Debra L. Karplus, MS, OTR/L, freelance writer

Baroque Artists of CU - concert Sunday May 19 on campus

2013-05-13T16:06:00.000-05:00

www.visitchampaigncounty.org

Learn more about the upcoming concert

Parkland College Chorus concert Saturday May 11, 7 pm at Parkland

2013-05-06T17:22:00.001-05:00

www.visitchampaigncounty.org

Check out the concert at Parkland Saturday night.

It should be excellent!

Dollar Stretcher article: Nursing Your Baby

2013-05-05T20:25:00.002-05:00

Check out my latest article on www/stretcher.com

I welcome your comments.

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13may06c.cfm

Prairie Ensemble concert, Saturday May 4, 2013

2013-05-03T16:15:00.000-05:00

Prairie Ensemble concert, Saturday May 4, 2013, 7:30 pm,

McKinley Presbyterian Church, Champaign

By Debra L. Karplus

Looking for an engaging, interesting, relaxing and fun way to spend a Saturday evening? Check out the final concert of the2012 – 2013 season of the Prairie Ensemble. In its second decade, Prairie Ensemble’s website (PrairieEnsemble.org) states “expanding the borders of classical music” as one of the group’s missions. You definitely will not be disappointed!

The May 4 concert promises to please its listeners. Music director Kevin Kelly will be conducting one of his favorite pieces, W. A. Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. Additionally, the group will play The Horn Concerto No. 1 by Richard Strauss, and Ralph Vaughn Williams Symphony No. 5. Bernhard Scully, a University of Illinois horn professor will be the featured soloist for the event.

Audience members can arrive at 7:00 pm on concert night to participate in Kevin’s informal commentary about the evening’s program at no extra charge, before enjoying the 7:30 concert which lasts until approximately 9:00 pm. Additionally, don’t be surprised at the casual and usually captivating “half-time show”, as Kelly likes to call his intermission.

Tickets can be purchased online for $18 or at the door. Prairie Ensemble typically performs at local churches in the Champaign-Urbana area. The concert on May 4 will be at the McKinley Presbyterian Church, known around town for its marvelous acoustics. You’ll appreciate the two ramped parking garages across the street of this campus church on 5^th and Daniel Streets, an easy walk from numerous delicious eateries, and a quick drive from a wide variety of restaurants around Champaign and Urbana.

Grand Magazine article by Debbie : Nursing grandchild

2013-04-29T12:29:00.002-05:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/04/the-benefits-of-mothers-milk-for-your-grandchild/

grandmagazine.com

I welcome your comments about my latest published article about nursing in Grand Magazine.

Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana -- concert on Sunday April 21, 2013, McKinley Church

2013-04-15T12:11:00.003-05:00

http://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/blog

details on the Champaign County visitor website (blog)

or

www.baroqueartists.org

check it out

Mothers and Daughters, Grand Magazine

2013-03-29T15:56:00.002-05:00

www.grandmagazine.com

Check out my latest article in Grand Magazine

about Mothers & Daughters.

I welcome your comments.

Rain Barrels

2013-03-14T19:23:00.001-05:00

Barrel of Money

How a rain barrel can help you stretch dollars

By Debra L. Karplus

You may have noticed a barrel in your neighbor’s yard that looked like it was attached to a downspout at the end of a gutter; you wondered what it was and why it was sitting there. That rain barrel is a part of a system for homeowners specifically designed to use rain water with the intention of helping the environment and saving money on household water bills. As a kid you may have tried to collect rain water in a container to re-use the water. That’s the same principle as today’s rain barrels that are gaining popularity in many communities.

There are numerous benefits to installing one or more rain barrels on your property. “By using rain barrels, you are benefitting the environment by reducing sewer runoff, helping your garden and landscape thrive, reducing your water bill, and stress on our water supply”, states a University of Illinois Cooperative Extension horticulture educator. Those very desirable arguments for using a rain barrel leave few reasons not to own one!

Rain barrels are affordable, easy to purchase, and there is essentially a one-time nominal cost to install them.

A typical rain barrel holds about fifty gallons of water. The barrel and the necessary extensions are the purchases required; they can be obtained together, for about one hundred and ten dollars, or separately. The barrels sell for about eighty to one hundred dollars depending on if you want a plain one or a fancier variety. Wooden oak rain barrels can be beautiful, but expect to pay over two hundred dollars for one. Plastic barrels cost considerably less (sometimes fifty dollars), but are far less durable, so go with the metal type, or wood if you want to splurge. Metal barrels are usually green colored, but some are brown or terra cotta. Many folks opt to paint them themselves using spray paint in a color that matches the exterior of their house, or decorating them in some other way. Be creative!

The rain barrel extension kits sells for about fifteen dollars. Instructions for installation are relatively simple to follow. Barrels and kits are available in many large discount stores, home improvement centers, or online, often for less money, but don’t forget that you will be paying for shipping and handling of a fairly large and heavy (sometimes as much as about one hundred twenty pounds) item. Do your research online first, search prices, and read customer product reviews.

You can also make your own rain barrel for a fraction of the cost. If you have any industry or factories in your community, you might be able to obtain a barrel that they are discarding. Look online and watch video clips to learn how to make a rain barrel from scratch.

Minimal time is needed to keep your rain barrel properly functioning.

Maintenance for your rain barrels is essentially non-existent. If you live in an area where temperatures get below thirty-two degrees, you will have only a few very minor tasks as the seasons change. As you would with your outdoor garden hose spigot, you want to avoid the destruction that comes from freezing water that expands. Each autumn, disconnect extensions from the barrel and store for the winter. In the spring, after the last frost, re-install the connections. It’s that simple!

Saving natural resources and preventing sewer run-off while saving your dollars is a win-win deal.

Take a look at your monthly water bill. Scrutinize how much of that bill is for water usage. If you generously use water outdoors for the lawn, the garden, for washing the car, or for filling the kids’ wading pool, a water barrel can replace your outdoor hose and quickly and noticeably save you money. Note that some cities impose a moratorium on outdoor water usage, only allowing it on certain days. Households have received hefty fines for breaking this law.

Some municipalities have started encouraging homeowners to install rain barrels and have been offering a cash rebate incentive for those who do. One Midwestern community offers a one-time twenty-five dollar cash rebate for each rain barrel installed on your property. Cities are motivated to offer this reward rain barrels help prevent city sewers from being overworked from heavy rains.

There are numerous websites that provide information about how rain barrels work, where to purchase them, or how to make them. Visit your local home improvement center and see what they look like. Talk to neighbors who have installed a rain barrel and get advice on the most suitable rain barrel system. A rain barrel may be one of the best things your household can do to be respectful of the environment, going green, while helping you to keep more “green” in your wallet.

Discount Airlines

2013-03-14T14:57:00.001-05:00

Subscribers of the print copy of

The Dollar Stretcher Magazine

can read my recent article, written under the name Lee Doppelt

about discount airlines

in the March 2013.

Check it out!

Discount Eyewear

2013-03-14T12:30:00.001-05:00

The Clear Picture on Eyewear

The Eyes Have It!

By Debra L. Karplus

Your eyeglasses are so scratched that you can barely see through them anymore and the frames have some chips in them and just don’t fit right. You’ve been procrastinating, but it’s probably about time to buy a new pair of glasses. You call the place where you bought your current glasses and they remind you that they cannot simply replace them with another pair, as it’s been more than a year, way more than a year, since your last eye exam. What to do.

Who is covering your eyes?

If you have medical problems with your eyes, you may choose an ophthalmologist, who is a medical doctor specializing in eyes, rather than a licensed optician, the professional who you will find in freestanding eyewear shops and also those vision centers inside some of the large discount stores. An optician at these places will typically test you for glaucoma and cataracts in addition to the routine near vision, far vision, peripheral vision, and astigmatism, with all those teeny tiny alphabet letters on the wall chart.

Before you make an appointment, carefully scrutinize your health insurance plan and see if a vision exam and/or eyeglasses or contact lenses are covered by your policy. Perhaps you have a membership in a large organization such as AARP (aarp.org) or American Automobile Association (aaa.com); expect a thirty percent discount from selected retailers. Seniors can expect substantial savings at many of the optical centers, especially the large more well-known shops.

Try to see the prices clearly.

You may feel as if you need to have a PhD in advanced mathematics to sort out the mumbo jumbo of buying eyewear. Sometimes it may be cheaper to have the exam done by an optician and purchase the glasses or contact lenses elsewhere. One gentleman was a bit bewildered at the local vision center when he learned that an exam and one pair of glasses would cost him two hundred dollars, but the same exam and two pairs would cost $170 at the same place. (No it’s not your poor vision; truly that discount makes absolutely no sense!) Of course he bought two pairs even though he only wanted one.

You will also be offered umpteen options when purchasing glasses such as tinted, scratch resistant, and extended warranties. Don’t let yourself get talked into any features you don’t really desire unless they are desirable features that are cost effective. Remember that you’re paying for the frame and lens combination. And you can be certain that single vision lenses will always be cheaper.

Visualize other ways to save on eyewear.

One woman who had worn glasses for nearly forty years walked into the optical shop at the mall. By mistake, she started looking at children’s frames. She was amazed that these frames were much less expensive than comparable ones for adults, and appeared to be more durable, also. Curious, this petite lady tried on some of the kid’s frames (no, not the one’s with Mickey Mouse or Barbie) and discovered that they were an excellent fit for her small face in both function and appearance, so that’s what she chose. Those frames, by the way, lasted much longer than any glasses that she had purchased in the past.

See what’s available online in eyewear.

You probably already buy air tickets, books, gifts, and many other items online. It’s easy and often cheaper than going to a local store in your town. But if it’s been awhile since you’ve bought glasses or contact lenses, you may be surprised and pleased to learn that once you’ve had the eye exam, you can order frames and lenses on the Internet from a variety of reputable web sites that have rave reviews from numerous satisfied customers. One site sells frames for as low as $6.95 and comes with a generous warranty.

The financial side of eye care can be overwhelming. There are so many choices to sort through. And don’t forget about the tax implications. Since you don’t often buy eyewear or even have the exam, although it is recommended to be performed annually, you may have forgotten than your out-of-pocket expenses for the exam and glasses or contacts are a tax deductible medical expense on the Schedule A of your federal income tax.

Eyewear has become big business, and it, like other industries, has become extremely competitive. Designer eyewear has created its own market niche. When it’s time to replace your current eyewear, look online to see what optical places are near you and start making some calls.

Your Healthy Back

2013-03-13T20:41:00.000-05:00

Arthritis, Bursitis, and other Chronic Conditions

The ABCs of a Healthy Back and Hip for Grandma

By Debra L. Karplus, MS

The joy of holding that new grandchild, walking around with him in your arms as he falls asleep, or the pleasure of having his toddler sister bouncing on your lap while you sing familiar songs. But, ouch, your back or hip is constantly aching. You’ve looked online and finally visited your physician who confirmed that you had arthritis or, its ugly cousin, bursitis. Discouraged, you wonder if this is how life will be for the duration.

Every back pain sufferer should explore the effects of ergonomics.

Start to improve your back and hip health by evaluating and maximizing your position when standing, sitting, and lying. When lifting anything, always be sure to bend at the knees. You walk or maybe you do some sort of regular exercise such as tennis or jogging. Be sure you have appropriate well-fitting shoes with adequate arch support. The money you save by purchasing cheap shoes will be spent on medical care for your back; this is an area where spending the extra money is an excellent investment in good health. Visit a shop where an experienced professional will measure your feet and watch you walk to help you select the style and size of shoes specifically for you.

Approximately one-third of your life is spent on your mattress. If it’s older than seven years, it may be time to replace it. Remove the sheets and mattress pad and carefully look at it from the side view. Is it saggy? For six hundred to one thousand dollars, you can purchase a new mattress and foundation, including delivery and set up and removal of the old, with a ten year warranty. It may be time to go mattress shopping.

Next time you are sitting on a chair or sofa, stop for a moment and check your posture. If you’re a shorter-that-average person, it’s likely that your back never fits against the back of your seat. Try putting a pillow behind you to reduce the strain on your lower back.

Alternative remedies can alleviate symptoms of arthritis and bursitis.

Many sufferers of arthritis and bursitis insist that stretching exercises and specifically those in various forms of yoga have nearly cured them of many of their daily aches and pains. Locate a yoga class in your area and try it out. Often there are free classes for first-timers before you commit to a yearly membership or buy a class punch card.

The “itis” in arthritis, bursitis and numerous other ailments and diseases means “inflammation of”. If you look online or in books of alternative remedies, you’ll find many claims of spices you know, specifically ginger and also turmeric (an ingredient in curry) to be helpful in reducing inflammation. Next time you’re at the grocery, head to the spice section and buy a container of turmeric or ginger, or better yet, some fresh ginger root, and experiment with their uses in your kitchen. You may feel some subtle improvements in your health, particularly on cool, damp weather days.

Also simple to try at home is moist heat. A warm bath can do wonders for your achy joints; or for about ten dollars at your pharmacy, you can get a pack that goes in your microwave for about a minute and works as a type of heating pad. Amazingly, it’ll maintain its heat for about an hour.

A plethora of professionals can relieve your pain.

Acupuncture, chiropractic, and physical therapy are available nearly everywhere. They use modalities to relieve your pain. If all else fails, get a referral from your physician.

Life with your grandchildren will be much more enjoyable when you are pain-free. Get a medical diagnosis first. Then try some simple remedies on your own to give your grandchildren your best you.

A Poem for my New Grandson - Grand Magazine

2013-02-27T16:00:00.001-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/02/a-grandmas-poem-for-her-new-grandbaby/

I cried as I wrote it.

Enjoy!

Grand Debbie's Secret Diary

2013-02-25T18:55:00.002-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/02/a-sneak-peek-into-the-secret-life-of-grandma-debbie/

I hope you will enjoy my latest article

about my diary

in Grand Magazine

www.grandmagazine.com

I welcome your comments.

Safety at Grandma's - Grand Magazine article

2013-02-25T18:43:00.003-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/02/is-grandmas-house-dangerous-for-grandkids/

Check out my latest article in

Grand Magazine

www.grandmagazine.com

about

Safety at Grandma's

I welcome your comments.

Vacuum Cleaners - Dollar Stretcher article by Debbie

2013-02-25T07:21:00.002-06:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13feb25g.cfm#.UStj5zBUWAg

I hope you will read my

Dollar Stretcher article

about Vacuum Cleaners

I welcome your comments.

Substitute teaching (embarrassed grandparent)

2013-02-20T13:38:00.001-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/02/are-you-an-embarrassed-grandparent/

Check out my article about substitute teaching (Embarrassed Grandparent)

in Grand Magazine

www.grandmagazine.com

I welcome your comments.

Auto advertising, my latest Dollar Stretcher article

2013-02-13T14:24:00.004-06:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13feb18e.cfm

This was a fun

Dollar Stretcher

article to research, sparked by my curiosity about these vehicles on the road.

learn more about Auto Advertising

at

www.stretcher.com

Discount Airlines -- Dollar Stretcher article

2013-02-11T17:49:00.001-06:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13feb11b.cfm#.URmCAqVEG8A

Check out my recent article in

The Dollar Stretcher

about

Discount Airlines

I welcome your comments.

www.stretcher.com

Sweet Dreams - Dollar Stretcher Magazine, February 2013 issue

2013-02-11T15:57:00.002-06:00

Subscribers to the hard copy of

The Dollar Stretcher

can read my recent article about mattresses in the

February 2013 issue

I welcome your comments.

Meals while Travelling - Dollar Stretcher article

2013-01-24T10:25:00.001-06:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13jan28d.cfm#.UQFxgyfAe8A

I welcome your comments about my latest article in

The Dollar Stretcher

www.stretcher.com

Be a GRAND volunteer - Grand Magazine article

2013-01-22T16:45:00.002-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/01/vow-to-be-a-grandparent-volunteer-this-year/

I welcome your comments about my latest article about

Volunteering

in

Grand Magazine

www.grandmagazine.com

Are your Grandchildren Good Letter Writers? - Grand Magazine

2013-01-22T16:34:00.001-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/01/are-your-grandchildren-good-letter-writers/

I welcome your comments about my newest Grand Magazine article about

Letter Writing

www.grandmagazine.com

Buying a new Mattress - Dollar Stretcher article

2013-01-14T07:53:00.001-06:00

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/13/13jan14d.cfm

Check out my latest article in

The Dollar Stretcher

about buying a mattress

I welcome your comments.

www.stretcher.com

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette Business Briefs

2013-01-06T10:02:00.000-06:00

Check out today's News-Gazette in the business section,

Section D, page 2

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/employment/2013-01-06/business-and-professional-briefs-jan-6-2013.html

There's a nice write-up about my magazine writing.

School Pictures - my Grand Magazine article

2013-01-04T20:28:00.002-06:00

http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/2013/01/to-grandkids-a-pictuee-is-worth-a-thousand-words/

I hope you enjoy my latest (nostalgia) article in Grand Magazine

a Picture IS worth a Thousand Words

I welcome your comments.

www.grandmagazine.com