NATIONAL COUPON MONTH: STRETCHING THOSE PRECIOUS PENNIES
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vision Doctors 36 Years of protecting and enhancing vision for the young and old
A CLOSER LOOK... The city of Derby: A good place to grow
Inside: Going Green guide For everyday People
The happier the heart the wider the smile. A happy heart is a critical part of a solid foundation for success. That, in combination with an active mind and a healthy body is what we like to call the Primrose difference. With our proven, accredited curriculum and commitment to personal growth, it’s no wonder we’ve been inspiring children and parents alike for over 25 years. To learn more about our educational child care for infants through private pre-kindergarten and after school, call 1.800.PRIMROSE or visit our website today.
primroseschools.com/WichitaFamily
With The Right Foundation, Anything Is Possible ® Each Primrose School is privately owned and operated. Primrose Schools, The Leader in Educational Child Care, and With The Right Foundation, Anything is Possible are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2009 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved.
A JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WICHITA, INC EVENT 6th Annual Holiday Galleria: A Day of Shopping, A Year of Giving
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unior League of Wichita, Inc. (JLW), a non-profit organization of over 700 women, will hold its sixthannual Holiday Galleria: A Day of Shopping, A Year of Giving, October 8-11 at Century II Expo Hall. The upscale shopping event, which features over 100 regional and national merchants, is a fundraiser to support JLW’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities. Approximately 250 JLW members volunteer their time to plan and work at Holiday Galleria. From delicious food to serious shopping to the best giveaways in town, you’ll find FUN at the 2009 Holiday Galleria! Shop for a cause, but stay for the fun! General Admission shopping and complimentary gift wrap are available Friday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 10, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sunday, October 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Kick off the weekend with JLW’s Holiday Galleria Premier Party “’Twas the Night Before,” Thursday, October 8, 7 p.m. -10 p.m. Enjoy complimentary valet parking and delicious food and drink from some of Wichita’s favorite restaurants, as well as live music from Wichita band, Blue Eyed Soul, and several one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items. Friday, October 9, 5-9 p.m. it’s “Girls’ Night Out!” Join B98’s Tracy Cassidy for music and drawings for fabulous prizes throughout the night and margaritas and samples from JLW cookbook recipes while they last. Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m., you don’t want to miss the exclusive Community Catwalk Brunch & Runway Fashion Show. Ticket holders will enjoy complimentary valet parking, a delicious brunch, mimosas, goodie bags, chances for fabulous giveaways and a runway fashion show featuring local boutiques, emceed by The Wichita Eagle’s Bonnie Bing. Saturday and Sunday will feature a full schedule of entertainment on our main stage, including a cooking demonstration
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Saturday at 2:30 p.m. showcasing recipes from JLW cookbooks with KAKE TV’s Susan Peters and JLW President Jamie Schmaltz. Sunday bring the family for complimentary pictures with Santa
and special children’s entertainment. Visit www.holidaygalleria.org for more information.
Shop for the holidays. Shop for yourself. Find it at
Junior League of Wichita, Inc.’s 6th Annual upscale shopping event featuring over 100 regional and national merchants at Century II. GENER AL ADMISSION — $8 Friday, October 9 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 10 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, October 11 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS Premier Party — $50 Thursday, October 8, 7-10 p.m. Girls’ Night Out Friday, October 9, 5-9 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door
Bring the family Sunday, October 11 to enjoy pictures with Santa and children’s entertainment!
Community Catwalk Brunch & Runway Fashion Show — $40 Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m.
Gen. Admission, Girls’ Night Out Tickets: www.wichitatix.com, 316.219.4tix
Premier Party, Community Catwalk Tickets: www.holidaygalleria.org, 316.682.7473
www.holidaygalleria.org
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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NATIONA L COUP ON MO NTH: ST RETCHIN G THOS E PRECIOU S PENN IES
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VISION DOCTO RS
36 Years enhanc of protecting and ing vision young for the and old
SEPTEMBER 2009
A CLOSE R LOOK. ..
The city of Derby A good place to : grow
gettin’ greener
INSIDE: GOING GREEN GU FOR EVE IDE RYDAY PEOPLE
25 tips to make an eco-friendly difference in the world.
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Wichita Public Schools brace for h1n1
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STRETCHING THOSE PRECIOUS PENNIES
What you and your children need to know.
How a local mom found a coupon system that works!
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A CLOSER LOOK AT...
...the city of Derby
CLEAR VISION By combining top-of-the-line technology with compassionate doctors and staff, Vision Doctors offers the best in eye care at multiple locations in and around Wichita.
l COVER PICTURE COURTESY OF CAMERA ANGLES, LTD 4 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
www.WichitaFamily.com
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Join our sales team without sacrificing your family. Call us at: 316-295-8465 or send inquiries to publisher@ wichitafamily.com
Perfectly planned reunion + perfectly calm planner
1 result found: Wichita, Kansas.
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While the kids splash at the Rock River Rapids water park, the adults can stroll through the themed gardens at Botanica; or take everyone to hear the Diamond W Wranglers’ Chuckwagon Supper serenades. Wichita has the unique mix of attractions to make everyone happy at your next family reunion. All at Midwestern prices. Go Wichita will help ďŹ nd the hotel and the source for customized T-shirts and banners. For a free family reunion planner checklist, contact Adrienn Massaglia, amassaglia@gowichita.com or 316.265.2800.
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The city you’ve been searching for. gowichita.com
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800.288.9424
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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It’s been amazing to my wife and I, how many people are picking up Wichita Family Magazine and visiting our website. Since our family-owned company, For the Families, LLC, took over ownership of this publication two years ago, we have seen our readership and website visits increase dramatically.
Publisher:
For the Families, LLC 316.295.8465 Editor Eric Clark Contributing Writers: Jessica Lindsey
In the coming months we’ll be increasing our distribution substantially and with our partners at the YMCA and USD 259, we’ll be able to better serve you. Our affiliation with these organizations will also give us the opportunity to do circulation audits, which is not only helpful to our advertisers, but also to our overall editorial content.
Elizabeth Barker Jim Hill Tresa Erickson Advertising inquiries contact: Vice President of Sales & Marketing
We’re extremely excited about the things that are coming!
Elizabeth Barker
For now, enjoy!
316.204.8575 ebarker@wichitafamily.com Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by For the Families, LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, visit www.wichitafamily.com.
Eric Clark Owner/Publisher For the Families, LLC publisher@wichitafamily.com
Mailing address: P.O. Box 817 Wichita, Kansas 67201 How to reach us: Phone: 316.295.8465 Email: publisher@wichitafamily.com Copyright 2009 by For the Families, LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of For the Families, LLC.
6 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
www.WichitaFamily.com
Music Mat t ers
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n the last fifty years, the guitar has become one of the most popular musical instruments, so popular, in fact, that it’s become a cultural icon. Here are some of the things to consider in selecting a good guitar: Guitar Consultant: First of all, go to a good local music store and talk to a knowledgeable salesperson, who should act as your consultant to help you select the right instrument. Types of Guitars: The two basic types of guitars are electric and acoustic. The body on electric guitars is usually a solid plank of wood with electronics installed and requires an amplifier. The acoustic guitar has a bigger body that is hollow with more of a “box” shape. Guitar Construction: Make sure the neck has an adjustable truss rod inside the neck to stabilize the neck and allow for adjustments to compensate for movement during seasonal temperature and humidity changes. Talk to your salesperson about the bow of the neck which is critical to how easy or difficult the guitar is to play. If you can feel the edges of the frets sticking out over the edge of the fingerboard then the wood in the guitar has dried out. If the angle of the neck where it joins the body is too steep, no amount of adjusting or setting up will make the instrument play correctly. Action and Set Up: The term “action” refers to how easy or hard the guitar is fret. The height of the strings from the fret board is the most critical aspect of action. If a player has a super light touch, the guitar strings can be set up a lot lower than if the player is very aggressive. Intonation: Intonation refers to how well a guitar plays in tune with itself. If you play a chord in one position and then play the same chord further up the www.WichitaFamily.com
Some important things to consider when selecting a good guitar
neck, it should still sound in tune. If the guitar is not set up properly, it will not play in tune. This can be frustrating, especially to a beginning guitarist. Your salesperson will be able to help you check the intonation of the guitar you’re looking at. Body shapes, Woods and Tone: Like aficionados of good food and wine, there are a lot of adjectives and phrases that guitar people will use to describe tone. Good tone is quite possibly the most important attribute of a guitar and the only way to judge it is to listen as you play or have your sales consultant play several different guitars. The shape of the guitar body and the wood that it’s made out of will greatly affect the sound of the guitar, especially on an acoustic instrument. An experienced guitar consultant will be able to tell
by Jim Hill
Senseney Music, Inc.
you how different woods will affect the sound of the guitar. Appearance and Finish: A beautiful guitar will invite and entice a guitarist to pick up and play it. Different woods will offer a majestic beauty to the appearance of the guitar. When selecting your new guitar, you’ll want to select with your eyes as well as your ears and hands. The main thing to consider when selecting your new guitar is the reason you’re purchasing it: fun, enhancement of your lifestyle, to make friends and create something beautiful and lasting. Enjoy the experience of searching for your new guitar and then, most importantly, enjoy the lasting beauty and music you’ll be making.
You Get More Than The Music...
e Full line of Yamaha keyboards, and Yamaha acoustic and digital pianos.
e Music Lessons for all ages in a clean, safe environment.
e Beginner and intermediate wind, percussion, and string instruments, all available with an affordable rent-to-own program.
e Beginner electric and acoustic guitar packages set up and ready to play.
e Kansas’ largest selection of printed music and accessories – Check out our new musical gift section! 2300 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67211 316-262-1487 1-800-362-1060 www.senseneymusic.com
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Together, we’re growing greener.
With ThinkGreenFromHome.com, we’re branching out to offer you more ways to recycle responsibly. For a growing number of people, curbside recycling is just a start. Many are looking for more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. If you’re one of those folks, Think Green From Home is just what you’re looking for. SM
Through this new program from Waste Management, you can help protect the environment and recycle potentially harmful items such as batteries, CFL bulbs and others that may not be accepted by curbside programs. Simply store them in our special recycling kits and mail them back to us – postage paid. It’s also a great option if recycling isn’t available where you live. And now you can also recycle things like household electronics and cell phones. To find out more, and to purchase our specially designed recycling kits, go to ThinkGreenFromHome.com today.
ThinkGreenFromHome.com 8 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Preference Service (dmaconsumers.org) and you’ll see a big reduction in mail after three months.
Gettin' Greener by Elizabeth Barker
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y son called me a hippie. Now, being a child of the 70’s I had a completely different view of what a hippie was. I’m thinking Woodstock and love beads. He’s thinking eco-friendly freak. Personally, I think I’m neither a hippie OR an eco-friendly freak, but if that defines the new “hippie” I’m okay with that. Yes, I recycle (and I’m starting to be a little obsessive about it). I take out far more recycling to the curb than I do trash. I think this is good. Yes, I use canvas bags at the grocery store (much to the dismay of the checker…WHY are the checkers always so grumpy about this?). And, yes, I drive a hybrid (and I’m even trading it in for the ultimate hybrid – the Prius). And, yes, maybe I even coast from time to time to get better gas mileage. That’s my dad’s fault, “coast, Lizzie, coast.” (Yes, my parents drive a hybrid, too). Okay, maybe I qualify as eco-friendly but not an extremist. I can do more. Easily.
there is a website explaining it all: www.carbonfootprint.com. Go figure. According to the website, Carbon Footprint is defined as, “a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our dayto-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tons (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.” Make your head spin? Mine did. They even have a calculator so you can, yes, you guessed it, calculate your carbon footprint. I did pretty well on that one and it was easier to understand. But, I could have done better. It made me wonder: How? How could my kids do better?
I decided to do a little checking to see what I would have to do to do more. To make more of a difference. To reduce my carbon footprint. To reduce the carbon footprint of my family.
With that in mind I searched the internet for EASY ways to “go green.” MSN, Good Housekeeping, various ecofriendly websites. They all had great ideas. Things we, as adults, can do everyday without a major sacrifice (and with just a little bit of thought). And, most things, my kids (and yours by default) can do, too. Here are just a few of the ideas that popped up:
Before I even started, I had to define “Carbon Footprint.” Conveniently,
Get off Junk Mail lists: Register with the direct Marketing Association’s Mail
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Print on both sides of the paper. Yes, you can set your home printer, in many cases, to print of both sides. If not, print it, read it, and put it back in the printer to be used again. Buy organic for your baby (and for you). Clothing made of 100% organic cotton is chemical and pesticide free and safe next to baby’s skin. Check out HealthyBabyBoutique.com – a business base right here in Kansas! Adult clothing can be found in 100% organic cotton in just about any store. Buy Cloth diapers. Have to admit, this idea made me go “YUCK!” Then, again, my “baby” is almost 13 and cloth diapers were entirely different when she needed them. Today, they don’t leak and even have flushable liners so you aren’t washing poo. You can even find bamboo (a highly eco-friendly product) inserts! And they’re so soft I asked if they made blankets out of the stuff. The average family can save $2,000$3,000 PER CHILD by going this way. $2,000-$3,000! That’s HUGE! I’m sending you to Healthy Baby Boutique again for this…they have the largest selection of cloth diapers in Kansas. Push mow your lawn. Yes, you heard me correctly. Exercise, no pollution. What else do you need to know? Don’t like the idea? Hopefully you have a child who is old enough to mow. Go Native in your landscaping. Sounds simple but plants native to our area require less fertilizing and less pesticides. Insulate your water heater if it’s old. If it’s built before 2004, wrap it in an insulating blanket and save about 10% on your water-heating bill. Service the furnace. Get it checked out every two years. They say this will result in a savings of about 1,250 pounds of carbon dioxide and 10% on your heating bills. Turn down your heater. Remember this: every degree you turn down your heater equals about a 5% savings on your heating bill. Grab a sweatshirt. Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Use cold water in the wash. You will save 50% - 50%! – of the energy you would use for hot water. Instead of driving, catch the bus or ride a bike. Okay, it may sound dorky to ask your teen to do this or to even do it yourself, but you will cut down on emissions and save fuel. And, if you opt for the bike, you’ll get some exercise along the way.
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Refill your bottled water. Less than 20% of the single use water bottles (or any plastic bottle) make it to the recycling bin. Less than 20%! Go organic as often as you can. Organic means no chemicals or pesticides in your food. Organic is good. Maybe switch ONE product a week to organic? Go for gold. Coffee filters. They are reusable. Save the trees. Save the paper filters. Save money in the long run. Most coffee makers have the gold filter option available now. Certified coffee. (Caffeine must be important to me today) Buy organic. It’s grown in a way that preserves the ecosystem. Buy a laptop. My kids love this one. Laptops use less energy than desktop computers. I had no idea. Park it. Avoid the long line at the drive through. You’re wasting fuel and sending all those fumes into the atmosphere. Park it if there is a line. No line, cruise on through! Buy local. Local produce doesn’t travel far to get to you; therefore, you aren’t paying shipping costs – including fuel. Support your local, organic farmers where and when you can. Better for you. Better for your family. Better for the local economy. Recycle rechargeables. Many states are outlawing throwing away rechargeable
10 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
batteries now. No, Kansas hasn’t yet. BUT, you can recycle the batteries for your cell phone, cameras, and camcorders. Go to rbrc.org and type in your zip code for a location close to you. Canvas bags. Use them. Take them to the grocery store. Take them to every store. Keep them in your car. No need to use the plastic bags when you can buy the canvas tote everywhere for about $1. Pay attention to packaging. Every American produces about four and a half pounds of garbage a day. So take a look at the packaging before you buy and recycle as much of it as you can. The bathroom. Shorter showers. Lowflow toilets. Water saving shower heads. Turn off the water while you shave and brush your teeth. You’ll save thousands of gallons of water a year. Turn it off! Lights, TV, computer and anything else that might have one of those little glowing lights. Shut if off or unplug it when you leave the room. I promise it’ll be there to turn back on when you walk back in. Really. It will. And, in the mean time, you’ve saved a ton of electricity. Join the Virtual March to stop global warming (stopglobalwarming.org). Join the 1,309,572 supporters and become part of the movement to demand our leaders freeze and reduce carbon monoxide emissions now. Buy a more fuel efficient vehicle. Better yet, buy a hybrid. They get great gas mileage (in most cases) and have fewer emissions. That’s good for all of us. Note: I didn’t mention anything about every day recycling. I hope you do it. It’s VERY easy. Just check with your local recycling provider to find out exactly they recycle. Where I live, it’s glass, plastic and aluminum in one bin and paper in the other. The hippie in me came out when I ordered bio-degradable clear trash bags to put it all in. n www.WichitaFamily.com
Wichita Public Schools— Expecting and Delivering Excellence
given the Leadership Award. West’s squad was selected by all the other squads for being outstanding leaders at the camp and for being a squad they would like to see perform again.
News and information from our partners at USD 259
Increased student achievement and preparation of young people for success in a diverse world are over-arching priorities for the Wichita Public Schools.
Wichita Public Schools Our district features: prepares for H1N1 • Schools of choice As the school year begins, the Wichita Public Schools wants staff, students and • Rich diversity parents to know that the district is aware of the concern of the H1N1 virus. • Student connectedness The district is working closely with the Sedgwick County Health Department • Quality teachers and the Kansas Department of Health andacademic Environment to in keep • Top honors KS track of the situation as new information and guidelines available. • Safe schoolbecome environment
“Rightand now, what we facilities need everyone to • New renovated do is practice prevention measures such as good hand washing and for parents • Business partnerships to keep their children home when they are sick,” said KathyFoundation Hubka, Coordinator • Education EDGE of Health Services. Every school nurse has been trained to recognize the symptoms and will monitor students to see if they show signs of the illness. They are working with their schools to help staff know what to do in case a student becomes ill.
Symptoms of H1N1 • Fever of 100.4, cough, ore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue. The illness may last up to seven days, but people are considered to be contagious as long as symptoms persist. Students should stay home when they have any of the following symptoms: fever (temperature 100 degrees or higher), vomiting or diarrhea, blistery rash, heavy nasal congestion or frequent cough and/or if your child has been diagnosed with a contagious disease. If your child shows any of these symptoms, contact your school’s nurse. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Information is also available on the Wichita Public Schools’ website, www.usd259.com/ news/h1n1.
The Wichita Public Schools want to remind parents and staff of the importance of prevention.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. • If you are sick, stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without feverreducing medication. www.WichitaFamily.com
West’s cheerleaders are coached by Amanda Stephenson and Sidney Lyles.
Teens promote healthy relationships nationally Andrew Eaves, Northwest High School, and Alexis Marie Johnson, North High School, represented Wichita at the national kick-off of the Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships program in San Francisco in July. The two, along with other teens across the country, also participated in the first Start Strong teen summit that promotes building healthy relationships as the way to prevent teen dating violence and abuse. Eaves and Johnson created a video that included local teens answering questions about relationships. The video was shown to the other teens at the summit. The teen’s profiles can be found on the Start Strong website, www. startstrongteens.org/communities/ wichita.html.
What You Can Do To Prevent the Spread of H1N1 Sneeze or coughcontact into a tissue, For • more information us elbow or sleeve. Throw the tissue in the by phone 316-973-4515 trash after at use. or visit us online: www.usd259.com •Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
After receiving the Leadership Award, the squad set a goal to be leaders in their school and to be more environmentally conscious. This year, the squad will take time to clean up the school during lunch to be a good example for other students.
West squad has reasons to cheer West High School’s cheerleading squad placed first for their original routine at cheer camp sponsored by the Kansas High School Activities Association and the Universal Cheer Association. The team also placed first in the “Camp Champions” competition where the squad performed a cheer of their choice.
Start Strong Wichita is underwritten by Catholic Charities, which partners with the Wichita Public Schools and its Safe and Drug-Free Schools Department, WSU and the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center to provide lessons and materials to students at the middle and high school level. The initiative started 4 years ago as Choose Respect. The Start Strong Wichita initiative was kicked off in May and will build on the work of Choose Respect and expand recruitment and participation this year.
At the end of the camp, the squad was Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Clear vision By combining top-of-the-line technology with compassionate doctors and staff, Vision Doctors offers the best in eye care at multiple locations in and around Wichita.
by Jessica Lindsey
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Photos by Camera Angles, Ltd.
f you find a doctor who respects you and always has your best interest in mind, you've found a great one. Pair those traits with a doctor who instinctively treats you like family and you've hit the jackpot.
in Derby, 316-788-2020; 8100 E. 22nd St., near 21st and Rock in Wichita, 316684-2020; 110 N. Washington Ave. in Wellington, 620-326-2020; and 701 N. Goddard Road in Goddard, 316794-7800.
That jackpot can be found at Vision Doctors where doctors Mike Gordon, and husband and wife team Wade and Mindy Abbey have created an optometry group where young and old alike can come and feel at home during an exam.
Rather than creating a mega-clinic, the practice grew to accommodate their patients in the most convenient way.
“I've been very blessed,” says Gordon who founded the practice in Northeast Wichita. “I saw two patients that first day, July 23, 1973, and now we see thousands of patients a year. From Day 1, I always wanted to treat my patients as if they were a family member. My own grandkid or my own child.” The doctors split their time between four locations: 1221 N. Rock Road Ste. 100
12 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
“We have maintained a small practice feel through the years even when we have grown to various locations,” says Kim McCollum who is the clinical manager for the group and Dr. Gordon’s daughter. “We’ve enjoyed over 36 years in optometry and now we see a 3rd generation of patients. We find it a true blessing to be able to care for our original patient’s grandchildren. There’s something comforting about going to a doctor that not only knows your family’s medical history, but has diagnosed your family for years.”
Compassionate, caring staff “Patient care is our priority and I think it shows with the caring nature of our office staff,” says McCollum. “Most of our employees have been with us for many years so we’ve all grown up together in many ways. We’ve shared in their joys and tears through the years and care for each other as a family.” The passion for the job and comfortable work environment translates into a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere for patients. Gordon—who is the kind of guy who cries at Disney movies—says the No. 1 trait he looks for when hiring staff members is their level of compassion. “My primary concern is how compassionate they are, how much they care for other people,” says Gordon. “Of course I look at their intelligence, honesty and their education. But you can’t teach someone compassion.” www.WichitaFamily.com
The practice is dedicated to enhancing and protecting vision and sometimes that means dealing with tough situations. When addressing a patient who could possibly go blind from Diabetes or is having other serious vision problems, a compassionate voice is essential, says Gordon. Privately-owned perks Vision Doctors is a privately-owned group. Gordon and the Abbeys are all able to refer patients to any specialist network and are not pressured to send patients to surgery when it isn’t needed. The doctors are also able to work closely with any of the patient’s other doctors, i.e. family practice or ophthalmologist, to assure the patient receives the best care. “Instead of being tied to a particular ophthalmologist or surgery group, we refer to various doctors across the state, depending on each patient’s needs,” says McCollum. “We strive to treat each patient as an individual and care for them as we would our own family. Every patient does not need the same specialist, so we refer to whom we feel is the best fit for our patients.” Technology and experience “I’ve always believed that you need to have the best technology to go along with the best care for your patients,” says Gordon. Gordon holds several patents on products he has invented to provide the best vision care. His inventions are used by groups everywhere, including his Wichita office. He has also been a researcher and evaluator of contact lenses, providing him with knowledge that he can pass on to his patients.
eye doctor repeatedly changes lens strengths and asks the patient which one is better, Gordon prefers to let the patient change the knobs and decide without any prompting which one is better. Gordon remains in control of the exam, he sets the device to the correct settings and shows the patient what to do, but leaves it at the patient’s discretion to turn the knob. “That way I’m not leading the patient,” Gordon explains. “Sometimes the patient just wants to satisfy you, this way they decide the best choice on their own.”
In addition to having the best technology available and keeping up on the latest information for eye doctors, Vision Doctors staff use techniques that empower the patient so a patient knows when he leaves the office that he has gotten the best care.
Start young
Rather than the typical exam where the
Gordon emphasized the importance
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Vision Doctors is a part of the See to Learn program, a preventative eyehealth program that provides free vision screening to three year olds and educates parents on warning signs of vision problems in children.
of evaluating your child’s vision and pointed out how easy it can be to begin the process and be proactive at home. Play eye spy with a particular item, moving it to different distances around the room to see if your child can see it clearly. Point out airplanes at different distances. “It’s as simple as asking questions and making observations,” says Gordon. “If you’re driving down the road point out signs along the way and see if they can read them or describe what’s on them. “It’s been said that 80 percent of all learning comes by way of the eye,” adds Gordon. “If you don’t have the vision at it’s optimum system then you’re not performing at your best.” Gordon advises parents to have their children’s eyes checked at least by first grade. “It could make all the difference for your child,” says Gordon. Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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a closer look at...
the city of Derby
a good place to grow
14 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
www.WichitaFamily.com
W
hen John Bryant was transferred to a new job in Wichita, his family wasted no time learning all about the area. It wasn’t long before they decided to put down roots in Derby. “After learning about the transfer, we started looking around the Wichita metro,� says Debbie Bryant. “There were lots of choices and so many neat things about the region. But the minute we drove into Derby, we knew it was the place for us.� Not surprisingly, the kids were awestruck by Rock River Rapids, Derby’s family water park. The city’s new skate park, plus neighborhood parks with playgrounds, fishing, fitness trails, sports facilities and more, became destinations for their family activities. And the whole family is excited about the new library opening this year. The family was impressed with the public school system, too. With three kids ages 8, 11 and 15, the Bryants have diverse educational needs. Ryan will join the Derby High School band and is excited about Apex, an online
learning program that allows students to work independently from home or at school. Daughter Brianna says “I love science, so I’m happy to find out about Project Lead the Way, which will help me learn about careers in science and engineering.� Fifth-grader Evan gets special help at his elementary school as he works to overcome a learning disability. John, a fitness buff, found a lot to love
about the Derby Recreation Center. The DRC, as it’s called locally, offers a topnotch fitness center, weight room, fitness classes, youth and adult sports leagues. Special events, like the recent Rock n’ Route Triathlon, give residents a chance to try new activities and get fit at the same time. Like many families, the Bryants love their neighborhood and in just a few weeks, they have gotten acquainted with their new neighbors. “Our homeowners
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Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
15
“Overall, we are thrilled to be in a community that embraces all of its residents, and we’ve felt so welcome,� says John, and Debbie agrees. “We couldn’t be happier to be a part of Derby.� {The Bryant family’s experience has been compiled from reports of real Derby families.} n
association had a block party on National Night Out, and we met lots of our neighbors,� says Ryan. “My band even got to perform as part of the event.� Debbie was surprised to find a mix of
national retailers and local stores that make her shopping easy. “Clothes, shoes, home decor, groceries - all the services we need are so close to home,� she says. “And it feels great to support local business owners instead of driving into Wichita.�
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17
wichita families
on the move...
Calendar of Events Voyage through the Solar System
September 4-5. 9 pm to 11 pm http://webs.wichita.edu/facsme/ Location: Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education, Wichita State University, 1845 N. Fairmount St., Wichita. 316-978-3191 Admission: $3 children 6 to 12; $4 persons 13 & up. Using the Observatory’s 16” telescope, visitors can journey through our solar system as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the voyager spacecraft’s fly-by of Jupiter.Our first stop will be our Moon, then we’ll visit Saturn (in July), then Jupiter (beginning August 1), and finally Neptune (beginning August 15).
Wichita Black Arts Festival
September 5-7. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily Location: McAdams Park, 13th & Ohio, Wichita. 316-262-7651 Admission: Button fee. Kicks off with a parade. A 3-day cultural celebration introducing & educating communities to the rich artistic heritage of the African American culture.
DINOSAURS!
June 27 - September 7. During Open Hours. http://www.exploration.org Location: Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita. 316-6600600. Admission: Included with museum admission, free for members Journey through a world from long ago and encounter a Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Dimetrodon, Stegosaurus, and a mother Apatasaurus protecting her newlyhatched babies. Our old friend T-Rex will be there too...waiting for unsuspecting visitors!
20 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
Whales/Tohora: Where Whales Journey...People Follow
February 28 - September 7. During Open Hours. http://www.exploration. org. Location: Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita. 316-2633373. Admission: Special admission applies. Plunge into the wondrous water world of whales through this blend of science and storytelling. Encounter real life-size whale skeletons, listen to haunting whale voices, crawl through a model of a blue whale heart and learn about the history of whaling - including whale riders, the current efforts that center on preserving the species, and more. Developed and created by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, a leader in marine mammal collections.
Dad’s Workout Day with StrollerFit at Harrison Park (Webb and Harry) September 19th. 9am. Please bring a litlle something to donate to the Kansas Children’s Service League.
The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen - Exhibit
June 20 - September 20. MonSat 10 am-5 pm, Sun Noon-5 pm. http:www.kansasaviationmuseum.org. Location: Kansas Aviation Museum, 3350 S. George Washington Blvd., Wichita. Phone: 316-683-9242 Admission: Included with museum admission. Exhibit opening Sat, June 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. The Jimmy Allen Flying Club is the focus of this exhibit, with model planes from the era, prizes retrieved from Skellly Oil by enthusiastic youth and a movie version of the famous radio show available for viewing.
Butterfly House
botanica.org. Location: Botanica, 701 Amidon, Wichita. Phone: 316264-0448. Admission: $6.50 adults, $5.50 seniors/active military, $3.00 youth (5-21). Butterflies are back! Come see hundreds of butterflies in free flight and discover the wonders of these winged creatures. Enter the Butterfly House, a 2880 square foot net-covered butterfly exhibit, to see almost 50 species of native and exotic butterflies and nectar plants for these butterfly species. See the butterfly lifecycle first-hand as butterflies emerge from their chrysalides and take their first flights, see the types of plants to add to your home landscape to attract butterflies or try your hand at identifying different butterfly species. One visit and you’ll see that Botanica has the best wings on the planet. Included with admission or membership.
Old Town Farmer’s Market (Saturday Only)
May 9 - October 10, 2009. Times: 7 am-Noon. http://www. oldtownfarmersmarket.com Location: Farm & Art Market Plaza, 1st & Mosley, Wichita. 316-992-0413 Admission: Free admission Fresh produce-live entertainmentdelicious food-chef demos-children’s activities and hand-made crafts.
Kansas Fighter Pilots and the Allison Engine - Exhibit August 15 - November 15. MonSat 10 am-5 pm, Sun Noon-5 pm. http:www.kansasaviationmuseum.org. Location: Kansas Aviation Museum, 3350 S. George Washington Blvd., Wichita. 316-683-9242. Admission: Included with museum admission. Exhibit opening Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. Don’t miss this one of a kind engine and the story of the men who made it famous.
June 1 - September 30. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Sat, 1-5 p.m. Sun. http://www. www.WichitaFamily.com
2009
september
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April 3 - November 20. 6:30 pm http://www.emeryparkbmx.com Location: Emery Park BMX, 2339 E Macarthur, Wichita. 316-522-8214 Admission: FREE for Spectators Emery Park BMX provides competitive BMX racing for both boys , girls and adults from ages 3 to 50+ BMX racing is an individual sport and is designed to build self confidence and self esteem in anyone who participates. Races are organized according to age group and skill levels, so everyone gets the opportunity to compete on a fair and competitive basis. Even beginner riders have the chance to race safely with other new riders. All riders get an awesome First Time Rider Trophy” , NO MATTER how you finish in your first race. When you buy a full membership. NO FEE for Spectators, so come join us in the fun family Olympic sport of BMX
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My job situation changed abruptly; child support checks came infrequently and paying bills became increasingly difficult. But one thing didn't change–I still had a 5-year-old daughter who longed to be in swimming lessons like her friends. That was 6 months ago. Now, my daughter can dive into the 9-foot! Do you know how much pride that gives a mom? Words just don't seem to express how thankful I am to the YMCA's scholarship program. --Stephanie
Ask about YMCA Financial Assistance.
You may be eligible to receive up to 90% off your monthly membership rate.
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VISIT WWW.YMCAWICHITA.ORG Greater Wichita YMCA Celebrating 125 Years
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Wichita Family Classified Section
FREE CLASSIFIED AD We believe our publication works so well, we think we can prove it. This coupon entitles you to one free ad with a maximum of three lines. This is our way to thank our valued readers and customers and earn trust of new ones. Send ads to publisher@wichitafamily.com.
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22 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
www.WichitaFamily.com
National Coupon Month
Stretching those Precious Pennies
all the tips of her system. She’s quick to point out that each family has to find a way to make saving money work for them and that they may not want to do everything she does, or they may want to take what she does even further and save even more. “I’m not original,” says Strait. “Most of what’s here I’ve learned from reading online. I’m not reinventing the wheel.”
How one local mom found a coupon system that saves her family major bucks. by
Strait’s top tips for saving money on groceries: Collect a lot of coupons Strait buys a local Sunday paper each week and clips the coupons her family uses. But she goes above and beyond this simple step to achieve maximum savings. Strait asks family and friends to give her the coupon sections if they aren’t going to use them. She also buys a Kansas City newspaper and has it mailed to her each week. By having multiple coupons for the same item, Strait is able to watch sales and stock up on that one item for a deeply discounted price. There are many websites that offer
Jessica Lindsey coupons for a few cents apiece. If Strait
W
hen you’re feeding yourself, your husband and five small children the grocery bill can add up to a staggering amount. For Wichita mom Amy Strait, it was too much to handle when she realized her grocery bill was as much as her mortgage. She was ready to make a change, but didn’t want to sacrifice the family’s favorite foods. “I got to looking at the obscene amount of money spent on groceries and decided I have to do something about it,” says Strait. “I’m not willing to feed my family beans 7 nights a week and I’m not going to start buying all generics. I wanted to spend less money on groceries but I didn’t want to change anything about the way we eat.” Strait made a system that worked for her family and saved $4,100 in a year by using coupons. www.WichitaFamily.com
Sharing her experience It wasn’t an immediate savings, but she was able to get to a point where she is now spending half as much as she used to on her grocery bill. From nearly $1,000 to less than $500 a month. The time Strait spends cutting coupons, watching sales flyers and strategically shopping is worth it in the end, she says. It wasn’t an option for her to get a job outside the home to bring in more income because she wanted to stay home with her five children, all under the age of 8, so she devoted the time to saving money instead. “I can save more money doing this for 10 hours a month, for example, than I would make working a part-time job for 10 hours a month,” explains Strait. Strait is eager to share what she’s learned to others around her. She teaches a free class at local churches where she offers
knows she is going to buy a certain kind of cereal or frozen food item, she will search for that coupon and buy a large number of them. Strait will then purchase the item with a coupon when it is on sale to get the most bang for her buck. “I may be spending $4 to buy coupons but I’ll have a net savings of $40 to $80 with it,” says Strait who says www. hotcouponworld.com is a great site for finding coupons and tips. “It’s definitely worth it.” The other advantage of purchasing coupons online or purchasing newspapers from larger cities is that the coupons have higher values. Bigger markets offer bigger coupon values, says Strait. Another smart way to find coupons is by signing up for emails and mail advertising from specific companies that you frequently purchase from. You will receive coupons directly from them which saves you time and money. Stockpiling is key Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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Stocking up on frequently-used items by purchasing them with a coupon while they’re on sale is key. By having these items on hand when you need them, you’ll avoid ever having to pay full price for them at the last minute.
In the beginning, Strait says, she spent as many as 6 to 8 hours a week planning meals and shopping lists and finding coupons to get the best deals. She spends barely a quarter of that amount of time now.
“It really made me a better shopper,” says Strait. “I can compare sales ads and the coupons I have to the store price and know if it is a good deal without going to several different stores to check.”
Strait, for example, buys canned green beans only once per year. She knows her family eats two cans per week so in the fall when they go on sale Strait purchases 100 cans with coupons during the sale. She gets them for less than $.25 a can, much less than she would spend running to the store every other week to grab a can when she needs it.
Depending on your schedule, your family, your desire, says Strait, you may want to spend several hours a week planning grocery savings, or only several hours a month.
Don’t try to make 50 price lists in one day, adds Strait, do it over a period of time. Each time you go to the grocery store make a not of the price and size of a couple items your family uses frequently. Over time it will build up and you will be able to be an informed, comparative shopper.
The important part is to know what your family will use and to only buy what you can afford. “It’s not going to save you money if you go into debt stocking up on foods that you can’t afford or won’t use,” says Strait. Set a budget for stockpiling, says Strait. $30 a month, for example, then work on building your stockpile slowly over time. It will vary from family to family, says Strait, depending on what you use, how much you use and how much space you have to store it. Here are some of Strait’s best tips on when to stockpile basic items based on sales: •Purchase a stockpile of canned goods and cereals in the fall. •Purchase stockpiles of baking items, stuffing and holiday treats during Thanksgiving sales. •Fill up your freezer with Lean Cuisine and other frozen meals just after January 1 during sales targeting new dieters.
“You can coupon to your own time availability,” says Strait. “Make it work for you. But remember that someone who coupons for 30 minutes a week isn’t going to save as much as someone who has 5 hours a week to coupon. “Everyone has to find the groove that works for them,” adds Strait. “It’s a process.” Create price lists One step that Strait says is important for her is making price lists. It takes some time and effort, but Strait says it pays off in time spent going to multiple stores when it isn’t necessary. A price list compares the price of a single item at multiple stores. A price list for diapers, for example, would include the brand and size of diapers then compare the price at each store. “That way you can compare and see if it is even cheaper for you to use a coupon at one store that it is for you to just buy it at the other store at normal price,” says Strait. Create price lists for items that you use the most. You can do 20 different items, 30, 50, as many or as few as you want.
Save more and give more By paying attention to sales and stocking up on items throughout the year at deeply discounted prices, Strait is able to set aside food items to donate as well. If you can afford it, she said, when you have five coupons for a certain box of cereal and it is practically free, buy all of them, set the four aside for your family and start a box of items to donate. She keeps a box in her garage and adds to it so that anytime a food drive it taking place at church, school or anywhere else, her family can donate without more than they would be able to if she was to walk out and pay full price for those items right then. To read more of Amy’s tips and find out if she has any workshops going on, check out her blog at www. amyscouponclass.blogspot.com or email her at amyscoupons@cox.net. The blog also contains links to many of Amy’s favorite tip and coupon sites. n
•Stock up on picnic supplies to last you all year during Memorial Day sales. How much time you put in will determine what you get out of it To stock up on coupons, learn sales rotations and figure out where the best prices are it takes time, says Strait. It can work for everyone, but it’s not a miracle cure that just begins to drop groceries right in the sack for half the price, it takes some work.
22 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2009
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