Florida Creative Living Magazine

3September - October 2011 Florida Creative Living | For All Ages!

For All Ages! | Florida Creative Living September - October 2011

Creative LivingFlorida

September - October 2011 1th ISSUE

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September - October 2011 Florida Creative Living | For All Ages!


Kids & Teens

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Adult Living

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51Coming Soon!

November/December 2011 Issue - Sports Section

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IA BRIEF WORD FROM THE PUBLISHER

Susan Gulash | [email protected]

want, to welcome you to our first issue of Florida Creative Living. It has been a journey of six

years from research, to design to concept for the birth of our publication.

Some people say, “that a dream is only a figment of an imagination”, but I say, “that a dream is a mere whisper from

God leading you in the path of victory.” Take a look at page 33 to see how that dream is becoming a reality for The Happy Baker.

Please join us in celebrating our first issue by liking us on our facebook page. Also visit page 27 to win an E-Gift card to Toys R Us. Would you like to win a Circus Sarasota pendant and an autograph T-shirt from the Legendary Aerialist Dolly Jacobs? View page 47 for further details.

Florida Creative Living wants to wish you a Happy and Safe Labor Day, and please read our special section on page 13 for a safe Halloween.

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Florida Creative LivingPO Box 2735, Lutz, FL 33548

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Florida Creative Living is a full-size, full-color, bi-monthly, online interactive magazine published six times a year by Gulash Graphics. It is distributed free of charge and no content is allowed to be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from Florida Creative Living. This publication is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers and is not necessarily the opinion of Florida Creative Living. Typographical errors, and the accuracy of information supplied by advertisers, or the action of the advertisers are not the publication and its publisher responsibility. Editorial submissions are welcome. Publisher reserves the right to reject or edit for length and clarity all submissions.

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For Advertising Information Call or scan our image to the right.

A SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you God, for the vision you have given me to help others thru Florida Creative Living publication.

To Brian, my best friend, and husband for supporting and encouraging me to see the publication become a REALITY!

To my daughters, Madison and Makayla for cheering me on to see, “The Adventures of Foxy The Fox and Croaky” get finished.

I couldn’t of done it without all my family and friends saying, “that I can do it”! THANK YOU ALL!

A big thank you goes to our advertiser’s, who helped contribute informative editorials to Florida Creative Living.

Kids & TeensKids

Section

& TeensSection


Kids & Teens | NEWS

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ust as you were getting used to staying up late and sleeping in as long as you wanted, the summer has ended and it is time to start school again. Along with the new school year comes the excitement of seeing friends you have not seen all summer, anxiety of new

schedule, and getting acquainted with new teachers. For some, it will be a new school, new friends, new schedules, new teachers, and new everything! What a daunting thought. Hopefully, along with all these thoughts, you want to make this school year the best academically and socially. While there is no guarantee to the success of your school year, there are some things you can do ahead of time that will contribute to a successful year.

One of the hardest things for students starting a new school year is adjusting to a new schedule. Get ahead of everyone else by adjusting your body to the new schedule. A week before school starts, make yourself go to bed at an appropriate time and get yourself up around the time you would start to get ready for school. Eat a healthful breakfast. Then, plan some activities throughout the day that will keep your body active and build up your endurance throughout the day, and help you sleep better at night.

If you have already gone through orientation at your school, you have probably received a list of supplies that you will need. Do not wait until the night before the first day of school to get the things you need. Ask your parents to set aside a night to take you out so you can get the supplies you need.If you are starting this year at a new school, take time before the first day of school to familiarize yourself with the layout of the school. Review your schedule to make sure there are no conflicts or mistakes.

If you are in middle school or high school there will lots of opportunities for extra-curricular activities. This is a great way to meet people who share common interests. Be careful that you do not signup for too many activities. Keep in mind that you will have to set aside time to study and do assignments. Sign up for activities that are a reflection of your interests and not the interests of someone else. Do not be afraid to join a group where you do not know anyone. There are lots of friendships to be made and you do not want to pass up an opportunity to create new friendships based on common interests.

During classes, be sure you are actively listening. If you take notes, be sure to review what you have written. Find someone in class with whom you can study and share notes.

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tips For A Great year

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Exchange phone numbers so in the event that you are absent, you will have someone to call and get missed notes or assignments.

Do not be hesitant to ask questions, even on the first day of class! There is a high chance that there are 2 or 3 other students in the class with the same question. Take it from this teacher, we would rather clarify something the first day than find out a week later no one understood what we were explaining on the first day. Be outgoing to your teachers. No, do not develop a friendship, but do not be afraid to introduce yourself and offer help where you see a need.

When you come home from school, do not wait too long be between getting home and starting your homework. Develop a homework system. Start with something you enjoy, move on to something challenging, and end with something easy for you. Leave nothing blank on your homework. If you do not understand a question, do your best and give it your best educated response. Teachers use that to gauge how they are doing as a teacher. Take 10 – 15 minute breaks in between assignments. Even though you may not have a lot of homework the first week of school, make these suggestions your daily habit so that when the homework load increases, your body and mind will already be adjusted and ready for it.

While no one method can guarantee an academically successful year, using the above methods will certainly give you an edge on success.

Sarah Bartal is the Music Teacher/Choir Director at Barnabas Christian Academy, Port Saint Lucie, Florida.



ouble Branch Elementary had an Odyssey of the Mind team which won the Extreme Structure Company for the state and competed for the world title at the University of Maryland May 28, 2011. This group of six children worked very hard. They competed against teams both regionally and at the state level, placing 1st in both. Moving

forward to the world competition they competed against the other states and twenty five other countries. The other challenge this group faced was funding; for this small team and two coaches, the cost was about $8,000. In order to raise the funds quickly, the coaches and parents turned to the community. They paired with Ierna’s Heating & Cooling to do a Facebook Campaign. For each “like” generated for the company’s webpage, they would donate. In a short two weeks, $2400 was raised thru this campaign to sponsor the trip! A check was presented May 27th and the kids and coaches were on their way.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international academic program that provides creative problem solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. There are a variety of problems students can compete in. Extreme Structure Company, (ESC), is competing in the Unhinged Structure category. It is an engineering problem that involves building a small structure of balsa wood than can weigh no more than eighteen grams. During the competition thecompetitors must perform an eight minute skit while they pile weights onto their structure. The main goal is to have their structure hold the most weight, however they are

judged on every aspect of their performance. Although coached by Murali Ventakappa and Sharon Horwitz, the kids did everything for the skit, songs, and problems being solved. They even made their costumes and props. The state competition structure the group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders built held 630 pounds.

Nationally, the team came in 13th overall for the Division I Unhinged Structure. To quote many of the kids, “I wish this would never end. I am having such a great time.” They loved meeting kids from other countries, especially Togo in Africa, Japan, China, and Singapore. Lisa Couture, a parent, spoke of how, “It was an incredible experience for all around. We learned so much, parents included. The atmosphere was energetic and so full of life. It didn’t matter who won or who lost, everyone was just thrilled to be there. Your company helped give our kids an experience of a lifetime.

It was something, I, as a 38 year-old mother will never forget. They wore the IERNA shirts with pride during the Spontaneous competition and ‘rocked it’. So, with IERNA’s literally on their backs, they hit the ball out of the park!”

View page 39 for Ierna’s Heating & Cooling’s ad.

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Kids & Teens | NEWSKids & Teens | NEWS

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Kids & Teens | NEWS

am 14 and starting a new high school. I have Asperger syndrome. Should I tell my classmates? At my last

school I was bullied. I really want to fit in, and my parents have helped with choosing cool clothes and social skills classes. I want people to understand that I am a good, smart person and that I may act weird or immature but I can be a good friend. This is a school where no one knows me. What do you think I should do?- Tom*

It sounds like you’ve prepared yourself well for starting a new school. Brushing up on social skills and choosing clothes you feel good in will definitely help you make a positive first impression. And what’s just as important is your inner confidence: knowing that you are a good, smart person who can be a great friend! Feeling good about yourself helps attract new friends.

Use your social skills to meet people. Start by being friendly and just saying “hi” to people in your homeroom or other classes. Use confident, relaxed body language. Think ahead about conversation starters. It can help make talking to people easier.

Join an after-school activity that appeals to you. That way, you’ll meet students who share your interests and who might make good friends. Talk to an adult at school — such as a teacher, advisor, or counselor. Ask if you can talk over your situation, and explain your hopes for the new school year. See if that adult can introduce you to students who might make good friends.

It’s perfectly OK to let people know: “Hey, I have Asperger’s so some things are difficult for me.” If you own it, rather than try to hide it, there’s less of a chance people will make fun of you for it. If you do get teased or bullied, be sure to let an adult know right away. You deserve a positive high school experience — one where your talents and strengths can shine, and others can appreciate your friendship, good character, and intelligence.

I Have Asperger Syndrome

How Do I Make New Friends?

Experts Answers

©1995-2011. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.

Reviewed by: D’Arcy Lyness, PhD

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Kids & Teens | HEALTHY HABITS

ave you ever felt sick to your stomach during a test? Have you had days when you were so loaded down with homework that you had trouble sleeping? Have you

ever been so worried about something that you ended up with a terrible headache?

If so, then you know what it’s like to feel stress. You’ve probably heard people say, “Wow, I’m really stressed out” or “This is making me totally stressed.” Maybe you hear adults say those kinds of things all the time. But kids have lots of things going on in their lives that can cause stress, too.

What Is Stress?Stress is what you feel when you are worried or uncomfortable about something. This worry in your mind can make your body feel bad. You may feel angry, frustrated, scared, or afraid — which can give you a stomachache or a headache.

When you’re stressed you may not feel like sleeping or eating, or you might sleep or eat too much. You also may

The Story On

Finding a Balance

Reviewed by: Jennifer Shroff Pendley, PhD

Hfeel cranky or have trouble paying attention at school and remembering things at home.

What Causes Stress?Plenty of things can cause stress in a kid’s life. The trick is to remember that some types of stress are good and others are bad. Good or normal stress might show up when you’re called on in class or when you have to give a report. Have you ever gotten butterflies in your stomach or sweaty hands? Those can be signs of good stress — the kind of stress that can help you to get things done. For example, you may do a better job on your book report if the anxiety inspires you to prepare well before you get up and read it to the class.

But bad stress can happen if the stressful feelings keep going over time. You may not feel well if your parents are fighting, if a family member is sick, if you’re having problems at school, or if you’re going through anything else that makes you upset every day. That kind of stress isn’t going to help you, and it can actually make you sick.Once you recognize that you’re feeling

stressed, there are several things you can do. You can try talking about what’s bothering you with an adult you trust, like a parent or teacher. Bring up what’s been on your mind and how it makes you feel. An adult may have ideas about how to solve whatever is worrying you or making you uncomfortable.

Are You Too Busy?If you’re feeling tired and stressed because you have too much going on, like lots of after-school activities, you might feel better if you drop something, even if it’s just for a semester or so. Sometimes lots of activities — even if they’re all fun — can make you feel stressed by keeping you busy all the time. On the other hand, if problems at home are bugging you, some (but not too many!) after-school activities may actually help you relax and feel better.

There are also relaxation exercises that you can use to get rid of stress. The easiest one to do is to inhale (breathe in) slowly and deeply through your nose, and then exhale (breathe out) slowly through your mouth. Do

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this two to four times, but don’t take in too much air too quickly because it can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy.

Another exercise can help you if you’re having trouble sleeping: tense and relax your muscles slowly, starting at your toes and working your way up your body. Tense and relax your toes. Then do the same with your toes and your ankles. Then, your toes, ankles, and calves. Then toes, ankles, calves, and thighs. Keep going up your body until you get to the top of your head!You can do exercises like these anytime, without anyone noticing.

You can even do breathing exercises in class if you’re nervous before a test.

Finding a BalanceThe best way to keep stress away is to have a balanced life. That means making good decisions about how to spend your time. If you’re only dealing with school stuff and have no time to play, you can get stressed. Make sure you keep your SELF in mind: Sleep, Exercise, Leisure (something fun), and Food.

If you take care of yourself and get enough sleep and food, and if you exercise and leave time for fun stuff, you’ll probably be less stressed out!

ime to get ready for bed!” someone calls from the other room. Oh, no! You’re really into the great book you’re reading or that computer game that

you’re winning.

“Why do I have to go to bed?” you ask. “Sleep is boring, and I’m not even tired!”

But sleep is more important than you may think. Maybe you can think of a time when you didn’t get enough sleep. That heavy, groggy feeling is awful and, when you feel that way, you’re not at your best. So if you’re not too tired, let’s talk about sleep.

Why You Need SleepThe average kid has a busy day. There’s school, taking care of your pets, running around with friends, going to sports practice or other activities, and doing your homework. Phew! It’s tiring just writing it all down. By the end of the day, your body needs a break. Sleep allows your body to rest for the next day.

Everything that’s alive needs sleep to survive. Even your dog or cat curls up for naps. Animals sleep for the same reason you do — to give your body a tiny vacation.

Your Brain Needs ZzzzzsNot only is sleep necessary for your body, it’s important for your brain, too. Though no one is exactly sure what

work the brain does when you’re asleep, some scientists think that the brain sorts through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems while you snooze.

Most kids between 5 and 12 get about 9.5 hours a night, but experts agree that most need 10 or 11 hours each night. Sleep is an individual thing and some kids need more than others.

When your body doesn’t have enough hours to rest, you may feel tired or cranky, or you may be unable to think clearly. You might have a hard time following directions, or you might have an argument with a friend over something really stupid. A school assignment that’s normally easy


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What Sleep Is and Why All

Kids Need It Being Good to Your Body


Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Kids & Teens | HEALTHLY HABITS


For All Ages! | Florida Creative Living September - October 2011 18

may feel impossible, or you may feel clumsy playing your favorite sport or instrument.

One more reason to get enough sleep: If you don’t, you may not grow as well. That’s right, researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and your immune system — which keeps you from getting sick.

The Stages of SleepAs you’re drifting off to sleep, it doesn’t seem like much is happening . . . the room is getting fuzzy and your eyelids feel heavier and heavier. But what happens next? A lot!

Your brain swings into action, telling your body how to sleep. As you slowly fall asleep, you begin to enter the five different stages of sleep:

Stage 1In this stage, your brain gives the signal to your muscles to relax. It also tells your heart to beat a little slower, and your body temperature drops a bit.

Stage 2After a little while, you enter stage 2, which is a light sleep. You can still be woken up easily during this stage. For example, if your sister pokes you or you hear a car horn outside, you’ll probably wake up.

Stage 3When you’re in this stage, you’re in a deeper sleep, also called slow-wave sleep. Your brain sends a message to your blood pressure to get lower. Your body isn’t sensitive to the temperature of the air around you, which means that you won’t notice if it’s a little hot or cold in your room. It’s much harder to be awakened when you’re in this stage, but some people may sleepwalk or talk in their sleep at this point.

Stage 4This is the deepest sleep yet and is also considered slow-wave sleep. It’s very hard to wake up from this stage of sleep, and if you do wake up, you’re sure to be out of it and confused for at least a few minutes. Like they do in stage 3, some people may sleepwalk or talk in

their sleep when going from stage 4 to a lighter stage of sleep.

R.E.M.R.E.M. stands for rapid eye movement. Even though the muscles in the rest of your body are totally relaxed, your eyes move back and forth very quickly beneath your eyelids. The R.E.M. stage is when your heart beats faster and your breathing is less regular. This is also the stage when people dream!

While you’re asleep, you repeat stages 2, 3, 4, and R.E.M. about every 90 minutes until you wake up in the morning. For most kids, that’s about four or five times a night. Who said sleep was boring?

Dream a Little DreamYou’re walking down the street and you pass a monkey in a green hat eating a donut. Suddenly you’re in school — but why does your teacher have such big teeth? And how come you’re wearing polka-dot pants?

No, this isn’t a scene from a scary movie — it’s a dream!

People dream during R.E.M. sleep, the period that follows the deepest stage of sleep. Everybody has dreams,

although some people have a tough time remembering them. When you wake up can affect whether you can remember your dreams. If you wake up during R.E.M. sleep, you might remember everything about your dream. If you wake up during another stage of sleep, you might not remember a thing.No one knows for sure why people dream. Some scientists think that dreams are your brain’s way of making sense of what happened during the day. Others think that dreams allow your brain to sort through the events of the day, storing the important stuff and getting rid of the junk. Some scientists say that dreams are a clue to what you’re worried about or thinking about.

How to Catch Your ZZZsFor most kids, sleeping comes pretty naturally. Here are some tips to help you catch all the ZZZs you need:

•Try to go to bed at the same time every night; this helps your body get into a routine.•Follow a bedtime routine that is calming, such as taking a warm bath or reading.•Limit foods and drinks that contain

caffeine. These include some sodas and other drinks, like ice tea.•Don’t have a TV in your room. Research shows that kids who have one in their rooms sleep less. If you have a TV, turn it off when it’s time to sleep.•Don’t watch scary TV shows or movies close to bedtime because these can sometimes make it hard to fall asleep.•Don’t exercise just before going to bed. Do exercise earlier in the day — it helps a person sleep better.•Use your bed just for sleeping — not doing homework, reading, playing games, or talking on the phone. That way, you’ll train your body to associate your bed with sleep.If you have a hard time falling asleep for more than one or two nights or have worries that are keeping you from sleeping, tell your mom or dad. They can help you solve your sleep problems. In fact, just talking about it with them could help you relax just enough (yawn) that you’ll be ready to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.


Kids & Teens | HEALTHY HABITS

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Kids & Teens | SPORTS

f you’ve ever played competitive sports, you know starting a new season means a lot of hard work and practice. (It’s a good thing sports are fun.) It’s also normal to feel a little nervous about starting, especially if this

is your first season.

Here are a few ways to put yourself at ease and make sure you’re ready for the first day:

1.Get in shape. Start by writing an exercise plan if you don’t already have one. Schedule specific workout times during the week to help you stick with it. Ask your coach, gym teacher, or trainer for advice when writing your plan. Also, keep an exercise log. Write down how long you work out and what activity you did (cardio, lifting, etc.). That way you can keep track of different types of activities so you can mix things up (like running one day, strength training another).

2.Check your gear. Ask your coach if you’re not sure what you need. New equipment can be pricey,

so think about using some secondhand gear if it’s available. Brothers, sisters, friends, and siblings of friends can be great sources of used equipment. Just make sure it’s very clean and still safe to use. You could ask your coach to take a look at it before the first day of practice. If you’re a returning player, take out all of your equipment, try it on, and make sure it still fits and works.

3.Consider a sports camp. Sports camps can help new and experienced players brush up on skills before the season starts. College players, coaches, or other professionals usually teach the camps. Most include drill sessions, then scrimmages toward the end of the day. Drill work helps improve skills and scrimmaging with other campers lets you apply those skills in real-game situations. Scrimmages also can help you get the feel of playing on a team if it’s something you’re not used to. Many schools and colleges offer various sports camps during the summer and on the weekends during the school year. If camps aren’t your thing, organizing a group of people to play a weekly game can be a great way to practice.

4.See your doctor. Your school or team will probably require a sports physical before allowing you to participate. Because everyone needs to get checked at the beginning of the season, doctors tend to be busy those times of year. So ask your mom or dad to set up an appointment early on. That gives the doctor plenty of time to fill out your paperwork so you can start your sport on time. If you wear glasses, consider visiting your eye doctor to check your prescription.

5.Set realistic goals. Before your season starts, consider setting a few goals, such as improving a specific skill like dribbling or passing the ball. Just making the team or getting in shape are great goals as well. Be sure to write down your goals and discuss them with your parent or coach — they can support you. If you reach your goal, set some new goals next season. Just having goals can be a great motivator!For more on this topic, check out the box below.

5 Ways to Prepare for Your Sports Season


be on top of your game

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Kids & Teens | TECHNO & SCIENCE

ol...Omg...Idk: Why am I so tired?

Raise your hand if you’ve sent an embarrassing text message — the message

that neither you nor your friend can understand because it looks like gibberish, or the one that’s accidently sent to someone who shouldn’t have read it.

Did you ever think that your nighttime pings, rings, and vibrates could be the reason why?

Lack of sleep can cause you to send embarrassing texts. But more important, sending and receiving messages late at night can disrupt your sleep and leave you tired and unfocused when it’s time for school. Studies show that lack of sleep, or interrupted sleep, can affect everything from your mood to your sports performance.

Sure, you want to stay connected with your friends, but how useful can you be when you’re exhausted? Give your “tech” (texts, emails, calls) a rest from bedtime until your alarm clock rings so you can rest.


Technology: 5 Ways to Reboot Yourself

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IDK

How can you ease out of being accessible — but sluggish — all the time to unplugging at bedtime? Here are some tips to follow at night that will help boost your energy and focus in the morning:

1.Log off your instant messenger, Facebook, and email. Pings in the middle of the night can interrupt your sleep — even if you don’t get up to answer them. And, more than likely, if your friends see that you’re logged out, they’ll log out too.

2.Turn off your cell phone (don’t just set it on vibrate) when it’s time for bed. Buzzes can be just as loud as beeps or rings, especially late at night when everything else is quiet. Plus, if your friends have no one to talk to, maybe they’ll be inspired to turn off their cell and catch some Zzzs, too.

3.Get in the habit of powering off your computer — especially if it’s in your room. Sometimes just logging off your instant messenger or Facebook is not enough. Blinking lights and glowing screens can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

4.Get your cell phone out of your room completely. Try charging your phone overnight in a separate room. While your cell battery is restoring, you can get the sleep you need to recharge your own battery. Having your cell in another room can reduce the chance that you’ll use it during and after bedtime.

5.Make getting enough sleep your way to look and feel good. Getting sleep is a great way to look and feel refreshed and focused in the morning. To get the sleep you need, tell your friends you will receive your last text, email, or phone call an hour before bedtime. This way, they’ll know their beeps or buzzes will have to wait.

It can be quite a challenge to go from being constantly accessible to powering down at a certain time. But sticking to a cut-off curfew for your gadgets and gizmos will help you ease into bedtime and give your brain some tech-free downtime. And if you need an excuse, just say your parents are making you do it.

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St. Petersburg, FL – A trio of Coral Catsharks hatched at The Pier Aquarium more than two years ago marked a new phase in its history going beyond education and starting a sustainable aquaculture practice.

Since then, more than two dozen egg cases, also known as “mermaid’s purses,” have been laid, but only a small percentage of baby sharks have been successfully hatched. The aquarium has started an exhibit titled The Life of a Coral Catshark: From Egg to Adult (Atelomycterus marmoratus) and announced a Shark Conservation Fund to support it and other aquaculture activities.

Visitors to the aquarium can purchase for $1 a light blue paper shark that says, “I support Shark Conservation!” and can write their name on it. Each shark will be posted in the shark exhibit area. Those who purchase multiple “sharks” as a stocking stuffer gift will receive a fill-in certificate at the aquarium indicating how many sharks were purchased and in whose name. Visitors to The Pier Aquarium’s Web site (www.pieraquarium.org). Multiple sharks purchased as a gift for one person will be recognized with an e-mailed certificate.

The Coral Catshark exhibit illustrates the stages of development of the shark, a common but little-known nocturnal inshore species native to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. It is considered “near threatened,” a conservation status assigned to a species that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, said Curator of Exhibits Butch Ringelspaugh.

“The Pier Aquarium will serve as a laboratory to study the Coral Catshark in captivity and collect new data for the body of science,” he said. In their normal habitat, the sharks fall victim to blast fishing, are captured for food or home aquariums or are processed for fishmeal or oil. Compounding those issues is the high doubling time of 4.5-14 years (the length of time to reach maturity to reproduce), which makes this shark vulnerable to over harvesting.

“By culturing these animals in captivity, we are lessening the need to harvest them from the wild,” said Ringelspaugh. “Our goal is to provide other aquariums with these aquacultured animals ensuring that all of us can participate in more sustainable practices.”

About The Pier Aquarium

Established in 1988, The Pier Aquarium is a private, non-profit aquarium and marine education center located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida at The Pier. It showcases 17 tanks of live fish and other marine life and educational exhibits on the first and second floors and an outdoor marine laboratory and teaching unit, the Roy G. Harrell, Jr. Education Station, located on the Pier approach.

Its mission is to enhance the public’s understanding of the value and fragility of the local and global marine environment through research, education and personal experiences. The Pier Aquarium serves as the “public face” for the St. Petersburg Ocean Team’s research, innovation and technology. The Ocean Team is a consortium of 14 marine science and oceanographic institutions and environmental research agencies in the Southeast and one of the top such industry clusters in the nation.

Kids & Teens | TECHNO & SCIENCE

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View page 10 for The Pier Aquarium ad.



alloween is so much fun because it’s not like other nights of the year. Have fun and stay safe by following these tips:

See and Be SeenAfter dark, kids aren’t usually swarming the neighborhood. But on Halloween night, they are. That’s why kids need to watch out for cars and other traffic. Be sure that your mask or costume doesn’t cover your eyes or make it tough for you to see where you’re going. You might think about wearing makeup instead of a mask. If you do wear a mask, make sure the eye holes are big enough that you can see.

Kids also need to be seen on Halloween, so it’s a good idea to wear or carry something that glows in the dark. You might choose a glowing necklace, a glow-in-the-dark treat bag, or a flashlight. Your parents also can apply reflective tape to your costume.

Don’t Trip!You want your costume to look cool, but there’s nothing cool about tripping and stumbling all Halloween night. Make your costume trip-proof by:

•making sure it’s not too long•wearing shoes that fit

•avoiding swords, canes, and other props that can get in your way

Don’t Go It AloneIt’s best to trick-or-treat with family members or friends. And it’s also a good idea to have a grownup with you. A cell phone can be another handy item to have along. That way, you can check in with a parent or call for help, if needed.

Talk it over with your mom or dad when you’re deciding where to trick-or-treat. Sticking close to home is great because then you’ll know many of the people and you won’t get lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods. And people who already know you just might throw an extra treat in your bag!

When trick-or-treating, avoid going inside a stranger’s home. Sometimes a person might invite you in for a treat, but you can just say that your mom or dad asked you not to go inside anyone’s house. (Likewise, never go up to or into a stranger’s car even if the person offers you a Halloween treat.)

And if you’re wondering about whether to go to a certain house, check if the porch light is on. If not,

that’s usually a sign that they aren’t home or they don’t want any trick-or-treaters.

Let’s Talk TreatsBefore you start eating the treats in your bag, you’ll want to get a good look at them. When you get home, dump everything out and let your mom or dad see what you have. They can help you get rid of stuff you shouldn’t eat. For instance, you don’t want to eat anything that’s loose or not in a wrapper. Anything unwrapped, including fresh fruit, should be thrown away. Without a wrapper, it’s hard to tell if food is clean and safe to eat.

Once you’ve looked over your treats, you’ll probably wonder just how much you can eat. Well, it’s best not to overdo it. If you don’t eat too much on Halloween, you’ll have leftovers to enjoy in the days and weeks to come. In other words, you can make Halloween a little sweeter by making it last a little longer!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

HalloweenTrick-or-Treating Safety Guide

Kids & Teens | STAYING SAFE

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ow could we live without the Internet? That’s how most of us keep in touch with friends, find homework support, research a cool place to

visit, or find out the latest news.

But besides the millions of sites to visit and things to do, the Internet offers lots of ways to waste time — and even get into trouble. And just as in the non-cyber world, some people you encounter online might try to take advantage of you — financially or physically.

You’ve probably heard stories about people who get into trouble in chat rooms. Because users can easily remain anonymous, chat rooms often attract people who are interested in more than just chatting. They’ll sometimes ask visitors for information about themselves, their families, or where they live — information that shouldn’t be given away.

Usually, the people who request

personal information like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses use this information to fill mailboxes and answering machines with advertisements. In some cases, though, predators may use this information to begin illegal or indecent relationships or to harm a person’s or family’s well-being.

Of course, the Internet is home to millions of places you can and should visit. Like an infinite library, the Web can take you to the ends of the earth with the information it contains.

You can use it to do research for school, find out what movie is playing near you (and whether people like it), check out a college you’re thinking about, or find a job or volunteer opportunity. Almost anything you can think of has a website (or a thousand of them) about it. And it’s not just websites — blogs, videos, and downloadable games await to connect you with other user and players.

The key is to protect yourself while online.

Smart SurfingFirst rule of smart surfing? Remain as anonymous as possible. That means keeping all private information private. Here are some examples of private information that you should never give out on the Internet:

•full name•home address•phone number•Social Security number•passwords•names of family members•credit card numbers

Most credible people and companies will never ask for this type of information online. So if someone does, it’s a red flag that they may be up to no good.

Think carefully before you create an email address or screen name. Web experts recommend that you use a combination of letters and numbers in both — and that you don’t identify

H

Safe Surfing

Tips for Teens

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Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD



whether you’re male or female.

In chat rooms, use a nickname that’s different from your screen name. That way, if you ever find yourself in a conversation that makes you uncomfortable, you can exit without having to worry that someone knows your screen name and can track you down via email. Some people who hang out with their friends online set up private chat rooms where only they and the people they invite can enter to chat.

Experts recommend that people keep online friendships in the virtual world. Meeting online friends face to face carries more risks than other types of friendships because it’s so easy for people to pretend to be something they’re not when you can’t see them or talk in person.

If you ever get involved in a chat room conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or in danger for any reason, exit and tell a parent or other adult right away so they can report the incident. You can also report it to the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children — they have a form for reporting this type of incident called CyberTipline. They will then see that the info is forwarded to law enforcement officials for investigation.

CyberbullyingIt’s not just strangers who can make you feel uncomfortable online. Cyberbullying refers to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends or other people you know. They can be irritating and, in some cases, even frightening.

If you get these bullying messages online, it’s often better to ignore them rather than answer them. Cyberbullies, just

like other bullies, may be angry or disturbed people — and may be looking for attention or a reaction.

Fortunately, most people never experience cyberbullying. But if you’re getting cyberbullied and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, getting help from a parent, school counselor, or another trusted adult may be a good idea. That’s especially true if the cyberbullying contains threats.

Online AnnoyancesAlthough email is relatively private, hackers can still access it — or add you to their spam lists. Spam, like advertisements or harassing or offensive notes, is annoying. But spam blockers can keep your mailbox from getting clogged. Many service providers will help you block out or screen inappropriate emails if your parents agree to set up age-appropriate parental controls.

If you don’t recognize the sender of a document or file that needs to be downloaded, delete it without opening it to avoid getting a virus on your machine. Virus protection software is a must for every computer.

You can also buy software that helps rid your computer of unwanted spyware programs that report what your computer is doing. Some service providers make software available to protect you from these and other online annoyances, such as blockers for those in-your-

face pop-up ads.

If you do invest in protective software, you’ll need to keep it updated to be sure it continues to do its job as new technologies evolve.

With all the problems you can face online, is it worth it? For most people, the answer is definitely yes. You just need to know where

the pitfalls are, use some common sense and caution, and you’ll be in control.



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Halloween Kids & Teens | DOODLE CORNERHalloweenConnect -The- Dots



Kids & Teens | DOODLE CORNER

Back to SchoolCrossword Puzzle

1 2

3 4

6

7

8

10

9

ACROSS

1 When I am in the hallway, I always_____________slowly.6 My____________cares about me very much.7 I like__________because I get to read a lot of books.9 I make sure to show_______to everyone in the class.10 I raise my_______when I have a question.

Down

2 We eat__________in the cafeteria.3 I use a_________to write.4 I want to keep my____________ clean. 5 ___________helps me practice when I am at home.8 I like_____________because we work with numbers and solve problems.

WORD BANK: Desk, hand, homework, lunch, math, pencil, reading, respect, teacher, walk.

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Kids & Teens | DOODLE CORNER

Doodle Pad

What was your favorite memory of Summer 2011? Would you like to have your Summer memory drawing featured in our May/June 2012 issue? Florida Creative Living will pick one winner on April 1, 2012. Contest ends March 1, 2012. Must be between the ages of 6-19. You can either email it to [email protected], or send it to 2735 PO Box, Lutz, FL 33458. Chosen winner will receive a $25 E-Gift card from Toys R Us.

Summer Fun Memory!



The Adventures ofFoxThe

Kids & Teens | COMIC CORNERThe Adventures of Kids & Teens | COMIC CORNER

Foxy Croakyand

Foxy Fox Croaky

View our November/December issue to see what adventures Foxy and Croaky go on next.

Adult LivingSection


Adult Living | NEWS

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y mother and father met and married in Key West. They were young hitchhiking hippies recently converted to Christianity. They moved away for some time, living in different places (including Italy and England) to learn more about their newfound faith and share

it with others. They had a daughter (my older sister) and a son (my big brother). My father decided to finish college in Chicago in order to become a pastor, and that’s where I was born. I was two years old when my family moved back to the Keys, too young to remember anything else.

After my parents moved home, my father immediately began pastoring a church, as well as continuing the evangelism ministry which he had begun before they moved away. They also had the rest of my siblings, ending in a total of 9. All of us were home-schooled, and creativity was encouraged. We lived on Flagler Avenue at first; my earliest memories are of my young family walking down just a few blocks to the beach.

While I was attending Florida Keys Community College, my parents got into running and so did I. After joining the Key West Southernmost Runners club, I met my husband, Terence, at the annual Schooner Wharf Bar road race. He decided to ride his bike from California across the country till he found a place he liked. He ended up at the end of the road, so to speak. So, he moved to the Keys, escaping the cold winters of Boston and searching for a better way of life.

After we were married and had our first son, Atticus, my husband began coaching the Key West High School Cross

Country team, known as “The Conchs.” I’m often asked to create T-shirt and award designs for local races which benefit my husband’s team, and so I got a lot of experience drawing conch shells. Obviously, this Conch mind set is demonstrated in my Conch Town series! One of our mottos in the Keys is to “never leave home without your Conch pride.”

About three years after our first son was born, our second son, Archie, came along. The four of us

moved into a beautiful purple Habitat for Humanity home at Bayside Landing on Big

Coppitt Key, just a few miles outside of Key West. The opportunity to own a home in

the Florida Keys doesn’t happen often, even for those who have spent their whole life here. Habitat for Humanity found a way for us to stay here, along with many other Keys residents. As a way of thanking them, I painted a portrait of all the Habitat homes on our new street, Opal Lane, and gave it to them as a gift in December 2010.

About two weeks later, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn were down

spending some time in Keys. He agreed to meet with Habitat for Humanity’s board

members and a family who benefited from a habitat home. Habitat asked us if we’d like

to meet President Carter and, of course, we did! He even signed the back of the painting I did for Habitat.

Both he and Mrs. Carter were so friendly, expressing genuine interest in our family and our new home. It was an unforgettable experience!

God blesses my family in many wonderful ways. To grow up here, meet my husband, and be able to raise our kids in the Keys are all blessings to me. It’s a privilege living and painting in this colorful, artistic community. I don’t think you could find a better place to live or paint!

By Abigail White

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Visit www.ColorsOfWhite.com

Calling All Artist!It’s A Conch Town In Key West

TAMPA, FL. – August 12, 2011 – The beautiful city of Tampa has been selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) to serve as host city for the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Taking place July 13 – 18, 2013, more than 500 Veterans with disabilities will meet in Tampa to compete in the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world. The 2013 event will mark the 33rd year in the history of the Games, and only the second time it will be held in Florida (Miami, 1991).

The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa and Florida Gulf Coast and Central Florida Chapters of Paralyzed Veterans of America are partners in hosting the 2013 event. Kathleen Fogarty, Director of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa said, “What a great honor to be chosen as a host site for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in 2013. Tampa is a world-class center for attracting simply the best of the best in all competitive sporting events. I anticipate this event will be both unforgettable and inspiring for our athletes- and our Tampa Bay Community, so let’s get ready Tampa Bay for a wonderful event. Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Vice-President, Davis Celestine, is certain this event will make a positive mark locally. “As the National Veterans Wheelchair Games come to Tampa, it will be a sight to see! The best part of the Games is when you have the community involved and fired up for this great event. I would advise anyone to be a part of this electrifying event and show your gratitude towards the men and women who fought for our country.” Celestine said.

The majority of the events and ceremonial activities for the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games will take place at the convention center and St. Pete Times Forum downtown; however, other local venues will also be utilized for off-site events such as bowling, swimming, track, field, motorized rally, trapshooting and archery. The event has historically provided a positive economic impact for the host cities. This year’s Games are taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the 2012 event will be 2/2/2/ 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games Coming to Tampa held in Richmond, Virginia. Wheelchair sports promote rehabilitation and wellness through rigorous sports competition. For many newly injured Veterans, this event is their first exposure to

Adult Living | NEWS

wheelchair sports. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games offer such Veterans an opportunity to meet and learn from the more experienced wheelchair athletes, including those currently competing at the elite level.

Many say that the camaraderie shared with fellow Veterans can be as valuable as the competition itself. At the Games, Veterans will compete in 17 competitive events including air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field, handcycling, motorized wheelchair rally, nineball, power soccer, quad rugby, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting, weightlifting, and wheelchair slalom.

For more information regarding the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, visit the Games website at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.

TAMPA SELECTED TO HOST33RD NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES

Support Your Local VeteransSupport Your Local Veterans



ummer has quickly passed. Now that the temperatures have cooled somewhat, and students are returning to school, we have those who are experiencing cold in the Northeast and have

started to travel south to attempt to rid many of us of our money.

How could this occur you ask? We are much to smart to fall for the falsestatements and tricks, which these individuals will use. Think again!

While many believe they are to smart to fall for such tricks, remember these are experienced con artists who make a living at separating you from your money, and they are very good at it. Let’s take a look at a few of the con games, which you may be subject to this fall.

First, with Florida and hurricanes, as a combination you may experience a storm which may cause damage to your home or property. A knock on the front door and a person who usually has out of state plates will tell you they have some “left over material” or can do the work at a cheap price.

They will then ask for a portion of the cost up front. Don’t do it! There is a very good chance that this person will leave with your money, never return or not finish the task.

Checking the credentials of the person is very important. If they are not licensed that should be a red flag and make you exercise caution. The State of Florida requires such repair companies to be licensed for a reason.

Remember, once the person has your money and has departed, the police will be hard pressed to find them, without names, an address, license plate numbers etc. Do not be afraid to ask to see the occupational license and copy down the information.

And now to an area which really drives a police department crazy. It is called “burglary to a conveyance”. Simply put it means someone got into your vehicle and in most cases stole something.

This does not have to happen. You would be amazed at how many drivers leave their cars unlocked. A wallet, purse, a weapon, extra cash etc. in their vehicle, left in plain sight, is an invitation to be robbed.

You are simply making it so easy for a thief to help himself to your property.The solution? It is very simple, lock the vehicle and never leave expensive desirable property in plain view within the vehicle. That is an invitation to a broken window, and never leave a firearm in the vehicle. You would be amazed at how many teens wander the streets at night trying to find out how many of us left a vehicle unsecured.

And who would want to learn, about the weapon which was left in a vehicle and stolen was used in a terrible crime. The simple method is to lock it or lose it.

Last, remember that identification theft is one of the leading crimes in the United States today. Protect your social security numbers, bank accounts, dates of birth etc. A credit check at least one time a year is recommended to insure someone is not buying something in another part of the country using your name. If you start getting calls or mail notices as to a specific purchase you have no knowledge of, that should send up the red flag and you need to contact that company.

Remember, you do not have to make it easy to become a victim of a crime.

Using some forethought and caution you will be able to sleep well at night knowing that you have taken the measures necessary to prevent such an occurrence.

Till next time, stay safe and remember support your local law enforcement agency who work 24/7 to make sure you can live in a safe environment.

(Commander Johnson retired from the Port St Lucie Police Department after 22 years of service)

By Chuck Johnson

Don’t Become a Victim! Adult Living | NEWS

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hen a certain husband brought home a 40-lb box of bananas and said to his wife, “Let’s use these!” who knew it would yield such a delicious and profitable harvest?

That wife was me, and use them I did. After eating as many as we could, giving some away, freezing some for shakes, and making LOTS of banana bread, there were still a whole lot of bananas left in our kitchen. We even gave some over-ripe ones away with our banana bread recipe. It’s one I’ve perfected over the years, and a big hit with friends and family.

Then I ran out of cinnamon. In swooped my neighbor to the rescue. And not just with the couple of teaspoons I needed for that day’s bounty of banana bread, but a whole bottle. “Take it,” she insisted. “I’ve got plenty.” I decided to thank her with one of the two loaves I was making. Another neighbor got wind of our little deal and suddenly I was baking a loaf for her, too.

Returning the favor, she brought some to work

who supported his wife in a venture that she wasn’t so sure held promise.We currently sell our banana bread in five yummy flavors every Saturday from 9-3 (9-1 from May to September) at the Ybor City Saturday Market in Tampa at the corner of 8th Avenue and 19th Street in historic Ybor City. Our other sweet loaves include Pilgrim Pumpkin Bread and LOL Lemon Pound Cake. We also ship all over the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

We recently celebrated our first year at the Market and our bread is now sold at Duckweed Urban Market, downtown Tampa’s newest spot for food lovers.

We bake some of our loaves on site and customers just can’t resist the mouth-watering aroma of those sweet, yummy loaves wafting over the Market. Come see (and smell) for yourself. Try a free sample of our Classic Coconut, Chocolate Chuckle Chip, Go Bananas!, Blueberry Bliss, or Crazy for Cranberry. Or try all five! You’ll go bananas for our banana bread!!!

the next day. She came home that evening with quite a story.

“You almost got me killed today!” she said in mock anger. Well, it turns out that her colleagues LOVED the banana bread and were clamoring for more. “Does she sell it?” they eagerly inquired. “Where can we get more?!”

Remembering a prayer less than a week earlier for a way to supplement our income from home, my husband and I decided , “Yup, it turns out we do sell it”, and The Happy Baker was born.

Orders started pouring in from our neighbor’s colleagues, and then we had a flash of brilliance: What if we sold our delicious banana bread at a popular open-air market here in Tampa? What if we added chocolate chips?

From the beginning, my husband, Jonathan, said, “You can do this. I’ll help you.” And he did. His business savvy, graphic arts genius and his sheer drive and work ethic are really the engine behind our business. Our story is a testament to God’s faithfulness, His providence, and His sense of humor! And it’s a story of a husband

WBy Averil Massie

Bananas?

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What WouldYou Do With a 40-lb Box of



Dreamland Ribs. Something tells me that if God doesn’t have him too busy doing eternal things, Keith will be watching from the 50 yard line this season! The point is that even before he found out that he was dying, he was living in such a way that he could leave at any time with no regrets.

He was also comfortable with the idea of death. After we found out that he only had a few weeks to live, I asked him, “Are you scared?” He said, “No, I am not afraid of death. But I am a little

nervous about the process of moving from here to there.” I wonder everyday what he is

seeing and what he is doing. Whatever it is, I know that there is no way that

my earthly brain could comprehend it, so I’ll just wait…until it’s time

for that date to be etched on my tombstone.

So, for today, don’t live like you are dying. Living like you are dying implies that you should be doing things to satisfy selfish ambitions. Here’s the thing…you are dying. (I know…leave it to me to point out something really cheery on a Monday morning!) Death is not optional. There are, however, lots of things to be done

during the “dash” time – the time between the birth and

death dates.

Your legacy will be in the people and lives that you touch. Not in the

tombstone.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:1-2; 15-16

Blessings, my friends!

kay, so…first of all…this blog is not going to just be about grief and death and dying. But, you have to remember that less than 6 weeks ago I stood by the bed of the absolute love of my life as he entered eternity. So…it’s sort of coloring the things I do. I guess in a non-morbid way

(if there is such), you could say I am looking at the world through death-colored glasses!

Which leads me to today’s post. I’ll bet I did something on Friday that few of you out there have done. I purchased my own tombstone. Of course it was called something much more politically correct -bronze marker I think was the actual term. The definition of tombstone, though, is “a marker placed at the head of a grave,” so I’m staying with tombstone.

Anyway, of course I had to purchase this for Keith’s grave, and since I will be buried at the same place, the thing to do was to go ahead and put my name on it. This has been in the works for some time, but on Friday I received the email “mock up” of it. There it was…my name with my birth date, a dash, and then a blank. Keith’s was filled in with the appropriate dates.

I’ve thought about that a lot over the weekend. I understand that I am living in the dash now. I wonder how it would be if I already knew the date that will one day be etched on that marker. God in His graciousness doesn’t give us that info. What if it said next week? What would I do? Or…what if it said 30 years from now? Would I then sit back comforted by the knowledge that I had lots of time, and do nothing?

Keith found out in March that more than likely his cancer was terminal. However at the time we were told that he probably had two years. During that time there were a couple of versions of songs that were popular entitled, “Live Like You Were Dying.” Of course this called for a good bit of introspection and lively conversation between Keith and I. Here’s the interesting thing. Keith didn’t want to do anything differently, even with the knowledge that he was dying. And the only thing on his “bucket list” that he didn’t get to do was to go to another Alabama football game with dinner at

Adult Living |NEWS

By Lee Ann Martin

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Visit Lee Ann Martin’s Blogwww.hey-friends.com

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hile moving around their regions, VSA Florida Regional Program Coordinators have heard the outcry for community art classes for children with disabilities. In our ongoing effort to serve the state

with quality art programming for students of all abilities, the push has begun for that request! This past spring, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have spearheaded after-school and summer programming for students of all ages. The program is ready to expand throughout the state, so VSA FL regional coordinators are looking for free space within their territories that can be used to propose this much needed offering. School multipurpose or classrooms, churches, museums, community centers, university spaces are all options. We must have at least 5 students in each class for this opportunity to take place. Each class will be $10 per student, with registration being blocks of 4 classes for $40. Visual, Dance, Music, Performing or Literary arts are all possibilities for the classes. If you are aware of such space or an interested group to attend, please contact your coordinator as we are eager to get these classes started.

Jennifer Bonaventura, Region 1 [email protected] Pat York, Region 2

[email protected] Anna Preston, Region 3

[email protected] Heather Spooner, Region 4 [email protected]

Kathy Iwanowski, Region 5

[email protected]

Adult Living |NEWS

“My Art My Way”

VSA Florida Brings Art Statewide to People of All Abilities

VSA Florida, the state organization on arts and disability, is headquartered at the University of South Florida in the College of Education. We are a member of the international network of VSA, and a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA Florida provides arts, education, and cultural opportunities for and by people with disabilities in all 67 counties of the state. Programming is based on community needs that could include artist residencies, exhibitions, festivals, workshops and trainings. Professional development is available on inclusion for artists and teachers who work directly with students and adults with disabilities as well as access training for cultural venues interested in disability awareness, compliance with ADA regulations and assisting patrons with disabilities. State and national Calls for Art are distributed for students and adults of all abilities throughout the year. Through a network of Regional Coordinators and Affiliates, VSA Florida is able to successfully offer statewide services.

W

By Wendy FinkleaEducation Program Coordinator

View page 43 for VSA Florida ad.



Adult Living |HEALTH

rom popular television series to detailed information available on the Internet, everyone has likely seen a person having a seizure. While seizures are usually depicted as “grand mal”

for their obvious dramatic effect, the majority of the seizures occurring during adulthood are not convulsive. The stigma that has resulted for people with seizures continues to be vexed by the uninformed with unsubstantiated fears evoked by these paroxysmal, involuntary, episodes of unresponsiveness that produce missed concepts of contagion and terminal illness. However, what many do not realize is that the many faces of a “seizure disorder” or “epilepsy”, represent the most common serious chronic neurological disorder in the world affecting nearly 1% of the general population with a world-wide disease burden akin to breast cancer.

Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people on the planet and reflects a group of neurological conditions that cause abnormal sudden transitory electrical discharges in the brain. Seizures are the symptoms that occur with the specific physical characteristics that reflect the site of their onset in the brain. While there are a number of anti-seizure medications, approximately 1/4th to 1/3rd of patients continue to experience seizures despite treatment. For people with epilepsy who continue to have seizures

neurostimulation (a nerve “pacemaker” placed in the chest), a special high-fat, low carbohydrate diet (primarily children), and brain surgery offer new standards when drugs don’t work. Due to the significant impact of epilepsy on one’s quality of life, quality indicators have recently been recommended to standardize and improve the overall treatment of epilepsy. The set of quality measures has been recently recommended by Fountain et al. World-wide evidence that exists congruent with multiple expert opinions in the field of epilepsy management lead to a framework that was developed and submitted for approval by the American Medical Association–convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI). These indicators will become the standard for quality measures and to justify reimbursement that neurologists will use to care for epilepsy patients. If you are a patient or know someone that is a patient, you should ask yourself if you neurologist has addressed the following basic measures of quality care in epilepsy:

Measure 1: Symptoms: For epilepsy patients, the frequency of seizures should be documented during each check-up. Given the high rate of epilepsy patients who are either not treated, or are only partially treated, it is important that the impacts of various treatments are monitored in terms of seizure reduction. Then the results of monitoring need to be evaluated to determine if complete seizure remission is not observed, and further to determine if alternate or additional treatments should be utilized.

Measure 2: Causes: Epilepsy has a number of different causations, which require specification by doctors. Causes include early traumas (neonatal/febrile seizures, meningitis, or encephalitis), brain tumors/malformations, and head injuries (frequently caused by motor vehicle accidents) or in approximately 30% of epilepsy patients the cause of seizures is unknown. Specification of the cause of seizures is a significant measure, as it helps to identify the most effective treatment pathway.

Measure 3: Tests and Diagnosis: Diagnosis of epilepsy should be evaluated and characterized by Electroencephalography (EEG). EEG displays amplified electrical brain signals as a series of rapidly alternating “squiggly” lines. This display can be interpreted by doctors both to support the clinical diagnosis of epilepsy which can often be confused with other non-seizure events (such as “faints”, heart problems, or attacks due to psychological causes). In addition, actually recording the seizures during video and EEG monitoring may help determine the type of presence of epilepsy, the type

Quality Indicators in the Treatment

of Epilepsy

By Emily K Acton and William O. Tatum

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Insight on Epilepsy

that exists, and also determine by where in the brain the seizure begins by analyzing the initial onset of the abnormal electrical signals on the EEG.

Measure 4: Tests: Epilepsy patients should undergo neuroimaging. Computed Tomography (CT) may be acceptable for some though Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is preferable due to the superior resolution. This allows doctors to check for abnormalities in the brain which may be the cause of epilepsy to help determine optimal treatments for the seizures and for the cause.

Measure 5: Treatments and Drugs: For every epilepsy patient doctors should inquire about and document the side effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) at every check-up. AEDs have a spectrum of different side effects which with variable frequency and severity can potentially occur in epilepsy patients when treated with medications. While an AED may be effective in preventing seizures severe side effects which can be extremely detrimental on a patient’s quality of life may be cause for the discontinuation of a drug and for limiting their quality of life.

Measure 6: Surgical Treatment: Patients who have drug-resistant epilepsy or epilepsy that is unresolved by ongoing drug treatments should be evaluated as a potential candidate for epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy surgery requires brain surgery where dedicated neurosurgeons remove a “lesion” or a small piece of the brain where seizures arise. It is very often effective in achieving seizure freedom or seizure reduction when AEDs are not successful. Though there are concerns about side effects to surgery, there are tests (ie neuropyshometrics, Wada testing, functional MRI) that can be performed to gauge the likelihood that this may occur so that the decision as to whether a patient would be a good candidate for epilepsy surgery may be evaluated before surgery is performed. In addition techniques in epilepsy surgery are constantly improving and other forms (ie “laser”) surgery are starting to further underscore reassessing the potential candidacy that is best addressed in an epilepsy centers every few years.

Measure 7: Counsel Safe Lifestyle: Epilepsy patients should be counseled by doctors regarding safe behavior with epilepsy. General safety regulation when a patient has the potential to have a seizure includes not driving a motorized vehicle, swimming alone, climbing at heights, or working near high-voltage electrical outlets or operating heavy electrical machinery. In addition, trying to maintain a consistent daily schedule including meal, sleep, and consistent administration of one’s AEDs is crucial to maintain a conducive lifestyle for seizure control.

Measure 8: Additional Considerations: Female epilepsy patients who are of childbearing potential should be counseled by doctors regarding the effects of AEDs on contraception and pregnancy. Birth control efforts with any hormonally-based formulation may be inactivated by use of some AEDs. Additionally, some AEDs can have dangerous side effects (ie Valproate) on the unborn baby during pregnancy. Thus continued check of appropriate contraception or AED usage is crucial in female epilepsy patients of childbearing potential.

Epilepsy is a serious medical condition but through the application of a range of approved treatment measures the majority of people with this disorder can be effectively controlled. Successful ongoing treatment requires careful and precise care by doctors. These epilepsy treatment measures have “raised the bar” for doctors caring for patients with epilepsy and are enormously important for effecting the quality of care that patients experiencing seizure deserve.

References

1. Fountain NB, Van Ness PC, Bever CT Jr., et al, for the American Academy of Neurology Epilepsy Measure Development Panel and the American Medical Association-Convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement Independent Measure Development Process. Quality improvement in neurology: AAN epilepsy quality measures. Report onf the Quality Measurement and Reporting Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2011:76:94-99. 2. Tatum WO, Kaplan PW, and Jallon P. Epilepsy A to Z: A Concise Encyclopedia. New York: Demos Medical, 2009:1-377.

Emily K Acton is an undergraduate student at Cornell University working as a clinical research student with Dr. Tatum.

William O. Tatum is professor of Neurology in the Mayo College of Medicine and Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Mayo Clinic and Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.



Adult Living | HEALTH

s we get older our needs change. From strengthening the prescription of our eyeglasses to asking a friend to drive us to the grocery store, we adapt to these changes and

ask for the help we need. Creating a plan for long-term care is an important step in this process.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nine million Americans over the age of 65 needed long-term care in 2005.i Their study also state that people over this age have 70% chance of eventually requiring a nursing home facility. i While you may not need assistance today, now is the time to start planning for future help—when you are healthy and active. The first step in developing your plan is to understand long-term care and know your options.

What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care refers to the support needed to accomplish your daily activities when you’re physically unable to take on these challenges yourself. It may include medical treatment, but also refers to assistance with personal tasks such driving, cooking, dressing, bathing or taking your medications. Care options encompass a wide variety of services and, based on the degree of assistance required, are offered in settings ranging from your own home to skilled nursing facilities.

What are Your Choices?The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), divides long-term care options into eight categories: ii 1. Community Services: Volunteer-based community programs to assist you with your daily activities. Examples include adult day care, meal services and community senior centers.

Preparing for Long-Term Care: Know Your Options and Create Your Plan

A


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Developing Your PlanCreating a long-term care plan is important decision for you, your family and your doctor. Talk to your family about the options that best suit your lifestyle. Medicare coverage varies widely between categories, so be sure to address financial planning and long-term needs and options, so be sure to ask for your doctor’s professional opinion. iii

The future is never certain—by researching your options and establishing a long-term care plan now, you can continue to enjoy life, secure in the knowledge that your personal and health-care needs with be attended to for years to come.

i Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, What is Long-Term? (3/05)

ii Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Types of Long-Term Care (3/05)

iii Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Steps to Choosing Long-Term Care (3/05)

View page 57 for Bankers Life and Casualty Company ad.

2. Home Care: Personal assistance in your home that’s provided by a licensed health-care professional, family member or friend.

3. In-Law Apartments: The creation of a second living unit either within your existing single-family home or on your property. This additional residential unit enables another person to live close by to assist with your daily activities, while you maintain your independence.

4. Subsidized Senior Housing: If your income falls in the low to moderate range, you may qualify to live in Federal or State government assisted housing designed especially for seniors. Programs vary by state and often require an application to determine eligibility.

5. Board and Care Homes: Private residential living facilities that offer you shared accommodations, meal service and assistance with personal tasks. Also called group home, these facilities are for seniors who can no longer live alone, but don’t need the medical care of a nursing home.

6. Assisted Living: A building complex that lets you to have your own room or apartment, but share common meal service.

7. Continuing Care Retirement Communities: A mixed-need community that offers you different housing options based on the level of care you require. A single community can include independent living homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Therefore, you have a variety of housing choices as your needs change over time.

8. Nursing Homes: A full-time care facility that provides you with both health care and personal assistance services if you’re unable to live alone or be cared for at home.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site, www.medicare.gov provides in-depth details on each of these eight options as well as instructions on how you can locate facilities in your area. If you don’t have a computer at home, bring this article to your local public library. They can help you find and print this information.



Can Drinking Coffee Be Healthy?

Adult Living | HEALTH

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rgano Gold is allowing everyday people to take control of their Financial future by providing health & wealth in a cup of coffee. Coffee is the Second largest traded commodity in the world next to oil. This amazing delivery system

through great tasting coffee to bring healthy change without breaking any habits. With 100% Certified Organic Ganoderma Lucidum thats infused in every cup of coffee, some of the benefits are Supports the Immune system, Oxygenates the Body, Boosts Stamina, and much more.

For a FREE sample of our 5 Gourmet Flavors please call Marcus Williams at 813-785-8244 or go to www.mandmcafe.organogold.com for more information. Remember It’s Easy, It’s Simple, It’s Coffee!!O

By Marcus Williams

he utilization of chemicals in our home may be causing illness to your loved ones. This is obviously not “new” news to you, however many don’t realize the profound impact these chemicals have; not only on you but the environment as well. Most of us grew up to believe that a clean home is healthy and

that even removing dirt, pollen, dust and dander will provide a germ free environment that will prevent illness. Well I have news for you, no one’s home is germ free, you can’t prevent your kids from touching a dirty door knob, and eating food off the floor won’t kill you ( well at least in my house, everyone is still living). However there is a difference between a clean home and a home that hasn’t been touched since your mother in law stopped by and we all know how that goes. So…what can we do about it?

The good news is with a cupboard stocked with essential oils, spray bottles and purified water you can get the same effect as the harsh chemical’s found in store bought cleaners. They are safe for the environment, and unless you have an allergy to plants they are safe to inhale. Natural cleaners do not expose

you to potentially life threatening diseases, eye irritation, respiratory illness or most commonly, skin irritations. A few things you should know about essential oils, essential oils are derived from the actual flowers or leaves of the plant and are extracted by a couple of different methods. One way essential oils come from a plant is by steam distillation the other is by cold press. It takes a large abundance of the plants to actually extract the oils. Some oils are more expensive than others. For example sweet orange essential oil is relatively inexpensive while Jasmine is very costly. It is very rare to find pure undiluted Jasmine essential oil because of the cost, most of the time it is synthetically made or diluted with some sort of carrier oil. If you want to ensure you are purchasing the pure form of the oil, always make sure the Latin name is attached to the label. Essential oils should always be stored out of direct sunlight and heat. They should also be stored in amber or dark colored glass bottles. When mixing your essential oils together to make a home cleaning agent, remember you are using a diluted form of the oil so it’s safe to be in a plastic container. Essential oils have many house hold uses from disinfectants to air fresheners to insect repellents. Using these oils instead of synthetic chemical cleaners will keep your family safe, your home clean and fresh, and your mood uplifted. For information on specific household uses and tips, visit our Facebook page Simply Saltsational.

TBy Rachel Moore

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Adult Living |HOME



Adult Living | CROSSWORD & SUDOKU FUN

Across1. Dairy product6. Observe9. Fruit14. Long-handled scoop15. Levy16. Underneath17. Pertaining to birds18. Creative production19. Without restraint20. Change into stone22. Go in again24. Spoil25. Auto26. Mature29. Scottish lake31. Ingenious36. Troublesome child38. Those people40. Land measure41. Method of attaining physicaland spiritual wellbeing42. Organic component of soil44. Type of average45. Brood46. Light fog47. Top of the head48. Lecture50. Scorch52. Trap53. Precedes ‘for’ usually55. Guided57. Industrial plant62. Conveyance66. Crowbar67. Expert69. Collection of maps70. Liquorice-flavored seeds71. Was victorious72. Postage73. Heart rate74. Word negation75. Sweet substance

Down1. Applaud2. Rant3. Redact4. Warning5. Humble6. Remain7. Sense organ8. Additional9. Having the meansto do something10. Drudge11. Secret scheme12. Misplace13. Pitcher21. Foam23. Epoch

25. Pharmacist26. Chasm27. Assemblage28. Bird of prey30. Pal32. Incline33. Expanse of water34. Angry35. Dogma37. Acquire39. Ruminate43. No longer new49. Garden tool51. Go over once again54. Crustacean56. Repeat

57. Smack58. Bill of fare59. Malevolent60. Smaller in amount61. Woody plant62. Part of a volcano63. Tribe64. Feeble65. Catch sight of68. Pigeon sound

Crossword Puzzle

View our next issue for the correct answers to this Crossword puzzle.

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A sudoku puzzle is a logic puzzle which is solved using logic and reasoning. Though the number of squares in the grid may vary, a standard Sudoku puzzle is a 9x9 grid divided into nine 3x3 blocks in which some of the numbers are given. The object of the puzzle is to fill in the rest of the grid using only the numbers 1 through 9 so that no number repeats in any block, row or column. The difficulty is determined by how many and which numbers are given and where they are placed in the grid and can range from very easy to extremely challenging.

Though sudoku puzzles generally use numbers as symbols, no mathematical skills are required to solve the puzzle.

View our next issue for the correct answers to this Sudoku puzzle.

Sudoku

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Adult Living | CROSSWORD & SUDOKU FUN



Adult Living |BAND DIRECTORY

Tampa’s Arlington Road Band

Phone: 813.948.6814

Location: Land O’ Lakes, FLManager: Chuck JohnsonEmail: [email protected]

Classic Rock & Roll Blues Country

Tampa’s Arlington Road Band

Location: Manager:Email:

Classic Rock & Roll Classic Rock & Roll

Attention band members, are you having a hard time finding gigs? Would you like to be listed for $40? Have a sound recording of your music? Add an additional $10 for one of your songs to be listed. Listings are grouped by genres. Let Florida Creative Living give you that exposure to have your phone ring!

Are you a Florida Artist that has paintings, drawings, photography, pottery, etc to sell? Want to become famous? Have your information listed and include your picture of your art work for a low fee of $40.

Abigail WhiteLocation: Key West, FL

Artwork Title: Habitat’s Bayside LandingLarge Giclee size 26x39Price: $500.00Small Giclee 12” x18”Price: $149.00

View more sizes and prices atwww.ColorsOfWhite.com/prints


Artwork Title: Yellow Habitat HomeLarge Giclee size 26x39Price: $500.00Small Giclee 12” x18”Price: $149.00



Artwork Title: Purple Habitat HomeLarge Giclee size 26x39Price: $500.00Small Giclee 12” x18”Price: $149.00


Adult Living |BAND DIRECTORY

All proceeds from these prints above, benefit Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower FL Keys. Please contact [email protected] to order.

Adult Living | ARTIST CORNER

Adult Living | BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Gulash GraphicsLutz, FL Design FirmO: 813.994.5110 C: 813.458.1098www.gulashgraphics.com

MJ Real EstateLutz, FL Real Estate AgencyO: 813.948.6814 C: [email protected]

Sweet WhimsyLand O’ Lakes, FL Custom Pendants

O: 813.244.3582 www.oursweetwhimsy.com

South Florida MuseumBradenton, FL Museum/Art GalleryO: 941.746.4131www.southfloridamuseum.org

Kids Activity CenterBradenton, FL Activity Center

O: 941.355.7800www.kidsactivitycenter.com

Bankers Life & Casualty CompanyBradenton, FL Insurance

O: 941.730.8243

Children’s Board of Hillsborough Co.Tampa, FL Government & Comm.

O: 813.229.2884www.childrensboard.org

VSA arts of FloridaTampa, FL Non-Profit Organization

O: 813.974.0712www.vsafl.org

James A. Haley VA HospitalTampa, FL Non-Profit OrganizationO: 813.972.2000www.tampa.va.gov

The Happy Baker, LLCTampa, FL Bakery

O: 813.732.3289www.happybakernation.com

Sarasota Medieval FairSarasota, FL Attractions

O: 888.303.3247www.sarasotamedievalfair.com

Circus SarasotaSarasota, FL Non-Profit Organization

O: 941.355.9335www.circussarasota.org

The Pier AquariumSt. Pete., FL Non-Profit Organization

O: 727.803.9799 ext. 207www.pieraquarium.org

Museum of Fine ArtsSt. Pete., FL Museum/Art Gallery

O: 727.896.2667www.fine-arts.org

W4CY RadioWellington, FL Internet Radio

O: 561.506.4031www.w4cy.com

Simply SaltsationalPort Saint Lucie, FL Spa/Beauty

O: 772.475.7408www.simplysaltsational.com

Organo Gold CoffeeBrandon, FL Organic Beverages

O: 813.785.8244www.mandmcafe.organogold.com

Straz CenterTampa, FL Performing ArtsO: 813.813.229.7827www.strazcenter.org

Bradenton, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Land O’ Lakes, Florida

Lutz, Florida

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Saint Pete., Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota Florida’s Gulf CoastSarasota, FL Travel

O: 941.955.0991 ext. 108www.sarasotafl.org

Tampa, Florida

Wellington, Florida

Ierna’s Heating & CoolingLutz, FL AC CompanyO: 813.948.6335www.iernaair.com



Adult Living | Chef’s DelightAdult Living | Chef’s Delight

IngredientsAPPLE PIE FILLING:1/4 cup sugar1 tablespoon Argo® or Kingsford’s® Corn Starch1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt3 tablespoons butter Or margarine, melted1/2 cup Karo® Light Or Dark Corn Syrup6 cups thinly sliced, peeled cooking apples (about 2 pounds)1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crustCRUMB TOPPING:3/4 cup flour2/3 cup sugar6 tablespoons butter OR margarine

Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 3750F.2. FOR PIE: Combine sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, salt, butter and corn syrup in a large bowl. Add apples and stir to coat. Pour into pie crust.3. FOR CRUMB TOPPING: Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over pie.4. Place pie on baking sheet to avoid boil-overs in oven. Bake 1 hour, until crust is brown and apples are tender.

TIPS: If crust browns too quickly, cover edges with foil halfway through baking.

Ingredients1 publix pizza dough (found in the bakery)1 16oz jar publix pizza sauce1 bag of pepperoni of your choice1 16oz bag of publix’s shredded mozzarella cheese1 handful of flour

Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 3750F.2. Gently roll the dough on floured surface. 3. Place roll dough on a pizza pan or a deep glass dish for a deep dish pizza.4. Use 2-6 tablespoons of pizza sauce on dough.5. Place 2-4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce. 6. Arrange pepperoni onto pizza.7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Ingredients3-1/4 cups Southern Biscuit Complete Biscuit Mix1-1/4 cups Buttermilk

Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 4500F.2. Stir together biscuit mix and buttermilk using as few strokes as possible, just mix until completely combined.3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.4. Gently roll the dough to 1/2-inch thick.5. Using a floured biscuit cutter, cut biscuits and place them on a baking sheet so the sides are lightly touching.6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.7. Brush the tops with melted butter for extra richness.

Adult Living | COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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Florida Creative Living is raffling, 3 Circus Sarasota pendants and one signed T-shirt from Legendary Aerialist Dolly Jacobs to help with their Big Top Education and Laughter Unlimited programs.

Tickets are sold online for $5 dollars each.* Florida Creative Living goal is to reach $3,000.

* Once you purchase your tickets via the Paypal Donate button, you will receive your raffle ticket number(s) shortly after via email – within a few hours. Raffle ends February 1, 2012 . Winners will be notified by email by February 2, 2012. If you have any questions, or comments please contact us at [email protected]

Pendant designed by Jan Ward. Owner and Creator of Sweet Whimsy


For All Ages! | Florida Creative Living September - October 2011 48

Adult Living |TECHNOLOGY

The Technology Of TOMORROW

Our present need for internet connectivity is so profound that secondary devices like the Nextep Computer are bound to happen. Developed to be worn as a bracelet, this computer concept is constructed out of a flexible OLED touchscreen. Earmarked for the year 2020, features like a holographic projector (for screen), pull-out extra keyboard panels and social networking compatibility, make the concept plausible. Nine years from now is not too far away, so how many of you think we’d be buying such gadgets?

Designer Alexandre Pain spent an extended amount of time in a wheelchair to better understand challenges of the disabled. The one he perceived as being the most difficult was not the limited mobility as you’d think, but the stigma associated with the easily identifiable wheelchair. The Tandem scooter may serve the same purpose, but with additional seating for one and a simple, fun, and sporty aesthetic, this electric vehicle aims to reduce the negative perception of disability by erasing the taboo of the wheelchair.

Adult Living | ENTERTAINMENT

he David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) opened its doors in July, 1987, and since that time has welcomed more than 10 million guests!

The Straz Center is located downtown on a picturesque nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the largest performing arts complex south of the Kennedy Center, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. In a typical season, more than 600,000 patrons attend 4,000+ events at the Straz Center.

The performing arts complex consists of five distinct theaters, a performing arts Conservatory, a rehearsal hall, boutiques, and three on-site restaurants and banquet facilities. The five individual theaters at the Straz Center are Carol Morsani Hall (2,610 seats), Ferguson Hall (1,042 seats), the Jaeb Theater (268 seats), the TECO Energy Foundation Theater (250 seats) and the Shimberg Playhouse (130 seats).

With the addition of the Patel Conservatory, the Straz Center added 45,000-square-feet for its extensive education programs. The Conservatory features 20 studios, including three dance studios with sprung floors, a sound/lighting laboratory, technical theater workshop, rehearsal hall, costume shop and a state-of-the-art black box theater. The Conservatory annually serves more than 74,000 students with educational activities and classes.

The Straz Center has scheduled an astonishing line-up of touring Broadway blockbusters, an amazing opera series, a dramatic and thought-provoking play series and a remarkable collection of dance, comedy, music and educational events for the 2011-2012 season that begins in October.

“Our season again offers the widest possible variety of first-rate, artistic programming,” said Judith Lisi, president of the Straz Center. “From family-friendly fare to spectacular music and dance shows and, of course our signature series of Broadway blockbusters, the Straz Center continues to be the leading presenter of performing arts in the Tampa Bay area. I am especially

pleased that next season will include a sensational new line-up of Jazz performances and that we will again showcase the fascinating storytellers of National Geographic Live!”

The season includes the Broadway musical hits The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet and Les Misérables and musical performances by Pink Martini, Wynton Marsalis, Josh Ritter, Dickey Betts, Black Violin and many more. The Straz Center’s own Next Generation Ballet will present The Nutcracker and Swan Lake while Opera Tampa will present Aida and the double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci. There will be comedy from Mike Epps, Jeanne Robertson and the Kinsey Sicks, dance performances by The Joffrey Ballet and Kings of Salsa, a full slate of plays from Jobsite Theater as well as fun and entertaining shows, lectures and events for the entire family.

For more information on the Straz Center, visit http://www.strazcenter.org/.

THE STRAZ CENTERT




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ieces of Mind, a long-form improv show from local improv group The Third Thought, is moving to Thursday nights in September at Coconut’s Comedy Club in Clearwater (2590 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd). The show is extending it’s successful summer run on

Monday nights at the same location.

Pieces of Mind is a completely unscripted show, made up on the spot based off of a single audience suggestion. Each show is unique – never seen before, never seen again.

Pieces of Mind Moves to Thursday Nights in September

P

The group will perform two improv long-forms developed in Chicago at the famed iO Theatre:

•Tag: This non-linear form of storytelling follows characters as they travel throughout time and space, weaving disparate themes and ideas into a cohesive unit.

•Armando: A series of improvised scenes inspired by cast monologues based on an audience suggestion.

The show is $5 and tickets can be purchased the night of the show at the door. Founded in 1986, Coconut’s Comedy Club is Florida’s longest running comedy club, expanding from a single location on St. Pete Beach to multiple locations in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and other locations throughout the United States, Europe and Caribbean.




he South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Museum interprets the region from

the Prehistoric to the present with highlights including fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest mammals and marine species and the Montague Tallant collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archeological artifacts. Permanent galleries also focus on Florida’s ecology and bio-diversity, early 20th-century medical practices and Spanish exploration. The Museum’s Spanish Plaza has full-scale replicas of a 16th-century manor house, chapel and conquistador Hernando DeSoto’s birthplace. The Museum’s East Gallery is constantly changing, with new temporary exhibitions featured throughout the year.

General admission also includes access to a variety of shows in the Bishop Planetarium Theater and presentations at the Parker Manatee Aquarium, home to Snooty™ the manatee. Snooty™—born in 1948—is known as the world’s oldest manatee and Manatee County’s most famous resident. In addition to being Snooty’s permanent home, the Museum also provides a temporary home for manatees in rehabilitation as they recovery prior to release in the wild.

The South Florida Museum features engaging exhibits as well as educational programs which interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe.

Call 941-746-4131 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org for more details about the Museum, family night programs, science cafes, film screenings and other events.

Conveniently located in downtown Bradenton, at 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, just a few blocks from Old Main Street, the Manatee Players Theater, ArtCenter Manatee and Mattison’s Riverside at the Twin Dolphin Marina. Parking is available in the lot north of the building and between the Museum and the marina. General Admission:

Adults: $15.95, Seniors (65+): $13.95, Children (4-12): $11.95, Children ages 3 and younger: free with paying adult.

Hours of Operation: January through April and the month of July:Open 7 days a week.Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

All other months: Open 6 days a week.Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Closed the 2nd Monday in March, 1st Saturday in November, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

T

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View page 4 for TheSouth Florida Museum ad.


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he MFA at 255 Beach Drive N.E. has an encyclopedic collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries. The approximately 18,000 objects include stellar works by Monet,

Gauguin, Renoir, Morisot, Cézanne, Rodin, O’Keeffe, and many others. Also on view are ancient Greek and Roman, Egyptian, Asian, African, pre-Columbian, and Native American art. The photography collection is one of the largest and most significant in the Southeast.

The Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $17 for adults, $15 for those 65 and older, and $10 for students seven and older, including college students with current I.D. Children under seven and Museum members are admitted free. Groups of 10 or more adults pay only $12 per person and children $4 each with prior reservations.

The MFA Café is open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. The Museum Store has been named the area’s best by the duPont Registry. For more information, please call 727.896.2667 or visit the website at www.fine-arts.org. For café reservations, please call 727.822.1032.

THE MUSEUM

T The Human Touch: Contemporary Art from the RBC Wealth Management CollectionSponsored by RBC Wealth ManagementMay 14 - September 4

New Folk: Contemporary Self-Taught Art from the CollectionMay 14 - September 4

Four Portfolios of the Twentieth-Century: Archipenko, Gropper, Evans, and DoisneauJuly 16 - November 13

Remembering September 11Collection of Len Prince photographs of September 11September 11 - September 30, 2012 at 3pm

Story and Symbol: Dutch and Flemish Paintings from the Collection of Dr. Gordon and Adele GilbertSeptember 17 - December 4

The New York School: Selections from The Gollay CollectionSeptember 17 - November 27

Ancient Egypt-Art and Magic:Treasures from the Fondation Gandur pour l’ArtDecember 17, 2011 - April 29, 2012

OF FINE ARTS


View page 34 for The Museum Of Fine Arts ad.



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ithout the circus, our vibrant city would be just another sun-drenched town with white sand beaches, attractive neighborhoods, great

restaurants, chic shops, theater, symphony, ballet, and opera. Whoa! Is that so bad? Well, consider this: you could travel up-and-down the coasts of Florida and find other cities with beaches, ballet, and boutiques.

It is the history and culture of the circus, however, that sets Sarasota apart from any other place in Florida and, for that matter, almost any other city in North America. It is the circus that has added magic and mystique to our beautiful community in much the same way that movies defined the image of Hollywood, and Broadway seasoned New York.

Although it has been a half-century since The Greatest Show on Earth departed our city, and almost two decades since the last circus train pulled out of our county, the heritage of the circus surrounds us to this day.

No single organization better exemplifies the living, breathing circus in our community than Circus Sarasota: the incarnation of a popular art form that is both centuries old and as fresh as the youngest member of our audience. Thanks to the vision and the passion of Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, Circus Sarasota continues the lively legacy that began in 1927 when the brothers Ringling brought their cast, crew, and menagerie to town.

Unlike the typical circus that wends its way from city-to-city, Circus Sarasota remains in our community throughout the entire year. Our seasonal engagement under The Big Top is the signature of Circus Sarasota. No less significant, however, are our on-going outreach programs, Laughter Unlimited and Big Top Education, dedicated to members of our community at each end of the age spectrum. For the elder population Laughter Unlimited offers effective programs that contribute to the cognitive vitality

and emotional well-being of our friends and family in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. For elementary school students, Big Top Education offers a stimulating and enjoyable circus-themed curriculum to teach math, science, and reading. Both programs are growing and serving more facilities and more people each year.

What you experience under our Big Top and what we contribute to the community prove that the circus is alive and well… and living right here in Sarasota! We hope that you will join us at Circus Sarasota for the 2012 performances. Circus Sarasota’s annual engagements have been acclaimed for world-class artistry and entertainment Under The Big Top, helping to preserve and enhance Sarasota’s circus legacy. This year, performances will be presented from Friday, February 10th – Sunday February 26th, 2012. The elegant Circus Sarasota Big Top will be located at the intersection of Tuttle and 12th Street, across from Ed Smith Stadium. Tickets will be available online as of November 1, 2011 at www.circussarasota.org or by calling (941) 355-9805.

What Circus Sarasota

means to the community?

W

By Bob Collins, Board Member,Circus Sarasota



Adult Living | VA Memoirs

ecently I was at the Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida and witnessed a sight which truly made me proud.

As members of the armed forces were observed entering the terminal there was a group of men, women and children who held banners and signs welcoming the service members back home and thanking them for the service which they are providing our country.

Quite a sight.

As I stood there and observed I had this impulse to join this group of well wishes and participate .

Not because I am a retired member of the United States Army but the fact that now for some reason the public has realized what an important sacrifice these men and women endure in some of the far flung locations around the world where they are transported to and serve under some very harsh conditions.

Many of those who read this and are of the Vietnam conflict also recall the harsh treatment many of us endured upon return to the United States by those who declined to go or were against the war.

Right or wrong, we also followed orders and went

to a jungle, not a desert, endured the heat and went days without a hot meal however that was then and this is now. Back in 1965 we went to Vietnam to assist that country from aggression not due an attack on ours.

What is important is that now many see what hardships the armed Forces endure and want to show their appreciation by saying “Thank You”.

Perhaps this also makes this era of saying ‘Thank You’ to a service member that much more important.

If you doubt what I say, please take a moment and visit a VA hospital and observe some of those young service members who have suffered some truly bad injuries but still have the ability to smile and ‘fight on’.

I think when you do this you will have a mind change.

We have plenty of hero’s in our country. Many who still decline to speak on their accomplishments and would rather remember the friends they made and also silently remember those they lost.

To all these hero’s and those who have served let me say “Thank You”.

Each of you did your service and you can be proud regardless what conflict it was in.

So next time you see one who served take a moment and say “Thank You”. I am sure it will mean a lot .

R

GOOD JOB...GOOD JOB...GOOD JOB...GOOD JOB...GOOD JOB...

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOME

By Chuck Johnson U S Army MSG (ret)

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Date post:	26-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	florida-creative-living-magazine
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Florida Creative Living Magazine

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