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OCTOBER 2008

Tweens & Teens

Finding treasure on the trail: a guide to

Letterboxing

“The talk”— Why you should start early to discuss desire with your kids

44 fall festivals for “a-maze-ing” family fun 4 T h e E s s e nt i a l Res o 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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October 2008

Aboriginal Australia

xperience the cultural richness of Aboriginal Australia through the stories and music of Yidumduma Bill Harney, Elder and Senior custodian of the Wardaman people, and Paul Taylor, Australian storyteller, musician and theater artist.

Downtown Library Sunday, October 5 2:00pm

Del City Library Wednesday, October 8 6:30pm

Belle Isle Library Monday, October 6 7:00pm

Edmond Library Thursday, October 9 7:00pm

Bethany Library Tuesday, October 7 6:30pm

Warr Acres Library Friday, October 10 4:00pm

The Village Library Wednesday, October 8 10:30am

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 606-3833.

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Metropolitan Library System, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Top Five Reasons to visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com this month:

Calendar. With all the fun things happening in 5. Online October, be sure to check our online calendar for daily additions. MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Calendar.

4.

Our Extracurricular Activity Guide is available online and includes listings of over 130 local businesses offering great programs for your child! MetroFamilyMagazine. com/2008-extracurricular-activities-guide.

By signing up at MetroFamilyMagazine.com, you will be eligible to win one of four sets of “date night” tickets (two tickets) to each of these Celebrityy Attractions shows:

where to have your child’s birthday 3. Wondering party? Look no further than MetroFamily’s

Scheduled for Oct. 7-12; tickets good for October 7; deadline for entry 10/3/08, 5pm

party guide where you’ll find hundreds of ideas.

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Party-Guide

During Fall Break (or anytime you can get away), 2. Exploring Oklahoma is a great idea. Save money as

you go with our Kids Pass, available as a download at ExploringOK.com/exploring-oklahoma-kids-pass.

1.

Scheduled for Nov. 11-16; tickets good for November 11; deadline for entry 11/4/08, 5pm

CONTESTS! Be sure to enter our fantastic contests this month, available at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/contests.

Have more family fun!

Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com

Sign Up Today!

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/contests *See website for rules and details.

Has your teenager been persistently sad, had feelings of discouragement, loss of self-worth, or had a loss of interest in their usual activities?

They may be suffering from adolescent depression. Depression in adolescents can be just as disabling as depression in adults.

If you have a child who is between the ages of 12 and 17 that is experiencing signs of depression they may qualify to participate in a clinical reseach study evaluating the effectiveness of a medication for adolescent depression.

For more information, please contact Cutting Edge Research at (405) 603-8196.

4

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

october 18

Festivals, 34 Festivals pumpkins,

and mazes— oh my!

Why you should start “the Talk” with a focus on desire

ineveryissue: 42 Calendar

8 In Touch with Relationships

16 Character First

28 Iron Moms

6 Dear MetroFamily

24 Let’s Eat

38 Exploring Oklahoma

32 Oklahoma Reads

26 Family Finances

14 Q & A with the Beasleys

10 Family Shorts

36 Your Healthy Family

Events and activities

Parenting with excellence

Trait of the month: obedience Editor’s Note

Happy camping

Advice on giving

30

Letterboxing: start your family treasure hunt today

Celebrating Ten Years!

News you can use

ShaRhonda rises above the obstacles

A festival of fall vegetables Book reviews

Helping a teen mom Fighting the flu

20 ImagineArt

Painted bottles

Cover:© Prometeus | Dreamstime.com

October 2008

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

5

editorsnote

Info And Questions: 405-340-1404 To submit events to our calendar Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com

Dear MetroFamily, Autumn is my favorite time of year. When the crispness is in the air, there is a bounce in my step. Although fall is not typically a long season in Oklahoma, when it’s here, I celebrate! I plan to spend the month exploring parks and pumpkin patches, taking hayrides and getting my sweaters out of storage.

I must confess that while I am writing this letter, my attention is elsewhere—in Korea, to be exact. My Air Force husband has been serving in Korea for the past year, and it’s been a challenging time for our family. I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit him jus just before he comes home. I’m torn between excitement (seeing my husband and visiting a new country) and apprehension (that’s a lot of hours on an airplane). The kids have the awesome opportunity to spend time with their grandparents, a special and unique experience for them. As a military family, our extended families are not always nearby.

This month, I’m celebrating the two things most on my mind—my husband and the season. That’s a picture from our wedding reception in Wisconsin, October 1992.

I hope that your family finds many reasons to celebrate this fall! A good place to start is our Fall Festival Listing on page 34.

Publisher Sarah L. Taylor Sarah@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Editor Mari M. Farthing Editor@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Editorial Assistants Elizabeth Harvey Sherrie Horton Art Director Mitzi Massie Mitzi@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Graphics Assistant Kathryne Taylor Kathryne@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Advertising Director Donna Stewart Donna@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Ads@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Advertising Sales Anna Amis Karen Cody Rebecca Phansalkar Office and Distribution Manager Kathy Alberty Kathy@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Marketing Specialist Whitney Fleming Calendar Editor & Special Projects Assistant Terri Fields Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com Contributing Writers Marc Dunham Drs Lori & Stewart Beasley Mari Farthing Shannon Fields Gena Granata Lisa Marotta Karen Mitchell

• MetroFamily is very proud to have received a recent honor, the Karen Kirkpatrick Youth Arts Month Award from the Oklahoma Art Education Association. The organization honored us for our emphasis on kids and the arts and Youth Arts Month in March. We will continue to focus on the importance of kids exploring their creativity—so stay tuned.

• Be sure to mark your calendars for October 3-5 and join us at the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta. Held along the beautiful Oklahoma River in downtown OKC, this event features corporate challenge racing at night on Friday (5-10pm) and collegiate racing on Saturday (10am-10pm) and Sunday (10am-1pm). Since this fabulous event began, MetroFamily has been entertaining the kids in the Kid’s Area. This year, we’re joined by Trinity School, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, and other great groups. You and your children will have a ball! We’ll see you there.

• Our next issue will feature many family health and fitness tips and an eco-friendly car guide. Ad sales deadline is October 14 and distribution starts October 31. Call today!

6

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

October 2008

Mandy Qualls Gayleen Rabakkuk Sue Lynn Sasser Chelsey Simpson Tamara Walker Francis Williams

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 10

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October 2008

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7

â–

In Touch With Relationships

Eleven Essential Traits for Parenting Excellence

R

on Clark is one of People Enthusiasm. Parenting is not passive. magazine’s “Heroes of the Year.�

Share your interests and abilities with He is a humble, yet dynamic man your children, be verbal about your who has influenced many children to excitement, and you will both learn from succeed in school and in life. Ron Clark the exchange. is a teacher. This is no surprise to me.

Adventure. Planning a family trip to The happiest and healthiest families I the grocery store can be an adventure know have a parent who is a teacher in if you think about making the ordinary spirit. Such a parent provides leadership extraordinary. by balancing structure, high expectations, and a sense of fun and enjoyment for Creativity. Flexible thinking is key to their family. These families seem to have helping your child solve problems from strong bonds and fewer power struggles. preschool through high school. Don’t be Their ability to bounce back from afraid to think outside the box. hardship tends to build skills in family Reflection. Families with a sense of members and reinforce collaboration, history—through shared memories, regardless of the struggles that they photos, or traditions—build a legacy. face. Having just finished reading The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Balance. The time to be your kid’s best Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and friend is not while you are raising them.

Educate Children, by Ron Clark; I want Have the courage to lead without losing to encourage you to inventory these your sense of emotional connection. leadership qualities in your parenting.

Compassion. Growing up is hard.

Acknowledging your child’s positive and negative feelings helps them learn to empathize with others.

Confidence. Kids need experience to gain wisdom. Preparing your children to meet new challenges encourages them to make smart use of their opportunities.

Humor. The ability to laugh at our own mistakes, and appropriately express joy and laughter during stressful times is an incredible gift.

Common Sense. As a parent, it is easy to take for granted the skills you need to be successful. Organization, time management, and preparing ahead for projects are not common sense skills to kids. Teach what you know!

Appreciation. Be a role model of gratitude both inside and outside of your home.

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www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

Imagine... reaching heights no one ever expected.

Resilience. Learn when to say “no” to optional demands that drain your time or energy away from your family.

Demonstrate that taking care of self is not selfish, it empowers us to give more to our priorities—our families.

All families face problems. Identifying and strengthening these qualities in your parental leadership will not magically ward off all obstacles to raising successful kids. However, you will be better equipped to deal with whatever challenges are presented to your family when you have the tools of excellence to lead through the “teachable moments” in life.

You can learn more about Ron Clark by visiting his website at RonClarkAcademy.com, or come hear him speak when he comes to UCO on October 23; event details can be found online at ucok.edu/RonClark.

Dr. Lisa Marotta is a psychologist within the offices of Paul Tobin, Ph.D., PC, and Ann Benjamin, M.Ed., Inc. Her private practice includes young children, teens, adults and families. She is a consultant to local schools, and a frequent public speaker.

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October 2008

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9

Help For the Not-SoTech-Savvy Our kids are spending more and more time online, plugged in, and playing games—and accessing information and technology that mom and dad are likely not as familiar with. What’s a parent to do?

TheOnlineMom.com is a website that answers technology-related questions—everything from what age is appropriate for a cell phone to just what exactly a “wikipedia” is. Created by a mom, Monica Vila, the website is organized in a practical manner with easy-to-find information—so even parents can figure it out.

Vila has worked with consumer technology for 15 years and tries to empower families to make good choices about technology.

Babysitting 101

By Mandy Qualls, Oklahoma City-County Health Department

How will you know if your child is ready to start babysitting? Here are some ways to determine your teens’ ability and to help him make the transition to being a responsible adult.

• Don’t use age alone as a guide. Is your teen responsible? Can he handle stressful situations? If you answer no to either question, he may not be ready for the challenge of babysitting.

• Start them off slowly. Have your teen spend a few hours alone with just one child at first.

Easing her into babysitting, will help her get a better sense of whether or not she is ready.

It will also help her to be more comfortable around kids.

• Sign her up for a Super Sitters class, held at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma. Your teen will learn first aid, CPR, child safety, child development, and tips on starting a babysitting business.

MFM Question of the Month

When did Letterboxing originate?

(Hint: page 30!)

To enter, visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com/FS-Giveaway and complete the entry form. Deadline is Thursday, October 24.

• Make sure your teen is safe. You should know who she is babysitting for, where the parents are going, and when they will be home.

• Tell your teen to ask a lot of questions.

Before the parents leave, he should ask questions to find out what the kids can eat, where first aid items are, and a phone number where they can be reached while away.

Visit ParentingTeensOnline.com for more information on teens and babysitting. Contact Safe Kids Oklahoma at 405-271-5695 for more inf information on Super Sitters classes.

F Prevention Fire Week W The winning entry will receive the DVDs for the Cure collection (courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment); Varsity Couture blanket (VarsityCouture.com); ISpy Fun House computer game (Scholastic.com); Goosebumps Horrorland Audiobooks 1 and 2 (Scholastic.com); Rookie Driver car magnet 3-pack (RookieDriver.net); A Pup Named ScoobyDoo Complete 1st season DVD (WarnerVideo.com); The Complete Idiot’s Guide Fun FAQs book (IdiotsGuides.com); CLUE board game (Hasbro.EA.com); collection of Pumpkin Masters carving tools (PumpkinMasters.com); The Ghost of Mingo Creek book (FortySixthStarPress.com); and the Gallery Ghost book (BirdCagePress.com). * Winner agrees to pick up items from NW OKC area.

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www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

October 2008

Di you know that 40% of all fires in the Did home start in the kitchen? In fact, cooking fires ho are the number one cause of fires and injury in the home. In the United States, home fires are responsible for eight out of every ten firerelated deaths.

Help your family learn about fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11. This year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires,” and the newly-launched website (FirePreventionWeek.org) includes resources such as fire inspection checklists, safety information, and home escape plans. The website includes fun, interactive activities for kids and a Fire Prevention Week Quiz that will test your knowledge of fire safety.

Celebrating Ten Years!

Fireproof: the Movie

By Tamara Walker, R. N., host of Internet Radio show “MomRN”

f r o m t h e c r e at or s of

Don’t Text and Drive!

Teens and texting seem to go hand-in-hand. An easy way to keep up with friends, teens may be tempted to text at inappropriate times, such as while driving. “It doesn’t matter if teens can text without looking at the keypad, as many proudly can,” says Kate Cronan, MD, medical editor for KidsHealth. “Even if it feels like second nature, their brain is still focused on trying to do two things at once—and one of them is bound to get less attention.”

KidsHealth.org offers these tips on texting:

In Theaters 9.26.08

kirk

n e v e r

• Be a good role model. Don’t text or talk on your cell when you should really be focusing your attention elsewhere.

ca mer on

l e a v e

y o u r

erin

p a r t n e r

bethea

b e h i n d

• Emphasize that there’s a time and place for texting. Create and enforce family rules about talking on the phone and texting while driving, crossing the street, or walking in crowds.

• Make safety a priority if cell phone use is necessary. If teens must use their cell phones right away, tell them to pull off the road to a safe location before they attempt to use it.

• Encourage teens to create their own pact. Teens can help each other with reminders about safe texting and vowing not to ride with friends who don’t practice safe driving habits.

“When kids and teens text, they’re thinking about what to say, focusing on what their thumbs are doing, and constantly reading incoming messages—rather than paying attention to what they should be doing,” adds Dr. Cronan. “That significantly ups their risk of getting hurt and injuring others, possibly even seriously.”

FireprooftheMovie.com | FireproofmyMarriage.com

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

SHERWOOD PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROVIDENT FILMS AND CARMEL ENTERTAINMENT A KENDRICK BROTHERS PRODUCTION KIRK CAMERON ERIN BETHEA KEN BEVEL “FIREPROOF” MUSIBYC MARK WILLARD DESICOSTUMEGNER TERRI CATT EDITBYED ALEX KENDRICK DIRECTOR OF ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE SHEILA McBRIDE PHOTOGRAPHY BOB SCOTT PRODUCERS BRAD WESTON DENNIS WEIMER TRACEY GOODE PRODUCERS MICHAEL C. CATT JIM McBRIDE TERRY HEMMINGS PRODUCED STORY AND DIRECTED

BY STEPHEN KENDRICK ALEX KENDRICK DAVID NIXON SCREENPLAY BY ALEX AND STEPHEN KENDRICK

BY ALEX KENDRICK © 2008 Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany Georgia, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2008 Layout and Design, Provident Films LLC, a unit of SONY BMGMUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. All rights reserved.

A firefighter and his wife battle a different kind of heat in a new movie by the producers of Facing the Giants. Fireproof stars Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Left Behind) as Caleb Holt, a man passionate about his job—but not his marriage. Caleb and his wife, Catherine (Erin Bethea), have grown apart and are heading for a divorce. Caleb’s father intervenes by challenging Caleb to the “Love Dare,” a 40-day journey to save his marriage. On the job, Caleb lives by the firefighters’ rule: never leave your partner behind. But does he have the courage to fight the flames of anger, hurt, and bitterness in his marriage?

Or will he leave his partner behind?

Married or not, everyone can enjoy this heartwarming story intermingled with action-packed scenes, gut-wrenching emotion, and delightfully humorous moments. Rarely has a movie had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat but Fireproof did all that and more! So I invited Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea to share their perspectives about Fireproof and its message on the “Ask MomRN Show.” To listen to their interviews, click on the Fireproof show links at BlogTalkRadio.com/MomRN. Fireproof opened September 26, 2008 in select theaters in Oklahoma. To find a theater near you and learn more about the movie, check out FireproofTheMovie.com.

Celebrating Ten Years!

For more information about teens and texting, visit kidsHealth.org/ research/texting.html.

Tips for the perfect pumpkin

By Gene Granata, founder of Masterpiece Pumpkins

• Place the pumpkin in a large bowl for better control.

• Start carving from the center of the design, and work outward.

Saw up and down briskly, and along the pattern lines slowly.

• Leave carved pieces in the pumpkin so that it is sturdier for sawing the remainder of your design. When all carving is finished, then remove the pieces by pushing them from the inside outwards.

• If carved pieces are too stubborn to remove, do not force it. Use the saw to revisit each cut (especially corners) and remove when pieces move freely.

• Use a safe, battery-operated light instead of a candle. Since they do not generate heat, your pumpkin masterpiece will last longer.

• When not on display, seal the pumpkin completely in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator. This will protect against dryness and mold.

• Revive a shriveled pumpkin by soaking in cool water for several hours. Remove from water, drain and gently pat dry. You can repeat this cycle several times to extend the life of the carving!

• To ensure that it will look its best on Halloween or for an event, carve your jack-o’-lantern one to two days prior to the big day.

October 2008

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

11

See What’s Hatching in Norman Get an up-close look at dinosaur eggs at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History starting October 11.

The Hatching the Past exhibit includes authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from around the world.

A central feature of the exhibit is a presentation about the discovery of “Baby Louie,”—the nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur embryo. Charlie Magovern made this rare discovery in 1993 when he was cleaning a large block of eggs from China. He nicknamed the embryo after National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos.

Other highlights include a bowling-ball sized egg laid 75 million years ago by a plant eating titanosaur, and the longest dinosaur egg ever discovered, laid by a newly discovered species, a carnivorous, ostrich-like dinosaur.

The exhibit will remain until January 19.

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is located on the OU campus in Norman. Museum hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5pm Sunday. Visit snomnh.ou.edu, or call 405-325-4712.

“Baby Louie” Embryo Model: this model by paleo-sculptor Brian Cooley was commissioned by National Geographic for the cover of the May 1996 issue. It is based on the preliminary scientific interpretations of the fossil hatchling “Baby Louie.”

This model depicts the fossil as an embryo of a therizinosaur dinosaur. More recently, paleontologists studying the fossil have discovered that its beak-like lower jaw lacked teeth. This new evidence confirms that “Baby Louie” represents a new species of giant oviraptor. Photo by Louie Psihoyos.

Teen Driving Safety Tips Worried about your teen behind the wheel? Although teen drivers in Oklahoma are required to have a minimum of 40 hours experience behind the wheel before driving on their own, it’s important to remember that teen drivers are still rookies.

Get On the Trail Celebrate Columbus Day with your family in the great outdoors. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has designated October 11-13 as the Make Tracks! Family Trail Weekend, with a goal to get families outdoors, spending time walking, biking, or hiking on their local area trails.

“Unplugging play and family time is critical to the health and wellbeing of today’s children,” says Bethe Almeras, Senior Manager of Family Programs for the National Wildlife Federation.

“Kids today spend half as much time outdoors as children did just 20 years ago.”

If your family is not the outdoorsy sort, don’t worry; the NWF has made it easy with a website (MakeTracks.org) that includes tips for activities, snacks, supplies, and a database of trails and parks (when I searched for my zip code, over 100 trails were listed).

The Make Tracks! program is an extension of the NWF’s Green Hour campaign, which encourages families to spend unstructured time outside.

Children who spend time in nature have been found to: • Have lower stress levels • Have more active imaginations • Become stronger and leaner

“Much more needs to be done to prevent teen crashes, the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S.,” Fortenbacher said. “No one can eliminate accidents, but parents can take every safety measurement possible.”

Visit RookieDriver.net to learn more. www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

Green

• Play more creatively

Leading teen driving safety advocate Corinne Fortenbacher and her 15-year-old son Austin developed a magnetic symbol in 2006 to identify teen drivers behind the wheel. The “Rookie Driver” symbol sticks to the back of your car and alerts other drivers that a new driver is behind the wheel. Her RookieDriver.net website has become a resource for parents regarding their teen drivers—complete with a variety of driving safety links, a blog for parents and teens to share their experiences, and innovative safety products. One of the products offered is the Lemur Teen Driving Monitor ($99.95), a keychain system with an onboard sensor that monitors your teen’s speed, distance, and braking habits.

12

Easy sy to be

October 2008

• Develop stronger immune systems • Experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD • Have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment Visit GreenHour.org to learn more about the benefits of spending time outdoors, find ideas for shared activities, and find local resources.

Be green! When you are finished with this issue, pass it on to a friend or drop it in your recycle bin!

Celebrating Ten Years!

Problem-Solving Products Problem:

Changing his diaper—it’s an adventure.

Solution:

The Pee-pee Teepee (bebabean. com) is an absorbent cotton cone that prevents sprinkling. Necessity is truly the mother of invention, as the mother of any boy will surely let you know.

A variety of styles available, including holiday themes ($12/set of 5).

Problem:

You want the wall to make a statement.

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Purchase pre-made phrases or pictures (priced from $2 to over $100) or bring your own ideas to life through a variety of fonts and sizes (prices vary).

Problem

A wardrobe malfunction threatens to sideline you.

Solution

The ShEmergency kit (MsAndMrs. com) is packed with 24 essentials for beauty, fashion, and personal emergencies, including earring backs, double-sided tape, breath freshener, and deodorant wipes. ($20).

Problem

You’re stuck in traffic and the kids are not amused.

Solution

The 52 Travel Activity Kit (ChronicleBooks. com) contains travel-themed games, postcards, stickers, ruler, and markers.

Will keep your 5-12 year old occupied for at least as long as the next construction zone ($14.95).

Celebrating Ten Years!

Mother/Daughter Conference The Tween & Teen Conference sponsored by Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma will be held November 7-8. Girls ages 10-17 and their moms are invited to this conference to learn about wellness, health education, selfesteem, girl and parent communication, and the benefits of incorporating the arts into daily life. Over 50 breakout sessions throughout the conference will focus on these subjects.

Scheduled speakers include 2007 Miss America Lauren Nelson and actress Jodi Shilling of the hit show That’s So Raven. “When I researched Girl Scouts for this conference, I realized that its mission is similar to my own mission with my arts studio,” said Shilling. “The Girl Scout mission of courage, confidence and character is something I can get behind. Plus, I love Oklahoma since I went to school there. It has a special place in my heart. I work with tween and teen age girls a lot. I see a real lack of self-esteem and not enough appreciation for their individuality and uniqueness. Girls that age see a lot of flaws in themselves. I try to show them that what they see [as] a flaw, is really their own uniqueness that makes them different from everybody else.”

The conference will be held at the Nigh University Center on the UCO Campus in Edmond. Registration is $25 per person for girls age 10-17 and their mom or other female guardian. Register online at gswestok.org.

Actress Jodi Shilling, conference keynote speaker

Spooktacular Stories For Tweens and Teens October brings Halloween—and Teen Read Week (October 14-20). What better time to get your child interested in reading by trying these spooky stories? Here are a few choices: • The Ghost of Mingo Creek and Other Spooky Oklahoma Legends contains eight spooky tales (a mixure of fact and fiction) with local flavor by local author Greg Rodgers. For grades 4-6.

(FortySixthStarPress.com; $15.95).

• Gallery Ghost is an interactive book that will get your kids searching the gallery pages with the included magnifying glass to solve the mystery of the painting ghosts. By Anna Nilsen, for ages 7 and up. (BirdCagePress.com, $17.95).

• The Goosebumps books and television series have been favorites among kids for years—and the all-new audio adaptations promise to bring more fans to R. L. Stine’s works. The first two offerings from Scholastic Audio are Revenge of the Living Dummy and Creep From the Deep.

For ages 8 and up. (Scholastic.com; $9.95 each).

October 2008

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

13

■

Q & A with the Beasleys

Teen Mom Needs Parenting Training Dr. Lori: Oklahoma currently ranks seventh highest in the nation (at 56 per thousand) of females between the ages of 15 and 17 who give birth. Typically, these young women live and raise their babies in poverty. It’s a serious social problem that Oklahomans cannot ignore.

Parenting is tough enough when there are two parents in the home, but being a single mother at 17 is a strong dose of reality training for Kirsten. You don’t say, but we are assuming Kirsten and her baby are still living at home with you since financial challenges must be one of the issues she faces.

Dr. Stewart: Hopefully, your daughter saw you and your husband being good parents, setting limits, nurturing, disciplining, and modeling good parental coping skills. Being a good parent model works wonders with new parents since most of us parent the way we were parented. It is only through education and mentoring that parents

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Dear Drs. Beasleys: Our unmarried 17-year-old daughter Kirsten just delivered our first grandchild—a boy.

We supported her decision to see the pregnancy through but Kirsten truly knows nothing about parenting this baby. She is very headstrong and ignores my suggestions and my husband and I are very concerned about our daughter and our grandson. If she won’t listen to me, where can I send her to get the parenting skills she needs to be a successful single mother?

Kirsten’s Mom

October 2008

try new and more effective parenting skills than they learned at home or the environment in which they lived during their formative years.

Dr. Lori: Since you asked about specific places where your daughter can receive parenting skills training, we have several that we frequently recommend. Family Expectations (FamiliesOK.org) offers group instruction to new and expecting parents focused on adjusting to a new baby, learning what’s best for a new baby, and building a support system with other new parents.

Dr. Stewart: Hospitals often have support groups for new parents. One that I am familiar with is at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, called ABC: After Baby Comes. It is facilitated by a registered nurse who presents a brief lesson and then opens the floor to discussion. Participants can meet other

Celebrating Ten Years!

new parents, learn about resources to help them enjoy their baby, and get ideas for managing life with a new baby.

Dr. Lori: The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is also a rich source of parenting information. Their web site (OKParent.org) is the gateway to multiple resources for new parents.

Kirsten may choose to take her baby to childcare and DHS’s childcare locator (http://204.87.68.21/childcarefind/ Oklahoma) can assist her in locating licensed childcare for her baby.

Dr. Stewart: The Oklahoma Department of Health’s Child Guidance Centers offer services to enhance parenting skills, teach child development information, and assist parents and children in need. Call 405271-4477 to locate a center near you.

They frequently offer “brown bag lunch” presentations at Metropolitan Library locations (see MetroLibrary.org for

e h T e Sav !

Date

those dates and times).

Dr. Lori: The Parents Assistance Center (PAC) is a private, nonprofit community agency devoted to decreasing the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Through its Parenting Skills Program, Children’s Program, and Parent-Aide Program, PAC serves families throughout the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area. You may contact them at 405-232-8226. They help approximately 8,000 parents and children each year. The Oklahoma Parents as Teachers program offers personal home visits, group meetings, developmental screenings, and referral if needed for parents and children in need. Contact Parents as Teachers at ParentsAsTeachers.org.

for their child and grandchild. There are lots of resources for new grandparents also, but that’s a topic for another article at a later date!

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.

Dr. Stewart: As you can see, there are multiple resources available to Kirsten and her baby. We commend you as caring grandparents who want the best

MetroFamily Magazine’s Parent University presents

Dr. Betsy Geddes of Love & Logic

®

A much sought after speaker on school and parent issues, Dr. Geddes is known for her humorous yet practical approach to dealing with kids in today’s fast-paced, complicated, and sometimes difficult and dangerous world. People leave her seminars with ideas that can be implemented successfully the moment they walk into their homes or classrooms.

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2008

University of Central Oklahoma - Edmond Educator Session 8am-1pm

Parent Session 6:30-8:30pm

University of Central Oklahoma-Constitution Hall Group Rates Available

New Covenant United Methodist Church Child Care Available

Ticket sales begin November 3rd For more information go to MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ Parent-University Celebrating Ten Years!

October 2008

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15

character obedience

As parents, we all hope for children who respond quickly and positively to our requests. A child who does his homework, cleans up after himself and always remembers to say please. But oftentimes, our family life is far from what we hope. Here are a few tips from Aleta Koman, author of Who’s the Boss: How to Regain and Maintain Your Parental Authority When Kids Rule the Roost.

Stay in the present. Don’t dwell on past mistakes—either yours or your child’s.

Teach obedience through love and role modeling rather than negativity and punishment.

Make rules reasonable, clear and consistent.

Correct your child’s behavior rather than criticizing him as a person.

Praise your child for making good choices.

Promote self control.

Help your child express his feelings verbally rather than lashing out physically.

Catch them doing the

rightthing!

Whether the student is a Kindergartner or teen, whether the act is simple or time consuming, we want to hear about your y outstanding student.

Nominate them for M Me MetroFamily e Magazine’s Spotlight on Character Award.

Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com for contest details and nomination forms.

Thank you to OERB for sponsoring this award!

Gayleen Rabakukk is a freelance writer who spends her time in Edmond keeping up with her teenage and preschool daughters.

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innature Wood ducks build their nests high up in trees. When the eggs hatch, the ducklings are covered in soft down and are quickly able to leave the nest. When their mother calls to them from the ground, the ducklings jump from the high nest and make their way to the water. They are able to swim and find their own food the day after they hatch. Mother ducks lead the ducklings to the pond or lake and they obediently follow her. They pay attention to the calls she makes to alert them to danger and keep them safe from predators.

teachablemoments To make sure the rules you’ve set are clear, consistent, and understood by your child, write them out together. If there is a particular area where they seem to be falling short—like putting away toys or going to bed on time—focus on that.

Make the activity fun and give them an opportunity to express their creativity by using paint or markers to put the rules down on paper. Talk about the rule and what it means to make sure he understands exactly what is expected of him. If your child isn’t old enough to write yet, he could draw a picture of his toys neatly in his toy box or him snuggled into bed. Don’t do this activity as a punishment. If you are focusing on going to bed on time, write the bedtime rules in the morning or afternoon—well before bedtime. When your child is finished, display the rule in a place where your child will see it every day, such as the bathroom or bedroom. And most importantly, praise your child when they are obedient. Positive reinforcement is the best formula for consistent success.

October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

© Rinusbaak | Dreamstime.com

• • • • • • •

spotlighton acterwinners charac Twins Ellie and Lily Huffmanparent displayed the positive traits of generosity and compassion recently by raising money for the March of Dimes. The Huffmanparent family knew about March of Dimes from participating in the annual walk to raise funds. This year, the girls decided to kick up their support by encouraging friends and family to make a donation instead of giving them birthday presents. They even made a YouTube video that they sent to family members asking them to contribute. “The grandmothers were a little skeptical that they didn’t want gifts and the video helped convince them,” said their mom, Dorothy. The girls also saved every piece of change they could find to include in their donation.

Lily and Ellie Huffmanparent are second graders who are homeschooled in Moore. They are the daughters of Dorothy (Hyphen) and Brad Huffmanparent.

Thea Danser was nominated for the Character Spotlight award by her P.E. teacher, Sherri King. She said Thea consistently demonstrates the traits of responsibility, enthusiasm and obedience.

“She is always willing to go the extra mile to clean up or help in any way,” King said. “I know I can always count on her to do what is asked.” Thea’s dad, Dale Danser, said she shows that positive attitude in other areas of her life as well.

She began helping with the meals for families before or after funerals at their church.

Thea serves food and sometimes assists with the cooking too, helping in any way she can. “It’s important to me and my wife to teach the heart of a servant,” Danser said. Thea is a seventh grader who is a part of the Leaders in Godly Home Teaching (LIGHT) Homeschool Group. She is the daughter of Dale and Laura Danser of Oklahoma City.

iwillstatements iwill... have a cheerful attitude.

obey my authorities immediately.

not complain.

complete all that I am expected to do.

go the “extra mile.”

puttingcharacterfirst 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!

October 2008

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17

Demystifying

Desire —Talking with Kids about Sex

Parents of elementary and preschool-age children might think they can skip this article because talking to their kids about sex is years, maybe even a decade away. Think again.

Sexuality permeates our society. Our kids are exposed to it every day in the media and our society. You can’t walk through the mall without seeing explicit images in store windows—and not just at Victoria’s Secret. Sex is used to sell products from toothpaste to cars and everything in between. Consider the recent Cadillac ad: “When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”

“Kids are being sold a way of thinking about success,” said Dr. Sharon Maxwell, clinical psychologist and author of the new book, The Talk: A Breakthrough Guide to Raising Healthy Kids in an Oversexualized, Online, In-Your-Face World.

According to Maxwell, parents might assume that children are unaware of the media messages that surround us, but that’s just not the case.

“Kids see it all and they are making assumptions about what is ‘normal’ and ‘expected’ from what they see,” Maxwell said. Children need guidance from someone who cares about them to navigate the treacherous path through adolescence and beyond.

This doesn’t mean we need to begin discussing the intricacies of intimacy with our six-year-olds, but there are ways to broach the subject.

Edmond dad Paul White recalls something he told his daughter when she was very young, “Cute is nice, but good is better.” Statements like this are simple enough to be understood by children and also let them know where we stand on using attractiveness to get their way.

The media messages of sexiness can be particularly confusing to children who have not yet experienced feelings of sexual desire.

“Kids don’t see how the biology aspect relates to desire,” Maxwell said. But every child has felt the desire for food and using that can provide a context for developing self control.

Maxwell suggests an approach that can help children “learn how to control and direct desire responsibly” that can be used with kids as young as three or four.

When your child says she is hungry and asks for a snack, ask her how hungry 18

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

October 2008

In 1998, Dr. Sh Sharon Maxwell ll was driving her seven-year-old son home from school when he asked if she knew what a stripper was. She did her best to stay calm and continue the discussion.

But his question was a wake-up call for her.

“Someone else was teaching my sevenyear-old about sex and I wanted it to be me,” she writes in the introduction to The Talk.

Celebrating Ten Years!

she is—have her rate her hunger on a scale of 1 to 10. Once she’s told you, acknowledge how hard it must be to control that hunger and say something like, “I bet you couldn’t wait one minute to eat.” Some children may respond by telling you they can wait longer than that. Others may agree with you. Either way, you’ve begun a dialogue about wanting something and not getting it instantly.

Next, talk about the power that hunger has, how it is driving their actions (prompting them to ask for a snack rather than playing) and recognize the energy associated with that hunger. Praise your child for being able to contain their hunger.

“Kids feel proud of themselves when they can control themselves,” Maxwell said.

This exercise teaches delayed gratification and self control. You’ve also been given the opportunity to label “wanting something” as “desire.”

Seeing a toddler throw a tantrum in a store can also offer the opportunity to talk to your older child about self control and redirecting the energy of desire. You could say to your child, “He’s little, he hasn’t learned yet about using his energy in a different way. All he knows to do is kick and scream because he isn’t getting what he wants.”

Acknowledging the energy of desire becomes especially important once children enter adolescence.

“Every thirteen-year-old girl who walks down the corridors of middle school in a tight-fitting tank top feels the power of being sexy,” says Maxwell. Recognizing this power and the complicated emotions that accompany it is a step toward disengaging from the media myths regarding sexuality. This can also open the door to conversations about matching the level of sexy to the task at hand.

While it is doubtful that teens and parents will ever agree completely on clothing choices, discussing it may at least prompt a teen to think about how they are dressing and why.

Once the power and energy of sex is recognized, parents can also talk about how that energy can be redirected in a responsible manner. Creative expression and physical exercise are both possibilities.

“The coach’s old refrain, ‘No sex before the game,’ is testament to our intuition that sexual energy can be transformed,” Maxwell wrote.

Although her book is titled, The Talk, Maxwell said conversations with teens about sexuality need to be ongoing.

“You wouldn’t have just one conversation with your child about controlling their anger,” she said.

© Prometeus | Dreamstime.com

Knowing she couldn’t be the only parent with this sentiment, she began developing parent workshops on talking to kids about sex. She also became involved in developing a sex education curriculum for fifth graders. She learned that while most adolescents have a grasp of the biological aspects, many hadn’t been taught about the value of selfdiscipline and how to behave as a responsible sexual person.

In The Talk, Maxwell offers a fresh look at sex education by connecting the dots between biology, the power of desire, emotional intimacy and the spiritual components of sexuality.

Celebrating Ten Years!

In our culture, young people have to deal with the ethics of sexual behavior for a longer period of time than at any other point in human history. The average American girl gets her period around age 12, then it will likely be 10 to 15 years before she gets married. During those years, young people are making sexual decisions on their own, apart from their parents.

“If we don’t help our children develop guidelines for responsible sexual behavior, then we are not preparing them,” Maxwell said. “It would be like giving them car keys without sending them to drivers’ ed.”

Some parents may feel awkward about talking with their children about sexuality, and Maxwell admits that it’s not easy. “But, then nothing about adolescence is easy.”

But the repercussions from not talking to your children about desire are far too great not to do it.

“Just like hunger, sex is just one more desire to deal with,” Maxwell said.

Confronting it on this level may make it easier to face.

Some parents might worry that they’ll botch it up, but Maxwell says not to worry about that.

“You’re going to get it better than MTV.” Gayleen Rabakukk is a freelance writer who spends her time in Edmond keeping up with her teenage and preschool daughters.

October 2008

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19

â–

Imagine Art

Painted Bottles

R

ene Magritte (Belgian, 18981967) was a surrealist painter.

The word surrealism means “beyond real,� and that is what Magritte strived to show through his painting.

When you first look at his subject of a daytime sky or a nighttime landscape, it appears to be an ordinary scene. Then upon further investigation, you realize that it is not possible. That is what Magritte strove to do in his surrealistic style, to make the viewer surprised or enchanted by his painted poetry. Rene Magritte did a series of cloud paintings on wine bottles as a cheap alternative to canvas. You can recycle a bottle and practice the painting style of surrealism in this art activity.

Materials Acrylic paints Paint brushes Glass bottle(s) White spray paint

Acrylic paint will dry quickly, so clean brushes quickly after use while waiting for the paint on the bottle to dry before moving to the next step.

Try painting both a day and night bottle and exhibit them side by side on a shelf or window sill. Once you have completed a Magritte bottle, put your imagination to work and create scenes of your own on other bottles. You may just end up with enough painted bottles to have a solo exhibit of your work at your school, bank or library.

Process Choose any glass bottle with a neck, such as a wine, olive oil, or root beer bottle. Even a glass vase would work.

Remove the label and clean bottle. In a well-ventilated area, lightly spray the bottle with white spray paint to prime it for painting.

Before you begin, research Rene Magritte’s cloud paintings and take time to observe clouds in the sky. Magritte’s skies begin with darker blue at the top of the neck and become lighter as they move down the bottle.

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Paint your bottle in this same manner— start at the top of the bottle with a dark shade of blue and continue to the base with a much lighter blue. Use the paintbrush in a dabbing motion to create texture on the surface. Paint clouds over the blue base starting at the top with larger clouds and work down to smaller clouds nearer the base. To paint a night sky, paint stars and a moon with wisps of clouds over the base of blue. Paint a landscape or silhouette around the bottom quarter of the bottle.

#ALLÆUSÆFORÆAÆWILDLYÆUNIQUEÆEXPERIENCE Melissa Meadows 405.413.3157 Terrie Klontz 405.826.2032 www.extremeanimals.org October 2008

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Let’s Eat: Recipes

Fall Vegetable Flavors

W

ith fall here, it’s time to think about changes in food preparation. The cooler weather and shorter days find me looking forward to long, slow braising and the memorable smells rolling out of the pots in the kitchen. The food of this season has such a positive emotional impact for me. Because of that, I thought I would share a few of my favorite vegetable recipes that are easy, tasty, and healthy for the family. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Roasted Root Vegetables 1 C carrots, peeled and cut into ¾” pieces 1 C sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¾” cubes

1 T olive oil 1 t fresh rosemary, chopped fine salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 375º F. Place vegetables into a large mixing bowl and add the oil, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Add the cubed potatoes to a double boiler and steam until tender.* Mash potatoes with a fork, food mill, or ricer.

While hot, add the milk, butter, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. You may want to add more butter or milk until you reach the desired consistency. Keep covered and hot until ready to serve.

Serve with any meat as a side dish or by itself. Makes four servings.

Place the vegetables onto a small sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender. To make sure they are done, test the largest piece by eating it. If it’s tender, they are all done.

Serves four.

* If you don’t have a double boiler, you may boil the potatoes, although the consistency will change.

Sweet Potato Mashers

2 C carrots, peeled and cut into ¼” coins

Glazed Carrots

2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed ¾”

2 oz low sodium chicken stock

½ C parsnips, peeled and cut into ¾ inch pieces

4 oz cold unsalted butter, cubed

2 t molasses

¼ C whole milk, heated

½ C pearl onions, peeled

1 t brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

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Fall, Fun and Fables at Arcadia Lake Lake’ss

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forest torybook Forest is a walk through the pages of your favorite storybook! Meet The Three Little Pigss and The Old Lady Who Lived In A Shoe.

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Don’t miss the characters and candy, hayrides and hotdogs, s’mores and stories around a cozy campfire!

Storybook Forest comes alive October 23rd thru 31st nightly from 5:30 P.M. to 8:300 P.M. P.M. and is located in Arcadia Lake’s Spring Creek Park, 2.5 miles East of I-35 on 15th Street in Edmond. Admission is $5 per child and adults are free..

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

Pinch salt and pepper 1 t butter, cold Combine all the ingredients in a 10” sauté pan or small pot and bring to a simmer.

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Reduce heat to a slow simmer and cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the carrots are tender and the sauce is reduced to a glaze.

Serves four.

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October 2008

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25

■

Family Finances

Givers Beware

T

otal charitable giving by Americans in 2006 was estimated at $295.02 billion. While many contributions are tax deductible, most people are motivated by the satisfaction they receive from helping others or supporting a cause they believe in.

Unfortunately, not all charitable requests are what they seem. Emotional appeals may tug at your heart, but the money you give may never reach the people or the programs you think you are supporting. The holiday season, coupled with today’s economic environment, is certain to increase the number of requests for charitable contributions along with the number of fraudulent charitable causes.

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Because Oklahomans are some of the most generous givers in the country, we need to be on the look out for questionable solicitations—whether by mail, email, phone or in person.

Following are several points to consider before opening your checkbook or your wallet:

financial support. According to law, you are not obligated to pay for those items or to return the merchandise.

• Beware of requests for payment for “free” prizes. “Free” should be free without any strings attached.

However, many “free” offers include requests for your checking account number, your credit card number or some other form of payment for shipping and handling, processing or another excuse to access your personal funds.

• Beware of pressure tactics.

Unscrupulous organizations frequently use high-pressure tactics to solicit contributions, such as requests for immediate payment, offers to come by your home in person to get the donation, or other requests for immediate action. Most legitimate charitable organizations welcome your contribution at any time during the year because their programs are ongoing.

• • Beware of look alike organizations.

Fake charitable causes frequently use names that sound familiar or logos that look familiar and claim to have the same mission as the original group. These deceptive practices are intended to confuse potential donors, encouraging them to support phony causes. As a result, your donation ends up in the requester’s pocket • instead of where you intended it to go.

• Beware of fake invoices. Dishonest solicitors realize it is a busy time of year and will attempt to send counterfeit statements or invoices requesting you make good on your promise to contribute. Oftentimes, the envelopes are marked with bright red words such as “urgent” or “immediate”. Be sure to read everything carefully before sending your money.

• Beware of payment requests for unordered merchandise. Charitable organizations often mail out key chains, mailing labels, ink pens and other items, along with a request for

Beware of false claims. In an attempt to impress you or appeal to your emotions, fraudulent organizations may make unfounded statements about their work or the benefits of your contributions. Taking the time to carefully read their materials and understand their mission will ensure your money is going where you want it to go.

Beware of emotional giving.

Pictures of starving children and animals make it especially difficult to say no. However, emotional giving often results in overextending your family’s financial resources and may create financial hardships for you personally. All charitable contributions—whether religious, educational or social—should be a planned expense and part of your monthly budget.

Not-for-profit organizations are required to file annual reports with the Internal Revenue Service outlining their activities. Information reported on an organization’s IRS Form 990 is available online or in the organization’s

info@madsciencecentralok.com 26

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

We’ve added more classes to our weekly schedule. annual report. Additional information may be available from the Better Business Bureau.

Childcare Provided!

MORE CLASSES!

If you suspect any questionable activity by a charitable organization, contact your local law enforcement officials.

You probably will not get back any money you have contributed, but you may save someone else from being scammed.

Additional resources for checking out non-profits before you give:

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Sue Lynn Sasser, PhD, is an associate professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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27

â–

Iron Moms

Rising above the setbacks

S

haRhonda wears the Iron Mom title with grace and panache.

During this year, she has endured setbacks and challenges, highs and lows.

At the end of August, ShaRhonda had an accident that might have put a lesser woman off the track of healthy living.

A hit and run accident left her with a concussion, broken nose, fractured jaw, severe facial laceration, and a cut on her foot. “When my daughter saw the condition of the truck [after the accident], she just cried,� said ShaRhonda. Her vehicle may have been totaled, but ShaRhonda feels she got off lucky.

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.

The unexpected setback gave ShaRhonda a challenge to keep her focus. “Knowing that I would have to be off my feet and not exercising, I have been watching everything I put in my mouth,� said ShaRhonda. “Watching my food intake and a lot of prayer has sustained me.� For inspiration, she has looked back on previous articles in this series, to revisit the words of the team she’s been working with, to get recharged from their positive message. “Mary Tucker’s article on loving yourself has been very inspiring,� said ShaRhonda.

When ShaRhonda visited a plastic surgeon’s office after the accident, she

The World Is Filled With So Many Activities for Tweens & Teens A h Signings Author S • SStory Time • Art Activities • Puzzles • Journals • Audio Books & More!

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340-9202

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Follow MetroFamily Magazine’s first Iron Mom, ShaRhonda Burton, as she works to create a healthier lifestyle for herself and her family.

This month, MetroFamily Editor Mari Farthing spoke with ShaRhonda about her ability to overcome adversity.

Keep up with ShaRhonda by reading her blogs at MetroFamilyMagazine.com. recounted, “the nurses kept asking if I had been there before. I finally told them that if they looked in the MetroFamily Magazine in their waiting room, they might find out where they knew me from.� The nurses and doctor were excited when they realized that

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They had been following her progress and were excited to have a celebrity in the office. “One of the nurses told me she was so happy to meet me, she said ‘You’re a real person! I’ve read about you and now you’re right here. I know that if you can go through all you went through and continue, I can do it too.’�

At the office, her coworkers tell her about how they are following her progress in the magazine, about their friends and family reading her story and being inspired by it, knowing that if their neighbor, friend and co-worker can meet the challenge, then it’s a reachable goal for them as well. “I never knew how many lives were touched,� said ShaRhonda. The people she hears from encourage her to continue on her path to healthy living. “I have to continue,� she said.

But most importantly to ShaRhonda, she continues for her children. “The kids are my calling,� said ShaRhonda. “I have to be healthy for them.�

In spite of headaches that her doctor told her will likely to continue for several months, ShaRhonda was back at the gym during the first week of September. She’s lost 103 pounds so far

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ShaRhonda was the woman they knew as the Iron Mom.

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and says she has another 75 to go for her next goal. Is there any doubt that she will meet that goal?

If you ask ShaRhonda for advice, she’ll tell you that it’s not easy, but it is possible. “It’s a daily struggle, but you can’t give up. Just don’t ever give up.”

Mari Farthing is the editor of MetroFamily Magazine.

ShaRhonda, is now 103 pounds lighter!

Follow ShaRhonda’s progress at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/blog

Glamour Celebrating Ten Years!

October 2008

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Letterboxing Letter boxing, the

Ultimate

Fa m i l y

Treasure

HUNT!

Are you looking for a fun, outdoor activity that will involve the interests of all your family members? Consider Letterboxing.

Never heard of it? You’re not alone.

I had only a vague knowledge of the hobby when I was asked to write about it. After a little research, a few family members and I embarked on our first Letterboxing experience and, at its conclusion, agreed that the hobby is a fun, creative way to spend some quality time together and see interesting sites that we may never have noticed.

Letterboxing origins date back to Dartmoor, England in 1854 when a park guide left his calling card in a bottle with an invitation for visitors to leave their cards. While popular in England for years, Letterboxing only gained popularity in North America in 1998, according to the official North American Letterboxing website, Letterboxing.org. North America reportedly has up to 20,000 letterboxes. I was surprised to find that there are quite a few to hunt in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Letterboxing involves treasure hunting, art, exploration, and navigation. The activity involves obtaining clues and/or a map that lead the hunter to a letterbox, or waterproof container, which has been hidden by another party. Inside the waterproof 30

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October 2008

letterbox, the hunter will find a hand-made stamp and logbook. Prepared with his own stamp, inkpad, logbook, and pen, the hunter stamps the discovered letterbox logbook with his stamp including the date and where he’s from. The hunter may also add a comment in the logbook about the actual hunting experience. The hunter then stamps his journal with the stamp found in the letterbox. An avid letterbox hobbyist will have a collection of interesting stamps from various letterboxes all over the country or even the world.

Our Letterbox Hunt Our first letterbox hunting experience began on a hot August day—not my first choice, as I prefer cooler weather, but the research had to commence. Accompanying me were my brave sister, Anita Zotto, my niece and photographer, Natalie (age 13), and my adventurous son, Ryan (age 15). We decided to search for our first box at Edmond’s E.C. Hafer Park at 9th and Bryant. (According to the official website, there are three letterboxes hidden in the park). Armed with our printed clues from the website (and bottles of water), we headed off.

Natalie enjoyed taking photos of interests along the way. I offered to take over the photography duty when Natalie got distracted by the rock climbing wall near the fish pond. These little “distractions” along the hunts are to be considered part of the adventure. For the most part, I was the clue reader and the others helped to decipher the clues. Deciphering, in Celebrating Ten Years!

our case, included discussions on how large a “pace” is or determining which evergreen tree constitutes the one “a bit off the path.” In one case, we had to find a clue at 208 degrees from a particular landmark. We didn’t have a compass, but found the clue using our internal compass (and a little guesswork).

The Discovery We were excited upon finding our first letterbox. This letterbox had been placed on March 11, 2006 by Oklahoma Christian University. I was surprised at the container that was used for this letterbox—it was not the typical container suggested by the Letterboxing websites, but effective none the less. (No, I’m not going to tell, that would ruin the surprise.)

Unfortunately, since this was our first Letterboxing hunt, we did not have a stamp. The expert hobbyists suggest looking for a couple of letterboxes before making your own box or stamp to get an idea of what other people use. However, we did make notations in the logbooks using the pen we brought and signed off with our “Mitchell-Zotto Clan” signature.

Making and using a stamp, however, is part of the art of Letterboxing. A group’s stamp includes a symbol, letter, or letters that have special meaning to the group. Personally, I plan to make a stamp for the “Mitchell-Zotto Clan” and go back to put our official mark on logbooks of the letterboxes we found. Then we’ll be prepared to find more letterboxes.

Getting Started Letterboxing is the perfect family activity and can be combined with a picnic or day in the park. Of course, you’ll want to plan the activity so that you are not carrying any picnic supplies or other large items on your actual hunt. Eat at a picnic table before or after your hunt so you can leave your picnic supplies in the car. Also, you may want to consider wearing long pants as the paths can take you into wooded areas where poison ivy or oak and thorns may be present (advice that we failed to heed, though we came out without any problems).

Oklahoma’s cool fall weather is a perfect time for your family to try this new hobby. The entire family can participate at every level and you can spend quality time making your own family letterbox, designing and making a stamp, hiding the letterbox, writing up the clues, and hunting for others. For more information about Letterboxing and how to get started, visit Letterboxing.org.

Karen Mitchell, a life-long resident of the Oklahoma City metro area, has been married to Mark since 1983 and is the mother of two teenagers. With a degree in Journalism and a career in sales, Karen is enjoying her return to writing.

We’ve hidden our own MetroFamily Letterbox.

Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ Letterbox for the clues!

Celebrating Ten Years!

October 2008

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31

■

Oklahoma Reads

Book Reviews Board books for 6-18 months:

Fiction for Grades 4-6

Amazing Baby Five Little Ducks! and Rainbow Fun!

My Half Day

By Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed (Sylvan Dell Publishing, $16.95, 32 pages)

Graphics by Mike Jolley and Emma Dodd (Silver Dolphin Books, $5.95 each, 16 pages)

Fun with fractions - the whole book is built around “camp fraction” with visual math clues all over the page. A fun story about a boy’s strange day offers plenty of opportunities to have fun while learning new math concepts. Three pages of activities in the back of the book offer opportunities for further learning.

A fun, interactive way to introduce colors and numbers to small children.

Books have vivid colors and fun rhymes, cutouts in the pages add visual interest and make the books fun for baby.

Fiction for Grades 1-3

Non-Fiction for Grades 5 and up

Walter’s Pond

It Wasn’t Much: Ten True Tales of Oklahoma Heroes

By Bill Farrell (Lower Lane Publishing, $8.95, 14 pages)

By Jana Hausburg (Forty-Sixth Star Press, $19.95, 123 pages)

A timeless story of mischief starring three young boys searching for a good fishing hole. The detailed pencil illustrations are highlighted with spare color, and will bring young readers back again and again. The rhyming verse in the story makes it perfect to read aloud together.

In our Internet age, it can be difficult to draw older children into the joys of reading. But this book, which highlights the real-life adventures of Oklahomans incorporates sidebars and popout boxes, along with references for further learning in other books, Oklahoma locations, and Internet sites.

Find many other book titles at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ oklahoma-reads

Reviews by MetroFamily Magazine editor Mari Farthing.

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Celebrating Ten Years!

Celebrating Ten Years!

October 2008

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Through October 31

produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand.

Monday-Friday 4-7pm, Saturday 9am-dark, Closed Sunday. 918-335-6677.

Pumpkin Patch at Midwest City’s Saint Matthew United Methodist (300 N Air Depot). Open MondaySaturday, 9am–8pm, Sunday noon–8pm. 50 cents for mini pumpkins to $30 for the largest pumpkins.

732-6831.

Grider Farm Pumpkin Patch (14500 S Country Club Rd) in Perkins, located south of Stillwater in north central Oklahoma. 45-acres of pumpkins and gourds along with other fall decorative items, living maze and opportunities for picnicking and hiking. Hay rides and parties are available by appointment. Open daily. 50 cents-$2 for activities. 405-547-2722.

Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch, 720 Henney Road, Arcadia (8 miles east of Edmond off Hwy 66, one mile south on Hiawassee, follow pumpkin signs). Includes pick your own pumpkin, hay wagon rides, cornfield maze, petting zoo, and pony rides. ThursdaySaturday, 10am-dusk, Sunday, 1pm-dusk. Admission: $6 (seniors, $5; age 2 and under, free). 396-0909, ParkhurstPumpkinPatch.com.

Chester’s Pumpkin Patch & 3-Acre Mystery Maze in Piedmont includes free pumpkin with paid admission ($6 each, infants under 1 & senior citizens free), giant slide, pony rides, petting zoo, and hay rides. Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 1-6pm.

373-1595, ChestersPartyBarn.com.

Woodbine Farms Pumpkin Patch in Ardmore in south central Oklahoma. Hayrides, corn cannon, ropes maze, petting zoo, and pick your own pumpkin. $5, 2 and under free. 9am-6pm weekdays, 10am-6pm Saturday and 12-4pm Sunday. 580-226-4052, WoodbineFarms.net.

Oct. 10-Nov. 1 Booville at Frontier City includes Trick or Treat Trail, 10 kid movie-themed booths, face painting, tattoos, pumpkin decorating, Halloween movie and storytime.

6-8pm Friday and Sunday, 6-8:30pm Saturdays. Free with admission. For little goblins under 54 inches.

478-2140, FrontierCity.com.

4 • Saturday Halloween Card Making Workshop at Untitled [ArtSpace], 10am-12:30pm or 1-3:30pm, for adults and children 10 and up. Free. Register at untitledartspace@1ne3.org or 815-9995.

Spooksville at the Yukon Community Center includes costume contest (one for kids, one for dogs), haunted house, and carnival. $3 per child. 354-8442, CI.Yukon.OK.US.

10-12 Fright Fest at Frontier City includes scary and tame fun. Visit Frontiercity.com for hours and admission info. Also held 10/17-19, 24-26, 31 and 11/1.

11 • Saturday The Pumpkin Festival at Midwest City’s Saint Matthew United Methodist (300 N. Air Depot), 9am–4pm. Includes crafts, games, entertainment, bake sale. 732-6831.

13-31 Pumpkin Patch at Putnam City Baptist Church.

Pumpkins, gourds, corn, metal art. Open Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-8pm. 773-6900, PCBCOK.org.

Newman Farm located in Drumwright (NE of OKC), includes Scream Country Haunted Forest and Haunted House, Great Pumpkin Blaze Maze, Apple Barn General Store, and for the little ones, Boo Country Village. Pumpkin Patch Children’s stage with nightly entertainment. On Oct 31, special events include a Not So Scary Trick or Treat event, professional pumpkin carver demonstrations and face painting.

20 • Saturday Through November 8

Shay’s Landscaping, Nursery, and Pumpkin Patch located in Bartlesville (NE Oklahoma) offers a pumpkin patch, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hayrides, pre-picked

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

The Shawnee Maze and Pumpkin Patch includes a corn maze, hay rides, pumpkin patch, campfire, and farm animals. 275-9780, CornFieldMaze.com.

Free Fall Carnival at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May, OKC), 11am-3pm. Free for kids 3 and up.

858-8778, LakeshoreLearning.com.

McLemore Pumpkin Patch near Lawton in SW Oklahoma. Includes hayrides, farm animals, and pick your own pumpkins. Daylight hours.

Call for reservations. $5 tour. 405-929-7328, McLemorePumpkinFarm.com.

34

Through November 15

The Orr Family Pumpkin Patch open Fridays 6-8:30pm ($8.50 ages 2 and up) and Saturdays 10am-6pm ($10.50 ages 2 and up). Pumpkin patch, carousel, farm animals, and activities.

OrrFamilyFarm.com.

October 2008

Spooktacular Halloween Magic at the Southern Oaks Library, 6:30-7:30pm with magician and ventriloquist Dave May. Register at 631-4468.

Kids ages 4-12.

23-31 Storybook Forest at Arcadia Lake, 5:30-8:30pm.

Collect candy from popular storybook characters. $5 per child, adults free. Hayride, games, and trick or treating trail. 216-7470, EdmondOK.com.

Celebrating Ten Years!

Compiled by Terri Fields

24 • Friday Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree Play & Music of Norman, 6-8pm. Dress up the family for crafts, food and fun. Prizes awarded for best costumes. $10 per family. 307-8454, normanok@gymboreeclasses.com.

Fall Festival at Church of the Servant, (14343 N MacArthur) 6-8:30pm. Games, inflatables, clowns, and food. Friendly costumes encouraged. 721-4141.

Boo on Bell Street in Historic Downtown Shawnee.

Features carnival games, live music, costume contests, car show, story-telling, the ghost walk, and trick or treating. 275-3541, VisitShawnee.com.

Halloween Carnival at St James Catholic School (SW 41st and S McKinley, OKC), 6-9pm. Unlimited carnival games, dinner, cake walk, and souvenir pictures included. Lots of prizes. Cost: $10-$25 per person, call the school for details. 636-6810.

Mystery Night at the Village Library, 5:30-10pm. Eat mysterious pizza, hear scary stories, and solve an intriguing mystery. Ages 8-13. Pre-register. 755-0710.

POPtoberfest at POPS (Arcadia, OK) a familyfriendly event with a hay maze, face painter and fun specials. 928-7677, Pops66.com.

31 • Friday Slime Time Fall Festival & Fall Frolic at Waterloo Road Baptist Church, (3100 E Waterloo) 6-8pm. Free family fun alternative to trick or treating. 341-9024 x115, children@waterlooroad.org.

25 • Saturday 26 • Sunday Fall Festival 2008 at St. Andrews Untied Methodist Church, (2727 SW 119th St.) 5-7pm. 692-4242, SAOKC.org.

Trunk or Treat Family-Friendly Carnival, New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S Blvd, Edmond), 6-8pm. Games, moon bounce, refreshments, door prizes. Friendly costumes only.

348-6914, ncovenant.org.

Free Fall Family Night at Edmond’s Festival Market Place, 5:30-8:30pm. Snacks, activities, door prizes, moon bounce; costumes encouraged. Register for Pumpkin Carving contest at 4:45pm. Contest 5pm-6pm. Limited to first 30 participants registered.

359-4630, EdmondOK.com.

26-31

Trick or Treat City at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park in Midwest City, 2-4pm. Trick or treat in Candy Village from characters in costumes, inflatables and carnival games. Free. 739-1293, MidwestCityOK.org.

27 • Monday

Celebrating Ten Years!

Knock, Knock Night at Quail Springs Church of Christ, (14401 N May) 6pm. Free. Come in costume.

755-4790, QuailChurch.com.

Crossings Community Church Fall Festival, 6-8pm.

Food and games. Dress in your favorite costume.

755-2227, CrossingsOKC.org

24-26

Halloween Open House at the Capitol Hill Library, 1-3pm. Magic tricks and comedy with performer John Pansze. Crafts and book giveaway.

29 • Wednesday

Haunt the Harn at the Harn Homestead, (1721 N Lincoln) 5-8pm. Families will enjoy trick-or-treating at the historic buildings, fall crafts and games, hayrides, and treats. $3 per child, accompanying parents free.

235-4058, lcreason@harnhomestead.com.

HallowMarine at the Oklahoma Aquarium, 6:30-9pm.

Carnival games, trick-or-treat trail, and a haunted sunken ship. $7 children, $10 adults. 918-528-1508, OKAquarium.org. Also held 10/29-31.

Sonic’s Spooky Saturday at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History means free admission, 10am-5pm.

Halloweenfest, Downtown Stillwater, 4-9pm.

Includes trick-or-treating, games, and a costume contest for youth and adult groups. Free. 747-8070, Stillwater.org.

30 • Thursday

24–25

The Creepy Conservatory at the Myriad Botanical Gardens, 1-4pm. See exotic animals featuring hissing cockroaches and a ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar. Costumes encouraged. $6 adults, $3 children 4-12. 297-3995, MyriadGardens.com.

28 • Tuesday

Haunt the Zoo at the OKC Zoo, 6:30-8:30pm.

Children $7, parents free. Trick or treating and activities for the whole family.

Mysterious Oklahoma at the Midwest City Library, 7-8pm. Hear spooky tales from the Sooner State. David Farris will be telling stories from his books, Mysterious Oklahoma and More Mysterious Oklahoma.

Trick or Treat on the Street in Downtown Edmond, 5-7pm. Merchants of downtown dress up and give out candy to the little goblins. Free. 249-9391, DowntownEdmondOK.com.

26th Annual Halloween Festival at the Moore Community Center, 6pm. Costume contests, bingo, a magician, clowns, great prizes and lots of free candy.

793-5090.

BOO-OODLES of Fun at the Overholser Mansion 3:30–5pm. Enjoy Victorian games, story-telling, historic re-enactors, pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts, costume parade and treats. $3 advanced reservations; $5 at the door, parents free. 528-8485, overholsermansion@preservationok.org.

November 1 • Sat. Halloween Party at Nothin’ But Fun Kids, I-35 Frontage Road (west side) in Moore, Exit 12th Street.

735-9900, NothinButFunKidz.com.

October 2008

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35

For a free travel guide call 866-GPC-OKLA or visit www.greatplainscountry.com.

Produced in cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

www.travelok.com

■

Your Healthy Family

Preventing and Treating Flu (

F

all is upon us! The kids are settled in their classrooms, and the temperatures have cooled. Personally, this is my favorite stretch of the year, right as the leaves start to turn. In October, the last thing I’m thinking about is the flu virus, even as the signs start to go up around town reminding us to get vaccinated. Still, I know that understanding more about the flu virus and vaccine are the most important steps in preventing illness, so let’s have a little flu review.

Facts about Flu Influenza is a viral infection that infects the entire respiratory system, including the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

It’s important to note that while stomach viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea are often referred to as “flu,” the influenza virus does not cause this type of illness. Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Germs may be picked up by touching objects such as doorknobs or telephones, or the virus may be inhaled directly from the air.

The flu is caused by three different strains of viruses: influenza A, B, and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly epidemics that historically strike every few decades. Type B is typically responsible for smaller localized outbreaks. Either type A or B may cause the flu that circulates almost every winter, and these strains of flu are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. Type C is a relatively stable virus, and has never been linked to a large epidemic. For this reason, the annual flu vaccines protect against Influenza A and B. Symptoms of flu include high fever (over 101º F), chills, headache, dry cough, and muscle aches. Fatigue and loss of appetite are common. Children may also suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly, and may last up to two weeks.

Flu Vaccines Anyone can catch the flu, but children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. If you’re at high risk, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to protect yourself. You might consider an annual flu vaccine as your first line of defense. While the vaccine doesn’t offer 100% protection, it can greatly reduce the risk of infection and help prevent serious complications. The CDC now recommends flu vaccines for the general population, ages six months and up.

Hospital Discount Pharmacy of Edmond administers approximately 2000 flu vaccines every year. Pharmacist Stephanie Harris is certified to administer vaccines, and recommends the flu vaccine to all adults and children 6 months and older, unless the patient has an egg allergy or a history of Guillian-Barre syndrome. Many people fear the vaccine itself will cause the flu, but this is a misconception.

“The components of the vaccine are inactivated and chopped 36

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

HATCHING THE PAST:

Flu (Hint: Think Ahead!)

T H E G R E AT D I N O S A U R E G G H U N T

into small pieces that the body recognizes as flu antigen— enough to make antibodies to the three antigens contained in that year’s vaccine. It is not a live vaccine so there is nothing to give you the disease present in the shot,” explains Harris.

Occasionally, patients may experience mild fatigue or a lowgrade fever after being vaccinated, but symptoms generally pass within 24 to 48 hours.

Local exhibition is made possible

by Chesapeake Energy.

Media sponsorship provided by:

Prevention and Treatment Aside from yearly vaccination, it’s important to remember other important preventive measures for flu and other viruses this time of year. Regular and thorough hand washing is the best way to prevent common infections, and will reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu virus. Getting adequate sleep and eating a balanced diet that emphasizes antioxidantrich fruits and vegetables will also help keep the immune system kicking. Supplementing your diet with extra vitamin C and probiotics will help ward off infection all year. Finally, drinking at least eight glasses of water per day will help to flush toxins from the body.

In spite of your best efforts, if you find yourself stuck with the flu, get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Remember, the flu is a virus, and antibiotics will be ineffective. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza can help to shorten the duration of illness, but must be started within 48 hours of developing symptoms. Side effects of these medications can include nausea and vomiting, particularly within the first 24 hours. Discuss the pros and cons of antiviral therapy with a clinician.

Even though it seems like it’s early in the season to think about the flu virus, now is the time to consider getting vaccinated. Whether or not you get a flu shot, remember to rest, wash your hands frequently and drink plenty of fluids.

Add vitamin C and probiotics to your balanced diet, and have a healthy fall and winter!

Come see why we’re the global lob l leader le de iin cl classes sses for fo kids. kid ds

Oct. 11 through Jan. 19 This hands-on exhibition invites visitors to touch real dinosaur bones, dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations and more!

Hatching the Past was developed by Charlie and Florence Magovern of The Stone Company, Boulder, Colorado in association with the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History The University of Oklahoma 2 4 0 1 C h a u t a u q u a Av e .

I

405-325-4712

I

w w w. s n o m n h . o u . e d u

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability call 405-325-4712.

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 loctions, 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*!

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

F C REE las

Simp s on u ly b s offer. ring in th !

For a ges 0 is -5

ff $35 o nt! rollme

en milies New fa ! n o ly

Go to MetroFamilyMagazinecom/subscribe or call 405.340.1404.

* Subscriptions $18.95/year y

en Years Celebrating T

OKC/Edmond • Northpark Mall N.W. 122nd and May Avenue

405.755.3445

www.gymboreeclasses.com Celebrating Ten Years!

October 2008

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37

■ “Attitude, itud Discipline and Respect are thee Goal Goals; Karate is the method.”

TM

Happy Campers

F

our years ago, my husband bought me a tent for my birthday. We liked the idea of being “camping people”; we made big plans. The tent has never been out of its box.

“His ‘Yes, I can’ attitude is amazing!”

Year after year, camping remains on my list of Oklahoma travel resolutions, but like any good resolution-breaker, I have excuses, and I think you should hear me out before you judge.

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First of all, it isn’t as if I haven’t been visiting our beautiful state parks, but every time I go, I take the easy way out. Five of Oklahoma’s parks (Roman Nose, Beavers Bend, Lake Murray, Robbers Cave and Western Hills) have hotel-style lodges, some of which even have restaurants and other amenities on-site. And if you are looking for space, privacy or a slightly more rustic experience, 15 parks have cabins available to rent.

No, cabins and hotels don’t count as camping, but for families with young children or anyone else who doesn’t want to own and haul around all the gear that a night in the great outdoors requires, lodges and cabins are a great alternative.

I think that my second excuse will resonate with parents as well. You see, I have actually gone camping once in the last four years using a borrowed tent in Colorado. But at the end of the experience I came to the conclusion that what I like most about camping has nothing to do with sleeping outside.

Hiking and cooking over an open fire are the fun parts of the experience for

Our Avera Stude ge Improvenst Letter Gra 2 des!

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me, and I would like to propose that there is absolutely nothing wrong with “day camping.” A tent is an unnecessary part of the equation when it comes to a lot of camping classics, like toasting marshmallows, exploring wildlife and telling ghost stories. As the nights turn cooler this month, day camping might also help you make the most of the season while avoiding runny noses. And if you must, go ahead and pitch your tent—it can serve as “home base” for things like nap time while making the experience more authentic.

But enough excuses, because I still have a tent that’s never been staked, and I bet some of you do, too. Despite the cooler nights (and maybe because of them), autumn is a great time to visit a park.

Many areas are less crowded this time of year, and with all the rain Oklahoma received at the end of the summer, we might be in for a great foliage show.

If your kids are real troopers, one way to talk yourself into camping might be to hike a trail so long that you have to stay somewhere overnight. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is 192 miles of wooded splendor in southeast Oklahoma that you can hike in small, manageable chunks.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is another popular destination.

Conventional campsites for groups and individuals can be found at the Doris Campground; however, if you plan ahead, the Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area is more remote and very scenic.

Reservations must be made for Charon’s Garden, and only ten people are

A list of Oklahoma’s state resort parks and parks with cabins can be found at TourOklahoma.com.

Helpful information about the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, including a detailed map, can be found at FriendsOT.org.

For information about camping in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and reserving a site at Charon’s Garden, visit WichitaMountains.fws.gov/.

www.clubztutoring.com 38

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

allowed in the area over any three-day period, so it books up quickly. Tentative reservations can be made up to three months in advance.

But at the end of the day, even if you cut corners and don’t actually spend the night under the stars, the most important parts of this resolution are the details: fireflies and marshmallows, learning new bird songs and giving your kids a chance to say they just might grow up to be “camping people.�

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.

Looking for more Oklahoma Adventure?

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/ Family-Fun

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October 2008

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Get to at

FRONTIER CITY

Dare to venture into our Haunted House of Screams.

See the Dead Man’s Party and take children 12 and under to BooVille for trick or treating. There will be thrills of every ghoulish kind lurking around. But hurry, because when FrightFest ends, the fun dies down until next season.

Fr h s opens every Friday – Sunday FrightFest Sunday, un y beginning October 10 thru November 1

FREE F FR EEEE for for kkids 12 12 and a under. uund Battooos Pumpkin Battoos, Battoos P mpkin Painting Painting, Pa nttin Clowns C wns and a Kid Friendly Halloween movie in Ft. Frontier. These activities available all the dates of FrightFest on Friday and Sunday, from 6 – 8pm and Saturday, from 6 – 8:30pm.

www.Frontiercity.com

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

Experience the beginnings of a lifetime!

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2 miles south of Highway 9 on Highway 77

Changing Lives, One Shoe Box at a Time Julia longed to escape the abuse and alcoholism of her home life. At age 12, the Ukrainian girl received a special gift at church—an Operation Christmas Child shoe box filled with school supplies, toys, and candy. For years she kept the candy wrapper that said “Made in USA.” It was like a sign that God heard her prayers and loved her. Now an adult, Julia lives in the United States with her husband and young son, and it brings her great joy to pack shoe boxes. “I always wanted to help hurting kids,” she said. “Now I can share the love of Jesus with them through these simple gifts.”

Contact us to find out how to pack a shoe box for a needy child overseas this holiday season.

Karol Stevenson Area Coordinator

Phil Blotevogel Collection Coordinator

800-670-9068

National Collection Week - November 17-24 Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, President.

Celebrating Ten Years!

www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

October 2008

❘ 1-800-353-5949

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outandabout Quick Reference

City Arts Center Fair Park, 3000 Pershing Blvd, OKC 951-0000, CityArtsCenter.org.

Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E. Edwards, Edmond 340-4481, EdmondFineArts.com

Weekly

Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books, Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202.

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.

Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt Exhibit at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. See page 12 for details.

Through October 12

Roman Art from The Louvre at the OKC Museum of Art. Examples of Roman art from the Louvre’s collection.

Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm Ave, Norman 325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma

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.

October 17-November 19

Little River Zoo Hwy 9, Norman 366-7229, LittleRiverZoo.com

StoryTime at Gymboree Penn Square, first Friday of every month, 10am. 842-7540.

Through October 18

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 OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th St, OKC 424-3344, OKCZoo.com 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 Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman 325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu Science Museum Oklahoma 2100 NE 52nd St, OKC 602-OMNI, Omniplex.org

Do you have an event for our calendar?

Email it to Calendar Editor Terri Fields, Calendar@MetroFamilyMagazine.com.

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Silly Sundays at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise Dr, Edmond). Every Sunday, 1-6pm. Free face painting with paid admission or craft purchase. 340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

Tired GrownUps Night at Unpluggits Playstudio. Every Thursday from 4-8pm. Reduced admission price, free snacks. 340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

The UCO Jazz Lab features performances each Friday and Saturday at 8pm. $7 adults, $5 age 12 and under.

359-7989, UCOJazzLab.com.

Children’s Storytime at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) every Saturday, 10:15am. 842-2900, FullCircleBooks.com Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art, every Saturday 1-4pm. Kids create art inspired by the Museum’s exhibitions. Free with paid admission.

The Hound of the Baskervilles at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. Tickets $16. 297-2264.

The Great Outdoors exhibit at the Edmond’s Historical Society & Museum. Free. Experience the history of hunting, fishing, and camping in Central Oklahoma.

340-0078.

Through October 25

Fall Garden and Produce Market at the Festival Market Place (First Street, just west of Broadway in Edmond). Saturdays 9am-1pm. 359-4630.

Through October

Train Rides at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NW Grand Blvd), in OKC. Train rides throughout 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.

Cocktails on the Skyline at the OKC Museum of Art on the roof terrace held Thursday and Friday evenings, 5-10:30pm.

Sunday Nature Hikes at Martin Park Nature Center.

Guided park tour and nature hike each Sunday 2:30pm.

Reservations and a fee of $2 are required. 755-0676.

Thursday Noon Tunes at the Downtown Library. Free live music, 11:30am-1pm each Thursday.

Monthly

Through November 17

October 4 - January 4

Through November 19

Gymboree Play & Music of Norman’s Family Arts Studio is held the third Saturday, 11am-noon. Includes arts & crafts for children 18 mos–5 years. $5 per child.

Reservations required; 307-8454.

American Artists from the Russian Empire at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art. More than 90 works examine the impact of American culture on Russian Artists. Opening reception held 10/4, 6-8pm.

Youth Classes for Home-Schooled Children at City Arts Center, 2-3pm. Designed for home-schooled children to compliment home school activities while providing an artful experience with a focus on drawing two-dimensional basics. For ages 5-7 and 8-12. $50.

Wide-Open Wednesdays at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Free admission every Wednesday.

Through October 5

Through November 27

Tuesdays With Morrie at the Poteet Theatre at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, (222 NW 15th, OKC) 8pm. Tickets $10. 609-1023, PoteetTheatre.com.

Passport to Plants at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Explore the plants and people of six unique countries.

297-3995, MyriadGardens.com.

October 11-January 18

Through December 7

Exhibit: Craft in America—Expanding Traditions at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

October 2008

Traditional Cowboy Arts Association 10th Annual Exhibition, Sale and Seminar at the National Celebrating Ten Years!

outandabout Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Attend opening activities for an exhibition and sale showcasing the best saddlemaking, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding. Reservations required.

Through December

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.

Annual Pumpkin Drive at the OKC Zoo. Bring a pumpkin larger than your head and receive admission for free. One pumpkin per person; Children two and under free.

2 • Thursday

Children Reading to Dogs builds self confidence and self esteem in children. Village Library (3:30pm; also held 10/9, 16, 23 and 30); Edmond Library (6pm; also held 10/9 and 16); 10/15 at Choctaw and 10/7 at Midwest City.

The Peacock Walk on Spring Creek Charity Fashion Show benefits the programs of the YWCA and Edmond-area safe houses. Spring Creek Plaza (Bryant & 15th, Edmond). 6-9pm, tickets $60.

YWCA.org/SpringCreek.

3-5

The 2008 Oklahoma Regatta Festival at the Chesapeake Boathouse on the Oklahoma River.

Activities include children’s tent (sponsored by MetroFamily), live entertainment, wine garden and a food court. Free. HeadOfTheOklahoma.com.

Day Out with Thomas at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, (3400 NW Grand). 25 minute rides, meet Sir Topham Hatt, storytelling, and music. Rides $15.

Advance purchase is recommended. 866-468-7630, TicketWeb.com.

WorldFest 2008 at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center, 9am-6pm. African blankets, Peruvian rugs, Celebrating Ten Years!

W

T

F

S

Metropolitan Library System

Daily in October October 1-12

T

The Cole Monarch Migration and Butterfly Festival.

See Close Up, page 45.

Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long at Norman Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, (1309 W Boyd) 6:30pm.

Costumes are encouraged. Free. 360-3279.

The Fit and Healthy Expo at Edmond’s Transformation Fitness features speakers (including NBC’s “Biggest Loser” winners Marty and Amy Wolff), door prizes, demonstrations, and food). 10am-6pm; 14701 N Kelley.

FitAndHealthyExpo.com.

Also find a complete listing of local and statewide Fall Festivals on page 34.

M

4 • Saturday

Guatemalan textiles, Indian silver, Mexican pottery, tribal masks, and unusual artifacts. $5 adults, children 12 and under, free. 752-9700 or WN.org.

Through January 4, 2009 The Savior or Spoiler: Teddy Roosevelt as a ThirdParty Candidate in 1912 exhibit at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum examines the impact of this American icon.

S

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

20th Annual Global Oklahoma-A Festival of Cultures at Rose State College, 10am-5pm. Free international fun fest with food vendors, art, children’s tent, and entertainment. 736-0313, Rose.edu/ CommFriend/Globok.

The Scorpio-Sagittarius Connection at the Science Museum Oklahoma’s planetarium.

OCTOBER

Yukon’s Oklahoma Czech Festival includes parade at 10am followed by activities, food, carnival, and polka music. 354-1895, ci.yukon.ok.us.

Building Character and Integrity in Your Child at Gymboree Play & Music of Norman, 10am-noon. Free; 307-8454, gymboinfo@gmail.com to register.

Puggerfest at Stars & Stripes Park, 10am-4pm. Fund raiser for Homeward Bound Pug Rescue & Adoption of OK. Register to win a 42” TV, silent auction items, family activities. $5 adults, $2 children 12 and under, pugs free. HomewardBoundPugs.com.

Stomp Classic at the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre, 3pm. Tickets $20. MyTicketOffice.com.

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

UCO Marching Band Festival at the Wantland Stadium, 10am-10:30pm, featuring high school bands in Oklahoma. 974-3774, UCOK.edu.

Wright Library, 2101 Exchange, 235-5035

5 • Sunday

pls.lib.ok.us

Music Builds Tour featuring Third Day, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay & Robert Randolph & The Family Band at the Ford Center, 6pm. 235-8288, OKFordCenter.com.

Aboriginal Australia program at Downtown Library.

Features story and music of Yidumduma Bill Harney of the Wardaman people, and Paul Taylor, Australian storyteller and musician. 2pm. Program repeats at the following dates and locations: Oct 6, 7pm, Belle Isle Library; Oct 7, 6:30pm, Bethany Library; Oct 8, 10:30am, The Village Library; Oct 8, 6:30pm, Del City Library; Oct 9, 7pm, Edmond Library; Oct 10, 4pm, Warr Acres Library.

6 • Monday

Pioneer Library System 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

October 2008

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43

outandabout

6th Annual Gorilla Golf Tournament at the Trosper Golf Course (2301 SE 29th Street). Registration 8am, shotgun start, 9am. $100 per person which includes range balls, green fees, cart rentals and lunch. Prizes awarded for top-three scoring teams and other contests.

Proceeds benefit The Tayna Gorilla Reserve in Africa.

Debi Mangrum at 425-0259.

roadtrip The exhibit “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” will open October 3 at the Dallas Museum of Art, offering the American Southwest its first local glimpse of the treasures of the boy king. The exhibition includes more than 130 artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites, plus a selection of artifacts that are new to the exhibit and have never before been seen outside of Egypt.

7 • Tuesday

Art Adventures at Norman’s Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art is for children ages 3-5 with parent, and includes a story and related art project. Free; 10:30am. Also held 10/14, 21, and 28.

7-12

The Pajama Game at the Civic Center Music Hall, 7:30pm. Tickets $21 and up. 800-869-1451, CelebrityAttractions.com.

Proceeds generated from the world tour are being used to help preserve Egypt’s treasures, including the construction of a new museum in Cairo where antiquities will be housed.

10 • Friday

Free Flu Shots at the Midwest City Library, 9am-3pm.

For adults only. Generations Health Care will provide shots. The number of shots available is limited.

10-11

Related exhibits include a selection of original photographs from Harry Burton, who accompanied explorer Howard Carter and documented the moment-by-moment discovery of King Tut’s untouched tomb, and the “Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharoahs” movie in the museum’s Horchow Auditorium.

Watonga Cheese Festival on Main St in Watonga. A parade, art show (including a youth division), cheese tasting line, cheese food contest, classic car show, craft booths, and live entertainment. Festival admission $5 per person for both days, children under 12 free.

580-623-5452, WatongaCheeseFestival.com.

10-12

Into the Woods at Norman’s Sooner Theatre. Also showing 10/16-18. Tickets and showtimes, 321-9600, SoonerTheatre.org.

© Andreas F. Voegelin, Antikenmuseum Basel and Sammlung Ludwig

“We are honored to be the first institution to host the encore tour of ‘Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,’” stated Bonnie Pitman, The Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, via press release.

Since opening in June 2005, “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” has drawn nearly 4 million visitors, setting records in each city it has visited, including Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago and Philadelphia. With nearly 1.3 million visitors at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the exhibition became the most popular museum exhibition in the state’s history.

For full details on the exhibition and the Dallas Museum of Art, visit DallasMuseumOfArt.org/TUT or call 1-877-TUT-TKTS. 44

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October 2008

The Laramie Project play by OCU Theatre Dept at the Civic Center Music Hall (Black Box Theatre), 8pm.

Tickets $30. 297-2264. Also Oct 23-26.

11 • Saturday

MOPS Craft Fair Bazaar at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, (1001 S Rankin) 9am-3pm. Door prizes and silent auctions. Free.

Horror Makeup workshop at the Edmond Library, 2-3pm. Teens will learn to make scars, bruises, warts, and all kinds of gross stuff to wear on your face. Preregister.

Gorilla Mini Golf at Celebration Station, (I-40 and Meridian) 11am-6pm. $7 per person, includes a game of miniature golf and club rental. All proceeds benefit gorilla conservation.

Anime Club at the Mabel C. Fry Public Library in Yukon, 11am. For adults and grades 6-12. Free.

354-8232, Yukon.lib.ok.us Celebrating Ten Years!

Lowe’s Kids Workshop: Make a Skeleton at participating Lowes locations, 10-11am. For 1st-5th grade. Register online. LowesBuildandGrow.com.

11-12

Christian Cowboy Gathering at the Heartland of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, 6pm. Cowboy Christian music, cowboy poetry, gospel music, church services, kid’s activities, and rodeo events. 275-7020, VisitShawnee.com.

12 • Sunday

The Joy of Mozart: An Amazing Grace at the Downtown Library, 2-3pm. As part of the Second Sunday Series pianist Wayne McEvilly will perform Mozart’s Sonata 15-17. Free. Seating is limited.

13-17

Junior Learn to Row Lessons for kids ages 13-19 at the Chesapeake Boathouse on the Oklahoma River. $75. 725 S Lincoln, ChesapeakeBoathouse.org.

14 • Tuesday

Preseason Game with OKC Thunder and the L.A. Clippers at the Ford Center, 7pm. Tickets $10 and up.

NBA.com/Thunder.

15-31

16-19

outandabout

Mistletoe Market, sponsored by Junior League of OKC, Cox Pavilion, Oklahoma State Fair Park. Over 100 booths featuring gifts, apparel and home decor. Oneday tickets, $8, adults; $5 for children (3-12) and seniors (65+). 843-5668, MistletoeMarket.org.

17 • Friday

Scout Day at the Oklahoma Aquarium. All youth organizations in uniform or carrying a membership card and one accompanying adult can be admitted $7 per youth and $10 per adult. They can also earn the Oklahoma Aquarium’s own Junior Biologist Badge. 918528-1508.

Teacher Appreciation Day at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 10am-4pm. All pre-school through grade 12 teachers are invited to visit the museum and learn about programs for school groups. Classroom giveaways and other “goodies” will be available throughout the day. Admission for teachers and their families is free.

Pizza and Pillow Party at Unpluggits Playstudio, 6-10pm. Girls will have a blast with skilled face painting, nail art and hair braiding with beads. $25 includes all supplies, pizza, drink, and dessert. Ages 6 & up. Younger children may participate with a parent or babysitter. Reservation required. 340-7584, Unpluggits. com.

The Oklahoma Children’s Theatre presents Androcles & the Lion at the Children’s Center for the Arts, 2501 N Blackwelder, OCU campus, 11am. Tickets $5 children 2-12, $7 for 13 and up.

The OKC Blazers take on the Tulsa Oilers at the Ford Center, 7:10pm. Tickets $10 and up. OKFordCenter.com.

Other games held 10/21, 24, 26 and 31.

16-17

17-18

School Break SeaCamp at the Oklahoma Aquarium, 9am-4pm. Designed for children in grades K-5. $50 per day. Morning and afternoon care is an additional $5 per day. 10% discount for Aquarium members.

Pre-registration required. 918-528-1508, education@ okaquarium.org.

Fall Break Camps at the OKC Museum of Art, 9am-4pm. Kids will explore the galleries for bold, bright paintings and abstract sculptures and learn how to create their own. $60 members, $65 nonmembers; ages 5-10. Pre-registration required.

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre Fall Break Camps, 9am-4pm for ages 5-7 and 8-12. $40 per day or $70 for both; before and after care available.

16-18

Fall Break Camps at the City Arts Center, 9am-4pm. $40 per day. Camps include Rainbow Connection for ages 5-7 and 8-12, Gamer’s Paradise for 12 & up, Accessory Emergency for 12 & up. Pre-registration required.

Celebrating Ten Years!

familyfun

Pirates and Pajamas at the Oklahoma Aquarium.

Sleep alongside a soothing Coral Reef, or wake up to a Bull Shark swimming right overhead. Activities, snacks, movies and maybe just a little sleep. $50 per person. $5 discount for members. 918-528-1508, education@ okaquarium.org.

18 • Saturday

Garden Gala Gardening Event and Plant Sale at the OKC Zoo, 9am- 2pm. Free with Zoo admission.

Family Dye Day: Indigo T’s at the City Arts Center, 1-4pm. Students will reinvent old clothing by creating patterns using clothespins, rubber bands, wood blocks and string. For all ages, 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Free. (Supplies included except for t-shirt.) Pre-registration required.

Haunted House Frame Class at Michaels (at participating locations), 10am-noon. Kids age 5-12 will create their own fun craft. $5 per child, including supplies. Registration required. Michaels.com

Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies migrate from all over the United States to their winter home in Mexico, where they will hibernate through the cold, winter months.

The small town of Cole, Oklahoma hosts monarch butterflies every year during their migration, and to celebrate this event, the first annual Cole Monarch Migration and Butterfly Festival will be held October 4.

Held from 9am-5pm, events include a parade (11am), games, music, educational displays, and a plant and seed sale to be held at both the Cole Community Center and Park.

Butterfly food will be planted around the festival area to attract the butterflies to land. Dress in yellow and orange to attract the attention of the butterflies—or dress up as a caterpillar or butterfly and join in the parade.

Cole is located in McClain County, southwest of the Oklahoma City Metro area. For details on the festival, please contact Annie Hart 485-2962 or anniehart@pldi.net.

Find out more about monarch butterfly migration at MonarchButterflyUSA.com.

Peasants and Nobility at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. With André Watts, piano, and Joel Levine, October 2008

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

45

outandabout conductor. 842-5327, OKCPhilharmonic.org.

A is for Apple at the OKC Museum of Art, 10-10:45am.

Read a story about the alphabet, do a craft and sing. $7 members, $9 nonmembers. For 15-18 months with parent. Pre-registration required.

19 • Sunday

Drawing 101 at the OKC Museum of Art, 2-4pm.

Experiment with a variety of drawing methods and learn how to express emotion through artwork using different types of lines and strokes. For ages 10-13. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Pre-registration required.

Sound of Music Singalong at the Edmond Library, 2-4pm. Bring the family and enjoy an afternoon watching Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in this classic Rogers and Hammerstein film.

25 • Saturday

21 • Tuesday

Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 7-8:30pm. Dr. Cheryl Charles, president of the Children & Nature Network, will talk about the importance of reconnecting children and nature. Free.

How to be a Pirate at the Mabel C. Fry Public Library in Yukon, 4-5pm. Learn to talk like a pirate and enjoy a reader’s theater presentation of the book How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long. For kindergarten-fifth grade.

Pre-registration is required. 354-8232, Yukon.lib.ok.us.

Second Annual Infant Crisis Services Babes for Babies Style Show & Luncheon at the OKC Golf & Country Club, 11:30am-1pm. $100 per person. 5283663, InfantCrisis.org.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s Fall Forum for Local Education Foundation’s “Excellence for All: Helping Every Student Shine,” will be held at the 46

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

28 • Tuesday

Family Night Out: Nature Printing at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History, 6-8:30pm. Enjoy pizza and drinks for dinner, and complete a project to take home. Participants will receive one tote bag each to embellish during the class. One adult for every two children is requested. $10 per person members, $12 per person non-members. Space is limited, pre-registration required. 325-4712.

Affair of the Heart at OKC Fair Park, 9am-6pm. Arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles. Admission $6. 632-2652, AAOTH.com.

Homeschool Day at the Oklahoma Aquarium. $7 students, $10 adults. Pre-registration is required. 918528-1508, education@okaquarium.org.

23 • Thursday

24 •Friday

24-26

20 • Monday

Chihuly Bowls at the OKC Museum of Art, 4-5pm.

Parents and children will work together to create multi-colored bowls using tissue paper and glue. $7.50 members, $10 nonmembers. For ages 3-5. Preregistration required.

composition, or framing, so that you can learn how to take the best pictures possible. $20 members, $25 nonmembers. For adults. Pre-registration required.

Camp in Science at the Science Museum Oklahoma, 6pm. Spend the night exploring the museum’s hands-on exhibits, view a giant-screen movie, enjoy a planetarium show and experience a live science production. $45 per child and per adult who will participate in all activities.

Among Friends 5K & Fun Run at the Community Services Building (1183 East Main) in Norman, 5pm. $15 pre-registered runners, $20 day of race. 364-8118, SignMeUp.com.

Tuesdays at Sundown—Craft in America at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Preregistration required.

OK Memorial Union (900 Asp Ave, Norman) on the OU Campus. 8am-2pm. $50 per person by 10/10, $60 late registration. Details, OFE.org.

Booksigning: Racecar Driver’s Night Before Christmas at the Mabel C. Fry Public Library in Yukon, 10am-1pm. Books will be sold. 354-8232, Yukon.lib. ok.us Wine, Cheese and Polo Festival at Tatanka Ranch in Stroud, 11am-6pm. Demonstration by OSU’s polo team, Oklahoma wine tasting, music, artisans, merchants and cheese vendors. $10 Advanced tickets, $15 at the gate.

918-368-2251, TheTatankaRanch.com

Members Night Behind the Scenes at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History, 6 -9pm. Museum members are invited to view demonstrations of specimen preparation, and talk with curators and other staff members. $30 individual membership or senior couple, $20 senior individual, $45 family. Join online at snomnh.ou.edu/membership, 325-5020.

29 • Wednesday

OKC Thunder Home Opener against Milwaukee at the Ford Center, 7pm. Tickets $10 and up. OKFordCenter.com.

30 • Thursday

Watermedia for the Serious Beginner Class at the OKC Museum of Art, 6-9pm. Discover the basics of acrylics, watercolors, and watercolor crayons, as you broaden your horizons in the use of watermedia for painting. Adults; $20 members, $25 nonmembers (materials provided). Pre-registration required.

30-November 1

SNU School of Music presents “Hello, Dolly”; Herrick Auditorium, 6279 NW Exp, Bethany. Oct 30, 10am and 7:30pm; Oct 31 and Nov 1, 7:30pm. Matinee, $6; evening, adults, $14, seniors, $12, students, $7. 491-6345.

31 • Friday

Hitchcock at the Movies at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. A spine-tingling evening of movie thrillers with a full-size orchestra and a full-size screen. Tickets $12 and up. 842-5327, OKCPhilharmonic.org. Also held 11/1.

Boys Night Out at Unpluggits Playstudio, 6-10pm.

Fun crafts, organized playground games and pizza. $25, ages 6 and up. Reservation required. 340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

November 1

18th Annual Kitchen Tour in Nichols Hills, 10am–4pm.

Features local guest chefs, cooking demonstrations, luxury table settings, and breathtaking floral designs.

Coffee bar, bake sale, and a Q&A session with Certified Kitchen Designer, Karen Black-Sigler. $12 in advance; $15 day of the event. Mary Lou Casper 858-4827.

November 6

Make a DIfference Day with the HUGS Project at Crossroads Mall. Help prepare care packages to send to soldiers. 10-4 (or longer). For details contact Karen Stark, 651-8359, or TheHugsProject@cox.net.

Lowe’s Kids Workshop: Make a Pumpkin at participating Lowes locations, 10-11am. For 1st-5th grade. Register online. LowesBuildandGrow.com.

26 • Sunday

Digital Photography for Absolute Beginners at the OKC Museum of Art, 1-4pm. Class discussion will cover

October 2008

Fall Into Art at Martin Nature Park Center, noon-5pm.

Diverse local artists demonstrate how nature inspires their creativity. Artist booths, live music and kids activities. Free. 755-0676.

La Dolce Vita Girls Night Out at Bravo Cucina, (Penn & Memorial) 7-8:30pm. Enjoy a short program with life coach Mary Tucker. Book signing of Dating da Vinci by Malena Lott. Complimentary appetizers and tea. Free.

Must RSVP to malenalott@mac.com. Limited seating.

November 7-8

Tween & Teen Conference at UCO Campus in Edmond. Bonding opportunity for mothers and daughters, dance, fashion show, more than 50 breakout sessions. $25. Registration required. 528-3535, GSWestOK.org. See more on page 13.

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.

Childbirth & Parenting

DACO (Doula Association of Central OK), 455-1500, DACOinc.org.

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.

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.

Counseling & Support

Free drug and alcohol addiction classes offered by A Chance to Change Foundation at the Last Frontier Council Scout Service Center (3031 NW 64th), 6:308pm Mondays. 840-9000, AChanceToChange.org.

Divorce Recovery Group, Wednesdays at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N May), room 308.

755-4790.

271-2108 or ouhsc.edu/surgery/pancan.

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.

Parenting Groups

Moms in Touch group for moms of school age children. Meets all over the metro area to pray for children, schools, teachers and staff. Visit MomsInTouch.org for information. 800-949-MOMS.

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.

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.

Breast Cancer support group at the OU Breast Institute (825 NE 10th Suite 3500), third Thursday, 12-1pm. Lunch is provided; register 271-8001, ext 48592, or 271-8001 ext. 48527.

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.

Amputees’ Next Step support group, second Tuesday 1-3pm. O’Donoghue Rehabilitation Institute (1122 NE 13th, room 252). OUPhysicians.com.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) support groups meet in Choctaw, Norman, Edmond, and OKC. Visit our online calendar for dates, times, and contact info.

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.

Grief Support Group, Wednesdays at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N May room 110.

755-4790.

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.

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.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored family support group. First Thursday, 6pm, Integris Baptist Medical Center. 943-8888.

Mondays Friends Breast Cancer Support Group second Monday, 7pm. Midwest Regional Breast Care Center. 610-8872, jean.pitzer@mrmc.hma-corp.com.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Parents’ Support Group. Second Wednesday, 12pm, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, 271-5758.

Birth Parent support group, first Monday, 6-7:30pm.

Deaconess Pregnancy & Adoption Services (5300 N Meridian). 949-4200 ext 13.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Children’s Support Group. First and third Monday, 5pm, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, 271-8001.

OKC Area Stuttering Support Group for adults. Third Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm. First United Methodist Church, 303 E Hurd, Edmond. okcssg@yahoo.com.

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.

Myeloma Support Group. Third Thursday, 6pm, 7th floor Conference room at the OU Medical Center, 271-6557.

United Methodist Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur), holds Discoveries Program classes for adults. Call Gayle 720-8480 for full listing.

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.

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.

CHADD ADD/ADHD support meeting, second Tuesday at 7pm. Deaconess Hospital (5501 N Portland), Spencer conference room. 722-1ADD, 419-4176, or CHADD.org.

Health

25 • Saturday

Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant support group, third Thursday at 6pm. OU Medical Center (700 NE 13th), 5th floor. 943-8888.

Crossings Community Church (14600 N Portland) holds a variety of Care Series classes and support groups.

755-2227 or CrossingsOKC.org.

Pancreatic Cancer support group, last Thursday, 6pm. O’Donoghue Research Building (1122 NE 13th Street), 3rd Floor Surgery Research Conference Room.

Celebrating Ten Years!

Daily Yoga Classes (adult, teen, prenatal, meditation, and senior) for beginning and advanced students. $12 and up. 203-8927, 3rdStreetYogaStudio.com.

Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga. $8-$15 per class. 4743302 or MamasteYoga.com for locations and times.

Mother to Mother Ministry of Oklahoma (1201 N. Robinson), support group for single mothers at or below the poverty line. The ministry teams “support mothers” or mentors with mothers who need help. Potential volunteers or those needing services should call 272-9343. Mother2MotherOK.com.

Special Needs

Parents Fighting Autism third Monday of the month, 7pm. Olive Garden in Norman. Free. Location subject to change contact ParentsFightingAutism@gmail.com.

MC/DC Lupus Support Group at the Midwest City Library, 1-3pm. For those who have lupus, as well as family, friends, and caregivers. Details, call Melissa Carter, 503-3764..

October 2008

www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com

47

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October 2008

Celebrating Ten Years!

WHAT YOU CAN D O

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