Lvfjuly13

Family Lehigh Valley

July 2013

Pric take eless one!

.com

Fun Things To Do in July!

Top 10 Wardrobe Staples Outdoor Adventures Close to Home Rainy Day Survival Guide

Family Lehigh Valley

OUR TEAM Publisher Jeff Tintle, II

FROM THE EDITOR

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Editor

Janet Sena Pix-Ology, LLC www.Pix-Ology.com

855-233-7034 x 702

Contributors

Laura Putt

Editor@ lehighvalleyfamily.com

Associate Editor Vicki Bezems

Jeff Tintle Sr. Art Villafane Denise Continenza Amanda Furbeck

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A Thrive, LLC Publication 905 Harrison Street, Suite 104 • Allentown 18103 855-233-7034 editor@lehighvalleyfamily.com

T

his summer, I have one major goal-- to have fun with my kids. Those who know me might say I’m a little high strung. I have the tendency to go in eight directions at once and more often than I care to admit, I choose to be productive over the chance to kick back and do something fun with my kids.

That was an ugly truth that I had to face. Fortunately, my children are still small and I have time to reverse course. I have a fun-filled summer planned for us and we’ve been having a blast getting messy, be silly, and just enjoying each other.

The best news is, I’ll be blogging about our adventures for Lehigh Valley Family’s new blog which will be live on July 1.

I invite you to check it out on our website. You’ll find lots of ideas which I hope will inspire your family to have a little more fun together as well.

Enjoy July! scienc

e • nature

- Laura

• adven ture

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Copyright© 2013 by Thrive, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher. Thrive, LLC assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions.

Thrive Media, 905 Harrison Street, Suite 104, Allentown 18103. www.lehighvalleyfamily.com.

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table of contents The Outdoor Adventure Issue For families of Allentown, Bethlehem,

Connect With Us Online! www.Le h i gh V al l ey F am i l y. co m Are You Visiting Us Online?

If not, you are missing out! At LehighValleyFamily.com, we offer many resources for you and your family: • Fireworks Schedule • Extended versions of articles • Calendar of Events • Playground Listings • Kids Eat Free Locations

On our new blog, you will find: • Ideas of things to do, complete with instructions and photos of the fun times.

• Kid friendly, and healthy, recipes.

• Free summer movie listings • Crafts

See you online!

features 4 6

Run On!

Back to Basics: Fun Activities for Any Weather

7 8

Camping Fires Up Family Fun

Geocaching: 21st Century Treasure Hunting

10

3/4D Technology Connects Families

11 Preserving Our Children’s Art Education

Like our page, Lehigh Valley Family

Follow us, @LVFamilyMag

12 14

Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials Fun Things to Do

Happy 4th of July!

Our prayer is that

God Bless America, Our Home Sweet Home.

Run On!

By Jan Marie Schwartz

A

few weeks after track and field started for my sons last May, in the season the poet E.E. Cummings calls “mud-luscious” and “puddle-wonderful,” I was walking with other moms during the three-days-aweek track practice. I would watch our children whirl by us as they looped around the gravel track and the perimeter of the grassy field.

I tried running track in grammar school. I remember the winded feeling as I struggled to breathe and the feeling of humiliation as I stumbled across the finish line way behind my peers.

I lacked any innate athletic ability, I told myself as my school years passed. I repeated this mantra over and over again as archery arrows missed their mark and lodged in the gym ceiling, softballs bounced out of my mitt, and volleyballs whizzed by my outstretched hands. In high school I tried to opt out of Phys Ed all together. Injured in an accident when I was twelve, I made regular trips to the chiropractor.

While under treatment I’d try to get a note from the doctor giving me a pass from something I considered one of Dante’s concentric circles of hell.

My epiphany that I had to branch out of my comfort zone and challenge myself came when I realized, as I was cheering my kids on from the sidelines, that I needed and wanted to be

4 July 2013

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a participant in a sport and not just a spectator. A 5K seemed like a mysterious (how do you run for over thirty minutes without getting winded?) and yet still doable (If others have done it why can’t I?) goal. Once the idea of running a race lodged in my brain (like those arrows in the gym ceiling of long ago), it didn’t loosen its grip.

Soon I was mentioning it to the other moms I walked with, to friends I ran into at the store and to my husband at the dinner table. I Googled running sites. I went to the library and checked out books on running.

I continued to mention it and mention it and mention it to people with whom I came in contact. But mentioning was really all I was doing.

Realizing that words weren’t actions, I took action and set up a Facebook group page inviting people to join me on my journey as I trained for my first 5K. I didn’t want to run this race alone. I needed other people to be at my side offering encouragement and advice.

The first post I made on the page in mid-May said this: “I know I’ve been talking the talk and now I need to walk (or run) the walk and start planning my strategy for running three plus miles when I participate in the Tim and Taylor Lambert Memorial 5K in September. I hope you’ll be running beside me on race day. I’m the girl who always

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looked for an excuse to get out of gym class so I need people to keep me honest. Let’s see if we can do this together.”

Thirteen people met me on a local park path the first time we scheduled a “run” on Memorial Day. Our first attempts consisted of running one minute and walking five minutes and repeating this five times. Our total running time was only five minutes, but five minutes of running strung together a minute at a time was the most pounding of the pavement I had done since graduating high school decades ago.

Training continued through the spring and summer; we’d run three days a week, and as the race got closer we would try to schedule a run on Saturday or Sunday. We tried to exercise on off running days too. Some group members played tennis; others rode bikes, or practiced yoga. Sometimes we’d meet to run the steps at Lafayette College, ambling through an old cemetery on the way back, slowing down to read the names on the headstones and wondering about the lives of the people who lay beneath our feet.

I ran alone on vacation, through the hilly streets of Chatham and Plymouth, MA, and the splintery Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. The others in the group ran on their vacations too; Sandy ran in New York state, Anna ran in her native Poland when she went for a visit. Each week we’d increase the amount of time we ran and decreased the time we walked until one day we were only running.

Group members would give advice like “breathe” and “slow your pace” to members who were struggling to meet the running goal for a given day, words, I realized, that can also be applied to a variety of situations life can throw one’s way.

When the grant funding for my job ran out in July, running helped me focus on the fact that new skills can be learned and challenges broken down into simple steps. When a routine mammography showed a lump, I was able to feel in control by choosing to continue to run, while waiting for the results of the additional testing that weeks later determined that the lump was, thankfully, benign.

The passing of four months whittled the group of thirteen down to six. We all had different roles in the group: some functioned as personal trainers, others as drill sergeants or cheerleaders, and one was the Energizer Bunny, able to keep going and going, after many of us just wanted to quit. On the running path we would swap stories about our days, our weeks, and our lives as we ran lap after lap, mile after mile, enjoying the camaraderie as we focused on the shared goal of completing the upcoming 5K. On an overcast and cool September day, Ann, Anna, Anne, Kristine, Sandy and I stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the starting line. Our nervous energy propelled us forward step-by-step, helping us reach the finish line chute a little over thirty-two minutes later, where our husbands snapped pictures, our kids hoisted handmade signs of encouragement, and our group high-fived all around.

That night, I posted a picture of me crossing the finish line on my personal Facebook page with the comment that I had done it “with a little help from my friends,” because without their encouragement and time commitment, I wouldn’t have.

This year will bring more mud and puddles as well as a new 5K we’ll again be running together on Mother’s Day. About the author: Jan Marie Schwartz lives in Forks Township with her husband and two sons who keep her on the run. She works in marketing and recruitment at a local college and she also serves as VP of Organization Development for the Lehigh and Northampton Association for the Education of Young Children. Her next goal is to complete a 10K (and in the very distant future a half marathon) with her running group.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

5

Back to Basics Fun:

Outdoor and Rainy Day Ideas

By Lehigh Valley Family Editors

M

y kids are big now – 14 and 16 – and some of our favorite memories are the times when they played simple games in the yard with the neighbors.

Here are a few outdoor activities to create happy memories and keep summer boredom from setting in.

• Do sidewalk painting with water. All you need are paint brushes and a cup or small bucket of water. Then, just let the kids go to town painting the sidewalk! It’s cheap, easy, and fun.

• Visit all the playgrounds in your area and choose your favorite. Make a “Park Passport” and check each park off as you visit it. Ages 3 – 10.

• Catch lightning bugs and place them in jars with holes in the lid for ventilation. At the end of the evening, let them go free. Ages 3 – 103.

• Stage your own rain storm. Gather as many old umbrellas as you can find. (Don’t use your best umbrellas for this.) Have the kids sit or stand under them as you spray the hose into the air above them. They will each want to have a turn doing the spraying. Ages 4 – 8.

• Create a bicycle obstacle course with whatever you’ve got handy. Draw pathways using sidewalk chalk, turn on a sprinkler to ride through, set up cones to maneuver around, or create an arch out of pool noodles. Encourage kids to dismount bikes in order to make a shot on the basketball court, or crawl through a tunnel made out of cardboard boxes. Ages 5 – 12.

• Make a water slide out of your sliding board. Place your kiddy pool at the end of the slide and fill it with water. Prop the hose up at the top, letting the water run down. The kids will have as much fun sliding into the pool – and more laughs – than they would at a water park. Be sure to supervise this one. Ages 7 – 10.

• Play manhunt in your yard after dark. My kids still love to do this with friends. Ages 8 – 18.

• Find a local hiking trail that is at the appropriate level of difficulty and go on a hike. Ages 3 – 93.

6 July 2013

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G

ot the rainy day blues? Chase them away with one of these fun activities. No rain in sight? Plan ahead and pick up the supplies now and stash them away to have a fun-filled rain-day!

• Make a rainstick. Using cardboard wrapping paper tubes, push tacks or nails into the tube. More is better than less.

Next, wrap tube in aluminum foil, stuffing excess foil into one end of the tube to seal it off. Into the other end, pour in rice, filling about half of the tube. Seal open end tightly. Decorate with anything you have. Markers, tissue paper, stickers, etc.

When decorating is complete, tip the rainstick end to end, and listen to the rice cascading through the tube, it will sound like pitter-patter of rain.

• Create magic puddles. Find a few large puddles. Using powdered tempera paint or crushed chalk, sprinkle in the paint/chalk, and glitter for extra “magic”.

• Flubber: 1.) In one container mix 1 1/2 cups warm water, 2 cups white glue and a few drops of food coloring. 2.)

In a second container mix 1 1/3 cups of warm water and Borax. 3.) Mix the borax mixture into the glue mixture until combined. (may be some liquid in bottom of container). 4.)

Let stand for a few minutes. 5.) PLAY! • Milk Experiment. Pour 1/2 inch of milk in a pan. Drip 2-3 drops of food coloring per spot around the pan. Dip a “magic toothpick” in dish soap then dip the toothpick into the center of a color spot and watch it shoot around the pan. Then dip the toothpick into a white spot in the milk and alternate.

Continue until it is too diluted to have a reaction.

• Bubble wrap path. Tape bubble wrap down to the floor and make a path. The kids will adore walking/crawling/rolling along the path and popping all the bubbles.

• Make sculptures out of toothpicks and mini-marshmallows.

When you are done, use the marshmallows to make ricekrispie treats.

• Write a book. Have each child write a short story and illustrate it. Then, read your stories to each other. This is fun, creative, educational, and a great childhood memory to save.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Fire Up the Family Fun

By Laura Putt, Lehigh Valley Family

C

amping has long been a quintessential summer leisure which many families would enjoy together each year. Today, more than ever, camping is a perfect way to unplug, de-stress, and get back to basics.

research studies show that a few hours spent in nature has been shown to decrease our stress hormones and even lower blood pressure.

These days, camping isn’t necessarily just pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground. Of course, you can go that route (air mattress optional) – however, there are many campgrounds that offer cabins, complete with running water and electric! Many campgrounds offer options to let you choose your level of rustic. From a site for a tent all the way up to several bedrooms with full bathrooms and kitchens, you pick what suits your family’s needs.

As a parent, I try to be present for my children. But, to be honest, often times my best intentions fall by the wayside and I get sucked into a conversation or internet article. Before I know it, a half hour has slipped by and my children are desperately trying to get my attention. It is so easily to let our fastpaced lifestyles consume us.

Whether you decide to go the traditional tent route or rent a cabin, camping offers a chance to unplug and reconnect with your family very inexpensively and close to home. You can easily find a campground within 30 minutes of the Lehigh Valley and spend a weekend with your family for between $80 and $300! What’s not to love about that?

Nature, board and card games, campfires and roasting marshmallows with the family? Sounds like a great tradition to start this summer!

Spending a few days in the great outdoors is good for us on many levels.

Kids (and adults) can benefit beyond measure as they step outside their normal routines and participate in “old-fashioned” fun, such as fishing, hiking, playing board games, campfires, and *gasp* just spending time together! Numerous

Want to Go Camping?

Got S’Mores?

Need an Easy Fire Starter?

We’ve compiled a list of campgrounds in and around the Lehigh Valley.

Yes, traditional S’Mores are delicious.

But, have you tried them by swapping out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup? YUM!

Finally a use for that dryer lint!

Stuff dryer lint inside of empty toilet paper rolls for a super simple, super easy fire starter.

Check it out at LehighValleyFamily.com on our home page, under LV Top picks.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

7

g: n i h c a c o g Ge n i t n u H e Treasur21st for the ry y Family Centtt,u Lehigh Valle

By Laura Pu

C

hildren and plenty of adults dream of treasure hunting adventures. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a pirate to participate in modern day treasure hunting! Families who enjoy the outdoors and seek the thrill of treasure hunting are a perfect fit for geocaching.

How Geocaching Works Most simply, geocaching is a game where players use GPS receivers to track down a container, or cache. GPS coordinates for a cache can typically narrow the position within a range of 6 to 20 feet.

Most caches include a logbook for players to sign, or perhaps several small prizes (treasure) that players can take as long as they contribute new prizes to the cache.

Equipment Needed To begin hunting for a cache, you'll first need the correct coordinates. There are many web sites with searchable geocache databases, such as Geocaching.com. While membership is usually free, some sites may require you to create an account before you may access the information. Wherever you live in the Lehigh Valley, you’ll find cache locations nearby. The only necessities are a GPS device or a GPS-enabled mobile phone so that you can navigate to the cache.

It is important to read the comments of other geocachers who have searched for the cache before you. They will provide clues and other information to help you on your journey, allowing you to be best prepared. Players will hide caches in clever -- and challenging -- locations, you'll want to make sure you have the appropriate gear with you. For example, you might need a snorkel mask if the cache

8 July 2013

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is underwater.

Lastly, you'll probably want to bring a trinket or two to exchange for anything you might take from the cache once you find it. Most prizes in caches tend to be unique but inexpensive, so it's not necessary to spend a lot of money.

Begin Your Hunt Once you are heading towards the cache, it's important that you use both a map and the GPS receiver.

Remember, sometimes GPS devices may not hold a signal if you are under heavy tree cover, in a building or underground. If your receiver loses its signal, you'll need the map and a compass to stay on track.

When you are within the area of the cache, you can start looking for the container. The comments you’ve read come in handy at this point. Some geocachers provide hints about a cache's location and appearance in addition to its coordinates. Geocachers take pride in finding creative ways to hide a cache. You might find one dangling from a rope tied to a tall tree branch or wedged behind a nondescript rock.

After you find the cache, open it and sign the logbook.

Make certain to take and leave a prize if the cache has prizes in it. Be certain to return the cache exactly where and how you found it.

Once you return home, its best to log your experience onto the website where you first learned of the cache.

This will provide clues for others, and also allow the person who hid the cache to be informed of the state of their cache, as they are expected to maintain it.

Part of geocaching is to maintain respect for your environment. Geocachers will tell you that the treasure hunts are a small part of what makes this hobby so satisfying. Mostly, they appreciate the experience of visiting new and different places and the great outdoors.

Hiding a Geocache Once you find a few caches, you might feel ready to hide your own. The first step is to decide what sort of cache you're going to hide. Geocachers recommend that your first cache be a simple one and that you hide it near where you live. You'll be expected to maintain the cache, so you don't want to put it in a spot you'll have trouble getting to now and again.

When determining the location for your first cache, it is very important to research the area thoroughly. In general, caches should not be hidden on private land

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unless you have the express permission of the landowner.

If you do get permission, you should make sure everyone knows that the cache is on private property. To hide a cache on public lands, you should first contact whatever agency manages those lands to learn about their policy on geocaching. Some organizations have very strict rules for geocachers, while others forbid the practice entirely.

It's very important for the pastime as a whole that geocachers are seen as cooperative and respectful.

Try to pick an appealing location that would provide an enjoyable journey. Many geocachers look for impressive, beautiful environments that you might not otherwise visit.

Once you've chosen your specific location, it’s time to hide your cache. A cache should be well hidden, but not impossible to find. The more difficult it is to find, the more likely you'll need to include hints when you list the cache on a web site. Remember to be respectful of the surroundings, and never place the cache in such a spot that seekers will have to affect the environment when they look for it. Never bury a geocache or place it in thick brush that others will have to clear. In urban environments, you should carefully consider the safety of participants and others in the placement of the cache.

Geocaching Containers The container you select should be of an appropriate size, both for the environment you've chosen and for the contents of the cache. It should also be waterproof and weather resistant. Anything you put inside the cache should be in a plastic bag. Be certain to label the container so that casual observers and geocachers know what it is. Some geocachers also include a brief note explaining what a geocache is in case a non-player finds the cache.

Once you hide your cache, take several GPS receiver readings to determine the coordinates for the cache. Write the coordinates on the cache's label with a permanent marker.

You should also include the coordinates in the cache's logbook, and write them down for yourself to post online later.

Now you are ready to post the information online for other cachers to find. You'll need to include the coordinates for the cache, what the container looks like and any hints.

Where to Go Locally?

There are more than 670,000 caches in 100 countries and seven continents. Needless to say, there are plenty in and around the Lehigh Valley. Simply search a geocaching website and pick your first hunt! The state of Pennsylvania is rich

with caches, and Philly was one the first destinations to promote the activity, with locations in state and city parks, nature centers, and historic sites. Even campgrounds, hotels, and resorts throughout the Keystone State offer their own programs. For example, the Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley sends guests out into 75 wooded acres with an outdoor adventure guide.

View our extended article and geocaching resources at LehighValleyFamily.com.

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of the Lehigh Valley 9

3/4D Technology Connects Families Thousands of Miles Away

I

n an ideal world, we would all live close to our families, allowing us to be present for all of each other’s important moments. As we all know, the real world isn’t necessarily ideal and many of us are many miles away from our loved ones. Fortunately, our highly technological world affords us endless opportunities to connect with each other and maintain close relationships.

Such is the case for my family. Twelve years ago, my brother was studying in Venezuela when he wrote me an email that he had met an “awesome girl”. That awesome girl became his wife and she made the difficult choice to leave her family in Venezuela and begin her family here with my brother in the States. Fast forward ten years, and they are expecting their second child.

As they explored a 3/4D ultrasound, they discovered that Bountiful Babies in Center Valley had the technology to stream the ultrasound live. All my sister-in-law had to do was to email a link to her family, and her parents and sisters could log-in to see and hear exactly what was happening in the room where my brother, sister-in-law and nephew were having the ultrasound.

while so far away!

Thank you to Bountiful Babies, who allowed our family a glimpse of our newest family member who we are looking forward to welcome this month.

Learn more about Bountiful Babies at BountifulBabiesUltrasound.com. Aside from ultrasounds, they offer prenatal massage, photography, and so much more!

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If you haven’t seen a 3/4D ultrasound, it is really amazing.

You can see a clear view of the baby --with plenty of detail.

We were able to see that my new nephew looks a lot like his big brother.

So, how did her family enjoy it? Her parents shared with me, “I never thought that I would be able to clearly watch my grandson moving around inside of my daughter, in real time through my computer. This was an unbelievable experience.

As grandparents, it was very special to feel included. Although we are in Venezuela, we felt as though we were in the room.

We have to say we felt so happy and it seemed as we were there in the room with them. We are so thankful technology allows us to connect like this.”

Maria Veronica, Zenddy’s youngest sister, was able to log in using her cell phone while at University, still seeing and hearing the excitement as the new baby came into sight!

This service is truly a blessing for many families. Not only can families such as mine benefit, but consider how it can impact families who may have members in the service. What a gift for a deployed daddy to be able to see the face of his unborn child

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Preserving our Children’s Arts Education

By Laura Denithorne, Avant-Garde Learning Center

E

ducation may be defined as "preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life." It is indisputable, to most, that math, reading, science, and social studies are key ingredients in this definition. But what about the arts- are they as fundamental to educating our children? With our schools facing budget cuts, the arts are being chopped from the curriculum more each year. The power of the arts integrated into a child's education is enormous. Here is a short list of why the arts are vital to the teachings of our youth, and some ideas of how parents can help fill the gap in our children’s arts education.

• The arts are essential in expressing a child's creativity. It is through the art’s children possess an important vehicle to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and insights. They provide a meaningful way for children to showcase their individuality and their emotions. Each discipline requires a thinking process of methods to put a vision into a finished reality and teaches children there are many ways to share what they imagine. The art principles promote self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment of one's work.

• The arts stimulate right brain thinking. It is understood that the learning of the arts forge pioneering minds that will in fact change and improve our future's reality. That is because art education nurtures our creative minds bolstering innovation. The arts and innovation go hand in hand, and without them logical intelligences cannot solve great problems.

• With art education, a child is not only enlightened but more successful in traditional subjects. Research shows studying the art principles boosts academic success. This is because the arts promote problem solving, critical thinking, persistence, spatial intelligence, self-reflection, and selfdiscipline- just to name a few! It has long been practiced to utilize the arts in regular academics as they are beneficial for

the personal connections they create and the active learning they incorporate.

• Learning the art principles, generates not only thinking but emotions and feelings about important issues and concepts of the world. It is through works of art we learn about significant events and define our own convictions. Exploring the arts promotes social awareness and social responsibility.

Fortunately, the Lehigh Valley has many options for parents to help their children learn about the arts. Suggestions to foster a love of the arts in your children include: • Visiting local festivals and events. Most are free and its a fun way to casually introduce children to the performing and visual arts. Many times free workshops are also provided. Musikfest, on-going events at Steel Stacks, and a number of free outdoor summer concert series are just a few starting points.

• Check out some of the arts institutions for formal classes and programming. Banana Factory, Allentown Art Museum, Baum School of Art, and the Community Music School, to name a few.

• Go to a craft store and select several crafts. On a budget?

Dollar stores offer many crafts to choose from.

• Visit your local library for events and arts programs.

You can find events such as these on the calendar at LehighValleyFamily.com.

Avant-Garde Learning Center gives children the opportunity to excel in a cyber or home schooling program for their regular curriculum while attending a daily morning program to socialize and participate in cooperative learning for essential problem solving. We do all this while fostering a love of the arts & physical wellness. Learn more at www.

AvantGardeLC.com. www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family 11

Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials

By Amanda Furbeck, Lehigh Valley Family Fashionista

B

eing fashionable, trendy, and beautiful is not the same as being a slave to fashion. It is totally possible – if not sensible – to be quite stylish and modern without remaking your wardrobe each and every season. The key is to start with a basic wardrobe that looks fabulous on you. Then you can add a few trendy pieces as the season dictates and your budget and style prefers. For these standard wardrobe items, focus on classic styles that fit you perfectly, enhance your figure, and will last for many seasons, if not years.

1. Black pants.

A serious pair of black pants are the most basic wardrobe staple you can own. Choose a durable fabric that will not fade after a couple of washings.

To lengthen short legs, keep the hems long and the lines lean.

To shorten long legs, choose a slightly cropped pair that hits above the ankle. Balance a pear-shaped frame with slightly flared ankles, or show off a slender figure with straight legged pants. Look for a pair that can do double duty for work or play.

2. Pencil skirt. A long, lean pencil skirt is

flattering and works great for the office, church event, or anything that requires a more serious look. Denim or khaki fabrics lean towards a casual look; black fabrics make the look more serious. Look for a hem that lands just above or just below the knee – whichever spot is thinner. Mix and match with your cardigan and a cami, or button down and blazer for a polished look. A pencil skirt works with boots, stilettos, ballet flats, or kitten heels.

3. The Perfect jean.

The right jean just might be the hardest piece of your wardrobe to find. But once

you find the brand, style, fit, and size that look great on you, you’ll want to stick to it. Dark washes are usually the most slimming. Skinny jeans can be worn with just about any type of shoe, from flip-flops to stilettos, to fabulous looking boots. Mix and match with just about any top you like.

Due to manufacturing discrepancies, you may need to try on several pairs in the same size to find the perfect pair, but do try on a number of styles and sizes to find the one you like best. Remember, jeans do not have to be of the latest trend, they need to flatter your figure. Small pockets will make your derriere appear fuller, while larger pockets will lend towards a leaner look. Keep jeans on the long side; keep them unrolled with heels, but roll them up for a fun, flirty look with sandals or flip-flops. Tuck jeans inside of your most fabulous boots for a great fashion statement.

4. Wrap-dress. Wrap-dresses and other

A-line styles are the most universally flattering. A V-neck will give you a leaner look, but you may need the cami for added coverage. Choose a dress that will go with a variety of shoes as well as your cardigan and blazer to create different looks. Fashion tights or stockings will keep you warmer in the winter; bare-legs are most appropriate for casual summer affairs.

5. White button down. A crisp white

button-down is probably the most classic look you can find.

Choose a heavier fabric that won’t be see-through, and look for one that won’t need to be ironed. Wear it with pants, skirts, jeans, or even as a jacket over your dress. Layer it with your cami or blazer, tie it in a knot, roll up the sleeves, leave it unbuttoned… the possibilities are pretty endless with this wardrobe staple. Try on different shapes and styles to find the

one that fits your figure best.

6. Brightly colored camisole.

Camisoles go with anything. Choose one with built in support for versatility. Keep in mind that camis come in all different lengths and shapes. You may prefer a sweetheart neckline, a basic neckline, or a v-neck. Some have slimming or fat-burning properties. Look for a color that brings out your eyes and goes with your other wardrobe choices. Layer several camis for a casual, summer look.

7. A black cardigan.

A light-weight cardigan will go with everything on your list. Three-quarter sleeves are the most flattering. Choose one that is easy to wash and will retain its shape over time. These are great for layering in the winter over your white top and cami, or keep it at the office in the summer if the air conditioning gives you a chill.

8. A blazer.

Boyfriend blazers are trendy at the moment, but keep in mind that fit and flatter trump fashion.

Choose a lightweight fabric for versatility. Charcoal or black create a more serious tone, while brighter colors will give you a flirtier look. Avoid styles with shoulder pads and excessive bulk. Consider the length – a long blazer might overwhelm a petite frame, while a boxy blazer may add a bit too much bulk to an hourglass figure.

9. Knit top.

Knit tops come in all sorts of styles, shapes, and colors. Choose one that suits your budget and

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your figure. A heavier fabric will be more conservative and more durable; something lightweight may need to be layered with your camisole. Look for V-neck styles to elongate a short torso, or crew neck styles to minimize a larger bust. A tunic style top will layer well over any of these pieces, but a dolman style will look equally as grand. Let your personality show and find a top you love to where; it will go well with any of the pants or skirts mentioned here.

10. The wear-with-all handbag.

A great handbag will go far to finish off your style. You may prefer a charcoal or black conservative bag, or maybe you want to make a statement with your purse. Size is a matter of preference, too: do you like a large bag to stash all your stuff, or a teeny one that just fits your wallet and phone? Maybe a clutch gives you the right balance of elegance and charm.

Your bag does not have to match your shoes or coat, but it can if you wish.

These are just a few basics that work great in any wardrobe.

Those who spend a lot of time at the office may need multiple items in a dressier style; those that work equally hard in the home may want to choose more durable, casual fabrics with staying power. Regardless, you can mix and match these ten wardrobe staples with a few trendy ‘it’ pieces each season to stay right in step with the styles without going overboard or over-budget. Don’t forget to check your washing instructions; washable and dryable fabrics will save time and money over those that are dry clean only.

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Blueberry Festival, Burnside Plantation. A weekend of live music, history, crafts and good food at the farm. Tour James Burnside's colonial home and barns, catch the hoop in a rousing game of graces, and enjoy the savory smells wafting from the summer kitchen. Other activities include colonial brewing demonstrations, kids' crafts and dress-up, high horse powered wheel rides, and the blueberry pie eating contest. 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.

Kutztown Folk Festival. Demonstrations of traditional crafts by 200 juried American craftsmen, folk life demonstrations, historical reenactments, antiques, traditional music, and dancing associated with the PA Dutch run non-stop. Children experience traditional, hands-on enjoyment in exciting new ways. Noah’s World animal park, hay mazes, do-it-yourself mural paintings, rides, and their own children’s stage. June 29 July 7, 2013. 9am - 6pm. Kutztownfestival.com.

Empires of the Jungle. For hundreds of years before European contact, the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs built monstrous cities and monuments, engaged in complex religious rituals, and carved beautiful tools from local materials. This exhibit explores these civilizations as well as surrounding cultures. Learn about the ancient Peruvian practice of cranial binding, see how the ancient Maya carved figurines from pyroclastic stone, discover Aztec techniques for making and drilling obsidian pendants, and much more. Museum of Indian Culture 825 Fish Hatchery Rd Allentown. July 1 - September 7, 2013.

“Seussical: the Dr. Seuss Musical”, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. All of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination are brought to life. Presented in a special hourand-fifteen-minute Theatre for Young Audiences version. Ages 4 and up. July 1 - July 27 (Wed-Fri): 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Sat): 10 a.m. No show July 4. Studio Theatre, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown.

JellyBean Town, USA -- Open play, day camps and art

14 July 2013

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classes for all ages. Parents and children of all ages can leave their cares at the front door as they enter a new and exciting experience. Children will learn that creativity is an important part of every community and how art can be found everywhere you look. Day sessions include: July 1st – Food Art Creations Afternoon Sessions 1pm – 4pm; July 2nd – The Art of Cookies and Cupcakes; July 10th – Duct Tape Art; July 3rd – Patriotic Exploders; July 17th – Cartoon Creations; July 10th – Duct Tape Art; July 29th – Art that is Out of this World. Visit Jellybeantownusa.com. 52 South Main Street, Nazareth.

Easton Farmers Market birthday celebration. Join America’s oldest, continuous open-air market in celebrating another momentous birthday! Saturday, July 6th, 9:00 am -1:00 pm. Zucchini 500 (7th Annual) -- Get ready for some FAST FOOD with the Valley’s hottest veggie race. Race is open to kids and adults; Saturday, July 20th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Eastonfarmersmarket.com. Easton’s Centre Square.

Nazareth Annual Kazoo Parade and Patriotic Program – July 4th at 9:30 am. Meet at Nazareth High School and receive a free kazoo and march to council chambers. Enjoy music from The Dream Kids and others. Hear stories from local veterans and celebrate the day of our independence.

Patriotic Program will start at approximately 10:45 am. Be sure to wear red, white, and blue!

Lehigh Valley Sports Fest. Offers local athletes the opportunity to compete in the sport of their choice – every sport from basketball to dog agility -- with athletes throughout the region. July 18 -21. Locations throughout Allentown and Lehigh Valley. Sportsfest.org.

July is prime season for fresh food from the local farms.

Check out our website for listings of farmer’s markets near you, or pick-your-own farm locations. We’ll even give you lots of ideas for using those summer fruits and veggies -- and your kids will love them!

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

July Is:

• Air-Conditioning Appreciation Month • Mango, Melon, and Blueberry Month

Weekly Observances:

4-10: Freedom Week 4-7: Beans and Bacon Week 7-13: Be Nice to New Jersey Week 26-28: Garlic Days

Daily “Celebrations”:

2: I Forgot Day 2: Made In the USA Day 6: Cherry Pit Spitting Day 10: Pina Colada Day 13: Bald Is In Day 15: Be a Dork Day 21: Ice Cream Day 23: Hot Enough For Ya? Day 23: Gorgeous Grandma Day 27: Take Your Houseplant on a Walk Day 30: Father-In-Law Day * Hint: Use these fun celebration days to create a little family fun at your house! Cherry pit spitting? Good, silly fun for all!

Fun Facts!

• Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon.

• Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions!

• "Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.

• A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off.

• Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.

• There is a city called Rome on every continent.

• Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day.

• Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.

• Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, everytime you breathe!

• The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump.

• Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails.

• Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.

• Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

• Coca-Cola would be green if colouring weren’t added to it.

• The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.

• More people are allergic to cow's milk than any other food.