Family News

Our contests: Win BIG with MetroFamily

st — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:58:00 GMT

If you like to win great prizes, this is the website for you. We're offering many great contests and more are added often.

Click here to sign up for these great MetroFamily contests:

• Our monthly giveaway featuring over $400 of family products.

• One of two four-packs to the production of A Very Merry Pops, a production of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic coming to the Civic Center Music Hall December 3-5.

Good luck! And be sure to tell your friends about these great deals!

November Online Exclusive Articles

ST — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:18:11 GMT

Exclusive online-only content for November 2009 are here.

Find ideas for boosting your energy level here:

metrofamilymagazine.com/where-is-your-energy

Here's how to make a great gift for many on your Christmas list:

metrofamilymagazine.com/making-heat-paks

Don't let laundry stains get you down:

metrofamilymagazine.com/stain-removing-tips-from-the-experts

Why you should be an askable parent:

metrofamilymagazine.com/being-an-askable-parent

What to do when the kids are sick:

metrofamilymagazine.com/beating-the-sick-day-blues

To see the entire November 2009 issue features, go here.

Fundraiser to honor the memory of Jamison Watters

st — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:40:13 GMT

A "Jump for Jamison" fundraiser will be held to benefit the Jamison Bennett Watters Memorial Fund to aid in Leukemia Research. Here are the details:

Saturday, November 21, noon to 3pm at First Baptist Church of Moore, I35 and NE 27th. $5 per person. Cotton Candy, Moonbounces and other inflatables. For more information, 405-650-2213.

Update on H1N1 Vaccine

st — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:24:21 GMT

State health officials announced today the expansion of H1N1 influenza vaccine priority groups to include young adults ages 19-24, all health care workers, and caregivers of infants less than 6 month old. These new groups are in addition to previously announced priority groups.

Health officials emphasize that H1N1 influenza continues to be widespread across Oklahoma. Since September 1, 804 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to complications from influenza and 20 persons have died. Ninety percent of the H1N1-related deaths have been persons less than 65 years old. This finding contrasts significantly with seasonal flu which tends to cause the greatest proportion of deaths among persons older than 65 years. The best protection against getting the flu is to receive the vaccine for H1N1 and seasonal flu.

While supply of the vaccine is still limited, priority groups for Oklahomans who should receive the H1N1 vaccine follow recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and include the following:

·         All children, adolescents and young adults ages 6 months – 24 years
·         Pregnant women
·         All healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
·         Any person who lives with, or provides care for, infants less than six months (e.g., parents, siblings and daycare providers)
·         Persons 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications such as diabetes, asthma & other chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, cancer, and other conditions that suppress the immune system.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) expects an additional 80,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to be delivered to the state this week. The doses include both nasal spray and injectable vaccines.

People seeking vaccinations will be screened to ensure that they meet a priority group definition for H1N1 vaccine and to verify Oklahoma residency. People not included in one of the priority groups are encouraged to be patient, as state officials expect to continue to expand availability as supplies allow. In addition to providing vaccine through regularly scheduled clinics, county health departments have begun to distribute vaccine to private providers with an emphasis on practices that serve children and pregnant women. These providers have signed agreements with the OSDH to follow priority group guidelines targeting those with the greatest need.

For more information about the availability of H1N1 influenza vaccine in your area, call your local county health department or visit www.health.ok.gov, or call the Oklahoma State Department of Health toll-free H1N1 hotline at: 1-866-278-7134. Phones are answered Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

The voting has begun for 2009 Cover Kids Search!

st — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:26:28 GMT

The voting for the 2009 Cover Kids Search is open through November 20th. Vote for your favorite in each of six categories here. It is important that you NOT vote by commenting on this story.

Our sincere appreciation to Presenting Sponsor, Delta Dental.

The value of advertising with MetroFamily

st — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:44:24 GMT

Here's a great video that explains why advertising in magazines is so important in connecting with your audience, getting more people to your website and multiplying your multi-media advertising efforts. To find out more about advertising with the OKC area's number one family resource, MetroFamily Magazine, click here.

Our Twitter Feed: Keep up with the LATEST from MetroFamily

st — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:49:20 GMT

Pumpkin Patches and fall festivals around the area

st — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:11:13 GMT

There are loads of activities throughout the metro and the state during October. Pumpkin patches, corn maizes, fall festivals, trick-or-treating activities.... In addition, this Thursday and Friday (October 15-16) is the public school fall break days. Check out this list for dozens of great ideas to keep the kids busy and the entire family happy. Enjoy!

ALSO, don't miss out on using Exploring Oklahoma with Children and Kids Pass, your guide to family fun throughout the state plus discounts to attractions in the metro and beyond! To learn all about it, including how to read the digital edition of MetroFamily and how to download the Kids Pass, CLICK HERE.

Fall Break Camps:

Space is limited, early enrollment is suggested.

City Arts Center will offer Mix it Upand Art FUNdamentals camps on Thursday & Friday, 9am-4pm. Cost is$60 for the 2-day camp. For details visit CityArtsCenter.org.

Young Chefs Academy will hold acooking camp for kids ages 6 and up on Thursday & Friday, 1-4pm.Cost $80 for both days. For details call 285-5939 or visit YoungChefsAcademy.com.

OKC Museum of Art will offer art campon Thursday & Friday, 9am-4pm for kids age 5-10. Cost $60 formembers, $65 for non-members. For details call 236-3100 or visit OKCMOA.com.

Oklahoma Children's Theatre: Fantastic Fall Adventures Campwill be offered Thursday & Friday for kids ages 5-12. Cost is $45for one day or $80 for both. For details call 606-7003 or visit OklahomaChildrensTheatre.org.

Girls Scouts: Get Away with Girl Friends Fall Campis planned for Thursday & Friday. The camp is designed for girlsages 5-12. $25 for both days or $15 for one day. For details click here.

Through October

The Pumpkin Patch at Chester’s Party Barn in Piedmontfeatures pony rides, petting zoo, Pumpkin Bowling, and hayrides.Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 1-6pm. $6 per child, $5 per adult. 5201Cimarron Road, 405-373-1595, ChesterAndCrew.com.

Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch with hay wagon rides, cornfield maze, petting zoo, ponyrides, pick your own pumpkin and more. Thursday-Saturday, 10am-dusk; Sunday1pm-dusk. Monday-Wednesday by appt. Eight miles east of Edmond off Hwy 66. 396-0909, ParkhurstPumpkinPatch.com.

Pumpkin Patch at Orr Family Farm features hayride, amazin’ maze, “sugar pie” pumpkins, giant jumping pillows, petting zoo and more. Fridays 6-8:30pm ($10.50for ages 2 and up), Saturdays 10am-8:30pm ($12.50 for ages 2 and up). 14400 S Western Avenue, OKC. 799-FARM, OrrFamilyFarm.com.

Through November 14

Mikles Family Farm, Shawnee Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Hayrides,pumpkin picking, petting zoo, corn maize and night exclusive activitiessuch as Glow StickMaze (all season) and Cornstalkers Haunted Field (October weekendsonly). Fridays 6-10pm, Saturdays 10am-10pm, Sundays noon-5pm (closedSundays in November). Two packages available: each package is $8adults, $7 kids 4-11, 3 and under free; discounted if buy combo pass. MiklesFamilyFarm.com. (Coupon pg. 17, Oct MetroFamily.)

P Bar Farms features corn maze, hay rides, laser tag, trainrides and haunted maze (opens 10/2). Thursday-Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday,10am-10pm; closed Sundays. $7 adults, $6 ages 5-12, under 5 free. LaserTag admission, $6. Located on I-40 between Hydro and Weatherford.580-772-4401, PBarFarms.com. (Coupon pg. 34, Oct MetroFamily.)

Through November 29

Daze in a Maze in Logan County features four walk-through mazes,petting zoo, pumpkin patch, picnic and play areas and much more.Saturday 10am-10pm;Sunday 2pm-dusk; Monday-Friday groups by appointment only. $6; 3 andunder free. 580-234-6293; on weekends call 405-550-5964, DazeInAMaze.com.

October 7-30

Pumpkin City at Putnam City Baptist Church (11401 N Rockwell Ave). Monday-Saturday 11am-dark. 405-773-6900, PCBCOK.org.October 9-31

Frightfest and Booville (for 12 and under) at Frontier City. Held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 11501 N I-35 Service Road, 405-478-2140,FrontierCity.com.

10 • Saturday

FREE Fall into Art at Martin Nature Park, 5pm. Activities for all ages and nature-inspired art for sale. 405-755-0676.

The Pumpkin Festival at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 9am-4pm. Activities, children’s silent auction and live entertainment. 405-732-6831.

16 • Friday

FREE Autumn Explosion at the First Southern Baptist Church, 4-9pm. Rides, inflatables, food, candy, and much more. FirstSouthern.TV.

22 • Thursday

FREE Autumn Make-n-Take at Yukon’s Mabel C. Fry Library,4pm. Fall stories, songs and crafts for children K-5th grade. Space islimited, registration is required.405-354-8232. Also held 10/29.

Halloween Boo Bash at the Harn Homestead, 8pm. Free food,live band, costume contest and raffle prizes. $25 in advance; $30 atthe door. Fundraiser for Friends of St. Jude (St. Jude's Hospital).217-9200, FriendsofStJude.org

23 • Friday

FREE Annual Fall Festival at Church of the Servant Methodist Church, 6-8:30pm. Donations for Infant Crisis Services will be accepted at the door.405-601-9515.

23-24

Halloween Hike at the Little River Zoo, 6-8:30pm. Trick or Treat along the Zoo’s scary trails. $5. Also, Fright Hike, 8-11pm. Hike through the haunted wooded trails.$10, 405-366-7229, LittleRiverZoo.com.

23-31

Storybook Forest at Arcadia Lake, 5:30-8:30pm. Walk through the not-so-scary trail to collect candy from the Storybook characters and see wonderful Storybookscenes. $5 per child Monday-Thursday; $7 Friday-Sunday. 405-216-7771, EdmondOK.com.

24 • Saturday

Art Pumpkin Carving Family Workshop at City Arts Center, 1-4pm. Preparation, design, preservation and carving technique will be covered. Children under 12need to be accompanied by an adult. $40. Registration required. 405-951-0000, CityArtsCenter.org.

Pumpkin Patch Party at Norman’s Gymboree. 6:30-8pm. Arts and crafts, gym play, costume parade and more. $20 per family. Call for reservations, 307-8454 or normanok@hymboreeclasses.com.

FREE Sorghum Festival in Downtown Wewoka. Features more than 100food and craft booths, sorghum mill demonstrations, live entertainment,kid’s activities, quilt show, parade and car show. 405-257-5485,WewokaChamber.Samsbiz.com.

FREE Villa Teresa Moore Halloween Carnival, (13501 S Western Ave.) 6-9pm. Games, haunted house, inflatables, and food. 405-691-7737.

Pumpkin Carving Party at Unplugits, 2-4pm. Make pumpkins with the entire family. $18 per pumpkin. 405-340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

Pumpkin Parents Night Out at Unpluggits, 4-8pm. Enjoy an evening out while your children paint, play and carve their own Jack-o-lantern. Pizza dinner included.$25. Ages 4 and up. 405-340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree Play and Music of Norman,6:30-8pm. Arts and crafts, gym play, and costume parade. $20 perfamily. Pre-registration required. 405-307-8454,NormanOK@GymboreeClasses.com.

Creepy Conservatory at the Myriad Botanical Gardens featuresexotic animals and bugs, tropical trick-or-treat trail, kids crafts andactivities. 405-297-3995,MyriadGardens.com.

Boo on Bell Street in historic downtown Shawnee. Carnival games, costume contests, trick-or-treating. 405-275-3641, VisitShawnee.com.

FREE Family Fun Night at Edmond’s Festival Marketplace.Activities, door prizes, trick-or-treating, apple cider and hotchocolate. Register for pumpkin carving contest in advance,405-359-4630, EdmondOK.com.

FREE Spooksville at the Yukon Community Center includes carnival, spookhouse, games, costume contest and candy. 3-6pm. 405-350-8937,CityOfYukonOK.gov.

Catch-A-Glimpse Retreat Children’s Fall Festival featuring the Adventure Trick-or-Treat Trail at 11400 S County Line Rd., 4-7pm. Activities include barnyard carnivalgames, hayride, pumpkin launch, carousel pony rides and food. $5 children; adults FREE. Catch-A-Glimpse.com.

FREE Halloween Party at the Choctaw Library, 2pm. Magician Steve Crawford will share his tricks while you make a craft.

Tulsa’s Discoveryland Camp Cute ‘n’ Spooky for children age10 and under with parent includes enchanted forest, spooky fun maze,pony rides, pumpkin painting, bonfires and refreshments. $6, 7-9pm.918-742-5255, DiscoveryLandUSA.com. Also held 10/28-30.

25 • Sunday
FREE Fall Festival at the Edmond Church of Christ (801 S Bryant), 7pm. Indoor trick-or-treating, games, prizes, and candy. For children infants to 5th grade. 405-341-3353, EdmondChurchofChrist.com.

FREE Trunk or Treat at New Covenant United Methodist Church in Edmond, 6-8pm. Over 30 trunks with games and prizes. 562-3200, NCovenant.org/Trunk-or-Treat.

26-31
Haunt the Zoo at the OKC Zoo, 6:30-8:30pm. Admission children, $7; adults FREE. 405-424-3344, OKCZoo.com.

27 • Tuesday
FREE Trick or Treat on the Lake at Lake Thunderbird near Norman, 6-8pm. 405-321-4633.

FREE Halloween Storytime at the Del City Library, 6:30-7:15pm. Halloween themed stories and activities. Children should wear costumes for the Annual Monster March.

FREE Dress-up Party for Preschoolers at the Warr Acres Library, 6:30-7:30pm. Dress up and enjoy puppets and stories. For ages 2 ½ to 5 years.

Great Pumpkin Egg Hunt at Western Hills Guest Ranch, (17131Pak 10 in Hulbert) 2pm. More than 2,000 candy, toy and prize eggs willbe scattered on the lawn with a costume contest. 918-772-2108, OklahomaParks.com.

27-31
HallowMarine at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks (near Tulsa),6:30-9pm. Pirate themed event with a toddler-friendly carnival,trick-or-treat trail and the Haunted Sunken Ship for older kids. Allexhibits will be open. $7 child; 10 adult. 918-528-1508, OKAquarium.org.

29 • Thursday
Haunt the Harn at the Harn Homestead, 5:30-8:30pm.Trick-or-treat at the historical buildings and participate in games andcrafts, hay rides, roasting marshmallows, face painting and campfire.$3 in advance; $5 at the door. 405-235-4058, HarnHomestead.com.

FREE Annual Fall Festival at Crossings Community Church,6-8pm. Families are invited to dress up in their favorite happycostumes for dinner, games, and more. For children 2 years-6th grade.405-755-2227.

FREE Mysterious Oklahoma: True Tales with author David Farris at the Edmond Library,7-8:30pm. David shares from his books and focuses on the events in thesupernatural realm that have taken place in our state. For grades 3 andup.

30 • Friday
Boo-Tacular Fun at Young Chefs Academy, 6-9pm. Cooking up tasty Halloween treats. $35. Ages 6 and up. Also held 10/31 from 10-noon for ages 3-5. 405-285-5939, YoungChefsAcademy.com.

FREE FestiFall at Putnam City Baptist Church (11401 N Rockwell), 6:30-8:30pm. Outside inflatables, games, food, and candy. 405-773-6900, PCBCOK.org.

30-31
Bright Night of Not-So-Frightening Fun at the Science Museum Oklahoma,6pm-8:30am. Experience all the museum offers along with some addedHalloween activities, an overnight stay and breakfast. $45 adult orchild; non-participating adult $20; members and military families $10off. For all ages. 405-602-6664, ScienceMuseumOK.org.

31 • Saturday

The Great Pumpkin Event at Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, Seminole, 6-8pm. FREE. Museum exhibits will be open with special games and treats added. Each child gets a bag of treats. 405-382-0950, jasminemoran.com.

Fall Festival at Celebration Station. Start the day with a delicious Pancake Breakfast at 10am, Free Video Games from 10am-1pm, Unlimited Rides from 10am-4pm for only $7.99, plus the Trick-or-Treat Golf Trail, Costume Contest and more. 942-7888, or click here for all details.

Bowl-o-ween at RedPin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge in Bricktown features fun activities for kids from 11am to 4pm. Come in costume and enjoy carnival games, pizza, spooky punch and bowling. Free parking is available in Lower Bricktown or valet parking is offered for $5 in the circle drive on the west side of Harkins Cinema. Admission is $10 per child; adults complimentary. 702-8880 or BowlRedPin.com/specials.

Halloween Costume Party at Unpluggits, noon-2pm. FREE face painting and fun games. Included in paint’n play admission or craft purchase. 405-340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

Great Pumpkin Fest at TG Farms, 9am-6pm. $8 at the door or $6 in advance from Newcastle Chamber. A family event featuring arts and crafts, barn dance and entertainment. Newcastle Chamber, 405-387-3232, NewcastleOK.org.

FREE Fall Festival at Village Baptist Church, 4:30–6:30pm. Afamily friendly event with a preschool area and a grade school area.Plus the annual Trunk or Treat with more activities continuing inside.For infants to 6th grade. shale@vbcokc.org; 405-751-1951.

Halloween Night at the Orr Family Farm, 6-9pm. Hayrides, FREEpumpkins, animal barn, train rides, pedal cars and carousel, pumpkindecorating and costume contests. Costumes encouraged, no masks. FREEcoloring books and candy. Admission $10.50. 405-799-3276, OrrFamilyFarm.com.

FREE Fall Frolic at Waterloo Road Baptist Church, 5-7pm. Fallfestival for kids of all ages with a sports theme. A special area forinfants and toddlers, as well as a large area full of carnival stylegames for kids, inflatables and a bag of candy. Emily, 405-341-9024, emily@waterlooroad.org.

Trick or Treat in the Maze at Mikles Family Farm in Shawnee, (42610 N Wolverine) 2-4pm. Costume contest with prizes. Admission $7. For kids 10 and under. 405-401-8217, MiklesFamilyFarm.com.

FREE Sonic’s Spooky Saturday at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History, 10am-5pm. FREE admission. 403-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu.

FREE Trick or Treat at Edmond’s KickingBird Square, 4-6pm. Visit each store for treats. Located at Bryant and Danforth. 405-340-9202, BestofBooks.com.

FREE Trick or Treat on the Street in Downtown Edmond, 5-7pm. Visit the merchants downtown including the police and fire departments. 405-249-9391, DowntownEdmondOK.com.

FREE Midwest City Trick or Treat City at Joe B. Regional Park, 2-4:30pm. 405-733-3801, MidwestCityOK.com.

Full Day of Family Fun in Moore, 7am-9pm. Pancake Breakfast7am; Red Ribbon Parade, 10am; Red Ribbon Jam, noon, Haunt the Old Town,4:30pm; and 27th Annual Halloween Festival 6pm. All held at MooreCommunity Center.

FREE Trick-or-Treat at the Midwest City Library, 9am-5pm. Stop by the library for a little treat. All ages.

FREE Extreme Makeover: Halloween Edition at the Midwest CityLibrary, 10:30-11:30am. Learn tricks and techniques for doing stagemakeup and begin your own transformation. Space is limited.Registration required.

FREE Halloween Fun at the Del City Library, 2-3pm. Children come by for treats. Ages 6-11.

FREE Face Painting at the Ralph Ellison Library, 2-3pm. Get your face painted for Halloween. Teens.

FREE Cosplay costume contest at the Southern Oaks Library, 2-4pm. Costumes can be any copyrighted character. For rules and more information, call 631-4468.

FREE Neewollah Festival in Downtown Chickasha, 5pm. Includes candy, food and a costume contest. 405-224-0787, ChickashaChamber.com.

November 1

Bring a carved pumpkin to the OKC Thunder game and get a FREE ticket. Find out all the details here.

MetroFamily now on OK43's Rise and Shine

st — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:40:30 GMT

MetroFamily is excited to announce that we are contributing a parenting segment on the popular morning show Rise and Shine on OK43. Every Wednesday, we'll be highlighting the local info parents need to know to have more fun with their families. Lance West of Rise and Shine and a MetroFamily representative can be watched every Wednesday at 7:45am. For more information about OK43, click here. We appreciate our partnership with KFOR Newschannel 4 and thank them very much for this opportunity.

MetroFamily publisher Sarah Taylor gives tips about adoption in Oklahoma. Air date, November 4, 2009.

Join MetroFamily on Twitter and Facebook

st — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:39:16 GMT

We cordially invite you to join us on Twitter and Facebook! Here's how:

Go to Twitter.com. If you don't have a Twitter account, it's easy to sign up for one. Then search for us, MetroFamily and choose to "follow" us. When we get more followers, we will start alerting you to fun (low cost or free) things to do with your children around the area. And, as soon as we can, we'll start also sending out coupons and discounts from our advertisers to our "followers."

Become a fan of MetroFamily on Facebook. Go to Facebook.com, sign up if you aren't already, and search for MetroFamily Magazine.

If you have questions, be sure to email. See you (more often) online!

Sarah Taylor, Publisher

Here's an article from May 2009 that will help you get started with Twitter:

Want to Tweetup?

Tweetup (noun): A gathering of online Twitter users to meet and socialize with each other in person.

Not yet a Twittering mom and wondering whom you’d follow? Here are a few that MetroFamily recommends:
Attractions:
@OKCMOA
@OKCAdventure
@OKHeritage
OK Sports Teams:
@OKCThunder
@OKCRedHawks
@OKCYardDawgz

Nonprofit Organizations:
@GSWestOK
@artscouncilokc
@MetroLibraryOK
Local Mompreneurs:
@FatDaddySweets—Online Candy Shop
@ginamstudio—Online Ceramic Studio
@ascrappydesign—Online Scrapbook Paper Boutique

Local Mommy Bloggers:
@MomRN (all things parenting)
@CouponPrincess (coupons)
@leanna_mom23 (special health need/special need families)

Professional Moms:
@kelleydmcguire (Area Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma)
@ncoggins (from National Memorial)
@cadamy (Small Business Analyst at Francis Tuttle and foster mom)

Just for Fun:
@RumbletheBison
@OKPhotobooth
@sfas (Sugar Free Allstars)
@unpluggits

MetroFamily Staff
@staylorok (Publisher)
@WhitneyFleming (Marketing Specialist)
@MariFarthing (Editor)
@2Graphic (Art Director)
@Taffypull7 (Calendar Editor)