wichita family magazine june 2015

Wichita Family • June 2015 - 1

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

HOW TO DISCUSS FINANCES WITH YOUR FIANCÉ

june 2015

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Prepare your home for a power outage due to severe weather

Must-haves for the family’s summer activities and adventures

68

10

12

News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

5 questions to ask before tying the knot to the one you love

june 2015

Inside:


Call for a free consultation about your child’s development.

Sedgwick County: 316.945.7117 | Butler County: 316.320.1342

Early Intervention Services

Success begins at an early age

Published By:

Lucky 7 Publishing LLC316.295.8465

Publisher:

Todd Vogts

Advertising Inquiries Contact:

Publisher Todd Vogts [email protected]

Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, email us at

[email protected] or visit our website at www.wichitafamily.com.

Copyright 2015 by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any

editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lucky 7 Publishing LLC.

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Message from the PublisherGolf is a sport of infinite joy and

frustration. It is something I have loved since the time I was rather young, and my passion for it is one of the traits I hope to pass down to my own children some day.

I started spending time on vari-ous courses when I would accompany my father on his outings. I remember fondly my times getting to ride in the golf cart drinking can after can of Dr. Pepper and watch him play this soli-tary and fascinating game. Often times mother would come along as well, and the instances when a larger group of uncles would join my dad provided hours of entertainment.

I’ve seen people in our party hit neighboring houses, throw their driv-ers further than they hit the ball, and I was once even struck in the back by a stray shot from another golfer.

As I got older, I was allowed to play. Looking back, I realize how much pa-tience my father had. I, and my brother for that matter, did not play well in the

early years. We didn’t fol-low the rules of not walk-ing across the green and ruining the line of where my father was going to attempt to sink his putt, and we were

rarely quiet. However, my father never got mad at us for these infractions of golf decorum. Instead, he would guide and instruct us on how to properly conduct ourselves.

This instruction wasn’t to help when we were playing with him. Rather, he did it so we could be golfers well into our lives and not violate the rules while playing with others.

My father taught me a lot about golf, and though my brother improved, I am still a relatively poor golfer. How-ever, my father’s love and care for me while I was on the course left a lasting impact. To this day, I love playing the game. For instilling that passion within me, I am truly grateful.

Over my years of attempting to improve my game, I also have learned a lot about myself while on the links.

In Steven Pressfield’s book, “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” he truly ex-plains how I view golf, and he does so much more eloquently than I had ever considered it.

He discusses the fact that golf is a “higher plane” activity. It makes the point golf is a sport of the gods. It brings you closer to the divine.

It is the only sport where the golfer has to judge himself. If he makes an error, the onus is on him to call the penalty. It is a sport where you become one with nature on courses carved out of the land.

Pressfield writes of finding the “authentic swing,” which is the repre-sentation of your true self. In it he says

all the knowledge a person needs can be found in the hands as they grip the club. He wrote that one must play golf, as one must play the game of life, with abandon. Hold nothing back and give it your all.

This spoke to me. He makes the claim that there are multiple existences occurring simultaneously, and our true self, guided by our hands and grip on our world, finds the existence we are meant to live and drives us forward, both literally and figuratively.

Essentially, Pressfield writes “Bagger Vance” to describe golf as a metaphor for life. In life, as in golf, integrity, respect, competitiveness, focus, and peace are key components.

The story centers on a golfer who is struggling to find meaning in his life by the narrator telling the story of another golfer who was struggling to find meaning in his life. All three of the primary characters — the narrator, the current golfer and the past golfer — are all influenced by the mysterious cad-die, Bagger Vance. Vance shows all the players “the field,” which is the dimen-sion of the world where all the possible existences live. He shows them how to give themselves to the game, which is to give themselves to life.

My father is my Bagger Vance. He opened the door to golf, allowing me to find my true self.

This is a gift better than anything wrapped in shiny paper. It is a gift to last a lifetime, and for that, I am eter-nally in his debt.

Advertising Inquiries Contact:

Publisher Todd Vogts [email protected]

Todd [email protected]


News and Information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

Schools participate in Bike to School Day

Many schools to participated in Bike to School Day on May 6. Bike to School Day, sponsored by the Safe Kids Wichita Area, Via Christi Outreach and Prevention, Sedgwick County EMS, the Wichita Police Department, FedEx and the Wichita Public Schools, teaches the importance of safe bicycling to school and the rules of the road.

At McLean, students in morning latchkey rode their bikes around the park next to the school. Other students rode their bikes to school with their parents. Students who didn’t

have a bike helmet received a free one. Volunteers fitted each of the students to make sure their helmet fitted properly. Representatives from the Wichita Police Department, the Wichita Fire Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff, Sedgwick County EMS and FedEx let students sit inside their vehicles and talked to students about their jobs and about safety. An obstacle course was set up so students could learn about the rules of the road.

To date, nearly $30 million in scholarships have been offered to Wichita Public School seniors.

McLean teacher Sue Conner leads students around the park next to the school as part of Bike to School Day.


To date, nearly $30 million in scholarships have been offered to Wichita Public School seniors.

The Wichita Public Schools celebrated the accomplishments of high school seniors for being some of the top scholarship recipients for 2015. The students were recognized at a Board of Education meeting for being the top ten scholarship recipients at their high school or for receiving $40,000 or more in scholarship earnings.

“Of the 2,649 graduates we will have this year, 850 of those

graduates received some type of scholarship this year,” said Bill Faflick, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools.

For the class of 2015, nearly $30 million in scholarships were offered to students to date.

To see a list of the top scholarship recipients for each high school, visit www.usd259.org.

District celebrates top scholarship recipients

Students from Hadley Middle School got a birds-eye view of Wichita to wrap up its year-long Airbus Flying Challenge, a partnership between Hadley, Airbus, the United Way, Communities in Schools and Wichita State University. The Airbus Flying Challenge matched Hadley students with mentors from Airbus. The students and their mentors have been meeting throughout the year. The final event was taking students up in an airplane, provided by Kansas State University-Salina. It was the first time many of the students had flown.

The partnership encouraged students to learn about careers in aviation and engineering and to see how math, technology, science and engineering can be used every day. But for many students, it was also an opportunity just to talk with a caring adult.

Hadley students take off to wrap up Flying Challenge

Hadley Middle School students flew in a small airplane to wrap up the Airbus Flying Challenge.


Emergency PreparednessPrepare your home for a power outageAmericans who have recently

endured a prolonged power outage at home are much

more likely to improve their family’s emergency preparation for the future, according to a recent report.

A 2014 survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Briggs & Stratton found almost one in four U.S. adults had endured a power outage lasting 12 hours or more in the last two years.

That experience motivated two-thirds of respondents to be more pre-pared for future incidents, according to the survey.

“The high percentage of respon-

dents who took action to better prepare their families and homes for future emergency situations really underscores the level of frustration a power outage can cause families who aren’t properly prepared,” said Amanda Grandy, with Briggs & Stratton.

Your Preparedness Checklist Planning Ahead

When you have advance warning of a potential loss of power, which is of-ten caused by a strong weather system, there are many steps families can take to minimize the stress it can cause.

The Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency (FEMA) recommends that you create an emergency pre-paredness plan with a checklist of items:

• Make sure your gas tank is full• Fill plastic bags with water and place them in the freezer• Stop by the bank to ensure you have some cash on hand• Fill prescriptions that are approaching their refill date

Disasters, however, don’t always come with prior notice, so having an emergency kit prepared ahead of time

is the surest way to protect your family. Be sure to include items such as:• A three-day supply of non-perishable food• Adequate water (a gallon per person, per day)• First aid supplies• Matches• Battery-powered radio • Flashlights • Extra batteries• Essential toiletry items, such as toothbrush and paste

An expanded list of items to con-sider when packing your emergency supply kit can be found at www.fema.gov.

Portable vs. Standby Generators

“Beyond preparing an emergency kit, purchasing a portable generator or installing a standby generator is the simplest way to keep the power on and ensure a family stays safe when a strong storm or other emergency knocks utility power offline,” Grandy said. “Understanding the distinction

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images


Register Now! 316.660.0620 or www.exploration.org300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203

For Kids Entering Grades 1 - 12

Fill your child's summer with these unforgettable experiences that engage curiosity, promote creativity, enhance scientific knowledge – and are fun!

Topics Include: • movie making

• building robots and puppets – includes trip to Music Theatre Wichita!

• flight and outer space

• behind-the-scenes at the museum

PLUS • Summer Technology Edventures

• Air Capital Aviation Adventure: Build & Fly

• Camp at The Independent School

is the surest way to protect your family. Be sure to include items such as:• A three-day supply of non-perishable food• Adequate water (a gallon per person, per day)• First aid supplies• Matches• Battery-powered radio • Flashlights • Extra batteries• Essential toiletry items, such as toothbrush and paste

An expanded list of items to con-sider when packing your emergency supply kit can be found at www.fema.gov.

Portable vs. Standby Generators

“Beyond preparing an emergency kit, purchasing a portable generator or installing a standby generator is the simplest way to keep the power on and ensure a family stays safe when a strong storm or other emergency knocks utility power offline,” Grandy said. “Understanding the distinction

between these options will help any family determine which is the better choice for their home.”

A portable generator is an immedi-ate, but temporary, solution.

A portable gas generator is less expensive than a standby unit and doesn’t require installation time.

Its benefits have limits, as it can only power a few home appliances for a few hours before needing refueling.

A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch provides a seamless and permanent backup power solution.

It is professionally installed outside the home and can power more of your

home’s appliances for long periods of time.

Powered by natural gas or liquid propane, recent power management technology has allowed homes to still receive whole-house backup electric-ity, but with a smaller, more affordable generator than in years past.

With an emergency kit on hand and the right backup power source avail-able, the frustration of weathering a storm can be greatly lessened.

Visit www.briggsandstratton.com to learn more about backup power options.

— Family Features




Fiancé and FinancesFive questions to ask before marriageMarriage is a milestone in life;

yet, many enter into the next phase without asking their

spouse some vital questions about money.

If you are among the soon-to-be wed, consider starting a conversation using the questions below.

Couples who plan their expenses ahead of time are more likely to enjoy their earnings, and less likely to need credit repair intervention.

Men, women and weddings

Females are often portrayed as materialistic or over-the-top when it comes to their big day, but recent find-ings from an online Harris Poll tell a different story.

Surprisingly, the study found that twice the number of men stated they would or did go into debt to pay for their dream wedding.

The study also found that both men and women valued financial responsi-bility.

In fact, 91% indicated a preference for entering marriage debt-free as op-posed to having a dream wedding.

“Marriage is a lifelong commit-ment built on trust, clear communica-tion and honesty,” said John Heath, Directing Attorney for Lexington Law. “While some may find financial discussions unnecessary, understand-ing each other intimately in terms of what you both bring to the table - be it wealth or debt - will strengthen your relationship and help to avoid poten-tially serious friction to your marriage down the road.”

Discussing money matters

So how does one go into a marriage with a solid financial standing? Those soon-to-be-wed couples who converse openly about their finances are more likely to enjoy their big day with an understanding of their mate’s views on Photo Courtesy of Getty Images


National Traveling Exhibit Opens Saturday, May 23

Face your fears and test your responses to common fears, through hands-on challenges in a safe environment.

Exhibit Highlights • Immerse yourself in a savannah and try to collect fruit without being caught. • Experience falling backward and watch your reaction. • • Match facial expressions with basic emotions. • And more!

300 N. McLean Blvd.Wichita, Kansas 67203316.660.0600www.exploration.org

Join Us For the Fear Buster Challenge! Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 21, Noon - 5 p.m.Attempt to tackle your fears with special activities throughout the museum. Complete a Courage Card along the way and win a fun prize for your efforts. a fun prize for your efforts. • Learn dance steps and be part of a flash mob. • Walk through a narrow tunnel before the walls collapse. • Speak in front of a crowd of strangers.

Included in general museum admission, free for members.

Developed by the California Science Center and supported, in part, by the Informal Science Education program of the National Science Foundation under grant ESI-0515470. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not

necessarily those of the National Science Foundation.

Fiancé and FinancesFive questions to ask before marriage

money. The experts at Lexington Law offer these ques-tions every newly engaged couple should ask before the big day:

1. How do you view money?This is a loaded question, but your fiancé’s answer will

help you understand their perspective and how it aligns with yours.

Here are a few conversation starters on the subject:• How do you budget your money? • Are you meticulous about your bills and expenses, or are you comfortable to just “wing it?”• What’s the most you would ever spend on a home, car, piece of clothing, etc.?

2. How should we budget for a family?Kids are expensive, especially if you haven’t planned

for them. Talk to your partner about how many kids you would

both like to have. Plan for child living expenses and how they will

impact your budget, i.e. clothes, food, activities, medical expenses, schooling, etc.

3. How should we communicate about money?Some couples are content to let one person handle the

finances, and others like to split up the bills and share household responsibilities.

Regardless of what you decide, it is important to have a plan in place before getting married.

4. What should we do when we disagree about spend-ing?

You and your spouse won’t agree on everything. In fact, you may completely disagree on how to spend, save, and generally manage your money.

The question is: What should you do when these dis-agreements arise?

Avoiding the subject will put you at greater risk for financial (and marital) trouble.

There’s no easy answer for this one, but presenting the topic during your conversation is a good start.

5. Do you have any debts that I should be aware of?Secrets aren’t the best addition to a marriage, espe-

cially when it comes to debt. Be sure you and your soon-to-be put the credit cards

on the table before walking down the aisle. Marriage is a life partnership; start by dealing with

your debt together.

You’ll head into your new life as a married couple with ease when you have an open and honest dialog about your financial situation.

For more tips for managing your money, or your credit, visit www.LexingtonLaw.com.

— Family FeaturesPhoto Courtesy of Getty Images


By Todd Vogts

THE TUTORING CENTERGrades K-12

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READING MATH WRITING ALGEBRA 1 & 2GEOMETRY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

STUDY SKILLS ONLINE HOMEWORK HELPSAT /ACT TEST PREPARATION

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT

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Not applicable to SAT /ACT test prep or

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11310 E. 21st N. • Wichita KS 67206wichita.tutoringcenter.com

Summer muSt-HaveS for family

The calendar flipping to June can mean only one thing — sum-mer is here.

If you are like most families, the summer months can be a double-edged sword of activities and more time together with the children being out of school. The best way to make the best of this new schedule you and your loved ones are facing is to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to do that than by playing a rousing game of Rollors. It is truly the perfect yard game!

ROLLORS: The Perfect Yard Game

Bring back family game night! Put down those smart devices and get out-side as a family! Rollors is the perfect game for getting the family together outdoors. A must have for bbqs, sum-mer beach vacations, and camping trips!

So how do you play? It’s easy! Here is a run-down of the rules, straight from the game itself:

• Position the red and blue goals ap-proximately 25 feet apart on a level terrain.

• Each player uses one color set of rollers in the first round of play, blue goes first. Standing behind the red goal the blue player rolls one rollor at a time to the other goal. The rollor should be rolled on the edge, with a wind-up and release as in bowling. The rollor must touch the ground with in 4 feet of the release (no throwing allowed!). Once the blue player has played the red player takes a turn.• Only one player scores each round and that is the player with the rol-lor that is closest to the goal. The measuring cord should assist in determining which player is closest. In the case of a tie neither player scores. All rollers of the closest scoring color to the goal receive points. • In order to score, a rollor must fall entirely within a 5 foot radius of the center of the goal. A measur-ing cord is provided to measure this requirement. Points are given as follows:

1. Rollors that land on their side - score a point value equal to the number that is showing.2. Rollors that stop on the edge - score a point value equal to the sum of both sides.3. Rollors that come to rest against the goal - score a point value of double the number showing.

• Play continues with rounds that are started by the last color that has scored, rolling back and forth be-tween goals. To win, a player must achieve a total of 21 points or more, and must have two more points than the opponent.Doesn’t this sound like good, old-

fashioned fun for the family? Trust us here at Wichita Family. It is.

Want to buy it? Check out www.rollors.com. The game can be yours for only $49.95, and there can be as few as two or as many as six people playing.

And don’t worry, there are even rules for a kids game, so everyone can be a part of the fun.

TEN YEAR JOURNAL

Now, with a new family game for all to enjoy, not to mention all the other activities you will be participating in, you need a good way to record those memories.

Let’s keep with the theme of ditch-ing the smart phones and other gadgets. Instead, utilize the Ten Year Journal to record everything your family does this summer and for many summers to come.

The Ten Year Journal believes in the power and intimacy of the hand-written memoir. Just a few sentences a day will quickly become a decade of memories and observations that can be read over and over.

Unlike other journals that leave writers staring at a blank page, the Ten Year Journal includes dated and lined pages with room to record everything from daily events to family adventures to funny things your child said.

There are also pages for long-range planning, monthly overviews, address-es and phone numbers, and it is all contained within a beautifully bound leather cover.

This is a must-have for any busy family.

Visit www.tenyearjournal.com today and order one today for only $39.95.


THE TUTORING CENTERGrades K-12

Guaranteed ResultsNo Contracts

READING MATH WRITING ALGEBRA 1 & 2GEOMETRY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

STUDY SKILLS ONLINE HOMEWORK HELPSAT /ACT TEST PREPARATION

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT

SummerSpecial

DiagnosticAssessment

PLUS

Sessions

316-854-3000

FREE

2 FREEA $250 value. With this coupon.

Not applicable to SAT /ACT test prep or

-tions. Must present coupon for redemption.

11310 E. 21st N. • Wichita KS 67206wichita.tutoringcenter.com

MV

PS M

USTANGS

See us in action! Facebook.com/MVPSchool

Does your child need more challenge?Virtual school may be a better fit!Take the quiz and find out:

Does your child work better at his or her own pace?

Do you want to be more involved with your child's education?

Do you and your child embrace technology?

Are you an independent thinker who values classical learning?

If you answered YES to at least 3 of these questions, then a virtual education might be the perfect fit for your family.Call us toll-free: 855-450-3517 MazeVirtualPrepSchool.com

Summer muSt-HaveS for family

Follow us on Twitter

@wichitafamily

TEN YEAR JOURNAL

Now, with a new family game for all to enjoy, not to mention all the other activities you will be participating in, you need a good way to record those memories.

Let’s keep with the theme of ditch-ing the smart phones and other gadgets. Instead, utilize the Ten Year Journal to record everything your family does this summer and for many summers to come.

The Ten Year Journal believes in the power and intimacy of the hand-written memoir. Just a few sentences a day will quickly become a decade of memories and observations that can be read over and over.

Unlike other journals that leave writers staring at a blank page, the Ten Year Journal includes dated and lined pages with room to record everything from daily events to family adventures to funny things your child said.

There are also pages for long-range planning, monthly overviews, address-es and phone numbers, and it is all contained within a beautifully bound leather cover.

This is a must-have for any busy family.

Visit www.tenyearjournal.com today and order one today for only $39.95.


As a child and a young man, I spent countless hours playing and thinking about baseball. The months that made up the spring and summer were filled

with games, and still June, July, and August mean baseball to me. Somehow, the smell of clay and grass and sunflower seeds, the pop of the ball into the glove, and the drop of my stomach as I stepped into the batter’s box are sensations I can’t escape.

I remember with vivid clarity the first double play I turned. With a runner on first base, my thought process was simple as I stood waiting for the ball at my second base position: if the ball came to me, I planned to tag the runner and throw to first. A moment later it happened. Yet the im-age that sticks in my mind isn’t the actual play but my jump-ing father who was in the dugout. He extended his arms into the air and leapt from the bench, his face beaming.

This summer I make the full transition from player to coach; I’ve hung up even my softball cleats in favor of that spot in the dugout where I’ll spur on my own son. Of course, we’ve already played enough baseball in the house and backyard to fill whole seasons, and the coaching began

long ago. Yet, my gut turns at the thought of stepping on the field with my son and his little teammates; I can see their eyes as I type these words, and they’re waiting for me to help them, show them how to play the game. More than that, they’re waiting for things they don’t know they need — a coach to tell them that winning is only frosting on the cake, and that giving up is not an option, and that their per-formance is measured by whether they gave their best.

I heard those words long ago, and they first took hold on the baseball field. A seemingly trivial sport played by a group of children is more than a game, and that’s why the images and the words are rushing back at me as I prepare for my first practice as my son’s coach. What will I show them? In twenty years they’ll either look back on their first days playing baseball with joy or disdain, happiness or frustration.

I want to cast the images in my son’s mind carefully, I want to speak my words thoughtfully — I want to leap from the dugout bench and I want him to see me do it.

Ian Anderson is a teacher, a husband, and a dad. He lives with his family in Central Kansas. Occasionally, he tweets here: @ian_writes.

By Ian Anderson

Pastimes and Passing Time~ a mileStone of CHildHood eSSay ~


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wichita family magazine june 2015

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