Kin June 2011 by NPG Newspapers

kin

June 2011

THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE

Kindergarten ready? ExpErts givE somE good tips on prEparing kids for thEir first yEar of school

Birth Order

is your pErsonality basEd on whEthEr you arE an oldEr or youngEr sibling?

Watch yOur BacK

a chiropractor offErs uniquE hEalth carE for womEn and childrEn

Fight a Fever?

making kids comfortablE is thE first ordEr of businEss

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We asked our staff the following question: What’s your favorite summer activity?

Todd Weddle | photo editor Summertime has to consist of camping, kayaking and just being outdoors with my two boys, Ben and Jack. I have great memories from my childhood of the outdoors and I definitely want to pass it along to my children.

Jess DeHaven | editor I love to travel, and my husband and I (that’s us in Bruges, Belgium) have gotten to see some amazing places. We’re looking forward to sharing that with our daughter.

Sylvia Anderson | reporter It’s a tie: outdoor barbecue parties and swimming.

Contents.June11

Contributors

There’s a saying about Missouri: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a bit and it will change.” That’s really true about everything in life from your children to this issue of Kin. Yes, this will be the last Kin in the magazine format. Starting June 6, we will begin running Kin every Monday as part of the regular News-Press and online. Watch for more information on the Kin Facebook page. As for children, change can be hard for everyone. I still remember when I took my oldest child to kindergarten for the first time. Even though he was large for his age, he looked so small and helpless as I said goodbye. I couldn’t help but worry if he would get along OK. He didn’t cry, but I did on the drive home. By the time I dropped off my youngest child, I was under control, but it was still hard to do. You have to remind yourself that the goal of parents is not to keep your child safely under your wing but to raise them so they can fly on their own as a productive, happy and independent members of society. And one of the best ways to do that is to make sure they get a good start in school, as you will read in my story, “Will your child be ready for kindergarten?” See you on June 6!

SYLVIA ANDERSON A little about me: Sylvia Anderson is Kin’s lead reporter. She and her husband have three children, one grandson and a full-figured pug named Twinkles. Although she doesn’t like sports, she has willingly watched more sports games as a parent than your average fan and is now missing being in the bleachers.

05 Key to fevers is maintaining comfort. 06 Find out just how humid it is. 07 Enjoy a family day on the farm. 08 If your summer plans involve fishing, here’s one way to prepare your catch. 09 Get ready for some fierce summer battles. 10 Does your position in a family determine your personality? 12 Experts give tips for a successful start to school. 16 Chiropractor offers unique healthcare option for women and children. 18 Summer’s here. Keep the kids busy. 20 Buying items in large quantities can save you cash. SWeaT IT OUT | By JeNNIfer GOrDON

CalIBraTe a HyGrOmeTer | By GeOrGe STaNTON

SHaTTO DaIry | By SylvIa aNDerSON

DOGGONe CaTfISH | By DaWN fOrSBerG

GUNS a SPrayIN’ | By BlaKe HaNNON

aN OrDerly exISTeNCe | By JImmy myerS

reaDy fOr KINDerGarTeN? | By SylvIa aNDerSON

THe rIGHT aDJUSTmeNT | By SylvIa aNDerSON

BUlK UP TO GeT mOre BaNG fOr yOUr BUCK | By erIN WISDOm

Paul Branson | presentation editor Riding with my wife somewhere far away on our motorcycles and finding a great place to eat pie.

Kin’s editor is Jess DeHaven Paul Branson is the presentation editor The photo editor is Todd Weddle

On the cOver: Kim Calloway is a

kindergarten teacher at Eugene Field Elementary School. WONSUK CHOI/Kin magazine

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WHaT TO DO |

The parenting plunge

Kids say the darndest things

By Betsy Lee

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A little about me: Betsy Lee is a freelance journalist. She lives in a perpetually messy house with her husband, two children and a neglected basset hound mix. You can e-mail her at contactbetsylee@gmail. com.

It happened to me. That moment that every parent dreads. The time when your kid points out, loudly, in a public place, that a stranger is fat. But instead of turning red-faced, stammering an apology and ushering my wide-eyed child away, as I always imagined I’d do — I grinned. In one naive comment, my son gave me the witty, redeeming remark that I would’ve obsessed over for a days. It was the one time that I, at least by association, came up with the comeback that completely fit the crime. Here’s the story: It was a gorgeous Saturday and my little family decided to accompany my husband to work. While he finished up a few things at his office, my children and I wandered around the beautiful downtown square of Liberty, Mo. I have to admit that I had my hands full. At the time, my daughter had just started running. Running all over. Running away. So I was in that awkward phase everyone with two kids goes through — when your young children can, with no notice, bolt in two different directions. To maintain order, I decided we should share a soda. And for a few peaceful moments, we sipped Sprite at an outdoor café. Then all hell broke loose. My son started whining about something. My daughter started screaming about something else. As I dealt with the chaos, a woman walked by. She wore a brown dress and expensive shoes. I was kneeling on the ground with my daughter, consoling her, when we made eye contact. She rolled her eyes at me. And I felt ashamed. Calm returned and I threw away the empty cup and bent down to tie my son’s shoes. While I looped and knotted, my daughter ran away. She only made it one store down. But by the time I caught up to her, abandoning my purse and leaving my son trailing behind me, she’d actually walked through the open door. The store was a classy boutique kind of place, complete with fragile vases and jewelry hanging down low from racks with

mirrors. I ran inside and scooped her up, hoping no one had noticed the unattended mini-customer. We turned to exit and I spotted the woman in the brown dress staring at me. I gave her a half-hearted smile and searched her face for a mother’s understanding. I found none. “Why don’t you watch your kids a little more closely?” she said, sneering. My stomach went cold. Like so many times in my short tenure as a stay-at-home mother, I was mortified. I was inept. In the one job I had, I’d failed. In an instant, I saw the possibilities flash before my eyes. My 1-year-old could’ve broken something in the store. Or worse, she could’ve bolted into the street instead of the store’s open door. Later, I knew, everything I wish I’d said would come to me. I’d relive the moment in my head and imagine that the perfect witty comeback would fly instantly from my mouth. But right now, though, I had nothing. I adjusted my daughter on my hip and grasped my son’s hand. We started walking out. Then my son, my charming 3-year-old little boy, pointed his finger at the lady in the brown dress. Then he said it, loud enough for everyone in the store to hear: “Mama! That lady must have a baby in her belly!” He was so proud of his observation. And so was I. “No, she doesn’t,” I said quietly. Then we left.

stay well

Key to fevers is maintaining comfort The thermometer verifies your suspicion. Your child’s clammy hands, chills and warm forehead indicate a low-grade fever. Before you reach for the Tylenol, consider some of the more traditional ways to handle a temperature. A recent study from the journal Pediatrics urges parents to consider a child’s comfort first. Higher-thanaverage temperatures often signal the body’s fight against infection. As long as the fever doesn’t drag on for days or rise above 101 degrees, it doesn’t cause any damage to the brain, studies indicate. But ibuprofen and acetaminophen, common antipyretics or fever-fighters, don’t necessarily help with the illness at the root of the fever.

Michael Stroud, a family nurse practitioner at Northwest Health Services’ South Side Health Center in St. Joseph, recommends treatment start with a tepid bath. “If the child is all bound up in blankets and heavy clothing, try to disrobe somewhat,” he says. Fluid intake and sleep also help the body recover from an infection or a virus. Which is not to say Tylenol or ibuprofen should never be used. When tepid baths and disrobing don’t seem to have any effect on the fever, feel free to administer the proper dose based on your child’s weight. “If you’re just giving it occasionally, I don’t think it’s much of a threat. It’s the day in and day out

that causes problems,” says Rex Robinson, a pharmacist at Rogers Pharmacy in St. Joseph. Overuse of ibuprofen can lead to stomach ulcers or other damage to the stomach lining. Taking the pill with food or milk can soften the effect on the stomach. Robinson suggests children take Tylenol because it is more tummy-friendly than ibuprofen. Although good for juvenile arthritis and some heart conditions, aspirin should be avoided with children under the age of 18. Studies have linked it to Reye Syndrome, a condition that causes swelling in the brain and liver complications. Stroud recommends if parents do have aspirin in the house, they keep it locked away as it’s the most common poisoning in children. — Jennifer Gordon, Kin magazine

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Sweat it out

How To

Calibrate a hygrometer the salt test

Hygrometers should be calibrated at least once a year. Here are some easy steps to accurately measure the humidity in digital or analog hygrometers

In your high school chemistry class you may have tested some compound elements. It so happens that NaCl (salt) and H2O (water) when mixed in a saturated solution at equilibrium, yield a perfect 75 percent humidity. It’s from this reference point that an accurate measurement can be tested in hygrometers.

Materials list: › Hygrometer (digital or analog) › Common table salt (no iodine) › Milk jug cap › Small plastic sandwich bag

1. location

3. add Water

4. Bag it

Find a nice location out of direct sunlight and away from vents or drafts. The temperature should be stable.

Pour a few drops of water into the cap. Make sure not to oversaturate the salt. The consistency should be like wet sand. The salt should not dissolve.

Place your hygrometer in the plastic bag. Gently add the cap filled with the salt solution next to the hygrometer. Leave some air space in the bag. Be careful not to have the mixture contact the hygrometer. This may damage the device. Hold down one end of the bag and carefully press the seal together.

2. Pour in salt Carefully pour salt into the milk jug cap. Leave a little room at the top and gently tap it level.

5. Waiting gaMe Let stand for six to eight hours for the solution to permeate the enclosure.

6. adjustMent

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Note: Use a paper towel to soak up any excess water.

Take note of the reading before removing the hygrometer from the bag. Quickly adjust your analog hygrometer to 75 percent by inserting a small screwdriver in the back and turning it up or down depending on the reading before the hygrometer adjusts to exterior elements. Digital hygrometers usually have a button or knob feature for adjustments. If it doesn’t, make a note to add or subtract the difference for accuracy.

Illustrations and story by George Stanton If you have a suggestion or idea on illustrating a how to, please contact George Stanton at george.stanton@newspressnow.com.

Fun on the farm

Shatto Dairy Hay rides are just one of the activities that are part of Shatto Dairy’s Family Farm Day.

day trip

Submitted photo

Turn

“Our root beer milk was No. 1 in the world at the World Dairy Expo,” Shatto says. “And our strawberry milk was No. 2.” The dairy recently began making artisan cheese and several flavors of cheese curds, so visitors can watch the process through glass windows and see down into the vats via television cameras. At Family Farm Day, hay rides will be offered, weather permitting, and there will be samples, snacks, prizes and games. There is a retail store on the

GeorGe L. Stanton/Kin magazine

premises, too, where you can buy any of the products sold in stores. Tours typically last one and a half hours from start to finish. There is a $5 charge per person for everyone over 2 years old. Family day is free. To set up a tour call (816) 930-3862 or e-mail office@ shattomilk.com. More information and a map is available on their website at www. shattomilk.com. — Sylvia anderSon, Kin magazine At family day, kids will have the chance to meet Shatto’s cows and sample some of the dairy’s products. Submitted photos

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a lesson on where milk comes from to a funfilled day trip for your whole family at the Shatto Dairy Farm in Osborn, Mo. You can schedule a tour Tuesday through Saturday or mark your calendar for the Family Farm Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18. In both cases, you’ll be able to milk a cow and see baby calves, possibly getting to bottle feed one yourself. You’ll also learn how milk is processed and all the steps it goes through before it ends up on the table. It’s a whole different experience than reading about it in a book — in many ways. “Of course, they hold their nose first,” laughs Leroy Shatto. “When I send them up to the barn, I tell them it’s going to smell like cows up there. After they’re here, they forget about that part.” The family farm has received national and international attention for its hormone-free milk sold in unique glass bottles, along with butter, ice cream and flavored milks.

IngredIents

quick food

No-stick cooking spray 4 large catfish filets 2 beaten eggs 1/2 cup milk 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2/3 cup Italian seasoned crumbs 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 4 teaspoons butter, melted Fresh lemon wedges, optional

dIrectIons

Todd Weddle/Kin magazine

Doggone Catfish!

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It’s that time of year again ... fishing season! Well, at least this is what I consider fishing season. I spent too many hours on a frozen lake in Minnesota with my father ice fishing to consider any temperature below 65 degrees fishing season. I have recently rediscovered fishing as a hobby, and I love it. We pack up the family, gear and picnic goodies and head out to one of the many little fishing spots that Missouri has to offer. It is a wonderful way to spend time with your family. I never thought that I would like catfish, but I was wrong — especially when it is fresh and prepared correctly. I like this method of baking it because there is no frying mess to clean up. If you aren’t lucky enough to catch any fresh catfish, stop on over at your favorite grocery store and pick some up. Catfish is usually available year-round. This recipe also can be used with other types of firm white-fleshed fish, such as cod or tilapia. You will need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your filets. I have made this with pounded chicken breasts and pork loin also, with really good results. Serve this with a nice rice pilaf and a fresh green salad. If desired, you may serve with tartar sauce, but the fish is so flavorful, all you really need is a squirt of fresh lemon juice.

By Dawn ForsBerg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with nostick spray or grease with olive oil. Rinse catfish filets and pat dry; set aside. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk and garlic; stir to mix well. In a large bowl, combine crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Take a filet and dip it in the egg mixture and let the excess drip off. Place in crumb mixture, turning to coat both sides of catfish. Place the filet on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining filets. Drizzle one teaspoon melted butter over each filet. Place in oven and cook for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily in thickest spot. Serve with a simple rice pilaf and a green salad.

A little about me: Dawn Forsberg is the author of “Dawn’s Kitchen Cuisine” and has won numerous recipe contests in magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and Cook’s Country. Before moving to St. Joseph, she lived in San Diego, Calif., where she had her own business, “Dawned on Me,” making and selling fruit salsas, barbecue sauces, mustards, chutneys, soups, salads and pickles. She is now a stayat-home mom to two children, two stepchildren and four grandchildren.

Guns a’ sprayin’

want that

Get ready for some fierce summer battles with these water guns

The weather continues to get warmer as months go by and soon it will be time to throw on those swimsuits and do some relaxing by the pool. Or, you could prepare for water warfare. That’s what might be on the mind of your youngest family members since water guns are such an essential toy of summer. But nowadays, the classic seethrough pistol just won’t cut it. Here are a few of water weapons that could give you the upper hand.

SUPER SOAKER HYDRO CANNON ($24.99, available at Walmart, Kmart and Amazon.com) The Super Soaker brand has always been a trailblazer with its water gun designs, but those early pressurized models don’t have anything on the Super Soaker Hydro Cannon. As the name would indicate, this pressurized gun shoots a huge blast of water up to 35 feet. And if you don’t want to get blasted yourself, it also comes with its own detachable blast shield to protect you from incoming H20.

BANZAI RAPID FIRE SPIN BLASTER ($29.99, available at Amazon.com) Forget pulling a trigger. The design of the Banzai Rapid Fire Spin Blaster has a better idea. With its crank handle, you can send out some drenching punishment with a continuous spinning spray that fires up to 20 feet.

BUZZ BEE VINDICATOR ($28.99, available at Target, Amazon.com and BuzzBeeToys.com) Buzz Bee Toys makes everything from gadgets to air blasters, but the company’s certainly no slouch in the water gun game. The Ultimate Vanquisher is the biggest model from its Water Warriors line. With five different nozzle settings, 108-ounce water tank and pressurized firepower up to 40 feet, it’s a beast on its own. But if that’s not enough, each gun can be connected to the others in the Water Warriors line, allowing you to have an arsenal you can bring to the game.

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— Blake Hannon, kin magazine

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An orderly existence?

Does your position in a family determine your personality?

he influences that shape a personality are vast and complex, but the more measurable factors include parenting styles, socio-economics and, some argue, birth order. An only child isn’t prone to sharing, prefers adult company, likes to be the center of attention. The first born is authoritarian, a leader. Middle children are even tempered but prone to rebellion. The last-born are spoiled, desire to be bigger and dream big too. The above traits, outlined first by psychologist Alfred Adler in the early 1900s, have been expanded on by some scholars, especially as the number of offspring per family has declined since then. But other psychologists and sociologists are quick to shoot these traits down as no better a predictor of a person’s personality than an astrological sign. Dalton Conley says in his book “The Pecking Order” that too much is made of birth order, and that often traits are only assigned to individuals after their actual birth order is revealed. He challenges anyone to take 10 people at random and guess their birth order by what they know of their personalities. The result is that one would guess correctly only slightly more than if they had flipped a coin, he says. “In families with two kids, birth order does not really matter that much,” Conley says, adding that family size has more impact than birth order. “In fact, just under onefourth of U.S. presidents were firstborns — about what we would expect from chance.” Cindy Crouse, coordinator of guidance and counseling for the St. Joseph Public School District, has heard all the standard traits related to birth order. But in her decades-long

career as a counselor, she says “I’ve not found any consistencies, to tell you the truth.” Just when she thinks she’s got the middle-child pegged, one comes around that doesn’t fit the stereotype. The eldest child is the smart one, as the theory goes. But Crouse says the academic success is more about parenting than birth order. “Studies have proven that the more time a parent spends with a child in getting them ready for school, or just interacting with the child, the better prepared they will be to begin school,” she says. “If you don’t want to have these typical birth order descriptions, each child needs to be treated as an only child.” Dr. Linda Kozminski, a St. Joseph-based therapist, sees some validity in the traits associated with birth order but agrees that it doesn’t determine that person’s success. However, two stereotypical birth order types do hold up where long-term relationships are concerned — the first born of one family who marries the last born of another makes a compatible match. “First-borns always want to take care of everybody and babies always want to be taken care of,” Kozminski says of why the dynamic works. But some of these couples end up in her office later in life because as they age the tables turn and the first-born requires nurturing. Religion, family size, socioeconomics, parenting — all are factors in how a person is shaped, Kozminski says. But more research coming out in the last five to 10 years points toward brain chemistry as the biggest determiner of “behavior, our personality, and our understanding of the world,” she says. — JIMMY MYERS, Kin magazine

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Will your child be ready for kindergarten? Experts give tips for a successful start to school Kim Calloway, a kindergarten teacher at Eugene Field Elementary School, talks with one of her students, Will Hutcherson, 6, during the afternoon class.

By Sylvia anderSon W Photographed by WonSuk Choy

When you bring that little bundle of joy home from the hospital, the first day of kindergarten seems so far away. But suddenly it’s here. Whether your child has been in full-time daycare or at home with you, it’s a big change for everyone. You can start preparing for this day before your child is born. “Being a lifelong learner and developing a mind that is teachable begins at birth or even before birth,” says Debbie Kunz, Parents as Teachers coordinator in St. Joseph. PAT helps guide parents on what they can do to help children reach their potential from birth to 3 years old. It’s a free program, so if you are pregnant or have a child under the age of 3, your first step is to sign up with PAT (call 671-4300). Don’t worry, your baby won’t have to look at flashcards. “It’s not getting children to achieve milestones before they are ready,” she says. “It’s preparing the child and the child’s mind to receive the information when the time is right for the child.” You essentially get that from being in a nurturing home where your parents sing with you and play with you, and there is a lot of appropriate physical touch, she says. This actually changes the child’s brain chemistry in a way that he can go into a classroom and have controlled impulses, focused attention. The teachers then are able to get to the business of teaching, rather than being consumed with getting students to behave. “If we can teach things like how to understand the child’s temperament better, then they can learn this parent/child dance a little better,” Kunz says. “It is a dance, and it’s different with every child.” READ

PLAY

Reading to your child is one of the simplest and most important things you can do every day, says Kim Calloway, kindergarten teacher at Eugene Field Elementary. “Kids that haven’t been exposed to books don’t even know where the front of the book is,” she says. “Coming in and knowing letters and sounds would be very helpful, too, so when they get here, we can start working on the reading.” Kindergarten is not like it was before, she says, where the goal was simply getting along with others and learning how to hold crayons and scissors. When children move on to first grade, they are expected to be reading. In addition to talking about letters and sounds, talk to your child about what’s happening in the book, Kunz says. Work on comprehension and prediction by asking things such as: “What’s going to happen?” “Why do you think he felt this way?” Or tying it in with something your child has done, such as, “Remember when we went to the zoo?” Sign up for a library card if you don’t have one already. Going to the library on a regular basis shows your child reading is enjoyable and important.

With busy schedules, we sometimes don’t make time to play with our children, but it is an important part of your child’s development. “The way you ensure learning in a child is when an adult connects to a child through play,” Kunz says. Get out sidewalk chalk, or play with water or paint. Make up silly rhymes, or take a walk together. It’s about sharing good memories with your child while using everyday moments as learning opportunities. Get a child in tune to listening to language and extending her vocabulary. Ask questions to encourage her to think and reach her own conclusions. “What happened when I turned the nozzle this way?” “Why do you think water didn’t come out?” “What do you think would happen if we drop an egg on my car and it’s 100 degrees outside?” “We need to encourage a mind to think outside the box,” she says. Young children can ask a lot of questions — so many that it’s easy to start ignoring them, but don’t. “We’re giving them the message you’re not important enough to listen to this whole question, or I’m not interested in you,” Kunz says. “You need to

respond to the question and help them expand on that.”

READY OR NOT? Children must be 5 years old on or before July 31 to attend kindergarten, but it’s not uncommon to wait another year even if your child is old enough. Kindergarten screening can determine where your child is in relationship to other children his age. Testing focuses on cognitive and motor development and language skills. Can they count? Rhyme? Use scissors? If your child is lagging behind the average 5-year-old, you might want to hold him back. “Some do, some don’t, it’s about 50-50,” Calloway says. “There’s the risk of them struggling all year long, and there’s a risk of them falling even further behind. I know the parents who have held their child back have never regretted it.”

THIS SUMMER Most school districts offer summer school for children going into kindergarten. Although it’s not required, if your child will be starting this fall, Kunz thinks enrolling your child is a good idea, so she can get familiar with the school and the structure. In St. Joseph, summer school runs from May 23 until June 16. You can call your home school or 671-4390 to sign up. Then, at least two weeks before school starts, get your child in a routine of going to bed and waking up at the appropriate time, eating breakfast and getting dressed on his own. Clothing should be easy to get on and off, because children in kindergarten are expected to take care of all their toiletry needs, from wiping themselves to putting their pants back on. “When we do too much for a child, we squelch their ability and their desire,” Kunz says. And if you have trouble getting your child to cooperate, try not to ask open ended questions like, “What do you want for breakfast?” “Give the child a choice,” she says. “Do you want eggs or cereal? When a child is given choice they feel like they have control over it and are more willing to comply.” Five-year-olds can be expected to do small chores around the house, too. They vary from family to family, but your child should be able to clear the table. She also could feed a pet, water plants, put stamps on mail and pick up clothes and toys. Children who attend kindergarten screenings in St. Joseph receive a bag full of ideas and a book to read from the United Way. Get more ideas on the kindergarten blog, destinationkindergarten.blogspot. com. “Anything that parents can work with helps us,” Calloway says. “We take them where they start and then as far as they can go.”

Great books for kindergartners Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema Baby Bird’s First Nest By Fran Asch When Sophie Gets Angry — Really Really Angry By Molly Bang Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judith Barrett Madeline by Ludwig Bemeimans Arthur’s Eyes by Marc Brown Two Little Trains by Margaret Brown Stellaluna by Janell Cannon May I bring a friend by Beatrice De Regneirs Is your Mama a Llama By Deborah Guarino A Dog Like Jack by DyAnne De Salvo-Ryan Growing Vegetable Soup By Lois Ehlert Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberly Olivia by Ian Falconer Bark George by Juliet Feiffer Time for Bed by Mem Fox Mushroom in the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes — St. Joseph Public Library

Important sites Destination Kindergarten blog: destinationkindergarten.blogspot.com/ Parents as Teachers: www.parentsasteachers.org or 671-4300 Go St. Joe Kids: www.gostjoekids.com for up-to-date local activities, classes and events for children St. Joseph School District: For children with special needs 671-4000 St. Joseph Health Department: www.stjoemo.info or 271-4725

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The right adjustment After Sarah Mollus became pregnant with her first child, in addition to seeing her OB-GYN, she made an appointment with Dr. Crystal Green, a chiropractor at Green Family Chiropractic and a specialist in family wellness and prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care. It’s a decision she believes contributed to a relatively easy pregnancy and delivery of her son, Brady. “I had a really smooth labor,” Sarah says. “(Green) said he looked great and I think that’s because of the adjustments she made. “I have had several great experiences with chiropractics, but none compared to prenatal adjustments.” Green received her doctor of chiropractic from the Cleveland Chiropractic College and is certified through the InternationalChiropractic Pediatric Association. She is also certified in the Webster technique and the Bagnell technique for adjusting the pelvis to help a breech baby turn naturally. What this means is she is able to offer help for a variety of health challenges facing women and children, from problems breast-feeding to chronic ear infections, all in what is considered a holistic method, without medications.

“Our focus is on the nervous system, bones and muscles,” Green explains. “The nervous system is housed in your spine. When that is healthy, we are healthy.” She can usually tell where the problem is when the patient lies down on the table. There she checks their legs. By using pressure tests and checking movements of the legs, she can tell where the patient needs adjusting. CranioSacral Therapy is one of the tools of her trade. It’s a very gentle manipulation of the head that is used to correct or improve a number of conditions from colic to learning disabilities. “When we come out of the birth canal there is a lot of pressure on our head. So sometimes we can get jammed up in our neck. And many times, the doctor will help pull the baby out, putting stress on the nerves in our neck, too,” Dr. Green says. “So until you release the pres-

Chiropractor Crystal Green poses at her clinic in St. Joseph. Wonsuk Choi/Kin magazine

Chiropractor offers unique health option for women and children sure or that tension from side to side, everything in between is going to be unhappy.” A baby’s head also may be misshapen. That can be caused when the cranial bones condense then overlap when the baby comes out of the birth canal. She says by gently working the cranial bones, it helps to open them back out. Although muscular adjustments are a big part of her practice, she also works with patients on other things that contribute to wellness, such as nutrition. She says a lot of times the problem getting pregnant is caused by hormone imbalances or stress. It also could be from being on birth control. “We get them regulated with supplementation. We use Standard Process, a whole-foods vitamin supplement available only through health care professionals.” An inflammatory diet may be contributing to heartburn, constipation or morning sickness. Even autism and ADHD can be turned around by diet, she says. “We don’t cure anything,” she says. “We relieve the pressure on the nervous system, so the body can heal itself.” Check with your insurance provider before seeing a chiropractor. She says most insurance providers cover her services, but not all. — Sylvia anderSon, Kin magazine

kids stuff 05I20

Things to do with young people

Fish Feeding Frenzy at the Remington Nature Center. 10:30 a.m.: Help feed the Missouri River fish who live in the 7,000-gallon aquarium. $3 for adults, $1 for children 4 to 15, free for children 3 and under. www. stjoenaturecenter.info/kids.cfm.

05I23 and 7:30 p.m.

Picadilly Circus at the Civic Arena, 4:30 p.m.

05I26

Shrine Rodeo at Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, Tonganoxie, Kan., May 26 through 28.

05I26

Summer baseball begins with the Mustangs at Phil Welch Stadium, 2600 S.W. Parkway. www.stjoemustangs. com.

05I28

Last Saturday Craft at Remington Nature Center, 1502 MacArthur Drive, 2 p.m.. Native American theme. Stories, games and crafts.

06I04

06I14

06I04

06I18

Ride for Ryan motorcycle parade with 300 bikes/cars that ends approx. 4 p.m. at Belt Sports Complex with auction, band and lots of activity for the entire family. www.rideforryan.com. Northland Community Festival Parade 9:30 a.m. down the streets of St. Joseph in the north end. Get more information at stjoelive.com.

06I05

Weston Kids Day noon to 3 p.m. Weston City Park, Weston, Mo. Food, games and drawings for prizes. (816) 640-2300.

|JUNE2011.kin 18

06I19

Father’s Day at the Kansas City Zoo. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dads receive free admission and more. 6800 Zoo Drive. Kansas City, Mo.

Nitro Joe brings his amazing and fiery science show to the library, summer reading program event at Rolling Hills Library, Savannah branch. 514 W. Main, 4 p.m. and at 2 p.m. June 8, at the St. Jo Joseph Belt Branch Annex, 1906A N. Belt.

06I11

Second Saturday Storytime at Remington Nature Center 2 p.m. Stories, games and crafts about weather.

The Kansas City Hot Air Balloon Invitational, Gardner, Kan. Memorial Day Weekend, May 27 through 30, 30 balloons, beer garden, inflatables for kids, food vendors. Free, parking, $5. www.kchabi.com .

06/02

Family Farm Day at Shatto Dairy, Osborn, Mo. See story in this issue of Kin for details.

06I07

05I30

King City Sesquicentennial Celebration, June 2-5, located at the Tri-County Museum grounds. Carnival, hot air balloons, concerts, food, crafts and more. www. kingcitysesquicentennial.blogspot.com.

Puppeteer Paul Vandivort brings his creative and colorful puppet show to the library. 4 p.m. Rolling Hills Library, Savannah branch, and 2 p.m. June 15, at the St. Joseph Belt Branch Annex. 232-5479, ext. 24.

06I22

Story Time with Will at East Hills Shopping Center. 11 a.m. Meet by the carousel for a fun-filled story hour with Will from the St. Joseph Public Library. www.shopeast hills.com/programs.html.

06I24

”101 Dalmations,” Robidoux Landing Playhouse 103 Francis St. St. Joseph, June 24 and 25.

06I11

Zona Rosa KidZone: “Cars 2” Event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Cars 2” Event at Zona Rosa in Kansas City at The Grove. Hang out with the Radio Disney crew, enjoy a World Grand Prix Adventure and have a blast with all kinds of “Cars 2” activities.

06I25 I

Last Saturday Craft at the Remington Nature Center, 2 p.m., stories, games and crafts will relate to the weather theme.

good stuff 05I19 Get a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sitter and try out these

Third Thursday Wine Tasting, presented by HyVee Wine and Spirits. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn about and sample a variety of wines. Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, $10 per person, 2329750.

06I09

Parties on the Parkway 5 to 8 p.m. Southwest Parkway and 28th Street.

05I21

In a galaxy far, far away from 1 to 3:30 p.m.at the Toy and Miniature Museum, Kansas City, Mo. Free with admission â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Star Wars collector Tim Powell will give a gallery talk about his decades-long passion for acquiring Star Wars toys and memorabilia. Come have your picture taken with a Star Wars character and explore the rare artifacts in his collection. At 2 p.m., they will screen Mutant Planet, a Star Wars-inspired science fiction film made by Tim and his friends in the 1980s on Super 8 mm film. Following the 45-minute film, Tim will discuss how he was able to create special effects, including building miniature space ships to simulate space travel.

06I09

Jazz on the Square at Zona Rosa. Every Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m. through Sept. 1.

06I16

Third Thursday Wine Tasting, presented by Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn about and sample a variety of wines. Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, $10 per person, 2329750.

06I10

Summer Concert Series at Zona Rosa, every Friday and Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m. through Sept. 3, Zona Rosa Town Square.

06I03

Sounds of Summer Concert Series at the Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Live music. Northland Community Association festival and concert at Krug Park. Concerts throughout the weekend June 3 through 5. Rainmakers reunion concert 8:30 p.m. Free on lawn or, for seats, get tickets for $5 in advance at Record Warehouse or $7 at the gate.

06I14

Macbeth by the Kansas City Shakespeare Festival at Southmoreland Park, located just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Free. Gates open at 6 and the show begins at 8 p.m. June 14 through July 3.

|JUNE2011.kin

06I04

| JUNE2011.kin

money views

Buying items in large quantities can save you cash

Bulk up to get more bang for your buck Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. ¶ This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s a principle that often does hold true when it comes to buying in bulk. ¶ “You’re buying a larger quantity and paying a lesser amount per pound or ounce,” explains Connie Filley, the marketing team lead at Sam’s Club in St. Joseph. “That will stretch your food budget.” ¶ And the cost-saving isn’t limited to food: Buying in bulk can be just as effective with other items, such as computer ink and paper products. But in order to be effective, it’s helpful to keep in mind a few pointers: • Buy only as much as you’ll use. Factors playing into this are not only the rate at which you’ll go through an item but also how long it lasts and how much storage space you have. Meat, for example, is great for buying in bulk if you have sufficient freezer space to store it for an extended amount of time. But products that go bad quickly — such as milk and produce — are good for buying in bulk only if you’ll be able to polish off your oversized purchase fairly fast. • Keep an eye on quality. Getting a discount by buying in bulk doesn’t mean you have to end up with sub-par products; bulk retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco offer name-brand and USDA-certified items just like what you’ll find in traditional grocery stores. • Check the unit price to make sure you’re actually saving by buying a larger quantity. Although you generally will pay less per unit when you buy more, there are exceptions to every rule.

— Erin Wisdom, Kin magazine

Congratulations Cliff Hales winner of the

Kin Magazine drawing held at the Children’s Fair on April 12th.

Cliff and his family have won 5 Passes to Monkey Cove at the Ramada Inn!

Been there, done that

The thrill of flying

Pretty much, the store’s name was appropriate. You know how in St. Joseph and some surrounding communities, we have a bunch of stores that sell cheap goods for a buck? For instance, there’s Dollar Tree, The Dollar Store, Dollar General. Recently, I ran into the airport version of The Dollar Store; it was called “Everything’s $10.” The shop is located on Concourse B of Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Actually, the official name of the store is Bijoux Terner but the 10-dollar reference was the most visible signage.

By steve Booher

| MARCH2011.kin

A little about me: As a parent and stepparent, Steve Booher has tried to keep his sense of humor while helping to raise five kids. He doesn’t claim to be the best parent out there, but he says he’s not the worst, either.

Intrigued, I entered the store and as I picked through the trinkets, I pondered the wisdom of a marketing strategy that relies heavily on harried travelers running between flights or bored ones stuck for mindless hours between connections. Ah well, somebody must be buying. Price gouging aside, here’s the best advice on how to survive a visit to Hartsfield Jackson Airport: Don’t do it. Seriously, dude. Drive. Ride a bike. Take a slow train. Route your trip through Cincinnati, if you must. Hartsfield Jackson Airport is crowded, it’s miserable and it’s confusing. It’s easier to sneak across the Mexican border than to get through the security checkpoints. This place is so convoluted that, under certain circumstances, you have to take a tram just to go to another place to take another tram. Part of the problem is

that Hartsfield Jackson is the busiest airport in the United States and in the world. In fact, it’s No. 1 by a long stretch over secondplace Chicago O’Hare. By comparison, Kansas City International Airport is ranked 34th in the U.S. while Lambert in St. Louis is ranked 31st. Not only is the Atlanta airport busy, but it’s physically huge. For instance, my wife were flying back to Missouri after a business trip in Atlanta. When we checked in and received our boarding passes, the departure gate was listed as E03. That means Gate 3, located at the far end of Concourse E. We stretched out, shouldered our heavy bags and began the quarter-mile walk down the concourse to Gate 3. But when we arrived, the attendants were boarding a flight for Phoenix. Hey, what happened to the flight to Kansas City? I asked.

Oh, they changed that flight to E26, the attendant said. We turned around and walked back to the center of Concourse E where we could barely make out the sign for E26. After another quarter mile, we huffed and puffed to Gate 26, barely arriving in time to board the plane. After experiencing Atlanta, no more will I make fun of KCI, with its whimsical semicircular terminals. Compared to Atlanta, navigating around our airport is a breeze. KCI will still gouge you on prices. For instance, I did buy a 16-ounce beer for $7.50 while waiting for my flight out to Atlanta. On the return trip, the same beer cost $8. I realize that 50 cents is not really much a difference in price. But for some reason that beer seems to go down much smoother in Missouri than Georgia.