| Springfield Moms E-Update January 7, 2009 |
|
| Share Your Tips
and Win! |
2008 Annual Reader Survey
Congrats to all of
Congrats to Lindsey French who won our December drawing for the book "The Mother Load" by Mary Byers.
|
| Become a
Registered Reader |
 | |
|
| Greetings!
Happy New Year!
One thing I know for sure (to take Oprah's wording) is that my wish for 2009 is that it goes by much slower than 2008. On the bright side, I love the clean slate feeling that a new year brings. This year, I will take more time for myself, clean out the storage unit and eat healthier foods. (I am not going to admit yet which one I have already ignored!)
Meanwhile, we are compiling a new "From Our Readers" segment, and we'd like to know this: What's on your kitchen bookshelf these days? Send us your favorite cookbook titles for adults and/or kids. Email springfieldmoms.org@gmail.com the author, title, publisher and why it is the one you use the most. We will compile and feature the cookbooks on our In the Kitchen page. Don't forget: All entries go into our monthly prize drawings.
Also, stay tuned for exciting changes as we move ahead to streamline our website and enhance the current and reliable content we provide to you. Welcome to Julie Kaiser, a longtime volunteer who comes aboard formally this month as our Director of Editorial & Media Relations.
Don't forget to check out Kim's Blog, which is updated every weekday with news, events and favorite resources. And updated weekly is our hugely popular What's Happening Calendar .
Wishing all the best to you and your loved ones in the coming year! Enjoy this issue.
Kim Leistner Little
Founder and President of Springfield Moms |
| Classes and Activities To Check Out |
|
Check out our updated Classes & Activities Page to find the latest activities for your kids. Art, Music, Dance and more! Dance Creations Dance Studio now offers a class for ages 18 months to three years. Funshop spring registration for ages 16 months to 5 years is Thursday, January 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Funshop facility in Lincoln Park. The Music Factory will soon launch their winter session with classes for ages 5 months to age 10.
Don't miss out on the fantastic art programs available at the Prairie Art Alliance and Springfield Art Association. Head on over to the Sports Page to find options for indoor soccer, basketball, dance, year-round swim lessons, yoga and more!
Plus, there's a National Talent Scout coming to Springfield Dance on Friday January 9, 2008. Details on Kim's Blog. |
| 21 Days to Fitness ... You Can Do It! |
|
|
Springfield Moms contributor and YMCA fitness professional Cindy Kropid shares the secret. "I have heard it takes 21 days to start a habit or to quit one. As the New Year approaches, many people will once again be resolved to lose weight. They will buy equipment, join Weight Watchers or a fitness facility and go full force for a few weeks. But something invariably happens and they fall short of their fitness goals." Don't let this happen to you! Take Cindy's advice and avoid common exercise pitfalls. Read on here. |
| Save Money With Reciprocal Memberships |
|
Before heading out on a vacation, look into where you will be visiting, and see if it makes sense to become a member of your local museum or zoo to save money on tickets and fees at your travel destination. A membership at Henson Robinson Zoo, Washington Park Botanical Garden or even the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal can net you savings at other locations across the country. Springfield Moms advisory board member Lisa Whelpley details the savings in her article here. |
| Ask The Speech Therapist: Noise for Little Ears |
|
|
What is the best way to deal with crowd noise at games, sporting events or concerts? Even the kids' concerts like Dora and The Wiggles can be so loud. What are the dangers associated with elevated noise levels? Should we invest in ear plugs for our younger children? Speech pathologist Jennifer Pollock provides practical answers in Ask the Professional here. |
| Need A Fun Craft? Pasta Necklaces |
|
Springfield Moms reader Tammie Rockfordwrote in: "I didn't know any short cuts or tricks for how to paint pasta for necklaces. So my five kids and I got out our paints and went to town! Three hours later, we only had two boxes done!" Tammie learned an easier way, and then Springfield Moms advisory board member Dawn Diveley tweaked Tammie's recipe for our booth at First Night Springfield. Find both easy and fun recipes here. |
| Local Entrepreneurs, Apply Now! |
|
Business Strategist and Bronze Sponsor Joy Duling - www.a25hourday.com - has offered two Silver Level Scholarships to her 2009 Fearless Leaps Group for Success-Destined Entrepreneurs. These slots are being held exclusively for entrepreneurs from the SpringfieldMoms.org community who are ready to step out into the spotlight with their businesses. The program emphasizes on-line and off-line marketing. You can learn more about the program at www.FearlessLeaps.com. If you're interested, apply for a scholarship by email directly to Joy at joy@a25hourday.com. Put "SpringfieldMoms.org scholarship" in the subject line. Include information in the email about yourself, your business and why 2009 is the year for you to take a Fearless Leap forward. Joy intends to give the scholarships away this week! The group kicks off on Monday, January 12th. | |
|
| What's Happening! Upcoming Events |
|
|
January is National Blood Donor Month. The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is in need of more regular donors to maintain supply in Central Illinois. Consider making a gift of the heart 4-6 times a year. Donor Hours here. Westside Stories is having a 25% off sale all month long at their store in The Gables. Details here!
The Springfield YMCA presents the Biggest Loser Contest. Open to EVERYONE, members and non-members! Contest runs January 19 - April 4, 2009, but you must register immediately. Registration includes a pass to use the YMCA including free fitness classes, nutrition classes, t-shirt, special "Last Chance" workouts every other week and group and prize motivation. Registration info here.
Shows Your Kids Will Love Coming Soon To Sangamon Auditorium: High School Musical 2 at Sangamon Auditorium on February 13, 14 and 15. Internet presale tickets are available now! More here. For the younger set, don't miss Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny on January 30th at 7:00 p.m. Call 206-6160 for tickets.
Does your relationship need a tune-up? Attend a Valentine Get-Away Weekend for Couples on February 6-8, 2009, near Springfield. ConnectED PAIRS offers a special retreat weekend that will equip couples with methods to share strong feelings, clarify little confusions and heal old hurts. Discover hidden expectations and clearer communication. Mention SpringfieldMoms and save $20 when you register by January 31, 2009. Save an additional $50 when you register another couple. Book ahead for our Summer Getaway Weekend, June 26-28, 2009. More information here.
Need inspiration? Check out the "Ask the Marriage Coach" answer about Keeping the Romance Alive article here.
  Join us for Fun Time Station. WSEC/PBS Springfield Fun Time Station will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Illinois Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. There will be food, crafts, raffles, live entertainment and over 26 children's activity booths. Tickets are $5 at the door (for ages 2 through adult). Save $1 and purchase advance tickets from the station. More here.
 Don't Miss Real Heroes Read: A Literacy Fair for All Ages on January 31, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Lincoln Library. Sponsored by The Junior League of Springfield, Inc., 93.9 ABE FM, and Springfield Moms. Enjoy stories, crafts, games and more for young kids; "The Lincoln's A-Z" author Betty Carlson Kay presents Ms. Elizabeth Edwards for upper elementary and middle school kids. Also includes writing and publishing tips from local author Mary Byers for aspiring high school writers, book sale, costume contest, reading marathon and more! More details here.
Huff & Puff Children's Asthma Program sponsored by St. John's Hospital. Register now for their FREE classes for ages 4-8. Through games, music, workbook exercises and the fun characters Huff & Puff, kids and parents have fun while learning essential asthma management skills. Upcoming classes begin in February. Details and registration info here.
Save the Date! Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a day of indoor fun at KidsFest sponsored by the Capitol Radio Group. Springfield Moms will be on hand helping with the craft corner and sharing family goodie bags! Details here.
 What's Happening is updated every week with the latest fun for you and your family! Bookmark this page. |
|
Save $525 and more!
|
Coming January 15th: Mariah's Restaurant will have three coupons to choose from exclusive to our readers! Includes a $20 Family of Four Pasta To Go Special, a $5 off dine-in and a Kids Eat Free Sunday option. More to come!
NEW! Fitness Together (free consultation, free session and 10% off their training packages).
Bella Milano ($5 off $25 order OR a complimentary appetizer), Cara Mongolian Bar-b-que (buy one small, medium or large bowl, get one ½ off!), EyeCandy by Brandy (15% off), ShoeTopia ($5 off), Sylan Learning Center (1/2 off Initial Assessment), The Back and Joint Center (free hydrotherapy trial), The Corkscrew ($1 Saturday Tastings), Prairie Heart Center for Living ($10 off any class or service), Springfield YMCA (Free week), Tamara Burris, Interiors, Florals & Ideas (Free Consultation), Adventure Dive & Travel (Free $35 Scuba Trial) and Calhoun Mohawk Floors ($50-$250 savings). Enjoy financial savings from Heartland Credit Union and Marine Bank.
Photography discounts from Terry Farmer Photography and Kimberly Smoot Photography. Take 15% off at Food Fantasies, 20% off your first free home pick-up Dry Cleaning from Peerless Cleaners. $1 off Adult admission at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. P & J Hathaway Builders, Inc. (Home Repair coupon) and John Geyston Premier Martial Arts ($29.99 starter special). More here.
Don't miss: Pet Coupons from Healing Hands Massage and Pet Sitting, The Pampered Pet Center, Nature's Select and more on Pet Corner.
|
|
Thank you to our Premium Sponsors.
Featured Premium Sponsor of the Month
Thank you to the Springfield YMCA for upgrading to a GOLD Premium Sponsorship for 2009. We are proud to showcase ALL of the YMCA programs to benefit kids, families and our community. Learn more here. PLATINUM SPONSORS
Springfield Racquet & Fitness Center
Kim
P.S. Help us reach more busy parents by clicking on the Forward email link. As always, we remain a permission-based email newsletter and a website that does NOT sell your email address to any third parties. If you need to update your email address, click on UPDATE my PROFILE below.
Kim Leistner Little
Founder & President
|
|
|
