JULY 2008
Paralympic Team
goes
for the
gold! Cool fun for hot summer days—close to home
Resources for special needs families
Save $$ with our 2008 Kids Pass inside: Discounts to 35 Oklahoma attractions! T h e E s sent i a l Reso u rce fo r Cent ra l O k l a h o m a F a m i l i es
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Bright Smile Family Dentistry Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
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Bring in this coupon for a $15 Gas Card **Redeem coupon at time of dental appointment.
July 2008
**
the right foundation to build healthy minds, bodies and hearts
You hear giggles. We hear genius. Listen closely to that childish little chuckle and you’ll hear something remarkable—a child learning. You see, at Primrose we provide the right foundation to build active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts. This approach is a part of our proprietary, accredited curriculum. Come discover why so many parents have entrusted us with their child’s safety and education for more than 25 years. To learn more, call 1.800.PRIMROSE or visit our website today.
www.primroseschools.com/MetroFamily Educational Child Care For Infants Through Private Kindergarten And After School
Each Primrose School is privately owned and operated. Primrose Schools, Balanced Learning and The Leader in Educational Child Care are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2008 PSFC. All rights reserved.
The Top Five Reasons to visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com this month:
5. Register for two different prize packages, the Question of the
Three: Utilize our list of area restaurants that offer family/children meal discounts at MetroFamilyMagazine/restaurants-offeringfamily-discounts1.
4. Learn and laugh with our fabulous bloggers, including Traci
2. Find hundreds of ideas to bust summer boredom in our Family
Month (see page10) and the Indoor/Outdoor Summer Fun Giveaway (see page ??).
Castles (Special Needs Families); Malena Lott (our own “Mod Mama”); and Mari Farthing (MFM editor and writer extraordinaire).
3. Save money! How, you ask? Let us count the ways:
Fun section (including places to go and projects for home), the online calendar, and the Vacation Bible School listing (metrofamilymagazine.com/vbs-listing). And hundreds more can be found at our special website, ExploringOK.com!
Number one
One: Download and print the MFM Kids Pass providing discounts to 35 Oklahoma attractions.
And the reason to visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com:
Two: Enjoy the blog by the Metro’s own “Consumer Queen,” Melissa Garcia. She shares a wealth of information about where to find the best local and Internet-based deals at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ advice-from-the-consumer-queen.
To experience our new DIGITAL EDITION of the magazine, complete with hotlinks and the ability to forward articles or the entire magazine to your friends!
Where can you find the Metro’s number one resource for all things FAMILY? Find us at all
Area libraries t Area YMCAs t Jimmy’s Egg locations and over 400 other family-friendly locations, including restaurants, retail stores, doctor’s offices, private schools, and child care locations! Find a location near you at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/find-copy OR end the mad dash to find your favorite magazine and SUBSCRIBE*! Go to MetroFamilyMagazinecom/subscribe or call 405.340.1404.
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July 2008
* Subscriptions $18.95/year
Celebrating Ten Years!
july 36
Respect Diversity Contest winners
27
Paralympic Athletes go for the Gold
ineveryissue: 46 4 The Family
14 Iron Moms
Kevin Ogle
Mentors
Save $$: Get your 30 Kids Pass here
50 Calendar
47 It Figures
Terri Fields
Events and activities
34 Character First
Gayleen Rabakukk
6 Dear MetroFamily
Mari Farthing
Editor’s Note
44 Exploring Oklahoma
Chelsey Simpson
Sue Lynn Sasser, PhD
Mortgage tips
Mari Farthing
News you can use
32
Plugged-in parenting: podcasts for moms
40 ImagineArt
22 Let’s Eat
Annie Nashert
Tropical Café review
18 MFM Top 10
Denise Springer
Summer fun—indoors and out
Farm-fresh Oklahoma
24 Family Finances
Cynthia Washam
Fun with numbers
Trait of the month: decisiveness
10 Family Shorts
Mary Tucker
Seeing the new you
Frances Williams
Weaving
26 Oklahoma Reads
Lori Williams
Be Good to Eddie Lee
20 Q & A with the Beasleys
Drs. Beasley
Special needs help
42 Your Healthy Family
Shannon Fields
Water safety and kids
48 You’ve Just Gotta Laugh
Summer Fun from Metro kids
8 In Touch with Relationships Phyllis VanHemert
Managing family schedules On the cover: Nichole Millage, Lora Webster, and Kari Miller. Read more on page 27. Cover photographer: Kathryne Taylor.
editorsnote
Info And Questions: 405-340-1404 To submit events to our calendar Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com
Dear MetroFamily, It was October of 2002 when I first was lucky enough to meet Denise Springer. I was a stayat-home mom looking to become a writer and she was the editor of this magazine. Denise gave me a chance, and our relationship began. She coached me when I was unsure, threw opportunities my way when I needed a challenge, and was always there to encourage me when I thought I was scraping the bottom of the barrel. Together we have laughed and cried, occasionally at the same time. Through the years, I have played many roles at MetroFamily, I’ve learned and grown, offered input, and accepted criticism. Denise has become so much more than a coworker; she is my professional mentor and one of my best friends. I will miss working with her.
Publisher Sarah L. Taylor Sarah@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Editor Mari M. Farthing Editor@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Art Director Mitzi Massie Ads@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Graphics Assistant Kathryne Taylor Kathryne@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Advertising Director Donna Stewart Donna@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Advertising Sales Anna Amis Karen Cody Rebecca Phansalkar
Denise taught me two of the most important professional lessons I have had— first, to use my voice; second, to listen to it. I’ll carry these lessons with me as I meet new challenges.
Office Manager Kathy Alberty
It is with great anticipation that I take on the position of Editor, it is a welcome and exciting opportunity, and a great challenge—because for being such a petite woman, Denise leaves mighty big shoes to fill.
Calendar Editor & Special Projects Assistant Terri Fields Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com
• Where can you find us? You can now find a copy of MetroFamily at your local Crest store and all Jimmy’s Egg locations. • MFM’s August issue is all about Back to School. Ad deadline is July 15; on stands beginning August 4. Call 340-1404 to reserve your ad space! • Don’t miss the Kids Pass, available on pages 30-31. Pull and save for discounts on 35 of your favorite local and statewide destinations. Coupons are good through Dec, 2008.
On Our Cover: U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team members Nicole Millage, Lora Webster, and Kari Miller pictured at the University of Central Oklahoma gym. Read more about them on page 27. Photo by Kathryne Taylor.
Marketing Specialist Whitney Fleming
Contributing Writers Drs Lori & Stewart Beasley Karen Cody Ben Davis Mari Farthing Shannon Fields Terri Fields Rebecca Hecking Annie Nashert Kevin Ogle Jeana Pollard
Gayleen Rabakukk Sue Lynn Sasser Chelsey Simpson Denise Springer Mary Tucker Phyllis VanHemert Cynthia Washam Frances William Lori Williams Myra Wright
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.
MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly By Inprint Publishing, Inc. Mailing Address 306 S. Bryant, Suite C152 • Edmond, OK 73034 Fax: 405-340-1490 E-mail: Info@metrofamilymagazine.com ©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2008 All Rights Reserved. Volume 11, Number 07
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
2008 Summer at the Library!
Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Program
en Te m ra og Pr Sign up June 1â&#x2C6;&#x2019;July 31 Metropolitan Library System
Belle Isle Bethany Capitol Hill Choctaw Del City Downtown Edmond Harrah Jones Luther Midwest City Nicoma Park Ralph Ellison Southern Oaks Village Warr Acres Wright Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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7
n In Touch With Relationships Family Schedules: Dividing the Pie
W
e are fortunate to have abundant opportunities to participate in hundreds of inspiring activities in the Metro area. How do we manage a family schedule without becoming chronically tired and overwhelmed? Planning a family schedule requires acknowledging how much time we have and examining our priorities.
How do we spend our time? All families have the same amount of time per week—seven days a week, 24 hours per day, totaling 168 hours. For the average American family, approximately 132 hours per week are used meeting basic needs.
• Parents sleep about six hours a night, 42 hours a week. • Kids sleep about eight hours a night, 56 hours a week. These numbers represent a week with no exceptions like school programs, science projects, playdates, illnesses, additional education, volunteer projects, trip planning, or special events like baby showers and holiday responsibilities.
Big Pieces of Time Imagine your schedule as a large pie that holds 168 slices, one for each hour of time in your week. What must you allocate time for?
• Approximately 49 hours per week at work, including travel time.
• Adequate sleep and rest time.
• Two hours or more a day driving kids to school, activities, appointments.
• Work.
• About four hours a day for meals prep/clean up, laundry, sorting mail, bills, picking up the house and helping with homework and baths.
• Planning, preparing, and eating healthy food. • Home maintenance. • Soul work: the activities that help us grow our character and deepen our relationships.
• Shopping for groceries and errands takes an estimated three hours a week.
®
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
Hands-On and Minds-On, Mad Science® is the Leading Fun Science Provider for kids.
Little Pieces of Time These are the activities that usually woo us into committing more time than is really available—hobbies, exercise, time with friends. However, without these activities, life could be really dull. These tiny slices are different for every person, and they may last an hour, a month, or a year.
Your Family Pie Once you get a handle on the big and tiny slices of your family pie, you might want to check out the book, Smart Organizing by Sandra Felton. Felton has many useful ideas about how to organize everything related to home and family. “Only by stopping and evaluating where we are in fulfilling what is really important to us can we get a handle on how we want to use our time to live our lives. The heart of
Celebrating Ten Years!
family/time management is deciding ahead of time our chief (top 20 percent) priorities or life goals and limit the bulk of our time, attention, and energy to those. Some priorities last a lifetime; others vary with the seasons of life. Whatever our priorities are, daily decisions must support them, keeping them alive and healthy.” What does your family pie look like? Is it time for some time management changes?
Phyllis VanHemert, M.Ed., LPC sees children and adults within the counseling and consulting offices of Paul Tobin, Ph.D., and Ann Benjamin, M.Ed.
2008 Summer Camps throughout the OKC area check for date & locations
We offer: Moving with Science Full Day Camps
Crazy Chemworks Half Day Camps
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July 2008
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9
Medical Bracelets Kids Will Wear By Denise Springer
Parents of specials needs kids know the importance of medical information bracelets. Those parents also know how hard it can be to get kids and young adults to wear them. Hope Paige Designs may hold the answer with their fashionable medical emergency bracelets. The bracelets may be customized with rope, wire mesh, or leather straps and individualized medical information engraved on the back of the medical insignia. I ordered one for my 24-year-old son, and he likes it much better than the other bracelets we’ve ordered for him—the ones he wasn’t wearing. He likes this one because it actually looks good. Prices from $15-$45; HopePaige.com.
MFM Question of the Month
How many years has the Respect Diversity Art and Poetry Contest and Symbol Exhibit been held? (Hint: see feature on page 36) E-mail complete contact information and correct answer to Contest@MetroFamilyMagazine.com by Thursday, July 24, to be entered into our monthly drawing. *
The winning entry will receive WaterWonders light up pool toy (GoldbergerToy.com), Kibbles Rockin’ Clubhouse DVD (NoteAbilities.com), Skill Building Buddies DVD: Handling Transitions and Change (Mazz.com), Dr. Thompson’s Straight Talk on Autism book (BrookesPublishing.com), By the Book: How To Take Care of MY Kids (ByTheBookKids.com) * Winner agrees to pick up items from NW OKC area. 10
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May 2008
Spirit of Survival Marathon Ladies and gentlemen—start your training. The third annual Spirit of Survival Race will take place October 4-5 through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. This race is the only USATFcertified race approved to run through a wildlife refuge, offering a course that is both challenging and breathtaking. Competitive events include a mountain marathon, holy half marathon, 5-member marathon team challenge, and the Mount Scott 5K. Noncompetitive events include a 5K spirit walk and family fun run and the super kid’s marathon. Kids up to age 12 can register ($10 until 9/26; $15 after) and start running a mile at a time. Then, on race day, kids will run the last 1.2 miles to the finish line. The Spirit of Survival marathon was established in 2006 to benefit the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma. All proceeds of this event will assist in building three new cancer centers in Lawton, Altus, and Duncan. Visit SpiritOfSurvival.com for full details, registration information, and event maps.
Tags for a Good Cause According to Oklahoma’s Dept. of Human Services, there were more than 13,800 confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect in Oklahoma in 2006. What can we do to make a difference? Consider purchasing the Start Right specialty license tag. Proceeds from the tag benefit child abuse prevention programs across the state. $20 of the $35 cost ($37 if ordered by mail) will be donated. “In addition to getting a bright, colorful blue tag, you will be raising awareness in the community about the important issue of child abuse and neglect. You will also be contributing to initiatives to support parents and prevent child abuse and neglect,” said OSDH Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grant Coordinator Sherry Trice. “Everyone in Oklahoma benefits when children ‘start right’ and these specialty license tags provide an opportunity for the average citizen to participate in improving the health and quality of life for Oklahoma’s children.” For purchasing information, contact your local tag agency. Celebrating Ten Years!
DVD Series for Autistic Kids
Get Crafty at the OK State Fair
Scott and Ann Leslie are parents of an autistic son. They noticed that he responded to certain television programs, but quickly realized that there was no programming geared specifically toward engaging children with autism spectrum disorders.
Although the State Fair is not until September, it’s not too early to get involved in the fair’s Junior Arts & Crafts Creative Arts Program. Kids ages 7-18 are invited to take part in a myriad of programs—from cooking projects to needlework to original LEGO buildings, your child’s talent is appreciated and rewarded.
After meeting with experts in speech and music therapy, they created a company to produce products for children on the autism spectrum. NoteAbilities Inc. went on to create the Kibbles Rockin’ Clubhouse DVD series, which uses games, stories, music, and puppets to relay social and self-care techniques to children. Kibbles the dog, along with friends Handy Sam and Angela, teach basic life skills using true-to-life examples.
Each contest is free to enter, and prize will be awarded to the winners. For details and online registration, visit OKStateFair. com/Creative_Arts.asp. Entry deadline is August 15. For more information about the fair, call 405-948-6731.
Some contests require items to be submitted in advance; others, like the Spelling Bee and Biggest Bubble Contest, will take place live.
Volume 1: Expressing Yourself was released in April 2008, in conjunction with National Autism Month. The DVD teaches kids the importance of saying hello and goodbye, making eye contact, and using words to communicate. Future titles will include Self-Care, Being a Helper, and Friends. DVDs ($24.95) include a free CD of music and are recommended for kids ages 2-7. Call 866-552-9032 or visit NoteAbilities.com for details.
Help for the Hearing Impaired Hearts for Hearing was established in 2003 to provide funding for children with hearing loss. In 2007, this mission was expanded to provide comprehensive hearing health care for children and adults and to provide funding for the initial set of hearing aids and auditory-verbal therapy for babies. In Oklahoma, infants are screened within hours of birth. If a hearing loss is detected, Hearts for Hearing may be called in to perform a more intensive screening, to diagnose the extent of the hearing loss, and assist with establishing a plan of care. Hearts for Hearing is also instrumental in assisting in the process of a cochlear implant if necessary. But Hearts for Hearing does not limit their assistance to children; adults are also eligible for assistance in coping with hearing loss. The Hearts for Hearing vision is that all children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing will have the opportunity to learn to listen and talk on par with their hearing peers. Find out more about them online at HeartsForHearing.org. Celebrating Ten Years!
According to estimates by the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association, 28 million Americans have hearing loss. Some common signs of hearing loss include: • Frequently asking people to repeat themselves. • Turning your ear toward a sound to hear better. • Often losing your place in a group conversation. • Complaints from others that the TV/radio volume is too loud. • Pain or ringing in the ears. “People who see themselves in these statements should see an ASHA-certified audiologist for a hearing test,” according to ASHA President Catherine Gottfred, PhD. “Even a very slight hearing loss can have an impact on your daily life. Hearing loss is treatable, and there is no reason for anyone to miss all the important sounds of life.” ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 130,000 audiologists, speechlanguage pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. For more information call 800-638-8255 or visit asha.org.
July 2008
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Smoke Exposure Triggers Asthma
Health concerns regarding secondhand smoke have been making headlines for some time. There are two agencies in Central Oklahoma working to make residents aware of the health risks of secondhand smoke, including Turning Point’s Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition and the American Lung Association. Here are some tips to inform and utilize to protect your loved ones from the effects of secondhand smoke. • According to the American Lung Association, there are 4800 chemicals in tobacco smoke, 69 of them linked to cancer. • Although the state legislature implemented a restrictive smoking law for Oklahoma restaurants in 2006, the law still allows for smoking rooms. • According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke can trigger asthma in addition to the cancer risk. So how can you protect your family from secondhand smoke?
• Sign the smoke-free home pledge by logging onto epa.gov/smokefree or by calling 888-766-5337. • Join Central Oklahoma Turning Point’s Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition. Find out more by calling 405.419-4247.
GLIMPSE The mission of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) is to engage in, develop, conduct, support, and disseminate programs, research, seminars, and publications on the prevention and treatment of emotional and development disorders in infancy and childhood. “Fire Leaf” photograph by Michael Moon, autistic adult.
Excerpt from a poem by Roy Bedward, age 29, Autism
PLEASE LISTEN TO MY HEART PLEASE LISTEN TO MY HEART PLEASE FORGIVE THESE CLUMSY WORDS JUST HEAR ME FROM MY OPEN HEART TO YOURS THE LANGUAGE OF MY HEART SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY WHILE MY FINGERS GRAPPLE FOR THE LETTERS ONE AT A TIME.
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In 2007, the ICDL launched GLIMPSE, an online magazine designed to provide a showcase for writers and artists with developmental disabilities. Diverse entries including essays and poetry, photography and paintings are included. The artists in the 2007 issue range in age from 4-53 and live with conditions such as autism, dyslexia, PDD, and Asperger’s Syndrome. Examples of works in the 2007 issue are shown at left. Submissions for the 2008 issue are being accepted now. Visit ICDL.com for submission guidelines and more information.
July 2008
Gas Pump Savings by Rebecca Hecking
Summertime, and the gas prices are making us all uneasy—and prices seem to go up daily. Thankfully, there are easy ways to not only save money at the pump but also help out the environment. Remember, burning gasoline in your tank contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, so anything you can do to save on gas also lowers your carbon footprint. Try these ideas: • Keep your car tuned up. Don’t skip regular maintenance appointments. • Check tire inflation as over- or under-inflated tires can lower your car’s mileage. • Avoid idling at the drive-thru window. Park your car and go inside instead. • Avoid sudden stops and starts—accelerate and decelerate smoothly. • Carpool when possible. • Limit short trips—make a list and combine errands when possible. • Don’t top-off your tank—spilled gasoline contributes to air pollution as it evaporates. • Refuel in the evening, after sunset to help reduce groundlevel ozone pollution from fumes. • If you have more than one car, choose the more efficient one whenever possible. • Avoid carrying extra weight in your car. Empty that trunk! • Maintain a moderate speed of 40-55 mph for maximum efficiency. Gas mileage rapidly decreases at speeds over 60 mph. Sources: AutoRepair.About.com/od/ GasMileage/qt/mpg_idling.htm, Money. cnn.com/2008/04/22/autos/road_trip_tips/ index.htm?postversion=2008042212, airnow. gov/index.cfm?action=static.consumer, FuelEconomy.gov/feg/DriveHabits.shtml
Celebrating Ten Years!
Mosquito Safety
Oklahoma Autism Alliance
Before the official start of summer, the first cases of the West Nile Virus were reported in Oklahoma. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, and the infection can be severe or even deadly. In 2007, Oklahoma was one of the top 10 states in the country for reported cases of West Nile. The Oklahoma State Department of Health offers these tips to mosquito-proof your home and yard:
The Oklahoma Autism Alliance website (OKAutism.org) was launched to help Oklahoma families who want more information on the subject. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in every 150 children in the U.S. has autism, which affects communication, reason, and interaction with others.
• Repair or install window and door screens. • Don’t leave doors open (even garage doors) to prevent mosquitoes from entering. • Drain standing water from buckets, pool covers, and flower pots to remove possible mosquito breeding grounds. • Throw away or cover stored tires or other items not in use.
“The new website is a useful tool for parents in Oklahoma to access credible information about autism,” said Rene Daman, director of the Oklahoma Autism Network. The website provides families with autistic children a way to connect with other families in similar situations. According to Daman, the website offers parents the tools they need to make an informed decision about the type of interventions or therapies to suit their family’s need.
• Clean pet water bowls and bird baths often. • Ensure rain gutters are not clogged. Visit ok.gov/health for more information.
Thrifty Summer Fun WINGS Let’s face it: more of us are planning to stay close to home this summer due to financial reasons. With the rising cost of gas and consumables, planning a famiy trip away can be finanically daunting. But what’s a parent to do with a houseful of bored kids? Enter Kids Off the Couch Popcorn Adventures—a collection of adventures that springboard from a book or movie to your back yard or other community destinations. Interested in baseball? Watch Field of Dreams (PG) and then watch a baseball game on TV or listen to one on the radio— or even better, head out for an Oklahoma Redhawks game (OklahomaRedhawks.com) or visit OKC’s Softball Hall of Fame (ASASoftball.com). Families can sign up for a free weekly email newsletter or browse the website for ideas. The selected films and books include talking points and craft ideas, and the site is affiliated with Netflix.com and Amazon.com to make tracking down resources a breeze. Not sure if your kids will cooperate? There is even a collection of tips for introducing the movies and activities to your reluctant adventurers.
It is estimated that there are 15,000 adults with significant developmental disabilities living in Oklahoma. WINGS is a special needs adult community that strives to create a community within a community for these adults, offering them a self-contained residential and educational work campus. The organization’s mission statement is “to provide a Christcentered community where adults with special needs can live and thrive within an environment guided by the principles of the Bible and Christ-centered leadership.” Currently in Phase I, WINGS has secured a location (near I-35 and Highway 33 in Guthrie) and are raising funds to build their community. This first phase will include everything from supervised residences for men and women with mild to moderate retardation, vocational training centers, chapel, and recreation centers, all designed to enhance the personal, spiritual, and emotional growth of the adults they serve. Programs will be tailored to fit the individuals based on their needs. Find out more about the community at WINGSOK.org.
Visit KidsOffTheCouch. com to get started today. Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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13
n Iron Moms Who Do You Think You Are, Anyway?
M
etro Family Magazine â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iron Momâ&#x20AC;? winner ShaRhonda Burton has been hard at work following her lifestyle change since our last update.
When we last checked in with her, she revealed her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Why,â&#x20AC;? and that is a significant step toward a permanent lifestyle change. When I visited with her for this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iron Mom update, we exchanged emails. With her permission, I offer the content of our exchange as the update because it brings up a core question that impacts all of us as we attempt to move through time and affect lasting change. SB: I have a question. When a person loses enough weight for everybody else to see, why does that person still see themselves as the old person when looking at themselves?â&#x20AC;ŻHow do you change that way of thinking or seeing yourself? MT: That is such a great question, and is the core of what we work on in coaching. It all revolves around who we believe we are in the world and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a story that begins in very early childhood. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like we live in a clear bubble of what is possible for us in life and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driven by
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Follow MetroFamily Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Iron Mom, ShaRhonda Burton, as she works to create a healthier lifestyle for herself and her family. ShaRhonda won a contest sponsored by MFM and 180 Personal Training. It provides her with a year of personal training, nutritional counseling, and life coach services. To date ShaRhonda has lost over 70 pounds This month, professional life coach Mary Tucker updates us on the work she and ShaRhonda have done. Keep up with ShaRhonda by reading her blogs at MetroFamilyMagazine.com.
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when we are born, where, to whom, culture, religionâ&#x20AC;Ś we all have many influencing factors. Anything outside that bubble just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist for us until we pop it and step away. Losing weight and making the longterm lifestyle changes you had to make so you would not follow the pattern and consequences of others took you outside the bubble of the way youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been. The shift is not complete until we have a mind shift also. The secret is to stand tall and embrace this new, higher version of yourself. Inside your story, you will always be overweight, not good enoughâ&#x20AC;Ś fill in the blank. But, outside that worn out old story of who ShaRhonda is and what is possible for her to create in her life is limitless! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use Carrie Underwood as an example. One day she was a girl from Checotah, OK, attending college at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah. She tries out for American Idol, makes it, ultimately winning the title. Today, she is a star with poise, talent, beauty and grace. She had to step out of her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just a girl from Checotah, OKâ&#x20AC;? story to step into her new life and own it.â&#x20AC;Ż Now, I challenge you to own your own changes and shifts. I challenge you to step gracefully into the woman you
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
CENTRAL OKLAHOMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FRONTIER COUNTRY
are, not the woman youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always thought yourself to be. Look at all youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been able to create in your life already and you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even begun to tap into your internal resources yet. What could be possible for ShaRhonda if she gave up her story, her fear, her limiting beliefs? We cannot conceive of all that is possible with our mindsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is with our hearts and faith that we can stand in the true power with which we were born. Look into the mirror and really look at the woman you see in the eyes and promise her that you will give her the voice and the life she deserves. Acknowledge her for a job well done. You rock, ShaRhonda!
Mary Tucker is a professional life coach and owner and founder of Cultivate Your Life, LLC. and Cultivate Your Leaders.
ShaRhonda Burton before she became MFMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iron Mom.
ShaRhonda Burton nowâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; 66 pounds lighter.
CENTRAL OKLAHOMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FRONTIER COUNTRY
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Top 10
INDOOR & OUTDOOR FUN
• Bartlesville Kiddie Park. This amusement park for tots opened in 1947 and offers 16 old-fashioned rides designed for kids 12 and younger. Admission is free and rides are only 25¢ each. Attractions include a Roller Coaster, Pirate Ship, Moon Walk, Little Boats, Sky Rockets, and Bumper Cars. KiddiePark.net. • Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. At this Seminole attraction, kids get to see what it’s like to be the doctor, judge, or firefighter. The museum also houses a large aquarium, a bubble factory, a climbing maze, and lots of other touchable, doable exhibits. Take the new half-mile Sonic Express Train ride and visit Safety Town where kids learn how to bike ride and cross the street safely. JasmineMoran.com.
• Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Refuge. This 3,600-acre wildlife refuge and museum southwest of Bartlesville offers fun around every corner. The two-mile drive through the wildlife refuge offers a chance to see over 30 varieties of birds and animals, including longhorn cattle, buffalo, and elk. The museum offers some of the country’s most unique Western art and artifacts. Woolaroc.org. • Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse & Adventure Quest. Head to Enid for some hands-on arts and science fun. Leonardo’s has everything from live chinchillas to a carpentry shop with real tools. Kids can create a masterpiece in the arts and crafts center, shop in the pretend grocery store, and play instruments from around the world in the music shop. Leonardos.org.
Indoor/Outdoor Summer Fun Giveaway*
Many Oklahomans are staying close to home this summer—let us help make that choice a fun one with an Indoor/Outdoor Summer Fun Giveaway. Enter at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/summer-fun-giveaway by Thursday, July 17 for a chance to win: Stönees Nature’s Building Blocks (Zabazoo.com), Rubik’s Revolution (RubiksRevolution.com), Quao card game, Quelf and Flapdoodle board games (WiggityBang.com), SpongeBob’s Pest of the West DVD, the WonderPets Save the Beetles DVD (Paramount.com/HomeEntertainment), and A Pup Named Scooby Doo Complete 1st Season DVD (WarnerVideo.com), a variety of Pool Toys from Swimways (SwimWays.com), a Radio Flyer Grow ‘N Go Bike (RadioFlyer.com), and an OKC Zoo Family Membership, courtesy of Zoofriends (OKCZoo.org). * Winner agrees to pick up items from NW OKC area.
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Celebrating Ten Years!
• The Oklahoma State Capitol. Have you seen the interior of our recently-domed and glorified State Capitol? It’s gorgeous! The capitol boasts more than 100 unique works of art including The Guardian, which topped off the capitol’s dome on June 7, 2002. For details about architecture, art, and visiting hours, visit ok.gov and search for capitol.
Imagine... heading back to school at the head of the class.
• Little River Zoo. Kids do more than see the animals at this unique Norman attraction. Tour guides share the history of each animal visitors see there. Kids develop a reference for life when they learn about the animals’ daily habits and personalities. 405-366-7229. • Orr Family Farm. This working farm in south Oklahoma City offers groups of children an opportunity to share in the heritage and values of an American family farm. Kidfriendly activities are varied—ride the carousel, do some fishing, saddle up a pony, participate in a rubber duck race, pan for treasure, or race a pedal car. The fun goes on all summer! OrrFamilyFarm.com. • Science Museum Oklahoma. With over 350 exhibits, this museum is the king of hands-on fun. Find out why the sky is blue (and lots of other exciting things) at ExploraZone; climb Gadget Tree, a giant tree house with the nation’s tallest spiral slide; and learn what it feels like to be a gymnast in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Omniplex.org. • Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. With comprehensive exhibits detailing ancient life in Oklahoma and the area, this Norman museum is a perfect destination for learning and fun. Don’t miss the special exhibit, “The Science of Super Croc,” through August 24. snomnh.ou.edu. • Oklahoma City Parks. The Play in the Park program, held at 30 Metro-area parks provide free, supervised summertime activities from 8am-4pm (unless otherwise posted) for children over age 6 (younger children must be accompanied by an adult). Free breakfast and lunch are provided at some sites; visit OKC.gov/parks/play_in_park for locations. Denise Springer is the former editor of MetroFamily and lives in Edmond.
Celebrating Ten Years!
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www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
19
n Q & A with the Beasleys Resources for Special Needs Children Dr. Lori: Welcome to Oklahoma! I am so glad it worked out for you to be close to family. Support from extended family and community services is vital for families with special needs children such as yours. The first place to find out about services for young children, in any state, is with the state’s Department of Education and Department of Health. Oklahoma’s early intervention program is called SoonerStart. This program is for infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months.
Dear Drs. Beasley, My husband was transferred to Oklahoma City and we arrived in June. We have a two-month-old boy who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Since our child was born, we have been trying to move closer to Oklahoma to be near our families so I am looking for services available to children with special needs here in Oklahoma. Since I may have to work, are there child care centers that accepts special needs children? Do you have any suggestions, so when we arrive, I can get started with services that will help our child be as successful as possible?
Dr. Stewart: SoonerStart is available statewide and employs professionals from all specialty areas to provide developmental evaluation and services to infants and children. If a child has a 50% or more delay in one critical area
R.W.
or 25% or more delay in two critical areas, he is eligible for SoonerStart services. These may include but are not limited to utilization of the services of a developmental specialist, speech therapist, occupational therapists, physical therapist, or dietician. For more information go to ok.gov/health/Child_ and_Family_Health/index.html. Dr. Lori: There are other support networks available for parents such as OASIS which is the Statewide Information and Referral for Oklahomans with Special Needs. Anyone needing help can call 800-426-2747 or visit oasis.ouhsc.edu. OASIS has affiliations with national and community agencies offering services to families with disabilities. Another valuable OASIS resource is their Respite Resource Network and the Respite Voucher program that provides a break for caregivers of disabled persons. It’s very hard work taking care of a disabled child 24/7 and respite provides just what it sounds like: a break from the stress and worries of caretaking. Dr. Stewart: Another national site that links to Oklahoma resources is nichcy.org, the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. This site serves as a central source of information for the nation and lists
20
agencies, advocacy agencies and disability specific support and support groups for parents in each state.
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
July 2008
Dr. Lori: You mentioned that you might need child care for your son. A place to start for referrals in your area is the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (naccrra.org), a national link to statewide referral systems for child care through community-based resource and referral services. Child Care Connection is located in Oklahoma City and after a short interview to determine your needs, specialists will assist you in finding licensed care in your area for your child.
Dr. Stewart: As you can see, Oklahoma has multiple accessible resources for parents with disabled children to research and locate the services they need or to find support services to assist you. We hope you will continue to read MetroFamily Magazine which is a rich source of services available to Oklahomans. Where else can you locate a magazine that devotes an entire issue to special needs families? Again, welcome back to Oklahoma.
Lori Beasley, EdD is Asst. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Family Life Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Stewart R. Beasley, PhD is a licensed psychologist who practices in Edmond and Oklahoma City and is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Do you have a question about early childhood issues for the Beasleys? E-mail it to SRB@DRStewartBeasley.com.
Celebrating Ten Years!
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21
n Let’s Eat: Recipes Tropical Café
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also not disappoint—from French toast to Japanese smoked salmon salad, the Tropical Café offers bites from the mild to the exotic.
I met two of my friends, Denise and Cris, for a fun lunch of tasty food and chit-chat. The day we were there I observed business people as well as moms with children enjoying their lunches.
On our visit Cris ordered a half sandwich/soup special with tortilla soup and a chicken Florentine sandwich ($6.29). The soup had a good flavor that was slightly spicy with chunky veggies and chicken. Cris was pleased that it was not cream-based.
rab your kids and enjoy a meal at the Tropical Café in Edmond. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner—this is a yummy alternative to the regular fast food stops.
Tropical Café is a family owned and family friendly restaurant offering unique tastes. Denise gives a thumbs-up to the vast array of smoothies, always refreshing in the summer. Cool off with banana & the king (pineapple juice, banana, pineapple sorbet, nonfat yogurt, and ice) or purple pleasure (soy milk, banana, raspberries, blueberries, nonfat vanilla yogurt, honey, and ice). These are just two of over 20 concoctions. And the variety of entrees offered will
22
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
Denise chose the intriguing Asia crepe ($5.25) a large, lowfat crepe filled with grilled chicken breast, shredded carrots, cucumber, roasted red pepper, and lettuce, with sesame dressing. I begged a bite and it was delicious. I decided on the chicken Florentine hot Panini sandwich ($6.25). Don’t be fooled, the chicken Florentine does not contain any spinach. It does have grilled chicken breast, roasted red
July 2008
peppers, tomatoes, red onion, provolone cheese, and honey mustard on focaccia bread brushed with olive oil and basil. I substituted pesto sauce for the honey mustard. This was a generous sandwich and delicious combination. These sandwiches come with your choice of chips on the side. I had two accomplices to share dessert so we dove into a strawberry, banana, and chocolate crepe ($4.50). The Café offers a strawberry-banana crepe and a chocolate-banana crepe, and they graciously agreed to combine them into one. I enjoyed a perfect bite with a piece of strawberry and a slice of banana, covered with chocolate hazelnut spread and whipped cream all wrapped up in a crepe—yum. Don’t be afraid to share, it is well worth it and you don’t feel so guilty when you just have a little.
Celebrating Ten Years!
Annie Nashert has a husband and teenage daughter who assume everybody has homemade dessert nightly.
Annie’s Restaurant Rating
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July 2008
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23
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Family Finances
Economics 101 and the Housing Market
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lthough the local housing market has not been affected, news related to mortgages and housing has been in the headlines for several months.
In economics, we call this interdependence, which simply means that we are all inter-connected; what affects one person tends to affect another.
their payments or start relying more on credit. Either way, they cannot sustain their lifestyle indefinitely. Eventually, they must decide what to do: sell the house or walk away through foreclosure.
The housing industry is an important part of our economy. It creates thousands of jobs in the OKC area and across the country. An expanding construction business increases the number of skilled and unskilled jobs, from the architects who design the homes to the day laborers, carpet layers, and interior designers who build and finish them. Income from those jobs buys goods and services in our communities, creating even more jobs.
The downturn in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing market began with people buying more house than they could afford by using creative financing methods such as adjustable rate mortgages. Commonly called ARMs, these loans allow borrowers to make reduced house payments for the first few years they own a home. The rates gradually adjust upward, based on a variety of schedules and factors.
The problem is compounded if others are in the same situation. If too many real estate signs pop up, prices tend to flatten. Potential buyers have a lot of choices, so owners must reduce the price to sell their house. The selling price may even drop below the amount owed, creating even more financial problems.
When the housing market declines, the reverse tends to happen. As jobs disappear, so does the incomeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;making it difficult for people to pay their bills and make purchases.
The theory is that a homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income will increase at the same rate, allowing them to keep pace with the increase in payments. However, payments often escalate faster than income, or faster than borrowers can afford. Homeowners may get behind in
5
The impact of many homes coming on the market at the same time is compounded by growing fears among lenders that too many people are foreclosing on their loans, no longer meeting their financial obligation. If lenders lose money, they tend to tighten the lending requirements in hopes
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July 2008
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of finding potential borrowers who qualify for a large loan does not â&#x20AC;˘ Control debt. Create a budget that are a better risk. Tightening credit mean you have to (or should) borrow you can live withâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and follow it. requirements means fewer potential that much. Avoiding the temptation to overspend buyers are approved to borrow money, will help ensure you have sufficient resulting in fewer potential buyers. With â&#x20AC;˘ Factor in all other payments. funds for your house payment. Buying a home generally includes fewer buyers, there is increased pressure neighborhood association to drop the sales price of those houses fees, utilities, taxes, insurance, on the market. maintenance, and other potential costs. Sue Lynn Sasser, PhD, is an associate professor of economics at the University of The American Dream becomes the â&#x20AC;˘ Buy in stable neighborhoods. Central Oklahoma. American Nightmare with homeowners Neighborhoods attracting a large who cannot make their payments, number of first-time homebuyers lenders who are foreclosing on more or with rapid turnover may be more houses, and more houses for sale. These susceptible to foreclosures. factors combined drastically drop the price of the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment. â&#x20AC;˘ Notify your lender immediately if you have a problem with payments. What are some of the steps you can take Once you start missing payments, it to reduce the potential of this happening becomes more difficult to get caught to you? Find many other family finance resources at up or to resolve the problem with your lender. â&#x20AC;˘ Spend less on housing than you can MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ afford to spend. Just because you family-finances
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Celebrating Ten Years!
EDMOND â&#x20AC;˘ 1201 W. 15th St. â&#x20AC;˘ 405.340.8005 EDMOND â&#x20AC;˘ 425 N. Bryant Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ 405.340.5895 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 11524 N. Rockwell Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ 405.722.5431 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 8221 W. Britton â&#x20AC;˘ 405.722.5750 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 8805 S. May â&#x20AC;˘ 405.681.9940 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 10212 S. Western â&#x20AC;˘ 405.691.0947 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 11624 N. Penn Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ 405.751.6930 OKLAHOMA CITY â&#x20AC;˘ 13404 N. Meridan Ave. â&#x20AC;˘ 405.751.7441 *At $50 off per week for four consecutive weeks. Not applicable for before and after school care. Before and after school care offer is $100 off, at $25 per week for four consecutive weeks. For both offers: New enrollees only. Valid at participating locations only. Not valid with any other discount or offer. Must enroll for a minimum of three 1/2 days per week. Subject to availability. Offer expires October 24, 2008. Code FE08AD **A recent pre-kindergarten assessment showed that our students made substantial gains in their learning and development. Areas evaluated included Language and Literacy, Early Math and Approaches to Learning.
July 2008
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25
n Oklahoma Reads Be Good to Eddie Lee
O
pening a Floyd Cooper book is like re-opening the door to your childhood. The places, the people, and the situations all seem poignantly familiar. This is especially true of Be Good to Eddie Lee, a book illustrated by Cooper, a Tulsa native.
what Christy, JimBud, and Eddie Lee (the three children in the story) do, but they end up discovering more than just tadpoles in the shallow pool waters.
Familiar People
Familiar Places Perhaps this bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s setting seems familiar because it is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growing up in Oklahoma, I had plenty of creeks to swim in and an uncle who owned a ranch,â&#x20AC;? notes Cooper. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though I never rode professionally, I did put in some years falling from bucking broncos onto a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mattressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of manure.â&#x20AC;? Although Be Good to Eddie Lee doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t portray that pungent barnyard smell, it does take you back to summer days when there was time to enjoy fresh air while looking for frog eggs in the neighborhood pond. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly
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This book strikes another familiar chord because Eddie Lee was one of your classmates. Or perhaps he lived on your street or even went to your church. He was that child who looked different, acted different, or saw things differently. He was that child about whom your mom said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be good to Eddie Lee.â&#x20AC;? Eddie Lee has Downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Syndrome. He joyfully stomps through tall reeds, splashes pond water on anyone nearby, and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take no for an answer. He tags along when Christy and JimBud donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be bothered. Some would label Eddie Lee annoying. JimBud labels him dummy.
Familiar Attitudes Sound familiar? There will always be plenty of kids like JimBud. There will also always be kids like Eddie Lee. Yet what isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prevalent enough is the right perception about people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations. Thankfully, Floyd Cooper conveys just the right blend of reality and sensitivity in this bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illustrations. There is no sugar-coating the truth here, which means that both Eddie Lee and JimBud are portrayed honestly.
Floyd Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attitude
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What Christy and Eddie Lee discover at the pond could go a long way towards changing some wrong attitudes. But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to be expected, given Floyd Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reasons for working as an illustrator.
Make Readingâ&#x20AC;Ś Oklahoman Floyd Cooper currently lives in Easton, Pennsylvania, but he often returns to Oklahoma. His family still lives on the farm his great-grandfather staked in a land run, so it is no surprise that Cooper has illustrated books that are quintessentially Oklahoman. The following volumes make Oklahomans proud that Floyd Cooper is one of their own: â&#x20AC;˘ I Have Heard of a Land, illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Joyce Carol Thomas, a Ponca City native. â&#x20AC;˘ Coming Home: from the life of Langston Hughes, written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. â&#x20AC;˘ Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Joyce Carol Thomas.
â&#x20AC;˘ Finally, for a book that is familiar, international, and worth sharing with your child, Cumbayah, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. In this book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel children are on the front line in Cooper has added some of his own improving society,â&#x20AC;? states Cooper. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This original lyrics to a song that needs no might sound a little heavy, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true.â&#x20AC;? translation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Illustrating childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books is a very exciting thing to do because it gives you Lori Williams is a freelance writer who the chance to have an impact on the way specializes in writing about international the world will be in the future.â&#x20AC;? adoption and the special needs child.
July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
Gold-medal Girls:
Paralympic Athletes Aim for the Top Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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27
You’ll find them at the gym almost every day of the week. Sometimes they lift weights, and sometimes they do strength excercises. But most of the time they just play volleyball. Sitting down. Nichole Millage, Lora Webster, and Kari Miller are not your average volleyball fanatics. These three University of Central Oklahoma students are part of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team, and will compete in the Paralympics (an athletic competition for disabled athletes) in Beijing this summer. They may not play volleyball exactly the same as everyone else, but they play it with as much intensity as you’ll find on any court in the world. Each of these women has a story on how they came to join the team. And though all of those stories begin in tragedy, they end in hope. Nichole Millage lost her left leg in a boating accident when she was 21. After her injuries healed and she worked through the shock of the accident, she adjusted to life with a prosthetic limb and began competing in paralympic events like the 100 meter dash. She also turned her attention to helping others adjust to life with prosthetics. During a summer camp for disabled children, she first heard about sitting volleyball. After trying out and joining the team, it has become a big part of her life. She said, “There is a whole community of amputees here [in Edmond]. We all hang out together, and once the full sitting volleyball team is here to train this summer, we’ll all be one big happy family.” Lora Webster has been a competitor all her life. Active in sports from an early age, it was a shock to she and her family when she was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was only 11 years old. Lora was told the doctors would have to remove part of her leg, but thanks to an innovative surgery, she would retain leg muscles and the natural joints of her knee. After the surgery was over, she began 28
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pestering her doctor to get a prosthetic so she could get back to competing. She said, “At that age, all I wanted to do was heal up and start playing sports again.” Lora has been on the team the longest of the UCO students, and has traveled the world to play other sitting volleyball teams. She competed in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens (the Paralympics is held two weeks after the Olympics end) as well as numerous global competitions in nations from Argentina to Egypt. Since UCO is the official training site for both the Men’s and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams, she says the guys on the Men’s Team are an important part of her community. “The men’s team is like family to us,” she said. “We travel overseas with them, and in those situations, they become like big brothers to us.” Kari Miller was serving in active military duty when a drunk driver collided with the car she was traveling in. The driver of her car was killed. Kari survived, but she lost both her legs in the crash, one amputated above the knee, one below. Being a double amputee was a shock that took time for her to adjust to. In fact, disabled athletes were the very people to challenge her to dream bigger than her disability. She said, “When I was first hurt, I was in a wheelchair. The doctors, they say things like ‘you’ll never walk again.’ But other disabled athletes challenged me to get up and start walking again.” She did. Kari spent many years competing in wheelchair basketball games before being introduced to sitting volleyball. She’s hooked. She said, “I enjoy the challenge of it. This is a sport that you can never Celebrating Ten Years!
master. You get closer and closer [to perfection] but at some point you are going to mess up. I like always having something to reach for.” The ladies are all excited to compete in the Paralympics in Beijing, and plan to represent our nation well. “We are getting better and better,” said Webster. “We are peaking at the right time.” While Miller, Millage, and Webster live in Edmond year-round, the full national team comes together once every month to two months for intensive training at UCO. Miller said it is comperable to National Guard duty. “We get together once a month, on the weekends,” she said. Sitting volleyball is not for the weak of heart (or body). “Sitting volleyball is not a very bodyconscious sport,” said Webster. “It works absolutely every muscle in your body, from your legs, arms, and shoulders to your back and stomach.” And while the court is shorter and the net is lower, the sport is exactly the same in every other way as “standing” volleyball. Each of the competitors also recognizes their sport has more to offer than just a victory. “It’s not even about the volleyball,” said Miller. “And it’s not only
us, the disabled person, who benefits from the sport. It’s also the family members. Sitting volleyball offers a way to connect back to community. It’s a way to get your self-esteem back. Guys come back injured from Iraq, and they feel like they aren’t worth anything. But if they just get around someone who has already been through [it], they can see these people moving on and having families. There are millions of disabled people in the U.S., and I wish that, on a community level, we had more outlets for people to discover disabled sports like sitting volleyball.” This summer in Beijing, Miller, Millage, and Webster will be doing more than playing a game. The will be raising awareness about sitting volleyball. They will be representing the U.S. on a global stage. And they will play with a strength and endurance that they’ve developed by overcoming tragedy and perservering into triumph.
Ben Davis is a freelance writer from Oklahoma City who loves writing, fried okra, and people, in that order.
The 2008 Paralympic games in Beijing China Disabled athletes first participated in Olympic-style games in 1960, and in 1976 the international Paralympic games were formed. Today, this competition includes athletes from six different disability groups but the focus is on the achievement and not the disability of the athletes. In addition to Sitting Volleyball, 21 other sports are represented in the summer games, including archery, swimming, wheelchair fencing, and powerlifting. While the Paralympic Games have always been held the same year as the Olympic Games, since the summer games in 1988 the Paralympics have also been held at the same venue. An agreement signed in 2001 between the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee ensures that Olympic sites chosen from 2012 forward will also host the Paralympic Games. Future games will be held in Vancouver, Canada (2010), London England (2012), and Sochi, Russia (2014). To learn more about the Paralympics, please visit Paralympic.org. Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE Grand Blvd • OKC 405-478-2250 • NationalCowboyMuseum.org Free child admission with paid adult. Limit 2 children, ages 6-12, per coupon. Not valid for special events.
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Tulsa Air & Space Museum & Planetarium 3624 N 74th East Ave • Tulsa (Across from Tulsa Zoo/Mohawk Park) 918-834-9900 • TulsaAirandSpaceMuseum.com $2 off combo ticket(s) to Hanger One Museum & Planetarium. Good for up to 4 people. Not valid for special events/group tours /TASM promotions.
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Plugged In: Parenting Advice Is Only a Podcast Away The Mighty Mommy’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Practical Parenting This weekly podcast is a favorite because of its straightforward approach and variety of topics. Recent topics include taking small children to the movies, umbilical cord care, convincing your toddler to brush his teeth, and sibling rivalry. While I found some of the parenting advice to be common sense, such as not taking a grumpy/sleepy child to the movies, most of the podcasts are informative and helpful. Most podcasts are about five minutes. MightyMommy.QuickAndDirtyTips.com.
Manic Mommies
From pregnancy, teething, potty training, puberty to parenting a teenager, chances are there’s a parenting podcast that covers just about every parenting dilemma. Whether you are an iPod guru or a newbie, there are so many podcasts available that you might not know where to begin. Search “parenting” on iTunes, and you will find 270 choices. Here are my top-5 picks.
teacher conferences, adoption, tips for conceiving, potty training, and superwoman syndrome. Gretchen and Paige aren’t as lively as the Manic Mommies hosts, but the advice they give is just as informative. The weekly podcasts are usually 30 minutes to an hour. MommyCast.com.
PediaCast Pedia Cast is hosted by Dr. Mike, a boardcertified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He earned his medical degree at Ohio State University and has more than 10 years of parenting and clinical-practice experience. Dr. Mike answers questions from parents and shares medical news and tips.
Hosted by moms Erin Podcast lengths range from 20 minutes to Kane and Kristin an hour, depending on the topic (which Brandt, this weekly vary widely—from pacifiers to MRSA), podcast features and several new podcasts are posted practical parenting weekly. PediaScribe.com/Podcast. advice with a healthy dose of humor. The PregTASTIC show is honest and Podcast: a series of digitalincludes candid conversations about As its name implies, media files are distributed motherhood, pop culture, and finding this weekly podcast over the Internet for playback work-family balance. Regular features focuses on pregnancy. on portable media players include questions from listeners and Guests include and computers. advice from parenting coach Kathy pregnancy experts— Surro, who has not only been a licensed doctors, doulas, - Wikipedia family day-care provider for 18 years, but and authors—and is also the mother of four. Questions are hosts are pregnant also answered by Dr. Robert Lindeman, women “with the same joys, concerns, who is board-certified in general pediatrics and pediatric and swollen feet as [its] listeners.” No pregnancy concern or pulmonary medicine. topic is off-limits. Recent discussions have focused on VBAC (vaginal births after cesarean), inductions, breastfeeding, I liked the witty dialogue between Erin and Kristin and often midwifery, helping siblings cope, folic acid, birth plans, and found myself giggling out loud, but I do wish the one-hour gestational diabetes. The information is extremely balanced, podcasts were shorter. ManicMommies.com. no matter your birth plan (home birth vs. hospital) or whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula.
MommyCast
Hosted by moms Gretchen Vogelzang and Paige Heninger, MommyCast is “for and by women immersed in the fullness of motherhood and life, holding the world together, one child at a time.” Recent topics include preventing premature births, birth control for students, parent32
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Podcasts are 45 minutes to an hour. PregTASTIC.com.
Myra Wright is a freelance writer and editor of Piedmont Parent in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is the mother of a 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, and is expecting her third child in September. Celebrating Ten Years!
Find many other parenting resources at
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character decisiveness
President Theodore Roosevelt said, “In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” This statement epitomizes the importance of the character trait of decisiveness, the ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions. Yet, many people become paralyzed when called upon to make a decision, agonizing for so long that by the time they’ve made up their mind, their options have evaporated. When choosing our actions, if we use the basic character traits of honesty and kindness for the framework of our decisions, we can be comfortable with acting decisively.
rightthing! Whether the student is a Kindergartner or teen, whether the act is simple or time consuming, we want to hear about your outstanding student.
Nominate them for MetroFamily Magazine’s Spotlight on Character Award. Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com for contest details and nomination forms.
Thank you to OERB for sponsoring this award!
Badgers are tenacious creatures. When faced with conflict, they are quick to decide whether they will stand their ground or retreat. Once the decision is made to fight, the badger will wholeheartedly defend its position. The North American badger prefers to live in dry, open grasslands and pastures. They dig burrows in pursuit of prey and also as sleeping quarters. Badgers are solitary animals that vary in weight from eight to 24 pounds.
© Rinusbaak | Dreamstime.com
Catch them doing the
innature
teachablemoments Helping children learn to make their own decisions is the best insurance against peer pressure. This month, as you observe your children interacting with others, ask about the decisions they made. For instance: What made you decide to play that game today? Praise children for making independent decisions instead of following the crowd. While you’re taking a break from outside activities, why not play a game of checkers? Each move is an exercise in decisiveness and once you’ve moved your finger from the flat disk, there’s no looking back. What’s more, a game of checkers is a great way to unplug and reconnect with each other, one on one—no electronics required.
Gayleen Rabakukk is a freelance writer who spends her time in Edmond keeping up with her teenage and preschool daughters. 34
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Each time you come to a crossroads on your next visit to the zoo, let your child decide which way to go. Urge her to choose simply right or left rather than planning for a particular destination—too often, we focus so much on the end goal (seeing the giraffes, for instance) that we completely miss things along the way (like lion cubs.) By taking a different route, you may discover something new. Either way, you’ll have fun getting there. July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
spotlightoncharacterwinners Boy Scout Miles Garcia worked on his Eagle Scout project this spring. Planning, funding and executing the project meant Miles had to use everything heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d learned in Boy Scouts and then some. Miles attended Parkview Elementary School in Del City until his family moved overseas. Upon their return, Miles decided to help the school as his Eagle project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is my community and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve helped me,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to give back to them.â&#x20AC;? In talking with the Principal, he found that while the school liked the idea of landscaping, there was no money in the budget to build or maintain it. In January, Miles began designing and planning the project. Over the next four months, Miles planned, raised money and executed his projectâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dedicating it on Earth Day in a ceremony attended by students, school administrators and his former teachers. To complete the project, Miles employed the traits of resourcefulnessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;by using volunteers and getting materials donated or at a reduced price, he was able to build a $3,800 raised bed for $1,049. Miles was also persuasive in getting a variety of people to help with the project. More than 40 volunteers from the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PTA, the Parkview Neighborhood Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Del City baseball team all helped build the flowerbed. Miles is pleased he was able to give back to the community that has given him so much. Miles will be a senior at Del City High School. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 87 and is the son of Chris Kern-Garcia and Alex Garcia.
Caitlyn Crosby maintains an attitude of joyfulness in her daily life. She is always quick to assist members and visitors of her church with their needs. Caitlyn also displays the trait of honor by being polite and respectful of her elders and always saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;yes, maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;yes, sir.â&#x20AC;? In April of 2006, Caitlyn was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The day she was diagnosed, she said that she will do whatever it takes to help find a cure,â&#x20AC;? her mother, Jennifer said. Caitlyn also demonstrates faith in God, believing that God will take care of her, either through a scientific cure or by healing her. Since her diagnosis, Caitlyn and her family have participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk. Their team is called Caitlynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walk of Faith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel that she has truly been on a walk of faith since her diagnosis,â&#x20AC;? Jennifer said. Her commitment and determination has been inspirational for the fundraising effort. Their first year, the Crosby family had 10 walkers and raised about $200. The following year, they had 54 walkers and raised $1200. This year, their team included 82 walkers and as of press time, they had raised $2000. Caitlyn will be a sixth grader at Christian Heritage Academy in Del City. She is the daughter of Jason and Jennifer Crosby of Oklahoma City.
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iwillstatements iwill... do what I say.
not look back.
look at things from more than one point of view before making up my mind.
make the right decision and stick to it.
not give in to peer pressure.
puttingcharacterďŹ rst The Character First! Project is inspired by the work of the Character Training Institute, a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City. Character First! information is used by permission. Call 405-815-0001 for Character First! resources or visit CharacterFirst.com. Celebrating Ten Years!
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RESPECT all photographs are courtesy of the Respect Diversity Foundation.
“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the coincidence of his citizenship. Not his social status nor his bank account. Not his trade nor his profession. An American is one who loves justice and believes in the dignity of man…” – Harold Ickes, May 1941 The dignity of man–an idea that is so broad and so boundless, many nations, many leaders, and many people overlook and thereby extinguish this God-given right every single day. The children of the twenty-first century have seen dignity ignored. They have witnessed it falling by the wayside to make room for power and greed. And these children have watched as the light of dignity becomes so want and wane that just a single word of hate or ignorance or disrespect can puff it out forever.
Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum on March 25, 2008. Over 140,000 students, teachers, and adults have participated in this program’s rich dignity-inspiring, diversityadvancing, human-rights promoting foundation. Schools and students across Oklahoma helped re-light the candle of dignity as they created masterful art projects that ranged from creative, symbolic, and meaningful interpretations of what it means to be a true American, Oklahoman, and human.
The project artist’s ages spanned from Today’s youth has an interesting looking pre-school to high school, and each glass to peer through when they envision example sounded the bell of understanding, their world and its problems. These acceptance, and progress for the future. Ms. problems: two wars fought on foreign Rhonda Slatten, eighth grade teacher at soil, a bombing in the heartland, multiple Alcott Middle School in Norman, OK helped “Whirled Peace” Winner, 9th-12th grade school shootings, economic crises, and her students achieve the distinction of first Putnam City Academy, Putnam City Schools natural disasters, gift the children of this place in the 2008 contest. But the honor century with the right to shut their eyes to itself was not their goal. the horrific sights, their ears to the wailing, their minds to the “I wanted to find a way that (my students) could build a reasons why, and their hearts to the pain. community with the idea that it is okay to be different. We Yet hope lies in the children’s decision to ignore their rights built a chain made of many different colors and sizes to show as exposed and manipulated individuals, and rejoices in their that not everyone is the same, and it takes all of us linked choice to embrace and display dignity. And nowhere is this together to make our world a better place for all,” stated Ms. display of dignity more evident than in the Respect Diversity Slatten. Art and Poetry Contest and Symbol Exhibit. Ms. Slatten and her students are not alone in their This event celebrated its seventh anniversary at Gaylord involvement and excitement for the Respect Diversity 36
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
Balanced Unity Honorable Mention, Cross Timbers Elementary, Edmond
REFLECTIONS...Through the Eyes of a Child Winner, Pre-K through 3rd grade Ranchwood Elementary, Yukon
Peaceable Kingdom Winner, 4th-5th grade Jefferson Heights and Washington Elementary Schools, Sapulpa, OK
Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re All The Same on the Inside Honorable Mention, South SantaFe High School, Oklahoma City
Rainbow People of God Honorable Mention, Mark Twain Elementary, Tulsa
We Believe Honorable Mention, Woodlands Elementary, Ponca City, OK
Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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Foundation project. Jo Anne Alexander, an Edmond, OK art teacher stated, “Every single work of art that my students have created for the exhibit has been meaningful for them. The exhibit is a wonderful way to teach our community—and beyond.” Clynell Hibbs, Multicultural Club Sponsor at Santa Fe High School in Edmond, OK reinforced the foundation with glowing approval. “Over the years, during each project, the student’s knowledge of the elements and principles of art are enhanced. In
addition, they learn so much about other cultures and more fully understand the importance of respect for diversity. This knowledge will stay with them as they become adults and then have their own children,” Hibbs said. The beacon of dignity has been ignited and is illuminating many different schools and students within. This illumination can find its roots in the purpose of the Respect Diversity Foundation. “The Respect Diversity Art and Poetry Contest and the Symbol Exhibit inspire thousands of students every year to collaborate and explore diversity through the arts. Over the years, many teachers have told me that they would never have thought to integrate the arts in their curriculum if not for this contest,” stated Joan Korenblit, Executive Director of the Respect Diversity Foundation. In the end, what makes us Americans, what makes us Oklahomans, what makes us human is whether or not we can show respect to one another. It is in this interchange of dignity where peace will find its home. “Everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are no matter what religion, color, accent, or anything else. It’s supposedly a more educated and civilized society now. I think it is time to start acting like it.” – Sarah Owen, age 14, Alcott Middle School, Norman, OK.
Alcott and Jefferson Middle School students linked with paper chains, Norman.
Jeana Pollard is an aspiring writer living with her husband Matt and daughter Paley in Edmond, OK. She currently teaches at Edmond Memorial High School.
2008-2009 Contest Theme – Rainbow Connection Entry Form Deadline – January 9th, 2009 Visual art and poetry can show or express respect for people of different cultures and ethnicities, different ability levels, different ages, and/or different religions. The possibilities are as endless as one’s imagination. Some examples might be: African masks, drums, freedom quilts, Japanese origami, Haiku, Ageku, Tonka, Native American patters, pottery, anthologies of artwork, poetry or essays. Sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, MetroFamily Magazine, Oklahoma Natural Gas, The Grateful Bean, Christian-MohamedGoldberg Associates, Wal-Mart Stores, the Jewish Foundation, ICelebrateDiversity.com, and A Good Egg Dining Group. Please email completed entry form to rdfrd@cox.net or mail to: Respect Diversity Foundation 2808 West Lexington Way • Edmond, OK 73003 Linking Norman & the World Winner, 6th-8th grade, Alcott Middle School & Jefferson Middle School, Norman. 38
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July 2008
For more information or questions contact Joan Korenblit at 405-359-0369. Celebrating Ten Years!
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7RXU +LVWRULF 5RXWH 6DWXUGD\ $XJXVW WK Non-competitive bicycle tour with courses ranging from 12 to 100 miles Hosted by the West Oklahoma City Rotary Club, proceeds benefit patients at The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center S Swadleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s B-B-Q, Complimentary Massages and much more! Register on-line
Celebrating Ten Years!
at www.tccokc.org
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July 2008
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39
n Imagine Art Weaving
W
eaving is a fun and relaxing way to pass time on a car trip, when waiting for your Mom during an appointment, or just when you are bored with summer activities.
You can make a simple loom from recycled cylindrical food containers. Depending on the size of the container, you can weave a small bag for a cell phone or secret treasures (frozen juice container), or a tote bag for carrying books and art supplies (large oatmeal container or plastic ice cream tub). First stop: kitchen cabinet or recycling bin to search for a loom.
Process
Materials cylindrical container
fabric
heavy-duty cotton string
scissors
yarn
plastic needle (optional)
Left to right: Shelby Knight holds a purse made on a large plastic drink cup loom. Luke Luker made a tote for his Mom on a board loom. Silvia Galindo made her small bag on a juice can loom. 7th grade students from Middle School of Piedmont.
Remove the top and bottom from the container to form your tube loom. You may want to wrap the cotton string or yarn on a stick as you would for a kite to make the next step easier. Drop the end of string through the top of the tube and bring out the bottom. Tie the end of the string to the part of the string at the top of the tube to make a tight loop; leave rest of string attached, do not cut. The string on the loom is called the warp; wrapping the string on the loom is called warping the loom. Begin warping the
THE SCIENCE OF
SUPERCROC
Nigersaurus
ON VIEW THROUGH
A UG 24
An exhibit featuring feeat eaaattu uri ur riing g full-scale fu fu ful ullll-s -sscal aalle replicas rep eepl plliica p iccas of one of the that he largest larg arges eest stt cr ccrocodiles rro occo o oco c d diliiless tha th haatt h ever lived, plus Nigersaurus, a recently revealed sauropod that has never been viewed outside of Washington, D.C. Local exhibition was made possible by the Whitten-Newman Foundation. Created by Project Exploration.
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History The University of Oklahoma
2401 Chautauqua Ave Ave. | 405-325-4712 | www www.snomnh.ou.edu snomnh ou edu The University of Oklahoma is an equal oppor tunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability call 405-325-4712.
40
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
loom by taking the long end of string (wrapped stick) and pass through tube keeping the tension tight on the loops; continue this around the loom. You need an odd number of warp strings going around the loom ¼” apart or less. Closer warps will help form a sturdier bag. Finish by tying the string to the starting string just inside the top. The fiber you weave with is called the weft. If weaving with fabric, cut all the fabric into long, one inch wide strips. If using yarn to weave, cut six foot long pieces. Use your fingers to guide the weft (or the plastic needle if using one). Begin weaving by passing the weft over and under every other warp string. Continue this for 10 warp strings, then pull the entire weft through taking care to leave a 1” tail hanging out where you entered. Continue weaving in the overunder fashion around the loom, as the
weaving forms; tamp the wefts close together to keep the weaving tight and dense. There are two ways to add new weft pieces. First, just knot a new piece to the end of the last. If you do not want knots showing, leave a tail at the end of the weft and tuck it behind the weaving between two warp strings. Tuck a new weft tail between the two warp strings behind the first weft tail end and continue the weave being careful not to pull out the tail. Soon the two tails will be trapped in the weaving. Continue in this manner until the desired size is reached. To tie off the bag, cut two adjacent warp strings at a time from the inside of the tube and knot together at the top of the weaving. Do this until all strings at the top are tied off. Slide the weaving off the tube, flatten to form a bag and knot two
strings at a time together from each side of the bottom of the bag until all are tied to form a closed bottom. Braid a handle and attach to the bag; a button clasp may also be added. Enjoy the fruit of your labor by using your creation.
Frances A. Williams lives and teaches 6th-8th grade art in Piedmont.
Find more art projects at
MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ rainy-day-fun-art-projects
For a free travel guide call 866-GPC-OKLA or visit www.greatplainscountry.com. www.travelok.com
Produced in cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Kids….You Too Can Get Your Kicks on Route 66!
Loads of fun for the whole family! • Centennial Carousel • Train Rides • Miniature Golf • National Route 66 Museum • Flying W Guest Ranch • Lake Elk City Plus lots more! Check out our website and plan your trip to Elk City today!
Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
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41
n Your Healthy Family
W
ith summer in full swing, many of you have already visited the pool or the lake a few times, or are planning to in the near future. Swimming is a favorite activity among children of all ages, and infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are no exception. While the YMCA and the American Red Cross offer infant and toddler recreational swimming classes, one program in particular is geared toward self-rescue skill instruction for very young children.
© Johncarleton | Dreamstime.com
Water Safety for Infants and Toddlers
Infant Swim Resource (ISR) was developed by Dr. Harvey Barnett. While working as a lifeguard during college, Dr. Barnett witnessed the aftermath when a neighbor’s infant drowned in a few inches of water. Soon after, Dr. Barnett began teaching young children in his neighborhood how to swim, carefully observing their
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responses to certain types of instruction and techniques. He went on to earn advanced degrees in education and psychology and continued his research, eventually developing the ISR program.
Water Accidents and Drowning Drowning claims the lives of approximately four thousand U.S.
July 2008
children every year, and is the second-leading cause of accidental death in children. Of all preschoolers who drown, approximately 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the accident. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, for every drowning death, there are one to four nonfatal submersions serious enough to result in hospitalization. Finally, an estimated 19 percent of drowning deaths occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.
General Water Safety Tips With these staggering statistics, it’s key to remember the number one rule of water safety for children of any age is constant supervision by an adult who can swim. According to the American Red Cross, children should be supervised in any water environment
Celebrating Ten Years!
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Attitude, Discipline and Respect are the Goals, Karate is the method.â&#x20AC;? TM
regardless of skill level. Younger children should be kept within armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach at all times. The use of floatation devices should never decrease the level of supervision, and many lifeguards in fact discourage such devices. Children should be enrolled in water safety courses or Learn-to-Swim classes appropriate to his or her age level. Parents and caregivers should enroll in CPR courses, and pools should always be secured with a locked perimeter.
Edmond W. Covell & Kelly 405.330.2821 N. Western & 150th 405.751.2821 Moore/OKC S. Penn & 104th 405.703.2727
Infant Swim Resource Edmond mom Janna Carr was deeply affected by the drowning death of her childhood friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18-month-old brother. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in seventh grade at the time, and it made a huge impact on me. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been really nervous about my children around water.â&#x20AC;? After hearing about the ISR program, she enrolled her then 20-month-old daughter, Kaedyn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know this is no replacement for my supervision, but I saw it as an extra safety precaution.â&#x20AC;? The ISR program is a comprehensive swimming instruction program focusing on self-rescue techniques, and is delivered in ten-minute sessions, five days per week for four to six weeks. A certified instructor remains within armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach while conducting the one-on-one training. Children 6-12 months old learn to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their backs in the water, and float unassisted. Children over the age of one learn how to hold their breath underwater, swim with their head down, and roll to their backs to float, rest, and breathe. Video representations of children demonstrating these techniques with their instructors were recently featured on the Today show, and are available at the ISR website. It took Kaedyn about five weeks to fully learn the self-rescue techniques. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At first, she cried when she got into the water, but the instructor was very gentle and caring with her. She was completely focused on her mental and physical well being. It was a very positive environment, and fear tactics were never used. Before long, she was enjoying the lessons, and came up smiling and clapping every time!â&#x20AC;? Carr also notes that her daughter was never in the water longer than ten minutes, and less if she seemed fatigued. While she highly recommends the ISR program to those with small children, she is hopeful that the rescue techniques learned by her daughter are never utilized. Remember to be safe in the water this summer! Constantly supervise children who are swimming or playing in or near a body of water, and consider swimming and self-rescue lessons for your children. For more information, visit the American Red Cross website at RedCross.org or the Infant Swim Resource site at InfantSwim.com.
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Shannon Fields is a freelance writer and a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Innovative Pharmacy Solutions. Celebrating Ten Years!
Call No The Su w For mm Special! er
scholars
July 2008
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n Exploring Oklahoma Farm-Fresh Oklahoma
I
guess I am a true farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter. No matter where my travels take meâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from Morocco to Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I inevitably ask the same question: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that stuff growing over there?â&#x20AC;? If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m lucky, the local Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m quizzing will launch into an explanation of harvest methods, planting schedules, and agricultural statistics. These days, more and more people are interested in knowing where their food comes from and how it grows. Eating locally-raised meats and produce makes it easier to track your dinner back to the farmer who produced it. It also opens the door to several fun travel opportunities, which brings me to this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel resolution: visit a place that makes or grows your food. If you
Serving award-winning breakfasts and lunches since 1980
canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of anything you eat that comes from Oklahoma, you need to reexamine your diet! Over the past few years, agritourism has become a big business, encompassing everything from guest ranches to youpick fruit farms and wineries. While many of the offerings youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find on Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agritourism website (Agritourism.TravelOK.com) will fit the bill for this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge, the you-pick farms are inexpensive, diverse and especially well-suited for children, thanks to the ease of participation and the hands-on learning experience. Because of their close proximity to the Metro and the opportunity to pick several crops in one day, I really like to
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July 2008
visit the farms originally owned by the Spencer family of Harrah. Forty years ago, Bob and Ethel Spencer planted the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original orchard. Today, there are several separate farms within a few miles of each other, including Deep Fork Peach Orchard (formerly Wind Drift Orchard), Sun Berry Orchard, and Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Orchard and Greenhouse. This month you can expect to find blackberries, peaches, and possibly sweet corn and other veggies. Many you-pick farms charge by the box or basket, which they provide (along with a few picking tips) before sending you into the fields or rows. Not all Oklahoma food producers are farmers tilling up their back forty; some of the big brands you see in your grocery aisles and around town are natives as well. The Made in Oklahoma Coalition supports the interests of these larger companies, and posts a list of their members on their website (MIOCoalition.com) so you will know who your neighbors are while you are shopping. Some of these producers give tours of their facilities, including the Braumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dairy plant in Tuttle and Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pies and BedrĂŠ Chocolate, both in Pauls Valley. The Braumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plant tour is the most substantial of the three, lasting about an hour and a half and including a short video, ice cream sample, and a guided look at their facilities. At Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and BedrĂŠ the tours only take about 15-20 minutes, and BedrĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tour is usually an unguided look through several large viewing windows. The dates and times that plants are in production and tours are offered sometimes vary, so you should always call before going, particularly at Braumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which books tours weeks in advance. Before you can visit the places your food comes from, you first have to find local food. The Oklahoma Food Cooperative is a great source, providing members with access to 2,000 local products through the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly order cycle. Although the group is not aimed at tourism, many of the producers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind playing host to customers from time to time as long as Celebrating Ten Years!
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let an accident spoil your summer fun! you call in advance. Even non-members can make use of the co-opâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website (OklahomaFood.coop) to scroll through the long list of local farms they claim as producers, which includes contact information and details about their products.
State Agritourism Website: Agritourism.TravelOK.com The Made in Oklahoma Coalition (large, local producers) MIOCoalition.com Made in Oklahoma (small producers) MadeInOklahoma.net The Oklahoma Food Co-op OklahomaFood.coop
It has been proven that children who are Deep Fork Peach Orchard involved with their 405-454-6635 food, especially on farms or in gardens, Sun Berry Orchard are more likely to 405-454-1415 live healthy lifestyles Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Orchard and and enjoy better diets. Greenhouses It might be easy to 405-454-3471 refuse turnips from the grocery store, Braumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for example, but the 405-478-1656 enjoyment of pulling Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pies them out of the 1-800-286-7501 soil often converts even the staunchest BedrĂŠ vegetable critic. And 1-800-367-5390 besides, ten or 20 years down the road, when your children are long-time Oklahoma locals, and a welltraveled farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter stops to ask them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that stuff growing over there?â&#x20AC;? donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you want them Summer Art Classes through to have a good answer? August 1st Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.
If you or your child has to wear a cast this summer, make sure it has a PROCELÂŽ GORE-TEX liner so that swimming, bathing or hydrotherapy is not a problem!
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Specializing in orthopedic surgery PROCELÂŽ GORE-TEX Cast
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45
n 4 the Family Metro-Area Mentors
S
pecial needs come in all shapes, sizes and ages. There are plenty of Metro children in need of a mentor. Someone to look up to, someone to call when they have problems or questions, someone to help them with life. My 26-year-old niece Lindsey McGee found out what a difference one person can make in the life of a child.
in need. It may just be to help them with homework next fallâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but it could become much more. Until next time... Kevin Ogle, a native Oklahoman, is a news anchor on Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NewsChannel 4.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an awesome opportunity to be a positive role model,â&#x20AC;? Lindsey says of her experiences with mentoring children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So many Metro kids need mentors. Just a simple thing like helping them learn to swim will have an impact that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine.â&#x20AC;? Lindsey found out how much she meant to the kids she mentored when she had to travel out of state for a while. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They called me and wanted to know when I would be back to spend more time with them.â&#x20AC;? Some kids are starving for positive attention and interaction from adults. Children in need of mentoring sometimes live in circumstances that some of us could not imagine. They need to see another side of life before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too late. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like Lindsey and would like to be someone special to a special young person, visit IntegrisOK.com. Search for â&#x20AC;&#x153;mentoringâ&#x20AC;? and find out how you can become a mentor for a local child
The INTEGRIS Health Positive Directions Mentoring Program was developed to partner with specific Oklahoma City elementary schools with the objective to "build self-esteem, establish positive relationships, help children overcome behaviors, and to improve the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classroom participation." Mentors (including business people, retirees, college students, and stay-at-home moms) commit an hour per week during the school day.
The weekend is coming. Will your family be bored?
Not if we can help it! MetroFamilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly E-Update puts an end to weekend boredom.
In the 2006-2007 school year, 390 mentors volunteered over 5,500 hours.
Find the best
For information about the program, contact Kathy Lowder at INTEGRIS Community Health Improvement, 405-717-9871.
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nonprofit events. Emailed every Wednesday. Plus, E-Update subscribers are eligible for ticket giveaways and other great prizes.
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Celebrating Ten Years!
It Figures By Cynthia Washam
July 6
National Fried Chicken Day.
11
Number of times all the KFC chickens consumed would circle the equator if they were laid end to end.
50
Percent of ice cream noveltiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;bars, sandwiches and the likeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that are eaten by adults.
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klahoma MENTOR, the leader in providing Agency Companion (foster care) services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, is seeking Companion homes for individuals with: s Mental retardation and mental health needs s Behavioral challenges s Autism s Medically fragile s Older youth with a history of failed placements s Abused and neglected children and youth MENTOR families generally serve only one individual at a time, are paid between $69-$93 per day plus room and board, receive respite, and have the support of caring professionals. If you are interested in changing the lives of others please contact our recruiters at (405) 942-0034 x23.
27
Percent of people who get a headache when they eat ice cream fast.
59
Percent of ice cream headache sufferers who recover in fewer than 10 seconds.
25
2nd & Bryant in Bryant Square WWW EDMONDJAZZ COM s 359-8088
WE WANT YOU!
Percent of sales at Baskin-Robbins (with 31 ice cream flavors) that are plain vanilla.
1785
Year Bristol, Rhode Island, held its first Fourth of July celebration, which is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the U.S.
150,000,000
Number of hot dogs Americans consume on the Fourth of July, one for every other person.
1942
Year Texan Neil Fletcher introduced corn dogs, at the Texas State Fair.
10
Percent of the U.S. corn crop that humans eat as corn. (The rest is processed or consumed by cows.)
1939
Year Little League Baseball started, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
1947
Year of the first Little League World Series, with 11 teams from Pennsylvania and one from New Jersey. Sources: Associatedcontent.com, Makeicecream. com, foodsci.voguelph.ca, Foodreference.com, Wikipedia.org, Whatscookingamerica.net, Post-gazette.com, Trivia-library.com
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July 2008
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n Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Just Gotta Laugh From the Pens of First Graders
W
e asked first-graders at Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond to help us out this month. The studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; teachers asked them to finish, in their own writing, the following statements. We hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy their unedited answers.
My family loves to go to ___ because ___. The aquarium at the zoo because it is fun to see the fish. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Elizabeth The OU stadium because it is fun. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mason The zoo because all the animals. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Merrik Pelican Bay because it is fun. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abby Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because we like their food. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ian Ada because my friends live ther. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; McClain Incredible Pizza because it is fun. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Austin
A OSU football game because my mom, dad, sister, and me like OSU. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Russell Hideaway Pizza because the pizza is yummy. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; John The zoo because it is like a family trip. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cole The lake because we get to ride the boat and its fun!!!!!!! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Josiah Texoma the lake because I can go fishing with my family. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Clint Restaurant because we love to eat out. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jakoby The OU football because we love to watch them play and it is fun. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade K. Church because it is fun and my church is called Kids Blitz. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Madison Scout camp at Roman Nose State Park because it is a lot of fun camping and you learn a lot of stuff. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Blake R. Watch me play baseball because they like to go to our games. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Calyn
The lake every summer because we love to swim in the lake and sleep in a houseboat and I like to drive the boat. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gracelyn Bricktown because there are horses there that you can ride. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Karsyn My grandma and grandpaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house because we swim and have popcicles. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Braden IHOP because they have the best pancakes. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lauren Vanitia because we stay at my nonnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house. She has lots of cows and we have fun. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kendall The mall because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to be together. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jenna Frunter City in the summer because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a family tradishon. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lilli Ann A play because it selibratese Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birthday on Christmas. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Allie Gramaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house because we love them. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jay Ryan
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To d ay yo u a re a s i ze 6 , t o m o rrow a 6 1 / 2 â&#x20AC;Ś A p e r f e c t f i t eve r y t i m e .
1289 East 15 th St., Suite 120 Spring Creek Village &ENPOE 0, t 48
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
The zoo because wee like to woch the Going to my Ant Bettco house to go firewurcks. – John munkys. – Jantz swimming and then go watch fireworks. The blue angels. – Alex The zoo because we can see the anamls – Megan Fir works. – Grayson The parade and the fireworks. – Drue and wauch them play. – Megan B. We get to go to our lake house and get Incrtubl Pizza because it is so much fun. The fire works. My family loves the fire to do fire works!! – Hope works so much!!! – Ashlee – Jayden Selabrate Oklahoma’s birthday and it’s Chines reshstrot because it has good Seeing my grandma and grandpa Jim, the bets thing in the wold. – Emily food. – Dani my aunt, my uncle, and cuzzins. – Jace When all the fireworks get to come out. Grams because tis fun. – Anna Jo I get to find money in the sand. – And when we get to get to selubrate. – Chrisopher D. Tulsa to see our Grandma. – Andrew Dru The fireworks and the cotton candy. – The fier works and we eat for diner on My favorite thing about the Anna W. the 4th of July hotdogs. – Grayson 4th of July is ___. Fireworks because we get to sit in my The firewircs because they are so pretty. backyard and watch them. – Grant G. Going to the lake house and woch fier – Kelsey works and blow up fier works. – Zoe The fireworks and America’s birthday. – It is fun because they shoot firework. – Zack A. Whitewater is fun—you get to swime. Gavin The best things is the clif you get to I get to play with sparkalers. I also get The fireworks because it is a jump off. – Grace to see all the dads lights the fireworks. – celebaration. – Jonathan Sydney Going to the parade. – Garrett Thank you to all the OCS students and Fireworks at my dads work. – Sarah C. The big fireworks. – Said teachers! We get to go to this place and watch
with
Arbuckle Mountains
Celebrating Ten Years!
July 2008
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
49
outandabout Quick Reference
onexhibit
City Arts Center Fair Park, 3000 Pershing Blvd, OKC 951-0000, CityArtsCenter.org.
The Field, Forest & Stream: The History of Oklahomans and the Outdoors exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center opened April 4 and will remain through December. The exhibit contains varied items illustrating outdoor recreation and conservation in Oklahoma. Hands-on exhibits are organized in three sections—Water Trail highlights the state’s rivers and streams; Forest Trail highlights the state’s parks and wildlife refuges; and Damp Trail highlights outdoor recreation. Included in the exhibit are artifacts from Wiley Post and pioneering outdoor television producer Don Wallace. Native American artifacts and Oklahoma-made items such as fishing lures and camping equipment are also on display. The museum is open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, children 5 and under are free. Visit OklahomaHistoryCenter. org for details.
Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E. Edwards, Edmond 340-4481, EdmondFineArts.com Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman 325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma Little River Zoo Hwy 9, Norman 366-7229 Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC 297-3995, MyriadGardens.com National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC 478-2250, NationalCowboyMuseum.org Oklahoma Aquarium 300 Aquarium Dr, Jenks 918-296-FISH, OKAquarium.org OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch Dr, OKC 236-3100, okcmoa.org OKC National Memorial 620 N Harvey, OKC 235-3313, OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC 606-7003, OKChildrensTheatre.com Oklahoma Heritage Center 13th & Shartel, OKC 235-4458, OklahomaHeritage.com Oklahoma History Center 2401 N Laird Ave, OKC 522-5248, OklahomaHistoryCenter.org
familyfun Copyright: Copyright 2007 PGA of America
OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th St, OKC 424-3344, OKCZoo.com
“Golf has always been a great activity for families to get outdoors and enjoy themselves,” Gill said. “I don’t think children are ever too young to enjoy the game of golf. Johnny Miller gave me the great advice to make it fun every time you take your kids out there, so that is what we do with Corrina,” Gill added.
Science Museum Oklahoma 2100 NE 52nd St, OKC 602-OMNI, Omniplex.org
Email it to Calendar Editor Terri Fields, Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com. 50
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
July is PGA Family Golf Month, and Oklahoman Vince Gill, his wife Amy Grant, and their daughter Corrina are the official spokesfamily of the event. They have long been avid golfers. Through the month, PGA Professionals at participating courses will host structured yet casual events for families to enjoy the game of golf together.
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman 325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu
Do you have an event for our calendar?
A part of the exhibit focuses on the wildlife conservation efforts of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to protect fish and wildlife in our state. This deer exhibit is on loan from ODWC.
Vince Gill, Amy Grant and daughter Corina, Family Golf Month spokespeople, get in some afternoon practice at the Tennessee Golf House in Franklin, Tennessee. (Photo by The PGA of America)
July 2008
Planned events include Family Golf Clinics, and Take Your Daughters to the Course week, July 7-13. Visit PlayGolfAmerica.com to find a local course with participating events. Celebrating Ten Years!
outandabout independenceday
Through July 4
Liberty Fest, held at venues around Edmond. Includes a variety of events such as concerts, parade, and fireworks. Detailed schedule online. 405-340-2527, LibertyFest.org.
Chisholm Trail Stampede in Duncan, 10am. Art show, Old Fashioned May Day Celebration, Parade, and 20th Annual PRCA Dodge Rodeo. 800-782-7167, ChisholmTrailStampede.com for event schedule.
Moore’s Art in the Park at Buck Thomas Park (NE 12), features live music, activities, car and motorcycle show, children’s activities, food, and carnival. Thursday 5-10pm, Friday 10am-10pm. 793-5224, CityofMoore. com. OKC Philharmonic presents Red, White and BoomPatriotic Pops on the River, (1701 S Western, downtown OKC) 5pm. The Philharmonic performs, children’s carnival, concessions, and fireworks. Free. 236-4143, BricktownOKC.com.
4
Yukon’s Freedom Fest at Yukon City Park (2200 S Holly) & Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament), includes family-themed events, car show, children’s parade, and fireworks at dusk. Free; 7am. 354-1895, ci.yukon.ok.us. Bethany’s Centennial Freedom Festival at Eldon Lyon Park includes parade, carnival, children’s activities, car show, movie in the park, and fireworks. 789-5005, CityofBethany.org. Chickasha’s Family Fun Festival at Shannon Springs Park includes family activities, arts and crafts, and fireworks at dark. Free; 3-11:30pm. 574-1320, ChickashaArts.org. Tuttle’s Ice Cream Festival at Schrock Park includes parade and festival with children’s activities, Princess Pageant, ice cream eating contest, turtle races, live music, and fireworks. Free; 9am-10pm. 381-4600, TuttleChamber.org. Celebrating Ten Years!
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 31
MetroLibrary.org Belle Isle, 5501 N Villa, 843-9601 Bethany, 3510 N Mueller, 789-8363 Capitol Hill, 334 SW 26, 634-6308
3
3-4
S M T W T F S
Metropolitan Library System
2-3
Yukon’s Tribute to Veterans at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament), is a patriotic celebration to honor veterans, including concert and fireworks. Free, 5:45pm. 350-8937, ci.yukon.ok.us.
JUly
Choctaw, 2525 Muzzy, 390-8418 Del City, 4509 SE 15, 672-1377 Downtown, 300 Park Ave, 231-8650 The McLoud Blackberry Festival at the McLoud City Park includes a parade, carnival, ballgame, tractor and car show, music, dance, and blackberries. Free 8am-2pm. 405-964-6566, McLoudChamber.com.
Edmond, 10 S Boulevard, 341-9282
Chandler’s 4th of July Family Celebration at Tilghman Park features turtle races and family activities. Fireworks at dusk at Bell Cow Lake. Free; noon-6pm. 405-258-0673, ChandlerOK.net.
Southern Oaks, 6900 S. Walker, 631-4468
Stillwater’s Boomer Blast at Boomer Lake includes family friendly activities and fireworks. Free. 747-8070, Stillwater.org.
Harrah, 1930 N Church Ave, 454-2001
Downtown Oklahoma City’s 4th of July Celebration at venues around downtown includes live music, food, and fireworks. 235-3500, DowntownOKC.com. Crescent’s 4th of July Celebration at City Park includes food, children’s activities, carnival, and fireworks. 969-2538. Ponca City’s Freedom Festival at Lake Ponca starts with 7am flag raising and continues with sports and activities, vendors, boat parade, and fireworks at 9:50pm. Free. 580-767-0430, PoncaCityOK.com. Enid’s Hometown Celebration at Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse includes family-friendly games, contests, and prizes. Free gift to first 100 children. 9am-1pm. 580-233-2787, Leonardos.org. Fourth of July Celebration in Pauls Valley includes a hamburger feed in Wacker Park, live entertainment, and a fireworks display. A world-famous Watermelon Seed Spitting contest is fun for all ages. PaulsValley.com.
July 2008
Midwest City, 8143 E Reno, 732-4828 Ralph Ellison, 2000 NE 23, 424-1437 The Village, 10307 N Penn, 755-0710 Warr Acres, 5901 NW 63, 721-2616 Jones, 111 E Main, 399-5471 Luther, 310 NE 3, 277-9967 Nicoma Park, 2240 Overholser, 769-9452 Wright Library, 2101 Exchange, 235-5035
Pioneer Library System pls.lib.ok.us 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 Tecumseh, 114 N Broadway, 598-5955
www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
51
outandabout Weekly
Through August 1
Make & Take craft activities at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May, OKC) 11am-3pm every Saturday. Free for kids 3 and up. 858-8778, LakeshoreLearning.com.
Through August 7
Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books, Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202.
Summer Movie Fun at Harkins Theatre. 10 movies for $5. HarkinsTheatres.com for movie schedule.
Family Fun Night at JumpZone (SW 104th & Western) 4:30-8pm every Tuesday and Thursday. 2 adults, 2 children, 1 large pizza, 2 liter pop for $25. For open play hours call 200-1691, JumpZoneParty.com. StoryTime at Gymboree Penn Square, first Friday of every month, 10am. 842-7540.
Cocktails on the Skyline at the OKC Museum of Art on the roof terrace held Thursday evenings, 5pm. Gymboree Play & Music’s Family Arts Studio is held the third Saturday, 11-noon. Includes arts & crafts for children 18mos–5 years. $5 per child. Reservations required; 307-8454
July 1-August 10
Morning Zoo Rise at the OKC Zoo, 7:30am. Enjoy daily animal enrichments and feedings. Being Buffalo Bill: Man, Myth and Media at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Explore the Wild West legend and learn about the life and impact of the world’s most famous Western showman.
Hung Liu: Now and Then Exhibit at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features stunning reproductions of historical photographs of Chinese Life. Romantic Materialism at the Untitled [ArtSpace], (1 NE 3rd) featuring an installation by Signe Stuart and works by Jesse Small and Brandon Reese. 815-9995, 1ne3.org. China: Insights Photographic Exhibition at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art features seven diverse photographers from mainland China.
The Sooner Theatre’s Young Producers present Fiddler on the Roof, 2pm and 7:30pm. $10 adults; $5 children. 321-9600, SoonerTheatre.org.
Passport to Plants at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Explore the plants and people of six unique countries. 297-3995, MyriadGardens.com.
Through December
Through August 24
2
The Science of SuperCroc featuring Nigersaurus at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History. Featuring full-scale replicas of one of the largest crocodiles that ever lived, and Nigersaurus, a recently revealed sauropod that may easily have been its prey.
2-3
Wayback Wednesdays at the OKC Zoo. $.75 admission and concession specials.
Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park 2008 Summer Season at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 8pm. Much Ado About Nothing, The Three Musketeers, Richard III. $10 adult, $8 student. 235-3700, OklahomaShakespeare.com.
Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of the Romanovs at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art illustrates the impact Western culture had on traditional icons.
Through July 17
Through November 27
Reporting Terrorism Exhibit at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Features stories, artifacts and video from media who covered the chaos caused by terrorist attacks from the Oklahoma City bombing to the War on Terror.
The Children’s Center’s Farmers’ Market (6800 NW 39th Expressway) features over 17 vendors. A percentage of daily sales benefit the non-profit hospital. Thursdays 3:30-7pm, Saturdays 8am-noon. 470-2259.
July 11-August 30
Train Rides at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NW Grand Blvd), in OKC. Train rides through out the day starting at 10am, first and third Saturdays; $5 ages 3-15, $8 ages 15 and over. Museum admission free. 424-8222, OklahomaRailwayMuseum.org.
Hands On’ 08: Le Cirque D’Art at City Arts Center. Fully interactive art exhibit created by kids for kids. Visitors can learn classic circus tricks, posters, masks and sculpted circus characters.
Through August
Through July 6
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Why We Fought: Stories from World War II exhibit at Edmond Historical Society and Museum. 340-0078, EdmondHistory.org.
Daily Summer Programs at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History’s Discovery Room. TuesdayFriday 10:30am-4:30pm, Sunday 1:30-4:30pm. Visit website for program schedule.
Monthly
52
Through August 9
Through August 16
Spring Garden and Produce Market at the Festival Market Place in Edmond, 9am-1pm Saturdays beginning 4/12. Fresh produce, fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants, herbs, yard and garden decorations. 359-4630, VisitEdmondOK.com
July 31-August 2
Free Summer Concerts at Edmond’s Hafer Park, 7:15-8:30pm Thursdays. 359-4630, EdmondOK.com.
Through October
Through October 12
Roman Art from The Louvre at the OKC Museum of Art. A traveling exhibition of approximately 184 prime examples of Roman art drawn from the Louvre’s unsurpassed collection. The exhibition will explore religion, urbanism, war, imperial expansion, funerary practices, intellectual and family life.
July 2008
Fun Stop (3705 W Memorial) open until 8pm for pizza (after 5:30pm) and playtime. $6 ages over 3, $4 under 3, pizza $1 per slice. Also held 8/5.Reservations recommended; 607-4386, FunStopPlay.com. Chisholm Trail Stampede in Duncan, 10am. Art show, old-fashioned May Day celebration, parade, and 20th Annual PRCA Dodge Rodeo. 800-782-7167, ChisolmTrailStampded.com for event schedule.
The Cimarron Cirtuit Opera Theatre Camp presents The Mikado at Norman’s Sooner Theatre, 2:30 and 7pm. Tickets, 364-8962. CCOpera.org.
4
Happy Independence Day from the staff of MetroFamily Magazine! See page 51 for a full listing of area events.
OKC Redhawks take on the Iowa Cubs at the Bricktown Ballpark, 7:05pm. Tickets $6 and up. Other home games this month: 7/5-10, 18-21 and 30-31. 218-1000, OklahomaRedhawks.com. Tour of Payne in Stillwater, 7am-4pm. Bicycle tour of Payne County offering 24, 36, 66 or 100 mile routes through the rolling hills of Payne County. Registration $25. 372-2525, RedDirtPedalers.org.
4-6
Free Admission at the Toy & Action Figure Museum for all children accompanied by an adult, 10am-6pm. Mention MetroFamily Magazine to receive this special offer. 238-2555, ActionFigureMuseum.com.
5
First Saturdays at Harn Homestead, 10am–2pm. Celebrating Ten Years!
outandabout Open now on the first Saturday of each month. $5. 235-4058, HarnHomestead.com.
7-10
Athletes in Training at Young Chefs Academy, 9am-noon. Make a Power-Snack Turnover, and Smoothies. $150. Reservations Required. 285-6939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.
12
Talking Skulls at the Oklahoma History Museum, 10am. A detective-based, hands-on interactive class involving animal skulls and hides to produce clues. Free with paid admission. Space is limited. 522-0785, OKHistory.org.
8
Big Chef/Lil Chef at Young Chefs Academy, 10am-noon. Make recipes straight from the farm. For ages 3-6 with an adult. $25. Reservations Required. 285-6939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.
8-12
The Kids in the Kitchen - Farmer’s Market Table course at Platt College (2727 W Memorial) includes recipes with fresh, local produce. 1-4pm, $35 (kids 12 and under free). 752-0273, PlattCollege.org.
8-17
All Access Tour at the Ford Center, 2-5pm. Sneak peek of upcoming improvements. Visitors will be able to tour, sample food, play hockey, football or basketball. Free.
Jonas Brothers at the Ford Center, 7pm. Tickets $49.50 and up. 360-7776, OKFordCenter.com. Swing at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. Tickets $27 and up. 524-9312, LyricTheatreOKC.com.
Scholastic Book Fair at Yukon Library. 354-8232, Yukon.Lib.OK.US.
10
Summer Sizzler Movie Nite at Pelican Bay (Edmond) featuring Surfs Up, 8:30-11:30pm. Float under the moonlight while watching a great movie. $5. Also held 7/24. 216-7655, EdmondOK.com. Midwest Twilight Concert Series at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 7pm. Mike Black and the Stingrays/50’s, 60’s & 70’s Rock N Roll. Free. Also held 7/17, 24, 31. MidwestCityOK.org.
Junk Art with Bryan Dahlvang at the Yukon Library, 10am-1pm. For 6-12 grade. Registration required. 354-8232, Yukon.Lib.OK.US.
10-12
SummerStock presents Will Rogers Follies at Mitch Park Amphitheatre in Edmond, 8pm. Adults $12, Children $6, 3 and under free. Also held 7/17-19. 249-7477, SummerStockOK.com.
11
Storytime at Gymboree in Penn Square Mall, 11am. Free. 755-3445 GymboreeClasses.com. Celebrate Cow Appreciation Day at your local participating Chick-fil-A restaurant. Customers fully dressed in cow costume will receive a free meal.
11-12
Midsummers Nights Fair at Norman’s Lions Park, 6-11pm. Art, food vendors, music and performing artists. Free. 329-4523, NormanFireHouse.com.
The Cimarron Cirtuit Opera presents An Evening of Grand Operetta at Norman’s Sooner Theatre, 8pm. Tickets, 364-8962. CCOpera.org.
Celebrating Ten Years!
The Under Cover of Darkness Tour at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a chance to tour the refuge at night. 8pm; includes bus and short walk. Also held 7/19 and 26. Reservations, 580-429-2151. fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/ WichitaMountains. Bike Safety Day at the Children’s Center Farmer’s Market in Bethany. Free bike stuff, 9-11am. 6800 NW 39th Expy, 789-6711.
12-13
Thriving Marriage Retreat in Guthrie, 8:30am, for married couples with children from previous relationships. Free; registration required, space limited. YourThrivingMarriage.com.
13
and Outback Steakhouse buffet dinner. 271-5695, OKSafeKids.org.
14-17
A Day In Beijing at Young Chefs Academy, 9am-noon. Explore the culture, cuisine, and cooking techniques that make Chinese food so delicious. $150. Reservations Required. 285-6939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.
14-19
International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo, 9am-7:30pm. 11 Performances, 2 Daily. Barrel racing, goat tying, calf roping, steer wrestling,bull riding and bareback riding. Adults $10; Children $5. 275-7020, ShawneeExpo.org.
14-20
Eskimo Joe’s 33rd Anniversary Celebration in Stillwater. Enjoy a week filled with great food specials, prize giveaways, live music, and fun for the whole family. Free. 377-0799, EskimoJoes.com.
17
Sales Tax Appreciation Day at the OKC Zoo, 7:30am-6pm. Free admission.
Butterfly Bonanza with Emmy Glichmann at the Yukon Library, 10am-1pm. For 6-12 grade. Registration required. 354-8232, Yukon.Lib.OK.US. Perfection, Procrastination, and Purpose at the Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur) is led by a professional counselor and trainer. Learn to overcome procrastination and gain clarity about their purpose. 6:30-8:30pm; $20, registration required; 720-8480 at least 5 days prior.
Summer Breeze Concert Series at Lion’s Park in Norman featuring Beppe Gambetta, Italian guitar virtuoso and singer; 7:30pm. Also held 7/27 at Andrew’s Park. Free. 307-9320, ThePAS.org.
18-20
Let’s Design a Mosaic at the OKC Museum of Art. 2-4pm. View examples of mosaics in Roman Art from the Louvre exhibit and create designs inspired by them. $10 members; $15 nonmembers. For ages 6-9. Preregistration required.
19
14
OKC Yard Dawgs take on the Tulsa Talons at the Ford Center, 7:05pm. Tickets $9 and up. Next home game 7/26. 360-7776, OKFordCenter.com.
Scout Day at the Oklahoma Aquarium. Members in uniform or carrying a membership card and one accompanying adult can be admitted to the Aquarium at our discounted Education Department group rates of $7 per youth and $10 per adult.
Safe Kids Oklahoma benefit golf tournament is held at Oak Tree Golf and Country Club. Four person scramble tournament with special events Entry fees $300 and up include green fees, cart, lunch, July 2008
Seussical the Musical at Guthrie’s Poteet Theatre (222 NW 15th). $15; 609-1023, PoteetTheatre.com. Also held 7/24-27, 7/31-8/3. Kids Club at Crossroads Mall, 2pm. Meet Sammy D. Salamander and enjoy family entertainment. Free. 631-4422, ShopCrossraodsMall.com.
The Kids in the Kitchen—After-school Appetizers course at Platt College (2727 W Memorial) includes batch cooking recipes. 1-4pm, $35 (kids 12 and under free). 752-0273, PlattCollege.org. I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream at Young Chefs Academy, 10am-noon. $25. Reservations Required. 285-6939, www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com
53
outandabout 22-26
YoungChefsAcademy.com. Parents’ Night Out at Young Chefs Academy, 6-9pm. Parents enjoy the evening out while your young chefs create their own dinner in our kitchen. $40/ Siblings $20. Reservations Required. 285-6939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. Tickets $27 and up. 524-9312, LyricTheatreOKC.com.
24
Metamorphosis means Transformation: Craft Day at the Yukon Library, 10am-2pm. For 6-12 grade. Registration required. 354-8232, Yukon.Lib.OK.US.
19
History Day at the Oklahoma History Musuem, 10am. Hands-on activities will allow young and old alike to explore Oklahoma’s rich past guided by interpreters in period clothing. Adults $5, Children $3 and under 5 are free. 522-0785, OKHistoryCenter.org.
24-26
Overnight Camp-Out and Scavenger Hunt at the Little River Zoo, 6pm-8am. Activities involving the Zoo’s nocturnal creatures. $59. 366-7229. Toga Figure Drawing at the OKC Musuem of Art, 10am-noon. Discover all the incredible sculptures of important figures and everyday citizens in the special exhibition, Roman Art from the Louvre, and practice drawing from statues in the gallery. For ages 6-9. $10 members; $15 nonmembers (materials provided). Preregistration required. Norman Conquest at J. D. McCarty Center, (2002 E Robinson, Norman) 7:30am. 10 mile family tour, 26 hilly miles, 46 very hilly miles, and 66 extremely hilly miles. $30 per rider or $10 family tour (includes lunch). NormanConquest.BicycleLeague.com.
21-24
Kitchen Olympics at Young Chefs Academy, 9am-noon. Venture into the world of the Culinary Olympics with presentation, garnishing, and display of cold foods and hot foods. Spend a day in Sweden, sampling their cuisine. $150. Reservations Required. 285-6939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.
22
Allied Arts Chip in for the Arts Golf Tournament fundraiser at Tinker AFB begins with a shotgun start at 12:30pm and ends with an awards ceremony at 5pm. AlliedArtsOKC.com/events.asp for registration details.
Krazy Daze in Downtown Edmond, 9am-5:30pm. A huge sale at all the stores. 249-9391, DowntownEdmondOK.com.
25
John Mellencamp at the Ford Center, 8pm. Tickets $35 and up. 360-7776, OKFordCenter.com.
25-26
Calm Waters Volunteer Training Course at Calm Waters, (4334 NW Expressway, Suite 101) 6-9pm. Hands-on activities that will enable you to learn Calm Waters’ philosophy and feel familiar and comfortable with the program. Upon completion, new volunteers will team up with more experienced facilitators to co-facilitate support groups. 841-4800, CalmWaters.org.
26
At the Couples Cook - Mid Summer’s Night in Paris course at Platt College (2727 W Memorial), participants will prepare a classic 3-course dinner for two (wine pairings suggested). 1-4pm, $75 per couple. 752-0273, PlattCollege.org. Midnight Streak at City Arts Center. 1 mile fun Walk/ Run begins 10:30pm, 5K Race 11pm. Trophies will be given. Pre-Registration $20 and $25 day of race. Registration 8–10pm. The National Day of the American Cowboy is celebrated at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
27
Drawing with Colored Pencils at the OKC Museum of Art, 1-4pm. Learn techniques using colored pencils to render a finished drawing, giving attention to detail and building a foundation for future drawing and painting classes. $20 members; $25 nonmembers (materials provided). For adults. Pre-registration required.
31
Fresco Painting at the OKC Musuem of Art, 10am-noon. Work with joint compound and paints, create an amazing fresco painting of your own design. For ages 10-13. $10 members; $15 nonmembers (materials provided). Pre-registration required.
August 1-2
Solve the Mystery: A Murderous Melodrama at the Yukon Library, 10am-2pm. For 6-12 grade. Registration required. 354-8232, Yukon.Lib.OK.US. Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival at the Stage Center, 7:30pm. Adults $15, Students $10. 297-2264, PerpetualMotionDance.org
August 2
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Yoga for Kids at the OKC Museum of Art, 10-11am. Learn some simple traditional poses and take a little creative freedom as you add voices, sounds, and your imagination. For ages 6-9. $7.50 members; $10 nonmembers. Pre-registration required.
Taste of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, 10:30am-8pm. The gathering of over 25 local restaurants, Made in Oklahoma food producers, several local chefs, music, entertainment and arts. Free. 605-4792, TasteofOklahoma.org.
Looking for fun family outings for the weekend?
54
18th Annual Dehydrator at the Simmons Center (800 Chisholm Trail Prkwy in Duncan), 8am. Fun rides, medals for top 3 finishers, male, female and coed tandem divisions. $20 per person, $35 per tandem team, $5 late fee after July 22. 800-782-7169, TheDehydrator. org or DuncanOK.org
July 2008
At the Couples Cook - Tapas at Sunset course at Platt College (2727 W Memorial), participants will create dishes with the flavors of Spain. 1-4pm, $75 per couple. 752-0273, PlattCollege.org.
August 5
The National Night Out - a national event to raise awareness about crime prevention and awareness and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Find details about the OKC event at the Neighborhood Alliance website (NAOCK.org). Find out more about National Night out at NationalNightOut.org. Celebrating Ten Years!
supportgroups There are as many support groups in the Metro as there are needs for them. To include your group in our listing, please email details to Calendar@ MetroFamilyMagazine.com. Mom’s Got Connections Christian group for moms with young children (birth-5yrs). Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, OKC, 9:30-11am Tuesdays. Nadinebryant@sbcglobal.net or 359-9251. Free drug and alcohol addiction classes offered by A Chance to Change Foundation at the Last Frontier Council Scout Service Center (3031 NW 64th), 6:30-8pm Mondays. 840-9000, AChanceToChange.org.
Parents Helping Parents confidential meetings for parents of children who abuse drugs. First and third Tuesdays. Oklahoma Blood Institute in Edmond (SW Corner of Broadway Extension), 642-8198, ParentsHelpingParents.info. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored family support group. First Thursday, 6pm, Integris Baptist Medical Center. 943-8888.
755-2227 or CrossingsOKC.org.
Divorce Recovery Group, Wednesdays at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N May), room 308. 755-4790.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Parents’ Support Group. Second Wednesday, 12pm, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, 271-5758.
Parent’s support group, second Wednesday at noon. The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center (740 NE 13th Street), Jimmy Everest Center. 943-8888.
Daily Yoga Classes (adult, teen, prenatal, meditation, and senior) for beginning and advanced students. $12 and up. 203-8927, 3rdStreetYogaStudio.com.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Children’s Support Group. First and third Monday, 5pm, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, 271-8001.
Prenatal Yoga at the OU Medical Center (Center for Healthy Living), 6:15pm Mondays. Members $50, nonmembers $65, and drop-in $16. 943-2584.
Myeloma Support Group. Third Thursday, 6pm, 7th floor Conference room at the OU Medical Center, 271-6557.
Pancreatic Cancer support group, last Thursday, 6pm. O’Donoghue Research Building (1122 NE 13th Street), 3rd Floor Surgery Research Conference Room. 271-2108 or ouhsc.edu/surgery/pancan.
Grief Support Group, Wednesday’s at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N. May, room 110. 755-4790.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored SpanishSpeaking Group. First Tuesday, 6pm at Baptist Integris Southwest Medical Center, 636-7560; and first Wednesday, 5pm at the 7th floor Conference room at the OU Medical Center, 271-7930.
MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) activity groups meet in Edmond, OKC, Moore, Midwest/Del City, and Norman. Visit our online calendar for dates, times, and contact info. MOMSClub.org. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) support groups meet in Choctaw, Norman, Edmond, and OKC. Visit our online calendar for dates, times, and contact info. Breast Cancer Survivor support group, second Thursday, 6:30pm. Young Survival Coalition (for women under 40), third Wednesday, noon. Breast Imaging of OK (2601 Kelley Pointe Pkwy, Edmond). 844-2601 ext 1031. Breast Cancer awareness group for survivors and women who want to learn more. First Monday, 7pm. Eastside Church of Christ (916 S Douglas), 732-0393. Breast Cancer support group at the OU Breast Institute (825 NE10th St, Suite 3500), third Thursday, 12-1pm. Lunch is provided; register 271-8001, ext 48592, or 271-8001 ext. 48527. La Leche League breastfeeding information and support. Meetings in Moore and NW OKC. Visit the calendar at MetroFamilyMagazine.com for dates, times, and contact info. lllusa.org. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group for grandparents and other relatives raising children. First and third Tuesday, 6pm, Trinity Church of the Nazarene. 634-4400 ext. 140. Celebrating Ten Years!
Amputees’ Next Step support group, second Tuesday 1-3pm. O’Donoghue Rehabilitation Institute (1122 NE 13th, room 252). OUPhysicians.com. Parents of Children with Cancer support group, second Wednesday at noon (complimentary lunch). Children’s Hospital (930 NE 13th). 943-8888. Edmond’s Mothers of Multiples, second Thursday at Edmond Hospital, Ambulatory Care Pavilion, 7pm (subject to change). 285-5208 and 315-0338, EdmondMoms.com. CHADD ADD/ADHD support meeting, second Tuesday at 7pm. Deaconess Hospital (5501 N Portland), Spencer conference room. 722-1ADD, 419-4176, or CHADD.org. OKC Area Stuttering Support Group for adults. Third Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm. First United Methodist Church, 303 E Hurd, Edmond. okcssg@yahoo.com. United Methodist Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur), holds Discoveries Program classes for adults. Call Gayle 720-8480 for full listing. Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant support group, third Thursday at 6pm. OU Medical Center (700 NE 13th), 5th floor. 943-8888.
DACO (Doula Association of Central OK), 455-1500, DACOinc.org. Birth Parent support group, first Monday, 6-7:30pm. Deaconess Pregnancy & Adoption Services (5300 N Meridian). 949-4200 ext 13. H.O.P.E. Gynecologic Cancer Support at the OU Physicians Building, (5th floor) the first Saturday of each month at 10am. 271-8001 ext 48165, 672-1748. Mondays Friends Breast Cancer Support Group second Monday, 7pm. Midwest Regional Breast Care Center. 610-8872, jean.pitzer@mrmc.hma-corp.com. Parents Fighting Autism third Monday of the month, 7pm. Olive Garden in Norman. Free. Location subject to change contact ParentsFightingAutism@gmail.com. Parent Solutions discussion groups at Gymboree Play & Music of Norman, 10am-noon, first Saturday of the month. Share ideas and gain resources to encourage more confident parenting. 307-8454, gymboinfo@gmail.com to register. La Leche League meets at Gymboree Play & Music in Norman the second Saturday of each month, 10am-noon. Family Gym is available at $5 per family for partners and children of La Leche League Meeting attendees.
27
Valir Hospice and the First Baptist Church, (12th and Robinson) offer Caregiver’s Support Group, 2pm. For anyone with family or friends with long-term health issues. Free. Beth Ogburn 609-3636 for more information.
Crossings Community Church (14600 N Portland) holds a variety of Care Series classes and support groups. July 2008
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55
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Advertiser Index—July 2008 MetroFamily Magazine is brought to you each month by the following advertisers. Please use these advertisers and when you do, thank them for their support of Metro families!
ABCD Factory..................................................... 57 Andy Alligator’s Fun Park ................................... 21 Arbuckle Country ................................................ 59 Ardmore .............................................................. 39 ATA Karate .......................................................... 43 Avanti Skin Care Centers ................................... 18 Beginnings with Loving Care .............................. 21 Best of Books ..................................................... 26 Bill Veazey’s Party Store .................................... 58 Bouncin’ Craze ................................................... 56 Bright Smile Family Dentistry ............................... 2 Central Oklahoma Private Investigators LLC ..... 57 Childtime............................................................. 25 City Arts Center .................................................. 15 Compassionate Care Hospice ............................ 24 Crossings Christian School ................................ 47 Crossroads Mall.................................................. 22 Debbie Moore, MA, LPC..................................... 57 Doug Smitherman (Guitar 4 Kids) ...................... 56 Elk City ............................................................... 41 Erna Krouch School............................................ 57
Fine Arts Institute of Edmond ............................. 45 Frontier City/White Water Bay ............................ 42 Frontier Country Marketing Association......... 15-16 Fun Stop ............................................................. 56 Ginger’s Kindermusik ......................................... 46 The Goddard School .......................................... 21 Great Plains Country Marketing Association ...... 41 Heritage Makers ................................................. 57 Holy Trinity Christian School - Okarche .............. 57 Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum ................... 16 Jazzercise of Edmond ........................................ 47 Jimmy’s Egg ....................................................... 44 Jump! Zone Party & Play Center ........................ 44 Kids Crooked House........................................... 20 Kumon Math and Reading .................................. 19 Lawton ................................................................ 41 Le Petite ............................................................. 24 Little Caesar ....................................................... 60 Mad Science of Central Oklahoma ....................... 9 Memorial Christian Church ................................. 14 MetroFamily E-Update.................................. 46, 54 MetroFamily Exploring OK With Children ........... 49 MetroFamily Magazine-where to find us............... 4 Metropolitan Library System ................................. 7 Missouri Military Academy .................................. 42 The Children’s Center......................................... 33 The Mom Team................................................... 56 My Princess Parties ............................................ 56 Nothing But Fun.................................................. 46 OCU Performing Arts Academy .......................... 16 Oklahoma Center for Implants & Periodontics ... 48 Oklahoma Aquarium ........................................... 45
Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) .... 35 Oklahoma Heritage Museum .............................. 15 Oklahoma History Center ................................... 16 Oklahoma Mentor ............................................... 47 Oklahoma Railway Museum ............................... 16 Oklahoma River Cruises....................................... 9 Orthopedic Associates ........................................ 45 OU Outreach ................................................ 23, 33 Paint’N Station .................................................... 56 Paul Brockhouse Fine Jewelry ........................... 48 Perpetual Motion ................................................ 49 Petra ................................................................... 14 Poteet Theatre .................................................... 33 Primrose Schools ................................................. 3 Rainbow Fleet..................................................... 14 Redhawks ........................................................... 19 S Studio Salon & Day Spa.................................. 39 Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History ........ 40 Scholars for Excellence ...................................... 43 Seeking Sitters ................................................... 56 Sensational Kids ................................................. 47 Shawnee............................................................. 15 Sheraton Hotel/Downtown .................................. 17 Spin Your Wheels ............................................... 39 St. Johns Episcopal School ................................ 57 Timberland Electric, Inc ...................................... 40 Unpluggits Play Studio ....................................... 21 Velocity Dance .................................................... 56 Within Sight ........................................................ 44 YMCA ................................................................... 8 Young Chef’s Academy ...................................... 56
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July 2008
Celebrating Ten Years!
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