Wichita Family December 2014

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING GUIDE HOLIDAY SHIPPING 101 PREP YOUR DEVICES BEFORE HOLIDAY TRAVELS wfm 1

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wfm wichita family

magazine

december 2014

Inside: 6

News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

8

The list of top Christmas gifts has something for everyone on your list this year

11

Prepare your devices before you head out on the road this holiday season

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Grandparents should consider giving their grandchildren life insurance as an alternative Christmas gift

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WWW.WICHITAFAMILY.COM 4 wfm

Success begins at an early age

wfm wichita family

magazine

Call for a free consultation about your child’s development.

Sedgwick County: 316.945.7117 • Butler County: 316.320.1342

published by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC 316.295.8465 Publisher Todd Vogts

Advertising inquiries contact:

Early Intervention Services

Publisher Todd Vogts publisher@wichitafamily.com

Follow us on Twitter @wichitafamily

Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by Lucky 7 Publishing 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, email us at publisher@wichitafamily. com or visit our website at www.wichitafamily.com.

Copyright 2014 by Lucky 7 Publishing 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 Lucky 7 Publishing LLC.

Message from the Publisher We made it. The year is nearly over, and I say, despite it’s ups and downs, it has been a great one.

In a few short weeks, we will be strolling into the new year, and I for one am excited.

2015 is going to be a big year for Wichita Family Magazine. The format is going to be changing.

Instead of the horizontal magazine you are reading now, it will be changed to a more vertical format.

There are also going to be several branding changes, such as a new logo, and much more. I’m super stoked about it all!

I’m also excited about Christmas! It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time to

spend with family and take part in fellowship. As I said last month, don’t get caught up in commercialism and materialistic goods.

Remember the reason for the season, if you will.

Even if you can’t afford that new television or gaming system, give the gift your time to your loved ones. Sit down for a meal together, or go play catch in the front yard. Whatever it is, it will be special, and it will be one gift that won’t be discarded after a few weeks once interest in it wanes. It will be the most special gift someone can receive.

However, if you are worried gift giving, don’t worry. We have you covered.

Our feature for this month is a great gift guide, and for anyone reading this trying to figure out what to get me, that “Sherlock” gift set would be pretty awesome to have.

Also, we have a great suggestion for an alterna-

tive gift grandparents can give their grandchildren, and we answer your questions concerning the mailing of gifts to loved ones both near and far.

If you are like me, the holidays will mean traveling to see family and friends, so don’t forget to check out our story about having all your electronic devices prepare and ready to go when it comes time to hit the road.

Basically, this issue has all your holiday needs.

So I will close by wishing you the merriest Christmas, and I hope you have much luck and fortune in the coming year, especially with those pesky New Year’s Resolutions. I’m personally going to try to come up with something attainable. I’m not going to resolve to work out every day, but I am going to try to eat healthier and have more spontaneous fun.

What is your New Year’s Resolution going to be?

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News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

T-Mobile employees help beautify L’Ouverture landscape

Nearly 100 employees from T-Mobile came to L’Ouverture Career Explorations and Technology Magnet for the day and left it better than when they arrived. The employees, accompanied by the Hands On

Network, worked on landscape projects around the school during the day. The biggest project the employees created was a reading garden called the Huddle Up Zone that will be used for outdoor learning opportunities.

T-Mobile gave L’Ouverture a $3,000 check at the end of their visit.

Wichita Public Schools Choices Fair is January 29 The 2015 Choices Fair is Thursday, January 29, 5 – 8 p.m., at Century II Exhibition Hall. The Choices Fair allows parents to do “one-stop school shopping” to look at the different educational options the district offers for students. Representatives from 24 magnet schools, the district’s neighborhood

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schools, alternative middle and high schools, special programs and district support programs will be on hand to provide information and to answer parents’ questions.

Magnet school applications for the 2015-16 school year will be available online starting on December 1.

All magnet school applications are due on February 13, 2015.

More

information

about

magnet

schools,

applications and the Choices Fair is located at www. magnet.usd259.org.

McLean students dissect squids in science class

Students at McLean Science and Technology Magnet had an engaging lesson to wrap up a unit on mollusks and cephalopods.

The fourth-grade students dissected squids in science class. The students had to

measure and weigh their squids before locating parts of the squid including the brain, siphon, beak, gills, hearts and ink sack. The students were most excited about discovering if their squid was a boy or a girl.

Enders students and families donated enough items to fill seven large boxes filled with food and personal care items. The kindergarten students also wrote messages, drew pictures and made paper flags to include in the care packages.

Enders students send care packages to U.S. troops Kindergarten students at Enders Elementary collected items to make care packages to send to troops stationed in the United Arab Emirates. The son of an Enders teacher is currently deployed

to the UAE with the U.S. Air Force and teachers thought this would be an excellent opportunity for students to show support for the men and women who serve our country.

One student described as “eew and cool at the same time.� wfm 7

Santa’s List

REVEALED

Unique gifts for him, her and more This holiday, take some tips from the big man with the jolly red hat.

Whether shopping for family and friends young or old, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list with these gifts, specially selected from Santa himself.

— Family Features

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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Light Up Her Holiday Give the gift of stellar style with sparkling crystals and celestial designs.

PANDORA's new Winter Collection offers charms, pendants, rings and earrings inspired by the starry beauty of the night sky. Create and combine expertly crafted, hand finished jewelry in .925 sterling silver and 14-karat gold to celebrate the wonder of the season. For more gift ideas or to locate an authorized retailer, visit www.pandora.net.

A Book for Your Cook In this new full-color edition of Smoke & Spice, the definitive book on smokecooked barbecue, outdoor cooking experts Cheryl and Bill Jamison serve up many new and updated recipes, lots of color photos, and loads of BBQ wit, wisdom and lore. Completely revised throughout, this James Beard Cookbook Award-winning title, which has sold more than one million copies, has the latest information on the tools, fuels and techniques of first-rate “Q.” For more information, visit www.harvardcommonpress.com.

Safety, Fun in a First Phone Give the gift on every kid’s list with added peace of mind for parents. The new TracFone LG Optimus Fuel Android smartphone with the SpongeBob bundle comes with content for kids, including fun wallpapers and videos. More importantly, it includes a free one year trial of the Family Guardian parental control app, allowing parents to manage and monitor usage for a safer experience. For more information on TracFone, visit TracFoneParents.com

Whether it’s co-workers at the office or your stylist at the salon, when the holidays come around, you likely have a lot of gift giving to do. Check those names off your shopping list and tuck these delightful gifts under the tree. This guide has something to make everyone’s season a little brighter.

— Family Features

Inspire the Imagination This holiday, give that special little girl a gift to awaken her mind. A timeless, classic gift that provides hours of imaginative play, Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners promote wholesome family values. These fuzzy, adorable miniature figures are available in a variety of cute animal families - from the Hopscotch Rabbit family to the Hopper Kangaroo family - you’re sure to find one your little recipient will cherish.

Find out more at www.calicocritters.com.

Beyond the Box Sometimes the most meaningful gifts don’t come in a box. This little gift makes a big impact, changing the way someone you love sees the world - literally. With VSP Direct, starting under $17 a month, you can give the gift of good vision to those without vision insurance, providing high-quality eye care, yearly eye exams, allowances for frames or contacts and the lowest out-of-pocket costs in vision care with average savings of $200 annually.

Visit www.givevsp.com.

High Tech Holiday This holiday, get the affordable high performance laptop that is sure to delight the whole family. Give your computer an upgrade with the new Zenbook UX303LN, the ultimate in laptop technology with a 13.3-inch touch screen display, Intel Core i7 Processor, HD camera and up to 7 hours of battery life. You’ll love its light, sleek and powerful with a polished metallic finish. For more details, visit www.asus. com.

An Action-Packed Present The gift of Emmy Award winning entertainment fits perfectly under the tree.

With a bonus disc with rare footage and commentary, the new Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set includes the first three seasons of the hit show. A contemporary spin on the classic crime-solving duo of Holmes and Watson, this thrilling, highly-entertaining Blu-ray and DVD combo captures the pair as they navigate a maze of clues to get at the truth. For more information, visit www.bbc.com.

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Doctor’s Orders

Follow us on Twitter @ wichitafamily 10 wfm

“Did you know that mouth breathing, especially in children, can be problematic? Over time children whose mouth breathing goes untreated may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development as well as lack of sleep leading to difficulty in concentration. Dentists typically request that their patients return every six months for check ups which means that most children see their dentist more then they see their physician. As a result, dentists may be the first to identify the symptoms for mouth breathing. Early treatment with either orthodontic or surgical intervention can greatly improve quality of life. If your child suffers from this condition, speak with a health care provider knowledgeable about mouth breathing.”

— Dr. Brett Begnoche, DDS

Call us in the Morning, We’ll get you in Today... GUARANTEED!

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Saturday Appointments

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BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! Receive an Ipad mini with braces or Invisalign

Prep your devices for holiday travels The busiest travel weekend of the year is just around the corner and a smart traveler knows that before you hit the road here in the U.S. or head overseas, you do some planning and prep.

Wardrobe, medications, itinerary- but what about your phone? Have you made sure you’re maximizing your phone’s usefulness and minimizing your costs?

These travel prep tips will help you get the most out of your phone and help you save money.

Get the Right Gear • Smartphone? Tablet? Both? - Depending on the length of your trip, consider whether you need to bring all your de-

vices, or just a few. Today’s smartphones are mini-computers with access to maps, powerful mini-cameras, and tons of entertainment apps. If you want to travel light, consider leaving the camera and tablet at home and invest in upgrading to a larger screened smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S5 or the LG G3.

• Chargers - For overseas travel, invest in an extra charger with an international plug for the region where you are traveling or look for adapters that will let you charge in multiple countries. You may want to look for one with a surge protector built in. Other options are wireless charg-

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Celebrate the Holidays with Special Family Festivities!

Let It Snow!

In the Boeing Dome Theater and Planetarium Thru Sunday, Dec. 28

Kansas in Miniature Holiday Music Thru Sunday, Dec. 28

Explore Store Discount Shopping Weekend Thu rsday, Dec. 4 - Saturd ay, Dec. 6

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Winter Break Edventures

Jan. 2 Monday, Dec. 22 - Friday,

For the Big Kids! Ages 17 years +

Jam to three Pink Floyd Cosmic Light Shows.

Friday, Dec. 26 & Saturday, Dec. 27 Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Details at www.exploration.org 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, Kansas 67203

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The Fastest Way To Build A Better Athlete® All Sports / Ages 7 and Up / Boys & Girls

“

continued from page 11 ing pads or USB battery packs. Check out T-Mobile.com for the best travel accessories for your device.

Check Your Data Plan You’ll probably use a lot more data than usual when you’re traveling. Make sure you have the right data plan to cover those map downloads and Facebook photo posts.

Internationally, calling and texting back home can be expensive and can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars a day or more. To call and text while traveling, you have a few options: • Check your plan - Call your network provider and find out what you already pay

Parisi Speed School is the king of sports performance training!

”

– ESPN

The Parisi Speed School has trained over 650,000 athletes in every sport. Parisi athletes can be seen in the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, the Olympics and nearly every other professional sport!

If you want an edge on the competition look no further...The Parisi Speed School is the program to get you there.

SANTA SING-ALONG with Riverside Music Together

December 12 th & 13 th 1103 Jefferson ~ FREE Demo Class! ~ Fun, Educational Music & Movement Classes ~ Ages Birth to Five

Parisi Speed School of Wichita 1627 S. Sabin Street, Wichita, KS 67209

316.977.8717

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sharon.wichitaparisi@gmail.com www.parisischool.com/wichita

RSVP to: 316-461-1385 www.riversidemusictogether.com

for and if you need to do anything to beef up your data. If you have a Simple Choice plan from T-Mobile, unlimited data and texting is already included in your plan at no additional cost in 120+ countries and destinations.

• Turn Off Data Roaming - If you’re not with T-Mobile, avoid hefty fees by turning off data roaming on your phone under “settings”. It will save you money, but severely limits your communication options.

• Use Wi-Fi - Whether traveling in the U.S. or abroad, Wi-Fi is pretty much everywhere in the world and many of today’s new smartphones are equipped with Wi-Fi Calling capabilities. In the U.S., you can use Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels and even campsites. When traveling abroad, use local Wi-Fi to make unlimited, free calls back to the States from virtually anywhere. You can also boost your Wi-Fi coverage at home with a T-Mobile Personal CellSpot to make sure you get full-bar coverage.

Stock up On Apps As always, make sure your phone is loaded up with the right apps for the best connection everywhere you go.

• Free Wi-Fi Finder - You’ll never be without the proper connection with this useful app, which scans your current location for Wi-Fi hotspots nearby.

• GoGo Talk and Text - Stay in touch in flight! GoGo is offering free, unlimited texting and visual voicemail access on all U.S.-based airline flights exclusively to TMobile customers.

• HopStop - Get all your public transportation options at your fingertips. You’ll find information on metros and buses, biking and walking directions, and maps to help you get around.

— Family Features

Protect your grandchild’s future with a life insurance policy Tired of purchasing toys that break or that her grandchildren will outgrow, 62-year-old Barbara Carlson* decided the holidays were a perfect time to purchase a gift that will continue to protect both of her grandchildren well into their futures.

“I just became a grandmother for the second time, and I bought a permanent youth life insurance policy for my new granddaughter that could either one day help protect her financially if the unexpected happens or help her pay for college,” said Carlson.

She is not alone.

Grandparents are increasingly giving the gift of life insurance to their grandchildren for many reasons.

For Carlson, it was a way of helping her son and daughter-in-law during a time when budgets are tight.

She purchased the two youth whole life insurance policies so the new parents could focus on more immediate concerns, such as increased childcare expenses and other necessities.

“I bought both youth policies when the grandchildren were newborns and their policies will mature in 20 years,” added Carlson. “That means when my grandchildren reach age 20, they can either keep their policy as life insurance protection or they may decide to borrow against the cash value to help pay for college.”

Carlson pays approximately $15 a month for each child’s policy and

those premium payments never increase.

Her son maintains sole control of the policies until her grandchildren reach the age of 16, with some restrictions.

Three Tips for Purchasing Youth Life Insurance 1. Consider youth policies that are whole life policies. Whole life youth policies are a form of permanent life insurance. That means the child continues to be insured, regardless of changes in her or his health condition, as long as the policy remains in force and the premiums are paid. The premium payments are guaranteed and never increase.

2. Purchase youth life insurance at younger ages. While many organizations offer youth life insurance up to age 18, typically the earlier you purchase the policy, the less expensive it is over the coverage period.

3. Different life insurance organizations offer additional child-friendly benefits. In addition to offering youth life policies, life insurers such as notfor-profit insurer Royal Neighbors of America, also offers its members benefits which currently include scholarship opportunities that can help fund the costs of a college education.

For more information on life insurance products or member benefits such as scholarships, log on to www. royalneighbors.org or call (866) 845-

6665. * Details have been altered to ensure personal privacy.

— Family Features

2 Free Sessions!

(316) 854-3000 11310 E. 21st N., Ste D Wichita, KS 67206 (21st and Greenwich)

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Holiday Shipping 101 I

f one of your holiday tasks is shipping gifts to family and friends across the nation, knowing a few tips and tricks will ensure your packages get to them in time for the festivities.

From shipping deadlines to packaging, there are many factors to consider when sending gifts, especially during a busy time like the holiday season.

Fortunately, there are dozens of resources available to help make shipping holiday gifts more convenient than ever.

“Priority Mail is a convenient and affordable shipping option for holiday gifts,” said John Budzynski, consumer advocate at the U.S. Postal Service. “It offers features like package redirect, free package pickup and text update alerts.”

Budzynski offers this advice to help make your holiday shipping simple and stress-free.

• Take advantage of services that make shipping more convenient. For example, the U.S. Postal Service lets you order free Priority Mail shipping supplies from usps.com and delivers them right to your door - from boxes to envelopes and stickers.

• Be informed about policies for handling fragile gifts or items that may be hazardous, such as perfume, cologne and other liquids.

• Always include a return address. It tells the shipper where to return the package if it can’t be delivered.

• Pack smart. Pick a strong and sturdy box, cushion contents with packing peanuts, newspaper or bubble wrap, and tape it closed with strong packing tape.

• Print postage at home using Click-N-Ship from the U.S. Postal Service at usps.com/clicknship. It not

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only saves time, but money too; you can receive up to an 11 percent discount by buying postage online.

• Don’t get caught in the holiday rush. Schedule a free package pickup from your home or office.

• Stay updated on the status of your package.

Use Priority Mail to receive tracking to monitor your package’s progress toward its destination. You also can sign up for text and email alerts through my.usps.com to help you track package delivery.

• Check key shipping dates to ensure your package arrives in time for the holiday. The U.S. Postal Service provides these deadlines to help you plan ahead for delivery by Dec. 25: Dec. 2 - International First-Class Mail

Photo courtesy of Daniel Afzal for U.S. Postal Service

Dec. 2 - Priority Mail International Dec. 10 - Priority Mail Express International Dec. 15 - Standard Post Dec. 17 - Global Express Guaranteed Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail Dec. 20 - Priority Mail Dec. 23 - Priority Mail Express Note: Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed December 22-25.

For more shipping tips and online tools, visit usps.com.

— Family Features

Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28 11 AM to 3 PM

SPONSORED BY 速

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 7 2 to 4 PM ENJOY VISITS WITH SANTA Sponsored by the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum wfm 15

Thank you for all your support during our record season!

Stay connected! don’t miss our off-season park opening updates!

folloW us on tWitter or facebook to knoW When the Park is oPen based on Weather.

this holiday season, give the

that keeps on giving. ce.

Wildly Different Experien Wildly Different Ex perience.

Gift cards available in the Park Gift shoP!

(316) 794.8954 16 wfm

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