Quad City Family Focus January 2012

January 2013 • Complimentary Issue • www.qcfamilyfocus.com

Discovering Your Child's "Gifts"

Teaching Our Children To Save

The Importance of Early Childhood Development

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3QC Family Focus - January 2013

Contributing Editors

Diane BakerAlly Billhorn

Dr. Brenda Boleyn Roger Brannan

Scott Carpenter, D.C. David W. Deuth

Kim Fein Curtis Ford

Maggie Gehlsen Tawnya Hambly Renee Hansen

Kelly HendershotLori HillebrandJennifer Jansen Frank Klipsch IV

Kirk MarskeMike Mickle

Lisa M. Reisen Nikhil Wagle, M.D. Dr. Barbara Wiese

Publisher: Mike MickleEditor: Karen Mickle

Magazine Design: Jessie SmithPhotographers:

Tassy Johnson • Nick MartelShannon Colgan • Estelle Nester

Videographer: Harry Walker

Join thousands of others as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA. Call 940-7875 for more information. QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not constitute endorsement. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You can contact us at QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 563-940-7875 or email: [email protected].

©Copyright 2013.

Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

Family FocusQCMonthly

January 2013

Watch QC Family Focus come to life on television each Friday.

Family Focus Friday only on WQAD’s midday newscast

812212538

Get Kids Started Right

Sharing books through conversation

Teen moms have “HOPES”

Pets Are Family Too

Get Up and Move

Our front cover takes you inside one of the Scott County YMCA’s preschool programs.

4 January 2013 • QC Family Focus

By Mike Mickle The start of a new year always signals a fresh start. As we say hello to 2013, we have some big things planned for QCFF. You’ve already noticed the Education Dedication section of our magazine. It’s filled with articles written specifically for elementary age children. We’re also including articles for high school students. That section is called Rule Ur Game. It will offer advice for teens plus we’ll spotlight teens who are doing great things in the classroom, the community, in the arts, music or athletics. We are also increasing the number of articles promoting early childhood development. We are thrilled to have some great partners in this effort. Organizations such as Junior Achievement, United Way, Career Cruising Quad Cities, Scott County Kids, Lutheran services of Iowa and the Scott County Y are joining us in the effort to promote happy, healthy families by focusing on education from birth to graduation. We’ve even formed an education task force comprised of local school superintendents, principals, teachers and other experts in the field of education. Our partners will write articles, help us come up with a yearly calendar of topics we’ll address and even promote the magazine through their own websites, volunteers and through emails to supporters. We are humbled by the support we are receiving from educators and some of the most important family and community organizations in the QCA. Having this type of network will also allow us to respond

Your Mickle’s Worthquickly in the event of a tragedy. We pray there is never another tragedy like what happened at Sandy Hook elementary school, but if there is, we’ll have access to experts who can offer advice to parents on how to calm your own fears along with the fears of your children.Those interviews will appear on our Facebook page and our website. We’ll also be offering video reports to bring many of our education articles to life on our website. Last but not least, you will find some of our education

articles written in Spanish on our website. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook so we can let you know when new videos are posted, or there are contests to enter or just some great deals being offered from some area businesses. We are excited to have our magazine distributed to every student in 96 area schools, daycare facilities and preschools and we expect that number to grow even more this year. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the support of wonderful readers like you. Thanks for reading QCFF and we hope you will continue to offer your advice on topics, front covers and contests. We value your input. Here’s wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy New Year. Mike Mickle

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Now that the hustle bustle of the holiday season is winding down and we’ve entered a new year, we thought it might be a good time to shift the focus from the material gifts we’ve been giving and receiving to some gifts of a more meaningful kind-our children’s gifts. Supporting our children in finding their gifts is one of our most important jobs as parents, and perhaps we can resolve in 2013 to make that an important goal. So what should we do as parents? It is very important to find out what our children are good at and make sure they have every opportunity to excel in those areas. Success brings confidence, energy, and motivation. When children have a positive frame of mind, good things are more likely to happen, and they can think more clearly and effectively. Sometimes as adults we get so focused on a child’s weaknesses that we forget about strengths, and strengths are the foundation we build upon. Every child has special traits that we can help to identify by following some steps recommended by school psychologist, Alice Wellborn, in her book, No More Parents Left Behind (2010).Begin by writing down:1. every adjective you can think of that describes your

child—words like funny, serious, athletic, cheerful, loud, creative, kind, fair, helpful, bossy, sensitive.

2. the five things your child does best—“make people laugh,” “sing,” “write stories,” “help mom with laundry,” “shoot a basketball.”

3. the five things your child would choose to do most often if she could pick anything—“read a book,” “build with blocks,” “play on a soccer team,” “go fishing,” listen to music.”

4. the five things that make you the proudest of your child, not just what your child does, but also personality traits like having a strong sense of justice, a kind and loving nature, a cheerful or determined spirit, or a sense of adventure.

5. what your child has said he would like to be when he grows up. Write down any career ideas your child has mentioned, even those that seem unrealistic.

6. what organized programs or lessons your child has participated in, and whether or not she enjoyed the activity. Think about youth soccer, church choir, dance lessons, tee-ball, piano lessons, gymnastics, library programs. Ask the P.E., art, and music teachers at school if they have observed any special talents.

Next, take action by:7. sitting down with someone else who loves your child

and looking over what you have written. Do you see any patterns? Jot down the kinds of experiences that would help your child explore and develop these gifts.

8. making a commitment to provide your child with at least one of these experiences. It might be piano or art lessons, joining a Boy Scouts troop, getting your child a library card, or getting them to after-school library programs. Could you plan a family vacation around your children’s interests—a trip to the

Kennedy Space Center, for example? Or it might be as simple as teaching your child to cook or helping him hunt for bugs in the garden.9. writing down your plans and follow through! By going through this process of discovery and then acting upon it, you will be providing your children with opportunities to realize their special and unique gifts and to grow and develop in ways that will positively impact their future!

Dr. Brenda Boleyn & Dr. Barbara Wiese Professors in the School of Education at St. Ambrose University.

Your Children’s GiftsEarly

Childhood


hen you read a book, you may like to talk about it with someone else. The same is true for your child. Reading experts say that

talking about a story while listening to it helps children learn about reading even before they are able to read themselves. The term for having a conversation about a book is “dialogic reading.” Using these book sharing techniques, you can help your child get ready to read.Sharing books with babies and toddlers It’s never too soon to start reading to your baby. Infants learn to love books while snuggling in your arms and hearing your voice. Tap on the book to draw your baby’s attention to the picture. Ask a question about the picture. The tone of your voice changes and your baby will soon learn what a question sounds like. Older babies and toddlers are beginning to label pictures. Give them time to remember and say the

Wwords. Ask questions like, “Where did the bunny go?” and then give them time to answer. You will be modeling questions and answers for your little one. Use the word PEER to remind you how to have a conversation about a book with an older toddler. P stands for “prompt”, what you do with your first question. E stands for “evaluate” what your child says so you will know what to say. E stands for “expand” on what your child says. Add something to help her learn how to give more details. R stands for “repeat.” Ask your child to repeat your word or phrase to show she has learned new information.Sharing books with preschoolers Children also benefit from dialogic reading in the preschool years. Reading and talking about books builds vocabulary, lengthens attention span and increases enjoyment from stories. Your preschooler will be able to respond to questions and think about characters and the plot. This helps him predict what will happen, an important reading skill. The word CROWD will help you have a conversation with your child about a book. C means “complete questions.” Ask a question and leave part of it for your child to complete. For example, “Jack and Jill went up a _________?” R means your child should “recall” details that happen in the story and be able to answer questions. O stands for using “open-ended questions” which require more than a yes or no answer. W reminds you to ask “what, where, when and why” questions. D stands for “distancing” questions which ask the child to relate the story to their own experience. Talking about books helps your child learn about reading but don’t overdo it. Read a book several times before using dialogic reading. The important thing is to have fun and help your child enjoy reading. So relax, let your child choose his favorite books, and have a good conversation about a good story.

Sharing books through conversation

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Encourage the person caring for your child to call Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa to find out how!

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Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa 600 W. 4th Street Davenport, Iowa 52801 563/326-8221 www.scottcountykids.org



Budget Smarts: how to set goals, save money, spend wisely, and more By Sandra Donovan

Gives informa�on about budge�ng, credit cards, and saving money for teens. From page 1 ‐ You’re the Boss “It’s Saturday morning, and you collect your allowance. You have no real plan for the day, but that allowance is burning a hole in your pocket. Hmm, �me to head to the mall. Some sunglasses catch your eye. You don’t really need them, but

they’re extremely cool ‐ so you shell out the cash. Then you buy a slice of pizza, which makes you really thirsty. You check your pocket. Yep, $2 le� ‐ just enough for a beverage. Oops! There goes your allowance.” From page 2 ‐ “It’s Saturday night, and your best friend texts you. Want to go see a movie? Sweet, you think, that sounds great. Except for one thing. You bought those sunglasses, and now you’re broke. You have to pass up on the evening out and se�le in with your parents to watch TV.”

The House of 12 Bunnies By Caroline S�lls

In The House of 12 Bunnies it is nearly bed�me, but Sophia has lost something. She searches and searches un�l she nds what she's looking for: a cozy bed�me story to put the snuggly bunnies to sleep.

Count On Clifford By Norman Bidwell

Ac�vi�es at a birthday party for Clifford, the big red dog, provide opportuni�es for coun�ng balloons, presents, and other objects from one to ten.

Money Ma�ers By Sean Callery

Find out all the facts about the way we use money, from the history of currency to number crunching and penny saving.

The Can Man By Laura E. Williams

A�er watching a homeless man collect empty so� drink cans for the redemp�on money, a young boy decides to collect cans himself to earn money for a skateboard un�l he has a change of heart.

Bunny Money By Rosemary Wells

Max and Ruby spend so much on emergencies while shopping for Grandma's birthday presents that they just barely have enough money le� for gi�s.

A beginning Beginner Book, this ingenious story uses a vocabulary of only 75 different words. "A hilarious story in rhyme about a number of animals who could carry 10 apples on their heads."‐‐Elementary English.

Ten Apples Up On Top By Dr. Seuss

A Dollar Bill’s Journey By Suzanne Slade

This book follows the journey of a dollar bill from the birth of a dollar bill at the Bureau of Prin�ng and Engraving in Washington, D.C. to one of the Federal Reserve banks to commercial banks to

people to a Federal Reserve bank for shredding to recycling into new products.

It can be hard nancially for many people through the holiday season. From cooking to traveling to gi�s, ‘�s the season to spend! So how do you go about making sure that you stay within your spending limits? Create a budget! Crea�ng a budget at any income level is essen�al, especially during the holidays, and crea�ng a budget can be difficult for all ages. It’s good to teach kids at an early age about nances and budge�ng. From coun�ng to budgets, the library has something for everyone! Checkout some examples below or visit www.davenportlibrary.com for more great ideas!

FROM COUNTING TO BUDGETING: Find It All at the Davenport Public Library

Budget Smarts: how to set goals, save money, spend wisely, and more By Sandra Donovan

Gives informa�on about budge�ng, credit cards, and saving money for teens. From page 1 ‐ You’re the Boss “It’s Saturday morning, and you collect your allowance. You have no real plan for the day, but that allowance is burning a hole in your pocket. Hmm, �me to head to the mall. Some sunglasses catch your eye. You don’t really need them, but

they’re extremely cool ‐ so you shell out the cash. Then you buy a slice of pizza, which makes you really thirsty. You check your pocket. Yep, $2 le� ‐ just enough for a beverage. Oops! There goes your allowance.” From page 2 ‐ “It’s Saturday night, and your best friend texts you. Want to go see a movie? Sweet, you think, that sounds great. Except for one thing. You bought those sunglasses, and now you’re broke. You have to pass up on the evening out and se�le in with your parents to watch TV.”

The House of 12 Bunnies By Caroline S�lls

In The House of 12 Bunnies it is nearly bed�me, but Sophia has lost something. She searches and searches un�l she nds what she's looking for: a cozy bed�me story to put the snuggly bunnies to sleep.

Count On Clifford By Norman Bidwell

Ac�vi�es at a birthday party for Clifford, the big red dog, provide opportuni�es for coun�ng balloons, presents, and other objects from one to ten.

Money Ma�ers By Sean Callery

Find out all the facts about the way we use money, from the history of currency to number crunching and penny saving.

The Can Man By Laura E. Williams

A�er watching a homeless man collect empty so� drink cans for the redemp�on money, a young boy decides to collect cans himself to earn money for a skateboard un�l he has a change of heart.

Bunny Money By Rosemary Wells

Max and Ruby spend so much on emergencies while shopping for Grandma's birthday presents that they just barely have enough money le� for gi�s.

A beginning Beginner Book, this ingenious story uses a vocabulary of only 75 different words. "A hilarious story in rhyme about a number of animals who could carry 10 apples on their heads."‐‐Elementary English.

Ten Apples Up On Top By Dr. Seuss

A Dollar Bill’s Journey By Suzanne Slade

This book follows the journey of a dollar bill from the birth of a dollar bill at the Bureau of Prin�ng and Engraving in Washington, D.C. to one of the Federal Reserve banks to commercial banks to

people to a Federal Reserve bank for shredding to recycling into new products.

It can be hard nancially for many people through the holiday season. From cooking to traveling to gi�s, ‘�s the season to spend! So how do you go about making sure that you stay within your spending limits? Create a budget! Crea�ng a budget at any income level is essen�al, especially during the holidays, and crea�ng a budget can be difficult for all ages. It’s good to teach kids at an early age about nances and budge�ng. From coun�ng to budgets, the library has something for everyone! Checkout some examples below or visit www.davenportlibrary.com for more great ideas!

FROM COUNTING TO BUDGETING: Find It All at the Davenport Public Library


We often hear that our children are our greatest asset, the door to the future. How can we help them build confidence in their financial future? One good answer is a credit union share savings account. By encouraging regular savings you prepare your kids to meet the demands of an increasingly complex financial world. A regular savings program helps both teenagers and younger children understand the basics of personal finance and the importance of building sound money management habits. It demonstrates the power of savings to help youngsters reach their goals. It prepares them for the day when they’ll manage their own money. Even very young children can grasp the fundamentals of saving, and become excited about having their very own savings program. As they grow and acquire allowances, after-school jobs, and other income sources, children can see those savings add up – and their pride and independence grow, too. Perhaps the most important reason to start saving early and regularly is that saving helps young people develop the skills they’ll need to be intelligent credit consumers. A record of regular savings tells the credit union this young person can handle the responsibility of repaying that first loan for a car, college, or educational travel. Having demonstrated the ability to stick to a planned program, loan officers are more likely to approve the loan application. In this situation, the share savings account does double duty, because the young borrower—lacking any credit history—can use it as security for the loan. So don’t wait. Help your children open share savings accounts and encourage them to add to them each week or month. Remember, it’s not the amount of the deposit that counts: It’s establishing sound, lifelong financial habits that will make more complex financial transactions later on easier, and more comfortable. See RIA Federal Credit Union now to start your kids on the road to confident money management.

Kim FeinR.I.A. Federal Credit Union

Marketing Department

Get Kids Started

Right


Come explore the John Deere Pavilion and the all new Discovery Zone designed especially for kids. There are displays and activity tables to entertain and teach young kids about farming, construction, and forestry. Older kids can see displays about the history of their favorite large equipment company and learn how we can work together to protect the environment. Of course there are huge combines, tractors, loaders, dozers and other equipment to climb into.

All this means the new Pavilion is an even better place for kids to learn more about the world of John Deere.

www.JohnDeereAttractions.com309-765-1000

ExplorE. play. lEarn. ImagInE.THE JOHN DEERE PAVILION

56552 • John Deere Pavilion • Family Focus Ad • Pub Date: Sept Back Cover • 7.375”w x 9.5”h • 4c • rlf • V1-8/2/12, V2, 3/FINAL-8/7/12


To help you fill in the blanks in this story, scan this QR Code

or log on to this link https://vimeo.com/56163401

to get all the answers.

Education Many of us travel over it every day, but do you know the history of the I-74 Bridge? Here’s a little quiz. To find the answers, have an adult in your life scan the QR code below and watch the video. You can also find it on qcfamilyfocus.com under the Education Dedication tab. The I-74 has been giving drivers a path over the Mississippi river for a long time. The ___________ bound lanes from Illinois to Iowa were built first. They were completed in ___________. Then, just ___________ years later the ___________ bound lanes from Iowa to Illinois were built in___________. Many friends and family members travel over the bridge every day. In fact in the year 2000 there were more than ___________ thousand drivers crossing the bridge every day. By the year, 2035, experts believe more than ___________ thousand will cross it on a daily basis. In 2007 there were ___________ accidents on the bridge. When drivers are involved in traffic crashes on the bridge it causes a problem known traffic back –ups. Those back-ups mean that cars can’t ___________ until the wrecked vehicles are moved from the bridge. That’s why plans are underway to build a new bridge linking our two states in the near future.

What do you know about I-74?

Elementary students...this

section is just for you!

If you have an idea for an article, send it to me at

[email protected].

Teachers and parents, you are welcome

to send ideas too!


Dedication

As we roll into a New Year, many of us will make New Year’s Resolutions to help achieve our goals. One goal we can all benefit from is developing healthy money habits. During the holidays you probably received pres-ents. Were any of them money? If so, what did you do with it? Did you go shopping to buy something special? Or, are you saving it for another day? Saving is one ex-ample of a healthy money habit. A good place to save your money is at the bank. People put the money they don’t need right away in a sav-ings account at the bank. The bank, in return, pays interest to people on their savings account balances. By earning interest people can make their money grow more quickly. Let’s suppose your uncle put $100 into a savings account for you on the day you were born. The account earns 6 percent interest per year. If you never touched the account, never deposited more money into it, and never took any money out of the account, how much money do you think you would have in the account when you turn 18 years old? You would have $285.43. Your money would nearly triple because of the interest earned. It’s important to understand that saving for your future now will help you be successful later. It’s never too early to start saving. Do you earn an allowance? To help you start a savings habit set a certain percentage of each allowance to savings. For example, if you earn $5 a week in allowance you could set 60% for savings, 20% for a gift fund and 20% for fun money that you can spend as you wish. Do the math below.

Tawnya Hambly Public Relations Director, Junior Achievement of the Heartland

Let’s suppose you put the money you save from your allowance each month ($12) into a savings account at the bank. The account earns 5 percent interest per year. How much money would you have after 12 months if you never take any money out of the account? 2a. $12 allowance saved each month x 12 months = $________ put into savings account inone year. 2b. $144 put into savings account + 5 percent in-terest = $__________ balance of savings account. You would earn $7.20 interest. Remember, an easy way to grow your money is by saving. Always remember the longer you save the bet-ter, and the more deposits you make into your savings ac-count, the better! For more fun ways to practice your money skills visit the JA Student Center on www.jaheartland.org.

Answer key:1a. $3: $1: $11b. $12: $4: $42a. $1442b. $151.20

New Year’s resolutioN: start Healthy Money Habits at an early age

New Year's Resolution: Start Healthy Money Habits at an Early Age By: Tawnya Hambly, Public Relations Director, Junior Achievement of the Heartland

As we roll into a New Year, many of us will make New Year’s Resolutions to help achieve our goals. One goal we can all benefit from is developing healthy money habits.

During the holidays you probably received presents. Were any of them money? If so, what did you do with it? Did you go shopping to buy something special? Or, are you saving it for another day? Saving is one example of a healthy money habit.

A good place to save your money is at the bank. People put the money they don’t need right away in a savings account at the bank. The bank, in return, pays interest to people on their savings account balances. By earning interest people can make their money grow more quickly.

Let’s suppose your uncle put $100 into a savings account for you on the day you were born. The account earns 6 percent interest per year. If you never touched the account, never deposited more money into it, and never took any money out of the account, how much money do you think you would have in the account when you turn 18 years old?

You would have $285.43. Your money would nearly triple because of the interest earned.

It’s important to understand that saving for your future now will help you be successful later. It’s never too early to start saving.

Do you earn an allowance? To help you start a savings habit set a certain percentage of each allowance to savings. For example, if you earn $5 a week in allowance you could set 60% for savings, 20% for a gift fund and 20% for fun money that you can spend as you wish. Do the math below.

1a. $5 weekly allowance: 1b. Now, calculate your monthly total:

60% savings: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

20% gift fund: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

20% fun money: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

Let’s suppose you put the money you save from your allowance each month ($12) into a savings account at the bank. The account earns 5 percent interest per year. How much money would you have after 12 months if you never take any money out of the account?

2a. $12 allowance saved each month x 12 months = $________ put into savings account in one year.

2b. $144 put into savings account + 5 percent interest = $__________ balance of savings account. You would earn $7.20 interest.

Remember, an easy way to grow your money is by saving. Always remember the longer you save the better, and the more deposits you make into your savings account, the better!

For more fun ways to practice your money skills visit the JA Student Center on www.jaheartland.org.

New Year's Resolution: Start Healthy Money Habits at an Early Age By: Tawnya Hambly, Public Relations Director, Junior Achievement of the Heartland

As we roll into a New Year, many of us will make New Year’s Resolutions to help achieve our goals. One goal we can all benefit from is developing healthy money habits.

During the holidays you probably received presents. Were any of them money? If so, what did you do with it? Did you go shopping to buy something special? Or, are you saving it for another day? Saving is one example of a healthy money habit.

A good place to save your money is at the bank. People put the money they don’t need right away in a savings account at the bank. The bank, in return, pays interest to people on their savings account balances. By earning interest people can make their money grow more quickly.

Let’s suppose your uncle put $100 into a savings account for you on the day you were born. The account earns 6 percent interest per year. If you never touched the account, never deposited more money into it, and never took any money out of the account, how much money do you think you would have in the account when you turn 18 years old?

You would have $285.43. Your money would nearly triple because of the interest earned.

It’s important to understand that saving for your future now will help you be successful later. It’s never too early to start saving.

Do you earn an allowance? To help you start a savings habit set a certain percentage of each allowance to savings. For example, if you earn $5 a week in allowance you could set 60% for savings, 20% for a gift fund and 20% for fun money that you can spend as you wish. Do the math below.

1a. $5 weekly allowance: 1b. Now, calculate your monthly total:

60% savings: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

20% gift fund: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

20% fun money: $___________ $_________ x 4 = $___________

Let’s suppose you put the money you save from your allowance each month ($12) into a savings account at the bank. The account earns 5 percent interest per year. How much money would you have after 12 months if you never take any money out of the account?

2a. $12 allowance saved each month x 12 months = $________ put into savings account in one year.

2b. $144 put into savings account + 5 percent interest = $__________ balance of savings account. You would earn $7.20 interest.

Remember, an easy way to grow your money is by saving. Always remember the longer you save the better, and the more deposits you make into your savings account, the better!

For more fun ways to practice your money skills visit the JA Student Center on www.jaheartland.org.


Education Dedication

In Iowa, there is a lot of heavy equipment, people and materials used to clear the snow from the roads.

EquipmentSnow removal trucks901Motor graders53Front-end loaders134Heavy-duty, self-propelled snow blowers11

Workers and facilitiesEmployees1,066Garages109Salt permanent storage capacity (tons)226,893

MaterialsRock salt (tons)203,163Liquid salt brine (gallons)15,476,581Liquid calcium chloride (gallons)69,926Sand (tons)34,571 FinancialAverage annual winter operations budget$40 million

Iowa/Illinois Winter Weather Facts

In Illinois, we’ve found some chilly facts about which part of the state sees the most ice, where it’s the coldest and what records we’ve broken!

COLD TEMPERATURES• 126 people have died from exposure to cold temperatures

in Illinois since 1997.• The coldest temperature on record occurred on January

5, 1999, when the temperature dipped to minus 36 degrees near Congerville in Woodford County.

WINTER STORMS• On average, Illinois experiences five severe winter

storms each year. There has not been a winter in Illinois without at least one winter storm in the past century.

• Winter driving conditions contribute to an average of 28,500 vehicle crashes in Illinois each year.

SNOWFALL• Average annual snowfall ranges from 37 inches of

snow in Rockford and Chicago, to as little as 6 to 10 inches in the southern tip of Illinois.

• The greatest snowfall on record from a single storm occurred near the town of Astoria in Fulton County, where 37.8 inches was recorded on February 27-28, 1900.

ICE STORMS• On average, locations from just south of Quincy,

through Lincoln, to Watseka experience more freezing rain and ice storms than any other part of the state.

We’ve already seen our first major snowstorm of the season. Many of you had a day off from school, but how much do you know about the crews who remove snow from the roads we drive on? We’ve gathered some Iowa snow facts for you.. Take a look and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!


Dedication

Davenport Parks and Recreation700 West River Drive • Davenport, IA 52802

(563) 328-PARK (7275)wwww.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks

DAVENPORT PARKS AND RECREATION

IS ON FOR 2013!

Saturday, February 2, 2013Where: Credit Island Park

Time: 7:00am - 2:00pmTee times assigned every 7 - 8 minutes

FEE: $15 per golfer or $60 per team of four players, $75 for team of five.

Get out and play!


Just For Kids!Just For Kids!Kid’s Calendar

Bald Eagle Days • January 11-13Watch live birds of prey, bald eagles, owls

and falcons fly over the audience. Enjoy more than 100 display and information booths. Open Friday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.;

Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Adults $5 admission, Kids $1 admission, Under 6 years of age

Free. QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Avenue, Rock Island, IL Call 309-788-5912 for more

information.

On the Face of It Portraits Family Day • January 12

11 am-2 pm Free with membership or museum admission from 11 am-2 pm. Bring your face to the Figge for some quality family time at our

Portraits Family Day! Studio art activities, story time, refreshments and much

more are sure to make this day a picture-perfect memory!

Chocolate Fest • January 1311-4pm: Cost: Presale Tickets: Adults $15.00, Youth 3-15 $3.00, Children 2 years and under

free. At the Door: Adults $18.00, Youth 3-15 years old $5.00. Indulge Yourself! Lots of free samples from area chocolatiers and sweet shops, meet Willy Wonka, learn about the history of chocolate from the education

staff of the Quad City Botanical Center, enjoy a cooking demo, kids chocolate activity area and much more! Purchase your tickets on line, a limited number of tickets will available at the door! All ticket sales support the not

for profit Quad City Botanical!Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th

Avenue, Rock Island, IL Call 309-794-0991 ext. 30 for more information.

Free Kid’s Craft DaySaturday , January 19th

10:00am-4:00pm • John Deere PavilionTheme: Snow

R.I.a. Federal credit Union563.355.3800 • 800.742.2848www.riafcu.com

Get Your Savings Into Gear With Our

Rewards Program


Just For Kids!Just For Kids!This adorable snow family will give your kids hours of puppet time fun! All you need are some inexpensive knit gloves and a few simple supplies to put together this cute project.

What you’ll need 1 white knit glove Hot glue gun 4 tiny orange pom poms Chenille stem pieces Scrap materials Scrap felt for scarves Black acrylic paint Paint brush White felt Scissors Plastic wrap Small pom poms for ear muffs and hat How to make it:• Fill fingers of glove with plastic wrap. This will keep the glove from sticking to itself from the glue and

will act as a “filled finger” which allows for a good fit when done.• Glue on chenille stems and pom poms for ear muffs.• Use a triangle shaped scrap of felt to form a simple hat. Wrap the wide piece around the bottom and

fold down the point to the back, then glue in place. Glue a pom pom on top.• Use scrap material to make a wrap around shawl. Simply glue the center of a long strip of material to the

top of the “head”, then wrap around and glue in place. Trim ends if needed.• Make scarves from felt strips, fringing the ends with scissors. Glue in place.• Glue orange pom poms on for noses.• Dip the handle end of a small paint brush into black acrylic paint. Carefully dot on eyes and mouths.

(Practice this step on the thumb first if you plan to discard it the way that we did.• Allow everything to dry, then trim off the bottom of the glove and the thumb.• Glue a 1” wide strip of white felt around the bottom to keep it from fraying.• Carefully remove the plastic wrap from the fingers.• Put on hand and have a fun puppet show!

Snow Family Finger Puppets

CongraTulaTIonS To

Sally Kulig from Moline was the

winner of a nook Simple Touch

reader.

Mason Tolle of Davenport.

He was the lucky winner of 4 tickets

to see Disney on Ice at the i wireless

Center.

Jade Hunter from East

Moline was the winner of a new

leapster gS Explorer.

THanKS To all oF THoSE wHo EnTErED!


CONNECTEDSPIRIT

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENTFOR HEALTHY LIVINGFOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LET’S LIVEHAPPIER HEALTHIER & LONGER

LIVES!

Scott County Family YA Community StrengtheningVolunteer-led Charity

Great people, pools,FREE group fitness,family programs, art,youth sports, childcare,dance & afterschool

Caring Honesty Respect Responsibility

www.ScottCountyFamilyY.org

As a parent living just blocks away from Davenport’s Madison Elementary, I am grateful to see the recent accolades bestowed upon the network of administrators, teachers, parents and students to honor what has been a lot of on-going work and progress toward Closing the Achievement Gap. As a professional working within a great network of school districts, partner agencies, parents, media outlets, neighborhoods, churches and governments, I am honored to help an entire community work toward such a great cause. Most importantly, as we better understand the complete balance of Early Childhood Education to the latter success of adults, and the financial impact in the correlation between adults that are able to lead and contribute to society and those that require additional social services, Closing the Achievement Gap is a paramount cause for all of us to embrace. At the Y, we are involved in several community collaborations to ensure that every child has access to great programs, mentors and leaders in the crucial times when school is not in session: before and after, over the summer, at night and on the weekends. The first 2,000 Days initiative places the greatest value on each and every day that every child in our community has from birth to Kindergarten. Access to quality child care, preschool and family programs take advantage of the most crucial time for learning in human development. From the societal perspective, this is important for all us. According to the book Freakonomics,

Frank Klipsch IV Communications Director, Scott County Family Y

a correlation is currently utilized by the prison industry that we should all be aware of: the ability for students to read in third grade to the amount of prison beds needed 10 years later. Imagine the difference in our community when we can change the social dynamic of subsidizing just one adult in prison to having that adult as a leader, teacher, business owner, parent and contributor. The Y’s signature loop of programs and services directed at the Achievement Gap cause involves our school outreach programs, our branch programs and leadership staff, and YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln. For over a decade, YMCA Solutions has been working in conjunction with schools, teachers and administrators to teach leadership and core values to students within the school day. We are now looking to expand this concept by having a YMCA Youth & Development Director utilizing a YMCA Solutions curriculum full-time in as many schools as possible. This service would allow a greater interface with parents, peer groups, and social services outside of school. Thus, we can better understand the home environments which are often a. outside the realm of schools, b. outside the control of the children, and c. at the heart of the issues affecting students, school performance and their eventual future. The increasing network of young people being mentored utilizes YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln as an on-going goal to incentivize healthy behaviors and productivity. In addition to having an intensive, value-based experience that removes kids from their usual home environments, Camp Abe Lincoln also provides another network of counselors and mentors. Therefore, if needed, schools can call upon the YMCA Camp and Solutions staff to intervene and assist at all times throughout the school year. Closing the Achievement Gap makes life better for us all, and makes our community an attractive beacon for growth and development throughout the country. Let’s keep up the great work!

Closing the Achievement Gap Takes A Community

21QC Family Focus - January 2013Call 563.322.7419 today for more information.

PARENT PALS {coming soon}

What if all parents had a dream sidekick?A professional. A pal. A go-to-person tosupport them in raising a healthy, happy child.

Parent Pals is coming soon to Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Counties! Based on nationally accredited programs, Parent Pals matches you with a family support worker who can visit you at home to provide child development information, parenting strategies, community resources and more.

Your Parent Pal is someone you can rely on when you are stressed, have parenting questions or need to talk to someone you trust.

• Free and voluntary support• For all parents, whether you are single,

married or unmarried• Eligibility based on child’s age and assessment

wo weeks after she turned 17, Payton learned she was pregnant.

“I didn’t know what to do,” she recalled. “I took two pregnancy tests. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like with a baby.” “I was scared of being responsible for another human and scared about money and my current living situation,” she said. “I didn’t have a job then, so I didn’t know how I would provide for my daughter.” After being referred to LSI’s HOPES program in Davenport, which supports parents of young children at the prenatal or up to age four, Payton was matched with Risa. A family support worker, Risa visits Payton regularly to provide information about parenting, local resources and more. “The HOPES program has helped me organize my life,” Payton said. “I’ve learned to set goals, and Risa has helped me focus and achieve them.” Now 18, Payton was determined earn her GED, get a job and maintain good prenatal health. “Emery really motivated me to reach my goals because it was no longer about me,” she said of her daughter. “I needed to do these things for her. I didn’t want her to struggle in life. I wanted better for her.” Risa gave Payton information on CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) classes, job openings and parent support groups and helped Payton track Emery’s development before and after birth. “Risa has really helped me realize what I want to do for Emery,” Payton said. “I can talk to her about anything.” For other young mothers, Payton has this advice.

TRenee Hansen Communications Coordinator, Marketing Communications | Lutheran Services in Iowa | Iowa KidsNet

Teen moms have “HOPES”

“Don’t give up,” she said. “Your life isn’t over. Look at your baby and know you’re doing it for them, and you can do anything. If the father of your baby isn’t involved, it isn’t the end of the world. Teaching your baby about healthy relationships is important. Look at your baby and know you’re doing it for them, and you can do anything.” And she’s proving it, one step at a time. Payton recently passed the exam for her CNA license. “I’m proud, and I’m amazed,” she said. “Looking back, I’ve come so far. I didn’t have a job or an education. I see how much as changed and knowing that I’m doing this all for Emery makes me proud. I am inspired to do more. I plan to start working, get my RN license and maybe become a doctor one day. I know I can do anything.”

5 Simple Tips for Helping Your Baby Develop

Did you know you are your child’s first and best teacher? Even simple things, like singing a song, cuddling or reading a book, can help nurture your baby’s healthy growth and development.1. Talk to your baby. You are your child’s greatest

exposure to language acquisition. Even simply narrating your day can help your baby begin building vocabulary. Tell your baby when you are going to do something, like “We are going to get dressed now,” or describe what your baby is doing, as in “I see you smiling.” Talking with your baby can be a simple and easy part of your routine, such as singing a song during a diaper change.

2. Read to your baby. Even reading a book several times a week can improve your baby’s vocabulary. Choose board books with colorful pictures, soft textures or simple words and rhymes. With your baby in your lap, enjoy some together time with a favorite book.

3. Introduce your baby to herself. Use a mirror to point out your baby’s nose, ears, eyes and mouth. Babies love seeing themselves, and it will help your baby begin to label the world around her. She’ll also learn to focus and track images.

4. Find simple toys around the house. Banging on a pot with a wooden spoon or knocking down a Tupperware tower can be a big hit for a baby and help with basic motorskills.

5. Change your baby’s view. Offer your baby new and interesting things to look at. Carry your baby around the room and point out pictures or objects.


Look at a student’s class schedule and you might see math, science, art, and English but you won’t see a career development class. Educators do, however, promote work-readiness and they rely on a variety of resources to help students prepare for their futures – Career Cruising Quad Cities and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education efforts are two of those resources. Career Cruising Quad Cities resources and STEM education efforts serve the same purpose:- Develop, enhance, and retain the future workforce- Prevent skills gaps and “brain drain” (skilled workers

leaving the area)- Engage students in fun, challenging, and educational

activities to help them find their career pathway. Career Cruising Quad Cities has joined the Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) to support their STEM education and career development efforts. Pat Barnes is the director for John Deere Inspire, Deere and Company’s global STEM initiative, and he serves as the Director Emeritus for QCESC. Other

Kirk MarskeCareer Cruising Quad Cities, Director members of this non-profit collaboration between area

educators and STEM professionals are from Alcoa, Exelon, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and more. QCESC held its 4th annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) in December and qualifiers attend the State of Iowa FLL championship January 19th in Ames. Other upcoming events include the FIRST Tech Challenge (February 2), the Bridge Building Contest (February 8-9), and the Trebuchet Egg Throw Competition (TBA). This summer also brings another engineering camp at the Putnam Museum. QCESC and its member societies and college partners also offer scholarships, and this year, scholarships totaling $7,500 will be awarded (deadline to apply is January 18, 2013). For students using Career Cruising Quad Cities, mechanical engineer is the most popular STEM career. Aerospace engineer, nuclear engineer, crime scene investigator, zoologist, civil engineer, and marine biologist also rank very high. Several QCESC members serve as career coaches. Charlie Meurer, who represents Chemical Engineering, Environmental Consultant, and Environmental Engineering, is a new CCQC volunteer but he has experience talking with students about engineering.

“You should see these kids light up when they learn what you can spin a Chemical Engineering degree into career wise; doctor, lawyer, financial planner, venture capitalist, to say nothing of top level management positions,” said Meurer. “Their initial perception is that they are about to make a decision as to where they will be pigeon-holed for life. Nothing could be further from the truth.” Career Cruising Quad Cities is a web-based career exploration program administered by Junior Achievement of the Heartland in partnership with the Moline Foundation. To learn more about CCQC, visit www.CareerCruisingQuadCities.org. To learn more about QCESC, visit www.QCESC.org.

The Science of Collaborationrule

ur Gam

e


The Science of Collaborationappy New Year! As we jump into 2013, we are again making strides to

live a healthier lifestyle. You’re probably seeing more commercials and ads than ever for New Year Resolutions, and the “magic way to keeping them!” Well, here’s the truth of New Years Resolutions: you can’t just do them for a week, or a month, or six months. The goal of resolutions is to keep them. So how do we go about that? Notice earlier in this article I used the word “lifestyle.” That’s exactly it; being healthy should be a lifestyle, or rather, something you want to do, not something you have to do. Think of this year as your new life, not your new resolution. I saw a quote the other day that pertains to this completely: motivation gets you started, habit keeps you going. Precisely! Being healthy should come out of habit, and shouldn’t be a burden. Now more than ever, it’s crucial we, as Americans, make drastic changes to how we live. Rates for diabetes are skyrocketing, and

HMaggie Gehlsen Central DeWitt High School Senior

Live Healthy Iowasome health problems (such as heart disease, and even heart attacks) are not just something adults have to worry about anymore; they’re something that is becoming common in children of our nation, as well. Obesity rates are at an all time high, with 1 in 3 adults being classified as “obese.” These statistics are not meant to scare you, but are meant to be a simple reminder that YOUR healthcare and the health of your family members should be a top priority. Like I said, being healthy or making changes in your health and how you live shouldn’t be a burden, but rather, a reminder to yourself that you care about your well-being. So this new year, get out with your family and get moving. A simple way? Participate in Live Healthy Iowa, which takes place from January 28-April 5. It’s an easy way to get the entire family involved in making Iowa a healthier state! Live Healthy Iowa also sponsors a kids program called Live Healthy Iowa Kids, which is the same duration of time, but focuses more on the activity children are getting every week, rather than weight loss. Get the family signed up today at www.livehealthyiowa.org! Happy 2013!

This Year Have Your Birthday at

Go Karts • Lazer Tag • Jousting • Spacewalk • Trampoline BasketballObstacle Course • Miniature Golf • Jungle Zone • Rock Climbing

Bowling • Arcades • Indoor Batting Cages

Pick Your Party PackageFrom These activitiesJungle Zone wristband

Unlimited play in our 3 story high jungle!

Inflatable WristbandUnlimited play in our Spacewalk, Obstacle Course, Trampoline Basketball & Jousting

lazer TagOne game of Lazer Tag

Pick 1 $5.00 per personPick 2 $10.00 per personPick 3 $15.00 per person

Pick All 3 and receive a $2.00 game card for FREE per person

6 person minimum reservations required. No substitutions for activities: all tickets must be used by the same person.

Open Year Round 7 Days A Week • No Admission Charge354 West 76th Street • Davenport, Iowa • (next to Steeplegate Inn)

Fall/Winter/Spring HoursMon-Thur 4pm-8pm • Fri 4pm-10pm • Sat 10am-10pm •Sun Noon-6pm

Extended hours during holiday breaksSpecial hours available for large parties or groups - give us a call!

563-386-3826

Check out The new

arcade room!

Hunt Brothers Pizza $9.99 for the first • $8.99 for the next

Up To 10 Toppings at No Extra Cost

rule

ur Game


Contributed by: Ally Billhorn

Chicken Pesto Meatballs I’m pretty sure meatballs aren’t just for 1970’s themed parties anymore. They have most definitely been making a comeback. Can you believe there is a restaurant in New York City that dedicates their whole menu to them? Really, they are very simple. Pick the meat of your choice, add in the fillings, roll, bake, saute or simmer in sauce and viola! You have a great meatball. And did I mention family friendly? Kids love food in fun shapes. Give them a tasty dipping sauce and I’m pretty sure these will be gobbled down in no time.

1 lb. ground chicken1/4 c. pesto1/4 c. grated fresh Parmesan1/4 c. breadcrumbs1 t. garlic powder2 c. marinara sauce Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients, minus marinara sauce. Roll and form into 1 inch balls. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Pour in marinara sauce. Place balls into the pan. Cover with foil and bake covered for 15 minutes. Then uncover and bake another 15 minutes. When done stir to combine balls and sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.

Avocado Brownies Stay with me on this one. Yes, traditionally avocados and brownies do not even deserve to be uttered in the same breath. But, let’s all remember avocados are a healthy fat and more often than not butter is a main supplier to a brownie batter. Butter is a not-so-healthy fat. So here I swapped the two and they turned out glorious. The avocados will give the brownie a texture that is a cross between fudgy and cakey. Perfect, right? Give these a chance. You can thank me later.

2-3 avocados2 squares unsweetened baker’s chocolate1 c. sugar2 eggs1 t. vanilla1 t. baking powder1 c. flour Frosting: 1/2 - 1 whole avocado & 1 c. powdered sugar

First mash two, very ripe avocados. Refrain from taking a tortilla chip and digging in. It’s hard. Melt two squares of unsweetened baker’s chocolate and put in with the avocado. Add in one cup of sugar, two eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir. Then fold in 1 t. baking powder and 1 c. of flour. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and pour in the thick batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-32 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool. Then grab another half of an avocado, mash it up and sift in 1 cup of powdered sugar. Stir until you have the right frosting consistency. You may have to add more powdered sugar to get it thick enough. Spread on this green goddess frosting and cut into squares. Then refrain from eating the whole pan.For more of Ally’s recipes,

check out recipe section at www.qcfamilyfocus.com


Get Up and MoveBy Diane Baker Youth Development Educator,

4-H Military Programs, University of Illinois Extension As we enter the new year, we are reminded of the importance of taking care of ourselves – and teaching our kids to take good care of themselves by eating right and exercising. Physical activity is critical in keeping fit and good exercise habits learned early can help young people become healthy, active adults. Here are some ideas to “Get Up and Move” with your family: Start a Physical Activity Calendar for each member in your family. Have each person record the type of physical activity that they do each day and the number of minutes spent on each activity. Have each person total the number of minutes for each week and then the month. After the first week, take a look at how much time was spent on moderate physical activities (like walking, climbing the stairs or riding a bike) and how much time was spent on more intense activities (like playing basketball, running or swimming). Your goal is always to spend less time sitting and more time moving. Walk whenever possible. Walking is a good, all-around workout for the human body, with a low occurrence of injuries. Walking is inexpensive, requires no special equipment, and can be done anytime, anywhere. If you are not physically active, begin by walking just a few minutes each time and gradually build up to 30 minutes of accumulated activity a day. Walk at a pace that allows you to carry on a conversation. For adults to remain healthy, they should walk 10,000 steps per day. How far do you walk? Here are some ways to increase the number of steps you take every day: · Walk to school every day · Walk your dog or offer to walk a neighbor’s dog · Park farther from the building in parking lots · Walk up and down the stairs at home. Make it a

game by going to the top and back down, then to

the top minus one step and down, then to the top minus 2 steps and down, etc.

· Set a time when you are playing on the computer or video games so you can take a break and move every 15 minutes. Go for a quick jog or walk twice around the house or block.

· While watching television, use the commercial breaks to see how many steps you can get in before the show starts again.

· Unload the groceries with fewer bags at a time for more trips.

· Limit the amount of time that you spend watching television or at the computer to no more than one hour per day.

· Go for a five minute “family walk” after dinner

Looking for a quick and healthy snack? Try this easy recipe:

Banana Splits1 bananaLow-fat vanilla yogurtFruit cocktail, drainedHoney Graham cereal, crushed or granola

Split the banana in half both directions so there are four slices from the banana. Place one banana quarter in each bowl. Top with 2 tablespoons yogurt and 1 tablespoon fruit cocktail. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon cereal. You can also use fresh fruit in place of the fruit cocktail.

For more information about being healthy and active in 2013, contact your local University of Illinois or Iowa State University Extension Office. The information in this article was adapted from the 4-H “Get Up and Move” curriculum which includes monthly fitness and recipe ideas for youth groups. The curriculum is available to groups on loan.


Old Man Winter has arrived and if you aren’t careful, his visit can be a costly one. Iowa American Water reminds homeowners that now is the time to make preparations to prevent water damage from frozen and burst pipes and water meters before temperatures plunge even more this winter. Acting now can prevent costly plumbing repairs and frozen water meter replacement fees that can cause headaches for homeowners. According to Randy Moore, president of Iowa American Water, although the winter season can pose many challenges to a homeowner, one of the biggest and most costly is the risk of frozen pipes. “When ice expands inside pipes, it can crack and burst the pipe, leaving homeowners with a costly plumber bill, and thousands of dollars in damages from water leaking inside their home,” he said. During winter weather, water meters and pipes need special care to keep them from freezing, so homeowners should take reasonable precautions to help protect their property and the water company’s meter from damage. “Weatherproofing your home against the cold will pay dividends on energy bills in the winter and will also help protect your indoor plumbing against the threat of breaks,” Moore added. Iowa American Water encourages you to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of frozen water meters and pipes that can freeze and burst.• Make sure everyone in your home knows where the

main water shut-off valve is and how to turn it off and on. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.

• Search your house for un-insulated pipes, especially in unheated areas. Consider wrapping pipes with electric heating tape, but follow manufacturers’ instructions carefully to avoid a fire hazard.

• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations, especially where cable TV or phone lines enter the house, with caulking to keep cold winds away from pipes.

• If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. Close them when water appears.

• Make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are disconnected and drained.

• Drain and shut off entirely the water to any unoccupied residence such as a summer or vacation home. A loss of power during a winter storm could cause pipes to freeze. If you intend to leave a property entirely without heat, be sure to drain all water to prevent the possibility

of frozen pipes.• Set the thermostat

at 55 degrees if you’re going out of town. Although you may be able to get away with a lower t e m p e r a t u r e , this setting is considered to be safe for pipes.

• C o n s i d e r wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket. While not really at danger for freezing, this can lower your heating bills.

A frozen water meter can lead to expensive home plumbing repairs and meter replacement charges. Act now to prevent cold weather from taking a bite out of your home plumbing and your wallet. Replacement costs range from $115 to $325 depending on the size of the meter. Taking the necessary precautions can keep you from some unexpected expenses and trouble this winter. Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 200,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

Is Your Water Meter & Plumbing Protected from the Cold?

Lisa M. Reisen, PHR Iowa American Water

Keppy Snow Removal

Let us do the shoveling and snow blowing this winter!

Call 563-528-0972


WE CARE ABOUT WATER. IT’S WHAT WE DO. FIND OUT WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO, at iowaamwater.com.

When you turn on the tap, it’s easy to see what your water bill buys. What’s not as easy to see is what it takes to bring that water to your home. The miles of pipeline hidden below the ground. The facilities that draw water from the source. The plant where it’s treated and tested. The scientists, engineers, and maintenance crews working around the clock to make sure that water is always there when you need it. Your water payments are helping to build a better tomorrow by supporting needed improvements that will keep water flowing for all of us—today and well into the future. All for about a penny a gallon.

© 2012 American Water. “American Water” and the star logo are the registered trademarks of American Water Works Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

There’s a lot more to your water bill than just water.


John Hoffman, M.D. • Tuvi Mendel, M.D. • Tyson Cobb, M.D.

Michael Dolphin, D.O. • Matthew Wilber, DPM, CWS

There is no guessing who’s best for your unique needs because each

OS doctors’ specialty is what they do – and all they do. No one else

has the expertise. No one else offers the same results. Don’t settle

for second best.

Choose OS – the only path in the Quad Cities to a better experience and better results.

OSquadcities.com • Davenport • Bettendorf • Moline • Clinton

When you need orthopaedic care to get back to 100%, choose the doctors of OS.

Call (563) 344-9292 for an appointment

fellowship trained specialists with advanced training in foot & ankle • hand & upper extremity • spinesports medicine • total joint replacement


Want to sustain your orthopaedic health?Stay fit and seek the latest advancements in orthopaedic medicine

ne of the easiest ways to ensure your body is at full strength to battle potential orthopaedic ailments is to remain physically active throughout your entire life. That’s right – get up and get

moving! If you do have orthopaedic concerns, Orthopaedic Specialists (OS) in Davenport, Iowa, is the only orthopaedic group in the Quad City region, where all orthopaedic surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, which means they have the body of knowledge needed to provide patients with a better experience, and better results. With access to the latest advances in orthopaedic medicine, they use minimally invasive techniques to get patients back up and moving faster.Physical activity encourages orthopaedic health “Physical activity creates stronger bones and muscles,” says Dr. John Hoffman,a fellowship trained sports medicine specialist and total joint replacement surgeon at OS. “Even when an injury or chronic issue arises, we see people who engage in exercise are typically more likely to heal and get back on their feet faster.” Dr. Hoffman adds that it’s important to remember that physical activity has many other benefits beyond orthopaedic health. “Staying active is important on so many levels,” says Dr. Hoffman. “For example, exercise boosts serotonin levels that elevate mood and helps to relieve stress.” Boost recovery time with minimally invasive surgery Former OS patient Emily Podschweit was a freshman in high school when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. Despite the serious injury, Emily was back to training with hopes to someday make the USA National Beach Volleyball Team only six months after the surgery, when other doctors in town had predicted an 18 month recovery time. Her speedy recovery was due to her physical conditioning as well as Dr. Hoffman’s knowledge

O of minimally invasive surgery techniques that repaired the ACL. With his over 1,600 ACL reconstructions in his career, Dr. Hoffman is recognized as one of the leaders in sports related reconstruction surgeries in the Quad Cities. Minimally invasive repair of Emily’s ACL meant Dr. Hoffman used tiny incisions instead of one large opening. Because the incisions were small, Emily had a quicker recovery time and less discomfort than with conventional surgery - all with the same benefits. “After her ACL surgery was done using minimally invasive techniques, Emily was able to get back to playing the sport she loves, volleyball, much quicker than we predicted. She was very determined with a tenacious attitude to get back to the game. Another big part of her speedy recovery was her high level of fitness,” says Dr. Hoffman. The combination of physical activity and minimally invasive techniques has also helped older patients. “I’ve been doing total joint procedures for more than 10 years, and in the last decade, improvements in surgical techniques, anesthesia and joint technology means more patients return to their active lives much faster than before,” said Hoffman. “Minimally invasive techniques help everyone recover quicker, and those that are focused on physical activity and healthy before and after the surgery tend to see even faster results.”Physical activity improves orthopaedic health at every age No matter your age, physical activity improves orthopaedic health. For children and teens, exercise is especially important. Whether it is through participating in sports, doing chores or playing outside with friends, kids should ideally be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day. Adults with families often have busy schedules, so exercise can be hard to squeeze in. Physical activity will improve your mood and give you more energy throughout the day, aiding in getting activities and tasks done with more ease. Going on family walks or bike rides or going to the gym for a short work out can provide adequate amounts of exercise. As an older adult, moderate and low intensity aerobic activities for 30 minutes a day can help keep joints strong and active. Another benefit of physical activity is that it can help prevent falls and make daily tasks easier. Activities such as walking and biking are great ways to get in daily physical activity and keep your body moving for people of any age. It limits strain and pressure on your joints.Choose OS Minimally invasive procedures and new advancements in care available at OS get patients of all ages back to an active lifestyle more quickly. Even if you find yourself in need of an orthopaedic treatment and are currently not a physically active person, pledging to become physically active post-procedure will improve your odds for a faster recovery. “I tell patients there are two very important pieces when it comes to getting back to their lives after having a procedure or surgery at OS,” says Hoffman. “Having a physically active lifestyle, and trusting OS with their procedure.” To learn more about the procedures that the surgeons at Orthopaedic Specialists perform, call 563.344.9292 or visit their website at osquadcities.com.


Most nonsmokers realize the irritating effects of smoking on their eyes. Burning, stinging, watery and red eyes always seem to be prevalent in the presence of cigarette smoke. Beyond the irritation, smokers should be aware that smoking can cause or worsen many eye conditions, some of which can lead to permanent vision loss. At least 50 million people around the world lose vision as a result of cataracts. Cataracts are due to a clouding of the lens in the eye, blocking light from focusing on the retina. This leads to a gradual, painless loss of vision. Cataracts can be removed surgically and replaced with a clear intraocular lens implant restoring vision. While a cataract can and does occur as a result of the normal aging process, smoking increases the likelihood of its development. Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers are at least three times as likely to develop cataracts. In Grave’s disease, the thyroid gland becomes overactive, secreting too much thyroid hormone. Many parts of the body are affected, but eye complications can be quite serious. Excess hormone can cause protrusion of the eyes, double vision, eye muscle abnormalities and even permanent blindness in a few cases. When Grave’s patients smoke, they have an eightfold risk of developing eye complications, as compared with nonsmoking Graves’ sufferers. Macular degeneration involves the central retina in the back of the eye that allows people to see fine details clearly. When the central retina is damaged from degeneration, the central vision becomes blurred, dark and distorted. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 65. Smoking has been shown to worsen this condition. Smokers have a 2.5 to 3 times increased risk of developing macular degeneration and a higher risk of developing the more severe form, the wet type. Smoking may hasten the development or worsen diabetic retinopathy, a disease causing vessels that supply blood to the retina (a nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and sends messages to the brain) to be damaged by high blood sugars. In its most severe form,

blindness ensues. When the blood vessels are damaged, they may leak fluid or blood and grow scar tissue. Smoking also damages blood vessels, exacerbating this devastating disease. Smoking can damage the nerve of the eye. The optic nerve is the cable that connects the eye to the brain and allows our brain to interpret the visual images it receives from the eye. If it does not function properly, some or total vision is lost. Heavy smoking can lead to a special form of nerve damage in both eyes called tobacco amblyopia which can lead to significant irreversible visual loss. Glaucoma is a disease that also leads to optic nerve damage and causes permanent vision loss. It is most often related to a high intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. Smoking tobacco does not elevate IOP, but the nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. The British have shown that smoking slows the blood flow to the back part of the eye, where the optic nerve is located. Since blood circulation seems to be the second greatest risk factor for glaucoma, anything that impedes circulation is harmful. Finally, smoking can aggravate dry eye disease. People who do not produce enough tears to keep their eyes comfortably lubricated have a condition called dry eye. For these people, smoking is a significant irritant, worsening the symptoms of scratchiness, stinging or burning of the eyes, and excess tearing from irritation. So you see… smoking can have a significant impact on one’s eye health and vision. Virtually no part of the eye escapes the harmful effects of smoking. This is just another good reason to give it up. In the words of the notorious Nike slogan resolve to, “Just do it!”

Nikhil Wagle, M.D. Nikhil Wagle, M.D., with Eye Surgeons Associates, is board certified and a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He completed a fellowship in glaucoma. Dr. Wagle practices at our Bettendorf and Muscatine, Iowa, and Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois offices. For more information visit us online at www.esaeyecare.com.

Smoking and the EyesMore good Reasons to Make Quitting Your New Years Resolution!


Join us Thursday, February 21st & Friday, February 22nd

for our 2013 - 20th AnniversaryWLLR-FM Radiothon for

st. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

To donate, go to our website: www.wllr.com and click on the st Jude link!

WLLR raised over $100,000 in 2012!

Listen to WLLR for more details on the


Bowling can be a great activity to promote bonding time with your family. But as with any activity, you need to be physically prepared and watch out for injuries. In my 40 years of bowling I’ve experienced my fair share of injuries. One of the main issues has been elbow pain, called Lateral Epicondylitis, which is a type of tendonitis due to repetitive use trauma. Proper chiropractic care along with physiotherapy has allowed me to get rid of the pain and continue bowling. Another common condition for bowlers is knee pain, which I have experienced along with a number of my patients who bowl. This might include meniscus damage, tendon tears, swelling due to repeated abuse and ligament or muscle damage. With proper chiropractic care, cold laser treatments, use of ice, soft tissue work and bracing I have been able to help many people with this kind of pain. Low back pain is typically the most common problem for bowlers. I have found that many of my patients who bowl have an issue with the base of their spine, also called the sacrum. This often happens when a bowler ‘sticks’ at the line, causing all motion to be thrust into the slide leg. This increases the twisting that is put into that low back region. Bowler’s Thumb is a condition that is associated with deposits of fibrous tissue around the two nerves carrying sensation from the thumb. This occurs due to the repetitive pressure over the nerve. This condition is common among bowlers who bowl more than once a week. Symptoms include tingling and increased sensation in the tip of the thumb and the presence of a small and tender nodule on the thumb. The best way to treat this condition is to immobilize the thumb, rest from bowling and use ice. Another solution is to use a splint on the thumb and wrist while bowling. Chiropractic adjustments of the thumb will be very beneficial for this condition, as the chiropractor will make sure that the nerve is functioning at its most optimal by removing any nerve pressure. As for age-related conditions, it may come as a big surprise that the younger bowlers have more wrist problems than older bowlers typically do. Young bowlers often try to emulate the big power players who hook the ball a great deal. Doing this with the wrong technique may lead to wrist and shoulder problems, which chiropractic can alleviate. The older bowler seems to experience more knee and low back pain, most often due to degeneration

Scott Carpenter, D.C.,Faculty Clinician, Palmer Chiropractic Clinics

Chiropractic Care Can Keep You

Bowling Your Best

of the spine and meniscus in the knee. After 40 years, five state titles and other numerous wins, one could say that I love the game of bowling. I’ve experienced how fun it can be and truly enjoy the camaraderie that happens when you bowl on a league or with your family. Taking care of yourself so that you can continue to bowl and reduce or eliminate injury is so important. If you have any questions about how I became a champion or have issues specific to a bowler, consider how chiropractic care can help you and come to see me at the Palmer clinic.

Protect more. For less.

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The more you insure with Allstate, the less you pay. In fact, safe drivers who insure their home and car can save up to 33%. Add coverage for your motorcycle, boat or ATV and save even more. Call me first to see how much you can save.

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Who takes care of you?

Whether it’s bowling, golf or any other activity, chiropractic can help keep you in the game.

Featured Doctor: Scott Carpenter, D.C.

Experience you can trust.

Davenport Clinic(563) 884-5801

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• 40-year bowling history• Palmer techniques, Extremity

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Getting the most out of new technology

he holidays are a popular time to give and receive new personal technology – be it a new smartphone or tablet. For some, they pick it up and instantly

start personalizing, while others may need a bit of help to learn all the bells and whistles. At Verizon, we understand that sometimes technology can be intimidating. We want people to get most out of their devices so they can maximize their enjoyment and efficiency. If you or a family member has some new technology – be it a smartphone or a tablet - here are some tips to help get you started:· Use it – Don’t be afraid to explore different menus,

apps and settings. Find out what it can do, you may be surprised.

· Download both useful and fun apps – No matter which platform your device runs on, applications can help you maximize your experience. There is an app for almost everything, be it catching up on the news or simply having a little fun with a game. Many apps are free to download, so find what interests you most and go for it.

· Lock it up – With smartphones and tablets holding a

T

lot of personal information, it’s important to make sure the information doesn’t get into the wrong hands. Put a password on your device – this can be done with a pattern, number and even with facial recognition on some devices!

· Protect it – Personal technology is an investment and while you can do your best to treat it with care, accidents do happen. Cases are available in many materials and colors for smartphones and tablets to help prevent damage to your device.

For those who could use a little more hands-on help to learning more about how to use their device, Verizon offers free wireless workshops. The sessions, which are held at local Verizon Wireless stores and are led by Verizon’s specially trained data experts, offer personalized, hands-on training to attendees. Workshops are most often platform based, with some geared toward starters and others to more advance users. They cover a wide variety of topics, including information on setting up email, navigating apps, customizing features and troubleshooting. In some areas, bilingual workshops are also available. To register for a workshop or to get more information, visit verizonwireless.com/workshops. And you can always stop in at any Verizon Wireless store with questions anytime, we’re happy to help!

By Lori Hillebrand Northpark Mall Verizon Wireless Store Manager


Bettendorf Grand Opening Offer: Five Year Balloon Mortgage as low as 2%APR**

By Kelly Hendershot, Marketing Communications Officer, DHCU Community Credit Union

DHCU Community Credit Union joined the Bettendorf Community on December 12, 2012 with the opening of its newest branch located at the corner of Middle and Belmont Roads. The full-service branch offers complete banking services including drive-up and lobby service windows, mortgages, consumer loans, full-service ATM, and a self-service Change Exchange machine. It also opens with a special Grand Opening Offer: Five year balloon mortgage with rates as low as 2% APR!** Build a better Mortgage for your home. Apply* for a DHCU home mortgage loan at DHCU’s newest Bettendorf Branch (3230 Ridge Pointe, Bettendorf):• No closing costs.• Local servicing (we’re one of the few financials that can say that)

and you’ll build a better home for your money. In fact, when you relocate your Mortgage to DHCU by January 31, 2013, you’ll get rates as low as 2% APR** on a 5 year Balloon Mortgage. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home or refinance your existing mortgage loan, you’ll find DHCU has built you a low cost way to save money. * Offer good when application is made, in person, at DHCU’s Bettendorf Branch, 3230 Ridge Pointe Road, by January 31, 2013, when Mortgage loan is approved, funded and closed by March 16, 2013.

** All rates and terms subject to change without notice. All loans are issued subject to credit approval. Normal Lending guidelines apply. 80% LTV, “Annualized Percentage Rate” (APR) includes interest, certain fees and points as applicable according to federal law. APR may vary with credit score and loan to value ratio. Floor rate for this product is 2.00%. Maximum rate is 18%. How to Become Mortgageable For anyone who’s dreamed of owning a home, the words “your loan is denied” can be a blow. It’s easy to give up, especially if you already have some debt and live on a modest income, but patience and hard work can make home ownership a reality. The best strategy is to meet with a DHCU Community Credit Union mortgage loan officer and learn about the home loan process before you start looking for a house. Lenders size up loan applicants on whether or not they are good credit risks. In other words, will an applicant fulfill a debt obligation or fall behind on payments and eventually default? Factors that can derail a mortgage application include a debt-to-income ratio above 35%, less than two years of employment history, nonpayment of bills, and application to purchase property that’s depreciating in value. These “Three C’s” are the traditional acid test for creditworthiness:Capacity. Do you have the income to repay the debt? Lenders review employment history, gross monthly income, housing expenses, and outstanding debt.Character. How much debt do you already owe, do you pay your bills on time, and are you able to live within your means? Lenders also want proof of stability--how long you’ve lived at the same address and held your present job.Collateral. Is the property structurally sound or a sagging shack that’ll undermine your ability to repay the mortgage? A licensed appraiser helps make this determination. Most lenders use credit scoring, an objective model that predicts credit risk. In essence, scoring uses credit report data to evaluate your credit history based on experience with other borrowers. Computerized credit scoring speeds up the loan underwriting process and eliminates human bias. But it doesn’t have the human ability to detect personal issues that can affect someone’s credit history. That’s why we at DHCU sometimes consider other factors in the case of low-scoring applications. We also may find situations that override a poor score. The credit union wants to find reasons to say yes, not to say no. So call 309-796-7500 in the Quad Cities, 563-244-6506 in Clinton, 800-323-5109 toll-free, email [email protected] or visit any DHCU location and start learning how you can become a homeowner.*More flights added for Spring 2013! Visit qcairport.com for details.

For schedules visit allegiant.com, or call your travel agent or the airline.

Dozens of nonstop flights daily, including Allegiant to Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa*,

St. Petersburg-Clearwater*, and Orlando-Sanford!


Your family’s biggest New Year’s Resolutiont’s a new year which means a new opportunity to set goals and resolutions and move forward with any big plans in your life.

If you’re like many people you may have exercise more, lose weight or spend more time with your family on your New Year’s “To Do” list. Unfortunately, many people forget to add “planning their estate” to that important list of activities. Over half of all Americans have not completed any estate plan at all and for those that have written a will, many have out-dated or incomplete documents. For families with children, completing an estate plan becomes vitally important. The following documents help provide you – and your family - with safeguards to ensure your wishes are carried out in the event of your death or disability:• An updated will or trust, that, at the least, names

guardians for your children. This action allows you to select who you would like to raise your children,

Inot a judge who does not know your children, family or friends.

• A property power of attorney, naming a trusted friend or adviser to serve as your agent to manage financial affairs in case of disability or death.

• A health care power of attorney, again, naming a trusted friend or adviser to serve as your agent to make medical decisions in case of disability or incapacity.

• A “HIPAA” authorization form, allowing the release of medical information to a designated agent in case of disability.

With these documents in place, you will be able to cross the biggest item off your family’s “To Do” list and enjoy the rest of the year, knowing that your family is protected, regardless of what the rest of the year may bring. Nash Nash Bean & Ford are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. To receive a copy of our most recent newsletter “Your Estate Matters” or for a free consultation on Estate or Long Term Care Planning, call 309-762-9368 or 800-644-5345 or email at [email protected] or visit our website at www.nashbeanford.com. The firm devotes its practice primarily in the areas of estate, business and taxplanning and related areas of the law, as well as elder law and trust administration and probate. We offer guidance and advice to our clients in every area of estate planning. This column is designed for general information purposes only, and is not intended, norshouldbeconstruedorreliedupon,aslegaladvice.Pleaseconsultyourattorneyifspecificlegal information is desired.

By Curtis Ford Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP

Don’t Bet The Farm:Estate & Succession Planning for Farm Families

For us, planning our estateis about love, not death.

Your Family’s Future Depends on the Decisions You Make Today.Attend this important seminar and learn:

GALESBURG

Tuesday, July 106:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Best Western Prairie Inn300 S. Soangetaha Road

COLONA

Thursday, July 126:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Lavender Crest Winery5409 US Highway 6

Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP • Attorneys and Counselors at LawJohn Deere Rd. at 5030 38th Ave. Ste. 2 • Moline, IL 61265 445 U.S. Hwy 6 East • P. O. Box 63 • Geneseo, IL 61254The Attorneys at Nash Nash Bean & Ford, LLP speak to area residents about living trusts and estate planning. They have helped hundreds of Illinois families plan their estates.

Seating is Limited, So Call 309-944-2188, (309) 762-9368 or 1-800-644-5345 Now!24-Hour Seminar Reservation Line or Reserve Online at www.nashbeanford .com

Attend one of these seminars and you’ll receive, a FREE, one-hour, private estate planning consultationto answer any questions you have about protecting your Estate and IRA.

REGISTER NOW: (309) 944-2188, (309) 762-9368 OR 1-800-644-5345Register online: www.nashbeanford.com

� How you can protect your family from havingto sell the farm to pay estate taxes.

� How to avoid a family feud over division ofthe farm.

� How to reduce possible delays in operationsdue to probate.

� How to transition the farm operations in atimely manner.

� The advantages and disadvantages oftrusts and wills.

� How to plan your estate to minimizefederal estate taxes.

� How to protect the farm and yourestate and provide for yourself and yourfamily if you become incapacitated.

� What a Power of Attorney will andwill not do for you.

Call 1-800-644-5345 or visit our website, www.nashbeanford.com

for our upcoming seminars


• We offer skilled rehab 6 days a week. That means you can get well and go home.

• Our elegant dining area comes complete with china,

crystal, linen table cloths and family-style dining.

• You never know when you might need specia l care. That’s why we work closely with all area hospitals and accept admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• We are conveniently located on Crow Creek in Bettendorf.

•We offer tours of our facility 7 days a week!

• Activities for all ages and abilities, a variety of religious services, and a caring and competent staff.

When you can’t go home, we’re the next best thing!

Bettendorf Health Care Center A Place To Call Home

2730 Crow Creek Rd • Bettendorf, IA • (563) 332-7463


Bettendorf Health Care Center

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013By Roger Brannan Administrator, Bettendorf Health Care Center It’s a New Year and a time when many of us make New Year’s resolutions to do something we haven’t been able to do in the past. January in the Midwest marks a time of the deep freeze with snow, ice, winter winds and bitter cold weather. Thus, many of us, like bears, hibernate indoors for the winter. As a result many people suffer from the winter blues or mild to severe depression. We can take a proactive approach to avoid this by staying active. Daily exercise either at home or at a health club is very helpful to the mind, body, and spirit. You allow yourself to be around others, socialize, and get your body in shape. It is a proven fact that by exercising it releases chemicals in the brain to help combat depression. Another approach is to keep in touch

with friends not only by phone but to invite them over for coffee or visit them. Interacting with close friends helps you share and discuss issues or problems that you may be facing. The thoughtful advices of others or listening to what your friends are facing truly helps make your own problems feel insignificant and makes you feel better by helping others. The local and national news describes many people across the U.S. who are facing very difficult economic times with unemployment, foreclosure on their homes, uninsured illnesses, and personal tragedies. Although these stories are difficult to hear, they make many of us so thankful for what we have ourselves. Our 2013 New Year’s resolution should be one in which we all step up to the plate and help others that are less fortunate and need help. It will warm your heart, give purpose to your life and “pay it forward” to those that are struggling to survive.

Just Like A Trusted Friend . . .

We’ll Be Here When You Need Us

Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road | Davenport, Iowa 52807 | 563.355.4433 | m.weertsfh.com from web-enabled cell phones

www.WeertsFH.com


By David W. Deuth, President of Weerts Funeral Home While I’ve heard from many of you since I began writing monthly articles eight or so years ago, there has been no greater reader response than when I shared about the death of our good friend “PT”. The phone calls, emails and even sympathy cards from people I’ve never met provided thoughts of support and encouragement that were so meaningful and deeply appreciated. PT (short for “Puddy Tat”) was our tabby cat. And he was my good buddy. We adopted him not too long after we moved to the Quad Cities – and we quickly learned the uncanny certainty in that old saying: “dogs have owners; cats have staff”. PT, we decided, let US live with HIM in OUR house… Those of you who recall the story (more than five years ago now) will remember that I brought PT back to the funeral home when he died; we had a little family visitation so we could say our final good-byes. The next day, on a picture-perfect September afternoon, I buried PT in the PetLand section at Oakdale Memorial Gardens in Davenport. Just last week I paid him a visit there, amazed that five years have since passed. I still miss him… The bond between people and their pets is really quite extraordinary. We learned this all over again recently when we had Linda’s brother’s dog (a wonderful little Shih Tzu) at our house for several months while her brother and his family relocated back to the U.S. after a four-year Navy stint in Japan. After having “Lilo” with us for nearly four months, we found that we were quite challenged to say good-bye when the time came to reconnect her with her own family again! Saying goodbye as we returned Lilo back to her own family was hard enough; saying goodbye when a pet has died is positively heart-wrenching. Having helped families as a funeral director for well over 20 years now, I can assure you that I have shared many

a tear-filled conversation with people about the loss of their pets – and the unconditional love and joy that those pets brought to their lives. This tremendous bond between people and their pets – and the challenges we all face when our pets die – has compelled me to

establish a new pet cremation service in Bettendorf. Offering in-home visits to pick up a pet that has died as well as a cooperative arrangement with many area Veterinarians, Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals, we intend to provide a new standard of care and respect for pets when they must leave us. After all, pets are part of the family, too. Our new facility incorporates a peaceful place to spend a few minutes for a meaningful good-bye, and our respectful procedures and protocols underscore my intent to provide every measure of care and compassion to these special members of the family – just like we’ve done for over a hundred years through the funeral home. Pets ARE a part of the family – and we’ll be here when you need us to take good care of them, too. Remember Well.

David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a funeral director and the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport. He has recently established RiverBend Cremation Service and Quad Cities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be reached at 563.424.7055 or by email at [email protected]. For more information, you can visit www.QCPetCremation.com

Pets Are Family TOo

For more information, you can visit www.QCPetCremation.com

Sports Performance Videos- Let us document your athlete’s abilities in a professionally-produced DVD. Great for College scholarship applications. Sports Highlight Reels- Our experts can turn your team’s games into a slick highlight DVD that the players and their families will enjoy for years to come. Marketing Videos- A great way for non-profits or privately-owned businesses to spotlight what you have to offer. We’ll help develop the script, do the interviews and capture compelling video that shows what you bring to our community. Legacy Videos- The perfect way to document a loved one’s life. We’ll interview your family member, use family photos and video to create a mini-documentary that will be passed down for generations to come.

Mickle CommunicationsCompelling Video, Professionally Produced. Call 563-940-7875

or email [email protected]. Stop by our new office located inside

the River’s Edge! Across from Modern Woodmen Park 700 West River Drive in Davenport.

Call 563.322.7419 today for more information.

PARENT PALS {coming soon}

What if all parents had a dream sidekick?A professional. A pal. A go-to-person tosupport them in raising a healthy, happy child.

Parent Pals is coming soon to Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Counties! Based on nationally accredited programs, Parent Pals matches you with a family support worker who can visit you at home to provide child development information, parenting strategies, community resources and more.

Your Parent Pal is someone you can rely on when you are stressed, have parenting questions or need to talk to someone you trust.

• Free and voluntary support• For all parents, whether you are single,

married or unmarried• Eligibility based on child’s age and assessment

Documents

Quad City Family Focus January 2012