The Chesterfield Women's Journal October 2014 by Arnaldo DePaula

The Chesterfield MC Women’s Journal

Fourth Quarter Third Quarter2014 2014

Story of Hope Regina Hall, Diane Whitesel, Sonya Forrest, Carolyn Smith Christie Cook, Kathryn Childers, Vernal Branch, Betty Rose Bell

In This Issue

; Back to School and Good Vision… Making the Grade ; Increase Your Chances of Securing Grant Funding ; Wii-Hab… Making Rehabilitation Fun ; Tackling Diabetes

educate. enrich. empower.

A Free Quarterly Resource for the Women of Chesterfield County

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Dear Readers

This is our much-honored Breast Cancer Edition. All of the women you see on our front cover and in our “Stories of Hope” are survivors, including myself. Every edition is a special edition for us at the Women’s Journal, but this edition, in particular, is extremely meaningful. We feature breast cancer survivors who’ve demonstrated their incredible strength not only to their loved ones, but to everyone around them. As a survivor diagnosed at the age of 37, I personally know of the challenges one may go through in this journey of survival. Our hope is that the stories of these amazing women, will serve as inspiration to our readers and their families. These women prove that when you have the will, you can make a way.

Christie L. Cook

The Chesterfield

Women’s Journal

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MC Media Inc.

14241 Midlothian Tpke, Suite 248 Midlothian, VA 23113 www.RVAWomensJournal.com 888 213 0612 Ph 804 977 1734 Fax

Publisher:

As you read their “Stories of Hope” you will see that breast cancer does not discriminate in who it strikes. Many of these amazing women, no doubt, experienced fears and many uncertainties, yet they pressed forward, making the best of life while creating a new normal for themselves along the way. Please join us in celebrating these pillars of strength! Finally, if there is an article that intrigues you, please don’t hesitate to call the contributor to see how they can be of service to you. They welcome your calls and feedback! As we continue to grow the publication with articles from experts in many different areas, we welcome your comments and recommendations for other great businesses that you would like to see included in your Chesterfield Women’s Journal. A special thank you to all our wonderful contributors for their educational editorials and to all our readers. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

- Christie L. Cook, Publisher

Christie L. Cook chesterfieldwoman@gmail.com

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SMG Digital www.sozemediagroup.com The Women’s Journal is published quarterly and is available free of charge, by subscription, at display stands in approved private and public establishments and authorized distributors only. Trademark and U.S. Copyright laws protect The Women’s Journal. No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Women’s Journal is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its own), typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready. If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/ or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Women’s Journal, its owners, publishers, and employees, against any and all liability loss or expense arising out of claims for liable, unfair trade names, patents copyrights and propriety rights, and all violations of the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication by this newspaper of its advertising copy. Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertisement. Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publication and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The publisher will exercise reasonable judgement in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate. The Women’s Journal assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or reproductions made by advertisers. This newspaper will be published by the 15th of the first month in each quarter.

Kindly enter my subscription for THE CHESTERFIELD WOMEN’S JOURNAL A one-year subscription (4 issues) via First Class Mail is $24. Check or money order payable to: MC Media Inc. 14241 Midlothian Tpke, Suite 248 Midlothian, VA 23113

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; Back to School and Good Vis ; Increa ion… Ma se Your Cha king the nces of Sec Grade ; Wii-Ha uring Gra b… Makin nt Fundin g Rehabi g ; Tacklin litation Fun g Diabet es

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On The Cover...

Top row - Regina Hall, Diane Whitesel, Sonya Forrest, Carolyn Smith. Bottom row - Christie Cook, Kathryn Childers, Vernal Branch, Betty Rose Bell. Cover Shot taken: Salisbury Country Club. Photographer: Heather House Studio’s

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Hiring Account Sales Executives..........25 Bypassing The Corporate Ladder.........32

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M Fitness Lifestyle C Tackling Diabetes..................................19 M Health Medical C M Health Medical C Your Baby’s First Foods.........................20 M Are You At Risk?...................................25 Business Financial C Dancing And Your Health....................26

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Sonya Forrest I currently live in Chesterfield County with my husband Les, younger son Tyler, and our dog Rocky. My older son Bret also lives in Chesterfield County. I was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. I grew up with a strong sense of faith, big Sunday dinners with the whole family, and friends that are there for life. I also grew up with the knowledge that all types of cancer have affected my family members over the years, but I was young and didn’t think it would ever happen to me. At thirty years old, I was living the dream, wonderful Husband, happy, healthy boys, new house, and great job. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I found the lump and had my husband check it hoping I was imaging it. The next day I made an appointment to see my Gynecologist. He told me it’s probably just a cyst, harmless, let’s just send you for an ultrasound. I think I knew in my heart it was going to be more than that and asked my husband to go to the Ultrasound appointment. We arrived and signed in for the ultrasound. I remember asking if my husband could go back with me and was told that men were not allowed past the waiting room. I am called back and the tech is friendly, making small talk, then she gets very quiet and says she will be right back. When the door opens there stands my husband with a doctor and I know this is serious. I was sent to a surgeon for the biopsy July 2, 2001, and I began the fight for my life. I scheduled appointments with the Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, and Oncologist. Over the next two years I endured aggressive chemotherapy and fourteen surgeries, so that I could be here today. My husband, boys, family, and friends were my strength that allowed me to overcome the obstacles to regain my health. My mother came to help out when I had surgery. My husband held my hand through four long hours of Chemotherapy. My friend Lisa shaved my head when my hair started falling out. My son Tyler at three years old would come in and say “Momma the sun is shining it’s time to get up” when I sure didn’t feel like it. These are just a few examples of the amazing support I had during this time. Now as a thirteen year Breast Cancer Survivor, I work for Bon Secours Virginia Breast Center as a Practice Supervisor. I have been with this practice eight years. I feel it is my mission to be able to help others along this journey that none of us asked for, but become stronger along the way.

Vernal H. Branch I was diagnosed in 1995 with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 45. Before being diagnosed, I had recently moved from Houston, TX to San Diego, CA. After about 5 months I felt something was wrong with my breast, but there were no lumps or anything noticeable, so I went to my doctor. She sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound. They both came back negative, so she decided I should discontinue the hormone replacement therapy that my previous doctor had prescribed for me in Houston. After about two months, while showering I found a lump in my left breast. I waited about a week to see if it would go away, but it didn’t, and it had gotten larger. I called my doctor and she had me come in immediately to her office to get another ultrasound. The technician asked me to point out the area of concern, and I saw something different that did not show up on the previous ultrasound. My doctor was so concerned after getting off the phone with the radiologist,that she quickly set up an appointment with a surgeon for a biopsy. My husband went with me for the biopsy, but we had decided to wait for the results of the biopsy before discussing with our three sons, Calvin Jr., Christopher & Colin. Upon receiving the new that I had breast cancer and telling our sons, I wanted more information, so that I could make the right decisions for my survival. I met with several doctors who shared data that would be beneficial in helping me with this decision. I decided on having a mastectomy because the lump was large, and the doctor could not get clear margins. This decision did not come easily because I remember nursing my sons and them setting in my lap for stories, but realized that I wanted to be able to read stories with my grandchildren one day. After my surgery, my husband took a leave of absence to care for me, along with two of my sons, who were still at home. Since I had not been in San Diego very long, I did not have any closefriends. I had to rely on my family for all of my needs. After my recovery, I decided to get involved with helping others who may need someone to talk to when they are diagnosed by joining the Y-ME National Organization and the National Breast Cancer Coalition. I spent the next 8 years developing outreach programs in California for the underserved communities. After moving to Richmond, VA 13 years ago, I joined the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation as a board member, then joined the staff as their Public Policy Manager. My work and story as a survivor has helped me to focus on research that is important for hopefully eradicating this disease. I was invited to the White House and a Congressional Hearing to tell my story about being denied health insurance because of my pre-existing cancer diagnosis. I have continued with my advocacy with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation & the National Breast Cancer Coalition by meeting with legislators and helping with research priorities that will be meaningful for patients. In my free time, I love to spend time with my six grandchildren. I am an avid reader of mysteries and biographies, and I am a gourmet cook who loves to try out her recipes on family and friends.

www.RVAWomensJournal.com

Story Hope OF

Betty Rose Bell Betty Rose Bell was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. After graduating from high school, she attended Longwood University and earned a degree in elementary education. She taught both elementary and middle school in Chesterfield County until she retired. During her years of retirement, she enjoyed doing many activities such as joining several women’s clubs, various forms of handwork, and playing bridge with friends. In 2012, after having her annual mammogram, she heard the two most dreaded words a woman will ever hear: “breast cancer”. She thought to herself, “Why me? It can’t be; breast cancer doesn’t even run in my family.” She quickly found out that statement was not true. After being told of this “bump in the road”, she told the nurse that she had paid for a 12 day trip to Canada for which the bus left the next morning. The nurse and those around her encouraged her to go and have a great time. When Betty returned from Canada, she had four surgeries to ensure that all the margins were clean. After her first chemo treatment, she had her first setback- allergies to the drug. It was at this point Betty found out how many true family members and friends she had. Betty was not able to drive from this point until all chemo was finished. She found so many people willing to drive her to and from the doctor; she even found a ride to get her nails done- since women have their priorities! This is a disease in which you put all your faith in God and the medical profession. Everyone needs to remember that modern technology, advanced education in the medical arena, and patience on the part of all we will soon have a cure for all. She thanks God, family doctors, and friends for their help every day. Live every day to the fullest, for you are not promised tomorrow.

Carolyn Smith God! Are you sure you have the right Carolyn Smith? Those were the first words out of Carolyn‘s mouth when the doctor informed her at age 55 in 2002 that she had stage 0 breast cancer. She had a son with two years of college left and she was yet to be a grandmother. In 2001 she was a recent retiree from Verizon of 36 years and looked forward to the blissful days of retirement. This was not the plan she thought that God had for her life. In fact, no one in her family ever had breast cancer. After two surgeries and thirty-three radiation treatments, she was declared cancer free. The mammograms previously given to her in six months intervals allowed early detection to save her life. On September 11, 2014, she was a 12 year survivor. She lived to see her son, Robert Smith II graduate from college, buy his first home four years ago and is looking forward to his marriage in October. She has two beautiful grandchildren from her daughter Professor Tracey Smith-Bryant, Braxton-7 and Courtney-4. On September 17, 2014, she celebrated 48 years of marriage to Robert Smith. God! What should I do with this life you have spared me to live? In 2005, she was the first elected President of Sisters Network Central VA Inc. and is still an active member who advocates for breast cancer prevention and early detection. She is Treasurer in her civic association, Chair of scholarship ministry and outside communications for her church, active member of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and Paint It Pink Petersburg, and owner of a residential and commercial rental property business. She is thanking God for His Grace through her service to the community. Yes, God had the right Carolyn Smith.

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Regina Hall Regina was a 46 year old in relatively good health with no family history of breast cancer. She had recently relocated to Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and youngest daughter. An annual checkup with her new family physician revealed a lump was present in her right breast and she was referred to a specialist. Upon review, the specialist stated that he knew what it was; scheduled her for a modified radical mastectomy the following Monday; but ordered a biopsy on Thursday to confirm his diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. Regina was devastated! Upon returning home she and her husband laid in bed praying in shock and tears when she said, “I guess I’m getting ready to die!” The next day, her husband went to the medical department of his employer and asked for help. The nurse insisted that Regina get a second opinion at McGee Women’s Hospital. They met Dr. Keenan who unexpectedly challenged her thoughts of gloom by comparing her circumstance to the final quarter of the Super Bowl; with the goal of getting as many points as possible to allow her to reach her normal life expectancy. If she could not see herself holding the championship trophy, then there is no point in playing! It was then that Regina realized this was not a hopeless situation. She chose to have a modified radical mastectomy and reconstruction. She allowed her faith in God and his ability to heal to work as she made the decision to live! Today, Regina has been cancer free for 11 years; married for 36 years; and the mother of three loving children and 3 grandsons ages 10, 8 & 6. She is actively involved in the Music and Marriage Ministries of her church. She is an avid supporter of all efforts to eradicate breast cancer. Regina has a passion to educate others about breast cancer and fulfills her passion with her commitment and support to the Sisters Network of Central Virginia Inc. where she currently serves as Vice-President.

Diane Whitesel Diane Whitesel, age 55, lives happily in Walton Park with her husband, John, and her three children Isaac(23), Jaime(21), and Dylan(18). Diane was born in Philadelphia, PA but spent most of her childhood as the youngest of 6 on a farm where her parents raised purebred dogs. She has degrees in French and Computer Science from George Mason University and she spent 15 years working for TRW doing software development for the Department of Defense. Since moving to Midlothian about 17 years ago, Diane has been a stay-at-home mom. She has spent her time being a great supporter of her kids in all of their sports, hanging out with her beloved dogs ,and enjoying her family and friends. Most recently, Diane can be found at her son’s new business Vapor Connection VA in Midlothian or making pottery at a studio in Richmond. In summer of 2008, Diane found a mass in her right breast. After a mammogram, followed by an ultrasound, and a biopsy, she found out she had triple negative DCIS. Dr. Polly Stephens performed a lumpectomy and determined that the margins were clear and the sentinel node biopsy was also cleared. Diane was considered cured but received 5 days of mammosite radiation and several rounds of chemo therapy to be sure. Diane was considered early Stage II. In the spring of 2011, Diane felt things happening to her lymph nodes. They were tight and were restricting her movement. She had 1 biopsied and it came back negative. Within a couple of months, she had another biopsied and it came back positive. Diane was operated on again and had all of her lymph nodes removed. Cancer was in at least 20 of them. Diane received 3 rounds of chemotherapy, Adriamycin, before it sent her to the hospital with no neutrophils. After a week of IV antibiotics, Diane returned home and chose no more chemotherapy. She then was followed with 6 weeks of whole breast radiation. This is very rare for a patient to have radiation two different times on the same breast. Now Diane was stage III. In 2013, Diane’s oldest sister Jeri was diagnosed with breast cancer and was soon found to be Stage IV with metastasis to the liver. Her cancer was not triple negative and she underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and continues on targeted therapy. Because she had cancer too, Diane decided to pay for the gene testing for breast cancer. She found out she was BRCA2 positive and gave this news to her 4 sisters and brothers. Diane felt lucky that her own children were adopted and were spared this gene. One of her sisters also came back positive for BRCA2 and had a prophylactic double mastectomy. Her daughter also was positive and had a prophylactic double mastectomy. The oldest sister with breast cancer was BRCA2 negative. And soon her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and chemo therapy. So there are probably two gene bullets in the breast cancer gun in this family. After testing BRCA 2 positive, Diane had a PET scan before she had prophylactic surgeries. To her surprise, they discovered a softball size mass in her liver. In June 2013, Diane underwent a resection of her liver to remove the cancer from her liver. She also received chemotherapy before and after surgery in a pill form. With 3/4 of her liver removed, Diane spent about 2 months recovering from surgery. She is now stage IV. Diane has spent the last year very happy to have the last year. Her goals are seeing her youngest son graduate high school in 2015 and in supporting her son in his new business and in seeing her daughter enter a nursing school. It has been one of the best years of her life because it was a gift that she discovered the liver metastasis in time to do something about it. She is glad to have a wonderful husband and children. Her family has been great support and her friends are the best. Diane thinks in short term but lives life to the fullest.Diane’s youngest son Dylan has entered the fight with her by creating an event to raise funds for Susan G Komen. He and his friend plan to break a record for the Guinness Book of World Records by launching 4000 rockets simultaneously and donating 20,000 to Susan G Komen. Their website is Rocket4TheCure.org. Help Dylan join his mom’s fight.

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Kathryn Childers That day in March of 2001 changed my life in many ways. I faced my mortality, learned that I was not always in control, and began to realize how much I wanted to make my lifelong dream of nursing a reality. I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer, and it was discovered on my baseline mammogram. I had no symptoms, had felt no lump, and had no reason to suspect that my mammogram would show a lobular breast cancer. I was called back from my screening mammogram for a diagnostic mammogram and bilateral breast biopsies. This was an almost all day ordeal, and I was sent away with the instructions to return in one week for results. I still have the card in my possession that informed me of that fateful day, 3/23/01, when I had my appointment with the radiologist. I ventured off for my appointment telling my husband that “it was just a quick appointment and I would be fine.” To say that I fell apart when I heard of the diagnosis was an understatement. I spent the next six or eight hours crying, talking with family and friends and thinking that I would never survive to see my children grow up. Over the next six months or so, I underwent two lumpectomies, three months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. I lost my hair, lost my memory, was hospitalized with neutropenic fever, and spent a lot of time alone on the couch. However, it was during this time that I met some of the most caring nurses and medical professionals that one could ever hope to meet. I enrolled in two Phase III clinical trials – why not when you don’t know which treatment is the best anyway? I met some amazing survivors and some that were not so lucky to survive. I had more support from family, friends and people that I did not even know that I could ever have imagined. Staying in the house for weeks on end gives one plenty of time to think, and I began to ponder what I wanted to do if I survived this awful disease. What happened next is what I consider to be divine intervention. It was about a year after my diagnosis that I heard a commercial on the radio for Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing in Richmond, Virginia and an open house that they were having for prospective students. That day and that commercial got me thinking that it was possible to fulfill my lifelong dream. After much thought and careful planning, I applied and immediately got accepted. School was not easy. It took me three-and-a-half years to finish the diploma program. I took one summer off in 2003 to have bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction, a decision that I made after having a few scares early on after completion of treatment. I now work for Bon Secours Virginia Breast Center in Midlothian, Virginia and have since 2007. Two years ago I had the opportunity to finish my BSN. Working with breast cancer patients is my passion. I know that I have a connection with these patients and can truly understand their feelings, their fears and their hopes. I have been facilitating the St. Francis Breast Cancer Support group since 2009, and have met many wonderful survivors who have turned into close friends. I learned a lot about perseverance during my journey with breast cancer and in the years following. There were days when I had to work hard just to put one foot in front of the other. It took me years, not just months, to adapt to my “new normal” after treatment. Surviving breast cancer is unequivocally the most difficult task I have ever undertaken, however with each challenge in life comes a silver lining, and mine is the opportunity to impact the lives of survivors on a daily basis. I currently live in the Harper’s Mill subdivision in Chesterfield County with my husband Eddie and my two dogs, Bella and Carly. I was born in Easton, Maryland and was raised in Arlington, Virginia. I have two grown children and two grandsons. I enjoy spending time at the Y, reading, doing crafts and antiquing.

Karen C. Hardy Hi, my name is Karen C. Hardy and I live in Mechanicsville, VA. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. I have been happily married for 27 years to Ramon D. Hardy, Jr. We have two beautiful daughters, Chanel (21) at George Mason University & Kaylyn (18) at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ramon & I own Accent Draperys & Interiors, A full service interior design company, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2005. It was devastating news but with the awesome spirit of Dr. Ellen Paredes, I was able to accept it and move forward to do whatever was needed to become cancer “free”. I was determined not to allow the word CANCER to define who I am. Not only was I faced with the devastating news but I had just recently lost my grandmother and we had just moved our business. I was wondering how we were going to make it. I finally decided that your attitude is everything!! Don’t let circumstances affect your attitude, especially if you have no control over it. I completed all chemotherapy treatments, radiation treatments and Herceptin treatments while continuing to work, which in actuality is not work to me, but doing what I absolutely love! Nine years later I remain CANCER FREE!!! This is why I have continued to participate and support SNCVA (Sisters Network of Central VA) with all of their efforts to educate the community on the devastating effect of breast cancer in the African American community. There is always hope when you stay positive and surround yourself with others that can inspire, uplift, support, love and pray for you!!

www.RVAWomensJournal.com

Story Thanks OF

Thanks to our Photographer... Mike Hatcher of Heather House Studios Heather House Studios is a small, family-owned and operated studio committed to photographic excellence. Over thirty years ago Michael Hatcher established Heather House Studio, naming it after his daughter, Heather. Their specialties include, but are not limited to, Family, Children, Brides, and High School Seniors.

Thanks to our location... Salisbury Country Club A full-service golf and country club that captures the hospitality of yesteryear while providing the finest facilities available. Salisbury Country Club is a private, member owned club which was incorporated in 1963. Located within the Salisbury subdivision of Chesterfield County, the country club derives its membership from many sections of the Richmond Metropolitan area. While the club is conveniently located for Salisbury residents, membership in Salisbury Country Club is not precluded by place of residence, and home ownership in Salisbury does not in itself convey any membership privileges or special eligibility for membership. Prospective nominees are sponsored by current club members and are subject to the procedures and admission policies developed by the Salisbury Country Club Board of Directors. Salisbury, built as a hunting lodge during the 18th Century by the Randolph family, stood directly across the James River from the Randolph plantation, Tuckahoe. Ass Governor of Virginia in 1784, Patrick Henry rented the 1500-acre farm from Thomas Mann Randolph. Later, while Salisbury still served as home to Governor Henry, Mr. Randolph sold the estate to Dr. Philip Turpin, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. During the Revolutionary War, Dr. Turpin, enroute from Scotland to Virginia, was captured by the British. His possessions, including Salisbury were confiscated. However the influence of Thomas Jefferson helped secure an unconditional release of Dr. Turpinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property. Upon his death, Dr. Turpin bequeathed Salisbury to his daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Dr. Edward Johnson. The present central section of the clubhouse has been designed along the lines of the original Salisbury which stood nearby. The original story-and-a-half frame house burned around 1920. Today Salisbury is a full-service golf and country club that has captured the rich Southern hospitality of yesteryear while providing its members with the finest facilities available in a beautifully maintained environment. www.salisburycountryclub.com

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Back To School & Good Vision... Making the Grade

September brings back-to-school and all the hustle and bustle that goes along with establishing that daily routine. As our children settle back into the classroom, one thing that’s often overlooked is their vision. 80% of what a child learns in a normal classroom setting is through vision, so it’s important to ensure that children have all the benefits of their good vision. Most children don’t know that they aren’t seeing as well as they should because they have no point of reference. Most often they will not voice a complaint about not seeing well; however, the “ABC’s” (Appearance, Behaviors, and Complaints) are a good place to start when assessing your child’s vision at home. If you notice any of the following signs in your child you should consider having their vision examined by an eye care professional: What do your child’s eyes look like? • eyes don’t line up; one eye appears crossed or looks out •

eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted or swollen

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eyes are watery or red (inflamed)

How does your child act? • rubs eyes a lot •

closes or covers one eye

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tilts head or thrusts head forward

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has trouble reading or doing other close-up work, or holds objects close to eyes to see

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blinks more than usual or

seems cranky when doing close-up work •

things are blurry or hard to see

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squints eyes or frowns

screening within the first 60 days of school. This is a valuable resource for parents and students; however, may also provide a false sense of security. Mass screenings in schools with hundreds of children needing the service in a short time frame are difficult to manage by any standard. Consider that the state mandate is unfunded and outdated, and it quickly becomes more apparent as to where there may be some room for improvement.

What does your child say? • “My eyes are itchy”, “My eyes are burning” or “my eyes feel scratchy” •

“I can’t see that very well”

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After doing close-up work, your child says “I feel dizzy”, “I have a headache” or “I feel sick/ nauseous”

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First, parents should know that a screening can never replace an eye exam and it’s important to consider regular eye exams for your children as a part of their overall continuum of care. Secondly, it’s important to know that there are options for improved vision screening services available for schools. Conexus, formerly Prevent Blindness MidAtlantic, is one resource for improved programming; we have developed a network of resources for more than 1,800 nurses over the last decade.

“Everything looks blurry”, or “I see double”

Remember, your child may still have an eye problem even if he or she does not complain or has not shown any unusual signs. Only 15% of children will see an eye care professional before starting school, but what parents need to know is that vision problems in children are prevalent. Experts in the field report that 25% of all school-age children have a vision problem significant enough to impact learning. Many times a child who is found to be struggling in school simply needs a pair of glasses. The Essilor Foundation recently noted that a child with uncorrected visual acuity of less than 20/20 is three times more likely to fail a grade in school.

One of the most advanced screening programs available in the nation, VisioCheck, is offered

M Health Medical C by Conexus. VisioCheck is a technology-based screening that requires just a few seconds to capture highly accurate results for even very young or nonverbal children. It’s a comprehensive program, meaning it offers more than just a pass or fail result. Visiocheck provides a detailed report of a child’s screening results, coupled with educational information to help parents make informed decisions about their child’s vision. It also offers resources for schools and nurses, access to care for students in need, and a robust data collection and follow up program to insure the best outcomes for students and schools. To learn more about the program and how to potentially make VisioCheck available to your school, visit the program website at www.visiocheck.conexusvision.org. Remember, good vision is a key component to success in school. Don’t let something as simple as a pair of glasses stand in the way of your child’s ability to perform their best in the classroom!

Virginia recognizes the importance of good vision as it pertains to success in school; Virginia Code §22.1-273 requires that all new students and students in grades K, 3, 7 and 10 receive a vision

By Robin Mead About Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic: Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic is making some significant organizational changes that will help us to better serve the vision needs of kids in our community and beyond. For more than 57 years, you have known Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic as the local affiliate of Prevent Blindness America. We have always been focused on service delivery, and have worked to develop and deliver “best practice” programs. In order to continue delivering these services at the highest possible level, our organization is becoming Conexus. The leadership and staff remains the same, as do our programs, and we are looking forward to continuing to protect education through healthy vision for many years to come.

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What You

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Should Know

About Mammograms

information provided by Care First –Blue Cross BlueShield www.carefirst.com

Many women are afraid of mammograms but having one is definitely worthwhile. In fact, it can even save a woman’s life. If the test is normal, you will feel better knowing that you are OK. If however; there is a problem, it is better to know early. Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer BEFORE it spreads. Treatment works best when the cancer is found early. Make an appointment to see your Doctor for a mammogram if you fall under any of these categories that pose a higher risk: •

Your Mother OR sister has/had breast cancer

•

You have Jewish ancestors from Eastern Europe (A certain gene is carried among this group)

•

You had your first menstrual period before age 12

•

You NEVER had children OR you had your first child after age 30

•

You had radiation treatments to your chest area

•

You have a lump, nipple, discharge, breast pain or dimpling of skin on the breast

Breast cancer is NOT a death sentence when detected early. Detection at later stages may be managed with all the new technologies and treatment available. It is never too late to be evaluated and undergo treatment. There is life after the diagnosis. FACE YOUR FEAR and TAKE CHARGE!!

When should I have a mammogram?

Starting at age 40 women should have a mammogram every 1 – 2 years. If you feel a lump, see or have questions about anything unusual in your breast contact your health care provider.

How do I get ready for my mammogram? • Make the appointment for 1 week after your period • When the breasts are less sensitive. • Wear a shirt with shorts, pants or skirt. • This makes it easier to undress from the waist up. • Do not wear deodorant, perfume, lotion or powder under arms or on your breasts on the day of your appointment. These products make shadows on the mammogram.

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For resources and additional information: Contact your Doctor American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345 www.cancer.org The National Cancer Institute

American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts:

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To support the fight against breast cancer, visit cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a perfect time to learn more about the disease and what you can do to fight it. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, the American Cancer Society is making an impact in the fight to end breast cancer and all cancers. The Society estimates that 232,670 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, including 6,170 in Virginia. We are making progress. Breast cancer death rates decreased by 34 percent between 1990 and 2010 (the most recent year for which data are available). Much of this progress is due to increases in early detection and improvements in treatment. Finding breast cancer early increases a woman’s chances for survival. In fact, breast cancers found at their earliest stage have a five-year relative survival rate of 99 percent. Mammograms can often detect breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more effective. The Society recommends that all women 40 and older have a mammogram every year. At cancer.org/remindme, you and the women you care about can sign up to receive an email that will remind you to schedule the type of breast cancer screening the Society recommends based on our latest guidelines. The Society recommends that all women 40 and older get a mammogram every year, in addition to a breast exam by their doctor or nurse as part of their regular health checkups. Studies have shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk for certain cancers, including breast cancer. That is why the American Cancer Society recommends that everyone: • Maintain a healthy weight throughout life • Be active. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week • Eat healthy. Choose foods and drinks in amounts that help you maintain a healthy weight. Limit red and processed meat. Eat at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily and choose whole grains instead of refined-grain foods Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be. That’s why the American Cancer Society is here around the clock to guide you through every step of a breast cancer

experience. In communities nationwide, we’re helping people right now by providing: • Transportation assistance to and from treatment • Free lodging when the treatment facility is far from home • Emotional support programs that connect newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with trained breast cancer survivors • Assistance with treatment-related physical side effects • An online support network • Information, answers, and support through our National Cancer Information Center available 24 hours a day, seven days a week • Helping address quality of life concerns (such as pain, symptoms, stress, and other disabilities) that treat the person beyond the disease • Supporting person-centered care planning, communication, and informed treatment decision making aligned with individual and family goals To connect with these resources and more, call 800-227-2345 Although progress has been made against breast cancer, too many lives are still claimed by the disease. There will be an estimated 40,000 deaths from the disease this year, including more than 1,000 in Virginia. The American Cancer Society is currently supporting 128 grants with $74.6 million to find the answers that will help save lives from breast cancer. Here are just a few of the breast cancer research breakthroughs we’ve played a role in: • Establishing mammography as the standard to find breast cancer early • Discovering lifesaving treatments such as Herceptin and Tamoxifen • Discovering genes that cause breast cancer • Deepening the knowledge of how genetics, body weight, lack of exercise, and alcohol use can increase a person’s cancer risk • Discovering the benefits of breast-conserving surgery, such as lumpectomy plus radiation for treatment • Palliative care, psychosocial care, and impairment driven rehabilitation addressing symptoms and late effects

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M Health Medical C y Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS B Professor of Plastic Surgery

Georgetown University Hospital

Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS is currently a Professor of Plastic Surgery, Vice Chairman for Clinical Affairs, and Chief of the Division of Microvascular Reconstruction in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. His primary clinical and research interests are focused on breast as well as abdominal wall reconstruction. He has published over 130 manuscripts, editorials, and discussions as well as 42 book chapters on a variety of topics that include breast reconstruction and abdominal wall reconstruction. Dr. Nahabedian

Breast Reconstruction...

Recent studies have demonstrated that only about 33% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will receive breast reconstruction following removal of all or part of the breast. This number seems alarmingly low when one considers the advancements and benefits that breast reconstruction can provide. Advancements in breast surgery have occurred based on our improved understanding tumor biology as well as our ability to reconstruct a breast with very natural shape, contour, and volume. Some of the advancements include partial mastectomy instead of total mastectomy, oncoplastic surgery, nipple-sparing mastectomy, autologous reconstruction using perforator flaps, and prosthetic reconstruction with various shaped devices and biologic materials. Some of the benefits of breast reconstruction include improved body image, improved selfesteem, reassurance that a normal appearance can be achieved, and a willingness to educate and help other women who have to make many difficult decisions regarding their reconstructive options. Who are Candidates for Breast Reconstruction? All women that are diagnosed with breast cancer that will be having surgical removal or the tumor or breast (partial or total mastectomy), should be provided the opportunity to consult with a plastic surgeon. Not all women will need breast reconstruction because the majority of women with breast cancer will choose to have breast conservation in which the treatment is a lumpectomy (tumor excision with a 1-2 mm margin) and postoperative radiation therapy without the need for reconstruction. However, in women that will need a partial

mastectomy (tumor excision with 1 – 3 cm margin) or total mastectomy (complete removal of the breast tissue), most will be able to undergo either immediate reconstruction (at the same time as the partial or total mastectomy) or delayed reconstruction (following the partial or total mastectomy). The main advantage of immediate reconstruction is that a woman will go to sleep with her breast and wake up with a new breast. Candidates for immediate reconstruction typically include those with early to mid stage breast cancers that are generally healthy. Delayed reconstruction is usually considered in women that have very advanced cancers or who have significant health related conditions such as cardiac disease, refractory tobacco use, or morbid obesity. The good news is that breast reconstruction will not interfere or impede with breast cancer surveillance. The reconstructive options for immediate and delayed reconstruction are generally the same; however, in women that had had prior radiation therapy, the reconstructive options may have to be individually tailored. Partial Mastectomy and Oncoplastic Surgery Oncoplastic surgery is a relative new reconstructive option that consists of partial mastectomy and immediate or staged-immediate breast reshaping. Staged-immediate breast reshaping is considered in some women when total removal of the breast cancer is uncertain immediately following tumor removal. In these cases, once the pathology confirms complete removal, the reshaping is scheduled. The options for breast reshaping include breast reduction, mastopexy, use of implants, or the use of flaps. Breast reduction

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is most often considered in women with large or ptotic breasts that would otherwise be good candidates for this operation. Even though the breast cancer may be in only one breast, the reshaping procedures are typically performed on both breasts at the same time in order to achieve balance and symmetry. A required component of oncoplastic surgery is postoperative radiation therapy. The purpose of radiation is to destroy microscopic cancer cells potentially remaining in the breast. The goal of oncoplastic surgery is to perform the breast reshaping prior to the radiation therapy. This is because revising a breast after radiation is associated with more difficulty and can sometimes result in delayed healing and suboptimal contour. The advantages of these oncoplastic procedures are that patient satisfaction is very high because a mastectomy is avoided, the nipple areolar complex is usually preserved, and surgical outcomes are usually excellent. Nipple Sparing Mastectomy In most women with breast cancer that are having a mastectomy, a skin sparing (SSM) approach is used. With this technique, the nipple and the areola are removed with a small rim of adjacent breast skin. Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) is relatively novel approach to improving surgical and aesthetic outcomes following total mastectomy. With this technique, the nipple and the areola are not removed. Although NSM has aesthetic advantages, it is not recommended for all women having mastectomy. This approach is frequently performed in women having prophylactic mastectomy (no breast cancer) who have mild to moderate breast volume. Women

with “D” cup or larger breasts are sometimes not candidates because of the risk of nipple death or necrosis. NSM is sometimes recommended for women with breast cancer that have certain tumor and breast characteristics. The primary tumor characteristics are that the tumor be less than 2.5 cm in diameter and that it be at least 3 cm away from the nippleareolar complex. These distances are recommended to reduce the risk that tumor cells would be left behind following the mastectomy because many of the sites where the tumors are located are ultimately connected to the nipple via a systems of ducts. Consultation with a breast and plastic surgeon is necessary to determine candidacy for NSM. It is important to keep in mind that whether the mastectomy is nipple sparing or skin sparing, excellent aesthetic outcomes are possible. Reconstruction following NSM can be completed using either autologous tissue or prosthetic devices. Autologous Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction using ones own body tissues has been available since the early 1980’s. The primary donor sites at that time were the back (latissimus dorsi flap) and the abdomen (TRAM flap). Both of these options are still in use today and utilize the muscle, fat, and skin in the area. The tissues are tunneled under a skin bridge to the breast pocket and shaped into a breast. These flaps can create a nicely shaped breast but occasionally result in adverse events related to the donor sites because the muscle has been removed. Recent advancements with breast reconstruction using ones own tissues include the use of more donor sites without the need to

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has been the principal editor of 3 textbooks and co-edited 2 textbooks focused on reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery and is in the process of completing a 6th textbook on abdominal wall reconstruction. He is the Section Editor for Breast Surgery with the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), serves on the editorial board for 3 other journals, and has reviewed manuscripts for 23 different journals. Dr. Nahabedian currently serves on the clinical symposia committee and the instructional course committee for the American Society of Plastic Surgery, is the PRS representative to the Joint Business Operations Committee, and is a frequent oral board examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In 2012, Dr Nahabedian chaired three national symposia that included the 4th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference, the Santa Fe Breast and Body Contouring Symposia, and the Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Conference. Dr. Nahabedian has also been a visiting professor 55 times over the past 8 years at various universities and hospitals around the country.

Considering Your Options able to continue with there normal activities without restriction. Women considering these options should be seen in consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

remove any of the muscle. The reconstructions are performed using only skin and fat and are referred to as perforator flaps. It is the skin and fat that make up the important components of a reconstructed breast. The most common and popular perforator flap is the DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) but other options include the SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery), SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator), TAP (thoracodorsal artery perforator), IGAP (inferior gluteal artery perforator), and the PAP (profunda artery perforator). Although these perforator flaps are capable of producing excellent results, they are associated with more complexity because most require microsurgery. A small artery and vein associated with the flap has to be attached to a small artery and vein at the breast site using an operating microscope. These flaps can be performed for unilateral or bilateral breast reconstructions and typically require 4-6 hours and 6-10 hours respectively depending on the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. The main risks associated with these flaps is that there is a 1-3% chance of failure and a 4-6% chance of a donor site abnormality such as a bulge or fluid collection. The main advantage is that the reconstructed breast is usually soft and supple, resembles the original breast, and lasts forever. Women are usually

Prosthetic Reconstruction Breast reconstruction using prosthetic devices remains the most common method of reconstruction in the USA and is utilized in approximately 75% of women. This is because it is relatively simple, has the potential for excellent aesthetic outcomes, and allows women to resume their normal activities sooner than some of the more complex operations. Ideal candidates for prosthetic reconstruction include women that are generally healthy, have a body mass index less than 30, and have mild to moderate breast volume. These operations can be performed in 1 or 2 stages. With the 1-stage reconstruction, a permanent implant is inserted following the mastectomy. This usually requires close coordination between the breast and plastic surgeon to ensure that the mastectomy is performed accordingly. With the 2-stage reconstruction, a tissue expander is temporarily inserted to either maintain the space or to further stretch the remaining breast skin following the mastectomy. The tissue expander is partially inflated during the initial operation and further expanded in the office. Once complete, the tissue expander is removed and replaced with a permanent implant. The permanent implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types. They can be round or contoured, saline or silicone gel filled, smooth or textured surface. Selection of the optimal device will depend on the womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body and breast characteristics as well as the experience of the plastic surgeon.

The use of acellular dermal matrices has facilitated the reconstructive process using prosthetic devices. These cadaveric skin materials have been demonstrated to possess regenerative properties and have been useful for improving surgical outcomes. A key point to remember with prosthetic devices is that they do not last forever. Most devices will last somewhere between 10 and 15 years so additional operations are typically required. The main adverse events associated with these devices include but are not limited to infection, capsular contracture, and rupture. It is also important to remember that silicone gel devices have been cleared by the FDA and deemed safe and effective for this purpose. Silicone gel implants are ideal for women that have had a mastectomy because the remain skin and fat of the breast is sparse and the silicone gel mimics the normal breast feel more closely that saline implants. With these recent advancements in breast cancer awareness and reconstruction, more women are now opting for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. The techniques have improved, as have the results.

Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS Professor: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Georgetown University Washington DC

Breast reconstruction is one of the best ways to facilitate the transition from being a breast cancer victim to a breast cancer survivor. Testimonial I developed an inverted nipple in 2006 but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think much about it until one morning I woke up with my T-shirt dappled in blood stains in the chest area. A mammogram revealed abnormalities and was told I should see a surgeon as soon as possible. I began my search and knowing Georgetown had great reputation I called Dr. Shawna Willey office. I was in her office the next day. Six months later I developed breast cancer in the opposite beast, and after two lumpectomies Dr. Willey sent me to Dr. Nahabedian to discuss DIEP Flap surgery. At the time Dr. Nahabedian was the only surgeon in the area who had the knowledge and expertise to do DIEP Flap surgery. I underwent mastectomy by Dr.Willey and followed by immediate DIEP Flap by Dr. Nahabedian. I am forever grateful for the concern and care I received and count myself very lucky to have had Dr. Nahabedian care for me. I have total faith in both doctors, they put my mind at ease and help me recover quickly. - Erna H Pomrenke

202-444-2000 DrNahabedian@aol.com www.MauriceNahabedian.com 3800 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007

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Caring For Alzheimer’s And Related Disorders In Assisted Living

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, impaired visuospatial skills, poor judgment, indifferent attitude but preserved motor function. AD usually begins after age 65, however, its onset may occur as early as age 40, appearing first as memory decline and, over time, destroying cognition, personality, and ability to function. Confusion and restlessness may also occur. The type, severity, sequence, and progression of mental changes vary widely. The early symptoms of AD, which include forgetfulness and loss of concentration, can be missed easily because they resemble natural signs of aging. Similar symptoms can also result from fatigue, grief, depression, illness, vision or hearing loss, the use of alcohol or certain medications, or simply the burden of too many details to remember at once. A major issue facing an increased number of families is the responsibility of providing care for their elderly parents or relatives. The challenge becomes especially great for those who notice that their loved-one can no longer handle many of the normal day-to-day tasks of living. Due to increased forgetfulness and fragility, there becomes a concern about how a parent is managing their finances, medication, nutrition, personal hygiene, up keep of home or apartment etc. Their living alone is no longer possible and a decision needs to be made. Assisted living may be an appropriate choice. What is Assisted Living? The Assisted Living Federation of America defines an assisted living residence as a special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs- both scheduled and unscheduled of those who need help with activities of daily living.

By By Halyna Halyna Conticchio Conticchio At Independence Manor those residents with mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type function with in a supportive yet home like environment. They are supervised and assisted as needed with their activities of daily living yet retain a level of independence. In house, individual and group programs include memory enhancement activities, pet therapy, gardening, crafts, physical exercise and socialization. Off premises outings via facility bus are also scheduled. Families whether far away or close by are comforted by the knowledge that their parent or relative is receiving the appropriate care and support which will ultimately enhance their quality of life.

5 EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S

From www.alz.org 1. MEMORY LOSS THAT DISRUPTS DAILY LIFE One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. 2. CHALLENGES IN PLANNING OR SOLVING PROBLEMS Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. 3. DIFFICULTY COMPLETING FAMILIAR TASKS AT HOME, AT WORK OR AT LEISURE People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show. 4. CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later. 5. TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

Alzheimer ’s Association Toll Free Helpline 1-800-883-1180 www.RVAWomensJournal.com

M Senior Living C y Beth Stowe, L.N.H.A. B

Beth Stowe, L.N.H.A. has worked in the nursing and rehabilitation industry since 1974 receiving her administrator’s license in 1987. After obtaining her license she transferred to Westport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center as the Administrator where she has spent the majority of her career dedicating herself to building Westport into the best possible center for nursing care and rehabilitative services in the Richmond area. Under her leadership Westport has become the top performing center in a company of over 60 nursing centers earning several center achievement awards. In addition Beth’s leadership and dedication have propelled the center to a level of excellence that has earned Westport it’s coveted 5 Star rating and recognition by US News and World Report as one of the nations top nursing centers.

Wii-Hab…Making Rehabilitation Fun

Nintendo’s Wii game console is one of the best selling game systems ever made with more than 96 million units sold since 2006. The Wii is a fixture in households around the world, but at health care centers like Westport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and even in your home, it is much more than a game. The Wii has become an exciting treatment tool used by physical and occupational therapists as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. This innovative approach is often called “Wii-Hab” and is being used to treat patients with a variety of illnesses or injuries including those suffering from Parkinson’s disease and stroke as well as orthopedic conditions. Virtual Reality Becomes Reality The Wii incorporates motion sensor technology, which means that it can sense your movement and respond to it. You can swing a tennis racquet, jog, dance, drive a golf ball, and do any of a number of other physical activities. The game reacts to your real world swing, step, and jump. Both therapists and patients at Westport agree that one of the best things about Wii-Hab is that it is fun, which means patients are more highly motivated and engaged with their rehab activities. From a therapeutic perspective, this motivation is important, but there is another benefit as well. The Wii enables patients to practice integration of skills while allowing the therapists to monitor how they are progressing in a more natural environment. For example, a traditional exercise routine might build muscle strength through a repeated action whereas Wii-Hab activity not only exercises that new strength, but also combines it with balance. Wii-Hab provides a way to practice using strength, balance, and weight shifting all within an integrated environment. According to Amy Gunter, Director of Rehabilitation, Wii is also great for building cognitive skills as it requires close attention to detail while following direction and command prompts.

tournaments between senior groups and clubs with teams of up to three people but can also be enjoyed by a single person. Wii Tennis and baseball both improve hand eye coordination, and because they involve swinging your arms, are great for building arm strength. For upper body Wii boxing provides one of the best workouts. Wii Fit has 15 yoga poses and 9 balance games that improve flexibility, strength, posture and balance. Safety Precautions When Using Wii at Home 1. Caution should be taken if you have: • Cardiovascular and/or pulmonary diagnoses • Diminished sensation • Diminished sense of where your body is in space • Problems with balance and/or falls • Difficulty following directions or memory problems These conditions don’t prohibit use of the Wii. Make sure you consult with your physician before using the Wii. 2. Never operate Wii console or remote within 9” of a pacemaker (read manual and follow manufacturer’s guidelines) 3. Seizure; about 1:4000 have seizure or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns while watching TV or playing video games,

even if they have never had seizures before 4. Motion Sickness 5. Repetitive motion injuries 6. Eyestrain Do not begin this or any exercise program without consulting with your physician or therapist and before playing Wii, make sure you have read the operations manual for important information regarding your health and safety. Rehab and the road to recovery after an illness or injury often can be hard work but the Wii may help “lighten the load” for many patients making it into a more enjoyable activity where you are moving physically and going through the motions to help you recover. To learn more about Wii-Hab or information about Westport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center call (804) 287-8600/www.westportrehab.com. Westport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is the only consistently rated 5 Star center under the Medicare rating system. In 2014, it was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top nursing centers in the nation. Our warm, friendly environment and commitment to each patient’s successful recovery has resulted in our reputation as one of the most highly sought after health care centers in Virginia. Disclaimer: Westport receives no financial compensation from Nintendo, Inc.

Westport…Your Road to Recovery Specializing in Medical and Physical Rehabilitation Orthopedics • Heart Failure Management • Stroke Recovery Physical, occupational, & speech therapy available 7 days a week Spacious 5,000 sq. ft. rehab gym: state-of-the art therapeutic equipment (E-stim, ultrasound, electromagnetic energy) Newly renovated rooms and amenities

Bridging Generations with Exercise Learning to use the Wii as part of therapy has given many patients a new link to their children or grandchildren and motivating them to practice with the Wii upon their return home because it is something that can be done with the entire family. Westport therapist can train family members on the therapeutic benefits of specific Wii games and exercises that will continue to benefit the patient after discharge.

The Area’s Only Consistently 5 Star Rated Rehabilitation & Nursing Center*

7300 Forest Avenue 804-287-8600 • www.WestportRehab.com

Getting Started Wii bowling has become a very popular game in terms of the formation of bowling leagues and

* Consistently rated the highest possible level (5 Star) since 2007, the inception of the Medicare Quality Rating System… The only one in the Richmond MSA to do so.

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M Business Financial C y Tiffany Snyder B

Tiffany Snyder is owner and founder of The Polished Edit, a copyediting and proofreading service provider. Tiffany attended Coppin State University where she studied Liberal Arts English. She has many years of experience writing and editing on both a personal and professional level. Much of Tiffany’s expertise was garnered through her years of experience working in the insurance industry. Tiffany loves all things related to words. She enjoys typography, calligraphy, reading, writing and playing word games. Tiffany decided to share her passion for the written word by offering her copy editing and proofreading services via the internet so that she can be of service to anyone regardless of their location. In addition to being enthusiastic about her craft, Tiffany also shares her love of art with her daughter, Amira Jael.

Grant Funding - Increase Your Chances

As with any form of written communication, the reader learns a lot about the writer. Your grant proposal is no exception. They will decide whether you are creative, logical, analytical, current in the relevant literature of your field, and, most importantly, capable. From reading your proposal, the reviewers will form an idea of who you are as a scholar, a professional, and a person. Your style of writing should reflect the conventions of your field, but also allow your voice and personality to come through. In some instances, your proposal speaks for you before you meet or speak with a potential grantor. Grant funding is becoming increasingly more competitive. For this reason, you cannot afford to make the mistake of underestimating your competition. Precise presentation of your ideas is a critical element of your professional success. Focusing on the execution of ideas will increase the likelihood that your proposal will be favorably reviewed and funded. Employ all means at your disposal to yield a meticulous, well-written proposal. Without exception, the document must meet all specified criteria. Throughout your proposal, be as explicit a possible, but especially about objectives, methodology and budget. There is a good chance that the potential grantors may not read the entire document initially. Preempt unstated questions by writing as transparently as possible. Clear, specific language must be used to keep the reader’s attention and to persuade the reader to fund your proposal. Final decisions about which proposals are funded often come down to whether or not the proposal convinces the grantor that the project is well planned and feasible. A strong proposal improves your chances of being perceived as well qualified and capable of executing the plan.

A growing number of grant writers recognize the value of using an editor to bolster the quality of their proposals. Here are a few ways a professional editing/proofreading process can assist you in sharpening your writing: Helps with simple proofreading and basic editing to achieve a grammatically correct and professionally polished document. Checks for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Verb tense consistency, nounverb agreement, and formatting consistency is also evaluated. Simple mistakes in these areas can be read as carelessness. They can take your proposal out of the running.

Helps to condense and improve the efficiency of your writing. When your goal is to make a lasting impression, a good edit will eliminate wordiness, yielding a more impactful message. Great writing is concise. In a perfect document your sentences will have no unnecessary words and your paragraphs will have no unnecessary sentences. Readers appreciate getting the information they’re looking for quickly and easily.

eye and ear of the reader by raising questions that arise naturally. The perspective of someone other than colleagues can bring questions to the table that those with insider knowledge may not consider. You need an objective review to point out areas of your writing that require further explanation. The editing process also questions your flow of thoughts, if necessary, to make sure your logic is sound. It takes time and persistence to succeed at securing funding. And even a perfectly written proposal written to the right prospect might be rejected for any number of reasons. A professional edit can help you eliminate some of the common

Helps with organization of the proposal. This is achieved through a stylistic edit of the document as a whole. Sizeable sections of the document are edited minimally or extensively (as needed) to maximize clarity. This may include significant re-writing and re-organization to ensure the most appealing presentation of your ideas.

reasons why proposals are rejected. Although this article focuses exclusively on the grant proposal, a review of your documents at every stage of the process is highly recommended. You should consider editing the letter of inquiry to the grantor, the proposal itself, revision submissions, and the letter of acceptance. The letter of acceptance is equally as important as the other documents. The truth of the matter is that money follows money. Past grant award recipients are more competitive and are more likely to receive future funding. If for no other reason, have all documents edited to maintain consistency in your writing.

Your ideas. Refined. Refinished. Your words. Restated. Renewed.

To boost the effectiveness of your communications... Contact Tiffany Snyder at tiffany@thepolishededit.com or call 888-663-4440

Provides feedback from a writer’s perspective. For example, an editor can tell you whether or not you have made explicit the connections between your objectives and methodology. The strength of your persuasion to fund your proposal lies in your ability to make these connections..

ThePolishedEdit.com

An editor can be your sounding board. Serving as the

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M Business Financial C

VISION

No cancer patient goes without needed support services.

MISSION

LINC eases the burden of cancer for patients and their families by providing assistance and referral to legal , financial and community resources.

Imagine being diagnosed with cancer and being too sick to work. If you can’t work, then how can you pay your bills? How can you pay our mortgage? How do you feed your family? How do you keep the lights on? What if your employer won’t let you take sick leave? All of these are stressful concerns that cancer patients may face. Stress can be a mild irritation when a deadline hits or a relentless force that consumes you in the worst situations. How you feel and how stress affects you can have negative effects on your health and wellbeing and the health of cancer patients. The American Institute of Stress describes stress as, “the nonspecific response of the body to any demand for change.” As anyone who has been stressed knows, this is a definition lacking in the full depth of the emotional and the physical affect one experiences. Stress can include a barrage of symptoms including: becoming easily agitated, frustrated, moody, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty relaxing, low self-esteem, loneliness, worthlessness, and depression. The physical symptoms of stress that manifest in the body include: low energy, headaches, weakening of the immune system, frequent colds and infections, upset stomach, nausea, aches, pains, tense muscles,

chest pain, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and nervousness (The American Institute of Stress). Your immune system is greatly affected by stress and the hormone, corticosteroid that is released when you are feeling stressed. This suppresses the immune system and thus delays recovery and healing. Imagine the impact this would have on a cancer patient. A new study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation finds that the activation of a master gene called ATF3 helps cells adapt to stress and may also be involved in causing breast, and possibly other cancers to spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Psychological stress that lasts a long time may affect a person’s overall health and ability to cope with cancer. People who are better able to cope with stress have a better quality of life while they are being treated for cancer. If coping with cancer wasn’t difficult enough, coping with cancer when you have major legal and financial issues seems a herculean task. According to the American Cancer Institute, when you are diagnosed with cancer you can experience shock, fear, hopelessness, sense of loss, anger, and depression. All of these are symptoms of or contribute to stress. If cancer wasn’t already devastating enough, there are a number of

How Stress Affects Cancer Patients

issues that arise with its diagnosis that are very taxing. Cancer is the number one most expensive disease for an individual in the US and 62% of all bankruptcies in the US involve medical debt. Along with the overwhelming feelings that come with such a diagnosis there are major issues that can arise including guardianship of children, employer discrimination, insurance coverage, insurance denial, disability denial, estate planning, foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction, creditors, and debt. The good news about all of these issues is that the Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC) can help with all of them, help relieve some of the oppressive stress a cancer survivor can feel, and allow them to be freed of its burden so they can focus on what is important: health and healing, family and friends. LINC doesn’t just offer services to relieve the stress of cancer survivors we also offer free seminars and host events. We firmly believe that knowledge is power and by providing valuable information to cancer patients, we can empower them to be their own best advocate. LINC hosts annual free tax and Affordable Care Act seminars along with free wills clinics to educate our survivors. To celebrate the strength of survivors, LINC offers an event that provides the one of best medicines we know: laughter.

Here’s Laughing at You, Cancer is an annual comedy show and fundraiser made for survivors, starring survivors, and about survivors. Partnering with the Coalition Theater comedians and showcasing cancer survivor monologues, LINC provides a unique opportunity to laugh in the face of cancer and heal a little bit in the process. We are thrilled to be able to put a well-known survivor in the spotlight, Napkin Notes dad Garth Callaghan!

Upcomming Event: Join us on Wednesday, November 5 at the Speakeasy at the Hippodrome Theater. LINC offers a special ticket price of $15 for survivors and students or $20 general admission. Go to www.cancerlinc.org to get your tickets and to learn more.

By Lindsey C. Leach

Lindsey Leach earned her B.A. from Christopher Newport University in Sociology with an Anthropology concentration and English with a Journalism concentration. After working for The Daily Press, at a Montessori school, and at Henrico County, Lindsey reoriented herself toward a field that had always been near and dear to her: nonprofit. Soon after becoming the Executive Assistant at the Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC), Lindsey earned two certificates from the University of Richmond’s Institute on Philanthropy in Nonprofit Marketing, and Fundraising and Development. She is currently enrolled in UR’s SPCS Master’s in Nonprofit Studies program. Lindsey continues to progress and excel within her position, as she manages the office and donor database, is responsible for volunteer recruitment, outreach and education, marketing, social media, development and fundraising, and event planning. Lindsey recently received a promotion at LINC and is now the Development, Special Events, and Volunteer Coordinator.

LEGAL INFORMATION NETWORK FOR CANCER WWW.CANCERLINC.ORG 1423 JOHNSTON WILLIS DR RICHMOND, VA 23235 804-562-0371 X1

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M Business Financial C y Shavannia Williams, President and Editor, Heels & Helmets B

Shavannia Williams is the founding partner of SW Group, a marketing and communications firm in Washington, DC that specializes in using media, events, technology and sports. She is also the president and editor of Heels & Helmets, a company that levels the playing field in professional environments by educating and exposing women to different sports. Prior to starting her own businesses, she worked in marketing for sports teams including the Detroit Lions, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards. Previous and current clients include DC Women’s Business Center, Microsoft, NFL PLAYERS, USA TODAY Charitable Foundation, United Way Worldwide NFL Partnership and YUM! Foundation.

Football For Business

What do these football analogies mean? Why should women care? Sports analogies are commonly used in business environments to build camaraderie among employees (the team), identify responsibilities (player positions) and communicate the strategy (game plan) to meet business objectives (Win!). They aim to connect everyone to the emotions generated in sporting competitions. They can be effective in engaging staff and creating the competitive spirit that we see on the football field. However, if the audience does not understand the sport, the message is not conveyed. This is the case for many women when football analogies are used in the conference room. Even some women who watch their alma maters play football or tune in for the NFL’s Super Bowl, do not understand the fundamentals of the sport. Therefore, they tune out when the analogies from the sport are used, laugh at inappropriate times or do not actively participate in the conversations. All of these actions are not conducive to building rapport with colleagues and getting positive attention from your superiors. Football is played between two teams with the object being to score the most points. Each team has three units: offense (move the ball to score), defense (stop the other team from scoring) and special teams (handle all kicking situations). Each team can only have 11 players on the field at one time. Since businesses focus on increasing revenue (scoring), we are going to review the offense. Offense The goal of the offense is to move the ball down the field to the defense’s end zone to score points.

“Come on , it’s 4th and inches!” “We have to dominate the line of scrimmage!” This team is referred to as having “possession,” meaning that it possesses control of the football. The offense makes progress toward their goal by accumulating yards. This attempt to get more yards and move down the field is known as a “Drive.”

catches the ball in the end zone, recovers a fumble in the end zone or the kicking team recovers a kickoff in the end zone. Extra Point (1 point) – Kicking the ball from the opponent’s 2 yard line through the goal post after scoring a touchdown.

The offense has four downs (opportunities) to gain 10 yards. If they are successful, they receive another set of four downs. This is signaled by a “First Down.” This continues until the offense scores or does not earn a first down and loses control of the ball giving the other team possession of the ball, at that point, and the opportunity to start their drive in the opposite direction.

Two-point Conversion (2 points)– After scoring a touchdown, begin at the opponent’s 2 yard line and carry the ball into the end zone or catch the ball in the end zone. Field Goal (3 points) – Kicking the ball from anywhere on the field through the goal post.

Players on offense. 1. Quarterback – Team leader on the field. Sometimes decides and always executes the plays. Runs, hands off or throws the ball. 2. Center – Gives the ball (snap) to the quarterback and then blocks the defense. 3. Guards and Tackles – Hold the defense away from the quarterback and running backs. 4. Wide Receivers – Catch the ball from the quarterback.

Understanding the offense provides clarity to these analogies. “We’re at first and 10.” - You have four attempts to gain 10 more yards and earn a new set of downs. You are at the beginning of a new assignment and can pace yourself to complete the next task. (Think of first downs as tasks, scoring as short-term goals and a victory as long-term goals.) “Its third and long.” - This is usually used when the offense has more than 8 yards to gain for a first down. The results of this attempt will decide the strategy for the

fourth down. This means that you are in a difficult situation, but you could pull it off. To be successful, your strategy must be one that gains a lot of yards fast because you do not have a lot of time or opportunities to reach the goal. So, your plan must sell more products immediately, not over the next five years. “Its fourth and inches (or goal).” – This is your final attempt to get a first down or score. You are close, but if you fail, the competition gets the ball. (The pressure is on!) Many times, teams elect to punt the ball in this situation because they want the other team to start their drive as far from their end zone as possible. So, if the coach elects not to punt, it demonstrates that he believes that his team can accomplish the goal during an intense situation. Don’t let him down! Do not miss out on networking opportunities that come from sports. Get in the game and win! To expand your knowledge on football and other sports, follow Heels & Helmets online at www. heelsandhelmets.com and twitter @ HeelsandHelmets.

5. Running Backs – Receive hand offs from the quarterback. 6. Tight Ends – Block the defense and catch passes. Scoring Points in football are scored by the offense in, primarily, the four following methods: Touchdown (6 points) - Player carries the ball into the end zone,

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Ladies, get in the game and win!

™

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Tackling Diabetes

The YMCA of Greater Richmond Implements New Programs

Are you at risk for diabetes? Chances are you might be. In the United States alone, 29.1 million people have diabetes and 86 million have prediabetes. Here in Virginia, research indicates about 1 in 7 adults has diabetes, and one out of every three who have it don’t know. These statistics are alarming, and the impact on the cost of health care and the overall well-being of our communities makes preventing the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes more important than ever before. The Y is a leading nonprofit improving the nation’s health. In communities across the country, the Y helps people achieve wellbeing, reduce their risk for chronic disease and reclaim their health. Here in Greater Richmond, the Y is on the forefront of preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Last year, the Y launched both the Diabetes Control Program and Diabetes Prevention Program. Both are part of the Y’s effort to stem the tide of the diabetes crisis that threatens the Richmond community. Already the Prevention Program is showing measurable results. Research by the National Institutes of Health has shown that programs like the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program reduce the number of new cases of diabetes by 58% overall and by 71% in individuals over age 60. Meanwhile, 69% of participants in the YMCA Diabetes Control Program lowered their HbA1c score resulting in

the reduction of prescription medications and therefore associated medical costs. The nation’s struggle with obesity and type 2 diabetes is no surprise but the number of people with prediabetes is a growing issue, especially when only a small percent realize they have the condition. Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Often a preventable condition, people with prediabetes can reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by adopting behavior changes that include eating healthier and increasing physical activity. People with prediabetes are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions. The Y is receiving widespread support for both programs. The YUSA – funded through the Centers for Disease Control supports the prevention program. Meanwhile, the diabetes control program is funded by a $97,000 grant through the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation. As a leading voice on improving the nation’s health and well-being, the YMCA of Greater Richmond encourages all adults to take control of their health. “Learning your risk for prediabetes and making lifestyles changes is easy to say, but oftentimes hard

to do” said Jana Smith, director of community health for the YMCA of Greater Richmond. “The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone – the Y can help a person get on the path to a healthier life.We have a program for people with type 2 diabetes and people with prediabetes. Both programs are facilitated in a small group, classroom setting to teach individuals how to incorporate healthier eating and moderate physical activity into their daily life.” It’s not just individuals who can benefit from the Y’s diabetes programs. The Y has options to

include it into a business’ Employee Wellness plan, lowering company costs. In fact, over eight percent of the U.S. workforce suffers from diabetes making it among the top 10 mostly costly physical health conditions for employers in both direct (hospitalizations, medical and outpatient care, etc.) and indirect costs (absenteeism, lost productivity at work, short-term disability, etc.). Financial assistance is available for both programs. To learn more, visit ymcarichmond.org/diabetes or stop by a Y near you and speak to a representative.

SOME BASIC LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO WEIGHT LOSS AND AN INCREASED FOCUS ON HEALTHY LIVING CAN DECREASE THE RISK FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES. AMONG THESE ARE: • EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY. • CHOOSE FISH, LEAN MEATS AND POULTRY WITHOUT SKIN. • AIM FOR WHOLE GRAINS WITH EVERY MEAL. • BE MODERATELY ACTIVE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES PER DAY FIVE DAYS A WEEK. • CHOOSE WATER TO DRINK INSTEAD OF BEVERAGES WITH ADDED SUGAR. • SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR DIABETES RISK FACTORS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE OR ARE OVERWEIGHT.

About The YMCA

The mission of the YMCA of Greater Richmond is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, strengthening the foundations of community is its cause. For 160 years, the YMCA of Greater Richmond has worked to uplift families and improve the quality of life across communities. Its commitment to not only promise, but deliver, lasting personal and social change is more important than ever. To be a part of the impact the Y makes every day, visit ymcarichmond.org.

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M Fitness Lifestyle C y Riche Holmes Grant, Esq. B

Mompreneur Riche Holmes Grant, Esq. creates innovative products and learning tools that make life in the mommy lane easier and refreshingly more stylish in the process. As a designer, she produces the BambiniWare line of functional and fashionable baby + mommy gear. As an entrepreneur with two businesses under her belt since 2003, she teaches other women how chart their own paths to entrepreneurship. As a modern mom, she uses her experience to help other moms master the art of mommyhood without losing themselves in the process. When Riche’s not busy receiving instructions from her toddler boss, she’s in the kitchen whipping up delicious baby gourmet creations...in her BambiniWare apron...of course.

How to Make Your Baby’s First Foods

So, your baby is now 4-6 months old and you think it’s time to introduce solid foods. Perhaps you’re excited. Perhaps you have a ton of questions. Perhaps you’re terrified. Or, perhaps you’re all of the above, like I was. All of this is completely normal...just in case you’re wondering. Whether you choose to make all of your baby’s food like I did or combine a select few staples with store-bought goodies, here’s a quick 5-step guide to help you through Stage 1 (up to 8 or 9 months) of your baby’s introduction to solid foods. * Important: always consult your own doctor before introducing solid foods to your baby. Step 1: Prep First, make sure that you have a high-quality blender (you don’t need to buy a special baby food cooker, but you do need a good, reliable blender that will “smoothify” the food with ease). You’ll also need a colander, food storage containers, food cube trays, a steamer and a wooden or rubber spatula. In the past, pediatricians suggested starting with a single grain (e.g., rice cereal), but there’s no medical evidence that doing so promotes better growth and development than

other foods, as explained by our pediatrician, Dr. Toni Thompson-Chittams. Per her recommendation, I started with orange foods first, then moved to green foods, then fruits, then grains and proteins in Stages 2 and 3. Use fresh fruits and veggies and buy organic whenever possible. Ideally, you should plan to use what you buy within 1-2 days after purchasing. Wash foods thoroughly in cold running water; and chop, peel and/ or pit, if necessary. For a handy chart to keep track of which foods you can serve your baby and when, visit www.BambiniWare.com.

Do not add spices during this stage, and especially not salt or sugar, until the later stages.

Introduce each food in isolation, waiting 3-4 days to watch for allergic reactions before you introduce another food. “Common allergic reactions include skin rashes, such as eczema, respiratory issues such as wheezing and congestion, vomiting and diarrhea and bloody diarrhea with some weight loss,” says Dr. ThompsonChittams. If any of these occur, stop the food immediately and contact your pediatrician. Step 2: Cook Start with small batches and once you find that your baby likes a certain food (and that s/he’s not allergic to it), you can make larger batches to store for later. Bake or steam the veggies to retain more nutrients; and cook until soft and tender, but not mushy. Steam apples, pears and prunes before pureeing, but for other Stage 1 fruits like mangos, peaches, plums, etc., you can puree without steaming. For very soft fruits like bananas and avocados, just mash them with a fork and serve immediately to avoid browning.

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Step 3: Puree Depending on the consistency of the food, you may be able to puree it by itself after cooking (e.g., steamed apples). Sometimes, however, you’ll have to add liquid to thin it out (e.g., sweet potatoes). In that case, use the leftover cooking liquid instead of plain water to return a few nutrients to the puree. Your goal is to get a smooth puree with no chunks. You can add breast milk or formula to give a nutritional boost and make the texture a bit creamier. If you do, be sure to only add these to individual servings on demand and not to the whole batch. In those instances, discard any leftovers once mealtime is over; do not reheat the individual servings later. Step 4: Store Once you puree, allow the food to cool and then put it in a few containers (ideally, within an hour) to keep in the refrigerator for a day or two. You can keep containers of freshly made food for up to 72 hours, though 48 is preferred. Pour the rest of the cooled batch in food cube trays and freeze overnight. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and put them into freezer bags. Putting the cubes in the bags

frees up space in your freezer and allows you to re-use the trays when it’s time to make your next batch. Each cube is 1 ounce, which is great to know when you’re making portions. Do not refreeze purees after defrosting. Step 5: Serve Before serving your baby, stir the puree around the bowl to distribute the heat. The food should be no warmer than body temperature. Start with a serving size of 2-3 tablespoons, which is about 1.5 fluid ounces. In my experience, it was always safe to start with the 2-ounce food containers as a gauge. If my daughter wanted less, that was fine, and if she wanted more, I just added to it. If your baby doesn’t finish a serving, be sure to discard the leftovers since the baby’s saliva can it make easy for bacteria to grow in the food. Don’t forget that your baby should still be drinking milk even after you introduce solids. On average, babies who are 4-6 months old should consume 24-32 ounces of breastmilk or formula a day.” says Dr. Thompson-Chittams.

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Dos and Don’ts of Bra Shopping After Breast Augmentation

If you have decided to “enhance” your bust line, here are some tips I will pass along from a New York plastic surgeon who is an advisor to the bra and intimate apparel industry. One of the things women most look forward to after breast augmentation surgery is getting brand new, stylish bras to show off their enhanced figure. Bra shopping after breast augmentation is an exciting time and we want to help make your experience a success. Wear the Right Bra at the Right Time - While fancy

lace undergarments might start calling your name soon after the bandages are removed; wait until you have your doctor’s approval before you start wearing a regular bra. A support bra may be needed for several days after surgery. Additionally you may need to avoid underwire bras for a period of time. Listen to your doctor and give your breasts time to heal properly. Get professionally sized and fitted, here, at Bare Essentials. You may have

discussed a desired bra size with

By Debbie Esslinger, Owner, Bare Essentials your surgeon, but that doesn’t mean this is the exact size you’ll actually end up with after surgery. Getting measured will help you buy the right size bra. You may need to be professionally fitted a couple of times in the months following surgery as your implants settle. Don’t Buy All Your Bras at Once - It can be tempting to

go out and pick up a whole new lingerie wardrobe at once after breast augmentation, but it is wise to wait. Your breast size and shape will continue to change for up to 6 months after surgery. Buy a new bra or two and then wait and see how your size changes. Although we love having you purchase numerous bras at Bare Essentials, don’t waste hundreds of dollars on bras that you might not be able to wear in a few months’ time. We know and understand your situation. Don’t Rush Shopping - Bra

shopping isn’t something you can squeeze into a spare 10 minutes. Plan your first post-augmentation shopping trip for a time when you can really focus. Our fitters are caring and knowledgeable professionals and we will take the

time needed to help you decide. You’ll want to try on a variety of different bra types and styles. No two bras fit alike so you may have to try on several styles and sizes before finding the right ones. Don’t just analyze how you look with your clothes off; you’ll also want bras that flatter under clothing. You will probably need a variety of styles and types for the best fit under tanks, t-shirts, strapless pieces and sweaters. Don’t Be Surprised If Your Size Isn’t What You Expect - Before breast augmentation,

most doctors will work closely with each patient to determine

desired breast size and shape. Many patients will tell them a specific size they would like to be (34D for example). This information is then used to select implants, but does not necessarily reflect the final size of a patient after surgery. Our industry expert Physician reminds women “Bra Cup sizes are not standardized. Doctors cannot guarantee a specific bra size when performing surgery. You should work with your personal surgeon to determine the size and shape of the breasts you want, but don’t worry so much about the numbers. The overall look you achieve after surgery is what actually matters”.

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M Fashion Beauty C Presented by Jacqueline Bonhomme

Tired of those wrinkles, uneven skin texture, or loose skin? Tried it all with no results? Then this IS your answer!

Wisdom & Wrinkles? Do they have to come together?

Not necessarily. You can keep the wisdom from your years of life experience AND look younger than your actual physical years. How? First, let’s start with the basics on wrinkle prevention. Wrinkle prevention needs to start in your 20’s. By the mid-30’s most women will start to show the first signs of aging. You may experience aging signs even earlier than 30, if you have not followed the 5 rules of wrinkle prevention: •

Avoid the sun and wear sunscreen

•

Don’t smoke

•

Get adequate sleep

•

Eat more fruits, vegetables and fish with essential fatty acids (omega 3)

•

A consistent skin care regimen

Most people have violated at some point in time one or more of the above rules. So what do you do if you find yourself in your mid 30’s, 40’s or older and you haven’t done all the right things. Can you reverse the bad habits of youth? Can you reverse the natural course of aging? Are there processes and products that work? The answer is YES. Just in the past few years, there has emerged a new “first of its kind” natural skin care product line utilizing the new patented extraction technology NBio-PL2 TM and the resulting new NAE-8® (Nerium Aloe Extract), see www.nerium skin.com for scientific details. The science is impressive but the results are what count. Personal testimonials with accompanying before and after pictures with Nerium are abundant. Email No2wrinkles@gmail.com to be sent a link or video of real people with real results or go to link directly at www.nerium.com/ClinicalTrials. aspx?ID=imb. So the answer to “Do wisdom and wrinkles have to come together?” is a resounding NO. You can have wisdom without the wrinkles. There

is hope for everyday people that want to look younger and perhaps haven’t been quite as attentive to their skin care regimen in the past. Just the Facts…Please I know, you may be thinking: “This skincare product is just like the all the rest. How do I know it is going to work?” For that very reason, Nerium selected ST&T Research in San Francisco and their highly qualified pharmacologists, scientists and researchers to conduct an independent clinical study. ST&T randomly selected 35 study participants who had no knowledge of the product and conducted a 30day test. Michael Scott, owner of ST&T, says NeriumAD shows promise in and out of the lab: “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” For most skincare product studies, Scott notes that his researchers are happy to see a 2 to 5 percent statistical improvement throughout a 30 to 40 day period. “In this night cream, we saw improvement from baseline in some women to 35, 45, 55 and even some 60 percent improvement in appearance in a short period of time, that’s significant” says Scott.

Why haven’t I heard of NeriumAD before? If you haven’t heard about NeriumAD yet it is because the marketing of the product line started only two and a half years ago. It is just a matter of time before more will learn about this breakthrough anti-aging regimen. We have been reported on CBS LA news show and on the popular television show The View. The success of our product is evident in the success of our company. In 2013, the NeriumAD International reached 100 million in sales. Customers that recommend to friends are eligible for free product. The product is distributed through a network of Brand Partners. Learn

Natural Products with Above and Beyond Quality Control The product is paraben-free, noncomedogenic, and cruelty-free. Something else that is missing as a main ingredients is water. Many beauty products use water as a main ingredient because it is cheap and it fills the bottle. Instead, NeriumAD boasts their NAE-8 extract (patent received in 2013) and proteins as their main ingredients, showing they are committed to a high-quality product. Before applying any product to your skin, it’s important to do research and read the labels. Nourishing the skin with naturally derived ingredients to offer improved appearance is the wisest way to go. Everything else is just junk food for the skin.

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more about building a customer base and earning some extra income by emailing ? Confidence Attracts More Positive Life Results Looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning and seeing your face match your inside beauty increases your confidence. With increased confidence, you will continue or start to attract more of what you want in life. Another distinguishing quality of the NeriumAD experience is that there is no risk. There is a 30day money back guarantee. We are that confident in our results. For more information, please call us at 804 818 6131

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Look Good Feel Better Look Good Feel Better is a free national public service program that is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the Professional Beauty Association. The program teaches women cancer patients to manage the appearance side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Group sessions in the Richmond area are led by trained beauty professionals.

Are Look Good Feel Better services really free?

The program is free to women going through or just completing cancer treatment. The Personal Care Products Council raises money and donates individual cosmetic products and the American Cancer Society administers the program nationally through trained volunteers, whom the Professional Beauty Association helps to recruit.

perhaps most valuable of all, participants receive the support of other women coping with cancer treatment – those about to go through it, those experiencing it, and those who’ve been there. Time after time, women who considered staying home tell program volunteers how glad they are to have made the effort to come. They say that the impact on their looks and outlooks is immeasurable.

Does the program recommend any particular cosmetic or skin care brands to use during cancer treatments?

Look Good Feel Better does not recommend products by brand, but does believe mild products are best. The program’s website recommends that before adopting any skin care regimen, be sure to have your physician’s OK.

Does Look Good Feel Better have a What will patients learn by going to a group program for men undergoing cancer treatments? program that they can’t learn at home? Group programs are step-by-step makeover learning sessions led by trained cosmetology professionals. Any questions patients may have – such as how to fill in or draw in eyebrows or how to camouflage particular types of pigmentation – will be answered firsthand. Every participant receives a free makeup kit with brand-name cosmetics to use during the session and to take home, helping minimize shopping time and expense. There are opportunities to learn how to use wigs, hats and turbans in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. And,

A self-help brochure and video for men undergoing cancer treatment provides information on appearance-related side effects of treatment as well as other useful tips. A PDF version of the brochure is available on line at www. lookgoodfeelbetter.org, or by calling 800-395LOOK (5665)

Upcoming Greater Richmond Sessions:

For For more more information information and and cancer cancer support, support, call call the the American American Cancer Cancer Society Society 24 24 hours, hours, seven seven days days a a week week at at 800-227-2345 800-227-2345

The Hawthorne Located in the Thomas Johns Cancer Center on the Johnston-Willis Hospital Campus To register: American Cancer Society-804.527.3700, opt. 3 November 20

John Randolph Medical Center - Hopewell To register: American Cancer Society - 804.527.3700, opt. 3 November 3 Southside Regional Medical Center - Petersburg To register: Lori McNulty—804-765-5095 November 18 Hanover Massey Cancer Center - Mechanicsville To register: Whitney Burton - 804.828.1066 December 1

Bon Secours Cancer Institute at St. Francis To register: American Cancer Society-804.527.3700, opt. 3 November 3, December1

Massey Cancer Center MCV/VCU - Richmond To register: Whitney Burton 804.828.1066 November 3

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital - Forest Medical Plaza To register: Elizabeth Adamson 804.237.7950 October 20, November 17, December 15 Bon Secours Cancer Institute at St. Mary’s Hospital To register: Cathy Willis - 804.287.7809 November 17

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My clients love it here.” -

7465 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707

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y J. Christian of J. Christian Studio B

“Really friendly and fun atmosphere. J Christian Studio is an award-winning, upscale salon located in Hockessin, Delaware. We are accredited by the We ar PROFESSIONAL really close. The Better Business Bureau of Delaware and recipient of a Torch Award for Market Place Ethics. Theenvironment salon is theis stress-free b HAIR all work of together to make this the best concept of J Christian, an International Platform Artist and Master Educator and aweMember the New Castle atmosphere for our clients. I love working h County Chamber of Commerce. STYLISTS Donna

Full-Time Part-Time You’ve built your book; want a place with no drama, where your boss respects you. Join this award-winning salon today.

No One Wants To Be THAT “I loved working here. people. If you are looki and to take your career Guy Or Girl With BAD HAIR. the place. If I didn’t m still be at the studio.” Trendy Versus Functionality

No one wants to be THAT guy or girl with BAD HAIR. This article is not about products, this article is for those who have been dealt the genetic equivalent of “Unpredictable Airline Travel” for hair. Coarse hair, cowlicks, kinky curly, thinning or fine, thick and abundant, burnt, dry, uneven crown line, uneven nape line; there’s quite a long list of challenges. For a plethora of reasons they find their hair to be the biggest challenge each time they lift their head from the pillow and the weather outside rarely assists. Mornings can be a nightmare, simplicity seems to be the answer but I say, within reason you too can have fashionable hair.

Trendy Cuts for Every Caveat and Category of Hair

There are trendy cuts for every lifestyle: conservative to ultra-edgy. On one end of the spectrum, the deep swing and cropped nape for the bobs seems pretty hot right now and on the other end the long hair is either pin straight or mega ringlet romantic look. There’s a never ending range of cuts in between and color runs the gamut from soft white platinum to gem tone rainbow masterpieces. The only two limiting factors as I can see it are: 1. Your Stylist’s level of mastery in advanced cutting,

of your face, the construction of your scalp and your hair type are always a consideration with every haircut. If you have any of the issues with your hair we’ve been talking about in this article (depending on the severity) I’d recommend you consult with a senior or master stylist.

coloring, and styling techniques 2. Your desire for the look and your ability to re-create and care for this new look on a daily basis Trendy is EASIER to accomplish when your hair cooperates, but what about when it resists?

Over their career they’ve perfected their technique to the point of anticipating hair fall with each snip of the scissor. They have learned to cut within and in compliment to your human architecture in ways that add control to curly hair, offset/ diffuse the appearance of cowlicks or thinning hair. This takes EXPERIENCE and until you sit in the chair of a master stylist you will never know the difference.

Functionality for Every Caveat and Category of Hair

For these clients, function takes precedence over trend. I AM NOT SAYING they are beyond a trendy look; however the savvy Stylist can deliver a functional cut with a trendy feel. Putting lifestyle aside for a moment, IT IS a given this is under consideration. I just want to talk about technique as a solution. The two same limiting factors above apply here but with a different perspective. Human Architecture The shape of your head, the shape

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Collaborative Coloring Takes Vision When people hate their hair they go neutral (mousy brown) or mainstream (unremarkable blonde); nothing fantastic or

“A place I love to go to work every day. whole the studio has wonderful, fantas base. They’re upbeat and happy and sin no friction between the stylists and J, it this the best place to work.” - Kathy

attention grabbing. The sad truth – people will always notice your hair because IT FRAMES YOUR FACE! The beautiful truth, color moves us. Humans are attracted to beautiful places because of the depth and richness of colors and hues in the view. They love how those colors make them feel, they just want to sit in the warmth of those colors and absorb everything around them in comfort. With proper placement and professional technique, coloring your hair with the right tones and shades, will soften your look, drawing the eye to the color and away from any hair challenge. In my experience people first compliment color then cut (when both are present). I’m not saying a color and cut will fix everything. I am saying a talented, well-educated and practiced Stylist can do wonders with your hair and possibly boost your self-esteem. Look, you’re already living the alternative. Heads up girl, my best J Christian.

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Are You At Risk? By Dolores Waddell

Studies show that olive oil may play a part in reducing rates or risk of some types of cancer, particularly colon, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. A study published in the January 2005 issue of Annals of Oncology has identified oleic acid (the main component of olive oil) as having the ability to reduce the effect of an oncogene (a gene that will turn a host cell into a cancer cell). This particular oncogene

is associated with the rapid growth of breast cancer tumors. The conclusion of the researchers was that oleic acid, when combined with drug therapy, encouraged the self-destruction of aggressive, treatmentresistant cancer cells, thus helping to combat the cancer. Olive oil has been positively indicated in studies on prostate and endometrial cancers as well. One way to take charge of your life is to know your Body Mass Index (BMI); based on weight and height, it is an indicator of how healthy your body is, also, changing eating habits and using EVOO can play a part! As quoted from the book called, The Pink Ribbon Diet, A Revolutionary New Weight Loss Plan a “certainty is the more body fat you have, the higher your cancer risk is.” The book uses a plant based olive oil diet and has 150 easy recipes that use extra virgin olive oil because of the health benefits. Not sure where to start, check your BMI and consider that a first step to healthy living. Then, stop in and taste a variety of EVOO and flavored oils to enhance your healthy eating! Check out our new Cooking and Nutrition Classes –

plan to join us and like us on Facebook.com/ fusionstasterschoice. Look for the link to calculate your BMI on our website and to order your book, shop.fusionstasterschoice.com, along with the following: • • • •

Gift Sets: individual, wedding and corporate Cooking Classes Nutrition Classes Free Tastings

Sources: The Olive Oil Source web site and The Pink Ribbon Diet book.

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Women’s Journal

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M Fitness Lifestyle C y Yvonne M. Cimo B

Bored with your Treadmill? Try Dancing! It is the Best Cure for Two Left Feet And…Maybe a Possible Remedy for So Much More

Dancing And Your Health

Why ballroom dancing? Let me share a bit of my personal experience. Attending my very first ballroom dance class well over a dozen years ago, I found myself in a situation where I felt shy, awkward and unsure that I really wanted to pursue this activity. I struggled to find my place in this new arena. Patient teachers, repetition, and a stick to it attitude helped me gain confidence. I find I now hold my head higher, dress differently and walk with greater assurance. I want the same for my students. I really like to see the light in their eyes when they find joy in movement. My goal is the same; teach, encourage, equip students to experience and enjoy the Gifts of Dance. Including Physical, Mental, & Social Benefits “Dance is a very powerful drug Mr. Keane. If embraced judiciously, it can exorcise demons, access deep seated emotions, and color your life in joyous shades of brilliant magenta that you never knew existed. But, one must shoulder its challenges with intrepid countenance if one is ever to reap its rewards.” - From the 2005 Movie: Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School Dance raises our self esteem. Learning to move as one with a partner requires a knowledge of frame and how we move together. By working on this we develop better posture, poise, and balance and so very much more can happen once we take up this incredible hobby.

Just a Few Studies That Confirm the Physical Benefits of Dancing Dance and Alzheimer’s disease The Einstein Aging Study, summarized in the June 19, 2003 New England Journal of Medicine. The results of the study indicate that ballroom dancing helps prevent dementia. A group of 469 men and women were studied between the years 1980 and

2001. Each member gave details about participation in six brain stimulating hobbies; reading, writing for pleasure, doing crosswords, playing musical instruments, taking part in group discussions and playing board games and 11 physical activities including: ballroom dancing, team sports, swimming and bicycling. The researchers found no significant association between physical activities and the risk of dementia – except for ballroom dancing. The amazing 76% risk reduction from frequent participation in ballroom dancing by 130 avid dancers was the highest score of all hobbies and physical activities measured in the study. Dr. Joe Verghese, assistant professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York, offered the theory that the requirements of ballroom dancing: remembering the steps, moving in precise time to the music and adapting to the movements of one’s partner – are mentally demanding exercises. Ballroom dancing offers both physical and mental stimulation. Try Dancing for Heart Health A study conducted by medical researchers in Italy found that people with mild to moderate heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, their breathing and their quality of life significantly more than those who exercised by bicycling or walking on a treadmill.

• • • • • •

According to Elliott M. Antman, MD, a heart specialist at Harvard Medical School, “Dancing appears to be an attractive and fun way for heart failure patients to get their exercise,” Antman said. “I highly recommend it.” Tango Classes Put Parkinson’s Patients a Step Ahead From a study published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis medical school compared the effects of Argentine tango lessons and exercise classes on the functional mobility of 19 Parkinson’s patients. The patients were randomly assigned to do 20 onehour tango classes or group strength and exercise sessions designed for Parkinson’s patients and the elderly. All the patients were assessed prior to the start of these activities and after they completed the

The dancers reported many benefits of dancing: slightly better results for sleep, mood, and their ability to have sex, pursue hobbies and do housework than the group that followed more traditional cardiac rehab. Dancing allows you to work at your fitness level, increasing speed and footwork as your strength and stamina improve. Other benefits of dancing for health include: • Using more of your muscle

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groups for overall toning Improving balance, which can help you avoid falling injuries Reducing stress Improving your social life and making new friends Having fun and feeling young Using Oxygen more efficiently Patients stuck to their programs longer

sessions. The dance classes included stretching, balance exercises, tangostyle walking, footwork patterns, experimenting of timing of steps, and dance with and without a partner. By the end of the sessions, both groups showed significant improvements in standard tests designed to measure mobility. People in the tango group showed more improvement in balance than those in the exercise group. “This type of therapy looks to be superior to what is currently offered,” Researcher Madeline E. Hackney, a pre-doctoral trainee in movement science, said in a prepared statement. “The quality of life improved in these patients because of the social aspect of dancing.” Social Ease, Emotional Lifelines & the ‘Hug Theory’ For many people, there is emptiness, loneliness, something missing in their life. Ballroom & Latin Dance offers something wonderful to fill that void and offers so many great benefits too. Regular dance classes give people a chance to become much more at ease in a social situation. The dance position used in Ballroom and Latin Dancing is very similar to a hug. It is believed that this is part of the attraction of getting to dance together in a closed hold and that is a very basic human need for connection.

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y Amy McVaugh B

Amy McVaugh, Studio Coordinator for Heather House Studio of Photography, ensures all orders are filled and meet strict quality control standards. Amy also fills in wherever needed at the studio from smoothing a client’s hair in the camera room to assisting with Marketing. Amy is also currently a student at John Tyler Community College and enrolled in the Photography and Film Specialization Program.

Choosing The Right Photographer For Your High School Senior

As your high school senior begins an exciting new chapter in their life, it can be a great investment to document and celebrate this important milestone by having professional photographic images taken. Quite often, school photographers automatically give all high school seniors a prescheduled appointment with a photographer of the school’s own choosing. Parents sometimes do not know that they can choose a photographer on their own, and making that choice may be a great investment in the long run. After all, your child is only a high school senior once. The photos taken today will be the ones shown at future high school reunions. Professional photographs can showcase not only what your Senior looks like, but their invaluable interests, activities, and personality.

Seek References The best way to begin your search is by asking family, friends and neighbors for recommendations. Look for positive experiences such as relaxing, unhurried sessions. Does the photographer take time to get to know the student? Did they pay attention to small details and address questions? An experienced, reputable photographer will have a physical studio as a place of business. Being proactive will ensure you can contact the photographer with questions. Take time to review their work and note any specific scenes or poses you find interesting.

If your high school senior has interests or hobbies that cannot be represented in the studio, ask the photographer if they are willing to provide personalized location sessions. Equine competitors, car enthusiasts, dedicated outdoors people, and even beach lovers are just a few who may want to memorialize their senior year in a unique, authentic manner. If your photographer knows you are willing to consider investing in personalized portraits, they often will provide these specialized sessions.

child is, and not just what they look like, are paramount to the true professional and meant to be passed from generation to generation. Another sign of true quality is the photographer’s willingness to ‘sign’ their work. Normally the photographer’s signature/imprint is found in the lower right or left hand corner of all portraits.

Hidden Fees Ensure your photographer is up front regarding session fees, touch ups, color select, imprinting fees, yearbook fees, and any other type of service or alteration. A price sheet should be available upon request and prior to the placement of any order, clearly explaining anything considered additional services.

Another important question to ask is the amount of time allotted for the session. Variety is nice in portraiture, but too many outfit changes can create a rushed, frantic session. Your photographer should advise you how to utilize your time to create the best images for your investment. Quality Does the photographer guarantee their work? Find out in advance what exactly their guarantee includes. Even though photography is a business, a true professional wants you to cherish these photos and will only be happy when you are. Rich skin tones and beautiful vibrant colors combined with the right custom backgrounds, props and poses showcasing who your

Even in a professional studio, prices will fluctuate. Typically, larger orders equal more savings. Options What types of portraits interest you? If you envision a large canvas or oil, let the photographer know in advance. Some poses and backgrounds are preferable dependent on size or placement intent, such as above a fireplace or on a bare wall. A seasoned professional can offer excellent advice, ensuring your complete satisfaction with various options.

For more helpful hints, click on our Senior page at www. heatherhousestuido.com. Heather House Studio of Photography 804 794 0017 Sycamore Square Shopping Center Village of Midlothian www.heatherhousestudio.com

Price Because a private studio depends on quality over volume, you will notice a higher charge than retail and chain centers. An individual photographer offers the opportunity to personalize portraits by posing your high school senior with personalized props. Because of the higher cost of work and supplies used creating this standard, many photographers will offer some type of finance plan. It’s good to ask about cost beforehand.

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QU OT E S

“We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.” – Sher yl Sandberg, COO of Facebook “Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.” - Julie Andrews, actress, singer, author

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” - Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” - Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, author of On Death and Dying

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things

differently from everyone else.” – Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx, Worlds Youngest Female Billionaire

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y Carol Anne Baker Lajoie B

Carol Anne Baker Lajoie, Chief Development Officer for the YWCA of Richmond, has been working for Richmond nonprofits for nearly fourteen years. She spent eleven years at the Virginia Historical Society before joining the YWCA team in 2011. In addition to raising money for survivors of intimate partner violence, she also spends time as a hospital accompaniment volunteer for the Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (R-HART).

Making an Impact: Holiday Giving Done Right

As holiday decorations start to pop-up, many start to think more about family, what they’re thankful for, and personal plans for the months ahead. For the majority of Americans, those plans include some charitable activity like volunteering, organizing a donation drive, or “adopting” a family. In fact, Americans are very charitable people. According to a December 2013 Gallup Poll, 65 percent reported that they had volunteered their time in the past 12 months and 83 percent reported donating money. According to a World Giving Index survey, 71 percent reported helping a stranger. A new popular form of giving back includes the “random act of kindness.” This can be anything from leaving an encouraging note for a stranger (such as the YWCA’s “1000 Notes of Hope” for Domestic Violence Awareness Month), buying lunch for a homeless person, or paying for the car behind you in a drive-through. But how can you make the most impact in a way that fits both your budget and schedule? The YWCA of Richmond serves survivors of intimate partner violence in Chesterfield with housing, case management, hospital accompaniment, and therapeutic counseling. We also serve children from Richmond’s South Side and East End with OUR nationallyaccredited preschool. We have a robust volunteer and development program that provides a number of opportunities for community engagement. Like all nonprofits, individual donations are the lifeblood of our organization. The YWCA is grateful for annual end-of-year giving from generous community investors across Greater Richmond. All proceeds directly support

programs designed to empower women, children, and families to live their best lives. We work hard to keep overhead expenses low and maintain public access to all our financial and program information through our website and GiveRichmond.org. But not everyone is in the financial position to make a monetary donation. And budgets tend to get tighter during the holidays. The YWCA has a small army of amazing volunteers who help change lives and shape our community impact through their donation of time. Volunteers have a variety of methods for connecting to our mission. We can accommodate groups– corporate, church, neighborhood associations, etc.–with activities that require little to no training and can be accomplished in one visit. Individuals who would like to work in direct service to survivors and children are required to complete training and a criminal background check. Trainings occur three times per year and include instruction to support our 24-hour regional emergency hotline, provide inhospital advocacy, or enhance curriculum for children ages threethrough five-years-old. in our preschool. If volunteering is not amenable to your schedule, organizing an in-kind donation drive could be a better fit. Throughout the year, we work with individuals and groups to customize a donation drive that is both flexible for the donors and meeting a critical need for our clients. Specifically at year-end, we host adopt-a-family drives to support all YWCA clients. You can also host a speaker to facilitate public education around our mission. Visit our website for more details on our speakers bureau or to request a speaker. In

fact, being trained to participate in our speakers bureau is yet another opportunity to volunteer with us. As a service provider to Chesterfield County, the YWCA would welcome Chesterfield Women’s Journal readers to participate in any or all of the activities listed above. The most critical element to your decision to give back, however, is you. What are you passionate about? Where do you see an unmet need in our community? What tugs at your heartstrings? The YWCA is not alone in offering a diverse menu of volunteer and donation opportunities. Many area nonprofits need your help and if there is a particular mission that resonates with you, go online to HandsOn Greater Richmond to find a volunteer opportunity that matches your interests. People who volunteer report higher levels of self-confidence, life satisfaction, and have a reduced risk of depression. In addition to the benefits to your health and the recipients of your giving, community involvement can expand your social network, allow you to learn new skills, increase your understanding of your community, and boost your selfesteem.

Whatever you do to give back, take a few moments to learn about your nonprofit of choice. Talk with a volunteer coordinator or development officer to determine the organization’s most pressing needs so your time or donation creates the impact you intend. Even if you’ve done a toy drive for the last five years, maybe this year, the more pressing need is a coat drive. Celebrating what you are thankful for through service to others is a rewarding and honorable endeavor. At the YWCA, we believe our donors and volunteers are heroes. This year, you have the opportunity to be a hero, too!

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Creating Visual Memories

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I want to give this portrait as a gift. I don’t have the time or expertise to find framing! What was I thinking??!! Framing with acid free materials and museum glass protects graphite artwork from yellowing, preserving it for generations to come. Beveled cut double mats are placed to protect the work from touching the glass. Wood molding is preferred, giving the work a polished presentation. Appropriate gauge wire and hooks should be chosen with framed weight in mind. “Ready to hang” portraits equate to instantaneous enjoyment on delivery.

Fine art graphite portraits require more than technical skills in producing photorealistic replicas. The artist’s ability to evoke emotion by capturing the essence reflected in a glance, or the quirk of one’s personality that is indicative to an individual’s uniqueness is what makes an exceptional portrait. It’s that “something” you can’t put your finger on that brings a portrait to life.

“Izzy”~I have a professional photograph that I really love. Let’s use that for the portrait! Written permission to depict from a professional photographer’s work is, sometimes, as easy as just asking. Megan Belanger Photography, Avon, Massachusetts, gave me permission and the opportunity to depict Izzy’s portrait from extremely clear high resolution images. “Tripp Is A Trip”~ Oh! I want to make a copy for GrandDad ~ post to my facebook page! It is important to understand a bit about copyrights/permissions and how far reaching they can be. When depicting children, it’s particularly important to obtain permission from a legal guardian for the portrait. Copyrights, however, belong to the artist at signature/date for 70 years. For marketing purposes, those copyrights may be ‘given’ in contractual agreements to a third party. You may not want your portrait on a website offering images on coffee mugs or T-Shirts, yet excited that an image will be featured in well known galleries, juried shows, or the artist’s websites. Artists may make reproductions available also. Protecting artist/ client/subject relationships in today’s security-conscious society is extremely important. “All rights reserved” takes on a whole new meaning, becoming very personal.

“Theresa”~I have tiny 35mm images; the subject has long passed on. Can you use these??? It’s heartbreaking to advise a client that an image is just not going to work. Small images, when enlarged to portray, become pixilated making details disappear into squares. Hopefully, additional images will offer better quality. If so, client/artist dialog is integral to the work in progress. Images sent to the client via email can provide insight to what can’t be seen, but felt as the rendering unfolds. “The Greats”~A millisecond in time “Peggy’s artwork brought tears to my mother’s eyes. She captured the love in my grandfather’s heart as he held my son. She was able to capture my son’s youthful innocence from just a photo. Her work has had such an impact on us all. We will forever be thankful for her gift, this tender moment in time.” Sara S. Richmond, Virginia, Feb 2013

Peggy Moore, Graphite Portrait Artist Creating Visual Memories

Chester, Virginia

http://peggymoore3.wix.com/peggy-moore-cvm 804 748 7177

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Home Buying For Unmarried Couples By

Mark Scheets

Throughout the home buying process there can be various hurdles to jump to make sure everything goes smoothly. In today’s culture, we are finding more often that couples who are not yet married are purchasing their first homes together. Although this sounds like a great plan, some precautions need to be taken in order to make sure things are done the right way. Doing your research beforehand can alleviate any headaches, because from a financial sense, it is more difficult to break the co-ownership of a house than it is to get a divorce if things turn sour. When making the decision to purchase a home with your significant other, you and partner must know that just like with marriage, a property agreement is a legal contract, so planning beforehand will make things easier. One of the more important aspects of purchasing a home together is knowing how the investment will be split. In many cases, one partner may initially invest more money into the home than the other. This may cause some issues in the future if you break up; legally one person may end up owning more of the house than the other. If the relationship ends, you’ll need to divide the assets. The best way to protect yourself is to come to an agreement as soon as possible while you both are still in a happy state. When the time comes to apply for a mortgage, the lender will run both of your credit scores. This can backfire if one of you has a great credit score and one has a terrible score. If this is the case, you may not get the loan. You should also be aware of your state’s laws regarding unmarried couples purchasing a home, as some states don’t allow it. Filing the right paperwork is another important step. One thing to do early in the home buying process is to file for a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWROS). A JTWROS allows for the home and assets to be passed to the surviving partner if the other were to pass away. This lets the partner avoid inheritance taxes, as the home won’t go through an estate. Married couples are automatically granted JTWROS, but unmarried couples are not. By doing this you can save yourself a great deal of potential stress in the future. If you had filed for JTWROS with your partner and something went wrong with the relationship, you would need to fix your agreement. If you don’t adjust past agreements, your soon-to-be ex is still entitled to the house, and, potentially, your assets if you die. If you left everything to your partner on paper, but intended to change that and never did, he or she is still legally entitled to everything. This goes hand in hand with for the JTWROS; the family of the deceased partner may try to sell the house. If the partner had made a will to leave everything to family, it would not matter if the surviving partner wished to remain in the home. If, down the line, you and your partner decide to get married, there will be more papers that would need to be altered. The biggest adjustment would need to be the title to the house. After the title is adjusted, creditors cannot single out one of you for bad credit. (They cannot add extra interest to that partner’s share. ) If you and your partner both have good credit, this can work out great if you were looking to refinance once everything is adjusted. Getting married is one of the biggest decisions we can make, so if you believe things will work out for the best, planning to buy a home together is a great decision—as long as you are cautious about how you do it.

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College Graduates Unemployed! Now What?

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You just joined the ranks of 4.5 Million recent college graduates that now realize they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a job in their chosen area of professional study, and if you do have a job, you are most likely receiving 30% of the pay you thought you would be earning. We have the answer. Do you want to make $100,000 plus this next year in your county - in your state?

Bypassing The Corporate Ladder

I was lucky enough to grow up in a well educated, affluent family that had the ability to afford me every opportunity parents could want for their child. I went to a prestigious private school, participated in sports, and extracurricular activates. I had great friends and managed to stick to the principles my parents had brought me up to believe in, such as; hard work, honesty, integrity, and self sufficiency - effectively keeping me out of harmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way. When it was time to go to college, I was happy to go. I had been accepted into a prestigious school in Boston that I was excited about, and felt that it was time to stand on my own two feet and start carving my own way in the world. College accomplished for me what any realistic expectations could hope for: The ability to think analytically and express myself appropriately. However, the reason I chose my school, and the reason most people I know went to college, was not for these rather humble aspirations. I was career focused and wanted college to be my ticket into a world of opportunity. What I found was my analytical mind saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have got a $120,000 education. What now, hot shot?â&#x20AC;? Although I had a good experience at college, I was not an academic at heart and knew that spending another $100,000 for post grad was not for me unless absolutely necessary. Of course it was time to get a job, but where? I started contacting all the advertising companies I had been studying over the past four years and managed to land a handful of interviews. It became quite clear that nobody was hiring, and that the whole industry was slow enough to grant interviews as a way of distracting themselves from the fact that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough work to do either. The offers I did get would have given â&#x20AC;&#x153;education investmentâ&#x20AC;? a return in about 6 years as long as I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to pay rent or eat. We all have to start somewhere, but I refused to believe that my value to the professional world was within $5.00 of minimum wage, after I had just spent over $120,000.00 for a great education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not what you know, but who you know,â&#x20AC;? and that was certainly true with me. My fiancĂŠeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom had

y Luke Kennedy B

worked for a guy named Bob who had to start my own business. It was all very There are great perks being a paper started a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focused educational fast, scary and exciting, and before I owner, but it is certainly not all fun and newspaper over 31 years ago, and he knew it, I was scheduled to print my games. It is real work, and business. was talking to Heather and her mom first â&#x20AC;&#x153;sampleâ&#x20AC;? run of newspapers back Still, any job worth having is hard about starting a paper in Boston, in Boston. I followed my training to work, and more to the point, most jobs, where we had just graduated. Her the T, called local contributors and even the ones not worth having - are mom told him our position and soon scheduled appointments to meet with hard work, too. 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College Graduates Unemployed! Now What?

Bypassing the Corporate Ladder

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Change Your Life in 2014 Licenses Available In Your Area Woman Publishing Entrepreneurs Wanted ... Join over 371 other counties that are publishing or have an option to publish in the United States and BE YOUR OWN BOSS! We are looking for a few bright, energetic, creative women and men to publish our trademarked, copyrighted newspapers IN YOUR COUNTY, IN YOUR STATE, IN YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Join the fastest growing educational Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newspaper syndicated in the United States. MINIMAL INVESTMENT REQUIRED! Maximum return ... Be your own boss, set your own hours and make your life mean more! ALL TRAINING PROVIDED! If you are interested in developing with us in 2014 in your STATE, in your COUNTY ...

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Adam started his restaurant career at age 15 in establishments in Southern New Jersey. After moving to North Carolina in 1988, he gained the knowledge and experience to become a manager at some of Greensboro’s finest restaurants.

Italian Wines: An Introduction

Italian wine’s are commonly among the top ranked in a number of different categories every year. Most impressive is that it ranks as the worlds number one largest producer, exporter and consumer of wine. Take that into consideration with Italy’s size. The entire country is less than three-quarters the size of California, and yet produces nearly 8 billion bottles of wine each year. Meanwhile, Italy manages to stay true to its wine styles that date back four thousand years. The result is that Italy not only has more local grape varieties than any other country, but it also creates some of the most distinctive wines on Earth. The wide range of diverse cultures which exist throughout Italy’s twenty wine regions are the distinct quality in creating its unique wine style. Each culture thrives with a robust sense of pride which translates directly into its wine making. Understanding Italian wine can be very intimidating. To start, as with anything, one has to take to learning one step at a time. Italian wines are very complex and inconsistent. For us novices, lets start only with the general qualities that can become the staring points for understanding Italian winemaking. Earthy Aromas - One of the predominant characteristics of Italian wine is the sense of the land one can taste and smell in every bottle. There may be aromas of mushrooms, soil, grass or minerals. These qualities are perfect for the wine not to compete with food. A perfect compliment to the Italian culture as a whole. High Acidity - This means Italian white wines will tend to be crisp and their red wines will be firm. Wines with this strong showing of acidity pair better food. The food oriented cultures of Italy, by no surprise or chance, have opted for

wine that will compliment their dedication for cuisine.

tannin and highly acidic Italian wine that will age well. If you want to have any Italian wines in your cellar, these would definitely be the ones. Flavors of strawberries, mushrooms, tar and truffles will stand out with Nebbiolo.

Medium Body - Once again, it is all about the food. While Italy does produce some excellent heavier wines (Barolo for example), most of their wines will tend to be more medium bodied. The wide array of food dishes will perform much better when not being overwhelmed by a heavy wine. Distinctly Italian - While most Italian grapes can be found throughout the world, many local varieties are only grown in their certain regions. Since the Italian climate is perfect for wine production, many of the grape varietals have evolved for thousands of years to respond specifically to that one precise region. This history makes it extremely difficult to transplant them to different countries. Nebbiolo, for example, is the grape used to make Barolo and is only able to be produced in Italy’s Piedmont and Lombardy regions.

• Barbera - This grape is planted almost as much as Sangiovese throughout the country. It is the lightest grape by far of the three. Little tannin and high acidity makes this grape with more pronounced fruit flavors. This is the perfect summer Italian red. Italian White Wines • Pinot Grigio - As many of you know, this white grape has won worldwide acclaim over the years. This is the Italian version of France’s Pinot Gris. Grigio is not as rich as its French counter-part, but holds its own with peach flavors with a highacid, minerally trait.

• Trebbiano - While being very common in Italy, it is known for having lackluster growing habits. This grape produces an inexpensive white which pairs well with shellfish, but rarely can be enjoys by itself. • Tocai Friulano - If you like Pinot Grigio, you should try this grape. One will be pleasantly surprised by the rich and full textures that are more complex than is typical for white wine. One could spend an entire lifetime trying to learn and understand everything about Italian wines. Having this familiarity with the grapes and styles I have listed above is a nice introduction which can help guide you in the right path.

Italian Red Wines - Italy has over twenty major types of red grape varieties produced within it’s boarders. Let us take a look at arguably the most important three: • Sangiovese - This grape is planted throughout all of Italy, but mostly in Tuscany and Umbria. This is the major grape of Chianti and Super-Tuscan wines. Note: Remember that Chianti is not a grape, it is a blend. This grape has strong tannin, high acidity, flavors of herbs and cherries and is Medium in body. • Nebbiolo - This grape makes two of Italy’s most notorious wines: Barolo and Barbaresco. This is the Full bodied, strong

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The Chesterfield

Women’s Journal

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This is what our advertisers say about the Women’s Journals: This is your “Bangs or No Bangs’ hairdresser Rhett Costello. It seems my last month’s article was a success, and I am glad because I spent a considerable amount of time on it. This month, I have less time and I’ll tell you why, “Chesterfield Women’s Journal enthusiasts; after only two or three days of distribution of the magazine, I began getting lots of new customers! I have a long standing custom of asking new guests how they heard about me. In the past their replies would invariably be something to do with a friend referring them. That worked for thirty years, but if you have experienced anything similar to what has happened to my business over the last five years, you know it’s been slow, slow, slow. All that is changing and quickly. When I ask that same question now, the most common answer is I read your article in the “Chesterfield Women’s Journal.” Now I’m not talking a few new gals, I have been busy, busy, busy! Yes, my publisher asked me to write this testimonial and I gladly said “Yes,” because nothing has ever boosted my Chesterfield salon like the Woman’s Journal! I highly recommend it! - Rhett Costello, Rhett’s - The Original Pin-up Salon

I am so grateful for the press LINC received through Chesterfield Women’s Journal. I was featured in the December 2013 issue in an article highlighting LINC’s work to provide cancer patients with wills, powers of attorney, advanced medical directives and other life planning services. The day after the publication was distributed, I was contacted by an attorney in the community who had read about LINC’s services and was inspired to give back. We were able to add the new attorney to our network and she took on representation of one of our clients the very same day. The attorney has pledged to help LINC going forward and has expressed an interest in helping with future LINC wills clinics. Thanks to the Chesterfield Women’s Journal we are serving more cancer patients in need in the local area. Thank you! - Crista Whitman, LINC “The Women’s Journal is the most successful advertising we have ever done.” - Focal Point Opticians “A priceless educational vehicle to allow patients quality, objective information about our various procedures.” - Andreus V. Strauss, M.D., Director of Oncology Beebe Medical Center

“The Women’s Journal is the best advertising I have ever done, I can’t believe I waited so long to try them. They are the only advertising I am doing now.” - Carmella, Permanent Cosmetics

Did you know? Women’s Buying Power • • • • • • • • • •

94% Home Furnishings 93% OTC Pharmaceuticals 93% Food 92% Vacations 91% of New Homes 89% Bank Accounts 85% Auto Purchases 81% Riding Lawn Mowers 80% Healthcare 66% PCs

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Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases. • Women carry 76 million credit cards, 8 million more than men. • In 2001, U.S. women’s purchasing power constituted the number 3 market in the world; the collective buying power exceeded the entire economy of Japan. • By 2010, women are expected to control $1 trillion, or 60% of the country’s wealth, according to research conducted by Business Week and Gallup. (Sources: The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, Trendsight, Business Women’s)

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The leaves are changing fast! Now is the perfect time for fall portraits

Heather House Studio of Photography Sessions by appointment only (804) 794-0017 Conveniently located just minutes from Rts. 288 & 60 *Proudly serving the Metro Richmond area for 40 years