momaha.com
VOLUME 8 · ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER
From books to games to adventures
Science is cool GET ORGANIZED School lunches made to order
2017
OMAHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 10244 WIESMAN DRIVE . OMAHA, NE Presents
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AN ARRAY OF AUCTION ITEMS INCLUD 2018 Cubs Dream Day Package
OUR PURPOSE
This auction raise need-based scholarship funds for students who otherwise would not have a chance to attend OCA.
- 4 Field Box Tickets - Pregame Private Tour of Wrigley Field - Postgame on Field Passes - 2 Personalized Marquee Photos
Date Night for a Year! - A Year’s Worth of Dates
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Your Choice of Africa, Bali or Italy Choose from: - A 6 day/6 night South African photo safari with star
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BAN These days, virtual experiences get passed off as the real thing. But not here. At School of Rock, kids have real fun learning. Here they play actual instruments, not game controllers. Here, garage and charisma that wins them real followers, not just the online kind. So what’s better for your kids -- screen time or stage time?
SCHOOL OF ROCK | Omaha 13270 Millard Ave | Omaha, NE 68137 402-691-8875 locations.schoolofrock.com/omaha
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TAKE YOUR
SHOT Get in the game with YMCA Youth Sports!
YMCA FALL & WINTER YOUTH BASKETBALL Fall Season:
Winter Season:
Register through Sept. 23
Registration: Sept. 1 - Nov. 25
3yrs - 12th grade Season: Oct. 28 - Dec. 9 (3yrs - K) or Oct. 21 - Dec. 16 (1st - 12th)
3yrs - 12th grade Season: Jan. 13 - Feb. 17 (3yrs-K) or Mar. 3 (1st - 12th)
REGISTER AT ANY YMCA LOCATION OR ONLINE: www.metroymca.org
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Double Your Child’s
Focus & Confidence Tae Kwon Do will help your child: Listen Better • Act Respectfully Excel in School & Sports ...Plus They Have Tons Of Fun!
Here’s What Parents & Students Say:
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I take my granddaughter to Master Kim’s tiger class in which she might be the youngest in the class. A preschooler of this age doesn’t have a long attention span but I have seen her grow in this area in just a few short weeks. Her mind still wonders some but with the excellence of Master Kim she is gradually making progress in this. Although she is very small and young I can see her interest grow every time we come to class. Master Kim does an excellent job in teaching the art and they both have a mountain full of patience with these young students. I highly recommend them. -Joanne MargaretMaster Kim has the patience of a saint. He is so good with these young kids. Positive motivation all the time. My son has learned so much. He has confidence now and is learning focus. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful teacher here in Omaha NE with so much knowledge and experience. -Traci Launer-
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where moms connect
VOLUME 8 . ISSUE 9 . SEPTEMBER 2017 editor in chief
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www.mktiger.com • (402)905-2902 2563 S 171st ST, Omaha NE 68130 (W Center)
CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094
creative director + designer HEIDI THoRSoN hthorson@owh.com 402-444-1351
assistant editor 2042935-01
MaRjIE DuCEy marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034
momaha.com editor aSHlEE CoffEy ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075
Stepper-ette Studios
production coordinator
10925 Harrison LaVista, NE 68128 402-952-4545 Baton Twirling Tumbling Pom Pon Cheerleading Hip Hop Ballet Preschool Register for Fall Classes Now!
PaT R I C I a “ M u R P H y ” B E N o I T
content contributors DaN McC aNN DaNIEl joHNSoN MElINDa KEENaN aMy ToKoS H E aT H E R W I N K E l
account manager DEB McCHESNEy deb.mcchesney@owh.com 402-444-1448
account executive Benefits your child will enjoy
• Upbeat, age appropriate music • Easy to learn routines • Physical fitness and coordination skills for girls and boys • Enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors
www.steppperettestudios.com 2030546-01 203 2030 2 03 03 030 30 054 0546546546 5 46 464 6 6-0 01 1
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G ay l I D D E l l gay.liddell@owh.com 402-444-1489
account executive E M I ly M a R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2017 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.
SOARING for Years
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Making a Difference Since 1993 skuttcatholic.com
3131 S 156 Street | Omaha, NE 68130 Soar with us...
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PhOTO: REBECCA S. GRATZ
CONTENTS
Real MoMs + advice 8 Editor’s Column 10 On Our Radar 12 Momaha Bookshelf 14 Get Organized 28 Brainy Podcasts
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cReative Play 16 Zoo Sleepover 18 Get Tagged 20 Be Well 22 Free Fun 24 DIY Geodes
ReciPes
30 Avocado Toast 3 Ways 32 Smart Family Meals
oN tHe coveR Photo: Heidi Thorson
26 DIY iSpy Jar
FALL FUN IN NEBRASKA CITY From old favorites like the
AppleJack Festival to new activities such as the
Steamboat Trace Festival and Gran Fondo,
Nebraska City is the place to be in the fall!
For details on AppleJack, the Circus, Riverboat Cruises, and more,
visit www.GoNebraskaCity.com Paid for in part by the Otoe County Visitors Committee
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MoMaha.coM editor // aShlee coFFey Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald. Mom to Sam and Elliott. Follow her on Twitter: @ashleecoffeyowH
F
all is creeping closer — and I couldn’t be more happy about that. This summer was far too hot. With an infant and a 3-year-old, it was hard to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I’m looking forward to the cooler temperatures so we can explore the world around us a little more comfortably. It’s so much fun watching my 3-year-old learn about nature. He loves to point out bugs, especially spiders — eek! — as well as gather rocks and ask questions about trees and clouds while we go on our family walks. I love asking him questions about the world around him and hearing his responses. I equally love listening to the stories he comes up with about the random bunnies
in our yard, or how that spider is just going back to its mommy. Sure, sure. Toddlers’ little minds work furiously, and it’s fun to watch the wheels turn as they figure out new things. The best part of our creative play? No TV or other electronics. Just our family and nature. In this issue, find at least a dozen other fun ways to encourage creative outdoor play. When you’re done playing outside, bring your kids indoors for some interactive book fun. Taylor Jackson from The Bookworm gives her recommendations for kids with big imaginations (page 12). We hope your school year is off to a great start!
Get Social Facebook /momahacom
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TwiTTer @momaha_owh PinTeresT /momahaowh insTaGraM /momaha_owh
1.800.CAN. LEARN
CHECK OUT Momaha.com & the Momaha Newsletter for more information on ACT prep and tutoring STUDENT: I got my ACT scores back last week. I got a composite score of 28. On the reading section, I received a 28. With Huntington, I raised my reading score 9 points! Thank you for all your help. Sidney Student at Millard West High School
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ON OUR RADAR
Fun & gameS For The whole Family Compiled by Patrick Schmiesing of Learning Express Omaha
“Twangled”
A team-building game with colorful elastic bands. Spin the kickable spinner to plan your next move. You’ll have to go under or over a certain color band, tangling up the whole thing in the process. At the end, everyone works together to untangle and return to their original positions. Ages 6 and older.
“Color Cube Sudoku”
It will take more than a few flips of the colored cubes to master this puzzle with its thousands of combinations. And if that’s not hard enough, try the bonus challenges. Ages 8 and older.
“roller CoaSTer Challenge”
Pick a card and set up the pieces to match. Incorporates elements of a logic puzzle while allowing plenty of creativity. Once your child has solved each challenge, watch a real coaster car glide down the track, complete with dips, curves and loops. Ages 5 and older.
“CapTure The Flag redux”
A classic game of tag with a futuristic twist — glow elements for playing in the dark. Capture the light and be the hero. Ice breaker that develops teamwork, group bonding and strategy. Or just brings the neighborhood kids together. Playable anywhere with space to run. Ages 6 and older.
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“rubik’S raCe”
Fast-paced game that gets brains and fingers racing. Shake the tile scrambler to create a new tile pattern, then race your opponent to match it. It’s a new puzzle each round. Ages 7 and older.
“bulzibuCkeT”
Toss, kick or assist. The backyard game combines bean bag tossing and hacky sack. Perfect for the beach or the yard. Ages 6 and older.
“roll & play”
Fun and educational, this game features a chunky plush play cube. Tots roll it and identify the color that lands face-up. Then kids choose the matching color card and perform the activity shown. Kids may be asked to “make a happy face” or “moo like a cow.” Ages 18 months and older.
“zingo!”
This bingo-like game is easy to play. Kids won’t realize they’re learning hand-eye coordination, cooperation and short-term memory skills. Variations allow for different levels of play. Ages 4 and older.
“5 SeCond rule”
Players must list three items in a category before the five-second timer runs out. It might sound easy, but not when the pressure is on. You won’t believe what silly and nonsensical things people blurt out in the hot seat. Ages 10 and older.
Watch our video online WEEKLY
www.mangelsens.com
www.mangelsens.com
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CLASSES AT THE ROSE
ACTING DANCE VOICE MUSICAL THEATER
Ages 3-18 Classes taught by professional artists Year-long & short-term classes Many performance opportunities
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REGISTER NOW! www.rosetheater.org 402-345-4849
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New picks hot off the presses, straight to you COMPILED by Taylor Jackson, The Bookworm
“Our stOry BEgIns”
Elissa Brent Weissman From award-winning authors and illustrators comes this inspiring book for young storytellers, giving them a push toward someday writing their own stories. Ages 10 to 17.
“WrECk thIs JOurnaL”
Keri Smith Not-your-traditional journal and sketchbook. This one will have you drawing, doodling and destroying your entries for fun. You’ll never fear a blank page again! For all ages.
“100 BaCkyarD aCtIvItIEs”
Colleen Kessler This book is filled with awesome nature activities and experiments for kids to do with their parents or on their own. Ages 6 to 12.
“Out Of thE BOx”
Jemma Westing Perfect for kids who enjoy building, crafting and just using their imagination. Features more than 25 creations that can be built using household recyclable materials. Ages 7 to 10.
“Dk sPOt thE DIffErEnCE: thIngs that gO” Different themes relating to things that move on every page. Spot the penguin wearing the tuxedo or the crab wearing the boxing glove. Ages 2 and older.
LEt’s COnnECt! follow us on social media
@MOMahaCOM @MOMaha_OWh @MOMaha_OWh
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.
PRESENTS
ONE DAY UNIVERSITY
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Living and Dying in America: The Future of Healthcare Michael Sparer / Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching
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OneDayU.com or 800-300-3438 2039055-01
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Get ORGanized // amy tOkOs Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.
When school starts, food prep becomes more time sensitive than in the lazy days of summer. You can organize your food to help your kids help themselves and free up your time. The key is to create systems that encourage responsibility and independence. This leads to higher self-esteem for them and more time for you. 1. Let’s delegate. Kids can make their own school lunches if you lay the ground rules and help in the messy places, as nobody wants to have to clean up early in the day. Introduce a simple set of guidelines. Rule 1: select one each — sandwich, veggie, cookie and piece of fruit. 2. Save time. Premake or prepackage school lunches on Sunday and put them in a refrigerator container for easy packaging in the morning or the night before. Designate a bin for each category of item in the lunch — sandwich, fruit, veggie, beverage. 3. Keep all supplies together. Lunch boxes, lunch bags, plastic forks and spoons, sandwich bags, etc. Create an easyto-reach storage spot for all. This will be helpful for the kids as they pack their lunch. 4. Remove the tempation of junk food. If your kids are like mine, every lunch would be packed with junk food. Minimize the temptation by keeping junk food out of sight. This will help kids stay focused on packing their lunches with the right foods. If there is food that is a constant fight or struggle, remove it from the house or maybe only purchase it once a month. 5. Make healthy snacks accessible. The less you control the access to food, the better. We want to raise independent children who can take care of themselves. To help this along, place individual servings of mom-approved snacks in a basket or other container for grab-and-go eating.
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6. Maintain a running shopping list. Post it and a pen where your kids can add items as needed. Encourage them to add bathroom toiletries and anything else that’s low in supply. The list will empower kids to help maintain an inventory of consumable items and keep you from guessing and overbuying. If an item doesn’t make the list, you can always get it on your next run to the grocery store.
THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.
Levi & Dylan, age 4 Pulmonary Atresia
Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.
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PJs, penguins and bats, oh, my! A family’s overnight adventure holds lots of surprises STORY Dan McCann PHOTOGRAPHY Daniel Johnson
As we chugged eastward on Inter-
state 80 – a steamy Friday evening in late July – our daughter, Lizzie, popped the pressing question: “Will they have Wi-Fi at the zoo?” “I can’t live without Wi-Fi,” chimed Avery, one of Lizzie’s besties along for the sleepover.
The gauntlet had been thrown down and a challenge leveled at Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: Could the overnight adventure we signed up for – this Sleeping Bag Safari – leave two 10-year-olds so entertained that they would not need their precious Wi-Fi? We were about to find out.
Interested in your own “Sleeping Bag Safari”? The zoo offers these overnights year-round and beyond the aquarium. Families also can experience “Dreams in the Desert” (Desert Dome), “Lounging in the Lodge” (African Lodge), “Slumber in the Jungle” (Lied Jungle) and “Waking on the Wild Side” (Wild Kingdom). Kids must be at least 4 years old. Options for adult-only tent camping also available. omahazoo.com/family/campouts
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6:50 p.m. We checked in for our Sleeping Bag Safari, “Penguins & Pajamas,” a 14-hour experience that would have my wife, Kelly, along with Lizzie, Avery and I spending the night in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium. Some of the other 55 or so guests brought wagons full of gear, including air mattresses and cots. We stuffed our 18-year-old sleeping bags, a few pillows and our smartphone power cords into now-ripping trash bags. 7:10 p.m. Making our way into the aquarium, we immediately felt the kiss of the air conditioning – a primary requirement for what we lovingly refer to as “McCamping,” a refined style of “roughing it.” After dropping our stuff, our three safari guides – Kayla, Kyle and Ryan – ran down the rules. • Rule 1: Have fun. (Check.) • Rule 2: Don’t run. (No problem.) • Rule 3: Respect everyone. (Easy.) Safari guide Kyle then dropped the bomb: “We will be waking everyone up at 6 a.m.” “Is he kidding?” we asked in unison. The answer would become apparent in less than 11 hours. 8:10 p.m. After a quick tour of the darkened aquarium – the first of several unique, after-hours experiences – the campers broke into smaller tour groups. We were paired with safari guide Ryan, who immediately received likeability points for his resemblance in looks and manner to our 15-year-old son, Will. We kicked things off with a back-to-front, exit-to-entrance tour of the Desert Dome’s Kingdoms of the Night exhibition – something else you don’t get to do every day. As we strolled through the darkened exhibit – past the nutrias and the beavers – Ryan treated us to plenty of inside scoop. The alligators, he told us, have names and respond to them. The aardvarks, on a similar note, are all named after “Star Wars” characters, including Jar Jar Binks and Boba Fett. From the Desert Dome, we hopscotched over to the Lied Jungle, where the bats were active and airborne. Ryan informed us that if one happens to poop on you, it’s good luck. Luckily, we got to take his word for it. The night hike kept the kids engaged and, at an hour and some change, was just the right length. Heading back to the aquarium, we passed the “Aquatic Rhapsody” sculpture. Seeing it lit at night, water still cascading down, was another cool perk of being at the zoo after hours. 9:35 p.m. Time to stake out our sleeping spots and settle in for the night. We chose a nice piece of real estate by the Japanese giant spider crabs. Full disclosure: Kelly, Lizzie and Avery did pop onto the Wi-Fi at this point to post snaps of their night on Instagram and Facebook.
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We ate Famous Amos cookies and potato chips, drank apple juice and watched a bit of Pixar’s “Inside Out” until the girls decided they were ready to have some “chat time” back at our spot. Midnight We drifted off to sleep, enduring the inevitable bit of tossing and turning that comes with sleeping on the floor in an 18-year-old sleeping bag. Kelly says the most adventurous part of her zoo experience was trying to find her way to the bathroom at 1:30 a.m.
7:35 a.m. Fruit Loops and coffee down, we continued the morning with a tour of the Owen Orangutan House and the Cat Complex. 8:35 a.m. We closed out the morning where we began, in the aquarium with the stars of our Penguins & Pajamas experience – the zoo’s 85 rockhopper, gentoo and king penguins. Zookeeper Nicole was kind enough to spend part of her morning sharing her expertise and fielding our questions.
6 a.m. BOOM!
9 a.m. We thanked and said goodbye to Ryan and loaded up for home.
“Good morning, campers! It’s time to enjoy the day!” shouted safari guide Kayla. Whoa … McCamping police, pull over. They were NOT kidding at orientation. The girls woke up and immediately resumed talking and laughing. Kelly and I ... woke up. As soon as we reoriented to where we were and why, we began stuffing our meager gear back in those sad trash bags so we could make our way to the Durham Treetops Restaurant and our breakfast of muffins, cereal and fruit. “They did say coffee, right?” Kelly asked. They did indeed.
Aside from the 6 a.m. wake-up, our Sleeping Bag Safari was McCamping at its best. We were protected from the elements, with Wi-Fi, A/C and a movie – yet were still surrounded by animals. Kelly says she really enjoyed seeing the zoo’s serene, exclusive dark side. “It’s a great way to have an experience with the kids and make memories. It felt like our own one-on-one with the zoo.” For Lizzie, the rainforest with the flying bats stood out. Avery liked connecting with the puffins. As for not being able to live without Wi-Fi, you-know-who didn’t check the phone all night.
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Free Newborn Expo and Car Seat Check with Boys Town Pediatrics Saturday, September 9th Boys Town Medical Clinics Car Seat Check 9 am-12 pm Newborn Expo 10 am-1 pm
 Â? Â? Â? Â? Â
Grand Prize Newborn Photography Session with Brandy Miller Photography
BoysTownPediatrics.org Image provided by Brandy Miller Photography
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BACK TO SCHOOL BACK TO
SWIM LESSONS ONCE-A-WEEK SWIM LESSONS T TWO WEEK CAMP SESSIONS
REGISTER NOW FOR SWIM LESSONS Ages 6 Mos. & Older.
Morning, Afternoon Evening & Saturday Morning
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ADVICE FOR A BETTER LIFE STORY by Marjie Ducey
Creative play starts with flip of the ‘off’ switch
T
urn off that TV and take a walk with your child. Study the ants as they scurry across the sidewalk, or plop down in the grass and watch the clouds as your child creates a story about each one as it wafts across the sky. “It’s just amazing how toddlers enjoy things like that,’’ says Children’s Hospital pediatrician Jillyn Kratochvil. Creative play doesn’t have to involve expensive toys. How many times, Kratochvil asks, have you heard that story about a parent buying their child an expensive gift for Christmas, and all the child wanted to do was play with the box? There’s even a global cardboard challenge at cardboardchallenge.com. Next time it happens to you, encourage your child to make a game or animal out of the box. “It’s such a great example of creative play,’’ she says. Kratochvil, a mother of three, is by no means against games. Seeing what works and what doesn’t while playing a board or card game is a great learning experience. But just as good is that walk. Or playing in the dirt in the back yard. “Kids learn so much through trial and error. They don’t have fear of making mistakes like adults do. It’s important for parents and caregivers to step back and allow kids to make mistakes.’’ When they’re done playing and want to tell you all about their adventures, don’t interrupt or correct or finish their stories.
Jillyn Kratochvil
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AdditionAl suggestions • eliminate the distraction. Sit down for dinner every night with your child, without the TV as another companion. That encourages children to talk and enhances their verbal skills. • screen the screen time. Refrain from letting children younger than 18 months have screen time on computers or TVs. If you want to introduce media between ages 18 and 24 months, choose high-quality programs and watch them with your child. Limit viewing to an hour a day. • interact verbally with your child as often as possible. Studies indicate that even having the TV on while you are doing chores and your child is playing nearby can interfere with your child’s speech. Kratochvil admits that as a working mom, she didn’t always follow her own advice when her kids were young. But she hopes that it makes parents think twice before they turn on the TV or computer as a form of entertainment. Just as reading to your child early in infancy has been shown to increase ACT scores, spending quality time playing with your child and letting them be the leader, will someday create a better problem solver. “I really tried my best,’’ Kratochvil says. “Even to this day, I try to shut off the TV when we’re having a family meal.’’ PhoTo: CouRTESy of JILLyn KRAToChVIL
I am a filmmaker, but more importantly I am a storyteller. 20 years from now, will you be able to remember all the unique characteristics of your child’s voice or their laugh? This is why I am introducing Home Movies. L E T M E T E L L YO U R S TO RY
www.rolandmassow.com/homemovie 2042119-01
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Entertainment beyond the screen COMPILED by Melinda Keenan
CITY PARKS
Check out what’s new for the kiddos at three of Omaha’s older city parks. Elmwood’s play area has new equipment, including a ladybug play piece, swings, a large boulder complex with a ropenet climber and a group of evergreen tree climbers. Hummel Park has a new custom-made tube slide that’s 49 feet long with a 21-foot drop in elevation. The tube features daylight portals for sunlight to seep in and a net to climb to the top. Hanscom, the city’s oldest park, has the city’s newest playground. Construction ended in July on the space, which includes a rubber-and-sand surface for an enclosed playhouse area, footbridges, ropes, a miniature trolley and other fun additions.
JOSLYN MUSEUM’S ART WORKS
A Place for Curiosity is a 1,500-squarefoot interactive space where visitors young and old will find fun, fresh ways to experience the visual arts. Nine handson activity stations have connections to art that you might encounter in Joslyn’s galleries. New art-making options are introduced regularly so visitors can create a one-of-a-kind memento of each visit.
MOVIE NIGHTS
Grab a lawn chair, blanket, bug spray and snacks for an outdoor movie (showing through September and even October). Once the sun goes down, the screens light up at Flix at the Chef (behind the Dairy Chef in Elkhorn), at SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion, the La Vista Public Library and Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs. Check venues for dates and times.
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DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE
Heartland of America Park and the Gene Leahy Mall downtown have plenty of feathered friends who are happy to take a handout. Toss a few morsels of food into the pond or on the shore, and you will get a lot of attention. Food ideas: cracked corn, grains, birdseed, grapes (cut in half ), torn lettuce, or defrosted peas and corn (do not cook!). Bring something for yourself and have a picnic by the water.
MORE THAN BOOKS
Public libraries host children’s programs throughout the year, featuring movies, computer games, animals, Lego building and more.
OUTDOOR CONCERTS
There’s still time to dance up a storm. Narrows River Park in Council Bluffs has one concert left, on Sept. 3. Stinson Park at Aksarben Village has concerts scheduled through the end of September. But concerts end in August at these locations: Shadow Lake Towne Center, Village Pointe and Rockbrook Village. Check venues for dates and times.
WALK OR RIDE
The metro area has miles of trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. Rails-to-trails connect every part of the city. Paths wind through and around city parks.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Omaha dresses the trees at Gene Leahy Mall with thousands of lights and turns them on with much celebration. The Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert follows at the nearby Holland Performing Arts Center, where festival-goers can sing
along to holiday classics. The Thanksgiving night countdown to the lighting of the trees is a family holiday tradition for many.
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
Local choral groups — youths to professional performers — entertain at various Old Market locations and at the Gene Leahy Mall during the Christmas holiday season.
WELLS FARGO FAMILY FESTIVAL
Admission to a variety of Omaha museums and activities is free for a day in December, and so is transportation, courtesy of Wells Fargo. Among the places to go: The Omaha Children’s Museum, The Durham Museum and Joslyn Art Museum. Other activities are available at the Omaha Police Barn, W. Dale Clark Library and the downtown Wells Fargo location. Ollie the Trolley takes you from site to site.
BEGIN THE YEAR WITH A BANG
A New Year’s Eve fireworks display downtown brings the Holiday Lights Festival to a close. About 30,000 people gather to watch the colorful explosions, which are synchronized to music.
GRAB A SLED
When it snows, check out Momaha.com for readers’ favorite sledding spots.
BIGART EVENT
AUGUST 18 -19 TH
TH
FRIDAY AUGUST 18
TH
ARTIST GALLERY RECEPTION FROM 6PM - 8PM
SATURDAY AUGUST 19 TH DEMONSTRATIONS & MAKE N’TAKE S NOON - 4PM
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Put on your scientist hat to make these sparkly gems. TUTORIAL + PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Winkel
Crystal geodes + shapes 1. Create a base for your crystal using white pipe
cleaners. Form a loose coil shape with a pipe cleaner then weave another pipe cleaner in and out of the coil’s layers to hold the shape. Tip: Don’t make your base too dense because the crystals will attach to the pipe cleaner as they grow. 2. Tie a piece of fishing wire to the pipe cleaner. Measure out a piece long enough to suspend the pipe cleaner coil in the Borax solution and tie the other end to a wooden skewer. Make sure the pipe cleaner base doesn’t touch the sides or bottom of the glass when you set the skewer on the rim of the jar. Set aside. 3. Add 10 tablespoons Borax to a heat-safe glass container or jar. 4. Boil a pot of water and pour over the Borax to fill your heat-safe container. Mix until dissolved. Note: The key is to create a supersaturated Borax solution, so keep adding Borax until no more will dissolve. 5. Stir in food coloring. The more food coloring, the darker your crystal will appear. 6. Lower the pipe cleaner coil into the Borax solution and cover with a magazine or paper towel. Let stand, undisturbed, overnight. If your color is so dark that you can’t see your pipe cleaner, use a flashlight to take a peek. Whatever you do, do not disturb the crystals! 7. Once your crystals have formed, remove your geode from the solution, pat it dry with a paper towel and cut off the string. 8. Enjoy but be careful! Borax is a detergent, which means your crystals will dissolve in water or humidity.
VARIATIONS Make crystal bracelets, letters or other shapes by following the same instructions for geodes. Instead of making a coil from a pipe cleaner, make any shape you like. KeeP exPeRImeNTING! Try different ratios of Borax to water, different coil shapes and even leaving your pipe cleaners in the solution for a longer time. See what happens and keep experimenting to grow your crystals even bigger!
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Rock candy cRystals 1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups
water to a boil. Add 5 cups sugar, one cup at a time. In between each cup, stir sugar until dissolved. 2. Add a few drops of food coloring and let boil a few additional minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand for about 10 minutes then pour the solution into a clean glass jar. 3. Dip your candy sticks in water then roll the sticks in sugar and let dry. This layer of sugar will be what your crystals will stick to as they start growing. 4. Clip your candy stick to a clothespin and suspend it into the sugar solution by resting the clothespin on the rim of the jar. Make sure the stick doesn’t touch the sides or the bottom otherwise crystals will attach to the jar. 5. Although you may see small crystals forming after a few hours, big crystals take days to form. Watch by letting your candy sit undisturbed for 3 to 5 days. 6. Once your crystals are nice and big, remove your sticks from the jar and show them off!
The science behind The fun
When a supersaturated solution (like a boiling Borax or sugar solution) starts to cool, the molecules in the solution start to attach to whatever they can find (pipe cleaner coils, sugar molecules on a candy stick, sides of a jar). With time, the water in the solution starts to evaporate, leaving only molecules. With nowhere to go, more molecules gradually join with the ones already created (on the pipe cleaner or candy stick), forming larger crystals. Because the molecules in the solution are the same (Borax or sugar), they all form the same shape of crystals and stick together, making a big chunk of crystal.
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The fun starts as objects tumble into view TEXT, STYLING & PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson
1
WHAT YOU NEED & WHAT YOU DO 1. Find a wide-mouthed jar or bottle. A canning jar or Gatorade bottle works well. 2. Partially fill the jar with rice. 3. Place a few small- to medium-sized objects kids can easily identify in the jar. 4. Continue to fill the jar with rice and more objects, leaving a little wiggle room at the top.
5. Seal the lid with hot glue. TIP: Before putting the items
in the jar, take a photo or make a list as reference to see if you can find all the treasures.
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hy does popcorn smell so good? What makes a boat float? How does Santa deliver all those gifts in one night? The answer: Science! These questions — and many more — are asked and answered in science-based podcasts aimed at elementary schoolchildren and their parents. Here’s a sampling of the biggest (lots of episodes), flashiest (sound effects, music and dramatic narration) and funniest (jokes and puns) podcasts that can be easily accessed through a smartphone, tablet or other electronic listening device. Search for them on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio or Spotify, or on the podcast’s website. Most episodes play for 15 to 20 minutes, making them perfect for a car ride across town. The general format is Q & A, with kids asking questions and fun, knowledgeable adults helping find the answers. Sometimes the kids are facing a dilemma that only science can solve. Others feature science as a plot twist in a simple narrative. A drawback: Podcast producers have to pay the bills, so episodes begin with an advertisement or a pitch for donations. But those are over quickly, and then you are into the show.
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“WoW in the World”
This is the newest offering from National Public Radio. Launched May 4, this podcast already has 10 episodes that explore “wonders in the world.” Topics include brain freeze, why mosquitoes bite some people and not others, a fish that kills with a kiss and why popcorn smells so good.
Couldn’t focus.
Struggled in school.
“Shabam!”
This podcast teaches science through episodic fictional storytelling. Three kids get separated from their parents during a zombie apocalypse, and along their quest to be reunited, they discover “a lot of science all around us that we take for granted.” Topics include electricity, transportation networks and water supplies. Co-host and co-creator Mel Herbert, an attending physician and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Southern California, says his formula for podcast success is “poop joke + classy + education = gold.”
“brainS on!”
Minnesota Public Radio produces this podcast on topics ranging from animals to geography. Summer’s “Road Trip” series explored the history of engines, carbon dioxide and the future of fuel, monster trucks and car design, traffic jams, motion sickness and optical illusions.
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3 simple ways to elevate a toasty snack RECIPE PREPARATION, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson
THE CLASSIC Avocado Red pepper Olive oil Salt Black pepper
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THE sOuTHwEsT Avocado Pico de gallo Bacon THE OvErEasy Avocado Overeasy egg Salt Black pepper
QUICK FACTS A handful of nutritional tidbits about avocados: 1. The avocado is a fruit and is considered a large single-seeded berry. It comes from an avocado tree and grows in pairs. Huffingtonpost.com
2. The avocado’s skin is the best way to determine ripeness. A ripe avocado will be firm and yield only slightly to gentle pressure. Thedailymeal.com
3. They have natural packaging. A thick layer of skin around an avocado protects the inside and makes it perfect for travel. Mindbodygreen.com
4. You can swap them for butter in baked goods recipes. The creamy texture and healthy fats make for a surprisingly-easy baking substitution. Huffingtonpost.com
5. An avocado contains a higher percentage of protein than a banana. Livescience.com
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2 classic recipes get a quick remake TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY Family Features
e
ase your way into a busy new school year with dishes you can prepare and serve in minutes. The trick: keep versatile ingredients on hand that you can use in a variety of ways. For example, pre-sliced pepperoni is perfect for quick snacks, but it’s also great for pizzas, casseroles, even grilled cheese sandwiches. Turkey pepperoni has 70 percent less fat and 25 percent less sodium than traditional pepperoni. Another time-saving tip: keep frozen meatballs handy, but think beyond traditional spaghetti. Fully cooked meatballs are a fun way to add protein and flavor to kid favorites like macaroni and cheese.
Grilled Cheese and PePPeroni sandwiChes Servings: 4
1. Spread 2 tablespoons butter over one side of each slice of bread. Put four slices of bread on sheet of waxed paper, buttered-side down. 2. Top each bread slice with 1 cheese slice, 8 slices pepperoni, Âź cup red peppers or 1 thin sliced tomato, if desired, and additional cheese slice. Top sandwiches with remaining bread, buttered-side up. 3. Heat large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add two sandwiches; cook 4-5 minutes per side, or until cheese is melted and sandwiches are golden brown. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
Cheesy MaC and Meatballs Servings: 5
1. Cook 12 ounces elbow macaroni according to package directions. Cut 1 package (14 ounces) prepared meatballs, thawed, in half. 2. In large saucepan over medium heat, combine 12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup milk, stirring until smooth. Stir in meatballs; cover and simmer 5 minutes, or until meatballs are hot. 3. Drain macaroni; stir into meatball mixture. Top with cheddar cheese, if desired. Source: ArmourMeats.com
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t e S the
e g a t
S
2017-18 Mainstage Productions
Exciting, large-scale productions performed on The Rose Mainstage. Rose members receive FREE tickets to these shows.
Babe The Sheep Pig Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Van Gogh & Me The Meaning of Maggie Seedfolks Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure Curious George & the Golden Meatball
Sept. 8-24, 2017 Oct. 6-22, 2017 Nov. 3-12, 2017 Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2018 Feb. 23-Mar. 11, 2018 Mar. 23-Apr. 8, 2018 Apr. 20-May 6, 2018
Membership is the best way to enjoy everything The Rose has to offer. Rose members receive access to seven regular season shows for one low price. That’s seven times to stop and laugh together with your child. Seven times to experience the awe and wonder of theater. Seven times to make memories together as a family — memories that will last a lifetime.
$
105
THAT’S 28 TICKETS! Memberships on sale now. JOIN TODAY!
2017-18 Premium Event Shows Toe-tapping musical numbers, fantastic sets, large casts and awe-inspiring productions the entire family will enjoy are highlights of our special event premium shows.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Disney’s Newsies
Dec. 1-23, 2017 June 1-17, 2018
2017-18 First Stage Productions Theater for very young audiences, preschoolers and children with special needs, performed on the Hitchcock Stage
Point A to Point B Wynken, Blynken & Nod
Oct. 21-Nov. 12, 2017 Feb. 10-Mar. 4, 2018
W W W. RO S E T H E AT E R .O RG
Babe
THE SHEEP PIG PIG PI IG S E P T 8 - 24
OCT 6-22
V 12 OCT 21 - NO
There is nothing like a night at the theater! The Rose is proud to introduce children to the arts and ignite a lifelong love of performing arts. Whether they are grooving with the characters of Madagascar, discovering the magic of Wonderland or having a monkey of a time with Curious George, The Rose is dedicated to opening imaginations and hearts through theater. 2017-18 MAINSTAGE SEASON: Babe the Sheep Pig • Madagascar: A Musical Adventure • Van Gogh & Me • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever • The Meaning of Maggie • Seedfolks • Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure • Curious George & the Golden Meatball • Disney’s Newsies
TICKETS: (402) 345-4849 or www.rosetheater.org