☰

Medical Minute: Breast Cancer, How Aware are You?

Posted on by Angie

Many of you reality show junkies or celebrity entertainment gurus most likely know who Giuliana Rancic is, you’ve also most likely heard that at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In a recent interview on the Today’s show Rancic shares her story about how she learned of her diagnosis, fortunately in the very early stages, while undergoing preparation for IVF.

I believe this story strikes a chord with many young women who have always been advised that age 40 was when we were supposed to start undergoing regular Mammograms. (Unless you have a higher than average risk: see below) If early detection is key, then is 40 early enough?

According to the National Cancer Institute, “studies conducted to date have not shown a benefit from regular screening mammography in women under age 40 or from baseline screening mammograms (mammograms used for comparison) taken before age 40.”

Like Giuliana, I am 36 years old with no family history (no diagnosis of my mother, sister, and/or daughters,) should I be bugging my Dr. for a Mammogram or gene testing?  The Study, as stated by the National Cancer Institute leans towards no, but like in this case with Rancic, early detection caught her cancer in the very early stages. It makes it hard to not want to pursue any and all options available… just to be sure. I’m a “just to be sure” kind of gal and while I don’t look forward to that first Mammogram, it is something that is on my radar more now as I approach the big 4 – 0. Whether it’s more care with self exams or an early screening, it is a conversation I’ll be having with my OB on my next visit. Maybe you should too!

Are you at a high risk for breast cancer?

Personal history of breast cancer―Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop a second breast cancer.

Family history―A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, and/or daughter have been diagnosed with the disease, especially if they were diagnosed before age 50. Having a close male blood relative with breast cancer also increases a woman’s risk of developing the disease.

Genetic alterations (changes)―Inherited changes in certain genes (for example, BRCA1, BRCA2, and others) increase the risk of breast cancer. These changes are estimated to account for no more than 10 percent of all breast cancers. However, women who carry certain changes in these genes have a much higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not carry these changes.

Breast density―Women who have a high percentage of dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer than women of similar age who have little or no dense tissue in their breasts. Some of this increase may reflect the “masking” effect of fibroglandular tissue on the ability to detect tumors on mammograms

Long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy―Women who use combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormone therapy for more than 5 years have an increased chance of developing breast cancer.

For more information on Mammograms, visit the National Cancer Institute website

Giveaway: Disney on Ice 4 pack of tickets

Posted on by Angie

We’ve had such an exciting week here at BirminghamMommy with the news of Brookwood Medical Centers new Women’s center bringing Rosie Pope to town for their grand opening celebrations, preparing for our GenBump event and of course getting ready for Halloween, we’ve decided to round out the week with a delightful little package to giveaway: 4 passes to Disney on Ice for a Wed/Thur/Fri showing only.

To enter the giveaway:

1. Comment here, 1 entry total per person

2. Answer this question from our interview with Rosie Pope: What is the name of the program Rosie created that helps expecting and new moms figure out solutions to the challenges of motherhood. 1 per person, leave your answer here.

3. Tweet the following, “@BrookwoodMed brought Rosie Pope to Birmingham! http://ow.ly/7aSL6”  1 entry total.

Winner will be announced at the close of the contest on 10/31 at noon.

Droolicious Cuisine at BirminghamMommy.com: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Posted on by Angie

Since everyone is carving their pumpkins right now we were delighted to see that our sweet friend MommaDrool had posted her recipe and instructions for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds along with a few variations! Happy Carving (and Roasting!)
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1) Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2) Separate the pumpkin seeds from the pulp and rinse the seeds in a colander.  Shake off the excess water.
3) Oil a baking sheet.  Spread the seeds in a single layer on the sheet.  Roast in the oven for 30 minutes to dry out the seeds.
4) Remove the seeds from the oven and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper (or additional spice flavors).  Return to the oven and bake an additional 20 minutes, until crisp and golden.  Enjoy!

Here are some yummy flavor combinations that She found in Food Network Magazine this year:

Sweet
Toss with cinnamon and sugar (do not use salt in step 4).

Indian
Toss with garam masala; mix with currants after roasting.

Spanish
Toss with smoked paprika; mix with slivered almonds after roasting.

Italian
Toss with grated parmesan and dried oregano.

Barbecue
Toss with brown sugar, chipotle chile powder and ground cumin.

About Kim:

I have been blessed with 2 beautiful kids, one funny little girl & one sweet little boy. They are always the best part of my day. I’m also the luckiest gal in the world because I am married to my soulmate, the kindest and most selfless man I know.

Like this? You can find many more droolicious recipes over at her site, “2 Little Chicks”

GenBump: Labor is the Easy Part, What to Expect when Baby Comes Home

Posted on by Angie

We’re gearing up for our 2nd of a 6 part GenBump series, sponsored by Brookwood Medical Center, BirminghamMommy.com and our host for this session, Swaddle.  This month we’ll tackle the truth about what really happens behind the scenes in your own house when you bring the baby home from the hospital!

The first few days and weeks home can be overwhelming. Days become measured in two-and-three hour feeding increments, peppered in between but burps, spit up and diaper changes. But don’t worry, we have assembled some help! One is an Ob/Gyn and another is referred to as a “Baby Whisperer.” They’ll be sharing tips and tricks to help you survive those first few weeks and beyond.

We’ll have food, fun, and lively conversation plus Swaddle will be offering a 20% discount on items purchased during and after the event! A little something to help you get your nursery started!

We hope to see you there! Thursday, October 27th, 6pm at Swaddle in Homewood.

RSVP required! Complete the registration form at http://www.genbump.com/ or call 205.877.8800 or 888.276.6596 to register for this event.

The first few days and weeks at home with a new baby can be overwhelming. Days become measured in two-and three-hour feeding increments, peppered in between by burps, spit-up and diaper changes. But don’t worry-there is help out there.  We’ve assembled a great group of moms – one is an Ob/Gyn and another has been called the “baby whisperer” – to share tips and tricks to survive the first few weeks and beyond.  We’ll have food, fun, lively conversation and tips about what you might need or want to make life easier.

The first few days and weeks at home with a new baby can be overwhelming. Days become measured in two-and three-hour feeding increments, peppered in between by burps, spit-up and diaper changes. But don’t worry-there is help out there.  We’ve assembled a great group of moms – one is an Ob/Gyn and another has been called the “baby whisperer” – to share tips and tricks to survive the first few weeks and beyond.  We’ll have food, fun, lively conversation and tips about what you might need or want to make life easier.

 

The first few days and weeks at home with a new baby can be overwhelming. Days become measured in two-and three-hour feeding increments, peppered in between by burps, spit-up and diaper changes. But don’t worry-there is help out there.  We’ve assembled a great group of moms – one is an Ob/Gyn and another has been called the “baby whisperer” – to share tips and tricks to survive the first few weeks and beyond.  We’ll have food, fun, lively conversation and tips about what you might need or want to make life easier.

Pregnant in Heels, Rosie Pope Dishes with BirminghamMommy

Posted on by Angie

Leading up to the grand opening of the new Women’s Center, Brookwood Medical Center will be hosting a special event with featured guest Rosie Pope from Bravo TV’s, Pregnant in Heels.

Rosie Pope is the creator and designer of the renowned fashion line, Rosie Pope Maternity. She is also the creator of MomPrep, a program that helps expecting and new moms figure out solutions to the challenges of motherhood and star of Pregnant in Heels, a show where she directs and counsels upper-class mommies-to-be through their pregnancies — a hilarious and often tearful journey. From how to find the best nanny, to selecting the right fitness class and everything in between.

BirminghamMommy.com had the opportunity to talk with Rosie about parenting and get some great advice for Moms and Moms to be!

BhamMommy: What question do you get asked the most and what is the answer?

Rosie: “The most common question I get is “How do you juggle it all?”  With two small boys, a third baby on the way, a husband, a business and a reality TV show the honest answer is: I am just not that sure!  I am a little obsessed with schedules and reminders so I make sure to never forget anything.  But, I am also lucky that I run my own business so I can often be flexible with my hours.  I am able to duck out during the day to read to my son at his school library and then work late after he has gone to bed.  It is tough and my husband will tell you that I often have moments when I just hope this is all worth it and I hope that I truly am building a better future for my family.”

BhamMommy: Has technology changed “mothering”?

Rosie:  “Technology definitely has changed some aspects of mothering.  I think it has allowed mothers to keep a lot of things that are important to them in one place, such as a schedule, contacts, photos – which can be extremely helpful – but I do worry about it because nothing beats getting down on the floor with our wee ones and playing with them rather than whipping out an app and sometimes when we are tired that app is so much easier.  I think as long as we use technology as an aid rather than completely taking over our lives it is a great tool.”

BhamMommy: Mothers are notoriously hard on themselves, what is your advice for too-critical moms?

Rosie: “Ahh yes, mothers are indeed so hard on themselves and I certainly fall victim to this.  What I tell my clients is if you are constantly worrying about whether you are doing the best job you can the chances are –  you are in fact a very, very good mother.  So, give yourself a break and focus a little more on all the wonderful things (especially the small things like little hugs and kisses) that you do for your kids every day.”

BhamMommy:  Moms tend to judge one another, often times harshly. How do you recommend they rise above it?

Rosie: “Nobody knows your kids or your situation better than you so when people judge you it is important to remember why you made the decision in the first place.  If you are proud of it then stand by it and if you aren’t then make a change.  Ultimately, the only people’s opinions you need to worry about are your little ones’ and whether they look up to you.”

BhamMommy: You have 5 words to give to a new mom, what are they?

Rosie: “Be flexible, each day changes (that was tough to give advice in 5 words!)”

We appreciate Rosie taking the time to talk with us!

If you would like the chance to mix and mingle with Rosie be sure to attend this special grand opening event hosted by Brookwood Medical Center on Thursday, November 17th at Workplay. From 6:30 – 8pm, Rosie will lead an interactive conversation about the joys and challenges of being a new Mom. From 8pm – 9pm guests will have the opportunity to socialize and take pictures with Rosie. Throughout the evening enjoy special cocktails and “Mocktails” for Moms-to-be.

Moms-to-be may also register for a special MomPrep course with Rosie. The special course with Sneak Peak hospital tour will take place on Friday, November 18th and space is limited so early registration is strongly recommended.

For more information on all of these grand opening events or to register visit GenB.com

Birmingham Events Calendar: October 23rd – October 30th

Posted on by Angie

Have you purchased your costumes yet? Halloween is just around the corner and the calendar is full of spooky story times, trick or treating and of course Fall Festivals galore!

If you’re up for a scary movie check out Railroad Parks Sunset Cinema, this week they’ll be showing Poltergeist!

Looks like it’s going to be a great weather week so get out and enjoy some of our everyday local attractions like your local parks, or Vulcan Museum!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday October 23rd:

Vulcan Aftertunes – Vulcan Park
Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views with Birmingham’s hip iron man, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music.  Gates open at 1 p.m. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and general admission. Lawn chairs and blankets strongly encouraged. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No pets or outside alcohol allowed. All shows rain or shine. For additional concert details and up-to-date artist information, log onto www.visitvulcan.com.
3pm

Jazz in the Park – Railroad Park
Join us for our 2nd annual Jazz in the Park concert series in Birmingham Railroad Park as we partner with Councilor Johnathan Austin District 5 Fun Day event. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chair for an evening of Jazz featuring diverse group Birmingham area Jazz musicians.
Jazz in the Park is a smoke-free event and healthy food vendors will be available including Jones Valley Urban Farm and West End Gardens.
3pm – 6pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Monday October 24th:

Halloween Crafts – West End Library
Come join us to make a wonderful craft for you or someone special. Supplies will be provided.
3:30pm

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday October 25th:

Scooby-Doo’s Howl O’ Ween – Hoover Public Library
Show off your Halloween costume early when you join Scooby and the gang for games, crafts and snacks throughout the Kid Zone.
6:30pm

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome. For larger groups, a call is nice but not necessary.
10:30am

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday October 26th:

Scared Silly Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Little Goblins Ten! Over the river and through the woods, you’ll find all kinds of spooky, silly creatures just waiting to count to ten with you as they celebrate their favorite night, Halloween! Enjoy something to sip on while we draw our best goblin.
10am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday October 27th:

Storytime Fun – Vestavia Hills Library
join Ms. Amanda for Storytime Fun. Adventures of all kinds for kids ages 3 years through 5 years.
10:30am

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Poltergeist– 7pm
George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim ‘N Nick’s Barbecue will be selling food and drink during the movies! George’s Boxcar Cafe will have all of your movie favorites, including popcorn, nachos, and candy; PLUS they will be serving cocktails! Jim ‘N Nick’s will be grilling their famous barbecue and will have other delectable Southern treats, including their famous cheese biscuits!

What to bring: a blanket or lawn chair and cash or credit card to so that you can purchase delicious food and beverages from George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim N Nick’s!

—————————————————————————————

Friday October 28th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

Story Day with Nene – Whole Foods
stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

—————————————————————————————

Saturday October 29th:

Fall Festival – Oak Mountain State Park
Come join us for the 1st Fall Festival at Oak Mountain State Park. We will have all kinds of activities to include: hayrides, face painting, moonwalk, cake hop, corn cob toss, bobbing for apples, dunking booth, and a pumpkin carving contest. Bring your own pumpkin to carve.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase.
Park admission is charged: $3 adults, $1 children (ages 6 to 11), 5 & under are free, $1 seniors (age 62+).

Activities have a fee of $1 each. Tickets for activities can be purchased under the Dogwood Pavilion. Money will not be accepted at each activity, only tickets.
10am – 2pm

Mr Laurel Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair
Activities, music and family fun
8am – Noon

Oktoberfest – Moody City Park
Annual fall festival with arts, crafts, jewelry, children’s activities, camel/pony rides, petting zoo, live entertainment, food and so much FUN!
10am – 5pm

Pet a Palooza – Veteran’s Park Hoover
Annual, community-wide event for pets and their humans.The stage will host a blessing of the pets, contests, and a “Fashion Show of Humans” by Maurice’s that will showcase rescue dogs looking for a home. Pets and their humans can shop at pet related vendors, view homemade arts and crafts, listen to music and enjoy great food. ABC 33/40, one of the event partners, will be on hand with special surprises. We encourage you to bring your chairs and come out to Veteran’s Park Hoover to meet and greet other pet lovers. We even invite you to dress up in celebration of the Halloween season. Proceeds will benefit local pet rescues.

Remember: all pets should be well mannered and properly vaccinated to attend this day of fun. Those not complying may be asked to leave.
9am – 2pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Ghouly Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Halloween is just around the corner, that’s why we’re reading Goodnight Goon! As a little werewolf tries to sleep, a Goon comes in and messes everything in sight. What are we going to do with this Naughty Goon? Happy Halloween!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday October 30th:

Trick or Treat in the Museum – McWane Science Center
Bring your little monsters for a not-too-scary but totally spooky adventure! Try science “tricks” like sticking your hands in slime, learning how to mix mysterious potions, and even touching pumpkin guts! Wear a costume to the museum and get a special treat.
Noon – 4pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Eat Well, Play Well Exhibit:
What is in the food we eat? Are fruits and vegetables important? Can everyday activities burn calories? Visitors will find the answers to these questions by exploring nutrition and fitness in this summer’s traveling exhibit called Eat Well, Play Well. This highly-interactive exhibit encourage healthy living by teaching the science of making healthy-food choices and helping children and adults discover that there are many fun and interesting ways to stay active. Visitors will discover what an appropriate serving size looks like, see first hand what it takes to burn off calories, test their flexibility and balance, review the latest clinical research and realize that they can reduce their risk of disease with healthy choices that are within their reach.

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Ally,  Born to Be Wild, and Wild Ocean.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Giveaway: Shop, Save, and Share Card from Junior League of Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

The kids haven’t even trick-or-treated, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start your holiday shopping now. Get ahead of the game, and do it the smart way with s Shop, Save, and Share card.  Here’s how it works:

-Shoppers purchase a Shop, Save & Share Card for $40 either from self-selected retail partners during the event or through the Junior League of Birmingham prior to the event.

-Shoppers receive a 20% discount at participating retailers on merchandise sold to cardholders during the week of October 26 – November 6, 2011. A retail shopping guide, including the retailer’s name, locations, description and exclusions will accompany each Shop, Save & Share Card.

-Participating retail partners may limit or exclude specific items from the discount during the event.  Exclusions will be printed in the retail shopping guide.

-Proceeds from the sale of the Shop, Save & Share Cards directly support the work of the Junior League of Birmingham.

GIVEAWAY!

You can win a Shop, Save, and Share card, here’s how:

1. Comment here. 1 entry total

2. Tweet “@JLBirmingham is giving away a goody on @BirminghamMommy http://ow.ly/748Of
”  1 entry per day, come back here and let us know you did it..

3. Head to Junior League’s Facebook page and Thank them! They do a lot of work, a little love goes a long way. 🙂  1 entry total

Two winners will be announced at the close of the contest on Tuesday the 25th

Good Luck!

 

 

Geocaching in Birmingham (and Beyond!)

Posted on by Angie

Are you familiar with Geocaching? If you have kids, you need to know about this activity, it’s great to do as a family.

Geocaching is a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers in random places all over the world. You might be surprised what you can find in your own backyard or neighborhood!

Although it’s been around for more than 10 years, it wasn’t until recently that I paid attention to the concept and now that I have children, I understand the appeal of this high tech game of hide and seek.

According to Wikipedia “a geocacher will place a waterproof container containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and trade items then record the cache’s coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on a listing site. Other geocachers obtain the coordinates from that listing site and seek out the cache using their GPS handheld receivers. The finding geocachers record their exploits in the logbook and online. Geocachers are free to take objects (except the logbook, pencil, or stamp) from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value.”

Kids love to treasure hunt and with the help of your trusty smart phone and a couple of apps, this has never been easier. So visit your app store and download an app or two and spend one of these nice fall weekends having some family fun.

To learn more about Geocaching, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center will be hosting a Family Geocaching event on Saturday October 22nd – This course is perfect for those interested in learning more about how to geocache, as well those who just need a little guidance. Families will learn the basics of geocaching and will also have the opportunity to search for caches on the mountain. ●$10/ family. ●Reservations required.  Reserve your spot today at http://shop.ruffnermountain.org/categories/Family-Programs/ ● Each family needs to have at least one handheld GPS unit or smartphone with a GPS or geocaching app

Summit Restaurants Go Pink to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Posted on by Angie

Beginning today and running through Friday October 21st, many of the restaurants at The Summit will be going pink to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

This is the first time The Summit is hosting an entire week highlighting its restaurants. Several of the dining establishments will donate a portion of their proceeds to the BCRFA when guests dine on certain days and/or during certain hours.  Some restaurants will also offer special pink desserts or cocktails throughout the month.  Participating eateries include: Flip Burger Boutique, California Pizza Kitchen, Chuy’s Mexican Food, Flat Top Grill, Izzo’s Illegal Burrito, Macaroni Grill, Sweet Bones Alabama, Village Tavern and Zoe’s Kitchen.

More information about the participating restaurants including the schedule for the week and the associated donation can be found at: http://bcrfa.org/summit/restaurant_week.php

Birmingham Events Calendar: October 16th – October 23rd

Posted on by Angie

Halloween Happenings are heating up all around town, have you checked out our complete list of all the events going on? You should!

Restaurant Week will be kicking off at the Summit Shopping Center, and many of the restaurants will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, we’ll have more details on that coming up on the site soon.

You can catch a Build and grow Clinic at Lowes and if you’re interested in Geocaching or learning more about it, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center will have a great event next weekend for the entire family!

Have a great week!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday October 16th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Monday October 17th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Library
Join us for a fun flick and tasty treats
3:30pm

Halloween Family Night – Vestavia Hills Library
Come join us for the Vestavia Hills Library for Halloween Family Night: Bring the entire family to an awesome evening of Halloween fun. Refreshments will be served. Registration Required for this event. Register in the Children’s Department or call 978-0158.

6pm


—————————————————————————————

Tuesday October 18th:

Lego Monster Lab – Hoover Public Library
Use all your “mad” building skills to create a creepy creature. All participants entered into drawing for Lego door prizes. Ages 7-12. Registration begins Sep. 26.
6:30pm

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome. For larger groups, a call is nice but not necessary.
10:30am

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday October 19th:

Fall Carnival – Magnolia Park, Trussville
Fun games, rides and food for everyone!
Admission: $14 for wristbands and $1 for individual tickets. **Coupons will be available at area businesses and Paine Primary and Intermediate Schools.** Coupons are also available for $1 off the price of the wristband at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
6pm – 9pm

Spooky Sing a Long Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
There are five singing skulls and four icky eyeballs in this creepy-crawly countdown to The 13 Nights of Halloween by Guy Vasilovich. When we reach the end of the song, we’ll sip on something sweet from our Cafe and create some spooky crafts.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday October 20th:

Meet and Astronaut – Southern Museum of Flight
Dr. Serena M. Auñón was selected in July 2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. She recently graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in ISS systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.
7:30pm – 8:30pm

Fall Carnival – Magnolia Park, Trussville
Fun games, rides and food for everyone!
Admission: $14 for wristbands and $1 for individual tickets. **Coupons will be available at area businesses and Paine Primary and Intermediate Schools.** Coupons are also available for $1 off the price of the wristband at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Relax By the Tracks – Railroad Park
Relax By The Tracks is a free event sponsored by the Railroad Park Foundation Junior Board and George’s Boxcar Cafe. Free music will be provided by Lauren-Michael Sellers and the legendary Gip Gipson. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at George’s Boxcar Cafe. Fun for the whole family!
5pm – 7pm

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Rocky III– 7pm
George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim ‘N Nick’s Barbecue will be selling food and drink during the movies! George’s Boxcar Cafe will have all of your movie favorites, including popcorn, nachos, and candy; PLUS they will be serving cocktails! Jim ‘N Nick’s will be grilling their famous barbecue and will have other delectable Southern treats, including their famous cheese biscuits!

What to bring: a blanket or lawn chair and cash or credit card to so that you can purchase delicious food and beverages from George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim N Nick’s!

—————————————————————————————

Friday October 21st:

Fall Carnival – Magnolia Park, Trussville
Fun games, rides and food for everyone!
Admission: $14 for wristbands and $1 for individual tickets. **Coupons will be available at area businesses and Paine Primary and Intermediate Schools.** Coupons are also available for $1 off the price of the wristband at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

Story Day with Nene – Whole Foods
stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

—————————————————————————————

Saturday October 22nd:

Family Geocaching – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Geocaching is often described as a combination of an outdoor scavenger hunt mixed with hide and seek. This course is perfect for those interested in learning more about how to geocache, as well those who just need a little guidance. Families will learn the basics of geocaching and will also have the opportunity to search for caches on the mountain. •$10/ family. •Reservations required. •Each family needs to have at least one handheld GPS unit or smartphone with a GPS or geocaching app.
10am

Lowes Build and Grow
Halloween Monster Truck
This “Monster” truck includes a flashing light and glow in the dark stickers!
10am

Fall Carnival – Magnolia Park, Trussville
Fun games, rides and food for everyone!
Admission: $14 for wristbands and $1 for individual tickets. **Coupons will be available at area businesses and Paine Primary and Intermediate Schools.** Coupons are also available for $1 off the price of the wristband at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Scaredy Cat Splat Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
How can a scaredy-cat be the scariest cat in the class? When that cat is Splat! Find out how Splat and Seymour become brave and learn that everyone gets scared sometimes. Sneak a peek at our Toys & Games Department and create some tricky crafts.
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday October 23rd:

Vulcan Aftertunes – Vulcan Park
Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views with Birmingham’s hip iron man, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music.  Gates open at 1 p.m. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and general admission. Lawn chairs and blankets strongly encouraged. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No pets or outside alcohol allowed. All shows rain or shine. For additional concert details and up-to-date artist information, log onto www.visitvulcan.com.
3pm

Jazz in the Park – Railroad Park
Join us for our 2nd annual Jazz in the Park concert series in Birmingham Railroad Park as we partner with Councilor Johnathan Austin District 5 Fun Day event. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chair for an evening of Jazz featuring diverse group Birmingham area Jazz musicians.
Jazz in the Park is a smoke-free event and healthy food vendors will be available including Jones Valley Urban Farm and West End Gardens.
3pm – 6pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Advertisements