PT&T December & January

8/3/2019 PT&T December & January

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parenting

Etiquette SchmetiquetteReinforcing the Magic Word and a Few OthersReinforcing the Magic Word and a Few Others

Juggling the Holiday FrenzySecret Savings UnwrappedSecret Savings UnwrappedCelebrating Around the World

Five Steps to a Sitter

Resolute Resolutions

December/January 2012 Free! Volume 1Issue 4


2/32

A Hair A Head

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Calico Bean Market

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Cedar Cross Service

Central Animal Hospital

Cookin Something Up

Crickets Toys and More

The Desoto House Hotel

Dubuque Academy of Ballet

Dubuque Bank & Trust

Dubuque Community Elementary Schools

Dubuque Community YDubuque Dental Associates

Dubuque Montessori School

Dubuque Museum of Art

Dubuque Orthodontic Associates, P.C.

Dyersville Recreation Center

Eagle Country Market

Family T.I.E.S., East Dubuque

Fareway, Dyersville

Finley/Dubuque Community Y Childcare

Freddies Popcorn

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James Kennedy Public Library, Dyersville

Jitterz Coffee and Caf

The Jule/Keyline Transit

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Kane Family Dentistry

Key West Early Childhood Center

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Little Folks Trading Post/The Hanger

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Little Treasures Preschool & Daycare

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St. Marks Community Center

Stardust Beauty Salon

Steves Ace Hardware

Stoffel Family DentistrySwiss Valley Preserve and Nature Center

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Publisherparenting: TODAY & TOMORROW

Co-EditorsKelly Burtis and Amanda Kloser

Design/LayoutNatalie Deutmeyer and Alina Crow

Cover PhotoHannah Siebe

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TODAY TO ORROWparenting

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Anyone with children

in their lives cant help

but smile at a childsexcitement as Santas

big day approaches.

That excitement also

means you are likely stressing over

making sure the most sought-after

gifts magically appear under your tree.

My daughter Sydney is only four, so,

despite her asking for everything she

sees advertised on TV, I hope I have

one more year of witnessing her

pure excitement while ripping open

whatever packages appear under the

tree, even though it wont be every

item advertised. She has asked for

some things I thought wouldnt be

requested for a few more years, such

as a Nintendo DS. Someone once

told me that the gifts get bigger

and more expensive as the kids getolder. I want to add noisier because

the top two things on her list are

a guitar and drums. I am counting

on Santas wisdom to make the

choice.

The squeals of delight on that special

morning make great memories, but

this is also the season to teach our

children to appreciate how muchthey have. Last year we started a

tradition in our home of picking an

angel off a charity organizations

tree for a child the same age as

Sydney. This year she shouldbe able to help a bit more with

shopping for that gift and better

understand its important. Her

school also had a great idea:

having a baby shower for Jesus.

The children brought in baby

items that were donated to a local

shelter.

At parenting: TODAY&TOMORROW

we hope to help you with

suggestions on how to teach your

children the core values that are

important to you. We are always

open to suggestions, so please

dont hesitate to contact us if you

have a topic you would like us to

explore.

In this issue you can read about

teaching your children manners

and gratitude, hiring a baby-

sitter, managing your hectic

holiday schedule, suggestions for

inexpensive and creative gifts

and wrapping, a variety of holiday

traditions and flu facts. We hope

you take a few minutes from your

busy schedule to find some useful

tips among our pages and keep thewarmth of the holidays in your

heart despite the cold outside.

Thank you toour cover modelsAnna Weitz and

Santa.

Like us on Facebook.

parenting:TODAY & TOMORROW 1


4/32

CONTENTS

Etiquette Schmetiquette 3

Juggling the Holiday Frenzy 6

Secret Savings Unwrapped 9

Family Snapshot 10

Celebrating Around the World 12Five Steps to a Sitter 18

Resolute Resolutions 20

Wholesome Living 23

Daytripping 24

Media Moment 25Family Functions 27

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012

Photos courtesy ofMiddle: Alec Dolter; Right: Lindsay Powers

2 December/January 2012


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F or many of us, its a familiar scene. As you makeyour way through the cereal aislepossibly agrave errorthe otherwise well-mannered childsitting in the front of your cart begins lunging for thecolorful boxes that line the shelves, eventually lather-

ing themselves into a class-five meltdown. You quickly

scoot out of the aisle (relatively) unscathed.

This classic Dr. Jeckle/Mr. Hyde moments, asMomma Kloser refers to them, can leave many a par-ent scratching their head. How can such a sweet,

well-mannered child turn into a world-class headache-inducer at the drop of a hat (simply due to spying a

box of Fruity Pebbles)?

While we at parenting: TODAY&TOMORROW can-not guarantee the transformation of your part-time

EtiquetteSchmetiquetteReinforcing the Magic Word and a Few Others

terror into a full-time angel, there are ways to preventMr. Hyde moments. And one of the best places to

start is by taking a long look at the way we, as adults,behave toward one another.

Model StudentsWhile it might have been decades since our last

freak-outs in the cereal aisle, Teresa Fischer, childcarecoordinator at the Dubuque Community Y/FinleyChildcare Center, advises adults to think about their

reactions the last time they were cut off in trafficandwho was watching. Children watch us all the time,

said Fischer. As adults we forget to be polite. Tak-ing an extra moment to calm ourselves in an instance

by Amanda Kloser

Parents and kids Have to be present and i n themoment to make manners happen.

Teresa Fischer



6/32

of intense irritation can keep

kids from imitating us in ourleast flattering moments.

It follows thenlike anyother life skillkids pick

up their manners from theadults around them. Fischersaid fostering good manners

is dependent on an adults

ability to model them. Setthe example, she advised.Its the only way.

For Fischer and her colleagues at the DCY/FinleyChildcare Center, this means working manners into

the day-to-day routine. Teaching manners effectivelycan start from birth, she said, noting that please,

thank you and excuse me are all part of the dailydialogue childcare providers at the DCY/Finley Child-care Center engage in with infants.

Infusing manners seamlessly into conversations helpsmake these phrases second nature later in life. Fischer

noted that while dialogue is started with infants (i.e.,saying excuse me after an infant burps), manners are

more actively exercised with toddlers as they use signlanguage to communicate. Eventually, these manners

become an expected part of conversation with old

children. There are so many things you can do include manners in daily communication, Fischsaid.

Politeness PitfallsRegardless of the effort adults put forward in exhi

iting model behavior, there are some situations, thcereal aisle included, where all manner bets are oHowever, rather than avoiding these situations a

together, addressing the issue head-on can help reduthe likelihood of mishandled manners.

Kids are more likely to forget their manners when thare part of an exciting situation. Fischer said that

times when something newlike a toy or activityintroduced, kids find it harder to share and wait theturn. She has found this becomes particularly evide

on birthdays because of a sensory overload. In thmidst of gifts and increased attention on their speci

day, kids can forget to say thank you before tearininto the next brightly wrapped package.

Fischer advised a few methods for curtailing thesituations. Keep a routine, she said. If you kno

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7/32

something is going to happen that excites a child,

give prompts. For example, give ten, five and oneminute warnings before expecting the pick-up oftoys or leaving the play area at a park. Forewarning

kids about the beginning and ending of a particu-larly exciting moment can help them remain mind-

ful of their manners and ease them in and out oftheir glee. Regardless of birthdays and special occa-

sions, manners should be reinforced.

Sit-down dinners can also be a fundamental place toreinforce please and thank you, Fischer noted,as this encourages all family members to be aware of

their manners during conversational exchange.

Shut off the TV and sit down for dinner, Fischer

advised. Parents and kids have to be present and inthe moment to make manners happen. That means

the Nintendo DS, television, and the Blackberryhave to be shut downat least for dinner.

Manners MaintenanceIn our increasingly electronic social environment,many manner-musts have fallen by the wayside. Per-

haps the most neglected is the thank you card. Whengifts are sent in the mail, kids should at least partici-

pate in returning a card expressing their gratitude.Fischer noted that even the youngest gift recipients

can draw or color on a sheet of paper to be enclosed ina card which also shows kids the lost art of snail mail.Besides, Fischer added, thank you cards arriving in the

mailbox just brighten someones day. If the gift giver ispresent when a child opens a gift, a verbal thank you

will suffice to illustrate appreciation.Unfortunately, the conveniences of an electronic

world have also increased the pace of our day-to-daylives. Fischer said that many parents feel rushed, and

the guilt of not being able to spend more time withour kids builds, interfering with our jobs as parents.

This often leads kids to ask and parents to automati-cally give, allowing children to expect instant gratifi-

cation without please and thank you as part of the

conversation.

Again, routine, consistency, and modeling good

behavior are all part of helping kids remembertheir manners, said Fischer. Manners have fallen

by the wayside for everybody, said Fischer. Addingthat we all need to slow down and remember ourmanners.

With that in mind, Fischer said parents should havethe expectation that kids use manners all the time,

making manners a central part of the daily routine,even when disciplining kids. Older children may

also have a set of consequences for mismanagedmanners. Parents can have friendly moments with

kids, but can never be their kids friends, explainedFischer.

Learning manners as a life skill can also help shapea childs future. Fischer pointed out that well-

mannered kids have an easier time making friendsbecause politeness helps them with peers as they getolder. Manners can also be a huge asset as kids go to

look for a job. No matter the motivation, it becomesclear that Fischers characterization of manners as a

necessary life skill is dead on, as children return tothis social behavior repeatedly as they begin to inde-

pendently explore their world.

Manners are a skill we often take for granted. Many

of uschildren and adultshave soundly forgottenthe magic behind the magic word. Though Fischer

pointed out that manners can be introduced at anyage, parents can try harder from the start to cementpoliteness as an everyday part of speech. Leading by

example, maintaining expectations and keeping a

routine are all keys toward helping our kids remembertheir manners and giving adults a healthy reminder aswell. By brushing up on our politeness we can all work

together to create a much more peaceful cereal aisleand social arena at large.

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Juggling

the HolidayFrenzy

DECEMBER

With the holiday season in full swing, time to finish shop-

ping, wrapping and baking may be in short supply, oftenleaving little time to spend with family and truly enjoy the

season. Implementing some time management techniquesand setting limits can gain some of those precious minutes

back, help your pocketbook and teach your children somecore values and skills.

Susan Taylor, family finance specialist with Iowa StateUniversity Extension, suggests implementing the Keep It

Simple, Silly method. K.I.S.S. makes this time of year lessstressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

We need to come back to basics, explained Taylor. Partof the deal of surviving the holidays is scheduling your

time. Time is one of those resources that is here this secondand goneyou cant bank it.

The first step is early planning. With two sets of grandpa

ents who want to see the kids for the holidays, plus auntuncles, cousins and friends who want their face time, not

mention school and church programs, it can be hard to pon a happy face while you are constantly in the car runnin

from one event to the next.If there was a divorce in your family, this problem mbe doubled. Some families resolve the issue by rotatinwho they visit each year so no one is left out and ever

one knows the routine. If that is not an option for yohere are some tips to drop your stress level to manageab

proportions.

Parents should start with a list of items they want or need finish for the season. Include shopping, wrapping, mailincards, cooking, baking, parties and other events. If you ca

Time is what we want most, but whatwe use worst.

William Penn

by Kelly Burtis



9/32

make this list early, possibly in Novem-ber, and spread tasks out, it becomes lessdaunting.

Make your list then pare it back, advises

Taylor. Do the things that are mostimportant to you. Dont try to keep upwith the Joneses.

Parents need to sit down together andmap out the various parties they are beingasked to attend. If parents are separated,

this communication will be key to mak-ing the holidays harmonious for theyoungsters in their lives.

It is okay to decline an invitation to a

party if you are feeling overwhelmed bythe number of places you are asked to stop

for the holidays. Graciously tell your hostthat the date wont work,but ask to set aside some

time to get together in

January when you areaway from the hustle andbustle of the holidays.

You will have the oppor-tunity to visit in a lessstressful environment

and will likely enjoy thetime more.

Hosting a holiday partycan leave mom and dad

feeling frazzled, so, again, keep it simple.One option is to create a menu, thenreduce. Is it necessary to have ham and

turkey or potatoes prepared two or threeways? Pick the foods that you know are

favorites among many of your guests andthen prepare those special foods.

People set themselves up to fail, said

Taylor. Sometimes you create your ownworst nightmares trying to be perfect.

The big meal is not really necessaryit is

about spending time with the people youcare about. With this in mind, Taylor said

you could have a party without the meal.An afternoon gathering with cookies andhot cocoa is less stressful, not to mention

cheaper, and serves the same purpose.

The holiday season is stressful to begin with, but adding a

divorce, especially a contentious one, can make the season

less-than-joyous for parents and children alike.

Milly Kaiser, University of Illinois Extension family life

coordinator, offers families a few tips to keep the peace. First,

no matter how strong your negative feelings are toward the

other party, remember that the kids did not divorce their otherparent or grandparents.

When parents divorce, everyone in the family is making

adjustments in dealing with the holiday visitation schedule,

said Kaiser. How children adjust to these changes will

depend on how well the parents adjust to their new roles.

Parents who focus on creating a positive, nurturing setting for

their children can be the key to a more harmonious holiday.

The needs of the children must come first, said Kaiser.

Parents need to openly communicate and be civil with one

another because it is about the children. Talk to the kids and

find out what they are feeling and what they are concerned

about. Try to put a positive spin on the situation. For example,

tell kids they now have two families to love them.

Parents need to discuss the visitation schedule so both

know when they can plan special events. Share this with

the children as well so they know what to expect. A family

meeting would help coordinate expectations and schedules.

Be flexible with this schedule. If there is a gathering for one

side of the family that doesnt match up with the visitation

schedule, consider negotiating different times so kids can

see they have two families who love them.

A divorce is stressful for everyone, so parents need to

remember to help children deal with that stress as well.

Keeping a routine and openly communicating about changes

keeps everyone from being caught off guard. Make sure

everyone is maintaining a healthy diet (at least as much

as possible during the holidays), getting enough sleep and

exercising to reduce stress.

Finally, dont compete with the other parent, advises

Kaiser. It is not going to matter how much you spend on

the kids or how many gifts you give them. In the long run,

what they will remember is the quality time you spent with

them and the nurturing they felt when with you.

Divorce and the Holidays: How Do You Keep the Peace?

Other options for the meal include sim-pler fare, such as ordering pizza. You couldmake lasagna or a casserole a week or two

ahead of time and freeze it so the day ofthe party you only have to reheat it and

perhaps add a salad and bread.

If you have a family who thrives on hav-

ing a table overflowing with options,

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perhaps a potluck is in order. You can

offer to prepare the meat and let the restof your family and friends provide theside dishes, salads and desserts. Families

with children old enough to help shouldinvolve the kids. Let them choose a dish

to be responsible for or assist in all thepreparation. This is a great way to spend

time with your family and lessen yourworkload, said Taylor.

Holiday baking is another place toinclude the kids. This is an important

tradition for many families, and Taylorstresses that you need to keep those typesof traditions going to build memories for

your children. These traditions can alsooffer a sense of stability to a family that

is in transition because of a divorce ordeath in the family. However, you dont

have to make 12 varieties of cookies. Pick

a couple of favorites and call it done. The

youngest members of the family can cutout cookies or add sprinkles. Of coursethis may be a little messier, but your chil-

dren will have great holiday memories ofthe smells and sounds of a busy kitchen.

Another aspect of the holidays is gift giv-ing. Keep your gift-giving simple. How

many dolls or trucks do the kids reallyneed? A family gift may work well because

it promotes family time that seems to be insuch short supply. A game or gift card for

the entire family to go out to eat togethermay be a good choice. A gift for the entirefamily also means you have fewer gifts to

buy, helping your pocketbook and givingyou back some precious time.

Prioritiesits not how many gifts youget, its that you were recognized, said Tay-

lor. Helping children understand it is the

thought that counts and not the gift is

valuable lesson. This tip is essential ffamilies dealing with a divorce to demostrate that love cannot be bought. Divorc

parents should agree on what they are eacgiving a child and not go overboard.

With an uncertain economy, cutting bacon gift giving would likely be a relief f

everyone. Is it necessary to buy a gift fall of the aunts, uncles, nieces and nep

ews? Discuss other options such as drawing names; then everyone receives a g

but you dont have the expense of buyinfor everyone. Again, this saves you timwith less shopping to do.

Whether your holiday gathering ha

pens in November, December or Janary, remember to build in memorabmoments, especially for the children sa

Taylor. The gathering should be abomore than gifts and food. Even if you a

not the host of a party, offer to plan a family activity. It could be as simple as a ca

game or board game. Weather permittinyou could spend some time outside sleding, playing football, playing basketba

or even ice skating. These are opportunties to talk and reconnect with the fami

you and yours dont often see, and the

are the moments the children will remember and talk about when they are adults

Bear in mind that every clan is differen

and you need to do what is right for yofamily. Family dynamics are constantchanging. If you are hosting a party, b

sure to keep the newest members of thfamily in mind to show them your trad

tions and make them feel comfortable. Othe flip side, if you are the new memb

of the family, attend gatherings with aopen mind said Taylor. There are boun

to be differences and some traditions thyou may even find odd, but take the timto watch or participate and see how th

family functions together.

Remember, the gravy may be lumpy

the turkey a little dry, but in the end, this the time to cherish your family, sha

some laughs and support one anoththrough another special holiday.

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11/32


The holiday season can be full ofstress coming at us from all direc-tions. One significant concern for manyis pressure on family finances.

Problems with the economy are no secret

to anyone, so smaller, simpler gifts makesense for holiday-strained budgets. You

can still recognize the special people inyour life and let them know you care, butit isnt necessary to drain the bank. Susan

Taylor, family finance specialist withIowa State University Extension, offers

the following gift suggestions to makeeveryone on your list feel special:

A coffee mug stuffed with a variety

of coffees, teas, hot cocoas or candy

A canister filled with baked goods,

coffee, tea, etc.

A loaf of bread attached to a cuttingboard with a bread knife

A jar containing the dry ingredients

for cookies, brownies or soup

Jams, jellies or other spreads in a

reusable container with a spreader,spoon or crackers attached

Cookies packaged in a flowerpot

Cookies wrapped with the cookiecutters used to make them

A storage box with a hand-decorated

lid; fill it with goodies as an extrabonus

A decorative loaf pan filled with

quick-make breads

A cookie jar filled with decorating

accessories such as food coloring,

sprinkles, cookie cutters and yourfavorite recipe

A homemade garden stepping stone

A family gift, such as a gift card fordining or the movies, instead of apresent for each person

A game that everyone can enjoy

If you like to cook or are crafty, there is aplethora of ideas at your fingertips with

a quick Google search. Notmadeofmoney.com has compiled a list of ideas on their

website, complete with instructions, andfamilycrafts.about.com offers ideas to getthe entire family involved.

Once you have all those wonderful gifts,you still have to wrap them, and sometimesthe wrapping paper costs as much as the gift.

Taylor offers some creative tips that are

also green for any environmentalists onyour shopping list.

Place the gift in a reusable grocery bag

For large gifts, use a vinyl tablecloththat could be used again

Wrap kitchen gifts in a dish towel

Decorate an oatmeal or cereal box

Make a throw out of fleece and wrapthe rest of the gift inside

Edible goods can be packaged in reus-

able kitchen containers with a bow

Use reusable lunch bags to hide a gift

For sweet treats, pick up platters,baskets or other containers from

garage sales

Let kids decorate white or brown

paper

Reuse gift bags, wrapping paper and

bows

Using any of these ideas or your own home-made creations will save you money andmake the receiver feel special, because

you put in the extra efforta homemadetouch.

by Kelly Burtis

http://www.edwardjones.com/en_US/fa/index.html&CIRN=524953


12/32

Through her University of Iowa Hospitals and Cli

ics (UIHC) Care Page and Facebook page, Anna

Miracle Makers, thousands of people around th

world learned about Annas diagnosis. We hav

thousands of people praying for Anna, said Krist

That is so comforting.

Initially, both parents attended Annas treatmen

at the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital, b

the reality was that someone needed to be hom

with the boys, and Mike had to work at Weitz Sig

Company. Krista was able to take a leave from h

position at Northeast Iowa Comm

nity College and stay with Anna for h

treatments.

It was difficult when we had lon

stretches in the hospital, said Krist

The couple was able to stay in touc

using Skype. Mike, Noah and John vited when they could.

When Noah and John were in Iow

City with Anna, they were typical b

brothers trying to help her. They let h

squeeze their hands when she neede

injections. She thought it hurt u

when she squeezed, but it didnt, sa

Noah.

Live, Laugh, Love has become a popular say-ing in home dcor, but it is also the perfect motto for

Krista and Mike Weitzs young family.

The Weitz family was leading an average American

family life with their three children, Noah, 10, John,

6, and Anna, 5. That all-American life was turned

upside down when Anna started experiencing back

pain. It took doctors a little time, but she was diag-nosed in October 2010 with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a

very rare and aggressive cancer.

There was a real mind-set that had to be changed,

said Krista about figuring out how to get through

this crisis. First, the couple realized that the basic

household chores like laundry and dishes could

wait, because time together as a family needed to be

cherished, even if it was as simple as cuddling on the

couch while watching a movie. The second part they

had to deal with was learning how to accept help.

I dont see how we could have done all of this without

our families, said Krista. The Weitzes know they are

fortunate to have so many family members who live

nearby and are willing to help. Those family members

have recognized the need for the couple, who have

been married 13 years, to make time for each other,

so they take the kids to give Krista and Mike a break.

Mike said it was difficult knowing how to be thank-

ful and accept things. We have received so much

help; it is hard to get past the feeling that we owe

people or have to pay it back.

Once the family dealt with the initial shock of the

diagnosis for such a young person, they put their

hands together and started praying for a miracle.

John, Mike, Noah, Krista and Anna Weitz



13/32

The illness does not define Anna or her

family. A few short minutes with them

and you realize that the boys simply view

her as their kid sister and enjoy teasing

her. Anna isnt afraid to give them a taste

of their own medicine. They have a lot

of fun together, said Mike.

The Weitzes have tried to keep life as

normal as possible. Noah and John play

soccer and enjoy time with their friends.

Noah wants to be a zookeeper, which

explains the reptiles and other creatures

he likes to pick up and bring home. And,

as the admiring younger brother, John

plans to be his assistant. John is also the

family comedian and always has some-

thing to say to put a smile on your face.

Anna enjoys going to the park, riding her

bike and playing board games such as

Sorry, Life and Monopoly. She wants

to teach first grade because John has

told her how much fun it is and maybe

also be a model.

When asked what makes her family spe-

cial, Anna put it only as a five-year-old

can: Because they play with me.

Anna is enrolled in preschool, but cant

attend often because her immune system

is weak and she is more susceptible to ill-

nesses. At home the family has become

germ-a-phobes to try to keep Anna

healthy. Despite her young age, Anna will

correct even some of the adults in her

life when they do something that would

spread germs to her, such as sharing

her food. Krista acknowledges that their

lives have changed drastically because

of the cancer. They avoid crowded places,

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Weitz family recommended a few of their favorite web sites to find out more about can-

cer, support groups and how you can help.

Cure Search has great accurate information.

http://www.curesearch.org/

Super Sibs is a web site for siblings of kids with cancer through the University of

Iowa Childrens Hospital. The Weitz family said it has helped their children cope.

http://www.supersibs.org/Loras College Dance Marathon is a wonderful local organization for any child who

spends time at the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital. They sponsor local social

events for families dealing with a childhood illness and raise money for the kids.

The money goes toward making a hospital stay fun and more comfortable.

http://lorasdm.org/

This is the general web site for University of Childrens Hospital Hematology Department.

http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/pediatrics/divisions/hemonc/index.html

, .

and at times family members cant visit

because they have colds.

She is amazing with it! said Mike.

Anna understands that these extra

precautions need to be taken for her

health, and she is doing what she has

to so she can be healthy again.

Anna is scheduled to finish her chemo-therapy at the end of December. The

treatment appears to be working, but

the family wont know Annas true prog-

nosis until she has been cancer free for

5 years.

In the meantime, the Weitz family will

continue to Live, Laugh and Love one

day at a time and always together.

by Kelly Burtis

out more ab

University of

dren cope.

ny child who

r local social

for the kids.

ble.

Department.

/index.html

ut can-

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14/32

Celebrating

by Kelly Burtis Having grown up in this area, I know that the population ofthe tri-state region is relatively homogeneous. However, intodays global society, it is important for children to be aware

of different traditions and to be respectful of classmates whomay not set up a Christmas tree or receive gifts because theirfamily has different customs.

Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Associationof Religion Data Archives show that more than 75 percent

of Dubuque County residents are Christian. Because ourlocal population lacks a lot of religious diversity, it takes

extra effort to teach our children about these traditions.

parenting: TODAY&TOMORROW hopes a brief look athow some people in the tri-state area celebrate the holi-day season will help you educate your children and perhapseven start some new traditions of your own.

Around the



15/32

How to play dreidel

Use pennies, nuts, raisins or chocolate coins(gelt) as tokens.

A player spins the dreidel. When it stops, theletter that is facing up decides the outcome.

NUNnothing happensnext player spinsthe dreidel.GIMELplayer takes all tokens inthe pot.HEYplayer takes half ofthe pot.SHINplayer mustput one token intothe pot.

HanukkahThis Jewish holiday seems to be the one most Ameri-cans know about and can give a brief synopsis of,but, according to Rabbi Ann Landowne with Temple

Beth El in Dubuque, Hanukkah is a relatively minorfestival.

In the history of the Jewish faith, Hanukkah is a fairly

new holiday and is not even included in Jewish scrip-tures. The celebration commemorates the victoryof the Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165 B.C.

and the liberation and rededication of the Temple inJerusalem. It is celebrated for eight days because theMaccabees only had enough oil to last one day when

they regained control of the Temple. Miraculouslythe oil lasted eight days, giving the warriors enough

time to get more oil and purify the Temple. Land-owne explained that Jewish ancestors debated making

Hanukkah a holiday because of its military history.Today, the celebration is about religious freedom andrededicating ones self to Jewish values. This year the

festival begins December 21.

The holiday is marked with lighting the menorah foreight days. If you have ever seen a menorah, you maywonder why it has nine candles since only eight days

are celebrated. The candle in the middle is called ashamash or helper candle and is used to light the

other candles. Special blessings are said with eachlighting. The idea of the menorah is to put the meno-

rah in the window to be proud of your Jewish heri-tage, explained Landowne.

When Hanukkah was first celebrated, children wouldbe given spare change. With the holidays proximity

to Christmas in the United States, gifts have becomea normal part of the holiday with children receiving agift each day of the festival.

Some Jewish holidays restrict travel, so they are notspent with family. Hanukkah has no travel restric-

tions; it is a family holiday. In religious services theholiday is very minor, and there are a few additions

made to blessings that are said daily. The bulk of thecelebration is done at home, explained Landowne.

Children enjoy playing dreidel during Hanukkah.They use gelt which can be coins, candy or other

snack items, and a spin of the top-like game piecedetermines their prize.

As with any celebration, food is a key component. Inthe United States latkes (potato pancakes) are most

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16/32

popular. Donuts are also made. Landowne said in

Israel many families enjoy jelly-filled donuts. Friedfoods are most common because of the oil used andthe miracle associated with the oil. Traditions are

different around the world because the types of foodavailable vary.

Christmas Around th e WorldBotswanaAccording to Loras College students Chedu

Machola and Michael Segolodi, their home-land, Botswana, is primarily Christian.

The pair agreed, though, that Christmasin Botswana is more about gathering with

friends and family than anything else.Machola said it is common to have villag-

ers gather for soccer games at Christmasbecause it is a very popular sport there.

Christian families attend mass. Segolodi explained

that mass begins on Christmas Eve and families areat church all night. That is usually followed by a large

feast.

A few Christmas decorations are used said Machola,but they are mostly available to families that arewealthier. Those decorations consist of a plastic tree

and perhaps a few lights.

As for gifts, children always ask for new Christmas

clothes. You wont see these packaged in a box undera tree, said Segolodi. They dont believe in Santa

Claus. More extravagant gifts, like toys, are purchasedby wealthier families.

Ethiopia

Loras College student Amanuel Hmariam is fromEthiopia and a member of the Ethiopian Ortho-dox Church, one of the most ancient Christian

denominations.

Because Ethiopians follow a lunar calendar, the bir

of Jesus is celebrated slightly later than in the UnitStates. Christmas falls on January 7th or 8th. The

is a strong Christian following in Ethiopia, so mucso that their calendar is 7.5 years behind the Greg

rian calendar followed in the United States; the yeis 2004 in Ethiopia. Hmariam explained that the dference came about more than 2000 years ago as

took 7.5 years for the news of Jesuss birth to travel

Ethiopia.

The Christmas ceremony in the Ethiopian OrthodChurch is very important. Hmariam explained that

regular mass is rather long in his orthodox faith, bthe Christmas mass is even longer. Worshippers go

church at 9 P.M. on Christmas Eve and stay until 3 4 in the morning. There is a lot of music but no guita

or organs. Traditional instruments playin church include drums and flutes.

As in the United States this is a timof year for families to gather and sha

large meals. Hmariam said Ethiopia

eat a lot of meat with rich flavors. Thcountry has been influenced by Wes

ern cultures and families decorate wiChristmas trees and lights.

At the end of January or early FebruarEthiopians celebrate Tiket, or Jesuss ba

tism. This celebration is not as familoriented, but it is very important in th

church.

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17/32

Colombia

Christmas in Colombia has the same theme as the

previous celebrations: Family. Luisa Jimenez, a LorasCollege student from Colombia, said the Christmas cel-

ebration actually starts nine days before December 25with novena. Jimenez explained that novena isabout preparing for Jesuss arrival. She said the books

containing these special prayers are so common inColombia that you can walk into any grocery store

and find them.

The novena prayers are reflective prayers for individu-

als to consider how they have treated others and thechanges they may need to make in their lives. Mod-

ern novenas are shorter but still have the same idea.Colombians may be listening to the radio or be at the

mall and hear the daily novena.

During these days, families visit other family members

and pray together. Each of these days, the family hasmeals together and sings carols. Christmas Eve is the

big meal and families attend services. Jimenez said herfamily opens their gifts at midnight on Christmas Eveto celebrate Jesuss birth. The gifts are usually small,

thoughtful gifts.

Jimenez said Santa Claus visits Colom-

bia, but the mainstream belief is that Jesus brings gifts. Decorations are also

similar to those in the United States, butbecause Colombia lies on the equator,

live Christmas trees are not an option.

KwanzaaKwanzaa is an African American eth-

nic holiday celebrating values that areheld in high-esteem in African cultures,

explained Dan Johnson, vice principal

at Senior High School.

There is a similar cel-ebration in Africa calledKwanzaa to celebrate the

harvest. The Americanversion was started in 1966

and draws from variousAfrican cultures.

This is not a religious holi-

day, stressed Johnson. Theholiday focuses on sevencore principles: Unity, Self-

Determination, CollectiveWork and Responsibilities,Cooperative Economics, Pur-

pose, Creativity and Faith.Kwanzaa begins December 26

and lasts seven days, with eachday dedicated to one of the core

principles.

Johnson said his family starts each morn-

ing discussing the principle of the day.During this time he reflects on how

he utilized that core value in the pastyear and how he will use it in the nextyear.

The holiday urges African Ameri-cans to focus on the seven principles

for community and individual success.

If you incorporate those values in your life youwill have success, said Johnson. For my family itcomes down to looking at those valuesthey tie well

with my Christian values and my African-American

heritage.

Part of the Kwanzaa celebration is the kinara, which isa candleholder containing seven candles, one for each

principle. Johnsons family does not light the kinarauntil the last day of Kwanzaa. At this time he said

his family recaps what each principle means to eachof them.

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18/32

Some families do exchange gifts for Kwanzaa. Johnson

advises those gifts should be homemade to maintainthe root of the principles being celebrated.

Tiha r and Maghe SankrantiNepal has a large Hindu population so their celebra-tions are not at the same time of year as most of us

are accustomed to. Surya Pandey,a Loras College student, explainedthat the Hindu celebration most

closely resembling Christmas isTihar in late October. This cele-

bration lasts five days and includesa lot of fireworks and lights. Each

day, Hindus worship different ani-mals, including crows, dogs, cows

and oxen. On the fifth day theyhonor their brothers and sisterswith blessings and gifts.

Maghe Sankranti is celebrated in

January. It usually happens on oneof the coldest days of the year, butit is a celebration to welcome the

warmer weather of spring. Pandeysaid people gather with their fami-

lies and eat foods that will keepthem warm, such as quati, a soupmade with different types of beans,

and khichadi, which is lentils andrice. He said the closest American

holiday to this one is Thanksgiving because the fam

lies come together for large meals, but it is a religioholiday for the Hindu people.

Lun ar New YearThis celebration has strong Asian roots. In Chinthe celebration is called the Chinese New Year, b

other countries have different names for the samcelebration. The Vietnamese culture refers to th

holiday as the Lunar New Year, and it is the bigest festival of the year. Students and staff at DivinWord College offer tri-staters a glimpse of what th

festival is about.

The traditional holiday lasts three days, but prepartions start weeks before, explained Rev. Linh Phamassociate director for development at Divine Wo

College in Epworth, Iowa. The holiday celebratthe new year and the coming of spring. It is a time

reflect on the past year and give thanks, then to looforward to a prosperous new year. Families general

start with a good house cleaning before the celebrtion, which allows for a fresh start in the new year. addition, you are not supposed to clean or take out th

garbage during the celebration because you are alremoving the good fortune brought by the new year

Pham associates the celebration with Thanksgiving the United States. He said it is a very family-center

holiday. In the days leading up to the holiday, chdren return to their parents home and help with th

preparations. In Vietnam, you spend the first day the new year with your immediate family and shou

not travel to other homes. On the second day yovisit extended family and on the third day you visyour teachers, who are revered in Vietnamese cultur

explained Pham.

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19/32

Food is a must in this celebra-

tion, too. Pham said familiesprepare an abundance of food

and this also brings good fortunefor the year ahead. He recalls

sticky rice cakes as the one itemhis family had to have every yearfor the Lunar New Year celebra-

tion. In China, families prepare fishin abundance for their celebration.

Pham explained that the Chineseword for fish is very similar to the word

for prosperity, so fish are considered asign of prosperity.

Another custom associated with the holiday is giv-ing money to children. Pham said children go to

their elders to wish them good health and offer theirrespect. In return, elders give children money, oftensealed in red envelopes which symbolize luck.

As with any celebration, there are variations on how

the Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world.Pham pointed out that in Vietnam alone there are54 ethnic groups, each with their own traditions. In

Western culture we often associate dragon dances withthe New Years celebration. Pham said this is more of a

Chinese tradition, but there are parts of Vietnam thatalso dance with colorful dragons. The drum and gong

often mark the beginning of the celebration, but againPham said this depends on the region.

January 23, 2012, will mark the beginning of theyear of the dragon. In an effort to teach the publicabout this important tradition, Divine Word College

will host a one-day celebration on January 28, 2012,beginning with a celebratory mass at 3 P.M. followed

by a banquet and entertainment, including dragondancers. The event is free and open to the public, but

tickets are needed. For tickets call Divine Word Col-lege at (563) 876-3353.

Special thanks to Sandy Wilgenbusch at Divine Word College for

supplying photos. Also to Global Goods in Dubuque for allowing

us to photograph their merchandise.

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20/32

Baby-sitter vs. childcare provider: Do you know the

difference? A baby-sitter is someone a parent hires foran evening or during the day to watch their children.The baby-sitter that is referred to in this article is not

a child care provider, a professional who maintainstraining hours and makes a living caring for children.

For the purpose of this article, we are going to talkabout hiring a baby-sitter.

The first step in hiring a baby-sitter is finding one.In many cases, you can talk to other parents and get

a word-of-mouth referral. The only downfall to thismethod is that sometimes you and the other parentsmight be out together, and then you have to decide

who gets to hire the baby-sitter. When a parent callsthe Child Care Resource and Referral office, we

always recommend looking at the colleges in our area.Sometimes there is a student building with a bulletin

toa

by Tara Roddick

Acting Director of ChildCare Resource and Referral

StepsSitterStepsSitter



21/32

2

board, and you can advertise there or

directly contact the specific depart-ments that might be related to chil-

dren. This might include education,early childhood, sociology, psychol-ogy as well as others. Parents could

also advertise in the paper or look inthe paper for baby-sitters. Remem-

ber, a baby-sitter doesnt have to bea young person; it could be someonewho is any age and enjoys being with children (such as a

retired teacher or family member).

Once you have found a baby-sitter or two, it is best tointerview them to make sure they are someone you wouldfeel comfortable leaving your children with. You may also

want to check and see if they have CPR/first aid training.Have your children present at the interview to see how he

or she treats your children. This includes how they talk tothem and how they interact with them (are they smiley or

are they grumpy and rough?). All of these things will giveyou some indication of how the baby-sitter will respondwhen they are alone with your children. Trust your gut too;

if it doesnt feel right when you meet with someone, youwill never have a good time when you are away from your

children and they are in that persons care.

When you find a baby-sitter you are comfortable with, you

may want to contact a few references. Ideally, these would

be other families they have baby-sat for. If they are a newbaby-sitter, you might want to speak with their parents or ateacher to decide on how responsible they are.

At some point you will want to talk about how much youare going to pay the baby-sitter. If you find someone who

baby-sits other families, they might already have a set ratethat they charge. In that case, you would want to make surethe rate is reasonable for you. If this is a new baby-sitter, you

may want to take into consideration their experience andhow many children they will be watching before

deciding what to pay them.

When the time has come for the baby-sitter to

actually baby-sit, there are some things to keep inmind. As a parent you will want to give them a

tour of the house and a list of household rules, assome children like to exaggerate the rules when

someone new is at the house. You will also wantto have a list of emergency numbers and whereyou will be for the time that you are gone. If it is

your first time leaving the children, you may wantto call and check in, but that all depends on your

level of comfort with the baby-sitter. It is best to

make it clear that they can

call you at any time if needed.

When you return, talk withyour children about how the

experience with the baby-sitter went. You will be able

to tell if they had fun and ifthe baby-sitter is someone you

may want to hire again.

Tara Roddick is acting director of Child Care Resourceand Referral in Dubuque. She has been with Project

Concern/Child Care Resource and Referral for the past11 years. After studying Family and Child Develop-ment at Northern Illinois University, Roddick calls

Galena home with her husband, Blake and two children,Ian and Ken-

nedy. Roddickloves spending

time with her family, makingbirthstone jew-

elry and bak-ing homemade

cakes.

Please contact

the Child Care

Resource andReferral Center

at 563-557-1628or e-mail Tara at

[email protected].

775 Cedar Cross Road

Dubuque, Iowa 52001

563-588-9136

Locally owned and operated for 26 years

A baby-sitter doesnt have to be a

young person; it could be someonewho is any age and enjoys being

with children.

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22/32

By Amanda Kloser

resolute

Resolutions

New Years resolutions: Many are made, few are kept.This time-honored tradition often inspires new ambi-tion as many of us pledge to finally read the Iliad in its

entirety or lose those pesky ten pounds; unfortunately,not all resolutions find themselves fulfilled as we

fall back into our habits.

That is not to say, however, that the

cause is lost. Keeping resolutions showsour kids and ourselves that dedication

and discipline does result in a job well

done and a goal accomplished.This stick-to-it-ism can be particu-larly infectious for area teens as they

explore the uncharted territories ofhigh school academics, looming col-lege applications and staying cool on

the social front. Katie Peterson, Youth Program Spe-cialist for the Iowa State University Extension and

Outreach program, noted that New Years resolutionsare very effective and can help guide teens to reach

their goals, as they are often more peer focused.

The ART of Crafting GoalsAs many adults know, one of the largest challengesin creating constructive goals, especially around the

New Year, is honestly evaluating your lifestyle andthings you would like to change about it. With somany areas of improvement to focus on, Peterson

suggested that teens reflect on three larger pointsof their lifestyles to make adjustments: health,

happiness and scholarship. Teens are faced with

opportunities forunhealthy lifestyles on a day-to-daybasis, Peterson pointed out, which may inspire the

to rethink their Facebookor Playstation 3 usacompared to time spent on the basketball cou

or ultimate frisbee pitch. Teens may also wato reevaluate their own happines

levels by reflecting on goals they caachieve emotionally, socially anmentally, Peterson said. Of cours

a school-based goal is always a goo

idea to include as well.

After a teen has identified thegoals, applying the ART princip

will help achieve success, Petersosaid. ART, an acronym for ActioResult, and Timetable, is a tool 4-

participants use to narrow down and better defin

their goals. Teens should ask themselves: what dI want to do? (Action), how can I do it? (Resuland when can I get it done? (Timetable). Finall

teens should consider the attainability of their goaPeterson suggested teens start with goals that a

relatively short-term, allowing them a better oppotunity to track their progress.

Peterson cautioned against too much parental involvment as teens create their resolutions. Parents shou

be more of a cheerleader behind it, she explained. a parent sets the goal for the child, its not the childgoal, making it more difficult for a teen to stick

the resolution. Rather than making resolutions ftheir teens, parents can focus on helping their tee

achieve their goals.

Once they reach agoal, they can sit

down with theirparents and set

another Katie Peterson

HelpingTeensMake(an

dKeep!)

TheirGoalsfor2012

byAmandaKloser

ortu iti f re l ttst l s -- --

er

1211 110

2

93

84

67 5



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Getting Down to BusinessSetting goals is a great way for teens to better them-selves, but these goals cannot be completed in state-ment alone! Staying motivated until the resolution

is complete can prove to be one of the most diffi-cult steps in the process. Peterson recommends that

reminders of the goal remain in visual sight at alltimes to prevent an out-of-sight/out-of-mind lapse.

Something akin to a goal-setting sheet should beposted in a place of visual prominence so that teens

can physically see both the goal itself and the prog-ress theyve made toward completion. Visual objects[are] definitely an asset, Peterson said.

She also emphasizes the importance of consequencesfor progress made or failure to maintain the laid out

schedule. Have there be an outcome for success andmissteps along the way, Peterson said. This will hold

a teen accountable throughout theentire process of their achievement.

One of the most common signs of ateens waning ambition is that theyare no longer following the steps to

achieve the goal they laid out. Goingback to the visual can prove very help-

ful in these instances. Ask how youcan help them rather than harping on

them, advised Peterson.

Keeping the goal in sight is criticalthroughout this process. Motivators

are one of the biggest things in keep-ing teens on track because kids often

expect to get something out of what

they do, said Peterson. However,she notes that one of the most

important factors can be good old-fashioned encouragement to reen-

ergize teens to keep working ontheir goals. Kids just need to hear

that encouragement from theirparents, she explained.

$1 off admission OR$3 off any size pizza

4292 Dodge StreetDubuque, Iowa563-582-4454

REPORTCARD

GRADINGPERIOD

1

2

3

4

READINGWRITTENCOMMUNICATION

MATHEMATICSSCIENCE/HEALTHSOCIALSTUDIESART

MUSICPHYSICALEDUCATION

GradeAverage

Attendance:

Present________________________________

Absent________________________________

Tardy ________________________________

A=ExcellentB=GoodC=SatisfactoryNeedsImprovement

U=UnsatisfactoryI=Insufficient/Incomplete

Student:_____________________________Grade:________Year:________

______

_____

______

SmileMore!

:

)

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24/32

Before and After ShotsAchieving goals can be gratifying for all of us, but par-

ticularly so for teens. Successfully reaching a goal canhave a huge effect on a teens self esteem and sense of

accomplishment. If they are able to reach a goal, itsan instant moral booster, said

Peterson.

Reaching goals as a teen can

teach many life lessons as well,including time management

and determination to succeed.One New Years resolution kept,Peterson said, can teach teens to

plan for the future and learn theprocess of tracking and attaining

their goals. She added that stud-

ies have also shown a correlationbetween setting and keepinggoals and flourishing in collegeand financially.

On the flip side, failing to see agoal to its end can be detrimental

to how a teen feels about him orherself, said Peterson. Add to that

the fact that the teens time man-agement skills and self-motivation

have not been sharpened, and it becomes apparent tha teen has missed out on more than an opportunity f

personal achievement. Working the resolutionanjust as importantly, its outcomeinto conversatio

with a teen can help maintain their ambition and prvent them from letting their goals slip to the waysid

Have it be a conversation topic rather than somethindiscussed on a daily basis [and] relate the goal to postive benefits in the childs life, such as mentioning

college scholarship when discussing grade improvments, advised Peterson.

Peterson also emphasized the importance of cotinued goal making and achieving throughout th

year. January is a good starting point [and] shorattainable goals are good for teens, she said. How

ever, maintaining an ongoing process of settinand reaching goals can help teens make the pr

cess a habit. Once they reach a goal, they can sdown with their parents and set another, Peteson said. She also mentioned that some goals, pa

ticularly health and wellness oriented resolutioncan be shared between parent and child as th

work toward the same end.

The most critical thing, Peterson stressed, is

keep track of the progress your teen makes alonthe way. The biggest thing is to celebrate any su

cess as you go . . . because thats going to be thbiggest encouragement to the child, she said. Th

will also help them maintain dedication to th

goal as their smaller achievements are positivereinforced.

Whether your teen is looking to bump their gradpoint average, make more friends or knock a few mo

books off their must read list, wisely setting goawhile tracking achievement is the ticket to succe

With a little encouragement and gentle remindeteens can turn wayward New Years resolutions in

important triumphs.

The Jule Transit

2401 Central AveDubuque IA 52001(563) 589-4198

cityofdubuque.org/thejule

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25/32

Tis the season of giving; unfortunatelythis means germs too. If you and your fam-ily have ever been couch-ridden with the flu,youve probably tried to pinpoint just where

and when it might have been contracted andhow you could have been spared the misery.Lots of variables can cause people to get sick, andno one is completely immune to coming downwith somethingits the cold, hard truth thatno matter what steps are taken, after one familymember gets sick, someone else often gets sicktoo. But with the right precautions and educationabout the flu virus, you can reduce the chances ofyour family getting the gift that keeps on giving.

During the cold months, from late fall throughspring, the aches and chills of the influenza (flu)

virus are most likely to appear. Marty Kluesner, phar-macy manager at Walgreens, 2260 Kennedy Road inDubuque, said some potential reasons for the influxof flu during the winter months are weather fluctua-tions and increased contact with people in indoorsettings. Studies have shown that the flu virus ismore stable when air is cold and dry, so combiningthat with school gatherings, shopping and family get-togethers you have the perfect recipe for catching abug along the way.

Influenza is thought to be transmitted from youngchildren to older children and adults; therefore agood place to start with your familys flu prevention

is with the little ones. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Pre-vention website, infancy through agefive is when children are at the great-est risk for flu complications. The fluvirus is transmitted through the air andthrough direct contact, so arguably themost important prevention method is toteach young children proper hand wash-ing techniques and the importance ofcovering their mouths when sneezing

or coughing. Asidefrom hand washing and

mouth covering, the flu vac-cination is another highly

recommended preventionmethod for children older than six

months of age. The flu vaccine is alsohighly recommended for adults. The vaccine, whichprevents against the most common strains of fluvirus, including influenza B, influenza A (H1N1) andinfluenza A (H3N2), contains inactivated viruses thatprepare the body to fight off infection when in con-tact with a live flu virus. Although the flu shot has ahigh success rate, like anything else, it isnt a guar-antee against getting sick.

When you hear the word flu, you might think of

agonizing head-in-a-vice congestion, or you mightgrimace at the thought of vomiting. The true influ-enza virus is a respiratory disease and not a stom-ach or intestinal disease, although we usually seeboth during the winter.

Other ways to reduce your familys chances ofgetting the flu are to encourage thorough handwashing, reduce the amount of direct contact withcrowds of people, eat nutritious foods, drink plentyof water, get enough rest and keep physically activeto boost healthy immune systems.

Healthy holidays!

Beware

by Natalie Deutmeyer

the Family Flu!

Influenza (flu) Stomach flu (Viral gastroenteritis)

Cough Vomiting

Congestion Diarrhea

Aches and pains Stomach pain and cramping

Fever Occasional fever

Exhaustion



26/32

The National Mississippi RiverMuseum & Aquarium

Sometimes the greatest adventures awaityou just down the street. This certainlyholds true at the National Mississippi RiverMuseum & Aquarium nestled along the river-bank of the mighty Mississippi in downtown

Dubuque. Designed for adventurers of all

ages, this Smithsonian Institutionaffil-iated museum and aquarium boastsas many surprises and as muchexcitement around every turn as the

great river itself.

Your expedition starts at the Diamond JoNational River Center where you are swept into

an encompassing history, geology and drama ofthe Mississippi River. Artifacts become interac-tive as beaver pelts, lead and arrowheads are atvisitors fingertips. Daring adventurers can even gospelunking in a river cave and be treated to a few

river stories.Around the bend, modern-day pioneers find the Riv-ers to the Sea Gallery, home to many aquatic anom-alies, including an octopus, seahorses and starfish.The massive Gulf of Mexico tank houses a variety ofcreatures that inhabit this rich ecological zone. Thisgallery also illustrates the importance of conserva-tion with an interactive globe teaching about globalwarming and the ecological causes behind it. Abovethis exhibit, the Riverworks area invites explorers tocheck out the water cycle, energy transference andhabitat by creating their very own thunderstorm!

The next stop on your journey brings you to theWilliam Woodward Discovery Center where adven-turers can go nose to nose with beavers, three-foot-long catfish and a bayoualligator. Interactive exhib-its also show the effects offlooding when the Missis-sippi outgrows her river-banks. In the Carver WetLab, trekkers can getup close and personalwith crustaceans in thetouch tank and check

out the sleekness ofriver mammal pelts.

Through January, theNational MississippiRiver Museum &Aquarium will alsohost an exhibittitled In theDark. This exhibit

gives explorers theinside scoop on every-thing that goes bumpin the night, including theecholocation of vampirebats, a shrews perspectiveon lawn mowers and a catsbuilt-in night vision.

Adventurers are also invited to

explore the Mississippi through great noveliMark Twains eyes at the Mark Twain River ExhibHere, journeyers can pilot a barge, explore the innworkings of steamboats and check out Tom Sawyers cave. The boat shop invites explorers to watccraftsmen assemble paddles for the iconic craft thonce dominated the Mississippis river traffic.

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquariuprovides an entire campus to explore, making it onof the most exciting destinations in the tri-state arefor family adventures. The museum and aquarium open 10 A.M.5 P.M. daily November through Memor

Day weekend and admission is charged. Check owww.mississippirivermuseum.com or call (563) 559545 for updates on exhibits, 3D/4D films and othexciting activities coming to the campus.

by Amanda Klos

a a ouive exh bi -effects oe Missis-er river-er W t

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27/32

Movies Coming to the Tri-States Silver ScreenCourtesy of www.boxofficeessentials.com

TITLE RATING

RELEASE

DATE

Answers to Nothing R 12/2

Shame Not YetRated

12/2

Sleeping Beauty Not Yet

Rated

12/2

We Need to Talk About Kevin R 12/2

The Sitter Not YetRated

12/9

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy R 12/9

I Melt with You R 12/9

New Years Eve Not YetRated

12/9

W.E. Not YetRated

12/9

Young Adult Not YetRated

12/9

Sherlock Holmes: A Game ofShadows

Not YetRated

12/16

Alvin and the Chipmunks:Chipwrecked

Not YetRated

12/16

Carnage R 12/16

The Iron Lady Not YetRated

12/16

Mission Impossible: GhostProtocol

Not YetRated

12/21

The Adventures of Tintin: TheSecret of the Unicorn

Not YetRated

12/21

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Not YetRated

12/21

The Land of Blood and Honey R 12/23

We Bought a Zoo Not YetRated

12/23

War Horse PG-13 12/25

Extremely Loud and IncrediblyClose

Not YetRated

12/25

The Darkest Hour PG-13 12/25

Pariah R 12/25

The Devil Inside Not YetRated

1/6

The Possession R 1/6

Beauty and the Beast: 3D G 1/13

Coriolanus R 1/13

Contraband R 1/13

Man on a Ledge PG-13 1/13

Joyful Noise Not YetRated

1/13

Premium Rush Not YetRated

1/13

Underworld: Awakening Not YetRated 1/20

Red Tails Not YetRated

1/20

Haywire Not YetRated

1/20

One for the Money PG-13 1/27

Amityville Horror: The LostTapes

Not YetRated

1/27

The Grey Not YetRated

1/27

Lombardi Not YetRated

1/27

563-588-9094

Buy $100 in gift cardsand receive a FREEMindframe T-shirt.Wear your MindframeT-shirt to a movie forexclusive weeklyspecials.

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28/32

Music Neighborhoods Blink-182(2011 DGC Records) by Amanda Kloser

From legendary (and, perhaps infamous) punk rockband Blink-182 comes their long awaited sixth stu-dio album, Neighborhoods. Born out of the firstrecording session after a long hiatus, Neighbor-hoods follows Blinks 2003 self-titled album and2001 widely acclaimed effort Take Off Your Pantsand Jacket. While the band definitely retains its hard-hitting, fast-paced punk tempo, Neighborhoodsproves to be a more reflective collection than theirprevious albums.

The Bad News: Blink-182 has made a career outof defying the appropriate, and this album is cer-tainly no exception. While they dont push thebounds of the unseemly quite as hard as they havein previous efforts, Neighborhoods does includea few f-bombs and melodramatic references toearly deaths (e.g., Natives, Ghost on the DanceFloor). Blinks iconic irreverence for authority alsopresents itself from time to time, illustrating that,

even through the blossoming of the bandmatesadulthoods, old habits die hard (e.g., This IsHome).

The Good News: As front man Mark Hoppusexclaimed at the MTV Music awards: Blink-182 isback! Fans of their earlier albums will enjoy thereturn of Blinks fast-tempoed, mosh-pit-worthybeats while appreciating a more mature (or atleast more retrospective) tone in their writing (e.g.,

Books The Juggler by Jeanette Hop-kins, il. by Stormy Mochal. $16.95 (autographedcopies available), Ice Cube Press.

Toss a chicken, catch two doors, juggle three cab-bages . . . Farmer Henri dreams of juggling all dayand all night. Jeanette Hopkins The Juggler is arhyming tale of perseverance and dreams cometrue. Sound sweet? Tis. But what really makesthis picture book outstanding are the illustrations.Admittedly I may be biased since the artist StormyMochal co-owns the Dubuque art gallery Outside

the Lines. But, Ive been in the childrens bookbusiness for 22 years andreally, really consider The

Juggler to be one of thecutest picture books I haveever seen. Its whimsicaland fanciful. The collages,the paintings, even thetitles are delightful. I love itand know you will too.

Kaleidoscope). Lyricsconsist mostly of relatable,almost whimsical phras-ing as the band presentsstruggles with spouses,families and heartbreak(e.g., Wishing Well, LoveIs Dangerous). It seems asthough members of Blink-

182 apply the experiences gained during their hitus to their latest album and illustrate that they areaching a punk-rock coming of age. Gone are threferences to barnyard anatomy; here to stay, seems, are thoughtful vignettes of everyday emtional experiences accompanied by Blink-182s sinature punk-rock delivery.

The Bottom Line: Though many die-hard fans wnote that Blink has become slightly subdued their latest effort, their growth in other areassucas lyric craftingis apparent when listening to thten tracks that make up Neighborhoods. Matu

themes, such as death, bitter heartbreak and rebelion, are covered in this album, along with a fecustomary four-letter words. Your teens especiamay relate to these themes, and using them as coversation pieces can help you remember the typeof restlessness and frustration you may have felt aa teen. Neighborhoods is a thoughtful compilatioassembled by an older and wiser Blink-182. Neand old fans alike can appreciate this bands retrspective effort.

Okay for Now by GaryD. Schmidt. $16.99, ClarionBooks.

Its hard to shell out $17.00for a kids chapter book inhardcover these days, butOkay for Now is worth everypenny. Im officially predict-ing it will win the 2012 New-bery Award. Author Gary D.Schmidt lets fourteen-year-

old Doug Swieteck narrate his story directly to yothe reader. He has just moved to a new town, witno friends, an abusive father, and a louse for aolder brother. Doug finds a safe haven in the loclibrary and discovers himself while learning abothe plates of John James Audubons birds. Aftloads of laugh-out-loud scenes and many lovemoments, things turn around a little too quickly the end of the book. But hey, Im a sucker for happy ending.



29/32

Teen Caf, Carnegie-Stout Public Library, DubuqueDecember 1,3:305 P.M. The Teen Zone area will transform into the Teen Caf

for you to drop in after school for some fun and refreshments.Look at books, work on a simple craft projects, surf the Internet

or hang out with your friends. Ages 12High School. No

registration required.

Reflections in the Park, Louis Murphy Park, DubuqueDecember 1January 1, 510 P.M. nightly. The hills of Louis

Murphy Park will be alive with glitter and glitz as the glow of

thousands of Christmas bulbs and animated displays light upthe annual Reflections in the Park: A Hillcrest Lights Festival.

All new displays will be blinking their colors and strutting their

charm to an estimated 50,000 visitors. Cost: $8.00 per car.

For more information, call 563.583.7357 or visit Hillcrest FamilyServices.

Toddler Time, Carnegie-Stout Public Library, DubuqueDecember 1, 8, 16, 6:306:50 P.M., December 5, 12, 9:159:35A.M. and 10:3010:50 A.M. These 20-minute programs feature

short stories, songs and movement activities for children ages

1835 months with a favorite adult. No registration is required;

parental participation is a must.

Read-Aloud Crowd, Carnegie-Stout Public Library, DubuqueDecember 2, 9, 10:3011 A.M. Stories, sing-alongs, movement

activities, circle games and lots of funrecommended for

children ages 36 with a favorite adult. No registration isrequired; parental participation is a must.

Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale, Carnegie-StoutPublic Library, DubuqueDecember 23, 10 A.M.5 P.M. daily,

December 4, 15 P.M., December 5, 10 A.M.7 P.M. Bigger thanever, Carnegie-Stout Public Library will host a special Scholastic

Book Fair Warehouse Sale Friday, December 2 through Monday,

December 5. It is a half price Book Fair and families, teachersand the community are invited to attend. Volunteers are

needed. Please call Danielle Day, Youth Services Manager at

589-4138.

Stockton Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Walk,Downtown StocktonDecember 23. Annual tree lighting,carols and hot cocoa on Friday at 5:30 P.M. in Landmark Park.

Victorian carolers, horse drawn wagon rides and Santasarrival on Saturday from 9 A.M.2 P.M. Snacks and refreshments.

Information phone: 815-947-2878.

Victorian Candlelight Christmas Tour, Ryan Mansion Bed &Breakfast, GalenaDecember 23, 910, 1617, 2324, 3031,57 P.M. daily. Guided candlelight tour of a magnificent mansion

decorated for the holidays by 1882 costumed servants. $10.

Information phone: 815-777-2750.

That Time of Year, Bell Tower Theater, DubuqueDecember 218.The Bell To

Documents

PT&T December & January