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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE


August 18-24, 2010


Page C-4


Free educational seminar on bariatric surgery


DMC Harper Bariatric Medi-


cine Institute will host a free public educational seminar on weight management options. Guests will have the opportu- nity to learn about the differ- ent surgical and non-surgical weight management options and have their questions an- swered by the experts.


This free event will take


place on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Harper University Hospital (3990 John R., Detroit) in Hos-


VICKI BUCCIERE, Henry Ford Health System, enjoys riding her kick bike.


By Tom Watkins Be the first one on your block to own one.


Kick back with a kick bike


Sure it is different, perhaps even a bit weird, but it is lots of fun and will bring back carefree childhood memories of scooting all over town. What is it? It is a “Kickbike.”


A what? A Kickbike! A medical student in Finland invented the


Kickbike in 1993. It is a modified scooter with a large bike-size wheel in the front, a smaller wheel in the rear, a wide foot bed about 5 inches off the ground to switch legs as you push and hand brakes. That’s about it. Simple and fun.


Think of a hybrid or a combination of a


bicycle’s body with handlebars with a pedal- free platform to stand on and you have an idea of what you are in for. It is as easy as your childhood scooter to ride and the joy will rush through your bones as you kick your way into shape.


I ordered my X-Country model from www.


kickbikemike.com. This is a sideline business for Mike who operates out of his home in St. Joe, Michigan. Mike was a delight to deal with, spending lots of time answering my endless questions.


The Kickbike comes in four basic models


— the city cruiser, the racer, the cross coun- try and the classic sport. Kickbike retail prices range from $199 to $389. There are no chains, no derailleurs, almost nothing to break and repair.


My Kickbike invites stares everywhere I


go. It has gotten to the point where I have a card with a brief introduction of the Kickbike to share with the curious. I love to share the joy and inform the masses about my new toy — and not slow down too much or too often as I cruise around town and even get some off -roading in on my cross-country model.


It’s front shock absorbing suspension fork


and heavy duty tires make for a ultra smooth and quick ride. I am as comfortable on the streets or on the off-road paths in Hines or


Maybury and the area Metro Parks. Kickbikes are being spotted on both coasts


of the United States and are wildly popular in Europe, but few traditional bike shops carry them; they are mainly distributed on the Inter- net. When I first learned about the Kickbike I went to numerous bike shops around town and they did not carry them – in fact, they had never heard of them.


It is one of the best kept secrets. I have yet


to see another on the road. I kinda feel like Tigger from Winnie the Poo on my Kickbike. You know when he sings, “The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is, I’m the only one!”


You ride it almost like a bicycle, using


your body just a bit more and you lean in the direction you want to go. It is very stable at high speeds because of the steering geometry and large front wheel. As with any bike, protec- tive head gear is a must.


The ultimate exercise machine Riding or kicking, the Kickbike helps


to stretch the hamstring, strengthen and tone the quadriceps and calf muscles and trim down and firm up the lower abs, back, thighs and buttocks. The kicking leg obviously gets quite a workout yet, the standing leg does a surpris- ing amount of work during the kick cycle.


Many who have been kicking much longer


than I have say it is very similar to running without the impact damage on the knees and joints.


The Kickbike can be fun, transportation and


great exercise all rolled into one. Life sometimes has a way of giving you a


quick kick in the butt. Jump on your Kickbike and start kicking back and feel the tension melt and the childhood memories rush over you.


Tom Watkins is a business and education


consultant in the U.S. and China. He served as Michigan’s state superintendent of schools, 2001-2005. He can be reached at tdwatkins@ aol.com.


Detroit Health Department opens wellness centers for women, children


The Detroit Department of


Health and Wellness Promo- tion (DHWP) has opened its Women and Children’s Health and Wellness Centers to all Detroit residents at two loca- tions. The Department hosted an open house at the west side location at the south end of Bushnell Congregational Church on July 12.


Services at Matrix are pro-


vided in collaboration with Henry Ford Health System Institute on Multicultural Health. Each of the open houses is open to the public and residents are encouraged to come out and learn about the services that are offered at the centers.


“We are pleased to provide


public health in the heart of the neighborhood,” said Dr. Yvonne E. Anthony, DHWP director and public health of- ficer. “These two centers give Detroiters easy access to ser- vices that promote health and


wellness.” The Wellness Centers,


funded by a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, were estab- lished to provide a holistic spectrum of health education and health promotion/pre- vention services: family plan- ning, obstetrics, family medi- cine, pediatric medicine, oral health, and nutrition & fitness services. There are a number of prevention-based programs including domestic violence, depression, substance abuse, lead poisoning, HIV testing and counseling, and educa- tional seminars.


The Wellness Centers serve


all residents, regardless of in- surance status. Bushnell is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 6:30 p.m. Matrix will is open Monday to Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Audrey E. Smith, general manager of Community Health


Many Americans not fully prepared for natural disasters


Most Americans are not


fully prepared in the event of a natural disaster, according to a new national survey by Trusted Choice®


and the In-


dependent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”).


Of all survey respondents,


less than 22 percent said they felt they are fully prepared in case of a disaster.


More than half of respon-


dents (51 percent) admitted they are only somewhat pre- pared, and more than a fifth of households (22.7 percent) reported that they were not prepared at all.


The survey further revealed


that many households have not even taken the most basic steps to protect against a di- saster.


For example, more than


two-thirds of those surveyed (67.7 percent) said they had not created a photo or video home inventory of their be- longings.


More than 40 percent have


not assembled a disaster and emergency supplies kit in their homes. Sixty-eight per- cent of homeowners have not made any structural improve- ments or reinforcements to


better protect their property from a disaster.


Of all survey participants,


almost 36 percent said they don’t have or don’t know if they have adequate insurance coverage to help them through a disaster, and an alarming 62 percent say they have never discussed a complete disaster preparedness plan with an in- surance agent.


“Independent insurance


agents not only advise clients about insurance, but they’re disaster readiness experts,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Inde- pendent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) president and CEO.


“It is imperative to know


what your risks are and what to do in the event of a disas- ter. We recommend meeting with a Trusted Choice®


inde-


pendent insurance agent who is an expert in assessing your risks and insuring that you, your family and your home are prepared in the event of a di- saster.”


For more information about ICR, go to www.icrsurvey.com.


We make it possible. Central Michigan University in Metro Detroit & Online. Call toll-free 877-268-4636 • www.cmich.edu/Detroit


Auburn Hills • Clinton Township • Dearborn • Livonia • Southfi eld • Troy • Warren • Online CMU is an AA/EO institution (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo). www.cmich.edu/offcampus


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Services for DHWP empha- sized the importance of the locations of the centers.


“The centers are strategi-


cally placed near Head Start program locations to better serve mothers and children in Detroit. Although their focus is women and children, the programs are available to men and women of all ages.”


Dr. Anthony added, “We will


continue to serve residents in ways that are convenient for them.”


For more information con-


tact Brian Frey at (313) 870- 0631 or e-mail him at freybri@ detroitmi.gov.


Alzheimer’s Association women’s


discussion group


The Alzheimer’s Associa-


tion will present a women’s discussion group the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 1-2 p.m., at 20300 Civic Center Drive #100, in Southfield. The faciliator will be Elsa Antebi.


This group provides an op-


portunity for women to dis- cuss how their lives have been affected as they care for some- one with Alzheimer’s disease. A safe and supportive environ- ment will be created so group members can share feelings and coping strategies, reduce feelings of loneliness, and find new meaning, connection, and hope.


For more information, con-


tact the Alzheimer’s Asso- ciation – Greater MI Chapter Helpline at (800) 272-3900 to get a list of our other Alzheim- er support groups at over 60 locations in Metro Detroit.


Be Wise. Advertise in the


Michigan Chronice for the


best results 313-963-5522


pitality Suites 2 and 3, starting at 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.


At the seminar, board cer-


tified surgeon and medical di- rector of bariatric services for DMC Harper University Hospi- tal, Michael Wood, M.D., will present important information on the latest surgical and non- surgical approaches to over- coming obesity and chronic diseases related to obesity. Surgical options presented will include the Lap-Band and


minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery, as well as the use of robotic technology for bariatric procedures.


Seating is limited so regis-


ter early. For more information or to


register for this free seminar, please call 1-877-DMC-W8W8 (1-877-362-9898) or visit the website at www.harperbmi. org/freeseminar100.


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