Mobile Bay Parents October 2017 by KeepSharing

N I U C re n unio

SUNDAY 1-3

October 22, 2017 COSTUMES

ENCOURAGED

USA CHILDREN’S & WOMEN’S HOSPITAL

COURTYARD 1700 Center Street | Mobile, Alabama 36604

October2017

Volume 7 Number 7

42 Columns

Mom of the Month 4

Living With Children John Rosemond

Parenting Teens

Find out one of the biggest mistakes today’s parents are making with their teens.

It’s Time for Time Management

Practical advice for teaching your kids this valuable skill.

Kids Health Watch

Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

Understanding Eczema The triad of asthma, allergies, and eczema is very prevalent in our community. I’m certain each of you personally deals with one of these three problems, or knows a family member or friend who does. So, over the next three months we’re going to discuss each of these medical problems in more detail, starting with eczema this month. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a dry, red, itchy rash; and although it can look pretty bad, it is not contagious. This is becoming more common in pediatrics, and about 90% of children with eczema have symptoms before they turn 4 years old. Many of them outgrow the condition before adulthood, but unfortunately there is no reliable indication as to which children will outgrow it and which children will continue to have lifelong eczema flare ups.

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Eczema is more common in children where there is a family member who has one or more of the allergic triad. Unfortunately, this rash is not a one-time problem. Once you get eczema under control, it can return again– days, weeks, or even months later. Sometimes you’re able to identify a trigger like milk, pollen, grass, or dust that makes this itchy rash appear, but oftentimes the cause is unclear. In the event you’re able to identify eczema, there are a few things you can do to treat the rash: • Keep the skin moisturized. • Avoid scented soaps and lotions. These often worsen eczema, so free and clear detergents, unscented soaps, and petroleum jelly-based lotions like Eucerin or Aquaphor can be a great start for preventing eczema flare ups. • Take shorter baths in lukewarm water. • If you can only moisturize once a day, try to do so immediately after getting out of the bathtub.

For more severe eczema, your doctor may prescribe topical steroids or antihistamines to be used intermittently with flare ups. The rash can be so itchy that it is difficult to sleep, so Benadryl or a stronger oral medicine may be helpful. Steroids are very effective, but should not be used longer than about one week at a time, so preventative measures are key to controlling this irritating condition. Mild eczema is often treated at home with over the counter creams. However, if you eczema is becoming more problematic for you or your child, be sure to ask your pediatrician for advice, or seek a consultation with a dermatologist or allergist. Jennifer Adair, M.D., was born and raised in Mobile. She joined Children’s Medical Group in July 2013 and currently practices at their Airport office. Jennifer and her husband, Cory, reside in Mobile with their dogs, Fitz and Barkley.

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PRESENTED BY:

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FRIDAY October 27, 2017 • 6 Pm MOULTON TOWER ON USA CAMPUS Post race activities include games, food, drinks, music, jump houses, trick-or-treating, photo booth, pumpkin decorating and much more!

For race information and to purchase wristbands, visit usahealthsystem.com/trick-or-trot

@USACWHospital

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Griggs Kindergartners Learn About Eclipse

Autauga County Schools

Mobile County Public Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Signature Academy Showcase

Mrs. Fieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kindergarten class at W.C. Griggs elementary was excited to learn about the solar eclipse. Students even made eclipse hats in celebration of the event.

On Tuesday, October 24th from 4:30-6:30 p.m., the Mobile County Public Schools will host the 4th annual Signature Academy Showcase at the USA Mitchell Center. Each of the 12 MCPS high schools will set up displays and have administrators, faculty, and students available to provide information and answer questions about each of their unique Signature Academies. All 7th and 8th grade students, along with their parents/guardians, are encouraged to attend. This event kicks off the Signature Academy application period for the 2018-2019 school year. For more information, please contact Kristi July at (251) 221-4019.

Congratulations to the E.R. Dickson 1st Semester Safety Patrol!

Front Row: Vershawn Harris, Desmond Williams, Carter McGlotheren-Homan, Daniel Dinh, Joshua Price, Dante Neely, Jordan DuBose, and Kipplin Greene. Middle Row: Mrs. Summer Davis, Vanessa Sylaphone, Caiya Mitchell, Jade Carter, Terrianna Holifield, Ava Gardner, Alyssa Schwartz, Savannah McGraw, Carson Dozier, Hanna Harvey, Cacori Yates, and Mrs. Mary White. Back Row: Mason Steele, Zoe Villanitis, Zyrilyn McCants, Jevairia Jehangir, Morgan Winbush, Alexia Lara Molina, Dailey Bassa, and Garrett Steele.

Baker HS JROTC Cadets Place Second in Mud Run

A team of JROTC cadets from Baker High School took second place in the annual Volkslauf Mud Run in Gulfport, Mississippi recently. Cadets Chris Willhite, Anthony Arndt and Jalin Brunner took just over an hour to complete the rigorous 4.9-mile course, which featured mud pits and other obstacles. Cadets from Blount High School and several of MCPSS JROTC instructors also participated.

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Dodge Elementary Holds Grits for Grandparents

Dodge Elementary PTA invited our magnificent grandparents to join us for Grits for Grandparents on September 8. We love our grandparents!

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MGM Places in National History Day Competition

UMS-Wright Helps Hurricane Harvey Victims

Congratulations, Naomi Wilson, Sonja Hadder, Kaitlyn Thornton, Megan Griffin whose project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dancing Their Way to Freedomâ&#x20AC;? won first place in the Senior Group Exhibit in the Alabama History Day competition. The ladies, along with sponsor Mr. Thomas, then traveled to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National History Day competition. There, they won Best Overall Exhibit for the state of Alabama.

At UMS-Wright, we believe that service is more than an action, it is a lifestyle. We work hard to promote a culture on campus that integrates serving others as a core value. Our students have participated in many service opportunities in order to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The entire school collected cleaning supplies to create "Cleaning Buckets" to send to the affected areas. Also, the Junior and Senior football players helped Volunteers of America load 18-wheelers full of supplies collected by our students to send to Texas.

Please email School News and Photos to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com.

UMS-Wright Preparatory School | admissions@ums-wright.org | 479-6551 13

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Houston Rockets Chaplain Speaks at Davidson

Malcolm Marshall, chaplain for the NBA team the Houston Rockets, made a special stop at Davidson High School. Malcolm shared his life experiences while stressing the importance of character and leadership. The students enjoyed hearing the talk from this dynamic and inspirational speaker.

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Autauga County Schools

McGill-Toolen’s Regions Student of the Month

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McGill-Toolen Catholic Senior Class President, Mattie Naman was honored as Regions Student of the Month for the Cspire 1st & 10 Club! She is pictured with guest speaker Tommy Tuberville. Congrats Mattie!

3D Books at St. Pius X School Library Just another day at the library. A St. Pius X seventh grader enjoys one of the 3D books available in the school library.

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Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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Prichard Prep Adds Drama Team to Extracurricular Activities

Prichard Preparatory School has added the Drama Team as an extracurricular activity this year. The Drama Team performs throughout Mobile County and at various school events. The Drama Team incorporates Christian mime, sign language, and praise dancing into their presentations. The 2017-18 Drama Team members are: Loumya Bettis, Brooklynn Bracy, Gyrianna Carmichael, Catelynn Gill, Kaleyce Gulley, Jaden Kidd, Genesis McCants, Chloe McMillan, and Angel Niles. They are directed by Mrs. Janet Rainer.

Lott Middle School Students of the Month

6th Grade: Matthew Rowell and Maddie Weaver; 7th Grade: Maurice Skanes and Dawnielle Anderson; 8th Grade: Michael Harvey and Kierra Skanes.

Davidson Students Attend Gen-Cyber Summer Camp

The University of South Alabama invited 48 Davidson Warrior students to the GenCyber camp over the summer. The camp promotes correct and safe online behavior, increased diversity and interest in cybersecurity and careers in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cybersecurity workforce as well as improved teaching methods for cybersecurity content in K-12 computer science curricula.

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Autauga County Schools

Leinkauf Elementary Receives Grant for After-School Services

Leinkauf Elementary School was awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant in October 2016. Leinkauf’s “Prepared for Life” 21st CCLC K-8 After School program provides after school services and a summer program to Leinkauf students and other schools in the community offering homework help, various sports, music, art, theatre, dance, community service, clubs, STEM activities and a whole lot more! The program’s purpose is to expose students to learning opportunities and activities that will support the development of knowledge, skills, values and relationships that are essential for academic and life-long success. Pictured is the robotics club.

Collier Students Wear Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness

Students and staff at Elsie Collier Elementary School went GOLD every Wednesday in the month of September to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Students and staff were encouraged to wear a gold/ yellow shirt in honor of all the superheroes who have been affected by this terrible disease, including these survivors who are near and dear to the hearts of everyone at Collier Elementary: Evan Shropshire (pictured), Principal Michelle Shropshire’s grandson, and former Collier students Taylor Davis and Hailey Jones.

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Spanish Fort High School Band POW-MIA Performance

On the morning of Saturday, September 9, the Spanish Fort High School Band performed at the (POW-MIA) ceremony held at the Spanish Fort Community Center in Spanish Fort. Before the program started, the band played a variety of songs, from prelude chorales and hymns such as “Old Hundredth”, “Ode to Joy”, and “Creed of Man”, as well as patriotic songs which included “America the Beautiful”, “God Bless America”, and “My Country Tis of Thee”. During the ceremony, the band intently listened to the moderator speak about all the different statistics about POW’s and MIA’s. They then stood as Jessica Cooney and Kenya Thomas presented the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Alabama Representative Bradley Byrne then got up and spoke about what Washington is doing to help out veterans and their families as well as what Mobile is doing to provide care for local veterans. After that, the Keynote Speaker - former WWII POW - Seymour “Sy” Litchenfeld, discussed his past experience of being a POW. He served in the U.S. army and was taken captive at the infamous Battle of the Bulge after being surround for three days and having run out of food and ammunition. He was taken prisoner at the point of a bayonet and spent over five months as a prisoner in Germany. Sy received many awards, including the Purple Heart, POW Medal, WWII Battle of the Bulge Metal, and many others. After the keynote speaker, the band watched as the “Missing Man Table Ceremony” was performed. Following the “Missing Man” ceremony the band sang along with the audience as Jessica Cooney led Amazing Grace. Nearing the end of the program, the moderator called the band to play the service medley, Armed Forces Salute. As the band played, members of each of the five branches of the military stood as they heard their service song. Before ending the program, Rep. Bradley Byrne presented pins and certificates, signed by the President of the U.S., to all the Vietnam Veterans. As the SF Band left the ceremony, many distinguished guests, such as Rep. Bradley Byrne, the moderator, and the keynote speaker, gave a round of applause and a “Thank You” to the SFHS Band for playing so well at the event. The POW-MIA service was an emotional experience for some and a great learning opportunity for the rest.

Little Flower Catholic School Welcomes New Families

When new families come to Little Flower Catholic School, they are made to feel welcomed by other families, faculty, and staff. It doesn't take long for them to adjust to their new surroundings. A special welcoming event was held in honor of the new families to give them a chance to meet and greet teachers and other families. Principal Alesa Weiskopf welcomed incoming kindergartner Preston Blanchard and his mother Melissa Blanchard during the New Family Orientation night.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Pius X Students Gift Archbishop with a Sheep

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Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi joined the students of St. Pius X School to celebrate their first Mass of the new school year. The student body gifted the Archbishop with a sheep from Heifer International. The sheep will change the lives of a poverty stricken family by providing food and income.

St. Mary Catholic School Buddies

St. Mary Catholic School kindergartners and fifth graders are paired each year in the St. Mary Buddies program. The new kindergarten students have a fellow older student mentor who orients them into the many St. Mary programs. Activities include the weekly student Mass, story time in their classrooms, and many special events throughout the year!

Please email School News and Photos to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com.

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Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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St. Dominic Kindergartners Take Fun Campus Tour

Chester, the raccoon from the book “The Kissing Hand”, recently visited St. Dominic Catholic School. However, the kindergarten students had a hard time finding him. He left clues around campus, which the students followed, ultimately touring campus. Here St. Dominic Catholic School Principal, Mrs. Laurie Michener, reads the clue left by Chester to students.

Springhill Medical Center welcomes Dr. Helen Rogers, Dr. C.M.A. “Max” Rogers, IV, and Dr. Amy McCoy.

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CHCA Students Learn About American Revolution

Six graders in Mrs. Messer’s social studies classes at Cottage Hill Christian are studying Colonial America and the road to the American Revolution. They recently had a tea party that included scones, china, and a lesson in etiquette as they learned more about the Loyalists and Patriots and the beginning of America's freedom.

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County Mobile Public HS CulinaryAutauga Students CanSchools Earn College Credit at Culinard

Students in Mobile County Public Schools culinary arts programs now have a unique opportunity to take college courses that will ultimately earn them college credit, thanks to a new articulation agreement between the system and the Mobile campus of Virginia College. The agreement gives MCPSS culinary students the opportunity to take select culinary courses at Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, and receive future course credit upon enrollment there after graduation from high school. “This is an outstanding opportunity for our students who are serious about a career in the culinary field,” said Larry Mouton, MCPSS Assistant Superintendent of Workforce Development. “We believe that giving the students another helping of similar curriculum in the focused college environment will lead to the students absorbing the content deeper and creating a stronger college graduate.” The Culinard courses available for high school students in grades 10, 11 and 12 are: Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts I and Culinary Arts II. Once graduated from high school and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Virginia College’s Mobile campus, students may seek articulated credit and a scholarship up to $1,324 if they earned an A or B in all secondary culinary courses from their local high school. Virginia College also has an agreement with Disney that offers externship opportunities for culinary students at its famous theme parks and other properties. Pictured signing the agreement last month at Murphy High School are, from left, MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek; Virginia College President Eric Berrios; Mouton; and Chef Antony Osborne, national dean of Culinary and Hospitality Programs for Education Corporation of America.

Mobile Christian Students View Eclipse

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Elementary and secondary students at Mobile Christian were very excited to have the opportunity to view the rare solar eclipse! After teachers explained the science behind the unique celestial event and gave safety instructions, students put on their safety glasses. As heads tilted up, mouths fell open. Students and faculty alike were in awe of God’s amazing creation at work.

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Corpus Christi Catholic School Receives Funding for Feed a Bee Initiative

Corpus Christi Catholic School is excited to be part of the Bayer Corporation's Feed a Bee initiative. They are the only school in Alabama and one of only 13 nationwide to receive funding and to be recognized by the company. Mrs. Judy Edwards applied for the grant and was awarded $2,500 to be used over the next three years. Her objective is to help build, plant, and maintain container pollinator gardens on our school grounds that can be used for years to come as a hands-on tool to teach students in all grades about environmental conservation and agriculture. These gardens will contain pollinator plants that will help provide a food source for bees which will help increase their population in Alabama. The teachers will be able to provide hands-on learning opportunities for their students during the planting and maintaining of the beds. The students will be citizen scientists and work to do their part to create an ecosystem at Corpus Christi that will encourage plant pollination. The students will learn the importance of doing their part to help increase the food supply for all humans on the globe.

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St. Paul’s First Graders Visit Spring Hill Manor

Mrs. Mosley’s first grade class at St. Paul’s Episcopal School kicked off this year’s Grand Friends program on Friday, Sept. 1st. Each month a first grade class will visit their “Grand Friends” at Springhill Manor as part of the Little Saints Serving program. Mrs. Mosley’s group took angels that they made in class for each resident and sang “This is the Day” and “Jesus Loves Me” for their new friends. Parents Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Parker made trays of goodies for the workers and parents Haley Van Antwerp, Jay Fitzpatrick, Lauren Rachel, and Susan Kumar helped chaperone this special event.

Parent Night at St. Mary’s Parent Night at St. Mary’s Parent Night at St. Mary’s 48 Years and Still Dippin!

Explore the opportunities. Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Dinner & Information Packets: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Open House & Curriculum Tours: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

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Autauga County Schools

Allentown Elementary’s August GATOR Kids

Pre-K – 2nd Grade (Top photo) Front Row: Christian Graves, Fabian Figueroa, Colin Foster, McKenna Baker, Brooks Barnes, Tristan Landry, Hunter Gerald. Middle Row: Victoria Nguyen, Carson Couie, Collin Havard, Sophia Ratcliff, Lawson Thomas, Jachin Pace, Kensley Kiper. Back Row: Cayden Kurtz, Emily Miller, Mason Rowe, Jackson Hill, A.J. Stewart, Hazel Scott, Addyson Parker.

Mo Th na 3rd – 5th Grade (Bottom photo) Front Row: Brycen Conner, Lylah Richardson, Kierstin Kiper, Makayla Gurley, Frank Kelly, Nicholas Hacker, Eli Pesnell. Middle Row: Cassie Miller, Christian Preyer, Yobana Rodriquez, Mariah Pace, Jardin Eaton, Savannah Taylor. Back Row: Luciano Diego Diego, Sarah Schmaeling, Gerrode Smith, Kyleigh Reed, Joshua Barnes, Braxton Brettel.

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Please email School News to Lynn@ mobilebayparents.com by the 7th of the month.

Children’s of Alabama is ... l The

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to the Pediatric & Congenital Heart Center of Alabama, where more than 450 cardiac surgeries are performed annually

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205.638.9100 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children Lowder Building McWane Building Children’s on Third Outpatient Center Children’s Park Place

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Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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Sea Cadets Camp Out

Dunlap Division ended the summer with their annual camp out at the Commanding Officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house. Cadets competed in team building exercises, for example, rearranging people by age while balancing on beams, human battleship, and building towers out of balloons with disabilities. The cadets learned the importance of never leaving a man behind. Cadets pitched tents in the field and grilled their evening chow over a bonfire. Families were invited Sunday to swim, eat, and watch their cadets receive awards from summer trainings. Our cadets had the opportunity to participate in specialized trainings across the country in June and July. Two of Dunlapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cadets received highest honors, CPO Graham earned National Cadet of the year for Sea Cadets, and PO1 Summerson earned Outstanding Cadet of the year for League Cadets. Bravo Zulu Dunlap Division. Naval Sea Cadets is designed for young men and women ages ten to high school graduation who are interested in expanding their knowledge on our military. The sea cadets instill patriotism and leadership skills. Dunlap division meets one weekend a month at the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Center in Mobile, the cadets are under no obligation to join the military; however, if they do decide to enlist the are usually eligible to enlist at a higher pay grade. The program does offer ROTC scholarships. If you or someone you know may be interested in joining our local unit as a cadet or adult leader, visit our national website at www.seacadets.org or contact our administrative officer ENS Angela Graham at Dunlap.seacadets@gmail.com. You may also follow our local unit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DunlapDivision.

UMS-Wright Honors Navy Veteran with Diploma

George Lee was born on January 28, 1927. After returning to Mobile from Evergreen, George and his twin brother, Richard, attended University Military School. In 1944, on their 17th birthday, both young men left UMS to enlist in the United States Navy to serve their country in World War II. After the war, George worked as a Merchant Marine. On August 17th, after nearly 73 years, UMS-Wright was honored to present Mr. Lee, at 90 years of age, his UMS-Wright diploma. The entire UMSWright family is so thankful to be a part of making his dream of receiving his high school diploma come true.

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P St. Ignatius Celebrates Birthday of Mary

St. Ignatius school students celebrated the birthday of Mary on September 8. Pictured here are Ella Keaton, Samantha Cochran, Louise Stuardi, Isabelle Brown and Ellis Bennett. Each student had cupcakes after Mass to complete the celebration. The school and parish are focusing on Mary as the 150th anniversary of Fatima approaches this year. All events are tagged with #marymatters.

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Autauga County Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Visits Council Traditional School

Mobile County Public Schools last month welcomed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to Council Traditional School, showing off the school’s accelerated academic program and the choices available to parents within the system. “I just want to say I had such a great day in Mobile and a great visit here at Council Traditional School,” DeVos said after the visit. “It was a joy to see the students in action and the teachers in action, and I’m very, very impressed with all the things I saw and learned today. So thanks for the hospitality.” DeVos, who is pictured here being greeted by Council’s ambassadors, toured several classrooms, ranging from first through fifth grade, and spoke with students. She also met with MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek, who said she appreciated the opportunity to talk with DeVos about the choices available in the system. Council, an International Baccalaureate school and one of MCPSS’s 13 Blue Ribbon schools, is one of seven magnet schools in the system available to parents throughout Mobile County. The system also offers choice on the high school level through its Signature Academies, which are available in all 13 MCPSS high schools.

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Dodge Students Participate in Club Days Each Friday

Fridays are club days for 4th and 5th grade students at Dodge Elementary School. Students select a club to participate in every Friday afternoon from 2:00-3:00. Clubs meet for nine weeks each semester. Students select a new club for each semester.

St. Paul’s Donates Bus Load of Supplies to Houston

The Port City continues to rally around the Lonestar state as the recovery continues from Hurricane Harvey. St. Paul’s Episcopal School partnered with Volunteers of America and delivered over 3,000 items, collected in just a week. “I’m always amazed by our community, how well they love each other, love our city, as well as the world. So we knew that we were going to get a lot, but once it started coming in these last few days, we realized it was even more than we prepared for,” says Zac Lambrecht, coordinator at St. Paul’s for the supply drive. Students, too, learned an important lesson about teamwork and giving back, as the donations kept coming. “I felt very encouraged, like the people in Houston had nothing to worry about, like we would help them,” says student Jalyn Sirmans.

McGill-Toolen Athlete of the Week

McGill-Toolen Senior Chase Mahler was presented with The Friday Night Rivals Scholar Athlete of The Week during the McT/ Murphy game. Chase is a mutli-sport varsity athlete (football and soccer) has a 4.08 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. Congratulations Chase (pictured with his mom, Sandi).

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Autauga County Schools

E.R. Dickson House Selection Day

On Friday, September 8, students at E.R. Dickson slid into their selected houses. Students were sorted into one of six houses: House of Excellence, House of Integrity, House of Perseverance, House of Respect, House of Gratitude, and House of Responsibility. Students started the day in an assembly learning about the various houses and the point reward system that will be implemented at E.R. Dickson this school year. Students were then given the opportunity to slide before selecting their houses (modeled after the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia). Students then selected a bracelet in the color of their house. Students also had the opportunity to sign a banner for their house and celebrate their selection. Our students are looking forward to a great new year in their new House Family!

Davidson Student Receives First Ever Terrence S. Mixon Sr. Scholarship Nicholas Henry, member of the Warrior class of 2017, was recently awarded the first Terrence S. Mixon Sr. Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship through the Sims-Fayola Foundation is presented to young men in Mobile County who demonstrate excellent leadership and scholarship. We're wishing Nicholas a great first year at Vanderbilt University this fall.

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MGM Student Named “Tew’s Terrific Viking”

Prichard Prep Book Fair a Success

Congratulations to Anthony Darrington for being named “Tew’s Terrific Viking”. Anthony was chosen for this award due to his outstanding character and excellent grades. As part of his award, Anthony was invited to attend a dinner hosted by the 1st and Ten Club at the Marriott Hotel. While there, he had the opportunity to meet South Alabama Jaguar head football coach Joey Jones. Congratulations, Anthony, and keep up the good work.

students and increases their interest in reading.

Prichard Prep had a Book Fair the week of September 11 – 15. This is one of the fundraisers held twice each year and provides an opportunity for students to purchase books that aren’t available in the school library. Each Book Fair is a success because it engages the

St. Dominic Grade 8 Commissioning

Grade 8 students at St. Dominic Catholic School pledged to serve the school, as student leaders, with pride and loyalty while being faithful followers of Jesus Christ and striving to imitate His example. Each student received a soaring eagle pin as a symbol of the promises they made.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Mary Catholic Cheerleaders Welcome UCA Coach for Camp

St. Mary Catholic Middle School Cheerleaders welcomed UCA Coach Ashton to our school for a two day summer camp to learn new cheers, dances and stunts to kick off the 2017-2018 CYO sports season! St. Mary's Kim McCorkle, is the St Mary Catholic cheer sponsor who coordinated this incredible camp!

Mobile Christian Assists with Hurricane Harvey Donations

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Mobile Christian students were honored to be able to help Volunteers of America load a truck full of supplies to help those who are in need due to Hurricane Harvey. Sorting items and packing boxes of food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies are the simple ways we can show our support. Although we are strangers to those in Houston, we believe they will be excited and thankful to see the overwhelming amount of donations.

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Introducing Little Flowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SGA 2017-18

Newly elected members of the Student Government Association at Little Flower Catholic School gathered for a picture with principal, Ms. Alesa Weiskopf. The SGA sets the pace for leadership and high standards at Little Flower. They plan and carry out Red Ribbon Week Activities geared toward drug abuse prevention. They organize school-wide service projects to benefit needy families in the area. They lead the Pledge of Allegiance and patriotic song at the beginning of the school day. In addition, they help raise funds so that each class from Pre K-4 through 8th grade can join the Burse Club which supports seminarians from the Mobile Archdiocese. Shown with Ms. Weiskopf are (L) to (R) are: Abby Grosvenor (Staff Liaison), Karen Tran (President), Jazmyn Lang (Treasurer), Victoria Tourne (1st Vice President), Lucille Westbrook (Secretary) and Jordan Reiser (Public Relations). Mia Uribe (2nd Vice President) was unavailable for the picture.

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Corpus Christi Catholic Names DOSM Leaders

The Disciples of St. Michael (DOSM) is Corpus Christi Catholic School's service organization led by our 8th grade class. The students organize and participate in service projects throughout the year. Four students are selected to be the leaders of the DOSM. These students have already demonstrated a commitment to serving others and are leaders in their class. The 2017-2018 Leaders of DOSM are Patrick Wentworth, Anna Taylor, Anna Caroline Dennis, and Brandon McKee.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Paul’s Students Recognized as National Merit Semi Finalists

Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of the Semifinalists in the 63rd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Two St. Paul’s Episcopal School students have been recognized as Semifinalists. Seniors Leah Brown and Cameron Drum have earned this honor and will be considered for National Merit Finalist status. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $32 million that will be offered in the spring. About 90 percent of the 16,000 National Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. We are also proud to announce that James G. Harrison earned Commended Scholar designation. St. Paul’s is very proud of these three academically talented students.

School Supplies for Harvey

St. Mary Catholic First Day Smiles

St. Mary Catholic School was all smiles on their first day of School August 21. From preschool to kindergarten, the day brought new books, uniforms, teachers and classmates!

CHCA Experiences the Eclipse

The Cottage Hill Christian Academy family held a school supply drive for Harvey victims in neighboring states. CHCA partnered with Gulf Intermodal for the transportation of donations that were collected for schools in need. Join us as we continue to pray for the recovery of Texas and South Louisiana.

UMS-Wright Inducts Honor Council

Students from Cottage Hill Christian Academy had an extraordinary day learning about and experiencing the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. Whether watching the eclipse outside with viewing devices, viewing online via live stream, making eclipse viewers and headbands, or eating eclipse donuts and moon pies, science lessons on the eclipse were experienced by all K2-12th students at CHCA. It was a day full of activities making the most of the exciting phenomenon while ensuring student safety. The amazing experience provided an opportunity for instruction, discussion, and sharing about the beauty and wonder universe in which we live. The heavens truly declare the glory of God. It was a great educational experience that students will remember for years to come.

St. J P B Se to UMS-Wright’s most revered tradition is the student-elected and studentgoverned Honor Council. Our Honor Code is a code of ethics that governs the students in all matters pertaining to honesty and integrity. It is an expression of the desire from the students, faculty, administration and trustees to provide an atmosphere in which qualities of mutual trust, respect, and integrity prevail. We are so proud to recognize the 2017-18 Honor Council! Top L to R – Matthew Taylor, Sykes Ashbee, Benton Ladd, Megan Hwang, Marcelle Ellis, Constantine Catranis, Campbell Ladd, and Carlos Anez | Bottom L to R – Kaitlyn Read, Caitlin McIlwain, Eugenia O’Connor, Elizabeth Swain, and Thomas McMillian.

Please email School News and Photos to Lynn@mobilebayparents.com. Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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McGill-Toolen Student Named 1st Runner-Up at Distinguished Young Women Competition McGill-Toolen Catholic Senior Michelle Roca earned 1st Place Runner-Up in the Baldwin County Distinguished Young Women. She also won 1st Place for Talent and Fitness. Congratulations Michelle!

Get up close with the most curious little monkey, Curious George, and follow his lead, engaging in math, science and engineering activities modeled after his own adventures.

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Including meet and greet with Curious George, birthday party packages, special events, storytimes, and more! Curious George television series merchandise © Universal Studios. Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H. A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights reserved.

located at 65 government st. • Mobile, AL 36602 • 251-208-6893 • www.exploreum.com The Gulf Coast Exploreum is grateful to its presenting sponsors Mobile County, Hargrove Engineers + Constructors, Austal, Delaney Foundation, Dee and Jim Gambill, Moses Foundation, Mobile Area Water and Sewer and Thompson Engineering, who partnered with us to bring this exhibit to Mobile.

St. Ignatius Grads Studying for Priesthood

St. Ignatius graduates Peyton Plessala, Deacon Joseph O'Gorman, Joe Seiter and Connor Plessala are pictured with Librarian Dorothy Beatty. These young men are four of the five Seminarians from St. Ignatius currently in school to become Priests. Not pictured is Alex Crow.

CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Building the Body of Christ One Student at a Time.

Established in 1958, Corpus Christi Catholic School provides students in K3 through eighth grade an outstanding education. Our child care center provides a warm, nurturing environment with developmentally-appropriate programs for children up to 2 years old. The school is committed to providing opportunities to grow in faith, achieve academic success, and serve others as disciples of Jesus.

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Autauga County Schools

St. Dominic Students Get Chromebooks

St. Dominic Catholic School students in Grades 5 – 8 no longer have to visit the computer lab to use a computer. Proceeds from the 2016 Extravaganza allowed for the purchase of an additional set of Lenovo Chromebooks. Students will be able to further integrate technology into all subject areas. Patrick Harkins, CJ Nelson, Jillian Cate and Lilly Case assist Mrs. Kathleen Thompson with unpacking the computers.

Little Flower Students Ready to Learn!

From the first day of school onward, the teachers at Little Flower Catholic School wasted no time in getting the academic atmosphere up and running. Students quickly settled into the classroom routine, meeting new students, new teachers, and adjusting to the pace of the school day. After their summer break, they came back to school refreshed and ready to learn.

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Are We Addicted to Cell Phones? How much time did your kids spend with their cellphones yesterday? When was the last time you checked yours? If contemplating these questions makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Cellphones dominate our lives in part because they are designed to do precisely that according to Tristran Harris, a tech entrepreneur who worked for a while as Product Ethicist at Google. He now runs TimeWellSpent, a non-profit that points out how cellphones and their apps hijack our attention. Some researchers have noted that brains scans of people who spend a lot of time online are disconcertingly similar to those of people with substance abuse problems. Here are a few consequences you may recognize in yourself or your kids: • Time – Devoting more and more time to cellphone activities, partly because the person looses track of time and partly because it takes longer to feel satisfied. • Obsession — Thinking about being online even when the person is offline. Failure to cut back despite resolutions. • Mood – Feeling anxious, restless, irritable or even angry when online activities are interrupted or when the person has to be offline. • Social – Withdrawal from friends and real life social activities. The feeling that online relationships are more significant and genuine. • Interference – Spending time online even when it interferes with other important activities including employment, schoolwork, chores, exercise, family time and sleep.

to manage them. If a family member is upset because of something that happened at school or work, he or she may get temporary relief from playing a game or binge-watching YouTube. That’s not necessarily a problem—if the person eventually thinks through the basic problem and comes up with ideas about how to address it.

• Deception - Lying to oneself or others about how much time is spent with the phone. For most people, of course, cellphone use doesn’t rise to the level of addiction. Still, many parents have the uneasy feeling that phones take too big a chunk of family life. In contemporary culture, total abstinence isn’t realistic for adults or teens but there are ways to become more deliberate about when and how we use our phones. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Evaluate activities. Pay attention to what you and your kids are doing on your phones. Some activities—games, social media, news—are designed to be endless. Others—gambling, shopping, looking at porn—are associated with off-line addictions. Identify activities that are productive and/or enjoyable. How much time should be allotted to each? Develop a budget that guides how you spend your online time. Use the timer on your phone--or ask other family members—to hold you accountable. 2. Create an essential home screen. Harris suggests sorting apps into three categories: Tools to help you complete essential tasks—calendar, camera, etc. Bottomless Bowls are apps that encourage you to binge. Aspirations are things you’d like to do. Create a homescreen that includes ONLY indispensable tools and realistic aspirations. Hide other apps in folders where you won’t see seductive icons. Having a folder called News, Games or Social forces you to think, even briefly, about whether you really want to engage in that activity. 3. Identify triggers. Addictive behavior often starts with uncomfortable feelings such as depression or anxiety. Talking about feelings helps children and adults recognize their emotions and make more conscious decisions about how 33

4. Customize notifications. The ding from a cellphone is like a slot machine. Most of the time it’s meaningless, but occasionally there’s a big payoff. Assign special ringtones to family members and other people so you won’t miss genuinely important messages. Then turn off notifications from everything else. You won’t know everything about everybody all the time, so put an end to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out.) 5. Create rich off-line lives. Seek out tech-free experiences that are rewarding for family members. Take every opportunity to be physically active, outdoors if possible. Ride bikes, take walks, play sports. Invite friends and extended family over for meals or game nights. Collect cellphones at the door. 6. Get an alarm clock. Using a cellphone as an alarm makes it the last thing you see before you fall asleep and the first thing you check in the morning. It may even interrupt sleep with notifications that matter much less than being rested. Claim the luxury of thinking your own thoughts as you drift off to sleep. Take a little time in the morning to wake up fully before engaging with whatever is on your phone. Finally, appreciate what’s good about cellphones. Some researchers, for example, have noted that use of drugs and alcohol among teens has declined over the same period that smartphone use increased. They speculate that interactive media may satisfy adolescent cravings for independence, risk-taking and sensation seeking without the devastating consequences of other addictions. In other words, cellphones like so many other technologies, can make lives better or worse. It’s up to parents to pay attention to that uneasy feeling about phones, so we can gently take corrective actions that restore them to their proper place. Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2017, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

A Great Teen Parenting Mistake Well-intentioned parents, doing as they have always done to protect their children when they were young, often circle the wagons and marshal control when their teenager makes a mistake in judgment. Others keep their wagons circled all the time, never giving up any control to the teenager in the first place. Such parents then wonder why their teenager rebels against them or lacks maturity. It’s natural for parents to believe that trouble can be avoided by keeping their teenager always in sight, by fixing their every problem, and by generally keeping them under their control. But I’ve learned that teens mature quicker when parents take steps in the early teen years to give up some of the control they have over their teen’s life.

Learn to Let Go!

Do you have the habit of picking up the slack, covering all the bases, answering all the questions, solving all the problems, and making everything easy for your teen? If so, you might not be doing your teenager any favors. Instead, you may just be keeping your teenager immature, dependent and powerless. If you want your child to grow up, and he’s reached the teen years, you may have to learn to let go. You may have to get out of the way. It boils down to one very simple concept — the best way to empower your teenager is to share the power you’ve always had over him, allowing him more and more power and responsibility for making his own decisions.

Hold Them Accountable

Responsibility becomes an internal life force when parents empower a child to make decisions, line out their options, define the consequences, and then let them choose. If your teenager is fully capable of doing well, communicate that belief to him by giving him more freedoms. Fortunately, most teens want to take control of things in their life — so let them. As you back off, let your teenager know they will be given even more freedoms if they handle the first steps well. And make it clear that you will remain in the role of the enforcer of consequences, should they break the rules. Such consequences could include losing some of their newfound freedoms and losing some of your trust. Then, let them make their own choices, and also let them bear the full responsibility for Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

those choices. Line out their options, define the consequences for bad decisions, and then let them choose. Don’t rescue them by not enforcing consequences for their poor choices. And equally as important, don’t forget to congratulate and reward them for making good choices!

The Power of Empowerment

As you learn to let go, your teen’s expectations will shift away from leaning on you to run their life and fix everything for them (including their mistakes), to the understanding that they are the ones responsible for how things turn out. They’ll surely make many mistakes before they begin to understand what good decisionmaking looks like. And they may even try every trick in the book to get you to rescue them out of their poor choices. But don’t do it! Hold them responsible, just as they will some day be held accountable as an adult.

Give Them Something to Be Responsible For

Teenagers don’t become responsible or learn to think more maturely by accident. They learn from being in situations where responsibility and maturity is expected and modeled. That’s why I highly recommend to parents that they get their child into a part-time job throughout the teen years, and particularly one that is service-oriented. Probably the biggest mistake of schools today is when they keep kids so busy with after school activities, that there is no time for a job in which teens can learn responsibility. Outside of what Mom and Dad are expecting of them, nothing can teach a teenager about life and making a livelihood than a job can. Kids who get their first job after they graduate from high school are at a disadvantage and have a lot of catch-up to do in the area of maturity. The right job for just a few hours each week can be a perfect training ground for a teenager, teaching people-skills, moneymanagement, time-management, and even helping the teenager determine what she does or doesn’t want to do after high school.

When to Take Back Parental Power

Now, let me address the family dealing with a teen who is already spinning out of control 34

or is addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, or other harmful substances or behaviors. This situation is entirely different. In this day and age, a child choosing to self-destruct or to live a dangerous lifestyle could end up in serious trouble, or could even die. In this case, empowerment shifts back to the parent, who must intervene and retake decisive control, since the teen’s lifestyle is actually controlling the teenager at this point. Take whatever measures are necessary to ensure his safety and do it now. It is up to you to create a solution, such as counseling or substance abuse treatment. Then, with a plan in hand and with all the power you can muster, communicate this message: “Honey – we love you. Nothing you do or say will make us love you any less, and nothing you do or say will make us love you any more. But we are not going to live like this anymore. Since you are not making the right choices on your own, here is what will change in your life, as of today…” And then stick to your plan. There’s nothing that will ruin your future ability to get such a teen back on track than to not follow through the first time.

Small Bumps Are Temporary

Maybe you are just having some small bumps in the road with your teenager. Let me assure you, most immature behavior is just that — immaturity. They will grow out of it as they mature and as they come up against the consequences for wrong decisions. And they’ll mature more quickly if you empower them to take on more responsibility for their own life. Give them ample opportunity to make errors in judgment early on, when you still have some control over them in your home. Letting go doesn’t mean backing off completely. It simply means allowing the teenager to make more and more decisions on their own, and to have more and more freedoms. When they make mistakes, or overstep your household boundaries, it is still a parent’s responsibility to dole out the consequences as a means of discipline, which will prevent them from making the same mistake again and again. For that is how teenagers learn.

Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

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Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6:00 PM University of Alabama at Birmingham Heritage Hall, RM 104 1401 University Blvd

ENTERPRISE

Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM Dauphin Jr. High School Library 425 Dauphin Street

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Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM University of Alabama in Huntsville Louis Salmon Library, RM 111 301 Sparkman Drive NW

a ‘genius’ to be accepted to ASMS?” Answer: Absolutely NOT!

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sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in

Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:00 PM Gadsden State Ayers Campus Learning Resource Center Auditorium 1801 Coleman Rd

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for academic success. All ASMS students go to college and most receive merit-based scholarships.

Questions? Email admissions@asms.net or call 251.441.3250.

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Monday, Oct. 16, 6:00 PM University of West Alabama Student Union Small Conference Room Student Union Drive

MONTGOMERY

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7:00 PM Montgomery Main Library 245 High Street

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Monday, Oct. 16, 6:00 PM Wallace Community College Hank Sanders Tech. Bldg., Conf. Room 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy

MOBILE OPTION 2

Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM Coastal Alabama Community College Library Building 3000, RM 107 30755 Hwy 43 South

Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM ASMS Campus Media Center 1255 Dauphin Street Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:00 PM ASMS Campus Media Center 1255 Dauphin Street

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Thursday, Oct. 19, 6:00 PM Coastal Alabama Community College Library, RM 101 2800 South Alabama Avex

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Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:00 PM Troy University Trojan Center Room 212 231 Adams Center

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Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:00 PM University of Alabama South Engineering Research Center RM 1059

Alabama School of Mathematics and Science 1255 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604 251.441.2100 - www.asms.net admissions@asms.net 35 www.facebook.com/mobilebayparentsmagazine

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As Mom’s behavior I couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down my cheeks as I much-needed tasks for Mom without neglecting deteriorated, our parenting drove away from my parent’s house. No longer able to deny extended periods with our roles reversed. I watched her struggle with everythe effects of Mom’s dementia, I didn’t know how to cope. I son. day chores and began to watched Mom’s confusion as she looked for the bathroom help with cooking, laundry Say good-bye to and grocery shopping. I in her own home and put toilet paper in the freezer. I didn’t the parent who applied her makeup and know how to answer when she asked where her four little redirected her behavior raised you. Diagnoses when she spun out of that affect the brain such girls were (me and my sisters of years past). Anger gripped control, envisioning her as dementia, Parkinson’s doing the same for me me. Who’s to blame for this horrible disease? Why did this or a stroke often create as a young child. Fragile devastating changes to happen? Where is the mom who raised me? emotions spilled out as personalities. Recognizing I walked in unfamiliar the need to grieve the loss territory. I wanted an of a changed relationship unique challenges. Here are a few tips I’ve instruction manual on how opens the door to healthy learned along the way. to move from the daughter role I’d played interaction as new personalities emerge. for so many years to a caregiving role, but When I quit expecting Mom to be the Recognize your limitations. there wasn’t one. mom of my childhood, I more easily acAssuming the responsibility of a full-time As our parents age, it’s not unusual to cepted the changes I couldn’t control. As caregiver role to an aging parent while parbegin a new role, particularly in the midst she moved from the parent to the child, I enting your own children can lead to stress of illness. The Family Caregiver Alliance let go of expectations of the past. I made and burnout. Mindful of your own family’s reports that 65.7 million caregivers make an intentional choice to open my mind to needs, determine a realistic plan. As my up 29% of the U.S. adult population providMom’s new emotions, changing behavior mom’s needs increased, our youngest son ing care to someone who is ill, disabled and different mannerisms. I processed raw moved into his teen years. My parents live or aged (https://caregiver.org/selectedemotions with my sisters, educated myself out-of-state so I established a schedule caregiver-statistics). Understanding how on dementia, and joined an online supwith my husband to include two days at to move into a caregiver role and balance port group to help cope with the changing my parent’s house every other week. My it with parenting responsibilities presents dynamics in our relationship. routine allowed enough time to perform

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DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY OF MOBILE

BUDDY WALK®

Live one day at a time.

Mom’s dementia will not have a happy ending. When I project details of the future, I experience anxiety, insecurity and fear. But, I’ve learned to accept the good days and the bad without focusing on what lies ahead. I don’t always do it perfectly, but when I live one day at a time, I enjoy the beauty of Mom’s laughter, the twinkle in her eye when she remembers my name, and the momentary pleasure of a meaningful conversation as Mom reminisces of childhood memories.

Solicit support. Providing care for an aging parent requires time, energy, and perseverance. Sharing the burden with others helps. I’m thankful for three sisters who also care deeply for my parents and want to participate in caregiving. Not everyone shares that privilege. Finding support through caregiver groups, local community activities, and others walking the same journey helps ease the tension and exhaustion that accompanies caregiving responsibilities.

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 21 10 a.m. Bienville Square Downtown Mobile

Down Syndrome Society of Mobile hosts the Buddy Walk® each October to promote acceptance and inclusion of those with Down syndrome in the Mobile area. There's a one-mile walk through historic downtown, live music, special guests, games and much more! Register online today at www.dssmobile.org!

Down Syndrome Society of Mobile is a 501(c)3 organization. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Include grandchildren in caregiving roles. Children don’t have to

be shielded from aging parents. Asking older children to help with meals, laundry or errands moves them away from self-centered behavior and teaches them compassion for others. My sister’s children live in the same town with my parents and regularly help with cooking, cleaning, or simply companionship on hard days. Grandchildren create lasting memories through routine tasks and meaningful conversation with grandparents.

Find gratitude for the parent now in your life. As personalities

change, new characteristics emerge. Mom’s private demeanor of the past has been replaced with a transparent and sensitive spirit. Deeper relationships develop as she easily expresses her needs and asks for help, embracing gestures of kindness with love and appreciation. Although no longer the mom of my past, I love her just the same. Aging parents create new challenges when parenting roles reverse. An already overwhelmed schedule with our own children can prevent us from assuming a caregiver role. But life is a gift that can be taken away with little notice. As I watch Mom’s last season quickly drawing to a close, I want to show honor and gratitude as often as possible, creating special moments in the process, without regrets in the end. MBP

Gayla Grace writes, speaks, and coaches on parenting and stepfamily issues.

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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IT’S A-MAZING Celebrating Over 13 Years Of Family Fun! Get lost and have fun on a farm! September 30 through November 4 • Monday - Thursday School Field Trips

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GIANT CORN FIELD MAZE • HAY RIDES • WAGON WHEEL CAFÉ • FARM YARD FUN SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS • CORN CANNONS • YEE HAW SLIDE • COW TRAIN RIDES FIRE PITS AND BIRTHDAY HUTS (BY RESERVATION ONLY) HAUNTED HAY RIDE & FIELD OF FRIGHT

DECEMBER 9 “CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM” CALENDAR OF EVENTS - ALL INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE SEPTEMBER 30: “AMERICAN HERO DAY” OCTOBER 7 & 14: BAY AREA FOOD BANK DRIVE OCTOBER 14, 21 & 28: HAUNT NIGHTS OCTOBER 28: TRICK OR TREAT SATURDAY OUR CHARACTER DAY ACTIVITIES NOVEMBER 4: GRANDPARENTS DAY

SATURDAYS 10AM-9PM • 228-641-3936 Find39Us On Facebook • www.sewardfarms.com www.facebook.com/mobilebayparentsmagazine

A Page in a Book Mending Fences with Friends Small children learn to make friends the same way that they master other childhood skills, through trial and error. Moving from the proximity play of toddlers toward actual engagement with other kids through shared interests, they are learning how to become friends. And while fun and fellowship can typify this early camaraderie, kids are also navigating the emotions and instincts that can cause fights between pals. The following titles gently explore friendly conflict while sharing solutions that can guide early relationships back toward their happy norm.

Are We Still Friends?

by Ruth Horowitz, Illustrated by Bianca Gomez (Scholastic) The relationship between Beatrice and Abel extends beyond just friendship. They share a fence between their yards with Abel growing apples trees on one side, and Beatrice raising bees on the other. They cross the wall and work together to harvest honey and pick apples, and even make apple butter in the winter. But when a simple misunderstanding blows up their friendship, it will take some work to bring down the wall that has been built between them. Highlighting the symbiosis that strengthens relationships, this title is an ideal start for conversations with kids about the shared interests and common grounds that make their friendships special.

Tiger and Badger

by Emily Jenkins, Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Farrar Straus Giroux) Even in the most solid of friendships, territorial disputes can lead to conflicts that take some extra effort to resolve. Badger and Tiger are enjoying a monumental play day, until the lines begin to blur over who gets the chair and the orange slices. But when a fight over the last ice pop results in a fight that launches their favorite toy into a tree, the friends recognize that they are stronger together as they mount a rescue. Familiar territory for kids experiencing fall outs with their pals from time-to-time, Tiger and Badger gently navigates the path from conflict to resolution with bright illustration and humor.

The Crayon

by Simon Rickerty (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster) Demonstrating their best scribbles, Red and Blue like to show off what they can do with their crayons. But when antics for attention between Red and Blue cross the line, a colorful competition ensues that leaves one crayon out in the cold. And just like how a fight takes two, it takes more than one to put a friendship back together again. Relationships arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply black and white (or red and blue) and the addition of more color may brighten up the future for these two friends. With simple text and bold primary colored illustration, The Crayon explores how friendships can migrate outside of the lines, drawing bigger landscapes for relationships to explore.

Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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“What are you doing?!” I say to my son. “I told you five minutes ago to get dressed. We’re leaving for your baseball game!” Even in my apparent state of frustration, my 6-year-old refuses to be rushed along as he reluctantly tosses his toy plane onto the floor and slowly begins pulling one sock on and then another. His inner clock shows no urgency. And no amount of lecturing about dilly-dallying is going to expedite my dawdler. So begins another frantic dash out the door. Although some of us may be inclined to consider punctuality, or the lack there-of, as a personality trait, experts say that time management is a skill that can be taught and is just as important to academic and long-term success as learning the three Rs. “Time management skills for children are linked to ‘school survival skills’ when mastered young and become ingrained habits for later in life,” says Dr. Stephanie Mihalas, a nationally certified school psychologist and clinical instructor, department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. “Starting too young is never too early!” Time management includes executive functioning skills like organization and planning, reviewing work for quality and accuracy and staying focused.

Ask your child to estimate how much time he needs to finish his math assignment and then time him. With practice, he’ll start to realize how long each task actually takes. “A great tool is TimeTimer (http://www.timetimer.com/) which is like a kitchen timer (either a stand alone tool or an app) that shows time in stopwatch fashion with the time remaining in red,” says Cindy Sullivan, a productivity, time management and professional organization expert. “As the red shrinks you are getting closer to the end time. It works great with homework or when doing a ‘beat the clock’ to tidy up or work on other tasks.” Timers can also work well to keep parents on track, says Dr. Jane Sosland, clinical assistant professor, department of Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center. “A lot of times we’ll say, ‘I need you to brush your teeth. I’ll be back in five minutes.’ Then we get busy with other children,” Sosland says. Use your microwave or your phone timer to help remind you when it’s time to check on your child.

Schedule weekly family meetings. Use Sunday evenings to discuss the family’s upcoming schedule. Give each child her own calendar that she can fill out. Hang up a master schedule with each person’s activities in a different color of ink.

Create a chunked to-do schedule Divide the day into chunks of time on a dry erase board or laminate a task list. For example, the morning routine might say: Get

Use a timer. Build awareness about how long it takes to complete a task. Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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dressed, make bed, eat breakfast and brush teeth. Your child can check off the tasks as she completes them.

Offer incentives. “More checks can be linked to a natural reward like time with the family, helping to create the meal for the evening or play time with friends,” Mihalas says. Fewer checks results in natural consequences like less time to play with friends or watch a favorite TV program before school.

Use visuals. For children who aren’t reading yet, photographs or pictures can help cue them. “I helped my son take responsibility for his morning routine as a kindergartner by drawing pictures on post-it notes of school clothes, eating breakfast, and driving to school and stuck them on an analog clock,” says mom of two Sherlyn Pang Luedtke, author of The Mommy Advantage. Luedtke says that the day her son was still sitting in his pajamas when it was time to go, she calmly put him in the car with his clothes and shoes next to him. “He got dressed while the car was in the driveway with the engine running,” she says. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying. Changing old habits can take at least a month, and kids don’t usually share the same sense of urgency as adults do. “If a morning goes poorly, rather than being furious and upset on the way to school, try and problem solve to decide what to do tomorrow so this doesn’t happen again. Maybe that’s waking up a few minutes earlier,” Sosland says. *Looking for additional resources? Check out Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, Ed.D., and Richard Guare, Ph.D. ASK ABOUT Our

*Poor executive functioning can be a sign of ADD/ADHD. If you are concerned, consult with your family physician. MBP

OriginalOysterHouse.com

Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines, is a mom of two boys and the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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Calling All Campers

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Moving beyond the familiar four walls of houses and hotels, the camping experience offers a whole new environment for kids to escape from the day-to-day. Packing for alternative methods of cooking, prepping new sleeping arrangements, and planning outdoor adventures add unique advance excitement for children on a camping mission. For kids and families who are increasingly immersed in high-tech living, there’s never been a better time to answer the call of camping. Both the ultimate getaway and the best of back-to-nature family outings, the following items making camping a cool new adventure for kids.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Wise Owl Hammock

Regalo Kids Cot (Regalo)

Sometimes a little elevation makes all the difference between a kid’s restless sleep on the ground and restful campsite slumber. The Regalo cot recreates a bit of the familiar bed for a child while retaining the sense of a camping adventure. Crafted with strong canvas and reinforced stitching, the cot is 48” long and supports up to 75 pounds. With a cot cover that’s washable and liner that wipes down easily, this bed is a snap to restore to camp readiness after every use. Folding easily into its travel case and weighing in at just four pounds, the Regalo cot answers the camping call of ‘conserve space and pack light’. Sure to enjoy extra use for sleepovers and beach trips the Regalo cot is a sound investment in recreational rest.

(Wise Owl)

A soft and silky alternative to ‘sleeping rough’, the Wise Owl hammock presents a simple way to swing into comfort. Made with parachute nylon, the slinky lightweight fabric gives the hammock surprising strength and durability for the rugged outdoors. Ease of assembly is important when considering the limited patience of excited youth and this hammock meets that need. Complete with the rope and carabiners for hanging, campers are just a few knots away from instant outdoor relaxing. Saving space during travel, the hammock bundles easily into its storage bag which is no bigger than a grapefruit. Kick off your camping adventure as you scout out the perfect space between two trees to hang your Wise Owl hammock and hang out in style.

Kelsyus Canopy Chair

Wonder Lake Dome Tent

For every parent who struggles to keep sunscreen on their child, the Kelsyus Canopy Chair offers little kids an extra measure of passive protection from the sun. Modeled after adult-sized quad-style camp chairs, the Kelsyus retains all the same look and functionality while scaled down to accommodate a small child. Portability is a snap as the canopy transforms into the carry bag with backpack straps. The whole assembly weighs only 5 pounds so the chair is easily toted hands-free by kids to their camping, beach, or sporting destination. Providing struggle-free shade, the Kelsyus Canopy Chair is the perfect rest and retreat for small children enjoying outdoor adventures.

Letting children stake their campground claim with their own dedicated lodging fosters their sense of independence on an outdoor adventure. With a 7’ by 4’ footprint, the Wonder Lake tent offers enough sleeping space for two little ones or a single pre-teen needing their own elbow room. Inverted seams, welded floor and included rainfly can repel wet weather while the domed shape redirects wind issues. Easily constructed with continuous pole sleeves and a simple pin-and-ring system, the whole kit packs easily into its carry bag. Compact, cool and camp-ready, the Wonder Lake Dome Tent lets kids carve out a comfortable space of their own in the wide open world.

(Kelsyus)

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Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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Q. My husband and I have been saving, and we’re ready to buy our first home. We found a place we both love and can afford if we do a 30-year mortgage instead of a 15-year mortgage. Should we wait and save more for a down payment so we can afford a 15-year mortgage, or go ahead and do the 30-year deal? A. Good financial

decisions can be defined as things that help you win with money over the long-term. Thirty-year mortgages are a trap. They don’t help you build wealth, and they keep you in debt. On the other hand, 15-year mortgages get you out of debt a lot faster, and being out of debt frees up your largest wealth-building tool — your income. I would never take out a home loan where the payments are more than a

fourth of your monthly take-home pay on a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage. My advice is to either wait and save more money, or maybe look for a less expensive home in a different area. I know you want a home. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own house. But I don’t want your home to have you. When you get house fever, it’s easy to lock yourself into a bad deal that will follow you around and drain your wallet for decades!

Q. My brotherin-law moved in with us several months ago. He’s 32, and he doesn’t have a job or contribute anything in terms of helping around the house or with bills. I think he needs to move out, but my wife is hesitant to say anything. She complains about the situation to

me, but she knows her family will be upset if we do anything. How can we handle this?

A. Responsible adults don’t behave like

bums, and I don’t care what the rest of the family thinks. This issue is between you and your wife. You two are the only ones dealing with this, so it’s easy for others to chime in about what should happen. You shouldn’t just kick the guy out, but you do need to get busy formulating a plan that will allow him to get back on his feet. Have a gentle talk with him about the situation and his future, and tell him things aren’t going to continue on the same path. Let him know he must have a job within 30 days, and 30 days after that he has to move into his own place. Write it down on the calendar, if it will help, but make sure he understands why you’re doing this and the date he must move out. I know these things can be difficult, but sometimes you’ve got to take the bull by the horns and make something happen. It’s what’s best for him – and both of you – in the long run.

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In addition to being a short-order cook, housekeeper, and 24/7 chauffeur, I’m also my kids’ #1 fear-fighter. I check under their beds for bad guys and stick my arm in the toy bin “to make sure the crab isn’t real.” Almost every day my kids ask for help with scary situations. My daughter believes zombies live in our attic and my son swears he’s seen a green ghost in my bedroom. I tell them, “Monsters are just pretend,” but neither child believes me. They’re convinced that danger lurks in the darkness. Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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nothing to worry about,” Wendt warns. The best approach is problem-solving. Here are some ways to do it.

Where Fears Come From

Kids’ fears are as unique as their personalities. Many young kids are afraid of animals and insects (dogs, snakes, spiders), characters in costumes (beware Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny), and things that go bump in the night. Others fear loud noises or believe they’ll be sucked down the toilet when it flushes. Even kids who don’t believe in the boogeyman may fret about schoolyard bullies. “Some kids are more fearful than others because they are born with a predisposition to worry,” says San Diego, Calif., clinical psychologist Joanne Wendt, PhD. Other fears grow in response to trauma. For example, a child may start to fear bees after being stung himself or seeing a classmate get stung on the playground. A little information can be dangerous: Kids who learn about killer bees may believe backyard bumblebees are mini-mercenaries. Adult role models can also fuel kids’ fears. A mom who is deathly afraid of escalators may pass along her anxieties by telling kids moving stairs are slippery and insisting the whole family take the elevator. “Kids look to parents for cues about whether a situation is safe,” says Tamar Chansky, PhD, author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety. “Parents need to be mindful of the signals they send so they don’t send fearful messages about objects or situations that are basically safe, or can be managed,” she says.

Identify the issue. When your child comes to you for help with a fear, engage in some critical thinking. Questions like “Why are you afraid of this spider?” and “Have you been hurt by a spider in the past?” encourage your child define her fear more clearly. Once she’s defined her fear, she can start to question its legitimacy. Teach kids to think twice. First, ask your child what worry is telling him about the situation, using a funny voice or puppet to represent worry. “Then, using his ‘smarter mind,’ ask your child what he really thinks will happen,” Chansky says. A worry might be saying, “The 6th-grade bully will toss me in the trash can,” but your child’s smarter side knows, “The trash can has a locked cover.” Fight scary with silly. Have your child draw a picture of the thing that scares her. Then, do a goofy makeover. The hairy monster in your daughter’s closet will look a lot less frightening wearing a ballet tutu and hair curlers. Coach your child to imagine the monster slipping on a banana peel or falling off a cliff. “This allows her to take charge of her fear and her imagination,” Chansky says. Practice self-soothing. Kids can learn breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to calm themselves. The easiest strategy is to breathe in slowly while counting to four and breathe

Fight Fears Together

Dismissing kids’ concerns isn’t the answer. “Parents can unintentionally feed kids’ fears by reassuring them they have

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out while counting to seven. This focuses your child’s attention and puts him back in control. “Repeating a special word, phrase or affirmation, such as ‘I can handle this,’ also eases anxiety,” Wendt says. Practice these calming behaviors every day so they become automatic.

Outsmart Anxieties Research and logic can help kids shrink fears down to size. “Have your child write down three facts about his feared situation to put it in perspective,” says licensed professional counselor Neil McNerney, LPC, of Reston, Va. A child who is afraid of thunder storms might note:

When your child feels overwhelmed, allow him to step back and observe the scary situation from a distance. Before long, he’ll probably be ready to reengage.

If Ghosts Won’t Go

All kids have occasional worries, but some suffer from intense and persistent fears. “Anxiety Step it up. Use a technique disorders are the most common called systematic desensitization 1) Thunder makes a loud boom, psychiatric disorders, affecting to approach the feared situation but it can’t hurt me. between 10 and 17 percent of gradually. “Make a simple drawing 2) I can keep myself safer by staying inside children and teens,” Chansky says. of a stairway from the side view during a storm. “They are also the most treatable.” and put your child’s goal at the 3) The odds of being struck by lightning Using cognitive-behavioral therapy, top,” Chansky says. Then start at are only 1 in 700,000. kids can learn to turn down their the bottom and write in steps from over-reactive emotion systems and the least to most threatening. For Bottom line: Fear is a healthy response to a teach their brains new tricks. example, a child whose goal is to dangerous world. Encourage your child to If your child’s fears keep her pet a dog might start by looking learn from it. from enjoying everyday activiat pictures of dogs, visiting a pet ties at home and at school, reach store or animal shelter and letting out to your pediatrician or school a dog sniff her hand. Remind your psychologist. A professional fear-buster can help your child say child to take deep breaths as anxieties escalate. “Boo!” to ghosts and other childhood anxieties. MBP Be patient. Forcing kids to confront their fears when they aren’t ready will only increase their anxiety. Talk about your own Heidi Smith Luedtke is a personality psychologist and mom. She is the author of Detachment Parenting: 33 Ways to Keep Your Cool When Kids Melt Down. insecurities and model a courageous approach to the unknown.

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September 29 - October 31

Wales West ad on page 16

13670 Smiley Street Silverhill, 36576 All aboard a real Steam Train ride to the Haunted Barn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, decorate a FREE Pumpkin, enjoy Refreshments, Miniature Train Ride, Hay Ride, and Children’s Bounce House, and T-Rex Jr. Exciting Pumpkin Cannons, Pony Ride/ Petting Zoo, Cafe and Gift Shop available for a slight fee. DAY trains KIDDIE-friendly. Scary night trains begin at 7:00pm. Open Friday’s, 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00pm to 9:00pm. Starting October 23 open every day: 5:00pm to 9:00pm week nights, 1:00pm to 9:00pm weekends. Tickets may be purchased online or at Railroad. $15 per person, plus tax; children 2 and under, FREE. (888) 569-5337 or (251) 232-2322 www.waleswest.com

Haunted Fort: Notorious Beginnings

The Fort of Colonial Mobile 150 South Royal Street Mobile, 36602 Haunted Fort brings together an amazing cast of actors, special effects, stages, and scenes in a truly unique and exciting walk through experience that you see, hear, touch, smell and feel. It’s tremendous fun and it’s sometimes a bit scary. Haunted Fort will reveal the lesser-known side of our city’s beginnings as actors depict the spirits of Mobile’s founding fathers and others whose dark legacies lurk in the shadows of the historic fort and beyond. (251) 802-3092

www.colonialmobile.com

Haunted Mobile

The Fort of Colonial Mobile 150 South Royal Street Mobile, 36602 For centuries Mobile has been home to pirates, vagabonds, miscreants, soldiers, and ladies of the night. While their bodies may be gone their souls remain. Embark on a spine-tingling tour of Mobile and the Mobile River as we search along our haunted city streets for these forgotten souls who linger somewhere between today and the afterlife. While this tour is quite creepy this is a family attraction! What is Haunted Fort: Notorious Beginnings? Haunted Fort brings together an amazing cast of actors, special effects, stages, and scenes in a truly unique and exciting walkthrough experience that you see, hear, touch, smell and feel. It’s tremendous fun and it’s sometimes a bit scary. Haunted Fort will reveal the lesser-known side of our city’s beginnings as actors depict the spirits of Mobile’s founding fathers and others whose dark legacies lurk

in the shadows of the historic fort and beyond.

(251) 802-3092

gulfcoastducks.com/tickets

TenSixtyFive

Downtown Mobile MobileTenSixtyFive is a laid back street party celebrating music, local artists and makers, and locally owned establishments in Downtown Mobile. We will showcase local, regional, and national bands, as well as a kids zone and a local art market, all weekend long. Free www.tensixtyfive.com

Thriller Night of Lights

755 Bolling Brothers Boulevard Mobile, 36606 Looking for fun entertainment instead of the scary Halloween activities this October? Returning this fall season in Mobile, Alabama! Thriller Nights of Lights is a family-friendly drive-thru light show synchronized to music playing through your car radio. Displays of giant spiders, spooky eyes, friendly ghosts, and tumbling scarecrows are just a few of the displays to see dancing to a fun variety of music. The only show of its kind in the country, Thriller Nights of Lights will thrill kids and adults of all ages.. Open 7:00pm til 10:00pm. $6 per person, ages 3 and under are free. www.thrillernightsoflights.com

choose how many activities are right for your family and budget, but we have to say, the All Day Pass is a terrific bargain for a full day of fun! Our Wagon Wheel Cafe offers delicious barbeque sandwiches, pulled pork, hotdogs, drinks and more. We have birthday Huts and party pavilions available by reservation for special events and birthdays. Make reservations now for a fire pit for your group for a perfect evening. Join us on September 30 for American Heroes Day - All members of the U.S. Military, retired and active duty, firefighters, law enforcement, EMS personnel, along with their dependents, with valid ID are admitted free! October 7 and 14 – Bay Area Food Bank Drive, October 14, 21 and 28 will be the dates to join us if you dare for a Halloween Scare! Hauntings begin at dusk (doors open at 6:00pm). October 28 is Trick or Treat Saturday with Character Day Activities. November 4 is Grandparents Day. Hours of operation: Open Saturdays 10:00am-9:00pm Closed Fridays & Sundays. Monday thru Thursday: field trips by reservation. (228) 641-3936 info@sewardfarms.com www.sewardfarms.com

September 30 - October 17

Haunted Ducks

Magnolia Corn Maze

(251) 802-8687

15275 County Road 49 Summerdale, 36580 Magnolia Corn Maze is opening September 30 October 31 for the 2017 Season. Saturdays from 11:00am-9:00pm and Sundays from 12:00pm-5:00pm. (other times by appointment) This year Magnolia Corn Maze is again putting in two corn mazes. We hope you will come out and get lost in one of the two corn fields we offer. Enjoy the pumpkin patch, cow train, petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, corn cannons, games, hopalong rodeo, campfires and more! Magnolia Farms Paintball open every weekend.

ad on page 9

(251) 605-7216

September 30 - November 4

October 1 - October 31

Seward Farms ad on page 39

Pumpkin Patch at Christ UMC

10836 Tanner Williams Road Lucedale, 39452 Come to the border of Mississippi and Alabama on Tanner Williams Road, and you’ll find tons of family fun, fresh air, twisting corn maze, fantastic food, and an evening by a crackling fire! We have a challenging corn maze, pig races, hayrides and cow train, giant jumping pillow, tube slide, corn cannon, and Farm animals and goat walk, field of fright and pony rides. Our flexible hours and admission allows you to

www.magnoliacornmaze.com

6101 Grelot Road Mobile, 36609 Join us at the Pumpkin Patch. Hours: Monday - Saturday from 9:00am-Dusk and Sunday from 12:00pm - Dusk. Special Events in the Pumpkin Patch: October 4 - Pirates and Princesses Picnic. Come dressed as your favorite pirate or princess for a fun time at the patch! We will decorate pumpkins, play games and then have a picnic. Don’t forget to bring your lunch! Cost: $5 per child. Please visit our website to register for this event. October 26 - Join us at the Pumpkin

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Patch for a special screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! We will sit by the Pumpkin Patch to watch everyone’s favorite Halloween classic on the big screen. Popcorn and drinks will be served. There is no cost to attend movie night in the pumpkin patch. (251) 342-0462

www.cumcchildren.com

Tanner Williams UMC Pumpkin Patch

1550 Grand Bay Wilmer Road North Mobile, 36608 Join us at the Tanner Williams Pumpkin Patch from October 1-October 31. Open daily - call for hours. October 1 - paint a pumpkin $1 all day. October 14 will be Movie in the Park night with popcorn and a kid friendly film at 5:00pm. Join us October 21 for our Fall Festival - games, old timey demonstrations, decorated cake contest, cake walk, kids crafts, face painting and much more! Time: 11:00am-1:00pm. October 14 will be Movie in the Park night with popcorn and a kid friendly film. October 28 will be our Trunk or Treat at 6:00pm . Come trick or treat with our church family and enjoy free hot dogs and chips. Story time in the patch is every Wednesday in October at 5:30pm. School Field trips can be scheduled for Wednesday’s or Friday’s in October. (251) 649-4752 or (251) 776-0283

October 7, 14, and 21

Middleton Farms ad on page 43

21500 Otis Cooper Road Moss Point, 39462 Come explore a REAL pumpkin patch for a fun-filled day!! Come see us on October 7th, 14th, and 21st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We have activities for the entire family! Admission Price: $7.00 per person, $2.00 off with Military ID, 2 and under are free. Pumpkin Patch Admission includes: Pumpkin Patch, Cow Milking Demo, Calf Feeding, Hayride, Hay Train, Cow Jumper, Slide, Fall Photo Opps, Antique Tractors, Middleton’s Favorite Animals, Toddler Hay Maze, Duck Races, Playground and Picnic Area, Vendors and much more! For more information on Field Trips, Birthday Parties and events, please visit our webpage. (251) 709-2001

www.middletonfarmtours.com

October 12 - October 15 Shrimp Festival

Highway 59 ends and intersects with Highway 182 Gulf Shores, 36542 Arts, crafts, shopping, live music and some of the tastiest shrimp creations the Gulf Coast has to offer. myshrimpfest.com

October 13 LoDa Artwalk - Spooky Walk

Downtown Mobile October 13, Friday the 13th, ArtWalk will get creepy and become Spooky Walk! Plan to dress up in your favorite costume and come enjoy the art and atmosphere of LoDa! Music in Cathedral Square by Light Travelers with Theodore Arthur at the corner of Warren and Dauphin. www.ncsmobile.org

October 13 - October 31 Dauphin Way Methodist Pumpkin Patch

Corner of Dauphin and Catherine Streets Mobile, 36604 Come to the Pumpkin Patch! The patch will be open 7 days a week beginning October 13th. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm-6:00pm. Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

The patch will close on October 31 at 2:00pm. You will find pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and even some different colors along with gourds for your fall decorations. Field trips are offered Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm with an appointment. Appointments may be made by emailing lfoster@dauphinwayumc. org or calling (251) 378-7532. Field trips are $2 or $3. For $2 each child receives a small pumpkin, experiences story time, and an informational time about how and where the pumpkins were grown and they get to pick out their very own pumpkin. The $3 field trip also includes a hayride. The patch is located at the corners of Catherine and Dauphin in the parking lot across from the church. (251) 471-1511

www.dauphinwayumc.org

October 15 Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Party

1655 McGill Avenue Mobile, 36604 Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 15th for our 46th annual Lawn Party here at Sacred Heart Residence. Visitors can enjoy our delicious food and beverages while the kids play at our Kid’s World with giant slides and more. Don’t forget the pony rides and petting zoo as well as the famous kid’s train ride. Admission is free and all proceeds go directly to the care of our elderly poor residents. (251) 476-6335 devmobile@littlesistersofthepoor.org littlesistersofthepoormobile.org

Pumpkin Patch at B&B Pet Stop

B&B Petshop 5035 Cottage Hill Road Mobile, 36609 B&B invites the public to “Gather the furry, feathered, and four-legged creatures in your family and come to the Pumpkin Patch at B&B Pet Stop.” Photos are $10 each and all donations benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation. (251) 661-3474

www.bbpetstop.com

October 19 - October 21 Greek Fest 2017

The Annunciation Greek Church 50 South Ann Street Mobile, 36604 Welcome to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Festival! Share our food, music, and heritage with friends and neighbors. Thank you for coming out to experience Greece in Mobile, Alabama - a yearly opportunity to eat, dance, shop, and be entertained as if you were in Greece itself! Enrich your senses with sights and sounds of Greece. We have live music and dancers, as well as activities just for the kids. As always, the food, desserts, and libations are sure to please, from the lamb to the always popular baklava. The ladies will be ready to take your order, with handmade baklava and assorted Greek pastries boxed to go! There’s a treasure of Greek jewelry, paintings, clothing, imports, and more available in our indoor marketplace as well. Thursday – Friday from 11:00am10:00pm and Saturday from 11:00am-9:00pm. (251) 438-9888

www.greekfestmobile.org

October 20

friendly arts and crafts, food trucks, costume contests, and much more! Admission is $10 per adult, and $5 per child ages 6 and up. Children ages 5 and under will receive free admission. Quest-Con attendees and members of the History Museum of Mobile are also FREE! (251) 301-0273

www.historymuseumofmobile.com

October 21-22 & 27-28 Playhouse in the Park presents “The Conclusion of Edgar Allan Poe”

4851 Museum Drive Mobile, 36608 The Playhouse-in-the-Park presents “The Conclusion of Edgar Allan Poe, a thrilling, and sometimes humorous, production based on the life and stories of Edgar Allan Poe, prolific author of tales of mystery and the macabre. Adaptations to be presented at the Playhouse include four of his most famous tales: “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Casque of Amontillado,” “Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether,” and a story of the medieval plague, “King Pest.” This performance is suitable for ages 12 and older. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Time: 7:30pm. (251) 602-0630 playhouseintheparkmobileal @gmail.com www.playhouseinthepark.org

October 21 Christ United Methodist Church – Family Fun Day

6101 Grelot Road Mobile, 36609 Our annual Fall Family Day will happen on Saturday, October 21th from 10:00am – 1:00pm. During Fall Family Day, children can enjoy bouncing on inflatables, a petting zoo, puppets, food and more! (251) 342-0462

www.cumcchildren.com

International Archaeology Day Celebration

USA Archaeology Museum 6052 USA Drive South Mobile, 36608 Please join us at the USA Archaeology Museum on Saturday, October 21st from 12pm-4pm for a fun-filled afternoon of archaeology activities for all ages! Help us celebrate International Archaeology Day and participate in various craft activities, try your hand at native games and spear throwing, learn about forensic archaeology, tour the museum and native plant garden, and see flintknapping demonstrations! You can also bring in any artifacts you have to be identified by our volunteers in our archaeology lab (no appraisals will be given). This event is co-sponsored by the Anthropology Club at South Alabama. (251) 460-6106 www.southalabama.edu/org/ archaeology/museum

Lil’ Ghouls and Goblins Halloween Gathering

350 Oakleigh Place Mobile, 36604 Bring your little ones in costume to Historic Oakleigh House for a Halloween gathering. We will have face painting, crafts, story time, games and special treats! Admission $5. Time: 11:00am-3:00pm. (251) 432-1281 events@historicoakleigh.org www.historicoakleigh.com

Night at the Museum: Hall of Justice

History Museum of Mobile 111 South Royal Street Mobile, 36602 Join us for a tribute to comic books and historic looks at the History Museum of Mobile! Our annual event “Night at the Museum” is back and this time it is superhero-themed! Experience the “Hall of Justice” and explore our limited-time exhibition, “Comic Books: Lessons in Ink,” where you can learn the history of comic books, understand the significance of the Comics Code and how comics have shaped society as we know it! Meet your favorite superheroes; enjoy kid-

Saraland United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat

415 McKeough Avenue Saraland, 36571 Join us for our Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 6:00-7:30. We’ll have hot dogs, chips, and drinks for everyone to enjoy. There will be cars for Trunk or Treat, crafts, a bounce house, and a hayride! EVERYONE is encouraged to come in costume...adults, too! If it rains, come inside and join us in the Fellowship Hall! We hope to see you there! (251) 675-2728

www.saralandumc.org

www.mobilebayparents.com

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October 23

Ashland Place United Methodist Trunk or Treat

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15 Wisteria Avenue MobilePlease join us for familyfriendly festivities! Our Trunk-or-Treat features a live DJ, inflatables, carnival games, hot dogs, popcorn, and tons of candy and treats from a variety of themed trunks. The more, the merrier -- so bring a friend! Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm. For more information, contact Amy True, Director of Children’s Ministries, at atrue@ apumc.com or (251) 478-6356. (251) 478-6356

www.apumc.com

Dauphin Way Methodist Fall Festival

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Corner of Dauphin and Catherine Streets Mobile, 36604 The festival takes place in the Pumpkin Patch at the corner of Catherine and Dauphin Street. The festival will be held from 2:30pm-4:30pm and is FREE. Costumes are acceptable, but not required. Popcorn, drinks, snow cones, and cotton candy will be available along with a train ride, inflatables, dunk tank and other activities for kids. (251) 471-1511

www.dauphinwayumc.org

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Bienville Square MobileWoofstock will spread out over an entire city block allowing for even more fun activities, vendor booths, contests and more! We invite humans and their canine companions to spend the day listening to live, local music, enjoying the great food and libations and of course, let’s not forget the ever popular Weiner Dog Race and all-time favorite Doggie Costume Contest. This event benefits The Animal Rescue Foundation. Gates open at 11:00am. Cost - Adults $15/Children $5. woofstock@animalrescuemobile.org www.woofstockmobile.com

loween extravaganza! We have partnered again with AIDS Alabama South for another day of the Halloween art history event for the whole family. Performers from a number of community theaters will be joining us as deceased artists come to haunt the galleries. Fun also includes a gallery scavenger hunt, live music, Day of the Dead altars made for artists no longer with us, sugar skull making, face painting, and tarot card readings. Come in costume with the whole family. $5 suggested donation.

Parkway Branch Library 1924 Dauphin Island Parkway Mobile, 36605 The Mobile Public Library Parkway Branch hosts Mystery Monday at 3:15. Halloween Fun! Join Mrs. Gillespie for a create your own Halloween Masks program. Girls and Boys ages 6-16. (251) 470-7766

(251) 208-5200

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

www.mobilemuseumofart.com

October 25

October 27

Halloween Movie Day

Trick or Trot 5K and Scary Scurry Fun Run

Parkway Branch Library 1924 Dauphin Island Parkway Mobile, 36605 Halloween Movie Day! 3:15 - The Sorcerers - An elite sorcerer takes on an unlikely apprentice to help defend Manhattan from his archnemesis. (251) 470-7766

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

October 26 Halloween Spooktacular

Saraland Public Library 111 Saraland Loop Saraland, 36571 Join us at 6:00pm for Spooky Crafts & Treats - Fun for All! Wear your costumes and join us for some Halloween crafts, and Trick or Treating throughout the Library. (251) 675-2879

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Night of the Dead Artists

for USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital ad on page 11

University of South Alabama Moulton Tower 307 North University Boulevard Mobile, 36608 We’re celebrating our fifth year of this great 5K with a big goal of raising $50,000 for the Pediatric Emergency Department, and we can’t do it without you. Our goal is to create a fun-filled, safe event for families to enjoy fall festivities while raising money for a great cause. We appreciate your support of USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and our Pediatric Emergency Department, and we hope you’ll join us again this year as we celebrate with an after party filled with fun family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. (251) 415-8730

Mobile Museum of Art 4850 Museum Drive Mobile, 36608 Want to meet the ghosts of your favorite artists? The museum will be haunted with famous artists for this Day of the Dead-meets-Night at the Museum Hal-

www.usahealthsystem.com/trick-or-trot

Harvest Festival -Tanner Williams Assembly of God

Tanner Williams Assembly of God 14440 Tanner Williams Wilmer, 36587 2017 Annual Harvest Festival at Tanner Williams

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Assembly of God is Friday, October 27 from 6:00pm8:00pm. Fun for the entire family. Children can play games, get candy and have a great time. They also get a free hot dog and drink. For the adults, there’ll be additional food items and a silent auction.

Pump It Up Not-So-Scary Halloween Jump

741-A Hillcrest Road MobileHalloween is simply spook-tacular when you’re bouncing, laughing, sliding, and howling at our Halloween Jump Night! Cost: $8 plus tax per child- includes up to 2 hours of playtime, face painting and costume contests too! Parents stay and play for FREE! RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED as space is limited for the safety of the children. Socks and signed waived required. Parents must stay with children- not a drop off. Note: Wear your “Play Safe” costume - For the safety of our guests, costumes may not include: masks, jewelry, capes or other hanging items, or heavy make-up. Times: 6pm-8pm. (251) 342-3940

www.pumpitupparty.com/mobile-al

Spooky Movie Afternoon

Ben May Main Branch 701 Government Street, Mobile, 36602 Featuring “Hotel Transylvania” at 4:00pm. (251) 208-7086 crhodes@mplonline.org www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

October 27 - November 5

Greater Gulf State Fair ad on page 3

The Grounds, 1035 N Cody Road Mobile, 36608 The 63rd Annual Greater Gulf State Fair will feature the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, food, games, entertainment acts, and live music! Hours: MondayThursday from 400pm-10:00pm, Friday from 4:00pm-12:00pm, Saturday from 11:00am-11:00pm and Sunday October 29 from 12:00pm-10:00pm and Sunday, November 5, from 12:00pm-9:00pm. (251) 344-4573 info@mobilefair.com www.thegroundsmobile.com

Bellingrath, a day of Halloween fun at Bellingrath Gardens, on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gardens will be filled with Halloween-themed inflatables to guide visitors along the pathways to the Great Lawn. Local businesses and organizations will set up numerous treat stations to hand out candy and trinkets to trick-or-treaters. Guests are also invited to enjoy culinary delights from local food trucks; other surprises are in store. Admission is $13 for adults and $7.50 for ages 5-12. There is no charge for Bellingrath members and children 4 and younger. Tickets to Boo at Bellingrath must be purchased in advance.

5 Rivers Halloween Bash

30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, 36527 Our favorite time of year! On Saturday, Oct 28 from 10:00am-4:00pm, we will have our FREE, family friendly Halloween celebration. There will be crafts, music, movies, trail rides, games, $5 boat tours, “Smokin’ Gringos” food truck, and a costume contest at 3:00pm. (251) 625-0814

www.Alabama5Rivers.com

Annual Renaissance Festival

51 Bienville Boulevard Dauphin Island, 36528 The Barony of Osprey will present Life in the Middle Ages. You will see Knight in Armor as they storm the castle, view melee’s and sieges. Visit with Lords, Ladies, Artist and Medieval Merchants. Watch our resident Blacksmith demonstrate his craft in the Fort’s original Blacksmith Shop. dauphinisland.org

Boo at Bellingrath: Tricks and Treats 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, 36582 Dress up your little ghosts and goblins for Boo at Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

October 29

Mustang Stampede and Fall Festival

LuLu’s Gulf Shores 200 E 25th Avenue Mobile, 36542 Join us at BooLu’s on Saturday, October 28th from 11am-2pm at LuLu’s Gulf Shores. Trunk-or-Treat, Costume Contest, Pumpkin Painting and much much more! Register for the costume contest by 1:30pm to show off your spooktacular costume! Give your all in our Arcade contest from 11am-1:30pm and win 3,000 arcade tickets! Wonderful, free family friendly event! www.lulubuffett.com

Dog River Ghost Chase 5K/ Goblin Gallop

4960 Dauphin Island Parkway Mobile, 36605 The Annual Dog River Ghost Chase 5K River Run and Gobin Gallop will be held on Saturday, October 28th at 5:00pm. Spectacular views of Dog River and Mobile Bay from the top of the Dog River Bridge make this fun pre-Halloween event one of the most popular fall races in Mobile County. After race party include live music and discounted food and beverages for race participants. The 5K race will be limited to 500 participants. Pre-register by mail, in person at McCoy Outdoor or Run-N-Tri in Mobile or Running Wild in Fairhope, or online. Pre-registered: Adults $20, Children (12 and under) $15. Day of Race: Adults $25, and Children (12 and under) $15. Race day registration from 3 – 4:30 PM at the River Shack.

Semmes Municipal Park 8108 Morris Hill Road Semmes, 36575 The River Church in Semmes will have a Fall Frenzy at the new Semmes Municipal Park on October 28th from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Kids games, bounce houses, arts and crafts for sale, raffles and live music.

www.exploreum.com

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

BooLu’s! Costume Contest! Free Family Halloween Fun!

Halloween Fun at the Exploreum

(251) 208-6893

(251) 470-7770

St. Mary Catholic School

info@dogriver.org www.dogriver.org

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & IMAX 65 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Costume contest, tirck or treat stations, Halloweenthemed activities and more.

Moorer/Springhill Branch 4 McGregor South Mobile, 36608 Calling all children, ages 5 and Up! Learn how to make sock pumpkins. For more information, please call (251) 470-7770 or email ftigner@mplonline.org.

(251) 973-2217 bellingrath@bellingrath.org www.bellingrath.org

October 28

ad on page 31

Something Special for Saturday at Moorer/Springhill Branch

Fall Frenzy

myriver.tv

Halloween Healthcare Hauntings

Mobile Medical Museum 1664 Springhill Avenue Mobile, 36604 Come celebrate Halloween weekend with us at one of Mobile’s oldest and spookiest homes, the Vincent Doan Walsh House, home of the Mobile Medical Museum since 2003. Halloween Healthcare Hauntings is a fun-filled, family-oriented and educational event to raise funds for the museum’s exhibits and programs. Our special guests will be the “ghosts” of George Washington, Henri de Tonti, Emily Bronte, Marie Curie, and other famous people from history who will tell us how they died of once common causes such as yellow fever, tuberculosis, and bloodletting. Other activities will include museum tours, yard games, haunted train rides, and a Halloween costume contest. Halloween candy and light refreshments will be provided. 1-3 pm www.mobilemedicalmuseum.org

Movie Time - Frankenweenie

Moorer Library/Spring Hill Branch 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, 36608 The Mobile Public Library Moorer/Spring Hill Branch hosts Movie Time with Mr. Butch at 4:00pm. Today’s feature will be Frankenweenie. (251) 470-7770

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

ad on page 21

1453 Old Shell Road Mobile, 36604 St Mary Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event takes place on the campus of St. Mary Parish offering Games, Concessions, Trunk or Treating prizes for best costume & trunk! The pre-Halloween event features decorated cars with trunks of candy for trick or treaters. Prizes for best trunk, and best costumes. Plenty of activities for children to include arts and crafts, and cookie decorating. . The cost is $1 per walk up per trick or treater. Time: 12:30pm-4:00pm. (251) 432-8678 lwallace@stmarymobile.org www.stmarymobile.org

Fall Fun Fest!

Toulminville Branch 601 Stanton Road Mobile, 36617 Fun for the Entire Family. Join us for games, Trivia, Bingo, a cake walk and so much more! Registration is encouraged. Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm. (251) 438-7075

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Witches Ride – Mobile

57 North Claiborne Street Mobile, 36602 Calling all Witches! We challenge you to get your best, most fabulous witches costume together and hop on your broom (aka your bicycle - yeah decorate that, too!) for a fun ride around downtown Mobile and DeTonti Square. Yes, Warlocks are welcome to register to ride with your Witches! The ride will end with a fabulous block party with live music, libations, and food from local food trucks and our party hosts, The Blind Mule. Prizes for best dressed witch and raffles will be happening, too! All of this fun benefits a good cause - Delta Dogs, a local non-profit that helps provide free spay/neuter and veterinary services to the pets of Mobile’s community in need. Time: 5:00pm. This is an 18+ ride. No children or trailers will be allowed due to the nature of the event and for rider safety. We encourage families to watch the Witches and Warlocks on parade. We will be throwing candy to everyone watching! Families are welcome to meet up with their riders at the block party. www.mobiledeltadogs.org

October 31

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Halloween Fun at the Library

Ben May Main Branch 701 Government Street, Mobile, 36602 Put on your costumes and join us for crafts and Trick or Treating throughout the Library from 4:00pm 5:00pm. (251) 208-7086 crhodes@mplonline.org www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

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Historic Ghost Tour of Mobile and Mobile’s Mardi Gras Museum

751 Dauphin Street Mobile, 36602 You will meet at the Azalea Manor for the tour then Board a 55 Passenger Coach at 7:00pm and enjoy stories of ghosts, spirits and strange happenings of historic Mobile. Your guide on the bus will tell the stories as they come to life on the streets of the city by

www.mobilebayparents.com

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the Mobile Mystery Dinner Players. Hold on to your hat because some of the ‘ghosts’ actually get on the bus!! You will meet characters out of Mobile history. Advance reservations are required. $55.00. Call 251479-9970 to make your reservation. (251) 479-9970 or 800-338-5597 www.mobilemysterydinners.com

Shadow Lawn Baptist Church

5665 Dogwood Trail, Eightmile, 36613 Trunk or Treats from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Games, food, train rides, hayrides, and treats. It is all free. Everyone welcome. (251) 675-1447 slbc@att.net

www.shadowlawnbc.com

Snow Road First Baptist Fall Trunk & Treat

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Snow Road First Baptist Church 2370 Snow Road North Semmes, 36575 More than 30 trucks decorated and full of candy! We will also have popcorn, arts & crafts, face painting, and more! Admission is free to everyone. 6:00 pm - dark. We will be selling $2 hot dog plates (which includes chips & drink). Fun for the whole family! (251) 649-7722

www.srfbc.com

Splatty Tricks with Treats

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Splatty Patty 109 Upham Street Mobile, 36607 Come on out with your Dolls and Gems and let us Splat their feet and nails in orange and black, with nail art of course for $10 bones. Splatty will provide some awesome spooky activities and yummy treats for the treaters. But what is Halloween without a fab costume???? So Splatty has a surprise for the best one. We are ready to have a Splatty spooky time aren’t you!!!! See ya soon! Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm. (251) 721-8968 splattypatty2017@gmail.com www.splattypatty.com

Trick or Treat at the Library

West Regional Branch 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, 36609 Calling all children – put on your costume and join us for Trick or Treating throughout the Library from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. (251) 340-8571

www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Trick or Treat in Green Park – Dauphin Island

Green Park 301 Lemoyne Drive Dauphin Island, 36528 Come and enjoy some good old family fun. Bring the little ones to trick or treat in a safe environment sponsored by the Town of Dauphin & Dauphin Island Police Dept. Everyone is invited to bring a table and some treats to give out to the little ones. Wear your costume! www.townofdauphinisland.org

West Mobile Baptist Trunk or Treat 7501 Airport Boulevard Mobile, 36608 West Mobile Baptist will have Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, October 31. Everything is free including food, games, candy, and inflatables. Join us for fun and fellowship for the whole family. Invite your friends! (251) 639-9952

www.wemochurch.org

Woodridge Baptist Church “Harvest Celebration” Fall Festival 2700 Schillinger Road South Mobile, 36695 Join us October 31st from 5:30pm – 7:30pm for our annual community-wide “Harvest Celebration” fall festival! Children and students of all ages are

welcome. Enjoy train rides, trunk or treat, popcorn, drinks, corn dogs, games, candy and more! (251) 776-4912 info@woodridgebc.com www.woodridgebc.com

Stockton Sawmill Days

November 3 - November 5 Alabama Pecan Festival

5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, 36619 This family-oriented festival at the Tillman’s Corner Community Center features a carnival atmosphere with rides, food, face painting, arts and crafts, and jewelry. Free grandstand events include a classic country and western show, a Sunday gospel show with topnotch entertainers, and more. Bring the grandparents and bring the kids. There is something for everyone. Friday- 5:00pm - 9:00pm Saturday- 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday- 11:00am-4:00pm. Admission is free. (251) 401-5555 alabamapecanfestival@gmail.com www.alabamapecanfestival.com

November 11 8700 Live Oak Road Stockton, 36579 Stroll through living history demonstrations - basket making, spinning, weaving, quilting, blacksmithing, syrup making, gristmill, Indian camp. Visit over 70 exhibits and stroll under moss draped Live Oaks through booths of carefully selected Folk Art. Enjoy watching and tasting foods cooked in cast iron pots over open fires. See and learn about piney wood oxen & sheep common years ago and see a portable sawmills cut logs to lumber. Ride the river with Delta Safari and children can help churn butter, shell corn, and hunt for treasure in sawdust pile. Music performed throughout the day by Delta Reign, and other musical artists. Come early and enjoy “sawmill” sausage biscuits or “flap-jacks” with sorghum syrup. Later on be drawn by the aroma of fresh fried catfish, cheese grits, and more. Don’t forget your lawn chair!

www.stocktonsawmilldays.org MBP

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FamilyCalendar Sunday September 24

Jubilee Festival of Arts (Free Admission) 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 1700 Main Street Daphne, 36526 This year we’ve added fresh energy by embracing a wide range of talents. Your favorite artisans will set up beneath the canopy of oaks with original paintings, oneof-a-kind pottery, handcrafted jewelry and thoughtful gifts. Come ready to shop, but don’t miss out on the lively atmosphere. You’ll be treated to cooking competitions, craft demonstrations, pop-up performances and local musicians.Kids Art Park will also be back in Centennial Park with free activities for your young artist to explore their creative side. www.eschamber.com/page/Jubilee-Festival-Welcome Mobile Symphony Orchestra presents Firebird 2:30 PM The Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, 36602 The opening of our season will celebrate the rich history of Russian ballet. We will be joined by dancers from The Juilliard School to bring to life famous scenes from some of the world’s most popular ballets. In addition, MSO will be partnering with the Mobile Museum of Art to bring you art inspired by Ballet Russes which will be presented by projection during the performance. 251-432-2010 mobilesymphony.org/event/firebird Mobile Fashion Week The Award Winning Mobile Fashion Week will be held September 24th - 30th. Please check our webpage for more information. mobfashionweek.com

Monday September 25

Mobile Pops Band Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 4275 Snow Road Semmes, 36575 Enjoy a variety of classic and popular music performed by the Mobile Pops Band. 7pm - 9pm 251-454-2395

Tuesday September 26

discuss the research and the historical resources used for the writing of her book, Mobile Under Siege: Surviving the Union Blockade. Following the presentation, there will be a book signing and reception. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

member of our human educational staff and meet one of the local critter inhabitants from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and beyond. 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/5-riversalabamas-delta-resource-center

Vintage Affair 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Fort Whiting, 1630 South Broad Street Mobile, 36605 Join us September 28 for Vintage Affair benefitting the American Cancer Society. main.acsevents.org

Blessing of the Animals 2:00 PM Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road Mobile, 36608 Please join The St. Francis Guild Animal Ministry Group in recognizing our special companions as we remember St. Francis and his ministry to animals.

Friday September 29

Ten Sixty Five Downtown Mobile, Mobile TenSixtyFive is back for another FREE weekend of fun, music and friends in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Save the dates for September 29, 30 and October 1! tensixtyfive.com

Saturday September 30

Delta Dash 7:30 AM 8900 Lower Bryant’s Landing Road Stockton, 36579 Experience the Delta like never before. A 5K obstacle course race designed to challenge the heart, body and soul. The goal is simple…provide participants of all lifestyles and ages with an opportunity to test endurance, stamina, resilience, quick decision making skills, animal instinct and the ability to enjoy a face-full of mud, leaves or whatever else the terrain throws their way. deltadash.org Herb Day with Felder Rushing ($35 for non-members, $30 for members)

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 Museum Drive Mobile, 36608 Speaker Felder Rushing “Slow Gardening with Herbs” - growing easy culinary and other useful herbs through all seasons and senses” www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org

Something Special for Saturday (Free) 10:30 AM Moorer/Springhill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, 36608 Calling all children, ages 5 and Up! Visit with friends and learn how to make plastic bottle bird feeders. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Wednesday September 27

Mobile Pops Band Concert 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Cottage Hill Park, 1711 Hillcrest Road Mobile, 36609 Enjoy a variety of classic and popular music performed by the Mobile Pops Band. 7pm - 9pm

Thursday September 28

Night Market 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive Mobile, 3668 MMofA hosts a monthly Night Market that showcases makers, artists, artisans, and craftsman who make locally-sourced, handmade goods. Support your local artists and join the party and shopping fun with great food and drink from The Crepe Crusader and the DJ stylings of Neil Byrne aka Hot Lobster. www.mobilemuseumofart.com An Evening with Paula Webb (Free) 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, Semmes Branch, 9150 Moffett Road Mobile, 36575 Local Semmes author, Paula Webb, will

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Ten Sixty Five Concert and Arts and Crafts Market Downtown Mobile, Mobile TenSixtyFive is back for another FREE weekend of fun, music and friends in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Save the dates for September 29, 30 and October 1! In conjunction with TenSixtyFive Music Festival, MAC is organizing an art market featuring one-of-a-kind arts and crafts produced by local artisans. It will take place in Cathedral Square on Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM during the free outdoor concert series! tensixtyfive.com

Sunday October 1

5 Rivers Animal Ambassadors Meet and Greet 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, 36527 Alabama has one of the highest plant and animal diversities in the United States. Join a

Bras Across the Causeway 5:00 PM USS Battleship Park, 2703 Battleship Park Mobile, 36602 Race to benefit local patients undergoing treatment for daily expenses they cannot afford. www.eventbrite.com Ten Sixty Five Concert and Arts and Crafts Market Downtown Mobile, Mobile TenSixtyFive is back for another FREE weekend of fun, music and friends in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Save the dates for September 29, 30 and October 1! In conjunction with TenSixtyFive Music Festival, MAC is organizing an art market featuring one-of-a-kind arts and crafts produced by local artisans. It will take place in Cathedral Square on Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM during the free outdoor concert series! tensixtyfive.com

Monday October 2

Thomas L. Rowell Faculty Voice Recital 7:30 PM Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 5751 USA S Drive Mobile, 36608 Thomas L. Rowell, Associate Professor of Music and Director of USA Opera Theatre, will present his annual faculty voice recital. www.southalabama.edu/departments/specialevents/ laidlaw.html

Tuesday October 3

5 Rivers StoryTime: “It Didn’t Frighten Me” by Goss and Harste 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, 36527 The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month is StoryTime at 5 Rivers. Children under the age of 6 are welcome to stop by for a free reading of a nature based story followed by arts and crafts. This week’s story is about not being afraid, even when things seem a bit scary! 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/5-riversalabamas-delta-resource-center

Wednesday October 4

Fall Brown Bag in Bienville 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Bienville Square, Fall is back and so is live jazz! Brown Bag your lunch and sit under the swirl of the oak trees in Bienville Square. Live music provided by the City of Mobile Special Events Dept. and Catt Sirten. Dates: Wednesdays, September 6 to October 25 ncsmobile.org Learning Lunch - History Museum of Mobile (Free) 12:00 PM History Museum of Mobile, 111 South Royal Street Mobile, 36602 This series allows guests to enjoy free presentations on a wide range of historical and cultural topics. Admission to Learning Lunch is free. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary beverages. www.museumofmobile.com

www.mobilebayparents.com

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FamilyCalendar Alabama Coastal Birdfest Various Locations, The 14th annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is set for Wednesday–Saturday, October 4–7. New trips, expanded Bird & Conservation Expo, more fun for all! www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

Thursday October 5

Think Pink Tea (Free) 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, 36602 This annual celebration of breast cancer awareness features a runway fashion show with models who are cancer survivors, supporters and caregivers. 251-445-9691

Bright Beginnings Academy 5th annual LEGO Night Extravaganza 6:00 PM Bright Beginnings Academy, 3590 Pleasant Valley Road Mobile, 36609 Come one; come all for the event of the season as Bright Beginnings Academy hosts its 5th annual LEGO Night Extravaganza. Envision large children’s pools pre-filled with LEGOS of every color as deep as your elbows. Your kid’s imagination is sparked and creativity is unlimited as your child demonstrates his/her ability to build the “best” LEGO model. Prizes are awarded by grade. This year’s theme is “If you can dream it, you can do it (Walt Disney).” A kid’s ticket to this one of a kind event includes; food, beverage, and LEGO competition. The adult ticket is for food and beverage. This exciting competition fills up quickly, so don’t delay in purchasing your tickets for this fun filled evening at www.brightdyslexics.com. www.brightdyslexics.com Cocktails and Furry Tails 6:00 PM The Steeple, 251 St Francis Street Mobile, 36604 Save a Stray’s “Cocktails and Furry Tails” is Thursday, October 5, 6-9 p.m., at the Steeple on St. Francis Street in downtown Mobile. This annual fundraiser promises a fun evening, great food, cash bar, music, raffles and a silent auction. saveastray.org Alabama Coastal Birdfest Various Locations, The 14th annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is set for Wednesday–Saturday, October 4–7. New trips, expanded Bird & Conservation Expo, more fun for all! www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

Friday October 6

26th Annual Mayors’ Cup Golf Tournament 10:00 AM Magnolia Grove, 7001 Magnolia Grove Parkway Mobile, 36618 The Golf Tournament benefits Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama. www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-mayors-cup-golf-tournament-tickets-33635864777 Little Discoveries with Mr Wayne 10:30 AM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Mr. Wayne from the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center presents lessons and projects fusing science and literature for preschool children. Ages 3-6. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Alabama Coastal Birdfest Various Locations, The 14th annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is set for Wednesday–Saturday, October 4–7. New trips, expanded Bird & Conservation Expo, more fun for all! www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

Saturday October 7

ACCF 3rd Annual Bass Fishing Tournament 6:30 AM Live Oak Landing, Stockton All proceeds will benefit the Anchor Cross Cancer Foundation to help cancer patients in need along the Gulf Coast. 251-607-5081 www.anchorcrossfoundation.org

Tour de Foley 7:00 AM OWA, 10113 Foley Beach Express Foley, 36535 Join us for a ride through southeastern Baldwin County, Alabama! The rides travel through flat and rolling rural farmland in and around the beautiful towns of Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Summerdale, Elsanor, and Elberta. The purpose of this event is to help the Foley Lions Club and the Foley Kiwanis Club in their community projects. www.active.com/foley-al/cycling/tour-de-foley-2017 Mobile Heart Walk 8:00 AM University of South Alabama Mitchell Center, 5950 Old Shell Road Mobile, 36608 Heart Walk will be at 8:00am. www2.heart.org Bird and Conservation Expo (Free) 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Faulkner State Community College, 450 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, 36532 Exhibits, vendors, artists, hands-on activities for all ages, live raptor demonstrations, sea creature touch tanks, and lots more! Art & Paddle Peninsula Style 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, McNally Park, 4830 Park Road Mobile, 36695 The fundraiser features art of all kinds - from a leisurely family friendly paddle hosted by Dog River Clearwater Revival through nature’s picturesque scenery, to handcrafted goods to music by Eric Erdman and Ryan Balthrop plus singer/songwriter LA Armour! Smokin Gringo’s Food Truck and Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream will also be on hand! Mobile’s Got Talent 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Talent Show for All Ages. Can you sing, dance, play a musical instrument, or recite poetry? Sign up and showcase your talent! Judges will confer and the winners will be announced. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Reading Paws (Free) 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Children reading or learning to read can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with a certified Reading Dog. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Alabama Coastal Birdfest Various Locations, The 14th annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest is set for Wednesday–Saturday, October 4–7. New trips, expanded Bird & Conservation Expo, more fun for all! www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com

Tuesday October 10

Self Defense Class (Free) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Corporal John C. Young with the Mobile Police Department will demonstrate the Strategic Self-Defense Grappling and Tactics system. It is a system incorporating striking and grappling skills developed by Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsui Black Belt Johnny Lee Smith. Registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged. For more information or to register, email jsigler@mplonline.org. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Reading Paws (Free) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM, West Regional Branch, 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, 36609 Children reading or learning to read can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with a certified Reading Dog. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org A Night Honoring Heroes 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, 36602 The event will include a reception, dinner and inspiring video presentations of two patients who suffered traumatic injuries and those who cared for them. University of South Alabama Foundation is the title sponsor for the inaugural event, which will benefit USA Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center. www.usahealthsystem.com Family Bingo Night (Free) 6:00 PM Moorer/Springhill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, 36608 Calling All Families! Come play Bingo at the Library! Prizes will be awarded and lemonade and popcorn will be served. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Wednesday October 11

Fall Brown Bag in Bienville 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Bienville Square, Brown Bag your lunch and sit under the swirl of the oak trees in Bienville Square. Live music provided by the City of Mobile Special Events Dept. and Catt Sirten. ncsmobile.org Need to Breath 7:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, 36602www.mobilesaenger.com

Sunday October 8

2017 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk 7:30 AM USS Alabama Battleship Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway Mobile, 36602 Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.tunnel2towers.org. t2tmobile.eventbrite.com The Market at the Pillars 12:00 PM The Pillars, 1757 Government Street Mobile, 36604 A fun afternoon of local makers, bakers, crafters and artists! Live music and local eats! This event is free and open to the public. Family fun and pet friendly! Afternoon of the Stars (Free) 3:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Members of the cast of Mobile Opera’s

Cosi Fan Tutte will perform their favorite musical selections. Enjoy beautiful music and meet the stars over light refreshments following the performance. Admission is free. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Thursday October 12

Kids Studio (Free) 4:00 PM Ben May Main Library, 701 Government Street Mobile, 36602 Participants are invited to explore contemporary art and music through hands-on and minds-on activities that stimulate and deepen their understanding of art. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Pour for a Purpose 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Cotton Hall, 911 Dauphin Street Mobile, 36606 There will be delicious food and wine throughout the evening all donated by Red or White, Old Shell Growlers, Noble South, Rooster’s, Butch Cassidy’s, Naman’s Catering, The Original Oyster House, and Pizza Delphina. For this year’s musical entertainment we will have the fabulous Cooper Trent! Attendees will have an opportunity to sample their favorite food dishes provided by local area caterers and wines will be provided by Red or White and their participating distributors. All proceeds from this evening of fine wines and wonderful food will benefit the work of Catholic Social Services. www.catholicsocialservicesmobile.com

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FamilyCalendar Nest Fest 6:30 PM The Steeple, 251 St. Francis Street Mobile, 36602 Benefit Concert for N.E.S.T of Mobile. Original songs, covers from The Band, the Grateful Dead, and other sixties and seventies music will rock the halls of The Steeple, 251 St. Francis Street, as Diamond Reo 75 performs a benefit concert for N.E.S.T. of Mobile, a volunteer organization which serves the needs of at-risk families and children in Mobile County. nestofmobile.org

Friday October 13

Market at the Corner ($5 for adults and free for children 5 and younger)

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Tillman’s Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, 36619 Join us for “Market at the Corner” hosted by SouthWest Mobile Chamber of Commerce on October 13, from 10:00am-5:00pm and October 14 from 9:00am-1:00pm. The event is scheduled to show one-of-a-kind furniture, clothing, accessories, art, homewares and jewelry. Food trucks will be on the premises. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 5 and younger. (251) 666-2488 swmcchamber.com LoDa Artwalk 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Dauphin Street, Downtown Mobile, Starting at 6pm on the second Friday of every month, galleries, restaurants, shops, institutions, etc in the Lower Dauphin (LoDa) Arts District open their doors for a family-friendly evening of exhibitions and entertainment by area artists. 251-208-1550

Sunny Side Theatre presents Charlotte’s Web Moorer Center for Performing Art, 1400 South University Blvd Mobile, 36609 Charlotte’s Web will be preformed at Moorer Center October 13 at 9:00am, 11:00a, 7:00pm, October 14 at 7:00pm and October 15 at 2:00pm. www.sunnysidedrama.com

Saturday October 14

Fall Outdoor Market in the Park 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Cathedral Square, Mobile The City of Mobile’s Certified Alabama Farmers Market has a new logo & new name-Market in the Park. The Fall Market is in Cathedral Square, with not only the vendors you’ve come to love, but with new vendors as well! Now you have more locally-produced, locally-made items to choose from. The Fall Market runs from the second Saturday in October through the third Saturday in November. ncsmobile.org 7th Annual Dauphin Island Art Trail 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Various Locations, The 7th Annual Dauphin Island Art Trail will include over 50 local and regional artists spread around the island at 10+ locations with retailers who will be hosting the artists as well as many having open houses. Art Trail is free and open to the public. If visitors prefer not to drive from stop to stop, there will be a free shuttle provided and of course, there’s always the scenic bicycle trail for those that want to bike the island. www.dauphinislandchamber.com Market at the Corner ($5 for adults and free for children 5 and younger)

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Tillman’s Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road Mobile, 36619 Join us for “Market at the Corner” hosted by SouthWest Mobile Chamber of Commerce on October 13, from 10:00am5:00pm and October 14 from 9:00am-1:00pm. The event is scheduled to show one-of-a-kind furniture, clothing, accessories, art, homewares and jewelry. Food trucks will be on the premises. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 5 and younger. (251) 666-2488 swmcchamber.com

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Dog Days Barkery’s 1st Birthday Paw-ty 10:00 AM Dog Days Bakery, 5552 Old Shell Road Mobile, 36608 Join us for Dog Days Barkery’s 1st Birthday Pawty on Saturday, October 14! Wags and Whiskers and Paws to Pamper Mobile Grooming Salon will both be in attendance, too! Stop by for some great sweets from Flour Girls Bakery, raffles and more! www.dogdaysbarkery.net SD4SN -Special Day for Special Needs 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Shiloh Baptist Church, 727 Cleveland Road Saraland, 36571 Join us for a special day for special needs families. We will have something for everyone! (251) 675-3587 www.shilohsaraland.com Shopkins Live! 1:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, 36602 Shopkins Live! is finally here! The #1 kids toy in North America is live and on stage in Shopkins Live! Shop It Up! Your beloved Shoppies make their theatrical debut in an original new live show featuring musical performances by Jessicake, Bubbleisha, Peppa-Mint, Rainbow Kate, Cocolette, Polli Polish and more! The fun and fashionista Shoppies are joined by the Shopkins – the grocery store-themed mini collectable toys – Apple Blossom, Strawberry Kiss, Lippy Lips, Kooky Cookie, Poppy Corn, Slick Breadstick and Shady Diva. An ensemble cast of multi-talented performers brings the show to life on stage through urban style music, song and dance. www.mobilesaenger.com Sunny Side Theatre presents Charlotte’s Web 7:00 PM Moorer Center for Performing Art, 1400 South University Blvd Mobile, 36609 Charlotte’s Web will be preformed at Moorer Center October 13 at 9:00am, 11:00a, 7:00pm, October 14 at 7:00pm and October 15 at 2:00pm. www.sunnysidedrama.com

Sunday October 15

South Alabama Out of the Darkness Community Walk 1:00 PM Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main Street Daphne, 36526 The South Alabama Out of the Darkness Community Walk for suicide awareness and prevention will take place October 15. The fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the world’s largest non profit organization for research, education, advocacy and survivor support. afsp.org/Daphne 5 Rivers Animal Ambassadors Meet and Greet 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, 36527 Alabama has one of the highest plant and animal diversities in the United States. Join a member of our human educational staff and meet one of the local critter inhabitants from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and beyond. 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/5-riversalabamas-delta-resource-center Sunny Side Theatre presents Charlotte’s Web 2:00 PM Moorer Center for Performing Art, 1400 South University Blvd Mobile, 36609 Charlotte’s Web will be preformed at Moorer Center October 13 at 9:00am, 11:00a, 7:00pm, October 14 at 7:00pm and October 15 at 2:00pm. www.sunnysidedrama.com Sunday Sunset Concert - Dauphin Island 4:30 PM West End Beach, 3000 Bienville Boulevard

Dauphin Island, 36528 Town of Dauphin Island presents “Sunday Sunset Concerts” with Roman Street. Entrance fees $5.00 per individual! As always, attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs, blankets and bug spray (just in case) but please no pets, glass or grills. *All concerts approx time & weather permitting! townofdauphinisland.org

Tuesday October 17

5 Rivers StoryTime: “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard Spanish Fort, 36527 The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month is StoryTime at 5 Rivers. Children under the age of 6 are welcome to stop by for a free reading of a nature based story followed by arts and crafts. This week’s story is about not being afraid, even when things seem a bit scary! This week’s story is about a witch – because it’s almost Halloween! The lovely lady loses some items off of her broom, and some friends help her find them. All they want is a ride, but is there room? 251-625-0814 www.outdooralabama.com/5-riversalabamas-delta-resource-center 2017 Polo at the Point 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Point Clear Polo Club, 16655 Polo Club Rd, Co Rd 32 Fairhope, 36532 The 2017 Polo at the Point, hosted by Point Clear Charities, Inc. and presented by Mercedes Benz of Mobile and Grand Hotel Marriott, is scheduled for Sunday, October 15th at Sonny Hill-Clearwater Polo Complex in Point Clear, Alabama. Polo at the Point has become one of Alabama’s top one-day fundraiser events. Organized by all volunteers with proceeds going back to our community, the Gulf Coast’s premier charity sporting event has designated Thomas Hospital and Mitchell Cancer Institute as its main beneficiaries. Event highlights include world-class polo, gourmet cuisine, champagne, divot stomping, tailgating fun, reserved seating, garden party attire in the luncheon tent, hat parade, Mercedes Drawn Down, Silent Auction, SEC sports center, evening Player’s Party and much more. 251-928-9704 poloatthepoint.com Tinker Tuesday (Free) 4:00 PM Moorer/Springhill Branch, 4 South McGregor Avenue Mobile, 36608 Design & Create. Make your own Glove Monster. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org

Wednesday October 18

Thursday October 19

3rd Annual Down to Earth “Farmraiser” 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Victory Teaching Farm, 261 Rickarby Street Mobile, 36606 Farmraiser is an evening of delectable local food, drinks and music in recognition and support of our local food champions. In an effort to build a locally sourced food scene, local chefs and food entrepreneurs are paired with local farmers to create the relationships necessary to accomplish our mission and provide a delicious taste of the future. All proceeds are tax deductible and support educational and outreach programs of Victory Teaching Farm. victoryteachingfarm.org

www.mobilebayparents.com

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FamilyCalendar Bright Beginnings Academy welcomes Dr. Richard Gentry 6:00 PM Bright Beginnings Academy, 3590 Pleasant Valley Road Mobile, 36609 Bright Beginnings Academy welcomes internationally acclaimed author and educational consultant, Dr. Richard Gentry. Dr. Gentry is known for his ground-breaking work in education covering topics such as literacy, best practices for reading, writing, and spelling, and dyslexia. He’s written 13+ books, including 2 textbook series, numerous journals and magazines, and blogs for Psychology Today. The event is open to everyone interested to learn more from this author. Space is limited, so don’t hesitate reserving a spot. www.brightdyslexics.com A Ramblin’ Night at The Steeple 7:00 PM The Steeple, 251 St Francis Street Mobile, 36602 A Ramblin’ Night at The Steeple with Paul Thorn, The Mulligan Brothers and Eric Erdman. Phil & Foster will play pre-show in the bar. Proceeds will benefit a new public art project The Southern Rambler is doing with Chris Cumbie in downtown Mobile. www.thesteeplemobile.com

Friday October 20

Mobile Homeschool Playgroup 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Hertz Park, Saraland Mobile Homeschool Playgroup (Homeschooling mamas 6 & under). For more information & to sign up, send email to compasspointhomeschool@gmail.com. Chip in for Autism 1:00 PM Azalea City Golf Course, 1000 Gaillard Drive Mobile, 36608 The seventh annual “Chip in for Autism” Golf Tournament to benefit The Learning Tree’s Woody’s Song School is planned for Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, AL. Registration begins at 11:30 am with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Registration is $60 per player, which includes a bucket of range balls, tournament round, cart and dinner. 251-656-0070 or 251-331-2633

Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 7:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com Mobile Opera presents “Cosi Fan Tutte” 8:00 PM The Temple Downtown, 351 St. Francis Street Mobile, 36602 In Opera, true love rarely runs smooth, and no more so then in this lighthearted comedy of the difference between men and women. Mozart’s tale of classic misunderstanding - Cosi fan tutte. www.mobileopera.org

Saturday October 21

Tri the Gulf 7:00 AM Isle of Dauphine, 100 Orleans Drive Dauphin Island, 36528 The 2nd Annual Tri the Gulf Triathlon is expected to attract more than 300 participants to swim (600 yds.), bike (16.7 mi.) and run (3.25 mi.). www.trithegulf.com

Fall Outdoor Market in the Park 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Cathedral Square, Mobile The City of Mobile’s Certified Alabama Farmers Market has a new logo & new name-Market in the Park. The Fall Market is in Cathedral Square, with not only the vendors you’ve come to love, but with new vendors as well! Now you have more locally-produced, locally-made items to choose from. The Fall Market runs from the second Saturday in October through the third Saturday in November. ncsmobile.org 8th Annual Shirley Looney Memorial Car Show 8:00 AM Dauphin Way Baptist Church, 3661 Dauphin Street Mobile, 36608 Come on over for the best show in Mobile! We will have a large assortment of antique, new and classic cars, trucks, hot rods and rat rods. Registration opens at 8:00 am. We will also have 25 or more vendors selling unique and interesting items for the entire family! Hamburgers and hot dogs will be grilled on site and for sale. This is a FREE event open for the public to attend, and is a benefit for Youth Missions and Camp Scholarships. Fowl River Community Arts and Crafts Show 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Pelican Reef, 11799 Dauphin Island Parkway Theodore, 36582 Twenty-five artists will be on hand, each with individual tables to showcase art, crafts and designs. 251-973-2670

Down Syndrome Buddy Walk 10:00 AM - Bienville Square, Mobile Down Syndrome Society of Mobile presents the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Saturday, October 21, 10 a.m. in Bienville Square in downtown Mobile. The event consists of a one-mile walk, food and entertainment. www.ds-stride.org/dssmbuddywalk/register Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 7:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com Kids Con Gulf Coast Exploreum, 65 Government Street Mobile, 36602 We are proud to announce that we are partnering with the 2017 QuestCon to bring you an amazing kids’ tract. A kids’ convention for kids of all ages. Too often our children are an afterthought when it comes to conventions, with kids’ events often confined to one room, or even relegated to an out of the way spot. The out of the box thinkers of Quest-Con and the Exploreum are going to change this trend, and reshape the way we all think of cons in the future years to come. www.quest-con.com

Sunday October 22

Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 2:00 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org Mobile Opera presents “Cosi Fan Tutte” 2:30 PM The Temple Downtown, 351 St. Francis Street Mobile, 36602 In Opera, true love rarely runs smooth, and no more so then in this lighthearted comedy of the difference between men and women. Mozart’s tale of classic misunderstanding - Cosi fan tutte. www.mobileopera.org The Magic of Bill Blagg - Live! 7:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, 36602 The Magic of Bill Blagg Live! comes to the Saenger Theatre in Mobile, Alabama for one show only! Critics and audiences alike rave about his interactive high-energy, magic & illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. www.mobilesaenger.com Kids Con Gulf Coast Exploreum, 65 Government Street Mobile, 36602 We are proud to announce that we are partnering with the 2017 QuestCon to bring you an amazing kids’ tract. A kids’ convention for kids of all ages. Too often our children are an afterthought when it comes to conventions, with kids’ events often confined to one room, or even relegated to an out of the way spot. The out of the box thinkers of Quest-Con and the Exploreum are going to change this trend, and reshape the way we all think of cons in the future years to come. www.quest-con.com

Tuesday October 24

Reading Paws (Free) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM, West Regional Branch, 5555 Grelot Road Mobile, 36609 Children reading or learning to read can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with a certified Reading Dog. www.mobilepubliclibrary.org Mobile County Public Schools’ Signature Academy Showcase 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM, USA Mitchell Center, 5950 Old Shell Road Mobile, 36608 The Mobile County Public Schools will host the 4th annual Signature Academy Showcase at the USA Mitchell Center. Each of the 12 MCPS high schools will set up displays and have administrators, faculty, and students available to provide information and answer questions about each of their unique Signature Academies. All 7th and 8th grade students, along with their parents/guardians, are encouraged to attend. (251) 221-4019

Food for Thought ($50 per person) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Camp Grace, 11081 Wanda Drive Mobile, 36608 “Food For Thought” to benefit Ransom Ministries is Tuesday, October 24 and will include a silent auction. www.ransomministries.com

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FamilyCalendar Blues Traveler: 30th Anniversary Tour 7:00 PM The Steeple, 251 St Francis Street Mobile, 36602www.thesteeplemobile.com

around the Battleship Memorial Park. Food, fun and much more!! You don’t want to miss it. act.alz.org

Wednesday October 25

Wine on the River Mobile 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Cooper Riverside Park, Mobile Join us for Mobile’s Inaugural Wine on the River on Saturday, October 28th. Sample wine from national and international vineyards. With an “Around the World” theme focusing on cultural regions there will be wine each selected area. Food will be available for purchase. Live music entertainment and lots of fun to benefit The Fuse Project. www.wineontherivermobile.com

Thursday October 26

5th Annual Divas for Diabetes Fashion Show 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Stewartfield, 400 Dauphin Street Mobile, 36608 Organizers encourage the public to “Join us for our 5th Annual Diva’s for Diabetes where we will be Hitting the Runway. 251-421-2259

Friday October 27

Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 7:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com 2017 Angel Ride Oak Hollow Farm, 14210 South Greeno Road Fairhope, 36532 The Angel Ride festivities will kick off at the campground at Oak Hollow Farms on Friday, October 27th. Our entertainment for the 2017 Angel Ride will be Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri! For more information, tickets, camping, and activity schedules, visit our website. 251-243-0365 www.angel-ride.org

Saturday October 28

Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

Gulf Seafood Gala ($65) 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium, 102 Bienville Boulevard Dauphin Island, 36528 Mark your calendar and join us for “Gulf Seafood Gala”™, a celebration of Alabama Gulf seafood prepared and presented by regional chefs to focus positive attention on Gulf seafood and the rich heritage and culture that surrounds it. Local oyster farmers will also participate in the event by demonstrating the art of growing some of the best oysters in the world. Coastal heritage demonstrations such as cast net making, cast net throwing, oyster tonging, oyster shucking, gumbo making and other multi-generational traditions will also be featured. Drawings for original works of art, live musical entertainment and adult beverages will round out a great evening on the Island. Proceeds from the Gala will benefit Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council. www.GulfSeafoodGala.com Kevin Hart 7:00 PM Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, 36608 Kevin Hart is coming to the Mobile Civic Center Theater on October 28 & 29! www.mobilecivicctr.com Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 7:00 PM Bienville Square, Mobile Celebrate Life with Survivors * Caregivers * Family & Friends. Join us in a atmosphere of loving fellowship as we walk to raise funds and awareness makingstrides.acsevents.org Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 7:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 7:30 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com 2017 Angel Ride Oak Hollow Farm, 14210 South Greeno Road Fairhope, 36532 The Angel Ride festivities will kick off at the campground at Oak Hollow Farms on Friday, October

27th. Our entertainment for the 2017 Angel Ride will be Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri! For more information, tickets, camping, and activity schedules, visit our website. 251-243-0365 www.angel-ride.org Salty Worm Brackish Classic and Delta Bash Blue Gill Restaurant, 3775 Battleship Parkway Spanish Fort, 36527 Unique fishing tournament and after-party benefiting the Gaillard Pancreatic Cancer Research Endowment at USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. Sponsored by Hieronymus CPAs. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets. www.usahealthsystem.com/saltyworm

Sunday October 29

Chickasaw Civic Theatre presents “Twelve Angry Jurors” 2:00 PM Chickasaw Civic Theatre, 801 Iroquois Street Mobile, 36608 Everyone says he’s guilty — everyone but one juror in this classic tale of justice in the jury room. cctshows.com Mobile Theatre Guild presents “Tuna does Vegas” 2:00 PM Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette Street Mobile, 36604 Tuna Does Vegas re-unites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. The hilarity begins when oddball-conservative radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, “Tuna Does Vegas” features the favorite characters from the award-winning Greater Tuna productions with some new characters, too. www.mobiletheatreguild.org One Night in Havana 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Brookley Airfield, 886 5th Street Mobile, 36615 One Night in Havana will transport attendees to a tropical paradise filled with the sights, sounds and flavors of Havana. The evening includes charitable gaming, live music, Latin-inspired food and beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Join everyone at the tables for blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, plus try your luck at the slot machines. Then take your chips to the prize table and enter to win the item or experience of your choice. Proceeds will benefit the Distinguished Young Women Foundation and will provide college scholarships to deserving students. www.OneNightInEvent.com Kevin Hart 7:00 PM Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, 36608 Kevin Hart is coming to the Mobile Civic Center Theater on October 28 & 29! www.mobilecivicctr.com

Thursday November 2

Mobile Ballett presents Blaine Hoven - Full Circle 7:30 PM Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, 36602 Mobile Ballet opens its 2017-18 performing season with a special one-night only production featuring Blaine Hoven, American Ballet Theatre soloist and Mobile Ballet alumni, returning to his home town stage! This special program will feature beautiful excerpts of classical ballet favorites as well as stunning new works, performed by Blaine Hoven, additional guest artists from American Ballet Theatre and the Mobile Ballet Company. mobileballet.org

Classes/Meetings

APAC - Mobile County Adoptive Family Group Meets the 4th Friday of each month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Regency Church of Christ, 501 S. University Blvd., Mobile. Parent, Youth/Teen Group and Childcare Is

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FamilyCalendar

Provided. Topic Discussions & ceu’s for foster families are offered. For more information please call 251-4602727 * 1-800-489-1886 * or estokes@childrensaid.org.

Autism Support Group in North Mobile We have a social play room for higher functioning children (4 and up) to engage and relate. The idea is to have a safe place for parents of Autistic children in our community to link up and network with other families. 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Saraland United Methodist Church, 415 McKeough Ave., Saraland. For more info or to RSVP contact Chris Gibson. Email Chrisgibson4149@gmail.com, or 251-281-7312.

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Azalea City Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines Meets/rehearses each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Mobile Christian School, The Leopard’s Den. For more info call 251-3800579 or visit www. azaleacityharmony.com. Breast Feeding Friendly Group (The BFF Group) A place where new moms can get one-on-one breastfeeding help. Get to know other moms within the same community and possibly become a mentor. Breastfeeding professionals are able to provide newborn weight checks before and after feeding to help you to know if your baby is getting enough to eat. Nurses and other medical personnel can answer general questions. All are welcome, even if you haven’t delivered yet. Spouses and other support partners are also welcome. Every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Except major holidays). We meet at The Allen Cox Building Conference Room, 205 Lambert Avenue, Mobile. Circle Of Hope, Sexual Assault Support Group Group meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Call Lifelines Counseling Services to schedule a 30 minute appointment before attending the group 251431-5100. COH is a support group for victims of sexual violence to share in their struggles and learn ways to begin to cope with the pain and daily stressors that trigger the hurt. This group is free to attend. Call for times and locations. The Family Center The Family Center’s classes in Mobile and Daphne are free and offer free childcare WITH minimum 24HOUR RESERVATION. Night class includes supper and giftcards. All classes provide a certificate of completion. The Family Center of Mobile *Nurturing Parenting course teaches parenting skills such as teaching cooperation and peaceful bedtimes. Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12-week rotating series. Call 251-479-5700 to register. *The Responsible Fatherhood Program (RFP) classes are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., but REQUIRE ADVANCE INTAKE APPOINTMENT. See daily listings for class topics. *Mondays: Together We Can, a cooperative parenting course, 8 weeks. *Tuesdays: Quenching the Father Thirst, (Four things every dad needs to know), 12 weeks. *Thursdays: Chill Skills Stress/Anger Management training, 4 weeks. 251-479-5700 for information on all Family Center classes. All held at 601 Bel Air Blvd, Suite 100, Mobile. www.familycentermobile.org or www.Facebook.com/ FatherhoodMobile. La Leche League Mobile Bay Area Breastfeeding support meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Meetings are free and open to all women with an interest in breastfeeding. Babies and children are welcome. For information or support contact a leader. 251-689-2085, amandaLLLmobile@yahoo.com, meghanLLL@yahoo. com, or michelleLLLmobile@yahoo.com. Facebook: La Leche League Mobile Bay Area.

Survivors of Suicide Support Group Meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lifelines Counseling Services, 705 Oak Circle Drive, Mobile. SOS is here to provide a supportive and judgement-free environment for you to express yourself and share your story. What can you expect? •A place to find support •A comfortable environment to express yourself •A judgement free environment •Resources for grieving Mobile Infirmary Hospital For complete information about class dates, times, and locations, or to schedule a tour of our maternity center, please call childbirth education office at (251) 435-2000. • Birthing Basics Class This course is for parents who either have already experienced childbirth or who prefer to attend just one class because of time constraints. The four-hour weekend session (with breaks) includes a tour and all birthing information. The fee is $30 for patients delivering at Mobile Infirmary. Pre-registration is required; call 435-2000. Every last Sunday of the month. 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. • Cancer Support Group Meets every 4th Tuesday of the month from 10-11 a.m. • Gastric Band Support Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. • Gastric Bypass Support Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. • Preparation for Childbirth Series This series of classes includes all aspects of labor including natural coping skills and epidural anesthesia. Class participants will practice comfort measures and learn about post-delivery and newborn care. Providence Hospital: www.providencehospital.org Providence Hospital is pleased to offer a variety of classes on childbirth issues. All classes are located in Conference Room I (located just inside the main lobby doors of the hospital beside the Gift Shop) unless otherwise specified. To register for classes or for more information, you may call 639-2938 to speak with our Childbirth Educator, Kathy Wade RN, or email kwade@ providencehospital.org. For Daytime Breastfeeding classes only, you may call Marcia Ranew RN, our Lactation Consultant at 633-1749 or email mranew@ providencehospital.org. Support Groups • Providence Hospital Breast “Friends” Meets the second Friday of every month at noon in the Moore Conference Room. The Moore Conference Room is located in the cafeteria. Call Robi Jones for more information, 251-639-2852. • Diabetes Support Group Classes meet in the Diabetes Center, Suite D-436 in the Providence Medical Office Plaza. Call 251-633-1987 for more information. Spring Hill Medical Center: www.springhillmedicalcenter.com • Better Breathers Support Group Meeting For people with pulmonary disorders. Meets on the fourth Monday of each month. 2-3 p.m. Gerald Wallace Auditorium. For more information, call 461-2438. • Breastfeeding Class One Wednesday per month. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Family Center. Benefits of breastfeeding, getting started, going back to work and FAQs are covered. Call 340-7770 early to pre-register. • Childbirth Preparation Classes Four consecutive Mondays (6:30-9 p.m.) at The Family

Center. Register early. The class covers onset of labor, inductions, Cesarean sections, relaxation, anesthesia and postpartum. Includes a tour of the maternity units. Cost: $25 if delivering at Springhill Hospital.  Call 340-7769 early to pre-register. • Childbirth Preparation: Accelerated Course  One Saturday per month. 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at The Family Center. Ideal for those who live out of town or will be delivering soon.  $25. Call 340-7769 early to pre-register. • Me, Too! A Tour for Siblings Noon on the First Sunday of the month. Join us for an individualized tour and instruction for siblings ages 9 and younger. The event includes a tour of the maternity areas and tips on helping parents with the new baby. Parents must remain with their children.  By Appointment ONLY. Call 340-7769 to schedule an appointment. • Infant CPR  Learn this potentially life-saving technique while you are pregnant or soon after your baby’s birth. Covers infant CPR and choking. $5 if delivering at SMC. 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. The Family Center (Bldg. 2, Fourth Floor). Call 3407769 early to pre-register. • Resolve Through Sharing For parents who have lost a child before or immediately after birth. Meets the fourth Monday of every month, 7-8 p.m. Gerald Wallace Auditorium. Call 460-5323. USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital www.usahealthsystem.com/usacwh Classes: Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 415-1069. No children at classes, please. Class size is limited. Advanced payment required to secure your reservation. If you are expecting multiples or having a c-section, please call for additional class information. • Preparing for Childbirth All-day Saturday class for the expectant mother and her support person (coach). Topics include: pregnancy changes, labor, role of the support coach, relaxation and breathing techniques, vaginal and cesarean births, postpartum care, and a tour of the maternity areas. Fee per couple: $30. You should plan on beginning the 3-week series when you are approximately 28 weeks pregnant. Class will meet in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital. Every other month, 9-2. • Childbirth in a Nutshell This class includes a brief overview of labor and a tour of the maternity areas. Class meets first Tuesday every other month from 6:30-9 p.m. in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital. Fee per couple: $15. • Breastfeeding This one-night class is for expectant and newly delivered mothers and their support persons who want to learn about breastfeeding. Topics include advantages, myths and facts, getting started, correct positioning, latching on, engorgement, returning to work and problemsolving. Class meets second Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the CWEB2 Building behind the hospital Fee: $5. Registration Information: Credit card payments are accepted by calling 415-1685. Mail payments for classes to: University of South Alabama, Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Education Department, 1700 Center St., Mobile, AL 36604.

Please send your calendar events to lynn@ mobilebayparents.com. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

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Home Again

Leap!

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C+ Violence: B Sexual Content: C+ Profanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: CThe MPAA has rated Home Again PG-13 for some thematic and sexual material. A middle-aged fantasy for women, Home Again offers separated-butnot-divorced Alice Kinney (Reese Witherspoon) the “problem” of dealing with a bevy of men. An evening out with the girls to celebrate her 40th birthday (a non-event that has kept her in tears all day) leads to an all-nighter of binge drinking with three twenty-something guys that are homeless, wannabe filmmakers. We can only assume an inheritance or Alice’s husband Austen (Michael Sheen), who is distracted with his music business in New York, is paying the bills for the ongoing party. But when he discovers the three amigos cavorting with his wife and daughters, he has a moment of sensibility and comes to Los Angeles. Yet his renewed presence only adds to the ongoing alpha male competition and does nothing to suggest Rosie and Isabel are going to have any hope of a stable family outcome. Shot in a beautiful neighborhood with a cast of vanilla characters who look way too good to be stressed about jobs, money and life, Home Again is the antitheses of those many male-dominated movies with lusty women romping by the pool. If you can buy into the script’s subtle argument that if her father could roam the Hollywood hills looking for young women to bed, there’s no reason his daughter can’t do likewise, this romantic comedy may offer enough laughs to keep you interested.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: AProfanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AThe MPAA has rated Leap! PG for impolite humor and action. Dreams are often the powerful motivating force in a movie’s script. And when the aspirations are those of a couple of parentless children, the ambitions are unstoppable. It’s the late 1800s in France and young Félicie (voice of Elle Fanning) has attempted so many elaborate escapes from her surprisingly comfortable orphanage that she has become an endearing counterpoint to the institution’s otherwise humdrum activities. However, when her good friend Victor (voice of Dane DeHaan) provides his services as a creative accomplice, both manage to break free and make their way to Paris where each plan to pursue their dreams. The cliché plot holds few surprises, although it requires some great imagination (or plain naivety) to believe a girl with no classical training will be able to work her way through the complicated and demanding rigors of this art form, and have a chance of being chosen to dance a lead role in an upcoming show. Content concerns include mild potty humor, slapstick antics, mean-spirited competition, bullying and an over-the-top antagonist whose jealousy turns to murderous intents and threats with a sledge hammer. Still, this Canadian/ French co-production does boast some impressive visuals. It may also have young viewers with similar dreams happily doing pirouettes for a while to come. With that payoff in mind, perhaps sitting through this film won’t be tutu painful for parents.

Captain Underpants

Wonder Woman (new to home video)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B+ Violence: CSexual Content: BProfanity: B+ Alcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Wonder Woman PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and suggestive content. World War I is raging. Everyone is aware of the horrifying conflict. Everyone, except those who live on the remote island of Themyscira. In the too-beautiful-to-be-true land dwells a community of women, members of the Amazon tribe from Greek mythology. All are adept fighters and continually train for an impending battle. The only child amongst them is Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta, the ruler of the island. Diana soon discovers war among mortals is a complex scenario. Arriving on the front lines she witnesses the horrific effects of the political confrontation. Men, women and children, many of whom are civilians, are seen with bloody injuries -- some with missing limbs. Frequent battle scenes depict shootings, stabbings and bombings, however the violence falls short of gratuitous. Perhaps more disconcerting are scenes depicting the German military’s experiments with poisonous gas mixtures. Amid this chaos, Wonder Woman stands as the voice of reason, most likely echoing the sentiments many of us feel when we see hate and anger lead to bloodshed and the killing of innocent victims. Determined to find a way to stop the slaughter, her deft skills at dodging bullets with armored bracelets and a blast-proof shield demonstrate a desire to utilize defensive tactics. Wonder Woman stands tall above other recent movies with comic book pedigrees.

(new to home video)

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: B+ Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie PG for mild rude humor throughout. George and Herold (voices of Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch) are elementary-aged kids who have been friends since kindergarten. Sharing the same sense of humor, the pals combine their separate talents for writing and art, to make hand-drawn adventure stories featuring a bald action figure in tighty-whities. The pair also likes to play pranks on their teachers as a way to cheer up their fellow students at their penitentiary-like school. Their mischief has made them regular visitors to the office of Principal Krupp (voice of Ed Helms). Fed-up, the administrator threatens to put the hooligans in separate classrooms. To prevent him for carrying out the threat, George attempts to hypnotize him -- and it works. With a suggestion, Principal Krupp believes he is Captain Underpants, and the boys take control of his actions. As is to be expected from the film’s title, this script is full, full, full of potty humor. Yet despite the fixation on toilets and a blatant disrespect for authority figures, the story does allow its characters to reconsider their motives, feel remorse for their mockery, and redeem their actions. While these positive moments won’t flush away all the shenanigans, they will likely provide enough charm to amuse older children and tweens. Mobile Bay Parents I October 2017

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PERTUSSIS

(WHOOPING COUGH)

IS IN ALABAMA PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?

Whooping cough – or pertussis – is a very serious respiratory (in the lungs and breathing tubes) infection caused by the pertussis bacteria. It causes violent coughing you can’t stop. Whooping cough is most harmful for young babies and can be deadly.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WHOOPING COUGH?

Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include • Runny nose • Low-grade fever • Mild, occasional cough • A pnea - a pause in breathing (in babies)

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO GET VACCINATED AND FOR TREATMENT. For more information, visit adph.org/immunization or facebook.com/AlabamaImmunizationInfo