Choze Powell

Don’t Let Holiday Stress Get Your Down

‘Tis the Season. The holidays can be a magical time full of sparkling lights, tasty treats, and traditions – but for parents, they can also be a time of overbooked schedules, overtired kids and overblown expectations. This year don’t just survive the holidays. Follow these helpful tips from the folks at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area to make holiday stress a thing of the past. Focus on what is important Ask yourself what is most important. If the kids are old enough, have them help you identify a few top priorities for the holidays. There are a ton of great events in the Blue Water Area in addition to spending time with family and enjoying traditions. Clarifying your priorities will help you, and the kids, get a handle on the overload. Set Limits Between overly enthusiastic relatives, expensive wish lists, and The Elf on the Shelf it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Before you commit to another holiday party or sign up for the work, ask yourself why. Why are you doing it? Do your kids need an elaborate Elf on the Shelf display? Does your holiday light display need to be worthy of the Great American Light Fight? Step away from Pinterest, remember your priorities and don’t be afraid to say no. You cannot please everyone and overbooking yourself, and your family will only lead to a holiday meltdown. Take the focus off the presents Here are some great strategies to help tame “toy lust” and take the focus off gifts. Some parents take the “want, need, wear, read” approach while others stick with a limited number of presents or a limited budget. Regardless of your gift-giving strategy, remember that the holidays aren’t just about gifts. Have a conversation with your kids about holiday expectations and find ways to involve them in the spirit of giving. Make presents for relatives or teachers, sponsor a child in our area or volunteer. Take Care of Yourself Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make sure that you’re eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep and making time to exercise or relax. Accept Help Say “yes” to help or seek out help. Let a relative, friend, or neighbor watch the kids while you finish your holiday shopping or drop your child off at the Y for our upcoming Broadway Beginnings Sparks Camp. Page 2 of 2 We know that not everyone has a lot of time off around the holidays, so the Y also offers holiday break camps to help you manage childcare during school district breaks.

Physician Healthcare Network Event Raises Funds To Support Dyslexia Education In St. Clair County

Many children in our community struggle with dyslexia. It is one of the most common learning disabilities, noted by educators and diagnosed by physicians.  That is one of the reasons why Physician HealthCare Network, a 30-plus physician practice with offices in Fort Gratiot, Port Huron, Marysville, East China and northern Macomb County, recently held its first-ever casino-night fundraiser to support those with dyslexia, “Betting on a Better Future For Dyslexia.”  The event raised more than $24,000, which will be used to provide local educators with the resources and support they need to help children with dyslexia be successful in the classroom and in all of their educational endeavors.   PHCN chose the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to manage the funds raised by establishing a corporate donor-advised fund at the foundation.  “We chose to establish a fund within the Community Foundation for a number of reasons,” said Colette Champine, chief operating officer for PHCN. “First, our corporate priority is caring for patients and the priority of the Community Foundation is caring for donor investments; using their services to manage our corporate giving needs removed a lot of worry and burden from our organization.  “Secondly, establishing this fund through the Community Foundation enables others to contribute if their donor needs match our mission, thus allowing our fund to grow in the future.” The creation of the PHCN corporate donor-advised fund was a first for the Community Foundation.  “Physician Healthcare Network is leading the way by opening our first corporate donor advised fund,” said Jackie Hanton, vice president of the Community Foundation. “Though we have many donor advised funds for individuals and family giving, PHCN turned to us for a cost-effective and meaningful solution for their corporate giving. It’s such a pleasure to work with an organization that prioritizes giving back.”   Dyslexia is a medical condition that greatly impacts a child’s ability to read and learn effectively.  “As a family physician, I see children every day who are affected by a wide variety of learning disabilities, including dyslexia,” said John Colombo, M.D., a family physician with PHCN. “As a child, I struggled with dyslexia, and I know that receiving appropriate educational instruction can make all of the difference for a child who struggles with this condition.  “This disorder affects more people than is often realized. It not only affects their ability to read and write, but it impacts their entire educational experience. It is expensive to train educators to help those who need it, but students who receive proper help watch their worlds open up as they begin experiencing educational success.”   PHCN plans to host its second annual casino night fundraiser for the dyslexia fund in October 2019.  For more information about contributing to the fund or setting up a corporate donor-advised fund, please contact Jackie Hanton at the Community Foundation at 810-984-4761.

Coats For Kids

The Knights of Columbus Council #8274 of St. Edward on the Lake Parish in Lakeport will be holding a Coats for Kids distribution on Sunday, December 2, at 12:30 pm in the Fr. Hogan Center.  A limited number of youth and teen coats of various sizes will be distributed 1st come 1st served to any youth in need of a winter coat.

Snow Ordinance In Effect

The Port Huron Police Department is reminding folks that the Snow Ordinance goes into effect Saturday, December 1st.  This means that parking is not allowed on city streets between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. to allow for snow removal, now through March 31, 2019.  According to Port Huron Police Captain, Marci Kuehn, warning notices will be issued for the first five days, but, after the 5th violators will be fined $20.

Festival Of Trees – December 1 and 2

The 30th Annual Festival of Trees benefiting heart services at McLaren Port Huron, is this weekend.   This year’s Festival of Trees event will showcase over 50 uniquely designed trees, a teddy bear hospital and an expanded children’s area.  General admission to the Festival of Trees is December 1 & 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  and tickets can be purchased at the door for $5. Concessions will be available.  If you plan to visit the teddy bear hospital while at the Festival of Trees, bring your favorite teddy bear for a check-up! You can also adopt a bear for $5.  Raffle tickets will be for sale for $1, and can be used for a chance to win your favorite tree, or for one of many raffle prizes. There will also be a pajama Party Saturday night, and Breakfast with Santa on Sunday.  Admission tickets may be purchased in advance at mclaren.org

Representative Lauwers Plan To Increase Government Efficiency And Transparency Clears House Committee

The House Agriculture Committee this week passed state Rep. Dan Lauwers’ plan to update and streamline the state’s laws protecting Michigan’s animal food agriculture.  “This solution is a great example of legislators and constituents working together to serve Michiganders and make government more efficient,” Lauwers said. “Our farming technology has changed dramatically since this law was first enacted in the 1980s, and I am pleased to see the important work of updating the law move forward. Thank you to our partners in the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and various industry representatives for their work on this plan.”  The bills’ movement signals great progress on a multi-year effort between the Legislature and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to update Michigan’s animal husbandry laws that began in 2015, when Lauwers chaired the House Agriculture Committee. This legislation also carried personal significance for Lauwers. His daughter, Lauren Lauwers, worked on this issue in 2015 while an intern for MDARD. She returned to the department after her internship to continue working on the issue.  “These crucial changes bring order to Michigan’s Animal Industry Act, making it easier to follow and government more transparent,” said Dr. James Averill, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “By updating and streamlining the Act, Michigan will be more nimble in its response to technological advances in agriculture. I commend Rep. Lauwers on his work to move this important bill through the legislative process.”  Since its enactment in 1988, Michigan’s animal industry law has been amended sporadically many times, which resulted in a hard-to-follow mishmash of regulations. Updates were needed to reorganize and streamline the law, making it easier for Michigan’s farmers to follow.  “Making the law easier to reference and follow will help Michigan’s farmers and agribusiness owners take all necessary precautions to protect all aspects of food animal production,” Lauwers said.  HBs 6205, 6206 and 6214-15 will proceed to the full House for consideration.