Memphis Parent June 2015

06 15 FREE

Summer Travel?

We’ve got you covered

Free Fun, Memphis-Style Great Deals on Kids Meals

The Art of Video Games Minecraft Design GAME ON JUNE 6 & Build Contest This exhibition celebrates the fascinating 40-year evolution of video games and comes to life with games you can play including Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst and Flower.

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The Art of Video Games is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum with support from the Entertainment Software Association Foundation; Sheila Duignan and Mike Wilkins; Shelby and Frederick Gans; Mark Lamia; Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk; Rose Family Foundation; Betty and Lloyd Schermer; and Neil Young.

The C.F. Foundation in Atlanta supports the museum’s traveling exhibition program, Treasures to Go.

DEADLINE JULY 6

Show off your Minecraft skill for the chance to win great prizes.

Your challenge is to design and build the world’s coolest art museum. Entries are grouped by age giving everyone a great chance to win.

Wacky Wednesdays JUNE AND JULY

Come in and cool off every Wednesday this summer with films kids love and art projects that promise to keep them engaged. The fun lasts from 10 until noon. Admission is free but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sponsored by

Visit BrooksMuseum.org for times, dates and details on everything happening this summer at the Brooks in Overton Park!

The Eye Center at SCO invites you to

SPONSORED BY:

Memphis Zoo, 9:00am-4:00pm

Saturday, June 6 Fun prizes and giveaways

For more details, please visit

eyecentermemphis.com

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Learning stations with activities about eye health and vision for kids of all ages

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. m e mp hi spare nt . com

Included with Zoo admission

CONTENTS

June MEMPHIS PARENT

FE ATU RES

VO I C ES

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5

17 19

Let’s Go Glamping

by Lurene Kelley

ATV Safety

by Kristi Cook

Roughing It In the Ozarks: Big Cedar Lodge

by Jane Schneider

21 25

Free Fun in the Bluff City

by Candice Baxter

Plan An Escape with a Cool Book

by Jennifer Boren

26

She’s Having Our Baby

by Jane Schneider

28

Great Deals, Tasty Meals

by Margot Pera

D E PA RT ME N TS

6

Around Town

9

Dear Teacher

10

14

Editor’s Note

A Dream as Big as Summer

Cool dad outings, grief camp for teens

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One Cool Dad

12

Health Matters

22

Parent To Parent

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Family Table

Calendar and Events What’s happening for families around Memphis

Summer dos and don’ts, school rules

Dads in the early years

Early Years

The beauty of routine, milk banks

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Our Favorite Moments

Kid funnies and pictures of your kids

Help with ear infections

Discover Memphis’ cultural side

Try grilled tofu

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COVER: © MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES | DREAMSTIME.COM

FOR A PERSON WITH ADD, IT CAN SPACE TRAVEL BE VERY DIFFICULT TARANTULA TO CONCENTRATE. RANDOM THOUGHTS EVIL ALIEN ROBOT ENTER THE MIND UNCONTROLLABLY, MAKING IT NEARLY KUNG FU MASTER IMPOSSIBLE TO FOCUS. That’s because their brain works differently. Extensive medical research has proven that ADD/ADHD is a result of abnormal brainwave patterns. While medication is conventionally used for temporary results, there’s now a way to actually change the brainwaves to function more normally, permanently. It’s called Neurofeedback .

An amazing computer technology that works by monitoring brainwave activity and using video games to train the brain to produce healthier patterns. Highly effective and increasingly practiced, Neurofeedback is fast becoming recognized as a valuable tool for peak mental performance, and is even used by NASA for flight training. If you or your child suffer from ADD or ADHD, we invite you to call for a free phone consultation.

Call

901.624.0100 for a

FREE

phone consultation

Summer programs begin in June and are filling up fast. So call now to schedule your sessions.

901.624.0100 memphisneurofeedback.com

THINK BETTER.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Editor Jane Schneider

BY JANE SCHNEIDER

Art Director Melissa Ellis

love the change of seasons; each brings its own discoveries and blessings. But there’s something about the relaxed expanse of time during the summer months that makes it different. Summer begs to be enjoyed. Its promise of adventure rejuvenates my spirit. Taking in new experiences, being exposed to new sights and ideas is what fills me up. I return to my work world feeling renewed. So here are some thoughts that came to me as I considered the promise of summer jaunts. Maybe it will inspire you to think outside the box when planning your summer fun.

Discover what’s in your own backyard. • We often think finding adventure requires going far afield. But that’s not true. We simply have to see the world through the eyes of a child and fully appreciate the places before us. A hike through Overton Park or Elmwood Cemetery can hold many discoveries, if we slow down and tune in to our surroundings. My son and I used to take bike rides around our neighborhood on summer afternoons, stopping in at the bakery for a donut, the Goodwill store for a small toy, and the library for a book to read. What made those trips better was when I could let go of time and relish our discoveries without rushing on to the next event. It was freeing. When my son got older, I couldn’t wait to show him the beach I’d discovered at Shelby Forest or take him canoeing into the soaring cypress swamp where we could hear the birds call and catch our reflection in the still, inky water. Have you been to these places? They’re all right here, right in our own backyard.

Allow yourself to dream. • I read an amazing book last summer by an Irish travel writer, Dervla Murphy. Here was a woman with a wonderful curiosity about the world. When she was a young girl growing up in Dublin, her parents would read her stories from The Arabian Nights. Those eloquent tales, set in the exotic, fragrant settings of Persia and South Asia, kindled her imagination. And at age 10, Dervla determined she would someday ride her bike from Ireland to India.

Can you imagine? What would you say to your child if they shared such a dream?

What’s more, at age 31, Dervla did just that. She started her trek in mid-January 1963, a single woman cycling into the coldest winter Europe had experienced in 80 years. How audacious. And yes, she made it to India later that summer.

I share this to encourage you to dream. Don’t put limits on that dream; give yourself permission to be audacious. Speak of your dream; say it out loud, since talking about ideas gives them weight. Then promise yourself that you’ll begin taking small steps toward making your dream become a reality. Set a date, begin a savings fund, tell a friend about your dream; just do something tangible that acknowledges you will keep this promise to yourself.

Back when my son was a teenager, one of my friends talked about a cross-country driving vacation she was taking with her family. I was so envious! Our family took road trips when I was growing up. Yet, as a single parent, the thought of driving across the country alone with my son seemed too big, too undoable. How could I drive that by myself? But the more I thought about it, the more I came to believe that was exactly what I needed to do. So after some planning, my son and I took off to visit family and friends in the Southwest, our trip culminating in a hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon. It was a vacation of firsts. Most importantly, I gave myself permission to make my dream become a reality. That is something I shall always treasure.

Finally, let your children plan some afternoon getaways. • Kids are so used to having no control over their lives that we forget how much they’re taking in.

Sit down and ask them how they would like to spend a Saturday afternoon. Be reasonable about your limits, but let them set the agenda. Maybe they can put together a picnic of their favorite foods and determine where it should be eaten: in the backyard, at a local splash park, at a picnic area at the Zoo. Instead of saying no, let yes be the watchword of the day. Summer is expansive. Dare to dream.

Perhaps in doing so, you’ll discover something new about yourself. MP

Christopher Myers

Graphic Designers

Dominique Pere, Bryan Rollins

Advertising Manager Sheryl Butler Account Executives Ashley Haeger Production Operations Director Margie Neal

Calendar Editor Meena Viswanathan Copy Editors Frank Murtaugh, Marilyn Sadler

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Memphis Parent strives to provide information of value to all who are invested in our children’s future.

Memphis Parent is published by Contemporary Media, Inc. Publisher/CEO Kenneth Neill Chief Financial Officer Jennifer K. Oswalt Director of New Business Development Jeffrey A. Goldberg

Editorial Director Bruce VanWyngarden Director of Digital/Operations Molly Willmott

Advertising Director Penelope Huston Event Manager

Jackie Sparks-Davila

Marketing/Communications Manager Kendrea Collins

Distribution Manager Lynn Sparagowski

Email Marketing Manager Britt Ervin

Accounting Coordinator Ashley Haeger IT Director Joseph Carey 460 Tennessee Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 Tel: (901) 521-9000, Fax (901) 521-0129 send advertising queries to:

sheryl@memphisparent.com

www.memphisparent.com

Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Follow the magazine @memphis_parent or Jane at @membelle.

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Questions, comments? Let us know! • janes@memphisparent.com

TERI PERKINS

901.468.3222 teri.perkins@mickeyvacations.com

BOOK YOUR

DISNEY VACATION

with a travel agency that’s been specially designated as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

Contact me today to find out the current promotions for any Disney Destination including Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, and Adventures by Disney. It's my goal to make your next vacation Magical! As always, all of my travel consultation services are free of charge.

Dentistry for ChilDren Betsy Barcroft, DDs, Ms Pediatric Dentist

6425 N Quail Hollow RD Suite #101 MeMPHiS, tN 38120 901.682.8491 baby-Dentist@ComCast.net

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Advertising Art Director

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STAFF

A Dream as Big as Summer

AROUND TOWN

get the JUMP

on after school fun for more information call 901-701-2239 or visit churchhealthcenter.org

FITNESS FOOD FUN Wellness Summer Ad.7.14.indd 1

7/15/14 11:20 AM

COURTESY OF THE ENTHUSIAST NETWORK

Zoom, Zoom

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Cool outings for Dad •Christ-centered •Academic excellence •Structured & nurturing environment •Tuition based on sliding scale

Providing an academically rigorous and vibrantly Catholic education that prepares students to become all God created them to be JUBILEE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NETWORK St. John Catholic School De La Salle at Blessed Sacrament PreK-6th Orange Mound (901) 743-6700 K-8th Binghampton (901) 866-9084 St. Joseph Catholic School Memphis Catholic PreK-6th Whitehaven (901) 344-0021 7th-12th Midtown (901) 276-1221 Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School St. Patrick Catholic School PreK-8th Frayser (901) 358-7431 PreK-6th Downtown (901) 521-3252 Resurrection Catholic School St. Therese Little Flower Catholic PreK-6th Hickory Hill (901) 546-9926 School PreK-2nd Vollintine-Evergreen St. Augustine Catholic School (901) 725-9900 PreK-6th South Memphis (901) 942-8002 To learn more: Contact (901) 373-1205 jubilee.schools@cc.cdom.org www.jubileeschools.org

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our family can celebrate Father’s Day in style this month. Check out one or more of these fun-filled activities.

HOT ROD POWER TOUR • Does Dad love looking at hot rods? Then come see the high-end automobiles of all makes and models that will be on display at the Memphis International Speedway on June 9th. The show runs from noon to 7 p.m. As part of this national tour, the Power Tour brings together performance car enthusiasts and spectators for a day of fun. In addition to viewing cars, there will be autograph sessions with drivers, games, and giveaways. • Free admission for spectators. Hotrod.com WICKED PLANTS OPENS AT MEMPHIS PINK PALACE MUSEUM • This new exhibit features intriguing stories about plants that have played diabolical roles in history. Who knew nature could be so bad? Come learn more about the many toxic plants that lurk. • Free admission if you take advantage of the $5 summer trial membership offer. Learn more at memphismuseums.org/trial-membership ART OF VIDEO GAMES – If Dad’s a gamer, you’ll definitely want to stop by the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to see this cool display that highlights the 40year evolution of art and video gaming. Exhibit includes playable games, videos, historic gaming consoles, and more. We’ve come a long way, Pac-Man. Afterwards, head to the Rec Room on Broad Avenue and play some of those games for real in an arcade/bar setting. • Pay-what-you-can on Wednesdays. MP

Grief Camp for Teens Sign up by August 14 for this October weekend retreat

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osing a parent or close friend during the teen years can be tough. Kids are naturally pulling away from their parents at this age, becoming less communicative as they work to gain a measure of independence. So weathering a loss at this time of life, particularly if it’s a parent, can be especially difficult.

That’s why the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief offers a teen grief camp. Teen Camp Good Grief takes place October 16-18 at the center in Collierville. Led by counselors and assisted by 80 volunteers, the weekend offers a host of activities, from grief groups and counseling to a ropes course, a climbing wall, zipline, and debriefing activities where kids examine how one manages PHOTOS BY GREG CAMPBELL overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss.

The activities help teens realize how easy it is to hide from those feelings.

“Kids acknowledge that grief can feel too hard, too big; we want to run from it. So what we ask is how can we connect with this grief?” says Angela Hamblin, center director.

One way teens connect with those feelings is through memorialization of their loved one. The weekend culminates in a memorial service, where kids can pause, reflect and create whatever moves them as a reminder of the person they lost.

“We’re a mourning-avoidant culture,” notes Hamblin. “We want to move on, to have closure. But that can be counter to our mind and body saying ‘I don’t want to forget.’” Nor should they. If your teen could use help, consider this camp.

Sign-up takes place now through August 14. • bmhgiving.org or call 861-5656 MP

Accepting applications for 3, 4 and 5 year old kindergarten.

SUCCESS GROWS HERE

Woodland combines small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and personalized instruction to help grow your child’s success. Call 901-685-0976 to schedule a tour, or email admissions@woodlandschool.org.

A co-ed, Pre-K — 8 independent school in the heart of East Memphis. woodlandschool.org

©2013 Woodland Presbyterian School. All rights reserved.

Swimming Lessons

Helpful Info for Grandparents

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f you are a grandparent or have grandparents who live locally and are involved in your life, consider downloading the Senior Handbook from agingcommission.org. Compiled by the Aging Commission of the Mid-South, this advocacy group works to help seniors ages 65 and older make the most of living in the Mid-South. They’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of resources and services that includes a list of senior housing options, senior centers, and who to call when you need help with utilities or safety concerns. They even list volunteer opportunities. The guide includes info for Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, and Lauderdale counties. • To learn more, check out their website. MP

SCUBA RANGERS Come Join the Fun with Scuba Rangers Ages 8 - 12

• Scuba Skills • Accomplishment • Community Awareness • Teamwork • Goal setting • Snorkel & Scuba Classes • Confidence Gift Certificates make great gifts!

999 South Yates, Memphis, TN 901-763-3483 www.diveshop1.com

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m ph ispare nt . co m

Year ‘round in our HEATED indoor pool!

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© MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES | DREAMSTIME.COM

• Ages 6mo and Up • Baby & Me Classes • Private Swim Lessons • Group Lessons

His Summer Just Got a Whole Lot Better!

Summer Camp Fun at CMOM!

• June 1 – 5: Climate Controlled Discovery Camp • June 8 – 12: Camp Illusion Conclusion • June 15 – 19: Camp Couture • June 22 – June 26: Exploration Station • June 29 – July 3: Masters of Martial Arts Camp • July 6 – July 10: Rat-A-Tat-Tat Music Camp • July 13 – 17: AirHeads Academy • July 20 – 24: Camp CSI (Crime Scene Investigations) • July 27 – 31: Motion Commotion Robotics Camp • August 3 – 7: Wildlife Wonder Adventure Camp • August 10 – 14: My First Classroom ***3 to 4 years

His mom just enrolled him in an Optional School.

(901)458-2678

CMOM.COM

Discover Your Options

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STEM, Aviation, Performing Arts, IB, and More!

Still time to Apply!

(901) 416-5338 www.scsk12.org Shelby County Schools offers educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, national origin, or genetic information.

Lunch

is on us!

Kiddos who play with us during the month of June are welcome to join us for a free lunch.

Allergy-sensitive, kid-friendly lunch options will be posted in the center each day. Lunches include entrée, fruit, side and drink. Minimum 2 hour visit, please. Please note that lunch is served between 11am and 1pm.

Kid Station Drop In and Play Center Visit • 579 Erin Drive East Memphis Call • (901) 761-PLAY (7529) Click • www.kidstationonline.com Do you need to be away? Are your kids ready to play?

DEAR TEACHER BY

MARGARET E BERTS & PEGGY GISLER

Give Your Children a Happy, Healthy Summer

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Camp Destiny Summer Enrichment (Grades K - 12)

n alarming number of children in kindergarten through 12th grade gain weight and fall further behind academically during the summer months.

But your child doesn’t need to be one of them. Our list of do’s and don’ts for a productive summer will help your child keep learning.

PRODUCTIVE SUMMER DOS • Bring your children up to grade level in every subject through your efforts or outside help from tutors, learning centers, online programs, or summer school.

• Every day, set aside a half-hour of family reading time, inviting everyone to gather in one room and read. Discussion isn’t necessary. However, it can be fun if several family members read the same books and/or magazines and talk about them. For example, consider the different perspectives you and your children might have on articles in People magazine. Try it out.

• Make summer a skill-building time for such non-academic activities as sports, music, dance, cooking, knitting, photography and whatever else interests your children. Gaining skills in any of these areas will help children build confidence in their abilities. Discovering strengths in other areas is especially important if your children are not academic superstars.

• Plan a variety of family-oriented activities, such as weekend hikes or bike outings, game nights, picnics, visits to historical sights and colleges, or attend sporting events and musical performances.

• Have daily household jobs for every child that contribute meaningfully to the running of your home.

PRODUCTIVE SUMMER DON’TS • Let your children spend too much time on media entertainment, including TV, video games, Facebook, and Twitter.

• Let your children avoid fairly vigorous daily physical activity.

• Let your children eat a steady diet of unhealthy foods.

Q &A

Know policies before selecting a school

• June 1st - July 17th • Seven Great Weeks, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Affordale pricing • Before & After Care • Math, English and Reading Skills Development

• Afternoon Fun • Daily Chapel Services • Weekly Field Trips • Supervised Recreation • Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks

Creative life Early Childhood Training (6 weeks- Pre-K) • 6 weeks of age through Pre-K • Educational Enrichment • Fun Activites • Nutritious meals • Dedicated staff

Creative Life Preparatory School

I expect to be moving my kids to new schools over the summer. How do I find out about school policies and academic standing?

• • • • • • • • •

•

What is the attendance policy?

How are absences and tardies handled?

What are the dress and conduct codes?

How does the school handle discipline problems? What are the punishments for breaking rules? Who carries out disciplinary actions?

How are parents informed about school schedules, events, or problems?

How are parents contacted in emergency situations?

Is there a PTO newsletter?

What facilities does the school have? Is there a library? What are its hours? What types of reference books are available for students? Is there access to computers?

What types of special services does the school offer? Does it offer testing programs for vision, hearing and learning disabilities? Is there a guidance counselor? Is a school nurse available? Is there any kind of supervised before-school or after-school program for students?

What extracurricular activities are available?

Want to know more about the schools you’re considering? Visit memphisparent.com or memphisschoolguide.org. MP

Creative Life Preparatory School meets your child’s academic needs from kindergarten through high school.

• Uniforms Worn Daily • Two Weekly Chapel services • Standardized Testing • Hot Meals • Leadership and Life Skills Training

• Smaller Classroom Settings • Curriculum includes the Creative and Performing Arts • Students Train in Drama, Music, Movement and Art Appreciation

Enrollment May 1st - July 1st For More information, please call (901) 775-0304 Like us on Facebook - Creative Life, Incorporated & Creative Life Preparatory School USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

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Once you receive the handbook, review it carefully. Look for answers to these questions:

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m phi sparen t .co m

You definitely need this information, but you might not be able to get all of it until after the school year begins. Most schools put this type of information on their websites and in student handbooks, distributed at the beginning of the school year.

Ask for one when you speak with school administrators.

ONE COOL DAD

BEING A DAD—THE COOLEST JOB EVER In honor of Father’s Day, we asked a couple of new dads to weigh in on how their lives have been affected since becoming fathers. Their thoughts are poignant. Here’s what they had to say.

Kenny and Holly Allen, with baby Lily June

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hat does being a dad mean to me? I’ve always been a closet cynic who took everything with a grain of salt. I also traveled up to three weeks a month for my career. That is until this year when my wife, Holly, and I welcomed Lily June, our daughter, into the world in February. It wasn’t a sudden change, but whenever I would hear Holly cooing to our daughter, making her giggle, romancing her through (yet another) diaper change, my heart smiled so widely I felt it’s mouth curl.

I’m always looking forward to the next gurgle and giggle from either of them without them even knowing that I’m listening. I quit the job I had so I could earn a greater currency — being home with my family (which was always a priority, frankly).

Dr. Seuss had to have had new fathers in mind when he created the Grinch because, just like that Christmas morning above Whoville, my heart grew three times its normal size when I watched Holly hold our newborn for the first time. It was the truest personification of “love at first sight” if ever there was one; and I felt like a wealthy thief stealing into that moment with them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear a coo-fest starting without me. — Kenny Allen

Matthew & Adrienne Timberlake with Ava (3) and Evelyn (11 mos.)

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omeone told me before our first baby was born that being a parent was like experiencing a second childhood. I understood what my friend was saying, but for me, it’s been a chance to observe childhood as an amateur scientist, watching the specimens mutate and develop through a microscope of love and interest.

Being a parent has has taught me how short a day really is, and that a huge amount of change can take place in a single year.

Being a parent has taught me that the first time we encounter a new thing: an insect, a smell, a word, the world expands in fascinating ways. This might happen to us as adults once a week, but with children, it’s more like 20 times a day.

I’ve learned that life goals should be built around simple tasks: being happy, healthy, and present in my family and community life. Other ambitions are secondary.

I’ve come to appreciate that single parents are heroes; and that a sense of place plays a huge role in our formative years. The places around us: parks, attractions, schools, streets, businesses, sights, diversity, and culture, make an impression on our child and help to shape them as they grow up. — Matthew Timberlake MP

IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL WITH

following directions, reading and spelling, not hearing well with noise, making passing grades, yet grades not reflecting the amount of effort put into the task?

I can help. I specialize in testing for children with Auditory Processing Disorders. This disorder can hinder communication and learning among school aged children. Also, as a parent of a child with learning needs, I understand academic struggles.

Schedule a school tour!

1st-5th grade openings!

OPTIONAL SPACES AVAILABLE !

Krisha Boren

AuD, CCC-A, Doctor of Audiology

Whitehaven Elementary STEM School 4783 Elvis Presley Blvd. Memphis, TN 38116 901-416-7431 Tommy Elliott, Principal Meagan Michael, Optional School Coordinator

We offer comprehensive evaluations and consultations with individualized hearing solutions. Call for an appointment now.

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ISTRICT OF

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LEARNERS TO LEADERS

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EARNED OVER $9.4 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC, ART, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS VOLUNTEERED 15,818 SERVICE HOURS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL l THREE NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS FOUR ACADEMIC ALL STARS IN ART AND GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP l BEST OF THE PREPS FINALIST l STATE CHAMPION TRAP SHOOTER SIX SCHOLASTIC GOLD KEYS, NINE SCHOLASTIC SILVER KEYS, AND 22 SCHOLASTIC HONORABLE MENTIONS SIX ORPHEUM HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS

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7675 Wolf River Circle, Suite 101, Germantown, TN 38138 901.682.1529 • memphishearingaid.com

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MEMPHIS HEARING AID & AUDIOLOGICAL SERVICES

HEALTH MATTERS

What Causes Ear Infections?

BY KRISTI COOK

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nd should you treat them with antibiotics, pain relievers, or ear tubes? Understanding the causes and options makes managing this childhood problem easier.

“When patients have allergies, the swelling of the nasal airway may cause [the Eustachian tubes] to be swollen and not function properly. This may lead to accumulation of fluid in the ear.”

Symptoms. Frances Vigil, mother of five, recalls her oldest son’s first signs of trouble.

“After about three infections, I could tell when he was working towards another one; he wouldn’t listen or respond when I talked to him.” Occurring both during and after an ear infection, hearing loss is usually temporary but may last several weeks.

OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: • Pain in the ear, with child tugging or pulling at the affected ear • Unusual crying or irritability • Loss of appetite • Trouble sleeping • Fever above 101.5 • Ear drainage Treatment. With growing concern regarding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or superbugs, many doctors are forgoing antibiotics as a first course of action. “In children older than ages 1 or 2 with a low-grade fever and pain that can be well controlled with Tylenol or Motrin, pediatricians may recommend observing for one or two days to see if symptoms improve,” advises McLevy. While it may seem unnatural to allow a child to ‘fight’ the infection without antibiotics, the American Academy of Pediatrics says approximately 80 percent of ear infections resolve on their own.

EXCEPTIONS MAY INCLUDE: • under age 1 unless low-grade fever or pain is controlled • children 6 months to 2 years if symptoms are severe • symptoms that don’t improve after 72 hours • fever over 101.5 • uncontrolled pain/fever • underlying conditions such as Down syndrome or immune disorders • fluid lasting three months with hearing loss

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© DAYNA MORE | DREAMSTIME.COM

Dr. Jennifer McLevy, a pediatric otolaryngologist with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, says there are several causes for ear infections, with structural issues often to blame. The narrow passageways or Eustachian tubes that connect the middle ear behind the eardrum to the back of the nose are narrower, shorter, and more horizontal in children than adults. When too narrow, fluid builds up behind the eardrum, causing an infection. Genetics can also play a role. “If a mother had a problem with ear infections in childhood, her children are more likely to have recurring ear infections as well.”

Other factors that lead to infection are being around other children at daycare, secondhand smoke, and “bottle propping.” Allergies, while not a direct cause, can also contribute, notes Dr. Betty Mirro of East Memphis Allergy and Asthma.

Peace on Earth Begins at Birth

Trillium WomanCare

prenatal care ~ home birth ~ water birth www.trilliumbirth.com 901-292-5354

Certified Professional Midwife services licensed by NARM and The State of Tennessee

If allergies are suspected of contributing to recurring infections, Mirro suggests ruling that out before self-medicating. “Seeing an allergist in this circumstance may prevent the use of medications that are not going to be helpful. If the patient does not have allergies, the use of antihistamines and nasal sprays, especially on a long-term basis, would not be of any use in the treatment/prevention of ear infections.”

McLevy says another option may be ear tubes if one of the following takes place: fluid persists for three months with hearing loss, six infections occur within a year, or four infections occur within six months. However, doctors often try to avoid tubes due to possible adverse effects from anesthesia, damage to the eardrum, or tubes falling out prematurely. Other treatment options include long-term, low-dose antibiotics or surgery to remove adenoids. MP

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Glamping Let’s go

Three suitcases, four sleeping bags, and a yen for adventure. That’s all that’s required for a three-day glamping trip in the Smokies.

BY LURENE KELLEY

The ropes course at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, North Carolina.

There

we were, two adults both fairly inexperienced with camping, blithely shuttling down I-40 more worried about our playlist than cataloging the necessities for living in the great outdoors for three days.

Our Coleman cooler sat empty in the attic. We left our tent there, too. Yet we crossed the threshold of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park confident this would be the finest camping experience of our lives.

That’s because we weren’t really going camping. We were going “glamping.”

GLAMPING FOR FAMILIES

A Walk in the Woods is a full-service tour guide company operating in the Smokies since 1998.

Its founders, Vesna and Erik Plakanis, are our close friends. So when Vesna asked us to test a new camping service — we jumped at the chance.

The new service is called “glamping,” as in “glamorous camping.” Google it and you’ll find images of inflatable couches, chandeliers over picnic tables, and gossamer cloth floating in the doorway of a yurt.

That’s not Walk in the Woods style, thankfully. This is glamping for families, which roughly translates to experienced guides taking the helm while you kick back and enjoy the great outdoors.

HISTORY, HIKING AND HUMMUS

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The Kelley family above the Nantahala River in Bryson City, North Carolina.

Romping in the woods is the perfect way for the whole family to “unplug.”

We started our adventure at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, just a few miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina, where we met our guides, Sam Suttles and Jaimie Matzko. They walked us through the center’s interactive museum that documents the life of both the Cherokee and early European settlers in the Smoky Mountains. Then we headed outdoors to tour a collection of nineteenth century structures found on a working farm. We observed how families stored food in sheds and learned how to read tree rings.

Then we moved our bags into their shuttle, waved good-bye to our car, and set off for a short drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Sam and Jamie kept the kids interested with trivia and snacks, while my husband and I snapped pictures.

This next part is what I call “The Best.” It was our arrival to a campsite already set up with tents, blow-up mattresses, and lanThe collection of 19th Century structures at the Oconaluftee terns. A campfire awaited, stacked Visitor Center gives visitors a glimpse of what life was like with wood and ringed with chairs.

Hammocks strung across trees and a on a working farm. long picnic table beckons with fresh fruit, assorted cheeses, drinks, chips and hummus. We dug in while Vesna, our camp host, prepared dinner in the propane-powered kitchen.

The kids played games with the guides, while my husband and I claimed hammocks. When summoned to dinner, we dined on East Tennessee pulled pork sandwiches (not Central BBQ, but then, what is?) roasted corn, beans and s’mores by the campfire.

After dark, our guides took us on a night hike to listen for Barred owls.

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Guides set up our campsite with tents, a picnic spread, campfire, hammocks and even a propane-powered kitchen.

Walk in the Woods guides show us how to properly use a compass and map.

Tired yet excited about what lies ahead, we crawled into our tents, a rippling creek our “sound machine.”

AN OUTDOOR EDUCATION

AT THE PYRAMID

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m ph ispa re nt . co m

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is more than just a store; it’s an adventure. The massive destination experience offers something for everyone, from the serious outdoor enthusiast to families looking to have fun. There’s nothing else like it anywhere in the world.

The best part about the next two days was how much we learned. Walk in the Woods guides are above all, teachers and storytellers. On hikes, our kids picked birch branches and brushed their teeth with a soft inner core that tastes of wintergreen. We played hide and seek in the woods to see how animals use camouflage. We learned “orienteering” – using a compass to orient a map.

Throughout the trip, we were reminded about the importance of coexisting with nature – about not picking and trampling wildflowers, and how even leaving behind orange peels can make bears and other animals dependent on humans.

ENDING ON A CHALLENGING NOTE

On the final day, our guide drove us to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Set along the roaring Nantahala River, the center has everything you’d want for adventure: Rafting, biking, a zipline, and ropes course. It was also the first time we had mobile phone coverage (another plus on this trip – everyone had to unplug).

Our 5-year old was too small for the zipline or ropes course, so she stayed behind with a guide. Halfway through, I wished I had too. The ropes course was challenging, but we all finished proudly and no one died. My 9-year-old became so confident he ran through it a second time.

The zipline was not only exhilarating; it was freeing and oddly relaxing. The guides at the center were patient and professional and the equipment new and safe – reassuring news when suspended several stories above the ground.

Here’s the part that anyone who has ever camped will appreciate – our fun in the woods ended with the guides bringing us back to our car where we loaded up and headed west. The packing of the tents, the loading of the coolers — all had been taken care of by Walk in the Woods while we were zipping across the treetops.

Now, that’s what I call glamorous. MP

PLANNING A TRIP?

A Walk in the Woods: • awalkinthewoods.com Great Smoky Mountain National Park • nps.gov/grsm Nantahala Outdoor Center • noc.com

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COST?

Walk in the Woods glamping trips range from $800 for a family of four for a one night/2 day trip, to $900 a person (with discounts for children) for a full, four-day trip.

ATV Safety

BY KRISTI COOK

R

The first step in ATV safety is making certain children are both physically and emotionally prepared for the demands of ATV use.

Questions to consider are: • Can he/she ride a bicycle well, judge speeds and distances accurately, and react wisely with proper hand, foot, and body movements in various situations?

• Does he willingly follow safety rules?

• Is he safety-conscious when riding a bike or skateboard?

• Is he aware of the potential for serious injury with reckless behavior?

RIGHT SIZE, RIGHT AGE

Children under age 16 driving adult-sized ATVs account for nearly 90 percent of all ATV child-related injuries with rollovers being one of the most common causes.

Sawyer warns parents that because of the weight and size of ATVs, young children do not have the strength and/or weight to make necessary corrections once an ATV begins to roll over.

To ensure your child is the proper age & size for a specific ATV: • ALWAYS heed the manufacturer’s Minimum Age Recommendation Warning Label, usually located on or near the gas tank. ATV sizes range from battery operated “toy” ATVs for ages 3 to adult, usually indicated by a “age 16+” warning label.

• To be big enough for the selected ATV, your child must be able to stand up on the footrests and grasp the handgrips with at least 3 inches of clearance between the seat and the seat of the child’s pants. This allows the rider to stand up for balance and comfort, and shift the body to maintain control of the vehicle.

• Make sure all controls can be comfortably reached and worked from all riding positions, including the throttle and brake levers while holding onto the handgrips.

• The child must be able to turn handlebars all the way to the right and left without struggling.

SELECT THE RIGHT GEAR

The most significant piece of protective gear a rider must always don is a properly fitted Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or Snell Memorial Foundation compliant motorcycle helmet. Sawyer says only 20 to 30 percent of children injured in ATV accidents were wearing helmets. “We see several fatalities every year at Le Bonheur. The majority of fatal injuries are head injuries, which occur in children without helmets.”

LeAnn Baker, mother of two, recalls how a helmet saved her brother’s life. “He hit a Jeep head-on and was thrown down a hill covered in large rocks. Everywhere

The most significant piece of protective gear a rider must always don is a properly fitted Department of Transportation (DOT) and/ or Snell Memorial Foundation compliant motorcycle helmet. his head hit a rock, you could see helmet paint.” To acquire a proper fit, helmets should be snug (not tight) and properly fastened.

TRAIN YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILD

To teach your child ATV safety, know the rules yourself. Research local and state laws and understand ASI’s Golden Rules. Read the owner’s manual to learn the location and operation of all controls, handling characteristics, and maintenance requirements. To master proper riding techniques, consider a formal riding class, such as ASI’s ATV Rider Course (available nationwide).ASI also offers parents suggestions for teaching riding techniques to youngsters in a free downloadable booklet titled “Parents, Youngsters, and All-Terrain Vehicles” at atvsafety.org.

YOU HOLD THE KEY

The CPSC states not wearing a helmet, riding on public roads, carrying passengers on single passenger ATVs, riding the wrong size ATV, lack of supervision, and riding with no formal training are responsible for 92 percent of all ATV-related fatalities. With children under 16 accounting for nearly 40 percent of fatalities, parental supervision AT ALL TIMES is a must. “Adult supervision has been shown in multiple situations to decrease injury rate and ATVs are no different,” advises Sawyer. If unsafe riding behavior is noted, take the key until the child is mature and strong enough to ride responsibly. Or, as LeAnn’s husband, Richard, tells parents, “Our kids know the four-wheelers will be sold if they don’t follow our rules.” MP

Learn more about ATV safety and local training at atvsafety.org • (800) 887-2887

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IS YOUR CHILD READY?

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is fun, accidents happen. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data indicates that children under age 16 account for nearly 40 percent of all ATV-related injuries and fatalities annually. In an effort to reduce accidents, we consulted the ATV Safety Institute and Dr. Jeff Sawyer, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Campbell Clinic, for these safety guidelines.

© BRAD SAUTER | DREAMSTIME.COM

oaring motors, sticky mud, and challenging trails are but a few of the thrills involved in the exciting world of all-terrain vehicles or ATVs. While driving these

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Roughing It in the Ozarks

Want to vacation in style this summer?

Head to Big Cedar Lodge in the Missouri Ozarks

Leaving Memphis on a cool April morning, I notice our dogwoods and azaleas are practically spent. But three hours north of Little Rock where the Ozarks begin, nature’s clock has turned back. Some trees are still bare or newly leafed, the gentle yellow-green of early spring, and daffodils and tulips are ablaze as I drive the winding entrance to Big Cedar’s main lodge.

I also find myself fording several streams. Too much rain? I wonder.

Nope, it’s evidently part of Johnny Morris’ way of getting visitors to slow down and begin to tune in to nature.

After checking in, I do just that, gazing out from the porch at the view of Table Rock Lake. The three lodges and various restaurants you’ll find here are an attractive mix of Bavarian and Adirondack styles, a continuation of earlier structures built by a railroad executive who lived here in the 1920s and ’30s.

Accommodations include cottages, cabins, or handsome hotel rooms.

I bunk in a lofty A-frame log cabin, accented with several stained -glass windows. The interior is suitably rustic but polished and so cozy I’m tempted to tuck in; the king-sized bed and egg-shaped spa tub whisper my name. A host of cabins face this finger of the lake, about a 20-minute walk from the heart of the resort. The privacy is welcoming, and so, too, Big Cedar’s free shuttle service. One family I spoke with said they hadn’t driven their car all week. Talk about relaxing.

Be prepared, however, for the bevy of mounted forest critters that appear as part of the décor virtually everywhere. If you’re familiar with Bass Pro, then you know.

In my cabin alone I count two deer heads, two squirrels, a raccoon, and a sly red fox that eyes me from its roost above the kitchen cabinets. I can’t help but wonder how many animals were commandeered for the entire place.

WHAT TO DO

The resort’s design does much to highlight the layered basalt that gives the Ozarks

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

As for dining, you’ll find an array of options. Devil’s Pool is casual, moderately priced, and offers terrific sunset views. My friend raves about the cornbread, dappled sinfully with maple syrup and bacon. But our favorite is the Osage at Top of the Rock. From the well-prepared dishes and panoramic lake views (at 1,480 feet, it’s the tallest point in Taney County) to the striking Native American artwork that surrounds you, it is beautifully done. Be sure to check out the wine cellar and whiskey-tasting bar on the bottom level. Seemingly carved out of stone, my hat is off to the architect and craftsmen who tackled this engineering feat.

SPAAAH

On my last morning, I find my way to Cedar Creek Spa. As I walk through the stand of birch trees that marks its entrance, I immediately regret not having come sooner; it’s simply beautiful. Opened last November, the spa boasts an amazing grotto pool, fireplaces in the waiting area and Jacuzzi, and first-rate masseuses. I could definitely see spending a girls’ weekend here. I talk with two sisters in the changing room who came to the resort from Wisconsin and Georgia. “I’ve been to a lot of spas,” offers Debbie, “and this definitely ranks as one of the best.” I would have to agree.

So if you’re looking to relax and indulge yourself a bit, Big Cedar offers just the place to put your feet up. • For more, go to bigcedar.com MP

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. m e mp hi spare nt .com

JUST FIVE HOURS FROM HOME

its distinctive topography. I take a golf cart ride at Top of the Rock golf course along a nature trail where whole hillsides have been exposed, revealing rocky grottos and streams, even caves. It’s unexpected and interesting. If Dad’s into golf, this 9-hole golf course has a commanding view of the lake and recently hosted the PGA’s Legends Tour.

But what I enjoy is unwinding — doing as much or as little as you like. One day, we lounge at one of several pools watching kids splash in the hot tub while others play shuffleboard nearby. You can bring gear for fishing, rent a canoe or powerboat, play golf, ride horses, play miniature golf, and more. Some activities are complimentary; others are an additional cost. If you’re on a budget, consider determining ahead of time what you might want to do, since fees add up quickly.

It’s only a 30-minute drive to Branson, with its music theaters, Silver Dollar City theme park, and shops galore. I elect instead to spend an afternoon riding bikes through Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, another Morris property that’s a popular destination for hiking and biking. It’s scenic, if a bit more manicured than wild.

19

Y

ou’ve probably heard about Big Cypress Lodge, the new Bass Pro resort and retail mecca that opened in May at the Pyramid. But you might not be familiar with its posh country cousin, Big Cedar Lodge. Located on the shores of Table Rock Lake in Ridgedale, Missouri, this wilderness resort calls the Ozarks home, with its lush, rolling countryside and sprawling lake views.

Ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the nation’s top 50 family resorts, it was new to me. Curious, I contacted Big Cedar to learn more and they hosted a three-day visit.

BY JANE SCHNEIDER PHOTOS COURTESY OF BIG CEDAR LODGE

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Funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

© CHRISTINLOLA | DREAMSTIME.COM

in the Bluff City

BY CANDICE BAXTER

Island Play at Beale Street Landing • 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Park for free at Tom Lee Park and let the kids dash over the big grassy hill to this scenic playground. It features a giant catfish for climbing, a slide, and a splash park to dance in. Cool off with an ice cream sundae at historic A. Schwab’s general store on Beale. • mudisland.com National Civil Rights Museum • Free to Tennessee residents Mondays from 3-5 p.m.

Newly renovated, you’ll learn how the Civil Rights movement transformed Memphis and the nation. • civilrightsmuseum.org

TUESDAY

Shelby Farms Woodland Playground • 9 a.m. until one hour before sunset.

Designed to stimulate natural, educational play, the park’s six “nests” feature a spider web climbing net, a tree house, swings, curving slides, a sand pit, and more, all connected by a leafy winding arbor. • shelbyfarmspark.org Cordova Library: Explore Memphis • 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Take part in the summer reading program at all public library branches. Activities range from weird science experiments to learning magic tricks. While you’re there, sign up the kids, then return each week for a prize based on pages read. Some activities require registration. • memphislibrary.org

WEDNESDAY

Wacky Wednesdays at the Brooks Museum of Art • Free entry every Wednesday, from 10 a.m.-noon in June & July.

Come enjoy making art in the studio, then view animated film favorites for kids.

• Brooksmuseum.org Pink Palace Museum Free Trial Membership • Begins 30 days from the date of registration or pay $5 for the whole summer.

Discover our region’s natural and cultural history. Pass also good for Lichterman Nature Center. Show your emailed membership card on your phone. • memphismuseums.org

THURSDAY

Collierville Library Summer Reading Program • Various times, June-July 24 Activities for toddlers to tweens range from Storytime Chefs to Jazzy String Band.

© TOM WANG | DREAMSTIME.COM

Bass Pro Pyramid • 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

You’ve got to visit for the concept alone. It’s a sportsman’s retail paradise and hotel, housed in the Pyramid downtown. Play I spy and see if your kids can spot fish, ducks, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, and more. • basspro.com/pyramid

W.C. Johnson Park • Spray park: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Awesome spray park with fun interactive stations.

Plus, a beautiful setting with lakes, an elevated boardwalk, walking trails, and Ryan’s Place Playground, where children with physical challenges can play with others. • Colliervilleparks.org Sunset on the Square, Collierville • 7 p.m. June & July (no show July 2) Discover why Collierville has one of the best squares in the nation. Bring watermelon and folding chairs and enjoy the ambiance while listening to bluegrass, classic rock and more. • mainstreetcollierville.org

FRIDAY

Mud Island River Park • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Learn about the geography of the Delta while kids splash and sail boats on a scale model of the Mississippi River. Sky bridge walk is free, tram rides cost $4. • mudisland.com Peabody Hotel Duck March • 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. daily Watch the famous Peabody ducks, led by the Duckmaster, waddle into the hotel’s elegant lobby. Then ride the elevator to the rooftop and check out the ducks penthouse and views. • peabodymemphis.com

SATURDAY

Dixon Gallery and Gardens • Free Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon.

Pay-what-you-can on Tuesdays While the museum’s permanent collection is closed during renovations, explore the summer garden and see the large-scale, handbuilt sculptures of Japanese artist Jun Kaneko. • Dixon.org Lowe’s Build and Grow, Home Depot Kids Workshop • 10 a.m. select Saturdays.

At Lowe’s, June features the Avengers series, with projects like Iron Man’s Avenjet and Captain America’s motorcycle. Home Depot also offers a kids’ workshop from 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. All sessions require online registration. Kids get an apron and hands-on instruction to build small projects from kits. • lowesbuildandgrow.com, homedepot.com

SUNDAY

Levitt Shell Concert Series • Overton Park, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday thru Sunday, June-August 2.

Bring a picnic basket and dine on the grassy knoll while enjoying awesome live music. Do a little dance (just don’t forget the bug spray). • levittshell.org MP

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. m e mp hi spare nt .com

MONDAY

Cool summer reading prizes for grades 1-5 and 6-12.

• colliervillelibrary.org

21

WHETHER YOUR BUDGET’S TOO TIGHT FOR A BEACH GETAWAY, OR YOU PREFER ENJOYING A LEISURELY STAYCATION, WE’VE GOT SOME GREAT WAYS TO EXPERIENCE MEMPHIS FOR FREE. START MAKING SOME LOCAL SUMMER MEMORIES NOW.

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BY MATTHEW TIMBERLAKE

I

n my former life, my wife and I traveled — to Paris, Glasgow, San Juan, Tofino. We went where we could and experienced wild spices, ancient catacombs, impenetrable accents, and filthy metro systems.

Now, we have kids. Though they’ve diverted our time and resources, they are totally worth the sacrifice. But I feel badly for little people; they deserve diverse and unfamiliar experiences, too.

So I hatched a plan to spend several Saturday outings discovering the many cultures of Memphis. Ultimately, our experiences were more diverse, interesting, and easier than I imagined.

Week 1 • Shop for foreign fruits

Way out on Winchester is a Memphis that was; the empty shell of the Hickory Ridge Mall, and a giant Statue of Liberty holding a cross to the heavens.

On the north side of the street (in a former Schnucks) is the Winchester Farmers Market — the Memphis that is.

With my 10-month-old seated in the kiddo spot of the shopping cart and my trusty 3-yearold helping me push, we step into an international showroom of oddities.

The produce section amazes first, with piles of exotic vegetables and fruits filling dozens of bins. Grouped by continent, my older daughter studies tubers and leaves from central Asia, colorful chilies of Latin America, enormous fruits from the South Pacific. “Daddy, what’s this?” she asks, amazed by a knobby, monstrous jackfruit. I’d never had it before, so we bring some home, along with dragon fruit and bitter melon.

Other families fill their carts with familiar foods wonderfully strange to us. A group of women in beautiful saris select fruits as my daughter walks over to their youngest and asks what they are buying. The girl answers, saying a word I don’t recognize. My daughter nods in the gentle way she does when she’s trying to play it cool, but inside is bursting with curiosity.

Week 2 • Explore North African cuisine Our new neighborhood isn’t far from Summer Avenue, so we often hit the weird and glorious mom-andpop stores and tiendas that line this gloriously old-Memphis strip.

This week, however, we bypass our go-to taqueria, La Guadalupana, and head instead for the Jerusalem Market.

Our Caribbean friend mentioned the store, saying it was her favorite place to purchase goat meat for curry goat, a gem of island cooking. I’d also heard

© SHUTTERBESTIOLE | DREAMSTIME.COM

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www.pdg4kids.com

Southaven

901.363.8191

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Thank you all!”

- Brandon F. March 31, 2015

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the market had a slightly secret restaurant that served Middle Eastern and North African dishes. Just blocks from our house, we had to get in on that.

The woman at the checkout counter, splendidly dressed in the fabrics of her Muslim tradition, seems thrilled to see us, a brass bell tinkling over our heads as we enter. Cans of ful medames line the shelves, stacked beside tins of stuffed grape leaves and jars of pickled labna. In the back, we watch a hulk of a man in a bloodstreaked apron hacking apart an animal.

“Dad, is that a butcher?” asks my 3-year-old, fascinated but perhaps unaware of how graphic this scene might be.

“What do you think?” I reply.

“Yeah, he’s a butcher. You said we get lunch here?”

From a menu packed with colorful descriptions, we select chicken shawarma, falafels, and tabbouleh, everything fresh to order. While we wait, my daughter and I talk about the photos of Egypt that line the walls featuring beautiful mosques, mysterious pyramids, statues of people but with heads of jackals and water birds, and camels — lots of camels.

Minutes later, a wondrous aroma greets us. “I smell delicious,” says my daughter.

“Do we get to eat it?”

Yes, indeed. And it is wonderful.

Week 3 • Picnic with international pals

INCARNATION Catholic School © SONICSEA | DREAMSTIME.COM

PreK-8th Grade Co-educational

www.goICS.org 901.853.7804 Collierville, Tennessee

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m phi sparen t .co m

While we wait, my daughter and I talk about the photos of Egypt that line the walls featuring beautiful mosques, mysterious pyramids, statues of people but with heads of jackals and water birds, and camels — lots of camels.

Space Available in our PK and Kindergarten Classes

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© SHUTTERBESTIOLE | DREAMSTIME.COM

There’s a couple we socialize with, good friends who like talking about the same stuff we do. The woman, who works with my wife, is Turkish; the man is Indian. To round out our diversity adventure, we invite them to join us at our home for a picnic.

Since I let the guests in on my exercise, they bring foods they loved as kids growing up in their homelands: Dishes of dates and olives, tangy hummus, seasoned yogurt with cucumber, simit (a coil of bread peppered with sesame seeds), and gulab jamun, little balls of milky stuff with a sweet sauce. It is quite a spread.

“I used to look forward to these all week,” our Indian friend tells my 3-year-old, popping a morsel in his mouth. “Definitely worth eating the healthy stuff to get a treat like this.”

My daughter pops one in, too, and that same small smile curls the corners of her mouth. She is playing it cool, but her mind explodes with Memphis’ diversity — and like me — she loves it. MP

Memphis

THE CITY MAGAZINE’S

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The 2016 Memphis magazine HOME DESIGN AWARDS will honor excellence in architecture and the creative use of materials in new, remodeled, and historic residences in Memphis and the Mid-South.

Memphis magazine’s 2016 HOME DESIGN AWARDS will showcase winners in the following categories: NEW HOME | RENOVATION | KITCHEN - TRADITIONAL KITCHEN - CONTEMPORARY | LIVING ROOM FAMILY ROOM OR DEN | MASTER SUITE | DINING ROOM CHILDREN’S ROOM | BATHROOM | OUTDOOR SPACE VACATION HOME | HOME OFFICE

We’re accepting entries now. Go to memphismagazine.com to find out more, plus details of each category and our entry rules!

SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 30, 2015.

© SAM74100 | DREAMSTIME.COM

HOME DESIGN AWARDS 2016

Plan an Escape with a Cool Book Need a break from the summer heat? Kids can find new places to explore with these imaginative summer reads.

BY JENNIFER BOREN

3RD TO 5TH GRADERS

Gone Fishing. Written by Tamera Will Wissinger & illustrated by Matthew Cordell Sam eagerly awaits his first fishing trip with his father, until his pesky sister Lucy wriggles her way into the middle of their fun. Nominated for a Volunteer State Book Award 2015-2016, this book will hook you right away. Wissinger makes use of poetic forms such a Haiku, counting poems, and list poems, capturing the excitement of making the “big catch.” A great pick for beginning chapter book readers, Gone Fishing will appeal to both brothers and sisters, and anyone who has ever baited a hook.

Mousetronaut Goes to Mars. Written by Mark Kelly & illustrated by C.F. Payne Meteor, a pocket-sized space explorer, returns in this newest book by retired NASA commander Mark Kelly. Embarking on a sixmonth journey to Mars, Meteor stows away to become the red planet’s first mouse. Stargazers ages 3 to 8 will enjoy the colorful artwork and informational details on space included in the afterward. Bring Moustronaut along this summer when you campout under the stars.

A Snicker of Magic. Written by Natalie Lloyd Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, a fictional town once revered for magic, welcomes its newest residents. Felicity and Frannie Jo Pickle find themselves wondering if Midnight Gulch will, in fact, be their new home.

Suffering from a free-range heart, their momma has never kept them in one place long enough to make a real friend. Felicity discovers that her special and topic secret talent, word collecting, is extraordinary in its own way.

With the help of characters such as the Beedle, readers will find themselves transported to an especially magical place this summer.

The Fourteenth Goldfish. Written by Jennifer L. Holm Winner of three Newberry Honors, Jennifer L. Holm invites readers on the unpredictable journey of Ellie Cruz and her grandfather, Melvin, who discovers the impossible: how to reverse aging. Intermediate students will eagerly tag along as Ellie maneuvers the uncertainty of a new middle school, making and keeping friends, and her budding love of science. Not only is this new book a New York Times Bestseller, but Literacy MidSouth has selected this as the Citywide Book Club 2015 Book of Choice. Copies are available for purchase at The Booksellers at Laurelwood. MP

A Kids’ Music Class that Really Rocks Come Jam with Music for Aardvarks, Memphis!

An interactive music program for children 6 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers

Summer Registration Now Open!

Classes begin June • Straight from New York City 8th • Great music • Live guitar and storytelling, singing and dancing • Fun for parents too!

• Great for birthday parties, special events, & school programs

Newcomers welcome to drop in for one FREE class

NEW CLASSES IN r inne nowBARTLETT TEMPLE ISRAEL WClasses in Midtown, & East Memphis, Collierville, and Cordova Classes in Midtown and East Memphis Visit us on also the web at www.memphisaardvarks.com Visit us on the web at www.memphisaardvarks.com or contact us at 871-0227 or info@memphisaardvarks.com or contact us at 871-0227 or info@memphisaardvarks.com

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Developmental Therapy Summer Camps Available www.brightsong.net ph: (901) 309-3077

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Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Written by Mac Barnett & illustrated by Jon Klassen Have you ever wondered what happens if you dig far enough into the ground? What kind of treasures lay hidden beneath the surface? Is it really possible to dig a hole to China? Barnett and Klassen, also known for Extra Yarn, are back in a new collaboration that begs to be read aloud. Readers will cheer on Sam and Dave as they get close to something so spectacular.

With an unexpected and open-ended conclusion, children will want to read this adventure again and again.

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© SAM74100 | DREAMSTIME.COM

PRE K TO 2ND GRADE

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. Written by Chris Grabenstein Fans of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will gobble up this fun summer read. The children of Alexandriaville learn that the world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed a new library in the old bank.

They soon discover that getting out is more fun than getting in. Readers will have their knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System and classic children’s books put to the test.

This puzzling read will transport your child into a world of epic game proportions. Put on your thinking cap for this New York Times Bestseller and Children’s Book of the Year treasure.

© WINTERSTORM | DREAMSTIME.COM

She’s Having Our Baby

Y

WHEN OTHER AVENUES FAIL, COUPLES TURN TO SURROGATES FOR HELP

Years ago,

having a baby with a surrogate (a woman who carries a child for a couple), seemed relegated to the Hollywood elite, out of reach for the average American couple. But over the past decade, advances in technology have made in vitro fertilization and the freezing of human eggs and embryos much more viable. Those factors are making surrogacy a feasible reality for people unable to have a biological child of their own. Of course, surrogacy is neither easy nor inexpensive; it’s a complicated journey that unites the surrogate and intended parent or parents for a year of their lives as they negotiate bringing a life into the world.

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INVESTIGATING SURROGACY

When Anji Bishop, a tax preparer for H & R Block and the mother of two, first decided to become a surrogate in 2007, she started by researching the subject on the Internet. Many people turn to surrogacy agencies, which, like adoption agencies, help match those wanting to become parents with a surrogate willing to become pregnant. Bishop signed up, agreeing to become a gestational surrogate.

Traditional surrogacy used to be more common. In those cases, the surrogate’s egg is fertilized with the intended father’s sperm. But since the baby is biologically linked to the mother, the legal implications, such as parental rights, can be thorny.

By comparison, a gestational surrogate receives an embryo implantation into her womb and has no biological ties to the fetus.

WHO BECOMES A SURROGATE?

Surrogates come from all walks of life and are typically mothers themselves. The ones I spoke with said they wanted to share the joy of parenthood with those who desperately wanted biological children but had been unsuccessful. Earning money while pregnant also plays a role, with fees ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 or more, including expenses and medical care.

“I had been interested in being a surrogate since my long-time friends went through a surrogate over 12 years ago to have their child,” Anji notes. “The timing was perfect with this opportunity for me because I had decided to return to school

MARCI LAMBERT

BY JANE SCHNEIDER

for my Master’s degree and the surrogacy job offered a very flexible schedule that made my school goals possible.”

When a surrogate meets with the intended parents, all are strangers united by an improbable twist of fate. They must quickly develop a level of trust, since every medical detail of the surrogate’s life (both physical and psychological) is considered to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

“You’ve got to bond, to take time to get to know the surrogate,” says Dr. John Wilters, an OB-GYN in Nashville who has seen surrogates as patients. “You’re giving people the right to know your medical issues and how the pregnancy is going.”

Anji embodies the attributes many agencies recommend: she is healthy, relatively young (mid-30s) and has had two successful pregnancies. Surrogates fill out detailed profiles that cover their upbringing, beliefs, and health history. Intended parents fill out a similar profile and both sides must agree to the match before a conversation begins.

Anji settled on a single school administrator from New York who was in her early 50s “because her profile touched me. I knew what an emotional thing having a child had been for me.” The woman used a donor embryo from a Swedish couple via a clinic in Beverly Hills. Anji took psychological tests to make sure she was mentally prepared; then underwent hormone therapy to prepare her body physically for the implantation. During her pregnancy, the woman traveled south to be with her during doctor appointments and ultimately, for the delivery of her healthy twin girls.

“It was the most amazing thing I ever experienced. She was just in tears, thanking me constantly,” says Anji. “It was just a gratifying moment because I gave her

MARCI LAMBERT

Ali with her children Robin (12), Scott (7), and Ila (4)

SNOWDEN SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE & SUCCESS

Resources TNbabylaw.com – Very useful information for those considering becoming a surrogate or finding a surrogate to contract for a baby.

Surromomsonline.com – A place where surrogates can exchange information and learn more about the process.

Shelby County Schools offers educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, national origin, or genetic information.

THE

Germantown Option Limited Spaces Available

Elementary

Enriched Academics & International Studies

Middle

Enriched Academics & College Prep

High

International Baccalaureate & Creative/Performing Arts

Learn more: www.scsk12.org/uf/optional_schools Shelby County Schools offers educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, national origin, or genetic information.

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www.m e m ph ispare nt . com

GIVING LIFE

Ali is a Midtown mother of three and currently a surrogate for Kyle and Jack* (not their real names), a gay couple from Nashville. They found Ali via social media, a friend of a friend who knew of her interest in surrogacy. Ali ran her own daycare business, and even wet nursed a baby for one working mom. She chose surrogacy to help her financially return to school, but she considers it a logical extension of her work. “I cared for those children but gave them back at the end of the day, so that gave me practice.”

In their case, Kyle is the biological father. They used an egg donor from a fertility clinic that was fertilized with Kyle’s sperm. “We know many people with stable lives who’ve taken years to adopt a child,” says Kyle. “For me, if we could have a genetic link, if that’s an option, then I wanted it.”

Assisting same-sex couples with surrogacy is still relatively new in Tennessee.

The Nashville Center for Reproductive Health told Kyle and his partner they were the first same-sex couple the center has worked with.

There are many legal factors also to be considered when weighing surrogacy. The people I interviewed all stressed the importance of developing a strong surrogate/ intended parent relationship. Simply put, a legally binding contract must be drawn up between the two parties to specify how a myriad of pregnancy issues will be managed. Thorny topics, like whether the surrogate will agree to carry multiples, whether she’ll accept extended bed rest if necessary, even views on abortion must be examined and discussed and agreed upon by both parties.

Attorney Julia Tate specializes in surrogacy issues with her law practice, and has a website, Tennessee Baby Law, to help people navigate the issues that arise. It’s a complicated topic, she says, but with proper discussion and consideration, issues can be addressed legally.

Dr. John Wilters, an OB-GYN in Nashville, has handled five surrogate pregnancies, work he considers challenging, in part because of the commitment of time required. “It’s like having two customers, the surrogate and the couple. The couple is paying for her care and pregnancies don’t always go the way you’d like them to go.”

He says it’s also because for infertile couples, surrogacy is usually the last option available for having a biological child, which adds additional pressure to the pregnancy.

He recommends being thorough when looking for a surrogate, “because you can be on two separate pages and it’s a long pregnancy. It’s a business deal; there has to be a contract agreeing to specific details … I haven’t had a simple one yet. We’ve had good outcomes, but it’s a bumpy road until the end.”

Kyle and Jack thought carefully about many of these issues before contracting with Ali. Kyle always knew he wanted children, and so when they received word that Ali was pregnant with twins, the men were bowled over. When I meet them in Midtown, Ali is in her second trimester and enjoying a healthy pregnancy.

Much of their journey has been a do-it-yourself affair, since they elected to save money and not use an agency. They met with an attorney to draft a legal contract.

But when issues arise, the responsibility falls on all three to find resolution.

While both Ali and Anji’s experiences have been positive, Anji cautions that many surrogates experience problems. One thing she has learned along the way is that “You must have a support system because doing it on your own, it’s the roughest thing you’ve ever had to do. You need emotional support to help you through.” MP

1870 North Parkway Memphis, TN 38112 901-416-4621

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something she could never have. It was one of the most rewarding experiences outside of having my own two children I’ve ever had. I will always remember it.”

Snowden School is a K-8 Shelby County Optional School. We still have space for your talented student! Contact us for more information or apply today to join our legacy of EXCELLENCE.

Great Deals, Tasty Meals P l a c e s t o g o w h e r e k i d s e a t f r e e ( or pretty da rn chea p) COMPILED BY MARGOT PERA

Summer is fast approaching, and the last thing you

want to do is spend every day in the kitchen. Eating out can seem daunting, but kids don’t have to put a dent in your wallet. Take advantage of the scrumptious cuisine at these locations to save big, not just in summer, but all year long.

Lenny’s Sub Shops • 8265 N. Highway 51 Kids eat free from 5 to 8 p.m. Two kids’ meals for every adult meal.

THURSDAY

EVERY DAY

Captain D’s • All locations © STANGOT | DREAMSTIME.COM Kids eat for 99 cents with the purchase of regular menu item (no coupons or promotional vouchers accepted). Dine-in only.

SUNDAY

Moe’s Southwest Grill • All locations Kids eat free from 5-9 p.m.

IHOP • All locations Kids 12 and under eat free everyday from 4 to 10 p.m. One free kids’ meal with each adult meal purchased.

Tellini’s • 7974 Hwy. 64, Collierville, 385-0759 Kids ages 10 & under eat for half-price.

Steak and Shake • 8477 Hwy. 64, 380-5880; 4199 Hacks Cross, 755-3483; 253 Goodman Rd. W., Southaven (662) 349-2923 Saturdays & Sundays, kids ages 12 & under get one free kids’ meal for every $8 order. Excludes drinks and shakes. Dine-in only.

Texas de Brazil • 150 Peabody Place, 526-7600 Kids eat for half-price with purchase of adult dinner.

Piccadilly • All locations Everything is $1.99 on the kids menu (2 kids per adult). Discount also applies Fridays & Saturdays until 4 p.m.

FRIDAY

Firehouse Subs • 7685 Farmington Blvd. location only, 755-8633 Fridays & Saturdays, kids 12 and under eat free after 4 p.m. Two kids per one adult purchase. MP

MONDAY

Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders • 1100 N. Germantown Pkwy., 754-1760 Mondays & Tuesdays, kids eat free from kids’ menu with adult entrée.

Three Guy’s Pizza Pies • 1014 N. Germantown Pkwy., 737-0062; 9045 Hwy. 64, Arlington, 590-2343; & 1100 Church Rd. W. Southaven, (662) 470-5942.

Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays, kids eat free from kids’ menu with adult purchase.

TUESDAY

Danver’s • All locations Two kids’ meals with each adult meal from 10:30 a.m. to close.

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El Nopal Restaurant • 2845 N. Houston Levee, 387-0212 Mondays and Tuesdays, kids eat free with dinner purchase from 4 to 8 p.m.

Fazoli’s • 3587 Riverdale Rd., 794-9121 Kids dine for cheap from 5 to 8 p.m. Kids’ meal is 99 cents with one adult entrée.

For more ways to save, follow this advice from Cameron Huddleston, an online editor for Kiplinger.com and the author of Kip’s Tips.

1. Lay down the law before you go out Let your kids know eating out is a privilege, and that there are certain stipulations they must adhere too. If you tell them before you sit down that they can only have a dessert or drink if it comes with the meal, there will be no room to “negotiate” if the circumstance is otherwise. This might also aid in preventing temper tantrums!

2. Don’t assume the kids meals are the cheapest option.

A general rule of thumb: If a kid’s meal is $3.99 or less, (with drink & dessert), it’s a good deal. If kid’s options are more than $4.99 or more, you’re better off ordering an adult entrée and splitting it.

Genghis Grill • 5849 Poplar (at 240), 308-4040 Kids 11 and under eat free with adult purchase.

3. VIVA Mexico - Mexican restaurants are typically economical and offer combination platters with several options.

Holiday Ham and Deli • All locations Tuesdays & Thursdays, kids eat for $1 from kid’s menu (excludes drinks).

4. Order a la carte - This is great for finicky eaters. If your children’s eyes are bigger than their tummies, pick out a few sides to munch on rather than ordering an entire meal.

McAlister’s Deli • All locations Two kids meals with any adult meal after 3 p.m. Discounts also available all day Saturday.

WEDNESDAY

Buffalo Wild Wings • 3448 Poplar Ave., 324-9225 Kids 12 and under eat from the kids menu all day for $1.99 Crepe Maker • 4630 Merchants Park Circle, #731 Ages 12 & under, one free kid’s meal with each adult meal.

5. “Follow” restaurants on social media - Most restaurants post promotions on Twitter and Facebook, so you don’t have to remember which day is which. This is also a great way to get instant feedback on menu items and other promotional deals.

Being frugal while dining out will also show your kids the importance of balancing a budget, forming habits for their later years. If you make dining out a treat rather than the norm, it will be more sacred to them as a “special occasion” rather than a right. Dine on

FAMILY TABLE

Grillax!

Let tasty tofu broaden your grilling repertoire

P

icture the stereotypical American dad. Wearing a spotless expanse of white apron, he stands by a smoking grill, an asbestos mitt on one hand, a large pair of tongs (or a cold beer) in the other. A porterhouse steak sizzles above the hot coals.

This is my dad, for sure. However, not all fathers are voracious carnivores. Neither my husband, nor several other dads I know. One is even allergic to pork, a condition that fills me with deep sympathy every time I ponder his predicament, living here in Memphis, the barbecue capital of the world.

Vegetarian dads, or dads who are trying to eat less meat, might find themselves at a loss when grilling season revs up. Dads who love their chops probably don’t need any advice about grilling a steak. Nor does anyone else in the family, because — assuming the stereotype has a grain of truth — even on Father’s Day, Dad’s got it covered. So for families that want to cook out without the meat, what can fill the need for seared protein during the high grilling season?

One word: tofu. Wait! Before you crumple this magazine up and use it to kindle your next cooking fire, hear me out. Tofu is more than just a meat substitute. It has wonderful flavors and textures of its own. It also takes a marinade like a pro.

Treated properly, it can have a crispy exterior crisscrossed by handsome grill marks, and a tender, flavorful center. Pop it into a warm pita with some cucumber slices or a tangle of sprouts and scallions, and you have a respectable but healthy (shh!) picnic treat. And Dad can still stand proudly by the Weber with his tongs.

In a recent tofu tasting, I followed the guidance of the Serious Eats Food Lab and hewed to a few basic principles. It’s imperative to use firm tofu, staying clear of the silken variety. Cut the tofu into slabs, not cubes. Dry it thoroughly by placing the slabs between layers of clean paper or kitchen towels and pressing firmly but gently. Use a thick marinade that’ll stick to the tofu, but not too much. Cook on a clean, preheated, well-oiled grill. Don’t cook over the hottest coals — gentle, steady heat will produce a better crust, so pile the glowing coals on one side, move the tofu to the other side, and cover the grill. Finally, add more marinade at the end to freshen up the flavors. MP

© ZSTOCKPHOTOS | DREAMSTIME.COM

by Liz Phillips

TOFU IN PITA POCKETS Adapted from DK Kids’ Fun & Healthy Cookbook and seriouseats.com Serves 4

TO SERVE Pita pockets, opened and lightly toasted on the grill or in a toaster Shredded lettuce Alfalfa sprouts Sliced cucumbers Scallions, cleaned, with white and light green parts cut into long strips Mayonnaise or ranch dressing, if desired © WAI CHUNG TANG | DREAMSTIME.COM

While tofu dries between towels, mix marinade ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes, until thick and dark. Place tofu slabs in a shallow baking dish and spoon or brush about half of the marinade over all the pieces, covering but not swamping each piece. Set aside for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.

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TOO-EASY MARINADE (try other sauces or marinades, too) 1/2 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard up to 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin black pepper to taste

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TOFU 1 block of firm or extra-firm tofu, not silken, cut into 1/3” slabs and dried between towels vegetable oil for the grill

EARLY YEARS

Why Routine is Good for Kids A da ily schedule helps preschoolers g a in a sense of independence B Y M AT THEW TIMBERLAKE

FOR THE

U RBAN C HILD I NSTITUTE

D

uring the school year, children thrive in their routines. And then, along comes summer with its looser to-do lists, sun-warmed carafes of tea poured over ice, flip-flops, and sunscreen. Not to mention endless, open days for idle kids with hours to fill.

Research tells us routines are helpful to young children, and can be building blocks for learning self-control. A steady, predictable routine helps kids understand the flow of a day, the sequence of self-care tasks, and the fun that starts when little eyes pop open until bedtime stories and a kiss goodnight. Understanding the pattern of a day leads to the sense of independence that comes from playing a role in executing the routine. Kids feel involved in the action, agents in their own existence.

S om e c rayon tim e, an episode of P eppa P ig, a bac k yard sw ing session, som e trik e tim e or a book w orm h our, and your day is filled.

VISUAL AIDS CAN HELP A great way to launch a home routine, especially once our little ones become toddlers or preschoolers, is to make some kind of visual representation of the day. Create a chart for your child, using a white board, poster board, or another art-friendly material. Recruit small hands to help add color to the daily timeline.

As you go, talk about what you’re doing together. “This block is when we get out of bed and have our breakfast. This block is the first outing, and this one is lunch.”

Use a marker, like a magnet or post-it note, to show the current time as your family strolls through the day from activity to activity.

With naps, meals, snacks, preparing for an outing, unloading from another, much of the day fills itself, which is great news for parents. If you’re lucky enough to have an older child who still naps, this serves as a hinge on which the day pivots.

Add a morning outing to the library or pool, and an afternoon excursion to the farmers market or park, and you’ve not got much left to plan. Some crayon time, an episode of Peppa Pig, a backyard swing session, some trike time or a bookworm hour, and your day is filled. The great part about routines is that the whole thing is duplicable. What works for Wednesday can help you finagle Friday, too.

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ROUTINES ANSWER ‘WHAT COMES NEXT?’ Having a charted routine has other benefits for the busy modern family. Routines help you avoid grumpy feelings when time gets tight, and can change the tone of conversation. As parents, it really is exhausting to be the one always asking “Did you brush your teeth?” “Did you put away your toys?” With children invested in their own schedule, the question becomes “Where are we on the chart?” This also casts the child as the foreman on the task, which is a role their brains thrive on.

The sense of being in charge of the flow of duties builds confidence and boosts your child’s accountability for his or her own good behavior. Give creating a routine chart a try. MP

© PATRICK BARRY | DREAMSTIME.COM

Identify and teach your child’s emotions so he knows “angry” from “happy.”

Go to TUCI.org for a copy of the Parents Guide to Kindergarten Readiness.

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2015 GERMANTOWN SUMMER YOUTH

W ill help b a b ies in need B Y VICTORIA R OSELLI

W

hen mothers are unable to provide breastmilk for babies born prematurely, Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at area hospitals turn to human milk banks. There are 16 human milk banks across the U.S. currently providing this life-sustaining option. Mothers donate excess breast milk to these banks, which in turn make it available to neonatal facilities.

For infants born very prematurely, research has shown that human milk reduces the risk of developing NEC, sepsis, and other infections. This can result in shorter hospital stays.

Although using donor milk is an age-old tradition, some have been concerned about the safety of donated breastmilk. That’s where the Human Milk Bank Association of North America (HMBANA) comes into play. HMBANA is a professional association for supporters of non-profit donor human-milk banking.

Their mission is to promote the health of babies and mothers through the provision of safe, pasteurized donor milk, and to support breastfeeding.

HMBANA was founded in 1985 to develop guidelines for donor human milk banking practices in North America, to provide information to the medical community regarding use of donor milk, to encourage research into the unique properties of human milk, to facilitate the establishment of new donor milk banks, and other milk bank-related activities.

Along with cooperation from HMBANA, milk banks ensure mothers are properly screened and tested before accepting their donated milk. Milk banks also test before and after pasteurization to ensure the milk is safe for babies who need it most. © OKSUN70 | DREAMSTIME.COM Besides working with organizations like the Human Milk Bank Association of North America, milk banks rely upon dedicated volunteers to assist with fundraising, signing up mothers to donate milk, and other day-to-day tasks. They have specialists who gather the donated milk, prepare it for pasteurization, ensure it is stored properly, and distribute it to hospitals.

MOTHERS’ MILK BANK OF TENNESSEE Tennessee is in the midst of an initiative to establish its own milk bank, thanks to a nonprofit startup named Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee (MMBTN). The organizers incorporated in the state in 2014, and currently have an active planning committee of eight committed professionals. MMBTN is on target to obtain 501(C)3 status by June 2015.

MMBTN plans to establish a pasteurization and distribution facility in Nashville to serve hospitals and families mostly within the state of Tennessee.

The organizing committee is looking for passionate individuals to volunteer and will soon be identifying mothers who may have extra milk to donate. If you want the opportunity to make a difference in the community and support a culture where human milk is the standard of care for our vulnerable babies, reach out to MMBTN at mothersmilkbankoftn.org. MP — Victoria Roselli is a certified lactation consultant, Lamaze instructor and newborn care specialist. Learn more at maternalblessings.com

Sponsored by Germantown Red Devils Members of Shelby Youth Sports

FUN • FOOD & FOOTBALL JUNE 11TH Offensive Football Drills 5:30- 7p.m.

JUNE 12TH Defensive Football Drills 5:30- 7p.m.

JUNE 13TH Quarterback Minicamp, WR Minicamp, DB Minicamp & Lineman Minicamp 10a.m.- 4 p.m. at Germantown High School

Price: $50 per player Football instruction to be provided by our great coaches along with coaches from the U of M, Germantown High School and former professional and college players.

REGISTER TODAY at LittleRedDevils.com Email: Football@LittleRedDevils.com Phone: 901-569-2122 Germantown Red Devils SYS @GermantownSYS Germantown Red Devils Football

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m ph ispare nt . com

Milk Bank Coming to Tennessee

FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING CAMP

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EARLY YEARS

CALENDAR

Happenings in June Memphis-area activities and events for families

BY MEENA VISWANATHAN

1 · MONDAY

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Reelfoot Lake Scenic Boat Cruises. Visitor Center/ Ellington Assembly Hall at Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville, TN. Through September 30. Threehour cruises offered daily at 9 a.m. One-hour cruises offered weekends & holidays at 1:30 & 3 p.m. Sunset cruises offered Friday & Saturday at 6 p.m. Special afternoon cruises available for groups of 10+. Take the pontoon boat tours to see cypress, blue herons, ducks, and an occasional bald eagle. Bring soft drinks and snacks. Three-hour & Sunset Cruise: $10/adult. $6/ children under 16. One-hour cruise: $6/person. For reservations, call (731) 253-9652 or visit tnstateparks. com/parks/about/reelfoot-lake Mudpie Mondays. Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG). Through August 31. 10 a.m. until noon. Join on the Little Garden Patio and use dishes, spoons, and nature’s decorations to “bake” your own cake creations. Free with admission. 636-4100.

2 · TUESDAY

Malco Theatres’ Kids Summer Film Fest. Select Malco theatres in Memphis. Through July 29. Tuesday & Wednesday at 10 a.m. $2/person. • malco.com Farmers Market. Church Health Center. Through October 27. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

259-4673 x2228.

Mini Masters. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Tuesdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Ages 2-4 years. $8. Call 7615250 to register by noon the day before class.

Opera Conservatory Session I Performance: HMS Pinafore

Groovin’ and Grillin’ Concert Series. Municipal Park different themes each week. June 4: Painting with in Germantown. Tuesdays from 6-8:30 p.m. Enjoy Paper. June 11: Paper Elephant. June 18: Dot-to-Dot food and live music at the park. June 2: Soul Shockers.

Painting. June 25: Magic Paint Bag. Free June 9: Ruby Wilson. June 16: Party Planet. with admission. 458-2678.

Wacky Wednesdays Rain date: June 23. Free concert. $3 for hot dog combo, $5 for hamburger Farm Park Farmers combo. 757-7375.

Market. Bobby Lanier Farm Park in Germantown.

3 · WEDNESDAY Through August Wacky Wednesdays.

27. Thursdays from Memphis Brooks Museum 4-7:30 p.m. Special of Art. Through July 29. programming Wednesdays from 10 a.m. include chef demos until noon. Watch children’s and live music. short films in the auditorium Free. Parking near and make art together in the studio.

Germantown Elementary Free. 544-6200.

School. Shuttles available. Contact: Joni Roberts, 757-7378.

Time Warp Wednesdays. Morton Museum of Collierville History. Through July 29. Wednesdays Sunset on the Square Summer Concert Series. from 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m. 2015 Kids Summer Main Street Collierville. Through July 30. Thursdays Workshops for children ages 6-12 explores different at 7 p.m. Enjoy music at the bandshell. June 4: themes from the past. June 3 & July 29: Civil War. Bryan Hayes & the Retrievers. June 11: Eric Hughes.

June 10 & July 15: Turn-of-the-Century Collierville.

June 18: AIMS Gang. June 25: SIX Degrees. • June 17 & July 8: Ancient Watershed. June 24 & July mainstreetcollierville.org 22: Native American History. Free. RSVP required.

Call 457-2650 or email Museum@ci.collierville.tn.us A Midsummer Night’s Dream. University of Memphis Mainstage. June 4-21. Tennessee Farmers’ Market at the Garden. MBG. Through October 28. Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. Free. 636-4100 Shakespeare Company presents this family production in partnership with the UM’s department of theatre & dance. Preview performances are June 4 & 5 at 7 p.m.

4· THURSDAY Free Will Kids Nights on June 4, 11, & 18. Children Toddler Art. Children’s Museum of Memphis 17 and under admitted free when accompanied by a (CMOM). Thursdays at 10 a.m. Art activities with

June Calendar Mudpie Mondays

The Pool School’s UNDER THREE SWIMBOREE A NEW SELF-PACED, INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO PARENT/TOT SWIM LESSONS

“Reel” Family Time Outdoor Movie Series. Municipal Park in Germantown. 8:15 p.m. Enjoy a movie under the stars. June 4: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. June 11: Big Hero 6. June 18: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Rain date: June 25. No pets allowed. Free. 757-7375.

5 · FRIDAY

Carriage Crossing Farmers Market.

Central Park at Carriage Crossing in Collierville. Through September 25.

Fridays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

854-8240.

Fun Fridays. MBG. Through August 28. Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon. $3/ child plus garden admission. 636-4100.

Masterworks for Choir and Orchestra. Saint John’s Episcopal Church. 7:30 p.m. Memphis Boychoir, Girlchoir & Chamber Choir perform music from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” and Handel’s “Messiah” accompanied by members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Free. 323-8597.

6 · SATURDAY

Get Fresh With Us. Memphis Farmers Market (MFM). 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Meets on Saturdays with different activities each week. June 13: Oh, Eggstatic Eggheads. June 20: Fishin’ with Dad.

Youth Fishing Rodeo. T. O. Fuller State Park. 9 a.m. Children ages 1-13 must be accompanied by parents and must bring their own fishing gear.

Prizes awarded for special catches. Free.

543-7581.

National Trails Day Hike. T. O. Fuller State Park. 9 a.m. Celebrate National Trails Day all day, the take a guided hike on the park’s Discovery Trail. Bring hiking shoes, water, camera, bug spray, and binoculars.

Free. 543-7581.

TWRA Mid-South Junior Fishing Rodeo. Johnson Road Park in Germantown. 9-noon. Children ages 6-12 are invited to come fishing.

Parents can assist in baiting or taking fish off the hook. Prizes awarded in each age group. Free. 757-7375.

A Day of Merrymaking. Overton Park Greenward. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This annual family festival features live music from Alexis Grace, Artistik Approach, children’s activities, food trucks, and vendors. Hollywood Feed invites your dogs to join in the fun celebrating the third anniversary of Overton Bark.

Free. $5 donation benefits Overton Park Conservancy. • overtonpark.org/ merrymaking or call 214-5450.

Eye Spy Day. Memphis Zoo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This family-friendly event features different stations throughout the zoo with activities and games for children to learn about night vision, 3D vision, how animals’ eyes work, and children’s eye care. Free with admission. 333-6500.

Family Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

761-5250.

The Princess and the Frog Grand Tea Party. Heartsong Church in Cordova.

3-5 p.m. Ages 3 and up. Ballet on Wheels presentation includes meeting with the characters, face painting, nail painting, storytelling, photos, and treats. $10/person. 870-4348.

WATER TEMPERATURE 90 DEGREES YEAR AROUND CLASSES SATURDAY MORNINGS TO ENROLL, GO TO: WWW.SWIMPOOLSCHOOL.COM, CLICK ON ENROLL HERE CLASSES BEGIN MONTHLY

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO CALL: 901-386-1999

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2015 Summer Movie Series. The Orpheum. Through August 28.

Thursday at 7 p.m. Friday at 1:30 & 7 p.m. This year’s line-up consists of comedies, classics, fan favorites, and family-friendly features. Pre-movie activities include movie trivia contests, costume parades, a “selfie station,” special guest appearances, and preshow performances on the Orpheum’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ. $7/adult. $5/ child under 12. Package and group discounts available. 525-3000.

June 27: Spill the Beans. Free. For details, go to memphisfarmersmarket.org

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paying adult ($33). Limit: 4 children per adult. New Family Morning Matinees on June 10 & 17 at 10:30 a.m. for $10/person. 759-0604.

BEGIN YOUR CHILDS WATER EDUCATION IN A FUN, NONTHREATENING ATMOSPHERE

June Calendar Prizm International Chamber Music Festival Performances

Prehistoric Planet: Walking with Dinosaurs Food Truck Garden Party The Art of Video Games

FREE Summer Movie Series. The Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art. Through August 9. Saturday & Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. The museum will screen Asian or Judaic themed movies every Saturday and Sunday (except July 4th). Free. Museum admission sold separately. • belzmuseum.org or call 523-2787.

27 · SATURDAY

7 · SUNDAY

Memphis Israel Festival. Audubon Park. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Celebrate Israeli culture, food and music.

Activities include Israeli food tent, camel rides. moon bounces, rock climbing walls, slides, petting zoo, archeological dig for kids, and vendors. Free. • memphisfoi.org or call 517-0811.

9 · TUESDAY

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HOT ROD Power Tour. Memphis International Raceway in Millington. Noon until 7 p.m. This “Ultimate Road Trip” features a colorful midway of mobile display rigs, drag strip fun runs, autograph sessions with motorsports celebrities, entertainment, games, and giveaways. Free for spectators. • Call (310) 363-4231 or go to hotrod.com Food Truck Garden Party. MBG. 5-8 p.m. Come dine al fresco featuring live music by Joshua Cosby and Jeremy Stanfill, local food trucks, and the new Memphis Parent Play Zone for kids featuring themed activities every month. $10/person. 636-4126.

10 · WEDNESDAY

Live Music: Weather Warlock and TSOT. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. 7-9 p.m. Join in the plaza for a sunset performance by Weather Warlock followed by Memphis’ own True Sons of Thunder. Free. Museum is closed during the concert. 544-6200.

12 · FRIDAY

Movie Mania. Carriage Crossing in Collierville.

Movies begin at dusk in Central Park every other Friday. June 12: Cinderella. June 26: Muppets Most Wanted. Free. 854-8240.

16 · TUESDAY

Moove and Groove. CMOM. Tuesdays at 3 p.m.

Bring your family to play different games each week.

June 16: Hot Potato. June 23: Hula Hoop Contest.

Sprinkler Day. MBG. 10 a.m. until noon. Come in your summer play clothes and cool down in the sprinklers. Free with admission. 636-4100.

June 30: Potato Sack Race. Free with admission.

458-2678.

19 · FRIDAY

Father’s Day Goodie Bags. CMOM. 3 p.m. Make a surprise Father’s Day goodie bag. Free with admission.

458-2678.

Family Campout – Father’s Day Fun. MBG. 6 p.m.9 a.m. Get unplugged and pitch the tent with your family in My Big Backyard to take part in outdoor evening activities. $35/person. Dinner, s’mores, and breakfast provided. Call 636-4131 to register.

Opera Conservatory Session I Performance: HMS Pinafore. Clark Opera Memphis Center. 7-8:30 p.m.

Students perform an abridged version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. $5/person. 202-4540.

20 · SATURDAY

Chick-fil-A Family Picnic. Shelby Farms Park. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Features music from School of Rock, The Friendzies, & Triceratops, magic show with Magic Mr. Nick, inflatables, climbing wall, family games & prizes, and food. First 300 families to arrive get a free Chick-fil-A picnic blanket. $10/person. Register at chickfilamemphis.com

23 · TUESDAY

Israeli Scout Caravan. Mansion Theater at Pink Palace Museum. 2 p.m. The Israeli Scouts entertain in a program about friendship. Free. 636-2362.

Great American Backyard Campout. Shelby Farms Park. 1 p.m.-9 a.m. Suitable for families, scout troops, and community groups with children ages 5-16. This annual event is part of National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to inspire families to protect wildlife, get outdoors, and connect with nature. Campers supply tents and camping equipment. $80/family. Group cost: $10/person for a minimum of six individuals per group. Price includes dinner, breakfast, and snacks.

222-7275.

Princess Tea Party. YMCA at Schilling Farms in Collierville. 2-5 p.m. Ages 3-5. Be a princess for a day. Bring your stuffed animal, make princess crafts including tiara and wand, and join in the tea party. $40. Call 850-9622 to reserve a spot.

Museums and Exhibits

horticulture, art, or literature. $12.

Snack provided. Call 761-5250 to register.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The Art of Video Games. June 6 through September 13. Exhibit explores the 40-year evolution of video games from an artistic perspective through interactive games, still images, videos, historic gaming consoles, and interviews with 20 developers and artists. 544-6200.

Open Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Fridays from 4-5 p.m. Ages 15 and up. Bring your sketchbook and pencils and get advice from an art instructor on how to advance your skills. Free with admission. 761-5250.

Memphis Pink Palace Museum.

Wicked Plants. June 6 through September 7. Inspired by Amy Stewart’s book Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and other Botanical Atrocities, this familyfriendly exhibit gives visitors hands-on experience with some of the world’s most diabolical botanicals. 636-2362.

CTI 3D Giant Theater. Prehistoric Planet: Walking with Dinosaurs 3D. June 20 through March 4. Visit an extraordinary prehistoric world and experience a year in the life of dinosaurs. Humpback Whales 3D. Through November 13. Hidden Universe 3D. Through November 13.

636-2362.

Sharpe Planetarium. Wonders of the Universe. Through Summer 2015. A flat screen tour through the current night skies offered in the Mansion Theater or the Discovery Theater. 636-2362.

Parent Support Groups and Mom and Baby Classes can be found under Resources & Guides at memphisparent.com

Other Programs

Mallory-Neely House Tour. MalloryNeely House, 652 Adams. Fridays & Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $7/ adult. $5/child (ages 3-12). 523-1484.

Magevney House Tour. Magevney House, 198 Adams. Saturday, June 6, from 1-4 p.m. Free. 523-1484.

Classes & Workshops

Kaleidoscope Club. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. Children ages 5-9 are invited to work on a creative project that involves

Gardening Class for Children.

Cordova Branch Library. Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Children learn about gardens, share games, crafts, and take a plant home.

Fundraisers

4th Annual CropHop 5K. The Pavilion at Central Station, South Main St. Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m.

Walkers and strollers welcome, no pets please. $30. Early registration discount available. Includes tech T-shirt. $15 to participate in after-party only (no T-shirt). Register at crophop5k.org 2nd Annual Break-A-Leg 5K. The Orpheum. Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m.

This year’s race themed around Motown the Musical, will have runners “dancing in the street” with a course that starts and ends at the Orpheum followed by a post-race block party highlighting the smooth groove of Motown. $30.

Advance discounts available. Contact: Michelle Heck, 529-4280.

Theatre Performances

Prizm International Chamber Music Festival. Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. June 8-13. Students ages 12 and up receive the opportunity to learn and play alongside local and international musicians. Theme performances include the following.

June 8 at 7 p.m.: Lively, Slow, Jaunty.

June 11 at 7 p.m.: Only the Wind. June 12 at 7 p.m.: The More the Merrier.

June 13 at 1 p.m.: Music for Dummies.

June 13 at 7 p.m.: Want to Tango. Visit prizmensemble.com or call 596-9105.

Cirque Du Soleil: For One Drop.

Malco Paradiso. Wednesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. A unique, one-night performance of a film made to raise awareness of water issues world-wide. $16/person. 761-3480.

OPENS JUNE 20 M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www. me m phi sparen t .co m

Memphis Zoo. Memphis Zoo Takes Flight Bird Show. Through October 31. Show times during the week: 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Show times during weekends and holidays: 10:30 a.m.

12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. 333-6500.

Find a Job, Get a Job, Keep a Job . . . for Teens. Whitehaven Branch Library.

Thursday, June 11, from 3-4 p.m.

Teens get the inside scoop on how to get a job and receive advice on how to answer tough interview questions.

Free. 396-9700.

SEE IT IN 3D AT THE P!NK PALACE!

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Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Jun Kaneko. Through November 1. 761-5250.

M 3D OV IE

Ongoing Events

Ongoing Events Mamma Mia!

Germantown Community Library Events

For a complete listing, visit facebook.com/ GermantownCommunityLibrary Animal Tales. Tuesday, June 16, at 4:30 p.m.

Children ages 5-12 are invited to interact with animals through volunteering, Q & A, and crowd participation activities. Free.

Mountain Marionettes’ Jazzy Strings. Monday, June 22, at 4:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 are invited to come watch a blend of puppetry and music.

Memphis Library Events

For a complete listing of library events, stop by your local branch and pick up Infodates, the library’s monthly calendar, or go to memphislibrary.org

Insider Access to Disney Pixar’s Inside Out. Malco Paradiso. Tuesday, June 16, at 6 p.m. This one-night event includes exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage of the film and a Q & A with director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and the voices of Joy played by Amy Poehler, all live via satellite from their Australian tour. $23/person. 761-3480.

Mamma Mia! The Orpheum. June 19-21. Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. Sunday at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m. Features Abba’s greatest hits including “Dancing Queen,” “Super Trouper,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and more. $25-$85. Group packages available. 5253000.

Central 3030 Poplar Ave., 415-2700 · Epic Star Wars Event. Tuesday, June 2, from 1:302:30 p.m. Children ages 6-12 are invited to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character, watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars, enjoy Yoda Soda and Wookie cookies. · Gadget Lab for Kids: a Technology Learning Lab. On select Mondays (June 15 & 29), from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Children are invited to learn through play on the library owned Kindle Fires, iPad Minis, and iPad Airs.

Learn how to download an e-book. · Superstar Artists. Tuesday, June 16, from 1:302:30 p.m. Children ages 6-11 create a gallery of super cut-outs a la Matisse.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Malco Paradiso.

Sunday, June 21, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. Omniverse Vision presents Julie Taymor’s production, filmed at the Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn, New York in 2014. $20. For tickets, go to malco.com

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John Mellencamp. The Orpheum. Tuesday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. Grammy-winning musician comes for a live concert performance. $39.50-$119.50. VIP: $252.

Reservations. 525-3000.

Story Time at Area Bookstores

Barnes & Noble Booksellers The Avenue Carriage Crossing Mall, 853-3264 Mondays at 11 a.m. Ages 1-6.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers 2774 N. Germantown Pkwy. 386-2468 Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Ages preK-6.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Page and Screen Event.

Thursday, June 18, from 7-8 p.m. Come join a lively discussion comparing the classic novel and its screen version in anticipation of the July release of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman. Free.

The Booksellers at Laurelwood 387 Perkins Rd. Ext. 683-9801 Story time with Miss Marjorie every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

John Mellencamp

· Craft and Tech Day. Wednesday, June 17, from 2-3 pm. Mix traditional arts and crafts with technology using 3D pens. · Onomatopeia and Comics. Tuesday, June 23, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Children ages 6-11 create their own comic strip and art piece using onomatopoeia words. · LEGOS and Catapults. Wednesday, June 24, from 2-3 p.m. Try your hand at engineering by designing catapults.

· Yoga with Church Health Center. Thursday, June 25, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ages 6-11. · Tie Dye for July 4th! Tuesday, June 30, from 1:302:30 p.m. Ages 6-11. Bring a pre-washed plain white T-shirt to decorate red, white, and blue. Call 415-2739 to register.

Bartlett 6382 Stage Road 386-8968 · Explore Memphis: Create a Charm Bookmark for You and a Friend. Tuesday, June 16, from 2-3:30 p.m. Registration required. · Read to Tootsie. Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. until noon. Ages 5-11, reading to dogs. Registration required.

Cordova 8457 Trinity Road 754-8443 · Explore the Beach. Tuesday, June 2, from 3-3:45 p.m. Children ages 5-12 are invited to create a sand art masterpiece. · Explore Memphis Summer Party. Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Activities include a water balloon tournament, a Frisbee throwing contest, &and T-shirt painting. · Explore Art. Tuesday, June 9, from 3-3:45 p.m.

Children ages 5-12 are invited for Dixon Gallery and Gardens’ Art-to-Grow. · Explore Technology. Wednesday, June 10, from 3-4 p.m. Play games and learn tips and tricks on the iPad. · Explore Puppets. Tuesday, June 16, from 3-3:45 p.m. Children ages 5-12 are invited to a puppet show and are taught how to make a puppet. · Dads to a T! Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. until noon. Share stories and snacks, then paint a T-shirt for dad. · Explore Magic. Tuesday, June 23, from 3-3:45 p.m.

Ronald McDonald Book & Magic Show for children ages 5-12. · Write Your Memoirs. Monday, June 29, from 1-2:30 p.m. Tips and suggestions to help write your life stories and share with others. · Explore Super Science. Tuesday, June 30, from 3-3:45 p.m. Ages 5-12. Science tricks and experiments to help become a Super hero. Call 415-2764 to register.

Crenshaw 531 Vance Avenue 525-1643 · Ronald McDonald. Tuesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. until noon. Children ages 4-11 are invited to come join for music, magic, and storytelling. · Discover Dance with Church Health Center.

Tuesday, June 16, from 11 a.m. until noon. Designed to help develop rhythm, motion, coordination, and self-expression. · Create Your Own Superhero Cape. Tuesday, June 23, from 11 a.m. until noon. · Mystery Box with Agricenter International.

Tuesday, June 30, from 11 a.m. until noon. Children encouraged to use sense of touch to identify items in a box.

East Shelby 7200 E. Shelby Drive 751-7360 · Memphis Botanic Garden: Make Ice Cream and Gummies. Wednesday, June 10, from 11 a.m. until noon.

Ongoing Events

Levi 3676 Highway 61 S. 789-3140 · Mr. Mike the Balloon Man. Tuesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. until noon. Explore Memphis Kick-Off with “The Balloon Man.” · Create Your Own Superhero Movie.

Wednesday, June 17, from noon until 2 p.m. Teens use iPads to give superpowers and film and edit a short movie demonstrating those powers. · Yoga with Church Health Center.

Tuesday, June 23, from 11 a.m. until noon. Ages 6-11.

North 1192 Vollintine 276-6631 · SRC: Native Americans. Wednesday, June 10, from 1-2 p.m. Join for a mini history exhibit provided by the Pink Palace Museum. · Explore Memphis through Rhythm and Blues. Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Children are invited to participate in toe-tapping, handclapping rhythm and blues jam session.

Call 415-2775 to register and participate.

Parkway Village 4655 Knight Arnold 363-8923 · Safety with Trains. Tuesday, June 30, from 2-4 p.m. Joe Oliver brings trains and teaches children how to be safe around them.

Poplar-White Station 5094 Poplar 682-1616 · Super Hero T-shirt. Wednesday, June 10, from 3-4 p.m. Teens bring an unwashed black T-shirt and design a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. · Ronald McDonald Magic Show.

Tuesday, June 16, from 2-3 p.m. · LEGOS Engineering. Tuesday, June 30, from 2-3 p.m. Learn about engineering while creating a masterpiece with LEGOS building blocks.

South 1929 S. Third 946-8518 · Hip Hop for Teens. Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Teens learn dance moves from choreographer Amber Earl to stay in shape. Call 415-2780 to register. · Yoga for Super Kids with Church Health Center. Wednesday, June 17, from 2-3 p.m. Ages 6-12. Call 415-2780 to register.

Every HERO needs a

MENTOR,

GUIDE.

every mentor needs a

MEMPHIS

Whitehaven 4120 N. Mill Branch Road 396-9700 · Star in Your Own Superhero Movie.

Tuesday, June 2, from 2-3 p.m. Children use iPads to create their own superhero origin story. · Create Your Own Superhero Movie!

Thursday, June 4, from 3-4 p.m. Teens use iPads to give themselves superpowers and film and edit a short movie demonstrating those powers. · Wii Gaming Day and Introductions.

Saturday, June 6, from 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. Children and teens are introduced to upcoming summer programs and will enjoy playing video and board games. · Crazy Science Experiments. Tuesday, June 9, from 2-3 p.m. Children learn about chemical reactions, the effects of varying temperatures, and alternate forms of energy. · Junk Food Math. Tuesday, June 16, from 2-3 p.m. Children use math and measurements to create their own trail mix. · Family Engineering Night: LEGOS, Minecraft, and Catapults.

Wednesday, June 17, from 5-6:30 p.m.

Participants create digital and physical objects and worlds using LEGOS, iPads, and crafts. · Create Your Own Soap Opera/ Superhero/Comedy Radio Show.

Thursday, June 25, from 3-4 p.m. Teens use household items to create sound effects for their very own radio show using Garageband software on iPads. · Celebrating Local Heroes. Tuesday, June 30, from 2-3 p.m. Celebrate local police officers and firefighters and learn about their jobs.

PARENT memphisparent.com

SUMMER CAMPS

Whether you're looking for the perfect summer quest for your little adventurer or a way for your child to perfect some seriously thrilling skills, The Little Gym Summer Camps have something for everyone! Plus, flexible scheduling options allow you to schedule several weeks, a single week or even just a day at a time!

Super Kid's Quest Camp 3-8 & Skill Thrill Clinic 6-12

The Little Gym Of Germantown www.tlggermantowntn.com 901.755.1323

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 www.m e m ph ispare nt . com

Hollywood 1530 N. Hollywood 323-6201 · Yoga with Church Health Center.

Tuesday, June 9, from 2-3 p.m.

Raleigh 3157 Powers 386-5333 · Unmask Your Inner Hero! Tuesday, June 2, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Teens are invited to come make a superhero necklace using bottle caps. · The Summer Shape Up. On select Wednesdays (June 10 & 17) from 5-6:30 p.m. Get fit challenging your mind and body. · Unmask Your Inner Hero! Tuesday, June 16, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Teens design an origami superhero or villain out of paper.

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Frayser 3712 Argonne 357-4115 · Superheroes Photoshoot. Thursday, June 4, from 1-3 p.m. Teens come in costumes to take pictures against a green screen background. · Make a Gift for Father’s Day. Thursday, June 18, from 1-3 p.m. · Music Production for Teens.

Thursday, June 25, from 1-3 p.m.

Teens learn about the process of music production including writing songs, recording, and engineering.

Our Favorite Moments

KID FUNNIES

“Mommy, when will you be done paying your student loans?” “Probably when I die, Bridie.” “I’ll be really sad that you’re dead, but I’m not paying them after you die.” ~ Thanks to Aisling

y (4) ve. Aubre lo y p p u call it p cess.

And they eet PixieDust Prin m says

Adrianna

Isla (1) and Elle (3) channel their inner warrior.

While riding in the car with my 5-year-old daughter, Adrianna, she was enjoying strawberries. “Mmmm. Mom, strawberries are my favorite.” “Why are they your favorite?” I asked. “Because they are sweet, juicy, squishy, pretty, and taste really good,” was her reply.

“Adrianna!” I said. “All of the words you just used to describe strawberries are descriptive words. Those are called adjectives.” “Yummy! Can I have some more of those adjectives?” ~ Thanks to Dorinita

Moriah (6 mos.) loves having fun with family.

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Ayden (3 ) is the his grand apple of ma’s eye.

Houston (5) showing his Grizzly pride.

Chloe and Carly (2) share a sister moment at school.

Your Child Should Be Here!

Send us your kid funnies, photos, or artwork via email with Favorite Moments in subject line to janes@memphisparent.com

Levi (18 mos.) has discovered happiness is a Gibson donut.

LaTrice and LaFaye (2) rocking their ’60s look.

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• Stunning indoor gardens and waterfalls • Unique dining options, relaxing spa treatments and 3 refreshing pools • Steps away from the world famous Grand Ole Opry, General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links & Opry Mills Mall • Shuttle service to downtown Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium and Wildhorse Saloon • Exclusive discounts to family-friendly Nashville attractions

Book your summer getaway today for exclusive discounts to Nashville’s most popular attractions.

GaylordOpryland.com/Summer

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Photos Clockwise: General Jackson Showboat; Flamingo Lagoon at Nashville Zoo, by David Bailey; The Delta Riverboat; Delta Atrium at Gaylord Opryland; Atrium at Gaylord Opryland; Grand Ole Opry

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It’s the best of Nashville from one spectacular resort.

M E M P H I S PA R E N T J U N E 2 0 1 5 ww w. m e mph isp arent . co m

VAC AT I O N

Moms will go the distance to protect their kids.

Emily Joyner trusted her instincts – and her pediatrician’s advice – to get her son Hayden to Le Bonheur. Most mothers would go any length to protect their child. For Emily, that distance was only a half-hour drive from Collierville.

Hayden stopped breathing soon after arriving at Le Bonheur, but by then he was surrounded by pediatric experts who knew exactly what to do. Emily’s decision most likely saved his life. lebonheur.org

Where Every Child Matters

Collierville residents Emily and Hayden Joyner