September 2014
free
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GOOD NEWS
september 2014
paper
Free Family Fun
at the Kalamazoo Balloon Festival
Photo by Michael Helms
866-949-7222 Lowest Price Guarantee 10 Pre-Owned
under $10,000
Open 24/7 at www.VicksburgCDJR.com
13475 Portage Road
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
termite custom woodworks
When you hear the word termite, you would typically have a negative reaction. Not the case once you see the woodwork creations by Termite Custom Woodworks. Using old-fashioned carpentry, they strive to “be green” and good to our planet by using local storm damaged trees to create their unique cutting boards, picture frames, kitchenware, housewares and grillware. Ben Mallory, owner of Termite Custom Woodworks, operates his business on an old farm in Bloomingdale. The storm-damaged trees are logged and hauled to the farm. Using time-tested methods, the trees are milled and dried. Seeking a careful blend between the spirit of the tree and the desired project a vision is created and then crafted to capture
the grain and character of the wood. Ben works with many woods, but his favorites are walnut, cherry, osage, sycamore, red oak, white oak, maple, cottonwood, cedar and apple. The inconsistency and imperfections of the wood make each piece completely unique. Come see their woodworking creations at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market each Saturday. Termite Custom Woodworks welcomes custom, hand crafted woodworking projects. For more information contact Ben by phone at (269) 521-3208, or by email at termitecustomwoodworks@gmail. com. By Jackie Merriam
Get Fresh! Your Food
1204 bank St., Kalamazoo, Mich. Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — May through NoveMber tues. & thurs., 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. — JuNe through october Most vendors accept food assistance currencies.
operated by
farmersmarketkalamazoo.com
269.337.8899
peoplesfoodco-op.org
inside- September 2014 Termite Custom Woodworks.......................................... 2 Gardening: Timely Garden Tips..................................... 3 16 Life Changing Questions............................................ 4 Remember When............................................................. 4 Pets..................................................................................... 5 Book Reviews.................................................................... 6 Golf: Develop Your Own Pre-Shot Routine.................. 7 Vintage: How to Ensure a Perfect Fit............................. 8 A Mother & Daughter Adventure Series....................... 9 High On Kalamazoo Balloon Festival ...................10-11 Eat: El Gallo Blanco........................................................ 12 Mindful Parenting.......................................................... 13 Relaxation: Get Your OHM On!................................... 14 Health: Overweight & Undernourished?.....................15 Non-Profit Spotlight: Volunteer Kalamazoo............... 16 Day Trip: Kalamazoo Valley Museum......................... 17 Celebrate September...................................................... 18 Calendar of FREE Events.............................................. 19
Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Good News Paper accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. This publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.
To advertise in an upcoming issue, please contact Jackie Merriam 269 217-0977 goodnews.jackie@gmail.com
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
Timely Garden tips How is your garden growing? As we enter autumn, I hope you continue to have plenty of colorful blooms. Homeowners and gardeners who would enjoy more late summer and early autumn color in their landscape and garden should take note of the following plants. * Garden asters are just now
beginning to bloom and will take over the duty of background color for many autumn gardens. Garden asters perform as clouds of purple, white or blue on foot-long stems. * Fall anemones more than fill the bill with outstanding white and pink flowers that withstand frosty autumn nights just fine.
* Eupatorium, or Joe Pye Weed, has eye-popping clouds of lavender pink blooms right now. * Ornamental grasses can enhance nearly every garden and landscape. Most ornamental grasses have twelve-month benefits. Blue, green, variegated, cream, chartreuse, and red foliage anchor these beauties with plumes of yellow, cream, red, and white shooting upwards. * Rudbeckia is a real star in the September garden as its yellow “Black-Eyed-Susan” flowers light up any sunny space. * Many in the sedum family are beginning to show off their autumn plumage. Autumn Fire, Strawberries & Cream, Mustead, and Autumn Joy are just a few of these super hardy reliable bloomers that attract most gardeners and every butterfly in the neighborhood. * For spots here and there that need some color, just pop in a chrysanthemum or two. Red,
yellow, lavender, gold, and white – there’s a color for every needy area. Autumn flowering shrubs can also lend a helping hand to keep our landscapes interesting in the fall. Try these shrubs. * Rose of Sharon with its red and white flowers will bloom through September. * Clethra, or Hummingbird Shrub, produces fragrant white flowers for several more weeks. * One of the last blooms of autumn arrives on the Witch Hazel Shrub; with yellow-orange flowers, Witch Hazel is so fitting for the season. Now add to all these blooming beauties the bright fall foliage of carefully selected trees and shrubs and your landscape will be as interesting and showy in the autumn as it is in the spring. George Wedel Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
Welcome to the Good News Paper It’s hard to imagine that it’s back to school time already. The much-anticipated “summer” goes by much too quickly. Could this be because everything happens during the summer months when the weather is good and school is out of session? With graduations, weddings, reunions, vacations and visits from far away friends, the summer is a flurry of activity. I find myself more than ever, plotting my life on the calendar to keep up with all the social activities and get the most out of June, July and August. It was a great summer…I hope yours was too!
Jackie Merriam, Publisher
Like us on Facebook and view our website at www.goodnews-paper.com
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
16 life changing questions Questions like: How often do you find moments of deep peace and satisfactions in your day-to-day life? How often does connection with other people, the divine or nature make you feel more alive? How often are you touched by a sense of awe-inspiring beauty, compassionate love or pure joy? For many of us, these experiences tend to be rare. New research suggests that paying attention to experiences like these can help us find them more often.
Spiritual Connection in Daily Life, by Lynn Underwood, introduces sixteen simple questions that invite us to become more aware of experiences such as deep peace, joy, sense of inner strength, and giving and receiving love.
It only takes about two minutes to answer the 16 questions but the after-effects linger, enabling people to use them as a tool for self-understanding and the enhancement of their spirituality. Underwood shows their relevance to relationships, health, behaviors, pain, hap-
piness and life satisfaction, stress, and burnout. She continues with themes that have emerged from the questions such as the flow of love, connection versus alienation, and translating God. The questions from Underwood’s Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, have been used in hundreds of studies and projects, translated into thirty languages, and used for years by counselors, therapists, nurses, clergy, and social workers. Spiritual Connection in Daily Life offers a step-by-step guide to using these questions to cultivate richer, deeper, and more satisfying lives. People with many different kinds of spiritual beliefs will also find a common language for communicating with others about the role of the “more than” in their lives.
the 13th Annual Community of Caregivers Gathering on Friday September 19th from 8am – 4pm, held at the Transformations Spirituality Center. The conference is designed for professional caregivers including – chaplains, clergy, counselors, managers, nurses, pastoral care staff, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, teachers and all who are committed to caring for others. The workshop fee, which includes lunch and the book, is $95. For more information go online toTransformationsCenter.org, or call 381-6290, extension 327.
Lynn Underwood will be presenting “Full Spectrum Living” at
Remember When: Koffee Kup The Koffee Kup was a mainstay at the edge of downtown Kalamazoo for many years. It was located at 450 Portage St (at Lovell) and was torn down sometime in the 1980’s and is now a parking lot. Whitey and Arveta Deen owned it from the 1950’s until it was sold to George Booth in the 1970’s The Koffee Kup was known as
a late night hangout and a cheap place for a bite to eat after a movie or concert, and was also known for their great hamburgers. To serve the many nearby factory workers, they stayed open all night. A post on the Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook site states, “The Koffee Kup on Portage
-Delicious Food-Family FriendlyServing Lunch & Dinner Daily Breakfast Served on Weekends Outdoor Seating Available
Cold Beer - Live Music - Fun Times 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave. Downtown Kalamazoo 381-5677 Hours: M-Th. 11-12am, F-Sat. 10-2am, Sun. 10-12am
Road... they had their rules on the wall, “Swingin” by John Anderson on the Juke Box, and a sign behind the counter that read, “We use Oleo.”
By Steve Ellis
September 2014
pets Fact: boys and girls are not the same, just as cats differ from dogs. Now, there is scientific evidence purporting that early exposure to cats and/or dogs can reduce petrelated allergies later in life. After researching many articles, there appears to be some truth here. As with anything, there are some exceptions and variations. Here are eight scientific study results from thousands of children studied around the world for at least 20 years. Exposure in the first year of life to cats and dogs matters most: 1. Boys living with dogs in their first year were 50% less likely to be allergic to dogs than boys who had not. (www.washingtonpost.com) 2. No increase or decrease was found for girls living with dogs in their first year of life. (www.washingtonpost.com) 3. Boys and girls who live
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Early Exposure Reduces Allergies: Fact or Fiction? with cats in their first year of life are 50% less likely to be allergic to cats than their counterparts who did not live with cats as infants. (www.preventdisease.com) 4. Exposure after the first year has less or no effect on pet allergies. (www.washingtonpost. com) 5. Findings from a study of 2,500 Swedish children by Sahlgrenska University Hospital on Goteborg, Sweden found that those children exposed to pets within their first year had a lower rate of both allergies and asthma by age 13. (www.preventdisease. com) 6. In one study, only 3.3% of children exposed to pets in infancy had asthma by 12 or 13 compared to 8.5% of those with no exposure to pets. (www.preventdisease.com) 7. Genes and other factors such as mutations (our own personal biological system) can increase or decrease the potential for animal exposure at a young age to
decrease that allergy or asthma as the child ages. (www.jpeds.com) 8. The more pets in the home during the first year of life, at least one cat and one dog, increases the resistance to pet allergies by nearly 70%. (www.webmd.com) All in all, this is good news for pet lovers. By no means does this suggest that parents of infant children without pets should get a dog or cat. Responsible caretaking and the ability to appreciate our furry friends are still essential. However, for those with companion animals and newborn or young children, this is great news for you and your pets.
By Danielle Wallace, KAR Friends August 2013 article reprinted with permission from Kalamazoo Animal Rescue
Autumn Festival & Kids Days at Wedel's Fri., Sept. 26, 10-7 & Sat., Sept 27, 9-4 -Petting Zoo-Pumpkin Catapult- (goats, mini donkey, rabbits, calf, turkey, & more) -Face Painting-Wagon Rides-Straw MazeLots of fun stuff to do & see
$3 per child $8 max per family Snacks & Meals available, including the $3 hot dog meal deal
$3 Stuff a Scarecrow
(Bring jeans, shirt, and pillowcase. We will provide, straw, twine, stake, and help! )
Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
at the corner or Milham & 12th Street
345- 1195 Wedels.com
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
The top books published this month that librarians across the country love. Heroes Are My Weakness: A Novel
An Unwilling Accomplice
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
by Charles Todd
“Any Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel is going to make it onto my must-read list, but this one is particularly wonderful, and here’s why: she creates, then cheerfully destroys, the romance cliche of the brooding hero with a dark secret who lives in a crumbling mansion and captivates a plucky heroine. The hero is a horror novelist, and the heroine a failed actressturned-puppeteer. This warm, witty, comedydrama is a perfect summer read.”
“Bess Crawford, a courageous World War I battlefield nurse, is faced with another complex mystery. A patient about to receive a high honor from the King manages to disappear on Bess’s watch, sending her life into a tailspin. In order to clear her name, she must find the missing patient and find out why he is now accused of murder. Intelligent and fantastic, just like the others in this series!” Monicah Fratena, La Porte County Public Library, La Porte, IN
Donna Matturri, Pickerington Public Library, Pickerington, OH
The Miniaturist: A Novel
The Story Hour: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar
“A dollhouse whose figures and furnishings foretell life events, mysterious notes, family secrets and the powerful guild and church of 1686 Amsterdam. All these elements combine for an engaging story of a young bride’s struggle to be the ‘architect of her own fortune.’”
“Another beautifully written novel by Thrity Umrigar. A relationship develops between Maggie, a psychologist, and Lakshmi, a troubled Indian woman. As their stories develop, it is hard to figure out which woman does more to impact the other’s life. Highly recommended.”
by Jessie Burton
Elizabeth Angelastro, Manlius Library, Manlius, NY
Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
A WOODED SETTING JUST MINUTES FROM KALAMAZOO & BATTLE CREEK
6&7
i0 a.m. to 6 p.m.
adults $10 children 12 & under free
www.OldeWorldVillage.com
13215 M-96, AugustA, MI owv@tds.net
(269) 580-1290
STORE
Back-to-School SALE Over 100 Desks!
the olde world village presents
septeMber
THE
black powder competition encampment reenactment pioneer theme artisans live music & entertainment traders row target shooting activities for all ages Recreating the fur trade-era. A variety of black powder shooting events using muzzle loading firearms, open iron sights. Traditional archery, tomahawk and knife throwing to test the mountain man skills. Everyone is encouraged to wear traditional fur trade or earlier dress. Competition noon to 4:00 Saturday and Sunday. The black powder events will include offhand rifle and pistol at stationary targets & shotgun trap. Prizes and certificates will be awarded in all matches.
PRE-SALE TICKETS & SEASON PASSES
NOW AVAILABLE! want to get involved? contact us to find out how.
Student Desk - $59.99, Brook Cherry, Highland Oak, Cinnamon Cherry
Student Desk - $79.99
CloseOut Bookcase - $49.99 Oiled Oak or Jamocha Wood, While Supplies last
5-Shelf Bookcase - $39.99 Brook Cherry, Highland Oak, Cinnamon Cherry, or White.
Furniture Outfitters
7545 S. Westnedge Ave South of Romence, next to the Main Street Pub.
269-492-1077
www.furnitureoutfitters.net
Monday-Saturday 10-7pm, Sunday 12-5pm
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September 2014
Golf
Develop Your Own Pre-shot Routine
GOOD NEWS
Pre-shot Routine 1. Pick a target (high is better than low) 2. Align ball to target and place with the logo indicating he path to the taget 3. Step behind ball 5 ft or more to review target line 4. Grip the club and ground it a few times 5. Approach the ball looking at the target 6. Align your body to the target 7. Practice the swing tht you are going to make 8. Address the ball 9. Relocate the target 10. Look at the ball 11. Make the shot A pre-shot routine is a good way to lower your score and give you more consistency. From putting and chipping as well as hitting your driver, develop a routine that makes you ready to play your shot with confidence. If you watch the pro’s they always approach their shot the same way. If they are interrupted they start all over and do it again. My pre-shot routine on full shots is to stand behind the ball so I
can see the line I want to hit the ball on. I then set my clubface to my target. Now I set my stance left of my target 10 to 15 yards. I look to the target once more and pull the trigger to make my swing. You can develop your own routine repeat it and you will find success too. Woodie Capron, PGA Golf & Teaching Professional
Sunday September 28 Support Bronson Children’s Hospital by joining this year’s walk and 5K competitive run! Proceeds benefit southwest Michigan’s only children’s hospital and ensure the highest level of pediatric care will continue to be here when families need it most. Activities for the whole family start at 11 a.m. The Walk & Run begins at 1 p.m. at the Bronson Methodist Hospital parking lot on the corner of John and Lovell streets in downtown Kalamazoo.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving..” Albert Einstein
Register at
bronsonhealth.com/walkrun or call (269) 341-8100.
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September 2014
Vintage With the rise of the vintage clothing trends in the fashion industry today, many are on the prowl to find the perfect vintage piece to add to their wardrobes. With the hunt, may come the frustration many experience when trying to find the perfect size and perfect fit for authentic vintage clothing pieces.
Measuring Up: How to Ensure a Proper Fit
this in mind while shopping for vintage clothing and please take my professional opinion that you should leave an inch of room on all the measurements just to make sure it will fit.
Many vintage labels, such as Levi, Bobbie Brooks, or Jessica McClintock, are labeled in oddnumbered sizes. Even today in the retail market it’s true that odd numbered sizes are considered to be “Junior” items. These items run slightly slimmer and smaller than the even numbered sizes, which are considered “Women” sizes. So, how can you ensure a proper fit of vintage frocks? Have someone help to take your measurements properly - like a tailor does. Many resellers of vintage clothing simply measure the items lying flat to estimate fit. Always keep
GOOD NEWS
BUST: With a cloth or plastic measuring tape, place the measuring tape directly against the front across your breasts, the tape should be placed over the fullest part of your breast, and you should measure all the way around your
back until the ends of the tape meet and this is your correct bust measurement. WAIST: Your waist is measured at the smallest past of your midsection, right above your belly button. Take the measuring tape and start above the belly button, measure all around the front and back of your waist to get your measurements in inches. If you tend to hold weight in your tummy area - a corset or girdle is a great way to create and define a waistline. If you decide to spring for a corset or a body slimmer you should wear this while getting measured as it may change your measurement. HIPS: Oh, the hips. The hips must be measured correctly to get a proper fit. Hip measurements may fall between 6” and 8” below your belly button. Hips should be measured at the widest part and the tape should most likely go directly across the front of
the crotch when putting the tape around from the front to back. With vintage shopping, you may want to keep handy a measuring tape so that you can measure the vintage item yourself. If you lay the item flat and measure everything across the front - bust, waist, and hip - make sure that you double your measurement. For example, measuring across a bust you may find it measure 16” across. Double that number and you will have your measurement - a 32” measurement in this example. If you stick to this advice, you’ll be sure to enjoy a comfortable fit in vintage clothing. Happy Shopping! Janice Penny is an expert in Vintage clothing and styling. For 15 years she has partnered with her mother in operating The Clothing Connection Consignment Boutique in Kalamazoo. Follow her at facebook.com/TheVintageStylist.
269-343-5386
Children are our top priority We are pleased to announce Dr. Nathan van Hofwegen has joined our staff. For more information see our website at www.kzoopd.com We provide comprehensive dental care for children ages 1-12 including special needs patients Kalamazoo Pediatric Dentistry Ryan Basler, DDS 1900 Whites Road Kalamazoo, MI kzoopd@gmail.com
626 Romence Road Suite 102, Portage
Monday-Friday 10-6pm Saturday 10-3pm 269-345-0967 www.jsmcreations.com
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers: A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series
Ellen: While we wait for the waitress to clear the dishes away we flip over the paper placemats to write on them. My boyfriend and I fill up the sheets with our job experiences from the last ten years. “It’s hard to create a good résumé unless you list everything
chronologically first,” he points out. “True, but I can’t write everything down,” I say. “I don’t want to leave anything out,” he mumbles around the pen stuck in his mouth. I take a sip of my free refill coffee in commiseration. We sit in the booth for nearly two hours helping each other polish the documents that might lead us to better jobs. It’s stressful work. Nothing will make you feel your age and inexperience quicker than résumé writing. At last, we start to gather our things to leave. As we pick pens and paper off the table, the waitress comes over with a smile and snatches the bill out from under us. “You’re all set.” She grins at our
stunned faces. “The woman who was sitting a few tables over already covered your bill.” Stunned, we both look around the dining room. The waitress smiles wider. “She already left.” The two of us gape at each other as she walks away. “I’ve heard of random acts of kindness,” my boyfriend finally says, “but this is the first time it’s ever happened to me.” Jane: Over the phone Ellen tells me the story of the stranger with the super power of kindness. I am grateful for those who take the time to help out a little when they see young people are struggling in a difficult job market. Her story is such a beautiful reminder to me
to open my eyes, ears, and heart to those around me at any given moment. Actually…right now might be that moment. The young couple who are buying the fixer-upper next door have been laboring all day to clean the place up. It’s time to stop typing and start baking. By Jane and Ellen Knuth Dear Readers: Have you noticed anyone’s superpower? We would be happy to make them “the other person at the table” in a future column. Write to us at: goodnews.jackie@gmail.com.
Sophia’s House of Pancakes Thank you for your patience during the road construction. The road is now complete...come in and see us today!
Breakfast Served All Day
Serving Salads, Sandwiches & Dinners too
4700 Stadium Dr. - Kalamazoo - 372-3900 Mon.-Fri. 7am-3pm, Sat.-Sun. 7am - 4pm
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
high on kalamazoo Join us at the air zoo for a free family friendly event September 26th - 28th Three amazing days of Hot Air Ballooning, Classic Cars, Activities & Family Fun.
-Balloon Flights-Live Music-Family Activities-Car Show-Food & DrinkFree Admission - Free Parking
CHARCOAL & GAS GRILLS Grill Dome & Holland
Y A W T H G L327-1578 RI A T R E N8324 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
Decorate with Timeless Style
Great selection - Multiple vendors 8411 N. 32nd St., Richland 760-1682 Tues. - Sat. 10-6, Sun. 9-4
September 2014
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GOOD NEWS
balloon festival Event schedule Friday, September 26
5:00 – 10:00 PM Bands & Entertainment, Beer Garden and Food & Novelty Vendors 5:30 – 7:30 PM Balloon Flight activity 8:00 – 9:00 PM Balloon Glow, Balloon Field
Saturday, September 28 7:30 – 9:00 AM Balloon Flight activity 12:00 - 3:00 PM High on Kalamazoo Balloon Fest, Car Show 5:00 – 10:00 PM Bands & Entertainment, Beer Garden and Food & Novelty Vendors 5:30 – 7:30 PM Balloon Flight activity 8:00 – 9:00 PM Balloon Glow, Balloon Field
Sunday, September 29 7:30 – 9:00 AM
Photos courtesy of High On Kalamazoo Balloon Festival and Lauren Ellis
Balloon Flight activity
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
EAT el gallo blanco
If you appreciate authentic Mexican food, you must experience the pleasure of dining at El Gallo Blanco. The secret ingredient to their success is making everything from scratch. Esteban Blanco, owner of El Gallo Blanco, also gives high praise to his staff. He
says none of this would be possible without their hard work and dedication. El Gallo Blanco offers an extensive menu of Mexican favorites, and provides a unique lunch special every day. Additionally, you will find these popular delicacies each weekend, which are sold by the pound: Carnitas (fried pork), Barbacoa (steamed beef cheek) and Menudo (tripe soup.) Arrive early if you are interested in any of these weekend items, they sell out very quickly. I enjoyed chatting with Esteban; who comes from a strict, entrepreneurial family that believes in hard work. He shared a story with
me about an experience that ignited his entrepreneur spirit. When he was 14 years old, his dad bought an ice cream cart and told him to fill it up and go out in front of their family grocery store and sell the ice cream. He told him that he would share the profits 50/50 with him. Estebon was embarrassed to do this, but his dad wouldn’t relent. After selling the ice cream for five hours, his dad counted the money and gave him his share, which was $75. The next day Esteban worked harder than ever and made $150, and he hasn’t slowed down since. He opened El Gallo Blanco the week of his twenty-fourth birthday, and will celebrate its third anniversary in October. Stop into El Gallo Blanco soon and enjoy their fresh, made from scratch authentic Mexican food. They are open 7 days a week. Hours are
Mon. – Thurs. 10am – 9pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am – 10pm and Sunday 10am – 9pm. Feel free to dine in, take out or contact them for your next catering event. El Gallo Blanco is located at 2838 Portage Rd., between Miller Rd. & Cork St. in Kalamazoo. You can reach them by phone at 382-7020. By Jackie Merriam
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
Mindful Parenting
caring about others: a parenting challenge
This past summer I noticed children in my neighborhood with an old fashioned lemonade stand. There were three or four girls with hopeful faces offering glasses of cold lemonade and cookies but what took me by surprise was the price: a donation. One of them shared, “We are going to donate the money to De Voss Children’s Hospital for the kids, so you can donate whatever you want to for lemonade and have all the cookies you want.” Another girl said, “My mom and I made the cookies and they are good.” I noted the donations were not small change, but real money donations. I later learned that they raised almost $100 for other kids with their Sunday afternoon enterprise. I asked the children whose idea it was to give their lemonade gains to charity. They responded, “We asked our moms what we could do with the money from our lemonade stand, and this was one of their suggestions.” What came to mind as I thought about these children was, “How kind.” They were caring about
others, giving their time, sharing their abundance, and were genuinely excited about their caring. I started to think about kindness and where it comes from, how is it that some children kind and others are selfish and demanding for themselves. I wondered, is it a personality trait, is it inherited, or is kindness something that can be taught? As luck would have it I came upon an article in the Washington Post by Amy Joyce discussing a program from Richard Weissbourd, a Harvard psychologist, who started the Making Caring Common project, created to teach kids to be kind. According to Joyce, Dr. Weissbourd and the Caring project offer these five ways parents can actively teach kindness. • Make caring a priority. Many parents stress good grades or athletic success over contributing to the community in empathic ways. Instead, your children need to hear from their parents that caring for others and giving back to their community is a top priority. Emphasize that the most important thing in your family is to be kind. • Provide opportunities for your children to practice caring and gratitude.
“An experienced network of therapists in private practice who support Kalamazoo area individuals, couples and families” Professional Clinicians and Consultants, Inc. www.counselingpcc.com
Kalamazoo’s Only Children’s Shoe Specialist
Mon., Wed., Friday 9:30am-8pm Tues, Thur., 9:30am-6pm Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm
449 West Kilgore Rd., Portage -- 269.342.2024
Model for them often, every day, your own gratitude for what you experience. Be verbal and express your gratitude. Give them opportunities to be kind to others through daily activities, and point out to them when others are caring and when they are not. • Expand your child’s circle of concern. The adage, “Live locally, think globally,” is important here. Help children to think beyond their small circle of family and friends to the community and the world. Help them to pay attention to events that are impacting others in a significant way and encourage them to make others’ lives better in some small way. • Be a strong moral role model and mentor. Help your children by being a caring, concerned, and kind person yourself, participating in the community, helping others in need, sharing abundance and time in meaningful ways. Having your children participate with you.
Discuss ethical dilemmas such as, “How can I be friends with the new kid if my best friend doesn’t like her?” • Guide children in managing destructive feelings. Often our negative feelings – disgust, fear, shame – can get in the way of being kind. Modeling emotional management, emotion coaching, and teaching children to manage negative feelings appropriately, like through deep breathing or relaxing activities (www. relaxkids.com and www.stressfreekids.com have many ideas for managing negative feelings) can go a long way to help them be empathic to someone less fortunate. For more information about the Making Caring Common project: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ news-impact/tag/making-caringcommon-project/ By Dr. Susan M. Carter, PhD LP
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GOOD NEWS
relaxation get your ohm on! Working at a desk all day can be hard on you. By mid-afternoon, energy is waning and muscles and joints have become permanently fixed in the shape of your desk and chair. But do not fear! Allowing yourself a few minutes each day to stretch will give your body and mind the TLC it deserves. When our bodies stay in one position for a long time, they start to shut down. Muscles start to atrophy, circulation slows down, and
nutrients are not absorbed properly. When we move, body function returns to normal. Stretching allows our bodies to get the movement it needs without interfering too much with work and other activities. Stretching increases flexibility, reduces stress, leaves you feeling refreshed, alleviates lower back pain, etc… So here are a few easy stretches you can do anytime of the day right at your desk: Wrist Stretch: Stand facing your desk. Turn your hands so that the wrists face your computer and the fingers face the edge of the desk. Lean in to the wrists and flatten your palms as much as possible. Shoulder Stretch: Interlace your fingers and raise your hands above your head, with your palms facing upwards. Relax your shoulders so they drop down towards your chair Chair Twist: Scoot to the front of your chair
Contractor’s Liability as low as $250 per year. Also great rates on Workers Comp. & Commercial Auto Multi Policy discounts available
Contact Jack at Hogan Ins. Agency 323-0977
2 EGGS, TOAST & COFFEE
$2.25
(no coupon necessary) AVAILABLE ANYTIME Dine-in-only.
2105 Lake St • 345-0220
Open Mon-Fri 5:30am-2pm, Sat 6am-2pm, Sun 7am-2pm
and twist your torso to grab the back of your chair, first one way, then the other Standing Forward Bend: Keeping your feet hip-distance apart, fold over your legs. Shake your head “no” and nod your head “yes” as you hang over your leg Mini Squats: Just stand up and sit down -- no hands
It’s easy to forget to stretch. So here’s a quick tip: write the word ‘STRETCH’ on a sticky note and place it on your computer monitor. Every week or so, move the note to a new location at your work station so your mind does not get used to its placement and overlook it. Rebecca Byron; LMT, CAOBT Owner of Water’s Edge Day Spa
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September 2014
health
GOOD NEWS
OVERWEIGHT AND UNDERNOURISHED? and peanut butter all that bad?) Take it slow. Who doesn’t want quick results? Well, reality doesn’t work that way. Try short term thinking to establish long term behavioral changes. Instead of focusing on the 20 pounds you want to lose, think of how you’re going to make your next meal a bit more healthy. Pay attention to the ounces and the pounds will take care of themselves.
According to the American Council on Exercise, 69% of adults living in the US are overweight or obese. You’d think that with consuming that much food, we’d have all the nutrients we need. Wrong! The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identified calcium, vitamin D, potassium and fiber as the four main nutrients that we consistently miss out on. In addition, women of childbearing age are also at risk for iron and folic acid deficiencies. While supplements are available to address these deficiencies, the better option is to get the nutrients from the food we eat. Living in southwest Michigan, healthy food is abundant. All we need to do is make the right choices. That’s where a little willpower comes in. We exercise our willpower several times a day, like waking up and getting to work on time. Perhaps we hold our tongue at home and the office, when we feel like exploding or making a snide remark. And then there’s helping the kids with their homework or an aging parent with chores, when we’d re-
ally like time for ourselves. All we need to do is transfer some of that positive energy into our diets. Here are some strategies for making better eating choices: Plan to succeed. It’s much harder to make healthy choices when you’re famished. You know the feeling. You walk in the house and want to eat the door off the refrigerator or go shopping and head straight for the snack isle.
Form a support group. It’s much easier to make healthy choices when you have people in your life that support those choices. Un-
fortunately, there are times that support doesn’t come from your family or circle of friends. Given our social media options, there is an abundance of social networks that can provide you with the support you need. Bottom line: start small and get support. Tap into your willpower. You know it’s there. Kenneth Dettloff ACE Healthy Living Director YMCA, Maple Branch
Planning nutritious meals and snacks ahead of time helps when food has to be on table quick. Also remember the rule: “if you’ll feel guilty eating it, don’t buy it!” Focus on pleasurable foods that you like. Come on, you know there are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that you like. We’re lucky that most of them are available to us year round. They’re typically the first thing we see when we walk into the market. Put them in your basket first. (Are baby carrots
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IS IT TIME TO TAKE CONTROL
OF YOUR HIP PAIN? Learn how to get your mobility back at this free program! All About Hip Surgery — Including the Anterior Approach Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 p.m. Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., Richland Join David J. Christ, MD, of Bronson HealthCare Midwest Orthopedics & Joint Specialists, to hear about treatment options. To register or for more information, call (269) 341-7723 or visit bronsonhealth.com/classes. Dr. Christ is board certified in orthopedic surgery. He specializes in total joint replacement and arthritic conditions of the hip and knee. Dr. Christ is trained in the anterior approach to hip replacement. He has been performing hip replacement surgery for more than 25 years.
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
non-profit Good Deeds Unite Us All spotlight at Volunteer Kalamazoo
Want to have a great time, meet some inspiring people, and feel a sense of community? Volunteer Kalamazoo can help. We are a clearinghouse for hundreds of Kalamazoo nonprofit agencies where we build capacity for effective local volunteering, connect people with opportunities to volunteer, and promote volunteerism in our community.
process to incorporate volunteers at all levels of a nonprofit organization
National Days of Service- group volunteering opportunities in the community
MVP- Managed Volunteer Program for business volunteer engagement
In 2015, Volunteer Kalamazoo will be celebrating 50 years of serving the Kalamazoo area. We were established in 1065 by the Service Club of Kalamazoo (later the Junior League) because the service club identified the need to have a central location for people to call who were interested in volunteering. Volunteer Kalamazoo has grown to offer a wide range of volunteer services including:
STAR Awards- volunteer recognition program in partnership with the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive Michigan Student Service Award & President’s Service Award- other volunteer recognition programs
One National Day of Service that Volunteer Kalamazoo organizes is the 9/11 Family Day of Service. Join us on Thursday, September 11 from 4-7pm at the Radisson Plaza Hotel for an excellent opportunity to volunteer with your family.
Youth Volunteering ProgramsYouth Service Council and the VolunTEEN program
Day of Caring- coordinated effort with United Way of Battle Creek & Kalamazoo region for United Way participating companies and employees
Volunteer Guidebook – published listing of ongoing volunteer opportunities
Each year millions of Americans come together on the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance to honor those lost and those who rose in service after the 2001 attacks. Volunteer Kalamazoo will honor the day with the 9/11 Family Day of Service by bringing family-friendly service opportunities to a central location where families can work on projects together in a safe and enjoyable environment. There will be a variety
Online Volunteer Database- upto-date listing of one-time, event and ongoing volunteer opportunities Volunteer Management Trainings- training volunteer coordinators and others to work with volunteers
of volunteer activities and service projects to choose from – each nonprofit “hosting” one project or activity. Since its conception in 2011, the 9/11 Family Day of Service has grown to include over a dozen nonprofit participants and over 300 family volunteers. The event is not only a day of remembrance, but an opportunity for families to become excited about volunteering together and provide them with more information about other family friendly volunteer activities that are available. Volunteer Kalamazoo’s staff are passionate about volunteering. We see the difference it makes in the lives of individuals and how it extends the reach of nonprofits every day. To learn more about Volunteer Kalamazoo and the services we provide, please visit our website at volunteerkalamazoo.org, or stop by our office located at 3901 Emerald Dr. Suite A in Kalamazoo. We would be happy to assist you with finding the right volunteer experience that will leave you with a feeling of having done your part to make your community a better place. By Monica Priest Program Manager
Service Enterprise Training & Certification- a transformative
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Emeritus Certified Teacher
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for more information
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
Day Trip Kalamazoo valley museum If you’re looking for a fun educational place to hangout with preschool age children, look no further, than the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Children’s Landscape. Preschooler’s ages 3-5 can enjoy a special place just for them; a little person’s museum within a museum. The Children’s Landscape is designed to promote parent and child interaction in an educational environment. There are many hands-on exhibits that can engage children in hours of fun and discovery. They can dance to the juke box tunes, build structures with large waffle blocks, enjoy the popular plastic ball raceway, climb aboard a mini school bus, check out the inside of the space ship, relax under the stars in the planetarium and so much more! The theme at the Children’s Landscape changes every other month, so there’s always something new to see and explore. We visited in July during the theme Let’s Eat. They had more play food than you could imagine, complete with pots, pans, utensils and menus. Children could see the difference in the foods and dining practices of various nationalities, including Mexican, Italian, Japanese and Chinese. They could flip pretend pancakes; work at a food counter and separate cookies by color. These are just a few of the many interactives.
programs that may include stories, musical activities, games, and an art project. Programs take place Monday through Friday at 10am and 1pm, and Saturdays at 11am. If you will be bringing a group of children, please call ahead to register. Children’s Landscape hours are: Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday and holidays: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. General Admission is Free This month’s theme: The Four Seasons - Learn to recognize the different seasons by their natural environments, what we wear, and what we do. For more information go online to kalamazoomuseum.org, or call 373-7990. By Jackie Merriam
The Children’s Landscape also offers teacher led 20 minute
Stitching Memories FROM OUR SHOP TO YOUR HOME
For All Your “Stitching” Needs Knitting – Crochet – Needlepoint – Cross Stitch Classes Available Stitchingmem.com 350 Gladys St. - Portage – 552-9276
Jumbo muffin and a small coffee or tea Only $2.99 Expires 12/1/14
7642 S. Westnedge, Portage (1/2 mile north of Centre St.)
903-2447
www.chocola-tea.com
Join us for Ladies’ Night September 18, 5-8pm
Huge Sale, free food and wine tasting, prizes and much more!
Greenhouse and Giftshop
562650 N. Main St. - Mattawan 668-2600
September 2014
Celebrate September September 1st Labor Day Labor Day is a Legal U.S. Holiday originating from the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the working man. Became a Federal Holiday in 1894. September 7th Grandparents Day The founder was Maria McQuade, a housewife in Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap into the wisdom & heritage that their grandparents could provide.
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GOOD NEWS
10,000 Copies of the Good News Paper are delivered to over
500 locations throughout
Southwest Michigan each month! If you would like to find out more about advertising in this great new local paper, call or email Jackie at 269 217-0977 goodnews.jackie@gmail.com www.goodnews-paper.com
September 11th Patriot Day Patriot Day is observed in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001 Americans should display their flags at Half-Staff September 23rd First Day of Autumn Fall Equinox - day when night and day are of equal length Brenda Jellies, LMT
Massage and Bodywork
formerly at SolSpring/KCHA
Westnedge Wellness 269.870.0609
Brendajmassage@aol.com 3244 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
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September 2014
GOOD NEWS
free september Events Through Sept. 21 Speed Bump – single panel cartoonist Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990
September 9 & 16 ARTbreak: Rembrandt Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon 349-7775
September 1 WMU Women’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex 4-6:30pm 387-0973
September 12 WMU Men’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex 5 – 7:30pm 387-0973
September 2 ARTbreak : Calder Sculptor of Air Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon 349-7775
September 13 2.5 Minute Ride by Lisa Kron Nelda K. Balch Playhouse Fine Arts Building Of Kalamazoo College 8 – 9:15pm 337-7333
September 3,10,17,24 Wed. Night Cruise-Ins Gilmore Car Museum 5-8pm 671-5089 September 5 Gazelle Sports Historic Walks “Haymarket Historic District” Meet at Gazelle Sports 8am 342-5996 September 5 Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo 5-9pm 342-5059 September 5 – 7 Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival 10am – 12am 651-1111 September 5, 12 Lunchtime Live Live music, food, Activities & more Bronson Park 11:30am – 1:30pm 337-8295 September 5 Movie in the Park Arcadia Creek Festival Place “Hunger Games” Family games 7:30pm Movie at sunset 337-8295 September 6 First Saturday Of each month Stories, activities, prizes, Jeanie B. kids music show KPL – Central Branch 2 - 3:30pm 553-7800
September 13 Sports Card & Collectables Show Wings Stadium Annex 9am – 4pm 744-7337 September 13 Be an Art Detective! Children’s program Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 11:15am 349-7775 September 14 WMU Women’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex Noon – 2:30pm 387-0973 September 14 WMU Men’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex 2:30 – 5:00pm 387-0973 September 16 Pizza & Pages Grades 5 – 12 KPL - Oshtemo Branch Pick up a copy of the Book Maze Runner Read it & come back To discuss over pizza 553-7980 September 16 Clifford the Horse & trainer will visit KPL - Alma Powell Branch 6pm 553-7960 September 16 Intro to Genealogy KPL - Oshtemo Branch 6pm 553-7980
“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.” Rose Kennedy
September 17 Book Discussion: The Lost Painting Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2pm 349-7775 September 18 Jewelry Making with Meg Tang Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square Branch 5:30pm 553-7970 September 19 Gazelle Sports Historic Walks “Vine Historic District” Meet at Locust & Vine 8am 342-5996 September 21 WMU Women’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex 2-4:30pm 387-0973 September 23 ARTbreak: Art Needs a Push A Short History of KIA Noon 349-7775 September 23 Eastwood Back to School Celebration KPL - Eastwood Branch Live music, food & games 6 – 7:30pm 553-7810 September 24 Michael Jackson: The Experience Play the Wii & win prizes! Grades 5 - 12 KPL - Alma Powell Branch 4:30pm 553-7960 September 25 Celebrate Comics with Paul Sizer Learn how to make your own comics Grades 5 – 12 KPL - Alma Powell Branch 5pm 553-7960
September 25 Fresh Food Fairy KPL –Eastwood Branch Story time celebrating Healthy foods & enjoy a smoothie made with a bike blender 10:30am 553-7810 September 26 WMU Men’s Soccer WMU Soccer Complex 4 – 6:30 pm 387-0973 September 26-28 High on Kalamazoo Balloon Festival Location: Air Zoo 382-6555 September 27 Fairy Story time & craft KPL – Central Branch 10:30pm 553-7800 September 30 ARTbreak: All about Prints Kalamazoo Institute of arts Noon 349-7775 September 30 Urban Fiction Discussion KPL – Alma Powell Branch 6pm 553-7960 September 30 Stuffed Animal Sleepover KPL – Oshtemo Branch Bring in a stuffed animal for a story & a snack Return the next day to Pick up your stuffed animal And find out what happens in the library overnight. 6:30pm 553-7980
Anniversary Celebration
Thank you for 26 years of Success
FREE Shoe Shine
with shoe shine purchase
The Shoe Smith
327-0204 • 6210 S. Westnedge, Portage
September 2014
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GOOD NEWS