AREWAY! - Iowa Living Magazines
Transcription
AREWAY! - Iowa Living Magazines
Living Norwalk january 2016 50211 magazine moving! GET NORWALK RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR JOURNEYS TO LIVING HEALTHIER LIVES SURPRISED BY GOD FAITH BIG GREEN UMBRELLA MEDIA 5619 N.W. 86th St., # 600 Johnston, Iowa 50131 FUN WITH THE KIDS POSTAL CUSTOMER BIG GREEN UMBRELLA MEDIA GARAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE RECIPE www.iowalivingmagazines.com/norwalk PRSRT STD ECRWSS CHICKEN AND NOODLES Norwalk Living XX | 2010 Now your check caN go to the baNk, but you doN’t have to! dowNload the city State baNk app to get Started! * Must be an Internet Banking customer to use. Sign up at www.citystatebank.com. Availability may be affected by your mobile device’s coverage area. Your mobile carrier’s web access charges may apply. Mobile check deposits are subject to verification and not available for immediate withdrawal. Deposit limits and other terms, conditions, fees and restrictions may apply. View the CSB Mobile Deposit Services Agreement for full details. Member FDIC. 801 MAIN STREET, PO BOX 159 • NORWALK • 515-981-1412 www.citystatebank.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/norwalk WELCOME A matter of scale I am not much for New Year’s resolutions. They just don’t work for me. I guess I need more than a certain day of the year to provide me with real motivation. As a grown man who no longer competes athletically or has measurable fitness goals, my body has changed. I no longer diet or exercise as I once did, and the calories in have exceeded the calories out for a few decades now. Something has to change. I have good intentions of losing weight and eating healthier. When I do work out, I get a tremendous sweat going and burn a lot of calories. But the workouts are not consistent, and my diet is far from healthy. And the older I get, the more I seem to get injured, further preventing consistent exercise. So now what? I know the answer, and you do, too. I need to adopt a consistent and low-impact exercise program, and I need to avoid high-calorie and low-nutrition foods. Should be easy, right? Well, if it were, we would all look like magazine models. For some of us, the wake-up call comes from health scares. Others are motived by clothes that no longer fit. Some even find inspiration from friends or coworkers who implement healthy lifestyles. For me, right or wrong, motivation continues to come from that number on the dial — which is exactly why I haven’t replaced the batteries in my scale. In our cover story this month, we share results stories from local residents who found that inner motivation to get off the couch and get on the road to healthier lifestyles. Their stories are inspiring, as they have set examples for the rest of us to follow. If the new year provides enough motivation to get you moving in the right direction, then more power to you. As for me, I need to step back on the scale. Thanks for reading. n Need a place for a meeting or retreat? Treat yourself and your coworkers to a private party today! 2016 SEASON PASSES FOR SALE! Private parties available Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for upcoming events 3089 North Ave. Norwalk H 515-981-0266 H www.warriorrungolf.com meet amanda receive a complimentary haircut with the purchase of color Shane Goodman Publisher $26 value. Expires Jan. 31, 2016. Darren Tromblay Editor 515-953-4822 ext. 304 darren@dmcityview.com Emily Stanbrough Advertising 319-430-3792 emily@iowalivingmagazines.com Living 287.4220 Iowa magazines trixiessalon.com www.iowalivingmagazines.com 6209 se 14th street • dm JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 3 FEATURE GET moving! NORWALK RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR JOURNEYS TO LIVING HEALTHIER LIVES Members of the Norwalk Racers: Kate Wallace, Shannon Brown, Jen Downe, Leigh Vander Holt, Jon Altes and Jen Kownacki. Photo by Dan Hodges. 4 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com FEATURE D eep in our hearts, we all know that we are not as healthy as we could be. In the most extreme cases, being dramatically overweight or extremely unfit can kill us. For most of us, though, it results in a litany of smaller, nagging aches and pains and a lowered sense of self-confidence. Most of us even have a general idea of what we need to do to change things. According to polling agency Nielson, when Americans were asked to list their New Year’s resolutions, 69 percent of people picked either “lose weight” or “stay fit and healthy.” Just as predictable, however, are the results. Most anyone who has a gym membership knows: starting on Jan. 1, gyms across the country are suddenly packed with new members. Walking on treadmills, maybe gamely hefting a few free weights, these well-intentioned neophytes usually thin out by the end of the month, and, by March, virtually none of the new faces remain. It is not because of a lack of desire, or willpower, and it is not usually because they are lazy. The biggest thing that stops people from seeing changes in their health and body is a lack of a coherent plan. “It’s true that just starting is often the hardest part,” says personal trainer Trevor Scott. “But so many people walk into the gym — or the grocery store — without a basic idea of why they’re there or what they want. That first step can often be a step in the wrong direction.” But with a little planning and a few minutes of forethought before you sign that gym contract or buy that DVD set, your chances of sticking to a workout plan and seeing results become much improved. “It’s true that just starting is often the hardest part.” — Trevor Scott, personal trainer Where do you want to go? No matter what you are doing in life, the first step is the one that should be the most obvious: determine what you are trying to do. For better health, this can be as simple as “eat more green vegetables,” or “walk a mile every day.” But no matter what your health goals are, having them clearly in mind is key. “Nobody ever walked into a gym thinking ‘We’ll just see how this goes’ and had Start your year off right by making the change you need! www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 5 FEATURE success,” Scott says. “Anyone who got results from a workout plan or a nutrition change got them because they knew what they were trying to do.” Once you have determined what exactly your fitness goals are, it becomes much easier to start building an exercise and nutrition plan around that goal. Just hitting up Google with a couple of keywords can lead you to a wealth of information on how to properly perform exercises, recipe ideas for nutrition-specific dishes, and message boards full of like-minded people looking for support or to swap ideas. “After having a baby, you get the impression that your stomach area will never be the same,” says Norwalk resident Tracy Moore. “I found a group on Reddit that’s centered on exercises and meal ideas for new moms. It’s helpful to be able to post your frustrations and hear ideas and encouragement from people who are doing the same things.” The only caveat to all of the information available online is that it can become difficult to tell the genuinely helpful information from the drek. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, perform a couple term-specific searches, or even talk to your doctor for advice if you find conflicting information. How to get there Once you have laid out a basic idea of what your goals are, there are a wealth of ways to get you on your way. How you proceed will be driven largely by what works best for you. For people who self-motivate well, sometimes just writing out a workout plan and heading to the gym each day will do the trick. For people who find the open-ended nature of the gym to be confusing, there are a number of facilities that run structured group classes. Many places have multiple-week programs that will include nutrition help as well as a number of variable classes to attend each week. Such programs give the added benefit of a coach or personal trainer who can provide personal assistance and motivation. Even outside of a traditional gym setting, finding a group to exercise with can be a huge source of motivation. “I’d started running as a way to lose weight faster,” recalls Norwalk’s Jennifer Kownacki, who picked up the exercise nearly a decade ago. “I wasn’t getting the results from the elliptical or the gym, so I took up running.” Kownacki ran her first marathon eight years ago and this year participated in the Boston Marathon, but does most of her day-to-day workouts as a part of the Norwalk Racers, a group of like-minded individuals who keep each other motivated. “I run anywhere from 25 to 35 miles a week,” she says. “Sometimes if you’re battling 6 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 Some apps to get you started Whether you are looking to run a marathon, hit the gym for some weightlifting, or just eat better, odds are your phone can help. Here are some suggestions for where to start: Couch to 5K Generally regarded as the best way to start running, Couch to 5K has helped thousands of people shed their sedentary ways and get moving. The nine-week program build into the $2.99 app starts you on a series of short run/long walk intervals that gradually increase the run times as the days and weeks go by. The app also includes route mapping, distance logging and additional 10K and marathon apps to graduate to. StrongLifts 5X5 Anyone who is starting a weight training program for the first time could do a whole lot worse than to check out StrongLifts. The free app will walk you through one of the most popular weight training programs in the world, logging your weight and rep counts, telling you when to increase weights, and giving pointers on proper form and technique. My Fitness Pal The most popular food logger in the world, My Fitness Pal will help keep your nutrition in check. Featuring a barcode scanner for easy logging and nutrition stats for hundreds of thousands of types of food, drink and exercises, My Fitness Pal will keep track of the calories you put into your body, the ones you burn off, and track your progress over weeks and months. Most helpfully, virtually every other fitness platform or app you’d care to use now features My Fitness Pal integration, making keeping track of your workouts and weight a snap. an injury, like I was this past November, it can be a little less. But that’s always the goal.” “I did my first marathon in 2007 and said ‘never again’,” she continues. “Then my cousin’s wife convinced me to start training with her. I first tried qualifying for Boston in 2010, and I finally ran it this year.” People like Kownacki are the proof for anyone just getting off their couch today: With the proper plan in place, you don’t have to be a muscle-obsessed gym-rat to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and a regular workout routine is well within the grasp of the average person. And for a large number of people, finding a way to break out of the perceived isolation of the gym experience can be a major factor for long-term success. “It’s huge,” Kownacki says of her time with the Norwalk Racers. “Most of us are parents, so for the other moms that I run with, it’s a good outlet for socialization. We run in the early morning, and you can get some friend time in while you’re running.” “People often perceive working out as this thing you do alone, or losing weight as a strictly solo journey,” Scott concurred. “It’s certainly a personal experience, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.” Pacing is key No matter how you choose to start your journey, no matter what your goals are or how you decide to get there, there is one thing that www.iowalivingmagazines.com everyone agrees on: start slowly. “The first time I tried to get back in shape, I just jumped into a P90X DVD right from day one,” recalls Moore. “I didn’t make it a week. It was so frustrating not being able to keep up, and my back started getting really sore. I overdid it.” “I always tell people to start small,” Kownacki agrees. “The problem with people thinking ‘anyone can run’ is that people always start to fast. Don’t pile on too much distance too soon.” To help in that, most programs will start slowly and ramp up the difficulty as the weeks go by. If you are doing something on your own, however, your greatest resource is probably sitting in your pocket right now. “Apps are great,” Kownacki says. “For runners, a good app can log your distance and time and help track progress.” Both the iTunes and Google Play stores have a litany of phone apps, most available for free, that will help guide you in whatever you are doing. Again, checking online forums or asking trainers or other people doing similar programs for suggestions will point you to some of the most helpful apps for what you’re trying to do. Start slow, keep track of your progress, and find a way to keep yourself motivated. Before too long, you might even find yourself enjoying your new routine. And the gyms are way more enjoyable once all the crowds thin out in February. n FITNESS Ask the Anytime Guy Expert answers to your health and wellness questions By Joe Nguyen Q: What’s the best way to wake up my metabolism for weight loss? Eat first thing in the morning before my cardio workout or skip breakfast and wait longer to extend the fasting period? A: Exercising in the “fasted state” has been promoted as a way to possibly burn more calories from fat than from carbohydrates. One theory suggests that because the body’s resting metabolism continues to work overnight while the body sleeps, lower levels of carbohydrates will be available for fuel before breakfast, resulting in the body having to use fat as fuel. But there are an equal number of studies that suggest the opposite. Therefore, we suggest that if fat loss is your goal, it’s more important to consider additional ways to be more active throughout the day rather than limiting your caloric intake prior to a morning workout. Moving more during the day and smart nutrition choices will play a more significant role for long-term fat loss. Fueling for early morning workouts will depend greatly on what works for you. If you choose to eat breakfast, a low glycemic food 30 minutes prior to exercise can provide enough energy to fuel your workout without raising insulin levels, which is known to metabolize and store fat. If you simply like to exercise on an empty stomach, properly fueling the body afterwards is really important, as you’ll want to give the body the correct amount of nutrients to provide lasting energy for the rest of the morning. Q: Are there benefits to using the pre-programmed workouts that are available on the various cardio machines? A: Pre-programmed workouts can provide you with new ideas on how to use the cardio machines and help you avoid getting into a cardio rut. Programs are available on most treadmills, stationary bikes 1 JOINJOIN FORFOR $ and elliptical trainers. The programs automatically manipulate variables such as time, incline, resistance and speed to challenge your heart in a variety of ways. Rolling hills, speed work, intervals and automatic resistance changes can provide new challenges and motivation to complete a workout without you having to decide what to do next. Variety in your cardio regimen can help you break through plateaus, avoid boredom and get more from your time at the gym. n About the author: Joe Nguyen is the club owner at Anytime Fitness in Norwalk. To submit a question for future articles, please contact the author at JoeN@ anytimefitness.com. HURRY! Sale extended through Thursday, January 21 JOIN NOW and get... • FREE Get Started Plan • FREE no-pressure Fitness consultation • FREE 30-Day Fitness Plan See club for details. Restrictions may apply. 1101 Chatham Avenue • Norwalk 50211 STAFFED HOURS: MON–THU 11AM–7PM • FRI 9AM–5PM • SAT 9AM–11AM www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 7 CITY HALL 705 North Avenue 515-981-0228 Open 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday MAYOR’S MOMENT I have heard some talk and speculation about Hy-Vee coming to town and I thought I’d take a little time to let you know what I know. The City of Norwalk does have a signed agreement with Hy-Vee. The agreement states Hy-Vee will inform the city approximately six months before they begin building. The city is also providing approximately $1,000,000, in a combination of city improvements and tax abatement, to help bring Hy-Vee to Norwalk. Before you get too upset about that number, please continue reading to learn how that number breaks down. $670,000 of that will be spent on improvements to Colonial Parkway, a new city owned street (right now named Market Street), an entry to Market Street off of Highway 28, a right turn lane onto Market Street from north bound Highway 28 and a right turn lane from Market Street onto northbound Highway 28. At the end of the project, all of these will be owned by the City of Norwalk, not Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee will be getting the same tax abatement that any other business gets when building in Norwalk. Hy-Vee has also agreed to put in additional sanitary sewer lines for the city, at no charge to the city. To recap, Hy-Vee is receiving the same abatement that ANY commercial property would receive and is receiving a rebate to reimburse them for public infrastructure they are building in conjunction with their project that will then be owned by the City. With the property taxes generated by Hy-Vee, all monies that the City invests will be paid back within eight years. We also believe that Hy-Vee will be an anchor for more commercial development within that immediate area. The Market Street improvements will also pave the way as an entry to the land south and southeast of the Hy-Vee location for more commercial development. Stay tuned for further updates as they happen. Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are open to the public (second and fourth Monday at 5:45 p.m.) as are City Council meetings (first and third Thursday at 6:00 p.m.). I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in knowing what is happening in their community to attend any of these meetings. Meeting agendas and packets are available on the City’s website before all meetings. We also have a Community Chat on the second Saturday of every month (9-10:30 a.m. at City Hall) for residents to stop by and talk to City staff and elected officials about topics of your choosing. We have had a lot of areas opened up for development this year. The City Council has approved seven final plats, which consist of 175 residential lots. It will take a while for all of these lots to be built out, but if 2015 is any indicator, we will see quite a few new houses built in 2016. As of December 1, the City of Norwalk issued 100 building permits for singlefamily homes and 38 building permits for townhomes. This is a new record for the City of Norwalk. Jean Furler joined the team at City Hall November 30 as the new Finance Director. Previously, Jean was with Warren County and has extensive experience with city finances. She has already had a positive impact with the city and it will be good to have her expertise available during budget season. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. If 2015 is any indication as to how 2016 is looking, I can’t wait for all of the great things coming to Norwalk and you can bet we will keep you posted as they happen. Happy New Year!– Tom Phillips, Mayor UPCOMING EVENTS •Community Chat – Saturday, January 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. •Norwalk Food Pantry – City Hall is a drop off location for the Norwalk Food Pantry. We gladly accept all non-perishable food donations Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. STORMWATER WINTER TIPS As we have moved from fall rains to snow and ice there are still practices everyone can do to prevent excessive storm water runoff. Salt and other deicing chemicals are two of the most widely used agents during snow and ice seasons Sodium Chloride, rock salt, is the cheapest and most common de-icing product but Calcium Chloride has more benefits. Calcium Chloride does not have the chemical additives that rock salt has; it is less harmful to vegetation, and only onethird as much needed. It also works well at low temperatures (25 degrees F). Here are a few tips that everyone should practice. • Buytherightblend.Byhavingaproductthebestsuitsyourclimateconditionsandaveragelowtemps,youwilluse less of it. • Keepwalkwaysshoveledinthefirstplaceassnowquicklybecomesicewhenwalkedon. • Pre-treatwalkwaysbeforeastormhits.Youwilluselessdeicerintheend. • Mixsaltwithsand.Youwilluselesstomelticeandgainthetractionprovidedbythesand. • Storeice-meltinairtightcontainerstomaintainmaximumeffectiveness. If you must use de-icing chemicals, follow these suggestions: • • • • Controlapplicationofchemicaldeicers,alittlegoesalongway,avoidapplyingtomuch Limitchemicalapplicationsnearenvironmentallysensitiveareas,suchasdrinkingwatercells Sandcanbeusedasasubstitutetosalttoassistwithtractionondriveways Considerusingsaltsubstitutesthatarelessharmfultotheenvironmentandtoconcretewalkways,includingCalciumChlorideandCalciumMagnesiumAcetate There you have it. Some easy practices everyone can do to help reduce stormwater run-off. Please remember what goes down the storm drains end up in our drinking glass. WWW.NORWALK.IOWA.GOV 8 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com PUBLIC SAFETY 1100 Chatham Avenue NORWALK EASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 1051 North Avenue Administrative: 981-0228 515-981-0228 Non-Emergency: 222-3321 Emergency: 911 NORWALK’S LONGEST SERVING PATROL OFFICER RETIRES After 28 years of service in Norwalk, Officer Doug Metzger is ready to take off his badge and side arm and “call it a day.” Norwalk has had several longtime Police Chief’s retire from the City, but Officer Metzger earns the distinction as the longest serving Norwalk patrol officer to retire from the City. Officer Doug Metzger joined the Norwalk Police Department (NPD) in 1988 and has seen a number of changes to Norwalk during his tour. When he started, the police station was in a three-bedroom house just to the west of City Hall and the department consisted of four police officers and the Chief. Today, Norwalk has more than doubled in population, the police department moved to the Public Safety building along with the fire department and the staff has grown to 13 officers and the Chief. “As the City got bigger, it took longer and longer to drive around town,” Metzger states. “The one down side to a growing community is that you can’t drive by every house as many times as you’d like in a ten hour shift.” Even though the City has grown over his 28-year career in Norwalk, Officer Metzger says that the friendliness of the residents and the welcoming, hometown feel of the community have not changed. “When I joined the NPD and moved my family to Norwalk, I was not seen as an outsider,” said Metzger. “Not every community is like that. There is a reason my family and I have established our roots here.” Officer Metzger says that the biggest changes he has seen in the community and the department seem to be technology related. The NPD used to handwrite all of their reports and now they do nearly everything by computer. Instead of checking pawnshops, their go-to is Craigslist. Technological advancements have also made an appearance in the police cruisers. “When I started in Norwalk, the cars pretty much consisted of a radio that would allow an officer to communicate with the Norwalk and the Warren County dispatchers, a steering wheel and the toggle switch to turn the lights and sirens on,” jokes Metzger. “Fast forward 28-years and our police cruisers each have a multi-function radio system that connects us to a state-of-the-art dispatch center and to other law enforcement agencies around the metro, a computer with fully-functioning internet, a digital video recording system that covers 360 degrees outside and inside each vehicle that records in color and includes microphones. The videos seamlessly download to our servers as the cruisers pull back into the Public Safety parking lot, and each vehicle is equipped with GPS. Our dispatchers are able to see where each police vehicle is located at all times, how long they have been there and tracks where they have been. The cruisers are an officer’s mobile office and our “offices” have gotten significantly more comfortable.” The creation and use of social media has really become paramount in police work and has both positively and negatively influenced our environment. He says that since we are all attached to a computer of some sort, it is easier to post about a crime instead of calling the police to report it. “Calling the police is still the only way to report a crime,” Metzger says. “That is one thing that hasn’t changed and something that probably never will”“ While he is sad about retiring, Metzger says he is looking forward to doing something completely different. He and his wife do plan to stay in Norwalk. As he says, they are invested in this community and excited at its potential and cannot wait to see where Norwalk will be in ten years. Metzger admits the best thing about retirement will be getting to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Chief Staples noted that sometimes the decision to retire is difficult for an officer because “the job and badge tend to become your identity”. Staples and the rest of the NPD are proud to be able to wish Officer Metzger a happy retirement. “He has worked the night shifts, had difficult days and has seen his share of emotional situations. He has earned his retirement. But now it is time for him to be grandpa Metzger” Staples said. IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW Emergency – police & fire: 911 Non-Emergency – police: 222.3321 Garbage – ASI (missed collection): 964.5229 Recycling & Yard Waste – WM (missed collection): 244.7336 Snow Ordinance Activation/Deactivation- City Hall: 981.0228 option 8 Street Light Outage – MidAmerican Energy: 800.799.4443 NORWALK PARKS & REC Spring will be here just around the corner and that means it is soccer season once again. Norwalk Parks and Rec offers several divisions for your youth to have fun and play. We start as young has 4 years old and go up through 7th grade. Registration begins on Jan 25. See our brochure or website for further details. Spring also reminds us that it is time to take off those nasty winters pounds! Parks and Recreation offers a variety of choices for exercise; a step bench/interval class, yoga, circuit sensation and for those early birds folks, a body sculpting class. If you are looking for a different style of exercise, we offer a Family Taekwondo class as well. Also available are several miles of linear bicycle/pedestrian trails. They stretch from the south end of town out to the north end. The most recent addition to our bike system is the trail going through 5-Acre Park to the Lakewood Elementary. Come escape from your home and explore your options! The Fall/Winter Parks & Recreation guide is available online at www.norwalk.iowa.gov. Follow us! www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 9 FAITH Surprised by God Keep the doors of your guest house open By Pastor Travis Stanley I “Joining God’s mission to disciple all peoples for the sake of His name.” Sunday Services: 8:30 & 10:30 am Disciple City for Children: (18 months - 5th grade) Sunday Mornings, 8:30 & 10:30 am Quality childcare provided for children under 18 mo. ‘Unstoppable’ (6th-8th grade) & ‘Unshaken’(9th-12th grade): Sunday Evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm Sonshine Choir: (K-5th grade) Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 pm Family Night Wednesdays - Dinner served, 5:30 - 6:15 pm A night of fellowship & Bible Study for the whole family! Fellowship Kids: 3 yrs. - 5th Grade, Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm (Under age 3 childcare for parents attending growth group Bible studies.) www.fccnorwalk.org | (515) 981-0699 225 North Avenue, Norwalk, Iowa 50211 10 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com recently came across a poem from the 13th century called “The Guesthouse.” “This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. “Welcome and attend them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.” This 800-year-old poem, originally written in Persian, was penned by the Iranian Sufi Muslim poet Rumi. Throughout the centuries, Rumi’s words have touched many people from many faiths. Everytime I hear his words, I am surprised again at how clearly this ancient voice, from a faith different than my own, saw the world. Welcome all of life’s unexpected visitors, Rumi says. They may be clearing you out for some new delight. Or, in other words, never close yourself off, for you never know who or what will be the vehicle of your salvation. Too often we are taught to close ourselves off and fear the other. We are led to believe that those different from us, be they someone from a different race, country or religion, have nothing to teach us and are only a threat to us. But Rumi’s words invite us to a new disposition, one of welcome embrace. Treat everything and everyone as a surprise visitor; those who are like you and those who are different. The good times and the hard times in life. The gifts and the challenges — all these things can bring us grace, if we would only make room for their surprising lessons. This New Year, my prayer for you is that you will keep the doors of your guest house open. Do not let hate, prejudice or fear shut you out from who and what God has in store for you. Who knows how God might come to you this year, and who knows what lessons you may learn? Keep your heart open, and be ready for God’s surprise! After all, doesn’t God always work in surprising ways? Through outsider prophets, through uneducated fishermen, through a baby, born in Bethlehem to a scared, refugee couple, even through you and me — God always works in surprising ways. This New Year, get ready to be surprised by God and know that no matter what, you are always welcome in God’s house of love. n Information provided by Pastor Travis Stanley , Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 701 Main St., Norwalk. WHAT’S IN YOUR GARAGE? Tyler Bouwers, 3, shows off his loot in winnings in the back of the Equinox after a day at Adventureland with his mom, brother, and sister. Photo submitted. Fun with the kids Equinox has plenty of room for Bouwers’ family By Lisa Verhey-Budding R ene Bouwers says she needed a nice vehicle to safely carry around her three young children. She went on a mission in search of the perfect ride for her family and found her kid-and-cargo chariot — a 2010 Chevy Equinox — in March of 2014. “It is a model that I had been looking at for awhile. I wanted it in black, but then I saw the white one with the brown leather seats and red trim and decided to get that one,” she says. Bouwers says she and her family fit nicely in the car with extra room. This size of vehicle is great for kids who like to bring stuff along with them whenever they travel. “The kids love the fact that they can connect their phones to the car and listen to their music,” she says. Out of the many features that Bouwers has in the Equinox, there is one favorite that stands out above the rest. “I love that I can make and answer calls while I’m driving without having to touch my phone,” she says. Bouwers says she and her kids have a lot of fun traveling together and going to fun places in their car. They are a close-knit little family with a huge bond between the four of them. Every moment together is special, but there is one occasion that will be remembered as a favorite to them all. “So far, my favorite memory is when me and the kids went to the Iowa Machine Shed for breakfast, and then spent all day at Adventureland,” she says. “My older two wanted to ride the Tornado, but Tyler was too small, so he played games while we waited. He ended up winning every game he played. When we went to put all his prizes in the car, I almost couldn‘t get them all to fit. He was only 3 at the time. I was so proud of him for doing so amazingly well because most adults I know can‘t even win at the ring toss. One of the stuffed animals he won was bigger than him!” n Contact Darren at 953-4822 ext. 304 or darren@dmcityview.com to recommend someone for an upcoming issue of “What’s In Your Garage?” www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 11 CALENDAR Thursday Jan. 14 n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Norwalk MS n Wrestling: JV/V Meet, 5:30/ recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds, n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Carlisle, 6:30 p.m. @ WDM Valley but all ages are welcome. We’ll read 6/7:30 p.m. @ CHS n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Grinnell, picture books, sing songs and rhymes. n Basketball: Girls 910 vs. Carlisle, 6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Library 6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Pajama Time, 7-7:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Ames, 4 p.m. @ AHS n Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs. Newton, 6 p.m. @ Newton HS n Basketball: Boys 10th vs. Newton, 7:30 p.m. @ Newton HS n Wrestling: JV/V vs. Grinnell, 6:30/7:30 p.m. @ GHS Tuesday Jan. 19 n Trash, recycling and yard waste Friday Jan. 22 n Water Service Disconnects n Trending Topics - Do More With n Storytime, This story-time is 11 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library Less, register by calling or stopping by recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds, n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. ADM, the library. 6:30-8 p.m., Norwalk East but all ages are welcome. We’ll read 4:30 p.m. @ ADM Public Library picture books, sing songs and rhymes. n Basketball: Girls 7th vs. ADM, n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. DCG, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Library 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS n Trash, recycling and yard waste n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Grinnell, n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. DCG, pick up, 7 a.m., west side of Highway 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ GHS 7:45 p.m. @ NHS 28/Sunset Drive n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. n Novel Year Book Club, 6:30- Grinnell, 7:45 p.m. @ GHS n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. DCG, 4:30 p.m. @ DCG n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 1011 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Newton, 4:45/6:15 @ Norwalk n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Newton, 7:45 p.m. @ Norwalk Saturday Jan. 16 n Wrestling: JV/V vs. Ankeny, 10 a.m. @ AHS n Bowling: JV/V vs. Knoxville, noon, @ Val Lanes Monday Jan. 18 Community School District n Adult Craft Night, 6:30-8 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Basketball: Girls 7th vs. Bondurant-Farrar, 4:30 p.m. @ Bondurant-Farrar MS 28/Sunset Drive Norwalk Softball League Signups for n Early Out Wednesdays for K-5, 4:30 p.m. @ Oviatt Elementary Girls 2nd-6th Grade. 2:30-4 p.m., 2:30-3:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public n Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Pella, Norwalk Easter Library Library 4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS n Wrestling: Varsity Tournament, n Wrestling: Middle School Meet, 9 a.m. @ Clinton 4:30 p.m. @ Berg MS n Wrestling: JV Tournament, 9 a.m. n Basketball: Girls/Boys Varsity vs. @ Dowling Carlisle, 6/7:30 p.m. @ NHS n Bowling: JV/V vs. Oskaloosa, n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free noon, @ Val Lanes Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of Wednesday Jan. 20 Bondurant-Farrar, 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk Living Monday Jan. 25 JANUARY | 2016 n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Pajama Time, 7-7:30 p.m., pick up, 7 a.m., east side of Highway n Planning and Zoning Meeting, Norwalk Easter Public Library 28/Sunset Drive 5:45 p.m., City Hall n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. n Early Out Wednesdays for K-5, n Wrestling: Middle School Meet, Marshalltown, 4:30 p.m. @ 2:30-3:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public 4:15 p.m. @ Carlisle MS Marshalltown-Miller MS Library n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. n Basketball: Boys JV vs. DCG, Bondurant-Farrar, 4:30 p.m. @ 7 p.m. @ NHS Thursday Jan. 21 Bondurant-Farrar MS n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Waukee North, 4:30 p.m. @ Lakewood Friday Jan. 29 n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free n Basketball: Girls/Boys 9th vs. Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of DCG, 6 p.m. @ DCG n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 10- the Good Shepherd n Basketball: Boys 10th vs. DCG, 11 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City 7:30 p.m. @ DCG Tuesday Jan. 26 n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Ankeny n Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Thursday Jan. 28 the Good Shepherd n Trash, recycling and yard waste Norwalk Easter Public Library Marshalltown-Miller MS 12 pick up, 7 a.m., east side of Highway n Basketball: Girls 7th vs. Pella, n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Marshalltown, 4:30 p.m. @ n Trash, recycling and yard waste n Norwalk Softball League, Hall n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. Wednesday Jan. 27 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS n Martin Luther King, Jr. Day n No school, All day, Norwalk Saturday Jan. 23 n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Indianola, n Basketball: Boys JV vs. Indianola, 10 a.m. @ IHS 28/Sunset Drive n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 10- 8 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library Friday Jan. 15 pick up, 7 a.m., west side of Highway Centennial, 4:30 p.m. @ Northview www.iowalivingmagazines.com Saturday Jan. 30 n Norwalk Softball League, n Storytime, This story-time is Norwalk Softball League Signups for CALENDAR Girls 2nd-6th Grade. 2:30-4 p.m., n Early Out Wednesdays for K-5, Oskaloosa, 6/7:30 p.m. @ OHS Norwalk Easter Library 2:30-3:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public n Basketball: Girls 9th vs. n Basketball: Boys JV vs. Indianola, Library Oskaloosa, 6 p.m. @ Oskaloosa MS 10 a.m. @ NHS n Parks and Rec Commission n Wrestling: Varsity Conference Meeting, 6 p.m., Public Safety Building Meet, 10 a.m. @ Oskaloosa n Basketball: Girls 9/JV/V vs DM Lincoln, 1/2:30/4 p.m. @ LHS Thursday Feb. 4 Tuesday Feb. 9 n Storytime, This story-time is recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds, Monday Feb. 1 n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free but all ages are welcome. We’ll read Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of picture books, sing songs and rhymes. the Good Shepherd 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Library n Bowling: JV/V vs. DM North, n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., n Trash, recycling and yard waste 3:45 p.m. @ Val Lanes Norwalk Easter Public Library pick up, 7 a.m., west side of Highway n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Water Bill Payment Due Date 28/Sunset Drive Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS n City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. DCG, n Basketball: Girls 8th vs. Pella, Hall 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS n Wrestling: JV/V Quad, 5:30/ n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. 6:30 p.m. @ NHS Oskaloosa, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Oskaloosa n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Pella, n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. MS 6/7:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS Oskaloosa, 7:45 p.m. @ NHS n Basketball: Girls 7th vs. n Basketball: Girls 9th vs. Pella, Oskaloosa, 4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS 6:30 p.m. @ Lakewood Elementary Wrestling: JV Invite, 5:30 p.m. @ n High School Band Winter DCG Concert, 7-9 p.m., EV Cafeteria, n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Pella Norwalk Performing Arts Center Christian, 6/7:30 p.m. @ PCHS Tuesday Feb. 2 Friday Feb. 5 28/Sunset Drive n Early Out Wednesdays for K-5, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public n Storytime, This story-time is 11 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library recommended for 3- to 5-year-olds, n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Pella, but all ages are welcome. We’ll read 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ PHS picture books, sing songs and rhymes! n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Pella, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Library 7:45 p.m. @ PHS n Trash, recycling and yard waste 28/Sunset Drive n Trash, recycling and yard waste pick up, 7 a.m., east side of Highway n Before Hours: Tech @ 10, 10- pick up, 7 a.m., west side of Highway Wednesday Feb. 10 Library Thursday Feb. 11 n Al-Anon and Alateen, Free Childcare. 8 p.m., Lutheran Church of Saturday Feb. 6 n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. Pella, the Good Shepherd n Rhyme Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library 4:30 p.m. @ Norwalk MS n Bowling: JV/V vs. Pella, Noon @ n Pajama Time, 7-7:30 p.m., n Basketball: Boys 8th vs. Pella, Pella Excit-A-Bowl Norwalk Easter Public Library 4:30 p.m. @ Pella MS n Basketball: Girls JV/V vs. Pella Christian, 4:45/6:15 p.m. @ NHS n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Newton, Monday Feb. 8 n Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Pella Christian, 7:45 p.m. @ NHS n Basketball: Girls 9th vs. Newton, 6:30 p.m. @ Lakewood Elementary n Planning and Zoning Meeting, 5:45 p.m., City Hall Wednesday Feb. 3 6/7:30 p.m. @ Norwalk n Library Board of Trustees, 6:30 p.m., Norwalk Easter Public Library n Trash, recycling and yard waste n Basketball: Boys 7th vs. DCG, pick up, 7 a.m., east side of Highway 4:30 p.m. @ NorwalK MS 28/Sunset Drive n Basketball: Boys 9/10 vs. Promote your event! Have a calendar entry for the next issue of Norwalk Living? Send your information to: calendar@iowalivingmagazines.com. www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 13 HOME PLANS Carrington T extural variety melds with Craftsman styling to give the Carrington a pleasing yet unpretentious front facade. Shingles and foundation materials are slightly rough, while windows, doors, columns and railings are smooth and sleek. Fairly similar gables on the house and garage add to the visual appeal, and the full front porch has a welcoming appearance. Entering, you step into a wide foyer brightened by sidelights and a row of small windows high on the door. The right hand hallway leads to the den and dining room. Decorative columns on the left mark the wide passageway into a living room with a fireplace flanked by Craftsman windows. Another walkway, at the rear of the room, leads to the owners’ suite, stairs and kitchen with a large work island at center and an open link to the dining room. The eating bar that rims one edge is handy for meals on the run, homework supervision and keeping folks who just want to chat out from underfoot. Lazy Susan shelving makes the corner shelves entirely accessible, and a walk-in pantry is just around the corner. Laundry appliances, too, are mere steps away in a large pass-through room that connects to the garage. The utility room can also serve as a mudroom. A huge walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom expand the Carrington’s owners’ suite. Upper bedrooms share a two-section bathroom, and a loft that could be outfitted as a study area or hobby space. A large bonus room, plus plenty of attic storage space, is over the garage. Associated Designs is the original source for the Carrington 30-360. For more information or to view other designs, visit www.AssociatedDesigns.com or call 800-634-0123. n 14 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com EDUCATION Meet Dawn Schiro District has passion for helping students thrive By Morgan Leu Parkhurst W hen Dawn Schiro and her husband wanted to move to the greater Des Moines area, she started searching for career opportunities. “Norwalk caught my eye as a place I felt would be a good fit for me,” she says. Now in her third year, Schiro has the fortunate opportunity to work with administrators, teachers and students to enhance the learning experience in the district. “I lead administrators and teachers to ensure that all children receive high quality education in all content areas,” she says. A particular passion for Schiro is literacy, but she also wants to enhance the role of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in the classroom. “We are currently examining new resources for our math program and implementing a new science program focused on STEM,” she says. Of the five districts in which she has worked throughout her career, Schiro says the Norwalk school district stands out because of “the passion and devotion” of staff members. “This is one of the only districts that I have been in that you can see a parking lot full of cars on a Sunday afternoon,” she says. She also describes staff within the district as being “collaborative,” and says this mindset sets the district apart from others. “Teachers and leaders will do whatever it takes to make sure learning is taking place,” she says. Outside encouragement is also important. “The support from parents and the community is phenomenal,” she says. Although Schiro works at the T E ’ N T H E! ! DOSS LIN AY I D M EAD TO D ALL C ACCOUNTING & TAX SOLUTIONS Ricardo J. Alverio, CPA 1017 MAIN ST., STE. 2 Dawn Schiro is the elementary director of teaching and learning in the Norwalk School District. Photo by Morgan Leu Parkhurst. district level, she is frequently found in classrooms. “I love working with teachers and children,” she says. “I spend time in classrooms to make sure I am grounded in the real reason we are all here.” In the classroom, Schiro is frequently working alongside elementary educators, co-teaching lessons. “I work in classrooms with our teachers and work with them modeling lessons to students and supporting their efforts,” she says. She also works with teacher leaders who often work with new teachers. These teacher leader roles are made possible through the Teacher Leadership and Compensation grant. “We would not be able to accomplish our goals as well as we have if it wasn’t for the work of our teacher leaders,” she says. Ultimately, Schiro strives to find ways for everyone to enjoy learning as students discover their potential. “I never want to lose sight of the impact we can make in our students’ lives,” she says. n 515.981.5222 Se Habla Español What’s In Your Garage? To suggest a garage, call Darren Tromblay at 953-4822, ext 304 or email darren@dmcityview.com www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 15 LEGAL BRIEFS Real estate and septic system requirements System must be inspected before property can be sold By Adam Doll W hat better way to start 2016 than with information about septic systems? Excited? Here we go. Inadequate septic systems can discharge extremely high levels of bacteria into the ground, which can make its way to streams and rivers. This poses a problem for us as bacteria can lead to sickness and disease. The Iowa legislature addressed this issue by passing the “time of transfer” law, which became effective July 1, 2009, to identify inadequate systems and get non-performing systems upgraded or replaced. Now, if a piece of property has a septic system, the septic system must be inspected before the property can be sold. Inadequate septic systems must be upgraded to current code or replaced prior to the sale. It is important that both buyers and sellers of real estate know about this septic system requirement when purchasing properties that are served by septic systems. Septic systems can be very costly to replace, repair and upgrade, so it is imperative for all parties to understand this inspection law prior to entering into any sales of property. “Certified time of transfer inspectors” inspect the septic system in question. The inspection itself is not cost prohibitive, but failing to discuss the septic system prior to entering into a purchase agreement can be an expensive proposition if it is later determined the system needs replaced. The inspector either will “pass” the system or detail what upgrades need to be performed prior to the sale. There are certain exceptions to this inspection requirement on transfers including, but not limited to, administration of an estate or trust, deeds incident to a divorce, transfers between family members and foreclosures. Inadequate septic systems can hold up the sale of a property. However, a real estate sale can still close if there is a “binding acknowledgement” signed between buyer of a property and the county board of health, stating that the septic system will be inspected at a later date and updated to current code, if necessary. This binding acknowledgment is often used in the colder months when weather has caused a delay in inspection. In any sale of a property that is served by a septic system, the language in the purchase agreement should be clear as to which party has the liability to make any upgrades or replace the septic system, if necessary. Discussing these issues prior to entering into an agreement for sale is imperative to avoid any disputes that may arise later. n Information provided by Adam Doll, attorney at law, Hopkins & Huebner P.C., 2700 Grand Ave., Suite 111, Des Moines. SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NORWALK A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM WITH OFFICES IN DES MOINES, ADEL AND THE QUAD CITIES KARLA J. FULTZ BRENT HINDERS NICK PLATT PAT VINT 2700 Grand Avenue, Suite 111 Des Moines, Iowa 50312 1009 Main Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515.244.0111 | 1.800.383.0111 www.hhlawpc.com 16 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com INSURANCE General insurance tips Buy a policy with little or no stress By Mike Lane I nsurance need not be a frustrating experience. With the right advice and the right knowledge, you can buy a policy with little to no stress. This article will help you with the process. Seek an agent who represents multiple companies so he or she can shop your insurance with a number of companies. You can often get discounts when bundling multiple lines of insurance with the same company. If you change your car insurer to chase a small savings, that savings may be nullified by the increase in your homeowner’s insurance rates. Before you go into business, make sure every aspect of the business is covered. Most policies cover you for a wide range of risks, but if you have employees you will need to have workers comp coverage. Another important coverage is business interruption. If the business location suffers a large loss such as a fire, business interruption pays you a specified amount of reimbursement while you are rebuilding the property. Can your business survive six months with no income coming in? This will help your business stay afloat during that period. Whenever you file an insurance claim, keep notes and documentation of the entire process. This will help to ensure the claim will be processed efficiently and smoothly. Have the adjuster’s name and phone number written down, along with details of an injury you have suffered. This will help you settle the claim quicker as you are able to show the documentation. If you can avoid filing small claims, you should do so. It is probably cheaper to cover small expenses yourself, as making a number of small claims may cause your rates to rise. There are also many insurers we represent that offer very large discounts to clients that have not filed a claim in three years. Lane Insurance is a locally owned independent agency founded in 1969. We represent many insur- ance companies to shop the market for the best rate. That is a very important aspect of our business. Some insurance companies represent just one company, so if the rate goes up they have no other option for you. Lane Insurance works for you and not the insurance companies, so we are constantly checking the rates with other companies to make sure we are offering you the best price. Some of the companies that we represent are Allied, EMC, IMT, Progressive, Met Life, Auto Owners, Safeco, and State Auto. Please call us for a free, no obligation quote at 981-4614. n Information provided by Mike Lane, Lane Insurance Agency Inc., 1225 Sunset Drive, 981-4614. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Get a FREE QUOTE at: 981-4614 or www.laneinsurance.com Mike Lane www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 17 HEALTH Q: I’m 44 and starting to have problems seeing fine print. What’s causing this? Dr. Jonathan Anderson Dr. Michael O’Meara Dr. Craig Winjum ON-SITE SURGICAL CONSULTATION with (Indianola office) OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATES OF WARREN COUNTY, P.C. SINCE 1965 CARLISLE 515.989.0889 • 55 SCHOOL STREET INDIANOLA 515.961.5305 • 225 W. ASHLAND NORWALK 515.981.0224 • 1228 SUNSET DR. #A A: One of the most likely reasons is a condition called presbyopia. What happens is that the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus clearly on near objects. This natural process happens slowly over many years but usually does not become noticeable until a person reaches his or her early to mid40s. Other symptoms may include a tendency to hold printed material farther away and eye fatigue with close work. To compensate for presbyopia, your optometrist may prescribe reading glasses, multifocal lenses or contact lenses. Because the effects of presbyopia continue to progress up until the mid-50s, periodic changes in your prescription will most likely be needed to maintain clear and comfortable vision. n Information provided by Dr. Michael O’Meara, Optometric Associates of Warren County, P.C., 1228 Sunset Drive, Suite A, Norwalk, 981-0224 Have You Been Injured? Q: Have you been injured? Chiropractic can help with sprains & strains, slips & falls, auto accidents & sports injuries! Chiropractic can treat common conditions such as: • Low back pain • Neck pain • Headaches • Sciatica • Tingling • Numbness FREE CONSULTATION & EVALUTION Dr. Jesse Stumbaugh WA OR L K N Expires in 30 days 1228 Sunset Drive, Suite B • Norwalk 18 Official chiropractor to the O P R AC Norwalk Living 515.981.1155 Fax www.norwalk-chiropractic.com T CH IR IC 515.981.9208 Office JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com A: Driving is something that many people take for granted simply because they have done it for a long time. But the reality is that roughly one in four drivers is involved in an auto accident during the span of five years. Because your body is likely to be flooded with a surge of adrenaline after an accident you may be unable to fully process your circumstances and surroundings, causing you to make irrational judgments. Many people who are not seriously injured after the accident believe that they are “OK,” but as weeks and months pass by the body heals incorrectly, resulting in permanent injuries. Typically a number of symptoms tend to progress into neck pain, headaches, tingling and numbness in the hands, low back pain and/or pain radiating down the leg, to name a few. Because these symptoms can progress gradually, patients often fail to connect them to the accident they had. Fortunately, most people involved in an accident have medical payment coverage of $1,000 to $5,000 tied to their auto insurance. The med pay acts as a form of health insurance to help pay for your treatment, and does not affect your insurance rates if you use it. In the Woodward study, 93 percent of patients studied with chronic whiplash injury were found to have a statistically significant improvement following chiropractic care. No conventional medical treatment has been shown to be effective in these established whiplash injuries. Please call Norwalk Chiropractic today 515-981-9208 to schedule your consultation. n Information provided by Dr. Jesse Stumbaugh, Norwalk Chiropractic, 1228 Sunset, Suite B, 981-9208, www.norwalk-chiropractic.com. HEALTH Q: What are sealants? A: Sealants are a liquid coating a dentist applies to protect the pits and fissures of teeth. Back teeth, in particular, have pits and fissures because those teeth are designed for crushing and chewing food. The uneven terrain of those teeth is particularly vulnerable to the development of cavities. The good news, though, is that if cavities have not developed by the time a person is in his or her early 20s, it’s not likely they will. So it’s for the younger person that sealants can be useful. The procedure is perfectly painless — no needles and no drilling. The dentist will surround the tooth he or she is working on with cotton balls and dry the tooth. The dentist will then apply a dilute acid liquid or gel that is used to etch slightly into the enamel. Over the etched area the dentist will apply a liquid plastic that will seep into the etched surface, attach to the enamel and harden. Some sealants harden by themselves in less than a minute. Others harden after being exposed to ultra-violet light for a few seconds. The resulting seal prevents bacteria from getting into the protected pit or fissure. Talk with your dentist about whether you or your children might be candidates for sealants. n Happy New Year! from all of us at Norwalk Family Dentistry! cosmetic dentistry n TMD n implants sleep apnea n family dentistry 256.9000 Donna Grant, DDS n Maureen Winslow, DDS www.norwalkfamilydentistry.com Information provided by Norwalk Family Dentistry, 1101 Chatham Ave., 256-9000. 1101 Chatham Avenue n Norwalk Q: How can I help an elderly loved one or neighbor this winter? A: Concern for an elderly loved one or neighbor during the harsh winter months can be stressful. Below are some suggestions to help ensure their safety and your peace of mind. • Be sure and stock emergency resources, including water, batteries, radio, flashlight and blankets. They should also have a seven day supply of their medications and a three day supply of water and nonperishable food. • Make sure their home is properly insulated and windows caulked to prevent drafts. Thermostats should be set no lower than 68. • Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order. • Eliminate fall risks by creating slip-proof paths for them around the house both inside and outside. • If your loved one is still driving, make sure he or she has emergency snow supplies including heating packs, cat litter or sand, snow scrapers/brushes, water, blankets and a phone charger. • Make sure they know how to use their cell phone and have all your numbers programmed into it, including the power company in case of a power outage. • Always have an emergency winter plan in place. n Information provided by Cristin Larson, director of admissions/marketing, Norwalk Nursing and Rehab, 921 Sunset Drive, 975-5908. Specializing in Short Term Rehabilitation and Long Term Care. Our goal is to return our clientele to optimal independence. • • Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy • • Speech Therapy Leisure Activities Norwalk is proud to be rated a 5 Star Quality Facility by Medicare.gov Contact us, or stop by for a tour today! Phone: 515-981-0604 921 Sunset Dr •Norwalk, Iowa 50211 www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 19 RECIPE Comfort food Hearty, delicious results with little effort By Marchelle Walter Brown A s we enter into the new year, most of us are exhausted and trying to bounce back from all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. However, there still is a need to keep the household going and put food on the table. These chicken and noodles have become a family favorite and quickly became a “cook’s choice” meal at our house. They’re hearty and warming, they’re delicious, and they’re easy — so easy that sometimes I feel like I’m cheating because I didn’t start with a whole chicken. This is comfort food at its best. This is also a great go-to recipe when you need something for a fall and winter potluck gathering. n 20 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 Slow cooker chicken and noodles Ingredients 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 cans cream of chicken soup 4 cans (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth 3/4 stick of butter 1 teaspoon black pepper 16 ounces of your favorite egg noodles (homemade or pre-packaged) www.iowalivingmagazines.com Directions 1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. If they are extremely thick, you can use two and cut them in half. 2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the noodles, stir to mix and cook on low for about 6 hours. 3. Stir in the noodles and cook an additional hour. You can easily adjust the amount of broth and/or noodles toward the end of the cooking time depending on your preference of consistency. BEFORE YOU GO Children and funerals Deciding whether to allow your child to attend By Eric O’Leary T here are no hard and fast rules about whether or not children should attend a funeral. Children grieve, just adults do. It’s usually best not to keep the death a secret. Children need information and need to understand so they, too, can work through their grief. It’s a good idea to prepare the child ahead of time so they know what to expect Allowing children to ask questions is a good way to start. Answer the questions simply and directly. Help your children find a way to say goodbye. Some simple ideas include allowing them to write a letter or create a poem that can be read at the funeral and/ or placed in the casket. •Let children partici- pate. Perhaps the child can visit the funeral home prior to the body being present or prior to the visitation and/or funeral. Children can help pick out flowers, choose a casket or urn or help choose photos to display. Your local funeral home may also offer grief support and education for children. •Leave it up to the child It is important that children have the option to attend or not. When family life is disrupted due to a death, a child may feel abandoned or resentful if he or she is not allowed to attend. If a child doesn’t want to attend, let him or her know he or she is welcome, but don’t push. •Allow the child to ask questions. It’s best to answer simply and directly. Explain why we have a funeral, who will be there, how long will it last and what will happen while he or she is there. •Assign a family member or friend to stay with your child. Assigning someone else to stay with your child will assure he or she is taken care of and his or her needs will be met. If the child becomes restless or needs to leave, you already have a plan in place to get him or her home. •Let children know what emotions they may see or feel. Children will see adults crying, and that’s OK. Others may be sharing stories and laughing, and that’s OK. While some adults believe that they need to be strong Eric O’Leary in front of their children, the reality is that kids seeing these emotions may be a good thing. If they know you are sad, it may make it easier for them to talk about their sadness. It’s equally important to let children know that people will be sharing stories and memories, and they may be laughing. Explain why different adults may say different things, and reinforce what you want them to remember. n Information provided by Eric O’Leary and Jeanne Yordi, O’Leary Funeral & Cremation Services ~ Celebration of Life Center, 1020 Main St., Norwalk, www.olearyfunerals.com, 981-0700. Jeanne A. Yordi Owner & Director Family Service Advisor Over 20 Years of Professional Experience Serving Norwalk & Surrounding Communities Funeral Home • Community Room • Pre-Arrangements • Flowers 1020 Main Street, Norwalk - www.olearyfunerals.com - 515.981.0700 www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 21 LIBRARY NEWS How does your website rank? FREE Website & SEO analysis report See how your website compares & ranks with others You can have the best looking website in the world, but if no one can find you when they do a search, it is costing your company money in lost opportunities! Big Green DIgital Services offers a suite of search engine optimization (SEO) services to local businesses. We offer a FREE WEBSITE ANAYLYSIS that will test your websites for SEO, social media, keyword performance and more. 1) SEO: Your potential customers use search engines 2) 3) 4) like Google to find goods and services. If you aren’t ranking high on the searches, we can help. MOBILE: Is your website mobile? If your viewers still need to pinch and expand to view your website, it is time for an update. SOCIAL MEDIA: Are your social media programs usually creating content that attracts attention and encourages readers to share it with their social networks? WEB DESIGN: Does your website give a good first impression? If your website hasn’t had a facelift in the last 24 months, it is probably time for an update. We can help improve your website rankings with the search engines. Call Shane Goodman today at 515-953-4822 x305 or shane@dmcityview.com for your FREE WEBSITE REVIEW & ANALYSIS www.BigGreenDigital.com 22 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com Online resources Norwalk Easter Library has much to offer By Norwalk Easter Library staff H ave you ever found it difficult to make it to the library, but still needed some help with a question, want to study for an upcoming GRE test or simply check out a magazine to browse? Great news! Norwalk Library has a variety of resources available through our website 24 hours a day for seven days a week. Below we have described a few of these resources, and if you would like help learning more about them, please do not hesitate to attend one of our Friday Tech @ 10 a.m. sessions or set up a 1:1 appointment with library staff. There are a variety of other resources available on our library webpage. Norwalk Easter Library 1051 North Ave. 981-0217 Hours: Mon. - Thur.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 1-4 p.m. Learning Express Provided by the State of Iowa as part of the Work Force Development trainings, the Learning Express database provides unlimited access to interactive skill building courses in math, reading, and writing as well as a broad range of practice tests based on official exams such as the ACT, GRE, GED, ASVAB Core, and EMT Basic. This valuable service is available from any Internet-enabled computer — in your library and even from your home. Zinio Digital Library Central Iowa MagNet consortium provides digital magazines for library Norwalk Easter Public Library users. We subscribe to magazines and you can then check out complete, multiaccess magazines with no holds, checkout periods, or maximum quantities. Bridges Digital Library Previously known as Wilbor, Bridges is Iowa’s eLibrary offering access to more than 16,500 eBooks and 7,500 audiobooks to download for free anytime, anywhere. Library card holders can check out and download digital media by visiting http://bridges.lib.overdrive.com. Many titles offer multiple copies for checkout, and users can request to be emailed or automatically check out items when they become available. Digital content is borrowed for a set period of time and titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period — there are no late fees. n OUT AND ABOUT Dave Albrecht and Chad Stevens at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10. John Sheldahl, Nicole Smith and Tim Mineart at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10. Philip Herman and Kate Baldwin at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10. Eric O’Leary and Denny Wulf at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10. Joe Albrecht and Brendan Comito at the Chamber Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 10. Brenda Easter and Barbara Rasko at the Regional Luncheon on Dec. 16. Scott James and Ruth Randleman at the Regional Luncheon on Dec. 16. Tom Phillips and Marketa Oliver at the Regional Luncheon on Dec. 16. Makenna Brenizer and Abgele Brenizer at the Norwalk Easter Library on Dec. 16. Adalyn Kuhns and Breanna Ramsvig at the Norwalk Easter Library on Dec. 16. Brittany Ramsvig and Nichole Ramsvig at the Norwalk Easter Library on Dec. 16. www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 23 CHAMBER NEWS N o r w a lk A r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r ceA year of growth w is h e s e v e r y o n ea and changes Chamber’s annual banquet set for Jan. 29 By Deb Mineart T he past year was a great one for me personally as I did two things that I have never done in my life before — completed one day of RAGBRAI and ziplined in Branson, Missouri. I felt a great deal of accomplishment overcoming my doubts of being able to do something new and surviving. In Norwalk, growth and change has again occurred with Dr. Denny Wulf and other prominent school staff retiring, Scott Havens retiring, Bryan Greiner moving on to another level within Fareway, changes at the city level with new staff and council members and so forth. The new year looks to be another time of growth and changes, and I am very excited to see what our community will look like at the end of 2016. Right now I can only imagine what Highway 28 is going to look like on the east side from Chatham on up to Wakonda or what perhaps the Northshore of Lake Colchester might look like; and also the possibility to see a “Welcome to Norwalk” sign at the north entrance of the community. The city has experienced a huge increase in new homes, which will lead to changes/growth to our school community as well. The legislature is in session so if you are so inclined, perhaps talk to your representative about school funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Norwalk most likely will need another elementary school down the road and will need some funding sources to help in their growth in educating your children. I would like to take this time to welcome our newest Chamber member, DM Metro Electric. It is located in the old St. John’s church hall in Cumming, and we will be holding a ribbon cutting within the next few weeks. Join me in welcoming Jon and Stacy Henrichsen to the Chamber and community. On Jan. 29 the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce will be recognizing our banquet honorees, and the public is invited to attend. Winners for the 23rd Chamber annual banquet are Business of the Year Scott’s Foods, Chamber member of the Year Sarah Dreier, Citizen of the Year Dr. Denny Wulf, Teacher of the Year Shelly Vroegh and Student of the Year Collin Kilgore. Our guest speaker is Larry Cotlar, radio talk show host and author of “The Biggest Rolodex in Sports.” Reservations are $40 each or a table of eight for $310 and should be ordered no later than Friday, Jan. 22 by contacting the Chamber at 9810619 or sending an email to norwalkchamber@msn.com. The banquet will be held at Echo Valley Country Club and starts at 6 p.m. Congratulations to our winners. Happy New Year! Remember to Shop Local, Shop Norwalk. n W eI n v it eY o u t o J o in t h eC h a m b e r in Information provided by Deb Mineart, executive director, Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, 981-0619. 24 Norwalk Living JANUARY | 2016 www.iowalivingmagazines.com OUT AND ABOUT Happy holidays The Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce held its holiday luncheon on Dec. 10. Mark Miller and Joe Nguyen Fabiola Lossner and Jon Niemeyer Deb Mineart and Carl Sells Sarah Derier and Cristin Larsen Dean Yordi and Terry Pauling Holly Albrecht, Tanya Apana and Jan Sparks Charlie Ochanpaugh and Nathaniel Tagtow Rob and Lisa Jones Haylee Gahringer and Bryce Block Nate Liedtke and Travis Stanley John Ludwig and Greg Staples www.iowalivingmagazines.com JANUARY | 2016 Norwalk Living 25 CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE FRUIT TREES LOW AS $18. Blueberry, Grape, Strawberry, Asparagus, Evergreen & Hardwood Plants. FREE catalog. WOODSTOCK NURSERY, N1831 Hwy 95, Nellsville, WI 54456. 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