Beautiful You - April 2010

April 2010

Free!

Flavor Pairings

Getting a Leg Up On Fitness

Footloose Fashion

E s s e n t i a l

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E n l i g h t e n i n g

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E n t e r t a i n i n g

in the Radisson 100 West Michigan Avenue Downtown Kalamazoo 269.226.3174

ROBERT GRAHAM available at

Men s & Women s Apparel and Accessories

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

The People Who Make It Happen...

Publisher: Darlene Clifford dclifford@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Contributing Writers: Sandy Derby Kelly Duggan Mary Beth Esquibel Lauren Fitzmaurice Chloe Herakovic Emily Magyar Heidi McCrary Ann Mohr Jeff Murphy Judy Pearson Juli Wiseman The Kalamazoo Network

Sales: Sales Manager Ruth Ann Dibert radibert@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Sales Representatives: Brenda Murphy Pamela Nunley Maria Pavletic

Layout & Design: jr4 designs JR Harper

Photography: Connie Hagman

Office Manager:

BEAUTIFUL YOU 52 Ways to Improve Your Wellbeing______________________________________8 2010 Eyewear Trends _______________________________________________20 What is Botox Cosmetic? ____________________________________________24 7 Myths about Women Over 50 _______________________________________30 AT HOME 2010 Color Trends_________________________________________________26 Seeing Green in the Garden __________________________________________32 BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS IMHO ____________________________________13 Spring Break Aromatherapy_______________________22 More Than Just A Game of Golf __________________33 Reader’s Lounge______________________________39 LOOKING & FEELING GOOD What the Heck are Skin Tags? _____________________4 Understanding HPV ____________________________4 Footloose!___________________________________6 The Skin You’re In _____________________________10 Healthy Ideas Posture: The Backbone of Good Health ________________________________22 Be a Good Sport, Mom __________________________________________22 How to Choose the Right Sunglasses__________________________________22 Could Your Bad Breath Be Hurting You? __________________________________24 FACES IN HEALTHCARE Meet Kalamazoo Health Care Providers _____________________________14

Patty Hess

Contact Us

By Phone: 269-569-1647

BUSINESS & FINANCE Financial Sauvé______________________________________________18 Networking with the Kalamazoo Network____________________________23 Ad Talk __________________________________________________27

Sales Info: 269-271-1032

By Mail: Greater Kalamazoo Women’s LifeStyle, P. O. Box 2284, Portage, MI 49081-2284

By Email: wlskazoo@provide.net

RECIPES Flavor Pairings Lemon-Bay Tortellini with Spinach & Wild Mushrooms _________________16 Preserved Lemons _________________________________________16 Turmeric-Spiced Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salsa _________________17 Mix-and-Match Spiced Mousse Minis ___________________________17

website: www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

Coming In May Eco-Chic

Gluten Free Avocado and Mango Salad____________________________________________________________________23 Cranberry Nut Bread ________________________________________________________________________23 Let's Ham It Up Chipolte-Glazed Ham with Cherry-Jicama Salsa ___________28 Cheesy Ham and Macaroni ________________________28 Ham and Rigatoni Casserole ________________________28 COMMUNITY NEWS & HAPPENINGS Gilmore Keyboard Festival 2010 ________________________34 Calendar of Events ________________________________35

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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What the Heck are

courtesy Metro Creative

Skin Tags?

Though they might appear troublesome, skin tags are relatively common and, in most cases, completely harmless.

R

ub your hand across your neck or chest. If you feel small balls protruding from the skin surface, you probably have skin tags. Acrochordons, also known as skin tags, are a benign condition of the skin. They appear as flesh-colored pieces of tissue or small bits of skin protruding from the rest of the skin by a thin stalk. About half of the population will develop skin tags at one point in their lives.

Although they may appear troublesome and are actually a type of tumor, skin tags are relatively innocuous and quite common. They have not been found to become cancerous if left untreated.

Skin tags can be as small as a pinpoint or as large as a grape, and form just about anywhere on the body, but they’re typically found where there is excessive friction of the skin, whether from rubbing up against other skin or contact from clothing. Therefore the neck, upper chest, underarms, groin folds, and under the breasts are common areas to find skin tags.

Acrochordons do not cause any physical problems. They may become itchy or irritated if friction is prolonged. If a tag is caught on clothing or snagged another way, there can be a small amount of pain and slight bleeding. The most common reason for skin tag removal is not due to a physical ailment, but for cosmetic reasons.

Dermatologists and primary care physicians are qualified to remove skin tags.

Removal may consist of cutting off (excision) or freezing the tag (cryosurgery).

Depending upon the size, a mild topical anesthetic may be used.

There is no evidence that removing skin tags will enable a greater number to grow in their place. However, skin tags seem to proliferate as a person ages, in obese people, and in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pregnant women may also be more apt to get skin tags, thanks to hormonal changes in the body.

A Woman’s Life Just Might Depend on this Common Test

C

ervical cancer is the second-most common cancer among women. In the United States alone, an estimated 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer were detected in 2009 with 4,070 deaths from the disease. The two groups of women with the highest rates of cervical cancer are those from ages 35 to 39 and those from ages 60 to 64. Early detection is the key to treatment and survival.

Understanding HPV Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix, or the organ that connects the uterus to the vagina. It is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which up until recently was a little-known virus. It has since become a household name. This is a sexually transmitted virus that affects the mucous membranes in humans. HPV is spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact. Penetration is not necessary to spread the virus. Men and women can be affected by HPV, and there are different strains. HPV that causes genital warts won’t necessarily contribute to cervical cancer.

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courtesy Metro Creative

PAP Tests

Treatment

The only way to prevent HPV is to abstain from sexual contact. In recent years a vaccine has been approved for the prevention of HPV. Early detection of cervical cancer is also essential. This is obtained through a PAP test. The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased in developed countries around the world because of an increase in the use of screenings and appropriate follow-up treatment.

If cervical cancer is caught early, it can usually be treated successfully. Depending on the stage of cancer treatments may include:

The PAP test or PAP smear is named after Dr. George Papanicolaou who first developed the test. A sample of cervical cells are taken and observed under a microscope.

A woman can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in the body and can lead to cervical cancer years after infection. There are often no symptoms of HPV or cervical cancer, therefore PAPs are the single best way to detect it. If there are any symptoms, they may include unexplained bleeding or pain.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

• Cone biopsy to remove the cancer • Simple hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix • Hysterectomy and removal of pelvic lymph nodes with or without removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes • High-dose radiation therapy • X-rays or implants in the vaginal cavity to kill cancer cells • Chemotherapy Regular pelvic examinations and PAP tests can save a woman’s life and prevent cervical cancer from developing. Women with any unusual symptoms should not hesitate to speak with their doctor.

From the Publisher

Hello Beautiful!

This month, as we focus on Beautiful You!, all sorts of beauty sayings have been running through my mind: Beauty is only skin deep.

Everybody’s beautiful in their own way.

Beauty is as beauty does.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Looking at the list, it occurs to me that we have a love/hate relationship with beauty.

On the one hand, we yearn for beauty, but intrinsically know it can be superficial and fleeting. In our culture, it’s only natural that we want to look like our favorite celebrities. It can even be fun to emulate their style. A problem arises, however, when aspects of their beauty are unattainable to us. If, for example, my favorite star is tall and slim, while I am neither, I can attempt to lose weight but cannot, short of an uncomfortable pair of stilettos, become taller.

On the other had, we desire beauty as long as we can define it in a broader sense. The key, I believe, is finding a balance between caring for our outward appearances and tending to the inner beauty each of us possesses. Quality skincare, a healthy diet, exercise and even a good pedicure are all wonderful things that can help us to look and feel better, but it is also vital to care for the woman within. I can nurture my inner spirit in a variety of ways: yoga, reading an inspiring book, taking a walk with my dog or seeking support from a good friend, to name just a few.

It’s in the interest of balance that we look at beauty this month in the broadest of terms, because we are all “beautiful in our own way”.

Each one of us has an abundance of beauty that we can discover or enhance if we allow ourselves the time and devote the energy. For inspiration, please turn to page 8 for 52 Ways to Improve Your Wellbeing. You can also surround yourself with beauty at home (2010 Color Trends on page 26) and outside in your garden (Seeing Green In The Garden page 32). This edition has so many ideas to beautify your life, if you try even half of them, we think you’ll be busy all month!

On another note, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, to our loyal readers, supporting advertisers, inspiring writers, dedicated staff and the whole fantastic Women’s LifeStyle Kalamazoo family. Another year has come and gone, and it’s been a beautiful year…thanks to you.

We are always inspired by you and we sincerely hope we have provided Essential, Enlightening and Entertaining material every month.

Of course, our goal is always to do just that, and with your continued blessing, we look forward to another successful year.

Bye for now Beautiful,

Darlene

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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By Sara Cosgrove

Denim-studded ankle boots, woven leather sandals, daytime-to-evening ruffle wedges – primary reasons to step out of your old shoes and into a new pair. These styles, some delicate, others robust, are the high-fashion forerunners in footwear this spring, whether at home, at work or out on the town.

Ode to Shoes A new pair of shoes is to be admired Like a character in a classic film or fairytale No red sequins or glass slippers required Instead a sandal with a mermaid tail Has been hired To reveal a heroine

REPORT Eudora boots in Denim, $110 Studded ankle boots are a flirty pick for spring and fall. 2.75” heel.

Diba Qwen Sea sandals in Black, $89 You’re beach-bound in these patent leather sandals with pretty floral insoles. Also available in Red/Silver and White/Silver patent foil leather.

And for that cowgirl without fear The equestrian enthusiast within Wears vintage leather riding gear And she wears it to win – Sara Cosgrove Nicole Peace Sandals in Red, $79 Prepare to look like a Grecian goddess in these sandals. Try pairing them with a long dress or flowing skirt. Leather upper with matching stitching, a rubber sole, a full metal heel and a back zip.

R2 Sofie ruffle wedges in Black, $45 These sweetly sophisticated ruffle wedges are stylish and comfortable for both work and play.

Made from man-made materials with a 2.25” heel.

Also available in Gray.

Luichiny Stun Ning sandals in Teal, $74.95 Formal sandals with ruffled organza straps, satin uppers and leather soles.

3.75” heel. Recommend going down half a size. Also available in Red.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Frye Shirley Riding Boots in Dark Brown, $388 These Brush Off Leather Riding Boots pair perfectly with skinny pants or jeans. Also available in Black, Brown, Burgundy and Natural.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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Make one or two small changes a week and by next spring, they will be well-used habits.

simple

to improve your

wellbeing

You’re feeling good! The days are getting longer and warmer, and spring foods are arriving in your Farmer’s market, grocery store, or gardens: asparagus, strawberries and tender greens. Perhaps it is this time of year, with the freshness of new life all around, that a new, healthier you seems – and is – entirely possible.

Small changes are best because they are sustainable and can have a big impact on your overall health. Promise yourself to make one or two small changes a week and by next spring, they’ll be well-used habits.

1.

Drink 8 glasses of pure water a day.

2.

Get rid of junk food. If it’s not there, don’t go get it.

Limit your caffeine intake to 1-2 cups of coffee a day.

4.

Plan your weekly meals on your day off.

5.

Spend 30 minutes twice a week cutting up fresh veggies to have ready at all times.

6.

Keep seasonal fruit at home and eat it when you’re hungry or when a sweet tooth strikes.

18. De-stress. Find out what soothes you – warm baths, exercise, reading, yoga, walks in the woods – and practice daily.

7.

Substitute raw nuts and seeds for processed granola bars.

19. Eat at a table, cloth napkin on your lap and chew well. Be thankful.

8.

Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach; it’s hard on your stomach and burns up B vitamins.

20. Move daily. Find the movement that moves your body and eases your mind and make it a part of who you are. If you enjoy it, you will do it.

9.

Eat raw vegetables every day.

They contain important enzymes that can be lost when they’re cooked.

11. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

12. Next time you make cookies or cake, substitute half of the butter with applesauce, pumpkin or prune puree for less fat and more nutrients.

13. Vary your food; if you eat it today, wait 4 days before eating it again.

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16. Don’t drink water from plastic bottles. Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic and has been linked to chromosome damage and hormone disruption.

3.

10. Eat organic foods. Your body will appreciate it as will our planet.

Photo courtesy Fifty-Plus Fashions

15. Thicken soups with pureed beans for delicious taste and added nutrition.

14. Different-colored food has different nutrients, so eat from the rainbow: Red peppers, orange carrots, green kale, etc.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

17. Start your day with a glass of fresh lemon water. Your liver loves it.

21. Next time you want scrambled eggs, sauté some veggies first, then add eggs.

22. Dry brush your skin before you shower in the morning.

It’s good for your lymphatic system and your skin will be much softer and healthier.

23. Have at least one day a week without meat – Meatless Monday, perhaps.

24. Eat more beans! They’re high in protein, dietary fiber and taste good.

25. Use whole-grain flour in your baking instead of white flour. Whole-wheat pastry flour is a fine grind and much healthier than the white stuff.

26. Remove white sugar from your diet or at least limit it. Use maple syrup, honey, agave or stevia instead.

27. Don’t eat fake food! No artificial anything!

38. Add more leafy greens to your diet – kale, chard, spinach, radicchio, etc.

Steam the greens for a couple minutes, drain and set aside. In a pan sauté some onions, garlic and shitake mushrooms in olive oil for a few minutes. Add the kale back in, stir and serve.

39. When a casserole calls for cheese, use less. Instead, sprinkle grated cheese on top.

40. Begin each day with a good stretch and some deep breaths.

41. Try new ingredients. Buy a kohlrabi or something you’ve never tried before.

28. Cook at home more often.

29. Exercise your mind! Learn a new dance, read a good book or learn a new language. Keep your mind moving as well as your body.

30. Learn to communicate better. Speak your mind, kindly, and be done with it.

Don’t hold grudges. Forgive yourself and others.

31. Make your own vinaigrette for your salads: Olive and/or flax oil, lemon juice or vinegar, a little Dijon mustard, a minced garlic clove and a little salt and pepper.

32. Use sea salt instead of the highly processed salt you find in many grocery stores.

33. Reduce salt intake and use fresh herbs and lemon juice to boost flavor.

34. Try to stay off computers and away from anything electronic two hours before bed for a better night’s sleep.

35. Use plain yogurt instead of sour cream.

36. Switch to whole-wheat, corn or quinoa pasta instead of pasta made with refined flour.

37. Don’t eat or drink any food with transfat. Watch those non-dairy creamers!

42. Don’t reward yourself or your family with food.

43. Try to eat whatever food is in season; it’s more nutritious and tastes better.

44. Don’t go hungry. Eat healthy snacks so you don’t overeat later.

45. Watch what you put on your skin.

Many products are loaded with chemicals that you shouldn’t rub into your skin.

46. Bake instead of frying meats and fish.

47. Increase Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Sources include walnuts, flax seeds and oil, and cold water fish, such as salmon. Healthy fats are important to good health.

48. Increase your intake of legumes: lentil, beans and peas. They are good sources of protein, dietary fiber and blood sugar regulators. Try split pea or lentil soup for breakfast!

49. Take supplements. Begin with a good multivitamin and speak with your health practitioner about others that may be needed for your optimum health.

51. Shop the outside aisles of the grocery store.

Most of the more processed foods are located in the middle aisles.

52. Play! Everyone needs to have fun!

50. Watch your portion sizes as well as your plate and utensil sizes. Try chopsticks and eat slowly.

Live Longer . . . and Feel Great

D

r. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and frequent guest on Oprah has shared his tips for turning back the clock and boosting health in the process with Oprah’s viewers.

His approach is not new and can easily be adapted by anyone. Here are some top points to consider:

Choose healthy foods: Antioxidants are found in most dark fruits and vegetables. Among other benefits, they help slow down or reverse the process of oxidation. The result can be reclaimed vitality and

noticeable health improvements, such as the ability to fight against disease and certain cancers. A balanced diet offers antioxidant-rich foods. Supplementing with a good multivitamin will offer consistent nutrient and vitamin intake, complementing the foods you eat.

Seeing red: Resveratrol, a component of red wine, is a powerful antioxidant contained in the skin of grapes. It’s also found in red/purple grape juice and has been shown to slow down aging and increase endurance. It may also promote heart health.

Patty is a Certified Natural Chef with a Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition and founder and director of the Patty James Cooking School and Nutrition Center, the first certified organic cooking school and nutrition center in the country. Visit her at www.PattyJames.com and www.ShineTheLightOnKids.org.

courtesy Metro Creative

Calcium is a must: Calcium is necessary for maintaining strong bones, which tend to become more brittle as one ages.

Maintain internal plumbing: Staying young also involves making sure your intestines and bowels are working properly. You’ll need 25 grams of fiber a day to get the job done.

Exercise: Moderate daily exercise that takes inches off is also an essential component to anti-aging.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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The Skin You’re In

By Robyn Hubbard, M.D. Grand Rapids’ Women’s Health

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Protecting and recognizing the signs of skin disease can put you on a path to better health.

What is skin?

The skin is made up of 3 things: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat.

Epidermis: The outer layer of skin protects our body, keeps out infection, and works as a water barrier.

Dermis: The layer underneath the epidermis contains collagen, blood vessels and nerves. When collagen gets damaged, we develop wrinkles. Blood vessels dilate or constrict (shrink) to help regulate our body temperature. Nerves run throughout our skin to allow us the amazing sense of touch.

Subcutaneous fat: The deepest layer of skin, which allows some “cushion” or padding and contains hair follicles.

What can I do to protect my skin?

There are some simple rules to protecting your skin, and I can boil it down by saying: Avoid harmful UV rays. When you wear a sunscreen or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or more every day, you protect your skin from the damaging UV radiation which can cause cancer, age spots and wrinkles. Other suggestions include: avoid tanning booths, avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, wear protective clothing (long sleeves, hats), and wear extra sunscreen when you’re going out in the sun (reapply often). One episode of a bad sun burn significantly increases your chances of developing skin cancer.

Don’t smoke. Smoking makes your skin look older. When you smoke, the blood vessels in your skin narrow, which decreases blood flow to your skin. The skin is then deprived of needed oxygen and nutrients (like Vitamin A) vital to skin health. Collagen and elastin, both fibers that give skin strength and elasticity, are damaged by smoking, leading to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit; ask your health care professional for help with quitting.

Other ways to protect your skin: moisturize your skin well, avoid long baths and showers which can deplete skin oils, and avoid harsh soaps. Eating a healthy diet is important for your skin because skin needs vitamins and minerals to function properly. Plus, diets high in fat and refined products may increase the chance of acne or other skin problems.

How do I recognize a health problem with my skin?

Use “ABCD” to help look for melanoma:

Your skin can have many problems including acne, eczema or psoriasis. Skin can develop moles, freckles or age spots. Skin can also develop cancer.

If you’re worried about something on your skin, see a dermatologist or your primary care provider.

If you use these criteria, it may make it easier to sort out all of those spots on your skin.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and the leading cause of death from skin disease.

It involves cells found in the skin called melanocytes.

These cells contain pigment, which give our skin color. People with darker skin have more melanocytes in their skin layers. Melanoma is cancer of melanocytes in your skin and can be very aggressive and even fatal if not detected and treated early.

The development of melanoma is related to sun exposure, especially to sunburns during childhood.

Melanoma is more common in people with fair skin, blue or green eyes, and red or blond hair, although it can affect anyone.

Border: Does the growth have irregular edges (not a smooth circle or oval)?

Skin cancer usually starts with a bump, mole, sore or growth on the skin. If an area on your skin changes (gets bigger, changes color) make sure to have a health professional look at it. This can include skin found anywhere on your body, from your face, to your scalp, toes, back or genital area. This is why you should have your partner or a doctor do a thorough skin check every year; you can’t see all of your skin.

Asymmetry: Is the area different on one side compared to the other?

Color: Is there a variety of colors in one growth? Are there shades of tan, brown, or black (even red, white, or blue) in one growth?

Diameter: Is the growth bigger than the end of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm)?

If the answer to any of these is yes, have a doctor examine it; these may be a sign of melanoma.

Remember to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. As much as we all love a good tan, moderation is really important. Wear sunscreen every day, even in the winter. It will help to prevent cancer and keep your skin healthier and more youthful in appearance – who doesn’t want that? For most of us, being safe in the sun and not smoking will give us the youthful skin we want.

For more information: www.skincancer.org • www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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For more aromatherapy recipes, ideas and products, check out www.auracacia.com.

“Spring Break”

Float-on-the-Ocean Aromatherapy Bath This recipe is great for reproducing the therapeutic effect of bobbing in the waves, right in your own tub. If you’re traveling to the beach, this is a wonderful treatment to nourish and soothe the skin after a day spent in sun and surf.

1/2 1/2 1/4 2-3 20 10 10

cup sea salt cup baking soda cup jojoba or grapeseed oil bags of green tea drops lavender essential oil drops grapefruit essential oil drops sweet orange essential oil

Directions: In a glass or porcelain container, mix salt, baking soda, jojoba or grapeseed and essential oils, then pour in bath. Float tea bags in bath and soak away your worries.

Toes-in-the-Sand Foot Scrub Beach sand and ocean water combine naturally to smooth and renew feet and toes. This scrub replicates the effect of wet sand. Use it to get your feet looking their best before you don the flip-flops for your spring break beach debut.

1/2 1 15 5

cup granulated sugar tablespoon sweet almond oil drops tangerine essential oil drops peppermint essential oil

Directions: In a glass or porcelain container, combine sugar, sweet almond and essential oils. Mix thoroughly and massage into feet, concentrating on toes, heels and soles. Rinse with warm water and massage feet until the oil is fully absorbed. Tip: Do the foot scrub after a long soak in the bath to enhance exfoliation.

PO Box 50374 • Kalamazoo MI 49005 • voicemail: 269-343-7865 • www.kalamazoonetwork.org Every month Women’s LifeStyle is pleased to have the Kalamazoo Network answer your business and professional questions. The Kalamazoo Network has a large membership of women who either own their own business or are professional in many fields. If you have a question(s) you’d like answered please email us at: wlskazoo@provide.net RE: Kalamazoo Network Question.

Is there someone who helped you in your career, or have you been a mentor to someone?

In the profession of photography you learn a great deal from other people on a continual basis. I have been blessed with one individual who played a large role in the success of my business. He has gone out of his way to offer his equipment, his knowledge, his referrals, and his support – never once asking or expecting a thing in return. I have made it my goal to show this kind of support to young people who may be thinking about photography as a profession. "Thank You John!"

---Amy Deming / Deming Photography In a previous employment I had a female manager that took me under her wing and made me understand that if I didn’t believe in myself, no one else would either. By understanding that I had much to contribute was inspiring to me, and that is something that I try to pass on to others. It has allowed me to have accomplishments that I would not have had otherwise. She truly was a great mentor.

--- Angie Scoffin / Premier Designs Jeweler I have been fortunate to have had two female bosses that took an interest in helping educate me in proper behavior, training, etc. and I wouldn't be where I am

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today without their help (or at least the climb would have been harder). I give back, by giving talks about my profession at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kalamazoo, to assist the students in making career choices. You can help as well by guiding these young people towards a career and offer encouragement to go to college for a career goal, or to at least encourage skills training. To learn more, contact Krissy Rahn at: krissyr@bgckzoo.org --- Sally Altman, Owner / BookKeep LLC, Augusta, MI My mentor was, and still is Mark Crouch – a tough, ex-Marine, ex-cop at my last corporate job. He was the President of Old Kent Securities, and he never accepted any excuses for someone not meeting their individual potential. He gave me opportunities to expand my knowledge and my exposure to new areas of my industry. He always gave me encouragement, and at the same time, he would also let me know when I wasn't doing my best. Because of him, I do all that I can to help others in this industry. We all need to encourage each other to do so, by sharing our knowledge and experiences, especially with newbies.

--- Sandy K. Derby CFP / Derby Financial & Associates I'm quite humbled by a simple mentoring event I participated in through Kalamazoo College when I was in financial services. They matched up business students with professionals not necessarily in the student's field of study. The student I was assigned to was focusing on International Relations. After graduation she ended up taking a position as a Financial Analyst in the Global Audit Department of a major national financial institution, and wrote to thank me for opening her eyes to the financial world. An unintended, unexpected and rewarding outcome!

--- Gail M. Turluck / Connective Marketing

Maureen Krause, ABR is a Realtor with Prudential Preferred Realtors.

She is currently serving as the President for Kalamazoo Network.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Toot On!

When I was in the fifth grade, all students were issued a little white plastic instrument called a flutophone. The musical quality was in keeping with its price – probably around a buck. Its purpose was to prepare us to move on to real instruments in the junior high band. The flutophone’s pitch was akin to Cinderella’s stepmother in the Disney classic, and I now realize my parents must have loved me very much to sit through the 30 minute, end-of-year flutophone concert But there was more to the flutophone than just musical practice – it gave a group of 10 year olds the opportunity to “toot their own horns.” And that’s exactly what we need to do more of, especially in today’s tenuous economy. It takes courage to do this – especially for women. We’ve been taught since we were little girls that focusing on yourself and talking about it is a sin ranking right up there with pinching your baby brother and lying about it. But the truth is, if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to do the same? And how will they know you do believe in yourself if you don’t tell them? As I see it there are three big reasons to toot you own horn as soon, and as often, as possible.

First, it’s vital that your employer know how valuable you are to the company. Three great ways to do that: 1.

Make a list of money saving ideas for your company. Who knows, you may be able to incorporate them at home, too.

2.

Offer to take on a job no one else wants to do. This one may take real courage, but consider it a character builder with possible down-theroad benefits.

3.

Talk about the skills you have that others in your office may not know about. They might be just what the company needs right now.

And make sure you put all of these things in writing – an email message is a great way to keep records.

Secondly, if you’re in the market for a job, it’s time to really ramp up your tooting.

1.

Email everyone you know and ask them to send you adjectives they think best describe you. Use those descriptors liberally in your resumes and cover letters.

2.

Ask for reference letters from everyone you’ve ever done work for, whether paid or volunteer.

3.

Offer to work for a potential employer for a week, at no charge, so that they can experience your expertise and professionalism first hand. It’s like a test drive, and if you’re currently unemployed, you don’t have anything to do anyway, right?

Finally, here’s the most important reason to toot your own horn: IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF! And that’s vital in courage building. The more self-esteem you have, the more courageous you’ll feel when you need to stretch beyond your normal limits. When you reflect on all the skills you have and all the living you’ve experienced, you’ll get a shot of courage that will serve you well as you march forward in life. Toot on!

Judy Pearson is the founder of Courage Concepts, an organization which fosters courage in women through seminars and Courage Conventions. Judy is also the author of magazine and newspaper articles, as well as two books about ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary courage. Her latest, Wolves at the Door, has been optioned for a movie.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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James D.Gilbert, M.D. Now Accepting New Patients

Rowe Orthopaedic Center A Division of Paragon Health PC

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Dr. James D. Gilbert has been practicing Orthopedics in Kalamazoo for over 30 years.

He received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 1973. He served his Residency at the Bronson-Borgess Residency Training Program. Dr. Gilbert is affiliated with both Bronson Methodist Hospital and Borgess Medical Center. He is a member of the Michigan Orthopaedic Society and has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons since 1982.

His attention to detail and commitment to excellence have served the Kalamazoo area well. Dr. Gilbert is an experienced professional who is committed to his community. He stresses the importance of seeking an expert opinion for any medical issues you may experience. Rowe Orthopaedic Center is a full service General Orthopaedic practice dedicated to the best possible treatment for patients with bone and joint conditions. Dr. Gilbert treats chronic conditions, as well as traumatic injuries, in the office setting. Always a part of his medical procedure, Dr. Gilbert offers thoughtfulness and compassion to all of his patients.

When he’s not serving the community, Dr. Gilbert likes to spend time with his wife of almost forty years, Barbara. His hobbies include traveling, attending the opera and theater. He also immensely enjoys spending time with his five children. He especially enjoys laughing with his grandchildren.

James D. Gilbert, M.D. Rowe Orthopaedic Center A Division of Paragon Health PC 2318 Gull Rd. Ste. A-1 • Kalamazoo MI 49048 269-353-9821 www.roweortho.com Advice: “Don’t believe everything you read on the web, see on T.V., read in the newspaper or hear from your ‘best friend’. Your best source of medical information is from an experienced doctor you know and trust.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilbert, call 269-353-9821 or visit www.roweortho.com

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Alan Messinger, M.D. Now Accepting New Patients

Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo, PC Dr. Messinger graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School, completed his General Surgery Residency at Southwest Michigan Health Education Center and his Plastic and Reconstructive Residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr. Messinger has been a partner with Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo since 1989 and currently serves as a clinical instructor at Michigan State University. He is an active member of the American Burn Association and the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. He is a founding member and first chair person of Great Lakes Burn Camp. He also finds a great deal of satisfaction in the work he does with breast cancer patients: “I find that breast reconstruction and making a connection with the breast cancer survivors is the most rewarding part of my practice. It is an extremely emotional time in these patients’ lives and it is a privilege to be able to provide medical expertise, support and comfort.”

Dr. Messinger has been married to his wife Rhonda since 1982 and they have two children, Jamie and Ellie. He appreciates the pace of life that Southwest Michigan offers and the fact that it allows him the opportunity to be such a big part of his children’s lives.

In his free time, he enjoys cross-country skiing, bicycling, running and reading.

Alan Messinger, M.D. Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo, PC 7901 S. 12th Street, Suite 100 Portage, MI 49024 Office: 269-372-3000 Skin Care Center: 269-375-2672 www.PSKZOO.com Advice: “Ask questions and be comfortable with your physician. Find someone both qualified and with whom you make a connection. It is about you, your body and your health. You should be comfortable and clear about the options you are being given, the choices you are making and the fact that your physician is really listening to you.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Messinger, call 269-372-3000 or visit www.PSKZOO.com

Michael C. Nave, M.D. Now Accepting New Patients

Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo, PC Dr. Nave grew up in Norfork, Nebraska and earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical School. He completed his General Surgery residency at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo and his Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Upon completion of residency, he returned to Kalamazoo to start his private practice in 1981. He is certified with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

In addition to running his own practice, Dr. Nave has served as Director of the Bronson Burn Unit and is currently a clinical instructor of Michigan State University. He is also a strong believer in giving back to his community and strives to use his skills to benefit others. “I enjoy my involvement with the Cleft Clinic and, also, participating in Medical Missions that revolve around the cleft patient.”

Dr. Nave and his wife, Susan, are the proud parents to three grown children; Danielle, Ross and Pete. These days, he is especially relishing his role as grandfather to charming, three year-old Madeline and is thrilled that his second granddaughter will be born very soon. During his off hours Dr. Nave enjoys golf, running, platform tennis and stand up paddle boarding.

Michael C. Nave, M.D. Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo, PC 7901 S. 12th Street, Suite 100 Portage, MI 49024 Office: 269-372-3000 Skin Care Center: 269 375-2672 www.PSKZOO.com Advice: “When choosing healthcare, search for a team that is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. Make sure they keep your view of comfort and health foremost in mind.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nave, call 269-372-3000 or visit www.pskzoo.com

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

15

How to Make Preserved Lemons Courtesy simplyrecipes.com Many Moroccan and Middle Eastern recipes call for preserved lemons, lemons that have been pickled in salt and their own juices. It’s quite easy to do, though takes at least three weeks before the lemons are ready to use.

courtesy McCormick

• 8 - 10 lemons, scrubbed very clean • 1/2 cup kosher salt, more if needed • Extra fresh- squeezed lemon juice, if needed You can also add spices to the lemons for preserving - cloves, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick or bay leaf.

preserved lemon & bay leaves

Lemon-Bay Tortellini with Spinach & Wild Mushrooms Makes 6 servings Cheese tortellini take on the aromatic essence of bay leaves through a delicately infused cooking water. Briny preserved lemon, smoky bacon and earthy mushrooms round out this flavorful main course pasta.

1/2 preserved lemon* * instructions for making preserved lemon can be found to the right 2 bay leaves 1 package (12 ounces) cheese tortellini 2 cups frozen leaf spinach, unthawed 4 strips bacon 1 medium shallot, finely chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 8 ounces sliced assorted mushrooms 1 teaspoon McCormick® Minced Garlic Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1. Remove and discard pulp from preserved lemon. Rinse peel to remove excess salt.

Coarsely chop peel (about 2 tablespoons).

Set aside.

2. Bring water and bay leaves to boil in large saucepot. Stir in tortellini. Cook as directed on

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package, adding frozen spinach during last minute of cooking. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Discard bay leaves.

3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Add shallots to bacon drippings; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add oil, mushrooms, garlic and preserved lemon peel; cook and stir 3 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add tortellini mixture and reserved cooking water; toss to mix well. Sprinkle with bacon. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

To prepare with fresh spinach: Cook tortellini as directed, omitting the frozen leaf spinach. Cook bacon and mushrooms as directed. Stir in 1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves until slightly wilted. Continue as above.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

1. Place 2 Tbsp of salt in the bottom of a sterilized canning jar.

2. One by one, cut off any protruding stems from the lemons, and cut 1/4 inch off the tip of each lemon. Cut the lemons as if you were going to cut them in half lengthwise, starting from the tip, but do not cut all the way. Keep the lemon attached at the base. Make another cut in a similar manner, so now the lemon is quartered, but again, attached at the base.

3. Pry the lemons open and generously sprinkle salt all over the insides and outsides of the lemons.

4. Pack the lemons in the jar, squishing them down so that juice is extracted and the lemon juice rises to the top of the jar. Fill up the jar with lemons, make sure the top is covered with lemon juice.

Add more fresh-squeezed lemon juice if necessary. Top with a couple tablespoons of salt.

5. Seal the jar and let sit at room temperature for a couple days. Turn the jar upside down ocassionally. Put in refrigerator and let sit, again turning upside down ocassionally, for at least 3 weeks, until lemon rinds soften.

6. To use, remove a lemon from the jar and rinse thoroughly in water to remove salt.

Discard seeds before using. Discard the pulp before using, if desired.

7. Store in refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Turmeric-Spiced Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salsa Makes 8 servings

Turmeric-Spiced Chicken: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

This colorful grilled chicken and garden-fresh salsa tastes great in soft tortillas with your choice of lettuce.

vine-ripened tomatoes & tumeric

Tomato-Avocado Salsa: 6 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (2-1/2 cups) 2 avocados, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (1-1/2 cups) 1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1. For the Chicken, mix oil, garlic powder, sea salt, turmeric and red pepper in small bowl.

Place chicken in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish. Add marinade; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor.

2. Meanwhile, for the Salsa, mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade.

3. Grill chicken over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes per side or until cooked through. Cut chicken into thin strips. Place 1/4 cup lettuce on each tortilla. Fill with chicken and Salsa. Fold sides of tortilla over filling and roll up to serve.

Mix-and-Match Spiced Mousse Minis Spiced Mousse Makes mousse for 12 mini desserts 4 2 1/2 1/2 1

ounces (1/2 pk.) cream cheese, softened teaspoons pumpkin pie spice cup sugar, divided cup Thai Kitchen® Coconut Milk cup heavy cream

1. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 cup of the sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

Add coconut milk; beat until well blended.

Mini desserts are a great way to offer variety and a little taste of luxury.

Use this easy spiced mousse to make 4 different mini desserts.

2. Beat cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Add 1/2 of the whipped cream to cream cheese mixture; stir until well blended. Gently stir in remaining whipped cream. pumpkin pie spice and coconut milk

Fudge Brownie: Divide 1-1/2 cups brownie pieces (1/2inch cubes) evenly among each of 12 (2-ounce) shot glasses. Using 2/3 cup hot fudge sauce, layer each glass with fudge sauce and Spiced Mousse. Garnish with almonds, if desired.

Banana Cream: Spoon 1 tablespoon of coarsely crushed vanilla wafer cookies into each of 12 (2-ounce) shot glasses. Using 2/3 cup caramel sauce and 1 sliced banana, layer each glass

with caramel sauce, banana slices and Spiced Mousse.

Garnish with toasted coconut, if desired.

Strawberry Shortcake: Spoon 2 teaspoons of coarsely crushed shortbread cookies into each of 12 (2-ounce) shot glasses. Using 6 sliced strawberries, divide strawberry slices evenly among glasses. Layer each glass with Spiced Mousse and additional 1 teaspoon crushed cookies. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired.

Piña Colada: Mix 1/2 cup each coarsely crushed shortbread cookies, coarsely chopped toasted macadamia nuts and toasted flaked coconut.

Spoon 1 tablespoon cookie mixture into each of 12 (2ounce) shot glasses. Using 1 can (8 ounces) crushed drained pineapple or pineapple tidbits, divide pineapple evenly among glasses. Layer each glass with Spiced Mousse and remaining cookie mixture.

Garnish as desired.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

17

Tax Tips for 2010 Especially in a recession, it’s gratifying to find tax strategies that enable you to keep more of what you earn out of Uncle Sam’s pockets. To your surprise, you may even find a silver tax lining in the current financial cloud.

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Use your losses. Tax loss harvesting is important in any market. While you can reduce your ordinary taxable income by up to $3,000 in net capital losses each year, you can carry over losses that exceed the $3,000 limit to a future year. That strategy could be especially beneficial if the capital gains rate increases in the future.

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Convert to a Roth. If converting your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA would fit into your diversified portfolio, but you’ve always balked at paying the taxes due upon conversion, now might be a good time to convert. Why? While you’ll still pay income taxes on the amount being converted, lower account values now mean your tax liability on a conversion will be lower. In past years, taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of more than $100,000 were not eligible to do a conversion, but this limit has been lifted for conversions beginning in 2010. If you convert this year, you can pay the tax in 2011 and 2012, instead of all at once.

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Dollar-cost average. Designed to reduce market risk, dollar-cost averaging involves investing a fixed dollar amount at predetermined intervals, as you do with your 401(k) plan. Your set contribution buys fewer shares when the market is up and more shares when the market is down. Rather than focus on a sector you perceive as safe, continue to make broad-based contributions on a regular basis to your 401(k) or IRA to enjoy the power of tax-deferred growth. This investment strategy and other similar periodic investment plans do not assure a profit and do not protect against loss in declining markets.

•

•

Contribute to your favorite charity. Talk about win/win. Writing a check reduces your taxable income and funds a cause you care about. However, if you have appreciated stock that you’ve held for more than one year, donating the stock instead of cash delivers a double bonus. You’ll avoid paying tax on the appreciation, but will be able to deduct the full value of the stock. Also, if you made a donation to Haiti victims in 2010, you can claim it on your 2009 tax return.

dents be studying towards a degree or enrolled at least half-time, and there is no limit on the number of years the credit may be taken. You can claim just one of these credits during any particular year.

These credits are phased out for higher incomes.

•

•

You have until April 15 to make deductible contributions for the previous year to your IRA, SEP, or SIMPLE. Have your accountant calculate how much you can deduct and make the contribution in plenty of time to get it credited to the account before April 15. Processing time takes longer when everyone is trying to get it done at the last minute.

Contributions to your Health Savings Accounts can also be made up to April 15. Any eligible individual can contribute to an HSA. For an employee's HSA, the employee, the employee's employer, or both may contribute to the employee's HSA in the same year. For an HSA established by a self-employed (or unemployed) individual, the individual can contribute. Family members or any other person may also make contributions on behalf of an eligible individual. Contributions to an HSA must be made in cash. Contributions of stock or property are not allowed. The amount you or any other person can contribute to your HSA depends on the type of HDHP coverage you have, your age, the date you become an eligible individual, and the date you cease to be an eligible individual. For 2009, if you have self-only HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $3,000. If you have family HDHP coverage, you can contribute up to $5,950².

Use Education Tax Credits. Tax credits are more valuable than deductions. The Hope Scholarship Credit gives parents a tax credit for 100% of the first $1,200 and 50% of the next $1,200 of a dependent child’s college tuition and mandatory fees for a maximum $1,800 annual tax credit per child. Here are some things you need to know about deFor students attending a degree program at least ducting costs related to your job search³. half-time and who have not completed their first • The expenses must be spent on a job search in two years of academic study before the beginning your current occupation. You may not deduct exof the taxable year, the Hope Credit cannot be penses incurred while looking for a job in a new claimed in more than two tax years for any one stuoccupation. dent. The Lifetime Learning Credit is a tax credit for 20% of up to $10,000 in combined tuition and • You can deduct employment and outplacement mandatory fees. There’s no requirement that stu-

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

agency fees you pay while looking for a job in your present occupation, however if your employer pays you back, you must include the amount you receive in your gross income, •

You can deduct expenses for preparing and mailing copies of a résumé to prospective employers in your present occupation.

•

If you travel to an area to look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can only deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. The amount of time you spend on personal activity compared to the amount of time you spend looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job.

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You cannot deduct job search expenses if there was a substantial break between the end of your last job and the time you begin looking for a new one.

•

You cannot deduct job search expenses if you are looking for your first job.

Source: http://www.savingforcollege.com/tutorial101/federal_tax_incentives_to_education.php ² Source: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p969/index.html ³ Source: http://search.irs.gov

Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC™ has been in the financial services industry since 1989. She is President of Derby Financial & Associates LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning. Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. PO Box 64284, St Paul, MN 55164-0284, 800-800-2638, Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor, Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Derby Financial & Associates, LLC. Neither Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. nor its registered representative or employees provide tax or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult with your tax or legal counsel for advice.

HAVE LAST YEAR’S RETURN CHECKED FOR ERRORS WITH THE H&R BLOCK SECOND LOOK® REVIEW. If you didn’t use H&R Block last year, bring in your return for a Second Look® Review. Last year, we found errors on 2 out of 3 tax returns prepared by someone else. ¶ We’ll check for missed deductions and credits, to help make sure you get the maximum refund you’re entitled to. We’ll also certify whether or not your original return is accurate.¨

Get It Right. §

Click, call or come over. hrblock.com | 800-HRBLOCK ©2009 HRB Tax Group, Inc. ¶Error rates are for tax season 2009. Fees apply for Second Look® reviews or if you have us prepare a corrected or amended return.¨ If H&R Block makes an error on your return, we’ll pay resulting penalties and interest. If you are audited, we’ll explain your audit notice and the documentation you should provide to the auditor.

H&R Block Tax Services of Kalamazoo, Barry and Calhoun Counties. Year-Round Service and Audit Services Available.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

19

2010 Women’s Eyewear

Courtesy eyecessorize

DG

Playtime Eyewear this spring is anything but mundane.

Oversized and exaggerated frames come in fun and updated cat-eye, butterfly, goggle and shield styles. Thick plastics in bright colors create a futuristic vision, vivid prints take frames to the wild side, and contrasting clear and colored lenses and frames create a grand illusion. Other playful palettes include white plastics, colored translucents and material mixes.

The Look: Keep this playful look fun by wearing over-the-top frames with an edgy patterned tee and A-line shorts.

You’s

Diva Delight

Fashion: From the runway to the red carpet, there are plenty of trends to choose from each season. Jeweled accents? Neon brights? Perfectly square? It all depends on what fits your personality and your wardrobe, so investigate multiple options.

Lifestyle: Depending on your lifestyle, you may need more than one pair of eyewear; sunglasses that offer UV protection, sport glasses that protect or computer glasses that ease the strain of sitting in front of a screen for many hours.

Lens options: Different lens materials and treatments can help to optimize vision. Check out options for long hours at the computer, driving or an on-the-go lifestyle.

Variety is the Spice of Life Whether you’re a wild and crazy fun loving extrovert or a quietly ravishing natural beauty you can instantly update your look with these sunglasses from a variety of styles and price points:

From glitzy embellishments to blacked-out lenses, daring divas everywhere will be decked out in glamorous eyewear. Oversized and angular frames in blacks, blues and reds are a must, while high brows, lace, jeweled accents, wire and cutouts add the perfect detail. Matching frame and lenses in one color or choosing mirrored or tinted lenses says “drama queen.”

The Look: Pair diva-esque frames with a cropped, boxy jacket and Jodhpur pants or shorts with exposed zippers.

Natural Beauty

Dior

This season, eyewear takes cues from all types of natural beauty. Small and round frames in blush and beige tones and enameled, clear or opalescent plastics with subtle lens tints like amber and rose exude a natural cosmetic tone. Earthy elements such as bamboo, wood, horn and leather are crafted in frames. The ever-classic tortoise also has updated versions this spring with blonde tints and spotted and flecked highlights.

The Look: Create a natural and romantic vibe by pairing eyewear with feminine dresses in floral prints or flow-y chiffons.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

21

WL

Posture: The Backbone of Good Health How you stand (and sit) now can affect your health later in life. Poor posture can increase your chances of poor balance and falling, and it can affect how well your heart can pump blood; even how well you can breathe.

To prove that good posture and good breathing go together, Dr. Steven Weiniger, clinician and author of Stand Taller, Live Longer: An Anti-Aging Strategy, recommends trying this simple demonstration: While slumping forward in a chair, take a breath in and note how deeply you can breathe. Then, scoot your bottom back in the chair, pull your shoulders down, lift your head up and sit tall. Note the significant difference when you take in a deep breath while maintaining strong posture.

Unfortunately, most of us are spending more time than ever slumped in front of a TV, computer or video game, and our poor posture is getting worse. If you stop to think about it, you’re likely slumping as you read this (unless you just straightened up a bit).

When you spend 18 hours a day with your body folded into a chair, you’ll go back to the slump as soon as you stop thinking about it. The problem with improving posture is, no matter how good your intentions, just trying to stand up straighter simply doesn’t work (case in point: are you slouching again?).

“In order to make a change, we must retrain our motion patterns, and this begins with becoming aware of our posture first, and then developing new habits,” said Renee North, certified posture exercise professional (CPEP). “Incorporating a One-Leg Balance into daily life is a great place to start. Make this exercise an immediate part of your daily routine and you will see and feel a difference.”

Weiniger’s one-leg balance • • • •

Stand up, tall and straight.

Lift your left leg so your thigh is level with the ground.

Count to 20.

Repeat on the other side.

You should be able to balance on each leg for 20 seconds. If you can’t, you probably need to work on improving balance.

Make it a lifestyle habit to balance on one leg at least three times a day. If you are wobbly, hold on as you lift your leg, but focus on standing up with strong, tall posture, keeping your feet pointing straight ahead and pelvis level.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Be a Good Sport, Mom April is National Youth Sports Safety Month. Help your child enjoy sports, and encourage them to have fun, treat others with respect, be a good sport and honor the rules of the game. As parents, coaches and adult spectators, we are expected to do the same. Kids learn by example, so be sure to follow a few simple tips when cheering from the sidelines, courtesy of www.nyssf.org.

• No name calling. Nearly half of kids in a survey by the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission said they have been called names, yelled at or insulted while playing sports.

• No swearing or booing.

• No hitting the coach or fellow parents (yes, it happens).

Remember, this kind of emotional abuse can turn a child off to exercise and sports participation. Also, violence is a learned behavior; our children are often learning violence from places where they should be learning positive life skills.

How to Choose the Right Eyeglasses Courtesy of Indivijual Custom Eyewear Your face shape, bone structure, skin tone, hair and eye color are the most important factors to consider in selecting eyewear. Focus on the shapes, sizes, and colors that bring out the best in you.

Evolve your personal fashion as you evolve. Over the years, your face and personal colors evolve. Graying hair and a fuller face are in the future for most of us, so be sure to update your eyewear to make you look your best.

Don’t let fashion give you bad vision. Some eyewear styles make it hard to accommodate your prescription, especially if you have evolved to the point where you need bi-focal or multi-focal lenses. Consult with your vision professional on frame styles and shapes that work best for your prescription. Another thing to consider – if you want thinness and lightness, go for a frame with the smallest diameter lens that still looks good on you.

Do a fitness check. Fit is not just important for your vision.

It’s also how other people see you. If you constantly fuss with your glasses and have to constantly push your frame back up on your nose, it’s a distraction for you and other people. It also means your glasses are in the wrong place a lot. Also if you’re constantly removing and replacing your glasses throughout the day, you might want frames with spring-hinged arms.

Face shape and fit. As a general rule, those with oval faces can wear nearly any shape, but rounder faces should avoid round frames. If you have small, close inset eyes or a small nose, be careful not to select frames that overpower your features. Similarly, those with square jaw lines should avoid square or boxy frames.

Select quality. You spend thousands on a closet full of clothes that you probably wear once or twice a month.

Your glasses are on your face every day, all day. Nothing else you wear is more a part of your look and your persona than eyeglasses.

Avocado and Mango Salad Ingredients 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 Pound mixed salad greens, well washed 2 Avocados, diced 2 Mangos, diced 1 Tomato, diced Instructions Combine oil and vinegars. Whisk until emulsified.

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In a large bowl, toss salad greens with avocado and mango. Drizzle with prepared dressing.

Serve immediately.

Quality Vitamins, Skincare & Groceries at very reasonable prices Store Hours

You Gluten Free Resource Center

Westwood Plaza

Mon. - Sat. 9 am - 8 pm

www.naturalhealthfoodcenter.com

4610 West Main

Kay Wunderlin •• Mike Wunderlin •• Kate Wunderlin

(269) 342-9459

Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm

Cranberry Nut Bread Ingredients 1/3 cup 1 Tablespoon 2/3 cup 6 Tablespoons 1/4 cup 1 large 2 cups 1 cup

fresh orange juice grated orange zest buttermilk unsalted butter, melted vegetable oil egg, lightly beaten gf flour sugar

1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon 1-1/2 cups 1/2 cup

salt gf baking powder gf baking soda cranberries (about 6 ounces), rinsed and picked through, then coarsely chopped coarsely chopped toasted pecans

Instructions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease the bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

Stir together orange juice, zest, buttermilk, butter, oil and egg in small bowl. Whisk together gf flour, sugar, salt, gf baking powder, and gf baking soda in a large bowl. Stir liquid ingredients into the dry with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Gently stir in cranberries and pecans. Do not overmix.

Scrape the batter into the loaf pan and spread with the rubber spatula into the corners of the pan. Bake 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue to bake until golden brown and toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45 minutes longer. Cool in the pan about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool at least 1 hour before serving.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

23

What is Botox Cosmetic?

courtesy Metro Creative

Botox Cosmetic® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) is a cosmetic product used primarily to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In medical applications, the toxin is a very small dosage and extremely diluted to achieve desired results, making it safe. Botox prevents the unnecessary contraction of muscles, which is why it was originally used to treat eye muscle spasms and other medical conditions. Later on, the Food and Drug Administration approved its use to improve the appearance of frown lines.

Botox can be used to: • lift the brows • smooth out crows feet • reduce vertical lines that form around the lips • help correct an asymmetrical or crooked smile • smooth a bumpy chin, also refered to as “pebble chin” or “golf ball chin” • reduce the amount of gingiva showing when someone smiles, to alleviate a “gummy smile.”

Patients suffering from headaches are routinely turning to Botox to alleviate severe tension and migraine headaches.

Additionally, those with hyperhidrosis, or excessive perspiration, find that the same injections can limit nerve impulses that affect sweat gland activation.

Could Your Bad Breath Be Hurting You?

By Kevin Flood, D.D.S. Did you know that people with gum disease are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack than those without gum disease? Also, people with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease or stroke.

Your mouth is like a tropical rain forest – hot, humid and at a constant temperature of 95 degrees.

Like an Amazon rain forest, your mouth is teeming with bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. These invaders colonize your mouth in an organized manner, establishing communities.

Soft Tissue Fillers Soft tissue fillers, such as Juvederm™ and Restylane®, are injectable gels comprised of hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps add volume and hydration and elasticity. These products are generally used for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.

Soft tissue fillers can be used to: • plump up thin lips for an even better smile • reduce the appearance of lines that run along the side of the nose to the mouth • reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes by minimizing the shadow under the bag • add volume to the mid face or cheeks, or enhance the cheekbones Procedures can typically be done in a short period of time (20 minutes approximately) and require little to no recovery time. Results of fillers are immediate, while those achieved with Botox can take up to a few days to appear.

Maintenance occurs every several months, or as advised by a doctor.

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Our mouths are the entryways into our bodies for bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Once these organisms get into the bloodstream they tend to

collect and cause infection in the weakest areas of the body. They can cause systemic and localized infections, chronic inflammation and initiating autoimmune responses that can lead to a multitude of health problems, ranging from arthritis to heart disease.

Tooth decay, swollen gums and bad breath are all signs reflecting an individual’s state of health.

However, if the mouth is healthy there’s a good chance the entire intestinal tract will be healthy as well. Your mouth can reveal evidence of diabetes, measles, leukemia, syphilis, AIDs, bulimia, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer and other systemic diseases. In fact, preliminary peer-reviewed research has shown that oral bacteria are responsible for up to 60 percent of all cases of asthma.

We wash and scrub the tiniest cuts to make sure they’re sterile so they’ll heal quickly. But we often ignore our teeth and gums. Improve your health; see your dentist today.

Dr. Harold Katz, “Dentist to the Stars,” offers some simple tips for healthier mouths.

Drink more water to help replenish precious saliva. Healthy saliva contains a high concentration of oxygen, the natural enemy of the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.

Avoid breath mints and gum that contain sugar. Sugar feeds bad breath bacteria, so don’t make them any stronger than they already are.

Use oral products that contain oxygenating compounds, the newest therapy to stop bad breath.

Keep your tongue clean. Gently brush your tongue with a soft nylon toothbrush, but don’t use traditional toothpaste on the brush, because most toothpaste contains the harsh drying agent, sodium lauryl sulfate (which is a fancy term for SOAP).

Don’t use mouthwash containing alcohol. Alcohol makes the mouth dry and there isn’t enough alcohol in those strong-tasting mouthwash formulas to kill any bacteria.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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i n t e r i o r

i d e a s

The Seeker goes beyond the ordinary to showcase shades brought forth by history and architecture.

Rich, complex hues give this color personality rooms that have a carefully curated, beautifully symbolic touch. What matters to a Seeker is creating meaning, spirituality and beauty in life. Colorful objects made of precise, hexagonal tiles to stylized, architectural furniture are quintessential to the Seeker.

2010

Design trends are reflecting holistic, spiritual and simplistic elements that represent the richness of life that abounds in nature, relationships and spirituality.

Colors in the Seeker palette include: Antique Rosewood, Medieval Cloverleaf, Olde Stone, Soul-Quenching, Alabaster Frame, Kimono Red, Crossing Midnight and Cathedral Gray.

Muse is a palette that’s all about feeling and experiencing. These colors soothe the soul and reflect the need for sanctuary. Attention to design detail and just the right sensory colors bring Muse to life. This palette is infused with, and inspires, rich details, fine fabrics and soft twilight shades of blush pinks, rosy peach and lilac.

Colors in the Muse palette include: Quiet Drizzle, Aroma Garden, Melodious Peach, Silken Raspberry, Blossomed Lilac, Composed Bloom, Nightingale’s Song and Meadow Pear.

The Storyteller collection shows off color that reflects a life well-lived through travel and varied interests. Furniture and colors from afar add a vibrant touch to the home and bring life to tales from foreign lands.

Everything a Storyteller sees in her travels inspires her home design and color choices.

Colors in the Storyteller palette include: Grecian Sea, Edge of Time, Narrative Cream, Clementine Tart, Journey’s End, Treaded Grapes, Wide Open Sky and Spanish Door.

Take the color quiz and find out which trend matches your personality at www.dutchboy.com.

“Colors that provide hope and affirmation that the greater economic market will continue to improve are at the forefront of decor for 2010,” says Donna Schroeder of Dutch Boy Paint. “People are much more introspective about color this year and will be painting in a way that not only is aesthetically pleasing, but also ‘saturates the senses’ and is reflective of a society eager to reconnect with education, nature, spirituality and world culture.”

Dutch Boy’s 2010 design trends have been categorized into four different “personalities” that embody a homeowner’s personal style and taste.

The Purist trend reflects the elements of nature: colors of branches, grasses and dark earth underneath the feet. It’s terra firma ... brought indoors. Purists are concerned about their impact on the world and care deeply about finding balance. Purist colors are natural shades of herbal teas, the stones in the river as the water rushes over them, and the yellow-green of buds as they push up through the springtime earth.

Colors in the Purist palette include: Urban Nature, Naturalist Stone, Lemon Balm, Gingered Root, Catalyst Steel, Natural Canvas, Repurposed and Budding Fern.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Facing a serious illness is never easy.

We can help when you need it most.

Call us.

(269) 345-0273 www.hospiceswmi.org

Advertising 101 Make your customers say, “I need that!”

So what separates the ads that seem to speak to us and the ones that, well… could do better? To draw a picture, let me illustrate the difference with a scene that took place a little while ago…

The morning news show was airing on the kitchen TV and my husband and I sipped our coffee while we flipped through our favorite parts of the local paper. It was Easter Sunday and I skimmed through the ads, wondering what businesses would be promoting today and landed on an ad from a local retailer.

“Happy Easter” was the headline, over a picture of the storefront. The ad was dressed up in soft pastel colors with a couple of Easter eggs by the store name.

A nice sentiment to wish us all a happy Easter, but in today’s challenging times, was that money well spent? Maybe the store owners really did want to share their sentiment with everyone, but I have a feeling that another scenario took place…

awareness and a call to action. While there may be no such thing as bad advertising, there are certainly ads that do a better job than others. So what makes for a good ad?

Less is more – Please, please, please don’t fill up the ad with as much copy as you can in order to get your money’s worth. The adage, “White space is a waste of space” couldn’t be further from the truth. The same is true with photos – instead of showing too many products in an ad, display one product or feature one person and let that photo shine.

Use quality graphics and photos – Ever see an ad where the store logo is blurry or fuzzy? Chances are the advertiser used a logo or photo that was not meant for professional printing – resulting in a look that wasn’t crisp. Make sure your logo and photo file is meant for publication.

Have a “Call to Action” – All ads should sell something. Whether it’s to promote a sale, sell an image, or feature a product or service. Give your prospect a reason to pick up the phone, walk into your store, or visit your website.

Let an expert do the driving – I would never attempt to fix a leaking toilet or cut down the trees in my yard. People specialize in these things so that I don’t flood my bathroom or crash a tree onto my home trying to do theses things myself.

It’s the same with advertising…let an advertising expert design your ads. It’s money well spent.

Advertising is only expensive when it doesn’t work. Make your advertising work for you – with an enticing headline, an interesting photo and a strong call-to-action. Something like…

“Aggh! We have to get ad copy to the paper today! Well, Easter’s coming up so let’s honor that.” Beautiful intentions – and a colossal waste of advertising dollars. I take a sip of coffee and notice another ad…

“What if you could double your business with the right selling message? Call now for a FREE marketing consultation!”

“Four out of five car seats are used wrong. Could yours be one of them? Have your car seat checked for free,” declares the ad from the local Safe Kids Chapter.

Intrigued?

Two ads about the same size – but one being much more effective in conveying

Heidi McCrary & Juli Wiseman are Managing Partners with Ad Shop, etc., an advertising agency bringing big business success to small and medium size businesses. Have a marketing question? Email heidi@adshopetc.com or call (269) 978-8800.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

27

Let’s Ham It Up

Cheesy Ham and Macaroni

Chipotle-Glazed Ham with Cherry-Jicama Salsa Recipe courtesy of Rick and Lanie Bayless, authors of Rick & Lanie’s Excellent Kitchen Adventures Makes 10-14 3-ounce servings of ham, 3 1/2 cups salsa 8 to 9-pound bone-in, spiral-cut cooked ham 1 turkey-sized cooking bag 12- to 13-ounce jar of high-quality cherry preserves 2 canned chipotle chiles en adobo, plus 1 tablespoon of the canning (adobo) sauce

Cherry-Jicama Salsa 1 1/2 cups finely chopped red onion 1 1/2 cups diced peeled jicama 1 cup chopped dried bing cherries* 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup chopped cilantro Set oven to 250º F. Remove ham from packaging; if it has a plastic disk over the bone, pull it off and disgard. Lay the ham, cut-side down in a turkey-size cooking bag. Gather the bag up over the ham, pressing out all the air. Fasten with the enclosed tie. Trim excess plastic from above the tie. Using a small knife, make 6 half-inch slits around the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.

Place the ham in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake for 80 to 90 minutes (roughly 10 minutes per pound), until the temperature near the bone reads 100º F on an instant-read thermometer.

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In a food processor or blender, combine the cherry preserves, chipotle chile and its canning sauce. Process until smooth. Scoop out and set aside 1/2 cup of the glaze for seasoning the salsa.

When the ham reaches 100º F, remove from oven, slit the bag and pull it out from under the ham, letting all the juices run into the pan. Tip the pan slightly and spoon off all but about 1/4 cup of the juices. Brush the glaze (except what you’ve reserved) over the top and sides of the ham.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, until the temperature near the bone reads 140º F on an instant-read thermometer. If there is time, tent the foil and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

In a large bowl, stir together the onion, jicama, cherries, vinegar and the 1/2 cup of reserved glaze. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1-1/2 teaspoons. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

When the ham is ready, stir the cilantro into the salsa and serve along with slices of ham. *Can be substituted with dried, sweetened tart cherries if unavailable.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

Serves 6

1 1/2 cup fully-cooked ham 1 1/8 ounce package white sauce mix 2 cups milk 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup cubed American cheese 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper 7 ounces macaroni, cooked - according to directions, drained 1 cup frozen green peas Thaw the frozen peas. In a large saucepan stir together white sauce mix and milk.* Following package directions, cook until thickened. Stir in cheese and pepper. Add macaroni, ham and peas and cook, stirring until heated through. Serve hot. *If you want to make a white sauce from scratch, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Stir in 1/4 cup flour and cook until mixture bubbles. Stir in 2 cups milk and cook, stirring until thickened.

Ham and Rigatoni Casserole Serves 3 to 4 1-1/2 cups cooked ham, diced 8 ounce dry rigatoni pasta (or other short tube-shaped pasta) 1 package (2 to 2-1/2 ounce) white sauce or country gravy mix 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 10 ounce frozen leaf spinach, thawed and roughly chopped 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional) Cook rigatoni according to package directions; set aside.

Prepare white sauce or country gravy mix; stir in ham, cheese, mustard, spinach and hot pepper sauce.

Pour over pasta, toss gently to blend well.

Pour into shallow 2-quart casserole; cover and bake in 350ยบ F oven for 20 minutes.

Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition โ ข April 2010

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7 Myths About

by Renee Fisher, Joyce Kramer and Jean Peelen e three women over fifty decided some years ago to change the conversation about aging and dispel myths about women over fifty. These myths may have had validity when none of us humans lived much past age fifty or sixty. Remember our grandmothers? They looked old at forty. They wore housedresses and sturdy shoes. Their lives were all about raising their children, and when that was done it seemed that at least in society’s eyes, their lives were done.

W

Today we women over fifty have changed considerably. Our average life span is eighty-plus years.

We are out in the world, making art, saving villages, improving our communities, keeping up with runway fashions, and living our lives. Yet somehow, myths remain. Here are the ones we keep encountering.

1. Women over fifty don’t care what they look like.

Since two out of the three of us are planning to have our next round of cosmetic surgery, we take exception to this. We now remember with fondness that construction workers used to give us wolf-whistles.

We thought it obnoxious then. We miss it now.

Women like us drag ourselves to the gym, where we get to compete with twenty-somethings for parking spaces and treadmills. We take Yoga and Pilates, go on diets, run marathons, go on diets, dye our hair, go on diets, get contact lenses, go on diets. We care.

A lot. ___________________________________________

2. Women over fifty don’t like sex.

Since one of the three of us is married, this is a touchy subject. The answer is, just let a healthy, willing, attractive male show up in our vicinity and we’ll be ready. Or, if even two out of three of those categories show up, we will be ready. Actually, “willing” might make up for any other shortfalls, depending on how long it’s been. And just think, since we can’t get pregnant, we can just zip past the pregnancy prevention shelf at the drug store. ___________________________________________

3. Women over fifty find menopause terrible and debilitating.

YES! Menopause is TERRIBLE and DEBILITATING. It ruins our lives. It’s the worst thing that has ever been invented in the history of the universe.

It’s worse than diet ice cream. OK, now that we have acknowledged that, can we please move on? The fact is that two of us didn’t even notice menopause, except that we could also zip right past the sanitary products shelf too. So, menopause exists and we’ll have it for awhile, and then we’ll get over it. __________________________________

4. Women over fifty can’t keep up with the times.

photo courtesy Fifty Plus Fashion

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Interesting, since women over fifty are the fastest-growing group on Facebook. We three have six computers among us. We have and use PDAs, GPSs, and iPods. We have almost outgrown email, and are facebook-

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

ing and twittering. And let’s face it: Without us, a lot of the Help Lines would go out of business. We may have grown up in the Stone Age, but we’ve managed to survive into the computer age. ___________________________________________

5. Women over fifty miss our children and only want to be with our grandchildren.

We love and adore our children. We love and adore our grandchildren. That’s the only acceptable answer, isn’t it, since this will be in print? We love them the most when they don’t ask us to baby sit too much. But seriously, we can love them and still want a life. That’s the bottom line. ___________________________________________

6. Women over fifty fear change.

That’s really funny, since virtually everything about us is changing. Body parts are moving to different locations or vacating entirely. Hair is now appearing in places it never was and disappearing from places it used to be. We could go on and on. So, we say we don’t fear change. We are, and have been, the movers and shakers of our lives. Go to any art class and see who’s involved in creative pursuit. Go to yoga or meditation classes to see the same. Look at the women starting new careers, or the ones running for office.

Check out writing classes, art appreciation classes, cooking classes. Look at who’s doing work in developing countries, starting foundations, traveling the world, raising money for causes, marching for causes.

Change? Bring it on! We are well-practiced, and good at it. ___________________________________________

7. Women over fifty are counting the days until retirement.

We agree with this statement. No matter how much we love our careers, we’re chomping at the bit to have the time to travel, to explore, to start new businesses, to enroll in college, to volunteer, to write books, to inspire our daughters’ and granddaughters’ generations with the unlimited possibility we have. We can’t wait to retire so we can see what’s next. We have lived only the first half of our lives and are anxious to see what we’ll create in the second half. ___________________________________________ So, let us bury the useless, outworn myths along with all other outmoded notions of who we women are and what we are up to in our lives. We’re here. We’re living, laughing, loving, and planning to be so for the next fifty years.

All of these myths and more are dispelled in our new book Saving the Best for Last: Creating Our Lives After 50. You can read more about us and our books at www.invisiblenomore.com About the authors: Renee Fisher, Joyce Kramer, and Jean Peelen are self employed. Fisher is a real estate agent with McEnearney Associates in Northern Virginia and a DC Boomer Humor columnist for examiner.com. Kramer works for non-profit and government agencies via contract on international development issues. Her specialties are health issues, primarily HIV, AIDS and polio. She is a real estate agent with Keller Williams in Baltimore, MD. Peelen is a model, commercial actress, consultant to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and a personal coach.

April Specials Botox - $10/unit 50% off Second Syringe of Juvederm

W

willow day spa & skin care center

Free SkinCeuticals sunscreen with purchase of Photo Facial Please mention this ad when setting appointment.

May not be combined with other promotions.

Results are the difference.

269.345.1356 www.MyWillowDaySpa.com

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

31

Seeing Green in the Garden

Tips and techniques

Au natural: One of the best ways to promote strong roots, stimulate growth, aerate the soil, and encourage water retention is with the application of compost. Compost can easily be made from kitchen scraps, such as remnants of vegetables, egg shells and coffee grounds. In fact, this nutritional powerhouse is often referred to as “gardener’s gold.” Why send it to the landfill when you can create a small compost pile and turn leftover dinner into rich fertilizer?

Don’t be bugged by bugs: There are many insects that are very beneficial to your landscape. Earthworms are shy fellows that do a great job of aerating the soil by burrowing through the ground. Butterflies and bees can pollenate flowers. Certain spiders and centipedes can eat harmful insects that may prey on your greenery.

Use recycled products: Today there’s a bevy of gardening materials made from recycled products. From rubber tires turned into mats and mulch to flower pots made from recycled plastic, you can embrace your eco-friendly sensibilities.

Find an alternative to lawn: Did you know that an estimated 40 million acres of the 48 contiguous American states are covered in lawns? That pretty much makes grass the #1 irrigated “crop” of this country. Instead of spending countless hours mowing, edging and trimming your lawn, why not devote some grass space to other plants – even a vegetable garden? Then you get more bang from your gardening buck, including vegetables you can bring to the dinner table.

Be water-responsible: Conserve water by harvesting rainwater to use for your lawn and garden. If you must haul out the hose, water in early morning when there’s less chance of the water evaporating in the hot sun before it quenches plants’ roots.

Instead of spending countless hours mowing, edging and trimming your lawn, why not devote some grass space to other plants – even a vegetable garden?

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

More Than Just A Game of Golf

Nurture, nature and wi-fi too!

Host your group of 2 to 200 people in our indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. Simplify dining with on-site food service including traditional, vegetarian and organic menu options. Sleep peacefully in the overnight

Transformations

rooms. Parking is free and convenient.

in guest and meeting rooms. Take a hike on the trails.

WWW.TRANSFORMATIONSCENTER.ORG

269-381-6290 EXT. 310

Not a Golfer? You may be missing out. Whether you are part of corporate America, left out of chummy outings with your co-workers, or you stay behind when your loved one heads out for his weekend foursome, you may be missing out on more than just golf.

You see, there is more to golf than meets the eye. That is why it was a big deal in October, when Melody Barnes, Chief Domestic Policy Advisor to the President, was invited to join his weekend foursome. Movers and shakers everywhere know that inside information is shared, and business deals are done, on the golf course.

Why is that? The reason is that golf reveals a lot about a person. It’s not a team sport; you have to rely on yourself. How do you hold up under pressure? Although it’s a lot of fun, golf can be frustrating. How a person responds to obstacles is evident when playing golf. At the same time, how a playing partner handles someone else’s challenges is equally revealing. Is she gracious, or does she gloat? Then there is the whole honor system golf relies on: calling penalties on one’s self, declaring lost balls, reporting your strokes accurately. If you want to know if someone can be trusted, a game of golf may help you make the call.

Don’t need to make deals? How about sharing quality time with a great friend, a parent, child, or your significant other? The golf course provides a chance to enjoy the outdoors, be engaged in a fun activity and plenty of time to talk. There aren’t too many other sports that can make the same claim.

As a recreational sport, golf is the great equalizer. People of any age can play from youngsters to senior citizens. You can take it up at any time in your life.

You can’t say that about soccer, softball, or basketball. And with golf’s handicap system, you are able to play with anyone regardless of skill level or gender and compete fairly based on your own game. When was the last time your family was able to participate equally in a sport together?

If you’d like to get involved in golf, many local resources are available. Grand Prairie Golf Course has a terrific beginner’s program called Get Golf Ready. Our area has many excellent teaching professionals such as Steve Tyler at Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Courses and Clark Peterson at Golf Performance Academy. Additionally, many women’s leagues provide an opportunity to play regularly – the best way to learn and improve. Check out EWGA (Executive Everywoman’s Golf Association) an organization that is dedicated to promoting women’s golf.

EWGA has excellent programs for beginning and experienced golfers. You can learn more at www.ewga.com or www.ewgakalbc.org for local chapter information.

Don’t miss out anymore – get out there and golf!

Rochelle Petts has over 20 years experience in the corporate arena as an Information Technology Professional. She has held various management positions responsible for corporate-wide computing as well as project management positions for local and global initiatives. Rochelle has been actively involved with GOTR as a coach and volunteer for several years.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

33

Twenty Years of The Gilmore

in West Michigan 2010 marks the twentieth year of The Gilmore and the tenth Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival which will be held April 17 through May 8. Attendance over the past twenty years will be nearly 300,000 at the conclusion of this year’s Festival, with audience members coming from across the U.S. and over 30 countries.

The Gilmore Festival is the largest and most prestigious event devoted to keyboard music in North America.

The logistics alone are mind-boggling. Consider these statistics—375 hotel room nights, 35 pianos, 1,152 hours of rehearsal squeezed into two and a half weeks, 300+ artist “transports”, 8,000 cough drops and the list goes on and on. There are thousands of details for events held in 20 venues in eight communities across West Michigan.

Every E ver y two t wo years, years, acclaimed acclaimed p ianists from from around around the the w orld pianists world ggather ather tto o perform perform ffor or yyou. ou.

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Bee there.

Keyboard K eyboard F Festival estival Throughout T hroughout S Southwest outhwest M Michigan ichigan A pril  –M ay   April  May ,,  

GilmoreKeyboardFestival.org G il more Ke yboardFestival .org

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Every Gilmore Festival provides the opportunity to highlight the extraordinary artistic community in which we live. On January 7th Kirill Gerstein was announced as the 2010 Gilmore Artist. This spring the Festival showcases local talent from American Idol sensation Matt Giraud, and Western Jazz Quartet members Tim Froncek and Tom Knific, to local composer Curtis Curtis-Smith, The Merling Trio and Raymond Harvey with our own KSO. An added feature this year will be a dramatic presentation on the life of Clara Schumann, wife of composer Robert Schumann. Written by local authoress Judy Kirsch Maze, “Clara: A Duet in Words and Music” features actress Sharon Williams and pianist Lori Sims providing a glimpse into the trail-blazing career of this important musical artist. The theatrical production is being directed by none other than D. Terry Williams.

Finally there are always the special “jewels” of every Gilmore Festival to be discovered. This spring it might very well be the rare opportunity to hear eminent Canadian pianist Louis Lortie perform the complete Chopin Etudes—a feat described as the equivalent of running a marathon and posing for a Vanity Fair cover on the same day. Or it could be the Festival debut of world-renowned soprano Christine Brewer in a song recital that has garnered rave reviews all season. And of course the ever popular Noon Series showcases exceptional jazz talent often newcomers who are just bursting onto the music scene—this year it could be young Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez who steals the hearts of Festival goers.

As always there are Gilmore for Kids events all over West Michigan, Master Classes, an extraordinary film series and much, much more. For the complete Festival lineup and video of all of the artists coming to this spring’s Festival, visit www.gilmorekeyboardfestival.org.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

CALENDAR

of Events

April 1 Rhythm of the Wild Kalamazoo Nature Center. 1 pm. Get a back stage pass to hear some of our local singers that entertain us with their songs during Michigan's four seasons!

You might even join the band as we put the chorus into Chorus Frogs and much more! Non-members, $6 adult, $5 senior, $4 children 4 – 13, and under free. www.NatureCenter.org

April 1 Southwest Michigan Insurance Professional Chapter Meeting 5:30 pm. Join us for dinner and come and share with other insurance professionals for networking and helpful information. Guest speaker – Brian Tindle of State Farm Insurance – Motivational & Inspirational! www.naiwmichigan.com April 1 - 2 Spring Break Camps Kalamazoo Nature Center. 9 am – 5 pm. KNC Camp Spring Break Camps – Different Themes each day – come for one or enjoy them all! Registration is required. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org April 1 – 2 Chicago The University Theatre. Thu., Fri. & Sat. 8 pm, Sun. 2 – 7 pm. Kander and Ebb's sexy, sophisticated, and stylish musical about murder, corruption, greed, and showbiz brings all that jazz to the stage. $20, $15 Seniors, $5 Students. 269-387-6222. www.wmutheatre.com April 1 – 24 “Table Manners” New Vic Theatre. Fri. & Sat. 8:30 pm. In the present climate of economic meltdown, we need all the laughs we can get, so the return of Ayckbourn's masterful trilogy to the New Vic stage for the first time in nearly thirty years could hardly be better. $23. www.newvictheatre.org April 2 Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo 5p.m. Free event featuring new art exhibits at numerous locations. "Hop" from one exhibit to the other. Perhaps meet the artist.

More Info: www.kazooart.org April 2 Egg-citing Natural Dyes Kalamazoo Nature Center. 1 pm. Bring your own eggs and use natural dyes made from common kitchen ingredients to make beautiful and unique colored eggs. Please bring enough hard-boiled eggs for your whole family. Non-members, $6 adult, $5 senior, $4 children 4 – 13, 3 and under free. www.NatureCenter.org April 2 Works in Progress: Wellspring's Spring Concert Open Rehearsal Wellspring Theater at the Epic Center. 6 – 7 pm.

Catch a sneak peek of Wellspring's latest choreographic works at this open rehearsal during the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo's April Art Hop. Free. www.wellspringdance.org April 2 – 17 The Dixie Swim Club Civic Auditorium. Thu 4/8 – 7:30 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sun 4/11 2 pm. Five southern women, whose friendship began years ago when they were members of their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to rekindle those relationships. This is the story of five unforgettable women; a very funny, yet touching play about trust, honesty, and friendship that lasts forever. $9 - $22. 269-343-1313. www.kazoocivic.org

April 2 – 30 Gathered Images Willow Lake Gallery at Parkview Hills. 9 am – 6 pm during April. A collection of work by artist Honore Lee. Reception for the artist will be Friday, April 16, 6 – 8 pm. Free and open to the public.

269-372-4444.

April 3 Egg Hunt on the River Trail Mayor's Riverfront Park. 10 am – Noon. Family event with several fun activities. Hunt schedule: 10:15 am – 3 & under. 10:30 am – 4-6 years old.

10:45 am – 7-9 years old. www.kalamazoocity.org April 5 KIAAP Kresa. 5 pm networking, 5:30 dinner, 6:00 introductions, 7:30 adjourned. We welcome visitors. RSVP for dinner. If you would like to attend, contact Betty Gruber CPS at 269-553-2709 or email at betty.gruber.h32b@statefarm.com April 5 Artist Talk by 2010 WMAS Juror: Gladys Nilsson Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 7 pm. WMAS 2010 Juror Gladys Nilsson's work reveals the incongruities in life using humor, irony and visual or verbal puns.

Nilsson has been painting her distinctive watercolors since the 1960s. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org April 5, 12, 19, 26 Tai Chi Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts. 5:30 – 6:30 pm. This gentle art increases flexibility, muscle strength, and heart and lung activity, while aligning posture, improving balance, and integrating the mind and body. Classes are $12/session or $80 for 8 weeks. 269-373-0910.

April 6, 13, 20, 27 Yoga Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts. 5:30 – 7 pm.

Certified Yoga Instructor, Gina Greenem brings to her classes an emphasis on wave-like spinal movements, fluid connection between poses, creative visuals, and subtle movements within each pose. $12/session or $60 for 6 weeks. 269-373-0910.

April 7, 21 Massage as a Profession Workshop School of Massage & Bodywork at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts. 6 – 8 pm. Learn about the realities of the massage therapy profession, and find out about the professional training program at the School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA. 269-3730910 to register for this FREE workshop.

It’s easy to get listed in our Events Calendar.

Our deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication.

Email us at: calendar@womenslifestylekazoo.com Please type Calendar in the subject line.

Or you may mail your info to P. O. Box 2284, Portage MI 49081-2284 Non-members, $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children 4 – 13, 3 and under free. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org April 8 42nd Annual Spring Conference on Wind & Percussion Music Miller Auditorium. 7:30 pm. Robert Sheldon, Guest Composer/Conductor. Featuring the conference allstar band and WMU's University Symphonic Band.

Free. 269-387-4667. www.wmich.edu/music April 8 Free Talk in Urinary Incontinence in Women Gilmore Center a Bronson Hospital, Room 3A lower level. 6:30 pm. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G., will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor your questions.

Refreshments will be served. 800-466-5595 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com April 8, 15 Intermediate Silver Jewelry Making Art Bayou. 6 – 9 pm. Part 1 – April 8th, Part 2 – April 15th. Intro to silver metal clay prerequisite. Now come learn for to make 99.9% pure silver jewelry without using the stamps and molds in the beginner class. Please RSVP as space is limited. $75 includes all materials, instructions and firing. 269375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com April 8 – 18 Tambourines to Glory Gilmore Theatre Complex Shaw Theatre. 8 pm, April 18 – 2 pm. An opening night reception sponsored by Millennium Restaurant Group will take place after the performance April 8. $20 General admission, $15 seniors, $5 students. Group discounts are available. Purchase tickets by calling 269-387-6222. www.wmutheatre.com April 9 West Michigan Area Show Reception and Awards Ceremony Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Please join us as we celebrate the opening of the 2010 West Michigan Area Show and congratulate those area artists who are exhibiting. The Awards Ceremony will begin at 6:30 pm with over $5,000 in prizes to be awarded. Free. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org April 10 Jumping Mouse Transformations Spirituality Center. 9:30 am – 4 pm.

Story Inner Trust. Learn by means of metaphor with a skilled facilitator. $45. 269-381-6290 ext 249.

April 10, 14 Bariatric Information Meeting April 10th 10 am – Noon, April 14th 6 – 8 pm. Time for a Change in Your Life? Call 269-226-6863 to register for a FREE Borgess Bariatric informational meeting or visit bariatrics.borgess.com April 10 – May 30 West Michigan Area Show 2010 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Tue. - Sat. 10 am – 5 pm; Sun. 12 – 5 pm. Since the 1960s, this annual exhibition has showcased the exceptional work of area artists in all media. Free. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org April 11 Comedy Central Presents: Gabriel Iglesias State Theatre. 7 pm. Gabriel Iglesias, the “fluffy” comic in Hawaiian shirt, has been described as unbelievably funny, electrifying, and a gifted performer who has the ability to consistently deliver quality comedy experience in every venue he performs in.

Gabe's clean animated comedy style has earned national crossover appeal. $34.50. 269-345-6500. www.kazoostate.com April 11 Taste of Kentucky Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites. Times may vary. Try a taste of down home cooking with Chef Wayne's favorite class! Get ready for your Derby party with a little Burgoo, Hot Browns, Country Ham, Greens and Bourbon Tasting. Hands On. $45 per person. 269226-3120. http://ghgcatering.com April 14 An Evening with Garrison Keillor Miller Auditorium. 7:30 pm. With a wonderful, dry sense-of-humor, he captivates audiences and delivers with class, charisma and wisdom and remains one of the most popular American storytellers of all time. $35 - $50. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com April 15 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Bronson Lakeview Hospital – Classroom #1. 6:30 pm. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G., will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence.

Come ask the doctor your questions. Refreshments will be served. 800-466-5595 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com

April 7 Butterflies & Moths Parchment Community Library. 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Butterflies & Moths – Attracting them to your yard. Free program with Ilse Gebhard. Register at 269-343-7747.

April 8 Portage District Library Stay Fashionable - Clothes & Accessories for Spring & Summer 6:30pm Group of local fashion retailers will focus on Beautiful You and developing your personal style while staying fashionable. Learn the latest in trendy cosmetics, fashion & beauty. Free / No Registration required Info: 269-329-4542 April 8 Bears, Oh My! Kalamazoo Nature Center. 1 pm. Come and learn bear basics! We will talk about different kinds of bears, where they live and what they eat. You'll learn about what kind of bear lives in Michigan, too!

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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April 15 – 18 Wellspring's Spring Concert of Dance Wellspring Theater. Thu. - Sat. 8 pm; Sun. 2 pm.

Wellspring closes the season with the annual Spring Concert of Dance, featuring new choreography by Cori Terry and company members with favorites from the repertoire. A reception to meet the artists will follow the Saturday evening performance. $20 general admission, $10 student, Free for children 5 and under. 269-342-4354. www.wellspringdance.org April 16 Glass Art Auction Epic Center. 6 – 9 pm. One-of-a-kind glass art created by WMGS members and other featured glass artists will be available to the public in our Fourth Annual Glass Auction. Art enthusiasts will be able to view live and silent auction glass art while enjoying refreshments and a no host wine bar. Free.

269-552-9802. www.wmglass.org April 16 Jim Gaffigan Miller Auditorium. 8 pm. Jim Gaffigan has proven himself a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences after achieving milestones in stand-up, acting and writing. As approachable as he is edgy, Jim is responsible for some of the funniest and most memorable moments in recent television and film. $24, $16. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com April 16, 17, 18, 23 & 24 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Charley & Mary Burkett Center for Performing Arts.

8 pm curtain, doors open at 7:30; Sunday 3 pm, doors open at 2:30. One of the funniest and most charming plays ever written, The Importance of Being Earnest features diamond-bright dialogue, ridiculous yet recognizable characters, and a wilderly improbably plot. $10 adults, $6 students at the door; $8 adults, $5 students in advance. 2696957-BOOK, 269-657-PLAY. www.ppvp.org

2010-2011 SEASON RAYMOND HARVEY, MUSIC DIRECTOR

A Dynamic Season You re Sure to Enjoy!

April 17 Light Warrior Clan: Purification Lodge and Potluck 203 Community Drive, Battle Creek. 10 am – 4 pm.

Please reserve by April 14 with Meg at 269-966-3116.

April 17 Family Saturday Parchment Community Library. 1 – 4 pm. Participants: Parchment High School science students, Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society.

No registration required. Free.

April 17, 18 Kalamazoo Antique Show & Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Hazel Gray Room.

Sat. 9 am – 5 pm, Sun. 10 am – 4 pm. Annual spring show and sale featuring many quality antique dealers. $4. 616-363-2856.

GARRICK OHLSSON

LORI SIMS

ELLIS ISLAND

Plus much more, including our new...

KSO POPS! KalamazooSymphony.com

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April 18 2010 Camp Fun Days Sherman Lake. 2 – 4 pm. Enjoy fun camp activities for all ages, meet the camp staff, and tour our facilities. Bring your swimsuit and towel – the pool will be open! Free. 269-731-3030. logistics@ymcasl.org April 19 Women In Networking Meeting Richland Area Community Center. Your invited! Networking, beverages &: light buffet. 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Cost is $8 (cash please). RSVP: win.richland@yahoo.com by Thurs. before. www.win.richland.tripod.com April 20 Stroller Stroll Kalamazoo Nature Center. 10 am. Welcome to our first Stroller Stroll of the year! Bring your little one to explore the wonders of nature in a safe, hands-on environment. Non-members, $6 adult, $5 senior, $4 children 4 – 13, 3 and under free. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

April 20 Bead- iful Beads Kalamazoo Public Library. 6:30 pm. Artist and crafter Jessica Aguilera will lead adults ONLY in these very cool crafts. Registration required. Free.

269-553-7880.

April 20 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Portage Public Library – Gourdneck Lake Room. Dr. Roger Beyer, M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G., will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor you questions. Refreshments will be served. 800-466-5595 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com April 20 Kalamazoo MI After Five Women's Connection The Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Rd. 6:30 – 8 pm.

Please join us for an evening of fun and inspiration.

Business Women Welcomed! $17. Please RSVP by April 15 by calling Jan at 269-327-7025.

April 21, 22 Avenue Q Miller Auditorium. 7:30 pm. A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Avenue Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. Adult Themes. $25 $50. 269-387-2300. www.millerauditorium.com April 22 April in Paris Gourmet Dinner The Michigan Room. 7 – 8:30 pm. Galesburg’s best kept secret, The Michigan Room, executive style banquet facility, will host an exclusive restaurantfor-a-night dinner. Gourmet buffet dinner featuring the food, sights, and sounds of Paris. Themed event by prepaid reservation only. For information and details on this event, or other events featuring your favorite area restaurants, info@galesburgcrossings.com or 269-665-3572.

April 22 Portage District Library Stay Outdoors – Designing and Valuing Your Outside Space 6:30 pm. In celebration of Earth Day, come learn how to spruce up your home, lawn, and garden, either for your own enjoyment or to appeal to potential buyers. New garden ideas in plants & landscaping: garden nooks, fire pit areas, and small water features. Free / No Registration required For more information Call: 269-329-4542 April 22 Praise and Coffee Night Plainwell Coffee Mill/ Eesley Place Banquet Hall.

7 – 9 pm. A non-denominational evening of Christian inspiration and encouragement for all women! Topic this event, “Walking through Marriage Tests and Trials” No charge but coffee and refreshments are available for purchase. More info: call Sue Cramer at 269-998-3244 or www.PraiseAndCoffee.com April 23 Empty Bowl Prairie Ridge Elementary. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. $5 per family which includes a light meal of soup and bread, live entertainment (piano, guitar, bluegrass music), and a handmade bowl to take home as a reminder that many people in our community are hungry everyday. www.kzoolf.org April 23 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings. 7 –9 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. Pre-registration is needed. $30. 269-388-2988. www.adamczassociates.com April 23, 24 31st Annual Borgess Run for the Health of It! Borgess Health & Fitness Center. Get active in 2010!

Participate in the 5K Run, 5K Walk, Half Marathon of the Priority Health 5K Walk. Register online at borgessrun.com and save $5 on your entry fee.

April 24 Centering Prayer Retreat Day Transformations Spirituality Center. 9 am – 4 pm.

Listen for God during this day away from things that fill your mind. $55. 269-381-6290 ext 249.

April 24 Integrative Breathwork Unwindings. 10 am – 6 pm. A musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. $80. Some partial scholarships are available. Pre-registration is needed. 269-388-2988. www.adamczassociates.com April 24 Creature Feature Kalamazoo Nature Center. Noon. Come see some of KNC's animals up close! Staff and animal care volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about these interesting critters. Non-members; $6 adults, $5 senior, $4 children 4 – 13, 3 and under free.

269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org April 24 Paint Till You Faint PJ Party Art Bayou. 6 pm – 12 am. Come paint pottery in your pj's during our extended hours. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks and beverages. You'll be entered to win door prizes if you're dressed in your real pj's. We put the art in party! 269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com April 26 David Schrader, harpsichord Wellspring Theatre. 2 pm. A truly extraordinary musician who is equally at home on piano, organ or forte piano, David Schrader will give Festival-goers the unusual treat of a concert on the harpsichord – a program of French Baroque music. $12.

269-342-1166. www.gilmorekeyboardfestival.org April 27 Boomers and Beyond: 'Green' Spring Cleaning Kalamazoo Nature Center. 11 am – 1 pm. This month we learn a new perspective on cleaning! We'll take a walk in some fresh air & then come back to eat our lunch together. Of course, we'll finish off our program with some sweet treats! Interactive, outdoor, social program for adults ages 55+. $6 adult, $5 senior. 269-381-1574. www.NatureCenter.org April 27 Glass Fusing Art Bayou. 6 – 9 pm. Glass fusing is like adult shrinky dinks. Layers of glass are melted together to make sun catchers, pendants, tile, plates, bowls, etc. Prices start at $17. Registration and $10 deposit required as this is limited to the first 20 people.

269-375-2600. www.artbayoustudio.com April 28 Indoor Labyrinth Walk Parish Church of Christ the King. 6 – 8 pm. A circular path for prayer and meditation open to people of all faith traditions. Orientation is offered to first time walkers. 269-388-2988. www.parishchurch.org April 28 Light Warrior Clan: Shamanic Study Group: Controlled Dreaming and Potluck 203 Community Drive, Battle Creek. 6 – 10 pm.

Please reserve by April 23 with Meg at 269-966-3116.

April 28 Reducing the Size of Your Lawn Parchment Community Library. 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Dr. Tom Small of The Wild Ones of Kalamazoo. Free.

Register at 269-343-7747.

April 29 Weight Control 101 Borgess Health & Fitness Center. 11:30 am – 1 pm or 6 – 7:30 pm. Borgess Health & Fitness Center members can now receive FREE ongoing nutritional support. You will learn the principles behind sound nutrition and understand how to apply them practically in your own life. Fitness.borgess.com April 30 Gilmore Festival Chamber Orchestra Dalton Center Recital Hall. Pre-concert lecture 7 pm; concert 8 pm. Members of the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids Orchestras combine with their music directors to offer a truly unusual concert of music for a variety of solo keyboard instruments and chamber orchestra. $20 - $30. 269-342-1166. www.gilmorekeyboardfestival.org April 30 – May 2 Cloud 9 Escape to Traverse City Event Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Welcome reception at Aerie begins at 6:30 pm Friday night. Call you girlfriends now and start to plan another memorable STAY. PLAY. EXPLORE. Weekend. Take advantage of exclusive Cloud 9 room rates and special discounts at Spa Grand Traverse. For details contact cbrozozwski@gtresort.com or amy@promotionconcepts.com

PHOTO BBYY AMELIA AMELIA FALK FALK

April 23 – 25 Twelve Angry Men Carver Center Studio. Fri. & Sun. 2 pm; Sat. 7 pm.

Twelve strangers are brought together by chance to decide the fate of a nineteen-year-old boy who has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father.

Tempers get short, arguments grow heated, and the jurors become twelve angry people. $9 - $22.

269-343-1313. www.kazoocivic.org

SPRING CONCERT DATE/TIME: / LOCATION: LOCA ATTION: ADMISSION: TICKETS:

May 1 Prairie View Park Annual Dog Walkathon: 9 am - 2 pm - Annual Fund Raiser for the Kalamazoo Humane Society 26th Anniversary - Bring your dog for a walk and so much more. Info@www.KazooDogWalk.org or call 269-345-1181 May 1 March of Dimes – March for Babies Celery Flats Historical Area. Registration begins at 9 am and walk begins at 10 am. Join us for the fight against prematurity by walking in the March for Babies. March of Dimes is the champion for all babies, those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive. Go to marchforbabies.org to start your team. 269-343-5586.

Thursday-Saturday, y y, April p 15-17,, 8pm p Sunday, Sundday, April 18, 2pm Wellspring Wellspring Theater at the Epic Center $20 general admission $10 with student ID Freee for children ages 5 and younger Epic p c Center Box Office 269/387-2300 269/ /387-2300 WWW.MILLERAUDITORIUM.COM WW W.MILLERAUDITORIUM.COM

PROGRESS: FRIDAY, APRILIL 2, 6-7 PM WORKS IN PROGRESS S: FR IDAY, APR Join us during Art Hop for a sneak peek as the company the he Spring Concert of Dance. Free rehearses new works for th and open to the public.

May 1 – 31 White Lightnin' & Rollin' Thunder Gilmore Car Museum. 9 am – 5 pm; Sat. & Sun. til 6 pm. The History of Stock Car Racing. Featuring 24 Stock Cars from all eras on display. Adults $10, Seniors $9, Students 7 – 15 $8, 6 & under free. 269-6715089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org May 2 K'zoo Folklife Organization Kalamazoo Valley Museum. 1:30 pm. Hobos and trains with Ed Bennett and Friends. Enjoy concerts and workshops, and bring your instrument and jam with members KFO. Free. 269-373-7990. www.kalamazoomuseum.org May 3 KIAAP Kresa. 5 pm networking, 5:30 dinner, 6:00 introductions, 7:30 adjourned. We welcome visitors. RSVP for dinner. If you would like to attend, contact Betty Gruber CPS at 269-553-2709 or email at betty.gruber.h32b@statefarm.com

SPO NSORED BY SPONSORED

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POST-CONCERT FRIDAY, APRILIL 16 POST -CONCERT TTALK: ALK: FR IDAY, APR and after Join the choreographers an nd dancers af ter the concert.

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May 1 Seeing the Holy Transformations Spirituality Center. 9 am – 3 pm.

Praying through camera lens by present to the Holy through your eyes and camera. $45. 269-381-6290 ext 249.

May 1 Killamazoo Derby Darlin's Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Hazel Grey Room. 7 pm. Roller Derby – Fast action – Hard Hitting – Good Fun! Tickets at door are $15, presale tickets are $10, kids 12 and under are free. 269-929-4928. www.killamazooderbydarlins.com

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

37

Alexandra Fix is the author of ten non-fiction children’s books, including the series Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Heinemann Library). She is a former children’s librarian, registered nurse, freelance writer and avid reader. Enjoying college one class at a time while her children were growing up fed her love of literature and creative writing.

By Alexandra Fix

ducting free clinics throughout the region. Margaret seeks her own fulfillment in her photography work and eventually freelances for the “Kenya Morning Tribune.” This is the late 1970s and tribal animosity has Kenya on edge. Threads of the couple’s two lines of work cross and crisscross in this country of turmoil and complicate this first year as husband and wife.

quire countless hours, thousands of dollars and some major headaches.

Author Scott Mitic has seen it happen in his own family twice. In the aftermath, he established a business, Trusted ID, to combat this avoidable epidemic. Bringing that background to this book, Mitic offers tips that can greatly reduce the risk of this disaster.

Stopping Identity Theft presents a sobering picture of the ease of this crime.

Stopping Identity Theft: 10 Easy Steps to Security

By Scott Mitic Nolo, 2009, $19.99 At the rate of one person every few seconds, a startling total of 15 million Americans each year fall prey to identity theft. For any individual, undoing the damage of identity theft will re-

Surprisingly, the Internet is not the most likely source of ID theft. Far above that are the loss of a wallet, checkbook or credit card, the acts of people who know you and frequent your home, the fraudulent use of information from in-store, phone or mail purchases or the aftermath of stolen mail.

These 10 steps to security will increase your awareness of the crime and improve your chances of prevention or early detection.

Conversation Starter

A Change in Altitude

By Anita Shreve Little Brown & Co, 2009, $26.99 Anita Shreve presents an insightful portrait of a young American couple living in Kenya in their first year of marriage. Patrick, a physician, is researching equatorial diseases and con-

House Rules

By Jodi Picoult Atria Books, 2010, $28 Once again Jodi Picoult has written a novel that is certain to be a conversation starter. In her seventeenth novel, Picoult grabs yet another issue of controversy out of the daily worldwide news and gives it heart and soul in the person of her complex characters. This is the story of Jacob Hunt, an 18 year old man with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of high functioning autism.

More than that, though, this is also the story of Jacob’s mom, Emma, and his brother, Theo. Autism does not simply affect one individual. It affects an entire family as well.

Emma has toiled relentlessly to mainstream Jacob into the school system and the community, not only so that he could observe the behavior of others, but also so that others could “learn that different isn’t synonymous with bad.” Jacob is intelligent, inquisitive and relentless in pursuit of his interests. His current passion is forensic crime scene analysis, fed by his Internet research, home fingerprint experiments and the methodical, daily 4:30 p.m. watching (and re-watching) of all 248 episodes of the television show, CrimeBusters. Thanks to a police

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

A climbing expedition to Mt. Kenya serves as a getaway for Margaret and Patrick and two other couples of their acquaintance. In the midst of this rigorous climb, though, a moment of foolish recklessness causes a horrible accident for one of the hikers, with life or death ramifications. That single act impacts each climber, raises feelings of guilt and creates consequences with which each must live in the days to come. The relationship of Patrick and Margaret is strained to its depth as they deal with the horror of the accident and the need for forgiveness.

scanner radio in his room, Jacob has shown up at local crime scenes and has even picked up critical clues the investigators have missed.

One day, the crime scene hits too close to home as Jess Ogilvy, a college student and Jacob’s tutor, is reported missing. Days later, her body is found, lying in a culvert near the main highway. Jacob is questioned about his last tutoring session with Jess and is placed under arrest for her murder. Reeling under the accusation, Jacob and his family must figure out how to maneuver the legal system. Jacob has difficulty making eye contact, exhibits distinctive nervous behaviors, responds emotionally inappropriately, and has difficulty answering questions satisfactorily – all characteristic Asperger’s mannerisms that increase the suspicion of guilt. Law enforcement and the legal system do not work well for individuals who communicate differently from the norm.

Chapters alternate between the viewpoints of several of the characters and a complex picture emerges of the crime and its aftermath. The words of Jacob hauntingly raise questions as the book evolves and the words of author Picoult maintain suspense, elicit compassion and stir conflict. Be prepared for a classic Jodi Picoult novel of intrigue and human fascination.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • April 2010

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