If your children are ready to go wild this summer, BREC offers a variety of camps that allow kids to experience animal encounters and appreciate nature.
Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge is hosting a whimsical gala for the entire family this weekend. The fifth annual Storybook Ball kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Baton Rouge River Center. The event will feature classic stories, such as The Jungle Book, Where the Wild Things Are, Harry Potter and more. Each book will have its own station full of interactive activities. The Young Band Nation Blues Project, Tim the Magician, stilt walkers and more will also be on hand. Proceeds benefit Family Road. Children's tickets are $20; adult tickets are $60. Specials and reserved tables are also available for purchase here. Get the lowdown on more local happenings taking place this weekend in the new 225 Weekender e-newsletter here.
A new mobile playground will be making its way through the parish this summer. The newly purchased BREC on the Geaux vehicle will begin making appearances in June, bringing supervised physical recreation to "play deserts." BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight says the initiative will bring exercise and physical play to both children and adults who otherwise might not have access to such facilities. "We have several areas throughout the parish … where there are kids who are in apartment complexes or … some places where you have to cross major thoroughfares to get to a park," McKnight says. "We want to make sure that we are able to impact kids in those zones." McKnight says she hopes to eventually link BREC on the Geaux with a mobile farmers market launched on Wednesday and the library system's Bookmobile. "That would be something that I think would be just awesome,"...
Lemonade Day Louisiana is this Saturday, and all around town, young entrepreneurs will be selling their take on the classic drink. The event is part of a national and community-wide program that fosters entrepreneurship and character development among the youth by supporting them in establishing and operating their own lemonade business. To find a stand near you and see what kind of lemonade the stand is selling, click here.
It's been called the “fastest game on two feet” and likened to battling with a sword and suit of armor. Others say it has an “X Games” feel with its quick tempo and hard hits. It's no wonder, then, that boys in Baton Rouge are embracing the sport of lacrosse in increasing numbers. The only real question is, what took them so long?
I have reached the summit. Let me bask in the glow. For I know that this day is fleeting, my time on the top is short. I shall raise my arms and swirl in circles, Julie Andrews-style, while singing on the mountaintop: I have hit the Golden Years.
In honor of Mother's Day on May 12, 225 spoke to five dynamic working moms in Baton Rouge to hear their challenges, their motherly advice, and their tips for connecting with their children and holding it all together.
Adults and children alike will gain perspective on how everyday staples arrive in their kitchens at AgMagic! Held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Parker Coliseum, this LSU AgCenter event will illustrate the fascinating transitions of Louisiana crops through various displays and interactive demonstrations. Exhibits such as "World of Wonder" and "Farm Gate to Dinner Plate" will introduce attendees to the journey of Louisiana agriculture from the fields to their homes. The event is free and open to the public.
The BR Walls Project will host a pot-luck lunch and painting party for children of all ages at the PODS Warehouse, 2056 Wooddale Blvd, Sunday. This will be a unique opportunity for families to collaborate with local artists to decorate a PODS storage container that will be featured in the Better Block BR event on April 13-14. No RSVP is required. Kid-friendly snacks, drinks or lunch items are welcome.
In welcoming spring, most parents also start looking ahead to summer and wonder: How will the children spend those long hot days? Find appealing answers at the annual Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo, slated for Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Paula G. Manship YMCA. Families will have the opportunity to meet with dozens of representatives from Capital Region camps, outdoor educational programs, summer schools, athletic organizations, travel programs, dance schools and more. Best of all, the expo offers fun for kids, with a scavenger hunt, bounce castle and zip line. Find additional information here.
The Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation has donated $1.5 million to the Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge for the first phase of construction at City Park. Lori Bertman, president and CEO of the Pennington Foundation, says about two years ago the foundation pledged to match the museum's fundraising efforts if it found 30 donors willing to give $50,000 each. "And they exceeded that challenge" with 32 donors, Bertman says. Kelli Harton, chairman of the Knock Knock museum board, says it took about eight months to secure donations, and the museum had 32 donors by last March. BREC donated $3 million to the museum in 2010. The Knock Knock museum could possibly break ground by the end of this year, Harton says. The museum board will now focus on raising funds for exhibits, which are expected to cost about $4 million, Harton says. The full list of those who have donated $50,000 or more to the children's museum is available in the full story. —Adam Pearson
Perhaps it's because it was an otherwise slow Saturday night. Perhaps it's because of the recent spate of violent incidents in public venues across the country. Whatever the reason, the story of the melee that broke out Saturday evening in the food court of the Mall of Louisiana involving some 200 local teens went viral and topped the list of trending stories for much of Sunday on websites such as Yahoo! News and Google.
Of the estimated 314,260 children under the age of 5 in Louisiana, a new report released this morning by the LSU/Tulane Early Childhood Policy and Data Center estimates 111,034 of them—or 35.3%—are at moderate to high risk of having poor early childhood outcomes. The study also says 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes score high on at least one of 11 risk factors, "revealing significant vulnerabilities for the development of young children" in Louisiana. "These findings reveal not only that early childhood risk is widespread, but also that the nature of that risk differs across parishes," says Kirby Goidel, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. "For many parishes, the primary risk factors are economic in nature, while in other parishes the risks reside in poor health or educational outcomes." Among parishes in the Capital Region, East Baton Rouge is given an overall low-moderate risk rating in the report, while Ascension and Livingston are rated as having low risk.
The Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation says it has completed a financing deal on the $8.1 million in New Market Tax Credits it's receiving from the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority for a new 26,000-square-foot facility called The Emerge Center for Communication, Behavior & Development. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will be located on 3.2 acres at the LSU Innovation Park in the Gardere area, is set for Jan. 25. The center is expected to open in mid-2014. Chase Bank served as the tax credit investor. "This New Markets Tax Credit financing ensures The Emerge Center will become a reality," says foundation Executive Director Melissa Juneau. The center, which will double the space the foundation currently has at an existing center on West Roosevelt Street, is being designed by Coleman Partners Architects and will be built by Faulk & Meek General Contractors. The foundation has reportedly raised $3.4 million for the project through a fundraising campaign, and...
In October, the national Tri-Delta sorority launched BodyImage3DŽ, a yearlong campaign to promote healthy body image. Collegiate chapters kicked off the initiative with Fat Talk FreeŽ Week, a five-day event that addresses body image issues and the damaging impact of the thin ideal on women among girls and women. Each month, the sorority challenges its members to delve into related topics, such as combating stress and anxiety, expressing gratitude and the power of purpose.
A visibly moved President Barack Obama told reporters today that he grieved about the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school as a parent first and promised action to prevent such tragedies again, without specifying what that might be. Speaking on behalf of the nation, Obama said, "Our hearts are broken today." The scene in the White House briefing room was one of the most outwardly emotional moments of his presidency. "The majority of those who died were children—beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old," Obama said. He paused, then and later in the talk, for several seconds to keep his composure and wipe an eye. Nearby, two aides cried and held hands as they listened to the president. A gunman opened fire inside an elementary school where his mother worked, killing at least 26 people, including 20 children. The shooter blasted his way through the building as young students cowered helplessly or were gunned down.
School teaches children 2+2=4, and that the Earth orbits the Sun, but for all the lessons school curriculum neglects, Tricia Broussard fills in the gaps with a program she developed herself. It’s called Life Skills for the Student, and it’s a unique career for the 34-year-old who says she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.
BREC officials are pragmatic about what Monday's announced funding cut by the state to the Knock Knock Children's Museum will mean for the long-planned project. "It's another bump in the road," says Ted Jack, BREC assistant superintendent of planning, operations and resources. "I can't say it's a huge problem. But it's just a little more money we'll have to come up with from somewhere else." The Jindal administration Monday presented to the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay its revised construction budget for next year. Some $150,000—part of a larger state contribution to the children's museum—was originally included in the budget but was removed along with funding for several other projects because the state has less money than originally thought. While $150,000 is a relatively small fraction of the budget for the more than $10 million children's museum planned for City Park, fundraising has proven to be a challenge in the five or so years that the project...
It's another year, another "D" for Louisiana when it comes to the physical activity of its children and youth, says the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. In the 2012 Louisiana Report Card on Physical Activity & Health for Children and Youth, the state extends its streak of "D" grades to five years. The study has placed Louisiana a grade above failing since the center first released it in 2008. The "D" grade reflects the state's "insufficient appropriate physical activity opportunities and programs available to the majority of Louisiana's children and youth," according to the study's definition of the letter grades. Pennington says the state's "built environment"—that is, its human-made features such as streets, shops, restaurants and parks—is one of the most influential factors impacting the health of children. That message is put more simply on the cover of the report card: "We are what we build." The study notes that Louisiana ranks worse than the national average...
Ask any working parent about his or her greatest daily challenge, and the dinner frenzy inevitably ranks high on the list. Weeknights around the Capital City find moms and dads sprinting from carpool to extracurricular activities, leaving little time to plan, shop for and cook family meals at home. The race for time has many darting into local restaurants.
Contribute to the fight against cancer by helping the American Cancer Society with its new research study, the Cancer Prevention Study-3. This study will give researchers a better understanding of the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer. As a CPS-3 Community Champion, you may either assist with the study's enrollment process and promotional efforts or participate in the study itself, which takes place Sept. 8-15. All follow-up with study participants will be managed by the ACS Epidemiology Program. For more information, contact Demetria Robinson at 767-4558 or demetria.robinson@cancer.org.
There are no stone buildings bearing my name. No museums attribute their success, in part, to my generous contributions. No house awaits me in the South of France for holidays, and no bank vault brims with family jewels, important papers and gold.
Everyone knows the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. The inevitability of the former, of course, is indisputable. But for the remainder of 2012, some fortunate souls may have a chance, just this once, to avoid a multimillion-dollar hit from the latter.
Louisiana has a new trio of child abuse laws that were passed in part in response to the sex abuse scandal involving former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, reports KPLCtv.com on Sunday. Sandusky goes to trial today. Allegations that he molested children during his years as a coach prompted public outrage; part of the furor was generated by the fact that those around Sandusky didn't report suspicions about his conduct to law enforcement. Gov. Bobby Jindal has now signed three of four new measures designed to protect children, and reportedly he intends to sign the fourth. One measure protects whistleblowers reporting child sex abuse from employer retaliation. Two other laws would hold those who fail to report an incident accountable to law enforcement. The fourth adds certain classes of athletics coaches to the list of those that are required to notify authorities if they suspect child sex abuse; the law is similar to those that apply to doctors and teachers. The story on new...
What's on the summer menu at Young Chefs Academy? Right now, a host of new classes, suitable for kids both big and small, during Camp Can-I-Cook. Through the end of July, the Jefferson Highway cooking school is offering week-long classes, held daily from 9 a.m. until noon, for children age 6 and up. The topics and cuisines vary, including enticing subjects such as “I Love Chocolate,” “Vive La France” and “Cooking Americana.” Options abound for younger chefs as well with the Kindercooks program, specially designed for kids ages 3 to 6. Add some sizzle to their summer schedule!
Jennifer Barnes Maggio survived multiple tragedies as a child. Her mother was killed when she was a baby. Throughout her childhood, she and her twin sister were in the charge of a series of abusive stepmothers who raised the girls while their dad was working offshore.
School's out, days are long and children are restless for adventure. Summer means a little more freedom for the youth of the city, but it can mean more hassle for working parents struggling to find ways to keep their youngsters challenged, entertained and occupied throughout June and July. Here are four suggestions offering excitement for children of any interest.
Local camps for critter-loving kids
If your children are ready to go wild this summer, BREC offers a variety of camps that allow kids to experience animal encounters and appreciate nature.
'225 Weekender': Be a part of the story at the Storybook Ball
Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge is hosting a whimsical gala for the entire family this weekend. The fifth annual Storybook Ball kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Baton Rouge River Center. The event will feature classic stories, such as The Jungle Book, Where the Wild Things Are, Harry Potter and more. Each book will have its own station full of interactive activities. The Young Band Nation Blues Project, Tim the Magician, stilt walkers and more will also be on hand. Proceeds benefit Family Road. Children's tickets are $20; adult tickets are $60. Specials and reserved tables are also available for purchase here. Get the lowdown on more local happenings taking place this weekend in the new 225 Weekender e-newsletter here.
BREC to bring the fun to 'play deserts' this summer
A new mobile playground will be making its way through the parish this summer. The newly purchased BREC on the Geaux vehicle will begin making appearances in June, bringing supervised physical recreation to "play deserts." BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight says the initiative will bring exercise and physical play to both children and adults who otherwise might not have access to such facilities. "We have several areas throughout the parish … where there are kids who are in apartment complexes or … some places where you have to cross major thoroughfares to get to a park," McKnight says. "We want to make sure that we are able to impact kids in those zones." McKnight says she hopes to eventually link BREC on the Geaux with a mobile farmers market launched on Wednesday and the library system's Bookmobile. "That would be something that I think would be just awesome,"...
Celebrate Lemonade Day Saturday
Lemonade Day Louisiana is this Saturday, and all around town, young entrepreneurs will be selling their take on the classic drink. The event is part of a national and community-wide program that fosters entrepreneurship and character development among the youth by supporting them in establishing and operating their own lemonade business. To find a stand near you and see what kind of lemonade the stand is selling, click here.
Sticking around
It's been called the “fastest game on two feet” and likened to battling with a sword and suit of armor. Others say it has an “X Games” feel with its quick tempo and hard hits. It's no wonder, then, that boys in Baton Rouge are embracing the sport of lacrosse in increasing numbers. The only real question is, what took them so long?
The Golden Years
I have reached the summit. Let me bask in the glow. For I know that this day is fleeting, my time on the top is short. I shall raise my arms and swirl in circles, Julie Andrews-style, while singing on the mountaintop: I have hit the Golden Years.
Working Moms
In honor of Mother's Day on May 12, 225 spoke to five dynamic working moms in Baton Rouge to hear their challenges, their motherly advice, and their tips for connecting with their children and holding it all together.
AgCenter event for all ages
Adults and children alike will gain perspective on how everyday staples arrive in their kitchens at AgMagic! Held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Parker Coliseum, this LSU AgCenter event will illustrate the fascinating transitions of Louisiana crops through various displays and interactive demonstrations. Exhibits such as "World of Wonder" and "Farm Gate to Dinner Plate" will introduce attendees to the journey of Louisiana agriculture from the fields to their homes. The event is free and open to the public.
Free Kids Art Party Sunday
The BR Walls Project will host a pot-luck lunch and painting party for children of all ages at the PODS Warehouse, 2056 Wooddale Blvd, Sunday. This will be a unique opportunity for families to collaborate with local artists to decorate a PODS storage container that will be featured in the Better Block BR event on April 13-14. No RSVP is required. Kid-friendly snacks, drinks or lunch items are welcome.
Summer camp plans
In welcoming spring, most parents also start looking ahead to summer and wonder: How will the children spend those long hot days? Find appealing answers at the annual Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo, slated for Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Paula G. Manship YMCA. Families will have the opportunity to meet with dozens of representatives from Capital Region camps, outdoor educational programs, summer schools, athletic organizations, travel programs, dance schools and more. Best of all, the expo offers fun for kids, with a scavenger hunt, bounce castle and zip line. Find additional information here.
Pennington Foundation donates $1.5M to Knock Knock
The Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation has donated $1.5 million to the Knock Knock Children's Museum in Baton Rouge for the first phase of construction at City Park. Lori Bertman, president and CEO of the Pennington Foundation, says about two years ago the foundation pledged to match the museum's fundraising efforts if it found 30 donors willing to give $50,000 each. "And they exceeded that challenge" with 32 donors, Bertman says. Kelli Harton, chairman of the Knock Knock museum board, says it took about eight months to secure donations, and the museum had 32 donors by last March. BREC donated $3 million to the museum in 2010. The Knock Knock museum could possibly break ground by the end of this year, Harton says. The museum board will now focus on raising funds for exhibits, which are expected to cost about $4 million, Harton says. The full list of those who have donated $50,000 or more to the children's museum is available in the full story. —Adam Pearson
Law enforcement: Preventing incidents like Saturday mall melee a challenge
Perhaps it's because it was an otherwise slow Saturday night. Perhaps it's because of the recent spate of violent incidents in public venues across the country. Whatever the reason, the story of the melee that broke out Saturday evening in the food court of the Mall of Louisiana involving some 200 local teens went viral and topped the list of trending stories for much of Sunday on websites such as Yahoo! News and Google.
Report: 35% of La. children under 5 at moderate, high risk of having development challenges
Of the estimated 314,260 children under the age of 5 in Louisiana, a new report released this morning by the LSU/Tulane Early Childhood Policy and Data Center estimates 111,034 of them—or 35.3%—are at moderate to high risk of having poor early childhood outcomes. The study also says 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes score high on at least one of 11 risk factors, "revealing significant vulnerabilities for the development of young children" in Louisiana. "These findings reveal not only that early childhood risk is widespread, but also that the nature of that risk differs across parishes," says Kirby Goidel, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab. "For many parishes, the primary risk factors are economic in nature, while in other parishes the risks reside in poor health or educational outcomes." Among parishes in the Capital Region, East Baton Rouge is given an overall low-moderate risk rating in the report, while Ascension and Livingston are rated as having low risk.
Groundbreaking set for new Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation facility
The Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing Foundation says it has completed a financing deal on the $8.1 million in New Market Tax Credits it's receiving from the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority for a new 26,000-square-foot facility called The Emerge Center for Communication, Behavior & Development. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will be located on 3.2 acres at the LSU Innovation Park in the Gardere area, is set for Jan. 25. The center is expected to open in mid-2014. Chase Bank served as the tax credit investor. "This New Markets Tax Credit financing ensures The Emerge Center will become a reality," says foundation Executive Director Melissa Juneau. The center, which will double the space the foundation currently has at an existing center on West Roosevelt Street, is being designed by Coleman Partners Architects and will be built by Faulk & Meek General Contractors. The foundation has reportedly raised $3.4 million for the project through a fundraising campaign, and...
The winter of our discontent
Last winter, Isabelle and Sandra Cashe were shopping when they came upon an image of a svelte, glamorous model staring down from a mall billboard.
Creating momentum
In October, the national Tri-Delta sorority launched BodyImage3DŽ, a yearlong campaign to promote healthy body image. Collegiate chapters kicked off the initiative with Fat Talk FreeŽ Week, a five-day event that addresses body image issues and the damaging impact of the thin ideal on women among girls and women. Each month, the sorority challenges its members to delve into related topics, such as combating stress and anxiety, expressing gratitude and the power of purpose.
Reaching out
Owner, Mattress Direct
Obama calls for 'meaningful action' after Connecticut school shooting
A visibly moved President Barack Obama told reporters today that he grieved about the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school as a parent first and promised action to prevent such tragedies again, without specifying what that might be. Speaking on behalf of the nation, Obama said, "Our hearts are broken today." The scene in the White House briefing room was one of the most outwardly emotional moments of his presidency. "The majority of those who died were children—beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old," Obama said. He paused, then and later in the talk, for several seconds to keep his composure and wipe an eye. Nearby, two aides cried and held hands as they listened to the president. A gunman opened fire inside an elementary school where his mother worked, killing at least 26 people, including 20 children. The shooter blasted his way through the building as young students cowered helplessly or were gunned down.
She’s got skills
School teaches children 2+2=4, and that the Earth orbits the Sun, but for all the lessons school curriculum neglects, Tricia Broussard fills in the gaps with a program she developed herself. It’s called Life Skills for the Student, and it’s a unique career for the 34-year-old who says she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.
State funding cut 'another bump in the road' for Knock Knock
BREC officials are pragmatic about what Monday's announced funding cut by the state to the Knock Knock Children's Museum will mean for the long-planned project. "It's another bump in the road," says Ted Jack, BREC assistant superintendent of planning, operations and resources. "I can't say it's a huge problem. But it's just a little more money we'll have to come up with from somewhere else." The Jindal administration Monday presented to the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay its revised construction budget for next year. Some $150,000—part of a larger state contribution to the children's museum—was originally included in the budget but was removed along with funding for several other projects because the state has less money than originally thought. While $150,000 is a relatively small fraction of the budget for the more than $10 million children's museum planned for City Park, fundraising has proven to be a challenge in the five or so years that the project...
Louisiana gets a 'D' for physical activity among children
It's another year, another "D" for Louisiana when it comes to the physical activity of its children and youth, says the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. In the 2012 Louisiana Report Card on Physical Activity & Health for Children and Youth, the state extends its streak of "D" grades to five years. The study has placed Louisiana a grade above failing since the center first released it in 2008. The "D" grade reflects the state's "insufficient appropriate physical activity opportunities and programs available to the majority of Louisiana's children and youth," according to the study's definition of the letter grades. Pennington says the state's "built environment"—that is, its human-made features such as streets, shops, restaurants and parks—is one of the most influential factors impacting the health of children. That message is put more simply on the cover of the report card: "We are what we build." The study notes that Louisiana ranks worse than the national average...
Dinner at a Discount
Ask any working parent about his or her greatest daily challenge, and the dinner frenzy inevitably ranks high on the list. Weeknights around the Capital City find moms and dads sprinting from carpool to extracurricular activities, leaving little time to plan, shop for and cook family meals at home. The race for time has many darting into local restaurants.
Cutting the fat
Baton Rouge filmmaker John Darling Haynes had a unique focus group for his new project: Blue, age 8, and Jackson, then only 3.
Making it count
Contribute to the fight against cancer by helping the American Cancer Society with its new research study, the Cancer Prevention Study-3. This study will give researchers a better understanding of the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer. As a CPS-3 Community Champion, you may either assist with the study's enrollment process and promotional efforts or participate in the study itself, which takes place Sept. 8-15. All follow-up with study participants will be managed by the ACS Epidemiology Program. For more information, contact Demetria Robinson at 767-4558 or demetria.robinson@cancer.org.
The inheritance
There are no stone buildings bearing my name. No museums attribute their success, in part, to my generous contributions. No house awaits me in the South of France for holidays, and no bank vault brims with family jewels, important papers and gold.
Millionaire alert
Everyone knows the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. The inevitability of the former, of course, is indisputable. But for the remainder of 2012, some fortunate souls may have a chance, just this once, to avoid a multimillion-dollar hit from the latter.
La. passes child abuse laws in response to Sandusky case
Louisiana has a new trio of child abuse laws that were passed in part in response to the sex abuse scandal involving former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, reports KPLCtv.com on Sunday. Sandusky goes to trial today. Allegations that he molested children during his years as a coach prompted public outrage; part of the furor was generated by the fact that those around Sandusky didn't report suspicions about his conduct to law enforcement. Gov. Bobby Jindal has now signed three of four new measures designed to protect children, and reportedly he intends to sign the fourth. One measure protects whistleblowers reporting child sex abuse from employer retaliation. Two other laws would hold those who fail to report an incident accountable to law enforcement. The fourth adds certain classes of athletics coaches to the list of those that are required to notify authorities if they suspect child sex abuse; the law is similar to those that apply to doctors and teachers. The story on new...
Cooking school for kids
What's on the summer menu at Young Chefs Academy? Right now, a host of new classes, suitable for kids both big and small, during Camp Can-I-Cook. Through the end of July, the Jefferson Highway cooking school is offering week-long classes, held daily from 9 a.m. until noon, for children age 6 and up. The topics and cuisines vary, including enticing subjects such as “I Love Chocolate,” “Vive La France” and “Cooking Americana.” Options abound for younger chefs as well with the Kindercooks program, specially designed for kids ages 3 to 6. Add some sizzle to their summer schedule!
Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom
Jennifer Barnes Maggio survived multiple tragedies as a child. Her mother was killed when she was a baby. Throughout her childhood, she and her twin sister were in the charge of a series of abusive stepmothers who raised the girls while their dad was working offshore.
Setting up camp
School's out, days are long and children are restless for adventure. Summer means a little more freedom for the youth of the city, but it can mean more hassle for working parents struggling to find ways to keep their youngsters challenged, entertained and occupied throughout June and July. Here are four suggestions offering excitement for children of any interest.