Quad Cities Family Focus September 2015

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus


September 2015

Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

QC Family Focus Publisher: Mike Mickle Editor: Karen Mickle Copy Editor: Mark McLaughlin Magazine Design: Jessie Smith Photographers: Ashley Hempel • Tassy Johnson • Nick Benhart Shannon Colgan • Estelle Nester Videographer: Harry Walker

Contributing Editors

Michael Boehm Brenda Boleyn Margaret Christiansen Maura Curran • Sarah DeSpain David W. Deuth Rebecca Eckhart • Evin Ersan Jill D. Evola-Vokt • Maureen Fesler Tawnya Hambly Mary Huebbe • Kelly Jacobsen Julie Johnson Pam Kirsch • Lisa Lockheart Kirk Marske Mark McLaughlin Mike Mickle Sherri Moler Marceau Karen A. Wadsworth Jennifer Walker • Barbara Wiese James Zahara Join thousands of others as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA. Call 563-940-7875 for more information.

QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not constitute endorsement. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You can contact us at QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 563-940-7875 or email: mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com. ©Copyright 2015.

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MONTHLY

Helping Young Children Learn to Cooperate

School Attendance Is A Community Issue

What To Do About Childhood Trauma Helping the QC to Lose Weight – 10 Pounds at a Time!

How to Get Grandparents Using Smartphones

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Your Mickle’s Worth So it begins, the final countdown. The school year has begun and my gut tells me it will be a quick one. Kyle has entered his senior year. Kate is now a sophomore and Matt has left elementary school behind for the halls of junior high. It’s hard to digest. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to breathe when I think about dropping Kyle off at college in a year. So, I’m calling this, “the year of making memories.” Sure, we’ve created our share of memorable moments over the years, but now I find myself wanting to take our kids to places they’ve never seen, offer new experiences and demand more family time. To that point, we recently spent a week in Tennessee. Karen and I have dubbed Florida as our “happy place.” When we have a chance to get away, we like to find a beach. The kids have seen and for the most part enjoyed various cities in the sunshine state, but we wanted to try something different. We spent a couple of days in Nashville and the remainder of the week in Pigeon Forge. If you had handed me a map and said pick a destination, Pigeon Forge would not have made the top ten. However, being a family that likes country music (don’t judge me) I thought Nashville might be fun. The discussion of Pigeon Forge started with Matt who wanted to go to an amusement park. We found Dollywood. Then Kyle mentioned wanting to do something in the Smoky Mountains. Kate loves anything to do with w a t e r. Very quickly, we found ourselves filling the vacation with new experiences. Dollywood was fun and truly felt like we were turning the clock back to a simpler time. We enjoyed the rides, the shows, the food and the simplicity of it. Next came zip-lining. The kids and I had never been. It was an incredible experience. We were on ten lines over-looking a beautiful area, the final line was a quarter mile long and took us over the Pigeon River. It was a double line and Kate and I went at the same time. I looked over to see Kate looking down at the beauty of the scenery below us. She had a beautiful smile on her face. Two hours later, we were boarding a raft with our guide for white-water rafting. Matt and I sat in the front of the raft and after the adventure began we were told the front paddlers set the pace for the paddling, thus determining whether we stay in the raft or end up in the river! Every time we would hit a rapid, Matt would laugh. It was infectious. At other times we would simply float down the pigeon river surrounded by the mountains. It was serene, breath-takingly beautiful and so peaceful. We stayed at a hotel not far from a place called the Island. It had a business called the Escape Game. You are locked in a room for an

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus

by Mike Mickle

hour. You have to find clues that help you solve a crime, find keys to unlock doors, chests or cabinets that hold other clues and hope to solve the mystery in time to escape. Our “senior” was relentless in his pursuit t o escape. Seeing his competitiveness and working with him and the other members of Team Mickle to solve the mystery was incredible. Every evening in Pigeon Forge we walked to the Island for dinner and some extra fun. Many times I walked with Kyle. We didn’t talk about anything important. We just talked. I put down my publisher’s hat. I didn’t fret over video projects that needed to be shot or proposals that needed to be drafted for potential clients. I was just a dad and husband completely wrapped up in his family. I believe the kids could sense that and it allowed them to relax and unwind. Kate texted one of her friends and said, “I’m officially in love with Tennessee.” Kyle said, “Dad, I actually think I could live here.” Matt is already wanting to return. Our last day in Pigeon Forge was our Smoky Mountain hike. Okay, actually we discovered a quarter mile nature trail, walked it, found a waterfall for pictures and called it a “win”. Our last night in Tennessee was spent in Nashville where we attended the Grand Ole Opry. The kids didn’t enjoy it, but tolerated because they knew dad wanted to go. We accomplished what I’d hoped for. We created memories. We also slowed down long enough to take stock in what is really important. So, as the clock ticks toward graduation and college, we are determined to make every minute count. Oh, and a side note, when Kyle heads off to college we’ll be moving with him. Just kidding. I suggested it already. Karen AND Kyle said no. Enjoy the school year, make some memories and look for some great collaborations between QC Family Focus and area schools this year! Best regards, Mike


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Starting School With Our Youngest Students… Sherri Moler Marceau Principal, Alan Shepard Elementary School North Scott Community School District

For once, my timing is impeccable. Today really is the first day of school at North Scott… I was able to welcome 53 Kindergarten students, 20 Pre-Kindergarten students (young five year olds…) and 37 four year olds to our building. WOW!! To be quite honest, we had more parents in tears that we did kids… By the way, we also greeted about 300 additional kids in first grade up through sixth grade. My adrenaline is pumping. To steal David Letterman’s thunder… the Top 10 List of what you can do to help your child adjust to these first weeks of school… 1. Establish a routine… 2. Have a set bedtime and stick to it on the weekends too… 3. Make sure you read a book at bedtime – it doesn’t get any better than that! 4. Avoid the clothing battle – pick out clothes the night before and relate the choices to the weather forecast… 5. Allow (only) two choices for breakfast – do you want cereal or a waffle in the toaster? 6. Provide an actual calendar of what’s happening on what day – daycare or home after preschool? 7. Talk with your child about what to expect, discuss their teachers and adults they will meet… 8. Ask them “What was the best thing that happened at school

today?” (If you ask, “How was school?” they will inevitably say, “good…”) 9. Sit down and have a meal as a family – talk about your day, share details so that your child knows your responsibilities and this will likely prompt additional conversation… 10. Repeat #3… Make sure you read a book at bedtime – it doesn’t get any better than that! Starting school is such an exciting time of year. Take lots of pictures, save them for their graduation party. (It will be here before you know it!) Cherish this time with your child and establish these routines of the importance of school, of learning, and of being a life-long learner. Model for your child that you continue to learn at your job, that the skills you obtained as a young student have helped you continue to learn and grow as an adult. Lastly, enjoy every moment as they grow up and mature – my daughter (who is 20) still refers to her favorite 5th grade teacher and the valuable knowledge he shared with her. My son is a teacher today because of the praise and guidance his Kindergarten teacher gave him as a six year old… “She told me I could be an engineer,” and today he teaches math and engineering classes! Write down the cute things your child says – you think you will remember, but you won’t. (Trust me!) Repeat #3… Make sure you read a book at bedtime – it doesn’t get any better than that!

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Helping Young Children Learn to Cooperate Brenda Boleyn, Ph.D. & Barbara Wiese, Ph.D. Professors in the School of Education at St. Ambrose University

“Two heads are better than one.” This simple adage provides a mental image for cooperation that, with a little further explanation, even young children can understand. Synonyms include teamwork, helpfulness, assistance, support, or give-and-take. Additional descriptions involve talking about cooperation as working together toward a common goal or for the purpose of arriving at a solution to a problem. Each individual puts forth effort and accepts responsibility for doing their part to achieve the group benefit. Joint action makes cooperation a process as well as a product. We live in a society that values cooperation as seen in the importance we place on sports teams, the world of business, or even in the functioning of governmental entities. Relationships are a part of life. Children start with those within their immediate and extended families which broadens to include family friends and other children in the neighborhood and eventually school settings. As adults we see the value in cooperation with family members, friends, coworkers, and in the community as a whole. Our young children also need to develop a “network” of relationships that gradually extends outward from the family and into the school and community environments as a basis for cooperation. Cooperative behavior is rooted in human development theory and studies involving children as young as three years old have shown that the same three basic tenets involving adult cooperative behavior (preference to share with close relatives, with those who have shared with them, and with others who they have known to share) also holds true for children (Olson and Spelke, 2007). What are some of the benefits our children gain by participating in cooperative activities? Cooperation helps in

developing and maintaining emotional health and friendlier feelings toward others. It helps improve self-esteem and a sense of control in one’s life. Sensitivity and trust are shown to increase toward others as well. Motivation is another benefit of cooperative experiences (Kohn, 1992). Cooperative activities also tend to reduce overall feelings of competition and to increase chances for success, which then leads to greater confidence and self-esteem. Selfconfident children are more easily able to share with others which then continues the cycle. Cooperation does not always happen naturally with young children and may have to be intentionally planned. Consider turning household chores into cooperative activities. Play games that involve cooperation. Have children take part in group activities, including lessons, sports, or scouts that will continue to allow them to experience cooperation with different people in different settings involving different skills. As always, finding a balance in a child’s life is important so as not to overwhelm him or her as abilities develop at each individual’s own rate. The self-improvement guru, Napoleon Hill, is quoted as saying, “Successful leaders must understand and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce followers to do the same. Leadership calls . . . for cooperation.” Who knows where your efforts to help your child develop their skills in cooperation will lead them? Stay tuned! wqpt.org/kids

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5 Tips for Less-Stress Parenting Kelly Jacobsen LSI family intake assessment worker

As summer ends and you and your family adjust to new routines, try these simple tips for reducing parent and family stress: The Power of Routines When you have built daily routines for your family, it can help keep peace during times of chaos. Mornings, mealtimes and bedtimes are often frustrating times for many parents. Consistent routines will help children feel safe, secure, establish healthy habits and set their own body clocks, making less time for tantrums or acting out. For example, a bedtime routine of a bath, reading a book, tuck-ins and goodnight hugs can promote family bonding and a less-stress lights out. The Power of Choice Power struggles can be very tiring and can weaken your relationship with your children. Parents get to make decisions for their families and themselves every day. Giving children their own limited choices can allow them to feel in control, while you still control the final outcome. For example, giving a child an option to clean her room before or after her snack gives her a choice, but you still set a standard for having a clean room. The Power of a Time-Out Time-outs aren’t just for children! As a parent, you may need a time-out once in a while to calm down. When you are feeling frustrated or angry about your child’s behavior or your day, it’s okay (and sometimes even better) to step away and calm yourself before dealing with the situation. Take a deep breath, ask for help from a friend or family member if needed and remove the tension. Parents are the best and first models for how their children learn to deal with stress and other feelings. Modeling these steps will help your children learn to handle their own frustration in a positive, healthy way. The Power of Laughter If we let the stresses of day-to-day life get us down, we may find ourselves releasing that frustration on our children or family. Make it a point to find the fun or humor in your daily stressors, and it may help put you and your family in a better mood when you are together. 8

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The Power of Planning This may sound simple, but even a few minutes of planning ahead will make a less stressful day. Try to eliminate as much stress as possible by taking a few minutes in the evening to plan for tomorrow. This can be as simple as getting a day’s outfits in order, putting a backpack by the door for a school-age child or placing your car keys in an easy-to-find spot. Your morning and your family dynamics will be much less stressful.


YO YO COOKIES!

Ela Ersan, Hopewell Elementary, 5th gr. My babysitter Brooke and I are back in my kitchen and this time we’re making delicious Yo-Yo Cookies! As you can see from the picture they look like yo-yos! These cookies are super easy to make! Preheat your oven to 350°. Ingredients: - Two packages of Devil’s Food Cake mix of your choice. - 4 eggs - 2/3 cup of oil Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and roll into small balls and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Frosting: - 8 ounces of cream cheese - 1/2 cup butter -4 cups powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons vanilla - Mix everything into a bowl until you have a light creamy mixture and then spread it between cookies to make a sandwich! Keep chilled! I like to eat them right out of the freezer because they they don’t freeze really hard just enough to be super good and cold! These cookies are very yummy, and great with a big glass of cold milk! They also make a great after school snack. QC Family Focus - September 2015 9


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September 2015 - QC Family Focus


Learning Styles of Children Jill D. Evola-Vokt Education Consultant, Tutor Doctor QCA

One size (style) does not fit all. Effective teachers try to understand how individual children take in and process information. They realize that not all children learn the same way. Learning styles describe the ways in which individual children acquire information, evaluate it, and then examine their findings. Learning styles in general are applicable to all content areas and settings. Effective teachers try to present materials in ways that will interest children and help them to absorb the information. Understanding a child’s learning style helps accomplish this. Most theories of learning styles, beginning with the theory of Carl Jung in 1927, focus on the personality and motivation of the individual. Most learning style theories place individuals into four groups of learners, with approximate percentages for each group. The following model by Silver, Strong, and Perini (1997) is a good example. • Mastery Style Learners: Absorb information concretely step by step. They value practicality and clarity (35 percent). • Understanding Learners: Work with ideas and abstractions using methods of questioning and reasoning. They value logic and evidence (35 percent).

• Self-Expressive Learners: Learn through feelings and seeing images in materials. They value originality (12 percent). • Interpersonal Learners: Work with others using concrete ideas. Results should be of social value. They are the future humanitarians or volunteers (18 percent). Currently, most learning style theorists believe that individuals become more flexible in the ways they approach learning as they gain knowledge and experience. Eventually most individuals will have a favored learning style but will use other learning styles when necessary. Teachers can help children develop a profile of their preferred learning style but should also encourage them to utilize other ways to process information. This will give them more options in the future. If you would like a free personal consultation to asses your child’s learning style, contact Jill EvolaVokt at Tutor Doctor QCA, 563 468-3763, jevolavokt@ tutordoctor.com, www.tutordoctorqca.com

Our children are back in school and the homework is pouring in. QC Family Focus and Tutor Doctor want to help an area student reach his or her full potential. Our friends at Tutor Doctor are giving away one tutoring package valued at $100. To enter, fill out the form below! Name_______________________________________________________ Address__________________________City________________________ Phone Number______________Student’s Name _____________________ Student’s Grade/Teacher____________Student’s School _____________

Subject Student Wants To Be Tutored In__________________________

I pick up my copy of QCFF at__________________________________

Send Entries to: Tutor Doctor To The Rescue! C/O QC Family Focus Magazine, Bettendorf, IA 52722 Only one entry per child. Must be postmarked by September 16th! Good luck! QC Family Focus - September 2015 11


School Attendance Is A Community Issue

Jennifer Walker Vice President of Brand Strategy & Marketing United Way of the Quad Cities Area

In several elementary schools throughout the Quad Cities area, at least 10% of the students are chronically absent each year, meaning they miss at least one-tenth of the school year. National data show that chronically absent students are less likely to be reading by third grade and less likely to graduate high school. Attendance habits form early. Students who are chronically absent in kindergarten are almost four times as likely to continue to have attendance problems through the higher grades. This, in turn, impacts their academic performance. Students who were chronically absent in kindergarten: • Score 20% lower in reading and math in the higher grades • Are twice as likely to have to repeat a grade • Are twice as likely to be suspended before the end of 7th grade In the early grades, chronic absence often has little to do with truancy or willfully skipping school. Instead, children stay home because of chronic illness, unreliable transportation, housing issues, or simply because their parents don’t understand how quickly absences can add up. Missing just two days of school each month doesn’t seem like a lot. But if a student misses two days of school each month for the entire school year, that’s 10% of the school year, and he or she is chronically absent. And this is not just a school problem. People who have bad attendance habits in school are more likely to have those same bad habits once they enter the work force, which in turn makes it harder to keep a job or to be promoted to higher-paying positions. The local trade unions state that poor attendance habits are one of the most common reasons why candidates fail to complete their apprenticeship programs. We the undersigned, leaders from throughout the Quad Cities community, are joining a nationwide Call to Action and pledging to make improved attendance a top priority for this school year. We are calling on the whole community to help. If we want the Quad Cities to continue to grow and prosper, each of us needs to do our part to make sure our children benefit as much as possible from the educational opportunities our community provides them. What can you do to help the children in your neighborhoods, in your extended families, in your 12

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congregations, get to school on time, every day? For more information go to unitedwayqc.org. The members of the United Way of the Quad Cities Area Education Council • Tara Barney, Quad Cities Chamber • Scott Crane, United Way of the Quad Cities Area • Dr. Don Doucette, Eastern Iowa Community College • Mara Sovey Downing, John Deere Foundation • Mike Ellison, Quad City Electrical Training Center • Dr. Julia Hensch, Genesis Health Group • Kristin Humphries, East Moline School District • Subha Kalathur, Women’s Leadership Council • Matt Lienen, Local 25 Plumbers & Pipefitters • Lanty McGuire, Moline / Coal Valley School District • Dr. Jay Morrow, United Township School District • Dr. Mike Oberhaus, Rock Island / Milan School District • John Riches, Alcoa • Sherry Ristau, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend • Dr. Joe Rives, Western Illinois University – Quad Cities • Dr. Theron Schutte, Bettendorf Community School District • Dr. Jim Spelhaug, Pleasant Valley Community School District • Joe Stutting, North Scott Community School District • Dr. Art Tate, Davenport Community School District • Dr. Bettie Truitt, Black Hawk College • Berlinda Tyler-Jamison, Rock Island County NAACP


School’s Back! Pam Kirsch Learning Supports Specialist, Dropout Prevention

Davenport Schools

With school back in session, it’s time for parents and students to leave the lazy days of summer behind and dig in for the school year! No matter the grade, there are things that every household can do to help ease the transition from summer to a new school year, and perhaps a new school, to help each student be successful. Attendance is a major factor in school success. Students who miss nine days or less per year have an easier time than those who are absent more frequently. There will, most likely, be times when students need to miss school due to illnesses involving a fever or vomiting or an appointment, but if at all possible, limit those times away from school. If students are absent, be sure to contact the teacher to see what needs to be made up. Send your child ready to learn. A nutritious breakfast and getting a good night’s sleep are important to being ready to learn. If the school allows, send a water bottle with you child. A hydrated brain is able to focus more. Visit the school and the school website. Get to know the staff, the building, and school and discipline polices so that you can support positive behavior and school expectations. Know the school calendar, dates of class trips, testing dates, concerts, parent teacher conferences and other important dates and help your child keep track of his/her schedule. Students need to be taught time management and organizational skills and keeping a calendar can help. Know how to reach staff to check on student progress or concerns. Teach organizational and study skills. Just because a teacher hasn’t assigned homework doesn’t mean there isn’t studying to do. Review the day’s lessons, teach students how to use a calendar/ assignment notebook or create a “to do” list. Clean backpacks out every night. Hang special papers on the fridge and toss anything you don’t need. Schedule homework time: review for tests, practice. Teach your child how to break down big tasks into smaller tasks to make it more manageable. Finally, make time to talk about school. What does your child like about school, where do they struggle? Parent teacher conferences are a great

time to share perspectives and seek ways to help your child at home. Ask the teacher for suggestions of things you can do at home or websites that can support their learning or increase skills. Being active in your child’s education and being a partner with the school to support learning lays a strong foundation for school success. Finally, don’t wait for problems to get worse. If you notice your child struggling, seek help from the school right away. Have a happy school year!!

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September Kicks off Library Card Sign-up Time Lisa Lockheart Publicity and Outreach Liaison Rock Island Public Library

September marks the time when libraries across the country, including Rock Island, remind parents that the most important school supply of all is at your library - it’s your library card. This year’s official Library Card Sign-up Month “spokesperson” is Snoopy. The world famous beagle, sometimes known as Joe Cool, The Flying Ace, The Masked Marvel, Man’s Best Friend, and the Literary Ace, wants to remind you that libraries are cooler than cool. With a free, full access Rock Island Card, you can connect to some very cool print and digital resources, including: • HelpNow online tutoring, homework help and practice tests • JobNow interview and resume coaching, career assessment and more tools • Mango Online language learning • World Book Online encyclopedia, for trusted online research • TumbleBooks and Scholastic BookFlix reading support Your Rock Island Library card also lets you Go Mobile, with free eBooks and audiobooks, Hoopla digital music, movies, comic books and audiobooks, and Freegal music downloads to enjoy on a mobile device. Digital resources are available online anytime, and return automatically. Offering programs and services for all ages, the library is where learning begins. Not to mention access to new authors, computer time, and new items to check out, from cultural passes to Cricut cartridges. If you live outside of Rock Island or Milan, check with the library in your home city for details about cool services available to your family. For more details on how to sign up for a Rock Island Library card, visit any Rock Island Library, call 309-732-READ or visit www.rockislandlibrary.org. Peanuts is syndicated in over 2000 newspapers worldwide, and is translated into 21 languages. Celebrating 65 years of making us laugh, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts Gang can be found in publications from Simon and Schuster, Abrams Comic Arts, Running Press, Andrews McMeel, and more. Snoopy Library Card sign-up art used with permission.

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Reading program presents a free concert with—

LAURA DOHERTY Acoustically rocking your child’s world with sweet, folkinspired tunes for the family!

Laura is a Chicago-based nationally touring children’s recording artist. Join us—

Thurs, Sept. 24 6:30 to 7:30 pm Rock Island Main Library 401 19th Street

Free book for children ages 2 to 5— courtesy of the Merrill Harris Fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation 309-732-READ (7323) rockislandlibrary.org


Red Rover Children’s Learning Center Uses a Mix of Methods to Instruct Children

More and more learning institutions are turning to online methods for instructing children. Red Rover Children’s Learning Center, a cutting-edge developmental child care organization, provides not only digital education, but also other equally important learning methods. “A lot of changes are happening in today’s schools,” said Katie Seifert, Center Director at Red Rover Children’s Learning Center, located at 3445 Spring Street, Davenport, IA. “Many schools are using electronic methods, as opposed to paperwork. In our preschool class, 40% of the learning experience is electronic and 60% is composed of hands-on projects.” As part of the digital aspect of their curriculum, the Center uses an impressive innovation called the Smart Board in their preschool classroom. “Basically, it’s a huge, interactive touch-screen, which we can use with interactive CDs,” Katie said. “Kids enjoy using the Smart Board. It’s important for kids to have fun while learning.” According to Katie, one of their most successful hands-on programs is Handwriting Without Tears®. “We use chalkboards to help kids become familiar with the different shapes of letters,” she said. Other hands-on projects include drawing and coloring, as well as 3D forms of artwork, such as molding clay and other crafts. “Our kids work with some form of art every day,” she added. Teske’s Pet & Garden Center brought friendly animals to visit the kids last month, while this month a petting zoo will travel to Red Rover Children’s Learning Center. “Pet care helps to teach kids about responsibility,” Katie said. “Our Center has pet fish in the different rooms, and kids get to help feed the fish.” Currently, 76 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, are enrolled at Red Rover Children’s Learning Center. One child comes from as far away as Port Byron, Illinois. Owners Brian and Maggie DeLaney opened Red Rover Children’s Learning Center in March 2013. Katie, who oversees operations, has been the Center Director since day one. A Cure for Crankiness As all parents know, children can become cranky when they get tired or frustrated. “If a child is having a bad day, we find that ‘redirection’ can brighten their mood,” Katie said. “I provide them with a mental change of scenery by letting them do something different. That takes their mind off whatever was upsetting them.” Kate noted that children can also become upset when they feel they are not being heard. “We listen to what they have to say,” she said. “We make it a point to treat them as individuals.” The Center’s hands-on approach is centered around age-appropriate developmental experiences. The home-like Center provides a stimulating experience that encourages play, learning, and exploration in a developmentally appropriate environment. Red Rover Children’s Learning Center is open from 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information about preschool or child care, call (563) 359-9899, visit www. RedRoverCLC.com, or email rrinfo@RedRoverCLC.com.

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Phone: 563.359.9899 Monday –IA Friday martial arts, music, dance Davenport, IA 52807 Davenport, 52807 Phone: 563.359.9899 3445 Spring Street of green cleaning products to Use Certified nutritionist approved 6:45am to 5:30 pm Davenport, IA 52807 3445 Spring Street promote the highest Street health, and lunches and snacks Phone: 563.359.9899 Phone: 563.359.9899 3445 Spring Co www.RedRoverCLC.com cleanliness standards Phone: 563.359.9899 3382 M www.RedRoverCLC.com Davenport, IA 52807 Safe and stimulating environment Davenport, IA 52807 in a new state of the art building Extracurricular Activities: art, 3445 Spring Street with high tech security and an www.RedRoverCLC.com www.RedRoverCLC.com 5 Phone: 563.359.9899 www.RedRoverCLC.com C ertified nutritionist approved martial music, dance accessarts, control system to enter the facility. Davenport, IA 52807 Phone: lunches563.359.9899 and snacks MQC Family FocusStrategies - September 2015 15 Teaching GOLD® , Phone: 563.359.9899 www.RedRoverCLC.com The Creative Curriculum®, and Extracurricular Activities: art, Handwriting Without Tears® to


What To Do About Childhood Trauma Family Resources / Child Abuse Council of the Quad-Cities

Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are serious traumas that occur during childhood and often follow us well into our senior years. What we know from research is that children who face traumas such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing domestic violence are much more likely to develop social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Adults who have experienced childhood trauma are more likely to develop difficulties with substance abuse, mental health, divorce, holding down a job, parenting, domestic violence, and incarceration. Childhood trauma survivors also develop serious health issues such as: heart disease, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Childhood Trauma can include: • Loss of a parent to divorce, abandonment, or death • Household substance abuse • Caregiver treated violently • Household mental illness • Emotional neglect • Incarceration of a parent or caregiver • Physical neglect • Emotional abuse • Sexual abuse • Physical abuse Trauma can also include many other circumstances such as witnessing an accident or crime, bullying, being homeless, discrimination, natural disasters, and war... Trauma is experienced individually and there are many things individuals, friends, and families can do to help.

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus

But there is Hope. Experiencing an ACE doesn’t define us or predict our future! Experiencing ACEs is not uncommon. In fact, 55% of adults report experiencing at least 1 ACE, and 1 in 5 adults report experiencing 4 or more. Experiencing an ACE doesn’t define us or predict our future, but it does provide us with new insight and understanding into some of the causes of child and adult social, emotional, and health related issues. With new understanding comes a new opportunity for healing and growth. By changing the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What’s happened to you?” we begin to understand our challenges, and find new ways to improve the lives of children, individuals, families, and seniors. Whether you are a parent of a child, or an adult or senior who has experienced trauma in your lifetime, there are also many counselors in our community who understand ACEs and who are available to help. For more information and to learn more about ACEs or seek counseling, please visit:

Family Resources www.famresorg/tic (563) 445-0557 Child Abuse Council of the Quad-Cities www.childabuseqc.org (309) 736-7170


Back To School: Kids With Language Delay

Maura Curran M.S. CCC-SLP University of Iowa

The start of the school year can be an exciting time! Unfortunately, it can also be frustrating for kids with language delays and their parents. These kids deserve to have a great start to the school year, and have a lot of strengths! Parents can use some strategies to help kids with language delay have a great back-to-school experience. Talk about your summer. Teachers and friends often ask about what kids did during the summer. Kids love to talk about their experiences, but kids with language delay may not know the right words, or may leave out important details. Parents can help by talking with kids about the summer. Talk about something you enjoyed together – even if it was just a trip to the library! Tell the story from start to end. This helps by giving your child an idea of what to say, and how to say it. You can also help your child practice telling the story. Ask questions, like “Where did we go next?” Practice the same story a few times, because it will get easier each time. If you get a chance, have your child practice telling the story to someone else. All this practice will help your child be ready to tell the story at school. Ask specific questions. Parents often ask kids “What did you do at school today?” This can be a tough question for kids with language delay, especially at the start of the school year! Everything is new, and a lot that happens during the day. It can be hard for kids to pick out the important part of the day, and put it into words. They may just tell you “Nothing” or “I dunno.” This can be very frustrating for parents! Ask questions about specific parts of the day. If it’s hard for your child to answer, it’s OK to give a few choices. You can try questions like “What did you play in gym?” or “Did you have art or music?” You can also start with a comment, and see if your child keeps the conversation going. Try something like “I heard it was pizza day!” or “I bet you had inside recess today.” Break down directions. Kids with language delay often have a hard time with homework or school projects. Even math worksheets can have long directions which have difficult words and concepts. Parents can help by making sure your child understands the directions, and giving smaller steps. If a worksheet has a paragraph to explain what to do, try giving one or two steps at a time. See if your child can put it into her own words. If there are any words your child doesn’t understand, try using more familiar words or explaining the new words. Have a great year! Parents can help kids with language delay can have a great back-to-school experience. If you have questions about language delay, or are concerned about your child’s language, you can find more information at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/

Does your child have a language delay?

Past Tense Intervention Research Study Purpose

To study how treatment materials affect how quickly children learn past tense using generally accepted treatment methods. Children receive up to 36 intervention visits free. Children receive up to $300 for participation. Caregivers may receive a summary of all testing for their child, whether or not their child qualiies to participate.

Who Qualiies?

4 – 9 year old English-speaking children who have trouble learning language and don’t have autism, hearing impairments, or mental retardation. Children who are not using past tense –ed verbs reliably.

Caregiver Responsibilities

Bring your child to a local site (school, daycare, community center) for up to 5 preliminary visits to evaluate your child’s communication skills. Allow your child to attend intervention sessions 2 – 3 times per week, for a total of 36 intervention sessions at an agreed upon location near you. Bring your child to the intervention site for testing sessions at the end stud of the study. You do not have to travel to the University of Iowa; we will travel to you. Contact the Grammar Acquisition Lab Amanda Owen Van Horne Ph.D., CCC-SLP University of Iowa Phone: (319) 335 – 8113 Email: amanda-owen-vanhorne@uiowa.edu

QC Family Focus - September 2015 17


Education

It’s Time To

Evin Ersan Junior Reporter for QC Family Focus Magazin e

All my life, my parents have talked to me about putting stuff away, not losing things, watching the time and basically, being organized. I’ve relied on my parents to help make sure that I get where I need to be and remind me of what I need to do. Now, it looks like the days of someone else managing my schedule are over. My parents recently sat me down and informed me that things are changing. They told me that now that I’m going into 8th grade, I’m old enough to handle more of my own business. They said they would help, but I would have to become more involved in planning my activities and school events. I will be responsible for knowing when my classes and events are held. I will need to compile contact information for my teachers. I will be responsible for ensuring the completion of every extra credit assignment, and for making sure I have all my school supplies (my mom buys my supplies but I need to be more involved than before). My parents will still drive me and offer some help, but this year, they will look to me to maintain my schedule. Basically, I have a TON going on, and I need to get organized FAST! My parents and I came up with a plan to help me get organized this year. I thought I’d share the plan with all of you, since you might find it helpful. We came up with five time-commitment categories I need to keep updated: 1.) SCHOOL: Classes, assignments, tests, extra credit, big projects, field trips or outings. 2.) SPORTS: Practices, games/events, out-of-town sporting events. 3.) EXTRA ACTIVITIES / CLUBS 18

September 2015 - QC Family Focus

4.) FAMILY EVENTS / TRIPS 5.) FREE TIME / ME TIME Within these categories, one thing is very important: TRANSPORTATION. I will need to be more involved with who’s picking me up and taking me home. I used to leave that up to my parents, but now I need to tell them where to be, or figure out rides and communicate with them. Here is my 10-step checklist for getting organized. STEP 1: Build a calendar. I am planning to do this on my iPad. I can use the calendar function and also set reminders. You can also do this on your smartphone, if you have one. For those of you who don’t have devices, you can use a regular calendar and your student assignment notebook. While the assignment notebooks are okay, it’s also good to see the whole week and even the whole month at one time. It’s easy to get caught up in a few days of work and then all of a sudden, you flip the page and BAM ... something is due that you forgot about! STEP 2: Fill in the important dates for all time-commitment categories. STEP 3: Once homework starts to come in, mark the calendar with assignment due-dates. For bigger projects, put reminders throughout the calendar. STEP 4: Review my calendar with my parents to see if I’ve missed anything. We’ll need to figure out what to do if any events overlap. STEP 5: Update my calendar and my reminders daily. STEP 6: Organize my desk at home. STEP 7: Be sure files on my computer are named well, so they can be found later. STEP 8: Have special locations for important things, so I can always find them. Such items include my backpack, phone, iPad, chargers, books, zip drives, sports equipment, and uniforms. STEP 9: Factor in timing. My mom made an interesting point: everything usually takes more time than one expects. My mom said to add at least 10 to 20 minutes onto any project. STEP 10: Most importantly, start early and stay on top of all that I have going on. It’s easy to start something and be all pumped up about it in the beginning, but as the days go by, you lose your discipline. This year, with my parents’ help, I’m going to work on making sure I stay organized. In the long run, it will actually be less stressful. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” Check out my video link below, where I talk more about being organized and show you a few tricks for keeping on schedule! To watch their video, scan the QR code or visit https://vimeo. com/137139860


Dedication Self-Knowledge: Knowing Who You Are Tawnya Hambly Public Relations Director, JA of the Heartland www.jaheartland.org right choices for you. Below is a list of choices. Using your self-knowledge triangle, circle the best choice for you. • Going to school or skipping school. You choose! • Completing extra credit activities or not completing extra credit activities. You choose! • Signing up for a school activity or not signing up for a school activity. You choose! • Wearing clothes that meet school rules or wearing clothes that do not meet school rules. You choose! • Helping a classmate who is struggling with an assignment or rushing off to recess. You choose! As you get older, your skills, interests, and values will change. It’s important to take a moment to look in the mirror and remember who you are. Doing so, will help you make the best choices for you! Article content is a part of JA Economics for Success® curriculum.

Life insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. I can help you protect your family at an affordable price. Many people think that life insurance is an unnecessary expense. But it’s not having the coverage you need that can really cost your family. Let me show you affordable options. Call me today. Christy Cox 563-359-4079 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. Davenport a062020@allstate.com

Availability from a particular company varies by product. Subject to availability and qualifications. Life insurance issued by Allstate Life Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL, and Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Lincoln, NE. In New York life insurance issued by Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Co.

97347

With school back in full-swing, you will be faced with many decisions to make. Will you go to school? What will you wear? Will you take the time to complete extra credit activities? Will you challenge yourself with a personal goal? Will you choose hot or cold lunch? Some decisions may be easy; while others can be hard. To help make the best decisions for you – let’s take a look in the mirror and get to know yourself better. As you go through life, it is important for you to gain self-knowledge. This is the special qualities each person has; including skills, interests, and values. Self-knowledge helps in making good decisions. Activity: The Self-Knowledge Triangle Take a blank piece of notebook paper and draw a large triangle in the center. The triangle represents selfknowledge. At the lower left of the triangle, write skills. A skill is a person’s talents and abilities. For example, drawing, playing basketball, solving math problems, or riding a horse. Everyone has talents and skills. Many skills are learned in school and used later in life. That is one reason education is so important – it’s a chance to learn new skills that can be used for a lifetime. At the lower right corner of the triangle, write interests. An interest is a person’s favorite activities or hobbies. For example, playing sports, reading a book, or being with friends and family. Sometimes your interests are the same as your skills; that means you enjoy doing what you are good at. At the top of the triangle, write values. A value is what a person believes in. For example, concern for others, honesty, reliability, and fairness. Next to the skills label on your self-knowledge triangle, write your three top skills. What are you good at? Next to the interest label, write three things that interest you the most. What do you like to do? Then, write three things that interest you the least. Next to the value label, write your top three values. What’s important to you? The self-knowledge triangle is a tool you can use to help make good decisions. By having a better understanding of what matters the most to you will help in making the

QC Family Focus - September 2015 19


Interns Earn Cash and Experience

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union

Have you ever thought about doing an internship? Internships provide both money and experience toward a future career. Some internships are available for middle school students, and more are available for high school students. Internships give you something that many conventional jobs don’t—experience. In an internship: • Employers teach you the ropes of various jobs in a real work environment. • If you get paid at all, it’s at a flat internship rate. Your pay might not be called “pay,” but “award” or some other term, like “stipend.” • Your employer knows you’ll be moving on as soon as the school year ends or within some other predetermined time. There are a lot of benefits to internships. You may have thought of the two obvious benefits: You could get paid and it’s fun. But, whether you get paid or not, there are some benefits you probably didn’t think of: • Internships give you experience and useful skills for future careers.

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus

• You learn things that you wouldn’t learn in school. • You can see if a field interests you. • You could discover new talents or interests. You can find out about internships in these ways: • Surf the Web • Check your local newspaper • Ask family, friends, teachers, librarians, or reference experts in museums if they know of opportunities Internships are a great way to earn money, and they can give you the experience you need for the future.


A Parents’ Guide to STEM Careers Kirk Marske Director, Career Cruising Quad Cities

Ask hiring representatives from any industry about their recruitment and you will likely hear the same feedback: It’s hard to find qualified employees who fit their job opportunities. Most job listings draw plenty of resumes and applications, but often there are not enough qualified applicants. In some industries, employers’ hiring challenges are further complicated by the reality that a large portion of their workforce is quickly approaching retirement age. Not only are these industries at risk of losing reliable, qualified, and experienced workers, but valuable “institutional knowledge” will be lost if the rate of retirement outpaces the hiring. In other words, current employees will not be around to train the new employees. In recent years, many employers with careers in science, technology, engineering, and math have supported a collective effort to develop their workforce in anticipation of mass retirements within 5 to 10 years. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers represent a wide variety of occupations with a full range of education requirements. Recently, the ALCOA Foundation, based in New York, surveyed 1,035 parents of K-12 students about their viewpoint on STEM careers. The survey shows parents are supportive of STEM careers: 77 percent said they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to encourage their student to pursue a career in manufacturing industries. While the results showing strong parental support for STEM careers is encouraging for the industry, the survey also revealed parents may have some drastic misperceptions about STEM opportunities.

Ship a pizza • Join our eClub

www.happyjoes.com

• Twenty-one percent of respondents associate manufacturing and trade jobs with minimum wage salaries lacking health insurance and benefits. • Fifty-five percent of respondents thought the average wage for manufacturing employees was $15 per hour or less. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show the average salary for entry-level manufacturing engineers is $60,000 and 90 percent of manufacturing workers have medical benefits. Quad Cities students and their parents can learn about STEM careers in Career Cruising Quad Cities (CCQC). CCQC features more than 80 STEM-related careers – from Aerospace Engineer, Climatologist, and Food Scientist to Marine Biologist, Paleontologist, Zoologist, and more. CCQC Career Profiles provide job descriptions for each career, along with earnings information, education requirements, sample career paths, and other informative resources. Many of the CCQC Career Profiles have on-line Career Coaches to answer students’ questions and offer Work-based Learning Activities like company tours and job shadows, too. While the STEM career skills gap presents hiring challenges for employers, it also provides quality, high-demand jobs with good pay, health insurance, and benefits for employees with the right skills! Career Cruising Quad Cities is a web-based career exploration program administered by Junior Achievement of the Heartland in partnership with The Moline Foundation. To learn more and volunteer, visit www.CareerCruisingQuadCities.org.

Take Advantage Of Our Great

School & Event Programs! Restaurant Tours

Scrip Program

Happy Reader Program

Pizza by the Slice

Player of the Week

Walking Tacos

Fundraising Cards

Ice Cream/Joegurt Social Fundraiser Nights

y Happ

Fundraising options vary by location. Please ask for specific details at the location nearest you!

QC Family Focus - September 2015 21


Clearly, Confidently, Creatively Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) is the second oldest children’s theatre in America! Founded in 1951, DJT is a proud program of Davenport Parks and Recreation (DPR). DJT provides theatre and dance programs for kids ages 3-18. In the past six years, this program has grown from 400 to over 1,500 annual enrollments. What is its recipe for success? “We believe in every child,” said Daniel Sheridan, Performing Arts Supervisor for DPR and Artistic Director of DJT. “Our job is to create that special environment where exploration and fun are the norm. Then kids really start to open up and develop their skills.” “For Kids, By Kids” has been DJT’s motto for generations. The goal is to give every child the tools to speak clearly, confidently and creatively no matter where life may lead them. Oh! And of course, there is a lot of fun to be had in the process. THEATRE - Theatre classes include (ages 3 – 18): Broadway Babies (3-4yrs), Creative Theatre Fun (3-4yrs), Acting (5-6, 7-9, 10-12yrs), Broadway (5-6, 7-9, 10-12), Teen Acting, Stagecraft Design, Sound Design, Theatre Improv, an all-new Magic Workshop and more! DANCE - In 2011, DJT launched its all new School of Dance. This non-competitive program focuses on the joy of learning. A specific emphasis is placed on

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affordability so more people can access professional quality dance. Children develop the poise and confidence to succeed their whole life long. Dance classes include (ages 1.5 – 18): Budding Ballet (3-4yrs), Tumble Tots (3-4yrs), Mommy/Daddy & Me (1.5-3yrs), Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Dance Poms Team, Tumbling, and more! SPECTRUM - In 2013, DJT started their Spectrum Theatre program. Whether living with autism or other developmental challenges that inhibit communication, this program gives a place for kids to hone skills while doing theatre and having fun. The focus is on developing the whole child in a recreational environment. HOMESCHOOL - A Homeschool Theatre / Dance program is launching this fall. For the first time, homeschool families will be able to access theatre and dance programs together during the daytime hours. Davenport Junior Theatre is ready for a school year full of exploration and fun. What’s the only thing missing? Your kiddos! Be sure to join DJT for their great programs. Get the details on their website or give them a call! Classes start September 12. Davenport Junior Theatre, www. DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 563/326-7862, Classes start September 12


Pine Hill Cemetery Association

FREE

Family Fun Day

with lots of activities for kids of all ages.

160 YEARS

Saturday Oct. 17 - from 10 to 4

1530 E. 39th Street Davenport, IA

Kids

2015 RIDETOBERFEST Bicycle Ride to Benefit the Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation Saturday, September 12, 2015 Eldridge, Iowa • 50 Mile Fun Ride - $45 • 20 Mile Fun Ride - $30

Grades 4 - 8* Fall 2019533

$80 per Pro Series $72 (Putnam Members) Pro Series meets weekly for 6 weeks Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.

-1 (563) 324 rg putnam.o

*Current grade to participate in the after school series. No classes during the week of Nov. 22.

Six weeks of exciting hands-on learning that allow youth to dive deep into innovating concepts. See class descriptions online!

>> Register online at www.putnam.org

4:00 pm Meal, Entertainment & 2 drink tickets included with registration at 350 Grille, 350 E LeClaire Rd, Eldridge, IA

For More information or to register

www.HappyJoesKids.org/upcoming-events for updates

1717 W. 12th Street Davenport, IA 52804 (563) 324-1933

QC Family Focus - September 2015 23


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September 2015 - QC Family Focus


Member Studio Contact Information: Expressions of the QC Dance Academy 2714 Central Avenue Bettendorf, IA 52722 563-355-7818 www.expressionsoftheqcdanceacademy.com Dance Works 2705 Hickory Grove Rd. Davenport, IA 52804 www.danceworks5678.net 563-323-3630 The Dance Connection 1018-15th Avenue - East Moline, IL 61244 309-755-9722 Tina’s Dance Studio & Tumbling Center 2100 E. LeClaire Rd. Box 343 Eldridge, IA 52748 563-285-2222 www.tinasdancestudioinc.biz

Belle Academy of Dance www.BelleAcademyDance.com 2115 Belle Ave. • Davenport, IA 52803 563-324-7330 Jenny’s Dance Academy 710 West Mayne Street - Blue Grass, IA 563-381-4565 www.jennysdanceacademy.com Above the Barre 2660 E.53rd Street #9 - 563-359-3222 www.abovethebarredanceacademy.com Dance Centers of Iowa 1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport IA 52804 www.Dancecentersofiowa.com Phone: 563-386-6632 The Dancer’s Place 6632 Northwest Blvd - Davenport, IA 52806 www.dancers-place.com • 563-823-0704

QC Family Focus - September 2015 25


This Winter, El Niño Figures Into Weather Predictions Area Schools

James Zahara Storm Team 8, Chief Meteorologist WQAD HD News 8

I know, I know. The calendar may say September, but most feel that with football season already in first gear, it won’t be long before going to these game in short sleeves and shorts will be replaced by an extra layered jacket and gloves, by the time the season is all said and done. That means winter will be here before you know it. Or will it? Many predictions are being thrown out about what winter will be like. One thing’s for sure: The phrase ‘El Niño’ is a guarantee this winter. Maybe one of the strongest in the last 50 years! El Niño occurs when ocean water temperatures rise above normal across the central and eastern Pacific near the equator. El Niño typically reaches its peak during the December through February period. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predicts a 90% chance that it will last through the upcoming winter … and an 80% chance it will last through Spring 2016. If we forecast what could potentially happen this winter based solely on El Niño, it would produce a split flow across the Midwest. Locally, that means our temperatures will trend above normal and snowfall amounts would be below normal. Less cold, less snow to shovel. However, other elements, though smaller, may tweak that pattern a bit. For example, take a look at the strong El Niño of 1997 compared to our present year. What really sticks out is how warm the Northern Pacific ocean is. The red color (indicating warmer than normal temperatures) is also located there as well. This oscillation, as I like to call it, could very well impact the storm track from dropping some very cold air straight down from the Arctic, especially as we get into the deeper period of winter. Combine that with any southern moisture thrown northward and you have the makings of some pretty decent snowfall. This would possibly hold true for states like Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky. So, if we take these two elements into account, the potential – and let’s stress that word, ‘potential’ – pattern for the upcoming winter would go as follows: DECEMBER: Warmer and drier. JANUARY: Still warmer than normal, average snowfall. FEBRUARY: Colder and snowier, might extend into early March. Normally the Quad Cities sees, on average, around 31.6” of snowfall. We could come pretty close to this amount, given the information above. But remember, even with the information we have, more facts are still needed to make the picture this winter a bit clearer. Time will tell and I’ll let you know.

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Beatin’ Leukemia Iowa Style WHEN? 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept 26, 2015

WHERE?

On the LeClaire Levee, LeClaire, IA JOIN US for Live Music, Food, Drinks, and Kids’ Activities to Raise Money for Life-Saving Leukemia Research and Treatment and the Iowa Marrow Donor Program. FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.cureitwithcorn.com. TO VOLUNTEER OR DONATE, call Carrie, 563-508-1014 or Jim, 563-343-3356.

Iowa Marrow Donor Program A donor center for

LIKE US on Facebook: Facebook.com/UIMDP www.join.bethematch.org/CureItWithCorn


Discover Healthy Products and Services at Healthy, Happy Families Fun Day Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications

Quad-Cities family members, from preschoolers to grandparents, can have fun and learn about healthy area products and services at Healthy, Happy Families Fun Day, a new event created to foster community health awareness. The event will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave., Rock Island, IL. It is sponsored by the Healthy Happy Families Foundation, Mickle Communications, QC Family Focus, and Genesis Sports Rehabilitation. “The mission of our foundation is to strengthen families with a pro-active approach, empowering children with good decision-making skills and parents with resources,” said Mike Mickle, Founder of the Healthy, Happy Families Foundation. A variety of booth sponsors will be on hand at the event to share information on their health-related products and services. Admission is free and family members of every age are welcome. A highlight of Healthy, Happy Families Fun Day will be a Fitness Challenge for area students, Mike noted. “High school teams of four will compete against each other in fun, athletic events,” he said. Other features of the event will include: ● Food Tastings ● Health Screenings ● Bounce Houses for the Kids ● Sponsor Giveaways ● Car Seat Safety Checks

● Massage Chairs ● Fingernail Painting ● Face Painting “Businesses and community members who’d like to get involved should feel free to contact us,” Mike said. “We expect a big turn-out and it’s going to be a lot of fun!” For more information on Healthy, Happy Families Fun Day, contact Mike Mickle at (563) 940-7875 or mike@micklecommunications.com.

QC Family Focus - September 2015 27


HEALTHY HABITS FOR Dental Education Program Reaches QC Area Schools HEALTHY HABITS FOR MOTHER AND BABY MOTHER AND BABY

Karen A. Wadsworth, R.D.H. Alex Brandtner Children’s Dentistry

Brooke Dr. Alex Brandtner Children’s Dentistry specializes Falline R.D.H., ABC Family Dentistry in taking care of your children’s teeth from age 1 through This month’s article is geared bed or put the child to sleep with a bottle in the crib. If college; we are also here for patients of all with special Brooke Falline R.D.H.,of ABC Family ages Dentistry towards the dos and don’ts needs. Dental hygiene, with the goal of preventing dental you sleep with the child while he/she is breastfeeding, This month’s geared breast feeding, bottle article feeding and disease is an integral part ofisour practice. Our office reaches bed orwill putbegin the child to sleep a bottle in the crib. If the child to think thatwith falling asleep occurs towards the nutrition dos andwithin don’ts the out proper overall for you to elementary schools our of local community with an you sleep with the child while he/she is breastfeeding, only when being fed. The same holds true for placing program during theare months breast feeding, bottle feeding andeducation your little one(s). If you a andof October to February the child think that fallingInasleep occurs the child in awill cribbegin with to a bottle in hand. essence, year.caregiver Adaline ourfor dental the proper overall Reedy, nutrition you education coordinator, newevery mother, or educator, only when being fed. The same holds true for placing this and visit Kindergarten thru 6th are grade one practice is teaching your child a poor habit of andIto your little one(s). If you a classrooms witheating I hope provide you with some child in a crib bottle inWe hand. In essence, they are with lyingadown. recommend goal in mind, to educate children on the importance of dentalthe while new mother, caregiver or educator, important information to promote this practice is teaching your child a poor habit of hygiene and nutrition. By educating children about the proper that you breastfeed or on bottle feed in a of different educating students the importance brushing,area how tooth Icare hope to provide you with some healthy habits to last a lifetime. of teeth and healthy eating habits we hope to prevent tooth while are lying down. recommend decay can be they prevented, and the process in which a cavity is othereating than where the child sleeps, wipe We their mouth important information to promote Breastfeeding and infora them bottlein are the and decay and other dentalformula problems the future. Thethat formed and how to prevent it. The program gives ourarea office you breastfeed or bottle feed in a different any teeth present with a warm washcloth once program reaches across the entire Quad and Cities and surrounding the opportunity to reach out and help children outside of the healthystandards habits to lastinfant a lifetime. normative for feeding nutrition. otherfinished than where the and child sleeps, mouth they’ve feeding then place wipe themtheir in their areasBreastfeeding in there Iowa and The program is funded by normal office setting with the possibility of meeting new and way formula a currently bottle However, is aIllinois. right and ainwrong wayare to the and any teeth present with a warm washcloth once crib. patients and promoting good oral health. Dr. Brandtner, but in years past we have one. received donations normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. create healthy feeding habits from day First they’ve finished feeding and thenmouth. placeyour them in their the key to a us healthy Weschool hope from businesses and corporations. After each presentation wePrevention If is you would like to come visit or have However, there is a right way and a wrong way to andpass foremost, it is important to separate the actions crib. out goodie bags for the children filled with toothbrushes, that byinquiries promoting healthy eating habits from the on what schools we will be visiting this start year, please create healthy feeding habits from day isone. of sleeping and Thepamphlets purpose of hygiene. this to beFirst toothpaste andeating. educational on Prevention is theour keyoffice. tochildhood a healthy mouth. free contact We look forwardWe to hope visiting that itfeel will alsoto prevent early decay. Stay it program’s is important to separate the sure and youforemost, doSince not the confuse sleeping with eating. Itactions isprogram inception in 2007, the your school, your club or organization. Our education that by promoting healthy eating habits from the start tuned for June’s article where I will be exploring in has reached over 100 schools, andsuckling We coordinator is setting up program dates on a first come first of sleeping and eating. The clubs purpose oforganizations. this isorto be normal for an infant to fall asleep while that will also prevent early childhood decay. Stay detail theittopic of tooth decay! visit before school programs, as eating. well asinreschool servefor basis. Thesearticle dates fill up quickly, call as in soon sure youfed, doand notafter confuse sleeping It is tuned being bottle but you do not want towith breastfeed June’s where I willsobeplease exploring facilities. Our program has educated over 20,000 students and as possible to schedule a presentation with us! If you have normal for an infant to fall asleep while suckling or the topic of tooth decay! please feel free to call our continues to increase every year. Adaline and I give an averagedetail any dental questions or concerns being presentations bottle fed, but you doOctober notCLUB want to breastfeed in FREE CAVITY FREE CLUB of 150CAVITY between and February each year, office as well, (563)355-0437.

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Brooke Falline R.D.H., ABC Family Dentistry

This month’s article is geared bed or put the child to sleep with a bottle in the crib. If owards the dos and don’ts of you sleep with the child while he/she is breastfeeding, breast feeding, bottle feeding and theJersey child willRidge begin toRoad think that falling asleep occurs 5108 he proper overall nutrition for you only when being fed. 52807 The same holds true for placing Davenport, Iowa and your little one(s). If you are a 5108 Jersey Ridge the child in a crib with a Road bottle in hand. In essence, new mother, caregiver or educator, this practice is teaching your child a poor habit of Davenport, Iowa 52807 I hope to provide you with some eating while they are lying down. We recommend mportant information to promote abcdentistry@mchsi.com that you breastfeed or bottle feed a different Dr. in Alex Brandtnerarea healthy habits to last a lifetime. other than where the child sleeps, wipe their mouth Breastfeeding and formula in a bottle are theabcdentistry@mchsi.com Alex Brandtner and any teeth present with a warmDr. washcloth once normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. they’ve finished feeding and then place them in their Cavity Free Club Winner However, there is a right way and a wrong way to crib. March Winner: create healthy feeding habits from day one. First 4 year-old Alexis Ferguson Cavity Free Prevention is the key to aClub healthy Winner mouth. We hope and foremost, it is important to separate the actions that by promoting March healthy eating JulyWinner: 2015 habits from the start of sleeping and eating. The purpose of this is to be that it will4also year-old Alexis Ferguson prevent early childhood 5-year-old Lauren Stofletdecay. Stay sure you do not confuse sleeping with eating. It is tuned for June’s article where I will be exploring in www.alexbrandtnerchildrensdentistry.com normal for an infantSouth to fallPark asleep while or detail the topic of tooth decay! Located Inside Mall nextsuckling to Von Maur being bottleCAVITY fed, but you doFREE not wantCLUB to breastfeed in www.alexbrandtnerchildrensdentistry.com

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus

QC Family Focus - MAY 2013

CAVITY FREE CLUB

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QC Family Focus - MAY 2013

Schedule your SPRING Cleaning

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Enhanced Nutrition Can Help AD/HD

Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications

Most people assume that the only treatment options for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are medications, behavioral modification therapy, or a combination of both. But according to Lori Sullivan, RN, Holistic Health Practitioner and Master Level Practitioner of Nutrition Response TestingSM at NutritionWorks Wellness Center, the use of nutrition in treatment is often overlooked. “Nutrition provides a strong foundation for healing,” said Sullivan. “If you give the body what it needs to heal, it will repair itself. In Western medicine, emphasis is placed on prescription medicines, and proper nourishment may be left out of the equation. But in fact, nutrition is actually the appropriate cornerstone for any successful treatment plan – and that includes treatment for conditions like Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” The Facts About AD/HD ADD and ADHD are neurological disorders featuring significant problems with the executive functions of the mind, which include attention control and the ability to control impulses. These problems cause attention deficits, hyperactivity and other learning/behavioral problems. ADHD primarily affects children and adolescents, while ADD is more common in adults. The acronym AD/HD is often used when referring to both ADD and ADHD. Generally, children with ADHD have problems with paying attention or concentrating. They are easily bored, become frustrated with tasks quickly, and often act impulsively. ADHD is the most commonly studied and diagnosed neurological disorder in children and adolescents, and is diagnosed approximately three times more in boys than girls. Sullivan noted that AD/HD problems in children may have their roots in prenatal development. “When the child is developing in the womb,” she said, “as early as four weeks gestation, the digestive tract and the nervous system begin working together closely. Most people do not realize that the brain and the gut are so critically connected. Malnourishment along the way can throw off the close relationship between these two systems, causing neurological issues such as AD/ HD.” If you feel like you or your child has struggled with any of the symptoms of AD/HD, Nutrition Response TestingSM might be right for you. NutritionWorks Wellness Center welcomes the opportunity to partner with your health professional to better manage these symptoms through an individualized nutrition program. Call (563) 355-4864 today for your consultation! NutritionWorks Wellness Center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at their location, 1900 State Street, Ste. 4, Bettendorf. You can find more information at NutritionWorksWellness.com. To watch their video, scan the QR code or visit https://vimeo. com/134627371

Heal Your Body Naturally – Through Nutrition!

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? NutritionWorks Wellness Center can help! NutritionWorks Wellness Center is dedicated to improving and maintaining health through a nutritional approach to care. We offer Nutrition Response TestingSM which is a safe, non-invasive system of analysis that uses the body’s own reflexes to test a clients organs, joints, muscles and glands to address the underlying cause of stress or ill health. We then design personalized whole food clinical nutrition programs, and most importantly, dietary changes, to help the body heal.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

for our Health Fair, to be held Nov. 4 at our location, 1900 State Street, Ste. 4, Bettendorf. More information is forthcoming at NutritionWorksWellness.com.

Nutrition Response TestingSM can help with: – Fatigue – Sleep Problems – Weight Concerns – Digestive Disorders – Menopause

– Hormonal Issues – Joint Discomfort – Skin Conditions – Muscle Aches – Blood Sugar Issues – And More!

From left to right: Kelly Peterson, Client Advocate, Lori Sullivan, RN, Owner and Practitioner and Jessica Harris, Front Desk Manager

(563) 355-4864

1900 State Street, Suite 4, Bettendorf, IA

NutritionWorksWellness.com

QC Family Focus - September 2015 29


Fitness Xpress in Moline is Transforming the Quad Cities! Through Visalus and the Project 10 Kids Program, Fitness Xpress is helping Quad-Cities area children struggling with obesity. So we are looking for adults who want to lose 10 pounds or more! For every 10 pounds you lose through Project 10, Visalus donates 90 healthy meals or snacks to overweight kids, putting them on the path to healthy eating. Fitness Xpress is a locally owned fitness club, located at 4200 24th Ave., Moline, IL. To learn more about Fitness Xpress and the Project 10 Schools Program, call 309-797-3150 or visit fx247.com.

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September 2015 - QC Family Focus


Helping the QC to Lose Weight – 10 Pounds at a Time! Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications

The weight-loss team at Fitness Xpress of Moline has a goal: to help more overweight young people and their families in the Quad-Cities area to lose weight and achieve optimal health. It’s an ambitious goal, but the team, led by Operations Manager Dana VanGilder, believes it can be done – 10 pounds at a time! “When an adult on our Project 10 weight-loss program loses 10 pounds, our partner Visalus provides 90 meals for the kids we are helping,” said Dana. “Currently, it takes 60 meals per kid each month to support the program.” ViSalus is a national healthy lifestyle company which has developed a platform for achieving weightloss and fitness results by encouraging participants to concentrate on losing 10 pounds at a time. The kids meals being distributed are part of the ViSalus line of nutritional products. The meals and snacks they offer are easily transported, non-perishable, and fortified with essential nutrients. In the Quad-Cities area, Fitness Xpress in Moline is the hub of the Project 10 experience. “We’re hoping more folks will join the Project 10 Program – to help the kids, and themselves as well,” Dana said. “The Project 10 Program is a great way to jumpstart your weight-loss program and lose 10 to 30 pounds.” Helping Kids to Eat Right “Many children are eating too much fast food and other high-fat, high-carb choices,” Dana said. “With the ViSalus meal and snack options, we can be sure the children are receiving essential nutrients. Also, we are meeting with many of the children’s families to discuss exercise, meal planning, and nutrition.” Glenview Middle School in East Moline was the first school to work with Fitness Xpress, followed by Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Moline. In time, Dana noted, Fitness Xpress hopes to arrange sponsorship for at least 1,000 kids in the Project 10 Schools Program. VanGilder noted that Fitness Xpress is looking for students they can help. “If you have a child who has been classified with a ‘BMI for age’ of 27 or higher, or a ‘BMI percentile’ of 90th or higher, they can apply for the Project 10 Schools Program,” she said. “Parents are encouraged to contact us for more information.” Jazz, one of the students being helped by Fitness Xpress, was 11 years old and 195 pounds when he started the program. Now, at age 12, he’s down to 143 pounds. “When he started the program, he wanted to be a football player,” Dana said. “Now he wants to be a personal trainer, so he can share his success with others.”

JAZZ

Before

After

The Fitness Xpress Difference Occasionally clients leave Fitness Xpress to try out other facilities, but Dana is happy to say that most come right back. “For a membership rate of $34.95 a month, we offer 150 monthly fitness classes and give clients 24/7 access to our exercise facilities,” she said. “Plus, many of our team members have considerable weight-loss experience, and that makes a vital difference.” Anyone who becomes a member through the Project 10 Program receives a $5 discount on membership per month, as well as a $20 discount off the one-time $39 enrollment fee. On weekdays, fitness classes are held from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday classes are held from 7 to 10 a.m., with no classes on Sunday. Fitness Xpress recently added kickboxing to their class line-up. Enrollment is limited, so be sure to sign up now. Fitness Xpress also offers a personal training program which includes five sessions with a personal trainer. The weight-loss team also offers a redesigned weight-loss program called Fit4 which now includes Carb Cycling. “We now instruct clients to monitor their carbohydrate intake and consume their carbs at specific times of day,” Dana said. “Fruits, vegetables and protein should also be eaten at strategic times. Weight-loss isn’t just about what you eat – it also matters when you eat it.” Dana looks forward to working with more health-conscious members of the community. “Our clients come from as far as Taylor Ridge, Milan, Orion, Coal Valley and Geneseo to work with us,” she said. “It’s worth the drive from anywhere in the area. Plus, you can do your grocery shopping at HyVee next door. Be sure to make fresh, healthy food selections!” Fitness Xpress is a locally owned fitness club, located at 4200 24th Ave., Moline IL. To learn more about Fitness Xpress and the Project 10 Schools Program, call 309-797-3150 or visit fx247.com. QC Family Focus - September 2015 31


Taking the Antibiotic Fight from Pharmacy to Farm: What’s in Your Child’s Daily Diet? Julie Johnson, D.C., C.F.M.P. Palmer Chiropractic Clinics

Antibiotics have provided a miracle for many who have been saved from any variety of illnesses, suffering or even death. They are as important to modern medicine as any other advancement. An unfortunate development, however, is that they’ve not only been overused by health-care consumers, but according to a new report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the largest percentage of antibiotics are given to animals we eat. Nearly 80 percent of all antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock to control disease and promote animal growth, a practice resulting in higher profit. Antibiotic resistance leading to so-called superbugs has become a big problem. Antibiotics have been linked to two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths per year. The Centers for Disease Control believes it’s not too late to turn this around if we take important action now. This mandates attention on the private, public and personal sector levels for responsible use. The FDA released final recommendations in June 2015 that by the end of 2016, the practice of lacing feed for cows, hogs, poultry and other animals with medically important antibiotics to promote growth will end. Use of antibiotics will only be done in the case of a true health issue and under the supervision of veterinarians. In addition, President Obama signed a memorandum directing any federally operated cafeteria to gradually begin serving meat that is produced with responsible antibiotic use. This is important because as a consumer that buying power sends a message just as it does when you grocery shop for your family and choose to put meat without antibiotic

influence in your cart. That market is growing strong and many corporations are stepping forward to stop using meat with antibiotics in food. Panera Bread is just one example of those in the restaurant business providing clear messaging about their stance on antibiotics in food. While the White House has sent an important message, especially to food producers, that this is a critical issue, we all need to get involved. What that looks like on a personal level is ensuring antibiotics are only being used when absolutely necessary, that foods consumed are as free of antibiotics as possible, and that efforts are being made to boost immune and gut health as a priority. This means that you could and should contact your child’s school to ask about the meat being served to your child, and if you aren’t satisfied with its quality then have your child bring their lunch from home. Involving your child in the process of learning about the benefits of antibiotic-free meat can be a life lesson. It’s also about working together as a family to find the things that boost the immune system, such as whole foods, rest, love and care, chiropractic health care and other healing modalities. New research released in April 2015 from the University of Maryland Medical Centers continues to confirm the benefit of using a quality probiotic to help balance gut flora and keep gut health strong. The importance of gut health cannot be understated when it comes to this issue. Use of an antibiotic alters the gut flora which has led to the increased incidence of Clostridium difficile, a bacteria that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal issues like colitis. It’s a big deal and a growing epidemic that will hopefully be curtailed with these new measures. For more information on the efforts to combat antibiotic resistance, follow the developments of the White House National Strategy on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria by visiting www.whitehouse.gov . You’ll also find a list of organizations committed to this effort.

Who takes care of you? Back-to-school and sports physicals help keep kids healthy as they begin the new school year. • Identify immediate danger to sports participation • Update basic vital exams • Scoliosis screening • Check motor development • Learn about safe backpack usage

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www.palmerclinics.com/qc 32

September 2015 - QC Family Focus

Experience you can trust.


Corneal Ulcer… The Other Eye Infection Michael Boehm, M.D. Eye Surgeons Associates

Have you ever had an eye infection? The most common type of infection is “pink eye” or conjunctivitis, which usually represents a bacterial or viral infection of the thin membrane of the “white” of the eye. These infections are usually associated with redness, irritation, and discharge. Fortunately, conjunctivitis typically resolves on its own and rarely causes any permanent damage. However, a less common type of infection called a corneal ulcer is much more serious and can lead to permanent blindness if not properly treated. Cornea ulcer is the term used to describe an infection of the clear transparent “window” (cornea) in the front of the eye. The cornea is one-half millimeter thick and is located over the colored part of the eye, the iris. It is similar to a watch crystal which allows you to clearly see the time while providing a protective covering for the delicate hand pieces internally. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can all cause infection in the cornea. Symptoms of a corneal ulcer are different than those of the more common conjunctivitis. Infections of the cornea are notable for producing pain, blurred vision, redness of the eye, and sensitivity to light. After an ulcer has reached a certain size, a small white or gray opacity can be seen in this usually clear tissue. These infections can progress very quickly and need urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage and loss of vision. People who wear contact lenses are at greatest risk for developing cornea ulcers. Bacteria often adhere to the lenses and can invade the cornea when a small scratch develops on its surface. Patients who wear contact lenses are especially vulnerable to infection if they choose to sleep in their lenses. Studies have shown that sleeping in lenses, even if they are of the disposable or extended-wear type, significantly increases the risk of developing a corneal ulcer. Proper lens cleaning and care are helpful but are not always enough to avoid this serious problem. Contact lenses should be disinfected on a daily basis, and tap water should never be used to rinse them. Also, lenses should not be worn while swimming as this predisposes the patient to an infection with Acanthamoeba, an organism that is very resistant to available treatment. Certainly, the contact lens should be removed immediately if redness or irritation in the eye occurs. All contact lens wearers should have a current pair of glasses they can wear for such occasions.

Many other eye conditions can increase the risk of corneal ulcers. These include blepharitis, which is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids involving the eyelashes and lid skin. Dry eyes and reduced corneal sensation from such conditions as ocular shingles (herpes zoster), herpes simplex, or diabetes are other risk factors. Some people sleep with their eyes not completely closed, which can lead to drying and breakdown of the cornea surface with subsequent ulceration. People who experience a corneal abrasion or “scratch” to the superficial layer of the cornea from any cause are also at risk for developing an ulcer. However, those that have a corneal injury that involves organic matter such as plants or tree branches are at significant risk for an infection. If you notice the symptoms of a corneal ulcer—which include pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and discharge— you should seek urgent medical attention. With the use of specialized equipment, an eye doctor can readily determine if a corneal ulcer is present. A culture may be taken of the ulcer before starting the patient immediately on antibiotic eye drops. Rarely, if the infection is severe or involves the center of the cornea, the patient may be admitted to the hospital for around-the-clock administration of antibiotic drops. Most patients, however, can be treated on an outpatient basis with frequent follow-up examinations until improvement is seen. Time is of the essence because these infections can lead to scarring of the cornea as they heal. The cornea is no longer “crystal clear” in the area of previous infection but is hazy or opacified. If this scarring involves the central area of the cornea, permanent blurring of vision can result. Therefore, the infection must be controlled before it can progress and cause further damage. In the majority of cases, prescription eye medication is successful in curing the infection. As a specialist in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal diseases, patients are sometimes referred to me who have not responded to the usual medical treatment. These patients may have an infection with a more unusual organism such as a fungus that requires different therapy. Occasionally, corneal transplantation is required if medical therapy is not able to control the infection or if the ulcer has resulted in significant corneal scarring. Fortunately, the majority of eye infections are “pink eye” or conjunctivitis. This is an annoying but not vision-threatening condition. One should always be alert to the possibility of a corneal ulcer, especially those who are most at risk such as contact lens wearers. Prompt medical attention is necessary to provide the best possible chance of a favorable outcome. Michael Boehm, M.D. is a board certified comprehensive ophthalmologist at Eye

Surgeons Associates with a fellowship in cornea and external diseases and a specialty interest in dry eye. Dr. Boehm practices at our offices in Bettendorf, Silvis and Rock Island. For more information visit www.esaeyecare.com. The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

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Summer is ending, September is here. To many, that brings fall colors, like orange, like this cake! Making a cake from scratch should not be intimidating - and this one is so easy. It will easily become a family favorite - and hey, you’re eating a ‘vegetable’ cake, so make two! Made from Scratch Carrot Cake 2 c. sugar 4 eggs 1/2 c. oil 1 c. unsweetened applesauce 2 c. flour 2 t. baking soda 2 1/2 t. cinnamon 3 c. grated carrots Frostin 8 oz. cream cheese 2 c. powdered sugar 1 t. vanilla 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. I n a stand mixer or large bowl cream together sugar, eggs, oil and applesauce. Then add in remaining ingredients, folding in the carrots last. 3. Grease a 9x13 in. baking pan. 4. P our the batter in the pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 5. To make the frosting: mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Frosting should be nice and thick. 6. Once cake has cooled spread frosting over the cake. 7. Keep cake covered and it will stay fresh for a few days. This creamy, hearty side dish or main course is filling and fabulous! It can even be made vegetarian, omitting the bacon, but I wouldn’t recommend if you are a bacon lover - it really puts this dish on top. And don’t forget the Parmesan cheese sprinkling on top, its nuttiness makes the dish. Creamy Potato and Broccoli Bake 4 c. broccoli florets 6 c. frozen shredded hash browns 8 oz. softened cream cheese 1 c. milk 1 t. garlic powder 1 t. onion powder 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese 4 strips of bacon, chopped 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish. 2. In a skillet cook the chopped bacon until crispy. 3. I n a large bowl combine the cream cheese, milk, seasonings and shredded cheddar cheese. Fold in the hash browns and broccoli until evenly coated. Add in 3/4 of the bacon {and bacon grease if you are daring!}. 4. Place mixture into the pan, top with remaining bacon and Parmesan cheese. 5. Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Serve warm.

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For more of Ally’s recipes check out the recipe section at www.qcfamilyfocus.com or www.sweetandsavoryfood.com

September 2015 - QC Family Focus


Are There Cracks In Your Basement Walls?

Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications

If money is tight, it might be tempting to put off repairing cracks in basement walls or other foundation problems. But, ignoring these problems won’t help matters. They will only get worse with time – and the worse they get, the more they will cost to fix. Cracks in basement walls can let in moisture that will damage your home. Insects and even rodents can come in through the cracks as they widen with time. Foundation walls can also bow, or curve toward the inside of the house. These problems can lower the resale value of property. Very few people want to buy a home with foundation problems. “Cracking and bowing problems in foundations develop in stages,” said Howard Tatge, Owner and General Manager of MidAmerica Basement Systems. “In Stage 1, the wall may develop a small crack, maybe a half-inch to an inch wide. As time passes, wet soil and frost push against the wall in Stage 2 and widen the crack. In Stage 3, the wall can be visibly bowed.” Even in Stage 3, Tatge added, some homeowners may still decide to ignore the situation. “If the problem is caught in its early stages, steps can be taken to correct it,” he said. “But in later stages, many of the support systems used to stabilize foundations won’t function correctly. At that point, repairs can cost three times more than they would have if corrected at an early stage.” What Causes Cracking and Bowing? Foundation walls can move inward due to expansive soils and hydrostatic pressure (related to levels of moisture in the soil) on the walls from outside. Basement walls may also crack from foundation settlement, as well as other issues. A professional consultation is needed to correctly identify the issue causing problems. The specialists at MidAmerica Basement Systems can repair many of these problems with foundation wall anchors. First, soil anchors are placed in the ground outside. Steel rods attached to the anchors extend through the wall to wall plates, which distribute clamping pressure. Tightening nuts on the threaded ends of the rods will stabilize and restore the wall. If space prohibits this method, a solution using steel i-beams can be installed. “For most people, your home is the largest investment you’re going to make in your life,” Tatge said. “Do you want to treat your largest investment poorly? It’s always best to repair foundation problems early to save money and give yourself peace of mind.” Each year, MidAmerica Basement Systems repairs the foundations of between 1,500 and 2,000 homes in the Midwest region they serve. This region covers the eastern third of Iowa and the northern half of Illinois, excluding Rockford and Chicago proper. MidAmerica Basement Systems provides free, no-obligation repair estimates to homeowners throughout the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities and surrounding area. To find out more, call 1-866-476-4385 or visit www.midambasementfamfocus. com. To watch their video, scan the QR code or visit https://vimeo. com/137288474.

Call today to schedule a

FREE ESTIMATE! 1-866-476-4385 midambasementfamfocus.com · Basement Waterproofing · Crawlspace Repair · Insulation · Foundation Repair · Commercial Foundations · Sump Pumps · Egress Windows · Mold Problems · Radon Mitigation and Removal

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MetroLINK: Meeting the Transportation Needs of the Community

Mark McLaughlin Mickle Communications

MetroLINK, a multi-city public transit system, has been keeping people moving throughout the Illinois Quad Cities metropolitan area for 40 years. But, that doesn’t mean that MetroLINK has settled into an unchanging routine. MetroLINK is always growing and looking for new and better ways to serve the public. This commitment to quality is reflected in the fact that the American Public Transportation Association named MetroLINK as the 2012 Outstanding Transit System of the Year in its market category. The service area of MetroLINK includes the communities of Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, Milan, Silvis, Hampton, Carbon Cliff and Colona. The Metro fleet consists of 60 transit coaches, 45 of which operate on clean-burning compressed natural gas. The buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bike racks. Each year, MetroLINK’s bus service, known simply as Metro, provides the area with 3.5 million rides. Metro covers a fixed route bus service over 12 routes, seven days a week, excluding major holidays. The Metro offers a.m. and p.m. service to accommodate the 2,000 kids a day who take public transportation to and from school. “The safety of our passengers is always a top priority,” said Jennifer Garrity, Manager of Administration, “and our drivers make sure all kids get off the bus at the appropriate locations.” She added that MetroLINK offers a mobile app for kids with smartphones, providing realtime information on when the next bus will appear. The base fare for adults is $1, with a reduced fare of 50 cents for children and students. Monthly passes and tickets books offer added fare savings and are available at most grocery stores in the Illinois Quad Cities, and through MetroLINK’s Centre Station in Moline. In addition to the Metro bus service, MetroLINK offers additional transportation services, serving as the agent for Greyhound and Burlington Trailways, operating the Channel Cat Water Taxis, and providing Paratransit services and transportation for the ARC of Rock Island County. Initiated in 1992, MetroLINK’s Paratransit service offers public transportation to individuals whose mobility status does not allow them to use the Metro bus service. Service provided is curb-to-curb and is limited to locations within ¾ mile of Metro’s fixed route service. A 36 September 2015 - QC Family Focus

one-way trip is $1.60. A certification form is available to determine eligibility. In 1996, MetroLINK took over operation of the Channel Cat Water Taxi, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, serving 35,000 passengers each season. Three water taxis travel the Mississippi River, connecting four locations in Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa. Prices are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 2-10. Children under age 2 ride free and must be accompanied by an adult. In 1998, MetroLINK introduced Centre Station, which serves as both a transportation hub for Metro’s bus services and a ticket outlet for MetroLINK services, including the Channel Cat Water Taxi and Greyhound/ Burlington Trailways. Located in downtown Moline across from the I Wireless Center, Centre Station encompasses a fully enclosed 12,000-square-foot passenger terminal and includes a gift shop and banquet facility. Metro’s team of Rock Island County Sheriff’s Deputies and K-9 units are also housed at Centre Station. These officers are proactive and accessible, ensuring the safety and security of Metro customers and employees. MetroLINK is committed to operating as a green organization, to help the community to enjoy cleaner air and a healthier environment. It was this commitment that led to the introduction of compressed natural gas buses in 2002. Green building is also a part of MetroLINK’s vision for the future. Their new Operations and Maintenance Center, designed to work in harmony with the environment, is expected to achieve silver-level LEED certification. The Center features 1,300 solar panels on the roof which provide electricity to the building. Buses at the Center are washed with recycled water, which is heated by energy from solar panels. MetroLINK’s newest transfer center in downtown Rock Island also incorporates a number of sustainable and energy-efficient features. “At MetroLINK, we do our very best to meet the needs of the public,” Garrity said. “And, we are always working on new ways to make our service even better.” For Customer Service Route Information, call (309) 788-3360 to access live phone support, seven days a week during service hours. To contact Administrative & HR Offices, call (309) 786-2705. You can also contact MetroLINK by email at metrolink@qcmetrolink.com. For additional information, visit www.gogreenmetro.com.


Looking for a convenient, friendLy, and Low-cost way to get your kids to schooL in the morning?

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ow about metro:

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rators. sional, experienced transit ope • We have a team of profes GPS for e-art technology (including • Our buses use state-of-th ). real-time arrival information dent riders. t and easy-to-access for stu • Our routes are convenien ural Gas of over 70% Compressed Nat • We utilize a “green” fleet (CNG) buses.

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MEtro Punch Pass One-way trips are just a $.50 for students, but save even more when you buy a $5 Metro Half Fare Punch Pass that’s good for 13 rides. That means you get three rides for free! Buy Metro Punch Passes at Centre Station, or at any of these convenient locations:

MOLINE

SILVIS

MILAN

Hy-Vee Food Store 4218 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL 61265

Jewel 1312 John Deere Expressway Silvis, IL 61282

ROCK ISLAND

Jewel City Line, 2010 1st Street A Moline, IL 61265

Hy-Vee Food Store 2001 5th Street Silvis, IL 61282

Hy-Vee Food Store 750 42nd Avenue Drive Moline, IL 61265

Wal-Mart 1601 18th Street Silvis, IL 61282

Wal-Mart 3930 44th Avenue Drive Moline, IL 61265

COLONA

Centre Station 1200 River Drive Moline, IL 61265

EAST MOLINE

Jewel, Kennedy Square 4143 Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244

Cosgrave Pharmacy 908 1st Avenue Silvis, IL 61282

Visit gogreenmetro.com and click on “rider information” followed by “Schools/Peak Service.”

Call Metro’s Live Phone Support, 7 days a week at (309) 788-3360.

Pick up a rider’s guide at Centre Station, 1200 river drive, Moline.

Hy-Vee Food Store 201 10th Avenue Milan, IL 61264

Hy-Vee Food Store 2930 18th Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201

Green Park Pharmacy 500 Green Park Avenue Colona, IL 61241

download the free My QC Metro mobile app! get the nearest stops, routes, and real-time bus arrival and departure information directly to your smartphone. download today in the Apple and Android marketplaces.

gogreenmetro.com

QC Family Focus - September 2015 37


How to Get Grandparents Using Smartphones Rebecca Eckhart Verizon Wireless

It’s no secret that senior citizens have typically been slow to adopt new technologies, including social media. However, recent trends show older people are among the fastest-growing demographics online. More than half of adults 65 and older are online. So, how can you help your grandparent get comfortable with using technology? Here are a few tips to get grandparents using smartphones: Step 1: Get grandma or grandpa equipped with the proper device. There are a ton of top-notch devices available on the market today, and while this is a good thing, it can also be overwhelming for someone who’s never picked up a smartphone before. How can grandma and grandpa start narrowing down this decision-making process? We suggest taking them to a store to speak with the experts and try out the various devices and their features. Step 2: Never stop learning. Attend a Wireless Workshop class, offered at several local Verizon Wireless retail locations. Wireless Workshops are a perfect starting

point for first-time smartphone users, or for people who are looking to get more out of their device. The setting offers an intimate environment to ask specific questions to a Verizon expert related to your typical or anticipated using habits. Bonus – the workshops are free! Step 3: Jump right in. This is the fun part. Now that your grandparents have the ideal smartphone in their hands, it’s time to customize it based on their interests. Do they like reading the paper in the morning? If so, they can do it right on their smartphones now by downloading free news apps, including CNN, the New York Times or USA Today (available for Apple and Android devices). Also, be sure to show grandparents the fun side of having a smartphone. Have a grandparent who loves to play games? Challenge him/her to a game of Words with Friends (free version available for Apple, Android and Microsoft devices), an entertaining app that keeps the word game going all day long. There is a never-ending supply of apps. Apps that provide detailed weather updates, access to each night’s sports scores and a listing of the movie show times at the local cinema just scratch the surface. There’s an app for everyone, and exploring the App Store regularly will get grandparents using smartphones even more.

Start School With Better Vision “My favorite things to do are swim and ride my bike. When I was little, the doctor said I had a lazy eye. One of my eyes didn’t work very good. I liked watching the movie while Dr. Frederick used the flashlight to look at my eyes. But I didn’t like the drops. I have to wear glasses and a patch to fix it.

Now I can see better to ride my bike and I got to pick out my own glasses.” Eye Surgeons Associates has the area’s only dedicated pediatric specialist. Eye exams for young children are important, since they don’t always realize they have a vision impairment and early detection can be essential for successful treatment.

Pediatric specialist

Don’t let poor vision affect your child’s learning, schedule an appointment today. Special pricing on eye exams for all incoming kindergartners for the 2015-2016 school year. Schedule an appointment today.

(563) 323-2020 (309) 792-2020 www.esaeyecare.com 38

September 2015 - QC Family Focus


• Only one local monthly publication partners with area schools to promote education. • That same publication is partnered with WQAD, WQPT and KGCW. • There’s one Quad City magazine that is read by school children, new parents, teens, parents of teens and even active grandparents.

Bettendorf Health Care Center

A Place To Call Home 2730 Crow Creek Rd - Bettendorf, IA

2730 Crow Creek Rd • Bettendorf, IA • (563) 332-7463

563.332.7463

You are reading it.

• We offer skilled rehab 6 days a week. That means you can get well and go home. • Our elegant dining area comes complete with china, crystal, linen table cloths and fa mily-style dining.

QC Family Focus is 100% local content, designed to promote healthy, happy families of all ages. QCFF is partnered with schools, senior living facilities, healthcare and nonprofits who are making a difference in our community.

• You never know when you might need special care. That’s why we work closely with all area hospitals and accept admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • We are conveniently located on Crow Creek in Bettendorf. •We offer tours of our facility 7 days a week!

Join the family.

• Activities for all ages and abilities, a variety of religious services, and a caring and competent staff.

Call 563-940-7875 or email mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com

When you can’t go home, we’re the next best thing! 42

MAY 2013 • QC Family Focus

QC Family Focus - September 2015 39


What Is A VNG Test? distinctive back and forth motion. These eye movements Margaret Christiansen Audiology Consultants, P.C. Q: I have been scheduled for a VNG test. What is it and why do I have to stop taking certain medications prior to the test? A: Videonystagmography, more commonly referred to as VNG, is a test performed to help identify the cause of dizziness. This test is able to gather information regarding systems that help maintain balance and is helpful in locating the problem area in dizziness and related conditions. The term dizziness means different things to different people. This term is often used to describe a spinning sensation, lightheadedness or imbalance. Prior to a VNG test, the audiologist will ask in depth questions to gain a better understanding of the symptoms you are experiencing and the pattern in which they occur. This information, in conjunction with the results of the VNG test, is valuable for helping locate the cause of dizziness. When a person gets dizzy, the eyes make a

are measured using infrared goggles and serve as a window into the balance system. The VNG test consists of three main parts: 1) following a light with your eyes; 2) moving into different head and body positions; and 3) irrigating the ears with warm and cool air. Individuals may experience periods of dizziness or vertigo throughout the test but this sensation is usually mild and brief. In order to get the most complete information from this test, it is important to carefully follow the pre-test instructions. Certain restrictions apply for 48 hours prior to testing. This is to allow time for certain substances (alcohol or medications for dizziness to name a few) to leave the body. Certain substances in the body can affect the test results and can lead to inaccurate or unclear results. Dizziness can be caused by many different conditions. If you have concerns regarding your balance or dizziness, consult with your physician about the appropriate next steps. A VNG test is one of the tests your doctor may have you undergo to help locate or rule out areas of concern. Also, be sure to check out their video: https://vimeo. com/136936624

SOUND ADVICE!

With Audiology Consultants, P.C.

Health & Hearing.... They are related!

Friday, September 25 at 1:00 p.m. A free 30 minute presentation with questions and answers to follow with one of our audiologists. A great time to meet others with the same concerns you may have!

Refreshments will be available: Coffee & Cookies Free Gift for Every Participant! Bring a Friend! RSVP is preferred due to limited space. Hosted in our Davenport location. RSVP to (563) 355-7712 2215 E. 52nd St., Suite #2, Davenport, IA

www.audiologyconsultants.com 1931 l0th Avenue East, Milan, IL

(309) 283-5902 40

2215 E. 52nd St., Ste. #2, Davenport, IA

1616 Cedar St., Muscatine, IA

Hammond Henry Hospital 600 College Ave., Geneseo, IL

(563) 355-7712 (563) 264-9406

September 2015 - QC Family Focus

(309) 944-9181


At Hein Manor, Residents Enjoy Family-Style Dining Sarah DeSpain Mickle Communications

At Hein Manor, an assisted-living retirement home located in the close-knit farm town of Durant, Iowa, owners Robert and Dawn Smith take their meal preparation very seriously. Each meal is homecooked and presented family-style for residents to enjoy together. “Menus are prepared two months in advance, so residents aren’t getting the same thing over and over,” Dawn said. She noted that the residents help in selecting menu items and enjoy the fresh vegetables from the gardens. “We have so many recipes from our residents, it’s easy to provide a lot of variety,” she said. Residents start the day with a robust breakfast, including cereals, eggs and bacon, juice options, and much more. For lunch, they look forward to a hearty meal, with such options as fried chicken, fish or ham loaf, as well as a salad, vegetables and dessert. At supper, residents receive an assortment of soups, sandwiches, casseroles and desserts. When birthdays occur, the celebrating resident plans the menu and invites family to join them. On holidays, residents who choose to stay at home for the holidays join the Smith family in their celebrations. Family-style dining is just one of the many ways in which Hein Manor treats the residents like family. For more information, or to schedule a visit and see everything Hein Manor has to offer, feel free to contact Dawn Smith at (563) 785-4705. Be sure to visit Hein Manor’s newly renovated website at www.heinmanor. com. Also, be sure to check out their video: https://vimeo. com/131814717.

All The Comforts Of Home

Join The Hein

Manor Family

Hein Manor is an assisted living retirement home featuring 13 studio apartments and a one-bedroom apartment. We are located in Durant, Iowa – a close-knit farming town and a bedroom community for Iowa City, Quad-Cities, Muscatine and Cedar Rapids. We provide a homelike setting, complete with home-cooked, family-style dining. Hein Manor is like a family – the owners, Robert and Dawn Smith, live here along with the residents! Call (563) 785-4709 today to schedule a visit and see what we have to offer.

Hein Manor

807 3rd St., Durant, IA 52747 (563) 785-4709 • www.heinmanor.com QC Family Focus - September 2015 41


Celebrating National Grandparents Day

Maureen Fesler Care Coordinator for Services@Home

Did you know your great-grandparents? If you’re over 40, there’s a good chance that while you were probably lucky enough to have had a relationship with your grandparents, your greatgrandparents were likely not a part of your family life. Happily, that has changed – advances in the quality and availability of health care mean that more and more people are living well into their nineties. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau created a new demographic category for those over the century mark, and by 2030, it’s estimated that 70% of eight-year olds will have at least one living great-grandparent. On September 13, National Grandparents Day, we will be honoring and recognizing more grandparents and great-grandparents than ever before in American history, for their accomplishments and personal qualities as well as for the unique role they play in enriching and strengthening increasingly multigenerational families. Studies show that children who have a strong relationship with a grandparent or great-grandparent have higher self-esteem and happier childhoods, in addition to developing a keen understanding and appreciation of the value and contributions of older generations. At Good Samaritan Society’s Services@Home we take great pride in providing seniors with a wide range of non-medical services in their homes, from personal care, companionship and help preparing meals, to assistance with housekeeping tasks that as we age may become difficult or even mildly hazardous to attempt. We hear over and over again from our older clients, many of them grand-and great-grandparents themselves, how much it means to

them to be able to stay in their homes; not only because of the greater independence it affords them, but because it allows them to stay more involved and connected to their ever-growing families, which in turn has a positive effect on their overall well-being. Knowing that their parents are well-cared for, adult children experience less worry, and can spend their often limited time simply enjoying their family. While some situations require skilled nursing, increasingly home health services are serving to delay or even eliminate that need, by helping seniors maintain their health while living at home. At Services@Home we distinguish ourselves by not only the quality of our caregivers, who are extensively screened, experienced, and bonded and insured, but by our ability to provide the maximum flexibility in scheduling and care plans, and our high standard of responsiveness to client requests. We can provide services in as little as two hours after being contacted by a potential client – and our care plans are tailored to provide precisely the services that our clients need and desire, from one hour visits to around-the-clock care. One widowed S@H client who was recuperating from a broken arm and hip was recovering nicely, but could not drive, or perform household tasks such as changing bed linen or mopping floors without pain and constant fear of re-injury. With the assistance of Services@Home, she didn’t need to: she was able to stay safe and comfortable, enjoy reliable transportation for errands and physical therapy visits, and still enjoy a wellkept home, which was important to her. Other clients may need support for chronic illnesses – and we stand ready to provide personal hygiene assistance, skin care, medication reminders, and repositioning, among other services. Whatever the need, if it is within our scope of service our exceptional staff are dedicated to delivering care of the highest caliber, and doing so in a way that reflects our commitment to compassion, honesty, kindness, and most of all love, which is what the Good Samaritan Society – like grandparents – stands for.

N ow home can be our place. Or theirs.

To learn more about our services in The Quad Cities and surrounding areas call (844) 359-4446.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

42

September 2015 - QC Family Focus


Coping with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Mary Huebbe Marketing Consultant, Ridgecrest Village

Could you imagine the fear of not remembering who people are, or even where you are? I have heard so many different opinions on Dementia and Alzheimer’s – some feel sorry for the family, others feel sorry for the patient. Personally, I feel the whole situation is heartbreaking on both sides. It’s important to realize that Alzheimer’s and Dementia are not the same thing. Dementia has symptoms associated with a decline in our memory and can be severe enough to impair a person’s daily living activities. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a normal process of aging. If you get to the doctor in time, some causes of dementia can be reversed. Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder. It destroys your memory and slowly deteriorates your thinking skills. Early symptoms include forgetting recently learned facts, important dates and events, as well as asking the same question repeatedly. More severe symptoms would be forgetting how to go to places, or how to return from a familiar destination. I could not imagine the panic I would experience, if I got lost walking the dog, or coming home from one of my children’s houses. As the child of someone with Alzheimer’s, could you imagine getting a phone call from the police, saying they’ve found your parent, lost and wandering? Sad and frightening for both sides. This is why we decided to have Teepa Snow, a

dementia and Alzheimer’s care expert from Texas, come to Ridgecrest Village. She is an occupational therapist and advocate for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. She trains and helps agencies, facilities, and families understand different aspects of these diseases. An Important Message The following passage was written by one of our residents whose wife is experiencing Alzheimer’s disease. He asked me to share this message with others to help them keep their cherished memories. LEST WE FORGET: When our granddaughter visited my wife in her nursing home, she was distressed to find her far advanced in her memory loss. My wife did not recognize our granddaughter. When my granddaughter came away, she wept over losing the grandmother she dearly loved. When she came back to my apartment, I got out a video I had taken of an interview conducted by a grandson, showing her grandmother ten years earlier, alert and able to recount her early life. This was a healing moment. I have made copies of the video for each of our children and grandchildren. In today’s era of easy access to technology, a simple interview preserves not only the memories, but also the personality of a dear one. Written journals and autobiographies also help. Be sure to take the time to record your memories, and preserve the memories of loved ones.

Please join us for our 4th Annual

Friday, September 25 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

In the Ridgecrest Village Courtyard RSVP by Friday, September 18th by calling Bob or Mary at (563) 391-3430. There is no charge to attend. Overflow parking and shuttle bus service is available at Grandview Baptist Church, across from Ridgecrest Village on Northwest Boulevard. In case of rain, the event will be moved indoors.

Ridgecrest Village is the place to be in the upcoming winter months! Forget about shoveling snow or trying to get around in icy conditions. We offer maintenance, housekeeping, transportation, meals, activities and so much more! Our Wine and Cheese Social is the perfect opportunity to come check us out. Our continued care programs – ■ Independent Living ■ Assisted Living, including a memory loss neighborhood ■ 24-hour Nursing Care

4130 Northwest Boulevard, Davenport, IA • www.ridgecrestvillage.org

QC Family Focus - September 2015 43


Join Senior Star at Elmore Place in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease Senior Star at Elmore Place Associates and residents of Senior Star at Elmore Place are lacing up their shoes in anticipation of the 2015 Quad Cities Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, September 19 at The Wireless Center, 1201 River Drive, Moline, IL. Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by a special ceremony at 9 a.m., and then they’re off and walking! The retirement community is thrilled to be participating in the Quad Cities Walk for a seventh year and is encouraging local friends and neighbors to join them in the fight against Alzheimer’s. This year, Team Elmore has raised more than $19,000 in support of Alzheimer’s research and care, placing them in the top five fundraising teams in the area. Alzheimer’s awareness, care and funding is a Senior Star priority. As such, they will match up to $250,000 for gifts made through all of their Senior Star teams across the nation. Additionally, Senior Star is a platinum member of the Alzheimer’s Association National Team Program aiming to raise $500,000 companywide. “Senior Star has a profound mission to support the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Marc Strohschein, executive director of Senior Star at Elmore Place. “It’s such an honor to contribute to this cause as every day we have firsthand knowledge of the amazing privilege it is to care for those suffering with Alzheimer’s as well as

support for their families. These steps, hand-in-hand with residents and their families, are a journey we are proud to take.” Senior Star at Elmore Place continues to be at the forefront of providing creative and innovative services that provide purpose for its memory care residents. The retirement community offers many specialty programs created specifically for their residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These programs include Senior Star’s Destination ProgrammingTM, the Music & MemorySM Program and Snoezelen® Therapy. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. For more information on how you can support Team Elmore, contact team captain Jennifer Huette at 563.359.0100. For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place’s stellar memory care programs or to schedule a tour, call 563.359.0100 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com. Their associates will be happy to discuss how they can help you and your loved one with supportive memory care programs.

embrace

SENIOR LIVING At Senior Star we believe you’re only as old as you feel, which is why we provide a variety of activities to keep residents active and engaged in life; From health and wellness to poetry, luncheons, and outings, there is never a dull moment at Senior Star.

Call today to schedule a personal appointment: 563-265-3903

4500 Elmore Ave. Davenport, IA 52807 44

seniorstar.com

September 2015 - QC Family Focus

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QC Family Focus - September 2015 45


OIL IN MY LAMP

Sandwiched: Part I

Generation”.

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And further, Give me oil in my lamp I pray, a couple new varieties of “sandwiches” have been added to aging or those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, way, you’re quite an education. what a powerful reminder that this message must be sent out in Give meDavid oil ingetting my keep itPresident burnin’, burnin’ W.lamp, Deuth, of Weerts Funeral Home the menu: parents and grandparents. With a great deal of hard work and toSandwich: be heard! Perhaps thistheir thought tosandwiched mind the burnin’ • order Club those in 50swill orcome 60selder You’re caring for someone – an • Open Faced: anyone else involved in care. sacrifice on your part, you’ve been able to next time you attend a funeral or a visitation. Keep it burnin’ til the break of day…. ” between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, elderly parent, perhaps – and along the The implications of being “sandwiched” can range or those Mother Teresa’s not only that sing-song way, Like others, I learned this singkeep them inmany their own quite home. perhaps in their 30swords and 40s, withrecollect young children, aging you’re getting anOr education. from minor to positively overwhelming – one of the most chorus I learned with similar words so many years ago, her song asina kid. funway and parents and grandparents. they’re living YOUR home. One Withchorus a great dealTheofmelody hard was work and significant of which can be in the financial realm. 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Until of the message simple song was not everything that felt like retirement planning According toinall athis 2009 AARP survey, continues to they tighten and things continue to the cost now. Just realized in case when you’re wondering . . .perhaps, as with many economy allago the –more so because lived. The difference between completely we sang it as kids; it more, is verymany possible to outlive yourthat money today. “…more than 42 million Americans provide family more and seniors are finding – despite you’reinnot first seem nominal…but whenand thought things life,alone. was just as important to let it sink in and percolate over two may atNow the issue is indeed, identified even has its caregiving foritan adult whoAARP needs help with daily activities”. everything thatlevel, feltthat likedifference proper retirement planning 20 years to aperhaps, 2009 survey, through at any the is nothing less than vast. time According – ground work, for future a-ha moments. own name, what are the workarounds? Do good solutions ago – it is very possible to outlive your money today. The “…more same survey indicates that “…an additional 61.6 million million Americans provide family So,Now in those this month ofare September, let us always remember Indeed,than some42 things percolate in this manner for many years exist that the issue is identified andThe even has its to these for who “sandwiched”? answers caregiving for an adult who needs help with daily activities”. people provide at least some care during the year.” the lives thatwhat wereare in the September attacks. Let before they bubble over, so to speak, as certain things occur in our own name, the workarounds? Do11th good solutions questions vary,claimed to betheir sure, and a one-size-fits-all solution is The survey indicates that “…anhas additional 61.6 million All same at the samecertainly time, so intense the care-giving role us always remember that lights continue to shine brightly lives. This thought runs congruent to the encouragement in for those who arebest “sandwiched”? The answers to these people provide atbecome least some care during the year.” be losing exist certain folly. The approach is always to seek and for the your parent(s) that you may actually as beaconsvary, for the of Freedom. Let us also remember thatis obtain Scriptures parents to “train up a child thecare-giving way he should go, questions to cause be sure, and a one-size-fits-all solution All at theforsame time, so intense hasinthe role good, qualified professional advice for your particular set of sight another primary responsibility: your own family. there isfolly. a loveThe message in the livesis they lived. also and he is old hebecome will not depart from it.”actually Good counsel, to be certain best approach always to And seeklet andusobtain forofwhen your parent(s) that you may be losing circumstances . . . because if your planning doesn’t do Your kidsofmay still primary call yourresponsibility: nest “home”,your whether toddlers good, remember that “if you want a love message to be heard, it hasset gotof what qualified professional advice for your particular sure. sight another own family. need it to do when you need it do what you GOT it to do, it’s to be sent out.” . . . because if your planning doesn’t do what Your I’ve appreciated thenest brevity and the sincerity andyour the circumstances or high-schoolers or anything in between. They need kidsalways may still call your “home”, whether toddlers about like having no plan at all. need it to do when you need it do what you GOT it to do, it’s Next month, we’ll take a look at what it might mean to wisdom of the insights shared by Mother Teresa (1910need – 1997). I oryour high-schoolers or anything in between. They your time, guidance, your attention, your affection...and your about like having no plan at all. Next month, we’ll take a closer look at one particular keep putting oil in your lamp. time, your guidance, your attention, your affection...and your recently came across one such insight that I had never before heard: resources. Next month, we’ll take a let closer look at one particular resources. scenario that we’re beginning to see more frequently Until then, do your best to your own light keep burnin’ , “If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. You’re not alone here, either. Whether you know it or scenario that we’re beginning to see more frequently among among You’re not alone we here, either. it or burnin’ burnin’ brightly in the lives of others….and To a lamp burning, have to keepWhether putting oilyou in it.know ” those who are being sandwiched. It mightRemember be an eye opener not,not, ifkeep you’re caring for parent (or other relative) AND those who are being sandwiched. It might be an eye opener if you’re caring foraawas parent (or other relative) AND . Well What do you suppose the very first thing that rattled for some. Remember Well. caring forfor (or financially supporting) your children, children,you’re you’re for some. Remember Well. caring financially supporting) Statistics David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director and the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in through my (or mind when I read this? Toof noyour one’s surprise,who I’m sure, Source: Wikipedia.com. Wikipedia.com. among a rapidly growing number Americans find Statistics among a rapidly growing number of Americans who asSource: well as RiverBend Cremation and Quad Cities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be it was the long-percolated memory of that sing-song chorus Ifind had Davenport reached at 563.424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com. David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral directordirector and the and owner David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral the owner themselves sandwichedbetween between their their responsibilities and themselves responsibilities and learned as asandwiched kid…..“Give me oilthey’re in my lamp, keep it burnin’ … .Give me of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport. He canHe be can reached at of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport. be reached at the generations to whom responsible. No surprise, the oil generations to whom they’re responsible. No surprise, in my lamp I pray…. ” identified as one of the “Sandwich 563.424.7055 or byoremail at Dave@WeertsFH.com. then, that you are now 563.424.7055 by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com. then, that you are now identified as one of the “Sandwich

Sandwiched: Part I

Just Like A Trusted Friend . . .

Just Like A Trusted Friend . . . We’ll Be Here When You Need Us We’ll Be Here When You Need Us

www.WeertsFH.com Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road | Davenport, Iowa 52807 | 563.355.4433 | m.weertsfh.com from web-enabled cell phones 46 MAY 2013 • QC Family Focus 46 September 2015 - QC Family Focus

www.WeertsFH.com


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