to visit are Guiler Park, which features the local pool and playground equipment, and the James H. Kelley III Preserve, which features a covered bridge, creek access and hiking trails.

Buckeye cupcakes at Fantasy Cupcake

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

15

hot topic: SPECIAL NEEDS

The Way to

new

NORMAL

BY JANE HAWES

A family’s journey into the world of special needs begins somewhere.

Whether it’s prenatally, at birth or days, weeks or even years later when a diagnosis is made, at some point a family realizes they have begun a journey down a path they probably never expected to travel.

Where are they headed? To what health professionals like Lori McCullough call “the new normal.”

It starts with…

THE DIAGNOSIS.

TESSA BERG PHOTO

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

Dr. Barry Halpern is a neonatologist in Columbus, working with newborns and the health issues they face. He’s also the dad of 24year-old Max, who has Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that puts a child at greater risk for a variety of medical conditions and cognitive delays.

“What all parents do is have this image of their baby before it’s born,” Halpern said. “There is never a blank slate.”

But when a child is diagnosed with a disability, whether pre- or post-birth, that slate gets wiped clean.

“You’ve lost the child you never had anyway,” Halpern said, “but you have nothing to replace that image with.”

Halpern is working with the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) to develop guidelines for communicating diagnoses to families. DSACO recently surveyed Down syndrome parents to find out what their diagnosis experiences had been. The results varied from families who felt supported by sensitive health professionals to those left stunned by diagnoses overheard in hospital hallways or delivered on the run by a never-to-be-seen-again medical resident.

The Kingsley family had a rough experience when they learned their then-7-month-old son Brett had Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, an especially severe form of this degenerative disease. They were in the midst of tests for what seemed to be developmental delays, only to be given the SMA-1 diagnosis during a consultation when all three of their children, including then-toddler son Ethan and oldest daughter Paige, then just a preschooler, were present.

“I don’t think there’s any soft way of putting it,” said dad Scott, but his wife Allison has never forgotten how Paige came away from the experience and “did not like boy doctors” anymore. They have since had their faith in the medical profession restored, thanks to people like McCullough, a social worker at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and nurses and doctors who, as Allison said, “truly see the child in Brett and not the diagnosis.”

But once a diagnosis is delivered, every family is unique in how they react to…

Brett celebrates his 6th birthday with his Britton Elementary classmates

A SUPPORT NETWORK.

Ethan, Paige, Brett and Allison Kingsley visit the barber.

THE IMPACT. Many health professionals use the “five stages of grief” model developed by Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross to describe how families react to a diagnosis: denial, followed by anger, bargaining, depression, then acceptance. But many others think it doesn’t apply.

Marge Barnheiser is the program director for DSACO and also the mother of 25-year-old Alyson, who has Down syndrome.

“I kind of don’t believe it because I’ve seen so many different responses,” said Barnheiser. “I just wanted normalcy. I wasn’t in a rush and it took me a couple of weeks to want to learn about Down syndrome.”

Dona Holmstrom, whose youngest daughter Kenzie, now 3, was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, said she also just needed to get away from the crush of other people’s curiosity.

“I sent text messages but couldn’t talk to people,” Holmstrom said.

Vickie Hobensack is a nurse at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, working with families whose children have congenital disorders. Like Halpern, Hobensack

Help arrives in many forms when a child has a special need. It was the nurse who brought Allison Kingsley a boxed lunch when she lost track of time during an early round of Brett’s testing. It was a friend’s mother-in-law who knocked on a neighbor’s door because she had seen a girl with Down syndrome playing there, finding Dona Holmstrom her first other-parent connection.

The challenge for many is accepting the help that is out there. The Kingsley family calls that help their “Circle of Hope”: They are the small army of First Community Church members, staffers at Nationwide ALYSIA BURTON PHOTOS Children’s Hospital and Easter Seals, Brett’s kindergarten classmates and many others.

“We’ve surrounded ourselves with people like us,” Allison Kingsley said.

Columbus Parent spent time over severWithin that first year of diagnosis, al weeks with the Kingsley family, said she sees families strugmany parents also learn to access other learning what their “new normal” is. gle to replace the pre-diagparents. Zorica Wooddell got involved Staff photographer Alysia Burton creatnosis image with what’s real. with DSACO’s Little Buddies support ed another of her unique multi-media “It comes and goes,” group soon after her daughter, Sophia, stories from the images and sounds she Hobensack said of the emonow 4, was diagnosed with Down synrecorded. To see this story and read tional impact, “especially drome. This group primarily serves famimore, visit ColumbusParent.com. with every milestone event lies whose children are 3 or younger. like birthdays, the first day “You feel lost,” Wooddell said, “but of kindergarten when other finding support through other families is children are heading off but not yours, with senior the best thing you can do. You’re all in the same prom or going off to college.” boat.”

Parents, said McCullough and Hobensack, should But not all support, however well intended, is allow themselves to not react perfectly. Most health going to be useful for every family. Hobensack said professionals know that families will not “hear” all the she’s wary of what parents pick up on the Internet, information getting hurled at them initially. especially the blogs and chat sites that many people “It’s OK to ask no questions,” Hobensack said. But use to connect with others. when you’re ready, added McCullough, don’t be afraid to ask more than once and to write down what you’re Columbus Parent also attended a meeting of the Little told.

Buddies. To read and see more about how this support What is most critical, say parents and professiongroup works, visit our website at ColumbusParent.com. als, is to surround your family with…

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

17

How Do Allergy Shots Work?

Julia G. (New Albany, OH): We are considering starting our daughter on allergy shots for her allergic asthma. My best friend’s son is also on allergy shots and is allowed to take his shots at home. Is it safe to take allergy shots at home? Also, her son has been on shots for 10+ years with minimal relief of his symptoms...is that normal?

Dr Shah: Firstly, we should address allergy immunotherapy (shots) in general. For those people who have allergic nasal symptoms or asthma and are able to receive allergy shots, those shots have been shown to be very effective. I believe the best physicians to prescribe allergy shots are those trained as allergists. Secondly, while allergy shots are relatively safe, there is a low but real risk of a systemic allergic reaction to the shot - each time you receive one. This is the reason allergists have their patients receive shots in a doctor’s office and then wait for thirty minutes afterwards, to decrease the risk that a serious life threatening reaction would occur at home. Allergic reactions, whether they are to allergy shots, medications or foods can progress rapidly and should not be taken lightly. Therefore the College of Allergy and Asthma recommends that allergy shots be administered under physician supervision.

As to your best friend’s son, nobody should be on allergy shots for life. In my opinion, rarely should anyone be on allergy shots for more than a few years. Sometimes when a patient receives allergy shots at home, they may be getting doses that are below the ‘maximum’ dose. When the body doesn’t receive high enough doses, it is unable to mount a proper immune response to the allergens and thus results in only partial relief of symptoms. There is also a decreased risk of systemic allergic reactions with these “diluted” shots (which is why physicians may be more comfortable allowing them at home) but also why this option is only minimally effective.

If your daughter is over 12 years old, I would encourage you to talk to your allergist about rush immunotherapy. This cutting-edge technology will allow you to reach ‘maximum’ concentrations faster, with less shots and most importantly, deliver “allergy-free” symptoms the quickest. The shots are administered in the allergist’s office and the course can be finished in less than two years.

18

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

At a Little Buddies meeting

TESSA BERG PHOTOS

“Beware of the Internet,” Hobensack said. “If Suzie’s mom is crazy, there’s no warning on her blog that says so. Blogs go both ways (with the helpfulness) but it comes back to treating each family (and their situation) as individual.”

And not every support group is a perfect fit for a family’s needs. Recognize real support where you really find it, said McCullough: “You might have a whiny support group but your bowling league might be better support.”

So where are these families headed? Eventually, say parents and professionals, they will arrive at…

THE NEW NORMAL. Parents and professionals define the “new normal” in these ways: FLEXIBILITY: “you come to the expectation of the unexpected,” said McCullough. “Sometimes Christmas Eve is spent at the hospital.”

A SENSE OF HUMOR “even at stuff other people would find morbid,” said McCullough.

PATIENCE and what McCullough calls “having grace” because “sometimes one person will be strong and the other will not; it’s a teeter-totter.”

ADVOCACY: “You will always be an advocate,” said McCullough but, added Hobensack, recognize that “it is not your job to teach the world.”

WHOLE-FAMILY HEALTH: “You can’t take care of the child with special needs to the exclusion of the siblings, your spouse and yourself,” said Hobensack. “You deserve to be happy,” said McCullough.

HUMILITY: “Be willing to access the support that’s out there,” said McCullough.

And, most of all, don’t forget to appreciate the journey, said Holmstrom: “It’s hard and it is an emotional roller coaster, but the rewards far outweigh the work.

The little things are very rewarding. We take nothing for granted.”

need to know: AGE APPROPRIATE: PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Where Everyone Plays Preschools that integrate special and typical needs

MARBURN ACADEMY

BY KRISS K. GALLOWAY

The playgroups at the Childhood League Center look like those found anywhere else in the city, and the children participating look just like any other group of children in the preschool age group. In fact, anyone observing them may not even think to wonder, “Which are the specialneeds children and which are the typically developing children?”

And that’s just the beauty of it.

A staff of 48 — including teams of teachers, occupational, speech-language and physical therapists, family service specialists, nursing services, and a child and family therapist — ensures that each child at the center, regardless of their unique needs, passes on from it ready for kindergarten, confident in their abilities and enthusiastic about learning.

The results are remarkable. Five-year-old Aviva’s parents were told by her doctors she would never be able to walk. But, with her plucky determination to do what the other kids in her group were doing, and with a lot of love and support from her parents, teachers and physical therapists, Aviva earned a standing ovation at her preschool graduation last spring by walking across the stage to receive her diploma.

Join Us for a

FREE COMMUNITY PARENT SEMINAR “ADHD Students and the Role of Medication” Tuesday, April 10 • 7:00-9:00pm RSVP to 614-433-0822 or bdavidson@marburnacademy.org

APRIL ADMISSION OPEN HOUSE Monday, April 9 • 7:00-9:00pm

2YE-A5RS ALYSIA BURTON PHOTO

A fellow group member, Sidney Schmaltz, was commended by her kindergarten teacher this year for her interpersonal skills and compassion. Her parents, Heather and Brock Schmaltz, chose to place her and her younger sister, Audrey, in the center for the experience of interacting with people from many different backgrounds.

“Education is not just about learning numbers and letters — it’s also setting the stage for social interactions for the rest of their lives,” said Mrs. Schmaltz. “We decided that not only could they get the preschool fundamentals at the center, but they also could interact with people who might not look or act like them. That’s not something you can teach, and we wanted our girls to

The Childhood League Center, 670 S. 18th St., is one of nine Franklin County Help Me Grow providers, serving nearly 250 children and families through home visitation. The center also offers an Early Intervention Program, half-day classes for children 12 months to 3 years, as well as a Parent Coaching Program. In June, the center signed a land-lease agreement with Columbus City Schools for a possible new home on the Fort Hayes campus.

614-253-6933; childhoodleague.org have that experience.”

It is uncertain how many lives actually have been touched by the center’s programs over the years — not only have those of the children been enriched, but many of them also have gone on to careers in the early childhood education,

psychology and medical fields as a result of their interaction, said Barbara Acton, executive director.

“We believe that all children are born with an innate desire to connect,” Acton said. “It is natural for children to want to be loved, and also to give love.”

Grades 1-12 • Join us for an informative session!

Marburn is a nationally recognized leader in research-based, college preparatory education for bright students who are ADHD and dyslexic.

RSVP to bdavidson@marburnacademy.org or 614-433-0822

FREE EARLY READING SCREENING Find out if your child is likely to struggle with reading, writing, or spelling.

For children aged 5-7 Friday, May 25 • 8:30am-12:00pm RSVP Required • Appointments fill up fast! bdavidson@marburnacademy.org or 614-433-0822

Marburn Academy…simply better www.marburnacademy.org columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

19

need to know: AGE APPROPRIATE: PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Typical Friends

Creating a special friendship

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON

1

Always wear a helmet when on wheels, but helmets OFF when on play equipment.

2

Never attach ropes, cords, strings, or pet leashes to playground equipment.

3

Always have an adult supervise kids on climbing & play equipment.

4

Never let a child ride on a lawnmower as a passenger.

5

6

20

Clear twigs, toys, tools and trash from the yard before mowing.

Cut the grass only when it’s dry & fully light outside.

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

It took Gabie Jo Reese a while to agree to hug her friend Bella Watkins.

But 6-year-old Bella understood the 7year-old’s reluctance to have physical contact. From the start of the girls’ friendship, Gabie’s mom always has explained “some of Gabie’s quirkiness” to Bella.

“The key to having typical friends is being perfectly honest,” said Michelle Reese of Hilliard. “Gabie is autistic and these are her characteristics. This is how we deal with it.”

The friendship between Bella, a typical kindergartener, and Gabie has helped both girls, their mothers agreed.

“Bella definitely has (benefitted),” said her mother, Jennifer Watkins of Hilliard. “They get along really well.

Bella has learned to understand how to interact with her.”

These days the girls regularly hug, share inside jokes and enjoy crafting together.

Friendships between typical children and their peers with special needs can have a positive impact on both kids, said Dr. Patricia Nash, a pediatric expert in development and behavior at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“A child with special needs would learn a lot about social skills and interactive play,” Nash said. “A typical child would learn compassion and empathy.

They would learn to be caring towards other people.”

Parents of typical children can help their children forge friendships with their special needs classmates by reaching out to the other child’s parents, said Barb Yavorcik, executive director of the Autism Society of Ohio.

She recommends calling the other family and letting them know you’d like to arrange a play date. A good first step might be suggesting that the two families plan an outing together, she

5+

YEARS

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTO

Gabie Jo Reese and Bella Watkins work on Easter crafts together

TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING GOOD FRIENDSHIPS: • Encourage children with typical needs to treat children with special needs the way they want friends to treat them.

• Explain the child’s condition but don’t dwell on the differences between the kids.

• Focus on the things the child with special needs can do.

• Don’t allow your child to make generalizations about children with special needs.

• Remind your children that every child, regardless of needs, has good days and bad days.

Source: Dr. Patricia Nash, a pediatric expert in development and behavior at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

said.

“It’s very isolating having a child with a disability,” Yavorcik said. “Having someone reach out really means a lot. It really can be a lot.”

When you are trying to arrange a play date, it’s OK to ask questions in a respectful way, Nash said. Make it clear that you are asking because you want to make sure the other child is safe and comfortable while he or she is with

you, she said.

Nash also suggested asking about safety precautions, food allergies and “how close of an eye do you need to keep on the child.”

Reese prefers to accompany Gabie to Bella’s house so she can be nearby for the girls. She said has enjoyed watching their friendship unfold. “(Gabie) has blossomed,” her mother said. “It’s really good for her.”

need to know: AGE APPROPRIATE: PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Dating on the spectrum When a child with autism wants to date

BY JACKIE MANTEY

Zayne Harshaw is like any other 16-year-old boy. He’s a sophomore in high school, at Oakstone Academy in Westerville. He loves classic rock and learned to play songs by Def Leppard and Boston on his guitar. After all, ladies dig an axe man.

But when Zayne approached his parents, Gwen and Gene Harshaw, about going on a date with a girl from his class, they were caught off guard. “[Zayne and his girlfriend] were pressuring for a date, but we didn’t jump on it right away,” Mrs. Harshaw said. “We had a fear of the unknown.”

Zayne has autism. A child’s first date can make any parent’s palms sweaty, but guiding a child with autism through the wavy waters of romantic relationships presents its own challenges. But, as with any relationship, experts say communication is key.

“When you start talking about dating and having intimate relationships, we tend to want to talk around it and allude to things, but you can’t do that necessarily with individuals on the spectrum because we don’t even know if they’re going to understand,” said Chris Filler, program director of Lifespan Transitions Center of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).

Talking about what to do and what not to do on a date is a good place to start, Filler said, because it helps parents understand what their child already knows about dating.

Zayne’s girlfriend is also on the spectrum, so Mrs. Harshaw called her mother and the families worked together to plan the date.

“You’re like a cruise director,” Mr. Harshaw said. “We tried to take out as many of the potential surprises as possible. You have to be humble enough to be honest about what can happen.”

The pair went to Easton, somewhere they felt comfortable and where the mothers could be close by but unobtrusive.

1YE4AR+S

JANE’S MONTESSORI ACADEMY Come Visit Us At Our Open House Event On Sunday, April 22nd from 2-4 • High Quality Education from 6 weeks through 6 years • Degreed, Montessori-trained lead teachers and degreed assistants • Low Teacher Turnover • A.M., P.M., or All Day Sessions

• Before school, After school, and extended (9-4) care available • Care available during school breaks • An environment that fosters individual growth for your unique child

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BABY The Harshaw Family “Going on a date alone is probably not the best place to start,” said Donna Owens, program director of OCALI’s Family Center.

The couple ate dinner, went to a movie (“The Lorax,” picked because it wouldn’t be too visually or emotionally overwhelming) and then got dessert at Max & Erma’s. The Harshaws coached Zayne on everything from making change and finding a first-date gift to dressing well but not too well: Zayne was ready to break out the tux.

Don’t be afraid, either, to broach the topic of getting physical, say the experts.

“The more uncomfortable it is to discuss, the more important it is to discuss,” said Brenda Smith Myles, a senior fellow at OCALI. Any awkward or confusing moments were worth it.

“Zayne’s brother joined the Army after graduation,” Mrs. Harshaw said. “We didn’t see dating coming this soon, but I’m so grateful. After his brother left, it was hard on Zayne. But this, this has been something really wonderful for him.”

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTO

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE THE DATE: • Who are you going on a date with?

• Where do you intend to go?

• How will you pick up or meet your date?

• How long do you expect the date to be?

• What are your expectations?

• Who else will be around?

• Why do you think your date will like the activity you’ve chosen?

• What kinds of things can you talk about?

• What will you say if you want to hold your date’s hand or put your arm around them?

• How will you know if your date is having a good time?

Sources: Chris Filler, Wendy Szakacs, Amy Bixler Coffin, Brenda Smith Myles and Donna Owens of OCALI

NEED MORE SUPPORT? The Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University offers a program called Aspirations which is designed to be a space for young adults with autism and their parents to talk about their social experiences including dating. Visit aspirationsohio.org for more information.

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columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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need to know: PEDIATRIC HEALTHSOURCE

EXPERTS FROM NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ANSWER COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY I sometimes find my daughter staring into space.

When I looked up “staring spells” online, I found information on “absence seizures.” Is it possible that my child is having seizures?

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Bring your family out to the beautiful grounds of Easton Town Center to fight for awareness and resources for those affected by lung disease in Central Ohio. If you have a family member or child with asthma, COPD or have suffered the impact of lung cancer – please join us in our effort!

Start a team today! There are no fees to register, however there are incredible prizes offered for fundraisers. Come out and enjoy the food, entertainment, an awesome Kid Zone, past OSU athletes signing autographs as well as booths providing information provided by the American Lung Association on lung diseases and our clean air initiatives.

Most kids who stare off into space are not experiencing seizures.

If you can’t interrupt these spells by gently touching her, however, it could be a possible sign of an absence seizure.

Dr. Charlotte Jones To be on the safe side, consider a visit to her primary care physiis an attending pediatric neurolocian who will be able to give a more specific diagnosis based on gist at Nationwide your daughter’s medical history or refer you to a specialist for diagChildren’s Hospital nosis. and an Assistant Absence seizures are brief (usually less than 15 seconds) disturProfessor of Pedibances in brain function due to abnormal electrical activity in the atrics at The Ohio brain. A person may also stop walking or talking mid-sentence, and State University Colis usually wide awake and thinking clearly immediately after the lege of Medicine. seizure.

Absence seizures occur most commonly in people under age 20, usually in children ages 4 to 12. They can occur rarely or up to hundreds of times a day and may occur for weeks to months before they are noticed.

Many children end up outgrowing these seizures by the time they reach adulthood. In the meantime, doctors may prescribe anti-seizure medications. They may also restrict driving and other potentially dangerous activities such as swimming or bathing unsupervised.

If your daughter is diagnosed with absence seizures, you and your doctor should develop a seizure plan and share it with your daughter’s school.

TIP OF THE MONTH

SEASONAL ALLERGIES The warmer weather has many of us spending more time outside. But if your children suffer from seasonal allergies, more time outside isn’t always fun. Though there’s no real cure for allergies, these tips may relieve some common symptoms: CHECK AIR QUALITY. Weather and news sites often post when pollen counts are high. When they are, stay inside and keep windows closed, if possible.

WASH. Your children should always wash their hands or shower and change clothing after playing outside.

DON’T MOW. If your child has seasonal allergies, think twice about asking them to cut the grass. This stirs up pollen and mold spores.

MEDICATE. If you child is still suffering, consult your primary care physician about possible medications that can relieve symptoms.

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need to know: FAMILY FINANCE

Give Your Money FOR NOTHING

Now, more than ever, we need to give. The lingering impact of the recession has left more people in need, but nonprofits are less able to provide as donations decrease. Demand for essentials, such as food and housing, is persistently high If you’re like me — a busy parent with few extra dollars to spare — you’ll probably just shrug and say, “I just don’t have anything left to give.” But you do, just by maximizing the resources you already have and leveraging the services you already use.

“These days, it’s about how we give, not how much,” said Nicole Bouchard Boles, author of “How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist.”

The goal, explained Boles, is to “give intelligently and wring the most potential out of everything we donate, particularly if we have less to contribute.”

GIVE PART OF YOURSELF. Give something that has a tangible, significant impact on someone’s life: a piece of yourself. A few ideas: Give blood to the American Red Cross. A single pint can save the lives of up to three people, yet only 3 percent of Americans donate. Or donate your hair to Locks of Love, which makes free custom hair pieces (which ordinarily cost up to $6,000) for children who have lost their hair due to illnesses like cancer.

GIVE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. Clip your unused coupons and send them to military families overseas, via the Overseas Coupon Project. Families can save by using them in the commissaries on their bases. The only cost is the stamp. Avid couponers can donate some of their “2-for-1” stash to local

BY DENISE TROWBRIDGE

homeless family shelters. The YWCA Family Center and the Homeless Families Foundation have lists of needed items on their websites.

If you have valuables gathering dust, auction them off and donate the proceeds to charity.

Through eBay Giving Works, you can donate 10 to 100 percent of the sale price to charity. Or, sell the item on a site such as Craigslist, then donate the money.

Green thumb? Donate veggies from your garden to local food banks, which always welcome fresh produce. Remodeling? Donate your old building fixtures to Habitat for Humanity, which sells them in their ReStore shops to raise money to build new houses.

PUT THE WEB TO WORK. Even if you don’t have time to volunteer, your computer

does. The World Community Grid allows charities to use your computer’s processing power when you aren’t. The grid links your computer with thousands of others, creating a virtual super computer. It saves nonprofits money and reduces the time needed to conduct research on projects such as curing pediatric cancer. Or shop online for the cause. Ebates.com members can donate their cash-back rebates to charity. At iGiveSmart.com, the site’s retail partners give a percentage of purchases made through the site directly to the charity you choose.

SHOPPING FOR CHARITY. You might be able to use retail rewards and discount cards to funnel money to your favorite causes. Meijer and Kroger have community rewards programs allowing you to link your store

Denise Trowbridge is a self-professed money geek who writes about personal finance, banking and insurance for The Columbus Dispatch, bankrate.com and middlepathfinance.com. card to a favorite charity, which receives a small donation every time you shop. American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard all allow card holders to use credit card points and rebates to make charitable donations.

With a little bit of creativity, you can leverage what you already have into greater good for the community — even if you don’t have a lot of extra money to give.

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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need to know: THE GO-TO GUIDE

(PART ONE)

Smaller Museums

BY JANE HAWES AND MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON

Central Ohio is home to some great, familyfriendly museums like COSI, the Columbus Museum of Art and the Ohio History Center.

But we’re also home to some pretty nifty smaller museums — the kind you probably have driven past and thought, “I wonder if that would be worth a visit?” Well, wonder no more. We checked out several and here is our first batch of reviews!

CENTRAL OHIO FIRE MUSEUM & LEARNING CENTER The focus of this museum in a century-old firehouse is fire safety, but it’s the front part that will excite the kids most. That’s where a variety of vintage fire engines (hand-drawn, horse-drawn and motorized) can be seen but, more importantly, there’s a play area where fire gear can be donned, a brass pole slid down and real fire-engine equipment played in.

In the back are some fairly vivid life-size dioramas that educate visitors about fire hazards and damage, and the importance of planning escape routes out of a burning building. Some of them might be too vivid for young children, but the tour guides are quick to modify a presentation and shield children from anything too graphic.

260 N. Fourth St., Columbus 43215; 614-464-4099; centralohiofiremuseum.com COST: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children; special group rates also available HOURS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, closed Sundays and Mondays; the last tour starts at 3 p.m.; group tours available by appointment; a tour takes approximately 45-60 minutes TIPS: Parking in the brick-paved alley on the south side of the firehouse is free and accommodates about 15 cars; if no spots are available (but there usually are), there is a self-pay parking lot next door (for $3.50).

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THE DOLL MUSEUM AT THE OLD RECTORY

50 W. New England Ave., Worthington, 43085; 614-885-1247; worthingtonhistory.org/Buildings_and_Place s/Doll_Museum/doll_museum.html COST: $1.50 for a self-guided tour; special group tours are available for Girls Scouts and other organizations HOURS: 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays

You don’t have to be a collector or a child to appreciate the fine collection of 19th and 20th century dolls at the museum.

The variety and quality of dolls and the detailed dollhouses makes this a fun visit for all ages.

The collection, which includes everything from dolls with fancy hair and clothing to homemade dolls to rare male dolls, shows how the popular toy can be seen as a work of art.

Portrait dolls depicting famous historical and fictional characters are another unique element of the collection. The museum even has a doll carved out of a wishbone.

We advise that you call ahead to make sure the museum will be open, even during posted hours. During our attempts to visit for this review, it sometimes wasn’t.

Healthy Hydration for the Whole Family MID-OHIO HISTORICAL (DOLL AND TOY) MUSEUM Not long after its 1964 opening, museum founder Henrietta Pfeifer realized she needed to add the parenthetical “doll and toy” to the place’s title because dolls and toys are indeed what it’s all about. The building’s seven rooms, not counting its front lobby, store and doll-hospital area, are packed to the rafters with dolls, train sets and toys — but mostly with dolls. It’s aweinspiring, if not a little overwhelming.

The all-volunteer staff has created a scavenger-hunt checklist to help visitors make sense of what they’re seeing. Children who are old enough to have an interest in history will probably get the most out of a visit, as well as respect the strict no-touching rules. You could easily spend 1-2 hours in here, depending on a child’s age.

700 Winchester Pike, Canal Winchester 43110; 614-837-5573; dollmuseumohio.org COST: $3 per person (under 6 free, but the museum is probably not appropriate for very young children) HOURS: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, April to December (reopens April 4 this year)

MOTTS MILITARY MUSEUM This museum presents a wonderful opportunity to bring history to life for kids. If museum founder Warren Motts happens to be there during your visit, all the better.

His enthusiasm for the museum pieces and his knowledge of how and when they were used makes for an unforgettable experience.

Many of the exhibits are from Motts’ personal collection. He’s a Civil War buff who has amassed an amazing amount of artifacts. After he moved his museum from his home to its current location in Groveport, veterans from across the nation started giving him their personal items and families offered him pieces from their ancestors.

The museum has uniforms, I.D. tags and weapons from many of the wars fought

by U.S. soldiers. It’s a great place to do research for school projects. Be sure to visit the outdoor area behind the museum. The space houses the collection of military vehicles and gives kids a chance to run off some energy.

5075 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport, 43125; 614-836-1500; mottsmilitarymuseum.org COST: $5 for adults; $3 for students and $4 for seniors for self-guided tours HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays

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family fun: HANDS ON

Rain Cloud Mobile

BY OLIVERA BRATICH

The weather may be warmer, but the spring season is sprinkled with rainy days. Gather the kids for a rainy day craft activity and hope that the old saying rings true…April showers bring May flowers! Enjoy your rain cloud mobile until the rain lightens up outside.

WHAT YOU NEED • Thick white cardstock or posterboard • Multi-colored construction paper • Hole punch • White thread • Scissors • Invisible tape

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTOS

HOW YOU DO IT 1. Draw a large cloud on a piece of white cardstock and cut it out.

2. Using that cut-out as a template, trace and cut out a second cloud on another piece of white cardstock.

3. Cut a straight line from the center top of one cloud to the middle of the cloud.

4. Cut a straight line from the center bottom of the second cloud to the middle of the cloud.

5. Fit the two clouds together so they form a 3D shape. Use the hole punch to make a small hole on the bottom of each of the four sides of the cloud.

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

6. Cut out 16 raindrops from various colors of construction paper. Let the kids get creative with these — they can be any size or color! Trace a template if you want them to all be the same size.

7. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top and bottom of each raindrop.

8. Lay out 4 raindrops along a piece of string leaving about an inch of space between each one. Weave the string through the holes at the top and bottom of each raindrop and secure the raindrop to the string with a piece of invisible tape.

Make sure to leave 6-8 inches of string at the top.

9. Repeat three more times.

10. Pull the top of the string through a hole on the bottom of the cloud and tie. Repeat with the three other strands of raindrops. Poke two holes at the top of the cloud and attach string to hang.

OLIVERA BRATICH owns Wholly Craft, 3169 N. High St. The Clintonville shop features handmade goods from more than 100 crafters and artists, including clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, home décor and more! Hours of operation: 1-8 p.m., weekdays except Tuesdays when they’re closed, 12 noon-7 p.m. Saturdays, 12 noon-5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, go to whollycraft.com or call 614-447-3445.

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COLUMBUS PARENT 2012 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY |

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Welcome to year number FOURof the Autism Puzzle!!

All of us at NBC4 take great pride in the success and the longevity of this series, and the reason for that success is simple. You. Because of feedback from viewers and readers we’ve been able to create a program which addresses the most critical needs of autism families. The series is now syndicated across the state of Ohio and into Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This magazine will be distributed to nearly 70,000 households, thanks to our outstanding

partners at Columbus Parent. In 2011 The Autism Puzzle was awarded an Ohio Valley regional Emmy for Special Achievement in Community Service.

We can also share in this remarkable news about the fundraising work underway in Central Ohio. The 2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks event raised more than $1 Million! It was one of eight walks nationally to raise more than $1 Million, but Columbus stands out. If you measure the amount of

money raised versus the number of television households in a TV market, the Columbus walk raised $1.08 per household. The next closest city in America, St. Louis, raised .76. And that’s not all... The state of Ohio raises about .84 per household. The next closest state, New York, raises .45.

All these numbers reflect what many of us already know. Central Ohio has become a powerhouse in autism awareness and research. The Autism Treatment Network at Nationwide

Children’s Hospital and the Nisonger Center at Ohio State stand as national leaders in scientific autism research.

We at NBC4 are proud to play a small role in that work and hope that we’ll continue to serve as a piece of the solution with The Autism Puzzle.

Jerod Smalley, NBC4

I SUSPECT MY CHILD HAS AUTISM:

A Four-Step Guide for Ohio Parents on What to Do Next

1

Step :

3

Step :

Ask for an Evaluation

Research Getting Services

There are three types of evaluations.

1. Medical/Clinical Evaluations – from your doctor.

2. Education Evaluations – from your local school.

3. Evaluation for Additional Services – from local County Board of Developmental Disabilities or other public entity.

Each individual with autism is “uniquely autistic.”

There is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment. The burden of determining what will work best, falls on the family and the professionals who work with them.

See Chapter 4 of Ohio’s Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders for more information on types of interventions.

Step :

Record Management

2

Educate Yourself Get Ohio’s Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders at www.ocali.org Contact the Autism Society of Ohio for information resources at www.autismohio.org

4

Step : You will be gathering a lot of information that you will want to keep handy, so you will need to create a filing system that you can maintain.

For the complete Next Steps guide, visit www.autismohio.org and click on the Parent’s Manual icon.

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COLUMBUS PARENT 2012 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY |

Linking information for the Autism community April 2012 | Vol. 3, No. 1 Contributing Writers: Jerod Smalley Barbara C. Yavorcik Jill Hudson Molly Kurtz Marla Root Anderia Ryley Lynn Tramontano

Advertising Sales: Toi Vivo 614-261-4739 tvivo@wcmh.com

Design: Dianne Goh The Columbus Dispatch

The Autism Puzzle is published by The Dispatch Printing Company/Columbus Parent. This publication is distributed free of charge in Ohio. TThis publication is copyright 2011 Media General Operations, Inc. All editorial materials are fully protected, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

The Autism Puzzle Magazine is published by The Dispatch Printing Company and in partnership with the Autism Society of Ohio. For more information about ASO, visit www.autismohio.org

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UPDATEon

AutismISSUES in Ohio

From Barbara C. Yavorcik, Assistant Director, Autism Society of Ohio

Here is a brief update on issues of interest at the state level: Legislative, Autism Awareness Days at the Statehouse If you want to learn about legislative issues affecting individuals with Developmental Disabilities and autism or make your voice heard about these issues with your legislators there are several opportunities coming up!

On March 28, 2012, the ARC of Ohio is presenting “Knowledge is Power”, a day of education, training and legislative advocacy featuring ODoDD Director John Martin at the Sheraton on Capitol Square. Topics include the Waivers, the Jon Peterson Scholarship and more. The Autism Society of Ohio is a co-sponsor. On April 26, 2012

the Autism Society of Ohio, Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of Central Ohio are co-sponsoring an Autism Awareness Day at the Atrium in the statehouse at 4pm. There will be updates on a variety of issues affecting individuals with autism including Medicaid, education and employment. Attendees will be provided with talking points to share with legislators. On May 8, 2012, the Ohio DD Council is presenting a Legislative Day at the Atrium in the statehouse starting at 10am. There will be a program on legislative issues affecting individuals with DD and then attendees will meet with legislators to discuss these issues. Information on all these events is available on the Autism Society of Ohio Website at www.autismohio.org.

SELF Waiver Approved by CMS The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (ODODD) has received that the new Flexible Supports Waiver – the Self Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver – has been approved by Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS).

Originally called the “Futures Waiver” and intended for a limited number of children with intensive behavioral needs, the waiver has been expanded to include children and adults based on input and feedback from advocacy groups like the Autism Society of Ohio. The waiver will provide $25,000/per year for children and $40,000/per year for adults with 100 slots state funded for children with intensive behavior needs. Services under the waiver are to include service brokerage, psychosocial services, intensive behavioral services, community inclusion, respite and adult day services. Enrollment will begin July 1, 2012. DODD estimates up to 500 individuals to enroll in the the waiver the first year it is in effect, and up to 2000 individuals using the waiver by the third year it is in effect. For more details about the waiver, visit the ODODD website at http://dodd. ohio.gov/ and click on “Self Empowered Life Funding Waiver” under “News Room”.

Autism Society of Ohio starts new “Neighbors” Program The Autism Society of Ohio is pleased to offer a new support system for families – the Neighbor to Neighbor program! An Autism Society Neighbor is a special volunteer, usually a parent or other family member touched by autism, that will work with other family members seeking support and information. Neighbor Volunteers are about helping a family touched by autism. Neighbors chat via email or phone and even meet one-onone to discuss issues, resources and just let families know they are not alone. Neighbor Volunteers are matched to families in need by neighborhood (or one close by) age, need or topic. Neighbors Volunteers also have great resources they can share in a toolkit provided by the Autism Society of Ohio. If you would like more information or need the services of a Neighbor, please call us at 614-487-4726.

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Mid-Term Budget Bill Expected Governor Kasich will be working with the legislature to develop a mid-term budget bill. The Ohio Department of Education was only funded for one year under the budget bill passed in June, 2011, so this bill is expected to include a second year of funding for ODE. We are also expecting some new initiatives to be included – although there are few details on those as yet. All the latest information on this bill and ways you can advocate with your legislators will be posted to our website at www.autismohio.org, so check in often!

COLUMBUS PARENT 2012 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY |

Autism Insurance Coverage Legislation Introduced State Reps. Ted Celeste and Nancy Garland have one again introduced Autism Insurance Coverage legislation – HB376 - to prohibit health insurers from excluding coverage for specified services for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Introduced in November, 2011, the bill has been assigned to the House Health and Aging Committee.

Unfortunately, there are currently no Republican sponsors for the bill and no companion bill has been introduced in the Senate. The Autism Society of Ohio is not anticipating any committee hearings on this bill in the near future. However, we are working with the administration and others to look at ways of increasing autism coverage without a legislative

mandate. We will be sure to post any updates to our website or in our e-newsletter, the DIGEST (to receive your own copy, sign up on our website).

Autism Society of Ohio Hires New Executive Director The Autism Society of Ohio has hired a new Executive Director, John Stacy effective March 1, 2012.

John is based in Columbus and comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He was previously the director of a smaller non-profit in Columbus and was a non-profit consultant. He teaches marketing and communications at the University of Phoenix in Columbus and spent 17 years with the Ohio House of Representatives as a Senior Legislative aide.

John has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in

Marketing and Communications.

In his position with the Autism Society of Ohio, John will be focusing on fundraising, board development, volunteer recruitment/management and operations. He also has a nephew with Asperger’s Syndrome. Contact John at jstacy@autismohio.org.

For more information on these or any other topics related to autism, visit the Autism Society of Ohio website at www.autismohio.org or call us at 614-487-4726. Your input and feedback are extremely important as the Autism Society advocates at the state level on behalf of all affected by autism in Ohio so feel free to contact us!

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Exceptional tools for exceptional children.

www.ocali.org 614 - 410 -0321

the central source for autism & disability

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Autism and

7

by Anderia Ryley Consultant, Lucas County Board of DD

Preparing for

ENCOUNTERSwith Law Enforcement

In many parts of the state, inclusive communities and schools are becoming the norm. This practice is reflected in mission statements, core values, and strategic plans. However, as inclusive opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities increase, so do the inherent risks and responsibilities.

One area of particular concern is interactions with law enforcement officers.

A

ccording to research, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other developmental disabilities are seven times more likely than neurotypical individuals to encounter law enforcement officers (Debbaudt & Rothman, 2001). Often, these encounters have less than favorable outcomes.

Autism safety expert Dennis Debbaudt has made a career of training law enforcement professionals how to interact with individuals with autism. Debbaudt, in collaboration with the Autism Society, has developed the Safe and Sound Initiative that includes information for families, professionals who support individuals with autism, and law enforcement

officers. A number of Ohio law enforcement departments have voluntarily participated in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and other forms of training regarding interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum.

According to Sheila Wagner (2010), an expert on inclusive practices, there is much that can be done to prepare the individual with an ASD for this probability. Wagner proposes a “threeprong approach” to fully address the interactions between law enforcement and individuals with ASD. She proposes that intervention/education needs to happen, not only with law enforcement, but also with the

person with ASD and their family. Like all of us, the individual with an ASD has responsibilities in the encounter to ensure favorable outcomes.

This three-pronged strategy targets all persons involved who have accountability and responsibility in the interaction. Complicating this interaction is that many of the items individuals need to know to navigate this encounter are “hidden curriculum” items.

Brenda Smith Myles and others in the field of autism have discussed the concept of the hidden curriculum and its importance. If the hidden curriculum (or the commonly understood assumptions about our social

cont. on pg. 8

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Autism and Preparing for Encounters with Law Enforcement (cont. from page 7)

behavior) is not known or thoroughly understood, an encounter with law enforcement officers could impact an individual’s safety and have other harmful unintended consequences.

Early childhood and elementary school age children are often told “police officers are your friend.” We further teach school-age children with ASD how to interact with friends to initiate and maintain social relationships.

Many of these skills are not appropriate for interacting with law enforcement as individuals with ASD get older. Additionally, schools often do not include the teaching of self-advocacy until students are ready to graduate.

WHITE CASTLE

BELIEVES IN

COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER AS ONE

Some important information to teach individuals with ASD would include: 1. What their disability is and how that disability impacts their interaction with law enforcement officers.

2. Law enforcement officers are authority figures as opposed to our friends (e.g. you would not greet a law enforcement officer by doing a fist bump) 3. Law enforcement officers make assumptions about a person based on expected and unexpected behavior. They expect people to be a little nervous. They do not expect a person to touch their weapon or even talk about the weapon.

4. There are specific reasons why a law enforcement officer might stop or question you.

5. You should disclose your disability and have a visual support, like a card or script, you can use to convey information to law enforcement officers when they question you.

6. There are the differences between being stopped, being detained and being arrested, and there is a specific protocol for each.

Meaningful participation in the community is the right of all individuals. Being valued for your contributions and actions in your community is an outcome of this right.

Teaching individuals with ASD about interactions with law enforcement will give them the necessary skills to be active and responsible community members.

References: Autism Society (n.d.) Safe and sound campaign. Retrieved December 9, 2010: http://www.autismsociety.org/; Debbaudt, D., & Rothman, D. (2001). Contact with individuals with autism: effective resolutions. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. April 2001; Myles, B., Trautman, M., & Schelvan, R. (2004). The hidden curriculum: practical solutions for understanding unstated rules in social situations. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Co.; Wagner, S. (2009).

Inclusive programming for high school students with autism or asperger’s syndrome. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons Inc.

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Planning ahead:

ENSURING

Life

YOUR CHILD'S qualityof

by Lynn Tramontano

Families of loved ones with special needs know the complete joy their loved one brings to their lives. In addition, each family can communicate the challenges that they face each day. Most of the challenges are faced with determination as they strongly advocate for better services, more options and rights. One challenge faced by families causes many to pause, scratch their heads and sigh in frustration. “What happens to my son/daughter when I pass away?” This question often leads to even more: “How will the quality of life that I have provided be maintained?”

“I can’t imagine anyone providing for my child in the same manner as I have. What do I do?”

Of course there are numerous other questions that parents ask but the fear of NO answers to their questions often cause parents to take little or no action. some families may avoid asking questions in hopes that SOMEDAY the answers will be easy to find. Well, today is “someday”.

How do you get started?

The journey through the complicated maze of government benefits, legal issues and financial concerns can be started with this most important first step. Make the decision to plan. Once you decide to plan for you child’s future the same determination wells up within you to accomplish this for the benefit of your child. Start by asking

this question: What is the quality of life that we provide, As parents, to our loved one and what types of activities do we want to ensure stay in place at our passing?

Some examples of the quality of life parents provide their loved ones are: • attending church weekly and for special occasions/holidays • family vacations • travel to visit family on holidays or special occasions • computer/laptop and the games associated • music CD, movies DVD • the quality and safety of the home and neighborhood in which they live • TV, Stereo, electronics • dinners out, activities such as fairs, music events, theatre, shopping Each family can make a list of these items and to check that you have made a complete list...make sure you have listed those activities and things that bring a smile to the face of your loved one. It is these types of items that government benefits are not designed to provide. Once this list is generated attach a dollar figure to each item.

For example: dinners out monthly-$80, music CD purchases monthly $45, family vacations per year $1000 (indiv cost). This list then is calculated into an annual amount. As an example, let’s say that $20,000/yr is provided by the family/parents each year to provide quality of life. This calculation is necessary for the next calculation which is more complicated and includes various inflation rates and withdrawal factors.

Many of the parents reading this article know that in their personal situation there are other factors to consider such as maintenance on the house, future surgeries, therapies and items not paid for my Medicaid.

Every family is unique in this step however the same question begins this necessary step of planning.

So, what’s next?

The next step: BUILD YOUR TEAM The team should include a financial advisor, a person knowledgeable about government benefits and a legal advisor - all of whom should understand how these issues interact. Caution: if you select a team member who does not understand trusts but if they do not understand the Special Needs Trust laws of Ohio then you may purchase nothing more than a stack of papers. Many financial advisors who don’t understand the details of this work could provide advice of an insufficient amount for the trust or ill-advise in future disbursements among just a few examples of the cautions in building your team.

Readers of this magazine need only contact NBC4 or The Autism Society of Ohio to find the right professional to build your team.

One final note: Parents - two things to do: 1. Make the decision to plan - and set a goal that by the end of 2012 you will have identified the quality of life list and costs associated.

2. Contact NBC4 or The Autism Society of Ohio for a professional that ca assist you step by step through this complicated maze.

The decision to act will ultimately protect your loved one for the future and bring you peace of mind today.

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Families in Central Ohio need a place to turn; desperate need for crisis care & stabilization short term residential placements for individuals with autism

Autism

by Bob & Marla Root, proud parents of Raechel and Eli

SPECTRUM

DISORDER (ASD) Families with a loved one with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can have great stress and anxiety during a time of challenging behavioral crisis. Families struggle as they figure out how to keep their loved one with ASD safe, while ensuring the safety of other family members. During challenging times, when a family becomes concerned for the health and safety of their family member with ASD and others, they are told to seek help from the police or hospital emergency rooms.

Unfortunately, most families struggle to truly get help.

During a challenging behavioral crisis, individuals with ASD need access to medication management, crisis intervention, behavioral interventions and counseling.

During a challenging behavior crisis with our adolescent son, we called the police for help because for the first time we were

concerned about the health and safety of both our son and ourselves. Thank goodness by the time the police arrived our son had begun to de-escalate. There were several similar episodes, with one occurring while I was driving. Our son unbuckled his seat belt, reached over the front seat, and began attacking me. I had to get out of traffic, pull over, call 911, and get myself out of the car.

Our son had several more behavioral crises over the next two months. Our son entered an inpatient psychiatric hospital to change and stabilize his medication. At discharge, when I asked for a placement for him to continue stabilizing, we were told they were not aware of any step down or places individuals with ASD could go to stabilize. After the hospital discharge, his behaviors seemed better but he became volatile again. During this time we were turned away from two local hospital emergency rooms while in crisis. We felt that the hospital staff thought the challenging behavior would end the next day, but with the seriousness of the behavioral events and the

intensity of the behavior increasing, we knew our son now needed access to psychiatric and behavioral services at a level we could not provide in our home. Our family had never experienced this level of stress before.

Many families end up at a hospital emergency room during extreme behavioral crisis. But what families find only frustrates them more.

Many families are turned away from emergency departments because staff is not trained to handle an individual with ASD and they are unaware where to refer them to.

During the next two months our son hardly ever left the house. He didn’t go to school, never went outside or went swimming during the summer months. We were extremely concerned about the medication changes we

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were doing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, but without getting our son to the psychiatrist office, professionals were relying on our observations to make decisions. With all the extreme challenging and aggressive behaviors my husband and I were dealing with, we had to face the idea that we did not have the training or expertise to now meet our son’s level of care in our home.

After working closely with a psychiatrist, psychologist, board certified behavior analyst, and social worker we received clinical recommendations to seek a stabilization, residential placement. This took over six weeks to accomplish. We could not find a provider that could meet our son’s needs and had a very difficult time navigating the funding maze. Finally, we found placement and funding was figured out. During the four month stay, our son received the medication management and the care he needed. Unfortunately, the location was a little over two hours away from home.

More psychiatric hospitals are working to meet the needs of a burgeoning population of kids with autism and other developmental disabilities, but despite significant growth, services remain limited. Autism Units Lacking At Nation’s Hospitals. Disability Scoop. January 12, 2012

New Program for Crisis Care and Stabilization coming to central Ohio “The biggest challenge hospitals face is finding adequate services for the children/adolescents once they are discharged from inpatient psychiatric settings.” ~ Specialized Inpatient Psychiatry Units for Children with Autism and Developmental Disorders: A United States Survey. December 2011.

Matthew Siegel of the Tufts University School of Medicine.

Both mental health and developmental disabilities providers throughout the state are seeing a spike of adolescents with ASD needing crisis and stabilization care.

Unfortunately, there no programs that specialize in this type of care for individuals with autism in central Ohio.

Because of the Root's and many other families' experiences and to serve the many families that need support during crisis, we are excited to announce the collaboration of two community mental health programs and the development of The Elijah Glen Center.

The Elijah Glen Center The Elijah Glen Center is a partnership which brings together the expertise of two nationally accredited community mental health centers: Step By Step Academy, Inc. and The Rosemont Center, Inc. Both organizations employ professionals who are

support adolescents at time of crisis: The Crisis Management Residential Program’s mission is to serve individuals in crisis who do not warrant inpatient psychiatric or acute care but who need a less restrictive residential placement

which are proven to result in better treatment outcomes. There is strong evidence that both psychopharmacologic and behavior modification treatments that follow principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), when combined together to create a bio-behavioral

The Elijah Glen Center’s mission is to serve adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder and individuals with an intellectual or developmental disabilities that do not warrant intensive psychiatric hospital care but who need a less restrictive short term residential or step down care program to stabilize and to reunify back into their family’s life. leaders in psychiatric, mental health and behavioral health care services. All services will be supervised by a licensed child and adolescent psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, board certified behavior analyst and licensed independent social worker.

The Elijah Glen Center offers two unique programs to help

providing crisis intervention services.

The Stabilization Residential Program’s mission is to serve individuals who do not require acute or crisis care but require a step-down residential placement until they are stable and can return to their home and community environments.

It is The Elijah Glen Center’s belief and commitment to utilize evidenced-based interventions

approach, offer a best practices outcome for treating the population The Elijah Glen Center will serve.

The Elijah Glen Center has a wiliness to collaborate with doctors, clinicians, advocacy groups, funders, therapist and others in our communities. To learn more about this new treatment program or to donate to the development of the program please contact Marla Root at mroot@elijahglencenter.org or 614-565-5765. www.elijahglencenter.org.

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Autism Society, Central Ohio Chapter Spring Conference

Autism Society Sensory Friendly Film: Pirates! Band of Misfits

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 8:30am—

Saturday, April 7, 10:00 am Cost: Check with theater for details Location: AMC Lennox 24 | 777 Kinnear Rd | Columbus, OH 43212 In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

EVENTS

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3:30 pm Building Social Relationships: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Interaction Skills to Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum by Scott Bellini Will provide an overview of a social skill instructional model developed by Dr. Bellini. The workshop integrates research on social emotional functioning with effective strategies for teaching social skills to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The five-step model provides a systematic and comprehensive framework to guide parents and practitioners in the development and implementation of social skills programming. For info and to register, visit www.autism-centralohio.com/ Visit Dave and Busters Hillard during the month of April and purchase a puzzle ribbon lapel pin - proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Ohio!

Webinar: Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 3:00pm The Ohio Department of Education and several statewide agencies that have formed the Ohio Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation and Anti-Bullying Initiative (Anti-HIB) are sponsoring a series of 10 one-hour Webinar sessions. To sign up, contact Jill Jackson at jill.jackson@ode.state.oh.us or 614.466.9540.

Webinar – Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Complex Needs Part 1 Tuesday, April 17, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Cost: Free Location: http://www.ocali.org Part one discusses the definition of behavior and role of the IEP team (including family), positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), and functional behavior assessment (FBA), along with the introduction of a case study. Attendees will benefit from the process by completing assignments between each webinar. The assignment for part one will be defining a target behavior.

Webinar – Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Complex Needs Part 2 Tuesday, April 24, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Cost: Free Location: http://www.ocali.org Part two starts with identifying what happens before and after the identified behavior, examining underlying areas of challenge, continued explanation of the case study, and introduction to a form that pulls the pieces of the plan together. The assignment for part two includes identifying antecedents and consequences of the chosen behavior, filling in the Underlying Areas of Challenge form, and starting the interventions form.

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12th Annual Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference: Experience Understood in Image, Poetry, Narrative and Research Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24 - 25, 2012 For details visit http://ada.osu.edu/ conferences.htm or contact L. Scott Lissner, ADA Coordinator, Ohio State University, Phone: 614-292-620, E-mail: ada-osu@osu.edu

Autism Awareness Day at the Statehouse Thursday, April 26, 2012 4pm Get the latest on autism issues to share with your legislator. In the Atrium.

Details at www.autismohio.org

Ride 4 Autism Saturday, April 28 Registration - 7:30 am Start Time: 9:00 am Cost: $35 Location: Canal Winchester 10 mile, 30 mile and 75 mile bike rides with proceeds benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Webinar – Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Complex Needs Part 3 Tuesday, May 1, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Cost: Free Location: www.ocali.org Description: Part three delves deeper into the functional behavior assessment by further examining setting events, triggers and reinforcement. Participants will learn about developing a hypothesis of what is possibly increasing or decreasing the targeted behavior.

The assignment for part three includes identifying setting events, triggers, reinforcement, and completing more of the Interventions form.

Webinar: Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 3:00pm The Ohio Department of Education and several statewide agencies that have formed the Ohio Anti-Harassment, AntiIntimidation and Anti-Bullying Initiative (Anti-HIB) are sponsoring a series of 10 one-hour Webinar sessions. To sign up, contact Jill Jackson at jill.jackson@ode. state.oh.us or 614.466.9540.

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Webinar – Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Complex Needs Part 4 Tuesday, May 8, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Cost: Free Location: http://www.ocali.org Part four looks at the strengths and interests of the individual that can be connected to interventions. Data collection, types of reinforcement, and reinforcement schedules will be reviewed. The assignment for part four includes identifying the strengths and interests of your target individual, and determining data and reinforcement information specific to the chosen behavior.

Legislative Advocacy Day at the Statehouse Tuesday, May 08, 2012, 10:00am The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) has scheduled its annual Legislative Advocacy Day for Tuesday, May 8, in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus. Registration begins at 10:00 am; Program at 10:30.

The key topic this year will be employment. For more information contact: AXIS Center, axiscenter@columbus.rr.com.

Webinar – Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors of Individuals with Complex Needs Part 4 Tuesday, May 15, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Cost: Free Location: http://www.ocali.org Part five explains how to choose a substitute behavior to replace a challenging behavior. And then, the Strategy Assessment and Revision Tool is demonstrated to show how to examine seven elements of a strategy for application to an individual student, and how to revise the elements if necessary. At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to complete the intervention form and behavior plan.

Super Kids Soap Box Derby Race June 9, 2012 The Stynchula Family Foundation is sponsoring this event for the 2nd year in a row, providing an unforgettable event for the youth we serve.

The Super Kids division of the soapbox derby for special needs children between the ages of 8 and 17.

Go to www.stynchulafoundation.org for details and registration information.

(Rain date is June 10)

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Relationship-based

MODELS in early INTERVENTION R

einforcing Ohio Department of Developmental disabilities (DODD) core values, Director John Martin emphasized during a presentation to Family Advisory Council, “We’ve talked about funding and budgets here today, but in our work at the Department we know that, “… at the end of the day, our work is about people and relationships.”

This comment is a fitting introduction to the opportunities the Department has created for the training and certification of County Board staff in what are referred to as ‘relationship-based early interventions’ -- including the Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (“P.L.A.Y.”) Project, and ‘Responsive Teaching.’ While some of Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities have specific programs such as these available to support very young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families, many do not. The Department saw this as an opportunity to create active partnerships around the state, supporting each other in this effort.

Training for RelationshipBased Interventions In April and May, in conjunction with OCALI, DODD provided training to County Board employees across the state in relationship-based early interventions, including the P.L.A.Y. Project with Dr. Richard Solomon (www.playproject.org/about_drrick.php), and Responsive Teaching with Dr. Gerald Mahoney (msass.case. edu/faculty/gmahoney/). According to Dr. Solomon, no other state has put together a comprehensive and focused program such as this. He said,

“Ohio is unique. This is very exciting!”

The P.L.A.Y. Project is a community-based autism therapy training and early intervention program that empowers parents and professionals to implement intensive, developmental interventions for young children with autism. The main focus of Responsive Teaching is utilizing the strong influence of parent responsiveness on child development.

Responsive Teaching also is thought to be more widely applicable to other developmental disabilities beyond ASD.

Training Follow-Up Both P.L.A.Y. and Responsive Teaching trainings require followup to assure understanding and successful implementation of the strategies and methods.

For the P.L.A.Y. Project, training follow-up involves submitting a series of 20 videos, made during home visits with children and their families, over a period of 12 to 18 months. The videos are submitted to designated P.L.A.Y. Project Supervisors who review the videos and offer feedback to the trainee. Training follow-up for Responsive Teaching involves submitting monthly case studies, and three videos to Dr. Mahoney over a six-month period. As Project Coordinator for DODD, Molly Kurtz also follows up with participating County Board staff to support this process.

An overall goal of the training is to build a statewide infrastructure of certified early intervention professionals available to teach families how to implement specific interventions for their young children with autism.

Tracking Progress In April and May, 85 people from 24 counties were trained in Responsive Teaching, and the majority are participating in the follow-up training. Also in May, 42 people from 18 counties were trained during a four-day period in P.L.A.Y. Project techniques, and are also participating in the required follow up work.

The count for both Responsive Teaching and P.L.A.Y. Project training is 122 staff, which, according to Kurtz, is “…. most gratifying. It is exciting to me to hear what people are saying as they participate in the follow up work.

They are getting so much out of it.”

Trainees include County Board employees, or contractors with a County Board, and are early intervention specialists, preschool teachers, and therapists in various specialty areas.

Over the course of a year, a key relationship-based training goal is to develop an Ohio-based ‘train the trainer’ model for sustainability, and continue to support initial efforts through the certification process, with the over-arching goal that every child in Ohio has access to these services.

Contact Molly Kurtz (molly.kurtz@dodd.ohio.gov) to learn more about this project.

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Choosing an

COLUMBUS PARENT 2012 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY |

Autism Society of Ohio Introduces new Resource for Families Looking at the Autism Scholarship Program

Autism

SCHOLARSHIP The Autism Society of Ohio is pleased to offer a new resource for families considering the Autism Scholarship voucher program.

The Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) was created to provide an alternative to current public education for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It gives the parents of students with autism spectrum disorder, who qualify for an individualized education program (IEP), the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive the services outlined in the child’s IEP. It is essentially a $20,000 reimbursement that can be used at a single or multiple providers to implement the IEP. Passed as a pilot as part of the 2003 Budget bill, the program became permanent law in late 2006.

With the advent of the Autism Scholarship Program, there are now many more educational options for a child with autism other than public school. This includes assembling an educational team from a variety of providers. However, just as all public school programs are different, so too, are all Autism Scholarship providers. It is important to evaluate any program, both public and private, weighing the pros and cons of each, keeping the needs of the child with autism as well as the families’ needs in mind.

But doing so can be confusing which is why the Autism Society of Ohio has created a new guide – Choosing an Autism Scholarship Provider. It will first help identify the needs of a child and their learning style. Do they require specialized services or specialized facilities? The next section of the guide will help evaluate a specific program, allowing evaluation of perspective programs against the current program. Finally, there are a list of questions to consider when looking at any provider or program – costs, teachers, administrators, reputation and more.

Barb Yavorcik, Assistant Director of the Autism Society of Ohio, said, “We are very pleased to offer this new resource for families. There is a lot of confusion on the

Provider part of families about what would be the best educational choice for a particular child with autism and the different Autism Scholarship providers that are available.

This guide will help families make an informed choice to meet the educational needs of their student with autism. ” The new Choosing an Autism Scholarship Provider piece was created by a group of parents and family members of students with autism who have experience with both public school programs and Autism Scholarship providers. Content of the guide was also reviewed by the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children for accuracy and content.

The new Choosing a Scholarship Provider resource is available for download from the Autism Society of Ohio website at www.autismohio.org, by calling our Main office at 614-487-4726 or our Greater Akron Office at 330-543-3955 or emailing us at askASO@autismohio.org.

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Autism Puzzle Bowl-A-Thon Celebrates Year Three

We hope you can join us on Sunday, July 8th at Columbus Square Bowling Palace to raise awareness – some money – and to have fun!

This year’s event will raise money for Autism Speaks and TBA. The friendly competition pits our lane sponsors against each other in a bowling tournament – with prizes going to the top teams and bowlers. And, our HUGE silent auction will have goodies to entice everyone.

Once again, families of children with an autism diagnosis are invited to come and learn how to bowl... for free! We will have lanes set up that day with bumpers so our friends can learn the game.

Space is limited, so please contact jsmalley@wcmh.com to register your child ASAP. All our bowlers receive special event T-shirts and a number of surprise goodies you will not want to miss.

We are very grateful to The Basement Doctor and Boyd’s Goodyear who are both back as sponsors of our event. If you’d like to get your company or family involved, there’s still time. Get in touch with Jerod Smalley (614-261-4413) jsmalley@wcmh.com OR Toi Vivo (614-261-4739) tvivo@wcmh.com they will get you more information.

Help us fill the Square this summer and make a unified stand for our friends with autism.

Let’s be the next piece to help solve the puzzle!

We’re making a difference in the lives of children and families.

As one of the few truly comprehensive autism programs in the country, the pediatric experts at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are dedicated to improving access to better quality care, treatment and education for all children challenged by autism.

And we’re proud to support The Autism Puzzle.

Because when we all stand together, autism stands alone.

For more information, visit NationwideChildrens.org/Autism.

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RARELY does

become a blue color of choice

in CENTRAL OHIO (Go Bucks!)

But this basketball season, 9 schools and thousands of fans accepted blue with pride.

They took part in the 2nd Annual Autism Puzzle Shootout.

Host schools were asked to create a “blueout” for their games by selling light blue tshirts and asking fans to wear blue clothing. Students sold bracelets, magnets, stickers and other items to help raise money toward Autism Awareness programs.

Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Grove City, Pickerington North, Hamilton Township, New Albany, Teays Valley and Westerville South hosted games this year. The schools combined to raise nearly $20,000 for Autism Speaks and Autism Society of Ohio.

If you’d like to get your school involved in the shootout series, call 614-261-4413 for more information. The series will return in 2013!

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We are Panera. We are bakers of bread. We are fresh from the oven.

We are a symbol of warmth and welcome. We are a simple pleasure, honest and genuine. We are a life story told over dinner.

We are a long lunch with an old friend. We are your weekday morning ritual. We are home. We are family. We are friends.

That is why Panera Bread gives back to our local communities. We are a part of our customer’s lives and you are a part of ours. We show our appreciation not only within our bakerycafes but also through the communities we serve by getting involved in issues close to our customers’ hearts.

And that’s why we’re supporting Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization dedicated to

funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.

Panera is proud to be involved in raising autism awareness through our Autism Speaks - Panera Listens campaign running April 23-29 in all central Ohio area Panera Bread Bakery Cafes. During this time, Panera Bread will feature a delicious signature Autism Speaks puzzle piece shortbread cookie with 100% of the

proceeds benefiting the Columbus Chapter of Autism Speaks.

Last year’s Autism Speaks campaign generated more than $15,000 and with the help of our customers, we hope to exceed that support this year. Cookie order forms are available in all local Panera locations or just remember to add one to your you-pick-two lunch or your morning coffee order April 23-29.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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SAVE THE DATE Friday & Saturday, August 3 & 4, 2012

AUTISM SPEAKS

®

NATURAL FOOD MARKET •Largest in-store GLUTEN-FREE selection in the region featuring dedicated grocery and frozen food aisles •Kinnikinnick, Lundberg and most other Gluten-Free brands in stock •Casein- ree, vegan and vegetarian offerings •Gluten- ree vitamins & supplements •Books, magazines and information on Gluten-Free cooking & living •Knowledgeable and dedicated staff •Community education initiatives

2545 Schrock Road • Westerville (Corner of Cleveland Ave. & Schrock Rd.)

614-882-5886 www.raisinrack.com

Corporate Sponsor for

For conference information and updates on registration, please visit: bit.ly/AutismSpeaks_2012NationalConference Or email: ATN@AutismSpeaks.org © 2012 Autism Speaks, Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks It’s Time to Listen & Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Health Resources and Services Administration

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Changes to the DSM:

What's THEBIG Deal?

What is the DSM? The DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is used by clinicians throughout the United States to diagnose mental health and psychiatric disorders. As such, it provides a common language for professionals to understand one another, and helps to make diagnoses more consistent and accurate. Each diagnosis in the DSM comes with a set of criteria or conditions that have to be present for someone to receive the diagnosis. If a diagnosis is made, the criteria subsequently help a therapist or doctor plan for interventions.

Why is it being revised?

The entire DSM undergoes periodic review every few years to ensure that the diagnostic criteria stay current with the ever-changing and growing research on various disorders. The current version is DSM-IV-R; that is, it is the fourth revision of the original document.

by Jill Hudson, Senior Fellow Center for Systems Change

The process of revision begins with several work committees established by the American Psychiatric Association, publisher of the manual, which identify diagnostic criteria that are working well and those that require change in order to make a given diagnosis more dependable and consistent. Committees, made up of international experts, practitioners, and researchers, use a series of questions to determine if the criteria for a diagnosis should stay as they are, be updated, or be combined with those of another disorder. These committees also decide if the language is useful, if research still supports the various criteria, and how adjustments in criteria could affect people if changes are made.

How does this affect autism?

One focus of the upcoming revision of the DSM (DSM-V) is to review all the categories that have a form of a diagnosis

∑

that includes the phrase “not otherwise specified” – a term that refers to a “not quite this, not quite that” option for individuals that don’t fit all the conditions of a diagnosis. For example, the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, under which autism and Asperger Syndrome fall, has this phrase as a part of its diagnostic criteria.

After a review of research, the committee that reviews Pervasive Developmental Disorders – the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Committee – recommended merging the existing disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, along with Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Autistic Disorder, into a new category called Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What does this mean for my family and me?

No one knows what the impact of the DSM-V will be. The committee believes the new DSM, which will be published in the spring of 2013, will help professionals make more accurate diagnoses, which, in turn, will support the development of better intervention plans.

The committee has already sought feedback from the public and the main discussion so far has centered on the

∑

following short-term questions: • How will these changes affect services?

• Will someone with the old diagnosis need a new evaluation?

What we do know is the new DSM definition of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” should not impact education because schools use the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) definition of autism, which encompasses the entire spectrum.

Everyone agrees that autism spectrum disorders are complex, that this process is complicated. It seems likely that there will be many revisions to the diagnosis as we learn more.

How can I learn more about the proposed changes and this process?

More information on the proposed language of autism spectrum disorders and the rationale behind the changes may be found on the DSM website under Neurodevelopment Disorders. It will again be open for public comment in the spring (www.dsm5.org).

The Center for Systems Change continues to closely monitor these developments.

As new information, research and public comment become available, watch for reviews and analysis on our website www.centerforsystemschange.org.

∑

COLUMBUS PARENT 2012 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY |

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| THE DISPATCH PRINTING COMPANY | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | COLUMBUS PARENT 2012

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The mission of the Autism Society of Ohio (ASO) is to improve the lives of all affected by autism in Ohio. The ASO includes persons with autism, parents and professionals working to improve services and support at the state level.

The ASO acts as an information resource for persons with autism, their families, and the professionals who serve them in Ohio and neighboring states. A chapter of the Autism Society of America, the ASO makes information and ideas accessible to interested families and professionals.

On a regional effort, the ASO links families throughout the network of 8 local Autism Society chapters in Ohio, including:

Central Ohio Dayton Area Greater Akron Greater Cleveland Greater Cincinnati Northwest Ohio Southeast Ohio Tri-County - Youngstown The ASO hosts a website where you will discover local, state and national news, medical information, local calendar of events, and other useful information.

To learn more, log on, email or call. website

www.autismohio.org email

askASO@autismohio.org phone

614-487-4726

ASO

The Voice for Autism in Ohio

family fun: COOKING WITH KIDS

Maddie Rabe (l) and Kayla Tull (r) work together

Jessica Brisk (l) and Elena Alfonso (c) watch Caroline Raya (r) pour ingredients

COLCANNON

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON • PHOTOS BY TESSA BERG

In between combining and stirring ingredients, the teenagers talked about clothes, school and pizza.

Little about the conversations signaled the unique nature of the friendships formed in the cooking class hosted by The Friendship Circle, a New Albany organization that creates social experiences for teenagers and young adults with special needs. The activities, which are held at The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany, bring together people with special needs and typical students who volunteer to serve as mentors and friends.

When Chef Melissa Hura asked the would-be chefs about their favorite foods, everyone offered an opinion.

The pizza lovers cheered each time another student named the dish as their favorite.

Class participants lis-

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

Chef Melissa Hura leads the class. tened while Hura explained how to prepare colcannon, an Irish dish made from potatoes and cabbage.

“When we get it mixed, taste it to make sure it tastes good,” said Hura, a personal chef who owns Dinner Rescue Crew. “That’s what a good cook does. They always taste their food at every step.”

Kayla Tull, 19, found the

first taste lacking.

“Can we have some salt?” asked the Gahanna resident, who has birth defects stemming from cytomegalovirus, a flu-like virus that her mother contracted during her first trimester of pregnancy. The virus affected the right side of Kayla’s brain and caused developmental and physical limitations.

Her cooking partner Talia

Rozenbojm, 17, suggested that the addition of the cabbage and other spices might improve the flavor.

She was right. After the final ingredient was added, Kayla pronounced it “good.”

The girls, who both attend Gahanna Lincoln High School, had fun making the dish together. Talia, who started volunteering last summer, said she has

I take piano lessons...

COLCANNON

“I’m great at soccer, I won the science fair, I play video games, I deliver papers, I’m on the honor roll...

INGREDIENTS • 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks • 4 cups finely chopped cabbage • 2 large leeks • 1 cup milk • 2 tablespoons caraway seeds • 1/2 tsp. anise seeds • 1/4 cup butter • salt and pepper to taste

...piano lessons made me better at all of these, and piano lessons are fun.”

INSTRUCTIONS 1. GROWN-UP: Peel the potatoes.

2. KID (WITH SUPERVISION AS NEEDED): Cut the potatoes into chunks. Finely chop cabbage. Slice leeks into 1/4 inch rounds.

3. GROWN-UP AND KID: Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low and cover.

Simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

Drain and allow steam to dry for a minute or two.

4. GROWN-UP AND KID: While the potatoes are boiling, place the cabbage into a pot with several tablespoons of water, cover and bring to boil over medium heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Pour off excess liquid and set cabbage aside.

5. KID: Place the sliced leeks, milk, caraway seeds and anise seeds into a large saucepan.

6. GROWN-UP AND KID: Cook the leeks over medium-low heat, and bring to a simmer.

enjoyed getting to know Kayla and the other program participants.

“I’m meeting all these cool people,” she said.

The program, which also includes sports classes and special outings, has been wonderful for Kayla, said her mom Lori Tull of Gahanna.

“The volunteer interaction is great,” she said. “It gives them a good role model. They have a great time.”

Cook the leeks until soft, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the butter, and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture stand until the butter melts.

7. KID: Mash the potatoes with a masher in large bowl.

8. KID: Fold in the leek mixture.

9. GROWN-UP: Transfer potato mixture to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

Serves up to 10 people.

Your child’s future starts now. lessons begin at age 3

excellence in piano instruction is our only businesssm

209 north hamilton road • columbus, ohio 43213 • (614) 755-2424 60 old west wilson bridge road • worthington, ohio 43085 • (614) 436-6076 www.conservatoryofpiano.com

Caroline Raya mixes up colcannon.

For more information about The Friendship Circle, visit their website at friendscolumbus.com

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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family fun: PARTIES

Game On!

BY JANE HAWES

For today’s generation of kids, video games have become the universal language of fun — and their teachers know it. That’s why, at Ridgeview Middle School, parties with entertainment provided by Mr. Game Room have become a valued reward for hard work and good behavior.

Ridgeview’s principal Natalie James first learned about the mobile video-game vendor during a Parade of Homes event about three years ago. Looking for an incentive that the 545 middle-school students at this Columbus City Schools building would respond to, she invited owner Michael Ross to bring his truck over. It was a hit, but from that first visit came an idea for some additional customization during future visits.

About 30 of the Ridgeview students have multiple disabilities, including Down syndrome, deafness and autism. They mix well with the typical population at the school but, during the first Mr. Game Room visit, James said one of the teachers noticed that several of the special-needs students “didn’t have as good a time, trying to keep up, so Mr. Ross came back and did a free session just for them.”

Ross, whose wife is a teacher, said he gets a lot of great insights about the students’ needs from her.

In preparation for spring break, Ross recently visited the school again and surprised the special-needs kids with an afternoon gaming session. James said she likes to let the students go for about 30 to 45 minutes per session. The reward parties, held each semester, also mix in a variety of other activities including an arts and crafts area, a dance deejayed by one of Ridgeview’s teachers and a movie shown in the auditorium.

During the three years he’s operated the Mr. Game Room truck, Ross said he’s learned that, while some special-needs kids do best with lower volume and a higher staff-to-student ratio while playing on the Xbox 360 and Play Station 3 gaming consoles, most are just as adept at gaming as any child with typical needs.

“We chose these games today,” Ross

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MR. GAME ROOM PARTIES The Mr. Game Room truck is an air-conditioned, handicapped-accessible trailer equipped with four gaming consoles and up to six plasma-screens.

Weekend rates for a two-hour party within the Columbus area (Ross describes it as extending to about five miles outside I-270) begin at $249. Weekday rates start at $219. Outside the Columbus area, a fuel fee would be charged based on distance.

For more information, visit mrgameroom.com or call 614-918-3000.

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTOS

explained, pointing out the Mario Kart, Monster Truck and Just Dance games playing in the truck, “because they’re simple games but challenging enough.”

The key to avoiding frustration and overstimulation, said the group’s teachers Amy

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

Burt and Lori Huffman, is following facial expressions and body language. Most students, however, are very good at deciding for themselves when they’ve had enough.

“You let them do it on their own time,” Burt said, and paused for a quick round of

hugs with students who were giving themselves a break from the action.

“These are just the sweetest kids,” Huffman said. “We say it all the time….”

Burt nodded and jumped in, “We have the best job in the world.”

Activities

RECREATION SERVICES

Here is a snapshot of a few of our upcoming events and programs. Fun family ideas for spring/summer can be found at www.DublinOhioUSA.gov/recreation.

Summer Camps This year we’ve added some significant enhancements to our summer camp programs. We offer opportunities for preschoolers through teens, from sports camps to technology camps, for adventurers or entrepreneurs, from cooking to COSI. Summer camp registration begins at 6 a.m. Monday, April 2 and is available throughout the month. You are able to register for any camp that we offer, allowing you to plan summer camps and activities all at one time.

Complete details are available on our website: www.DublinOhioUSA.gov/recreation/camps

Baby & Kid Sale Bonanza 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22 Dublin Community Recreation Center Here’s your chance to do a little shopping for gently-used children’s items (newborn–12 years) in a community garage sale setting. There is no entrance fee but bring plenty of cash for lots of great deals.

http://facebook.com/DublinOhio http://twitter.com/DublinOhio

www.DublinOhioUSA.gov

DublinOhioUSA.gov/enews

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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family fun: DAY TRIPPIN’ IF YOU GO

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, OH 44113 216-862-8803 or 855-602-3040 greaterclevelandaquarium.com COST: Adults, $21.95; children (2 to 12), $15.95. Children under 2 are free.

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily STROLLER POLICY: Strollers are not permitted on Saturday and Sunday.

FOOD: Visitors are not permitted to bring food into the venue. The aquarium has restaurant that serves a variety of items, including deli sandwiches starting at $5, pizza for $5-$6 and fresh fruit for $3.

TIP: The aquarium does not have a coat room or locker area, so consider leaving coats in the car or bringing something to carry them in.

The Greater Cleveland

AQUARIUM

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON

Sightseeing at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium begins before you exit your car.

The building’s location on the west bank of the Flats — Cleveland’s historic shipping hub turned entertainment district — means visitors get a peek at some of the area’s historic bridges, train trestles and buildings.

The drive to the aquarium is a great warm-up for the building’s unique architectural features. The aquarium is housed in the FirstEnergy Powerhouse — a National Historic Landmark — and takes full advantage of the awesome space. The tanks are nestled among exposed brick walls — many are circular in shape, mimicking the building’s iconic smokestacks. One smokestack is home to a display of spiny lobsters that peer down at visitors as they pass underneath.

Other tanks are tucked under brick archways along old coal

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

tunnels.

The aquarium dedicates a fair amount of space to the freshwater fish that are found in Lake Erie and its feeder rivers. The displays offer insights about native fish, how wildlife experts are re-introducing the Ohio brook trout into the state’s waterways, and about the dangers of invasive species and pollution. We also discovered that Ohio means “good river” in the Iroquois language.

Other exhibits focus on some of the unique fish from the different oceans of the world and the Florida Keys. The Coastal Zone features a large pool where divers help kids touch sharks, starfish and rays.

Unfortunately, the day we visited was extremely crowded and the boys were never able to make it to the front of the line to touch any creatures. We visited on a Monday — Presi-

dent’s Day — and were disappointed to learn that only weekend visitors have the opportunity to watch staff feed the fish.

Despite the crowds, the kids enjoyed the large alligator exhibit, the seahorse display and the moray eels.

They were excited to check out the Shark Tank, which features a long walkway where guests can stroll surrounded by water on three sides. We immediately noticed that the water in the tank was murky. The employee stationed in the tunnel assured us that the water was safe for the fish. She also said that the aquarium has tried a number of shortterm fixes, which have not yet corrected the problem. [By press time at the end of March, the problem was reported to be fixed.]

For us, the crowds were more of an issue than the cloudy water. The website recommends allowing 90 minutes for a visit. We spent about an hour going through the building as we often were hurried along by the throngs of people.

The boys said they would like to visit again on a less busy day. I’d be willing to try again if we were headed to Cleveland for another reason. But if we were planning a trip around an aquarium visit, for now I would probably head to the Newport Aquarium in Covington, Ky. The facility is bigger, has an indoor children’s play area and has similar admission costs.

Proper Training from the Very Beginning

Summit Academy Schools

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SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

*New Students only ($5 off for existing students) When registered by May 15, 2012.

One coupon per child, Cannot be combined with other offers.

A FREE, non-profit public school for children with Asperger’s Syndrome, AD/HD and related disorders. A great choice for children who may have difficulty in a traditional classroom setting.

Summer Camps & Classes for Boys and Girls ages 2 to 12.

Sign Up Now! Visit our Website for Details.

NOW ENROLLING ELEMENTARY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

www.northpointedance.com 740-548-4600

500 Orangepointe Drive, Lewis Center (Minutes from Powell off Route 23, between Home Rd. & Orange Rd.)

THE LEARNING SPECTRUM IS NOW ENROLLING FOR: • Occupational Therapy • Speech-Language Therapy • Music Therapy • Kindergarten and Preschool Classes • Summer Camps and Classes The Learning Spectrum provides services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental delays to create individualized education and therapy programs as well as work within an existing IEP to help meet the specific goals of each child.

Our goal is to help children grow and prosper in all environments.

Call 614-844-5433 or visit us at www.thelearningspectrum.com.

Summit Academy Columbus Elementary Program (Grades K-5) 1850 Bostwick Rd Suite 100 Columbus 43227 614-237-5497

Middle School (Grades 6-8) 1850 Bostwick Rd Suite 200 Columbus 43227 614-237-5497

Transition High School (Grades 9-12) 1855 E. Dublin-Granville Third Floor Columbus 43229 614-880-0714

24-hour Information Line 1-800-442-5753 www.summitacademies.com columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

59

family fun: EATING OUT WITH KIDS

Harvest Moon Café Providing Flexible Full-Service Childcare

A Creative Childcare Club where you schedule your childcare according to your changing needs.

• Hourly Drop In • Flexible Scheduling • Part Time • Full Time Caring for children 8 weeks to 10 years of age

www.kiwisclubhouse.com Polaris on Ave. 1343 Camer035 • 614.436.6306 io 43 Oh er, nt Lewis Ce on

ti anna Loca New Gahw !

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Gahanna n Road, hnstow .2655 973 East Jo43 230 • 614.855 OH a, nn Gaha

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2 day Program for 3 year olds 3 day Program for 4/5 year olds

Providing an Innovative Play based curriculum taught by a degreed teacher.

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2 FREE Drop In hours! (new members only)

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Check out our

Summer Camps! | April 2012 | columbusparent.com

ALYSIA BURTON PHOTOS

HARVEST MOON CAFÉ 7 N. High St., Canal Winchester, OH 43110; 614-834-8100; hm-cafe.com HOURS: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays (breakfast menu served until 11 a.m.)

PRICES: Breakfast dishes $3-$7.75, drinks (including smoothies, freshmade juices, coffee drinks) $1.75-$4, salads $5.50-$7, sandwiches and wraps $5-$9

THE MOM SAYS

I’m a compulsive menu analyzer before I go to any restaurant (God bless the Internet) and I have to admit my expectations were high before we got to Harvest Moon Café, an eatery located in the heart of historic Canal Winchester. It emphasizes organic, locally sourced fare and I was not disappointed. Even better, I found a new dish for my Lifetime Favorites List: their Heavenly Hotcakes.

Not many places make their pancakes crepe-style, which is how I make them at home, but Harvest Moon does. And, holy cow, is their version ($6.50) better even than anything I make at home. They have this subtle but zingy lemon flavor to them, and are served with a lavenderinfused maple syrup (the lavender softens the acidic edge on the real maple syrup). The side of turkey bacon is extremely lean and therefore crunchy. Not my favorite type of bacon, but dipped in the syrup, just fine. I also tried the “Roots and Fruits” fresh-made juice ($4), which was a blend of apple, ginger, celery and beets: It’s an acquired taste but I certainly felt virtuous for having it.

The vibe in the place is very friendly and low-key, sharing its space with an herb and natural products shop (wine is also sold there).

There are no signs directing you on the logistics, but it wasn’t hard to figure out that you place your order at the counter and they call you back when your food or drinks are ready.

You also bus your own table. And I have to give serious props to the care that’s been put into making the bathroom something more than standard.

Though there wasn’t a diaper-changing station in there, the wall art, magazines and free hygiene products were a very thoughtful touch. There were high chairs available, and plenty of families enjoying a Saturday breakfast or lunch when we visited. The evening hours menu is basically the same as the lunch menu with mostly sandwiches, wraps and salads, but they seem to be doing a healthy business (no pun intended) with a seriously inventive cocktail menu.

—JANE HAWES

The Premier Solution For Parents Providing Hourly, Flexible and Full-Time Child Care

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THE KID SAYS I was expecting it to be a little different, probably because of the name. I was expecting there to be some kind of weird dishes. It was actually quite normal but really good, especially the smoothies.

That town was really quaint, too.

It was different because you went up to the counter and ordered, and paid first.

Then you got your meal. I ordered The Real Man’s Breakfast ($6) that had potatoes, turkey bacon, eggs and toast. I had my eggs scrambled. It was really good except the eggs were a little iffy. There was something on them, like a flavor that tasted a little like soy sauce.

That’s the closest I can think of to the taste.

But the potatoes were really good: I think they were roasted with a little bit of salt.

The turkey bacon tasted like regular deli-

cious bacon. I tried some of my mother’s pancakes and they were good because they weren’t big and poofy.

They were thin and that’s the way I like pancakes, but I didn’t really like the lemon flavor. But my mother liked it.

And I got a strawberry smoothie — actually I got two again ($4). It had strawberries and pineapple juice in it, and it was really good, except for the second one, which lacked in consistency. It had too much pineapple juice.

The bathroom was fine and clean. They had some really funny posters on the wall. The service was nice.

We didn’t have a waiter but from the brief talking with them, they were nice.

I wish we had a place like Harvest Moon Café in our neighborhood. —COLIN HAWES

Bring in this coupon

For Two FREE Hours of Child Care (New members only)

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HOW’D THEY LIKE IT? FOOD:

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FAVORITE BITE: MOM: Heavenly Hotcakes KID: The first strawberry smoothie

GRADING SCALE:

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GOOD.

MEH.

BOO.

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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family fun: MEDIA REVIEWS

BOOKS FOR KIDS

—AMY HAY, LIBRARIAN I, GAHANNA BRANCH OF THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY

“HOMER THE LIBRARY CAT”

by Reeve Lindbergh Homer lives with a quiet lady in a quiet house. Each day the lady leaves him alone in the quiet house. However, one day he is startled by loud trash cans banging and leaves his quiet house. Homer tries to find quiet somewhere throughout the neighborhood but he doesn’t succeed in that until he gets to library where his quiet lady works. Now he goes to work with the lady each day and he is the “Library Cat.” FOR AGES 2 TO 4.

“OLLIE: THE PURPLE ELEPHANT”

“THE GREAT SHEEP SHENANIGANS”

What would happen if the Beastie Boys collaborated with Mr. Rogers?

The answer is the Imagination Movers. Indeed, the Movers sing about things they know—messy rooms, healthy snacks, sibling rivalry, and other topics that relate to being a little kid—but their musical style would sound right at home on MTV. In concert, they teach high-energy dances, play games with the audience, and make music on their one-of-a-kind trashcan drum set as they live the Movers motto to “reach high, think big, work hard, and have fun!”

by Peter Bently Lou the Wolf wants to get a lamb for dinner. He keeps trying to disguise himself all throughout the book. However, Rambo the Ram is always one step ahead of him. A very clever book for those older preschoolers.

FOR AGES 3 TO 6.

“INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN”

by Thanhha Lai Ha and her family become refugees who must move to America in 1975 during the Vietnam War. The book is written in a series of poems as Ha tells her story and takes the reader through the challenges of being a refugee in a new country. FOR AGES 8 TO 12.

FOR AGES 3 TO 6.

“WONDERSTRUCK”

Friday, April 20 Palace Theatre, 3 & 6:30 pm ticketmaster.com capa.com • 614-469-0939 800-745-3000 & outlets Ohio Theatre Ticket Office Family Series Sponsor:

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Official Airline of CAPA:

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka One day the McLaughlin family finds a lost purple elephant in the park. Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin let the two children bring the elephant home to live with them. Ollie the purple elephant becomes the family’s best friend and everyone loves him, except the cat Ginger and the neighbor downstairs.

Ollie is tricked into joining the circus and the family can’t find him.

This is a very sweet and endearing story about having pets of all kinds.

It will be a favorite for all those children who ever wanted that “different” kind of pet.

by Brian Selznick This novel is told in a unique way.

The author uses both pictures and words to tell the story. It is different from “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” in that there are two different stories being told. Ben’s story is told using words and Rose’s story is told entirely in pictures. The stories interchange throughout the book and the reader has to pay close attention to know what is happening with Rose and Ben. FOR AGES 8 TO 12.

“THE SCORPIO RACES”

BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Sean Kendrick is racing in the Scorpio Races once again. Puck Connolly is going to race for the first time, the first girl ever to race. Puck chose to race to try to get her brother Gabe to stay on the island and not move away. Now Gabe is staying but only until after the race. These races, on the man-eating water horses, are extremely dangerous. Who will win and, even more important, who will survive? FOR TEENS.

Because Q & A ! is in our DNA

Bring your curiosity to COSI! surrounds us, sustains us, and challenges us…

It

Experience water as never before in this exhibition for the entire family.

WEBSITE ARTCYCLOPEDIA.COM This site is a great resource for students who are looking for information about different artists. There are articles about the artists and their works of art that are very basic. The students can search for the different artists and come up with a list of institutes where they can find the artists’ pieces. This site has links to more than 9,000 different artists. —AMY HAY

FAMILY APP “BEETHOVEN — RADIO CLASSIQUE”

Presenting Sponsor

Exhibit Now Open Water is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org) and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul (www.smm.org), in collaboration with Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, São Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore.

Media Partners

Earth Day:

Exploring Water Saturday, April 28, 11am–3:30pm Meet researchers who are helping to ensure that our water supply is clean, safe, and reliable, and find out how you can help.

Radio Classique Jeunesse has created a

series of $4.99 apps designed to interest your children in the stories of famous classical music composers. The first two in the series are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. The Beethoven app features nine of the composer’s most famous works. If you feel this app is a bit pricey, consider that these same music compositions would cost more than $8 if purchased on iTunes. Meanwhile, this app also features four games to entertain and further educate. Though this app was designed in France, its bilingual so English-speaking youngsters can enjoy it as well. Updates are planned to keep this app fresh. —PHIL PIKELNY

Week of the Young Child Family Day April 14, 11am–4pm

cosi.org 614.228.2674 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215 Stay connected:

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

63

april 2012

OUT&ABOUT We’ve customized our daily calendar of events to highlight events that are FREE!

SUNDAY 1 FREE! April Fool’s Day, Try to stump the naturalist with a nature trivia quiz. Bring natural history questions or objects and be prepared to discover the silly side of nature. 1-3 p.m. Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Art off the Square, A free open house experience, each and every 3rd Sunday of the month.

Worthington Christian student coordinators Will Hejduk and Madision Safer have a mactastic year planned of artistic fun for the family including music exploration, literature, the visual arts or film related activities and demonstrations. 1-5 p.m. Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, 777 Evening St., Worthington. 614-431-0329 x323. mcconnellarts.org FREE! Bunny Day, Drop in to play Bunny Bingo and “hop”-scotch, and create a cute bunny craft. Learn that wild rabbits are very different from pet rabbits. 1-4 p.m. Deer Haven Preserve, 4183 Liberty Road, Delaware.

740-524-8600, ext. 3. preservationparks.com FREE! Free Family Days, Bring the family and enjoy camp before the summer begins. As a family, you can participate in canoeing and target sports, climb the rock wall, take a hike, and enjoy a great family day!

Limited horseback rides are available at $12 per person. Directors will be present to answer questions about

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summer camp and give tours every half hour. 1:30-5:30 p.m. Camp Willson, 2732 County Road 11, Bellefontaine. 937-593-9001. ymcacolumbus.org FREE! Geocache Egg Hunt, Bring your GPS unit to search for plastic eggs hidden throughout the park.

Find them all and receive a treat.

Limited GPS unites available to borrow. Easy and difficult course levels.

4-6 p.m. Three Creek Metro Park, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. 614-8956365.

FREE! Multicultural Families of Central Ohio, This is a group for parents and children with diverse cultural backgrounds. We will meet at least once a month for potlucks, cultural festivals and playdates. The goals of the group are support, friendship and fun. 6-8 p.m. First Unitarian Universalist, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd, Clintonville.

614-853-0039.

Soft Sculpture Doll Heads, We will be creating sculptures from fabric, yarn and thread. These can be used to create dolls, pins or decorations.

All materials will be provided. 2-4 p.m. $28 members, $32 non-members. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-6811423. decartsohio.org

MONDAY 2 FREE! Family Evening Storytime, 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

FREE! Miller Park Monday, Come to our monthly storytime for children who attend preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can’t come to our normal storytimes. Join us for stories, flannelboards and fingerplays chosen for ages 3-5. 10:15 a.m.

Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Music & Movement, Ages 25 years. No registration required. 11:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Pre-School Artistic Adventures, Children’s books can bring artistic experiences to life! We will read a story that turns into an exciting art project. For ages 3 and 4. Must be accompanied by an adult. 10-11 a.m. $8 members, $10 non-members.

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-681-1423. decartsohio.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 11:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

TUESDAY 3 FREE! MOMS Club Business Meeting, Bring the kids out for a yummy

MIKE MUNDEN/DISPATCH PHOTO

Eggs, Paws and Claws Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 — Celebrate springtime with the animals at this fun, family-friendly zoo event. Visit treat stations sponsored by local organizations and businesses, meet animals and characters, and even have your photo taken with a bunny!

Friday event hours are from 5-8 p.m., and check it out all day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular zoo admission rates apply: $14.99 for ages 10-59, $10.99 for ages 60 and older, $9.99 for kids 2-9, and under 2 are free. Columbuszoo.org has more information. doughnut while chatting with other moms about what’s going on this month with the MOMS Club of Lewis Center North! Stop by to meet other moms and make some great new friends for you and your kids! 9:3010:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 1021 Polaris Pkwy, Polaris. 614-5578546.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org

FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Crafts, For ages 3-5 years. 1 p.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 11:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper

Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 a.m. at Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Tales for Toddlers, Ages 1836 months. No registration required.

10:15-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

WEDNESDAY 4 FREE! Baby Games, Ages 0-18 months. No registration required.

10:15-10:45 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Bunny Crafts, Kids ages 3-12 will have a hoppin’ good time at this evening craft class at KidSpace!

There is no charge for this class but pre-registration is required. Please call 836-3333 to register by April 2.

Ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 7-8 p.m. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Egg-stra Special Easter Edibles, Create Easter treats for somebunny you love! Craft a carrot candy holder, marshmallow toothpick chicks, edible flowers and Easter basket cupcakes in this sweet workshop.

Ages 12+. Registration required.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville. 614-8827277 x5004. westervillelibrary.org Family Fun: Story Time, “Packard Takes Flight” Story time and book signing with author Susan Levine at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit with a peregrine falcon. Free with $6 - $11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad Street, East Side. 614-6458733. fpconservatory.org FREE! Family Story Time, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required. 77:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Home School Wednesdays, For grades K-12. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $4 members, $6 non-members. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-681-1423. decartsohio.org FREE! Playing with the Pyramids, The ancient Egyptians were amazing engineers. Learn more about their culture, and play pharaoh by building a pyramid. For grades K-3. 2:303:30 p.m. Northwest Library, 2280 Hard Road, Worthington. 614-8072626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar FREE! Preschoolers at the Farm: Meet the Sheep, Enjoy a story and craft and learn about sheep. Meet this year’s lambs and see sheep shearing. 10 a.m. Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 State Route 674 N., Canal Winchester. 614-8956365.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 11:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington and Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-4869621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3 years.

10:15 a.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Teen Blog Editorial Board, Join us for our monthly meeting for current and new board members. We learn about new technology, discuss potential blog topics and brainstorm about future teen programming.

Registration begins two weeks prior.

For grades 8-12. 4 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621.

THURSDAY 5 Art of Movement, The Art of Movement combines the East and West intuitive dance practices to help you add energy and relieve stress. 6:30-8 p.m. $4 Residents, $5 Non-Residents. Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Chess Club, Checkmate!

Chess lovers of all levels are welcome to join the UAPL chess club. Our local teen expert(s) will moderate, help beginners and suggest strategies to players. Registration is required and begins two weeks prior. For grades 3-6. 4 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621.

Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville Bats, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Easter Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show, Shop at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and visit exhibitors offering a selection of handmade art and craft creations and for the latest trends and ideas to enhance your home and lifestyle. You’ll also find products offered by popular homebased business representatives. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mall at Tuttle Crossing, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin.

330-493-4130.

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big fat Greek Kuzina Traditional, Fresh Greek

Homemade Pastitsio, Baklava, Moussaka, & More!

Big Fat Greek 2816 Fishinger Road Columbus, OH.

614.457.4733 WWW.BESTGREEKUSA.COM Gluten Free Options | Vegan | Organic | Vegetarian | Chemical Free

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FREE! Family Support Group, For caregivers of children with special needs. ECRN+ Family Support Group is a monthly gathering held in an environment for families of special needs children to facilitate connections, share information and ideas. 68 p.m. ECRN Office, 6555 Busch Blvd, Worthington. 614-543-9000 x215. ymcacolumbus.org/ECRN FREE! Parent’s Morning Out, This free ministry is for parents who are looking for a morning out to do all those errands you can’t take your child to. Children can enjoy structured play, crafts and stories in a safe and loving place. Our volunteers all have current background checks on file. No advanced registration is needed. The community is welcome.

9:30 a.m.-12 noon. Westerville First Presbyterian Church, 41 W. College Ave., Westerville. 614-560-1682. westervillefirstpresbyterian.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 at Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org Thursday Night Concert Series: Shadows and Light, 8-10 p.m. $8 online, $10 at the door, $5 Students, Kids under 12 Free. Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, 777 Evening St., Worthington.

614-431-0329 x323. mcconnellarts.org

322 Mt. Vernon Ave., Downtown.

614-229-4860. balletmet.org Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville Bats, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com Combo Class; Ballet, Tap & Jazz Dance, Children ages 5 & 6 will gain experience in ballet, tap and jazz all in the same class! Through age appropriate material, children will learn the fundamentals of classical ballet and the percussive dance form of tap and jazz. Class time will be divided to spend equal amounts of time on the three different dance styles every week. This class combines just the right balance of imaginative ballet movements with the fun, upbeat style of tap and jazz to keep young dancers engaged and excited to come to dance! 5:45-6:45 p.m. $45 Resident, $50 Non-Resident. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Easter Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show, Shop at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and visit exhibitors offering a selection of handmade art and craft creations and for the latest trends and ideas to enhance your home and lifestyle. You’ll also find products offered by popular homebased business representatives. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mall at Tuttle Crossing, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin.

330-493-4130.

FREE! First Friday Movies, How about catching a fun movie on the big screen at the Library? Bring your best buddy and a snack, if you wish!

For grades K-5. 3:15-5 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-481-3778.

Multicultural Families Potluck & Discussion Group, This is a group for parents and children with diverse cultural backgrounds. We will meet at least once a month for potlucks, cultural festivals and playdates. The goals of the group are support, friendship and fun. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Universalist, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Clintonville. 614853-0039.

FRIDAY 6

SATURDAY 7

FREE! BalletMet Open Rehearsal, Open rehearsals provide a glimpse into the creative process and a sneak peek of an upcoming production. 56 p.m. BalletMet Performance Space,

Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville Bats, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com

april 2012

Creative Minds Junior Studio, An open art studio for students 7-12 years old, a variety of art media will be available for students to use.

Monthly themes will be introduced but this is a student led activity. 12 noon-2 p.m. $36/4 sessions to be used in 3 months and/or with siblings/friends. Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc., 38 N. State St, Westerville.

614-890-8202. gallery202online.com/linkpages/creativemindsjunior.html FREE! Easter Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show, Shop at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and visit exhibitors offering a selection of handmade art and craft creations and for the latest trends and ideas to enhance your home and lifestyle. You’ll also find products offered by popular homebased business representatives. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mall at Tuttle Crossing, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin.

330-493-4130.

FREE! An Egg-Citing Challenge, Drop in to follow nature clues that will lead to a hidden basket of eggs, and earn a treat for completing the task. 1-4 p.m. Deer Haven Preserve, 4183 Liberty Rd., Delaware. 740-5248600, ext. 3.

Eggs, Paws and Claws, Looking for EGGstreme fun this spring? Hop over to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and join us for our annual Eggs, Paws and Claws Event. This springtime celebration returns bigger and better than ever. More of your favorite treats stations, kid friendly entertainment and seasonal themed animal enrichment activities. Be sure not to miss a visit from everyone’s beloved Bunny. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell. 614-645-3550. columbuszoo.org FREE! Life-sized Candyland, Learn your colors and earn some candy and stickers by traveling our lifesized board as a player! For preschool-kindergarten. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Worthington Park Library, 1389 Worthington Centre Drive, Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar FREE! Saturday Story Stomp, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required.

11-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Super Saturdays: Garden Party!, The Grandview Garden Club invites you to welcome sprung with a garden-friendly craft. Space is limited to

25 participants. Registration is required. Sign up in Youth Services beginning Saturday, March 24. For grades K-4. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-481-3778.

SUNDAY 8 Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville Bats, 4 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! An Egg-Citing Challenge, Drop in to follow nature clues that will lead to a hidden basket of eggs, and earn a treat for completing the task. 1-4 p.m. Deer Haven Preserve, 4183 Liberty Rd., Delaware. 740-5248600, ext. 3.

MONDAY 9 Butterfly Craft Day, Kids will make colorful butterfly crafts in this afternoon class at KidSpace. The class is open to children ages 3-12. Prepayment is required by Friday, April 6. 23 p.m. $2-$3. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614836-3333. groveport.org Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians, 6:30 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Family Evening Storytime, 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Mother-Daughter Book Club, Girls in grades 3-5 and their mothers (or grandmothers!) are invited to join us and talk books.

Selected title:”The Doll People” by Ann M. Martin. 7-8 p.m. Northwest Library, 2280 Hard Road, Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar FREE! Music & Movement, Ages 25 years. No registration required. 11:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 11:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

TUESDAY 10 Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians, 6:30 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Parent-Child Book Discussion, Library instructors lead a discussion of the selected title to teach critical thinking and appreciation for literature. This month we will read “You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Titanic!” by David Stewart. Copies of the book will be available beginning March 6 to the first 10 families to enroll. Additional families able to secure their own copy of the book are welcome to attend. For grades 35. 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Preschoolers: Hey Diddle Fiddle!, Make a musical instrument and join members of the Columbus Folk Music Society for an old-fashioned sing-along. 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway. 614895-6365.

FREE! Reading to Rover, Meet some therapy dogs from Central Ohio Good Shepherds, and improve your reading skills too! Beginning readers can read to these very patient listeners, and learn about the therapy dog program. For grades K5. 7 p.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington.

614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org

FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Crafts, For ages 3-5 years. 1 p.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 11:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 a.m. at Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org Sweet Treat Day, Kids will make a sweet treat and a craft in this afternoon class at KidSpace. The class is open to children ages 3-12. Prepayment is required by Friday, April 6. 23 p.m. $2-$3. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Tales for Toddlers, Ages 1836 months. No registration required.

10:15-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Our Experience, Your Child’s Success Contact us about: • Social Skills Groups • Speech and Articulation • Spoken and Written Language • Reading Development • Math and Reading Comprehension • Executive Skills Building • Summer Book Clubs

Office Locations: 6422 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg 130 North Woods Blvd, Ste B, Columbus

Phone: 614-864-6620 E-mail: northrupandassoc@aol.com Web: www.northrupandassociates.com

WEDNESDAY 11 FREE! Baby Games, Ages 0-18 months. No registration required.

10:15-10:45 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Bookworms Book Club, Read, dance, chant and craft in this book club designed just for prereaders. Parents take part in the fun!

Ages 4-6. Registration required. 44:45 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville. 614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians, 6:30 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT To add an event to Columbus Parent Magazine’s Out & About calendar, submit information by email to calendar@columbusparent.com or online at ColumbusParent.com.

Please submit calendar events by the 7th day of the preceding month.

Dublin • Columbus • Gahanna Pickerington • Reynoldsburg • Westerville

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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BOOKMARK FARMS HORSE LOVER’S DAY CAMP

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Riding Lessons for Children and Adults!

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740-964-2601

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www.BookmarkFarms.com

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614-898-9994 Board Certified Scott W. Nieman. DDS • Emily J. Baran. DDS Carolyn A. Barber. DDS

COLUMBUSCRAVE.COM THE LATEST DINING NEWS AND RESTAURANT PICKS SERVED FRESH DAILY

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

april 2012 Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com Family Fun: Comic Art, U Cre-8 Comic workshop instructor and artist Victor Danbridge shows kids how to create their own comic book. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with $6 - $11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad Street, East Side. 614-6458733. fpconservatory.org FREE! Family Story Time, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required. 77:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Homeschoolers: Diggin’ It, Dig a hole in the woods and learn about dirt and the creatures that live in it. Bring a trowel. Ages 6-12. 1 p.m.

Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Gahanna. 614895-6365.

FREE! Preschoolers: The Beech Tree Puppets, Join the puppets as they discover why some animals migrate and others stay at home. 10 a.m. Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Sheep Shearing, Enjoy a story and craft and learn about sheep. Meet this year’s lambs and see sheep shearing. 1-3 p.m. Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 State Route 674 N., Canal Winchester. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Springtime Crafts, Join us anytime between 2-4 p.m. We’ll provide the supplies to create three different springtime crafts. 2-4 p.m.

Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 11:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington and Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-4869621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org

TIM REVELL/DISPATCH PHOTO

Friday: Uptown Alive Friday, April 27 — Every fourth Friday of the month, Uptown Westerville comes alive with its fun festival. Explore the historic area as shops stay open late and artists showcase their work. Grab a bite to eat while enjoying live entertainment, and check out activities from the Westerville Public Library and the police and fire departments.

The Uptown Alive festivities run from 6-9 p.m. Log on to visitwesterville.org for more information about the city and its events.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3 years.

10:15 a.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org Thurber House Young Writers’ Studio, Young Writers’ Studio offers 9th-12th graders a chance to work with professional writers to learn new techniques, explore different genres, receive feedback on their work and have fun in a supportive environment. 6-9 p.m. The Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave., Downtown. 614-464-1032.

Tie Dye Day, Kids will make a tie dye shirt in this afternoon class at KidSpace. The class is open to children ages 3-12. Each child should

bring a white cotton t-shirt to dye.

Prepayment is required by Friday, April 6. 2-3 p.m. $2-$3. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport.

614-836-3333. groveport.org

THURSDAY 12 Art of Movement, The Art of Movement combines the East and West intuitive dance practices to help you add energy and relieve stress. 6:30-8 p.m. $4 Residents, $5 Non-Residents.

Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org Baby and Toddler Kodaly Music and Movement Class, Parents (either mom or dad) come together weekly with their babies and tod-

dlers. This 30 minute music and movement class is designed to foster all areas of development and is appropriate for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years of age. Enjoy watching your baby develop recognition of rhythmic awareness, songs, rhymes, and social skills. We help parents build a repertoire of lullabies, rhymes and action songs. 9:45-10:15 a.m. Suzuki Violin School of Columbus-Worthington, 4608 Indianola Ave. Suite K, Clintonville. 614-5473477. suzukicolumbus.org Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians, 6:30 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Lego Lit, When books and Legos collide, you get Lego Lit. Each month we will share a story and build creations based around a theme. The Friends of the Library provide the Legos, you provide the fun (participants will not be able to keep their creations). Registration is required and begins two weeks prior. Class size is limited to 20 students. For grades K-4. 4 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621.

FREE! Page Turners Book Club, Explore different authors and types of books each month in this book club for children ages 6-8. Registration required. 4-4:45 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville.

614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org FREE! Parent’s Morning Out, This free ministry is for parents who are looking for a morning out to do all those errands you can’t take your child to. Children can enjoy structured play, crafts and stories in a safe and loving place. Our volunteers all have current background checks on file. No advanced registration is needed. The community is welcome.

9:30 a.m.-12 noon. Westerville First Presbyterian Church, 41 W. College Ave., Westerville. 614-560-1682. westervillefirstpresbyterian.org Pet Rock Day, Kids will make a pet rock craft in this afternoon class at KidSpace. The class is open to children ages 3-12. Prepayment is required by Friday, April 6. 2-3 p.m. $2-$3. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15

a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 at Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Clothing & Toy Sale, Kids Clothing & Toy Sale. 30,000 items for sale at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Gently-used and new clothing, toys, books, game, bicycles, electronics, baby equipment and more. Save tons of money on everything you need for kids of all ages.

Buy smart. Buy gently-used and new at the Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Events. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Free admission. Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware. 614-325-0063. threebagsfull.info FREE! Thunder & Lightning & Hail, Oh My!, Spring weather can be unpredictable. Explore the science behind the surprises during this program. For grades K-3. 4-5 p.m. Old Worthington Library, 820 High St., Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar

FRIDAY 13 Combo Class; Ballet, Tap & Jazz Dance, Children ages 5 & 6 will gain experience in ballet, tap and jazz all in the same class! Through age appropriate material, children will learn the fundamentals of classical ballet and the percussive dance form of tap and jazz. Class time will be divided to spend equal amounts of time on the three different dance styles every week. This class combines just the right balance of imaginative ballet movements with the fun, upbeat style of tap and jazz to keep young dancers engaged and excited to come to dance! 5:45-6:45 p.m. $45 Resident, $50 Non-Resident. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Night Hike, Venture with us into the woods on this early spring

nocturnal journey. Listen for owls, learn to identify frog calls and see how you might fare as a nighttime critter. All ages. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Emily Traphagen Preserve, 5094 Seldom Seen Road, Powell. 740-524-8600, ext. 3. preservationparks.com FREE! Spectrum Storytime, This is a new monthly storytime designed for children on the Autism spectrum, and/or children with sensory integration issues. We will have stories, songs and activities to encourage literacy and positive associations with reading and the library. Registration is required and is limited to 10 children and their caregivers. There is no age restriction, however this program is designed for children with a developmental stage of 3-5 years old. 4 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621.

Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Clothing & Toy Sale, Kids Clothing & Toy Sale. 30,000 items for sale at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Gently-used and new clothing, toys, books, game, bicycles, electronics, baby equipment and more. Save tons of money on everything you need for kids of all ages.

Buy smart. Buy gently-used and new at the Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Events. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Free admission. Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware. 614-325-0063. threebagsfull.info

SATURDAY 14 FREE! Art in Action: Betsy Lewin, Betsy Lewin is the award-winning illustrator of picture books like “Duck for President” and the Click Clack Moo series. Her drawings, funny and full of life, have earned her the 2012 Jo Osborne Award for Humor in Children’s Literature. Both adults and children are welcome to attend her presentation, which is planned in partnership with The Ohio State University School of Teaching and Learning. Copies of her books will be available for purchase. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Old Worthington Library, 820 High St., Worthington. 614-8072626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar Clothing Toy & Equipment Sale, Mothers of Multiples East Columbus presents their annual Clothing Toy & Equipment Sale. Stock up on children’s spring and summer clothing and toys. Early Birds shop at 8:30 for

When your child needs urgent care, everything matters.

And what matters most is pediatric expertise.

That’s why our Close To HomeSM Centers are staffed by medical professionals who have received additional training to care exclusively for children. Here at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, everybody is a pediatric specialist.

We know when a simple fever could be more serious. We know how to set a broken bone so it grows properly. We know the correct dosage of medications for children of all ages.

Every piece of equipment is also specialized.

Why? Try fitting an adult-sized blood pressure cuff on the arm of a two-year-old. Or giving an injection to a five-year-old with an adultsized needle.

Urgent care should be expert care. So always call your child’s doctor first and remember we’re here when you need us. For directions, hours and location-specific information, visit NationwideChildrens.org/UrgentCare.

Urgent Care. Close to Home.

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columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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april 2012 $2. Always free at 9 a.m. 8:30 a.m.-12 noon. Messiah Lutheran Church, 1200 Waggoner Rd, Reynoldsburg.

614-395-0606. ecmom.org Creative Minds Junior Studio, An open art studio for students 7-12 years old, a variety of art media will be available for students to use.

Monthly themes will be introduced but this is a student led activity. 12 noon-2 p.m. $36/4 sessions to be used in 3 months and/or with siblings/friends. Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc., 38 N. State St, Westerville.

614-890-8202. gallery202online.com/linkpages/creativemindsjunior.html Family Fun with the Turtle Lady, Kids visit with Nancy Lockard and her turtle friends and make turtle crafts. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with $6$11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad Street, East Side. 614-6458733. fpconservatory.org FREE! Just for Kids: Diggin’ It, Dig a hole in the woods and learn about dirt and the creatures that live in it.

Bring a trowel. Ages 6-12. 1 p.m.

Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Gahanna. 614895-6365.

FREE! Kya’s Krusade Art Therapy Program, Kya’s Krusade, in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, provides 4-week series of Art Therapy classes throughout the year

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to children with physical disabilities and one sibling, ages 4-18. The one hour classes are taught by a licensed Art Therapist. Art therapy uses the creative process of art to facilitate each child’s self-expression and personal, physical, developmental and emotional growth. Pre-registration is required. Please visit our website for forms and more information. 11 a.m.-12 noon. Schiller Park Recreation Center, 1069 Jaeger Street, German Village. 614-750-2198. kyaskrusade.org FREE! Open Chess Club, Calling all chess players 6 and up! Keep your skills sharp with an hour-long session of free play. Basic chess knowledge required. 3-4 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville.

614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org Saturday Studio, Saturday Studio offers students a variety of topics and media to work with. This trimester we will work on illustrations, drawing, watercolor, printmaking, carving, and bookmaking. Check the website for specific topics and descriptions.

For grades K-8. 10 a.m.-12 noon. $8 members, $10 non-members per class. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-6811423. decartsohio.org Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Clothing & Toy Sale, Kids Clothing & Toy Sale. 30,000 items for sale at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Gently-used and new clothing, toys, books, game, bicycles, electronics, baby equipment and more.

Save tons of money on everything you need for kids of all ages. Buy smart. Buy gently-used and new at the Three

| April 2012 | columbusparent.com

Bags Full Children’s Consignment Events. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission.

Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware. 614-3250063. threebagsfull.info

SUNDAY 15 Felting, Class is for a child with the participation of an adult. $28 members, $32 non-members (per team of 2). Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-6811423. decartsohio.org FREE! Open Barn, Explore the property and meet the horses, goats and llamas. 1-4 p.m. Circle P Sanctuary, Equine Center, 2013 County Road 24, Marengo. 419-864-3872.

FREE! Osprey Homecoming, Help us celebrate the ospreys’ return from their winter home in South America.

Ospreys are a true success story, with a status that rose from endangered to threatened after dedicated volunteers brought the birds back to Ohio and provided nesting platforms.

Learn about Preservation Parks’ role, enjoy hands-on activities, and view the Osprey platforms at nearby Alum Creek Reservoir. 1-4 p.m. Hogback Ridge Preserve, 2656 Hogback Road, Sunbury. 740-524-8600, ext. 6. preservationparks.com FREE! Poetry Jam: Bringing Your World to Life in Poetry, Interested in writing poetry? Poet Jennifer Hambrick will lead us in finding poem subjects in the world around us and telling stories in free verse poems. Ages 12-16. Registration required. 3-4 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville.

614-882-7277. westervillelibrary.org

FREE! Tail Wagging Tutors, Kids in grades K-5 are invited to join Marty Marlatt and her trained therapy dogs for a fun way to practice their reading skills. Participants will take turns sharing stories with registered therapy dogs. We’ll provide the books or you can bring your favorites. 2 p.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org

MONDAY 16 Cake Decorating Basics, In this new class, students will learn how to bake great cakes, make colorful icing and decorate a cake efficiently. Students will learn how to create icing drop flowers, rosettes, shells, pompom flowers and much more! This class is open to ages 12 years and older. Register and prepay by April 14. 6-8 p.m. $40-$42 plus supplies.

Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Family Evening Storytime, 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Homeschoolers: All About Amphibians, Take a half-mile walk to explore a small wetland and learn about frogs, toads and salamanders.

Ages 6 and older. 1:30 p.m. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd., Pickerington. 614-8956365.

Mom & Me HipHop Dance Class, This popular new class will get the whole family moving! All ages are welcome to participate in this 4

week class. Register and prepay by Friday, April 13. 7:30-8:15 p.m. $35 per adult; $10 per child. Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport.

614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Music & Movement, Ages 25 years. No registration required. 11:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Pre-School Artistic Adventures, Children’s books can bring artistic experiences to life! We will read a story that turns into an exciting art project. For ages 3 and 4. Must be accompanied by an adult. 10-11 a.m. $8 members, $10 non-members.

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-681-1423. decartsohio.org FREE! Preschoolers: Awesome Amphibians, Discover frogs, toads, tadpoles and salamanders with stories and fun activities. 10 a.m. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd., Pickerington. 614-8956365.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 11:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

TUESDAY 17 FREE! How to Stop the Popular Social Bully, Jim Bisenius of BullyProofing Youth has 16 years of experience as a child and adolescent

therapist specializing in teaching youth how to handle bullies. 8:159:15 a.m. The Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, Upper Arlington.

614-457-7883. wellington.org Manners with Miss Dena and Miss Kate, Napkins on your laps, please. Sip, don’t slurp. Young ladies and gentlemen are invited to this special program where they will learn basic table manners. Participants are encouraged to dress for the occasion as we enjoy stories and dine in dessert. For ages 4-7 and their parent(s). Class size is limited to 20 children (no unregistered siblings, please). Registration begins April 3. 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Preschoolers: Rainbows, Learn about the colors of the rainbow and when to find rainbows in the sky. Story and craft included. 1 p.m. Three Creek Metro Park, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Crafts, For ages 3-5 years. 1 p.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5

HAVE A WILD SUMMER AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO AND THE WILDS! COLUMBUS ZOO SUMMER DAY CAMPS at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are a fun-filled experience for your first through seventh grader. During this weeklong camp your child will visit the entire Zoo, meet some of our animal ambassadors and build memories to last a lifetime! “New this summer: two-day campers for 10-15 year-olds�.

ZOOKIDS at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a chance for your preschooler to learn about different animals, develop school readiness skills and meet some of our amazing animals!

For more information visit our website at www.columbuszoo.org. 614-645-3488.

THE WILDS WILDECAMP at the Wilds takes place on the rolling 10,000 acres at the Wilds. During this weeklong resident camp your camper will canoe, swim, hike and see some of the amazing rare and exotic species that the Wilds has to offer!

For more information visit our website at www.thewilds.org.

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Hurry - spots are filling up fast! columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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11-15 5th-8th Grade Sailing and une Boating Camps June 11-15 Complete the Ohio Boating Education Class omplete the Ohio Required for anyone born on or after 1-1-1982 to operate a powerboat over 10 HP. Hands on boating in PWC, Power Boats, Sail, Kayaks, and canoes.

Stay at Mohican School’s lodge and dorms. Cost $310.

More information and application on line at www.mohicanoutdoorschool.org or call 419.938.6671 Additional camps available: see the web site above

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april 2012 years. 11:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 a.m. at Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Tales for Toddlers, Ages 1836 months. No registration required.

10:15-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

WEDNESDAY 18 FREE! After-School Drop-In Art Programs, Join local artist Kristen Brown for some fun “make it, take it” art projects after school. Drop in anytime during the hour, get creative and have fun! No registration required. For grades K-5. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-481-3778.

FREE! Baby Games, Ages 0-18 months. No registration required.

10:15-10:45 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Child Check, Child Check is a free check of developmental areas including speech/language, fine motor, gross motor and personal/social skills for children ages one month through 5 years.

Hearing screenings are also provided and vision screenings for children over the age of 3. Appointments are necessary. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Northland Church of Christ, 4581 Cleveland Ave, North Side. 543-9000 Ext. 216. ymcacolumbus.org/ecrn FREE! Family Story Time, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required. 77:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Home School Wednesdays, For grades K-12. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $4 members, $6 non-members. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., 740-681-1423. decartsohio.org FREE! Sing-a-Story, Join our inhouse musician Brian Griffin and his

guitar for a morning of stories and songs. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 11:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington and Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-4869621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3 years.

10:15 a.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org

THURSDAY 19 2012 Ohio Early Care & Education Conference, Parents and teachers are invited to attend Ohio’s largest early childhood conference with workshops presented by national and state experts. Over 90 national exhibitors showcasing the latest learning materials for children ages birth to five years of age. Join in the fun with local legend Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld and Ella Jenkins (aka “The First Lady of Children’s Music”) along with many more great speakers.

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Downtown. 419946-6693. oaeyc.org FREE! ARC! Advance Reader’s Club, Want to read books BEFORE they are published? Grab an advanced reading copy of an upcoming book to take home, read it, and tell us what you think in this book club for 4th and 5th graders.

Registration required. 4-4:45 p.m.

Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville. 614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org Art of Movement, The Art of Movement combines the East and West intuitive dance practices to help you add energy and relieve stress. 6:30-8 p.m. $4 Residents, $5 Non-Residents.

Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org Baby and Toddler Kodaly Music and Movement Class, Parents (either mom or dad) come together weekly with their babies and tod-

dlers. This 30 minute music and movement class is designed to foster all areas of development and is appropriate for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years of age. Enjoy watching your baby develop recognition of rhythmic awareness, songs, rhymes, and social skills. We help parents build a repertoire of lullabies, rhymes and action songs. 9:45-10:15 a.m. Suzuki Violin School of Columbus-Worthington, 4608 Indianola Ave. Suite K, Clintonville. 614-5473477. suzukicolumbus.org FREE! Books & Bagels, If you attend UAHS and enjoy reading a good book, join us for Books & Bagels, sponsored by the Upper Arlington Public Library. Check with the school’s Learning Center for each month’s book. 7 a.m. Upper Arlington High School, 1650 Ridgeview Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Parent’s Morning Out, This free ministry is for parents who are looking for a morning out to do all those errands you can’t take your child to. Children can enjoy structured play, crafts and stories in a safe and loving place. Our volunteers all have current background checks on file. No advanced registration is needed. The community is welcome.

9:30 a.m.-12 noon. Westerville First Presbyterian Church, 41 W. College Ave., Westerville. 614-560-1682. westervillefirstpresbyterian.org FREE! Preschoolers: Seeds ASpringing, Learn how seeds work and plant a windowsill garden of your own. Bring an empty plastic foam egg carton for each child. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Gahanna. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Spring Crafts, Spring is in the air at the library! Kids of all ages are invited to make some spring crafts to brighten up their rooms. 4 p.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 at Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org

FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

FRIDAY 20 2012 Ohio Early Care & Education Conference, Parents and teachers are invited to attend Ohio’s largest early childhood conference with workshops presented by national and state experts. Over 90 national exhibitors showcasing the latest learning materials for children ages birth to five years of age. Join in the fun with local legend Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld and Ella Jenkins (aka “The First Lady of Children’s Music”) along with many more great speakers.

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Downtown. 419946-6693. oaeyc.org Combo Class; Ballet, Tap & Jazz Dance, Children ages 5 & 6 will gain experience in ballet, tap and jazz all in the same class! Through age appropriate material, children will learn the fundamentals of classical ballet and the percussive dance form of tap and jazz. Class time will be divided to spend equal amounts of time on the three different dance styles every week. This class combines just the right balance of imaginative ballet movements with the fun, upbeat style of tap and jazz to keep young dancers engaged and excited to come to dance! 5:45-6:45 p.m. $45 Resident, $50 Non-Resident. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Natural Play Area: Nighttime Adventures, Explore the natural play area and search for animals that come out at night. 7:30 p.m.

Prairie Oaks Metro Park, 2755 Amity Rd., West Jefferson. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Recycled Crafts: Make a Gadget Holder from an Old Book, A craft in time for Earth Day! Bring an old hardback book or use one of ours and recycle the cover into a cool holder for your eReader, tablet, MP3 player or other gadget. Ages 12-18. Registration required. 3-4 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville. 614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org

SATURDAY 21 2012 Ohio Early Care & Education Conference, Parents and teachers are invited to attend Ohio’s largest

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early childhood conference with workshops presented by national and state experts. Over 90 national exhibitors showcasing the latest learning materials for children ages birth to five years of age. Join in the fun with local legend Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld and Ella Jenkins (aka “The First Lady of Children’s Music”) along with many more great speakers.

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Downtown. 419946-6693. oaeyc.org FREE! Child Safety Day, The John Walsh Endorsed (Host of “America’s Most Wanted”), free Child Safety Event will equip parents with the vital tools, free FBI Certified Biometric Fingerprints, free Digital Photograph, free DNA Identification Kit and free Child Safety Journal to safeguard your children. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Coughlin Chevrolet, 15801 St RT 36, Marysville. 937-644-9000.

FREE! Columbus Children’s Theatre: Meet Red Riding Hood, Come and meet Red Riding Hood, the star of The Columbus Children’s Theatre upcoming production. She will perform a hilarious bit from the show. Following the performance, children will be able to make a craft.

Best of all, Red Riding Hood will be available for pictures and autographs! A limited number of free tickets for this meet and greet are available beginning April 7. For ages 3-7. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org Creative Minds Junior Studio, An open art studio for students 7-12 years old, a variety of art media will be available for students to use.

Monthly themes will be introduced but this is a student led activity. 12 noon-2 p.m. $36/4 sessions to be used in 3 months and/or with siblings/friends. Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc., 38 N. State St, Westerville.

614-890-8202. gallery202online.com/linkpages/creativemindsjunior.html Earth Day Celebration, This event will immerse both children and adults in a “wild” learning experience. Located throughout the zoo,

BROOKE LAVALLEY/DISPATCH PHOTO

Columbus Clippers Baseball Throughout the month of April — Spring means a new season of baseball! Support the Columbus Clippers as they take on other minor league teams at Huntington Park in the Arena District.

The Clippers play 14 home games this month, so there are plenty of opportunities to see the team play. Tickets range from $6-$20. Visit milb.com for more information and a detailed schedule of games. local conservation and wildlife businesses, and eco-conscious community organizations will share their earthly knowledge through interactive exhibits. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn what you can do to better serve the environment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell. 614645-3550. columbuszoo.org FREE! Earth Day Craft, Kids ages 312 will create “Earth Day” themed crafts in this morning class at KidSpace. There is no charge for this class but pre-registration is required.

10-11 a.m. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! It’s Easy Being Green!, Celebrate Earth Day with fun stories and songs, plus help create a recycled sculpture for the library. 11 a.m.-12 noon. Old Worthington Library, 820 High St., Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar FREE! Kya’s Krusade Art Therapy Program, Kya’s Krusade, in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, provides 4-week series of Art Therapy classes throughout the year to children with physical disabilities and one sibling, ages 4-18. The one

hour classes are taught by a licensed Art Therapist. Art therapy uses the creative process of art to facilitate each child’s self-expression and personal, physical, developmental and emotional growth. Pre-registration is required. Please visit our website for forms and more information. 11 a.m.-12 noon. Schiller Park Recreation Center, 1069 Jaeger Street, German Village. 614-750-2198. kyaskrusade.org National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Walk MS, A 1.5 mile or 3 mile walk to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. 8:30 a.m. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, 4850 Powell Rd, Powell.

216-503-4183. MSohiowalk.org FREE! Preschoolers: Seeds ASpringing, Learn how seeds work and plant a windowsill garden of your own. Bring an empty plastic foam egg carton for each child. 1 p.m. Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Gahanna. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Saturday Story Stomp, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required.

11-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Sketchbook Venture Family “Sketch-In,” Are you participating in the City of UA’s Sketchbook Venture? Bring your sketchbooks and materials to the library for some communal artwork and inspiration!

For the whole family. 2 p.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Stories for Babies, Babies and their caregivers are invited for a special Saturday morning storytime.

Older siblings are invited to bring a doll or stuffed animal to be their “baby.” 11 a.m.-12 noon. Northwest Library, 2280 Hard Road, Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar

SUNDAY 22 FREE! Children’s Garden Day, Introduce your family to gardening and discover why it is the ultimate Earth Day activity. 2-4 p.m. Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville. 614-895-6365.

Family Fun: Earth Day, Kids create litter bug crafts and recycled instruments. The Shazzbots, a kid-friendly musical group, performs at 2 p.m. 11

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april 2012 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with $6 - $11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad Street, East Side. 614-6458733. fpconservatory.org FREE! Natural Play Area Adventures: Elves, Fairies and Bugs, Oh My!, Come celebrate Earth Day! Help us pull invasive plants and visit our nature store for building supplies to build a house of your choice - one for bugs, fairies or elves! Houses will be inspected and prizes awarded. 2 p.m. Sharon Woods Metro Park, 6911 S. Cleveland Ave., Westerville. 614895-6365.

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FREE! Family Evening Storytime, 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Got Game?, Who’s got game — you? Prove it during an afternoon of Mario Kart, Dance Central and Sonic the Hedgehog! For grades 4-6.

4-5 p.m. Old Worthington Library, 820 High St., Worthington. 614-8072626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar FREE! Meet Arthur, In celebration of author Marc Brown’s visit on Saturday, April 28th, his beloved character Arthur will join preschoolers and their families for storytime and a craft. Don’t forget to bring your camera! 4 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Music & Movement, Ages 25 years. No registration required. 11:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 11:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

TUESDAY 24

WEDNESDAY 25

THURSDAY 26

FREE! Arthur on the Big Screen, In celebration of author Marc Brown’s visit to Upper Arlington, we’ll show three episodes from the television series based on his books. For grades preK-2. 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Fishing at Palm Pond, Cast a line to see what fish you can catch in the pond. Limited poles and bait provided. Ages 15 and younger. 6:30 p.m. Three Creek Metro Park, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport. 614-895-6365.

FREE! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The young, talented actors of Imaginating Dramatics perform this famous Shakespearean tale. For ages 5 and up. 7-8 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-481-3778.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Crafts, For ages 3-5 years. 1 p.m.

Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 11:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 a.m. at Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Tales for Toddlers, Ages 1836 months. No registration required.

10:15-11:30 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Baby Games, Ages 0-18 months. No registration required.

10:15-10:45 a.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Family Story Time, Ages 2-5 years. No registration required. 77:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Homeschoolers: Woodcocks, Search for the unusual aerial courtship display of the American woodcock. 7:30 p.m. Highbanks Metro Park, 9466 Columbus Pike, Powell. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Meet Arthur, In celebration of author Marc Brown’s visit on Saturday, April 28th, his beloved character Arthur will join preschoolers and their families for storytime and a craft. Don’t forget to bring your camera! 4 p.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Preschoolers: Awesome Amphibians, Discover frogs, toads, tadpoles and salamanders with stories and fun activities. 10 a.m. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd., Pickerington. 614-8956365.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 11:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington and Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614-4869621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Preschool, For ages 3 and a half to 6 years. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3 years.

10:15 a.m. Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org Thurber House Young Writers’ Studio, Young Writers’ Studio offers 9th-12th graders a chance to work with professional writers to learn new techniques, explore different genres, receive feedback on their work and have fun in a supportive environment. 6-9 p.m. The Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave., Downtown. 614-464-1032.

Baby and Toddler Kodaly Music and Movement Class, Parents (either mom or dad) come together weekly with their babies and toddlers. This 30 minute music and movement class is designed to foster all areas of development and is appropriate for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years of age. Enjoy watching your baby develop recognition of rhythmic awareness, songs, rhymes, and social skills. We help parents build a repertoire of lullabies, rhymes and action songs. 9:45-10:15 a.m. Suzuki Violin School of Columbus-Worthington, 4608 Indianola Ave. Suite K, Clintonville. 614-5473477. suzukicolumbus.org Kids Clothing & Toy Sale, Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Event is the largest kids’ consignment sale in Ohio! Over 300 families, over 50,000 items! 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission. Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton. 614325-0063. threebagsfull.info FREE! Meet Arthur, In celebration of author Marc Brown’s visit on Saturday, April 28, his beloved character Arthur will join preschoolers and their families for storytime and a craft. Don’t forget to bring your camera! 4 p.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington.

614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Parent’s Morning Out, This free ministry is for parents who are looking for a morning out to do all those errands you can’t take your child to. Children can enjoy structured play, crafts and stories in a safe and loving place. Our volunteers all have current background checks on file. No advanced registration is needed. The community is welcome.

9:30 a.m.-12 noon. Westerville First Presbyterian Church, 41 W. College Ave., Westerville. 614-560-1682. westervillefirstpresbyterian.org Redo It: Book Reconstruction, The Ohio Craft Museum shows us how to deconstruct old books & create something entirely new! Your book could become a mixed-media journal, sketchbook or a miniature work of art! Space is limited. Registration required beginning Thursday, April 12. For grades 7-12. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614481-3778.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15

CLASSES, CAMPS & ONGOING EVENTS Afterschool Arts Institute, Students ages 7-15 participate in 8 week, arts focused sessions featuring dance, music, theatre, and visual arts taught by some of the top local artists in the city. 2:30-6 p.m. $10 registration; $35 per week. King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., King Lincoln. 614-645-5464. thekingartscomplex.com Blooms & Butterflies, Experience the emergence of exotic butterflies and watch their release into the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Pacific Island Water Garden. Dozens of species from around the world take flight and feed on tropical blooms. The Butterfly Emergence Center and hands-on activities interpreting the butterfly’s life cycle are featured. Begins March 10.

Extended hours on Wednesdays until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-$11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., East Side. 614645-8733. fpconservatory.org Children’s Theater Company, Children’s Theater class and performance company. Classes open to students age 8 - 12. Course covers acting, improv, scene work, scripts, dance, and vocals. End of year theater performance. Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m. $50 monthly. Infusion Dance, 7030A Huntley Road, Worthington. 614-2208780. infusiondance.net Columbus Children’s Theatre: The Secret Garden, Mary discovers a strange walled garden that has been locked up for years. With the gardener’s apprentice, Dickon, a lad who can talk to the animals, Mary coaxes the garden back to life. Various dates and show times throughout the month of April. $10-$21. Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., East Side. 614-224-6672. colschildrenstheatre.org/ Creative Minds Art Studio, Preschool age open art studio - in a gallery setting. Educational, fun and messy. Activities include painting, clay, puppets, music, building and plenty of tactile! Tuesday-Thursday 9:3011:30 a.m. $10 per child a session or $36 for 4 sessions, $70 for 10 sessions, multi passes can be used by many.

Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc., 38 N. State St, Westerville. 614-890-8202.

Doodles, In this dynamic drop-in program, adults and children 6 and up can experiment with fun materials and create art together. Families will work together on gallery games and unique, open-ended projects inspired by artwork in the galleries. Saturdays, 1-3 p.m.

Free with Museum admission. Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, Downtown. 614-221-4848. columbusmuseum.org Kindermusik “Family Time,” Kindermusik is a music and movement class children can enjoy with their parent or caregiver. Through singing, dancing, and playing instruments children learn about music, develop social skills and bond with their grown-up. Most of all, they have fun! “Family Time” is for all siblings ages newborn7 years and their parent/caregiver. Wednesdays 4-4:45 p.m., Thursdays 10-10:45 p.m. $150 1st child; siblings $50 each. Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Clintonville. 614-446-2013. kindermusik.com Kindermusik “Our Time,” Kindermusik is a music and movement class children can enjoy with their parent

or caregiver. Through singing, dancing, and playing instruments children learn about music, develop social skills and bond with their grown-up. Most of all, they have fun! Saturdays11-11:45 a.m. $195 1st child; siblings $65 each. Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Clintonville. 614-446-2013. kindermusik.com Kindermusik “Village,” Kindermusik is a music and movement class children can enjoy with their parent or caregiver. Through singing, dancing and playing instruments, children learn about music, develop social skills, and bond with their grown-up. Most of all, they have fun! “Village” is for children ages newborn-18 months. Saturdays 10-10:45 a.m. $120 1st child; siblings $40 each. Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave, Clintonville. 614 -446-2013. kindermusik.com Mom’s “Mini Moo” Group, Storytime for the kids will begin at 10am. We have healthy breakfast and lunch options to choose from. We have a clean and safe indoor Playland for the kids to have fun in! Wednesdays 9-11 a.m. Chick-Fil-A, 6240 E Broad St, Reynoldsburg. 614-861-2300. chick-fil-a.com/marketateastbroad Orchids! Vibrant Victoriana, Escape to an era of elegance and luxury with the exotic mystique of the orchid. The Victorian age serves as inspiration for an artful display of hundreds of orchid blooms of all forms, colors and sizes. Glass artist Debora Moore offers an imaginative interpretation on these infamous blooms with delicate glass sculpture. Daily horticulture presentations, weekly guided tours and family activities enhance the experience for all ages. Through April 8.

Extended Wednesday hours until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-$11 admission. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad Street, East Side. 614645-8733. fpconservatory.org Phoenix Theatre for Children: The Wind in the Willows, This delightful and definitive musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic story concerns the valiant friendship of the good-hearted and poetic Water Rat; the innocent and curious Mole; and the sensible, practical Badger. Call for showtimes and ticket prices. Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave., Downtown. 614-469-0939. catco.org/seasons/2011-2012-season Pioneer Club: Discovery Zone, The program includes homework help, music, games, crafts, small groups and ends with dinner. Everyone is welcome!

Thursdays 4-7 p.m. $25 per child per year. First Presbyterian Church, 41 W College Ave, Westerville. 614-5601682. westervillefirstpresbyterian.org Water: H20 = Life, An immersive look at our world’s most precious resource. Interactive elements of the exhibit tell us how water is used, how important it is and how to conserve it. March 17-Sept. 3. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 12 noon-6 p.m. Additional admission fee required. General admission: Adults $14.75, Children 2-12 $9.75, Seniors $13.75. COSI Columbus, 333 W. Broad St., Downtown. 614-447-8894.

Caring for Your Medically Fragile Child at Home It is now common for children to come home with complex care needs but what resources are available to assist families in caring for them?

Parents prefer to have their children at home; studies have shown that clinical outcomes are positive; children thrive both emotionally and developmentally; and it is a more cost-effective solution.

Under the direction of a physician, and with a personalized plan of care, services are provided by LPNs or RNs who are in the home on a continuous basis. Depending on the child’s medical condition, care may be provided up to twenty-four hours a day; typically, hours of service are eight – sixteen hours per day.

The services are generally paid for by commercial payors, on a private pay basis, by Medicaid, or specialized Waiver programs. With the exception of private pay, each payor has its own eligibility requirements. Before any plans for providing care are started, the family will need to research available reimbursement options with payors. The home health agency financial and clinical personnel are also involved and should assist the family in guiding them through this maze – initially and on an on-going basis. Levels of reimbursement, authorizations, and updates regarding the patient’s condition are all important considerations.

In order to ensure a successful transition home, the Home Care Clinical Manager identifies and coordinates activities with the physician, family, and hospital discharge planner. Establishing a strong rapport and relationship with the family is very important. During the initial home visit before the child comes home, the home environment is assessed to assure accommodation, expectations are identified, and family concerns are addressed. Shared communication between the home health agency personnel and the family is vital to ensuring a positive relationship and experience for all concerned.

The ideal agency will support and not control all the activities that are taking place in the home.

Before contacting a home care agency, parents should have a list of questions regarding the company’s hiring qualifications, orientation requirements, staffing availability, and supervisory oversight.

Interim HealthCare has been providing care in the Central Ohio area for over 40 years. We are a leader in the care of medically fragile children at home and are committed to supporting and empowering families.

When it matters most, count on us.

Have Questions?

Call (614) 888-3130 columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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april 2012 a.m. at Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Road, Upper Arlington and 11:15 at Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614459-0273. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime Classes: Stories & Songs, For ages 2 and a half to 5 years. 10:15 a.m. Miller Park Branch Library, 1901 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington. 614-488-5710. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 10:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

FRIDAY 27 FREE! 4th Friday: Uptown Alive, Uptown Westerville is Alive with Art, History and Shopping! Since April is Celebration of the Arts Month, we’ll focus on the performing, visual and other art endeavors that give Westerville its rich flavor. With extended shopping hours in Uptown Wester-

ville’s unique shops, 4th Friday is the perfect time to spend the evening shopping and enjoying all the activities, music and food that make 4th Friday such a wonderful event. Arts and Crafts vendors will offer a variety of unique products, the Westerville Police and Fire Departments offer displays for children, the Westerville Public Library reads stories right Uptown and there’s always great live entertainment. 6-9 p.m. Historic Uptown Westerville, S.R. 3 and College Ave., Westerville. 614-794-0401. visitwesterville.org Columbus Clippers vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com Family Friday Night, COSI stays open late for family-friendly fun the last Friday of every month! You can explore science, discover fun and stay late! 5-9 p.m. $9. COSI Columbus, 333 W. Broad St., Downtown.

614-228-2674. cosi.org Kids Clothing & Toy Sale, Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Event is the largest kids’ consignment sale in Ohio! Over 300 families, over 50,000 items! 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission. Hartford Fairgrounds,

14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton. 614325-0063. threebagsfull.info FREE! Preschoolers: Hey Diddle Fiddle!, Make a musical instrument and join members of the Columbus Folk Music Society for an old-fashioned sing-along. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway. 614895-6365.

FREE! Teen ARC! Advance Reader’s Club, Want to read books BEFORE they are published? Grab an advanced reading copy of an upcoming book to take home, read it, and tell us what you think in this teen book club! Ages 12-18. Registration required. 4-5 p.m. Westerville Library, 126 S State St, Westerville.

614-882-7277 x5006. westervillelibrary.org

SATURDAY 28 FREE! Author Marc Brown Visits Upper Arlington, Nationally renowned author and illustrator Marc Brown will give a glimpse into the creation of his popular Arthur series as a part of his 35th Anniversary of Arthur tour. The author will be available to sign books, and selected titles will be available to

purchase. Registration is required and begins April 2. 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Amelita Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane, Upper Arlington.

614-583-5300. ualibrary.org Columbus Clippers vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 7 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com Creative Minds Junior Studio, An open art studio for students 7-12 years old, a variety of art media will be available for students to use. Monthly themes will be introduced but this is a student led activity. 12 noon-2 p.m. $36/4 sessions to be used in 3 months and/or with siblings/friends. Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc., 38 N. State St, Westerville. 614-890-8202. gallery202online.com Disney in Concert, Come be enchanted by “Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies” with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, conductor Albert-George Schram, projected clips, still cells, and storyboard art from the films, plus four leading vocalists. Every new generation has a favorite Disney musical, whether it’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The

Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, or The Lion King. And then there are the classics, from a Mary Poppins medley to the “Yo ho” of Pirates of the Caribbean. When everyone joins together for memorable moments and melodies that Mouseketeers of all ages know by heart, it feels like a small world, after all. 8 p.m. $25-$68.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Downtown. 614-228-8600.

FREE! Family Hike and Campfire, Enjoy a 1.5 mile walk with the kids and roast marshmallows over a campfire. 1 p.m. Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Gahanna. 614-895-6365.

FREE! Family Tram Rides, Hop on board the train and get a great view of the park. The tram runs continuously. Look for yellow “tram stop” signs in the parking lots. 1-4 p.m.

Sharon Woods Metro Park, 6911 S. Cleveland Ave., Westerville. 614-8956365.

FREE! Free Family Days, Bring the family and enjoy camp before the summer begins. As a family, you can participate in canoeing and target sports, climb the rock wall, take a hike, and enjoy a great family day!

Limited horseback rides are available

at $12/person. Directors will be present to answer questions about summer camp and give tours every half hour. 1:30-5:30 p.m. Camp Willson, 2732 County Road 11, Bellefontaine.

937-593-9001. ymcacolumbus.org FREE! Free Family Movie Night, Bring the family to our KidSpace free movie night this spring! Popcorn and crafts will be provided. Children ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 7-9 p.m. Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., 614836-3333. groveport.org Kids Clothing & Toy Sale, Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Event is the largest kids consignment sale in Ohio! Over 300 families, over 50,000 items! 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton. 614325-0063. threebagsfull.info FREE! Kya’s Krusade Art Therapy Program, Kya’s Krusade, in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, provides 4-week series of Art Therapy classes throughout the year to children with physical disabilities and one sibling, ages 4-18. The one hour classes are taught by a licensed Art Therapist. Art therapy uses the creative process of art to facilitate

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each child’s self-expression and personal, physical, developmental and emotional growth. Pre-registration is required. Please visit our website for forms and more information. 11 a.m.-12 noon. Schiller Park Recreation Center, 1069 Jaeger Street, German Village. 614-750-2198. kyaskrusade.org FREE! Mind, Body & Soul, Health information, fitness demonstrations, screenings, games, dancing and music workshops that promote healthy lifestyles. 12 noon-4 p.m.

Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, 130 Woodland Ave., Columbus.

614.252.3166.

Obstacle Challenge, Calling all kids ages 6 and up! Don’t miss out on this event! You will have to use your muscles and your mind to conquer this Obstacle Challenge. The second floor of Town Hall will be transformed into an obstacle course with games, puzzles and challenges for you to enjoy. Food and drink will be served at this event. Register and prepay by Monday, April 23. 4-8 p.m. $5 per child. Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., Groveport. 614-8363333. groveport.org FREE! Poetry Competition Open Mic for Kids, Hear from the entrants

in the K-3 and 4-6 grade categories of Worthington Libraries’ poetry competition during this event, where category winners will also be announced. 10-11:30 a.m. Old Worthington Library, 820 High St., Worthington. 614-807-2626. worthingtonlibraries.org/calendar Saturday Studio, Saturday Studio offers students a variety of topics and media to work with. This trimester we will work on illustrations, drawing, watercolor, printmaking, carving, and bookmaking. Check the website for specific topics and descriptions. For grades K-8. 10 a.m.12 noon $8 members, $10 nonmembers per class. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster. 740-681-1423. decartsohio.org

SUNDAY 29 Columbus Clippers vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 1 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com

MONDAY 30 Columbus Clippers vs. Pawtucket Red Sox, 6:30 p.m. $6-$20. Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane,

Arena District. 614-462-5250. milb.com FREE! Family Evening Storytime, 7 p.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614-486-9621. ualibrary.org Messy Monday, Kids ages 3-7 will get their mess on KidSpace-style at this one night class. Wear your old clothes and get your hands gooey with flubber, shaving cream, oobleck and more! Register prepay by Friday, April 27. 6:30-7:30 p.m. $5-$6.

Crooked Alley KidSpace, 630 Wirt Rd., Groveport. 614-836-3333. groveport.org FREE! Music & Movement, Ages 25 years. No registration required. 11:30 p.m. Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Grandview. 614-486-2951.

FREE! Storytime Classes: Babytime, For ages 0-24 months. 10:15 a.m. Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington.

614-486-9621. ualibrary.org FREE! Storytime: Tales for Twos & Threes, For ages 2-3. 11:15 a.m.

Upper Arlington Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington. 614486-9621. ualibrary.org

AVON

Spring Sales Are HOPPING $10 Starts Your Own Business!

Looking for Leaders

Call Anita, ISR 1-614-837-6883

Reynoldsburg Minister’s Wife & Former Teacher Has openings. Reg. W/ Action For Children & Franklin County. CPR/First Aid, Non-Smoker, Fenced Yard, Hot Meals, Snacks, FORMULA PROVIDED, Toilet Training, Refs, Tax Statements, Pre-School Prep. M-F 7AM to 5PM. Gail (614) 864-1165

For the best high school sports coverage:

Discover Modeling " 614-766-7600 " www.Discover ModelingInc.com Reach over 58,000 central Ohio families!

Ask about our special promotions!

PUPPY LOVE IN SPRING! Get a new family member to love! Breeds, sizes, colors, prices vary. All health guaranteed. Call 740-332-4968 or visit: blueribbonkennelsofohio .com Make Calvin Akers your friend on Facebook!

INVITE A PRINCESS TO YOUR PARTY! OR BUZZ,POOH,DIEGO,SUPERMARIO,ELMO,MICKEYMOUSE, MINNIE MOUSE,SPONGEBOB,YOGABBAANDTHEEASTERBUNNY. 30+ entertainers to choose from

614-224-9568 Call for

For the best high school sports coverage:

Magicians, Clowns, Face Painters, Balloon Twisters, Bounce Houses, Carnival Games, Sno Cone, Cotton Candy, & Popcorn Machines.

www.AwesomeFamilyEntertainment.com (all characters are look a likes)

“Finally, a magician that can guarantee that his show will be Funny, Fun & Unforgettable...”

• Special Pricing for Blue & Gold Banquets 100% Money Back Guarantee & party packages!

• FREE Give-a-ways for every package www.TheColumbusBirthdayPartyMagician.com • Tons of Audience Participation

(740) 888-5003

or Call Carroll Baker Today! 1-866-220-7816

Let our Family Care for Yours

Discover The Gardner

Homewatch CareGivers has been helping people with special needs for over 30 years.

We are dedicated to providing high quality, community-based supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities. We provide a variety of in-home services and are licensed by Medicaid and the ODODD, and our services are individually tailored to meet each child’s needs.

Homewatch CareGivers isn’t just another care provider; we are a family-owned business whose administrative staff all has years of direct care experience. We don’t think of caregiving as a business, we consider it a passion.

Homewatch CareGivers accepts the I/O, PDP, and Level 1 waivers as well as private pay. Call us today to learn more about how we can help your child thrive.

(614) 545-0316. You can also learn more about our company at www.homewatchohio.com, or check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/homewatch.caregiverscolumbus

School, an award-winning academically focused preschool for ages 6 weeks through private kindergarten.

The Gardner School of Dublin Contact us today for a FREE EVALUATION:

(614) 545-0316 • homewatchohio.com

NOW ENROLLING!

6145 Emerald Parkway Dublin, OH 43016 Phone: (614) 717-9677

columbusparent.com | April 2012 |

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Introducing‌

Function Construction Safety Innovation

Featuring the best brands in youth bedrooms.

POLARIS 8701 LYRA DR. | 614.896.2700 TUTTLE CROSSING 5770 BRITTON PKWY. | 614.339.8700

bedroomsfirst.com

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| April 2012 | columbusparent.com