The Upbeat Times is...A paper publishing onlygood news since 1998! 100th Teen Financial Fair “Bite of Reality” in the North Bay a Success! adults—something they can


ponder as they move into the working phase of their lives. RCU loves helping prepare teens for a successful financial future.”


One of the coordinating teach- ers reported the students had recently undergone a budgeting lesson as part of the classroom curriculum and that Bite of Re- ality was a particularly fun way to wrap that up and put what they had learned to the test.


Nineteen volunteers, in all,


San Rafael, CA. ~ Redwood Credit Union (RCU) held its 100th free “Bite of Reality” financial workshop for teens on Wednesday, March 7th at San Rafael High School. In an interactive


simulation of


the money management chal- lenges facing adults, 118 stu- dents learned about managing income versus expenses, and paying for housing, child care, and more. The event marked RCU’s 100th “Bite of Reality” fair in the North Bay. RCU’s first Bite of Reality event was held at San Rafael HS in April of 2013. Since then, RCU has partnered with 24 North Bay schools and 11 youth organi- zations to offer the program. More than 7,700 teens have participated in RCU’s Bite of Reality events to date. “Man- aging money is a life skill that adults have to practice daily, yet it’s not part of the state- required high school curricu- lum,” said Matt Martin, RCU’s senior vice president of com- munity and government rela- tions. “We provide the Bite of Reality program to help bridge


that gap by giving students a taste of the financial realities adults face every day.” In Bite of Reality, each stu-


dent gets a fictional identity, including


occupation, sal-


ary, family, credit cards, and a checking account. They then visit stations, such as the “Gro- ceries and Dining” table where they pay for food. There are also housing and transportation stations, clothing and entertain- ment, child care, and more. As they move through the process, the teens must decide on the expenditures they can afford with their very finite budget. It’s eye opening to learn they can’t always cover both neces- sities and desires. “Bite of Reality is one of my favorite community events,” said Wrynn Valentine, RCU’s financial wellness advocate. “Students


get an interactive


experience that’s entertaining, enlightening, and often surpris- ing. Imagine being a 16-year- old boy having to budget for diapers.


It offers a glimpse


into the kind of financial deci- sions they’ll have to make as


“You become what you digest into your spirit. Whatever you think about, focus on, read about, talk about, you’re going to attract more of into your life. Make


sure they’re all positive.” Germany Kent


“What you need, is an Event, to remember for a lifetime.” ~ Rehan Waris


Pub & Gift Shop Hours: 11 AM to Midnight Daily


www.russianriverbrewing.com


helped make this Bite of Re- ality happen—13 San Rafael High School volunteers (par- ents, past volunteers, and com- munity), four Redwood Credit Union employees, and two RCU community volunteers. For more information or to schedule a Bite of Reality at your school or youth organi- zation, contact RCU at (707) 576-5259 or biteofreality@ redwoodcu.org.


Going the Extra Yard


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • April 2018 • 7 ... continued from page 3


really supports our advertis- ers! Also, people go out of their way to find a copy of our paper, which runs out fast. If you go to a usual location and there appears no be no more, look under the stacks because they oſten get buried by other publications and periodicals. Our goal at Upbeat Times is to never, ever cover-up another paper. We make sure our deliv- ery people help clean up areas where papers are found so that all papers can be seen. So when you are out there


looking for papers, make sure you don’t cover others up. All of us publishers need your help with this...aſter all... it’s an upbeat thing to do.


May this issue find you well!


KIDS AND Sports


... continued from page 6


She played right up un- til she was the last person cut from making the varsity team her sophomore year in high school. After getting cut I asked her how she felt. She said, “I’m okay, I wasn’t sure I wanted to play anyway. The coach was taking the game way too seriously.”


Gabriel A. Fraire has been a writer more than 45 years.


He has written


fiction and non-fiction books, plays, poems, music lyrics, and news articles. But, he writes about his children exclusively for the Upbeat Times.


“Have a Hoppy


Easter from Russian River Brewing Company”


Now Available on Tap...”Hop 2 It” @russianriverbrewingoffi cial @russianriverbrewing


725 4th St. Santa Rosa~ 707-545-2337 UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • April 2018 • 7


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