November 2013 by DMI Agency

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

Childhood Trauma

20 R E E MB V O N

Gardening Popeye Ate His Spinach

Nutrition

Cut Out The Holiday Weight

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EDITOR’S LETTER

elcome to Raise Magazine, November. Inside you’ll find useful information on topics related to raising healthy, welladjusted children. There’s an age-old African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” – a statement still true today.

There’s no denying the importance of education. Most of us have lofty goals for our kids including attending and graduation from college. We encourage younger students to keep up their grades, and often reward them for doing good work. Parents always like to share report card good news. Also great to see is when kids rise to the top in other areas as well as academics, such as having compassion for helping others. These are equally important for success later in life, as team work and collaboration are required in most jobs. These are qualities we, as parents, should equally admire in addition to academic success. Regardless of where a child starts in life in terms of academic ability or financial resources, instilling good character traits should be a given. Raise is proud to spotlight a few of Tulare County’s shining examples of good character and we’re happy to share that good news with you on page 18. It’s also the beginning of “high-calorie” holiday season and kids, like parents, can overindulge. Mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie … no one wants to bypass any of those on the buffet table. Thankfully, Rebecca and Justin have provided some great tips in “Cut Out the Holiday Weight before Thanksgiving Dinner is Served” on page 20. Just a few simple substitutions can slim down the most traditional holiday meal. Also, it’s a great time to see what Tulare County familyfriendly activities are planned over the next couple of months. Be sure and check out our Calendar section starting on page 28. We hope you enjoy this issue of Raise. It’s always a good time to be thankful and we hope everyone reading has a lot to be thankful for this year.

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.

P.S. For What’s Fresh now check out our bookmark on page 21.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Gardening

V NO

Popeye Ate His Spinach

EMB

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

CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS DAVID RICHARDS JESUS & ADRIANA GONZALEZ JUSTIN & REBECCA REYNOLDS

Behavior

14 Arts & Crafts

Childhood Trauma

16 Development

Humor

18 Achievement

Thanksgiving of Three Acts

19 Dental Health

10 Health

23 Happy Trails

26 Adventure

When Is My Child’s Sore Throat Serious?

20 Nutrition

Cut Out The Holiday Weight

28 Calendar 31 Resources

22 College Prep

The Ivy League Colleges

Biographies for Young Readers

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 | NOVEMBER 2013

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MALKASIAN ACCOUNTANCY LLP GARY MALKASIAN CPA JEFFREY MALKASIAN EA Operations Manager MARIA GASTON ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director BRIDGET ELMORE

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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.

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The Importance of Teaching Your Child to Value Charity

30 Reading List

LEE LITTLEWOOD LINDSEY HARRISON

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24 Positive Parenting

KELLEY PETTY KEITH E. WILLIAMS

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RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

BEHAVIOR

CHILDHOO 6

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

BEHAVIOR

hen we think of the word “trauma,” disturbing images of war, natural disasters or assaultive violence comes to mind. We don’t necessarily think of events that a young child may experience such as the boogey man, large dogs, getting lost in the mall, etc., as “traumatic.” Clinically, trauma is defined as: “an experience, witnessed or confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.” Given a child’s perception, they may feel their physical integrity threatened by a multitude of events life may provide. Irrational fears, phobias, Somatoforms and other conditions may sometimes develop from these experiences. Text by David Richards, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Many of these conditions can be avoided by understanding the mechanism of traumatic memory and developing behaviors to heal these events. It is believed that traumatic memories are held in a part of the brain initially that has no “time” or “place” connected to them. These memories are very visual in their format. When we re-experience the memory later due to a trigger it can feel like it is happening all over again. Our emotions, reactions and bodily responses can be just as intense as when the trauma first occurred. Not every traumatic event we experience becomes problematic. We naturally reformat the visual memory by talking about the event to friends and loved ones. When this happens, it is believed the memory moves to a place in the brain that has “time” and “place” associated with that memory. It is no longer “experienced as traumatic” and the memory is in the past and not where I am at now. Children need to go through a process of debriefing their traumatic memories as well. Depending on their age, different considerations need to be made. Younger children tend to process these memories in short little bursts when they feel safe. They may bring it up in everyday activities, in the drive-through, on the way to school or some other regular activity. They feel safe in these routines, therefore, that’s when it is safe to bring them up. As parents, we can be caught off guard by their comment and by the time we come up with great answers they have moved on. To push them into a conversation is usually not healthy; just wait till the next time. Just the fact they are bringing it up is great. Supporting them to express how they feel and not shaming them can be our most important role. Younger children may not have the vocabulary to process some of their feelings about the event. As parents we can guide them by giving them feeling words to help them express their visual thoughts. Saying things like “I bet you were feeling worried or scared” or “When that happened you looked uncomfortable or upset.” Giving words to the pictures in their heads helps to reprocess visual memory and helps to turn it to a verbal one, which is less traumatic. You also may encourage your child to draw a picture of the event and ask them to explain the picture to you. Children’s experiences end up in their play and art. It is their way of trying to gain mastery over the world around them. Older children can be pushed a little more to talk about events and can withstand uncomfortable discussions for longer periods of time. You can usually go through a good amount of material in under five minutes. Don’t try to push through one discussion; several smaller talks give the opportunity to discuss more facets of the memory and you can see how the child progresses in their view of the memory over time. For abuse and other serious trauma seek professional help as soon as you are aware something has happened. This usually improves the treatment outcome and can shorten the treatment time.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

HUMOR

y copy of The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare begins the forward to the play Henry V with this delicious sentence: “In the theater, The Life of Henry the Fifth is renown for pageantry, battles, and crowd scenes, its varied collection of minor characters, and the unquestioned dominance of its hero.” Text by Crystal R. R. Edwards

Heh. That sounds like Thanksgiving at my house, with a few tweaks. Instead of the panoramic onstage march from Southampton to Harfleur, try the careening of an overloaded SUV from the grocery parking lot to the quiet residential streets of my small town. Instead of the warrior-king’s stately coronation scene, we have the motherheroine moving purposefully through the kitchen with her hand up a deceased turkey’s bottom-end. Instead of Falstaff’s banishment and resulting heartbreak, we have instead a trio of three cherub-faced urchins and their father looking hungrily through the kitchen door, whining for a snack as if they weren’t going to be eating an eightcourse meal in forty-five minutes. Somewhere in here, the motherherione addresses her friends via text message: We few, we distraught few, we band of sisters; For she today that mashes yams with me Shall be my sister; be she ne’er so ticked, This day shall gentle her condition. Liberal use of wine and chocolate is, of course, the subtext here. It occurs to me that a reworking of all Shakespeare is what is needed to convey to humanity (emphasis on “man”) the full scope of what the holiday season entails for the average American woman. Being an average American woman, however, I don’t have time to rewrite the Bard’s plays, so let’s just make do with the single act I could find time for from a three-act play I’ve entitled A Holiday Tempest:

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

ACT I Scene I. [An open place in front of kitchen door.] Thunder and lightning emanating from kitchen. Enter three CHILDREN. FIRST CHILD When shall we three eat again? At breakfast, lunchtime, or tonight? SECOND CHILD When the cooking is all done, When the Mom has finally won. THIRD CHILD That will be ere the set of sun. ALL Snack is food, and food is snack. ‘Ware! the Father does try to attack! Exeunt pretty darn quickly. Scene II. [A kitchen.] MOTHER (to herself) What idiot is that? He can report, As seemeth by his mein, of the children

HUMOR

Their newest state. FATHER Discomfort swells. Mark, Mother of the House, mark: No sooner Snacktime had, with Goldfish armed, Compelled these kvetching urchins to trust their heels But I their father, surveying vantage, With furbished sippys and new supplies of food, Began a fresh assault. MOTHER So well thy words become thee as thy stains; They smack of valor both. (to a child) Go get him Wet Wipes. Scene III. [A dining room.] Bodies lie on the floor, sprawled about and occasionally burping. The table is nearly destroyed, with dishes lying stacked in disarray and food dropped all along the floor. THE MESSY GRAVY BOAT What is this sight? THE HALF-EATEN TURKEY What is it you would see? If aught of sense or movement, cease your search. THE MESSY GRAVY BOAT This is a mess overwhelming. O proud Dessert, What pow’r is placed in thine choc’lately cake That thou so many people at a bite So marvelously hast struck? THE EMPTY BAKED YAM CASSEROLE DISH The sight is dismal; And our knowledge of Rolaids comes too late. The hands are useless that should give us clearing To bring us to the dishwasher, The rose-sprigged plates and shined silver are messed. Where should we have our bath? THE HALF-EATEN TURKEY Had they th’ ability of movement to clean. It needs a little work, and a larger cleanup crew than my family is capable of post-supper. It takes two days to clean up after a three-hour meal and visit with the family.

There is, actually, something of tragedy in every holiday meal I prepare, but it’s more obvious than usual when I prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. We smoke a duck and I bake a ham these days, since my last attempt at cooking a turkey ended up with a family field trip to the ER, followed by strict instructions to buy a meat thermometer. I’ve also stopped trying to bake pies altogether; the last one I baked was used as a temporary manhole cover. (Pro Tip: Don’t overwork the crust when you’re rolling it out. It bakes up very, very hard and you’ll hurt yourself trying to fake your way through chewing dessert.) Birdie Sue thinks she’s ready to help me in the kitchen. I will be setting her to work mashing things in an attempt to eliminate at least a third of the we’re-starving-we-need-asnack-stop-pushing-me-did-not-did-too cacophony I used to be assaulted with. The holiday noise level from the kids in recent years has reached such height that my head aches for the rest of the night, so I’m dividing and conquering through hard, honest work. I will happily endure chunky mashed potatoes for a little peace and quiet. With luck, Hedgehog and Tapper will be too busy punching one another’s lights out over the olive dish like hyenas scrapping over a cebu corpse to notice their sister is getting to do something they aren’t. I’m not sure what family members will be joining us this year, and I suppose it’s getting near enough the time that I should figure that out so I know how much Xanax to take. Will it be my strict religious parents? My morally ambivalent father-in-law? My whirlwind, crazy sister and her family? (She’s a psychologist. We diagnose the rest of the family while we cook. We have a cookbook on one side of the stove and the DSM-IV on the other side. We flip through both frantically. Last year we got a little overwhelmed and tried to hug the succotash’s inner child and poured melted butter on a guest.) Whoever thought up Thanksgiving was clearly a fan of pa geant-filled drama. Whoever thought I could do this on my own was clearly a fan of comedy. Dear readers, think of me this Thanksgiving, as I turn to face the oven and proclaim: O crud! what flames from yonder oven flare? It is the ham! and dinner is undone.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

HEALTH

When Is My Child’s Sore Throat Serious? Text by Family HealthCare Network from the American Academy of Family Physicians

s the weather changes from summer to fall, it seems like clockwork that your son or daughter will begin complaining of a funny, not so comfortable feeling in their throat. As a parent you will ask them to describe the feeling, “is it scratchy” or a “burning feeling in the back of throat” or “does it hurt when you swallow?” In your mind you think, it can only mean a sore throat is on its way. Sore throats are often a precursor to a cold but can also lead to something more serious like the flu or other conditions. Causes of a Sore Throat A sore throat is a common problem during childhood and is often caused by a bacterial or a viral infection. The likely causes of a child’s sore throat can be impacted by the age of the child, the time of year and the geographic area where a child lives. Bacterial and viral infections are spread from one person to another through hand contact. With children this is often an issue because their hands can easily be contaminated when children, rub their noses or touch their mouth and then touch another person or child directly (i.e., hand to hand contact) or indirectly (i.e., toys, telephone, doorknob). Classic Symptoms of a Sore Throat The most common symptoms of a sore throat are a burning sensation in the back of the throat and pain when swallowing. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also describes the classic symptoms of a sore throat and the signs to watch for if your child’s sore throat is serious and may need medical attention. These symptoms may include: 1. Sneezing & coughing 2. Runny nose 3. Mild fever 4. Tiredness 5. Hoarseness 6. Tenderness along the neck

So how do you know when your child’s sore throat is serious? Sore throats in children often resolve without complications, but there are times that they will require medical treatment and medication. The AAFP recommends that you should always call your child’s health care provider about a sore throat if your child or adolescent is experiencing the following conditions: 1. If they are experiencing a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit without other cold symptoms. This could be a case of strep throat that needs treatment. 2. They have flu-like symptoms that don’t get better after a few days. 3. If there is any pain or hoarseness lasting longer than 2 weeks. 4. If their sore throat is accompanied by postnasal drip, sneezing and itchy eyes. This may be a sign of allergies that may require medical attention. 5. Difficulty swallowing or breathing. 6. Excessive drooling in an infant or young child. 7. Swelling of the neck or stiff neck. 8. Inability or unwillingness to drink or eat. 9. “Hot potato” or muffled voice. 10. Difficulty opening the mouth. The treatment for a sore throat will depend upon the cause but is difficult to determine based upon symptoms alone. Therefore an examination and a laboratory test are often recommended. Remember to always consult with your child’s health care provider before starting any treatment.

Preventing a Sore Throat Hand washing is a highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and you can use plain soap. You should rub hands together for 15 to 30 seconds and pay special attention to fingernails and between the fingers and wrists. Hands should be thoroughly rinsed and dried with a single hand towel. Alcohol based hand rubs are also a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a water and soap are not available. Remember, hands should be washed after

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

coughing, blowing the nose or sneezing. Children should also be reminded to avoid the spread of infection by avoiding the touching of their eyes, nose or mouth. For more information about sore throats and other conditions that can accompany them, contact your child’s health care provider. Your child’s provider is the best source of information for questions related to your child’s medical condition. You can also visit http://www.aafp.org.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

GARDENING

POPEYE ATE HIS

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

GARDENING

ho in the world is Popeye? Popeye was a famous cartoon character from the 1930s to the 1960s. Just ask your grandparents or greatgrandparents about their memories of his cartoon. Popeye even had a postage stamp with his picture on it about 20 years ago!

Ok, so why did he eat spinach? Popeye was in the Navy, exploring the sea and rescuing people from troublesome situations. How did he

do this? He had very strong, bulging muscles, and when danger came his way, he popped open a can of spinach and ate it. The spinach gave him energy and strength to get rid of danger! Spinach is good for your body. It has fiber, iron, vitamins A, C, K, B-complex, lots of minerals and is rich in Omega-3. Spinach can be added to soups, salads, mashed potatoes and lasagna to provide more taste for children than eating it plain. So, this November we are going to plant spinach. Spinach is an easy winter crop to grow from seed. Spinach seedlings are available at local nurseries, but planting from seed is more fun for children.

Text by Susan Schieferle, Master Gardener, University of California Cooperative Extension

Vocabulary Maturity: The number of days before you can harvest (pick) a vegetable. Nutrients: “Vitamins” for the soil. Nutrients are to the soil like vitamins are to your body. Amend the soil: To improve the existing soil by working in compost, manure, fertilizer, or purchased soil amendment (in a bag). These add nutrients to the soil to help your plants grow.

How to plant: Buy a packet of spinach seeds. Have your child read the back of the packet. It tells how deep and far apart to plant seeds, germination rate, height of plant, days to maturity (harvest), and amount of sun. 1. Make sure the bed or container gets six or more hours of sun daily. 2. Prepare the bed or container for planting. If you are using soil from your garden, be sure to amend the soil. If you are using purchased garden soil, nothing else is necessary. 3. With an old pencil, poke holes in the soil about 1/2” deep (you can mark 1/2” on the pencil). 4. Holes should be about 2-3 inches apart. Put 2-3 seeds into each hole. 5. Cover up holes.

6. Water lightly (daily) until germination. If more than one seed germinates, leave the strongest seed and pinch off the rest. 7. Spinach now needs to be kept moist, not soaked with water. 8. When plants are 3-4 inches high, thin out the seedlings to 6 to 12 inches apart so they will have room to spread and grow. Thinning requires careful digging up the roots so not to disturb them, then spacing them from the other plants. 9. Spinach grows about 12 inches high and takes about 42 days (7 weeks) to mature. Now you can eat your spinach just like Popeye! An interesting fact is that Popeye had a girlfriend named Olive Oyl [pronounced oil]. Olive oil (purchased in the grocery store) is good as a salad dressing on spinach or can be used to sauté spinach on the stove! Anchors away, as Popeye would say!

Wood Industries will provide a FREE gallon bag of garden soil to any child who stops in to start a garden project!

November Gardening Tip: Time to rake up leaves. If you compost at home, leaves make a great addition to your compost pile. Leaves also make a natural compost around the base of plants.

October Review: Your snapdragons and pansies should be producing many colors in your garden. Be sure to pinch off any dead flower heads. Don’t worry, more will grow! Did you find the hidden dragon in the snapdragons?

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RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

ART & CRAFTS

NAPKIN RINGS Text by Lindsey Harrison, Museum Intern, ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

s a child, the best part of fall was when my mom would take my siblings and me out to Plaza Park to play in all the brightly colored

leaves. Today’s craft brings a piece of those crisp and playful afternoons into your home. Children will have a delightful time making bright leaves with an unusual type of paint brush; a used gift card. Collect large leaves from outside to use as a stencil, or create a leaf shape all your own. In this version of the craft, we will use the leaves to hold napkins to add a little decoration to the family table over holiday feasts, but feel free to invent different uses for your child’s new art project.

What You Will Need • Washable, non-toxic tempura paint • Used gift card/credit card or similarly shaped piece of plastic • Thick white paper (construction, watercolor or cardstock work the best) • Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls • White non-toxic glue • Scissors • Pencil or pen

Instructions 1. Place a thick piece of white paper down on a surface that can get a little messy and pick two or three of your favorite fall colors. 2. Place four to five drops of each color of paint on the paper. Make sure to space the paint out. 3. Taking the used gift card, use the edge to push the paint around, mixing the colors together and creating interesting designs. 4. When you are satisfied with the colors on your paper, set it out to dry. 5. Take the toilet paper or paper towel roll and make sure it is bare of any extra paper. Cut the roll so that you get circles roughly half-an-inch wide. 6. Once the paint is dry on your paper, turn the page over and use the pencil (or pen) to outline your leaves on the back. 7. Cut out the leaves. 8. Glue the unpainted side of the leaves in to the paper towel rolls so that the colored portion of the leaves faces up when something is place through the hole of the roll. 9. Thread your favorite napkins through and place out on the dinner table to touch up the table settings!

Tips Make sure the paper is thick; this craft can sometimes produce a little excess paint. If you are nervous about the extra paint, start off with just two to three drops of each color and then add more as needed. Cardboard can be substituted for gift cards, but it will get soggy with continual use. If you do not have the time to go outside and find real leaves to use as stencils, there are plenty of good leaf designs on the Internet that are perfect for this craft. With the feeling of fall in the air and colorful leaves on the ground, this month is a perfect chance to enjoy some time outside before it starts to get cold. This craft is a great way for children to both explore the world outside and help in preparations for a nice family dinner. For an extra learning experience, help the kids identify what type of leaf they use as a stencil in order to help them learn about natural science. Here is wishing you a good start to your holiday season!

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

DEVELOPMENT

THE CHALLENGE OF A DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:

Is It, ADHD, A Learning Disability, Autism or Something Else? Text by Central Valley Regional Center

he kids are back in school, and you have received a call from your child’s teacher or perhaps a school counselor. There are concerns about your child’s ability to concentrate to complete work in class, socialize with other students, and some preoccupations. There has been a recommendation that further evaluation of these concerns take place. Perhaps there was mention of medication to aid with concentration. Is this an accurate description of the child you observe at home? Maybe what you see is a very active child who is always on the move, who needs more attention and coaxing than your others to get homework done. They may take a while to calm down and get on task. But not socialize? That’s not your child; he plays well with his siblings. Why would you need to evaluate that? And medication, for what? A meeting with the teacher for further clarification would be an excellent starting point. You might ask for specific examples of the concerns and your child’s work. There are many factors that contribute to the learning environment. You could ask how the classroom is set up and how your child functions in that environment. Each of us uses our primary senses to take in and process information. How are those senses impacted in the classroom environment? Is the ability to concentrate challenged by where your child sits? Is he visually distracted? Does noise in this location distract him? How can the environment at school or at home be adapted to meet his individual needs? If simple changes in classroom or home routine and environment are not addressing the concerns you or your child’s teacher may have, then consultation by additional professionals maybe in order. If you have concerns about behavior changes, consider ruling out any physical problems. Remember that all behavior is a form of communication. What is your child trying to tell you? If there is an underlying medical problem causing a behavioral change, that needs to be addressed. Your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider will assess your concerns and make any necessary referrals. There are many disorders whose symptoms “overlap” and can create difficulty in diagnoses. Careful attention to presenting

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

symptoms will aid in the direction of assessment. Hearing and vision may need to be evaluated. Specialty referrals for genetic, neurologic or psychiatric evaluations may be warranted. Evaluations for disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), involve information from many sources to for an accurate diagnosis. Several of these childhood disorders, such as ADHD, ASD, GAD and SPD have similar characteristics. Clinical diagnosis involves information from standardized interviews, checklists, observations and assessment, in concert with clinical judgment. Working together with your pediatrician to obtain a clear medical history is essential. The observations of teachers, both current and past, as well as your own history of your child’s development and behavior, provide critical insight into their early developmental history and current behavior. This information is essential for determining whether you child’s symptoms are consistent with specific diagnostic criteria. If it becomes clear that your child does have a disorder that impacts his or her ability to learn, establishing a clear diagnosis, planning quality interventions and understanding the prognosis is key to successful treatment and academic success. Regional Centers in California can assist with specific eligible conditions. Speak with your health care provider regarding the appropriateness of a referral to a Regional Center for further evaluation. Central Valley Regional Center has three offices within their six county service area. Referrals can be made by calling; Fresno (559) 276-4449, Visalia (559) 738-5646, Merced (209) 723-2944.

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ACHIEVEMENT

Student Achievements

Character COUNTS Text by Kelley Petty, CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator, Tulare County Office of Education

SPORTSMANSHIP

LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY

Seth Nordell

Sierra Steinert

Sportsmanship is often defined as saying “good job” at the end of a game. But meet Seth Nordell, a senior at Golden West High School, and you will see what sportsmanship really looks like. Seth has a comprehensive perspective of sportsmanship - characterizing him as a leader on and off campus, respected by his peers, teachers, and coaches. Athletic Director Tom Buckley shares, “As Golden West’s ASB President and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Seth leads by example, has a great work ethic, and puts others before himself. He plays with passion and heart on the varsity water polo and varsity diving teams.” Seth plans to put this experience to the test and to one day serve his country as a West Point Naval Academy graduate. He states, “I love this country. It is awesome to have freedom, and I want to give back and protect our freedom for my friends, family and country.”

A model student preparing to be a model teacher describes 8th grade La Joya Middle School student Sierra Steinert. Principal Melanie Stringer says, “Sierra emulates all of the qualities of character that we want in our students. She is kind to her peers, responsible with her work, and leads others with her inviting personality. A student was by herself, and Sierra made the conscious effort to include her and make her feel welcome on campus.” Sierra is devoted to school leadership through activities with ASB, including serving as the club’s treasurer. She also volunteers as a peer tutor for young readers at Linwood Elementary. Her plans are to remain in the field of education, like many members of her family. Sierra recalls, “I have always wanted to become a teacher. I love school and everything about it. I feel being a leader now provides a great foundation for my future as a successful educator and leader in the community.”

Kayleigh and Ashleigh Sinclair Visit the Divisadero Middle School (DMS) leadership class, attend an ASB meeting or see who is enrolled as teacher assistants for Mrs. Dowlen’s special education class and you will find the Sinclair twins. As 8th graders, Kayleigh and Ashleigh work to create a fun, safe and welcoming environment for the DMS community. From spearheading a summer beautification project to including others in a jump roping contest at break, these girls promote a respectful atmosphere with a goal of making everyone feel included. Mrs. Dowlen says, “I have witnessed tremendous social growth in my students since the first day of school. They have become more active on campus as a result of Kayleigh’s and Ashleigh’s interaction and introductions to new friends and activities. These two young ladies have the unique ability to see past one’s disability and recognize the individual qualities of my students. They exemplify what it means to be a genuine person of character.”

If you know of an outstanding student, contact Kelley Petty, Tulare County Office of Education CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator at (559) 740-4303 18

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

DENTAL HEALTH

PREVENTIVE DENTAL TIPS FOR CHILDREN Text by Keith E. Williams, DDS, Williams Family Dental

Infants “Baby bottle decay” is caused by allowing the child’s teeth to be exposed to milk and other sugar containing products for an excessive period of time. One of the best ways to avoid this situation is to not allow your baby to nurse a bottle while going to sleep. Avoid dipping pacifiers in sweet substances, because this will encourage early decay. Encourage your young child to drink from a cup as early as possible to help prevent problems with early tooth decay. Primary and Permanent Teeth Every child grows 20 primary teeth, usually by the age of three. These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 with a full set of 28 permanent teeth, and later on, four molars called “wisdom teeth”. It is essential that a child’s primary teeth are healthy, because their development sets the stage for permanent teeth. If primary teeth become diseased or do not grow in properly, chances are greater that their permanent replacements will suffer the same fate. For example, poorly formed primary teeth that don’t erupt properly could crowd

out spaces reserved for other teeth. Space maintainers can sometimes be used to correct this condition, if it is spotted early enough. Brushing Babies’ gums and teeth can be gently cleaned with special infant toothbrushes that fit over your finger. Water is suitable in lieu of toothpaste (because the baby may swallow the toothpaste.) Parents are advised to avoid fluoride toothpastes on children under the age of 2. Primary teeth can be cleansed with a child-size, soft-bristled toothbrush. Remember to use small portions of toothpaste, and teach your child to spit out, not swallow the toothpaste when finished. Sealants Sealants fill in the little ridges on the chewing part of your teeth to protect and seal the tooth from food and plaque. The application is easy to apply and typically last for several years.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

NUTRITION

CUT OUT THE HOLIDAY WEIGHT Text by Justin and Rebecca Reynolds

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

IN SEASON

what’s FRESH?

Tomatos

NUTRITION

Cucumbers Grapefruit Sweet Potatoes

Source: Tulare County Farm Bureau

BEFORE THANKSGIVING DINNER IS SERVED

reparing a beautiful, delicious and abundant Thanksgiving dinner can be nutritious and filling with half the calories of the traditional feast. Serve your family a meal that they will truly be thankful for – one that is lower in calories and full of flavor! Use this guide for your Thanksgiving meal and try a few of the tips to cut down on the fat:

Turkey: For a small gathering, use turkey breast instead of the whole turkey as the breasts are leaner than the dark meat. If you are using a whole turkey, avoid “self-basting” turkeys as they contain added fat. Roast or smoke your turkey – don’t deep fry it. Stuff the turkey cavity with fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme and/or sage and add halved lemons, apples and onions to flavor the bird. Rather than rubbing the bird with oil or butter, spray it with an oil spray and season it with salt and pepper – you will be surprised how delicious the turkey turns out. Gravy: Gravy is easily the most calorie filled item on the menu at Thanksgiving dinner. Try using vegetable oil instead of turkey drippings – it’s still fat, but it cuts down on the saturated fat and is cholesterol free. Mashed Potatoes: Instead of using butter or cream to mash the potatoes, use plain Greek yogurt, fat free sour cream or evaporated skim milk. To add flavor, add roasted garlic or other herbs. Dressing, not stuffing: Bake the dressing in a casserole dish, not in the turkey, as it will absorb the fat from the turkey and it’s not necessary. The dressing is full of flavor on its own. Avoid recipes that call for bacon or sausage and take a small serving as it’s hard to cut down much more on the calories from dressing. Other sides: Whether it’s a cranberry dressing dish, sweet potatoes or candied yams, try to cut back on the sugar in your dishes by using apple sauce or fruit juices instead of sugar. Pumpkin pie: Use a fat-free or low-fat graham cracker crust instead of a regular pie crust as most of the fat in pumpkin pie comes from the crust!

For your mashed potatoes this year, try this “Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Potatoes” from Our Best Bites, by Wells and Jones: Ingredients: 3 pounds russet potatoes 1 head roasted garlic ⅔ C. parmesan cheese 6 T. real butter, softened (or use plain Greek yogurt) ½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. black pepper ¼ C. milk (or use evaporated skim milk) Directions: Cut the potatoes into uniform ½-inch pieces; this will help them cook quickly. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water boils, add the potatoes and cook them very tender. Slightly overcook the potatoes; you want them to start to crumble when pierced with a fork. Undercooked potatoes will become pasty. Drain and place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and beat with an electric mixer until the butter is melted and incorporated into the potatoes. (Electric mixers give you the creamiest potatoes.) Add milk and remaining ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until desired consistency is reached.

Ingredients: 2 eggs ½ C. brown sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground nutmeg ¼ tsp. ground cloves ⅛ tsp. ground ginger 1 ¼ C. evaporated milk 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree ¼ C. chopped pecans (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat eggs, browns sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves and ginger in a bowl until blended. Stir in milk and pumpkin until mixture is smooth; transfer to a 9-inch glass pie dish. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until set, 30 to 40 minutes more. Cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Enjoy family, eat delicious food, don’t worry (as much) about the calories in your Thanksgiving dinner, and be thankful for nutritional feasting! Happy Turkey Day!

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

COLLEGE PREP

The Ivy League Colleges By Jesus and Adriana Gonzalez, College Prep Educational Consultants, ILEAD

he Ivy League colleges are a group of eight universities located in the northeastern United States. This group of colleges are well known for having students who excel in academics; admission to any of these schools is very selective. Of all the nation’s universities, the Ivy Leagues tend to place at the top of national rankings and are known to offer some of the most competitive educational opportunities. The league includes Harvard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth and Cornell University. In recent years, Harvard, Yale, and other Ivy League schools have been known to be even more selective than before. To give you an idea of competitiveness, the acceptance rates in 2013 for the following colleges were as follows: Harvard admitted 2,029 students; 5.79 percent of its 35, 023 applicants. Yale’s acceptance rate was 6.72 percent, admitting 1,991 of its 29,610 applicants. At Princeton, the acceptance rate was 7.29 percent. It offered admission to 1,931 students of the 26,498 who applied. Columbia admitted 2,311students of the 33,531 applicants to the university, a 6.89 percent acceptance rate (Source: New York Times). Yearly tuition, room, board and fees in the Ivy League range from approximately $49,000 to $56,000. Generally, students that come from families with incomes below $65,000, will pay nothing towards the cost of attending Harvard College. More than 60 percent of Harvard College students receive some type of scholarship aid. Contributions made towards overall tuition costs for families with incomes above $65,000 vary and depend on individual circumstances. For example, a family that makes between $65,000 and $150,000 may contribute from 0 to 10 percent of income (www.harvard.edu/harvard-glance). Scholarships and other types of financial aid are also available for those with higher incomes. This scenario is typical of all colleges in the Ivy League, with some variations. The key is, getting into an Ivy League. For most students it means being in the top 10 percent of their class.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Students can do the following in order to be competitive applicants into the Ivy Leagues: Start early. Students should have a track record of high academic achievement and aim to be well-rounded achievers. On occasion, students may have challenges that are outside of their control. In these instances, colleges also like to see improvement, so attaching a supplement to the admissions application of overcoming those challenges would be appropriate. Challenge yourself. Students should take honors or advanced courses whenever possible. Oftentimes, students can obtain college credit when excelling in advanced courses. For Ivy League applicants, it is customary that these types of academic pursuits will be reflected on student transcripts. Competitive GPA. College admissions officers usually weigh a student’s GPA heavily. Competitive applicants to the Ivy Leagues tend to be among the top 10 percent of their classes and are oftentimes in the same pool of applicants as other valedictorians at their respective schools. Excellent standardized test scores. For a reasonable chance of being admitted, aim for attaining at least 700 points on each section of the SAT or a composite of 30 on the ACT. Your school counselor can give you more information on what you can do to best prepare for these exams. You can also learn more by visiting www.collegeboard.org. Volunteerism and extra-curricular activities. In addition to academics, Ivy Leagues like to see applicants who are well rounded. Volunteering on a national or global scale creates excellent opportunities for added perspectives and will supersede any local volunteerism efforts (although local efforts are still very valuable). Joining sports teams or school clubs are also great possibilities that will exhibit strengths not otherwise apparent on other sections of your admissions applications. Lead. Whether it’s being class president, team captain, or leader of a school club, take on the challenge! Being a leader proves that you show initiative and accept additional responsibilities. Leaders tend to be viewed as great problem solvers and critical thinkers and definitely stand out in a crowd. It’s important to remember than none of the above guarantees you an opportunity for admission into any of these Ivy Leagues, be cautious of anyone who tells you otherwise. These are simply guaranteed ways that will give you a competitive edge. Ivy League admissions statistics may seem discouraging; however there are more than 2,000 four-year colleges and universities in this country and a quality education is definitely within reach. The competitiveness of the Ivy Leagues and other highly selective institutions are the exception, not the norm. Good luck in your collegiate pursuits!

HAPPY TRAILS

The instructors and volunteers at Happy Trails encourage Jenny to do her best. With hard work, Jenny has developed confidence on the horses and mastered some difficult (and scary) riding moves. Jenny now enjoys riding bareback on Lacey; and in vaulting classes, Jenny has been able to let go of the reins and put her hands over her head. When Jenny is not riding horses, she is active in other sports and enjoys hanging out with her pets. Jenny swims, does track and field, and will be trying baseball through the Miracle League later this year. She has gone to the Special Olympics and won five medals - three for swimming and two for track and field. Jenny loves animals, especially her two kittens Bubba and Kona and her dog Moo. The kittens are three months old and Jenny is responsible for caring for them and training them. Jenny loves being part of Happy Trails and having a special bond with the horses. She is focused on improving her riding skills and becoming a better rider. Jenny is very thankful for all of the volunteers and instructors at Happy Trails who have helped her to succeed. She would even love to one day become an instructor. She sees the positive impact that Happy Trails instructors (especially Stephanie) have had in her growth and she would like to make a similar difference in the lives of others. HAPPY TRAILS RIDING ACADEMY:

Jenny’s Story Text by Happy Trails Riding Academy

enny Wong is a talented and hardworking rider at Happy Trails. She has been riding horses for five years, the first four years in her previous home state of Illinois, and this past year at Happy Trails. Jenny’s favorite horse is Lacey because she is affectionate and easy to guide. Jenny says that at times Lacey seems to know what Program Director Lisa’s command will be before it is spoken. Earlier this year, Jenny competed with the Happy Trails team in the annual CALNET horse show. CALNET takes place at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and is the largest horse show for disabled riders on the West Coast. Jenny has participated in horse competitions and exhibitions before, but CALNET has been her largest competition yet. She participated in five events with Red, one of the program horses at Happy Trails, and won ribbons in every event. For more information on the programs offered at Happy Trails Riding Academy, visit our website at www.WeAreHappyTrails.com.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Happy Trails Riding Academy Therapeutic Horsemanship

For more information, contact:

(559) 688-8685

info@wearehappytrails.com

www.WeAreHappyTrails.com Location: 2773 E. Oakdale Ave. Tulare, CA 93274

Mailing: P.O. Box 572 Visalia, CA 93279

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

POSITIVE PARENTING

The Importance of Teaching Your Child to Value

CHARITY Text by Tulare County Childrens Services Network

t’s never too early to teach your child the importance of generosity and sharing with those in need. Instilling the notion that there is value in charity will benefit your child throughout their life. Like any skill, the younger a child learns how to give, the more natural it will feel as they integrate it into their daily lives.

Despite common belief, children are born with an innate sense of wanting to help. It’s hard to believe this when you see children in the middle of a tantrum when they don’t get their way; but recall the moments when you’ve seen a child try to console a crying infant, or share their favorite toy with a child who just had their feelings hurt. As a parent, you have the ability to help your child enhance these instincts, and guide them to make charity a part of their life. Some may feel that teaching your child about charity means prematurely exposing them to the harsh realities of the world (homelessness, poverty, tragedy), but with proper explanation, children can understand and handle more than you think. By enabling them to be charitable, you are helping them realize that while there is suffering in this world, they have the power to help make it better in their own small (but significant) way.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Here are some tips to encourage your child to give: 1. Help your child to see that their contributions are something that can truly make a difference to someone, no matter how big or small it may be. Helping others is an important part of life and is what makes our society function. 2. In addition to appreciating the intrinsic value of charity, help your child see the positive impact it has not only on the recipient but also on his or her own emotional well-being. Helping someone in need often leads to a boost of self-esteem because you made a positive impact on another persons life. 3. Let your child choose how they want to give. Whether it is by feeding the stray cat in the park, or by donating their old toys, empower them to make their own decisions. The gesture will mean more to them if it’s something they came up with on their own. 4. Teach your child that generosity doesn’t always mean giving material things. Sometimes giving your time, such as spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor do chores around their house can have an even more significant impact than donating money or items. 5. Every year, make it an activity in your home for each person to go through their closets and find clothes and toys that are no longer needed and donate to either a charitable organization or a family in need. It is important to have discussions with your child when they do activities to help others. Not only is getting their perspective a way to ensure that they are taking away the right message from the experience, but it is also a way to connect with your child on very genuine terms. And don’t forget to practice what you preach; if your child sees you doing kind deeds, it reinforces the message everyone should be charitable when possible. If you and your child are looking for opportunities to donate this holiday season, Tulare County Child Welfare Services is having their annual Toy Drive on Monday, Oct. 7th through Friday, Dec. 6th. All donations will go towards providing gifts for the nearly 1,500 foster care children in Tulare County. Go to friendsoftularecounty.org for more information.

Youthful Solutions

623-0581 Children of all ages throughout Tulare County need a safe place as they go through a difficult time in their lives.

Are you ready to be their shelter in a storm? Tulare County Foster Care Licensing offers: • Ongoing training • Support and mentors • Networking

ATTEND ONE OF OUR ORIENTATIONS 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month

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623-0581 to RSVP

We will hold your big hands as you connect with little ones.

Visalia Medical Clinic The Aesthetic Center

alechtman@vmchealth.com, 738-7572

5530 Avenida De Los Robles, Visalia All follow-ups are performed personally by Dr. Lechtman at The Aesthetic Center. ASPS CareCredit Financing accepted.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

ADVENTURE

Kaweah Oaks PRESERVE

Grapevine Trail (1/4-mile; allow 30 minutes)

Wild Rose Trail (3/8-mile; allow 30 minutes) Be sure to stop and smell the California wild roses on this tour, as well as take in the aromatic mugwort on the hike through the giant Valley Oaks. Truly a hike for all the senses. Swamp Trail (7/8-mile; allow 60 minutes) Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be frightened by the name. The Swamp Trail gets its name from the freshwater pond that occurs when the water table is high. Willow trees sweep the area and pond turtles are often present. When the water table is low, the pond stays dry most of the year and the hike lends itself to the beautiful views of the Valley Oaks and observation of the California wild grapes and blackberries. Sycamore Trail (3/4-mile; allow 60 minutes) Along this hike youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll revel in the giant California sycamore trees, often a centerpiece in local artwork, as well as Himalayan blackberries and oak galls, commonly found along this trail. Open year-round, there is never a bad time to visit Kaweah Oaks Preserve. Take time out to enjoy a picnic at the provided picnic tables and take in the landscape that once covered our very own bustling Downtown. An adventure for the mind and spirit, there is nothing like connecting with something so purely Central Valley.

Take in the trellises of three-story-high California wild grape vines that grow in, out, up and around the canopies of the Valley Oak trees.

For more information about the Kaweah Oaks Preserve visit Sequoia Riverlands Trust at www.sequoiariverlands.org.

ore than just a safe haven for over 300 plant and animal species, the Kaweah Oaks Preserve can be a haven for familes who want to get away without going too far. Kaweah Oaks Preserve is a mere seven miles from the center of Downtown Visalia, making it close to home, close to nature, and a whole lot to explore. The 322-acre preserve protects one of the last remaining Valley Oak riparian forests (which only exist near bodies of water) in the San Joaquin Valley. In this case, the Preserve is located at the convergence of four creeks that carry water from the Sierra Nevada. More than just a beautiful forest, Kaweah Oaks Preserve features four short hikes for those who want to get in touch, and in depth, with nature. Unique to just our area, these hikes explore the landscape that once covered our land back when the Yokut Indians called it home. The hikes at Kaweah Oaks Preserve vary in length but deliver equally in their impressive scenery and ability to convey just how unique our area is.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

KIDS’ CORNER

Try Your Hand at Our

MONTHLY MAZE

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

CALENDAR

november 2013

calendar of events dates to remember

Exeter’s Chili Cook-off

NOVEMBER 9

Race Against Hunger Kid’s Race

NOVEMBER 28

Candy Cane Lane Parade

DECEMBER 2

NOVEMBER

Jesus Gonzalez M.A. Education Educational Consultant jesusilead@gmail.com 559.308.5991 Adriana Gonzalez M.A. Education Educational Consultant adrianailead@gmail.com 559.308.4841

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Institute for Leadership, Education & Achieving Dreams

CALENDAR

9 Exeter’s Chili Cook-off

Bring the whole family out for this year’s chili cook-off and sample the various recipes while enjoying activities and entertainment. When: Nov. 9 Where: 115 E. Pine, Exeter Contact: Lynn 592-7177; Charlotte 592-1648

17 Dawn of the Space Age

From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik to the magnificent lunar landings and privately-operated space flights, you’ll be captivated by this most accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space. When: Nov. 17, 7p Where: The Peña Planetarium Contact: 737-6334 Oklahoma!

28 Race Against Hunger Kid’s Race

Visalia Emergency Aid Council believes that kids are the future, and that this is a great way for kids to get involved while promoting health, fitness, and fun. There will be various distances for kids to choose from in this non-timed event. If you register before Nov. 18, kids will receive a t-shirt along with a medal at the finish line. When: Nov. 28, 7a Where: Downtown Visalia, Corner of Main St. and Garden St. Contact: www.visaliaturkeytrot.com Zoo Lights

Bring the friends and family to stroll the brilliantly lit pathways of Zoo Lights. The zoo is transformed into a magical holiday wonderland adorned with miles of beautiful lights and filled with music. Take a photo with Santa, enjoy live entertainment and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. When: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 5p Where: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno Contact: 498-5910

Theatre Company proudly presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s great American musical, Oklahoma!. Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the highspirited silvery between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, Candy Cane Lane Parade a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. 2 “12 Days of Christmas” with Grand Marshall Performed by Tulare County students, grades Mrs. Laurie Isham. Kick-off Christmas in first through twelfth, this musical is one that Downtown Visalia with the 68th annual Candy you won’t want to miss. Cane Lane Parade! The ½-mile route heads When: Nov. 21-23, 7p down Main Street so grab your blankets, hot Where: L.J. Williams Theater, chocolate, and get a seat on the sidewalk! 1001 W. Main St., Visalia When: Dec. 2, 7p Contact: 651-1482 Where: Main Street, Visalia Contact: www.DowntownVisalia.com Student Art Exhibits The Tulare County Office of Education displays artwork submitted by the students throughout the Education Building at the offices. The exhibits are open to the public, and are judged by people in the local art community. When: Nov. 12-Feb. 28 Where: Tulare County Office of Education, Education Building, 2637 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 651-1482

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias

Offering children ages 6-18 a safe and fun place to go to after school. 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 Imagine U Interactive Children’s Museum

Imagine U offers a variety of weekly interactive exhibits, events, and activities designed to entertain and engage your preschool child. Cost: $5 ages 2 & up When: Wednesday-Friday, 10a-4p & Saturday, 12-4p Where: 700 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: 733-5975 or www.imagineumuseum.org AgVentures at Heritage Complex

Agricultural Learning Center and Farm Equipment Museum with nearly 15 professionally designed interactive displays. Children learn about science and technology, food and nutrition, environmental issues, social studies and more! When: Mon.-Fri., 9a-4p Where: International Agri-Center, 4450 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: Venue Phone, 688-1030

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

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

READING LIST

BIOGRAPHIES FOR YOUNG READERS

esides learning valuable lessons from iconic folks who’ve come before, biographies make valuable resource materials for school reports. These bios are smart reads for kids six to twelve.

Text by Lee Littlewood

Handel: Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson and Kevin Hawkes George Frideric Handel knew what he liked, whether it was sneaking off to a duke’s castle to play the organ or ordering 45 pounds of mountain snow to chill his wine. Most of all, since early childhood, Handel wanted to play music. And so he did, even when nobody wanted to listen to his operas or when the fireworks show he created for an event caused a horrible fire. Handel remained true to his grand music, even when popular new singers became the rage and others made fun of his pomp and circumstance. In the end, Handel grew blind and began to give up. Still, his burial in Westminster Abbey drew 3,000 fans. Hawkes’s flowy writing is entertaining, with fun accounts of physical duels, live birds released at shows, and other zesty anecdotal stories. Kids ages 6 to 10 will be inspired by the true story of a musical genius. Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything by Philip Steele Created in a reference/scrapbook-style manner, with sidebars, timelines, maps, photographs and illustrations, National Geographic’s World History Biographies series is superbly classy. In Isaac Newton, Steele tells the chronological story of the iconic scientist, from his promising days as a young lad in school to the Cambridge University years, where he didn’t do so well, perhaps working on his own projects. Eventually, Newton discovered invaluable lessons about math and science. His discoveries about gravity made space travel possible, and his findings on optics and calculus are legendary. Young scientists-tobe will love this exciting biography. Also from the series, Mozart: The Boy Who Changed the World With His Music, by Marcus Weeks, is so lively it feels like stepping into Mozart’s world.

RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Who is Bob Dylan? by Jim O’Connor Jumping to the relatively modern world, this super-cool chronicle of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Bob Dylan is exciting and penned smartly towards kids. A little longer than the above biographies, O’Connor’s easy reading book tells Bob’s story, from childhood to his rise as a star, but also includes relevant sidebars. “Acoustic Versus Electric,” for example, clearly exemplifies the differences between the two types of guitars, as it relates to Bob’s story. Bob Dylan’s Aliase lists the 10 different names Bob worked under, from Boo Wilbury to Tedham Porterhouse, though his birth name is Bobby Zimmerman. Want zesty fun in a biography? This one’s it! Also from the same series, T brings an exciting realism to the New World explorer’s history. Jackie Robinson: American Hero by Sharon Robinson With the popularity of the fantastic movie “42” comes a slew of amazing books about the baseball legend. This sleek, colorful biography, penned by Robinson’s daughter, introduces a new generation to the sports hero who also broke color barriers and shook up the civil rights movement. Sharon hopes reading about her father’s persevering story will empower kids to be the best they can be. Her inspirational book contains plenty of photographs, a glossary, and author Q&A. She ends her fabulous book (for ages 7 and up) with this quote from Jackie, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.”

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; www.woodlakepublicschools.org

Add your numbers below

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

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RAISE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

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