ST. LOUIS, MO / August 24, 2023 – Shift Films and the Haunted Garage Podcast are back with their 3rd Annual Haunted Garage Horror Festival taking place October 5-7 at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre, located at 1005 McCausland Avenue in St. Louis.
Tickets range from $10 Pit Stop Passes for specific events to an all-access weekend pass for $100. Find ticket details and prices at FilmFreeway or at the Hi-Pointe box office.
The event kicks off Thursday, October 5 with a horror-themed cocktail meet-and-greet with festival guests and a classic car Trunk-or-Treat event for families benefitting Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
Producers and festival creators Franki Cambeletta, Jeremy King, Travis Brown and Lily Schenck are excited to bring both local and national filmmakers together in the third year of the acclaimed Haunted Garage Horror Festival. “We are excited to work with the Hi-Pointe Theatre this year on bringing a world-class horror fest to St. Louis,” says Cambeletta. “We will be awarding Golden Piston Awards for categories such as Best Short, Best Feature Film, Best of Fest, Best Student Film, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and the Film with Most Grit.”
In addition to the horror micro-shorts, shorts, and features, horror experts in the field will participate in “Dead Talks” over the three-day festival such as Professor Athena Aktipis, founder of Zombie Media; last year’s “Best of Fest” winners Aaron Irons and Josh Croft; and Director Patrick Rea will talk about how to get your film distributed. Dr. Coltan Scrivner, a leading expert on the psychology of horror and morbid curiosity, will also present over the weekend with more guests to be announced.
Bringing a dog into your family can be a hugely rewarding thing to do, not just for your children, but for you as a parent too. Dogs are incredibly loyal companions, and they can help teach your children all kinds of important life lessons, like responsibility, empathy, and compassion.
However, it’s not usually just a case of picking a dog out of the air and hoping for the best – it’s far wiser to work out exactly which dog (or at least which kind of dog) would be best for your child so you can be sure they’ll get on well and enjoy their lives together. With that in mind, here are some things to consider before you get a dog for your child.
Before you take the plunge and get a dog, it’s best to think about whether or not your child is really ready to take on the task of dog ownership. Owning a dog needs a lot of effort, time commitment, and resources, so it’s a good idea to think this through, otherwise you might be the one left having to take care of the dog, or you might even have to give the dog away because no one can really look after it.
The first thing to think about is your child’s age and maturity levels (which can be entirely different things). Younger children might be enthusiastic about the idea of having a dog, but they might not really understand the commitment that’s involved. Older children (perhaps eight or older) might have a better grasp of what’s needed, so they’ll be able to do more to care for their pet.
You should also think about the level of responsibility they show in day-to-day life. Are they good at doing their chores, homework, and other tasks without having to be constantly reminded? If so, they’ll be more likely to be able to handle having a dog.
Plus, don’t forget that caring for a dog takes a lot of empathy so their needs and feelings can be understood. Is your child able to do that? If so, they’ll form stronger bonds with their pet that will lead them to take better care of it overall. Once you are sure that your child is ready for a pet, you can move on to the next stage – choosing the dog itself.
Think About Your Family’s Lifestyle
Choosing a dog that fits well with your family’s lifestyle is crucial if you want to have a pet you can look after in the right way, and that will be happy in your home. Different breeds of dogs have different energy levels and needs (physical, social, and mental), so finding a breed that works with your family’s daily routine is vital. Think about how active your family is on a regular basis – if you like to do a lot of outdoor activities, exercise, and so on, an active dog breed is a great idea. Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, a calmer breed will fit better.
You’ll also need to think about how much space you have, both inside and out. Larger dogs or high-energy breeds are going to need plenty more space to move around in than smaller dogs or those that aren’t so active. Plus, there’s the time commitment to think about. Some breeds need more attention, especially if they have to be groomed regularly or need extra healthcare, but there are some types of dogs that are very low maintenance – if you don’t have a lot of time, one of these would be the best bet.
Other things to consider include whether you’re at home a lot or you go out regularly, how many holidays you might take, or even if you have any other pets. Understanding all of this and thinking carefully about getting a dog might mean that you realise it’s not such a great idea after all, and although that might be disappointing, it’s far better to know it before you make a commitment to a new pet than after you bring one home.
Research Dog Breeds
Once you know exactly what your lifestyle is like, you’ll be able to gauge what breed of dog will suit you best, and then it’s time to do your research so you can work out the differences between each breed. Although all dogs come under one umbrella, the fact is that there are some huge differences between dogs of different types.
Firstly, you’ll want a breed that’s known for having a friendly, patient, and gentle nature, especially when they’re with children – this could include breeds like golden retrievers, beagles, collies, or labradors, like the ones at Lucky Labs.
Size is another massively important factor to think about, particularly when you think about how big your child is. If they’re little and you get a big dog, your child won’t be able to control it. Alternatively, a very small dig could be injured accidentally by a child – you’ll have to work out the ideal middle ground.
Don’t forget to consider the dog’s energy levels when you’re going through the potential breeds that might work for your family; although every dog will have its own personality and own energy levels, understanding what the breed as a whole is like will definitely help you narrow things down, depending on whether you want something more or less energetic.
And of course, there are grooming needs. A long-haired dog is sure to need more care and attention in that department than a short-haired dog (or even a dog with no hair) would. Will your child be happy to deal with that? Or can you afford the extra funds needed to send them to a professional? It might not seem like that big of a deal, but a long-haired dog that isn’t groomed can get skin infections and become unwell (costing you more at the vet) and will shed a lot more in your home.
By carrying out plenty of research, no matter how long it takes or how excited you might be to get a dog for your child, you’ll be able to make sure that your new pet will easily fit into your home and become a loyal and loveable member of the family.
It’s time to dispel the notion that fatherhood means giving up personal interests such as collecting. Becoming a parent can indeed be life-altering but here’s a friendly reminder: this doesn’t have to mean hanging up your collector hat!
Remember there’s an important distinction between being childish and being child-like, with collecting being one such hobby which falls into this latter category. Collecting is about maintaining an aspect of yourself that provides joy, curiosity and an uplifting sense of achievement – it shouldn’t disappear just because you joined daddyhood! And perhaps sharing your passion will bring bonding opportunities with your own little one!
Model the Passion
Collecting is an art, like any other. By teaching your children what makes collecting so enjoyable, you will give them the skills and understanding to enjoy this hobby for life – seeking out unique items and adding to their existing collections while discovering which are rarest finds.
Parenthood Is a Double-Edged Sword
Being a parent can be a double-edged sword. On one side, society expects you to act like the mature one by providing guidance, nurturing and shaping for your young ones; yet on the other, hobbies once associated with “youthfulness” seem dispensable. But society gets it wrong here; being a mature and responsible father does not require relinquishing your interests that remind people of youthfulness – collecting only gets better with age!
Balance between Fatherhood and Collecting
Balancing fatherhood with collecting is key. Being a good dad requires time, energy, and dedication – but so does collecting! While both activities may demand your time and energy, investing time in both is absolutely fine; hobbies shouldn’t become casualties of fatherhood! Plus teaching your children something you love like collecting is the perfect way to spend quality time together!
Sharing Your Joy of Collecting
Share the joy of collecting with your little one! It can be an excellent bonding opportunity and serves as a useful lesson in patience, persistence, and appreciating things big and small – who knows, maybe it might even ignite their interest!
The Collecting Father as a Role Model
Remember, as a father, you are your children’s first hero and role model. By maintaining your collecting hobby as part of your individuality and teaching them about pursuing their interests despite life stages or responsibilities, you are setting an amazing example to them.
The Collector’s Guide for Busy Dads
Time management is of utmost importance for busy dads, as you cannot devote as much time as before to your collection. A well-planned schedule can allow you to pursue your passion without neglecting other duties as a father; plus if your little one is old enough they could join in the fun! Whether searching for rare finds and bargain deals or simply exploring markets and antique shops there’s plenty to keep the whole family busy together!
Never Too Old to Collect
No matter your age or stage in life, collecting should never become something to put aside or abandon. Collectibles such as stamps, comic books, action figures or vintage cars reflect who you are as an individual and serve as testaments of patience and persistence; embrace and celebrate them! They make up part of what defines who you are!
Ways to Display Your Collectibles
Presenting your collectibles creatively and organized is an art in its own. A successful display tells a tale about passion and perseverance. Here are some inventive methods of showcasing your treasures:
Display Cases: Using display cases is an elegant way to showcase your collectibles. Not only will they provide protection, but their clear views also bring professionalism to any collection!
Wall Shelves: Wall shelves provide an ideal way to show off small collectibles while saving valuable floor space. Arranging shelves creatively is sure to draw interest and generate conversation among viewers.
Shadow Boxes: Shadow boxes provide an elegant way of displaying items with sentimental value that are 3-dimensional or collectibles that provide depth and perspective in your display. Each shadow box provides its own depth and perspective to make for a truly customized display experience.
Themed Collections: Your display can become even more captivating with a themed arrangement, grouping similar items together and emphasizing their diversity within your collection.
Display your collectibles creatively – let your collection shine! Displaying collectibles correctly is key to their beauty and can reflect who you are as an individual. So let your imagination run free and bring out its full potential!
Self Storage Units Are Your Treasure House
Don’t let limited space limit your collecting capabilities! Self-storage units provide a clean, safe, and easily accessible place for you to keep all of your cherished collectibles safe from being damaged over time. Be it vinyl records or rare coins, self-storage units offer you plenty of room to store all of them safely. Customize it according to your individual needs by installing shelving, controlling temperature and humidity settings as necessary and upgrading/downgrading as your collection expands/contracts – SecureSpace Self Storage has a range of self-storage units suitable for each one of these needs!
Collectibles as Investment
Collecting is more than a pastime; it can also become a lucrative endeavor. Many collectibles will appreciate over time, turning your beloved mementos into valuable investments. No matter whether it’s comic books, vinyl records or vintage postcards – an investment-grade collection could deliver significant returns on investment. Researching market trends as well as rarity and condition analysis should precede purchasing any item. Keep patience in mind when investing in collectibles; their value often appreciates over time, making them ideal for long-term investment. Plus, finding something of real worth is not only financially rewarding but emotionally fulfilling too!
Becoming a dad doesn’t mean giving up collecting; rather it means discovering a new partner to share in its joy! Collecting is a wonderful way for fathers and their children to grow closer, learn about each other’s worlds, and hopefully even find some common ground through collecting. Fatherhood and collecting aren’t inherently opposed – both make you who you are as an amazing individual with many facets – so keep collecting!
