The temperatures are dropping, but there are lots of cool activities going on at the Knoxville Zoo.

Celebrate the cooler weather during the Zoo’s Penguin Discount Days. Penguin Discount Days include half-price admission for all zoo guests through Saturday, February 28, 2009. Make sure you visit the zoo during the winter and check out the animals who keep cool.

For more information about the Knoxville Zoo, visit knoxville-zoo.org

The circus is coming to the Knoxville Coliseum from January 22nd – 25th, 2009. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present BOOM A RING, an action-packed circus spectacular where energy bursts out of the ring, into the audience, and bounces back to electrify the Ringling Bros. performers. Circus-goers will enjoy an up-close and personal experience as they sit feet away from beautiful white tigers, majestic Asian elephants, and thrilling acrobats from around the world. The action in Boom A Ring bounces from one high high-energy act to the next, featuring a daring crossbow demonstration that takes archery to new extremes, a gravity-defying performance on the whirling Wheel of Steel, a high wire extravaganza that tests the limits of human balance and breathtaking aerialists gracefully soaring over the audience’s heads. Boom A Ring is a one-of-a-kind experience that engages all of the senses while providing children of all ages with a day at The Greatest Show On Earth they never imagined possible!

Arrive an hour before show time for the All Access Pre-show – FREE to all ticketholders, and meet Ringling Bros. performers and animals, learn circus skills and enjoy a taste of the circus before the show even starts!

Event Info:
Show Time: Jan 25th 5:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 25th 1:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 24th 7:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 24th 3:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 23rd 7:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 22nd 7:00 PM

Ticket Info:
Ticket prices listed above are the per ticket price at the Knoxville Coliseum Box Office. Tickets may be purchased through the web site or at any of the following outlets: Coliseum Box Office, Charge by Phone – Tickets Unlimited (865) 656-4444 or toll free (877) 995-9961.

Knoxville Zoo is lending a hand to Santa this holiday season!

Santa is busy getting ready for the holidays and has asked the Knoxville Zoo to prepare his reindeer for their annual trip on Christmas Eve.

Stop by Knoxville Zoo between now and January 31 to see some of Santa’s favorite reindeer friends.

For directions, times and more info visit www.knoxville-zoo.org

Tookie’s Toys is launching Links of Hope, a month-long fundraising event for Ella’s Miracle benefiting Ella Newmiller. Ella is a five year old Raleigh, North Carolina girl who is battling an inoperable brain tumor.

During this event, Tookie’s Toys will be constructing a paper chain made of links purchased by donors. Names, messages, thoughts and prayer can be written on the links. The chains from both Tookie’s Toys locations will be combined at the end of the event and presented to Ella as a visible reminder of the community’s support. Links will be sold for $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 and will be available throughout October. All funds raised from the project will benefit the Ella Newmiller Fund.

Not in Raleigh? No worries, you can still pick up a chain or three here…

About Ella’s Miracle

Ella’s Miracle is a support network for Ella Newmiller and her family as they battle Ella’s inoperable brain tumor. For additional information about Ella and her family, visit www.ellasmiracle.com.

About Tookie’s Toys

Tookie’s Toys is a Raleigh, NC based family owned and operated specialty to company with stores in Cameron Village and Falls Village. For more information, visit www.tookiestoys.com or contact Katherine Hodges at 919-828-5574.

Now you have no excuse for not taking your family to the Knoxville Museum of Art. From now until the end of 2008 the museum will not charge any admission fees. There are multiple exhibits that can help you bring art to your kids.

Currently there is an exhibit about the quilts of Gee’s Bend. They are beautiful tributes to the women who created these masterpeices with a needle and thread. To learn more about upcoming exhibits you can check out the museum’s website.

Just make sure you take advantage of the no admission fee offer. In a time when most of our budgets are feeling crunched this is a great activity to take part in. Combine it with a trip to the Fort Kid playground across from the museum and your family can make a day of it!

Why not celebrate Earth Day a little early this year with the 2008 Run for Clean Air? On April 12th runners and walkers will gather in Sequoyah Hills to raise awareness for clean air work that is going on in our area.

The fifth annual event begins at 9am and you can register on-site before the race begins. There are all kinds of prizes from Dollywood passes to art by Jim Gray.

Get out and celebrate all that East Tennessee has to offer as we work towards preserving it for future generations. It’s a fun event for your whole family and you will even be able to test drive different models of Hybrid cars from several automakers.

www.runforcleanair.org

Are you in the Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill area? Come support a wonderful cause and have fun with the whole family! The WonderGirl 5K & Fun Run celebrates the Girls on the Run organization and its commitment to helping make a difference in the lives of girls everywhere.

The WonderGirl 5K & Fun Run brings together the greater Triangle community to celebrate young girls along their journey to choosing healthy lifestyles
and adopting a strong sense of self.

Join the fun at the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill as we gather for the 6th Annual WonderGirl 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, April 19th at 9:00am. The event consists of 5K run/walk, 1 mile Fun Run and a 200 yard dash. After the race, please join participants and volunteers at our finish line festival. This year’s festivities will include free food, drinks, games, music, a silent auction, and more fun activities for the entire family! Proceeds from the silent auction and race will go towards Girls on the Run of the Triangle. To register for the run in support of Girls on the Run on April 19th- please visit www.gotrtriangle5k.org

Celebrating Girls on the Run
6th Annual WonderGirl 5K & Fun Run
Saturday, April 19, 2008
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill
www.gotrtriangle5k.org

As a mother of a two year old and four year old I am in the constant pursuit of family friendly places to dine. Most of the time this exasperated, over-worked momma prefers to eat at home in the privacy of her own kitchen where, when asparasgus is not well-recieved, no other diner is disturbed by large quantities of the vegetable being hurled in their direction. That being said, Knoxville is home to many unique eateries that are the perfect place to share with your family.

Our latest favorite is Sunday Brunch at The Tomato Head. Both Tomato Head locations serve up this culinary high point of my week from 10 to 3 on Sundays. I love the laid back atmosphere of the Tomato Head and that my family, no matter how noisy or how raucous, seem to fit right in. There are no linen tablecloths for my children to ruin and they offer up coloring sheets and get this…triangular crayons so I don’t spend my entire meal fetching crayons off the floor. Pure genius my husband and I declared! It has plenty of high chairs and a baby changing station in the bathroom (who knew these could be so hard to find at times!) and plenty of booster seats as well.

Perhaps the best part of the Tomato Head is their variety. My picky eaters can dine on plain cheese pizza while I get to enjoy more flavorful fare. Everything is fresh as the restaurant’s motto “Food’s gotta cook” might suggest. There is no rush here and I feel like I am eating at home, only with much better food. The Tomato Head is just an extension of my own kitchen where family togetherness and good food are at the top of the menu. So next week after church when my four year old says “What’s for lunch?” I can confidently reply “We’re heading to the Tomato Head!”

Visit The Tomato Head online (including menu and prices) at www.thetomatohead.com

A Fun Filled Family Event to Help Cure Juvenile Diabetes

Saturday, September 8th – 10AM until 4PM
Join Tookie’s Toys and the other merchants of Falls Village Shopping Center as we host a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation this Saturday.
There will be entertainment throughout the village including:

• Kids Entertainment -Lower Level by Tookie’s Toys- See below for details!
• Star Wars Characters at Raleighwood
• Atlantic Tire Race Car at Chick-fil-A
• Diabetes information and screening at Chick-fil-A
• Hair Painting at Hair Cuttery
• Root Beer Floats at Fresh Market
• Chick-fil-A Cows
• Fire Truck

How does this benefit JDRF?

• Participating stores donate a percentage of sales to JDRF
• Buy JDRF Sneakers for $1 at select stores
• Register for Prizes by visiting participating stores – you could win while helping a great cause!

Go to the JDRF Information Booth near Fresh Market on Saturday for a detailed schedule of events and for prize registration form.
Kid’s Entertainment Schedule at JDRF Benefit
10 AM – Trish Miller, Children’s Music – www.trishmillermusic.com
11 AM – Stacy Clearman’s LittleLand, Children’s Music – www.stacyclearman.org
12 Noon – Storybook Safari, Creative Storytelling – www.storybooksafari.com
12:30 PM – Dinosaurs Rock, Dinosaur Presentation – www.dinosaursrocknc.com
10AM – 2PM – Oogles n’ Googles, Crafts & Activities – www.ooglesngoogles.com
10AM – 3PM – Dinosaurs Rock, Dinosaur Exhibit
10AM – 3PM – Storybook Safari, Children’s Activities
11:30AM – 3PM – Captain Pete the Party Pirate – www.captainpetethepartypirate.com

Calling all hot mamas: It’s still scorching hot outside, but what a better way to dream of cooler days than by picking up a few essential items for your own wardrobe for fall?

Maybe you’ve had your eye on a cropped jacket, a flattering wrap top or dress, a pair of skinny pants or a fun and flirty skirt and haven’t had time to do any shopping for yourself. It’s time.

A couple of years ago a girlfriend of mine turned me on to Etcetera – a women’s clothing line that offers a good mix of casually elegant mix and match pieces that you can dress up or down – that really does make it easy to look great.

I generally pick up a few pieces each season by shopping a home show by appointment. The clothing doesn’t come cheap, so I usually go for items that I think stand out — a fun print skirt, a beautiful jacket, an elegant suit — and pick up the basics elsewhere. The only bummer? The Etcetera website is pretty limited and I never get a true sense of the line until I see the clothes first hand.

My faves this season include a beautiful winter white cropped coat, a fun green and black zig-zag striped skirt and a casual dark grey / brown jacket with fabulous buttons that’s perfect for throwing on with a pair of jeans for an instant style update.

If you’re in Raleigh, NC the show is going on now through Tuesday (September 4). Contact Etcetera rep Lee-Ashley Bonfield at lash (at) nc (dot) rr (dot) com to set up an appointment. Not in Raleigh, but you’d like to check it out? Visit www.etceteranyc.com and click Contact Etcetera to view the current collection with a consultant near you.

No time to shop this week, but you’d like to learn more? Get on the mailing list and you’ll be the first in line for the next show – the holiday line is available for order in a few short weeks.

If you are in or near Raleigh, NC, don’t miss the annual Patsy Aiken Outlet tent sale from Thursday, July 26th through Saturday, August 4th. Thousands of past season Spring and Fall items marked $5-$15. Also, the newest Spring ’07 line will be on sale at 35% off and Fall ’06 will be on sale at 50% off.

Hours are 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday. 4812 Hargrove Road, Raleigh, NC 27616

Directions: From I-440, take Capital Blvd. Exit, go north about 4 miles. Turn Left on Spring Forest Rd. Left on Hargrove Rd. Patsy Aiken Designs is the 2nd driveway on the left.

Learn more on the Patsy Aiken website.

Looking for a place to watch fireworks this 4th of July in the Triangle area? Here’s a list of events happening July 3rd and 4th.

Tuesday July 3rd
FUQUAY-VARINA: 6 p.m., South Park. Fireworks, live music, food and carnival rides.

GARNER: 5 p.m., Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road. N.C. Symphony performs at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Information: 662-5703.

WAKE FOREST: 5:30 p.m., Wake Forest-Rolesville High School’s Trentini Stadium. Fireworks, games and live entertainment. Admission: $5 for ages 7 and up. Information: 554-6196.

Wednesday July 4th
BENSON: McLamb-Tart Road off of U.S. 401 South/Wall Street. Fireworks after dark.

CARY: Regency Park. Fireworks at 9 p.m. (*Large Event*)

CHAPEL HILL: Kenan Stadium, UNC campus. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (*Large Event*)

CLEVELAND: Cleveland Fire Department. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

DURHAM: Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Fireworks begin after 9 p.m.

GARNER: Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

LOUISBURG: Louisburg High School. Fireworks begin after dark.

RALEIGH: N.C. State Fairgrounds. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. (*Large Event*)

PINE LEVEL: Sam Godwin Park. Fireworks at 9 p.m.

SELMA: Raiford and Railroad Streets. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

SMITHFIELD: Town Commons Park. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

ZEBULON: Five County Stadium. Fireworks begin after the Carolina Mudcats’ 7:15 p.m. game against the Jacksonville Suns.

Join Tookie’s Toys, PolkaDots/Be-Tween and Baskin Robbins for a fun filled family concert featuring Sandbox Kids and Family Fun Band on Sunday, May 5th from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at Cameron Village. Bring your chairs or blankets. Concert will be held in front of the sponsoring stores. Enjoy $1 Kids Scoops at Baskin Robbins. For more info call 828-5574 or visit tookiestoys.com.

About Sandbox Kids and Family Fun Band: Sandbox is a four-piece Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill band specializing in twangy, upbeat traditional children’s music. We are well known for our exceptionally fun, interactive performances and a strong vocal presence. We target 1-8 year olds, but our music appeals to folks of all ages. Learn more about Sandbox Kids and Family Fun Band at www.sandbox-band.com

Earth Day is April 22nd, and no matter where you live in North Carolina, there is plenty going on! Are you looking for events and activities for you and your family? You need look no further than the Environmental Education Calendar hosted by the Office of Environmental Education. Simply type in your zip code and how far you are able to travel. It’s that easy! Even better…it’s not just for Earth Day! You can use the new calendar any day of the year to find fun, educational outdoor events and activities happening across North Carolina!

Come celebrate the color children add to our lives at the first annual Black & White Bash, a benefit for Playspace Children’s Museum in downtown Raleigh. Hosted on Thursday, May 17th, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Exploris Museum, the Black & White Bash features a live and silent auction with fabulous items up for bid, live jazz by Laura Ridgeway & Friends, catering by Lady Fingers, black and white attire and desserts by Hereghty heavenly delicious. Tickets are $45 per person for members, $50 for non-members, and can be purchased by calling Playspace at 919-832-2617, online at www.playspacemuseum.com/bash/ in person at Tookie’s Toys or Playspace Children’s Museum. Proceeds will support Playspace’s mission of advancing young children’s creative, social and emotional development through hands-on, interactive play – paving the way for success in school and later in life.

When our kids are young, they need us every second. As they grow older and more independent, they need us less and less. So how do you continually maintain a strong family unit? We found a way that worked for our family:

My son was five when ‘it’ started. He went from a needy infant and toddler that needed my undying attention every minute to a sports fanatic who suddenly was only interested in talking to his dad and uncles in a foreign language of statistics and rosters. Determined not to lose him (and equally determined not to become immersed in a subject I despised) I decided we needed to find a common interest that both of us could enjoy. What we discovered was so much more. Read how finding a shared passion has brought my son and I closer together and we urge all families to find a passion of their own.

My son was involved in tae kwon do so I decided I would try it, too. Little did I know then that I would become so thoroughly absorbed in the sport. Tae kwon do has become our shared passion, our common interest, our mother-son language together. Here is what my son, Jarod, now age 8, and I say about taking tae kwon do together:

· “Everyone Gets Exercise” – Not only does the physical training benefit both of us now, but it teaches him an early lesson that exercise should be a lifelong habit. Because we are so committed to our training and enjoy our time together, there is little time left for plopping on the couch and gaining pounds.

· “You can Talk About What You Learn” – I am continually impressed with the retention capabilities of my eight-year-old son. While I struggle to recall facts about Korean history for our black belt test this May, he spouts them off without any hesitation. Tae kwon do also promotes life skills that are in sync with our family values: respect, integrity, dedication. I enjoy explaining to him what these values mean to me and giving him examples from my own life. I am amused at his surprise that I had an entire life before he was even born!

· “You Can Give Hints To Each Other” – Training for a black belt is serious work and there is a lot to remember. By taking classes together, we help each other over the tough spots. As we are both learning and training, this puts us on equal level as opposed to other aspects of our lives where I am typically the teacher. The confidence and pride radiates in him when he is able to explain to me something I am doing wrong or help me with a difficult move that he is expert at.

· “You Can Cheer For Each Other” – This is the best part. My heart nearly melts after I perform a poomsay and I catch Jarod out of the corner of my eye give me a thumbs up. There is nothing better than hearing “Good job, Mommy”. We high five each other during class and support each other during tournaments. He sees me trying my best and I know this inspires him to try his best, too. I am amazed at the confidence he has gained during our training, often competing in front of hundreds of people without any nervousness at all (while Mommy is trying hard not to keel over!)

· “You can have fun together and families can work together” – No doubt training at tae kwon do with my son is terrific fun. It’s hard work, but that’s part of the fun. We see entire families training together at our school, White Tiger in Cary, and observe them cohesively discussing and practicing together. We are not the only ones who have discovered that families that play together, stay together.

In a time-compressed hectic world, there should always be time carved out for special family interaction. We found ours at White Tiger in Cary, North Carolina; you can find yours, too. Simply uncover an activity that all of you enjoy and do it together!

Have you ever taken a close look at the other women around you while you were eating out? Chances are that many of them are “hunched” over and often complain of various body pain and discomforts. Hopefully, those most affected by musculosketal injuries, and/or predisposed discomforts due to heredity, are seeking the advice of a competent physician or licensed chiropractor. However, what I have observed from my experience as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor (as well as, being a “forty-something”, mother of two!), is that so much of our aches and pains may be relieved by simply becoming aware of the many changes that our bodies go through during pregnancy and postpartum.

In the 1970’s and early 80’s pregnant exercisers were not the norm. In fact, pregnant women were considered “delicate”. Unfortunately this “myth of the delicate condition” is still alive and well today. It is amazing to me that even in 2007, my perinatal fitness students tell me stories about total strangers coming up to them while they are exercising , saying such things as, “Are you sure that is safe for you and your baby?” If these observers introduced themselves as certified in perinatal fitness, I might listen to them. Otherwise, their comments would lead me to believe that they are unaware of the vast amount of research available today that supports the benefits of exercise before, during and after pregnancy.

Sheila Watkins, founder of Healthy Moms® Pre and Postnatal Fitness Programs, has made it her life’s mission to provide safe and effective perinatal fitness programming to this special population, as well as educate those health and fitness professionals who wish to work specifically in the field of perinatal fitness and wellness. Using peer reviewed and medically based research, she developed a national certification for childbirth educators, nurses, physical therapists, and fitness professionals, etc. (anyone passionate about working with this special population). In 2001, Healthy Moms® continued to address the needs of women during the childbearing years by expanding their class offerings to include a variety of options. Healthy Moms® classes allow moms to learn safe, effective and fun exercises that they can do before, during and after pregnancy.

You’re probably wondering what all of this has to do with aches and pains specific to moms. When a woman becomes pregnant her body undergoes vast changes:

• Hormones are released to prepare the body for delivery.
• Ribs expand
• Increased weight of baby, organs and breasts, puts strain on upper, lower back and shoulders. Mom’s hip, leg and gluteal (your rear end) muscles have to work harder than usual to support growing baby.
• Blood volume increases

So – is there any wonder why we don’t look or feel the same? Our bodies have just undergone a tremendous transformation! Does that mean it has to remain that way? Not necessarily! The best advice a woman’s caregiver can give is encourage her to exercise while pregnant, as well as after baby comes. Realizing that all women are at varying fitness levels, a certified trainer or group fitness instructor is trained to show modifications as well as variations to cater to each individual participant. Hopefully, the instructor has been trained and certified specifically in perinatal fitness. Having this knowledge, the instructor is sure to focus attention on muscles most affected by pregnancy. In other words, strengthening and stretching the postural muscles, allows mom to deal with lifting baby (as he/she grows), and carrying all of the “gear” (i.e. carseat, diaper bag, etc.) that comes with him/her. Moms will feel (and see) a big difference in how they carry themselves and baby!

There is another muscle group that deserves attention no matter what stage of life a woman is going through. This group of muscles is called your perineum and pelvic floor muscles. Perhaps I’m in denial, but are the women on TV wearing “adult” diapers looking a lot younger than usual? I can remember when this invention was first marketed, thinking to myself, “I’ll have to wear those when I’m REALLY old!” Now it seems like the women in the commercials are my age! I can happily say I have never worn a pair, and look forward to never having to buy them! Yes, your perineum and pelvic floor muscles are often neglected in your muscle strengthening routine. It’s o.k., I am sure the reason for this is that no one (including your caregiver) has showed you the correct way to strengthen and release them! By the way, if you believe a good strengthening exercise is stopping and starting the flow of urine, you are mistaken. This type of “practice” can set you up for a not so nice urinary tract infection! It is, however, o.k. to “act as if” you are holding your urine. There are also many resources out there to teach you easy and effective exercises so you don’t have to pee on yourself the next time you laugh (or cough) while on your next date to the comedy club, or jumping on the trampoline with your kids.

Attending classes like those offered by Healthy Moms®, will empower you with the knowledge of a well rounded exercise program that is safe and effective for your body and your baby. You may be saying to yourself, “Now that baby is here, I don’t want to leave him/her in a nursery, or I can’t afford a sitter and I feel guilty taking time away from my child.” We, at Healthy Moms®, realize this dilemma; and for that reason have developed numerous classes for mom to exercise WITH baby like our, Powerstroll®, AquaMom &Baby, Mom& Baby Yoga, Abdominal Recovery/Introduction to Pilates, as well as many more classes.

As your baby grows, there will be more demands on your body. Taking the time to exercise and focusing on the muscles most affected by pregnancy, will allow you to enjoy active time with your children as they grow, feel great and maybe save you some trips to the chiropractor. Oh, and while eating out, your great posture will be the topic of conversation at the other tables around you!

Written by Marybeth Winstead, Owner and Certified Perinatal Fitness Instructor, Healthy Moms® of the Triangle, LLC
Partner and President of National Business Opportunities/Licensing,
Healthy Moms® , LLC
Certified Group Fitness, Pilates, and Personal Trainer
For ”Clever Parents”

See the Clever Parents vidcast featuring Marybeth and HealthyMoms.

One of America’s top outdoor destinations and the country’s fifth largest city, it is not an accident that Phoenix is home to several of the best destination resorts located in the United States. Explore desert parks and lakes, tour archaeology ruins and historic gold mining towns, or visit one of the many the museums and state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

From Surprise to Apache Junction, the twenty distinct communities that make up the greater Phoenix area offer visitors everything from the slow-paced rural southwest to a bustling college atmosphere. Whether your interest is sports or archaeology, history or hiking, biking, horseback riding, or bird watching Phoenix offers something for everyone not wanting to venture beyond the Valley of the Sun.

Enjoy hiking, biking and horseback riding at the many area parks such as South Mountain, McDowell or Papago. And if quintessential southwest is your goal, explore Hohokam Indian ruins and participate in a simulated excavation at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center or pan for gold and tour a gold mine in Goldfield Ghost Town.

On the chance that it does rain or the kids simply need a break from the great outdoors, take advantage of Valley’s cultural side. Children of all ages will enjoy exploring a re-created Zuni Pueblo and participating in hands-on activities at the Heard Museum, discovering science and technology at the Arizona Science Center, or taking in a performance at one of the children’s theaters, Childsplay or Valley Youth Theatre.

While you will need to do a fair bit of planning if you intend to take advantage of the many activities unique to Phoenix, there is no need to venture very far. Many child-friendly activities are less than an hour’s drive from anywhere in the Valley.

So if you are looking to escape the bitter cold of winter or an overcast rainy spring, plan a trip to Phoenix and once you’ve pulled your kids away from the numerous activities offered at your destination resort, explore a few of the many fun things to see and do in the Valley of the Sun.

Getting there
The Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located in the heart of Phoenix. Direct flights to/from most U.S. locations. International flights to London (UK) and several cities in Canada and Mexico. City of Phoenix

Getting around
Your mode of transportation will greatly influence your options. While shuttle services will get you to and from your hotel and public transport will get you around downtown, families wishing to venture beyond their resort should consider renting a car. A light rail system is scheduled to begin operation in 2009.

Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau

Valley Metro

When to travel
The best time to visit is from November to April.

Weather Underground

Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau

Health & safety
Car seats are required for children weighing 40 pounds or less. Booster seats are required for children under the age of 8 or less than 4 feet 9 inches (144 cm) tall. Children under 12 should sit in the back seat and buckle up.

Arizona GOHS

Things to keep in mind
Distance! The greater metropolitan area covers nearly 2000 square miles.

Copyright © more2explore S.r.l. All rights reserved.

About the author
Ann LoCicero is the founder of www.kidscantravel.com an emergent website for families intent on making the most of their leisure time together.

The Building Together Ministries is a Christian, charitable organization that provides services to residents in Raleigh’s inner-city. Building Together caters to parents, children, students and adults with programs that include racial reconciliation, adult learning, a pre-school and summer camp, community volunteer programs, and a mentorship program for students. Plus there’s The NeighborStore, which provides pre-owned clothing and household goods to lower-income residents and Pride for Parents Christmas Store which offers new toys at discounted prices to parents of limited means during the month of December.

Handling the Family Services division of Building Together Ministries and the Pride for Parents Christmas Store is Extreme Makeover Home Edition winner, and very Clever Parent, Linda Riggins. Linda and her husband William are the very deserving recipients of a brand new home from ABC and the Extreme Makeover crew. Catch the show Sunday, January 21st on ABC at 8pm ET/7CT. Read the Clever Parents write up on The Riggins Family: Very Clever Parents.