some behavioral traits are genetic. Maybe complaining is just in my blood, and the complaint gene can be traced back to early man. “Oh, sure, they invent fire, but they don’t tell you not to put your hand in it. Fire should come with an instruction manual. How do I know what temperature is right for cooking woolly mammoth? And when are they going to get around to making a decent wheel? They can put a man in a cave, but they can’t make a decent wheel!” The world of psychology explores different types of complainers. Chronic complainers are never satisfied with anything. That could be stated better, but I’ll let it go. Venters have an agenda, are focused on themselves, and want attention and validation
from a confidant. Surely, you agree with what I’m saying. Instrumental complainers pose solutions to their complaints, like kindly telling someone where they can go, informing them that their head is currently stuck in an unusual location, or suggesting that they should try a new physical position. One theory of complaining states that the “Law of Attraction” brings more things to complain about into our realities. In other words, complaining breeds complaining. It becomes a never-ending cycle and commonplace complaints become a negative daily mantra. That’s true. Think of the many topics that almost all of us complain about on a daily basis: traffic, bad drivers, the news, customer service, rude and inconsiderate
people, and on and on. And who doesn’t complain about their bosses? Don’t get me started… (Editor’s note: A large section of this column has been redacted due to offensive language.) Those behavioral researcher types suggest a solution: if we stop complaining, the cycle can be broken. Well, isn’t that sugar and spice and everything nice, all wrapped up in a bow with a cherry on top (don’t complain about the mixed metaphors). We’ll just stop complaining. It’s so easy. I won’t ever again complain about drivers who don’t signal, or people in fast cars who drive too slow, or fans at concerts who won’t shut their yaps, or my neighbor’s yapping dog, or always needing to make three calls to correct errors on my TV bill, or how people overuse words like “icon,” “legend,” “amazing,” and “awesome,” or the fact that humans spend an average of 26.3 years of their lives waiting in lines (I made it up, but who’s complaining?), or that the world is going to heck in a handbasket. Yes, I said heck. That’s just the absolute, perfect solution. And the sun will shine down on us every day and we’ll all live in Rainbowland, and yes, I know there would have to be rain amid the sunshine to create the rainbow, and I can’t even end on a good rant. Damn, this column sucks. Not that I’m complaining.
someone else but rather just want to soften the damage time has done to their appearance, so they can once again reclaim their facial features. It is so incredibly rewarding to see a patient at a follow up and hear how thrilled they are to look in the mirror and actually see themselves again.” Dr. Soares recalls his interest in facial plastic surgery began in medical school when he served as both a
student and professional illustrator of the school’s head & neck anatomy atlas. “I fell in love with the anatomy of the head and neck. It’s a beautiful, phenomenally complex piece of engineering,” he says. “To me, facial plastic surgery embodies the perfect combination of both medicine and art; no other field merges these two components together quite like this.”
DR. ROBERTO MENDEZ BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
Roberto J. Mendez M.D., F.A.C.S. is a board certified plastic surgeon who brings over 20 years of experience to central Florida. Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Mendez is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (A.S.P.S.) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (A.S.A.P.S.). In addition, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Mendez specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery including transaxillary breast augmentation (performed without scars in the breasts), mommy makeovers, as well as body contouring procedures such as liposuction and tummy tucks. He completed his accredited and formal residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Mendez completed his general surgery training at Sinai Hospital in Detroit. During his residency, he trained among leading experts in aesthetic plastic surgery and a worldrenowned plastic surgeon for breast surgical procedures. “I love what I do,” says Dr. Mendez. “The reason I went into surgery is that I like to see results, and I have the ability, with my training in plastic surgery, to change lives for the better, be it cosmetic or reconstructive, such as reconstructing a breast after a mastectomy.”
Village Institute of Plastic Surgery will have its grand opening this summer and invites residents of The Villages and surrounding communities to join them in celebrating this new chapter for the practice. Call 352.259.8599 for updates on this event and to be added to their email list for ongoing specials and seminar dates.
352.259.8599 607 CR 466A, Fruitland Park www.PlasticSurgeryVIP.com
Guy and Audrey
Guy’s birthday, at Epiphany Celebration Anglican Church in Eustis and the next night at Family Christian Center in Clermont. Performances have always been at two locations to cover Lake County’s size. “The Epiphany Celebration Anglican Church is such a lovely place,” Audrey says. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful.” Maestro Michael J. Garasi was principal conductor from 2006-2014. The orchestra’s second decade has featured a series of guest conductors from around the world. Since 2006, the orchestra has been anchored by virtuoso Bulgarian violinist Konstantin Dimitrov, who is concert master and violin soloist. A child prodigy, Guy began composing and playing at the age of 3 and performed with an orchestra using a pseudonym at the age of 5.
Guy Saint-Clair
A consummate musician, he eventually earned three doctorates in France, Germany, and Switzerland. “He was the most modest man you can ever meet, just gentle and sweet,” Audrey says. Guy, 65, died on the eve of a performance, his “Indigo Dreaming” concert. The orchestra still performed though the piano was silent and adorned with a spray of flowers. That attention to detail and need to keep classical concerts in the area were behind Audrey’s drive to use her husband’s music and arrangements for this special concert. He was a classical piano soloist for many of the orchestra’s great concerts, and as part of the tribute to him, “Ballade in Blue” will feature his original compositions and
arrangements: “Mysterious Isles,” “Onedin Line,” “Aquarium,” “Phoenix Rising,” which was composed to aid cancer research, and the fiery “Slavic Dances.” “Everyone who knew Guy loved him,” Audrey says. “Some of the arrangements are the ones he played when he was with the London Symphony. We will have Sten-Heinoja at the piano, who has worked with the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra since he was 18 years old, and conductor Aldert Vermeulen, a personal friend of Guy’s from the Netherlands.” Audrey says the tribute to her late husband is very special. “It’s so nice to have his friends come and share this experience, making it even more special,” she says.
If you go What: The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra will perform “Ballade in Blue,” the gala season finale and a tribute to co-founder Guy Saint-Clair. When and Where: April 25 at Epiphany Celebration Anglican Church, 1724 S. Bay St., Eustis, and April 26 at Family Christian Center, 2500 S. U.S. Highway 27. Tickets: See floridalakessymphonyorchestra.com for tickets and information.
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& Drink * IFNoToH d E KITCHEN
Cooking with Ze’ Local chef teaches new, healthier twists on African heritage dishes. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
I
n a recent four-night, hands-on cooking class, Ze’ Carter, a private chef, food columnist, and culinary instructor, inspired students of all ages with new ways to prepare leafy greens, black-eyed peas, beans and rice, vegetables, and other plant-based dishes with deep African roots. “These are foods we are used to, but this is a new way to prepare them with a new flavor,” she says, sharing educational materials and recipes from her Oldways African Heritage and Health program at Leesburg Public Library. She won the class over on the first night with a quicker, healthier, and tastier way to enjoy cooked greens—all with a little sweet creaminess of coconut milk and lime juice. “Greens used to be a wild crop where they were grown for longer periods, so they were tough and they needed to be cooked longer, but greens have evolved. There are other healthier, more nutritious, and tasty ways to enjoy them. They don’t have to be cooked to death,” she says. Coconut milk also was used to give a red beans and rice dish a creamy, flavorful finish. “I really like the texture and the taste of it,” says Aaron Johnson, who took the class with his wife, Marci, and son, Alvan, 14. Student Charlene Laird raved over the butternut squash soup and a sweeter dish of mango and papaya with coconut milk, honey, and peanuts. “I love learning about a whole different combination of spices,” student Wanda
Stavros Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St. 352.787.3474 Sully’s Smokehouse 10820 CR 44 352.483.7427 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 The 24 Tap Room 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.315.0198 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274 Two 09 West Main 209 W. Main St. 352.801.7966 Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 Wrapsody 712 W. Main St. 352.801.7239 Mascotte Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093 Minneola Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 N. Hwy. 27 202.527.0100
Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 Mount Dora 1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.385.1921 Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 Barnwood Country Kitchen and Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903 Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 Café Gianni 425 N. Alexander St. 352.735.3327 Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936 Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do Lunch 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.4577 Magical Meat Boutique 112 W. Third Ave. 352.729.6911 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 Olive Branch MediterraneanItalian Grille 115 W. 3rd St. 352.729.6734
One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818 Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669 PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555 Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 The Bavarian Haus 433 N. Alexander St. 352.735.8387 The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500 Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 Sorrento Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882 Lisa’s Kountry Cafe 23911 CR 46 352.735.3380 Tavares Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137 Kalua Hale Sand Bar 111 W. Ruby St. 352.609.5910 Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823
O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217 Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.7744 The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 The Villages Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027 Bravo Pizza 1080 Lake Sumter Landing 352.430.2394 Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 City Fire Brownwood & Paddock Square 352.561.2078 Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674 Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600 Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824 NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939 Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393
Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 Umatilla Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145 Gator’s 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969 Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd. 352.669.1555 Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 Shanghai 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004 The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 Wildwood China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 Yalaha Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366
Country Club Restaurants Clermont Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.243.1118 Howey-in-the-Hills Mission Inn Resort El Conquistador Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3101 Mount Dora The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd. 352.735.2263 The Villages Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208 Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evan’s Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077 Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200 Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475 Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501 Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 Wildwood Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd. 352.748.3293
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