Emerald Coast Parent Magazine September+October 2015 by Rob Williams

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September+October 2015

contents

7 12 Column

42 Teen Talk: Articles 7

Your Family’s Health

Family Fun Guide Calendar of Events

12 17

Seasonal Events �� 44 The Arts �� 44 Runs, Walks & More ��45 Sounds Fun �� 46 Recurring Local ��47 Volunteer ��47

Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another Moms Weigh In on Morning Rush Hour: Advice for Getting Your Children Up, Moving and Out the Door The ABCs of a Successful School Year: Success Is as Easy as Learning Your ABCs! Cut to the Chase: Homework Strategies that Work After-school Activities: Why They Are Worth the Effort

Living life to its fullest begins with staying healthy, fit and safe.

Warning Signs of Concussion ��21 Dealing with Sports Injuries ��22

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

Family Builders

The Family Chatter Challenge...................................26 That’s Good to Know!—Information you can use �� 28 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care �� 29-30 Snacks—Recipes for tasty get-togethers �� 31 Crafts—Get creative with your kids �� 36 Teach Your Kids Something New �� 38

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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 Myrna Beth Haskell Contributing Writer Pam Molnar Contributing Writer Gayla Grace Contributing Writer Kim Seidel © 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

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By Myrna Beth Haskell

Moms Weigh In on

MORNING RUSH HOUR Once again my two elementary-school-age children are dashing into the car to be driven to the bus stop. Jackets and bags are flailing. I’m shouting out something like, “Get in! Get in! I can see the bus!” Signs of the large yellow vehicle are visible and audible at this point. The roar of the bus engine is distant but gaining in strength, and glimpses of yellow can be seen

through the foliage from the top of our hill as the bus steadily approaches. The trip down the drive and onto the street seems endless and unforgiving. We toot the horn at the bus so that our driver will stop. The driver is not surprised. She looks up the street for us each morning because our frantic race down the hill is not so unusual.

Now, I know what you are thinking: These folks must be disorganized, insane, gluttons for punishment, or a combination of the three. Our morning ritual may need an overhaul, but I must tell you that our mornings do not start out hurried and frantic. Things just seem to get muddled as the morning progresses.

where things invariably go wrong. At this point, the children have over a half hour to finish getting ready. This shouldn’t be a problem. It probably takes the average elementary-school-age child fifteen minutes to wash up and get dressed (full shower not included). Their organized mother has snacks (and lunch, if necessary) packed. The backpacks are ready to go as well. Notes and permission slips are written. My children, however, are not focused. They are playing with the dog, arguing about who gets the computer first when they return home, or splashing in the sink water and staring at themselves in the mirror. I have come to realize that these typically well-behaved children must want to be threatened with a loss of privileges. They

At 7:45 AM my children are downstairs eating breakfast. Things are relatively calm. The morning still looks good. At 8:00 AM my children are sent upstairs to get dressed, to wash up and to brush their teeth. This is

Continued on page 9

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ABCs By Pam Molnar

of a Successful School Year A S U CC E SS F U L S C H O O L Y E A R I S AS E ASY AS L E A R N I N G YO U R A B C s . C H E C K O U T T H E S E S I M P L E T I P S FO R A H A P PY A N D H E A LT H Y S C H O O L Y E A R :

Accept new challenges

Downtime

Push your child to go outside of his comfort zone. Encourage him to try new activities, learn new sports and make new friends.

Be sure to add free time to their schedule. These are the times your child can relax on the couch, play video games or have a lastminute pick-up game with friends in the neighborhood.

Breakfast We all know breakfast is an important meal. If your child does not have time for a sit-down breakfast, provide on-the-go breakfast foods like muffins, fruit or protein bars.

Chores Give your child a sense of responsibility. Assign your child a few jobs that you expect to be done each day before or after school, such as making her bed or feeding the dog. A little bit of responsibility will go a long way.

Exercise Balance your child’s sedentary school day with plenty of exercise outside after school. Combine unstructured play with friends with a more structured team practice.

Friends Encourage your child to invite new friends over so you can get to know the person your child is spending time with. It is a great opportunity to meet the friend’s parents, too. Continued on page 10

8 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Continued from page 7

Most of the moms encourage getting organized the night before. Maria Chehab of Oviedo, FL, suggests, “You should prepare all lunches, clothes and backpacks the night before. This is not original—but it works!” Some choose to get up an hour before their children do to take advantage of some quiet time prior to the frenzied pace and onslaught of frantic requests. Others set their clocks ahead or offer rewards for timeliness.

The bottom line: You must find a system that will work for your unique family situation and the diverse personalities of your children. It may take some trial and error, but there may be something here that will work for you. v must enjoy running like gazelles, sweaty and in disarray, onto the bus each morning. Why else would we go through this almost every day? Many childhood-behavior experts suggest allowing your children to be late so that they suffer the consequences (e.g., missing morning meeting and sharing a favorite toy, etc.). Others suggest waking your child up the same number of minutes they were late the previous morning. If your child likes to sleep in, he will get the picture and move at a faster pace in the morning. I decided to solicit tips from other moms—those who were frustrated and experiencing the same frenzied morning rush as I was.

Over 100 moms from 18 states participated in my survey. About half of the moms work outside the home and the rest are stay-at-home moms or part-time workers. There are no obvious regional differences with how the moms handle their mornings. Moms in the south run their mornings similarly to moms in the north. The only noted difference is that many of the moms surveyed who work outside the home get up at least 45 minutes before their children, either to exercise or to read the morning paper with a cup of coffee. It was interesting to see that although most moms consider themselves to be aptly organized (67%), many are also hurried or get that sick feeling that they’ve forgotten something once they’ve left the house (66%). And up to 70% admitted actually forgetting something on a regular basis. So what seems to be the problem with these organized moms? More than three quarters (over 77%) of the moms surveyed responded that their children procrastinate.

The underlying problem, therefore, seems to be in motivating the kids—not a lack of organizational skills on mom’s part. Most youngsters have “visions of sugarplums” too often throughout the year, and getting one’s sleepyhead or daydreamer to move at more than a snail’s pace is the greatest challenge.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM MOMS LIKE YOU! “I let the kids wake up on their own. I just open their doors, then start getting ready myself. They follow suit.” Andrea Alam, Dayton, OH

“I tell my son it’s time to get his shoes on and go five minutes before it’s actually time to leave. This way we actually get out the door on time!” Sai Boeker, Houston, TX

“Have them pack their own lunches and backpacks the night before and leave them by the door.” Barbara Bushman, Forest Hill, MD

“I set up a lunch station (a designated area for all lunch boxes, snacks and drinks) —easy access and saves time.” Kate Christian, Scarborough, ME

“I lay out breakfast choices the night before. This limits tasks for the morning.” Ellen Cook, Morristown, NJ Continued on page 15

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Continued from page 8

Grab-and-go Snacks

Mindfulness of Others’ Feelings

Your child will be hungry after school. Instead of grabbing a handful of cookies, provide her with pre-bagged healthy snacks that won’t interfere with the dinner hour. Think veggies and dip, or hummus and crackers.

Tell your child to think before he says it and to apologize if it comes out wrong. Tell him to practice “the more, the merrier” when making plans and to include new friends in his group.

Help, but don’t do it for him We want our children to succeed, but they will never learn if we do it for them. It is okay to give suggestions, but remember that it is their name on the paper.

Nutrition Plan healthy meals ahead of time. Stock up on ingredients for quick healthy meals that your family enjoys. Save time by using the crockpot or prepping food ahead of time.

Illness

Organization

It’s back to school and back to a room full of germs. Stock your child’s backpack or desk with tissues and hand sanitizer. Remind her to wash her hands and to sneeze into her arm.

Lay out clothes, make lunches the night before, and put backpacks and shoes in the same place each night.

Join Encourage your child to join activities at school. It will give him a sense of belonging and he will be more than just another face in the crowd.

Keep Trying It is hard to see your child not get the role, position or grade that she hoped for. Encourage your child to pick herself back up and try again. Disappointment builds character and gives her the tools to succeed.

Limitations Only you know your child’s limitations. While being a part of extracurricular activities is important, sometimes they are overwhelming. It’s okay to say no to invitations and extra practice when you see your child is overwhelmed.

Provide a good example While words are important, your actions mean so much more. In other words, practice what you preach.

Quality Time It is easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of back-to-school. Try to plan dinners together or have a family game night. It is important to stay connected and catch up on each other’s day.

Rules Remind everyone of the school-year rules. Reestablish bed times, discuss the when, where and how long for electronics use, and what happens when mom and dad are not home.

Social Media Reconfirm what social media sites your child belongs to and check all passwords. Continued on page 13

10 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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By Gayla Grace

Cut to the Chase: Homework Strategies that Work As I overheard a conversation with a parent discussing her child’s routine and the late hour the child completed her homework the night before, I thought about how easily we allow our kids to slip into procrastinating habits that result in disastrous consequences. Instead of encouraging behavior that will allow our children to meet their responsibilities, we allow distracted effort or inaction. 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:

Determine your child’s most productive period. Sometimes parents insist their children complete their homework immediately upon arriving home from school. However, it might not be the most productive time for your child. Talk with your child about how he feels when he comes home from school. Does he need a snack break? Does he want to shoot the basketball first? Does he want to immediately start his required tasks at home to allow more time to play later without having to think about the chores or homework that must be done? Be clear with your expectations. If your child doesn’t immediately start his task,

make sure he understands why he’s allowed a break (so he will be more productive later) and how much time he has before he must begin the task.

Consider the why. Is there a legitimate reason your child

hasn’t started her assignment? Does she have the resources she needs? Is there a clear goal in mind? Does she need some organizational help to get started? Does she have a quiet place to work? Every child has different needs, and as parents, we help our children succeed when we provide them with what they need to accomplish the task at hand. That doesn’t mean we dive in and tackle the assignment with them, but it might mean we take them to the store to buy necessary supplies to get started.

Break it down. It’s easy to procrastinate a task that

appears overwhelming. Our son had an assignment recently that required multiple tasks. When he looked at the project all at once, he became overwhelmed with the amount of work to do. But as I helped him put together a step-by-step outline to reach the goal, it empowered him to tackle the assignment. Breaking large projects into smaller assignments makes them appear more manageable, and thus, children will be less likely to procrastinate.

Discourage perfectionism. Striving for perfection on

every assignment and every test leads to stress and encourages procrastinating habits. When a child thinks she must make a 100 on her assignment, she has less motivation to even begin the assignment. Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 10

Take time to talk

Workspace

Open your schedule each day and let your kids know when it is a good time to come to you with problems and concerns. You will get more out of the discussion if you are both tuned in.

Establish where your child will do his homework. Is the kitchen table too distracting? Does he have a desk in his room? Choose a space that is quiet and has all the tools he needs.

Use their time wisely

Xtra Help

As our kids get older, their commitments increase. Teach your child to use his time wisely by prioritizing so he will not be up at midnight doing homework.

Get a jumpstart on finding a qualified tutor for your child. If she struggles in a subject, look for someone who can keep her on track this year.

Volunteer

Year of . . .

It is a great way to see what goes on at school, meet the teachers and interact with the other parents. Even working parents can get involved by helping at evening and weekend events.

Help your child set achievable goals this year. Make this the year of straight A’s, perfect attendance, or the lead in the school play.

And Voted #1 by Most Moms: Zzzzzzs Time to return to the school night bedtimes. It is hard to adjust to waking up early again so adjust it a little at a time. Tell your child to listen to her body and go to bed earlier if she needs it. v

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. This is her 13th new school year as a parent.

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Continued from page 12

Does a whole half-day to yourself sound impossible?

Be realistic with your expectations, particularly in the early years as children are adjusting to new routines. We want our kids to enjoy school and the privilege of learning, not labor over perfect grades.

Set a timer when necessary. When our son is having

a particularly hard time settling in to work on an assignment, we determine together how long he must sit and work and then set a timer. When he knows he gets a break after a predetermined time, he more easily commits to beginning the work. A timer is a great tool to help kids develop consistent study habits, which will be especially important as they get older and need to commit to longer periods of study.

Set a timer when necessary.

Maintain a balanced routine. If we allow our kids to

participate in every sport, music, drama, and school activity that occurs, we create an unmanageable schedule with little time left over for responsibilities at home. When our children can’t visualize the satisfaction of completing a task when they begin, it’s likely they won’t want to start. So, ask your children what activities interest them most and prioritize their desires to create a schedule that allows time for starting and completing other tasks as well. Rearrange the schedule as necessary to maintain balance.

Model good habits. Avoid procrastination in your every-

day routine. Our children are watching us and will emulate what we do. I love the poem by Edgar Guest that captures the importance of example. Here’s a portion of it: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.” If we want to raise young adults who will avoid procrastination, we must avoid it ourselves. Procrastinating habits become harder to break the longer they’re practiced. But through intentional effort, we can teach our children to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination. v

Gayla Grace is an author and stepfamily coach with a “his, hers and ours” family. She enjoys helping nontraditional families thrive in their relationships. 14 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Continued from page 9

“Have a race with your kids to see who can get dressed faster. For a happy ending—always let them win!” Linda Critchfield, Alexandria, VA

“If he’s on time, I let my son pick out a movie to play in the car on the way to school.” Leigh Currin, Spring, TX

“Allow your child to be a ‘helper.’ It works better if he is part of the process instead of an obstacle to it.” Nancy Kerchner, Duluth, GA

“I prepare snack-sized baggies containing cookies, pretzels, dried fruit, and plastic utensils and put them in our pantry. My girls pack their own snacks and drinks in the morning. All I have to do is make the sandwiches!” Kim Maselli, Cary, NC

“My oldest child picks her own clothes out the night before.”

“When your child is dragging to get out of bed, turn on the stereo really loud with her favorite song. My daughter will typically pop out of bed and start boppin’ around.” Tracy West, Columbia, SC

Anne Moore, Maplewood, NJ

“I make power shakes in our blender— instant breakfast!” Liz Pafumi, Poughkeepsie, NY

“I drive my son to school. I offer a reward if we make it to Christmas vacation without a late day. This works!” Doreen Prince, Wildomar, CA

“I always try to coax them out the door by saying we’ll listen to their favorite CD in the car.” Lauren Quintana, Chittenden, VT

“Tell your kids that they will go to bed early if they can’t get moving in the morning.” Tammy Ryder, Groton, CT

“I drove my daughter to school once in her pajamas. Getting ready on time was almost never an issue again!” Jessica Wheeler, Staatsburg, NY

Myrna Beth Haskell, Email: myrnahaskell@hvc.rr.com, Website: www.myrnahaskell.com ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 15

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By Gayla Grace

After-school Activities Why They Are Worth the Effort I was surprised at my friend’s answer when I asked if her son was trying out for the junior high football team. “No, my son is lazy. He watches TV, plays video games, or sleeps every day after school.” As she continued to speak, I realized she didn’t encourage after-school activities because she failed to recognize their benefits. Continued on page 18

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Studies indicate that kids involved in after-school programs have higher achievement and attendance rates, are less prone to depression and burnout, and experience dropout less often. The activities keep children safe and protect them from risky and negative behavior. They’re the perfect solution to supervised fun and time away from technology while parents are at work. After-school activities require parental coordination and resources to be successful. However, the benefits outweigh the costs. Here are a few examples of what kids can gain:

Opportunity to Explore New Interests

After-school programs provide options kids don’t have inside a school building. Whether a child is interested in chess, bowling, piano or cheerleading, there’s an after-school program to accommodate her. Kids gain confidence as they learn new skills and interact with others from varying backgrounds; this confidence carries over into academia.

Exercise

Lack of exercise is a contributing factor to childhood obesity, the rates of which continue to climb at alarming rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children in the past 30 years. We can help stop this cycle through after-school programs. When our kids develop a routine that includes exercise, it benefits them the rest of their lives. After-school programs offer a fun and entertaining environment for all kinds of exercise and encourage healthy habits.

Improved Social Skills

Children left alone after school neglect face-to-face relationships and often spend too much time on technology. Interaction with caring adults and older teens who volunteer at after-school camps offers time to mingle with others, improving social skills in the process. Leisurely time in a casual environment opens the door for adults to influence good choices and positive behavior in a non-threatening environment. It teaches healthy relational skills as kids watch adults model them.

Better Achievement with Challenging Subjects When a child is struggling in math, a foreign language, or another subject, after-school tutoring provides the answer for success. When our daughter’s achievement in an upper-level math class plummeted in high school, she began tutoring sessions with a patient instructor. Meeting twice a week after school provided encouragement and better understanding for the subject and gave our daughter confidence for the weekly tests that had intimidated her. We located her tutor through the recommendation of another student, but tutors can also be found through the school, the local newspaper, or even social media.

Time Management Techniques

Learning to prioritize activities and manage time accordingly is a great skill for every child to obtain. When kids participate in after-school programs, they’re forced to learn how to manage their activities and allow adequate time for homework. Balancing

extracurricular demands with everyday school requirements teaches discipline and self-restraint that carries over into adulthood.

Camaraderie and Leadership Skills

After-school programs help kids feel they belong, which improves self-confidence and self-esteem. When we relocated to a new state, our elementary-aged son found friends with similar sports interests who helped him adjust to a new town and enjoy camaraderie with others. As kids move through junior high and high school, they gain leadership skills through after-school groups such as student council, the school yearbook staff, future business leaders, or speech and debate tournaments, just to name a few. If given the opportunity to help choose after-school programs, kids are more vested in the activities. Experimenting with a variety of options to find a good fit and continuing to seek out new opportunities as children mature allow for greater success. Although the coordination of after-school programs requires intentional effort, the benefits reach beyond the endeavors. v

Local and National After-School Resources Bricks4kidz FWB Rec Center Destin Rec Center Boys&Girls Club Emerald Coast Science Center Funplex of FWB Abrakadoodle Emerald Coast Theater Company Coast Aquatics Destin Tennis Club Fat Daddy’s Arcade Wild Willy’s The Track The Martial Arts Institute Fred Astaire for Kids Drama Kids International Young Rembrandts Gulfarium Ride on Surf School Emerald Coast Scuba

Gayla Grace writes, speaks and coaches on parenting and stepfamily issues. As a mom to five, she loves to find after-school activities her children enjoy.

18 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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t! its fulles o t e f i l Live t

, fi y h t l a e h Stay . and safe

YOUR

FAMILYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A People who are both physically and mentally fit are less prone to medical conditions and are more likely to enjoy life and all it has to offer.

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Enjoy Life . . . Together!

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Here to help kids get back to being kids. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a pediatrician who is truly devoted to helping children grow up strong and healthy, you can feel confident turning to Dr. Keely Kubly or Dr. Mervin Manuel. These caring physicians recently joined North Okaloosa Physician Group. They provide preventive care, treatment of illnesses, and will work with you to help your kids establish healthy habits from the start. Dr. Kubly and Dr. Manuel are now accepting new patients. Same-day appointments are often available. For more information or to schedule an Keely Kubly, M.D. Mervin Manuel, M.D. appointment, call 850-398-8725. Pediatrician

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Warning Signs of Concussion WITH FALL AROUND THE CORNER, TRAINING FOR FOOTBALL AND SOCCER ARE WELL UNDERWAY. SPORTS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE GOOD WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY AND ACTIVE, BUT THERE ARE RISKS OF INJURY TOO, ESPECIALLY WITH CONTACT SPORTS. Concussions are common sports-related injuries that frequently go unnoticed or overlooked. Take time to learn the warning signs of concussion to keep your child from experiencing a more serious brain injury. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. They can be caused by a blow to the head or when the upper body and head are shaken. Brains of children and teens have not fully developed, putting them at risk for more serious brain damage from a concussion. Symptoms of a serious head injury include repeated vomiting, loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds, a headache that gets worse over time, changes in behavior, changes in coordination such as stumbling or clumsiness, disorientation and slurred speech. If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately. When someone suffers a more mild concussion they could lose consciousness temporarily and be confused. Other common symptoms include:

• Headache • Amnesia • Dizziness • Ringing in the ears

• Nausea • Vomiting • Slurred speech • Fatigue

Sometimes symptoms will not appear until a few hours or days after the injury, such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, personality changes, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbances, feeling

depressed, and issues tasting and smelling. Anyone with these symptoms should rest and not return to sports or other vigorous activities until they have been checked and approved by a medical professional. The effects of a concussion are usually temporary; however, if a person with a concussion does not take time to heal, they can experience serious complications. Resting and slowly returning to regular activities is the best way to recover from a concussion. If a concussion is left untreated, you risk getting another concussion or permanent brain damage. Take precautions when your child participates in contact sports and make sure equipment such as helmets and pads are in good condition. If an athlete experiences a blow to the head and feels disoriented, have them sit out the rest of the game. They are more susceptible to getting another or more serious concussion if they keep playing. v

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YOUR

Dealing with Sports Injuries

FAMILY’S A Prevention First

The best way to deal with sports injuries is to keep them from happening in the first place. Think of avoiding injury as just another part of playing by the rulebook. Knowing the rules of the game you’re playing and using the right equipment can go a long way toward preventing injuries.

Types of Sports Injuries

Common reasons why teens get injured playing sports include:

• not training/playing properly • training too much • not wearing the right footwear • not wearing the right safety equipment • rapid growth during puberty

Call a doctor when:

• pain is very bad • pain is worse when you’re active • the injured area is swollen • you’re limping • your range of motion is limited • pain continues for a while, gets worse at times, or lasts for a week or more following an injury

There are two kinds of sports injuries: 1. Acute traumatic injuries are things

like fractures, sprains and strains, concussions, and cuts. They usually happen after a blow or force — like getting tackled in football or wiping out while skateboarding. 2. Overuse injuries include things like stress fractures and tendonitis. These injuries are also called chronic injuries because they happen over time, usually from repetitive training, like running, overhand throwing, or serving a ball in tennis. Overuse injuries can be just as damaging as acute injuries, even though they might not seem serious at first. If they’re not treated, they usually get worse.

What To Do

If you think you’ve been injured, pull yourself out of the game or stop doing your activity or workout. Let a coach or parent know what happened in case you need to see a doctor.

Where Injuries Happen

You can get a sports injury anywhere on your body. Here are some key points to know about common sports injuries. Head and Neck Injuries

Serious head and neck injuries happen most often in athletes who play contact sports (like football or rugby) or sports with the potential for falling accidents, such as horseback riding and gymnastics. Head injuries include fractures, concussions, contusions (bruises), and hematomas. A hematoma is bleeding or pooling of blood in or around the brain caused by an impact to the head from a fall, forceful shaking of the head, or a blow to the head.

Neck injuries include strains, sprains, fractures, burners, and whiplash, which is an injury to the neck caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head. Neck injuries are among the most dangerous sports injuries.

Never try to move someone who may have a neck injury. A mishandled neck frac-

ture could lead to permanent paralysis or even death. Keep the injured person still with his or her head held straight while someone calls for emergency medical help. If the person is lying on the ground, do not try to move him or her. Back Injuries

Most back injuries are caused by twists or overexertion of back muscles during bending

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Getting Back in the Game

or lifting movements. Back injuries are most common in contact sports like football and ice hockey, or in weightlifting, rowing, golf, figure skating, gymnastics, and dancing.

Your first question after a sports injury will probably be, “When can I play again?” This depends on the injury and what your doctor tells you. Even if you can’t return to your sport right away, a doctor or physical therapist might have suggestions and advice on what you can do to stay fit. Always check with your doctor before trying any activity following an injury.

Hand and Wrist Injuries

Hand, finger, and wrist injuries can happen after things like a fall that forces the hand or fingers backward, or a direct blow. As with other injuries, hand and wrist injuries are most common in contact sports, such as football, lacrosse, and hockey, or in sports like gymnastics, field hockey, rowing, and basketball where the fingers, hands, and wrists are at risk.

Rehab

A rehabilitation program also can help you stay fit as you recover. If rehabilitation (“rehab” for short) is part of your treatment program it might include exercise, manual therapy from a physical therapist, and ultrasound or other technology to help relieve pain and promote healing.

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Feet and ankles are particularly vulnerable to injury in sports that involve a lot of running. Another reason for foot injuries is wearing the wrong shoes, especially if someone has flat feet, high arches, or other foot differences.

Preventing Reinjury

When you’ve recovered, you might need new protective gear to protect an injured body part. This can include modified shoes, tape to

provide extra support, or additional padding to protect against a direct blow. To help prevent reinjury, be sure to warm up before practice and games. Take it slow when you first get back to your sport and gradually build back up to your preinjury level. Most importantly, know your limits. Check in with your body: if a previously injured area (or any body part) begins to hurt, stop right away and rest. Get help from a doctor if the pain continues. Pain is your body’s way of saying something isn’t right. v

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The

FamilyChatter Stay connected no matter how busy life gets. Keep track of which questions you and your family have answered by marking them off as you go.

Who did you sit with at lunch? What did you talk about?

Challenge!

What are some creative names you could name your pet?

What’s your favorite family pastime?

If you could shrink any animal down to the size of a pet mouse, what animal would you choose?

What is your favorite song? Why?

Did you have a nickname? How’d you get it?

What are you proudest of in your life? (Kids ask an adult)

What three things could we do to make meals together more fun?

What was the best part of your day?

When did you first fall in love? What does your future hold?

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What words best describe who you are?

What has been your favorite childhood memory?

What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done?

Chatter Challenge Tips: Here are a number of places you can use these questions to spur on great conversations with your family!

What is the strangest sound you can make?

At the Kitchen Table In the Family Room During Commercials In the Back Yard On Road Trips in the Car Yell them out loud—out of the blue—just for fun!

Are you excited about the new school year?

Who are your favorite relatives? (Kids ask an adult)

(Kids ask an adult)

What are your dreams for me and my future?

Do you like your job?

Live What are you really good at? Laugh Love and Talk Together ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 27

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

m Molnar This Edition: B y P a

ily ’s Preparing Your Fam room Puppy for His First G Did your family welcome a puppy into your home or adopt an older dog recently? Summer seems to be one of the most popular times for families to get a new puppy due to the warmer weather and the ability to train while the kids are home from school. While it is important to work on potty training, the correct way to walk on a leash and not to use the furniture as a chew toy, many dog owners overlook preparing their puppy for his first groom. The average dog sees the groomer every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on his family’s lifestyle and the dog’s coat. Your puppy’s first groom, usually between 3 and 4 months, can determine how well he does at grooming appointments in the future. If he has a bad experience at the first groom, he will carry that anxiety with him every time. So what can you do to prepare your puppy and make it less stressful for him and the groomer? For starters, bring your puppy to the groomer for a visit before his actual appointment. Let the puppy take in the sights, smells and noises of the salon without separating him from the safety of his family. When the puppy is done inspecting the floor of the salon, ask the groomer to put him on the table, let him feel the vibration of the clippers and brush his coat a few times. Groomers often give treats for good behavior, so be sure to reward your puppy for a successful visit. When he comes back for his actual appointment, he will remember the experience as a good one.

Your puppy’s first groom can determine how well he does at appointments in the future. Curious puppies get dirty easily, so chances are good that you will need to bathe your puppy at home before his first appointment. It is important not to frighten your puppy, so take it slowly. The water temperature should be a little cooler than you would use for yourself. Use a handheld showerhead or a pitcher of water to slowly pour water on his body and head. Make sure to cover his ears to avoid getting water in the ear canal. Consider using a human baby shampoo on your puppy’s face in case the soap gets in his eyes. Speak to your puppy in a calm voice and praise him for standing still during the bath. It is important to subject your puppy to loud noises. The dryers used by groomers are much louder than your blow dryer at home. Continued on page 41

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10 WAYS to sh w 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!

R E H y u care Text message her out of the blue to say you’re thinking about her. Express to her that you need and value her. Show interest in things she values as important in her life. Brag about her to others. (Both in front of her and when she is not with you.) Do the “fix-it” jobs she wants done around the house. Go on romantic outings. Let her take a bubble bath while you do the dishes. Do little things for her— an unexpected kiss, coffee in bed. Tell her you love her often.

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

Give her special time alone with her friends. Put the Seat Down! And before you leave the bathroom, tidy it up a little if it needs it. Email us your ideas! Let us know how you go out of your way to SHOW HER YOU CARE! info@itsyourmagazine.com

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M I H y u care Leave him an “I love you” post or message on Facebook. Praise his good decisions; minimize your criticism of the bad ones. Surprise him with a long kiss when he gets home from work.

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

Brag about him to others. (Both in front of him and when he’s is not with you.) Thank him for just being himself. Let your loved one sleep in and serve him breakfast in bed. Talk to him about fond childhood memories. Go for an adventure together— somewhere unexpected. Cook his favorite dish. That old saying about the way to a man’s heart is true! When he’s least expecting it, initiate a pillow fight. Start a hobby together. Hobbies can be a great bonding experience.

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SNACKS & CRAFTS Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun and enjoying yummy treats and quality family time!

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Boo Pudding Parfaits Compliments of thefirstyearblog.com

INGREDIENTS • Nestle Jumbo Variety Bag of Mini Halloween Candy (Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth—chopped finely) • Brownie Pieces • Marshmallows • Chocolate Pudding (prepare ahead of time) • Halloween Sprinkles • Marshmallow Ghosts

Pudding parfaits are a great snack to make with kids— especially younger children. These scary little treats are easy and fun to create, and not to mention, tasty!

DIRECTIONS • Prepare the pudding as directed on the box, and let it refrigerate until it’s set. • Finely chop the Nestle halloween candy, set aside. • To assemble the parfaits, begin to layer the ingredients in a glass or cup. • Add in brownie pieces, a small handful of marshmallows, halloween sprinkles and fill the rest of the glass with pudding. • Top the parfait with the chopped Nestle candy pieces and a marshmallow ghost. • The amount of each item will depend on how many you plan to make. One standard size box of pudding mix will make about 4-6 parfaits.

Melted Witch Brownies Compliments of thefirstyearblog.com

INGREDIENTS • 1 Box Brownie Mix or Your • Food Coloring (green, yellow) Favorite Homemade Recipe • Straws • Large Marshmallows • Black Paper (to make the • Vanilla Candiquik (3–4 squares) witch legs)

These melted witch brownies are meant to be a super fun AND quick halloween treat.

DIRECTIONS • Prepare brownies as directed, bake in a 9” x 13” inch pan lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray. • After the brownies are cooled, remove them from the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into even squares. • Top each brownie with a marshmallow. You’ll want to warm the marshmallows to give them more of a melty look. You can warm the marshmallows and brownies, in small batches, in the microwave, or all at once in the oven. • After heated, use a spoon sprayed with a small amount of cooking spray to smash the marshmallow down. • Melt the candiquik as directed on the package and add some green and yellow food coloring until you get your desired color. • Spoon some green chocolate on top of each marshmallow, letting it drip down the sides or using the spoon to help it go down the sides. • Place 2 witch legs in each marshmallow before the chocolate sets. • Place in the refrigerator to set completely. • Enjoy when ready!

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FUDGE INGREDIENTS • 2 Cups Granulated Sugar • 1 Cup Packed Light Brown Sugar • 3/4 Cup Salted Butter, Cut into Pieces • 1 Cup Canned Pumpkin • 2/3 Cup Evaporated Milk • 2 Tablespoons Real Maple Syrup • 2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice • 9 Ounces White Chocolate, Chopped (white chocolate chips can be substituted) • 3 Cups (7 oz.) Mini Marshmallows • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract GANACHE INGREDIENTS • 8 oz. Semi-sweet Chocolate (chopped, or high quality chips) • 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream GARNISH INGREDIENTS • A Flaky Salt Like Fleur de Sel, Flor de Sal, or Sel Gris • An 8” x 8” Pan (must be at least 2” tall), or a 9” x 9” pan • Candy Thermometer* DIRECTIONS 1. Prepare your pan by lining bottom and sides with foil. Allow foil to overhang at least two sides, so it can be used to lift the fudge from the pan in the end. Spray foil with non-stick spray or lightly coat with butter. 2. Stir together the sugars, butter pieces, pumpkin, evaporated milk, maple syrup and spice in a 3 1/2 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, over low to medium high heat. Continue to cook until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F (soft-ball stage). The thermometer will shoot up to around 224 rather quickly, but it can take up to 20 minutes to slowly climb the remaining 10 degrees. Be patient, stir frequently, and keep your burner set to the lowest setting of “high” to maintain a boil, but prevent burning. 3. Immediately remove pan from heat. Remove thermometer. Stir in the white chocolate until it has melted and incorporated completely. Next, stir in the mini marshmallows until they have melted and are thoroughly incorporated. Last, stir in the vanilla extract. 4. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Use a small offset spatula to smooth and level the top, if necessary. Cool for 15 minutes.

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Pumpkin Pie Fudge with Salted Dark Chocolate Ganache

Tip: Make sure to clip your candy thermometer to the side of the pan and that the tip of the glass portion of the thermometer is submerged in the candy as it cooks.

Celebrate the changing of seasons with these great harvest treats—perfect for your next get-together! 5. While fudge is cooling, prepare the ganache by placing the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a saucepan, or in the microwave, bring cream to a boil. Pour boiling cream over the bowl of chocolate. Allow to sit for 2 minutes. With a small whisk or fork, gently bring the cream and melted chocolate together until thoroughly combined, smooth and shiny. 6. Pour chocolate ganache over the fudge (which will be warm, but will have set by now). Use a small offset spatula to smooth and level, if necessary. 7. Cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle desired amount of salt on top of the ganache. Allow the fudge to continue to cool, on a baking rack, until it comes to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 8. Lift fudge from pan by the overhanging foil. Gently peel back the foil. With a sharp knife, cut into 1” squares. Wipe knife in between slices to keep pieces looking neat and clean. Store fudge in the refrigerator. Best when served at room temperature. v

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Back to School Picture Frame • • • • •

White Lined Paper Mod Podge Exacto Knife Hot Glue Red Cardstock (apple snapped) • School Picture

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Lay your pencils on your frame and mark where you want the end to be for each—using the frame’s corner seams as a guide. 2. Cut off the extra with a small hack saw and then sharpen the pencils to a point until they all fit perfectly on the frame. 3. Brush a light coat of Mod Podge over your frame and lay a sheet of lined paper over it, smoothing over the front of the frame. 4. Mod Podge the edges of the frame and wrap the paper around the corners like a present. Mod Podge the paper around to the back of the frame so the sides look nice and finished. 5. Cut an X in the paper, in the middle of the frame (see photo), with your exacto and fold the paper onto the inside edge— adhearing it with Mod Podge. Trim off any excess paper. 6. CAREFULLY hot glue each pencil in place by placing 3 to 4 small dots of hot glue to each pencil as you lay them down. 7. Attach the cardstock apple using hot glue (see photo).

Compliments of alittletipsy.com

MATERIALS • 4” x 6” Flat Wood Picture Frame • 16 Pencils (You may want extras in case you break one or your frame requires more) • Pencil Sharpener • Small Hack Saw • Foam Brush

Tip – Cut a piece of lined paper to look like the inside of an apple. Draw two small seeds near the middle,near its core, and adhere to the cardstock apple as show in the picture.

Halloween Mummy Jars MATERIALS • Stiffy ® Fabric Stiffener, 8 oz. Other Supplies 3 Medium Jars Cheese Cloth Assorted Googly Eyes Hot Glue

Compliments of plaidonline.com

• • • •

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut cheese cloth into long 2” strips. Following directions on Stiffy, coat cheese cloth with Stiffy. 2. Wrap strips around jars creating a Mummy Face. Let dry. 3. Glue eyes to Mummy as shown.

Fun, easy and a little goofy—what more can you possibly ask for? These mummy jars make great gifts. Anyone who loves to decorate their home for Halloween will love these!

Tip: Wrap cheese cloth in “uneven” patterns to create fun and unique faces.

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Halloween Dioramas . . . in a Jar Compliments of itallstartedwithpaint.com

MATERIALS • 1 Pint-sized Mason Jar • 1 Quart-sized Mason Jar • Styrofoam® Disks • Styrofoam® Balls • Spanish Moss

These ghosts in a jar make fun centerpieces during Halloween! Best of all, they take less than 20-minutes to make and only cost about $3 in Dollar Store Styrofoam balls, gauze, and moss.

• • • • •

Sharpie® Twigs from Yard Gauze Scissors Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Trace outlines using the inside circle of the top section of your mason jar lids onto Styrofoam disk (using a standard ball-point pen and pushing hard). Don’t worry. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It’ll be covered up. 2. Cut out both circles using scissors (this part gets a little messy). 3. Glue both sides of the mason jar lid together and then glue one Styrofoam disk to the bottom part of the each lid. 4. Stick your stick from the yard into the Styrofoam. 5. Cut a piece of gauze and wrap it around the 3 Styrofoam balls. 6. Use a Sharpie to make eyes on each ghost. 7. Then stick the Styrofoam ball ghost onto one of the branches. 8. Add moss to cover the Styrofoam base. 9. Screw each jar (upside down) onto one of the lids. 10. Place a few small decorative pumpkins around each jar to finish your centerpiece.

Halloween Batty Pot MATERIALS • Apple Barrel® Colors - 2 oz.: Petunia Purple, White, Black Compliments of plaidonline.com

Other Supplies 1. 6” Clay Pot 2. Black Permanent Marker 3. 1 ¾” Spouncer

easily this craft can be The materials for less d en Sp . online.com ordered at Plaid supplies ft cra for g und lookin time driving aro fting! and more time cra

4. 1 ¼” Spouncer 5. Purple Foam Sheet 6. Craft Glue 7. Paint Brushes 8. Scissors 9. Pencil

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Base coat the pot with petunia purple and allow to dry. 2. Add the eyes of the bat by dipping the spouncers into the white paint. 3. Add the centers of the eyes by dipping the other end of the spouncer in black and adding black dots to the white circles. 4. Add the mouth by using the black marker. Paint the triangles for the teeth with white. Allow to dry. 5. Mark off a circle for the face and two triangles for the ears. Paint around the face with black. Allow to dry. 6. Cut out two wings from the purple foam. 7. Glue the wings to the side of the pot. 8. Cut out the feet from the purple foam. 9. Glue feet to the bottom of the clay pot.

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Teach Your Kids Something New!

Another roadblock to teaching good manners is lack of time. With today’s busy family lifestyles, it’s common to let courtesy slide, says Fran Swift, a parent educator. “I hear from parents about their children’s rudeness and disrespectful behavior,” Swift says. “This can be connected to lack of common courtesies, which respect is a huge part of.”

Another roadblock . . . is lack of time. It makes the kids unhappy when parents insist on manners – and today, parents just want their kids to be happy, Cooper says. “After one or both parents have worked all day, it’s harmony they’re looking for, not the inevitable struggle when they insist on manners,” he says. Parents would rather be “friends” with their kids than authoritative limit-setters, and friends don’t insist on manners, he says.

Role Modeling Respect

Many parents often feel hurried, so they may have unknowingly fallen into a pattern of speaking rudely to their children, Swift says. “I do believe that good manners are caught, not taught,” she says. If it’s not an emergency (teach your children what constitutes an “emergency”), children need to learn to wait their turn in conversation. Acknowledge them when you sense they have something to say, then invite them to speak when it’s appropriate.

“I believe that good manners are caught, not taught.” This Edition: B y K i m S e i d e l

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Manners Help to Instill Respect

Good manners help kids learn respect for themselves, for each other and for adults. However, few kids today could pass their grandparents’ test for appropriate manners, says Aaron Cooper, a clinical psychologist and educator. Why? “Many modern parents declare it old-fashioned and turn up their noses at the importance of teaching manners—an antiquated ritual, super uncool,” says Cooper, co-author of I Just Want My Kids to Be Happy: Why You Shouldn’t Say It, Why You Shouldn’t Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead. “What well-intentioned moms and dads forget is that acquiring manners is one of the earliest ways to help kids develop self-control. And self-control, experts agree, is a key element in paving the foundation for a happy life.”

The tone of your voice becomes part of good manners as well, Swift says. If a parent is always in a rush, their voice may sound overly demanding. Set standards in the family—no name-calling and no insulting one another. When the children are in school, those expectations have been set. Hopefully, the good manners will carry into their classrooms and other public settings. Create a sense of sharing in the home, Swift says. Invite friends over to have popcorn and to watch a movie, and tell your children that there are plenty of snacks to go around for everyone. Enjoy family dinners at least once a week and model good table manners together, Swift says. “Parents say they want their kids to be happy, but without the capacity for self-control, few kids can ever enjoy real happiness,” Cooper says. “Teaching manners is one way parents can put their money where their mouth is.”

Everyday Courtesies

As parents go through the day with their children, it’s the little courtesies that can be practiced to make a big difference, Swift says. From holding doors open to helping one another with chores, parents can model and encourage good manners in their children every day – in and out of the home.

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Set the standard high for proper language used in your home, Swift says. Although swearing has become more common in public and in media, that doesn’t mean it should be an acceptable manner of speaking. Other everyday courtesies include displaying good sportsmanship when competing in games together. Help children to understand that it’s okay to lose and to feel upset, but that they can try again, Swift says.

Other everyday courtesies include displaying good sportsmanship when competing in games together. F I E S TA O F F I V E F L AG S 2 0 1 5 In addition, help them learn respect by taking care of one another’s property. If your child borrows something from a friend, make sure they care for it and return it in a timely manner, she says. “Set expectations, start early, and remember good modeling matters,” Swift says. “Manners make up the way we treat each other. You do need to look at what’s happening as a society, and then decide what you believe and how you want your children to behave.” v

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Continued from page 28

Grooming dryers are closer to the decibel level of a household vacuum cleaner. In addition to the noise, the drying process includes blowing air that may startle the puppy. While the force of the dryer is greater than a household blow dryer, you can help prepare your puppy by using the cool air setting and gently blowing the air on his body and face. This may take a couple of attempts before the puppy is comfortable with the dryer. Try to work on your puppy’s coat every night. When you are brushing your puppy, make sure to thoroughly brush out his legs, chest, ears, head and tail. These spots are often done quickly because puppies tend to wiggle. By skipping over those areas when you are brushing the puppy, you are teaching the puppy that if he wiggles or bites, you will stop. The coat is properly brushed out when you can take a metal comb from the puppy’s skin to the end of his coat without getting hung up on any matts. The most stressful part of the groom for most dogs is the nail trim. You can prepare your puppy by spending time playing with his feet. Many dogs hate to have their nails trimmed simply because they don’t like their feet touched. The best time to play with his feet is when he is relaxed at the end of the night. Show him that you are

not going to hurt him when you have his paw in your hand. Massage his pads and touch each nail. Praise the puppy if he lets you do this without putting his mouth on you. By preparing your puppy for the grooming process, he will be less frightened and more comfortable while he is there. A puppy is more likely to enjoy his day at the spa if his human family shows him what to expect. v

Pam Molnar, in addition to being a freelance writer, is the owner of a dog grooming salon. She enjoys having the ability to combine her two passions by writing about the care of dogs. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 41

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Teen alk T

Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another!

S AT & A C T P R E P Deciding between the SAT and the ACT can be a difficult decision, but preparing for them may be even harder. You will have a lot to consider and not much time to decide, since the first available time to take the test is during the fall, at the beginning of the school year. While it is not necessary to take both the SAT and the ACT, some students may decide to take both exams just to see how they do. Colleges consider the SAT and the ACT to be equals, so when you do decide you do not need to worry about universities preferring one over the other. Be aware of the differences between the two tests: • The questions on the ACT are more straightforward than the ones on the SAT. • The SAT has a science section; the ACT does not. • The SAT uses high-level vocabulary. • The ACT has stronger math concepts. • The ACT has a writing component that is optional. • The SAT has 4 sections, while the ACT has 10. Students can download a free sample of the SAT at collegeboard.com and the ACT at

act.org. This is a good way to practice and to see the layout of each exam so that you will not be surprised when you take the test. You can begin preparing for the SAT and the ACT whenever you see fit, but it is recommended you start at least a month in advance. Before you even bother pulling out those flashcards or highlighting your notes, be sure to put your phone and all other electronics away to avoid distraction; despite what anyone says, multitasking is not a thing. To prepare, spend a maximum of two hours studying every day so as not to overwhelm your brain. You can make a checklist of what you’ll do while you review so you don’t miss anything; and schedule in a ten-minute break to relax. The night before the exam as well as the morning of, be sure to eat healthy foods to keep your body running smoothly, such as pastas, nuts and fruits. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep as well so that you’ll be fueled up for the hours you’re going to have to spend sitting in the testing room. Also, don’t forget a jacket or sweatshirt when you’re heading to school because more often than not the air conditioning will be up way too high for your comfort and that could make it difficult to concentrate. Studies show even the colors you wear matter: orange is said to give you positive energy: yellow is associated with intelligence and inspiration: green can help make you more relaxed when you’re overwhelmed:

and blue can spark creativity in you. Exercising can also give you a boost before your exam; physical activity, such as running or swimming, releases endorphins, which help reduce stress levels. Staying calm, studying and eating healthy are all components to being on your game before your test. v

Staying calm, studying and eating healthy are all components to being on your game before your test

shailey

16 years old - Junior

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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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Labor Day Concert Celebration

Sat, Sept. 5 – Sun, Sept. 6 – HarborWalk Village

Pumpkinpalooza

Sat, Oct. 31 – Destin

Summer 2015 ends with a weekend of family activities, free concerts and fireworks. On Saturday, the CMA Emerging Artist Award Winner, The Springs, will hit the stage at 7:00pm. On Sunday, the Village Belles will perform at 7:00pm, followed by a fireworks show at 9:00pm. For more information, call 850-424-0600.

Halloween Haunt

Fri, Oct. 30 – Destin From 5:00pm-9:00pm, a visit to the Destin Commons will be a frightfully fun time! There will be trick-or-treating, kid’s crafts, face painting, a costume contest for kids and dogs, and the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge’s bloodcurdling Dark Haunted House attraction! For more information, please contact Heather Pike at hpike@turnberry.com.

Think innovation, because the winning stakes for most creative costume are high with HarborWalk Village as your destination for costume contests for both the little goblins and grown-up ghouls! From 11:00am-11:00pm. Expect lots of live entertainment, drinks, trickor-treating, pumpkin decorating, free crafts, face painting, and more! For more information, please call 850-424-0600.

Halloween Costume Contest Sat, Oct. 31 – Perdido Key

Flora-Bama’s annual Halloween costume contest is here again, with cash awards for the winners, and tons of live music, food and drinks for everyone! For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

Trick or Treat Street

Sat, Oct. 31 – Baytowne Wharf All ghouls and goblins are invited to the Village of Baytowne Wharf on Halloween from 6:00pm–8:00pm to trick or treat through the Village and visit merchants for your favorite Halloween treats. This is a free event. There will be live music, fireworks, and the fly board extraordinaire Ben Merrell will perform a special Halloween show in the lagoon. For more information, please visit www. baytownewharf.com.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Hall of Fame Band

Thurs, Sept. 17 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center An amazing line-up of great rock music under the stars, with the original artists who helped define the hits, including “High on You,” “Show Me the Way,” “Hold on Loosely,” “Caught Up in You,” and more! The show starts at 7:00pm at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

NFSO Concert: French Accents

Sat, Sept. 19 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 29th season includes a series of five orchestra concerts, each featuring a variety of music and guest artists. The concert season opens Saturday, September 19, at the Mainstage with a “French Accents” concert that explores the great French musical traditions of the 19th century. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $18 for children and Active Duty Military. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Guest Artist Recital Series: Victor Rosenbaum

Send calendar events to: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com

Sat, Oct. 3 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center

The former chair of the New England Conservatory piano department, Victor Rosenbaum will be taking over Tyler Recital Hall and performing “Final Statements: Music of Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert.” Tickets are on sale now for $20. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

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7th Annual Sugar Sands Charity Golf Classic Sun, Oct. 11 – Mon, Oct. 12 - Crestview

This two-day event begins with a preregistration at Tommy Bahama restaurant on Sunday at 6:30pm. On Monday, lunch starts at 11:30, followed by a shotgun start at 1:00pm. Following golf, there will be an awards dinner at Tuscany Italian Bistro. There will be many other games and awards, and the tournament will benefit Children in Crisis. For more information, please contact Allie Noah at 850-864-4242.

Emerald Coast Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Sat, Oct. 17 – Fort Walton Beach

Thousands of local breast cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers and community members are uniting at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach to fight breast cancer at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Cancer 5K Walk. The goal is to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and to provide hope to all facing the disease. Registration begins at 8:00am, and the walk begins at 9:00am. For more information, please contact Donna Fought at 850-585-9904.

Flashdance: The Musical

Sun, Oct. 18 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The iconic film is now an electrifying musical gracing the Mainstage at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The blockbuster show will include the Academy Award-winning hit songs “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” “I Love Rock and Roll,” and more. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

The Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles

Sat, Oct. 24 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The British Invasion is taking over the Emerald Coast with the national tour of “Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles.” Relive the magic of John, Paul, George and Ringo, backed by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra live in concert at the Mainstage theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Send calendar events to: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com

Wacky Women 4-Mile Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run

Blue Marlin Realty Group 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Sat, Sept. 26 – Perdido Key

Fri, Oct. 23 – Destin

Every year at Flora-Bama, the Wonderful Wacky Women put on a race to raise money for ovarian cancer. There will be live music, food, drinks and a silent auction. The event kicks off at 8:00am. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

Pensacola Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sat, Oct. 3 – Pensacola

Join the nation’s leading event that raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Registration is at 8:00am, and the walk begins at 9:00am. For more information, please call 850-462-5410, ext. 8044.

Blue Marlin Realty Group is hosting their 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club. Registration is at 11:00am with a shotgun start at 1:00pm. There will be lunch courtesy of Another Broken Egg Café, an after party, silent auction, raffle prizes and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue. For more information, please visit the Blue Marlin Realty Group’s office located on Holiday Isle in Destin, or the Regatta Bay Clubhouse.

Pensacola Mud Run

Sat, Oct. 24 – Pensacola The 3rd Annual Pensacola Mud Run is a 5-mile, 20-obstacle course, with a 1-mile, 5-obstacle course Kid Run, situated on 150 acres just north of Pensacola. This is a family-friendly run where you can expect to slip and slide to the finish line where food, refreshments and showers will be waiting. The fun starts at 7:30am. For more information, please call 850-637-1429.

2015 Emerald Coast Walk for Apraxia Sat, Oct. 10 – Destin

This is the first Walk for Apraxia in Northwest Florida, and its goal is to raise money for The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. The event will be held at Henderson Beach State Park at 8:30am. For more information, please call 850-398-6758.

3rd Annual Fore Her Golf Outing Sat, Oct. 10 – Destin

The 3rd Annual Fore Her Golf Outing is back to help raise funds for local breast cancer patients in financial need. Registration is at 8:00am and tee off is at 9:00am. For more information, please contact Amy Walsh at amy@foreher.org.

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Baytowne Art Walk

Fri, Sept. 4 – Sun, Sept. 6 – Baytowne Wharf

Bloody Mary Festival

Sat, Sept. 19 – Sandestin

Stroll the streets of Baytowne Wharf from 5:00-10:00pm Friday through Sunday and enjoy live music, local art and participate in their live painting competition! For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

From noon until 3:00pm, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will host the inaugural Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Attendees will enjoy unlimited tastes of 15 of the Emerald Coast’s most creative Bloody Marys, and each ticket will include one vote for the People’s Choice Award for “Best Bloody Mary” in South Walton. There will be live music, a mimosa bar, brews and a photo booth! Tickets can be purchased at www. themarketshops.com.

Bluegrass Meets the Beach Sat, Sept. 12 – Destin

Blue Highway, one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the industry, will headline Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s newest event – Bluegrass at the Beach! This is a daylong music showcase event located in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. Doors open at 10:00am. For tickets and pricing, please visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.

2nd Annual Steak & Stake Dinner Thurs, Sept. 24 – Sandestin

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is hosting their 2nd Annual Steak & Stake Dinner at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort. This event allows guests to meet with the club members, and youth from every club are given the chance to share their story. Danny “Rudy” Ruettiger will be the guest speaker; his life story was the inspiration behind the movie Rudy. For more information, please contact Rob Engel at 850-344-7722.

Bulls on the Beach

Sat, Sept. 12 – Perdido Key Bulls on the Beach is a full-blown riding event where real cowboys come to compete in exciting bull riding right on the beach! It is located at Flora-Bama and will start at 6:00pm. For more information, please call 850492-0611.

4th Annual FWB BBQ Festival

Fri, Sept. 18 – Sat, Sept. 19 – Fort Walton Beach Friday and Saturday at the Landing expect to smell and try a lot of good food, as the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 4th Annual FWB BBQ Festival. Not only will there be great barbecue, but there will also be great music, beer and the admission is free! There will also be a kids area for children to enjoy.

Toasts of the Coasts: A Food and Wine Dinner Series Thurs, Sept. 24 – Pensacola

The 4th Annual Toasts of the Coasts will be held at the Fish House in Pensacola. This series of wine dinners will feature master sommeliers and vintners showcasing stellar wines from around the world. There will also be guest speakers, door prizes and giveaways. For more information, please call 850-470-0003.

Children’s Volunteer Health Network 11th Annual Hurricane Party Fri, Sept. 25 – South Walton

Bud & Alley’s is hosting the 11th Annual Hurricane Party from 6:30pm-10:00pm, with all proceeds benefiting the Children’s Volunteer Health Network. For more information, contact Amy at 850-622-3200.

Hispanic Fest 2015

Sat, Sept. 26 – Fort Walton Beach Hispanic Fest 2015 will be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center from 11:00am-8:00pm. For more information, please visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org.

What Women Want Expo Event Sat, Sept. 26 – Mary Esther

Cumulus Media presents their second annual extraordinary expo, from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Santa Rosa Mall. Finance, health, beauty, fashion demonstrations, interactive discussions and more! For more information call 850-243-2323.

Vettes at the Village

Sat, Sept. 26 – Baytowne Wharf Area corvette clubs bring “America’s Sports Car” to the Village Events Plaza. These automotive icons will zoom into the Village streets! For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

37th Annual Destin Seafood Festival

Fri, Oct. 2 – Sun, Oct. 4 – HarborWalk Village Enjoy fresh local seafood, live music, artists, and more. Also, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the Harbor. For more information, call 850-424-0600.

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RECURRING LOCAL

5th Annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta Sat, Oct. 10 – Baytowne Wharf

The fun starts at 10:00am, with a scavenger hunt and face painting. At 1:00pm, up to 3,000 rubber ducks will race across the Baytowne Wharf Lagoon. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Poetry and Music Jam

Tues, Oct. 13 – Crestview Public Library Bring your best work to a free-form open-mic poetry reading and jam session at the Crestview Public Library. This event is free to the public every second Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm–7:45pm. For more information, please contact Esther at 850-682-4432 or Rick at 850-585-6399.

8th Annual Beer Festival

Fri, Oct. 16 – Sat, Oct. 17 – Baytowne Wharf Join the fun at Baytowne Wharf with exclusive beer sampling from more than 40 breweries, offering close to 200 domestic and international craft beers. More information can be found at www.baytownewharf.com.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

Wed, Sept. 2 – Wed, Sept. 3o – Baytowne Wharf Free to the public and begins at 7:00pm. For more information and a list of performing bands, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Downtown FWB Farmer’s Market

Sat, Sept. 12 and Sat, Oct. 10 – Fort Walton Beach The market will be held at DeFrance Antiques at downtown Fort Walton Beach from 8:00am1:00pm. There will be a variety of vendors selling locally grown and handmade items.

ArtWalk on the Harbor

Every 3rd Sunday at HarborWalk Village You will find all kinds of art, from contemporary to traditional, from paintings to handcrafted jewelry, and more. For more information, please call 850-424-0600.

Throwback Cinema

Thurs, Sept. 24 – Baytowne Wharf Join us for some of your favorite classics. Enjoy Back to the Future on the Events Plaza lawn. For more information and a full movie listing, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Fat Tuesday Parade

Every Tuesday at HarborWalk Village Welcome to New Orleans! There is a parade at 8:30pm through the Village with fabulous floats, beads, and more! For more information, call 850-424-0600.

Red, White and Blue Celebration

Every Thursday at HarborWalk Village Highlights the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Starting at 7:00pm, enjoy entertainment, kids’ crafts, face painting, and a vintage WWII aircraft flyover. For more information, call 850-424-0600.

Send calendar events to: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com

VOLUNTEER

Downtown FWB Art Walk

First Friday of Every Month – Fort Walton Beach Beginning at 5:30pm, downtown Fort Walton transforms into a mini art district. Stroll through downtown and check out all of the fun with local businesses, local music and local artists.

Opportunity Place

Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Socks

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 Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Florosa Fire Department

Contact Tom Peele at 850-581-2900.

VFW

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.

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.

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