0113 RMParent

JANUARY 2013 • RMPARENT.COM

Expecting Twins?

Homelessness in northern Colorado Indoor playgrounds After-school activities

Special section:

Raising an un-bully Nutrition resolutions

RMPARENT

|

JANUARY

for $H CuA -Used r Gently yo

winter sale & New Spring Arrivals Clothes•Shoes•Books•Toys•Gear•Maternity

ff!

Kids’Stu

g • Clothin ent • Equipm • Toys !

• & More

266-9999 . e Ave 4519 Colleg y Harmon College & cDonald’s M to next

(970) 224-2866 111 N. College Avenue www.clothespony.com

Like us on Facebook

CREATING FUN!

EVERYDAY...FOR EVERYONE!

FREE GAME with purchase of 2nd game.

Good for up to 4 people.

One coupon per lane per visit. Shoe rental extra.

Not valid with other offers. Expires 1/31/13. RMP

www.ChippersLanes.com Greeley ClassiC lanes • 353-4275 • 2454 8th avenue estes Park • 586-8625 • 555 south saint Vrain north ColleGe lanes • 484-4777• 830 north College horsetooth lanes • 226-6327 • 217 West horsetooth Broomfield lanes • 303-466-9700 • 100 nickel street

For more offers, Like us on

| RMPARENT

RMPARENT

|

ar

totp isir vkopv nvpsiknvk tpotpnvs s i k o is k n i k n v s s v i k o t n v s i k i k n v s i � s rot p n tP v s s i k o i r t puv tne v s o n � piva s knk n v& nG r t p n tit srtp s k o su pvsnv n v i s s k i t o v n o a t s I r t k pnvon � pnvsk potp vsk oi konvs nvnvsisir rpvnkoir ot� s i k ok o t p n v s k o t p n v s i t p t � v s i t pi r t p n v s i i r t p v n s r n v k o s k o i r p k k n v s k o s s i r t p o t pt p n s i r t p v n k o i o t pk o n v s k o t p n v n � n n nvsit p n v k ov r t p n v s i � v s � Call s k now

35% OFF your

Bach to Blues, Mozart to Metal, Rock ‘n’ Roll or Classical...

Which Style will you play today?

• Piano, Guitar and Bass Guitar lessons • Busy Bee Basics (Preschool Piano class) • tots rock! (Parent/toddler class) 1295 Main Street #3 Windsor, CO 80550 (970) 686-9660

email: pianoland01@gmail.com • www.pianoinstitutellc.com

FREE

EXAMINATION Dr. Milnor’s Office also offers discounts of up to 10% OFF and reasonable payment plans to fit your budget.

| RMPARENT

orado ’s U L T I party a MATE nd Play a rea

Any Public or Private Birthday Party Package

first month’s tuition.

RN Col

$20 OFF

to receive

2925 S. College Ave. #8 Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970)206-4930

NORTHE

Registration required. With coupon Only. 1 Coupon per event.

Not valid with other offers. expires 1/31/13

Free Pass

Buy one pass to any Public skating session, get one free.

Not valid for private parties, fundraisers, school-out skates or special events. With coupon Only. 1 Coupon per person, per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 1/31/13

ROLLERLANDSKATECENTER.COM ● 970-482-0497 324 s. Link lane ● FORT COLLINS

JANUARY 2013

Departments Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 If the world hasn’t ended—Then lets make a commitment to a compassionate new era

AS WE GROW. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Raising an un-bully—foster empathy, tolerance and nonviolence in your kids

Family activities . . . . . . 10 Burn some energy on a frigid day—bounce, roll, run, climb, and more at these indoor play spots

Healthy living. . . . . . . . . 12 SOS—Save Our Sanity...with a winter wonderland of after-school activities

Community news. . . . . . 14 Share your health story, weigh and win, tobacco prevention and education, free resource for food, cash & medical assistance, Estes Park Winter Festival Chili Cook-off, 25th Annual Community Classic Bike Tour

Nutrition. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

New Year’s resolution fare—start your year off right with these replacement foods

Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Events and activities for parents, kids and families

Time Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Cough wolf—“Mother of the Year” tries to determine when sick is really sick

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

State honors three schools for excellence, Ponderosa students help teacher, student designs STEM logo for Edmondson, district to sponsor science fair, student work featured in The Mural Project, educators of the year nominations, governor annouces increased support for Integration districts

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Coordinator spends a lot of time at the school, calendar of events, explore the options for kindergarten, school choice option, PSD 101 informational night, Bethke’s KBOB studio produces 500th podcast

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Federal funds to help improve bandwidth and Internet speeds, school closures announced on Facebook & website, schools come to aid during season of giving

Lunchbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

Special Sections Youth Program & Activity Guide Plus, School Directory

YO

H progrUT am & a

JANUARY 2013 RmpAReNt. com

ctivity

guide Northern Colorado

Sc ho ol Director y page 8

Program Directory

by category , page 18 alphabetical, page 20

School calenDarS page 50

liSt of aDvertiSe rS page 54

Find the right school for your child. Explore the options: neighborhood, charter, specialized programs, nontraditional, independent and more. Get your district news. In Poudre, find out about School Choice program and deadlines, and kindergarten options and registration.

Features 18 Expecting twins?

New moms worry about not having enough time or energy to care for two babies at once, or if they’ll ever be able to get enough sleep, feed two babies at once and get anything else done. Read on to hear some good advice from two moms who’ve been there.

22 Homelessness:

a northern Colorado reality for thousands

Northern Colorado is a wonderful place to live, but it is not the land of opportunity for everyone. A growing population of people struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. And when they do not meet the challenge, they can find themselves homeless.

Correction: Time Out in December 2012 was written by Richard Keller.

ABOUT THE COVER: Emma, 11 weeks, is a Fort Collins kid who enjoys dogs, music, watching football with Daddy and shopping with Mommy. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

RMPARENT

|

perspective If the world hasn’t ended...

Then lets make a commitment to a compassionate new era

I

’m writing this on the morning of December 21, the date that, some say, the Maya predicted that the world, as we know it, will end. Others say that it is not an end, but a beginning of a new era, and that is how I choose to see it...pretty much like every other New Year. We ring out the old and ring in the new.

The problem with New Year’s (or new eras for that matter) is that we pick a thing or two that we want to change and we make a sincere effort for a few weeks and then we get caught back up speeding around with all the stuff we do and prestochange-o no more resolve in our resolution. I think the classic example is the packed January health clubs that are deserted by February.

Maybe changing this or that in our lives is never going to work all by itself. We might decide that we should eat better, but then we’re running late and there’s Taco Rapido (I made that up myself ) so we swing in for some fast food and berate ourselves later. I think that what we need is an attitude change...some over-arching commitment to take care of ourselves and those around us. It starts with us and then extends to those around us and then eventually to everyone. I think we have to decide that we are going to turn off the autopilot and start making real choices all the time, every day. We won’t succeed...at first. But we can start to slow down some of the time...maybe start our day with a couple of minutes thinking about the day and what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it.

I have an app on my phone that has some Dalai Lama quotes and I thought this one might be good for the new era: “Genuine happiness comes from focusing on the happiness of others.” I’ve found that in my day. When I’m worried about my busy little schedule and myself and how everything affects my little world and me then I tend to be anxious and upset. I had that happen for a couple of days at the beginning of this week. I was sure that I was doing more work than everybody else and I was speeding around with some kind of huffy self-importance that what I was doing was, of course, what was most important. I was not happy (and I wasn’t making friends around me), until I slowed down and took a few breaths (even meditated) and realized that everyone else had their stuff going on too.

(Segue alert) And then I read Kim Sharpe’s story about homelessness in northern Colorado (p20) and all the homeless kids and felt pretty humble pretty fast. I thought I had problems. At least I have a place to sleep.

And while I’m now reviewing our stories this month, let me point you to Richard Keller’s advice about resolving to eat healthier with some specific advice about food choices (p16). Plus, Katie Harris (p10) and Ann Schimke (p12) offer ideas for fun things to do (beside sit in front of a screen). And if learning to be compassionate is a goal for the new era, Lynn Utzman’s unbully story (p8) certainly points us in the right direction.

Have a happy New Year, Scott

| RMPARENT

JANUARY 2013 • Volume 17, Number 8 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Calendar editor Aly Titterington calendar@rockymountainpub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION Wendee Brungardt, Sharon Klahn, Rob’s Bike Courier Service COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Katie Harris, Richard Keller, Theresa Myers, Ann Schimke, Kim Sharpe, Lynn Utzman Nichols

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2013 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Divorce should end your marriage, not your family. Let child focused divorce mediation help you save your family.

AmAni mediAtion And Counseling offers:

v A low cost, non-adversarial approach to handle v v v v v v

conflict, divorce and parenting issues.

The opportunity for therapists and attorneys to work together to serve your families’ needs.

Child focused divorce mediation.

Counseling for children of divorce, including equine assisted therapy.

Decision making, parent coordination & mediation after divorce.

Research-based information for parents to help children before, during, and after divorce.

HOPE, HELP, HEALING

Please call Jill Cantor Lee, MS, M.Ed at (970) 232-3127 for a free 15 minute consultation.

Visit our website amanimeanspeace.net for more information.

AMANI MEANS PEACE

RMPARENT

|

as we grow

Raising an un-bully

Foster empathy, tolerance and nonviolence in your kids L ynn U t z m an - N i c h o l s

W

hen you think of a bully what picture comes to mind? Characters like Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver, Angelica of the Rugrats, or modern day Dave from Glee—the football player that throws drinks in other kids’ faces?

It’s easy to spot a classic bully, but bullying takes many shapes and forms and includes sarcasm, teasing, emotional blackballing, social shunning and physical “messing with” in the form of a hallway push or shove. Bullying happens wherever kids gather. And it happens a lot—according to StopBullying.gov, nine out of 10 students report bullying at their schools and six out of 10 say they witness it every day.

So what can you as a parent do to curb bullying? Consciously raise “unbullies.” In other words, foster traits like empathy, tolerance and kindness in your kids. And limit your kids’ exposure to violence.

judge or bully. Foster tolerance by finding ways to expose your kids to people from all walks of life, such as volunteering at a local human service agency.

Welcome the times when your kids, or their friends, step off the common path—like boys who wear pink tennis shoes, or girls who go out for wrestling.

Express admiration when you see others who are different. Be conscious to break

on the block owns it.

Also watch for examples of girls being mean and catty. Point out that such ways of communicating are hurtful and never end well. If you hear your daughter gossiping about another child, or purposely leaving someone out, explore it with her later. Help her to see how it might hurt.

Schools help with anti-bullying

Foster empathy, emotional sharing and tolerance While some kids are naturally more empathetic than others, all can learn to put themselves in other people’s shoes.

Watch for opportunities to teach empathy. If you see someone get hurt, ask how your child thinks that person felt. If a friend gets sick, encourage your child to inquire how they’re doing or offer a hug. Give kids the opportunity to care for siblings, plants and pets.

Traditionally, we hand the socialemotional world to girls and teach boys to stuff their emotions. Counter this by regularly checking in emotionally with your son (and daughter of course). Start conversations with observations or share your own feelings to get the ball rolling.

Tolerance is a classic anti-bullying trait. Kids who accept that people come in all shapes and sizes are less likely to

down gender stereotypes, like men can’t cook and men don’t cry and women are bad at math and are poor drivers.

programs like the one recently at Lincoln Middle School where students participated in the “No Place for Hate” anti-bullying training and learned to recognize different types of bullying and ways to intervene.

According to www.stopbullying.gov, kids bully for power and to cause harm.

And it’s not just the kids who feel bad about themselves. It’s often the popular kids who have decent self-esteem who take pride in having control over others.

They may bully to keep or gain social status. Bullies are often quick to blame others, aggressive, frequently get into trouble at school, won’t take responsibility and always have to win. Address it head on when you see your kids exhibit these traits. They may be simply exploring such behaviors. A quick, direct message that it’s not okay with you will probably make them stop.

| RMPARENT

Teach alternatives to violence and aggression When boys try to step out of the male box they often get pushed back in with names like wimp, sissy, mama’s boy and nerd. Boys feel a need to fight or say tough words back to prove they are truly manly. Help boys practice other responses, such as humor or walking away.

Dads can challenge words like sissy, giving sons the message that it’s okay to step out of the macho box.

Teach that violence is not the answer by setting a zero tolerance rule for violence in your home—the old you hit, you sit, or lose a privilege. Screen video games and movies; outlaw any that you deem too violent even if every other kid

m Special pricing of only $149. 00 for 10 weeks m Ends before soccer starts! m After school and Saturdays Conveniently loCated

2721 S. College Ave.

970-282-9171

m new “Pianomarvel� online program included! m Winter Semester Piano classes for ages 7-9 beginning 1/13

www.pianocenteroftherockies.com

RMPARENT

|

family activities

Burn some energy on a frigid day

Bounce, roll, run, climb, and more at these indoor play spots K a t i e Harr i s

W

e all know how important exercise is, but between frigid temperatures outside and remnants of holiday sweets inside, it can be hard to get motivated.

For kids, year-round exercise is crucial, both for their health and happiness, and for our sanity!

Luckily for us family-friendly establishments abound in our area where kids and adults can exercise their bodies, minds and spirits! If you’ve been in a post-holiday slump these past days, check out our list below for some much-needed motivation and get moving!

Bounce houses • Bounce www.bounceloveland.com 1020 S. Lincoln Ave., Loveland 970-593-1800 • Jumpin’ www.jumpin-fun.com 6065 Sky Pond Dr Ste N118, Loveland 970-776-9756 • Pump It Up www.pumpitupparty.com 1420 Riverside Ave., #114, Fort Collins 970-472-1122 Bowling alleys • Chipper’s Lanes—Horsetooth Center www.chipperslanes.com/33/Horsetooth/ 217 W. Horsetooth Rd., Fort Collins 970-226-6327 • Chipper’s Lanes—College Center www.chipperslanes.com/34/College/ 830 N. College Ave., Fort Collins 970-484-4777 • Classic Lanes www.greeleybowling.com/CLASSIC _LANES.htm 2454 8th Ave., Greeley 970-353-4275 • Highland Park Lanes www.highlandparklanes.com 10

| RMPARENT

1900 59th Ave., Greeley 970-330-2695 • Sweetheart Lanes www.sweetheartlanes.net/ 2320 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland 970-667-3510 Open Gyms • Premier Gymnastics of the Rockies www.premiergymnastics.net/ schedules/open-gym 1410 E. 11th St., Loveland 970-663-3173 Ages 6 and up: Fridays, 8-10pm Ages 1.5 to 6: Tuesdays, 1-3pm; Fridays, 11am-1pm (parent supervision required) • Windsor Gymnastics Academy www.windsorgymnasticsacademy. com/OpenGym2010.html 687 Academy Ct., Windsor 970-686-6175 Ages 7-18: Fridays, 4-6pm Ages 1-6: Fridays, 10-11:30am (parent supervision required) Indoor entertainment centers • Cool Beans www.coolbeansplayhouse.com 4019 S. Mason St. #5, Fort Collins 970-266-1135 • Fort Fun (mini-bowling, indoor bumper cars, laser tag, arcade indoors/open year-round) www.fortfun.biz 1513 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins 970-472-8000 Recreation centers • Chilson Recreation Center www.ci.loveland.co.us/index. aspx?page=257 700 E. 4th St., Loveland 970-962-2383 • Community Recreation Center www.windsorgov.com/index.

aspx?NID=189 250 N. 11th St., Windsor 970-674-3500 • Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC) www.fcgov.com/recreation/epic.php 1801 Riverside, Fort Collins 970-221-6683 • Greeley Family FunPlex www.familyfunplex.com 1501 65th Ave., Greeley 970-350-9401 • Greeley Recreation Center www.greeleygov.com/Recreation/ GreeleyRec.aspx 651 10th Ave., Greeley 970-350-9400 • Northside Aztlan Community Center www.greeleygov.com/Recreation/ GreeleyRec.aspx 112 E. Willow St., Fort Collins 970-221-6256 • Rodarte Community Center www.greeleygov.com/Recreation/ Rodarte.aspx 920 A St., Greeley 970-350-9430 • Youth Activity Center www.fcgov.com/recreation/youth activitycenter.php 415 E. Monroe, Fort Collins 970-221-6655 Mall play places • Foothills Mall www.shopfoothills.com 215 E. Foothills Pkwy., Fort Collins 970-226-5555 • Greeley Mall www.shopgreeleymall.com 2050 Greeley Mall, Greeley 970-356-4255 Roller Skating • Rollerland Skate Center www.rollerlandskatecenter.com 324 S. Link Ln., Fort Collins 970-482-0497

• Regular health and wellness assessments • Supervision of activities of daily living • Restaurant-style service • Regularly schedules transportation • Round-the-clock staffing • Best value on private pay rates in Larimer County • Medicaid accepted

RMPARENT

| 11

healthy living

SOS—Save Our Sanity...

with a winter wonderland of after-school activities B y A nn S c h i m k e

I

t’s mid-winter and the fading daylight at 5pm doesn’t feel quite so cozy and magical now that the holidays have passed. In fact, the short days can feel claustrophobic when you’re cooped up inside with kids who are whining, fighting or climbing the walls.

It’s time for a winter survival plan.

The activities below could save your sanity in those hours between school and dinnertime or during a slow morning with an antsy preschooler. Most of these ideas rely on pantry staples or other items you may already have in the house.

Winter scavenger hunt This hunt can be as limited or wideranging as you want. Try sending

preschoolers into the backyard with a small stack of hand-drawn or magazine pictures to guide their hunt. You might include pictures of items such as a dried leaf, icicle, pinecone or seedpod. Bigger kids will probably be able to use a written list and perhaps venture into the neighborhood to gather their items.

Challenge them by asking for a couple hard-to-get items, such as a found coin or footprint preserved in the snow.

Tortilla snowflakes Fold a flour tortilla in half and in half again (If you’re brave, fold it in half a third time.) Give the kids a clean pair of scissors 12

| RMPARENT

and show them how to cut out triangles, half circles or other shapes from the sides, top and bottom of the tortilla. When they open it back up, it will look like a snowflake. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 5-8 minutes and top with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar or parmesan cheese. These edible snowflakes make great dinner accompaniment or a unique wintertime gift.

Cereal box snow village

Cut the bottoms off empty cereal boxes, cracker boxes or milk cartons and cut the tops into points on two sides for the roof.

Paint with white acrylic paint. Cut out windows and doors from the boxes. Add colored shutters or doors using construction paper or scrapbook paper. To make

roofs, cut out a piece of card stock slightly bigger than the length of the two sloping sides of each box. Fold in half and glue on. For chimneys, cut a raisin box painted white on an angle and glue it on the roof.

Use cotton balls or batting for smoke.

For sample photos and more detailed instructions about decorating the houses, go to www.parents.com/holiday/christ mas/crafts/holiday-village/ .

Homemade snow globes Wash and dry a baby food jar or other small jar. Select a plastic figurine or ornament to be the centerpiece of the globe and attach it to the underside of the lid using hot glue

or florist clay. You may add plastic greenery or other small decorations (nothing metal or that will dissolve) to jazz up the look of the globe. Fill the jar with distilled water (or water that has been boiled and cooled) and 1/2-1 teaspoon of glitter or fake snow.

Add a few drops of glycerin, which is available at craft stores, to slow the falling snow.

Before screwing on the lid, put a ring of hot glue (or Gorilla glue or aquarium sealant) around the inside of the lid. Screw it on tightly and let dry overnight with the lid facing up. For a finished look, decorate the lid of the jar with paint, ribbons, felt or other embellishments.

Sponge stamps Cut up an old sponge (not the kind with a scrubbing pad on one side) and use it with paint to make stamps. Kids adept with scissors can cut simple shapes such as hearts, houses, stars or clovers. Create stationary or fridge art with the stamps.

Paint the snow Fill three spray bottles with cold water and put a few drops of red food coloring in the first, blue in the second and yellow in the third. Then send the kids outside to paint the snow. They will enjoy mixing colors and finding out how different nozzle settings (spray vs. stream) change the look of their paintings. For parents, the best part is that the mess stays outside.

Sweeten the snow For a sweet treat reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie, make maple sugar snow candy. Put 1 cup of maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat.

When it begins to bubble around the edges, cook and stir for 8-10 minutes until it begins to harden into balls when dripped off a spoon. Have the kids fill plates or cookie sheets with clean snow, then drizzle the syrup over it. Let it cool slightly and dig in.

A New

Twist on Piano Lessons

Group Fun vs. Individual Lessons

T

wins Anna and Yana Dorofeev were the first to walk through the door for their group piano lesson on a recent Monday night at the Piano Center of the Rockies. When asked what they liked about their Way Cool Kids Keyboarding Class Anna jumps in before her sister and exclaims, “The singing!” Yana likes singing, too, but thinks the “breathing” game is the best—an invention by Susan Snyderman, their clever, relaxed teacher who served as President of the Fort Collins Music Teachers Association and has taught piano for years.

This isn’t your typical piano lesson where you sit still as a stiff, serious teacher looks down her nose at every note you play. The focus of these lessons is F-U-N. The goal is teaching kids to play the piano while sharing plenty of laughter, singing and games with friends.

“Our classes focus on the concept of ‘recreational music making.’ We don’t judge success on how well you play, but whether or not you are smiling while you play. The classes teach a love for the piano. Also, the kids learn how to be musicians—how to enjoy music with others, take turns and recognize notes and cues. They come in as strangers and leave as friends,” says Bruce Mihalek, Owner of the Piano Center of the Rockies. The center offers both classic, individual lessons and group lessons for both kids and adults. A new class for teens is starting up shortly.

The two girls were joined by five other

boys and girls, ranging in age from seven to 10. Each chose a keyboard, which all faced the middle like a big table. The group played songs together and sang. Next they tried their hand at percussion instruments to help learn rhythm. Finally, they played the muchrevered breathing game. The object is to hold a note as long as you can

without taking a breath. “If you can beat me you win a prize,” challenges Susan. One by one, they give it a try.

No one beat Susan, but a few came close. The kids can’t wait to try again next time. For more information on upcoming classes, call 282-9171 or visit pianocenteroftherockies.com. New classes are starting in January.

About Piano Center of the Rockies Piano Center of the Rockies is the only full-service Piano store in Fort Collins.

Bruce Mihalek started the business with his wife Dixie after spending 35 years in the music merchandising business buying and selling pianos.

Bruce spent the last 20 years of his career on the road as the regional sales manager for Lowrey—the premier maker of recreational digital pianos. “People would ask me what my plans were once I left the road and I’d say, ‘I’m going to open a piano store.’ With the help of my wife, I made that dream happen last January,” says Bruce who is the exclusive dealer for Lowrey digital pianos and Hailun acoustic pianos in the area. He also sells a wide variety of Yamaha pianos and several types of keyboards, along with piano accessories. He even sells a hybrid piano—half digital, half acoustic.

His motto? “I sell pianos at Internet prices, but offer full services.” And that he does. If you buy a piano from Bruce, he won’t leave you high and dry—he’ll teach you how to play it. “You can come take lessons for free for as long as you like,” he promises. Plus, he will be there to offer

-PAID ADVER TISEMENT-

referrals on repairs or tuning. Or, if you’d rather, simply come for the lessons.

“We are much more than a piano store. The group lessons bring us alive— it’s incredibly satisfying to see people join together to play the piano, sing and socialize. When I help someone tap into the joy of playing the piano—whether for the first time or after many years away—I know I made the right decision in opening the store.”

The Piano Center of the Rockies is located at 2721 S. College Avenue in Fort Collins in the Midtown Commons Shopping Area—right next to JoAnn Fabrics and the Fort Collins Soccer Club. Hours are M, W, and F from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and T, TH from 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Sundays, but open M, T and TH nights for lessons. Call 282-9171, or go to pianocenteroftherockies. com. Stop in and visit with Bruce. Or come watch the Way Cool Kids Keyboarding Class on Monday nights at 7:00 pm.

You won’t get a grand sales pitch, just a chance—hopefully—to hear Bruce play one of the grand pianos he has for sale. It’s even cooler than the breathing game.

RMPARENT

| 13

community news

What do you do for the health of it?

B y K IM SH A R P E

The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and making intentions to improve, change or stay the course.

Often people’s intentions are related to getting healthier. Health club memberships soar. Fresh produce sales increase.

Tobacco cessation programs experience an influx of enrollees.

What are your intentions? What are you doing to be healthy and make our community a healthier place? Do you walk or ride a bike to work or school, or to run errands? Do you pack nutritious brown-bag lunches for your family?

The Coalition for Activity and Nutrition to Defeat Obesity (CanDo) invites community members to share their stories about what they do as a way to motivate others. Visit www.cando. pvhs.org to watch short videos featuring people who are making a difference or to submit your story.

Weigh and win If losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is one of your intentions in 2013, you may want to participate in “Weigh and Win.” It is a free program for Colorado adults age 18 and over that provides technology-based coaching on healthy eating and active living, and quarterly cash rewards based on percentage of weight loss. Weigh and Win participants track their progress by weighing-in at kiosks located in public facilities throughout Larimer and Weld Counties. Weigh and Win is funded and supported by Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit with the interest of increasing the availability of evidencebased, low-cost behavior modification programs to the general public.

Visit www.weighandwin.com for more information and to find a kiosk location near you.

Tobacco Prevention and Education GRANT 14

| RMPARENT

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment was recently awarded $241,000 to restore tobacco prevention and education activities in Larimer County. The Health Department received the maximum amount of available funds for the first year of the grant, with the potential for two additional years of funding.

Johnson, supervisor of the tobacco education and prevention program at the Health Department. “It’s vitally important that we return to the work of eliminating second-hand smoke in public places and educating youth and the public about the health hazards of tobacco. Those efforts can reduce smoking-related illnesses and deaths.”

The allocation was based on the county’s population, tobacco use and rate of poverty. The source of the funds is the 2004 voter-approved Amendment 35 tobacco tax. Beginning in 1992, Larimer County received tobacco prevention and education funding from a combination of various national and state grants. In 2005, tobacco prevention funding was shifted to Amendment 35 revenues, but these dollars have been unavailable to Larimer County for the past three years due to Colorado’s fiscal emergency.

“The restoration of funding is great news for Larimer County since it means we can keep the tobacco-free momentum going,” says Andrea Clement-

The grant will support activities of the Tobacco Free Larimer County coalition and a local youth engagement coalition. Other program efforts will be aimed at reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and connecting persons interested in quitting to tobacco cessation resources.

Amendment 35 Tobacco Tax legislation requires that the majority of funds awarded are used for programs that are proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use among youth and young adults.

The Health Department’s partners in local tobacco education and prevention efforts include the Larimer County Workforce Center, Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, the City of Fort Collins, the Boys

and Girls Club of Wellington, the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, Poudre and Thompson School Districts, and other youth-serving agencies.

Weld County’s Tobacco Program also is funded through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment as part of the Amendment 35 Tobacco Tax. The program focuses on youth tobacco prevention; cessation for adults, pregnant women and youth; and secondhand smoke education and prevention.

Additionally, Weld County tobacco prevention specialists are working on eliminating tobacco disparities in priority populations. A coalition made up of community members is working toward eliminating tobacco as the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Weld County as part of the program.

Statewide, tobacco use is the leading cause of all preventable deaths, killing an estimated 4,500 people each year—more than all motor vehicle fatalities, suicides, homicides, illegal drug overdoses, alcohol-related deaths and AIDS combined.

Approximately 11.5 percent of Larimer County residents smoke cigarettes, but about twice as many (23 percent) of those living in poverty smoke cigarettes. Weld County reports similar trends.

For more information on how to quit using tobacco, call 970-498-6752 in Larimer County, 970-304-6470 x. 2123 in Weld County, or call the Colorado Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (www. coquitline.org). resource for food, cash & medical assistance Do you have questions regarding eligibility for Medicaid, food assistance or child health care coverage? Answers to these questions are not always easy to come by. Colorado PEAK (Program Eligibility and Application Kit) can help. The service is a fast and easy way to access benefit information anytime and anywhere. PEAK is an online service for Coloradans to screen themselves and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs.

The PEAK website contains information about the following programs: • Aid to the Blind (AB)

• Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) • Adult Protective Services (APS) • Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) • Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) • Colorado Works (Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families orTANF) • Food Assistance • Medicaid • Old Age Pension (OAP)

Visitors can navigate the site in English or Spanish, and large print.

Check out the PEAK website at http:// peak.state.co.us/selfservice/.

Estes Park Winter Festival Chili Cook-off The Estes Park Winter Festival will be held Jan. 19-20, and organizers will once again be looking for local nonprofits to participate in the chili cook-off on Sunday, Jan. 20. Highlights of the festival include: • Wine tastings from Colorado wineries • Beer tastings from local micro-breweries • A Chili Cook-Off, plus a Mac n’ Cheese Showdown • Artisans displaying and selling their art, jewelry and more • Activities, like toboggan run, giant snow globe, pony rides, petting zoo and interactive ice sculptures.

Top it all off with live music, featuring Coyote Grace and some of the area’s best bands, and you’ve got a great way to keep warm while enjoying winter in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado!

Learn more at www.estespark winterfestival.com.

25th Annual Community Classic Bike Tour May 19 It might be the middle of winter, but the time is now to think about bicycling.

Early registration for the 25th Annual Community Classic Bike Tour (CCBT) begins on January 14. Save $15 off of the regular fee of $55 if you sign up before February 4 on www.

Active.com. One hundred percent of all registration fees and sponsorship contributions will benefit Loveland’s McKee Medical Center programs.

The CCBT is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 19. This noncompetitive, multi-distance bicycle tour travels through the beautiful foothills of Larimer County in Loveland and Fort Collins, and is a great training ride preparing cyclists for the numerous summer rides available.

There are four distances to choose from: 62-mile, 37-Mile, 30-Mile, or 10-Mile. The rides begin and end at McKee Medical Center located at 2000 Boise Avenue, Loveland. The 62-mile riders will enjoy the sites of the Big Thompson River, Lon Hagler Reservoir, Carter Lake, Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, Masonville, Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, Boyd Lake, and Loveland. The 37- and 30mile rides will ride through Carter Lake and then back into Loveland.

The 10-mile family/fun ride will be a leisurely ride from McKee Medical Center to Boyd Lake and back.

RMPARENT

| 15

nutrition

New Year’s resolution fare

Start your year off right with these replacement foods R i c h ar d K e ll e r

L

ast year was a healthy one for your family. You ate better, drank plenty of fluids, and turned off the TV and video games so you could exercise your minds and bodies. Still, you think you can do more with the choices you’ve made.

What better time to do something than the start of the new year. With 2012 out of the way you can concentrate on making additional changes for your family’s health—perhaps replacing some of the foods you eat with healthier versions. To assist you, here are a few swaps for you and the family to decide on.

Organic for conventional produce Yes they cost a little more and sometimes their skins aren’t as shiny or smooth, but organic fruits and vegetables are a simple and nutritious replacement to make in your family’s diet. To be considered organic the produce is cultivated by farmers without conventional ways of fertilizing or controlling weeds and insects. Instead, the produce utilizes natural manure for growing and environmentally generated herbicides and pesticides. In locations like Sprouts and Whole Foods, much of their organic produce comes from local farms.

The result is fresher, tastier, and chemical-free products.

Store-baked wheat bread for prepackaged Forget the argument between white and wheat bread – you decided to go the whole grain route last year. Now it comes down to what type of bread you’re going to buy. The large loaves of prepackaged wheat bread are okay as long as you don’t read the ingredients.

Once you see how many chemicals are used to preserve the bread on the 16

| RMPARENT

shelf and in your cabinet you’ll want to think twice about slathering peanut butter and jelly on a slice. As a replacement, look for whole wheat bread in the Bakery section of your favorite supermarket rather than down the aisle. Even places like King Soopers and Albertsons sell storebaked bread containing whole wheat flour, water, salt, sugar or agave nectar, and very little else.

True, it may start to go bad quicker than the prepackage versions, but that’s why they come in smaller loaves than the 100-slice versions. You can also freeze part some of it.

Ground flaxseed for enriched flour You can up the health benefits of most of the recipes involving flour by cutting the amount you use in half and replacing the rest with ground flaxseed. One of this generations’ super health foods, flaxseed is loaded with fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant generating Lignans. Studies have shown flaxseed may also have preventative effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. By the way, flaxseed isn’t just used as a flour replacement – one or two teaspoons a day can be sprinkled into items such as cereal, oatmeal, and yogurt.

Quinoa for white pasta Good news for you and your family – if you decide to replace the enriched white pasta in your cabinets for quinoa you’ll be part of the United Nations’ International Year of Quinoa. The grain-like edible seed was recently discovered to contain two flavonoids pro-

viding more powerful antioxidants in 1/4 cup than in produce such as cranberries. The seed is also known to decrease the risk of inflammation-related problems and provides large amounts of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Though the portion size is smaller than a standard serving of pasta, quinoa contains the same amounts of fiber and protein.

Natural cheeses for processed American We all love how our American Cheese goes with anything. However, let’s face facts…the stuff we peel from the cellophane wrapper isn’t really cheese, it’s a machine-manufactured product. Thus, a replacement is needed, since cheese itself is a good source of calcium, protein, and amino acids. For flavorful cheese go with slices of sharp cheddar made with two percent or low-fat milk. For a creamier texture you can try Havarti or it’s lower calorie cousin, Gouda. And if it looks shiny and prewrapped, avoid it at all cost.

Challenges with your

Child?

Tantrums Arguing Dawdling Fighting Whining

FREE

!

We’ ve moveDour at us Come visit new location.

phone or in-person AssessmenT

(970)472-1207

The Parent-Child Interaction Center, LLC We Can Help. mosT insUrAnCe ACCepTeD

Find out more at: www.p-cic.com

1740 s. College Avenue • Fort Collins

RMPARENT

| 17

Expecting Twins?

Lynn Utzman-Nichols

Tips from moms on making it through the first year.

J

illian Jacobo admits the first year, especially the first three months, with twins was extremely hard but she doesn’t wish she could do it over and have them singly: “I loved having them be babies at the same time.”

Dr. Meshelle Kolanz, a pediatrician at Peakview Medical Center in Greeley and also a mother of twins agrees, but equates the first weeks of having twins to running a marathon: “I couldn’t think about getting through a whole day. I had to break it into blocks of time. When I woke up I’d say I just have to get to lunch, then dinner, then bedtime. It was advice a mom of twins gave me and it helped tremendously.”

Jacobo, who is a Childbirth Educator and Lactation Counselor for the Women’ s Clinic of Northern Colorado, finds that new moms mostly worry about not having enough time or energy to care for two babies at once. Moms also wonder how they will ever be able to get enough sleep, feed two babies at once and get anything else done. They are also worried they might mix their babies up. If you are expecting twins or multiples you may be concerned about the same things. If so, read on to hear some good advice from two moms who’ve been there.

18

| RMPARENT

Sleep, glorious sleep!

When asked to name their number one challenge with having twin infants it’s not a surprise that both women said getting enough sleep. By the time you finish feeding one baby, then another, it’s almost time to feed the first again. “My husband and I both worked so night feedings were really hard. To get any sleep at all, when one woke up we’d wake the other one up, too,” says Kolanz. She’d then nurse one while her husband gave the other a bottle. What helped Jacobo was having her husband take one shift and bottle feed two at once so she could sleep through a feeding.

Common advice is to sleep when your babies’ sleep—that means putting down the laundry basket and taking a nap when they nap. “My babies were good at napping. Looking back, I wish I would have slept more when they napped,” says Jacobo. Kolanz states that while babies might have long stretches of sleep around 6 to 12 weeks, most don’t sleep through the night until six months.

Have you wondered if it matters where your twins sleep? Putting them in the same crib, at least for the first few months, is a good idea. After they get wiggly and might wake each other up you could move them to their own cribs, but

make sure they are in the same room and facing each other. Seeing each other is reassuring for twins.

“When my boys Max and Hagan were older babies we put them in their own cribs but it didn’t matter. As soon as they could climb out they were in each other’s beds. The two slept in the same bed until about 9 years old when they wanted their own rooms. Even then, they’d crawl into each other’s beds. Now at 12 they finally sleep apart,” says Kolanz.

It’s just one of those ways twins are connected. “It was amazing how my babies could cry at night and not wake each other. Yet if we tiptoed into the room, they’d wake up immediately,” adds Jacobo.

Feeding two at once Feeding two babies at once is a big challenge for moms of multiples—after all, we are limited to two hands and one lap.

Kolanz remembers times when she’d start crying as she fed one because the other was crying: “As a solution I’d sit on the floor and put one in the bouncy seat with a bottle while I nursed the other. It wasn’t comfortable, but it worked.”

Jacobo also found it hard to nurse one while the other fussed. Yet she discovered that over time the one not eating

first calmed down and learned to wait.

Nursing both at once is ideal, but didn’t work for either Jacobo or Kolanz.

“Some moms do the football hold. Mine were so small I couldn’t angle it right,” says Kolanz. Some advice on making it work is using a U-shaped nursing pillow that goes around your waist and rests both babies at your breasts, leaving your hands free.

Another is doing the football hold on one and cradling the other out in front.

Finding time for YOU When you have babies everything else falls by the wayside. Let it. Let go of the pressure to keep your house clean and attend social obligations. You will be lucky in the early days to simply get a shower and feed yourself. That said, it’s important to recruit helpers and accept help from your friends and family.

“When my boys were about 11 months my mom came to visit. She must have thought I looked awful because she decided to move out and help me,” exclaims Kolanz.

“So many women won’t ask for help because they see it as a sign of weakness and want to appear all together, but the reality of having twins is that you have to accept help,” says Jacobo. Let a friend bring you dinner, take the twins on a walk or even clean your bathroom. Getting the chance to grocery shop alone is a special treat.

Mothers of multiples also find it helpful to hire a neighborhood preteen or teen to watch the babies for a few hours after school or on weekends while they are home. “Having a mother’s helper come just a few times a week will let you get laundry done or make dinner—otherwise they are crawling all over you all of the time,” says Kolanz.

Seek out opportunities where others can help care for your babies. “I looked forward to church on Sundays so I could put them in the nursery and go sit, relax and just listen for an hour,” adds Kolanz.

Some gyms offer childcare and can provide a quick, healthy getaway for moms.

Also, don’t forget to fulfill your own social needs—stay connected with friends and strongly consider joining a twins playgroup, even early on: “My girls are seven and we still get together with our

infant play group,” adds Jacobo.

Finally, make things as easy as possible. Put a changing table on every floor so you don’t have to run up and down stairs. Place a crib or playpen in the room you hang out in the most. If your mom comes to visit, have her make gallons of stews and soups and freeze them for later use. Baby-proof your house extra well. If you can afford it, consider hiring a nanny. If not, at least consider hiring someone to clean your house the first few months.

Tricks to tell them apart Jacobo reassures expectant moms of twins that they’ll be able to tell their twins apart. Maybe it’s the way one son scrunches up when he cries or a birthmark on the other: “Moms know their babies.” If you are worried, paint a toenail on one or have her wear a bracelet.

But the best advice Jacobo ever got was to alphabetize her daughters—Jasmine and Violet—for pictures: “I always put Jasmine on the left and Violet on the right.” When Kolanz asked teenage twin girls, patients of hers, what they wished their mother would have done differently they both said label the photos so we could tell which was which when we were younger. “You think you will remember, but five years down the road, you don’t,” exclaims Kolanz.

As for worrying that you won’t have enough time, energy and love for both—fear not. “When you become a mother you find more strength and love than you ever knew you had. Trust that you will have the strength you require, and that it is enough,” concludes Jacobo.

University of Colorado Health sponsored this article.

Want to join a twins group?

• Fort Collins Parents of Multiples offers groups to connect new moms of multiples, plus offers a mentorship program.

Visit www.twinsntriplets.com.

• The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs gives information on raising twins and referrals to local clubs. Visit www.nomotc.org.

• Supertwins of the Rocky Mountains offers information and groups for parents of triplets and higher in Denver and surrounding areas. Visit www.storm colorado.com.

• Mountains and Plains Mothers of Multiples has an online support group. Go to www.twinparents.com

Expecting Multiples?

Attend a prep class In this 5-week, 3-hour childbirth preparation class taught by Jillian Jacobo you will learn about the unique joys and challenges of having multiples. Materials covered will include vaginal and cesarean section birth, how to handle bed rest, preparing for the possibility of a stay in the NICU and breastfeeding multiples. This class should be taken during your second trimester.

When: Tuesdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 5, 6-9pm Where: The Women’s Clinic, 1107 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins

Cost: $80 Info or to register: www.fcwc.com or call 970-493-7442. This ongoing class also has sessions in April, July and October. During alternating months a similar class is offered at Poudre Valley Hospital (www.pvhs.org).

Have twins already and need support?

Welcome to Motherhood:This support group for new moms meets every Wednesday from 2-3pm.

Breastfeeding Support Group:Group encourages mom-to-mom sharing while discussing topics on breastfeeding. Meets every Wednesday from 1-2pm.

Drop-ins welcome for both groups

Who: Poudre Valley Hospital, University of Colorado Health Where: Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins Cost: Free Info: www.pvhs.org (and choose classes) or 970-495-7500 RMPARENT

| 19

Angel House

The Matthews House

(970) 663-1716 101 East 6th Street, Loveland, CO 80537

www.angelhouseihn.org The Angel House provides shelter, meals and comprehensive case management and mentoring for homeless families with children through a collaborative effort of churches to provide meals and shelter, a staffed Day Center that gives families an address and phone number while looking for housing and employment, and a close working relationship agencies to find housing. control of their with lives,local shape positive futures for If needed, job training is also provided to assist themselves and become successful contributors families in reaching self sufficiency.

Partnered in service with 19 Affiliate Youth Agencies, Realities For Children Charities provides support for the unmet needs of abused and neglected children in Larimer County. Each month in Parent Magazine a different Realities For Children Affiliate Agency will be featured.

20

| RMPARENT

RMPARENT

| 21

Home less ness: a northern Colorado reality for thousands

By Kim Sharpe

W

hile there is no denying that northern Colorado is a wonderful place to live, there also is no denying it is not the land of opportunity for everyone. There is a growing population of people who struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. And when they do not meet the challenge, they can find themselves homeless.

Homelessness defined The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program defines homelessness as the lack of a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.

Homeward 2020, a Fort Collins agency addressing homelessness, defines it as “the condition and social category of people who lack housing, because they cannot afford, pay for or are oth22

| RMPARENT

erwise unable to maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing.”

Daniel Covey, Hand Up and Transitions coordinator with Homeless Gear in Fort Collins, says, “some people who truly are homeless might not consider themselves homeless” because they share housing with another family or live with relatives or friends. But when people share housing due to the loss of their own house or economic hardship versus preferring to live that way because of cultural beliefs or a temporary means to save money, it really becomes a condition of homelessness.

Other situations that constitute homelessness are living in: • Motels, hotels, trailer parks or camp grounds due to lack of alternative adequate housing

• Emergency or transitional housing • Cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or bus or train stations.

Jodi Hartmann, executive director of the Greeley Transitional House, sees a difference in the types of homelessness in Weld and Larimer Counties. She says the number of homeless families with children is greater in Weld County.

Families move to Greeley and the surrounding area, “attracted by its many blue collar industries, but once they arrive, they cannot find affordable housing.

Most of these families live doubled up and most often these situations are not healthy.”

Hartmann says Larimer County has a higher number of chronic, transient single homeless persons who become

homeless either by choice or by default.

Fort Collins attracts this type of homeless person because of the “…‘if you build it, they will come’ phenomenon, meaning there are more services for the homeless population there, like overnight shelters.”

Bryce Hach, Homeward 2020 executive director agrees. “I think Jodi Hartmann is correct that different demographics exist between Larimer and Weld County. Based on the 2010 census, poverty between the two counties is somewhat similar (13.4 percent in Larimer County and 13.8 percent in Weld County), but citizens with bachelor’s degrees is higher in Larimer County (43.1 percent) than Weld County (25.6 percent). Also, a higher percentage of folks in Weld County work in bluecollar employment than Larimer County. And there certainly is some degree of transiency among the chronically homeless in Fort Collins, but our vulnerability index data shows that 66 percent of this population had their first homeless experience in Larimer County.”

Causes of homelessness The causes of homelessness are many and complicated, but research has identified some common factors.

According to the United Way of Weld County, “…the [primary] barriers to stable housing are affordability, insufficient income, [inability] to meet landlord requirements, and [inability] to maintain housing.

The conditions contributing to these barriers are usually many, but the most common self-reported are mental health, substance abuse and criminal history.”

Counting the homeless Martha Burt, a leading expert on homelessness in America, estimates that at least 2.3 million people in the United States experience homelessness at some point each year, including nearly 1 million children. But she cautions that, “The question of numbers, of how many people are homeless, is a very tricky one.

It implies that there is a stable population of ‘the homeless,’ and that we can find one number that will represent them. Neither of these things is true.”

Covey adds homelessness “is such

a hard thing to quantify because people, especially families with children, learn to hide their homelessness.”

Hartmann estimates there are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 homeless individuals in Weld County with 400 to 500 of those being school-age children or unaccompanied youth who “couch surf.”

She also says there are about 400 to 600 families who live doubled up with others, but HUD does not consider the individuals who make up the families homeless.

Compass of Larimer County reports there are over 3,000 homeless people in that county, with at least 250 of these being individuals who are chronically homeless. Poudre School District (which serves Fort Collins, Wellington, Laporte, Timnath and some nearby mountain schools) reports that as of December 5, 2012, they have 718 students without permanent housing; this is a decrease from 988 at the same time in 2011. Thompson School District (which serves Loveland and Berthoud) reports having roughly 300 homeless students.

This month, January 2013, the work to reduce homelessness under way in Larimer and Weld Counties will be informed by a regional Point-In-Time study and a revised vulnerability. Hach says, “We will have a clearer sense of demographics across communities in our region at that point.”

Who’s working on it?

Agencies in Larimer County that address homelessness include the Fort Collins Housing Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Loveland, Crossroads Safehouse, Neighbor to Neighbor, Sister Alice Murphy Center For Hope, Fort Collins Rescue Mission, House of Neighborly Service, Catholic Charities Northern – Larimer County, Homeless Gear, Homelessness Prevention Initiative, Touchstone Health Partners, Larimer County Work Force Center, University of Colorado Health (formerly Poudre Valley Health System), Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity and United Way of Larimer County.

Homeward 2020 coordinates most of Fort Collins’ efforts, “a very specific initiative to end homelessness by the year 2020…This is a collaborative effort made

up of support and leadership from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors in the community with a very evidence-based, metric-driven approach.”

Weld County has formed a Homeless Coalition to collectively address the issue. This coalition held a one-day summit in December where participants explored best practices and options for meeting the needs of Weld County’s homeless population with emphasis on reducing barriers to housing. The group is developing a strategic plan that will involve “finding innovative ways to bring on more housing units and the coordination of community support services,” says Bob Hinderaker, the summit’s organizer and employee of United Way of Weld County.

What can we do?

An Arabian Proverb says, “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” And that is what the agencies that work with the homeless ask of community members.

But just like any other problem, the first step in addressing homelessness is to admit it exists. Northern Colorado residents must come to terms with the reality that not everyone lives the good life here.

Other ways to take action Get educated about homelessness. This helps dispel stereotypes and falsehoods about the homeless population. There are many local, state and national organizations to contact for information.

Contact elected officials and advocate for funding to address homelessness.

Volunteer. Give of your time at one of the local shelters or nonprofit agencies that work with the homeless.

Donate to the agencies that serve northern Colorado’s homeless.

Hach concludes that basically, “homeless people need healthy relationships in their lives—human connections to the attributes and resources that exist in Larimer and in Weld Counties. The opportunity to volunteer yourself and get to know someone who is homeless is powerful, if not transformative, for both involved.”

RMPARENT

| 23

24

| RMPARENT

thompson school district news State honors three schools for excellence

The Ivy Stockwell staff donned their lab coats from their STEM program to pose with the banner they received.

Gunnar Johnson, designer of the new STEM logo for Edmonson.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) honored Ivy Stockwell, Berthoud and Coyote Ridge elementary schools for their recognition of excellence. Ivy Stockwell received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, given to schools that demonstrate excellent student growth.

Berthoud Elementary received the John Irwin award for schools that demonstrate academic achievement exceeding their state performance indicators over three years. Coyote Ridge received both the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement and John Irwin awards.

gold. A panel consisting of Graphic Designer Wes Stobbe, Dan Freismuth and Blake Burroughs of TopShelf Printing, Principal Trish Malik and Art Teacher Lora Patrick chose the winning design from over 100 entries.

The design will be printed on shirts that will be available to families after winter break in time for Science Night in January.

Ponderosa students help teacher Students at Ponderosa Elementary helped raise money through a community service project for a staff member to have a kidney transplant. Melanie Litt, the academic interventionist at Ponderosa, underwent a kidney transplant in December. Students created a project called Links of Love. The students had the opportunity to purchase a link (a

paper chain link) to add to the chain for $1. They created a long chain of these links in the school’s main stairway and raised over $3,000 for this project. Of that, 50 percent was donated to the National Kidney foundation to aid in the research of kidney disease, and the rest was given to Ms. Litt to help her with the many expenses she will incur during the next several months.

Student designs STEM logo for Edmondson Laurene Edmondson has a new STEM logo designed by 3rd grader Gunnar Johnson. Gunnar’s logo incorporated STEM elements, the LEES mascot and colors of blue and

District to sponsor science fair The first annual Thompson School District Science Fair will be held on Jan. 12 at Thompson Valley High School. Registration begins at 8am; judging begins at 9am; and awards will be presented at 11am. At the district’s first fair, 44 projects have been entered, says Carol Swalley, gifted and talent coordinator for the district.

Student work featured in The Mural Project The work of LISA students as well as Gifted and Talented students from RMPARENT

| 25

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia announcing the grant award.

Bill Reed, Lucile Erwin, Walt Clark and MVHS work will be featured in a photography show called The Mural Project: A Portrait of Loveland Through Young Eyes. The show will run through Feb. 3 at the Loveland Museum and Gallery in the Foote Gallery/Auditorium. A student panel discussion will take place on Jan. 11 from 6-7pm at the museum.

Educator of the Year nominations Nominations for Educators of the Year close Jan. 11. Thompson Education Foundation recognizes and honors TSD staff in the categories of Elementary Educator (Pre-K-5), Secondary Educator (6-12), Principal, APT, and Classified Staff. Award recipients will be announced at the Educator Appreciation Breakfast on March 8, 2013, at Embassy Suites Loveland. It’s easy to nominate.

Visit www.thetef.org and click on the Educator of the Year link to find the appropriate nomination form. Please share details of the nomination process with your school and building communities. Like Thompson Education Foundation on Facebook to receive the most up-to-date information about foundation activities.

26

| RMPARENT

Governor announces increased support for Integration districts Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia recently announced a $5.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the Colorado Legacy Foundation’s Colorado Integration Project.

Thompson School District is one of 13 school districts leading the statewide implementation of new educator performance evaluation systems and Colorado Academic Standards. The 13 districts are Thompson, Denver Public Schools, Centennial School District, Eagle County Schools and San Juan BOCES, which includes nine school districts in the southwest corner of the state.

The Colorado Integration Project participants are geographically and demographically representative school districts who serve as pilots for the reforms being led statewide by the Colorado Department of Education. The project uses an integrated model of teaching and learning designed to significantly improve the number and rate of students who graduate from Colorado high schools college- and career-ready. A Gates Foundation grant also supported the initial work.

The new grant came after Bill and

Melinda Gates met with representatives from the project in October. “This is a great testament to the work going on in our school districts,” Hickenlooper said during his presentation at the state capitol on Nov. 19. “The challenge is to make every school better by finding instances of excellence and making them pervasive throughout the state.” He said the collaborative work between the CDE, the Colorado Legacy Foundation and the pilot districts is showing results.

Dr. Helayne Jones, president and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation, said that the goal of the extensive work “is to have effective teachers in every classroom, engaged students in every classroom, and leadership from the communities, superintendents, teachers and students all working together as partners in the best interest of kids.”

A principal, teacher and student from the San Luis Valley praised the efforts of the Integration project. “This is what small rural schools have needed – a shift from delivery of content to the teacher being more of a facilitator,” said Teacher Robert Quintana.

Hickenlooper said he sees two major goals of the project that could boost Colorado to the forefront of educational change. The first is to bring new practices and innovation that create meaningful results. The second is that when teachers find success, there will be a way to scale it and provide access to every school district and student in the state.

Colorado is working with a cohort of other states, including Kentucky and Louisiana, to integrate teacher evaluation and support with the implementation of new academic standards and instruction support. Both the Colorado Legacy Foundation and CDE are committed to working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to share the products and learning from the Integration grant with other states and districts across the nation.

Colorado Legacy Foundation will work in close partnership with Colorado Children’s Campaign to engage communities throughout Colorado with the importance of CDE’s plan. To learn more about the Colorado Integration Project, visit www.colegacy.org.

JANUARY

winter sale

& New Spring Arrivals

Clothes•Shoes•Books•Toys•Gear•Maternity

(970) 224-2866 111 N. College Avenue www.clothespony.com Like us on Facebook

RMPARENT

| 27

poudre school district news

Coordinator spends a lot of time at the school

Alison Schutt is the Volunteer Building Coordinator for Shepardson.

Poudre School District has over 16,500 volunteers, consisting of parents, grandparents, seniors and community members. Managing that many volunteers in 48 schools is quite a feat! Helping the PSD’s Volunteers & Partnerships office manage the multitude of volunteers at each school site is a Volunteer Building Coordinator (VBC). These dedicated volunteers donate many hours to ensure the volunteer program at their school is a success. Some have done it for many years, starting in elementary schools, and continuing in this volunteer position even after their children move on to junior high and even high school!

Volunteer Building Coordinator for Shepardson, Alison Schutt, has been in the role of “mom” since 2008 when her children started school. Her son is in 4th grade and her daughter in 2nd. This year, as well as taking on the additional role of Coordinator, she was hired in September as a Paraprofessional helping in Kindergarten classrooms and the Media Center. Schutt says, “I spend a lot of time at school!”

“We have a great bunch of volunteers at Shepardson, lots of classroom volunteers, and some great people on our PTO who spend many hours devoting their time to raising money to help 28

| RMPARENT

with all manner of items that the school may need,” says Schutt. She has been involved for the past three years with Shepardson’s Cartridges for Kids program. It is a fundraiser where they collect used cell phones and ink cartridges and send them to a company in Loveland. Schutt is also a Girl Scout Leader.

Part of the Service for Hours program for the Girl Scouts is to count the cartridges after their drive this year. Her girl scout troop will also be involved in a Scotch Tape collection for Terra Cycle, which will be launched in December and will also benefit Shepardson.

In her spare time, Schutt loves to camp, hike, and garden, and says, “I’m hoping for lots of snow this winter to use my new downhill skis!”

Explore the options for kindergarten Kindergarten is an important step for both you as a parent and for your child.

Explore the educational options available in Poudre School District.

There is no tuition for half-day kindergarten programs; full-day programs are $2,100 per year. The first payment is due at time of registration; the remainder is due in nine monthly installments from August 1, 2013 – April 1, 2014. Full and partial scholarships may be available; parents need to check with the individual school for eligibility requirements.

One-way transportation is provided for kindergarten students attending a half-day program who live more than one mile from their neighborhood school.

Round-trip transportation is provided for students in an all-day program who live more than one mile from school.

Information and orientation meetings for parents of kindergarten students have been scheduled at elementary schools. For a complete schedule, please visit the PSD website at www.psd schools.org, click on the School Registration under Quick Links.

Kindergarten registration for stu-

dents entering school in fall 2013 is scheduled for Thursday, Feb.7, 2013. Registration will be held from 7am to 6pm at all elementary schools (unless otherwise noted; see attached schedule). Children who will be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 15, 2013, are eligible to register.

On the day of registration, parents should bring their child’s birth certificate (original or certified preferred), emergency contact information, and immunization records.

School Choice option PSD’s School Choice program allows families to select the school that best meets their child’s educational needs.

Nearly 70 percent of PSD families choose to send their children to a neighborhood school, the school located in the attendance area in which they live.

Neighborhood schools teach PSD’s rigorous standards-driven curriculum, along with gifted, enrichment, and accelerated options. Specialized schools offer a different curriculum, focus area, or method of instructional delivery than neighborhood schools.

To determine which school is your

Calendar of Events Jan. 7 ......... No School, Teacher Work Day Jan. 8 ......... Students first day back at school following winter break.

Jan. 8 ......... 6:30 pm, Board of Education business meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

Jan. 14........ 6 to 9 pm, Boltz Middle School, DAB’s PSD 101 information night.

Jan. 21........ Martin Luther King Day, NO SCHOOL Jan. 22........ 6:30pm, Board of Education business meeting and work session, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

Jan. 23........ 7 to 9pm, at conference room A in the Information Technology Center at the JSSC, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

JOhN m. JAmes, m.D.

Certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and the Ameican Board of Pediatics

Specializin g in: AthsmA Allergi es eCZemA

1136 E. Stuart St. Bld. 3, Suite 3200 • Fort Collins, CO 80525 • (970)221-1681 7251 W. 20th St.. Building N Suite1 • Greeley, CO 80634 • (970)356-3907

rogram&Activity Activity

TH

m&Activity GUIDE or call 1-800-735-1434 • www.coloradoallergy.com

guide

GET IN ON A FIVE

ISSUE SERIES! SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION

Fort Collins, Greeley Loveland and Windsor Schools

Program & Activity Program Directory YOUTH B A

sP

SERIES

The RMParent Youth Program and Activity f Series, is the region’s most complete guide to before and after school activities. To promote your business or service to active northern Colorado families in Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Windsor and beyond, contact us today!

Directory In Fort Collins: Greg Hoffman, 970-689-6832 orrS greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

For all other areas: Scott Titterington, 970-980-9183 or scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com

P

RMPARENT

| 29

Bethke Elementary fifth-graders Ava Hause (left) and Aliyah Kirkes perform during the 500th episode of the Bethke KBOB morning news podcast. The daily radio show features morning announcements, weather, lunch menus, fun news items and music and is produced entirely by students in the KBOB Studio.

neighborhood school, visit the School Locater webpage under Schools/ Programs on the PSD website (www.psd schools.org).

School Choice Applications Online: The online school choice application can be accessed on the PSD website at www.psdschools.org under the School Registration quick link.

Families that do not have computer access at home can visit any PSD school or the district administrative office, 2407 LaPorte Avenue, to apply. School Choice students are accepted on a space-available basis, and transportation is the responsibility of the parent.

First consideration deadlines for the 2013-14 school year, school choice application process: • Jan. 25 Secondary (6-12th grade) • Feb. 8 Elementary (Kindergarten-5th grade)

30

| RMPARENT

PSD 101 informational night is January 14 Parents and community members are invited to attend PSD 101, an informational night about the district, from 6 to 9pm, Monday, Jan. 14, at Boltz Middle School, 720 Boltz Drive. The District Advisory Board presents PSD 101. During the evening, parents and community members may attend breakout sessions that focus on specific topics about PSD. Bethke’s KBOB studio produces 500th podcast Before Bethke Elementary officially opened, Principal Ann Alfonso dreamed of a 21stcentury school that would engage students in technology. She and school technology guru Brad Flickinger then came up with the idea for a broadcast studio to give students more technology opportunities.

“We wanted to use and implement technology in different ways that would

hook students,” says Flickinger, Bethke’s media technology site manager. “We thought a studio would hook their minds.”

Bethke’s KBOB Studios has certainly proven to engage students’ interests. Students and staff recently celebrated producing the 500th morning news podcast at KBOB Studios. The daily radio show features morning announcements, weather, lunch menus, fun news items and music and is produced entirely by students, who take on all jobs like hosts, performers, sound technicians and producers.

The show is uploaded to iTunes, and currently has more than 6,000 subscribers around the world, making it the most popular student podcast on iTunes, according to Flickinger.

Fifth-grader and host of the show Grady Forsyth has worked on the show for the past few years. “When we started here we had two computers and a microphone.

Now it’s progressed into this major studio,” says Grady. “This has just been a great experience. I’ve done everything here. I hope to do something like this for a career.”

The 500th episode was fifthgrader Alena LeBerger’s first time working on the show. “My role today was host and I’m still learning what to do. It was my first day. It was stressful and I was really nervous, but I pushed through,” she says. “I think I did pretty well. It was a real rush.”

Different students in third through fifth grade work on the podcast each quarter. As a result, almost 100 students have been involved in the show by the end of the school year. Alfonso says working on the podcast gives students an opportunity to explore another interest in school.

“This gives our students an opportunity to shine in ways that they may not get to shine in the classroom,” says Alfonso.

Alfonso and Flickinger say the podcast is a great example of Bethke’s focus on technology and helping students achieve 21st-century skills in areas of work ethic, global and cultural awareness, personal responsibility, creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, civic responsibility, and using information technology.

“The podcast also helps students gain confidence,” says Flickinger. “Confidence is a trait that can take them far in life.”

NOW ITING RECRU

YOU HAVEN”T SEEN A RESALE STORE

AGES GIRLS, -17 -11 and 12

LIKE THIS!

7

RBY

ER DE R ROLL

JUNIO

WE PAY

CA$H

PhOTO BY JEff BUEhLER

For Gently-Used Clothing, Sizes 0-26

Misses• Womens • Maternity Designer Purses • Accessories

Mon. - Sat. 9am-7pm •Sundays 10am- 6pm

970-223-6636

4519 S. College • Fort Collins

fO

IL: O, EMA GONEDERBY.COM f IN E R R MO TEERS! COGIRLS N ERBY@fO ECRUITING VOLU ALSO R

JUNIORD

Do something for

Yourself!

FItnESS ClaSSES FoR MoMS on-tHE-Go visit www.fortcollinsclub.net for schedules

· Group Power · FCC Club Fit · Zumba · Water Aerobics

Take the online Life Traits Quiz and get 2 weeks of FREE MEMBERSHIP! (New Members Only)

· UJAM · Spin · Yoga · Pilate

970-224-CLUB 1307 East Prospect Road

Fort Collins, CO 80525

fortcollinsclub.net RMPARENT

| 31

greeley-evans district 6 news Schools come to aid during season of giving Many District 6 schools have embraced the season of giving this year by helping those in need in our communities, or by assisting soldiers overseas.

Greeley West High School Interact collected nearly $3,000 in Dec. for families in need and local organizations. The group has been doing The Big Give for five years. This year, the effort raised $2,912 in just 17 days.

With the donations, Greeley West Interact was able to give Thanksgiving meal boxes to 100 families. In addition, the students decided to give food boxes and $100 grocery certificates to the Guadalupe Center, the Rodarte Center, A Woman’s Place, Transitional House, Weld County Food Bank and the Pregnancy Resource Center.

The remaining $700 was donated to the Greeley Fire Department, which used the money for gifts it distributed to needy families through its Santa program.

What started as an idea from Scott Elementary kindergarten teacher Rachel Payne to write letters to soldiers overseas, has now grown into sending letters and more than 20 care packages to soldiers in the combat zone. The whole school, led by their Student Council organiza-

32

| RMPARENT

tion, kicked in to collect donations including more than 600 decks of playing cards donated by a Black Hawk casino, candy and personalcare products. The school’s parent group agreed to pay for the postage of the care packages.

Monfort Elementary students filled an American Red Cross truck with donated items for servicemen and women in the combat zone.

Monfort Elementary worked with Hugs for Heroes, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting our troops overseas through shipments of essential items and notes.

Students collected everything from sunflower seeds, baby wipes, and magazines to instant oatmeal. The Red Cross received money from a school in Eaton to help with the shipping.

Federal funds to help improve bandwidth and Internet speeds Greeley-Evans School District 6 has received approval for federal E-rate funds that will allow the district to install fiber optics that will improve the bandwidth and Internet speed at its buildings.

The nearly $500,000 project will be funded 80 percent with federal dollars collected from the Federal Universal Access Charge on residential and commercial telephone lines.

New fiber-optic lines will be installed throughout the city on existing electrical and telephone lines, connecting networks at District 6 buildings and improving Internet access speeds significantly. The fiber-optic lines will be installed and owned by Zayo Group, which lease the lines back to the district. Zayo will also be in charge of maintaining and repairing the lines throughout

the 10-year lease.

Eighty percent of the annual $216,000 lease will also be reimbursed through the federal E-rate program.

Applying for the federal funds is a long project itself. “We’ve been working on this for two years,” says Joe Ronnenberg, director of technology for District 6. “The real benefit here is to the students and staff of the district.”

The new fiber optics network will increase the speed of computers at all District 6-owned buildings.

Some schools will see 1,000-fold improvement, Ronnenberg says.

The Success Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports District 6, also donated $30,000 for the project, which will be used to offset the cost of the internal rewiring needed in many buildings.

As the use of computers continues to grow in public schools, this project is essential to keep up with the bandwidth demands of new devices and technology.

“This is pretty exciting news and

positive for our district,” says Wayne Eads, chief operations officer for the entire district.

It’s estimated the project will take at least six months to complete.

School closures announced on Facebook, website In the event of inclement weather this winter, parents and students can check Facebook, Twitter and the Greeley-Evans School District 6 website for up-todate information about school closures and delays.

According to District 6 policy, closures will be determined as soon as possible given the weather conditions. Closures and delays will be announced no later than 6am the morning of the closure.

In addition to closing school, the district can institute a two-hour delayed start for school. In case of this option, school bus stops will occur two hours later than regularly scheduled pick-up times. Morning kindergarten and preschool programs will be cancelled when there is a delayed start and breakfast will not be served to District students.

The district will announce closures on its website at www. greeleyschools.org and on our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/ greeleyevans schools. Or, you can receive notifications by following District 6 on Twitter at www. twitter.com/greeleyschools.

Closures will also be announced through local and regional media.

Pick up your FREE copy today!

Northern Colorado’s Favorite Parenting Magazine.

visit us online at:

rmparent.com

RMPARENT

| 33

lunchbox Poudre School District —Elementary student lunches are $2.15, secondary student lunches are $2.40 and reduced lunches are $0.40. Entrees offered daily: Elementary—a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk and juices; Secondary--hot and cold sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, deli salad and pizza.

Elementary school 8 Beef burrito; chicken nuggets; PB J 9 Chef salad; cheeseburger; corndog 10 Veggie wrap; Teriyaki chicken dippers; chicken sandwich 11 Roasted turkey & cheese deli; cheese pizza; hummus & veggies 14 Chicken Caesar salad; chicken sandwich; turkey pot pie 15 Yogurt & fruit box; mac n’ cheese; hotdog 16 Chicken quesadilla; cheeseburger; ham & cheese deli 17 Chicken enchilada bake; chicken nuggets; PBJ

18 Mediterranean wrap; pepperoni pizza; cheese raviolis 21 No School!

22 Grilled cheese & tomato soup; chicken sandwich; PBJ 23 Chicken broccoli Alfredo; chef salad; chicken nuggets 24 Veggie wrap; BBQ chicken sandwich; cheese pizza 25 Hummus & veggies; veggie lasagna; beef tacos 28 Sloppy Joe sandwich; roasted turkey & cheese deli; chicken nuggets 29 Yogurt & fruit box; chili & cinnamon roll; cheeseburger

30 Mac n’cheese; pig in a blanket; mandarin chicken salad 31 Turkey gravy & potatoes; taco salad; chicken sandwich Secondary schools 8 Teriyaki chicken dippers; beef tacos 9 Chicken nuggets; chili & cinnamon roll 10 Orange chicken w/rice; Philly cheesesteak 11 Asian rice bowl; burrito 14 Mac n’cheese; chicken soft taco 15 Rotini pasta w/sauces; burrito 16 Chicken nuggets; chicken enchilada bake

17 Baked potato bar; spaghetti 18 Turkey gravy w/potatoes; Asian rice bowl 21 No school!

22 Italian lasagna; beef tacos 23 Chicken nuggets; egg roll brown rice 24 Baked chicken; burrito 25 Chili w/cinnamon roll; chicken fajita w/rice 28 Beef stir fry w/rice; chicken taco 29 Mac n’cheese; Asian rice bowl 30 Chicken nuggets; grilled ham & cheese 31 Penne pasta w/sauces; pig in a blanket

Thompson R2J School District —Elementary lunches are $2.50. Secondary school lunches are $2.75.

Reduced lunches are $0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit.

Elementary schoolS 8 Cheese pizza; baked potato; chicken tender salad 9 Burger; rice & bean burrito; garden entrée salad 10 Chicken burrito bowl; baked potato; taco salad 11 French bread boat; fruit & yogurt plate 14 Pancake w/sausage patty; Caesar salad 15 Ravioli; baked potato 16 Turkey hotdog; rice & bean burrito

17 Taco; baked potato 22 Chicken Alfredo; baked potato; chicken tender salad 23 Sloppy Joe; rice & bean burrito 24 Nachos; baked potato; taco salad 25 Orange chicken w/brown rice; fruit & yogurt plate w/cheese stick 28 Mac n’cheese; Caesar salad; 29 Pizza stick w/sauce; baked potato; chicken tender salad 30 Chicken patty sandwich; rice & bean burrito

31 Chicken tacos; baked potato; taco salad Secondary schools 8 Cheese pizza; chicken fajita wrap 9 Burger; chicken parmesan 10 Chicken burrito bowl; meatball sandwich 11 French bread boat; ham & cheese sandwich 14 Pancakes w/scrambled eggs; BBQ pulled pork 15 Ravioli; Cuban sandwich 16 Chicken breast strips; burger

17 Taco; pork sandwich 18 Fish fillet sandwich; chicken sandwich 22 Chicken Alfredo; burger 23 Hot roast beef sandwich; chicken sandwich 24 Nachos; lasagna 25 Orange chicken w/rice; French bread boat 28 Mac n’cheese; veggie quesadilla 29 Pizza stick; BBQ chicken nugget 30 Chicken sandwich; nachos 31 Chicken tacos; popcorn chicken

Greeley District 6 —To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.25, and middle school lunches are $2.50, reduced-price lunches are $.40. Offered daily: PBJ. Elementary schools 7 Hamburger/cheeseburger; turkey & cheese wrap 8 Chicken w/brown rice; PBJ 9 Sloppy Joe; chicken salad sandwich 10 BBQ chicken w/dinner roll; ham & cheese hoagie 11 Hawaiian pizza; egg salad sandwich 14 Chili w/tortilla; turkey & cheese wrap 15 Pollo roll-up; PBJ 16 Waffles & ham; sausage, egg & cheese biscuit 17 Chicken w/dinner roll; ham & cheese

hoagie 18 Veggie pizza; tuna salad sandwich 21 No school!

22 Tacos; chicken salad sandwich 23 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 24 Chicken sandwich; ham & cheese hoagie 25 Pepperoni pizza; egg salad sandwich 28 Hamburger/cheeseburger; turkey & cheese wrap 29 Burrito; chicken salad sandwich 30 Spaghetti; PBJ 31 Turkey w/dinner role; ham & cheese

hoagie Secondary schools 7 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken fajita wrap 8 Chicken w/brown rice; PBJ 9 Sloppy Joe; club wrap 10 BBQ chicken w/dinner roll; ham & cheese hoagie 11 Hawaiian pizza; egg salad sandwich 14 Chili w/tortilla; turkey & cheese wrap 15 Pollo roll-up; PBJ 16 Waffles & ham; sausage, egg & cheese biscuit

17 Chicken w/dinner roll; Italian wrap 18 Veggie pizza; tuna salad sandwich 21 No school!

22 Tacos; club wrap 23 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 24 Chicken sandwich; ham & cheese hoagie 25 Pepperoni pizza; egg salad sandwich 28 Hamburger/cheeseburger; turkey & cheese wrap 29 Burrito; chicken salad sandwich 30 Spaghetti; PBJ 31 Turkey w/dinner role; Italian wrap

Windsor School District —Price for elementary lunch is $2.30, for middle school students, $2.50. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Salad bar is served daily with entrees. Offered daily: PBJ and yogurt.

Elementary schools 8 Chicken nuggets 9 Mac n’cheese 10 Grilled cheese, tomato soup 11 Cheese or variety pizza 14 Taco 15 Spaghetti 16 Burger

34

| RMPARENT

17 Teriyaki chicken /wrice 18 Pizza dippers 21 No school!

22 Hotdog 23 Waffle sticks w/sausage 24 Chicken tenders 25 Big Daddy pizza 28 Chicken sandwich

29 Chicken Alfredo 30 Chili w/cinnamon roll 31 Turkey pot pie Secondary schools 8 Chicken nuggets 9 Mac n’cheese 10 Grilled cheese, tomato soup 11 Hot & spicy chicken

sandwich 14 Taco 15 Spaghetti 16 Cheeseburger 17 BBQ chicken 18 Meatball sub 21 No school!

22 Weiner wrap

23 Waffle sticks w/sausage 24 Chicken tenders 25 French dip 28 Chicken sandwich 29 Chicken Alfredo 30 Chili w/cinnamon roll 31 Turkey pot pie

RMPARENT

| 35

JANUARY 2013 ONGOING Through January 13 Mame Follow Mame as she leads her young nephew through life in New York during the jazz era, traveling and growing into a young man. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Dr., Johnstown, CO. 970-744-3747 or www. coloradocandlelight.com.

Through March 23 A Year with Frog and Toad A fun show for kids and parents!

Midtown Arts Theatre, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. adinnertheatre.com.

Through March 30 Pinkalicious An entertaining show for the whole family! Midtown Arts Theatre, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. adinnertheatre.com.

Through March 30 How I Became a Pirate A show for kids and parents alike.

Midtown Arts Theatre, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. adinnertheatre.com.

January 4 – February 24 Forever Plaid Share the story of four up-and-coming singers who are killed in a car wreck, and miraculously return to earth for their chance to perform at the show that never was. Midtown Arts Theatre, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. adinnertheatre.com.

January 5 – February 2 Bullshot Crummond Presented by OpenStage. A mad spoof of 1930’s grade B detective movies, complete with spills, chills, evil arch enemies, a damsel in distress, and

36

| RMPARENT

cliffhanger that will keep you on the edge of your seat! The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

January 12 – March 11 Anything Goes All aboard for Cole Porter’s Tony Award-winning musical romp across the Atlantic. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the porholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course of true love. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Dr., Johnstown, CO. 970-744-3747 or www. coloradocandlelight.com.

January 25 – February 3 Love, Sex and the IRS Moon Theatre Company presents an entertaining comedy. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 970-9622120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Tuesday, January 1 Happy New Years!

Wednesday, January 2 Rabbits Take a Winter Break Comedy Magic Show Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 10:30am & 11:30am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

How to Freak Out Your Mom and Fool Your Dad at the Dinner Table Hey, Tweens! Take a whirl-wind history lesson in the Art of Magic with comedy magician Connie Elstun and walk away with supplies for unbelievable effects and some great ideas for magic at the dinner table. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Bright Beginnings for Infants Bring your baby and learn how nurturing interactions will support brain and emotional development. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1025 Garfield St., FC. 10-11am.

970-495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 24:45pm. 970-221-6311 or www.fcgov. com/naturalareas

Thursday, January 3 Rabbits Take a Winter Break Comedy Magic Show Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10:30am, 11:30am, & 7pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday, January 4 Rabbits Take a Winter Break Comedy Magic Show Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 10:30am, 11:30am, & 2pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Saturday, January 5 WOTBV (Worms of the Book Variety) Teen Book Club WOTBV members will meet to discuss The Secret to Lying by Todd Mitchell.

Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 11am-12:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

RMPARENT

| 37

Celtic New Year: An Evening of Traditional Irish Music and Dance Presented by MeTeggart Irish Dancers.

They are Colorado’s oldest school of Irish dance and are known for their fast footwork, colorful costumes, and rousing routines of Irish Step, Ceili, and original choreography. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7pm. 970-9622120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Breastfeeding: Off to a Good Start Designed for expectant parents who are considering breastfeeding.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am. 970-3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu Boot Camp for New Dads For men, taught by men! North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-Noon. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu.

Sunday, January 6 Animal Afternoon Join Larimer Animal People Partnership volunteers and their special storyloving critters. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 3pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 3-4:30pm. 970221-6311 or www.fcgov.com/naturalareas.

John Gorka Nationally known singer/songwriter/ comedian John Gorka brings his humor and amazing musical talent. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7pm.

970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Monday, January 7 Labor and Birth for Teens Discussion topics include labor and birth preparation, breathing, relaxation, and comfort techniques.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-Noon. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. 38

| RMPARENT

Tuesday, January 8 Kevin Cook: Colorado Birds Great stories of life and living. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Bright Beginnings for One-Year-Olds Explore how thinking and interactions change as your infant becomes a toddler on the go. Poudre Valley Health System, 1025 Garfield Ave., FC. 10-11am. 970495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

International Night: Burma, New and Old Elizabeth Stanley will present images from her 2005 photo tour of Myanmar, and Norman Illsley will share some of his artifacts and images of the “Old Town Burma.” Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Thursday, January 10 Rock of Ages Contains mature content. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city dreamer – and in L.A.’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80’s. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Tiny Trekkers: Are Spiders Really Scary?

A nature-filled program designed for your toddler and you. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams, LV. 9-10am.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org/ naturalresources.

Friday, January 11 Harmony in the Round with Matthew Gurnsey, the Kilted Man Gurnsey delights audiences with his rousing performances of traditional Irish and Scottish music. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-2216740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm. 970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. OB Anesthesia North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-Noon. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu.

Wednesday, January 9 Rock of Ages Contains mature content. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city dreamer – and in L.A.’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80’s. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www. lctix.com.

Breastfeeding Basics Topics include the process of breastfeeding and ways to prevent and care for problems. Poudre Valley Hospital, Café A, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 79pm. 970-495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

An Evening with the Classics Join Colorado pianist Gary Schmidt, a timeless performer with international experience, he is sure to appeal to all audiences. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-9622120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Saturday, January 12 Winter Markets Local food and craftwork. Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 970-484-6500 or www.

DowntownFortCollins.com.

Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 9amNoon. 970-221-6311 or www.fcgov. com/naturalareas Those Fabulous 50s Presented by Berthoud Dance Company. Revisit a time of innovation, innocence, and Rock and Roll. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. rialtotheatercenter.org.

: A T io N N D A C R o G P o E E L h N T w R i E o N N F G oF ou R JoiN uS ns

ver s ide Dr ive , For t C olli 1247 R i b b b b b b

Secure entrance Expeienced Staff Locally owned & operated Spacious Playground Nutritous meals & Snacks included Core Knowlege emphasis 2551 hampshire Road (Behind Safeway at Taft and Drake)

(970) 484-3932 -AND Now-

1247 Riverside Dr. (970) 472-1984

littlebearschildcare.com

RMPARENT

| 39

Author Paul Murphy Murphy will discuss his new book Shooting Victoria. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 970-2216740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Chess @ Your Library Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 11am. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Winter Song Featuring Carol Vaness. Enjoy this Opera Fort Collins fundraising event.

The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www. lctix.com.

Survival Skills for New Parents This class is designed to give you plenty of information related to the firth six months of parenting.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-1pm. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Spanish Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 8:30am. 970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu.

Sunday, January 13 A Season of Dance Studio West Dance Center is proud to share their winter showcase. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 4pm.

970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Animal Afternoon Join Larimer Animal People Partnership volunteers and their special storyloving critters. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 3pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 34:30pm. 970-221-6311 or www.fcgov. com/naturalareas

40

| RMPARENT

Those Fabulous 50s Presented by Berthoud Dance Company.

Revisit a time of innovation, innocence, and Rock and Roll. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 2pm. 970962-2120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Monday, January 14 Labor and Birth for Teens Discussion topics include labor and birth preparation, breathing, relaxation, and comfort techniques.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-Noon. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Tuesday, January 15 Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Lewis Black: The Rant is Due Grammy Award-winning stand-up comedian, Black is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today.

He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 8pm.

970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Toybox Theatre A puppet show especially for babies from birth through 24 months. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10:15am & 11:15am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Improv 4 Tweens Have fun playing improv games designed to bring out your inner actor.

Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, January 16 Toybox Theatre A puppet show especially for babies from birth through 24 months. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 10:15am & 11:15am. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Presented by the Phyllis Walbye Film Series. Rate PG. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7pm. 970-9622120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Money Matters Keep your New Year’s resolution.

Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Bright Beginnings for Infants Bring your baby and learn how nurturing interactions will support brain and emotional development. Poudre Valley Hospital, 1025 Garfield St., FC. 10-11am.

970-495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

Baby Care 101 Prepares expectant parents in the basic care of newborns for the first few months. Topics include signs of illness, safety, development, and parent adjustment. Poudre Valley Hospital, Indian Paintbrush Room, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 6-9pm. 970-495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

Thursday, January 17 Toybox Theatre A puppet show especially for babies from birth through 24 months. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 10:15am & 11:15am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Genealogy Meeting & Program Larimer County Genealogical Society Annual meeting with election of officers plus an informative genealogy video.

Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday, January 18 Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm. 970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu.

RMPARENT

| 41

The Homesteaders of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Discover who lived here, why they came and how they survived the harsh elements. Community Room, 215 N. Mason St., FC. Noon-1:30pm. 970-2216311 or www.fcgov.com/naturalareas.

Guitar Hero Night Experience some real guitar heroes, the Blendercats, The Big Motif, and The Symbols come together in a spectacular showcase of some of Colorado’s best rock guitar sounds. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-9622120 or www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

Skygazing Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes for public sky viewing. See and discover fun facts about planets, stars, constellations, galaxies and other celestial wonders. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 3-4:30pm.

970-221-6311 or www.fcgov.com/ naturalareas.

Marc Cohn Cohn combines the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com.

The Derek McKee Show Come see this magician and two special guests! Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 2pm & 7:30pm. 970-3509451 or www.greeleygov.com/festivals.

Winter Markets Local food and craftwork. Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 970-484-6500 or www.

DowntownFortCollins.com.

Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm.

970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth. com/NCMCFamilyLifeEdu.

Saturday, January 19 Interesting Reader Society Meeting Young adults meet monthly to talk mainly about teen stuff. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 11am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Sunday, January 20 Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 3-4:30pm. 970221-6311 or www.fcgov.com/naturalareas

Teens Create Origami Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Game Day @ Your Library Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Family Film Night: Batteries Not Included Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Toybox Theatre A puppet show especially for babies from birth through 24 months. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 2:15pm & 3:15pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Scrambled McManus In this one-man comedy, actor Tim Behrens portrays several interesting inhabitants of Blight, Idaho, the fictional hometown of nationally renowned humor writer Patrick F. McManus. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www. rialtotheatercenter.org.

42

| RMPARENT

Monday, January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day The traditional one-mile community march begins at 1 p.m. in Old Town Square, FC. The march will starts in Downtown Fort Collins and ends at the Colorado State’s Lory Student Center. Participants will be encouraged to sing as they march.

970-484-6500 or www.mlkfortcollins.org or www.DowntownFortCollins.com.

Labor and Birth for Teens Discussion topics include labor and birth preparation, breathing, relaxation, and comfort techniques.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9am-Noon. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Bright Beginnings for Infants Bring your baby and learn how nurturing interactions will support brain and emotional development. McKee Medical Center, 2000 N. Boise Ave., LV. 11:15am-12:15pm. 970-495-7528 or www.pvhs.org.

Money Matters Keep your New Year’s resolution.

Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10:15am & 11:15am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Tuesday, January 22 Eagle Watch Join a volunteer Master Naturalist to look for the bald eagles that make Fort Collins their winter home. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, CO. 24:45pm. 970-221-6311 or www.fcgov. com/naturalareas Bright Beginnings for Infants Bring your baby and learn how nurturing interactions will support brain and emotional development.

Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV. 12-1pm. 970-4957528 or www.pvhs.org.

Girl Talk (9-12yrs) For girls and their mothers to explore the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Poudre Valley Hospital, Officescapes, 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-495-7500 or www. pvhs.org.

Tiny Trekkers: Winter Wonderland A nature-filled program designed for your toddler and you. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams, LV. 9-10am.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org/ naturalresources.

Join us for our Pre-Kindergarten Showcase See our teachers in action!

They will inspire your child to be an enthusiastic learner.

• Enrolling children from ages 6-weeks to 5 years • Flexible schedules for full, part-time and drop-in care • Come visit our vibrant community

Ages vary by location (970) 484-4700 Fort Collins East (970) 229-0300 Fort Collins West

VISIT: brighthorizons.com/RMParent FOR DETAILS!

(970) 206-9200 Fort Collins at Little Acorns (970) 461-9802 Loveland

RMPARENT

| 43

Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm. 970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Community Book Club Bonanza Learn about the many ways the library can help your book club select and acquire books. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, January 23 Natalie MacMaster Equally at home on the concert stage or at a folk festival, Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster is one of the most versatile and exciting young musicians on both the Folk music and Celtic music scenes. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com.

Bright Beginnings for Two-Year-Olds Learn how to promote early literacy, brain development, and a healthy and safe environment for the active twos.

Poudre Valley Health System, 1025 Garfield Ave., FC. 10-11am. 970-4957528 or www.pvhs.org.

Thursday, January 24 International Night: Burma, New and Old Elizabeth Stanley will present images from her 2005 photo tour of Myanmar, and Norman Illsley will share some of his artifacts and images of the “Old Town Burma.” Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday, January 25 Meet Mozart Join members of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and Brian Luedloff (as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) for a concert of great Mozart music. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-350-9451 or www.greeleygov.com/festivals.

44

| RMPARENT

UNC Dance Alliance Spring Show Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-350-9451 or www.greeleygov.com/festivals.

History Comes Alive: Nancy Cooper Russell Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Saturday, January 26 Black Violin This group of two classically trained violinists, Kev Marcus and Wil B, and their DJ TK is redefining the music world-one string at a time. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 2pm & 6pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix. com.

Moon Over My Open Space Join Naturalist Bob for a moonlit walk to look out for nighttime critters and learn about owls. River Bluffs Open Space, West of I-25/Windsor interchace off of CR32E, CO. 5:30pm. 970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org/naturalresources.

UNC Dance Alliance Spring Show Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. 970-350-9451 or www.greeleygov.com/festivals.

We’re having a Baby: A Class for Siblings Kids will learn what a new baby looks like, how to become a “big helper,” and how to make friends with the new baby.

North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 9:30-10:30am. 970‑3784044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Winter Markets Local food and craftwork. Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 970-484-6500 or www.

DowntownFortCollins.com.

Sunday, January 27 Tommy Emmanuel Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 8pm. 970221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Animal Afternoon Join Larimer Animal People Partnership volunteers and their special storyloving critters. Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 3pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Monday, January 28 UNC Faculty Recital: John Adler, trumpet UNC Dance Alliance Spring Show Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 8pm. 970-350-9451 or www. greeleygov.com/festivals.

Community Book Discussion Join Dr. Martin Carcasson from CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, in a discussion of The Civic Renewal Movement: Community Building and Democracy in the United States.

Main Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Tuesday, January 29 Prepared Childbirth Ask questions and make informed decisions about issues surrounding the birth of your baby. North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th St., GR. 6-8:30pm. 970‑378-4044 or www.BannerHealth.com/ NCMCFamilyLifeEdu. Anomaly: A Teton Research Production Presented by Teton Gravity Research.

This film showcases the abnormal abilities of today’s top athletes as they push the boundaries of what is considered “humanly possible.” The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. Fourth St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. rialtotheatercenter.org.

Get your FREE issue today!

un F s ’ It shy l a r T a It’s cation du E s ’ It It’s the

Garbage Garage

Northern Colorado’s

Favorite Senior Magazine.

Larimer County’s waste & recycling education center at the Larimer County Landfill in Fort Collins

visit us online: rmsenior.com Like us on facebook: facebook.com/RMSeniorMagazine

(970) 498-5772 larimer.org/solidwaste

we have over 30 campground sites!

Book yours today!

Beaver l l a e r o l Exp

Meadows has

to offe

r

www.BEavErMEadows.coM • 970-881-2450 RMPARENT

| 45

time out

Coughing wolf

“Mother of the Year” tries to determine when sick is really sick T h e r e s a My e r s

O

k, so here is reason No. 347 why I will never get Mother of the Year.

My 13-year-old daughter has always been a bit of a drama queen when it comes to her health. Not exactly a hypochondriac, but close. Ever since she was very little, she’s had a tendency to exaggerate her illnesses just a bit.

If she has a headache, it’s never just a headache; it’s a migraine. If her muscles ache from volleyball practice, she can’t move off the couch for hours.

We took her to the doctor several times for pain in her ankle. They could never diagnose anything concrete, but she was on crutches for a while, which sounded a lot more attractive to her before she had actually tried to walk with them.

There has been more than one occasion when I kept her home from school on her insistence that she was “really sick” only to figure out she was fine.

Over the years my husband and I have tended to downplay my daughter’s ailments, thinking she was probably making them worse than they really were.

46

| RMPARENT

We try to stop the escalation of the ailment before it gets out of control.

For the most part, we’ve been spot on.

Unfortunately, this cry-wolf mentality has backfired on us occasionally.

Once, my daughter complained that her toes were red and swollen. I looked at them, and they didn’t look that bad. I told her to put some socks on; her feet were probably just cold.

A couple months later, she mentioned it again. This time when I looked at her feet, her toes were covered with huge, red nodules. I felt horrible. I had her at the doctor the next day. She was diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes restricted circulation in toes and fingers. She had to have blood tests and see a specialist. It isn’t that serious, and there really isn’t much they can do about it, but I still felt like a really bad mother.

Last year, my daughter developed a cough and fever. After a couple days, the fever went away and she said she was feeling better. We even let her play in a volleyball tournament that weekend.

After a couple days, the cough seemed worse and the fever came back.

We took her to the doctor, figuring it was just some strange virus and he would tell us to wait it out. Nope. It was pneumonia. But she enjoyed a little revenge this time. She gave it to me. I felt horrible, was on two antibiotics and missed a week of work.

Recently, my daughter again developed a cough. This time, she had no other symptoms: no fever, no sore throat, no aches. After more than a week, she still had the cough, but then she started

to get a runny nose. She still had no fever, so I just thought she had probably gotten a cold on top of the cough. She wasn’t feeling all that bad.

After about three days of the coughing and the runny nose, my husband finally decided to take her to the doctor. She returned with a diagnosis of bronchitis and a sinus infection, two prescriptions for antibiotics and an inhaler. Again, I was in the running for Mother of the Year.

It’s tough when you have a child who tends to overreact to illness. You don’t want to play into it, but you want to be responsive when they are really sick. It’s a delicate balance that I’ve tipped the scales on one too many times.

I guess maybe in the scenario of “crying wolf,” all too often I am actually turning out to be the wolf.

RMPARENT

| 47

48

| RMPARENT