Everyday Adventures - August 2011

August 2011

Free!

Take Me Home

Easy & Elegant Watermelon

Can-a-Palooza

E s s e n t i a l

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

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

w w w. wo m e n s l i f e s t y l e k a z o o . c o m

Kayla Rico, Miss Michigan Jr. Teen

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The People Who Make It Happen...

Publisher: Darlene Clifford dclifford@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Contributing Writers: Sandy Derby Kelly Duggan Patricia Emanuele Mary Beth Esquibel Emily L. Magyar Heidi McCrary Jeff Murphy Judy Pearson Juli Wiseman The Kalamazoo Network

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

Sales Representatives: Brenda Murphy Maria Pavletic

Layout & Design: jr4 designs JR Harper

Photography: Christopher McGuire Photography www.chrismcguirephoto.com K. Redmond Photography www.facebook.com/kredmondphotography

Office Manager: Patty Clifford

Contact Us

By Phone: 269-569-1647 Sales Info: 269-271-1032

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

By Email: info@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Website: www.womenslifestylekazoo.com

Coming In September She means business

August 2011 Table of Contents EVERYDAY ADVENTURE Amazing Kalamazoo County Parks...............................5 Wake up to Your Life When Adventure Comes Calling..8 Give It Your Best Shot (Photography Tips) ..................11 Family Adventure Tips From “Family Adventure Mom”....14 Make Date Night a Great Night ...................................32 Should You Elope? ......................................................34 BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS Wine – A Girls Best Friend..........................................27 Light Bulb Moments in the Midst of Crisis...................28 Change is Coming ......................................................33 Lifelong Learning Academy.........................................35 Reader’s Lounge.........................................................38 AT HOME Organizing Kids’ Space........................................................7 Refresh Your Pantry with Tips from Giada..........................26 Canning 101 Tips ...............................................................31 LOOK WHO'S TALKING Kayla Rico – Miss Michigan Jr Teen...................................12 HEALTH Stroller Strides....................................................................17 TECHNOLOGY How To Protect Your PC When You’re on the Road ....19 BUSINESS & FINANCE Financial Sauvé ..........................................................20 Networking with the Kalamazoo Network...................33 RECIPES Gluten Free Coleslaw..................................................16 Sweet Summer Eats Fresh Fruit Ice Cream ............................................18 Easy Through Elegant Ways to Enjoy Watermelon Watermelon Grape Fizz Drink.....................................22 Watermelon Rubik’s Cube ..........................................22 Watermelon Marshmallow Princess Puffs With Chocolate Dus.............................................22 Pink Watermelon Chardonnay Sparklers ...............................................................................22 Watermelon Havarti Stacks with Dilled Rance and Grilled Chicken ......................................23 Can-a-Palooza Kosher Dill Pickles ..........................................................30 Pasta Sauce....................................................................30 Raspberry-Jalapeno Jam ................................................31 Medium Salsa .................................................................31 COMMUNITY NEWS & HAPPENINGS Calendar..............................................................................36 Buy Local ............................................................................38

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From the Publisher

Sometimes, panic can set in about this time of the summer season. It is going so fast and we become concerned that we might not have enough time left to complete our summer 2011 “to-do” list. Is there enough time left to go to Mackinaw Island, or learn to snorkel…or a million and one other things we want to try? But the truth is, we usually make time for the things we really want to do and if we aren’t doing that…we can take a moment now to refocus.

The other side of the coin is that we may have had a short “to-do” list this summer and now find ourselves looking for something new or different to try. If that is the case, you’ll find lots of exciting ideas on these pages. August is our Everyday Adventure magazine complete with great new things to try and places to go (Wake Up To Your Life – page 8.) Some aren’t so new…but may be locations you’ve forgotten about or that have changed and it’s time to revisit (Amazing Kalamazoo County Parks – page 5.) Go for it - don’t delay!

Looking forward, we turn our thoughts to “going back to school” whether that means the kids or yourself or both! Be sure and catch the article on page 7 – Organizing Kids’ Space and also the Lifelong Learning article on page 35. Both will help us change gears and ease the transition to a new season.

So…QUICK…have some more summer fun! From my heart to yours…let the proverbial “inner child” out – remember to: play like a child, love like a child, and laugh like a child!

Till next month,

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Darlene

August 2011

Amazing Kalamazoo County Parks Looking for a good place to get some fresh air?

The Kalamazoo County Parks division operates six beautiful parks in the Kalamazoo area, including the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. With over 1,400 acres to explore and catering to more than one million visitors each year, the County Parks might be the perfect place to enjoy the end of the summer or to watch the seasons change.

The Kalamazoo County Parks offers a variety of outdoor activities for individuals, families and groups, including camping, hiking, playgrounds, a softball complex, a soccer complex, group picnic shelters, disc golf, three beaches for swimming and other nature-based recreation opportunities. The parks are located all around Kalamazoo County, making it easy for Kalamazoo County residents to find a park close to them.

Open year-round from seven o’clock in the morning until sunset, each park offers something different for the outdoor enthusiast: Cold Brook County Park is located in Climax, Michigan, and has access points to Blue Lake, Long Lake and Portage Lake. Within its 276 acres, the park has a campground, hiking trails, softball and volleyball courts, a swimming beach, fishing, as well as boat access. It houses southwest Michigan’s original disc golf course, and boat rentals are available for fishing on the lake.

Markin Glen County Park spans 160 acres and is home to a modern campground with a swimming beach, paved trails, volleyball courts, softball fields, playgrounds, and tennis courts. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail winds through Markin Glen and the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

The 330-acre River Oaks County Park offers softball and volleyball courts, fishing and a boat ramp, as well as over six miles of hiking trails.

There is also a soccer complex within the park that contains twenty soccer fields, which can be rented out for individual teams or for large tournament play. River Oaks is the only park that boasts a model airplane airfield.

Prairie View County Park, which is located south of Portage on U Avenue and has access points on Hogsett and Gourdneck Lakes, is unique because it has a large dog park that is very popular. It is also home to a swimming beach,

playgrounds, row boat rentals, fishing, hiking trails, volleyball and softball fields and several group picnic areas.

Scotts Mill County Park is smaller at 110 acres, and has a historic 1870’s water wheel-powered grist mill, playgrounds and hiking trails, and Mill Pond is a fun place for fishing. Several weddings have been held on the grounds of Scotts Mill County Park.

The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail connects to the Kal-Haven trail, and it is possible to bike from Downtown Kalamazoo to Lake Michigan in South Haven. The newest section of the trail runs from Mosel Avenue in Parchment to D Avenue, and users can travel more than 5.5 miles without crossing a road. This new section is hilly and a bit of a challenge for inexperienced bikers.

The County Parks and trails are not just for summer use. In the winter the parks offer hiking, cross-country skiing trails, sledding and ice fishing.

The County Parks system also hosts over twohundred different events per year, including the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail Walking Club (East and West divisions), Monday Morning Cruisers Kalamazoo River Valley Trail Bicycle Club, Interpretive Nature Walks, Kalamazoo Invitational Soccer Showcase, Tales on the Trail and many more. A current calendar of events can be found at www.kalamazoocountyparks.com.

The County Parks charge $5 for a daily pass per vehicle, $25 for an annual pass for a vehicle and $20 for a Senior Annual Pass. Families or organizations that would like to use any of the pavilions or picnic shelters for a special event, work-related picnic or family gathering can reserve one of the twenty picnic shelters for a fee that ranges from $50 to $75 per day.

The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is free, and maintenance and operation of the trail is funded by an endowment through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

For more information about the Kalamazoo County Parks and Trails, check out their website at www.kalamazoocountyparks.com.

Emily Magyar is a recent graduate of Albion College. She has a Bachelor's degree in English with Creative Writing and a minor in Journalism.

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Ashley Cole is a professional interior designer. Her work has been featured on HGTV as well as numerous publications, including Kitchen Trends and Home Magazine. Ashley’s passion is “creating environments that enliven the spirit.” www.ashleycoledesign.com

Make Clean-Up Fun Walk through the clean up routine with kids to ensure that all storage areas are at accessible heights and that they see there’s a place for everything. Introduce an egg timer, set aside 10-15 minutes at the end of the day, and tell the kids it’s a race to see who can put away the most belongings by the time the timer goes off. Give praise so they enjoy the process.

Organizing Kids’ Space

If

Get inspired with colorful decorating

by Ashley Cole

you’re on the verge of giving up on trying to keep your children’s things in order – toys, clothes, backpacks and electronics – you’re not alone. Nor are you without hope.

● Bathroom – If kids don’t have their own bathroom, des-

Designating space in your home that kids can call their own is the key to keeping their precious belongings organized.

Creating special places throughout your home – without sacrificing design – can make life easier on everyone.

● Family Room – Create a corner kids can call their own.

Purge Assess your kids’ belongings to determine whether items are too old, age appropriate or simply not played with often anymore. Give away, donate or sell these unwanted items.

Once your home is only filled with belongings they use, organizing can be simpler.

Designate Space ● Entry Area – Install lower coat hooks in a locker, a

closet or on a wall for coats and bags. During colder months, provide a basket for gloves, hats and scarves and a special mat for shoes and boots. ● Kitchen – Assign a cabinet or drawer within children’s

reach to keep favorite snacks and kid-safe plates, bowls and cups. An under-the-counter refrigerator is handy for morning milk, juice boxes and fresh fruit and veggie snacks.

ignate a special drawer for their toiletry items. Install hooks at a lower height to hang wet towels and keep clothes from off the floor.

Include a small reading chair, game table, and storage bins and baskets to hold books, games and toys.

A portable storage container for electronic components is handy to keep all the parts in one place. Useful furnishings like armoires with doors to hide toys when not in use, ottomans with storage inside, and bookshelves make for easy clean-up and attractive pieces for when you want the room to look “grown up” again. ● Bedroom – Make use of each piece of furniture and

built-in. For example, instead of a bedside table on legs, buy a piece with drawers or a shelf below with a basket.

Invest in extra shelving units and shoe organizers for the child’s closet. ● Consider a timeless palette and custom storage in a

child’s or teen’s bedroom so the room can grow with them. Include space for stationery, books and a large desktop surface, plus areas for displaying framed photos and tacking up drawings and schedules. ● Playroom – If you have the luxury of an entire room

dedicated to toys and play space, it still needs to be kept organized.

● Home Management Area – A corner in the kitchen or

somewhere near the most used entry (usually near the garage) is an ideal location for a family home management center. This is where a computer can reside, mail is sorted and electronics are charged. It doesn’t have to be large, but it’s better to create this space outside of a formal office or on a kitchen counter. A blackboard or tack board placed at a child’s eye level makes for easy access to special notes, school announcements, and fun cards or artwork.

● Add built-ins to keep toys, art supplies and games in

their place. ● Instead of the usual plastic stackable bins or wicker bas-

kets, opt for fun mismatched containers to sort books, toys and stuffed animals. Stroll flea markets or garage sales for vintage pails and buckets that add character to a kid’s playroom.

The change of seasons always provides fresh inspiration and motivation for home updates. Colors and textures are discovered anew in blooming gardens, strolls to local farmers markets and leisurely bicycle rides.

A refreshed decor doesn’t mean having to invest in a big-ticket item like new furniture. Try these easy and affordable design tips to transform the look of your home: Splash color in unexpected spaces with window treatments. Create an energetic kids’ playroom with vivid red Sangria light-filtering shades from Levolor (www.levolor.com).

“Window treatments don’t have to fade into the background,” says Stephen Smith, vice president of marketing for Levolor. “Embrace color and texture, and let your shades stand out and be the fashionable focal point of the room.”

Colorful app-ortunity. Ensuring color harmony throughout your entire home is as simple as downloading a smartphone application and unleashing your creativity.

For example, ColorSnap is a free app that allows users to quickly and easily match colors in images with more than 1,500 Sherwin-Williams hues and complementary palettes. Simply snap a photo of your favorite vase or new window treatment and you’ll be presented with the closest color match and complementary colors.

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by Kimberly Gleason

ary woke up one day to the harsh reality that life was passing her by. Sure, she had a successful career, a loving husband and two bright, happy kids. But something was missing. She was missing the adventurous spirit she exhibited as a child.

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As we grow up, lose our inner child to the cares of the world. There are bills to pay, a job to do, a family to feed. Who has time for fun and adventure? It’s easier, let alone more comfortable, to settle into our routines as mother, wife and employee. We’re taught to play it safe, to just get the job done. Then mediocrity and complacency begin to creep in.

Are you ready for extraordinary living? I’m not talking about bungee jumping, necessarily. You can add adventure in small doses to your everyday life. Doing so may add meaning and purpose, excitement and fun, a sense of accomplishment, deeper relationships and greater fulfillment in life.

Not sure where to start? Try the following strategies: Pursue your passions. Sandy Ralya is passionate about marriage. So much so that she’s written a book and started a nonprofit organization, both which have added adventure to her life. She was even invited to speak to women in Uganda. She didn’t expect the bone-jarring highways, “squatty pottys,” lack of running water, and chickens roaming in her host’s home. Nor did she expect the perspective shift from this quest.

What about you? Are you passionate about cooking?

Try adding new spices to your favorite dish. Does the homeless dilemma spark your anger? Don’t just give spare change. Get involved. Pursuing your passions lends itself beautifully to a life well lived.

Identify your fears. We all have fears that limit us – fear of failure, success, being disliked or being different. Fear is the greatest obstacle to the bold life; it keeps us stuck, not moving forward toward a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Ask “What if?” To live more adventurously, ask “What if?” Giving herself permission to explore, one of my coaching clients discovered that her dream was to be a motivational speaker and writer. Now she enjoys the biggest adventures yet in her career. Below are some “What if” questions you can answer to help unlock your heart’s deepest desires:

The answer? Tackle your fear like it’s your worst enemy. Just do it afraid. Consider the giants of history – Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Gandhi – and the challenges they embraced to make an impact on the world. You, too, can confront fear to discover the courage you need to live an adventurous, rewarding life.

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Schedule and experiment. You schedule your doctor appointments, so why not schedule adventure into your life? Tight-rope walking on Tuesday? Fishing on Friday? Skydiving on Saturday? Why not throw in an activity that’s out of character for you? Those who schedule fun and time for themselves enjoy more fulfilling lives. What are you waiting for? Develop your ideas, whip out your calendar, and write down your commitments to yourself. Experiment with this new way of living and being. You won’t want to return to the ordinary and mundane once you’ve experienced the benefits of adventurous living.

What if you could have any career you wanted?

What if you could try a new hobby or activity?

What if you could make an impact on the world?

What if you could travel anywhere?

What if you could say what you’ve been meaning to say?

• What if you could develop a new idea?

• What if you could chase after your dreams?

Act “As if.” Remember the “What if” questions?

Now comes the scary part: Act as if you can achieve your goals. Jennifer’s goal was to land a new job.

She was reluctant to network, yet knew the importance. So I coached her to act “as if” she were successful, charming and as if she were somebody everybody wanted to meet.

When you imagine the adventurous, fun life you want, act as if you are brave and can’t fail. You’ll find that pretending sometimes leads to being the person you want to be.

Wake up. It’s a brand new day. Your life is calling you to discover, explore and play.

Kimberly Gleason is a life coach, speaker, and trainer who helps people overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. You can download her free e-book “Squash the Do It All, Be It All Syndrome” and newsletter at www.thrivecoachingalliance.com.

When you imagine the adventurous, fun life you want, act as if you are brave and can’t fail.

You’ll find that pretending sometimes leads to being the person you want to be.

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Independent businesses provide meaningful services with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.

August 2011

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Give It Your Best Shot Use these expert tips from 20-year National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson. You too can take beautiful pictures.

Work the Reflections Reflections always add visual drama to pictures and can make an otherwise ordinary scene interesting. But reflections require calm waters, so get out early in the morning before the winds kick up. Also, get lower and closer to the surface of the water to get more reflections. Even a small puddle of water can produce large reflections if you are right down to the surface.

how dark they can be and what sorts of interesting shapes they may form.

Move Around to the Back Trying different viewpoints is always a good idea, but too often we don’t go far enough. Going clear around to the backside of the action can make images that offer a fresh perspective. Too often we follow old habits and shoot everything from the front.

Collect the Details Detail pictures do wonders for a set of travel pictures. Not only do they offer a welcome variety in the scale of the images (pictures get dull quickly when they are all shot from the same distance and viewpoint.) They can also reveal telling aspects of a place and its story.

Keep it Simple Clutter kills too many pictures. Simplicity is powerful. Usually that means cleaning up the background, leaving out extraneous, unnecessary detail. So watch your framing carefully, and especially watch the edges of the frame.

Keep an Eye out for Shadows It doesn’t happen every day, but occasionally a great shadow will make a great picture. Often you’ll need to get up higher to see the shadows well, and you’ll need to tune your eye to see

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Just about every person has a camera these days. Many people can take snapshots but it takes hard work to capture great photos. Take lots of photos – digital cameras make it easy to.

Impactful photos are created through knowing the technical aspects of your camera as well as being involved with what is happening in the photo. You have to be dedicated and motivated by what you are photographing to create the great photo. Have a passion for the subject matter.

– Pep Bonet

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Pep Bonet is an award-winning photographer who has traveled the world capturing profound moments.

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Kayla Rico Miss Michigan Jr. Teen It isn’t often these days that you come across young girls who are interested in volunteering with their local and national community, participating in multiple sports programs, doing well in school, and competing in pageants simultaneously, but Kayla Rico does all of this and more.

Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born and raised near St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Mattawan, Michigan last summer. She just finished up her sophomore year at Mattawan High School, where she found herself involved with the Mattawan Outreach Organization (MOO Crew) collecting books, bears and supplies for members of the community that are in need, competing for a competitive cheer team that took second in its conference this past season, playing competitive tennis, and spending time with the Christian Youth Group Young Life Mattawan, all while also competing in — and winning the Miss Michigan Jr. Teen title ‘— in the National American Miss Pageant, the largest pageant system in the country.

“My favorite aspect of pageants is meeting all of the other contestants,” Kayla said. “People ask me all of the time if the girls are mean or if it’s very competitive, and the answer is no! The girls I meet through pageants are some of the sweetest people I know. Generally, the girls are very outgoing, ambitious and kind-hearted. They usually have great leadership and communication skills, making them wonderful friends to have.”

Kayla herself embodies her own description of pageant girls. Through serving on student government in the past and taking roles on two competitive teams in her school, Kayla puts her good communication skills and ambitiousness to work in ways that can help her fellow students. She volunteers for several organizations, including spending time at the Ronald McDonald House in

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August 2011

Detroit with her fellow pageant queens after a parade to be a source of encouragement to the children being treated there.

“I love to volunteer in any way that I can,” Kayla said. “I really have a heart for helping others. With my sister queens, I was able to prepare and serve food for the guests staying at the Ronald McDonald house, as well as cleaned the living quarters. It was a great way to be able to help in a small way. I also love volunteering with animals.”

While understanding that being crowned National American Miss Michigan Jr. Teen is a huge honor and has been life changing, Kayla also holds the friends and memories made during pageants very close to her heart. She has had many opportunities that she never dreamed of having, including making lifelong memories like being invited on a trip to California over Thanksgiving break with her sister queens to go to Hollywood and Disneyland.

“Things I would like people to know about me are that I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I once did a modeling shoot with a twelve-foot long boa constrictor,” Kayla said.

Kayla enjoys reading, writing and public speaking. She plans to be a leader for the middle school program, Mattawan Wyldlife in the near future, and is beginning cosmetology classes at a tech center in the fall. Kayla hopes to someday obtain a business degree from Lindenwood University.

“For now, though, my biggest goal is to do my best and serve God in everything I do,” Kayla said.

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“Family Adventure Mom” Deb Geigis Berry and her family prepare to go rafting. Source: Ronnie Andren

Family Adventure Tips from “Family Adventure Mom” courtesy Family Features

or many families, summer is the time to hit the open road and see the country. However, there is a lot of pressure for parents to take their children everywhere, see everything and keep a tight schedule, according to “Family Adventure Mom,” Deborah Geigis Berry.

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Plan for Change

“The one thing many of us do wrong is over plan - I used to be guilty of that as well,” Berry says. “I remember once I tried to take my family hiking, out to eat and whale watching in just four hours. It was crazy.”

An itinerary should be used as a guide, not a directive. Know going into the trip you likely won’t be able to do everything.

Focus on one highlight per family member to guarantee there’s something for everyone.

Since great summer memories can be among the most important moments for your family, it’s crucial to make sure you are ready to enjoy them when they happen.

Consider Missing the “Must-See”

“When traveling with kids, spontaneous moments will lead to the best summer memories,” Berry says. “Believe it or not, you have to prepare to be spontaneous,” she adds.

Costly adventures don’t necessarily equal happiness. Children often enjoy a day at a little known bike path as much as a crowded, overpriced “must-see” attraction.

Berry shares travel tips that can help make great summer memories on your next family vacation:

Limit “Plug-In” Time

Bring a VIP Be prepared to enjoy any type of adventure with a VIP, or “Very Important Pack.” Berry’s VIP includes a widebrimmed waterproof hat, beach ball, card games, map, photo album of family members if headed to a family reunion, and some pre-addressed labels and stamps.

Ban Biting and Burns Ensure your family and your precious summer moments are protected from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Whether

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you’re headed out for a weekend camping trip or taking the kids hiking, use insect repellent so you can enjoy your outdoor moments. Use sun screen and avoid excessive sun exposure.

August 2011

Limit the “plug-in” time for the children when watching movies and playing electronic games in the car. When time is up, engage them in family conversations, have them write a letter to a grandparent or keep a journal of the trip.

Skip the Schedule Berry has one last bit of advice for travelers as they hit the road: “If you set your family trip up for spontaneity by bringing the right items along, even a simple road trip will be a blast,” she says. “And remember, skip the schedule – get on the open road and enjoy yourself!”

Independent businesses provide meaningful services with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.

August 2011

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Nice and Easy Gluten-Free Coleslaw Ingredients 3 cups chopped cabbage 2 cups chopped red cabbage 1 large apple cored and grated 3 large carrots grated 1/2 cup chopped almonds 1/2 cup crushed pineapple drained 1-2 small green onions chopped Dressing; 1/8 cup grape seed oil-or canola 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar 1-2 tablespoons agave nectar 1 table spoon sesame seeds Mix together in a large the cabbage, carrots, almonds, grated apple, pineapple, green onions and set aside. In another bowl mix all the dressing ingredients together until well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated, add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until cold, then enjoy!

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Stroller Strides – Helping Women Have “Strength or Motherhood!”

With summer underway and many people shifting their focus toward rejuvenation and feeling their best, there are many programs available to help people change their lives. For people looking for workout programs, gyms all around the area have specials for new memberships. And, for pregnant women or new mothers, there is Stroller Strides.

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program mothers can do with their babies, utilizing exercises ranging from power walking to intervals of strength training. The program features body toning exercises that use the environment, the stroller, and exercise tubing as training aids. Classes are taught by certified, specially-trained fitness instructors, and the curriculum combines songs and activities within the workout routines in order to engage the babies while the mothers are able to be active and work out.

Jenn Dusenbery purchased the local Stroller Strides franchise in April 2010. Her family, including husband Joel and their four girls Keycia, Kalina, Kyelar and Kinsey, is very active and enjoys spending as much time outside as possible. Jenn and Joel both understand how beneficial exercise can be at any stage in life.

Jenn became a stay-at-home mom when her daughter Kalina was in Kindergarten.

She finished up a degree in Criminal Justice at Western Michigan University while she took care of her family, and when her daughter Kyelar was on the way, it became obvious that she wouldn’t be going back to work. Jenn knew it was time for a change. Fate intervened when Jenn decided to become a certified group fitness instructor with the hope of teaching classes at Repetitions. Within a week, Jenn learned that Stroller Strides was for sale. She bought the franchise and flew to San Diego for certification training in pre- and post-natal exercises, and has been helping new mothers and mothers-to-be stay healthy ever since.

Each Stroller Strides franchise has a LUNA Moms Club, an organization that hosts playgroups, a monthly Moms’ Night Out, and an affiliation with Moms with a Mission that gives back to the community through organized activities focused on children, families, and the environment. Jenn hopes that Stroller Strides of Kalamazoo will continue to grow. She would like to add on other locations for classes and LUNA Moms Clubs to be located on different sides of town. Her main goal remains continuing to help mothers stay active, and to encouraging mothers to teach their children the importance of exercise and staying healthy.

“Exercising during pregnancy helps with labor and delivery, and after the baby is born it helps to reduce the chances of having postpartum depression,” Jenn says.

“Every new mom goes through a transition of rediscovery. She has to figure out who she is as a mom. This can be a very difficult period in a new mother’s life and having a great support system is key to making the transition a smooth process.”

For more information about Stroller Strides of Kalamazoo, visit their website at www.strollerstrides.net/kalamazoo or email Jenn at jennd@strollerstrides.net.

Emily Magyar is a recent graduate of Albion College. She has a Bachelor's degree in English with Creative Writing and a minor in Journalism.

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Summer Eats with Ingrid Hoffmann Making homemade ice cream for friends and family is a sweet way to celebrate summer – and it’s easier than you might think. Ingrid Hoffmann, host of the Cooking Channel’s “Simply Delicioso” uses Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk as a fool-proof base for these easy-to-make, tropically inspired frozen treats. You don’t even need an ice cream maker – your freezer does the work. To help you make your summer entertaining even more delightful, Ingrid has some helpful tips:

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Create easy homemade artisan ice cream made fresh with new flavor combinations using berries, lemon, fresh mint, espresso, honey, fresh herbs or spices. Try the recipe for Fresh Fruit Ice Cream for a cool summer treat.

For beautiful desserts with little prep work, try layering ice cream between prepared short bread cookies for a gourmet inspired ice cream sandwich or cake. For a real crowd pleaser, create a topping bar where guests can select the ice cream toppings of their choice. You could also serve as ice pops by freezing ice cream mixture in molds and inserting wooden craft sticks in the center.

Instead of serving in a traditional bowl, make a bowl out of your favorite summer fruit. Take half of a small cantaloupe, mini watermelon or pineapple, and scoop out the flesh. Then cut a flat edge off the bottom of the skin to make it stable. Fill it with your ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce and add other fun toppings.

Fresh Fruit Ice Cream Yield: about 1 1/2 quarts Prep Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup pureed or mashed fresh fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, bananas and raspberries Food coloring 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream

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COMBINE sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl; stir in 1 cup pureed fruit and food coloring, if desired.

Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream (do not use non-dairy whipped topping).

Pour into 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or a 2quart freezer container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.

TECHNOLOGY

How to Protect Your PC When You’re on the Road

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f you’re taking your PC with you on all your summer adventures, here are few tips and tricks to prepare your PC and help keep it safe no matter where you go:

Keep your PC up to date

Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, keep your PC in a computer bag. Computer bags have special pockets and padding designed to protect the PC from bumps and bangs. When traveling by plane, never check your laptop in your luggage. If you are traveling by car, leaving your laptop out in the open is an invitation for thieves. Never leave your PC in your car on a hot day, as excessive heat can harm your PC.

Make sure your PC is up to date before you hit the road. If you have a Windows-based PC, go to www.update.microsoft.com to ensure you have the latest security and performance enhancements installed.

By updating the programs on your PC, you can protect yourself from the latest threats on the Web. Internet Explorer 9 is designed to help protect you from evolving online threats, such as socially engineered malware attacks with built-in security features including Domain Highlighting and the SmartScreen Filter, thus adding another layer of antimalware and phishing protection. These additional protections work together to help keep you secure and extend the security to meet the evolving threat landscape.

Help protect your PC

Always be prepared

It’s a bumpy road

Create a strong login password to help protect your personal files and information in case your PC is stolen. Avoid obvious passwords like your child’s name and birth date. Strong passwords should be more than eight characters in length and include a combination of letters, numbers and, if possible, special characters.

Also avoid transferring any sensitive information over an unsecured Internet connection. Make sure you use antimalware software, to help protect your PCs against viruses, spyware and other malicious threats.

If you frequently switch between desktop and laptop, make sure your PCs are running the same version of software before hitting the road. If you’re traveling overseas, make sure you have a set of adapters for your power plug. If you’re worried about losing documents or photos, there are several free cloud services available, which will store, protect and allow you to access your documents from anywhere.

By keeping these simple tips in mind, you’ll have a safe and happy travel season.

Courtesy ARAcontent

August 2011

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Is Your 401(k) Working in Your Best Interest?

Does your 401(k) need more care?

A study by professors at New York University’s Department of Finance found that for 62 percent of 401(k) plans, the types of choices offered are inadequate, and that over a 20-year period, this makes a difference in accumulated wealth of over 300 percent. Also, the funds included in the plans are riskier than the general population of funds in the same categories.

That’s just one of several findings of recent Hewitt studies that provide a status report on what has become the primary retirement savings vehicle for most employees. The news is mixed, with participation rates and average account balances growing to 70 percent and $69,000, respectively, but some counterproductive tendencies were found among savers. The survey results suggest dos and don’ts for improving your retirement outlook.

Don’t neglect your plan. While the quickest way to derail an investment plan may be to trade frequently and chase hot stocks or funds, that’s not the problem for most 401(k) investors. Rather, they’re taking a normally commendable buy-and-hold mentality to extremes. According to Hewitt, only 17 percent of plan participants make any adjustments to existing investments. That can be a mistake if, say, stocks have a great year, gaining 25 percent, while bonds drop 10 percent. Suddenly, your 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds shifts to 67/33. If those trends continue for a few years, as they often do, you could end up with almost all your money in stocks just when bonds are poised to outperform equities.

Do take advantage of automatic plan options.

Workers’ hands-off tendencies are apparently stoking employers’ worries. In another Hewitt survey, just 6 percent of companies expressed confidence that employees will take accountability for their retirement future. Chief concerns are that employees will not sign up for a 401(k), will neglect to increase contributions, and will let the mix of investments get dangerously out of balance.

So now many employers are changing the way 401(k) plans are structured, requiring you to opt out, rather than in, for automatic enrollment, contribution hikes, and rebalancing. With other plans, you need to choose these helpful options, for example, signing

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up for a feature that increases contributions on a regular schedule, perhaps timed so that a percentage of an annual raise gets funneled to your 401(k).

Don’t cash out. This is chiefly a problem among younger workers, so if you have adult kids, you may want to remind them of the benefits of long-term, tax-deferred compounding. According to a Hewitt survey of 200,000 retirement plan participants, almost half had opted to withdraw 401(k) account balances when leaving a job. Among employees aged 20 to 29, two-thirds took the cash, incurring income taxes and a 10-percent IRS early-withdrawal penalty, rather than leaving the savings in place or rolling the money into a new employer’s plan or an IRA. Even a small balance may compound into a sizable sum over several decades. For example, a 25-year-old’s $10,000 account, left to earn a 6-percent return for 40 years, would grow to more than $100,000.

A major trend in pension plans offered by companies is a movement from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans. The majority of defined contribution plans offered by companies are 401(k) plans.

It is more important than ever to make sure your company is offering a plan that will give you the opportunity to have a comfortable retirement.

When is Corporate Stock Too Much of a Good Thing?

Think about your own situation. You may think that the normal rules of diversification and risk management do not apply to your company stock because you believe you have a better feel for the prospects of your company than do research analysts. Additionally, you may feel an emotional attachment to your company stock because you have contributed to your employer’s success. You may also feel pressure from corporate management not to sell the stock.

Yet diversification, an investment strategy of spreading assets among different markets, sectors, industries, and securities to spread the risks and protect the value of your overall portfolio, is particularly important to a successful 401(k) plan. Even if your company’s stock price is on the rise, the risks resulting from a lack of diversification may not be worth the potential gain. That is, if your company hits hard times, the combination of its stock sliding in price and your job becoming less secure puts you at

greater risk than if you had your retirement assets invested elsewhere.

Not convinced? The fall of Enron Corporation illustrates the potentially devastating effect of owning too much company stock. There, 57.73% of employees’ 401(k) assets were invested in Enron stock as it fell 98.8% in value during 2001.

So how much corporate stock is too much corporate stock? Experts generally agree that, ideally, company stock should account for no more than 10% of your 401(k) account. Yet, ironically, while the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) restricts traditional pension plans from investing more than 10% of assets in company stock, there is no similar restriction on 401(k) plans.

The good news, however, is the Pension Protection Act of 2006 has made it easier to diversify out of company stock if you do hold more than the recommended 10%. This law gives workers the right to sell publicly-traded company stock received as a matching contribution in their retirement plan account, after three years of service for original matching contributions, and immediately for employee contributions. The law also prohibits companies from forcing employees to invest any of their own retirement savings contributions in company stock.

According to “401(k) Plan Asset Allocation, Account Balances, and Loan Activity in 2005,” a report published in August 2006 by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), 59% of 401(k) participants in the 2004 EBRI/ICI database who participated in plans that offer company stock as an investment option hold 20% or less of their account balances in company stock. Although that is an improvement over previous years, 11% still have more than 80% invested in company stock.

To request a free copy of a Personal Asset Allocation Analysis Form, call our office at 269-321-5047 or go online to derbyfinancial.net. This will help you determine if your current assets match your risk tolerance and time horizon.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc PO Box 64284, St Paul MN 55164-0284, 800-800-2638. Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor. Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Derby Financial & Associates, LLC. Sandy K. Derby, CFP®, ChFC has been in the financial services industry since 1989. She was selected as one of America’s Top Financial Planners by Consumers Research Council of America in 2009. Sandy is President of Derby Financial & Assoc. LLC, where our goal is to help women become financially secure and independent, through comprehensive financial planning.

Sandy can be reached at sandykderby@derbyfinancial.net or 269-321-5047.

Independent businesses provide meaningful services with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.

August 2011

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Easy through Elegant Ways to Enjoy

Watermelon Grape Fizz Drink 1 serving 1 cup seedless watermelon puree 1/4 cup grape juice 3/4 cup sparkling water Crushed ice to taste Mix together the watermelon puree and grape juice in an oversized tumbler. Add the sparkling water, then the ice, which causes a nice fizz. Serve immediately.

Watermelon Rubik’s Cube 25 equal size cubes each of watermelon, white jack cheese, yellow cheddar, smoked turkey and summer sausage 1 cup ranch dressing Instructions: Build a Rubik’s-style cube by methodically alternating cubes, making a 5 cube x 5 cube layer on the bottom. Build four more layers on top forming a tight cube.

Pink Watermelon Chardonnay Sparklers 1 serving 1/3 1/3 1/3 1

glass watermelon puree, chilled glass chardonnay, chilled glass sparkling water, chilled watermelon ball

Combine ingredients in a wine glass and serve immediately.

Watermelon Marshmallow Princess Puffs with Chocolate Dust 8 servings 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 8 4-inch wide x 4-inch x 1-inch thick squares of seedless watermelon 2 cups marshmallow fluff

Pulse the chips in a food processor until ground to the texture of coarsely ground coffee. Arrange the watermelon squares on a serving platter.

Spoon the marshmallow fluff into puffs onto each watermelon square.

Sprinkle the ground chocolate over the marshmallow. Serve immediately.

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Watermelon Havarti Stacks with Dilled Ranch and Grilled Chicken 4 servings

8 1-inch thick 4 inch diameter circles of seedless watermelon 8 slices Havarti cheese 6 grilled chicken breast halves, cooled and julienne across the grain 1 teaspoon or to taste, minced fresh dill, stems removed and discarded.

1 cup natural low-fat ranch dressing Watermelon & Wine Reduction Drizzle (optional but delicious, see recipe) On four serving plates, place one round of watermelon in the center of each plate. Trim the cheese into the same size circle as the watermelon and place one cheese round on each of the four plated slices of watermelon.

Repeat with another piece of watermelon and then the remaining cheese.

Clump the julienne chicken in even portions on top of the watermelon

cheese stacks. Stir the fresh dill into the ranch dressing. Garnish watermelon chicken stacks with dressing and an attractive drizzle of the Watermelon & Wine Reduction.

Watermelon & Wine Reduction Drizzle 8 1 1 3 1

cups watermelon puree cup red balsamic vinegar cup red wine cups sugar in the raw teaspoon sea salt

Stir all ingredients together well in a heavy stainless steel pot over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to slow boil, stirring occasionally, until contents are 1/3 the volume than when the boiling began. Cool. Refrigerate in a food-safe squirt bottle and use over grilled anything – greens, goat cheese, etc. Makes 3 to 4 cups, which lasts up to 30 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temp to use.

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Chosen “Red Rover, Red Rover, send Judy right over!” Remember that game? Two teams locked arms, and took turns calling out members from the opposing team. You ran at the other guys with the goal of breaking through their line.

If you did, you took someone back with you. If you failed, you stayed with your opponents. In a defensive maneuver, the really good players were called early on. Consequently, it was very prestigious to be a member of those chosen few.

Now that we’re all grown up, it’s still prestigious to be a member of the chosen few: promoted to the best positions at work, invited to join the coolest organizations, recognized by your peers for an outstanding job.

We’re familiar with those sought-after accolades. But did you know we’ve all been chosen for other, less recognized, but no less important, appointments as well?

(READER ALERT: Here comes a statement that may you cause you to think I’ve lost my mind. I haven’t. Bear with me.)

Many people might say that I’ve fallen victim to breast cancer. To that, I would resolutely and firmly proclaim I am NOT a victim. I have been CHOSEN to have breast cancer, along with 288,000 other women this year.

We’re chosen because our experiences might help myriad others in the future, both through our own works as well as the work of our doctors. What a humbling opportunity for us to help other sisters in need!

And it’s not just those of us with breast cancer who are chosen to help fellow humans. This group includes those suffering from other diseases, those who’ve lost their jobs, those who suddenly find themselves single through death or divorce, those with difficult children. The list includes any issue which could easily be seen as debilitating. In other words, EVERYBODY is chosen some time.

I’ll grant you it takes courage to look at your misfortune and call yourself chosen. But here are five intriguing reasons to do so: 1. “No woman is an island.” Okay, John Donne really said no man, but gender doesn’t matter. What does is that we’re all interconnected and helping one another is what makes us a community of happy humans.

2. Helping research. Even if you don’t lift a finger, your experience can aid doctors, scientists, researchers, social psychologists, etc., so that others can avoid what’s troubling you now.

3. Make it easy on those around you. Our friends and loved ones feel nearly as badly as we do about our misfortune. But if we look at it as an opportunity to aid society, it will take the burden off them as well.

4. The perfect role model for your kids. Find good role models among headline makers is tough. But who needs them when we’ve been chosen! When your kids see you overcoming adversity, it will make it easier from them to do the same thing.

5. Knowing you’re chosen is good for you. It gets your mind off you and when you overcome one thing, you’ll take on new challenges with even more courage.

Bottom line, it doesn’t matter whether your circumstance helps one person or one million. What counts is that you held out your hand and shared your experiences. After all, you were chosen to do so.

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

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Refresh your pantry with

Tips from Giada Courtesy ARAcontent

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iada De Laurentiis, culinary expert and Emmy award-winning chef, says “Being a busy chef, TV host, wife and mother, means there are days I just need to get dinner on the table fast. I frequently look to the items I have on hand to solve the weeknight dinner dilemma. Keeping my pantry stocked with the right essentials is fundamental to supper success.”

Once you’ve taken inventory and discarded out-of-date products, it’s time to restock with favorite ingredients for quick and easy meal preparation.

According to De Laurentiis, some tried and true items are key to creating a functional pantry: Dried pasta in a variety of shapes: This pantry basic creates a blank canvas with infinite possibilities – from salads and side dishes to traditional meals. Choose whole wheat varieties for a nutritional boost. A variety of pasta shapes will keep dinner interesting for both kids and adults.

Canned or jarred sauces: Prepared sauces are a staple. Marinara sauce is always a crowd-pleaser, but for a fun change of pace, rotate in pesto as a perfect topping.

When crunched for time, toss pesto with hot pasta, spoon it into minestrone soup or add to fresh steamed vegetables as a perfect topping.

Functional flavor: Fresh ingredients such as garlic, onions, lemons and herbs impart great flavor to a dish and can sometimes help minimize how much salt you need to use. When fresh isn’t an option, dried herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes and the always-versatile herbs de Provence are good to keep in the pantry as backup. Sprinkle herbs de Provence onto meat or into a sauce to add a layer of flavor.

Favorite accessories: Make a basic recipe your own by keeping the pantry stocked with your family’s personal flavor favorites. Staples like canned cannellini beans, Italian tuna packed in olive oil, a variety of red and white vinegars and capers are recipe regulars for De Laurentiis.

“Keeping your pantry up-to-date and well-stocked can help anyone put a simple and flavorful meal on the table on even the busiest nights,” De Laurentiis says.

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Wine Is A Girl ’s Best Friend

Along with the warmth of the summer and fall season comes grilling, barbecues and relaxing outdoors.

This season try something new and refreshing while enjoying the sunshine on your outdoor deck or patio …try a nice dry, chilled Rosato.

“Rosato” is the Italian translation for “Rose” wines in America. These wines are actually produced from the same grapes that make red wines – the wine does not end up red because the grape juice is left in contact with skins of the grapes for a lesser amount of time – a few hours - as opposed to days and weeks of skin contact to create a red wine.

The result is a lighter color red wine with less tannin – a nice stepping stone for someone who is trying to transition to red wines from white wines – and a nice alternative to the avid red wine drinker.

Rosato is best served chilled, 50 to 55 degrees F, and provides a refreshing wine alternative for the heat of the summer.

Rosato (Rose) wines have stereotypically been known to be sweet. We have a couple DRY Rosatos not to be missed. Great for relaxing in the heat of the season and a delightful surprise for your guests…Even the color is festive in your wine glass as it sparkles with hints of coral and salmon color.

Our Selection from Northern Italy

CANAVESE ROSATO Grapes: A unique blend of 50% Nebbiolo, 35% Barbera, 15% Freisa and Neretto.

Nose: Fragrance of raspberries and freshly picked strawberries and a touch of vanilla.

Tasting Notes: Dry, fresh, vivacious, reminiscent of blackberry and currant, herbaceous finish with vanilla note.

Food Pairings: Ideal with all appetizers. Superb with seafood.

Our Selection from Southern Italy TEANUM ROSATO

Locally you can find these Rosatos at the below locations: Cosmo’s Cucina, Kalamazoo Country Club, Oakwood Bistro, Webster’s, Irving’s and D&W (Oakland Drive location only) More Information can be found at www. SkandisFineWine.com

Grapes: 100% Montepulciano Nose: Bouquet of red flowers and strawberries.

Tasting Notes: Fresh strawberries and tropical sensations.

The best wine to be drunk in front of a sunset!

Food Pairings: Salmon, trout, grouper, fish soups and pizza

Christine Skandis founded Skandis Fine Wines, LLC for the purpose is preserving heirloom grape varietals – wines the typical consumer has never heard of - grapes that could otherwise reach a level of extinction because they are grown in such limited quantities. Christine was inducted into the Dionysian Society International, the world’s oldest wine society in 2006. She is one of only six female members in the world.

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By Janice Lynne Lundy

love light bulb moments, don’t you? Unexpected shifts in awareness that take you from clueless to insightful in nanoseconds. Immediately, life appears lighter and brighter – toward “full possibility” living. Light bulb moments offer hope.

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And, yet, when we’re in the midst of a personal crisis, we’re more focused on survival than seeing hope in our experience. What if we looked at the crisis in a different way – a way that created space for wisdom to shine through? A shift in mindset can make a monumental difference in how we navigate difficult times.

With enlightened perspective we can see that life simply happens. Bad things do happen to good people, and those good people are sometimes us.

When crisis occurs, we are offered a powerful invitation to go within, to change and to grow.

Bad things do happen to good people, and those good people are sometimes us. When crisis occurs, we are offered a powerful invitation to go within, to change and to grow.

When we’re able to accept crises as invitations, we make a powerful life shift. In fact, each personal crisis offers three potent invitations:

Invitation 1: Let go Megan recently and unexpectedly lost her corporate job. A single woman, she had no one to depend on but herself. She admitted to me that she was really frightened for the first time in her life. We had a long conversation that, thankfully, resulted in the realization that she had been staying with this job out of financial need. Management had changed and she clashed daily with her new supervisor.

Her work environment was angry and stress-filled.

She dreaded going to work.

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Letting go of what no longer works, healing our wounds, and embracing new ways of thinking and being can transform our lives in profound ways.

Ironically, Megan had just started reading self-help books and had attended a workshop I’d led. She was becoming aware of how negative and angry her inner dialogue was, as was her communication with others. She expressed being disappointed in people; consistently irritated with them and their behavior.

Experiencing a light bulb moment, Megan said, “I now see that the way I relate to others has probably cost me every job I’ve ever had.” She quietly admitted that she likely got herself fired.

Megan was brave enough to tell the truth of her experience. She saw herself as she was with transparency. This enabled her to begin to let go of old ways of being that were no longer working for her. And, ironically, her employer had to actually let go of her to make all this happen.

Invitation 2: Heal As you can read from Megan’s story, she had considerable “inner work” to do. She and I spoke about the things she wanted to change about herself.

To do this, she would need to self-reflect on who she has been up until now and what led to her becoming this woman.

More and more invitations showed up, each one asking her to heal: to make peace with her birth family, to let go of long-held grudges, and to patch broken friendships. Megan needed to get to the bottom of her anger, as well as take a good look at her tendency to point the finger at everyone else, blaming her difficulties on others.

Over the next few months, it was wonderful to witness Megan’s healing journey. She rose to the

occasion and did “the good work of self” with honesty and courage.

Invitation 3: Embrace Megan continued to recreate herself from the inside out. One day, as we spoke on the phone, she told me how excited she was about her “new life.” No, she hadn’t found a job yet, but she was going to the gym regularly and losing the weight she had gained at her desk job. She was journaling for the first time in years, which was helping her to see herself more clearly. She was simplifying her life; cleaning out and organizing her house. She confided that she was beginning to think about dating again. She felt good enough about herself to get out there and mingle with the singles. She was feeling happier than she had in years.

I sensed that Megan had embraced a vision of who she could be. Through a series of light bulb moments and by staying faithful to this healing path, she began to love herself. I felt confident that the perfect job would arrive soon. Megan was not the same woman I’d met six months before. She had become lighthearted, warm and confident.

Letting go of what no longer works, healing our wounds, and embracing new ways of thinking and being can transform our lives in profound ways. It did for Megan. It can for you, too.

Personal crisis can point us toward a hope-filled future if we are willing to give ourselves over to the process; to accept the spiritual invitation of adversity as a gift, a blessing, an opportunity, and to finally live as we are meant to live: with peace, love and joy as our truest selves.

Join Jan Lundy’s monthly teleclass series, “Spiritual Invitations.” This month’s theme is discovering and transforming the invitation of worry. Learn more at her website, www.awakenedliving.com.

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P r e s e r v i n g

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ardens, farmers markets and grocery store aisles are brimming with fresh, seasonal produce. What better way to enjoy those fantastic flavors all year long than by gathering friends and family to share nature’s bounty by canning together?

“Canning together is easy, and it’s fun to make memories and great food,” says Mrs. Wages spokeswoman Laura Strickland. Strickland recommends your group plan ahead to divvy up the canning supplies and that everyone bring different fruits or vegetables to share so you all can take home a variety of canned goodies.

Equipment You Need: • Glass canning jars • Rings and lids • A non-reactive pot • Hot water bath canner with a rack • Jar lifter • Canning funnel

p r o d u c e ,

m a k i n g

m e m o r i e s

Kosher Dill Pickles Yields 7 quarts 9 to 11 pounds pickling cucumbers (about 50, 3 to 4 inches) 1 pouch (6.5 ounces) Mrs. Wages Kosher Dill Pickles Mix 3-1/3 cups Mrs. Wages Distilled White Vinegar (5% acidity) 7-1/3 cups water Wash cucumbers and remove blossoms; drain. Leave whole, cut into spears or slice.

Combine Kosher Dill Mix, vinegar and water into a large non-reactive pot. Do not use aluminum. Bring mixture just to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture dissolves.

Pack cucumbers into clean, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Evenly divide hot pickling liquid among the packed jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.

Remove air bubbles and cap each jar as it is filled. If more liquid is needed for proper headspace, add a mix of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water.

Process pints 5 minutes, quarts 10 minutes, in a boiling water bath canner. Test jars for airtight seals according to manufacturer’s directions. If jars do not completely seal, refrigerate and consume within two weeks.

Product is ready to eat after 24 hours. Before serving, chill to enhance flavor and crispness.

Pasta Sauce Yields 5 pints 6 pounds fresh tomatoes (about 18 medium) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 pouch (5 ounces) Mrs. Wages Pasta Sauce Mix Wash fresh tomatoes. Scald 3 minutes in boiling water. Dip into cold water. Cut out cores, remove skins and puree to smooth consistency in blender or food processor.

Combine puree, sugar and pasta sauce mix in a large pot and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes. Stir occasionally. Pasta sauce is ready.

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Serve it: Ready to use, or pour into containers and refrigerate up to one week.

Freeze it: Pour into freezer containers and let cool.

Store in freezer up to one year.

Can it: Pour hot sauce into clean, sterilized pint canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Cap each jar when filled.

Process 40 minutes in boiling water bath. Test jars for airtight seals according to manufacturer’s directions.

Store up to one year. If jars do not completely seal, refrigerate and consume within one week.

Medium Salsa Yields 5 pints 6 pounds fresh tomatoes (about 18 medium) 1/2 cup Mrs. Wages Distilled White Vinegar (5% acidity) 1 pouch (5 ounces) Mrs. Wages Medium Salsa Mix Wash fresh tomatoes. Scald 3 minutes in boiling water. Dip into cold water.

Cut out cores, remove skins and chop coarsely.

Combine tomatoes, vinegar and salsa mix in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Stir occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Salsa is ready.

Freeze it: Pour into freezer containers and let cool. Store in freezer up to one year.

Can it: Pour hot salsa into clean, sterilized pint canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Cap each jar when filled.

Process 40 minutes in boiling water bath. Test jars for airtight seals according to manufacturer’s directions.

Store up to one year. If jars do not completely seal, refrigerate and consume within one week.

Raspberry-Jalapeño Jam Yields 7 half pints 2 to 3 5 6 2 1

jalapeño peppers, stemmed and deveined cups or 5 half-pint containers raspberries cups granulated sugar tablespoons fresh lemon juice box (1.75 ounces) Mrs. Wages Home Jell Fruit Pectin

Clean and sterilize jars, lids and rings. Keep warm.

Mince peppers. For hotter jam, do not devein.

Combine peppers, raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a large stainless steel saucepan. Mash with a potato mashers over medium high heat. Stir often; bring to a boil. Boil hard for 1 minute.

Reduce heat to a simmer, and stir in pectin. Continue to simmer about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Quickly skim off any foam.

Quickly pour jam into prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and cap jars.

Process immediately in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Canning 101 Tips ● Use the freshest produce you can find. The

fresher the ingredients, the better the taste of the final product. ● Pickling salt is a finely milled salt, with no

anti-caking additives, that dissolves cleanly and quickly. Pectin is a very fine, water-soluble fiber that helps create a stable gelled preserve. With

Mrs. Wages products, you don’t need specialty spices or ingredients. They use high-quality, 100 percent natural ingredients in their spice mixes. ● Fill jars quickly, so they won’t cool on the table

or counter. Use a wide-mouth funnel and avoid spilling liquid on the rim of the jar, where it may interfere with a good seal.

● Wash and rinse jars thoroughly. Set jars in clean,

hot water until used. If using dishwasher, keep jars in dishwasher until ready to use. ● For reasons of food safety, do not alter recipes. ● For more canning tips, a canning guide, recipes

and templates to make your own print-at-home labels, visit www.mrswages.com.

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Make

a Great Night with Monica Pedersen

reat food, wine and a little design are the perfect ingredients for creating a special date night. TV host and interior designer Monica Pedersen is the perfect guide to help you design a memorable date night. Whether your budget is big or small, the secret to a fabulous date is making the extra effort to show someone that you think they’re special.

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Light the Scene Create a special atmosphere by bringing out the candles. If large pillars or candelabras are out of the budget, simply mass inexpensive tea light candles in small glass votives on a table or around a room. In the world of design, nothing sets the tone faster than lighting. Wine by candlelight is an easy go-to for any date night.

Start a Tradition Uncork a great bottle of wine, and toast the person you’re with by telling them how special you think they are. Try writing your toast ahead of time and reading it to your date. It really shows that you put some thought into the special moment, which is what matters most! Then date the cork from that night and tuck it away, or put it on display to start a new tradition. Pederson keeps a collection of corks marking special date nights in a glass box on her coffee table. Putting them in a footed glass bowl is a great way to feature the corks, as well.

Make it Special If dinner is part of your date night, make a dish that you know is special to the one you love. Don’t forget to bring out the fancy table settings, if you have them.

Make date night the special occasion you’ve been waiting for by pulling out the good stuff.

Add a Thoughtful Touch A mixed bouquet of fresh flowers can make a simple date night feel like a special occasion.

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Today’s professional woman learns quickly that surviving in a the business world often means learning the art of juggling sales calls, kids’ soccer games preparing dinner and preparing for tomorrow’s meeting. We asked the women of Kalamazoo Network how they make it all work.

PO Box 50374 • Kalamazoo MI 49005 • voicemail: 269-343-7865 • www.kalamazoonetwork.org

With kids & family, social & networking events and everything in between, how do you juggle work with your busy home life?

When my son was in school and I juggled to be at tennis matches and basketball games, I learned to give 110% of my attention to the task at hand and I learned to be focused. When at work, just concentrate on work, and when you go home, leave the job at the office. Of course it didn't always work that way, but I found that I became better at focusing. I also made lists of the things that needed to be done at work before I could go home. It helped to keep my focus and provided a sense of real accomplishment at the end of the day.

Joan VanSickler / Web Designer & Interactive Media A balanced life is best. I attend networking and volunteer events twice a week and I cook or grill with the family twice a week. Weekends are with friends…and life is good.

Pat Josey / Homewatch CareGivers

Even though I love most things that I participate in, it is a big challenge to fit it all in. I try to combine activities. For example, I run with a colleague to find time for networking conversation, or I find volunteer projects where I can include a friend. By fitting two things in at once, there seems to be more time for things I enjoy.

Amelia Barker-King / The Barton Group I have been self employed and home-based for most of my thirty-year career, which makes it relatively easy to juggle life obligations, compared to a traditional job, with a schedule and commute. That's the good part. The downside is that technically, I live in my office, and my family has been known to interfere with productivity when the work hours run long. So, with years of practice, I've gotten pretty good at mentally separating myself from the office by

simply leaving that part of my house when I need a break, and the family has learned to accommodate my need to work in peace!

Jan Underhill / Underhill Communications Our work schedule includes not only the daily office hours, but numerous meetings most evenings.

Because networking and community involvement are priorities for me and my husband, we have a general rule of thumb that we don't accept weekend invitations to events related to work. We reserve our weekends for family, friends, and each other. We also take three-day weekends at least once a month to refresh our marriage.

Sandy Derby / Derby Financial & Associates Joan VanSickler is serving her 5th year on the Kalamazoo Network Board and is the 2011-2012 President. Communicate

by Design with Joan VanSickler, Mixed Media Marketing and Design

Change Is Coming Will You Be Prepared? ance? In short - take care of yourself first. Then make a list of what to do next.

Here are some important items to put on that list.

1. Prepare a financial statement. What are all the assets and debts you both have? Whose name are they in? Are there any properties that might be considered his or your separate property, like an inheritance from Aunt Tillie? If he controlled everything, there are ways in either litigation or still better, in mediation, that can get that information. In the meantime put a list together as best you can. This will help you identify what you don’t know.

Divorce is frightening to face. Things have changed. You feel alone and don’t know what to do next. Have you really thought about what your life is going to be like after the divorce is final? You’ll be on your own with financial and parenting problems and no one to help you.

If that’s what your next year looks like, then you need to make plans for taking take care of key issues in an organized way.

Take a deep breath and ask yourself: What do I need help with? Do I have a good friend, counselor, pastor or therapist I can talk with and get some guid-

2. Prepare a monthly budget. List what you earn and your usual expenses. What will they be in six months when you’re on your own? How much will you need in alimony to make up the difference? Unfortunately, you may find a court is unlikely to give you the amount you want and you may have to change your life-style. Better to find out now rather than after a big court fight.

3. Find a good lawyer or mediator. Go to www.tjmmediation.com and click on Kalamazoo Divorce Lawyer Blog to find a list of questions you should ask prospective counsel to see if he/she is the right one for you. Then go to

www.Avvo.com to see a list of local lawyers.

4. Plan how to tell your children what’s happening. Don’t tell them until the right time. Good advice on how to do this can be found at. www.donnaferber.com.

5. Get over your anger and plan a workable relationship with your ex. A reasonable parenting plan that meets the best interests of your children and works for him will help you get regular child support and alimony payments. Studies show that fathers who feel left out of their children’s lives are the most likely to stop paying support.

6. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. Make a list of specific issues you fear, such as loss of income or depression and attack those fears head-on by getting solid information from qualified advisors on how to deal with them. Check the web. One of the best sites I have found is at www.divorceinfo.com.

Try it and PREPARE. It’s your future, make the most of it.

Jeff Murphy ~ Principal, Mediation Services of Southwest Michigan ©2011 www.JeffMurphyMediator.com

August 2011

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Courtesy MetroMedia

W

eddings can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful to plan. Few couples embroiled in the process haven’t thought about running away to elope. It certainly can be cost-effective.

There are several advantages to eloping. The foremost reason is cost. Couples who elope at City Hall or close by will pay a nominal fee for their nuptials. A marriage license may only be around $50 or more, and your other expenses will be wardrobe and transportation to and from the event.

Eloping is also a viable idea for couples with family or religious issues. If some members of the family do not get along or if there are individuals who don’t approve of the marriage, it can be easier to avoid the drama of a wedding ceremony and reception and get married in a small, simple ceremony. A bride who has lost her father or mother may choose to forego walking down the aisle for a simpler ceremony.

Another reason to elope is to avoid the stress and hassle of planning of a formal wedding. Some people are born organizers and planners. Others get overwhelmed just deciding on what to eat for dinner.

Been there, done that? Those planning a second marriage may not feel the need to experience the pomp and circumstance a large wedding again.

If You Decide to Elope, Do it With Style You two are in love, plan to be together forever and have decided to elope. Consider these pointers: • Research the marriage requirements in the place where you have decided to marry. Some locales require a layover period of a few days to a week before filling out the marriage papers and getting married.

• If you elope in secrecy, don’t count on lavish wedding gifts.

• Choose a location that has meaning for you. Don’t pick a place simply because of popularity.

• Express your your individuality and design your own wedding. From eloping in a helicopter to white-water vows, check out adventurous and romantic ideas.

• Invite a few people to witness the event. One or two close friends, your parents or siblings can stand in as witnesses at the ceremony.

• Hire a photographer to take pictures of the ceremony and mail out an announcement to your family and friends.

• Host a reception for close family and friends so they can celebrate the betrothal. It doesn’t have to be a lavish affair. A cocktail party or barbecue is adequate.

• Put the money you would have spent on a wedding toward the down payment on a house.

Once you’re settle into your new place and have a wedding/house-warming party.

Life is either a great adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller 34

August 2011

Lifelong Learning Academy What do titles such as “The Return of the Backyard Chicken: Why and How”, “Your Changing Eyes”, and “Landscaping with Native Plants” have in common? These (and many more) are classes that are being offered in September through a program called the Lifelong Learning Academy, held at Western University.

Lifelong Learning Academy is a program designed to provide intellectual and cultural stimulation, promote personal growth, and enable social engagement for mature adults in an informal, lively learning atmosphere. Although classes are open to anyone who yearns to keep on learning, most students who enroll are within the senior citizen community. The program adds enrichment and can extend the quality of life for its participants. Within this environment, adults are encouraged to share what they have learned and experienced during their lives, thus gifting those around them.

The Academy at Western University is an excellent addition to the community and joins over 400 Lifelong Learning programs at colleges and universities around the world.

The Academy offers non-credit courses, lectures, special events, presentations, and interest groups to its members. Each semester at least one class presents an opportunity to travel within the United States or abroad. Areas available for enrollment include: history, current events, science and technology, international topics, environment topics, arts and humanities, health and enrichment.

The Academy is always looking for instructors. No member requirements or previous college experience are required. There are no tests or grading and no academic credit is given. Membership cost is $35 per person (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31) and includes: Priority Registration - This is valuable as some classes fill quickly. Members receive priority registration. Registration begins Aug. 1-24.

Reduced Class Fees - $10 per session for members as opposed to $15 for non-members. Members receive a parking

permit for taking Life Long Learning courses on the WMU campus.

LLA Membership Card provides member’s discounts to the WMU Bookstore, Gilmore Theatre Complex, Miller Auditorium, and West Hills Athletic Center.

A travel discount is available as there is usually at least one trip planned during one or more courses offered.

Membership also will provide study groups with like-minded classmates. Campus tours are given to members and their guests. Many members take advantage of the Digital Learning Library where DVDs may be borrowed for free.

Instructors receive a free membership to the Academy for the year in which they are teaching. Instructors may be retired professors or individuals with unique life experiences and a strong desire to teach and share with others.

Examples of course curriculums include: “Behind the Mask”, “The Play’s the Thing: A Playwriting Workshop”, “American Decorative Arts”, “Comparing Religions”, and more. Twenty three classes will be offered per session. Most classes will be scheduled during the daytime. Each session runs eight weeks and is held in Ellsworth Hall, or the College of Health and Human Services.

For more info 269-387-4200, Kelsey Spaulding or www.Lifelonglearning.com Patti Emanuele is a freelance writer and author of six books who has contributed to newspapers, magazines and other publications. Her writing experience includes teaching English and writing skills to adults, writing fundraising and corporate materials, copy for commercials and other aspects of advertising.

August 2011

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CALENDAR

of Events

August 1 - 3 Black Arts Festival Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Time:check website for details. Week long event is held in various locations thru out the City: includes music, food & live entertainment! www.blackartskalamazoo.org

thor and professional runner/triathlete Sally Edwards for an entertaining and engaging evening as she talks about her latest of 23 popular books. Free. 268-342-5996. http://www.gazellesports.com/events/20110805/2354-an-eveningwith-sally-edwards-kalamazoo-mi.html

August 1 - 7 A Streetcar Name Desire Barn Theatre. There may be no other play with quite the same punch as Tennessee Williams' American classic. 269-731-4121. www.barntheatre.com

August 5, 12, 19, 26 Mattawan Farmers Market Dragonfly Gardens, 52650 N Main Street, Mattawan. 3 – 7 pm. 269-668-2600.

August 2 Spring & Summer Maintenance Community Homeworks, 808 S Westnedge Ave. 6 – 9 pm. How to bring your home out of winterization and perform annual spring maintenance tasks. More info: 269-998-3275.

August 2 & 16 Free Ultrasound Vein Screening Premier Vein Center. If your legs ache or feel heavy, Schedule your FREE painless screening.

We can tell right away if you may have vein disease. Register at http://www.premierveincenter.com/vein-screening or call 269-388-6350 August 2, 16, 30 Michigan Professional Women's Resource We meet at the Beacon club at 5830 Portage Road 9:00 am. We are a women's networking and resource group. Guest Welcome! For more information please call 269-910-3579 August 3 Mixer on the Mall North Kalamazoo Mall, between Water and E Michigan Ave. 5 – 7:30 pm. Mixer on the Mall is an after-work party that features fantastic, unique, and up-and-coming musicians along with great beverages; and the opportunity to network and meet new people. $1. 269-344-0795. www.downtownkalamazoo.org

August 5 – 26 Comstock Lions Club Bingo Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A. Fridays only 6:30 pm. Play on the following nights in August: 5th, 19th, & 26th. Lic #A00192 with all proceeds going toward community projects.

August 7 The Gospel of Mark ALIVE! Transformations Spirituality Center. 2 - 5pm.

Bring your family and friends to experience this storyteller’s memorable performance of the Gospel of Mark. $18. Info @ 269-381-6290 ext.

249 www.transformationscenter.org or info@transformationscenter.org August 7 We Know Jackson The Stage, Kindleberger Park, Parchment.

Refreshing sounds of a pop/rock band. 6:30 pm.

Bring lawn chair or blanket, come enjoy a summer evening in beautiful Kindleberger Park!

All events at The Stage are FREE! Visit www.kindleberger.org for complete summer arts schedule of events, or call 269-303-2793.

August 8 – 13 Kalamazoo County Fair Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground.

Time: check website for details. This was Michigan's first fair and the tradition continues each year! 269-349-9791. www.kalamazoocountyfair.com

August 3 – 30 Fine Art Exhibit Willow Lake Gallery, in the Parkview Hills Clubhouse. 9 am – 6 pm. Reading and Art Exhibit, open to the public with great refreshments. More info: 269-372-4444 or Caron Merrow 269-267-6006.

August 9 Basic Lawn Mower Care Community Homeworks, 808 S Westnedge Ave. How to change oil, oil filter, spark plug and how to maintain and operate a mower for best performance. More info: 269-998-3275.

August 4 Lunch & Learn – Biscuit the Dog Millennium Park; rain site: Barnes & Noble Booksellers. 11 am – Noon. Biscuit the fun, loveable, dog is stopping by to meet and greet all of his friends in Portage for story time. Free.

269-329-4522. www.portagemi.gov

August 9 Haiti: Footprints in the Heart Parchment Community Library, 401 S Riverview Dr, Parchment. Book talk and signing by Kathy Pfeifer. Free. Register at 269-343-7747 or www.parchmentlibrary.org

August 4 – 6 Rib Festival Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Th 11 am – 12:30 am, Fri & Sat 11 am – 1:30 am. Annual event attracts vendors from all over! If you love BBQ – this is an event you won't want to miss! www.ribfestkalamazoo.com August 5 Art Hop Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 8 pm. Art Hop is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses in the downtown area host a variety of artwork. Free.

269-342-5059. www.kalamazooarts.com August 5 Echo of Light Burch Park. 6 pm. Join us for a rockin' good time! See you at the park. Free. More info: Kathy 269-532-0767. www.kindredspiritsoutreach.org August 5 An Evening with Sally Edwards Wellspring Theater, Epic Center. 6 pm. Join au-

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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

August 2011

August 9 – 21 Rodgers & Hammersteins Cinderella Barn Theatre. This fresh and exciting adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1957 made-fortelevsion musical brings adventure, romance, and a miraculous kingdom to the stage.

269-731-4121. www.barntheatre.com August 10 Retail Extravaganza and Fashion Show Mixer on the Mall Arcadia Creek Festival Place. 5 – 7:30 pm. The spotlight is on downtown retailers and features two fashion shows and live manikins. $1.

269-344-0795. www.downtownkalamazoo.org August 10 Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Borgess Woodbridge Hills – North Bldg – 7901 Angling, Classroom 1, lower level. 6:30 pm. Dr. Roger Beyer M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G, will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence.

Come ask the doctor your questions. Refreshments will be served. Call (269) 372-7600 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com

August 11 Yoga in the Park Gazelle Sports. 6 pm. Whether you're a runner, walker, interested in fitness, or would like to take a first step towards a healthy lifestyle, yoga is perfect activity for all ages and abilities!

268-342-5996 ext 107. http://www.gazellesports.com/events/20110811/2390-yoga-inthe-park-kalamazoo-mi.html August 13 Wildcat Road and Trail 5k Sponsored by Mattawan Business Association, at Mattawan Schools track, a fun 5k race will take place with proceeds going to Mattawan Public Education Foundation – Creative Instruction Award. Food, beverages, and prizes will follow the race. To register or for more information: 269-823-3572 or www.mattawan.org/5k August 14 Lunch & Learn – Crescendo Academy of Music Violin Trio Celery Flats Amphitheatre. 11 am – Noon. Listen and learn all about the violin as local Portage Crescendo Academy of Music students play and discuss one of the most beloved musical instruments of all time. Free. 269-329-4522. www.portagemi.gov August 14 Jazz in the Gardens W.K. Kellogg Biological Station historic Manor House. 4 pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy listening to music in a lovely garden setting.

269-671-2263. http://www.kbs.msu.edu/ visit/manor-house/events.

August 14 Acappazoo The Stage, Kindleberger Park, Parchment. 6:30 pm. A community-based acappella group from Kalamazoo, MI. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, come enjoy a summer evening. FREE! Visit www.kindleberger.org for complete summer arts schedule of events, or call 269-303-2793.

August 16 Heating & Cooling Systems HVAC Community Homeworks, 808 S Westnedge Ave. How to maintain heating, venting and cooling systems in your home. How to save money using proactive maintenance. More info: 269-998-3275.

August 16 The Kalamazoo MI After 5 Women’s Connection.

The Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Rd, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Dedicated to connecting women through fellowship, fun and inspiring messages. Business women are welcome! Info @ www.meetyathen.webs.com Cost: $17.00. RSVP by August 13 to Karen at 269-290-2216.

August 17 Gazelle Sports: Walkin' on the Wild Side West Lake Preserve. 6:30 pm. 60-90 minute walk designed to promote overall wellness and balance. 269-342-5996 ext 107. https://www.gazellesports.com/info/75-walktraining-programs.html#Walkin' Wild August 17 Vegetable Farm Dinner Food Dance. 6 – 8 pm. Prime veggies of the season from various local farmers will fulfill your every veggie whim. All the veggies will be used in each of the four courses. Vegetarians, don’t miss this one. Omnivores, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. $45. 269-382-1888. fooddance.net/events-classes

August 18 W.K. Kellogg Manor House Celebrate Michigan Red Wine at the 3rd Annual Cab Franc Challenge. Taste with the exports & see which wine wines the Harding's Cup title.

5 - 8 pm. Recommended donation $30 pp RSVP and more info @ www.HardingsWineClub.com

decide what Siesta Silver items will be carried in Siegel Jewelers. Karla Piper of Siesta Silver Jewelry will be there with a large line of jewelry for you to choose from. There will be a raffle as well as drinks and food served. Visit siestasilverjewelry.com or facebook.com/kzoo.siegel.jewelers for more information.

August 18 The Harding's Cup Cab Franc Challenge W.K. Kellogg Manor House. 5 – 8 pm. Taste with the experts and see which winemaker will earn the Harding's Cup title this year. Taste wine and local artisan cheeses while listening to great Jazz. www.HardingsWineClub.com

August 27 Watercolor – The Free Flow of Letting Go Transformations Spirituality Center. 9am – 3:30pm. Watercolor painting, like the spiritual journey, defies precise control yet yields wonderful results when we’re able to let go. $85 includes lunch and watercolor supplies. Info @ www.transformationscenter.org or info@transformationscenter.org or 269-381-6290 ext. 249

August 19 Fine Art Exhibit Reception Willow Lake Gallery, in the Parkview Hills Clubhouse. 6 – 8 pm. Paintings by Luciana Costea and Caron Merrow. At the reception Arnold Johnston and Deborah Ann Percy will give a reading. More info: 269-372-4444 or Caron Merrow 269-267-6006.

August 21 19th Annual Daisy Get Together Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room E. 9 am – 3 pm. Show and sale of collectible Air guns, Toy guns and BB guns. Adults $2, children under 12 are free if accompanied by adult. More info: Wesley Powers at 517-423-4148 or wespowers@comcast.net August 21 Out of Favor Boys The Stage, Kindleberger Park, Parchment. 6:30 pm. One of Kalamazoo's favorite blues bands!

This six-piece band brings incredible energy wherever they play and can put on a show enjoyed by both traditional and contemporary Blues lovers. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic dinner. FREE! Visit www.kindleberger.org for complete summer arts schedule of events, or call 269-303-2793.

August 23 Electrical Systems Community Homeworks, 808 S Westnedge Ave. How to maintain electrical systems in your home safely and how to save money using proactive techniques. More info: 269-998-3275.

August 23 Free Talk on Urinary Incontinence in Women Bronson Lakeview Hospital – Classroom #1 – Paw Paw. 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) 372-7600 to reserve a seat. www.drrogerbeyer.com August 23 – September 4 Sunset Boulevard Barn Theatre. This legendary silent film star Norma Desmond will be singing the glorious songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber in the Barn's new production of Sunset Boulevard.

269-731-4121. www.barntheatre.com August 24 Couponing with Melissa Linkfield Parchment Community Library, 401 S Riverview Dr, Parchment. 6 – 8 pm. Frugal approach to feeding your family. Free. Preference given to Parchment Library district residents. Register at 269-343-7747 or www.parchmentslibrary.org August 24 Girl Scout Cookie Bake-off Benefit Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Program and Training Center, 601 W. Maple St., Kalamazoo.

6 – 8:30 pm. Desserts created with Girl Scout cookies by local chefs. Supports Girl Scout outreach programs. $45 individual/$325 table of eight. Order tickets online www.girlscoutbakeoff.com.

August 26 & 27 Siesta Silver Launch Party Siegel Jewelers. Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. Come be our “buyer” and help us

August 27 Kalamazoo Scottish Festival Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. 9 am – 6 pm.

Features pipe bands, athletics, highland dancers, clans and cattle show! www.kalamazooscottishfestival.org August 27 Women's Self-Defense Clinic Snyder Dojo on Stadium Dr. 1 – 4 pm. Learn basic self-defense techniques. 2 hours instruction, 1 hour optional practice. $10 preregistration required. Limit 15 participants.

269-365-3667. www.snyderdojo.com August 28 Borrowed Time The Stage, Kindleberger Park, Parchment. 6:30 pm. Blues/Classic Rock/Southern Rock. Started in 1999, Borrowed Times musical style and influences are deeply rooted in Blues music as they play many recognized song from well known Blues artists. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, come enjoy a summer evening. FREE! Visit www.kindleberger.org for complete schedule.

269-303-2793.

August 30 Gazelle Sports: Nordic Walking Clinic Gazelle Sports. 6 pm. Free demonstration clinics!

Nordic walking is perfect for all fitness levels especially those recovering from sports injuries.

Registration required. Contact Dana Schmitt 269-342-5996 ext 107 or dschmitt@gazellesports.com to sign up.

September 1 Click Downtown Throughout Central City. 10 am – 2 pm.

Partnering with WMU’s Freshman Fall Welcome Program, Downtown Kalamazoo welcomes 1,700 students to Central City for a photo scavenger hunt. 124 groups visit 10 locations for the challenge of capturing unique photos of downtown. Free. 269-344-0795. www.downtownkalamazoo.org September 1 – 24 Is There Life After High School?

New Vic Theatre. 8:30 – 10:30 pm. A nostalgic remembrance of the joy, laughter and pain of going through high school. $25. 269-381-3328. newvictheatre.org September 1 – 30 The Test: The Tuskegee Airmen Project Air Zoo. Mon. - Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun. Noon – 5 pm. The Test: The Tuskegee Airmen Project tells the incredible story about the first black combat aviators who served in the U.S. military during World War II. Free. 269-382-6555. www.airzoo.org September 2 Art Hop Various Locations throughout Downtown Kalamazoo. 5 – 8 pm. Art Hop is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses in the downtown area host a variety of artwork. Free.

269-342-5059. www.kalamazooarts.com

August 2011

37

Reader’s Lounge

By Alexandra Fix

Fritz Financial and Insurance Services Susan Fritz lives by her Mission Statement: To share her knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry. Susan has a passion for helping her clients identify the right combination of insurance for their families, so that they are protected against unforeseen calamities. “Financial planning brings peace of mind to clients,” says Susan.

She also works with agricultural and small businesses and provides Business Succession Planning. Susan provides an annual review for her clients to confirm that there is well-balanced coverage for their changing lives. Her business offers these services: Business cost-saving reviews, 401K expense analysis, employee retention options, review of auto and home, virtual team shopping, independent companies to best serve client budget needs and review of individual life, health, college funding, retirement maximization, and 401K analysis options.

Conversation Starter Friendship Bread

By Darien Gee Ballantine Books, 2011, $25.00 Amish friendship bread starter creates loaves of sweet bread – warm, comforting and delicious. The same words might describe Darien Gee’s new novel, Friendship Bread, a pleasurable read about women and the relationships that nourish and sustain them.

Susan Fritz carries several professional designations: CLU (Charted Life Underwriter), CFU, (Chartered Financial Consultant), LUTCF, and RFC. She is also licensed to sell insurance and community products in Michigan and is an Investment Advisor Representative.

Julia Evarts has been struggling for five long years to be happy again. Her son, Josh, died that long ago of a severe allergic reaction and every day since has been a challenge. In the aftermath of the incident that took her son, Julia also lost her connection with her dear sister and her parents.

Married for thirty-two years, Sue has two children and four grandchildren.

When Julia’s daughter, Grace, brings home a mushy bag of friendship bread starter and an instruction sheet, little does Julia know that her life is about to rise out of its slump. The bread starter brings Julia into the world of Hannah de Brisay, a young world-class cellist, who is estranged from the husband she still loves dearly.

She believes that a planned life results in a peaceful mind. Contact Info: Fritz Financial and Insurance Services, 3960 North 26th Street, Kalamazoo, 269-388-4233 or visit: www.suefritzagent.com.

Lee’s Adventure Sport In December of 1954, Bill and Evelyn Lee opened their Southwest Michigan business specializing in outdoor sporting gear. Today, Skip and Chris Lee are running the family-owned business.

Lee’s Adventure Sports sells in outdoor sports gear for camping, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, skis, snowboards, XC skis, snowshoes, kayaks, snowshoes, travel gear, footwear, and luggage plus appropriate clothing.

Originally known as Lee’s Toys and Hobbies they became more out-door and winter sports oriented and evolved into Lee’s Adventure Sports.

Customer service is a priority at Lee’s Adventure Sports. They have a boot-fit guarantee and installation for Yakima Rack purchases.

They also provide kayaking and backpacking lessons, ski and snowshoe rentals, and satisfaction-guaranteed ski shop services. They support USA products and have been involved in the community for two generations.

Although some products may seem cheaper online, that may not be true for two reasons: after adding tax and shipping, the price may not be cheaper, and the brand advertised may not be the real thing.

Upcoming events and classes include: Kayak Demos, Polar Bear Paddle, Kayak Paddling Lessons, HOYB Camping Classes. Contact info: 311 West Kilgore Rd., Portage, 269-381-7700 Fax: 269-381-5530. For more info, please visit: www.leesadventuresports.com Store Hours: M-F 10am - 8pm, Sat. 10 am – 6 pm, Sun. 12 - 5pm. Paddle Shop Summer Hours M-F 11am - 7pm, Sat.10 am - 6pm and Sun. 12 - 5pm

Patti Emanuele is a freelance writer and author of six books who has contributed to newspapers, magazines and other publications. Her writing experience includes teaching English and writing skills to adults, writing fundraising and corporate materials, copy for commercials and other aspects of advertising.

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August 2011

Julia and Hannah together meet Madeline Davis, a solitary widow who runs the struggling, local tea salon. Together the three women ease each other over their losses and welcome new paths that beckon. The bread starter soon works its magic, through these women, on a whole community reeling from a natural disaster.

Few have not yet encountered the sharing of Amish friendship bread. It’s a bit of a delicious “chain letter.” Some of us passed along our first loaves and starters in the 1970s or 80s. Today’s bread starters come with a twist, thanks to technology. Gee has a website devoted to recipes and tips for using the yeast starter for everything from traditional quick bread to Kahlua and white chocolate bread; from sourdough pancakes to bacon muffins. There are over 100 recipes and a constant exchange of ideas and variations.

Check out the author’s website at www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com. Gee would like her friendship bread to be the “start of a conversation” or exchange among people, an opportunity to say thank you to another or a vehicle to support people as they move forward on life’s path. This is a novel to savor and share even before autumn arrives.

Alexandra Fix is the author of ten non-fiction children’s books, including the series Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Heinemann Library). Over the years, she has truly enjoyed being a children’s librarian, registered nurse, freelance writer, mother and grandmother.

August 2011

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