y o u r
c e n t r a l
v a l l e y
f a m i l y
r e s o u r c e
Behavior
Taming the Monsters: Helping Kids Deal with Halloween Fears
Gardening Fall Flower Fun
Nutrition
3 01 2 R OBE T C O
Scary Good Nutrition Packed into Creepy Crawly Treats
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RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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EDITOR’S LETTER
D
riving home from work this week I passed a neighbor, a grandmother with grandson in hand, walking down the street. Not an unusual sight in our neighborhood, except it’s September and the darling child was dressed as Batman. Quickly I ran the calendar through my head, concerned I’d lost an entire month and it was somehow Halloween. Relieved that was not the case I was left to presume the child was too excited to wait another month before transforming into a superhero.
KAREN TELLALIAN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR For more information or to submit a story idea, email Karen@dmiagency.com or call (559) 739-1747 or fax (559) 738-0909.
Seeing him all dressed up and just too cute for words, did remind me of the angst a lot of parents feel over this particular holiday. Even if your personal beliefs are to forego door-to-door trick-or-treating, it could be your child attends a harvest carnival at church or school. Either way, it’s likely to be sugar overload at your house for at least a week. It’s pretty tough to get a picky eater to choose broccoli when they’ve just consumed about a pound of sugary treats. We’re here to help. Raise nutrition experts and writers Justin and Rebecca Reynolds provide a few tricks for parents in their “Scary Good Nutrition Packed into Creepy Crawly Treats” on page 20. Halloween activities are plentiful this year, whether you’re looking for fun or downright frightening. From Talladega Frights in Bakersfield, to Vossler Farms Corn Maze, there are plenty of options found on page 26. There’s even a Zombie-X for anyone wanting to eliminate these nasty creatures. When kids get excited about upcoming special events behavior can change. It’s not unusual for children to become more active and at times aggressive. Often this is a result of a child’s inability to verbally communicate what they are feeling, and Beverly J. Anderson, MFT and member of The Children’s Services Network, provides help to reduce the fear and frustration parents experience when dealing with a child’s negative behavior. “Understanding Challenging Behavior in Children” on page 6 helps parents determine some of the underlying sources. One of our favorite Raise writers, Crystal R. R. Edwards, always makes us smile with her perspective on raising children, even if you’re sometimes overwhelmed with being a parent. Crystal and her husband, Donald, have three adorable children and over the years we’ve spent many hours laughing out loud as she recounts real-life experiences as she multi-tasks through life. Starting on page 8, Crystal finds herself in a stare down with Halloween and wonders why she never learned to sew. We’ve enjoyed our time with you this month and hope you feel the same. If there’s a topic you’d like to see in the future, please let us know. We would love to have you join us on Facebook at www.facebook/RaiseMagazine and help us share the information you find helpful in each issue.
k chec w o hn 21. Fres n page s ’ t ha rk o For Wbookma . S . P ur out o
RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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Behavior
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Taming the Monsters: Helping Kids Deal with Halloween Fears
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PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 EDITORIAL Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Content Coordinator KATIE PRESSER ART & PRODUCTION Art Director ROSS YUKAWA Graphic Designer CHRIS BLY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
in this issue
BARRY SOMMER BEVERLY J. ANDERSON CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS JUSTIN & REBECCA REYNOLDS
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Humor
14 Arts & Crafts
Tricked Out
15 Development
10 Positive Parenting
18 Achievement
19 Dental
Understanding Challenging Behavior in Children
12 Gardening
Fall Flower Fun
16 Family Law
Children: Silent Witnesses of Domestic Violence?
23 Happy Trails 26 Adventure 28 Calendar 31 Resources
24 Health
Protecting Your Child from the Flu Virus
30 Reading List
Outstanding Animal Tales for Middle-Grade Readers
RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
Operations Manager MARIA GASTON ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director BRIDGET ELMORE
SALES OFFICE 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909
Raise Magazine is distributed in Visalia, Exeter, Woodlake and Tulare. If you would like copies available at your business, call 559.739.1747 Raise Magazine is published 12 times a year and distributed at hightraffic locations in the South Valley area. For a list of locations, call the DMI Agency office. Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers. © 2013 DMI Agency
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MALKASIAN ACCOUNTANCY LLP GARY MALKASIAN CPA JEFFREY MALKASIAN EA
Account Executive BRYCE McDONALD
Scary Good Nutrition Packed into Creepy Crawly Treats
Do SAT and/or ACT Scores Really Matter?
MISSY YAVASILE TIM WARD
22 College Prep
LEE LITTLEWOOD LINDSEY HARRISON SUSAN SCHIEFERLE
20 Nutrition
KELLEY PETTY KEITH E. WILLIAMS
VIEW THE MAG ONLINE! issuu.com/raisemagazine
Facebook.com/RaiseMagazine
ON THE COVER: Kassen, 5, of Visalia Photo by Taylor Johnson Photography
WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE FOR ALL AGES LABOR & DELIVERY PRENATAL CARE
Obstetrics Sonography Infertility Midwifery Gynecology Birth Control Novasure Essure Outpatient Surgery
An Independent Practice Association providing
excellence in mental and behavioral health care delivery in Central California Kristin Sorensen Alldredge, LMFT
Melinda L. Mauro, LCSW
Ross M. Becker, PhD, LCSW
Mary K. McDonald, PhD
Frances E. Becker, LCSW
NEW PATIENTS WELCOME | 3D ULTRA SOUND AND GENDER CHECKS Dean B. Levitan, MD Doug McKee, MD Nick Weibell, DO Rita Barron, FNP, CNM
Paul C. Bennett, LCSW
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Lori Pasion-Gonzales, PhD
Linda Del Rio, LMFT
Diane B. Post, LCSW
Lynn W. Gonzales, LCSW
David G. Richards, LCSW
Sue Enterline, LCSW
Colleen Richards, LCSW
Jacquelyn Harris-Groeber, PhD Kent Henry, LMFT
John A. Mauro, LCSW
559.741.1202 1700 S. Court St., Suite B, Visalia, CA 93277 | www.vwsmg.com
Mike Mayo, LCSW
Frony Ritter, LMFT
Michael H. Shaffer, LCSW, LMFT Barry Sommer, LEP, LMFT
1212 W. Main Street Visalia, CA 93291 559-738-0644
www.thehelixgroup.org
RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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BEHAVIOR
Taming the Monsters:
HELPING KIDS DEAL WITH HALLOWEEN FEARS Text by Barry Sommer, Educational Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist
I
t’s almost Halloween and we celebrate not only with fall and harvest festivals and sweets, but also with monsters, witches, spiders, ghosts, skeletons and other frightful things! Halloween, especially to younger children, can be pretty scary, whether the lure of sugary treats overrides that fear or not. Based on their age and developmental level, children can’t always discern what is imaginary from what is real. As parents, however, there are a few steps you can take to help your child cope with fear and keep Halloween safe and fun.
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BEHAVIOR 1. Listen to the child and help them name their feelings. Fear is when we imagine bad things. Discuss how to recognize feelings, accept them, and manage them. Provide reassurance that you will keep your child close and safe. Show your child ways to cope with fears, such as taking deep breaths. Avoid images, movies and books that are not developmentally appropriate. Talking through fears often helps children master them. 2. Make dressing up a guessing game. Each family member puts on a silly costume, and your child has to guess which family member it is. The costumed child then removes his or her mask. This can reinforce the idea that you are still the same person, even when you’re wearing a mask. Play peek-a-boo with Halloween masks ahead of time. It is hard to be afraid when you’re laughing! Allow your child to ask people to take off their masks. 3. A week or two before Halloween, take your child to a store that sells costumes. Encourage him or her to try on many different costumes (if your child is willing, and if the costumes are available to try on). Role-play how to handle seeing people in costumes. You can even have the whole family dress in costumes for a family dinner, a weekend brunch, or a Saturday at home. This can help desensitize children to seeing people in costumes (and wearing costumes themselves). 4. Avoid haunted houses or other Halloween activities in which children are in the dark. This can be extremely scary for some children. 5. If your child wants to go trick-or-treating, give your child his or her own flashlight to carry, especially if trick-or-treating happens in the dark. (It goes without saying that you should accompany your child.) 6. Keep trick-or-treating time brief. A half an hour in your familiar neighborhood is plenty of time for younger children. 7. Avoid pushing or forcing the idea of trickor-treating. It is perfectly fine for a child to stay home if that is what he or she prefers. Perhaps your child can help in the Halloween preparations, such as carving the pumpkin or handing out candy to other trick-or-treaters. Stay with your child and make sure the area around your door is well-lit. Thank your child for helping out. We can help children cope with their fears by taking their fears seriously and reassuring children that we will keep them safe. Children need our calm explanations, even though they may not yet be quite ready to fully understand them. Keep Halloween fun and light.
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HUMOR
Text by Crystal R. R. Edwards
I
suppose at this point it is considered an uneasy truce. For the past several years Halloween and I have stared glumly at one another across a table littered with fabric scraps, glitter and classroom party directives. He, all orange and black and full of sugar and overspending, cannot understand why I don’t know how to sew yet. I, with bleeding fingers and sequins stuck to my forehead like some sort of fabulous acne condition, cannot understand what happened to the simplicity of the holiday that I enjoyed in my own childhood.
When I was five, I was a witch. I look at the photos now and chuckle, recognizing my mother’s apron and gardening hat. She had put me in a dress of my own, then started layering things atop me until I resembled a small lumpy gypsy. Two dark spots of rouge on my cheeks and some drastic dark stuff smeared across my eyebrows transformed me from a bright-eyed little girl to a dark, shriveled garden gnome-shaped creature. When I was eight, I was Tom Sawyer. We lived along the Mississippi River, so it seemed a natural choice. We had a straw hat from somewhere or another, and I already had the boy’s shirt and coveralls. Walking around barefoot wasn’t a big deal for this redneck kid anyway, and a quick stop alongside the house to pluck a tall grass for my mouth gave me the prop I needed. My hair was cropped short (do you remember the Shag haircut?) and my natural freckles stood out on my nose
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and cheeks. I was called “son” several times that night, something that absolutely elated me. I’d done it! I’d tricked them! Tricked them all! Other years continued this homegrown costuming trend. We wore what we had, spending only perhaps a very few dollars on face paints or colored hair sprays. What happened? What, what on earth, happened? Halloween now puts my household budget behind several hundred dollars. Costumes, face paints, wigs and hair sprays, shoes, plastic jewelry that doesn’t even hold together for the walk down the driveway ... It’s unbelievable. And the candy – oh! The candy! We actually have to buy double the amount in our house, since my three children are allergic to Red Dye #40. It causes them to go absolutely bat-butt crazy and takes days for them to come down from. So instead
HUMOR of shrugging and letting the kids tweak for a week, I have pre-approved and vetted candy here at the house to swap their loot with. The costs of this alone make me want to crawl into a big Jack O’Lantern and pull the lid closed after me. I guess I do know what happened after all. I happened. I cannot tell a child “no” when it comes to playing pretend. I’m hopeless, really. This year, Birdie Sue says she wants to be a black cat. This should be simple. A black leotard, some ears and a tail are standard costume items, right? Right – until a nine-year old gets hold of the idea. Suddenly the leotard must be a specific type, and hey! Maybe we’ll launch off the whole “leo-” thing and be a leopard instead. With sparkly spots. And a tail that can be used as a lasso. Oh oh! And a Moroccan leather collar with rhinestone bangles that spell out her name. I’ve had to
discovered early on that my past years in theater gifted me with the talent of creating a new face out of the old one using colored powders and gels. Photographs of years past show her with ornate fey designs encircling her artificially enlarged eyes and shade-enhanced, pronounced cheekbones. If she recognizes herself in the mirror, I have to start over. She’ll also cost me about $150 by candy time. And then there’s Tapper. My sweet, precious little boy of four years old was Spiderman last year. I couldn’t believe my luck! I purchased the cheapest nylon costume I could find and he still wears it to sleep whenever we let him. This year he wants to be Batman, and I was nearly through my sigh of relief when he added, “... and I really need the car to go with it, Mommy.” Not just no, but heck no. Yet I’ll probably end up buying at least two or three expensive extras just to keep his mind off it all. I’m not above bribing my children, and
“And the candy–oh! The candy!” reel her enthusiasm in at least five times already, but it’s a losing battle. Her costume alone will cost me over $100, her classroom party will put me out about $50, and then we have a range of get-togethers and parties to attend for church and her friends. We already own a huge black cat who is currently on my bad side. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time this month wondering if we could cut corners and rid ourselves of the Maine Coon Menace by skinning him and draping the pelt over her shoulders and calling her a black panther. Hedgehog wants to be a fairy for the fourth year in a row. The problem here is that she’s outgrown every last fairy costume item we’ve ever bought, and this year she’s added her own twist to the idea. She doesn’t want to be an ordinary fairy. She wants to be a hummingbird fairy. I don’t yet know if this means I’m required to make a gigantic papier-mâché morning glory for her dad to carry around alongside her. She’s also the one that requires more makeup than anyone else. She
to be honest I try very hard to keep the costs associated with this kind of thing even. If I spend a lot on his sisters, I am obligated to spend a lot on him. So says my mother’s heart, anyway. Donald will probably once again go as a wizard to lead our small band around the neighborhood. I will probably once again stay home to sit on the front porch in my jeans and flip-flops, holding a bowl of candy and a camera and telling each child how I was amazed at their costume, calling the girls Beatrice and the boys Clyde to see them giggle and squirm, and if they want double candy they have to yell very, very loudly because I’m old and cannot hear well. I think it’s the yelling that makes me happiest. They give it their best in their new and old costumes, in their dads’ shirts and their moms’ sunglasses, little chests puffed out as they inhale and scream “TRICK OR TREAT!” It’s worth every penny to contribute to those smiles.
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POSITIVE PARENTING
UNDERSTANDING CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN Text by Beverly J. Anderson, MFT, Member of The Children’s Services Network
Y
ou get a telephone call from your child’s day care center that interrupts your already busy morning at work. Your child has been hitting other children, refuses to follow the daily routine and has been tearful. Can you come pick him up? These kinds of phone calls strike fear and frustration in parents. There are five facts every parent should know about challenging behavior in children that will make everyone’s life more peaceful.
1. All behavior is a form of communication. Children and adults communicate through behavior. A young child may cry when he is hungry or not feeling well. Children are communicating something through their behavior every moment in every day. Are they happy, hungry, angry, lonely, tired, frustrated or excited? 2. There is always a reason for problem/ challenging behavior. Children sometimes either have problems communicating their needs (because they may not have the words or understand the words to describe what they are feeling or needing), or they may be unsure/ confused of what do to in a difficult or new situation. The purpose of the behavior may be to get the adult’s attention, stop an activity they don’t like, or gain sensory pleasure. But there is always a reason behind the behavior. 3. There can be many reasons behind a challenging behavior. Children who exhibit challenging behaviors are communicating through their actions that something is not right; their needs are not being met. They may be hungry, tired, scared, bored, sad, angry, confused, etc. Some children lack the knowledge of how to get an adult’s attention without getting into trouble. Some children get sensory pleasure out of behavior that adults view as destructive, such as climbing onto/into dangerous places or heights, kicking, or hurting another child. When children feel unsafe or out of control, they act out as a way of sending a very loud message.
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4. Adults can learn to understand and interpret children’s challenging behaviors through support, not punishment. Since children often use their behavior to tell us what they need, adults can help the child by figuring out the meaning of the child’s behavior. What are the patterns the child displays? When do the behaviors occur? Many challenging behaviors occur in times of transition between activities. For example, when a child goes from home to school, stops one favorite activity and is asked to start another one, when mom or dad picks child up from day care or school, when the child is being readied for bed. 5. When a child’s needs are being met, the problem behaviors will diminish. When children feel respected and have their needs met, there is no longer a reason to use problem behavior to communicate. Yelling at or punishing the child may stop the behavior for a moment, but will not help the child figure out how better to act or communicate their needs in challenging or difficult situations. When adults act in caring, supportive and consistent ways with children, with the goal of helping the child find positive ways to communicate their needs to others, children learn important social and problem-solving skills that will last them a lifetime.
POSITIVE PARENTING
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RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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GARDENING
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GARDENING
FALL FLOWER
FUN Text by Susan Schieferle, Master Gardener, University of California Cooperative Extension
O
ctober is the best planting month of the year and the perfect time to add some color in your garden before the cold weather arrives. There are many flowers to plant that will withstand Tulare County’s cold winter months. Your local nursery has a large selection. Popular flowers include pansies, snapdragons, Iceland poppies, violas, cyclamens, alyssum and calendulas.
Pairing pansies and snapdragons is popular because pansies grow low to the ground, making nice borders or edgings; snapdragons grow up to 36 inches high (depending on the variety), looking lofty behind the pansies. “Snapdragons?” your child asks. What kind of a name is that? Well, snapdragons got their name because individual flowers have five sections, which are divided into upper and lower “jaws.” A slight pinch on the side of a flower will make the dragon open its jaws! Try it! The best reason for children to plant fall flowers is that they are easy to care for. These flowers thrive better in the cooler, fall weather and even stay perky during frost. They hardly require any extra water after November because our rainfall and foggy weather is usually enough. Wood Industries will provide a FREE gallon bag of garden soil to any child who stops in to start a garden project! 7715 Ave. 296, Visalia (559)625-9426
Let’s get started: 1. Before planting flowers, find an area of your garden (or container) that needs color, either a border or just a random planting of colors. Be sure that the area has at least six hours of sun daily. 2. Garden soil needs amending after a long, hot summer. Your local nursery has a selection just right for your garden. Be sure you help children dig and rake the soil amendment into the garden bed. 3. Whether you choose six-packs or three-inch pots of flowers, be sure to gently tap on the bottom of the October gardening tip: Most of your summer vegetable plants are dying back and/or not producing. Time to dig them up from your garden.
pack or pot to get the plant out of the container. Pulling by the stem can result in leaving the roots behind in the container! 4. Gently “massage” the root ball until the roots are loose and ready to plant in the ground or container. Be sure your roots are placed into the ground, covered and watered. 5. Keep the flowers moist, not flooded. The cooler fall air will help keep watering down.
September follow-up: Your chard should be germinated and most likely bunched together. Time to thin them out by carefully lifting out the seedlings by the roots (not the stem or leaves) and spacing them six inches apart.
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ART & CRAFTS
Jack-O-Lantern Mask Text by Lindsey Harrison, Museum Intern ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum
C
elebrate the spirit of Halloween in this simple and fun craft that can be done with supplies found around the house. Not only will kids of all ages get the chance to make their very own creative Jack-O-Lantern masks, but it is also gives younger children the chance to practice their shapes and colors. What you will need: Paper plates or construction paper cut in a circle Non-toxic tempura paint String or yarn Non-toxic white glue Box cutter Hole Punch Pencil ■
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Directions: 1. Hold the paper plate or construction paper up to your child’s face and determine where the holes for the eyes should be cut. Use pencil to draw triangles where the eyes will be, generally just above the center of the plate. 2. Using the box cutter, cut out the triangle eyeholes. (For safety reasons, this is a step that parents should do.) Save the triangles, as one of them will become the stem. 3. Place the mask on a surface protected by scratch paper or newspaper. If you are using a paper plate, flip it upside down so that the rim is on the table. 4. Paint the mask orange. 5. While you are waiting for your mask to dry, take one of the triangles cut out from the eyeholes and paint it green. 6. When the orange paint on the mask is dry, paint on your favorite Jack-O-Lantern mouth, whether it is a toothy grin or a spooky frown. 7. Glue on the green triangle above the eyes to make a stem. 8. Punch two holes across from each other just below the eyes of the mask. Tie two pieces of string or yarn through the holes so that they will come together and tie behind the head. 9. Put the mask on and watch everyone give a jump of fright!
DEVELOPMENT
BENEFITS OF BEING BILINGUAL Text by Central Valley Regional Center,
W
elcome fall! Each month brings a variety of celebrations and observances. During the month of October, in addition to Halloween, some of the observances that are important to include are: National Down Syndrome Month, National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, National Audiology Month and Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month.
In celebrating and serving bilingual children, early childhood development – specifically language development – can be a concern. Families wonder what language should we speak in the home? When do we introduce a second language? Will our child be confused or delayed learning two languages? These are relevant concerns and issues. California is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse states in the nation. Recognized many years ago in our state’s history, in 1929, anthropologist and linguist Edward Sapir wrote: “Few people realize that within the confines of the United States there is spoken today a far greater variety of languages … than in the whole of Europe..We may say, quite literally and safely, that in the state of California alone there are greater and more numerous linguistic
extremes than can be illustrated in all the length and breadth of Europe.” (GeoCurrents) The challenges for children who are not proficient in English, and may not be entirely proficient in their heritage language are several. If a child has a speech problem it will show up in both languages. It should be noted that professional speech and language professionals indicate that speech problems are not caused by learning two languages. From the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) parent tip publication The Advantages of Being Bilingual, “Children who are learning to speak two languages follow patterns of learning.” Children developing skills in two languages will progress depending upon the amount and quality of time the child has using both languages. The ASHA indicates that it is normal during bilingual speech development that some children may use words from both languages in the same sentence and may mix grammar rules. It is also common that there may be a “silent period” when a second language is introduced, some children may not talk much for a while. Additionally, it is recognized as part of normal development that children’s speech and language may plateau while the child learns to walk. If your child is having difficulty communicating, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. He or she may refer your child to a speech specialist or to CVRC for additional assessments.
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RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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FAMILY LAW
CHILDREN:
Silent Witnesses of Domestic Violence? By Tim Ward, District Attorney
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C
hildren who are exposed to domestic violence are harmed not only by injuries inflicted on them, but also by witnessing violence against parents and other family members. These children may suffer long-term emotional, behavioral and developmental problems such as anxiety, depression, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disruption. Of equal concern is the fact that children who witness violence may become desensitized to violent reactions, and even imitate the behavior of the violent parent in their own lives. Exposure to violence in the home is not a new problem for our children. According to one study, as many as 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence in the home each year. Another study shows that nearly 1 in 10 American children have witnessed at least one family member assault another family member. Domestic abuse is not limited to physically striking a person. Threatening, stalking, sexual assault, or preventing a person from seeking help or freely coming and going can be considered domestic abuse. Criminal child abuse charges may be filed if a parent or guardian willfully causes or permits a child to suffer, or causes or permits the health of that child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits that child to be placed in a situation (such as a domestic violence altercation) where the child’s person or health may be endangered. Recognizing the Signs Children who are living with domestic violence may display difficulty sleeping, angry feelings, lack of interest in studies, difficulty concentrating, and excessive concern about or needing to see their siblings during school hours. The child may also be secretive about his or her home life, and reluctant to share any details about what goes on at home.
FAMILY LAW
What to Do if a Child You Know Has Been Exposed to Domestic Violence Reach out to the victim(s) and/or the parent. Ask questions if you suspect abuse is occurring. Listen and offer support. Be careful not to judge the child (or abused parent) for failing to report the abuse. Reassure the child that abuse is never his or her fault, nor the fault of the abused parent. Understand that domestic violence is not a “family matter.” It is a crime. Tell someone. You can’t help make the child safe if the abuse continues. Talk to Your Teen Children Domestic violence is not limited to adults. Research shows that teen dating violence affects 1 of 3 teenagers and that females 16 to 24 are more vulnerable to domestic violence than any other age group. Start the conversation with your teen now. Let them know that name calling, yelling, excessive phone calls, following and over-possessive behaviors are unacceptable and should be brought to your attention. Domestic violence is a crime that can result in a prison sentence. Anyone exposing children to domestic violence or committing violent acts in the presence of children can be charged with child ■
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abuse and/or child endangerment even if no injury was inflicted on the child. Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward recently announced the creation of the “Enhanced Violence Against Women Prosecution Unit.” This new unit will consist of three specially trained, dedicated prosecutors who will specialize in prosecuting crimes of domestic violence-related homicide, aggravated domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases. The cases will be handled via a true vertical prosecution model, where the assigned prosecutor will handle each case from filing through sentencing. At the same time, this model supports a victimfriendly environment. The Victim/Witness Assistance Division of the Office of the District Attorney will provide crisis intervention, orientation to the criminal justice system, court support, case status information, community resource and referral counseling, and assistance in filing for financial reimbursement for any losses incurred. If you suspect that a child has been exposed to domestic violence, ask questions or tell someone. Children are too often silent witnesses of spousal abuse and domestic violence. Children are the future of our county and of our nation, and every child deserves a safe environment at home. Working together, we can ensure their safety and security.
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ACHIEVEMENT
Student Achievements
Character Counts Text by Kelley Petty, CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator, Tulare County Office of Education
COMMUNITY SERVICE
SPORTSMANSHIP
LEADERSHIP
Sydnie Sousa
Joey Cisneros
Morgan Waldner
Community service can define a person, as it has for Tulare Western H.S. senior Sydnie Sousa. With over 20 organization memberships, this 18-year-old has been more involved in her community than many others. Sydnie gains something different form every experience and “it helps me earn more about our society.” Principal Lucy Van Scyoc says, “Sydnie is an amazing young lady. She excels in academics, athletics, and is involved in many clubs and activities on campus and in our community. She has a contagious smile that expresses her friendliness and acceptance of all students.” One of Syndie’s favorite service opportunities is working with students with special needs. Sydnie expresses, “it is humbling beyond measure, everyone has strengths and something to offer. It’s the differences in people that make us a community.” Sydnie attributes her ability to serve the community to Future Farmers of America (FFA). Most may think FFA involves only showing livestock, but Sydnie has excelled in other FFA programs. “I work to advocate for agriculture - it is the culture of our valley,” says Sydnie.
Redwood High School senior and wrestling standout Joey Cisneros is the epitome of responsibility and self-control. Teacher and coach Dave Watts says, “as a team leader for the last three years, Joey has always given his best in every match, win or lose. One example that comes to mind was when Joey had just defeated the defending National Champion who became so frustrated that he struck him. Joey just looked at him and smiled as the official raised his hand in victory.” “I know it is wrong to retaliate. It is important to control your emotions; it will not only embarrass you but your coaches, parents and your team cheering for you,” says Joey. His determination to succeed has led Joey to All-American status and the #1 standing in freestyle wrestling according to U.S. Future Olympian Rankings. A piece of paper has hung in his bedroom for the last 4 years to remind him every morning of his goals. On that list includes a state championship, an NCAA college title, and membership on the U.S. Olympic wrestling team.
The phrase “sense of duty” often reminds us of military personnel and first responders. But in this case, one eighthgrade student comes to mind, Morgan Waldner from King River Union School. She serves as the President of the Kings River 4-H club, Athletic Commissioner, plays point guard for her basketball team, and is preparing for her Science Fair project in the mean time. Morgan’s philosophy that serving as an officer, point guard or project member is not just a title or an assignment but “a commitment to action.” Mr. Ellberg, teacher and Student Council Advisor shares, “Morgan is a great person of character especially when you see her in action on the student council and among her classmates.” Vice Principal, Mrs. Blatner, says that “no one feels left out when approaching Morgan, she has wisdom beyond her years and gives worth to everyone she encounters.” Morgan summed it up best with her personal motto “‘never leave anybody behind’ because if they feel like they don’t belong, unfortunate events might happen.”
If you know of an outstanding student, contact Kelley Petty, Tulare County Office of Education CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator at (559) 740-4303 18
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DENTAL HEALTH
PRECAUTIONS WITH ORAL PIERCINGS Text by Keith E. Williams, DDS, Williams Family Dental
A
s our children become teenagers they often want to acquire unique identifying items such as tattoos and oral piercings. It is important as a parent to help them make wise decisions in this regard and understand the risk/reward ratio for these items.
Oral piercings (usually in the tongue or around the lips) have quickly become a popular trend in today’s society. With this popular trend, it is important to realize that sometimes even precautions taken during the installation of the piercing jewelry are not enough to stave off harmful, long-term consequences such as cracked or chipped teeth, swelling, problems with swallowing and taste, and scars. There is also a possibility of choking on a piece of dislodged jewelry, which makes it important to ask if the risks are warranted. One of the most serious long-term health problems that may occur from oral piercings come in the form of damage to the soft tissues
such as the cheeks, gums and palate, as well as opportunistic infections. When performed in an un-sterile environment, any kind of body piercing may also put you at risk of contracting deadly infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. A tongue piercing is a common form of body piercing. However, tongue piercings have been known to cause blocked airways (from a swollen tongue). In some cases, a tongue piercing can cause uncontrolled bleeding.
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NUTRITION
SCARY GOOD NUTRITION Packed into Creepy Crawly Treats! Text by Justin and Rebecca Reynolds
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IN SEASON
what’s FRESH?
Pumpkin
NUTRITION
Corn Kiwi Tangerines
Source: Tulare County Farm Bureau
W
ith Halloween fun coming up this month, our children are feeling the anticipation of cookies, candies and cakes! Halloween parties and trickor-treating will ensure that our children have the opportunity to fill up on enough sugar for the entire year! But, Halloween isn’t the only holiday just around the corner - so how do we spoil our children with delicious family tradition? Make our treats fun, spooky, and nutritious!
Decorating the house with decorations in anticipation of the holiday, our entire family gets in the mood for Halloween party food. I like to make one or two things a week for the kiddos that celebrate creepy crawly or other spooky elements of the season - it only comes once a year, so why not enjoy it! Instead of making spider cookies or ghosts out of candies, try seeing what you can create with your fruit and veggies - it’s amazing how much your kids will eat when they can imagine that they are eating bugs, fingers or monsters! Try out these fun recipes from Savoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites by Wells and Jones, to get the family into the mood - I’m sure they will be asking for them next year, “Mom! Make the scary monsters again! I want to eat them!” When all else fails - give them cut up veggies and a bonder like peanut butter and let them make their own terrifying creations - “It’s ALIVE!!!”
Monster Jaws INGREDIENTS
Apples Lemon juice Almonds Pretzel rods Peanut Butter DIRECTIONS
Quarter apples and take a wedge out of the center of each quarter. Dip apple pieces in water with a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Use toasted slivered almonds for teeth. Eyes are optional - you can stick pretzel rods in and attach candy eyes with peanut butter (we don’t use candy; we just put drops of peanut butter on the end of the rods).
Breadstick Bones-n-Blood (Great as a snack or a side to whole-wheat spaghetti dinner!) INGREDIENTS
Breadstick dough Parmesan Cheese Garlic Spaghetti/ Marinara sauce DIRECTIONS
Use breadstick dough (store bought or homemade) and cut into strips. Use scissors to snip the ends into 2 pieces and roll them into bones shapes. Dip in “bloody” marinara! For extra flavor, sprinkle with garlic and Parmesan cheese. (We make ours homemade - homemade dough is so easy - and are able to use whole-wheat flour and very little salt!)
Cheesy Fingers INGREDIENTS
Pumpkin Sammies
String Cheese Almonds Cream Cheese
INGREDIENTS
Whole-wheat bread Peanut Butter Orange-colored Jam
DIRECTIONS
This activity is super kid-friendly! Cut sticks of string cheese in half to make them kid-sized. Use the smooth edge of a knife to make knuckle marks and attach slivered almonds with a dab of cream cheese for nails. Use a knife to cut off just a bit of the cheese at an angle before attaching the almond.
DIRECTIONS
This is a great staple for a Halloween party spread because it pleases both kids and adults and is something with substance! Use Halloween cookie cutters to cut your bread (we use whole wheat). Fill sandwiches with peanut butter or cream cheese and orange-colored jam (such as peach or apricot) for the kids and something more sophisticated, such as your favorite chicken salad, for the grown-ups!
With these recipes, get your kids involved and let them use their imagination - you will be amazed at what they can create in spirit of the season! Remember - we, as parents, write our children’s menu’s. Whatever they have available to them, they will enjoy and learn to crave so choose your ingredients with wisdom and then relax - nutrition in snack/meal time was never so easy!
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COLLEGE PREP
Do SAT and/or ACT Scores Really Matter? Text by Missy Yavasile, Independent College Consultant, McDonald and Associates
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amilies are often surprised at how quickly they have to begin planning for college. High school students preparing for the gauntlet of college admissions are often confused about how to approach these admissions tests. Which test should I take? When should I take it? How much does it count? Can I retake the test if my scores are not good? How can I improve my scores? How do I know if my scores are good enough? So let’s briefly address each of these questions.
Which test should I take? We recommend that students try both tests. Both tests are accepted at all 4-year colleges in the US (although some schools no longer require either). Often students who excel in school but falter on standardized tests will do better on the ACT. The SAT contains more extensive vocabulary while the ACT contains higher-level math and some science reasoning questions. The SAT takes more of a problemsolving approach, while the ACT is more content driven. Oh, and by the way, don’t guess on the SAT. You are penalized for every wrong answer. When should I take it? The more schooling a student has under his/her belt, the better! However, it is also important to leave enough time to retake the tests if the scores are not good on the first round. We suggest that students begin taking the tests around December or January of their junior year. This gives them time to get results, and study for the next round. There is an exception to this rule. Some colleges require the SAT Subject Tests and students should begin taking these at the end of their sophomore year when they have just completed the subject in school. A student who finishes Biology as a sophomore and is interested in science in college is well suited to take the Biology Subject Test in the spring. How much does it count? This is a challenging question to answer since it is more important at some schools than others, and may be more important for a particular individual than another. Some colleges do not even require a test at all. We call these schools “Test-Blind”. According to Compass Education Group, 59% of the colleges place the tests in their top 3 criteria for college admission. Our advice? Take the tests and do your best. Can I retake the test if my scores are not good? Absolutely! Unless a student gets the best possible score the first time (and is that possible?), we recommend that a student retake 22
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the test again after preparation. Most schools look at the student’s best scores. Once students have taken both the SAT and the ACT, we suggest they focus only on one test-the one with their best performance. How can I improve my scores? The SAT, in particular, has several areas that give a student the opportunity to improve his/her scores. Focus on vocabulary. This is all about study – and the better your vocabulary, the better you’ll do in other verbal sections. Improving and growing your vocabulary is the quickest, surest way to a higher score. If critical reading is your weakness, then you’ll want to focus much of your attention here. Improvement in this area is harder to come by. Another quick tip is to resist the temptation to do math problems in your head. Many students make careless errors that could be avoided if they could see their work. There are also several free online test prep programs you can do. Another way to improve your scores is to take as many practice tests as possible before you attempt to retake the test. How do I know if my scores are good enough? The best way to know if your scores can compete at the schools you choose is to go to the school website and see what they say is the average SAT/ACT score for admission. This can be a timeconsuming process, but well worth the effort. Since each application you submit requires a fee ($35-$70ish), it may not be worth it if your SAT is 1600 and the average for that school is 2200. And even if you were admitted, you would be a very small fish in a very large sea (academically speaking). If you are serious about college, then schedule your tests beginning January of your junior year. There is a lot of advice available about how to do well on these tests. The most important advice we can offer is that students take the tests seriously. Proper preparation is essential if students want to attach a great set of scores to their college application.
HAPPY TRAILS
The Sensory Trail at Happy Trails Riding Academy Text by Happy Trails Riding Academy
H
appy Trails Riding Academy is a 501(c)3 non-profit program which enriches the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities through equine-facilitated therapy. Therapeutic horsemanship has been proven to provide a unique opportunity for self-improvement and independence in a positive learning environment, while offering a challenging alternative to traditional therapy. To provide the best therapeutic horsemanship experience possible, Happy Trails and its instructors work hard to develop lesson plans that will challenge, excite, teach and help each student to develop physically, emotionally and cognitively. Some of the favorite lesson plans amongst students, volunteers and staff involve our two-acre Sensory Trail that allows riders to work outside of the covered arena and experience nature in a unique way. In 2008, Happy Trails was approached by the Kiwanis Division 18 and a two-acre drainage pond was transformed into our beautiful, park-like, Sensory Trail with riding trails, water features, bridges and hundreds of trees and bushes. The area gets its name because it has elements to impact all five senses – touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste. The sense of touch is stimulated by the feel of different flowers and plants along the trail and different textures for the horses to walk over such as pea gravel, sand, fall leaves, etc. Riders engage their sense of smell with the scent of flowers, plants and trees For more information on the programs offered at Happy Trails Riding Academy, visit our website at www.WeAreHappyTrails.com.
throughout the trail. Taste buds are stimulated when riders pick and sample different herbs and edible plants in water troughs along the trail. The riders also use sight and sound to help them navigate through every turn and obstacle in the Sensory Trail. Since its inception, the Sensory Trail has been generously maintained by Gene Sheesley (we call him “Mr. Sensory Trail”), many Kiwanis Club members from Tulare and Kings Counties, youth groups, service organizations, and countless other volunteers. We would like to thank each and every person who has had their hands in making the Sensory Trail such a great addition to our program and lesson plans.
Happy Trails Riding Academy Therapeutic Horsemanship
For more information, contact:
(559) 688-8685
info@wearehappytrails.com
www.WeAreHappyTrails.com
Location: 2773 E. Oakdale Avenue Tulare, CA 93274
Mailing: P.O. Box 572 Visalia, CA 93279
PAID ADVERTISEMENT RAISE MAGAZINE | OC TOBER 2013
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HEALTH
Protecting Your Child from the
FLU VIRUS Text by Family HealthCare Network
S
ummer is over and the weather is starting to get colder. This is the time when influenza viruses thrive. All it takes is a simple cough or sneeze to send your child a special delivery of body aches and a fever. So before it happens, it’s best to understand how the flu is spread so you can take preventative measures to protect your child this flu season. Ways to prevent the flu for your child. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to have your child vaccinated each year. The CDC recommends that children six months and older receive the vaccination on an annual basis to prevent influenza. Following these healthy habits will also prevent the flu virus from spreading. It’s good to keep in mind that a person can be contagious one day before onset of symptoms and five to seven days after being sick. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you or your child are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Have your child stay home. If possible, have your child stay home from school when they are sick. It will help prevent others from catching their illness. Cover your mouth and nose. Make sure your child covers their mouth and nose with a tissue when they are coughing and sneezing. That will prevent the virus from spreading through the air. Clean your hands. Having your child wash their hands with warm water and soap will help protect them from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Practice other good health habits. Parents can help their children by cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, especially when someone is ill. Getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food are all great ways of ensuring that your child is protected from the flu virus this fall and winter season.
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ADVENTURE
HAUNTED HOUSES, HAYRIDES AND MUCH MORE!
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alloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get into the spooky spirit than by visiting a few local attractions? These adventures can turn into a family occasion, taking one night on the weekend to explore each spook-tacular place: haunted houses, mazes and hayrides, just to name a few. Pumpkin patches, fun games and other activities are available for the attendees who prefer basking in the Halloween spirit, rather than being frightened by it.
BAKERSFIELD The following attractions are in the same place so make it a one-stop adventure for family and friends of all ages. Talladega Frights – Kern County’s most frightening Halloween attraction returns this year. If you’re ready for heart-racing, mindbending scare tactics, this is the stop for you. Talladega Frights promises an unforgettable, nightmarish experience for guests to test their courage. Head into the Green River Asylum, and prepare for a night you’ll never forget. Zombie-X – Board the military trailers armed and loaded to eliminate all zombie infestations. Everyone knows the Kern County Museum grounds are haunted, but until now, no one realized zombies had been causing these deadly incidents. Help get rid of these nasty zombies at the fun attraction Zombie-X. Halloween Town – Looking for a scare-free night during Halloween season? Check out this fall family experience perfect for kids of all ages. Pumpkin cannons, pedal karts, gem mining, and rock climbing wall are just a few of the attractions that will be taking place in Halloween Town. When: Open every Thursday-Sunday in October. Including dates Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Thursdays and Sundays: 7p-10p Fridays and Saturdays: 7p-12a Where: Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield Contact: 661-731-FEAR (3327)
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Visalia Vossler Farms – Gear up for this unique environment that is fun and family centered. Try to find all the checkpoints in the 10-acre Cornmaze shaped as a haunted mansion this year! After that, hop on for an old-fashioned hayride, or pick out your very own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. When: Open every Wednesday-Sunday in October. Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5p-9p Fridays: 5p-10p Saturdays: 12p-10p Sundays 12p-9p Where: Vossler Farms, 26773 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Contact: 1-888-528-1724 or email maze@vosslerfarms.com Sanger Hobbs Grove – Take a drive up to The Grove in Sanger and make your way through the three scary expeditions they provide. Navigate through the hopelessly cursed Haunted Forest, The Hollows, where the shadows come to life through the tangled trail in the deep darkness. The Grove’s Haunted House will be your next destination, making turn after twisted turn through the parlors and corridors of diseased insanity! After, take a ride on the Haunted Hayride through Shadows Keep in the dark and dreary countryside. Cuddle up with your friends and neighbors, because there is safety in numbers. When: Oct. 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 30-Nov. 2, Times vary. Where: The Grove Haunt, 14265 E. Goodfellow Ave., Sanger 93657 Contact: 559-356-3958 or visit www.hobbsgrove.com
KIDS’ CORNER
Try Your Hand at Our
MONTHLY MAZE
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CALENDAR
october 2013
calendar of events dates to remember
Kaluoka/Hina: The Enchanted Reef
OCTOBER 4
Harvest 5k Run & 1 Mile Run/Walk
OCTOBER 5
Exeter Fall Festiveal
OCTOBER 12
OCTOBER
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NOVEMBER
CALENDAR Vossler Farms Cornmaze and Pumpkin Patch
The cornmaze and pumpkin patch are open through the end of October. The cormaze is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but your family can still enjoy the pumpkin patch every day of the week. Come out for fun and Halloween memories! Visit their website www. vosslerfarms.com for specific hours during the week. When: Open Sept. 27 – Oct. 31 Where: Vossler Farms, S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: 888-528-1724
4 Kaluoka/Hina: The Enchanted Reef
This programs transports the viewer to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world: colorful and foreign, full of adventure and danger, riddles and mysteries, old legends and myths ... a world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous. An exciting adventure for the whole family! When: Oct. 4, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334
5 Harvest 5K Run & 1 Mile Run/Walk
A great 5K run and one-mile run/walk at the Sequoia Regional Cancer Center. The funds raised this year will be used to support needy families during Christmas, as well as the Jeff Barnes Brain Injury Foundation. Post-run pancake feed will be available for $3. Preregistration deadline is Oct. 2. When: Oct. 5, 8a Where: Sequoia Regional Cancer Center, 4945 Cypress Ave., Visalia Contact: 741-6004 or visit www.VisaliaRunners.org
12 Exeter Fall Festival
The Exeter Chamber of Commerce sponsors this family-friendly festival. Includes arts and crafts, food booths, live entertainment, parade (10a-11a), car show, and 10k run and 2-mile walk. When: Oct. 12, 10a Where: Exeter City Park, E. Chestnut St., Exeter Contact: Chamber of Commerce, 592-2919 Springville Apple Festival
This non-profit, self sustaining, family oriented festival is safe, friendly, entertaining and appealing to all age groups. The Festival consists of over 200 booths. Craft booths ensure quality merchandise and food booths offer a large variety of choices. Music, kid’s games and carnival type rides and clowns will also be in attendance. When: Oct. 19-20 Where: Springville Veterans Memorial Park, Hwy 190
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias
Offering children ages 6-18 a safe and fun place to go to after school and summer. Programs focus on education, sports, arts, healthy life skills and character building. $10 annual fee. When: Monday – Friday, hours vary by community Where: Visalia, Exeter, Tulare, Porterville, Farmersville and Ivanhoe Contact: 592-4074 or www.bgcsequoias.org Disney On Ice: Passport to Adventure
Embark on the ultimate sightseeing vacation with all your favorite Disney characters. Join Micky, Minnie and the rest of the gang on a journey to the magical worlds of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch. Upbeat music, lovable character and exciting destinations make this an adventure you’ll never forget. Ticket prices: $20-$57 When: Oct 30-Nov 3 Where: Selland Arena, 700 “M” St., Fresno Contact: 445-8200 Toddler Time
Every Tuesday, bring your toddlers ages 0-2 for a fun time interacting with other children while building their literary skills. When: Every Tuesday in October, 1, 8, 15, 22; 10a Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak St., Visalia Contact: 713-2700
Fam i lear ly Fu n & ning Too !
Wed-Fri 10am-4pm / Sat 12pm-4pm
Admission $5 per person / Annual Family Memberships $72
Available for Private Parties!!! 700 E Main St, Visalia • 559 733 5975 visit imagineUmuseum.org for details Virginia Strawser, Executive Director • imagineUmuseum@sbcglobal.net
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READING LIST
Outstanding Animal Tales for Middle-Grade Readers Text by Lee Littlewood
K
ids love animals and reading about animals, especially those with more courage, love and patience than most humans. These books star heroic dogs, awe-inspiring tigers, and a hilarious, joking classroom hamster.
Into that Forest by Louis Nowra From Amazon’s new line of children’s books comes this spellbinding tale of two girls who survive a flood and are rescued by a pair of Tasmanian tigers. Lost in Australia’s wild frontier, the girls rely on the tigers to help them survive and eventually learn to hunt and communicate without the use of human language. Melding the lives and personalities of human and animal, playwright and author Nowra weaves an extraordinary survival story that’s shocking and hard to put down. When the girls are rescued and returned to civilization, neither can adapt to being fully human. They bite, go to the bathroom outside and fear hunters, all while using their animal instincts instead of civilized human behaviors. A true adventure that’s quick to read and hard to abandon until the end, Into That Forest is uniquely amazing. Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle Penned by Newbery Honor-winning author Engle, (The Surrender Tree), this hopeful tale tells the story of a boy named Tonio, sent to live with a faraway uncle after his mother is arrested. Though Tonio is afraid to move from Los Angeles to the Sierra Nevada Mountains with a park ranger, his new chocolate lab rescue dog is a fast, close friend. Tonio’s transition from only knowing dogs as fighting pit bulls to forming a bond with a compassionate, helpful dog, should resonate with canine lovers of all ages. Full of refreshingly natural, outdoorsy scenes of helping with mountain rescues and woody chores, Mountain Dog is a clean, cool, heartwarming boy and his dog tale. Dog Tags: Semper Fido by C. Alexander London War stories are always better when some heart and soul is injected. In this case, the heart of the tale is named Loki, and he’s a well-trained, bombsniffing black lab, sent to Afghanistan with young Gus Dempsey, a new recruit in the U.S. Marine Corps.
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A fast-paced tale that’s both a love story between young man and dog, but also an ode to Marines’ selfless actions during wartime, Dog Tags: Semper Fido is a must-read for that reluctant middle grade boy audience. Dog lovers of every ilk, too, will be impressed with this tale of how human and dog have to learn to work together perfectly. Humphrey’s Book of Fun-FunFun by Betty G. Birney Beloved hamster Humphrey lives in Room 2 of Longfellow School, and has plenty of adventures in and out of his cage, in several previous books. He’s also a pro at solving puzzles and telling jokes; so much so that now there’s a whole book full of his favorite games, brain teasers and hilarious jokes. Told from the truly funny point of view of a classroom hamster, Birney’s activity book is chock full of fun. Spirit Animals: Wild Born by Brandon Mull; Scholastic; 200 pages; $16.99. Brandon Mull, the popular fantasy author of the Beyonders and Fablehaven series, created a new series with a story arc, written by different authors and linked to an online game. The first, Wild Born, penned by Mull, is set in the world of Erdas, where children go through a ritual to determine if they have a “spirit animal.” Each book in the series will unlock expanded gameplay on the Spirit Animals online gaming series, allowing kids to customize their own unique heroes, choose their spirit animals and go on quests to help save the world of Erdas. With a compelling premise, relatable cast of multi-cultural characters, amazing animals and a vibrant, safe, online game, Spirit Animals is a groundbreaking debut.
RESOURCES
important numbers at a glance: Fire & Police
• Tulare County Fire Department, (559) 747-8233 • Visalia Fire Department, (559) 713-4266 • Tulare Fire Department, (559) 684-4300 • Exeter Fire Department, (559) 592-3714 • Woodlake Fire Department, (559) 564-2181 • Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, (559) 636-4625; (559) 733-6218 • Visalia Police Department (Non-Emergency), (559) 734-8116 • Visalia Police Department, Gang Suppression and Narcotics Unit, (anonymous tip hotline) (559) 713-4737 • Tulare County - End Gang Hotline, (888) 363-4264 • Tulare Police Department, (559) 684-4238; (559) 686-3454 • Exeter Police Department, (559) 592-3103 • Woodlake Police Department, (559) 564-3325 • Kings & Tulare County California Highway Patrol, (559) 4415400
Medical
• Family HealthCare Network, (877) 960-3426; www.fhcn.org • Kaweah Delta Medical Center, (559) 624-2000 Emergency Room, (559) 624-2213 • Visalia Walk-In Medical Clinic, (559) 627-5555 • Tulare Regional Medical Center, (559) 688-0821 • Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency, (559) 624-8000 • Children’s Hospital Central California, (559) 353-3000 • Dignity Health, Mercy & Memorial Hospitals, Lauren Small Children's Medical Center (661) 327-4647 • Sierra View District Hospital, (559) 784-1110
Education
• Tulare County Library, (559) 713-2700; www.tularecountylibrary.org • Tulare County Office of Education, (559) 733-6300; www.tcoe.org • Visalia Unified School District, (559) 730-7300; www.vusd.org • Tulare City School District, (559) 685-7200; www.tcsdk8.org • Exeter Union School District, (559) 592-9421; www.exeter.k12.ca.us • Woodlake Public Schools, (559) 564-8081;
Add your numbers below
www.woodlakepublicschools.org
City Information
• Tulare County website www.co.tulare.ca.us • City of Visalia website www.ci.visalia.ca.us • City of Tulare website www.ci.tulare.ca.us • City of Exeter website www.cityofexeter.com • City of Woodlake website www.cityofwoodlake.com • Visalia Parks & Recreation, (559) 713-4365
Other Important Numbers County & City
• Tulare County Services - United Way, Dial 2-1-1; www.211ca.org • Delta Vector Control District, (559) 732-8606; www.deltavcd. com • Tulare & Kings Counties Suicide Prevention Task Force (Non-crisis), (559) 624-7471; www.sptf.org • Child Abuse Prevention Council, (559) 735-0456; www.tularecountycapc.org • Child Abuse 24-hr Hotline, (800) 331-1585 • Domestic Violence/Shelters, (559) 732-5941, (559) 685-9515; www.fstc.net • Sexual Assault 24-hr Confidential Hotline, (559) 732-7273; www.fstc.net • Alcohol/Drug Programs, (559) 733-6123 • Parenting Network, (559) 625-0384; www.parentingnetwork.org • Tulare-Kings Right To Life, (559) 732-5000; www.tkrl.org • The IRMA Network, (559) 732-5000; www.theirmanetwork.org • Latinos4Life, (559) 732-5000; www.latinos4life.org • 5ive5ive9ine (Teen Health), 559teensmatter.org • Tulare County Animal Control, (559) 636-4050 • Visalia Animal Control, (559) 713-4957
Nationwide
• American Association of Poison Control Centers, (800) 222-1222; www.aapcc.org • Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (800) 232-4636; www.cdc.gov • California Poison Control, (800) 222-1222; www.calpoison.org • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, (800) 273-8255; www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ), (866) 488-7386; www.thetrevorproject.com • Missing Child Hotline, (800) 843-5678 • Road Conditions, (800) 427-7623
REMEMBER, WHEN IN DOUBT, DIAL
9-1-1
Add your numbers below
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