MetroFamily Magazine September 2012

September 2012

Tweens & Teens Local teens discover real-world lessons by volunteering

Enter today!

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Exploring Oklahoma: Rock out at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

metrofamilymagazine.com See inside for details.

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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• Click

what’s new at metrofamilymagazine.com CALENDAR DIRECTORIES BLOGS CONTESTS SAVE MONEY

Don’t miss your chance! Register your kids for Cover Kids Search and vote for your “faves” in the MetroFamily’s Reader Favorite program.

Cover Kids Search: For $25, enter a favorite snapshot of your child in one of six categories (five age categories and a special needs category). Every participant receives a Fall Fun Pack, which includes admission tickets to local attractions valued at over $200! Plus, join the fun at our Cover Kids Search/Fashion Rules event at Quail Springs Mall on September 29th, 11am–3pm. Find family entertainment and meet Magna Talent Agency representatives, who will be selecting the finalists in each category. We’ll determine the 2013 cover kids via popular vote in October! Find all the details and an entry form at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/cover-kidssearch. Deadline for online entry is September 25 and the final chance to enter will be available the day of the event.

MetroFamily’s Reader Favorites: Help us find the best family-friendly businesses and services in the OKC area by voting in our online ballot! Just for voting, you’ll be eligible to win a great holiday getaway to the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas valued at $1000! Thanks to corporate sponsor, Oklahoma Employees Credit Union (OECU), for helping make this project possible. Vote today at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/familyfavorites. Hurry! Deadline is coming soon.

Top picks & finds on our website this month Start fall off right with these fabulous finds: • Seeking pumpkin patches? Fall festivals? We’ve got you covered! Find our comprehensive Fall Fun Guide at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/fall-fun.

• Tis the season for consignment sales. Find a list of sales and consignment stores at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/consignment.

Join the MetroFamily community of active local parents at:

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

You could WIN big!

Sign up to be eligible for great prizes at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests.

• Register for one of two family 4-packs to the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, scheduled for October 4 at Chesapeake Arena. Prize package includes a meet and greet with some of the gymnasts! Deadline September 10.

• Thomas the Tank Engine is pulling into Oklahoma Railway Museum for the Day Out With Thomas: Mystery On The Rails Tour and you can win one of three family 4-packs of tickets. Deadline September 22.

• The Fall Fun Giveaway provides the opportunity to win one of several 4-packs of tickets to a local pumpkin patch or other fall event. Deadline September 28.

• Enter to win a $500 shopping spree at Quail Springs Mall! Enter at one of their two Fashion Rules events (September 15 and 29) or at MetroFamily’s contest page.

Deadline September 29.

• Register for one of three family 4-packs of tickets to the Batman Live World Arena Tour, coming to the Chesapeake Energy Arena October 10-14. Deadline October 1.

• Enter to win the latest American Girl doll, Caroline, accessories and six books ($164 value) in our American Girl Giveaway.

Deadline October 5.

You could SAVE big!

Find coupons to the businesses listed below at www. metrofamilymagazine. com/okc-family-discounts.

• Skate Galaxy OKC • Autumn Moore Photography • Guitar for Kids • Green Bambino • Gattitown • The Vintage Pearl • Club Z! In-Home Tutoring • Museum of Osteology • Skills for Living • Bouncin’ Craze • Dawn to Dusk Inflatables • Play Nation playground sets • Jump!Zone • Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum • Mathnasium • Jingle & Jangle • Green Goodies by Tiffany (good Sept. 20 thru Sept. 30) PLUS, save big bucks with the Kids Pass for 2012-2013 that includes over 30 coupons to local and statewide attractions! Download it today at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ kids-pass.

Contents September 2012

Tweens and Teens 6

Dear MetroFamily

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Family Shorts

Editor’s Note.

Community news, resources & other family-friendly information.

16 Oklahoma Reads

Great reads for tweens & teen (and their parents).

18 Exploring Oklahoma

Touring the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee.

20 Ask the Expert

Helping teens get organized.

22 Real Moms of the Metro

Meet Dawn Davis, child and adoption advocate.

26 Problem-Solving Products

Be inspired and learn about the value of teen volunteering through Hannah Reynolds and two other local teens.

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28

“I’m sorry.” Why these are the hardest (and most important) words we can say to our kids.

Your child’s first crush? How to handle it without embarrassing your child (or yourself).

28 Focus on Education

Teens learn life lessons through volunteering.

30 Local Shopping

Discover Cookies n’ Cards in Norman.

32 Your Healthy Family

What “5210” can mean for your family’s health.

35 Calendar

Fun events, activities and classes.

46 Photo Gallery

Readers share their kids’ funny faces.

ON OUR COVER (left to right): Adam Jester, Junior at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, son of Melanie and Bryan Jester, OKC. Hannah Reynolds, 7th grader at Monroney Middle School, daughter of Chris and Michelle Reynolds, Midwest City. Mason Carter Harvey, 8th grader at Guthrie Jr. High School, son of Mike and Julie Harvey, Guthrie. Read about these teens and their volunteer efforts on page 28.

COVER PHOTO AND PHOTO ABOVE BY: Autumn Moore Photography, autumnmoorephotography.com.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Dear MetroFamily, It’s this time of year that reminds me of why I was so happy when summer break came—the homework! I so look forward to getting back to my school-year schedule, but the summers are just long enough for me to forget how difficult it can be to keep kids on task and organized; I can’t even imagine what it will be like when they hit their tween and teen years. Lucky for us, we asked our panel of experts for tips on keeping tweens and teens organized, which hopefully will help your own kids stay on task this new school year!

First day of school picture!

Ready for fifth (Spencer) and third (Lauren) grades.

I might have cried a few tears after dropping them off.

We also begin a new column in this issue, a local shopping column that will introduce you to some locally-owned and operated businesses from all corners of the metro. This month we travel to Norman’s Cookies n’ Cards where our Assistant Editor Brooke had the very difficult task of conducting an interview while surrounded by the aroma of freshly-baked cookies. She’s a trooper! We look forward to letting you know about places that you might not have heard about through this column.

Lastly, in this month’s education column, I’m very excited that we’re talking about some kids who have made a big difference, kids who have learned important lessons that took them outside of the walls of their classrooms. These dynamic teens are also featured on our cover this month. Their stories just might inspire you and your family.

Cheers,

P.S. Visit metrofamilymagazine.com/mari to read my blog, “Keeping it Real,” about my personal adventures in the ups and downs of parenting.

What’s your organizing challenge?

Brooke Barnett Assistant Editor

Sarah Taylor Publisher

My kitchen table is a cluttermagnet; I try to stay on top of keeping that in order.

I try to follow the “touch it once” advice, but I’m far from perfect on that!

Shannon Fields Your Healthy Family

Jennifer Geary Exploring Oklahoma

I try to be organized, but procrastination is my Achilles’ heel.

Piles of paper are my problem spots!

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

To submit events to our calendar calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com Publisher Sarah L. Taylor sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com Editor Mari M. Farthing editor@metrofamilymagazine.com Art Director Kathryne Taylor kathryne@metrofamilymagazine.com Advertising Sales Athena Delce Dana Price ads@metrofamilymagazine.com Office and Distribution Manager Kathy Alberty kathy@metrofamilymagazine.com Assistant Editor & Online Content Manager Brooke Barnett brooke@metrofamilymagazine.com Calendar Editor Sara Riester calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com Contributing Writers Brooke Barnett, Shannon Fields, Jennifer Geary, Sandra Gordon, Sarah Kendall, Heidi Smith Luedtke, Circulation 35,000 – OKC, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, Yukon Also available as a digital edition at MetroFamilyMagazine.com.

Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

We asked our contributors:

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Info And Questions: 405-601-2081

MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly by Inprint Publishing, Inc. 725 NW 11th, Suite 204 • Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Fax: 405-445-7509 E-mail: info@metrofamilymagazine.com ©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2012, All Rights Reserved.

Volume 15, Number 9

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Contributing writers: Brooke Barnett, Mari Farthing

Empowering Your Child

By Sara Kendall

We teach our children to respect authority, to follow leaders and behave; however, sometimes those entrusted with leading children don’t have our child’s best interests in mind. It’s important to talk to your child and let her know that there may be a circumstances when she needs to question authority—and find help.

Warning Signs of Teen Depression “Teens who are overwhelmed by stress are often unable—or unwilling—to ask for help,” says Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, psychologist and author of When Your Teenager Becomes… The Stranger in Your House. “It’s up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene.” Jantz offers these tips about what’s normal and when to worry: • Arguing is normal; constant anger is not. The occasional meltdown is to be expected but a hostile attitude may be a sign of a larger problem.

• Withdrawal from parents is normal; withdrawal from all family and friends is not.

Individualization is a normal part of growing up, but if your teen is isolating himself completely, take note.

• Anxiety is normal; feeling overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about but if stress leads to struggle, seek help.

• An angry reaction is normal; staying angry is not. If something negative happens, a negative reaction could last for a day or two—but any longer and it could indicate a problem.

If you’re concerned that your teen might be depressed, contact your primary care provider.

Visit www.aplaceofhope.com/survey.html for an online survey to determine if you or your teen is showing signs of depression.

Teach your child to be empowered—to not let anyone, child or adult, put her in a situation in which she is uncomfortable.

Explain to her that no one should touch her body or treat her in a way that makes her feel uneasy. If she is scared, tell her to get out of the situation as fast as possible. Reinforce that this is not a time to be passive, and that this is when it’s okay to forget about manners or being polite. Make it clear that she should immediately remove herself from a situation she doesn’t understand or which makes her feel uncomfortable in any way.

If she has encountered such an experience, encourage her to tell you as soon as possible.

Let her know that you are here to help her through all problems, and she is not being a “tattletale” about someone hurting her, even if that other person is a family member or friend. Opening up the lines of communication between you and your child will make it easier for her to come to you if she needs to tell you about a questionable situation.

Having this vital knowledge in her own personal safety arsenal will not only build your child’s confidence, but will also make her better prepared in case an unfortunate event arises in their life.

If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, reports can be made at any time to the OKDHS Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-3511.

Meet American Girl, Caroline Abbott The American Girl company includes a line of dolls, accessories and books to help girls connect with positive, wholesome role models. New American Girl, Caroline Abbott, is a daring and self-reliant 9-year-old growing up on Lake Ontario 200 years ago, during the war of 1812. Caroline’s books (including Meet Caroline and Changes for Caroline) tell stories of resilience and facing difficult circumstances with courage and selflessness—within historical situations that resonate strongly today.

American Girl is hosting a contest for girls to submit their story of a time when they felt like an everyday hero. The grand prize winner will win a trip to Washington D.C., including a visit to the American Girl store and a Caroline doll with accessories and books. The contest begins September 4, and details may be found at www.americangirl.com.

Editor’s note: One lucky reader can also win a Caroline doll with accessories and six-book set ($164 value) by visiting www.metrofamilymagazine.com/american-girl-giveaway for all the details.

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Top 10 Reader Picks: Best Story Times in the Metro

The Sam Noble Museum in Norman is one of the participants in Free Museum Day.

Story times are a great way to help your young child develop listening skills, reinforce early learning concepts such as colors, numbers and shapes and help nurture a love of reading. We polled our readers for their favorite places to go to story time in the OKC metro and here, in random order, are their recommendations:

Free Museum Day

• OKC Zoo’s Wild Tuesdays Story Time Safari (2101 NE 50)—Tuesdays in June & July.

The best free ticket in town is just a click away through the Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Live! program. Tickets granting free admission for two people per household to participating museums on Saturday, September 29 may be downloaded from the Smithsonian magazine website.

Museum Day Live! celebrates education through the nation’s wide array of museums and cultural institutions. For one day only, participating locations across the country will emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities. The program encourages learning and the dissemination of knowledge nationwide. Last year’s event drew over 350,000 museum-goers to over 1,400 museums.

Participating venues in Oklahoma this year are: • Chisholm Trail Heritage Center (Duncan) • Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Museum (Norman) • Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art and Tulsa Historical Society & Museum (Tulsa) • Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (Shawnee) • Oklahoma History Center and Science Museum Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) • Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum (Pawnee) • Three Rivers Museum (Muskogee) • Will Rogers Memorial Museum (Claremore) For more information or to download tickets, visit http://www. smithsonianmag.com/museumday.

• Norman Public Library (225 N Webster, Norman)—See website for ongoing schedule.

• Moore Public Library (225 S Howard, Moore)—See website for ongoing schedule.

• Barnes & Noble’s Saturday Morning Story Time (Edmond and Norman locations)—Saturdays, 11:00am.

• Norman Library’s Outreach Story Time at Sooner Mall (3301 West Main, Norman)—Tuesdays, 10:00am.

• Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway)—Saturdays, 10:15am.

• Story Time Science at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd St)—Select Tuesdays, 10:00am & 2:00pm.

• Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books (1313 E Danforth, Edmond)—Saturdays, 11:00am.

• Story Time at Be Wild For Art (1006 24th Avenue NW, Norman)—Thursdays, 11:00am.

• Story Time in the Garden at the Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno)—Wednesdays, June through August.

Thanks to Shana H., Jennifer K., Kami M., Tiffany B., Kathy W., Lianne A., Kara H., Regina S., Janie D., and Christie B. for contributing to this list! Visit www.facebook.com/metrofamily to share your thoughts on next month’s list.

Have a place you’d like to suggest? Comment on our website at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/favorite-okc-story-times.

High-Tech Eye Strain New data from the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2012 American Eye-Q consumer survey indicates that 79 percent of parents are concerned that their child may be damaging their eyes due to technology use.

Prolonged use of technology can lead to computer vision syndrome (CVS), which may include eye strain, headaches, fatigue, burning or tired eyes, loss of focus, blurred vision, double vision or head and neck pain.

Parents and teachers can help students avoid CVS by encouraging them to follow the 20-20-20 rule. When using technology, take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes, and view something 20 feet away.

Tips to help prevent or reduce eye and vision problems associated with computer vision syndrome: • Check the height and arrangement of the computer. The computer screen should be 15–20 degrees below eye level (4"–5" inches) measured from the center of the screen and 20–28 inches away from the eyes.

• Check for glare on the computer screen. If possible, windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor.

• Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen. Consider using a lower-wattage light or a dimmer switch to control room lighting.

Also, as part of the yearly, back-to-school checklist, students should see a doctor of optometry for a comprehensive eye examination to ensure their eyes are healthy and functioning properly. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Video Games to Fight Teen Obesity?

One in three children in this country is overweight or obese. Casey Hester, M.D., a pediatrician with OU Children’s Physicians and associate professor in the OU College of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics said that being overweight or obese in childhood can contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Sheba by Katie Eayre, age 11, of Shawnee. Photo courtesy of MGMoA.

Exhibit Benefits Homeless Animals This fall, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (MGMoA) in Shawnee is partnering with Saving Pets at Risk (SPAR) to help homeless and abandoned cats and dogs. SPAR sponsors adoption fairs, foster homes and spraying and neutering clinics to help homeless and abused animals and is the benefiting charity of the museum’s annual regional art exhibit, “Tails of Cats and Dogs.” This exhibition features artwork whose subjects are cats, dogs, and other pets and artists from across Oklahoma are invited to participate in the exhibit.

“This is an open exhibit,” explained MGMoA curator of education Donna Merkt. “We encourage anyone who wants to make art to help homeless and abused animals to participate in the show.” Oklahoma artists of any age or skill level are invited to participate and submit art for the exhibit, which runs November 10–25. Participants must register by September 25 in order to guarantee participation; however, the artwork does not have to be delivered until November 5.

All visitors to the exhibit are invited to help SPAR by donating a new pet product for the dogs and cats cared for by the organization.

Anyone who donates a pet product during the drive will receive FREE admission to the museum during the run of the exhibit. Dog food and kitty litter are encouraged, but pet treats, toys, leashes, pet bath products, and pet pest control products will also be accepted.

Find more information at www.mgmoa.org/regional or call 405-8785605.

Teens and Sexting: What Parents Need to Know According to internet and mobile safety expert Tim Woda, 22 percent of teen girls and 18 percent of teen boys have texted a nude or seminude photo of themselves. This behavior—known as “sexting”—is on the rise, and can have long-term implications.

While teens may think this behavior is harmless, sexting as a minor is a federal crime and children can be prosecuted—a designation that will follow your child into adulthood, affecting college and job applications. “If [teens] are caught sexting, they may be charged with production, distribution and/or possession of child pornography—all federal crimes.”

A new campaign by uKnowKids seeks to inform both parents and children of the dangers of sexting. How can parents help their children to understand the production?

• • • •

Talk about the ramifications to your child’s future.

Talk about peer pressure and how to deal with it.

Talk about self-esteem and self-image. Sexting can ruin a reputation.

Monitor activity. Know what your child is texting, and let her know you are monitoring her.

Tips courtesy of www.uknowkids.com.

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A recent study by OU Health Center researchers found that obese teens who avoid exercise benefitted from playing “exergames”— videogames that combine exercise (often dance steps) with game play. The teens also reported better psychological well-being and a closer family relationship, said Hester.

“For the kids, it felt like playing and having a good time, not exercising,” Hester said. “It gave them more confidence to exercise.”

Because they are self-conscious, overweight teens may avoid traditional forms of exercise like sports or fitness facilities. These games can also be a boon to family relationships. “There’s a higher likelihood for success if the families do it together,” Hester said.

“It’s a bonding experience for families.”

While more study is needed to help determine if such games can be an effective part of a weight loss program for teens, researchers say the study shows the games can definitely help overweight and obese teens become less sedentary. Participants in the study were age 12 and up with a body mass index higher than the 95th percentile.

National Diaper Needs Awareness Week A baby will need 6,000–9,000 diaper changes from birth to potty training. At a cost of approximately $3,000, many Oklahomans have to choose between buying diapers for their child or putting food on the table. To emphasis the importance of diapers, the week of September 10–17 is National Diaper Needs Awareness Week.

Infant Crisis Services, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit, is the only agency in central Oklahoma dedicated to providing diapers to needy babies and toddlers. The non-profit gives away more than 9,000 diapers every week. During the National Diaper Needs Awareness Week, Infant Crisis Services hopes to educate Oklahomans on how crucial the need is in our state. The organization encourages the community to donate diapers or host a diaper drive during this week.

“One out of every three families struggle to buy diapers,” said Miki Farris, Infant Crisis Services executive director. “Clean diapers are a basic health necessity for babies and toddlers.”

It can cost more than $100 each month to keep a baby in a healthy supply of diapers, and government assistance programs don’t provide diapers. This causes many parents to reuse disposable diapers or leave their baby in a soiled diaper longer than appropriate, leading to diaper rash, infections and other health problems.

To lend a hand, families can donate diapers to at the organization’s main location at 4224 N Lincoln Boulevard.

For more information on hosting a diaper drive, call 405-528-3663 or visit www.infantcrisis.org.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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INTEGRIS Women’s Health Forum For two weeks in September, INTEGRIS Health will host a variety of sessions on health, exercise, nutrition and the latest medical breakthroughs. The series will run from Sunday, September 9 through Saturday, September 22 at various locations throughout the metro.

Photo courtesy of Firooz Zahedi.

Lunch event topic include avoiding “brain wrecks,” children’s safety, melanoma and other skin cancers, signs of serious illness, the effects of technology on stress levels and a high tea with INTEGRIS physicians. Evening events topics include sessions on pregnancy health, diabetes, breaking bad eating cycles, bra fitting, super foods and smart shopping. Self-defense, a men’s healthy university, a Girls’ Day Out at the Myriad Botanical Garden and a keynote address about being fearless in life from Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton highlight the forum’s weekend events.

“This is the year to be fearless in how you live. Take charge of your life and especially your health. Make smart and healthy choices. Take care of yourself. It’s never too late to reach your goals,” says Mary Ann Bauman, M.D., Medical Director, Women’s Health and Community Relations, INTEGRIS Health. “Who isn’t inspired by Diane Keaton? She is a legend. She looks fabulous and look at all she has accomplished. And talk about fearless … she is unstoppable!”

Most events are free, a small fee is required for a few, reservations are required for all events.

To register, call the INTEGRIS HealthLine at 405-951-2277 or toll free 888-951-2277. View complete session descriptions and register online at www.integrisok.com.

5 Ways to Protect Online Privacy To be smart when online and protect your personal information, Internet users of all ages should remember these five tips:

Spotlight on Character: Initiative

1.

A job well begun is half done. — Proverb

Never share personal information on the internet, including addresses, birthdays, phone numbers, ages, locations and hometowns.

2. Always avoid mentioning when you’ll be away from home, especially when on vacation.

3.

4.

5.

Be skeptical of strangers you meet online—what they say, do and post on their profile may not reflect the real-life truth.

Think twice before posting potentially offensive, embarrassing or controversial content, as it may come back to haunt you—doubly so in the eyes of college recruiters or prospective employers.

Remain wary when meeting strangers in real-life (and do so only in public places). Tell others where you’ll be before leaving, and always bring along a friend or responsible adult when doing so.

Tips courtesy of Scott Steinberg, author of The Modern Parent’s Guide series of hightech parenting books, available free at www. parentsguidebooks.com.

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

Having initiative means that you recognize what needs to be done and do it before being asked, whether working alone or on a team. It means that you are investing in your future by being faithful to a daily plan; little by little that investment multiplies, like pennies in the bank, until one day you are enriched.

Encourage initiative in your family by saying these “I will” statements aloud with your children, encouraging them to apply these statements to situations in everyday life.

I will: think ahead • look for ways to help others • volunteer • make the whole team successful • lead by example.

Read about initiative to bring the lesson home to your kids. Ann Meeks and Barb Johnson, librarians at the Belle Isle Library in Oklahoma City suggest: • Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

by Carol McCloud teaches kids ages 4+ about how rewarding positive behavior can be.

• The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series of books for middle grade readers feature Percy stepping up to be the hero for his friends and family.

I will statements courtesy of Character First, www.characterfirst.com.

Readers love MetroFamily for the stories —and—

the advertisements.

If you offer products and services to local families, MetroFamily will connect you to thousands of passionate parents who are looking for you!

Connect and c ommunicate with 80,0 00+ women.

ADVERTISE W ITH

95% of our readers are between the ages of 25 & 54.

92% are women.

Average household income is $86,575 per year.

Next issue: Fall Fun issue. Ad deadline: September 17th.

Contact us today! 405-601-2081 • ads@metrofamilymagazine.com

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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• I'm sorry

Parents aren’t perfect—we make mistakes. When our kids are small, they quickly dismiss our blunders, convinced of our superhero status. They write essays titled “My Mom’s the BEST!” and shout “My dad’s stronger than your dad” on the playground. We can do no wrong. But the teen years take down superhero parents like kryptonite. Suddenly, we’re held to account for every slip-up, bad decision, and character flaw—it seems we can do no right.

TO ERR IS HUMAN NATURE… TO POINT IT OUT IS TEEN-NATURE If good intentions were enough, parenting would be easy. But noble intentions don’t prevent parents from making mistakes that belittle, betray and alienate teens. We yell when they bring the car home late (again). We search their rooms or read their text messages because we worry about their choice of friends. We tune out and push harder when they say they’re flunking advanced math, because we believe they can do better.

The adolescent’s world “is rich in insight and complex connections; it’s also full of ambiguity and mixed messages,” explains Michael Riera, PhD, Head of School at Redwood Day School in Oakland, Calif. and author of Staying Connected to Your Teenager: How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They’re Really Saying. Teens struggle for clarity amidst confusion, and their growing cognitive skills make them especially good error detectors. With lightning speed and laser-like precision, teens spot the difference

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ADMITTING MISTAKES TO TEENS: WHY IT’S HARD AND HOW TO DO IT between what parents say and what we do—and they point it out.

Don’t worry—your teenager isn’t out to get you. She’s just showing you she’s a perceptive thinker, willing to argue until she’s blue to defend her beliefs. It’s a good thing. Really.

MESSING UP IS EASY… FESSING UP IS HARD Admitting mistakes isn’t easy. Parents are likely to deny, rationalize and justify what went wrong for several reasons, according to Carol Tavris, PhD, social psychologist and co-author of Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts.

To begin with, we feel lousy when our behavior conflicts with our beliefs. Psychologists call this cognitive dissonance. Because yelling at our kids is out of line with our self-concept as good, capable and caring parents, it’s hard to admit we messed up, says Tavris. We’re more likely to justify our actions—“I had to yell to get the point across,” “She deserved what she got for breaking the rules,” or “He knows I love him.”

To make matters worse, justifying our errors leads us to see what we believe. If you think your teen will make poor decisions, or fear wayward peers will influence your kids for the worst, you’ll unconsciously seek evidence you’re right. This “confirmation bias” justifies your previous actions and sets you up for repeating the same old mistakes. It’s easy to convince ourselves we’re doing the right thing even when our actions diminish our real influence in teens’ lives.

Parents may fear admitting missteps will diminish their authority. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Adolescents don’t want parents who are experts, who know all the answers and can solve every problem. What they want, says Riera, are parents who embrace the role of consultant—teens need to know they can count on us to stick with them as they explore new experiences and confront challenges on their own terms.

BRINGING YOUR “A” GAME

• Lead with empathy. Gorsline recommends parents take their teen’s perspective. Say “I bet I’m not your favorite person right now,” or “You are probably really angry with me for what I did.” This validates their feelings and shows you understand your actions were hurtful.

• Think discussion, not confession. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your guilty feelings and make the conversation all about you. Don’t get sidetracked with a lengthy explanation or make excuses for what you did—these are justifications in disguise. And it doesn’t have to be an overblown, on-your-knees apology, says Riera. Directly acknowledge your error, then allow your teenager to respond.

• Pay it forward. Talk about how you might avoid the problem in the future, says Gorsline. Ask your teen for suggestions and listen without defensiveness—or at least keep your defensiveness to yourself! Make sure you both come away with lessons learned and an agreed-upon game plan.

As teens gain independence, parents sense their authority slipping away. Struggling to hold on to the relationship they had with their kids in the past, parents may justify bad decisions and hurtful behavior, pushing teens away in the process. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Every parenting mistake is an opportunity for re-connection with your teenager. But first you have to admit it.

Next time you miss the mark as a parent, make it right. Wait until you’ve calmed down. Then, initiate a conversation with your teen in the car or late in the evening, when he’s tuned in and ready to chat. Take a deep breath and follow these steps for coming clean and reconnecting.

Heidi Smith Luedtke, PhD is a personality psychologist, mother of two, and former educator. Read her psychology lessons for real life at www. heidiluedtke.com/blog.

THE HIGH PRICE OF ADMISSION “Admitting mistakes doesn’t come easy… even in our smoothest relationships,” says Michael Gorsline, parent coach and family therapist in Portland, Oregon, and author of the Awareness Connection blog (www.enjoyparenting.blogspot.com). While you may feel less like a superhero on the inside, you’ll build credibility with your teenager by fessing up. Teens lose trust in parents who won’t admit they’re wrong, especially if the errors are obvious. Wouldn’t you? Admitting mistakes restores that trust and communicates respect for your teenager and your relationship.

When you say “I was wrong and I’m sorry,” you set the right example, reminds Tavris: It is important to take responsibility for our mistakes; apologize for them; and then learn from them so we do not repeat them. Teens’ fears of punishment, embarrassment, or rejection make it hard for them to admit their mistakes, too. A deep connection with parents makes it safe for teens to admit wrong or hurtful actions and to grow from their experiences. They need to learn that making mistakes doesn’t mean they are bad, stupid or unlovable. It just means they’re human.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Oklahoma Reads Great Reads for Tweens & Teens Grades 3+

Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel

By Steve Cotler, illustrated

by Adam McCauley (Random House, $16, hardcover) Cheesie and his friend Georgie survive camp and adventures in their best worst summer ever.

Middle School: Get Me Out of Here!

By James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts, illustrated by Laura Park (Little, Brown & Co, $16, softcover) The second in a series featuring the misadventures of Rafe Khatchadorian, as he navigates the swirling social tides of middle school while doing his best to succeed.

Grades 6+

Diary of a Parent Trainer

By Jenny Smith (Delacorte Press, $13, hardcover) Set up as a diary, Katie gives tips for helping other kids to manage their adults but she’ll need to follow her own advice when things take a turn at home.

A fun and smart read.

Teens Get Smart: A Teenage Girl’s Ultimate Survival Guide

By Susan Mehnert-Kay, MD; Kristina Kline, MD & Gwendolyn Gibson, MD (The Small Press, $12, softcover) An extremely frank discussion on very real issues that may impact teen girls, including sex, drugs and mental health.

Getting Beyond “Whatever”

By Dr. Shale Preston (Balboa Press, $12, softcover) An A–Z guide for teens and tweens to help them to remember to value themselves, don’t always follow the crowd and make good choices.

Hey, Back Off! Tips for Stopping Teen Harrassment

By Jennie Withers with Phyllis Hendrickson, M. Ed. (New Horizon Press, $15, softcover) Bullying and harrassment are an unfortunate but very real part of life; your teen can manage difficult situations with this interactive title.

Priscilla the Great (books 1–5)

By Sybil Nelson (Little Prince Publishing, $13+, softcover) An adventure series for girls that follows seventhgrader Priscilla through her adventures after discovering she has super powers. Fun and empowering for girls.

Adults

Sagaria

By John Dahlgren (EDM Books, $16, hardcover) A sprawling epic journey that follows young Sagandran Sacks on a mission to rescue his grandfather. A fantasy story that will excite even reluctant readers.

What’s Wrong With My Kid? George E. Leary, Jr. (Hazelden, $15, softcover) Worried that your teen might have a problem with drugs or alcohol? This first-person account by youth counselor (and father of an addict) offers quality advice.

The Stranger in Your House

By Gregory L. Jantz, PhD with Ann McMurray (David C. Cook, $15, softcover) There comes a day when your sweet child turns into a feisty teen. Need help managing that transition? This book can help.

Find more book reviews online at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/oklahoma-reads Reviews by Mari Farthing.

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September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Exploring Oklahoma The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

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ith the recent centennial of Woody Guthrie’s birth, Oklahoma’s amazing contribution to music has once again been brought to the world’s attention. If you have some music lovers in your family, you need to take a trip to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Muskogee.

Since 1997, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame has been recognizing musicians, songwriters and others in the music industry who have a “solid connection to the state of Oklahoma,” which could mean they were born here, lived here, wrote songs about the state, or have somehow “further[ed] music in the state of Oklahoma.” The museum, located in downtown Muskogee, houses information on and memorabilia from musicians of every musical style imaginable and is also home to a fabulous new children’s exhibit.

Writers and educators who have influenced the Oklahoma music scene have also been included. Under each photo is a short biography that explains the inductee’s accomplishments. Though I like to listen to music, I don’t really know much about the history behind it. This part of the museum, along with our guide’s commentary, was such an eye opener for me in terms of Oklahoma’s contribution to some of the most wellknown music! If you have anyone in your family who loves to learn about the behind the scenes stories (in our family, that’s my

husband), they will love their time here.

Next up on your trip through the museum is the memorabilia room. This area contains just about every type of music souvenir you can imagine, including costumes, instruments, awards and posters. These were all fun to view, even for my young children who didn’t necessarily know much about what they were seeing. If you have time, watch the museum’s video compilation of Oklahoma musicians, both famous and obscure. Also included are portraits of some of the inductees.

The most recent addition to the museum is the children’s area, housed in a refurbished caboose that is attached to the building.

Decorated with a Jeremiah the Bullfrog theme (from the Hoyt Axton song, “Joy to the World,” popularized by Three Dog Night), this is a fun area for kids to explore several different aspects of music. Kids can explore the science of music by feeling vibrations or, as my children did many, many times, singing into a microphone and seeing the

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Geary.

When you enter the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame you will see photos of all of the inductees—79 so far, from Woody Guthrie to Carrie Underwood and many more in

between. You may not be familiar with some of these musicians by name, but you’ve likely heard their work over the years as studio musicians or their songs performed by other artists. Of course there are individual musicians and groups in the long list of honorees, but there are also some that came as a surprise to me, such as KVOO, the famous Tulsa radio station, or Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa’s landmark concert venue.

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sound waves on a computer screen. There is a huge display about the different types of music represented by the inductees as well as several interactive exhibits on reading music, rhythm and instrument families. Kids can try their hand at conducting an orchestra— composed of bullfrogs, of course. My 8-yearold and 3-year-old both enjoyed the children’s area immensely and I even learned a few things, too.

If you are visiting the museum with your family, there is no need to call ahead, but if you would like to bring a group, you can arrange a tour with advance notice. The personal tour our guide gave us made for an interesting trip.

When you’re done at the museum, you might want to take the time to go on a musical scavenger hunt. More than 30 giant guitars are scattered throughout Muskogee. These

instruments have all been painted by local artists in a variety of themes and are fun to find. You can get a map showing the locations of all the guitars at the museum.

The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame hosts various events throughout the year, held at the museum or other venues around Muskogee. Each fall, the Hall of Fame has an induction ceremony and concert. This fall, they will also be holding a special opening for the children’s exhibit. Check the website for dates to be announced soon.

Muskogee is only about two hours from Oklahoma City, so this is an easy Saturday trip. From the metro, take I-40 east to US Highway 69 North. This will take you right into Muskogee. Make a right on West Okmulgee Avenue and a right onto South Third Street and look for the yellow water tower. Enjoy your trip!

Find It Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame 401 South Third Street, Muskogee 918-687-0800, www.omhof.com $3 Adults, $2 Seniors and Students, ages 3 & under, free Thursday–Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) Jennifer Geary is a homeschooling mom from Broken Arrow, formerly of OKC, who loves to have adventures with her family. Read her blog at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ adventures-in-homeschooling.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Ask the Experts Back to School: Disorganized Teens This month’s question: It’s been a month now but my teen cannot seem to get organized in school; help! How can I help her to stay organized and not get overwhelmed by her schedule?

Organization is easy for some, but a learned behavior for others. Get your child interested in organization by making him part of the process—from picking out notebooks specific for each class to writing down important due dates for homework and test dates in his daily agenda. Then make sure he keeps that agenda with him, both at school and at home.

If too many activities are the problem, consider reducing activities and responsibilities. Start with one or two and add on until you find the right balance.

Once those papers start coming home, it can get overwhelming and his backpack can become disorganized very quickly. Show him how to go through paperwork and decide what is important enough to keep and what can be tossed.

Devonne Carter, LCSW, is a Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Edmond. 405326-3923, www.carterscounseling.com.

First, start with his backpack. If it is overflowing with papers and other stuff, clean it out and throw away anything you can. Sort the rest into their proper folders or compartments in the backpack. For each class, he should have a folder or binder and any necessary supplies and books. He should have an agenda or notebook to list each subject’s homework assignments and due dates, so each day he knows what has

to be done at home and when to turn in each assignment. Some schools and teachers require students to purchase and use a school agenda. If your school doesn’t, an agenda is still great to help keep track of assignments, due dates, and test dates so he doesn’t have to try to remember it all each day.

Another way to stay organized is to create a “launch pad” at home, a place for his backpack and everything that needs to go to school each day. After he does homework, have him put everything on the launch pad so it will be ready to grab in the morning. A great resource to check out is www.flylady. net. Her Student Control Journal helps kids organize their school schedules. You can find it at http://www.flylady.net/d/control-journals.

Tamara Walker RN is a talk show host and speaker in Edmond. www.momrn.com.

I would start with a calendar in his room or day-planner notebook (if he will use it). Each weekend, take the opportunity to review assignments for the coming week and write important dates on the calendar. If he doesn’t have this information, reach out to his teacher or school website. Have a weekly plan, and follow up daily on what is required for the day. Praise him when he’s on top of his schedule to reinforce that positive behavior.

Check off both assignments and tests each day after completion. This allows him to

see the progress he has made and to start developing patterns and habits he can use moving forward.

Consider organizing schoolwork by subject.

Small notebooks or colored files are perfect for this. Help him to keep subjects separate and to have a place for everything. In the beginning, review these folders daily, insuring that he is keeping up with the separation of subjects. At some point, this will become more his habit than yours.

Remember, it takes several weeks to develop a habit. By setting up systems like the ones above and consistently implementing it for at least three weeks, you will offer your child the best opportunity to develop positive organization skills.

Donnie Van Curen, M.A., LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist with Counseling 1820, LLC. 405-823-4302, www. counseling1820.com.

Our Readers Respond: • A planner is a great tool, but you’ll have to show her how to use it. If it seems too bulky, you can make your own weekly assignment sheet and have her write homework assignments for each class.

Create some kind of incentive if she completes it for a preset time period and get some fun pens to encourage her to use it. She may not be able to use pink or purple pens at school, but there’s no reason she can’t use them in her planner!

• FranklinCovey has awesome seminars and planners for teens. It will change her habit—totally worth every cent.

• Spend 20 minutes after dinner or before bed every day planning for the next day.

Make a checklist to keep track of daily responsibilities and ongoing projects, and make it a goal to check off everything on time. When your teen accomplishes this, offer a reward—a special meal, extended curfew or other incentive to help keep her on track!

Thanks to Laura G., Kelly N. and Jessica P. for your feedback!

Have a question for our experts? Email it to editor@metrofamilymagazine.com.

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September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Real Moms of the Metro Meet Dawn Davis: Mom of Seven & Adoption Advocate

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Photo by Autumn Moore Photography, www.autumnmoorephotography.com

ast spring, MetroFamily asked readers to nominate moms who inspired them in our Real Moms of the Metro Contest. We received dozens of nominations of truly outstanding mothers across the metro (look for more about these moms in coming issues), but Dawn Davis stood out for her dedication to making the world better for children from around the world through adoption.

Nominated by her friend Jelaine Aprile, Dawn was described as “an inspiration in so many ways—a devoted wife, full time mom to seven children, three of which are adopted, two internationally. Dawn’s spirit is one of joy, conviction and a steadfast determination to enjoy life to it's fullest while enjoying the noble call of mom and homemaker.”

Dawn explains that she and husband Mark always “had a heart for adoption,” even before they were married. Here is more about this 42-year-old home schooling mom of seven and how adoption has changed their lives.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I hold a record in Indiana High School Basketball.

What are you passionate about?

Nurturing children into abundant life and helping others to do the same.

How did adoption help your family grow?

As a teen, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. This resulted in intense chemotherapy, which doctors told him would most likely keep him from fathering children. Three years into our marriage, Mark and I were ecstatic to learn that I was pregnant and our daughter was born in 1998. By the time our oldest was five,

Quick Facts About Dawn 1. What are five words that describe you? Encouraging, hospitable, busy, growing, nurturer.

2. What’s your favorite indulgence? Anything with the word coffee in it.

3. What’s your favorite date night venue? Dinner at Signature Grill in Edmond and a good movie.

4. What’s always in your handbag? Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer and band aids.

5. What’s your guilty pleasure?

Dark chocolate.

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The Davis family--mom Dawn, dad Mark, and children (left to right) Jedidiah (age 3), Amari (age 5), Daniel (age 12), Sophia (age 13), Annie (age 10), Rebecca (age 18) and William (age 8).

we had four children. In spite of the fact that our plate was very full, God presented us with the overwhelming need to adopt children in need. When our youngest was two, Mark’s niece became the newest member of our family, as well as our oldest child. A few years later, we again felt the call to adopt.

Tell us about your international adoptions.

We looked into adopting from Ethiopia after learning that there are over 4,000,000 orphans in that country alone. Our children were very much on board with us, and even gave much of their own money to help pay for the adoption. The international adoption process was long and full of ups and downs. Finally, we received an e-mail with pictures of a infant boy and a 2-yearold girl. Three months later, we were given the okay to go to Ethiopia. The trip was surreal, but the moment we first met our children will be fresh in our memory forever. Words cannot describe the flood of emotion that swept over us as we held our children for the first time.

How has motherhood changed you?

It took my eyes off myself. My children are so precious to me and being with them every day is such a pleasure.

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How do you banish stress?

By playing games with the kids, putting on some great music and dancing with one of my kids, getting together with a friend or taking an afternoon to be quiet.

What inspires you?

People who are willing to sacrifice much for the sake of others.

What is on your wish list?

A multi-week vacation touring the country with my family.

What are you most proud of?

My family. My husband is a wise and loving friend to me and an amazing father to our children. My children never cease to amaze me with the love and unselfishness they show to each other and others outside our family.

How do you find balance in your life?

I ask God to order each day’s events, then do my best to take each day as it comes.

Advice for other moms?

Don’t give in to the pressure to get your kids involved in a lot of activities while they are young. Let them enjoy the security of home while they are little. Later as you see talents emerge, invest in those. Also,

examine your heart and if you are willing to adopt a child. If so, let nothing stand in the way.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Indiana. My husband’s job brought us to Oklahoma in 1996.

What’s the biggest challenge in your life?

I struggle with slowing down during the day. I need to do a better job of blocking out the things that need to be done (laundry, meals, cleaning) and tuning in to the highest needs of the moment.

How do you help others?

Raising adoptive children holds it’s own unique set of challenges. I encourage anyone who knows an adoptive family to rally around them and offer support.

What is your parenting style?

We attempt to provide clearly-understood boundaries and then give all the freedom we can so that the child can develop their own sense of personal discipline, sacrifice and joy.

Favorite quote or advice about motherhood?

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own home. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”

— Mother Teresa Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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HOW TO HANDLE

Your Child’s First Crush

“OH, HOW CUTE.” That’s what crossed my mind when a boy from summer camp called and asked my oldest daughter, who was in fourth grade at the time, to go to the movies. (She said “No!” then ran from the phone.)

But as I witnessed, a first crush—whether it’s initiated by your child or she’s on the receiving end of the romantic attention—is definitely anything but adorable from her perspective.

“Crushes are serious,” says Julia Simens, a family therapist from Lake Tahoe Incline Village, Nevada. Like me, Simens knows from experience.

When her son, Grant, was 11, he wrote a children’s book, Spirit of Saint Valentine: An Expat’s Tale of Love, which is about love in an international elementary school. “I hadn’t given crushes much thought until Grant opened my eyes to how important they are from a kid’s point of view,” Simens says.

The fact is that Cupid’s arrow can aim low, striking kids as early as 7 or 8. And though it’s easy to trivialize this experience, a child’s emotions are just as real as the fervor we might experience when we’re infatuated. “Kids can fall in love by all developmental measures as soon as you can begin to measure their feelings,” says Carleton Kendrick, EdM, a Boston-based family therapist and author of Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We’re Going to Grandma’s. “There’s no such thing as puppy love.”

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Crushes are a healthy part of life. Besides being good practice for the future, they can teach kids a lot about relationships and themselves.

On the other hand, they can also be a source of pain and difficult for your child to handle, especially into the pre-teen and teen years.

“When hormones kick in, kids have more of a physical response to a crush and that can be confusing because they’ve already got so much going on emotionally—from trying to figure out their identity to how to fit in socially, academically and within the family,” says Stephanie Haen, a licensed clinical social worker.

Though you may not always need to get involved, there are things you can do—and things you shouldn’t—to help your child deal with love’s first blush. After counseling hundreds of parents on this issue, our experts weigh in on the dos and don’ts of managing this tender milestone.

DO Have Talks; But Not “The Talk” Help your elementary-age child prepare to deal with a crush, which is a distant cousin to dating, by having an ongoing dialogue from a young age, doing so in a way she can understand about being respectful of her own body and herself.

Then, as your child ages into the pre-teen and teen years, keep talking. These days, pre-teens and teens can put pressure on each other to add sexual exploration to the equation under the misguided notion that if they don’t have sex with their crush, it’s not really love.

“This is a big change from what it used to be like with kids 10 or 15 years ago,” says Kendrick, who has been in practice for 30 years. So be aware of what’s going on, and acknowledge it with your child.

“You might say, ‘You might feel pressured. But you don’t have to do anything. You need to trust your feelings… And even if you’re a little bit curious, that doesn’t mean you have to say yes,’” he says.

To bring up tough subjects like these and get your child talking, a good way to start, is “Gee, I’ve read…” then fill in the blank with what you want to address, such as “girls are having oral sex and they’re only 13. Do you think that’s going on at your school?” Keeping the discussion going—despite all the eye rolling—lets your child know that you understand what she might be going through and builds trust so she is more likely to come to you for advice if she needs to.

DO Let it Be a Learning Experience If your child has a crush and it’s unrequited, don’t trivialize it by saying things like, “Oh, you’ll get over it,” or “Well, that was just puppy love.” Instead, console him, and let him be upset and grieve the loss. But also stress that rejection is a normal part of life, it’s what dating is all about, that you don’t always find the right person right away and affection is not always reciprocated, Haen says.

DO Teach Him to Deal with the Attention If another child has a crush on your child and it’s not mutual, encourage your child to politely nip it in the bud. Role-play and have him practice an “I’m not interested” script, such as “Thanks for all the notes, but I really wish you wouldn’t give them to me anymore because they’re upsetting me.” Unwanted attention feels like pressure for children of all ages. Kids on the receiving end of crushes can suffer from psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches and not want to go to school. “It’s the same kind of thing I’ve witnessed with kids who’ve been bullied,” Kendrick says.

DO Monitor the Situation Tweens and teens in reciprocal crushes can take things to the extreme by texting until all hours or spending lots of their free time with each other because they’re mimicking what they’ve observed in their older siblings or the adults around them. Set boundaries, such as curfews and limits on computer and phone time, to help your child balance his responsibilities with his social life. If you get the sense that your child is too involved—obsessing about his crush, spending too much time together, not spending time with friends, not concentrating on school work—he may need professional help to sort out why the crush has become obsessive. “It could be a sign of something else that’s going on in his life,” says Haen. “Kids might cling to a crush if things are rocky at home between their parents, they’re struggling in school for the first time or something’s going on in their social circle.”

DON’T Out Your Child’s Crush “One of the most dangerous things I see parents do is comment on their child’s crush in front of the child to other adults or [worse]— to their child’s friends,” says Simens. Such insensitivity leads to embarrassment and undermines the confidence your child has in you.

If he can’t trust you with that sensitive information, how can he come to you with other important stuff in the future? “You want your kids to know they can come to you with questions and talk to you without being judged or made fun of,” Haen says.

DON’T Micromanage Her Love Life If you know your tween or teen has a crush on someone, don’t fan the flames by suggesting, for example, that she tell that person how much she likes him. “Imposing your adult-oriented behavior onto the situation can lead your child to go further with a crush than she was wishing or contemplating,” says Kendrick, which can make her feel uncomfortable.

If you’ve got a child in elementary school, however, it may be appropriate to suggest and arrange a play date with the object of your child’s affection, if your child is open to that. But it’s not healthy for kids in elementary school to “date.” That sort of exclusivity with another person limits your child socially. “Kids need many options to make connections with people beyond the boy or girl they have a crush on,” says Kendrick.

DON’T Say Yes to Sleepovers “Today’s parents struggle with setting limits in general,” says Haen. So if your child asks to say, have a sleepover with her mutual crush (it happens!), say no, but in a respectful way. Keep it neutral by saying something like, “It’s really nice that you like hanging out with Jimmy, but a sleepover isn’t going to take place.”

Keep in mind that when it comes to crushes, your child can be crushed by your reaction to it. No matter what happens, “It’s never instructive or healthy to belittle or shame your child about it,” Kendrick says.

Sandra Gordon is a journalist and author. Find her at www. sandrajgordon.com.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Join our community! Problem Solvers Subscribe to Weekend Picks email to stay in-the-know about upcoming events Facebook.com/MetroFamily Twitter.com/MetroFamily Pinterest.com/MetroFamily

Helpful Family Products

When we hear about new or helpful products, we like to let our readers know! Here are a few of the more interesting items we’ve recently discovered. Visit the product website for a list of local retailers.

Problem:

Your child is too cool for blocks but still likes to build.

Solution:

The DJ RockDock is a no-tools-required, build-it-yourself MP3 dock that your child can build and enjoy. ($20, www.smartlabtoys. com)

Problem:

You have time to work or exercise; not both.

Solution:

The Fitdesk is a portable exercise bike and desk in one, so you can multitask in the healthiest sense. ($230, www.fitdesk.net)

Problem:

Organization. Or, lack thereof.

Solution:

Keep it neat and in one place with the Mead by Staples ARC Notebook system, which is fully customizable. ($15, www.staples.com/arc)

Problem:

You have more things to plug in than your computer will allow.

Solution:

The Quirky Contort plugs into your computer’s USB port and expands to an additional four ports with a built-in cord keeper. ($25, www.quirky.com)

Problem:

That gray locker is so very boring!

Solution:

Decorate it with LockerLookz, a product line that includes temporary wallpapers, rugs and accessories to fashion a stylish locker. ($8+, www.lockerlookz.com)

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September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Focus on Education Volunteering: Education Outside the Classroom

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inston Churchill is famously quoted as saying that, while we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. An important learning opportunity for students exists outside of the classroom, an experience that some experts say teaches both lessons that are essential for a happy life and skills necessary for a successful living—the experience of community volunteering.

Jenny Friedman, the executive director of Doing Good Together (www. doinggoodtogether.com) works every day to inspire, encourage and equip families to volunteer together. “There are enormous benefits for kids and parents who get involved in community service,” Friedman explains. “In addition to the good that it does in the community, volunteerism can build both academic skills and self esteem in young people. Ultimately, it tells our youth that they matter and can make a difference in the world around them.”

“Research shows when teens volunteer, they are two-to-three times more likely to continue to do so as adults,” Friedman continues. “When you start involving kids and teens in service, you grow a whole new generation of generous, philanthropic adults.”

If you are wondering just how much of a difference a young person can really make, meet three local students who have made volunteerism a part of their extracurricular education and hear the lessons they have learned and how they have made an impact in their communities.

Adam, Volunteer in the Arts Adam Jester, a junior at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City, has volunteered at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMoA) for the past three summers, assisting artists and teaching art to younger kids. He has also served on the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Teen Advisory Council.

“My sister volunteered at the museum and it sounded like a great opportunity to help the art community,” Jester explains. “I really enjoyed volunteering because it let me be more involved in the art world and help others become interested in art.”

Drawn to the museum by his interest in art and his own artistic abilities, Jester says that his experience has allowed him to meet a wide variety of people—and has given him an appreciation into the patience needed to help teach children. “I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be a good person, in the sense of fulfilling expectations, and how important that is,” Jester reflects. “ I feel like this will help me very much in life.”

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Left to right: Adam Jester, Hannah Reynolds and Mason Carter Harvey.

“Volunteerism is empowering,” Friedman agrees. “It helps young people learn early on that small actions can make a big difference in the world. If they feel that way as a young person, imagine how they will feel as an adult when they become even more capable of helping out.”

Friedman adds that volunteers like Jester also benefit from improved social, organizational and teamwork skills, as well as improved senses of self-worth, responsibility, competence and achievement. “The lessons I’ve learned through volunteering really emphasize the importance of being an honest, forthright person,” Jester adds. “That’s something that’s definitely helped me out not only in my school work, but with life in general.”

Mason, Healthy Eating Advocate 8th Grader Mason Carter Harvey’s community involvement stemmed from his

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desire to take charge of his own health. As an overweight 6th grader in Guthrie, Mason was struggling with health issues and bullying stemming from his size. “I was tired of being bullied, tired of being unable to breathe right and tired of the feeling of being overweight and getting picked on for it. ” Harvey says. “I decided it was up to me to change and fix it.”

The 13 year old has adopted a new mantra that helped drive his personal changes and influences his community involvement: Small Steps + Smart Choices = BIG CHANGES. “I put down the Xbox and cut back on the pop, chips, and candy,” Mason explains. “I started getting more active and making smarter choices” Mason successfully lost 85 pounds, going from 206 pounds in 6th grade to his current healthy weight of 120 pounds.

Now, Mason is an advocate for healthy eating and believes that childhood obesity can be defeated by encouraging small changes and smart decisions in kids of all ages. Through his Strive for 85 project (www.strivefor85.

com), Mason’s work in the community has included encouraging 85 important or famous people to spread his story of healthy living (including First Lady Michelle Obama and former NBA player Desmond Mason), plans to host or attend 85 events that will help promote awareness about childhood obesity (he’s currently at 68) and to help 85 kids facing the same challenges that he overcame.

“Volunteerism helps break down stereotypes and teaches empathy and tolerance,” Friedman explains. “Typically, we tend to hang out with people that are similar to us in things like race, religion and socioeconomic status. Volunteering is one of the few ways to break out of that circle and realize that we have more in common with other people than we thought.”

Friedman says a positive side effect of volunteering is that it often helps make families stronger by encouraging them to talk about things they wouldn’t normally discuss and unifying them through shared support of a cause. “My family never saw me as fat.

When I told them I wanted to lose weight, then they started to see the problem,” Mason reflects. “Once they knew I was serious about this they started changing the way they did things, too. Now they are behind me 100%, every step of the way.”

For her work and dedication, Reynolds was chosen from more than 35,000 nominees nationwide to receive a $1,000 college scholarship through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program. “Kohl’s is thrilled to recognize the young volunteers like Hannah who have dedicated their time and energy to bettering the communities in which we live,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Every effort, large or small, makes a difference.”

Hannah, Student Helping Student

Get Involved Friedman adds one additional benefit of volunteerism. “Many parents are concerned about messages communicated to their children in our culture that portray selfishness, competitiveness and materialism” she says. “Community service is a way to provide alternative messages to children about what really matters, and the importance of care, compassion, gratitude

For families interested in giving back, but overwhelmed at the idea, Friedman encourages seeking out small ways to get involved in a cause that is important or meaningful. “You don’t have to start your own non-profit or volunteer 40 hours each week,” she adds. “Just do what you can. It’s valuable to do anything to lend a hand and it teaches great lessons to kids of all ages.”

Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor and Online Content Manager at MetroFamily Magazine.

Looking for volunteer opportunities?

• Find information about local nonprofits seeking volunteers and how your family can get involved at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ volunteering-opportunities.

• Find 50 free and low-cost service projects that families can do together at www.bigheartedfamilies.org.

Photos by Autumn Moore Photography, www.autumnmoorephotography.com

12-year-old Hannah Reynolds of Midwest City volunteered inside her school, spending more than 200 hours helping a classmate with special needs. “I helped him complete his work, read instructions to him and explained things he didn’t understand,” Reynolds explained. “After working with him, I wanted to show people that he is just like me even though he is disabled. I used to think that people with disabilities were different, but he showed me that he can do the same things I can.”

But the award and scholarship weren’t the highlight of the experience for Hannah. “The best part of my volunteer work was making a new friend,” Reynolds says.

and empathy. Volunteering is not just telling them that those things are important—but actually doing them, living them in a handson way.”

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

29

Local Shopping Sweet Treats at Norman’s Cookies n’ Cards

That early jewelry making launched her into a retail career that led to her being the owner/ operator of Cookies n’ Cards, a gift shop and bakery located in Norman.

Campus Corner Those familiar with Nancy’s store may remember it from Campus Corner. Cookies n’ Cards originally opened in 1984, showcasing handmade jewelry, cards and an assortment of baked goods handmade by Nancy herself.

It was here that Nancy met her husband of 28 years. She married him on Valentine’s Day a short time later, and her crush on Davy Jones became a thing of the past.

New Location After leaving Campus Corner in 2011, Nancy re-opened Cookies n’ Cards in its current location (on 12th Avenue) in February 2012, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The new location offers ample parking, seating for 25, a wide array of cards and gifts, and a bakery serving gourmet coffee and cold drinks.

“Parking is our biggest blessing,” Nancy says.

“It’s been quite a journey, but it’s getting better all the time.”

Baked Goods

Cupcakes

For customers who were accustomed to visiting the old Campus Corner location for a sweet treat before OU football games, Nancy says her goodies are packaged and ready to go, making it easy grab a tasty desserts on the way to the game. You can also find Nancy’s baked goods at Eskimo Sno (1228 N Interstate Dr.), the Classen Convenient Store (2760 Classen Blvd) and Campus Corner Market (211 W Boyd). Cookies are only $2 after tax and custom cakes range from $12–$28.

Within Cookies n’ Cards, you’ll also find Nancy Cupcakery, where Nancy takes special care to match her signature cupcakes with homemade icing. “Our big difference is that our cupcakes are individually wrapped and kept cold.” Russell explains. Nancy’s cupcakes are $3, and customer favorites include strawberry with strawberry creamcheese icing, sour cream fudge with chocolate butter-cream icing, and carrot pineapple with vanilla cream-cheese icing.

Cake Eaters Club Cake lovers will enjoy Nancy’s Cake Eaters Club, which meets at 8:00pm on the first Thursday of every month. For $3 (tax included), you can enjoy a slice of one of six different cakes, warm from the oven, topped with a scoop of custard from The Custard Factory. “You don’t need a membership card or anything,” Nancy explains. “It’s come one, come all!”

Cake flavors vary by week, but popular favorites include Cookies-n-Crème, Jamocha Almond Fudge, Peanut Butter and Cinnamon Swirl (which Nancy says is the one that her regular customers “won’t let her stop baking.”). The best part about Cake Eaters Club? “I take requests,” Nancy says.

Don’t-Miss Items Cookies n’ Cards also features greeting cards for all occasions, plus unique gift items including Willow Tree Angels, wind chimes, picture frames, jewelry, movie star memorabilia and more. The store is also expanding into OU merchandise, just in time for football season.

“Closer to Christmas, I will also be featuring more gourmet baked goods for holiday goodie baskets,” Russell adds. “I have gifts of all sizes and shapes, but sometimes baked goods just make the best gifts!”

Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor and Online Content Manager of MetroFamily Magazine.

Cookies n’ Cards 115 12th Ave, Norman 405-364-2760, www.cookiesncards.com Open Monday–Saturday: 10:00am–8:00pm

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

Photos by Autumn Moore Photography, www.autumnmoorephotography.com

N

ancy Russell’s first business venture was making and selling love beads to earn enough money to see teen heartthrob Davy Jones. By age 15, she had sold enough beads to buy a Volkswagen bus, but a faulty transmission ultimately kept her from ever making it to see Davy.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

31

Your Healthy Family 5210 For Health

F

or a number of years, Oklahoma has hovered near the lower end of the nationwide spectrum in terms of health, with higher than average rates of obesity, overweight and diabetes. A new program of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City in conjunction with Wellness Now and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OKCCHD) is looking to improve that with some simple advice. The newly-developed 5210 program aims to teach kids and families “Numbers to Live By” through its new community health campaign, which will launch with an official kickoff event October 7 at the Myriad Gardens. The program is aimed at increasing awareness to the daily guidelines for nutrition and physical activity, and encourages families to include:

• 5 or more fruits or vegetable servings daily • 2 hours or less of screen time per day • 1 hour or more of physical activity • 0 sweetened beverages “The 5210 message is simple, clear, and represents some of the most important steps families can take to prevent childhood obesity,” said Angela Jones, Director of Health and Wellness Initiatives at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. “We intend for this event to become an annual opportunity to get outside as a family in one of the most beautiful areas of our community. This day is about removing barriers to exercise and eating well and creating a healthy family home.”

The 5210 kickoff event is free and open to the public. Children of all ages can take place in activities, such as a scavenger hunt, and can win prizes. A wide variety of field games will be offered, as well as demonstrations on how to make healthy parfaits, baby food and home gardening ideas. Participants will even leave with their own vegetable plants.

The YMCA and the Wellness Now Coalition are expecting approximately 500 families to attend the launch party. “With any new campaign that you launch, there are of course concerns as to how well it will be received,” says Jones. The YMCA and OKCCHD have collaborated with health professionals and those in the community for feedback. “The 5210 program is a positive message, with

four simple changes to focus on. These changes can be done in steps, rather than all at once. Everything that comes out of this campaign is intended to be positive and create awareness.”

Over the course of the next year, the 5210 campaign will be rolled out through a website, a physician toolkit and a school toolkit, in hopes of maximizing exposure to the program. For physicians, the kit will include a flip chart and other tools for use in-office, to facilitate conversations about obesity and healthy living. These resources were developed with Dr. Ashley Weedn of OU Children’s Physicians. School toolkits are under development with the Oklahoma City Public Schools. The 12-week units will be focused on grades four and five, and the subject matter will be presented in the main classroom setting with supplementation in physical education classes.

“These resources will be easily accessible, open to public use online, and will promote a consistent and penetrating message to families and communities,” Jones said.

Several communities across the United States have already seen success with the 5210 campaign.

The concept is based on a framework of evidence-based health behaviors associated with healthy weight in children. The Center for Disease Control has targeted these specific behaviors as priorities for obesity prevention and control. Recent literature has shown the success of such campaigns in promoting healthy lifestyles. Partners joining with the YMCA, Wellness Now and OCCHD in the kickoff event include: Transition Oklahoma City, Central Oklahoma Turning Point, Food for Thought Learning Institute, Sierra Club and Allied Arts.

For more information about the event or the program, contact the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City or the Oklahoma City-County Health Department.

Shannon Fields is a freelance writer from Edmond and a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Innovative Pharmacy Solutions.

5210 Kickoff Event Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno, OKC) Sunday, October 7, noon–4:00pm For more information about the 5210 program or this event, contact the YMCA of Greater OKC (405-297-7710, www.ymcaokc.org) or OKCCHD (405-427-8651, www.occhd.org)

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

SEPTEMBER

29TH –30TH

Oklahoma Wildlife Festival The Oklahoma Wildlife Expo is the state’s largest indoor and outdoor recreation event.

Presented by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and a coalition of conservation organizations, agencies and sponsors, the Wildlife Expo celebrates our great state’s natural diversity and opportunities for the sporting enthusiasts and newcomers.

From camping and outdoor skills to shooting sports and fishing, from bird watching to kayaking, Expo visitors have an opportunity to try their hands at outdoor skills. Expo hours are 8:00am–6:00pm daily.

Visit www.wildlifedepartment.com for more information.

Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

13TH to 18TH

15TH

27TH to 30TH Disney On Ice

Oklahoma Regatta Festival

Join a celebration of royal proportions when Rapunzel, Tiana and Cinderella star in Disney On Ice presents: Dare to Dream! Relive memorable moments from Tangled, The Princess and the Frog and Cinderella as a cast of world-class skaters brings the romance, humor and adventure of the films to life in this contemporary skating spectacular.

The Oklahoma Regatta Festival is a four-day event featuring rowing, kayaking, stand up paddle board and dragon boat racing on the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District.

The 2012 Festival includes family activities, the Oklahoma City University Head of the Oklahoma Regatta, OGE NightSprints, blU VIP Party, the Oklahoma Regatta Run and corporate racing.

Event tickets include an outside gate admission ticket to the Oklahoma State Fair if purchased on or before September 12. Tickets are available at www.okstatefair.com or by calling 405-948-6800.

The 2012 Oklahoma State Fair runs September 13–23 and showcases our state’s agriculture, manufacturing and commerce. For more information, visit www.okstatefair.com.

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.

Festival hours are Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28, 6:00–10:00pm; Saturday, September 29, 10:00am–10:00pm and Sunday, September 30, 8:00am–noon. Fireworks will be held nightly Thursday-Saturday. For more information, call 405-552-4040 or visit www. oklahomariverevents.org.

Max Westheimer Airport Annual Aviation Festival The 6th Annual Aviation Festival-Open House includes tours of the control tower, opportunities to see airplanes and other community emergency response equipment up close, remote control airplanes, local law enforcement displays, a children’s activity area for kids ages 4–12 and more.

The festival will take place September 15, 9:00am–4:00pm at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 405-325-7233 or visit airport. ou.edu.

Photo courtesy of Max Westheimer Airport.

Photo by Georgia Read, courtesy of the OKC Boathouse Foundation.

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

35

Quick Reference American Banjo Museum 9 E Sheridan Ave, OKC 604-2793, www.banjomuseum.org City Arts Center Fair Park, 3000 Pershing Blvd, OKC 951-0000, www.cityartscenter.org Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards, Edmond 340-4481, www.edmondfinearts.com Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum 13th & Shartel, OKC 235-4458, www.oklahomaheritage.com Museum of Osteology 10301 S. Sunnylane Rd, OKC 814-0006, www.museumofosteology.org Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC 297-3995, www.myriadgardens.com National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org Oklahoma Aquarium 300 Aquarium Dr, Jenks 918-296-FISH, www.okaquarium.org OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

September 2012 September 1-30 FREE Buckboard Quilts’ Quilted Scrapbook Exhibit from Edmond’s 1905 Cookbook at the Edmond Library features quilts & memorabilia brought in the Land Run along with the history of Oklahoma’s first libraries, schools & churches, founding families, period clothing & photos of 89ers & pioneers presented in quilted scrapbook form. 341-9282.

Sept 5–8 Oktoberfest at Choctaw’s Creek Park features homemade German food, live entertainment for all ages, crafts & activities for children. 390-8647, www. choctawfestival.org.

Sept 5–9 36th Annual Western Days in downtown Mustang includes a chili cook-off, carnival, open rodeo, parade, car show, pancake breakfast & races. 376-2758, www. mustangchamber.com.

Sept 6 • Thursday

OKC National Memorial 620 N Harvey, OKC 235-3313, www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

Ace High: Dinner & Auction at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum benefits the Museum & features dinner by Roccoco, complimentary wine & beer & auctions. Must be 21 & older to enter. Preregister. $75 per person, $125 per couple. 5:30pm.

OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th St, OKC 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

FREE Concert on the Curve at Classen Curve features live music, art & more. 6-9pm. www. classencurve.com.

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

Otto’s VIP Night at Science Museum Oklahoma is a member-exclusive event featuring special Dome, Planetarium and Science Live shows. FREE for members. 4-8pm.

Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., OKC 522-0765, www.oklahomahistorycenter.org Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman 325-4712, www.snomnh.ou.edu

FREE Fall Concert Series at Charles J Johnson Central Park in Town Center (SE 29 & Mid-America, Midwest City) presents a concert each Thursday in September. 6:30pm. Feturing the Doc Blues Revue. www.midwestcityok.org. Also held: 9/13 (Zero to Sixty), 9/20 (High Ground), 9/27 (Gypsy Queen).

Science Museum Oklahoma 2100 NE 52nd St, OKC 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

Sept 6–8

Do you have an event for our calendar?

Email Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com

FREE 104th Annual Cleveland County Fair at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman) includes livestock shows, carnival rides, tractor pulls, celebrity cow-milking contest, kiddie pedal pulls & petting zoo. www.clevelandcountyfair.org.

All phone numbers are area code 405 unless otherwise noted. Information should be verified before attending events as details can change after press date.

Sept 7–8 FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District features more than 60 artists in 17 galleries.

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Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-5pm. 525-2688, www. thepaseo.com.

Sept 8 • Saturday Dash for Dad at Stars & Stripes Park at Lake Hefner features a half marathon, a 5K & a 1-mile fun run and benefits Zero & The Project to End Prostate Cancer. $25 ($30 race day) 5K, $35 ($40 race day) half marathon. 8am. www.greatprostatecancerchallenge. com/races/oklahoma-city.

Meatball Madness Scavenger Hunt presented by the Spaghetti Warehouse in Bricktown benefits the American Cancer Society. Participants will be given clues to complete throughout Bricktown within a twohour time period with prizes awarded to winning teams. $35. 10am-noon. 841-5819, lauren.anderson@cancer. org.

FREE Harrah Day at Harrah Heritage Park (1374 N Church) features a parade, health fair, fishing derby, tractor pull, vendor booths, entertainment, fireworks & more. 9:30am-10pm. 454-2951.

Boy Scout Day at Frontier City (11501 NE Expressway) offers discount tickets available for all Boy Scouts, friends & family. A portion of each ticket is donated to Friends of Scouting. 478-2140, www.frontiercity.com.

FREE Open House at SoccerCity OKC (4520 Old Farm) for guests to learn more about the Lil’ Kickers Child Development Program for kids 18 months–9 years.

10am-noon. 748-3888, www.soccercityokcity.com.

FREE Septemberfest at the Governor's Mansion (820 NE 23) is an annual family festival hosted by the state of Oklahoma's first family featuring entertainment, activities, hands-on learning for children, food, story-telling, historical re-enactments & more. FREE admission to the Oklahoma History Center located nearby. 10am-4pm. 557-0198.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Apple Basket” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3 & up. Kids create a bushel shaped basket they can fill with all the apples they can color. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www. lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Kids Fishing Clinic at Soldier Creek next to Joe B Barnes Regional Park in Midwest City for kids ages 6-15. Registration, 8:30am; Clinic, 9am. 739-1296, www. midwestcityok.org/free-kids-fishing-clinic.

Anniversary Celebration at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel) features refreshments & special deals in celebration of one year at their new location. 10am-5pm.

848-2330, www.green-bambino.com.

FREE Practice ACT/SAT at College Nannies & Tutors (1333 N Santa Fe, Edmond). Preregister. 9am. 5136060, www.collegetutors.com/edmondok.

FREE Homemade Toys Workshop at the Bethany Library for ages 6-11 with an adult shows how to make traditional toys from commonplace, inexpensive materials. Supplies provided. Preregister. 2-3pm.

SEPTEMBER FREE Oklahoma’s Venomous Snakes at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) teaches participants how to identify snakes & the purpose they serve in our environment. 3pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/ martin_park.

Canterbury Choral Society Annual Masquerade Ball at the Skirvin Hilton (1 Park) benefits the Canterbury Choral Society & features dancing, three-course dinner, live & silent auctions. $150. 6pm. 232-7464, www. canterburyokc.com/masquerade.

Greater Oklahoma Bluegrass Music Society Concert/Jam at the Oklahoma Country-Western Museum & Hall of Fame (3925 SE 29) features three professional bluegrass bands on stage. $6, FREE ages 12 & under. 6:30pm. 677-7515, www.gobms.org.

OU Football vs. Florida A&M at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. www.soonersports.com. Other home games this month: 9/22 vs. Kansas St.

Sept 9 • Sunday OBS Streak at Mitch Park in Edmond is a bicycle ride of various distances from 25-100K & 10-mile Family Fun Ride. 7:30am. www.obsstreak.com.

FREE Punt, Pass & Kick at Yukon Middle School Football Field (801 Garth Brooks) features a football skills competition open to boys & girls ages 8-15.

Check-in at 2pm. 350-8920, www.cityofyukonok.gov.

FREE Intergenerational Art Workshop at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art celebrates Grandparents Day by creating your own clay pottery. Preregister. 2-3pm.

FREE Luncheon on the Grass presented by the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Firehouse Art Center, the Jacobson House & the Norman Arts Council at Lions Park (450 S Flood, Norman). 4-6:30pm. www.ou.edu/ fjjma.

FREE Summer Breeze Concert Series at Lions Park (Symmes & Flood, Norman) features live music from The Trishas. 7:30pm. 307-9320, www.pasnorman.org/ programs/summerbreeze.

September 9–22 INTEGRIS Women’s Health Forum features two weeks of INTEGRIS-hosted sessions on health, exercise, nutrition, the latest medical breakthroughs and keynote speaker, Diane Keaton. Most events are FREE, others require a small fee. Preregister. 951-2277, www. integrisok.com.

Sept 10 • Monday FREE Tween Books to Box-Office at the Norman Library for tweens ages 8-12 to discuss one book & watch the movie based on that book. First of a 3-part series. Preregister. 7-8pm. Also held: 9/17 & 24.

Sept 10–24 FREE Girl Scouts 100th Birthday Exhibit at the Noble Library celebrates 100 years of scouting with a traveling exhibit provided by Oklahoma Girl Scouts.

S M T W T F S

Sept 12 • Wednesday FREE Early Access Autism Screening for children ages 18 months-7 years at the Purcell Library determines if developmental skills are progressing as expected. Preregister. 295-5273, www.earlyaccessok. org.

Miracle Jeans Day encourages individuals and companies to donate $5 to wear jeans in lieu of traditional work attire to benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation. 271-9043, www.okchf.org.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Metropolitan Library System www.metrolibrary.org

Sept 13 • Thursday FREE Mad Scientist Lab at the Midwest City Library for children ages 6-12 to learn more about the world through fun activities & experiments. Preregister. 4:305:15pm.

Sept 13–18 Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream at the Oklahoma State Fair features Rapunzel, Tiana & Cinderella in an all-new live production. Event ticket prices include outside gate admission to the State Fair if purchased on or before September 12. $14 & up.

Thursday-Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm; Sunday, 1:30pm & 5:30pm; Monday, 10:30am & 7:30pm; Tuesday, 7:30pm. www.okstatefair.com.

Sept 13–29 Oklahoma State Fair at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds features a large carnival, a variety of Midway rides & games, 5 exhibit buildings, unique shopping opportunities, concerts, arts, livestock competitions & live performances. 948-6704, www. okstatefair.com.

Belle Isle.................5501 N Villa...........843-9601 Bethany................3510 N Mueller.........789-8363 Capitol Hill............ 334 SW 26th...........634-6308 Choctaw.................2525 Muzzy...........390-8418 Del City..................4509 SE 15th...........672-1377 Downtown.............300 Park Ave.......... 231-8650 Edmond............... 10 S Boulevard......... 341-9282 Midwest City......... 8143 E Reno........... 732-4828 Ralph Ellison....... 2000 NE 23rd...........424-1437 Southern Oaks....6900 S Walker.........631-4468 The Village........... 10307 N Penn.......... 755-0710 Warr Acres...........5901 NW 63rd...........721-2616 Harrah...............1930 N Church Ave.....454-2001 Jones.......................111 E Main............399-5471 Luther......................310 NE 3rd............ 277-9967 Nicoma Park...... 2240 Overholser........769-9452 Northwest ..........5600 NW 122nd........606-3580 Wright Library.... 2101 Exchange.........235-5035

Pioneer Library System www.pls.lib.ok.us

Othello presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage (100 Myriad gardens) features Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy of a love destroyed by jealousy. $15. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm. 235-3700, www.oklahomashakespeare.com.

Sept 14 • Friday FREE Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art is a monthly celebration of the arts connecting the downtown arts district with galleries, performance halls, & Campus

Blanchard............... 300 N Main............ 485-2275 McLoud....................133 N Main............964-2960 Moore.................... 225 S Howard.......... 793-5100 Newcastle............. 705 NW Tenth.......... 387-5076 Noble........................204 N 5th..............872-5713 Norman.................225 N Webster......... 701-2600 Purcell.................... 919 N Ninth............ 527-5546 Shawnee............101 N Philadelphia......275-6353 SW OKC............... 2201 SW 134th.........979-2200 Tecumseh............114 N Broadway........598-5955

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Corner. Trolley service between venues available at minimal cost. 6-10pm. 360-1162, www.2ndfridaynorman. com.

door prizes & giveaways in a fun, tailgate atmosphere.

Appointment required for cancer screenings. 9am-noon.

951-2277, www.integrismenshealth.com.

Cloverton Benefit Concert at Henderson Hills Baptist Church (1200 E I-35 Frontage, Edmond) benefits WINGS: A Special Needs Community & features performances by Cloverton & Joyful Sound Choir. $10 & up in advance, $15 & up at the door. 7pm. 242-4646, http://clovertonatwingsconcert2012.eventbrite.com/.

FREE Grasses With Bill at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) is a hike with volunteer Bill Bennet to discover the park’s many grasses. 10am. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

FREE LIVE on the Plaza in the Plaza District (NW 16th between Classen & Penn) on the second Friday of each month includes art walk, local artists, live music & shopping. 7-11pm. www.plazadistrict.org.

FREE Heitz Movie Nitez at Marc Heitz Chevrolet (I-35 & Lindsay, Norman) screens Disney’s Bambi under the stars. Playground closed during movies. 488-7971, www. facebook.com/kcoyote.1Force. Also held 9/21.

Sept 14–15

FREE Crafts for Kids “My Homework Folder” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3 & up to design & decorate a homework folder. 11am-3pm. 8588778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Moore Game On! at the Moore Library for teens & tweens to enjoy an excellent day of video, card & board games. 11am-3pm.

FREE Fairy Ball in the Paseo Arts District. Children of all ages decorate costumes with flowers & dance with StarDanceSwan dancers to the music of Steve McLinn of OJAS. 7-9pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com.

Sept 17 • Monday FREE Family Craft Night at the Del City Library for families to spend time together making a craft. Space is limited. Preregister. 6:30-7:30pm. Also held: 9/18 Midwest City.

Sept 18 • Tuesday Tiny Tuesdays at the OKC Museum of Art for ages 2-5 with parent or caregiver. Families create together to explore & experiment with a variety of art media. FREE with paid Museum admission. Held the third Tuesday of the month through May. 10am-noon.

Sept 19 • Wednesday 5th Annual Pinwheels for Peace Event at OCU (2501 N Blackwelder) features a drum circle, pinwheel creations, live music, multicultural performances, activity booths & more. 5-8pm. 760-5322, www.una-okc.org.

Evening of Hope—Chips for Children Dinner at Science Museum Oklahoma benefits Oklahoma Lawyers for Children & features a casino night with dinner, live auction, gaming tables, live music, “celebrity dealers” & more. 7am. www.olfc.org.

Sept 20 • Thursday

Sept 20–22

Sept 14–30

Fort Reno Ghost Tours at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) tells tales & urban legends of haunted buildings, villainous murders, lost treasure & more. Includes tours of the fort & presentations by paranormal research teams. Advance reservations & ticket purchase required. Held the third Saturday of the month through November. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children ages 5-12. 7:30pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org.

To Kill a Mockingbird presented by Poteet Theatre (222 NW 15) based on the classic novel by Harper Lee. Rated PG. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. $20.

609-1023, www.poteettheatre.com.

Grand Opening Night: Enigmas of Life presented by the OKC Philharmonic at the Civic Center Music Hall features pianist Conrad Tao. $15 & up. 8pm. 842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org.

FREE Heartland Classic Car & Bike Show (218 W Main, Purcell) features food, live music, dancing games, prizes, cars & bikes. Friday, 5-9pm, Saturday, 8am-3pm.

527-3093, www.theheartlandclassic.com.

Pass It On Kids Consignment Sale at Church of the Harvest (16000 N Western, Edmond) offers new & gently used children’s clothes & accessories. Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday, 8am-2pm. 359-4924, www. passitonkids.com.

Sept 15 • Saturday OSU Football vs. Louisiana-Lafayette at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. 11am. www.okstate.com. Other home games this month: 9/29 vs. Texas.

Girl Scout Day at the State Fair celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts with demonstrations, activities & history. FREE with State Fair admission.

9am-5pm. www.gswestok.org.

FREE Sugar Free Allstars in concert at Uptown Kids (5840 N Classen). 10:30-11:30am. 418-8881, www. uptownkidsstyle.com.

Run for the Next Generation 5K at Hitachi Computer Products (1800 E Imhoff, Norman) benefits the Center for Children & Families, Inc. Preregister at http:// nextgeneration5K.eventbrite.com. $25. 8am. 364-1420, www.ccfinorman.org.

FREE Max Westheimer Airport Annual Aviation Festival at Max Westheimer Airport (1700 Lexington, Norman) features tours of the control tower, static displays, children’s activity area sponsored by Sooner Flight Academy, local law enforcement displays, remote control airplanes & more. 9am-4pm. 325-7233, www. ou.edu/content/airport/events/festival.html.

FREE INTEGRIS Men’s Health University at Crossroads Mall (7000 Crossroads) offers FREE health checks & cancer screenings as well as lunch,

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Weekly Events FREE Discovery Room programs at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. See website for complete list & details.

FREE Art Moves weekdays (Monday-Friday) in downtown OKC (various locations). Performances, demonstrations, short films & discussions. Noon-1pm.

270-4892, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves.

Toddler Time playtime at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang). $2 or FREE with Town Center membership. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-noon.

376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org.

Toddler Time! at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) craft activity just for toddlers Tuesdays. FREE with Paint'n Play admission. 10:3011am. 340-7584, www.unpluggits.com.

FREE Admission at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on Tuesdays. 10am-5pm. Activities include Art Adventures for children ages 3-5 with adult (10:30am).

FREE Sooner Mall Outreach Storytime is an interactive story time held outside Sears at Sooner Mall for ages 9 & under. Tuesdays, 10am.

FREE Tuesday Noon Tunes at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features 30-minute concerts

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

Chandelier Session at Paint Your Art Out (10 S Broadway, Edmond) allows you to create your own masterpiece on canvas. Preregister. $35. 513-5333, www.paintyourartout.net.

Adorable Affordables Children’s Consignment Sale at the Payne County Expo Center (Hwy 51 & Fairgrounds Rd, Stillwater). Thursday-Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday, 8am-2pm. www.adorableaffordable.net.

performed by OU music students & faculty. Tuesdays beginning September 11. Noon-12:30pm.

Family Fun Night at JumpZone (SW 104th & Western) includes 2 adults, 2 children, 1 large pizza, 2 liter pop for $25. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-8pm.

200-1691, www.jumpzoneparty.com.

FREE Wide Open Wednesdays at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features FREE admission on 15 consecutive Wednesdays concluding November 14.

FREE Wednesday Night at the Movies at the Downtown Library. Held every Wednesday, 6-8pm.

231-8650.

Story Time at Be Wild For Art (1006 24th Ave NW, Norman) includes story & activity. See website for details. Thursday, 11am. 307-9971, www.bewildforart. com.

FREE Melody Hounds Music Class at the Norman Library for children 3-7 with parent develops musical literacy. Thursdays, 7-7:30pm; Fridays, 10:30-11am.

FREE Thursday Noon Tunes live concerts at the Downtown Library, 11:30-1pm.

Family Fun Day at Celebration Station (509 Westline) features unlimited rides & a pizza buffet for $15.99 per person. Thursdays, 4-9pm. 942-7888, www.celebrationstation.com.

Sept 21 • Friday

Sept 21–29

World Neighbors: A Journey Around the World Gala at the OKC Farmers Market (311 S Klein) features cocktails, exclusive shopping of the WorldFest market, an international dinner, entertainment & raffle benefitting World Neighbors. $150 per person. 5-9:30pm. 418-0443, www.wn.org/gala.

The Original Children’s Consignment Sale (6925 NW Expressway) offers new & gently used children’s clothing & accessories. Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm (closed Sunday). 721-6776, www.occsale.com.

FREE ZooFriends Family Fun Night at the OKC Zoo features activities and opportunities to interact with zookeepers throughout the evening. 5-8pm.

Glass Pendant/Ornament Workshop at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) for adults to create glass pendants. Materials included. Preregister. $48.

6-8:30pm. 340-7584, www.unpluggits.com.

Sept 21–22 Rodeo Weekend at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum pays tribute to rodeo’s greatest legends. Preregister.

PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena followed by a concert by Jake Owen on Friday & Gary Allan on Saturday. $18 & up. 7:30pm. www. okstatefair.com.

Sept 21–23 Blue Man Group presented by Celebrity Attractions at the Civic Center Music Hall features a combination of music, comedy & technology. $20 & up. Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm & 8pm; Sunday, 2pm & 7pm. 800-8691451, www.celebrityattractions.com.

Sept 21–30 Julius Caesar at OU Max Weitzenhoffer Theatre based on a play by William Shakespeare. Thursday–Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm. 325-4101, www.ou.edu/finearts/ events.

Sept 22 • Saturday Help Clean Up the Oklahoma River in the Boathouse District seeks volunteers to help clean up the river in preparation for the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta.

9-11am. www.oklahomariverevents.org.

WorldFest at OKC Farmers Market (311 S Klein) is an international shopping event featuring fair trade products including jewelry, handbags, scarves, pottery, home décor, food, holiday items & more to benefit World Neighbors. 9am-6pm. 752-9393, www.wn.org.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Autumn Tree Collage” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3 & up to create a leafy tree with all the colors of the season.

11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

FREE Cats in the Wild at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial). Join the Oklahoma Humane Society for a discussion on their feral cat trap-neuterrelease program. 2pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/ martin_park.

FREE Kids' Meditation Class at Buddha Mind Monastery (5916 S Anderson) helps kids discover

Cocktails on the Skyline at the OKC Museum of Art. Free for members; $5 for nonmembers. Cash bar, complimentary snacks & live music. See website for details. Thursdays through October 11, 5-10:30pm.

All-Star Bowling for Differently-Abled Individuals at AMF Yukon Lanes (500 E Main). $8/week includes 3 games & shoes. Saturdays, 1pm. Email dbrakefield@yahoo.com to verify schedule. 354-2516.

FREE Green Earth Gang for ages 9-13 works on conservation projects in Martin Park. Saturdays, 2-5pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

Live Banjo Performance at the American Banjo Museum (9 E Sheridan) invites guests to enjoy a live banjo performance on Saturdays. FREE with paid admission. 3-5pm. 604-2793, www. americanbanjomuseum.com.

Live Banjo Performance at the American Banjo Museum (9 E Sheridan). Enjoy a live banjo performance. See website or call to confirm schedule.

FREE with paid admission. Saturdays, 3-5pm. 6042793, www.americanbanjomuseum.com.

The UCO Jazz Lab features performances each Friday & Saturday at 8pm. $7 adults, $5 age 12 & under. 359-7989, www.ucojazzlab.com.

FREE Children’s Storytime at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) each Saturday, 10:15am.

842-2900, www.fullcirclebooks.com.

FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books, Saturdays, 11am. 340-9202, www. bestofbooksedmond.com.

FREE Skating Lessons at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36) for beginner, intermediate, advanced & featured styles. Saturdays, noon-12:45pm. 605-2758, www. skategalaxyokc.com.

Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art features hands-on art activities. FREE with paid admission.

Saturdays, 1-4pm.

Karaoke Cruise departs from Regatta Park Landing.

Guests can discover their inner idol. Must be 21 & older. Preregister. Saturdays in September, 7:30-9pm.

702-7755, www.okrivercruises.com.

FREE Green Earth Rangers at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) for teens ages 13-18 to assist the park with complex, leadership-driven conservation efforts. Sundays, call for times. 7550676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

FREE Open House at techJOYnt (8328 Glade) provides information about this hands-on, technology-based after-school education academy.

Sundays, 2-4pm. 345-5010, www.techjoynt.org.

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inner wisdom through meditation, Dharma talks, Chan Stories & fun activities. 11am-12:30pm. 869-0501, www. ctbuddhamind.org/classes.

FREE Admission at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. 10am-9pm.

Family Fun Night at Kickingbird Golf Club (1600 E Danforth, Edmond) for families to play 9 holes from special junior tees. Tee times required one week in advance. FREE putting course as well as food & beverage discounts. $6 green fees, $6 carts, $2 range tokens. Tee times start at 5pm. 5-8pm. 341-5350, www. kickingbirdgolf.com.

Broadway Tonight: SHE LOVES HIM at UCO Mitchell Hall Theater (100 N University, Edmond) features Kate Baldwin & special guest Sheldon Harnick singing classic musical theatre songs. 7:30pm. 974-3375, www. visitedmondok.com.

ZooBrew IV at the OKC Zoo benefits the Patricia & Byron J. Gambulos ZooZeum. A beer-tasting event featuring over 30 beers from local breweries & distributors, live music, $& more. $30 members, $35 nonmembers, $10 designated drivers. 6:30-9:30pm.

Sept 28–30 2012 Oklahoma Regatta Festival at the Oklahoma River in downtown Oklahoma City includes the OCU Head of the Oklahoma, VIP Party, & a family festival featuring live music, art, a children’s area, food & racing.

552-4040, http://oklahomariverevents.org.

Sept 23 • Sunday

FREE Oklahoma Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie is a hands-on interactive expo of exhibits, seminars, clinics, workshops & demonstrations centering on wildlife & outdoor life. 8am-6pm daily. 5226279, www.wildlifedepartment.com.

FREE Community Celebration at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art celebrates the opening of The James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection: Selected Works with artist demonstrations & a special performance by the OU School of Dance. 1-6pm.

Day Out with Thomas at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand). Includes music, art, fun activities & train rides for Thomas the Tank Engine fans. Ticket required for train rides. 424-8222, www. oklahomarailwaymuseum.org. Also held 10/5-7.

Sept 24 • Monday

FREE Rock Island Arts Festival at the Rock Island Depot in Chickasha features fine art displays, live music, entertainment, activities & entertainment for children.

Friday-Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 4260651, www.rockislandartsfestival.org.

Cuts for a Cure at Quaint Salon (1716 S Post, Midwest City) benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. $30 for cut & shampoo. 5-8pm. 455-1010.

Sept 25 • Tuesday A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra at Oklahoma City Community College’s Bruce Owen Theater (7777 S May) features 17 young musicians in a self-conducted string orchestra. $25 adults, $20 seniors, $10 youth 17 & under. 7pm. 682-7576, www.occc.edu/cas.

Sept 27 • Thursday Partner Kickoff & Awards Luncheon presented by the Children’s Hospital Foundation at the Petroleum Club of OKC (100 N Broadway) honors individuals & companies who support the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Preregister. $15. 11:30am-1pm. 271-2208, linzy-hall@ouhsc.edu, www.okchf.org.

Ladies Night Out at Be Wild for Art (1006 24th Ave NW, Norman). Ladies can bring their favorite beverages & snacks while enjoying an evening of painting & discounted studio fee. 6-9pm. 307-9971, www. bewildforart.com.

75th Anniversary Celebration at the Civic Center Music Hall features performances by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons as well as additional programming by resident companies. www.okcciviccenter.com.

Sept 28 • Friday FREE Asian Moon Festival at UCO Plunkett Park in Edmond is an interactive experience of the Asian culture through food, entertainment & activities including live traditional drummers, musicians, martial arts performances & a dragon dance with FREE goodie boxes, food & activities. 6pm. 974-3588, www.

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uco.edu/student-life/diversity/programsandevents/ asianmoonfestival.asp.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

Sept 29 • Saturday FREE MetroFamily's Cover Kids Search/Fashion Rules event at Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial, in front of Macy's) allows families to meet with representatives from Magna Talent Agency and, for those entered in the contest, the ability to have your child's photo taken by Glamour Shots and placed on a mock-up of a MetroFamily cover. Also includes entertainment, hands-on activities and a fall fashion show. 11am-3pm. www. metrofamilymagazine.com/ cover-kids-search.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day offers FREE admission to various museums with a downloadable ticket available online. www.smithsonian.com/ museumday.

Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes at the Orr Family Farm (14400 S Western) benefits the American Diabetes Association. Preregister. 888-DIABETES, www.diabetes.org/stepoutokc.

5th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk & Silent Auction at All Saints Catholic School (4001 36th Ave NW, Norman) benefits Norman, Moore & Purcell by supporting programs providing food pantries, housing assistance, disaster relief, job training, clothing, utility costs & more. 9am. 706-7069, noreenzimmerman@ hotmail.com, www.stvincentdepaulokc.org.

Queen for a Day at Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur) celebrates single mothers with a day of inspiration, education, pampering & empowering featuring single mom speakers, Wanda Pratt & Dr. Yvonne Pennington. 9am-5pm. www. supportforsingleparents.org.

Downtown Edmond Art Crawl in Historic Downtown Edmond features artists, local wineries & festivities.

10am-6pm. www.downtownedmondok.com.

FREE Crafts for Kids “Cornhusk Door Hanger” at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) for ages 3 & up to create a cornhusk welcome sign. 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com.

Single Mom Appreciation Day at Bethel Foundation (13003 N Western) celebrates single moms with lunch, games, activities & more. Volunteers needed. 286-3700, www.bethelfoundationusa.com.

FREE Plaza District Festival in the Plaza District (NW16 between Classen & Penn) celebrates local creativity with live music, artist booths, kids’ art activities & a variety of local concessions. Noon-10pm. www. plazadistrictfestival.com.

FREE Annual Buddy Walk benefitting the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark includes games, inflatables, extreme animals exhibit, entertainment for all ages and a one-mile walk at noon. 9am–1pm. 4635641, www.dsaco.org.

FREE Homeschool Speaker Skeet Savage from Wisdom's Gate Ministry at New Hope Church of Christ (700 W 2, Edmond). 1–3pm. 614-5990, www. skeetsavage.com.

Oklahoma Heritage Quilts & Arts Festival in downtown Pauls Valley showcases the talents of Oklahoma artists, crafters & performers featuring hand made goods made exclusively in Oklahoma. Includes art contests, talent show & contest, quilt contest & music. 238-2555, www.mainstreetpaulsvalley.com.

FREE Steampunk Jewelry at the Edmond Library.

Teens & adults can delve into the steampunk movement to create one-of-a-kind jewelry accessories & learn the basics of jewelry making. Supplies included. Preregister.

1-2pm.

FREE Moore Big Wheel Nationals at Moore Community Center (301 S Howard) features racing for kids ages 4-8. Preregister. 4-9pm. 793-4332, www.cityofmoore.com.

Butterfly Art Camp at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) is an all day camp featuring fascinating biology & behavior of these winged creatures & making butterfly-inspired art. Preregister. $25 per participant.

10am-5pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.

Full Moon Hike at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) is an after-hours hike in search of the full moon. Preregister. $2 per person. 7pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/park/martin_park.

Blu VIP Party at the Devon Boathouse (725 S Lincoln) features food, entertainment, racing under the lights & fireworks. Proceeds benefit youth rowing & the athletes of the OKC National High Performance Center. $75.

7-10pm. 552-4040, www.oklahomariverevents.org.

Fort Reno Candlelight Tour at Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) is a tour around Fort Reno’s historic parade ground. Re-enactors portray people of the fort’s past in scenes from various time periods. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children. 8pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org.

Sept 30 • Sunday FREE Norman Groovefest at Andrews Park promotes community awareness through art, human rights information & live music. 514-0781, www.groovefest.org.

Hot Mamas Run & Baby Parade at Mitch Park (Covell between Kelly & Santa Fe, Edmond) features a womenonly 5K Run & 1-mile Baby Parade. $25 & up. Baby Parade, 2pm; 5K, 3pm. www.hotmamasrun.com.

October 2012 October 1 • Monday FREE Home School Day at the Oklahoma History Center is designed to offer family learners the chance to participate in a program specifically designed for mixed age groups. No registration required. 10am-2pm.

FREE Admission at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the first Monday of each month. 10am-5pm.

14th Annual YMCA Golf Classic at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club (3501 Quail Creek) is a shotgun start, net best-ball format that benefits the YMCA. 1pm. 297-7771, www.ymcaokc.org.

Oct 2 • Tuesday FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at Penn Square Mall’s Lego Store. Build a new model every month. Held the first Tuesday of the month. Quantities are limited.

For ages 6-14. 5pm. 840-9993, www.Stores.Lego.com.

Oct 3 • Wednesday Esther Women speaker series at St. Luke's Methodist Church (222 NW 15th) features journalist Robin Marsh and former Miss America Lauren Nelson, coauthors of several faith-based books for teenagers. $150 for the nine-event series, includes meals and Sandi Patty concert in May. www.estherwomenokc.org. Also held 11/7, 12/5, 1/9, 2/6, 3/6, 4/3 & 5/1.

Oct 4 • Thursday Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions at the Chesapeake Energy Arena features several of the country’s top gymnasts including Nastia Liukin & Jonathan Horton. $35 & up. 7pm. www.kelloggstour.com, www.chesapeakearena.com.

Oct 4–6 Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie features international & national bluegrass bands, children’s activities & workshops. 282-4446, www.oibf.com.

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Ongoing Events Through September 9 Fusion: A New Century of Glass at the OKC Museum of Art features glass sculptures & installations from the twenty-first century that embrace the diversity & depth of the human experience.

Vernet to Villon: Nineteenth Century French Master Drawings from the National Gallery of Art at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features drawings & watercolors representing each of the major 19th-century movements.

Red Earth Invitational Sculpture Exhibit at the Myriad Botanical Gardens features Native American sculptures installed in the Meinders Garden & the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory's South entrance visitors' center.

Sept 15–Oct 28 Earth Chronicles: Oklahoma at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) features works by Fran Hardy who works with the environment & conservationists throughout the United States and works by other Oklahoma artists. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org.

Opening reception 9/14.

Through September 16 The Cult of Personality: Andy Warhol, Harold Stevenson & Portraiture at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features portraits by Andy Warhol with a special focus on the Polaroids he used as preparatory studies for the portraits he produced.

Chinasaurs: Dinosaur Discoveries from China at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History features a dozen rare cast dinosaurs as well as fossil dinosaur eggs, nests & bones.

Sept 27–Jan 6 American Moderns, 1910-1960: From O’Keeffe to Rockwell at the OKC Museum of Art includes paintings & sculptures by Georgia O’Keeffe, Milton Avery, Marsden Hartley, Stuart Davis, Norman Rockwell & more.

Sept 28–Oct 12 Hank the Cowdog – Lost in the Dark Unchanted Forest presented by Oklahoma Children’s Theatre at the Children’s Center for the Arts (2501 N Blackwelder). $9 adults, $6 children ages 2-12, FREE children under 2. Friday & Wednesday, 11am; Saturday-Sunday, 2pm.

951-0011, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.

Through October 7 The Art of Golf at the OKC Museum of Art explores the history of the sport through 90 works from artists such as Rembrandt, Charles Lees, Norman Rockwell & Andy Warhol.

Through October 20 FREE Line Drives & Lipstick: the Untold Story of Women’s Baseball at the Edmond Historical Society (431 S Boulevard, Edmond) celebrates the legends & landmarks of the dedicated women athletes who hit, fielded, slid & caught with passion. TuesdayFriday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 1-4pm. 340-0078, www. edmondhistory.org. Opening reception 9/6, 5:30-7pm.

Through October 27 Generation Next: Chapter Two at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum showcases paintings & ceramics by former Oklahoma City Thunder player Desmond Mason.

Through December 9 Oklahoma & Infamy at the Oklahoma History Center marks the 70th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into WWII with artifacts, uniforms, interviews with veterans & personal letters. FREE admission to veterans & active duty military.

Through 2012 Oklahoma at the Movies at the Oklahoma History Center showcases the creativity & innovation of Oklahomans & their legacy of creating, starring in & watching motion pictures.

Through May 29, 2013 Crumbo Spirit Talk at the Oklahoma History Center features the art of Woody Crumbo & his children.

Through August 2013 Pablo Picasso’s Woman in the Studio at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features works by Picasso from the museum’s permanent collection and on loan from the St. Louis Art Museum.

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

We want your opinions!

VOTE NOW for your favorite family-friendly, local places to go, businesses and services in the OKC area!

Vote t ob win a ecome eli g geta family h ible to Texa way to th oliday e Ga n’s “ extrav Lone Star C ylord aganz h a, val ristmas” u $1,0 e 00!* d at

Best family-friendly restaurant • Best date night restaurant • Best party entertainer/entertainment • Best “away from home” party venue • Best “Exploring Oklahoma” destination (outside of OKC area) • Best museum for kids/families • Best live entertainment (theater, music, etc.) • Best local place to take visitors from outside of OKC • Best annual family-friendly festival • Best family-friendly sporting event • Best place to explore the outdoors • Best outdoor fun/amusement venue • Best indoor fun/amusement venue • Best place to have fun with a variety of kids’ ages (toddlers to teens) • Best free or low-cost attraction for family fun • Best day camp • Best sleep-away camp • Best grocery store to stretch your food budget • Best place to buy baby/children’s furniture • Best childrenfriendly book store • Best toy store • Best maternity shop • Best specialty baby store/boutique • Best children’s clothing store • Best jewelry store • Best consignment/thrift store • Best seasonal consignment sale • Best holiday lights event • Best place to watch 4th of July fireworks • Best Pumpkin Patch • Best business for pampering moms (day spa, massage place, etc.) • Best children’s haircuts • Best child/family photographer • Best fitness center • Best OB/GYN • Best pediatrician/family doctor • Best dentist for children/family • Best orthodontist • Best eye care provider • Best ER or emergency clinic • Best hospital • Best place to have baby • Best child care center • Best tutoring/learning assistance service • Best dance studio • Best gymnastics and/or cheer training facility • Best martial arts studio • Best music instruction • Best art studio/art lessons • Best sports league (basketball, flag football, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, etc.) *Giveaway is valid for a weekend of your choice from November 9 through January 1.

Details and voting at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-favorites SpONSOrED by:

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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

September 2012 | www.metrofamilymagazine.com

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Kristanna P., age 7, of Newcastle.

Funny Faces!

Kids may say the darnedest things, but sometimes they also make the funniest, wackiest and most unusual faces.

View all submissions at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/ september-2012-photos.

Xander R., 7 months, of Edmond.

Nona S., age 3 and Noah E., age 12, of Edmond.

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Graham B., age 3, of Norman.

www.metrofamilymagazine.com | September 2012

Madeline T., age 5, of El Reno.

Corbin H., age 6, of Moore.