TheBACKPACK BACKACHEHow to Lighten Your Child’s Load
This fall parents are sending their children back to school with backpacks full of books, supplies and sack lunches. But is your child carrying too much? A backpack that is too heavy can cause chronic neck, shoulder and back pain, especially if a child walks to school or tends to carry the pack on one shoulder instead of on both.
“A child’s backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 15 percent of the child’s body weight,” says Sara Woods, M.D., a pediatrician at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic South. “Choosing the right backpack for a child and teaching him or her how to wear it properly can help prevent posture problems and unnecessary aches.”
CHoosing A BACKPACKAlthough a child’s only backpack criteria
may be whether it has his or her favorite cartoon character or if it’s a particular brand or color, mom and dad need to consider other features that can help prevent back injuries:• Size and weight. Choose the smallest and
most lightweight backpack possible for your child. The pack should not be any wider or longer than the child’s back.
• Adjustable shoulder straps. Make sure the backpack has wide, padded shoulder straps that can be adjusted to fit your child’s frame.
• Padding. Firm padding in the back of the pack as well as on the shoulder straps helps keep a child comfortable and can deter slouching.
• Waist strap. Look for a backpack with a waist strap, which can help distribute the weight of the pack across the back and hips.
• Compartments. Compartments that are evenly spaced around the pack ensure one side doesn’t get more overloaded than the other.
WEAring it WEllNo matter how ergonomic a backpack is, it
can only prevent injury if it’s used correctly. Teaching a child how to wear a pack safely can help prevent muscle aches, soreness and shoulder pain.
“Most importantly, a backpack should never be worn over just one shoulder, which causes immense strain on the back” says Dr. Woods. “A backpack is meant to be worn over both shoulders and rest snugly against the child’s back. The pack should not hang more than a few inches below the child’s waist.”
If the backpack has a waist strap, the strap should be pulled firmly across the child’s bellybutton and not hang low on the hips, Dr.Woods adds.
In addition, teach your child to pack only what he or she really needs. Encourage your child to leave books and binders at school if they aren’t going to be immediately used. Athletic equipment and other after-school materials shouldn’t be carried around during the school day.
*Weight limits set by the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Chiropractic Association, American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
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“When packing a backpack, heavier items should be placed on the bottom of a pack and nearest to the back with lighter items on top. Items should also be evenly distributed on the left side and right side of the pack,” says Dr. Woods.
PrEvEnting And trEAting BACKPACK injuriEs
If your child begins complaining about back or shoulder pain, don’t ignore it. Evaluate his or her backpack to ensure it provides enough support. If not, replace the pack and see if the pain resolves itself.
“The best way to prevent backpack-related problems is to keep an eye on your child,” says Dr. Woods. “Look to make sure he or she isn’t straining to carry the pack or leaning excessively forward or backward.”
If your child still suffers from back and shoulder aches and a backpack change doesn’t help, it’s time to visit your family doctor. In addition to treating any injuries caused by backpack misuse, he or she can recommend back strengthening exercises that can help prevent future problems.
Travis County Sheriff Office Burglary tips
• Secure your vehicles, homes, garage doors at all times. (if you have an alarm, use it!)
• Utilize timers for lights, radios, and televisions to give the appearance that someone is home when you are out of town.
• Secure patio doors with a rod or piece of plywood.• Keep the perimeter of your home well lit.• Never leave a vacation message on your answering machine.• Keep shrubbery trimmed, to prevent hiding places.• Park in well-lit areas at night.• Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Lock them in the trunk or
take them inside.• Organize a community watch program in your neighborhood.• Secure all windows and doors when you are home and away.
Spiders on the Prowl!An often seen spider in our suburban
yards and gardens is the black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia). True to its common name, this spider has distinctive black and yellow (and sometimes orange) markings on its abdomen and a mostly white area behind its head. With a fairly rotund body of 1 ½ inches in length, the females of this species are twice as large as the males (common for most spiders), and can have colorful banding on the legs. These spiders are active during the summer months, and tend to be somewhat local, staying in one place throughout much of their lifetime. Like other members of the Argiope family, they are considered harmless to humans.
These garden spiders have three claws on each foot, unlike most spiders that have only two claws, and the extra claw helps them to
spin complicated webs. Many times these webs are built in areas adjacent to open sunny areas, often two to eight feet off the ground. Most distinctively, the circular part of their webs are up to two feet in diameter, with a dense zigzag of silk, known as a stabilimentum, in the center. While the purpose of this structure is disputed, it helps this spider earn its other common name, the writing spider. It is most often thought that the stabilimentum might warn birds of the presence of the web, and only those spiders that are active during the day construct these types of patterns in their webs.
Black and yellow garden spiders breed once a year. The males roam in search of a female, building a small web near or actually in the female’s web, then court the females
(Continued on Page 5)Black and Yellow Garden Spider
The Shady Sideby plucking strands on her web. When the male approaches the female, he often has a safety drop line ready, in case she attacks him. After mating, the male dies, and is sometimes then eaten by the female. The female will then lay her eggs, cover them with a sheet of silk, roll them into a sac, and hang them from the center of her web, where she spends most of her time. She guards the eggs against predation as long as she is able, but as the weather cools, she becomes more frail, and dies around the time of the first hard frost. Come spring, the tiny young spiders exit the sac and disperse, often on a strand of silk carried by the wind.
Another common but startling-looking spider is the spiny-backed orbweaver, or spiny orb-weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis). Its shell is shaped like a crab shell, wide, flat and variably red, white, orange, or yellow with dark oval spots, rimmed by six red or orange spines. The males lack these distinctive spines, having only four or five stubby dark projections, and are two-thirds smaller than the females. Their Latin name comes from ‘cancer’ meaning ‘crab’ and ‘forma’ meaning ‘shape, form, or appearance.’
Also called a jewel or jewel box spider, this spider ranges across the southern half of the United States and is found year-round in woodland edges and shrubby areas of Texas. It usually adds decorations or little tufts of silk to its web, possibly to warn birds and other animals of the web’s location. A short-lived spider, its lifespan lasts until reproduction in the spring following their birth. In fact, the males die only six days after mating with a female.
Often found feeding on flowers, the Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) is a bright green spider and the largest lynx spider in North America. The species name is derived from the Latin viridis, meaning ‘green’, and is its signature characteristic. Its abdomen has a series of cream-colored chevrons along its length, with white stripes accented by russet margins. Long, thin legs are pale green to yellow, and are covered with long black spines and spots. Gravid females are able to change color to fit their background, and depend on this ability in September and October, to help them defend their egg sac filled with bright orange eggs, from predation.
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The Shady SideActive during late spring and summer in a wide variety of habitats,
the Green Lynx spider does not spin a web, but hunts for moths and other small insects among low shrubs and plants. As such, this spider is of great interest for its use in agricultural pest management, but unfortunately also preys on beneficial insects such as honey bees. Very seldom does this spider bite humans, and its bite is harmless.
Relatively common throughout Texas, tarantulas are our heaviest and largest spiders. Typically, the head and legs are dark brown, and the abdomen is brownish-black. Coloration varies between individuals as well as between the 14 different species found in our state. Identification of species is difficult, however, and is often performed only on mature males under a microscope.
Tarantulas are typically found in grasslands and semi-open areas, and use burrows, natural cavities under stones or fallen logs, spaces under loose tree bark, and even old rodent holes as shelters. They are also capable of digging their own burrows, and often line them with webbing, placing a few strands across the front to help detect passing prey. Laying several hundred eggs in a hammock-like web constructed inside the burrow, females will guard them until they hatch. Females have lived in captivity for over 25 years, while males
natureWatch- (Cont from Pg 5)
rarely live over two or three months after reaching maturity. Other insects such as crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas,
and caterpillars form the basic diet of the tarantula. They inject their prey with a poison when they bite, which liquefies the prey’s insides, making it easier to ingest. While they can climb, they are usually restricted to the ground, with the males actively wandering in large numbers in late summer, apparently seeking out females. The hairiness and large size of tarantulas often evokes concern, but the bites of Texas species are not serious to humans. Tarantulas maneuver quickly to face whatever disturbs them, often raising up on their hind legs and stretching out their front legs in a threatening posture. They have also been observed rapidly brushing the top of their abdomen with their hind legs to dislodge hairs that can be used to irritate the attacker’s eyes or skin.
Send your nature-related questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them. If you enjoy reading these articles, look for our book, NatureWatch Austin, to be published by Texas A&M University Press in 2011.
- by jim & lynne Weber
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Austin CurrEntsBCP Hike & Lecture Series
Looking to enjoy the wonderful fall weather with the family? How about a guided hike in some of the most pristine wildland areas around town? The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) maintains several of the open spaces you see around Austin, around 27,000 acres in total. These are not parks, they are preserves. Access is limited, and no pets or bicycles or large groups are allowed. As you may be aware, the BCP is not just one single tract of land but a system of preserves that exists as a multi-agency conservation effort with Travis County under the Endangered Species Act through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW).
This hike and lecture series is a partnership among several local agencies and organizations that manage land dedicated to the BCP. A hike is offered the 2nd Saturday of every month. The City of Austin is supporting the partnership and this program by handling registration for events on its website. Lectures will be posted on the calendar but do not require registration.
Your field biologist will point out birds, animals, plants, insects and invertebrates. And you may see the habitats of native and non-native plants and animals and you will learn about how they impact
the environment. You might even get lucky and see a turkey vulture, armadillo, grey fox or some roadrunners. The best part is you can ask your guide all the questions you want. This is great for kids and adults too.
Here is the Hike & lecture series calendar for the fall:Sat. 9/11 9a-11:30a Birding Habitat of Westcave Preserve (Westcave Preserve - easy)Sat. 9/25 1:00p-3:30p Exploring Wild Basin (Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve- easy)Sat. 9/25 9:00a-11:30a Exploring Wild Basin for Kids and Families (Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve- easy)Sat. 10/9 10a-1:00p Rediscover Hamilton Pool (Hamilton Pool Preserve – easy)Sat. 11/13 9a-11:45a A Bird’s Eye View of Stillhouse Hollow (Stillhouse Hollow – easy)
To Register, visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildland/bcphikelectureseries.htm.
For more information contact [email protected] Rich Keith, (512) 632-0162. - submitted by rich Keith
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sCoutjAM 2010 CElEBrAtEs 100 yEArs of Scouting in America
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, Austin’s own Capitol Area Council is hosting ScoutJam 2010. ScoutJam 2010, an all day event to be held October 9th at the Travis County Exposition Center, is an opportunity for families to enjoy a variety of adventures together while learning about the history and current programs offered by the Boy Scouts’ local Council. ScoutJam 2010 is open to the public, and all Central Texas families, as well as Scout Alumni and community leaders, are invited to attend.
A low-cost and family-friendly alternative to the concurrent Austin City Limits Festival, ScoutJam is an adventurous wonderland of outdoor activities and captivating learning opportunities for every parent and child. Activities will include outdoor activities such as fishing, dirt bike riding, archery, and water sports. Indoor activities, including guitar lessons, food tastings, sumo wrestling, bungee runs and chemistry lab experiments, are sure to elicit wide-eyed exclamations of joy as well. Meanwhile a rock concert, wildlife exhibits, aviation technology displays and historical re-enactments are sure to educate and inspire through a fun and multi-sensory approach to teaching.
The event is the Capitol Area Council’s largest yet, and is intended to grow community awareness about the Boy Scouts of America programs offered locally. These include Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturing. Sea Scouts and Venturing are unique in that they are available to young women and men between the ages of 14 and 20. Current Scouts in attendance of ScoutJam will also have the chance to earn activity badges, and Eagle Scouts will gather from all over the world to celebrate their common bond.
Event sponsors include the American Chemistry Society, A+ Federal Credit Union, AT&T, Austin Toros, Cerqa, Covert Chevrolet,
Dandy Idea, Gibson/Epiphone Guitar, HEB, Safe Kids Austin and Whole Earth Provision Company. Of these sponsors, the Toros, as well as Gibson and Epiphone Guitars will be actively participating in basketball throws and music lessons for the youngsters. Covert Chevrolet will be displaying electric and hybrid cars in a forum about alternative transportation technologies.
“For the past 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has helped young boys grow into great men,” stated Charles Mead, the Council’s Director of Public Relations, while explaining the significance of this event. “Now, more than ever, we have the opportunity to make an impact on our community by helping kids from all walks of life gain confidence and finish school, allowing them to develop into successful adults.” To the Boy Scouts, celebrating the past is about making a real difference for the future of our country by creating opportunity for all of our nation’s youth.
To join the Boy Scouts of America, Capitol Area Council in this celebration, register online at www.ScoutJam2010.org. Early bird tickets will receive a five-dollar discount through September 24th, and tickets can also be purchased onsite on the day of the event.
About Capitol Area Council, Boy scouts of AmericaFor the past 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has been the most
successful national youth program in American History. Austin’s local Capitol Area Council continues this legacy by combining fun, adventure and values to help its approximately 22,000 young members become better, stronger, more confident community members. A variety of activities are offered for both young boys and teenage boys and girls through Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Sea Scouting and Venturing Programs. These programs help young people develop the self-esteem and tools they need to become the future leaders and active citizens that our country needs.
The Shady SideThe Shady Side is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use The Shady Side contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc.
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