September 2012 • Complimentary Issue • www.qcfamilyfocus.com
Drought affects the family farm Protect your child's identity Childproofing your home
Texas Roadhouse is giving away 30 kid's meals!
Put Your Home’s Equity to Use
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September 2012
Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois
QCFamily Focus Monthly
Publisher: Mike Mickle Editor: Karen Mickle Magazine Design: Jessie Smith Photographers: QC Family Focus Photography Tassy Johnson • Nick Martel Shannon Colgan • Estelle Nester Janet Meyer Videographer: Harry Walker
Contributing Editors Amir Arbisser, M.D. Ryan Bobst Karen Bohnert Roger Brannan David W. Deuth Curtis Ford Maggie Gehlsen Keene Hart Dr. Traci Nelson Hassel Kelly Hendershot Lori Hillebrand Mike Mickle Stephanie Schulte Jenna Smith Phyllis Zalenski Join thousands of others as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA. Call 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 2011.
9 10 13 17 Just For Kids! Childhood 23 Tearing
Have Your Kids Played Monkey Lunchbox?
Ideas to Stretch Your College Dollars
Watch QC Family Focus come to life on television each Friday.
Family Focus Friday only on WQAD’s midday newscast QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Your Mickle’s Worth The picture on this page says it all. We now have children in 3 different schools. Kyle is officially a high school student. Kate is now in junior high, Matt is a big 4th grader and their parents are wondering how we are gonna survive. It’s quite the site in our house in the mornings, Kate wanders downstairs at 6:30. As she leaves a few minutes before 7, Kyle heads down the stairs. As Kyle is saying goodbye, Matt stumbles down. By the time he leaves at 8:15, we’ve spent almost 2 hours on school preparation. Afternoons are much the same. They all arrive at different times, all are starving, all have events to go to in the evenings and their dad is old and just wants a nap... a very long nap. Still, we can’t whine too much. We have friends who have a child in college, one in high school, one in junior high and the youngest one is Matt’s age. I can’t imagine adding one more into the mix. I believe Kyle will postpone getting his license just because he knows he will be driving the Mickle Family shuttle bus! We have two in basketball (yep, they are already practicing) and two in band. Add in swimming, baton, volleyball, fall baseball, flag football and soccer and you can practically hear our vehicle saying, give me a “brake”. We know parents who are incredibly organized. They form car pools for the kids’ practices, always have the uniform or next day’s school outfit laid out for easy access and make sure the backpacks are ready for the next day. We are NOT those parents. Conversations like the following are common in our house. “Dad, I can’t find my soccer cleat.” “Your soccer cleat or cleats? Meaning you can find one but not the other?” “Yes.” “Please explain how that happens?” “I don’t know!” “Did you play soccer with only one foot at the last practice?” “No!” “Did you hop into the house on one foot?” “No!” “Did you get hungry on the way home and eat the other one?” “NO!!” “Then, shouldn’t they be together?” “Never mind, I’ll find it myself.” 4
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
By Mike Mickle
So, Matt loses his shoes and Kyle’s basketball shoes are no longer allowed in the house. In fact, his mother would like to store them at least a block away. Given the odor that emits from them, Karen and I both find it very hard to believe that he is not storing a dead mouse in them. Then, there’s my beautiful daughter who NEVER has anything to wear. Really? I bet I could find a lot of clothes... if I could actually get her closet door open. What’s blocking it? OHHHHH, it’s all her clothes that aren’t in drawers or on hangers! I would like to tell you it’s not genetic... but I’d be lying. Their mother is just like them! Okay, okay, maybe I have a slight tendency to be disorganized and lose focus... “Oh, look a bunny!”☺ Still, somehow we muddle through. The kids make it to their activities (although, usually not on time), we manage to get the most important tasks done and every now and then, we actually find time as a family to just be together. It’s that “family time” that I hope they will remember as they continue to grow up and move away. Somehow, I’m sure they will also have flashbacks of the craziness, lack of organization and constant feeling that we’ve forgotten something. For most of us those flashbacks remind us that as parents, we aren’t the only ones who struggled with time management. Hope your school year is off to a great start. As always thanks for your support of QC Family Focus! Best regards, Mike Mickle
QC Family Focus - september 2012
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Safe Kids Quad Cities urges parents to childproof homes
Keene Hart NREMT-P Injury Prevention Coordinator, Genesis-Illini Hospital, Quad Cities Safe Kids Approximately 2,700 children in the United States, • Always supervise young children while they’re eating. To avoid choking, don’t allow children under ages 14 and under, die from accidental injuries in the age 3 to eat small, round or hard foods, includhome each year. Around 80 percent of these deaths were ing hot dogs, hard candy, nuts, grapes and popcorn. among children ages 4 and under. Most fatal injuries at home are caused by fire, suffocation, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning or firearms discharged unintentionally. Safe Kids Quad Cities urges parents and care- • Prevent serious falls. Keep furniture away from windows, install guards or stops on windows that are not givers to check their homes for basic safety precautions. emergency exits, install safety gates at the top and There’s no substitute for active supervision, but childproofthe bottom of stairs, never use baby walkers and use ing your home provides extra protection and peace of mind. protective surfaces beneath playground equipment. It’s easy to eliminate the most obvious hazards — and it doesn’t have to involve a lot of expensive equipment. The first step in childproofing a home is to explore • Avoid exposing children to potential poisons. Lock up every room at a child’s eye level. Literally get down on your potential poisons out of children’s reach, including cleanhands and knees and crawl around. You’ll be surprised at ing supplies, pet food, medicine, vitamins, and alcoholic how much you can reach and how many small objects you beverages. Read labels and follow directions when giving can pick up. Anything that can fit through a standard 1½-inch medicine to children. Know which houseplants are poitoilet paper tube is a potential choking hazard. Of course, sonous and keep them where children can’t reach them. cleaning products, medications, alcohol, firearms and other potentially harmful products need to be stored out of reach • Install carbon monoxide detectors in the basement at least and locked up. 15 feet from fossil-fuel burning appliances and every Safe Kids Quad Cities also recommends these precautions: sleeping area. Be sure to test detectors every month. This invisible, odorless gas can be fatal. Make sure heating systems are vented outside and checked every year. • Test your smoke alarms every month: Make sure you have working smoke alarms home, outside each sleeping room. Change the batteries Also, check for fire hazards wires or flammable materials
in every level of your area and in every bedat least once per year. such as frayed electrical near heating appliances.
• Always supervise children while they’re in the bathroom and follow other important safety guidelines. Set your water heater at 120°F and test the bathwater with your wrist or elbow before putting your child in it. Keep toilet lids closed and locked, and doors to bathrooms and utility rooms closed. When not in use, put razors, curling irons and hair dryers out of reach. Never leave young children alone in the bathtub – a child can drown in a matter of seconds. • Install a self-closing and self-latching gate around the home swimming pool. Make sure the fence surrounds the entire pool and is at least 5-feet high. • Look at every room as your child would. Ask yourself what looks interesting and what can be reached. Check for small things children can choke on such as jewelry, coins, small toy parts, buttons, pins, nails, batteries and stones. Be sure to keep all plastic bags out of reach and cover electrical outlets that are not in use.
• Keep emergency numbers by every telephone. Call 911 if a child is choking, collapses, can’t breathe or is having a seizure. If you suspect a child has been poisoned, call 1-800-222-1222. • Check your first aid kit to make sure it is fully stocked. Make sure babysitters know where to find first aid supplies and how to handle an emergency. Safety comes first, even if it means making your home a little less convenient for adults. Safety gates and cabinet locks are a small price to pay to keep a child out of the emergency room. For more information about kitchen safety, window blinds, cribs, windows, furniture and other hazards around the home, call Safe Kids Quad Cities. Safe Kids Quad Cities works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus is the lead agency for Quad Cities Safe Kids and is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Quad Cities was founded in 1996. For more information 309-281-2460. QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Sports Performance Videos- Let us document your athlete’s abilities in a professionally-produced DVD. Great for College scholarship applications. Sports Highlight Reels- Our experts can turn your team’s games into a slick highlight DVD that the players and their families will enjoy for years to come. Marketing Videos- A great way for non-profits or privatelyowned businesses to spotlight what you have to offer. We’ll help develop the script, do the interviews and capture compelling video that shows what you bring to our community. Legacy Videos- The perfect way to document a loved one’s life. We’ll interview your family member, use family photos and video to create a mini-documentary that will be passed down for generations to come. Mickle Communications Compelling Video, Professionally Produced. Call 563-940-7875 or email mike@micklecommunications.com. Stop by our new office located inside the River’s Edge! Across from Modern Woodmen Park 700 West River Drive in Davenport.
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Protect Your Child’s Identity
Phyllis Zalenski Family Resource Management Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
C
identity thief. Before you get rid of information on paper or online, make sure no one else can use it. Shred letters, forms, and other papers that include your child’s personal information before you throw them out. Delete electronic computer files that you no longer need, and empty your online trash or recycle bin. Learn how to remove your personal or financial information that might be stored on your computer, cell phone, or other device before you dispose of it. Your computer can hold enormous amounts of information, and it’s crucial that it stays secure. Talk to your child about best practices for computer security, including using strong passwords, keeping passwords private, and knowing the risks of sharing files through peer to peer software. Talk with your child regularly about the privacy settings on social media sites and what information and photos to share on them. For example, it’s not a great idea to show photos with school or team uniforms, list birth dates or specific locations, or show background settings that are easy to identify. Someone can use the information posted on a social media profile to guess account passwords. More information on identity theft protection can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/
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hild identity theft happens when someone uses a minor’s personal information to commit fraud. A thief may steal and use a child’s information to get a job, government benefits, medical care, utilities, car loans, or a mortgage. Avoiding, discovering, and undoing the damage resulting from the theft of a child’s identity can be a challenge. Adults can monitor their own credit reports every few months to see if someone has misused their information, and order a fraud alert or freeze on their credit files to stop further misuse. Most parents and guardians don’t expect their youngster to have a credit file, and as a result, rarely request a child’s credit report, let alone review it for accuracy. A thief who steals a child’s information may use it for many years before the crime is discovered. The victim may learn about the theft years later, when applying for a loan, apartment, or job. Protecting your child’s personal information is important. Here’s how: • Keep all documents that show a child’s personal information safely locked up. What is personal information? At a minimum, it includes a child’s date of birth, Social Security number, and birth certificate. Don’t carry your child’s Social Security card with you. • Share your child’s Social Security number only when you know and trust the other party. If someone asks for your child’s Social Security number, ask why they want it, how they’ll safeguard it, how long they’ll keep it, and how they’ll dispose of it. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, don’t share the number. Ask to use another identifier. • Before you share personal information on the internet, make sure you have a secure connection. A secure website has a lock icon in the address bar and a URL that begins with “https.” • Use a computer with updated antivirus and firewall protection. Don’t send personal or financial information – your child’s or your own, through an unsecured wireless connection in a public locations. • If you use a password to sign into a website, log out of the site when you’re done on that site. • Limit the chances that your child’s information will be stolen or misused at school. Find out who has access to your child’s personal information, and read the notices that schools are required to send explaining your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). That law protects the privacy of student education records, and gives you the right to opt out of the release of directory information to third parties, including other families. Your trash could be a source of information for an
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QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Have Your Kids Played Monkey Lunchbox? Lori Hillebrand, Northpark Mall Verizon Wireless Store Manager
Now that the school year is underway, educational apps for getting kids’ noggins into back-to-school mode are in high supply. Back to school doesn’t mean the end of fun for kids. There are many apps available for children of all ages to brush up on skills, stretch their brains and boost their motivation. Studies estimate students lose two months of math skills over the summer. Apps found on tablets and on smartphones can create a learning environment to freshen up your child’s knowledge and make learning fun while they are getting back in the swing of things at school. Do you have a child starting preschool or kindergarten who could use some beginner lessons? Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a free app available on both Apple and Android devices featuring different games that teach kids about colors, letters, counting, shapes, sizes and matching. It is useful for young learners who can have fun while helping monkeys pack their lunches. BrainPOP, available on Apple devices, is also a free app that allows kids to get a little bit of
learning in combination with a featured movie experience. After watching a short educational movie, a quiz follows to test your child’s knowledge of what was just watched. Topics include science, social studies, math, English, arts, music and technology. The app provides kids in elementary school the opportunity to interactively learn about topics such as the international space station, the Industrial Revolution, Mark Twain and reading music. With the Scholastic Reading Timer, kids can track the time they spend reading with an interactive stopwatch and keep track of the minutes on a weekly log. This encourages your child to set reading goals and makes it fun for them to read every day! The free app, available on both Apple and Android devices, features recommended reading based on your child’s age. Reading topics are available for children ages 3+ in addition to daily tips, articles and book lists. If you are looking for additional educational apps covering a variety of subjects with many types of learning styles, stop by your local Verizon Wireless store and our team can provide you with great recommendations.
Davenport Parks and Recreation Fall and Winter program registration is Now Open!
Ice Skating, Sports, Performing Arts, Camps, Golf, Special Events, Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation, and much more!
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To register or for more information, call 563-328-PARK (7275)
or visit www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Putnam Explorers is back
at the Putnam Museum!
Jenna Smith Putnam Marketing Director
New this year, Putnam Explorers Jr.! Are you ready to experiment, examine and experience? Then Putnam Explorers is for you! One Sunday afternoon each month, we’ll gather together and embark on a fascinating science adventure. These sessions are packed with hands-on fun that is sure to excite and engage the emerging scientist! Putnam Explorers is for students in grades 2 – 6. Students are grouped by grade level (upper and lower elementary) in most circumstances. Classes run one Sunday each month from 1:303:30 p.m. Fall Season: Sunday, September 9: H2Whoa! Sunday, October 7: Weather Workx Sunday, November 4: Animation Exploration Sunday, December 2: The Element of FUN Spring Season: Sunday, January 1: Build it Bash! Sunday, February 2: Blast Off! Sunday, March 3: The Universe Within! Sunday, April 7: Eggstravaganza Advance registration is required, and the deadline for registering is the Friday before each class. Purchase each season package of four classes for $35. Individual class sessions may be purchased for $10. Putnam members pay $7/class session or $25/season package. Call 563.324.1933, ext. 266 to register today. Hurry! Spots fill up quickly. NEW THIS YEAR – Explorers Jr.! Let Putnam Explorers Jr. program take your young scientist on an adventure in science through stories, songs and exciting hands-on activities that are sure to spark curiosity and engage the imagination. Each month we’ll dabble in a different dimension to bring science to life with engaging experiments, fun activities, games and surprises! Putnam Explorers Jr. is a once-a-month science club for kids Pre-K through 1st Grade (must be age 4 by September 30). We’ll meet one Saturday each month from 9 – 10:30 a.m., October through April.
Fall Season: Saturday, October 6: Weather Workx Jr. Saturday, November 3: Animation Exploration Jr. Saturday, December 1: The Element of FUN Jr. Purchase the fall season package of three classes for $21. Individual class sessions may be purchased for $8. Putnam members pay $6/class session or $15/season package. Spring Season: Saturday, January 5: Build it Bash! Jr. Saturday, February 2: Blast Off! Jr. Saturday, March 2: The Universe Within! Jr. Saturday, April 6: Eggstravaganza Jr. Purchase the spring season package of four classes for $28. Individual class sessions may be purchased for $8. Putnam members pay $6/class session or $20/season package. Call 563.324.1933, ext. 266 to register today or visit www.putnam.org for a registration form!
EXAMINE, INVESTIGATE, CREATE AND INVENT! Putnam Explorers is a once-a-month science club for kids entering 2nd-6th grades! We'll meet one Sunday each month, September through April. New this year, Putnam Explorers Jr. is for kids Pre-K-1st grades, meeting one Saturday each month, October through April! Visit www.putnam.org/explorers or call 563-324-1933 for more information!
QC Family Focus - september 2012
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High School Students are not Prepared for College According to the Enrollment Management Trends Report 2012 published by ACT, only one-fourth of the graduating class of 2011 passed all college preparedness benchmarks (ACT, 2012). That means 75% of the graduates were not prepared for college. Alarming as this may be, even students who scored high on the ACT were not automatically prepared for college. Mark Pruitt, Asst. Director of Admissions for Harding University in Searcy, AR has met with several high-scoring students who struggled to keep their GPAs intact. “One valedictorian with an ACT score of 34, sat in my office after his first semester with his academic scholarship in jeopardy. Another student, a National Merit Scholar, is no longer at Harding because his grades were too low.” So how can high school graduates, who cannot redo the last four years, somehow be successful in the college classroom? According to Pruitt, only two ingredients are required: Desire and Discipline. “The problem stems from lack of motivation and time management skills. If students have the desire to do whatever it takes, and discipline to use their time a little differently, they can overcome poor high school preparation and be very successful.”
Pruitt was a conscientious student when he entered college, but admits it took him two and a half years to finally learn how to study correctly. “I had poor study habits in high school and took those same poor study habits to college. I would cram the night before a test, and even though I may have made an ‘A’ on that exam, if you were to give me the exact same test one week later, I would have to cram all over again. Why? Because I never truly learned the material. However, after a frustrating grade in my International Relations class my junior year, I knew I had to make a change. My study habits had to undergo a major overhaul. The way I took notes, the way I studied those notes, and the way I used my time, all had to change. I began to develop a study method that I had never used before; a study method that would ensure I would really learn the material in the short time I had available. And, I must admit, it worked extremely well. It is composed of a single study strategy called The 4 Study Steps, and it became the foundation for my academic success in the future. By following The 4 Study Steps, I was able to be very active in campus events, have fun with my friends, and still make a 95% or higher in every class. I even earned a 107% in my Business Law II class!” Studying correctly made all the difference. Mark Pruitt is an Iowa native and author of Making the Grade: How to Study at the College Level. He enjoys giving study skills seminars around the country. He can be reached at pruittmark@yahoo.com.
We know many of you love Texas Roadhouse as much as we do.
That’s why we’ve teamed with the managers to give away 30 free kid’s meals!! Here’s how you win. Go to the QC Family Focus Facebook Page. Like us! Then post a message telling us why your children love Texas Roadhouse. We’ll pick 30 winners!! Contest ends September 24th. Remember, you must “like” QC Family Focus on Facebook first, then post a message. Good luck! We’ll see you at one of the Quad Cities’ most popular restaurants! 12
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Ideas to Stretch Your College Dollars Kelly Hendershot, Marketing Communications Officer, DHCU Community CreditUnion Let’s face it, even with all the ramen noodle variations out there, a person can eat only so many. Here are some tips to maximize your resources during those financially trying college years. • Apply for a DHCU Community Credit Union Student Choice private loan to help fill funding gaps that federal aid can leave behind. • Consult our College Financing 101 online videos to better understand your financial award letter. • Use your student ID/activity card to see athletic events, school productions, and guest speakers for free or reduced prices. • Install DHCUmobile on your mobile device for 24/7 online account management – view balances, transfer funds, pay bills and more! • Sign up for HomeBranch transaction alerts to better monitor your account so you can report any unauthorized transactions right way. You can also be notified immediately when your financial aid is deposited. • Use BillPay to receive and pay your bills electroni-
cally, all in one place. A must have tool if you plan to live off campus to pay for rent and utilities. • Cook for yourself and pack a lunch whenever possible. • Shop used clothing stores and thrift shops. • Watch the matinee instead of the evening show and seek out theaters offering student discounts. • Use public transportation or ride a bike. Hey, it eliminates speeding and parking tickets. • Brew yourself a cup of coffee in the morning instead of paying $3 for a latte. • Visit parks, zoos, and museums for inexpensive entertainment. • Buy used books, CDs, and furniture. • Use discipline. Before splurging on items such as expensive shoes, hold off for a week or two and decide if they are something you really need. Call 309-796-7500 in the Quad Cities, 563244-6506 in Clinton, 800-323-5109 toll-free, email info@dhcu.org or visit any DHCU location for more ideas on how to stretch your college dollars.
Back-to-School and Sports Physicals Only $20 Visit the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics in Davenport and Moline to save on your student’s back-to-school and sports physicals. Now through Sept. 28, school physicals* are only $20. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome during our convenient hours. *Check with your school district to verify that physicals performed by a chiropractor are accepted at your student’s school.
Davenport Clinic (563) 884-5801
www.palmerclinics.com/qc
Moline Clinic (309) 764-4901
The Trusted Leader in Chiropractic Education® QC Family Focus - september 2012
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Stephanie Schulte Associate Director of Customer Service Interested in climate change? Wondering why we are having such unusual weather this year between the warm winter and the warm dry summer? In looking for an exciting topic, I found some articles that might help explain this phenomenon. Here is a sample that might help peak your interest! I found an article concerning the discovery of a tropical rainforest from 34-56 million years ago when scientists studied the sediment of cores drilled from the ocean floor off Antarctica’s east coast and chose global warming as the topic. It is hard to believe that we have had the discussion about global warming since 1896. Global warming: How skepticism became denial. By: Weart, Spencer. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Jan 2011, Vol. 67 Issue 1, p41-50. 10p. According to the U.S. Global Research Change Program, we will continue to have the unusual weather with the Midwest continuing to stay hotter and drier and the East coast seeing deluges of rain. Did Global Warming Destroy My Hometown? By: Fletcher, Seth. Popular Science. Feb2012, Vol. 280 Issue 2, p34-74. 9p. As with any topic, there are opinions on all sides of the issue. Social scientists are using research to show ways we can work on solutions. Inside the Clash Over Climate Change. (cover story). By: Wheeler, David L. Chronicle of Higher Education. 5/11/2012, Vol. 58 Issue 36, pA1-A14. 4p. Politicians promote their viewpoint to get votes; skeptics help to promote the concept of cyclical weather; and there are those who are in denial that anything is different. For those that believe this planet is in a phase of global warming, they are adamant that people change their habits immediately to help reverse the change. ‘Global Suicide Pact.’. By: Miller, Richard W. Commonweal. 3/23/2012, Vol. 139 Issue 6, p12-15. 4p. As a member of a larger country, we are seeing deterioration of the coasts. Some towns have decided to expand the beaches so there is less chance of lost homes due to hurricanes, tsunamis, and other weather events. However, small islands are seeing their coasts lost and thus their land due to the rising of the seas with the melting of the polar ice caps. With this concept of chain reactions, scientists are looking at a variety of ways to see if it is possible to deflect the heat. Even with concepts that work using computer simulation,
scientists have found it would only be a temporary solution. The Climate Fixers. By: Specter, Michael. New Yorker. 5/14/2012, Vol. 88 Issue 13, p96-103. 8p. As a library cardholder, you have access to an online database entitled MasterFile Premier at our website, www.davenportlibrary.com. This database provides full text for more than 2,100 reference publications, with some dating back to 1975. It does take a month or so to get current articles in the database. You can see I selected one dated 5/14/2012 and this article was written the beginning of August. If you need help, you can always ask our friendly librarians at the Main Street, Eastern Avenue Branch, or Fairmount Branch Libraries.
Your Ad Could Be Here! Call-940-7876 or email kmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com for rates. QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Drought affects the family farm Karen Bohnert Bohnert Farms
My husband, Scott, is a first generation dairy farmer, who has received much success and recognition at a young age from his awesome cow care, elite cow genetics and excellent milk quality and production. He, along with his brother, Brian, and their parents, Jim and Wanda Bohnert, own and operate Bohnert Jerseys, a 400cow Registered Jersey dairy farm and farms 1,000 acres of corn, soybean and wheat. Like many dairy farmers, my husband, Scott, clocks in more hours than I dare report, especially in the summer months. The sense of satisfaction from the miracle birth of baby calves born daily, to watching crops thrive, to working side by side with past and future generations makes my husband bounce out of bed and look forward to working hard to produce food, not only for our family to consume, but for many other families, too. However, the drought of 2012 has tested many farmers, like my husband’s true dedication to making our family business still standing for the next generation. Honestly, it is emotionally draining for dairy farmers to watch the crops that they personally planted with endless hours of hard work, decline day-after-day. And, short of praying, and praying hard, there is really nothing more than we can do for our crops. This is the most destructive U.S. drought in the last 50 years. It has forced many
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
dairy farmers, including us, into survival mode. The drought’s impact is far reaching. It will affect not only farmers, but consumers as well. The drought of 2012 has definitely left a footprint for our family, and for our family farm in East Moline, Illinois For farmers, the drought means doing more with less. Equipment that needs replaced is bandaged to hopefully make it through another harvest or another calendar year, until the farm can afford to make that purchase in a more prosperous time. Many farmers, including us, are still holding onto that band-aid from the rough year of 2009. However, as bleak as times may be right now, being a dairy farmer still has plenty of unique and special rewards that few other careers can provide. We remain optimistic that our farm and family will persevere. That hopefulness encourages our three children that we, as a family can overcome challenges and are committed to making our family farm prosper. As always, cow care is our number one focus at Bohnert farm. Regardless what the temperature reports, our Jersey cattle are exceptionally cared for every day, especially in the hot weather. Our milk cows are housed in a free-stall barn, where they have 24/7 access to fresh feed and water, and can lie down or walk around at their leisure. The barns are equipped with large fans running 24 hours a day, so they can have constant cool air flow. Our cows are also cooled off with sprinklers as they enter and exit the milking parlor. Jersey cows at Bohnert farm can lie down on new mattresses we added early this summer, giving them that extra cushion to help keep them cool and comfortable. During this hot summer, Scott woke even earlier to mix fresh feed for the cows to eat during the cooler mornings, and does it again after the sun has gone down and the thermometer has dropped, encouraging the cows to eat and drink as much as possible. All of our cows, both big and small, are closely watched to make sure they stay healthy. Despite these challenging times, when the temperature rises, and even when we are faced with the drought of 2012, as a family, we band together, work through it, care for the animals and in the process teach our children a valuable lesson.
Just For Kids!
QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Just For Kids!
Kid’s Calendar EAST WEST RIVERFEST September 7-16th 10 days, 75 organizations, 300 plus arts, culture, heritage events. www. eastwestriverfest.com, (309) 277-0937 Little Conductors Day • September 9th 1-4pm. All aboard! Kids of all ages are invited to roll on down to the Botanical Center for an afternoon dedicated to riding the rails! Little conductors will be able to participate in train games and activities, meet interesting railroad characters, hear locomotive stories, view the Botanical Center’s garden sized railroad run by the Heartland Central Model Railroad Club and enjoy dining car snacks. Each child 2-12years will receive a train whistle and bandanna to remember the day. $10.00 for all children (212) - Adults: regular admission- Children under 2 years free! Reservation not required.
Free Kid’s Craft Day Saturday, September 15th John Deere Pavilion •1400 River Drive Moline Theme: Apples • Craft: Apple Crafts QC Balloon Festival • September 28-30th Colorful Hot Air Balloons fill the sky Friday & Saturday evenings(4:30pm) and again on Saturday & Sunday mornings at sunrise (7:00am). The balloons will glow on the field after the Friday & Saturday evening flights. Tethered rides in a balloon will be available to the public each evening. The event is a fundraiser for River Bend Food Bank. Admission is free, but a donation of non-parishable food items is requested. A 50/50 raffle will be held each evening. A good variety of food items will be available. We ask that you not bring pets. All activity is weather dependant. Kennedy Square, 107 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, IL Call 309-737-3154 for more information.
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R.I.A. Federal Credit Union 563.355.3800 • 800.742.2848 www.riafcu.com 18
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Just For Kids!
Luminous Leaf Lanterns Gather up your supplies -C ollect some vibrant leaves and press them at least 36 hours. - mod podge - paint brush - glass jar or bowl To begin, paint a thick layer of mod podge onto your glass surface. Place your leaves on top.
Paint thickly over the leaves. Don’t worry if they don’t lie flat in all places, the leaves seem to hold strong once the mod podge dries. Let dry and Voila!
Apple Play-doh Work on a tray to prevent any staining or mess on the table/floor. No Cook Kool-Aid Play Doh Recipe: 1 Packet Sugar-Free Red Kool-Aid 1 Cup of Flour 1/2 Cup of Salt (for the smell of apples we added a dash of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Allspice) 3 Teaspoons of Vegetable Oil 1 Cup Boiling Water Mix dry ingredients; then stir in oil and boiling water,keep stirring for a minute or two -- once it cools down a bit pull it out of the bowl and knead into a ball. Store in an air tight container. QC Family Focus - september 2012
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A
s with physical health, prevention and early intervention is essential for mental health. Children with unmet mental health needs are more likely to drop out of school, be arrested, be involved with the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, experience low levels of employment and high levels of poverty and homelessness as they grow up and have parents that are stressed and frequently miss work (National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, 2008). All of these outcomes are negative and impact the child, the family and the community as both a social and financial burden. Prevention is certainly important in this context. There are many free and inexpensive (compared to psychiatric care over the lifespan) activities that families can do to promote mental health. For instance, fostering healthy attachments and relationships within families can be done by playing together, reading together and being responsive to each other’s needs. With mental health, risk factors can influence each person differently, especially genetics or family history, so sometimes prevention is not enough. Early identification is essential. Within this framework, it is important to know normal developmental stages for children (visit www.healthychildren.org, search “Ages & Stages”) so that it is clear a two yearold is behaving in a developmentally appropriate manner, or that the two year-old has some distinct
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Early Intervention Important for Children’s Mental Health mental health needs. Identifying dramatic changes in behavior or mood, appetite and sleep that last an extended period of time are consistently good indicators that something may need to be addressed by a licensed professional. Even if we are uncertain of what is going on, providers have access to evidence-based screening tools and assessments to determine if professional treatment or care may be necessary. Upon noticing changes that are not developmentally appropriate, a great place to start is with your primary care provider, who may have access to some of the screening and assessment tools necessary to determine if a referral for professional care is required. It is also important to realize that not all children will need or benefit from medication, and that research supports the idea that for some needs, the most effective interventions involve a combination of medication and therapeutic interventions. If children can be connected to appropriate services and supports in a timely fashion, then the aforementioned negative outcomes can be avoided and the success of the child, family and community can be ensured.
Ryan Bobst, MSW, LMSW Scott County Community Planner Scott County Kids Children’s Mental Health System of Care 600 W 4th Street, 6th Floor Davenport, IA 52801 Phone: 563-326-8221 x 8593 http://scottcountykids.org
Because raising children is our most important job
Because babies don’t come with an instruction manual
Because finding a person to care for your child while you’re at work can be overwhelming.
Let us help you.
log on to: www.scottcountykids.org stop by: 600 W. 4th Street
Davenport, IA
or call:
(563) 326-8221
For Kids prenatal through age 5
child care is important….choose wisely QC Family Focus - september 2012
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Childhood Tearing
Parents frequently seek my opinion about excessive tearing in their children’s eyes. Excessive tearing to me means frequently observing tears overflowing the eyelid’s capacity to drain away the moisture. The anatomy of the tearing system deserves our attention first. Watery tears are manufactured in glands located in the upper outer part of the bony eye socket. The tears wash across the surface of the eye mingling with mucous and oily tear components created by the glands in the eyelids and on the surface of the eyes. The tear mixture drains into small openings in the inner aspects of the upper and lower lids, flow into small canals which drain inside the lower back of the nose and the throat. The tears are ultimately swallowed which explains our ability to note a salty taste after we cry or other unusual flavors after we employ eye drops. The pediatric ophthalmologist must always exclude a variety of potential problems in a tearing child. Emotional tearing excludes itself. Birth defects involving the eyelids, the tear drainage system, and
Amir Arbisser, M.D.
Dr. Arbisser, co-founder of Eye Surgeons Associates, is board-certified with a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology. Dr. Arbisser practices at our offices in Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois. For more information, please see our website: esaeyecare.com.
abnormalities of the eye socket are usually eliminated in the physical examination. A complete examination follows the medical history, including the family history. Blue-eyed children may be more light sensitive, and therefore may tear in response to light. This is termed photosensitivity. Photosensitivity also may occur in the setting of an occult foreign body, infection of the cornea or conjunctiva, rare infantile glaucoma or with intraocular inflammation such as iritis. Children may rarely demonstrate “dry eyes”. In this condition, one component of the normal tears film mixture may be absent, resulting in poor quality tears. This abnormal tear film inadequately coats and protects the eye, which responds to being “dry” by increased production of other components making the eye look “wet”. Once the exam eliminates these other infrequent but important considerations, the likelihood is high of congenital obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct located beside the eye. A small percentage of normal infants demonstrate nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The The more you insure with Allstate, the less you pay. management involves initially reducing the surface In fact, safe drivers who insure their home and car bacteria or germs primarily by using warm wash can save up to 33%. Add coverage for your motorcycle, cloths and massaging the tear collecting area where boat insure or ATV and even more. firstpay. to see the inner eyelid attaches to a bone. If there is discharge e more you withsave Allstate, the Call lessme you how much you can save. or pus, we add antibiotic drops or ointment to reduce fact, safe drivers who insure their home and car the chance of the infection permanently scarring the n save up tomore 33%.you Add coverage for your motorcycle, The insure with Allstate, the lessRdyou pay. Christy Cox 5159 Utica Ridge The more youdrivers insure with Allstate, the lessand youcar pay. drainage canal. The majority of blocked nasolacrimal In fact, safe who insure home (563) 359-4079 oreoryou insure with Allstate, the less youtheir pay. Davenport, IA 52807 at ATV and save even more. Call me first to see Incan fact, safe drivers who insure their home and car ducts spontaneously resolve with this conservative 5159 Utica Rd.for save upinsure to 33%. Add coverage motorcycle, t, drivers who their home and caryour PhRidge 563.359.4079 wsafe much you can save. management. If the discharge fails to clear with several Davenport save upcoverage toand 33%. Add coverage for your motorcycle, boat or ATV save even more. Call me first to see ve up tocan 33%. Add for your motorcycle, ChristyCox@allstate.com boat or ATV and save more. Call me first to see attempted antibiotics or the blockage persists beyond how much you can save. r ATV and save even more. Calleven me first to see Christy Cox 1140 E Kimberly Rd Ste 200 twelve months of age, mechanical probing relieves the how you can save. much you canmuch save. Davenport, IA 52807 (563) 359-4079 Christy Cox obstruction in most remaining cases. I prefer to probe 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. Ph 563.391.1226 Christy Cox twelve month old children in the operating room under (563) 359-4079 Christy Cox 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. Davenport general anesthesia. (563) 359-4079 (563) 359-4079 Davenport ChristyCox@allstate.com 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. 5159 Utica Ridge Rd. Tearing in childhood should be brought to the ChristyCox@allstate.com Davenport Davenport attention of either your children’s primary care physician Discount subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Property insurance is subject to Now availability. Allstate Fireoffering and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company. ChristyCox@allstate.com ChristyCox@allstate.com or to the child’s ophthalmologist. I initially advocate conservative management after excluding conditions two locations to which may require early intervention. Seldom will any better serve you! of these result in permanent harm to a child’s vision and should intervention occur, it has a high likelihood of Discount subject to terms, conditions and availability. Actual savings will vary. Property insurance is subject to success. availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance IL. © 2009insurance Allstate Insurance Company. unt subject to terms, conditions and availability. ActualCompany, savings Northbrook, will vary. Property is subject to
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ject to Allstate terms, conditions availability. Actual savings will vary. Property insurance is subject to bility. Fire andand Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company.
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QC Family Focus - september 2012
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At our age, why would we choose inflated health care costs? Get the surgery you need - even on fixed income. At Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, our seniors often pay less out-of-pocket for the same procedure than in a hospital. Why? Because we’re an outpatient facility. We perform minimally-invasive surgical techniques and our patients recover at home. No expensive hospitalization adds up to savings for you. Don’t let expensive insurance premiums, high deductibles or the fear of lost time from work or life keep you from getting the treatment you need. You can save money and receive great care: It’s what healthcare should be.™
3400 Dexter Court • Suite 200 • Davenport, IA 52807 www.mvsurgerycenter.com
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
At Our Age.indd 1
6/12/2012 9:34:59 AM
Fellowship-training. A difference that makes a difference.
Why should patients look for a fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialist?
Because advanced training makes a difference when it comes to surgical specialization. It brings new possiibilities and new procedures into the conversation about your care and recovery. By providing you with access to specialists who actually practice primarily in their fellowship, we’re able to provide a broader, patient-first approach to orthopaedic care that you’ll only find at Orthopaedic Specialists, PC. Learn more about the surgeons and healthcare specialists at OS by visiting us online at osquadcities.com or by calling 563-344-9292 to schedule an appointment today.
3385 Dexter Court • Ste. 300 • Davenport, IA 52807 • 563-344-9292 www.osquadcities.com
Foot & Ankle
Whole Campaign (Family Focus).indd 11
Hand & Upper Extremity
Spine
Sports Medicine
Total Joint Replacement
QC Family Focus - september 2012
7/10/2012 9:24:30 PM
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Getting Better Faster:
Getting Back to Life.
G
eneseo resident Rick Franks is living life like so many patients recovering from total knee replacement surgery – back to life doing the things he enjoys most without pain.
You’ll find Geneseo resident Rick Franks in his garden, thanks to a successful total knee replacement surgery that had him up and walking in a day. “I battled knee pain for three years. When I walked, I could hear it crunch. I was limping, avoiding the stairs, and experiencing terrible bone-on bone pain,” says Rick. “Now after surgery, I wonder why I waited so long!” Rick is not alone. Joint pain, particularly the knees, can limit your life, but thanks to great strides in minimally invasive surgery, Quad City
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Rick Franks, an avid gardener living in Geneseo, IL is back on his knees tending to his flowers thanks to a successful recovery following a total knee replacement by Dr. John Hoffman of Orthopaedic Specialists, PC in Davenport.
area patients are staying out of the hospital, recovering faster and more economically than before. “Patients usually come to me when they can’t do the things they love,” says fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon Dr. John Hoffman, Orthopaedic Specialists (OS). “As Baby Boomers age, knee replacement surgery, in particular, and total joint replacements, in general, are becoming common. Wear and tear is a part of the trend, trauma to the knee can cause problems, and even weight gain as people age puts stress on the knees or other joints such as hips or ankles,” he says. Better results,faster faster recovery, Better results, recovery, lower costs lower costs “The good news is that total joint replacement surgeries and outcomes
have improved a great deal. I’ve been doing total joint procedures for more than 20 years, and in the last decade, improvements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and joint technology means more patients return to their active lives much faster than before.” “When I perform a minimally invasive procedure, my incisions are approximately 4 inches long.
John Hoffman, MD Orthopaedic Specialists, PC, Davenport
Traditional joint replacement surgery incisions are 8-12 inches long. These new surgical techniques spare patients’ muscle tissue. We have also finetuned regional anesthetic and pain management protocols. All of these factors come together allowing most patients to be walking within a day of their procedure,” adds Dr. Hoffman. And, what used to take 7 to 14 days in a hospital can now be done in one day at Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) such as the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center in Davenport, IA. Rick had his procedure performed at MVSC. “I felt great about not being in the hospital. I wasn’t even under general anesthesia, just a spinal,” he says. “I woke up and didn’t even feel sick. The nurses were great and helped control the pain. I was up and walking the same night of my surgery and was home the next day.” The cost of outpatient total joint surgeries such as Rick’s is also good news. According to 2011 Iowa Hospital Association data at its Iowa Hospitals Compare Web site, the average knee replacement surgery in Iowa lasts over 3 days at a cost of nearly $40,000. At the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, the stay is less than a day at an average cost of $18,000. “MVSC is home to ambulatory (outpatient) surgeries, where a patient who needs less than 24 hours for
treatment can have their surgery performed,” says Michael Patterson, MVSC President and CEO. “We are built to better serve patients who do not necessarily need the services and associated costs of hospitalization and where physicians have more control over how procedures are handled.” Growing Trend of Outpatient Joint Surgeries The Mississippi Valley Surgery Center is the only Medicare-approved ASC between Chicago and Omaha that performs total joint replacements. Most major insurance carriers cover this procedure in the outpatient setting. “Insurers are beginning to see the benefit of performing this procedure in an outpatient setting from both a quality and cost perspective,” adds Dr. Hoffman. “Joint replacements just five years ago required a major incision, long-acting anesthetic and extended convalescence. Medical innovation now allows this procedure to be performed safely and effectively in the outpatient setting. Patient satisfaction has increased tremendously.” Since its beginning in 1996, MVSC has served more than 90,000 patients; and the ambulatory surgery center has grown, supported by the Mississippi Valley Health physicians, to perform over 10,000 procedures a year. “MVSC keeps health care costs down because physician training emphasizes minimally invasive procedures that
promote faster healing; and the surgery center’s outpatient services ensure you recover at home and avoid expensive hospital stays,” says Mr. Patterson. “Thirty years ago, virtually all surgery was performed in hospitals. Patients waited weeks or months for an appointment, and they typically spent several days in the hospital and several weeks out of work in recovery. But better surgical techniques, more efficient operations and treatments allow patients to recover better and faster at home,” he says.
What you need to know about
Knee Replacements: (from www.osquadcities.com)
Who is a good candidate for a knee replacement? The minimally invasive knee replacement is indicated in patients who have severe arthritis of the knee that have failed conservative treatments. What is the benefit of the minimally invasive total knee replacement? • Smaller Incision – A traditional knee replacement surgery involves an incision about 8 inches over the front of the knee. In the minimally invasive knee replacement, the incision is about 3 inches. In addition, the quadriceps muscle is moved to the side instead of cut through like traditional methods of knee replacement, allowing for less pain and quicker recovery. • Less Blood Loss – Because of the extent of dissection and bone removal necessary for a total knee replacement, the need for a blood transfusion is relatively common. • Shorter Recovery – The time to functional recovery are less with minimally invasive knee replacement. Patients are typically discharged within 23 hours of the procedure. Post-Operatively Rehabilitation/recovery time for the knee replacement is typically around 8 weeks for most patients, but will vary. Patients are typically using some sort of assistive walking device (crutches, cane or walker) for about one to two weeks, then continued therapy for another four to six weeks. After recovery, most patients are able to resume such activities as walking, dancing and golfing.
A procedure that used to require 1-2 weeks’ stay in the hospital can now be done on an outpatient basis, meaning recovery happens at home and, usually, in less time.
For more information on understanding treatment options for dysfunctional knee joints, visit the Orthopaedic Specialists PC website: www.osquadcities.com .
QC Family Focus - september 2012
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k.i.s.s. By Dr. Traci Nelson Hassel Nelson Chiropractic
R
SubocciptalSprain”. In other words, it isa neck usually caused by birth trauma and i microtrauma of the brain stem tissues ev often result in numerous symptoms and c
consistently maintain a posture like in the below diagram Some of the initial symptoms of K.I.S.S.ar what should you do? Get your little one checked by a pediatric chiropractor! Studies have shown that the Breastfeeding difficulty—only fee recommended treatment is corrective spinal adjustments to the upper vertebral column. Using a very low force A fixed posture—always holding t technique to help correct the vertebrae, the misaligned Poor neck rotation or head tilt—s child is treated with the utmost care and attention with Uncomfortable when lying down— minimal invasiveness. sleep When caught early, this is a correctable syndrome, Flat spot on head or swelling of o leaving no permanent effect to the child’s normal neurological development. Please Colic seek the help of a pediatric chiropractor for any further questions. In our office, we do a thorough assessment of the infant, which includes observation of the child, assessment of their movement, and palpation of the vertebral column, cranium and pelvis to Occasionally this condition can occur with check for any imbalances that the child may be showing. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions untreated, some abnormalities can becom you may have about K.I.S.S.. impairment of fine motor skills. Moveme
eading the acronym “K.I.S.S.” many of you would think “Keep It Simple Stupid” or maybe it would bring to mind four guys with painted faces. Another meaning for K.I.S.S. is “Kinematic Imbalance due to Subocciptal Sprain”. In other words, it is a lot of big words that mean a misalignment of the top of the neck usually caused by birth trauma and intrauterine posture. Studies have shown signs of microtrauma of the brain stem tissues even during the most routine or normal births. This trauma can often result in numerous symptoms and complaints in newborns. Some of the initial symptoms of K.I.S.S. are: · Breastfeeding difficulty—only feed on one breast · A fixed posture—always holding the same position ·P oor neck rotation or head tilt—sit or sleep with head always turned the same way and especially “proprioception”. Proprio ·U ncomfortable when lying from the brain to all body parts so you ar down—scream when getting diaper changed or I Want a Healthy Spine.... to relieve my chronic back pain. need to be held to sleep So if you have noticed that your child doe ·F lat spot on head or swelling Diagnosing and treating chronic back and neckwhat should you do? Get your little one c pain can be challenging and of one side of the face costly. Talk to your chiropractic physician aboutthe recommended treatment is corrective how chiropractic care may ·C olic provide you with relief from chronic pain. very low force technique to help correct t Occasionally this care and attention with minimal invasiven condition can occur without Put Chiropractic Care Into Your Health Routine. symptoms during infancy and When caught early, this is a correctable s For your evaluation, contact your childhood. When untreated, Iowa chiropractic provider today: neurological development. Please seek th some abnormalities can become permanent resulting our office, we do a thorough assessment Logo in dysfunction of the neck assessment of their movement, and palpa and impairment of fine motor any imbalances that the child may be sho skills. Movement in the Local Info: cervical spine is necessary for proper development and especially “proprioception”. Proprioception is your body’s ability to communicate back and forth from the brain to all body parts so you are able to know where your body and its parts are in space. www.IWantAHealthySpine.com So if you have Insert name here noticed that your child does 28
chronicpain5x6ad.indd september 2012 • QC Family Focus1
10/8/2010 1:40:01 PM
Race Into Fall! I
Maggie Gehlsen Miss Muscatine’s Outstanding Teen 2012
t’s no secret that autumn is one of the best times of the year! The weather is beautiful, fall sports have begun, and everyone is itching to get outside before winter approaches! September is the Clinton Half Marathon, 10K Run, & 5K Run/Walk. With multiple races, it’s an easy way to get out and get moving with your family! The races begin at 7:30 A.M., and as a volunteer with these races last year, I must say that the route is beautiful. Now, physical fitness and... chocolate? You never would have thought, right? Think again! On October 27, my personal favorite candy store, Lagomarcino’s, is hosting their 5K Chocolate Races. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9:00 A.M. that morning in Moline at the iWireless Center, with a Fun Run for kids, too! Races that incorporate fun runs for younger participants are exceptionally great, because it really does get the entire family involved, and gives the young ones a race to look forward to! Not only are all these races a great perk to living in the Quad Cities, but the parks make being active flat out EASY! Vander Veer Park, Duck Creek Park, Fejevary Park, Centennial Park, Lindsay Park, Rocket Park, Prospect Park, Middle Park, Crow Creek Park, and more! All are wonderful locations for you to get out with your families; whether you’re playing soccer, riding bikes, or playing catch, all are perfect for family activities! Don’t hesitate to spend some time outside; once winter rolls around, you may have cabin fever before you know it! Take advantage of the fall season, get out, and get moving!
THE
POWER To REDUCE ENERGY BILLS
The power to lower monthly energy bills is in your hands with HomeCheck®, a free home energy audit from MidAmerican Energy. During an audit, an energy specialist will suggest simple changes around your home that can make a big difference in energy savings.
Back to School It’s our Back to SchoolParty Bash on Texas Roadhouse Style!
September 10th, 5-7 pm Kids ages Birth to 12 years old.
Tuesday, 15th. Kids eatAugust free with A party to celebrate the coming school year! Every kid 12purchase. and under an adult gets a FREE kids meal Lots of fun ofand games!! (with the purchase an adult entree)
The energy specialist may even provide free energyefficient improvements, such as low wattage light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and energy-saving faucet aerators. Your home may qualify for insulation rebates too. Call us today to see if your home qualifies for a HomeCheck energy audit. Or, conduct a free online home energy audit by visiting www.midamericanenergy.com/homeaudit.
Plus lots of fun back to school goodies! 800-545-0762 www.MIDAMERICANENERGY.com QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Bettendorf Health Care Center
A Place To Call Home
2730 Crow Creek Rd • Bettendorf, IA • (563) 332-7463 • 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. • 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! • Activities for all ages and abilities, a variety of religious services, and a caring and competent staff.
When you can’t go home, we’re the next best thing! 30
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
WHAT IS MEDICARE PART A AND B By Roger Brannan Administrator, Bettendorf Health Care Center
Medicare Part A provides assistance for hospital care, skilled nursing care, and home health care and health maintenance organization expenses. Medicare Part B provides assistance with physician expenses, medical expenses and health care related expenses. Will Medicare cover my nursing home stay? In order for a patient to be eligible for Medicare covered services in a nursing home they must meet certain criteria. Those include the following: *Must have Medicare Part A benefits *Must have 3 consecutive acute midnight stays in the hospital *Physician must certify that the patient needs “skilled nursing care” *Must be admitted to a Medicare certified bed within 30 days of the acute hospital stay What will Medicare Part A cover in the nursing home? If you are admitted to a skilled nursing facility for skilled nursing care Medicare will cover up to 100 days per benefit period. However, only the first 20 days are covered at 100%. Beginning on day 21 the beneficiary is responsible
for the co-insurance amount which for 2012 is $143.50 per day. If a patient has supplemental insurance, the $143.50 co-insurance may be covered under that policy. Many patients ask what is covered by Medicare Part A while I am receiving skilled nursing care. The following items are typically covered by Medicare during your skilled nursing stay: room and board, nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medications, medical supplies and equipment, lab and x-rays, oxygen, and tube feedings. A patient’s Medicare Part A benefits reach their maximum for skilled nursing care at 100 days. When a beneficiary has a 60 day break in the spell of illness, the beneficiary may qualify for a new benefit period. However, the individual would have to complete a new 3-day (overnight) hospital stay. An individual can have more than one benefit period per year when falling under the new spell of illness rule. The benefits provided by Medicare can be confusing. It is best to discuss your questions with an expert to completely understand your Medicare coverage prior to admission to a facility.
Just Like A Trusted Friend . . . 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 QC Family Focus - september 2012
31
Divorce and Your Estate Plan
D
By Curtis Ford Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP
ivorce is a challenging time in any family’s life, changing the lives of everyone involved. But, as wrenching an experience as it can be, it’s not necessarily over once the final papers are signed. You may have divided property and designed custody arrangements but that doesn’t mean you’ve ended the process, especially regarding any estate planning you did – or did not do – during your marriage. The good news is that updating your estate plan and related documents is a straightforward process. If you created an estate plan with your now ex-spouse, you will need to create a new will and/or living trust. You will also want to review your financial and health care powers of attorney to see who is your agent. If you named your spouse as your agent, he or she may retain that designation despite the divorce unless you create new documents and name a new agent. In addition to reviewing your will or trust and your powers of attorney, you also need to check the beneficiary designations on any life insurance policies or
retirement accounts. You may have listed your former spouse as the beneficiary and in many cases, a divorce does not terminate those designations. To be safe, you should complete new forms naming a new beneficiary. Depending on your circumstances, you do not need to remove a former spouse from every role in your estate plan. For example, it may be appropriate to have your ex-spouse continue to serve as trustee for a children’s trust. The important thing is to review your documents so you know exactly what role an ex-spouse is currently playing in your estate plan and to decide what role – if any – he or she should have now. An attorney experienced with estate planning can help you answer these questions and develop estate planning documents that reflect your wishes. Nash Nash Bean & Ford are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. To receive a copy of our most recent newsletter “Your Estate Matters” or for a free consultation on Estate or Long Term Care Planning, call 309-762-9368 or 1-800644-5345. You may also contact our firm by email at info@nashbeanford.com or visit our website at www.nashbeanford.com. The firm devotes its practice primarily in the areas of estate, business and tax planning and related areas of the law, as well as elder law and trusts administration and probate. We offer guidance and advice to our clients in every area of estate planning. This column is designed for general information purposes only, and is not intended, nor should be construed or relied upon, as legal advice. Please consult your attorney if specific legal information is desired.
Don’t Bet The Farm: Estate & Succession Planning for Farm Families Your Family’s Future Depends on the Decisions You Make Today. Attend this important seminar and learn:
For us, planning our estate is about love, not death.
◆ How you can protect your family from having to sell the farm to pay estate taxes.
◆ The advantages and disadvantages of trusts and wills.
◆ How to avoid a family feud over division of the farm.
◆ How to plan your estate to minimize federal estate taxes.
◆ How to reduce possible delays in operations due to probate.
◆ How to protect the farm and your estate and provide for yourself and your family if you become incapacitated.
◆ How to transition the farm operations in a timely manner.
◆ What a Power of Attorney will and will not do for you.
COLONA Call 1-800-644-5345 or visit our website, Tuesday, July 10 Thursday, July 12 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.www.nashbeanford.com 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Best Western Prairie Inn Lavender Crest Winery for our upcoming seminars 300 S. Soangetaha Road 5409 US Highway 6 GALESBURG
Attend one of these seminars and you’ll receive, a FREE, one-hour, private estate planning consultation to answer any questions you have about protecting your Estate and IRA.
REGISTER NOW: (309) 944-2188, (309) 762-9368 OR 1-800-644-5345 Register online: www.nashbeanford.com
Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP • Attorneys and Counselors at Law John Deere Rd. at 5030 38th Ave. Ste. 2 • Moline, IL 61265
445 U.S. Hwy 6 East • P. O. Box 63 • Geneseo, IL 61254
The Attorneys at Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP speak to area residents about living trusts and estate planning. They have helped hundreds of Illinois families plan their estates.
Seating is Limited, So Call 309-944-2188, (309) 762-9368 or 1-800-644-5345 Now! 24-Hour Seminar Reservation Line or Reserve Online at www.nashbeanford .com
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september 2012 • QC Family Focus
Be sure to check out www.qcfamilyfocus.com Our newly re-designed website will be up and running soon!
Keppy Lawn and Landscaping
While you are there make sure you take our Family Focus Finest survey!
Lawn maintenance, landscaping , outdoor lighting, aeration, fertilizer.
Kids, there’s also a page for you to submit your artwork. Parents, you can share recipes. It’s designed to further our mission of promoting happy, healthy families in the QCA!
Call 563-528-0972 or 563-528-6083 You enjoy the summer weather with your family. Leave the lawn work to us. Fast, Affordable, Friendly Service.
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can BECOME it.
The Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities providing Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Feeding Therapy. Therapists are licensed in both Iowa and Illinois. For more information, call 309-762-9552 or visit our website www.ctcqc.org. QC Family Focus - september 2012
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Present Circumstances
By David W. Deuth, President of Weerts Funeral Home “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” Nido Quebin According to his website (www.nidoquebin.com), “Dr. Nido Qubein came to the United States as a teenager with little knowledge of English and only $50 in his pocket. His life has been an amazing success story… “ I must admit, I don’t know too much about Dr. Quebin’s life story. His website highlights his distinguished entrepreneurial career: currently serving as the president of High Point University in North Carolina, Chairman of the Great Harvest Bread Company, and a highly acclaimed motivational speaker among many other successes and accomplishments. His little quote about circumstances gave me pause. In my mind’s eye, I’m imagining this teen-aged immigrant arriving in United States, looking up, down and all around as a whole new world – an entire new way of life – is unfolding right before his eyes. Did he toss his hat up in the air like Mary Tyler Moore? Who knows. But it’s evident that he embraced his new opportunity to live, learn and grow. Entrepreneurial success is most often hard-earned. Mistakes are made along the way. New ideas and some “a ha moments” can bring new insights about different ways to go about doing the same thing. Some work, some don’t. Sometimes learning how to be successful is by learning what doesn’t work….and then trying again and again and again. The parallels between Quebin’s admonition and what I like to think of as “good grief” are unmistakably clear to me: “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can 34
september 2012 • QC Family Focus
go; they merely determine where you start.” Many an “immigrant” to a new way of life following the death of someone they love also find themselves thrust headlong into a whole new world, perhaps not unlike Mr. Quebin as he made his way to the U.S. years ago. Some must make this adjustment following a lengthy illness and care-giving responsibilities. Others find themselves in the numbness of sudden loss, having no earthly idea when they had their morning coffee that they would be widowed by nightfall. In either scenario, looking up, down and all around, nothing is familiar. Adjustments are necessary. It can be hard work to find a “new normal”… Like entrepreneurial success, meaningful forward movement following the heartache of loss is hard-earned. Those who have followed my writings over the past years know that I encourage those in loss’s wake to embrace their grief and move toward it. Awkward as it seems, this approach puts you in charge of your grief; conversely, when you neglect or avoid your grief, you will – almost unknowingly – put your grief in charge of you, dictating your every move. Like Quebin chose to do, it’s best to embrace your grief – and new opportunities to live, learn and grow. “Success” in managing grief and mourning is certainly different from attaining “success” in a career, a business venture or athletics. But one parallel becomes a common denominator in any forward movement: you have to start somewhere. And wherever you are today is your new starting point. You can go anywhere from here. Remember Well.
David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a licensed Funeral Director and the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport. He can be reached at 563.424.7055 or Dave@WeertsFH.com.
Why pay high prices for the other company’s obstacle course or slide when you can rent one that has both for only
$275.00
for the entire day.
Having a birthday party, church event, or just need a day of fun?
Call QC Jumps and More!
QC Jumps is the only inflatable bounce house company affiliated with QC Family Focus. Let us bring the fun into your backyard this Summer.
Call 563-940-7154 or check out our website at www.qcjumps.com. Free Delivery within the first 20 miles.
ExplorE. play. lEarn. ImagInE.
THE JOHN DEERE PAVILION Come explore the John Deere Pavilion and the all new Discovery Zone designed especially for kids. There are displays and activity tables to entertain and teach young kids about farming, construction, and forestry. Older kids can see displays about the history of their favorite large equipment company and learn how we can work together to protect the environment. Of course there are huge combines, tractors, loaders, dozers and other equipment to climb into. All this means the new Pavilion is an even better place for kids to learn more about the world of John Deere. www.JohnDeereAttractions.com 309-765-1000