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Looking to live a good, happy, healthy long life? Need to lose weight or maintain it? Having a furry friend in your life can help you achieve all of these goals.
According to statistics, people who have one or more pets in their homes lead happier lives, are considerably healthier, live longer, and weigh less than those who don't. Pet owners heal better after surgery and have reduced factors for cardiovascular disease. Those are pretty good reasons to be a pet owner right there but that's not why we need and have pets in our lives.
The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians explains the bond that we have with our pets as: 'a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship. The touching of our pets and the closeness of the relationship with them is spiritual.'
Anyone who lives with a cat or a dog will tell you how much love there is to be found in this human/beast relationship. Taking nothing away from birds, reptiles, or friendly rodents, the loving touch of a furry family member at the end of a long, tough day is hard to beat. With their unconditional love Fluffy and Fido bring happiness to their human 'litter-mates'.
About the names: The rather simple names of Fluffy and Fido came from the fact that cats generally were fluffy and dogs were considered to be 'fidelis', the most faithful of creatures. Today their descendents may very well have names such as Skylar or Charles, always with the owner's last name of course. They are family after all.
But pets don't really care all that much about names. Whatever we happen to name our pets doesn't matter. They simply want kindness, care, and loving attention from us. When we give this in abundance we are assured of their love which is loyal and pure. They don't care what we look like or what we do for a living—they certainly don't care how much money we make. All they care about is that we're here.
Animals influence our lives for the better. Who among us doesn't remember a special pet from childhood? They're remembered because their love was special. Whatever they gave to us made a lasting impression. We remember the loyalty and love.
We remember, too, the sadness of a beloved pet's passing or the incredibly heartbreaking decision to euthanize a suffering dog or cat, no matter that we knew it was the right thing to do. Their love as well as their memories last.
Pets help to heal us. Therapists who work in children's hospitals or with nursing home patients are very aware of this fact when they use pet therapy as part of an interactive program. Many nursing homes have house cats whose very presence seems to bring peace to the patients. They are furry-pawed members of the staff and seem to instinctively know when they're needed.
Therapy dogs have been known to reach people suffering from Alzheimer's. A beautiful collie named Jesse was a sweet-natured gentle miracle worker of sorts for a woman suffering from this disease. She rarely spoke and never recognized anyone in her family. One day, when Jesse was brought over to the woman, he put his head in her lap. She looked at him, stroked his head and simply said, "Lassie." His presence had sparked a sweet, tiny memory for her.
The relationship between humans and pets goes back a long time and no doubt started out as a practical one. Cats kept homes rodent free and dogs guarded and protected their humans in exchange for food, water, and shelter. We took care of them and they took care of us too. It was a 'hand-and-paw-shake-on-it' good deal for all concerned.
Animals are still looking out for us. Stories of dogs who risk their lives to protect their owners, and even complete strangers, from physical attacks, cats who have been known to alert sleeping families to fire and other dangers in the home, pods of dolphins saving a surfer being attacked by a shark; the media is full of these true human interest stories.
There is an inexplicable tug of our hearts towards the creatures with whom we share our lives, a primal need to interact with them and to love them. What they give to us is something that is precious and rare. They love us without reservation, they trust us implicitly, they accept us as we are, warts and all. What a perfect definition of unconditional love.
Ready to live a long, happy, and healthy life? Be a pet parent!
© copyright 2018 Kristen Houghton all rights reserved
Kristen Houghton is the author of nine novels, two non-fiction books, a collection of short stories, a book of essays, and a children's novella. Her latest novel, DO UNTO OTHERS, is book 4 in her best-selling series, A Cate Harlow Private Investigation. She is also the author of the Horror Writers of America award-winning Quick-Read, Welcome to Hell.
Kristen Houghton has covered politics, news, and lifestyle issues as a contributor to the Huffington Post and Thrive Global. Her writing portfolio includes Criminal Element Magazine, a division of Macmillan Publishing, Hartford Woman, Today, former senior fiction editor at Bella Magazine, interviews and reviews for HBO documentaries, OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and The Style Channel. Twitter @kristenhoughton Instagram@kristenhoughton2 Website http://www.kristenhoughton.com


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Sports Hall and Community Hall Hire
Hire our premises during out-of-school hours
School Lettings Solutions
School Lettings Solutions are now managing all our lettings. Please follow this link for further information on facilities for hire and how to book: http://wykhampark.schoolbookings.co.uk
Lettings Contact details:
0800 044 8433
07892 712 912
This is part of our overall strategy to work towards extending our level of community engagement. School Lettings Solutions (SLS) are the UK's largest provider of dedicated community lettings service for schools.
Banbury Aspirations Campus is pleased to let premises and facilities during out-of-school hours for community education and sporting use.


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Events for February 2014
Events February 7-9 — Mid-Michigan Women's Expo, Lansing. For the 14th year, the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo will be held at the Lansing Center, located at 333 E. Michigan Ave. This is the largest and the favorite public show for women offering a balance of education, entertainment and enjoyment in an event tailored for the lives of busy women. More than 275 women-owned and focused businesses will display a wide range of products and services targeted specifically toward women. The Expo features demonstrations and presentations on topics including healthcare and wellness, cooking demonstrations, finances, business opportunities, beauty, fashion, education, travel, fitness and home décor. On-site spa services and pampering and, of course, shopping for everything a woman desires including jewelry, purses, scarves, accessories, apparel, shape-wear, food items, cooking items, healthcare items, home décor, skin care, cosmetics, hair care items and much more. In addition, there will be great door prizes. Bring a friend or two and enjoy this fun event. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. February 12 — Old Town Chocolate Walk, Old Town. Come celebrate Valentine's Day with the Old Town Community. This year, to help us get through the chilly month of February, we are hosting our first-ever Old Town Chocolate Walk. Come explore all of Old Town's businesses, shops, and restaurants, and pick up some chocolate along the way. This event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Each person who purchases a ticket will receive a one-pound box of chocolate to fill, a punch card and a map of participating businesses. Tickets are $10/person in advance and $15/person on the day of the event. Purchase tickets at the Old Town office, located at 1232 Turner Street or at www.iloveoldtown.org. Don't miss out on your opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day, explore Old Town and get some delicious chocolate just in time for the holiday. February 14-16 — Lansing Boat Show, Lansing. The Lansing Boat Show is set to invade the Lansing Center packing the Main Exhibition Halls with everything that is new for 2014. The expanded base of Boat Dealers represent more than 36 different manufacturers. The Lansing Boat Show is Michigan's first look at new product designs and technology for 2014. Start thinking of warmer days ahead as you enjoy this show. Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5/adults, $4/seniors, $3/children and free for children under 5. February 18 — Martini Tuesday, Lansing. Please join Financial Advisor, Stephanie Milosavlevski, as she hosts Martini Tuesday at The Exchange, located at 314 E. Michigan Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. Email firstname.lastname@example.com or call (517) 348-2880. February 22 — Whitetails Unlimited Deer Camp, Lansing. Come and meet Travis "T-Bone" Turner of Bone Collector at the Michigan Deer Camp at the Lansing Center, located at 333 E. Michigan Ave. Doors open at 4 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35/person. Visit www.whitetailsunlimited.com. February 22-23 — 31st Annual Orchid Show & Sale, East Lansing. The Greater Lansing Orchid Society will host their 31st Annual Orchid Show & Sale at the MSU Plant and Soil Science Conservatory, located at 1066 Bogue St. on the corner of Bogue and Wilson. Hours are Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a photographers' session from 9 to 11 a.m. Admission is free, however, donations are welcomed. Call (517) 332- 0004. March 15-16 — Grand Ledge St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration, Grand Ledge. Beginning on Friday at the Grand Ledge Opera House from 6 to 11 p.m. enjoy Traditional Irish Dancing, the Glen Erin Bagpipe band, and a variety of great Irish music. Irish beverages will be available for sale. Saturday's festivities include an Irish Stew Cook Off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cole-Briggs Post 48 American Legion; a free movie at the Sun Theater beginning at noon; a 2 p.m. Parade including The Goderich Drum & Bagpipe Band, The Glen Erin Bagpipe Band, floats, Queens Court and much more. The Irish Dancers and Goderich Drum & Bagpipe Band will perform at the Grand Ledge Opera House immediately following the parade. A St. Patricks Parade Dinner & Celebration is from 5:30 to 11 p.m. featuring great Irish music from The Pub Runners following dinner. Cost is $20/person, $150 /table of 8 on the main floor, or $100/table of 6 on the balcony level; and a Pub Crawl starting at 9 p.m. To order tickets, send a self addressed envelope to GL St. Patrick's Day Parade Association, 913 McDiarmid Lane Grand Ledge, MI 48837. March 26 — 2014 GreenLight Business Model Competition, East Lansing. Greenlight brought more than 70 Michigan entrepreneurs to the East Lansing area to pitch their ideas in 2013, with even more expected to participate in 2014. Competitors who impress the panel of judges can win up to $50,000 in cash prizes, as well as network with angel and venture capital investors and other entrepreneurs from around the state. Coordinated by Spartan Innovations, part of the MSU Innovation Center, the event aims to expand entrepreneurship and small business success in Michigan. Any and all State of Michigan residents and students that have a company or idea in existence for one year or less are urged to apply. The competition, hosted by Spartan Innovations, will take place at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, located at 819 Abbot Road from 3 to 9 p.m. Visit http://www.spartaninnovations.org for more information. Arts Now thru February 8 — Big Love, Lansing. Peppermint Creek Theater presents Big Love by Charles Mee. In this play, 50 brides flee their 50 grooms and seek refuge in a villa on the coast of Italy in this modern re-making of one of the western world's oldest plays, The Suppliants by Aeschylus. And, in this villa on the Italian coast, the 50 grooms catch up with the brides, and mayhem ensues: the grooms arriving by helicopter in their flight suits, women throwing themselves over and over again to the ground, pop songs and romantic dances, and finally, unable to escape their forced marriages, 49 of the brides murder 49 of the grooms and one bride falls in love. Visit www.peppermintcreek.org for show times and pricing. February 9 — Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly, East Lansing. Who knew it was so tough to be a bug? Join a swarm of young crawlers on a musical journey to discover who they are and what makes them special. Youngsters have different issues growing up, and so do their young counterparts in the insect and worm world. Meet worrying Worm, with no legs to keep up with his friends; smart and sassy Spider, who cannot wait to grow up; Ant, a tough karate expert; gorgeous Butterfly, who can fly long distances; and fearless and fun Fly, who yearns to be a super hero. Along the way, you'll learn interesting facts about the creepy critters all around us, enjoying lots of laughs at their unusual and sometimes rather icky-antics! Enjoy this performance at Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center at 1:30 or 4 p.m. This performance is not recommended for children under 4. Tickets are $12/person. Visit www.whartoncenter.com. February 11 — Blakemore Trio, Plymouth Congregational Church. The Lansing Symphony Orchestra will host a special chamber event at the Plymouth Congregational Church beginning at 7:30 p.m. Okemos native, cellist Felix Wang, returns to the Lansing area after a smash-hit performance during the Lansing Symphony's 2011/2012 season. This time he is bringing his chamber group from Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music, the critically acclaimed Blakemore Trio. Known for their expressive versatility, this trio not only programs great master works of the past, but the inspiring compositions of today. Call (517) 487-5001 or visit www.Lansingsymphony.org for more information. February 14 — Lights, Camera…The Oscars!, East Lansing. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with the glitz and glam of the Oscars! This special pops concert features guest vocalist alongside your very own Lansing Symphony, performing songs and music from the beloved films that have won Academy Awards. Reminisce to the themes and melodies of "Gone with the Wind," "Rocky," "Titanic" and much more. Be a part of the movies that we all love, with the excitement of the red carpet. A Valentine's Day dessert and wine reception is offered afterward for $20/person. Join the Lansing Symphony Orchestra for this evening of fun at the Wharton Center beginning at 8 p.m. Call (517) 487-5001 or visit www.Lansingsymphony.org for more information. February 18-23 — Disney's Beauty and the Beast, East Lansing. Disney's Beauty and the Beast returns to East Lansing. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Wharton Center, located at 750 East Shaw Lane. Visit www.whartoncenter.com for show times and pricing. March 27- April 5 — Tribes, Lansing. Billy was born deaf into a hearing family. He was raised inside its fiercely idiosyncratic and politically incorrect cocoon. He has adapted brilliantly to his family's unconventional ways, but they've never bothered to return the favor. It's not until he meets Sylvia, a young woman on the brink of deafness, that he finally understands what it means to be understood. Enjoy this moving performance at Peppermint Creek Theatre. Visit www.peppermintcreek.org for show times and pricing. Clinics February 4, 11, 18 & 25 — Mom to Mom, East Lansing. Mom to Mom is a Biblically based parenting course with video lessons followed by small group discussions led by experienced moms. MTM provides moms with real life training, mom to mom connections, and encouragement for the most important job on the planet – parenting. Child care is provided up to age 3. The Kid to Kid program for 3-5 year olds includes Bible stories, music, crafts, snacks and gym time. Mom to Mom is held at River Terrace Church, located at 1509 River Terrace from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings. Call (517) 351-9051 or visit www.riverterrace.org. Fundraisers February 7 — Third Annual House Party, East Lansing. Habitat for Humanity will host the Third Annual House Party in style from 7 p.m. to midnight at the University Club of Michigan State University. The event will feature music by Dr. Fab and the Off the Couch Band, a Photobug photo booth to capture complimentary pictures of you and your friends, Mardi Gras-themed dinner: Build-Your-Own Po-Boy Stations, Seafood Jambalaya, Louisiana Red Beans and Rice, Festive Desserts, Cash Bar and an opportunity to have a great night and give back at the same time. Cost is $40/ticket, $35/ticket for two to seven people or $250 for an eight-ticket Block Party. One hundred percent of the proceeds goes back to Habitat Lansing to help rebuild Michigan and eliminate substandard housing in the Greater Lansing area. Visit www.habitatlansing.org, email email@example.com, or call (517) 374-1313 x. 13. February 14-16 — 45th Annual Spartan Stampede, East Lansing. The MSU Rodeo Club is proud to present the 45th annual Spartan Stampede Rodeo at the MSU Pavillion for Livestock Teaching and Research. This rodeo will showcase premier athletes from the ranks of the International Professional Rodeo Association. Seating is general admission; ringside seating is $20/person, upper seating is $12/person in advance and beginning Friday, Feb. 14 is $15/person. Tickets are available at the Wharton Center Ticket Office. Call (517) 432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON. Visit http://msurodeoclub.com for more information. February 23 — 25th Annual MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit, East Lansing. Chocolate torte, cheesecake, truffles, fountains and other delicacies make for an edible exhibit for the MSU Museum's 25th Annual Chocolate Party Benefit from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. presented by the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, located at 219 S. Harrison Road. Local restaurants, caterers, bakeshops, candy makers and other vendors share their taste-tempting chocolate creations, literally filling in the Kellogg Center's Big 10 Rooms with the key ingredient, CHOCOLATE! Tickets are $30/general public and $25/MSU Museum members in advance or $35 at the door. You can also purchase a special "Premier Chocolatier" ticket for $75 in advance, which includes an advance preview of Chocolate Party creations and a yearlong MSU Museum membership. Proceeds help benefit the care and preservation of the extensive cultural and science collections of the MSU Museum. You may purchase general admission tickets at Bake N' Cakes and How Sweet It Is. All tickets are also available for purchase at the MSU Museum Store. Call (517) 432-4655. March 13 — Humanitarian Awards, East Lansing. The Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter will host a Humanitarian Awards Banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kellogg Center. Tickets are $50/person for the event and dinner. Call (517) 242-7440 for tickets or sponsorship opportunities.
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Krishan Sidhu
Innovation Strategy Consultant at National Australia Bank
Startupbootcamp Energy Australia Mentor
Krishan works as an Innovation Strategy Consultant at National Australian Bank. Prior to accepting this role in February 2018, he worked within the Spotless organization. As part of this role, Krishan utilised emerging technology to find new ways to increase operational efficiency as well as developed new products and services that Spotless could provide to its many clients. Krishan also was a strategy and operations consultant for KPMG Australia. From this role he developed experience across the Telecommunications, Defence, Government, Financial Services and Retail sector and has a particular passion for helping his clients understand how to develop strategies and ways of working to future proof their business.


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It's open season for many choosing health insurance for 2019, and we hear more and more questions about dental insurance. One of the questions we hear frequently is this one: Is dental insurance really worth it?
If you have terrific, low-cost dental coverage through your employer, that's something to celebrate. But in some cases, dental insurance can actually be more expensive than paying out of pocket for dental care. And if you don't have dental coverage, don't panic. There are a lot of innovative ways to pay for dental care, and one of the biggest trends is a dental savings plan.
How Does Dental Coverage Work?
Most dental insurance plans are heavily prevention focused. This can be a good thing or a not so good thing depending on your individual or family needs. It means plans are often excellent at covering check-ups and X-rays but leave more expensive procedures (at least in part) to the patient.
The National Association of Dental Plans has done quite a bit of research on what dental insurance looks like in America, and the picture is definitely mixed. According to the NADP, most plans use the 100-80-50 formula, meaning that all preventive care is covered, but coverage drops from there, often 80 percent for more basic repairs like fillings and 50 percent for more complicated procedures like crowns. In addition, many plans cap coverage at $1,500 (or even lower), leaving plenty of room for out of pocket costs.
What Are Some of the Drawbacks of Dental Insurance?
According to NADP, as of 2016 around 77 percent of Americans had dental benefits, including both publicly and privately funded plans. This leaves around 74 million Americans without dental benefits. Medicare doesn't cover dental services, and in Virginia, dental coverage through Medicaid is extremely limited. We know that many of our self-employed, lower income and senior citizen patients don't have dental insurance.
Another factor that comes into play is that dental insurance rarely covers teeth whitening or other in-demand cosmetic procedures. We think this is why many millennials are opting out of dental insurance altogether. Some of our younger patients would rather get creative about dental care rather than paying for dental coverage they won't really use.
What Is a Dental Savings Plan?
Dental savings plans (also called dental discount plans) are on the rise. These innovative and popular options are different from insurance. There's no deductible and no price cap. Instead, patients pay a monthly or yearly fee to a specific dentist or network of dentists and in exchange get discounts on services. These plans are great options for patients without dental insurance or patients who need pricey dental work that goes beyond their insurance company's cap.
How Does Greenhill Family Dental Care's Dental Savings Plan Work?
At Greenhill, we want everyone in our community to get high-quality dental care, whether they have insurance or not. We understand that lack of coverage can keep patients out of the dental chair and lead them to put off important preventive care and repairs. We offer an affordable dental savings plan that applies only in our office. Here's how it works:
Patients make a monthly payment of $30 per month and are eligible for services right away. The monthly fee covers 100 percent of preventive and diagnostic care, including two annual exams, two cleanings and four X-rays. The plan also gives enrollees access to significant discounts for repair and restoration services, including 25 percent on basic services like fillings, periodontal therapy and oral surgery and 30 percent on major services like crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. These are valuable discounts that make needed procedures affordable and also offer access to the kind of preventive care that can prevent the need for more costly services. It's truly a win-win, and for many of our patients, our dental savings plan means the difference between having access to top-notch dental care and going without.
At Greenhill, we understand that dental insurance isn't available to everyone, but everyone deserves great care. In the ever-changing world of healthcare, flexibility and creativity are key. We encourage patients without insurance to talk with our staff about enrolling in our dental savings plan to see if it's a good fit for you.


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Roller derby, stickball, and natural childbirth
I recently attended a presentation of master's theses by folklore graduate students. One concerned an ethnography of women who participate in flat track roller derby, and the role that their narratives seem to play in the importance of the sport … Continue reading
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Buy This Instead!
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Aisle . . . sigh, every aisle
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Men in skirts
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