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kwkids.com Newsletter - November 2008 |
Let's be grateful and appreciate peace! |
| Featured Activities & Outings for November 2008 |
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Last week it sure was hard to believe that the Santa Claus Parade season is here! The snow on the ground this morning is a sure sign that winter is approaching. The festive season can be felt all around us – the lights are coming up and wreaths are being hung. While it is hard to say good-bye to the warmth, I will try to embrace the season of cold and appreciate its beauty!
- This Saturday, November 15, 2008 let’s meet at the KW Santa Claus Parade! It starts at 10 am at King and Erb Streets in Uptown Waterloo and finishes at King and Cedar Streets in Downtown Kitchener. The organizers have invited us to bring a food donation and a new toy to be donated to those who have less. Also, Canada Post will be collecting letters addressed to Santa along the route. Visit our Santa Claus Parade page, if you are interested in venturing away from town to attend other parades as well.
- Wondering what to do on Tuesday mornings? Check out the Kid’s Hop! - a free indoor concert at the Kitchener Market every Tuesday (excluding tomorrow, November 11) from 11am - Noon. Every week a different entertainer performs. Sing along, dance, catch some bubbles and stay for a lunch at the Market after the concert if you wish.
- If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure to visit the Children’s Museum and check out the Dinosaurs Alive! interactive exhibit that will run until January 11, 2009.
- Another neat indoor activity for all age groups, Play with Clay, takes place almost every second Sunday afternoon at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. Your whole family is invited to unleash your artistic selves by creating unique work of art in clay!
- November is just the beginning of a long cold season. For those of you who’d rather play inside than build snowmen outside, there are many local family-friendly places to attend. The newly opened Busy Bees Playground is a great hang-out place for kids under the age of 5. The Early Years Centres in Waterloo and Kitchener offer many great free programs for parents and children under the age of 6. The Y Kids membership (for kids under the age of 14) at the YMCA costs only $23/month and provides access to many great programs for kids of all ages. The YMCA also offers membership assistance for those whose current financial situation would limit their ability to participate in the YMCA programs.
Please visit the kwkids.com event & program calendar for full details on many upcoming events & programs or visit the November At a Glance page if you'd like to see a quick overview of events taking place during the month of November.
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Sponsored Listing
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Neat Stuff
Last month I came across a great online movie rental website - zip.ca. Shipping is FREE, there are no late charges and their library consists of 72,000 titles! I like the fact that I can create a zip list (like a wish list) that I can constantly change and update with movies that I’d like see. When I read about a great movie, I just go to zip.ca and add it to my Zip list. It’s really affordable too – the plans start at CDN$5.95 for two movies per month! They offer a completely FREE 2-week trial that allows you to try out their services and see if they work for you.
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Green Tip
Are you concerned about the environmental impact of all the junk mail filling your mail box? To reduce the amount of unwanted mail received, consider registering with the Canadian Marketing Association. By doing so, their members will no longer be contacting you. And if you do not like persuasive telemarketer calls, add your phone number to the Do Not Call List. While it will not eliminate all calls completely, it should reduce dinner-time interruptions.
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Ask the Pro - Family Finances Specialist
 The kwkids.com Family Finances Pro Steve from Bentley Financial returns with important information for parents. Visit the Family Finances section for more questions and answers on family finances.
November 2008 Question: Recently, we were the victims of identity fraud It was not easy securing our assets and clearing our names. It hit us hard with respect to our ability to get new credit. Are there any steps you would recommend to other young couples to help prevent this from happening to someone else?
Answer: This question caught me by surprise and I thought it would be a good subject for this newsletter. Everyone should be aware of the steps fraudsters will go to. They probably have affected someone you know. I received a copy of this employee communication from a client, a corporate attorney, who obviously will remain nameless. It provides good advice. Take the time to read this and put in a safe place just in case.
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed by stealing a name, address, Social Insurance Number (SIN), or credit card. Unfortunately, I have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week the thieves had ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a computer, received a PIN number from the Ministry of Transportation to change my driving record information online, and more.
Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you:
- We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
- File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc. were stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all:- Equifax Canada: 1-877-249-2705
- Trans Union: 1-877-525-3823
I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. They seem to have been stopped dead in their tracks. Someone turned in the wallet shortly thereafter.
Here are some more pointers:- The next time you order cheques have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your cheque book, they will not know if you sign your cheques with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your cheques.
- Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED'.
- Never keep your birth certificate in your wallet. It is the hardest to replace and is the first piece of identification you need to replace the others.
- When you are writing cheques to pay your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your cheque as it passes through the processing channels won't have access to it.
- Put your work phone number on your cheques instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SIN printed on your cheques. You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
- Photocopy contents of your wallet. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel, both here and abroad.
These steps may assist you avoid becoming the next victim of identity theft if not make it much more difficult. Maintaining and securing client’s confidential information is paramount at Bentley Financial. This is why we thought it prudent to communicate these tips with our clients and colleagues. If you would like further information, please email Bentley Financial at info@bentleyfinancial.ca or call us at 519-404-4864 (1 888 88 BENTLEY toll free).
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Ask the Pro - Naturopathic Doctor
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 Dr. Joanna Thiessen George Street Naturopathic Medicine answers another question asked by one of the kwkids.com visitors. Visit the Ask the Naturopath page for more questions and answers on naturopathic medicine.
November 2008 Question: I am 37 weeks pregnant and have come down with a bad cold. Is there anything I can safely take?
Answer: There are a few natural cold remedies which are safe in pregnancy. Anything homeopathic is safe, so your health food store might have a homeopathic combination remedy for colds - eg. Coryzalia by Boiron. In terms of herbs, Echinacea and Astragalus are used to boost the immune system, and both are safe in pregnancy. Liquid extracts of these herbs will be more potent than capsules. Most liquid extracts are alcohol based, but you can also find herbs extracted in glycerine which is alcohol free. When buying a liquid Echinacea, just make sure it does not have Golden Seal in it. This is another immune herb, but it is NOT safe for use in pregnancy as it can lead to uterine contractions. So read the label closely and make sure it is just straight Echinacea. Vitamin C and Zinc at appropriate doses are also safe. Rest and hydration can also work wonders, so make sure you are slowing down and taking good care of yourself (and your baby!) I recommend visiting a Naturopathic Doctor to learn more about safe dosages of the herbs and vitamins mentioned here.
Good luck and be well!
In health,
Dr.Joanna Thiessen (ND, Doula)
Disclaimer: The information presented herein is not a prescription and does not substitute the consultation of a health care practitioner. |
Embrace the season!
Jana
Tel: 519-571-8827
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