Columbus Parent Magazine

Many children in our community are faced with a variety of problems, including abuse, domestic violence and poverty. During the holiday season, the kindness of strangers and the donation of gifts can bring much needed hope into these children's lives.

More than 5,000 abused, neglected and troubled children in Franklin County may receive no gifts this holiday season without the help of the community. These children are under the care of Franklin County Children Services and may have suffered through a variety of abuses. They live with foster parents, with relatives, with their parents or in residential care. There is no guarantee that without the help of the community these children will experience the true spirit of giving and receiving.

For more than 30 years, Franklin County Children Services has asked the community to help fill the holiday wishes of children through the agency's Holiday Wish program. And year after year, more than 3,000 individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups have come forward to help.

This gift-giving program allows each child under the care of Children Services to wish for a specific gift. The child's wish comes true through the generosity of community donors. Each child through 11 years may ask for a gift worth $40, and each youth 12 through 18 receives a gift certificate valued at $50. In addition, any kind of toy donations and tax-deductible cash donations are also needed.

Find out how you can help children enjoy the holiday season. Call Holiday Wish at (614) 275-2525.

Franklin County Children Services is the agency mandated by Ohio law to provide protection and care to children in need. Services are provided to strengthen family life to enable children to remain safe in their own homes.

Do you recall how cool it was to visit the corner candy shop as a kid? Those memories can be relived and new ones created at MJ's Candy Bar in historic downtown Dublin.

Blending an old-fashioned corner candy shop with a fun, upbeat caf? atmosphere, MJ's Candy Bar provides a wide selection of nostalgic and classic candies, premium chocolates from around the world, cupcakes with butter cream icing, Dippin Dots ice cream, SWIRL smoothies and sugar-free treats.

MJ's Candy Bar offers many gift items for the holidays, including premium chocolates, candy topiary trees, candy dispensers, novelty candy items, gift baskets and gift cards. Custom gift baskets can be made to order.

Mary and Jeff Shaffer of Columbus are the owners. "Foremost for us was to create a really enjoyable experience with the store. We think that everyone will find MJ's a treat because of our candy selections and fun environment," Mary said.

MJ's Candy Bar has a dedicated party room to host birthday parties or other "sweet" events. For birthday parties, the 90-minute program consists of candy themed games and crafts, candy treat bags and decorating cupcakes and Pucker Powder tubes (like a large Pixy Stick). Optional items include a pi?ata, Dippin Dots ice cream and SWIRL slushie drinks.

The business also provides special event services such as candy bar setup for wedding receptions, birthday parties or other celebrations.

Two chocolate-tasting events are planned in December. Experience Venezuelan-style Chuao Chocolate featured on the Today Show, Divine Chocolate from Germany as well as the Harry London brand from Canton, Ohio. Tasting event dates are Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, 7-8 p.m. Cost is $5 per person or $8 per couple. There is limited availability for each event, so reserve a spot by calling 614-446-8170 or by stopping in the store.

MJ's Candy Bar is located 72 N. High St., across the street from the Dublin Public Library. Call 614-336-8170 or visit mjscandybar.com.

For risky behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, what a teenager thinks his/her peers are doing may actually be more important than what they actually are doing.

Unfortunately, many young people overestimate how many of their peers drink and smoke. An adolescent who thinks "everyone's doing it" may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

In Franklin County, The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium found through the Primary Prevention, Awareness, Attitude and Use Survey that:

On average, high-school students think that 53 percent of the kids in their school drink alcohol each month. Estimates are somewhat lower for cigarette and marijuana use. Estimates among middle-school students are much lower.

These beliefs vary by school. In some high schools, students believe that more than half of their classmates use marijuana regularly. In other high schools, students think that only 25 percent do so.

So are teenagers' estimates accurate? No. At all ages and in all schools, kids overestimate how much their peers use drugs.

On average, high-school students think that 42 percent of the kids in their schools smoke cigarettes. The actual rate is only 13 percent.

Youths who think that most of their classmates use drugs are much more likely to use drugs themselves.

Regular alcohol use occurred among only 1 percent of ninth graders who thought "none" of the kids in their school used alcohol each month. In contrast, it occurred among 49 percent of those who thought "all" of the kids in their school used alcohol each month.

This same pattern appeared at all grades and for all substances. Among youth who do not drink alcohol or smoke marijuana, those who think most of their peers use drugs are more likely to be willing to do so.

The best thing parents can do to help their children is to know the facts. The majority of youth in Franklin County does not regularly drink and smoke.

The facts are that in 2006, the percentage of Franklin County students who regularly used alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana in the sixth grade was 1 percent or less. In the ninth grade, 16 percent used alcohol, 7 percent used cigarettes and 10 percent used marijuana. In 12th grade, 38 percent used alcohol, 13 percent used cigarettes and 19 percent used marijuana.

Parents should remember that most kids overestimate how much their peers use drugs. Ask your children what they think about their friends' use. Tell them what you know. Also, it's important to reinforce your family values and expectations about using alcohol and other drugs.

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Consortium has administered the Primary Prevention, Awareness, Attitude and Use Survey (PPAAUS) seven times since 1988. For more information, visit the PPAAUS website (edcouncil.org/programs/drugfree/ppaaus_2007/index.htm).

In an October feature story, a writer mistakenly quoted Ramona Fickle, of A Special Wish Foundation, as saying she was once the president of what is now Columbus State. Fickle actually was executive secretary to the president of what is now Columbus State.

Twin brother inventors share 'Rip Away 1000's' (wedgie-proof underwear) with Ellen DeGeneres

If you tuned into The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Nov. 2, you saw Invention Convention 2007 finalists Justin and Jared Serovich share their creation, "Rip Away 1000," with the world.

The Gables Elementary third-graders competed in last year's Invention Convention at Veterans Memorial. Their invention, "Rip Away 1000" or wedgie-proof underwear, are the 8-year-old brothers' solution to bully situations.

Although a humorous invention, the young inventors believe that it is indeed a very REAL problem. On the show, they demonstrated how their invention worked to comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres. Since the show's airing, the two brothers have been interviewed with media around the world.

A goal of Invention Convention is to inspire students (grades K-8) to create and problem-solve while developing their inventions. More than 1 million Ohio kids have participated in the program since 1996, creating useful, sometimes crazy but always interesting inventions.

The Columbus Regional Invention Convention 2008 is slated for May 17 at Veterans Memorial North Hall, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To learn more about the 2008 Invention Convention or how to participate, visit www.just-think-inc.com.