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The Go-To Resource for San Antonio Parents
November 2012
Best Gifts for Kids DOWNTOWN ATTRACTING FAMILIES
RECESS FOR GROWN UPS Holiday Gift Ideas
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From our
Family to yours
Happy Thanksgiving Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy Home Health and Clinic Settings
abilitypediatrictherapy.com 344-KIDS(5437) What you'll need: Construction paper (brown, tan, orange, red, yellow), Scissors, Glue and Wiggle Eyes (Optional) How to make it: 1. Trace two feet (with shoes on) on brown construction paper. 2. Trace two hands on each color of construction paper.
Kids Craft Project
3. Cut out all the hands and feet tracings. 4. Put the two feet tracings together to make the turkey body and head, placing the heels together one on top of another, and spreading the bottoms apart. Glue. 5. Cut two feet out of the orange scraps,then cut a diamond shape for the beak. 6. Draw on the eyes or use wiggle eyes. Make the wattle out of red construction paper. Glue each piece onto the body. 7. Glue the red, orange, and yellow construction paper hands behind the brown body to make the tail. 8. Position the two tan hands on either side of the body to make the turkey's wings and glue them in place. -From:www.crafts.kaboose.com
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Haircuts Parties LOTS of Boutique Retail thru the end of this year!
and a
Free Hair Bow with this ad
Be a Model Like Me! models.shearmadnesskids.com
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Once we hold them we never let them go. They’re our babies. Even when they’re not babies anymore. We love them more than we ever believed possible. We would do anything for them. Which is why the new Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is taking children’s care to the highest level. Follow our story at ourchildrenwillbefirst.com.
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contents november 2012
volume 29 • number 11
10
departments 6 On the Web November Featured Web Content
8 Editor’s Note Now There’s an App for Our Kids
24 Health Sense Instant Recess
34 Your Kids in Our Kids Fall Holidays
calendar 27 Highlight
features 10 Best Gifts for Kids
32 Family Theater
The 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) results are in and the organization has identified and awarded the year’s top products for children, providing busy parents with this year’s sure-bet holiday gift guide.
20
advertising 16 Holiday Gift Guide
Lifestyle, Culture Attract Families Downtown
PHOTO BY APRIL LYNN NEWELL
A residential renaissance combined with expanding cultural and recreational facilities are giving families with children more reasons to call downtown home.
4
on the cover 10 Best Gifts for Kids 20 Downtown Attracting Families 24 Recess for Grown Ups 16 Holiday Gift Ideas
coming next month! • More NAPPA Holiday Gift Ideas • Helping Preemies Reach Their Potential
Eight-year-old twins Adriana and Anthony get their smiles on for the camera.
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Our Kids | November 2012
theMcNay Free Family Day: Dia de los Muertos SPECIALIZING IN BRACES INCLUDING 7230 Briar Place, San Antonio, TX • Tel: (210) 921-9191
Beverley Bunn, DDS, MDS Bunn Orthodontic Group, an orthodontic care provider committed to creating beautiful, confident smiles throughout the San Antonio, Texas area. Actual Patient
Coupon Required Mention Code ROK 210
$1,000.00 OFF A comprehensive treatment NO REFERRAL NECESSARY CALL US
TODAY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
(210) 921-9191 Most Insurances Accepted This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or quotations.
VALID UNTIL: December 31, 2012
www.BunnOrthodonticGroup.com
Sunday, November 4 1:00–4:00 pm Screenprinting: Pull a print with Art Smart San Antonio. Altar de Muertos: Twist and turn tissue into a bright marigold for the Altar. Face Painting: Celebrate Day of the Dead with calavera designs. Plus! Live luchador match and conjunto music by Juan and Armando Tejeda. No reservations required. This program was made possible by generous support from the William Randolph Hearst Fund for Education Programs. Altar de Muertos funded by Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM).
McNay Art Museum 210.805.1768 6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209 mcnayart.org
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on the web
OurKidsSanAntonio.com
Your Go-To Source for Parenting Information on the Web November Contests
Win VeggieTales DVD Win the first ever VeggieTales superhero DVD, VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables. The DVD teaches a lifelong lesson in handling fear and includes a brand new theme song and music video by Grammy nominated and Dove Award-winning group, Newsboys. Two DVDs will be given away. DVD valued at 14.99 each. Deadline to enter is Nov. 20, 2012. Register at www.ourkidssanantonio.com.
Win a Winner! Enter to win a Gummi Mat, an innovative mat designed with a “knobby” texture on one side, allowing baby to easily pick up food, and a non-slip surface on the reverse side that grips the table or highchair surface. A NAPPA Honors winner, Gummi Mat is nontoxic, phthalate-free, BPAfree, latex-free and dishwasher-safe. It’s valued at $47.96 and available at Babies R Us and BuyBuyBaby.com. Winner gets a set of four in assorted colors. To enter, visit www.NAPPAAwards.com. Contest ends Nov. 20, 2012.
Spotlight
Lobbying Hard for Adoption November is National Adoption Month, a time when we focus more on the unique issues that adoptive parents face. Adoptive mother Dina McQueen argues passionately that couples having difficulty conceiving should choose adoption over expensive and potentially harmful fertility treatments.
PLUS: ■ An easy-to-use Digital Edition of this month’s issue ■ Calendar of Family Events ■ Family Friendly Business Directory ■ Subscribe to our Weekly Update Newsletter
3 More Ways to Stay Connected
• “Like us on Facebook – facebook.com/OurKidsSanAntonio • Follow us on Twitter @ourkidsmagazine • Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter at OurKidsSanAntonio.com
Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, Inc. “Building a Foundation for Lifelong Music”SM
Seafood • Catfish • Cajun Cookin’
6 & under eat free from Kiddie Menu
• Private Piano Instruction (ages 5 to Adult) • Pre-School Piano (Ages 3 and up) • Private Guitar • Private Voice (Classical & Popular) North West - 12732 Cimarron Path, Suite 100 Near IH10/De Zavala Stone Oak - 700 E. Sonterra Blvd. Corner of Sonterra & Sigma. Across from Auden’s Kitchen
(with adult entree purchase)
697-7111
1289 SW Loop 410@Westlakes • 674-0019 www.MusicalArtsCenter.com Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. 6
Our Kids | November 2012
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editor’s note
By Cynthia Ladson 8400 Blanco Road, Ste. 300 San Antonio, TX 78216 SanAntonio.Parenting@parenthood.com
Visit us online at OurKidsSanAntonio.com Publisher Gary Hibert
Now There’s an Our Kids App
I
can’t tell you how many times in recent months I’ve had someone tell me, “There’s an app for that.” Well, this month, I get to share with you that now there’s a free mobile app for Our Kids magazine. The app, available for Apple iPhone and Android devices, can be downloaded through your phone’s App Store. Download is simple and fast. With the launch of the mobile app, Our Kids – the magazine that has been the go-to resource for San Antonio parents for more than 25 years – has made searching for local events, shops and services, kids camps and parenting articles, a whole lot easier and much more convenient for caregivers because they can now peruse our articles and information when it is most convenient for them.
Online Education Guide While we are excited about the launch of our new app, I am also pleased to share that the Our Kids Online Education Guide is up and running on our website. The guide allows parents to explore information such as test scores, special programs and enrollment for all schools – public, private and charter – in the San Antonio area. The guide will be a godsend to families moving into the San Antonio area, as well as to current residents trying to make hard decisions about their kids’ education. In this Issue The traditional gift-giving season is fast approaching, and if you are trying to decide on what to give the special child or children in your life, check out the “Best Gifts for Kids” article in this issue. The gift ideas are all gold winners in the 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards competition, and have all been kid-tested. Then, local freelance writer Lisa Taylor explores what the new downtown development and expansion means to families in “Lifestyle, Culture Attract Families Downtown.” Happy reading!
8
EDITORIAL Editor: Cynthia Ladson, 855-232-1685 Copy Editor: Emilie Jordan-Michael Proofreader: April Lynn Newell ADVERTISING SALES Account Executives: Mary Anne Jones, 855-232-1684 Dan Greenhouse, 855-232-1686 NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Cate Sanderson 7 Purdy St., Ste. 201, Harrison NY 10528 914-381-7474 PRODUCTION Production & Design Manager: Amanda Hawkins Senior Graphic Designer: Angela Rosa Graphic Designers: Arianna Azevedo, Wagner Chiang, Arianna Fernandez, Joshua Gonzales, Susan O, Brendon Peters, Staci Stedman-Morris DISTRIBUTION DDS, TASPAS and Distributech DOMINION PARENTING MEDIA A Division of Dominion Enterprises Vice President: Gary Hibert Senior Editor: Deirdre Wilson Parenthood.com General Manager: Tom Gonzales Content & Community Manager: Amy McCarthy NAPPA Manager: Julie Kertes NAPPA Coordinator: Annette Covarrubias
OUR KIDS SAN ANTONIO is published monthly by Dominion Media, a division of Dominion Enterprises. Advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Call 210-349-6667 to request additional copies. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. OUR KIDS SAN ANTONIO copyright 2012 Dominion Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
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Our Kids | November 2012
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Family Music Time
Tues., Nov. 27th at 10:30AM A free monthly music class ! W E NOPEN HOUSE for ages 3 and under JUNE 30th 2241 NW Military Hwy. 210-366-5048 www.jensensyamahamusic.com
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The
Best
Gifts
for Kids
The Year’s Finest Toys, Games and DVDs
T
he 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) results are in and we’ve identified and awarded the year’s top products for children, providing busy parents with this year’s sure-bet holiday gift guide. These Gold Award-winning toys, games and DVDs have been carefully tested, evaluated – and played with – by expert judges and kid testers alike. They were chosen for their entertainment and educational value, as well as their quality and ability to withstand hours of play.
Doctor Dreadful Alien Autopsy by Spin Master provides hours of entertainment and ooey, gooey fun! JODYE ALCON PHOTOGRAPHY, JODYEALCONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
10
Our Kids
Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. | November 2012 For reprints please contact the Publisher.
Toys INFANTS – AGE 2 SPECIAL NEEDS PICK LEGO DUPLO My First Build
LEGO builder-in-training! Oversized “menu” cards show kids how to build. The pictures have actual-size illustrations for children to match up and lay out the bricks before connecting them. The DUPLO bricks and accompanying object pieces help bridge the gap between constructive and imaginary play. LEGO, $24.99; www.LEGO.com. Ages 18 months and up.
By Ellen Metrick
AGES 3 AND 4 BabbaBox from BabbaCo
Ready for fun all in one ... box! Once a month, your mail carrier will deliver a gift box of fun that lasts all month long. Themed box includes an art project, book, exploring activity and access to a smartphone app. The prep work is done for you – just answer the door when it arrives! BabbaCo, $29.99/month; www.babbaco.com/babbabox. Ages 3 and up.
PHOTOGENIC NogginStik Developmental Rattle
More than a rattle, this developmental milestone-maker taps into an infant’s abilities from birth by introducing eye tracking through an innovative three-color changing light. Tap the rattle and NogginStik’s friendly face glows – red, then blue then green. SmartNoggin Toys, $21.99; www.smartnoggintoys.com. Ages birth and up. Tots Art Start
All the glory without the glue! Everything’s assembled for an afternoon of art. Create collages by placing doilies and fringed tissue anywhere on the sticky paper for a successful start to creative art! Triangular crayons, shaped paper and stickers add to the options. ALEX,, $16.95;; extoys.com. www.alextoys.com. Ages 188 months and up.
LeapPad2
The durability of a toy; the technological advancements of a tablet. Double the memory and two cameras equal two thumbs up for parents and kids! Stylus, touch screen and motion sensor are used to play games, listen to five songs or read a book. Downloadable apps and cartridges are also available. Pretty soon, we we’llll be begging our kids to use their LeapPad! LeapFrog, $99.99; www.leapfrog.com. Ages 3 and up.
The Rest of the Best Coming Next Month: The Year’s Best Books, Magazines, Music, Apps, Software, Video Games and Websites. See the entire list of NAPPA Gold, Silver and Honors winners at www.NAPPAawards.com. Then, enter to win a mountain of these products, just in time for the holidays, at www.facebook.com/NAPPAawards.
NogginStik Developmental Rattle
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Toys
STRIDER STST-3 No-Pedal Balance Bike
Riding starts sta with balance and coordination – not dependence on training wheels – with this cool, pedal-less rider. Intuitive to use, beginners gradually build skills needed to ride a traditional bike. Kids advance at their own pace, boosting confidence as they roll along. Strider Sports, $110.00; www.StriderBikes.com. Ages 18 months to age 5. Symphony in B.
A concert hall with the comforts of home and the sounds of a symphony! Place tall plastic instruments in the orchestra pit – in any order, on either of the two levels, to hear ever-changing music. Vary the music by taking away or adding instruments, and listen and learn how each sounds alone or within the context of an orchestra. B.Toys, $49.99; www.justb-byou.com. Ages 3 and up. Tag Get Ready for Kindergarten
Look, listen and learn! Each page of this book shines a spotlight on a different school-readiness skill with interactive Tag touch appeal. Different voices respond, teaching alphabet recognition, early math, emotions, seasons, months and more. Just open the pages and you’ll see just how fun kindergarten will be! Works with the Tag Reading System. LeapFrog, $13.99; www.leapfrog.com. Ages 3 and up.
AGES 5 AND UP FAMILY FUN
360-degree spins while a spark-bar cartridge with a pull-up lever leaves a blazing trail! Razor, $129.99; www.razor.com. Ages 6 and up. JUDGE’S CHOICE GlitterToos
Fun to do and look at, too! Fifteen sticker stencils, six glitter colors and a nail-polish-like bottle of glue makes for easy glitzy fun. Tattoos are temporary, lasting several days with no glitter trail left behind on bed sheets. Hand washing is no match for them, but they can be removed when desired. A great tween gift or stocking stuffer. GlitterToos, $15.99; www.glittertoos.com. Ages 3 and up.
AGES 7 AND UP 3D Puzzle La Tour Eiffel
Ooh la la, Paris in a puzzle! Piece together the famous landmark – puzzle-style! Ideal for kids who have mastered flat puzzles and want an incremental challenge. Flat and hinged plastic pieces are all numbered and have arrows to indicate placement, so this can be easily and methodically erected in an afternoon. Ravensburger, $25.99; www.ravensburger.com. Ages 10 and up.
Ever been invited to an edible autopsy? It’ss nes, creepalicious! Bubbling guts, injected intestines, lling and eye balls provide a hair-raising, spine-chilling osmorgasbord for dig-in diners. Lung Bugs provide the traditional, gummy candy lure that does not disappoint. Spin Master, $29.99; www.spinmaster.com. Ages 5 and up. Razor® FlashRider™ 360
12
Our Kids
The sparks are flyin’ with this ride-on! Evolved classic three-wheeler delivers style and performance with highly responsive back casters that send kids into Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. | November 2012 For reprints please contact the Publisher.
GlitterToos
Doctor Dreadful Alien Autopsy
Toys
Games By Peggy Brown and Kim Vandenbroucke
PRESCHOOL AND EARLY ELEMENTARY GameChanger DC Universe Super Heroes The Batcave
“To the Batcave!” all you Batman-LEGO fans! This set masterfully combines two obsessions – to build the Batcave and to surrender your imagination to the Caped Crusader. The detailed LEGO rendition includes a transforming changing station for the Bruce-Batman switch and the iconic red phone. The Dark Knight zips around on the Batcycle while the evil Bane bores into imagination in his spinning-drill tank. Two-expressioned characters include Batman, Robin and Poison Ivy. Bruce Wayne and Bane each have one expression. LEGO, $69.99; www.LEGO.com. Ages 6 and up.
Specifically designed for use with an iPad, different game boards and play scenarios come alive with animation and sound. Easily download the free app, and it teaches you how to play. Never the same game twice! Identity Games, $59.99; www.identitygames.com. Ages 3 and up. Willy’s Wiggly Web
Learning to use scissors has never been so fun! As a group, players make cuts in the paper web to release trapped bugs while trying to make sure Willy doesn’t wiggle and fall. Use the cards to pass the scissors different directions or to swap seats in this multilevel game. Peaceable Kingdom Press, $ $19.99; www.peaceablekingdom.com. Ages 3 and up.
EL ELEMENTARY – AGES A 6 AND UP PathWords™ Jr. The “Tetris Meets Word Search” Puzzle for Young Players
Single Player Tetris™ teams up with Word Search in this unique puzzle. Kids flex their sp spatial reasoning, vocabulary and logic skills as h work their way through 40 fun, themed chalthey lenges. Thinkfun, $19.99; www.thinkfun.com. Ages 6 and up.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – AGES 8 AND UP FitzIt PlayStation Vita
What comes in a box, fits inside a blender, and will make you laugh? Name an object that fits the attributes on your cards and then play them to the grid. Use your creativity and you’re fit to win! Gamewright, $9.99; www.gamewright.com. Ages 8 and up.
This portable gaming system has the advanced technology to astonish, yet the intuitiveness to pick up and play. Vita reaches beyond the ho-hum handheld systems and presents gamers with fingertip IOTA access to apps, chats and stats. Impressive Add little-bitty cards to a grid, making sure that color, or, graphics, touchscreen and analog conshape and number are either all the same or all trollers, video/music player, voice chat different across the line. As the grid expands, so during play, picture-taking capabilities and do the possibilities. Pocket-sized, go-along game; much more! Sony, $249.99 WiFi, $299.99 easy to play on any table anywhere. Gamewright, WiFi/3G; www.us.playstation.com/psvita. $7.99; www.gamewright.com. Ages 8 and up. Ages 8 and up. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.November 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 13
DVDs PRESCHOOL Chloe’s Closet: Super Best Friends
Does anything inspire fantasy better than a good costume? Smart fun and imaginative play bring Chloe and her friends closer when outfits in her magical closet transform them into heroes who solve problems and support each other. NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com. Ages 2 to 7. Chuggington’s: Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair; Traintastic Adventures; and Brewster’s Little Helper
What better way to “train” impressionable preschoolers in responsibility than with adorable little trains? Young Chugger “trainees” are forgiven for their poor judgment by their elders so that they can learn and grow from their mistakes – but they are still silly and fun to watch. These three outstanding DVDs offer important lessons in teamwork, patience, paying attention, overcoming fear and self-acceptance. Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2012; 62 min.; $14.98; www.Anchorbayentertainment.com. Ages 3 to 6. Pocoyo: Fun and Games
Perfect simplicity, purposeful action and a calm, clear presentation hold even the youngest attention spans. Line-drawn characters playing over a white backdrop will make children laugh out loud while they learn about good sportsmanship. NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 90 min.; $12.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com. Ages 2 to 7. The Adventures of Chuck and Friends: Monster Rally
Like preschoolers, Chuck the little dump truck and his vehicle friends get over-revved and run into trouble sometimes. But they stick together, even if it means putting their dreams on hold, to help each other learn from their mistakes. Shout! Factory / Hasbro, 2012; 110 min.; $12.99; www.hasbro.com. Ages 3 to 6. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: Ocean Commotion
Though storybook-traditional in his appearance, this is a new Cat. Wellbehaved and thoughtful, he leads kids on an innovative journey of discovery and science in short, digestible episodes with irrepressible Thing One and Thing Two in tow. NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com. Ages 3 to 6. 14
By Ranny Levy
The Gruffalo
A complex and beautifully produced story, the narrative of a mouse using its wits to outsmart scary predators ultimately empowers children by celebrating intelligence over brute strength. This is a great how-to-deal-withmonsters tale for those who fear them. A bit scary for some of the younger folks. NCircleEntertainment, 2011; 40 min.; $9.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com. Ages 3 to 6. WordWorld: To The Rescue
Take your little ones to bright and colorful WordWorld when they’re ready to start spelling. Simple story lines built around engaging word characters help kids memorize spellings and absorb word recognition. Catchy songs underscore the visual techniques. NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com. Ages 2 to 7.
AGES 5 AND UP The Magic School Bus: Blast Off! From Sea to Space (3-DVD set); Field Trip Fun and Games (3-DVD set)
Renowned for making science accessible to young minds, the Emmy-winning Magic School Bus travels to destinations no one can visit in real life. The focus is on content over glitz, and the trips prove to be rewarding learning experiences. Students are exposed to topics such as dinosaurs, forces and insects in one three-disc set, and water, the food chain and space in the other. Perfect for kids who love science – and for those who don’t yet know that they do. The New Video Group, 2012; 270 min.; $24.95 for each DVD set; www.newvideo.com. Ages 5 to 10.
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Our Kids | November 2012
DVDs Worlds Together: East Africa, West Africa and Ethiopia
This set helps parents prepare their children for an increasingly globalized future by introducing them to the nations of the world at an early age. Nothing beats seeing the smiling faces of children with their hardworking parents to promote cross-cultural understanding, especially in the exotic environments of Africa. Maps orient the viewer to scenery so striking that it instantly generates interest – in parents and kids alike. Each of the three DVDs comes with a teacher’s guide. Master Communications, 2012; 25 minutes each; $29.95 each; www.asiaforkids.com. Ages 5 to 12.
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THE THE ULTIMATE VIDEO VIDE EO O GAME GAME PARTY PARTY ™
Meet NAPPA’s Judges ■ Toys – Ellen Metrick consults with major toy manufacturers on product design. She has created systems to research and evaluate toys’ impact on childhood development and their therapeutic value for children with special needs. She has written extensively on creative applications for play products, including a bi-monthly column for ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailers Association). The lead evaluator for the Toys ‘R’ Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids for 16 years, Metrick currently serves as manager of business development at the National Lekotek Center, a nationwide nonprofit that focuses on accessible play for children of all abilities. ■ Games – Peggy Brown works for many of the world’s biggest toy companies as an inventor, designer, writer, creative director and consultant. She’s done creative development for hundreds of games, and she writes children’s activity books that promote curiosity and creativity. She has won the TAGIE award for game design, a prestigious honor in the toy industry. ■ Games – Kim Vandenbroucke is a game inventor and developer, brainstorming facilitator and president of Brainy Chick, Inc. In her spare time, she writes for Games for Educators (www.G4ed.com), which promotes using games in schools. She also runs her own game review website, The GameAisle (www.thegameaisle.com). ■ DVDs – Ranny Levy is founder and president of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media. The Coalition’s KIDS FIRST! initiative reviews and evaluates children’s programming, trains kids to become critical media users, and produces the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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Our Kids | November 2012
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ACTIVITIES
SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
COLORS OF THE SEASON
Kids’ Gingerbread Saturday, December 1 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday, December 2 Noon – 4:00pm Saturday, December 8 11:00 am - 4pm Kids’ Gingerbread makes it easy for children to create a keepsake holiday masterpiece. We provide all of the trimmings and lots of white icing. We even take care of the clean up. What a sweet deal! Reservations required in advance. For tickets and info, visit: www.sakids.org. 305 E. Houston St. 212-4453.
The City of Windcrest Presenting the 54th Season of Light Up! Come to the Light Up Ceremony at City Hall. Saturday Dec. 15th, 6pm. Real snow, Christmas Movies ans Music. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and much more!! FREE for everyone! 655-0022 ci.windcrest.tx.us
THE 16TH ANNUAL 2012 NORTH POLE VILLAGE Community Resource Recreation Center, Inc. Dec. 6, 7, 8 & 13, 14, 15 from 6 9pm. Enjoy the fun and magic as children visit the pint size North Pole Village. 124 Mabel Jones, Canyon Lake, TX 830-964-2324, www.crrcofcanyonlake.org
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM Devine Acres Bring your family out to the farm and get a REAL Christmas tree on a REAL working farm! We have over 15,000 trees growing in our fields! We grow three varieties of trees and we ship in Fraser firs from North Carolina as well. The most popular tree that we grow is the Leyland cypress because it is hypo-allergenic and allows people with allergies to have a real tree! We open the Friday after Thanksgiving and will remain open weekends thru December 16th. Just bring your camera- we provide everything else. Check out our new website, www.devineacresfarm.com for more info. directions, etc. We are located at 944 FM 2200 W. Devine, Texas. 830-665-9730
MORGAN’S WONDERLAND
16th Annual 2012 North Pole Village December 6,7,8 & 13,14 ,15 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Admission $3.00 (18 months and younger free)
Enjoy the fun and magic as children visit the pint size North Pole Village Community Resource & Recreation Center, Inc. 125 Mabel Jones Dr. Canyon Lake, TX 830-964-2324 www.crrcofcanyonlake.org
SAN ANTONIO ZOO Have a Real - WILD - Holiday! Bring the family for a real treat this holiday season. Ride the train and go critter caroling in our Holiday Express Adventure. Have brunch with Santa or join the Zoo Year’s Even Celebration. Registration required for all programs. For more information call 210-734-7184 ext. 1501 or visit www.sazoo.org. 3903 North St. Mary’s.
AN A-MAIZE-ING GOOD TIME South Texas Maize Find your way through our 7 acre maize, the mini mind maize, or enjoy the children’s play area. Have a fun day with family and friends on a hay ride, hay jumping, at our pumpkin patch, the antique tractor pull, and other fun experiences! 830-741-3968 or check out our website at www.fun@southtexasmaize.com.
CAMPS BASKETBALL CLINICS Spurs Holiday Basketball Clinics Three Spurs Holiday basketball clinics are being offered in December. Register now to reserve your spot as space is limited. Go to our website at www.SPURS.COM , KEYWORD: YOUTH for details.
Largest Selection of Toys from Brands like: • Playmobil™ • Lego™ Sets • Schleich™ • Thomas & Friends™ • ...and so much more! (New Shipments Arrive Daily)
The McGehee Family Toy Store 923 N. Loop 1604 E. #106 Waterford at Stone Oak Center San Antonio, TX 210 490 7171
Make Morgan’s Wonderland part of your Holiday Tradition! Fridays & Saturdays, Nov. 23 - Dec. 22, 5 - 9pm. Pictures with Santa, Christmas Lights, Wonderland Thanksgiving Camp Bring this ad in for $5 off Express Train, Carolers in the Park. THE ROYAL CANVAS Check our website for park hours any purchase $25 or more. and more details. 5223 David PAINTING PARLOR Expires Dec. 3. Edwards Drive, 210- 495-5888, November 19 - 23, 2012; Daily am – 12 or Daily www.morganswonderland.com. Content is copyright9:00 protected andnoon, provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission.
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, or Daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Or select any combination of sessions your child will attend.) Should your child spend the entire day at The Royal Canvas please provide a sack lunch. We have refrigerated storage on site should you require it. Care will be provided between 12:00 and 1:00 while they have lunch with us. We look forward to spending Thanksgiving with your children! 210-826-7246, 5005 Broadway Alamo Heights 78209 Please send any inquiries to cassie@theroyalcanvas.com. www.theroyalcanvas.com.
Toy Werks is San Antonio’s Biggest and Best Family Owned and Operated Toy Store. We provide the best selection of toys, dolls, games, books, craft and science kits, and stuffed animals in San Antonio with a fun and friendly hands-on environment. Kids and any kid at heart are welcome to come in and play! You’ll find Play Areas throughout the store where kids can try out some of our favorite toys. 923 North Loop 1604 East, 210-490-7171, www.mytoywerks.com.
GIFTS
Fantastic Gifts and Stocking Stuffers!
Educational yet FUN!
LAKESHORE LEARNING
Windcrest presents
The 54th Season of Light Up
“Colors of the Season” Come to the Light Up Ceremony at City Hall Sat., Dec. 15th • 6pm!
• Real Snow • Christmas Movies & Music • Hot Chocolate & Cookies • Pictures With Santa & Mrs. Claus and much more! • FREE REE for ev everyone! ryo
Making Learning FUN!! Lakeshore is dedicated to creating innovative educational materials that spark young imaginations, instill a sense of wonder and foster a lifelong love of learning. With materials for infants & toddlers through the 6th grade, we help children reach developmental milestones and achieve educational goals— while still having fun! Visit our San Antonio store or online at www.lakeshorelearning.com. Give the gift of time!
MAID AFFORDABLE You CAN have a clean home AND family time! We are bonded, insured, background checked and professional. Visit our website for more information. 210-878-7743 www.maidaffordable.com Play Systems make great gifts!
RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS
Come experience a REAL TOY STORE!
TOY WERKS
TWINKLE WORLD Thousands of fashion jewelry and hair accessories for 99 cents. Hundreds of Disney and other stationaries, handbags, wallets and backpacks. Stop by to see our wonderful selection. Great for stocking stuffers! 402-3362. 2818 Thousand Oaks.
DESTINATIONS/ PARTY NEEDS Party Entertainment
BALLOONAMATIONS Looking for entertainment for your Holiday party, we can handle it! Balloon artists, face painters, and clowns will provide great family, corporate, or kids party entertainment. Call us now to book your event or party for the holiday season. 734-9860. www.balloonamations.com
GAME TRUCK The ULTIMATE Video Game Party!! Great for birthday parties, corporate events and school functions. Call or visit our website for more information! 888-602-4263 or 210-501-4177, www.gametruckparty.com.
Let your imagination soar! Experience the magic of Rainbow at our showroom. Book Your Holiday Party Bring the whole family for some PLANET PARTY climbing, swinging and sliding Planet Party is a great place to so you can see for yourself why hold office and family holiday Rainbow is the most trusted parties, and we have a special brand in America. Start building section on our website which is childhood memories with a specifically for Holiday Parties! dream swing set from Rainbow. Please include us as a Holiday City of Windcrest, Texas Three convenient locations to Party place for families! 535-7096. 210.655.0022 serve you. 1-800-RAINBOW. 12403 Nacogdoches Rd., Suite ci.windcrest.tx.us 104. www.planetpartysa.com. www.rainbowplay.com. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission.
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Our Kids | November 2012
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Auto Zone
Twinkle World
Jones - Malts Berger
Thousands Oaks
Open 10:00 am - 7:30 pm Mon - Sat
402-3362
2818 Thousand Oaks Dr. 78232 1000’s new styles of fashion jewelry and hair accessories for
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&
Lifestyle Culture Attract Families Downtown
By Lisa Y. Taylor
L
ike an experienced tour guide, 5-year-old Carson Uber knows where the red and blue downtown trolley lines go and tells out-of-town family all about the Alamo. For the last two years, his parents have raised him on a ground-floor apartment of the Cadillac Lofts, among the bustling streets of downtown. The Ubers take the trolley to La Villita, Market Square and the Central Library and make the most of memberships at San Antonio Children’s Museum and the Institute of Texan Cultures. “Living downtown puts you in the center of everything happening in the San Antonio area,” says Carson’s mother, Kristi Uber. “By foot, you can experience a festival or museum, have lunch or dinner at a restaurant, grab an ice cream on the River Walk and then come back home. You never have to get in your car if you don’t want to.” A residential renaissance combined with expanding cultural and recreational facilities is giving families with children more reasons to call downtown home, says Ben Brewer, president of the Downtown Alliance San Antonio. According to the group’s data, 1,200 downtown apartment units have been built within the last three years, 800 are under construction, and another 1,000 have been proposed. 20
“In the near term, we are going to see more singles, empty nesters and young professionals moving into the downtown area,” Brewer says. “I also think that will evolve over time. Particularly with some amenities that will be built like the HemisFair redevelopment or the new Children’s Museum, that we will see more families moving downtown.”
HemisFair Renewal A pioneer in downtown living, Michael Berrier, and his wife, Suzanne Martinez, raised their two daughters in the historic Lavaca downtown neighborhood. In fact, their children were literally born in their stone home. Their girls attend college now, yet Berrier still cherishes the “rainwalks” they used to take. “We would put on our slickers and walk along the downtown streets to the HemisFair and then to the river to see the rain and water moving,” says Berrier, who co-owns La Tuna downtown. “The river is an ecological wonder. It has egrets, kingfishers, Harris hawks, and of course, ducks.” Across the street from the Lavaca neighborhood, HemisFair is poised to begin transformative redevelopment. The master plan of one of the first phases, the seven-acre Plaza de Artes features
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Our Kids | November 2012
CREATIVE EATIVE DRAMA ACADEMY ACAD
the expansion of the current playground and the installation of water elements, climbable art, a music garden and an archeological dig center with artifact replicas. Construction is pegged for completion in mid-to-late 2014. “It will be a multi-layered play environment in which the design drives the children’s play toward certain activities, whether that’s running, jumping or climbing,” says Andrés Andújar, chief executive officer of the HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. The Plaza de Artes master plan shows the expansion of the Magik Theatre as well as a mixed-use building with apartment units upstairs and neighborhood retail and restaurants downstairs. “It will be the equivalent to the likes of New York City and living across from Central Park,” Brewer says. “It’s not just the activities, but the significant amount of open space planned.” Other components of the HemisFair master plan include parks, shops, restaurants, parking and the potential for as many as “a couple of thousand” multifamily residential units, Andújar says.
Pearl Residences A decade ago, the former Pearl Brewery in northern downtown was an abandoned 23-acre site. Today, the Pearl borders the scenic Museum Reach of the River Walk and is a vibrant community that encompasses restaurants, shops and, most recently, the Can Plant Residences. Since opening in the summer, the majority of the Can Plant tenants are young professionals. But a few families with children have moved in, and that demographic could eventually occupy one-quarter of the planned 300 units, estimates Elizabeth Fauerso, the Pearl’s chief marketing officer. “You can live here and be part of a dynamic community, drive infrequently and have a very high quality of life for your kids,” she says. “This area is so rich in leisure and cultural resources.” Examples of family-friendly activities at the Pearl include children’s story times at The Twig Book Shop, cooking lessons at The Culinary Institute of America, free concerts at the riverside amphitheater and Saturday farmers markets. With the largest units offering two bedrooms, Fauerso realizes the apartments may not fit every family’s needs. Yet, she says trading square footage for other amenities is ideal for some, especially if at least one parent works downtown. “It’s not a traditional choice for families, but they would rather be here than have a house with a huge yard
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THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF
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that has to be maintained and where they have to drive 45 minutes to commute,” she says.
Cultural Hub Near the Can Plant, upscale apartment developments, such as 1221 Broadway, 1800 Broadway and The Mosaic, are rising along the northern cultural corridor that includes the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Witte Museum, the San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park and the San Antonio Botanical Garden. In addition, the San Antonio Children’s Museum is slated to erect its new 65,000-square-foot building and 20,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit space at the intersection of Broadway and Mulberry Avenue. Plans call for the museum to open in the summer of 2015. “Our hope is that for families in the downtown area, for whom the new facility will be only a mile away, the Children’s Museum will be their primary early childhood education resource,” says Vanessa Lacoss Hurd, the museum’s executive director.
Urban Challenges Many downtown families choose the Pre-K-8th Hawthorne and Bonham academies of the San Antonio School District while others send their children to private schools. More educational options are needed in the area, Brewer says. “If we want to attract more families, we need more magnet or charter schools,” he says. “There are operators of charter schools that are keenly interested in building new offerings within or near downtown.” Another frequent request of downtown residents is a large grocery store. Andújar has heard discussions of potential sites and is confident one will be built soon. “There will be a grocery store here in the next two or three years,” he predicts. For some families, the size and cost of downtown housing limits the area’s appeal. The Ubers just welcomed a new baby boy to their family and haven’t found an apartment or home that meets their space and budget requirements. Even if her family does move away, Kristi Uber says she will remain a believer in downtown living. “There’s a nice melting pot atmosphere down here,” she says. “If we find ways to make larger, more affordable places for families that want to live downtown, it would really be helpful to them and also benefit San Antonio in the long run.” ■ Lisa Y. Taylor is a San Antonio freelance writer and mother of three daughters.
Coming in December! 22
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Our Kids | November 2012
SING. DANCE. PLAY. LEARN...
Brooks Academy
Nurture your child’s inner musician, and give them a gift that will last a lifetime!
An Integrated K-12 Instructional Program
Make music with your child, birth-5 years old.
Now Enrolling for 2012-13 • Emphasis on Science and Math Skills Development
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8 San Antonio Locations to Serve You • Now Enrolling Fully Accredited by AdvancED, a worldwide organization "Advancing Excellence in Education"
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health sense
A New Trend: Recess for Grown-ups!
J
ennifer Yruegas knew that her playing time was paying off when she beat all of her 10-year-old son’s friends at “four square.” Not the social media check-in platform – the playground game. And she didn’t perfect her four-square skills during school recess like the third-graders she’d bested; she learned to play during recess – at work! Admit it, you just smiled at that idea. Health experts and a growing number of employers are counting on that to lure you, and eventually your entire family, into their updated idea of “recess,” which they say could get Americans in the habit of moving more and sitting less, and clamp down on the annual waistline expansion that is endangering our health. Most adults remember recess as the best part of their school day, says Toni Yancey, M.D., a professor in the Department of Health Services at UCLA and author of the 2010 book Instant Recess: Building a Fit Nation 10 Minutes At a Time. Unlike the negative feeling people often connect with exercise, recess “captures the idea of fun and stress relief and exuberance – linking that with physical activity,” Yancey says. It’s also a great way to hook the non-athletes among us, because during recess as a kid, “even if you weren’t an athlete, you went out and ran around,” she says. While a 10- to 20-minute recess break every day is enough to help stop the “average, sedentary, overweight adult American” from gaining the pound a year that most do, this tiny boost in activity has lots of other benefits as well. It improves mood, brain function and morale, and can even help foster cooperation among co-workers. But the biggest benefit of regular “recess” could be in the habit itself. Recess builds people’s confidence, and makes them more comfortable moving and 24
more likely to move during the rest of their day. Data from ongoing studies of adult recess programs at work is even beginning to show that it makes people more active during their afterwork hours, Yancey says. At first, Yruegas didn’t see how recess would fit into her 12-hour days as general counsel for KEEN, a manufacturer of outdoor casual footwear, bags and socks. She says her first thought upon hearing about her employer’s new “Recess Is Back” initiative was, “Well, I’m very busy.” But the recess program, put together with Yancey’s help, fit in well with KEEN’s already-playful company culture, and before she knew it she found herself discovering four square, a game she says she missed out on as a child. She hid her new skills from her son, Logan, who regaled his parents every night with tales of his foursquare adventures on the playground. On the last day of school, she joined a four-square game with Logan’s class, emerging victorious and earning her son’s pride and “street cred” with his classmates. “The only kid out there I couldn’t beat was Logan,” she laughs, “which was a good thing because it would have made the car ride home difficult.” ■ Christina Elston is a senior editor and health writer for Dominion Parenting Media. Read Health-e, her family health blog, at www.parenthood.com/healthe.php.
Resources ■ Instant Recess: Building a Fit Nation 10 Minutes At a Time, by Toni Yancey, M.D., MPH, University of California Press, 2010. ■ JourneyWorks – www.journeyworks.com/Instant-Recess/ products/255. ■ Recess at Work – www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/recess.
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You can see the wonderful impact The Little Gym can have on your child when you join us for a FREE introductory class. Call or schedule your free class online Alamo Heights 822-9252 NE San Antonio 545-3770 www.thelittlegym.com
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OurKids® San Antonio has gone mobile!
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november PHOTO TM/©2012 SESAME WORKSHOP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHOTO COURTESY OF VEE CORP.
By Cynthia Ladson
Elmo and friends make music.
Sesame Street Live: “Elmo Makes Music” Opens in San Antonio Sesame Street Live: “Elmo Makes Music” comes to the Lila Cockrell Theatre stage for three performances. Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 and 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 14. The 10:30 a.m. show is a kids matinee. During the production, Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and friends discover other “instruments” to make music after their teacher’s instruments turn up missing. Tickets range from $13 to $55. Special kids matinee tickets are also available for $9. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
what’s inside 27 32
Highlight Family Theater
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calendar 1 Thursday Los Altares del Mercado: See Day of the Dead altars created by area high school students and the Market Square community through Nov. 4. Free. Market Square at W. Commerce and Santa Rosa streets. www.marketsquaresa.com. 210-207-8600. Muertitos Fest Fiesta – Opening Night Fundraiser: Preview student artisan work and altars while feasting on Mexican regional delicacies. Guests can also play loteria (Mexican bingo) with local celebrity callers and purchase specialty folk art and artisan vendor’s traditional crafts. The evening concludes with music in the SAY Sí Black Box Theatre. 7 to 10 p.m. $25 per person, pre-sale; $35 per person at the door. SAY Sí Central, 1518 South Alamo St. www.saysí.org 210-212-8666.
2 Friday Investigation Station: Kids put critical thinking skills to the test while working with interactive stations designed to encourage them to investigate the world around them. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission $8 for 2 years and older, children under 2 are free. San Antonio Children’s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org. 210-212-4453. Lebanese Festival: Annual event celebrating Lebanese culture. Event features live band and dance troupe, foods and pastries and a Lebanese bazaar. Also, a children’s carnival area, a raffle and door prizes. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. $3 for those 12 and older and $1 for children under 12. Free parking. St. George Maronite Church, 6070 Babcock Road. www.stgeorgesa.org. 210-690-9569. Wild Beginnings and Zoo Explorers: Four-week program for ages 2-5 includes stories, songs and animal closeups. 9 to 10 a.m. for ages 2-3 and 11 a.m. to noon for ages 3-5. Continues Nov. 9, 16, 30. $30. Reservations required. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. www.sazoo.org. 210-734-7184. Growing up WILD: Enjoy nature games, crafts, handson displays and more designed for children ages 3-7 and their families. This week’s class is “Animal Tracks.” 10 a.m. to noon. Reservations required and may be made by calling 210-207-3106. Suggested donation $3 per class, maximum of $6 per family. Phil Hardberger Park, 13203 Blanco Road. www.sanaturalareas.org. 210-207-3106.
Muertitos Fest First Friday: Presented in recognition of Día de los Muertos, the event provides a perspective on the significance of the holiday while showcasing the talents of local artists through folk art exhibits, altars to honor the deceased and family art workshops. Guests can participate in a traditional procession and hands-on art activities and enjoy live music and dance performances on two stages throughout the evening. 6 to 10 p.m. Free. SAY Sí Central, 1518 South Alamo St. www.saysí.org. 210-212-8666.
3 Saturday “The Legend of Zelda - Symphony of the Goddesses” Tour: The concert features live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda. The four-movement symphony recounts the classic storylines from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Walker, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The concert will highlight orchestral renditions of music from other series games as well. Eimear Noone will conduct the full orchestra with arrangements by music director Chad Seiter. 8 p.m. Tickets range from $47.50-127.50. Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. www.zelda-symphony.com. 800-745-3000. Arbor Day: Family event offers tree-related activities including “Tree-K” run, tree-planting and care demonstration, tree adoption. Registration for the “Tree-K” run begins at 7 a.m. and race at 8 a.m. Pick up your free tree and get some important information about tree planting. Free trees available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will also be a Kids’ zone. Tree adoption begins at 10:30 a.m. Free. San Pedro Park, 800 W. Ashby Place. www.alamoforestpartnership.org/AFPEvents.htm. 210-207-3108. Muertitos Fest Family Day: Families can learn about the importance of Día de Los Muertos, participate in hands-on art activities, view art exhibits produced in recognition of Día de Los Muertos and enjoy storytelling in the Scholastic Book Mobile. A special family program of music and performances will be held in the SAY Sí Black Box Theatre. Also, free refreshments are available. 6 to 10 p.m. Free. SAY Sí Central, 1518 South Alamo St. www.saysí.org. 210-212-8666. Diwali Festival of Lights: Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights will be celebrated in HemisFair Park near the Tower of Americas. The event symbolizing the victory of
get listed Items to be considered for the calenXXXXX dar must be received at least six weeks prior to publication. The deadline for the January 2013 issue is November 15. Mail calendar items and photographs to: Calendar Editor, Our Kids San Antonio,
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8400 Blanco Road, Suite 300, San Antonio, TX 78216, or e-mail to ourkidssacalendar@gmail.com. Information cannot be accepted by phone. If you miss the print deadline, you
may submit your event directly to our searchable online calendar at OurKidsSanAntonio.com. Just click on the “Submit Your Event” link below the Calendar on the home page. Online postings will appear on the Web only.
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PHOTO BY FRED GONZALEZ/CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
a different theme such as weather, animals, water, reactions, nutrition and more. Join museum staff from 10 to 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday and 2 to 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday in the Jungle Adventure classroom. Free with museum admission. San Antonio Children’s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org. 210-212-4453. Tiny Tot Classes: Youngsters ages 2-5 can experience zoo animals through stories, crafts and animal presentations. “Polar Bear, Polar Bear” is the topic of the day. 10 to 11 a.m. $17 for one adult and one child. Reservations required. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. www.sazoo.org. 210-734-7184.
Dancer at traditional Indian celebration – Diwali Festival of Lights. good over evil takes place annually in India. Diwali of San Antonio will include such dance forms as Bollywood Zumba and Bhangra. A handicrafts bazaar, temporary Henna tattoos, fireworks display and authentic Indian cuisine are also featured. 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. www.diwalisa.com. 210-273-2200.
6 Tuesday Toddler Time: Museum staff lead kids in activities that help build their fine and gross motor skills. Weekly activities may include reading, music and exploration of hands-on materials. Class is geared for ages 0-3 years. 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free with museum admission. San Antonio Children’s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org. 210-212-4453.
7 Wednesday Astronomy in the Park: Join astronomers and other stargazers as you observe the sky through large telescopes in an informational program with the San Antonio Astronomical Association. Sundown to 10 p.m. every Wednesday. Free. “Lower Bee Tree” soccer field parking lot. McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road. www.sanantonioastronomy.org. 210-710-4786. Pint Size Science: Class introduces budding scientists to basic science concepts. Each month kids will explore
8 Thursday Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi: Group considered one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world will amaze San Antonio audiences with their musical abilities. Their music is considered by some to be sacred and is linked to regeneration and fertility in Burundi. 8 p.m. $31. Jo Long Theatre of the Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 E. Hackberry St. www.thecarver.org. 210-207-7211.
9 Friday Family Flashlight Night: Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden by flashlight on a guided tour after dark to look for night-blooming plants and bat buffer displays (plants that bat pollinate, such as bananas, avocado, figs). Astronomy Club will be on hand with telescopes. Participants can play a friendly firefly flashlight game, night eye games, help with owl pellet dissection and enjoy story time. Take a flashlight. 6 to 9 p.m. $8, adults and $5 for children. 555 Funston Place. www.sabot.org. 210-207-3250. Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon Health and Fitness Expo: Two-day expo featuring more than 60 vendors and entertainment. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Halls C-D. www.runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-antonio/ event-details#expo.
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calendar 2012 Festival of Lights: During the holiday season, take the family to enjoy the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens on Galveston Island. Enjoy more than 1 million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and nightly live entertainment. In addition, you can skate around on an outdoor ice skating rink, go snow tubing down a 100-foot ice slide, take pictures with Santa or watch holiday films in the MG 3D, 4D Special FX or Ridefilm theaters. Open Saturdays beginning Nov. 10 to Dec. 15 and daily from Dec. 22 through Jan. 5. Call for ticket prices. Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston. www. moodygardens.com/seasonal_fun/ festival_of_lights/. 800-582-4673.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBIA ART MANAGEMENT
10 Saturday
The Royal Drummers of Burundi are considered one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world. The group will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Carver Community Cultural Center.
Autism Society and AMC Films: Area families affected by autism and other disabilities can enjoy monthly films in an accepting environment. Take your own snacks. Today’s film: Wreck-It Ralph. 10 a.m. $4. AMC Rivercenter 9, 849 E. Commerce St. E-mail aglensky@autism-society. 301-657-0881 ext. 9015. Native American Stories: Lipan Apache storyteller, Emma Ortega, shares Native American stories. 10 to 11:15 a.m. Suggested donation is: $3 per person or $5 per family. Eisenhower Park, 19399 N.W. Military Highway. Call 210-564-6400 for reservations. www.sanaturalareas.org. 210-207-3111. Owl Prowl: Join Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist Richard Heilbrun for an evening program on owls. Take a 1/2-mile hike to the interpretive area along the Medina River where barred owls will be called in with owl calls as they stake out their territory. 6 to 8 p.m. Suggested donation: $3 per child; $5 per family. Suggested for adults and children over 7 years of age. Reservations accepted through Nov. 2. www.sanaturalareas.org. 210-207-3111.
ING Kids Rock: Kids can be part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon race weekend excitement by participating in the ING KiDS ROCK San Antonio Powered by San Antonio Sports. ING KiDS ROCK, is a non-timed, non-competitive event for children in Kindergarten-7th grade. 8:30 a.m. San Antonio Zoo/Brackenridge Park. www.ingkidsrock.competitor. com/event-info/san-antonio. 800-311-1255.
11 Sunday Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon: Annual Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen begins at South Alamo and E. Market streets. The event will also feature a bike
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tour. This year a Mini-Marathon has been included. Start times are as follows: 6:45 a.m., bike tour; 7:25 a.m., wheelchair; 7:30 a.m., marathon, 1/2 marathon, 2-person relay and mini-marathon runners. For registration fees and additional information visit http://runrocknroll. competitor.com/san-antonio/register. 800-311-1255.
15 Thursday Free Kids Night: Admission is free for kids and adults the third Thursday of each month. 5 to 7 p.m. San Antonio Children’s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org. 210-212-4453.
17 Saturday Breakfast at a Beastly Hour: Learn about reptiles and meet zoo keepers and get an inside look at what they do each day. Following breakfast at the Riverview Cafe, keepers will share information about their work world and the animals. 8:30 a.m. $35 adults, $20 under age 12. Reservations required. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. www.sazoo.org. 210-734-7184. Candlelight Celebration: An evening of seasonal music by candlelight presented by the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio Chamber Choir and Youth Chorale, 7 p.m. $8-$16. Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 West Woodlawn Ave. www.childrenschorussa.org. 210-826-3447. Light the Way: Annual lighting of the University of the Incarnate Word campus for the holiday season begins at 7:30 p.m. in Benson Stadium. Event will include entertainment for the whole family. Self-guided
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Our Kids | November 2012
tours through January 2012. Free. 4301 Broadway. www.uiw.edu. 210-829-6001.
19 Monday Thanksgiving Holiday Camp: Fifteen community centers around the city will offer holiday-themed arts and crafts and games to youth ages 6 to 14 during the Thanksgiving break from school. Cost is $3 per participant per day. Participating centers include Copernicus, 5003 Lord Road; Cuellar, 5626 San Fernando; Dawson, 2500 E. Commerce St.; Father Roman, 11030 Ruidosa; Gilbert Garza, 1450 Mira Vista; Hamilton, 10700 Nacogdoches; Harlandale, 7227 Briar; Melendrez, 5919 W. Commerce St.; Miller’s Pond, 6175 Old Pearsall Road; Palm Heights, 1201 W. Malone; Ramirez, 1011 Gillette Blvd.; San Juan, 2307 S. Calaveras; South Side Lions, 3100 Hiawatha; Ward, 435 E. Sunshine Drive; and Jean Yates, 528 Rasa. Camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19-21. www.sanantonio. gov/parksandrec/calendar.aspx. 210-207-3000.
22 Thursday Happy Thanksgiving! Hill Country Holidays: The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort invites visitors and San Antonio residents to explore their annual “Hill Country Holidays” program, which includes a holiday winter wonderland, Santa, elves and much more. The event runs through Jan. 6. Fun kicks off with an outdoor synthetic iceless skating venue in Plaza San Saba – “Frost.” The winter wonderland complete with is filled with lights and sounds of the season. Then take a trip to “the North Pole,” where kids can create seasonal arts and crafts in the Westin Kids Club. There is no cost to visit, however some crafts may have a fee. To enjoy this winter wonderland, visitors do not have to be registered at the resort. The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort, 16641 La Cantera Parkway. www.westinlacantera.com/ thingstodo/hillcountryholidays/. 210-558-6500.
OPTIMIZED FOR YOUR SMART PHONE
23 Friday Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony: More than a million holiday lights in trees along the River Walk will be switched on at 7 p.m., illuminating the San Antonio River through Jan. 1, 2013. A parade featuring decorated floats with celebrities, bands and costumed participants follow the lighting ceremony. Parade tickets $10-$25. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/.
24 Saturday La Gran Tamalada: Event features tamale-making workshops, local entertainment, La Villita open house and food booths. La Villita’s Maverick Plaza, 418 Villita St. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. www.sanantonio.gov/dtops. 210-207-8614. Holly Daze: Annual Holly Daze performance will feature holiday dance and musical entertainment. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. 1:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday. La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre. www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec. 210-207-3132.
29 Thursday Ford Caroling Nights with Santa: Enjoy a magical evening on the River Walk with luminarias, Christmas lights and carolers singing to everyone. Caroling continues through Jan. 2, 2013. Bring your camera and take a picture with Santa on a decorated river barge. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Historic La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre. Sponsored by the Paseo del Rio Association and Downtown Operations. www.paseodelrio.com. 210-477-5189. Holiday Boat Caroling: Schools, churches, companies and civic choral groups will ring in the holidays singing traditional carols on boats cruising the San Antonio River. Participants include bell choirs, folk groups and Latino ensembles. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. Free. www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com. 210-227-4262.
Check out our new digital magazine editions available online at OurKidsSanAntonio.com Access all of our great online content through our NEW Our Kids San Antonio app – See page 26! • Simple to access • Simple to use • Click through to family Web sites!
Now’s the time to experience our magazine in a whole new way!
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calendar Family Theater ■ The Kid Who Ran for President – A musical about 12-year-old Justin Moon who decides to run for president and actually ends up on the ballot! The story also teaches children about the government and leads up to a surprising ending! Performances are Tuesday-Friday 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Friday at 7 p.m.; and Saturday at 2 p.m. Runs through Nov. 3. General admission for 2 years and older is $10. Children 2 years and younger are free. Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. www.magiktheatre.org. 210-227-2751. ■ Cinderella – Madison High School drama students present an original version of Cinderella. The new version features Cinderella, the handsome prince, the wicked stepmother and stepsisters, the fairy Godmother, a deaf dowager queen, an ugly cousin, and a dog with lots of attitude! 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $6 at the door; children ages 2 and younger are free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Madison High School Performing Arts Center, 5005 Stahl Road. E-mail amurph@neisd.net for more information. ■ Thirty Reasons To Be Thankful – Joey is having a
cranky Thanksgiving Day. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, his little sister is being a pest and his Mom forgot the ingredients to his favorite Thanksgiving dish. Everything is going terribly wrong until Mom makes him find 30 Reasons To Be Thankful. With a little help from the audience, Joey gets his holiday spirit back just in time. Show times are 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with additional performances Nov. 19, 20 and 21. Tickets are $6. Children under 1 year old are free. Stone Oak Youth and Dance Company, 21518 Blanco Road, Ste 101. www.stoneoakyouththeatre.com. 210-481-2400. ■ Goldilocks and The Three Bears Thanksgiving – The Turkey is too hot and Goldilocks is too hungry to wait for The Bears! Take the family to find out what will happen in this Goldilocks and the Three Bears production with a Thanksgiving twist. 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays Nov. 14-23. $5.50 for kids and adults. Children ages 1 and younger are free. The Rose Theatre Co., 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.theroseco.com. 210-360-0004.
looking ahead to december The stage production of Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby opens at the Majestic Theatre Dec. 4-9 and Batman Live! comes to the AT&T Center Dec. 27-30.
Dec. 22 (Danny Green Appearance) & Dec. 23, 2012 University of the Incarnate Word SPECIAL OFFER! (Offer valid for Clinic 1 registration only) 1. $25 Spurs Game Ticket Credit (Jan. 5 vs. Philadelphia 76ers) 2. Exclusive Courtside Experience
Dec. 27, 2012 (Patty Mills Appearance) George Gervin Youth Center
Jan. 4, 2013 George Gervin Youth Center
............................................. Register by November 16, 2012 and receive a FREE Spurs mini basketball hoop! (Limited to the first 50 people to register)
Special Appearances from San Antonio Spurs Players Danny Green & Patty Mills! Log on to spurs.com (keyword: YOUTH) or call 210.444.5021 32
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Our Kids | November 2012
OUR KIDS To place a classified ad call 210-349-6667
CLASSIFIEDS
Publisher does not endorse nor recommend the following business and we encourage our readers to look carefully into any business before making personal or financial commitments.
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1. 2.
Y
KIDS
in
Fall Holidays 1. Robert and Aaron are chivalrous autumn knights for Halloween.
3.
2. Oliva the ZOMBIE dances to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” during the Bulverde Texans half-time performance. 3. Sam, Frankie, Kamryn, Olivia, Kaden and Kaleb have spooky fun at the Fall Festival at Guadalupe State Park. 4. Last year little Juliet Olivia enjoyed trying on her costume and playing with her fairy princess wings, but this year she is ready to do some serious trick-or-treating.
4.
5. Melissa makes a pretty Snow White.
Submit Your Photos for December and January Issues using It is now easier than ever to submit your kids’ photos for publication in Our Kids magazine. Join our Flickr group today and submit your kids’ photos. Here is how it is done: Login to www.flickr.com using your Google, Yahoo or Facebook account and join the Your Kids in Our Kids group and submit your photos by clicking on the upload button at the top of the page. By submitting photos to the Your Kid in Our Kids Flickr group page you give us permission to publish your photos in Our Kids San Antonio magazine. Theme for Our Kids December issue is “Fall Holidays.” Theme for January is “Celebrating the New Year.” The deadline to submit photos for December is Nov. 1 and the January deadline is Dec. 3.
5.
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SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS October 1, 2012–January 7, 2013
The Tex Hill Scholarship Program San Antonio Academy proudly announces the Tex Hill Scholarship Program which provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys who will attend San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years.
Visit www.sa-academy.org OR call 210.733.7331 for application details. San Antonio Academy admits students of all race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the
BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST
Southwest. Member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
YOU CAN BE.®
Educating Boys for Life 1886
117 E. French Place
since
San Antonio 78212 210.733.7331 www.sa-academy.org
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Sept. 22 - Nov. 25
Tri-County Antique Tractor Pull Nov. 16 & 17. Tractors of every make and model, dating from 1960 and earlier, will be competing against each other to see who can pull the heaviest load the farthest down the dirt track. If you like tractors then this show is for you!
Storyteller Saturday and Sunday, during the month of November professional storyteller Lee Haile will entertain you with Cowboy poetry, singing and some really tall tales! Lee will be performing from noon-5 each Saturday and Sunday.
Birthday parties at the SouthTexas MAiZE! It's great fun for birthday folks of all ages! Call our hotline or e-mail us for all the exciting details! For our tiniest guests we have the Lil' Poppers Play Pen where little ones don't have to battle with the big kids to have a little fun. Complete with swings, slide, photo ops, hay pyramid, tractor, and sand mountain nestled under a large Live Oak tree. Plus, for folks of all ages, there will be hayrides, the mini mind maze, the corn cannon, and our NEW Cow Train.
Group Rates Available Call For Time & Rates
Your MAiZE admission includes: Our 7 acre maze, children's play area, a hayride, the hay jump, and the mini "mind" maze. Unlimited jumping on our 2 a’maze’ing Corn Poppers!
See our website for special events & attractions
www.southtexasmaize.com
830-741-3968 fun@southtexasmaize.com
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