2011-08

AFA Teens Volunteer Across America Challenge: The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America challenges teens to log at least 50 hours of service related to Alzheimer’s from May 31 to August

CASA Needs Volunteers

Hairspray: Through Aug. 28. Tease up your hair and get on your dancin’ shoes: this musical will have everyone singing for days! $20-62 ZACH Theatre’s Kleberg Stage, 1421 W.

You hate the PTA. Admit it. You’d rather clean out the drain than volunteer for field day or bake muffins for all those ungrateful teachers. But someone’s got to do it, right?

“If you had only listened to me, I would be Billy Elliot by now,” my son says as he unravels out of his triple pirouette.

What does it mean to be “smart”?

The question is more difficult than it seems.

Is intelligence simply a high IQ? Or is it something else — something not quite so easily quantifiable?

Whatever it is, many parents these days are doing their darndest to make sure their kids have a leg-up in the smarts department. How else do you explain this country’s nearly $1 billion dollar educational toy business?

• PLAY: In our fast-paced 21st century world, so many parents forget the benefit of unstructured play. Not team sports, nothing organized, just play. The benefits are enormous.

“Suzie started reading when she was a toddler, Billy was talking by 18 months, Bobby walked super early, and little Mary plays violin like a pro!”