Giggle Magazine July Issue 2009

A L AC HUA

CO U N T Y ’ S

PRE MIE R

FAMILY

MAGAZIN E

special online issue

happy family • happy community

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JULY 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 3

photo tips

for mom! shoot like a pro!

summer time family fun day trip to

kennedy space center

a4th of July recipes! the Cover Contest is still on! pg 30

www.gigglemag.com

planning tool can and should be customized to serve particular individual and family needs.

Remember, each individual’s estate planning needs to be changed as their family grows or ages. Families should review their estate planning documents every several years or upon a significant change to ensure that their plans are appropriate for their family and financial situations. b

“Parents should make the choice...” ****This information should not be used as a substitute for seeking needed advice from an attorney or other qualified adviser regarding your individual needs.

have a legal question?

Stronger, Send in yourhealthier question to Alisonbabies. at advice@irvingpublications.com

EveryYou day,may wejust do see all we to here! make sure every baby is born healthy. the can answer Find out how we’re helping a baby you love at marchofdimes.com. giggle

magazine • may 2009

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magazine

Nicole Irving President Shane Irving Vice President Managing Editor Chris Wilson

Art Director Leslie Vega

Contributing Writers Wendy Joysen, Alison Walker, Mary Reichardt, Jillian Rogers, Rachael Pino, Dana Kamp, Amelia Harnish, Jason Townsend-Rogers Photographers Laurel Housden Photography, Kelsey Gordon, The K Gallery, Alyson Landry Sales Team Chris Wilson, LaRue LeBlanc

giggle is a modern and refreshing magazine for the families and communities of Alachua County, Florida. With our sole purpose of keeping families and communities connected, giggle will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.

Irving Publications reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising.

Irving Publications is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in giggle magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by giggle writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. giggle magazine will consider all never-before-published outside editorial submissions.

Irving Publications reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

irvingpublications 5745 SW 75th Street #286 Gainesville, FL 32608 p. 352.505.5821 f. 352.240.6499 www.gigglemag.com advertise@irvingpublications.com giggle magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. Š Copyright 2009 Irving Publications (registration number pending). giggle magazine is trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC.

happy family • happy community

10 8 26

every month

features 8 Summer Time

6 Joys of Parenthood 4th of July Recipes

16 Local Lifesavers

12 Legal Side of Things

Informing families of the important legal issues that effect them.

Family Fun

10 In the Kitchen 13 Ladies’ Night Out

columns

Fight Family Boredom

22 All Kidding Aside

18 Mamarazzi Tips

Tough questions answered about kids, family, school, parenting, and everything in between

Summer Reading

21 Health & Wellness Happy Healthy Hair

25 Giggle Dollars

4th of July on a Budget

26 Day Trip

giggle takes you to Kennedy Space Center

14 Giggle Stamp

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giggle’s picnic must-haves!

on the cover

al ac hua

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4th of July Recipes

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Photo Tips for Mom

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P R E M IE R

FaM I ly

M aGaZ I nE

special online issue

happy family • happy community

Summer Time Fun

co u nt y ’s

tM

JULY 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 3

photo tips

for mom! shoot like a pro!

summer time family fun day trip to

a4th of July recipes!

kennedy space center the Cover Contest is still on! pg 30

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Kennedy Space Center 26 www.gigglemag.com

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Cover photo courtesy of Laurel Housden Photography, Model-Andrew

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If you are interested in receiving giggle magazine free and delivered to your door send us an email with your information to: subscriptions@irvingpublications.com giggle

magazine • july 2009

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meet

andrew!

letter from the editor

W

elcome to the first web-only issue of giggle! We couldn’t resist bringing the best that Alachua County has to offer for Independence Day. The giggle staff has been hard at work to help you plan the perfect Fourth of July celebration for your family and friends. We also look forward to bringing you the next print edition of giggle just in time to get you and your family ready to go back to school in August.

Check out our special summer grilling and food section, where you’ll find succulent and refreshing summertime food and drinks, barbecue recipes and a truly patriotic cake recipe. The giggle staff had a great time testing out all of these recipes (yes, it was a really tough job!), so that your meal will feature nothing but the tastiest treats.

What are your plans for the Fourth? For this month’s “giggle dollars” feature, we asked a bunch of local families how they plan to spend the holiday, while keeping a cost-conscious watch on their wallets. Everybody had great ideas.

And, if you would like to visit some place patriotic and educational this summer, we recommend a trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex. You’ll get to see the ins-andouts of the space program and learn about some of the most exciting events that have happened in U.S. history with this month’s “Day Trip from Gainesville.”

Gainesville mothers certainly will want to look through this issue of giggle for excellent advice. Our advice columnist Wendy Joysen offers some advice to families expecting child number two. She tells you what to expect from both your newborn and their older sibling.

Summer is a great time to embrace your hobbies. Laurel Housden, owner of Laurel Housden Photography, offers her advice on how you can shoot the perfect photos of your kids and all they do this summer. And, Dana Kamp offers a number of great recommendations for summer reading for all ages.

So, sit back, stay cool and enjoy a giggle.

aChris Editor

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• His favorite color is BLUE • Favorite foods are: BBQ Ribs, tomatoes, Subway sandwiches and chips • What Andrew loves about Gainesville is the Parks, especially San Felasco • His spare time activities: Andrew enjoys playing with his sister Karyn, painting and drawing, playing with his pirate swords and ships, action figures, and watching Disney movies, especially Wall-E • He is the Sunshine Prince 2009 for the Miss Gainesville Pageant • He’s a Gator Fan!!! Go Gators!!!

Want to see your baby on our cover?

Send us your baby photo and you just might be joining us for our next photo shoot! giggle@irvingpublications.com

our apologies!

We had a couple boo boos in our June issue that we’re more than happy to clear up!

Swim Safety article: The contact information that is hidden under the yellow box is as follows: For information about CPR and other safety classes by the American Red Cross, visit www.redcrossncfc.org or call Terri Keith at 352-376-4669.

Shop til’ You Drop Section: The correct website address for Wee Can Cook is www.weecancookgainesville.com Key Lime Cupcake Recipe: The amount of sugar was left out of the Key Lime cupcake recipe.

The correct amount is 2 cups of sugar.

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joys of parenthood

what we can’t live without...

Our facebook friends share the things they can’t live without as parents

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ur Fisher-Price booster seat! We use one for a high chair at home and have one for on-the-go.

-Karianne Wilkins

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can’t live without my kids’ closet cubbies! Each child has their own six cubby system. To avoid arguments about what they will wear each day, I place an outfit in each cubby for Monday-Saturday, so that I get to put together outfits that match and they still get the independence of choosing which outfit to wear! And, all I have to say each morning is, “Go choose an outfit and get dressed!” Ahhhh! It also makes laundry a snap. Each day, I do a load and the outfit goes right back in the cubby! With five kids, I need all the organization I can get.

I also can’t live without my children’s “Daily To-Do List,” which is posted on their wall. Each child has a list of things to do each day. For example, “Brush Teeth” and “Feed the Dog.” The children who can’t read yet have a chart with pictures. Each morning, I don’t have to run down the list of all the things that need to be done. I just say, “Did you do everything on your chart?”

-Amy Burke

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keep a basket of toys in the car that we receive from any restaurant. That way, if the toys are lost or thrown out of the car, it’s no problem. Easy come, easy go.

-Carrie Simmons

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save money by making my own alcohol wipes for sanitizing things (i.e., shopping carts, door knobs and kids hands). Buy a tub of wet wipes, squeeze out all the liquid and re-saturate them with rubbing alcohol, store in the original container and, viola, instant sanitization! I keep a box in the car, as well as in Ziplocs in the diaper bag and the kids have a bag in each of their backpacks for wiping their hands at school.

-Aimee Canterbury

-Kreshelle Marquis

share your funny moment with us! send it to:

giggle@irvingpublications.com you may just see your story here!

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Illustration courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Of course, there’s all the gear, awesome toys and such, but what I really can’t live without now are those sweet, just-for-mommy hugs and kisses. - Shari Ostovar

he take-it-for-granted item – hand-sanitizing wipes.

Baby wipes will work, too. I never knew how many uses I’d have for these things before I had kids. Between wiping down tables & chairs at restaurants, using it as emergency Kleenex or cleaning dirty hands after playing with rocks in a parking lot, I’ll never go without wipes again!

352-505-5440

www.greatsouthernmusic.net

space available

Owned by Tom and Robin Llinas,

Great Southern Music prides itself on being different from the other studios.

From Instrument repairs, rentals and purchases to music lessons, Great Southern Music has everything you need to become a great musician. They have recently added morning and evening Kindermusik classes, taught by Lacey Cupp and Celeste Cragun. Let your little ones learn the joy of music and dance in a fun environment.

This summer is a great time to get your youngster started in music. Call Great Southern Music to find out about summer music camps for preschoolers!

Great Southern Music offers large, quiet lesson rooms in a family-friendly atmosphere. Their instructors are highly-qualified and professional, giving lessons on 14 different instruments, including group violin lessons.

Great Southern Music teaches voice lessons and has a fun guitar club. Their students range from 5-85!

Family-oriented and conveniently located in the Oaks Mall Plaza Contact Tom and Robin Llinas. premiere issue 7

summertime family fun p

BY THE ALACHUA COUNTY

COUNSELING ASSOCIATION

Summertime! Despite the inherent joys and pleasures of childhood, a lot of kids experience plain and simple stress during the school year. Kids have their troubles and hard times. Between tests, grades, friends and figuring out who they are, there is a lot that can build up during the year.

Summer is a time of growth and renewal. It allows kids a breather, to begin the next fall anew. We are allowed these summer breaks for the first 18 years of our life and then it’s over! That’s why it is so important to make each one special, even in small ways.

1

Events at the Alachua County Public Library: The local library is often an untapped resource here in the heart of Gainesville. There is a medley of fun events for all ages that are offered year round, especially during the summer.

During the month of July alone, there are opportunities for kids to have story time, make up songs while using puppets, learn about science, watch magic shows, go to teen movie events, and even play with live pigs! All these events are free and open to the public, and are offered at varying times to accommodate schedules. More can be found about the library at http://www.acld.lib.fl.us/.

2

Start a family book club: Reading for pleasure is a luxury not often afforded to adults, and kids!

The school year often requires students to read certain books during a specific time span. Leisurely reading is something that is great about summers. While teachers usually pick fantastic books for their students to read, they are still books the kids have to read and are then graded on. Allowing your child to pick a book can be empowering. The whole family, or just one other member of the family, can get involved and also read the book. Promoting a love of reading is a wonderful gift your child will be able to cultivate as they age. Books can also be found for free check-outs at the Alachua County Public Library!

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Go for bike rides: A bike can be great for fun, exercise and having a sense of freedom. Bike rides can be a fantastic cure for kids and teens turning into TV zombies. A wonderful ride can be found (for free!) at the Hawthorne Trail in Gainesville. It is 16 miles long and has mile markers to monitor how far you’ve traveled. Pretty much any time of day

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there are a host of wild creatures to be spotted on the trail- the earlier in the day, the better! Information about the trail can be found at: http://www.floridastateparks.org/gainesville-hawthorne/.

Bikes can be purchased for affordable prices at Target, Wal-Mart and even Goodwill.

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Become an artist: A lot can be said for combining art and the outdoors. Chalk is a wonderful and affordable way to let your child’s creative juices flow. All you need is a safe street or driveway to make this happen. With a click of a camera, these works of art can be saved for a lifetime. On rainy days, something as simple as crayons and blank paper can translate into a lot of fun. And, old newspapers and magazines can be turned into a collage. Everyone has an inner artist. The creativity that is displayed when kids do art without having parameters is fascinating. The possibilities are endless!

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Volunteer: While we normally think of volunteering as something that requires a certain age and ability, volunteering can be done by anyone as long as you’ve got time and desire in your heart! Children don’t often get the opportunity to see outside of their lives at home and school. Volunteering in the community can be a great way to broaden their horizons and help them grow as human beings. There are many places around town where kids and families can provide a lot of help. By visiting a retirement home to play checkers with the residents, or stopping by the Alachua County Humane Society to walk the dogs in kennels, or even just planting a tree to help our environment, there are so many ways to reach out and positively impact the lives of others.

The Alachua County Counseling Association is an organization of mental health, marriage, and family, and school counselors dedicated to promoting superior counseling practices in all settings. We strive to serve families within Alachua County by connecting them with needed services. We are a local chapter of the Florida Counseling Association (FCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

One stress relief trap each of us falls into occasionally is zoning out in front of the television. While this certainly has its appeal at times, a whole summer spent in front of the TV, either watching shows or playing video games, can leave a child sluggish and make it very difficult to transition into school when the fall rolls around. The following are five stimulating activities to cultivate at home to help your child relax, broaden their horizons and make this the best summer yet!

go with us.

advertise with giggle.

reach the families of your community

contact us today! advertise@irvingpublications.com

4th of july recipes

sure to impress your guests

a sweet start to the party!

Photos by The K Gallery

BBQ Maple Fruit Kabobs RECIPE SUBMITTED BY CARRIE SIMMONS

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 8- one inch slices of banana 8- one inch slices of watermelon 8- one inch slices of pineapple chucks 4 bamboo skewers vegetable cooking oil Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least one hour.

Combine brown sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon in a bowl; stir well and set aside. Thread bananas, watermelon and pineapple chucks alternately onto each of the four skewers. Brush kabobs with syrup mix, reserve remaining mix. Coat grill with vegetable spray and heat grill (medium high heat). Place kabobs on the rack and cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from grill.

Drizzle remaining syrup mixture over kabobs.

strawberry lemonade Ingredients: 4 lemons water sugar Frozen strawberries with syrup (defrosted)

Make your regular homemade lemonade to taste with lemons, water and sugar. Combine your lemonade in the blender with strawberry syrup and blend. You can add fresh strawberries in the blender to your liking.

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a sweet treat

4th of July Flag Cake

the big bang!

Steak with “The Grease” RECIPE SUBMITTED BY CHRIS WILSON

I have always been a big fan of London broil, which is a lean and relatively inexpensive cut of beef that can feed a crowd. This recipe has long been a summer favorite in my family and it’s simple. Instead of marinating the meat before it’s cooked, you add it to what is basically a finishing sauce that we affectionately refer to as “the grease.”

Ingredients: London Broil (or flank steak) 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3-4 garlic cloves, diced 1 tablespoon of oregano Grill the steak to the desired doneness and slice thin. On a platter, mix the olive oil, oregano and diced garlic (if raw garlic is too strong for you or your guests, you can sauté or roast the garlic beforehand). Place the sliced meat on the platter and mix it around, so that all of the meat gets some of “the grease.”

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY MARY REICHARDT

My mom used to make this cake and, for anyone who loves strawberry short cake, it is quite a treat. One year, I used leftover berries to decorate the top and it has been a hit ever since. It’s easy to make and fun to decorate together.

Ingredients 4-5 cups fresh or frozen strawberries 1 cup blueberries 1 box white cake mix 1 large container cool whip Step 1: I like to do this step the night before. It cuts down on prep time the day I want to serve my cake and allows the strawberries to marinate and form a nice juice to drizzle over the cake (see step 3). Dice 2-3 cups strawberries (I like to use frozen) and place in a container. Cover with about a cup of hot water, seal the container and place it in the fridge overnight.

Step 2: Bake your favorite box brand of plain white cake.

I like the French vanilla flavor. Hint: Use a clear baking dish so guests can see the colorful layers of the finished product. Allow to cool for at least an hour.

Step 3: After the cake is cooled, poke it about 10 times, with a knife. Remove marinated strawberries from the fridge and pour evenly over cake. The slits allow the juices to flow through the cake for a moist and colorful surprise.

You can even drop a few blueberries on top for more color.

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract ¼ cup lime juice 1 ½ cups milk 1 Tbs lime zest 1/8 tsp green food coloring

Step 4: Now for the fun part! Spread a thick layer of cool whip over the top, so no berries show through. Use whole blueberries and fresh (frozen tend to look mushy), sliced strawberries to place in the cool whip in the form of an American flag. Chill until time to serve.

Your festive cake will be the talk of the party. It’s a cute treat and it is sure to get all your guests in the spirit of the holiday. Older kids will love decorating it with you.

Remember, it doesn’t have to look perfect to taste incredible. Enjoy! giggle

magazine • july 2009

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the legal side of things

Starting a Business 101

BY ALISON WALKER, ESQ Photo by The K Gallery

We are all facing an economic time where making our own opportunities is becoming a necessity and not an option. If you are thinking about starting your own business, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before getting started. Owning a business can lead to wonderful benefits for your family life. But it also can be difficult if your family does not know what to expect and it most likely will put a financial strain on the family budget. This is definitely an aspect that is easily overlooked, but it can be fatal to the success of your business.

If you have decided that you have what it takes to start a business, the next step would be to develop a business plan. There are many resources available to assist you with this endeavor, including the internet. Talk to people who have gone through the start-up process before to learn from their mistakes and their successes. Ultimately, your business plan has to work for you to achieve your personal goals for this business.

“...decide whether you are ready for both the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business.�

Choosing the best business structure also depends upon many factors.

There are several options available to you, including a sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages related to each are important. This decision often involves input from both legal and accounting professionals to determine the liability and tax implications specific to your situation.

There are many ways to finance the start of your business and each has their advantages and disadvantages. For example, you can use your personal savings, borrow from friends and family, use credit

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cards, take out loans or have investors. Depending upon your personal situation and the type of business you are starting, one method may be more advantageous than another. Careful consideration should go into how you will be financing the start-up costs of your business and what the consequences will be for you both professionally and personally in the event that your business does not succeed.

The logistics of a business also can be situation specific. After you have selected some of your key service providers (attorney, accountant, bankers and insurance agents) you will need to determine whether you will need the services of other professionals, such as information technology companies, realtors or head hunters. The location of your principal place of business will depend on the type of business venture. You may need specific licensing or permits from state or local level government, or both. You also may need contracts drafted or reviewed prior to entering into agreements.

There are many factors that go into the success of a business and there are many reasons that businesses fail. This article only addresses a few of the key decisions that should be considered. However, careful planning from the beginning stages will make all the difference. Seeking professional advice from those who have experience in starting and cultivating busi-

This information should not be used as a substitute for seeking needed advice from an attorney or other qualified adviser regarding your individual needs

have a legal question?

Contact Alison at advice@irvingpublications.com

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

First, you must decide whether you are ready for both the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business. It can be a worthwhile and financially rewarding endeavor. But, it also can be stressful and more of a time commitment than it is to be an employee working for someone else. It will be entirely up to you to develop ideas, relationships with potential clients, customers, vendors, attorneys, accountants, bankers and insurance agents (to name a few) and to make decisions affecting finances, business strategies and staffing.

aladies’

night out gainesville moms take a break

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a 4th of Ju ly

baby shower!

his month we celebrated in welcoming Anne’s new

just add

sparkles!

baby into the world with a July 4th themed baby

shower. What better way to celebrate the new arrival of a baby but with great food, fabulous friends, and sparklers!

Celebrating the new addition with a diaper cake. Find diaper cakes exclusively at Miracles Maternity.

Planning the

The whole gang, with the glowing mommy to be: (from left to right) Dana, Amy, Rebecca, Anne, Nicole, Christy, Karen, Sally

Simple food served buffet style. A summer salad, baked ziti, cream cheese crescent roll bars and much more!

Perfectly Themed Shower Baby showers are a great way to celebrate both Mommy and Baby! Here are some great ideas for throwing a special “themed” baby shower, like our July 4th inspired party • Plan party around the holiday closest to baby’s birthday.

• Use balloons, tablecloths, confetti, for added color.

• Use gifts as decoration.

• Have a pot luck meal with holiday related goodies.

We added sparklers to the cake for added pizzazz.

• Games! Although some can be overdone, games are always good for breaking the ice. Choose ones that make people get up and mingle, like “guess how big around the mommy is” or make a MUMMY with toilet paper.

• Everyone loves getting gifts, so make sure to thank everyone with themed related favors. Use your imagination, and think outside the box. We wrapped sparklers and added a little message.

• Make sure to bring Mommy something “themed” related to wear. For instance a lei for a Hawaiian theme, mardi gras beads, a princess tiara, a fun hat for a tea party are all great ideas.

• Give gifts that relate to the party’s theme. For example, tea sets for a tea party theme. We gave Mommy to be a red, white and blue diaper cake in honor of our July 4th theme.

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just like daddy’s grill!

The Gazillion Bubble BBQ

By Fun Rise Is there a better way to celebrate the summer and the Fourth of July than by throwing a BBQ? Now the kids can be involved with the Gazillion Bubble BBQ! Comes with everything they need to make bubble steaks, bubble pickles, and more.

Find the Gazillion Bubble BBQ at your local Target

the sunshine picnic blanket The ultimate picnic blanket with waterproof backing and a carrying handle is the perfect addition to your family picnic. It comes in a variety colors and patterns. You can find it at your local Bed Bath & Beyond

bento box stackable lunch box Comes in a variety of colors This tall bento box-style lunch box is great for family picnics. Fill with all your snacks and you are ready to go. Moms will love this, It’s dishwasher safe!! www.plasticashop.com 14 giggle 323-655-1251

Summer

Reading

BY DANA KAMP

Whether your child is entering school for the first time or starting his senior year of high school, there is an interesting, enjoyable book out there to entertain him and to help keep his reading skills up to par during the summer break.

FOR TODDLERS Use the summer as a tool for teaching your little one about the seasons. Find cute summer-themed books such as “Carl’s Summer Vacation” or “Are You Ready to Play Outside?”

Discuss some things you can do now that it is summer and the cold weather is gone. “Curious George Goes to the Beach” can get your thought process rolling. Grab a book about whatever summer means to you — picnics, vacations, watermelon, ice cold lemonade, time at the park — and read it with your child!

for books with several chapters or even a book series. The “Jigsaw Jones” series and “Geronimo Stilton” series are adventure-mystery books, which are appropriate for this age group. Most likely your older elementary child has become a fan of the “High School Musical” phenomenon, so use that interest to keep her reading. Buy or borrow the “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana” books, instead of watching the movies on the big screen. If you have a sports enthusiast, the “Baseball Card Adventure” series is a fun set of books that allows the reader to travel back in time and meet actual baseball players.

He won’t even realize he’s getting a history lesson, because he’s so intrigued by the players’ stories.

Another great historical fiction book is “Esperanza Rising.” This story takes place during the Great Depression and will captivate your child, while also giving her an inside look at what children of this era experienced.

FOR TEENAGERS Middle school and high school students are required to read several novels during the school year and your child’s school may also provide a summer reading list. Even with that list, you can supplement with enjoyable books to help continue building vocabulary and comprehension skills. “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Schooled” are both well-liked novels for this age group. While all Margaret Peterson Haddix’s books seem to be popular with teenagers, “Found” seems to be particularly fascinating. Once again, book series are great for the summer because the reader can really get involved with the characters and has time to read several, if not all, of the books in a series. “The Clique,” “Twilight” and “The Lightning Thief” are all great series selections. With the “Twilight” movie in theaters and “The Lightning Thief” movie coming soon, your child may be encouraged to read these because of the media coverage surrounding these novels. A great reward for finishing the books could be a trip to see the movie!

FOR KINDERGARTENERS Beginning elementary school is a big event (for a five year old and for Mom and Dad). Sharing books about upcoming occurrences and possible emotions is a great way to get your child ready for the first day of school. Both “The Kissing Hand” and “Little Quack” can help with the separation anxiety, which is something commonly felt when being away from Mom all day. “David Goes to School” is a funny story that can lead to discussions about proper school behavior. Sharing and kindness are pertinent in the sweet story “One .com gpublications giggle@irvin Smile” and self-acceptance is the main theme of “A Frog Thing.”

Send us Your life-savers!

FOR ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILDREN Once your child has gotten those basic reading skills down and is ready to read on her own, look

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Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

our community’s life-saving answers for every age!

McAlister’s Deli of Gainesville 618 Northwest 60th Street, Suite C • Gainesville, FL 32607 • (352) 331-8900 3262 Southwest 35th Boulevard • Gainesville, FL 32608 • (352) 373-6364

to shoot like a pro s tip

zi raz a m ma

BY LAUREL HOUSDEN OF LAUREL HOUSDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Mammarazzi close. Your camera may have some limitations as to how close you can go, so if you can’t come close in the camera, crop later. Frame the subject, not the view.

2SKIP ZOOMING 3USE YOUR ANGLES.

You lose too much time while zooming. Just get closer to your subject.

Angles are more flattering.

Subjects look best chin up. Get just above eye level and avoid the double chin effect. Children are fun when they are lying down or rolling around. Lean over them and shoot or have them with their back to you and ask them to turn around.

Shooting over a child’s shoulder is a fun angle.

4RESIST THE URGE TO DELETE.

Look at your images later for the ones that aren’t always perfect. Some of those may be the keepers.

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MIND YOUR LIGHT. Take a look at your subject.

Where is the light falling on their face? Do you see shadows? Pay attention to the light at different times of the day. Bright noon sun light isn’t flattering, unless you are in the shade. Resist the urge to shoot in the sun and go for shade wherever possible. When shooting inside your home, skip the flash and look for a window light source to the right or left of the subject.

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FLASH. Fill flash is important to light the subject,

when you are within 10 feet of the subject and the light isn’t there. Perfect light, when overcast or end of the day, is

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rare, but it is possible. Natural light is the most flattering and natural light means no flash.

7SHOOT AWAY.

Always take more than one shot or a different angle of anything. People rarely get it on the first shot.

8AVOID STRIPES ON CHILDREN.

If you are trying to get a photograph for something special, keep the clothing solid and simple. When setting up the tripod for family shots or that perfect Christmas photo, keep everyone in the same color tones. Avoid logos or busy patterns on clothing. When photographing children alone or in pairs, such as two girls, pattern clothing is O.K. and can be wonderful, as long as they are matching. The eye is too distracted when you have different patterns on different people.

9SHOOT EARLY OR LATE IN THE DAY. The best time to shoot generally is when you have early morning and late afternoon light.

10TRY BLACK AND WHITE.

It is classic and you won’t hate the photo 10 years from now. It takes the eye away from distracting colors and allows the mind to focus on the important features.

11DON’T FRET OVER THE SMILES.

Some of my favorite photos are when my children aren’t smiling. I love to capture children when they are engrossed in their favorite activities, whether it’s reading a book, holding a stuffy or just laying around.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

1

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magazine • may 2009

19

why we

celebratethe

4th of July

Independence Day, which falls on July 4, is marked by barbecues, parties, fireworks, celebrations, political speeches and many other events. But, the real reason for the celebration dates back to 1776 and the founding of our nation.

The legal separation of the United States of America from Great Britain had officially occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution of independence that had been proposed

by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Two days later, the Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining the resolution which was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson.

Most of the delegates actually signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776. Incredibly enough, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who were the only men to sign the Declaration and later become president, died on the same day (July 4, 1826), which also was the 50th anniversary of the United States.

The first anniversary of Independence Day in 1777 was marked in Philadelphia with an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, a 13-gun salute, fireworks, music and parades.

For more information, visit www.america.gov.

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happy

health & wellness p

healthyhair

BY JILLIAN ROGERS

Its summertime and the living is easy. But, it’s not always easy on your hair. Between the sun, swimming and styling, hair is extremely vulnerable to damage this time of year.

Don’t become of a victim of dull and dry hair! Heidi Reichardt, owner of Ambiance Salon in Gainesville, has some great tips to keep your locks looking their best all summer long.

AT THE BEACH OR POOL

Chlorine and the sun’s UVA and UVB rays have the power to weaken, dry and fade colored hair.

To protect hair from becoming dull and damaged, “use the sun as a hot oil mask,” Reichardt said. “Wet you hair with fresh water and put conditioner in to protect it from losing its moisture.” You also can use any basic hot oil treatment when you’re outside.

Wetting your hair with fresh water also has another benefit.

When you go into the ocean or pool, the salt or chlorinated water will absorb the coat of freshwater first, keeping your hair protected. This also helps protect blond hair from turning green, an unfortunate side-effect of chlorine.

AT HOME IN THE SHOWER

There are never enough hours in a day, so don’t worry about having to shampoo your hair 24-7. Hair is most fragile when wet. While shampoo strips hair of its natural oils, conditioner can often leave hair looking greasy.

Oil and grease builds up easier in fine hair and conditioner often weighs hair down. Reichardt suggests always using shampoo when washing hair, but conditioning only every other time or skipping the conditioner all together and using a moisture-locking, leave-in treatment.

Thicker, coarse, curly or wavy hair usually looks better and has more shine when it’s a little dirty, according to Reichardt.

This type of hair does not have to be washed everyday. But, it should be shampooed and conditioned every time you wash it, especially if you use heat styling tools. “Washing hair less also means less heat and styling damage, too,” Reichardt said.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

COLOR QUICK FIXES

Imagine there is a big awards show coming up and your hair dresser can’t fit you into their schedule to fix your roots (because that always happens to us normal people, right?). What do you do? The worst thing you can do is try to color your roots yourself. “When you try to fix your roots yourself, the color doesn’t always match and hairstylists often have to do more to fix it,” Reichardt said.

Reichardt instead suggests using colored mascara in between visits on gray hairs. For dark roots, try sprinkling baby pow-

der to help blend in roots. “Mascara and baby powder are not miracles, they are just quick solutions,” explained Reichardt.

“These things are fixable and will wash out of your hair, but color is much harder to fix.”

STYLING

This season, don’t overuse the styling tools. Embrace your inner beach babe and let those curls loose! But, when styling is a must, Reichardt suggests using an eyebrow brush to attack any flyaways. “Just spray hairspray onto the brush and brush the breakage or flyaways down,” she said.

NUTRITION

We would all like to be “wasted away in Margaritaville” this summer, but a well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, protein and fruits contributes to your hair’s shine and strength.

Water also is a necessity to keep hair hydrated. If you see your hair becoming thin or losing shine, it could be from malnutrition.

AT THE SALON STYLING

When going to a stylist, Reichardt encourages customers to be precise, so they are happy with the outcome. “Find a picture of the look you are going for,” she explained. “Peoples’ ideas of blond, brown, straight, curly are different. Blond could be Jennifer Aniston’s darker blond or Gwen Stefani’s white blond.”

CUTTING

When you trim your hair, you are getting rid of the most abused and dull parts of your hair. Nobody wants to walk around with split-ends. “In general, everyone needs a trim every 8-10 weeks,” Reichardt said. “If you have a specific style (such as a bob) or shorter hair, I would recommend a trim every six weeks.”

If you are worried about cutting too much off the length, ask your hair dresser to “dry cut” your hair. Dry cutting, which is a technique that involves washing and flat-ironing hair before cutting it, shows instant results and specifically targets split ends.

TREATMENTS

During the summer, conditioning treatments are extremely popular. “There are two main options -- a deep conditioning treatment and a semi-permanent gloss,” Reichardt explained.

“The treatment is just a more intensified conditioner, while the gloss coats hair and helps to keep it shiny. I usually use the gloss on gray or darker hair.”

So, watch out for those sun rays and follow these tips to help keep your hair looking happy, healthy and beautiful all summer. “There are no rules in hair care and hair styling,” Reichardt offered as a last word of advice. “Remember, things shouldn’t be your stylist’s opinion, it should always be your opinion.” giggle

magazine • july 2009

21

p

all kiddingaside

Retired elementary school counselor, Wendy Joysen, answers tough questions about kids, schools, parenting, & everything in between.

Q: I am expecting my second child in July. I am faced with the fears and concerns of balancing my time, love and patience between my threeyear-old and my newborn son. How do I take care of my newborn, while making sure my older son doesn’t feel ignored and unloved?

A: First of all, congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your second son! This is a wonderful and exciting time in your family life. However, it also can feel overwhelming and scary. You are worried that you will not be able to share time with both children. Your first child has had you all to himself for the last three years and you will now have to learn to split your time between your two children.

Once the baby is born, your time is going to be stretched thin.

The first six weeks will be a time of adjustment. Your new son will not have a schedule and you will need to help your older son understand that you’re going to have to help the baby eat and you’ll be changing his diaper a lot. When the baby is sleeping, try to find some time to do a small activity with your son each day. You will enjoy the time that you have alone together.

hour a day when the baby is sleeping and your older son can nap or play quietly in his room. Having a quiet time during the day allows everyone to rejuvenate.

Plan a special time with your older son each month. It is important for both of you to still spend some time together, without the baby. When the baby’s schedule comes together, plan a “date” with your son each month. Go out to eat or go to the park, a museum, for a long walk or do a special activity together. Both you and your son will look forward to your special time together each month.

Welcoming a new baby into your home will be a big change.

However, with advanced planning and organization, you will be able to guarantee yourself and your three-year-old son a smooth transition to the changing family dynamics. b

You also should ask for help. Having any amount of help will increase your sanity. If relatives or friends live nearby, ask them to come by during the day for a play date with your older son. This will give you a chance to shower, eat, sleep or do a load of laundry. Your older son also will feel special that his relatives have come to play with him.

Try to schedule a quiet time for all members of the family during the day. This will give you some time to relax and possibly sleep, so exhaustion does not catch up to you. Block out an

22 giggle

have a parenting question?

Contact Wendy at advice@irvingpublications.com

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

The first and most important suggestion I can make is to get organized. Planning ahead for your new addition will help you out tremendously. It is important to help your son prepare for your new baby’s arrival. Reading books and having your son create something for the new baby will help him feel more excited about his new brother. Ask your son to help prepare your home for his little brother. Allow your son to help decorate the baby’s room or create a piece of artwork to welcome the baby home.

in our next issue!

All About Multiples Getting Ready to go Back to School Easy Creative Healthy Lunches

College Funds

and more....

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August/Sept Issue!

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p

4th of July on a Budget!

BY JASON TOWNSEND-ROGERS

P

erhaps more than any other holiday on the yearly calendar, the Fourth of July encourages Americans to set aside their differences, with the realization that, though we may disagree on specific issues, the fact remains that we all enjoy guaranteed freedoms of our nation.

While the U.S. economy is not back to where most Americans feel the security they may have enjoyed a couple years ago, the Fourth of July offers an opportunity for most families to celebrate with minimal cost. However, even the University of Florida has had to cancel its annual “Fanfares & Fireworks” show at Flavet Field, ending a 19-year tradition, due to budget cuts.

So, how will Alachua County residents celebrate during a time of tighter purse strings? With gas prices again on the rise, many Alachua County residents are staying close to home for the celebration.

“We plan to go to a friend’s new house, where we will have a barbecue, play in the pool and watch some fireworks,” said Stacey Steinberg, a child abuse prosecutor with the Gainesville state attorney’s office.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

The Reardons, including Jennifer, her husband Terrance and their two children Nathan (age 2) and Abbie (3 months), said they planned to go to the impressive annual fireworks display in Alachua.

“I plan to just go to the beach with the kids while seeing fireworks there,” said Megan McCormick, who will spend the day with her son Tucker (age 1) and daughter Jolene (3).

Families in the Gainesville area made it clear that, although the economy did not directly affect their plans for Independence Day, they were acutely aware of the challenging financial climate.

“You can only celebrate holidays like this so many times a year,” said Jennifer Reardon. “For holidays like the Fourth of July, where you can celebrate with your family, you want to dedicate money to those.”

Other local residents decided that holiday plans do not have to sting them in the pocketbook.

“We do not consider ourselves big spenders anyway,” said Steinberg. “For our Fourth of July celebration, we plan to keep it low-key and just relax with some friends. The Fourth of July means enjoying each other and expressing appreciation for this great country that we live in.”

And, while the economy may still be sagging, the sentiment that the Fourth of July is an important date on the calendar for Alachua County residents is evident.

“To me, the Fourth of July means fun, fireworks and freedom,” said Lauren Cunha, a student at the Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine, who will celebrate Independence Day with her son Jules, age 7.

One local family’s Fourth of July experiences were especially unique. Music teacher Zhuo Jia, who will celebrate with her husband Josh Ford and son Hubert (age 5), is used to celebrating independence differently from most Americans, because she was born and raised in China.

“In China, we usually dedicate 10 days to recognizing our independence, from October 1-10,” she said. “For those ten days, everyone receives time off. We also get to see plenty of fireworks.”

No matter how the celebration happens, all that is important is the spirit of the day. b

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magazine • july 2009

25

kennedy space sub heading... p

heading

center

e the sky isn’t r e h the limit!

W

BY RACHAEL PINO Photos courtesy of Kennedy Space Center

Located just east of Orlando’s theme parks in Brevard County, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides the perfect opportunity for an educational and exciting family day trip from Gainesville.

The center, which is located approximately 175 miles from Gainesville, is open every day, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., excluding Christmas and certain launch days. General admission costs $38 for adults and $28 for children ages 3-11.

What Your General Admission Ticket Will Get You The Kennedy Space Center Tour allows guests to spend as much time as they like at the International Space Station Center, LC 39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/ Saturn V Center. A tour bus departs every 15 minutes from the Visitor Complex. Tours start at 10 a.m., with the last tour departing at 2:15 p.m.

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International Space Station Center

International Space Station Center gives visitors an up-close look inside the actual facility where NASA prepares the real components of the International Space Station. From an observation room, tourists can see the actual processing bay where each Space Station component is checked out, processed and readied for its trip into orbit. After, visitors can enter a full-scale mock-up of the Habitation Module and see how Space Station crew members live, sleep and work.

60-foot-tall Launch Complex (LC) 39 Observation Gantry provides a 360-degree view The

of the two giant Shuttle Launch Pads, which are named 39A and 39B. The panorama also includes the Launch Control Center, the crawlerway, which is used to transport the space shuttle to the launch pad, and the Vehicle Assembly Building. Behind-the-scenes briefings on what it takes to launch and land every NASA Space Shuttle also are provided.

day trip p and lighting effects. To participate, guests must be at least 48 inches tall) Complete with the sights, sounds and experiences of the famous astronauts who first ventured into the frontiers of

The Apollo/Saturn V Center is a tribute to the

Apollo astronauts and the machines that got them into space and brought them home safely. The center also features the Saturn V rocket.

The NASA Rocket Garden offers guests a patriotic light show, highlighting each fuselage with brilliant white uplight, bathing the site with techno-blue accents and heating the engines with flickering red-orange light. Visitors can experience the same Redstone, Atlas and Titan rockets that first put NASA astronauts in space or climb aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules to get an idea of the cramped quarters America’s astronauts endured. Free tours are given at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

In the Space Shuttle Plaza, guests are met with a full-sized replica of the Explorer space shuttle and can experience how astronauts live and work aboard real Space Shuttles.

Sharing the plaza with Explorer are the other components needed to launch NASA space shuttles.

space, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame exhibits are dedicated to U.S. astronauts, including the world’s largest collection of personal memorabilia and realistic astronaut training simulators. Single-day access exclusively for the Hall of Fame costs $17 for adults and $13 for children, plus tax.

The Astronaut Hall of Fame is open from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

what parents

should know

life ers

sav

Online Offer: Receive a complimentary tour book with the purchase of a general admission ticket or an annual pass online. Admission tickets include a second day free, if used within seven days of first visit, and admission to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Children’s Play Dome: Children can lift-off in spacecraft, climb a moon rock wall, crawl through rocket tunnels and slide to the surface of the moon. The Children’s Play Dome is for children under 48 inches tall.

The Astronaut Memorial honors the 24 U.S. astronauts, who gave their lives for space exploration. The names of the fallen astronauts from the space shuttles Columbia, Challenger and Apollo 1 and astronauts from training and commercial airplane accidents are emblazoned on the monument’s huge black granite surface.

Dining: The Space Center does offer a full-service restaurant, in addition to several self-service restaurants and specialty food locations.

Highlighting the Mercury and Gemini space programs, the

Early Space Exploration facility features artifacts

Pets: Free kennel service is provided for pet owners. The kennels are not air conditioned, but do have large-volume fans providing ventilation.

The Eye of the Universe exhibit allows guests to experience the powerful and stunning imagery of the Hubble Space Telescope, by focusing on ancient stars, nebulas and galaxies.

Wheelchairs and strollers: Complimentary wheelchairs and strollers are available at the Visitor Complex and each of the tour destinations. To obtain one, see a Crew member at the wheelchair/stroller distribution area. A valid form of identification is retained for use of the wheelchairs and strollers.

from the first manned space flights and houses the original Mercury mission control consoles.

The Shuttle Launch Experience allows visitors to strap in to the sights, sounds and sensations of a real Space Shuttle launch. Veteran astronauts share testimonials, and veteran space shuttle commander Charlie Bolden takes crew members step-by-step through the shuttle launch sequence.

(Parents’ Note: The Shuttle Launch Experience is a realistic simulation of an actual space shuttle launch, so it may not be suitable for the whole family, as the simulation motion includes extreme shaking, motions/vibrations, loud noise visual

Parking: There is no charge for parking at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Annual Pass Bargain: Get 12 months of access for just $12 dollars more than the regular Kennedy Space Center admission ($50 adult/$35 child, plus tax)!

NASA also offers additional programs that provide an even more close-up look at the space program for additional charges.

For more information, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com. giggle magazine • june 2009

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The K Gallery

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Laurel Housden Photography

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The LV Studio

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Spa Royale 352.333.5800 618 NW 60th Street, Suite B Gainesville, FL 32607 Ambiance 352.338.0705 3601 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite F, Gainesville, FL 32601

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Gainesville Dermatology 352.333.3223 108-B NW 76th Drive Gainesville, FL 32607

YMCA

Healthy Steps 352.333.0085 2005 SW 75th Street Gainesville, FL 32607

Great Southern Music

Planet Birth

Sun Country 352.331.8773 333 SW 140th Terrace Jonesville, FL 32669

352.231.0732

food

Northwood 352.374.9622 McGurn 352.379.9622 352.505.5440 Oaks Mall Plaza

Swim America

McAlister’s Deli 352.331.8900 618 NW 60th Street, Suite C Gainesville, FL 32607 352.373.6364 3262 SW 35th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32608

Beacher’s Lodge

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Gator’s Dockside 352.338.4445 3842 Newberry Rd Gainesville, FL 32607

Sylvan Learning Center 352.371.6891 4961 NW 8th Ave Gainesville, FL 32605

Pampered Chef Jen Hillan

Gainesville Country Day School

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Early Bird Education www.EarlyToLearn.com

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the shop arts

Calendar of Events July 4 5th Annual Clamerica Celebration City Park, Cedar Key 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Games, contests, clams and other food for the whole family http://www.cedarkey.org/events.html July 4 Our Country Days Keystone Heights, Florida http://www.ourcountryday.com July 4 Fourth of July Celebration The City of Alachua Hal Brady Recreation Complex 14300 NW 146th Terrace Alachua, FL TIME: Noon to 10 p.m.

Fireworks display beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. http://www.cityofalachua.com/ July 4 31st Annual Melon Run Florida Track Club West Side Park Starts: 8 a.m. www.floridatrackclub.org July 6 Red, White & Blues Tioga Monday Market Featuring music of Barry Sides, John Rogers, Tuff Tymes Blues Band and Blues Lightning, a corn boil, cotton candy, boiled peanuts and a bounty of fresh summer produce.

2 p.m.

Town of Tioga Town Center

Submit information about your local event for our calendar.

Send an e-mail to giggle@irvingpublications.com at least two months prior the event.

July 15 National Cow Appreciation Day July 19 National Ice Cream Day July 23 National Hot Dog Day McAlister’s Free Tea Day All Day Event Stop by any McAlister’s Deli and receive a FREE Iced Tea. No purchase necessary.

July 26 Sesame Street celebrates Bert’s birthday!

July 26 National Parents Day A day to honor your parents for all the love and hard work they do every day! Spend the day with them and do something fun!

July 31 Second Annual Gator Charity Challenge by the UF Football team Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 6:30 p.m. www.gatorzone.com

did you know?

July

July is National blueberry month, National Hot Dog and Ice Cream month!

giggle

magazine • july 2009

29

Coverst! cutie Conte

patootie!

Deadline for entries: Friday, July 31, 2009 Enter your baby’s photo to win a

free family portrait session!

And 11 x 14 mounted print (A $250 value) of Laurel

Photos by Laurel Housden Photography

Please submit your photo entry via email to giggle@irvingpublications.com. Please include child’s name and age, parent’s name, phone and address. Photos submitted should be at least 300 dpi and full color. The winner will grace the cover of our Oct/Nov Issue.