For orthopedic surgeon Sean Adelman - a father of three, including Dev, a high-school age daughter with Down syndrome - life lessons are not the exclusive province of the young.

"As a dad, I have often been reminded of the poet William Wordsworth and his line, 'The child is father of the man,' " says Adelman, author of Sam's Top Secret Journal (www.raiseexpectations.com), the first in a the first in a Nancy Drew-style children's book series featuring a protagonist with Down syndrome.

"I think most parents have this experience that, while it's our job to teach our children how to grow up and function in a society, we are constantly learning ourselves. They force us to rethink the basics as we help mold them into mature human beings."

Of course, much of a child's development is out of the hands of parents, he says. School and other social functions provide many first worldly experiences that are so important to developing students. And that makes diversity so important.

Various studies have shown that not only do those with learning challenges benefit from "inclusive education" - a movement that integrates special-ed students with non-special-ed students - but also the rest of the student body.

Adelman explores how inclusion benefits the entire student body:

• Empathic development: To a significant extent, society is a social contract among citizens. That means, at the very least, good behavior is required of individuals. At best, however, citizens recognize that we are social creatures who need each other, and the best way to a better society is to have empathy for our fellow human beings. During the 1990s, inclusion of special-ed students jumped from 48 percent to 70 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Despite concerns at the time about teachers' ability to attend to the needs of all their students in such classes, a Zigmond and Baker study showed teachers did not lose their effectiveness. The famous study also showed that the students treated each other better in general. Children learn that everyone needs help from time to time, and it's as gratifying to provide it as to receive it.

• Diversity and the real world: Children who attend inclusive schools, where all children are mainstreamed, are better able to navigate the complexities of our diverse adult society. Students with and without special needs benefit from exposure to classmates who face different life circumstances. Studies from the National Center for Special Education Research, among others from throughout the world, support claims of mutual benefit from special-ed and non-special-ed students with integration. For a well-rounded character and personality, young people need to be exposed to the many faces of humanity in terms of race, economic background and those with special needs. In addition to this personal edification, a professional career demands social grace and comfort in a diverse work environment.

• The meaning of friendship: Children need to develop social skills and to know how to create and sustain meaningful friendships for a healthy adult life. We may lose wealth, youth, health, and spouses. Friends, however, are often the most reliable emotional resource in life. Friends must learn to accept one another's limitations and flaws, and to complement one another's weaknesses by contributing their strengths. Friends also quickly learn that superficial differences are far less important than shared values, trust and humor.

About Sean Adelman

Sean Adelman is a practicing orthopedic surgeon and advocate for exceptional kids in Seattle. He and his wife, Susan, have three children. Adelman wrote the "Sam's Top Secret Journal" series to show the similarities the protagonist shares with other children, and to explore how differently-abled individuals benefit society.

January 26^th - Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner - Steventon's  

1399 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire.

6:00-6:30 pm - Cocktails (Cash Bar)/Silent Auction

6:30 pm - Awards

7:00 pm - Dinner

8:00 pm - Live Auction

6:00-10:00 pm - Music by Keep Off the Grass

Please RSVP by January 18, 2012 to First Central Bank, 563-289-2265 or email DMULVANIA@FIRSTCENTRALSB.COM $30 per person paid in advance. Make checks payable to LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 35 , LeClaire , IA 52753

CALENDAR

Now through January 6th - Enright's LeClaire Super Car Wash - "Holiday Token Sale "7 tokens for $20 - each token has a value of $6.00. Tokens Make Great Gifts! Stock up for Winter!

Now through the Holidays - Faithful Pilot - Let Chef Robert and his culinary team take care of your next get together. No party is too large or too small. Holiday gathering, retirement, birthday, or just inviting friends over, we want to take care of it for you. Contact Emily 563-289-4156.

Now through the Holidays - Crane and Pelican Whole pies for the Holidays: Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple, Chocolate Cream pies, and Pineapple Rum Upside down cake. Order at (563)289-8774 or at the restaurant. Must be picked up on Saturday 12/22.

December 31^st - Faithful Pilot - New Years Eve 2012 - Seating available 5, 7, and 9pm - 563.289.4156. And, from 11pm-1am, Chef Robert and his culinary team are preparing some bites for you to ring in the New Year. $15 per guest with champagne toast.

December 31^st - Crane and Pelican Café - 3 Seatings for New Year's Eve
4pm, 6pm and 8pm. $49.95 for 3 courses including a glass of Champagne
Details and Menu at www.craneandpelican.com

January 1^st - Adesign will be Celebrating Dr. Rick N. Reed's Doctoral Graduation Open House from noon - 3:00 at the LeClaire Civic Center , 127 S. Cody Road , LeClaire. Sandwiches, cake, and beverages will be served. Please, no gifts. We will be accepting non-perishable goods for area food pantries.

January 8^th - Chamber Networking Luncheon - Crane and Pelican - noon

FYI

The folks at Buffalo Bill Museum hope to see you over the holidays! It is a great place to take visiting family and friends and "free admission" is a benefit of your membership! The gift shop is also a great place to pick up unique items for children's stockings, as well as books about local history, "Buffalo Bill" sweatshirts and t-shirts, and other items you can't find elsewhere!  The museum is open daily 9am to 4pm, and Sundays 12noon to 4pm.

From all at Wide River Winery - During the Holiday Season, more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely Thank you and Merry Christmas. Best Wishes for the Holiday Season & a prosperous Happy New Year.

Warm regards, Dorothy, Ann, Kyle, Martha, Paul, Christy, Mary, Char, Reagan, Dave, Abby, Patrick, Alisha, Barb & Brenda.

During the past weeks the employees of Ascentra have been busy brightening people's lives with random acts of kindness as part of their "Steppin' Up: Paying it Forward" Program.  Over 70 staff members were given $50 each to use in any way they saw fit to help out and surprise any individual or organization of their choice.  The acts range from paying for a stranger's cup of coffee, to multiplying the money by organizing and purchasing supplies for a fundraiser benefiting the Quad Cities Greyhound Association. One employee donated gloves, hats, socks and blankets to The Center in Davenport . A group from the Bettendorf branch put their money together and surprised Family Resources in Davenport with food baskets and turkeys that fed over 60 families at their domestic violence shelter. Senior Account Officer Jeff Gerstel used the opportunity as a teachable moment for his 6-year-old daughter who suggested the money go to a park and together they surprised the Moline Community Development Corporation with a check to help Moline 's Riverside Park get new playground equipment.  Similar acts of kindness took place in Muscatine and Clinton .  See these stories and more at Ascentra's Facebook page at facebook.com/Ascentra.

Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf is looking for a Nursery Childcare Attendant. This is a part-time position, not to exceed 8 hours per week. Interested persons need to be available Sunday mornings as well as occasional weeknights and must be at least 19 years old. We are looking for someone who can provide tender, loving, quality care for infants and toddlers. If you are interested in the position, please contact the church office at 563-355-5218 for the complete job description.

If you would like to share information about events, promotions, news, etc., with Tourism, please send an email to info@visitleclaire.com. Your information will be shared with Shopkeepers, the Chamber and the Tourism Board and will be promoted on Facebook and in monthly emails.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

Meals for Seniors at the First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.

Trivia Nights in LeClaire at the LeClaire Civic Center

2013 Trivia Nights:

January 12th - LeClaire Community Library

February 9th Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship

April 6th - LeClaire Little League

April 27th - Civic Club

May - LeClaire Lions TBD

June 8th - Buffalo Bill Museum

LeClaire Trivia Nights have raised over $95,000 for local non-profit organizations! Thank you for your continued support!

LeClaire Park Board Special Events Calendar (clip and save)

Spring 2013 - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt ( Hollyhock Park )

Spring 2013 - Cinco de Mayo

French Market Days 2013 -May 18th, plant exchange, sale benefiting Parks Dept.

Summer 2013 - City-Wide Water Explosion ( Hollyhock Park )

Summer 2013 - Bike Parade & Decorating

Summer 2013 - Tug Fest

We  are interviewing for certified and paid soccer coaches to  spearhead the inaugural Davenport Arrows Soccer Academy. The Soccer  Academy will be run by Davenport Parks and Recreation from March through  November with four eight-week sessions at either of our indoor and outdoor  facilities.

The  goal of the academy is simply to offer quality instruction to produce players who stand out and make a difference.  The focus will be on technical skills  development. If you are a certified coach, have playing credentials, or have the  passion and
drive to see soccer played at a very high level from your efforts,  we need your expertise!

Please  call Seve Ghose, Director of Parks and Recreation at 563-326-7817 or email sghose@ci.davenport.ia.us to learn more about the Davenport Arrows Soccer  Academy.