Giggle Magazine October November 2009

A L AC HUA

CO U N T Y ’ S

PRE MIE R

FAMILY

MAGAZIN E

®

happy family • happy community

OCT/NOV 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 5

Have a

not so spooky Halloween party! avoid holiday

credit card debt

aThanksgiving side dishes!

meet cover coour ntest

winner!

Jasmine!

www.gigglemag.com

giggl e ®

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, Helen Kornblum, Rachael Pino, Dana Kamp, Amelia Harnish, Melissa Ortiz Photographers Laurel Housden Photography, Kelsey Gordon, The K Gallery, Alyson Landry, Caroline Johnson Photography Sales Team Shane Irving, Chris Wilson, LaRue LeBlanc

Mission Statement giggle magazine 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 magazine will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.

Irving Publications, LLC 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, LLC 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 registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. giggle magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2009

giggl e ®

magazine h a p p y

8

family • happy community

24 16

every month

features

columns

10 Charity of the Month

8 Meet our Cover Contest Winner!

14 All Kidding Aside

Studio Percussion

24 In the Kitchen Thanksgiving Sides

26 Local Lifesavers

Easy Halloween Costumes

29 Family Spotlight The Martins A Family of Teachers

33 Health & Wellness Dental Decisions

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

15 Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving

22 Legal Side of Things

16 A Not-So-Spooky

Halloween Party!

Informing families of the important legal issues that effect them

32 Organized Solutions

Professional organizer Helen Kornblum helps us find easy ways to keep our busy family lives organized

34 Local kids tell us what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving

37 Giggle Dollars

Avoid Holiday Credit Card Debt

38 Giggle Trips

giggle takes you to Plymouth Rock

40 Why I love raising my family in Gainesville

The DiCairano Family shares why they love living in Gainesville

on the cover Our Cover Winner

8

Not So Spooky!

16

Avoid Holiday Debt

37

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

24

al ac h ua

cou n t y’ s

P R E MIE R

Fa MIly

MaGaZ In E

®

happy family • happy community

OCT/NOV 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 5

Have a

not so spooky Halloween party! avoid holiday

credit card debt

aThanksgiving side dishes!

meet our cover conte st

winner!

Jasmine!

www.gigglemag.com

E

REC

YC L E T H

IS ISS

UE • PLEA

S

Cover photo courtesy of Laurel Housden Photography

ISS

UE • PLEA S

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 • oct/nov 2009

3

E

REC

YC L E T H

IS

Letter from the Publisher

W

ith the onset of fall comes crisp air, pumpkin patches, flannel shirts and planning for a multitude of holiday celebrations! giggle magazine is excited to have combined two festive fall months into one great issue. Our first October-November issue is filled with Halloween and Thanksgiving treats for all families to enjoy. Add a splash of Christmas shopping for good measure and this issue is a complete treat for all.

This issue has a special place in my heart. My second son celebrates his birthday at the end of October. I had the great idea of throwing him a Halloween themed birthday party for his second birthday. But, as we started planning and going shopping, I was stopped at every party store by screaming, kicking and tears. He was afraid of the witches, goblins and skeletons that lined the front entrance of each party store. After all the bribing I could muster, the Halloween party stores were still a no-go. He would not budge through the door. That’s when I got the idea about having a not-so-spooky Halloween party. After finishing the shopping alone, the party was a success! So, we decided to share a fun, exciting and child-friendly way to celebrate Halloween, without the worries of nightmares!

And, we cannot forget our “Cutie Patootie Contest.” Thank you to everyone who sent in their child’s photo. We were so impressed with their cuteness that it was hard to decide on a winner. We would like to say a big “Congratulations!” to Miss Jasmine. Her smile, curls and overall cuteness won us over. She is a delightful ball of sweetness! We couldn’t leave out our semifinalists, so we dedicated a whole page to them. They all shined and smiled their way into our hearts!

Thank you to each and everyone for participating and to Laurel Housden for her wonderful photos.

With “Organized Solutions” for your children’s artwork, Christmas shopping for all ages and easy Halloween costumes to create at home, this issue of giggle magazine is filled with everything you need to make your fall a very special one.

From our family to yours, we wish you all a very happy fall season filled with Love and Laughter!

Thanksgiving just screams family, friends and, of course, FOOD! Why does the turkey have to be the star of the show every year? Wow your friends and family with our easy and delicious side dishes. having the kids help with the cooking to a giggle tip: Try create new memories in the process.

aNicole

Publisher at age 4 in her Bumble Bee Halloween Costume!

And more recently with her three boys.

the cover shoot!

in other giggle

news

giggle is a proud sponsor of

SunCountry’s Halloween Carnival

We had a wonderful time photographing Jasmine and all of the cuties that joined us for the cover contest shoot. A big thank you to Laurel Housden Photography for the wonderful photo session, kid tunes and all!

and the Early Learning Coalition’s

Title Town

Hoedown Bar-b-que Showdown 4

giggle

Look inside for more information!

Enroll today and receive

FREE Registration Stronger, healthier babies.

Kiddie Academy of Gainesville

6476 SW 75th Street Gainesville, FL 32608 (In Brytan Community off of Archer Road)

Every day, we do all we can

352-264-7724

www.kiddieacademy.com/gainesville

6

giggle

Enroll today and receive

FREE Registration Stronger, healthier babies.

Kiddie Academy of Gainesville

6476 SW 75th Street Gainesville, FL 32608 (In Brytan Community off of Archer Road)

Every day, we do all we can

352-264-7724

www.kiddieacademy.com/gainesville

cutie

Cover t!

Contes

patootie!

Photography by Laurel Housden Photography

Jasmine Meet our Winner!

2 years old, Gainesville, FL

8

giggle

get to know Favorite Toy: Her “Princess Carrot” bunny from Build-A-Bear Workshop, which she named herself!

Jasmine!

Favorite Books: Her Barney book that sings or any book that sings for that matter....

Favorite Food: She loves broccoli and tomatoes She would eat them three times every day, if she could!

Any Siblings? Jasmine does not have any siblings. She is a miracle baby. I was told I would never have children, but after seven long years of prayers she was born in Gainesville at the Women’s Center. Due to severe complications during childbirth, I cannot have anymore children, so Jasmine is our one and only Princess!

second place

About Jasmine’s Mom and Dad My husband and I have been together since high school and married for 11 years.

We are very proud parents, who are completely in love with Jasmine. She is our joy. She loves music and dancing; loves to play with her dog Sophie or just lay on her; loves to chat on the phone with anyone, but she must talk to Nana daily! She is a very smart, loving girl and has more personality than any kid I’ve seen. She always has a song in her heart. There is something special about Jasmine, that’s for sure! -- Lisa, Jasmine’s Mom

third place

Elle, 4

Calvin, 2

runners up

Chloe, 6

Nickolas, 2

Eden, 1

Jack, 19 months

Caitlin, 8

A big thank you to all of the entries. Gainesville is truly full of so many cutie patooties!

Photography by Laurel Housden Photography www.laurelhousdenphotography.com

giggle

magazine • oct/nov 2009

9

charity of the month

p

Studio

Percussion CHARITY OF THE MONTH

BY RACHAEL PINO

Photography by The K Gallery

F

or Tobin and Jill Wagstaff, music and dance have always been a part of life.

Both having graduated from the University of Florida, Tobin was a member of the Gators’ drumline and Jill belonged to the Gatorettes, the university’s baton twirling team, and also played in the school’s marching band.

Now, the parents of four have found a way to share their love of the arts with the Gainesville community through Studio Percussion, their non-profit organization.

Jill said the idea for the studio came from the realization of how much being involved in the arts has impacted their lives.

“We both felt the arts kept us from getting in trouble,” she said. “And, we thought, ‘Gosh, what if we could do something that could help kids like us?”

The couple is definitely trying to make the community a better place and give back.

At any given time, more than 200 students are enrolled in the studio’s variety of dance and music lessons, and more than half of them are on scholarship or paying a reduced tuition.

Since its creation in 2002, Studio Percussion has seen more than 1,000 students, Jill said.

The organization’s main goal is to allow people to participate in the arts, without worrying what their family could afford.

Studio Percussion’s “Family Jam Night” is a great example of this. The first Friday of every month, the studio offers a fun night of entertainment. For only $10, the entire family is treated to a meal, a drumline clinic, drum circle and the opportunity to play some of the studios’ instruments.

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“You can’t feed your family cheaper than at Family Jam Night,” Jill said. “And, it’s fun, too.”

The studio also prides itself in the number of adult students it has enrolled.

It attempts to give lessons to people who may have missed the opportunity when they were younger.

“We have middle school kids playing next to their parents. You don’t see that very often,” Jill said.

She said the organization is a perfect alternative to simply quitting performing, once adults are past their “performing peak.”

Another big part of Studio Percussion’s purpose is connecting the community by reaching out at various events and forming a coalition of arts non-profit organizations.

In April 2009, the studio participated in “The Right to Bear Arts” festival, which was held at Trinity United Methodist Church. The event provided free hands-on experiences for the whole family, including painting, live music performances, and Irish, belly and tango dance lessons.

“Instead of looking at art, everyone participated in it,” Jill said.

“We have all these nice festivals in the downtown area that you can go and look at it, but you don’t get to do anything.”

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of the organization is watching someone else learn to love the arts.

“It’s really cool to see the look on someone’s face when they do something for the first time,” Jill explained.

Ultimately, the Wagstaffs hope to expand into a bigger, betterequipped facility, so that they can teach more students.

“For every person who comes and takes lessons with us, that’s one more person we can provide a lesson for. It’s kind of a circle that gives back,” Jill said.

For more information on Studio Percussion, visit www.StudioPercussion.org or call 352-338-8302.

The studio is located at 519-E NW 10th Ave. in Gainesville.

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

Q: My son is a very friendly child and often talks to anyone who is nearby or who smiles at him. I am happy that he is outgoing, but I am worried that he could potentially talk to the wrong person. How do you teach your child about strangers and the danger that they can pose, without scaring them and squashing their friendly spirit?

A: This is an excellent question and one that many parents have when discussing strangers with their children. It is so wonderful that your son has such a friendly demeanor and you definitely do not want to take that away from him by scaring him so much that he is afraid to go shopping with you or to play in your yard. It is also a great time of year to discuss stranger danger with your son, as he will be encountering many strangers while out and about this Halloween.

The first idea your son needs to understand is the meaning of “stranger.” Explain to your son that a stranger is any person whom he does not know. One of the most important things you need to stress with your son is that a person can be a stranger and also be very nice. Strangers can be a man or a woman. They can look clean and have nice clothes. A stranger will not always look ugly or act mean. Tell him that when he is with you or his father that he can smile and be polite to strangers.

Once your son understands who is a stranger, it is time to explain that most people in this world are nice and good people. Unfortunately, some people have chosen not to be good. Because of that, we have to be cautious about who we talk to and how we talk with them. We especially have to make sure that we are safe.

So, we have to pay close attention to who is around us, because sometimes bad strangers try to take children home with them.

You should explain that sometimes a bad stranger may act very nice at first. They may have a nice smile, offer him candy or ask for his help. A common tactic of strangers who are looking to take a child is to ask the child to help them find a lost puppy or cat. Some could even have a picture of an animal.

It is important to stress that your son never go anywhere with someone he does not know, even if they tell him that they know his parents or that his parents sent the stranger to pick him up.

In this case, come up with a “code word” that only your family knows. Only when this secret code is shared can your child go somewhere with someone else. Explain that this code word will only be given to people who your child knows and it will never be given to a stranger!

If there ever is a case where a stranger does approach your son, there are three things that are important for him to do: 1) Keep his distance. Teach him to never get too close to a stranger and especially never go too close to a stranger’s car or go into a stranger’s home!

2) Remember specifics. It is important that we are aware of who and what is around us. Teach your son to notice what people are wearing, what color their hair is, if they wear glasses or if they have facial hair. Look at what kind of cars people drive and if there are other people with them. Having specific details like these can help police look for strangers who are trying to harm children.

3) Get help! If a stranger approaches your son and tries to take him, teach your child to yell “STRANGER!” and run to you or someone they can trust who is nearby. When children yell “stranger,” it will be noticed!

As much as you want your son to not be frightened by the topic of strangers, it is good for him to be nervous about strangers.

You do not want him to be too comfortable around people he does not know. As long as he knows that while he is with you or his father that he is safe and protected, he should feel secure enough to continue being his outgoing self. It is when he is without you that he needs to learn to protect himself. These few important steps will help him do just that! b

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

p

Thanksgiving

why we celebrate

Not many people know that the first “Thanksgiving” celebration actually happened right here in Florida. On September 8, 1565, the explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles enjoyed a feast with the Timucua Indians in St. Augustine. That fact was uncovered by retired University of Florida history scholar Michael Gannon in his book “The Cross in the Sand.”

Traditionalists still refer to the first “official” Thanksgiving as the one that had occurred at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts in 1621, when the colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared the autumn harvest feast. While this particular feast was a symbol of cooperation between the colonists and Native Americans, the harvest feast has long been a tradition in many Native American cultures.

So, what did they really eat? Well, it wasn’t exactly turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes. The meal is likely to have included venison, wild fowl, cooked mashed pumpkin and nasaump, which is dried corn that is pounded and boiled into a thick porridge. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and sweet corn did not make it to New England until the 18th century.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

The original use of the turkey for Thanksgiving is unknown. However, it is believed that the bird was cooked traditionally for Thanksgivings held after 1800.

The original Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1924 and it featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. It was originally called the Macy’s Christmas Parade and Macy’s employees marched to the flagship store on 34th St. It was such a success that Macy’s would declare it an annual event.

The 1927 parade was the first to feature large helium balloons. The parade was halted from 1942-44 for World War II and the helium balloons were donated to the war effort as scrap rubber.

have a

notHalloween so spooky party Photos by The K Gallery

Halloween has arrived...

faster than you can say “candy corn.� Who says you have to celebrate with ghosts and goblins or skeletons and spiders?

The dark, creepy side of celebrating Halloween can be quite frightening, especially for little ones. So, giggle magazine has put a not-so-spooky spin on the holiday, so that kids can enjoy all the same fun without the fright.

And, with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, a party is a great way to turn Halloween into a treat your family will not forget.

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not so spooky costumes!

giggle

magazine • oct/nov 2009

17

Easy projects to help you create the

perfect party

diy projects!

spider cupcakes

Adorn freshly made cupcakes with icing tinted green.

Add legs made out of licorice sticks and mini candies for the eyes.

Halloween festive mix

This simple recipe will become an all-time party favorite.

Combine Chex mix, small black licorice pieces, mini marshmallows, candy corn, Reese’s pieces and mix for a yummy Halloween favorite!

decorating must -haves The key is to bring out the essence of Halloween without the spookiness…

Try using a combination of the following:

Orange and Black Tulle Orange and Black table cloths Paper lanterns boxes Flowers Chinese takeout boxes turn into fun Halloween thank you favors. Pick out Signs or banners Orange or Black place settings varieties of scrapbooking paper.

Using decorative scissors, cut out two Candied apples boxes, one slightly larger than the other. Using double stick tape, tape games-fun is a must! smaller box to larger one. Using fun Try some of these party favorites: alphabet stickers, spell out guest’s -Guess the amount of your name on label and tape to box. favorite treat in jar Fill with goodies to send home!

-Halloween-themed piñata

favor

Halloween placemats

Take white paper craft placements, and adorn with orange and black alternating paint dots on the edges.

Inexpensive, easy, and recyclable!

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-Bobbing for apples -Costume contest -Pin the tail on the black cat -Pumpkin decorating contest -Potato sack racing -Candy in hay stack

Invitation by The LV Studio Cupcakes by Cupcakes by Stephanie Photos by K-Gallery

set the

scene!

favorite

Halloween

books and movies

favorite Halloween books

Halloween Mice, by Bethany Roberts Room on the Broom, by Julian Donaldson Skeleton Hiccups, by Margery Cuyler The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams Too Many Pumpkins, by Linda White The Hallo-Wiener, by Dav Pilkey

favorite Halloween movies

Top right photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Hocus Pocus It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Monsters, Inc. The Wizard of Oz Casper E.T.

a

making the choice

to adopt

Johnson Photography by Caroline

R

obert and Becky Johnston felt like they were missing a family member. The Chiefland couple had a happy family with their three young sons.

“We really wanted a girl to complete our family,” said Becky.

“We investigated our options and, the more we looked into it, we decided on adoption.”

The Johnstons looked into all types of adoption, including traveling overseas.

“We found that it would be easier to adopt right here in Florida, through Partnership for Strong Families,” said Becky.

“There are fewer legal fees. You get to meet with a professional. You get to meet the children and choose the child that fits your family. You get to have a few visits with the child, so that the transition is smooth for your family and for the [adopted] child.”

That’s why Becky and Robert chose to adopt through the Partnership for Strong Families, which serves 13 counties throughout North Central Florida.

The Partnership for Strong Families connected the Johnstons with Nina, a bright-eyed, talkative three-year-old. Nina was only a baby when the Johnstons first met her.

“We fell in love the first time we saw her,” said Robert.

Becky said the feelings from that first visit with Nina followed her home.

“The first time we met, you could see that she is beautiful, smart and she was in the age group we were hoping for,” Becky said. “After spending time with her, it was clear that we were in love. She also was a perfect fit with our boys.

They all like Legos, so that was something they all had in common right off the bat.”

Although Nina was born with no arms, she thrives as a member of the Johnston family. Nina goes to physical and occupational therapy to help her deal with her challenges.

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“We researched her physical conditions because it was important to us that we could handle it,” Becky said. “She can do almost anything. She holds utensils with her feet and feeds herself and drinks normally. She does playdough and fingerpainting with her feet. She plays with baby dolls.

She is potty trained.”

While the Johnstons have to help Nina dress and undress, they are confident that she will be able to do everything for herself in the future. It is important to the Johnstons that Nina be self-sufficient and able to have her own life when she gets older.

“The world is not going to adapt to her, she will have to adapt to it,” said Robert.

The Johnstons can tell by the way she handles her new brothers - Bobby (age 11), Micaiah (9) and Henry (7) - that Nina will have no problem adapting.

“She’s very bossy,” said Becky. “She doesn’t get run over by the boys. Plus, Nina insists that they all give her a kiss at night. If Bobby spends the night at a friend’s house, Nina gets very upset because she can’t get that good night kiss.”

Currently, there are about 175 children in the foster care system in our area awaiting adoption. From start to finish, the adoption process takes approximately one year. Case workers can help match your family’s interests and personalities with those of a child. There is a transition period, which includes day visits with the child, and parental support is available anytime.

Partnership for Strong Families is a non-profit organization that relies upon donations and volunteers. For more information, visit www.pfsf.org or call 352-393-2740.

gainesville moms take a break

at Splitz!

These ladies burned up the lanes and found fun

aladies’

night out

with strikes at Splitz, the bowling alley that is Skate Station Funworks’ newest attraction.

Our 11 bowlers, both experienced and novice, enjoyed bowling in the

Splitz VIP room

, where the service and good times ranked second to none. The VIP room featured six private bowling lanes, televisions with cable, music, couches, tables and exceptional wait service.

The ladies particularly enjoyed the food, which included salads, chicken sandwiches, burgers and specialty drinks. The Splitz menu also features appetizers, pizza and a full bar.

The ladies letting loose at Splitz. Left to right: Josie, Leslie, Sarah, Amanda, BJ, Wendy, Karen, Nicole, Shellie, Christy, Amy

While the ladies loved the digital and easy-to-use scorekeeping screens, our bowlers didn’t remember who won or lost the frames. They instead chose to focus on fun, laughter and good times and, to that end, the evening offered a perfect score.

highlight of the night

FunWorks Splitz has everything you need: bowling, arcade, sports grille and more.

There was no lack for competition.

It was a close race between BJ and Amy! Congratulations to our all star bowlers of the night!

Thanks, Splitz!

Call 352-332-BOWL (2695)

for information.

a private

Sarah poses with her lovely mom, BJ, who happened to be in town visiting from Maryland! Even our national readers join us for the fun times!

bowling Photography by Laurel Housden Photography

par ty!

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magazine • oct/nov 2009

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p

the legal side of things

Name Change

BY ATTORNEY ALISON WALKER

The Commodores sang about it in their hit song, “Sail Away” in 1979: “Sail on, down the line, About half a mile or so …

Lord, I gave all my money and my time, I know it’s a shame, But I’m giving you back your name.”

Generally speaking, it is my experience that many clients retain their married surname when there are children born of the marriage. But, women often take back their maiden name when there are no children. This process can be easily accomplished as part of the divorce proceedings. In situations other than divorce or adoption proceedings, Florida Statutes provide a straight forward procedure for the petition of a name change of a minor, adult or even an entire family.

First, if you want to change your name to anything other than restoring a former name, then you will have to submit your fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check.

There are a series of requirements under the statute, which are necessary to allege in the petition for name change. You must file your petition in the county of your legal residence. You must state where and when the petitioner was born, the name of the petitioner’s mother and father and where the petitioner has resided since birth. If the petitioner is an adult, you must state the name of your spouse (if you are married) and the names and ages of any and all children.

The petition must also contain information about your occupation, information about any businesses you own and, if you are a professional, you must include any information about where you have practiced that profession and list any information regarding any graduate schools attended. Obviously, for petitions to change the name of a minor, this information will not be required. However, if the minor has a job, the petition must include an explanation of that job.

The petitioner must include any names that they have been generally known or called by. If a minor child’s name had previously been changed by court order, then you must attach

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said order to the petition. You must also include any past criminal history and whether or not you have filed bankruptcy or have any monetary judgments entered against you. If the answer is yes to either, then you must provide additional details.

The petitioner must certify that a name change is not being sought for any ulterior or illegal purpose and, should the court grant the name change, it would not affect the property rights of others. Finally, the petitioner must verify that his or her civil rights have never been suspended, but, if so, that they have been fully restored.

After the petition is filed, then the petitioner must attend a hearing. If no criminal history record check is required (for example, in cases where a former name is being restored), then the hearing may be held immediately. Once the court enters the final judgment of name change, then you should inform the Social Security Administration (SSA), other government agencies and your employer immediately. Failure to do so may result in consequences, including -- but not limited to -- the delay of your tax refund or the inaccurate posting of your wages to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits. If you wait a period of two years or more to notify the SSA, you may have to provide additional documentation, such as a marriage license, divorce decree or court order for a name change. b

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

have a legal question?

Contact Alison at advice@irvingpublications.com

Photo by The K Gallery, stock photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

As alluded to in the song, it is a common misconception that a husband can “give back” or require his wife to take back her maiden name when a couple goes through a divorce. During this process, the wife is often confronted with the decision to take back her maiden surname. But, it is her choice and her choice alone whether to do so.

sides ayummyThanksgiving

You’ve got the turkey down. Now what? Check out these great sides to complete your meal.

Photos by The K Gallery, Flower arrangement provided Crevasse Regency Florist

your taste buds will thank you.

Zucchini Torta SUBMITTED BY TINA BASILE

Ingredients:

Scalloped Potatoes

SUBMITTED BY CARMEN BASILE

Ingredients:

4 dark green zucchini ¾ cup grated cheese 1 cup Bisquick 2 cloves garlic 4 eggs ½ cup Wesson oil Chopped basil and parsley Ground black pepper to taste Italian seasoned bread crumbs

2 pounds waxy potatoes (like Yukon Gold) 1 medium onion 6 tablespoon butter 1 cup heavy cream Pinch of nutmeg Salt & pepper to taste

Directions: Cut off ends of zucchini and discard. Wash zucchini well and slice unpeeled zucchini into thin circular slices.

Add crushed garlic, parsley, basil, grated cheese and black pepper. Mix well so that each zucchini slice is evenly covered.

Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Add Bisquick and oil.

Mix well and pour in with zucchini so that each slice is covered.

Grease pan or glass dish. Pour in zucchini mixture and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350º for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or when golden brown.

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Directions: Slice onion thinly and sauté gently in 2 tablespoons of butter until thoroughly wilted and slightly caramelized.

Wash and peel the potatoes and slice to about 1/8 inch thick. Place in baking dish and microwave on high until almost tender. Drain excess liquid from potatoes. Add sautéed onions, the pan drippings, and the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Add salt and freshly ground pepper and a pinch or two of nutmeg. Thoroughly mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the potato slices are separate. Return to microwave on high until the potatoes are hot and tender. Pour in the heavy cream and mix thoroughly until well incorporated. Serve hot.

in the kitchen p

Spinach Corn Muffins SUBMITTED BY DANA KAMP

a

side kick!

Walnut Sweet Potatoes SUBMITTED BY CATHERINE MOSS

Ingredients: 4-5 peeled sweet potatoes ½ cup milk ½ cup melted butter Salt to taste 1 cup brown sugar 1-2 cups chopped walnuts Cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Wash, peel, and quarter sweet potatoes.

Boil until tender, not mushy.

Combine brown sugar, walnuts, and spices with a tad of melted butter to make to a crumbly topping consistency.

Put aside.

Once sweet potatoes are done, combine with milk, rest of melted butter, and salt. Mash lightly.

Ingredients: 2 boxes of corn muffin mix (eggs and milk per box directions) 1 package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted Directions: Make corn muffin mix per instructions on box.

Defrost spinach completely. Remove all water!

Chop up spinach.

Mix spinach with corn muffin mix. Fill lined muffin cups halfway.

Cook per instructions on muffin box.

Serve warm with butter!

Fruit & Cream

SUBMITTED BY SAMANTHA ROGERS

In casserole dish, layer potatoes and brown sugar. Start with potatoes on bottom and end with brown sugar mixture on top.

Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Ingredients:

Fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Mint leaf Directions: Combine heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar. Beat with electric mixer until peaks form. This should take about three minutes on high. Layer fruit and cream in pretty dish, top with fresh mint leaf.

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

Easy Halloween costumes

BY DANA KAMP

If you are anything like me, when October rolls around you automatically go to the costume shop for your child’s Halloween costume. Making the ensemble isn’t always an option. Between the stress of creating a unique costume and the lack of time in which to do it, it’s just too overwhelming for many of us!

Here are some easy-to-make, inexpensive costume ideas that are cute and possible!

Baker — Apron, oven mitt, stuffed white pillowcase for a hat; put flour on your face and carry a plastic mixing bowl with a handle to hold candy!

Clown — Mismatched PJs, suspenders and/or a large tie, Daddy’s shoes, floppy hat, eyeliner and lipstick for clown makeup.

Black Bat — All black clothing and black hat; cut a black umbrella in two and pin a “wing” on each side of your back.

Grapes — Blow up purple or green balloons and pin them all over your shirt and pants; use a green paper plate for your stem.

Black-Eyed Pea — White T-shirt and sweatpants; cut out the letter “P” from construction paper and pin it on your shirt; use eyeliner or face paint to make a black circle around one eye.

Box of crayons — Each child chooses a color and dresses head to toe in that color; decorate a large cardboard box to look like a pack of crayons and kids can walk inside the box together.

a belt loop or pockets; carry a toolbox for trick-ortreating!

Skunk — Black sweatpants, a black long sleeve T-shirt or sweatshirt, and a black knit cap; pin on one stuffed black pantyhose leg for your tail; paint a white stripe down the back. Get a silk longstemmed rose and the costume becomes Pepe Le Pew. Lifeguard — Swimsuit, beach towel, whistle and sunblock on the nose. Grab a sand pail to collect candy!

Mummy — White rolls of gauze, green smeared paint (or eye shadow) for mold effects, and white face paint (sunblock or creamy facial mask can substitute).

Tourist — Loud Hawaiian T-shirt, camera and/or camcorder around the neck, maps sticking out of pockets or fannie pack and big hat. Bonus points if your hat has a tourist attraction on it, such as Disney World or Graceland!

Weight Lifter — Sweatshirt and sweatpants (stuffed to look like large muscles), sweatband, faux dumbbell made from a paper towel rod and black foam discs or paper plates stapled together.

Easy

Costumes!

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Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Carpenter — Overalls and tools hanging from

Brought to you by

The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County

Get your

boots on

and have your taste buds ready.

The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County (ELCAC) will host the Title Town Hoedown and Bar-B-Que Showdown for Early Education on Sunday, November 8 at 5 p.m. The event will be hosted by Judy and Davis Rembert at their farm in Alachua.

The goal of the “Title Town Hoedown” is to raise awareness of the importance of early education and to raise necessary matching funds for School Readiness.

Funds raised are matched 16:1 through a state grant program. There is no better way to help our children.

The ELCAC’s School Readiness program is designed to prepare young children for school. “Ready for school.

Ready for life,” is the motto of the ELCAC. ELCAC’s School Readiness program provides subsidized care to income-eligible families. Parents/ guardians must be working or engaged in an educational activity for at least 20 hours per week to qualify.

The program helps families become financially self-sufficient by helping parents remain in the workforce or improve their skills and knowledge for placement in the workforce.

The Hoedown team believes that we can be “Title Town” for early education, just like we are “Title Town” for athletics with the fantastic history of Gator champions, as well as “Title Town” for higher education with Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

The event will feature a “Title Town” Bar-B-Que competition, a live auction, dancing and performances.

The dress code includes cowboy hats, boots and jeans.

The ELCAC is seeking sponsors, auction items and barbeque competitors for the event.

The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County (ELCAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school by the time they’re old enough to enter Kindergarten. ELCAC is able to do this, not only through the School Readiness program, but also through Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), which it manages for the state in Alachua County. ELCAC also has a comprehensive resource and referral department that assists families in search of quality early education and helps direct families to other community resources.

Giving children the right start in school and helping families remain in the workforce fights poverty in two ways by keeping parents in the workforce now and for the future by giving children the foundation for their education.

For more information on the Early Learning Coalition and this event contact Sheryl Eddie at 352-375-4110 X 131 or via e-mail at seddie@elcalachua.org. Visit www.elcalachua.org.

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family spotlight p

Meet the

Martins A Family of Teachers

BY MARY REICHARDT, Photo by Chris Wilson

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fter teaching for more than 20 years, Kathleen Martin was prepared for her new student. She knew what to expect and there had been many discussions about how to handle this new challenge. The seasoned educator looked confidently across the classroom as she heard a familiar voice call, “Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!”

Kathleen teaches the gifted math program at Newberry Elementary and, last year, she welcomed her granddaughter, Julia Martin, into her classroom and it really was more of a treat than a challenge. Julia, a lovely and bright seven-year-old, was thrilled to hear she would leave her regular class for one hour each day to join her other gifted classmates in the accelerated math program taught by her grandmother.

“I was so excited I screamed in my head. I think it’s fun, because you don’t have to meet [the teacher]. You’re already used to her,” said Julia.

Julia’s mom, Tonya Martin, was excited, too. As a teacher herself, she had some concerns about the fast-paced program. “I wanted Julia to be challenged, but also to have a level of success and not be overwhelmed and frustrated,” said Tonya.

The gifted math program teaches the same curriculum as the regular classroom, only at a faster pace. The goal is to be one year ahead of your grade. However, Tonya knew her daughter was in good hands. Her mother-in-law Kathleen was not only an experienced teacher, but also a beloved family member. As Julia’s grandmother though, there were several things that needed to be discussed: most importantly, what would Julia call her? Mrs. Grandma?

After deciding that “Grandma” would be just fine in the small town school, they moved on to other important matters, like following the rules, respecting authority and not expecting special treatment.

“I make sure all my students are recognized equally. Julia’s number comes up just like everyone else’s,” Kathleen said.

This fair treatment helped Julia transition naturally into the new setting. She said the other children never teased her and, after a few weeks, didn’t even notice the relationship or the endearing way she called their teacher “Grandma.”

As an elementary teacher herself at Hidden Oak Elementary, Julia’s mother Tonya is instrumental in her education and training. She stayed home with her child, until Julia was ready for Kindergarten and she noticed her daughter’s special thirst for learning at an early age.

“There were so many things she picked up on her own that I was always surprised about. When she mastered a skill like writing her name, I decided to move on to [learning] numbers. I never said she was too little to learn something,” Tonya said.

Both Tonya and Kathleen agree that learning begins at home. They love to incorporate learning concepts into their everyday routines. Because they live on a farm, Kathleen often uses their animals as an opportunity to teach. They gather eggs from the chickens and form math problems out of the number of eggs they gather and use. This helps keep learning fun and show its useful, real world applications.

“Every child is gifted — they just may not have opened their package yet,” Kathleen said.

Although Julia was disappointed she didn’t get to pick her own partner in Grandma’s class, she was still excited for next year to begin. In the gifted program, Kathleen has the opportunity to teach the same children every year. This is just fine with Julia, who views her classmates as more of a family.

“It’s like we’re all brothers and sisters. We’re all related and we have one Grandma for our teacher,” Julia said.b giggle

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for kids of all ages

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0 TO 12 MONTHS 4Plume Pink Bear by Kaloo $32.00 Miracles Maternity

tTwighlight Ladybug

by Cloud 9 $29.99 Buybuybaby.com

wLeap Frog Hug & Learn Baby Tad $19.99 Toys “R” US

1 YEAR + wLeap Frog Learn & Groove Radio

4Alphabet Tot Tower by eeboo $21.95 www.geniusbabies.com

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tLeap Frog Wash & Go Magnetic Vehicle Set $19.99 Kmart

Photos by The K Gallery

$19.99 Kmart

love it. stamp it. p

If we use it, love it, and would recommend it,we stamp it.

2 YEARS +

wVTech-Kidizoom Digital Camera

wMelissa & Doug

$59.00 Target

Deluxe Monster Bowling game

$24.99 Toys “R” Us

7 YEARS +

wVTech Fly & Learn Globe $32.00 Amazon.com

4Uncle Milton Moon in my Room wJust Like You Doll $95.00 Americangirl.com

$19.99 Target

uNational Geographic Metal Detector $15.99 Target

tNintendo DS Lite $129.00 Best Buy

tNintendo Wii $249.99 Best Buy

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organized

solutions

Professional organizer Helen Kornblum helps us find easy ways to keep our busy family lives organized.

How to Harvest the Kids’ Artwork If you have young children in school, your harvest season includes an abundance of crafts and artwork that by now has overwhelmed the door of the refrigerator. With Halloween and Thanksgiving creations on the drawing board, it’s time to pay tribute to your little Picassos using your own creativity.

• Designate a display area that gives your little artist real visibility. Pick a wall and give it a gallery treatment.

Paint “frames” or borders that can be filled with the art.

Mount fabric, fishnet, laundry rope, cork tiles or light plastic chain for a rotating display that uses clips instead of pushpins in the wall.

• Consider framing the occasional precocious art that gives your child bragging rights. You might even want a poster-size blow-up for a pop art effect.

• Some items don’t merit display but beg for storage, at least until the end of the school year. You can create or buy an artist’s portfolio for those papers. A large, clean pizza box stored under the bed is a quick option if space is an issue.

• Create a scrapbook of the art using your digital camera or scanning the pieces directly into the computer. Years later, a lopsided paper mache bust of a famous scientist or a pilgrim will still prompt delightful memories.

• Use some of the art to wrap holiday gifts. Or make the art the gift itself. You can rely on close relatives to celebrate the thought, as well as the creator.

• An online service or local photo store can create mugs, tote bags, placemats, stamps, or other useful objects from the original piece.

• At the end of the school year, revisit the collection with your children to cull their favorites. You will want to keep the pieces that show a developmental leap. After you label and date these pieces (a modest number, we hope), put them into the storage box designated to house the permanent collection!

Helen Kornblum is a professional organizer in Gainesville, FL. She owns NaturalOrderOrganizing.com.

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Dental Decisions For Your Children

BY MARY REICHARDT

H

e’s only one year old, but already my son has eight teeth! Many people think that because they are so young, babies are not at risk for tooth decay. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (www.aapd.org), baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as their diet includes anything other than breast milk. Tooth decay in infants, which is also called Early Childhood Caries, can cause severe damage to teeth, causing pain and dental problems that can affect permanent teeth later on. Can you imagine your beautiful baby’s smile full of rotting, decaying teeth? When I saw the photos posted on the AAPD web site, I decided to take my little one’s baby teeth more seriously — even if they are going to fall out one day.

What to do:

Treat early. Dr. Alissa Dragstedt of Kids Only Dental

Place in Haile Plantation said, “You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear and children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.” I purchased a fluoride-free paste (fluoride can be harmful if swallowed and infants can’t spit yet — at least, not when you want them to) and a small, rubber brush that fit like a sleeve over my finger. I use this on my son’s teeth and gums in the morning after breakfast and before bed at night. He loves the way it feels on his gums since he is still teething.

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.

Don’t allow food, juice or milk to stay on teeth during the night. Always brush and floss before bedtime. “The evening brushing is the most important because you don’t want to go the whole eight hours [of sleep] with bacteria on the teeth.

Parents should brush for their children, until they are ready to do a thorough job themselves,” said Dr. Cynthia Haug of Tioga Dental Associates.

Dr. Haug suggests plaque tablets to determine how good they are brushing. It’s fun for kids to see what they missed and a great way for parents to keep kids on their toes. “Let them know that you will be checking and randomly use a tablet to see what they missed,” Haug explained.

Brush. The type of toothbrush is also important. Haug

suggested using “an ADA-approved, soft-bristle brush for kids. Anything harder will wear their teeth down. Also make sure it’s not too big for their mouth.” Brush for at least two minutes, twice per day and don’t forget to floss!

Use a cup — not a bottle. According to the AAPD,

children should start using a cup around, or shortly after, age one. A cup does not allow the liquid to collect around the teeth like a bottle. You can use a spill-proof “sippy” cup or, my son’s favorite, a cup with a built-in straw.

Let them fall out. “Baby teeth usually start to fall out around age six or seven, usually starting with the lower front teeth,” Dr. Dragstedt said. “Teeth should be left to fall out on their own, with the help of the child. If a tooth just won’t come out, we recommend for kids to see a dentist, who can take X-rays and figure out why the tooth isn’t coming out on its own.”

Braces. Dr. A. Page Jacobson and Dr. Dawn Martin of Progressive Orthodontic Associates suggested you bring your child in for an early orthodontic exam at approximately age seven. Straight teeth are not just for looks. On their Web site (www.jmortho.com), the doctors point out that “crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain [which] can result in tooth decay…” If you or your child already wears braces, make sure to avoid foods and candies that can damage them, including bubble gum, caramel, hard bread, hard candies, popcorn, ice and corn on the cob.

For a complete list and more information regarding braces, visit www.jmortho.com.

This Halloween, we know kids will receive all sorts of candy, popcorn balls, and maybe a few apples. Remember to avoid sticky candy, if possible, and anything you feel may harm your teeth or appliances. It’s important to maintain a healthy smile and teach your children the benefits of proper care at an early age. b

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magazine • oct/nov 2009

33

thankful

What are you for?

Local kids tell us what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving Photography by Caroline Johnson Photography

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I’m thankful for my sister and

mommy Kaylee, 5

I’m thankful for my best friend, Riley,

my brothers,

I’m thankful for my

mom & dad, and

sister and playdates

grandma & grandpa Avery, 5

Malina, 5

a I’m thankful for my brother, Gator football, mom & dad, and finally being in Jr. High!

John, 12 34

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I’m thankful for my

mommy my dog, Max, birthdays and soccer Riley, 5

avoid holiday credit card

BY JILLIAN ROGERS

$$

giggle dollars

p

debt!

T

he holiday season is filled with family, friends, food and... debt? giggle dollars is here to help you try to ignore those seasonal sales and beautiful department store window displays. Following some easy tips will help keep your holiday season price tag low and avoid unnecessary debt.

Buy only what you can afford! Before you go

shopping, set a budget. Make a list and stick to it. Sales are wonderful, but try to avoid all “buy two, get one half off” and similar catch words, because you end up spending more than you had originally planned. Stick to “50 percent or 75 percent off sales,” to ensure you are getting a fair deal.

Shop early. After the holidays, everything from gift

wrap to ornaments to presents is discounted or put on clearance. For things that are sure to not go out of style for next season, buy early and avoid long lines and higher costs. If you are shopping for trendier gifts, don’t wait until the last minute. Search online and in various stores to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.

When shopping online, don’t forget to take into account shipping costs and return policies.

Be creative. Holiday presents don’t always have to

Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com

be material items. Making your own gifts can be an inexpensive solution to holiday costs (and they can be heartwarming, too). While crafting and baking are always good options, you can also host a dinner party, plan a holiday picnic, treat that special someone to a movie or attend an inexpensive sporting event. Think outside the box! Your wallet (and your friends) will thank you.

You hate debit cards and love sky miles too much. If you choose to use a credit card to purchase

your holiday items, pay off the bill as soon as possible. Just because it is plastic doesn’t mean that you can buy whatever you want and the bills will magically go away. Buying over your credit limit is the easiest way to ruin your credit score, as well as find yourself in some serious debt.

Don’t be one of the millions of Americans agonizing over money and paying off holiday debt in spring. Did you know 54 percent of consumers were still paying off credit card debt left over from the previous holiday season? (Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., Holiday Survey 2003). Don’t be a statistic! Talk to a financial advisor for further information about how to avoid debt and have a safe, fun and reasonably inexpensive holiday season! b

Cash is your friend. The easiest way to avoid credit card debt is to use cash only. It’s really that simple.

Start saving (a separate bank account or a sock drawer works, too) weekly and when the holiday season rolls around, you will not have to worry about how much to set aside for your holiday expenses. If you use cash, you will be avoiding the high interest rates that credit card companies often impose during the holiday season.

Use a debit card instead of a credit card.

Pay now or pay later? If you cannot function without some form of plastic in your wallet, skip the credit card and opt for the debit instead. Just be careful not to overdraft or the advantages of using a debit card (staying on a budget) are wiped away. giggle

magazine • oct/nov 2009

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Rock

Plymouth

Much Ado About Plymouth

BY MELISSA ORTIZ

Most Americans are familiar with the story of the Pilgrims, their voyage aboard the Mayflower and their historic landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Today, just forty miles south of Boston, the town is known for its historic value, small-town atmosphere and northeastern charm.

Said to be the original landing place of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620, Plymouth houses many landmarks that tell stories about our country’s early years. Plymouth Rock is one such artifact. Now housed in Massachusetts’ smallest state park, Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Plymouth Rock, the ten-ton legendary granite boulder, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, is visited by onemillion people each year.

Not only does Plymouth have great historic value, it’s a family-friendly vacation spot with something for everyone to do. Plymouth is easily accessible via Boston’s Logan International Airport in just over two hours by plane or about 19 hours by car from Gainesville, FL. Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, camp sites and beach houses are available within the town for convenience.

Visit the historic landmark during its peak months – April through November - to participate in seasonal activities at some of the following locations: The Children’s Museum of Plymouth, located in downtown Plymouth, is highly interactive, providing a break for young children who may not yet fully appreciate Plymouth for all its historic value. The museum provides children with crafts and hands-on activities and showcases exhibits.

Watch the pages of history books come alive at the Plymouth National Wax Museum’s “lively” portrayal of the Pilgrims’ journey from Britain, their arrival in America and their fight for survival.

Plimoth Plantation, located 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, is a living-history museum, giving guests insight into what life was like for Pilgrims and Native Americans in the 1600s. The plantation is open from April to November and features various seasonal activities, such as rotational exhibits, parades and Thanksgiving celebrations. The Wampanoag Homesite, 1627 English Village, Crafts Center and Nye barn are just a few stops that provide plenty to do for visitors of all ages. Single or multiple day passes can be purchased.

Board the Mayflower II, a life-size recreation of the Mayflower, to get a sense of what the 17th century ship was like.

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Mayflower II replica ship in Plymouth, MA.

Costumed hosts and hostesses will share accounts of life aboard the ship and give tours. Tickets are available for purchase in conjunction with those for Plimoth Plantation.

Take a break from sight-seeing and visiting historic attractions to go on a Whale Excursion departing from Plymouth Harbor with the whole family. Trips from the harbor go to Stellwagen Bank, a marine sanctuary and one of the primary feeding grounds for humpback whales, dolphins, fin whales, mink whales and porpoises. Along the way, learn how to identify whales by pigments on their bodies and find out more about their habitat.

gs thinsee!

to

why I love raising my children in

gainesville

in our next issue!

Holiday Cookies!

Keeping the peace during the holiday season

a

Potty Training 101

Last minute holiday gifts

Revamping your family’s first aid kit Be sure to get your hands on our

Dec a Jan Issue! ®

It was the trees that first seduced me into considering Gainesville as the place to raise our family. And, I do mean seduced. At first glance, I was very much against this college town in the middle of nowhere, where fans wore orange and blue… at the same time. I immediately brushed the locale off as a transient community, with partying students. After scouring every city in Florida (I mean that), my husband, Gary, suggested we go off for an afternoon drive to his old college town. And, there I was introduced to a place where the jade rolling hills and thick tree canopy called to me.

That drive was eight years ago. There are so many reasons we choose to call Gainesville “home.” I could point to our wonderful educational choices; to our energizing church, Queen of Peace; to the awesome night that I saw Dave Matthews play just down the street at the O’Connell Center; to being able to arrive at the airport 30 minutes prior to flight departure; to the community pride I feel when my daughter takes her wagon to the neighbors’ and they fill it up with food donations for those in need; to my boys being able to participate in the low-key Pray Then Play Sports; or the cool fact that our schools take the day off for UF’s Homecoming Parade; or being able to sit outside in my hammock on the Fourth of July, pinot in hand, listening to the endless fireworks crackling in the distance.

Above all else, we are here because of the vibe of this community and the people who make it that way.

I sincerely doubt we will ever leave. That “town in the middle of nowhere” now feels like an oasis, welcoming us home.

the DiCairano’s

Debbie, Gary, Matthew, Alexandra and Nicholas Photo by Caroline Photography giggleJohnson magazine • june 2009

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www.gigglemag.com

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

gifts Miracles Maternity 352.338.2040 2441 NW 43rd St, Ste 21 Gainesville, FL 32606 Crevasse Regency Florist 352.372.3322 3409 W. University Avenue Gainesville, FL 32607 Thirty-One 386.365.0460 www.mythirtyone.com/christyhull

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entertainment UF Performing Arts www.performingarts.ufl.edu City of Gainesville Parks 352.393.8746 Recreation and Cultural Affairs

leisure Sun Country Sports

Jonesville 352.331.8773 Millhopper 352.378.8711 02BKids 352.332.5500 Beacher’s Lodge 1.800.527.8849 St. Augustine, FL www.beacherslodge.com Museum of Natural History 352.846.2000 www.flmnh.ufl.edu Skate Station Funworks 352.332.0555 1311 NW 76th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606 Splitz Bowling Alley 352.332.BOWL 1301 NW 76th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606

educate Sylvan Learning Center 352.371.6891 4961 NW 8th Ave Gainesville, FL 32605 Early Bird Education 352.443.9157 www.EarlyToLearn.com Kiddie Academy 352.264.7724 Brain Works 352.332.2420 Natural Order Organizing 352.871.4499

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Gainesville Dermatology 352.333.3223 108-B NW 76th Drive Gainesville, FL 32607 Healthy Steps Pediatrics 352.333.0085 2005 SW 75th Street Gainesville, FL 32607 Planet Birth 352.231.0732 Kids Only Dental Place 352.335.7777 5209 SW 91 Drive Gainesville, FL 32608 Tioga Dental Associates 352.333.1946 13005 SW 1st Road, Ste 233 Jonesville, FL 32669 Progressive Orthodontics Gnvll 352.331.5132 Lake City 386.754.0092 All About Women OBGYN 352.331.3332 Kids Doc Pediatrics 352.332.4400 6440 W. Newberry Rd., St. 105 Gainesville, FL 32605

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health & wellness

Bath Junkie 352.331.3777 13005 SW 1st Road, Ste 125 Jonesville, FL 32669 UF Plastic Surgery 352.265.8402 UF Vein Center 352.392.9928 Spa Royale 352.333.5800

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352.359.5816 352.870.8898 352.870.2521 800.478.2895

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Calendar of Events October 1 Gainesville Gone Nashville Benefitting the Child Advocacy Center Canterbury Equestrian Showplace, Newberry 6 p.m.-10 p.m. www.gainesvillegonenashville.com October 3 3rd Annual Kids Cross Country Meet Sponsored by Compass Bank Queen of Peace Catholic Academy Grades K-8 10 a.m. www.qpcacademy.org October 3 “Amazon Voyage” Public Opening Florida Museum of Natural History 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

October 3- January 27 “Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches” Florida Museum of Natural History October 3 Noche de Gala Support the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation Besilu Collection, Micanopy 7p.m.-12 a.m. www.nochedegala.org October 3-4 25th Annual Art Festival at Thornebrook 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thornebrook Village www.thornebrookart.org October 10 6th Annual High Springs Art Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.highsprings.com October 12 Columbus Day October 16 No School UF Homecoming Parade UF Gator Growl October 17 UF Homecoming! Go Gators!

October 18 7th Alachua Harvest Festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Main Street Downtown Alachua

October 24 Trinity Trot 8 a.m.

5K/Mile/100-yard Dash for children & adults of all ages Trinity United Methodist Church Email: sportsministry@trinitygnv.org October 24 2009 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Gainesville Northeast Park 9 a.m. www.makingstrides.acsevents.org October 24-25 Mount Dora Craft Fair Downtown Streets Mount Dora, FL www.mountdora.com/festivals.php October 25 The Great Pumpkin Harvest Trinity United Methodist Church Games, prizes, and lots of candy 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

October 25 Second Annual SunCountry Halloween Carnival Support the March of Dimes 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. www.suncountrysports.com October 25 ButterflyFest Museum of Natural History 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

October 31 Boo at the Zoo Sante Fe College Teaching Zoo 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/ October 31-Nov 1 35th Annual Micanopy Fall Harvest Festival Micanopy November 3 The Ten Tenors UF Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. www.performingarts.ufl.edu November 8 Title Town Hoedown and Bar-B-Que Showdown Hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County for Early Education Rembert Farm Info: seddie@elcalachua.org November 11 Veterans Day November 14-15 28th Annual Downtown Festival and Arts Show 10 a.m-5 p.m.

Downtown Gainesville www.gvlculturalaffairs.org November 26 Thanksgiving November 27 Black Friday

October 25 Heart of Florida Asian Festival Noon to 6 p.m.

Thomas Center Free Admission 352-393-8746 www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

October

October 30 National Candy Corn Day October 30 Amazon Warriors Florida Museum of Natural History A special Day Camp at the Museum for Children In grades K-5.

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. www.flmnh.ufl.edu

November

October 31 Halloween

Submit information about your local event for our calendar.

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

giggle

magazine • oct/nov 2009

43

Give your child a head start

on a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends you bring your child in for an orthodontic exam early-usually around age 7, while facial growth and tooth eruption are still occurring. Our doctors will check for several conditions that, if left untreated, can be difficult and costly to correct at a later age or even cause damage to the permanent teeth.

Drs. A. Page Jacobson and Dawn L. Martin have over 45 years of combined experience and offer comprehensive orthodontic care for children, teens and adults. Plus, be assured that our doctors always look at the most conservative treatment methods available.

Complimentary

Orthodontic exam, X-rays and SureSmile analysis

This offer is valued at $350, so call today!

In Gainesville, call (352) 331-5132

7575 W. University Ave., Ste. E • Gainesville, FL 32607

In Lake City, call (386) 754-0092

457 S.W. Perimeter Glen • Lake City, FL 32025

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED-FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.

Interest-free in-office financing & flexible payment options • Most insurance accepted & filed • www.jmortho.com