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The New Wellmark YMCA

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With the dawn of a new year, a new YMCA is coming to downtown Des Moines.

The Wellmark YMCA officially opened for business on New Year’s Day as the trained YMCA staff is helping individuals continue their journey to an active, healthy lifestyle.

The new facility at 501 Grand Avenue in downtown Des Moines replaces the more than half-century-old Riverfront YMCA. According to Tim Short, executive director of the Wellmark YMCA, the new Y will offer many of the same features as the Riverfront Y, but will be better designed – and new.

“One of the things many of our members are excited about is we are getting new equipment throughout the facility, replacing most of what is currently at the Riverfront Y,” Short said. “But more than anything else, the Wellmark Y will allow us to offer more classes and fitness opportunities to meet the fitness goals of our members.

“The Riverfront Y served the downtown Des Moines community well for the past 50 plus years and we believe that the new Wellmark Y will have just as big, if not a greater impact over the next half century.”

The Wellmark Y is not only newer but much bigger than the Riverfront Y.With over 140,000 square feet of space, this world-class facility includes, among other features…

  • Indoor Track – Short says the 1/8 mile track is the biggest indoor track in the city, almost twice as big as the current Riverfront Y.
  • 2 Basketball Courts – the junior high length courts have markings for volleyball courts as well.
  • 8 Racquetball / Handball Courts – the courts are located on the facility’s upper level with the capability of seating for tournaments.
  • 2 Squash Courts – the squash courts are the only courts in the Des Moines area
  • Wellness Center – the Wellness Center will be located on the upper level with the capacity of up to 100 machines.
  • Cycling Studio – tiered, enclosed structure with the capacity for up to 50 bikes.
  • Strength Conditioning Area – the free weight area will also be in this location.
  • Yoga Studio – located on the lower level in a quiet area of the facility, the Yoga Studio is equipped with cork floors.
  • Group Exercise Studio – this studio on the facility’s upper level will be used for group fitness classes including Body Pump, Zumba and Insanity.
  • More than 75 weekly classes will be held in the Group Exercise, Yoga and Cycling studios with early morning, noon-time, late afternoon, early evening and
    weekend offerings.

In the coming months, an eight-lane, 50-meter pool with seating for 1500 will be completed along with a four-lane, 25-yard pool. A café is also planned in the future on the first floor just off of the main lobby.

The Wellmark Y is one of 10 branches of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Membership rates will remain the same as the Riverfront Y and a YMCA membership is good at locations throughout Des Moines (except for the YMCA Healthy Living Center in Clive, which has an additional fee). Membership rates are based on household income and financial assistance is available.

YMCA
www.dmymca.org

Defeating Winter Skin Dryness

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Winter’s cold, blustery weather causes many of us to suffer from dry skin.

Outside temperatures and humidity levels plummet. We retreat indoors for warmth only to encounter dry air generated by our furnace and fireplace. We attempt to stay healthy through the cold and flu season by washing our hands more frequently. It doesn’t take long before our lips and hands crack and our skin begins to feel itchy, flaky and dry.

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent dry skin, such as:

  • Taking shorter showers or baths and moisturizing immediately afterwards (before your skin dries) with emollient creams.
  • Turning your thermostat down.
  • Using a humidifier.
  • Using only alcohol-free types of hand sanitizers.
  • Protecting your hands with gloves when going outside or when exposing them to water or chemicals (such as when washing dishes or using household cleaning products).
  • Moisturizing again!

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and dryer. According to a survey by the National Rosacea Society, 22-23 percent of the rosacea respondents in their 50’s and 60’s, respectively, reported increased dryness. This number rose to 34 percent after age 70. There are many options for improving dry, vascular skin.

At Urban Effects, we recommend an annual skin care consultation to review skin care routines and product usage.  January is a great time to schedule a complimentary VISIA skin analysis and design a customized plan for the upcoming year. We allow enough time to evaluate your skin, products and budget and to implement a plan that addresses your skin care goals. Skin care routines and products often need to change during colder, dryer months. In some cases, certain products may need to be eliminated, used less frequently or changed to different vehicles in order to improve the condition of the skin. This process often saves you time and provides
superior results.

We offer a variety of in-office treatments that can improve dry skin. These range from light to medium chemical peels, HydraFacials™ and NANO™ laserpeels. These treatments allow the appropriate skin care regimen to penetrate and accelerate hydration. They also provide fast relief with no downtime. In addition, many with facial redness enjoy visible improvement from a FotoFacial™ BBL™.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary skin care consultation, contact Urban Effects Medspa at 987-5188.

Urban Effects Medspa
www.urbaneffectsmedspa.com

What is the Value of Your Business?

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Only 30 percent of all businesses put on the market for sale are actually sold, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.

As a business owner, ascertaining the value of your business is important for a variety of reasons, including business succession, estate tax estimates and loan qualification. There are a number of valuation techniques, ranging from the simple to the very complex. Outlined below are three different methods to placing a value on a business.

Asset-Based Method
This approach calculates the value of all tangible and intangible assets held by the business. It ignores the future earning potential of the company. Thus, a pure asset-based valuation model is often used for companies that are bankrupt or looking to liquidate.

Earnings-Based Method
This approach seeks to arrive at a business value by applying a multiple to normalized earnings – for example, earnings adjusted to subtract the owner’s compensation and related expenses. The multiplier can vary substantially, depending on the industry and the outlook for the business.

Market-Based Method
This approach compares the business to similar businesses that have recently been sold.

Business valuation is not simply a formulaic exercise. For instance, there is value in the business being a “going concern” as opposed to the start-up alternative.  Ownership percentage also matters, and purchasing a minority share that has limited control may result in a discount to the actual value. The prospects for the business also impact its value. A greater premium will likely apply to a company engaged in a leading-edge technology than one involved in a mature market.

Placing a value on a small business is not an exact science.  Some aspect of the valuation may be debatable (such as the remaining life expectancy of a machine), while other aspects may be positively subjective (such as the value of the company’s reputation).

The true value of anything can only be determined when a willing seller and a willing buyer agree on a price of exchange. As a consequence, any valuation exercise may yield only a rough estimate.

Before moving forward with a business valuation, consider working with legal and tax professionals who are familiar with the process. A qualified business appraiser may also be able to offer some
valuable insight.

Actis Wealth Management
www.actiswealth.com

Keeping up the fight for healthy living

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Meet Courtney Owen: MMA Fighter, Mother, Member, Y Coach 

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 12.50.34 PMStanding, arms crossed, in a royal blue YMCA staff shirt, Courtney Owen looks like a force of fitness to be reckoned with. Her biceps have been built not only by lifting weights, but by the ups and downs of a fitness journey well traveled.

Now a wellness coach at the Waukee Family YMCA, Owen assists members of all ages with orientation, ActivTrax and fitness testing.  But perhaps most significantly, she listens to and empowers YMCA members on their journey towards positive life change.

“I like all of the people here; you really get to know everyone,” Owen said. “Because of my own fitness goals and challenges, it’s easy for me to relate with people.”

Owen said that she has been inspired by many YMCA members striving to do their best.

“There’s a lady that has Multiple Sclerosis who rides a scooter and uses every last ounce of her independence,” Owen said. “She comes in and walks about a minute on the treadmill. She falls almost every time, but she gets back up and scoots off to her next exercise.  Members like that help you remember not to take things for granted,” she said.

She certainly has not taken getting her body back into shape for granted.

“I had my daughter six years ago, and at that time, I weighed 203 pounds,” Owen shared. “I gained something like 60 pounds while I was pregnant.”

Following the birth of her daughter, she became “obsessed with working out” in order to take her body back and beyond to a new level of fitness. Owen is a former MMA fighter, the kind that throws packed punches and kicks in the cages. Her last fight was in April 2013.

Before Owen moved to the area from southwest Iowa in the spring of 2013, she was training at a Tae Kwon Do gym. When she moved here, she needed a place to work out and the Waukee Y fit the bill. With a full weight room, a pool, and premiere small-group exercise classes, including Warrior Fit and Boot Camp, the Waukee Y became her second home.

“When a position opened up at the Y, I thought, ‘I’m here all the time, why not work here?’” she said.  So she quit her full-time job at an optometrist’s office and started working at the Y. She hasn’t looked back, only forward – to graduating from the Fire Academy later this month. Owen also works part-time on the Grimes Fire/EMS team.

When you join the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, you gain access to nine YMCA locations, many great programs and services, and a passionate staff of team members focused on helping you reach your goals. Stop in and meet with Owen, or another one of the wellness coaches, and take the first step towards a healthier life.

Waukee YMCA
www.dmymca.org

Holiday Skin Advice

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No-Downtime Treatments to Help You Look Your Best

The holiday season is here once again. While we all have our own approach to celebrating the holidays, we all experience the stress that comes with extra-busy schedules. This can result in what I call “holiday hangover skin” – skin that looks dull and dehydrated, perhaps with atypical acne breakout.

As a skin health professional, I love telling people about quick, easy, no-downtime treatments that keep your skin looking radiant and healthy.

I personally recommend the HydraFacial – the ultimate complexion reviver and the perfect treatment to keep you looking your best throughout the holiday season. In less than an hour, this rejuvenating treatment uses a series of cleansers and serums to repair and protect skin while extracting oil build-up and damaged tissue. You will relax in a calming facial room and enjoy a state-of-the-art, crystal-free exfoliation and the infusion of a light serum. The result? Beautiful, glowing skin. The treatment is customized for your skin type and requires no downtime, yet provides visible results.

You may elect to add LED Light as well – a soothing, plumping treatment that restores firmness and promotes collagen production and healing. This treatment is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and actinic skin. Anyone seeking a renewed complexion will enjoy this service.

You may be thinking that there’s just no way you can justify the time or expense. I encourage you to think about how you feel when you look your best. This is an affordable gift that you can give yourself to get you through the chaotic days ahead. Or perhaps you can put it on someone’s gift list – someone who is looking for the perfect gift for you!

Call Urban Effects Medspa today to learn more about our services and products to help you look your best throughout the busy holiday season ahead.

Urban Effects Medspa
www.urbaneffectsmedspa.com

Frauds, scams, breaches…

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How do I keep my personal information safe?

Security has received a lot of attention recently with breaches of passwords, personal information and card data affecting hundreds of millions of Americans. Personal security should no longer focus solely on preventing breaches, but also accepting that our information will be breached and formulating techniques to mitigate further damage.

The first step remains the same – we need to be diligent in preventing as many simple attacks as possible. Believe it or not, today’s computers are more secure than ever due to multiple levels of firewalls, encryption, anti-malware suites and automatic updates. That leaves us – the operators – as the new weakest link.

Last year, almost all infected computers were compromised due to opening a web page – not from viruses or criminals trolling the internet. According to Cisco’s 2014 Annual Security Report, Java was used to compromise the computer in 91% of cases, followed by Flash.  Java and Flash are both wonderful technologies that helped transform the internet and many devices into the multimedia sensations they are today.

The complexities of those technologies, however, became their weakness.

Many websites no longer require Java or Flash.  If these technologies are installed, consider removing them, along with any unnecessary internet add-ons or toolbars.
We also recommend that PC-based customers try the free Google Chrome web browser in place of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. In addition to its proven security benefits, we’ve found Chrome to perform significantly faster and render pages more accurately – including our own website.

Next, make a habit of examining a link’s destination (URL) before clicking. Most web browsers and e-mail applications will expose the URL simply by hovering over the link.
If the URL doesn’t lead to a reputable website, and especially if the site doesn’t end with a well-known ending like “.com,” think twice before clicking.

Finally, you can mitigate the effects of compromised usernames and passwords by using a unique password for each website or service.  Each password should consist of at least 10 characters. If a criminal uncovers your Facebook credentials, be assured they’ll try to use them to log into Yahoo! Mail, Etsy, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. Desktop and mobile password storage apps like LastPass and KeePass are designed to create and securely store complex credentials, and may increase your efficiency while decreasing your risk. Consider memorizing a handful of passwords (e-mail, online banking, etc.) in case you don’t have access to the password store.

We recommend NOT changing your password more frequently than every 12 to 18 months. It doesn’t matter if a criminal is in possession of stolen credentials for one minute or one month, the same amount of damage can be done. When forced to change passwords often, individuals often develop a predictable password sequence, record passwords in an insecure location, or begin sharing passwords among sites and services, which undermines security.

Please visit us online at LuanaSavingsBank.com for additional information on security, identity theft, credit and much more!

Luana Savings Bank
www.luanasavingsbank.com

Planning for Special Needs Children

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It’s been said that the best inheritance we can give our children is a few minutes of our time every day. It’s also true, though, that our children will not always have us in their lives.

Children with special needs may require lifetime assistance, which can necessitate that parents prepare for their child’s care after they are gone, or are unable to care for him or her any longer.

Envisioning a Life Without You

Parents have to think about the potential needs of their surviving child. Will he or she require daily custodial care? Ongoing medical treatments? Will your child live alone or in a group home? Can family assume some of the care?  Answers to these and other questions can help form the vision of what may need to be done to plan for your child’s care.

Planning Your Estate

Supporting lifetime needs can outstrip your resources. One funding resource is government benefits, which your child may qualify for when he or she becomes an adult, e.g., Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.  Because such government programs have low asset thresholds for qualification, you may want to consider whether to make property transfers to your special needs child.

Ensure you have an up-to-date will that reflects your wishes. Consider creating a special needs trust, the assets of which can be structured to fund your child’s care without disqualifying him or her from  government assistance.

Involve the Family

All affected family members should be involved in the decision-making process. You will want a united front of surviving family members to care for your child after you’ve passed.

Identify a Caregiver

In order for a caregiver to make financial and healthcare decisions after your child reaches adulthood, the caregiver must be appointed as guardian. This can take time, so contemplate starting early.  Consider a “Letter of Intent” to the caregiver and family to express your wishes, along with information about your child’s care. This isn’t a legal document, but it may help to communicate your desires. Store this letter alongside your will in a safe place.

Planning for a special needs child can be complicated, confusing, and even overwhelming. Be sure to work with qualified professionals to help you navigate the myriad of considerations that are part of this challenge.

Actis Wealth Management
www.actiswealth.com

Orchestrating Your Retirement Accounts

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An orchestra is merely a collection of instruments, each of which brings a unique sound.

It is only when a conductor leads them that they create the beautiful music imagined by the composer. The same can be said about your retirement strategy. The typical retirement strategy is a built on the pillars of a 401(k) plan, an IRA and taxable savings. When the instruments of your retirement planning work in concert, they have much greater potential to create the retirement you desire.

Hierarchy of Savings 

Maximizing the effectiveness of your retirement strategy begins with understanding the hierarchy of savings. If you’re like most Americans, the amount you can save for retirement is limited. Consequently, you may want to make sure that your savings are directed to the highest-priority retirement funding options first. For many, that hierarchy begins with a 401(k), followed by an IRA, and after that, taxable savings.

You will then want to consider how to invest each of these savings pools. One strategy is to simply mirror your desired asset allocation in all retirement accounts.

Another approach is to implement the income-generating portion of the allocation (e.g., bonds) in the tax-deferred accounts, while investing in assets whose gains will be from capital appreciation (e.g., stocks) in the taxable accounts.

Withdrawal Strategy

When it comes to living off your savings, you’ll want to coordinate your withdrawals. One school of thought recommends that you tap your taxable account savings first so that your tax-deferred savings will be afforded more time for potential growth. Another school of thought suggests taking distributions first from your poorer-performing retirement accounts since this money is not working as hard for you.

Finally, because many individuals have both traditional and Roth accounts, your expectations of future tax rates may affect what account you withdraw from first. If you think tax rates are going higher, then you might want to withdraw from the traditional before the Roth. If you’re uncertain, you may want to consider withdrawing from the traditional up to the lowest tax bracket, and then withdrawing from the Roth
after that.

In any case, each person’s circumstances are unique and any strategy should reflect your particular risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.

Actis Wealth Management
www.actiswealth.com

 

Pesky Pigmentation…

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What summer leaves behind.

Summer is a beautiful time of year. The weather is warm and the days are long. We embrace outside activities with enthusiasm, and our daily routines go by the wayside – including our skin care regimens. It’s no wonder that when many of us see our reflection in the mirror this time of the year, our skin can look a bit haggard. 

Summer sun exposure can cause brown spots, freckling and blotchy discolorations. These pesky pigmentation issues are due to the skin’s barrier defense system. When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays and environmental hazards, it responds by sending melanin to the outer layers to protect it from burning. This results in what many refer to as age spots.

During the summer, many people apply sunscreen when they go outside. Unfortunately, some over-the-counter sunscreens protect only from UVB (burning). In addition, most people don’t apply an adequate amount every day, and most don’t reapply every 90 minutes.

It’s important to use a broad-spectrum (also called full-spectrum) sunscreen, which protects skin from both UVB (burning) rays and UVA (aging) rays. Choosing the best sun protection can be a challenge for individuals with sensitivities to ingredients and fragrances commonly found in sunscreens. “I’m one of those people,” says Susan Cross, ARNP. “I’ve made it a priority at Urban Effects Medspa to provide quality sun protection products and I’ve developed ‘Susan’s Sun Bar’ so our guests can experience them first-hand and learn which product is best for them and their family members.”

If you’re experiencing age spots and looking for options to enhance your appearance, first make sure you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen – and that you’re using the right amount and reapplying as needed. Next, contact Urban Effects Medspa for a VISIA skin analysis and skin consultation to determine the best treatment plan for you. Recommendations for skincare products, medications and/or laser treatments are based on each individual’s levels of severity, time availability, lifestyle and financial resources.

Contact Urban Effects Medspa today to schedule your complimentary VISIA skin analysis or stop by and visit our new Sun Bar to find the right sunscreen for you!

Urban Effects Medspa
www.urbaneffectsmedspa.com

Swimming for Special Success

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Standing together, waiting for their picture to be snapped, are two boys wearing gleaming gold medals indicating their spectacular achievement. These aren’t the type of medals given to all participants. These are winners’ medals. They’re evidence of conquered fears, adversities overcome, and races won fair and square.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 12.18.44 PMLike most children, they would rather be outside – playing with friends, making something out of sand and mud, catching bugs, or in this case, swimming.

Brooklyn, 11, and Zachary, 13, used to be fish out of water when it came to swimming in the deep end of the pool. Zachary wouldn’t let the water get up to his shoulders and Brooklyn refused to dive into the deep end of certain pools. Then they met Michelle, the adaptive aquatics trainer at Waukee’s YMCA and a lifelong swimmer with 25 years of coaching experience.

Unique Challenges

Brooklyn, with his sporty tennis shoes and athletic wear, was born with a lesion on the left side of his brain that makes his right upper body extremely weak. Epilepsy comes paired with the lesion. Zachary, with his sweet smile, has extremely low muscle tone as a result of living with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Both boys were in need of a unique aquatics program for therapeutic, health, wellness and youth development reasons.

Great Minds Think Alike

A little over three years ago, Michelle was in the beginning stages of organizing an adaptive aquatics program with Brian Longren, the aquatics program director at Waukee’s YMCA. It was at this time that Zachary’s mother, Edie, was looking for an alternative to group swimming lessons for her son.

“We knew if he [Zach] was enrolled in a regular swimming program, it wouldn’t work out,” Edie said. “We wanted some sort of program where he could safely learn.”

Brooklyn had also tried group lessons but they hadn’t worked well for his swimming development.

“Swimming with Michelle and experiencing the competition have helped Brooklyn take risks, improve his confidence and know that even though he has his differences, he is able to do amazing things,” said Brooklyn’s dad, Brandon.

The physical and cardiovascular exercise is also beneficial for the boys.

“Swimming is one of the best physical activities,” said Edie. “It helps with breathing, puts less stress on the joints than other activities and is a good activity for the
whole body.”

Swimming Buddies

At the Regional Special Olympics Spring Games held at the Indianola YMCA, Brooklyn placed first (and achieved personal bests) in his age division in both of his races – 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke. He advanced to the state competition where he again placed first and recorded personal bests in both events.

“I get nervous before a race, but when I win, it feels awesome,” said Brooklyn.

Zachary won the 25-yard backstroke in his age division at the Regional Special Olympics Spring Games. This qualified him to converge with nearly 3,000 other athletes at the Special Olympics State Summer Games in Ames. There, he swam to a first-place finish in his age division as well.

Although swimming is an individual sport, Michelle added that camaraderie is another benefit of swimming, noting that YMCA programs encourage teamwork and cheering for one another. “Friendships are built here,” she said.

A Bright Future Ahead

Next April at the regional Special Olympics meet in Indianola, look for the boys who are doing their best, competing with the rest – for it’s in these moments that their confidence grows bigger than all of the obstacles placed in front of them.

Waukee YMCA
www.dmymca.org

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