June 2011 Family Spectrum

June 2011

featuring On a Quest for Outdoor Fun

Metro Area Treasure Hunt

the battle on the

home front

TEACH CHILDREN TO RECOGNIZE

poisonous plants

Creative Corner

how to make a sponge water ball

In whose hands will you place her?

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editor’sletter Volume 6 . Issue 10

Sunshine! It just gives me more strength to do all of the things that I have to do being a busy mom, and let’s face it, it puts me in a better mood to do them. Summer is my favorite time of year. Whether it’s spending time with friends grilling, planning a family excursion, going on vacation, or just plain not doing anything, summer is the perfect time for all of it.

My name is Paige Edwards, and I am excited to join the Family Spectrum team. I’m a wellqualified mom of three kids ranging in ages: 9,11, and 14, two older girls and a younger boy. They are my pride and joy! My passion is my background in the field of psychology, but like most moms, my graduate degree is on hold as I choose to put the needs of my kids first.

Sometimes with that “pride and joy” I’ve had to find ways to educate myself on how to be a better parent. I’ve dealt with every topic ranging from how to get your baby to sleep, to picky eaters, to stubborn attitudes and discipline, to milestones like pierced ears and the first kiss. That’s where resources like Family Spectrum really come in handy. Now, as contributing editor, I hope to make the magazine an even better source of information for creating healthy, happy families.

This month, Family Spectrum offers information on poisonous oak, fireworks safety, and an adventurous Treasure Hunt sponsored in part by Omaha Parks & Recreation. As Family Spectrum continues to grow, we invite you to interact with us. Our Writer’s Corner welcomes your child’s stories and poems. We want to share stories of your courageous children on our Young Heroes page. And we’d love to feature your family’s favorite meal ideas in our Family Table. We want to hear from you!

We want to extend a special thank you to our cover models, Hannah, 8, a soon-to-be third-grader at Mari Sandoz Elementary, and Sawyer, 9, from Fullerton Magnet Elementary. Kudos to our outdoor adventurers!

Summer has just begun…go enjoy every minute of it!

Publisher . Todd Lemke Vice President . Greg Bruns Omaha Publications Managing Editor . Corey Ross Family Spectrum Contributing Editor . Paige Edwards Assistant Editor . Linda Persigehl Art Director . John Gawley Graphic Designer . Katie Anderson Account Executives . Gwen Lemke, Gil Cohen, Stacey Penrod, Paige Edwards Sales Assistants . Vicki Voet, Alicia Smith Hollins, Technical Advisor . Tyler Lemke Warehouse Distribution Manager . Mike Brewer Principle Photography • minorwhite studios, inc Scott Drickey, Bill Sitzmann, Colin Cones Advertising .

Omaha Publications, (402) 884–2000 Editorial Comments . Paige Edwards, paige@omahapublications.com Please send contributions to paige@omahapublications.com Original contributions become the property of Omaha Publications. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned.

The information contained within Family Spectrum is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with your physician. Family Spectrum is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000.

Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD

Sincerely,

Paige Paige Edwards, Contributing Editor, Family Spectrum paige@omahapublications.com

live.love.grow 4

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editorsletter

Family Spectrum Magazine ••••

June 2011

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www.LiveGreenThinkBlue.com

TM

M E T R O P O L I TA N U T I L I T I E S D I S T R I C T

GRAND OPENING JUNE 2011

editor’sletter

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editorsletter

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CONTENTS june 2011

live .love .grow 21

coverfeature

21 . On a Quest for Outdoor Fun Metro Area Treasure Hunt

athome 9 11 13

14

16

teach children to recognize poisonous plants fireworks safety-protecting home and family family spectrum’s family table turkey taco ring when disciplining, be like a dispassionate cop the battle on the home front

20

atschool 17

18 19 20

millard central students showcase 40 developmental assets to succeed family spectrum’s writer’s corner youth programs are at turning point school is out time to get a summer job

atplay 21

24

25 27 29

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on a quest for outdoor fun metro area treasure hunt on the go! explore great nebraska outdoor destinations from creighton to cubs-tips for young athletes june 2011 event calendar lemonade day-the dream of a stand family spectrum’s creative corner create a sponge water ball

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Teach Children to Recognize

Poisonous Plants

P

oisonous plants such as poison ivy and poison oak can be found just about anywhere, including your back yard, along hiking and biking trails, at the lake or river, surrounding your camp site and in the woods.

Allergic Reaction

Nearly 90 percent of all Americans are allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. If your child comes in contact with the oily sap of one of these plants, it’s practically a sure bet that he or she will get an extremely itchy rash that will appear wherever the sap has touched. A rash will also appear if your child comes in contact with something that has touched the sap, such as your pet’s fur, gardening tools or clothing.

Recognizing Poisonous Plants

The best way for your child to avoid the misery of poison ivy or poison oak is to learn what these poisonous plants look like. Both plants consist of leaves that come in threes and can be found on vines, as ground cover or as a low shrub. Teach your children to recognize these plants and to stay clear of them at all times. Whenever hiking in areas with heavy growth, be sure your child wears protective clothing, including lightweight long pants, socks and long sleeves.

Relieving the Itch

A rash will appear one to two days after being exposed to the plant. The rash will last about two weeks. There is no treatment that can cure the rash; however, there are several ways to help relieve the itch: • Take a cool shower and spread calamine lotion over the rash.

• Massage the affected area with an ice cube for at least 20 minutes.

• Soak in a lukewarm bath with an oatmeal or baking soda mixture.

• Apply a steroid cream to reduce the itching.

• Administer Benadryl orally to ease itching.

Call a Doctor

Act Right Away

If your child does come in contact with a poisonous plant, it is important to act right away.

• Do not itch the area, no matter how bad it is. Anytime you itch the contaminated area, then touch another part of the body, the rash will spread to that area.

• Wash any exposed areas with cold running water for at least five minutes. Doing this within 20 minutes to an hour of exposure will prevent much of the oil from absorbing into the skin.

• Take off all clothing and shoes outdoors and either wash them with a garden hose or place them in a plastic bag and take them inside to be washed in a washing machine right away.

If itching becomes severe even after treating the rash, the skin looks infected; the rash lasts longer than two weeks, or if you have any questions or concerns, call a doctor during office hours.

However, if the rash is painful with extreme swelling, go to the emergency room right away.

familySPECTRUM

Watch Your Dog

Your dog can spread the oil from poison ivy or poison oak, too. Do not allow your dog to run through high brush or the woods. If you suspect he or she has brushed against a poisonous plant, hose him down right away. Better yet, give your dog a bath regularly to eliminate the possibility that you or your child will get an itchy rash.

Gre gor y T. Penny,

By: Gregory T. Penny, M.D., Boys Town Pediatrics •

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live .love .grow athome • 9

Intro Mag Ad_Intro Mag Ad 1/20/11 10:41 AM Page 1

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By John Mock, Kay Farrell and Bill Mulherin Submitted by: the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter

John and Trudy Mock with Fox and Scully

Fireworks Safety Protecting Home and Family

J

ust imagine giving up your beautiful home and moving

into a hotel room with very few of your personal possessions. Further imagine that at the time you checked into the hotel, you had no idea how long you would be a hotel guest before you could return home. Now, don’t get me wrong… it was a nice hotel, the furniture was nice, the people were nice, the food was good and the service was extraordinary… But no matter how nice, it was not our home. Now why did I find myself living in a hotel room for four months?

Consider this…My wife and I were having dinner at our son’s home when we received a call from a neighbor that our house was on fire. Words simply cannot describe what goes through one’s mind at that critical moment. From over 20 blocks away we spotted billowing smoke in our area. As we turned the corner to our block, the sight of four fire trucks, flashing lights, and a dozen firemen working feverishly to fight the fire was even more shocking.

Further imagine seeing fire hoses running through your front door, firemen on your roof chopping holes, smoke spewing out of open windows, and thinking about a lifetime of irreplaceable memories going up in smoke. The condolences of neighbors gathered to watch the action did little to calm our emotions.

While we didn’t have to worry about the loss of human life, our dear pets, Fox

and Scully, were in the house at the time and our attention was immediately focused on their safety.

I know a lot about safety and couldn’t for the life of me figure out what had caused a fire in our home. Imagine my surprise when the Omaha Fire Marshall informed me that stray fireworks from somewhere in the neighborhood had landed on my cedar shake roof, smoldered for some time and eventually broke out in flames. The entire second floor of our home suffered extensive fire damage with significant smoke and water damage throughout.

The emotional toll of the fire was difficult and lasting. On the one hand we were thankful that Fox and Scully were found safely in the basement of our home and were physically unharmed. On the other hand we had a million decisions to make and a short time to jump into action.

Thanks to a longstanding relationship with our insurance company, they were very supportive of our plight. They immediately contacted their disaster recovery company to access the damage and took steps to remove the fire-and water-damaged structure and personal items. Family heirlooms dating back several generations were either damaged or destroyed and are memories lost forever.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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live .love .grow athome • 11

athome We were also fortunate that we had a personal relationship with a home builder who immediately directed his work crew to prioritize the rebuilding of our home at a cost of approximately $150,000.

Notwithstanding the effects of our insurance carrier and our building contractor as they rebuilt the entire second floor of our home, we lost a complete year of our lives all because of an errant piece of fireworks.

Almost three years later, we are paranoid when we smell smoke in the neighborhood and have made a commitment to never leave home around the July 4th holiday.

• Plan your show to avoid having fireworks come down on people, houses and cars. Remember, the winds often change direction.

• Have a bucket of water available; and a garden hose on and ready to go.

• Have a first aid kit nearby – just in case.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for lighting fireworks.

• Wear close-fitting clothes, sturdy shoes or sneakers and safety glasses.

• Use a “designated shooter” who is alcohol-free.

Light one device at a time and keep a safe distance once a firework is lit.

• Never light fireworks in containers.

For more information, a comic book for kids, where to see free public displays and more, visit our website www.SafeNebraska.org.

familySPECTRUM

We want people to have fun on the 4th of July. The only way you can really assure that is to go to a public fireworks display. If you are having your own fireworks display, please follow these 12 Tips for Fireworks Safety for all ages and remember to clean up when you are done.

• Consider attending one of the many free public shows available.

• If you hold your own show, choose fireworks that are legal. Anything you buy from a legal vendor in Nebraska should meet this requirement.

• Choose fireworks that are age appropriate. Young kids should never handle any fireworks, including sparklers. Teens should be supervised.

• Don’t allow running or horseplay by anyone near fireworks.

• Don’t try to relight duds. Wait at least 20 minutes before handling; then soak in water before disposing of the dud.

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familySPECTRUM

Photo by: John Gawley Submitted by: Linda Persigehl

DANCE ACT & SING ...in our Summer Stock Performance Camps!

Explore your potential and feel the exhilaration of performing!

Workshops, classes and rehearsals all culminate in performing the classical ballet, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and "Alice The Musical." For students of all ages and levels. Call and register now!

Recipe Turkey Taco Ring

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey breast 1 packet reduced sodium taco seasoning ¾ cup water 2 packages lowfat crescent rolls 2 cups 2% cheddar cheese, shredded

Alice The Musical

A Midsummer Night's Dream

This fun musical will be performed August 5 & 6 at Heartland Hall. Beautiful songs bring "Alice in Wonderland" to life!

The enchanting classic ballet full of fairies, love and mischief, will be performed on June 25th at the new Sumtur Amphitheater.

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1 tomato, chopped 1 cup shredded green leaf lettuce 4 oz. sliced black olives Lowfat sour cream Salsa

Brown the turkey breast in skillet, adding a bit of water to keep from drying out. Once browned, add taco seasoning and remaining water and simmer 15 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. On a large baking stone, lay out cresent rolls with points of short sides of triangles touching, to create a large circle with a starburst pattern. Lay 2-3 remaining crescent rolls across middle to fill in center, leaving a small opening. Spoon turkey meat onto triangles of dough, and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Fold outside points of dough over meat and join at center to form a ring. Bake in 350º oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes, then garnish with additional cheese, veggies and sprinkle with salsa.

next Omaha’s treasure re

A treasu

get the book at Community Centers

Recipe enjoyed by: Olivia, 12,

make crayon rubbings & play!

Drew, 10, Mom and Dad, Linda and Steve Persigehl, and Grandma, Joan Persigehl

turn in book for prizes!

Submit your recipe to paige@ omahapublications.com.

readonlinenow.com June 2011

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G u ide b o

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AHA E OF OM ities LEAGU JUNIOR ding better commun Women buil

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Get ready to explore and play in Omaha with the upcoming 3rd and last edition of GO! Play Adventure. This program takes your family all over the greater metro area to experience all kinds of outdoor fun. Finish the book and earn prizes!

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Starting Father’s Day:

About the recipe: High cholesterol and heart disease run in our family, so cooking heart-healthy at home is a must. This recipe is a healthy take on a Pampered Chef recipe I discovered about 15 years ago. This version has about one-third the fat and sodium content as the original beef version. My kids cheer when I make it, and it’s even good cold the next morning!

Hunt starts in June!

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Free books at all Omaha Community Centers • Mahoney State Park • Papio NRD • call the NRD at 402.444.6222

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live .love .grow athome • 13

athome

When Disciplining,

Be Like a Dispassionate Cop

W

hen police officers ticket citizens for routine traffic violations, they do so

dispassionately. They don’t raise their voices or threaten the driver. They merely ask for the person’s driver’s license and registration, specify the violation, write a ticket and ask for a signature. Then they issue a polite departing message and drive away.

People who receive a ticket almost always immediately begin to drive like they just got out of driving school. They signal to leave the shoulder, they place their hands at ten and two on the steering wheel and they drive down the highway slower than the posted speed limit. They continue to drive in this fashion for days and even weeks afterwards. In other words, their driving behavior substantially improves merely as the result of receiving one ticket delivered by a dispassionate person.

This is a good model to use when disciplining your teenager. A dispassionate delivery of consequences is all that is necessary. Getting angry, raising your voice and taking a threatening stance not only is unnecessary, but actually jeopardizes the success of the interaction, the discipline and your relationship with your teen. You merely need to specify the violation, what the penalty will be (“the ticket”) and the time frame for the penalty.

It is possible your teenager will become angry about being punished, which is fine unless he or she crosses the line (e.g., become aggressive). When children are disciplined, they are supposed to be upset. Discipline is an upsetting process. If they cross the line, it merely means a bigger penalty

is probably in order, not that parents need to respond in kind.

The message to bear in mind here is that the dispassionate delivery of a consequence can produce powerful behavior changes in all persons – even teenagers. The emotional delivery of consequences, on the other hand, can turn a simple teaching interaction into a major confrontation and family fight. When disciplining your child, I recommend modeling your behavior after that of a dispassionate police officer.

familySPECTRUM

Pat ric k C. Fri ma n, Ph .D.

By: Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services, ABPP, Boys Town

Does your teen have you on an

EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER? Understand that “crazy” behavior with Boys Town’s entertaining DVD. Order yours today from the the Boys Town Press by visiting www.boystownpress.org or calling 1-800-282-6657.

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live .love .grow athome • 15

athome

Studies are showing the growing and devastating impact on children during the longest war in American history.2 Along with the fear, disruption, and stress that military families already deal with, a new Rand study3 has found that elementaryand middle-school students are suffering academically as well. When parents are deployed 19 months or more, their children have lower achievement scores. It doesn’t matter which branch of service or whether mom or dad is gone – the child is distracted. They struggle with getting their homework done or with extra responsibility at home. And often, they are in classrooms where the teacher is unaware of their circumstance and has little experience to help.

The Battle on the Home Front

A

nnie1 clings to her “soldier” doll for dear life. She won’t let it out of her sight. She’ll

barely let it go to put on her pajamas. The smiling doll in camouflage may not be what every little girl dreams of playing with, but for Annie, it represents the person she can’t always run to for hugs anytime she wants. At seven years old, Annie’s beginning to understand all too well that when her daddy goes to work, he may not come home.

Fortunately, there is a growing community of awareness and support for military families in Nebraska. Among the newer resources is the At Ease program offered through Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS). At Ease provides therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma for active military, veterans, and their loved ones. Since LFS has long specialized in both children services and behavioral health, working with children through At Ease is a natural fit. At Ease even has volunteers who will tutor children during their parent’s therapy session, if that’s what the family needs. The program is supported through donor dollars, and no family is turned away based on ability to pay. It’s all about community working together.

To learn more about At Ease, visit www.lfsneb.org SPECTRUM or e-mail atease@lfsneb.org

family

It’s not easy being the child of a hero.

As Annie began to withdraw more and more, her mother becomes increasingly concerned. Annie doesn’t want to play with her friends anymore. She doesn’t want to talk. Her grades are dropping. She’s exhibiting signs of anxiety, stress, depression – even post-traumatic stress disorder. Very grown-up conditions that should not even be on the radar of a second-grader.

But for many military families, this is the reality of life during a time of war and the repeated deployments of all-volunteer forces. These are the battles on the home front.

Bev Ca rl

so n

In Annie’s case, her mother sought treatment from therapists who not only specialize in early childhood behavioral health and trauma, but also the unique needs of the military child.

1 Not her real name 2 Vietnam War lasted 8.4 years. September, 2011 will mark 10 years of US troops in Afghanistan.

3 Richardson, Amy , Anita Chandra, Laurie T. Martin, Claude Messan Setodji, Bryan W. Hallmark, Nancy F. Campbell, Stacy Hawkins and Patrick Grady. Effects of Soldiers’ Deployment on Children’s Academic Performance and Behavioral Health. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2011. http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1095. Also available in print form.

By: Bev Carlson, APR – Director of Public Relations, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS)

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Young Heroes proudly sponsored by: Submitted by: Cartia Mazzoni

Young Heroes:

Millard Central students showcase 40 developmental assets to succeed

M

ore than 100 students and their

families found the banner hanging across the Millard Central Middle School’s cafeteria difficult to miss. In bold letters “40 Assets, Empowering Students to Change Their World” spread the message that these assets help children succeed in school and in life.

The event this past spring focused on six major assets of the 40. The staff sectioned the school gym into six stations, each explaining one particular asset. After visiting each station, students and their families worked together to make a pizza for dinner.

“Our daily choices become healthy habits if we focus on the eight categories of the asset framework,” says Suzi Yokley-Busby, the 40 developmental assets program coordinator for Building Bright Futures.

These eight categories include four external assets and four internal.

External assets are support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and constructive use of time. Internal assets are commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.

The first asset presented upon entering the gym was No. 37, “restraint.” This includes teaching students to refrain from sexual activity, as well as drug and alcohol use. Yokley-Busby says some assets may need to be discussed in private.

For example, one student’s mother asked him to explain reasons to abstain from sex. He answered, “I don’t know. I don’t want to discuss it.”

Other assets presented included No. 35, which is “resistance to negative peer pressure.”

“Positive peer influence,” No. 15, is one of the most important assets. It teaches students

to be role models, encourage positivity and support friendships.

“Adult relationships,” asset No. 3, encourages children to form consistent, caring relationships with adults who are outside their immediate family, including teachers, mentors and coaches.

“Service to others,” No.9, is a simple asset any child can perform. Yokley-Busby says students don’t necessarily have to volunteer at a soup kitchen to achieve No. 9, it can be as simple as smiling at someone or opening a door.

The last asset presented was No. 1, “family support.” This asset emphasizes the importance of parents making a special effort to show unconditional love and positive support to a child.

Two groups at Millard Central, the 8th grade Sparks Club and the 7th grade Time Travelers, are in charge of promoting assets and responsibilities to students and the community. Each month, the Sparks Club holds an asset-building event such as a trip to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch or ice skating.

The Sparks Club celebrated “High on Life Week” for the week leading up to the event.

“I get high on life through soccer not drugs,” says Ali Hirschman, an 8th grader at the school.

Building Bright Futures (BBF), a program to increase attendance in Omaha schools, sponsors the 40 developmental assets program. BBF’s purpose is to create community and school climates built on strong relationships that encourage youth to attend and develop opportunities for engaged learning. By implementing the 40 developmental assets, Millard Central students are building SPECTRUM foundations for success.

readonlinenow.com June 2011

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JUNE 3 JUNE 10 JUNE 14 JULY 1 JULY 2 JULY 3

family

Family Spectrum and Omaha Storm Chasers would like to honor your Young Hero. Send nominations to Paige@OmahaPublications.com.

•

UPCOMING FIREWORKS DATES:

402.738.5100 live .love .grow atschool • 17

FamilySpectrum_June_Fireworks.indd 1

4/27/11 11:31 AM

atschool Family Spectrum’s Writer’s Corner

Proudly Presented by:

Maddie

Maddie, 12, just finished sixth grade at Millard North Middle School. She loves to play volleyball, read and write in her free time. She also likes to play the violin, listen to music, and hang out with her friends. Her love of writing started in the first grade, and she can’t see herself doing anything else!

She lives in Omaha with her parents, two older brothers and a younger sister.

ie Madd

Gym Story - Part 1

by Maddie

where our gym lockers were. I dialed my combination: 30-10-0. I reset my lock before doing anything else.

I slipped off my jeans and put on my elastic NIKE shorts.

I crammed my books into my locker and slammed it

“Kelsey!” I turned around to see Reah Cook slowly

behind me. I braced myself for the worst.

“You ready?” asked a voice somewhere off to my left.

8702 Pacific St., Countryside Village (402) 392–2877 www.bookwormomaha.com

making her way towards me.

Reah Cook was a girl with white-blonde hair and

My B.F.F.E.A.E.A.E. (Best Friend Forever And Ever And Ever) Amber appeared next to me. Her light brown hair was

brown eyes that always made her look over-excited or

pulled up into a ponytail and her smile was sarcastic.

psycho. She always wore plaid P.J. pants and a tie-dyed

Amber’s brown eyes sparkled, like they always did, no

black and white t-shirt that was three sizes too big tied

matter what mood she was in.

back with a thick orange rubber band.

Reah plopped down next to me on the floor and

“No,” I answered.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

opened her locker (She hasn’t closed it for the last week

“Positive,” I replied. “You are never, never, ready for

because she forgot her combo).

“Guesswhat! Guesswhat! Guesswhat!” Reah exclaimed.

gym class.”

“What?” I asked half-heartedly, but she didn’t

“You are absolutely right….. Well, unless you’re someone

seem to notice.

like Jacob or Rahul.”

“This weekend I –“

Jacob and Rahul were these really athletic guys in our

Reah didn’t finish, or at least I didn’t let her. I had

class. They passed to each other in football, goalies and centers in hockey, and pitches in baseball.

“Good morning girls,” said Mrs. Neilson as she ran her

learned to totally shut her out completely if she got too annoying or I just didn’t feel like listening.

I put on my Camp Rivercreast t-shirt and slipped off

eyes up and down the attendance list.

“Uh….. Mrs. Neilson? It’s sixth period; 1:15. It’s afternoon, ma’am,” Amber corrected.

my regular one underneath. I stuffed it into my locker and closed it.

The tardy bell rang, and Bailey McCoy ran up and

She looked up. “I guess so. Thank you Miss Amber.” Mrs. Neilson put a check mark next to our names on her list.

We walked into the locker room and to the other side,

down one of the isle and screamed like she always did, as a joke. After five months, it still irritates me.

ATTENTION YOUNG WRITERS!

To be continued…

On our Facebook page under notes.

Family Spectrum Magazine

Submit your original short stories and/or poems to Paige@OmahaPublications.com, and we may choose YOURS to feature in our next issue! In addition, all featured work will be awarded with a gift certificate to The Bookworm bookstore.

Submission of a story or poem automatically gives Family Spectrum publishing rights to publish in whole or in part. Family Spectrum will notify writers of intent of use prior to publishing.

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Submitted by: Turning Point

Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday at Lauritzen Gardens...

Youth Programs are a Turning Point

T

A party at the garden is tons of fun for children 5 to 10 years of age!

Choose from a variety of nature themes!

Cost is $100 for up to 12 children.

For more details, contact Garden Educator Jordan Sherbondy 402.346.4002 ext. 253 j.sherbondy@omahabotanicalgardens.org

urning Point is a youth ministry center located in the heart

of North Omaha at 45th Street & Bedford Avenue. The main objective of the organization is to provide a safe, clean, well-maintained campus as a resource for local Christian churches and organizations that are developing and implementing programs that endeavor to meet the increasing emotional, spiritual, mental and physical needs of young people in the community.

100 Bancroft Street | Omaha, NE 68108 | 402.346.4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

To learn more about the ministries on campus, visit www.turningpointomaha.org. To inquire about renting or leasing space for an office, a youth program, or an event, call 402-457-6025 ext. 101 Summer Events Old School vs. New School Basketball Fun & Game Friday, May 27th Kids Clinic: 5:00pm Game Tip Off: 6:15pm Gymnasium Contact Gail Ross at (402) 457-6025 ext. 101

North Omaha Good News Bears Club Saturdays, April 2nd - December 10th, 2011, 1:30pm - 3:30pm Building T, 3rd floor Call 402-457-7820 or visit website at www.NOGNB.com

Safe Haven Play It Safe Summer Youth Camp Monday thru Friday, May 23 thru August 12 Building E, North Annex Times: 8:00am to 3:00pm Contact: Gwen Easter at 402-932-6103

Expressions Summer Arts Program Monday thru Friday, June 6 thru August 12 Building T, Lower Level Contact Family First at 402-201-2441

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Sundays, 4pm.

May 29 through July 24 at Midtown Crossing’s Turner Park Dj/Live Music with Yoga for the Whole Family Presented by: Spiritual Gangster, Alegent Health, Health Source Chiropractic and Rehab of Omaha, Lotus House of Yoga, The Omaha Yoga School, Hyp Yoga, One Tree Yoga & Omaha Magazine.

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atschool

School is Out

Time to Get a Summer Job

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chool’s out! Students are free from the school environment for almost three months and don’t have to follow a schedule.

Younger kids can be found at the pool or in front lawns playing with friends and neighbors, but with many older kids, you can find them at stores or restaurants sending in job applications. When a teen reaches the age of 16, sometimes even 15, they get the privilege or option to have a job, and summertime is the perfect time for that to take place because school is out of session and they are able to drive themselves to and from work at this age. Summer jobs allow kids to rack up some extra cash, teach them about responsibility and respect.

Getting a summer job is exhausting and makes you deal with the scorching sun, if you get a job outside, but the best part of all of this action is getting paid! The money is one of the main reasons teenagers want the job!

Money to spend on dates, or with friends, or even money to help save up for something they’ve had their eyes on for a while. I like to call this “fun money.” “Teenagers in our school get summer jobs to earn some extra cash,” Papillion-La Vista South sophomore Garrett Kelly says. By earning some of their own money, they get the chance to go out and have more fun with their friends and family members. Parents probably enjoy their kids having some hard-earned money also, because it allows the parents to save some of their own money for a rainy day, instead of shoveling it out to teenagers who would just spend and spend it.

“I got a job [in the summer] to get money and to be more responsible,” Papillion-La Vista South sophomore Chris Epp says. These jobs not only give them the money they want, but it teaches them dedication and responsibility.

They are being taught these ethics by having to show up on time every day and having to follow the rules and guidelines laid down by their boss and managers. By learning to respect their coworkers and managers, working teenagers might also learn to respect their families and belongings a tad more as well. “When kids are forced to make their own money, they learn to respect their belongings more often than not because they worked hard for them and they weren’t just handed to them,” Kelly adds.

For the three months that students get a break from school, most of them make the responsible choice to apply for a job. Summer jobs allow kids to make money so they can have fun in the summer, and they also teach them life lessons at a younger age. Dedication, respect, and responsibility all tie in with getting a job. The best thing about getting a job in the summer or for part-time is that the job can always become permanent when teenagers have more time on their hands. For the teens out there, use your summer wisely and go get a SPECTRUM summer job!

family

Written by Shelby of Papillion-La Vista South High School

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MONTESSORI iNTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE PLAINS

Junior & Senior High School

Where education makes sense

Now Enrolling for Fall 2011 ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENT * INTEGRITY * LIFE OF PURPOSE

Contact us:

“Education is a natural process carried out by the human 7020 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68144 individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, 402.965.1412 but by experiences in the email: misp@plainsmontessori.org environment.”

www.plainsmontessori.org

~ Maria Montessori ••••

June 2011

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cover feature

By Christine Jacobsen, Education Specialist, Papio-Missouri River NRD

atplay

On a Quest for Outdoor Fun

Metro Area Treasure Hunt Hits Omaha in Late June

Get ready for the third and last edition of a free Omaha area family outing and treasure hunt, which will start June 19.

Called GO! Play Adventure, this free program gets families outside to play and visit local parks and other areas in search of treasure: treasure in the form of posts for crayon rubbings.

And once families collect rubbings from at least 20 of the posts, treasure will be awarded as well in the form of prizes.

“This is not just a treasure hunt,” says Christine Jacobsen of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD). “This is a fabulous way to get families outside, playing and experiencing adventures.

Our guidebooks feature 25 locations all over the metro

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atplay area to encourage you to visit new parks and other facilities. Playing and enjoying outside in some new locations is all part of the treasure.”

Three 18-Hole Mini Golf Courses Hours Vary. Please Call.

(402)572-9911 • www.puttingplus.com • 9216 Maple St • Omaha, NE 68134

Sponsored by MOREnature, the Papio-Missouri River NRD, the City of Omaha’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Junior League of Omaha, GO! Play Adventure is in its third year in the metro area. Most of the locations in this new edition are new, although a few family favorites are still included.

The new guidebooks give clues where to find at the posts at 25 locations, and each page has a place to make a rubbing from the post graphic.

Sites featured in the guidebook will take families all over the city and beyond to both unusual and familiar places where kids can play, or learn something about their environment. Many of the locations include unusual and interesting city parks throughout the metro area.

Books will be available for pickup at the city’s community centers starting June 19, Father’s Day weekend. Books can also be printed online at www.MOREnature.info. Families have one year to complete 20 of the rubbings, including two sites of their own, to qualify for prizes. The Papio NRD at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in southwest Omaha will accept the completed books.

The GO! Play Adventure book is specifically planned for the Omaha metro area, but the idea of a free outdoors treasure hunt does not stop here. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sponsors a Great Park Pursuit, and the City of Lincoln offers the Lincoln Safari.

May 28, 2011 through January 8, 2012 ravel through the tropics and the tundra as roaring robotic dinosaurs and growling Ice Age mammals invade Omaha Children’s Museum this summer!

BENEFITS TO BEING OUTSIDE: The GO! Play Adventure program was started by MOREnature and the Junior League of Omaha in response to the prevalence of electronics in kids’ lives. Lack of physical activity can lead to obesity and a number of other health issues.

Recent research has found that children who play outside for an average of 90 minutes per day have less risk of heart trouble later in life.

Playing outside not only makes children healthier, but provides a number of other benefits to a child’s growth and development. Through physical play, young children discover what their bodies can do. As their physical skills such as running and climbing improve, children gain confidence and are motivated to try new things.

Playing outdoors also gives children a chance to interact with others and develop healthy social skills, including cooperation and leadership; and unstructured play fosters creativity and imagination. And, it’s peaceful time for parents!

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atplay PRIZES: For this upcoming year, some of the prizes for those who are turning in books will be substantial. Think kayaks. GPS units. Tents. Outdoor Equipment of some sort. Every family who completes a book will receive a prize through a random drawing.

Youngman Lake playground, Stinson Park and Halleck Park. Many are in out-of-the way spots that are nice for family together time.

BOOKS AT COMMUNITY CENTERS: The Omaha Parks and Recreation has graciously agreed to hand out books.

They can also be obtained at Mahoney State Park and Fontenelle Forest.

Community Center Locations include: Northeast A.V. Sorensen, Adams, Benson, Florence, Sherman Northwest Camelot, Common Ground, Saddlebrook Southeast Christie Heights, Columbus Southwest Mockingbird Hills, Montclair, Pipal Park SHARE EXPERIENCES As families experience sites around the metro area, visitors are encouraged to blog or post about their GO! Play Adventures on Facebook. Pictures are welcomed and enjoyed.

LOCATIONS: Some of the locations of the posts this year include: Mahoney State Park, the OPPD Arboretum, the Lied Platte River Bridge, Fontenelle Forest, the National Park Service Headquarters along the Missouri River, the new

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This will be the last year for GO! Play Adventure, so get ready to pick up those books and enjoy the summer of treasure hunting!

For more information on playing outside, visit www.MOREnature.info

familySPECTRUM

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atplay Submitted By: Nebraska Travel and Tourism

Embrace Foster Children There are thousands of kids in foster care in Nebraska. Many

are victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect. Many have problems that interfere with their ability to succeed in traditional foster care. Many need specialized family settings.

All of them need help and hope. tly Curren riety a va seeking ilies for of fam r and Foste ve Adopti n!

Childre

On The Go!

Explore great Nebraska outdoor destinations

S

ummer is the perfect time for family fun in the outdoors.

Nebraska’s state parks and recreation areas provide a bounty of adventure, including hiking, biking, and camping.

The state also boasts a diverse landscape—rolling sandhills, pine-studded buttes, rich prairie lands, and rugged river valleys—that provides the perfect playground for adventure and outdoor recreation. This year, why not explore some of the lesser known parks across the state while creating a lifetime of new memories for your family.

Located less than an hour from the Omaha metro area, Platte River State Park is a great day-trip destination. Families can hike, ride horses, shoot target/ air rifles or bows and arrows, ride bikes, climb to the top of an 85-foot tower, swim in the pool and more. Or make plans to stay the weekend and rent a tepee for a unique overnight experience. If that’s a little too rustic, modern cabins are also available.

Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area is a great place to take the family camping, boating, or fishing, and it’s less than half an hour northwest of Lincoln near Raymond. Multiple campgrounds located around the lake offer a variety of accommodations from primitive sites to RV pads with electrical hookups and a dump station. Horseback, hiking, and mountain bike trails around the lake perimeter offer additional recreation options, and the area is host to numerous outdoor events throughout the season.

If you’re looking to venture further from home, consider taking the family to Nebraska National Forest (Bessey Ranger District) near Halsey, the world’s largest hand-planted forest. You can camp, hike, picnic, or simply enjoy the wide-open spaces and beauty of the Sandhills. Primitive tent camping and RV sites with electrical hook ups are available.

Children Services Center | (800) 267-9876 | (402) 661-7100 | www.lfsneb.org

“Building & Strengthening Families”

Omaha Baseball Headquarters 1st Annual

June 18-19, 2011

At the Qwest Center Omaha

(Across From the College Baseball Tournament)

Keynote Stage • Clinics and Demos • Tailgate Area • Kids Activities

The all new All Sport Expo is the premiere event in Nebraska and the nation for all types of sporting companies to showcase new equipment, products, services and technology.

Contact us @ 402-346-8003 or info@showofficeonline.com www.showofficeonline.com

Open m -6p 11am ays D h t Bo

Learn about more parks, campgrounds, and outdoor destinations across the state on the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division’s website—VisitNebraska.gov. You can also view and order a SPECTRUM copy of the 2011 Nebraska Travel Guide.

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Written by: Heather Heier Lane

Soto with his mom, Ursula

Photo from Boise Ha

wks team photogra

pher, Scott McDaniel

From Creighton to Cubs

Tips For Young Athletes

E

lliot Soto loves baseball. His mom is a huge baseball fan

and her enthusiasm definitely helped her son find his passion. A scholarship athlete who played with Creighton University until he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs last June, Soto has been playing baseball since he learned to walk. Here are some tips from Soto, who is currently playing his way up through the Cubs’ minor league teams:

How should parents introduce their kids to sports? Soto is a

fan of making sports fun and accessible to kids. He remembers playing all kinds of ball with his mom in the backyard. “We just went outside and had fun,” says Soto. He suggests introducing kids to many sports and games, and adds that parents should be easy about it when their kids are young.

Soto believes that forcing kids into sports will never work, but sharing your enthusiasm is the way to go. And Soto also says that when children are young, be sure to find a coach that is supportive. “One bad experience can change the game for a kid,” says Soto.

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What do you tell kids who are interested in competitive athletics? Soto says with a bit of a laugh, that the life of an athlete can be

grueling. He is honest when he says, “You better love your sport, because it is a lot of work.” The training can be exhausting and the hours on the field and in the gym don’t leave a lot of room for much else. Soto recommends that kids play as long as it is fun, but says if they don’t have the inner drive or ambition, that making a career out of it might not be for them.

What role should education play in a young athlete’s life?

According to Soto, a big one. After receiving an athletic scholarship to Creighton, Soto initially struggled academically. “If I had it to do over again, I would have studied more in high school,” says Soto. He admits it took him a while to get used to the pace of higher education, and he’s thankful that with the help of tutors and supportive teachers, he eventually made the transition required for a young student to succeed at an elite university. Soto was drafted by the Cubs after three years of college, and says that part of his signing bonus is money for school if his baseball career ends early. Turns SPECTRUM out the Major League values education as well.

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athome

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June 2011 Event Calendar sunday Don’t miss the fun! Clip and put on your fridge.

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Created by the Newseum, Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs, is a dramatic display of award-winning Pulitzer photography. From the poignant shot of an ailing Babe Ruth watching his number being retired at Yankee Stadium, to the U.S. Marines raising an American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the photographs illustrate the enduring power of the still image. Features some graphic images, not recommend for children under 12.

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NEBRASKAland Days June 11–25 • Citywide & Buffalo Bill Arena North Platte (308) 532-7939 • www.nebraskalanddays.com

Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs April 9 – July 10 • The Durham www.durhammuseum.org

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Families can explore the lure of the West during one of Nebraska’s premier festivals. With PRCA rodeos, big-name concerts such as Brad Paisley, parades, athletic contests, food events, a microbrew festival, art shows, and a carnival, the West will come alive like never before.

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National Yo-Yo Day Father’s Day Fossil Hunt & Fish Fry June 18–19 • Ponca State Park, Ponca, NE (402) 755-2284 • www.outdoornebraska.gov During the annual fossil hunt, dad and the kids can search for more pieces of the 95-million-year-old marine reptile that was excavated on Father’s Day weekend 2009. There’s also a treasure hunt, children’s fossil boxes, and a fish fry including cornbread, beans, and homemade coleslaw.

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All Sports Expo June 18-19 • Qwest Center Omaha 402-346-8003 • www.showofficeonline.com Bring your whole family to see the latest in sports equipment, products, services and technology from around the country.

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First Day of Summer

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College World Series June 18-28/29 • TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (402) 554-4404 • www.cwsomaha.com

The Munroe-Meyer Guild’s 43rd Garden Walk June 12 • Citywide 402-559-6440 • http://www.unmc.edu/mmi/2011gardenwalk.htm The Munroe-Meyer Guild’s 43rd Garden Walk features five fantastic Omaha gardens that familes can stroll through to view unique and creative displays in landscaping, plants, flowers and water features.

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Flatwater Folk Festival June 24–25 • Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor & Ag Learning, Hastings, NE (402) 463-0565 • www.prairieloft.org Don’t miss this celebration of music, art, culture, and fun for all ages. Take advantage of songwriting classes, live concerts, music jams, art and craft vendors, and children’s activities. Workshops led by main stage performers and bands will include banjo, mandolin, yodeling, clogging, harmony singing, and how to play with a band.

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Nebraska’s Official 4th of July Celebration July 4 • Citywide, Seward, NE (402) 643-4189 •www.julyfourthseward.com This award-winning event features a grand parade, a car show, a food alley, live entertainment, a craft show, fireworks, and plenty of old-fashioned family fun.

To learn more about events from around the state, go to www.VisitNebraska.gov. Click on “Things to Do.” •

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atplay So much for the whole family to do!

MidwestKidsFest.com

check online for special

Where families can laugh and learn together!

Family 4-Pack

Don’t miss out! Visit website for details!

August 6 & 7 10am-5pm • Omaha Qwest Center

discount pricing!

Sign up to recieve our $2 off adult admission coupon at www.MidwestKidsFest.com/Omaha • • • • • • • • • •

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TONS of shopping! • Cutest Kid Contest Check out our website to see • Face Painting Magician ALL of the fun we’re stirring up • Kids Characters Kids Activities • Games Door Prizes for families!!

Live Entertainment • Bouncers • And MUCH MORE! Bounce House Play for a chance to win TONS of great Moonwalk k k resource information for Pony Rides in college scholarships! parents!

Reptile Zoo Petting Zoo k k Check out website for ALL the details! www.midwestkidsfest.com “Like” us on FB at www.facebook.com/midwestkidsfest.com for all the insider discounts and deals!!

$50,000 or SUV!

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Written by: Linda Persigehl Photos by: Paige Edwards

Wyatt at his lemonade stand

Lemonade Day

the Dream of a Stand

W

hat little kid doesn’t dream of running their own lemonade stand? For Wyatt Cox, a student at Saddlebrook Elementary, the dream came true when he was only 4. “He started with just a wagon and an umbrella,” said his mom, Janice, “but he always had ideas in his head on how to design and build a real stand.”

At 7, Wyatt learned about National Lemonade Day (May 1), and set a goal of building that dream stand to debut at this year’s event. With the help of his Grandpa Daryl, and a few weeks of hard work in his grandpa’s workshop, the two did just that last month.

Wyatt’s stand has wheels on the front, making it portable much like a hotdog stand. The cart handle also serves as a paper towel holder. A dry erase board features daily specials, including homemade cookies often supplied by his Grandma Joann or brownies baked by his sister, Ella. PVC pipe holds a windsock of an American flag, and an umbrella is staked at the center to provide shade.

Wyatt enjoys the responsibility of running a business, and making a little money for himself, said his mom, but it’s really the social aspect that he enjoys the most. “He loves giving back, and dealing with people.” A portion of his cart earnings is donated to a charity that serves homeless children.

For his 8th birthday, instead of treats, Wyatt handed out coupons for a free lemonade and cookie to his classmates, and invited them to visit his stand at the Saddlebrook Community Park. Turnout was great.

“Wyatt’s been a great role model for his brother, Garrett, and sister, Ella, and they are more than willing to help him with whatever he needs for his stand,” Janice said. “I imagine we’ll be spending a lot of time SPECTRUM working that stand this summer.”

Garrett, Wyatt, Mom, Dad and Ella

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atplay

Creative Corner Create a Sponge Water Ball

N

othing screams summer vacation like a water fight with the

neighborhood kids, but who likes filling up all those water balloons?! Sponge balls—made from kitchen sponges cut into strips—make a great alternative. Their plush design makes them safe to throw, and they can be used over and over. Plus, making these fun water bombs is the perfect, easy summer craft! (Smaller kids will require assistance.)

Here’s what you’ll need: • 3 new sponges (approx. 5x3x½-inch size works best; do not wet first) • Pen or marker • Ruler • Sharp scissors • String Measure across the width of the sponge, dotting every ½-in. with a pen or marker, at the top, middle and bottom. Then using a ruler, draw five lines lengthwise on the sponge, connecting the dots.

Cut the sponge along the lines, creating six long sponge rods. Repeat the whole process with two more new sponges (using different color sponges creates a fun look).

Stack the rods on top of each other, three deep.

Cinch the sponges across the middle with a piece of string and knot string tightly. Fluff the rods out into a ball, soak in water, and throw!

For this and other great crafts for your kids this summer, visit www.marthastewart.com

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The National Safety Council attributes 1.3 million crashes per year to cell phone talking and texting while driving. Hand held or hands free, the distraction is the same.

The inaugural National “Cell Off” Day is June 29, 2011!

Distracted Driving

We’re challenging all drivers to commit to a day of cell-free driving; then another and another, until the habit is broken and everyone is driving safely! Let’s do it for the people we love and the people who love us.

Look for these free downloadable posters and more resources to help end distracted driving at www.SafeNebraska.org!

Thank you to our partners!

A not for profit 501 (c) (3) organization

Children Are Unpredictable That’s why there’s

Parent TALK Presented by Boys Town Pediatrics If you’re expecting or have little ones at home, Parent Talk is for you! Join Boys Town Pediatrics for a one-hour informal presentation by one of our pediatricians on hot pediatric issues that parents need to know. The session includes food and prizes and is always free.

Location:

Boys Town National Research Hospital 14000 Boys Town Hospital Road on the Boys Town Campus

(139th & Pacific Street)

For pediatric tips check us out on facebook, twitter and youtube.

boystownpediatrics.org

facebook.com/BoysTownPediatrics and twitter.com/BoysTownPeds

28 pediatricians at 7 convenient locations.