jackie

VOLUME: 3

AUGUST 2011

ISSUE: 10

jackie The Examiner’s

Women & Family Magazine

n Teach your kids about money p6 n Books from young authors p13 n Start saving for college now p14

Jennifer Splittorff Finding her own way in business p10

calendar Independence

GEO-QUEST – for all ages, through Aug. 31. Geocaches will be hidden in 10 Independence parks this summer. Pick up a manifest at George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Road.

When completed, return it to the nature park for your prize.

Free. Call 816-325-7843.

ANIMALS BEST FRIENDS ADOPT-A-PET, noon to 4 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, PetSmart, 39th Street and Missouri 291. Independence Animal Shelter dogs will be available for adoption, and ABF dogs may be viewed.

“THE MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL TIME MACHINES, demonstration organ recitals, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at Community of Christ Temple; weekends at either the Temple or the Auditorium, Walnut Street and River Boulevard, Independence. Free. For weekend site, visit www.CofChrist. org/dome_spire/recitals.asp or call 816-833-1000.

FARMERS/CRAFT MARKET, 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays, Truman Road and Main Street. Call 816-2528860.

FARMERS MARKET, 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, Hartman Heritage shopping area, Interstate 70 and Little Blue Parkway. Call 816-252-8860.

GALLERY WALK: Seeing the Elephant, 2 p.m.

Thursdays, National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific Ave. Discover what pioneers meant when they wrote in their diaries that they had “seen the elephant.” Free with regular museum admission, $6 for adults; $5 for ages 62 and older; $3 for ages 6 to 17. Call 816-325-7575.

MOONLIGHT MOVIES ON THE SQUARE, on Thursdays, 9 p.m. Pharaoh Theatre parking lot, Liberty Street and Maple Avenue. Free. Concessions for sale and chairs for rent. Visit www.freemoonlightmovies.com. Aug. 4 movie: “Shrek Forever After”; Aug. 11 movie: “Tangled.”

“NIGHT AT THE WAX MUSEUM THE MUSICAL,” presented by Encore Theatre and Children’s Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 5 and 6; and 2 p.m. Aug. 7, Powerhouse Theatre, Truman and Noland roads. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Cost, $7; $6 for seniors; $3 for children. Call 816-373-7370.

FREE CLOTHING EXCHANGE, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6, Summit Grove Community of Christ, 411 S. Lee’s Summit Road.

Clean, gently used clothing, coats, purses, backpacks and more for all ages are available for free. Clothing donations accepted. Call 816-461-4186.

SWIM LESSONS, sponsored by Independence Parks and Recreation, Monday-Thursday Aug. 8-18 or Aug. 22-Sept. 1, Adventure Oasis Water Park, Independence. Cost, $40 per session. For times, age groups and to register, call 816-3257843.

VITAL RECORDS: The Life and Death of Genealogy – for adults, 10 a.m. Aug. 9, Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road. To register, visit www.mymcpl.org or call 816-252-7228.

TODDLER TOWN ON TOUR – for ages 2 to 10, sponsored

by Independence Parks and Recreation, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Staff will be on hand to help with simple craft projects. Aug. 10, Rotary Park; Aug. 17, Waterfall Park. Free. Call 816-3257370.

BEGINNING GENEALOGY with Kathy Pierce – for adults, 7 p.m. Aug. 11, Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road. To register, visit www.mymcpl.org or call 816-252-7228.

“VETTES ON THE SQUARE,” presented by the Kansas City Corvette Association, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13, around the Independence Square. This is a judge show with specialty awards, plus there will be door prizes and silent auction, with JACKIE

Is this caterpillar looking at you? It’s markings sure make it look that way. Learn about caterpillars, moths and butterflies this month at Powell Gardens.

PHOTO FROM POWELL GARDENS

{EDITOR’S PICK}

Festival of Butterflies at powell gardens

T

he annual Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens is Aug. 5-7 and Aug. 12-14. The focus this year is on caterpillars. Some of North America’s largest and strangest caterpillars will be visiting the gardens, which are in Kingsville, Mo., just off U.S. 50 in Johnson County.

The festival admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Members admitted free.

See Page 8 for more on the Festival of Butterflies and other events at Powell Gardens.

proceeds benefit Camp Quality USA, a camp for children who have cancer. Free admission. To register your Corvette, visit www.kccorvetteassociation.com.

TALKIN’ TRUMAN – America’s Western Trails: Highlights, myths and impact, 11 a.m. Aug. 13, Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, 500 W. U.S. 24. John Mark Lambertson, director of the NFTM, will review the history of the major western trails that left from Missouri. Free with museum admission, $8 for adults; $7 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 15. Call 816-268-8200 or visit www.trumanlibrary.org.

FAMILY FUN DAY, 2 p.m. Aug. 13, National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific Ave. Enjoy free wagon rides, cookies and cider, and make memory book to record your impressions.

Free with regular museum admission, $6 for adults; $5 for ages 62 and older; $3 for ages 6 to 17. Call 816-325-7575.

ADVENTURE OASIS WATER PARK BEACH BASH for pass holders, sponsored by Independence Parks and Recreation, 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 13, at the Water Park. Season pass holders

will enjoy a free evening of games, music and prizes. Guests of pass holders enter at a discount. Call 816-325-7843.

SOUTHERN WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE 19TH CENTURY – for adults, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 13, Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road. To register, visit www.mymcpl.org or call 816-252-7228.

CAT TOYS MADE EASY – for all ages, sponsored by Independence Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple Ave. Cost, $10. Call 816-325-7843.

TELL ME ABOUT THE GOOD OL’ DAYS – for adults, 10 a.m. Aug. 16, Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road. To register, visit www.mymcpl.org or call 816-252-7228.

ENGLEWOOD ART WALK, 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19, 10900 E. Winner Road. Seven galleries in the Englewood Station Shopping District, Winner Road and Sterling Avenue, open their doors to art lovers. See artists in action, demonstrations, and enjoy live music. Free. Call 816-252-3372.

AUGUST 2011

“IN THE MIRROR – THREE TALES FROM ASIA,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 20, Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Road. The $5 cost includes seeing the museum and a finger puppet for children. For reservations, call 816-833-9777.

WAR “ROOTS OF A NATION” – Revolutionary War-era exhibit from the Claude and Inez Harkins Freedom Collection, through Aug. 21, Midwest Genealogy Center. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.mymcpl.org or call 816-252-7228.

EVENING WAGON RIDE AND SWALES WALK, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 25, National Frontier Trails Museum. Cost, $15; $12 for ages 6 to 17. Reservation required. Call 816-325-7575.

NFL PUNT, PASS & KICK – for ages 6 to 15, 10 a.m. Aug. 27, Independence Athletic Complex, 17800 Salisbury Road.

Boys and girls in four different age groups compete against each other in a fun and engaging forum. Free. Call 816-3257370.

ART EXHIBIT by local artist Deane McMillian, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through October, Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St. Cost, $6 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 16. Call 816-325-7430 or visit www. vailemansion.org.

“TREASURES FOUND IN TREES,” a collection of tree tumors, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m.

Sundays, through August, Bingham-Waggoner, 313 W. Pacific Ave. Admission, $6; $5 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 16. Call 816-461-3491.

“BUTTONS, BUTTONS, WHO’S GOT THE BUTTONS,” a collection of overall buttons owned by Madelyn Connelly, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, through August, Chicago & Alton 1879 Depot, 318 W. Pacific Ave. Donations welcome. Call 816-325-7955.

“STEAMBOATS TO STEAM ENGINES: George Caleb Bingham’s Missouri from 1819-1879,” through Sept. 8, Truman Library. Free with paid museum admission, $8; $7 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 15. Call 816-268-8200 or 800-8331225.

PUBLIC SKATE, Independence Events Center, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway. Public sessions are open to skaters of all ages and skill levels. These sessions take place at various times and are usually two hours long. Cost, $5; $3 for 12 and under and 55 and older, non-residents add $1 to each price.

Skate rental, $2. For times, call the Skating Hotline: 816-7957577.

“HAZELLE’S COMPETITORS,” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. TuesdaySaturday through Aug. 31, Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Road. Exhibit of puppets made by other companies that competed with the Hazelle Rollins Kansas City factory.

Cost, $3, $1.50 to age 16. Call 816-833-9777.

MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING has grief survivors meeting second Monday in Independence. Help for bereaved or injured victims, volunteers accepted. For time and location, call Michelle Fordemwalt, 816-295-1545.

LA LECHE LEAGUE, Jackson County A.M. Group, 10 a.m., second Thursday, Trails West Public Library. For breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding. Call Kayl, 816-254-5992.

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT GROUPS, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association, 6:30 to 8:30 Mondays. For locations, call Karen Costa, 816-252-8388, Ext. 16.

WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-404-6460 or 257-2335.

MORE ON PAGE 8

a word from jackie

How ready is your teen for driving?

S

nap! The memory of the camera shutter clicking is still vivid and moments later I walked out of the DMV with my very first driver’s license.

I was one of those teenagers who couldn’t wait to take my driver’s test and seize the independence that I imagined came with the legal right to operate a motorized vehicle. I studied diligently for the written exam and practiced parallel parking for hours between two cones my dad set up in front of our house. I took driver’s education and dreamed of the day I could graduate from the high school parking lot to the open road.

Reaching my 16th birthday and getting that little laminated card was a real rite of passage for me and still is for teenagers across the land. I was filled with pride and excitement – ready, willing and now able to cruise around town unhindered.

I was well aware that there would be no car presented to me on the occasion of my 16th birthday. I had no expectation that a shiny new convertible – or even a beaten up old Grannymobile – would be waiting in my driveway all tied up with a huge bow. I knew

written by

Jackie

that any driving I would be doing would be in my mother’s brown station wagon, which I so expertly parallel parked day after day in preparation for my driving test, but I was nonetheless thrilled to take the wheel.

My happy bubble of driving dreams was swiftly burst before I even got a chance to take a spin around the block. Even though the state found me suitable for driving, my parents did not. They informed me that driving was “a privilege not a right,” words that ring in my ears to this day and stung my gleeful teenage heart. Unwilling to let me drive their cars until I gained more experience as a driver and maturity as a person, my parents stayed firm, even as day after day I sat glumly in my room and listened to Bruce Springsteen songs about cars.

I still think my mom and dad were

unreasonable in forbidding me to drive, but along the way to that coveted freedom and independence I became a great driver. I had to prove to my parents that I would be safe, alert, law-abiding and defensive in my driving. I came to a complete stop at every stop sign. My father’s definition of “complete” meant I would often sit at an intersection for what seemed like an excessive amount of time. I signaled precisely one-half of one city block prior to a turn. For extra credit I used hand signals, too.

The art of driving is gone. In a big metropolitan area like Kansas City and in the sprawled-out city of Independence, driving is essential. Tapped out parents who spend hours transporting kids to various activities and appointments all over the city can’t wait for kids to reach driving age and release parents from driving duty. Driving is no longer treated as a privilege or a right but as a necessity. These days drivers of all ages – the seasoned and the novice – would never pass my parents’ driving test.

While national statistics confirm that drivers under the age of 20 are 3.5 times

AUGUST 2011

more likely to be involved in a car crash than more mature drivers, the stats are not good for anyone. In 2009 there were more than 5.5 million car accidents in the United States and nearly 31,000 were fatal. Thirty-one percent of fatal accidents were caused by speeding and nearly half occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or more.

And 2009 saw more than 2 million people injured in car accidents.

Across the nation, August is the deadliest month for car crashes. With the number of road projects taking place in Independence and the highways surrounding Eastern Jackson County, take particular caution while doing those hectic back-to-school errands this month. Treat driving as a privilege in your family, slow down a little bit, pay attention to drivers around you and refresh those good driving skills of your youth.

Jackie

JACKIE

Jackie

family facts

Baby matters

Contact Us Phone: 816-350-6365 Fax: 816-254-0211 (news) 816-836-3805 (advertising)

Publisher: Steve Curd steve.curd@examiner.net Editorial: EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Sheila Davis sheila.davis@examiner.net MANAGING EDITOR: Karl Zinke karl.zinke@examiner.net Advertising: Director of Advertising: David T. Lammers dave.lammers@examiner.net Director of Marketing: Sharon Dankenbring sharon.dankenbring@examiner.net New media: New Media Manager: Emilee Bilyeu emilee.bilyeu@examiner.net Web Site: www.examiner.net Jackie is created monthly by GateHouse Media Inc., The Examiner's parent company.

Findings on little ones and language, car seats

By Danielle Braff | GateHouse News Service

Life isn’t fair Babies as young as 10 months can figure out who is getting more – whether it’s a snack or a toy – according to a new study by University of Missouri researchers. So if you give your baby a choice of two portion sizes, he’ll automatically reach for the larger one, the researchers said.

© 2011 gatehouse media • All rights reserved

Cover photo by karen Hacker at The Portrait Gallery, 124 S. Main St., Independence, 816-461-5400.

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AUGUST 2011

family facts

Joe Shlabotnik/FLICKR

family facts

Turn around The American Academy of Pediatricians now recommends that toddlers face the rear of the car until they turn 2 – or until they reach the car seat’s maximum weight or height limit. That’s a big change from previous rules, which said kids could turn around after their first birthday.

Co-parenting

59 percent

Sometimes, the seemingly ideal situation isn’t as good as it seems.

A new study published in “Developmental Psychology” finds that parents who share equally in parenting actually have increased conflict.

The researchers believe this could be because when the fathers step in, the mothers don’t always appreciate their parenting style.

That’s the percentage of men responsible for doing the grocery shopping, according to a recent Yahoo! survey that polled 2,325 men. But the mothers are still in the kitchen – only 39 percent of men do the cooking.

Smarty pants

Cell phone dangers

According to a study by British Columbia psychologists, when infants were exposed to two languages at home, they were able to distinguish between two foreign languages just by watching other people speak.

That skill also shows that they can identify and understand visual cues.

A study by Swedish researchers found that children and teens who used cell phones are 5 times more likely to get brain cancer than those who didn’t have mobile phones. And the earlier the child gets a cell, the greater the cancer risk.

AUGUST 2011

JACKIE

little savers

JACKIE

AUGUST 2011

money

secrets for inspiring money-savvy kids

f

By Molly Logan Anderson | GateHouse News Service

or most parents, getting their children to understand the basics of money management is a daunting task. Kids are longstanding members of the “bank of mom and dad,” and most would prefer to keep it that way.

1

get a head start

2

But creating sound financial habits at an early age prepares kids for the years of money management that lie ahead. Set your youngsters up for success by following our expert strategies for early financial education.

take it to the bank

Creating awareness around finances early on is a key to success, according to Paul Richard, president of the Institute of Consumer Financial Education, who also recommends grabbing kids’ attention with interest accumulation, in addition to saving, as soon as possible.

“Explain and demonstrate the concept of earning interest income on savings,” says Richard. “Consider paying interest on money saved at home.”

Encourage an active role in saving by taking children with you to open an account at a credit union or bank. While Richard prefers the youth programs and higher rates of member-owned-and-operated credit unions, any savings account is a good start.

And remember to allow them to use their money, too.

“Don’t refuse them when they want to withdraw from savings for a purchase,” Richard advises. “You’ll risk discouraging savings altogether.”

4

5

find lessons in real life

Look for everyday experiences in which kids participate that allow for spendingrelated learning opportunities. Richard highly recommends grocery shopping.

Plan purchases in advance, check sales and clip coupons, involving your kids in every step of the process.

“About a third of our take-home pay is spent for grocery and household items,” says Richard. “Spending smarter at the grocery store can save more than $1,800 a year for a family of four.”

Planning before spending as children leads to a lifetime of saving, instead of a lifetime of spending. According to Richard, unplanned spending accounts for 20 to 30 percent of our overall expenditures.

3

create opportunities to learn

Implement a simple and consistent allowance program for children, highlighting chores that make sense.

“Make allowance and work (household chores) go together,” says Richard, who urges parents not to pay for things like keeping a bedroom clean, as a child may eventually become frustrated and opt out of the allowance program. Instead, focus on tasks outside the realm of what’s expected, like emptying bathroom wastebaskets or cleaning up after pets.

“Use a chores list with added opportunities to earn extra for things like raking leaves or snow removal,” he says.

set a good example

Taking a good look in the mirror and correcting bad financial habits is imperative before passing along financial advice to children. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, do your best to correct the situation, as children who grow up within that environment will surely become aware of it.

“Children will mimic the actions of their parents,” says Richard. “When saving and income – and saving on purchases – are important to parents, they will become important to their children.”

When children learn to plan before spending, it can lead to a lifetime of saving, according to Paul Richard, president of the Institute of Consumer Financial Education.

PHOTOS BY Miki Yoshihito/Flickr

AUGUST 2011

JACKIE

calendar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Blue Springs

FARMERS MARKET, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Main and 11th streets.

“CAR CRUISE NIGHT,” 5 p.m. until dark Aug. 6, downtown Blue Springs, on Main Street between 10th and 12th streets.

There will be custom cars, muscle cars, truck and hot rods.

Concessions available. Call 816-228-0137.

RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE SYSTEMS TRAINING – for women 15 and older, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 and 7. This national training program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques will be taught by Blue Springs Police certified RAD instructors. Cost, $25. Call 816-228-0137 to register.

“MUSIC IN THE PARK,” presented by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted), Rotary Park and Railroad Lake, Missouri 7 and Vesper St. Lineup: Aug. 7 – “Nace Brothers;” Aug. 14 – “Mary Goes Round;” Aug. 21 – “Lipriddle;” Aug. 28 – “Blue 88” (3 to 5 p.m.) and “Eric Tessmer Band” (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. In case there’s inclement weather, call 816-228-0116.

JACOMO DAY CAMP, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., last session begins Aug. 8, Kemper Outdoor Education Center, 8201 Jasper Bell Road. Camp features swimming, canoeing, archery, hiking, nature study, arts and crafts, field trips and more. Fee scale.

Call 816-229-8980 or visit www.jacksongov.org/daycamp.

INTRODUCTION TO MARTIAL ARTS, sponsored by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, 5:30 to 6 p.m. Monday/ Wednesday Aug. 8-Sept. 14 for ages 4 to 6; 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Tuesday/Thursday Aug. 9-Sept. 15 for ages 7 and older, Karate for Kids, 629-A Mock Plaza. Cost for either class, $45. Call 816228-0137 to register.

DISCOVER NATURE FAMILIES: Canoeing – for families with children 7 and older, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9, presented by Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, and taking place at James A. Reed Wildlife area. Call 816-228-3766 to register.

COMPUTER CLASSES, intermediate Windows XP, 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 9-10; beginning Microsoft Word 2003, 9 to 11 a.m.

Aug. 11-12; navigating the Internet/email, noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 16-17, Vesper Hall, 400 N.W. Vesper St. Cost, $35 per class, or take three different classes for $90. Call 816-228-0181 to register.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE, 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 9, at Independence Center in the Donor bus. To make an appointment, visit www.esavealifenow.org and use Sponsor Code: Simonmall or all Leslie Garner at 816-795-8602.

DAY TRIP: New Theatre Restaurant, departs at 11 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. Aug. 10, Vesper Hall, 400 N.W. Vesper St. See “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Cost, $51. Call 816-228-0181 to register.

GIANT CLOTHING SALE, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12, Cornerstone Church, 301 E. AA Highway. All clothing is $1 and under, and children’s clothes are 25 cents each. Call 816-2281979 or visit www.CornerstoneLife.org.

HEALTH FAIR, 8 to 11 a.m. Aug. 11, Vesper Hall. There will be dieting information, health and fitness information, blood pressure checks, foot screenings and more. Call 816-228-0181.

FAMILY FISHING – for families, 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 13, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road.

Attendees ages 16 to 64 must have a valid fishing license. Call 816-228-3766 to register.

DISCOVER NATURE WOMEN: Tree identification and leafy totes – for women, 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center. Learn medicinal, edible and JACKIE

wildlife uses of trees, identification, and use real leaves to “paint” leafy designs on a tote. Call 816-228-3766 to register.

JELLY MAKING CLASS – for adults, 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 25, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center. Learn to make jelly with wild grapes and elderberries. Call 816-2283766 to register.

TALENT SHOW – for those 50 and older, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Vesper Hall. Be a part of the show or just enjoy the show. Categories: Vocal solo or ensemble, instrumental solo or ensemble, poetry reading, monologues, dance and skits. Fee, $4 per entry. Registration deadline: Aug. 22. Call 816-228-0181.

FEED THE CRITTERS on exhibit at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center at 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 816-228-3766.

WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-220-1007.

TOUGH LOVE Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Tuesdays, First Christian Church. 913-4921200.

MOM TO MOM LUNCH CLUB, a support group for new moms, 1 to 2 p.m., first and third Tuesday of each month, St. Mary’s Medical Center Professional Building, 300 Mock Ave. Call 816-655-5585.

LA LECHE LEAGUE of Blue Springs, 7 p.m., third Tuesday of each month, Parkview Church. For breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding. Call Kayl, 254-5992 or Stephanie, 816-833-0250.

Buckner

LAKE CITY SHOOTING RANGE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER, Landahl Park, 28505 E. Truman Road.

All programs are free, but registration is required. Call 816249-3194.

INTRODUCTION TO DEER HUNTING – for ages 12 and older, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4. They’ll discuss what equipment you need, hunting, techniques, scouting ideas and more.

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM: Developed by the National Rifle Association – for adults, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 6. Topics: Home, automobile, phone, technological, travel and personal security.

WATERFOWL IDENTIFICATION – for families, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 13. Learn to identify waterfowl before the bird is within shotgun range. Topics: Shot size for specific waterfowl, shot density, leading waterfowl and non-toxic shot.

WOMEN’S FIREARM SAFETY: Phase I – for women ages 18 and older, 8 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 20. This course is designed for women who are interested in gaining knowledge about firearms. Topics: Introducing a firearm into the home, basic marksmanship and laws regarding firearm ownership.

Fort Osage

bring insect repellent and a canteen. Binoculars, cameras and sketchbooks are also recommended.

Fort Osage is located at 107 Osage St., Sibley. Admission is $7; $4 for ages 5-13; $3 for seniors; ages 4 and under are free.

Visit www.jacksongov.org/fortosage.

Kansas City

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP – Introduction to Naturalizations, 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 5, National Archives, 400 W. Pershing Road. Learn about the different steps in the process, how to locate these records and helpful hints. Free, but reservations are encouraged. To register, call 816-268-8010 or email kansascity.educate@nara.gov.

FARRAND FARMS TOMATO FAIR, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6, 5941 S. Noland Road. There will be gardening experts, demonstrations/workshops, tomato and salsa contests and more. There is a suggested $3 donation for ages 13 and older to benefit St. Luke’s Women’s Heart Center. For more information, call 816-353-2312 or www.farrandfarms.com.

KANSAS CITY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY show and sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 6; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd Street and Wornall Road. Free admission.

HOPE AND ALL THAT JAZZ, a Hope House fundraiser, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 20, Muehlebach Hotel, Kansas City.

Enjoy and evening of silent and live auction bidding, dancing and more. All money raised goes to help victims of domestic violence. For information, contact Libby Connor at lconnor@ hopehouse.net or 816-257-9334.

FOREVER FAMILIES GALA, presented by Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association, Aug. 20, InterContentinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. Evening includes dinner, auction, and guest speakers. Money raised will continue their mission to provide children with loving families. Tickets are $100; $1,000 for table host; $1,500-$10,000 for sponsorships.

For reservations, donations or information, call 816-350-0215 or visit www.mfcaa.org.

GHOST HUNTING, 7 p.m. to midnight Aug. 20, John Wornall House, 6115 Wornall Road. Join the Missouri Paranormal Society on a real paranormal investigation. The $50 cost includes your investigation and a “ghost goody bag.”

For reservations, call 816-444-1858.

ART UNLEASHED, a benefit for the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City’s no kill shelter, 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 26, Hale Arena, 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City.

A live and silent auction with original and limited edition pet-theme artwork pieces will be for sale. Loren Halifax of Fox 4’s Morning Show will be the hostess. Tickets are $25 per person, or $500 per reserved table of 8. For tickets or to donate artwork, call 913-596-1000, ext. 115, or visit www.

ArtUnleashedKC.org.

Lee’s Summit

ARCHAEOLOGY OF FORT OSAGE, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 13. Join an archaeologist at the Education Center for a review of park archaeology, including the site of Fort Osage (18081827), American Indian settlements (2,000 to 1,400 years ago), and the original Town of Sibley (1836-1890).

SUMMER NATURE WALKS, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 20. After a brief introduction in the Education Center by a naturalist, the group will embark on a guided tour of the upland and floodplain zones. Wear hiking boots or shoes and

FARMERS MARKET, 7 a.m. until sold out, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Nov. 5, Second and Douglas streets.

246-6598.

Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY BEACHES, 1 to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends through Aug. 12; 3 to 7 p.m.

Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends Aug. 13-Sept. 2 Blue Springs Lake Beach, 1500 N.E. Bowlin Road, Lee’s

AUGUST 2011

Summit. One mile east of I-470/M-291 on Bowlin Road in Fleming Park.

Longview Lake Beach, 11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City.

Two miles south of I-470 on Raytown Road. Closed Aug. 21 for special event.

Price: $5 for adults; $3 for ages 15 and under and seniors. Family passes are available. Special group rates ($1 off per person for groups of 20 or more) are available with 48 hour notice. Call 816-503-4876 or visit www.jacksongov. org/beaches.

Kingsville

POWELL GARDEN activities: JURASSIC GARDENS, through Aug. 14. Journey back to the prehistoric world, when more than 20 dinosaurs and oversized ancient insects return to the Gardens. Free with Garden admission.

FESTIVAL OF BUTTERFLIES, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5-7 and 12-14. The festival includes an indoor exhibit with hundreds of free-flying butterflies and moths; two outdoor butterfly breezeways aflutter with native species, children’s activities, a butterfly plant sale and more. Admission, $10; $9 for seniors; $5 for ages 5-12; members are free.

CHEF DEMONSTRATION: Alex Pope, 2 p.m. Aug. 7, Missouri Barn. Alex is an award-winning chef who has worked at the R Bar & Restaurant and The American Restaurant. Free with admission.

MOTHS & MILKSHAKES BY MOONLIGHT, 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 12. Enjoy milkshakes on the terrace, then head outdoors to see how many kinds of moths you can attract. Call for 816-697-2600, ext. 209 for reservations.

AUGUST CLASSES, Aug. 13, Young Picassos: Butterfly Expressions – for ages 5 to 18 ($39; members $35, reservation deadline Aug. 8); Aug. 18, Top Trees and Superb Shrubs ($19; members $12, reservation deadline Aug. 15); Aug. 20, Wool-Drying Basket – Advanced ($49; members $45, reservations deadline Aug. 15); Aug. 20, Butterflies & Flowers Watercolor Workshop ($45 per project; members $39, reservation deadline Aug. 15); Aug. 21, Solar-Powered Zen Fountain ($89; members $74, reservation deadline Aug. 8); Aug. 23, Gardening with Nature ($19; members $12, reservation deadline Aug. 22); Aug. 28, Chef Souffle’s Kids Cooks – for families with children 6 to 12 ($11 per child; $9 for adult; members $8 per child/adult members free, reservation deadline Aug. 22). To register, call Linda at 816-697-2600, ext. 209.

CHEF DEMONSTRATION: Peter Grunauer, 2 p.m.

Aug. 14, Missouri Barn. Peter’s family runs Grunauer’s in Kansas City, as well as a restaurant in Vienna. Free with admission.

CHEF DEMONSTRATION: Carter Holton, 2 p.m.

Aug. 21, Missouri Barn. Carter is pastry chef at Le Fou Frog, a French bistro in downtown Kansas City. Free with admission.

Powell Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Regular museum admission is $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, and $4 for ages 5-12. Visit www.powellgardens. org for more activities and details.

– Jillayne Ritchie

parenting issues

On the move

By Erika Enigk GateHouse News Service

Congratulations! You (or your spouse) got a new job, and the family is moving to a new town. Now you just have to break the news to the kids and get them as excited as you are, and it may be a tougher sell than you’re prepared for.

Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and author of “If I Have to Tell You One More Time ...” offers these tips for coping.

Before the move Be direct and truthful, and validate kids’ feelings. This move may be something you have been pondering and processing for months, but if it’s news to your children,

they may not immediately warm to the idea, McCready said.

“Don’t try to talk them out of their feelings,” she said.

Do your research. Find things kids will like in the new city and places the family can go together. If possible, visit the new schools and take photos or video of them.

Involve the whole family in decisions.

Put one child in charge of finding something the family will enjoy in the new town, McCready said. Ask one to find all the parks and another to find a restaurant to try, for example. Ask how they’ll want their bedrooms to look. These gestures will make them feel like they’re a part of the process.

On the day of the move, ask kids to document it by taking pictures and journaling about what’s going on.

Keep the routine consistent. Enforce rules as usual, and don’t forego family din-

Helping kids cope with living in a new place

ners or church on Sunday to get an extra hour or two of packing done.

“That gives a lot of security and eases a lot of anxiety that kids will naturally have,” she said.

McCready also recommends practicing what she calls “mind, body and soul time.”

Every day, spend some one-on-one time with each child, during which your focus is just on them.

After the move Make new friends. “Get out and meet your neighbors,” McCready said. If your children are young, the school may be able to help connect you with children the same age so you can set up play dates, she said.

Some schools even have programs for new families coming in.

For older children, get them involved in

activities that will help them make friends.

This may even be a good time to take up a new activity that kids have always wanted to try.

Keep the old. It’s normal to miss everybody from the old place, and the good friends shouldn’t be forgotten or ignored, McCready said. Help your kids connect with old friends on Skype (supervised as necessary for their age), and encourage them to correspond through email.

Don’t forget mind, body and soul time. Life may be new and exciting in a new town, but kids need to know that dinner is still served at 6 p.m. sharp, and Friday is still family movie night. Keep these rituals to keep the family grounded, McCready said. And be sure to spend that one-on-one time together, too.

Read more from McCready at www.positiveparentingsolutions.com.

Find deals on moving supplies and more at RadarFrog.com. Sign up today for a free account at examiner.net.

AUGUST 2011

JACKIE

cover story

Jennifer Splittorff She found herself when she took a job where people didn’t know her famous dad

By Jeff Martin jeff.martin@examiner.net

SPECTRUM/ Jennifer Splittorff

Jennifer Splittorff raises her leg up and points to the ding mark on her calf – evidence that, yeah, she still plays softball and, like everyone, sometimes she can’t get out of the way of what hurts.

Fresh from a meeting, Splittorff takes a minute to collect herself. She’s sitting at Kidzone in Blue Springs. It’s the lunch hour and kids race back and forth like waterbugs. It seems like a good place to talk about her life – one that started in Omaha where she was born; one that “landed,” as she describes it, in Blue Springs when

highest high

she was a kid for reasons uncommon to most; one that took her and her intense sense of individuality to Arizona, California and Colorado as she built up her career; and one that delivered her, like a fastball, right back to Blue Springs in 2004.

Describing the Blue Springs she found upon her return feels like a curveball when you hear it. There’s an intensity to her voice when she talks about something she cares about.

“Blue Springs hadn’t changed much,” she said, leaning back. “I was shocked. And it wasn’t good – not in my eyes it wasn’t. There weren’t any new businesses. Nothing was being built up. There was no remodeling. When I left, Blue

Springs and Lee’s Summit were kinda the same in a lot of ways, but Lee’s Summit … it just built itself up.”

The family moved to what would eventually be named The City of Cooperation in 1971 because her father, Paul, had made his major-league baseball debut in 1970 with the Kansas City Royals.

Blue Springs back then was the place where many Royals players “landed,” she said. Players liked it because it had a country feel. They could raise a family in peace. The schools were good. It was close to the stadium.

That Jennifer, the oldest of two children of Lynn and Paul Splittorff, should use the term “landed”

so often in her speech only confirms what everyone knows already: the hugely significant role her parents and baseball had on her.

In other words, the topic of her father, who became and remains the Royals franchise’s leader in career wins (166), always lands on her lap.

“It always does,” she said, giving a thin but sincere smile. “It’s all right. I got used to that a long time ago.”

Lynn, her mother, laughs.

“Yes, and both of our children dealt with it in their own way.” * In the seventh grade, Jennifer,

ally hard to achieve that level of management. Athletically, winning the KC Metro softball tournament in high school was always a great memory. A few years ago I advanced to nationals for golf in the EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association), and that was an awesome experience. This is a tough question, because there have been many.

Lowest low There were many in the past year, with my Dad’s illness, but the day I will never forget is the day the doctors told us his melanoma had spread to all the vital organs. That was a sad day.

Most important mentor

time I saw her, I was amazed, and I changed my whole way of thinking in regards to wanting to give someone the world.

Smartest thing I've ever done This has got to be my decisions on moving away from Kansas City after college graduation AND moving back to Kansas City in 2004. Moving away in 1994 was such an independent and liberating experience for me. I got to really make it on my own with my career and personal life. Then, after my mom was in a serious car accident in 2001, I started thinking I might be too far away from home. Deciding to move back to Kansas City in 2004 was ultimately the right move for me in the long run... I’ve been able to see my two nieces, Shea and Devin, grow up as well as spend some great quality time the last six years with my dad.

Pam Boat, my district sales manager from The Limited. She gave me my “first real job” and then helped with my transfer to Arizona, as well as mentoring me along the way during my career changes.

Dumbest thing

Achilles' Heel

What I thought I’d be doing at this point in life

Probably procrastination... I’ve always believed I’m good under pressure, but it’s really because I put myself in these circumstances, always waiting until something HAS to be done. When I have time constraints and focused energy I’m very productive.

My highest highs often aren't the same as most people’s... I don't have children Greatest moment of epiphany and I've never been married. Careerwise, when I landed my first district sales manager job with Styles for Less was a great accomplishment for me. I worked re- Probably the birth of my first niece Shea Makena... I will never forget the first 10 JACKIE

growing up in Blue Springs under the watchful eye of a mother who got her master’s degree in microbiology and a father who had made a name for himself in baseball for (among other things) being a “Yankee killer,” tried to play the trumpet.

“I was no good.”

Academically she was college material. Her mother insisted on it.

“It was very important to my mom,” she said. “It was simple – if I didn’t perform academically, there was no athletics. And my dad agreed.”

As a young girl, she participated in gymnastics and dance, but not until she turned 9 did she find her athletic calling – to no one’s

AUGUST 2011

Absolutely too many to name... luckily I think I’ve learned from most of them :)

Exactly what I’m doing right now... enjoying time with my family and friends and growing my own business, working for myself!

What I still really want to do I’d like to travel internationally at some point to Italy and Greece. No changes to my career path though; I’m on the right one!

cover story surprise: softball.

“I wondered around that time if I could play softball,” she said.

“When I started playing, I couldn’t give two rats about anything else.

Everything else dropped after I started playing softball – well, I did swim, and I played volleyball and basketball, just to keep in shape, you know.”

Her mother knew then that the last name could become a hindrance to her children.

“Athletically – yes, it was,” Lynn said. “So much was expected of them both. There was that feeling that, if you’re a Splittorff, you’re supposed to be good. But that worked in her favor. It propelled her to be good.”

By then, the world of baseball loomed large in Jennifer’s world.

The Yankee Killer, her beloved father who could take a nap anywhere at anytime, had long before that cemented his reputation with Royals fans and the community.

Among his accomplishments include becoming the Royals’ first 20-game winner and the winning pitcher in the Royals’ first postseason victory, the second game of the 1976 American League Championship Series against the Yankees.

“I remember going to the games,” she said. “We went to every game he pitched. Every fifth day.

I’m sure seeing him had a lot to do with me going toward baseball. I had that natural ability.”

She played third base for the Colonial Nursery softball team.

Her mom coached – and kept stats, a love of hers. Playing softball would become Jennifer’s first athletic love, and she still plays, now with a women’s league at Young Park. Last week, a ground ball dinged her calf, and she smiles when she points to it.

“It’s a great group,” she said, adding that she’s been playing about four years now. “It’s great to keep active.”

Tim Crone, who coached Jennifer in softball during her senior year at Blue Springs High School, said in addition to her skills at pitching (a position her father discouraged her and brother Jamie from playing), she also hit extremely well and played shortstop with a golden glove. The team went 21-1, the single loss Crone blames on himself.

“That’s something a lot of

Jennifer Splittorff, an account manager at Vernon Graphics and Promotions, talks to a client on the phone. Splittorff, the daughter of famed Kansas City Royals pitcher Paul Splittorff, moved back to Blue Springs in 2004 and is active in several organizations including the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce.

PHOTO BY Adam vogler/the examiner

people don’t realize,” Crone said.

“She was a great shortstop, very effective.”

But it was her competitiveness, and her acceptance of criticism, that made her a standout.

“To be honest, what she brought from herself and from her father – that’s where it came from,” Crone said. “And when you told her things, when you really got up in her face, she got it. She was easy for me to coach.”

Following her graduation in 1987, she entered the University of Kansas, where she would major in human development and minor in chemistry. Jennifer played softball one year. But differences with staff changes led her to leave the team.

“It was for the best.” * Graduating college, she returned to Blue Springs to begin her bartending career. She gives a chuckle when referencing it. Still, it wasn’t her only job, she’s quick to mention. She was working part time at The Limited, a fashion store that would, in time, train her for a life working with a variety of people.

Promoted to co-manager, Jennifer quickly established herself as exceptional on the retail floor – not just on the sand of the volleyball court, or within the diamond of the softball field. A new identity was emerging, and her mother took notice.

“Neither Paul nor I were very comfortable in the public eye,” Lynn said. “Jennifer is. She’s very tolerant of people. She loves working with them.”

Promotion after promotion would lead her to city after city.

She would work for Styles for Less, Gymboree (not too much to her

liking), and Limited Brands. The work would take her to Arizona, Colorado, California, places where people didn’t know the last name Splittorff.

“I don’t think anyplace I moved to was a bad decision,” she said. “I accomplished something. It reaffirmed my belief that I could be successful.”

Her mother agreed.

“Jennifer was very cognizant that she couldn’t go anywhere here in Kansas City and not be recognized as being the daughter of Paul Splittorff,” she said. “I think there was a strong feeling in her that said, I want to go where people don’t know who I am.”

Her parents were supportive of her leaving because they understood that life was a journey of self-discovery, maybe even more so for a young woman who everyone, especially those in athletics, expected the absolute best.

“My parents let me find my own way.” * She found her way back to Blue Springs in 2004. While she was away, she would visit from time to time. When she returned, she discovered Blue Springs hadn’t changed much. She was different, yes, but somehow the city was the same.

With her involvement in Blue Springs growing, and her deep love of the city returning, she would eventually find her career. She is now an account manager at Vernon Graphics and Promotions, where she assists businesses with their marketing goals. She’s been there since 2004.

“I won’t leave,” she said. “I absolutely love it there.”

She joined the Blue Springs AUGUST 2011

Chamber of Commerce almost immediately. She understood that if she was going to prosper in the business community, the Chamber of Commerce was where the connections were. Her start was modest, but she quickly made a name for herself. In 2010, she was named upcoming chairman of the board for 2011.

Ryan Fry, chairman for 2010, knew of Jennifer back in school.

She was a couple years older than him, but, well, most everyone knew the name.

“I knew her brother a little more, we played ball together,” said Fry, an Oak Grove High School graduate who went on to star in baseball at the University of Missouri, where he set the school career home run record.

At the chamber, Fry quickly struck up a friendship with her.

He admired, and still does, her tenacious approach. In 2008, then-president Debbie Whisler resigned from the organization amid controversy. Whisler would later be charged with theft.

“Jennifer was one of the first people to ask tough questions about the chamber’s finances when Debbie was president,” he said, adding that Jennifer’s presence is felt throughout the chamber.

“She’s done such a great job, especially in these last couple of years of transition,” he said. “The chamber has gone from spinning its wheels to prosperity.”

Jennifer soon would become active in other organizations, including RUFF Blue Springs, as a committee member; a board member for St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation; as a chairperson for St. Mary’s Golf Tournament; a member of the Referral Results Group; a member of Executive Women’s Golf Association; an ASI and PPAM member. She would also graduate the Citizens Police Academy of Blue Springs in 2010.

Lara Vermillion, chamber president, said that in her eyes Jennifer made a name for herself as someone with a deep knowledge about retail business.

“She understands that world better than a lot of us,” Vermillion said. “She understands when business owners can’t make the luncheon or meetings. That’s important.”

Vermillion credits her with

starting the chamber’s book club, a group of members who meet and discussed assigned books, usually business related.

“She got me to read books that I otherwise would have known nothing about.”

The most recent title – “Who Stole My Customers?”

During the latest mayoral election, Jennifer, concerned for her city, voted for a close friend: Jeff Quibell. When he lost to Carson Ross, she was concerned. Now she’s happy she was wrong.

“Mayor (Carson) Ross has really done a fantastic job,” she said. “It wasn’t until he was in office that I began to realize how beneficial it was to have someone like him.

He has those connections that are important.”

During the past two years, retail shops have opened and development is on the upswing.

“Blue Springs will always be Blue Springs, but now it has a lot more to choose from,” she said. “It has a boutique.” * Blue Springs – and Kansas City – wasn’t quite the same when on May 25 Paul Splittorff lost his battle with melanoma. The Royals Hall of Fame left-handed pitcher, who also made quite a name for himself as a television broadcaster for the Royals, was 64.

It wasn’t easy for the Splittorff family.

“My dad was private,” she said, starting to cry and waving off the fact. “He never wanted the attention. The last two days of his life, he had … such a good attitude.”

Her mother, struggling with her husband’s death in her own way, said her daughter would have preferred the attention from the community, the support.

“It was very difficult for her because she’s a people person,” she said. “She would have been more comfortable getting more support from the community, the church.

But Paul wanted it that way.”

Jennifer is content these days.

She has a place in the city she grew up in. She feels she has something to offer and offers it where she can.

She’s her own person – a testament to not only herself but to those friends and family members who helped her back to home plate.

“I’m happy.”

JACKIE

11

lessons in life | lesson 9

You’ll never get those songs out of your head

B

aby J has a favorite movie, and we watch it sometimes twice a day.

Three if she’s incredibly insistent.

In case you’ve never encountered an 18month-old with a severe stubborn streak, let me paint a picture for you.

You’re sitting on the couch watching a movie on TV. It just happens to be one you’ve been dying to see. It’s the only time the movie is showing the entire month, and you’ve just gotten to the point where it’s taking off. You’re fully invested in this movie and thankful to have 90 minutes to watch a movie – for once.

You see it out of the corner of your eye – Baby is rounding the couch with that thin case covered with images of talking chipmunks.

She carries it to the DVD player and makes a series of squeals, grunts and shrieks – indicating she’d really like to watch the movie – for the bazillionth time.

You try bargaining with her.

Just a few more minutes and you promise to put the Squeakquel on. This buys you a few more minutes to whatever chic flick you can’t take your eyes off. Remember, you had to pause the movie to bargain with said 18month-old. You silently thank the guy who invented DVR and decide that while your film is paused you’ll get up and get some water.

Upon return to the living room, you discover that your precious little one has taken the universal remote hostage. You try to get it from her, but she takes off running, and after a few spins around the kitchen you wait for her to come to you, and just as you think you’ve won the battle of the remote, disaster strikes.

Baby has changed the channel. Anyone who knows anything about DVR knows that changing a paused channel, returns your cable to real time, and when you go back to your movie, it has skipped forward and caught up to where it would have been prior to pausing. You can’t rewind. Thus you may 12 JACKIE

AUGUST 2011

written by

STEPHANIE BOOTHE never know that crucial line Brendan Frasier delivered to win over the girl from “The Cutting Edge.”

Defeated, you snatch up Alvin and put him in the DVD player. Most likely, Alvin lives in your DVD player, so it’s really just a matter of pushing play.

The second the opening credits roll, you give up your frustration because there are few things in the world more adorable than watching your baby dance to the sound of the Chipmunks singing “You Really Got Me.” As she sits mesmerized by the talking animals, you can’t help but feel your heart swell. She claps in all the right places and dances through every song. Nothing Brendan Frasier can do will ever warm your heart like this.

But be careful. Before you know it, you’ll hear the Chipmunks singing in your sleep.

You’ll spend your days at work mouthing the words “I’m a cheeseball man no time to talk.”

Or you’ll never be able to hear Katy Perry’s “Hot and Cold” without thinking of Baby dancing around your living room.

Just when you think it can’t get any cuter.

She starts singing along.

There’s a lifetime of memories in that movie and hours of entertainment watching her react to the songs. I’m looking forward to the third Chipmunk installment in the hopes to change up our Chipmunk fix a little now and then.

By in the meantime I’ve learned to just sit back and enjoy the chipmunk music.

Stephanie

good reads

Young voices These authors got wrote something great an an early age

By Paul Eisenberg | GateHouse News Service

BOOK

“The Diary of a Young Girl”

By Anne Frank

“The Outsiders”

By S.E. Hinton

“Eragon”

By Christopher Paolini

“In the Forests of the Night”

By Amelia AtwaterRhodes

“Swordbird”

By Nancy Yi Fan

PRICE

DESCRIPTION

$5.99

She was a girl living in extraordinary and terrifying times, keeping a diary of her thoughts as she hid from Nazis in a Dutch warehouse. Her diary would eventually be considered “among the most moving and eloquent documents of the Holocaust,” according to several reviewers. Frank never experienced her fame; she was killed in a Nazi concentration camp before her 16th birthday.

$10

Who better to chronicle the strife between two groups of high school students than a high school student? Hinton started doing just that at age 17, and a year later she made the “Greasers” and the “Socs” famous in her 1967 book, which has become required reading at many schools. It still sells more than 500,000 copies a year.

$10.95

Paolini was just 18 when he released the initial book of what would become a four-book fantasy series that went on to sell more than 20 million copies. Initially published by his parents’ small company, his tale of a boy and his pet dragon was picked up by a major publisher a year later, and Paolini was a New York Times bestselling author at age 19.

$6.99

The author’s first foray into the world of publishing came in 1999, when she was just 13, with this book. It’s led to a franchise of young adult vampire novels that have earned Atwater-Rhodes the distinction of being labeled “the next Anne Rice” by reviewers.

“Forests” and its sequels have been lauded by the American Library Association, and the author has written an unrelated young adult series as well.

$6.99

Moving to the United States from China at age 7, Yi Fan finished her first novel at age 12 and sold it to HarperCollins, which issued a 50,000 first printing in 2008. The book features familiar characters – backyard birds such as cardinals and blue jays – who can speak with each other and who become embroiled in a struggle against the tyrannical hawk who has been eating their eggs.

AUGUST 2011

STOCK.XCHNG

JACKIE

13

college prep

Paying for C college 101

By Karen Caffarini | GateHouse News Service

ollege costs keep soaring, leaving some parents to wonder whether they’ll ever be able to save enough money to send their kids to a public university, much less to a private one.

Joe Hurley, a certified public accountant, author of the book “The Best Way to Save for College – A Complete Guide to 529 Plans” and founder of SavingForCollege.com, has this advice for making a big dent in the costs, if not covering them altogether.

Any time is a good time to start saving Start early.

Hurley suggests starting to save as soon as your child is born, or even before. He said you could name yourself as the beneficiary on a 529 plan, then change it to your child’s name once he or she is born. He suggests saving roughly $200 a month per child if possible. “With that amount you could end up covering almost the entire cost of a public university and about a quarter of the cost of a private college,” he said.

Start when you can.

Hurley said it is better to start late than not at all.

Consider a 529 dedicated college savings plan. Hurley said these should fit into any budget, as the minimum monthly contribution is $25. He also noted that the plan is a tax-sheltered investment and, depending on which state’s plan you use, could provide you a state tax deduction.

“This is a low-cost way to invest, plus it has enough flexibility so if the money is not needed by the intended beneficiary, it can be used by someone else,” Hurley said. He said some 529 plans offer savings accounts and CDs. He suggests doing research on different 529 plans, pointing out you are not limited to the one offered by your state.

Combine assets.

Hurley said sometimes the best strategy is to combine different assets, such as a 529 plan and U.S. savings bonds. He said some could be put in the child’s name because they have no income. However, he added, putting too much money in a child’s name could hurt their chances of getting financial aid when they’re ready to start school.

Borrow.

If you couldn’t save enough money over 18 years to pay the full tuition bill over four years, you may have to resort to loans. Hurley said if you have enough equity, a home equity loan is one of the cheapest loans you can get with some of the lowest interest rates.

Think good grades, not fads.

Some parents think spending money on sports programs for their kids from primary grades up will result in sports scholarships in the future. Others are hoping to win the lottery. Hurley said parents should focus on their children’s grades instead. “Chances of getting a sports scholarship are very rare, but at the same time, if you encourage your child to do well in high school, to get a high GPA and good SAT scores, colleges are giving away a lot of money,” he said.

ALAN CLEAVER/FLICKR

14 JACKIE

AUGUST 2011

the cutting edge

What is the fabric of your hair?

T

oday, I thought it might be fun to write about some things you should know about your hair. Important stuff that you may or may not already know. So that if you choose to make a change with your look this summer you will have some extra information that can guide you along the way. I am hoping that this information will empower you, to make a more knowledgeable decision, when it comes to your lovely locks.

Know what type of texture your hair is.

Knowing your hair texture will allow you to made better choices when it comes to what styles your hair texture will actually look good in. The easiest way to explain texture is to describe your hair is by diameter, and liken it to fabric.

Hair texture can be fine, like silk. It can be medium, like cotton, or coarse, like wool. The fabric of your hair related to each strand, and how fat or skinny each one is, not just how many strands you have.

You can also have different texture on different parts of your head. How many strands you have on your head relates to

written by

Mary costanzoschwaller density. This is usually described as thin, medium, or thick. Most people think they have thin hair, when they actually have a whole bunch of hair that just happens to be fine, or skinny.

So, follow me now, I will try not to lose you but here it goes...

Your hair can be: Fine and thin, fine and medium, fine and thick, medium and thin, just plain medium, medium and thick, etc...

See what I mean?

Finally, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget movement. Movement can be described as bend as well. Do you have straight hair, with no bend at all?

Or perhaps, is your hair wavy, with soft, flowing open waves, or bends? Are you the

one with the tight kinky curls, or really bendy hair with lots of movement?

So now the combinations of hair texture get really intricate: Fine, thin and wavy, fine, thin and curly, fine, thin and straight, thick and curly, thick and straight, etc., etc., etc...Yikes!

Well, now if I have not confused you, or put you to sleep of boredom, I will be a happy girl.

Try to keep all of these bits of information in mind, and if you have any questions, just ask your stylist.

They may describe it in a different manner, but your knowledge will help you communicate your hair wishes, because you will have a better idea of what you have to work with. How fun!

Have a beautiful day!

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AUGUST 2011

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AUGUST 2011

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wine 101

Could red wine cause a headache?

Q

Is red wine headache syndrome fact or fiction?

RWH Syndrome or red wine headache is a real phenomenon. People who get headaches from red wine are banishing wine from their tables because they are misinformed about why they have the headaches.

There aren’t any huge studies about this condition, mainly because no one wants to try to get a grant from the government to study why drinking can cause a headache! To the government and many others, they see the reason is obvious... too much drinking. Not so with RWH. Let’s not get RWH and a hangover confused with each other. They are very different. RWH syndrome can happen from just one glass of red wine. A hangover is from many glasses of wine or alcohol, and it shows up the next morning. When someone suffers from RWH it can be as

written by

Dawn brooks Dawn Brooks is owner of Cork & Barrel at 16920 E. U.S. 24 in Independence.

You can reach her at 816-257-7911 or corkandbarrel@live.com

little as 15 minutes after drinking a glass of red wine.

There are many schools of thought about the reason this phenomenon occurs. First, sulfites are commonly blamed for the headache. Back in the 1980s the government claimed that sulfites were dangerous and could cause death, so they decided that everything containing sulfites must be labeled as such, including wine. About 1 percent of the population is allergic to sulfites. Many sufferers of RWH thought this new labeling was a warning

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to them. In fact it is only a warning to folks allergic to sulfites. These people suffer an allergic reaction, not a headache.

Sulfites are a naturally occurring substance in wine. Some winemakers add more sulfites to their wines to prevent spoilage. Without sulfites, wine would need to be consumed right away, otherwise it will turn to vinegar. Sweet wines and white wines can contain more sulfites than red wine, and so can dried fruits and lettuce. You never hear of anyone having a lettuce or a dried fruit headache?

The second thing commonly blamed for RWH is histamines. Histamines are higher in red wine than in white, from 20 percent and up to 200 percent in some cases. Some folks have a deficiency in a certain enzyme that helps them tolerate histamines. Experts claim that the combination of alcohol and the deficiency can cause headaches, but a small study done in 2001 showed no difference in reactions to low or high histamine wine.

Thirdly, tannins are claimed to be the culprit. Tannins in wine cause the bitterness and dryness you taste in some wines.

Tannins come from grape skins, stems and vines, and the seeds of the grapes.

It also can come from the barrel that the wine is aged in. Tannins occur in all wines, soy and chocolate. No one complains about getting a chocolate headache!

Tannins are not as pronounced in white wines however because the skins of white grapes aren’t in contact with the wine as long as red grape skins are in red wine (for color).

Still other experts say that there is an enzyme in the red grape skin which affects the sinuses and causes the headaches. Since red wines usually have the skins in contact with the wine longer than whites or blushes, these experts are sure that they have the reason for RWH. This

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enzyme also occurs in chocolate, aged cheeses, citrus fruits, and in processed meats containing sodium nitrates or the food additive MSG. Ever heard of a Chinese food headache?

To summarize, there are many reasons out there for the cause of RWH, but none is conclusive. If you have headaches from drinking red wine, you should probably discuss it with your doctor. Some people say that drinking water with your wine will help, or to drink wines lower in tannins, or to find wines with no sulfites in them.

Who knows? Wine lovers with RWH are out there searching desperately for wine with no sulfites. Some claim that they got a wine on vacation overseas with no sulfites and they didn’t get a headache. Every wine has some sulfites in it. Countries overseas don’t have our government’s labeling standards, so they may not have to put on the label that the wine contains sulfites. Organic wines that say “No Sulfites Added” on their label don’t add any more sulfites to their wines, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any in the wine naturally. If you love red wine and suffer from headaches, do some research, talk to your doctor and then make your decision.

It is said that some sufferers can tolerate California wines better than European wines. Switching to less tannic wines like pinot noir, Sangiovese or Spanish Riojas might help as well. It’s up to you and what you can tolerate. We hope that this clears us some common misconceptions.

If you have a question about wine, let us know. Email us at Corkandbarrel@live. com.

Cheers!

Dawn

education

Teacher talk Start the year strong with good parent-teacher communication

By Melissa Erickson GateHouse News Service

She’s the other adult in your child’s life: the teacher.

You send little Suzie or Joey off to school well-rested, well-fed and ready to learn. But a parent wonders, what happens during that long school day? How is my child adjusting to the new school year? Is he or she making friends, fitting in and achieving academically?

The person to talk to about all these issues is the teacher. Creating a good relationship with your child’s teacher will lead to a more successful school year, said family therapist Ellen Schrier of MamasOnCall.com. This is an important issue to talk about because “parent/teacher relationships have gotten very strained these days. ... It is vitally important for parents to develop a good working relationship with their child’s teacher — ‘working’ being the key word,” she says.

With social media being the most convenient way to stay in touch, is it a good idea to “friend” your child’s teacher to keep up with what’s going on? Schrier says definitely not.

“This is not a social relationship, and friending a teacher on Facebook is inappropriate and counterproductive,” Schrier says. “She or he is not your friend but a professional involved with your family, and the boundary issues are different. The relationship with a teacher needs to be more formal and built on mutual respect, consideration and a clear understanding that the two of you are working together for the best interests of your child.”

Here are a few tips on how to keep the lines of communication open between parents and teachers.

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Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher early in the school year. Be positive, respectful, direct and honest. Building a positive relationship early is helpful if problems arise later. “You want that teacher to be an ally for you and your child, so you must show that you take the meeting and her role in your child’s life seriously,” Schrier says.

“Be on time. Be polite. Come prepared to listen to what she has to say about expectations in the classroom. Be open about any concerns you have about your child’s ability to meet those expectations, and ask any questions you have about the program or the school or the school’s policies on issues that concern you.”

Don’t overshare. Keep information pertinent and professional, Schrier said: “You do need to let a teacher know if your child has suffered the loss of a grandparent or a pet, if a move is imminent, or if mom and dad are getting divorced or separated, as these things will have a big impact on the child.

“You want the teacher to be sensitive to the fact that your child may not be himself as a result of these challenges or changes. But they do not need to know about your or your spouse’s personal problems. Also, remember that your child’s privacy needs to be respected, too.”

Find out how a teacher would like to be contacted with questions. Some prefer email. Others might have time during the school day, before or after, for a quick phone call. Others might appreciate a written note.

Keep up the dialog through the year. School conferences happen only once or twice, but it’s important to monitor your child’s progress more frequently. Phone calls, notes or emails on a regular basis will keep you up to date with what’s going on in the classroom.

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