A Celebration of Children - August 2009

GREATER KALAMAZOO

August 2009

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Free!

Festive & Fabulous Watermelon Treats

Fun Ways to Color Your World

Essential • Enlightening • Entertaining

Nancy VandenBerg, MS, OTR

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By Marianne Bockheim

T

he current wave of skincare, cosmetics and body products is to go green. From manufacturing to packaging to suppliers, the savvy consumer is doing her homework to save the earth as well as her charming good looks! While landfills are a concern, that which is put on the skin is becoming a bigger concern since as much as 60-70 percent of what is put on the skin is absorbed by the body. For retail locations, visit the companies’ Web sites.

1. ZuZu Luxe Cosmetics Vegan Lip Gloss A full line of color cosmetics, ZuZu Luxe offers an extensive array of rich, beautiful color while remaining earthand people-friendly. Using only the purest all-natural ingredients, you’ll never find Coal Tar derivatives, FD&C coloring or mineral oil in any of these products. Another great facet to this line is that there are never seasonal launches or discontinued products, making it easy for you to replenish your favorites, season after season.

Lip glosses are available in 6 colors. $14. www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com

Marianne Bockheim has been waving her magical mascara wand for more than eight years. Her makeup mission includes journalism, freelance makeup artistry and providing marketing services to beauty and fashion businesses. Marianne is a Fashion Group International director and a fashion teacher at her local community college.

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2. Clean Kids Naturally Be kind to your children’s skin while making bath time fun! Shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and liquid soap all have really yummy scents (like banana and orange) and are guaranteed not to be loaded with chemicals. Completely organic and non-toxic, each are bottled in recyclable packaging. $7.50. www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com

3. Yves Rocher Wake Up Lotion

98% natural ingredients and 85% organic ingredients, Yves Rocher goes beyond ECOCERT® requirements. Yves Rocher’s Culture Bio is an “ecologically designed, carbon-offset” line and only uses the most effective natural ingredients to enhance and maintain beautiful skin. $27. www.yvesrocherusacom

4. Beautea Revitalizing Vegetal Soap

I love this triple-milled soap! Infused with tea, this rich formula will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and smelling so light and fresh. $10. www.pureliving.ca

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5. Evan’s Garden Ma Jeunesse™ Skin Cream Youth in a Jar™

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Handcrafted, natural and organic, Evan’s Garden offers and extensive array of luxury skincare for all skin types, body-care, mineral makeup, haircare and even dental products.

Combining the luxury market with the “green” market, Evan’s Garden uses the finest in “beyond organic” ingredients for maximum results. $87.95 (1.5oz), $192.95 (3.75oz). www.evansgarden.com

6. Blum Exfoliating Daily Cleansing Towelettes

Infused with plant extracts, fruit sugars and precious antioxidants, Blum is the answer for gals on the go who want to keep it simple – naturally. Paraben-free, this cleansing line touts certified natural ingredients as well as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing process and packaging.

Gentle and effective for both you and the earth. $6.99 / $5.99. www.blumnaturals.com

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Urban elegance This year, lemongrass is making a strong statement. In an urban-inspired decor, this chartreuse-like shade is the color that gets attention and leaves a lasting impression.

"It says 'optimism, vibrancy and cheerfulness,'" says Ed Wonder, director of design for Fiesta Dinnerware, an iconic American brand. "Throughout history, when our country is in turmoil, we've often looked to bright colors to lift our spirits."

Consider adding a few pieces in this contemporary color to each place setting, either a solid napkin or bud vase holding a single fresh orchid.

If you already have chocolate- or ivory-colored china, mix in lemongrass-colored serving platters and bowls; the three-way color combo sets the stage for a metropolitan meal.

Go bold with the colors of lemongrass, black, white and several shades of purple.

Bohemian chic The bohemian lifestyle is all about collecting pieces over time, mixing and matching similar with dissimilar items, and creating a feeling of overall freedom. With that said, almost anything goes. So, don't rely on a standard 'set' of dishes to enhance the dining experience. The key is to mix different shapes – such as round dinner plates with square bowls – as well as mixing sizes, colors and patterns.

DIY: Color Your World Has your deck or patio furniture become weathered or even rusted from summer sun?

Armed with a little creativity and a few cans of spray paint, you can give your backyard oasis a fresh and affordable new look and make the most of what’s left of summer grilling, entertaining, and relaxed living.

"Uncap What's Inside," a campaign from Sharpie, wants you to put your creative stamp on everyday items, transforming them into colorful, distinctive statements.

When painting furniture, use color to unify your space. By carefully selecting a coordinated palette of a few colors, you can unify an eclectic collection into a pleasing whole. White is a popular classic that can be paired with almost any accent color for striking good looks.

Most importantly, be unconventional with your color and pattern choices. Mix brights with earth tones, and incorporate decorated glassware, cups and saucers and dessert plates – in any pattern, even paisley – with solid pieces.

In areas filled with bright sunlight, try bright, bold colors to infuse a space with energy and whimsy, or consider sophisticated textured or metallic hues.

For the brightest, boldest colors, prime the surface or apply a white basecoat. Next, apply the color coat over the white surface.

Finally, group furniture together to create intimate conversation areas. Use interesting containers to hold plants. Consider lighting for both evening safety and ambiance.

"Consumers have demonstrated they want to add their own creative stamp to things - from t-shirts and lunch bags, to wallpaper and even cars," said Sally Grimes, global vice president of marketing for Sharpie. The new Sharpie campaign challenges people to re-imagine, re-invent and re-create everyday items.

Visit Sharpie’s interactive community Web site, www.sharpieuncapped.com, for ideas and inspiration. You can even share your own ideas.

From the functional to the outlandish, Sharpie will select the most inspiring ideas and feature them in the showcase section of the Sharpie Uncapped Gallery.

The site will also offer how-to videos, new product demos, (including a virtual test drive of various Sharpie pens and markers) and access to Sharpie's other social media sites.

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Krylon® offers spray finishes that combine sophisticated good looks with rugged durability to make patio, porch, deck and sunroom makeovers easy – so easy that you can even spray directly over rusted metal. New outdoor colors for 2009 are Iris, Fern, Khaki, Bark and Boulder. Use Krylon’s outdoor finishes on metal, wood, wicker, drywall, masonry and even pottery.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

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Simple Ways Parents Can Nurture Kids' Self Esteem

Comfortable Dentistry You Can Trust & Afford Advanced, Lifetime Dental Excellence Most Dental Services Performed in Our Office Professionally Trained, Caring and Courteous Staff The Latest Procedures, Instruments and Techniques Convenient Payment Options • All Insurance is Welcome!

Family Features

copyright © 2009 chrisad

Most parents know that self esteem is important for a child's academic, social and emotional success. A few simple and positive steps can help promote a sense of confidence and self-worth.

Maura A. Fichter, DDS • Carrie K. McDougal, DDS 1206 Gull Road • Kalamazoo

(269) 385-2100

www.MauraFichter.com

Convenient Appointments Before & After Work or School!

Praise your child often and be descriptive Parents are generally quick to tell their children when they've done something wrong, but may forget to give kids positive messages. Be descriptive in your positive praise – tell kids you like the way they completed a chore, applaud a hobby they show interest in, and point out when they've made a good choice.

Teach good decision-making skills We all make decisions every day, but kids don't often realize that's what they're doing. When you see your child in a situation where they need to make a decision, help them clarify the problem and the choices they can make. Discuss the possible solutions and the consequences of each. When your child chooses a course of action, respect his decision. If your child is unhappy with the results, you can discuss how he or she may have done things differently.

Encourage kids to follow their dreams Pay attention to what your child's interests are and look for innovative ways to empower them to follow their dreams. For example, if your child likes music, help him or her find their voice through a range of musical experiences such as listening and playing along to their favorite songs. Sing along with them in the car to encourage them.

Take them seriously While children aren't little adults, their feelings, emotions and opinions should still be taken seriously. Listen to what your child has to say and avoid dismissing their thoughts or feelings as "kid stuff" or "just a phase." Strive to have a real conversation.

Be a good role model When you feel good about yourself, your children know it. If you make a mistake, use it as a teaching moment. Accept responsibility and talk to your child about what you learned from your misstep.

Be there When it comes to spending time with your child, quality and quantity both count. Being there during the small, silly moments is just as important as being present for the big milestones.

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shop

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shop local smart

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shop

shop local smart

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Relinquishing Your Flight Gear Giving children permission to fly, fail and learn.

Janice Lynne Lundy Thomas Edison was a very wise man. Not because he invented the light bulb or 1,000 other patents, but because he knew the value of making mistakes.

As the story goes, Mr. Edison was once interviewed by a young reporter who asked if he ever felt like a failure because his explorations into generating electricity were not going as planned. Edison supposedly replied, "Young man, why would I feel like a failure? And why would I ever give up? I now know definitively over 9,000 ways that an electric light bulb will not work. Success is almost in my grasp."

After more than 10,000 attempts Edison invented the light bulb. I love this story. It represents to me one of the most powerful permissions we can give to our children: The permission to try and fail, to learn from our mistakes, and grow into better people because of them. Why is it, then, that we are hesitant to allow our children to foray out into the world on their own – to stumble, fall, and scrape their knees on life experience – if we know that they can learn from trial and error, from making mistakes? For me, I think it was a matter of protection.

As a young mother, I felt I needed to safeguard my children – to keep their world small and secure so they would be too. I experienced the result of my over-protectiveness when my first child entered kindergarten. I had kept her so close to me for the first five years of her life she had difficulty socializing with her peers, as well as adjusting to other people’s routines and expectations. From that moment forward, I vowed to let go of the reins a bit and let her find her way, skinned knees and all.

There is a term for mothers like me, perhaps for you, as well: Helicopter Moms. We hover and hover, circling over and around our kids just liked those winged machines in constant surveillance. I learned this term as I sat in a “getting ready for college” parent meeting for my youngest daughter. Everyone nervously chuckled at the term. I looked around the room and witnessed many heads bowed in embarrassment. I’m glad mine wasn’t. Thankfully, I had relinquished my flight gear years ago and was much more comfortable allowing my children to fly solo.

So what are the benefits of allowing our children to experience failure, to make mistakes in life?

Freedom from Fear. Permission to venture out and try something new, without fear of reprisal, fosters initiative and the ability to approach life with courage. “Gumption,” as my grandmother would call it, is a very good thing to have, especially in a world that is not easy to navigate, nor kind.

Independent Thinking. To make choices on their own, assessing benefits and consequences, is vital for a child’s growth. Allowing them to figure out their motives and assess potential outcomes are skills that build with time and experience. And, as an adult, these skills are the keys to success in all areas of life: work, relationships, health and more.

Independent thinking also enhances creativity. In fact, colleges today are looking for visionary, forward-thinking students. Case in point: When my daughter entered her freshman year in college, she was told she must read a particular book before arriving. The title? A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink. A line of text from the back cover says it all: “The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: designers, inventors, teachers, storytellers – creative and emphatic “right brain” thinkers whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who doesn’t.”

Enhanced Communication Skills: It’s important that we dialogue with our children about their choices. This way they can verbally articulate what they are learning from their mistakes (as long as we do not point our fingers at them and say, “I told you so!) “We can listen and compassionately help them see, then give voice to, the valuable lesson to be found within each experience.

Persistence: It has been said that we learn more from our mistakes than our successes. I believe this to be true. My children are now 19, 25 and 27. Each one can easily articulate what some of their significant mistakes were and how those choices – and the consequences – made them stronger, wiser people.

Those miscalculations often caused them to work harder, longer, until a better result was achieved. Persistence is a potent quality to possess, especially in a society in which “fast and easy” is the order of the day. Persistence pays off – emotionally – and, in the long run, financially. Persistence also breeds patience, something sorely lacking in today’s “hurry up and move” culture.

Thank you, Mr. Edison, for being a fine role model, for us and for future generations. Thank goodness you didn’t let your failures stop you. I can’t imagine where we would be today without the enlightening results of your inventive mind and persistent heart. With love and guidance, may our children do the same.

Janice Lynne Lundy is an inspirational speaker and retreat leader, spiritual director, and the author of “Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You are Meant to Be,” available in bookstores nationwide or at www.amazon.com.

Visit www.awakenedliving.com to learn more about Jan, her writing and her events.

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ANNOUNCING...

NEW! Complete Healthy Meals!

At Super Suppers we have always taken the stress out of meal preparation... NOW we take the stress out of eating healthy!

Less Work, Great Taste and Good for you! Call, stop in or visit our website for details!

Join us for our Back to School Open House, August 29th from 1-4pm for ways to make the transition to the hectic school year with ease.

297 W. Centre St., Portage Centre Plaza (Around the corner from Great Harvest Bread)

323-3044

Tues - Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 10am-3pm

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Wubba What?

The WubbaNub is revered as an essential parenting tool to help keep children and parents happy. Because the pacifier ($15) has a cute plush animal attached, the pacifier stays in place, helping calm the child and helping everyone get more sleep. With a good night’s sleep, mom and dad can definitely celebrate their children better!

The WubbaNub, which turns 10 this year, comes with a friend – the Wubbie Blanket ($24) - so once it's time to start weaning the child off the paci, the blanket offers a familiar face and feel, again helping to calm the child and speed up the process of weaning.

By helping children sleep better and keeping them calm and happy, celebrating your babies can be as simple as handing them a paci/toy that they love routinely.

Available at select stores and at www.wubbanub.com.

Push-Ups Pushing 50 Since 1959, kids of all ages have been pushing up one of America’s favorite frozen treats: The Nestle Push-Up! To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Nestle is introducing two whimsical flavors to delight a new generation of families: Laffy Taffy (listed as one of the top ten candies for kids) in Sammy Strawberry, Hanna Banana and Barri Berry. Plus kids (and adults!) can savor the Nestle Nesquik chocolate taste they love in a delicious frozen Nestle Push-Up, which contains both Milk Chocolate and Double Chocolate.

Can you think of a better way to enjoy a snack with less than 100 calories?

This summer, kids are invited to create the next great work of "pop" art. Children have a sweet opportunity to demonstrate their creative talents and enter the Push-Up and Create art contest.

Three winning kids will have their unique designs featured on millions of Limited Edition Nestle Push-Up tubes. In addition to having their artwork showcased on this popular frozen snack, each winner will also receive a $1000 gift card that can be used for art supplies and a $2,500 donation to his or her school.

Kids, ages 6-12, are invited to design a unique "virtual" tube by visiting www.pushupandcreate.com where they can use online design tools to create cool backgrounds, mix colors and sketch their own masterpieces.

Entries must be submitted by August 31, 2009.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

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Engaging your baby in stimulating experiences encourages brain development and paves the way for successful learning in the future.

Did you know?

• A baby's brain is 250% more active than that of an adult.

• The networking of the brain’s synapses is nearly complete after the first three years.

• You are your baby's best toy!

Drawing on extensive brain research, child development expert and best-selling author Jackie Silberg presents “Baby Smarts.” Filled with developmental games, Baby Smarts helps you build your baby's brain power, one activity at a time!

Try these fun activities with your baby: Floating Feathers (3-6 month olds) • Lie down on your back with your baby next to you.

• Throw a brightly colored feather in the air and watch it float gently to the ground.

This is a very relaxing game, and it challenges babies to follow (track) objects with their eyes. (Note: You can find feathers at art supply stores.)

Under the Blanket (9-12 month olds) This game develops your baby's observation skills, demonstrates the concept of "under," and enhances your baby's ability to follow directions.

• Let your baby watch as you hide a small toy under a pillow.

• After you hide the toy, ask her to find it.

• If she does not understand, ask her again and show her that the toy is under the pillow.

• Tell her that you are now going to hide the toy under the blanket.

• Keep hiding the toy in different places that are "under" something.

Author Jackie Silberg, who has an M.S. in child development, is an early childhood advocate and popular keynote speaker. She is the author of 15 books with Gryphon House, including “Games to Play with Babies” and “125 Brain Games for Babies.”

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7 ways to create a more secure on-line experience

You can create a more safe and enjoyable Web experience with simple guidelines to protect your and your family’s identity.

"Staying safe online is a combination of using the latest and greatest security software tools and exercising good judgment and common sense," says Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance.

Here are eight tips to help keep you, your family and your personal information safe online:

1. Manage your e-mail inbox. Delete unwanted and unsolicited email and don't open e-mails from people you don't know. Be cautious about unusual e-mail from people you do know. Some cyber criminals use software to make an e-mail look like it comes from an official organization (like your bank) or someone you know.

2. Always think before you click and treat links and attachments in e-mail and instant messaging with caution. Download files only from sites you know and trust and never open an attachment from someone you don't know. These can contain

Organizing and Displaying Your Photos

Courtesy of ARAcontent

viruses and malware that can cause your computer to break down or is an attempt to steal personal information. If in doubt, delete it.

3. Use extreme caution when working on a public computer; Do not save your log in information, always log out of Web sites by clicking "log out" on the site (even if you are just stepping away for a few minutes), and never enter sensitive or personal information on a public computer.

4. Be sure your firewall is turned on. A firewall is an electronic fence that helps protect your PC from hackers that may try to steal sensitive information.

To turn on your firewall, simply click the start button and open the control panel. Follow the security link and then click “Turn Windows Firewall on or off.”

5. Protect personal information by using strong passwords. Make sure they are lengthy and incorporate letters, numbers and symbols.

6. When shopping online, be a savvy consumer. Conduct online research to find out what others have to say about their customer satisfaction. Be wary of companies that don't provide any contact information, including a physical mailing address and telephone number.

7. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your security software, operating system and browser upto-date with automatic updates.

For more information visit the National Cyber Security Alliance at www.StaySafeOnline.org. out what you have to work with. If you're buried in digital photos, start by paring down your photo library by deleting those you don't like or need.

• Next, set up a file system and get in the habit of naming your photos as soon as you download them to your computer. Be consistent with your titles to stay extra organized. For example, for all photos related to a specific event, begin your naming scheme with the same word (such as reunion). Finally, back up your files to ensure that nothing gets lost.

• If you're drowning in a sea of shoeboxes packed with prints, it's time to get organized. Start by putting the photos into large acid-free envelopes or boxes, marked with the year. Discard the photos you don't like or don't want to keep.

D

o you know where your photos are?

You know… all those photos you took at graduation, prom and sporting events? And don't forget about summer holidays, family vacations, reunions and weddings. Without a doubt, the digital camera has made it easier than ever for anyone to capture hundreds – even thousands – of pictures of these cherished moments.

We all take pictures that mean something to us, but then what happens? Weeks, months, even years go by and those same pictures are all but forgotten, held

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hostage in a camera, buried on a computer hard drive, or lost in cyberspace. Then, when the time comes to share those photos, it seems they're nowhere to be found.

Some people still make their own prints, but that only solves part of the problem. Maybe you put one or two on the refrigerator, but what about the rest? Off to the shoebox they go with the forgotten promise that, “One day I'll get them in a book.” If you can relate to this, you're not alone. There are other options to help you turn your digital photos into lasting memories.

• First off, you'll want to spend a bit of time finding

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

• Next, decide which photos you want to scan and set them aside. Scanning is a great way to preserve older photographs and to make copies of the more current pictures you will want to keep forever. Don't have a scanner? Send your photos to a service like Jostens Image Scan where they process your photos for you at a reasonable price.

• Once your images are organized, why not make the memories permanent and published? Jostens Photo Memory Books at www.ourhubbub.com are a great way for you to share your most memorable stories by creating your own hardcover photo memory books. Photo memory books start at just $34.99 for a 22-page book. Visit www.ourhubbub.com and enter code AMAZING9 at checkout to save $10 off your first book – now through September 1, 2009.

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Perfect Pairings LPGA Tour members’ favorite pairings from off the course

Lettuce-Wrapped Chicken Piccata Pair with Sauvignon Blanc Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: about 15 minutes Makes about 26 appetizers 1 2 2 2 6 1 1/2 1/2 1/4 1/4 3/4 2

Laura Diaz, LPGA Tour member since 1998 Laura Diaz, Jill McGill and Kristy McPherson, professional golfers on tour with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), have a passion for the game of golf — and also for pairing delicious food and wine. These LPGA players make perfect pairings of their own, by matching their favorite simple recipes with food-friendly wines.

One way to give a pairing a boost is to use the same wine in the recipe that will also be enjoyed in the glass.

Sauvignon Blanc is simmered with butter, chicken broth and lemon juice for a mouthwatering sauce to serve alongside bites of Lettuce-Wrapped Chicken Piccata. A warm and toasty Vegetable, Pesto and Smoked Mozzarella Panini and Pinot Noir make a perfect pair-

Flatbread Pizza With Fresh Tomato Salad Pair with Pinot Grigio Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes Makes 8 main dish or 12 appetizer servings 1 2/3 12 2 2 1 1 1/4

pound pizza dough Flour cup sun-dried tomato spread ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced cups small red and yellow pear or grape tomatoes, halved tablespoons extra virgin olive oil tablespoon fresh lemon juice clove garlic, minced cup snipped fresh basil

Preheat oven to 450°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide dough into 2 equal portions and roll each into a fairly thin oval on a lightly floured board (about 10 x 14 inches).

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Place on prepared baking sheets and spread a thin layer of sun-dried tomato paste onto each.

Top with cheese then bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

While pizza bakes, toss together tomatoes, oil, lemon juice and garlic in a medium bowl. Spoon onto cooked pizzas and cut into squares; sprinkle with basil.

Jill McGill, LPGA Tour member since 1996

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

pound chicken tenders, cut into bite-size chunks Flour for dredging eggs tablespoons milk cups fresh or panko breadcrumbs tablespoons butter, divided teaspoons flour cup Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc cup chicken broth cup fresh lemon juice teaspoon sugar or to taste cloves garlic, minced About 26 small pieces escarole leaves

Dip chicken pieces in flour, then in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet; add chicken and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Remove from skillet and add remaining butter. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add wine, broth and lemon juice, sugar and garlic to skillet; cook for about 5 minutes; remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Wrap chicken in escarole leaves and secure with toothpicks. Serve with lemon butter sauce from pan.

ing for a light supper. If you’re looking to please a crowd, Flatbread Pizza With Fresh Tomato Salad and Pinot Grigio combine beautifully for a satisfying finale to any long day on the course.

For more recipe and wine pairing ideas, visit www.mirassou.com.

Courtesy of Mirassou Winery & Family Features

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Vegetable, Pesto and Smoked Mozzarella Panini Pair with Pinot Noir Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes total Makes 4 servings 8 8 4 4

large, thin slices portabella mushroom very thin slices red onion very thin lengthwise slices zucchini, halved large, very thin slices peeled eggplant Olive oil and garlic salt 4 large strips roasted red pepper (about the size of the sandwich) 8 slices grainy bread, sliced 3/4 inch thick 2 tablespoons pesto 6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced Brush mushrooms, onions, zucchini and eggplant lightly with olive oil. Cook in a large skillet (in batches) over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side to lightly brown. Remove from skillet and sprinkle with garlic salt; set aside. Spread one side of 4 bread slices with pesto. Top with half the cheese, equal amounts of vegetables and the remaining cheese. Brush bread lightly with olive oil and cook in a panini press for about 5 minutes or until bread is golden and cheese is melted.

Kristy McPherson, LPGA Tour member since 2007

Recipe tip: No panini press? Place sandwiches in a large skillet over medium heat. Press down with a large plate to compress sandwich and cook for 5 minutes. Turn and repeat.

True wealth is about more than money.

It’s about achieving life.®

Beth Wilson, Janene Weathers Pirbhai, Amy Jones-Calderon, Holly Schuck

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Our Financial Advisors can put the powerful resources of Total Merrill® to work for you. Call today.

Holly Schuck, CFM, CRPC™ Wealth Management Advisor Janene Weathers Pirbhai, CFP,™ CIMA Wealth Management Advisor Amy Jones-Calderon Financial Advisor Beth Wilson Client Associate

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PRO-3

MIN. SIZE 4.5” x 6”

June 8, 2009

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Belly-licious Boutique

S

ay goodbye to muumuus and menswear, and hello to high-fashion, hug-your-curves maternity wear. A plethora of options awaits you at nearby stores and chic boutiques. And there is no need to buy clothes that will only get you through one trimester, because jersey knit fabrics have significant stretch potential.

You can even extend the life of your pre-pregnancy pants by picking up a BellaBand™. The stretchy band, which is now available in an organic version, covers your unbuttoned pants to create a seamless look that will carry you through your “fourth” trimester, when your non-maternity pants are still a smidge tight.

When you’re scheduling business meetings and need a sleek black skirt suit, or are planning a day at the beach and need a trendy yet casual ensemble, here are a few ideas: Empire cuts are incredibly flattering. As for shoes, flats are not only the most practical option, but they are the perfect complement to capri pants and crop leggings.

And what could be more stylish than a diaper bag that resembles a designer handbag?

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Note: the sizes listed below are pre-pregnancy sizes.

1. Olian Maternity Vertigo maternity blazer and skirt in Black, $100 and $67 Ease through the work day in this polished suit. Available in extra small (2-4), small (4-6), medium (8-10) and large (1012).

Olian Maternity is sold at department stores and boutiques.

2. A Pea in the Pod spaghetti strap scoop neck button front maternity top in Sunshine, $68 This sleeveless top with crochet details is perfect for a sunny day. Available in small (4-6), medium (8-10) and large (12-14).

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3. A Pea in the Pod Splendid strapless empire seam maternity dress in Blue Ombre, $210 This is a fantastic date night dress or bathing suit cover-up.

Available in small (4-6), medium (8-10) and large (12-14).

A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity are owned

by Destination Maternity Corporation, with stores throughout the United States.

By Sara Cosgrove

4. Liz Lange for Target Essential Crop Legging in Black, $12.99 Pair these with a colorful tunic dress for casual comfort.

Available in sizes extra small to extra large.

Liz Lange for Target is available at Target stores.

5. Amy Michelle Tulip Messenger Bag/Backpack in Chocolate with Periwinkle Lining, $75 This amazing bag converts to a backpack and attaches to your baby’s stroller. There are internal and external pockets for baby bottles and slots for credit cards.

There’s also a pacifier holder, cell phone holder and a washable changing pad. Also comes in Black Daisy with Daisy Lining and Blush Pink with Blush Pink Lining.

Amy Michelle Tulip Messenger bag is available at boutiques.

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A few more favorites include: Select boutiques Mama SPANX – maternity hosiery Michael Stars – soft cotton maternity tops and dresses Maternal America – chic tops and dresses (check out the Jackie O dress) 2 Chix – cute, sassy tee-shirts and the 40-week skirt Department Stores Elle Macpherson Intimates – nursing bras 7 For All Mankind – Secret Fit Belly Jean with flesh-colored full-panel (also comes in petite sizes).

Available at Pea in the Pod.

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BellaBand

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Financial Decision Making Bank of America has put together some ideas as well to help you and your child make wise financial decisions.

1. Sit down and explain the importance of money management and ask them what steps they think they should take to get their finances in order.

Discuss any questions or problems that they have.

Once trust is established, it leaves the door open for effective learning.

2. Set a budget and stick to it. Help your teen hash out a realistic budget plan. Record monthly income totals, including paychecks and allowances. Then record all expenses – non-discretionary spending like food and insurance, and discretionary spending like movie tickets and CDs. Don't forget about savings – try to set aside 10 percent each month.

Information Courtesy: ARA Content, Bank of America, SallieMae

Don’t Let Money Be Invisible – Working-class families during the Great Depression routinely set jars out in full view of the family marked “Rent,” “Food,” “Clothes” and so on, showing everyone where the money went.

Your Teen and Money

A

run Abey, former investment strategist and author of the book, “How Much is Enough,” from Greenleaf Book Group Press (www.howmuchisenough.net), believes that parents don’t just need to teach their kids about finances, but also about the relationship between money and quality of life.

Don’t Let Money Be Invisible – Working-class families during the Great Depression routinely set jars out in full view of the family marked “Rent,” “Food,” “Clothes” and so on, showing everyone where the money went.

Today, money comes out of ATMs, and is spent via debit cards and credit cards – invisible to kids as to where it comes from and where it goes. Kids lack a frame of reference.

“It’s not easy to say that money isn’t everything in a recession, but it isn’t,” Abey said. “It’s so easy to fall into the trap of making sure your kids understand the importance of making a good living financially, but if we leave out the part about lasting fulfillment in their careers, we’re shortchanging them.”

Give Kids Responsibility for Spending – One of the ways to get kids smart fast is to present a situation in which real consequences exist, by placing them in charge of their discretionary spending. If they receive an allowance, then parents should require their kids to map out the money they have coming and also where it goes. Seeing it on paper or in a computer chart will give them a sense of reality about their money, and also build healthy financial habits they will cling to in later life.

Still, Abey also believes we need to get our kids smart about finances early to help protect them now and in the future. To that end, he offers some basic tips for families who want to get themselves – and their kids – money savvy.

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Teach the Power of Investment – A typical method parents use to get kids interested in saving money is to help them set up a savings account. The part that is often left

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

3. Understand and actively manage a checking account.

A checking account is the foundation of your teen's financial world. If they don't have one already, help them open one and explain how it works. Make sure they understand the importance of a balanced account and consequences associated with not keeping track of that account. Talk about the pros and cons of debit cards and how they work.

4. Take advantage of educational seminars in your hometown. It's not uncommon for schools or banks to hold short, educational classes to help younger generations comprehend different aspects of financial basics.

Contact your bank, local community groups or your teenager's school to see what’s available. Make it more fun by attending with them or finding out if you can recruit their friends to go.

College Tuition Sticker Shock?

Wondering just how much your child’s college education is going to cost? Now there’s an online tool from Sallie Mae that lets you calculate out the cost of college.

Visit www.SallieMae.com/plan and fill in the questionnaire that asks your child’s year in school, state of residence, college of choice and degree she is seeking. It will then calculate the cost of tuition, room and board, books and other fees. For example, if your child is a Michigan resident entering her senior of high school and plans to enroll at Michigan State University for a fouryear degree, the cost for the first year is $22,539, with a four-year tally of $98,163. The Web site also allows you to seek information on more than one school so you can compare costs. It also provides information on financial aid and scholarships and tips on how to save. out regards the value of that investment. Parents should spell it out. For example, a simple investment of $100 in a basic savings account can result in a balance of $12,000 after 20 years. If they invest that same $100 in a bond or a stock that returns merely 6 percent a year, that balance grows to $42,000-plus.

For Love or Money? – Most affluent families try to direct their children toward high-earning careers, such as medicine, high finance or business management.

Working-class families stress education, and also try to drive their kids toward high-status career paths in an effort to help them get out of the pattern of hopelessness and disillusionment that characterizes many of their childhoods. However, there is an alternative method: a path that stresses their passions and offers lasting fulfillment over financial rewards, even though, in many cases, people wind up with both by following this path. Ask your kids what they are passionate about and what they are good at. The answers to those questions will lead to a happier life and a better quality of life than one centered on the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

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Decorating

There is no end to the number of toppings and delicious decorations the intrepid cupcake decorator can use. An assortment of colorful candies, such as the marshmallows, nonpareils, M&M’s, and sprinkles used here, is a must.

But a wide range of other options exists, too: pastry (piping) bags fitted with a selection of tips and filled with a variety of colored frostings, stencils (cookie cutters work well) and colored sugars, and small figures and toys that double as party favors. Think about your party theme or occasion when choosing decorations.

And be sure to have some decorated cupcakes on hand to boost creativity!

Creative Ideas and Tips ● ● ● ● ●

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Younger kids will be happy using just colorful sprinkles to decorate, but older kids will enjoy creating more elaborate designs.

Drizzle icing in a contrasting color over the top of the frosted cupcake, and cut through it with a knife to make designs.

Cut cookies, fondant, gels, or gummi candies into shapes for dressing up cupcake tops.

Use stencils and different-colored sugars to make simple designs on cupcake tops.

Giving each party guest a pretty decorated cupcake to take home is a fun way to commemorate the occasion. Make a bed of soft miniature marshmallows in a small box, then nestle the cupcake in the marshmallows to keep it from getting squished on the way home. Seal the packages with a colored silk or grosgrain ribbon with a fanciful paper cutout.

Vanilla Cupcakes Makes 12 cupcakes

1-1/2 cups All-purpose (plain) flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Salt large pinch 1/2 cup unsalted, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (essence) 2 large eggs, at room temperature 3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature Vanilla Frosting (recipe on right) Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula.

On low speed, beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with the milk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and beating just until blended after each addition.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about three-fourths full. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 17–20 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and let cool completely on the rack. Frost the cooled cupcakes.

● Vanilla Frosting about 2-1/4 cups ● Makes (enough for two batches of cupcakes) ● ● 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature confectioners’ (icing) sugar ● 3-1/42 cups tablespoons heavy (double) cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (essence) ● 1/4 teaspoon salt ● a bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat ● Intogether the butter, sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Use the frosting ● right away. ● Variations For lemon frosting, proceed as directed, reduce the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and stir in 1 tea● but spoon lemon extract (essence) and 1 teaspoon finely ● grated lemon zest. To color the frosting, proceed as directed, then beat in food coloring, a drop at a time, ● until the desired color is achieved.

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In the fight against breast cancer, birthdays are signs of progress – and we want to see more of them. A world with more birthdays gets closer and closer at every Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Visit cancer.org/stridesonline to join us and help create more birthdays in your community.

Together, we’ll stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back.

Join us and Make Strides on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Arcadia Creek Festival Place in Kalamazoo.

Fostering Success

Grimes and Sharp are just two of the many bright and talented foster youth who have overcome the odds with OFA's support. Here are several effective ways you can help thousands more like them to make a successful transition into adulthood:

Making a difference in the lives of former foster children Courtesy of ARAcontent

• Ask your employer to sponsor an OFA scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition, books and approved living expenses for a student struggling to make ends meet and achieve academically at the same time. Each year, 2,000 young people apply for OFA scholarships funded by individuals, foundations and corporations.

M

aking the transition into college is a challenge even under the best of circumstances. Imagine how much more difficult it must be when a young person has no support system whatsoever – no parents to help pave the way, no "Bank of Mom and Dad" to fall back on, no loved one to simply listen at the end of a difficult day.

Thousands of young people aging out of the foster care system are in exactly that position. They share the same hopes, dreams and determination as their peers in traditional families. Yet without access to support – both emotional and financial – studies show only a handful of the 26,000 teens leaving foster care after age 18 have a chance of getting a college degree and readying themselves for today's competitive workplace.

With the right support, however, these youth can graduate from college and other training programs at a rate comparable to their peers in the general population. And millions of Americans have the chance to make a difference in their lives by providing that support. Through the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA), ordinary citizens are helping in many ways.

In addition to the $15 million in funding for postsecondary education that the organization awards every year, OFA provides former foster children with the emotional and social support so vital to the success of all college students. OFA relies on the efforts of people who, in addi-

• Host an intern at your company through OFA's InternAmerica program, which helps foster youth gain realworld job experience and germinate their careers.

tion to making monetary donations, offer their time as online mentors and coaches, internship providers, care package contributors, and even charitable knitters.

"The hardest part of coming out of the foster care system is not having a family base," says Sharim Grimes, who received a scholarship from OFA and is currently a finance major at Howard University in Washington, D.C. "There are times you really need to talk to someone, and you don't have the proper resources. But OFA has been there every step of the way for me and thousands of others, and it has definitely made a positive impact in our lives. I am successful; I'm graduating next year. And I could not have done it without OFA." "It's very different not having a parent in your corner," agrees Helen Sharp, an OFA scholar and recent graduate of Indiana University. "To have an entire organization that really cares about you and does things just for you personally makes you feel like you're the most special person in the entire world."

• Mentor a student through OFA's national online volunteer mentoring program. All mentors are welcome, and there is a special need for male African American mentors. Through convenient online contact, mentors let young people know that someone cares about them and is ready to help them cope with the academic, social and emotional challenges of college.

• Encourage your company to support the OFA Care Package Program through a cash or in-kind donation, or organize an event to make care packages for students.

• Participate in OFA's Red Scarf Project by knitting a red scarf. From September through December, the organization collects red scarves to include in its Valentine's Day care packages. You can also contribute to the Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth through your PayPal account.

To learn more about how you can become involved, visit www.orphan.org.

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Watermelon with a chic new twist

courtesy of National Watermelon Promotions Board

Blue Cheese Watermelon Walnut Salad - Serves 6 to 8 For the walnuts: 1 cup walnut pieces or halves 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon soy sauce For the reduction: 2 cups inexpensive balsamic vinegar 1 cup sugar 1 sprig fresh rosemary For the salad: 3 or 4 ounces fresh baby greens 2 seedless oranges, peeled and sectioned 4 cups seedless watermelon cubes 2 cups seedless grapes, halved 2 cups fresh, trimmed and sliced strawberries 1 cup crumbled blue cheese Heat the walnuts in a seasoned wok or heavy non-stick sauté pan over medium for a minute and stir in the sugar and soy sauce. Adjust heat to prevent burning while constantly stirring the nuts until the sugar melts. Continue to stir and cook until the nuts begin to stick and the mixture is getting sticky. Spread the nuts over a sheet of waxed or parchment paper and cool. Break apart into small pieces and crumble. Set aside.

Heat the vinegar in a heavy non-corrosive saucepan over medium heat and stir in sugar. Continue to stir and adjust heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the rosemary sprig to the pan. Continue to simmer until the contents of the pan reduces by 1/2 its original volume.

Set aside.

Quick Watermelon Facts: A 2 cup serving contains Total Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 g 80 Calories and provides a daily value of Vitamin A 30% Vitamin C 25% Potassium 8%

Divide the greens among 6 or 8 salad plates and arrange the orange sections, watermelon, grapes and strawberries over the greens. Drizzle the balsamic syrup over the fruit and the cheese crumbles over that. Top with the candied walnut pieces and serve.

Watermelon Raspberry Jalapeño Salsa - Makes about 3 cups of salsa 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup fresh chopped scallions 1 clove fresh minced garlic 1 or 2 minced seeded jalapeño pepper, or to taste 1 cup fresh raspberries 1/2 cup organic sugar 1 cup minced watermelon 8 ounces light cream cheese Whole grain crisp flatbreads or crackers Heat the oil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium- high heat and in it sauté the scallions, garlic and jalapeños until toasted.

Reduce heat to low and add the raspberries and sugar to the pan. Bring to a slow simmer and stir occasionally, for about 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove from heat to cool. Refrigerate until chilled.

Stir in watermelon. Place the cream cheese on a platter and pour some of the salsa over the cream cheese.

Serve with flatbreads or crackers and the remaining salsa with chips.

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the is more than just a protective coating for the delicious fruit inside when you create fun and practical serving pieces.

Shark!

Materials Needed: • 1 oblong, seeded watermelon • Dry erase marker • Large knife • Smaller utility knife • Large spoon • Paring knife (you can also use the tip of a vegetable peeler) • 2 large marbles • Toothpicks or wooden skewers • Swedish fish candies for garnish Instructions: 1. Wash and dry the watermelon.

2. Cut off 1/3 of the watermelon at a diagonal angle.

3. Stand the remaining 2/3 upright on your work surface and use a dry erase marker to draw the mouth line and eye sockets.

4. Cut out the mouth. Trim back a 1/2 inch line of the green part of the rind for the teeth area.

5. Use a large spoon to scoop out the watermelon flesh, leaving 3" intact at the base.

6. Cut out the teeth, using a smaller utility knife.

7. Use melon baller to cut out the eye sockets that match the size of large marbles. Then use a paring knife to trim the green area around the eyes. Insert marbles.

8. Use the carved out rind from the mouth to make the dorsal fin, shape as shown in the picture. Attach the fin using toothpicks.

9. Fill the mouth with triangle shapes of watermelon, accented with Swedish fish candies.

FIre & Ice Salsa Bowl Materials Needed: • 1 Round, seedless watermelon • Dry erase marker • Utility knife or carving knife • Ice cream scoop or other large spoon Instructions: 1. Choose a round seedless watermelon.

2. Wash the watermelon and pat dry.

3. Use a dry erase marker to trace the design around the middle of the watermelon.

4. Use a utility knife to carve the design (copy design in photo).

5. Split watermelon in half, and use a scoop to carve out flesh.

6. Choose a flat area of rind on the other watermelon half to trace and carve out the lizard design (see photo).

7. Fill bowl with fire and ice salsa (recipe to right).

Garnish with watermelon rind lizard, chips, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime.

Makes 3 cups Ingredients: 3 cups seeded and chopped watermelon 1/2 cup green peppers 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon green onion 1-2 tablespoons jalapenõ peppers Combine ingredients; mix well and cover.

Refrigerate 1 hour or more.

• For more detailed designs, draw a template first on a sheet of white paper with a marker or pencil.

Easy Watermelon Carving Tips • Have the whole watermelon at room temperature when you carve. The cuts will be easier to make when the watermelon is not cold. You can chill the watermelon in the refrigerator after cutting and before serving.

Fire and Ice Salsa

sharper the knife, the easier and cleaner the cuts will be. Be careful!

• Cut a small, thin, flat piece from the bottom of the watermelon before carving. This will make a flat base, making the watermelon more stable when carving.

• Consider using a channel knife for certain cuts and to hollow out larger areas.

• Draw the design on the watermelon rind with a fi ne/medium point waterproof marker or a sharp pencil before you cut.

• For better grip and to help protect your hands, use a fresh, new thick pair of gardening gloves with gripper palms.

• Use a sharp knife with a pointed tip – the

• Use a flat working surface on a solid base.

• When finished, transfer the image to the watermelon surface by taping the paper to the melon and tracing along the design’s lines with a pencil, making the design right on the watermelon surface.

• When attaching cut pieces on the watermelon to make your design, use round toothpicks or skewers. Flat toothpicks will often break due to weight of the piece or the thickness of the rind.

• Be creative and have fun!

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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

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Works by artists featured in Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Times (Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, John Marin, Charles Sheeler and others), as well as prominent modern artists from Michigan. Tues. - Sat. 10 am - 5 pm, Sun. 12 - 5 pm. 269-349-7775.

www.kiarts.org August 1 – September 7 "Jump to Japan" Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Discover aspects of Japanese culture through hands-on activities and environments based on the art forms of animation, manga, woodblock prints and traditional scrolls. Free. 269-373-7990.

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Antique Boats and Campers. People's Choice car show open to all vehicles through the 1980s. Open to cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, vintage campers, military vehicles, fire trucks and boats! 8 am - 5 pm. $8, children under 11 are free.

269-671-5089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. Exciting summer camp opportunities available to all girls entering grades K-12. It is a great value and you don’t even have to be a Girl Scout to attend. Camp scholarships are also available. Check out www.GSHOM.org or call 1-800-49-SCOUT for more information.

August 1 Shamanic Study Group

August 1 – August 26 Mixer on the Mall.

Light Warrior Clan will gather from 10-4 pm for a purification sweat lodge. Please RSVP to Mlapearl@aol.com or call 269-966-3116.

North Kalamazoo Mall. It's an after-work party that features, unique, and up-and-coming musicians along with great beverages; and the opportunity to network and meet new people. The schedule includes Afro-Latin jazz, alternative, rhythm and blues, blues, rockabilly, and great Motown covers.

Wednesdays, 5 - 7:30 pm. Free. 269-388-2830.

www.central-city.net

August 1 - August 30 Modernism from the Collection

www.kalamazoomuseum.org

August 1-August 30 Girl Scouts Summer Camp.

August 1 – August 9 The Who's Tommy Barn Theatre, Augusta, MI. Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, but soon he's discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and he becomes an international pinball superstar. Tues. - Fri. 8:30 pm; Sat. 6 & 9 pm; Sun. 5 pm.

269-731-4121. www.barntheatre.com

August 1 "Red Barns Spectacular" 29th Annual Car Show and Swap Meet.

Gilmore Car Museum. West Michigan's "Grand Daddy" of antique, classic and special interest car shows, swap meets and car corral. Hundreds of cars displayed and for sale. Great family fun with food, vendors, antiques, swap meet, antique car rides and more. Again this year is the special display of

August 2 W.K. Kellogg Manor Tours.

Kellogg Manor House. Located on picturesque Gull Lake near Hickory Corners. Built in 1925-26, the Kellogg Manor House is a classic example of Tudor Revival architecture. Sited 110 feet above Gull lake, this 32 acre estate includes a carriage house, with chauffeur's cottage, a boathouse, an authentic Dutch windmill, a lakeside pagoda and several beautiful gardens. 1 - 5 pm. $5 Adult, $4 Senior & Students (6-18 years old), Free - 5 and younger. 269-671-2416.

www.kbs.msu.edu

August 1 Portage Party in the Park

August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Sunday Concerts in the Park

Celery Flats Historical Area. A family fun event that will put a swing in your step and a smile on your face! Enjoy huge inflatable rides, talented magicians, petting zoo, children's crafts, Ganny Zelda the Clown and interactive booths and displays. From 2-4 the Portage Senior Center will host an Ice Cream Social. Taking the stage at 4 will be the musical comedy stylings of Three Men and a Tenor. 2-6 pm. $2 Adults, $5 children (includes 4 ride passes). 269-329-4522.

Bronson Park. Brothers Kalamazov, A unique blend of Celtic, bluegrass and jazz. Rain site: First Baptist Church. 4 pm. Free.

269-342-5059. www.KalamazooArts.com

August 3 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women

August 1, 14, 17 Opportunity in Color Consulting Seminar

Bronson Hospital-Gilmore Center (downtown Kalamazoo). 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. 6:30 pm.

Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat.

Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School Caledonia at the Home Center Free More Info: Barb 616-588-3227 or 269-967-7773

August 4 Alfred Stieglitz: the Eloquent Eye (part 1)

August 1, 3, 5 Weekly Yoga Class Richland Area Community Center every M, W, & Sat from 9:45-10:45 am (bring your own mat) $10.00. Call Bonnie at 269-629-9430.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. This excellent documentary shows Stieglitz’s key role in the development of American Modernism. Included is a rare interview with the photographer’s wife and muse, Georgia O’Keeffe. 269-349-7775.

www.kiarts.org

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August 4 Interpretive Nature Walks

August 10 Farmer John

On the KRVT - beginning at the 10th Street parking lot. Join a member of the Audobon Society of Kalamazoo on a 2-mile round trip walk down the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail while learning about the wildflowers, shrubs and trees growing along the way. Keep an eye out for what birds might use this habitat for foraging or nesting! The walk will last about 1.5-2 hours. 7 pm. Free. 269-373-5073.

Celery Flats Historical Area. Visit the farm with Farmer John and meet all of his barnyard friends! Discover what foods farm animals eat, how to milk a goat or perhaps touch a pig's nose for the first time. The children are invited to spend the last minutes of the hour-long event petting the animals. Rain site: Hayloft Theatre. 6:30 pm. Free. 269-329-4522

www.kalcounty.com/parks/krvt/trailprogramming.htm

August 10 Mastering Your Mastery with Panache Desai

August 5, 8 Tea & Surrey Ride Tour

Transformations Spirituality Center - Achieve mastery when you live in complete harmony with reality just the way it is.

Learn how to energetically release the obstacles that are keeping you from true freedom. 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Pre-register: $33 or $44 at the door. Register or Info @ 239-649-7373

Stuart Manor. After enjoying a delicious tea, guests will be treated to a ride in one of the Park's surreys from Celery Flats down the scenic Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail to Milham Road. Pre-paid reservations are required. Noon. $16 Adults, $10 for youth 5-16. 269-329-4522.

August 6 Lunch & Learn Series - Explore with Dora Schrier Park. Back by Popular Demand! Come go on a scavenger hunt with Dora as your guide. Guests will have to follow the map to find the items that Swiper the Fox hid in the park. 11 am - 12 pm. Free. 269-329-4522.

August 7 Ladies Night with Premier Designs Jewelry & The Perfumery Boutique The Peregrine Tower on the Kalamazoo Mall. All sale proceeds benefit Youth Etiquette Education Programs of The Jason & Tamara Mitchell Foundation. Refreshments. Door Prizes.

Limited Seating. 6-8pm. RSVP 269-762-7300.

www.perfumeryboutique.com August 7, 9 Focus on Stuart Davis (1894-1964) Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. American painter - one of the featured painters exhibited at Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Times.

Davis is generally considered to be one of the most outstanding American artists to work in a Cubist idiom. His witty and original use of cubism created a distinctive American style, for however abstract his works became he always claimed that every image he used had its source in observed reality: `I paint what I see in America, in other words I paint the American Scene.’ 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

August 7, 14, 21, 28 Through the Photographer’s Lens: O’Keeffe and Her Circle

www.panachedesai.com August 11 Alfred Stieglitz: the Eloquent Eye (part 2) Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Alfred Stieglitz was not only a pioneering photographer, he also brought Modern art to America.

A number of the important artists represented in Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Times were actively promoted by Stieglitz and first exhibited in his Gallery 291. This excellent documentary shows Stieglitz’s key role in the development of American Modernism. Included is a rare interview with the photographer’s wife and muse, Georgia O’Keeffe. 269-349-7775.

August 11 Covenant Senior Day Program Caregiver Support Group. All are welcome to this free service.

Facilitated by Ann Leary MSW. Light refreshments are provided. St. Michael Lutheran Church. 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

(269)324-3250 portage@covenantsdp.org

August 10 - 15 Kalamazoo County Fair Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground.

269-349-9791. www.kalamazoocountyfair.org

™

with

A Different Kind of Courage

™

What is it?

A day-long workshop limited to just 50 “After 50” women. Includes lunch, a workbook and networking.

When is it?

The Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, MI

What’s it gonna cost me?

August 12 or 13 Learn to Faux Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School Caledonia at the Home Center 10a or 6p, $49; More Info: Barb 616-588-3227 or 269-967-7773

Stuart Manor. This special tea is for those who plan on attending the special showing of the movie Twilight in the Celery Flats Historical Area. Enjoy a special menu designed for those fans of the Twilight Series. Weather permitting, special seating outside of Stuart Manor will be provided. Prepaid reservations are required. 7 pm. $7 per person . 269-329-4522.

A Food Affair Restaurant, Augusta 10am – 3pm – Only 100% Michigan Products Served. More info @ www.afoodaffaircafe.com or 269-731-2233

We Don’t Retire, We Reinvent

Where is it?

Civic Theatre. An amazing show of magnificent proportions, featuring area 13-19 year olds from the Kalamazoo area in varied performance disciplines. 7 pm. Free - tickets are required. 269-384-0838. www.KalamazooArts.com

August 9 Michigan Brunch

Join renowned speakers Judy Pearson and Bonnie Price as they present:

Saturday, August 22, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

August 14 Twilight Tea

Richland Area Community. 10:00 am, bring your writings to share and help us support each other in reaching our writing goals. 269-629-9430 Email: sindy@richlandareacc.org

Well hang on and get ready for a day that will change your life!

Barn Theatre, Augusta, MI. Bring the whole family as Mark Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi. Tues. - Fri. 8:30 pm; Sat. 6 & 9 pm; Sun. 5 pm.

269-731-4121. www.barntheatre.com

August 8 United Teens Talent Show

August 8, 22 Writers Circle

Think you’re all alone in this crazy world?

August 11 – 23 Big River

August 14 Advanced Faux Finishing

Bicycle Fun and Safety Day Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union (499 Romence Rd.) 9:00 am -12:00 pm The event will promote bicycle and trail safety with the opportunity to have a check-up on bikes, trail safety information, and trail maps available. Refreshments and giveaways. In back parking lot, across from the Portage Millennium trail. Public welcome Info: Jerri Schmidt (269) 488-0499 x 751 or email jschmidt@kelloggcfcu.org

Not sure what direction you want the next phase of your life to go?

www.kiarts.org

Meet the artists behind the paintings with this exclusive exhibition of photos of Georgia O’Keeffe and her contemporaries, taken by such renowned photographers as Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams, Balthazar Korab and Yousuf Karsh. $4. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

August 8 Track ‘n Trail

Experiencing drastic financial changes?

$49 in advance, $59 at the door, space permitting

What do I get for my money?

Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School Caledonia at the Home Center 1p-3p, $79 More Info: Barb 616-588-3227 or 269-967-7773

What do I do next?

Grab your girl friends and register today at: www.courageconcepts.com/courageconventions Hurry – with only 50 spots available, you don’t want to be left out!

August 14 – October 3 The Best of Times New Vic Theatre. The third installment of the "once upon a time" odyssey continues to salute the popular folk music movement and its performers. Please call as times vary. $25.

269-381-3328. www.newvictheatre.org

August 14 Lawn Chair Theatre Celery Flats Historical Area. Sit back and enjoy the movie Twilight in the great outdoors under the evening sky. Test your knowledge and win prizes for knowing your Twilight Series Trivia. 8:30 pm. $5 per person. 269-329-4522.

August 14, 16 Focus on Marsden Hartley (1877-1843) Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. American painter - Hartley was the most daring and original of the group of first generation modernist artists whom Alfred Stieglitz brought together in the early years of the 20th century. His powerful, abstract paintings combined cubism and expressionism and are widely viewed as the best of his career and were quite controversial in their time. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

Judy Pearson is the founder of Courage Concepts, an organization devoted to education and recognition of courage in women through workshops and seminars.

She is also the author of over 100 magazine and newspaper articles, as well as two books about ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary courage: Belly of the Beast and Wolves at the Door. Find out more at courageconcepts.com.

Bonnie Price is the founder of Silver Vixens (to connect and inform Women of a Certain Age), the “After 55" columnist and blogger for WomenEntrepreneur.com, and the author and leader of the acclaimed workshop IT'S REINVENTION, helping women proactively plan the next phase of their lives. Find out more at silvervixens.com.

Sponsored by

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

35

_WLS_aug_5:wls aug 09 7/26/09 6:54 PM Page 36

August 15 Teacher-to-Teacher Sale

August 20 Lunch & Learn Series - Arts & Crafts Day

August 24 KRVT Nordic Walking Clinics

Richland Area Community Center 10:00am-2:00pm, $15 for 10x10 space, call 269-629-9430. 269-629-9430 Email: sindy@richlandareacc.org

Millennium Park. Let the artist in you shine as Millennium Park is transformed into a mini art show. Create a craft of your choosing and take it home with you. 11 am - 12 pm.

Free. 269-329-4522.

On the KRVT - beginning at the 10th Street parking lot. Come out and learn about the benefits of using Nordic Walking Poles. Try out a set while enjoying nature! A representative from Lee's Sporting Goods will give general instruction on the equipment, including the best ways to use the poles and reduce fatigue. Poles will be available. 6 pm. Free.

269-373-5073.

August 15 23rd Annual "Elvis Memorial Car Show & Tribute Concert" Gilmore Car Museum. Hundreds of street rods, antiques, customs and muscle cars gather for this fun filled car show and swap meet. The day's "Special Attraction" is a concert by a noted "Elvis" tribute artist. Its outside so bring a blanket or a lawn chair! 9 am - 4 pm. $8, children under 11 are free.

269-671-5089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org

August 15 - 23 Lincoln's 200th Birthday Bronson Park. Re-enactment of a Lincoln Douglas debate by Fred Priebe and Len Steinberg, Sat. Aug. 23. Other daily events throughout the week. Various times. Free.

www.senate.michigan.gov/gop August 16 Americana in August Richland Area Community Center. 2:00-5:00 pm, Ice Cream Social and “Picturing America” prints on display.

269-629-9430 Email: sindy@richlandareacc.org

August 21, 23 Focus on John Marin (1870-1953) Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. American painter – Marin insisted that his paintings be both celebrations of the visible world and flat, two-dimensional objects: "I demand of [my paintings] that they are related to experiences ... that they have the music of themselves-so that they do stand of themselves as beautifulforms-lines and paint on beautiful paper or canvas." Marin’s work embodies his search for the equilibrium he believed could be achieved between the forces of dynamism and those of stability and order. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

August 21 Ladies Night with Premier Designs Jewelry & The Perfumery Boutique The Peregrine Tower on the Kalamazoo Mall. All sale proceeds benefit Youth Etiquette Education Programs of The Jason & Tamara Mitchell Foundation. Refreshments. Door Prizes.

Limited Seating. 6-8pm. RSVP 269-762-7300.

www.perfumeryboutique.com August 22 The Beacon Club

August 17 Women In Networking Meeting Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue, Richland, MI 49083. Guests are welcome. $8 cash at the door. Pre-registration requested by 8/13/09 to turluck@comcast.net to ensure adequate snacks are available.

August 17 60th Annual Chamber Golf Outing -The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort. This annual event helps to financially support the programs and services that the Chamber provides to the regional business community. To that end, the Chamber holds a live and silent auction of donated items during the dinner reception. 12:30 – 7:30 pm.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available! If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact me at dabrams@kazoochamber.com 269-381-4000.

We Don’t Retire, We Reinvent with A Different Kind of Courage – Day long workshop limited to just 50 “After 50” women. Includes lunch, a workbook & networking.

9:00 am – 4:00 pm $49.00 Register @

Kellogg Manor House. A discussion of "Rebecca" by du Maurier. Join us for an elegant and relaxing afternoon of tea, sandwiches, scones and other delicious tea treats. Take in the picturesque view of Gull Lake while seated in the Manor House living room at tables set with vintage china and silver.

After the tea and a short program, a tour of the Manor House is offered. Pre-paid reservations are requested. 3 – 5 pm. $22 Adults, $14 for children 5-12. 269-671-2400.

www.kbs.msu.edu

A Food Affair Restaurant, Augusta Try free samples and recipes made with heirloom tomatoes from 3 Local Master Gardeners. More info @ www.afoodaffaircafe.com or 269-731-2233

Borgess Woodbridge Hills-South Bldg (8001 Angling Rd, near I-94 & Centre St. in Portage) 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. 6:30 pm. Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat.

August 27 Last Call Thursday Amphitheatre Concert Series New Superior Jazz Band Amphitheatre at Celery Flats. For over 25 years, the New Superior Jazz Band has been entertaining people of all ages with good-time Dixieland and Traditional Jazz. Come out and enjoy the last event of the Summer Series. 7 pm. $5 per person. 269-329-4522.

August 28 Youth Etiquette Seminar Downtown Kalamazoo Public Library. Van Deusen Room.

Youth ages 12 – 17. Participants must be accompanied by a parent. 10am – noon. Pre-Registration Required at

adamczassociates.com August 29 Five Course Heirloom Tomato Dinner A Food Affair Restaurant, Augusta Featuring Master Gardener Jeff Fleming Reservations recommended. More info @ www.afoodaffaircafe.com or 269-731-2233

August 29 Super Science Saturday Air Zoo. Discovering the Art of Science. 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm.

269-382-6555. www.airzoo.org

August 30 "Pierce-Arow Gathering at Gilmore" Gilmore Car Museum. An annual meet of the Pierce-Arrow Society drawing members and autos from across the country here at the Gilmore Car Museum, home of The Pierce-ArrowMuseum. 10 am - 3 pm. Adults $9, Seniors $8, Students 7-15 $7, 6 & under free. 269-671-5089.

www.gilmorecarmuseum.org August 30 A Girl's Best Friend Triathlon

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. American painter - Sheeler painted using a technique that complemented his photography. He was a self-proclaimed Precisionist, a term that emphasized the linear precision he employed in his depictions. As in his photographic works, his subjects were generally material things such as machinery and structures.

269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org

Prairie View Park, Vicksburg. The ease of the bike course, clear small lake swim, and closed run course make this a perfect spot to host a female event. 8 am. 810-714-5768.

www.3disciplines.com

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August 22 Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground, Room A. Vendors with many interesting reptiles and amphibians and other exotic animals. 10 am – 3 pm. Adults $4, Children 6-10 $2, Under 5 are free. 269-779-9851.

TGI Friday's 6:30-8 p.m. Please join us for an evening of fun and inspiration.Cost: $14.00 RSVP by 8/13 to: Christa at 269-323-7311

August 22 Sanctuary Tour Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary's expert volunteer interpreters will lead a walking tour of the sanctuary grounds, talking about the history and birds and answering all of your questions. The distance of the walking tour is approximately 1 mile and the path is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Dress appropriately for the weather. 10 - 11:30 am. Members Free; non-members general admission. 269-671-2510.

www.kbs.msu.edu/birdsanctuary

www.volunteerkalamazoo.org

August 22 The WBC Regional Celebration Brunch

August 19th Shamanic Study Group

A day of Awards, Sydney’s Tea Fashion Show, Giveaways, and much more! 11 – 2 pm. $15, reservation only.

Light Warrior Clan will gather from 6-10pm for a teaching and potluck. Registration is required at mlapearl@aol.com or 269-966-3116.

info@womensbreakfastclub.com

August 19 Painting Healthy & Choosing Wall Color

Covenant Senior Day Program at St. Michael Lutheran Church. Featuring local band “ The Scottsburg Hometowners”.

A fundraiser to benefit Covenant Senior Day Program and it’s mission. 12 pm. If you are interested in volunteering or donating pies or supplies, please contact our office at: (269)324-3250 or portage@covenantsdp.org

Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School 6-8pm Caledonia at the Home Center Free More Info: Barb 616-588-3227 or 269-967-7773

Integrative Breathwork, a musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. 7 pm - 9 pm. 5464 Holiday Terrace $30. Pre-registration (269) 388-2988 or

August 28, 30 Focus on Charles Sheeler and Precisionism (1883-1965)

www.KalamazooReptileShow.com

Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo. Good Fun. Good Cause. Beautiful 18-hole course, carts have built-in GPS displays!9 am Shotgun Start. Cost: $85/person till July 31, $100/August 1. Proceeds benefit the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo. 269.382.8350.

August 26 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women

August 22 Fall Fashion Preview

August 18 The Kalamazoo MI After Five Women's Connection

August 19 The Lynx Golf Course - Otsego Good Golf

August 28 Unwindings

www.jasonandtamaramitchellfoundation.org

August 22 Heirloom Tomato Tasting

August 18 Manderley Tea

Join your fellow professionals for a day of golf and networking Thorn apple Creek 4 Person Scramble Reserve By: Aug 5th Register 8:15-9:00 a.m. Shotgun: 9:00 a.m. Kevin Miller at 269.567.4601

www.kalcounty.com/parks/krvt/trailprogramming.htm

www.courageconcepts.com/courageconventions

Portage Public Library. Presented by Coldwater Creek of Crossroads Mall, Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teachers' Sorority, Gamma Zeta Chapter, and the Portage District Library. 10:00-12:00 -Refreshments and door prizes! Tickets available at the door. $7.00 adults, $2.00 children, $10.00 family. Proceeds support local charities and Gamma Zeta Chapter Expenses. Contact: Portage Public Library 329-4542 or chapter member Cjafrika@charter.net

August 28 The SW MI Professional Network (SMPN) Annual Golf Outing

August 23 2nd Annual BBQ, Bluegrass and Pie Social

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

_WLS_aug_5:wls aug 09 7/26/09 6:54 PM Page 37

Discover One of Michigan’s Hidden Treasures ~ Miles from the Ordinary!

Nearly 200 cars of all eras, 1930s Gas Station, Authentic 1940s Diner, Historic Michigan Barns, and much more.

2009 SPECIAL EXHIBIT MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31

OPEN DAILY

Presenting 24 of the most iconic drag race vehicles of all time!

MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31 9am –5pm WEEKENDS

GILMORECARMUSEUM.ORG

UNTIL 6PM

269-671-5089

6865 HICKORY ROAD HICKORY CORNERS, MI 49060 With this coupon

BUY ONE— GET ONE ADMISSION FREE!

Not valid with any other offers, discounts or group rates.

Expires October 31, 2009

Coughing? Try a Bit of Honey

WL

Each year, about 7,000 children ages 11 and younger go to hospital emergency rooms after taking cold and cough medicines, about two-thirds of them ingested without a parent or caregiver nearby, according to a CDC study. In fact, children have died from “overdose” of all of the major children’s cold and cough medicines, even when given the correct dose. That’s because some children metabolize the drugs slower than others, and this causes the drug levels to quickly build up in a child’s body.

Understanding Supplements ARAcontent

Supplements are a part of many people's daily lives. They contribute to overall health, but also leave us with a lot of questions. Dr. Luke Bucci, a certified clinical nutritionist and researcher at Schiff Nutrition, sheds light on some of today’s popular supplements: 1. A multivitamin should be taken on a daily basis and helps ensure the body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.

2. Probiotics are bacteria that we can ingest in supplement form which help keep the natural balance within our digestive systems. When looking for a probiotic supplement, try to find one that has Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or Bifidobacterium bifidus human strains.

3. When choosing a source for omega-3 fatty acids, krill oil has demonstrated itself as a better source of omega-3 than fish oil. Bucci notes that krill oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids that are chemically linked together in a more soluble structure.

While fish oil supports cardiovascular benefits, krill oil lowers C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and triglycerides better than fish oil. Bucci recommends MegaRed Omega-3 Krill Oil because it has been tested in clinical trials, is smaller and easier to swallow, and does not have a fishy odor or aftertaste. For more information, visit www.schiffmegared.com or call (800) 526-6251.

Now there’s a new product on the market to give parents an alternative to the negative side effects of over-the-counter cough medicine. Honey… Don’t Cough is a natural product comprised of Buckwheat Honey. Packaged in boxes containing 10 ready-to-use doses, children can conveniently suck the honey directly from the packets – no measuring spoon necessary. The product, which carries a suggested retail price of $4.99 per box, is currently available nationally on Amazon.com and in various retail locations around the country.

“Buckwheat Honey has more antioxidants than lighter honey,” says Dr. Jeffrey L. Chamberlain of Grand Rapids, Mich., who founded Honey… Don’t Cough with his wife, Christine. “While we don’t know exactly how it works, research has demonstrated it to have throat-soothing results, powerful anti-oxidant properties, increased immune system benefits and direct antimicrobial effects.”

A 2007 Penn State study found Buckwheat Honey to be just as effective in treating symptoms as the main cough suppressant drug, Dextromethorphan (DM). Using Buckwheat Honey for the occasional cough is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, family doctors, pediatricians and other health experts. (Due to the risk of botulism, honey of any variety should not be given to children under the age of one year.)

For more information, visit www.honeydontcough.com.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

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By Alexandra Fix

Conversation Starter: Every Last Cuckoo

By Kate Maloy Algonquin Books, 2009, $22.95

You’re Wearing That?

Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation

By Deborah Tannen Ballantine Books, 2007, $14.95 Back-to-school shopping with daughters can be gloriously fun or wickedly painful. Deborah Tannen’s insightful exploration of the good, the bad and the ugly side of mother-daughter relationships might help you create the moments you would like to have. This paperback version has added new information to the original hardcover edition. In particular, there’s been a fourth addition to the “big three” most popular topics about which mothers tend to advise (sometimes interpreted as criticize) their daughters: hair, weight, clothing and complexion. These aspects often create tension between mothers and daughters and Tannen has excellent advice on defusing the negative dynamics. The mother-daughter relationship holds power throughout our lives. When a mother and daughter speak, each might hear something different and come away from the conversation with diametrically opposed impressions. The more we can do to narrow that communication gap, the better our motherdaughter relationships will be. This is a book for all ages of mothers and daughters. Interestingly, the title question was not a mother’s plea to her teenage daughter, but rather an elderly mother’s inquiry of her confident, independent, adult daughter on their way down to dinner at the senior living center.

38

The Prepared Parent’s Operational Manual: Sending Your Child to College

By Marie Pinak Carr and her daughters: Katharine Carr, Ann Carr & Elizabeth Carr Dicmar Publishing, 2009, $15.95 This is an extensive, informative, highly readable guide to the art of sending your child off to college. Having “been there, done that” with our five children, I hadn’t expected to see so many ideas and so much information new even to me. There were budget and expenditure grids, tuition bill alerts and personal inventory checklists, as well as the standard, but up-to-date, dorm room supply lists. I loved the emergency $20 bill advice, even though the cash will disappear in a flash. There’s healthcare information and rules about privacy regulations as they relate to our 18-year-old college students.

One helpful recommendation is to get your name added as the ICE (In case of emergency) on your collegebound son or daughter’s cell phone, an alert recognized by emergency medical personnel. Cautions about identity safety and credit card mistakes are included in the pages of advice. There is even a full chapter devoted to day-brightening ideas for those much-loved, much-anticipated college care packages.

In the woods of Vermont, Sarah and Charles Lucas were heading comfortably toward growing old together, until a hiking injury leaves Sarah’s future uncertain. As she grieves the loss of her lifetime companion, she seeks a new purpose, a new path in life. Recalling the years of the Great Depression, when her parents took in many strays and strugglers, Sarah allows some people in need to come into her home. It begins with her granddaughter and a few of her friends, estranged from their parents, but in need of some caring guidance. Others enter into to the household as time passes: an Israeli writer retreating from the war zone, a woman and baby fleeing an abusive home, a young family left homeless by a house fire. Sarah’s rural New England home becomes a refuge to a growing collection of people in need. As the author puts it, “She had allowed people to move in, and they had brought their baggage, some of which was heavy.” Sarah understands herself to be “just an old woman with a houseful of other peoples’ children.” One thing she knows well is how to take care of people and that’s precisely what she does, in her own style. The members of this makeshift family find strength in Sarah and in each other as well. Slowly their lives begin to move forward. Sarah’s own grown children, though, have some difficulties with her new lifestyle choice and helping them to understand becomes part of the full picture.

Kate Maloy’s novel is thought-provoking and inspiring.

It’s good to ponder the possibilities that might open in one’s life when one door closes. It’s satisfying to see that age need not be a barrier to new opportunities and that grief can be channeled in life-affirming ways. Conversations about this story will revolve around the many choices made by each of these characters and the consequences of their actions and inactions. If you choose this book for a group discussion, you might want to rent a video, which plays a role in the novel and connects the story themes quite well. “Strangers in Good Company” is about seven older women who find themselves stranded in a remote cabin in the Canadian countryside. Banding together for their survival takes on magical proportions. The pairing of book and movie might be a refreshing way to start the fall book club season.

Alexandra Fix is the author of ten non-fiction children’s book, 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. She and her husband have five grown children and multiple grandchildren living all over the country.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

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If you are experiencing unusual menstrual bleeding, urinary incontinence, or are considering a hysterectomy, there are new treatments that may help you! Come learn more about your options and have your questions answered by Dr. Roger Beyer at these FREE HEALTH TALKS: August 3rd – Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Bronson Hospital - Gilmore Center (downtown Kalamazoo) Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women 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. Call (269)-657-6058 to reserve a seat.

You’ve stayed active through menopause.

Will you be sidelined by its symptoms?

We are conducting a clinical research study to test the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis and treating menopausal symptoms while ensuring endometrial (uterine lining) safety.

Study participation lasts for approximately 14½ months. Participants can expect up to 8 visits to the study doctor. Qualified participants may receive study-related office visits, medical evaluations, mammograms, gynecological exams, bone density scans if eligible and the study drug at no cost.

You may be able to participate if you:

August 26th – Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Borgess Woodbridge Hills-South Bldg (8001 Angling Rd, near I-94 & Centre St. in Portage) Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women 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. Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat.

Are currently 40 to 64 years old Have had your last menstrual cycle less than 5 years ago Are menopausal and experiencing menopausal symptoms Have not had a hysterectomy Have not used oral hormonal treatments such as estrogen, progestin, androgen-, or SERMcontaining products within the past 2 months

For more information about this study, please contact:

Beyer Research at (269) 657-6189 Or visit us at www.MenopauseResearchStudy.com

Beyer, Dr. Roger D. Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G. Specializing in incontinence and pelvic floor disorders Women’s Health Care Specialists, PC 269-657-6058 505 Hazen St. Suite 204 Paw Paw, MI 49079 5555 Gull Road Kalamazoo MI 49001

What happens when you cough or sneeze?

IS NOW RECRUITING PATIENTS for the following therapeutic areas: high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, low sex drive, and birth control.

Participants may qualify for research-related procedures and medication at no cost, in addition to compensation for time and travel.

restore your bladder

CONTROL

If you suffer from sudden, unplanned urine leakage, a condition known as URINARY INCONTINENCE, we have good news. There are new outpatient procedures that can help restore your body and your confidence.

Contact our office to learn more.

For more information, call Beyer Research at 269-657-6189.

Name Address Phone/Web

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • August 2009

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Formerly Great Lakes Laser Aesthetic & Vein Center

We have a new name and a new location—to better serve a new you.

Its not too late to enjoy great legs this summer.

Spider Vein Treatment Package

SAVE $200

Visibly reduce the signs of aging with Obagi medical skin care line.

For the month of August we are offering a 30% discount on our innovative Cutera spider vein treatment package. Buy 30 minutes and receive the next 15 minutes absolutely free.

• The Cutera laser spider vein treatment is quick, safe and doesn’t involve painful injections • The laser delivers pulses of light energy that causes the blood to thicken and destroy the vein • Most patients only need two or three treatments • Many small spider veins have instantaneous results • Absolutely no downtime or compression socks • All vein procedures are performed by Dr. George Mack, FACOS, FACC, FCCP

5 weeks after treatment.

Photos courtesy of Debbie Caddell.

269.372.8687 | www.MackVeinandLaser.com | 8145 Valleywood Lane, Portage