Family First Magazine - January 2012

January/February 2012

Future Buzz Featuring Local Student Writers!

What is Education?

Knowing Your Options Is Key

When It Comes To Saving For College

New Year, New Wardrobe!

Parenting • Health • Community • Education • Fashion

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January/February 2012 26

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Community

Parenting

Education

4 8 10 12

Fresno & Art Become One The Common Denominator Working Out The Knots Community Helping Community 14 Snap Shots

20 Knowing Your Options Is Key 23 The Good And Bad Of Video Games 26 Confessions Of A Pregnant Fresnan

36 What is Education?

48 Above The Grade/Teacher Spotlight 40 Magic And Wonder/Baird

Middle School Spotlight 44 Notes Bulletin Board

Future Buzz

Health

Fashion

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28 Vaccinations: Why Some Parents Say NO 31 Eating Heart Healthy 32 Strength Training Myth Busters 33 A Look At Depression During Pregnancy

45 Childrens’ Winter Trends 47 New Year, New Wardrobe

The Beautiful Wise Owl I Am Happy, I Am Content The College Delusion The Dove That Cared

Cover Model

Photo by Bryana Bettencourt

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To subscribe to 2

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5-year-old Preston Witt is our cover model for the January/ February issue! For a chance to have your child or family featured on the cover please send your submissions to info@familyfirstmagazine.com

log on to familyfirstmagazine.com

Future Buzz Contributors

Contributing Writers David Rallis Tamar Mekredijian Beth Warmerdam Chris Aguire Joel Pflugrath Jim Blanks Natalie Carcavallo Lacey Brack John Smith Dominique Rose James

Copy Editors Silva Emerian Beth Warmerdam

Graphic Designer David Carrasco

Photographers Bob Marcotte Chance James Mark Servadio Bryana Bettencourt David Atilano

Publisher

Bianca Santana Thani Brant Matthew Maler Katie Wyncoop Special Thanks Jenny Tostte John Russel Erik Traeger Cynthia Bruno Gaga Chic Computer Guys Future Buzz Submissions If you have a child that would like to have their written work featured please email submissions to info@familyfirstmagazine. com Advertising If you’re interested in advertising with us, please contact info@familyfirstmagazine.com Contact Central California’s Family First Magazine P.O. Box 3147 Pindale, CA 93650 www.familyfirstmagazine.com (559) 213-0632

Stephanie A. Avila

Central California’s Family First Magazine reserves the right to edit submissions which may be published or otherwise used in any medium.

All submissions become the property of Central California’s Family First Magazine unless other arrangements have been documented.

The opinions expressed by contributors and writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Central California’s Family First Magazine.

Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Neither the advertisers nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. herein contained. Copyright 2011 by Central California’s Family First Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any part of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. If you would like more information on how to obtain a copy of Central California’s Family First Magazine, please visit our website at www.familyfirstmagazine.com.

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Fresno & Art Become One

By Tamar Mekredijian

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When tourists come to California, they shoot right for the big cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. They want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, take a picture with Mickey Mouse, walk around, barely clothed, on sunny, crowded beaches, and most of all, drive around Hollywood until they encounter and hope to become best friends with their favorite celebrities. Fresno is usually the last destination on their minds, or better said, not on their minds to visit at all.

Most people believe that all Fresno has to offer are raisins and the farms that spew the perpetual stink of cattle and produce. The truth is that to most, it’s not a must-see city.

Their perception of talent in the humble, organic and grass-fed farmer society of Fresno? Nonexistent. However, they’re wrong.

On August 31, there was something different about downtown Fresno’s usual hustle and bustle. Cars slowed down and caused traffic on O street where people voluntarily sat in their cars, bumper to bumper, as they watched artists gather around the

Historic Fresno Water Tower. Artists set up their easels, paint, pencils, and brushes under the very few shady areas and worked on their pieces. It was clear to the public that something was brewing. Something was rekindling. Local artists gathered to show their work in action – in preparation, anticipation and commemoration of the grand reopening of the Fresno Water Tower.

In 1891, Chicago architect George Washington designed the Fresno Water Tower, completing it in 1894. It was inspired by a water tower in Worms, Germany. Its water storage tank was able to hold 250,000 gallons of water but it was drained and shut down in 1963 when a leak was discovered. In 1971, it was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and opened in 2001 as a visitor center (www. fresno.gov). On September 1, 2011, the Fresno Water Tower celebrated its grand reopening, having been shut down due to the effects of the suffering American economy.

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The reopening was sponsored by Art Hop, who raised $12,000 to be able to keep the Tower open for a year.

On September 1, 2011, the Fresno art community came alive again.

At a press conference on August 31, Mayor Ashley Swearengin expressed her excitement and hopes that the reopening of the Tower will bring art back to life in the Fresno community. In a matter of a couple of hours, blank canvases came to life with paintings that were inspired by the reopening of the Tower.

Cathy Caples, the founder of Art Hop and the one responsible for the reopening, believes that giving local artists the opportunity to showcase their work in the Tower will give locals and tourists an opportunity and avenue to truly understand what Fresno is all about. Local artist Toni Magyar expressed her excitement about the gathering of artists. She conveyed her purpose for inviting them: to be doing their work out in the open so that the community sees them, and keeps the city’s money for local artists.

Instead of Reopening the Tower just as a Welcome Center, it will now showcase work by local artists. The purpose and goal of the Art Gallery inside the Tower is to encourage the community to discover local artists and to showcase their talent, she said. Although the artists aren’t necessarily drawing or painting pictures of the tower, the point is that they are visible to the public, and will encourage support, Magyar said with confidence.

Artists such as Ma Ly, Marilyn Torchin, and Pat Hunter all worked on their drawings and paintings eagerly, hoping to attract attention to their work and to the reopening of the Fresno Water Tower, believing that this event will attract much needed attention to their community of artists.

The next day, on September 1, many locals came to the Tower to celebrate the grand reopening with food, drinks and music, everyone eager to see the inside of the Tower for the first time in a very long time. Artists, couples and families approached the entrance with contagious anticipation, thrilled to be able to see this Tower from the inside. Walking into the Tower is like entering a world where Fresno and art has become one, the Visitor Center and Art Gallery intertwining and presenting a very warm welcome to tourists. The walls are covered with art from local artists such as Ma Ly, Frank Insing, Don Williams, Lynn Golden, Denise McGill,

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Sandi Ollenberger, Delores Robinson, Linda Lloyd Pitts and many more. The art pieces are for sale.

There is a guest book and numerous brochures and pamphlets advertising local restaurants and art exhibits. At the reopening, there were replicas of the Tower on one side of the round room, in different art forms such as paint, collage, jewelry, bottle openers, etc. with a box in which visitors could drop their votes for the best replica. This is a first step for the Fresno community to open their eyes to and get involved with the talent that is spilling out all around them, and that is a representation of them.

This reopening of the Tower, which is now a lunch break shopping stop for those who work downtown, and an opportunity for local artists to display their work, is a first step for visitors and the Fresno community to appreciate and be educated by the arts. Art is a form of self-expression and should be approached with openness. Parents should expose their children to the arts so that they may be educated and inspired to also express themselves. The encouragement of creative output is important for a child’s academic growth. By expressing ourselves, we are better able to understand and become one

with the world around us. Every child should have the privilege and opportunity to understand what art is and express themselves through it, and art is our community’s way of expressing who we are.

Now, Fresno will welcome its visitors with the very thing that keeps its community alive and active: art. When tourists come to the Visitor Center, they will not only be greeted by brochures about local attractions and must-sees, but by the very heart of Fresno. The Fresno Water Tower can now be viewed from a new angle – the inside. With this new angle, there is a renewed hope that the Fresno community will now approach art with a new attitude, supporting and appreciating our local artists and their work, and welcoming art back into our community so that visitors will have a better understanding of what Fresno is all about. www.fresnoarthop.org

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The Common Denominator

By Tamar Mekredijian

For jazz musician Mike Dana, music is not

just work or a hobby. It’s an overwhelming passion that is reflected in every aspect of his life. He began listening to and playing music at a young age. “It seemed magical to me,” he said. As he got older, he began “fooling around” with piano

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and guitar. “It just sort of clicked for me. ”When he decided to study music in college, he had a feeling that his family would think it wasn’t the best career move. His mother originally wanted him to be a doctor. However, when Dana told her that he wanted to study music instead, she was very sup

portive. “Some things you can’t be talked out of,” he said. Ironically, he is currently working on his dissertation, so he will indeed become a doctor.

Just not a “where does it hurt kind of doctor,” he said, smiling.

When asked why he chose Jazz, Dana simply said, “I think it chose me.” He took guitar lessons, and during one of the lessons, the instructors were playing a Jazz record. He asked to borrow the album.

“I couldn’t get it out of my head.” He began to play along with the record, and the next week, his instructor gave him twelve albums to take home. ”In Junior High School, you were supposed to play whatever the tunes on the radio [were], and I mean I could do that, but I didn’t love it. I just did it to not be a dork.” He couldn’t stay away from it. He was drawn to jazz, and it stayed with him.

Dana embraced teaching when music gigs slowed down. In the 70’s, Dana was a freelance musician.

He taught music lessons, wrote music for television commercials, and played in clubs. When disco came along, clubs would rather play records than hire bands, in order to save money, so Dana went back to school to get his teaching credentials. He began his teaching career at local high schools, and when an opening to teach Jazz at Fresno City College came around, he jumped at the opportunity. He has now been there for 22 years. He is currently the Director of Jazz Studies.

“My favorite place to be is in front of my students,” he said with a smile.

the next best thing to having kids,” Dana says. Although Max is just two years old, Dana describes him as being very “musical,” and plans on being very involved with him, “buying him his first guitar and all that good stuff.” However, he has no intention of forcing him into the music business.

“I think kids value what they see their parents value.” He just wants to give him the option.

His advice for aspiring artists in the Central Valley is for them to keep in mind that they will have to be business savvy and walk the talk. Musicians have to realize that they can’t put all of their time and energy just on practice and composition.

They must educate themselves about “marketing, copywriting, [and] about protecting their music.” Dana also emphasized that most artists love to talk about their art, but don’t spend enough time practicing or creating it. “It’s okay to carry a guitar case around to impress girls, I mean, we’ve all done it,” Dana says, “but your actions don’t support what you’re saying.” He believes that what makes an artist an artist is passion going hand in hand with hard work, which is reflected in his daily life.

“I think kids value what they see their parents value.”-Mike Dana

Music is the common den o m i n a t o r o f D a n a’ s personal and family life. He is both supported by and supports his wife, Julie, who is the Choral Director at Fresno City College. “I think it’s kind of rare to have a couple where they both do the same thing and they work together and they don’t want to kill each other at the end of the day.”

Because they both have a passion for music, they are able to understand each other’s ups and downs and “console” one another when things get stressful. They were married nine years ago, and because it was later in life, they don’t have any children of their own. However, they have taken a great interest in their great nephew, Max. “He’s

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Working Out The Knots

By Jenny Toste

“Ahhhh!” I exhaled deeply as I stepped out of the dark room, squinting at the bright light. I glanced around and wondered if anyone could see me teetering as the fresh stream of oxygen rushed to my head and tingled my toes. Self-consciously, I straightened my shirt and tried to look normal, but the messed-up hair and smudged mascara were dead giveaways of my just-completed massage.

I say “massage,” but don’t be deceived – this is no spa day with soothing oils and sweet-smelling salts. We’re talking chiropractic, deep tissue, noknot-is-safe “assault style” massage, where my masseuse’s hands become heat-seeking missiles for lactic acid. Where a full hour is needed to

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“work up” to the big ones. And where each satisfying crunch is celebrated by my masseuse and me.

Hannah loves breaking up knots as much as I do, and also shares my love of (trying to!) live a balanced, healthy life – and dismay at how hard it can be. We swap stories about the positive things we’re doing – my Saturday morning whole grain baking sessions with my son; her weekend making beans; how I resisted eating everything set before me at the Big Fresno Fair.

But as I lie on the table, I’m also flooded with thoughts of all the things I have to do that day – editing my “Golf Tips” story, booking an interview

on local wine, posting a blog about pumpkins at Simonian. And that’s just at work.

It’s funny how you can become so wrapped up in life that you forget to focus on what’s important. I’m so busy chasing after my son, making a healthy dinner, keeping the house straight, and pleasing my bosses, that I forget to make time for myself and my husband (notice how he was glaringly left off that list).

When I was younger, there were so many interests – from crafts and band, to swim team and tennis. The saddest part of growing older was narrowing those down. Now as I turn 30, I know which are most important, and still can’t fit them in.

Why don’t I play golf on Sundays with my husband? Why aren’t I going to the mountains more? Why aren’t my Friday nights devoted to pizza and Friday the 13ths?

do wrong – the weight of my handbag, the tension when I drive, the hunching when I type… things I would have ignored before. This one small change has led to living more consciously.

So as I move into this next decade of life, I hope that by sticking to the small things – like Fridays at home and weekends with my husband – I’ll feel the pain when those things are missed, and be sharply reminded that things are out of whack, rather than waking up ten years later and thinking, “So this is life?”

I’ve finally learned (thanks to my hubby) that I have to make small changes so I don’t burn out. That means the checklists are gone, and the little things are in – like dropping and doing 20 whenever I think of it, and skipping that last bite of PB&J (although low sugar and all natural!) left on my son’s plate.

As Hannah cracks another knot, I think, “Man, if this is what’s happening to my muscles, what’s stress doing to the rest of my organs? What if I’d been ‘too busy’ for this, too, and had let these knots build up even more? What else is building in my life that I’m discounting?”

I remember watching a Father Dowling Mystery when I was younger, where a guy in a wheelchair gets poked by a stick and doesn’t know he’s bleeding to death. I’ll never forget thinking that as much as we hate physical pain, it’s actually a precious lifesaving device.

Jenny Toste is the Morning Weather Anchor for CBS47 On Your Side. When she’s not super busy, she enjoys going to the mountains, watching scary ‘80s movies, and playing golf with her husband. They have a 3-year-old son and a rescue dog, Buster. Jenny just finished her Masters in English Literature at Fresno State and hopes to one day write a book.

You can read more of Jenny’s stories and about her favorite places and upcoming events on her blog at www.CBS47.tv

So as I do “yoga breaths” to get through the pain of breaking down the knots, I’m grateful for the reminder to take care of myself – and the warning of more excruciating agony dare I skip this, too.

I’m always amazed at how getting everything aligned makes me notice so sharply the things I

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Community Helping Community

By J. David

A young man named “Austin” was raised by a single mom, a lady who had her own set of problems. She developed a lifestyle that found her moving from one man to the next, resulting in a collection of men who abused her but helped “pay the bills.” In time, there would be an unusually harsh fight and Austin would move out with his mother, destined to meet his next “father.” Austin never knew his biological dad and was never connected to any of the men his mother lived with.

Near his 13th birthday, he met folks who had come into his neighborhood, members of a church group. The young youth pastor was well received by the kids in the community and, in time, Austin became a fan. On the verge of joining a local gang, the youth pastor came along at just the right time. Rather than turning left, Austin made a hard right turn, and we do mean right. His

life became one of purpose and belonging. But before a year had passed, Austin was abused by this pastor and his world changed overnight. Suddenly, and again, there was no one there for him.

Within weeks of this abuse, his mother left her fifth “husband,” moving out of the house, leaving both the “husband” and Austin behind, never to be heard from again. He was now living with a man he did not know while he dealt with the ugliness of the abuse and the reality that his mother no longer cared for him.

He went to the streets, joined a gang, and bought a gun. Within six months, he had been arrested for a drive by shooting, killing one man and wounding six others, here in Fresno. He was 14 years old, at the time. He is currently in prison and his life is a mess.

None of us can read this story and come away feeling that Austin is solely at fault for his sad circumstance. He was a child, not capable of responding to the tragedy that was his early life. Our concern is not with the fact that at age 14, he was tried and convicted as an adult. Do we excuse him for his “adult” decisions and let him walk the streets?

Of course not, but we must never allow ourselves, as a community, to excuse his very existence and pretend that he no longer matters. We must never fail to see that Austin is, in a sense, a representative “child at risk.” At differing levels, Austin’s story is that of hundreds of young people, all living right here in Fresno.

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Model Harpreet can be reached at his email: love_preet71@yahoo.com

Hillary Clinton once wrote something with which most can agree, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

While we might argue about how this fact should be applied, it remains true that we, as the larger community, have a responsibility to those who live within the community, especially those who a) cannot care for themselves, and b) are members of the “parentless youth” running wild on our streets.

A more definitive description includes these thoughts: VORP offers legal solutions to first time offenders, solutions that bring “victims” and first time offenders together in such a way as to create a path away from youth crime and into responsible activity.

The young offender has the opportunity of seeing – up close and personal – the result of his/her crime.

In bringing offenders and victims together, the misguided and guilty youth meets with and listens to victims as they detail the effects of the crime and the distress it caused. The victim, on the other hand, hears a heartfelt apology and the youth’s plan to restore or provide restitution.

More than 80% of first time offenders coming into this program never “recommit” again. They stay out of the “system.” They remain crime-free.

This program is always looking for volunteers and offers a very savvy training program, equipping Since 1982, the Victim Offender Reconciliation those who complete the training with effective reProgram (VORP) has been bringing victims and storative strategies. If you can read this article, you offenders together in safe mediation or fam- probably qualify for training. There are several ily group conference settings to permit the of- paths to qualification as a mediator, but $40 offender to take responsibility for his or her ac- fers the least expensive pathway. Call (559) 455tions, to make things as right as possible with the 9803 for more information on mediator training. victim, and to be clear about future intentions.

From time to time Family First will examine this issue with a view to offering dynamic and citizen-centered solutions. Fortunately the Fresno community offers a number of such meaningful opportunities.

Over the years, community leaders have organized efforts that range from work experience and guidance programs to in-prison counseling procedures.

Somewhere between the two organized efforts lies a program known to our community as VORP.

.

Think about it. Austin could be someone you know and he needs your help right now.

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Snapshots

Old Country Fence Photo by:Kristine Morgan

Yosemite by David Atilano

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Woodward Park by John Biek

Dragonfly by Kristine Morgan

Playtime by Bryana Bettencourt

Downtown Fresno byMark Servadio

A Spring Storm off 168 by Kristine Morgan

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Beautiful Wise Owl

By Bianca Santana

4th Grade, Bullard Talent Once upon a time there was a beautiful wise owl. Her name was Aurora. Aurora was the queen of her tree. She cared for her four owlettes. Their names were Randa, Mia, Bianca and Vivi. Aurora would get compliments about how beautiful and well behaved her owlettes were. The owlettes adored Aurora.

Over time the wise owl got very ill; her owlettes never left her side. On the last night of her owl life she called her owlettes to her bedside. She said, “You guys are my everything. Do not cry when I am gone. Smile because we were able to love each other. I pray you will do great things and grow into beautiful owls. I love you my darlings. Good night.�

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I Am Happy, I Am Content

By Thani Brant

7th Grade, Carden School of Fresno I am happy. A bright smile spread across my face.

My eyes lit up with glee. I am happy.

Though many a disconcerting thing may happen, My mind pushes them away. I am happy.

I am content. My eyes shut gently and pictures fill my mind.

I don’t have to speak. My small smile speaks for me. I am content.

Though many an argument may take place, My eyes don’t see it. I don’t hear it. I am content.

Happiness … my friends greet me with waves and smiles.

The sun shines and I am filled with bliss.

My sister runs to me and falls next to me.

We roll on the floor, laughing, oblivious to everything else.

Contentment … my mother rocks me, singing softly …

I close my eyes and take in the moment.

The quiet calms me. I look up with wide eyes.

I receive a gentle smile in return.

I am happy, I am content …

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The College Delusion

By Matthew Maler

Junior, Clovis West High School

As a student in America, I have an outstanding view of what our schools teach, not in the manner of academics but in the choices that students should or shouldn’t make. One of the most common things I have heard is that students should go to college, and by going to college they in turn receive a beneficial career which pays money. I am a firm believer in college and plan fervently to receive an education from an esteemed university in order to pursue a vocation in my life. However, there is a strong difference. On one end of the spectrum there is the student who upholds, consciously or unconsciously, the idea that college then leads to money which then subconsciously creates a sense of happiness and comfort; on the other end is the student who upholds the idea that college is a place to learn and expand one’s mind, not so that they can make money but so that they can find and pursue a path which they love.

What is being debated here is not the means to an end; college in itself is a wonderful thing, but the student only makes it wonderful and beneficial by the stance and approach he takes. Society teaches that money and therefore material possessions are the key to comfort and happiness – two ideas that are at the center of society. Yet this is a very harmful and vicious statement. Money in itself as a physical item does not bring happiness; it is the act of spending it and buying things which equates to happiness and comfort in society’s mind. Students often make this error and long for this happiness that they mistakenly equate with money, and so forget that to earn this money they must work for it. They fall into this illusion that no matter the hardship, the profits at the end will make it worth the while and so, as I have seen with many of my older peers as they journey off into college, they choose a career path for the money and end up unhappy and discontent.

Schools teach that college leads to money and therein lies happiness but in truth, they are simply pulling the veil over students’ eyes.

They forget to say that in college lies the opportunity to discover a passion which makes money irrelevant; they forget to add in the fact that a career is something that spans a lifetime. In the end they leave students unprepared, with a false sense of confidence as they dive into this new world, where they have to pay their bills and do their own laundry. Parents, do not allow your children to think that money is happiness and that the best careers are the highest paying ones. A liberal arts major and a major in medical science are only as valuable as the passion the student places into them.

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The Dove Who Cared

By Katie Wyncoop

1st Grade, St. Anthony’s Once upon a time there was a magic white dove that could bring dead things back to life.

One day the dove was flying over a field and she saw a dead flower. The dove flew down to the flower and sang her magic song, “Flower, Flower come to life.” The flower came back to life and became beautiful.

Another day, the dove saw a rainbow that had lost its colors. The dove also had the magic power to put the color back into things. She decided to help the rainbow get its color back. To work her magic the dove had to find a color and sing her magic song, then the color would get on the dove and the dove would take the color where she needed.

The dove went to look for colors for the rainbow. First, she looked for a red berry, but couldn’t find one. She saw a red rose and thought maybe that would work. The dove sat on the rose and sang her song, “Color, Color come to me” and the red went on to the dove’s left wing.

The dove then looked for orange. She looked up and remembered the sun had some orange in it so she sang to the sun, “Color, Color come to me.” Both the orange and the yellow from the sun flew onto the dove’s right wing.

The dove next looked for green. She looked down and saw a very, very green plant. The dove landed and sang, “Color, Color come to me” to the plant. Green went onto her left wing.

Finally the dove saw a blue flower. The dove sang, “Color, Color come to me” and the blue went onto her right wing.

The dove then flew back to the rainbow to give it the colors from her wings. When she reached the rainbow, the dove stopped and flapped its wings. The colors flew from her wings onto the rainbow.

Once the rainbow had its colors back everyone was happy again and lived happily ever after.

THE END

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Knowing Your Options is Key

When it Comes to Saving for College

By Beth Warmerdam

As higher education gets more and more expensive, many parents find themselves worrying about whether they will be able to afford to send their children to college. While parents want the best possible education for their kids, the realization of how much it actually costs to make this a reality can be an overwhelming thought.

Currently, the average annual cost for a four-year private college is $28,500, and $8,244 for public college, according to the College Board. However, this doesn’t take into account additional costs such as room and board, books and supplies, and transportation, which can add at least $10,000 to the annual cost of sending a child to college.

Parents can also expect all of these costs to go up every year; so the younger your child is, the higher the costs will be by the time they are ready to head off to college.

The numbers can sound a little intimidating, especially when many families are struggling on a dayto-day basis just to make ends meet. But there are many options for financing your child’s education, and it’s never too late to start saving.

Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) “Investments will allow you to pay for education and reap some tax benefits,” said Maria Rodriguez, a financial specialist with ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions, a nonprofit counseling agency. “The key is to begin early, be consistent, and get tax advice. In this category, you will see the Coverdell Education Savings Account, formerly educational IRA’s.”

Coverdell ESA’s are tax free and allow parents to invest up to $2,000 per child per year. Funds can be withdrawn tax-free for college, as well as for any K-12 educational expenses, such as books, tutoring, or computers. Contributions can be made by married taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $220,000 or less, and by single taxpayers with incomes of $110,000 or less.

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Contributions to the Coverdell can be made until the child is 18 and must be used by the time the beneficiary is 30. Parents can also change the beneficiary to another member of their family.

One drawback to this savings account is that if the child doesn’t go to college and the money is withdrawn for uses not related to education, the earnings on the account will be subject to federal tax and a 10% penalty.

529 Plans Other investment options are 529 Plans, which are offered by all states and allow parents to invest tax-free to save for the costs of college. The earnings in these accounts escape tax completely if the withdrawals are used for qualified college expenses, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Each state’s plan is different and they offer a variety of investment options and incentives. You can put your money in any state plan, regardless of where you live or where you think your child might go to college. This means you can live in California, invest in a New York plan, and send your child to college in Virginia.

Benefits of the 529 Plan include no income restrictions on the parents, and a high limit on how much money can be contributed per beneficiary. As an example, California’s plan accepts contributions until all account balances for the same beneficiary reach $350,000. Some states allow for tax deductions or tax breaks for contributions, but California is not among them.

todian, usually the parent, is not allowed at any point to change their mind about the account and take the money back.

Parents can also use their own investment accounts, such as a Roth IRA or 401(k), as a kind of backup for their children’s college education. Financial planners will usually advise people to save for retirement before saving for college, because money for college can be borrowed, but money for retirement cannot. An advantage of putting money away in a Roth IRA or 401(k) is that this money can also be used for college expenses if necessary.

“In using 401(k) funds, parents should definitely get tax advice,” Rodriguez said. “In most cases, there are no penalties if the funds are used for college, down payment for a home, medical expenses, or to bring your mortgage loan current.

However, there may still be tax implications.”

When saving isn’t enough For most families, the goal of paying for 100% of college costs is unrealistic and many students must rely on financial aid to lessen the burden. The idea of financial aid is to make up the difference between what a family can afford to pay for college and actual college costs, giving all students equal access to higher education. Financial aid can be a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, waivers, and student employment.

All 529 Plans must be used for qualified higher education expenses. “If the child decides not to attend college but has younger siblings, then the plan may be transferred to the sibling,” Rodriguez said. “If there are no younger siblings, then the plan can be canceled. The funds contributed will be reimbursed, but there may be penalties depending on the plan.”

Other Investment Options Parents can also invest in stocks and mutual funds in taxable UGMA or UTMA accounts, which are custodial accounts. This means that the money in the account belongs to the child, but the parent controls it until the child reaches a certain age.

At that point, the account is transferred into the child’s name, and they can use the money in it however they want, without restrictions. The cus-

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“Financial Aid is primarily based on the family’s income level and number of children in school, and requires attending a certified college or educational institution,” Rodriguez said. “In this category, most students can qualify for a PELL Grant and CAL Grant. The money awarded does not have to be repaid.”

When it comes to applying for financial aid, how much money is under the parent’s name and how much is under the student’s name makes a big difference.

“Savings under the parent’s name may reduce financial aid up to 5.64% the amount, whereas savings under the child’s name may reduce financial aid up to 20%,” Rodriguez said. “Therefore, savings will be better under the parent’s name. Unless

the savings are under a 529 Plan, in which case the reduction may be up to 5.64% even though the account is under the child’s name.”

In addition to financial aid that is need-based, there is also financial aid given based on merit in the form of scholarships. “Scholarships are provided by colleges, universities, foundations, professional organizations and employers. Most of these are not based on income,” Rodriguez said.

“Instead they are based on the students’ grades, areas of interest, affiliations and talents. The money awarded does not have to be repaid and some renew automatically every year.”

Most students end up taking out a loan to pay for what costs remain. Unlike scholarships and grants, these loans do have to be repaid, and with interest.

However, the types of loans vary and it’s important to do research to determine which loan will work best for them.

“Some loans are subsidized and do not accrue interest until the student graduates,” Rodriguez said. “Some are not subsidized and interest accrues, but no payment may be required until after graduation. Parents and students need to be diligent in reading the terms and conditions.”

Bottom Line The choice of how to finance a student’s college education is different for each family. Parents need to be aware of their income and their expenses, and determine how much money, if any, they will be comfortable with setting aside, and through what venue they want to save the money.

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The Good and Bad of Video Games What Parents Should Know

By Beth Warmerdam

One has you emptying a round of bullets into a beastly creature which then explodes into dozens of gory pieces. Another one has you taking on the role of farmer, cultivating crops and taking care of animals. The differences between video games can be quite extreme, from simple to complex, educational to purely recreational, tame to violent.

Depending on who you talk to, video games can be a positive way for kids to spend part of their day, or they can be a harmful waste of time.

“We definitely don’t see eye-to-eye on the subject.

I’m okay with the sports games and such, but the shooting games are a little too intense,” Vargas said. “Eric says they’re just cool and for fun. But when you’re hurting or killing someone and getting applauded for it, I just don’t see how that can be good for a mind that is still growing and learning.

What would that teach him?”

Fresno mom Dianna Vargas feels that some of the games her son Eric wants to buy, like Gears of War 3, are inappropriate and too violent for a 13 year old. Of course, he disagrees.

Researchers tend to agree with Vargas when it comes to the way violence in video games can potentially affect children. Dr. Tamyra Pierce, a professor in the Mass Communication and Journalism Department at Fresno State, has conducted research for 15 years on the effects of video games. She said that there are many negative effects that violent video games can have on teenagers, but they are dependent on several variables, including environment, personality and social skill sets.

The Bad

“Those who have aggressive personality traits already are at greater risk of imitating the violent behaviors they see and engage in with video games,” Pierce said. “Those who spend a large amount of time playing violent video games have a tendency to become desensitized to real-life violence and may also have an increased likelihood for aggressive behaviors.”

In her opinion, first-person shooter games are one of the worst genres for teens to be exposed to. Examples of first-person shooters are the Call of Duty and Halo series where you experience the action through the eyes of the protagonist and actually become the shooter (i.e. killer) yourself.

“The U.S. military routinely uses violent and firstperson shooter games to desensitize and train

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soldiers for real-life combat,” Pierce said. “In fact, in 2008, the military was approved $50 million to purchase video games to train military. They understand that the more one plays violence and is rewarded for it, the less apprehensive they will be about doing it in real life.”

Of course, Pierce said, this doesn’t mean that everyone who plays these games will go out and replicate the behavior.

Another concern that arises when discussing video games is its possible link to the obesity problem among our country’s children. Although certainly not the only cause, video games have been shown by many studies to be a contributing factor for childhood obesity. Video games are often a sedentary activity and can lead to unhealthy snacking during and after play.

The Good

“But, if certain environmental variables and personality characteristics are present, the likelihood of imitation of the aggressive act increases,” she said.

Although we often hear about the negative aspects of video games, the news isn’t all bad. In fact, researchers have found that video games have plenty of positive effects on children and teens.

Violence and inappropriate content in video games aren’t the only reasons that this mode of entertainment is not always the best option for our youth’s recreational time. One worry is the potential for kids to actually get addicted to playing the games. This is especially a concern when it comes to massively multiplayer online role-playing games such as World of Warcraft. “These games

“There are many educational-type video games that have positive influences on children,” Pierce said. “In addition, there are many games that provide both mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.”

In general, research has found that video games can improve manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination, increase computer literacy, and even provide exercise. With a crop of new technology that centers on motionbased controllers, many video games get kids up off the couch and moving around. The Playstation Move, Xbox 360 Kinect, and Nintendo Wii all have games that require plenty of movement, and therefore, exercise.

Researchers at Bringham Young University and the University of Massachusetts found that boys and girls who played these so-called “exergames” for 10 minutes produced a workout that, depending on the game, was about equal to walking on the treadmill at a rate of three miles per hour.

are never-ending and can be highly addictive,” Pierce said.

Some of the symptoms parents can look for when trying to identify video game addiction in their children are: falling behind in school and worsening grades; lying about computer or video game use; choosing to play games over seeing friends; and spending most of their non-school hours playing games.

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Video games, assuming they are family friendly and age appropriate, can also be a good way for families to bond together. “Having a gaming night brings the family together and builds the family bond,” Pierce said. “It can also strengthen communication.”

Even those violent first-person shooting games have certain benefits for the players, according to some research. Last year, a study published in Current Biology by three cognitive scientists from the University of Rochester found that action-based video games train people to make quick, accurate decisions, and help them become more sensitive

to their surroundings. In everyday life, this can mean improvements in multitasking, driving, reading small print, or navigating around town.

The Role of Parents Parents need to set an example for their children, and that remains true when it comes to video games. With a growing number of parents who are gamers themselves, this can prove to be a challenge.

In the past few years, there has been an increase in gaming among middle-aged women, thanks to games found on social networks like Facebook and on smartphones. In fact, Angry Birds on the iPhone is the most popular game among middleaged women, Pierce said. But constantly gaming in front of children isn’t a good idea.

“If parents are playing games on cell phones or the computer for hours on end, this sends a message to kids that this is acceptable behavior,” she said.

For those parents whose games of choice are the very same violent games they discourage their children to play, Pierce has simple advice: Play after the kids have gone to bed.

Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to decide what is best for their children and their family. Like any other important issue, parents should take a proactive stance. Pierce advises keeping all video game consoles and computers in a central location in the home where parents are able to monitor their children’s activity. She also suggests setting limits on when and how long kids can play games.

Although video games come with ratings, parents should monitor the content and do additional research if they are unsure about a game’s subject matter. Websites like www.commonsensemedia. org and http://safevideogames.blogspot.com can help parents find more information and independent ratings on specific games.

Guide to Video Game Ratings EARLY CHILDHOOD Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.

EVERYONE Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

EVERYONE 10+ Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.

TEEN Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

MATURE Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.

ADULTS ONLY Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

Source: The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

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When You’re Expecting, Expect the Unexpected (Confessions of A Pregnant Fresnan)

by Dominique James

This is my first pregnancy. It wasn’t planned, but nevertheless, my husband and I feel incredibly lucky to be expecting a “little bundle of joy.”

(Although the very thought of parenthood terrifies me to the point of triggering my body’s pee-mypants gland.) I can’t believe we’re about to become parents. Parents are supposed to be older, like my mom and dad. When did I become as old as them?! This is so weird. Not weird in a bad way.

Just weird. Well, you know what I mean. Or maybe you don’t.

During my pregnancy, I’ve gained approximately 29,809 pounds and very large, swollen feet. My legs no longer have a discernible shape or muscular definition. They now resemble massive Roman pillars that can easily knock over heavy furniture as I waddle around our house like an out-of-control bulldozer. I look like I’ve added two extra chins and slapped playdough around my formerly “ever-soslender” face and high cheek bones. Thankfully, I have help from my husband each morning as he rolls me out of bed so I don’t tumble to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

I know that people aren’t actually trying to get on my nerves, but I’ve heard, “Whoa, are you having twins?!” and “Looks like you’re about to pop!” way too many times. Enough already! I cried hysterically when my husband took a bite of his leftover sandwich and didn’t even ask me if I was hungry.

Was that his way of telling me I didn’t need to eat so much? I have to pee every 5 seconds, and I can’t wear my wedding ring because my fingers are the size of Italian sausages. And those are the easy parts of my pregnancy. I know that my experiences aren’t unique.

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I’m sure that many pregnant women have endured the same trials and tribulations. In fact, I think I’m probably doing better than the majority. According to the doctors, my baby is happy and healthy. I didn’t suffer too much from morning sickness in my first trimester, and I haven’t had any weird pregnancy cravings other than, well, FOOD! (Maybe that’s why I gained 29,809 pounds.)

This pregnancy has been a trip for me. I understand many women have mixed feelings about it, and that’s okay. At first, I think I was trying to feel something that I didn’t really feel, and it started making me crazy. Why wasn’t I uncontrollably happy at this shocking surprise? So many people would congratulate me and tell me how wonderful it’s all going to be, but inside I kept thinking, “Holy crap, I’m not ready for this!” How do you deal with that?

When friends asked if I was excited, I didn’t know how to answer because I wasn’t excited. Instead, I was (and still am) terrified. And how are you supposed to respond to people who tell you how “pregnant” you look? I’m sure they think it’s a compliment, but I really don’t want to hear how drastically my body has changed. They might as well say, “Gee, Dominique, your belly is now roughly the same size as the moon!” (That’s right, people, recent satellite photos of my belly con-

firmed that it’s now only slightly smaller than the real moon.)

But at the end of the day, when I gather my thoughts and count my blessings, I realize that this pregnancy thing is all about the journey. It’s okay to not feel 100 percent ready. It’s perfectly normal to tell people, “I’m a little scared.” And it’s totally all right to look “very pregnant.” I’m very thankful that even though I wasn’t expecting this turn of events, I can actually get pregnant and grow this little baby. Even after all of this discomfort, and months of emotional ups and downs, I truly believe that pregnancy is a privilege, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s not about “get ting this over with” so I can “start losing this extra weight.” It’s about embracing the messiness and the terrified-ness of this whole experience.

It’s about pushing through and doing what I need to do.

I don’t know what else to say. I’m two weeks away from my due date, and my world will soon change forever. Maybe my life is ending. Or maybe it’s just beginning. Or maybe, as my dad says, I’m being a little too dramatic. I’ll let you know how it goes. <3 Dominique

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Vaccinations: Why Some Parents Say No

By Beth Warmerdam

Susan Walters* wanted the child in her belly to be as healthy as possible, so she did everything in her power to make that happen. She ate a pristine diet during her pregnancy, took her prenatal vitamins faithfully, maintained a moderate exercise regimen, and planned to have a natural childbirth and breastfeed her new baby.

After successfully delivering her daughter, Walters was given a piece of paper by a nurse requiring her permission to give her baby a Hepati-

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tis B vaccine shot. Although she hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t given a lot of thought to vaccinations prior to her delivery, Walters suddenly found herself balking at the thought of her daughter receiving the shot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that moment, I realized that it was rather ironic that I had done everything so naturally up to that point for my child, and all of a sudden I was going to let someone inject her with something that seemed unnatural,â&#x20AC;? said Walters, who lives in Fresno with her husband and her

now 2 year old daughter. “I thought of all the Prevention’s recommended immunization schedpossible chemicals and preservatives and toxins ule, children will have received at least 29 immuniin the shot, and I guess my newfound mother- zation shots protecting against more than a dozen ly instincts kicked in. I refused the vaccination.” diseases by the time they are 6 years old. This Walters isn’t the only parent to decide, for one doesn’t include the recommended yearly flu shot. reason or another, not to have their child immu- Some parents feel that not all of the diseases pose nized. A growing number of parents today are such a threat that they need to be vaccinated against. questioning the vaccine status quo. A national “While vaccines did help us get rid of some horrible survey published earlier this year in the American diseases, chicken pox is not the plague, nor is meaJournal of Preventive Medicine found that the ma- sles, or whooping cough for anyone more than a year jority of surveyed physicians believe that parents’ old,” Walters said. “It seems overboard with some concerns over vaccine safety have either greatly of the diseases they choose to vaccinate against”. or moderately increased over the past five years. Fe l l o w n o n - v a c c i n a t i n g m o m A d a m s agrees that many of the diseases aren’t While many parents still see immunization very worrisome in this day and age. shots as a required and routine part of their children’s visits to the doctor, others feel it “Looking at the diseases themselves, I guess it is a practice that shouldn’t be taken lightly. doesn’t scare me enough to feel like the benefit of vaccinating outweighs the risks,” she said.

“I’m definitely a person who wants to make informed choices, especially when I’m making choices for Common side effects from vaccine shots can include my kids,” said Clovis resident Jane Adams, whose a slight fever, swelling and redness at the injection site, 8 year old son and 4 year old daughter have never a sore muscle at the injection site, and a cranky child. had a single vaccination. “People don’t want to question medicine and people in the medical indus- “Like with any other medication, there could be try. But nobody cares for my children more than I do, some reactions in some people,” Vargas-Leaand it’s up to me to decide what’s best for them.” nos with the Health Department said. “Usually the side effects are minor. There are some very For the most part, medical organizations and rare occasions where they could be very serious.” personnel say that vaccinations are an important part of keeping children healthy and An example of a severe problem is the possibilparents should think hard about the conse- ity of permanent brain damage caused by the quences of not getting their children immunized. DTaP vaccine, which is used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis disease. Accord“Immunizations protect children from dangerous ing to the CDC, the chance of suffering from childhood diseases that can cause serious com- permanent brain damage or a coma as a replications and death,” said Natalia Vargas-Lea- sult of the vaccine is less than one in a million. nos, a health education specialist with the Fresno County Public Health Immunization Program. “It Other uncommon potential side effects protects them and it protects the community.” of the various vaccines include high fevers, allergic reactions, and seizures.

In the United States, the diseases that vaccinations protect against have been largely eradicated, but One risk that has been discussed and has gained that is not the case in other parts of the world. a lot of media attention is that autism can be caused by vaccines. In 1998, a report published “The diseases are just a plane away,” Var- in the medical journal The Lancet claimed a congas-Leanos said. “When you have a com- nection between the MMR vaccine – used to promunity that is under-immunized, it leaves tect against measles, mumps and rubella – and that opportunity for a disease to come back.” autism. The journal later retracted the report and the author was discredited. For the last decade, Public health officials say that getting children vac- researchers have studied the issue extensively and cinated is for a greater good because it protects have not found a connection between the vaccine those who can’t be vaccinated, such as young and autism. babies, people with immune-system problems and children undergoing chemotherapy. It also protects “When we compare the rate in vaccinated and not the population for whom the vaccines don’t work. vaccinated children, there is no link,” Vargas-LeaIf they follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) nos said. “We don’t know what is causing autism.”

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Perhaps it is the very fact that doctors don’t know what causes autism that leads parents to continue to feel there is a connection to vaccines. Many parents are concerned about vaccines that have the chemical preservative thimerosal, which contains a form of mercury that has been suspected of causing autism. However, since 2001, all routinely recommended vaccines for children in the United States contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. While most flu shots still contain the preservative, these are not given to young children.

“California has a law that says children under the age of 3 and pregnant women cannot be given any mercury-containing vaccines,” Vargas-Leanos said.

“All the flu shots for children under 3 automatically come without mercury. Flu shots without mercury can also be requested for those over the age of 3.”

While the idea that vaccines can cause autism is certainly one of the more widely known reasons for why parents may choose not to vaccinate their children, it is really only the tip of the iceberg. Every parent has their own reasons for making the choice.

children be up-to-date on their immunizations to attend school or child care, but parents can file for exemptions if they choose to forego one or all of the immunizations. Medical exemptions, typically for children with auto-immune disorders or allergies, need to be signed by a doctor. Parents can also use a personal belief exemption, which only needs to be signed by the parent.

No further explanations are needed.

In California in 2010, nearly 2.5% of the state’s kindergartners had exemptions filed on their behalf. The rate in Fresno County was lower, at about 1% of kindergartners.

The debate on whether to vaccinate, delay or space out vaccinations, or not vaccinate at all will continue on as parents try to weigh the risks and benefits of all the options and make the best decision for their children.

“After doing some of my own research, I still felt like vaccinating my children was the best option,” said Veronica Ruiz, who lives in Visalia with her three kids. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong if parents decide not to vaccinate. That’s their personal “We have suspicions that vaccines are contribu- choice. At the end of the day, parents are the final tors to all kinds of future problems, like allergies, decision-makers for their kids and have to deal asthma, and auto-immune diseases,” said Jane with the results of those decisions, good or bad.”

Adams’ husband, Rick. “Do we have proof? No. But there are plenty of other reasons not to vac- *Names have been changed to protect privacy. cinate on top of that. If something doesn’t kill you immediately, it seems to be automatically labeled at safe. It doesn’t mean that it is. Modern medicine is bad at tracking the long-term effects of things.”

Many parents, including the Adams’, are concerned about some of the chemicals used in vaccines.

“If you look at the list of ingredients, several of them are toxins,” Jane Adams said. “Take the mercury out of it, there’s still aluminum, formaldehyde, not to mention homanufacturers grow some of the viruses (in the vaccines) on cells from animals. It’s really gross.”

Parents who decide not to have their children vaccinated are not doing anything illegal.

The California School Immunization Law requires that

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Photo by Kelly Petersen, Courtesy of Clinica Sierra Vista

Eating Heart Healthy

By John Russell

Satisfying our cravings should not be our first priority when passing the chip aisle at the grocery store or when standing in front of the refrigerator door. Choosing foods that are heart healthy may not be your first choice, but it can save you a lot of “heart ache” later.

According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke 2011 Statistical Update, coronary heart disease caused 1 of every 6 deaths in the United States in 2007. Coronary heart disease mortality in 2007 was 406,351. Each year, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, and 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. More than 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 39 seconds.

The good news is that eating heart healthy can help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

So what is heart-healthy food?

Foods that are rich in phytonutrients prevent and repair damage to cells, which aids in preventing heart disease. The Cleveland Clinic and American Dietetic Association put together a list of heart-healthy foods: 1. Salmon – this is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and slightly lower blood pressure.

2. Flaxseed (ground) 3. Oatmeal 4. Black or Kidney Beans 5. Almonds 6. Walnuts 7. Red Wine 8. Tuna 9. Tofu 10. Brown Rice 11. Soy Milk

12. Blueberries 13. Carrots 14. Spinach 15. Broccoli 16. Sweet Potato 17. Red bell peppers 18. Asparagus 19. Oranges 20. Tomatoes 21. Acorn Squash 22. Cantaloupe 23. Papaya 24. Dark chocolate 25. Tea

Complement healthy eating with exercise.

Adding exercise to your daily routine can further help decrease your risks for cardiovascular disease. Exercise can help reduce weight, reduce high blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood, and increase good cholesterol.

The Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health documented the benefits of 30 to 60 minutes of continuous exercise, 3 days per week, at a rate of 60 to 75 percent of the individual’s heart rate reserve. Researchers estimated a 30 to 40 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease from this type of exercise regime.

So remember, eating healthfully and exercising reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and help you to be heart healthy!

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Strength Training Myth Busters

By Erik Traeger

Myths still persist about strength training. I am here to set the record straight and will tell you why these myths should be thrown out the door.

Myth #1: Strength training will make you “muscle bound” and inflexible. We have all seen the “roided-out” gym rat that needs help taking his shirt off because he can’t lift his arms over his head.

However, warming up with active-dynamic stretches, training a variety of exercises through a full range of motion, and static stretching will make an athlete more flexible, not less flexible. The world’s strongest, most powerful athletes – Olympic weightlifters – have excellent hip and shoulder mobility.

Myth Busted!

Myth #2: Gaining muscle weight will make you slower. Added muscle (as long as it is not unnecessary muscle mass like that of a bodybuilder) should give you more strength and power with which you can apply more force to the ground more quickly.

Look at the world’s fastest athletes, 100m sprinters.

Both the men and women are very muscular. Not just muscular in the legs, but also in the upper body.

Myth Busted!

Myth #3: Strength training will stunt a child’s growth. A well-designed, age-appropriate, expertsupervised strength training program will help a child reach their genetic potential for height and achieve an ideal weight. This is especially true during puberty and beyond due to the release of extra growth hormone and testosterone elicited by strength training.

Myth Busted!

Myth #4: Strength training will “make a girl look like a man.” The masculine-looking women most of us picture when we think of women and weight lifting are actually bodybuilders on steroids.

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and allow them to gain muscle size like that of a man.

Not only are these women on steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, they spend literally hours in the gym every day. In reality, girls and women do not gain as much muscle size due to the fact that they don’t have as much testosterone in their bodies as men do.

Myth Busted!

Myth #5: And my all-time favorite... Girls

shouldn’t lift weights. Yes, that myth still persists.

Several years ago, a women’s collegiate soccer player I trained was working out in her hometown health club on summer break. She was doing snatches when one of the club’s male “trainers” (yes, trainer) came over and told her, “Girls shouldn’t do those.” Perhaps he was jealous because she could snatch more than he could. What he said was just plain ignorant and sexist. Elite female weightlifters and powerlifters, even in the lower weight classes, can out lift most men of the same or heavier body weight. In my opinion, strength training for females is even more important than it is for males. Girls who strength train will be much stronger than those who don’t strength train, and the reduction of injury risk is priceless. Strength training also increases bone density in young women and helps prevent osteoporosis in middle-aged and older women.

Myth Busted!

A Look at Depression During Pregnancy For Some Women, the Joys of Pregnancy are Replaced by the Woes of Depression

By Beth Warmerdam

Pregnancy is often thought of as a time of great happiness and excitement for the expectant mother. Unfortunately, not all women experience this joy during the nine months they are carrying their child. For many, it can be a time when feelings of sadness, distress, and worthlessness take over in the form of depression.

Lydia Garcia had been married for less than a year when she and her husband, Rob, discovered they were expecting a child. Although she had suffered from depression when she was a teenager, it had been many years since those helpless feelings had weighed her down.

“I certainly never thought that pregnancy would bring up that depression again,” said Garcia, a long-time Fresno resident. “I was definitely conscious of postpartum depression and that I might have to worry about that after the baby was born.

But it never occurred to me that I would have to deal with it while I was pregnant.”

Many times during her pregnancy, Garcia felt sad for no reason and didn’t even want to get out of bed. She started avoiding social outings and even shied away from her husband at home. She attributed it to natural pregnancy blues until her doctor asked her about her emotional well being at a prenatal appointment.

“I mentioned how I was feeling, and after my doctor asked me about previous depression, she told me that I could be suffering from what’s called antepartum depression,” Garcia said.

Garcia is one of many women who have experienced depression during their pregnancy. Depending on the source, anywhere from 8 to 12 percent of pregnant women suffer from depression when based on diagnostic measures, said Dr. Kelleen M. Bosch, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Central Valley Women’s Health Associates. When based on patients reporting the depression, the numbers are higher, with prevalence reaching up to 25 percent.

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Although postpartum depression has become a common topic, antepartum depression is not discussed as often. Bosch said that one of the reasons is because women can be reluctant to discuss their symptoms. She said they may feel “embarrassed or guilty because the social perception of pregnancy is a ‘happy time,’ and if you are not, then you must be socially abnormal.”

Many of the signs of depression – such as fatigue, appetite changes, and sleep pattern changes – are similar to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, and therefore are often discounted.

It’s also normal for pregnant women to experience mood fluctuations and to be more emotionally sensitive, but there’s a difference between that and actual depression.

“It’s when the mood and behavior change persists and impedes the ability to function or complete normal activities of daily living when we should be suspicious that it’s something more,” Bosch said.

“There’s always a fine line, though, between physiological changes and mild cases of depression, so it’s best to keep a high suspicion and ask in a non-confrontational manner about any symptoms that they may be having or signs that they are exhibiting.”

“Signs to look for include changes in mood and behavior, lack of interest in activities the woman used to participate in, changes in self-care and hygiene, failure to attend or make prenatal appointments, and changes in sleep patterns,” Bosch said.

Women, like Garcia, who have a history of depression should take extra care to pay attention to how they are feeling during their pregnancy because risk factors for antepartum depression include pre-existing or prior history of a depressive illness or other psychiatric disorder, and family history of depressive disorders, especially in pregnancy.

Other factors include pregnancy complications, prior pregnancy loss, and life stressors, which can be things like poor social support, an unhappy relationship, current or past domestic abuse, an unintended pregnancy, and financial difficulties.

Women who feel like they may be suffering from depression during their pregnancy should not hesitate to seek help. Left untreated, the illness can have some serious consequences.

“Depression can be stressful on the body and

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elicits a cortisol response which can also be manifested to the baby – in turn resulting in fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, neonatal irritability, and, down the line, neurocognitive effects in children,” Bosch said.

Treatment of antepartum depression can take on many forms. Women who are already stable on an antidepressant medication should consider staying on the medication, Bosch said, and discuss the risks and benefits of doing so with their doctor.

“Also, if a certain antidepressant works best for you, it’s recommended you stay on it rather than change to something else that may only be ‘possibly safer’ and risk depressive symptoms coming back, which may be more detrimental to the pregnancy,” she said.

Women who were stable on antidepressant medication pre-pregnancy and stop taking it or lower their dose when they become pregnant can risk a relapse into depression. Recurrence rates can

approach 75 percent in those who try to wean off their antidepressants, Bosch said, so it’s important to consider risk-to-benefit of the medication.

Bosch said that it’s difficult to say that any medication is “safe” for pregnant women and there is some concern that antidepressants could be connected with health problems in babies. However, the research is inconclusive.

“In order to say something is safe you have to test it on the population you intend to use it on – no one is going to test drugs on pregnant women,” Bosch said. “Additionally, data needs to be collected on offspring through adulthood to truly say there are no harmful effects, and then there are so many variables involved it is difficult to know what caused what.”

Antidepressants aren’t necessarily the only option for women who are trying to cope with depression during pregnancy, especially if it is only mild in nature. “Other things that may prove beneficial to women suffering from antepartum depression include higher doses of folic acid, omega-3’s, and SAM-e’s”, Bosch said. Other methods that don’t require taking pills or supplements include electroconvulsive therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling or group therapy with women sharing similar situations.

needed baby supplies, nice gifts are childcare – it’s hard for the pregnant mom to get rest if she has an energetic toddler at home – house-keeping services, or homemade meals, especially if she is on bed rest due to pregnancy complications.”

For Garcia, a combination of medication, therapy, and family support is what got her through her antepartum depression and helped her ward off postpartum depression as well.

“Once I realized what was going on with me, and I took steps to make things better for myself, I really did feel better and I started to feel optimistic about the baby and life in general,” she said. “It’s been two years since we had our daughter and everything is great. The good thing is that now I know what can happen, so I’ll be prepared for future pregnancies. Depression isn’t something that any woman should have to silently struggle with, pregnant or not.”

“Also, alleviating stressors, if possible, may be beneficial,” Bosch said. “Obviously, there are stressors every day, but we can limit the projects we are involved in, or if we work all week then take advantage of the weekend to rest and revitalize, rather than add more to your plate. Take advantage of social support or family members willing to help and realize that the media’s portrayal of the size 0 movie star juggling work and family isn’t everyone’s reality. In fact, most of us don’t have chefs and personal trainers, so be willing to forgive yourself – even Superwoman needs a rest now and then!”

Family members need to be aware of the issue as well and should be willing to discuss the situation in a non-judgmental way, as well as encourage their loved one to talk to a doctor.

One simple way to help the mother-to-be is to think about her when purchasing gifts.

“Everyone likes to buy stuff for the new baby, but don’t forget mom,” Bosch advised.

“Sometimes if the mom already has the

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What is Education?

By Jim Blanks

It comes as no surprise to Californians that our educational system is struggling. Depending on which report you read, you know that the system ranges from reeling to complete disaster. The questions that immediately follow are, why are we struggling and what can we do to solve this?

Most of our problems are not due to lack of effort – the majority of teachers and students work restlessly to gain some measure of success in the classroom. Nor are they due to lack of funding – last year, California spent $32 billion (or nearly 40 percent of the state budget) on K-12 education. The problem is that all that effort and all that money has The answer to both questions may be a third: been directed toward the wrong goal: achievement.

What is education?

Look at how our system is currently structured; it is Why do students go to school, and why do teach- designed in such a way that teachers have a difficult ers teach? For too long, the answer has been to time teaching anything that falls outside the required educate children so that they can go to college state standards. The rationale for this is to achieve and get a good job. And for too long, this has high scores on a test. We are preparing students, been in large part of the reason for our continual year after year, to place all of their educational goals foundering. on an end-of-the-year exam. Everything is now designed around the test, around achievement, and around our notion of student success.

Which brings up one more question: What is the purpose of an education? Is it achievement, or is it learning?

The desire to achieve comes from a place of love – we want to see these young people thrive; we want them to exceed us. Embedded in our love, however, is fear: What if they don’t do well in school? What if they fall behind? What if they can’t learn and succeed and (we don’t always voice this last part) become ideal by the time they reach adulthood?

What if they fail?

The fear of failure then propels us in our anxiety; the children need to absorb facts, they need to take in all the “important” information. There is no time for daydreaming or abstract thought because there is homework to be done and studying and extra lessons. If they earn a B in math, it must be an A, and an A still doesn’t ease our fears because there is always the fear of the next test. The students take in our anxiety, because even if they learn nothing in school they have mastered how to read complex human emotion, and our fear becomes their fear.

What happens, though, when the tests end? What

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happens when they reach the world of “good jobs” and their career requires them not to answer multiple choice questions but rather to critically and creatively solve problems? What happens when they are required to work with others?

What happens when their career requires all the skills they were too busy to learn in their student years? Essentially, we are building these students and driving them toward a goal that will become insignificant the moment after they have reached it. What happens then?

What would happen if we changed the educational paradigm? How might the system change if we shifted the focus from achievement to learning? If, instead of moving faster, pushing more, we stepped back? What if we allowed our students to fail, and then grow from their failures?

School does not have to be a forum for students to prove what they know – rather, school should be a place where students figure out how much they really don’t know.

It should be a place that ignites in the student a desire to take in information not because it will be important in two weeks but because it will enrich his life. After all, if we repeat the mantra that information is only important for a test, the students will believe us – and when they step outside our gates, what motivation will there be for them to learn?

This is not to say that tests are irrelevant; they provide a measuring tool. But they should remain just that – a tool, and one of many tools that we use. Another tool is the teacher herself, who observes the student every day. Homework and grades are tools, but they should not take the place of the real education, which is the process. It may sound insane, but what might happen if we actually retained students that did not understand the information, rather than passing the students forward in the process? If they have not completed a step, how can they advance?

Education is the learning. Achievement is the byproduct. Young people really do want to learn – they just don’t know how. They only know how to achieve, and when they fail at that they write off the subject (“I’m just bad at math” “I hate reading”). But how can you be bad at something if it is a continuing process? How can the entirety of your life be based upon a score you received in the sixth grade?

We can agree that the current system has many flaws. Will a single radical idea revolutionize our educational system? No, but a series of smaller, incremental steps may allow us to reclaim the system and utilize it for its original purpose. It begins with repositioning our own values, with changing the way we view education as a whole – which, realistically, may be the hardest step of all.

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Above the Grade Respnsibilty, Respect, Lifelong Service Scott Holm Norseman Elementary School Fresno Unified School District

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Teachers give our children the building blocks for their future; they play such an important part in our children’s lives. Each issue we plan to spotlight a teacher in our community – not just any teacher, but a teacher who is going above the grade and making a difference in the lives of children

It’s not officially written in the job description, but a teacher must be creative and dedicated to their work. That work is developing the minds of our children...our future. Each child is an individual with unique needs and talents; teachers must accept the challenge of unlocking the secrets that motivate our children to learn the great things of this world in order to be successful in life. Scott Holm, fourth-grade teacher at Norseman Elementary School in Fresno Unified, has more than accepted that challenge.

“Scott works very hard on behalf of his students and the staff at Norseman,” Norseman’s principal Kimberly Collins said when told that he was going to be highlighted. “He is a very good choice.”

A colleague of Mr. Holm at Norseman stated, “He’s very innovative and volunteers for things that need to be done around the school and always shows great leadership. The kids always talk about how much they learned from him in his class and how much fun they had.”

When you first meet Mr. Holm there is an air of calm and assurance about him. This may sprout from his Midwestern roots, as he was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There he grew up with the wild as a huge part of his upbringing, which inspired him to become a Boy Scout and he reached the highest level of Scouting – Eagle Scout. He strongly feels that Scouting has taught him the importance of responsibility, respect and lifelong service to others that strongly influence his teaching. In fact, he is still heavily involved in Scouting and is the Regional Advisor of Scouting’s Order of the Arrow, a service arm of Scouting. Mr. Holm graduated from Iowa State and worked for the Fotech Corporation as a Director of Sales and Marketing.

After sitting in on his son’s sixth grade class he fell in love with the idea of teaching, given his service and background with the Boy Scouts. He knew it was time for a career change and decided to work toward his teaching credential, doing his

coursework and student teaching at Fresno State.

His teaching philosophy is very simple. Student learning needs to be personalized to the needs of each student, as closely as possible. We need to find out where students are as far as their learning and address those needs. Students also need to be able to make mistakes without undue criticism so that the learning process can take place. They should be responsible for their learning and be presented with multiple paths to take in life. New teachers should get out and see veteran teachers as much as they can and learn from them. It is critical that new teachers work with their colleagues.

When asked about his advice to parents, he was very clear: It is critical that parents be active in their child’s education at home and at school. This includes assisting with the child’s homework and reading to them each night (or as much as possible).

Growing their vocabulary is crucial to their success as well as learning the language. This includes a student’s first language, and keeping as much of that language as possible should it not be English.

Make life a learning experience using reading, math and language in everyday experiences such as traveling and even just going to the grocery store.

Mr. Holm enjoys seeing the natural curiosity of kids, how they want to play, and the process of how they try to explain their world. There is a definite relationship between that play and their desire to learn. Many times he pictures his students and imagines what they will be like when they get older. With his emphasis on responsibility, respect, lifelong service and learning, Mr. Holm is surely a key piece to their successes in life.

“He’s very innovative and volunteers for things that need to be done around the school and always shows great leadership. The kids always talk about how much they learned from him in his class and how much fun they had.”

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Magic and Wonder

The Baird Middle School Block 8 Program

By Jim Blanks

Prominently displayed on the front wall of Baird Middle School is an art project that reads: A Magical Place Where Children Thrive.

The mosaic is not simply used for advertisement – it has become a mission statement, the heart of a school that is finding exceptional ways to motivate and enrich its student body. And possibly no way is greater than the school’s Block 8 Program.

Although the program has been in place for many years, it has grown recently under the direction of Principal Janetta McGensy. The system is simple: At the end of each day, the students take an eighth period class of their choosing. But these are not ordinary elective classes, because Principal McGensy allows her teachers to develop their own class and curriculum.

“The teachers are given the chance to teach something that they are passionate about,” Principal McGensy explains. This freedom has led to the development of many incredible programs. For example, there is a hip-hop class run by Ms. De-

bbie McCoy. Available to 5th and 6th grade girls, the class involves an accelerated program of dance sequences, rhythm and music that culminates in several performances throughout the year.

“A lot of girls will come in without any rhythm,” McCoy says. “But they watch me, and I tell them to listen to the music – some of them will learn visually, by watching me, and others will listen to me, and some of them just get right in and do it along with me.” In four weeks since the program’s inception, the students have already learned both basic and intricate dance moves and are working to perfect a routine that they will perform at the Fresno Fair.

However, the performance is only a minor part of the class; the most important part, McCoy explains, is that the girls will gain self-esteem, confidence and friendship.

“I watch them when they come in here, and I’ll see one girl standing off to the side, so I’ll tell her, to make friends you have to be a friend,” McCoy says. “The light bulb just goes off and suddenly that girl will be involved in the class.”

“I try to build my class around life lessons,” McCoy continues.“I remember being that age, and I wasn’t the popular girl, and I was often left out or I wasn’t picked.

In this class, everyone is involved, and you can see them develop not only in their dance routines – they become friends.”

That positive energy is evident throughout the Baird cafeteria, which serves as their dance studio. McCoy counts the steps and

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“We don’t just come in here and play. The students learn about the art that they are creating. I tell them that if they are going to become insightful artists, they have to understand what it is that inspires them.” students and the teachers get to do what they love – and at the end of the day, everyone goes home happy.” studies the girls as they move through their routine – she offers positive encouragement and correction, and her energy passes into the students.

Suddenly she calls out, “Let’s show our steps!”

“Free style circle?” one student asks. The girls gather in a circle, the music pulses and echoes through the building, and one by one a girl will dance her way into the circle, showing her best moves, while her classmates cheer and shout and clap. It is enough to make bystanders smile and tap their feet, drawn into the energy of the group.

Principal McGensy smiles, too. “You see this? The

They are happy, but also educated and enriched.

In a separate class – this one covering Art History – students have finished a unit on Matisse. Paper collages hang from string stretched across the room. They are now focused on Vincent Van Gogh.

Their instructor, Ms. Becky Harper, is reviewing Van Gogh’s falling out with one-time friend and contemporary Paul Gauguin. When she poses a question, hands fly into the air. Ms. Harper laughs, “I was told this course would be too boring.”

The wonderful reality, however, is that no student appears bored. Each student is bent over a representational piece of Van Gogh’s art; some students try their hand at a portrait. When asked

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if the class is boring, they emphatically shout, “No,” as though to even consider the possibility is absurd.

In a Prehistoric Art class, Ms. Judith Pansarosa guides her students through Australian Aboriginal art.

“You know, Aboriginal art is really experiencing a renaissance right now,” she says, “and it is the closest art we have to the prehistoric cave drawings.”

In this course, students study and discuss the art before trying their own work. Later in the year, the students will create artwork in the method of the Aborigine – including a final step which involves placing a hand on the artwork while spraying paint overtop.

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“We tried one year to do it the way the Aborigine actually did it, by spitting it onto the page,” Pansarosa says, laughing. “But that didn’t work out so well – so now we use a squirt bottle.”

Pansarosa does not only teach Aboriginal art; she changes each session, going to Chinese ancient art, Egyptian art, and art from the 1960s. Students will create anything from a Shang Dynasty bronze cauldron to a tie-dyed shirt.

“I’ve had parents tell me that, years later, that cauldron still sits on the mantle,” Pansarosa says. Then, however, she becomes serious. “We don’t just come in here and play. The students learn about the art that they are creating. I tell them that if they are going to become insightful artists, they have

to understand what it is that inspires them.” She enriches the course with music from each period and with history lessons.“Also,” she adds, “I line up my courses to go along with what the students are learning in class. I take a lot of time to develop the curriculum.”

She is not the only teacher willing to put in extra time and work to create a long-lasting, valuable course. The Baird Block 8 Program also offers, among others, classes in computer technology, Spanish, French, calligraphy, beginning and advanced band, and science. “We even have a class that teaches students how to play board games,” Principal McGensy says.

So far, this system has proven to be exceedingly

successful. As a lottery school, Baird accepts students from many different backgrounds and at many different levels of academic development.

But because of its unique curriculum and dedicated staff, the school is able to foster an environment where students do not simply learn, but (as their mosaic proudly states) thrive.

“This is not a GATE school,” Principal McGensy explains. “We do not take in only GATE students.

But by the time they graduate here, all of our students can take GATE classes.”

And there is one more element that Baird provides that makes it different – there is the sense that Baird truly is a family environment. Walking through the Block 8 classrooms, it is easy to feel the community that has formed within the gates of the school. There is a sense of wonder that floats down the halls. Perhaps it is this sense of wonder that makes so many former students return to the same halls they once walked.

“Oh, yes,” Principal McGensy says, “there are high school students here all the time.” Walking around campus, you can often spot them by their slow strides, by the way they gaze at the mosaics on the walls, and by the way they return again and again to the same scene, revisit the same teachers and remind themselves of a different time, perhaps trying to reclaim some of that old magic.

“I can understand why they come back,” Principal McGensy says. “Here, they were really treated like a person.”

There is something different going on at Baird Middle School, and it is having an extraordinary effect on the young students who call the school home. Walking away from the school, you can look back and see that mosaic again – with the sun slanting flat over the houses it shimmers – and you can read those same words, words that, after visiting this school, you know must be true.

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Notes Bulletin Board Designed and Decorated by Cheryl Ball, courtesy of iLoveToCreate® Materials List Aleene’s® FunCraft Foam Glue™ Miscellaneous Pencil Ribbon, 18” long 1/8” wide red satin Plastic pencil holder Scissors: wavy edge, regular Hole punch, 1/8” Cardboard, lightweight Ruler Craft foam letters and shapes Pencils Paper for tablet Craft foam, large sheets of red, yellow, blue and green polka dot Corkboard Masking tape, low tack

Instructions 1. Measure and cut red foam to fit sides of board.

2. Cut lengths of blue polka dot foam to fit around front of board using wavy edge scissors. Cut a strip of yellow to fit across center of board.

3. Cut green foam to fit one half of corkboard.

4. Remove lid of FunCraft Foam Glue. Snip tip of bottle using scissors. Apply a thin, even application of glue to back of all foam pieces. Set aside to dry until clear. Press into place on board referring to photo for placement.

5. Add glue to backs of dots, desired foam shapes and letters to personalize board. Let dry. Press in place using photo as a guide.

6. Pencils: Create flowers and butterfly from foam shapes cutting apart flowers for butterfly wings and gluing hearts onto round for flowers. Add smaller pieces as desired to add detail, using photo as a guide. Apply a thick bead of glue to back of finished design. Let dry. Press pencil onto glue to adhere.

7. Leaf: Cut leaf shape from foam. Punch two holes in foam at base. Slide pencil through holes and position under flower.

8. Tablet: Cut desired amount of paper into same size. Punch two holes 1” apart at center top about ½” down from edge. Cut a piece of cardboard same size as paper. Punch holes in same place as paper. Line up holes, thread ribbon through and tie a knot to secure, then a bow. Trim ends. Apply a generous amount of glue to back of cardboard.

Let dry. Press into place.

9. Apply a thick bead of glue to back of pencil holder. Let dry. Press into place. www.ilovetocreate.com

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Children’s Winter Trends

By Dominique James Fashion Forward!

Winter is in the air. The colors have changed and we are ready to welcome the pumpkin spice lattes and the overdue cooler weather.

Much like the weather, your style shouldn’t stay the same from season to season. Sometimes with changing trends it’s hard to feel confident in your fashion findings for yourself or your kiddo, so we talked with local fashion icon Abbie Mast.

Abbie is the creator and owner of the fabulous children’s clothing store and brand, Gaga Chic, located in Fresno’s Fig Garden Village. Her store screams forward-fashion. Abbie gave us some great tips on the trends we will be seeing for this fall and winter. She explained that now is the time to have fun and bring some new texture into your family’s wardrobe.

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Abbie’s Advice • A rule of thumb when you’re shopping for your children is to remember that kids’ fashion is heavily based on women’s wear. Incorporate the same textures and tones from your wardrobe for those little ones in your life. It’s helpful to know that if it’s in style for you, it’s most likely in style for your children.

• Mixing textures is very “in” this season. It’s going to be common to see an animal print subtly applied to parts of a garment. Taking animal print and making it less obnoxious with a subdued color is more visually appealing and makes it an interesting statement piece that can be worn with different outfits.

• Faux fur is something that looks cozy and comfy for the season and adds that touch of texture to an ensemble. Young girls can have fun with this look and feel a little more glamorous as they head to school.

• Sequins are back without screaming 1980.

Look for skirts and tops with darker sequined lining. The dark chocolate or gray added shimmer on a piece is very popular right now!

• Mix color!! This is no time to be matchy-matchy. Different colors and patterns are young and playful.

• Keeping color in mind, look for lavender, mauve, stone and olive tones. It’s all about transitioning nicely from summer to fall. You’ll notice deep neon oranges, purples and even burgundy as well.

• Colored denim, skinny jeans and riding pants will be the new look! Grab a pair for you and the little one in your life and don’t be afraid to flaunt a great trend together!

• Plaids and tweeds are classic and timeless. This year a tweed top might have an orange or teal lining. A lot of designers are taking something classic and twisting it slightly for a new and interesting look.

• Pair any of these looks with a great metallic or jewel tone boot to complete any winter fashion!

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New Year, New Wardrobe How to Weed Out Your Existing Closet of “Nothing to Wear” and Create a Wardrobe Full of Possibility From the Notes of Professional Image Consultant Cynthia Bruno!

The arrival of a new year offers us a fresh start and the chance to reflect on the improvements, upgrades, and changes we desire for our lives and ourselves. Along these lines of “out with the old and in with the new,” this is the perfect opportunity to make decisions about clearing out your existing closet and creating a plan to build an effective wardrobe in 2012. No more “closet full of clothes with nothing to wear.” Instead, ring in the New Year on the road to a closet filled with possibility! This article is the first of two parts designed to give you tools to clean out your closet and, in the next issue, how to begin building a wardrobe.

In order to maximize your appearance and make you feel great, your clothes must complement your coloring, body build, and interpersonal style. Everything in your closet should meet the following criteria:

• Color. Color is the most critical aspect of your wardrobe: it will make or break you. Colors in harmony with you make you look and feel your absolute best, giving you clear, even skin; bright eyes, minimized wrinkles and fine lines, and your most youthful appearance serve as just a few of the visual benefits. It will turn you into someone with whom others want to connect with because we identify naturally with beauty. Colors not in harmony with an individual make the person appear older, more haggard, less approachable, and even ill. The quickest way to understand your coloring is to invest in a session for personal color analysis with an image consultant, who will identify a color palette for you. If you aren’t interested in this route, begin by ridding your closet of anything you put on that makes you feel older, makes you feel tired, makes blemishes or wrinkles more pronounced, or just doesn’t feel good even if you don’t know why.

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• Fit for Your Body. Your genes (not jeans!) natural who is happiest in comfortable fabrics and dictate the clothing styles that will make you look your best. The key with clothing is to create balance where it doesn’t otherwise exist on your body. If you have broad shoulders, for example, you want to play off the strength of that feature, but balance the fact that you probably don’t have much of a natural waist by comparison. Conversely, if you have large hips, you will likely have a nice, natural waist, but need to balance your hips by using clothing to create a strong shoulder. Understand how your body is constructed both in terms of bone structure and how you carry any excess weight. Make sure that your clothing complements the positives and downplays the not-so-positive aspects of your figure. In addition, make sure that clothes fit properly.

Clothes hanging with excess vertical folds indicate a garment is too large; conversely, clothes pulling or puckering horizontally across any part of the body are too small.

• Fashion Personality. Just like we each have our own personality, we each have a unique fashion personality. This is why you may love the drama of bling and bright colors, while your girlfriend is a romantic floral and ruffle girl. Or maybe you are a

solid colors with no muss or fuss. Do you imagine yourself in the middle of Anthropologie, or is BCBG more of your style? It is critical to honor this inner fashionista in order to feel comfortable in your clothes. Even if you like the clothes on the hanger, if you don’t like them on you, they will take up vital real estate in your closet without wear.

Reserve a window of time to go through your closet.

Using the above guide, go through each item, paying attention to how the color, style and personality of the garment does or doesn’t complement you.

Anything that doesn’t do you justice is a perfect donation! Don’t beat yourself up for clothing that I is too small (yes, those guilt-evoking “skinny” jeans); let those items go so that you can free up room for a wardrobe in which you look and feel as great as the person you are now! Don’t let past mistaken purchases fill you with guilt, their tags still hanging on them serving as ugly reminders of money spent. Now is the time to weed out the old – all that doesn’t work from the past – and begin to build anew!