Category Archives: Education

Featured WKTV high school sports coverage includes boys basketball, hockey

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)


Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@WKTV.org

Only one more week before the boys basketball playoffs start, but WKTV’s featured high school sports contests this week include a boys basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 19, with Belding at Wyoming Lee as well as a Friday, Feb. 22, boys hockey contest with Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood.

Later in the month and in early March, WKTV plans to send it coverage crew to boys basket district playoff sites for games that have our schools playing in.

Starting Monday, Feb. 25 and continuing Wednesday, Feb. 27, with finals on Friday, Feb. 27, local possibilities include the Division 1 district group at East Kentwood and/or the Division 2 district group at South Christian.

Starting Monday, March 4, and continuing Wednesday, March 6, with finals Friday, March 8, local teams will be playing in the Division 1 district group at East Grand Rapids and the Division 2 district group at Grand Rapids Christian.

In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person — including state-level completions in bowling, swimming and competitive cheer.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 18
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Tuesday, Feb. 19
Boys Basketball
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – Senior Night
Belding @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Fennville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep
Wayland @ South Christian
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation
Fennville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
Martin @ Potter’s House
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep
South Christian @ Wayland
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Wednesday, Feb. 20
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ FH Northern
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Benton Harbor
South Christian @ Hudsonville

Thursday, Feb. 21
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Diving Prelims
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Academy
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian

Friday, Feb. 22
Boys/Girls Bowling
@ Jenison – Fairlanes Bowling Center – Division 1 MHSAA Team Regionals
@ Vicksburg – Continental Lanes – Division 2 MHSAA Team Regionals
@ Catholic Central – Park Center Lanes – Division 3 MHSAA Team Regionals
@ Lake Odessa Lakewood – M-66 Bowl – Division 3 MHSAA Team Regionals
@ Holton – Sherman Bowling Center – Division 4 MHSAA Team Regionals
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Swimming Prelims
South Christian @ Hastings
Boys Basketball
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Covenant Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Oakridge
Calhoun Christian @ Zion Christian
Potter’s House @ Lansing Christian
Sparta @ Grand River Prep
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Girls Basketball
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Holland Black River
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Calhoun Christian @ Zion Christian
Potter’s House @ Lansing Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Grand River Prep @ Lakewood Lake Odessa
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Boys Hockey
Christian @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Lowell

Saturday, Feb. 23
Boys/Girls Bowling
@ Jenison – Fairlanes Bowling Center – Division 1 MHSAA Individual Regionals
@ Vicksburg – Continental Lanes – Division 2 MHSAA Individual Regionals
@ Catholic Central – Park Center Lanes – Division 3 MHSAA Individual Regionals
@ Lake Odessa Lakewood – M-66 Bowl – Division 3 MHSAA Individual Regionals
@ Holton – Sherman Bowling Center – Division 4 MHSAA Individual Regionals
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
South Christian @ Hastings
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Cheer
@ Hartland – Division 1 MHSAA Regionals
@ Kenowa Hills – Division 2 MHSAA Regionals
@ Rockford – Division 3 MHSAA Regionals
@ Caledonia – Division 4 MHSAA Regionals
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Academy
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Union

Monday, Feb. 25
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood vs Byron Center @ Wyoming – Division 1 MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ South Christian – Division 2 MHSAA Districts

Featured WKTV high school sports coverage returns to South Christian Friday

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports


WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@WKTV.org

With the playoffs looming, WKTV’s featured high school game this week will be a Friday, Feb. 15, boys and girls basketball games with Middleville Thronapple-Kellogg at South Christian.

The rest of the tentative monthly featured game coverage schedule is:

Tuesday, Feb. 19: Boys basketball, Belding at Wyoming Lee
Friday, Feb. 22: Boys Hockey, Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood
Week of February 25–29: Boys basketball, TBD

In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 11
Boys/Girls Bowling
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Girls Basketball
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Rockford
Boys Basketball
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep

Tuesday, Feb. 12
Boys/Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Crossroads Charter Academy @ Potter’s House
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Christian @ Wyoming – Teacher Appreciation Night
Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian
Western Michigan Christian @ Zion Christian
Kalamazoo Hackett @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Aviation @ Martin
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
South Christian @ Covenant Christian
Girls Basketball
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Christian
Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian
Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central
West Michigan Aviation @ Martin
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
Covenant Christian @ South Christian
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Ottawa Hills

Wednesday, Feb. 13
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming Lee @ MHSAA Team Regionals
Boys/Girls Bowling
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Comstock Park
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Thursday, Feb. 14
Boys/Girls Bowling
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – Boys only
FH Eastern @ South Christian

Friday, Feb. 15
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Hudsonville @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Zion Christian @ Calvary Christian
Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation
West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian
Grand River Prep @ Holland Calvary
Middleville T-K @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Hudsonville @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night
Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Zion Christian @ Calvary Christian
Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation
West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian
Hopkins @ Grand River Prep
Middleville T-K @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores – Division 2 MHSAA Districts
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts
Girls Gymnastics
@ Potter’s House

Saturday, Feb. 16
Boys/Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ Christian
Boys Wrestling
@ Grand Haven – MHSAA Individual Regionals
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Davenport University Invite
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Rockford – Division 1 MHSAA Districts
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Monday, Feb. 18
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Spatial awareness with infants and toddlers

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Photo supplied

By Tracy Trautner, Michigan State University Extension

Spatial awareness, also known as geometry, includes knowing about shapes, space, positions, directions and movement. All children need opportunities to play with blocks and puzzles. To help teach the concept of spatial awareness with young children, use puzzle and block play vocabulary as your child plays: above, below, in front of, next to, rectangle (all shapes), rhombus, edge, corner, face and side. “The block that is red is above the block that is blue.”

Playing with puzzles helps build spatial awareness skills. A child is required to determine which piece goes where and then manipulate the piece to get into the shape. Puzzles also help develop problem-solving skills by recreating patterns.

Michigan State University Extension provides the following ideas to help young children learn about spatial awareness:

  • Use math talk: “Jason went under the climber and Suzie is on top of the climber.” “You are sitting next to the dog/cat/your sister.” “Some of the blocks are round and some of them are triangles.”
  • Play with shape sorters. Talk with the child about the color and number of sides.
  • Have the child crawl through a tunnel or be in a space where they can see both ends.
  • Play games like “Pat-a-Cake” and “This Little Piggy.”
  • Play with puzzles with knobs.
  • Boys and girls need exposure to blocks. Girls may play differently with blocks, but it is very important that all kids have access to blocks. It will be the foundation for success in future geometry classes.

Other resources from the National Association for the Education of Young Children:

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

WKTV sports features retiring East Kentwood swim coach, who talks memories, gratitude

3-bottom, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Newscast, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,


By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org

After an illustrious career that spanned 38 seasons over 43 years, Jock Ambrose, head swim coach for the East Kentwood Falcons boys swim team, is stepping down from his position.

Ambrose accomplished a lot in his 38 seasons as head swim coach including 17 league titles, three state runner-ups, two state championships, and five Coach of the Year honors.
 

In his 43 years in the East Kentwood community, Ambrose not only served as the boys head swim coach but also as the boys water polo coach from 1977-1992, girls swim coach from 1994-1997, and athletic director from 1997-2001. He also served as Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) area vice president for seven years, and MISCA water polo chair for five years. He was the founder of the West Michigan Water Polo League, and a founding member of the West Michigan Swim League.

But it wasn’t any of the awards, honors or positions that Ambrose said he will miss most.

“It’s the people around here, in this community that have made it as special as it is and will make it tough for me to walk away,” Ambrose said to WKTV.

Ambrose had a lot of praise for his final team as head coach, currently in its winter swim season, and its group of seniors — “This senior class is a tremendous group of young men, and a great group of leaders.”

The coach went on to give praise to his three senior captains — Nick Cohey, Theo Duong, and Max Henderson — who have stuck with the program all four years.

Ambrose has hopes of finishing his final season in the top half of the team’s state swim division and “to make a nice showing at the state meet. It’s been a few years since we’ve done that and I think this senior class is ready to.”

Ambrose also had a very optimistic outlook on the future of this program once he’s done as head coach. “We’ve got a wonderful freshman class, they’re going to be very, very good, four of them have senior brothers on the team so that’s very exciting.”

This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel . All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand at wktvondemand.com .

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports .

High school sports schedule includes WKTV coverage of Potter’s House, Wyoming

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events


WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

WKTV Featured Game high school sport coverage this week will include two girls/boys basketball doubleheaders, with Potter’s House visiting Tri-unity Christian Tuesday, and Wyoming high hosting Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg on Friday.

Show the local schools your support by going in person, but then watch WKTV for the events that are showcased each week. Check out the broadcast schedule at wktvjournal.org for replay dates and times.

The final featured coverage on the current tentative January featured game schedule is Thursday, Jan. 31, with boys swimming/diving, as Rockford visits East Kentwood.

In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.
 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Jan. 21
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Rockford

Tuesday, Jan. 22
Girls Basketball
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Wayland @ South Christian
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Zion Christian @ Algoma Christian
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ Wayland
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Flat River @ West Michigan Lutheran
Zion Christian @ Ravenna
Boys/Girls Bowling
Northpointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-unity Christian @ Wyoming Lee
NorthPointe Christian @ Potter’s House

Wednesday, Jan. 23
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Christian @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Cedar Springs @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming @ Byron Center
Girls Gymnastics
FH Central vs Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills

Thursday, Jan. 24
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Boys/Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Wyoming Lee
Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ Howardsville Christian
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Howardsville Christian

Friday, Jan. 25
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Barry County Christian @ Zion Christian
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Hackett
West Michigan Lutheran @ Zion Christian
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Hamilton
Boys Hockey
Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood

Saturday, Jan. 26
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Rockford
South Christian @ Rockford
Wyoming @ Rockford
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Northview
Kelloggsville @ Northview
Wyoming @ Montague
Wyoming Lee @ Reed City
East Kentwood @ Lakewood
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Caledonia
Wyoming @ Caledonia
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Boys/Girls Dance
Wyoming @ Jenison
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Byron Center
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills

Monday, Jan. 28
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Potter’s House
South Christian @ Byron Center
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Gymnastics
Rockford vs Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills
Girls Basketball
Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Tuesday, Jan. 29
Girls Basketball
Muskegon Heights @ Godwin Heights
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
FH Central @ East Kentwood
Potter’s House @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Zion Christian @ Ravenna
Boys Basketball
Calvin Christian @ South Christian
FH Central @ Wyoming
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Potter’s House @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Muskegon Catholic Central

Wednesday, Jan. 30
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Boys Wrestling
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Rockford

Thursday, Jan. 31
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ West Catholic
Rockford @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

Understanding personalities: What color is your personality?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, ,

Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Jackelyn Martin, Michigan State University Extension

 

Any adult or youth who has participated in an interview can recall the ever-popular question, “Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.” But how do youth gain insight into those characteristics without on-the-job experience and feedback from superiors? The Real Colors personality inventory can be a helpful tool for youth to explore their personality traits and potential individual strengths and weaknesses.

 

Real Colors is an assessment and training rooted in the work of well-known social science researchers including Carl Jung, Isabel Myers, Katharine Briggs and David Keirsey. The Real Colors personality inventory uses self-assessments to break down personality types into four basic color groups, making the tool easy to teach and remember in future applications. The training helps youth and adults discover their primary “colors,” each associated with a personality type, and gains insight into areas their personality type may excel or struggle in their work in groups. The training is conducted over the course of two hours to a full day and is carried out by trained instructors.

 

By participating in a training, youth and adults gain perspective about the tasks they may consider easy in their lives, but present challenges to others based on the way others think or approach the task. For example, organizational skills and meeting deadlines may come naturally to some people, but others may need to work harder at achieving the same results. Likewise, some people can read and analyze numbers or see how a problem fits in with a broader context, while others may not draw those connections as easily. Similarly, some people excel in groups and teamwork, and others prefer to work alone.

 

Understanding what makes individuals unique can help groups identify individual strengths and areas that they could improve. It also provides perspective into how individuals participate as part of a team. Michigan State University Extension educators are trained in facilitating the Real Colors personality inventory, appropriate for adults and youth. Contact your local MSU Extension office or the 4-H Leadership and Civic Engagement Work Team at 4-hleadership@msu.edu for more information.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Strategies to help young children learn life skills and gain self-confidence

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, How-To's, Kids Activities, , ,

Courtesy MSU Extension

By Tracy Trautner, Michigan State University Extension

 

“I love you too much to deny you the privileges of making mistakes.” – Kathy Lee Gifford, The Gift That I Can Give.

 

If your goal as a parent is to protect your child from getting hurt or avoid confrontation, then you are parenting from a fear-based perspective. This can create anxiety for a child attempting to explore their world and learn from their mistakes. It is difficult to let “stuff happen”, as a parent’s natural instinct is to protect their children. We don’t want our children to feel distressed so we protect them. However, is parental protection worth missing out on some of the valuable life lessons a child can learn when they are given the opportunity to explore and make mistakes on their own?

 

When children are able to process their emotions related to good or bad decisions, parents may not need to say or do anything else. Instead of jumping in and protecting children, learn to trust natural consequences to do much of the teaching for you. Dealing with frustration is a building block for coping skills in life.

 

When you constantly remind your child what to do, such as pack their backpack or put their dishes in the sink, you are teaching your child they are not capable of being responsible without you telling them what to do. This parenting technique will not teach your child to respect themselves or develop necessary confidence skills to be successful later in life. When we allow our children to attempt something new and fail at a young age, the consequences are far different than when they make a similar mistake later.

 

For example, allowing them to negotiate on their own for a turn on the swing or deciding to do something against the rules of the school just because they want to be liked by their friends are both scenarios that will teach valuable lessons for the future. The worse possible outcome is they are sad because they did not get a turn on the swing or sent to the school office for a few hours of detention. Next time—and there will definitely be a next time—they will be a better negotiator or able to stand up to their friends and say “no” when they are making bad decisions. These lessons would not have been learned if a parent or caregiver was hovering and guiding their child’s every move.

 

Fast forward when they are 18 years old and have not developed a strong sense of self because they have been protected their whole life. They may get into a bad situation where the outcome is much more severe and possibly has life-altering consequences.

 

While it is hard thing to witness, when we allow a child to fail frequently early in life, they will build strong resiliency skills that will allow them to deal appropriately with letdowns and sticky situations in the future. According to pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Cunningham, young children are more resilient than we think and cannot grasp the gravity of situations like adults can and don’t dwell on things to the same extent.

 

When a child makes a mistake, help them reflect the situation as well as the part they played in the scenario. Focus on the moment they made a decision to participate or make a bad choice and discuss alternative options that would have had a better outcome. We want our kids to feel equipped and competent. It can be a great feeling for parents when they feel they have raised young adults who are responsible, trustworthy and resilient.

 

Michigan State University Extension suggests helping the child process their decision by asking what happened, how it happened and why it happened. In the future, they will think about this process, make better decisions and take responsibility for their actions. It will encourage them to think things through next time. With some thoughtful, compassionate guidance, we can turn unhappy events into a valuable learning experience that will help the child make better decisions in the future.

 

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report: “Preparing young children for success” and “Preparing the future generation for success.” Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

 

Resolve eating unhealthy snacks at work

3-bottom, Area Education, Community Health, Education, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, ,

By Sheilah Hebert, Michigan State University Extension

 

It is mid-afternoon and the vending machine down the hall is calling out to you. Do you take the calling and grab a candy bar and soda to satisfy the afternoon snack attack? This might leave you with feelings of guilt or feeling sluggish an hour or two later. Many people, especially those who work desk jobs, struggle with this battle on a daily basis. What is the key to beating the vending machine blues?

 

Michigan State University Extension says that planning is the number one weapon against the “vending machine assault.” If you know you are always hungry at 2 p.m., then it makes sense to have snacks handy when hunger strikes. We often run into problems when we wait to decide what to eat until we are very hungry and we then reach for the closest, quickest option. Having something quick and healthy that is readily available before we get to that point helps us to choose better options. To prevent eating unhealthy foods, MSU Extension recommends the following tips:

  • Try to pack snacks for a whole week or several days at a time and select a variety of options to choose from, so that there is always something appealing regardless of how you are feeling. Some days you may want a salty, crunchy snack like nuts or trail mix, whereas other days something sweet like fruit may be more of what you have a craving for.
  • Most offices have a refrigerator to store lunches or snacks, so bringing along a small stock of yogurt or cheese, which gives you a protein packed snack that is readily available, will give you a healthy option to curb your afternoon hunger.
  • Similar to yogurt or cheese, stocking up on carrots or jicama and hummus can help to provide you with the kick you need to finish off your day.

By packing foods at home you can control the portion size of your snack. Sometimes our best laid-out plans still go awry and we end up at the vending machine anyway. If this is the case, try to choose snacks that are lower in calories such as baked plain chips instead of regular flavored ones and tea or sparkling water instead of soda.

 

Do you have control over what is in the vending machine or can you talk to the company and make suggestions on healthier choices? If so you can ask them to follow snack options from the National Alliance for Nutrition and Physical Activity and American Heart Association Guidelines.

 

Just say no.

Remember that everything is fine in moderation, so if you generally make healthy choices, it is okay to occasionally splurge on that candy bar or bag of chips when the vending machine comes calling. Being prepared ahead of time will help make the vending machine habit a once in while occurrence rather than a once a day choice.

 

Happy snacking!

 

Michigan State University Extension offers nutrition education classes and policy, systems and environmental initiatives to support healthy choices in the workplace. Contact your local MSU Extension office to find support near you.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

 

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you want to know — end-of-year edition

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"It doesn't matter where you came from. All that matters is where you are going.”

                                                     -- Brian Tracy                                          

It’s been an interesting year.
Let’s take a look back.

Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines Chorus rehearses its holiday music.

Managing editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma has rounded up the most popular stories of 2018 and corralled them into one spot. Go here to see what readers read the most.

Everybody has a profile.
Even Kent County.

Cool, fun graphic

Counties have profiles? You bet! Thanks to the Kent County Administration and their most excellent bilingual survey, the secret is out: Kent County’s median age of 34.9 years old is more than five years younger than Michigan as a whole and 50 percent of the population of about 648,594 is 35-years-old or younger. Go here for the cool details.

Get ahead of the game.

Wouldn’t it be fun to pay your tax bill with Monopoly money?

You know that big tax cut we’ve all been hearing about? The one that has corporations so excited? Well, there’s a tiny bit of relief for single people and families, too. Standard deductions for single taxpayers nearly double from $6,350 for 2017 taxes to $12,000 for 2018 taxes (the ones you file in 2019). It might get confusing, but there’s free tax help here. Take advantage of it.


Fun fact:

April 11, 1954 

According to Cambridge computer scientist William Tunstall-Pedoe and his search engine project, ‘True Knowledge’, that’s the ‘Most Boring Day in History‘. After sifting through and analyzing 300 million facts, ‘True Knowledge’ divined that on April 11, 1954, a general election was held in Belgium, Turkish academic Professor Abdullah Atalar was born, and an Oldham Athletic footballer by the name of Jack Shufflebotham died. That’s it. Nothing else that matters happened.

Hey, kudos, dude.

Beyond a paycheck: What to consider when accepting a job

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By Kathy Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

When you are offered a job, it can be very exciting and sometimes confusing at the same time. Whether this is your first job, you are considering a new job, or you have been out of work for a while, there are many things to consider when evaluating a job offer. Michigan State University Extension has many resources available to help you in your job search and to make career decisions. Your answers to the following questions may help you make a decision about your next job opportunity.

Candidness

Make sure you understand the job description, what your responsibilities will be and the employer’s expectations. Consider what you will like about the job and dislike about the job.

  • Are you willing, interested and able to perform the day to day tasks?
  • Were you frank about your qualifications for the position?

Compensation

One of the first things people want to know when offered a job is what is the wage or salary. Questions about compensation and benefits should take place after the interview, once an offer has been made. In addition to the money you will be paid, consider asking about employer-provided benefits.

  • Does the company offer a health plan, what are the options, how much are the employee paid deductibles and when does coverage begin?
  • What type of retirement plan is offered and does the employer contribute?
  • Is tuition reimbursement or training provided?
  • Are there employee discounts, travel, phone, car or uniform allowance or overtime opportunities?
  • How much sick leave, vacation time and/or holiday time is provided?

In order to calculate the true compensation of the job offer, a dollar value can be added for each benefit provided. The human resource link on the company webpage often also describes the benefits available to employees.

Company culture

The environment in which you work can play a major impact on how satisfied you will be on the job.

  • Can you describe the company’s culture?
  •  Where will you be working?
  •  Would you feel comfortable working in this environment?
  •  Is the environment too noisy, quiet, fast-paced, competitive, casual, prim and proper, relaxed or energetic?
  • What are the hours you will be working and how flexible are they?
  • Are you required to work nights, weekends, holidays and/or overtime?

Commute

Consider the impact driving time may have.

  • How long is the commute to the job?
  • How much money in gas will it cost to work at the company?
  • Is travel required?
  • How often will you be traveling and to what locations?

Career development

When considering a job offer, think about the big picture. Ask yourself:

  • Does this job fit with my personal interest?
  • Will this job help you get your foot in the door of the field you’re pursuing?
  • Does this company offer opportunities for advancement?
  • Will training be provided?
  • Will this job help you achieve your longer-term career goals?

You may want to keep these questions in mind not only when deciding on a job offer, but also when looking for a job, networking, researching a company and during the interview. More information can lead to a better career decision.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Reprinted with permission.

Obesity thief

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By Pam Daniels, Michigan State University Extension

Obesity has a way of creeping up on us. Naturally, throughout our lifespan our weight increases, but if you have seen a dramatic increase in you or your child’s weight, especially around the waistline, it may be time to think about what is contributing to the excessive weight gain.

Obesity is a complex problem in our society, there is no easy fix. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, genetics, drugs and disease can all affect weight along with social and cultural factors such as our environment, how we eat, what we eat and when we eat.

The topic of obesity is constantly in the media, and is a component of the nutrition education offered by Michigan State University Extension. The four-part documentary series, Weight of the Nation, which premiered on HBO in 2012 examines how it has been possible that the epidemic has grown almost undisturbed, stealing self-identity and our health by talking to experts ranging from geneticists, to professors to pediatric endocrinologists.

It is easy to recognize obesity and yet feel no connection to the obesity epidemic. This lack of attachment is part of the reason why it flourishes, but if we are honest with ourselves and believe the statistics, we can see that the obesity epidemic lurks very close to home.

When we are overweight, our bodies begin to break down over time, making us more prone to certain chronic diseases. Chronic health risks associated with obesity include:

  • Coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cancers, such as endometrial, breast and colon cancer
  • High total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides
  • Liver and gallbladder disease
  • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
  • Degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint (osteoarthritis)
  • Reproductive health complications such as infertility
  • Mental health conditions

Disease prevention and self-management are ammunition in the battle against obesity. Regularly visiting your doctor is the first point of contact in developing prevention and self-management strategies.

Other strategies include good nutrition, being physically active and controlling your weight. Other weight management resources include Michigan State University Extension’s weight management, chronic disease, and disease prevention management programs, along with the Center for Disease Control, Overeaters Anonymous and the National Institute of Mental Health.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Staying safe at college

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By Tracy Trautner, Michigan State University Extension

 

Safety on and off college campuses should be a major concern for parents. As parents want to ensure a safe learning environment for their children, this is a logical emotion to have. When thinking about college crime these days, statistics show that property crimes far outweigh violent crimes on campuses.

 

Having more burglaries than robberies means kids have to be smarter about protecting their personal property. Campuses across the country have increased security in many ways, including additional training for campus police as well as more video cameras strategically placed around campuses.

 

Advise your child to lock their door and windows and stay alert when alone or walking around campus. If possible, use the buddy system when exercising or going to parties. Safety experts also recommend avoiding shrubbery and hedges where assailants could hide.

 

Safety messages and warnings seem to be typically directed towards the safety of women, however men can also be victims of a crime. Share the following safety information with both your son and daughter.

 

Michigan State University Extension recommends the following measures to keep college students and their property safe.

  • Keep an eye on belongings when at the library or cafeteria. A quick trip to the bathroom, grabbing copies off the printer or getting another piece of pizza are all great opportunities for someone else to get their hands on textbooks, phones or laptops.
  • Get a lock for a laptop. It is a simple and inexpensive investment to protect college projects, homework and class notes.
  • Load important numbers into your phone such as campus police, roommates and resident advisor, as well as numbers to call to cancel credit cards that might have been stolen.
  • Use a campus escort system if available. They are there for the sole purpose of students making it home safely at night. Use this valuable service when out at night or any time you don’t feel safe.
  • Know where the campus safety office is located. Visit the office and ask campus police if they have:
    • Blue light emergency phone stations.
    • Campus escort services.
    • Safety maps with suggested routes.
    • Support for safety apps like those listed below.
  • Discretely tell a close friend, such as a roommate, where you are going.
  • Trust your instincts. If you think you are being followed, quickly get someplace safe. If you think you are indeed in danger, run and make a lot of noise. Criminals like quiet, distracted guys or girls who will be easy victims.
  • A lot of crimes occur at parties, so go with friends and keep a close eye on beverages and food.
  • Enroll in a self-defense class and learn how to defend yourself. It is empowering and a great exercise. Many campuses offer self-defense classes, and a class will make you feel safe and more confident. A few classes and tips from a professional instructor is really what you need to be able to stay safe—however, still follow the safety tips listed above whenever possible.

The campus of Michigan State University has this statement as part of their safety policy: “MSU is a safe campus, and student safety and security is our first priority. However, students should always keep personal safety in mind. We recommend that students always lock their room doors and never prop or hold exterior doors; walk in groups on campus at night and make sure someone knows where they are going and when they will be back if they are going to be away.”

 

Every college or university is required to submit an annual security and fire safety report. For more information about the safety of the college your child is interested in, review their security and safety report.

 

For more accurate information on on-campus crimes versus crimes in the vicinity of the campus, visit Campus Safety and Security. It is a website that can give you more specific data about crimes at campuses around the country.

 

For very detailed information about a specific college, visit the National Center for Education Statistics, which is handy for researching everything about a potential college, from varsity athletic teams to financial aid and enrollment numbers, not just crime statistics.

 

Parents are always concerned about their child’s safety, but this is especially true as they let go of many of the safety measures they had in place before the child left the home. Check out the following links for great information to discuss with your child on issues they might not have thought about before. Much of the information could be applied to students of all ages, including high school students as well as adults.

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2016 impact report: “Preparing young children for success” and “Preparing the future generation for success.” Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2016, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Equanimity is yoga for the brain

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By Tracie Abram, Michigan State University Extension

 

Are you about to send your last child to college, the military or into the work field? How is this soon-to-be separation affecting you? Do you have friends or co-workers that will be empty-nesters or have entered this phase who seem to be managing better or are more emotionally calm?

 

When a child leaves the house in search of independence, it can be an emotional time for all involved. To make this transition easier, it may help to focus on the positives and what you will gain and practice equanimity.

 

In the book, Buddha’s Brain–The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom by Rick Hanson, PH.D. and Richard Mendius, MD they describe that the human mind defaults to negative emotions and suffering, but with practice, you can re-wire the brain to develop equanimity. The word equanimity comes from the Latin roots meaning “even” and “mind”. The definition of equanimity is mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

 

In a sense, equanimity is your brains circuit breaker. It breaks the chain of suffering by separating the feeling tones of experience from the machinery of craving, neutralizing your reactions to those feeling tones. The authors also state that psychologists have a term they call “demand characteristics” for the aspects of situations that really pull at you. With equanimity, situations have only characteristics, not demands.  When you have equanimity, you do not grasp after enjoyable experiences or push against undesirable ones, you have space, or a buffer zone, between you and your feeling zones and are able to not react impulsively.

 

How do you train your brain to not react but to maintain calm? In the book there are five stages to developing the factors of equanimity:

  1. Understanding–Develop an ability to recognize that rewards and painful experiences are transient, meaning both do not last that long or are that awful. Life is a continuum of change and that most of the factors that shape the future are out of your hands.
  2. Intention–Keep reminding yourself of the important reasons for equanimity, you want more freedom from craving and suffering it brings.
  3. Steadiness of Mind–Pay particular attention to the neutral feeling zone. Through sensitizing yourself to the neutral aspects of experiences, your mind will become more comfortable staying with them, and less inclined to seek rewards or scan for threats.
  4. Spacious Awareness–The space of awareness allows every content of the mind to be or not to be, to come and to go. Thoughts are just thoughts, sounds are just sounds, situations are just situations and people are just being themselves.
  5. Tranquility–Do not act based on the feeling tone. Set aside a period every day, even just a minute long to start with then increase or extend that time, to consciously release preferences for or against anything. Your actions will be guided more by your values and virtues rather than your desires that are reactions to positive or negative feeling tones.

In closing, Buddhism has a metaphor for the different conditions in life. They are called the Eight Worldly Winds:

  • Pleasure and pain
  • Praise and blame
  • Gain and loss
  • Fame and ill repute

As you gain equanimity, these winds have less effect on your mind. When managing the emotions of separation, think of the gains your child is striving for rather than the loss to you. Michigan State University Extension offers social-emotional health development programming throughout the state that are designed to help participants navigate feelings and stress. Peruse their website to find a Stress Less with Mindfulness or RELAX: Alternatives to Anger series event in your county.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

‘Sharenting’: The downside to posting about your children on social media

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By Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension

 

Social media can help you connect to friends and family across the globe and it can help you feel connected when things get tough. ‘Sharenting’, or “parenting and sharing,” is a relatively new term used to describe parents using social media to share photographs, videos and information about their children.

 

Studies have shown that parents use social media for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. A Pew study found that social media is being used as a parenting tool and resource. They found that 74 percent of parents reported receiving support on social media, including social emotional support. Parents are using multiple platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. A poll conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that parents commonly shared about getting kids to sleep, nutrition, discipline, child care/preschool and behavior problems. This survey also indicated that social media helps many parents feel like they aren’t alone.

 

“Oversharenting” refers to those parents who overshare on social media about their children. While a parent may not see any problem with what they are posting about their children, older children have expressed concern and frustration. In a 2016 study, Alexis Hiniker, Sarita Schoenebeck and Julie Kientz surveyed parents and children about family rules and perceptions regarding technology use. They found that many children were concerned about their parents oversharing content on social media and sharing without the child’s permission. They reported feeling embarrassed and frustrated that their parents made decisions about their online presence without consulting them.

 

Should you be consented about sharenting or oversharenting? The overall consensus is yes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are risks associated with posting about your child online.

 

Your child doesn’t get a say. We give children choices about all sorts of things. To empower and protect children, we teach them to take ownership of their bodies by letting them choose if they want to kiss or hug relatives and teaching body safety. We teach them to respect privacy, like knocking before you enter a room. However, when we post about them without their consent, we are not respecting their self-ownership, privacy or opinions.

 

You do not have control. Once you post something on social media, it belongs to the world. You cannot control who has access to it or how someone might use it. Even when your profiles are kept private or locked down, you do not have control over what someone you gave access to it might do with it. Many parents have faced digital kidnapping, when someone on the internet “steals” a picture of your child and uses it on social media to claim that it’s their own child.

 

There are very real safety concerns. When you post specific information about your child online, like their full name, age, where they go to school or child care, you risk someone you don’t trust being able to gain access to your child. Innocent photos and videos have also made their way to explicit adult-oriented and other unsavory sites.

 

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

 

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Reprinted with permission.

Family decision-making tips

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By Terry Clark-Jones, Michigan State University Extension

Family life can be fun, rewarding and complicated. Some of the more emotional discussions that families deal with revolve around problem-solving and conflict resolution.

The following are some tips to help with family decision-making:
  1. Avoid discussing an issue or problem at an inappropriate time. Problem-solving tends to be difficult when people are angry or tired. Have a discussion when everyone is calm.
  2. Do not begin the decision-making process with a closed mind. You may be surprised at the creative solutions your family creates together when everyone is open.
  3. Be sure to listen to other people’s viewpoints and feelings. Agree or disagree, those are their feelings. Respect them.
  4. Clarify to make sure you understand correctly and you are not making assumptions.  Always check to make sure everyone is on the same page.
  5. Do not let anger become a barrier to progress. Getting angry, criticizing, calling names, blaming, using sarcasm or other aggressive behavior does not help. If you are angry, take a break.
  6. Do not give in just because it is easier. Saying, “I guess you’re right” with a big sigh, or being submissive in order to avoid conflict is not problem-solving, it’s avoidance.
  7. Be realistic. Try to attach decisions to resources such as time, energy and money.
  8. Avoid ultimatums. Ultimatums threaten other people into submitting to what they want. For example, “You’ll do it or I’ll divorce you!”
  9. Be respectful. Refusing to regard individual differences in personalities, goals, values, emotional investments and lifestyles does not encourage teamwork. Go back to tip #3.
  10. Communicate directly. Using a middle-person to communicate with another family member can cause even more emotions to flare and can lead to misunderstandings.
  11. Be involved in family decisions. If you do not take an active interest in decisions that concern other members of the family, which could benefit by your involvement, do not be hurt when others are disinterested in your problems.
  12. Establish suitable boundaries around family decision-making. Example of this might be who will be involved in the process; immediate family, extended family, in-laws.

By becoming aware of these tips, families may be able to communicate effectively without anger and hurt. They will be able to create a plan that is agreeable to all involved and successfully resolve family issues.

Visit the Michigan State University Extension website for more information and check out a variety of educational programs throughout the state.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Are you behind on property tax or mortgage payments?

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By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension

Some homeowners are still having financial difficulties even though the foreclosure rate in Michigan has significantly declined in recent years with the economy and employment rates improving. All it can take is one large unexpected expense, unemployment or life change. Fortunately, nearly $19 million in funds are still available for eligible delinquent homeowners to get caught up and keep their home.

Bill Hendrian and I have written previous articles about Michigan’s Hardest Hit Fund program, also known as Step Forward Michigan. This federally funded loan program started in 2010 and is designed to help eligible homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage, condo association fees, and/or property taxes to retain ownership of their primary residence. As of September 2018, nearly 37,000 Michigan households in all 83 counties received more than $39 million in assistance, according to MSHDA.

Currently, this is the only statewide assistance program to get caught up on delinquent property taxes. If homeowners are behind three years, on 2016 taxes, they have started receiving notices from their county treasurers about facing foreclosure if those 2016 taxes are not paid by Mar. 31, 2019. Last year, my experience was that homeowners needed to apply to Step Forward Michigan by January to allow for processing time. Situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Most homeowners who procrastinated or did not apply until February or March were not approved in time for this assistance earlier this year. The lesson learned was to apply this fall if you are facing foreclosure with delinquent 2016 property taxes.

Watch a short video for guidance about the Step Forward Michigan application process. The online application can be completed in three ways:

  • Go to the Step Forward Michigan website and complete the application yourself plus email, fax or mail the signed application and supporting documents to Step Forward Michigan.
  • Call Step Forward Michigan at 866-946-7432 to apply by phone.
  • Michigan State University Extension Housing Counselors or other local housing counselors can help homeowners fill out the online application, submit all the required documents, and follow-up until a decision is made. During the past eight years, thousands of Michigan homeowners who worked with our counselors have received assistance to save their homes from foreclosure.

If approved, up to $30,000 is paid directly to the participating mortgage servicer or county treasurer for application directly to the household’s mortgage loan or property taxes. No interest and no payments are required from the homeowner. As cases are reviewed, a lien is placed on the property for five years and 20 percent of the loan is forgiven per year. At the end of the five years, the loan is forgiven. During the five-year period, if the property is transferred, sold, or is no longer the principal residence, the non-forgivable portion is due.

For further information or to see if you qualify for assistance you can go to Step Forward Michigan for a list of frequently asked questions and access an online application and a list of documents that are required to submit an application.

If you do not qualify for Step Forward Michigan, helpful resources are provided to consider other options available.

Facing foreclosure is a difficult financial situation for homeowners. Fortunately many are getting back on track to become current with their payments and keep their homes and stay living in their communities. Find fact sheets and more information about mortgage and property tax foreclosure at MIMoneyHealth.org.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Better control of your belly fat by watching what you drink

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Courtesy MSU Extension

By Zelda Felix-Mottley, Michigan State University Extension

As we age, it seems that it is harder to control body weight, especially the protrusion and flattening of certain body parts. It appears as though, for no good reason, our bellies poke out a little more and our buttocks flatten a little more. A potential culprit for that protruding belly is diet soda or beverages with artificial sweeteners.

In an article by Wiley of Science Daily, a study shows a direct link between the high consumption of diet drinks and the increase of belly fat in older adults. The study also references, with the increase in belly fat, that there is the increased risk of other diseases related to obesity. If you are one of the individuals who, in an effort to reduce the intake of sugary drinks have turned to diet drinks and you find yourself drinking one or more diet drinks daily, here are some suggestions to your decrease your intake:

  • Substitute at least one diet drink with real fruit-flavored water, like lemons, strawberries, peaches, etc.
  • Replace one diet drink, per day with a tall glass of plain, cold water.
  • When eating out, alternate your beverages by substituting a glass of water with lemon every other time you eat out.
  • Identify your favorite diet drink, if they don’t have it on the menu, drink water instead.
  • Order unsweetened fruit tea instead of a diet soda.
  • Plan to reduce your diet soda intake to only a few times a week, then progress to only a few times a month, or less.

Eventually, over time, you should experience some reduction in belly fat. Read more about other health, nutrition and weight management topics through Michigan State University Extension. There are many tips to encourage you to work on habits that may be contributing to extra fat and help reduce some risks factors related to obesity.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

A closer look at a complex heart

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Sue Thoms, Spectrum Health Beat

Photos by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

 

The image of Luke Carpenter’s heart seemed to float off the screen, a hologram in red and blue.

 

With flicks of a stylus, the heart moved forward, rotated left and right, and then settled back into position among the ribs.

 

For Luke, a 15-year-old from Middleville, Michigan, the virtual image matches the reality of his life.

 

For the specialists at the Congenital Heart Center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, it’s a roadmap that helps them plan the best way to fix what ails him.

 

The 3D imaging software, True 3D Viewer by EchoPixel Inc., is the latest high-tech tool used by the congenital heart team to understand the complex anatomy of a beating heart.

 

The physicians used scans of Luke’s heart to create the virtual image, which they consulted as they decided whether to do surgery, and how to prepare for the operation.

‘Tired pretty quick’

Luke, the son of Pam and Jason Carpenter, was born with several rare congenital heart defects, including dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart is situated on the right side of the chest, instead of the left. And he had transposition of the great arteries—which means the two major blood vessels that carry blood from the heart were switched.

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

By the time he entered Thornapple Kellogg High School last fall, Luke had undergone four open-heart surgeries. Surgeons patched holes in his heart, replaced the mitral valve and rerouted major blood vessels.

 

The fixes helped him grow and thrive in school and activities. He couldn’t play contact sports because of the blood thinners he took, but he loved to watch football and basketball. And he played golf and joined the high school team.

 

One day, he would like to become an athletic trainer for sports teams.

 

In the fall of his freshman year, however, he noticed difficulty in keeping up the same level of activity.

 

“I’d get tired pretty quick,” he said. “I would feel like (my heart) was beating really fast.”

 

“He was fine (when he was) resting,” his mom said. “But when he was running around the yard or doing something even mildly active, his heart would be pounding really hard.”

 

His pediatric cardiologist, Jeffrey Schneider, MD, consulted Joseph Vettukattil, MD, an interventional pediatric cardiologist and the co-director of the congenital heart center.

Pioneering a solution

The congenital heart team focused on the tube that had been placed in Luke’s heart to connect the right side of the heart to the lung arteries. A surgeon first created the conduit when he was 14 months old because he was born without a pulmonary artery. A surgeon replaced it when Luke turned 9.

 

Dr. Vettukattil examined the structure in a heart catheterization procedure. He hoped to use a balloon catheter to expand the tube and improve blood flow.

 

But he discovered the conduit lay between the heart and the breast bone, a tight spot that compressed the tube. The congenital heart team determined he needed open-heart surgery to replace the tube—and to place it in a different spot.

 

Getting a clear picture of Luke’s unique heart became crucial to planning the surgery.

 

“In a complex heart like this, when the heart is on the right side of the chest, it is important for the surgeon to orient themselves,” Dr. Vettukattil said.

 

A pioneer in 3D imaging techniques, Dr. Vettukattil used scans of Luke’s heart to create a 3D printed model, printed in a clear plastic resin.

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

Then, he contacted researchers in Michigan State University’s biomedical engineering department, who printed a model in color, using shades of blue and red to distinguish the vessels and chambers of the heart as well as part of the sternum.

 

That model also was used to create the image of the heart viewed on the Echo Pixel monitor. Wearing 3D glasses, the physicians examined the heart and its position within Luke’s chest.

 

“When you do the Echo Pixel model, you are visualizing the whole chest,” Dr. Vettukattil said. “You have a much better spatial understanding—the whole organ system of the patient is represented intact. And you are visualizing it in three dimensions.”

 

Marcus Haw, MD, pediatric heart surgeon and co-director of the congenital heart center, used the 3D images to plan the operation.

 

“As soon as I reviewed the printed model, I was able to show Luke and his parents the compressed conduit,” he said.

 

“More importantly, it showed that there was an extension of his heart cavity that would give room for a larger conduit—and that the coronary artery was not in the way of the potential route for the conduit.”

 

On April 16, 2018, he placed a new tube between the right side of the heart and lung arteries, this time routing it across the top of Luke’s heart. He also replaced the mitral valve with a larger one.

‘Means everything to us’

Two and a half weeks later, Luke arrived at the congenital heart center for his follow-up visit.

 

“You’re healing nicely,” said physician assistant Sarah Yarger, PA, as she examined the incision.

 

As he recovered from surgery, Luke said he was slowly regaining energy and appetite. He received approval to return to school the next week.

 

He hoped the new connector in his heart would make a difference. He looked forward to getting back on the golf course.

 

“I hope it will make me have more energy and able to do more things,” he said.

 

He had a chance to look at the colorful 3D model of his heart pre-surgery.

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

“It’s crazy,” he said, turning the heart over in his hands.

 

He pointed out the tube that lay compressed under the sternum—the one that had just been replaced.

 

For the specialists at the congenital heart center, the use of 3D imagery—including the printed model and the virtual image seen with 3D glasses—helps further the diagnosis and treatment of complex congenital heart defects.

 

“The capability to see the structures of the heart in this way is opening up new possibilities for patients who’ve previously been told there is no more we can do or that surgery is too dangerous,” Dr. Haw said.

 

The physicians continue to work on ways to better see the interrelated parts of a beating heart so they can fine-tune each patient’s treatment.

 

“That means everything to us,” Dr. Vettukattil said. “If we can use the best technology for the best treatment for our patients, that means a lot.”

 

Learn more about the nationally ranked cardiology and heart surgery care at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center. If you would like to support this lifesaving work, contact the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Health information on the internet

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Courtesy MSU Extension

By Christi Demitz, Michigan State University Extension, Meaghan Beyer, MSU Dietetic Intern

 

Many people use the internet to find health-related information for themselves, family or friends. Health-related websites are one of the most widely-searched sites in the world. In fact, according to Pew Internet & American Life Project, 80 percent of internet users, or about 93 million Americans say they have looked online for health-related information within the last year. This is an increase of 18 percent from 2001, in which only 62 percent of internet users who went online to research health related topics. Although there is quality information on the internet, it is important to sift through the fact and fiction when searching for health information.

What to look for:

Credible source:
  • Ensure the website is managed by recognized and responsible authorities. Many reliable sources include a branch of the federal government, a non-profit institution, university or health system.
  • An “About Us” page should be included with proper contact information for the organization or institution.
  • Check more than one source/website for the desired information
Quality information:
  • The authors or editors are qualified health care professionals and their credentials are clearly stated.
  • Information included should be reviewed by a subject-appropriate advisory board.
  • Sites that have a privacy policy indicating what information they collect.
Research-based:
  • Rely on medical research, not opinion. The site should describe the evidence, such as articles in medical journals, that the material is based on.
  • Beware of bias. Is the site supported by public funds or commercial advertising?
Timeliness:
  • Is the site updated often with current information? Check for dates, last updated, or copy right dates to ensure all the information is relevant today (less than three years old).
What to avoid:
  • Discussion of miracle cures or advertisements for health related products within the article are an indicator of bias information. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
  • Sites asking you to pay for information or to create an account are often not trustworthy sources to collect information related to your health. Most reliable information is accessible to the general public for free.
  • Websites made up of only forums or discussion groups present people’s opinions and not scientific evidence. These sites may be a good place to document your personal journey but shouldn’t be used to find scientific research.
Consult with your health care professional:
  • Give the information you collected to your health care provider to review.
  • Talk to your health care professional about your specific health information concerns.
  • Make a list of all your health concerns to take to your appointment.

It is okay to be skeptical when looking for trustworthy health information online. Keep your information private and never provide your social security number, address, date of birth or credit card information before reading the privacy policy. Although online sites can offer quality information, they are not made to replace your doctor. Consult with your health care provider before making any medical changes. Michigan State University Extension is a reliable source for information and resources on health and nutrition.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you want to know

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not." 

                                                  Andre Gide

Oh, boy. No. 3,000,000
is in for a big surprise

This woman is not the 3,000,000th passenger

If you’re the 3,000,000th passenger on Dec. 5th, you’ll be feted with a surprise. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport had a total of over 2.7 million passengers served through the end of October. November and December seat totals and flight information are forecasting the three millionth passenger to arrive around 11am on Dec. 5.

 

There will also be a reception to include surprises and giveaways for passengers flying that day. More here.

 

Proof that science really exists!

This launch could not happen without science

Tuesday, Dec. 4, WKTV will be featuring the launch of the SpaceX CRS-16 Cargo Craft to the International Space Station. SpaceX CRS-16 will be filled with supplies and payloads including critical materials to directly support the science and research that will occur during the current expeditions.

 

Coverage continues on Thursday, Dec. 6, for the rendezvous and capture of the SpaceX CRS-16 at the ISS at 4:30am, with the capture scheduled for approximately 6am Installation of the cargo craft begins at 7:30am. Go here for more info.

 

 

You say “tomayto”, I say “tomahto”

Gleaves Whitney will tackle a thorny topic

We all have our differences. But the 2016 election of Donald Trump, Kavanaugh hearings, and 2018 midterm elections have stirred up deep emotions about what kind of nation America is and should be. Conservative and progressive debates over the meaning of these events have opened old wounds and created new injuries in our body politic.

 

On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, will address the divide in the country, and explain why failure to resolve our most difficult challenges is not an option. Go here for more info.

 

 

Fun Fact:

The footprints on the moon will
be there for 100 million years

The Moon has no atmosphere, which means there is no wind to erode the surface and no water to wash the footprints away. This means the footprints of the Apollo astronauts, along with spacecraft prints, rover-prints and discarded material, will be there for millions of years.

 

Can our medical system meet the needs of a growing senior population?

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Courtesy of Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

It’s been several years since Boomers began reaching the age of retirement, and the reality of our society’s lack of preparedness to deal with the influx of retirees over the next decade has become impossible to ignore. This issue has come to be known as “The 2030 Problem,” and one of the main points of concern is the ability of our medical system to address the needs of so many seniors. So what are the current and impending problems with the availability of senior health care services?

Healthcare Professionals

We’re already facing a shortage of primary care physicians in the United States, and the issue is only going to get worse according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. By 2030, we could be facing a shortfall of as many as 43,000 primary care physicians across the country, and the problem is expected to be worse for people living outside large population areas and patients using government health care assistance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

 

On top of this, it’s not only primary care where shortages are projected, but also specialized healthcare professionals such as surgeons and geriatricians. Demand for specialty healthcare services is projected to require as many as 61,000 more physicians than will be practicing in 2030, an even steeper disparity than primary care.

Caretakers

Not only are healthcare professionals going to be in short supply, the number of both professional and unofficial caretakers may not be sufficient for the rising senior population. Many seniors rely on a network of family and friends to help with activities of daily living as they age, but research from the AARP reports that the ratio of potential caregivers to retirees will fall from 7:1 in 2010 to 4:1 in 2030. Soon-to-be retirees planning to rely on family for care may not have as much success as they hope, and will most likely need turn to assisted living or another formal care option as they find they need more assistance with activities of daily living.

 

Formal care faces its own challenges in this new population of retirees, however. The United States is projected to become majority minority by 2043, and the current generation of soon-to-be retirees is certainly more diverse than their predecessors. However, projections in senior health care professions speculate that formal caretakers are not on a course to become similarly diverse. Fortunately, studies on the implementation of cultural competency training in senior care settings have shown that culture barriers can be overcome.

Diseases and Conditions

There has been a dramatic shift in the leading causes of death in the last century. From the early 1900s to now, infection-caused diseases such as influenza and pneumonia have given way to noncommunicable, chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer as the leading causes of death in the United States. Elderly populations are at high risk for both of these conditions, as well as other conditions that fall into the ten leading causes, such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, simply due to the way the human body ages. And while rising life expectancies are a triumph for medicine, longer lifespans do present the need for a change in our approach to healthcare.

 

The issue is that many of these diseases and conditions don’t have cures, and in some cases, don’t even have effective research-based treatments. So, even if the barriers to senior health care access were to be removed, retiring adults are facing the issue of manageable, but not treatable, chronic illnesses.

Care Focuses

Related but not synonymous to the shift in prevalent diseases is the focus of healthcare in senior populations. According to the CDC, about half of all adults in the United States are managing one or more chronic health conditions, with one in four living with at least two. Known as comorbidity, the presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions presents a unique challenge to healthcare providers, as they need to understand not only how to treat the diseases separately, but also how the diseases present, interact, and even worsen when experienced simultaneously.

 

This shift in focus to comorbidity requires a much more consistent and frequent approach to seeking and obtaining healthcare, as opposed to the reactionary model experienced by many US adults. While ongoing healthcare may be a better model, the associated costs of frequent physician visits may be prohibitive to seniors who may already be facing a crisis of affordability.

Affordability

According to a report by Fidelity, healthy, retirement-aged couples can expect to spend $245,000 on healthcare costs over the course of their retirement – and other sources suggest that this estimate may be conservative. Baby Boomers have an average of only $147,000 saved for retirement, leading to natural concern about the high cost of retirement living, and experts suggest that government assistance programs like Medicare will not be able to sustain the retiree boom.

 

The picture of senior health care in the coming decade looks bleak, but it’s important to remember that our society faced similar questions of economic strain when faced with caring for the Baby Boomers as children. While it’s important to keep the challenges of retirement in mind as we move towards 2030, it’s also important to not lose sight of the joy that the Golden Years can bring. By facing projected issues now, we can prepare for the needs of seniors for years down the line.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

The Importance of Guaranteed Retirement Income

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

For most adults reaching retirement age, finances are looking pretty grim. By most studies, more than half of the Baby Boomer generation isn’t financially prepared for retirement, and as many as 30% have no retirement savings at all. Experts are worried about how new retirees will fare, or if retirement as we currently think of it will even still exist. So if savings can’t save the day, what can?

Why do you need it?

While many of the people who have been retired for a while have managed to maintain their nest egg while enjoying pre-retirement lifestyles and spending habits, younger retirees and adults approaching their full retirement age shouldn’t count on the same fortune. Americans nearing retirement have a median retirement savings of about $147,000, which is more than $500,000 shy of the amount that experts project is necessary for a comfortable, financially stable retirement.

 

Sources of retirement income are one way that current and future retirees are dealing with their finances. From estimated medical costs as high as $280,000 to cost of living to travel and entertainment, there’s so many aspects of retirement that require financial security. So what can you do?

What are your options?

Social Security

The in’s and out’s of Social Security can be difficult to navigate. If you’ve already claimed your benefits and have been receiving monthly payments for a year or more, the amount you can receive each month is more or less locked in aside from cost-of-living increases. If you haven’t claimed yet, or if you’ve been receiving benefits for less than a year, you have some choices to go over with your financial advisor.

 

First, the age at which you claim benefits has a huge effect on how much money you’ll receive each month. At the minimum age of eligibility, 62, your benefit could be reduced by as much as 25-30%, depending on your full retirement age (FRA). Then, at your FRA, you can receive your full benefit with no reductions. Or, for every year you wait to claim after your FRA and up to age 70, you can earn an 8% bonus to your benefit. Everyone’s situation is different, so one age is not necessarily always better than another, but many financial planning experts advise waiting and betting bonuses if your health and financial situation will allow.

 

Employer Pensions

Today, employer pensions are becoming rare, but they do still exist. Public service workers, such as the police force, firefighters, judges, and public teachers have always had pension plans, and other government positions also offer pensions. Because pensions are part of an employee’s compensation package, the amount of retirement income they provide varies based on industry, position, and even from person to person.

Retirement Accounts

While you can open your own retirement accounts, they are generally associated with employer-provided benefits. These benefits, such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, deferred comp plans, SIMPLE or SEP IRAs, and more, may not be income like pensions are, but function in much the same way after retirement. You are required to withdraw a minimum amount per year after age 70½, though earlier withdrawals may help reduce your lifetime tax bill. Transfers can be done in a lump sum (though we don’t recommend it), quarterly, monthly, or on a different schedule as long as the minimum is met annually.

Savings Accounts

Your personal savings aren’t actually guaranteed income, but barring emergency expenses, you should treat money you withdraw about the same as you treat Social Security payments or retirement account withdrawals. Budget your spending and pay yourself a monthly paycheck from your savings account, and don’t go over that budget. The main difference is that you can withdraw more money if you need to, in case of an emergency medical expense for example, whereas other sources of retirement income generally pay out a regular amount that you have little to no control over.

Annuities

Annuities are somewhat unique in this list, as they can be obtained after you’ve already retired, and some, like fixed indexed annuities, have the option to be truly guaranteed retirement income, meaning that you will always receive income from them regardless of your financial situation, the markets, and other variable factors. There are different types of annuities that may be better or worse for your needs, which you should discuss with a financial advisor.

Part-time Work

And of course, one way to earn retirement income is simply by earning income from a job. There are many part-time work opportunities that allow retirees to supplement their savings while still maintaining a retirement lifestyle, and more retirees are becoming entrepreneurs for enjoyment and income. Continuing to work isn’t part of the traditional picture of retirement, but it’s quickly becoming more common.

 

While retirement savings across the board aren’t where they should be, a financially stable retirement is possible with enough planning. Take stock of your options for retirement income, and speak with a financial advisor to get the clearest picture of your finances.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

 

Teen’s advice after crash: Stay strong

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Krystle Wagner, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark

 

As her graduating classmates celebrated accomplishments and looked forward to the future, Angela Maurer focused on one thing.

 

Regaining the ability to walk.

 

In high school, Maurer stayed active in cross country, basketball and track. She served on student council, in the National Honor Society, in the Business Professionals of America, and, an avid horseback rider, as president of her 4-H club.

 

She was an achiever, in every sense of the word.

 

And since running had been part of her life since middle school, Maurer planned to join the cross country team at Aquinas College in the fall of 2014.

 

Everything changed in her final week of high school.

The crash

On May 22, 2014, Maurer, then 18, was behind the wheel of her Chevy Tahoe, with her younger brother, Nathan, in the passenger seat.

 

Photo courtesy of Angela Maurer

They had just left the house. When Maurer made a left turn out of the driveway of her family’s home in Williamston, Michigan, she forgot to check her blind spot.

 

An oncoming SUV broadsided her Tahoe at about 60 mph. Although Maurer’s brother managed to walk away with minor injuries, Maurer sustained serious injuries that would change her life.

 

Initially, she didn’t even understand the severity of her trauma. She remembers telling her mom she could move her toes, and asking her mom if that was a good thing.

 

“The entire dash was on my lap,” Maurer recalled.

 

An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where an initial evaluation provided more uncertainty. The left side of her pelvis shattered upon impact and her neck had fractured.

 

Given the extent of the trauma, doctors couldn’t say if she would ever walk again.

 

Hearing that, Maurer became motivated to make a full recovery.

 

“It drove me to prove them wrong, push myself harder,” she said.

The recovery

Surgeons at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital installed plates and screws to keep her pelvis together.

 

Then came the hard part.

 

Physical therapist Linda Rusiecki, DPT, evaluated Maurer after her transfer to the Spectrum Health Center for Acute Rehabilitation.

 

Photo courtesy of Angela Maurer

The work to recover began immediately. Each day for three weeks, she would undergo four therapy sessions—one hour of physical therapy and one hour of occupational therapy followed by half-hour sessions of each.

 

She first entered therapy on a Tuesday, making a goal of attending her high school graduation ceremony that Sunday.

 

Maurer remembers the pain when she first arrived at therapy. She needed two people to help her get up. But she was clearly motivated, Rusiecki recalled.

 

The young woman progressed from learning how to sit up in bed to getting into a wheelchair. When she sat up in bed, her head spun and she couldn’t focus on anything.

 

Maurer said it was hard to visualize how she would ever reach her goal and someday run again, but her family encouraged her to keep going.

 

Progress came incrementally.

 

After days of persevering through pain, she joined her classmates in celebrating high school graduation. As Maurer’s brother pushed her wheelchair across the stage, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.

 

Hitting that milestone was emotional, Maurer said. In that moment, she saw the volume of love and support behind her, even as she continued her recovery about an hour-and-a-half away from her hometown.

 

Her accomplishments didn’t stop there. In two more weeks of therapy, she progressed from a walker to crutches.

 

Although some days proved to be more challenging than others—she remembers being plagued by soreness—the hurdles became easier to clear once she could walk with crutches.

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

Through occupational therapy, she learned how to get out of bed, shower and use the restroom without assistance. In physical therapy, she learned how to get in and out of cars, walk down stairs and walk across different terrains with her crutches.

 

When therapists released Maurer from inpatient therapy on June 9, less than a month after the crash, she could walk more than 1,000 feet with crutches over various terrain. She could also maneuver a flight of steps as long as she kept the weight off her left foot, Rusiecki said.

 

Returning home, Maurer became single-mindedly focused on one goal: Running again.

The finish line

Her medical team cleared Maurer to stop using crutches two days before freshman orientation at Aquinas College. She then worked toward her goal, one step at a time.

 

“Everything was worth it in the long run,” she said.

 

Before she got the OK to run, she spent time cross-training, biking and exercising on the elliptical to build up her strength. Six months after the crash, doctors approved her to begin running again.

 

In November 2014, she become an active member of the cross country team, where her teammates heard her story and greeted her with enthusiastic support.

 

“They remind me how I’m a walking miracle, and it’s like a blessing to be able to run again,” she said.

 

In May 2015, a year after the crash, Maurer visited staff at the Center for Acute Rehabilitation to show them her progress.

 

“It was very exciting to see her again,” Rusiecki said.

 

Maurer said she’s now in the best shape she’s ever been in. And her experience is shaping the trajectory of her life not just in physical recovery, but in academic prowess.

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

Prior to the crash, she had planned to study either occupational or physical therapy. Given her experience, she has decided to study physical therapy, in hopes of one day working with athletes who may find themselves in similar situations.

 

She can relate to athletes whose injuries might temporarily keep them from doing what they love. She can help them persevere to reach their goals, and help them return to their passions.

 

Despite the challenges, Maurer said the journey has made her thankful for every day. Thankful for everything she has. Thankful for still being alive.

 

For others going through their own struggles and journeys, Maurer, now 20, recommends keeping a positive mindset, because negativity will only make things more challenging.

 

Her advice: “Stay strong.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Manage chronic conditions by making an action plan

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Gretchen Stelter, Michigan State University Extension

 

One of the best ways to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis or Parkinson’s disease is to make a weekly action plan. This will guide you to achieve your health goals. Michigan State University Extension suggests you make sure your action plan has these key ideas:

Make your action plan something you want to do

  • This is your plan, not someone else’s plan for you. Action plans can help you feel better by successfully accomplishing tasks.
  • Your plan is something you think you should do and want to do or achieve yourself. An example is if you hate pool water, you shouldn’t make a goal to swim three times a week.

Pick something you can do easily

  • Ask yourself if your plan is realistic and achievable for you right now. You wouldn’t want to begin walking three miles a day if you have not walked after your knee surgery!
  • If you feel you will fail at this action, then change it so you can succeed. If you do fail at an action plan, usually you will not try again.

Be action specific

  • What is it that you are going to do?
  • How much are you going to do? This can be broken down in minutes or days.
  • When are you going to do it? Be specific.

Plan ahead for possible barriers

  • Ask yourself what might get in the way of achieving this goal. If the weather is bad you may not want to walk.
  • Figure out ahead of time how you will handle barriers, such as plan on walking in an open gym in the evening when the weather is bad.
  • Know who you can call if you need help. You may like to have a partner when you walk.

Celebrate and evaluate:

  • Congratulate yourself on what you’ve achieved.
  • If things went well, the next week you may be able to stretch your goal. Instead of walking a quarter of a mile three days a week, you may walk a half mile four days a week.
  • If things got in your way, find solutions to help get past the barrier. Perhaps walking through a box store three days a week is better than walking in inclement weather. Keep track of your progress. If things get in your way, think of solutions that can help you achieve your goal.

An example of a weekly action plan to get more exercise

What am I going to do? I will start taking a water aerobics class.
How often will I do it? I will do one hour a week.
When will I do it? I will go to the 9 a.m. class every Friday.
What might get into my way? The weather, which may make it challenging to get out of the house in the morning.
What might make doing this easier for me? I will ask a friend to join me; one that has mentioned water aerobics before.

Action plans outline steps you can take to attain a larger health goal. Research shows that such plans are instrumental in bringing about behavior changes in patients. American College of Physicians Foundation gives ideas for some opportunities to use an action plan:

  • Making diet changes
  • Quit smoking
  • Increase physical activity
  • Reducing stress
  • Improving sleep habits

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Kids as caregivers

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Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Shannon Lindquist, Michigan State University Extension

 

Research conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates over 1.4 million youth ages 8–18 are taking care of ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members. They are taking care of parents, grandparents and siblings as well as dealing with the most prevalent conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart, lung or kidney diseases, arthritis and diabetes.

 

What kind of care are they providing?

 

Kids are not just performing day-to-day household chores such as laundry, dishes, vacuuming and fixing simple meals, they are handing out medications, bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding family members. Some are even responsible for communicating with health care providers.

 

While it may seem inappropriate for kids to take on caregiving duties, changes in family structures, such as kids being raised in single parent homes or by their grandparents, increase the number of older people and multi-generations in households. Healthcare delivery has also changed so that home visits have decreased and an increase of care is becoming the responsibility of families instead of hospitals and doctor offices.

 

Why are kids in the role of caregiver?

 

Not everyone agrees that a child should be in the role of a family caregiver, however, changes in family structure and how healthcare is delivered impacts children. Economic hardships also play a part in multi-generation households, with married adults returning home with children. Regarding healthcare, medical facilities are no longer providing complex care, instead, it is being done at home by family members. Adults may be identified as the primary caregiver, however due to job obligations, children end up providing care.

 

How do caregiving responsibilities affect these kids?

 

Roger Olson, a clinical child psychologist at St. Luke’s Children’s Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho, states that low level caregiving (helping with chores, running errands or spending time together) helps youth with character development. This type of caregiving fosters kindness, generosity, compassion and nurturance.  The other, more personal side to caregiving including feeding, bathing or changing adult diapers, can take a toll and may be traumatizing to a child. Children have the coping skills of children and are not equipped to handle these stressful roles.

 

What can we do to help youth caregivers?

 

We can help young caregivers by knowing behaviors that may be signals of concern:

  • School: tardiness, missed days, incomplete assignments, lower participation in after-school programming, poor behavior and dropping-out
  • Emotionally: anxiety, depression, grief and feelings of being overwhelmed
  • Socially: difficulties getting along with others, loss of social activities and friendships
  • Physically: exhausted, lethargic and lack of interest in appearance

We can also bring awareness to our communities that kids are in this role. We can help by providing resource information for kids in our local schools, religious organizations and public libraries. Starting a local coalition can bring more attention and support for these families. Every caregiver needs and deserves support.

 

For information on youth caregivers visit the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) at www.aacy.org or call 800-508-9618 or 561-391-7401 for direct assistance. The AACY website has suggestions and links that can help families, professionals and school-based staff to assist caregiving kids. Visit the Michigan State University Extension website for additional information related to caregiving.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

Don’t get scammed this holiday season

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By Katherine Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

The biggest shopping days of the season are fast approaching. According to “Consumers and retailers win big over Thanksgiving holiday” from the National Retail Federation, from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, more than 174 million Americans shopped in stores or online in 2017. According to the 2018 Consumer Holiday Spending report by OpenX and Harris Poll, predictions show that holiday spending is going to be even greater.

 

With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.

 

Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.

 

Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.

 

Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

 

Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.

 

Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.

 

Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.

 

Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Service work can make a difference in your community and career

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By Katherine Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

Are you looking for help to pay off student loans or save money for college? Do you need to add relevant work experience to your resume? Are you trying to enter or re-enter the workforce? Do you want to make a difference in your community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider becoming a member of AmeriCorps or Senior Corps. If you answered yes to any of those questions and would like to accomplish that feat within Michigan 4-H, consider joining 4-H STEAM Corps.

 

Michigan State University Extension will be expanding its 4-H programming impact through 4-H STEAM Corps, an AmeriCorps program that will place 30 full-time members in MSU Extension 4-H offices across the state to provide science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment programming via 4-H SPIN Clubs and 4-H Tech Wizards. Through this program, MSU Extension will expand 4-H SPIN clubs by potentially creating 600 new SPIN clubs in 30 counties across the state reaching over 3,200 youth. Members will serve from September 2018 through July 2019. The program is contingent upon funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Michigan Community Service Commission. Contact Rachel Puckett at pucket21@msu.edu for more information.

 

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs are operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency established in 1993 whose mission is “to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” The Corporation for National and Community Service employs 75,000 individuals across the United States in a variety of public service assignments aimed to meet critical needs in the community. At 21,000 locations nationwide, national service members are making a difference in their community through projects focused on disaster preparedness and relief, the opioid epidemic, youth mentoring, college access and readiness, conserving our environment and improving the economic opportunity of our veterans and limited income families.

 

In addition to making a positive impact on others and serving your country, there are many other benefits to becoming a national service member. Full-time members typically receive:

  • Modest living allowance or volunteer stipend
  • Limited health benefit option
  • Student loan deferment
  • Educational award to pay for college, technical school or repay student loans
  • Skills and training

Furthermore, the Corporation for National and Community Service found service work also spurred personal and professional growth. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Research and Evaluation 2013 study, volunteering is a positive pathway to employment. They found volunteers in general were “27 percent more likely to find a job after being out of work, and that number jumped to 51 percent for volunteers without a high school diploma” and 55 percent increase for those in rural America. The Corporation for National and Community Service 2017 State of the Evidence Annual Report also found:

  • 9 out of 10 alumni reported their experience increased their problem-solving abilities.
  • 8 out 10 alumni indicated their experienced benefitted their career path.
  • 79 percent are, or plan to become, actively involved in their community after service, compared to 47 percent prior to service.

According to the National Service 2018 Impact Report, locally Michigan has 1,710 service locations with 9,360 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members hard at work improving lives and communities, with the Corporation for National and Community Service contributing 63.1 million in program funding.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

The role of fat in your everyday diet

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Fish provides a great source of healthy fat. (Courtesy MSU Extension)

By Dawn Earnesty, Michigan State University Extension

 

Common perceptions about fats are often not true and avoiding all fats is not healthy because it is important to have healthy fats in our diet. There are fats that contain essential fatty acids that are necessary for good health and fats that help the body to use certain vitamins.

 

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the following recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

  • Keep trans-fatty acid consumption as low as possible, especially by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans-fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats.
  • Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars. Such as:
    • Butters, stick margarines, and animal fats from beef and pork. These are all solid at room temperature.
    • Soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks and ice cream. These are all processed foods that have added sugars and syrups.

Here are some actions you can take every day to keep your consumption of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

  • Check the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods. Our interactive label can help you find what to look at on the label.
  • Choose alternative fats. Replace saturated and trans-fats in your diet with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils and foods like nuts.
  • Consider consuming fish and cuts of lean meat. Examples include:
    • Poultry: chicken or turkey white meat or ground meat
    • Beef: flank steak, top loin, sirloin, lean ground beef
    • Pork: pork tenderloin
    • Seafood: salmon, trout, cod, flounder, mackerel, mussels and clams
  • Choose foods such as dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.
  • Beware of diets that tell you to eliminate a nutrient, such as fat.

Daily essential fatty acid consumption contributes to our overall daily health in moderation. For more information please contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Health and Nutrition site.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Is your office chair trying to kill you?

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Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutrition Educator, is shown using the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)

 

By Diane Benson, Spectrum Health Beat

 

The desk job. Some aspire to it. Others avoid it like the plague.

 

As the perils of sitting all day become more widely known, the latter is probably the smarter path to take (I think as I sit at my desk, for hour number eight, typing this story).

 

According to the latest research, prolonged sedentary time—think eight to 10 hours a day sitting at that desk job—can take years off your life by putting you at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

 

What’s more, even if you do have a regular exercise routine, it doesn’t protect you enough to offset the detrimental effects of hours and hours of sitting.

 

If, like me, you add on a commute to and from your desk job, well, don’t be surprised to see the grim reaper in the rear-view mirror.

Move it or lose it

Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. Indeed, it’s widely known that getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can lower your risk for disease and premature death.

 

But with health experts now saying that staying active throughout the day is more important than hitting the gym, the challenge becomes finding the time to move. And work. At the same time.

 

Luckily for us office drones, there are creative ways to reap some of the health benefits of movement throughout our day, even with a desk job.

1. Stand up at your desk

Stand up to get healthy! (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

Instead of sitting at your desk and working on your computer, grab your laptop and stand up while you work. Granted, this may require you to walk around your office to find a table upon which to place your laptop. That’s good.

 

Better yet, get an actual stand-up desk.

 

That’s what one local business did to get employees out of their chairs. Life EMS Ambulance dispatchers got new desks, which are motorized so they can adjust the height to sit and stand as they please.

 

“The sit-to-stand desk is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace,” said Leah Konwinski, an ergonomic specialist with Spectrum Health. “It’s a great option to promote a little more movement at work without sacrificing comfort, safety or ability to focus and still be productive.”

 

Standing is still a ‘static’ activity, though, and our bodies are not made to be static. Even when standing, take breaks and move about, Konwinski suggested.

2. Hop on a treadmill (desk, that is)

For someone who has a tough time sitting still, a treadmill desk may be the ideal form of multitasking.

 

Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, a community nutrition educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, is a frequent user and offers a few observations.

 

“Lots of days, especially in the winter, I’m stuck at my desk,” she said. “And since I’m typically multitasking and am one who does not experience motion sickness, using a treadmill desk is quite fitting. It’s an awesome way to squeeze in a little exercise or at the very least, spend time standing instead of sitting.”

 

She typically uses it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

 

“It’s ideal for getting caught up on e-mail, doing a little research or reviewing a presentation,” said Corwin. “It also helps me hone my reading comprehension and retention, and makes my time more efficient—I walk, learn and forgo the need to read things twice.”

 

On the con side, she can’t spread out the things she’s working on or pull files out as needed. For that kind of work, she said, it’s still nice to be at her regular desk.

 

And, your pace really can’t approach anything too speedy, which leads some to question whether there’s really any health benefit at all.

 

A recent NPR report looked at treadmill desks and cited several small studies that found they do potentially hold health benefits, depending on how often, how much and how vigorously they’re used.

 

First, treadmill desks can help increase the number of steps taken per day, and that accumulation of physical activity is better than nothing or sitting all day. Second, it’s not about working out or working up a sweat. It’s about not sitting.

 

So, if you have a treadmill desk—use it. But don’t forget, you still have to fit about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your weekly routine as well.

 

If you don’t have a treadmill desk, but want one (and you have some semblance of creativity and mechanical ability), you can join the folks opting for a DIY approach.

3. Swap out your desk chair for a stability ball

Many of us remember bouncing around the yard on a ‘hippity hop’ ball when we were kids. Similar concept, but no handle. And no bouncing down the halls.

 

Sitting on a stability ball can improve posture and strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles, said Kim DeLaFuente, MA, ACSM-PD, an community exercise educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.

 

“A stability ball forces your core muscles to work harder to keep you balanced so you don’t fall off,” she said. “You’re also forced to sit up straight and upright.”

 

So, good posture. Strong core. But for those of us who aren’t so coordinated, possible concussion. (Remember, no handle.)

4. Workout at work

There are other ways—calisthenics for example—to get in a bit more movement at work.

 

Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutricion Educator, is shown near the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)

The Washington Post actually tested 12 exercises for a week to see which ones real people could incorporate into a workday. See how to do each one and rate them yourself.

 

DeLaFuente offers these additional ideas:

  • Practice yoga poses at your desk to re-energize you throughout the day
  • Keep resistance bands in your desk drawer and use them to work in a little strength training
  • Hold a walking meeting

“Just find ways to incorporate short bits of activity throughout the day,” she said. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther away and walk. It all adds up.”

Setting up the traditional office set-up

Even if you wish to simply remain seated at your desk, it’s important to make sure your workstation is structured to properly support your body.

 

“Maintaining neutral postures and proper body alignment allows you to feel comfortable much longer,” Konwisnski said. “Most workstations nowadays have sufficient adjustability between the chair and other small items like a footrest or keyboard tray.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Proper storage of home preserved foods and equipment

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Courtesy MSU Extension

By Joyce McGarry, Michigan State University Extension

 

As our natural growing season comes to an end, it is important to properly store all of your home preserved foods correctly to maintain safety and quality over winter. Find a cool place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is dry and has some circulation to keep your jars filled with your home preserved foods. If contents are exposed to direct sunlight or stored in a warm place, the food may lose quality in a shorter amount of time.

 

Wash the outside of lids and jars to remove any residue that may have leaked out. Remove ring bands and wash and dry the outside of lids, jars and the band to remove any residue that may have leaked out in order to prevent rusting. It is recommended that jars be stored without ring bands to allow for easier detection of broken vacuum seals.

 

Label and date each jar with the name of the contents and the date is was preserved. This practice will help ensure you are eating foods that have been preserved safely in a timely matter. For the best quality of food, preserve only the amount of food that you can use in one year. It is important to not taste food from jars with lids that have become unsealed or show signs of spoilage. As each jar is taken off the shelf for use, examine its lid for tightness and that the lid is still vacuumed.

 

Canning equipment should also be stored properly. For safe operation of your pressure canner for the next year, Michigan State University Extension recommends cleaning the vent and safety valve by drawing a clean string or narrow strip of cloth through the opening, remove the valve and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The rubber gasket that helps the edges of the canner and lid prevent steam from escaping should be cleaned or replaced if needed. Clean the equipment with hot soapy water and then rinse and dry.

 

If your pressure canner has a dial gauge, be careful not to immerse the gauge when cleaning. If the inside of your aluminum canner has darkened, it can be cleaned by filling the canner with a mixture of one tablespoon cream of tartar to a quart of water and boil until the dark deposits disappear.

 

Store the canner with crumpled clean paper towels in the bottom to help absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner, remembering not to seal it. These same directions apply to a weighted gauge canner, except that the lid can be submerged in water for cleaning.

 

Following proper storage of your home preserved foods will help ensure the quality and safety of your canned food to be enjoyed all year. Giving your canning equipment special attention in cleaning and maintenance will make you ready for the next growing season of preserving.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Being responsive to your child’s cues

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension

 

Humans communicate quite a bit without ever speaking. This is called nonverbal communication—gestures, facial expressions or postures that communicate feelings without using any words. If you’re speaking to someone and they are turning away from you and looking at their watch, they are communicating they either have to go or they want to stop talking. Without using any words, they can tell us what they need or want.

 

Babies, toddlers and young children are sending us nonverbal cues all the time. A baby cries when they are hungry or wet because they can’t tell you what they need with words. A toddler might grab your hand and lead you to the kitchen to tell you they are hungry or hide behind you at a family reunion to say they are overwhelmed.

 

When we take the time to pay attention to, recognize and understand a child’s point of view, we can help better understand their behaviors. Understanding why a child is doing something makes it easier to react to them in a way that is responsive to their needs.

 

Michigan State University Extension has the following suggestions for being responsive to your child’s cues.

 

Think about the “why?” When your child does something, take time to think about why they might be doing it. What are they trying to communicate to you? Do they need something from you to meet their needs?

 

Respond, don’t react. Instead of reacting with your own strong emotions when your child does something, take a minute to think about how to respond. You might want to yell when your child draws on the wall with crayons, but if you take a minute to think, you can respond calmly and address their needs.

 

Make sure your child’s needs are met. Sometimes children misbehave or have strong emotional outbursts when their needs aren’t met. You can be responsive to your child by making sure they have what they need to be happy and successful. Are they eating enough? Getting enough sleep? Have they gotten enough hugs, kisses and attention?

 

Be responsive. It’s sometimes easy to take a “one-size-fits-all” solution to solving problems with young children. For example, sending a child to time-out anytime they have broken a rule. It is much more effective to respond to your child’s specific cues or needs. When your child draws on the wall with crayons, they might be telling you they are bored and need help to release their energy in a productive way. Tailor your response to your child’s behaviors to fit their specific needs

 

When you respond to your child’s cues, they feel loved, understood and less frustrated. Tune in to your child’s cues, be calm and responsive and you can build a strong and supportive relationship with your child.

 

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

 

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

WKTV reviews fall high school sports highlights, plans winter schedule

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports

WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball begins in December. (WKTV)

 

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sports@wktv.org 

 

As the always busy holiday months are upon us starting with November, the high school sports world does just the opposite as the last of the fall seasons crown their newest state champions and the winter seasons slowly begin with boys hockey and basketball at the end of the month.

 

The schools that WKTV covers certainly had some highlights during the fall competition and here are just some of them.

 

The girls golf season held their state championships near the end of October in some tough cold and wet conditions, and for an amazing 23rd consecutive time, the South Christian High School girls team was there to compete for that title. At the end of the two-day tournament, the Sailor ladies finished behind only Flint Powers Catholic to earn the runner-up trophy for the second consecutive season.

 

The soccer state championship was held the first weekend in November and had the East Kentwood Falcons in the championship game where they too finished as runner-up to Ann Arbor Skyline.

 

The football season had four of our six area teams qualify for the playoffs.  South Christian finished the season with a 6-5 record and in fourth place in the O-K Gold after defeating another of our local teams, Godwin Heights, in the opening round but dropped the second-round game to Hudsonville’s Unity Christian.

 

East Kentwood had a great season as they won nine straight games after losing their season opener to win the O-K Red title and finish 9-2 on the year. The Falcons defeated Brighton in the opening round of the playoffs before coming up short against Saline in round two.

 

Godwin Heights completed their year at 6-4 and in second place in the O-K Silver and lost in the opening round to South Christian. Kelloggsville finished in fourth place in the O-K Silver with a 4-5 record, Wyoming finished the season 2-7 and 1-5 in the OK Gold, and Wyoming Lee finished with a 1-8 record on the year.

 

The 8-man division had the Tri-Unity Christian Crusaders cruise through the regular season undefeated and ranked in the top 5 in the state as they won the Midwest Central 8 Man conference championship. The Crusaders defeated Webberville in their playoff opener before dropping the second-round game to No. 2 ranked Morrice to finish the year at 10-1.

 

Congratulations to all teams and athletes!

 

The WKTV Featured Game winter broadcast schedule is being finalized but there will once again be boys and girls basketball coverage showcasing all of the local teams, boys hockey, and swimming and diving competitions so be watching for the schedule, but in the meantime, get out and enjoy some of your local schools games in person.

 

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 

Following is this week’s schedule:

 

Thursday, Nov. 22

Happy Thanksgiving – Watch the WKTV Turkey Bowl

 

Friday, Nov. 23

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Thanksgiving Falcon Classic

 

Saturday, Nov. 24

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Thanksgiving Falcon Classic

 

Monday, Nov. 26

No events scheduled

 

Getting Married? 8 Tips for Newlyweds on Combining Finances

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By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension

 

Getting married? 83 percent of couples fight about money, according to Debt Reduction Services. Making household finances work is one way newlyweds can help make their marriage work.  Both should agree on how to coordinate household accounts and debt by having constructive conversations. Even though this is not the most romantic topic, it will contribute to a happier marriage.

 

Once the honeymoon is over, focus some attention on your shared financial lives. The Building MI Financial Future Financial Toolkit from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services offers these tips:

  • Request a free copy of your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com. This information tells you about your use, management and payment history of loans and financial obligations. You might also get credit score estimates from FICO. Then you can objectively analyze the strengths and any weaknesses in the reports, including high debt amounts or discipline about making timely payments.
  • List all sources of income and expenses. Using all pay stubs, account statements, monthly bills and debt obligations, disclose everything financial to each other. Then you can make a monthly spending plan for handling monthly expenses and establish a debt prevention and/or elimination plan.
  • Open a joint checking account to pay for household expenses. Pay for all marriage-related bills, including housing, food, necessary clothing, vacation, transportation, cell phones, etc. If neither of you had credit-related problems, both names can be on the account. If one person has poor credit, you may choose to have your account in only one name. Consider automating your household bills payments, plus setting up separate accounts for each of your savings goals.
  • Decide who is going to pay for what.
    • Option 1: Combine incomes and consider all expenses and debts as one.
    • Option 2: Assign certain payments to one or the other. This might depend on who had loan obligations prior to the marriage.
    • Option 3: Pay ongoing expenses based on the percentage of income contributed.
  • Discuss the relationship each of you has with money. Is one of you a saver and one a spender? Talk about the potential consequences and agree on a workable solution.
  • Consider opening a savings account for an “emergency or rainy day fund”. Unplanned emergencies happen.  As a couple, you should have a goal about how much is enough for unexpected expenses or emergencies. In addition, the recommendation is to set aside several months of earned income to prepare for an unplanned loss of future income. Decide together on a monthly amount to save which fits into your budget and is sustainable.
    • Tip: While many couples choose to pursue a joint checking account, this method may not work for all couples. Whether you have a joint account or separate accounts to pay household expenses, the key is to communicate, have a bill payment plan, and pay bills on time.
  • Update your beneficiaries. Check any employer-sponsored retirement plan, IRAs, annuities, and life insurance policies to update the beneficiary information.
  • Take care of your future selves now. Contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plan and/or IRA. The recommendation is 15 percent of your combined gross pay or the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. This is a great time to talk about your retirement goals that will require financial planning and strategies.  Further, decide on a homeownership plan including thinking about if, where and when to buy a home and its cost. Discuss any education and professional training plans.

The first year of marriage typically includes many lifestyle adjustments. Setting goals and planning to save are best practices to help make your financial hopes and dreams come true. Having a spending plan shows your sense of control and willingness to set aside now for the future.  Discussing and agreeing on financial adjustments should make your financial lives go smoother. Financial planning takes time, patience, and discipline.  Find more information about spending plans, reasons for and ways to save, credit and debt, homeownership, and many other topics at MIMoneyHealth.org.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

When binge-watching goes bad

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Having a TV or movie day once in a while won’t kill you, but frequent binge-watching ups your chances of developing serious health conditions. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat Staff

 

You’ve just settled in to your well-worn spot on the couch, big bowl of popcorn, chips or other savory snacks and soda by your side, ready for an all-day, TV-watching extravaganza.

 

But you might want to push pause—according to a new study, your health might be Breaking Bad, too.

 

In a recent study of people at higher risk of developing diabetes, researchers found every hour spent sitting can increase that risk by 3.4 percent. So sitting through the last season of Mad Men can lead to a 30 percent increased risk, according to studies published in the journal Diabetologia and elsewhere.

 

The Diabetologia study confirms other firmly-held beliefs among experts, said Robert Selfe, DO, of Spectrum Health Diabetes & Endocrinology.

 

“I would echo the beliefs, simply because the information is known,” Dr. Selfe said. “We know that individuals at risk, whether it’s a family genetic component, a history of gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

 

“In my mind, this echoes the things we already know, but it puts a focus on our American lifestyle. Sitting on the couch multiple hours a day, I would suspect, whether it’s reading a book, watching television or what have you, all of those things are going to contribute to further risk of diabetes.”

 

The risk is very real for a growing number of Americans.

 

According to 2018 statistics from the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans have diabetes. About a quarter don’t know they have the condition, and the majority of them have Type 2 diabetes.

 

But a day-long The Big Bang Theory marathon probably isn’t a one-way trip to Type 2 by itself, Dr. Selfe said.

 

“If you’re talking about one day, I’d take (the study) with a grain of salt,” he said. “So this weekend, you binge-watch Breaking Bad for 12 hours, that means, theoretically, in the next five years, you’re going to get diabetes. I think that’s an overstatement of what they’re trying to get at, but it’s kind of for shock value.”

 

What the study does underscore, Dr. Selfe said, is that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are taking their toll on our long-term health.

 

“From my perspective, (the study) confirms what we already know,” he said. “Engaging in regular exercise, being active on a daily basis—which has become more difficult in American society because we have computers, smart phones, the internet and machines to do a lot of the regular work we used to do even 50 or 100 years ago—really has increased that risk.”

 

But unlike, say, Dexter, this story doesn’t have to have an unhappy ending. The key is all about balance, Dr. Selfe explained.

 

“You definitely shouldn’t binge-watch and drink soda and eat Cheetos and all these other things that are prolific in American society,” he said. “I think this study, and studies done in the past, all beg toward moderation, and we are not a society of moderation. We super-size all of our foods, and we binge-watch TV at times. The reality is we continue to do less and less on a daily basis. Some of that is out of choice, and some of that is out of our situation. A lot of us sit behind a desk eight to 12 hours a day.

 

“The bottom line is, people need to engage in moderation, and they need to realize that incorporating activity on a daily basis is markedly impactful across the board, whether we’re talking about heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol … across the gamut, activity has been shown to be beneficial for everybody.”

 

So don’t forget to mix in some actual walking, before you settle in to watch the last season of The Walking Dead.

 

Know your numbers. Get your annual physical, including all of the blood and urine labs your doctor deems necessary. Need help finding a doctor? Call 877.362.8362 to get connected with a provider who will suit your needs.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Holiday planning for diabetes

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Kris Swartzendruber, Michigan State University Extension

 

It can be very difficult to be health conscious this time of year as food and festivity will always be a major part of the holiday season. It’s an especially challenging time for those who have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends planning ahead and provides the following tips and guidelines to help those with diabetes enjoy the foods associated with the holidays, while still staying healthy:

  • Think about the timing of your meal. Holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving, are often served at times that don’t align with our regular meal schedule. Take this into consideration if you are taking medication such as insulin injections or pills that lower blood glucose. Talk to your health care professional about having snacks available if low blood glucose is a concern.
  • Be physically active. Consider incorporating more exercise, such as walking, riding a bike or visiting the gym when you know you’ll be eating more than usual. Encourage family members to join you in starting new traditions that involve physical activity such as playing a game of Frisbee, soccer or touch football.
  • Try healthier versions of your favorite holiday foods. Try using fat-free or light ingredients when preparing your favorite holiday dishes. Add less sugar to dishes that already provide natural sweetness such as winter squash casseroles and fruit pies. Check out the American Diabetes Association website as well as other diabetes friendly recipes available online.
  • Have low calorie foods such as raw vegetables with low-fat dip or cheese on hand while you’re cooking or waiting to eat. Avoid high-calorie and/or fried foods that are often served as appetizers during the holidays.
  • Be selective. High carbohydrate foods are a staple when it comes to many traditional holiday foods. Choose reasonable portions of your favorite high carb foods and allow yourself to pass on the rest.
  • Eat smaller portions. Don’t forget to use portion control when selecting foods that are higher in carbohydrates. Be mindful of keeping your total carbohydrate intake within a recommended range.
  • Eat your vegetables. Incorporate more color and nutrition to the holiday table by providing non-starchy vegetables dishes such as green salads and steamed vegetables to the menu. Vegetables not only fill you up, they can also help prevent you from overeating other foods that are loaded with calories and fat.

Michigan State University Extension recommends that people with diabetes always work with your health care team and offers diabetes programs that educate on proper eating and self-management, such as Dining with Diabetes.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).