Newsletter for January 27, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"If there is anything we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves."
Carl G. Jung
HELP Center Announcements
Staffing Updates
Please note that Jerri Clark Wagner is out on leave through Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Throughout the month of February, Jerri will only be in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays. She will not be in the office 2/11-2/13.
Save the Dates:
Upcoming Career Fairs
Environmental Internship & Career Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2:00pm-6:00pm
North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center
**Fields/Majors Represented:***
Bio-Products and Biosystems Engineering, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Design, Environmental Education, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Sciences Policy and Management, Fisheries and Wildlife, Forestry, Horticulture, Recreation Resource Management, Soil Science, Water Resources
To see a list of employers attending go to GoldPASS http://goldpass.umn.edu and click on the "Career Events" menu. Start preparing for the career fair by viewing our online Job Fair Success workshop at http://umconnect.umn.edu/jobfairsuccess/
Questions? Contact the St. Paul Campus Career Center at 612-624-2710.
http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/envjobfair/
Transportation Career Expo
Thursday, February 5, 2009
4:30-7:15 pm
President's Room, Coffman Union
The Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) is sponsoring a free transportation career expo, open to undergraduate and graduate students, employers, and representatives of professional organizations. The expo offers the opportunity to learn about transportation career options, career preparation strategies, networking opportunities, and job openings. Students are advised to bring their resumes for feedback. Register online or download the brochure and registration form. For more information, call 612-625-5608 or e-mail haag0025@umn.edu.
Monday, February 9, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center
Come to the biggest student career fair in Minnesota! More than 250 organizations will be there recruiting for hundreds of jobs and internships. The Job and Internship Fair is free and open to all U of M undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni. This event was created just for you! Visit http://www.cclc.umn.edu/umjobfair/index.html for more information.
Check out this website for other upcoming Career Events: http://www.career.umn.edu/campusevents.htm
Tentative Date for Student Parent Visibility Day
April 21, 2009
More information to come.
PASS Group (Parenting as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 in Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other student parents, discuss the challenges and joys surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!). See below for upcoming group topics.
January 28 , 2008: Welcome back! This will be our first group of the semester, and we will take the time to catch up from winter break as well as to discuss our New Year's Resolutions and hopes, goals, and fears for the coming semester and year. We will have Chili with all of the fixings for lunch.
February 4, 2009: This week we will be sharing frugal tips, tricks, and resources for surviving the economic recession. Tax preparation information and resources will also be discussed. Lunch will be Corn Chowder and homemade bread.
February 11, 2009: Deb Wilkin will be joining us from financial aid to discuss the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to answer all of your aid-related questions! Please come prepared to make the most of Deb's time and expertise. We will be serving Crock-Pot Enchiladas with accompaniments for lunch.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered student parents' priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to you after the group meets.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner
or Melanie Opay at sphc@umn.edu.
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their web site under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address: warfi002@umn.edu.
We will also have applications available at the HELP Center and you can attend a meeting and sign up then as well. Meetings are held each Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM in the Student Parent HELP Center. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their web site to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Economic Recession Survival Guide, Part II
Homemade Cleaning Products
3 Homemade Natural Cleaning Products
http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/environment/a/alternateclean.htm
Magically, using lemons, vinegar, and baking soda as natural cleaning products can keep your home clean and smelling fresh, without stretching an already thin household budget. Here are a few basic household ingredients and items you can use to clean your home.
Vinegar
Vinegar naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…
- Bathroom - Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
- Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
- Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.
My favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Try these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.
75 Extraordinary Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is a chemical compound that appears as a fine powder. It releases bubbles of carbon dioxide when it interacts with an acid and a liquid. It’s most commonly used in baking, where it acts as a leavening agent. The following are 75 other uses for baking soda aside from making muffins soft and fluffy.
Health Uses
1. Use it as an antacid.
2. Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.
3. Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide paste and use it as toothpaste.
4. There are many teeth whitening products on the market today, but the most natural is plain old baking soda. Simply dip your toothbrush into some soda every time you brush! Not only will it help whiten your teeth, but it will help to clean your breath as well!
5. Use it as a face and body scrub. One part baking soda mixed with two parts of ground oatmeal makes a great scrub for your face. Just mix together the two ingredients and add enough water to make a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave the facial on for a few minutes. Then, gently remove it with plenty of cool water and a wash cloth. Your face will feel noticeably soft and smooth!
6. Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin.
7. Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn. Apply it on rashes and poison ivy irritations.
8. Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.
9. Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.
10. Take a baking soda bath to relieve skin irritations.
11. Heartburn? Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.
12. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.
13. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.
14. Use it to relieve bee stings.
15. Use it to relieve windburns.
16. Apply it on jellyfish sting to draw out the venom.
17. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.
18. Is your hair dull and dingy? Maybe you have a buildup of shampoo, spray, mousse, and other products in your hair. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in with your shampoo the next time you wash your hair. The soda will remove any build up and leave your hair soft.
In the Home
19. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
20. Put out small fires in the kitchen, garage, on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.
22. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.
23. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor. Fill a pair of old socks with baking soda. Tie a knot in the top of each sock. Then, place the socks in a pair of shoes or slippers that you want to deodorize and freshen up!
24. Turn baking soda into modeling clay by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.
25. After feeding your baby, wipe his shirt with a moist cloth sprinkled with baking soda to remove the odor.
26. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.
27. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.
28. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.
29. Freshen the air by mixing baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.
30. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants. Keep them out by mixing up equal parts of baking soda and salt together. Then, sprinkle the mixture wherever you see the intruders coming in at.
31. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.
32. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.
33. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to help absorb the ammonia smell.
34. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.
35. Do you need to fill in some nail holes in a plastered wall? If you don't have any spackling handy, you can simply mix together some white toothpaste and baking soda. Fill the holes in completely, then allow the mixture to dry. If you want to match the wall color, add a drop or two of food coloring to the mix before you use it.
In Cooking
36. Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.
37. You don't need a store-bought cleaner to remove dirt and insecticides from your fresh produce either. Just mix a quarter of a cup of baking soda in a sink full of water. Wash your fruits and vegetables in the solution, then rinse with clean water.
38. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.
39. Make a sports drink by mixing it with boiled water, salt, and Kool-Aid.
40. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.
41. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.
42. Reduce the acid content of your tomato-based recipes by sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.
Cleaning Purposes
43. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.
44. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs
45. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.
46. Remove grease from pots and pans.
47. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.
48. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by pouring in a half cup of baking soda to every washer load of laundry. You can also use baking soda with bleach too. Your laundry will look brighter and smell fresher!
49. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome. It rinses off easily and you don't have to worry about scratches either.
50. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.
51. Clean your shoes with it.
52. Clean garbage cans with it.
53. Use it to wash diapers.
54. Clean the fridge with it. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge and clean the inside of the appliance as you normally would. Rinse clean, and see and smell the difference!
55. Hairbrushes and combs pick up not only loose hair, but they also get oily. Clean yours once a month by soaking them in a solution of warm water and a teaspoon or two of baking soda.
56. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.
57. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.
58. Are there light water rings on your finished wood nightstand? Mix together a paste of baking soda and toothpaste. Dip a soft cloth in the paste and rub the water spots away!
59. Absorb it with a damp sponge, then clean Formica countertops with the sponge.
60. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.
61. Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.
62. Combine with hot water to clean baby bottles.
63. Sprinkle it on barbecue grills, then rinse it off.
64. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.
65. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing. A pan with burnt food in it can be cleaned with less effort if you soak it in baking soda and hot water first.
66. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water. To open up a partially clogged drain, pour a half cup of baking soda into it. Follow this with a cup of vinegar. Allow the solution to bubble for several minutes, then run hot water down the drain.
67. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.
68. Put it on a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
69. Use it to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp rug, then use the rug to clean the toaster.
70. Use it to clean your retainers and dentures.
71. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub enameled cast iron and stainless steel.
72. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water and use a sponge to spread the paste over the inside of your oven. (Make sure that you don't touch the element if your stove is electric!) Allow the paste to set undisturbed for several hours. Then, scrub your oven clean!
For Vehicles
73. A paste made up of baking soda and water will clean and polish the chrome on your vehicles!
74. Baking soda works better than one of those hanging pine trees in your vehicles. If your vehicle smells musty or smoky, fill up the ashtrays with baking soda. The soda will absorb the odors and effectively freshen the interior.
75. Corroded battery terminals can make your car, truck, van, or SUV refuse to start. Eliminate this problem by periodically cleaning the terminals with a paste made of baking soda and water. Wipe the paste and grunge off with a clean rag.
The most amazing thing about baking soda is that it’s very cheap. You can do all these things for a very small cost. Baking soda is truly a miracle product, whether it’s used for baking or not.
Homemade Cleaning Supplies On The Cheap
As spring approaches and the weather slowly begins to turn warmer in the northern hemisphere, many people get an itch to clean up their homes after the long winter slumber. The problem is that if you visit a department store and look for cleaning supplies, you’re often inundated with a huge array of options, many of which are ridiculously expensive. Instead of buying $30 worth of cleaning supplies, spend substantially less instead. Here’s your shopping list:
Baking soda (get a big box)
Washing soda (look in the laundry section, near the laundry detergents)
White vinegar (distilled is better)
Liquid dishwashing soap (get your preferred kind)
Tea tree oil (we find this in various places; try asking in a pharmacy)
2 glass jars (only if you want to make a batch and store it)
6 spray bottles (again, only if you want to store it, though it’s good to have a couple for applying window spray and such)
Some rags and sponges
That’s all you’ll need to make any kind of cleaner you can imagine to clean your house. The only thing that’s even remotely expensive is the tea tree oil, and a jar of it will be enough for a very long time. The best part? These things are all nontoxic, so if a child were to dip his hand in something, it wouldn’t harm him. Here are some recipes for specific cleaning situations:
Soft Scrub: Put a bit of baking soda in a bowl (try 1/8 of a cup for starters), then just enough liquid detergent so that it’s like frosting when you mix it. Then, cover a sponge with it and use it to wash the surface. This is really good for washing bathtubs and any tile you might have. It also works as an oven cleaner, though we would recommend wetting it down a bit with water first, rubbing a layer of the mixture all over the inside of the oven, then letting it sit overnight before you scrub it all off.
Windex: Take one of those spray bottles and in it mix half a teaspoon of the liquid soap, three tablespoons of vinegar, and two cups of water. Shake it up, then spray it on your windows and wipe it off.
Pledge: Mix half a teaspoon of the tea tree oil and a quarter of a cup of vinegar together - this will make any furniture you may want to polish actually gleam!
Glade: You won’t need Glade any more if you regularly spray odor producing spots (like the kitchen sink, the cutting board, and the trash) with a mist of vinegar just before bed.
Tilex: Mix two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water in a spray bottle, shake it up, and spray it on anything that has mold or mildew on it. Don’t rinse it, just leave it. It will smell strongly at first, but the smell will dissipate, as will the mold and mildew.
Spray Cleaner: Take a spray bottle and in it put half of a teaspoon of washing soda, a squirt of the liquid detergent, and two cups of hot water. This will work great as a general cleaner (the walls, doorknobs, and so forth). I used to use Windex as a general spray cleaner, but this works far better.
With these tools at your disposal, you don’t need to drop any Hamiltons on cleaning supplies; just get the basic ingredients themselves. We especially recommend going this route if you have a toddler who will want to “help” out with the cleaning, as these are all non-toxic - but they all clean quite well.
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Courtesy of http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!
First Some Tips:
For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles. Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy. Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs. You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use. Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.
Recipe #1
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Recipe #2
Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar
Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Recipe #3
Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)
In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Recipe #4
2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated - you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
Recipe #5
Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap - grated
1 cup Washing Soda
In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
Set aside to cool.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)
Recipe #6
2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin
Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
Use 1/2 cup per full load.
Recipe #7
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 - 2.5 gallons hot water
Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
Use 1 cup per full load.
Recipe #8
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent - Recipe #9
12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.
Recipe #10 - (Powdered)
1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
Mix well and store in sealed container.
I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.
Liquid Detergents Note
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).
Optional
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil
***Visit www.tipnut.com for more great recipes, including homemade dishwasher detergent and homemade handsoap
Shopping Tips
Ever wonder when is the best time to find great deals on items like school supplies, clothing and electronics? As a rule of thumb shopping after the height of any given season will save you cash. Use this schedule to determine when the best time to get great deals is:
January/February: Shop for winter clothes (including coats and shoes), bicycles, baking items, meats (turkey, ham)
March: Shop for ski equipment
April/May: Shop for televisions, appliances, dairy products
June/July: Shop for air conditioners, furniture, fresh fish
August/September: Shop for bathing suits, pools
October/November: Shop for school supplies
December: Shop for holiday cards, decorations and toys on December 26 and after
**A special note about grocery shopping**
Grocery items tend to be on sale when stores are overstocked. Using this bit of knowledge, shop for artichokes in March when they are ripe, buy turkey after the holidays, and dairy products in June and July when the grass is green and lush and production is up. March is National Frozen Food Month, so look for great sales then.
Car Repair & Purchase Services
Hennepin County
Community Emergency Assistance Program:
Offers low interest loans for car buying:
Ways to Work, # 763.566.9600
PRISM or “Ways to Work/Wheels for Families" Program
# 763.529.1350.
Episcopal Community Services’ Ways to Work program
To learn more about the Ways to Work Family Loan Program or to apply, please contact Larainea Bazinet at 612-813-5600 x22 or e-mail questions to lbazinet@ecsmn.org
http://www.ecsmn.org/family_main.html
Process on “Ways to Work” Qualifications:
- Must be a parent
- 3 months employment prior to the loan (for at least 20 hrs/week)
Checklist of what will happen first:
- There will be a pre-screening and you’ll receive mail or e-mail for the application
- Budget & credit report history will be covered
- Then the volunteer committee will review the application and see if the candidate can afford to pay back the loan that Ways to Work will offer, depending on meeting all of those criteria
- Will be given the “car handbook” from the Attorney General’s office
If the candidate gets the loan and is approved for the program:
- They will receive an interest free loan for up to $4000 to buy a car.
- The candidate will have to pay up to 5% of the loan as a loan service fee (roughly $200 on a $4000 car loan).
- The Ways to Work folks will help the candidate find the car and will suggest certain reputable dealers to work with.
- They will need to use Ways to Work certified inspection sites (there are four options)
- If immediate repairs need to be done on the car that the candidate chooses, the Ways to Work folks will recommend specific dealers to work with them.
- The estimated wait time for the committee to approve their loan and application is 1 month and the car they choose will have some restrictions
- The car they find will have to have less than 120,000 miles on it.
- The car they choose will have to be 10 years or newer.
Ramsey County
Both of these programs do NOT require a referral from an agency; the person should call them directly and set up an appointment to go through the start of the application process. This is not an emergency referral; the application takes 2-6 weeks to receive.
1. Community Action # 651.603.5880
2. Episcopal Community Services # 612.813.5600.
Auto Technical INC
461 Wilder St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-646-7826
On occasion they can make arrangements to give out small loans (approx. $1500) if a person puts a substantial enough down payment on a vehicle (approx. $500). No referral necessary.
Hot Tip
Scholarships
mental_floss $50,000 Tuition Giveaway
The Contest: In 750 words or less, explain why you (as the most deserving person on the planet) should win a $10,000 prize for tuition/books in the fall of 2009. The contest is open to full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada in the fall of 2009. Essays must be original work and should reflect the tone of mental_floss magazine. Winning essays must be truly memorable. They should be easy-to-read, funny, quirky and creative without being pretentious. Just (we hope) like mental_floss magazine. The prizes will be awarded on the overall quality of your essay.
Eligibility: You must be 18 years of age or older (by August 15, 2009) and a legal resident of the United States (except Puerto Rico), the District of Columbia or Canada (except Quebec) in order to enter.
Grand Prizes: Five $10,000 (U.S.) scholarships will be awarded for full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada in the fall of 2009. The prizes will be paid directly to the schools. Winners will also receive a Merriam-Webster Collegiate® Dictionary and a two-year subscription to mental_floss magazine.
Runner-Up Prizes: The First Grand Consolation Prize is a dinner at your college or university during fall semester 2009 with a co-founder of Mental Floss LLC, namely Will Pearson or Mangesh Hattikudur, and five (5) of your closest friends or a cash award of $250. Four other Runners-up will receive a one-year subscription to mental_floss magazine, a mental_floss T-shirt and a Merriam-Webster dictionary.
http://www.tuitiongiveaway.com Deadline: January 31, 2009
Sodexo STOP Hunger Scholarship
The Sodexo Foundation seeks applicants for the STOP Hunger Scholarships to recognize students in the fight against hunger in America. More than 35.5 million Americans are at risk of hunger and Sodexo, Inc. is committed to working toward a hunger-free nation. The STOP Hunger Scholarships recognize and reward students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger and its root causes in the United States.
Students will be selected from applicants with the following criteria:
- Must be enrolled in an accredited education institution (kindergarten through college graduate school) in the United States.
- Must have demonstrated on-going commitment to their community by performing volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States at least within the last 12 months.
- Volunteer services must be helping non-family members.
- Multiple applications of the same student will not be accepted; if more than one application for an individual is received, the first application received will be the application accepted and reviewed.
Applicants must also get a Community Service Recommendation as part of the application. The Community Service Recommendation must be submitted by March 6, 2009. Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $5000.
http://www.sodexofoundation.org/hunger Deadline: February 27, 2009
Upromise Scholarship
Applicants for the Upromise Scholarship must be Upromise members or children of Upromise members. To login to your Upromise account or to join Upromise for free, please visit the Upromise website. The Upromise Scholarship information will be presented to you once you have logged in or completed your Upromise registration.
Additional Eligibility Criteria:
*Household income of $65,000 or less
*Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
*Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently-enrolled full-time college students
*Scholarship must be used at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or vocational technical school
*Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
http://www.scholarships.com/sccses.aspx?pid=544 Deadline: February 28, 2009
The Executive Leadership Council National Essay Competition
Students will submit a 2000 – 3000 word essay responding to the following theme: Diverse Leadership: The Wealth of Our Nation
QUESTION: In treacherous economic times there is always concern that Diversity initiatives must take a back seat to a corporation’s day-to-day survival & viability. Examine this argument and provide your assessment of why Diversity cannot be set aside during times of economic uncertainty?
Students also need to submit a two page biography of themselves including their background, personal philosophy, and career goals, along with a photo of the applicant.
The competition is open to African-American undergraduate students in good academic standing currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Ten scholarships will be awarded, with $7000 going to the first place winner. For more information and to apply, visit the website.
http://www.elcinfo.com Deadline: March 30, 2009
Page Education Foundation Grants
The mission of the Page Education Foundation is to increase participation of Minnesota’s young people of color in post-secondary education. Candidates must be Minnesota students of color, demonstrate a financial need, a positive attitude toward education and community service, and attend a post-secondary institution within the state of Minnesota. Awards consist of grants that range in value from $1,000 to $2,500. Recipients must re-apply each year that they are in school and receive subsequent grants based on their academic progress and mentoring performance. Every school year that they accept a grant, Page Scholars must return to their communities to mentor or tutor younger children of color. Page Scholars spend 8-10 hours each month of the school year working with Kindergarten-8th grade children. The goal is to help youngsters begin to value learning and see how important education will be in their lives.
http://www.page-ed.org Deadline: May 1, 2009
Opportunities to Share
Student Parent Success Stories
We would like to continue featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu. We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Photo Gallery
Sharing photos of our children and families is a great way to get to know each other. If you have a photo of your child(ren) or family and would like to see it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters, send it as an e-mail attachment to sphc@umn.edu.
Community Resources
Crock Talk
Beginning Thursday, January 22, and continuing for 12 weeks, receive a Pioneer Press-tested-and-approved crock pot recipe delivered to your e-mail inbox. No grey glop here, these recipes will make you want to use your CrockPot more often. Now's the time to enjoy learning just how tasty Crock Pot cooking can be! Sponsored by the Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com and MinnMoms.com.
Sign up at http://www.twincities.com/ci_11460899?nclick_check=1
Tubman
Please note that Tubman Family Alliance and Chrysalis, A Center for Women, have merged their operations and are now known as Tubman. The merge unites the complementary strengths of Chrysalis' chemical dependency and mental health programs with Tubman Family Alliance's domestic violence prevention work. If you are interested in more information on the programs available through Tubman, or would like to download any of their program guides, please visit their website at www.tubman.org.
Fare For All
Big savings every month on fresh, high quality, nutritious groceries – that’s what Fare For All is all about! As food prices continue to rise, more Minnesotans are experiencing significant difficulties affording basic expenses each month. Fare For All is open to anyone who wants to save money on their groceries. Participants have the opportunity to save 40-50% off their monthly food budgets and access fresh fruits and veggies, frozen meats of all kinds, and a variety of non-perishable staple items.
For more information visit www.fareforall.org or call 763-450-3880 or 1-800-582-4291 (outside Metro area).
MinnesotaHelp.info
MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people. http://www.minnesotahelp.org/public/
211, First Call for Help
Looking for information on childcare, food, housing, transportation or senior services? The Minnesota 2-1-1 database lists more than 10,000 organizations and 40,000 services throughout the state. Just dial 2-1-1 (or 651-291-0211). It's free, confidential and available 24/7. Trained information specialists can connect you to more than 40,000 community resources. Multi-lingual lines are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. You can also download a copy of the 2-1-1 application and database (http://www.ctkodm.com/gtcuw/211_app/ ) directly to your computer. By doing this, you will be able to search for resources at any time without needing an Internet connection.
Energy Assistance
Whether we like it or not the cold is coming! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, sometimes beyond the ability of some to pay. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need. Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536881374&contentid=
Are you looking for specific information for your County?
If so, please check out the following links for metro Counties:
Parenting Information
Minnesota Parents Know
Trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help your children grow, develop, and learn from birth through high school.
This website features special sections for newborns, children ages 1-2, children ages 3-5, grades K-8, and grades 9-12. Links to other parenting resources are also available.
http://www.parentsknow.state.mn.us/
Parent Zone
Welcome to the most comprehensive resource for Twin Cities parents. This site proves that the area has far more to offer families than the Mall of America! This over-flowing directory of local resources includes free things to do around town, great classes for kids, the most family-friendly of the 10,000 lakes, and more! Plus, the local events calendar features family fun on both sides of the river. It's Minnesota nice! http://twincities.parentzone.com/
MinnMoms.com
Welcome to MinnMoms.com -- a Web community designed for busy moms just like you. This new venture, from the folks at the Pioneer Press and twincities.com, was created to meet a need we kept hearing about in the community. Moms wanted local solutions to their everyday dilemmas (What's for dinner?), they wanted help making important decisions (What school should I choose?) and they wanted the latest information on issues that matter to them (bispheynol-A in kids products). They also wanted a way to connect and share with other local moms. And they wanted it all in one easy-to-use place available at a time that was convenient to them. MinnMoms.com does just that and we hope you'll enjoy MinnMoms.com. More than that, we hope you will make the site your own by participating in discussions, commenting on our Daily Juggle blog and sending your feedback. If you can't find something you need, let us know. MinnMoms.com is here for you.
http://www.minnmoms.com/
Mommy Savers
Money Saving Ideas for Frugal Moms
Welcome to Mommysavers! This is the site for all moms who want the best for their families, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Here you'll find the best internet bargains, money saving ideas, arts and crafts activities, work at home resources, and support from other moms on the internet.
http://mommysavers.com/money-saving-ideas/index.shtml
Mom Talk!
Looking for a place to learn from other moms, share resources, recipes and experiences? Visit www.momtalk.com. This is a great online forum with information on health and wellness, upcoming events, pregnancy and just about anything related to being a mom in the Twin Cities.
Dads Today!
Welcome, Dads! Here's a place just for you to get the answers you're looking for, make new friends and be a part of an active community. Visit http://www.dadstoday.com/. Have fun!
University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu
Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim focuses on providing safety and fun in and around the water. Participants learn a solid base of swimming skills and build upon them throughout the program. The classes are taught following American Red Cross Learn to Swim Guidelines.
Learn to Swim is a program through the University of Minnesota Recreational Sports and classes are offered at St. Paul and Minneapolis. Classes are offered for parents and children (6 months to 5 years old), children lessons (age 4 and older), and for adults.
Rates for University students is: $50 per participant.
For more information visit www.recsports.umn.edu, call 612-625-3794, or email lts@umn.edu
Parent Warmline 612-813-6336
The Parent Warmline is a free consultation service for parents provided by Children’s Hospital. If you have questions or concerns about behavioral or developmental issues such as toilet training, discipline, sleep patterns, temper tantrums, fears, etc., call this free hotline (612-813-6336) and leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your concern. Within 24 hours a professionally trained volunteer will call you back to offer practical advice, encouragement or community resource referrals. Please note that the Parent Warmline is a non-crisis, non-medical service. This service is free to parents who live in the Twin Cities metro area.
Community Events and Activities
Family Friendly Activities in the Twin Cities!
Chinese New Year- Celebrate the Year of the Ox!
Midtown Global Market
Friday, January 30, 2009
4:00pm–8:00pm
Midtown Global Market will bring a taste of China to South Minneapolis when it hosts a Chinese New Year celebration on Friday, January 30, 2009, in conjunction with the Market's Friday Family Night. Beginning at 4 p.m., members from the Chinese Senior Citizens Society and the Chinese Heritage Foundation will be on hand for fortune telling and distributing red envelopes that help usher in good luck for the New Year. Children can take home a drawing of their name printed in traditional Chinese calligraphy.A traditional Chinese lion dance will commence at 7 p.m., circling the Market with graceful movements and magnificent colors, to help ring in the year of the Ox.
Other activities include:
- Cooking demonstration
- Live entertainment
- Kids' activities
- Chinese snacks
- Free fortune cookies containing Market coupons and special offers
St. Paul Winter Carnival
January 22- February 1, 2009
If we’re all going to freeze, we might as well have fun doing it—that’s essentially the rationale for St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival. And all the usual highlights are back, including ice sculptures, coronations with Klondike Kate and the Vulcan Krewe, the torchlight parade, the Frozen 5K race, and—many people’s favorite—free ice-skating outside Landmark Center.
http://www.winter-carnival.com/
Wild Rumpus Books
Wild Rumpus Books is a great children's bookstore in south Minneapolis where they
have a bunch of live animals for the kids to pet - birds, chinchillas, lizards, even a tarantula. They also let cats & 2 chickens roam around the store freely. There are lots of comfy spots to sit & read stories to the kids & they have a great selection of used books for purchase between $0.25 & $1.00.
Wild Rumpus also offers Tale Time! Stories for the wee....every Monday at 10:30 AM...guaranteed NOT to put you to sleep! Babies through preschoolers welcome! (oh, parents too).
www.wildrumpusbooks.com
Free Third Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum
Check out this great museum just for kids of all ages, free on the third Sunday of every month!
Saint Paul, MN 651-225-6034 http://www.mcm.org/
Free Thursdays at the Walker Art Center
Admission is free every Thursday at the Walker Art Center.
Minneapolis, MN 612-375-7622 http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Ten Sundays each year the MIA hosts Family Days. These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids. February’s event is “Chinese Lantern Festival” to welcome the Year of the Ox! Events include a lion dance, paper lantern making and a lantern parade, along with other music, story-telling, performances, and art-making activities! This event is free and takes place on Sunday, February 8th between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is no pre-registration required-simply show up anytime between 11 and 5.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404. Visit http://www.artsmia.org/ for more information.
The Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell Museum of Natural History located right on our own U of M, East Bank campus, offers two fun family events. Visit their website for more details: http://www.bellmuseum.org/calendar.html
Nature Play
A drop-in family program from 1-3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free with museum admission. For families with kids ages 4 and older.
Nature Tots
A program for toddlers and preschoolers with their parents, held the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Free with museum admission, but registration is required. Call 612-624-9050.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions: 651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY
Quick and Easy Recipes
Pizza Without the Red Sauce
Makes: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 unbaked pizza crust
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 bunch fresh spinach, torn
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
- 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped
- 1 (6 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
- Preheat oven according to pizza crust package directions.
- In a small bowl combine butter, olive oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese. Spread mixture evenly on pizza crust.
- Arrange tomato, spinach, onion and jalapeno on pizza. Top with crumbled feta cheese.
- Bake according to pizza crust package directions.
Chinese New Year Chocolate Candy
Makes: 24 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups butterscotch chips
- 2 1/2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
- 4 cups chow mein noodles
Directions:
- Butter a 9x13 inch dish.
- Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Remove from heat and stir in peanuts. Stir in noodles until all is well coated. Press into prepared dish. Chill until set; cut into squares.
Enjoy making these fun and delicious treats with your kids!
Grants Update
***REMINDER- the priority deadline for both the Post-Secondary Child Care Grant and the CCAMPIS grant is Friday, February 6th at 4 pm. Priority students who do not submit their grants by the deadline will lose their priority status for Spring 2009. Second tier students are encouraged to submit their applications before the priority deadline for the best chance of receiving funding. Applications received after this deadline are unlikely to receive grants for spring semseter.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINK:
Healthy Teeth: Oral Health Education Database
From baby teeth to braces, Healthy Teeth is all about what goes on inside your mouth. Produced by dentists for elementary aged kids curious about the "why?" of oral health. Features games, activites, experiments, and quizzes in addition to fun and interesting teeth-related facts!
Visit http://www.healthyteeth.org/index.html
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- Expecting the Best: The Journey Toward a Healthy Pregnancy by Park Nicollet Medical Center
- Your One-Year-Old: The Fun-Loving, Fussy 12-to-24-Month-Old by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D., Frances L. Ilg, M.D., & Carol Chase Haber
- So This Is Normal Too?: Teachers and Parents Working Out Developmental Issues in Young Children by Deborah Hewitt
- Your Child Dyslexia: Practical and Easy-to-Follow Advice by Robin Temple
- The Single Parent's Almanac: Real-World Answers to Your Everyday Questions by Linda Foust
- A Year of Absence: Six Women's Stories of Courage, Hope, and Love by Jessica Redmond
- Who Is a Stranger and What Should I Do? by Linda Walvoord Girard
- I Live With Daddy by Judith Vigna
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center, managing our child care grants and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having in the past. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk at 612-626-6015. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Clark Wagner (once she returns), Chanee Rudolf or our Graduate Social Work Intern. I am entering my 9th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from on-line staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. Over the summer and beginning of fall term I have had a chance to step back into the direct service world while our Direct Service Coordinatior is on leave; and will be leading group and completing the largest share of the new student intakes for the 2008-2009 year. It has been fun to get a chance to meet and greet our new students and to hang out with our new and on-going students in group once again. Rest assured that whether acting as the stand in group facilitator, or working on grants and other administrative duties for the center, I am always right next door and will always be working hard to bring you the services and funding needed to assure that each and every SPHC student parent has what they need to succeed at the U!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melanie Opay
Hi everyone! I am the new graduate social work intern this year. I am a first-year direct practice student in the Master’s of Social Work program and am very excited to be in the program, at the University of Minnesota, and working in the Student Parent HELP Center for the entire year. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Augsburg College and since then have been working in St. Paul as an MFIP job counselor. I’m thrilled to be working with student parents in a different capacity and look forward to getting to know you and your families throughout the school year!
Chanee Rudolph
Hello!! I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) here at the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my first year so like many of you I am learning a lot of new and exciting things. My job here is to assist you with anything you need as well as make you feel comfortable and welcomed, so please don't hesitate to ask me for anything if you have questions. I am in my third year here at the University and I am a family and social science major and developing a minor in Family Violence Prevention. So far, I have enjoyed myself more than any of you know and I am looking forward to many more to come!
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Melanie Opay at Sphc@umn.edu.