Chattanooga Parent Nov/Dec 2010

N o v e m b e r 1 5 — D e c e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 0 F r e e

Giving Th anks

Tips on traveling abroadwith kids, page 28

Also inside:

Ho, ho, ho and a therapy bill, page 10

The family that gives together, page 25

The joys of having anin-house comic, page 32

400 River Street 423.267.8534 www.TheatreCentre.comCentre

Chattanooga

The

Theatre

See The Holiday Classic LIVE Onstage at theTheatre Centre December 10 - 23

Performances December 10, 11, 12, 16 (Captioned), 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23, 2010School matinees: Dec. 9, 10, 14 and 15

Laugh with this Tribute to the All-American Family ChristmasA CHRISTMAS STORY Adapted for the Stage by Philip Grecian, Based on the Original Novel and Screenplay by Jean Shepherd

A holiday comedy for the entire family. Ralphie has to convince his parents and teachers that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for aboy in the 1940’s. He even pleads his case before Santa Claus, all with the same response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements of the

beloved motion picture are here. A co-production for CTC’s Youth Theatre and MainStage seasons that will be enjoyed by all ages.

3Chattanooga Parent • Nov/Dec 2010

Advisory Board

Becky Barnes

Hamilton County Department of Health

Dan Challener

Public Education Foundation

Mai Bell Hurley

Community Volunteer

Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee

Read 20

Alison Lebovitz

President, One Clip at a Time

Bea Lurie

Girls, Inc.

Linda McReynolds

United Way of Greater Chattanooga

OJ Morgan

Th e Bright School

Henry Schulson

Creative Discovery Museum

Ray Swoff ard

Hamilton County Department of Education

Mary Tanner

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Michael Kull

President, Chattanooga Parent LLC

Jennifer Crutchfi eld

Publisher

Allison Gorman

Editor

Jane M. Aylward

Design & Production

Contributingphotographers

Julie HogueVictoria Mason

Contributing writers

Andrea Goins, DOJayne Griffi n, EdDPam Guess, PhDFrances Haman-PrewittJulianne HaleNancy HarrisonJanis HasheShelley HeadrickHeather HughesAlison LebovitzLu LewisDave LoftinDeborah J. Poteet-Johnson,

MDEric SteimanChinyere UbamaduEdna VarnerLaurie Perry Vaughen

on the cover:Mother and daughter Wendy and Emily Ferris strike a pose with 1-year-old Tova, a resident of McKamey Animal Center, where the pair volunteer. Tova, an American Staff y mix, is available for adoption through McKamey’s Adoption Center. Th e Ferrises are just one of many Chattanooga families who make it a habit to volunteer together; we’ve interviewed several for our feature story, “Th e Family Th at Gives Together,” page 25.

Cover photo by Victoria Mason

Contact Info:Phone: 423.643.8499Fax: 888.457.9602E-mail: [email protected]

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November 15—December 15, 2010Volume V • Issue 10

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Schools should be liable forcampus bullying

Dear Chattanooga Parent: I have written something that I hope will inspire young people not to give up when faced with adversity:

You Stand Out Because You Are Outstanding

To all my Brothers and Sisters who have been picked on, ridiculed and bullied for being diff erent:

Why, oh, why am I the center of attention when all I do is mind my own business?You are deceived to believe that what I achieve is unnecessary, for I see the future and it tells me to be excellent.You see, I believe that to achieve is the foundation of greatness. I know that being the best that I can be can only lead to greatness.Why, oh, why would I deny my prize?Your eyes despise what you cannot realize.Th at’s not my problem. Won’t let you make it my problem. I’m on the road to success. No stowaways allowed.So step back, Jack, Jill who seek to kill my will.I’m on the move to greatness. We shall overcome. We do it now. We do it, wow! We shall overcome.I am outstanding. I make no excuses no matter your abuses.

I am resolved to stand tall above all the appalling gall. Th ere’s nowhere to hide, for I rise. I rise, I rise, I rise.My eyes on the prize. Victory is mine, destined by the Divine.

I am against bullying, and it is on my life agenda to do something about it. I have been bullied as a youth and as an adult. It disturbs me to hear that someone has killed themselves because of being bullied. And it disturbs me even more that others are aware of the bullying and do little or nothing about stopping it, especially those in authority.

I want schools to be a safe place for youth, as the state of Tennessee has compulsory education and penalties for parents and legal guardians who do not send their children to school. My argument is that the state is responsible for ensuring the safety of our students when they require our families to send their children to state institutions for education. Parents are criminally liable for not protecting their children from abuse and neglect. I believe that the school administrators should be held legally responsible when they fail to protect the students from incidents of bullying on school grounds.

Kellie Carter,a concerned citizen

contents4 Live and Learn: We don’t laugh at old

people (anymore)5 Childwise: Smart advice for Chattanooga

parents6 CDM: Create giving traditions7 The List: Ten terrifi c books about football8 Servings from the Cereal Bowl 9 History Mystery: The mystery of the

prisoner’s dream10 Ho, ho, ho and a therapy bill12 Eating disorders and the holidays

13 House Calls: What you need to knowabout mumps

14 Not just monkey business at T.C. Thompson15 PEF Teacher Spotlight16 What does joy have to do with this? Everything!21 Calendar: Chattanooga family fun25 The family that gives together28 Have family, will travel32 The stand-up kid33 Dad Dispatch: Thank you, Lazy Sue and

Father Time34 Alison Lebovitz: Ad nauseam


Live and Learn Lu Lewis and Edna Varner

We don’t laugh at old people, now that we’ve become them

Lu Lewis & Edna Varner

Photo by Erin LaBelleVeteran Chattanooga educators Lu Lewis and Edna Varner collaborate each month

to address a topic of particular concern to area parents. If you have a concern

you’d like them to discuss in print, send it to Lu and Edna care of

Chattanooga Parent at [email protected].

Ideas for our articles come from very diff erent places and experiences—something we’ve read, something one of us has overheard, or something

we simply thought about while spending time with family and friends. Th is one came from a comment by former pro basketball player Charles Barkley, who once said, “I have nothing against old people; I want to be one myself one day.”

Edna confessesIf we are truthful, I suspect most of us during our 20-something years either made jokes about seniors or laughed shamelessly at the jokes we heard. I did because I couldn’t understand some of the things I saw old people do. Now that I’ve become one, I know exactly what those behaviors are all about.

Jerry Seinfeld frequently jokes about old people and driving. I still laugh hysterically at the one about the “eventual” turn signal—10 blocks before the turn. I understand that now, and we do it for two reasons. First, we want to make sure everyone in the tri-state area knows we’re turning. Second, even a right-hand turn is likely to take about 10 minutes. Th ose 10 minutes are a stall, giving us extra time to remember where we are going.

Bette Davis got it right when she said, “Getting old is not for sissies.” Forty is when you have to give in to the drugstore reading glasses. I usually have a pair in every room of the house, in the car, in my purse, and on my head—and I still can’t fi nd them. It’s very frustrating! Th e body starts falling apart in the 50s. When I was 20-something, my favorite gift was fl owers from that special guy. Now that I’m 60-something, my favorite recent gift was a seat

cushion to relieve back pain.

Lu has suggestionsFor years now, I’ve embraced the Maurice Chevalier

philosophy on old age. (If you know who he is, you are defi nitely old.) In a 1960 New York Timesinterview, Chevalier said, “Old age isn’t so bad if you consider the alternative.” Th at said, I have a few ideas to model for children the “non-alternative” roles seniors can play in our lives.

Resources we checked have some great ideas for matching children’s needs with the needs of older old folks. With the holidays coming up, we

can hope for the best after the initial few minutes of hugs and kisses, or we can plan for some family activities that will create real reasons to stay in touch after the dishes are washed and the cars are packed for the trips home. Here are a couple of great ideas for “Grand Activities” from Grandparents-Day.com. Try these for your next big family gathering:

Give each child a bag of photos• (copy or scan ones that can’t be replaced). Spend the holiday/gathering time identifying everyone in the photos. Th en the assignment between visits is to get at least one story for each family member from grandparents or senior aunts and uncles. Off er big prizes for the best stories to be shared at the next family gathering.Try 20 questions about senior family members.• Generate the questions at the family gathering, and make them really funny or engaging: What did Uncle Pete get from Aunt Betty the fi rst time he met her? What tattoo did Grandpa almost get when he was in the Army? Require phone calls or visits to senior family members to get the answers, and help children present their fi ndings in a creative way at the next gathering.

Edutopia.org has some great ideas for matching the needs of students with members of local senior centers or residents of nursing homes:

One Oklahoma elementary school pairs seniors with students as • reading buddies. Children benefi t from having someone with the time to read to them, ask questions about their reading, and look for answers they can support using the story. Both the students and the seniors look forward to the regular visits because each meets a real need of the other.Oral histories provide great opportunities for older students to interact • with elders, since elders don’t get much opportunity to talk. Th e value to students is that interviewing elders takes them through an experience where they have to frame good questions and really listen for extended periods of time. Elders get an opportunity to share their experiences as participants in history—and most have much to talk about.

Th e good news about aging is that older folks are living longer, with more chances to get it right until we forget what “it” is. Some of us older folks are still very alert and active; some who are less active would love reasons to change that. And for the ones who are making everyone crazy with the way they navigate life as old people, just remember: Th ose people will soon be us!

p

Lu has suggestionsFor years now, I’ve embra

philos

Spend the holiday time identifying old family photos, then have kids get family stories from grandparents or senior aunts and uncles.


Childwise Smart advice for Chattanooga parents

Parenting question? Send it to “Childwise,” care of Chattanooga Parent via e-mail [email protected]. Or send a letter to “Childwise” c/o Chattanooga Parent, PO Box 4070, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Th e advice in “Childwise” is provided this month by Pam Guess, PhD, NCSP, associate professor in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies and the School of Psychology Program at Th e University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Th e responses provided by Dr. Guess are formulated from general theoretical principles and are for general information only. Th e suggestions off ered are not intended to represent or replace professional consultation or intervention specifi c to a particular child or family.

When should babies make eye contact?Dear Childwise: At what point should babies make eye contact? My sister’s baby is nearly 3 months old and doesn’t seem to focus on people’s faces, although he obviously is able to see. She doesn’t seem concerned, but I secretly am. (I remember my babies making eye contact at that age.) Should she be concerned?

Aunt of 3-month-old

Dear Aunt:Your sister may not realize it, but you’ve gifted her by your “secret concerns.” Not only are you closely observing what’s going on with your nephew’s development, you’ve also not shared your concerns at this point; as you know, being such a new mom can be overwhelming, and trying to take in a worry about your child is sometimes too overwhelming in the moment!

Typically, babies begin to look at and appear to focus on people and objects at 3 to 6 months of age. Of course, all babies develop in their own unique ways, so this range is by no means carved in stone. From birth, babies may appear to be “looking” at people and objects; in reality, however, babies have to “learn” to see by moving their eyes and learning to focus as their vision becomes less blurry.

You mentioned that your nephew is obviously able to see; while I’m assuming that his eyes were checked at birth, it’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns about vision with medical professionals. If you continue to notice your nephew having possible diffi culties with focusing, you might consider very sensitively talking with your sister about what you’ve noticed. You might even off er to go talk to a medical professional with her to get more information about your nephew’s vision.

Teen chafes at downsized lifestyle Dear Childwise:Because of fi nancial diffi culties, we had to move from a house to a small apartment, and my children do not have the lifestyle that their friends do. My son (14) has been very understanding, but my 16-year-old daughter has not. She says she is embarrassed at the way we live, and she is jealous of girls who have lots of things and a nice house. It’s hard to like her, with the way she’s acting, but I know I need to help her through this. What would you suggest?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:Whether or not a family has moved, “liking” their teenagers is often a challenge for parents. Th is doesn’t mean that teens aren’t at times kind, thoughtful and caring. But moodiness and emotional intensity are common during adolescence, so all of us who have lived with a teenager (or who are living with one now) can empathize.

It’s likely that the stress associated with moving—it’s stressful for all of us—and the lifestyle changes are powerful experiences for your daughter. As you know, there are so many physical changes that aff ect emotions, not to mention the sensitivity to what peers say and think, that make it a challenge just to be a 16-year-old.

Th e fi rst thing I’d suggest is to listen to what your daughter is saying (and even not saying) about how these changes have aff ected her. You don’t have to convince her of ways to “look on the bright side” or somehow remove the stress (even if you could). Just tell her you understand how upset she is and that you’re sorry she’s feeling this way. Simply being able to tell someone else what we’re worried about or sad about or mad about can help us feel less stressed by what we’re experiencing; this is particularly true when we’re allowed to talk without the listener disagreeing, interrupting or judging. Letting your daughter know that you’re willing to listen and that you’re concerned about what she’s feeling might not seem like you’re doing much to help her; however, it’s one of the most important and powerful actions you can take right now.

I’m sorry you and your family are facing such a big change right now. Best wishes to all of you as you go through this time!

Babies have to “learn” to see by moving their eyes and learning to focus as their vision becomes less blurry.

Simply being able to tell someone else what we’re worried or sad or mad about can help us feel less stressed.


Create. Discover. Explore.

Create giving traditionsBy Jayne Griffi n, EdD

expect moreachieve more

Academic standards are upSo test scores will be down - at first.

But Expecting MoreHelps students Achieve More So they are ready to achieve in life.

Learn more atwww.ExpectMoreTN.org

Turkeys, brightly colored leaves, crisp fall mornings—we must be getting

close to Thanksgiving!It’s a joyous time of the year and a

perfect prelude to the “getting” season (at least from a child’s perspective), since this classic American holiday is a

time of giving. This year, encourage your children to give of themselves—time, talent and treasure—as they give their thanks.

Thanksgiving is also a great time to continue traditions and establish new ones. Children love traditions. Special holiday activities repeated year after year add to a child’s sense of anticipation and excitement, and they also instill security as those expectations are met. Even the simplest activities that teach children to give can become traditions they will grow to anticipate each Thanksgiving.

Here are a few new traditions you might want to incorporate into your Thanksgiving holiday:

Instead of the usual, “What are you thankful for?”• round robin at the dining room table, play the ABC game. Take turns listing something you are thankful for, starting with “A” words and moving through the entire alphabet.

Give everyone colorful permanent markers• to sign and date the Th anksgiving tablecloth and, under their signature, write what they are thankful for. Even the littlest ones can make a handprint or a mark to acknowledge their thanks. You may choose to use the tablecloth for several years until it becomes so full of thankfulness that it has to be retired. (If you don’t like the idea of writing on a tablecloth, pass around a journal to keep track of your guests’ thankfulness.)

Play the thankfulness game.• Give everyone a small sheet of paper and have them write what they are most thankful for on the paper. Put the slips of paper in a basket, assign someone to draw them from the basket (or take turns drawing them), and then everyone at the table can try to guess who off ered which bit of gratitude.

Use Thanksgiving as a time to model giving.• Give a sum of money to each child in your family and let him choose a place to donate that money in your name. Th en your gift will be the card the child creates to tell you how the money was donated. Th e amount of the donation isn’t as important as the fact that the child actually gave it away instead of spending it on himself. Even $5 can help someone else and teach kids an invaluable lesson. Th ey will learn how to give thoughtfully, and you will have a handmade card to treasure for years to come.

Instead of piling up on the couch in a stupor• after the Th anksgiving meal, give back to the environment through planting. In the South, Th anksgiving is usually a perfect time to plant bulbs, shrubs and trees. (Check with a nursery to make sure the ground is still warm enough.) You might even start a family tradition of honoring each child with a tree or shrub or celebrating an adult’s milestone birthday with a bulb garden. Not only will you add to the beauty of the environment, but you’ll burn a few calories to make room for those delicious Th anksgiving leftovers!

Jayne Griffi n is director of education for the Creative Discovery Museum.

Instead of piling up on the couch in a stupor after the Thanksgiving meal, give back to the environment through planting.


Ten terrifi c books about footballCompiled by Shelley Headrick

Children’s DepartmentChattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

The ListNose in Book

=Brains in Head

PopBy Gordon Korman

Reading level: 9th–12thAfter moving to a new

town, Marcus befriends a former pro football player nicknamed the

King of Pop.”

Little Granny QuarterbackBy Bill Martin Jr.Reading level: PreK–2ndLittle Granny Whiteoak jumps through her television to help her football team winthe game.

The Greatest Game Ever Played: A Football Story

By Phil BildnerReading level: 1st–3rd

At the 1958 NFL championship, Sam and

his father watch their hometown team, the

New York Giants, play the Baltimore Colts.

Coach Hyatt Is a Riot! By Dan GutmanReading level: 2nd–5thThe new football coach has some strange ideas, like allowing girls to join the team.

Wild CardBy Tiki and Ronde

BarberReading level: 3rd–5th

Inspired by their childhood, real-life

football stars Tiki and Ronde learn

the importance of teamwork and

schoolwork.

This Gum for Hire: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye By Bruce HaleReading level: 3rd–5thWhen the Emerson Hicky Elementary School football players start disappearing, Chet Gecko is on the case.

Peyton Manning By Matt Doeden

Reading level: 3rd–6thThis biography traces the

life and career of Peyton Manning.

Touchdown: The Power and

Precision of Football’s Perfect Play

By Mark Stewart and Mike Kennedy

Reading level: 3rd–6thInteresting facts

about football are revealed through 10 of the greatest

touchdowns in the sport’s history.

Million-Dollar ThrowBy Mike LupicaReading level: 6th–8thThirteen-year old Nate has the chance of a lifetime to win a million dollars if he can throw a pass into a small target at a New England Patriots game.

Jamaica Is Thankful By Juanita Havill

Reading level: PreK–2ndAfter Jamaica’s new

kitten causes her brother to have an allergy attack right before a big game,

Jamaica has to decide what is more important.


Sample the Saturday Morning Cereal BowlGrab your kid and a cup of coff ee and tune in to the “Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl,” hosted by Dave Loftin, Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. on the Web at WAWL.org. He posts his weekly playlists on SaturdayCerealBowl.com. And now you can take your Cereal Bowl with you—in podcast form! Go to SaturdayCerealBowl.podbean.com or simply search the iTunes store. Don’t worry, parents, it’s free.

Servings from the Cereal BowlMusic for kids and their parents By Dave Loftin

Seasonal influenza viruses are causing illnesses in communities across the United States. Safe & Sound, an injury prevention service of T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, encourages you to know the facts about

influenza and take extra precautions in protecting you and your family this flu season.

How to protect your children from influenzaPlaying It

• Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available. Visit the Erlanger website at erlanger.org/flu and the Centers for Disease Control website www.cdc.gov/flu for more information.

• Get vaccinated.• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough

or sneeze.• Wash your hands often with soap and

water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Safe & Sound is a prevention service of T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and the proud leader of Safe Kids Chattanooga.

Call (423)778-6691 to learn how this service can benefit you.

• Know the warning signs. If your child has trouble breathing or is a bluish color, see your physician immediately. Not keeping down fluids and not using the bathroom frequently

are also warning signs.• If you are sick and sharing a common space with other

household members, wear a facemask if available.• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.• Learn more about protecting yourself from the seasonal flu at erlanger.org/flu and follow us on twitter erlangerhealth.

MilkshakeGreat Day

© 2009 Milkshake Music, LLC

Milkshake has made quite a name for themselves in the world of family music, most notably on “Jack’s Big Music Show” on Nick Jr. But being on TV isn’t the main reason so many people know and love their music. Milkshake was started by Mikel Gehl and Lisa Matthews(originally of the ’90s alt band Love Riot), who, like many kids’ acts, decided to expand into the genre after becoming parents. On their fourth album, Great Day, the band once again proves they have the musical chops to stand above most of their peers in kids’ music. Th ealbum opens with the tune “Shake It Up,” guaranteed to get the tots hopping. “You Did It!” is a terrifi c tune encouraging kids who’ve

accomplished something they’d thought was impossible. Gehl, Matthews and the rest of Milkshake have a talent not just for writing and making great music, but for knowing how to talk to their listeners, no matter their age.

HullabalooHigh Roller

© 2009 Hullabaloo Music

“Hullabaloo is farm-fresh, free-range, organic kid-folk in a genre fi lled with musical Twinkies and Ding-Dongs.” Th at quote from Hullabaloo’s website may sound harsh, but any parents who have searched high and low for good music for their kids know the latter part of that sentence is true. On their fi fth album, High Roller, Hullabaloo (Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer) continue their classic folk-country sound. Th e title track starts off the album, taking you to a time when country was king. When I hear “Ants in My Pants,” I can picture a kid jumping around as red ants crawl up his jeans to retrieve the chocolate bar he left in his pocket. To those of you who don’t like country music: Set that thought aside. Hullabaloo produces, fi rst and foremost, quality music for the whole family to enjoy.


History Mystery The past is a blast

Th e mystery of the prisoner’s dreamBy Jennifer Crutchfi eld

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library

Joseph H. Warner was born in Gallatin, Tenn., but fell in love with Chattanooga at age 12, when

he came here to fi nish his schooling. He would return to the Scenic City twice. Th e fi rst time he was 20, and a desire to serve his country led him through the treacherous Tennessee mountains towards Chattanooga, the military headquarters of the Confederate Army. Th e second time he was 21—not much older, but with his courageous spirit and love for Chattanooga forged by more than a year in a prison far from home. Th is time he returned for good, making a fresh start in his adopted city and creating a legacy that continues to grow even today.

Dreams in a dark timeAs a young teenager, Joseph Warner worked for his brother, James Cartwright Warner, at his hardware store. Joseph must have been enthralled as he watched his brother become mayor and work to forge yet another new industry during a time when Chattanooga already was booming. It was the mid 1800s, and Chattanooga was poised to become a manufacturing epicenter not only for its growing industry, but also for the railroad and river access that made the city a key distribution point in the region.

But by the time Joseph Warner came back to Chattanooga at age 20, the city was instead the epicenter of a war. Warner enlisted in the Confederate Army, fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, and was captured by Union forces in November 1863, during the Battle of Missionary Ridge.

Cold and lonely, Warner was held fi rst in the Union Depot and then was transferred to Rock Island, Ill., where he and his fellow prisoners of war suff ered through starvation, disease and deprivation until the war’s end in 1865. Nostalgia for his adopted home no doubt carried him through those bleak days.

Th ough he was far from his friends, family and homeland, Warner’s spirit was not daunted by the hardships of prison, and his accounts of the experience are full of stories of people who

recognized his worth and came to his aid, his kind spirit and sense of honor refl ected in their care and generosity. Among them was a Union warden who gave Warner a job after the war so he could make money to go home to the city he loved.

A new startJoseph Warner returned to Chattanooga with a zeal and determination that ultimately changed the landscape of his city and the fortunes and quality of life of its people. Building on his brother’s reputation for integrity, Warner launched a new business distributing hardware supplies through the war-torn region, expanding to include interests in coal, iron and steel before venturing into banking and civil service.

Warner’s impact on Chattanooga and its business landscape was widespread. He organized the Chattanooga Street Railways Company, which would expand to create a public transportation system that continues to serve Chattanoogans today. When a banking collapse in the Panic of 1893 led to the closing of the Fourth National Bank of Chattanooga, Warner paid depositors with his own money, protecting his neighbors in a time when there wasn’t an FDIC to insure bank deposits. Warner and his descendents also pioneered the development of the region’s natural resources.

But the achievements that most pleased Joseph Warner were the civic projects that enabled his fellow citizens to enjoy their city. Th e months he spent as a prisoner could have hardened his heart. Instead, the man who would become known by the honorary title “Major Warner” was

motivated by that time of deprivation to develop a system to provide recreation and relaxation to his neighbors. His years as Commissioner of Parks, Public Buildings and Utilities were known to have been his most rewarding professionally.

Lasting impactChattanooga’s fi rst major park, Olympia Park, had buildings, gardens, concessions and

amusements, including a merry-go-round. It was later renamed Warner Park in Joseph Warner’s honor.

Today, Chattanooga’s park system has expanded to include 16 recreation centers, 20 sports and leisure centers, and 30 unique parks that serve families across the city. It is easy to imagine that this system of “well-managed decent recreation and relaxation” may have been born in a prisoner of war camp, the dream of a soldier who longed to enjoy his adopted city as a free man.

Our city still refl ects the many ways in which Joseph Warner worked to improve Chattanooga and the surrounding region. But what might please Warner most is how children’s eyes sparkle when they hear his name—because to them, “Warner” means a carousel, a new “sprayground,” and the amazing Chattanooga Zoo.

Jennifer Crutchfield, publisher of Chattanooga Parent, chases mysteries along

with her boys George, Will and Max. Contact Jennifer at [email protected].

Visit Chattanooga.gov for a full listing of the recreation centers, neighborhood parks and playgrounds that serve the Chattanooga community.

Chattanooga’s fi rst park: Olympia Park, which featured gardens, buildings and a merry-go-round, was renamed Warner Park in honor of the man who fi rst envisioned a citypark system in Chattanooga.


Ho, ho, ho and a therapy billBy Julianne Hale

My brother and I were never on equal footing when it came to the ways of the world. Despite being born three years before me,

he possessed a sweet naïveté I never had. When our mother confi rmed my suspicions about Santa Claus on the Christmas Eve of my second-grade year, I took it in stride. I’d been privy to the rumors about Santa’s true identity that had been circulating the halls of my elementary school for months by the time Mom decided to come clean about it, so I acknowledged this reality with the coolness of a fi fth-grader. My brother, however, was blindsided. He fought against the truth. Grasping at straws, he asked our mother, “So you mean you and Dad go out on the roof and help Santa unload his sled?” It was a painstaking explanation.

Now when I recall that scene, I can’t help but question whether it was necessary to burst the bubble of my brother’s Christmas fantasy. My oldest will be 8 years old this year, and I wonder how many Christmases we have left with all three kids believing in Santa. As a parent, I dread the days when my kids have to face the reality that their presents don’t come off of a sled in the middle of the night but are, in fact, buried under some dusty quilts in the far corner of our attic.

Right now, my kids believe that Mr. Claus lives in a whimsical toy factory in the North Pole. Th ey believe that with the same conviction that they believe the sky is blue. Th ey don’t question it, because they’ve never considered the possibility that Santa is not real. Th is is one of the things I love most about kids. Th ey live in a world where anything is possible. With harsh reality as the only alternative, I’d like to postpone their residence in the “real world” for as long as possible. But is this harming my children?

Some claim that perpetuating the Santa myth is akin to lying to your children, and that it can do long-term damage. If this is true, then we are living in a world fi lled with damaged adults. In his popular book, Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser documents that Santa Claus is the only fi ctional character more recognizable by American schoolchildren than Ronald McDonald. If there is long-term damage caused by this

tradition, it must be buried deep within the psyche of just about every person we come in contact with.

Kim Muglach, mother of three, says she was damaged not by the myth itself, but by the nonchalant way in which her father chose to reveal the truth to her. She explains, “I will never forget the exact occasion that my father told me—walking through the Kroger parking lot. He said, ‘So you know Santa’s not real, right?’ I was one heartbroken little 9-year-old. I had my suspicions, but I just didn’t

need to hear it.” As a result of this traumatic experience, Kim

says she won’t take the same approach with her own kids. “I don’t think parents should ever initiate the conversation,” she says.

Th is seems like sound advice. Th e Santa conversation isn’t like the sex talk; not having it won’t result in unwanted pregnancies or gonorrhea. My kids will just fi nd out in their own time and come to me when they have questions. But these questions present a new dilemma: How do I answer my kids if they ask me outright whether or not Santa Claus is real? For help with this, I turned to my fellow moms and dads on the front lines of parenting.

“I always waited until my kids started asking questions, and then I asked them what they believed,” says Leanne Stan-Fifi eld, mother of three. “I also tell my kids that I still believe in Santa as I believe in the magic of Christmas.” I like the idea of preserving the magic, even though the fantasy is no longer intact.

Another mother, Desiree Dighton, says she’s never had to have “the talk” with her son. Despite his status as a tween, her son remains a believer. “Ethan knows his friends don’t believe, and he just chooses to go along with the fantasy,” she says. “Don’t we all like to pretend we still believe, at least one day a

year?” Th is is the approach I took as a child. I knew that Santa was not

a real guy, but I embraced the fantasy and continued to enjoy the benefi ts of my stuff ed stocking and the bounty under the tree long after I discovered the truth. Is it wrong of me to want the same for

Don’t we all like to pretend we still believe, at least one daya year?


my children? Or am I a selfi sh parent, lying to my kids to satisfy my own need to recreate meaningful moments from my childhood?

Finally, I went straight to the source and had a little Q & A session with my oldest two about St. Nick. It went something like this:

Me: Kids, when I say “Santa Claus,” what do you think of?

Daughter (5): (raising hand) Presents.

Son (8): Christmas.

Daughter: (raising hand again) Toys.

Son: Church. (I’m pretty sure this response was just for brownie points.)

Me: How long has Santa been around?

Daughter: 200 years.

Son: Forever.

Me: How does he stay around so long?

Daughter: He likes cookies.

Son: And beer.

Daughter: He gives lots of presents.

Son: And he’s magic.

Th ere you have it. Th e secret to Santa’s longevity is a healthycombination of cookies, beer, charity and a little magic. Who canargue with that?

Julianne Hale, an award-winning freelance writer and mother of three, lives in Cleveland, Tenn. Read more from Julianne on her

blog, AnotherGrayHair.Typepad.com.

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Season’s eatingsHolidays particularly stressful for those with eating disorders

By Deborah J. Poteet-Johnson, MD

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Ahh, the holidays! A time of decorations, warm

greetings, gifts, songs, fun times—and lots of food.

Most people feel a little stressed during this season because of all the things they want to do, or feel they must do, to celebrate properly. But some people are unusually burdened by a holiday season when food is a main focus.

Years of research show that many people suff er from disorders of eating—eating either too little or too much, eating to the point of illness, or simply not eating the nutritious diet they need to stay healthy. While most of us probably have some degree of “disordered eating” from time to time (skipping an occasional meal if we are too busy to eat, or not eating our quota of

vegetables each day), there are some whose unhealthy views of food aff ects their self-esteem, stamina, body image and overall functioning. In extreme cases, the person can even die. For those people, food has become “the enemy” rather than fuel to keep their bodies functioning and healthy.

How and why do eating disorders develop? Th ere can be several underlying causes. Studies of patients with eating disorders, especially those who have undergone therapy or been in treatment programs, implicate multiple factors in the development of a full-blown eating disorder: family dynamics; attitudes toward food; psychological issues; socio-cultural views of body image; and biological predisposition. Treatment focuses on helping the patient recognize her attitude toward food and how other issues aff ect body image and self-esteem.

Th e holidays can be particularly challenging for people with eating disorders, even those who have done relatively well in treatment. Sights, sounds and smells can trigger memories of times when they felt less in control, and can even infl uence them to “relapse” unless they are prepared to deal with the holidays in a healthier manner. A buff et table that looks inviting and delicious to most people, for example, can be frightening for those who feel they can’t control their eating. Unless they can understand the source of their anxieties, their holidays can become stressful rather than joyful.

If eating problems of any type threaten to derail the holidays for you or a loved one, here are some helpful things to keep in mind:

Make a plan and stick with it,• even if the holidays disrupt your normal routine. Eating well-balanced meals every day can help you to think more clearly when you face challenges. If a loved one with an eating disorder seems more irritable than usual, be understanding. He may be worried about the food, not mad at everyone around.Talk to supportive people.• Engage family members, friends, a counselor or your physician, and talk about your anxieties about food before you’re in the middle of the holiday times. If a loved one is suff ering from an eating disorder, discuss what you can do to help without becoming an “enabler.” Focus on other aspects of the holiday besides food• —which is, after all, only one component of the season. Can this also be a time to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while? Take the focus off of food at holiday gatherings. For example, ask each family member or friend to write down one positive attribute about each other person present. At the end of the evening, give everyone a small gift bag full of written “compliments” to enjoy the rest of the year.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season, and may you remain healthy in every way!

Dr. Deborah Poteet-Johnson manages medications for ADHD, eating disorders, mood problems and anxiety at Psychotherapy Alternatives,

PLLC, 1307 Hixson Pk. She can be reached at 266-2248 [email protected].

A buffet table that looks inviting to most people can be frightening for those who feel they can’t control their eating.


A doctor may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring down fever and relieve pain. Infected people should avoid drinking citrus juices, which stimulate the fl ow of saliva and may make pain in the glands worse. Most people with mumps start feeling better after about 10 days.

PreventionShots off er the best protection from mumps. Th e U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends immunization of children in two doses: the fi rst at 12 to 15 months, the second at 4 to 6 years. Th e vaccine usually is given in combination with vaccines for measles and rubella.

Adults born after 1956 who missed getting shots as children should be vaccinated too. Immunization is especially recommended for women of childbearing age who are not pregnant and for people who live or work in large groups, such as college students, teachers and day care workers.

In some cases, immunization can cause mild reactions, such as fever, a minor rash, or swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck. Serious problems are rare.

Call your doctor if you notice any reaction in yourself or a member of your family.

Andrea Goins, a doctor of osteopathy, is a pediatrician with T.C. Th ompson Children’s Hospital

at Erlanger. For more information, call Erlanger’s physician referral line at 423-778-LINK (5645).

House Calls Check up on your child’s health

Forgotten but not gone:What you need to know about mumps

By Andrea Goins, DO

You don’t hear much about mumps anymore in the United States, thanks to the wonders of vaccines. But cases do still crop up occasionally, and

you should know how to protect your family from the disease.Mumps is a viral disease that causes swelling of the salivary glands in the

cheeks and under the jaw. It’s most common in children between 5 and 15 years old, but the disease can happen at any age. Most cases occur in the late winter and early spring. Mumps is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing or by contact with an infected person’s saliva.

SymptomsSymptoms of mumps usually appear 14 to 24 days after a person is exposed to the virus. Along with swelling of the salivary glands, symptoms may include

fever lasting three to fi ve days •

headache •

nausea and sometimes vomiting •

weakness •

decreased appetite •

ComplicationsSerious complications of mumps are more common in adults than in children and can include loss of hearing, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), or swelling of the ovaries. Some men and teenage boys with mumps experience painful swelling of the testicles. In rare cases, this can lead to sterility.

TreatmentSince mumps is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help treat it. Antibiotics work only on bacterial infections. Generally, doctors advise resting, treating the symptoms, and staying as comfortable as possible.

Cases of mumps are rare in the United States, but they still crop up occasionally.


Not just monkey businessInnovative programs help kids, families cope with the stress of serious illness

Story and photos by Allison Gorman

Ryleigh Ledford couldn’t attend her preschool graduation last May. Instead, there was a

monkey in her chair, wearing her cap and gown. By the middle of September, Ryleigh had

attended only two hours of kindergarten at Chickamauga Elementary. But when she wasn’t in her chair, the monkey was, reminding Ryleigh’s young classmates that their friend would be back soon.

Ryleigh, 5, is a patient at T.C. Th ompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Last spring she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the white blood cells that is most common in preschool-age children. While the disease has an 80 percent cure rate in children, and her mom, Rebekah, reports that Ryleigh is responding well to treatment, she hasn’t had the normal school and social life most 5-year-olds enjoy. Aside from her scheduled weekly treatments at Erlanger, Ryleigh also must be hospitalized as a precaution any time she has a

fever, an irregular blood culture, or any other sign of compromised immunity. Right now, getting healthy is Ryleigh’s full-time job; though she does schoolwork at home, “regular” kindergarten has had to take a back seat.

Fortunately, the monkey’s there to fi ll in.“Th ere’s a Monkey in My Chair” is one of two

new programs at T.C. Th ompson intended to help children and their families cope with the stress and upheaval that attend a child’s serious illness. A Kansas-based nonprofi t, “Monkey” was founded to help children like Ryleigh, who must miss school due to cancer or brain tumors.

Ashley Williams, a child life specialist who facilitates the program at T.C. Th ompson’s Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, says the monkey kits are donated by Th e Children’s Hospital Foundation. Each kit, which comes in a duff el bag, includes a large stuff ed monkey that sits at the child’s desk during absences from school, as well as a smaller version for the child to keep. Either the child or his or her classmates can use the small backpack, camera, journal, pencils and other items in the kit to chronicle the child’s—and the monkey’s—time in school and in treatment. Finally, the child’s teacher can use the coordinating picture book to help explain to other children why their classmate can’t come to school.

Rebekah Ledford says the monkey was “a really good ice-breaker,” helping divert other children’s focus from the mask Ryleigh must wear to protect her from germs.

“We took it the day before school started and talked to the teacher about it,” she says. “Th e next day, at fi rst, all the kids were asking, ‘Why does Ryleigh have a mask on?’ But then we brought the monkey in and the teacher just really took over, and the kids weren’t so focused on the mask. Th ey were like, ‘What’s up with the monkey?’”

A classmate’s mother bought clothes for the monkey, which now has three outfi ts in its duff el bag. “It’s been great,” Rebekah says. “Ryleigh’s only gotten to go to kindergarten for two hours, but everybody knows the monkey. It goes to the playground, it goes to lunch, it sits in her

classroom, and because she was in the hospital during pre-k graduation, it sat in the stage in her chair, with her cap and gown on.”

Th e “Monkey” program launched nationally in 2008 and since 2009 has sent some 850 kits to patients and hospitals in 40 states. Williams says T.C. Th ompson has fi ve donated kits—though with 70 patients currently in treatment for cancer or blood disorders, the unit could use plenty more. (Kits can be donated through Th e Children’s Hospital Foundation.)

Williams also facilitates another interactive program, “Beads of Courage,” which has been popular with patients and parents alike since it began at T.C. Th ompson in June. Based in Arizona, “Beads of Courage” provides materials for young patients to create a necklace representing their personal experience with illness—each challenge, milestone or victory symbolized by a diff erent bead.

First thing each morning, Williams selects beads to present to every patient in the unit based on his or her course of treatment. Th ere are hundreds of prefabricated beads representing scores of standard treatments, she says.

Th ere are beads for bone marrow biopsies, chemotherapy, a surgical port placement or removal, a clinic or ER visit, an ambulance ride or a stay in intensive care. Th ere are beads for specifi c medical tests. Th ere are beads for surgery, antibiotics, fever, a feeding tube or catheter. Th ere’s a curly-haired bead for hair loss and even a glow-in-the-dark bead for radiation treatment.

Th en there are the “bumpy beads.” “If they’re having a bumpy day, they get one of

these bumpy beads,” Williams says. “Th ese are ones we use all the time.”

After four months of treatment, Ryleigh’s necklace already is too heavy for her to wear. Her mom says they need to start another string.

Th e point isn’t about jewelry, anyway; it’s about history and identity. For older patients, the beads represent bragging rights. (Even at 5, Ryleigh knows how she earned every bead on her string.) And for parents, it’s a chronology of their child’s

Monkey and me: Ryleigh Ledford, 5, a patient at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, gets a hug from a monkey like the one that shares her seat in kindergarten at Chickamauga Elementary School. With her is Ashley Williams, the child life specialist who facilitates the “There’s a Monkey in My Chair” and “Beads of Courage” programs at T.C. Thompson.

MONKEY-BEADS continued on page 15


treatment—a visual journal to help keep extended families and co-workers informed. Later, it becomes a cherished, if bittersweet, keepsake.

Punctuating each strand are what Williams calls “special beads for acts of courage,” handmade glass beads donated by artists nationwide. Among them is Signal Mountain’s Susan Parry, who has made to order a number of beads for T.C Th ompson patients, including an airplane bead for a child fl ying to New York for surgery, and a “WWE” bead for a 6-year-old pro wrestling fan.

“When kids are all done with treatment, they’re like war veterans, so they get to pick out a handmade purple heart bead; I’ve given out a couple of those,” Williams says. “And when kids pass away, we send their families the butterfl y bead.”

T.C. Th ompson’s “Beads of Courage” program receives some money from Blood Assurance and

Th e Children’s Hospital Foundation, she says, but it also depends on individual donations.

“We haven’t gotten a lot of (corporate) funding, but I’ve gotten a lot of donations for this program

because it’s impacted a lot of people,” she says.“I have a mom who lost her son just as we werestarting this program, and it became sort oftherapeutic for her—families in that situationsometimes don’t know what else to do. She hascalled and wants to make a donation to the ‘Beadsof Courage’ fund in his name.”

For more information:Read more about these innovative programs atMonkeyInMyChair.org and BeadsOfCourage.org.

Ryleigh on the air:Hear Ryleigh Ledford chat with radio personalityJames Howard during the 4th Annual Cure forCancer Radiothon, to be broadcast live from T.C.Th ompson Nov. 18–20 on Sunny 92.3 and 96.5Th e Mountain.

“Beads of Courage” isn’t about jewelry. It’s about history and identity.

Teacher Spotlight “More homework problems!” “Stay awake!” “Challenge yourself!” “Get higher test

scores!” Th ese are words you expect to hear from a teacher. In Jamie Bassham and Christopher Morris’ Tyner Academy math class, these are the students’ words.

Th e TEACH/Here Program has partnered resident teacher Morris with experienced mentor teacher Bassham. Based on the model of a medical residency, Morris will spend an entire year learning how to navigate a classroom with Bassham’s help, after which he will take responsibility for his own classroom in a Hamilton County secondary school. “I am blessed to be chosen,” Morris says. “You have to do the job to learn the job.”

Th ese two have turned doing the job into a dance.

Th e quadratic formula was the topic on the day we visited. Bassham and Morris shared the stage in an exciting way. Th ey began with a quick review and then presented complex problems for students to solve together. For the entire time, there was talking, questioning and intense discussion between the students and teachers. Both Bassham and Morris moved around the room, taking turns center stage and assisting small groups in solving problems.

Teaching team a win-win formulaBy Heather Hughes

Teaching “residency”: Based on the model of a medical residency, the TEACH/Here Program partnered resident teacher Christopher Morris with experienced Tyner Academy teacher Jamie Bassham. After a year with Bassham, Morris will take responsibility for his own classroom in a Hamilton County secondary school.

Th e teens were so engrossed in their work theyignored us with our cameras. Every now andthen we heard giggles, but these students wereinteracting with each other to solve the problemsbefore them. Th ey did not hesitate to raise theirhands when they had questions or needed help—and how quickly a teacher was at their side! Th ebeauty of this partnership is not only the realexperience Morris was getting in a classroom, butalso the fact that there were two teachers workingthe room to help students. Th at calculates to lesswait time and more learning time.

“Wow,” says Bassham about the experience.“Th at’s the way I would like to have been trained.”Th e arrangement benefi ts all: Th e resident isexposed to the reality of everyday teaching, thementor teacher gains new ideas and insights, andthe students have two people dedicated to theirsuccess.

If you want to see teenagers asking formore homework, visit Jamie Bassham’sExcellent Classroom at PEFChattanooga.org/ExcellentTeachers. To learn more about TEACH/Here, visit TeachHere.org.

Heather Hughes is a former Hamilton County teacher and an occasional volunteer with the

Public Education Foundation.

MONKEY-BEADS continued from page 14


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What does joy have to do with this? Everything!By Laurie Perry Vaughen

Scanning the magazine racks at a local bookstore is a holiday ritual for me. Th e

covers are glittered with ornament and cookies that require a fi ne arts degree. Everything has a sparkle. Abundance abounds; harvest prompts sharing. So when the title Living Without caught my eye, I reached for this magazine with curiosity, hungry for its stark contrast.

I laughed at myself when I quickly realized it was not a misplaced periodical after all, here among the recipes, but a magazine devoted to living a gluten-free life.

But that idea of “living without” left a buzz in my brain, as if I had bitten the head off of a Santa Claus cookie with a dollop of red butter cream icing perched on his Nordic noggin. “Living without” can even seem like an anecdote or EpiPen to inoculate us from our culture’s tendency to off er too much of most good things. Tis the season to examine our folly, fah lah lah, lah lah lah, lah lah lah. Strike a nerve, and you will hear a chorus. Right?

Well, hold on a minute. I’m not one of those with a bumper sticker admonishing people to “live simply so that others can simply live.” Frankly, I try to live without bumper stickers the way others do high-fructose corn syrup or MSG or alcohol. But try as I must, our world demands our attention in marketing speak. I recognize the endless hypocrisy living a “simple” life would prompt. For example, I would have to ask myself, “Where to begin?” and “Where to end?” and, as communicators always ask obnoxiously, “Who is the audience, really?”

So I keep coming back to the idea that if we stop worrying about living with or without and try to please that audience within, we come to the party with a little more joy; we become a little more accessible to those

we love and befriend, and leave fewer people stressed around us.

I’m no Martha Stewart, but I do like to bake. I’m the kind of person who holds a potluck and says, “Bring whatever you’d like to share.” It drives some of my friends crazy; they want clearer direction. You wouldn’t believe what comes through my front door, though. How could I have requested any of this? It’s grand. Maybe I’ve learned to lower my expectations—not a bad idea at times. Nature proves to us that there are times in life of feast and famine. Good weather and bad. It rains on the just and the unjust, we are taught (and often doubt).

Live and learn and lean towards what feeds your soul. I’d rather focus not so much on living without this or that, him or her, us or them. I have friends who spend hours focusing on what to live without and obsessing on this inventory. Th e holiday season sometimes prompts this overindulgence of material introspection. I know a couple who give only three Christmas gifts to each of their children, reasoning that Baby Jesus only “got” gold, frankincense and myrrh. Th ey then complain

and whine about grandparents who have the nerve to show up out of the blue (like magi at a Bethlehem barn) with a Fisher Price miniature kitchen. Folks, doting grandparents will always follow that star and fi nd you and that baby, and they will have something in the trunk of their car. Get used to it. Be gracious.

We all have known people who suddenly stop doing one thing only to begin policing everyone else’s choices, as if that were eff ective anyway. I know people who make their own gravy from scratch and not the jar and grow their own butternut squash and eat alone most nights. I know those who gather like the Peanuts misfi ts for a potluck of popcorn, PBJs and great joy.

Joy may be the ingredient we tend to leave out, thinking that small dash or pinch or sprinkle is what we can shave off the budget of our time and half-empty cookie jar. What diff erence does a dash of this or that make, after all? All the diff erence in the world, we should be caroling. Hey, you never ask children if they want sprinkles, but what color or fl avor. Th ey know the story: A dash is a dash, no matter how small.

Laurie Perry Vaughen is the mother of two children, Lorna and Jared, students at Normal Park Museum Magnet. She teaches writing

part-time at Th e University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

I know parents who give only three Christmas gifts to their children because Baby Jesus only “got” gold, frankincense and myrrh. They then whine about grandparents who show up out of the blue (like magi at a Bethlehem barn) with a Fisher Price miniature kitchen.

Calendar of Events November 15–December 15, 2010

Chattanooga area family attractions:

Magician & Balloon Artist

Edwards Entertainment

LLC423-653-8524

[email protected]

Audubon Acres900 N. Sanctuary Rd.892-14999 a.m.–6 p.m. daily

Bessie Smith Cultural Center200 E. MLK Blvd. CAAMHistory.org 266-865810 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday; noon–4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Chattanooga Chew Chew Canine Park1801 Carter St.425-63119 a.m.–sunset daily

Chattanooga Choo Choo1400 Market St.ChooChoo.com 266-5000

Chattanooga Ducks201 W. 5th St.ChattanoogaDucks.com 756-DUCKTour times vary by season

Chattanooga Ghost ToursVarious downtown locationsChattanoogaGhostTours.com 821-7125Tours 8:15 p.m. Friday and SaturdayOther tours by prior arrangement

Chattanooga-Hamilton CountyBicentennial Library1001 Broad St.Lib.Chattanooga.gov 757-53109 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday & Tuesday; 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday & Th ursday; 9–6 p.m. Friday & Saturday; closed SundayCall for individual branch hours

Chattanooga MarketFirst Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St.ChattanoogaMarket.com 266-927011 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays

Chattanooga Nature Center400 Garden Rd.

ChattanoogaNatureCenter.org 821-1160 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 1–5 p.m. Sunday

Chattanooga Regional History Museum615 Lindsay St., Ste. 100ChattanoogaHistory.org 265-3247 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday

Th e Chattanooga Th eatre Centre400 River St.Th eatreCentre.com 267-8534

Chattanooga Water TaxiCity Pier (south shore) or Coolidge Park (north shore)ChattanoogaWaterTaxi.com 593-7867

Th e Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.ChattZoo.org 697-13199 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

Chattown Skate Park1801 Carter St.757-20764–8 p.m. Monday & Wednesday; 4–10 p.m. Tuesday, Th ursday & Friday; noon–10 p.m. Saturday; noon–8 p.m. Sunday

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military ParkFort Oglethorpe, Ga.NPS.gov/chch (706) 866-92418:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

Th e Coolidge Park Carousel150 River St.Chattanooga.gov 595-4485 or 425-631111 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 1–6:30 p.m. Sunday

Crabtree Farms1000 E. 30th St.CrabtreeFarms.org 493-9155

Creative Discovery Museum321 Chestnut St.

CDMFun.org 756-2738 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Tuesday and Th ursday–Saturday; noon–5 p.m. Sunday; closed Wednesday

East Ridge City Library1517 Tombras Ave. 867-732310 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Monday through Th ursday; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 2–5 p.m. Sunday

Greenway Farm Dog Park5051 Gann Store Rd.Chattanooga.govDaily sunrise to sunset

Th e Houston Museum of Decorative Arts201 High St.Th eHoustonMuseum.com 276-7176Guided tours 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Hunter Museum of American Art10 Bluff ViewHunterMuseum.org 267-0968Noon–5 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday; noon–5 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Th ursdayChildren under 3 free every dayChildren 13 and under free weekends and holidays

Imax 3D Th eater201 Chestnut St.Tennis.org 266-4629

Incline Railway3917 St. Elmo Ave.LookoutMountainAttractions.com 821-42248:30 a.m.–6:20 p.m. Monday–Friday; 8:30 a.m.–8:50 p.m. weekends

Lake Winnepesaukah1730 Lakeview Dr., Rossville, Ga.LakeWinnie.com (877) 525-3946Visit website for hours

Refl ection Riding Arboretum & Botanical Garden400 Garden Rd.Refl ectionRiding.org 821-95829 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 1–5 p.m. Sunday

Rock City Gardens1400 Patten Rd. Lookout Mountain, Ga.SeeRockCity.com (706) 820-2531 or(800) 854-06758:30 a.m.–8 p.m. daily

Ruby Falls1720 South Scenic Hwy.RubyFalls.com 821-25448 a.m.–8 p.m. daily

Th e Sinks Disc Golf CourseOff Access Road, across from DuPontChattanoogaDiscGolf.comFree & open daily, dawn to dark

Southern Belle Riverboat201 Riverfront Pkwy., Pier 2ChattanoogaRiverboat.com 266-4488 or (800) 766-2784Visit website for daily cruise schedule

Tennessee Aquarium1 Broad St.TNAqua.org 267-3474 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum4119 Cromwell Rd.TVRail.com 894-8028Visit website for daily train schedule

Vaudeville Café: Murder Mystery Dinner Shows138 Market St.FunnyDinner.com 517-1839Children’s show 1 p.m. SaturdaysVisit website for other show schedules

Th e Walnut Wall Coolidge ParkTh eAdventureGuild.com 266-5709Call for hours

Calendar of Events November 15–December 15, 2010

Daily listings: November 15–December 15, 2010

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Monday, November 15Auditions for Hamlet at the Chattanooga Th eatre Centre Youth Th eatre, 400 River St. 4:30–6:30 p.m. Also Nov. 16. Contact: 267-8534 or Th eatreCentre.com.

Wednesday, November 17Main Street Farmers Market, Main and Williams Streets. 4–6 p.m. Contact: MainStFarmersMarket.comPresidential Concert Series at Lee University, 1685 Parker St. NE, Cleveland, Tenn. 7:30 p.m. Contact: 614-8240.

Th ursday, November 18Th e Dylan Kussman Band at Fireside Nights at Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mtn., Ga. 6–8 p.m. Contact: 854-0675 or SeeRockCity.com.String Th eory chamber music at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 6:30 p.m. Contact: 267-0968 or HunterMuseum.org.Symphonic Shakespeare with the CSO at the Tivoli, 709 Broad St. 8 p.m. Contact: 267-8583 or ChattanoogaSymphony.org.YMCA Christmas Market at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Th rough Nov. 20. Contact: 877-8043.

Friday, November 19Deck the Falls opens at Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Hwy. 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Th rough Jan. 1, 2011. Contact: 821-2544 or RubyFalls.com.Pre-K Day at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 10–11:30 a.m. Ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Contact: 752-2051 or HunterMuseum.org.Forever Friends Friday at the Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton Blvd. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: Th alPPC.com. Love’s Cradle for unmarried expectant parents aged 19 and up by First Th ings First at Erlanger Women’s East, 1751 Gunbarrel Rd. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Enchanted Garden of Lights opens at Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mtn., Ga. 6–9 p.m. Th rough Jan. 1, 2011. Contact: 854-0675 or SeeRockCity.com.Phillips, Craig & Dean at Tennessee Temple University, 1815 Union Ave. 7:30 p.m. Contact: 642-TIXS.Symphonic Shakespeare with the CSO at the Tivoli, 709 Broad St. 8 p.m. Contact: 267-8583 or ChattanoogaSymphony.org.Elton John at McKenzie Arena, 720 E. 4th St. 8 p.m. Contact: 266-6627 or UTC.edu.North Pole Limited excursions begin at the

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Rd. Selected dates through Dec. 22. Contact: 894-8028 or TVRail.com.

Saturday, November 20Durham Mine Site Fossil Dig with the Chattanooga Nature Center at Lula Land Lake Trust. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Contact: 821-1160 or ChattanoogaNatureCenter.org.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Mosaic Market indoor artist market, 412 Market St. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: 624-3915.Share the Warmth Tree event at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 11 a.m. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.De-Th roning the Bully at Glenwood Recreation Center, 2610 East Th ird St. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Free; lunch provided. Registration required. Contact: 752-4449.Art Til Dark on the North Shore. Noon. Contact: 413-8999 or ArtTilDark.wordpress.comCapitol City Opera Company Presents Hansel and Gretel at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 2 p.m. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Gaither Homecoming Tour 2010 at McKenzie Arena, 720 E. 4th St. 3 p.m. Contact: 266-6627 or UTC.edu.Harvest Moon Ball benefi ting Alexian Brothers Foundation of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. 6 p.m. Contact: 755-3430.5th Annual Chair Aff air Art Auction at Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. 7–10 p.m. Contact: 899-9188 or LiveOnPoint.org. Science Demo: Liquid Nitrogen Science begins at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Th rough Jan. 15. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Winter Wonders Exhibit opens at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Th rough Jan. 17. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.

Sunday, November 21Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Coca Cola Day at the Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.

Tuesday, November 23Pre-K Holidays—Th anksgiving at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 10–11 a.m. Ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Contact: 752-2051 or HunterMuseum.org.

Wednesday, November 24Main Street Farmers Market, Main and Williams Streets. 4–6 p.m. Contact: MainStFarmersMarket.com


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Th ursday, November 25Grateful Gobbler Walk at Coolidge Park, 150 River St. 8 a.m. Benefi ts Partnersip for Families, Children & Adults. Contact: PartnershipFCA.com.Th anksgiving Cruise and Th anksgiving on the Pier with the Southern Belle. Contact:(800) 766-2784 or ChattanoogaRiverboat.com.

Friday, November 26Forever Friends Friday at the Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton Blvd. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: Th alPPC.com. Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Grand Illumination Members program at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 6–8 p.m. Contact: 267-0968 or HunterMuseum.org.Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises on the Southern Belle. Th ursday–Sunday through Dec. 18. Contact: (800) 766-2784 or ChattanoogaRiverboat.com.Grand Illumination and Christmas on the River at Ross’s Landing. Contact: 265-0771.

Saturday, November 27Breakfast with Santa at the Chattanoogan Hotel, 1201 S. Broad St. 8:30 & 11:30 a.m. Reservations required. Contact: 265-0771.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–2 p.m. Reservations required.

Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Mosaic Market indoor artist market, 412 Market St. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: 624-3915.Art Til Dark on the North Shore. Noon. Contact: 413-8999 or ArtTilDark.wordpress.com

Sunday, November 28Antiques & Collectibles at the Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 2–3 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.

Wednesday, December 1Main Street Farmers Market, Main and Williams Streets. 4–6 p.m. Contact: MainStFarmersMarket.comPreparing for Marriage at First Th ings First, 620 Lindsay St. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Art Lesson: Simply Structures at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Th rough Dec. 31. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.

Th ursday, December 2Celebrating the Invitational at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 6 p.m. Contact: 267-0968 or HunterMuseum.org.

Friday, December 3Pre-K Day at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 10–11:30 a.m. Ages 2–5, accompanied by

an adult. Registration required. Contact: 752-2051 or HunterMuseum.org.Forever Friends Friday at the Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton Blvd. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: Th alPPC.com. Red Bank Christmas Parade & Market, Dayton Boulevard at Red Bank City Park. 5:30 p.m. Happy Hollandaise dinner theatre production opens at the Oakstreet Playhouse, First-Centenary UMC, 419 McCallie Ave. 6:30 p.m. Selected dates through Dec. 12. Contact: 756-2428 or OakStreetPlayhouse.com.Times Square Angel opens at the Chattanooga Th eatre Centre, 400 River St. 8 p.m. Contact: 267-8534 or Th eatreCentre.com.Holiday in the Woods at the Chattanooga Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. Th rough Dec. 4. Contact: 821-1160 or ChattanoogaNatureCenter.org.

Saturday, December 4Holiday Chattanooga: Story Center with the Chattanooga History Center, Read House Hamilton Room, 837 Broad St. 7–9 a.m. $20. Contact: 265-3247 or ChattanoogaHistory.com.Maximize Your Marriage for couples in distress by First Th ings First at St. John UMC, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Holiday Market at the Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.Mosaic Market indoor artist market, 412 Market St. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact: 624-3915.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative

Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 1–2 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Anime at the Library, 1001 Broad St. 2:30 p.m. Contact: 757-5310 or Lib.Chattanooga.gov.Th e Singing Christmas Tree with the Chattanooga Boys Choir and the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra at the Tivoli Th eatre, 701 Broad St. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Contact: 634-2299 or Chattanooga.gov. Ruby Red Christmas opens at Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Hwy. 5–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 26. Contact: 821-2544 or RubyFalls.com.Triple Crown Bouldering Competition at Stone Fort. Contact: 305-1522 or TripleCrownBouldering.org.

Sunday, December 5Holiday Market at the Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.Free First Sunday and Holiday Gift Expo at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. Noon. Contact: 752-2051 or HunterMuseum.org.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 2–3 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.A Chamber Noel with the CSO at the Read House Silver Ballroom, 837 Broad St. 3 p.m. Contact: 267-8583 or ChattanoogaSymphony.org.Jericho Brass Band at Signal Mountain Baptist

DAILY LISTINGS continued on page 24


Let us know about your family-friendly event!Send calendar submissions to Chattanooga Parent [email protected]. Please include event address and contact information, and submit at least six weeks prior to event date.

Church, 929 Ridgeway Ave. 6 p.m. Contact: JerichoBrassBand.org.Caroling with the Fishes Holiday Member Night at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. 6:30–9 p.m. Contact: 267-3474 or TNAqua.org.Aaron Tippin at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. 7:30 p.m. Contact: 899-4990 or Chattanooga.gov.Auditions for Th e Diary of Anne Frank at the Chattanooga Th eatre Centre, 400 River St. 7:30 p.m. Also Dec. 6. Contact: 267-8534 or Th eatreCentre.com.

Monday, December 6Maximize Your Marriage for couples in distress by First Th ings First at St. John UMC, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. 6–10 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.

Tuesday, December 7Love’s Cradle for unmarried expectant parents aged 19 and up by First Th ings First at Women’s Health Services, 251 N. Lyerly St. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.MOMS Club of Chattanooga meeting (guest speaker: licensed dietician) at Metro Tab, 2101 W. Shepherd Rd. 10 a.m. Contact: 531-1502.

Wednesday, December 8Preparing for Marriage at First Th ings First, 620 Lindsay St. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.

Th ursday, December 9Holiday Lights: Members Night at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. 5:30–8 p.m. Contact: 697-1322 or ChattZoo.org.

Friday, December 10Holiday Market Too! at the Chattanooga Market, Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.Holiday Lights: Pet Night at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. 5:30–8 p.m. Contact: 697-1322 or ChattZoo.org.Rent at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. 7 p.m. Contact: 642-TIXS or Chattanooga.gov.Th e Nutcracker with Chattanooga Ballet and the CSO at the Tivoli Th eatre, 701 Broad St. 8 p.m. Performances through Dec. 12. Contact: 642-TIXS or ChattanoogaOnStage.com. A Christmas Story opens at the Chattanooga Th eatre Centre, 400 River St. 8 p.m. Contact: 267-8534 or Th eatreCentre.com.

Saturday, December 11Boot Camp for New Dads by First Th ings First at Parkridge East Hospital, 941 Spring Creek Rd., East Ridge, Tenn. 9 a.m.–noon. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Holiday Market Too! At the Chattanooga Market, Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaMarket.com.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 10:30–11:30 a.m. & 1–2 p.m. Reservations required.

Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. 5:30–8 p.m. Contact: 697-1322 or ChattZoo.org.

Sunday, December 12Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 2–3 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.

Monday, December 13Love’s Cradle for unmarried expectant parents aged 19 and up by First Th ings First at University Ob-Gyn, Erlanger Medical Center, 979 E. 3rd St., Ste. 725. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Gingerbread Workshop at the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. 2–3 p.m. Reservations required. Contact: 756-2738 or CDMFun.org.Maximize Your Marriage for couples in distress by First Th ings First at St. John UMC, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. 6–10 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.

Tuesday, December 14Love’s Cradle for unmarried expectant parents aged 19 and up by First Th ings First at Women’s Health Services, 251 N. Lyerly St. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.Pre-K Holidays—Christmas at the Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. 10–11 a.m. Ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Contact: 752-2051 or HunterMuseum.org.La Cuna Del Amour for unmarried expectant parents by First Th ings First at University Ob-Gyn, Erlanger Medical Center, 979 E. 3rd St., Ste. 725. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Contact: 267-5383 or FirstTh ings.org.

Wednesday, December 15Chattanooga Bach Choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. 7th St. 12:05 p.m. Contact: ChattanoogaBachChoir.org.Main Street Farmers Market, Main and Williams Streets. 4–6 p.m. Contact: MainStFarmersMarket.com

DAILY LISTINGS continued from page 23


Th e family that gives togetherVolunteering as a group lets parents model the charitable spirit

By Janis Hashe

As the holidays approach, many families think about making time to volunteer, something always appreciated by local nonprofi ts. But

these same nonprofi ts need help year-round—not just during the holidays. When we asked local parents how they and their kids donate their time, we got some great answers.

Passing on the volunteer spiritStephanie Steiman says she, her husband Eric and their four children volunteered as a family for the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, which awarded a theme park day pass for a day of community service with a participating nonprofi t.

“We got to spend the evening with the Down Syndrome Society at their Family Fun Night,” she says. “It was a great opportunity for us to spend time with our kids, teaching them how to make a diff erence.”

Lori Warren says she and her 11-year-old daughter, Katherine, volunteer together at the grand fi nale event for the summer reading program at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library. “Katherine and I handle the booth that hands out books to summer readers,” she says. “Katherine’s talents lie in the arts, and she has given informal drawing lessons on the playground since she was 7.”

Lori says her family has always actively supported educational causes, and that spirit of volunteerism has rubbed off on her kids.

“At the East Hamilton PTA meeting a week ago, I learned that my son was volunteering to assist and tutor other students in almost every class he has,” she says. “My daughter’s friend even calls him up for help with her math.

“Teaching our children about the importance of supporting their teachers and their community has always been a top priority with us. I believe demonstrating this is the key. I have volunteered in the classrooms and donated books, games and art materials since they were in preschool.”

Th e Tennessee Aquarium’s Th om Benson referred us to the Rice family of Crossville, who have been volunteer divers at the facility for more than four years. Dad Chris Rice told us that he and his family are l

ongtime members of the aquarium who were inspired to earn certifi cation by watching the divers during their own visits. Chris, son CJ, 22, and daughter Sam, 18, all dive, and mom Robin is an aquarium docent. Besides taking part in underwater shows, the Rices also spend time pressure-washing the tanks to ensure the health of aquarium inhabitants.

“(Volunteering) is an excellent way to build rapport with your children,” says Chris. “Th ere couldn’t be a better way to avert problems.”

“It’s a learning experience to see the animals up close, and we value the family time,” Robin adds. “We know and we enjoy what we’re doing.”

For Sam, there have been other benefi ts. “I was very shy, and this has brought me out of my shell,” she says.

Th e aquarium staff is another plus, Robin notes. “Th e staff members have welcomed us—they are great people. Th ey give back to you.”

Serving behind the scenesVery often, parents hope to use the holiday season to teach their children lessons about others less fortunate than themselves. But at Chattanooga’s Community Kitchen, which serves homeless individuals and families, Assistant Director Jens Christensen told us it’s much more valuable to have kids working outside the center, benefi ting it in other ways. In fact, he notes, the Kitchen now has an on-site policy of not accepting volunteers under age 16.

“Th ere are exceptions for high-school, church and other groups,” he explains. “But we’ve found that there are endless opportunities for

Dog days: For the Ferris family, a love of animals has translated to lots of shared volunteer hours at McKamey Animal Center. Here, mom Wendy and daughter Emily, 17, a senior at Soddy Daisy High School, take time out to play with Dudley, a 6-month-old American Staffy mix. Wendy’s older daughter, Amanda, works full-time at the McKamey Adoption Center. (Note to dog lovers: Dudley is neutered and current on all shots.) Photo by Victoria Mason

VOLUNTEERING continued on page 26


Busy behind the scenes: While the Community Kitchen generally requires its on-site volunteers to be at least 16 years old, younger children can contribute by hosting food drives and even “sock drives” benefi ting the homeless served by the Kitchen. Here, students from St. Jude (left) and St. Nicholas Schools participate in Community Kitchen fundraisers.

Photos courtesy of the Community Kitchen

younger children to get engaged by doing fundraising projects at their schools, or within groups such as the Scouts or their sports teams.”

He points to a very successful project organized by parents who worked at UNUM. “Th e parents wanted to do a food drive,” he says, “and the kids decorated bags with what they thought hunger looks like.” Donated food was collected to fi ll the bags, which were then given to the Kitchen.

Th ere are other ways kids can help the homeless, too, says Christensen. Especially as cold weather sets in, a “sock drive” is helpful because “homeless people go through a lot of socks.” And then there’s the “Fast for a Meal” project, in which a family or youth group fasts for one meal, and each person donates what the cost of that meal would have been. Th is also teaches, albeit briefl y, what being hungry feels like.

To have a staff member from the Community Kitchen speak to a classroom or group, contact Jens Christensen at 756-4222 or [email protected].

National spotlight on volunteersFor a national perspective, we talked to Karen Duncan, a former teacher, senior advisor to nonprofi t KaBoom!, which builds playgrounds across

Another book about helping

The award-winning The Giving

Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime

of Giving was written by Ellen Sabin

as a “tool to inspire kids to see their

power to make the world a better

place through their actions.” More

information about the book is

available at WateringCanPress.com.

“Volunteering is an excellent way to build rapport with your children. There couldn’t be a better way to avert problems.”

the country, and wife of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. With co-writer Kate Hannigan Issa, she’s just published Th e Good Fun! Book, designed to help children “engage in their communities to do some good—all while having a good time.” Th e book off ers 12 “party plans,” created so elementary school kids can raise money for community organizations.

“My friend and neighbor Kate Hannigan Issa called me up one day in the summer of 2008 to invite my two children over to join her three children in having a lemonade stand,” Duncan says. “Th e kids wanted to raise money to save endangered animals, and they worked for several hours, selling to people walking home from work on that hot day. Th ey were so proud and really felt they’d made a diff erence when they added up their profi ts. Our children had taken the very important step from caring about something to actually doing something about it. And we wanted to encourage other people to help their children feel just as empowered as ours felt that day.”

We asked Duncan to tell us more about the value of volunteering.

Chattanooga Parent: Do kids who volunteer when they are children retain a lifelong commitment to volunteering? Karen Duncan: I think so, and this is why it’s so important that they develop a strong foundation by being active volunteers at a young age. Understanding that you have the ability to impact your world in a positive way is a very powerful lesson for young children. Hands-on engagement creates a long-lasting eff ect that children can carry forth into their adult lives.

CP: Do you think children have a natural impulse to help others, or is this something parents need to teach? KD: It’s both. Children seem to have a natural desire to help and participate in solving problems. Th is impulse must be nurtured by adults in order for

VOLUNTEERING continued from page 25


“I thought big kids had all the fun.Now I’m taking Chinese, making a digital movie,

and learning about different cultures.”

Excites

Come for a tour!In ChattanoogaFor ages 2 – 12 • •

2020 Gunbarrel Rd. #166Near Babies R Us 423.305.1796

A fi t for your family:When, where and how to volunteer

The website CompassionateKids.com makes some sound suggestions for deciding how and where to get involved

as a family in volunteering:“Children who see their parents volunteering are much

more likely to believe in the value of working to help others,” the site advises. “Naturally, working side-by-side with your child will allow you to assist him/her when necessary,

ensuring the child’s presence is a help, not a hindrance to the organization’s staff and other volunteers.”

When exploring volunteer opportunities, says the site, consider these factors:

Your child’s interestsIf your child is clearly interested in a subject, it may be possible to use that curiosity as a springboard into volunteering. Children who construct a lot of forts or buildings with blocks may enjoy helping out a construction organization such as Habitat for Humanity; children who love animals may enjoy helping animal-oriented organizations such as the Humane Society.

Your interestsChildren look to their parents to help them discern how to respond to new stimuli. If you are passionate about your actions, your child will respond to that passion.

Location, frequency and durationIt’s important to consider the basic logistics of any volunteer opportunity. If the opportunity is close by, a commitment to help out on a weekly basis may be fi ne. If it’s farther away, you may need to commit to helping on a monthly basis instead. It’s fi ne to increase your volunteering later, after you’ve tried it out and you know it works well for you, but be careful not to over-commit initially. Arrive in a timely manner when you’re expected, only canceling or rescheduling when you truly have valid reasons and can give plenty of notice.

Consider, too, the duration of each volunteer session. Older children may be fi ne with a few hours or more. However, younger children may need sessions to be kept short.

it to continue to develop. Volunteering as a family is a wonderful way to nurture this natural tendency. Children who report that their parents volunteer are signifi cantly more likely to help out themselves.

CP: Are there any numbers on how many Americans volunteer as a family?KD: In 2009, according to Volunteering in America (VolunteeringInAmerica.gov), 10.8 million young people under the age of 18 gave 1.1 billion hours of service throughout the United States. Th e numbers are on the rise, as young people answer the call to help out in these diffi cult economic times.

For more information about Th e Good Fun! Book, visit Th eGoodFunBook.com.


Have family, will travelThree generations take fl ight together

By Chinyere Ubamadu

Our multi-generational trip to Greece took a year of planning, which included several

conference calls and action lists. What started out as a family trip turned into an “all-girls” excursion that would include my mom, who lives in Boston, my younger sister, who lives in Chicago, my 7-year-old daughter, Zoe, and me. After researching a variety of exotic locations, we decided upon Greece. We were all thrilled about sharing this extraordinary adventure together.

Aug. 31: Greece boundAfter a quick fl ight to Atlanta, Zoe and I connected to a larger plane that would take us to Athens. We had one bag each, fully packed with daily essentials, plus beachwear and clothes for an evening out. Our plane was scheduled to arrive in Athens at 10:35 a.m.

Sept. 1: Settling inOur fl ight took us across the Atlantic Ocean,through France, then across the Mediterranean Sea into Italy and fi nally Greece. We fl ew over the Greek Islands as we approached Athens. What a way to wake up! As the plane approached the runway, there was a great view of an IKEA store against a backdrop of mountains.

When we landed, my mom, my sister and her friend Yang were already waiting for us at the baggage claim area. After warm hugs and hellos, we took the metro from the airport to our beautiful, modern hotel, the Classical Imperial Athens—within walking distance from the metro stop. Th en we headed back out, taking the metro to the Acropoli station, a touristy area full of souvenir shops and taverna, small restaurants

where you can enjoy an authentic Greek cuisine. We stopped for lunch, then walked to the Acropolis Museum to meet our tour guide, Michaela, who took us on a four-hour tour from the museum to the Acropolis and onwards to the Parthenon. We toured ruins dating from the 5th through 8th century BC, then dined at Sissofros restaurant, where we had a rooftop view of the Parthenon at night.

Sept. 2: Markets and mountainsTh e sound of Athens waking up reminded me of New York City; car horns blaring, dogs barking and motorcycles cruising down the street. Our Day Two plan was to visit Plaka, another part of Athens popular with tourists. We visited a large fl ea market in Monistraki, stopped for brunch at Zorba’s, a restaurant off the beaten path, then strolled by Th e Tower of the Winds and took a few pictures. Further down, we ventured into the Roman Agora, once the city’s main

marketplace. Th e highlight of our day was climbing Mount Lycabettus, Athens’ highest hill, where we visited the Ayios Georgios (Chapel of St. George) and the hilltop café, Café Lycabettus.

Sept. 3: Th ree by seaOn Day Th ree,

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Zoe and fr iend @ Parthenon

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hetod h ,

Top of the volcano!

Islands by ferry. During our seven-hour boatride, we stopped at three islands: Paros,

Naxos and fi nally ourdestination, Santorini,which is dominated by a tall mountain formed by a volcano. Th e view fromour hotel was breathtaking. After a rooftop dinner at arestaurant, my sister and I walked Mom and Zoe backto the hotel before sharing an evening out on the town.

Sept. 4: Zoe versus thevolcanoDay Four of our trip includeda volcano tour and riding donkeys up nearly 500 steps.

We took a sailboat to thesite of the volcano, where we were givenan hour and 15 minutes to hike up and backdown again. Mom stayed in the boat, while therest of us ventured up the mountainous blackrock. We made it to the top, just stopping for apicture and to drink some water. I was so proudof Zoe—she hiked all the way to the top withus.

During our tour we also stopped for aswim and enjoyed a sunset that was the mostbeautiful sight I’ve ever seen (next to the birthof my children, of course). Tears streamed downmy face as I looked at it; it had been my adultdream to visit the Greek Islands, and here I wasin one of the most gorgeous places on earth.

Sept. 5: A long look backOn Day Five, our last day in Santorini, weexplored a Greek Orthodox church and aCatholic cathedral. During the seven-hourride back, we enjoyed the vast view of theMediterranean. We also met three nice Greekhigh school students and an Indian family witha 3-year-old son. It was a few minutes after


midnight when the ferry pulled into Piraeus in Athens. We caught a taxi back to our hotel.

Sept. 6: Homeward boundBy our fi nal day in Greece, we were glowing from the whole experience, not to mention the sunshine, but I was already going through withdrawal knowing our journey was about to end. We met for breakfast at the hotel, caught the metro to the airport, and said our goodbyes. As the plane retraced

its way back home, I sat with my daughter in our coach class seats and daydreamed about our extraordinary adventure. Once we arrived in Atlanta, I was thrilled to have service back on my phone so I could speak with my husband and son. It was the Labor Day holiday. Tomorrow reality would kick in with full force—and jet lag, too.

Chinyere Ubamadu lives in North Chattanooga with her husband, Ben, and her children, Zoe (7) and Zachary (5).

Part of the Roman Agora

Zoe at Athens train station

Travel tips from a parentChinyere Ubamadu spent a week in Greece with her mother, sister, and 7-year-old daughter, Zoe. She shares these suggestions for other parents traveling overseas with a school-age child:

Before you’re there: Four to six months before the trip, get passports for each family member. Months or weeks before the trip, fi nd children’s books that will help your

child learn about the country and culture. Download an online travel packing list/checklist, and customize it to fi t

your family’s needs.

Getting there: Limit each traveler to one bag—ideally a carry-on with wheels. Then you

won’t end up carrying your child’s bag or dealing with lost luggage. Carry on a tote bag with fun things to help pass the time during fl ights

and layovers: books, iPod, journal, camera, magazines, a mobile gaming device, etc.

While you’re there: If it fi ts within your budget, get a tour guide to help you learn the history

of some of the sights you are visiting. Take lots of photos of cultural interests and sights, and buy some souvenirs

your child can share with her class. It will help round out the experience.

For tips from a local travel agent on vacationing overseas with kids, turn to page 30.

Traveling to Santorini

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Family travel tips from a proBy Allison Gorman

Once considered a privilege of the elite, vacationing abroad is now common among middle-class Americans, who travel

with children in tow. Toni Taylor, a 31-year agent with Lookout Travel Agency and a specialist in international travel, shares these tips for parents planning a vacation abroad with minor children:

Taking care of business: A divorced parent should have a notarized letter from the non-traveling

parent giving permission for the child to leave the United States. All minor children traveling internationally by air require a passport. Visit

Travel.State.Gov for specifi cs. Check with your child’s pediatrician about needed immunizations, including

fl u shots.

Getting there: If you have an infant, reserve a front-row (bulkhead) seat, which allows

more room for a lap-held child and can accommodate the bassinette-type

attachment many airlines provide with advance request. Children aged 2 and up require a separate seat. Request children’s meals in advance. Airline staff will mix and heat bottles for you. (Remember, your carry-on

can’t contain any single container holding more than 3 ounces of liquid.) Especially with extended-length fl ights, young children tend to experience

ear pain from the change in cabin pressure upon descent. A pacifi er, bottleor (for older children) chewing gum may help. Talk to a doctor about otherpreventive measures.

Dining out: Mediterranean and Latin countries are extremely child-friendly and consider

an evening meal out a family affair. In other countries, like Germany andSwitzerland, parents typically don’t take very young children to fi nerestaurants.

In many countries, including those in Southern Europe and Latin America, shops close during early afternoons, and restaurants don’t serve dinner until8 p.m.

In Great Britain and former British colonies like Jamaica and the Bahamas, the hotel concierge can arrange for babysitting services. All-inclusive resort

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31Chattanooga Parent • Nov/Dec 2010 B A L L E T T E N N E S S E E

PRESENTS

Nutcracker

Guest Artists:

Jenifer Ringer and Jared AnglePrincipal Dancers from New York City Ballet

Also

Fredrick Davis Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble

Jon CaspianBirmingham-Southern College

December 17, 8PMDecember 18, 2PM & 8PM

Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center

Tickets On Sale December 1Box Office: 423-425-4269 ● www.utc.edu/finearts

For more information visit BalletTennessee.org

properties (like Club Med in France) now offer babysitting as well as scheduled activities for children, similar to the children’s programming on cruise ships.

It is acceptable in most foreign countries for older teens to have a glass of wine or beer with their parents.

Traveling by car or train: Train travel is fun for a day trip, but with children and lots of luggage can be

cumbersome for multiple legs of a journey. For the long haul, rent a car. If you plan to use a GPS, buy and program it here—assuming you want it

programmed in English. If you need a car seat, request one when you reserve your rental car.

Lodging: A typical European hotel room sleeps two, not four. (Some “family rooms”

have a third bed or rollaway.) Reserve another room for more sleep space. Children must have an adult in the room with them.

American families typically fare better in a hotel than a bed and breakfast, where you share close quarters with the proprietor.

Europeans are extremely eco-conscious: They recycle, use less heating and cooling, and avoid waste and trash.

Most hotels don’t provide soap and washcloths. Bring an adapter/converter.

Keeping perspective:“If you’re traveling with little children, rather than feeling like you have to go far in order to fi t in with the Joneses, choose a destination where they’ll have fun and won’t be bored,” Toni Taylor says. Most kids aren’t ready for highly educational trips until about age 14, she says, “but you know best as a parent what your children are able to absorb. There are 6-year-olds who can’t get enough looking at castles.”

Taylor suggests families with young children “take them places where you can go hiking, where you can rent bicycles, where there’s boating—activity destinations. You don’t have to leave the country. A dude ranch is a great place for a family to go. You can round up the cattle, grill at the fi re—what an experience for city people.”


Th e stand-up kidChildren and laughter make the perfect combo

By Nancy Harrison

Laughter and children go hand in hand. In Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie wrote, “When the fi rst baby laughed for the fi rst time, the laugh broke into a

thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” Th e Navajo Indians celebrate a child’s fi rst laugh with a ceremony; the person who invoked the laughter becomes an important fi gure in the child’s life.

Th ere is nothing more infectious than a child’s laughter. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate it?

Comedians have made their mark relying on the humor of children—think Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby. While not scientifi cally proven, the claim that children laugh 300 to 400 times a day to an adult’s 15 to 17 times certainly rings true. Having an in-house child-comic is old, but timelessly funny, news. It’s also one of the biggest benefi ts of parenthood.

Children’s tendency toward literal translations often becomes a great source of humor. I remember one such instance as I was driving through a particularly beautiful stretch of an Alaskan highway with my own kids, then preschoolers. Always encouraging them to appreciate nature’s beauty, I commented on the “winter wonderland” outside the window. From the backseat a little voice piped up: “Wonderland? I know Disneyland!” A child after my own heart.

Keep in mind that a child’s literalism can also have the opposite eff ect. When I was running late to work, I’d prod my son by saying, “Hurry up! My boss will fi re me if I’m late!”

One day my son, sad and confused, asked, “Why would your boss catch you on fi re?” I never used that threat again, even after I explained the double meaning of the word. It may be funny now, but how many mornings had that little boy rushed in a panic to save his mom from a horrible fate? I realize now this was an immature tactic on my part—and not fair to my child or my employer, even if it did seem to hurry things up.

And then there was the time when, driving in the car while watching for a friend along the way, I told my son, “Keep your eyes peeled.” Th ere was no mistaking the terror in his voice as he attempted to clarify my request: “Like a banana?” It was clear to me that he was imagining some sort of self-infl icted eye surgery. And, yes, of course I laughed, which calmed him down. I explained what the phrase meant and he laughed, too—in relief.

Our kids have a selective but infallible memory of what we say. Add to this their renowned ability to mimic, inevitably revealing every fl aw in our logic, and the end result is often humorous, though we sometimes fail to appreciate it. It takes a calm and reasonable parent to walk that fi ne line—teaching a child respectful behavior that incorporates friendly humor, while remaining open to self-refl ection and personal growth. Ultimately, humor that uplifts and celebrates the individual should replace sarcasm and cruelty.

By the very nature of their own innocence, children are comics; they make every day a “house party.” Nurturing our kids’ sense of humor—teaching them to laugh at themselves and, sometimes, at us—is one of parenthood’s greatest pleasures and privileges.

Nancy Harrison, a mother of three, is employed at UtiliFlex, a pay-as-you-go utility software provider in downtown Chattanooga. She is also a freelance

writer and Web designer. Reach her [email protected].

Having an in-house child-comic is one of the greatest benefi ts of parenthood.


The Dad Dispatch Real men write about fatherhood

Th ank you, Lazy Sue and Father TimeBy Eric Steiman

Photo by Julie Hogue

juliehoguephotography.com

423.316.3144children * families

maternityspecial events * weddings

Thank you Lazy Sue and Father Time….

(“Wait—what?” you say.) Just stick with me a moment longer, while I work it all out in my head. It’s 4 a.m.

In this upcoming season of “thankfulness,” we all have reasons to be grateful for the blessings in our lives. Lazy Sue and Father Time are two blessings in mine. I shall explain:

Just recently, my wife Stephanie and I took the kids ( Jared, 13; Ben, 11; Zach, 8; and Erika, 6) to one of our favorite eateries, CiCi’s Pizza. But when we arrived, the line was out the door. At that point, my wife asked the kids if they would mind going elsewhere (as if they even have a say!) and suggested Th e Mandarin Garden Chinese restaurant, a favorite of mine that we had not been to in a long time. We arrived moments later and were quickly escorted to our round dinner table.

Here’s where Lazy Sue comes in—and no, I’m not referring to our waitress, who by the way was a he and not at all lazy. Lazy Sue is, of course, referring to a “Lazy Susan,” which for those who may not know

(and where do you live, under THE rock?) is either a large plate which sits on a table or in a cabinet, or a corner cabinet unit in and of itself, that spins around in a circle, making available to the spinner a plethora of items not easily within reach.

OK, back to dinner. My wife (still Stephanie) ordered appetizers and dinner items for all to share. So not only did I get to sample all the diff erent foods, I got to do it with my family and enjoy them enjoying themselves. Th ank you, Lazy Sue. What more could you ask for?

Now for Father Time:

Stephanie and I moved to Chattanooga on March 1 (my birthday), 1990, at which time she promptly kicked me out the door and said, “Don’t come back ’til you get a job!” I was home by noon. I had landed a job with a building contractor, also originally from my home state of New Jersey. (Sorry, y’all.)

One of the fi rst projects we worked on was a Chinese restaurant soon to be opening, Th e Mandarin Garden. Th is is where I met Jimmy, the owner, who while we worked kept us in Chinese food each and every day. He still owns

and operates the business full time and has over the years seen my family grow and grow. If you’ve ever been to the restaurant, you may have noticed two large, wooden columns and an archway, all stained a dark walnut; I built those back in ’90, along with several walls and other items.

As a growing family, we’ve gone back many times to see Jimmy and enjoy the food. With each new child I get the opportunity to retell our “Genesis” story, proudly point out those columns and archway, and say, “I built those.”

I’m so glad and, yes, thankful that I get to share my life with Steph and the kids, and then share them with all of you. Growing old’s not so bad. Th ank you, Father Time. (Whew! 6 a.m.… I’m going to pay for this later!)

Eric Steiman is a master carpenter. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North Chattanooga with their children Jared, 13; Ben, 11; Erika, 6; and Zach, 8.

Our growing family has gone back many times to see Jimmy and enjoy the food. With each new child I retell our “Genesis” story, point out those columns and archway, and say, “I built those.”


Alison Lebovitz Because I said so

Photo by David Andrews

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When I was a kid, I absolutely loved television commercials. Th ose catchy jingles and infectious

phrases were all part of my childhood vernacular. I wished I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener, I took the Pepsi Challenge and then had a Coke and a smile, I knew how to order two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun, and then would ask, “Where’s the beef?” And I never ONCE squeezed the Charmin. Th e infl uence all that useless information had on my life was irrefutable, and now that I am a mother, that’s exactly why I absolutely abhor advertisements.

If you’ve ever watched children’s television, you’re aware of the ridiculous ratio of commercials to programming. I’m not really sure whether the commercials are supposed to provide a break from the programs, or the programs from the clutter of commercials. And I have tried to explain to our three boys that advertisements have only one purpose—to sell you something. I constantly remind them that toys do not really come to life when you play with them, soda does not really give you a burst of energy, and, as far I know, it has never once rained Skittles.

A few years ago, while our three boys were watching television (and I, of course, was in the kitchen cooking a healthy and well-balanced meal for our family) the “three mom fi re alarm” suddenly went off . Th is is when at

least one and usually all the boys yell, “MOM! MOM! MOM!” so urgently that, with Pavlovian instinct, I drop whatever I am doing and run to see who is bleeding or, even worse, who has spilled fruit punch on the couch for the third time.

As I hurried into the den, the boys frantically asked, “How old are you? How old are you?” A little confused, I answered, “I’m 36. Why do you ask?” A crestfallen look came over their little faces, and fi nally the oldest responded with a deep sigh, “Never mind, you have to be 18 to buy this product.” I started to explain what that really meant, until I realized my good fortune in this misunderstanding and merely said, “Oh well,” and went on my merry way.

But the trappings of television commercials and my professional marketing background have at least

taught me a valuable parenting skill: the art of creating the commercial child. Th is is the model of behavior and politeness we prefer to take out to restaurants, to introduce to our colleagues, and to brag about to our parents, friends and family members. Th is child bears absolutely no resemblance to the one who throws a tantrum when he gets frustrated, puts his brother in a headlock just for fun, or picks his nose while simultaneously sucking his thumb. Th is is the public persona we can be proud of.

So, a few weeks ago, when a friend asked if our boys would like to be in a print ad for a local museum, the proud mother in me immediately accepted, while the PR professional in me knew this was a potential crisis situation. Th e day of the shoot, the boys were the pictures of perfection in their coordinating polo shirts. On the way to the museum, we went over the rules of engagement, and for good measure I told them we’d visit the ice cream shop if all went well. After all, every good actor needs some sort of motivation.

Much to my relief and surprise, they were the dream team. For that one hour they sat where they were supposed to sit, smiled when they were supposed to smile, and never once touched each other—or their noses, for that matter. It was an award-winning performance, to say the least.

In fact, it was such a convincing performance that as we sat down for our ice cream, I started thinking maybe this was for real. Maybe they had seen the light and realized that their good behavior would reap them even better benefi ts. Maybe my children weren’t just acting; maybe this is how my children really act. But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, the boys started being cross with each other. Still, when I ushered them out of the ice cream shop and into the car, I was smiling, because all I could think of was that line from the old Chiff on margarine commercial: “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”

I constantly remind my kids that toys don’t really come to life when you play with them, soda doesn’t really give you a burst of energy, and, as far I know, it has never once rained Skittles.

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Chattanooga Parent Nov/Dec 2010

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