Local Author’s New Book...

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After creating Chuckie’s social media accounts, she realized just how much he was resonating with people who thought he was hilarious. And it took on a life of its own.

“People all over the world, including the military (stationed in South Africa) said that seeing Chuckie’s page made them smile when they’re away from their family,” Jensen says she feels like it’s helped people. “It was so much bigger than just me sharing my dog’s pictures and videos. I’ve always loved kids, so let me write books that deal with social, emotional issues with kids.”

Jensen is in her 25th year teaching elementary music, now middle school chorus. It all started when the school guidance counselor suggested she write a musical and the kids could perform it. And the rest is history…

She penned a children’s anti-bullying musical, What’s Your Favorite Color and a comedy play Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas. Amy received the Excellence in Education Recognition Award in 2012.

“But then I’ve always loved dogs, the kind of person that when you ask how I am I’d just talk about my dog,” says the author. “With the Internet you can talk in your dog’s voice and create a whole world around your dog and people will follow you.”

The playwright and music educator has written three children’s books collaborating with illustrator Ulana Zahajkewycz: Chuckie Makes Mistakes (Sometimes), Chuckie Has A Bellyache, and Chuckie Says Goodbye.

For more information, visit chuckiebook. com.

Staying healthy is important yearround, but especially in the cooler months when temperatures drop, people spend more time inside and germs can spread easily. What you eat and the lifestyle you embrace are critical components of staying healthy.

Nourishing meals full of fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods and whole grains help provide the body’s immune system with the nutrients it needs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, being physically active every day, having enough fluids and reducing stress also help keep the immune system in shape.

As a nutritious food to include on your grocery list, grapes of all colors – red, green and black – contain more than 1,600 natural plant compounds such as antioxidants and other polyphenols that help protect the health of cells throughout the body. They also contain about 82% water, so they provide important fluids for hydration, which is also critical to a healthy