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Giveaway: All Things Kids

From The Editors — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:29:27 +0000

Born and raised in the Champaign/Mahomet area, Reagan Merkle-Litteken and her husband, Eric, wanted a business that would help the community as well as provide the flexibility to spend time with their children, now 8 and 4. They found it in All Things Kids Inc., a babies, kids, and maternity consignment shop in Champaign.

The Merkle-Litteken family includs All Things Kids owners Reagan and Eric, and their two children. Credit: Reagan Merkle-Litteken

All Things Kids boasts 5,000-square feet of must-have items for all ages, from infants to teenagers, as well as for new or seasoned parents. The store is unique because it consigns and sells all seasons, all year. The clothing selection consists of sizes preemie up to juniors and maternity. The store also consigns toys, books, games, equipment and furniture.

It is kind of like an indoor garage sale, year round.

Back in early 2008, when the Merkle-Litteken family was exploring the kids consignment shop options, they were shocked that there was only one kids consignment shop in the Champaign area. The store opened in August 2008 in a small location with 33 consignors.

“We were amazed at the awesome response right away,” Reagan Merkle-Litteken said.

Shortly after opening, the store was expanded, eventually tripling in size. In May 2010, the Merkle-Litteken family moved the store to just west of North Prospect on Mattis Avenue to better accommodate the ever-expanding inventory.

“[We] are now where we never dreamed we would be in three short years,” Merkle-Litteken said. “We are still dreaming of more.”

All Things Kids is full of gently used clothes, books, toys and games for all ages and sizes. Credit: Reagan Merkle-Litteken

The store’s owners love the idea of helping moms, dads and caregivers by offering a place where they can consign outgrown items and shop for the next size. Merkle-Litteken believes consignors can find peace of mind knowing they will buy quality clothing and toys at affordable prices. (Consignors also have the option to using their credit for in-store purchases or request the money in their account.)

The owners are proud of their dedicated staff, “who put their hearts into making [All Things Kids] what it is today,” Merkle-Litteken said. “We are always striving to make things better for our customers.”

“The store is definitely more work than I ever imagined, but worth it when you hear and see the excitement when someone checks their credit and/or sees the amazing amount of stuff bought for far less than a real store.”

All Things Kids is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8 p.m. for the working parents. Also like them on Facebook to get updates and pictures of what’s new in the store.

Want to find out what All Things Kids is all about? Can’t wait to get back to the store and see what they’ll have next?

All Things Kids is giving one lucky Chambanamoms.com reader a $50 gift certificate. To be eligible, leave us a comment and tell us: What items would you like to find in a consignment shop like All Things Kids OR what’s the best deal you’ve ever nabbed at a consignment shop?

No purchase necessary. Only one entry per person. Contest will be wrapped up by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Winner will be picked at random by random.org. Winner must respond to email notification by noon on Monday, Jan. 30, or another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents 18 and older.

C-U Essential Toolkit: Champaign Public Library

From The Editors — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:13:52 +0000

Photo courtesy of champaign.org

What: Champaign Public Library

Where: 200 W. Green Street, Champaign

Description: The current Champaign Public Library facility (the main branch) was completed in 2008 and is truly a fantastic, beautiful community facility. It offers quiet working spaces, a place for children and a great little cafe area where you can eat a lunch or snack you’ve brought with you or grab a bite and a beverage from Latte Da! Cafe. You can also visit the Douglass Branch, located just north of B.T. Washington School in north Champaign.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Good For: Everyone!

Amy’s Take: The Champaign Public Library is truly an amazing place. Coming from a much larger city, I can honestly say that it is one of the best libraries in which I’ve ever spent time. Laura and I worked many hours during the birthing of chambanamoms in the glass-enclosed work rooms on the second floor and I’ve followed my two kids through the stacks and stacks of children’s books on the first floor.

And, the children’s stacks are low enough that moms and dads (and caregivers) can keep a bead on the wee ones without having to a) run or b) raise your voice, both of which are major library faux pas!

Words cannot describe how gorgeous this building is. Just spending time there reading or quietly working can lift your spirits thanks to the open spaces and natural light and, of course, the book collection and resources are outstanding. Each and every librarian is ready to help and friendly, to boot. I love the small seating areas where you can relax in a comfy place with a great book.

The work tables on the second level are all equipped with electrical outlets beneath them on the floor, in a welcome nod to the fact that many of us are working with electronic technology. There are also plenty of public computers available for those who may not have access at home or left their laptops behind.

The library offers many programs and events, as well, too numerous to list here. Check out our calendar to find out what’s happening at CPL and the Douglass Branch — you will be amazed at the number and variety of options for everyone.

If you haven’t already, make some plans to spend time in the Champaign Public Library soon!

Tell us: why do you love the Champaign Public Library?

Living With Less: Where To Donate in Champaign-Urbana

RachaelMcMillan — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:53 +0000

Editor’s Note: We first ran this article last year at New Year’s. We’ve updated and revised it for 2012. We also have an article that details where to recycle, and another one devoted to consignment. Happy purging!

By Rachael McMillan

Even kids can get in the act when you donate your unused stuff. Credit: Editor B, Flickr

New Year’s Resolution or not, getting rid of clutter seems to be a popular goal lately.

What I love about donating stuff we never use is that it is one of those rare win-win-win-win opportunities.

Win #1: After a good decluttering, our house has less junk spilling out from everywhere.

Win #2: By donating our goods, a worthy non-profit organization benefits.

Win #3: Someone who can’t afford to purchase brand new items–or, someone who prefers to reuse–can shop the donations.

Win #4: The environment has less waste floating around in it when donated items are purchased vs. discarded.

Of course, getting rid of excess stuff can also be an opportunity to make a few bucks. But, that’s an article for another day.

The following lists can help you figure out what to do with your excess. Whether you’re looking to donate right now, don’t mind waiting a little bit longer, or have a very specific donation item, this information can hopefully point you in the right direction.

Get Rid Of It NOW

The following organizations are always ready to accept clothes, toys, household items, and more. Clicking on the links will lead to more information about hours, drop-off locations, and individual store policies regarding what they will/won’t accept.

Consider the condition of your clothing items when donating. Some organizations (Goodwill and the Salvation Army are known nationally for the practice) will accept worn and stained garments, which they sell to a clothing recycler (who knew? thanks commenters!). Mark such donations with recycling, and separate them from other goods that may be resold.

Also, if you want an item to be re-used but aren’t sure where to donate or recycle it, check out the The I.D.E.A. Store in Champaign. It accepts items that are safe to reuse in art projects, and the list of what they’ll take is fairly large. It includes scraps of fabric, mismatched game pieces–even pop tabs and bottle caps. All are welcome to peruse their collection of art supplies, and proceeds benefit the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation.

Crisis Nursery 1309 W. Hill St., Urbana: baby/child clothing, baby/childcare items, office supplies, kids’ snacks, misc. items. Be sure to check out the link if you’d like to donate to them, as their needs are very specific.
Empty Tomb 301 North Fourth St., Champaign: in-season clothing, household items, furniture. If you live in Champaign, Urbana, or Savoy, call 356-2262 to arrange pick-up of furniture donations.
Goodwill 912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign: clothing, accessories, some furniture, household items, books, cds. Ever wonder who Goodwill benefits? Read about it here.
Restoration Urban Ministries 1213 Parkland Ct., Champaign: in-season clothing, furniture, appliances, and household goods. Call 355-2662 for drop-off hours and information.
ReStore 119 E. University Ave, Champaign: furniture, appliances, building materials, household items, books, some accessories. They offer pick-up services (call 355-6460).
Salt & Light Ministry 1512 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign: like-new condition clothes, furniture, and household items. This organization also accepts food donations, as does the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.
Salvation Army 2212 N. Market St. and 109 W. John, Champaign: clothes, accessories, some furniture/household items, books, toys. They now have two locations, both of which accept donations. Call 373-7825 to arrange for pick up of furniture donations.
Transitions Located inside Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana: adult and children’s clothing, accessories, and toys. Proceeds benefit the Center for Women in Transition.
Twice is Nice 607 W. Elm, Urbana: clothing, household items, small appliances, books, cds, toys, accessories. This is a program of the First Presbyterian Church in Urbana; the website has more information about who benefits when you donate/shop there.

When You Don’t Mind Waiting A Bit Longer

The following organizations take donations later in the year to supply their annual rummage sale-style fundraisers. If you see one you would like to support, you may wish to hang onto your items until it’s ready to take them (click on the links to learn more and/or for contact information).

One benefit to going this route is that it allows you to clear clutter at your own pace. My husband and I like to keep a box in the garage for storing things we no longer have use for as we come across them throughout the year. We move a lot of junk this way, and are always ready to support our favorite annual fundraiser when it comes along.

NOTE: The information in the links tends to be about past years’ events; contact each organization for information about the 2012 sale.

Humane Society Garage Sale Sale is on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26; drop-off occurs the week before. You may also want to consider donating your time to this event when it comes around. Not only do volunteers help out a great cause, they also get first pick of the cool stuff for sale.
St. Patrick Church, Urbana The Cellar to Garret Sale (late summer). Note: This is my church’s garage sale, and it’s awesome. Keep in mind, though, that your place of worship may also hold such an annual event. (Know of one? Add a comment!)
YMCA Dump and Run Sale Drop-off of items occurs at the end of U of I’s spring semester. The main concept behind this fundraiser is to collect items students would otherwise dispose of (read: abandon) during the spring move-out and sell it to the incoming crop of young academics in the fall. Genius.

Donating Very Specific Stuff

If you’re flush with books to donate, consider benefitting local libraries including Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, and Tolono. Each has its own rules on how, what, and when to donate. Depending on the library, your donation might end up in the general collection, but more likely it will end up in a book sale. Some libraries also accept media including DVDs, CDs, and video games.

You can also donate books to the Books 2 Prisoners program; it has various drop-off locations around town.

Or, if shoes are what you’re drowning in, try donating them to Soles 4 Souls; they will get them to folks who have none. JJ Shoe Repair (109 S. Walnut, Champaign) and Heel to Toe (106 W. Main, Urbana) take donations of used shoes in good condition for this organization.

If you have a prom or semi-formal dress that you would like to donate, consider giving it to the Perfect Prom Project, a student organization at the University of Illinois. The mission of the Perfect Prom Project is, “through collaboration with campus and community members, to provide high school girls in and around Central Illinois with free prom dresses and accessories.” Donations can be dropped off at the Illini Union.

If you need to unload some old eyeglasses, take them to one of the drop box locations provided by the Champaign Lions Club. They recycle used specs and donate them–along with a free exam–to people in need.

Am I missing anything? Add a comment!

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

Feast or Family: Common Ground Food Co-op

From The Editors — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:44:48 +0000

By Megan Gillette

It’s hard enough working, feeding a family, and trying one’s best to find food that is healthy, well-balanced, and organic or sustainably farmed. I didn’t used to be so compulsive about food, but when feeding a little creature and being their sole source of nutrition, these things really started to matter to me. In a time of constant recalls and contamination of super-farmed vegetables, meat-factories, mega-hatcheries and even baby-formula, I want some reassurance that what I feed my family hasn’t been pumped full of antibiotics and squished through unclean equipment.

The Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana is tripling in size with their current remodel. Credit: Megan Gillette

In 2008 the Common Ground Food Co-op opened at its current Lincoln Square location. We signed up as owners on the payment plan as we figured anyone needing Farmer’s Market access year-round would do. It took us a while to understand how it would fit into our lives. It really saved us last winter when we would go late mornings and the boys would run around the deserted interior eating area in the mall while we enjoyed lunch. Sometimes other kids would join in, many times the mall-walkers would smile as their laughter filled the space.

Shopping there with the family is a favorite pastime. The boys always pick out yogurt-covered pretzels, sesame candy, or fairly-traded exotic animal finger puppets. They fight over who gets more baked tofu — it’s that delicious. They can always be counted on to devour one of the breakfast or bean, cheese and brown rice burritos. Ever-changing quiche flavors are a favorite with everyone — the locally farmed eggs have a flavor so full I can’t even buy brown eggs at a supermarket without thinking they taste watery.

I always have a tough time deciding between the soup and the salads. My favorite salads are the tuna-citrus and the citrus tofu. They are both light, savory and refreshing. But I’m a warm-weather cruncher. This time of year, I can’t get enough of the soups. I love that you can taste them before committing. The other day, they were all so good, I couldn’t decide. I layered them according to consistency and ate my way through the medley of changing flavors. The split pea is always a comfort. My current favorite is the Indonesian Spinach. I tried it on a whim one day and was delighted by the refreshing lemony coconut milk broth and chunks of tender-to-the-bite butternut squash with ribbons of freshly-simmered spinach. The beet and red cabbage laden Borscht is in my bowl whenever it’s available. The African Sweet Potato Peanut Stew is sometimes hard to live without.

No lunch is complete without one of the freshly-baked rockin’ rolls. If you ask nicely at the deli counter they’ll give you a dipping portion of their organic olive oil. When I tried this for the first time a few years ago I couldn’t believe the flavor! It is full and fruity with a slight greenish tint. It’s since replaced the olive oil from California I was ordering for my own kitchen. Any of the house-made hummus varieties are hard not to eat in one sitting. Presently, most meals are finished with a pumpkin raisin walnut cookie—so moist and subtle spices reminiscent of the season. Soups, salads and sides change daily so my tastes are never bored as I could happily eat here daily. All food served is made from the fresh, local and/or organic ingredients in the store. Someone has done the research and the legwork of bringing you a meal you can trust.

Although this friendly and social little store has fit nicely into our town’s existence, wait—there’s more! It’s tripling in size!! The new space will feature a hugely expanded deli and in-store dining. They are bringing back a bakery which will feature their own fresh breads. There will be a beer and wine section that will feature organic, regional or cooperatively produced varieties. There will be more groceries, produce, CHEESE, and even a fresh, local meat counter. There will also be a classroom for cooking, farming and various other related classes.

It is puzzling to many how this little grocery has been so successful it was named one of the Chamber of Commerce Small Businesses of the Year Award for 2008 with nearly 100-percent growth for the last three years. Common Ground has become a business model and success story for cooperatives around the country. They invest heavily in the community, not the just bottom line. As a result, the community invests heavily in them. They raised over $650,000 in owner loans for the expansion. We don’t need “Occupy Chambana” if we put our money where our heart is.

Verdict: Feast and Family! We love it for quick and easy lunch dates or with the hungry little people.

Megan Gillette is a mother of two active little boys — FIT kids (Foodies in Training). In her “spare time” she is a senior graphic and web designer at Wolfram, a real-estate broker with TeamKay at Keller Williams, and a real-estate maven for the family holding company. Megan is in constant pursuit of perfect food, exciting dining experiences, and farm-to-fork meals with her husband and personal sous chef, Kurt.

C-U Essential Toolkit: The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum

RachaelMcMillan — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:27:12 +0000

What: Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in downtown Champaign

Where: Downtown Champaign: 346 N. Neil St. (the corner of Neil Street, which runs one-way to the south as it passes the building, and East Washington Street)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.

What to bring: Admission is $3 per child and $4 per adult. Family memberships are available for $60 per year, but consider buying a Super Family pass for $125 which will get you and your gang into Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum, Normal’s Children’s Discovery Museum, and many others, for a whole year.

Those big city museums and science centers have nothing on Champaign's own Orpheum Children's Science Museum. Credit: Flickr, soundfromwayout

The Orpheum is a great place for an indoor picnic lunch or a simple home-packed snack. There is a designated eating area upstairs, and visiting it allows your kids to check out some of the museum’s additional exhibits.

Last, but certainly not least: don’t forget quarters to feed the meter. I’ve learned this one the hard way.

Tips for your visit: Rarely, we have found the museum to be crowded. It’s never been so bad that we’ve chosen to leave, or even hampered our visit, but keep in mind that it is a popular destination for school trips. Calling ahead at 217-352-5895 may help you avoid these large groups, if that’s what you’re hoping to do.

Rachael’s take: I have a particular fondness for the Orpheum because of its size. When it comes to museums and zoos, as far as I’m concerned you can keep the big, crowded, hard-to-navigate ones; I’ll take the smaller versions that pack their delights into a much more manageable space.

And, the Orpheum is small. It fits into what is essentially the lobby of a grand old theatre, which is currently used only for museum/private special events. The unique architecture sets the tone for whimsical, lovingly-crafted exhibits which have yet to grow tiresome for my two school-aged kids. Among their favorites: a veterinary clinic complete with a “working” X-ray machine, a tugboat with an interactive video display, and a seasonal outdoor dinosaur dig that bests any of the ones we’ve explored at larger children’s museums.

Resident critters include turtles, a corn snake, bearded dragons, hissing cockroaches and a tarantula. There is a puppet theatre and a rushing water flume that little hands love to dam up with foam blocks.

The more I write, the more I realize that the Orpheum really does pack a lot into a little space. I’ve only listed about half of what they have to offer, but I’ll leave it at that as a bit of a tease for those who’ve yet to explore it. See it for yourself; my hope is that you and your clan will love it as much as we do.

Does your family have some Orpheum love? Tell us about it in the comments!

Rachael McMillan just took part-time job number 5,482: teaching sixth- and seventh-grade history at Campus Middle School for Girls. She also tutors at The Reading Group and serves as the education coordinator for Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer in downtown Champaign. She is totally in love with her Chambana life, which she shares with husband Scott, kindergartner Kate, and first-grader Jack.

Green Up For Less: C-U Buying Co-operative

From The Editors — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:30:51 +0000

By Jaimee Gleisner

Pesticides, food dyes, phthalates, parabens, high-fructose corn syrup, BPA — the mind boggles at all the toxins bombarding us today. As parents, we especially worry about our growing children being exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals, not to mention the impact they have on our planet.

But how does the average family afford the latest in green gear and natural foods? Today parents are put in a difficult position: maintaining a healthy household and lessening our footprints without breaking the budget. A quick stop at local natural grocery stores demonstrates just how expensive it can be to try and stock our pantries and bathrooms and clean our houses with environmentally friendly products.

The more the merrier! Find out about the Champaign-Urbana Buying Cooperative. Credit: Flickr, The Co-operative

Well, here is something that can help: local buying cooperatives. I joined my first co-op Yahoo Group in Austin, Texas, and what I found was a group of people all interested in living as environmentally conscious as possible coming together to find a way to afford the products that support that lifestyle. By placing a large group order, members received products at deep discounts. These discounts ranged from 30- to 70-percent off of retail prices. It wasn’t a business; no one was making a profit. Members worked together to coordinate and sort the orders. They got their kids together when picking up their items. Not only were they able to buy the products they wanted to be using in their homes, but they were also making connections and forming a community. I was hooked.

The Austin Co-op group grew to an impressive size and was able to run many co-ops, including products like organic foods, toiletries and clothing; natural cleaners; baby items; wooden toys; art and homeschooling supplies; stainless steel water bottles and lunch boxes; unpaper towels and family cloth; and much more.

When my family relocated to Baltimore, Md., I sorely missed the co-op group. So I decided to start my own. As I had experienced before, the group brought like-minded families and neighbors together and grew to a size where many different co-ops ran successfully.

Now my family has relocated to C-U and, you guessed it: I am starting a new group. I hope that it will again form a community of families and friends striving to green up their lives and homes in an affordable manner.

Announcing the Champaign-Urbana Buying Cooperative! It is a Yahoo Group where we will coordinate co-ops, brainstorm future co-ops, and share great deals. No minimum participation or past experience is necessary; anyone is welcome to join and order as little or as much as desired. If you are unsure if you will place an order, but would still like to see what’s happening, please feel free to join anyway. The first co-op the group will run is Frontier Natural Products.

Frontier Natural Products Co-op carries a staggering array of environmentally and socially responsible products, including food, household items, kitchen accessories, cleaners and toiletries. Aside from their own brand, Frontier, which makes spices, baking extracts, dips, soups and seasonings, the co-op carries many other brands. Some of my favorites are: Simply Organic, Tom’s of Maine, Jason’s, Avalon Organics, Dr. Bronner’s, Desert Essence, Seventh Generation, Ecover, Weleda and Burts Bees. Each month, Frontier also puts items on sale for an even deeper discount. And as long as we reach a total of $250, shipping is free!

Check out Frontier’s Wholesale Catalog to see the brands and prices for yourself. (Please note this is a large document that can take several minutes to fully download.)

Also check out the monthly sale flyer to see what is currently on sale.

To get in on the action, join the C-U Buying Cooperative! Members can place Frontier orders Oct. 1-12, and the order will arrive toward the end of the month. If all goes well, I plan to run Frontier monthly.

Find out more information by visiting the C-U Buying Cooperative site. You will be prompted to fill out a very brief questionnaire and review the group’s policies and guidelines. Once you return the questionnaire your membership will be approved.

Happy shopping!

Jaimee Gleisner just relocated to Urbana this summer and is a stay at home mom to her two (soon to be three) children. When she’s not running co-ops she can be found gardening, playing at the park, incessantly talking about birth and cloth diapers, participating in parenting groups, or checking her e-mail, gleisnerj@yahoo.com.

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Househunting Mom: The Impractical Favorite

From The Editors — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:48:47 +0000

“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” — Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

True confession: I used to go out of my way just to drive by this house years ago, when my appetite for all things midcentury was at its peak. This architectural marvel is situated in an unassuming-but-cool south Urbana neighborhood. It’s round. Just check out the aerial view; it looks like it’s just about ready to launch off into outer space. But not real outer space; more like Jetsons-meets-Star Wars, retro, cool outer space.

This Bruce Goff-designed home in Urbana is out of this world. Credit: Erin Nieto

And just to add fuel to the fire, the previous owner used to park his DeLorean in front. Yes, I said DeLorean. For real.

And it didn’t just materialize on that spot; entitled the Garvey House, it was designed in 1954 by renowned architect Bruce Goff. It’s like a celebrity among Champaign-Urbana houses.

When this house hit the market last year, my heart jumped and then did somersaults. The UFO house is for sale! At the same time that we are looking for a house! Serendipity, I thought.
Then I attached my brain to my heart. With a heavy sigh I realized that that giddiness was emanating from a different gal, a gal that wasn’t married and didn’t have kids. A gal for whom having something walkable wasn’t a necessity. A gal who, if she were househunting like me, would only need be concerned with what she liked and what she could afford.

I took a look at that supremely awesome floorplan and had to admit to myself that I, no pun intended, could not make that house fly.

But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that part of my imagination did take up residence in that house, lounging in front of the round fireplace, in the round sunken living room, in my round chair, sipping a round cocktail. Can you dig it?

And the Goff house is not exactly an anomaly, either. These kinds of architectural marvels are actually peppered all over the place in Champaign-Urbana. The University of Illinois’ Art and Architecture departments have attracted some heavy hitters during the last 100 years, and they’ve left their mark in all sorts of locations, in houses of all sizes, built in every decade. We are very lucky for it.

It always makes my drive all the more interesting. Now, if a few more “for sale” signs would pop up in their yards …

Erin Nieto has lived in Champaign-Urbana for nearly all of her life, and heads Erin S. Nieto Fine Art Appraisal in addition to being a busy mom of two. More of her essays on motherhood and culture can be found at www.cheapisexpensive.net.

Househunting Mom: An Open Letter to Champaign

Househunting Mom: An Open Letter to Champaign

From The Editors — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:39:35 +0000

By Erin Nieto

Dear Champaign,

I am proud mom to two young boys, the eldest of which will begin Elementary School in a year or two. As you may or may not know, we are entertaining the idea of moving to your city to send our little boys to one of your many fine schools.

Finding a house within walking distance from an elementary school is harder than you would think it should be in Champaign. Credit: Flickr, Elizabeth/Table4Five

We’ve looked at a lot of houses within your city limits, trying to imagine our lives there based on each house’s relative proximity to all of the important things which will help govern our future day-to-day life. Not least of which is elementary school. We covet a house within walking distance to the boys’ future school.

Which brings me to my first question: Which school will my boys be attending?

What? That can’t be determined until after I have officially listed my five (!) preferences and a computer crunches my family’s information and then spits out the resulting “choice”? Oh really? I can visit all of the schools and then put any I like as my preferences? Hmm. That doesn’t make me feel better. Can the computer process my list before we actually move, so that I know which school it is? No?

Second question: How on earth will I know whether any given house that we choose now will be within walking distance to our “choice” in two years? Really? I can’t? Oh, I see. Unless I choose to send them to a private school, you say. And how much do those cost? You’re kidding, right?
Urbana says that my boys’sschool will be designated by the district in which we live, guaranteeing that they will attend the closest school to our new house. That’s pretty nifty. That really helps us to be able to wrap our heads fully around this whole moving thing. Urbana’s really streamlined this whole process. Isn’t Urbana cool, Champaign?

What? You used to do that, too?

OK, Champaign, I think I’ve figured this out. If I want to live within your limits, and have walkability to school, I need to either cough up the money to send the boys to private school, or find a good, used time machine (which will probably cost about the same amount).

Or, Champaign … or … are you listening? Or I could just move to Urbana instead. Just sayin’.

Sincerely,

Erin Nieto

Breastfeeding Awareness: Finding Help in C-U

From The Editors — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:51:30 +0000

“Breast is best.” Whether you’re a new nursing mother or a lactation veteran, you know this statement is more than just a catchphrase; it’s a call to action.

For those in more than 170 countries, the answer is World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated internationally from Aug. 1 to 7. Nationally, nursing mothers and specialists also recognize August as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Breastfeeding is natural, but figuring out how to do it may not feel that way. If that's the case for you, contact one of several local experts in the field. Credit: Flickr, ODHD

Knowing that for mothers of young children, milk is always on your mind – and in your babies’ bellies – we’ve asked Linda Steinberg, WIC breastfeeding peer counselor at the Champaign Urbana Public Health District, to share some local resources for breastfeeding families:

Champaign Urbana Public Health District WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program
Facebook: CUPHD Breastfeeding; Twitter: Cuphdbreastfeed
Contact: Linda Steinberg, BS, PC, CLC
531-4292, 417-8529

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling program’s mission is to provide support, information, and education to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in learning more about breastfeeding. This support and education is given in the form of one on one counseling sessions, group classes, and information folders. CUPHD helps mothers prepare to breastfeed, learn how to breastfeed, obtain a breast pump, evaluate feedings and assist with any issues and questions that arise. If you need help with any issues or questions, a peer counselor can come to your home or visit you in the hospital to provide you with the hands on help and support you desire.

Champaign Urbana Public Health District Maternal and Child Health Division for Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program
Contact: Nicole Wente, MS, CLC, WIC Coordinator
531-4305

The WIC Nutrition Program is designed to help support the health and nutrition of income eligible pregnant women, mothers, children, and babies. WIC provides nutrition information based on the specific needs of the client, case management, breastfeeding support and information (nine certified lactation counselors and one IBCLC on staff), and child safety seat placement and information.

Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Breastfeeding Clinic
Locations: North Tower 11, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Carle Urbana on Windsor, Monday and Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Carle on Curtis, Tuesday and Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: 326-2610, leave a voice message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Inpatient hospital services include breastfeeding education, feeding assistance, and assistance with a breast pump. Outpatient services include weight checks and feeding evaluations.

Carle Foundation Hospital, All About Baby Program
Contact: 383-6962 for more information or to register for a class

The Carle All About Baby Program provides hands on prenatal education to the community regardless of your hospital or clinic preference. This program educates on birthing styles, breastfeeding, baby care, and many other prenatal subjects.

Christie Clinic, Theresa Hardy
MSN, CPNP, IBCLC, Certified Pediatric Nurse and Certified Lactation Consultant
Contact: 366-1257

As a nurse practitioner and internationally certified lactation consultant, Theresa Hardy provides comprehensive care and breast feeding assistance for the newborns in Pediatrics through the first month of life and beyond. Hardy is able to treat mothers for mastitis; treat mothers and babies for thrush; order and interpret labs; prescribe or recommend herbs or medications for low milk supply; and other complex situations.

Hardy also works in collaboration with physicians to provide primary care to children. She provides newborn and well-baby care, performs school and sports physicals, and evaluates and treats minor illnesses.

Provena Covenant Medical Center, Prenatal Care Classes
Contact: 866-PROVENA (766-8362)

The Provena prenatal care classes educate on birthing styles, breastfeeding, baby care, and many other prenatal subjects.

La Leche League of Champaign
Contacts: Ashley at 391-3946; Jodi at 725-8060

La Leche League of Champaign is an affiliate of La Leche League International. Their mission is to help mothers breastfeed through mother to mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to provide a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the health and development of baby and mother. This chapter meets twice a month: the third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. at Developmental Service Center in Champaign and the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Urbana Free Library.

Other reliable online breastfeeding resources:

Breastfeeding books

“Breastfeeding: A Guide for Parents,” by Amy Spangler, RN, MSN, IBCLC
For more information, visit Baby Gooroo. Also find Amy Spangler on Facebook and Twitter.
“New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding,” from the American Academy of Pediatrics
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding,” from La Leche League International

C-U Essential Toolkit: Curtis Orchard

Aubrie Williams — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:11:50 +0000

Editor’s Note: This entry to the C-U Essential Toolk it has been sponsored by the generosity of Dr. David P. Wickness, D.M.D.

What: Curtis Orchard

Where: 3902 S. Duncan Road, Champaign. Head west through Champaign on Springfield or Kirby avenues and turn south. Keep going, past Windsor Road, until you see the giant hay bales on the left. If you’re coming from I-57, take the aptly named Curtis Road exit (between University Avenue exit on the north and Monticello/Savoy exits to the south).

Escape the Wicked Witch of the West or just go pumpkin picking from the comfort of your own Radio Flyer at Curtis Orchard in Champaign. Credit: Flickr, Crystl

Hours And Cost: Curtis Orchard is open between July 20 and Dec. 20. From July to October, their hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In November and December, hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Description: Follow the yellow brick road down to a Wizard of Oz extravaganza! Apples – and all kinds of produce – are a big deal at Curtis Orchard. Catch a ride on a tractor through the orchard or walk down the rows, reach up and pick from more than 25 different varieties of apples. During late fall the pumpkin patch is where it’s at, and you can U-pick ‘til your heart’s content. The bakery and shops have all manner of goodies, made on site (apple donuts, anyone!) at The Flying Monkey Café (open from Aug. 20 to Oct. 30) or brought in. And that’s just the food! Activities abound outside the main building, including a petting zoo, corn maze, pony rides, face painting and more. There is also a covered area for private parties, and special private tours of the grounds are available to groups.

Good For: Activities for the kids, food for the parents – it’s fun for all ages!

Aubrie’s Take: From pumpkin picking in the fall to the Christmas tree selection process in December, this place very easily becomes a family tradition — as it is for the Curtis and Graham families that run the business. Inside, the Flying Monkey Café gives you the chance to treat yourself to some treats, ranging from things you could probably bring from home (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) to their signature apple donuts, all washed down with an apple cider – out of an apple-shaped sippy, if you prefer. Outside, don’t miss the goat walk (with a chance to feed them, if you enjoy getting licked) and the barn slide, all big draws for the kiddos in our family. There’s also a separate, fenced playground with Little Tykes slides and houses, just right for the toddler set. In October, grab a Radio Flyer and get some gourds, either in the patch – which feels like it goes on for miles – or at the door.

Curtis Orchards is enough on-the-farm fun to make you forget all about the “big city” on the other side of the fence.

Tell us why you love Curtis Orchard!

Aubrie Williams is an all-around journalist, Chambanamoms managing editor, and University of Illinois graduate who is happy to have gotten “stuck” in Champaign-Urbana. She is the doting mother of three daughters, dutiful wife of one lucky husband, and loving caretaker to two cats and one insanely messy house. And, despite the fact that she is in her 30s, she is not afraid to admit that she has enjoyed a frosty apple sippy a time or two while visiting Curtis Orchard.