Wilmington Parent January 2012 by Seaside Media

january 2012 • FREE

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Our 14th Year of Serving New Hanover, Brunswick & Pender County Families!

REVIVE YOUR SOUL 4 Ways to Feed Your Spirit

INSIDE:

Our Annual Education Guide: Local School representatives at Cameron Art Museum

Featuring: School Info Listings Special Advertising Section Article – Choosing the Right College

EDUCATION FAIR – JANUARY 12, 4:30 – 7:30PM, Burney Center, UNCW Free – Meet Reps from Independent & Regional Schools – Preschools – Childcare Centers

Dental Care Tip #1 First Tooth, First Birthday, First Dental Visit

Julie B. Dimock, DDS, MS • Adam W. Weinberg, DDS

Board Certified

3505 Converse Dr, Ste 175

PHN

910-794-2266

info@ccpedo.com • www.ccpedo.com

910-383-2615 • www.bluewavedentistry.com

Now Scheduling Appointments in Leland at . . .

January Disney Month is the perfect time to take advantage of spectacular savings at Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. Book a Magic Your Way Package and

SAVE 30%*

P ut a G reat S Pin on Y our V acation

on the room portion when you stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Booking begins on 11/30/11. Book by 1/22/12 for stays most nights 2/21/12 – 3/31/12. Book by 2/28/12 for stays most nights 4/13/12 – 6/14/12.

This Package Includes: • Accommodations at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa • Magic Your Way Base Ticket, with admission to one Theme Park per day (tickets must be used within 14 days of first use) LImITed-TIme BenefIT! Book this package to the Walt Disney World® Resort during January Disney Month (1/1/12 – 1/31/12) and get a limited edition framed Filmcell™ from the Disney movie, The Lion King.** Ask about other select AAA Vacations® packages that include the Filmcell™ offer as well as Exclusive AAA Vacations® benefits. PLUS, book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort for a 3-night or more stay during January Disney Month and receive a Disney PhotoPass CD - keep all your Disney’s PhotoPass Photos on one CD to print out as you choose, compliments of AAA Carolinas! * The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. Excludes suites and 3-bedroom villas. No group rates or other discounts apply. ** Travel must be completed by 6/15/12. Maximum of one framed Filmcell™ per booking from 1/1/12 to 1/31/12. Applied one time per reservation and not valid for previously booked rooms. Subject to availability, blockout dates, restrictions, and change without notice.

Let AAA help make your Disney dreams come true! Visit your local AAA office or call 800-307-4534 or visit us online at AAA.com/disney

Scan this code to see how magical your next Disney vacation could be! Or, go to disneymonthataaa.com.

©Disney

Wilmington Preschool

of Fine Arts Preschool preschool Ages 15months - 5yrs • summer & school year • art based curriculum • indoor inflatables • sign language study • music • science • creative movement • low ratios www.wilmingtonpreschool.com

birthday parties!

Music for children & the families that love them! birth to four years old

www.musictogether.com

From preschool to pre-professional

Dance for free in January

valid for new registrations

kids

k k k k Wilmington School Of k BALLET • princess birthday parties

adult too

www.wilmingtonpreschool.com • 910.794.9590 • www.wilmingtonschoolofballet.com

Robert T. Kelly, DDS & William R. Cherry III, DDS, MS

Specializing 25 Years in Children’s Dentistry, Ages 1-17 Preventative Restorative • Cosmetic Nitrous Oxide and In Office Sedation Available • Early Morning/Late Afternoon Appointments Available Wilmington native Dr. Cherry and his family

1635 Doctors Circle Wilmington, NC (910) 343-1735 • www.drkellydds.com www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 1

da Vinci Robotic Surgery In Gynecology: Minimizing The Effects Of Major Surgery Recent studies confirm the many advertised

benefits, to both patients and physicians, of the da Vinci robotic system for gynecological surgeries. At the heart of its advantages is the minimally invasive approach to what has traditionally been major surgery. Compared to the open abdominal approach, which requires a six-to-eight-inch incision,

robotic surgery requires only three tiny, eightmillimeter incisions. Sometimes called keyhole or Band Aid surgery, it results in greatly reduced pain, bleeding, scarring, risk of infection and, most significantly, recovery time.

four to six weeks. In contrast, patients who have a robotic hysterectomy usually only spend one night in the hospital, and can be back at work in a few days if their job doesn’t require physical exertion, such as lifting and pulling.

For example, women undergoing open abdominal hysterectomy typically spend three to five nights in the hospital, and recovery time is

While a type of laparoscopic surgery, the da Vinci robotic system gives surgeons major advantages over conventional laparoscopic methods. The da Vinci system provides surgeons with magnified three-dimensional images of the abdominal cavity for remarkable visibility, and the robotic hands allow for previously unimagined dexterity, with no possibility of tremor. A study published in March 2011 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) concluded that, while these features are pronounced for all surgeries, they are especially advantageous in difficult cases, such as patients with larger than normal uteri.

The smallest things can make the

biggest difference. (Three

8mm

incisions, to be precise.)

Cost-effectiveness is another consideration. A May 2011 study, also published by ACOG, found that minimally invasive hysterectomy resulted in “a significant decrease in procedurerelated complications without an increase in total mean costs.” Shorter hospital stays alone are a tremendous health care savings.

Robotic hysterectomy

Currently about 75-80% of robotic surgeries performed at Glen Meade Center for Women’s Health are hysterectomies, but other procedures appropriate for the technology include myomectomy (removal of fibroids), resection of endometriosis, and correction of pelvic organ prolapse. Nationally, about two thirds of all hysterectomies are performed by abdominal surgery, a statistic that will certainly change as more physicians become trained in robotic surgery and more health care facilities acquire the technology.

is a minimally invasive procedure

that provides maximum patient benefits. Tiny incisions, 3D visibility and unparalleled precision mean much less pain, bleeding and scarring, and a much quicker recovery. For women facing hysterectomy and other gynecological surgeries, those little bandages are a very big deal. Visit our website to read what our patients are saying about robotic surgery.

my glenmeade.com Co-Directors, Glen Meade Robotic Surgery Center

910.763.9833 Wilmington: 1809 Glen Meade Road Leland: The Villages at Brunswick Forest 1333 S. Dickinson Dr., Suite 110 ROBOTIC SURGERY

2 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent OBSTETRICS

GYNECOLOGY

MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE

INCONTINENCE

G. Daniel Robison, IV, MD, FACOG Timothy L. Chase, MD, FACOG

G. Daniel Robison, IV, MD, FACOG, is a partner with Glen Meade Center for Women’s Health and co-founder/director of Glen Meade Incontinence Center and Glen Meade Center for Robotic Surgery. A recognized leader in da Vinci Robotic Surgery, Dr. Robison teaches other surgeons the latest techniques for minimally invasive surgeries using the da Vinci robot.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Is Your Child Struggling in School?

Below average reading skills, careless errors, poor memory and concentration, reverses letters? If this sounds like your child, we can help.

How Can Our Center Help?

First, we test and diagnose if a child has learning-related vision problems. If such a difficulty exists, a vision therapy program is recommended to meet the child's special needs. Your child will work on specific goals with a certified optometric therapist, under the supervision of a developmental optometrist. The ultimate goal is to allow the individual to perform up to his/her potential in the classroom without unnecessary struggling.

What Do I Need To Do?

If your student is in the 1st grade-college, and is struggling academically, call our Center to set up an initial appointment. When diagnosed early, we can significantly improve and often alleviate the problem entirely. Many insurances help cover the cost of testing.

Tracey Glendenning, OD, FCOVD 201 Racine Drive 395-6050

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY infants • children • teens

Halyburton Park Halyburton Park offers a variety of programs: • Nature Programs for preschoolers, kids and adults • Yoga & Pilates Classes classes in morning & evening Outer Banks Bird Watching Trip Lake Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Lakes, Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges Saturday-Sunday January 28-29, 2012 Cost: $55/person (food and lodging not included)

Halyburton Park 4099 S. 17th Street Wilmington, NC 28412 910.341.0075 or TTY Relay 711 www.halyburtonpark.com www.wilmingtonparent.com

SKIP TYSON, D.D.S. STEPHANIE HEANEY, D.D.S. surf our website

www.catchasmile.net

NOW IN SOUTHPORT

791-7380

2606 Iron Gate Dr. Suite 200, Wilmington, NC

457-0111

4330 Southport Supply Road Southport, NC 28461

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 3

in this issue

January 2012 SPecial Section: Education Guide

18 school listings 19 - 28

School Advertising Section

29 choosing the right college 42

Publisher/Editor in Chief Keith Jaworski 910 343-1226

E-Mail: WilmingtonParent@ec.rr.com

Features Editor Danielle Villegas 910 343-1226

E-Mail: danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com

Calendar Editor: Sandie Loudermilk

E-Mail: calendar@wilmingtonparent.com

Design/Layout Department: Yulia Zarubina - Brill 910 343-1226

E-Mail: ads@wilmingtonparent.com

Customer Service 910 343-1226 E-Mail: wilmingtonparent@wilmingtonparent.com

To Advertise Contact: Beth Burgee 561-339-6154

E-mail: beth.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com

soul Food—four ways to feed your spirit

DEPARTMENTS 5

Editor’s Note

short stuff

Growing Up Online

10 Reel Fun for Families 12

Calendar

family finances

33 In the News 34 FIT FAMILY 36

school notes

Going Green

39 The Doctor Is In 40

Book Beat

meet the expert

44 Peanut Gallery

Karin LeMaire 617-510-2365

E-mail: Karinwilmingtonparent@gmail.com

Daily Deals Erin Munton 910-386-1453

erin.dailydeals@gmail.com

Amanda Swift 910-833-4081

amanda.dailydeals@gmail.com

Public Service Announcements/Calendar Please submit items/photos before the 2nd Friday of the prior month or E-Mail: calendar@wilmingtonparent.com or Fax: 910 343-1227 Opinions/Suggestions/Feedback

We value our readers opinions — help us to serve you better! Our mailing address is:

Wilmington Parent PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 or E-Mail: WilmingtonParent@ec.rr.com

Wilmington Parent is published 12 times a year. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication's standards. All contents of Wilmington Parent are protected under copyright. Reproduction of any content requires permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Wilmington Parent PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 © Wilmington Parent 2010 Seaside Media, LLC Complimentary copies of Wilmington Parent are available to the public at various locations in the greater Wilmington area. One copy per family is permitted. Additional copies require the written permission of the Publisher. Subscription rates for home delivery are $24 for one year. audit pending

member

Cover by Timeless Fotographie, www.timelessfotographie.com, 910-599-2546. Please recycle this magazine

4 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

department | editor’s note

appy New Year! 2012 has arrived, and with it new opportunities to make this the best year yet! Many of us look forward to making some positive changes in our lives this year. Before we make those ambitious resolution lists, writer Lara Krupicka suggests we prepare ourselves for the task by taking a closer look at what we need to accomplish our goals in her article, “Soul Food: Four Ways to Feed Your Spirit.” If one of your goals this year is to reevaluate your child’s education then be sure to check out our highly anticipated Education Guide, this year we have made it easier to research all your school options, and included a helpful checklist to get you started.

Keep the Love; Lose the Handles

Don’t forget, it’s never too early to start thinking about college! In the first of a three-part article “Choosing the Right College”, by author Ken Harbinson, you can find tips to ensure you and your child are prepared for the sometimes complicated process of choosing and applying for colleges. The 4th annual Education Fair on January 12th from 4:30-7:30 at the UNCW Burney Center is also a fun way to investigate some of the school options in the area. Virtual open houses are also available on our website as an interactive tool for busy parents.

The simple, non-surgical solution for bulges that refuse to budge. CoolSculpting freezes stubborn fat cells, such as love handles and muffin

May everyone enjoy health, happiness and an exciting New Year!

tops, which are then eliminated by

Danielle

the body naturally. So cool, it’s hot. Call 910.509.SKIN.

Visit wilmingtonplasticsurgery.com for Valentine’s specials you’ll adore. www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 5

department | short stuff

short stuff Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Special Service: This 12th Annual Community-wide event, sponsored by the Ministerial Roundtable, is scheduled for Sunday, January 15 from 4 – 5pm. The 2012 Host Church is Fifth Avenue Baptist, located at 5th and Market Streets. Pastor Robert Campbell of New Beginnings Church will lead the service and the New Hanover Singers will perform. Everyone is welcome! Please call (910) 763-2220 for more information about the service.

Parade: The annual parade honoring Dr. King will be held on Monday, January 16 in downtown Wilmington beginning at 5th & Castle Streets at 12pm. Call (910) 352-2473 for details.

Jenkins

Battle of Fort Fisher Visit Fort Fisher for the 147th Anniversary of this event on Saturday, January 21 or Sunday, January 22 from 10am – 4pm. The Battle of Fort Fisher was the largest amphibious operation of the Civil War. Don’t miss this free annual event that includes topics regarding Union Navy & Marine Corps operations and Confederate sailors and marines. Visit www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm or call (910) 4585538 for details about Fort Fisher and this important battle.

More than play at JPA Half day classes

JPA

P reschool A cademy

2012-13 enrollment Certified teachers starts in Feb. Small class sizes

Tour by

appointment only Nurturing & fun

(910) 367-7210 | www.jpawilmington.com | 7888 Market St

Dinosaur Dance! Friday, January 27, 2011 9 am - 12 pm. Cost: $5 per child/Adults Free Here’s a dance for all of our dinosaur fans! This event will be one big dinosaur party with age appropriate activities for all. There will be fun music, games, a special snack, and crafts! Everyone is invited to wear their prehistoric costumes!

Fit For Fun Center

302 S. 10th Street • 341-4630 or www.fitforfuncenter.com

The Fit For Fun Center is an interactive play activity center for children 5 and under. The Center has 4,000 square feet including areas designated for active play, art activities & fun. 6 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

We are committed to providing your special events with prompt & professional service. • birthday parties • family reunions • weddings • special events • affordable rates • will deliver to any location • we also have cotton candy & snow cones

Give us a call and let the fun begin!

(910) 264-1528 www.jumpinpartyrental.com www.wilmingtonparent.com

UNCW Men’s Basketball—HOME Games Monday, January 2 @ 2pm

Delaware

Saturday, January 7 @ 7pm

Hofstra

Saturday, January 14 @ 7pm

Drexel

Wednesday, January 18 @ 7pm

James Madison

Wednesday, January 25 @ 7pm

Old Dominion

Wednesday, February 1 @ 7pm

Georgia State

Saturday, February 4 @ 7pm

William & Mary

Saturday, February 11 @ 7pm

George Mason

Wednesday, February 22 @ 7pm

VCU

Visit www.uncwsports.com for complete schedule.

We pay $$$ on the spot for gently used clothing, toys & equipment your kids have outgrown. Plus, low prices on everything they need NOW! 4719-J New Centre Drive Wilmington, NC Target Shopping Center

(910) 452-9976 www.onceuponachildwilmington.com Store Hours: Mon-Sat 9-8; Sun. 12-6

UNCW Women’s Basketball—HOME Games Thursday, January 5 @ 11:30am

Northeastern

Sunday, January 15 @ 2pm

George Mason

Thursday, January 19 @ 7pm

VCU

Thursday, February 2 @ 7pm

Delaware

Sunday, February 5 @ 2pm

William & Mary

Sunday, February 12 @ 2pm

Old Dominion

Thursday, February 23 @ 7pm

Towson

Wednesday, February 29 @ 7pm

Georgia State

Visit www.uncwsports.com for all games and Championship schedule.

Cold Stroke Classic This 4th Annual Event will take place at the Blockade Runner on Wrightsville Beach on January 21 - 22. The Classic features a 3.5-mile Recreational Course or 7-mile Elite Course with prizes for winners of each Standup Paddle (SUP) race. Also featured at this event are clinics, vendor expo and demonstrations, live entertainment, and a banquet. Call (800) 383-4443 or visit http://www.coldstrokeclassic.com for details and registration.

Aladdin Join the fun on Sunday, January 22 at 3pm as Pied Piper Theatre presents Aladdin on the Thalian Hall Main Stage. Bring the family and enjoy this well-loved magical tale of a very special genie and his lamp! Tickets are $10. Contact the box office at (910) 632-2285 or visit www. thalianhall.org for tickets and further information..

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 7

growing up online

department | growing up online

oung people are passionate about music and parents are, understandably, worried about what’s appropriate for young ears.Today, however, parents need to look beyond lyrics to think about how kids are getting their music. Downloaded music is so readily available that teens can easily slip into behavior that is both unethical and illegal. The issue of music piracy is serious enough to have inspired the Stop Online Piracy Act, a law that was supposed to update rules about copyright and fair use. Congress failed to pass the bill so it continues to be up to parents to keep kids on the right side of laws

Learning to Love Legal Music that were admittedly designed for simpler times. The basic rule is that artists are entitled to compensation for what they do. This is confusing territory because some musicians—especially those who don’t have lucrative record contracts—are perfectly willing to give their music away. And many websites lure kids in with claims that the music they provide is free and legal.

By Carolyn Jabs

Unfortunately, most of the websites that claim to offer “free” music are actually peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing sites. Downloading the software on these sites allows your child to rifle through what’s on the computers of others—and vice versa. This isn’t necessarily illegal because some of what people share through these sites is in the public domain. Much of the material, however, is copyrighted so it’s being distributed without authorization from the people who own it. Downloading music without permission from the artist is a form of theft, pure and simple. Point out to your kids that they show respect for the artists who create the music they love when they download files in a way that works for those artists. Perhaps the best analogy is a supermarket where it’s perfectly OK to take the free taste of lasagna or the sample cookie being offered by the bakery because the store decides to makes these freebies available. It’s not OK to eat a package of cookies before you get to the checkout and it’s certainly not OK to steal those cookies even if you intend to share them with your friends.

We are your store for • Educational Gifts • Decor for the Classroom & Bedroom • Incentive Items: Stickers, Charts, Pencils, Erasers, etc

Parents need to help kids understand that music is free only when the artist decides it should be free. Otherwise, people need to pay for the privilege of listening to what other people worked hard to create. With that in mind, parents can guide kids to legitimate sources for their favorite tunes. Here’s a list of alternatives from least to most expensive:

Public library. Some libraries subscribe to Freegal, a service that allows patrons to download music legally. The program is controversial because it violates the traditional idea of a library as a place that where people borrow materials and then return them. Still, if your local library offers the service, get your kid a card.

$2.00 Off Any Purchase of $10 or more $5.00 Off Any Purchase of $25 or more $10.00 Off Any Purchase of $50 or more

Direct from Artists. Many musicians are perfectly willing to distribute music for free because they figure that, if they can build a fan base, they will earn money from sales of tickets and merchandise. This is especially true for independent artists, though sometimes even the big names release free tracks to their fans. The best way to be sure the artist has authorized distribution of the music is to go directly to his or her website or blog.

Streaming. Some websites function like radio stations by streaming music from their files to your speakers. Lastfm.com, Pandora. com and Spotify.com make it possible to legally listen to thousands of songs without actually downloading them. Like radio stations, the free versions of these websites play commercials. For a few dollars a month, you can give your child access to nothing but music.

*Some exclusions apply. See store for details Coupons expire 01/31/12

University Square 831 South Kerr Avenue Wilmington, NC Mon-Fri - 10a.m. - 6p.m. & Saturday - 9a.m. - 5p.m. 910-799-0101 www.teachersaidnc.com 8 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Subscription. At subscription sites, a monthly fee allows your child to listen to anything on the website. The music can’t be burned to a CD but it can be downloaded to an MP3 player. Once a month, www.wilmingtonparent.com

the player must be synched to the website and, if you end your subscription, the music goes away. Some subscription services like Napster also offer a fixed number of downloads per month. This can be an ideal solution for teens because they can listen to as many songs as they like but they have to be choosy about what they actually download.

Pay-Per-Song. Sites like I-Tunes or Amazon sell licenses for music that becomes a permanent part of your child’s personal collection. The price per song varies depending upon two factors. First, you pay a little more for higher quality which is measured in kbps—a higher number means better fidelity. Second, cost increases as you buy more rights. Digital rights management (DRM) determines the number of times a song can be copied, and you pay more for unlimited copies. Peer-to-Peer. Most adolescents aren’t savvy—or patient— enough to figure out how to use P2P sites legally and safely. These sites evade the law by claiming that they don’t distribute anything. They do, however, make it possible for people to share unlimited copies of files that don’t belong to them so they put those who use them in legal jeopardy. P2P sites are also notorious for passing on viruses and other malware. By some estimates, over 20% of the downloaded files include nasty code that will at the very least mess up your system and, at the worse, may give others access to information that shouldn’t be shared. For all these reasons, P2P sites are much more expensive than they seem, and they should be off limits for teens.

Give your kids a leg up. Sign them up for GYMNASTICS! ~TODAY~

NICE coaches = HAPPY kids!

Boys FLIP for FUN!

Join Anytime! Register Online!

910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com • 3529 Carolina Beach Road

Getting music legally online is much easier than it used to be. As Music United points out, there are now 400 legal music sites compared to 50 in 2003. (A helpful list of some of those sites is available at http://www.musicunited.org/6_legalsites. aspx). Talk about which online format best matches your child’s tastes and budget. If possible, provide a music allowance or help your child figure out how to earn the money needed to purchase music legally. Teaching your child to do the right thing will take more effort and money but it’s every bit as important as keeping track of which songs include X-rated lyrics. v

pediatric dentistry COMING SOON!

Visit our 2nd location in Jacksonville off Western Blvd.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing about families and the Internet for over fifteen years. She is the mother of three computer-savvy kids. Other Growing Up Online columns appear on her website www.growing-up-online.com.

Specialized Dentistry for Infants, Children, Adolescents and Children with Special Needs

8115 Market Street Ste. 204 910-686-1869 www.GrowingGrins.com Conveniently located on the 2nd floor of the Medac Building in Porters Neck www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 9

department |

reel life

Minister Margaret Thatcher, a woman who smashed through gender and class barriers to rise to the top in a male-dominated world. The film follows Thatcher from her early years to her reign as prime minister to her political downfall in 1990. With Streep onboard, this film is a great history lesson about a complex and powerful woman. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (who also directed Streep in Mamma Mia!), this movie also stars Jim Broadbent as Thatcher’s husband Denis and Richard E. Grant and Anthony Head as cabinet ministers Geoffrey Howe and Michael Heseltine.

Steven Spielberg brings the classic Tintin to the big screen, Garry Marshall helms another romantic comedy, and Matt Damon buys a zoo. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new in theaters in December. By Jane Louise Boursaw

reel life

Jane’s Reel Rating System 1 Reel Even the Force can’t save it. 2 Reels Coulda’ been a contender 3 Reels Something to talk about. 4 Reels You want the truth? Greatflick! 5 Reels Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Beauty and the Beast (3D) Rated G. In theaters January 13. Ok for kids 4+. Reel Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Reels. http:// www.beautyandthebeast.com/.

I’m not sure how I feel about classic family movies returning to theaters in 3D. The cynical side of me says they’re just trying to ring every last dollar out of the franchise. And 3D movies aren’t cheap, so you wonder if parents will fork over the cash at the theater instead of just plugging in the DVD at home. But the it’s-all-good side of me is happy that new generations can see wonderful films like Beauty and the Beast as they were intended -- on the big screen. We all know the story: Lovely Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara) is unhappy with life in her small provincial French town and constantly fends off the misplaced affections of conceited Gaston (Richard White). When Belle’s father Maurice (Rex Everhart) is imprisoned by The Beast (Robby Benson), she offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be an enchanted prince. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, this film also features the voices of Angela Lansbury, David Ogden Stiers, and Jerry Orbach.

The Iron Lady PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity. In theaters January 13. Ok for kids 12+. Reel Preview: 4.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.theironladymovie.co.uk/blog/. Is there anyone that Meryl Streep can’t play? Let’s take stock: Julia Child (Julie & Julia), Karen Silkwood (Silkwood), Susan Orlean (Adaptation), Karen Blixon (Out of Africa) and Anna Wintour (well, if you believe Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada was based on Wintour). Now the queen of stage and screen is playing former British Prime

10 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Joyful Noise PG-13 for some language, including a sexual reference. In theaters January 13. Ok for kids 11+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.joyfulnoisethemovie.com/. It’s a choir competition movie! Which means you already know the storyline and ending! But with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, expect lots of fun, joy and music. Latifah plays Vi Rose Hill, the director of the Divinity Church Choir in the economically-stressed town of Pacashau, Georgia. She aims to lead the choir to a win at the National Joyful Noise Competition, but fiery G.G. Sparrow (Parton) has her own ideas. Adding to the mix is Sparrow’s rebellious grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan), who has an ear for music and an eye on Vi Rose’s talented daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer). Courtney B. Vance and Kris Kristofferson round out the cast of this Todd Graff-directed movie. For anyone keeping track, he played Hippy Carnes in 1989’s The Abyss.

New on DVD | Blu-Ray: Marley & Me: The Puppy Years PG for some mild rude humor. On DVD/ blu-ray January 3. Ok for kids 7+. Reel Rating: 3 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon. Sure, we all sobbed our eyes out at the end of Marley & Me, the 2008 movie starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and that adorable dog who

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Ashley Michael Providing outstanding client service in the following areas of family law:

left chaos in his wake. And sure, we know how it ended, which means … no sequels. But that doesn’t mean no prequels, and I’m sure we’ll see young Marley outwitting evil real estate developers and witnessing mob hits in upcoming stories. This straight-to-DVD tale, directed by 80’s pop heartthrob Michael Damien (he sang “Rock On”), pairs the pup with pal Bodie Grogan (Travis Turner) and together, they wreak havoc at a neighborhood dog contest. Aniston and Wilson are MIA, so Marley (voiced by Grayson Russell) gets to narrate his own misadventures.

Co-produced by the Jim Henson Company, this animated PBS series celebrates exploration, discovery and science among preschoolers. Personally, I think the show is fun for adults, too, because somewhere along the way, we stopped asking “why?” Not so with the energetic and inquisitive Sid, who starts each episode with a new question and sets about finding answers: “What happens to stuff you throw away?” “Why do bananas get mushy?” and “How can I measure a whale with my ruler?” In the case of this DVD, it’s all about motion.

Adoption, Alimony, Child Custody/ Visitation, Child Support, Collaborative law, Cooperative law, Contempt, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Equitable Distribution, Post-Separation Support, PreNuptial Agreements, Separation Agreements. 701 Market Street Wilmington, NC Phone: 910.815.0085 • Fax: 910.815.1095 www.craigeandfox.com

The Last Lions PG for some violent images involving animal life. On DVD/blu-ray January 3. Ok for kids 8+. Reel Rating: 4.5 out of 5

owl er B Sup Ever. t s Be ar ty house P ey ds. nc Bou r the kitas fo rgari Ma r you! fo

Reels. Buy on Amazon. http://movies.nationalgeographic.com/movies/last-lions/. Seems like we should be making progress on environmental and animal issues, doesn’t it? Then again, maybe not. Fifty years ago, nearly half a million lions roamed Africa, but that number has dwindled to around 20,000, thanks to poaching and other travesties. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, have virtually no protection under government or international mandates. All this and more is covered in this well-researched documentary from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana and National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence. This film is beautiful and moving, with stunning cinematography.

Sid the Science Kid: Sid in Motion Rated G. On DVD 1/10. Ok for kids 2+. Reel Preview: 5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon. http://www.pbs.org/parents/sid/. www.wilmingtonparent.com

To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition Not rated. On DVD/blu-ray 1/31. Ok for kids 11+. Reel Rating: 5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon. It’s been 50 years since Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) took on a high-profile case in a racially divided Alabama town in the 1930s. The single dad and lawyer agrees to defend a young black man accused of raping a white woman, and his kids Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Phillip Alford) learn a few things about prejudice in the process. Since many middle- and high-schoolers across the country are reading the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Harper Lee, it’s a great time to grab the classic movie on blu-ray.

New Frozen Margarita Machines! Call to book now! • Bounce Houses! • Wet & Dry Slides! • 3 N 1 Combo! • Slip n Slide • SNO Cones! • Cotton Candy! • Karaoke Machine!

Call James Merritt, LLC

(910) 471-2277

Jane Boursaw is a family entertainment writer specializing in movies, TV and celebrities. Visit her at Reel Life With Jane; follow her on Twitter; become a friend on Facebook; or email jboursaw@charter.net.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 11

• PLA N YOUR MO N TH WITH US

CALENDAR

January | 2012

1 Sunday – New Year’s Day Libraries Closed Cape Fear Museum Closed Airlie Gardens Closed

Mark Peiser: Reflections on the Palomar Mirror Daily. Cameron Art Museum. Glass artist Mark Peiser reinterprets the 1934 event of the historic 20-ton glass casting of the 200-inch Hale Telescope mirror. Contact 3955999 or visit www.cameronartmuseum.com for exhibit details.

10:30am Mondays. Mayfaire Town Center.Visit www.brilliantskytoys. com or call 509-3353 for details.

2 Monday

Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Harmless Holder.” Hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process using simple materials. Ages 5-10. For more information, visit www.playwilmington.org or call 254-3534.

Libraries Closed

3 Tuesday

Illuminate: Holiday Lighting of the Ship Dusk - 11pm (Through 01/04). Battleship NC. The Ship takes part in the holiday season by “illuminating” from the bow, up to the masts and down to the stem. For more information, call 251-5797.

B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist Daily. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the breathtaking nature photography of Mr. Wells and discover his passion for the flora and fauna of the Lower Cape Fear region. For more information, contact 798-4350 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com.

Leland’s Little Learners 9 – 10am Tuesdays. Town of Leland. Enjoy storytime, arts & crafts, and time outside on the playground. Free. Ages 3-5 (parents/guardians remain with children). Contact 3324823 to pre-register.

Flag Football Registration Through 01/09.Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation. Flag Football begins in February. Must register by January 9 to participate. Contact 2567928 or visit www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com for information.

Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals of Nature. Meet new people and enjoy hearing wonderful stories. Visit www.playwilmington.org or call 254-3534 for details.

William McNeill: My Life as a Handheld Church Fan Daily through 01/16. Cameron Art Museum. The exhibition features hundreds of church fans collected over 40 years and emphasizing the vanishing Americana and ways of the past.Visit www.cameronartmuseum.com for details.

Holiday Show at New Elements Gallery 10am – 6pm (Through 01/07). New Elements Gallery, 216 N. Front St. Features recent works by over 40 artists. Call 343-8997 for more information.

Poetry Contest Deadline January 13. Enter the TreeFest Poetry Contest for a chance to win a tree for a local school. Open to all grade levels. Visit http://keepnhcbeautiful.org or contact 798-7564 or jeokeefe@ nhcgov.com for entry details.

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Storytime

12 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

NHCPL Lap Sit Storytime 9:30 – 9:50am Tuesdays. Main Library Children’s Room. Babies 18 months and younger are invited to enjoy 20 minutes of books, songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes and bounces. No pre-registration. Call 798-6303 for details. Storytime 10am. Barnes & Noble. Enjoy weekly storytime in the Children’s section. Interrupting Chicken. Call 509-1880 for details. NHCPL Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:30am Tuesdays. Main Library Children’s Room. For enthusiastic toddlers ages 18 - 36

months! This activity-time is filled with books, flannel boards, songs, and finger plays. No pre-registration required. Call 798-6303 for more information. NHCPL Preschool Storytime 10:30 – 11am Tuesdays. Main Library Children’s Room. Ages 3 to 5 years are invited. Different theme featured weekly. Includes books, songs, flannel boards, finger plays, and other fun activities. No preregistration. Call 798-6303 with questions. Kids Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Sushi” Roll Ups. Explore foods from all over the world without leaving Wilmington. Discover new flavors and find out fun facts about a new country each week. Free with Museum admission. Call 254-3534 to pre-register. Family Fun Nights 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Ultimate Hot Chocolate Party. Call 256-0854 or visit www.cfarestaurant.com/mayfaire for weekly events.

4 Wednesday NHCPL Lap Sit Storytime 9:30 – 9:50am Wednesdays. Myrtle Grove Branch. Designed for babies under 18 months. Features 20 minutes of stories, songs, rhymes and activities. No reservations required. Call 798-6393 for more information.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Makin’ Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Enjoy fun, low-key and FREE musical moments with Kindermusik educator, Karen Stirnitzke. Ages 1 ½ to 5 years. Reservations recommended. Contact 509-0153 to reserve a spot.

“Nunsense 2: The Second Coming” Auditions 6:30 – 8:30pm. Brunswick Community College, Bldg F. Wear comfortable clothing for choreography audition. Prepare a song for vocal audition. Contact 3686261 or thomatoz50@hotmail.com for details.

La Leche League – Nutrition & Weaning 10am. Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive. Come for information on nutrition and Weaning. Call Sylvia at 512-3293 for details. Babies welcome.

6 Friday

NHCPL Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:20am. Wednesdays. Myrtle Grove Branch. Children 18 - 36 months are invited to storytime! Enjoy 20 minutes of stories, songs, and pre-literacy activities. No reservations required. Call 798-6393 for further details. Preschool Science 10 - 11am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “What Fizzes and Foams?” Visit the Museum for Preschool Science fun! Call 254-3534 or www.playwilmington.org for registration details. NHCPL Preschool Storytime 10:30 – 11am Wednesdays. Myrtle Grove Branch. Ages 3 - 5 years are invited to enjoy a different theme every week. Includes books, songs, flannel boards, finger plays, and other fun pre-literacy activities. No pre-registration. Call 798-6303 for more information. Fetch! Club Challenge 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Potion Commotion.” Call 254-3534 or visit www. playwilmington.org to pre-register.

5 Thursday NHCPL Lapsit Storytime 9:30 – 9:45am Thursdays. Northeast Branch. Babies 3 - 18 months enjoy fun stories and songs. No registration required. Call 798-6373 for more information. StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Crunch Munch – Cookie Dip. Cooking club for preschoolers. Read a story and create a dish inspired by the book. Call 254-3534 to pre-register. NHCPL Toddler Storytime 10 – 10:20am Thursdays. Northeast Branch. Children ages 18 – 36 months join others for stories, songs and other fun activities. No registration required. Call 798-6373 for details. NHCPL Pre-School Storytime 10:30 – 11am Thursdays. Northeast Branch. Children ages 3 – 5 enjoy stories and songs. No registration required. Call 798-6373 for more information. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Tracks in the Snow – Footprint Casting. Enjoy a different story and art project each week. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org with questions. JAZZ @ the CAM 6:30 – 8pm. The Cameron Art Museum. The winter jazz series features El Jaye Johns & the Port City All Stars. Tickets: CAM/CFJS Members/$7, Nonmembers/$10. Students/$5 with valid ID. For more information, call 395-5999 or visit http://cameronartmuseum.com.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Art Classes Young Artist’s Series

Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Projects and activities for young visitors (ages 4 and under) and their special grownups to work on together. Call 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org for more information. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Experience different forms of art each week. Ages 5-8. Space is limited. Call 254-3534 to pre-register. Storytime 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Enjoy weekly storytime in the Children’s section. The Green Mother Goose. Call 509-1880 for details.

7 Saturday Resolution Run 5K 9am. Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation. Contact 256-7925 or visit www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com for registration information. Run for Food 9am. Ocean Isle Beach. Half Marathon & 5K.Visit www. wilmingtonroadrunners.org for registration details. ONE Coffee/Tea 9am. Port City Java, 2099 Market St. Join Rachel Fox, volunteer Congressional District Leader for ONE (an advocacy organization giving voice for those living in extreme poverty), for a meet-up to learn what others are doing in the community to make poverty history. Contact rachelfox.onewilmington@gmail.com with questions.

Kids Classes & Adult Classes

• drawing • painting Abby Kampschroeder Age 7

Nationally Recognized, Professional Artist & Art Educator Carolyn Faulkner 3803 Wrightsville Ave #8, Downey Branch Office Park

Call 910-685-5137

“Broadway Now” Auditions 10am – 1pm. Community Arts Center. Prepare a musical theater song to sing a cappella and be prepared to dance (no sandals or flip flops). Ages 7-11 @ 10am. Ages 12 – high school seniors @ 11:30am. Performance dates are 02/10-02/12 and 02/17-02/19. Call 341-7860 for more information. Science Saturdays 11am. NC Museum of Natural Sciences. “Juno’s New Frontiers to Jupiter.” Targeting middle & high school students to share the vast world of scientific research and allow interaction with experts. For more information, contact (919) 733-7450 or visit http://naturalsciences.org. Building Wilmington 1 – 4pm. Cape Fear Museum. Conduct fun, creative building experiments to explore Lower Cape Fear architecture. Create marshmallow geodesic domes to test shape strength and make newspaper towers. Free for member or with general admission. Ages 5-12. Call 798-4362 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com for details.

8 Sunday “Nunsense 2: The Second Coming” Auditions 3 – 5pm. Brunswick Community College, Bldg F. See 01/05.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 13

9 Monday

restored areas of the Battleship. Ages 12+. Wear warm, comfortable clothing & rubber-soled shoes. Bring a camera. $45/person. $35/Friends of Battleship or active military. Registration & payment due by 01/12/12. Call 251-5797 or visit www. battleshipnc.com for details.

Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Inch by Inch. See 01/02. NHCPL Pre-School Storytime 10:30 – 11am. Carolina Beach Branch. Children ages 18 months – 5 years enjoy stories and songs. No registration required. Call 798-6385 for more information.

Cape Fear River Watch StriperFest 9am – 3pm. Coastline Convention Center. Two-day river restoration and education event. Call 7625606 regarding tournament and free activities for kids and adults.

Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Paper Table.” See 01/02.

La Leche League – Advantages of Breastfeeding 10am. Breastfeeding Center of Wilmington. 4406 ½ Wrightsville Avenue. Come for information regarding the advantages of breastfeeding. Call Chrissy at 262-5288 for details. Babies welcome.

10 Tuesday Storytime 10am. Barnes & Noble. Hands Off, Harry. See 01/03.

Family Fun Saturday 10am & 1pm. NC Museum of Art. Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. “Figure Drawing.” Explore the Museum’s collection and create projects. Ages 5-11. $3/Members. $5/Non-members. Call (919) 715-5923 for registration information.

Kids Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Create a Smoothie. See 01/03. Family Fun Nights 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Golden Book Reading Night. See 01/03.

Building Wilmington 1 – 4pm. Cape Fear Museum. See 01/07.

15 Sunday

American Girl Club 7pm. Barnes & Noble, Mayfaire. Bring an American Girl doll and join the fun with crafts and activities. Call 509-1880 for more information.

11 Wednesday Airlie Bird Hike 8 – 9:30am. Airlie Gardens. Free to members or free with Garden admission. $5/Adults & $3/ Children (ages 6-12 years). Bring your own binoculars. Bird guides provided.Visit www.airliegardens. org or call 798-7700 for more information. Baby Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Hanover Center (3501 Oleander). Enjoy gentle music and movement for babies with Karen Stirnitzke, Kindermusik educator. Ages newborn to 1 ½. Free. Call 2516636 to reserve a spot. Preschool Science 10 - 11am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Erupt a Volcano.” See 01/04. Fetch! Club Challenge 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Hang Time & Mini Rockets.” See 01/04.

12 Thursday StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Chicks and Salsa – Quackamole. See 01/05. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. The Snowy Day – Snow Globes. See 01/05. 4th Annual Education Fair 4:30 – 7:30pm. UNCW Burney Center. Wilmington Parent magazine sponsors this free event that showcases local private schools and regional boarding schools. Come out and meet with school representatives to get information about the many educational opportunities available to your children.Visit www.wilmingtonparent.com for more information.

14 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Preschool/Childcare Expo 4:30 – 7:30pm. UNCW Burney Center. Come out and meet representatives from local preschool and childcare programs. Free. Sponsored by Wilmington Parent magazine. Find more information at www. wilmingtonparent.com. Biennial Faculty Exhibition Reception 5:30 – 7pm. UNCW Art Gallery, Cultural Arts Building. Features current work of UNCW studio art faculty. Reception is free and open to the public. Call 962-7958 for more information.

13 Friday Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. Cape Fear River Watch StriperFest Banquet 6 – 9:30pm. Coastline Convention Center. Two-day river restoration and education event. Call 7625606 regarding tickets for banquet. Storytime 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Dream Big, Little Pig. See 01/06.

14 Saturday Hidden Battleship 8:30am & 1:30pm. Battleship NC. Pick one of two tour times to explore behind-the-scenes of un-

Cape Fear Skies: Winter Constellations 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30pm. Cape Fear Museum.Venture into outer space and hear mythical tales while exploring stars, planets and more. Free for members or with general admission. Appropriate for all ages. Parent participation required. Call 798-4357 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information. Honoring the Memory of Dr. King 4 – 5pm. 5th Avenue Baptist Church, 5th & Market Streets. The 12th Annual Community-wide service held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All are welcome. Contact junehighfll@gmail.com for details.

16 Monday – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Libraries Closed Airlie Gardens Free Day 9am - 5pm.Airlie Gardens.Visit the parks and Arboretum for a full day of family fun. Contact 798-7700 or visit www.airliegardens.org for more information. Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. A Garden Alphabet. See 01/02. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade 12pm. Downtown Wilmington. Wilmington honors Dr. King’s memory with a commemorative parade on Castle Street. Contact 352-2473 for more information. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Rubber Band Car.” See 01/02.

17 Tuesday La Leche League – The Art of Breastfeeding 10am. Grace United Methodist Church, 4th & Grace Streets. Come for information regarding the art of breastfeeding and overcoming difficulties. Call Denise at 612-7885 for details. Babies welcome.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Storytime 10am. Barnes & Noble. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. See 01/03. Kids Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Pretzel Dipping Sauces. See 01/03. Family Fun Nights 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Winter Beaded Bracelets. See 01/03. Mother-Daughter Book Club 6 – 7:45pm. NHCPL Main Branch. Parents and daughters (ages 11-14) read and discuss books by and about Louisa May Alcott. Call 798-6303 for details.

18 Wednesday Baby Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Military Cutoff. Enjoy gentle music and movement for babies with Karen Stirnitzke, Kindermusik educator. Ages newborn to 1 ½. Free. Call 509-0153 to reserve a spot. Preschool Science 10 - 11am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Insta Snow.” See 01/04. Mother Goose Math & Science 10:30 – 11:30am. NHCPL Main Branch. Ages 2-8 enjoy storytime and activities that include “patterns.” Use imagination to create artwork. Call 798-6365 to pre-register. Fetch! Club Challenge 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Finger Print Investigation.” See 01/04. Chinese New Year for Teens 4:15 – 5pm. NHCPL Northeast Branch. Discover the meanings behind the symbols and celebrations. Includes activities. Call 798-6303 for required preregistration. Live Music 7 – 10pm. Press 102 Cafe,Veranda Ballroom. National fingerstyle guitar champion Richard Smith and cellist Julie Adams share their music and voices in songs ranging from Chet Atkins to the Beatles. Tickets $15. Children under 10 are free. Call 3994438 for details.

19 Thursday StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Pizza at Sally’s – Pizza. See 01/05. stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Bringing in the New Year – New Year Lanterns. See 01/05. Mother Goose Math & Science 3:30 – 4:30pm. NHCPL Main Branch. See 01/18. Magic Tree House Club 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Everyone’s welcome at the Magic Tree House meeting. Talk about Jack and Annie’s adventures, make a craft and enjoy activity time. Call 509-1880 for more information. La Leche League – The Family & the Breastfed Baby 7pm. Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd/Bldg B/Rm 3. Come for information about the family and the breastfed baby. Call Julia at

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 15

Bill Cosby 5 & 8pm. Durham Performing Arts Center. One of America’s most beloved comedians of all time takes the stage at DPAC. Call (919) 6802787 or visit www.dpacnc.com for ticket information. UPWA presents New Year’s Massacre 2012 6:30 – 10pm. National Guard Armory. Main event: World Champion LA Tank will defend against Tito Rains. Call 233-0802 for ticket information.

chopsticks to eat sesame noodles. Contact 254-3534 or visit www.playwilmington.org for details.

New York Voices 8 – 10pm. Thalian Hall Main Stage. Enjoy the Grammy-winning vocal jazz quartet. $35/Prime. $28/Choice. $18/ Gallery. Call 632-2285 or visit www. thalianhall.com for ticket information.

Movie for Young Adults 6 – 7:45pm. NHCPL Northeast Branch. Celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year with the movie “The Legend of the Millennium Dragon” (PG13). Free and open to teens and young adults. Parents welcomed too. Call 7986303 with questions.

Winter Hootenanny 8 – 10pm. UNCW Kenan Auditorium. John Golden and Friends will perform the best music of the 50’s, including ballads, love songs, rockabilly and doo-wop favorites. Benefits the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear. $20/General Admission. $15/Seniors. $5/Students. Call 3952014 or 762-0492 for details.

22 Sunday Cold Stroke Classic Blockade Runner, Wrightsville Beach. See 01/21.

791-2853 for details. Dads and babies welcome!

20 Friday Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. TreeFest 10am – 5pm. Independence Mall, JC Penney end court. Pick up 5 tree seedlings to plant at home. Suggested donation $3. Contact 798-7564 or jeokeefe@nhcgov.com with questions. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. Storytime 7pm. Barnes & Noble. StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors. See 01/06.

21 Saturday Cold Stroke Classic Blockade Runner, Wrightsville Beach. Features a 3.5-mile Recreational Course or 7-mile Elite course with prizes. Also featured are clinics, vendors, live entertainment and banquet. Contact (800) 383-4443 or visit www.coldstrokeclassic.com for registration details.

Family Fun Saturday 10am & 1pm. NC Museum of Art. “Design in Nature.” See 01/14. The Lights of the Great Armada 10am – 4pm. Fort Fisher. The 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher. Features demonstrations, exhibits and special guests. Free. Donations appreciated. Call 4585538 for details. Mystery at the Museum 10am – 4pm. Cape Fear Museum. A gardener made a shocking discovery in the Museum’s courtyard while planting a tree. Investigate the scene and analyze the evidence in the mystery labs. Look for clues and hidden evidence. $3/Members. $6/Nonmembers. Call 798-4362 or visit www. capefearmuseum.com for details. TreeFest 10am – 5pm. Independence Mall, JC Penney end court. See 01/20. “Rock the Prom” Fashion Showcase & Expo 10am – 6pm. Coastline Convention Center. Join the fun at the Expo where vendors share prom-related products and services.Admission $5/Online preregistration or $7/Door. 100% of admission fees support Women of Hope. Call 620-3906 for event information.

16 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

The Lights of the Great Armada 11am – 4pm. Fort Fisher. See 01/21. Aladdin 3 – 4pm. Thalian Hall Main Stage. Bring the family and enjoy this wellloved magical tale of a very special genie and his lamp. Tickets $10. For more information, visit www.thalianhall.com or call 632-2285. Friends School Admissions Open House 3 – 5pm. Friends School of Wilmington. Tour the campuses and grounds, visit classrooms and meet dedicated faculty and current families. For more information, call the 207 Pine Grove Drive Campus (ages 18 months – 2nd grade) at 791-8221 or the 350 Peiffer Avenue Campus (3rd – 8th grades) at 792-1811. UNCW Flute Festival Concert 4 – 5:30pm. UNCW Beckwith Recital Hall. Contact 962-3415 for information.

23 Monday Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. The Tiny Seed. See 01/02. Chinese New Year 10am - 12pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year with paper lanterns and secret messages. Use

NHCPL Pre-School Storytime 10:30 – 11am. Carolina Beach Branch. See 01/09. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Kicking Machine.” See 01/02.

24 Tuesday Storytime 10am. Barnes & Noble. The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers. See 01/03. Health & Wellness Expo 12 - 3pm. Miller-Motte Technical College.Vendors from medical and wellness fields provide free blood pressure checks, BMI checks and other tests. Massage students will provide free chair massages.Vendor entry fee is “3 canned food items” for donation to ACES. Event is free and open to public. Visit www.miller-motte.edu or call 442-3414 for more information. Kids Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Sesame Noodles. See 01/03. Family Fun Nights 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Edible Snowmen. See 01/03. Soweto Gospel Choir 8pm. UNCW Kenan Auditorium. 52-member singing group from South Africa with earthy rhythms and rich harmonies. Tickets $20 to $50. Call 962-3500 for details.

25 Wednesday Makin’ Musik 10am. Learning Express Toys, Hanover Center (3501 Oleander). Enjoy fun, low-key and FREE musical moments with Kindermusik educator, Karen Stirnitzke. Ages 1 ½ to 5 years. Reservations recommended. Contact 251-6636 to reserve a spot. Preschool Science 10 - 11am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Sky Diver.” See 01/04. Fetch! Club Challenge 3:30 - 4:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Fly a Kite.” See 01/04.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

26 Thursday

28 Saturday

StoryCOOKS 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Sweet Dream Pie – Sweet Dream Pie. See 01/05.

BBQ Cook-off Carolina Beach Lake. Enjoy this 1st Annual event to benefit “Step Up for Soldiers.” Contact 279-2782 for entry information.

stART with a Story 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Stranger in the Woods – Snowman Doorstop. See 01/05. Wilmington Theatre Awards 8 – 10pm. Thalian Hall Main Stage. A first-time event in Wilmington hosted by StarNews Media, Thalian Hall & City Stage. $12/General Admission. Contact 632-2285 for more information.

27 Friday Dinosaur Dance 9am – 12pm. Fit For Fun Center. Dinosaur fans join the fun and dress in a prehistoric costume for a big dinosaur party with age appropriate activities. Music, games, crafts and a special snack included. $5 per child/ adult. Call 341-4630 for details. Toddler Time 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. Antique Show & Sale 10am – 6pm. Coastline Convention Center. Over 35 dealers offer furniture, jewelry, linens, silver and glasswares at the annual Sorosis and NC Sorosis Sale. Proceeds benefit Domestic Violence Shelter. $7. Contact Teresa at 799-1324 for event information. Adventures in Art 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. See 01/06. Artists Exhibition Reception 6 – 9pm. Community Arts Center, 2nd & Orange Streets. Join the opening reception for the 2012 Artists Exhibition. Free and open to the public. Call 341-7860 for details. Fourth Friday Gallery Walk 6 – 9pm. Downtown Wilmington. A self-guided tour through several Wilmington galleries and studios. Includes artist discussions, live music, wine tasting and other art-based activities. Call 343-8997 for more information. Storytime 7pm. Barnes & Noble. Dinosaur Dig. See 01/06.

Marine Explorers: Lucky Fish 9am – 12pm. UNCW Center for Marine Science. Celebrate the New Year with some favorite fish. Learn how different cultures around the world believe fish can bring good luck. Snack provided.Visit www.uncw. edu/marinequest or call 962-2640 for more information. Family Fun Saturday 10am & 1pm. NC Museum of Art. “Something Big, Something Small.” See 01/14. Cape Fear Model Railroad Show & Sale 10am – 5pm. American Legion Post 10. Features model railroad dealers as well as “O,” 027, “G” and “HO” scale modular layouts. Door prizes, raffles and free clinics offered. $5/Adults. $3/children. Ages 5 and under free. For more information, call 371-9595 or visit www. capefearmodelrailroadclub.org. Home EXPO & Remodeling Show 10am – 5pm. CFCC Schwartz Center. More than 80 exhibitors offer the latest in home improvement products and services. Includes seminars. Free. Call 799-2611 or visit www. wilmingtonhomeexpo.com for details.

Antique Show & Sale 12 – 5pm. Coastline Convention Center. See 01/27.

30 Monday Little Sprouts Storytime 10am. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Garden Wigglers: Earthworms in Your Backyard. See 01/02. NHCPL Pre-School Storytime 10:30 – 11am. Carolina Beach Branch. See 01/09. Go Green Engineer Team 3:30pm. Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “Speedy Shelter.” See 01/02.

31 Tuesday Family Fun Nights 5:30 – 7pm. Chick-fil-A Mayfaire. Tailgate Party. See 01/03. Cape Fear 101 6:30 – 8pm. Cape Fear Museum. Dr. John Haley, Professor Emeritus at UNC Wilmington, and Michelle Lanier, Acting Director of the NC African American Heritage Commission explore local connections to the Gullah/Geechee heritage and traditions. $5/Museum Members. $7/Nonmembers. Call 798-4362 for tickets. Kelly Clarkson 7:30pm. Durham Performing Arts Center. Kickoff of “Stronger Tour 2012.” Call (919) 680-2787 or visit www. dpacnc.com for ticket information.

To submit events to the calendar, please email calendar@wilmingtonparent.com Deadline for submissions to the February issue is January 9, 2011.

Antique Show & Sale 10am – 6pm. Coastline Convention Center. See 01/27. Literacy Live from the Penguin Rookery 1 – 3pm. UNCW Watson School of Education. Discover these lovable birds, their extreme habitat and fascinating behavior. Enjoy reading, drama, science & fun. Ages 4-7 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Call 962-7291 or visit http://library.uncw. edu/cmc/literacy_live for required pre-registration. Building Wilmington 1 – 4pm. Cape Fear Museum. See 01/07. Murder Mystery Dinner Theater 3:30 – 8:30pm. Duplin Winery. Tasting and tour begins at 3:30. Dinner seating at 5:30 for a killer theatrical, interactive performance. Audience participation is encouraged. Contact (800) 774-9634 for ticket information.

CFCC Jazz Ensemble 7:30pm. Projekte Art Gallery. CFCC’s Jazz Ensemble performs impromptu style. Free. Call 763-1197 for details.

29 Sunday

Piano Festival Recital 7:30 – 9:30pm. UNCW Beckwith Recital Hall. Contact 962-3415 for information.

Cape Fear Model Railroad Show & Sale 10am – 4pm. American Legion Post 10. See 01/28.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Home EXPO & Remodeling Show 12 – 4pm. CFCC Schwartz Center. See 01/28.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 17

E d u cation Guide T

here are many choices in public and private education. Our checklist and guide can help you sort through your options so you can make the best decision for your family.

Checklist:

• Is this school a good match for your child’s learning style? • How does this school identify and accommodate academic strengths and weaknesses? Interests? Talents? • Will this school be capable of meeting your child’s needs? • Does this school fit with your family’s values? • What’s on your list as a priority for your child’s education? Is it offered at this school?

Some helpful explanations:

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Charter Schools – These are publicly funded schools that have open enrollment and no religious affiliation. They do not charge tuition and anyone may apply. Students are selected by random lottery. Magnet Schools – A school with a theme that draws students from all over the county. The North Carolina Standard course of Study is taught using this focus area as an approach. If you already live in the Attendance Zone for a Magnet School, you do not need to apply to that school. Otherwise, you must apply. Students are selected by random lottery. Year-Round Schools – These are schools that offer the North Carolina curriculum on a nine-week on, three-week intercession schedule. You must apply to these schools and they must be within your assigned territory. Transportation is provided if the student resides within the transportation zone. Once you narrow your list down to a few realistic possibilities, talk to other parents that have children attending those schools. They can be a valuable source of information! Most of all, it is important to remember that every child has different needs. There is no such thing as a perfect school for all children. Find the school that best fits your child!

Private Schools Academy of Excellence Christian School 3110 Randall Parkway academyofexcellence.co (910) 343-3321 Grades: 5th-12th grade Enrollment period: Rolling admissions Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: Art, Drama, Music Languages offered: French, Spanish Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: We utilize the individual learning concept within a Learning Center to educating our students rather than the teaching concept within a large classroom.

Calvary Christian School 423 North 23rd Street www.calvarychristianwilmington.com (910) 343-1565 Grades: K3-8th grade

Mission/Vision/Goal: To lead each child in a pursuit of educational excellence and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Cape Fear Academy

Sports: N/A

18 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Open House: Jan. 12, 2012

3900 South College Road www.capefearacademy.org (910) 791-0287

Arts/Music: Choir, Drama, Graphic Arts,Visual Arts, Worship Band

Grades: K3-12th grade

Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Track,Volleyball

Enrollment period: Jan. 12, 2012 - after rolling Open House: Jan. 3, 2012 Arts/Music: Art, Band, Chorus, Drama, Music, Pep Band

Languages offered: Spanish

Mission/Vision/Goal: To provide excellence in academics, fine arts, and athletics while instilling biblical truth in the hearts and minds of its students.

Languages offered: Spanish, other languages offered online in High School

Friends School of Wilmington

Sports: Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Surf Team, Swimming, Tennis,Volleyball

Pk-2nd -207 Pine Grove Dr. 3rd-8th -350 Peiffer Ave. www.fsow.org (910) 792-1811

Mission/Vision/Goal: Strives to be a learning community sharing a commitment to respect, integrity, academic excellence, and service to others. Preparing students for college with a very strong honor code.

Coastal Christian High School

Arts/Music: Art, Band, Chorus, Drama, Music Languages offered: N/A

Grades: 9th-12th grade Enrollment period: Jan.12, 2012 - until filled

Enrollment period: Feb-July Open House: Feb 6, 2012

(910) 395-9995

709 George Anderson Drive www.coastalchristian.net

Grades: Pk-8th grade Enrollment period: Rolling Admissions Open House: Jan. 22, 2012; Feb. 19, 2012; Mar. 15, 2012 Arts/Music: Art, Drama, Instrumental, Kindermusic, Music Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Basketball, Girls on the Run, Soccer, Tennis Mission/Vision/Goal: We prepare independent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

thinkers in the Quaker tradition for a global, knowledge-based future.

Wilmington's Oldest Montessori School

Leland Christian Academy 517 Village Rd NE, Leland www.fbcleland.org/lca.asp (910) 371-0688

The Children's Schoolhouse

Grades: Pk-5th grade Enrollment period: Begins in February Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: Art, Choir Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Possible Basketball, Soccer in 2012 Mission/Vision/Goal: Children attending LCA will be taught traditional Christian values and patriotism that made America great.

Myrtle Grove Christian School The Children’s Schoolhouse is a small traditional Montessori School committed to a high quality of individual academic experience, administered with an enthusiastic but gentle approach. Now Enrolling students for 2, 3 or 5 day programs: ages 3-5, NC State recognized elementary kindergarten for 5-6 year olds, 1/2 day on-site Marine Science camp. Each classroom Directress is Montessori Certified

Grades: Pk-8th grade

Location: 612 South College Rd. (across from UNCW) Housed in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lucy Hieronymus, Directress (910) 799-1531 TCSH admits students regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin

Enrollment period: Jan. 26, 2012-until filled Open House: Jan. 24, 2012 Arts/Music: Art, Drama, Music, Worship Band Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Soccer, Tennis,Volleyball Mission/Vision/Goal: To educate students by exposing them to biblical principles as a framework for all that is taught.

http://www.childrensschoolhouse.net Now Enrolling in our After School Program!

Point Institute 5051 New Center Dr. pointinstitutewilmington.org (910) 515-2933 Grades: K-12th grade Enrollment period: Rolling admissions Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: Music,Visual Arts Languages offered: Spanish Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: Our goal is to provide individualized instruction and attention to every student to bring him or her from current status to grade appropriate skills.

New Horizons Elementary 806 Piner Road www.mgcs.org (910) 392-2067

• Two Classrooms (5yr-7yr) & (8yr-12yr) • Homework time & homework assistance • Activities: arts, crafts & Indoor/Outdoor games • Full Day program during school holidays/teacher workdays • We are an official 4-h club. Located off 23rd St. across from movie studio w/ easy access from MLK or Market St.

Grades: K-5th grade Enrollment period: Application deadline - Jan. 27, 2012 Open House: Jan. 17, 2012

> www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 19

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

806 Piner Road www.mgcs.org (910) 392-2067

New Hanover County Magnet Schools

Attracting the Best in Children

Arts/Music: Art, Music

Enrollment period: Call for application instructions

Languages offered: Spanish, French

Open House: Jan. 24, 2012

Sports: Girls on the Run

Arts/Music: Art, Music

Mission/Vision/Goal: Developing leaders one child at a time.

Languages offered: N/A

St. Mark Catholic School 1013 Eastwood Road www.stmarkcatholicschool.org (910) 452-2800

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Grades: K-8th grade

Rachel Freeman School of Engineering 2601 Princess Place Drive Wilmington, N C 28405 Adrian Pearson, Principal Phone: (910) 251-6011 Fax: (910) 251-6013 www.nhcs.net/freeman For enrollment information, call Denise Angevine, Enrollment Specialist at (910) 251-2929.

Enrollment period: Rolling admissions Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: Art, Instrumental Band, Music Languages offered: French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish Sports: Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis Mission/Vision/Goal: Provide a meaningful, affordable Catholic education that promotes academic excellence while engaging your student in a total learning life experience.

St. Mary Catholic School 412 Ann St thestmaryschool.org (910) 762-5491 ext. 140 Grades: K3-8th grade

Attracting the Best in Children

6201 Myrtle Grove Road www.wilmingtonacademy.org (910) 392-3139 Grades: 4th- 8th grade Enrollment period: Application deadline - Jan. 31, 2012 Open House: Jan. 5, 2012 Arts/Music: Art, Music, Rock Band Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Basketball, Running Club, Tennis Mission/Vision/Goal: A school for gifted and academically motivated students.

Wilmington Christian Academy

Arts/Music: Art, Choral Music,Violin

Grades: Pk-12th grade

Languages offered: Spanish

Enrollment period: Rolling admissions

Sports: Basketball, Lacrosse, Tennis,Volleyball

Open House: Jan. 24, 2012; Feb. 5; 2012; Feb. 23, 2012

The Hill School of Wilmington 25 South 3rd Street www.hillschoolofwilmington.org (910) 685-3734

For enrollment information, call Denise Angevine, Enrollment Specialist at (910) 251-2929.

Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences

Open House: Jan. 29, 2012; Feb. 1, 2012

Mission/Vision/Goal: Academic excellence in a setting of Catholic Christian values.

Gregory School of Science, Mathematics and Technology 1106 Ann Street Wilmington, N C 28401 Dawn Vickers, Principal Phone: 910.251.6185 Fax: 910.251.6023 www.nhcs.net/gregory

Mission/Vision/Goal: To empower children who have learning differences with the skills needed to become confident, independent learners.

1401 North College Road wilmingtonchristian.com (910) 791-4248

Enrollment period: Rolling admissions

New Hanover County Magnet Schools

Sports: N/A

Grades: 2nd-7th grade

Arts/Music: Art, Band, Choir, Music,Voice & Instrumental lessons Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer,Volleyball Mission/Vision/Goal: Quality Christian education that provides challenging academics while encouraging a vibrant, personal relationship with Christ.

Boarding Schools Asheville School 360 Ashville School Rd. Asheville, NC www.ashvilleschool.org (828) 254-6345 Grades: 9nd-12th grade Enrollment period: Application deadline - Feb. 1, 2012

Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: Drama, Music, Dance,Visual Arts Languages offered: Chinese, French, Spanish Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field,Volleyball, Wrestling Mission/Vision/Goal: To prepare our students for college and for life.

> 20 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Open House January 22, 3-5 PM An Independent School for 18 Months - 8th Grade

We believe learning flows from wonder and that the most engaging lessons arise out of a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own questions, interests, and experiences. A Friends School education learning and prepares students to meet challenges with confidence and compassion.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

PreK-2nd Grade l 207 Pine Grove Dr. l 910.791.8221 3rd - 8th Grade l 350 Peiffer Ave. l 910.792.1811 l www.fsow.org

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 21

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

inspires a life-long love of

Charter Schools

Chatham Hall 800 Chatham Hall Circle Chatham,VA www.chathamhall.org (434) 432-2941

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry

Grades: 9nd-12th grade Enrollment period: Application deadline - Feb. 1, 2012 Open House: Jan. 15&16, 2012 Arts/Music: Dance, Drama, Music,Visual Arts Languages offered: Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Riding, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis,Volleyball Mission/Vision/Goal: Prepares girls for college and productive, fulfilled lives.

Grades: K - 8th grade Enrollment period: January 31, 2012 Lottery is held Feb. 16, 2012 Open House: Attendance at one of the following parent meetings required: Jan. 7, 10, 19, or 25 Arts/Music: Art, Band, Music, Musical Theater Languages offered: Spanish Sports: N/A

Salem Academy

Mission/Vision/Goal: Creating a community of independent problem solvers through inquiry-based learning.

500 E Salem Ave. Winston-Salem, NC www.salemacademy.com (336) 721-2643

The Roger Bacon Academy - Charter Day School

Grades: 9nd-12th grade

Arts/Music: Dance, Drama, Glee Club, Music, Theater,Visual Arts

7055 Bacons Way Ne, Leland www.rogerbaconacademy.net www.charterdayschool.net (910) 655-1214

Languages offered: Latin, Spanish

Grades: K - 8th grade

Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track,Volleyball

Enrollment period: Jan. 1 - Jan. 31, 2012, lottery will be held in Feb.

Mission/Vision/Goal: Dedicated to fostering the intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical growth of young women.

Arts/Music: Art, Band, Chorus

Enrollment period: Rolling admissions

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

2525 Wonder Way www.cfci.net (910) 362-0000

Open House: Call for tour

Open House: Call for tour dates in Jan. Languages offered: N/A Sports: Archery, Basketball, Cheerleading, Football Mission/Vision/Goal: Prepare our students to be lifelong learners in a globally and competitive society.

Wilmington Preparatory Academy (yearround)



 



4905 South College Road www.wilmingtonace.org (910) 799-6776 Grades: K - 8th grade Enrollment period: Jan. 3 - Feb. 20, 2012 Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art Club, Music Languages offered: Spanish Sports: Basketball, Soccer Mission/Vision/Goal: An official Core Knowledge school offering a rich curriculum in a stimulating learning environment.

Magnet Schools Gregory School of Science, Math & Technology

            

  



22 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

1106 Ann Street www.nhcs.net/gregory (910) 251-6185 Grades: K - 5th grade

> www.wilmingtonparent.com

Apply Now For Fall 2012 2525 Wonder Way Wilmington, NC 28401

910-362-0000 www.CFCI.net

Our Mission

Admission is open to any NC resident of school age. School zones are not applicable to state charter schools such as CFCI. Applications and tuition are free, and are accepted each school year. Completed applications must be returned to the school office on or before 4pm on January 31st, 2012. Information Sessions Will Be At CFCI On... January 7th 10-11:30am January 10th 6-7:30pm January 19th 6:30-8pm January 25th 4:30-6pm

CFCI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability

New application admission priority is determined by a lottery, which will be held February 16th at 9am.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 23

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Founders of CFCI are committed to promoting students' abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways. A high level of personal and collegial accountability will be maintained through an integrated, inquiry-based curriculum that is challenging and situated within the context of a safe and encouraging environment.

Application Process

Enrollment period: End of Feb –March

Metzger Tutoring Services Specializing in tutoring, test preparation and enrichment

Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art, Music Languages offered: N/A Sports: N/A

Brandy Metzger is a veteran teacher of 15 years certified in K-6 and gifted education.

Mission/Vision/Goal: A science, mathematics and technology magnet school. Mission is to educate all children to be productive and socially conscious citizens in a global society.

Call or e-mail for more information. 910-262-6810 • bmetzgertutoring@gmail.com

Rachel Freeman School of Engineering 2601 Princess Place Drive www.nhcs.net/freeman (910) 251-6011 Grades: K - 5th grade Enrollment period: End of Feb –March Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art, Music

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Languages offered: N/A Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: A community of student engineers who use teamwork, communication, and creative thinking to solve problems.

Snipes Academy of Arts & Design

Faith...Intellect...Character

2150 Chestnut Street www.nhcs.net/snipes (910) 251-6175 Grades: K - 5th grade Enrollment period: End of Feb –March Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art, Music, Dance, Drama Languages offered: N/A Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: Through our distinctive arts program, children discover a passion for learning, achieve academic excellence and are empowered by self-confidence.

Wilmington Christian Academy

HigH ScHool • Middle ScHool e l e M e n ta r y S c H o o l • P r e S c H o o l

wilmingtonchristian.com • 910.791.4248 1401 N. College Road • Wilmington, NC

Year-Round Schools Codington 4321 Carolina Beach Road www.nhcs.net/codington (910) 790-2236 Grades: K - 5th grade Enrollment period: End of Feb –March

Open House Dates Tuesday, January 24th 9-12; Sunday, February 5th 2-4; Thursday, February 23rd, 5-6:30 Special Kindergarten Open House February 3rd 8:30 - 10 24 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art, Music Languages offered: N/A

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: A community of responsible life-long leaders and learners, preparing to be productive members of a diverse society in an ever-changing world.

Eaton 6701 Gordon Road www.nhcs.net/eaton (910) 397-1544 Grades: K - 5th grade Enrollment period: End of Feb â&#x20AC;&#x201C;March Open House: Call for tour. Arts/Music: Art, Music Languages offered: N/A Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: Attitude - Atmosphere Achievement

Early College SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Isaac Bear Early College High School 630 MacMillan Avenue www.nhcs.net/isaacbear (910) 350-1387 Grades: 9th-12th grade Enrollment period: Sept.-Oct. of studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8th grade year Open House: Call for tour or to schedule a shadowing day. Arts/Music: 11th & 12th grade eligible to enroll in UNCW art, music courses. Languages offered: 9th/10th grade-Latin, after 10th any languages offered at UNCW Sports: N/A Mission/Vision/Goal: Our mission is to prepare all students for the future by striving for a quality, college-ready education in a rigorous, relevant, and safe environment. Oversight provided by UNCW.

Wilmington Early College High School 4500 Blue Clay Rd www.nhcs.net/wechs (910) 362-7789 Grades: 9th-12th grade Enrollment period: Fall 2012 Open House: Call for tour Arts/Music: All classes available through CFCC Languages offered: Spanish Sports: None available, but extracurricular activities encouraged. Mission/Vision/Goal: Designed to introduce students to a college setting in their freshman year of high school. Students are required to take a rigorous curriculum of honors level and college level courses. Oversight provided by CFCC.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

4th Annual Education Fair Schools - Preschools - Childcare

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, 4:30-7:30pm The Burney Center, UNCW Campus Free Parking on Lot M -- Directions: From College Road, turn onto Hurst Drive at the traffic light to enter the UNCW campus. Continue on Hurst Drive to the next traffic light. Turn left onto Hamilton Drive. Continue on Hamilton Drive to the intersection of Riegel Road. Turn right onto Riegel Road. Continue on Riegel Road past the Burney Center (on your left right after the Warwick Ctr). After passing the Riegel Road/Price Drive intersection, turn left into the Parking Lot M entrance.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 25

The Hill School of Wilmington Open House Jan. 24th, 2012 5:30-7:00 PM St. James Parish 25 S. Third Street

OUR MISSION: to empower children who have learning differences with the skills needed to become confident, independent learners

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

• The Hill School of Wilmington is modeled after one of the southeast's oldest and largest K-12 schools for students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder. As an affiliate of the Hill Center, we provide an intensive remediation program, enabling students to achieve at a level corresponding to their intellectual ability. Over 95% of the Hill Center’s students go on to college in comparison to the 40% national average. • Students attend the half-day school from 8:00-11:00 or 12:00-3:00 and spend the rest of the day at their base school. • 4:1 student/faculty ratio that allows close student-teacher interaction • Research-based, multisensory, structured language methodology focused on reading, written language, and math. Our program is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach.

Now serving students from 10 area public and independent schools in grades 1-8

25 S. Third Street Wilmington, NC • 910-685-3734 • www.hillschoolofwilmington.org 1013 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 452-2800

rrow. o m o t rs of e Ch i l d r e d a e l n a n of today, Chriﬆi www.stmarkcatholicschool.org

• • • • • • •

Consistently above 97th percentile on IOWA testing HQ Certified Faculty Competitive athletic program Robust foreign language program includes 5 languages Student produced TV program Computer labs/Robotics New Pre-K (Early Kindergarten) Program, 4-5 Year Old Students, Full Day Program, 8am to 2:45pm

St. Mark

Catholic School

Open House Information Sessions Open House for Kindergarten Sunday, January 29 at 11 am and 1 pm Middle School night Tuesday, January 31 at 7 pm

Private tours available for all grades by appointment

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 26

New Hanover County Magnet Schools

Attracting the Best in Children

Reasons I love Salem Academy – No. 103

“Salem Academy feels like

home”

For enrollment information, call Denise Angevine, Enrollment Specialist at (910) 251-2929.

Celebrating 240 Years of Excellence

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Snipes Academy of Arts & Design 2150 Chestnut Street Wilmington, N C 28405 Laura Jennings, Principal Phone: (910) 251-6175 Fax: (910) 815-6974 www.nhcs.net/snipes

Who knew one of the nation’s top boarding schools was so close to home? Located in the heart of Winston-Salem, Salem Academy is a private college-preparatory boarding and day school, offering girls in grades 9-12 a rigorous education in a comfortable, inspiring atmosphere. In Salem Academy’s all-girl environment, students feel free to speak up in class, become leaders and explore their creativity. One-hundred percent of Academy students attend top colleges, following a path to success. Take the first step on that path by calling 1-877-407-2536 to schedule a visit.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina salemacademy.com • 1-877-407-2536

Leland Christian Academy soaring to new heights

10th year Anniversary 2012-2013 school year Academic excellence in a caring Christian environment.

Enrolling Now for 2012-2013 • Small Class size • Before and After school care for LCA students 7:00am - 6:00pm • Challenging academic curriculum with a Biblical World View • Affordable tuition • Summer Day and Sports Camps

JU MP O

N IT!

Infants - Toddlers - Preschool K5 - 6th Grade 517 Village Road, Leland 910-371-0688 www.lelandchristian.org A Ministry of First Baptist Church of Leland www.wilmingtonparent.com

Get Noticed & get sales - have your business featured! Contact Erin 910-386-1453 or Amanda 910-833-4081 to get started! Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 27

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

January 17th 9-12 & 5-6:30 pm K -5th grade v 16 students per class v Challenging academics v Nurturing environment Spanish, Art, Music & PE programs v Afterschool care

3705 S. College Rd. • 910-392-5209 • www.newhorizonselementary.org 28 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Is College in Your Child’s Future?

t’s never too early to start thinking about and preparing for your child’s college education. Alas, there is no doubt that the cost of post-secondary education is soaring to heights that will cause the most stout-hearted to despair. But remember, there also is no doubt that the importance of higher education to your child’s future is soaring even higher. Consider the following: 1. Some 59%of today’s jobs need postsecondary education; more than double the number 35 years ago. Reflecting this, the 2010 unemployment rate for those with only high school diplomas was 10.3% while those with a Bachelor’s degree were at 5.4%.

3. College graduates have vastly more career mobility than do high school graduates. Answering the conundrum of providing your child with the many benefits of a higher education lies both in coping with the financial burden and settling on the higher education option that best suits your teen. The latter is of surpassing importance—success in college ultimately depends upon matching your child’s interests, abilities and aspirations to the offerings of the college. This month’s article considers college selection. The next two in this series will deal with finances by considering (a) college savings plans and borrowing options and (b) grants and scholarships available for the student’s education. Note: Statistics and cost cited in these articles change both rapidly and generally to the disadvantage of those pursuing higher education. Throughout the series, particular attention is given to North Carolina where we are favored by one of the best and most cost effective higher education systems in the country.

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled —Plutarch. By Ken Harbinson

here are basically four college options available to your teen, each with different graduation ratios, cost burdens; and implications for success in the work-a-day world. The chart below reflects these factors on a national basis.

SCHOOL ATTENDED

COMPLETION RATE

COLLEGE DEBT

DEFAULT RATES

ANNUAL & LIFETIME EARNINGS

High School/ GED

73% nationally 61.2% in NC

$27K annual $1.2M lifetime

4 year public

55% in 6 years

$17,700

6% in 2 years

$51K annual5 $2.1M lifetime

4 year private

65% in 6 years

$22,375

4% in 2 years

$51K annual $2.1M lifetime

4 year profit

22% in 6 years

$32,653

11.6% in 2 years

Unknown

2 year Comm College

22% in 3 years*

$7,125

10.1% in 2 years

$35K annual $1.6M lifetime

2 year profit

19% in 3 years

$18,783

12.6% in 2 years

Unknown

Masters & PhD

Unknown

Masters-$25,000 PhD-$52,000

Unknown

$62K annual for Masters $88K annual for PhD

*Actual completion rates are undoubtedly better than this because the 22% overlooks the students who transfer to 4-year schools before getting an Associate’s degree.

The above statistics assuredly lag behind present reality. They do, however, reflect three undeniable truths. First, there is an ever-growing earnings potential as one climbs the educational ladder. Second, far too many of those who begin their post-secondary education fail to finish. Third, unless meticulously controlled, the debt incurred while pursuing an education can be daunting. Because academic success is paramount, selecting the school and course of study that best suits your teen dominates all else by best assuring graduation and financial success.

PUBLIC 4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES –THE POPULAR CHOICE Some 72% of college bound students nationwide will go to a public university. According to the authoritative Princeton Review, North Carolina has 5 universities among the top 50 most cost effec-

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 29

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

2. Lifetime earnings for the holder of a Bachelor’s degree is now about 84% greater than that of a high school graduate and growing;

Choosing the Right College

Classes start monthly Wilmington area locations Individualized home school curriculums

910.399.1708

Forget the boring cliches of pastels for wee ones... RYDERMONKEYS IS IN TOWN and taking over as Wilmingtons premier place to shop for baby and toddler couture. From Johnny Cash onesies, to vintage British Pop Sex Pistols tees, to jeans seen on celebritys such as Kourtney Kardashians son, Jessical Albas baby, RYDERMONKEYS is the new "It" place to shop! Mixing rock ‘n roll attitude, with bold bright graphics and an irreverent sense of humour. These are the clothes that take your baby from the sand pit to the mosh pit. Located inside Blue Moon Gifts at 203 Racine Drive. You can also visit them online at www.facebook.com/rydermonkeys RYDERMONKEYS-For kids who demand to be noticed.

• Counseling for Children, Adolescents, Adults & Families • Kindergarten Readiness Screenings beginning in January • Psychological Assessment for Behavior, Attention, and Learning Issues • Child Specialists for Collaborative Law/Divorce Cases Shelley Chambers, L.C.S.W • Christine Hook, Ph.D. Ben Rigby, Ph.D.

www.potentialsnc.com (910) 254-4545

30 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

tive public schools in the country. These are— Appalachian State, UNC Asheville, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington and NC State—all with in-state tuitions in the $6000 range. The ADVANTAGES of such public universities are obvious, starting with the stunning array of educational options. As North Carolina’s flagship school, Chapel Hill, accepts just 32% of applicants while offering some 71 bachelor degree majors in widely diverse and demanding fields. Other schools in the NC system provide many of the same programs, but are somewhat less selective in admitting 58-73% of applicants. These schools also offer a variety of degrees in specific fields such as hospitality management and interior park management that are distinctly career oriented and draw recruiters from major companies and the public sector. Students and parents need to think deeply about these curriculum options in the process of applying. Whatever major a student may pursue, NC universities all require basic liberal arts courses early in the college career. These are designed to develop critical thinking, writing and communications skills that are the foundation of intellectual development. Not surprisingly, exposure to such intellectual stimulation often lights a fire in students to go on for advanced degrees. Nationally more than 25% of graduates continue to advanced degrees. What then are the DISADVANTAGES? Primarily it is the little fish in the big pond syndrome. Even if your student has considerable talent in athletics or the theater, for example, he might be stifled in a student body of thousands. Large universities will frequently have over-sized classes that can hinder intellectual give-and-take with professors. So, too, the demands placed on faculty members in research oriented institutions can limit interaction. Then there is the challenge any large university has in identifying and counseling students that have difficulty adapting to college life and finding their academic niche. The unfortunate upshot of such problems is the 45% national drop-out rate that finds some 600,000 public university students annually leaving before graduation. These factors undoubtedly contribute to private schools having notably better graduation rates than public universities.

PRIVATE NON-PROFIT 4-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES—IS SMALLER BETTER? About 15% of high school graduates go on to private, non-profit institutions. In Duke and Wake Forest, North Carolina has two of the country’s most prestigious private universities. Davidson is a liberal arts college of national repute. The Princeton Review rates all three among the country’s top 50 most cost effective private schools. Acceptance rates range from 22-38%. Beyond these, NC and neighboring states have a broad selection of superb small liberal arts colleges. Some are highly selective—others less so. All have at their core an abiding commitment to a broad-based liberal education that large public institutions frequently can’t match. Together with a strong emphasis on teaching and small classes to assure student/faculty interaction, these schools have considerable success in awakening teens who may not have climbed to academic heights their parents wanted while in high school. This success is measured not only by significantly lower dropout rates, but also by gratifying numbers who go on to graduate school. Hence, small size has several specific ADVANTAGES. Faculty advisors are better able to track students and perhaps head off academic problems before they become severe. There are generally more opportunities to become part of the community by participating in school-wide sports and activities. Arguably, a broad-based liberal education opens more and better career doors among employers seeking “generalists” who can rise within an organization. It is notable, for example, that with some frequency certain businesses or industries will focus on particular small colleges as a primary source of recruits. On the other side are certain DISADVANTAGES. A student who is settled on a particular academic path may find his liberal arts college does not have the faculty or resources to meet his expectations. This often results in their transferring to large universities after a year or two. In a small school (often in a small town) there may also be fewer outlets for social engagement. Those students seeking a cosmopolitan setting may be disappointed. As will be discussed in subsequent articles, a private liberal arts education is more expensive and can involve significant debt.

PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES—A SPRINGBOARD AND A BARGAIN If liberal arts colleges are an expensive education, surely your local community college is a bargain. A community college like Cape Fear presents the student a fountainhead of options. Those seeking vocational training have opportunities in everything from boat building to truck driving while others can pursue academic programs leading to an Associate’s Degree and possible transfer to a 4-year university. Some 40% of university students start at a community college. For present purposes, we will just consider these academic programs. Community Colleges have open enrollment, so the student who did not fare well in high school can redeem himself and get a college degree. Here in NC, a student with a GPA of 2.0-4.0 who completes 44 hours of general education or has an Associate’s Degree in either Arts (AA) or Science (AS) is guaranteed admission to one of the 16 universities in the state. While this guarantee does not extend to a particular campus or a particular course of study, the College Foundation of NC will assist and guide the student in finding a 4-year campus. Some 1200 students at Cape Fear are on this track. There is a caveat to enrolling in an academic program at a school such as Cape Fear. Those not proficient in reading, writing or math may be required to get a “C” in a “developmental course” and perhaps a “College Transfer Success” course before beginning the regular academic program. Nationally, about 42% of these students must take at least one remedial course.

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The ADVANTAGES of community colleges are many. Not only is the tuition about $3000 less than a public university, many students save more money by living in the family home. For some, this is a way to “test collegiate waters” before diving all the way in. Then there is considerable flexibility for the student to attend college while still holding down a job. Finally, an Associate’s degree itself opens up attractive employment options in fields like business administration or information systems even if one does not transfer to a 4-year school. DISADVANTAGES of a community college primarily revolve around the “diminished collegiate experience” that a residential college offers. This importantly includes getting on one’s own while living with people from other backgrounds, regions and countries in a stimulating environment. It is a chance to “find oneself.” Also, the “developmental courses” community colleges may require sometimes rehash skills the student feels he has already mastered resulting in frustration and disturbing dropout rates. These rates also suggest that students too often fail to see the long-term career benefits of this type of education or do not enjoy the milieu of the community college to the extent their compatriots appreciate 4-year campuses.

PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES—BUYER BEWARE This is the fastest growing segment of higher education, and it aggressively pushes its services. These schools currently enroll some 13% of college students into what are often on-line courses. On average, such courses cost approximately double those of a public university and five times that of a community college. The schools rely on students receiving federal loans for about 85% of their revenues. The result is that students frequently leave these institutions with nearly double the debt incurred in public universities, about 50% more debt that private colleges and 150% more debt than community colleges. Nationally, these schools also have a 78% drop out rate. Under the circumstances, the federal Department of Education (DOE) is writing rules designed to restrict what are viewed as high-pressure sales tactics and exaggerated claims these schools make about future job prospects. Also, suits are being brought in 10 states against at least some of them. The industry is fighting this effort and justifying their record by claiming it enrolls “unconventional students” who would not otherwise have the opportunity for a college education. This scrutiny is causing the industry to clean up some of its more controversial practices while also scaling back growth rates. There may be particular circumstances where a for-profit institution offers the best educational opportunity, but all other options should be considered first. v Ken Harbinson is a freelance writer and the proud parent of three college graduates.

Sources to Seek Out: 1). NCCollegeFinder.org—May set a national standard for providing information on public and private 4-year colleges in the state. 2). College Foundation of North Carolina (cfnc.com)—Provides a wealth of information on NC colleges and college financing. 3). Princeton Review (princetonreview.com)—Top resource for looking at colleges through the eyes of students. Features their selection of the best 373 schools in the country. 4). “Colleges that Change Lives,” by Loren Pope—A chatty review of 40 unsung liberal arts colleges that the former Education Editor of the New York Times credits with exceptional results. 5). HigherEdInfo.org—Provides a wealth of statistics as to how well individual states are doing in higher education.

NC College Facts 1) UNC-Asheville is the state’s equivalent of a small college with a student body of around 3000 and it offers numerous liberal arts courses. 2) UNC-Wilmington has agreements with 16 Community Colleges to accept transfer students having AA or AS degrees and a 2.5 GPA.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 31

family finances

department | family finances

With Discipline and Ingenuity, You Really Can Afford a Vacation

ith any luck you’re not drowning in new debt from the holidays, but chances are you’re feeling the money pinch from a bit of overindulgence in December. So when faced with mounting debt and frigid temps, what better thing to focus on than vacation! Looking at your current budget might make it seem like the chance to get away with your family is a thousand years — and a few thousand dollars — away, but it really is doable, especially if you start now.

By Robyn Passante

Ideally, money spent on vacation shouldn’t come out of your normal budget for monthly bills. But how are you supposed to obtain a magical sum to deposit on a villa in Mexico, or to drop on three-day passes to Walt Disney World? Here’s how to get started. Open a high-yield savings account. You can’t just say you’re setting aside money for vacation — you have to actually set some aside, and it helps if the “aside” is so far from your normal cash stash that you won’t be tempted to dip into it. Deposit something into your savings account monthly; if possible make each family member responsible for coming up with a little bit to add to the vacation pot. The easiest way to do that is to… Make vacation a family goal. A friend told me in early December that she and her husband called a family meeting with their four children, ages 2 to 8, and gave the kids a choice: They could either have presents waiting under the tree on Christmas morning as usual, or they could opt to skip the presents — except for some stocking stuffers for each

child — and instead put that money toward an overnight family trip. The kids simultaneously yelled “Trip!” Making the vacation a family goal from the start will allow everyone to get in on the action of choosing “vacation” over the temptation of the moment, whether it’s fancy new running shoes for Dad, an expensive new video game for Junior or Mom’s weekly $5 java indulgence. Make a big deal of putting all that “saved” money into the vacation savings account twice a month. Find ways to earn money. Kick-start your vacation savings by finding creative ways to earn a bit more, whether it’s babysitting a neighbor’s kids once a month or scoring some overtime at the office. Selling your stuff is another option. Our basements and attics are full of things people pay money for every day. Baby gear, furniture, record albums, photo frames ... you can sell virtually anything on Craigslist. Be sure to dust off the old exercise equipment and sell that first — it is January, after all. Collect your coins. Even those of us who use debit cards almost exclusively for purchases still somehow end up with spare change rattling around in our pockets and cars at the end of the day. Nickels and dimes might not seem like money to anyone over the age of 8, but they really do add up. Every couple of months, deposit your collected change into your savings account. Plan wisely. When it comes to planning for vacation, cost-cutting measures are as good as money-saving measures. If you can, plan to fly mid-week for the cheapest flights. (And if you’re searching for airfare deals online, keep in mind that many discounted fares are posted on Tuesday and disappear by Friday, so don’t do all your searching over the weekend.) Also, booking a vacation during offpeak times, such as early September, can save you up to 40 percent. Finally, look for savings on meals and entertainment through all-inclusive deals and hotel packages. A good example is Drury Hotels, located throughout the Midwest and Southeast, which offers free continental breakfasts and a free hot meal each night that includes hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, a nacho bar, baked potatoes, beverages and more — a great way for a family to save on two meals a day! v Robyn Passante is a freelance journalist and mother of two who would happily crack open her kids’ piggy bank today if it meant being able to leave for Florida tomorrow.

32 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

in the news

department in the news

2012 Striper Tournament & Banquet The Cape Fear Fishery Restoration Foundation is working to restore the Cape Fear River Fishery through this invitational event held January 13 and 14 in Downtown Wilmington at the Coastline Convention Center. Event Schedule: • Captains Banquet & Auction – Friday, January 13 from 6 – 9pm. (Dinner & Auctions. Tickets are $50/person.) • The Tournament – Saturday, January 14 from 9am – 3pm. (24 anglers in 12 boats with 12 guides set out to see who can catch, tag & release the most & the largest Striped Bass in one day. $15/person or $25/person with lunch tour.) • Educational Activities – Saturday, January 14 from 10am – 3pm. (Fun, free, and informative activities by the dock.) •Tournament Award Ceremony – Saturday, January 14 from 4 – 6pm. (Presentation of Awards)

Antique Show & Sale Visit the Coastline Convention Center for the annual Sorosis and NC Sorosis Antique Show & Sale. Over 35 dealers will be on site offering furniture, jewelry, linens, silver and glassware. Admission is just $7, and the sale will take place on Friday, January 27 (10am – 6pm), Saturday, January 28 (10am – 6pm), and Sunday, January 29 (12 – 5pm). Contact Teresa Lee at (910) 799-1324 for event information. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter.

Come celebrate the magnificent striped bass of the Cape Fear River and help raise awareness of the decline of the once bountiful fishery on the River. Visit http://cfrw.us/stripertourney.html or contact (910) 762-5606 for more information.

“Rock the Prom!” Fashion Showcase & Expo On January 21, 2012, “Rock the Prom” Fashion Showcase & Expo will take place at the Coastline Convention Center from 10am – 6pm. One hundred percent of the admission fees from this first ever event will support Women of Hope. Vendors of prom-related products and services (including dresses, tuxes, limo providers, beauty salons, florists, DJs and more) will be on hand. Designer fashion shows will be held throughout the day featuring models from high schools in ten surrounding counties. Admission is $5 when pre-registering on-line or $7 at the door. Those who pre-register are automatically entered into a drawing for a free prom dress (up to $300) or tuxedo rental. ** The school with the most representation will win $500 towards their own senior prom. ** For information regarding modeling, booth purchase or specifics about the event, contact Suesan Sullivan at (910) 620-3906 or suesansullivan@gmail.com.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 33

department | fit family

2012: Fit or Fat? fit family The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina

Fit Together (www.FitTogetherNC.org) The dramatic increase in obesity in NC and across the country has serious health implications. Obesity is linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer. It is estimated that obesity-related medical expenses in North Carolina add up to more than $2.1 billion annually. Recent statistics suggest that unhealthy weight is positioned to overtake tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

• In North Carolina, twothirds of all adults (65.7%) are overweight or obese

In an effort to promote increased physical activity and healthier food choices—essential to obesity prevention—the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) have launched Fit Together , a statewide campaign designed to raise obesity awareness and provide strategies and support to combat this condition.

• North Carolina ranks 5th worst in the US for childhood obesity

Visit their content-rich website (www.fittogethernc.org) to find tips for improving your family’s health in the New Year.

• Four of the leading 10 causes of death in the US are related to obesity

Local Races *Run for Food Half Marathon & 5K Saturday, January 7 @ 9am Ocean Isle Beach

Source: eatsmartmovemorenc.com

*WARM Resolution Run 5K Saturday, January 7 @ 9am Wrightsville Beach

Protect Your Children's Future 15% off Wills, Setting up Guardians, Estate Planning

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Ron & Sharon Harris, DVM Rebecca Simmons, DVM Stan Griffith, DVM Amy K. White, DVM • Vaccines • Surgery • Geriatric • Dentistry Wellness • X-Rays • Spay/Neuter • Boarding • Bathing

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Come TOGETHER

Family Fun at the Y

New Year’s Membership Special No Contracts! 50% off Joining Fee!

10 Tips for Making the Most of Every Minute No time to exercise? Get creative by taking advantage of opportunities to be active, even when time is in short supply: 1. Practice random acts of exercise. Keep an extra pair of tennis shoes in the car and walk around the school, field or recreation center while waiting to pick up the kids. Or do laps around the mall before shopping. 2. Trade your exercise spaces. Put your stationary bike, treadmill or other exercise equipment in the kitchen, home office or another room where you spend a lot of time. Exercise when you talk on the phone, watch the news or wait for dinner to cook. 3. Think of the TV as an activity box. When it’s on, do something -- stretching exercises, weight training, sit-ups, marching in place, jump rope. Keep a hula-hoop on hand and give it a whirl during commercials.

What the Y has to offer: Wellness, Aquatics, Sports, Afterschool, Childcare and more.

Family Friendly and fun • Over 100 Group exercise classes (classes for all levels) • Zumba, Kick Boxing, Kettle Bell, Bosu Classes… • Cardio equipment and Free Weight Rooms • Free Nursery (6wk6) & Kids Zone(6-12) • 2 Indoor Pools & Hot tub • 4 Racquetball/ Handball courts • Outdoor sports fields and ¼ mile track • Y Café’ • Full size Basketball court • And so much more….. Bring coupon with you to receive 50% off Joining Fee! Expires January 31, 2012

2710 Market Street • www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org 251-YMCA(9622)

4. Aim for 150 or more. Here’s how long it takes to burn 150 calories (varies slightly based on height and weight) -- running, jumping rope or shoveling snow for 20 minutes; walking two miles or raking leaves for 35 minutes; washing windows or washing the car for 60 minutes. 5. Work in some walking. Walk half of your lunch hour. Climb up the stairs at home or work. Pace while you’re on the phone. 6. Keep an exercise log. On a sheet of paper, make a grid with the date on the left side and 10-minute time slots across the top. After you complete a bout of exercise, put an X in the box that corresponds to the amount of time you exercised. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity a day. 7. Count every step. Buy a pedometer and try to work up to 10,000 steps a day (about five miles).

Only the finest selection of “gently used” items Special : All Holiday Items 10% Off thru January 15th! 110-B South Front Street

p/f 910.762.2341

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8. Coach yourself fit. Try coaching your child’s soccer team, basketball team or another active sport. Work out with the players. 9. Play at it. Join your kids in a game of touch football or tag. Go for a family walk after dinner or bike around the neighborhood. 10. Walk for convenience. Skip valet parking and stop using the drive-up windows at the bank and pharmacy. Get out of the car and do the errands. Source: fittogethernc.org

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 35

school notes

department | school notes

Friends Feeding Friends It has become a tradition for the Parsley Elementary Student Council to sponsor the “Friends Feeding Friends Food Drive” annually. This year, the students made posters and talked with each classroom to get the word out! Bags of food lined the halls of the school for a couple of weeks before the Food Bank truck arrived to carry away 1,636 pounds of food donated by Parsley families.

African Drums Come to CIS After School Program The Visual Rhythms Project will come to Communities In Schools After School Program, thanks to funding provided through a grassroots grant award made possible by the Brunswick Arts Council. Beginning this month, 100 students from Belville, Town Creek, Southport and Union Elementary Schools will take part in a five-week Visual Rhythms Project. Cheick Sissoko, an accomplished artist from West Africa, will use various dance and drumming styles and techniques to engage students in lessons on diversity and cultures. At the conclusion of the project, students from each location will create their own personal dance, dress in brightly colored clothes and perform for families and friends. For more information on this series, contact Kathy Smith, CIS After School Director at 253-5327x1432 or www.cisbrunswick.org

School’s Out! Snipes Academy Puppeteers Puppeteer Hobey Ford recently presented workshops for students, teachers and parents of Snipes Academy of Art and Design. Students learned about the art of telling folktales and about shadow puppets. They also wrote their own folktale scripts and created their own shadow puppets. The week-long residency ended with two performances of Mr. Ford’s work “Animalia” for the 2nd & 3rd grade students of New Hanover County.

New Hanover County: Traditional Schools: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 20 – Student Half Day/ Staff Development Day January 23 – Teacher Work Day Year Round Schools: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 3-6 - Intersession January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Isaac Bear Early College: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23 – Teacher Work Day Wilmington Early College: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Pre-K Calendar: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 20 – No School for Students/ Staff Development Day January 23 – Teacher Work Day

Brunswick: Traditional Schools: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday/ Non-Required Teacher Work Day

36 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23-24 – Teacher Work Days Charter Day School: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23 – Professional Development Day Brunswick Early College: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 3 – Annual Leave January 4-5 – Teacher Work Days January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Pender: Traditional Schools: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23-24 – Student Vacation/Staff Work Days Pender Year Round School: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 3-5 – School Closed January 6 – Student Vacation/Staff Work Day January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23-24 – Student Vacation/Staff Work Days Pender Early College: January 2 – New Year’s Day Holiday January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday January 23-24 – Student Vacation/Staff Work Days Visit www.nhcs.net, www.co.brunswick.k12.nc.us or www.pendercountyschools.net for more information.

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department | school notes

College Park Elementary Nomination On November 3, College Park Elementary was nominated in the 2011 National Title I Distinguished School, Closing the Achievement Gap category. Since 1996, North Carolina has recognized schools for their efforts to make improvements in areas such as citizenship, character, the arts, and community spirit. To be nominated, a school must show that it holds students to high standards and also demonstrates excellent effectiveness in teaching, as well as learning. College Park Elementary has been recognized for the progress it has made in “closing the achievement gap between student groups.” With over 500 students, the school has been challenged to reach students with different instructional methods. This year, College Park met 80% or more of their Adequate Yearly Progress goals and was identified by the NC State Board of Education as a School of Distinction. College Park principal, Maria Greene, stated, “I believe that if we model motivation, perseverance and dedication among our staff, students will go the extra mile to desire success.”

New Year… New Smiles! Robert B. Campbell, DDS Specializing in Braces for Children & Adults

virtually invisible Fast treatment greater comfort

Two Locations: 1516 Doctors Circle • 8066-A Market Street 910 251-1100 • www.campbellsmiles.com

Carolina Pediatrics of Wilmington, P.A.

Welcoming New Parents www.

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.com

Offering you creative ways to target your audience and grow your business.

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Our pediatric medical practice is designed to provide medical care to infants, children, and adolescents from birth through 18 years of age. Our focus is on the total development of each child; physical, mental, social and emotional. We offer a sick walk in clinic Monday through Saturday 8am – 11am; well visits by appointment from 9 am – 5pm Monday through Friday and sick visits by appointment 1pm – 6:30pm Monday – Thursday (4pm on Fridays).

715 Medical Center Drive Wilmington, NC 910-763-2476 www.carolinapedswilm.com Mary L. Forehand, MD., F.A.A.P.; MaryBeth Carter, MD., F.A.A.P; Sarah P.Adams, MD., F.A.A.P; Heather M. Henderson, MD., F.A.A.P; Jeannine M. May, MD ., F.A.A.P; Karen S. Kirk, Ph.d. Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 37

department | going green

going green

Greening Your Kitchen

By Brandy Metzger

he kitchen has been called the heart of the home. It is the room where families come together for fellowship over meals and cooking fun. It is also a great place to start if your New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolution involves making some green changes in your home. Here are five ways to green your kitchen.

1. Replace plastic with glass. Plastic has been known to leach chemicals upon heating, so it is not the best choice for food storage. Recycle all of your old plastic food storage containers and replace them with glass containers.

The dishwasher uses less water and energy than hand washing a sink full of dishes with constant running water. Make sure that the dishwasher is full. Pyrex makes many versatile containers that can be used in the freezer and are microwave and dishwasher safe. You can also use mason jars or reuse glass jelly jars for affordable food storage.

2.Get rid of Teflon coated cookware. The chemicals used to make Teflon have been linked to female infertility and is known as a health hazard when scratched. Cookware made of stainless steel or ceramic is a better choice. Ceramic cookware such as Xtrema made by Ceramacor is a great green choice. It has a nonscratch and non-toxic surface that heats faster than metal cookware reducing cook time and using less energy.

38 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

3. Designate space for a recycling center and compost bin. Most household waste comes from the kitchen trash. Packaging from many food products can be recycled, so create a spot in your kitchen to put recyclables. Kitchensized compost bins are available at garden centers and household goods stores. Food scraps that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t contain fats or oils make nutrient-rich compost to add to gardens.

4. Use the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes. The dishwasher uses less water and energy than hand washing a sink full of dishes with constant running water. Make sure that the dishwasher is full. Also, if you have a newer dishwasher, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend time rinsing all food particles off of dishes prior to loading them into the washer. Newer models are made to wash dishes with no prior rinsing.

5. Transition from paper towels to cloth towels and napkins. On average, each American uses over 2000 paper towels a year. Whether eating a meal, drying dishes or cleaning the kitchen there is an appropriate cloth towel or napkin that can be used. Remove paper towels and set out a small stack of folded cloth napkins in the same location to make this transition a bit smoother. Making simple earth-friendly changes in your kitchen will ensure that you are serving food that is safe and healthy for your family while also contributing to a healthy environment. v Brandy Metzger is a gifted education specialist teaching in New Hanover County.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

the dr. is in

department | the doctor is in

ate, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, and a very fine “sandpaper” rash on the chest or groin. But in one study of patients who had five out of five criteria for strep, only about half of them tested positive. In another study doctors overestimated by 81% how many patients would test positive for a strep infection. That means even the best clinicians can- not guess who will have strep without a throat swab. There are actually two different tests for strep. The most common is the rapid strep test, which takes less than five minutes. Rapid tests use antibodies to detect the presence of strep bacteria. But the rapid test is less sensitive, missing five to ten percent of infections. So in cases where the rapid test is negative we send a throat culture, actually growing the strep bacteria on agar. The culture takes one to two days to grow, but it’s much more sensitive. Both types of tests may miss strep in a patient who has already taken antibiotics, another good reason not to reach for that old bottle of amoxicillin at the back of the fridge.

If strep only causes 15% of sore throats, then what’s the other 85%? By Dr. David Hill

Strep, or streptococcus, actually refers to a whole family of bacteria. Only one member of this family, group A beta-hemolytic strep (GABHS or Strep pyogenes), causes treatable sore throats. Other groups, including C and G, may infect the throat, but only GABHS causes rheumatic fever. In children, the most common causes of sore throat are viral, including rhinovirus, corona virus, parinfluenza (“croup”), influenza,

bacteria that then attack the heart, brain, joints, and skin. So as long as GABHS is treated within nine days of onset, rheumatic fever can be averted. We also treat to prevent a kidney condition called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Some children, called strep carriers, seem to harbor GABHS without becoming ill. These children may see their doctors for sore throats associated with a cold and test positive for strep. They often continue to test positive despite adequate therapy. For now there’s no way to differentiate these patients from those with actual strep throat infections, so we treat everyone who tests positive.

Why not just treat all sore throats with antibiotics? Since no more than 15% of sore throats are caused by GABHS, most patients would get unnecessary therapy. This leads to the development of antibiotic resistance and exposes patients to complications like rash, diarrhea, and serious drug allergies. In rare cases a doctor may prescribe antibiotics with a negative rapid strep test, but he or she would always call the patient to stop the antibiotics if the throat culture comes back negative.

What’s the best treatment for strep throat? Penicillin has been the mainstay of strep therapy since its discovery. Unlike other bacteria, GABHS seems incapable of developing resistance to penicillin. After ten days of therapy 90% of patients are cured, and the 10% who test positive are most likely reinfected. Because amoxicillin tastes better, many providers prescribe it

Strep Aside

trep throat is a huge pain in the neck, both for children and their parents. In fact, sore throat is the most common complaint among schoolaged children who visit their doctors. Only around fifteen percent of those children have strep, but even the doctor can’t guess which ones they will be.

Who gets strep throat? Infants very rarely get strep, probably because they are still protected by their mother’s antibodies. Toddlers under age two are a little more prone to strep throat, but it’s still pretty uncommon at this age. Strep throat peaks in the school years, partly due to children’s increased exposure to the bacteria at that time. Antibodies to the strep bacteria are not perfectly protective, but they do help to some extent, which is probably why adolescents and adults seem less susceptible.

How do you know it’s strep? No one can reliably predict which patients with sore throat will test positive for strep. Patients typically have throat pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, malaise, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Strep usually doesn’t cause runny nose, cough, hoarseness, or diarrhea. On exam, patients with strep often have pus (exudate) on the tonsils, red spots (petechiae) on the soft pal-

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adenovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus (“mono”). Herpes simplex virus is a common cause of severe sore throat. Coxsackie and echovirus are common in the warm months. Less common bacterial causes include Neisseria gonorrhea, usually in sexually active teens or adults, and often accompanied by genital symptoms and a rash. Corynebacterium diphtheria is very rare in immunized children but may cause a gray membrane on the soft palate. Arcanobacterium hemolyticum infects tonsils but is quite rare within the United States. Mycoplasma and Chlamydia pneumonia may cause sore throat, but usually with cough. Non-infectious causes of sore throat include gastroesophageal reflux disease, allergic rhinitis, and post-nasal drip.

Why treat strep throat? The symptoms of strep throat usually improve in three to five days. Treating early may shorten symptoms slightly. But though untreated patients eventually feel fine, the bacteria linger in the throat for weeks to months. Treating prevents transmission of strep after just 24 hours. The most important reason to treat is to prevent rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever occurs when the immune system makes antibodies to the strep

in place of plain penicillin. With either drug it’s important to take it all ten days; failure rates skyrocket with shorter courses. Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a popular choice, especially in patients who are allergic to penicillins. It may also be given for five days, improving compliance. But GABHS has developed resistance to azithromycin in some places, so penicillin is preferred when possible. Cephalosporins are another class of antibiotics that cure strep, and they may be used safely in some penicillin-allergic patients.

Who needs a tonsillectomy for strep throat? Tonsillectomies are most effective in patients who have lots of strep throat. Current criteria suggest tonsillectomy if a patient has more than six separate infections in a single year. Five infections a year for two straight years or three infections a year for three successive years also count. For patients with fewer infections, tonsillectomy seems less useful. v Dr. David Hill is a board-certified pediatrician with Cape Fear Pediatrics (www.capefearpediatrics.com). He has three children.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 39

department | book beat

This Year’s Newbery Contenders

book beat

Okay for Now,

The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True,

By Julie Hubble

by Gerald Morris (Houghton Miflin). A fantastic choice for readers not yet at the Young Adult stage. This tale begins when the self-absorbed Sir Gawain The Undefeated disregards the thanks from a damsel he rescues from a fiery dragon. He actually insults the lady. Going about his knightly duties, he then enters into a competition that results in a quest, of course. Morris creates this hilarious, jaunty, egotistical romp through Medieval woods that slowly reveals its true mission - - that a little courtesy and humility are values as important to knights (and readers) as a quick sword. Daring and delightful.

by Gary Schmidt (Clarion). Douglas Swieteck, the hero from Schmidt’s award winning Wednesday Wars, returns in this story about his move from the Big City to a small town in the Catskills. His abusive father and brother continue to torment him and he flees his barren and depressing house for relief. Schmidt deftly inserts images from John James Audubon that reflect Doug’s emotions, from the screaming tern hurtling towards its death, to the pair of birds quietly walking together. The artwork is part of Doug’s quest to find purpose in this small town. There’s not another character this year with such a clear voice and mission. The hidden realization that sometimes you need people outside your family for help makes this my favorite choice of the year.

Local Storytimes All NHC and Pender County Libraries closed on January 1 & 2 for New Year’s Holiday. All NHC and Pender County Libraries closed January 16 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. New Hanover County Libraries

http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/LIBR/Pages/DeptInfo.aspx Main Library – 201 Chestnut Street – 798-6301 Myrtle Grove Branch – 5155 South College Road – 798-6391 Northeast Branch – 1241 Military Cutoff Road – 798-6371 Carolina Beach Branch – 300 Cape Fear Blvd. – 798-6385 Lapsit Storytime (Babies under 18 months) @ 9:30am Main Library: Tuesday 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 Northeast Branch: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 Toddler Storytime (18 – 36 months) @ 10am Main Library: Tuesday 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 Northeast Branch: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 Preschool Storytime (3 – 5 years) @ 10:30am Carolina Beach Branch: Monday 1/9, 1/23, 1/30 Main Library: Tuesday 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 Myrtle Grove Branch: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 Northeast Branch: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26

Special Events

Main Library Mother/Daughter Book Club (Ages 11-14) Book Club: Tuesday 1/17 from 6 – 7:45pm Mother Goose Math & Science Program (Ages 2-8): Wednesday 1/18 from 10:30 – 11:30am Mother Goose Math & Science Program (Ages 2-8): Thursday 1/19 from 3:30 – 4:30pm

40 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Northeast Library Chinese New Year for Teens: Wednesday 1/18 from 4:15 – 5pm Chinese New Year for Kids: Saturday, 1/21 from 2 – 3pm Movie for Young Adults: Monday 1/23 from 6 – 7:45pm

Pender County Public Libraries

Brunswick County Public Libraries

http://library.brunsco.net/ Barbee Library – 8200 East Oak Island Drive – 278-4283 Harper Library – 109 West Moore Street – 457-6237 Hickmans Crossroads – 1040 Calabash Road – 575-0173 Leland Library – 487 Village Road – 371-9442 Rourk Library – 5068 Main St. – 754-6578

www.youseemore.com/PENDERPL/ Burgaw Central Library – 103 S. Cowan Street – 259-1234 Hampstead Branch Library – 75 Library Drive – 270-4603

Contact branch for January schedule.

Burgaw Teen Lounge: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 from 2 – 4pm Morning Storytime: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 from 11 – 11:30am Evening Storytime: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 from 6 – 6:30pm Fetch: Thursday 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 from 4 – 5pm

www.brilliantskytoys.com Mayfaire Town Center – 509-3353

Hampstead Toddler Storytime: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 at 10:15am Preschool Storytime: Wednesday 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25 at 11am Fetch: Wednesday 1/11 from 4 – 5pm

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Storytime Mondays at 10:30am

Barnes & Noble

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2156 Mayfaire Town Center – 509-1880 Toddler Storytime Tuesdays at 10am Fridays at 7pm Special Events American Girl Club: Tuesday 1/10 at 7pm Magic Tree House Club: Thursday 1/19 at 7pm

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The Newbery Medal is awarded to the best book in Children’s Literature in the United States every January. Here are a few titles that are being talked about. Check them out!

Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai (Harper Collins). Empathy is one of the hardest character traits to develop in young children. This stirring, eye-opening novel in verse is so spare yet full of emotion, perspective and beauty. In Saigon in 1975, 10-year-old Kim Hà moves to the “safety” of Alabama. Her yearning for the danger and lacking of her war-torn homeland over being different in the United States is profound. With the language deficit, she no longer understands the simplest concepts and misunderstands so much in her new country. It is a year of change, of resilience and of family.

A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness (Candlewick). If this choice is selected, it will cement the reputation that most Newbery Medalers are dark stories, indeed. But truly, it is the darkest stories where our children need awareness and understanding. Conner, our thirteen-year-old hero, bullied at school, is facing the reality that his mother is dying of cancer. His rigid grandmother comes to stay and places strict rules on Conner to deal with her grief. Want to trade places with him? The monster that comes to him is not cancer, but the ominous yew tree from the nearby graveyard. The tree tells him three stories, and asks for a story from Conner himself. Will these stories lead Conner to the truth and help him through his mother’s death? A highly recommended exploration of fear and death.

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The Trouble with May Amelia, by Jennifer L. Holm (Atheneum). Albeit a sequel, we were first introduced over ten years ago in Our Only May Amelia. Now, our heroine is thirteen years old, desperate to find her place in a family where her father wishes she was a boy. Told she is “as irritating as a grain of sand in an oyster,” we watch her hard life in Washington State in the 1900s turn her into a pearl. Holm’s magic pencil adds humor to tragedy, with the dear girl plowed over in an outhouse by a crazed bull, while her family’s fortune, future and name are ruined. Hilarious, tragic, moving and unforgettable, May Amelia’s story is based in Holm’s family history. Julie Hubble is a mother and a freelance writer.

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Soul Food:

Four Ways to Feed Your Spirit by Lara Krupicka

ou’ve made your resolutions and hammered out a few goals for the New Year. Have you planned where you’ll get the energy for them? If not, you may lose steam before Valentine’s Day. When you take time to feed your spirit – to refuel – you can do more and enjoy life more in the process. Not sure what your spirit needs? Here are four common practices you can try:

Engage With Nature House to car to building and back again. Our exposure to the outdoors, particularly this time of year can be limited. And when we deprive ourselves too long, we begin to see the effects. Taking the time to pause and soak in natural surroundings can revive our spirit in many ways. Lori Whalen, a nature center educator, appreciates the break from routine the outdoors provides. She advocates getting outside to expand your awareness and see things differently. Christina Hyun, mother of two agrees. She takes an extended time to explore the beach alone several times each year for this reason. “It reconnects me. It gives me perspective. Part of the reason I like to go to the water is that I feel really small next to the ocean.” Many people find that actively seeking out time in a park, by a pond or hiking a forest trail brings them new energy. But be careful not to turn it into another item on your checklist. Whalen warns, “It’s important that people come to nature without having a scheduled activity where someone is leading them and teaching them something.”

Take Time to Be Alone Homeschooling mom, Carrie Klayum, knows well her need for time alone. But her family life doesn’t give her many opportunities for this. So she works to make it happen. “If I get up early enough where I’m the only one up, I can be alone,” she says. “Sometimes when I feel like I’ve starved my spirit and I’ve cheated myself of caring for myself, I will schedule a pedicure. Or I’ll go out and run errands alone.” Getting “alone time” can be tricky. But for those whose spirits hunger for space like that, it’s well worth it. As Klayum explains, “It energizes me and refreshes me. When I get a good chunk of alone time, then I’m ready to face the family again. I miss them.” Alone time might come after the kids are in bed at night or early in the morning before they’re up. Swapping babysitting with another mom can provide a free afternoon of solitude. If you’re one who requires personal space, look for creative ways to get time to yourself.

Tips For Getting Started • Get support. Hyun advocates enlisting your spouse. “Tell them what feeds your soul, because if they don’t know they can’t help provide it for you.”

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Let Music Move You When you’re feeling drained sometimes all it takes is a few tunes to refill your spirit. Consider the times when your favorite song has come on the radio and how it made you feel. Music therapist, Becky Wellman, affirms this. “The nicest thing about music is it can take you anyplace you want to be. Putting on a favorite song and dancing around the house can bring back everything you need to feel rejuvenated and ready to do what you need to do.” Planning out a time to listen to music as a practice to feed your spirit can have an even greater impact. With the right choices, you can shift your mood and energy through music. Wellman explains it this way: “There’s a principle in music called the Iso Principle where we have to move the music from where we are at the moment to where we want to be. So if you’re feeling frantic, start from music that’s a little more energized and slowly move it into the mood you wish to have.” Wellman suggests using this principle over the course of five to ten songs, or for fifteen minutes to a half hour of listening. If you find yourself regularly getting into the same funk, you can create a music playlist to feed your spirit and regain those good emotions. When you’re short on time even sitting down to listen to one great song can make a difference. “Go back to being in the moment and let a song carry you wherever it’s going to carry you,” offers Wellman. “It not only recharges you, it reminds you of what’s most important in life.”

Do What You Enjoy It may sound obvious, but what our soul needs on occasion is simply time for fun. Whether it’s participating in a sport, baking a favorite dish or crafting, a hobby can restore what the demands of life pull from us. Take time to do an activity for nothing other than the enjoyment of it. Read a book. Go for a jog. Pick up a hobby you let fall by the wayside. Can’t think of anything? Grab a friend and try something new, like that pottery workshop you’ve been eyeing for a while. “The world we live in is so 24/7 – go, go, go nonstop. And the responsibilities of having a family are so never ending that if you don’t get off the treadmill for a little while, you will suffer for it. The world won’t give you a break unless you take one for yourself,” exhorts Klayum. Whatever goals you have for this year, make sure you include taking time to feed your spirit. v Freelance writer Lara Krupicka most often fills up her spirit through crafts and reading a great book.

• Ditch the guilt. This is something you and your family need you to do. “People need to give themselves permission to play,” says Whalen. • Study yourself. Watch for what drains you and what brings you energy. Then incorporate energizing activities into your life whenever possible.

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 42

department | meet the expert

Department of Youth Program

oin UNCW’s Youth Programs as we begin the New Year with an old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Turns out most kids like being asked this question especially IF the grownups doing the asking are genuinely interested in what they have to say AND are willing to help them explore the possibilities. There are lots of ways for you to support your child’s career aspirations. You can take your son or daughter to work. You can provide them with computer simulation games. You can give them a chemistry kit and help with their science project. You can teach them how to cook or manage a bank account, sign them up to play sports or take dance lessons. Or, you can enroll them in afterschool programs or summer camp. UNCW provides a wide variety of career exploration opportunities for children and teens through its Pre-K through 12 academic enrichment programs. These programs have been developed with the support of faculty and staff who enjoy sharing their expertise with young people.

Each program is designed to help kids become familiar with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be successful in a particular field or career. Some programs emphasize application of knowledge or skills that children acquire through school but don’t quite understand how to use the skill or its value. By applying skills and knowledge in a more authentic career-focused situation, kids experience just how useful these skills can be. For example, take measurement—a skill every child learns in school but often does not appreciate until they can apply it in a meaningful context. Our Mind for Design Program encourages children to use the skills of a real designer. They draw their ideas, scale a pattern, measure for a prototype, calculate materials, generate a 3-D rendering and, if they have an entrepreneurial spirit, can conduct a market analysis and create a campaign to sell their final product. This is a wonderful program for would-be designers or entrepreneurs! But, what if your child wants to be something else? UNCW offers a wide variety of programs to nurture their interests through career exploration—and to help your child measure her or his success. Potential engineers can experience the thrill of flying in a vertical wind tunnel while measuring wind speed using the principles of Aerospace Engineering. Future oceanographers can discover the excitement of exploration while driving MarineQuest’s underwater remotely operated vehicle and calculating the depth of our coastal waters. Hopeful historians can feel the exhilaration of firing a real cannon while predicting the trajectory of its shot and reliving our region’s past with coastal warriors. Kids considering a career in chemistry put on their safety goggles to observe the importance of precise measurement in our highly combustive program, Compound Chaos. Even the youngest child can learn to appreciate measurement with our “reading comprehension through dramatic play” program, Literacy Live. Imagine recreating the Three Little Pigs houses to measure how strong a huff and puff is needed to blow them down! Whatever your child’s interest, we welcome the opportunity to help them explore their future. As one of our career explorers put it, “I used to want to be Brittany Spears but now I think I’ll be a chemist!” We offer weekend programming during the school year and summer academic enrichment camps. To discover more, please visit UNCW Youth Programs on the web at www.uncw.edu/youth

UNCW Youth Programs Director, Dr. Sue Kezios 910.962.2118 www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2012 | 43

department | peanut gallery

Donya A. 01/08 • 10yo

Oscar H. 01/22 • 2yo

Drew B. 01/02• 3yo

Kate & Claire 01/25• 5yo

Devyn M.

Aidel P.

01/03 • 4yo

01/27 • 1yo

Simone S. 12/26 • 8yo

Reno Ray A.-R. 12/02 • 9yo

Luke

Evan L.

Jack, Ava & Carter O.

• 3yo

01/22 • 4yo

01/22 • 7yo

Maddie D. 01/30

Sofia C. 01/05

Camille B. 12/27• 13yo

Anayra O. 01/10 • 4yo

Easton J. 01/19 • 2yo

Halley B. 11/29 • 4yo

Layla G. 01/04 • 1yo

Thomas

• 2yo

Does your child or grandchild have a birthday iN February?

CJ K.

10/01 • 4yo

Piper Rose K. 11/11 • 2yo

44 | January 2012 | Wilmington Parent

Honor them by having their photo published in Wilmington Parent. Here's how: e-mail image (size not to exceed 1mb) to birthday@wilmingtonparent.com. Deadline for publication: 01/13. We have a limited number of spots, so if you sent your child’s picture and do not see it this issue, please check back next month! www.wilmingtonparent.com

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Asheville School is a nationally acclaimed co-ed college preparatory boarding school for students in grades 9 through 12. Asheville School’s 275 students represent 24 states and 13 countries. Recent graduates are attending Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Caltech, UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson, Duke, University of Virginia, Furman, Emory, NC State, and Wake Forest, among others. 360 Asheville School Road • Asheville, NC 28806 • admission@ashevilleschool.org • 828.254.6345