Lehigh Valley Family Spring 2013

Family Lehigh Valley

Spring 2013

Pric take eless one!

.com

Wild Animal Rescue The Right Way!

Spring Style Tips Easter Crafts Fun Things To Do

Help With Difficult Homework

Family Lehigh Valley

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

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FROM THE EDITOR

OUR TEAM Publisher Jeff Tintle, II

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Editor@ lehighvalleyfamily.com

Associate Editor Vicki Bezems

Jeff Tintle Sr. Art Villafane Denise Continenza Amanda Furbeck

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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.

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S

pring is just about here – can you feel it?

Spring always puts a little extra pep in my step, and most of us have a desire to put our best foot forward in the new season. It’s a time for decluttering, deep cleaning, remembering to eat well, and exercise. It must be something in the air that even the smallest of children can just sense, as even babies seem to notice the change on a warm spring day.

As always, the Lehigh Valley is laden with things to do and places to go, even more so now that we can get outside a bit more. Join the conversation on our Facebook page as local parents swap ideas for new parks and playgrounds to visit, solutions to summer childcare dilemmas, and other subjects that relate to most of us with children.

Or, follow us on Pinterest where we have caught the pinning obsession, and are pinning tons of ideas for fun things to do as a family.

I can’t wait to get outside to play with my kids. See you at the playground!

- Laura

table of contents The Love of Learning Issue For families of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Beyond!

FUN and GAMES 5 Fun Facts 6 Commonyms 13 Easter Tree Tradition 19 Easter Activities 21 Commonyms Answers 22-23 Fun Things to Do

p.20 Our fashionista has some great tips to update your Spring style.

p.14

features 6 8 9 11 12 14 16 19 21

Exploring Art with Young Children Art Education Help With Difficult Homework B-Y-R-B: Bring Your Right Brain Making Lemonade Wild Animal Rescue - The Right Way Rest, Rejuvenate, Recover Easter Crafts Spring Style: Bold, Eclectic, Wondrously Wearable

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Fun, Useless Facts!

• A can of SPAM is opened every 4 seconds • If you gave each human on earth an equal portion of dry land, including the uninhabitable areas, everyone would get roughly 100 square feet • The average person makes about 1,140 telephone calls each year • The earth weighs around 6,588,000,000,000,000,000,000,0 00,000, tons • The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year • The world record for rocking non-stop in a rocking chair is 440 hours • Only one person in 2 billion will live to be 116 or older • 1/4 of the bones in your body are in your feet • Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails • The average person laughs 15 times a day • When glass breaks, the cracks move at speeds up to 3,000 miles per hour • The average talker sprays about 300 microscopic saliva droplets per minute, about 2.5 droplets per word • The Earth experiences about 50,000 earthquakes every year • The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime, enough to fill two swimming pools • About 17% of humans are left-handed. The same is true of chimpanzees and gorillas • On average, there are 178 sesame seeds on each McDonald’s BigMac bun • Termites eat through wood 2 times faster when listening to rock music

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• Airbags explode at 200 miles per hour • There are more than 1,000 chemicals in a cup of coffee • The average chocolate bar has 8 insects’ legs in it • No president of the United States was an only child • The average woman consumes 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime • Your brain weighs 3 pounds. All but 10 ounces is water • It only takes 7 pounds of pressure to rip your ear off • There is a 1/4 pound of salt in every gallon of seawater • Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left handed people

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Exploring Art with Young Children

By Shawn Deiter, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers

I

n early learning, the process in which a child creates art is more important than the end result. Through art, children can express creativity and imagination.

Drawing, painting and sculpting reveal a child’s abilities, interests and knowledge of the world around her. It opens up new possibilities in inventive thinking.

Explore through Experimentation

Teachers encourage exploration by introducing different art materials. Chalk, crayons, wood craft sticks, paints, molding clay, pompoms and pipe cleaners offer a variety of textures, colors and shapes. Children, even the youngest of the bunch, need to explore for healthy development. In Lehigh Valley Children Center’s Campus Center young toddler room, for example, teachers dress the tots in smocks and give them free range for finger-painting on large rolls of paper. The children delight in squishing the paint through their little digits. Their faces beam with excitement when they discover the colorful designs a few pats of the hand create.

Make It Personal

Visual arts are an outlet for children to illustrate the world through their eyes. Where an adult may see a few blots and

March / April 2013

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streaks of color, a toddler has painted roaring lions and trumpeting elephants. The child is making a connection between the art and his personal experience of visiting the zoo.

When teachers present a topic in the classroom, such as winter, they discuss its features. They read books about winter, look at landscape pictures, and ask what one sees in wintertime compared to the rest of the year. The children then take a blank canvas to fill with their own thoughts.

Some paint scenes of playing in snow and building snowmen, while others make foot tracks. “I want my students to think things through,” explains Richelle Hetzel, preschool teacher for LVCC at St. Luke’s. “It’s about being creative. How they get from what they learn to what’s in their head, to what they put on paper. It’s not about right/wrong or painting a perfect picture. To us, whatever they make is perfect because it’s their very own creation.”

Tell a Story

Children love telling stories. To encourage self-expression, teachers ask questions about their artwork. Who is the boy in your picture? What is he doing? Is he happy or sad?

“Engaging in a child’s activity brings out creativity and www.LehighValleyFamily.com

emotions in their artwork,” states Ms. Richelle; “Conversation can be built on a word or something the child might say.” Allowing children to share their ideas instills confidence and trust.

Display the Artwork

Displaying artwork in the classroom (or at home) shows interest by the adult.

By observing the artwork of others at eye level in the classroom, children learn to appreciate the cultures and views of their classmates.

Katie Loughlin, preschool teacher from LVCC at St. Luke’s, shared a favorite moment from her class.

During the holidays, the children wanted to make a gift for their parents.

They chose to make clay ornaments. After rolling out the clay, they cut out the ornament design with cookie cutters. Once the clay hardened, the children picked out colors and painted the ornaments themselves. Katie exclaimed, “They were so proud of themselves and excited to present the gift to their parents.”

To learn more about Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, visit LVCConline.org.

Commonyms What’s a commonym you ask? A commonym is group of words that have a common trait in the three words/items listed. For example: the words; A car - A tree - An elephant... they all have trunks. These will make you think!

1.Easy - High - Lounge 2. Matchbooks - Magazines - Beds 3. Malls - Bacon - Comic 4. Cuba - Ireland - Japan 5. Mud - Java - Joe

6. Corn - The U.S. Army - Kentucky Fried Chicken 7. Nanny - Kid - Billy 8. Judges - Ruth - Kings 9. Black - Lazy - Bloodshot

10. Body - Corssing – Life 11. Story - Fortune - Bank 12. Rough - Curtain - Fringe 13. Cows - Goats - Coconuts 14. Charities - Golfers - Computers

Tips On The Importance of Art Education, and Encouraging Your Child to Love the Arts

By Shweta Jajodia, Art In The Valley

C

an you imagine a life without art? There would be hardly any creativity. Life would be plain and boring. For children, exposure to the arts can do many things. It opens their creative imagination and internal development, helps students excel in school, helps kids stay motivated and open up more career options especially with today’s technological advancements. Art in itself a universal language. This is why it is so important to teach art to kids and have them begin actively participating in arts.

child.

The challenge? For most parents today, the biggest challenge to give our children a love of art is the time and discipline to follow this step by step approach to inculcate art in their kids. Schools are a good source to rely on since schools are essentially the first exposure your child gets to structured art education. But schools today are beginning to cut back on art education because states are forcing budget cuts, which means parents have to take charge of their child’s art education. Supplementing the school art curriculum with art camps outside the school, art classes in the neighborhood or even online art lesson plans are some of the ways to channel a child’s creativity and imagination.

The next big question that comes to mind is how can we teach art to our children? The answer to this is a multi step approach which involves showing children examples of famous works of art throughout history, including sculptures, paintings and architecture, it is important that they are exposed to a variety of art styles. Encourage the children to talk about the things that they like and even dislike in each work of art and the emotions that it makes them feel. Introduce children to several basic art techniques that use a variety of methods such as drawing basics, stamp painting, splatter painting and water colors.

Give children access to a wide variety of art materials to inspire them to explore their own creativity and experiment with new art techniques. Provide a basic art project sample for children to use as a visual template and encourage them to create their own version of the art project. Display your child’s work on the fridge or bulletin board. Your appreciation can be a great confidence-booster to your

Remember if art were not around, this world would be a boring place to live in because the creativity and imagination would not be expressed as much.

I have loved art since my I was a child and now I am raising two kids with enriched art education. I love to teach drawing and painting skills to kids all ages. Visit my website www.artclassesinthevalley.com or follow us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/artinthevalley.

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Help With Difficult Homework

By Nina Pinsley, Club Z! In-Home Tutoring of the Lehigh Valley

“

Mom, can you check my homework?” No problem, if it’s second grade math. But what if it’s trigonometry?

Few words ignite greater fear in Mom’s or Dad’s day than having your child ask for help in a subject where you feel helpless. Fortunately, parents can help their children even when the subject is unfamiliar.

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When faced with a difficult homework assignment, children have a natural Encourage inclination to immediately ask Mom or Dad for help. Don’t assume that Your your child needs help right away.

Child Children should be properly prepared from their daily instruction to be able to attack a homework assignment. The older they get, the more challenging their assignments will be and the less obvious the solutions. Children need to learn, preferably before they get to college, how to review class notes, books, etc. to find answers on their own. Ask your child to review his notes from class and see if he can find a solution there.

2 3 Meet the Teacher

Many teachers have office hours during the day and afterschool. If your child is struggling in a class on a regular basis, encourage him to seek help from the teacher.

Sometimes, a student simply needs

extra practice in balancing chemical equations or crafting geometry proofs with someone who can check their work.

Meet with Peer Tutors

Many high schools, middle schools and even elementary schools organize peer tutors for their students. Usually peer tutors are gifted or honors students who have taken the class that your child is

struggling with and can offer some insight. They meet in libraries or empty classrooms during the day or afterschool.

In some schools, the peer tutors are overseen by teachers who serve as backup help if the peer tutor is unsure.

Oftentimes, no appointment is needed, your child just shows up.

4 5

Your public library is another resource for homework help. The Bethlehem Meet Area Public Library, for example, offers with Library free homework help for all grades most weekday afternoons and early eveTutors nings during the school year. Like peer tutoring, no appointment is necessary, just show up at the designated times. Check your library’s website or call for more information.

Seek Help Online

One of my favorite new websites is Khan Academy: http://www. khanacademy.org/. This website houses tutorials on everything from the Bay of Pigs Invasion to Matrix Transformations and even Balancing Chemical Equations.

YouTube is another online resource for tutorials. But beware: Anyone can post a video to YouTube, whether the tutorial is accurate or not. Khan Academy’s tutorials are verified before they are posted.

(Continued on page 10)

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(Continued from page 9) Don’t underestimate your capacity to learn something new. Just because Learn the your Algebra 2 homework plagued you in high school, doesn’t mean that Subject you don’t have the ability to learn it Yourself now. Watch a few tutorials on Khan Academy (see above). Then pick up your child’s textbook and see if you can work through a problem or two. Children learn a valuable lesson by watching a parent struggle with, then master, a subject.

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Learn the Subject Yourself

If none of the above options help, then you may need to hire a private tutor. Private tutors are masters in their subject, come to your home and work around your schedule. Best of all, a private tutor can adapt the

subject matter to your child’s preferred learning style.

Club Z! Tutoring is the world’s largest, in-home tutoring program. Find us on the web at www.clubztutoring.com/LehighValley or 610-351-3500.

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New Family Tradition - Easter Tree Yes, this is a little late for starting with Ash Wednesday, but a good thought is always better late than never! If you are looking for a way to instill the true meaning of Easter into your children’s hearts, consider creating an Easter Tree.

Much like an Advent calendar, the Easter Tree will be decorated with a lesson and Bible verse on a colorful, egg shaped paper.

Each select an egg, discuss the verse and lesson found on it, and then hang the Easter egg on a vase full of twigs. By Easter, it will be a beautiful Easter-egg tree, and hopefully the kids will retain more of the Easter story.

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B-Y-R-B Bring Your Right Brain

By Jeff Tintle, Lehigh Valley Family

I

n our world we are herded through life like cattle. Young children are prodded off to school to be educated en masse, funneled through the traditional system.

Keep ‘em moving…no child left behind.

They’ll teach you what to think and how. Don’t ask any questions, don’t rock the boat, just play the system.

Fortunately, there is hope through a new crop of thought leaders bringing innovation to the ways in which children learn.

Charter schools, cyber schools, home schools and other institutions focused on experiential learning are flourishing.

“In life, we face obstacles that can’t be solved solely by memorized facts or correctly performed equations. Most all obstacles need creative thinking and innovation.

Individuals inclined to right brain thinking naturally aspire to achieve higher levels of success because their creative minds discourage them from giving up when facing a hurdle.” Wow, that’s a breath of fresh air.

Best of all, it’s not from a philosopher, Harvard professor or famous psychologist, but a local parent, just like you and me.

Laura Denithorne, a loving

teacher and mother of two boys, started the Avant-Garde Learning Center in Bethlehem.

The name itself, Avant-Garde, rooted in French, means innovative and pushing the status quo in arts, culture and politics.

a multitude of intelligences and incorporate all learning styles.” Additionally, the center has an emphasis on physical wellness, which Laura says “helps the mind better function by relieving stress and creating harmony from within.”

The center complements cyber and home schooling by offering a weekday morning enrichment program. This program is designed to supplement subjects not covered in traditional education, like disciplines of the arts and culture. Laura elaborates, “Children exploring the arts acquire skills that are needed for success in life.

Arts education promotes selfconfidence, problem solving, innovative thinking, reflection of oneself and others, empathy, and tolerance. The arts activate

Laura’s inspiration for the center was her boys. With their love of learning as her inspiration, she desires to ensure an environment that allows children to grow and succeed. This is the mantra for Avant-Garde, to inspire a love of learning and success in students.

If you are interested in an enrichment program for your cyber or home schooled child, contact Laura at 610-392-8394 or visit http://www.avantgardelc. com. The Avant-Garde Learning Center is located at 4473 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

11

Making Lemonade

By Laura Putt, Lehigh Valley Family

C

hances are you know at least one family locally who has been adversely affected by the economic downturn. Every day on the news, we hear stories about unemployment benefits, food banks, and other ways families are coping with the hardship of unemployment. What we haven’t heard much about is a little-known program called Trade Readjustment Assistance, or TRA benefits.

To boil down a complicated government definition, TRA benefits are an unemployment assistance program offered to workers who have lost jobs due to outsourcing. The program provides job training and employment search services, as well as income and insurance assistance. Furthermore, it allows the laidoff worker to pursue higher education at an approved institution for approved degree tracks for two years while receiving their unemployment benefits.

Two local women, sisters, Alicia and Theresa Caliente, are students at The Wescoe School of Muhlenberg College, who are benefiting from the TRA program.

They began their coursework in January of this year.

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Rewind to March of 2012. Both had steady jobs at the T-Mobile center in the Lehigh Valley but at that time they were on a leave of absence to assist in the care of their terminally ill father. It was predicted their time with him was short. Adding insult to injury, word came that T-Mobile was downsizing, and both of their jobs were going to be eliminated, effective June 22, 2012.

Aside from the grieving process, both young ladies now had enormous stress placed on them. With both of their jobs gone, how would they pay their rent, car insurance, gas, groceries, and other countless expenses that come with daily living? Of equal concern, with the loss of their father and his income, how was their mother going to survive?

Despite all they were facing, Alicia and Theresa took charge of their fate and decided to forge ahead towards a positive future their Dad would want them to have.

They looked into what assistance CareerLink had to offer. There, they received direction in applying for new jobs and help with the paperwork required to receive unemployment benefits. The staff at CareerLink www.LehighValleyFamily.com

to higher education takes them. They know in their hearts that their late father would be proud of the hard work they are putting in and the bright future they are building for themselves.

If TRA benefits sound like a program you may qualify for, the Lehigh Valley is rich with opportunity for you. Several colleges locally accept the benefits, and a variety of degree programs are approved at each school.

Alicia and Theresa Caliente introduced the TRA benefits program to the sisters.

In recent years, Theresa had been attending classes, working slowly but surely towards her degree. As for Alicia, pursuing higher education was something that she had tucked away in the back of her mind, but it had not been a possibility due to long hours at work and financial constraints. Realizing that higher education would offer them brighter career prospects, they seized the opportunity.

The girls’ father had a degree in Business Administration, and they were inspired to follow in his footsteps. Doing research for local colleges that offered their program of interest and also accepted TRA benefits, they came upon The Wescoe School of Muhlenberg College, which caters to adult learners.

In order to qualify for assistance, a group of workers must file a petition (or have one filed on their behalf ) indicating that they have lost their jobs or have had reduced hours as the result of foreign trade. The program is administered by the Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance (OTAA).You can read more about the benefits at the State Workforce Development website, www.paworkforce.state.pa.us. Or, visit CareerLink’s website at www.CareerLinkLehighValley. org, or call them at 610-437-5627. If you are unemployed, be certain to give CareerLink a call. Their goal is to help you find a job.

To learn more about The Wescoe School of Muhlenberg College, visit their site at muhlenberg.edu/wescoe.

Thanks to Alicia and Theresa who were so kind to share their story with us. We wish them great success in all of their future endeavors!

After visiting the beautiful campus and meeting the staff, they knew this was a perfect fit for them. They are nearly halfway into their first semester at The Wescoe School, and both Alicia and Theresa are enjoying their classes.

They commented that their professors are exceptionally knowledgeable and push students to perform at their best.

Thanks to TRA benefits, their journey that began on an unhappy note will hopefully end more like a fairytale.

Alicia and Theresa are excited to see where the road

The Haas College Center on Muhlenberg Campus

www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

13

Wild Animal Rescue – The Right Way

By Vicki Bezems, Lehigh Valley Family

S

pring is approaching! And with it will come a new crop of wild animal babies in the fields and woods around our neighborhoods and developments.

Some will thrive in their environment and some will struggle. In our lifetime, we will all most likely come across an injured or abandoned animal. Late last summer, my family rescued a baby squirrel. We learned that while saving a life is the right thing to do, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

Late one afternoon, my 13-year old daughter and I were walking to a neighbor’s house. Our dog, a miniature Schnauzer, pulled along with us on the leash, his nose to the ground. Suddenly he stopped at the base of a maple tree and grabbed something alive. All we could see of the tiny creature was its legs dangling from the dog’s mouth.

For some reason, he dropped it as quickly as he had picked it up, and there, barely moving, was a bony grey body with brand new hair, a long tail, and eyes not yet open. At first, I assumed it was a mouse, but from the length of its legs and the way it moved, I realized that it was a squirrel. Above me in the tree was the nest it had fallen from.

The infant squirrel seemed stunned and malnourished. I told my daughter that we must leave it and let nature take its course, although this was difficult for me, as I’m a true animal lover and a pushover for small, helpless things. I have rescued litters of stray puppies, kittens, and injured birds, and even raised frogs from tadpoles. This time, however, my resolve was strong; I felt that it would be futile to try to save an ailing infant squirrel that had fallen at least 20 feet onto asphalt. We reluctantly went on our way, but when we returned a half hour later, a second baby squirrel was there, alongside its sister. It was crawling about

14 March / April 2013

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and looked stronger than the first one, so I felt we had to try and save them both. I went home and filled the bottom of a cardboard box with dried leaves and went back with heavy work gloves. I carefully lifted both squirrels into the box and carried it to our deck. In doing some quick research on the internet on rescuing baby squirrels, we learned that warmth and hydration are essential to their survival, so we placed an electric heating pad under the box and lined the bottom of the box with a thick, clean towel for the squirrels to burrow in.

We learned that sometimes adults will rescue their own babies if they recognize them and they are strong enough.

There were a number of adult squirrels playing and feeding in our back yard. Hoping that the mother may be among them, we placed the box on its side in the grass a few hundred feet from where we had found the babies, and we sat down on the deck to wait and watch. The babies issued loud cries that could be heard hundreds of feet away, even by human ears. Within a few minutes, an adult came down from a tall birch tree, made several trips inside the box to investigate the babies, and carried the stronger one by the scruff of its neck up the tree and deposited it in a nest.

We continued to wait for the weaker one to be rescued, alternately keeping it warm in the garage and taking it back to the yard early in the early morning and at dusk the following day, when the squirrels are most active. But the parents didn’t return for the weaker baby.

We gave it Pedialyte with a medicine dropper for two days.

The next day we bought puppy formula and a feeding syringe. We saw it start to gain strength as our “pinch” test (gently pinching the skin up above the shoulders and watching how quickly it sprang back into place) revealed www.LehighValleyFamily.com

that it was becoming re-hydrated. As I held the squirrel with a gloved hand, squeezed formula into its mouth with the syringe, and gently wiped away the sugary residue from its face, I began to feel a motherly affection for the helpless little creature. My daughter began to take responsibility for keeping it fed and warm, and named it. My husband took turns feeding it, and our 16-year old son checked on it regularly. I began to see that we needed to find a wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible before we became too fond to say goodbye. We had saved the baby squirrel from imminent death, but now it needed more advanced care than we could give. It is not only against the law to keep a wild animal; it’s a health risk to humans, domesticated pets and the wild animal itself.

A friend told me about the Aark, a wildlife rescue organization in Chalfont, PA. I made a single phone call and reached a friendly and welcoming voice who instructed me to bring the squirrel as soon as possible. Aark accepts abandoned animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Arriving at Aark the following day, my husband and I entered an outdoor compound with large animals and birds of prey in pens and barn stalls. The office held cages with dozens of abandoned squirrels and birds. We were greeted by a volunteer who took our information and the history of our squirrel and assigned it a case number. She assured us that she would care for it in her home, where she would get up for at least two feedings during the night until it was old enough to go without food for longer periods.

At Aark, we gained a quick education on abandoned wild animals. We learned that that squirrels are a highly evolved species with sophisticated needs, and our squirrel was about four weeks old and in fairly good condition.

We had done many things wrong that eventually would have been detrimental to its health. We gave it only the Pedialyte for too long, and the puppy formula was no substitute for its mother’s milk, or squirrel formula, which baby squirrels receive at Aark. The leaves in the box could harbor disease. But we had also done many things right, and in a phone call to Aark some weeks later, we learned that our baby squirrel was thriving in their care. It would soon be released into the wild. I was grateful that we as a family, and especially our children, had had the experience of caring for so helpless a creature, nurturing it through trauma, and doing the right thing by turning it over to the care of experts.

Baby Squirrel Bezems animal, here are some dos and don’ts for rescuing them safely: • Call a wildlife rehabilitator or the Game Commission immediately for advice.

• Do not handle the animal without gloves.

• Do not offer food or water. Do not feed cow’s milk.

• Do not stress the animal by holding it or inviting people to “come look”.

• Place the animal in a secure container.

• Arrange for transport to AARK or another wildlife rehabilitation center.

• Do not handle raccoon, groundhog, bat, skunk, coyote or fox. These are Rabies vector species (RVS) in Pennsylvania.

If you do, the animal will have to be destroyed to be tested for rabies.

You can reach or visit AARK Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center at1531 Upper Stump Road, Chalfont, PA 18914, 215-249-1938, http://www.aark.org/aark/ Home.html.

If you happen to find an abandoned or injured wild www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

15

Refresh, Rejuvenate, Recover

By Kenrick Smith, K17Sport

T

his time of year can be a crossroads for most athletes. We’re about a month into our New Year’s resolutions or we are starting to gear up for the beginning of our race season. The excitement of re-entering the training cycle has worn off and the reward of race season hasn’t begun yet.

I am sure you did your research on what your workouts should entail, what your nutrition plan should look like, and what you need to have in regard to equipment and apparel to ensure you are comfortable while you are training and racing. One particular aspect many athletes and especially newbies overlook is the power of sleep.

Sleep plays a critical role in the way we perform. The effects are huge, both mentally and physically, and sleep will allow your body to push through the doldrums of pre-season boredom.

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Proper sleep allows us to stay sharp and be ready to go for each workout. If we start to lack sleep, we start to feel sluggish and lethargic. With these feelings, it becomes very tempting for us to skip workouts and if we do choose to workout, lack of sleep will pressure us into slacking off and not putting in a good effort.

You can almost think of the old adage of the devil and the angel on your shoulder. Lack of sleep will be that voice of temptation saying, “My body just isn’t up for it today,” whereas the angelic state of a full night’s rest will encourage your body and mind to give it everything you have each and every time you train. We don’t want to get in the habit of skipping workouts; each time we do this it becomes easier and easier to put it on the back burner.

From a physical standpoint, sleep is the time when our body repairs itself. This time is critical, as our body prepares itself for the next day of workouts and our daily routines. We need to make sure we are allowing our body the time it needs to fully recover. Making sure we are fully rested also helps keep us healthy. Keeping our body fresh and energized helps keep our immune system strong, which in effect allows us to stay healthy and produce better results in our training.

It is all about balance, and once we start to feel drained from all the hustle and bustle of the world around us, we need to take a step back and make our adjustments.

Start with making your rest a priority and you will reap the benefits. Sleep works wonders for your body, so take advantage of the easiest thing we can do – SLEEP. Sweet dreams!

Kenrick Smith is a local elite amateur triathlete inspiring others to reach for their dreams and encouraging them to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Share in the journey at K17Sport.com. www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Mark Your Calendar: Information Session for Prospective Adult Students – 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14

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Community Spotlight: Care Net of the Lehigh Valley

P

regnancy, it’s nothing new. Women were specially made to be pregnant. Those nine months should be a breeze: a happy, healthy time which is second nature to us, right? Wrong!

The fact is pregnancy can be scary. Planned or unplanned, it is a major adjustment. We suddenly lose control over our body, and due to a lack of x-ray vision, we are not really certain what is going on in there. That’s not to say that pregnancy isn’t a wonderful, blessed time of life.

It is. But, it also can be frightening and a time of uncertainty.

Put On Your Party Dress!

The March of Dimes Celebrates 75 Years!

T

he March of Dimes has reached a big milestone - 75 years!

Started by FDR 75 years ago as a means to further polio research, the March of Dimes now focuses on helping premature babies. Since 1938, each and every baby born in the United States has been helped by the March of Dimes through programs of research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.

The organization helps families on both a local and national level.

Locally, countless families have received support in caring for their pre-mature babies. Nationally, The March of Dimes funds life saving research on vaccinations and other medical breakthroughs aimed to help every mom and baby have a healthy pregnancy.

You can join the mission by forming a team to walk on April 28, or simply donating a few dollars. See more information about the March for Babies on our back cover, or visit MarchforBabies.org.

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The good news is you don’t have to go it alone.

There is an organization in the Lehigh Valley which helps women and men navigate this challenging time. At Care Net of the Lehigh Valley, you can find a friend to walk with you.

Care Net’s services include pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds and comprehensive options information. For those who choose to parent and are interested, they offer an Earn While You Learn Program, where moms and dad can learn about healthy pregnancy, parenting and a host of practical life skills. Each participant earns Baby Bucks which can be redeemed in Care Net’s Baby Boutique, stocked full of supplies like diapers, wipes, baby clothes, etc.

In addition, as soon as renovations are complete, Care Net will be re-opening the Door of Hope Maternity Home. Lastly, they offer support to men and women who are struggling with a past abortion decision. If you need help obtaining other services, they can put you in touch with other community resources. The best news of all is that services at Care Net are free of charge and confidential.

You can learn more about Care Net at www.

CareNetLV.org or call them at 610-821-4000.

They have 3 locations in the Valley -- Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. If you are pregnant and could use a trusted resource, please call them today!

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Paper Treat Holders For the Bunny, You’ll Need: - white paper cup - white cardstock - pink felt or pink cardstock - 2 wiggle eyes - small pink pom-pom - medium white pom-pom (for tail) - white chenille stems - scissors, glue, glue dots or a stapler Directions: 1. Cut 2 large ovals for the bunny ears out of white cardstock. Trim one side of the oval off so it’s squared off at the bottom.

2. Cut 2 smaller oval shapes from the pink felt (or paper) for the inner part of the ear. Glue the pink ovals in the center of the white ear shapes.

3. Cut white chenille craft stems into short pieces for the whiskers.

Use craft glue or glue dots to attach the whiskers to the cup, then glue the pink pom pom on top for the nose.

4. Attach the ears to the back rim of the cup with a stapler or glue dots.

5. Glue the white pom pom to the back of the cup to create a cotton tail.

6. Fill with colorful Easter grass and candy treats!

For the Chick, You’ll Need: - yellow paper cup - orange cardstock - orange chenille craft stems - 2 wiggle eyes - yellow craft feathers - scissors, glue/glue dots, stapler or tape Directions: 1. From the orange cardstock, cut a small triangle for the beak and glue it to the front of the cup.

2. Glue the wiggle eyes above the beak.

3. Cut six 3/4-inch pieces of orange chenille stem for the chick feet.

Twist three pieces together at one end for each foot. Attach the feet to the front of the cup with glue dots or tacky craft glue.

4. Staple or tape a few feathers to the back edge of the cup, making sure they peek out over the top.

5. Fill with a colorful Easter grass and candy treats!

Silk Tie Easter Eggs These fancy eggs are a snap to make and so pretty! The kids will love unwrapping them, as each is slightly different. Plus, its a good excuse to get rid of some of the ugly ties in the closet...

Materials and Tools - Small- to medium-size raw eggs - Glass or enamel pot - Silk ties, blouses, or boxers, cut into pieces large enough to cover an egg - White fabric, cut into pieces to cover silk-wrapped eggs - Twist ties - 3 tablespoons of white vinegar - Warm water - Vegetable oil - Paper towels - Tongs or spoon Directions: 1. Cut silk into a square large enough to wrap around a raw egg.

2. Wrap a raw egg with a piece of silk, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg.

3. Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of white fabric and secure tightly with a twist-tie.

4. Place the egg(s) in an enamel or glass pot. Fill pot with water to cover eggs completely. Then, add three tablespoons of white vinegar.

5. Bring water to a boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 25 minutes (longer if you plan on eating the eggs).

6. Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon and let cool.

7. Remove silk from cooled egg.

8. For shiny eggs, wipe with vegetable oil.

9. Enjoy!

Spring Style: Bold, Eclectic, Wondrously Wearable

By Amanda Furbeck, Lehigh Valley Family Stylista

A

s temperatures rise, sweaters are shed, and mittens are discarded, something new, beautiful, and trendy just has to take their place. This budding season’s hippest wear is as individual as the wearer, leaving the eclectic trendsetter to breathe a sigh of relief into her diverse wardrobe.This season’s looks are vibrant and bold, beautifully varied, and wondrously wearable. Check out where the fashion scene is finding its inspiration for spring and how you can incorporate it into your wardrobe.

Spring fashion is colorful. You don’t have to rely on soft and sweet pastels to bring your spring wardrobe into full swing. In fact, there are a myriad of colorful clothing palettes to choose from. Now is the time to brighten up, especially if you’re getting bored of basic black. Try a few of these color inspirations to liven up your look in the warmer weather.

Black and white. Crisp black and white makes a terrific, eye catching contrast. Try black and white colors in bold geometric shapes, unusual stripes, checks, or blocks. The sharper the contrast, the better the effect. Flowing tunic tops and boxy jackets with geometric prints look great against solid black or white bottoms.

Earth tones. These tones are rich and warm, like ginger and denim, chocolate browns, mustard yellows, and leafy greens. Pair up bold prints made

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of earth tones against denim or white. Choose more intense shades to keep the color scheme feeling fresh.

Navy. Navy may not be the new black, but it is the new neutral. Wear it in nautical stripes, with cream, white, or even against black. Navy makes a terrific trouser, and a splash of red always works when navy is the neutral.

Vibrant shades. If you’re really feeling bold and ready to break away from the chilling temps and graying colors, try a monochrome look in vibrant shade. Choose an intense aquamarine blue or confidant orange in an iridescent fabric for a look that’s bold and beautiful.

Spring fashion is world-wide inspired.

Influences on spring fashion are trickling in from across the globe. From the Orient we find cherry blossom prints, along with sashes and bows, creating accents on all kinds of clothing. Keep a keen eye for kimono inspired shapes in rich, opulent fabrics. Also, beautiful, silky saris inspire free flowing, lightweight dresses in richly colored linens, while bold, African prints inspire jumpsuits, shoes, and bags.

Spring fashion is geometric. You can safely stick with some retro-inspired, large, geometric prints in bright colors to emphasize this trend. Better yet, try out a few oversize ruffles to update your look. You’ll find them, in all types of fabric, adorning all manner www.LehighValleyFamily.com

of attire from casual skirts, peplum tops, and even formal wear. Even more surprising is the appearance of these dazzling ruffles on stiletto shoes, darling jackets, and earrings.

How to wear it well. The most important part of any trend is knowing how to wear it well.

Stick with one idea. It’s great if you love all of this spring’s fashionable flair. Just don’t wear it all in one shot. Pick one thing at a time, and mix it in with classic or neutral pieces from your current wardrobe.

Pick a statement piece. Maybe it’s a kimono shaped blouse or a ruffled heel. Select one statement piece and build your look, or even your wardrobe, around it. Don’t hide those gorgeous ruffled shoes under a long maxi skirt; instead, pair them with a calf-length pencil skirt so they can take center stage.

Love that bright checked jacket? Toss it on over a pair of black skinny trousers for contrast. A few of these exciting, key pieces will update your entire wardrobe for the spring trends.

Keep it crisp. Neatness counts! A rumpled navy trouser won’t give the same nautical effect as a crisply ironed pair, and a wilted ruffle really won’t sing of spring. Make sure your colors are bright, your shoes are polished, and your look is coiffed to get the most impact from your fashion choices.

Never underestimate the power of a great accessory. An oversize bag, a brightly colored scarf, or the perfect jacket can pull an outfit together with great panache. Don’t be afraid to try on your accessories in the mirror, just like your other clothing.

If you’re not ready to spring for a statement piece, you can always make a smaller investment in a fun accessory, like a handbag, to give you a breath of fresh air in your style.

Have fun! While this spring doesn’t face a lot of hard and fast fashion rules, a light-hearted and vibrant outlook is the common theme. A sunny disposition and a confident smile will help you carry any style you choose.

Commonyms Answers 1. chairs 2. they have covers 3. they come in strips 4. island nations 5. slang for coffee 6. they have colonels 7. goats 8. books of the bible

9. eyes 10. guards 11. tellers 12. parts of a golf course 13. they produce milk 14. they have drives

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l i r p A h c r a M

Sundays

Artventure, Allentown Art Museum. Sundays, 12:30 – 3:30 pm. You and your family will find our always popular monthly themed art projects as well as art puzzles and books for children, in-gallery art activities and much more. Museum educators and volunteers will be available to assist your family. No registration is required.

Artventures is a FREE program. 31 North 5th Street, Allentown Pennsylvania. www.allentownartmuseum.org.

March 10

How I Became a Pirate. The best-selling children’s book by Melinda Long bursts to life in this rollicking musical adventure from the Omaha Theater Company. With spellbinding storytelling, irresistible pirate songs, and bold choreography, this production takes audiences of all ages on an unforgettable journey through the high seas. Most suitable for ages 5-10. Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown. 2pm.

March is: March 16 - 17

Optimism Month

Spring Fling Weekend at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. This fun packed weekend starts with the Cardboard Box Race on Saturday and ends with Pond Skimming on Sunday. If you don’t want to participate, you can watch and enjoy live music from 2pm – 5pm and drink specials at the outdoor tiki bar. 101 Doe Mountain Lane. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm www.bcmountainresort.com. Free.

March 19 - May 2

March 9

Get Over It Day

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Act 3 Company presents Roald Dahl’s story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir.

DeSales University, Schubert Theatre. Labuda Center for the Performing Arts., 2755 Station Ave. , Center Valley , PA , 18034. Phone: 610-282-3192. http:// web1.desales.edu. Check website or call for show times.

April 12-13 March 23

The Great Ambulance Chase is a 5k Race/Walk in support of Children’s 911 Education and Awareness programs offered

by Cetronia Ambulance Corps. Online Registration is available on active.com keyword: Cetronia Ambulance. Stabler Arena Complex, 124 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem Pennsylvania. 8:00 am – 10:00 am, http://www.cetronia.org.

The Little Mermaid Jr., presented by Civic Theatre of Allentown. In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. April 11 at 6:00 pm; April 12 at 6:00pm; April 13 at 11:00am and 2:00pm; 527 N. 19th St. www.civictheatre.com

April 12-13

Cold Crop Plant Sale, Rodale Institute, 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown. Get your garden started with March 11 organically grown lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Take a Nap Day chard, herbs, trees, March 24 Winter Family Festival at the Allentown Art Museum. shrubs and more! Stock April is: up on gardening tools, Enjoy a 1920s-themed afternoon. Daddy-O’s and Straw Hat Month compost, organic seeds, Dolls will certainly be keen on the Spirit of the Airwaves Players (S.O.A.P.) when they re-create the how-to books and the magic of old-time radio drama right before your eyes! latest seasonal tips from our expert gardeners. http:// Adults and children will really dig Grammy-nominated rodaleinstitute.org jazz singer Janet Lawson as she engages audiences with her program Jazz Journey. Don’t forget to see all the hip, hands-on art projects we have to offer in Art April 20-21 Ways. Free at the Museum. Allentown Art Museum, Earth Days On The Greenway in Bethlehem, sponsored 31 North 5th Street, Allentown Pennsylvania. 12:00

by Lehigh Valley Sierra Club. A celebration and call to pm – 4:00.pm. action. Bethlehem’s Greenway between 3rd and 4th March 21 Streets is a unique gem, a rail-trail urban linear park.

Simultaneously with South Bethlehem’s “Chili Taste-off”, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day April 6 join the organizations of the Lehigh Valley Environmental Coalition in 9 “villages” of fun and learning: Music, History Expo 2013. ehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Poetry, Artwork, New friends; Green Energy - Reduce/ 432 W Walnut St, Allentown. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Recyle/Use; Food & Farm - Health & Wellness; Pennsylvania’s premiere history event will feature a Environmental Advocacy, Community Action; Backyard soldiers’ encampment, tours of Trout Hall, displays Gardening – Conservation; Eco-Homestead. 12:00 by historical organizations, and much more. Old- 5:00 pm. fashioned story-telling, toys, games, and crafts mean fun for the whole family. FREE.Children April 21 receive a FREE hot dog and beverage. www.

Fourth Annual Bulldog Beauty Contest, America lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org on Wheels Museum. All Breed/Owner Look-A-Like Contest & Special Pet Blessing. 12pm – 2:30pm (call for registration form),5 N Front St Allentown, 18102.

April 7 (610) 432-4200.

Velveteen Rabbit. This innovative production combines life-sized puppets, masks and the theatrical magic of Enchantment Theatre with the music of Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning Composer/Arranger Don Visit the Zoo Sebesky. It’s an unforgettable theatrical experience Visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo in April for signature zoo for the whole family. Suitable for children 4-10. Apr 7, activities: April 6, Grand Opening: Rediscover North 2013 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Miller Symphony Hall, 23 America – A Wildlife Exploration; April 13, Farm Fest at N. 6th Street, Allentown. http://allentownsymphony. the Zoo; April 20, Party for the Planet; April 27, Arbor org/Default.aspx?tabid=84. Phone: 610-432-6715.

Day at the Zoo. Signature zoo activities are free for members and included in the cost of admission for non-members. For more information, go to www.lvzoo.

April 2 is: org. 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville,18078.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Phone: 610-799-4171.

Sunday, April 28th!