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WichitaFamily.com SEPTEMBER 2010
“TREASURES of WICHITA” COUPONS MAKE CENTS How Wichitans are using coupons to save a bundle
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Getting the Most BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Inside: FiLL OUT YOUR BALLOT FOR “BEST FOR FAMILY”
National museum event offers families a free sample of area attractions
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“TREASU OF WIC RES HITA”
COUPON MAKE CE S NTS
Nationa l museu m event familie offers s sample a free of are attractio a ns
How Wi ch are using itans to save coupons a bund le
CHILDR CLOTHI EN’S
GETTING NG TH BANG FO E MOST R YOUR BUCK
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INSIDE FILL OU : T YOUR BALLO “BEST FO T FOR R FAMILY ”
NOW SHOWING
Area museums will open to the public for free Sept. 25
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Spotlight on A LOCAL MOMPreneur Hobbie turns successful business for The Rusted Chain Owner Beki Hastings
COUPONS MAKE CENTS How Wichitans are using coupons to save a bundle
CHILDREN’s CLOTHING How to stretch that clothing budget to get the most bang for your buck
ALSO:
WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.......16 FINANCIAL FOUNDATIONS.......19 CLASSIFIED ADS............................21 4 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
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TIMETESTED FAMILY APPROVED! It’s getting tougher to make ends meet for our area families and for businesses. Now, more than ever, we need to be there to help. Reach customers who are looking to spend their money wisely with our affordable advertising rates. Call for details at 316-295-8465.
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1 result found: Wichita, Kansas While the kids splash at the Rock River Rapids water park, the older generation can stroll through the themed gardens at Botanica. Or head to Bradley Fair and enjoy Autumn & Art, a ďŹ ne arts festival featuring artists from across the nation, Sept. 17-19, 2010. Wichita has the unique mix of attractions to make everyone happy at your next family reunion. All at Midwestern prices. Go Wichita will assist with hotel selection and ďŹ nd 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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Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
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editor’s note
Family WICHITA
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Publisher: For the Families, LLC 316.295.8465 Publishers Eric and Christy Clark Editor Jessica Lindsey Advertising inquiries contact: Eric Clark 316.295.8465 or sales@wichitafamily.com or Jessica Lindsey 316.393.1011 or editor@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. 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.
M
y husband and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this month. We were married in the evening on a sweltering Friday night at the Wichita Boathouse in downtown Wichita.
Ten years later a lot has changed. We’ve added three kids to our family, lived in six different homes in two different states and experienced countless other new and exciting things together. Wichita has changed a lot since then, too. The Boathouse is no longer a big empty building, it’s the home to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. There’s a huge new arena downtown, many new restaurants, stores and businesses have joined the Wichita scene. Just as exciting as all the new places are the many longtime businesses that are still operating in traditional fashion. I have so many favorite places to visit, eat at, shop at, etc. in our city and I love to hear about the places that other families frequent as well. It’s so valuable to have references from other families when I’m looking for a dentist, doctor, accountant, restaurant or anything else that I’m seeking. That’s exactly the reason why we’re asking for your voice to help us make a list of some of your favorite places in the Wichita area. We’re calling it Best for Families and it’s time for you to cast your ballot! Each month through the end of the year we’ll be publishing our official ballot. Fill it out, mail it in and help us compile a fun list of favorites. Voting also is available online at our website, www.wichitafamily.com. September is also National Coupon Month. Coupons can be a fun and easy way to save some cash for your family. In an article focusing on coupons, we talk to some local moms who made couponing work for their families and they offer some ideas that anyone can put into practice. Another big thing to hit Wichita this month is Museum Day. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 25 and plan a fun-filled FREE day of touring some of Wichita’s finest sources of art, culture and beauty. In our Museum Day article we’ll tell you where to print your free admission passes and give you all the info needed to experience it with your family. JL
6 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
www.WichitaFamily.com
BEST FOR FAMILY
2011
Best For Family 2011 Readers’ Choice Survey. Results will be published in the February 2011 issue of Wichita Family Magazine. Submit this ballot by November 17, 2010.
or vote online at wichitafamily.com
Dining:
Women’s Casual______________________________ Women’s Formal______________________________
Top 3 Local Restaurants 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Appetizer____________________________________ Atmosphere__________________________________ Bang For Your Buck___________________________ BBQ_______________________________________ Breakfast____________________________________ Chinese_____________________________________ Coffee ______________________________________ Dessert______________________________________ Cafe________________________________________ Hamburger___________________________________ Healthy Food_________________________________ Ice Cream___________________________________ Italian_______________________________________ Mexican_____________________________________ New Restaurant_______________________________ Pizza________________________________________ Sandwiches__________________________________ Seafood_____________________________________ Service______________________________________ Sports Bar___________________________________ Steak_______________________________________
Schools:
Shopping: Antiques_____________________________________ Art Gallery___________________________________ Children’s Store______________________________ Day Spa_____________________________________ Furniture Store_______________________________ Gift Store____________________________________ Jeweler______________________________________ Men’s Casual_________________________________ Men’s Shoes_________________________________ Musical Instruments___________________________ Pets________________________________________ Place for a Massage____________________________ Places to Work________________________________
Public_______________________________________ Private______________________________________ Alternative___________________________________
Entertainment Art Exhibit___________________________________ Concert Venue________________________________ Golf Course__________________________________ Live Theater__________________________________ Museum_____________________________________ Non-Profit Event______________________________ Place to Take the Family________________________ Playground___________________________________ Sports experience______________________________ Theater______________________________________ Water Park___________________________________ Weekend Getaway_____________________________ What’s the Best Thing About Wichita?_____________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Remove this entire page from the magazine and send to: Wichita Family Magazine Attn: Best For Family 2011 P.O. Box 817 Wichita, Kansas 67201 RULES: Photocopies are not accepted. One vote per person. At least half the categories must be filled out, and the ballot must be validated with voter’s information. If the authenticity of the ballet cannot be verified, it will not be counted. Businesses and organization may post a sign asking customers to vote for them, but handing out ballots constitutes ballot-stuffing and, if verified, the establishment will be disqualified. Ballot must be postmarked by November 17, 2010.
BEST FOR FAMILY
2011
Services:
Cleaning Service______________________________ Accountant___________________________________ Adoption Agency______________________________ Assisted Living Facility_________________________ Attorney_____________________________________ Auto Dealer__________________________________ Auto Repair__________________________________ Carpet and Rug Cleaners________________________ Childcare____________________________________ Chiropractor__________________________________ Counseling Service____________________________ Electric Contractor_____________________________ Financial Planning Consultant/Service_____________ ____________________________________________ Florist_______________________________________ Funeral Homes and Director_____________________ ____________________________________________ General Contractor____________________________ Top 3 General Dentists 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Top 3 Hospitals 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Insurance Agent______________________________ Pet Grooming_________________________________ Top 3 Pediatricians 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Photographer_________________________________ Top 3 Physicians/Surgeons 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Plumbing____________________________________ Top 3 Optometrists 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________
Best For Family 2011 Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Survey. Results will be published in the February 2011 issue of Wichita Family Magazine. Submit this ballot by November 17, 2010.
or vote online at wichitafamily.com
Top 3 Orthodontists 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Top 3 Real Estate Agents 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Retirement Community 1.__________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________ 3.__________________________________________ Television Service_____________________________ Wedding Service_______________________________
2011
Spotlighton a local Mompreneur
I
t isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds to turn a homegrown hobby into a business, but for successful Mompreneur Beki Hastings it has been an outlet for her overflowing creativity.
Beki, who was a flight attendant before having children and choosing to stay home, lives in an old farmhouse in the country outside of Wichita with her husband and three children. Six years ago Beki decided to pursue her hobbies of jewelry designing and outdoor portrait photography. With her skill and creativity, it didn’t take long for Beki’s spare-time activities to turn into a full-fledged business. The Rusted Chain, the name of Beki’s online jewelry store as well as the name of her photography business, has grown quickly since that time. “For me personally, it’s a creative outlet,” said Beki who spends about 30 hours or more a week working. “It’s something challenging and productive. For the family, it’s great because it’s a family-run business. I can work from home and be with everyone rather than leaving to go to work.”
Beki Hastings, The Rusted Chain Jewelry designer and photographer www.therustedchain.com
Though the business has grown and Beki’s jewelry is being worn by celebrities, featured in magazines and even Pediped shoe ads, it hasn’t come without hard work. “Be prepared to work hard for it,” is Beki’s advice to anyone looking to start an in-home venture. “It won’t just fall in your lap. Don’t forget why you’re wanting to work at home in the first place, to be with your family. It’s a constant balancing act, but very rewarding.” Online advertising and customer word of mouth along with Beki’s personal and entertaining blog, www.blog. therustedchain.com, drive business to the online jewelry store. The blog also is a great place to see Beki’s photography, see the latest jewelry designs she’s come up with and find out about any deals she’s offering in the store. “The blog is a great place to stop while you have your caffeine each day,” said Beki. “It may make you laugh, cry, nod your head in agreement or be inspired to tackle a new project. There are also frequent giveaways and sales on jewelry offered there.” Her popular blog recently landed her an invitation to New York City where she was a guest at a Martha Stewart blogger cocktail party. Beki also has taken advantage of her blog’s popularity by giving back to charities she and her family are passionate about. The Rusted Chain’s blog sees about 50,000 to 60,000 unique hits per month. For $20 a month, fellow bloggers or online shop owners www.WichitaFamily.com
advertise their information on the sidebar of Beki’s blog. The advertisements benefit not only the advertiser. Thanks to Beki’s generosity, 100-percent of the ad revenue is donated to Compassion International, a Christian organization that sponsors children living in poverty around the world. “I just felt like it was a simple way to give back to kids who desperately need help,” said Beki. “Businesses get good exposure and kids get needs met which is a win-win.” Jewelry prices start at about $23 and can be viewed and ordered online at www.therustedchain.com. n Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
9
Now Showing l
Museum Day Offers Families a free sample of area attractions by Jessica Lindsey
M
ark your calendar now and plan a fun day of exploring many of the amazing attractions that the Wichita area has to offer.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, 18 local museums will participate in a nationwide event sponsored by Smithsonian magazine called Museum Day. Each of the 18 local attractions is opening its doors to the public for free, absolutely no admission charge will be required.
Botanica sees about 210 people come through it’s gates on an average Saturday in September. During Museum Day 2009, 1,500 people made their way through the gardens over the course of the day. “We’ve had a great turnout each Museum Day,” said Jenkins. “We appreciate the additional traffic and we hope people will see things they like and consider joining our attraction or other attractions as a result.”
“We are always talking about not knowing what's going on in our own backyard, well here's a day that is entirely devoted to finding out,” said Teresa Veazey, public relations manager with the Ulrich Museum of Art. “Life if busy, there's always a lot going on. Here's a real opportunity to enjoy the treasures of Wichita.”
Family-friendly entertainment
Create a spark for local attractions
“One of the great things about Botanica is that it can be used for so many different reasons,” said Jenkins. “Some use it to take photos or pain, to sit and read, some exercise and some look for ideas on what to plant in their own yards.”
With so many different places participating, it will be easy to please every member of the family.
Another exciting aspect of Museum Day is that while experiencing Wichita’s great attractions for free, each of the museums is ready to show visitors how the venue is entertaining for all ages.
“Wichita has so many local arts and cultural attractions that sometimes people don’t take advantage of everything they have right here in their own community,” said Mia Jenkins, director of marketing and communications for Botanica. “I think it’s a great movement to get people aware of the options that are available or to give people a chance to change things up. It’s nice to be able to come to Botanica for a visit or treat yourself to Exploration Place every once in a while.”
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Botanica, said Jenkins, and during Museum Day visitors will have the chance to see the impressive mum display. More than 5,000 mums will be in full bloom, ready to wow onlookers with their bold colors.
This is the third year that Botanica has participated in Museum Day and Jenkins said the turnout during the past two years has been excellent.
“We have a sheet of activities that you can do with your kids while at Botanica,” said Jenkins. “We have a lot to offer families. You can see how different roses smell, try to get butterflies to land on you, challenge your kids to find different
10 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
Botanica’s Butterfly House, a favorite amongst kids, will be open during Museum Day and Jenkins said there are many other ways for kids to have fun and even learn at Botanica.
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shapes or colors. Kids just love to explore nature and see the flowers, trees, leaves and all the things that are around them.” The Ulrich Museum Art will have two exhibitions during Museum Day and will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Art on Speed will showcase exhibits that depict how the artist sees speed.
•You must print out Museum Day admission tickets from the official website at www. museumdaywichita.com.
“We thought Art on Speed would be a fun exhibition for the Wichita community,” said Veazey. “Kids love things that go fast and we have a numb of artworks that are video art, perfect for today’s visual generation with iPods and iPads and smart phones.”
A ticket covers two people so be sure to print enough to admit each family member.
Participating Attractions
•Visit www.museumdaywichita.com to see a complete list of participating museums. The website offers links to the museums and directions to each of them.
(For operating hours and locations, visit www.museumdaywichita.com):
Augusta Historical Museum Botanica: The Wichita Gardens Clearwater Historical Society Derby Historical Museum Exploration Place Great Plains Transportation Museum Kansas African American Museum
•If planning to visit more than one attraction, make copies of the tickets or print extra. Some museums collect the tickets to track admission numbers so it’s best to plan to have a new ticket for each location. •Hours vary between museums. Botanica is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for example, while Ulrich Museum of Art will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Check with the museum you plan to visit to confirm operating hours.
Kansas Firefighters Museum Kansas Sports Museum Lake Afton Public Observatory Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology Mid-America All-Indian Center Museum of World Treasures Old Cowtown Museum Ulrich Museum of Art Wichita Art Museum Wichita Center for the Arts
•Consider making a day of it. Let each family member pick a museum to try, make an itinerary and see what all you can experience in one day. Remember to print tickets for each different museum and confirm hours. Several locations have restaurants on site or pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at Botanica! •Can’t devote the whole day to museum hopping? Swing by a participating location on your way home from the soccer game or on the way to the grocery store.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum www.WichitaFamily.com
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
11
by JE$$ICA LIND$EY
$ of coupons.
eptember is National Coupon Month and across the country and locally, families are finding every way they can to save an extra dollar or two with the help
There are the weekly coupon sections in the Sunday newspaper, countless online websites dedicated to helping locate coupons and there are even coupons that come directly to your mailbox or email inbox. It can be overwhelming, but if used correctly, a family can save a lot of money. New group brings savings to your inbox In May, Chicago-based Groupon made it’s way into the Wichita market and Wichitans responded with excitement. Groupon, a website that emails subscribers an offer for a daily deal, had 30,000 Wichita subscribers as of mid-August and is adding several hundred more every day. Groupon, www.groupon.com, is available in more than 140 cities across the world. “Wichita was a quick success and continues to attract excited customers by the day,” said spokesperson for Groupon Julie Mossler in August. “Sixty-four deals have been sold to date (in Wichita) and we have saved customers more than $450,000.” Wichita mother Kristin Whitlow had heard of Groupon before it even hit Wichita.
12 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
“I bought a Groupon in Indianapolis while I waited for them to get smart and come to Wichita,” said Kristin. Since Groupon arrived in Wichita, Kristin has purchased daily deals for restaurants, salon services, hotels, golf deals and more. “Some of it is just fun stuff for us to try, but a lot of it is for new places we’ve been wanting to try or already use,” she said. “Fifty-percent off to try something new is pretty good.” Customers aren’t the only ones excited about Groupon, business owners have responded and are lining up to be a featured deal. “We have several months worth of quality businesses in our pipeline,” said Julie. Wichita Groupons have included deals such as $10 for $20 worth of frosted cookies at Connie’s Cookies; $8 for one all-day Mission Pass to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, a $17 value; and $10 for $20 worth of books, drinks or sandwiches at Watermark Books and Cafe, just to name a few. Each deal is available for only 24 hours, with the exception of the weekend-long deals, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Purchase the deal online, print the Groupon out or show the Groupon mobile app on a cell phone to redeem. Groupon is available in cities nationwide and customers can purchase a Groupon for any city. For example, if a Wichita family plans to
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take a trip to Kansas City or Oklahoma City, checking daily Groupons for those cities in the weeks leading up to the trip could set up a money-saving find. Clipping and planning still save major bucks Groupon enthusiast Kristin also admits to partaking in the traditional couponclipping method as well. “I am a coupon fiend,” said Kristin who clips coupons from the newspaper and reads coupon blogs each week. “Over the last year, I’ve been able to save over 60 percent off our grocery bill. If it wasn’t for coupons, I don’t think I’d be able to stay at home with our kids. I use coupons mostly for groceries, but we also almost never eat out without a coupon.” Old-fashioned coupon-clipping and deal-seeking is something many families have become reliant on. With the added help of online blogs and websites, a little work can translate into a lot of savings.
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Jenna’s husband was laid off from his job a little over a year ago and Jenna decided to help stretch her family’s money by saving just a few dollars each time she went to the grocery store. “I was opened up to the world of coupon blogs,” recalled Jenna, who has two young children. “I never knew how many coupons were really out there, and coupons for items other than food.” Jenna started small then began learning more about coupons and more about store policies. Then she turned up the speed and went full-force into the coupon world. “Most often I save at least 50-percent off of my grocery bill, and many times it is more than that,” said Jenna. “When I first started I was shocked by how many things you can use coupons on other than food.”
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Jenna uses coupons at restaurants, clothing stores, home improvement stores and even for family outings. “I think the most shocking coupon use for me when I first started was that many www.WichitaFamily.com
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
13
museums and events have coupons as well,” said Jenna. Jenna spends 15-20 minutes a week clipping coupons and putting them in her coupon binder. She agrees that it can be overwhelming to a new coupon-
clipper so her advice is to only clip coupons that you know your family will use. “Also you must figure out which coupon system works best for you,” said Jenna. “The shoe box method, the binder
method, envelope method, accordion file method, or your very own method.” Jenna was so excited about the savings she was experiencing that she began telling friends and family all about it and would even send out pictures of the deals she would find. People responded with many questions and much interest in how she was saving so much money and where they could find deals of their own that Jenna started a website to share all of her newfound skills. “Wichita Coupons is a site dedicated to all the deal-seeking, coupon-matching, sale-searching men and women out there,” said Jenna. “With a multitude of coupons, deals, freebies and giveaways; Wichita Coupons takes the work out of finding the best deals to be had in Wichita.”
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14 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010 Wichita Family - OB ad - 4.875” x 8.5” - Color
Jenna started Wichita Coupons, www. wichitacoupons.net, in August 2009 and it has taken off. “I never imagined it would become so popular,” she said. “I feel like God has blessed my family so much, why not share it with everyone else. Couponing has really changed the way our family lives. We only spend around $120 a month on groceries for a family of 4, which gives us more freedom to enjoy other things such as vacations.” Jenna and her family also have eliminated all debt except for their mortgage and because of coupons and watching sales she is nearly finished with Christmas shopping. And with all she’s learned over the past year and all the money she has saved, Jenna knows it can be exciting but also stressful if you worry too much about finding a certain sale or missing the latest deal. “But the thing to remember is it’s fun and if you miss a deal, don’t stress over it,” she advised. “Another deal is just around the corner.” n
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Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
15
Isely celebrates construction of its new building
supporting the $370 million bond issue and to welcome them to a new school year. “We are glad that our families were able to come out and see what our new school will be like,” said principal Jane Walker. “Many of our students are very excited to have a new school. The teachers are excited too.” Besides enjoying ice cream, families also toured the current school and met with their child’s teacher for this school year.
Isely Traditional Magnet students look over the drawings for their new school during Meet the Teacher Night on August 12.
I
sely Traditional Magnet celebrated the start of construction of its new school building during Meet the Teacher Night on August 12. Parents had the opportunity to look at the building design and talk with the architects about the plans for the new school, which will
begin construction later this month. Board of Education President Connie Dietz and Vice President Betty Arnold, Superintendent John Allison and Assistant Superintendent Alicia Thompson served ice cream to families to thank them for
BEST FOR FAMILY Dining:
2011
16 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010 Top 3 Local Restaurants 1.__________________________________________
Isely Traditional Magnet will have a state-of-the-art pre-K through fifth grade school in which to educate students. The 65,000 square-foot school will accommodate 450 students and have a music room, art room, computer lab and a multi-purpose room that is also a safe room/storm shelter. Isely is scheduled to be substantially complete by December 2011.
Best For Family 2011 Readers’ Choice Survey. Results will be published in the February 2011 issue ballot by by of Wichita Family Magazine. Submit your this ballot November 17, 2010.
or vote online at wichitafamily.com
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Schools:
L’Ouverture begins partnership with New Hope Baptist Church
Jardine receives surprise gift from Wal-Mart
Photo caption: First-grade students receive school supplies from New Hope Baptist Church on the first day of school.
L
’Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet and New Hope Baptist Church announced a new partnership to support students. The partnership was announced to families during their Meet Your Teacher event on August 12. As part of the partnership, New Hope Baptist Church provided school supplies to the school’s first-grade students. On the first day of school, members of the church handed out pencils, erasers, glue sticks, crayons, flash cards, and a pencil box to enable students to get off to a strong start for the school year. The teachers received items like copy paper, facial tissue, paper towels and other supplies needed in the classroom.
Success
begins at an early age
Call for a free consultation about your child’s development.
Through the partnership, church members will be reading tutors for the first-grade students to help them increase their reading and listening skills and will start a Reading With Seniors program. The church members will support parents as well. L’Ouverture parents who are interested in obtaining a GED can receive assistance at New Hope Baptist Church and receive free childcare while doing so. “The partnership is extremely beneficial to parents, students, and the L’Ouverture staff,” said principal Greg Croomes. “We are thankful to be partners with New Hope and look forward to continuing the partnership for years to come.”
Jardine principal Dave Saunders, right, accepts a check from Wal-Mart store manager Pamela Fields.
School staff from Jardine Technology Magnet, along with the school’s Color Guard, were invited to help celebrate the grand re-opening of Wal-Mart at Pawnee and Broadway on July 30. During the ceremony, Jardine was surprised with a $5,000 check from the store to support initiatives at the school. Principal Dave Saunders said he was extremely grateful for the gift. Jardine’s Color Guard, made up of students Tomas Morales, Alondra Navarette, Jacob Nicolet, and Javier Torres- Ramirez presented the colors at the ceremony. They were led by Master Sergeant Mike Williams.
High Quality Early Childhood Program Preschool and child care openings Evidenced based • Focus on whole child 30 months - 5 years • Year round learning Outdoor classrooms • All abilities Open yourwelcome heart.
Open your home.
(316) 260-4673 • Kids’ Point, K-96 & Oliver RainbowsUnited.org
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Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
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Children’s Clothing: Getting the most bang for your buck
by Jenae Crowley
T
here is a way to clothe your children in high-quality, namebrand clothes without spending a fortune. And it’s definitely not rocket science—you just have to know a few key strategies to get the most for your money!
Buy a year (or season) in advance. At the end of every season, retail stores deeply discount the previous season’s merchandise. Go ahead and take advantage of those great deals and set the clothes aside for the next year. Just don’t forget about the clothes you buy! Wait until stores offer an additional percentage off of sale prices. Stores
18 Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
wishing to clear out room for new merchandise will frequently offer an additional percentage off of an already marked-down price. Again, it is normally at the end of the season. Online stores also frequently offer additional percentages off of sale prices. There’s few things more rewarding than getting a pair of Gap Kids jeans for $4! Spread the word. I don’t know about you, but it is difficult for me to go shopping with my little ones. Ask friends to call if they find a great deal and you will do the same. Use online coupon codes. You can find some spectacular deals online… you just have to know how to work the system. Start by going through sites like Ebates or ShopatHome for a rebate on a percentage of your purchases. Then remember to search to see if the store you’re shopping at has a coupon
code. RetailMeNot.com has the most comprehensive coupon code directory. Organize a clothing exchange. Recruit friends, neighbors, and individuals from your church or school to participate in a clothing exchange for clothes your children have outgrown. Have everyone bring clothes on a certain date then ask a few volunteers to help sort the clothes. After it is all organized, let people come and “shop.” If you have clothes left over, donate them or let people in the community pick up some clothes for free. Besides being a great way to clear out old and bring in new, it benefits others!
Jenae is a wife, mother of two boys’ ages 2 ½ and 9 months, and former first-grade teacher. She loves spending time with her family and sharing fun and educational activities for young children on her website I Can Teach My Child.
www.WichitaFamily.com www.WichitaFamily.com
Financial Foundations Why Purchase Life Insurance?
When acrobats perform, they don’t leave their safety to chance. Although they’re experienced professionals, they always use a safety net. In much the same way, life insurance acts as protection against unexpected calamities. Without insurance, your untimely death can cause sever financial consequences for your family. Money alone can never fill your shoes, but it can—in the form of life insurance—provide a resource free from income tax for meeting your family’s needs. With careful planning, life insurance can allow them to continue leading comfortable lives. Safety & security A properly structured life insurance program can provide for immediate final expenses, such as unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses and estate settlement costs. Also, life insurance should ensure that your family has the money to meet the day-to-day costs of running a household. Besides daily financial needs, life insurance can also help assure that your family’s long-range financial goals are met, such as retirement income and college educations. How much is enough? In general, financial planning experts agree that a life insurance policy’s death benefit should be from three to 10 times an individual’s annual earnings. Of course, the amount of life insurance you need will depend on your financial situation and objectives. For example, an individual with a greater number of dependents might consider a larger policy that will adequately cover the entire family. As you plan your insurance coverage, consider your family’s expected expenses and future goals, such as college. Common areas that make life insurance funds beneficial include: x Income Replacement. When you die and your paychecks stop, your family may be left with limited resources. Proceeds from a life insurance policy make cash available to support your family almost immediately upon your death. x Pay Off Debts. Life insurance can be used to pay off mortgages, care loans, and credit card debts, leaving other remaining assets intact for your family. www.WichitaFamily.com
Funeral and Burial Expenses. Life insurance can also be used to pay for final expenses and estate tax. x Inheritance. Life insurance can create an estate for your heirs. x Spouse’s Retirement. Life insurance funds can also be added to your spouse’s retirement savings. (Note: Please speak to your financial advisor before settling on a face amount.) x
What kind of life insurance do I need? Although many different types of policies exist, there are two main types of life insurance: term and cash value. The one that is best for you depends largely on your personal situation. Term life insurance typically offers a large death benefit with a relatively low premium. However, premium payment usually increase as you age or when the policy is renewed. Term policies function as a safety net for your family, not as an investment. They generally do not have a cash value or a savings component. Cash-value insurance policies tend to have higher premiums that remain steady throughout your life. The policy accumulates value as you pay your premiums and functions as a form of investment. Cash-value insurance may also allow you to borrow against the capital accumulated in the policy, although such borrowing will reduce your cash value and death benefit. Life insurance is one possible way to protect life’s most precious treasures against the unforeseen. Most importantly, it can protect against hazards that would likely be insurmountable without an appropriate and sufficient “safety net.” For more information, please call your financial advisor. Member SIPC
Waddell & Reed 811 E. 30th, Ste E Hutchinson, KS 67502 620-669-8291 yourfuture.wrfa.com
Bill R. Kliewer Financial Advisor
H. Joe Kukula Financial Advisor
This information should not be construed as investment or financial advice related to your personal situation. Please consult with a financial advisor prior to making financial decisions. Insurance products are offered through insurance companies with which Waddell & Reed has sales arrangements. 8/10
Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
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Wichita Family Classified Section Childcare Directory Kids Day Inn---a quality Christian Mom’s Day Out program at Westlink Christian Church 2001 N. Maize Road, Wichita 722-1034 x121. Based on the “Bee” Attitudes Classes for 2& 3 year olds Monday, Thursday OR Friday. Asbury Preschool: A high quality school. Readiness Program for children 3-5. For information call 942-1491.
Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-4012385 www.CenturaOnline.com (MCN) FREE Hearing Test, Courtesy of Miracle Ear. CALL For Appt. with a LOCAL Specialist. Rediscover the Life You’ve Been Missing! Call Today - 1-877-3393847 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR! Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Most highly rated breast cancer charity in America! Tax deductible/Fast, Free Pick-up! 1-888380-7845 (MCN)
Medical Alert for Seniors-Monitoring 24/7. FREE Equipment, FREE Shipping, Easy Set-up. ONLY $29.95/mo. CALL Medical Guardian Today! 1-888-375-9729 (MCN) ARIZONA BIG BEAUTIFUL LOTS $89/mo. $0 down, $0 interest. Golf Course, Nat’l Parks. 1 hour from Tucson Int’l Airport. Guaranteed Financing. No CREDIT CHECK. Pre-recorded msg. 800-631-8164 Code 4032, www.sunsiteslandrush.com (MCN)
Noah’s Ark Child Care Center and Preschool, 6100 W. Maple St. Wichita 943-2088. Located inside Central Community Church. Caring for children 2 ½ to 7yrs. Biblical and Preschool Curriculum…. SRS approved CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB: http://www.centralcommunity.org/ noahsark/index.html
Midwest Classified Network READER NOTICE: This publication will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the local Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or Better Business Bureau. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. This publication cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with these advertisers. Google Is Paying Out Big Money! WAY TOO EASY! No Promoting or Marketing Required. Not MLM. This Is Sooooo Amazingly Simple. BIG Check Sent to YOU Every Month! www.NewLazyCashSystem. com (VOID IN SD) (MCN) REACH 2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS! Do you have a product, service, or business that would be helped by reaching over 2.5 million households throughout Iowa and the surrounding states? The Midwest Classified Network will allow you to reach these potential customers quickly and inexpensively. For more information concerning a creative classified ad call this publication or Midwest Free Community Papers at 800-248-4061 or get information online at www.mcn-ads.com (MCN) ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal
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Wichita Family | SEPTEMBER 2010
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NOW IT IS TIME TO SEE IT!
Different
Than Any Other Tanganyika has created a Wildlife Park that breaks the mold of typical zoos. The grounds are open and inviting, providing the ultimate place for animals and people to be together in harmony. Walk with the Kangaroos, feed Rainbow Lorikeets and African tortoises, visit the Giraffe feeding post or swing over to Lemur Island and feed the Ring-tailed lemurs, or go for a stroll atop a camel. Now you can even feed the Indian rhinos and ride the horses.
316-794-8954 West of Wichita in Goddard
twpark.com