Emerald Coast Parent Magazine March+April 2015 by Rob Williams

March+April 2015

contents

7 10 Column

20 Teen Talk: Articles 7 8 12 19

What Youy Kids Wish You Knew! Sleepover Survival Guide: The Rules of the Game Lucky You: Ten Ways to Make Your Own Good Fortune! Oh Yes You Can! A One-day Spring Cleaning Plan from Start to Finish

Family Fun Guide Calendar of Events

Get to know the people, places and things that make this coast special!

Seasonal Events �� 40 Runs, Walks & More ��41 Sounds Fun ��42 The Arts ��43 Recurring Local �� 44 Volunteer �� 44

Resource Directory

Community resources offer a wide range of information and services for you and your family!

Listings �� 45

Life Is a Teeter-Totter: Five Ways for Working Mothers to Balance Their Career and Family

Family Builders

Families are important. Spend time enjoying life together at home and on the go.

The Family Chatter Challenge �� 22 That’s Good to Know!—Information you can use �� 24 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care ��25-26 Snacks—Recipes for tasty get-togethers �� 29-30 Crafts—Get creative with your kids ��32-33 Teach Your Kids Something New �� 34

ROBOTIC EXHIBITS Where

KIDS HAVE FUN With

Science

Emerald Coast

parent It’s Your MagazineTM

This is your magazine! Welcome to Emerald Coast Parent magazine. We like to consider this your magazine. We look forward to hearing from local readers like you on a regular basis. Let us know how we might be able to participate in the continued improvement of this beautiful area where we all live and work. As busy parents ourselves, we place a high value on spending quality time with our children and are always looking for fun crafts, recipes, events and outing opportunities to add to our family calendars. If you have fun, easy and cost-effective ideas that you'd like to share with our community of readers, please feel free to email them to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com. Your ideas might just end up being featured in an upcoming issue! Here's a list of things we'd love to receive from you: • Personal stories and pictures of you and your family out and about, enjoying a favorite local attraction, restaurant or event • Recommendations and endorsements of local stores, services and restaurants • Ideas for fun crafts • Your family’s favorite recipes Let’s make this a great local magazine, together! Thanks, The EC Parent Team To advertise in Emerald Coast Parent, contact Nathan Wilson: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com Phone: 503-710-1720

Publisher Nathan Wilson Creative Director Rob Williams Snacks & Crafts Editor Tasha Williams Contributing Writer Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph. D. Contributing Writer Myrna Beth Haskell Contributing Writer Christina Katz Contributing Writer Pan Molnar © 2015 It’s Your Magazine. All rights reserved. Emerald Coast Parent content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. Emerald Coast Parent is not responsible for the loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned. It’s Your Magazine and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors and publisher accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. It’s Your Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. It’s Your Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

4 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 5

By Myrna Beth Haskell

Sleepover Survival Guide: The Rules of the G ame

Are you thinking of inviting several of your child’s friends over for a sleepover bash, but you are not sure you can handle all those exuberant and tireless kids for more than three hours? Yes, sleepovers can be overwhelming and exhausting. Let’s face it:

They can be a downright nightmare. It will take quite a bit of planning and forethought, but both you and your child’s friends can have a positive experience if you take the time to think things through before the first excited guest appears at your door. Continued on page 9

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 7

Lucky You: By Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D.

Ten Ways to Make Your Own Good Fortune Does it seem like others get all the breaks while you struggle to cope with a string of bad luck? Although you can’t control the universe, studies in psychology show you can create your own good fortune. Lucky people weather the storms of life by seeing hidden opportunities, trusting themselves and taking bold action. When troubles arise, they are buoyed by help from supportive friends. You can change your luck this spring with the same strategies. Here’s how. Quiet down. Tap into your intuition by spending time alone. Write in a journal. Make a dream board or collage. Putter in the garden. Meditate. Lucky people are in touch with their own feelings. Break free from distractions that clutter your mental landscape for a few minutes each day. The path ahead will be much clearer.

Trust yourself. Research shows that your brain sees subtle, complex patterns you can’t explain in words. And those unspoken insights can help you make better decisions. Lucky people act on these instincts. Don’t ignore a hunch or silence your internal alarms just because you can’t explain them. You’re smarter than you think. Go with your gut.

Take it all in. Good fortune may be serendipitous, but you have to be open to it. Having a laser-like focus on a specific goal or long to-do list narrows your view. Lucky people find unforeseen windfalls because they explore the scenery instead of sticking strictly to the map. You might find a gorgeous handbag on sale while you browse the mall at lunch or score free theater tickets because you overhead a coworker say she can’t use them. Tune in to your surroundings.

Take risks. Lottery millionaires will tell you: You can’t win if you don’t play. Jackpots aside, there is a larger truth in this. “There are many valid risks in life and we need to be mindful of them. But dwelling on risks can keep us from seeing opportunity,” cautions Margie Warrell, best-selling author of Find Your Courage and Stop Playing Safe. Push yourself outside your comfort zone. Share your Continued on page 13

8 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

A good rule of thumb is to invite those children whose families you know. Many parents today are leery about sending their children to sleepover parties if they don’t know the family. In order to avoid inevitable disappointment due to declined invitations, put a message on the invitation such as, “Party continues after 8 pm for those who would like to sleep over.” This will enable guests to decline the sleepover part but to join the festivities and celebrate with your child early in the evening.

Rule 4: Activities Make or Break a Party

Continued from page 7

Rule 1: Establish the Rules from the Get-Go Sleepovers are different from other parties hosted in your home in that the kids know their own parents won’t be coming to pick them up until the next day. This gives a sense of “no holds barred.” After hosting several sleepovers for both my son and my daughter, I’ve found that kids will respond well to rules if you establish them right away. I like to hold a “Welcome Meeting.” Tell the guests about all the great activities you have planned. Then give them a list of rules to follow. Make sure they understand these are your rules, not your child’s. Tell them that if things go well, you have a special activity planned (this can be a blockbuster movie or a game with really cool prizes).

Rule 2: Prepare Your Home and Plan Ahead Find a place in your home that will be suitable for several kids bunking out and playing group games. This might be a playroom or any large space with sparse furnishings. Remove any breakable or valuable items. This way you won’t become a nervous wreck if a pillow fight ensues. Make sure that the eating area is properly protected. If you don’t have easy-to-clean tile or vinyl flooring, prepare the floor with some plastic splash mats or drop cloths. Keep in mind that your child’s friends may not know their way around your house very well, especially in the middle of the night. Place night lights in bathrooms and hallways so that it’s easier for your child’s guests to navigate their way at night. It’s a good idea to stock up on a few extra supplies, too. Make sure you have extra toothbrushes, pillows and socks, in case one of the guests forgets his or her own. Most parents agree that too much free time is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you have scheduled several controlled activities besides dinner, cake and opening gifts.

Rule 3: Sanity Is in the Numbers Larger groups of kids tend to get more unruly. Many parents suggest that you keep the total number of guests to eight, including your own child. Most also agree an even number works best—to avoid the “odd man out” scenario.

It’s imperative that you have a list of activities planned. If the weather permits, outdoor activities will wear your partygoers out without stressing you out. For indoor activities, it is best to choose those that will keep the kids relatively calm and focused. For girls, painting nails and doing hair always works. Fashion shows and karaoke are always crowd pleasers, too (don’t forget the video camera so they can watch themselves the next morning!). If you are having a sleepover for boys and you are worried about them spending too much time in front of the computer or video games, schedule some group activities. Boys enjoy team activities. Organize a mystery game or sports trivia game and break the kids up into teams. Group activities, such as charades and bingo, are always a hit with both boys and girls. However, many veterans warn that you have an alternative activity planned in case one or two don’t want to play the group game. Crafts are enjoyable for any gender. The best crafts are those that also serve as party souvenirs. The following are some suggestions for souvenir crafts: • photo frames (take a digital group picture, print and insert in each child’s custom frame)— glue magnets on back for bulletin boards • pillow cases, tote bags or T-shirts—use fabric markers or paint to decorate (don’t forget the party date and signatures of all those who attended) • bookmarks or book bag chains that celebrate the theme of the party

Rule 5: Fun Food, Happy Campers You will probably be serving dinner, snacks and breakfast, so the food will play an important role in making the party successful. Mixing food and fun is always a hit. Making individual pizzas can suffice as dinner as well as an activity that the kids will enjoy. In lieu of traditional birthday cake, set up bowls of toppings for a make-your-own-sundaes or make-your-own-cupcakes activity. You can always put a candle on the birthday child’s concoction! I made the mistake of not having enough drinks at my son’s first sleepover. Remember, popcorn and chips are laden with salt. The kids will be thirsty, so you’ll need to stock up on a variety of thirst quenchers. Keep breakfast simple. Avoid making omelettes or scrambled eggs, which only serve a few at a time. French toast or pancakes are easy to prepare, to keep warm, and you can make a large quantity at a low cost. To spice things up, add chocolate chips or M&Ms to the pancakes. Continued on page 15

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 9

ROBOTIC E X H I B I T S The robotic exhibits at the Emerald Coast Science Center are hands-on interactives that incorporate educational elements that complement STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Each exhibit can be operated by a visitor. Many of the robotic exhibits were created so that the visitor can see into their workings for educational and technical purposes. Being able to see how things work helps to convey easy-tounderstand engineering principles to the youth. The Simulator Robotic exhibit represent Space and Underwater Exploration in a simulated environment that contains textured landscapes to ensure the visitor has a unique experience. The Robotic Electro-Mechanical Manipulator exhibit are not only stunning, but challenging and fun to use. They also provide educational principles that relate to applications in Industry, Adaptive Technologies for the disabled, Hazardous Situations, Security, Agriculture, Exploration and Guidance Control. The Telepresense Rail Robot Arm is the first of its kind and the only one in the USA that visitors can operate. It is a dexterous challenge that travels along a 1-foot rail. A display showing basic robotic Fish and Tail models that mimic real life were created with conventional hardware materials. Their design and construction are reminiscent of a Leonardo Da Vinci model.

1995 image (from left); Autumn, John, Aurora and Victoria Siegel, with some of their early creations. The 4 member family R & D Team of MRISAR.

1998 Image; John Siegel testing their 1st “facial feature controlled” robotic wheelchair prototype for the disabled. 1999 Image; Autumn Siegel testing their 2nd “facial feature controlled” robotic wheelchair prototype for the disabled.

About MRISAR Institute of Science, Art and Robotics In order to help fund their own Philanthropic & Beneficial Research and Development, MRISAR (a 4 member family team) incorporates simplistic versions of the technologies they create into world-class robotic and interactive exhibits that they design, fabricate and sell globally. Their Humanitarian Research & Development has been presented before and/or published and awarded by: the United Nations, NASA-Emhart, Stanford, Cambridge, ICORR, ROMAN, IEEE, Discover Awards, International Federation of Robotics (IFR), etc. Their 1990s circa, original innovative R & D in “Facial Feature Controlled Technology” and “Artificial Sense of Touch Technology” (Adaptive Technology prototypes for the disabled) has helped pioneer those fields! They were the only company in the world to be awarded an entire chapter regarding their work in the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) “World Robotics; Service Robotics, 2011”. The Siegels’, all artists and inventors, live a very humble, simple, creative and dedicated lifestyle. In 2010 they purchased an old abandoned school on the Bad Lands Plains of North Dakota to live and work in and on.

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2013 image (from left); Aurora, Autumn, Chibi (the Robot), Victoria and John Siegel. The 4 member family R & D Team of MRISAR.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 11

By Christina Katz

Oh Yes You Can!

A One-day Spring Cleaning Plan from Start to Finish Busy parents don’t relish the idea of spring cleaning—and who can blame them? But if you could deep clean your entire home in one day, I bet you would. Right? Well, now you can, if you follow this simple plan. Busy parents don’t relish the idea of spring cleaning—and who can blame them? But if you could deep clean your entire home in one day, I bet you would. Right? Well, now you can, if you follow this simple plan. Be sure to stock up on cleaning supplies ahead of time. Deep cleaning burns through what you have on hand more quickly than routine cleaning. So make your cleaning-materials list and check it twice. This is a good time to replace rags, sponges, and worn-out cleaning tools, as well. Also be sure to invest in a Swiffer or dust mop with an extension arm for those hard-to-reach places. Give cleaning appliances a once-a-year review before the big

cleaning day arrives, replacing worn parts, and conducting necessary maintenance. The last thing you want to have to do is stop midclean and drive around town looking for something you don’t have. While you are shopping, go ahead and buy yourself a can of delicious-smelling room-freshening spray. But don’t let yourself use it until the big clean is done. Ready? Here’s how to break down a task most people dread into something the whole family can tackle in a day one step at a time:

1. Purge everything you no longer need: Starting in the bedrooms, remove all clothes, toys, and décor items that you no longer need or want. If you are unsure about some items, put them in a box in the garage and store them for a couple of weeks. You will be more willing to let them go once you can prove no one misses them. Move through the house, one room at a time, until you have skimmed all the extraneous stuff from each family member’s space, as well as all shared spaces. Load giveaways straight into the car Continued on page 14

12 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Continued from page 8

ideas with the boss. Ask for what you really want. Commit to a lofty goal. The biggest risks often yield the biggest rewards.

Expect success. Your beliefs about the future have a way of making it happen. Psychologists call this a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Optimism fuels bravery,” Warrell says. It allows us to act boldly in the face of fear or uncertainty, without worrying about whether we’ll look foolish. Don’t wait to feel brave before you take action. Confidence grows when you put yourself out there.

actions that our pessimistic friends wouldn’t bother to take. In turn we create new opportunities for ourselves,” says Warrell. Always look at possibilities through a positive lens.

Try again. Lucky people aren’t lucky all the time. But they

“Optimism fuels bravery.”

don’t let unhappy outcomes mess with their mojo. “Lucky people’s high expectations motivate them to persist,” even when they don’t succeed, says psychologist Richard Wiseman, Ph.D., author of The Luck Factor. Lucky people choose more challenging puzzles and they continue to work on them long after unlucky people give up. When you experience setbacks, change your strategy and keep moving forward. Good things come to those who don’t quit.

Smile. Lucky people have lots of friends and they make connec-

Be grateful. Who feels luckier: the athlete who won the silver

tions in surprising places, like the line at the grocery store. Put on a happy face. Make eye contact. Stand up straight, with arms relaxed, not crossed in front of you. Strong, open postures invite interaction. Be brave and initiate conversation. Listen for points of connection and pursue them.

medal or the athlete who won the bronze? That’s right. The thirdplace finisher feels luckier because she knows she might have come in fourth. The silver-medal winner is focused on missing out on gold. No matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse. Celebrate big wins and small victories. They’re all good. v

Reach out. You don’t have to be in all the right places at all the right times if you’re well-connected. Lucky people talk about their goals and accept help from others. You might mention you’re interested in going to cooking school only to learn that your friend’s aunt is a trained chef. Soon, she’s giving you admissions advice. Make a little noise about your ambitions. The universe is listening.

“Celebrate big wins and small victories. They’re all good.”

Stay positive. One person’s bitter disappointment is another person’s golden opportunity. You can’t make your own good fortune if you are focused on what’s wrong with the world or with yourself. “By being optimistic we can find opportunity in adversity and take

Heidi Smith Luedtke, PhD, is a personality psychologist and mom who believes you bring your own weather to life’s picnic. She is the author of Detachment Parenting. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 13

Continued from page 12

and plan to deliver them to charity organizations on your next trip out. Don’t forget to include food and toiletries you don’t intend to use. Swing by the local food bank, if your used goods store or local shelter won’t take them.

9. Once more from the top. Take your long-arm duster

2. Open up to possibilities: In the process of review-

10. Deep clean the bathrooms. D irty grout, stub-

and start back in the highest room. This time dust all the baseboard and chair rails. Your long-arm duster can reach behind heavy furniture to remove any dust or cobwebs.

ing your possessions, you may notice that some items in your home need replacing. Are carpets worn? Has furniture become rickety? Is anything damaged beyond repair? Sometimes it helps to go ahead and get rid of the things you no longer want even before you purchase something to replace them. By getting rid of the old, and making room for the new, you may notice fresh ways to make use of your space. Go ahead and rearrange furniture before you start to clean.

born stains, and the grimiest corners of your bathroom don’t stand a chance once you don your rubber globes and gather up all of your scrub brushes, old toothbrushes, and stain removers. Dust the room first; then move through each bathroom, wall by wall, from top to bottom. Wipe down everything with a germ-neutralizing cleanser. When you are done, spray down and wipe the mirrors and cabinetry.

up to be shaken outside, washed, or sent to the cleaners. Be sure not to overlook throw rugs, pet bed covers, tablecloths, bath and kitchen towels, bed linens, pillowcases, and washcloths. Put items for the cleaners in the car. Move laundry along in stages all day as you clean.

spray. Use a stepladder to reach high surfaces and dust everything from top to bottom, wall by wall, from walls to center of the room. Anything that does not move gets dusted.

11. Dust everything in the entire house. Arm 3. Gather up all linens. If it’s not nailed down, gather it your team with dust rags and Swiffers lightly sprayed with dusting

12. Vacuum the upholstery. Take cushions outside

4. Vacuum and roll up carpets. If you have any loose, and beat them with a tennis or badminton racquet. The amount of heavy carpets, give these a deeper-than-usual vacuum, then roll them up, and get them out of the way for the day.

5. Let there be light. T ake down all of your light fixtures at once and clean them in the kitchen sink, with soap and water. Leave them to dry on towels on the counter as you go around, and replace bulbs and dust around fixtures. Once fixtures are dry, ask the tallest family member to replace them all, making sure that each is safely and securely reattached.

6. Take down all curtains. Curtains get dirtier than you may think, especially when you have pets. So down they must come each year, either to be shaken out and rehung, or to be sent to the cleaners or laundered at home. Make a note if you need to replace any window hardware that isn’t holding up next time you go out.

7. Dust your way down. We clean what we look at more often. Therefore the space above the top of our heads is often neglected. So start your cleaning process above your head and then work your way down. Spray your long-arm duster with a light coating of dusting spray and begin in the highest room in the house. Dust all of the areas where the walls meet the ceiling. Pay special attention to molding, trim, and hard-to-reach spots. Don’t forget the ceiling fans and chandeliers. Work the duster all the way down each corner from ceiling to floor. Dust every nook and cranny in the house in one fell swoop.

8. Let the sunshine in. While your curtains are down, dust around and inside each window. Open windows and reach between panes with your duster. Then get a bucket of warm, soapy water and wipe down pane dividers and window ledges. Spray the entire glass on one side with cleaner; then wipe it down. Proceed through the entire house including sliding doors and doors with any glass at all. 14 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

dust they emit may encourage you to do this more often. With the cushions off, visit the loose change jar first then get into upholstered furniture with the vacuum hose.

13. Sweep, dustmop, and vacuum. Get under all movable furniture. This makes sweeping a team sport. So divide your family into teams and let one team take the upstairs and the other take the downstairs. Leave no corner unswept, including under the beds.

14. Go on a smudge hunt. Room by room, armed with a damp cloth and cleaner, check around doorknobs and light switches to wipe away fingerprints and smudges. Spray and clean any mirrors that may have been overlooked.

Continued on page 17

Continued from page 9

Don’t forget to check on food allergies. It’s imperative that you ask parents ahead of time if their children have food allergies. Always keep cereal on hand in case someone is allergic to eggs. You should also be prepared for the occasional vegetarian as well. Making sure you have at least one meatless choice is not a difficult task, and it will save you the trouble of whipping something up if one of the guests is a budding vegetarian—I’ve had a few at my house!

Quick tips: • Less fuss is a must. • Use paperware and paper tablecloths—easy clean up. • Provide a healthy choice snack, such as carrots and dip. • Don’t serve caffeinated items close to bedtime (e.g., colas or chocolate).

Rule 6: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Bedtime! Uh-oh … it’s bedtime! Even for the most organized party host or hostess, getting the kids to bed at a “respectable” hour can prove to be an insurmountable task. Although sleepovers can be some of the most talked about celebrations, you have to have reasonable expectations about how things will go. Putting a movie in toward the end of the evening once the kids have prepared for bed usually settles them down. Make sure that the movie is age-appropriate (when in doubt, ask for permission from parents beforehand). Any type of calming activity will suffice late in the evening. Just make sure you’ve completed all endeavors that encourage hysterical enthusiasm (such as piñatas) early on. Plan to separate groups of kids if some seem to want to whisper and pass notes via a penlight while others are ready to crash. At one of my daughter’s sleepovers, I separated them into two groups. The sleepyheads made a beeline for the family room, while those who wanted to chit-chat remained in the playroom.

Rule 7: There’s Got to Be a Morning After After a night of ghost stories, giggling and gossiping, your child’s bleary-eyed guests may not be ready to get with the program the next morning. Here’s a perfect solution: Kids love a contest, so give your child’s guests a specified time to get dressed, clean up and pack their things. Tell them there will be a surprise treat if they are successful. This may be a good time to give out goodie bags with a little something extra (such as energy bars or drinks—they will need the energy!). Hopefully, you remembered to list the pick-up time on the invitations, and to remind parents of this time when they dropped their children off the night before. Since most of your child’s guests probably have other activities to attend anyway, a 10:30 or 11:00 AM pick-up time is appropriate. There will be time for breakfast and packing things up, but you won’t have guests staying through yet another meal. Finally, when the last guest has stepped out the door, grab yourself a cup of herbal tea and head for the couch. This respite will be well deserved! v

KIDS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE: Tips from Kids Across the Country

Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before. You will be up late! Trevor, age 12, Salt Point, NY

Bring your mom’s and dad’s cell phone numbers. Samantha, age 8, Narragansett, RI

Bring your favorite snack and make sure there is plenty to share! Dominique, age 7, Richmond, VA

Most important thing to bring: Bring money, just in case you end up going somewhere, like the movies. Andrew, age 12, Hyde Park, NY

Bring cute pajamas! Savannah, age 8, San Diego, CA

Keeping track of your stuff: Make a list of what you are bringing. Lauren, age 10, Hopewell Jct., NY

To keep track of your stuff, always label your things. Emily, age 12, Portland, OR

What to do if you don’t like the food: If you don’t like the breakfast, say you and your family have to go to your grandparents’ anniversary brunch. Nicole, age 10, Cary, NC

I bring a hidden snack. Evan, age 11, Narragansett, RI

Myrna Beth Haskell is an award-winning author, columnist, and speaker. For more about her book LIONS and TIGERS and TEENS: Expert Advice and Support for the Conscientious Parent Just Like You (Unlimited Publishing LLC, 2012) and other works, please visit www.myrnahaskell.com. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 15

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Continued from page 14

15. A thorough mopping. Kick everyone out of the house or into a room with carpeting for the next half hour or so. Fill a mop bucket with hot water and cleaner and refresh your bucket frequently. After mopping each room, wipe the edges of the floor with clean, wet rags, and toss the used rags in the washer. Expect to sweat.

16. Clean all the doors to the house on both sides. Use a strong cleanser. Include storm or screen doors.

17. Room spray reward. After the floors dry, go back into each room, unroll the carpets, and spray a generous amount of room freshener. Ah! Doesn’t the whole house feel good?

Tackle Big Projects

Separately

When it’s time to spring clean your home, forget the garage, the attic, the shed, and any porches or decks. Forget cleaning the refrigerator or organizing the kitchen cabinets. You can tackle those jobs later, when the timing is right. In fact, keep a list of intensive projects for down the road. For really big jobs, like cleaning out an attic, schedule another half day or day when the weather will be best for the whole family to pitch in. Or commit a regular amount of time weekly, when the whole family can contribute, like two hours on Saturday mornings until the jobs are done.

Safety & Maintenance

académie auditions May 2 І 6:00 - 8:00 pm May 3 І 2:30 - 4:30 pm

Awareness

Spring-cleaning time is the perfect opportunity to check your smoke detectors. It’s also a good time to make sure any tall and heavy furniture is secured to the wall. Do you need to baby-proof? Do it now. Did you notice any water damage, peeling paint, or rodent issues? Go ahead and add estimates on repairs or hiring services to your to-do list. You’ll be happier next year if you jump on any problems at the first indicators of trouble. v

Christina Katz was once employed as a mother’s helper for a single working mom and her four sons. It was during those summers she learned what a good housecleaner she actually was. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself, A Collection of Advice for Moms.

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r e t t o T r e t e e T a Life Is

By Pam Molnar

rs g Mothe n i k r o W amily ys for Five Wa eir Career and F e Th to Balanc

Today’s working mother struggles to split her time between her career and her family. The demands of her two worlds can be a constant battle. A successful working mom does not strive for perfect balance but, in fact, lives her life like a teeter-totter. Although every rider tries to achieve perfect balance at some point, most find it more fun to enjoy the ups and downs. In 2011, just over 70% of mothers worked outside the home, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Almost two-thirds of those mothers had children under six years old. Those numbers have increased dramatically from a generation ago. This is new territory for today’s moms, who did not have the benefit of learning how to balance family and career from their own mothers. Working mothers in 2013 are inventing better ways to have it all by learning from others like themselves.

Make a plan but be flexible. A working mom will tell you that spontaneity is overrated. It is much better to plan ahead. Each day, make a list of what you hope to accomplish. Prioritize your to-do list, but keep your schedule flexible enough to change things if you need to. The little surprises that come up in your day can really make it feel like that teeter-totter ride. Control what you can by organizing ahead of time. Tara Springer, social worker and mother of two teenagers, suggests planning meals in advance: “I usually plan for the week ahead by planning breakfasts and lunches for the kids to eat while I am working.”

Keep the lines of communication open. The key to success in today’s busy world is to know the ever-changing plan of attack. “My husband and I tend to communicate every morning about what the evening will bring,” says Anna Kooi, Senior Manager at Deloitte and mother of three. “Our children are very active, so communicating about the evening schedule is crucial – who has taxi service, who will be home when the kids get home from school, and what activities are going on for the evening.” Be sure to inform your family when a work-related project will interfere with family time. It is important to know that both your worlds have must-not-miss dates.

Limit work at home. Whenever possible, spend uninterrupted time with your family by shutting off your phone and computer. If you cannot avoid it, try not to let it eat into family time by putting in work hours while your children are otherwise engaged. “I try to fit my work around their schedule,” says Sally Mueller, single mother of teenagers and a project manager. “I often sit with my laptop and answer emails while

watching TV with my girls or while they are doing their homework.” Mueller adds an important reminder: “Kids are very aware, however, that while you are there in body, you are not with them in mind.”

Learn when to multi-task or ask for help. In order to get everything completed on your to-do list, the working mother has to multi-task. Multi-tasking works best with things that do not require your full attention. For example, a mundane chore such as folding towels or doing dishes can be combined with returning phone calls. Mothers often overestimate the number of tasks they can do at the same time. By doing too many things at once, you will likely forget a step. Do what you can, but know when to ask for help. As a single mother, Mueller often has to rely on others. “When I have to travel out of town for work, my girls either stay with their dad or Grandma comes for a visit.” Outsourcing projects at home or work may give you the extra time you want to spend with your family.

Take time for you. Splitting yourself between two worlds can be stressful. Working moms must find time for themselves as a way to recharge. Much needed “Me Time” can be as simple as a bubble bath, a walk around the neighborhood or a workout at the gym. It is also vital to include your partner in recharge time. Springer and her husband feel couple time is very important. “My husband and I try to schedule couple time every weekend depending on what we have planned. If our kids are not home, we usually go out to dinner or breakfast.” Spend time doing something you both enjoy or simply catch up over a glass of wine after the kids have gone to bed. As the saying goes, “This, too, shall pass.” Your kids will get older, life will slow down and one day it won’t seem like such an effort to make it all work. Relish your time as a working mom. Every once in a while, stand in the middle of the teeter-totter and see if you can get it to balance. Then sit down, throw your head back and enjoy the rest of the ride. v

Pam Molnar is a freelance journalist and small-business owner. She has been enjoying her teeter-totter life for the past 15 years. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 19

Te e n a l k T What Your Kids

Wish You Knew!

*This should worry parents.

Talk to your kids about drugs before their friends and classmates do. Keep track of who your child is hanging out with. Bad influences lead to bad decision making.

Teens can get pretty creative when it comes to hiding their drug use. 2 to 3 hours that your child is not paying attention or making wise choices— marijuana is called a gate-way drug for a reason. It’s not about which drug is worse; it’s a matter of why your child is using drugs in the first place. . . . to the brain, think about this one for a minute.

It’s nearly impossible to grow up in America and not be exposed to drugs. Next to

alcohol, pot (also commonly known as weed, marijuana, and grass) is the second most used substance among teens. It is a subject all teens are exposed to at least once in their lives, and as spring break approaches,

and as different states legalize it, it is becoming more prevalent and popular in society. This article is meant to make you aware of the publicity and controversy surrounding the effects of marijuana. Let’s begin with what it is made of: shredded leaves, stems, and flowers of the hemp (cannabis sativa) plant, grown and then distributed to almost anyone who is willing to buy it. It is taken in through one of two ways: (1) inhaled through smoke or (2) consumed through a food or beverage.

Depending on the amount taken in is what determines how long the effects are, which is anywhere between 2 and 3 hours. Eating or drinking marijuana delays the effects and delivers less THC into the bloodstream. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive chemical in weed; it is responsible for binding to certain receptors of the brain to relieve pain and distribute a bit of dopamine, but it is nowhere near as powerful as morphine or heroin. For your body, using marijuana will cause an increase in your heart rate, dry mouth, and very commonly, red eyes. When it is smoked (or injested) the chemicals pass from the lungs through the bloodstream and to the brain, getting you to experience

euphoria, laughter, forgetting worries and cares, an altered perception of time, and an increased appetite. Some people can experience anxiety or panic. There is no way to overdose or experience hallucinations or distortions after smoking weed unless it is laced with some other drug, such as PCP (Phencyclidine) or cocaine. It is true that as you take a hit so does your body. The damage done takes much more of a toll on your brain than on your lungs, but what many people don’t realize

is that this can be moderated. Your normal lifestyle shouldn’t be altered unless you’re getting “high” every day—although you cannot physically become addicted and dependent on marijuana. There are no great withdrawals after using, unlike other drugs like nicotine in cigarettes or cocaine. The health risks in smoking tobacco (which is legal) are much worse than the risks of smoking weed. By using

the THC to relieve pain, promote sleep, and suppress nausea, it is medicinal for many diseases such as PTSD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and many others. As positive effects go, it helps maintain a healthy metabolism, promotes a healthier response to sugar, increases lung capacity, and offers surges of creativity to the brain. Study the negative and positive effects of marijuana and then form your own opinion on this very controversial drug. v

shailey

16 years old - Sophomore

a “high” from a sense of relaxation, mild

*Note: Comments made in red as well as other design elements and/or facts surrounding the main article do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the author or that of EC Parent magazine.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of EC Parent magazine. The statistics within this article are for example only. They should not be utilized in making real-world decisions as they may be based on very limited and dated open source information. Any assumptions made within this article are those of the authors or her source material. We encourage readers to do their own research and draw their own conclusions regarding drug use of any kind.

Just to name a few of the negative side effects of marijuana. Laced marijuana has proven fatal in some cases. Unfortunately, most teens using marijuana don’t believe any studies that point out its damaging effects on their body.

Do your own research—many believe that there are more negative effects of marijuana use than positive effects for the average user.

Don’t wait for politicians to tell you son or daughter it’s okay to use marijuana. Try to imagine your child on drugs, hanging out with other kids using drugs and still being able to succeed . . . If you can’t imagine that . . . then talk to you kids before it’s too late.

FAMILY BUILDERS

FamilyChatter The

Keep track of questions your family completes by marking the bunny-tails.

Challenge!

Stay connected no matter how busy life gets.

Do you like to attack problems head-on or do you hope they just go away?

Do you like simple Easter egg designs or complicated ones? Why?

Are you the oldest of your sibli ngs or youngest? W ould you change places if you could?

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you so far this year? Explain.

22 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

What is the action biggest distr eeps at k you enjoy th ing you from do ould what you “sh be doing”?

Take turns telling your family your s. favorite joke

Who do you turn to for advice? Why?

If you could wish for one thing today, what would that be? Why?

Use these questions to spur on great conversations: • At the kitchen table • In the family room • On road trips • By yelling them out loud—out of the blue—just for fun!

How healthy is your family diet? What could you do to improve your diet?

What are some examples of healthy habits?

What is your favorite type of music? Why?

What scares you? Why? What would help you overcome your fear?

What’s one thing you’d like to learn? Explain.

What’s one thing you look forward to in 5, 10 and 15 years? Explain.

What family member would you like to go visit? How long e has it been sinc en you’ve se them?

Live Laugh Love and Talk Together

Have you ev er broken a ba d habit? What wa it and how lo s ng did it take?

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 23

That’s Good to Know! Information You Can Use!

This Edition:

A Guy’s Guide to Body Image Al’s friend Rachel invited him to go to the lake for the day with her family. Rachel thought Al was fun to be around—plus he was cute. Rachel really hoped he’d say yes. Al turned Rachel down. He liked Rachel, too, but was self-conscious about taking off his T-shirt. He worried that her family and others at the lake would see what he saw when he looked in the mirror—a scrawny excuse for a man. Al hadn’t gone to the pool in more than a year because he was so selfconscious about his appearance. If we teach our kids to overcome the temptation of procrastinating, we give them a valuable skill that reaches into adulthood. Here are a few tips to help your child complete required tasks without procrastinating.

The Truth About Guys

Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But the reality is that a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. It’s a fact—some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance. You may hear a lot about being a tough guy, but how often do you hear that being a guy is tough? Guys might think that they shouldn’t worry about how they look, but body image can be a real problem for them. Unlike girls, guys are less likely to talk to friends and relatives about their bodies and how they’re developing. Without support from friends and family, they may develop a negative self-image. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

Why Is Body Image Important?

Body image is a person’s opinions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. Having a positive body image means feeling pretty satisfied with the way you look, appreciating your body for its capabilities and accepting its imperfections. Body image is part of someone’s total self-image. So how a guy feels about his body can affect how he feels about himself. If he

gets too focused on not liking the way he looks, a guy’s self-esteem can take a hit and his confidence can slide. (The same thing can happen to girls, too.)

How Puberty Affects Body Image

Although body image is just one part of our self-image, during the teen years, and especially during puberty, it can be easy for a guy’s whole self-image to be based on how his body looks. That’s because our bodies are changing so much during this time that they can become the main focus of our attention. A change in your body can be tough to deal with emotionally— mainly because, well, your body is yours and you have become used to it. Some guys don’t feel comfortable in their changing bodies and can feel as if they don’t know who they are anymore. Being the only guy whose voice is changing or who’s growing body hair (or the only guy who isn’t) can also make some guys feel self-conscious for a while. Some guys go into puberty not feeling too satisfied with their body or appearance to begin with. They may have wrestled with body image even before puberty started (for example, battles with weight or dissatisfaction with height). For them, puberty may add to their insecurities.

It Could Be in Your Genes

It can be tough to balance what you expect to happen to your body with what actually does happen. Lots of guys can have high expectations for puberty, thinking they’ll develop quickly or in a certain way. The best way to approach your own growth and development is to not assume you’ll be a certain way. Look at everyone in your family—uncles, grandfathers, and even female relatives—to get an idea of the kinds of options your genes may have in store for you.

When Everyone Else Seems Bigger

Not everyone’s body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. It can be tough if all of your friends have already matured physically and are taller and more muscular. Most guys eventually Continued on page 37

24 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Cut out this page. Then, cut it down the middle. He takes his half; she takes her half. Now it’s time for you both to do your part. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other—as often as you remember!

Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump-start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

10 WAYS to sh w

R E H y u care Offer to go grocery shopping with her or other errands. Thank her for doing something specific and make sure she understands you appreciate how much she does every day. Don’t be in a hurry to respond to what she’s saying—just listen. Surprise her with a memento of your love—keep it simple. Make an extra effort to clean up after yourself and the kids. Make sure you don’t work too much— spend time with the family. Keep the romance alive. Don’t forget to say and show her you love her. Take over a chore for her that you know she doesn’t like doing.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Play with your children. Have fun with them—give your wife a break. Suggest that she go out and spend some time having fun with friends.

Email us your ideas! Let us know how you go out of your way to SHOW HER YOU CARE! info@itsyourmagazine.com

10 WAYS to sh w

M I H y u care Spend time making dinner together. Take time out of your schedule and spend it focused on him in some way. Encourage him to spend time on his hobby and with friends. Aks about his work. Listen and ask questions. Encourage him to relax, slow down and enjoy life. Encourage him to spend time with his children. Exercise together. Surprise him in some way— be creative and keep it simple and often.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Thank him for working so hard. Ask him to do a craft or make a snack with you and the kids—have fun “doing life together.” Email us your ideas! Let us know how you go out of your way to SHOW HIM YOU CARE! info@itsyourmagazine.com

SNACKS & CRAFTS Spending time with our children is something we all love to do—snacks and crafts offer a fun, exciting and tasty way to express our creative sides—together!

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 27

Lucky Charms® Magic Bars Compliments of Cathy Trochelman, lemontreedwelling.com

YOU NEED • 1½ Cups Nilla Wafer Crumbs • ½ Cup Butter, Melted • 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk • 4 Drops Green Food Coloring

• • • •

1½ Cups Lucky Charms® 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows 1 Cup White Chocolate Chips 1 Cup Coconut

DIRECTIONS • Combine Nilla Wafer crumbs and melted butter. • Press into bottom of 8” x 11” pan. • Pour green-tinted sweetened condensed milk over the crust. • Top with miniature marshmallows, Lucky Charms, white chocolate chips, and coconut. • Sprinkle with additional Lucky Charms Marshmallows for a pop of color. • Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Tip – Bring these great little treats to a St. Patrick’s Day party.

Lucky Mint Steamer Compliments of Cathy Trochelman, lemontreedwelling.com

YOU NEED • 1 Cup Milk • 2 Tbsp. Creme de Menthe Flavored Syrup • Whipped Cream • Lucky Charms® Marshmallows DIRECTIONS • Combine milk and mint syrup in a small saucepan. • Heat at low temperature until heated through. • Pour into mug or glass. • Top with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Tip – Use these Mint Steamers to lure those tricky leprechauns into your home.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 29

YOU NEED • 1 Cup Digestive Biscuits – Crushed • ½ Cup Butter • 1 Cup Mascarpone • 1 ½ Cups Double Cream

Compliments of Sabrina at Lady Jayne’s Cakes, ladyjaynescakes.co.uk

White Chocolate Cheesecake • 1 Cup Philadelphia Cream Cheese • 1 ¾ Cups White Chocolate • 1 ½ Cups Pastel Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS • Line the base of an 8” Springform pan with baking paper and brush the sides with a light amount of vegetable oil. (This helps prevent your cheesecake sticking when you release the tin.) • Melt the butter and stir into crushed biscuits, pour into your tin and press down to form the base. • Beat together Mascarpone, Philadelphia and Double cream until mixed and smooth. • Melt White Chocolate and stir into creamed mix. • Pour into your tin and smooth the top, chill for at least 4 hours. • When ready, release from the tin, transfer to a plate, decorate and serve! Tip - Brush the sides of your pan with a light amount of vegetable oil—this helps to prevent your cheesecake from sticking to the sides when you release the tin.

Chocolate Covered Cotton-Tailed Peeps® INGREDIENTS • Lollipop sticks • Bunny Peeps® • Your Favorite Brand of Melting Chocolate • Mini Marshmallows DIRECTIONS • Cut the mini marshmallows in halves for the tails. • Push a lollipop stick into each bunny about one inch. • Line a pan with waxed paper. • Dip bunnies into melting chocolate (see package for melting directions). • Lay bunny pops onto lined pan. • Put bunny tails into place before chocolate sets.

Semi-sweet chocolate chips can be substituted for melting chocolate. Tip: Try adding a bit of vegetable shortening to thin out the chocolate.

30 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Where Learning Meets Imagination!

Join WSRE each Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m.–noon for hands-on fun, discovery and exploration! Located at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 West Cedar Street.

Discover the world of PBS KIDS, WSRE & Pensacola State College with hands-on learning, technology, smiles, friends and fun! Share stories with friends...

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Engage in professional development, college classes, career training and parent workshops.

Enjoy books, games, puzzles and much more! 4260-0614 WSRE EC AugSept FP ad.indd 1

wsre.org • (850) 484-1200 6/2/14 2:46 PM

Tic-Tac-Toe Rock Bugs • • • • • •

Ruler Pencil Rocks Water basin Paper towels Foam plates

INSTRUCTIONS • Paint canvas panel Palm Leaf and sides of panel Lime Tree. • Find center of panel. Use that as a starting guide for measuring and taping off two lines in one direction. Paint White. • Repeat to create two lines going in the opposite direction to create your playing grid. • Wash rocks in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Paint some Flag Red and some Kings Gold. • Paint one end black to create heads of bugs. • Use liner brush to paint mouths. • Use opposite end of liner brush dipped in paint to create eyes. • Use flat brush and round brush to paint stripes and dots on bugs as shown. • Paint white wings with round brush. • Add any other detail with liner brush.

Compliments of www.plaidonline.com

MATERIALS • Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint – White, Black, Kings Gold, Flag Red, Lime Tree, Palm Leaf • Brushes – Flat ½” & ¼”, Liner #1, Round #4 • Tape

Tip - Paint rocks to create other animals or bugs.

Canvas Bunny Art • • • •

Paintbrush Pencil Craft Glue Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS • Paint your canvas with several coats of Parakeet. Let dry. • Print out bunny clip art to fit your canvas – a bunny silhouette works perfectly for this purpose. • Cut out the bunny silhouette and trace around the edge directly on top of the painted canvas. • Cut several small squares of white tissue paper and set them aside. • Take one square of tissue paper and wrap it around the eraser end of your pencil. Pour some Mod Podge out onto a palette and dip your tissue paper/pencil into the Mod Podge. • Push the tissue paper down onto the canvas within the boundaries of the bunny silhouette. Pull up the pencil and it should leave the tissue paper behind. • Keep adding tissue paper in the same way until the entire bunny silhouette is filled in. • Glue pom poms where the nose, eye, and tail should go using craft glue. • Let dry for 24 hours before hanging.

32 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Compliments of www.plaidonline.com

MATERIALS • Mod Podge Wash • Apple Barrel Out for Kids, 8oz. Acrylic Paint • White Tissue Paper – Parakeet • Bunny clipart • Pom-poms

Tip - A bunny silhouette works perfectly for this purpose.

Rainbow Pot O’Gold MATERIALS • Acrylic Craft Paint in All 6 Rainbow Colors • Clear Acrylic Spray • Small Clay Planting Pot and Base • Gold-Foil Wrapped Chocolates (Coins or Chunks)

You can spray on a clear coat to protect the paint and bring out the colors.

INSTRUCTIONS • (Optional) Prespray your pot and base with clear acrylic spray. Doing so helps seal the pot so the paint covers more evenly. • Start by painting the top of the pot red. Then set it aside to dry so that you can handle the red section while painting the rest of the pot. • While you’re waiting for the red paint to dry, paint the base green and set it aside as well. • Paint the rest of the colors once you’re able to handle the red section without leaving finger marks. (Some colors may need multiple coats.) • Once dry, you can spray on a clear coat to protect the paint and bring out the colors.

Compliments of Vanessa Brady, triedandtrueblog.com/peep-wreath

Peep Easter Wreath MATERIALS • 10” Straw Wreath • 9 or More Packs of Peeps in Various Colors

Tip - I barely had enough Peeps to cover the wreath completely. Buy a few more packs if you want more coverage.

• Toothpicks • Ribbon

INSTRUCTIONS • Impale your first Peep. Push the toothpick in all the way until you almost see it pop out of the top of the head. • Push toothpick into straw wreath. Don’t get worried if the toothpick emerges from the top of the head. Just push the mushy head up and back around the toothpick top. Peeps mend amazingly fast! • Place your first row of Peeps evenly around wreath. • Continue with the rest of the colors, working one pack of Peeps at a time. Don’t forget to put some of your Peeps facing different directions and on the sides of the wreath as well. • Continue working through all the packs of Peeps, one color at a time to maintain uniformity, until your wreath is completely covered! • Tie a big bow out of your ribbon, push a toothpick through the center and attach to wreath.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 33

Teach Your Kids Something New!

This Edition:

FOR THE LOVE OF COOKING TOGETHER Chocolate Treats to Make with Your Kids

Nothing comforts quite like chocolate. Whether Pretty Chocolate Pudding someone in your brood is celebrating a spe- Serve this tasty pudding warm on cold days and cold on warm days and it will always be a major hit! cial occasion or trying to bounce back from 1. Stir together ⅔ cup sugar, ¼ cup cocoa, 3 tablespoons a tough day, these five chocolate recipes are cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon salt in medium saucepan. Place sure to make the whole family beam. over medium heat and gradually stir in 2¼ cups milk. Teach your kids to make these quick and easy recipes and they might surprise you with chocolate concoctions of their own some day. Only one thing is certain: none of these treats will stick around your kitchen for very long!

Simple Chocolate Sauce

Drizzle this chocolate sauce over ice cream or bananas, then store the rest in a microwavable container for next time. Keeps for two weeks. 1. Whisk together ¾ cup white sugar, 1½ tablespoons flour, and ½ cup cocoa powder in a small mixing bowl to remove lumps. 2. Heat 1¼ cups milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and ½ teaspoon vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. 3. Gradually whisk dry ingredients into milk mixture, then increase heat to medium-high and simmer mixture. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in a pinch salt. Try it on all your favorite desserts!

No-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

You can toss all of these ingredients in a saucepan and be ready to serve tasty cookies in 30 minutes, making this the perfect go-to recipe for last-minute guests. 1. In a large, heavy saucepan, bring to boil 2 cups sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa, 1 stick butter, and ½ cup milk. Boil for one minute, then add 1 cup peanut butter, 1 tablespoon vanilla, and 3 cups oatmeal. 2. Remove from heat, stir, and drop by the spoonful onto waxed paper spread over cookie sheets or cutting boards. Pop a board into the fridge to speed the cookie hardening, if desired. Otherwise wait 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy! 34 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

2. Stir constantly until mixture boils. Boil and stir for one minute. 3. Remove pan from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. 4. Pour mixture into a serving bowl or divide among 4 individual dessert dishes. Press plastic wrap directly onto pudding surface to prevent skin from forming. 5. Chill two hours or serve warm. Remove wrap and garnish with whipped cream. Delicious!

Easy Chocolate Fondue

Always a hit with kids. Dip fresh fruit, marshmallows, sturdy bread, pretzels or pound cake into this warm creamy mixture—mmm! In a heavy saucepan, warm 1 cup heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to slowly boil. Add 12 ounces high-quality dark, semisweet, or milk chocolate chips to the cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in a pinch salt. Add ½ teaspoon vanilla, if desired. Transfer to a fondue pot on low heat or serve straight from the pot. Take care to avoid kids touching or tipping a hot pot. Arrange dipping foods in bite-sized pieces on a plate with fondue forks or regular forks. If the fondue starts to stiffen, whisk in a bit more cream. Have fun!

Best Brownies Ever

These decadent brownies are amazing slightly cooled from the oven with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top. 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan. 2. In a small saucepan, place 4 ounces chopped unsweetended chocolate on top of 2 sticks of butter. Stir until melted over low heat. If you use a microwave, take care not to splatter or scorch the mixture. 3. Place 2 cups sugar into medium mixing bowl. Pour in chocolate-butter mixture and mix well. Add 4 large eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla and blend well. 4. Sift ½ cup of flour over the mixture and fold in gently, taking care to not overmix. 5. Pour mixture into baking pan and bake for 30–40 minutes. For gooey brownies, bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean. For cakier brownies, bake five minutes longer. They will be clamoring for more! v

Teach your kids to make these quick and easy recipes and they might surprise you with chocolate concoctions of their own some day.

Christina Katz is a lover of all things chocolate. She loves all types of chocolate equally and is quite certain that chocolate = love. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 35

Continued from page 24

catch up in terms of growth, although some will always be taller or more muscular than others—it’s in their genes. It’s natural to observe friends and classmates and notice the different ways they’re growing and developing. Guys often compare themselves with other guys in certain settings, and one of the most common is the locker room. Whether at a local gym or getting ready for a game at school, time in the locker room can be daunting for any guy. Try to keep in mind in these situations that you aren’t alone if you feel you don’t “measure up.” Many guys feel exactly the same way about their own bodies—even those whose physiques you envy. Just knowing that almost everyone else will go through the same thing can make all the difference. You could try talking to a trusted male adult—maybe a coach, a doctor, a teacher, or your dad. Chances are they went through similar experiences and had some of the same feelings and apprehensions when their bodies were changing.

Picture Perfect?

Guys put enough pressure on themselves, but what about the pressure society puts on them to be perfect? It used to be that only girls felt the pressure of picture-perfect images, but these days the media emphasis on men’s looks creates a sense of pressure for guys, too. And sometimes (actually, many times) that “as advertised” body is just not attainable. The men you see in those pictures may not even be real. Magazines and ad agencies often alter photographs of models, either by airbrushing the facial and muscular features, or by putting a good-looking face on someone else’s buff body.

Building a Better Body Image

So in the face of all the pressure society places on guys—and guys place on themselves—what can you do to fuel a positive body image? Here are some ideas: Recognize your strengths. Different physical attributes and body types are good for different things—and sometimes the things you did well as a kid can change during puberty. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, flexibility, strength, or coordination leads you to excel at a certain sport. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. Just exploring talents that you feel good about can help your self-esteem and how you think of yourself.

A good body doesn’t always translate into athletic success. Too often, the way guys see their body image is closely associated with their performance on a sports field or in the gym. The upside to this is that if you’re good at a team sport, you might have a pretty good view of your body. But what if you don’t like team sports or you got cut from a team you really wanted to make? In these cases, it helps to look at individual accomplishments. If you don’t like team sports, that’s OK. Find another form of physical activity that gets you going. Depending on your interests and where you live, that may be mountain biking, rock climbing, yoga, dancing, or jogging. This will help you stay in shape and help you to appreciate skills you may not have realized you had in a team environment. If you like team sports but didn’t make a particular team, don’t let it get you down. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you’re good at, not to lament what you aren’t best at. Maybe try out for another team—so soccer wasn’t for you, but maybe cross-country running will be. Or continue to practice the sport you were cut from and try again next year. The people around you probably won’t remember that you didn’t make the team—not being picked is a much bigger deal to you than it was to them. Look into starting a strength-training program. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques don’t just happen—they take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet. There’s no need to work out obsessively. A healthy routine can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to an hour 3 days a week. Another benefit to working out properly is that it can boost your mood—lifting weights can lift your spirits. Don’t trash your body; respect it! To help improve your view of your body, take care of it. Smoking and other things you know to be harmful will take a toll after a while. Treating yourself well over time results in a healthier, stronger body—and that contributes to a better body image. Practicing good grooming habits—regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, etc.—also can help you build a positive body image. Be yourself. Your body is just one part of who you are— along with your talent for comedy, a quick wit, or all the other things that make you unique. Your talents, skills, and beliefs are just as much a part of you as the casing they come in. So try not to let minor imperfections take over. While it’s important to have a positive body image, getting too focused on body image and appearance can cause a guy to overlook the other positive parts of himself. If you’re like most guys who take care of their bodies and wear clothes that look good, you probably look great to others. You just might not be aware of that if you’re too busy being self-critical. v © 1995- 2014 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 37

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FAMILY

FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Welcome to a More Exciting Life! No matter how busy you find yourself these days, you might want to make your to-do lists in pencil rather than pen. With the Emerald Coast’s year-round sunshine and laid-back lifestyle, the stage has been set once again for an abundant year of festivals, concerts and special events. We live on a beautiful coast that has so much to offer, and we’re here to make sure you know what’s going on in your own backyard. Don’t miss out on life just because you didn’t know what was happening. Enjoy!

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Seville Quarter’s St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Fri, March 13 – Seville Quarter

Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend in downtown Pensacola at Seville Quarter! There will be a full weekend of green beer, great food, live music and Irish spirit! For more information, call 850-434-6211 or visit www.sevillequarter.com.

The Molly Ringwalds’ “Easter Weekend Concert” at Seville Quarter Fri, April 3 (8:00 pm) – Seville Quarter

The party at Seville Quarter continues with the world’s greatest 80’s tribute band! The Molly Ringwalds will be live at the Quarter for Good Friday. Doors open at 8 and tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, call 850-434-6211.

St. Patrick’s Day at Baytowne Wharf

Tues, March 17 (6:00 pm) – Baytowne Wharf Celebrate the luck of the Irish at the Village of Baytowne Wharf on St. Patrick’s Day. There will be tons of activities, live music and Irish dancers from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Cruise

Tues, March 17 – Baytowne Marina For St. Patrick’s Day on the Solaris, you can expect dinner, dancing, food, drinks and live entertainment. Reservations are required. For more information, call 850-650-2519.

Wed, April 8 (6:00 am) – Henderson Beach State Park There will be a sunrise Easter service on the beach at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin at 6:00 am, a 9:00 am service at Destin Life Center, and an 11:00 am worship service at Destin United Methodist Church. For more information, call 850-837-2021.

Easter Sunday Brunch at Seville Quarter Sun, April 5 (10:00 am) – Seville Quarter

There will be an Easter Sunday brunch held at Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter. Call 850-4346211 for more information.

Easter Lunch Cruise

Sun, April 5 (1:00 pm) – Baytowne Marina Hop aboard the Solaris for an Easter celebration! Check in is at 12:15, and the ship sails at 1. Adult tickets are $58, children (ages 3 to 10) are $35, and infants are $18. For more information, contact SunQuest Cruises at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Irish Dancing!

Tues, March 17 (6:30 pm) – Crestview Public Library Put on your dancing shoes and learn to dance like the Irish! David and Anna Sandlin will be at the Crestview Public Library on St. Patrick’s Day to teach everyone how. There will also be live Irish music. Registration is not required and the event is free. For more information, please call Heather at 850-682-4432.

Easter Worship Services

Visit with the Easter Bunny and Brunch Sun, April 5 (2:00 pm) – HarborWalk Village

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Easter is not complete without visiting the Easter bunny! Hop on down to HarborWalk Village on Easter Sunday for Easter bunny pictures and fun activities for kids!

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com

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RUNS, WALKS & MORE participants who donate an assistive device, such as a cane or walker. These items will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse-World Medical Mission. Local drop-off sites will be available. Visit www.runwalkorroll5k.com for more information, or call 850-293-6818.

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

Sat, March 28 (8:00 am) – Pensacola The Walk to Cure Diabetes is the fastest growing fundraising event in JDRF’s history, and their goal this year is to raise $70,000 to help find a cure. JDRF is the leading global organization funding Type One diabetes research. For more information, call 850-597-6532.

5th Annual Run 4 Science 5K and One Mile Fun Run 9th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic

Fri, March 8 – Fort Walton Beach Golf Course It is that time of year for the 9th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic. Lunch will be served at 11:00 am; there is a shotgun start at 12:00 pm, drinks, hole-inone prizes, and more. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Laura Moore at 850-864-4242.

7th Annual Irish Street Festival and Grogg March

Sat, March 14 – HarborWalk Village The whole clan can enjoy an afternoon of live Irish music and activities! For the little ones, there is face painting, arts and crafts, and an interactive treasure hunt, and then after dark, travel through the HarborWalk Village for the largest Grogg march in town. Proceeds will benefit Food For Thought Outreach Inc. Passes are $10, and if you bring a plastic jar of peanut butter or jelly, you will receive $5 off of your Pub Crawl Pass! For more information, visit www.emeraldgrand.com/events-3/.

Lucky Leprechaun 5K/10K Run/Walk

Sat, March 14 – Fort Walton Beach Landing There will be a 5K/10K at the Fort Walton Beach Landing at 8 am, and a Lil’ Leprechaun Fun Run for the little ones at 9 am. The afterparty will be held at KCS Sandbar, where there will be a celebration and awards ceremony. For registration and more information, visit active.com or Run With It, located at 170 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, FL.

5K Techno Color Run for Crestview High School

Sat, March 14 (9:00 am) – Crestview High School Crestview High School is now the largest school in Okaloosa County, but they lack

sufficient funds to engage students with modern technology. The Student to Student Club decided to take initiative and is hosting a Techno Color Run 5K to assist their school in raising funds. These funds will be distributed evenly to each department at Crestview High School, to help it reach its potential. Their goal is to raise $50,000. For more information, contact Crestview High School at 850-689-7177.

Run for the Health of It Run/Walk

Sat, March 21 (9:00 am) – Helen Back, Fort Walton Beach The White Wilson Community Foundation is hosting their 3rd Annual Run for the Health of It Run/Walk. The event features a scenic 5K and 8K course down Okaloosa Island. Runners and walkers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. An after-party and awards ceremony at Helen Back will follow the event. For more information or to register, visit www. whitewilsoncommunityfoundation.org.

Run for the Kids

Sat, March 28 (8:00 am) – Fort Walton Beach Landing There will be a 5K Run/Walk at the Fort Walton Beach Landing from 8 until 9:00 am to support the AMIkids of the Emerald Coast. T-shirts will be given to the first 150 people who register. Cost is $20 prior to race day, and $25 day of. There will be an awards ceremony and after party following the race.

2nd Annual Run, Walk, or Roll for Mobility 5K/1Mile

Sat, April 11 (7:30 am) – Emerald Coast Science Center

The fun begins at 7:30 am in the Seabreeze neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach! After the race, the Emerald Coast Science Center will be providing food, fun and beer.

Walk the Talk for Epilepsy Sat, April 11 (8:00 am) – Pensacola Bayfront Stadium

This family event will not only help support those with epilepsy and their caregivers but create awareness as well. You can expect to see Zumba dancing, a bounce house, face painting, and more. The walk takes place inside of the Pensacola Bayfront Stadium by the baseball field. For more information, call 850-433-1395.

Bark for Life of the Emerald Coast

Sat, April 11 (10:00 am) – Destin City Hall Annex Grab your leashes and take your pets to the American Cancer Society Bark for Life! This event will be held at the dog park adjacent to the Destin City Hall Annex, and is to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. This full-day event includes a walk, followed by demonstrations, contests and games.

Tax Relief Golf Tournament

Thurs, April 16 (11:30 am) – Destin Celebrate the end of tax season at the Tax Relief Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Emerald Bay Golf Club. For more information, contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at 850-837-2711 (ext. 2).

Sat, March 28 (8:00 pm) – Navarre Beach The Florida Physical Therapy Association is coordinating this non-profit event to benefit Samaritan’s Purse. The one-mile event will be a scenic route of beautiful Navarre beach. A registration discount will be granted to

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photography, and more. For more information, call 850-424-0600.

The Pioneer Road – Free Lecture

Fri, March 13 (12:00 pm) – Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida If you are interested in learning about the history of Okaloosa County, this is the event for you! Guest speaker Dr. Brian Rucker, of Pensacola State College, will focus on the first American settlers and settlements in what is now Okaloosa County between 1821 and 1865, before Okaloosa even became a county. This event is free and open to the public. For more information and to reserve a seat, call 850-678-2615.

French Street Market

Sat, March 14 (9:00 am) – DeFrance Indoor Flea Market, Fort Walton Beach If antiques, re-purposed items, great food and live music are your scene, head to DeFrance Indoor Flea Market in Fort Walton Beach between 9 and 4 pm. They are hosting their French Street Market, where local artisans and crafters will showcase their original artwork. For more information, call 850-543-4579.

Okaloosa RevFest

Sat, March 21 (11:00 am) – KC’S Sandbar, Fort Walton Beach This is the first music festival of its kind in Fort Walton Beach, bringing a “Revolution of Art and Music” to Okaloosa County. There will be almost a dozen local bands and several original artists at KC’s Sandbar playing music from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm or later. For more information, visit www.okaloosarevfest.com.

11th Annual Triple-B BBQ Cook-off

Seville Quarter Reggae Festival and Boat Show

Fri, April 10 (5:00 pm) – Seville Quarter, Pensacola All weekend long at Seville Quarter there will be food, fun and entertainment! On April 9, Seville Quarter will be showing every stroke at the Masters Golf Tournament. On Friday and Saturday, Seville Quarter will host the Reggae Festival and Boat Show. The spirit of Jamaica will take over the Alley Courtyard on the Main Stage in the Party Plaza. Headlining the event are 6 local and nationally known acts. Music starts at 4 pm. For more information, call 850-434-6211.

Sat, March 28 (10:00 am) - Crestview

Main Street in Crestview will not be the same after this one! From 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, there will be local music, great food and a BBQ cook-off. For more information, call 850682-3212.

Finest on the Emerald Coast

Thurs, April 9 (6:00 pm) – HarborWalk Village

ArtWalk

Sun, March 15 (11:00 am) – HarborWalk Village, Destin HarborWalk Village will transform into a local art district between 11 and 4 pm, with dozens of local artists showcasing their craft. The artwork will range from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings,

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Enjoy the Finest on the Emerald Coast winners’ event, with over 90 local businesses showcasing the reason why they were voted the best. You can expect great food, great music and recognition of the winners. After, there will be a fireworks show at the Destin harbor at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and VIP tickets are available for $50. For more information, call 850-424-0600.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com

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Gulf Coast School of Music Spring Student Show at Seville Quarter

Tues, April 21 (6 pm) – Seville Quarter, Pensacola Gulf Coast School of Music is holding its Spring Student Show over two nights and will feature over 60 students. These students will showcase their skills on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 at Phineas Phoggs in Seville Quarter. Tickets are $5 and are available in advance and at the door. Food and drinks will be available at the shows. For more information, call 850-207-9795 or visit www. gulfcoastschoolofmusic.com.

The Arts Cirque de la Symphonie – A Special National Tour Event

Sat, March 14 (7:30 pm) - Mattie Kelly Arts Center Enjoy the world’s finest Cirque artists, who perform in sold-out venues wherever they go! The Cirque de la Symphonie national touring event will hit the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s magnificent main stage theater as a benefit fundraiser for the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $37. For more information, please contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box office at 850-729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Hamlet

Wed, March 18 (7:30 pm) – Mattie Kelly Arts Center Many Shakespearean scholars consider Hamlet the first purely psychological thriller, and probably one of the best-known stories in the English language. Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus will host this performance in the Sprint Theater March 18 through March 21. Tickets are on sale now: $15 for adults, $10 for children. For more information, call 850-729-6000 or visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Mary Poppins

Fri, March 20 (7:30 pm) – Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium From March 20 to March 22, and from March 27 through 29, the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium will be showing Mary Poppins, A Musical, based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the Disney film Mary Poppins, directed by Jean Starkey. The show begins at 7:30 nightly, and the Sunday matinee begins at 2:00 pm. General admission tickets are $20, and students pay $10 at the door. For more information, call 840-243-1101.

Pinocchio

Mon, March 23 (10:15 am) – Crestview Public Library The Pensacola Opera presents Pinocchio by John Davies at the Crestview Public Library. For more information, call 850-433-6737 or visit www.pensacolaopera.com.

2015 Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert Tues, April 21 (7:30 pm) – Mattie Kelly Arts Center

The extraordinary Jazz Ensemble of Northwest Florida State College will be presenting their popular, end-of-the-year concert at the main stage theater. The concert is free of charge, open to the public, and open seating is available on a first-come basis.

A Night at the Opera Symphony Concert

Sat, April 11 (7:30 pm) – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The 2014/2015 season of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is having their grand finale at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and will be performing A Night at the Opera. The show will reflect a broad spectrum of artists, events and music from around the world. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $18 for Active Duty Military and their guests, and anyone 18 years of age or younger. Northwest Florida State College students may request one free ticket with a valid student I.D. from the box office. For more information, call 850-729-6000 or visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

December ’63, A Musical Tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons This re-creation of a Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons concert will take you back in time through a musical journey of the careers of Frankie and the boys. December ’63 will perform one-of-a-kind classics that audiences have enjoyed for generations. VIP tables are available. For more information, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at 850-650-2226.

Fri, April 17- (7:30 pm) – Mattie Kelly Arts Center From April 17 through April 18, Northwest Florida State College’s Division of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts will be hosting its annual dance concert. It has been called “a feast for the senses,” as all types of song and dance are presented to the audience. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, call 850-729-6000 or visit www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.

Thurs, April 23 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The national touring children’s theater production of Curious George will hit the main stage of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, at the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College on April 23. Curious George is a musical based on the books by Margaret and H.A. Rey, and is an award-winning show on PBS. This curious, yet lovable little monkey has been keeping children entertained for years, and has finally made it to our town. Tickets are $6. For more information, call 850-729-6065.

Soundsations Showchoir

Sat, April 11 - Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village

Dance Facets 2015

Curious George – Children’s Series School Show

Thurs, April 30 (7:30 pm) – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The student performers of the Soundsations Showchoir are ready to amaze you with their vocals at their end-of-year concert on April 30. These students are among the best and brightest of Northwest Florida State College’s arts program, and they plan to prove it through high-energy song and dance. Tickets are on sale now, $15 for adults and $10 for children. All proceeds will support the college’s music program. For more information, contact the Humanities Fine and Performing Arts Division at 850-729-5382, or go online to www.nwfsc. edu/humanities.

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RECURRING LOCAL

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the heaviest fish will win a cash prize! There will be live music, and free photos will be taken with your catch!

Early Release Day Movie Series at Destin Library March 5 and Apr 2 - Destin Library

The Destin Library’s Youth Services Department has scheduled Early Release School Day Movie dates aimed at students in grades 3 through 5. The program is designed to connect popular children’s movies with available themed reading materials on the same topic or genre at the library. Movie selections will be announced prior to the scheduled movie date.

Gallery Night

March 20 and April 17 (5:00pm) - Seville Quarter During Gallery Night Art in the Streets Fridays, you can expect to see crowded streets and plenty of people at Seville Quarter in Pensacola. It starts at 5:00 pm, and there will be lots of local art in front of the historical complex. Seville Quarter has invited over 70 local artists and vendors to showcase their work on Artist Row. With live music, a festive atmosphere, free wine tasting, food, shopping and art, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. For more information, call 850-434-6211.

Wednesday Night Concert Series Every Wednesday through March at Baytowne Wharf

Baytowne Wharf is welcoming back their Wednesday night concert series, with concerts every Wednesday night throughout March. The shows are from 7:00-9:00 pm, and are free to the public. On March 4, Heritage will perform; March 11, Modern Eldorados will take the stage; March 18, you can expect to see Continuum; and March 25 is Boukou Groove.

Celebrate the finest fishing on the Emerald Coast during the 18th Annual Destin Cobia Tournament! The tournament begins when the first fish is caught, and ends April 30 at 8:00 pm. All events are free and open to the public. This year we’ll have “Super Saturdays,” where

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Contact Nikole Wood at 850-863-8999.

PAWS

Contact Alicia Sikes at 850-243-1525.

Salvation Army

Contact Lisa Martinez at 850-243-4531.

Habitat for Humanity

Contact Tom Peele at 850-581-2900.

VFW

The opening reception for the Arts and Design Society’s “Give Us Your Best Shot!” Show is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2015, from 6 until 8 pm. The exhibition features works, in any medium, that artists consider their best. Gallery hours are noon until 4 pm on Tuesday through Friday, and 1 until 4 pm on Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 850-244-1271.

Every Saturday in March and April HarborWalk Village

Socks

Florosa Fire Department

March 10 through March 27 – Fort Walton Beach Arts Center

18 Annual Cobia Tournament

Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Contact Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Art Show

Opportunity Place

Contact Harvey Eckoff at 850-244-3834.

Goodwill

Contact John at 850-837-8516.

Destin Community Center

Contact Lisa Firth at 850-654-5184.

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Contact Tina or Sharron at 850-244-2726.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com

Destin History & Fishing Museum Contact Kathy Blue at 850-837-6611.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

Contact Susan Leivelle at 850-650-1880.

Boys & Girls Club

Contact Rita Cummins at 850-862-1332.

RESOURCE

DIRECTORY Planes, trains & automobiles . . . and everything else in between! The Emerald Coast has a wealth of attractions for all those who visit or call the coast home. It's amazing just how much there is to do if you embrace your adventurous spirit and simply explore your own backyard. Whether you're looking to plan a field trip or just a fun family outing, there's always something to look forward to on the Emerald Coast. Here are just a few ideas for places to visit. And don’t forget to send us your favorites! info@itsyourmagazine.com

Wesley Mansion Welcome to Eden Gardens State Park The focal point of this 161-acre park is the beautifully renovated, two-story Wesley house with its elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. The moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens inspire visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry. Named after a wealthy Florida timber family, the park is part of the family's estate. The house holds the second largest known collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States. Visitors can also take a stroll along the grounds and enjoy the picnic area. 181 Eden Gardens Road Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 850-267-8320 www.floridastateparks.org/ EdenGardens/

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 45

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Sheriff & Police Okaloosa County Sheriff �� 850-651-7400

Libraries Destin ��850-837-8572 www.readokaloosa.org/details_destin.html

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-833-9590 www.readokaloosa.org/details_destin.html

www.sheriff-okaloosa.org

Walton County Sheriff �� 850-892-8186

Walton ��850-267-2809 www.focbl.com or www1.youseemore.com/ walton/about.asp?p=22

www.waltonso.org

Bay County Sheriff ��850-747-4700 www.bayso.org

Escambia County Sheriff �� 850-436-9580 www.escambiaso.com

Santa Rosa County Sheriff �� 850-983-1100 www.santarosasheriff.org

Navarre �� 850-981-7323 www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries

Crestview �� 850-682-4432 www.cityofcrestview.org/library.htm

Niceville �� 850-279-4863 www.cityofniceville.org/library.html

Ft. Walton Beach Police �� 850-833-9546 www.fwb.org

Panama City Beach Police �� 850-233-5000 www.beachpolice.org

Florida HWY Patrol �� 800-665-2794 www.flhsmv.gov/fhp

Florida Poison Control �� 800-222-1222 www.fpicn.org

US Coast Guard ��850-244-7147 www.uscg.mil/d8/stadestin

Fire Department Destin ��850-837-8413 www.destinfire.com

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-833-9565 www.fwb.org/fire

South Walton ��850-267-1298 www.swfd.org

Navarre �� 850-939-5236 www.hnfd.org

Niceville ��850-897-3689 www.northbayfd.org

Chambers of Commerce Destin ��850-837-6241 www.destinchamber.com

Navarre ��850-939-3267 www.navarrechamber.com

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-244-8191 www.fwbchamber.org

Walton County ��850-267-0683 www.waltonareachamber.com

Niceville �� 850-678-2323 www.nicevillechamber.com

Crestview �� 850-682-3212 www.crestviewchamber.com

Pensacola �� 850-438-4081 www.pensacolachamber.com

Panama City Beach �� 850-235-1159 www.pcbeach.org

Museums Air Force Armament �� 850-651-1808

Crestview �� 850-682-6121 www.crestviewfl.org

www.afarmamentmuseum.com

Destin History & Fishing ��850-837-6611

Panama City Beach �� 850-872-3053 www.pcbfire.com

Medical Centers & Hospitals Destin Emergency Care ��850-837-9194 www.fwbmc.com/our-services/destinemergency-care-center.dot

www.destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org

Indian Temple Mound Museum �� 850-833-9595 www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org

Heritage Museum of NW FL �� 850-678-2615 www.heritage-museum.org

Walton County Heritage ��850-951-2127

Ft. Walton Beach Medical �� 850-863-7610 www.fwbmc.com

N. Okaloosa Medical Center �� 850-689-8100 www.northokaloosa.com

www.waltoncountyheritage.org

Wesley Mansion �� 850-231-4214 www.floridastateparks.org/EdenGardens

White Wilson Medical-Destin ��850-837-3848

Emerald Coast Science Center �� 850-644-1261

White Wilson Medical-Ft. Walton �� 850-863-8100

Post Offices

www.ecscience.org

white-wilson.com white-wilson.com

Sacred Heart �� 850-278-3000 www.sacredheartemerald.org

Emerald Coast Urgent Care �� 850-654-8878 www.emeraldcoasturgentcare.com

Niceville Twin Cities �� 850-678-4131 tchospital.com

Navarre Baptist �� 850-939-4888 www.ebaptisthealthcare.org/BMPNavarre

www.usps.com

Destin ��850-837-6312 Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-244-2625 South Walton �� 850-269-1186 Navarre �� 850-939-0381 Niceville �� 850-678-2021 Crestview �� 850-682-2634

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Destin History & Fishing Experience the feeling of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with an awardwinning exhibit of fish caught in Destin. View a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels. The most unique is constructed of split bamboo with an original Penn Reel that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. Enjoy vintage photographs of early Destin settlers, boat captains and much more. Tues. 10:00 am–4:00 pm Wed. 10:00 am–4:00 pm Thurs. 10:00 am–4:00 pm Fri. 10:00 am–4:00 pm Sat. 10:00 am–4:00 pm Admission Fees: Adults $5 Seniors & Military $4 Children $3; Children under 6 are Free Destin History & Fishing Museum 108 Stahlman Ave. Destin, FL 32541 850-837-6611 www.destinhistoryand fishingmuseum.org

Public Transportation

Delta �� 800-221-1212

Okaloosa County Transit ��850-833-9168 www.rideoct.org

Mid Bay Bridge ��850-833-7562 www.mid-bay.com

United Airlines �� 800-864-8331

Movie Theaters

AMC Destin Commons 14 ��850-650-4579 At the Destin Commons Mall

Cinema Plus ��850-302-0129 Downtown FWB

Lively 10 ��850-654-2992 Off of Hwy 98 in Destin

Regal Sun Plaza ��850-244-4252

Air Force Armament Experience the aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I right through to today's high tech planes and bombs. Inside, you'll find an extensive collection of weaponry and interactive displays that will amaze and intrigue. Outside displays include vintage military aircraft including the fastest plane ever built—the SR-71 Blackbird! Admission is FREE and all are welcome! Mon. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Tues. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Wed. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Thurs. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Fri. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Sat. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Sun. Closed Air Force Armament Museum 100 Museum Dr. Eglin AFB, FL 32542 850-651-1808 www.afarmamentmuseum.com

www.delta.com Service may be provided by Delta or a Delta Connection carrier. Provides nonstop service daily to Atlanta, GA (ATL).

Mary Esther Cutoff

UA Santa Rosa 10 ��850-243-5260 At the Santa Rosa Mall in FWB

Radio Stations

www.united.com Express Jet provides nonstop service to Houston, TX (IAH).

US Airways �� 800-428-4322 www.usairways.com Provides non-stop daily service to Charlotte, NC (CLT) and Washington, DC (DCA).

Southwest �� 1-800-I-FLY-SWA / 800-435-9792 www.southwest.com Provides non-stop flights daily to and from Baltimore, MD (BWI), Houston, TX (HOU), Nashville, TN (BNA), and Orlando, FL (MCO) with connecting service to international destinations.

AirTran ��800-Air-Tran / 800-247-8726

1120 AM – Progressive Talk 1260 AM – Fox News Talk 1340 AM – ESPN Sports 91.1 FM – Contemporary Christian 92.1 FM – Oldies 93.3 FM – Adult Contemporary 95.3 FM – Talk Radio–Local Crestview 98.1 FM – Country 99.5 FM – Rock 102.1 FM – Classic Rock 103.1 FM – Adult Contemporary 105.5 FM – Country 106.3 FM – Smooth Jazz 107.3 FM – Classic Rock

www.airtran.com 3 Daily Flights to Atlanta with 351 seats.

Rental Cars

Avis ��800-331-1212 Enterprise ��800-261-7331 National �� 877-222-9058 Budget �� 800-527-0700 Hertz ��800-654-3131

Airports NW Florida Regional Airport - VPS ��850-651-7160 www.flyvps.com

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport–Panama City Beach ��850-763-6751 www.iflybeaches.com

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional ��850-436-5000 www.flypensacola.com

Destin Airport ��850-651-7160 www.flydts.com

Crestview Airport - Bob Sikes ��850-651-7160 www.flycew.com

Airlines American Eagle ��800-433-7300 www.aa.com Provides non-stop service to Dallas, TX (DFW).

It’s our goal to make this guide as useful and complete as possible. If we have omitted any resource you feel could be useful to our community of readers, please feel free to send us your recommendations at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

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