In The Bag July 2018

In The Bag July 2018

WICHITA’S HANGER

It’s Not About the Money

July 2018

It’s About Freedom

I’ve also seen how different parts of the world live, and that’s been another wake-up call for me. Not everyone around the world enjoys the freedoms we do. When I adopted my son from Guatemala, I met people who didn’t have running water or electricity. When I realized that my normal compared to many other people’s is exceptional, it was a lightbulb moment. I have so much to be grateful for. Freedom comes with the ability to choose — to choose how to live, how to create an impact, and how to let other people have an impact on your life. It brings to mind the image of someone treading water: If I’m just trying to keep my head above water, it’s very difficult to focus on creating meaningful contributions or having an impact on others. I’m in survival mode. With every level of freedom I’ve been granted, there is a component of choice and opportunity involved. It seems like the more freedom I have, the more opportunities are available to positively influence others. I’m intentional about seeking freedom to make a better life for myself, my family, and my team. Despite the poster above my desk, I still sometimes forget to be grateful for all the liberties I’ve been granted. It’s easy to adjust to my individual norms and forget to be grateful for all I have. The national holiday this month is a good reminder for me. It’s one of those family- and-friends, feel-good holidays, and you can’t help but soak up some of that happiness. How lucky are we to get to spend a day with our loved ones? On the Fourth, Aram and I will spend the day with the kids, just enjoying the freedom to be together. We’ll watch fireworks from our back patio — the kids love watching the display. We’re very fortunate to live where we do. At a minimum, I encourage you to take a day, holiday, or weekend to appreciate your independence and the freedoms you have.

For Dave, it’s all about the FREEDOM!

Above my desk at work, there’s a poster that serves as a daily reminder of what’s important: “It’s not the money I’m after,” it reads, “it’s the freedom.” I love that word — freedom. It’s among my top three favorite words. Isn’t it what we’re all after? It’s the freedom to spend more time with family, to choose how we spend our time, to live where we want to live, and to be with our loved ones. I’ll be honest — there have been times when I’ve taken freedom for granted. Our national holiday this month brings it back into focus. As I get older, I see more and more clearly the sacrifices that others have made in order for us to sleep soundly in our homes at night. There are many people we have to thank for our freedom, such as those who have served in the armed forces. As we watch fireworks go off on the Fourth, we’ll think of them.

Happy Fourth of July,

1

Learning That Doesn’t Feel Like School

Mentally Stimulating Activities for Summer

FOR TEENAGERS: FAMILY DINNER PARTY Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions, creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes, like “a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own. Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way. FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY: AN EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP

Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely on math problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun. FOR LITTLE ONES: HOMEMADE BUBBLES Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting with different types of bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Tyson Celebrates 15 Years With Our Company The Gregarious Cinephi le Reflects on His Time at In the Bag Cleaners

As the store manager for one of our top three stores, Tyson is a dedicated team member and an integral part of our company’s success. Every day, he comes in to our East 21st and 127th store ready to greet most clients by name with a

his supervisor and our company’s founder, Dave Coyle. “He’s super down-to-earth, laid-back, and understanding; a very kind man. He’s really good at trusting us to do our jobs. It allows me to feel good about the work I’m doing,” says Tyson. In addition to the people, Tyson is grateful for the incredibly stable employment he’s found in his time here. Another bonus is that his fashion sense has gotten an unexpected boost. “It’s strange to say, but I’ll be somewhere with my friends, and they’ll ask, ‘How do you know all these brands of clothing?’ I stay up on the latest trends because of our fashionable clients.” After work, you’ll probably find Tyson catching the latest release at the theater. “I’m a big movie guy; I go to the theater 50–75 times a year,” says Tyson. The self-described cinephile says “Hostiles” is the best movie he’s seen this year; last year’s picks include Academy Award- winner “The Shape of Water” and “Wind River.” Tyson balances this more sedentary hobby with visits to the YMCA for daily workouts.

smile and an enthusiastic hello. His gregarious nature is complemented by his strong work ethic — Tyson goes above and beyond to ensure that his store is running smoothly. “I like to stay busy. I like to have plenty to do,” says Tyson. Tyson started with In the Bag Cleaners in 2003 and celebrates his 15th anniversary with our company this year. He says his team members and our clients are the reason he put down his roots here. “I love the interactions with clients. When they pull up to the store, it makes my day. It puts a smile on my face,” Tyson says. He also speaks highly of

Say hello to Tyson and ask him for a movie recommendation the next time you’re at our East 21st and 127th location!

2 • In The Bag Cleaners • inthebagcleaners.com • (316) 267-3407

How Much Sunshine Is Too Much?

Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw

Keep Your Family Safe

To many people, summer is all about heading outside to enjoy the weather. But getting too much sun can be dangerous. To have a fun-filled summer with your family this year, remember that it’s essential to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. COVER UP Covering your skin is one of the best ways to avoid skin damage. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts can protect your skin from direct exposure to UV rays. While this tactic protects you from the sun, it offers poor defense against the heat. So, if you opt for cooler attire, it’s important to cover all exposed skin with a copious amount of sunscreen. Be sure to reapply every two hours for maximum skin protection. SPEND LESS TIME IN THE SUN If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time in the sun, consider your environment. Will there be plenty of shade? Will you have to bring your own? What’s the best way to step out of the sun for a few minutes? Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing are great ways to shield yourself from UV rays, but it’s important to avoid being in direct sunlight for long periods. Taking a break from the sun gives your body the time it needs to recuperate and helps prevent sunburn and heatstroke. COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE Many people think that a tan is better than a sunburn, but the result of tanning is still sun damage. When your skin tone changes due to the sun, regardless of whether it tans or turns red, it’s a result of the epidermis reacting to damage caused by UV rays. Both are symptoms of harmed skin. While vitamin D is important, the sun does not contribute to its creation as much as you might think. Doris Day, a New York City dermatologist, explains that if your skin were to constantly produce vitamin D from being in the sun, it would reach toxic levels. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can produce on its own, through a common form of cholesterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol. Spending time in the sun does help vitamin D form, but you need far less exposure than you think.

Ingredients

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

For Celery Slaw: •

•

1 package of your favorite hot dogs

4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced

• •

1 package hot dog buns

• •

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon olive oil

•

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

• •

Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns. 3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.

Have a

Laugh!

Knowing how to protect yourself from UV rays is the first step to having a safe, fun-filled summer!

3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1951 N. Ohio Ave., Wichita, KS 67214 (316) 267-3407 | www.inthebagcleaners.com

INSIDE This ISSUE

What Freedom Is

Summer-Worthy Learning Opportunities Meet Our All-Star Customer Service Team Battling the Summer Sun! Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw

Wichita Local Events

Where to Spend the 4th ... And 2 More Fun-Fi l led Events in July

Here are a few of the fun, family-friendly events happening in Wichita this month! From fireworks to an adventure race, enjoy our wonderful local offerings that celebrate Wichita.

of The Workroom. Local food trucks will serve food, and live music will add to the fun, easygoing feel of this event. Visit The Workroom’s Facebook page for more details.

RED, WHITE, AND BOOM! July 4, 5–10 p.m. Downtown Wichita

WICHITA’S INCREDIBLE RACE July 14–21 Wichita Showcase your love for Wichita and join the first-ever Incredible Race taking place in our town. It’s a week full of adventure, exploration, and celebration of our home. Participate with a team for the chance to win prizes, including a car! You and your team will compete around Wichita and submit 30-second videos showcasing your Wichita pride. The event culminates with a rooftop celebration on July 21 at Level Up, and it’s no coincidence that it’s also Wichita’s birthday. Visit wichita.com to learn more.

The Wichita Parks Foundation continues its tradition of hosting a fireworks display in downtown Wichita. Find a viewing spot on the Hyatt Lawn, the Lewis Street Bridge, or Water Street and let the evening unfold, culminating with watching the fireworks go off over the Arkansas River. Beginning in the evening, food trucks and live music by local ‘80s band The Astronauts will kick off the fun, with fireworks starting at 9:45 p.m. Check out wichitaparksfoundation.org to learn more.

THE WORKROOM’S 2ND SATURDAY MARKET July 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Workroom, Wichita

See the best of local vendors and locally made goods during this monthly market. Whether you’re shopping for a gift or just want to peruse the offerings, you’ll enjoy checking out the unique space

4 • In The Bag Cleaners • inthebagcleaners.com • (316) 267-3407