VFM June / July 2012

Fargo-Moorhead’s Biggest Family Events Calendar June/July 2012

do-it-together

Teens &

Alcohol

YOUR FAMILY z from the editor June/July 2012 Vol. 16, No. 3 Publisher The Village Family Service Center Gary Wolsky Tammy Noteboom Editor-in-Chief Kelly Lynch Graphic Design & Layout Jared Zimney Advertising Sales Manager Joy Ryan Advertising Sales Madalyn Pezalla Food & Fun Editor Shayna Hendricksen Copy Editor Shayna Hendricksen The Village Family Service Center Board of Directors Carrie Bjorge, David Dougherty, Lyman Edds, Matthew Hallaway, Dr. Richard Hanson, Tammy Hauck, Richard Henderson, Nancy McKenzie, Dale Mowry, Michelle Powers, Joy Query, Becky Walen

For advertising information, call (701) 451-5000 For editorial comments or questions, please call 701-451-4937 or email magazine@TheVillageFamily.org Printed by Forum Communications Printing, Fargo, N.D. ©2012 The Village Family Magazine.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

The Village Family Magazine is a registered trademark.

The Village Family Magazine does not necessarily endorse content of advertising.

The mission of The Village Family Magazine is to broaden the ability of The Village Family Service Center to improve the quality of people’s lives. In each issue, articles and features will educate and encourage families to develop and maintain positive, constructive relationships.

For some people, technology has become a burden. They feel guilty if they don’t answer every email or text the minute it arrives, which results in work time creeping into family time.

In our article, “Finding Digital Balance,” the author talks about examining your family’s use of technology to determine what level of interaction works for each person. The key, like almost everything else in the world, is moderation. As parents, it is our duty to set good examples and guide our children. It’s important to find the correct ratio of time spent online and time spent interacting and socializing with others.

My son texts as much as any teenage boy. However, he also enjoys swimming, running, and kicking around a soccer ball with his friends. Video games, with their incredible graphics and life-like images, are one of his passions, but he still gets blown away by a breathtaking view or ice crystals hanging on tree branches in winter. When our apple tree blossomed in April, he tweeted the picture!

In a world where face time has been replaced with screen time, we still make it a priority to sit down to dinner as a family whenever possible. There, we engage in good old-fashioned conversation, with the television off and no cell phones interrupting the exchange.

My own relationship with technology is middle-of-the-road. I don’t live for technology, but I certainly appreciate the ways it has made my life easier. In December, I became the proud owner of a smartphone and, at this point in my technological life, I’d say it’s my most valuable tech item. I love being able to read my emails, to search the Internet wherever I am, and even do my banking on my phone—the possibilities are mind-boggling.

I can clearly see how texting could become an obsession for some, especially young people who may have a lot of time on their hands. For me, texting is very positive. I like that I can grab my phone, text a “goodnight and I love you” to my three sons, and just have that quick connection to all of them. And who doesn’t enjoy getting an “I love you, too” in return?

Technology allows us to stay in touch with family and friends who live anywhere on this planet. With Facebook, I can get a quick glimpse into the daily lives of my grown nieces and nephews and their adorable children. I can touch base with former classmates and childhood friends. My son talks to his grandparents, 250 miles away, on Skype. Technology makes the miles between all of us less of a barrier. All this communication has got to be strengthening our connectedness.

In “Finding Digital Balance,” the author encourages families to seek a balance with technology. Maybe your son is thoroughly entertained by an hour playing video games, which allows him to willingly tackle his homework right afterward. Or maybe your daughter sparks her imagination by maintaining boards on Pinterest and then spends time pursuing other creative interests. Technology is here to stay. Learning to incorporate it, healthfully, into our daily lives will make technology a positive force and not a burden.

Thanks for reading.

About the Cover Photo Owen, age 4 Photography by Stevie Rae Photography (see ad on page 29) Like Us on Facebook

Mail correspondence to: The Village Family Service Center ATTN: Family Magazine 1201 25th St. S., Fargo, ND 58103

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June/July 2012

14 p.

18 p.

departments z do-it-together

z parenting

6 Laundry!

36 High-Risk High

Engage the entire family in sorting, washing, folding, and putting away laundry, so the burden is shared and your kids are ready for the day when they are on their own. Bonus: Homemade soap recipes, too!

36

p.

Alcohol and teens is a tough subject, but one that needs to be addressed. Learn how to talk to your kids about alcohol and where to find helpful resources. z money

z change

40 Mid-Year Financial Checkup

14 Finding Digital Balance

Examine your family’s use of technology and help establish reasonable guidelines for adults and kids alike. Get enjoyment and benefit out of technology, without letting it rule your world. z feature

18 What to Do With Your Pets When You Go On Vacation

Summertime often means vacation time. If your plans don’t include taking along the family pet, here are some alternatives.

Six months of 2012 have slipped away. Take a look at your finances and see if you’re still in control of where your money is going. z consumer

42 Mastering the Auto Insurance Maze Auto insurance advertising is a media staple. Cut through all the hype and make an informed decision before you buy auto insurance.

in every issue z gary’s opinion........... 9

z mom’s view.............. 12

z events calendar........ 24

z books & movies....... 10

z dad’s view................ 13

z food & fun................ 45

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z words & wisdom...... 46

June/July 2012 5

YOUR FAMILY z do-it-together

By Janelle Brandon

According to the Consumer Energy Center, the typical American household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year. That’s a lot of dirty laundry, especially if the task of washing clothes falls on the shoulders of one individual. Learn tips to make laundry a manageable (and maybe even enjoyable) task in your household by doing it together!

Never Too Early Just as small children are asked to help pick up toys when they’re finished playing with them, the same goes for clothing and towels. Encourage toddlers and preschoolers to put their clothing into a hamper, clothing chute, or their own personal laundry basket to be washed. To that end, make sure each child in the home has his or her own laundry basket or knows where to put his or her clothing once it comes off the body.

Children in elementary school may enjoy shadowing Mom or Dad during a laundry project. Parents can teach about the different settings on the washing machine and dryer and how to measure and pour laundry detergent. Children in upper elementary school may also be encouraged to iron, hang, fold, and put away their laundered clothing. Make sure your child is supervised while operating a hot iron.

Teens are capable of all aspects of laundering clothing. Many junior high and middle schools not only teach teens how to wash their clothing, but also how to mend, iron, and steam it as well. Lisa Peterson, the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Frazee High School in Frazee, Minn., has instructed eighth grade boys and girls in the steps to launder their own clothes since 1999.

“Before I teach about laundry, I spend time talking with the students about shopping for clothes,” adds Peterson. “As consumers, they begin to learn about the hidden cost of clothing 6 June/July 2012

that includes dry cleaning or other special care.”

Whether your children are toddlers, elementary students, or teenagers, it’s never too early to learn the basics of doing laundry.

Start at the Very Beginning Sort Show kids how to divide clothing into piles for whites, colors, and darks. You can make a game of it with young children. Remember to empty pockets, tie off drawstrings that might come loose, and zip up long zippers that may snag other items of clothing.

Pre-treat Have the kids help you look for heavily soiled or stained clothing. Pretreat with laundry detergent or stain remover, paying close attention to the clothing label guidelines.

Washing Machine Settings Explain each of the dials on your washing machine to your child. Individual machines vary, but typically you must select temperature, load size, and type of wash cycle.

Tell them what temperature you’d like them to use for washing and rinsing. Many people prefer to wash clothes in hot or warm water and use cold water rinses to save energy.

However, with today’s new technologies and soap formulas,

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most mildly dirty clothes will come clean when washed in cold water.

Heavily soiled clothing and certain fabrics release dirt and stains better in warm or hot water.

Choose a load size to match the pile of clothing you’re washing. For top-loading machines, remember to allow for plenty of water to surround the clothing and room for agitation during the wash and rinse cycles when selecting a load size.

Most clothing will come clean in the regular wash cycle, but if your clothes are heavily soiled, you may want to use the heavy wash cycle. Save the gentle cycle for delicate fabrics.

Add Detergent For top-loading washers, start the machine and show your child how to use the laundry detergent cap or a measuring cup to measure out the correct amount of detergent. Pour it under the running water, allowing it to dissolve a bit before adding clothing to avoid detergent stains. For front-loading washers, add the detergent as instructed by the manufacturer.

Add Clothing Show your child how to distribute the clothing around the agitator for toploading machines. For front-loaders, just let them toss in the clothes. Shut the door and press start or, for top-loading machines, close the lid.

Dryer Settings Explain each of the settings on your dryer and show the children how to set them.

Lint Don’t forget to talk about the lint trap or tray. It should be cleaned after every load to avoid creating a fire hazard.

Add Clothing Let the children toss the wet clothes into the dryer, shut the door, and start the machine.

Fold Try to encourage children to remove laundry from the dryer as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary wrinkles.

Demonstrate how you would like clothes folded or placed on hangers.

Put Away Set up a system where the kids are responsible for transporting their clothes from the laundry area to their rooms. It’s a simple task and easy for kids to get into the habit.

Laundry: Together Now, Solo Later By the time children reach adulthood and are living on their own, it will be necessary for them to know how to care for and wash their own clothes. Get them in the routine now and encourage everyone in the family to help out with this necessary, albeit mundane, chore.

Laundry Detergent: Make Your Own About four years ago, Sharon Douglas, Automation Coordinator at Lake Agassiz Regional Library in Moorhead, was complaining to an acquaintance about lugging laundry soap up two flights of stairs to her apartment after grocery shopping. The acquaintance told her she made her own laundry soap using a recipe on the Internet.

Douglas began experimenting with several laundry soap recipes. After she calculated the cost of the ingredients, she learned she was doing laundry for pennies a load. To top that off, she was no longer consuming extra cardboard or plastic laundry containers from the store.

“It’s not a labor intensive process; making it will not cut into your busy schedule,” says Douglas. “Of all the DIY projects I do, this is one that has never failed. It’s that easy.”

As co-workers and friends took an interest in Douglas’ laundry soap recipe, Sharon began to teach homemade laundry soap classes to the public at the library in Moorhead.

“When demonstrating the process, kids are always eager to stick their hands into the gelled bucket of soap to break it up,” says Douglas. “Watching the twinkle in their eyes and the big grin on their faces is a hoot!”

To make sure there isn’t an allergic reaction, Douglas cautions anyone with sensitive skin to test the detergent on their skin first. However, Douglas is very prone to allergies and reacts to a lot of products, but has never had an allergic reaction to the homemade laundry soap.

So, does it really work? Yes! “The last time I demonstrated how easy it was to make this laundry soap, an audience member asked how clean clothes really got,” shares Douglas. “Another audience member spoke up and said that she used this same formula in her baby diaper

family

laundry service for years. Talk about an endorsement!”

Douglas is often asked about using this soap in front-load washers. She has not experienced any problems and thinks it’s because it’s a low suds detergent.

“That’s why I mention using only low-sudsing bars of soap as part of the recipe,” advises Douglas. “There are a few other laundry soap bars out there, but I have not tried them yet because almost all local stores carry FelsNaptha®.”

Douglas encourages those embarking on the home laundry soap journey to experiment until the right soap that works for each particular household is found. She recommends searching on YouTube to gain additional tips for the home laundry soap project as well.

Home Laundry Soap Recipes Courtesy of Sharon Douglas: *Please note: Use ingredients with caution, avoid breathing in powders and, as with any laundry detergent, keep out of reach of children.

Powdered Laundry Detergent (3 cents per load – 80 loads) 1 ½ cups Arm and Hammer® Washing Soda 1 ½ cups 20 Mule Team® Borax 1 bar of Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap Directions: 1) Grate Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap, then use a food processor to finely chop the soap into powder.

2) Mix all ingredients together.

How to use: 1 tablespoon for a small load 2 tablespoons for a medium large load 3 tablespoons for a super large load

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June/July 2012 7

Gel Laundry Detergent (1 cent per load – 160 loads) 1 cup Arm and Hammer® Washing Soda 1 cup 20 Mule Team® Borax 1 bar of Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap

Liquid Laundry Detergent (1 cent per load – 64 loads) ½ cup Arm and Hammer® Washing Soda ½ cup 20 Mule Team® Borax 1 ⁄3 bar of Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap

Directions: 1) Grate Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap.

2) Melt with four cups water in microwave five to eight minutes.

3) Pour into five-gallon bucket, add dry powders, and mix well.

4) Fill bucket with hot water; mix well.

5) Set aside for at least eight hours or more. When the whole bucket is set it will be a solid gel.

6) Break up gel.

Directions: 1) Grate Fels-Naptha® Bar Soap.

2) Melt with eight cups water in microwave five to eight minutes.

3) Pour into two-gallon bucket, add dry powders, and mix well.

4) Fill bucket with hot water; mix well.

5) Set aside for at least eight hours or more. When the whole bucket is set it will be a loose gel.

6) Break up gel.

How to use: ½ cup for a normal load of laundry Add more if laundry is especially dirty

How to use: ½ cup for a normal load of laundry Add more if laundry is especially dirty

TIPS • High efficiency washers require detergents that create very little foam. The above recipes work well in high efficiency washers because they have low foam content.

• Zote® is another laundry soap in bar form that can be used in place of Fels-Naptha®.

Janelle Brandon is a wife to Lukas, mom to Dylan (4) and Julia (2), writer, doula, and marketer living in Moorhead. To learn more, visit www.janellebrandon.com.

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YOUR FAMILY z gary’s opinion

Changing Lives Right Here in Our Community

By Gary Wolsky, President/CEO The Village Family Service Center I was visiting with a donor recently, and he talked of his commitment and generosity (many millions) to a higher education institution Wolsky because of the huge positive impact it had on him. He said quite literally, “They changed my life.”

I get it. The fabric of our society has been enhanced beyond measure by organizations that change people’s lives, and the generosity of people that provide the fuel (money) to make this happen.

But have you ever wondered why institutions of higher learning can launch campaigns of literally hundreds of millions of dollars and successfully accomplish these goals, while hundreds of other nonprofits—doing equally great work—struggle to raise the money necessary to fund their services? Look at Harvard, for instance. Harvard has $32 BILLION dollars in its endowment fund—enough so they would never again have to charge tuition—yet they make a case for continued support.

Well, I wonder about it. I think part of the reason is that they are top-shelf institutions with a wonderfully rich history, and many thousands of alumni’s lives have been enriched by their good work. But other organizations, right here in our own communities, are enriching lives as well.

Let me tell you a story about one person whose life has been enriched by The Village.

Amber was in third grade when she met her Big Sister, Kristi, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of The Village. Her father, a single parent, had signed her up for the program in hopes of finding her a female role model because she was struggling in school and with making friends. Over the years, Kristi has been one of Amber’s biggest cheerleaders. When Kristi started talking

to Amber about planning for college, Amber thought she was a little crazy— college wasn’t something she’d even considered. Now, Amber is not only going to college to be an occupational therapist, but thanks to her Big Sister, she was able to secure a scholarship.

Because of The Village, and the love and encouragement of her Big Sister, Amber is on track to be a healthy, productive, and contributing member of society.

As you consider who should be the beneficiaries of your generosity, consider including “our children” (children like Amber) on your list. Most of our “graduates” will never have the privilege of studying in the hallowed halls of Harvard, yet The Village is every bit as involved and invested in building healthy, strong, contributing members of society as any higher education establishment in the country. And these are, after all, “our” kids.

A half a century ago, our Board of Directors created a foundation called “The Children’s Village Family Service Foundation.” Its sole purpose is to provide support for the 75,000 or so children and families who now benefit annually from one of our many programs. It represented a commitment to our work that, at the time, was unprecedented—clearly decades ahead of its time. It has done an exceptional job in support of our work, and every day our work is enhanced by its ability to financially undergird the services we provide. Its investments have been exceptional, and its overhead is a small fraction of what most foundations need.

My challenge to you is to continue to keep these kids, our kids and our neighbors, in your thoughts as you determine your annual giving and your estate planning. These kids need you.

The opinions expressed in this column are strictly those of The Village Family Service Center CEO. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization, staff, or boards of directors.

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YOUR FAMILY z m vies

New on

PG On Netflix Instant Stream When two kids decide to play an old board game they found, they accidentally release Alan, played by Robin Williams, who has been trapped within the game for 26 years.

Although he is released, he must continue to play the game in the real world. Unleashing a menagerie of jungle animals in the city including an elephant, rhinos, and troublesome monkeys, it’s up to Alan and the kids to finish the game before it’s too late!

New to

Theaters “Brave”

Staff Pick: Kelly

© Disney. All Rights Reserved.

G In Theatres June 22 “Brave,” Pixar’s first fairy tale, tells the story of Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), a princess living in 10th century Scotland. Princess Merida is known for being adventurous, fearless, and a skilled archer.

She rides horses, participates in contests of skill with her triplet brothers, and has a fierce independence and strong will. When she accidentally causes chaos to break out in her kingdom, Merida is forced to take action, in ways she never dreamed of, to restore peace and calm to the land.

Her father, King Fergus, is voiced by Billy Connolly and Merida’s mother, Queen Elinor, is voiced by Emma Thompson.

For more information visit disney. go.com/brave.

10 June/July 2012

“Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)” G Available on DVD “Yours, Mine and Ours” is fantastic family entertainment.

The movie stars Lucille Ball as a widow with eight children.

She falls in love with Henry Fonda, a widower with ten children.

The story begins with their courtship and moves on to their marriage, with all the craziness that results from having 18 children and two adults living under one roof. “Yours, Mine and Ours” is a wholesome, fun, family movie. In addition to Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda, the movie stars Tom Bosley, Tim Matheson, and a very young Tracy Nelson. The movie was redone in 2005 with Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo. It isn’t a terrible remake, but the original is much better.

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Desilu Productions

TriStar Pictures

“Jumanji”

PG On DVD June 19 “Big Miracle” is an animalrescue adventure that was inspired by a true story from Alaska in 1988. The movie is filled with positive messages about family, friendship, nature, and more.

This awe-inspiring story revolves around small town news reporter Adam Carlson, played by John Krasinski.

Carlson discovers a family of three gray whales trapped in the icy waters off shore in Barrow, Alaska, and believes the story is his ticket to the big leagues of journalism. The news item gets picked up by the national press and the small town is inundated with journalists, politicians, and outspoken environmentalist Rachel Kramer, played by Drew Barrymore. As an added twist, Kramer is Carlson’s ex-girlfriend.

As you can imagine, everyone has a different solution to the whale dilemma. Both American and Russian officials get involved in the circus. The fate of the whales rapidly morphs into a tug-of-war of sorts between the environmentalist and the native Inuit tribe who wants to harvest the whales.

With time running out, Kramer and Carlson rally everyone to work together and concentrate on freeing the whales.

“Big Miracle” is an entertaining, historical, and family-friendly movie that appeals to both kids and adults. In addition to Krasinski and Barrymore, the film includes actors Ted Danson, Dermot Mulroney, and Kristen Bell.

Universal Pictures

“Big Miracle”

DVD

YOUR FAMILY z

Book Reviews Courtesy Barnes & Noble, Fargo

Baby & Preschool “In My Ocean”

by Sara Gillingham Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little dolphin’s ocean so cozy. Is it the splashing waves? No, it’s his loving family! Bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!

Ages 9 to 12 “The Traveling Restaurant: Jasper’s Voyage in Three Parts”

by Barbara Else Twelve-year-old Jasper Ludlow— an ordinary boy—makes his way across the Old Ocean and Lake Riversea on an adventure to find his baby sister. In the process, he encounters all kinds of adversity, including stormy waters, monkeys, pirates, and of course, an evil monarch who wants to keep magic out of the kingdom. Jasper’s quest to save the kingdom is full of intrigue, adventure, and danger, and the reader will be engaged from beginning to the very last page.

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Ages 4 to 8 “Blackout”

by John Rocco One hot summer night in the city, the TV shuts off and a boy wails, “Mommm!” His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can’t work on her computer, and Dad can’t finish cooking dinner. What’s a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights—in stars that can be seen for a change—and so many neighbors it’s like a block party in the sky!

On the street below, people are having just as much fun—talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts. The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal, but not everyone likes normal. The boy switches off the lights, and out come the board games again.

A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book

Teenagers “The Glass Collector”

by Anna Perera Fifteen-year-old Aaron lives amongst the rubbish piles in the slums of Cairo. His job? To collect broken glass. His life? Wasted. His hope? To find a future he can believe in. Today in Cairo, Egypt, there is a city within a city: a city filled with garbage—literally. As one of the Zabbaleen people, Aaron makes his living sorting through waste.

When his family kicks him out, his only alternatives are to steal, beg, or take the most nightmarish garbagecollecting job of all.

Adults “Paris In Love”

by Eloisa James In 2009, New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James took a leap that many people dream about: she sold her house, took a sabbatical from her job as a Shakespeare professor, and moved her family to Paris. “Paris in Love: A Memoir” chronicles her joyful year in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With no classes to teach, no committee meetings to attend, no lawn to mow or cars to park, Eloisa revels in the ordinary pleasures of life—discovering corner museums that tourists overlook, chronicling Frenchwomen’s sartorial triumphs, walking from one end of Paris to another. She copes with her Italian husband’s notions of quality time; her two hilarious children, ages eleven and fifteen, as they navigate schools—not to mention puberty—in a foreign language; and her mother-in-law Marina’s raised eyebrow in the kitchen (even as Marina overfeeds Milo, the family dog).

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YOUR FAMILY z mom’s view

Sock it to Me:

By Gwen Rockwood There’s an old TV commercial for Tootsie Pops featuring a cartoon boy who poses this question to wise Mr. Owl: “How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” The owl replies, “Let’s find out,” as he takes the little boy’s Tootsie Pop and begins licking and counting aloud.

At my house, there’s a similar experiment underway. My ten- and seven-year-old boys are on a quest to find out how many socks it takes to make their mother insane. Last night, they came dangerously close to witnessing a full-blown trip to Crazytown.

I know it shouldn’t bother me this much. They’re socks— not landmines. But what started as a pet peeve grew into a real frustration and has now morphed into a trigger. For some moms, it’s dirty dishes left behind on the counter or globs of toothpaste cemented onto the bathroom sink. But every mama has something that drives her a little nuts, and for me, it’s the socks.

Since they were toddlers, I’ve always been able to track my boys by following a trail of socks. At the end of the trail, I’d find two barefoot brothers oblivious to why I might be irritated.

I figured the best way to teach them was to make them pick up their own socks and put them in the hamper. I was sure they’d eventually learn that it’s easier to put the socks in the hamper as soon as they come off their feet.

But we’ve been doing this forced march to the hamper for YEARS now. And yet, still, I find socks. Everywhere. Insideout, balled-up socks—in the kitchen, by the front door, in the hallway, under tables, and under bed covers. The endless repetition of “Put your socks in the hamper!” has nearly driven me mad.

Last night, after I’d spent the better part of the day getting the house in order, I walked into the living room to watch TV with the kids. As I began to sit down, I stopped short. There, in the very spot I was about to sit in, were two discarded socks—the same two socks that broke the proverbial camel’s back.

“WHO left their socks here?” I yelled at the boys as I pointed toward the offending footwear. My tone and volume told them this was serious.

“They’re HIS!” they both said in unison, each brother pointing at the other.

“How many times do I have to say the exact same thing?” I yelled, continuing my rant. “What part of ‘Put your socks away’ do you NOT understand? Do you think I was put on this Earth to pick up socks every single day of my life? Do you? Well, I wasn’t!”

They both stood there stunned, shocked that socks could have triggered such a maternal meltdown. They had inadvertently opened a big ol’ can of crazy and desperately wanted to stuff it back in.

“You guys better get these socks out of my sight and into the hamper in the next ten seconds or you do NOT want to know what’ll happen,” I threatened.

12 June/July 2012

Illustration by Trygve Olson

What Happens When Mom is Down to Her Last Nerve?

Honestly, even I didn’t know what would happen, but I knew none of us wanted to see this scene get uglier. In less than a second, they’d each grabbed a sock and sprinted upstairs toward the hamper and away from the nuclear reactor that was once their mother.

So how many strewn-around socks does it take to make your mother crazy? I’m not sure. But I do know this. You do NOT want to find out.

Gwen Rockwood is a syndicated freelance columnist. Send comments to her at rockwoodfiles@cox.net. Archives of The Rockwood Files can be found online at www. nwaMotherlode.com.

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YOUR FAMILY z dad’s view

By Rick Epstein When my youngest daughter Wendy saw her first skyscrapers, she exclaimed, “These buildings are tall as you, Daddy!” (I’m only five-foot eight, but Wendy was only four years old.)

In those days, Father’s Day was a religious holiday. My kids filed into my chamber and presented me with worshipful offerings. But any false idol could’ve predicted it wouldn’t last.

As with Dorothy in the throne room of the great and powerful Oz, the girls have become too well acquainted with “the man behind the curtain.”

My paternal mystique had been waning for a long time, but it has taken some beatings this past year.

Last fall, Wendy, now a high school freshman, went out for field hockey. One Saturday afternoon, when her social life was at a standstill, I asked, “Want to show me the basics?”

After checking her phone to make sure no better offers had arrived in the last 30 seconds, she said, “Sure.”

Wendy gave me her extra stick and we went out in the yard.

She taught me about dribbling, passing, and driving, and then we played one-on-one. Field hockey isn’t like baseball where you rest 90% of the time; it’s constant running. Despite one really painful whack across the knuckles, I had a great time with Wendy, both of us yelling, laughing, and smacking the ball. But it was exhausting. After 20 minutes, I think I forfeited.

(Is it a forfeit where one team lies down and can’t get up?) The score was 6-0. “Good game, Dad,” she said charitably as I lay vanquished on the lawn.

My oldest daughter, Marie, 22, was home from college at Christmastime. I cherish her intellect, and she likes to think I have one, too. “Dad, you’ve gotta read this book! It explains how the modern world was formed,” she said, and gave me a copy of “Guns, Germs, and Steel; The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared Diamond. Marie went back to school, and I struggled through 61 pages of it before I gave up and resumed my study of “Tarzan the Invincible” by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Marie phoned and asked, “Don’t you love that book? Doesn’t it explain so much?!”

“Not to me,” I confessed. “It was too hard.”

“Oh,” she said, and I felt like Tarzan’s pal, Manu the Monkey, whose brain is the size of a tea bag.

When my middle daughter, Sally, 19, was home for spring break, I suggested a game of chess. The last time we’d played, she’d taken all the pieces I’d captured and pretended the bishop was teaching Sunday school to foolish pawns and talking horses. Once little Sally had just about abandoned our match I was eventually able to check-mate her.

My chess game hasn’t improved, but hers has. Thirteen years can do that for a kid. She was much more focused this time.

Even so, it was a long and messy match. Sally kept her forces intact while capturing my queen, bishops, knights, and those castle things. With just a king, three pawns, and no ideas, I conceded. “Good game,” I said.

I’ve always hoped that my kids would grow up to be smarter, stronger, and more confident than me. And I still feel that way. family

Illustration by Trygve Olson

Dad’s Mystique in Tatters

But the realization of my wish, as it unfolds day by day, is not much fun to experience.

Anyhow, around here, Father’s Day is no longer a time to pay homage to a mighty hero. It’s more like a special day for humoring a feeble patient. One year, I found the kids uniquely willing to visit a battlefield I wanted to see, and another year we all toured the mansion of my favorite president.

This year, maybe we can all go canoeing. There are two canoes in the garage, but I’ve never taken all the girls boating at once. I’d always been afraid a canoe would capsize and I’d have to decide which child to rescue.

That wouldn’t be a problem now because all three girls are stronger swimmers than I am. In fact, Sally is a Red Cross certified lifeguard. It’d be up to her to decide who would be saved. And maybe, it being Father’s Day, my piteous cries would be given special consideration.

Rick Epstein can be reached at rickepstein@ yahoo.com. But take it easy; he’s feeling a bit frail just now.

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June/July 2012 13

YOUR FAMILY z change

By Carolyn Jabs This seems to be the year for Digital Detox. A surprising number of people are blogging(!) about digital overload and their efforts to wean themselves and their families from its harmful effects. Even Google encourages employees to unplug during the workday by providing everything from bicycle paths to on-site massage services.

Our love-hate relationship with technology isn’t new. Every newly introduced tool is embraced by some and denounced by others for undermining traditional values. The truth is that people can lead responsible, rewarding lives with and without technology. The question is always whether a particular tool helps particular people do what they want to do. And, of course, what people want to do varies tremendously depending on personality, stage of life, and many other variables.

14 June/July 2012

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family

Keeping this perspective is especially important—and challenging—for parents whose role as technology gatekeepers changes as kids grow up.

For children under six, parents have to exercise discipline—usually over themselves. How often will you buy a little peace by encouraging your child to watch TV, play video games, or fool with a cell phone? It’s not that young children should never do these things, but they shouldn’t do them very often.

Little kids need three-dimensional play and plenty of time with real people eager to talk to them.

From six to 12, children benefit from supervised access to technologies that help them succeed in school, make friends, and develop confidence in their own capabilities. Setting and enforcing appropriate limits keeps kids from being sucked into the black hole in which technology extinguishes other interests. Be sure everyone unplugs during meals and other family events. Keep technology out of bedrooms and enforce reasonable bedtimes. Expect your child to engage in some sort of physical activity every day, whether it’s a team practice or simply walking the dog after dinner.

In adolescence, young people come to terms with who they are. Some people really are exhilarated by marathon gaming sessions or multi-tasking with social media. Others need long stretches of screen-free time to be in touch with their own thoughts. Teens really can’t know what works for them without some experimentation. Parents can help by encouraging kids to think about what matters in their lives. How does technology support their goals? How does it get in the way?

At all ages, parents can make it clear that use of technology should always be a choice and not a compulsion. In a life that has only so much time, everyone has to use it wisely. Technology is seductive, and sometimes the only way to get perspective is to step away and think about whether it is serving us—or we are serving it. Here are some suggestions about how to do that:

Commit to Daily Quiet Time. It takes discipline to resist the call of email, Facebook, or reality TV, but it’s discipline well worth cultivating. Start by establishing your own device-free time. It might be the first 15 minutes of the day, the stretch between getting home and eating dinner, or the half hour before bed. Consider spending the time in mindful activity—meditating, praying, looking out a window, writing in a gratitude journal. Tell your kids what you are doing. Invite them to join you or to find their own quiet time.

Do Your Own Research. Talk about what technology means in your household. If unplugging for an entire day or weekend feels like too big a step, use the time to do your own research. Track how long family members spend on video games, television, social networking, online homework, and email. Call a family meeting to discuss your findings and decide whether adjustments should be made. Be open to what your children say about your use of technology.

Brainstorm Tech Alternatives.

People who have become attached to their digital lives may feel anxiety— or even hostility—if you ask them to unplug. Be prepared with engaging, ageappropriate alternatives such as puzzles, magic tricks, board games, crafts, and books for reading aloud. Consider hands-on hobbies such as cooking or gardening. Explore your community or find a volunteer project you can do as a family. (If you find yourself struggling to think of things to do without your devices, check out the 50 ideas at http:// tinyurl.com/yqj9u5.)

Consider a Digital Vacation.

A growing number of resorts are making a virtue out of freedom from WIFI, TV, and even phones. On the Carribean islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, hotel guests actually get a guidebook that reminds them about how to have fun without technology.

Of course, your family can get similar results for much less money by going camping (even in the backyard), renting a nearby cabin that’s out of WIFI range, or booking a vacation at a working farm.

(Check out ideas at www.ruralbounty. com).

family

The point of these exercises isn’t to demonize technology. TV, video games, social networks, cell phones, and all the rest have a legitimate role to play in healthy, happy lives. Still, you and your kids are most likely to achieve digital balance if you take periodic breaks and ask fundamental questions: What are we doing with technology in our family? Is it improving our relationships? Is it crowding out things that matter? Teaching kids to pause every now and then to ask thoughtful, reflective questions about their digital lives is probably the best way to be sure their long-term relationship with technology will be constructive and enriching.

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer-savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns.

Make It A

Play Date July 10-15,

2012

Red River Valley Fair West Fargo, ND

www.RedRiverValleyFair.com

villagefamilymag.org

June/July 2012 15

Talking to Your Child About God

By Laurie Neill Much of my childhood revolved around the church, but after college, I got busy with life—there were kids to feed, a job to do, a house to keep up. I drifted away from the church. Somehow it was just hard to find the time. But when my world fell apart and I found myself facing divorce with two small children, I fell back on the foundation of the faith that had been laid in my childhood. It was the one thing that saw me through that dark time in my life.

In his book, “Talking to Your Children About God”, Rick Osborne says, “If math and reading are important for our kid’s future, how much more crucial is faith? Being able to read books and balance a checkbook makes life easier, but it doesn’t answer the big questions that give life meaning and context.”

Perhaps you are someone who attends church regularly and are comfortable talking about faith issues with your kids. Maybe you’re still trying to figure it out yourself. Or maybe you don’t feel the need to have God in your life.

Regardless of what you teach or don’t teach your child about God and religion, studies have shown that it will have a big impact on them going forward. Children naturally have big questions like: Who am I? Why am I here? How do I fit into all that is around me? Regardless of what we believe, when we take the time

to talk to our kids about God and explore those answers together, we give life value, build self-respect and self-esteem, and provide a solid ground from which to go forward. Exposing your child to the basics of faith helps children begin to understand these answers on their own level and form their own ideas about God. It can be tempting to rely solely on the church to teach your children about God, but studies show that parents also play a strong role in the childhood development of spirituality. If your children attend your church’s education classes, the messages they learn there can be reinforced by your interest. Ask your children, “What did you learn today? How did it make you feel? What questions do you have?”

In their book, “Where Does God Live?”, Marc Gellman and Thomas Hartman offer these guidelines for incorporating “God Talk” into your children’s lives.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” God is real, but complex, and even theologians don’t understand it all.

Try to follow statements about what you don’t know with statements about what you believe.

Tell your children what you believe, while making it clear that they must decide for themselves what they

believe. You can never force someone to believe in something.

It is ultimately your child’s relationship with God that matters, not yours.

Try to relate God to how you live, not just what you believe. Try not to make God abstract and irrelevant; some remote being living in heaven (wherever that is). He is in our world and affects the way we live and treat each other.

Don’t give answers about God that are too simple. We can simplify the language we use to explain the concepts, but try not to simplify the concepts themselves. Gellman and Hartman say, “Children deserve to be introduced to a God whose complex and infinite attributes will unfold before them, not in the span of a single bedtime story, but over a lifetime of loving reflection, prayer, and religiously-motivated action.”

How we talk about God matters The image our children form of God comes, in part, from how we talk about him. Do we portray God as a “Heavenly Babysitter” who sees everything we do and punishes us when we mess up? Or as a caring parent who loves us unconditionally?

Author Neale Donald Walshe remembers the scary image of God he formed as a six year old. His mother was “reading the cards” when she was surprised by a visit from her sister.

Afterwards, Walshe’s aunt told him, “You know, your mom shouldn’t be telling people their future with that deck of hers.

God is going to punish her. She is trafficking with the devil and God will send her straight to hell.”

Walshe wondered how God, who is supposed to be the most benevolent creator in the universe, would want to eternally damn his mother, who was the most benevolent creature in his life. Who would want to worship a God like that?

Pastor Corey Bjertness of First Lutheran Church says that when people tell him they don’t believe in God, he asks them what their image of God is. “Oftentimes,” he says, “I wouldn’t want to believe in that kind of God, either.” False images of God abound, and as parents, we can help combat those false, negative images by choosing our words carefully.

Created in his image God is big, but not so big and mysterious that we can’t possibly understand what he is like. Even the unique and awesome things about God can be put into terms that children can understand. It may be helpful to focus on the ways he is similar to us. Plus, children will be more comfortable with a God with whom they have something in common.

God is creative and loves to design and make new things. God didn’t just create the universe and then stop, but continually creates every second of every day and invites us to be a part of it.

God loves us and enjoys giving to and caring for us. God is good to us and hopes we will be good to each other.

God has emotions and we should never feel ashamed of our emotions, but learn to joyfully express the good ones and carefully express the bad ones in appropriate ways.

God has a sense of humor and laughs and has fun. As the old joke goes, God must have a sense of humor—just look at the platypus.

God loves beauty and his work can be found all over—in nature, music, art, etc. We are God’s masterpiece and are beautiful.

God loves being in a relationship and wants to know us and hang out with us and listen to us.

But even with all the points regarding God and his similarity to us, God is still something that we cannot see, touch, hear, smell, or taste. It eventually boils down to faith—or what you feel in your heart—that makes God real to you or not. Gravity is a good example of what faith is like: We cannot see, touch, hear, smell, or taste it, yet we know it is there because we see it at work all around us. In the same way, we see God at work all around us, if we take the time to look.

“In Touch” is brought to you by First Lutheran Church, Downtown Fargo.

YOUR FAMILY z feature

By Heidi Tetzman Roepke

We love our pets. They are part of the family. But sometimes, you just need to get away from it all. You need to take a vacation. What if that vacation doesn’t include your pets? Pet sitters and boarding each have their unique upsides. No matter which route you decide to take, boarders and sitters all stress the same goal—you want to be able to leave your pets with someone you trust and someone your pet feels comfortable with, too.

Daycare and boarding “It’s such a good feeling to know that your pet is safe and sound,” says Marcia Humphrey, owner of Eddie and Barkus canine daycare, grooming, and hotel in Fargo. The daycare provides a place for dogs to play during an owner’s workday, while boarding, called “the hotel” at Eddie and Barkus, provides a place to stay for longer periods of time.

“There is no time limit—we’ve had dogs for a day or two months,” says Eddie and Barkus manager Alyssa Vistad. If you’re looking for a doggie daycare or boarding, she recommends touring first to get a feel for the place.

Look around and ask questions. Is it clean? Well-organized? What will a day be like for your dog or cat? What is included in their stay?

Both Eddie and Barkus and Rover’s Playhouse, also in Fargo, feature webcams on their websites where you can watch the dogs play live. Owners enjoy checking them out to get a realtime update on how their dog is doing.

I took a tour on a recent afternoon of Eddie and Barkus’ polished new space.

It certainly reminded me more of a spa than any preconceived notions of what a “kennel” might be like. The space has a top-of-the-line feel and is equipped with several state-of-the-art features including a pressure-washer system throughout— 18 June/July 2012

used to keep the environment squeaky clean—and radio systems in every room where tunes can be adjusted to the dogs’ mood.

“We like to start the day with some Sinatra—just soothing, calming music that the dogs really love, and then we pump it up later in the day,” says Vistad.

In the hotel, the dogs eat and sleep, each in their own room. There are 66 rooms, or “runs,” which are 5’ by 5’ each.

Smaller runs are available if a smaller dog prefers it. Each room includes a cot that is about 3’ by 2’, but owners can bring what they want for their dog.

“We say, especially with first-time dogs, to bring something from home with your scent on it to help them acclimate, maybe a T-shirt you’ve slept in a few nights,” Vistad adds.

Next steps A meet and greet or screening is the next step in choosing a place to board, which is an evaluation of your dog to see if he or she will be a good fit. Owners fill out a form with details about their pet, which helps to give a good picture of your pet’s needs and personality.

“In the evaluation, we’re looking for dogs that are cautious and curious,” says Vistad.

Jacky Kummer, office manager at Rover’s Playhouse in Fargo, which also offers canine daycare and boarding, adds, villagefamilymag.org

“You have to think like a dog.” She says they look for signs such as the tail being up, which indicates they are feeling playful and not threatened.

Vistad says this is also when aggressive behaviors over food or toys would be discovered, which could mean the dog might not be a good fit for daycare or boarding. In this case, consider keeping your dog at home and having a pet sitter or dog walker come by.

“Most dogs do well in a pack, but the pack isn’t for every dog,” Kummer says.

Rover’s Playhouse, which averages about 50 dogs a day, has a cozy, homelike atmosphere. It is sunny and airy inside, and sections or zones in the indoor play area are cordoned off with white picket fencing. In the summer, the outdoor play area has a pool for the dogs to play in.

“They are wet, but they are happy,” says Kummer with a smile.

After being accepted for daycare or boarding at Rover’s, the next step is to introduce the new dog to the group by way of a “greeter” dog. This also avoids the new dog being swarmed all at once, which can be very overwhelming. The new dog family

then plays in an area next to, but separate from, the rest of the dogs until they are accepted into the group.

“It’s like cliques on a playground,” Kummer says. “You have different dogs and different personalities. Not everyone likes everyone.”

She points out a Husky on his first day of daycare that is outside socializing with the other dogs. His tail is up and he is displaying playful behavior—good signs he is acclimating to the new environment. Some dogs are just observers and don’t interact much with the other dogs, such as an English Pointer named Annie.

“She’s a very calm lady, a sweetheart. She just observes— dog-watches—kind of like people-watching. Even though she doesn’t interact, she still gets something out of being with other dogs,” Kummer says.

Daycare and boarding dogs are put into a play zone based on their energy level. At Eddie and Barkus, for instance, dogs are separated into high-energy and low-energy zones. Senior and special needs dogs have their own areas as well.

“Dogs don’t have an off switch to tell you when they are done playing,” adds Vistad, so zones help keep like-minded dogs playing together at a healthy level.

Energy levels aren’t always based on size, Kummer says as she points out a smaller dog, a Shiba Inu, playing with other, much larger dogs.

“This is an example of a little dog that thinks like a big dog,” she says.

Watching over all of this are employees who keep a close eye on socialization and behavior and, when necessary, give dogs time-outs for a minute or two if they are being naughty.

“The girls who watch over the dogs work very hard. The college students have been a big asset to us,” Kummer says.

“You’d be surprised how many similarities there are between child daycare and dog daycare,” she adds.

Starting out young at the daycare (maybe one or two days a week) is a good way to make it easier for a dog to adjust if they might be in daycare or boarding later on, Kummer says.

what they like, whether it is the current food they are eating or a blanket or article of clothing with the owner’s scent on it.

They take all of the cat’s information down and dispense any medications, which is included in the boarding fee. Also included are cuddles.

“Friendly cats get picked up multiple times a day,” Smith says. “Other cats are scared and would rather not be handled, so we respect that and keep our distance.”

Tips for using daycare/boarding: • Visit and ask lots of questions; get a feel for different places.

• Set up a screening/meet and greet and see if it is good fit for your dog.

• Ask about long-term discounts.

• Ask if they offer private walks, which give dogs a change of pace.

• Start your dog off with daycare once or twice a week at a young age, so they are more accustomed to the environment.

• Leave an item of clothing that you’ve worn, or another item with your scent on it, to help them adjust to their new environment.

Pet sitters and dog walkers Pet sitter Anna Burns went to sleep on the couch one night, but when she woke up, she couldn’t turn over—the cats she was caring for had planted themselves all over her upper body, and a dog was asleep on her legs. Her first thought was that she didn’t want to move because it was adorable, but then she was

What about cats?

Cats also have a place at Rover’s Playhouse, Kummer says, and in fact, they board right in her office. Some might bring their cat in for daycare if they are having work done at home and don’t want the cat to get stressed or try to sneak out.

“Cats pretend they don’t need people, but they do. I let them out in my office and they climb all over my desk,” Kummer says. She also takes photos and sends them to their owners for an update. “It’s just a bit of added comfort for the owners,” she says.

Natural Pet Center in Fargo offers boarding exclusively to cats.

“Boarding space varies with cats up for adoption, so when we have space open, we take cats, too,” says Michelle Smith, owner. “We have three cats boarding with us right now. There’s no time limit, and our longest boarding cat has stayed with us for four months. As long as we have the space, we will take them up to the period of time they are looking for.”

Smith says Natural Pet Center will provide what is needed—food, litter, toys, a scratching post, blankets or a bed—but owners are certainly welcome to bring family

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June/July 2012 19

Thank you to all of our readers who sent in pictures of their pets!

Taz

The Carver Family from West Fargo and Arvilla, ND sent in photos of Taz, a twoyear-old Boston Terrier; seven-year-old Zoey, a Calico; and 18-year-old Tuxedo.

Tuxedo

Zoey

The Flugstad Family from Fargo sent in photos of Titus, a Himalayan; and Thea, a Calico. Titus is nine years old and Thea is seven years old.

Titus

Thea

Duke

The Renner Family from Fargo sent in photos of their Collie named Robbie (pictured at one year) and their six-year-old English Spot mix rabbit named Duke.

Robbie 20 June/July 2012

villagefamilymag.org

family

overcome by the urge to sneeze—loudly.

The cats then used her stomach and ribs as launching pads, and both of the dogs of the house began to bark until she was able to calm them down.

It’s this personalized attention that a pet sitter can provide if you’re going on vacation. Many pets will experience less anxiety and stress when kept in their familiar home environment. If you do choose to leave your pets at home and hire a pet sitter or friend to come in and care for them, it’s important that the caregiver is comfortable around your pets.

“One of the dogs I watched is such a sweetheart, but he is very intimidating,” Burns says. “I know that if I hadn’t worked with dogs before that, I would not have felt comfortable being there.”

Lindsay Stordahl offers an alternative to daycare or boarding with her business, Run That Mutt, which offers dog walking, running, and pet sitting in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

“It’s primarily dog walking and running,” Stordahl says. “Usually the owner is at work, so it’s kind of an alternative to dog daycare with a 30- or 60-minute walk. With pet sitting, usually most people have me visit their pets three times a day, and that 30-minute visit could include a walk or hanging out on the couch. Most owners will ask for a morning visit, afternoon, and bedtime.”

Stordahl begins with a meet and greet and a form to fill out to get a complete picture of the pets she’ll be looking after, including things the owner might not always remember to bring up.

“I want to know everything I can— are they afraid of thunderstorms? Are there things that bring out aggression in their dog, like food or toys? That initial meeting helps us talk about those things.

It’s really helpful for the owner to tell you everything they know about their dog,” Stordahl says.

It helps if they explain the dog’s schedule, and then she tries to keep everything as normal as possible.

Stordahl makes sure to keep in touch with pet owners every day, and she posts photos daily on her website www. runthatmutt.com, under the section “your mutt.” If a dog were to get sick on her watch and it wasn’t an emergency, she would consult with the owner about what course to take.

“I can take the dog to the vet if needed, which hasn’t happened. But if there is something minor, like if a dog cuts their paw on the ice, then I tell them

and it usually isn’t a big deal,” she says.

Stordahl is quick to point out that there are benefits to daycare/boarding and pet sitting, and it just depends on your individual dog. Some dogs love to hang out with other dogs, but for others it’s very stressful and they just want to be at home. More aggressive dogs do better at home, and some daycare/ boarding businesses will not allow Pit Bulls for insurance reasons. But Stordahl does not turn any breed away.

“I love taking care of Pit Bulls,” Stordahl adds. “So cute and friendly and wiggly and wagging their tails. So happy to see you even though you just saw them.”

Despite being bitten in the past (but nothing serious), Stordahl says she has

Pros and Cons of Pet Sitting / Boarding

Scan with your smartphone for even more content! never turned away a dog for aggression.

Some dogs are unsure about her, so she relies on patience, dog treats, and a “high, happy voice” to win them over.

Still, some are tough cases to crack.

“There was a 16-year-old Springer Spaniel that was aggressive every time I came over,” she says. “When you’re around dogs a lot, you start to notice their warning signs. Usually they don’t just snap.”

Many of Stordahl’s customers are larger breeds that need more exercise.

One is an Australian Shepherd named Ruby.

“She knows a lot of tricks and is smart, so she’ll get bored if she’s alone for a long time,” Stordahl says.

Because she offers running, Stordahl sees a lot of Labs, Pit Bulls, Border

family

Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Springer Spaniels. She usually runs with them on their leash in the neighborhood, to the park, or on a bike trail.

“I try to judge each dog on a dog-bydog individual basis, but some breeds are going to have more energy typically,” she says.

Stordahl doesn’t mind even the coldest days, as she prefers to run with dogs in the winter.

“In the summer the dogs and I get so hot; I worry about them in the heat more than I do about the cold. As long as we’re moving (in cold weather), the dogs are usually fine. Some have little dog boots that they wear. On those extremely cold days, we might just go for 15 minutes,” she says.

Stopping at several houses a day, Stordahl is bound to bring the scent of other dogs to the next house she is visiting, which brings on an excited curiosity in her customers.

“They run up to me like ‘Where have you been?!’ The smell just makes them more excited than anything.”

Though Run That Mutt typically caters to dogs, Stordahl has cared for an array of different pets, including cats, ferrets, birds, and fish. Usually the owner has dogs, and they ask that she feed their fish, too. One woman had three ferrets, and Stordahl just stopped by to clean their cage every day.

The most unusual request she’s had was to watch one man’s alligators.

“At first I was wondering if it was a joke, but then he kind of went on about the details. I was booked anyway that weekend,” she says.

Would she have taken care of them if she weren’t already booked?

“I don’t think so. I carry pet-sitting insurance, but I don’t know if it would cover alligators.”

Tips for using a pet sitter: • Set up a meet and greet, and see if the sitter is a good fit for your dog.

• Ask questions; ask for references.

• Invite the sitter over before you leave to go over everything and answer any questions they might have. “It’s extremely important to have good communication with your sitter,” says pet sitter Anna Burns. She says that if the animal sticks to their regular routine—the time they eat, go on walks, do their business, etc., they will be less likely to misbehave.

• To avoid any confusion, you may want to jot things down in writing

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June/July 2012 21

if the pet sitter doesn’t require any paperwork, including an emergency number where you can be reached. “However small the issue or detail may seem, the more the sitter knows about the pet, the smoother the experience will go,” Burns says.

• It helps if the owner acts like it’s not a big deal when they leave, says Lindsay Stordahl of Run That Mutt. “If they feel guilty about leaving for a week before they leave, the dog will feel it too, or it gives a reason for the dog to believe something is wrong.”

• Be sure to compensate your pet sitter, friend, or relative fairly.

Ask around for acceptable rates, and consider how often they’ll be visiting your home. If they refuse payment, offer to take them out to dinner.

Whether they worked at a daycare or visited homes to care for pets, it was apparent the people I met all shared a love for animals and a genuine enjoyment of their jobs. They also had a keen sense of how important they are to owners and their pets alike.

“I feel really lucky. There are so many dogs in town. There are dog daycares, kennels, plenty of dogs for all of us,” says Stordahl.

“The dogs are just so happy, and some are so happy they will cry. It’s nice to be that appreciated.”

Heidi Tetzman Roepke is a freelance writer and copy editor/page designer at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. She lives in Fargo with her husband, Dave, and their cat, Sahara.

Check out our exciting classes for one and two year olds!

Bring your toddler and learn, grow and play together with other families.

All families with young children are welcome to attend.

Call or go online for a list of classes.

218-284-3400 https://communityed.moorhead.k12.mn.us A Community Education Program of the Moorhead Area Public Schools

22 June/July 2012

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family

Communication As They Grow: What to Expect From Your Child

P

arents are often tuned in to every stage of speech and language development when their children are small.

As those toddlers and preschoolers move into elementary school, it’s just as important for parents to be aware of the continuing stages they should reach in communication development, says Barb Holter, Sanford Health Speech Language Pathologist. School-age children need to progress in the ways they listen, speak, read and write, although the milestones are a bit subtler at the older ages, she says.

“So much of learning is tied into communication,” says Holter.

“When students are struggling with communication, they struggle to learn.”

When parents are aware of what to expect at different stages of life, they can determine if they need to get additional help for their children, she says. Early assistance is far better than the frustration of finding communication, and then schoolwork, increasingly difficult.

What to expect Each child is different, but here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Most students will be able to complete these skills at the end of each grade level: Kindergarten • Follow one- to two-step directions • Understand age appropriate stories • Be understood by most people • Retell a simple story and answer yes and no questions • Know that text reads left to right and top to bottom • Realize that spoken words are made up of sounds • “Write” a story using pictures • Write own first and last name • Know the difference between upper and lowercase letters First grade • Follow two- to three-step directions • Remember information • Express ideas in complete sentences • Tell a story with events occurring in logical order • Create rhyming words • Match spoken words with print

• Sound out words while reading • Express self in writing • Spell frequently used words correctly Second Grade • Follow three- to four-step directions in a sequence • Answer and ask more complex questions • Use words to inform, persuade and entertain • Start and end a conversation appropriately • Fully understand phonics or letter sounds • Locate information to answer questions • Use a variety of different types of sentences in writing • Use basic punctuation and capitalization • Write with a beginning, middle and end Third Grade • Listen attentively in a group setting • Participate in conversations and group discussions • Stay on topic, use appropriate eye contact, and take turns in conversation • Summarize a story accurately • Predict and justify what will happen next in stories • Use acquired information to learn about new topics • Reread and correct errors when necessary • Plan, organize, revise and edit • Use cursive writing clearly Fourth Grade • Listen and understand information presented by others • Give accurate directions • Summarize and restate ideas • Give an effective oral presentation • Read for a specific purpose • Take brief notes • Use reference materials • Write effective stories and explanations • Organize writing to convey a central idea

This Medical Update was brought to you by Sanford Health.

For more information about speech and language development, visit www.sanfordhealth.org.

Fifth Grade • Listen and draw conclusions based on evidence • Maintain eye contact and use gestures, facial expressions, and appropriate voice during group presentations • Report about information gathered in group activities • Prioritize information • Read a variety of literary forms • Analyze author’s language and style • Use reference materials to support opinions • Vary sentence structure • Revise writing for clarity Holter says parents should look for opportunities to be involved in their children’s language development. That can be as simple as reading and talking together, and having discussions about language, words and writing.

“The more we can do to lay the basis of learning, the better school experience they will have,” Holter says.

Finding help If parents have any concerns about their children’s communication skills, they should talk to their child’s teacher. A child who needs extra help with problems with listening, speaking, reading or writing may be able to get assistance through existing school system programs.

When further help is needed, parents should talk to their child’s doctor.

Holter says that specialists with Sanford Children’s pediatric therapy regularly assess and make individual plans for children with communication difficulties.

“There are so many things we can do,” says Holter. “Every child deserves the chance to reach the milestones they need to learn.”

To learn more about Sanford Children’s pediatric therapy program, call (701) 234-4300.

Calendar of Events

To include an event in our family-friendly calendar, email shendricksen@TheVillageFamily.org.

Deadline for the August/September calendar is July 2, 2012. Due to space restrictions, we are not able to include all submissions.

Although we strive to be as accurate as possible, it is a good idea to call ahead to check times and locations and to see if the event requires registration. Event fees may apply.

JUNE 2012 EVENTS

6.1 Friday • Bank of North Dakota 529 Day at Red River Zoo. Free admission for everyone. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-2779240 or www.redriverzoo.org 6.2 Saturday • Buffalo River Trail Run. 5K and 10K trail runs. 8 a.m., Buffalo River State Park, Glyndon, 218-498-2124 or www. buffalorivertrailrun.com • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com 6.4 Monday • Lil’ Fishermen’s Derby. 5-7:30 p.m., Dike East, 100 2nd St. S., Fargo, 701499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 6.5 Tuesday • Summer Reading Kickoff Party.

Events for grades K-6 every Tuesday.

2 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www. bn.com • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Trollwood Park, 3664 Elm St. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.6 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • RibFest. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fargodome,

24 June/July 2012

1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-2419100 or www.fargoribfest.com • Safety Safari. Free admission during event hours. 3-7 p.m., Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-277-9240 or www.redriverzoo.org • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.7 Thursday • Community Play Day. 9-11 a.m. & 1-3 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www. fargoparks.com • RibFest. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-2419100 or www.fargoribfest.com • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 1220 9th St. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Cruisin’ Broadway. 5-9 p.m., downtown Fargo, www.downtownfargo.com • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.8 Friday • RibFest. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-2419100 or www.fargoribfest.com • FM RedHawks vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.9 Saturday • Share A Story. Kids can meet

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Walkaround Elmo and enjoy storytellers from a variety of cultures. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-241-6900 or www. prairiepublic.org • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Riblet Fest. Outdoor activities for kids.

11 a.m.-2 p.m., Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargoribfest.com • RibFest. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-2419100 or www.fargoribfest.com • Geocaching Wildlife Safari. Learn about geocaching and receive handson training with GPS units. 2-3 p.m., Buffalo River State Park, Glyndon, 218498-2124 • FM RedHawks vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes. 6 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com 6.10 Sunday • FM RedHawks vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes. 1 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • Classical Music Festival. Featuring the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale.

1-6 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www. fargoparks.com 6.11 Monday • Trout Fest. 5:30-8 p.m., North Woodhaven Pond, 4406 44th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www. fargoparks.com • Fargo Rock Concert. 7-9 p.m., Dike West, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-4997788 or www.fargoparks.com • ThinkFun Game Night. Join us for games in the store. 7:30-9 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S., Fargo, 701281-1002 or www.bn.com

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6.12 Tuesday • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Village West Park, 4415 9th Ave. Circle S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www. fargoparks.com • Moorhead RiverArts. Outdoor concert

by Thunder Ridge, inflatable games, carriage rides, vendors, and more.

5:30-8 p.m., Memorial Park, 210 8th St. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5340 or www. cityofmoorhead.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.13 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.14 Thursday • Big Screen Movie Matinee Featuring “Toy Story 3.” Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 1 p.m., Veterans Memorial Arena, 1201 7th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Brunsdale Park, 1702

27th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • 4 Luv of Dog Rescue “Meet the Dogs.” Visit dogs available for adoption.

6-8 p.m., PetSmart, 1630 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-205-0190 or www.4luvofdog.org • Music Montage. 6-8 p.m., Great Northern Park, 425 N. Broadway, Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Days of Wine & Roses. FargoMoorhead Community Theatre’s annual fundraiser with wine tasting and silent/ live auction. 6:30 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701235-6778 or www.fmct.org • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.15 Friday • Teddy Bear Parade. 10:30 a.m., Dike West parking lot, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Midwest Kid Fest. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Island Park, 302 7th St. S., Fargo, 701499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • “Shout!” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or

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www.mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.16 Saturday • American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure. Bike ride with routes for everyone from the avid cyclist to the recreational rider. Invite others to form a team and ride to help stop diabetes. Post-ride party to follow with entertainment and inflatable games.

Call 701-234-0123 or visit www. diabetes.org/tournorthdakota for more information • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com 6.17 Sunday • Father’s Day at the Zoo. Free admission for dads. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-277-9240 or www.redriverzoo.org • Fantastic Father’s Day. Free admission and mini golf for dads. 1-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701232-6102 or www.childrensmuseumyunker.org

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• BMX Jam. 3 p.m., Dike West Skate Park, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-4997788 or www.fargoparks.com 6.18 Monday • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux City Explorers. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 6.19 Tuesday • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux City Explorers. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/ strawhat 6.20 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Wild West Jamboree. Music by Silverado, carriage rides, gunny sack races, petting zoo, and roping demos.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 5:30-7:30

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p.m., Rendezvous Park, 1055 32nd Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www. wfparks.org • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux City Explorers. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/ strawhat 6.21 Thursday • Park It. 1-4 p.m., McCormick Park, 2101 9th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Summer Splash. Free pool admission, inflatable slip-n-slide, diving contest, and open swim. 2-4 p.m., Municipal Pool, 800 19th St. S., Moorhead, 218299-5340 or www.cityofmoorhead.com • Skateboarding Day. 4 p.m., Dike West Skate Park, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

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Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/ strawhat 6.22 Friday • Women’s Leadership Golf Scramble.

Invite friends or be matched with a team of women. For more information, contact Kristi at khuber@unitedwaycassclay.org • Nordic Footprints. Scandinavian Hjemkomst and Midwest Viking Festivals. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5511 or www.hcscconline.org • “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/ strawhat 6.23 Saturday • Nordic Footprints. Scandinavian Hjemkomst and Midwest Viking Festivals. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5511 or www.hcscconline.org • Teddy Bear Adventure Day. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-277-9240 or www. redriverzoo.org

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• Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com 6.25 Monday • Movie Night. Dusk, Island Park, 302 7th St. S., Fargo, 701499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com 6.26 Tuesday • Moorhead RiverArts. Outdoor concert by Penny & Pals, taekwondo demo, carriage rides, and more. 5:30-8 p.m., Memorial Park, 210 8th St. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5340 or www.cityofmoorhead.com • YMCA Chase Race. 1K Youth Run at 6:30 p.m., 1-Mile Run/ Walk at 6:40 p.m., 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run at 7 p.m. Visit www.ymcacassclay.org/chaserace to register • FM RedHawks vs. Lincoln Saltdogs. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Lucky Stiff.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat 6.27 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • FM RedHawks vs. Lincoln Saltdogs. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Lucky Stiff.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Disney’s The Aristocats Kids.” 7:30 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-6778 or www.fmct. org 6.28 Thursday • Gobble It Up For United Way. Stop by any local Hornbacher’s for a $5 lunch with proceeds going to United Way of Cass-Clay.

To volunteer, contact Emmett at eworth@unitedwaycassclay. org. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., local Hornbacher’s locations • FM RedHawks vs. Lincoln Saltdogs. 12:30 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Madison Park, 3010 11th Ave. N., Fargo, 701499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Sun Celebration. Trollwood fundraising picnic and entertainment showcase. 5-10 p.m., Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6500 or www. trollwood.org • 4 Luv of Dog Rescue “Meet the Dogs.” Visit dogs available for adoption. 6-8 p.m., PetSmart, 1630 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-205-0190 or www.4luvofdog.org • “Lucky Stiff.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Disney’s The Aristocats Kids.” 7:30 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-6778 or www.fmct.org 6.29 Friday • FM RedHawks vs. St. Paul Saints. Post-game fireworks. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Lucky Stiff.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m.,

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Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Disney’s The Aristocats Kids.” 7:30 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-6778 or www.fmct.org 6.30 Saturday • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • “Disney’s The Aristocats Kids.” 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-6778 or www.fmct.org • FM RedHawks vs. St. Paul Saints. 6 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www. fmredhawks.com • Red River Valley Speedway Racing. 7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyspeedway. com

JULY 2012 EVENTS

7.1 Sunday • FM RedHawks vs. St. Paul Saints. 1 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www. fmredhawks.com • “Disney’s The Aristocats Kids.” 2 p.m., The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-6778 or www.fmct.org 7.3 Tuesday • Tie-dye Tuesday. T-shirts extra or bring your own. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org

Free admission!

June 12 & 26, July 10 & 31, and August 14 • Outdoor concert • Horse drawn carriage rides • Games and activities for the whole family • Vendors • Food and much more.

218-299-5340 cityofmoorhead.com/parks

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June/July 2012 27

7.4 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Happy Birthday USA. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org 7.5 Thursday • Cruisin’ Broadway. 5-9 p.m., downtown Fargo, www. downtownfargo.com 7.7 Saturday • All About Enrichment. Keeper talks and activities throughout the day. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-277-9240 or www.redriverzoo.org • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Geocaching Wildlife Safari. Learn about geocaching and receive hands-on training with GPS units. 2-3 p.m., Buffalo River State Park, Glyndon, 218-498-2124 • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. Post-game fireworks. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 7.8 Sunday • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 1 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 7.9 Monday • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org

• FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 7.10 Tuesday • Red River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com • Pepsi Appreciation Day. All day, Northside Rec Pool, 801 17th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Tie-dye Tuesday. T-shirts extra or bring your own. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org • Red River Valley Fair Camp. Ages 7-12. Call West Fargo Park District at 701-433-5360 or visit www.wfparks.org to register.

1-5 p.m., RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 1220 9th St. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Moorhead RiverArts. Outdoor concert by Soulsa de Fargo, River Keepers fishing clinic, carriage rides, and more. 5:30-8 p.m., Memorial Park, 210 8th St. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5340 or www.cityofmoorhead.com • FM RedHawks vs. Kansas City T-Bones. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Arsenic & Old Lace.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat 7.11 Wednesday • Red River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Red River Valley Fair Camp. Ages 7-12. Call West Fargo Park District at 701-433-5360 or visit www.wfparks.org to register.

1-5 p.m., RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo • Family Fun Concert. 7-8:30 p.m., Village West Park, 4415 9th Ave. Circle S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • “Arsenic & Old Lace.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat 7.12 Thursday • School Supply Drive. United Way of Cass-Clay’s annual school supply drive begins. For more information and volunteer opportunities, contact Courtney at cjones@unitedwaycassclay. org • Red River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com • Pepsi Appreciation Day. All day, Southwest Rec Pool, 1840 15th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Community Play Day. 9-11 a.m. & 1-3 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Kennedy Park, 4501 42nd St. S., Fargo, 701499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • 4 Luv of Dog Rescue “Meet the Dogs.” Visit dogs available for adoption. 6-8 p.m., PetSmart, 1630 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-205-0190 or www.4luvofdog.org • Music Montage. 6-8 p.m., Great Northern Park, 425 N.

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Broadway, Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Grand Prairie AirHogs. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Arsenic & Old Lace.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-4772271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.13 Friday • Red River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com • FM RedHawks vs. Grand Prairie AirHogs. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Arsenic & Old Lace.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Gaede Stage, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-4772271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat

• “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.14 Saturday •R ed River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com •U SA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Children’s

Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com •S ummer Grind. 3 p.m., Dike West, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www. fargoparks.com •F M RedHawks vs. Grand Prairie AirHogs. 6 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org

7.15 Sunday • Red River Valley Fair. RRV Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www.redrivervalleyfair.com • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Streets Alive! Fitness activities, music, art, health exhibits, and more. Noon-5 p.m., www.fmstreetsalive.org • RedHawks vs. Grand Prairie AirHogs.

1 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com 7.16 Monday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Pepsi Appreciation Day. All day, Madison Pool, 1040 29th St. N., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Waterama. Noon-3 p.m., Madison Pool, 1040 29th St. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-4335360 or www.wfparks.org

Let us help you find your Home, Sweet Home

David L. Wyum, GRI, ABR, CRS Broker Associate George Wyum Real Estate 96 Fifth St. E West Fargo, ND 58078-1918 (701) 282-3473 Work (701) 361-9121 Mobile (701) 282-6895 Fax dwyum@ideaone.net http://wyum-realestate.com

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• Fargo Rock Concert. 7-9 p.m., Dike West, 310 4th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com 7.17 Tuesday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Pepsi Appreciation Day. All day, Island Park Pool, 616 1st Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Tie-dye Tuesday. T-shirts extra or bring your own. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org • Waterama. Noon-3:00 p.m., Island Park Pool, 616 1st Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Centennial Park, 4101 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Presented by Gooseberry Park Players. 7 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers.org • ThinkFun Game Night. Join us for games in the store. 7:30-9 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com 7.18 Wednesday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Hawaiian Beach Blast. Dress in Hawaiian attire and enjoy music by the Front Fenders, carriage rides, inflatable games, and other activities. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 5:30-7:30

Coldwell Banker Commercial First Realty presents

The Fifth Annual

GOLF FOR KIDS’ SAKE benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village Family Service Center

DATE: LOCATION:

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 The Meadows Golf Course Moorhead, Minnesota

10:00 a.m. Registration begins NOON Shotgun Start, Scramble Format 5:00 p.m. Dinner & Prizes For more information, call 701.237.3369 or email bmitzel@fmrealestate.com

30 June/July 2012

p.m., Rendezvous Park, 1055 32nd Ave. W., West Fargo, 701433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • West Fargo Parks Theater Performances. Plays presented by ages 9-11 at 6 p.m., ages 12-18 at 7:30 p.m., Cheney Middle School, 825 17th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Presented by Gooseberry Park Players. 7 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers.org • Family Fun Concert. 7-8:30 p.m., Trollwood Park, 3664 Elm St. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • “Legally Blonde The Musical.” Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.19 Thursday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Pepsi Appreciation Day. All day, Davies Rec Pool, 7150 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Fargo Street Fair. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., downtown Fargo, www. downtownfargo.com • Waterama. Noon-3 p.m., Davies Rec Pool, 7150 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Clara Barton Park, 1451 6th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Watermelon Festival. Fresh watermelon while supplies last, inflatable games, face painting, and balloon sculpting. 2-4 p.m., Gooseberry Park Large Shelter, 100 22nd Ave. S., Moorhead, 218-299-5340 or www.cityofmoorhead.com • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • West Fargo Parks Theater Performances. Plays presented by ages 9-11 at 6 p.m., ages 12-18 at 7:30 p.m., Cheney Middle School, 825 17th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Presented by Gooseberry Park Players. 7 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers.org • “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www. mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.” Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.20 Friday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Fargo Street Fair. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., downtown Fargo, www. downtownfargo.com • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Presented by Gooseberry Park Players. 7 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers.org

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• “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.21 Saturday • USA Wrestling. Fargodome, 1800 N. University Dr., Fargo, 701-241-9100 or www.fargodome.com • Fargo Street Fair. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Fargo, www.downtownfargo. com • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Hjemkomst Voyage 30th Reunion.

Returning crew members from the Hjemkomst Voyage will share their memories with the public. 1-5 p.m., Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5511 or www. hcscc.org • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Presented

by Gooseberry Park Players. 7 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers. org • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org

7.24 Tuesday • Tie-dye Tuesday. T-shirts extra or bring your own. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www. childrensmuseum-yunker.org • Big Screen Movie Matinee Featuring “The Smurfs.” Bring a lawn chair or blanket. 1 p.m., Veterans Memorial Arena, 1201 7th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Unicorn Park, 1603 3rd Ave. N., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux Falls Pheasants. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www. fmredhawks.com • “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.25 Wednesday • Children’s Storytime. 10 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • West Fargo Parks Water Carnival. 2-4 p.m., Veterans Memorial Pool, 131 6th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org • Community Playtown Carnival.

2-7 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www. fargoparks.com • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux Falls Pheasants. 7:02 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave.

N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www. fmredhawks.com • “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.26 Thursday • FM RedHawks vs. Sioux Falls Pheasants. 12:30 p.m., Newman Outdoor Field, 1515 15th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-235-6161 or www. fmredhawks.com • Park It. 1-4 p.m., Bennett Park, 1900 58th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-4335360 or www.wfparks.org • 4 Luv of Dog Rescue “Meet the Dogs.” Visit dogs available for adoption.

6-8 p.m., PetSmart, 1630 13th Ave. E., West Fargo, 701-205-0190 or www.4luvofdog.org • Regional Author Night. Explore new authors in the Fargo-Moorhead area and hear readings from their works.

6:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www. bn.com • “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the

7.22 Sunday • “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Presented

by Gooseberry Park Players. 1 p.m., Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College, Moorhead, 218-2993314 or www.gooseberryparkplayers. org 7.23 Monday • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-4335360 or www.wfparks.org

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June/July 2012 31

Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.27 Friday • Midwest Waterfowl Fest. Scheels parking lot, 1551 45th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • “My Fair Lady.” Presented by Straw Hat Players. 7:30 p.m., Hansen Theatre, MSUM, Moorhead, 218-477-2271 or www.mnstate.edu/strawhat • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.28 Saturday • Midwest Waterfowl Fest. Scheels parking lot, 1551 45th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-6060 or www.fargoparks.com • Children’s Storytime. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 1201 42nd St. S.W., Fargo, 701-281-1002 or www.bn.com • Red River Valley Speedway Racing.

7 p.m., RRV Speedway, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, www. redrivervalleyspeedway.com • “Legally Blonde The Musical.”

Presented by Trollwood Performing

Arts School. 8:30 p.m., IMAGINE Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts, 801 50th Ave. S.W., Moorhead, 218-477-6502 or www.trollwood.org 7.29 Sunday • German Folk Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Rheault Farm, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com 7.30 Monday • Farmers’ Market & Beyond. 4-7 p.m., South Elmwood Park parking lot, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-4335360 or www.wfparks.org • 188th Army Band Performance.

Concert band music and entertainment for the entire family. Bring a lawn chair.

7 p.m., North Elmwood Park, 500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo, 701-433-5360 or www.wfparks.org 7.31 Tuesday • Tie-dye Tuesday. T-shirts extra or bring your own. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www. childrensmuseum-yunker.org • “Camp Rock The Musical.” Presented

by Totally Trollwood. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Fargo North High School Theatre, 801 17th Ave. N., Fargo, 218-477-6502 or

www.trollwood.org • Community Block Party. 5:30-8 p.m., Rabanus Park, 4315 18th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-499-7788 or www. fargoparks.com • Moorhead RiverArts. Outdoor concert

by Fat Daddys, pony rides, carriage rides, vendors, and more. 5:30-8 p.m., Memorial Park, 210 8th St. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5340 or www. cityofmoorhead.com

PUBLIC LIBRARIES Call or visit the library for more information. Pre-registration may be required.

Fargo Public Main Library 102 3rd St. N., Fargo, 701-241-1472 or www.fargolibrary.org • Salute to the Summer Olympics!

Summer reading program opening ceremony. June 4, 2 p.m.

• Race Day. Meet regional race car driver Cody Skytland and listen to some racing stories. June 5, 2 p.m.

• Musical Slumber Party with The Groove Club. Kids can wear their PJ’s and bring a stuffed friend. June 6, 2 p.m.

• Crafts for Teens. Pre-registration

A Super Place For Your Super Child!

Fall Child Care Openings for 3 and 4 year olds

Nokomis Child Care Centers (two locations) have fall openings for three and four year olds.

Nurturing, education, stimulating and safe, Nokomis offers the best of everything for child development and fun.

Call for more information or to set up a tour.

618 23rd St, S, Fargo; 701-232-5635 1620 16th Ave. S., Fargo; 701-232-0426

32 June/July 2012

“I don’t want to take my kids anywhere else!”

—Jennifer, Mother of two Nokomis children

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required. June 7, 14, 21, July 5, 12, 26, 2 p.m.

• Free Friday Movies. Call for titles.

June 8, 15, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 1 p.m.

• A Visit from Red River Zoo. June 13, 11 a.m.

• What’s Up with the Watt’s Towers.

Learn the story of the Watt’s Towers and build a mini tower. Grades K-6. Preregistration required. July 17, 2 p.m.

• Investigating Bigfoot. Get up-to-date on the latest research with members of the Northern Minnesota Bigfoot Research Team. July 18, 2 p.m.

• Kids’ & Teen Talent Show. Area kids and teens will compete in the library’s annual talent show. Pre-registration required. July 18, 6:30 p.m.

Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-476-4040 or www.fargolibrary.org • Crafts for Teens. Pre-registration required. June 5, 12, 19, July 3, 10, 24, 2 p.m.

• Olympic Games Storytime & Craft.

June 6, 11 a.m.

• Free Friday Movies. Call for titles.

June 8, 15, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 1 p.m.

• A Visit from Red River Zoo. June 13, 11 a.m.

• What’s Up with the Watt’s Towers.

Learn the story of the Watt’s Towers and build a mini tower. Grades K-6. Preregistration required. July 16, 11 a.m.

• Teen Movie. Call for titles. June 26 & 28, 2 p.m.

• Wrap Up Party for Teens. Homemade ice cream and all the fixings. Preregistation required. July 31, 2 p.m.

Northport Branch 2714 N. Broadway, Fargo, 701-476-4026 or www.fargolibrary.org • Olympic Games Storytime & Craft.

June 6, 11 a.m.

• Crafts for Teens. Pre-registration required. June 13 & July 25, 2 p.m.

West Fargo Public Library 109 3rd St. E., West Fargo, 701-4335460 or www.westfargolibrary.org • Simply Stories. Lap babies welcome.

Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

• Children’s Storytime. For preschoolers and their caretakers.

Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. & Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

• Disney Movie. Wednesdays, 3 p.m.

• Knitty Giddy. Adult group; bring your

own supplies. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.

• Friday

Morning Movies. For preschoolers and younger children and their caretakers. Daycares welcome; please call ahead with number attending. Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

• Genealogy.

A staff geneaologist will be available for information on how to start your search. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.

• Summer

Reading Program Opening Celebration. June 2, 2-4 p.m.

•R egistration for Summer Reading Program. Reading incentives, crafts, movies, and fun for all ages. June 2-26 • Bike

Maintenance with Keith Schoon. Held in library’s side yard.

June 5, 6:30 p.m.

• Bike

Safety. The first 30 children to bring their bike helmet will receive a free wrist reflector. June 6, 11 a.m.

• Tie-dye T-Shirts. Bring a cotton t-shirt.

Open to all ages. June 11, 1:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

• Crayon

Resist Art. Grades K-5. Preregistration required. June 19, 3:304:30 p.m.

• Watercolor Art. Ages high school to adult. Pre-registration required. June 19, 7-8 p.m.

• Help! I Need Sleep! Program on sleep disorders presented by Sanford Health.

June 21, 7 p.m.

• Make an Aromatherapy Mask. Ages high school to adult. Pre-registration required. June 26, 6:30-8 p.m.

• Create Jewelry from Book Pages.

Grades K-5. July 2, 1:30 p.m.

• Red River Traveling Zoo. Live creatures and presentation on nocturnal animals. July 10, 6:30 p.m.

• Altered Books. Create a secret compartment inside a book. Grade 6 to adult. Pre-registration required. July 23, 6:30 p.m.

• Wildlife of North Dakota. Biologist Doug Leier presents. Open to all ages.

July 24, 3:30 p.m.

• Summer Reading Program Closing Celebration. July 28, 2-4 p.m.

Moorhead Public Library 118 5th St. S., Moorhead, 218-233-7594 or www.larl.org • Saturday Matinees. Call for titles.

Saturdays, 2 p.m.

• Couponing 201: The Drugstore Game. Tips on saving money at the drugstore. June 7, 7 p.m.

• Classics Book Club. June 19 & July 17, 7 p.m.

family

• YELL in the Library. A cool new club with games, snacks, and activities for ages 13 and up. June 21 & July 19, 7 p.m.

• Ogg Creek String Band. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor concert. In case of rain, show will be moved inside.

July 12, 7 p.m.

Summer Reading Program Youth Events: • Okee Dokee Brothers Concert. June 4, 7 p.m.

• Professor Marvel’s Dream Machines.

A fun-filled magic show. June 5, 7 p.m.

• Chemistry for Kids with the MSUM Chemistry Department. June 6, 2 p.m.

• Schiffelly Puppets Present: The Little Mermaid. A humorous, fun-filled show for the entire family. June 26, 10 a.m.

• Bug Man with NDSU Entomologist Don Carey. June 13, 2 p.m.

• Dream Catchers. June 20, 2 p.m.

• Owls with the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge. June 27, 2 p.m.

• Red River Zoo’s ZooMobile. July 11, 2 p.m.

• John Peterson Folk Music. July 18, 2 p.m.

• Planetarium Show: The Little Star That Could. Call the library in advance for reservations, then meet us at the MSUM Planetarium. July 25, 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.

Summer Reading Program Teen Events: • Mario Kart Tournament. June 14, 2 p.m.

• Hemp Jewelry Workshop. June 28, 2 p.m.

• Midnight Snacks for Teens. July 12, 2 p.m.

• Stories Around the Campfire. Bring a story to share with the group. July 26, 2 p.m.

• Henna Tattoos. July 30, 6:30 p.m.

CLASSES Call for information. Pre-registration may be required.

The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-6102 or www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org • Kidcology Week • O.I.N.K.S.: Outside Inside Neat Kids Stuff • Yunkie Summer Science Camp

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June/July 2012 33

Early Childhood Family Education Probstfield Center for Education, 2410 14th St. S, Moorhead, 218-284-3400 or https://communityed.moorhead.k12. mn.us • Bugs & Butterflies (Birth-kindergarten entry) • Colors, Shapes & Patterns (Birthkindergarten entry) • Nursery Rhyme Time (Birthkindergarten entry) • Ones & Twos (12-36 mos) • Teddy Bear Picnic (Birth-kindergarten entry) Essentia Health OB Education 3000 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-364-8100 or www.essentiahealth.org • Basic Training for New Dads • Birthing Center Tour • Car Seat Safety • Developing the Art of Breastfeeding • Great Expectations • Infant Massage • Lamaze • Mom’s Helpers • Tender Transitions F/M Communiversity 218-299-3438 or www.fmcommuniversity.org Fargo Park District 701-499-7788 or www.fargoparks.com • Accelerated Artists • Artmania • Arts Sampler • BMX Clinic • Father’s Day Fun • Fencing • Kayaking 101 • Me-n-My Shadow • Penny & Pals Workshop • Skateboarding Clinic • Teen Art FirstLink 701-293-6462 or www.myfirstlink.org • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Fraser, Ltd. 2902 University Dr. S., Fargo, 701-2323301 or www.fraserltd.org • Adult CPR/First Aid • Pediatric CPR/First Aid Gasper’s School of Dance & Performing Arts 524 7th St. N., Fargo, 701-234-9440 or www.gaspersschoolofdance.com • Summer Dance Intensive

34 June/July 2012

Healing Arts Chiropractic 3240 15th St. S., Fargo, 701-451-9070 or info@healingartschiropractic.com • How to Stay Young the First 100 Years The Home Depot 4700 17th Ave. S.W., Fargo, 701-2822078 • Kids Workshop Hospice of the Red River Valley 1701 38th St. S., Fargo, 701-356-1500 or www.hrrv.org • Public Webinar Series. Visit www.hrrv. org/webinars/ for details Lowes 5001 13th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-433-2160 • Build & Grow Clinics Moorhead Community Education 218-284-3400 or https://communityed. moorhead.k12.us Plains Art Museum 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-3821 or www.plainsart.org • Art Experiences Parenting Resource Center 701-241-5700 or www.ag.ndsu.edu/ casscountyextension/home-and-family.

Visit website for classes offered Red River Zoo 4255 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, 701-277-9240 or www.redriverzoo.org • Critter Camp • ZOOniversity Sanford Health Community Education 1711 S. University Dr., Fargo, 701234-5570, 877-234-4240 or www. sanfordhealth.org • Baby Signs • Better Choices, Better Health Workshop • Breastfeeding Beginnings • Caring for Your Newborn • Car Seat 101 • Family & Friends – CPR • Heartsaver CPR for Day Care Providers • Infant Massage • Lamaze • Our Family is Having a Baby!

• Weight Loss Management Informational Seminar (701-234-4111) • Your Labor Experience – What to Expect U of M Regional Extension 218-236-2005 • Parents Forever

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The Village Financial Resource Center 1201 25th St. S., Fargo, 701-235-3328 or www.HelpWithMoney.org • Bankruptcy Education • Homebuyer Education • Tenant Education

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS Call for additional information.

Concordia College Cyrus M. Running Gallery 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, 218-299-4623 Fargo Air Museum 1609 19th Ave. N., Fargo, 701-293-8043 or www.fargoairmuseum.org Gallery 4, Ltd. 114 Broadway, Fargo, 701-237-6867 or www.gallery4fargo.com Historical & Cultural Society of Clvay County Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, 218-299-5511 or www. hcscconline.org • The Boom: 1945-1960 in Clay County • The BIG Art Show presented by Fargo-Moorhead Visual Artists. Ends June 4 • Seeds of Victory! Ends June 18 • Red River Watercolor Society National Juried Show. Begins June 19 • Hjemkomst Voyage Exhibit. Begins July 21 MSUM Art Gallery Roland Dille Center for the Arts, MSUM, 1104 7th Ave. S., Moorhead, 218-4772284 or www.mnstate.edu/art/Gallery. shtml MSUM Planetarium Bridges Hall, MSUM, Moorhead, 218477-2920 Plains Art Museum 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo, 701-232-3821 or www.plainsart.org • Jon Offutt: Dakota Horizons • The Return of Sodbuster: Luis Jimenez in Fargo. Begins June 2 • Marjorie Schlossman: A Symphony of Color. Begins June 7 The Rourke Art Gallery & Museum Museum: 521 Main Ave., Moorhead, Gallery: 523 S. 4th St., Moorhead, 218236-8861 or www.therourke.org The Spirit Room Art Gallery 111 Broadway, Fargo, 701-237-0230 or www.spiritroom.net

family

PLANNED GIVING

Senior Director, Housing Assisted Living Bethany Retirement Living

Development Officer The Village Family Service Center

Joyce Linnerud Fowler

all the living options available for seniors, how will I know when my family member is ready for Q:With Assisted Living?

A:

Assisted Living is a great option for seniors for many different reasons. What many people may not realize is that Assisted Living can be a terrific choice for a senior who simply wants to benefit from the amenities a provider offers. Many seniors who choose Assisted Living remain very independent.

The notion of taking advantage of prepared meals, cleaning services and social events is appealing. Add to that the availability of personal care and nursing services, and Assisted Living is an option that provides a great peace of mind for the senior––and their family as well!

The best way to find out of you or your family member is ready for Assisted Living is to check out a few providers. Make some calls, set up tours and see what you think.

Bethany Retirement Living

Janet Zinke

I review my estate, I’m thinking I might not Q:Asneed as much life insurance as I have. My family is already cared for in my estate, so does it make

sense to cash out the policy and give the cash to charity?

Cashing out your policy and giving the cash to charity is certainly an option, but keep in mind that this may result in surrender fees. You can have the same current deduction on your taxes by transferring the policy to the charity of your choice. If the policy has cash loan value, the charity can draw this out and use it to do the good work you want to support.

Upon your death, the charity then receives the full balance of the policy proceeds. This policy would no longer be included in your estate for tax purposes. I’m glad to hear you’ve done careful estate planning. For those who aren’t as prepared, I highly recommend talking to a financial advisor to determine which of your assets would be the best charitable gifting option. Generally, the assets with the highest tax implications for your heirs are best for charitable gift planning. As always, check with your financial advisor to determine what is best in your situation.

A:

The Village Family Service Center 1201 25th Street S., Fargo, ND 1-701-451-5036

201 University Dr. S, Fargo • 701-239-3000 4255 30 Ave S, Fargo • 701-478-8900 www.bethanynd.org

www.TheVillageFamily.org

Mentoring Susan Smith

Program Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village Family Service Center

Q:

Your photo here

Your Area of Expertise Your name here Your job title here

I hear a lot about mentoring, but can it really make a difference to a child?

A:

National research has shown that positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentors have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. Local outcomes show similar impact, including increased self-confidence, ability to make better decisions, improved academics and relationships, and ability to avoid delinquency.

As one of our Little Brothers entered college this year, he stated, “I never thought that a program like this could do so much for me. I thank you for this program because now I walk away with life lessons that I will need, and surely a friend for life.”

Mentoring not only makes a difference to the child, but can also benefit the adult mentor. Studies have also discussed benefits to mentors, including improved health and selfesteem. For more information on how to enroll your child, or to volunteer, call 701-451-4877.

The Ask the Expert section in The Village Family Magazine identifies YOU as “The Expert” in your field. The ad promotes you as the “go-to person” when there’s a question or problem in your field of expertise, and promotes your business as the place to get the answers, products, and services our readers need.

Q: Present a problem or question from your clients here.

A: Answer with your expert advice here. Let your

Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village Family Service Center 701-451-4877

www.TheVillageFamily.org www.BBBSFargo.org

35 June/July 2012

Ask The Expert

answer show potential clients how professional and knowledgeable you really are, or how your product or service will help them.

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SENIOR LIVING

YOUR FAMILY z parenting

By Sean Brotherson

There is nothing more inherently normal than a teenager’s desire to push the boundaries and take risks.

H

uman beings live with risk and its consequences every day. We face the risk of a car accident when we ride in a car. We encounter the risk of choking when we chew our food. We understand the risk associated with swimming and that it is possible to drown. However, generally we do not suggest that a person should completely avoid riding in a car, eating food, or swimming in water. We expect people to understand the risks associated with particular choices, and then to exercise caution to minimize risks while still engaging in such activities.

36 June/July 2012

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What about the risks associated with drinking alcohol? Does drinking alcohol fit in the same category of activities that involve some risk but simply require caution? Or is alcohol an exception that requires a much more serious level of caution and, perhaps, even avoidance?

Let’s talk about parents, teens, and the issue of alcohol.

Teens and Alcohol Use One of the first and perhaps most important things parents and other adults need to remember is that alcohol is a drug. Although it is legal for those over the age of 21 to consume alcohol, that does not change the fact it is a powerful, mind-altering drug. In a national report on alcohol consumption by minors, the Surgeon General noted that alcohol is “the drug of choice for teens in America.”

Organizations such as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) constantly gather data regarding typical patterns associated with teens and alcohol use.

The facts concerning teens and alcohol are quite striking.

Children under the age of 15 who drink to the point of intoxication are five to six times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later on in life and are four times more likely to become alcoholics.

Teenagers who drink with an adult supervising them are actually more likely to have experienced harmful consequences from drinking than those who drank without adult supervision. A national study found 36 percent of teens who were supervised by adults while drinking had harmful consequences compared to 21 percent of teens who drank unsupervised.

The gap is wide between how parents perceive their teens’ drinking habits and the amount of alcohol use teens actually report. A national survey found that 31 percent of parents of 15 to 16 year olds said their teen probably or definitely consumed alcohol in the past year, while 60 percent of teens in this age group reported taking a drink in the past year.

(For additional statistics, see infographic on page 38.)

Teen Brains on Alcohol It has long been known that alcohol consumption has a “mind-altering”

effect causing people to exercise bad judgment, make poor decisions, have memory lapses, and engage in riskier behavior. Until recently, we did not know the magnitude of alcohol’s effect on the teen brain.

The massive wave of information on brain science over the last two decades shows that the human brain is still developing well into adulthood. The adolescent brain is still maturing, and key areas which affect and guide mental processing, decision making, memory, and attention skills all continue to develop beyond the age of 25.

What are the effects of alcohol on the brains of teenagers? Dr. Susan Tapert, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Diego, published a study in 2010 that compared the brain scans of teens who drank significantly versus teens who did not drink. The teens were also tested on a variety of mental performance tests involving memory, attention, and other skills. The brain scans showed that teenagers who developed significant drinking patterns had negative changes in their brain’s frontal cortex, hippocampus, and white matter, which illustrated diminished brain functioning and high sensitivity to the toxic effects of alcohol. Brain researchers believe that alcohol has a particularly toxic effect on the brain cells of adolescents. Teens who were drinking 12 or more drinks a month (which occurs in just two or three episodes of binge drinking) showed decreases in cognitive functions, executive brain functions (such as decision making), memory, attention, and spatial skills.

You may remember the public service campaign on drug awareness that showed an egg frying in a pan and ended with the catch-line: “This is your brain on drugs.” New brain research indicates that this is more than just a clever campaign—alcohol often has an enormously negative impact on a teenager’s developing brain. While each person varies, the researchers concluded that for some teens there may be no safe level of alcohol use.

Parents LEAD, High Risk High, and Other Resources The news regarding parents, teens, and alcohol is not all bad. A number of community initiatives to challenge underage drinking are making a difference.

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Sharon Query, assistant professor and 4-H youth development specialist at North Dakota State University, is providing leadership on the topic of teens and alcohol use through involvement with the Parents LEAD project. She explains, “Parents LEAD (Listen, Educate, Ask, Discuss) is a North Dakota-specific underage drinking prevention program designed to provide resources and information to parents so they engage in age-appropriate, ongoing discussion with their children to prevent underage drinking.”

The project began in 2005 with the North Dakota Department of Transportation and was redesigned in 2011 through a new partnership of four state agencies. Using the website www. parentslead.org to provide resources, Query notes, “Parents LEAD provides comprehensive, research-based, and ageappropriate information, tips, tools, and resources to parents on how to talk to their children about alcohol. The Parents LEAD program includes methods of communication beginning with toddlers through the college/young adult years, so families with children of all ages can prepare for educated, targeted conversations on the topic of underage drinking.”

Another targeted resource emerging from the University of Minnesota is the Alcohol Use and Young People website (www.extension.umn.edu/ family/families-with-teens/alcohol-useand-young-people.html). Jodi Dworkin, associate professor and extension family specialist at the University of Minnesota, guided the development of the website and resources. She notes, “The resources are intended to help parents of college students and soon-to-be college students better understand alcohol use among young people and what they can do to help.”

Prairie Public, with support from a variety of funding partners such as the Otto Bremer Foundation and the North Dakota Department of Human Services, has launched a multi-media initiative on alcohol and substance abuse prevention called “High Risk High.” This innovative and powerful project includes a professional development tutorial and story archives targeted at middle school, high school, college, and parent populations. The highlighted stories and resources address alcohol-related Continued on page 39

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June/July 2012 37

Typical Patterns Associated with Teens and Alcohol Use

These facts suggest that teen experimentation with alcohol is not unusual and that it tends to become more common and more intense as teens approach their young adult years.

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Continued from page 37 concerns from multiple perspectives.

The ongoing project has moved youth drinking issues to a higher profile in the region. The High Risk High project resources can be easily accessed online at www.highriskhigh.org.

Talking to Kids About Alcohol There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to handling concerns with teens and alcohol. A few key guidelines emerge from the resources on this topic: Set clear expectations and rules regarding alcohol use, and give clear consequences to teenagers. Research shows parental rules have the strongest effect on teen drinking behavior.

Complete disapproval of teen drinking by parents is the most effective at limiting consumption of alcohol. If a teen breaks family rules or engages in inappropriate behavior, follow up with clear and immediate consequences.

Teens also take more responsibility in following rules about drinking if they have the opportunity to discuss and formulate the rules and consequences in a family discussion.

Listen and communicate often so you know what is going on in your teenager’s life and understand their concerns. Listen first. Ask questions of your teenager until you get more than a “yes” or “no” answer. Listening and talking with your teens will make them feel more important and valued, which promotes positive behavior choices.

Know your teen’s surroundings and carefully monitor who they are with, where they are, and what they are doing. Stay connected with your teen’s friends and teachers, as well as the parents of friends. Knowing your teen’s friends allows you to know what your teen is doing. Parental monitoring of a teen’s behavior is strongly protective in reducing alcohol use, and the positive effects continue into the young adult years.

Ask the difficult questions of your teens about alcohol, drugs, and related issues. Addressing difficult questions with your teens will let them know they can talk with you about anything, and it shows you care about them. Talking with your teen about difficult things can also prevent some challenging behaviors.

It allows you to share your values and teach teens about behaviors that can be problematic. Don’t allow your teen to think your silence on the subject of alcohol is ignorance, lack of concern, or even permission to drink.

Ask for help or advice from other parents, friends, or community professionals on how to handle challenging behaviors. At times, it may be appropriate to have another caring adult, one who is close to your teen, talk with him or her about their behavior.

Also, you may need to ask for additional help and guidance from competent and qualified professionals. If you have alcohol use concerns about your teen, early intervention is better than waiting and hoping things will get better.

Sean Brotherson is an associate professor of child development and family science at North Dakota State University.

He lives in Fargo with his wife, Kristen, and their seven children. He enjoys reading, writing, horses, fishing, and serving in his faith community.

Encouraging Teen Safety Alcohol has earned its reputation as “the most dangerous drug.” The potential consequences of alcohol use among teens include impairment of brain functions, accidents, injury, legal concerns, school difficulties, associated risk behaviors (other drugs, sexual activity), addiction, and even death.

While it is normal for youth to seek independence and take risks, this tendency must be balanced by parents with an emphasis on continued growth in maturity and personal safety.

Almost every day, while driving to or from work, I hear a public service announcement that discourages teen drinking and emphasizes that “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” In other words, what we perceive as a “little” problem (being buzzed) can quickly turn into a “big” problem (a drunk driving accident). Teaching consequences and emphasizing appropriate guidelines can help youth consider their choices carefully and avoid the problems of the “high-risk high” that alcohol use too often represents.

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June/July 2012 39

Mid-Year Financial Checkup Believe it or not, 2012 is half over. That means it’s time for a mid-year financial checkup. Tax preparer Mike Johnson, EA ATP, owner of Money Matters (MN & ND), says a mid-year financial review is critical for families to reach their financial goals. “Most families spend more time planning a summer vacation than they do planning their finances,” says Johnson. He, along with financial counselors at The Village Financial Resource Center, suggests that consumers review the following areas and take action where necessary: • Are you financially organized? It was likely just a couple of months ago you gathered all your documents to prepare your 2011 taxes. Was everything in order? Did you spend way too much time searching for receipts and other documentation to put together your return? Creating a system now to organize your finances not only makes tax preparation easier, it will keep you from overlooking bills and paying late, which results in late fees being added to your balance, negative marks on your credit report, and a lowered credit score.

• Is your savings account growing? Dedicate yourself to adding a set amount to savings on a regular basis. Perhaps your savings account doesn’t exist at all. The absence of a savings account, or a poorly funded one, puts you and your family on a very slippery financial slope. The people who have the hardest time saving are often the ones who most need a safety net in case of an unplanned expense or emergency.

40 June/July 2012

• Are you maximizing the potential interest on your savings? Many banks and credit unions now offer savings products with interest that is higher when compared to standard rates for savings accounts. Review Internet sites such as www.checkingfinder.com or www.bankrate.com to compare the rates and terms. You usually have to meet some minimum requirements, but the interest rate often makes jumping through these hoops very doable. Always verify that the financial institution where you deposit your money is FDIC or NCUA insured.

• Are you tracking your spending? People work hard for their money, but many spend it with abandon. Even if you feel as though you have control of your spending, you won’t know for sure until you track it for at least 30 days. Write down every cent you spend, and then put your spending into categories. At this point, you can create a budget and make conscious decisions regarding how you want to spend money

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YOUR FAMILY z money

moving forward. Johnson, who is a 2010 graduate of Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership Master Series, stresses how important a monthly budget is for families. “It is critical that couples work on their budget together, because poor management of finances is the number one reason for divorce,” says Johnson. “There is case after case where couples started to work on their finances together and it saved their marriage.”

• Have you ordered a copy of your credit report? Your credit report is basically your credit reputation. It is a reflection of who you’ve borrowed from in the past and how you’ve repaid them. It is the basis of your allimportant credit score. Federal law allows consumers to receive a free credit report each year from all three of the credit bureaus (Transunion, Experian, and Equifax) simply by going to www.annualcreditreport.com. What are you waiting for?

• Have you updated your W-4? You don’t want to underpay or overpay Uncle Sam, yet last year millions of people overpaid by thousands of dollars. To determine the proper number of withholding allowances, go to www.irs.gov and type the words “withholding calculator” in the search box.

It will provide you with a simple worksheet. Answer a few questions and you’ll have the correct number of allowances family

to withhold. You are allowed to adjust your W-4 at any time during the year. According to Johnson, adjusting your W-4 may be warranted if you have multiple employers, a loss of employment, new children, children reaching age 17 (the $1,000 child credit goes away), children attending college, small business or other income such as medical studies, or just a desire to plan your tax refund amount. Others who should consider updating their W-4’s are “folks who are entering or who are in retirement and want to make sure they have enough taxes taken out of their pensions to pay their taxes,” says Johnson.

• Are you prepared for 2012 holiday expenses? Remember the old Christmas Club or Holiday Accounts where everyone methodically deposited money throughout the year and then drew it out during December to pay cash for their purchases? That idea is one we should take out of the moth balls, dust off, and put into practice. Now is the time to establish your own personal Holiday Account. Open the account with $100 right now. Involve the entire family in finding an extra $20 per week to put into it, start making your gift list, and you’ll have a happy, less harried holiday season.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general and is not intended to be tax or legal advice.

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YOUR FAMILY z consumer

Mastering the Auto Insurance Maze

By Jessica Ballou

A

uto insurance: it’s something we all need but not something we all understand.

Separating fact from fiction and making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing auto insurance isn’t easy—and it doesn’t help that we are barraged by gimmicky insurance company advertisements.

For Progressive, there is Flo, the spunky brunette who loves tacos and giving people discounts. For Allstate, there’s Mayhem, the mischievous guy who loves causing trouble. For State Farm, an agent appears out of thin air whenever someone sings the jingle “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”

And, for years, Geico ads have starred the gecko with an accent and love for fast service.

So how can you tell the difference between just a cool commercial and a legitimate company offering competitive rates?

42 June/July 2012

Whether you just bought a car and are looking for insurance for the first time, or you already have insurance and want to make sure you are getting a good product for a good price, the following questions and answers will be helpful to review when you start shopping for auto insurance.

How are auto insurance premiums determined?

Auto insurance premiums, the amount you pay your insurance company each month, vary considerably depending on risk, coverages, and vehicle type. Generally, premiums are based on the amounts and types of coverage you buy, your driving record, age, gender, marital status, where you live, how you use your car, your credit history, and your claims history.

Insurance premiums are also calculated using driving, accident, and insurance claim statistics. These statistics show drivers under 25, males, and single people are generally involved in more accidents, so they have higher premiums.

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What does my credit score have to do with my auto insurance premiums?

Adam Hamm, North Dakota’s Insurance Commissioner, said most people are surprised to find that their credit score has anything to do with the rating of auto insurance. But credit scores are used to calculate premiums for good reason.

“Credit-based insurance scores can be effective predictors of the number of claims consumers file and the total cost of those claims,” says Hamm.

How much coverage do I need?

Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are mandatory by law. The amount of required coverage varies by state—North Dakota and Minnesota minimum requirements and definitions are listed in the table below.

According to Consumer Reports and other auto insurance experts, the amount required by law is not always sufficient to cover your liability and property damage needs in the event of an accident.

Eric Duhigg, financial representative at Country Financial in Fargo, says what people who carry only the state required minimums don’t realize is, “If the medical bills exceed those limits, then the insured will have to pay the rest out of pocket.

Having good liability limits generally only costs a few extra dollars per month and can prevent being stuck with thousands out of pocket in an accident.”

Coverage recommendations from Consumer Reports are also included in the table below.

Mandatory Auto Insurance Coverages (North Dakota and Minnesota) Type of Coverage

North Dakota

Minnesota

Definition

Recommended by Consumer Reports

Bodily Injury Liability

$25,000/person $50,000/accident

$30,000 for injuries to one person $60,000 for injuries to two or more people

Bodily injury liability provides coverage for claims brought against you for bodily injury caused to another person through the operation of your vehicle.

$100,000/person $300,000/accident

Property Damage Liability

$25,000/accident

$10,000

Property damage liability provides coverage for claims brought against you for damage caused to someone else’s property through the operation of your vehicle. Also covers damage to a car you rent for personal use on a short-term basis.

$100,000 (Unless you have sizable assets—in which case they suggest you consider increasing those limits to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident)

Uninsured Motorist

$25,000/person $50,000/accident

$25,000 for injuries to one person $50,000 for injuries to two or more people

Uninsured motorist provides you coverage Same as bodily injury liability for a bodily injury claim you would have against another driver who does not have insurance. This coverage does not pay for physical damage to your vehicle.

Underinsured Motorist

Equal to uninsured motorist coverage

$25,000 for injuries to one person $50,000 for injuries to two or more people

Underinsured motorist provides coverage for a bodily injury claim you would have against another driver whose liability coverage is less than your underinsured coverage.

Same as bodily injury liability

Personal Injury Protection (also called “No Fault”)

$30,000/person

$40,000/person/accident

Personal injury protection (PIP) provides coverage for economic loss (such as medical expenses and work loss) as a result of an accidental injury in your auto without regard to fault.

State-required minimums are sufficient if you have separate health and disability policies

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June/July 2012 43

A good rule of thumb is to carry collision and comprehensive if you wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car.

How do I determine when I should carry collision and comprehensive coverage on my vehicle?

Collision and comprehensive insurance are optional, unless you have a loan against the car and your lender requires it. Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle when you are involved in an accident with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive insurance covers a loss that results from something other than a collision with another vehicle or object, like fire, lightning, hail, and theft.

A good rule of thumb is to carry collision and comprehensive if you wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car. Because the higher the deductible the lower the premium, Consumer Reports suggests you choose the highest deductible you can afford to pay out of pocket.

Proof Stamp

Date: ____

OK__ Changes__

What information do I need to know to get insurance quotes?

The first step is to decide on the policy limits you need and want so you are comparing like coverages. In addition, to get accurate and comparable quotes you will need to provide basic information about the car and about the drivers in your household. Consumer Reports recommends providing the following: 1. Information about the car: the make, model, year, trim line, and vehicle identification number of the car(s) you intend to insure.

2. Information about the drivers in your household: the age, sex, and recent driving record of all potential drivers.

Keep in mind that quotes are just estimates, and they can change once the insurance company gathers information about the drivers in your household and sorts out the final details.

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How often should I compare rates?

Consumer Reports recommends comparing auto insurance prices every year—although that doesn’t mean you should necessarily switch insurance companies.

Eric Duhigg, financial representative at Country Financial in Fargo, says good coverage is more important than saving some money. He suggests you shop around for a new insurance company only if you are unhappy with your current policy and/or service, as sometimes consumers get benefits for staying with a company for a long period of time.

“I think once you find a good company with a good agent, you should stay with them, except in a situation where they are no longer taking care of your needs,” he added.

Jim Huesman, an insurance agent with Strand and Marcy Insurance in Comstock, Minn., said it is especially important to shop around if there are significant changes in your situation, such as young drivers starting out or buying a different vehicle.

If you decide to switch companies, Jessica Magness, an agent with Warner and Company of Fargo, says, “Never cancel what you currently have before the process is complete and you’re completely satisfied; that way you’re not stuck.” villagefamilymag.org villagefamilymag.org

Should I use an agent or shop online?

When it comes to deciding between using a local insurance company or an online insurance company, opinions vary.

“There are a lot of companies that advertise on TV about saving money and buying it over the Internet,” Huesman says. “Those ads are cool and they look good, but I think that people are really missing out if they don’t go through an agent. An agent is going to help them make decisions, and they’re also going to be there when they actually have a claim. You can buy a lot of stuff on the Internet, but insurance is probably one you don’t want to.”

Other experts believe it comes down to personal preference.

“Choosing an insurance company with a local agent allows you to meet with that agent face to face,” Hamm said. “You can get to know them and ask questions, and you may prefer the more personalized service they can offer.

However, if having face-to-face contact with an agent isn’t a priority for you, buying insurance online may meet your needs.”

How can I save money on auto insurance without compromising quality?

Consumer Reports provides the following tips for saving money on auto insurance: • Check rates before you buy a car, as premiums may differ greatly from one car to another.

• Look for equipment discounts, such as for air bags, antilock brakes, and anti-theft equipment.

• Ask your insurer if they offer a multiple-policy price break if you purchase auto, home, and personal liability coverage from the same place.

• Check your state to see if taking a certified defensive driving course will reduce your rates.

• If you have children who drive and they get good grades, take advantage of the good grades discount.

• Ask your insurer if any groups to which you belong qualify for discounts.

Jessica Ballou, from Mapleton, N.D., graduated from Concordia College in May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. family family

YOUR FAMILY z food & fun

Patriotic Wreath Paper plate Red, white, and blue cardstock or construction paper Glue Yarn

Draw (freehand or using stencils) several stars in a variety of sizes on red, white, and blue paper and cut out. Cut the center out of a paper plate, leaving a one- to two-inch ring. Start with the largest stars and glue them to the paper plate ring. Add more stars, alternating colors and sizes to cover the plate.

Glue a loop of yarn to the back for hanging.

Wraparound Squirrel & Bird Feeder Bendable wire Whole peanuts Dried or fresh fruit pieces (apples, cranberries, etc.)

Begin with a piece of wire at least two feet in length. Wrap one end of the wire around a pencil a few times to prevent food from sliding off. Poke wire through peanuts and fruit pieces, pushing all the way down to the end of the wire. When the wire is full, bend the other end to keep food in place. Wrap the wire tightly around a low tree branch, and watch for squirrels and birds to enjoy their treats! (Idea courtesy of Daryl Hendricksen)

Caramel Crunch Mix 8 cups Corn Chex® cereal 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup butter ¼ cup corn syrup ¼ teaspoon baking soda 2 ⁄3 cup candy-coated chocolate candies 2 ⁄3 cup raisins Pour cereal into a large microwavable bowl. Put brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup into a two-cup or larger glass measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on high for one minute. Stir, then microwave for about another minute until completely melted. Stir well, until smooth, and add baking soda until dissolved. Pour the sugar mixture over the cereal, stirring to completely coat. Microwave the mixture on high for about five minutes, stopping and stirring the cereal after every minute. Allow the mixture to cool for eight minutes. Stir in the raisins and candy. Spread on waxed paper to cool. family

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June/July 2012 45

YOUR FAMILY z words & wisdom

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. —Thich Nhat Hanh

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves.

We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. —Marie Curie

A ’Yes’ Face During Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to take him across. The president agreed without hesitation, the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where somebody asked him: “Why did you select the President to ask this favor?” The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. “All I know,” he said, “is that on some of your faces was written the answer ‘No’ and on some of them was the answer ‘Yes.’ His was a ‘Yes’ face.”

—Charles Swindoll

Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.

—Julia Child

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.

—John Lubbock

Start your child’s day with love and encouragement and end the day the same way.

—Zig Ziglar 46 June/July 2012

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Free Will Kit Regardless of your life circumstances or estate size, your will is perhaps the most important document you will create. It expresses your values and also effectively provides for the people and charitable causes important to you.

To learn how to create a will that ensures your wishes are carried out, contact The Village Family Service Center for a FREE Will Kit. Complete and return the form below, or call Jenny at 701-451-4957. Your FREE Will Kit will include:

“How to Make a Will that Works” brochure “Will and Estate Planning Basics” booklet “Personal Affairs Record” organizer Seven Important Reasons You Need a Will 1. Without a will, your state’s laws—not you— determine how, when, and to whom your property is distributed.

2. You can designate the guardian for dependents under your care.

3. You can name your executor to manage and settle your estate.

4. You can designate beneficiaries for items such as heirlooms, art, jewelry, or real estate.

5. You may create trusts to provide for your spouse, children, and others.

6. You can support your favorite charities.

7. You can reduce (or maybe even eliminate) estate taxes and save taxes in a survivor’s estate if you make use of the estate tax exemptions.

Complete and mail to: The Village Family Service Center, P.O. Box 9859, Fargo, ND 58106 

Please send me a Free Will Kit.



I have a question. Please contact me by phone ____________________ or email _________________________.

Name___________________ Telephone_________________ Email__________________ Address____________________ City_________________ State_____________ Zip ________

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Sanford Children’s Hospital

K

ids pull you in a lot of directions. At Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, the direction to healing comes with play, discovery and a team of trusted partners.

For a child, it’s a place full of color, fun and stories.

For our staff and board-certified physicians, it’s a place for compassion, research and possibility.

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As the only children’s hospital in North Dakota, we bring trusted care near rather than far. So kids get better fast.

And so families get back to what matters most — life.

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