Market Treasury 2012 Holiday Edition

2 For questions, comments or advertising inFormation, call 719.487.8158 or email [email protected]

MARKET TREASURY • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • 2012 - ISSUE 8

in tHis issue:greeting card contest winner:

SEE BELOW

special feature: CHRISTMAS UNLIMITED PG. 12

seniors:HOLIDAY TRADITIONS PG. 15

health:ASK DR. ANDREW HALL PG. 18

automotiveWHAT IS YOUR CAR TELLING YOU? PG. 20

energyCHEAP WAYS TO WINTERIZE PG. 33

MARKET TREASURY is

PRESIDENTsonia Fleming

CREATIVE DIRECTORdavid Fleming

ART DIRECTOR / editorandrea Jones

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSandrea JonesK. “Burrito” Pérez

WRITERSalex riegelmannandrea JonesElizabeth Behnke

PROGRAMMINGkarl Jones

CLIENT MANAGERkristina larsen

SALESstuart mcmillin

CONTRIBUTORSdr. andrew HallKathy Allen

Market Treasury thanks all of our contributors in 2012 who have helped make our magazine what it is today. you are all awesome!

Thank you to all of the kids who participated in Market Treasury’s Creative Contests in 2012. We are constantly impressed by the level of talent in our area and urge schools everywhere to keep the arts in education.

Enter the Snowman Drawing Contest!It's back by popular demand! Our snowman draw-ing contest one year ago was such a success that we are going to make it a tradition.

Three winners will be chosen from different age groups. The winning drawings will be published in the magazine, and the winners will receive a pack-age of art supplies.

Kids 0-17 are eligible to enter. Mail your entries to our new offices at 4760 Flintridge Drive, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. You can also email your entries to [email protected]. Include your name, age, and contact infor-mation.

Deadline for entries is February 1, 2013.

It has been a big year for Market Treasury! Our articles on local charities, contests for kids and advertorials have made us a welcome addition to mailboxes all over Colorado Springs. We are now in King Soopers as well, so be sure to look for us in stores between Colorado Springs and Denver. Market Treasury is also adding several new publications in 2013, includ-ing a new Castle Rock publication, and introducing Market Savings, a smaller, coupon-packed book, perfect for advertis-ers and shoppers alike. Below are some of the comments we have gotten from our readers this year:

Ultimate Horsepower, Issue 6: "I am one of the instructors at Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center and I just wanted to thank you for the great article about our facility and how horses help all types of people! It was very well written and we appreciate you choosing us!" --Jamie

Short Story Contest: "Thank you for the opportunity! [Our son] was very excited to write once he learned about this contest, and we were very happy with his motivation and effort." --Kelly

Poetry Contest: "Dear Good People at Market Trea-sury, I wish to submit several entries

for 6th grade students at James Irwin school. Your contest came at a great time for us, since we just happen to be working on a poetry unit… This was a great motivator for the students. Thank you for offering the contest." --Paula

Email Subject: Love it "I love the changes to the magazine! I always look through it to see if there are any coupons we can use. But when I started flipping through the latest edition, I noticed the ar-ticles and said, 'This isn't what I was expecting!' I was pleasantly surprised to find some great information along with the ads and coupons. Keep up the good work!" --Anonymous

Congratulations to our Greeting Card Contest Winner, Brooke Koback, age 8


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eMARKET TREASURY • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • 2012 - ISSUE 8

The first artificial Christmas trees were manufactured in Germany using dyed goose feathers.

PRINT hUNDREDS Of COUPONS fOR YOU, YOUR fRIENDS AND YOUR fAMILY AT www.MarKettreaSurY.COM 5

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e2012 - ISSUE 8 • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • MARKET TREASURY

Each year, Americans send more than 3 billion Christmas cards.


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There are 364 gifts total in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas.” (Those days begin on Christmas and end on January 6th.)


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e2012 - ISSUE 8 • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • MARKET TREASURY

December 25th was declared to be the official date of celebration for the birth of Jesus by Pope Julius I in A.D. 350.


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The tallest Christmas tree ever cut was 221 feet tall. It was a Douglas fir displayed in a shopping center in Seattle, Washington.

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2012 - ISSUE 8 • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • MARKET TREASURY

Christmas trees have been sold in the US since 1850.


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Most Christmas trees are 15 years old by the time they reach your home.

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A Yule log is an enormous log burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas.

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Yes, Colorado,By alex riegelmann

If you are a parent, you know the look on a child’s face when they get a gift from you. They light up. Unfiltered joy pours out of them. You probably remember the feeling from your own childhood, the excitement you felt on Christmas morning at the sight of presents piled under the tree—or perhaps you know the disappointment of having friends who got presents when you didn’t; of having a Christmas tree with nothing under it.

Have you ever seen a young mother at the supermarket, her shopping cart filled with Ramen noodles and a single gallon of milk for all of her kids? Have you filled your gas tank next to a father with furrowed brow as he carefully watches the meter tick upward to his $20 limit? Their kids are like all chil-dren: They love toys and playing; Christmas is a long-awaited, exciting day. But parents struggling with money sometimes have to feel the heartbreak of seeing their kids’ dis-appointment of waking up to find Santa did not visit them.

Christmas Unlimited is an organization that aims to prevent that. It is a foundation that strives to make sure all families get to experience the joy of giving and receiving—together.

It started during a harsh Colorado winter back in 1923. Four women started Christ-mas Unlimited in what was then the small town of Colorado Springs. Their mission was simple: to give underprivileged children the joy of receiving presents on Christmas. That first year, the charity provided toys for 231 children. Little did those humble founders know that CU would grow far beyond their original efforts. As Colorado Springs grew into a sprawling metropolitan area where families from all over the world made their home, Christmas Unlimited grew. In 2011, 12,700 children received gifts from CU val-ued at $35-$40 for each child.

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there is a Santa Claus“[For me,] Christmas was family,” says Bob Tretheway, the Execu-tive Director. “Christmas was having fun. We try to bring a little bit of that to the community and to kids who need it most.”

According to Bob, who has acted as Executive Director since 1994, Christmas Unlimited is ultimately about helping parents and guard-ians make a better life for their children. In that spirit, parents must apply to participate. They then accept the toy donation themselves, preferably without their children in tow (“There has to be some magic,” says Bob). Parents and guardians choose new or gently used presents in a store-like setting rather than picking them out of bins or searching shelves of old, worn donations at a secondhand store.

From a child’s perspective, there are presents under the tree on Christmas morning; from the parents’ perspective, they can focus on meeting the needs of their families and still give something spe-cial to their kids.

“The parents should be the heroes of the family, not the organiza-tion and not the volunteers,” says Bob.

ABOVE: A volunteer stocks the shelves of the “store.” Many items are brand-new.

COnTInUED On PG. 36

ABOVE: Nick Forster (left) presents the E-Chievement Award to Bob Tretheway (right) for Christmas Unlimited.


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Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they were cultivated by the Aztecs.

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A few weeks ago, my adult sons, seven year old grand-daughter, husband and I perpetuated a family Thanksgiv-ing tradition. Since 1980, the men and boys joining us for Thanksgiving dinner have always weighed in when they arrived. As they munched the day away happily, their eyes were on a large ceramic pig. This coveted pig award was established to be presented to the male who gained the most weight once the meal was finished. Each year using a paint pen, the pen was autographed with the “winner's” name, year, and how much weight they gained.

Through the years, our Thanksgiving gatherings have ranged from large and boisterous to small and intimate. Mostly, the women shunned this tradition as something to-tally foreign to them. The men love the competition and jovial ribbing and prodding to eat and drink even more. This year, my precious granddaughter loudly announced she was playing too. She hopped onto the scale and proudly an-nounced her weight. I couldn’t help but wonder when we lose that ability to play without inhibition. No social constraints for her – she was in it to win it!

After our meal was eaten and the dishes were washed, I reached out long distance to my niece who spent her first Thanksgiving without her mother. She was invited to her neighbors home where others without family in town gathered. Each was asked to bring their fondest memory of childhood Thanksgivings. For my niece, this was her grandmother's dressing. Her mother had also made it for forty years. This was her contribution to the shared neigh-borhood Thanksgiving feast.

Although she was pleased with her dressing, the over-all meal fell short of her expectations. No one brought mashed potatoes. Actually, no one cooked a turkey! The

group had ham with ham gravy – neither item on our fam-ily tradition hit list.

As we grow older, it is important to realize what traditions we have established, even accidently! The younger gen-erations have spent their lifetimes engaging in the family rituals. With my parents deceased and my older sister

struggling with dementia, I have become the elder in our family. I feel the call to mentor

the younger family members so they can keep tradition alive while they layer in

their own traditions.

Throughout our lifetimes, rituals and traditions evolve. At a wed-ding a few years ago, the bride and groom jumped into the ocean in their formal attire! I was awestruck that after spending so much money to be photographed so beauti-fully, these young newly-weds nonchalantly swam in their wedding clothing. Married myself for 41 years,

my wedding dress had been processed and sealed by a dry

cleaner after the ceremony – lov-ingly kept through all the years in

hopes any future heirs would like to wear it.

As Christmas approaches, family traditions will get played out in homes across the country.

Whether it’s a wacky weigh-in contest, a food ritual, a silly gift exchange, it is important that we embrace our past while we create new memories.

According to Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, “How do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word – Tradi-tion! Without our traditions, our lives are as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!”

Kathy Allen is a local writer attempting to age with dignity. Her musings spring from a full family life and a career of community service. She can be reached at [email protected].

TraditionsBy katHy allen


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Holly berries are poisonous. Poinsettias are not.

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Ask Dr. Andrew HallQ: when should my child first use toothpaste, and how much should be applied to the brush? A: Removing food and plaque from the teeth and gums should be done routinely as the first tooth erupts. In the early teething stages, use a cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush dampened with water (nO paste). Your child may use a non-fluoridated tooth-paste up to age 3. Around this age, your child should transition to fluoridated toothpaste that is flavored especially for chil-dren. Avoid minty flavors, which children can sometimes find too "hot." Apply only a thin coating to the top of the bristles.

Q: are electric toothbrushes better at cleaning teeth than manual toothbrushes? A: Both manual and power toothbrushes are effective, but studies have shown electric and sonic toothbrushes, if used properly, can perform better than manual toothbrushes. People with arthritis or limited dexterity may find an electric toothbrush especially helpful. Those who have orthodontic braces can reduce the risk of dislodging appliances with a pow-ered brush.

Q: I'm interested in changing the shape of my teeth. what options are available? A: Several different options are available to change the shape of teeth, make them look longer, close spaces between them or repair chipped/cracked teeth. Among the options are bonding, crowns, veneers and recontouring. Learn more about these procedures at www.webmd.com/oral-health.

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The original St. nicholas was a symbol of discipline and punishment.


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Ignoring those dashboard lights could cost you!By elizaBetH BeHnke

Admit it: sometimes it’s easy to ignore those dashboard warning lights in hopes that they go away. Unfortunately, your car is not going to be fixed by a magical auto repair fairy, no matter how hard you clap your hands. So what are some signs you should never ignore? Luckily, we have the scoop.

Check Engine Light/Service Engine Soon – This is possibly the #1 most overlooked warning sign your car gives you. Be-cause this light could mean hundreds of things, it is easy to say that one of them is not a serious issue. However, ignoring the check engine light could be a costly mistake. Yes, most of the time it indicates a simple problem, but you should have a professional make sure your car is still road-worthy.

Oil Pressure Light – If you see this light turn on, you are probably running low on oil, which is crucial for your car’s engine. Ignoring this light though could lead to severe engine trouble.

Brake Warning – It could just mean your handbrake is engaged or it could be that your brake pads are wearing out and need replacing. DO nOT ignore issues with your brakes. If this light comes on, see your mechanic as soon as possible.

Battery System Warning Light – The charging system involves more than just the battery alone. This light can also indi-cate broken wires or problems with your alternator. Broken alternator = Engine no go.

Engine Temperature – If this light comes on, you are having problems with cooling. If it flashes, find a safe place to pull off the road and get mechanical assistance. Your cooling fan may not be working, which can cause serious engine trouble.

ABS Light – The ABS system is usually integrated with traction control and stability systems. These are in place to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, and handling. Drive at your own risk when this light comes on; it is some-thing you will want to have checked out.

Other things like vibration, steering difficulty, and noises will only get worse with time, and it is up to you whether you would rather pay a small fee to get it fixed now, or thousands of dollars later when something falls out of your car.

Xmas has been used as an abbreviation for Christmas since the mid-16th century.

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Santa must make 842,000,000 stops on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts to every child in the world.


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The origin of Santa’s elves may surprise you. The legend grew from an old European belief

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that both good and bad spirits were active during the Twelve Days of Christmas.


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In Poland, spiders are considered to be symbols of goodness and prosperity at Christmas,

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which is why spider webs commonly adorn Christmas trees there.


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President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1912.

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Hanukkah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights.

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Hanukkah is a celebration of the victory of the Israelites over the Greek ruler Antiochus around 2200 years ago.


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In 1836, Alabama became the first state in the union to officially recognize Christmas Day. It was not an

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official national holiday until 1870. The last state to declare Christmas a holiday was Oklahoma in 1907.


services and specialists

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tMARKET TREASURY • COLORADO SPRINGS METRO AREA • 2012 - ISSUE 8

The plant mistletoe spreads through bird droppings. Try not to think of that the next time you find yourself underneath it.

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In Yemen, children went from house to house, tins in hand, to collect wicks for the Hanukkah Menorah.

Save on your energy costs with easy ways to winterize your home Draft snakes: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that drafts caused by gaps between your door and door frame can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use. There is an easy fix, though: Roll up a towel and place it at the bot-tom of the door.

Change your furnace filters: Dirty filters restrict airflow and force you to crank up the heat. Replace your filters at the beginning of the cold season and once a month throughout. People who suffer from allergies will discover an added benefit: Clean filters catch allergens, pollen and pet dander, so be sure to replace them regularly for wheeze-free respiration.

Reverse your ceiling fans: Warm air rises, and cold air sinks, so the heat coming from your heater vents will drift upwards and stay there. Luckily, ceiling fans are equipped with a handy little switch to reverse the blade rotation, forcing warm air back down where you want it. A fireplace with a blower and a ceiling fan running in reverse can heat large living areas, not to mention giving your pets a cozy spot to curl up on the floor.

Install storm windows and doors: Colorado Springs is famous (or infamous if you prefer) for year-round high winds that turn downright frigid in the winter. Storm doors and windows are specifically designed to seal drafts and reduce leaks. Remember what your parents always used to say and quit paying to heat the outdoors!

Plastic wrap—not just for leftovers anymore: A cheap alternative to storm windows can be found at your local hardware store. For just a few bucks, you can pick up a window insulation kit. The plastic sheets are easily installed with a hair dryer, and boosts your home’s ability to retain heat.

Turn the heat down when you don’t need it: There’s no reason to keep your furnace running at a comfortable 72 degrees when no one is home. If you can’t remember to turn down the temperature on your way out the door, spend a few bucks on a programmable thermostat.


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Hanukkah candles are placed in the Menorah (a candelabrum with nine holders) from right to left. They are lit from left to right.

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Unlike many other charitable organizations, which have paid employees, or, at the very least, an office manager, Christmas Unlim-ited dedicates 100% of donated funds to gifts and operating costs. While this means that none of the volunteers are paid for their time, it allows them to donate an astonishing $10 worth of products for every $1 donated. In 2011, this amounted to over half a million dollars’ worth of new and used merchandise.

The volunteers are very professional, show-ing up to work for their own scheduled shifts. They enjoy free drinks, snacks and meals, but find that being part of something bigger than themselves is the most rewarding part. They get to meet people from all walks of life, with different experiences, backgrounds, and beliefs.

“You know, I’m surprised by the universality of the holiday season,” Bob muses. “Every year on Christmas Eve, the Jewish Taber-nacle calls us to volunteer. They assume all of the Christians are at home [or at church services], so they offer to help. It’s amazing.”

Christmas Unlimited volunteers come from all walks of life. Bob says there have been agnostics, Hindus, Muslims, and all manner of other faiths volunteering at CU for years.

Volunteers from the Stratmoor Fire Department

Surprisingly, many of the volunteers who return each year are teenagers from group homes and the foster system. According to Bob, CU has “adopted” many of these at-risk teens.

Thanks to the people who willingly give up their free time, more parents wake up with their kids on Christmas morning, make coffee, and celebrate having enough.

Challenges

Despite being one of the most effective charities in the Pikes Peak region, CU has its share of challenges. It turns out that moving heaven and earth to gather enough toys for nearly 13,000 children can be expensive!

The primary challenge they face is covering op-erating costs, which requires monetary support You’re never the wrong age to help! Volunteer Jacinda is 12; volunteer Jean is 80.

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“Once we were almost to the point of painting cardboard boxes and calling them dollhouses.”

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from the community. “Once we were almost to the point of painting cardboard boxes and calling them dollhouses,” Bob relates (and as anyone who knows him will tell you, he would do it if it meant helping more people). “I wish more people knew that this is a volunteer organization that has its limits.”

According to Bob, this lack of monetary resources, coupled with insufficient donations to meet the needs of all the children in the area, are the primary challenges to Christ-mas Unlimited’s mission.

In terms of personnel, their biggest need is for volunteers with software skills (such as basic Microsoft Office pro-grams and data entry). Bilingual Spanish speakers would be invaluable to them, as would people able to volunteer time during business hours on weekdays. There are no official requirements to volunteer, only a few etiquette

guidelines to follow. No one who meets those qualifications is turned away.

From the state of the office where Christmas Unlimited is headquartered, where tables are covered in paperwork, you can tell there is always a hustle-and-bustle going on at CU. It is the modern, real-world equivalent of Santa’s workshop, with busy workers organizing spreadsheets, quiet youths moving boxes, and secretaries taking calls…and if you follow the sounds of banter and jolly laughter, you’ll meet a rosy-cheeked fellow named Bob Tretheway directing the whole operation with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

If you ask him, he’ll say his name is Bob; but if you spend a little time with him, you’ll start to suspect that somewhere in that nondescript warehouse on Boulder Street, he is hid-ing eight reindeer and a sleigh.

To volunteer at Christmas Unlimited, contact Roberta DeWitt at 719-597-1821 or email her at [email protected] If you would like to donate funds, go to their website, www.christmasunlimited.org, and click on the “donation” tab to make a secure monetary donation online. You can also send a check or money order (no cash, please) to 2204 E. Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. To donate toys, you may drop them off at any Southern Colorado Wal-Mart store.

Alex Riegelmann is a freelance writer in Colorado Springs. To contact him, email [email protected]. We will forward your message.

ABOVE: Colorado Springs Police Cadets select gifts for qualified families.

LEFT: Christmas Unlimited partners with more than 40 charitable organizations in the area, including the Girl Scouts of America.

COnTInUED fROM PG. 36

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ecrwsslocal Postal Patron

Market Treasury 2012 Holiday Edition

Documents

Transcript of Market Treasury 2012 Holiday Edition