jackie by The Examiner

calendar Independence

HISTORIC SITES OPEN FOR THE SEASON – BinghamWaggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific Ave.; 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home, 217 N. Main St.; Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St.; and Chicago & Alton 1879 Depot, 318 W. Pacific Ave. “THE MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL TIME MACHINES, demonstration organ recitals, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Even Sundays at the Community of Christ Temple, odd Sundays at the Auditorium, Walnut Avenue and River Boulevard, Independence. Free. Visit www.CofChrist.org/dome_spire. ANIMALS BEST FRIENDS ADOPT-A-PET, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, PetSmart, 39th Street and Missouri 291. Independence Animal Shelter dogs will be available for adoption, and ABF dogs may be viewed. GATHER INN – open to all ages, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Stone Church Community of Christ, north entrance, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence. Spend time in Bible study, receive free blood pressure testing, learn about the community, and a different guest speaker each week. Optional lunch cost, $3.50. Call 816-254-2211 or visit www. stone-church.org. GARAGE SALE, Boy Scout Troop and Cub Pack 229, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 7 and 8; 8 a.m. to noon April 9, First Christian Church, 125 S. Pleasant St. Proceeds will help defray camp and other Scouting expenses. Call 816-252-6100. GALLERY WALK: Civil War in the West, 2 p.m. April 7, 14, 21, 28, National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific Ave. Free with regular museum admission, $6 for adults; $5 for ages 62 and older; $3 for ages 6 to 17. Call 816-325-7575. “CONFEDERATE VETERANS AND HOMES,” 7 p.m. April 7, Trails Museum. Historian Jim Beckner discusses the fate of thousands of Confederate veterans after the Civil War and the creation veteran’s homes in Missouri. Cost, $6. Call 816-325-7575 to register. AN OUTPOURING OF HOPE, a Community Services League benefit, 6 to 9:30 p.m. April 8, Hilton Garden Inn, 19677 E. Jackson Drive. This food and wine tasting extravaganza, also includes a silent and live auction. Tickets range from $50 to $80. To register, call 816-254-4100 or visit www.outpouringofhope.org. LEILA’S HAIR MUSEUM exhibits, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1333 S. Noland Road. April 8-9, Crosses in hair art; April 15-16, Thomas family wreath; April 22-23, Teresa Van Horn; April 29-30, French hair art. The museum is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, but you’ll receive more information about exhibits on Friday and Saturday. Admission, $5; $2.50 for seniors; 12 and under are free. Call 816-833-2955. LENTEN FISH FRY, beginning at 4 p.m. April 8, Nativity of Mary Catholic Church school cafeteria, 10010 E. U.S. 40. Menu: Catfish, breaded fish fillets, breaded and boiled shrimp, salmon croquettes and crab cakes. Dinners include two side dishes, coleslaw, corn bread and drink. Cost, $9; $4 for ages 6 to 12; under 6 eat free. Call 816-373-0168 or 353-2184. ST. ANN’S LENTEN FISH DINNERS, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 8 and 15, at the church, Cedar and Lexington avenues. Menu: Boiled/fried shrimp, catfish, french fries, boiled potatoes and more. Dinners range from $7.50 to $9.75, fish sandwich/fries, $4. Call 816-252-1160. GIRLS NIGHT OUT 4 BREAST CANCER, 5 to 9 p.m. April 9, The Palmer Center, 218-A N. Pleasant St. Activities: Polynesian dinner, live entertainment, silent auction, JACKIE

{EDITOR’S PICK}

Easter T Egg Hunts

hroughout Eastern Jackson County, kids will be able to gather Easter eggs in hunts sponsored by communities and churches.

Look for this symbol in this month’s calendar to find an egg hunt near you.

decorated bra contest, bingo, in memory of displays and more. Tickets are $25, and may be purchased at www. thepowerofpinkbcf.org or contact Liz at Lizzymo@att.net. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA, 9 a.m. to noon April 9, Beacon Heights Community of Christ, 19402 E. Holke Road. Activities include a picture with the Easter Bunny, egg hunt, games, crafts, face-painting, puppet show and door prizes. Everything is free. Call Larry Martin at 816550-4429 or lddsmartin@att.net. TALKIN’ TRUMAN: America’s western trails – highlights, myths and impact, 11 a.m. April 9, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U.S. 24. John Mark Lambertson, director of the National Frontier Trails Museum, will give the presentation. Free with museum admission, $8; $7 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 15. Call 816-268-8200 or 800-833-1225. “BOATS, UNIFORMS AND FLAGS” – a visual

interpretation of Lewis and Clark, 12:30 p.m. April 10, Trails Museum. Missouri artist Gary Lucy presents an artist’s interpretation of the famous trek. The $25 cost includes appetizers, dinner and the program. Reservations deadline: April 6. Call 816-325-7575. ALTER’S GEM fundraiser, sponsored by Centerpoint Medical Center Auxiliary, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11 and 12, outside the hospital’s cafeteria, 39th Street and Jackson Drive. There will be a quality line of jewelry, watches, colored gemstones, purses and baby goods for sale. Proceeds will be used to provide scholarships to students pursuing a medical career and to charities in Eastern Jackson County. HUNTER’S EDUCATION – for ages 11 and older, 6 to 9:30 p.m. April 12 through 14, George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Road. Any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, must obtain an approved hunter education certificate card. Free. To register, call 816-325-7370. TOMBSTONE TALKS with John Mark Lambertson, 7 p.m.

APRIL 2011

April 14, Trails Museum. Gone but not forgotten: Tombstones of the famous and infamous. Cost, $6. For reservations, call 816-325-7575. ENGLEWOOD ART WALK, 5 to 9 p.m. April 15, 10900 E. Winner Road. Seven galleries in the Englewood Station Shopping District, Winner Road and Sterling Avenue, open their doors to art lovers. Free. Call 816-252-3372. “TROUBLE ON THE BORDER” Marionette Theater Production, 7 p.m. April 15, Powerhouse Theater, Sermon Center. The Puppetry Arts Institute will present its original Civil War-themed puppet show. A reception and refreshments will served following the show. Suitable for ages 9 and older. The cost is $10. Reservations requested. Call 816-833-9777. CINNAMON BREAD sales, April 15 and 16, Nativity of Mary Church, 10017 E. 36th Terr. Call 816-353-2184 for the times when they’ll come out of the oven. INDEPENDENCE SHEPHERD’S CENTER “Adventures in Learning,” 8:30 a.m. registration/free blood pressure checks, April 15, Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 E. 39th St. Workshops begin at 10 and 11 a.m., lunch is a noon. Workshop registration, $1; lunch is $4. For lunch reservations, call 816-254-0521. ANIMALS BEST FRIENDS GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16, National Guard Armory, 2323 S. Crysler Ave. Drop off donations between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. April 14 at the ABF facility, 2302 S. Crysler Ave. No shoes or clothing. “TROUBLE ON THE BORDER” Marionette Theater Production, 2 p.m. April 16, Powerhouse Theater, Sermon Center. The Puppetry Arts Institute will present its original Civil War-themed puppet show. Suitable for ages 9 and older. The cost is $7.50. Reservations requested. Call 816-833-9777. EASTER IN THE PARK, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 16, New Walnut Park Community of Christ, 23rd and Pearl streets. There will be a free breakfast, games, crafts, face painting and pictures taken with the Easter bunny. Egg hunt begins at 11 a.m. EASTER PHOTOS AT PETSMART, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 and 17, 4010 S. Bolger. Bring your pet (or children) by for a photo with the Easter bunny for $5. All proceeds benefit Animals Best Friends. 20TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF COLOR YOUTH ART SHOW, April 16 and 17, Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple Ave. Event features the work of high school students from Eastern Jackson County. Applications available through your school’s art department or the Sermon Center. Call 816325-7370 for information. HAM/BEAN DINNER, 4 to 6 p.m. April 16, Glenwood Park Methodist Church, 10000 E. 23rd St. Enjoy ham/beans, corn bread, fried potatoes, coleslaw, apple or cherry pie and drink for a $6 donation. Call 816-254-5116 for takeout orders. POETRY READ-A-ROUND, 6:30 p.m. April 19, Hidden Valley Christian Union Church, 17500 Hidden Valley Road. Bring poems to share. Call 816-373-3416. ANIMALS BEST FRIENDS FUNDRAISER, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 20, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, 1531 E. 23rd St. When purchasing a pizza, let them know you want your purchase to go toward the ABF fundraiser, and Papa Murphy’s will donate 25% of the proceeds. Coupons may not be used. COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTER Charity Golf Tournament – 4-person scramble, 1 p.m. tee-time April 21, Rockwood Golf Course. The $100 per person fee includes

calendar submit your events If you would like your event to appear in the next edition of Jackie or in the newspaper, email your event information to Jill Ritchie at jill.ritchie@ examiner.net, or post your event to our online calendar at examiner.net

green fee, cart, prizes, contests and meal. Registration deadline: April 15. Register at communitymediationkc.org or call Lauren at 816-461-8255. ITTY BITTY CAMP OUT – for ages 1 to 7, 5 to 9 p.m. April 22-23 or 29-30, George Owens Nature Park. Enjoy crafts activities, s’mores and a campfire. Cost, $10 per child. To register, call 816-325-7843. WEED WARRIORS – for ages 7 and older, 9 a.m. to noon April 23, George Owens Nature Park. Help the nature park in the battle against invasive plants. To register, call 816-325-7115. ARTISTS EASTER CRAFT FAIR, with more than 40 local artists, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23, Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads. Admission is $2, children 14 and under are free. “EVERY LITTLE CROOK AND NANNY,” presented by the Encore Theater, April 29-30 and May 1 and 6-8, Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads. Tickets are $7. Call 816325-7370. CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD TOUR planned for May 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., meet at Blue & Grey Book Shoppe, 106 E. Walnut Ave. The $40 fee includes bus, box lunch and admittance fees. Reservation deadline: April 30. Call Beverly Shaw, 816-225-7944. 5TH DISTRICT MISSOURI FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN membership fair, 9 a.m. to noon April 30, HyVee, U.S. 40 and Noland Road. Breakfast is $10 per person. For breakfast reservations or information, call 816-984-1980. TRAILS FROM THE SQUARE, 2 p.m. April 30, meet at the Andrew Jackson statue on the west side of the Square. This 50-minute walking tour is presented by the Trails Museum staff. Cost, $5. Reservations required by 3 p.m. April 29. Call 816-325-7575. “TROUBLE ON THE BORDER” Marionette Theater puppet show, 2 p.m. April 30, Truman Library. The Puppetry Arts Institute will present its original Civil War-themed puppet show. Free with museum admission, $8; $7 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 15. For information, call 816-8339777. “DAVY CROCKET,” 2 p.m. April 30, Trails Museum. First person interpreter Clint Winn portrays the legendary Davy Crocket. Free with museum admission. Call 816-325-7575. “WIZARD OF OZ” exhibit, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MondaySaturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through May, Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence. Cost, $6 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 16. Call 816-325-7430. “IF ONLY THEY COULD TALK,” a display of beaded purses, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, through April, Bingham-Waggoner. Admission, $6; $5 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 16. Call 816-461-3491. DIANE HOUK PUPPET DISPLAY, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, through April, Chicago & Alton 1879 Depot. Donations welcome. Call 816-325-7955. STEAMBOATS TO STEAM ENGINES: George Caleb Bingham’s Missouri from 1819-1879, through Sept. 8, Truman Library. Free with paid museum admission, $8; $7 for seniors; $3 for ages 6 to 15. Call 816-268-8200 or 800833-1225. PUBLIC SKATE, Independence Events Center, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway. Public sessions are open to skaters of all ages and skill levels. These sessions take place at various times and are usually two hours long. Cost, $5; $3 for 12 and under and 55 and older, non-residents add $1 to each price. Skate rental, $2. For times, call the Skating Hotline: 816-795-7577. “IT IS NOT NOISE, IT IS MUSIC: TRUMAN’S RECORD ALBUMS” exhibit, through May 30, Harry S. Truman Home National Historic Site Visitor Center, 223 N. Main St. Exhibit features more than 250 albums and will highlight the importance of music in the lives of the Trumans. Free. Call 816-254-9929. “HAZELLE’S COMPETITORS,” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 31, Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Road. Exhibit of puppets made by other companies that competed with the Hazelle Rollins Kansas City factory. Cost, $3, $1.50 to age 16. Call 816-833-9777. MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING has grief survivors meeting second Monday in Independence. Help for bereaved or injured victims, volunteers accepted. For time and location, call Michelle Fordemwalt, 816-295-1545. LA LECHE LEAGUE, Jackson County A.M. Group, 10 a.m., second Thursday, Trails West Public Library. For breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding. Call Kayl, 816-254-5992. WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT GROUPS, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association, 6:30 to 8:30 Mondays. For locations, call Karen Costa, 816-252-8388, Ext. 16. WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-404-6460 or 257-2335.

Blue Springs

AARP TAX ASSISTANCE (easy form only), April 7, 14, 11, 18, Vesper Hall, 400 N.W. Vesper St. For an appointment, call 816-228-0181. BIRD HIKE – for all ages, 8 to 10 a.m. April 12, 21, 27, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road. Call 816-228-3766 to register. COMPUTER CLASSES, beginning Windows XP, 9 to 11 a.m. April 12-13; navigating Internet/E-mail, 9 to 11 a.m. April 12-13; beginning Microsoft Word, 9 to 11 a.m. April 14-15; intermediate Windows XP, 9 to 11 a.m. April 19-20; , Vesper Hall. Cost, $35 per class, or take three different classes for $90. Call 816-228-0181 to register. DANCE CLASSES, 6 to 7 p.m. for line dancing; 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. for social dancing, Wednesdays April 13 through May 18, Vesper Hall. Cost, $34 for either class. Call 816-2280181 to register. NUTRITION EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, 6 to 8 p.m. April 14, University of Missouri Extension Center. Learn strategies for teaching children the food cycle, correlation between nutrition and academic achievement and more. Cost, $18. To register, call 816-252-5051.

LENTEN FISH DINNER, sponsored by Women’s and Men’s Ministries and Knights of Columbus, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 15, St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 4313 S. Missouri 7. Menu: Fried or baked fish, coleslaw, macaroni/ cheese, desserts and drink. Cost, $9; $4 for children; under 5 years eat free. EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA, 10 a.m. to noon April 16, Rotary Park at Railroad Lake. Hunt begins at 11 a.m. with four hunting areas: 2 and under; 3 and 4 years; 5 and 6 years and 7 and 8 year. Happening rain or shine. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA, 9 a.m. to noon April 16, Colonial Hills Community of Christ, 3539 S. Missouri 7. Activities: Pancake breakfast, games, crafts, face painting, family egg hunt and more. Happening rain or shine. For details, call 816-229-9344. IN CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY – for all ages, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center. Increase your awareness about how pollution affects the fish, forest and wildlife of Missouri through activities and games for the entire family. Events: 10 a.m. to noon activities on the lawn; 1 to 2 p.m. recycled boat race on Burr Oak Creek; 2 to 4 p.m. litter pick up. No registration required. 228-3766. COMMUNITYWIDE FAMILY WEEK – Putting Families First, April 17-23. Parks and Recreation scavenger hunt: Participants will be give a list of eight area parks with questions about something(s) in each park. The deadline to complete entry forms is April 22, and the first two correct entries drawn will be the winners (cash prizes, $150). Family photo exhibit: Capture that special moment with your family spending time together and submit to Vesper Hall (entries due by April 15). Call 816-228-0137. THE COVETED DANDELION – for adults, 1 to 2 p.m. April 20, Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center. Many vow to wage war on dandelions, learn about this beautiful, versatile, delicious and nutritious flower. Call 816-228-3766 to register. DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM, 1 to 5 p.m. April 28, Vesper Hall. Refine existing skills and develop safe, defensive driving techniques. Cost, $12 for AARP members; $14 for nonmembers. Call 816-228-0181 to register. WARM SPRINGS RANCH, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29, depart from Vesper Hall. Tour the home of the Budweiser Clydesdales, have lunch on your own at the 87 Diner, then visit the Boonville Historic County Jail. Costs, $28. Call 816228-0181 to register. FEED THE CRITTERS on exhibit at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center at 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 816-228-3766. WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago, 816-220-1007. TOUGH LOVE Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit support for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Tuesdays, First Christian Church. 913-492-1200. MOM TO MOM LUNCH CLUB, a support group for new moms, 1 to 2 p.m., first and third Tuesday of each month, St. Mary’s Medical Center Professional Building, 300 Mock Ave. Call 816-655-5585. LA LECHE LEAGUE of Blue Springs, 7 p.m., third Tuesday of each month, Parkview Church. For breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding.

APRIL 2011

Jackie Contact Us Phone: 816-350-6365 Fax: 816-254-0211 (news) 816-836-3805 (advertising)

Publisher: Steve Curd steve.curd@examiner.net Editorial: EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Sheila Davis sheila.davis@examiner.net MANAGING EDITOR: Karl Zinke karl.zinke@examiner.net Advertising: Director of Advertising: David T. Lammers dave.lammers@examiner.net Director of Marketing: Sharon Dankenbring sharon.dankenbring@examiner.net New media: New Media Manager: Emilee Bilyeu emilee.bilyeu@examiner.net Web Site: www.examiner.net Jackie is created monthly by GateHouse Media Inc., The Examiner's parent company. © 2011 gatehouse media • All rights reserved

Cover photo by karen Hacker at The Portrait Gallery, 124 S. Main St., Independence, 816-461-5400. Call Kayl, 254-5992 or Stephanie, 816-833-0250.

Buckner

FISH DINNERS, 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 8 and 15, Catholic Church of the Santa Fe, 231 S. Sibley. Menu: Fried/baked Alaskan Pollock, vegetables, dessert and beverage. Call 816650-9341. INTRODUCTION TO TURKEY HUNTING – for ages 8 and older, 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 14, Lake City Shooting Range & Outdoor Education Center, 28505 E. Truman Road. You’ll learn about the equipment you need, hunting, techniques, scouting ideas and more. Call 816-249-3194 to register. WOMEN’S FIREARM SAFETY: Phase 1, 8 to 11:30 a.m. April 16, Lake City Shooting Range & Outdoor Education Center. Topics: Introducing a firearm into your home, basic marksmanship and laws regarding ownership of firearms. Call 816-249-3194 to register.

Grain Valley

EASTER EGG HUNT, sponsored by FOCUS for Grain Valley (formerly the Optimist Club), starts promptly at 10 a.m. April 9, high school football field on AA Highway (Eagles Parkway). There will be more than 10,000 eggs stuffed with candy and silly bands. Hunt areas: Birth to 3 years; 4 to 6 years; and 7 to 10 years. Raindate: April 16 at Armstrong Park on Main Street.

Sugar Creek

MUU MUU MAMA’S Annual Spring Fling, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 9, Mike Onka Hall, 11520 Putnam. Fashion Bug show at 12:30 p.m. Lunch, vendors and drawings. Admission, $6. Proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals and special projects. – Jillayne Ritchie JACKIE

a word from jackie

A royal life is beyond our dreams T

here aren’t too many people in the world that I would trade places with, but being Kate Middleton wouldn’t be too bad. It is easy to walk through life thinking that someone else is better off than you, but if you look below the surface of other people’s lives, you begin to realize that the grass really isn’t greener on the other side of the fence. I’m not the prettiest, richest, most talented person on earth, my house isn’t the biggest and most beautiful, my husband isn’t the handsomest – well, maybe he is – my kids aren’t the top students or superstar athletes, but all in all I am satisfied with my lot in life and am grateful for the health and general well-being of my family and friends. Thus far I have avoided major crises, and that is worth a lot. But being Kate this month sounds pretty good. All eyes are on this young woman as she prepares to become Her Royal Highness Princess William of Wales – yes, convention

JACKIE

written by

Jackie

dictates she take her husband’s first name. Stylish, modern and on her way to royalty, what is not to envy about Kate? She is set to be every bit the icon of Princess Diana for the contemporary woman. At 29 years old, Kate is no child bride. She is coming to marriage and to all the pressures and responsibilities of being a royal with poise and maturity. Raised in an average family where both parents worked – her mother as a flight attendant and her father as a flight dispatcher and later an airline officer for British Airways – Kate is hardly to the manor born. She earned her education at the University of St. Andrews and then embarked on her career in fashion, becoming a buyer for a trendy British clothing chain.

Nothing is quite as fascinating as an echelon of society that is so radically out of reach for most people that it becomes almost a surreal fantasy. There is no way to imagine what life as a princess must be like with the immense wealth, privilege and stature. The closest thing we have stateside is the bona fide movie stars that populate a world of glamour and opulence that is beyond comprehension, and we just lost the last of those who might qualify as American royalty in Elizabeth Taylor. Call me shallow, but I have a special devotion to Elizabeth. If I could skip over the heartbreaks, the addictions, the illness and god-knows-what-else, being Liz in the 1960s and ’70s would have had some pretty sweet moments. It takes an enigma to pull off the stunts that Elizabeth did, like running off with your best friend’s husband when he came to console you after your husband’s untimely death. Raking in the goods was Liz’s special talent, as she accumulated a truly staggering

APRIL 2011

collection of jewelry, possessions, fame and men. She was so astoundingly beautiful that even the women seemed to forgive her as she marched off with their man. Something about Liz was always endearing despite some pretty rotten behavior and weaknesses. She possessed a childlike vulnerability her entire life which made men want to protect her and women want to help her. Liz can’t really be called a role model for women, not just because many of her antics are slightly less than admirable but because the life she lived is nothing any of us mere mortals can ever strive to attain. That rare space in the universe where people like Liz lived isn’t available to very many. But Kate can and most likely will be a woman to admire and emulate. Even though we can’t all be princesses, we can all be beautiful, smart, poised and in love like Kate.

Jackie

faith

Late liturgical date Why is Easter so late this year? It has to do with the moon By Kathryn Sucich GateHouse News Service

Easter falls on April 24 this year, which seems exceptionally late for Christians to be celebrating their most important liturgical day of the calendar. So why the late date? And why does the Easter date jump around every year? Roman Catholic and Protestant churches use the Gregorian calendar to determine the date of Easter, while

Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar. The dates in the calendars are slightly different — that’s why the Easter date can vary some years between the Western and Eastern churches. (This year, Easter is the same date for the churches; next year, they differ by one week.) For Western churches, Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. While many people believe that Easter occurs the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (or first day of spring), that’s not entirely

Show off your

Spring Break

true. Easter is calculated by an ecclesiastical moon – which is not always the same as an astronomical full moon. It is determined by tables that are centuries old, and can vary from the astronomical full moon by up to two days. The precise rules: • Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon, which happens on or after the vernal equinox (fixed as March 21 in the ecclesiastical calendar, although this can be March 20 astronomically). • The ecclesiastical full moon happens

the 14th day of a new moon. What does that mean for 2011? According to the Gregorian calendar, the latest an ecclesiastical full moon can occur after March 21 is April 18, and this year it is on April 17. Since April 17 falls on a Sunday, Easter is the first Sunday after that, or April 24, hence the exceptionally late date this year. The last time Easter was so late? In 1943, when it was on April 25. It won’t be this late again until 2038, when it will fall on April 25. Easter next year will be on April 8, and in 2013 it will be relatively early: March 31.

May your Easter Bloom with Hope. Funeral and Cremation Services

Send us photos of your family on spring break, and we will run some in the newspaper and some at examiner.net It doesn’t matter if you went someplace warm or had a “staycation” – we want your photos.

CARSON-SPEAKS MIDTOWN CHAPEL 816-252-7900 SPEAKS SUBURBAN CHAPEL 816-373-3600 SPEAKS BUCKNER CHAPEL 816-650-5555

Send with your name and a daytime phone number to Adam Vogler at adam.vogler@examiner.net by April 20.

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JACKIE

APRIL 2011

JACKIE

cover story

SPECTRUM/ Jeanie Lauer

Two Blue Springs moms showing their

Highest high/ Having my son.

“I have found the upperclassmen to be extremely helpful. I’ve gone to many of them. It is really important that we connect with the upperclassmen to get that information transferred.”

We are best friends. We have a wonderful, open relationship. We love being together. We learn from each other.

Lowest low/ The death of my parents. They died within three weeks of each other. I grew up on a farm, and it was very much about work ethic. They brought me up with a strong Christian background.

Most important mentor/ My father. He taught me the values of visioning, ethics and of serving others.

Moment of epiphany/

–Jeanie Lauer

(Following a medical scare) I learned there are some things in life that are way more important than others – like family. The fact that the forks aren’t lined up doesn’t matter.

Smartest thing I ever did/ Raise Chris so that he would have his own wings. He is an Eagle Scout and has his head on straight. Just creating an environment for Chris to feel like he can be successful and not have to settle.

Dumbest thing I ever did/ Hindsight’s always pretty cool. When you’re growing up, you don’t feel your folks know everything and not appreciating that. Not having appreciated the wisdom of your parents at a younger age. When you’re a parent it all comes back.

What I thought I’d be doing at this point/ It wasn’t this. My overall goal was to be the CEO of a company. Through my career, I was a senior vice president of a Fortune 500 company and owned my own business.

What I still really want to do/ I have not reached my potential. I don’t know exactly where it’s going to lead, but I have an interest to serve people more.

–––

DO YOU KNOW AN AMAZING WOMAN IN EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY? LET US KNOW, AND SHE COULD BECOME A ‘JACKIE’ COVER PERSON Email ideas to sheila.davis@examiner.net JACKIE

JEANIE LAUER children and both come from a background on the Blue Springs City Council and Planning Commission.

By Stephanie Boothe | Special to The Examiner

he new face of Eastern Jackson County in Jefferson City is a blonde, suburban empty-nester. She has a career she is proud of, children she adores and years of experience in local

government. Meet Missouri Reps. Jeanie Lauer, R-54, and Sheila Solon, R-55. Both are from Blue Springs, both are in their first term in the General Assembly, both have college age APRIL 2011

Not in the plans

While Solon and Lauer are both proud of the time they have spent over the last decade serving their fellow citizens, both are quick to say politics was not something they’d planned to do. “I always just wanted a station wagon and I couple of kids. I just wanted to be happy,” Solon said. “Every time I pull up to the Capitol, it’s still really cool that this is where I work.” Solon, who enjoyed the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom, decided when her

children were old enough that she needed something for herself. She went to work as an account coordinator for Paralux Fragrances. It was the perfect opportunity for her to work on the weekends and take care of her children during the week. Growing up on a farm, Lauer always hoped to be CEO of a large corporation. She was an executive in a Fortune 500 company before she left to start her own consulting business, The Management Edge. “A farm is a business,” Lauer said of going from a farmer’s daughter to a business woman. “And having my own business, I really enjoy that. To me, if it’s a passion it’s a whole lot easier than if it’s just a thing to do. That passion is the driver.”

political instincts in Jefferson City

SPECTRUM/ Sheila Solon Highest High / The universal highs, getting married to my husband, Charlie, and when my children, Lindsey and Spencer, were born. I am fortunate to have a great guy like Charlie to walk through life with.

“I showed up and everybody said to me ‘at the first couple of meetings you’ll just sit and learn. Of course I had a lot of questions. I hit the ground running.”

Lowest Low / In 2004, when my father passed away. He was my biggest fan and cheerleader. He was a good shoulder to lean on and he was always willing to be a sounding board when I needed advice. He believed I could do anything that I set my mind to do and gave me the courage to believe it also.

Most important mentor /My parents. My sister and I were raised with lots of love and discipline. My mother taught me to be strong and to stand up for myself. My father instilled in me a passion for life. We were raised discussing politics and world events at the dinner table, which meant we had to be informed.

– Sheila Solon

Moment of epiphany / After Charlie proposed, we were looking at engagement rings and I broke out in a nervous sweat at the jewelry store realizing this is forever.

Smartest thing I ever did / Ignoring the nervous sweat and marrying

SHEILA SOLON Although they were on different paths, their circumstances led them to the City Council chambers – the stepping stone to Jefferson City. For Solon it was a development that concerned her and her neighbors. Their concerns led them to a Planning Commission meeting. “We were treated so badly I called (former mayor) Greg Grounds and complained,” Solon said. Grounds encouraged Solon to do something about it – get involved. Having already been active in PTA, Solon took on the job of Planning Commissioner with gusto. She traveled to all the developments and did her research.

“I showed up and everybody said to me ‘at the first couple of meetings you’ll just sit and learn,’” Solon recalled. “Of course I had a lot of questions. I hit the ground running.” She spent nine years on the Planning Commission, during which time, she heard testimony on projects such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Adams Dairy Landing. She was on the Planning Commission when Chapman Farms was first announced. After the death of longtime Council Member Bob Dafffer, Solon decided to run for the City Council. “I liked being a planning commissioner,” Solon said. “I stayed on there until I thought there was a void when Bob Daffer died.

Lauer first came onto the city scene in 2003 after a less-than-favorable survey of local developers concluded the city was “difficult to work with.” City officials asked Lauer, because of her consulting/mediation background, to chair a task force that would work with the city and builders to forge a new path of cooperation. Following the task force’s work, Lauer was invited to co-chair the city’s visioning process, Renew the Blue. Lauer also served on the Planning Commission and was eventually elected to the City Council. “It was a natural fit for what I was doing professionally,” Lauer said. “It was just what I could do to get involved.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 APRIL 2011

my husband. Charlie and I have been married 25 years. He is the kindest, most caring person I have ever met. I’m lucky to have him as my best friend.

Dumbest thing I ever did / I do dumb things every day. I remember hot gluing my daughter’s Girl Scout patches on her vest, they were dropping off during the bridge ceremony. Or, when my son played football and I wore a jaguar print dress for senior night. The kids in the crowd thought I was the mascot.

What I thought I’d be doing at this point / I hoped I would be happily married, raising a family and working at a job I enjoyed. Did I ever dream that I would be an elected official, no. It just shows you that you never know where life’s road will take you or how an opportunity can take you on a adventure that you never expected.

What I still really want to do / It would be nice to go back to Hawaii for a second honeymoon. Until now, Charlie and I have been so busy raising our children, it has been hard to schedule the time. But, we enjoy being with our kids so much we would probably bring them along. JACKIE

cover story

Solon, Lauer bring a passion for family to the Capitol CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Settling into office

Although neither woman believes she’s had a lifelong calling to run for state office, both have enjoyed their first terms so far. Solon has carried her mantra of fiscal responsibility to the state house and is working on bill that would help fund veteran housing. The bill would establish a new lottery to benefit veterans. The proceeds would go to the veteran housing coffers, funds that are in danger of drying up, she said. The measure would call for a citizen vote to change the constitution, allowing the lottery. The bill passed the House of Representatives 146 to 11 and is now in the Senate. “That is the best part of being a public servant,” Solon said. “Helping people.” Solon says it’s important for her to always remember the people who elected her. To do what she believes is best for them, Solon works to get both sides of an issue. In an attempt to get all sides of an issue before voting, Solon said, she seeks out the opposition to find out exactly why they disagree. Like Solon, Lauer said she thinks it’s important to get all sides of an issue. She has set up her own unofficial advisory groups. When an issue comes up, she will call on one of her advisers to get more input. “I always make sure I connect with the folks who are dealing with the situation and find out how it affects them,” Lauer said. Lauer believes that her experiences on the City Council give her a better understanding of how issues will affect her constituents. “It helped tremendously having that experience of broader understanding of how it affects a community,” Lauer said. “I can say, ‘Do you understand that means such and such for a our taxpayers.’” They haven’t been left alone to find their own way in the state capitol. Both women have relied on the experiences of upperclassmen to help them settle into their new positions. Lauer said the mentorship has been instrumental in her success so far this term. “I have found the upperclassmen to be extremely helpful,” Lauer said. “I’ve gone to many of them. It is really important that we connect with the upperclassmen to get that information transferred.” Lauer was named president of the freshman class and has found even though the economy, jobs and education are on the top of her priority lists (Solon’s, too), every issue 10 JACKIE

comes down to one factor: people. Serving on the Disability Services Committee helped drive that home. She was in a hearing for a bill that would allow parents with disabilities the ability to retain their legal parental rights. The bill was voted “do pass” in committee. Another bill Lauer has heard in committee would allow foster children to transfer their credits from one school to another. That bill was referred to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. Both bills brought forward touching testimony from people affected, reminding Lauer once again that her actions in Jefferson City have a tangible effect on people. Lauer’s son Chris is proud of the work his mom is doing at the Capitol. “She does a really good job of keeping informed on what’s going on,” Chris said. “She’s down there to represent the citizens. She’s not down there for her own agenda.” Like Lauer, Solon said she has always felt right at home in Jefferson City. “Everyone down there is just wonderful,” Solon said. “I just love meeting everyone.”

The Examiner/adam vogler

State Rep. Sheila Solon, R-Blue Springs, talks with constituent Kelly Jarboe of Blue Springs before a town hall meeting.

Always a mom

Mothers of college-aged children, both women say this was the perfect time in their lives to spend three or four days a week away from their families. Solon’s children Lindsey and Spencer are students at Northwest Missouri State University, and Lauer’s son commutes to the University of Central Missouri. Lauer carves out time in every weekend she’s home to spend time with her son. She makes a point to have some one-on-one time with Chris, her best friend. “Chris and I have once in a lifetime opportunities,” Lauer explained. “And when

The Examiner/adam vogler

State Rep. Jeanie Lauer, R-Blue Springs, talks with constituents during a “Chat with Jeanie” at Memories on Main in Blue Springs.

you have them, you take them.” Lauer and Chris talk every day, and she calls him every Sunday to tell him she’s made it to Jefferson City safely. Chris is majoring in criminal justice and seeking a minor in political science. He hasn’t ruled out following in his mom’s political footsteps. And if he does, Lauer jokes, the campaign signs are already made. “He is definitely of a serving heart,” Lauer said of her son who joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation. A medical discharge abruptly ended his lifelong goal of military service. The day he left for the Air Force was a hard one for Lauer. “It was a total mix of emotion from moment to moment,” Lauer recalled. “You have that pride and that concern. I just had to say to myself ‘I will kill myself worrying.’ I just prayed a lot.” Lauer still makes a point to thank every man and woman in uniform she comes across. Of all her professional and political accomplishments, Lauer is most proud of the man her son is becoming. She’s happy she raised her son in an environment in which he believed he could succeed. And Chris is proud of the politician his mom is becoming. “I can see her doing stuff that is changing Missouri,” Chris said. “It’s awe-inspiring.” For Solon raising two children who treat each other well was an important part of being a mother. “I think she’s a great mom,” Solon’s husband, Charlie, said. “She was always there for the kids when they came home from school.”

APRIL 2011

Solon knew she succeeded in her goal to raise children who got along when she learned Lindsey regularly cooks dinner for her brother while they are away at school. “She’s a very nurturing person,” Solon said. “She’s going to be a great teacher.” When her children were younger, Solon tried to recognize the times they did something nice for one another. She recalled a time that Spencer’s friends were over complaining about their older sisters, and Spencer told his friends how much he like his big sister. “They didn’t really fight,” Solon said. “They’re still really close.” Although she loves her children dearly, so much of her and Charlie’s lives have been centered around the children’s activities, Solon said she didn’t spend too much time mourning the empty nest. Instead, she enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with her husband again. “It was kind of like when we were first married again,” Solon said. “Your whole life is your kids. They leave and it’s like you can date again.” Even now, with Solon’s new role in politics, she and Charlie still find time to enjoy their empty nest. When she’s home on the weekends she tries to get in as much time as possible with her husband before she leaves Monday morning. “Saturday and Sunday, I leave that for family time,” Solon said. Charlie joked that he actually gets to see his wife more now that she’s home and not working on the weekends. “She’s a great wife,” Charlie said. “She’s my best friend.”

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money

Get the most bang for your buck from your family vehicle By Karen Caffarini GateHouse News Service

arents looking to save on fuel costs don’t need to trade in the family-friendly minivan and stuff their kids, the soccer gear and the family dog into a sub-sub-compact car, say car and energy experts. Changing driving habits instead of the vehicle could yield the same amount of savings, possibly more if the new vehicle came with a new, expensive payment. Here are some ideas from Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com:

Maintain, maintain The Department of Energy says you can save 4 percent, or an average of 12 cents a gallon, by keeping your engine properly tuned; 9 cents a gallon by keeping the tires properly inflated; and 3 to 6 cents a gallon by using the recommended grade of oil. There are new fuel-efficient tires on the market that are worth the investment.

Think cylinders Consider a 4-cylinder engine instead of 6 cylinders. They’ve gotten a lot better.

Plan better “If you have three errands, go to the farthest one first because your car doesn’t operate efficiently until it’s warmed up,” Reed says.

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APRIL 2011

Slow down Once the speedometer goes past 65 mph, aerodynamics plays a large part in moving the car. “When you’re going 75 to 80 mph, you’re sacrificing a lot of fuel efficiency to air resistance,” Reed says. Expect to pay 24 cents a gallon more for each 5 mph over 60 mph you go, according to the Energy Department.

money

Don’t idle If you stop 15 to 30 seconds to drop your kids off at school, leave the car running. But if you stop to talk to another parent, shut it off. “You don’t know how long you will be there,” Reed says.

Calm down Rapid acceleration and harsh braking could result in spending an additional 15 cents to $1.01 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy. “We don’t say slow down, but calm down. It’s the No. 1 fuel-saving tip,” Reed says.

Need new car The U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website, www.FuelEconomy.gov, has a listing of all cars’ gas mileage and cost estimates from 1984 to now to help you gauge your cost and possible savings. Look at the amount saved on fuel versus the cost of the car to determine real savings.

Trade down “If you’re driving a big SUV and getting 13 miles per gallon, trading to a minivan getting 18 to 19 mpg would be a huge improvement,” says Reed. Going from a car yielding 25 mpg to one getting 30 mpg won’t save you as much, he says. Reed’s tips: Look at average mpg, not highway, which will give you a better barometer of what you’ll actually receive, and don’t over estimate how much space you need. “You probbly don’t need a full-blown Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna with just two kids,” he says. “There are smaller minivans.”

Just cruise Use cruise control if you can, Reed says. It will hold you to your speed and you won’t be as reactionary to other drivers’ speeds.

Illustration by Joe Greco/GHNS

APRIL 2011

JACKIE

family facts

Get to bed

In good

You have just a few months until school’s out for the summer, so it’s a great time to get your family into perfect health so you can enjoy your summer holidays. The first step is easy: Kids younger than 5 should be getting at least 11 hours of sleep a night, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Kids who get fewer than 11 hours a night on a regular basis are at a greater risk of being overweight or obese.

health

Zap stress

Tips on sleep, stress and fitness to get your family ready for spring weather

People who try yoga for the first time and do their practice three times weekly report lower anxiety and a better mood than people who walk for the same amount of time, says a study by Boston University researchers. That’s because yoga helps your brain give off gamma-aminobutyric acid — a calming chemical.

Compiled by Danielle Braff | GateHouse News Service

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family facts

Perfect for rainy day

Easy relief

April showers bring May flowers — and when the rain starts pouring, get inside and go online. Sitting in front of the computer while logging your food and exercise regimes will help you lose weight faster than those who skip their computer time, says a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. When you’re able to view your progress, you’re more likely to keep up the diet and exercise.

If anyone in your family suffers from knee pain, simply grab them an over-the-counter shoe insert, which can be found at your local drugstore. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds that people suffering from knee pain reported fewer aches when they wore generic inserts in their shoes than when they skipped the inserts. It’s an easy, cheap fix.

Good-for-you food

Brace yourself

It’s in the veggie aisle. Grab some mushrooms, which can fight colds and the flu, according to researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. The compounds in the simple white button mushrooms boost your immune system to get rid of infections.

Do you and your child both have braces? You’re not alone. A whopping 24 percent more adults visit orthodontists today than just 10 years ago, says a recent study published in the European Journal of Orthodontics. Today, the clear, barely-there braces option makes straightening your teeth a lot more appealing.

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his is springtime, and spring in the Midwest is nutty. Today I am cold, but yesterday the sun was shining at an outdoor event, I forgot to put sunscreen on my neck, and I fried! I can’t believe I did this to myself. I know how important it is to protect the skin you live in. So I wanted to give you some helpful information about sunscreen that might make it easier for you to make sure you always use yours. This topic in general has been a “hot” subject in the news for the last couple of years. There is tons of information out there regarding the protection of our skin from the obvious hazards of the sun, and plenty of controversy. The Environmental Working Group’s website offers a ton of information for someone who wants to do homework on sunscreen, along with a clear comparison list of the best sunscreens of 2010, a way to look up the sunscreen you already own and the Hall of Shame, which is the list of sunscreen that simply don’t cut the mustard with this watchdog group. Then also offer information about the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval (they think it is too easy for a product to get it) and the FDA (no firm regulation for sunscreen). On the other hand there are several articles out there, including the Skin Cancer Foundations’ own website, that offers a statement regarding the EWG’s 2010 reports. They don’t agree with the EWG’s report on retinyl palmitate (vitamin A). It is all a little complicated. Basically the EWG is using a government study to say that this ingredient can actually be cancer causing, and the opposition is saying the study might not be correct, as well as showing concern that people will stop using sunscreen altogether for fear that it will actually harm them. They also have new information about APRIL 2011

written by

Mary costanzoschwaller the “new” standards for sunscreens for its seal of recommendation. That’s cool. So, as usual, I will suggest that you do your research and read information, from both sides before you make a purchase. I personally found it all to be very helpful. One thing is completely clear to me. No matter how strict you want to be with your choice of sunscreen, it is still very, very important to protect our skin. Even if you don’t care about how you might look as you age, there are still important health consequences we will have to endure if we don’t protect ourselves while we are outdoors. So, however you choose to do this, please just do it. I would hate for all of us to be wandering the earth years from now wrinkled and withered with hunks of skin and body parts carved off of us from skin cancer removal… Yuk! Take the time now and by all means protect your children as well. We have come along way from slathering our bodies with a concoction of baby oil, iodine and something that smelled like bananas! So, mamma, I guess we are evolving a bit, even if I am writing this while my neck is beet red! Aarg! Have a beautiful day!

Mary

pets

Time to train Teaching dog obedience takes patience and commitment By Melissa Erickson GateHouse News Service All dogs have something in common: They can benefit from obedience training — tiny teacup terriers, mammoth Newfoundlands, energetic yellow Labs and even laid-back Bassett hounds. To be a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog, the family pooch needs to learn to obey, said Jan Gribble, president of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and owner of ABC Dog Training in Socorro, N.M. But who is the best person to train your dog — owner or professional? Can you do it yourself or should you seek out help? “It depends,” said Gribble. “It is usually preferable for the owner to train his/her dog because training also en-

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compasses the owner’s behaviors.” There are plenty of books and online resources available for pet owners. But are you the type of person who will stick with it? Dog training takes time and patience, commitment, consistency and an understanding of dog behavior. If you think you need a little help with training or your dog has some problem behaviors you can’t tackle alone, there are plenty of dog training facilities willing to train for a small fee. Group classes can average $40 to $125 for four to eight one-hour weekly sessions. Private classes range from $30 to $100 an hour, and boarding schools can run $950 to $2,500 for two to four weeks of boarding/training, according to costhelp.com. “Choosing a trainer should start first and foremost with a clear idea of what goals the owner has with respect to training, and then finding an instructor/trainer who can help the owner reach those goals,” said Gribble. So if off-leash reliability is important to the owner, be sure to select an instructor with a proven ability to achieve that skill. Because almost anyone can print up some fliers and claim to be a dog trainer, it’s important to do some research before selecting an instructor. “The owner also has to be comfortable with both the instructor/trainer and with the environment,” Gribble said.

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Dog-training tips • Observe a class before signing up to size up the trainer’s skills. Does the trainer offer individual attention and good, clear advice and instructions? How will dogs be corrected? Are they rewarded rather than punished? How will the trainer teach your dog to sit or lie down? Does he or she work well with different (and especially your) breeds of dog? Does the facility seem safe? Do the instructors have teaching credentials?

APRIL 2011

• “Competent instructors have extensive tool boxes — more than one method — and have a good knowledge of the proper use of various types of equipment so that if something doesn’t work, they can offer alternatives,” said Gribble. • “Good people skills are also necessary,” Gribble said. “If the person cannot communicate effectively with the owner, it doesn’t matter how good of a trainer they are — they won’t be able to effectively help the owner.”

JACKIE

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wine 101

What wine pairs well with my Easter menu? Easter is coming up; which wine should I serve with dinner?

A: It all depends on what you are having for dinner. If you are having lamb you are in luck when picking a wine. Whites, rose and red all work well with lamb. A glass of your favorite dry wine brings out lamb’s juicy, mild, meaty flavor and makes it even more delicious. Pairing wine with lamb is quite historic really. The love of lamb and wine is centuries old. One reason is because in many countries where wine was first made, lamb was the most popular meat. Drinking wine with lamb was as natural as us having a Coke and hamburger. It was the way of life. From French wines to Italian Chianti, lamb will pair with just about any wine, depending on how it is cooked. For a rack of lamb, a nice heavy bodied Cabernet, Merlot or Chianti will do fine, for heartier stews or shanks a sturdy rich Shiraz would be nice. For lighter fare, say a salad with lamb in it, a light white or for summertime grilled lamb a really ice cold rose. If you are choosing turkey or ham for Easter dinner, either will pair well with a Riesling or Gewürztraminer or pinot grigio. Something crisp and appley cuts the salt and fat in the turkey or ham while complementing the flavors. Ham can also be nice with a tart cherry wine, or a soft pinot noir. A rose and even a White Zen can knock your socks off with a nice ham with a sweet sauce. For a red wine lover having turkey, again the best pairing would be a soft low tannin pinot noir. If you like a drier white wine, Chardonnay will be a good selection with Turkey. Another option exists on Easter, there is always the off chance that you just may only want to eat everything in your Easter basket and forgo the cooking of a big meal. With the chocolate you would want a very fruity berryish wine or a nice chocolate cherry wine. Red Decadence or Rosa Di’ Rosa pairs extremely well with chocolate! Whatever you decide to eat on Easter there is a wine out there that will pair with it and complement the foods flavors. From early morning to late at night there is a wine to get your through your holiday. To start the day out, our family starts breakfast or brunch with yummy cold mimosas. Just mix champagne or sparkling white wine with orange juice to your taste. It is a nice treat with breakfast/ brunch foods. To treat yourself after the day is over and company is gone, and all you have left is a mess, pick out a semi sweet bubbly wine like a Moscato or a sweet bubbly red like Casanova to make the clean up easier.

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Matching wine and food isn’t about rules, it’s about drinking what you love with what you love to eat. People who pair wine and food together just have good instincts. At our wine tastings people sometimes ask, what food will this wine go with, and I ask them what food they think of when tasting the wine. That is the food pairing. It’s just that easy. It’s not what is good to everyone else, it is what is good to you. Don’t get hung up on rules. Like I have said before, wine is meant to be enjoyed, not fussed over. Whatever you decide is fine!

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food

Ah, here’s the rub Don’t buy — mix your own signature seasoning Story and photos by Margaret Maples

Gila Creek Red Rub

GateHouse News Service

This rub is easy-going with a little attitude. It brings out the best in burgers, chicken and trout, and it awakens fried eggs.

Flavorful dry rubs have become as common as salt and pepper in many supermarket spice aisles. You have a good chance of finding several that will take meat, fowl and fish to new levels. But if you’d like to express your unique personality at the grill, why not mix your own rub? Spices are expensive, so begin with small batches. First, try to analyze which taste combinations you like, which ethnic palette tickles your fancy. To evoke the Southwest or south of the border, pepper is a good place to start. Whole peppercorns offer wonderful flavor, but ground varieties work well, too. Heat is important in Southwestern and Mexican cuisine, but it includes other notes, such as cinnamon, cumin, perhaps some mesquite, lemon zest and onion and garlic powders. You’ll be using salt, but with the rest of these flavors bouncing around, you can go easy on the sodium.

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon ground smoked Spanish paprika • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon mesquite seasoning

Combine the spices and process in a coffee grinder. Store in a glass jar with a tight lid. Use as a rub with burgers, steaks, chicken or fish. Or, mix with mayonnaise and sour cream to make a sandwich spread or dip. Makes about 2 1⁄3 tablespoons.

Gila Creek Red Rub (left) is simple compared with mixtures with dozens of ingredients. From top left: onion powder, ground ginger, dried lemon zest, mesquite seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper, smoked Spanish paprika, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, granulated garlic. FOOD STYLING AND PHOTOS BY MARGARET MAPLES/GHNS

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food

This grilled trout is dusted with Gila Creek Red Rub and served with roasted russet and sweet potatoes. Before grilling trout, oil it lightly and sprinkle on Gila Creek Red. Top the fish with diced onion and sweet pepper.

Gila Creek Red and chicken get along very well. We stuffed this rolled chicken breast with seasoned rice, then added more rub before grilling. The sliced chicken is served on a bed of rice and lightly cooked vegetables.

Beef is a natural partner for our Gila Creek mixture. You also can add a little Worcestershire sauce, diced onion and diced sweet pepper. FOODSTYLING AND PHOTOS BY MARGARET MAPLES/GHNS

Start with quarter teaspoons and half teaspoons of spices, and jot down the amounts. After you mix a few ingredients, sniff the bowl. Does the aroma match your memory of a favorite dish or the pungency of an ethnic restaurant? If not, add a bit more of this or that until you like the smell. Now load the mixture into a coffee grinder and process the spices to powder. You can go around the world in your spice cabinet. We visited North Africa thanks to ras el hanout, which means “top of the shop” in Arabic. Online sources say some ver-

sions of ras el hanout include more than 100 ingredients. We used a mixture from a local spice store, then added brown sugar, cayenne pepper, dried rosemary, cinnamon and lemon zest. Our third rub is an aromatic nod to India, where many versions of garam masala are popular. A standardized mixture is available in U.S. supermarkets. To this, we added cumin, red curry, celery seed and granulated garlic to make a rub. Stirring any of these mixtures into a base of mayonnaise

and sour cream makes a tasty sandwich spread or dip. Sample your creation on a bite of unseasoned chicken or beef. Tweak the mixture again if you need to, making sure to record the spices and amounts. When you find a combination you love, you can make more by multiplying the ingredients you listed. Store the finished product in a glass jar, labeled and dated, with a tight-fitting lid. When you invent your own rub, you get to name it. We call this one Gila Creek Red Rub.

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lessons in life/ lesson 7

There’s no such thing as the terrible twos W

hoever invented the concept of terrible twos clearly did not have what the authors of “What to Expect…” classify as an active baby. I swore by the lessons I learned in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” so when a close friend gave me “What to Expect: The First Year,” I knew I had just received what every parent says no child comes with – a manual. I quickly noticed that the manual and Baby J weren’t quite in sync. The manual said Baby J should be sleeping through the night by six months. The manual said Baby J should be napping at least twice a day. The manual said I should start reading to Baby J early. What the manual didn’t tell me was Baby J would hate sleeping. Baby J would refuse to take a nap unless there was absolutely nothing else to do. Baby J also would never sit still long enough to read a book before either 1) squirming to get out of your lap or 2) ripping out a page of the book your friend searched for months to find. Then I found the passage that brought it all together. It’s on page 238, the box labeled “Do you have a challenging baby?” It starts with The active baby – the baby who kicks the receiving blanket off soon after birth (yes); diaper and clothing changes rival WWE wrestling matches (a resounding yes, still); she ends up at the opposite end of the crib (every night). The passage suggests that active babies sleep less than most, are restless when feeding and are easily frustrated until they can move on their own. All true in the case of Baby J. The active baby, it says, is alert, interested and quick to accomplish – again all true, and not just a proud mom bragging on her super baby. What the manual fails to mention with active babies is that this activity comes with an energy that rivals any caffeine or sugar 22 JACKIE

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written by

STEPHANIE BOOTHE high. It means baby will run around a house screaming and laughing for hours, pass out in the car and wake up ready to face the world two hours later. It means your life from the moment Baby J learns to crawl is a daily log in the terrible twos journal. She’ll refuse to be picked up and demonstrate her frustration by throwing her arms straight up in the air and arching her back to prevent you from getting her. She will run away from you with whatever she has just grabbed – those commercials of frantic moms chasing a toddler are not made up… you cannot catch that baby with the dog toy she’s trying to put in her mouth. “No” is her favorite word to ignore. She knows exactly what it means, and when you tell her no, she’ll look at you and smile before doing exactly what you told her not to. The world is her toy box and you’ll one day find her sitting (or standing depending how soon you catch her) in what used to be dish towel drawer in your kitchen – you cleaned it out months ago because she figured out how to open it and you still can’t find your tea towels. And don’t forget, there will come the day that you find a pacifier in the toilet. The world may call it terrible twos. The manual may call it an active baby. But I’m calling it karma for all the times I laughed at my frantic friends as they told me stories about their baby throwing cans of pop around the kitchen (sorry). Lesson learned.

Stephanie

good reads

The end

By Paul Eisenberg | GateHouse News Service

It’s easy to take Mother Earth for granted. It’s there every day, providing us with the raw materials we need to live. But what if something happened to upset our relatively cozy way of life? Here are some books that take a look into some frightening futures.

You won’t see Earth the same way after reading these post-apocalyptic tales title/ author

cost

description

“A Canticle for Leibowitz”

$14.95

Set 600 years after a nuclear holocaust, civilization is slowly regaining its footing, albeit in a form that would be more recognizable to denizens of the 15th century than those of the 20th. At times funny and others bleak, the title character is Jewish but helped establish a means of retaining technology in the wake of the holocaust based on ancient monastic societies.

$14.95

Like “Canticle,” a classic of the genre, written as the Cold War was getting under way and fears of nuclear holocaust were at their height. Stewart’s tale instead tells of a different type of disaster, a disease that wipes out most of humanity. A few survivors with mysterious immunity band together to rebuild the world they knew, but obstacles to that goal include some of their own people. Appropriate for some teen readers as well.

$7.99

Forget the Kevin Costner movie of the same title. Brin’s book tells the riveting tale of a hardened survivor of a world-destroying war who is pressed into service delivering the mail between city-states that have sprung up across the former United States and, in that role helps topple oppressive leaders and serves as a symbol of hope to his fellow survivors.

$7.99

Niven and Pournelle know how to write a disaster. On the heels of their alien-invasion tale “Footfall,” the pair turned their attention to what would happen if a giant comet slammed into the Earth. The story relates how disbelief turns into rapid contingency planning, but even the best-laid plans end up awry in the wake of the total disaster that engulfs the planet.

$8.99

Death is nothing new to King’s novels, but in this giant tome, death reaches epic proportions as a disease takes out most of the world’s population. Rather than an examination of how to rebuild society, “The Stand” builds into a classic struggle between good and evil, as various survivors unite into two camps that will eventually stand off against each other.

By Walter M. Miller Jr.

“Earth Abides” By George R. Stewart

“The Postman” By David Brin

“Lucifer’s Hammer” By Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

“The Stand” By Stephen King

Find deals at Amazon.com and Borders at RadarFrog.com. Sign up for a free account today. APRIL 2011

JACKIE

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