HD Living Spring/Summer 2012

P e o p l e | D i n i n g | H a pp e n i n g s | L i f e s t y l e | W i n e T r e n d s spring/summer 2012

spring flings & summer dreams fashion spectacular

HD gyms & fitness clubs page 30

+

Regina Weatherspoon-Bell Huck Finn Jubilee Science of Sweet

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A New Look for the New You

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Beverly Hills The Triangle

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Spring/sUMMER 2012

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High Desert Living magazine 5

E L E G A N T

S E N I O R

L I V I N G

SKYLINE VILLA

in the High Desert

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or your loved one

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how important

•D a i l y H e a l t h C a r e M o n i t o r i n g •T r a n s p o r t a t i o n t o D o c t o r s •A c t i v i t i e s P r o g r a m •F r e e L o c a l P h o n e S e r v i c e •F r e e C a b l e S e r v i c e i n a l l R o o m s •A l l U t i l i t i e s I n c l u d e d

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6 High Desert Living magazine

CA S t ate L i c e n s e #3 6 6 41 3 0 8 2

20276 Majestic Drive Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-240-0730 • Fax: 760-247-3519

Spring/sUMMER 2012

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

High Desert Living magazine 7

H.D. Living H.D. Living Magazine Volume 5, Issue 2, Spring/Summer 2012 PUBLISHER/CEO Frank A. Castillo frankc@hdlivingmagazine.com CFO/Marketing Tiffany Santee tiffanys@hdlivingmagazine.com MARKETING/CIRCULATION DIRECTOR James Piar : jamesp@hdlivingmagazine.com copy editor Susan Landers susanl@hdlivingmagazine.com DESIGN and LAYOUT Everard Strong | www.Big-E-Productions.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tere Darnell, Katie Chavez, Krystal Carrillo Stephanie Morris, Dr. Brad Hannon PHOTOGRAPHERS George Sillas | GeorgeSillas.com Susan Whitney | SusanWhitney.com ADVERTISING DESIGN Kari Martinez, Chris Ackerman ADVERTISING sales sales@hdlivingmagazine.com

Editorial/Advertising Inquiries H.D. LIVING MAGAZINE INC. 6630 SVL Box Victorville, CA 92395 (760) 241-8475 editor@hdlivingmagazine.com HD Living Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine published by HD Living Magazine, Inc.

2012 HD Living Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from this publisher. Photographs, graphics, and artwork are the property of HD Living magazine.

HD Living magazine assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made by advertisers contained herein. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or its owners.

HD Living is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscriptions are $ 9.95 per year domestically only. To subscribe, please mail payment to address above, or subscribe online at HDlivingmagazine.com.

8 High Desert Living magazine

Spring/sUMMER 2012

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High Desert Living magazine 9

» table of contents

Spring/Summer 2012

features

departments

30 Happy, healthy, and fit Gyms and fitness clubs in the HD.

12 PUBLISHERS LETTER 17 up front Hometown Hero Chloe Collins, Class of 2012,

By Katie Chavez

34 regina bell A woman with the vision and fortitude to

make things happen

By Tere Kidd

36 spring fashion Photographers: George Sillas and

Susan Whitney.

10

28 36

Huck Finn Jubilee Tere Kidd, Katie Chavez, Krystal Carrillo

20 local personality Krystle Beck Dance Company – Tere Kidd

22 hd business Salon Diva – By Susan Landers

24 community spotlight Victorville Motoers makes it a “A gas to

go to class!” – By Susan Landers

28 Health matters The Science of Sweet – By Dr. Brad Hannon 42 restaurant spotlight

Flame Broiler – By Stephanie Morris 44 dining guide

Restaurants in the HD 46 wine trends

Recycling wine bottles – By Stephanie Morris 50 Event Calendar 52 HD Happenings 54 susan’s corner

Honoring Mother and Father

46

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Spring/sUMMER 2012

2012 Dodge Challenger MSRP Starting at $24,995 27 HWY MPG

14617 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92394 (888) 805-4224 • www.victorvillemotors.com

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

High Desert Living magazine 11

scan

» publisher’s letter

health plan

& easy Choice

Hitching our wagons

health plan hMO Medicare Plans Now Accepted at

Alliance Desert Physicians Alliance Desert Physicians also accept the following health plans: • AARP Medicare Complete

by United (Secure Horizons) • Aetna • Anthem Blue Cross • Blue Shield • Cigna • Citizens Choice

• Health Net • Inter Valley • MD Care • United Health • Tri-Care • Many PPO Plans

• Large network of quality specialists • Affiliated with St. Mary Medical Center • Same-day appointments available • Free classes at our Wellness Center Om Sood, MD

Vivek Gill, MD

Anupama Sharma, MD Aparna Sharma, MD

Arvind Salwan, MD

Archna Sood, MD

Ramesh Bambhania, MD

Kelly Ahmed, MD

www.alliancedesertphysicians.com

12 High Desert Living magazine

J

umping on the social media bandwagon isn’t such a bad thing.

From Facebook and Twitter to new sites like Pinterest, we’ve noticed a trend in how we communicate, market, and update one another. Most would rather message or text than pick up the phone, and I’ve heard “I’ll Facebook you” plenty of times as I have caught myself saying the same thing a few times as well. We use these new lines of social contact as a means to communicate in this busy fast lane world we live in today. So be sure to like us on Facebook for fun “behind the scenes photos and events” or to follow us on Twitter for updates and things going on in the area. We even have a new Pinterest page; here you can follow our interests and like our pins (posts). Our YouTube channel has some “behind the scenes” photo shoots for you to enjoy and see what goes on in the background as we put together each issue of H.D. Living Magazine.

In this issue, we bring you our healthy, happy and fit feature; as the summer approaches, we all want to get into our best shape as Katie Chavez gives us the scoop on where to get your workout on! We also have a great piece on Regina Weatherspoon-Bell; Tere Kidd sits with Regina to give us a look into one woman’s crusade to make the world a better place. We also have an exciting and vibrant Spring/Summer Fashion layout with some of the hottest trends for the season. Also, check out our Up Front section where you’ll find a young philanthropist here in the H.D., our message to the class of 2012, and the program that is keeping local high school attendance at the top of the charts.

So, as we head into our fourth year of publication I’m proud to say that we are the area’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine, and while others may try to duplicate what we started they can never replicate our vision. Our vision to bring you the best our area has to offer and to continue to produce the High Desert’s Premier Regional Magazine.

Frank Castillo Publisher/CEO FrankC@hdlivingmagazine.com

Spring/sUMMER 2012

A Most Convenient

Choice for 2012.

When we are faced with health challenges it is comforting to be close to home and family. Choice Medical Group and Choice Physicians Network offer a panel of nearly 200 Primary Care Physicians and specialists conveniently located in the High Desert.

This large panel of physicians provides comprehensive services and are experts in their respective specialties.

They are not an hour or two away. They are in your city, your community, your neighborhood.

That makes us both the right choice, and the most convenient.

If you have any questions, or need help selecting a physician, we are here to help. Call us at 760.242.7777, Ext. 224.

760.242.7777, Ext. 224 www.ChoiceMG.com

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

In addition to practitioners of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, Choice offers experts in the fields of...

- Allergy

- Obstetrics & Gynecology

- Anesthesiology

- Oncology/Hematology

- Audiology

- Ophthalmology/Optometry

- Behavioral Health

- Orthopaedics

- Cardiology

- Pediatrics

- Cardiothoracic Surgery - Pediatric Cardiology - Chiropractors

- Pediatric Ophthalmology

- Dermatology

- Perinatology

- Endocrinology

- Pain Management

- Gastroenterology

- Physical Medicine & Rehab

- General Surgery

- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

- Hospitalists

- Podiatry

- Infectious Disease

- Pulmonology

- Neonatology

- Radiation Oncology

- Nephrology

- Rheumatology

- Neurology

- Vascular Surgery

- Neuro Surgery

- Urology

Apple Valley – Adelanto – Barstow Hesperia – Lucerne Valley – Oak Hills Phelan – Pinon Hills – Victorville

High Desert Living magazine 13

Come in and see the brand new 2013

Malibu

14 High Desert Living magazine

Spring/sUMMER 2012

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• Victorville, California

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High Desert Living magazine 15

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UpFront Hometown Hero Some may say Apple Valley’s Chloe Collins is just a little girl with a good idea; we at H.D. Living exalt Chloe Collins as a hometown hero, as her inspiring humanitarian action is an example to us all about how a little love and drive can come together to make a big difference.

As the American Red Cross reports, Chloe was stirred by a news story about a girl younger than herself who was looking for her mother after Japan’s tragic earthquake last year. Chloe was struck by an epiphany, and she was moved by the consciousness of her own good fortune in contrast to the devastating conditions in which others live: “I felt so bad for everything that happened.”

Collins said. “I live a really good life and knowing that people don’t get to live like this, I felt I needed to give what I have to people that don’t” (American Red Cross).

Chloe decided to take action by putting to use a hobby she learned from her cousin; she fashioned hair bows out of duct tape to sell from fifty cents to one dollar as a fund-raiser for the Red Cross. What began as a modest “quarter by quarter” enterprise with a goal of one-hundred dollars became a torrent of generosity and giving, as Chloe began receiving international orders. By October of 2011, Chloe was able to donate an astounding one thousand dollars from her innovative and inspired efforts and received recognition from the Inland Empire Chapter during a ceremony at her school.

Chloe wasn’t done yet, however. Still motivated by her original vision to help those in need, Chloe continued to make adorable hair bows and still sells them to raise money for the Red Cross.

To show your support for this hometown hero and to learn more about Chloe’s efforts, check out her Facebook page, “Chloe’s Bows for Japan.”— Krystal Carrillo

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

High Desert Living magazine 17

» upfront To the Class of 2012: You, dear graduates, have made it to an important checkpoint in life. Your graduation ceremonies will be filled with school colors, the playing of Pomp and Circumstance, silly robes, and bombastic speeches that use phrases like, “The future lies before you” (as it always has). The excitement of this time is one to remember.

Teachers, family, friends and strangers will offer you words of advice and wisdom—things that might make the occasion even more momentous. Because we at H.D. Living want to be included in the festivities, we too will offer some words of wisdom as only your local and loyal magazine staff could.

Susan Landers of Susan’s Corner says: “Write your own story; don’t let others decide for you what you must be, where you must live, what you must do. Choose the most colorful adjectives, the most adventurous verbs, and the most interesting nouns with which to tell the tale of your life. Be ready for twists and turns with each chapter, and punctuate creatively so you have just enough exclamation points to celebrate and question marks to answer. When you come to the end, you will know that you are the author of your own joys, sorrows, failures and fortunes.”

Katie Chavez says: “Spend more time outside—and use sun block.

The sunshine will do you good. It will make you happy, even when skies are gray.”

Stephanie Morris says: “My advice is to enjoy your education and all the wonderful benefits that come with it; however, don’t ever get so big for your britches that you forget to respect all people and feel you are somehow entitled to look down upon others. And, whatever you do, keep your sense of humor! There are a lot of bumps in the road of life. You can choose to see each one as a big, scary mountain, or speed up to them, raise your arms in the air and yell, ‘Weeeeeeeee!’”

Frank Castillo says: “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t, set goals and go after them! Work hard and follow your dreams, capitalize on your ideas and your vision for what you want to do and who you want to be.”

From kindergarten to high school to college, congratulations class of 2012. We encourage you to enjoy the slightly longer year, celebrate the year of the dragon, and study the rest of the Mayan calendar (don’t worry, it won’t take long). If the world doesn’t end, the future looks bright for graduates of 2012. Best of luck!

Sincerely, Katie Chavez and the H.D. Living staff

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Spring/sUMMER 2012

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day An Abbreviated History

I

n one form or another, Mother’s Day has been celebrated since the ancient Greeks held their annual spring festival to honor the goddess Rhea, mother of the gods. Later, in medieval Britain, Mothering Sunday came into effect when servants were given the forth Sunday of Lent to travel home and spend the day with mom.

It wasn’t until 1870, however, that the modern American Mother’s Day began to form when Julia Ward Howe (best known for writing The Battle Hymn of the Republic) penned her Mother’s Day Proclamation to celebrate peace and motherhood in the aftermath of the Civil War. At the time, only a few American cities, primarily Boston, consistently held festivities after Howe’s call for celebration.

Then, in May 1908, Anna Marie Jarvis furthered the idea by holding a church memorial service in honor of her mother’s life of good deeds; this is considered the first American Mother’s Day. At the service, Jarvis handed out two white carnations (her mother’s favorite flower) to every mother in attendance.

In 1910, after Jarvis’ work with a Mother’s Day committee, West Virginia became the first state to officially observe the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Jarvis continued to push a day for honoring mom into national recognition with a passionate letter writing campaign to Congress. Finally, in 1914 President Wilson signed Mother’s Day into national observance.

It was envisioned as a day to be spent in church while wearing red or pink carnations to honor living mothers and white carnations to honor deceased mothers. By 1920, flowers and greeting cards were in high demand for the holiday. Jarvis, though, was appalled by the commercialized turn of events; so much so, that by 1924 she launched a campaign to abolish the holiday that she so diligently created. Six years later, Jarvis was arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother’s Day carnation sale. She spent the rest of her life and money fighting the distorted version of the holiday.

Despite Jarvis’ sadness over the result of Mother’s Day, it was so beloved that it encouraged the creation of Father’s Day. Sonora Smart Dodd is credited with creating Father’s Day after being inspired during a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd picked June as the month of observance in honor of her father’s birthday. Father’s Day, unlike Mother’s Day, didn’t catch fire as quickly. In 1924, President Coolidge gave it his support, but it was still not a holiday until 1966 when President Johnson officially declared a day for honoring fathers.

But, it did not become law until 1972, with the signature of President Nixon, when the third Sunday of June was officially approved for Father’s Day. Today, both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are celebrated all over the world. It is a chance for sons and daughters to show they care with greeting cards written by other people, flowers grown by someone else, and sometimes even phone calls—Anna Marie Jarvis would be infuriated. Yes, these are highly commercialized holidays, but the ideas of love and gratefulness behind these days of recognition remain strong. They were created to remind us that our parents are worth celebrating every day of the year. – By Katie Chavez

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

Color & Cuts Brazilian Blow Out Styles & Perms Scalp Treatments Facials Manicures & Pedicures Glitter Toes Waxing Hair & Skin Products 15461 Main Street •Suite 106 Hesperia, CA 92345

760-948-8808 Sandra@SalonDiva.org www.SalonDiva.org

High Desert Living magazine 19

» hd personality

Krystle Beck Dance Company A fresh approach to dance in the H.D.

K

rystle Beck Dance Company is the new choice for dancers in the H.D. who want to build their skill level and add current genres to their repertoire. Krystle Beck’s goal is “to train dancers, not only for recreational use, but to give them the skills and opportunities that would allow them to get their foot in and potentially have a career as a professional dancer.”

Opening last September in Apple Valley on Pawnee Road, Krystle Beck offers classes in ballet, but also brings to the H.D. hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical styles of dance. Less structured than ballet, lyrical is freer and allows for greater interpretation of the music. She says lyrical dance is “the rebel of ballet” because it uses some of the traditional moves of ballet, but also uses other movements that are atypical of ballet and that are more spontaneous and creative than traditional ballet.

Krystle Beck taught at schools throughout San Bernardino County prior to opening her own studio and brings her skills and training to KBDC. But she does more than teach and inspire; she currently dances and trains in Los Angeles. Passionate about Hip Hop, Krystle Beck danced as a member of Envy Dance Hip Hop Company in Upland, and she is currently a member of The Academy of Swag, a

20 High Desert Living magazine

Los Angeles Hip Hop dance company. Krystle Beck says that, “The Academy of Swag, under the direction of JayChris Moore, recently performed at World of Dance 2012 in April and plans to compete in Hip Hop International in Las Vegas this July.”

Dance has been a part of Krystle Beck’s daily life since she was four years old; she teaches five days a week and goes down the hill to train twice a week. Krystle Beck works with dancers of all ages - children and adults at all levels. Dance is creative and artistic, providing a positive outlet for kids who want to develop their skills and discipline their bodies. Partnering with the Seminoles Football and Cheer organization this summer, KBDC plans to enhance the growth and development of the cheer program and ultimately would like to bring them to a competitive level. For the H.D., Krystle Beck would like to see “a stronger dance community like found in Los Angeles County.” – By Tere Kidd Krystle Beck Dance Company (KBDC) www.iluvdancing.com 13631 Pawnee Road Suite 10, Apple Valley (760) 247-7007

Spring/sUMMER 2012

Huck Finn Jubilee Get Ready for Some Good Ol’ Americana Fun

T

he Huck Finn Jubilee is one of the world’s biggest blue grass festivals, and it happens right here in our own backyard. How would you like to spend a night or two under the stars listening to some of the best blue grass music around? Balmy evenings on a soft cotton blanket stretched out on the grass, the twinkling stars above you and jam sessions all around. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will be the headliners. Under the stars, listening to the stars? It doesn’t get much better than that.

The Victor Valley has been hosting the Huck Finn Jubilee for over 30 years, and it just keeps getting more exciting each year. It draws talent and folks who enjoy great blue grass music from all over the United States and beyond. Oh, yeah, you might hear a little bit o’ country, too.

As has been the custom for many years, the jubilee will be celebrated on Father’s Day weekend June 15 - 17. It has become a tradition for many families to celebrate Dad’s special day right here at one of the biggest blue grass events in the country.

For all those who love to play a little blue grass themselves, bring your own dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, banjo or Dobro along, and maybe you can get a lick in at one of the jam sessions. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will share the stage with Seldom Scene, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and many others. Daylight hours are spent listening to the

professionals on one of the two stages. One thing is for sure: if you can’t find fun here, you can’t find fun.

This year, it’s easier than ever to make arrangements to rent a camp site and get answers to your questions. A lovely lady named Barbara pledges: “You will talk to a live person when making your reservations. If there is no answer it is because I am on another line and I will return your call that very same day.” For more information, call (951) 780-8810 or go to http://huckfinn.com/. – Tere Kidd

H.D. Living y o u r

p r e m i e r

h i g h

d e s e r t

l i f e s t y l e

m a g a z i n e

Don’t miss the

Medical Profiles Special Section coming in our next issue...

Spotlight your practice in the High Desert’s

Premier Lifestyle Magazine To be a part of this special issue, please go to hdlivingmagazine.com or call 760-241-8475

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

High Desert Living magazine 21

» HD business

Compassionate Community Commitment with Style

Salon Diva

T

Salon Diva 15461 Main St., Hesperia (760) 948-8808

he H.D. is filled with hair salons and spas, and they all offer similar services, but if you are looking for something beyond the ordinary, then look to Salon Diva because Salon Diva is not your average hair salon, and Sandra Rings is not your average salon owner.

With a passionate commitment to the H.D., Sandra has demonstrated that true beauty has a heart.

Though a native New Yorker, Sandra has made the High Desert her home and is dedicated to serving its residents in countless ways. As a full service salon, catering to the whole family, Salon Diva offers cuts, color, perms, hairstyling, deep conditioning, waxing, as well as specialized services like the popular Brazilian Blowout.

But, beyond Salon Diva’s services is its service to the community and to its clients. Salon Diva has ongoing food drives in an effort to keep the local United Way Food Bank stocked; if you drop off non-perishable food items at Salon Diva, you will receive a $5.00 gift certificate.

Salon Diva also offers salon services to those in need,

22 High Desert Living magazine

such as senior citizens, cancer patients, and those trying to transition from homelessness. Salon Diva also offers discounts for military personnel.

Salon Diva is a champion for new hairstylists, offering advanced training, helping them to lay the foundation for their success, while encouraging other stylists to use their skills in service to the community.

The commitment to the community ensures that when you come in for a cut or style, you are contributing to Salon Diva’s good works.

Your salon experience will be one dedicated to your individual needs with distraction free stylists who will offer you expert services and the utmost in pampering.

In this harried and hurried world, it is vital to find some time and space to allow someone else to cater to your needs, and Salon Diva does just that. With stylists who are focused on your concerns, your new look and style is just a phone call or click away. See their website at: www.salondiva.org. – By Susan Landers

Spring/sUMMER 2012

There’s a Name for

High-Quality Care in the High Desert.

save The daTe Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group invites you to attend the

1st Annual Woman 2 Woman, a fashion show & luncheon, for you and a special woman - to celebrate women!

recoMMended $5 donaTion

Thursday May 10Th, 2012 | 11aM-2pM Spring Valley Country Club 13229 Spring Valley Parkway, Victorville

RSVP: 760.261.1496 Heritage Urgent Care is now open at it’s new state-of-the-art location, 7 days a week – with no appointment necessary!

• Physician & Physician Assistant – Onsite 9am-9pm • Lab Services, X-Ray, Ultrasound – Onsite

12370 Hesperia Rd. Ste 15, Victorville

760.261.5292

• Accepting all HVVMG HMO members, most PPO plans, Medicare patients, Medi-Medi patients, TRICARE and Cash patients

For more information about our Primary Physicians or to join Heritage, www.hdlivingmagazine.com call 760.245.4747 or visit www.hvvmg.com High Desert Living magazine 23

» community spotlight

G

Victorville Motors Makes it “A Gas to go to Class!”

Victorville Motors 14617 Civic Dr., Victorville (760) 245-7991

24 High Desert Living magazine

oing to high school was never this exciting! This year, the rewards for H.D. students’ perfect attendance includes more than knowledge for its own sake. A hard working high school student at one of nine high desert high schools will win a 2012 Jeep Patriot from Victorville Motors. Others will also have the chance to win a multitude of prizes, including various gift cards, cash, electronics, and more. Why the focus on attendance? Because students in class equals a win for schools, students, and the community.

It’s no secret that public schools are struggling with budget cuts, attrition, and myriad other issues. One of those issues is student attendance. When students miss school, they miss opportunities to advance, educators miss opportunities to assist struggling students, and schools lose even more state funding. When students miss too much school, there is a real chance that this may lead to their dropping out altogether. As a tangible place to begin helping our schools and our students, Victorville Motors saw an opportunity to make a difference for area schools and students with a fun incentive program.

As a corporate member of the H.D. community, Victorville Motors has partnered with other businesses to reward high school students with perfect attendance at the following high schools: Apple Valley, Granite Hills, Hesperia, Oak Hills, Serrano, Silverado, Sultana, University Prep, and Victor Valley. Even the schools are eligible for prizes; the high school with the best attendance record will receive one thousand dollars for its general fund.

Victorville Motors’ first annual “It’s a Gas to go to Class” program has been a great success so far; the culmination celebration is happening on May 19th at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds when the Jeep and other big prizes will be awarded. For a list of the other sponsoring H.D. businesses and more information, stop by Victorville Motors in Victorville or visit their website: http://www.victorvillemotors.com/itsagas – By Susan Landers

Spring/sUMMER 2012

What’s in your mailbox?

Get the next issue of H.D. Living Magazine delivered to your home today, 6 issues for just $9.95

High Desert Living magazine Go to hdlivingmagazine.com to subscribe or call 760-241-8475

www.hdlivingmagazine.com

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Spring/sUMMER 2012

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High Desert Living magazine 27

» health matters

The Science of

B

y now we should have all finished all the Easter sweets and are several months into our New Year’s resolutions. This is a great time to discus added sweeteners. When most of us think about sugar we think of the typical cane type sugar. However, nowadays most of our processed food is sweetened with artificial, or somewhat natural, super sweet, and cheap, chemicals. It is estimated that the average American eats 150 pounds of sugar per year. Obviously Americans have a sweet tooth, and what manufactures are trying to come up with is a way to satisfy the sweet tooth without bodily harm by way of calories, toxicity and that is safe for diabetics.

Here is a sample scenario of how these added sweeteners end up in our processed food. Often it starts with side by side taste testing. The test subjects may like the taste of one product over another, and often the reason is that it is sweeter. Then the manufacturer looks into adding sugar, but cane sugar is often more expensive and less sweet than other sweeteners. So the “bean counters” at the manufacturer may opt to use a sugar substitute. Other scenarios include manufacturer’s efforts to retain taste for long periods of time like in canning or jarring. This creates a problem where we are all

Here is a sample list of some of the common added sweeteners found in our food today: xylitol: A sugar alcohol. Not as sweet as sugar but has two-thirds reports that about 11-27 percent is absorbed, while the rest passes the calories of sugar. Is cheaper than sugar, and causes little insulin through the body. release in humans. Pet owners need to know that in dogs, xylitol Aspartame: estimated 180 times sweeter than sugar. can cause a harmfully large insulin release and drop their blood Neotame: made from Aspartame and about 72 times sweeter than sugar, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, lethargy, sugar. loss of coordination, collapse, possible liver failure, and seizures.

Saccharin: estimated 300-500 times sweeter than sugar.

Sucrose: Common table sugar.

High fructose corn syrup-about equal sweetness to sugar and Glucose: Sugar that the body uses for most of the energy cheaper than sugar. produced.

Stevia: an herb that is an estimated 30-40 times more sweet than Sucralose: Estimated 600 times sweeter than sugar. The FDA sugar.

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Spring/sUMMER 2012

addicted to these super sweet sweeteners and then nature’s own sweetness, like in fruit, is not sweet enough to satisfy our cravings.

What foods often contain added sweeteners?

The shorter list would be foods that do not contain these sweeteners; this is why in past articles I wrote about familiarizing yourself with the ingredients list for all your food purchases. Added sweeteners are in everything from milk, cheese, cereal, soda, some medications, some vitamins, gum, candy, canned goods, and boxed goods. Our drinking water, even after filtration, has been shown to have trace amounts of added sweeteners in certain parts of the country.

Are added sweeteners safe?

Arguments in favor that added sweeteners are safe: • the body doesn’t metabolize them down to their more harmful “parts” • safe when used in moderation • blood brain barrier inhibits these sweeteners from damaging the central nervous system • some research shows safety for human consumption • many have been used for decades without problems Arguments that added sweeteners are not safe: • we do absorb a small portion of the chemicals • these chemicals can break down into harmful smaller parts • typical Americans are not consuming small amounts of the sweeteners • many of the studies are on animals, not humans • many of the animal studies had biases • many of the human studies were too short and had biases • no long term human studies Reported bodily harm from added sweeteners: Type 2 diabetes, stroke, increased risk of low bone mineral density in women, GI problems, blurred vision, blindness, migraines, seizures, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases, weight gain, dizziness, skin irritation, stomach bloating/gas/pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heart palpitations/fluttering, Asthma like symptoms, joint pains, mental fogginess, brain tumors, fatigue, numbness, muscle spasms, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, birth defects, buzzing in the ears, decreased good bacteria in the gut, increased gut pH, premature birth, liver disease, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, behavioral changes, chronic inflammation, suppressed immune system, high blood pressure, testicular atrophy, bladder tumors, and more.

Keep in mind only a small number of consumers take the time to report reactions to the CDC and other information gathering bodies, and some of these reactions have been studied while others have not.

A professional opinion This is again one of those topics that you can find experts on both sides; if this has sparked your interest, do your own homework. There

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are many books, documentaries, etc. In my opinion, the research suggests that added sugars are something we should all be avoiding.

It seems that these sweeteners do not satisfy our brains’ cravings like glucose would, and additionally it seems that these sweeteners, or at least part of these sweeteners, are metabolized differently by our body than nature’s own sweeteners. Fructose, for example, is metabolized in the liver in a similar fashion to alcohol, including the side effects like beer belly, while glucose can be metabolized in cells throughout our body; for this reason we should try to limit fructose consumption to about 15-25 grams per day. Fructose is found in many fruits, honey, and agave, but it seems that this source of fructose when combined with the fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the fruit is better for us than the added source of pure fructose; the best time to be consuming fructose is following exercise. However, short term use in small quantities is likely not to harm you.

Bottom line, we should be avoiding all sugar/sweeteners all together but if you must sweeten something, I prefer more raw organic natural sweeteners; this should not surprise frequent readers of this column, it is no secret that it is my opinion that all our nutrients should come from our diet of clean, natural, chemical free sources of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs, and lean meats. But if you must sweeten something, here is a list of sources: Stevia, glucose, honey (Manuka honey has antibacterial properties), maple syrup, brown sugar, cane sugar, and also use fruits like pineapple or raisins. One final example: when you make home cooked meals do you add sugar (example soups, spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc)? Then why should we consume processed foods with added sweeteners?

Dr. Hannon graduated from the Southern California University of Health Sciences’ Doctor of Chiropractic program. Now, in private practice Dr. Hannon dedicates his time to his passion of health, exercise, and nutrition.

High Desert Living magazine 29

Happy, Healthy, and Fit Gyms and Fitness Clubs in the H.D.

by Katie Chavez 30 High Desert Living magazine

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

It can be difficult to make the gym membership leap. Location, classes, equipment, and staff are to be taken into account. In the H.D. there are many gyms and fitness clubs to choose from, but it’s just a matter of finding the right one for you. Do you need childcare? Is tanning a must? Are personal trainers essential? Or, are classes most important? Here are a few local gyms, fitness clubs and training centers that can get you into shape while having a great time.

Anytime fitness Apple Valley: (760) 240-9933 Oak Hills: (760) 981-4085 Victorville, Armargosa Rd.: (760) 843-7773 Victorville, Dunia Rd.: (760) 947-8900 Anytime Fitness is a state of the art fitness center that accommodates even the most hectic schedules. With a membership, you get your own key and twenty four hour access to the gym. This gives members the option of stopping by whenever they chose, and twenty four hour security gives members safety and peace of mind to work out whenever motivation hits. Motivation may find you on vacation or far from home, but don’t worry, Anytime Fitness is a global club that allows access to 1678 clubs in North America alone and 196 more around the world. This is great flexibility and convenience for travelers. This convenience also includes a tanning salon at many locations.

The mission of Anytime Fitness is to “Enrich lives through better health, convenience, [and] community.” Scores of happy clients have benefited from having this fitness club in their lives. They take the members’ needs seriously with a friendly and knowledgeable staff and what they call a “scrupulously www.hdlivingmagazine.com

clean” workout environment. The private bathrooms and showers are also a plus.

Anytime fitness is committed to community atmosphere, member enjoyment, and being the fitness center you can always turn to. For information on specific location details and pricing, please visit www.anytimefitness.com.

Aspen Fitness Hesperia: (760) 956-3209 Aspen Fitness has a small club feel with big club amenities.

Some of their services include childcare, tanning, weights, cardio, circuit training, and group fitness classes, including the popular zumba classes where fitness and Latin music and dance combine for a fun way work up a sweat. Their kids club is full of arts and crafts and homework assistance in a safe atmosphere that kids will enjoy. They also have a location in San Bernardino (909-886-5100) where Hesperia members can take full advantage of their membership.

They know that you shouldn’t have to pay an arm or a leg to get your arms (or legs) in shape: membership starts at $10 month. Their good prices and commitment to health and High Desert Living magazine 31

fitness has made Aspen Fitness community favorite.

If you are looking for a friendly, fun and family oriented environment to get a serious workout, then this is the place for you. For more information about Aspen Fitness, please visit www.aspenfitnessclubs.com or find them on Facebook.

B-Fit Personal Training Center Victorville: (760) 843-7600 Looking for a different gym experience? Look no further. B-Fit Personal Training Center in Victorville is unique. You will not find congested rows of dumbbells, bench presses, treadmills or elliptical machines, but what you will find is knowledgeable and well trained staff.

Personal trainer A.J. Pallante says that when someone enters B-Fit, “they are not left to wander aimlessly through the gauntlet of machines that appear as though they were directly imported from the London Dungeon.” Clients are guided and encouraged every step of the way. It is a functional training center based in the foundational principles of fitness training.

B-Fit strives to help each person reach and maintain goals of a healthy lifestyle.

With classes like TRX suspension training, Pilates and yoga offered seven days a week, it’s not difficult to find time to B-Fit (pun intended). They also offer comprehensive appointment based personal training. As A.J. puts it, “every training session is an informative full body experience that

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encourages endurance, attitude and the all encompassing… proper form.”

For more information, call, drop by, find them on Facebook, or visit www.b-fitpersonaltrainingcenter.com.

Caliber Fitness Victorville: (760) 843-6788 For Caliber Fitness, getting fit is more than just machines and classes, it is an active and happy environment where members can feel comfortable and safe any time they decide to work out.

Open 24 hours, members have their own keys and freedom to use the facility at their leisure. Most importantly, there is extensive security both inside and outside of the gym.

Everything from the wall colors to the interior design is systematically picked to be welcoming and calming. This membership based gym takes great pride in the fact that their facility is always clean and equipment is in working order. They also happily report that there is no waiting in line at this gym.

Their recent expansion allows more space for members during classes like Pilates, yoga, Zumba, grappling and their strength endurance training class. They also have brand new Pilates Power machines—a member favorite. Not only that, but the cardio equipment is furnished with T.V. monitors that make each workout fly by. For more information on Caliber Fitness, give them a call or find them on Facebook.

Spring/sUMMER 2012

Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai Victorville: (760) 245-1800 Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai is a mixed martial arts and fitness health club opened by Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, mixed martial artist and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2, welterweight tournament. Stevenson is an H.D. native, and since 2008, he has made Cobra Kai a place the High Desert community can turn to for high quality fitness and training.

Cobra Kai serves as a mixed martial arts (MMA) training facility for people serious about training to be fighters, but you don’t have to be a fighter to benefit from their many classes.

People of all ages and at all levels are welcome to reach their fitness goals by enrolling in classes like women’s kickboxing, boxing, grappling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, and krav maga.

In addition to helping members reach fitness, weight loss, and nutrition goals, Cobra Kai’s classes teach physical awareness, self-defense, and a great work ethic that can be applied to all areas of life. For more information, including a tour of the gym, please visit www.jscobrakai.com, or find them on Facebook.

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World Gym Victorville, Bear Valley Rd.: (760) 951-4959 Victorville, Park Ave.: (760) 243-4020 Founded in 1976 by “Muscle Beach” alumnus Joe Gold, World Gym is one of the most famous and storied brands in fitness and building muscle. With over 200 locations worldwide, this icon of Southern California has shaped people and their fitness goals all over the world. The two H.D. locations present the best that World Gym has to offer. With group exercises like Zumba, cardio step, yoga, body sculpt, weight training, and low impact workouts, there is always something for members to look forward to.

Victorville’s Park Ave. location offers a large fitness center with a full service gym. Their child care is great for active parents who can work out while their kids are having fun at the Kids Club. They also offer complimentary fitness evaluations and complete personal training sessions.

If you are looking for some “seriously fun fitness,” look to World Gym where their mission is “to create and nurture the ultimate fitness communities globally.” For more information, please visit www.worldgym.com.

High Desert Living magazine 33

Regina Weatherspoon-Bell A Woman with the Vision & Fortitude to Make Things Happen

By Tere Kidd

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Regina Bell was a name that sort of floated out in the ethers of space, the internet, and the buzz of Verizon for me. I remembered a faceless voice with which I exchanged pleasantries on the telephone whenever she called to speak to the Victor Valley Museum director, Carol Carr. I had volunteered there for several years before San Bernardino County took over the museum.

I sensed there was something special about her, but didn’t really know why. When I finally met her for this interview I felt an instant kinship.

Bell is a passionate advocate for women and children.

Remembering, now, how she said she wasn’t sure about the word advocate as a description, I looked up the word in my handy Random House pocket dictionary. And I see, now, after my short foray into that helpful book that she was right. Advocate is indeed an inadequate word to describe her.

My handy dictionary says that an advocate is a person who speaks or writes in support of a cause.

Bell is so much more.

She brought her skills as an ex-recording studio executive in Los Angeles to the H.D. some years ago looking for a more relaxed, and maybe, even more meaningful life. She brought skills that were badly needed, here, in the support of women and children in crises. Those in need of shelter and women in need of training to get a job after leaving an abusive situation have been her focus when volunteering her time to the women’s shelter, A Better Way. She, also, works to increase focus on the needs of teens especially black male teens. As the mother of a teenage son, she works to overcome the difficulties some young black men face by putting together workshops that bring them together with successful black leaders in the community. Most proud of her SPRING/SUMMER 2012

son, eighteen-year-old Grayson, Bell began her journey of community involvement volunteering at Grayson’s school at the Lewis Center in Apple Valley. She says Grayson is an aspiring writer and filmmaker who heads for college in the fall. “Grayson is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. He is kind of heart and his own person.” She aims to help other young men become “firmly rooted in who they are.”

Bell, president and CEO of Gi and Associates, uses her marketing skills to help small businesses and charitable foundations articulate the message they want to present to the public, or in the case of a charitable foundation, to build strategies to secure funding. She uses her talents to promote special events for the Today’s Woman Foundation, A Better Way Domestic Violence Shelter, and many others.

Even though she sees herself as someone working behind the scenes, she was the top vote getter in the 2010 Daily Press series: Most Inspiring Women. She has touched so many people’s lives. It is no wonder that her presence is so strongly felt in the Victor Valley communities. She says, “I want to be remembered at the end of the day not just for what I’ve said, but for what I’ve done.” I don’t think there will be a problem.

One of the projects she feels most passionately about is a photography exhibit that features portraits of women 50 and over. Although, Bell claims to be a member of the 50 and over population, it’s difficult to take her seriously. A pretty

woman, she looks closer to 40 than 50, and she radiates calm and contentment as someone who is doing exactly what she believes in and is content with her life.

The Women over 50 exhibit is not a series of photographs of women who just had their hair done nor make-up applied.

The photos of the twenty women tell a story of who they are as women at that age and the beauty of being a woman 50 and over. A one hour documentary accompanies the photographic exhibit in which the women reveal the greatest lesson they ever learned and the greatest lesson they ever taught. The exhibit has been shown at Victor Valley College.

“These women are vital, vibrant people,” Bell explains.

“We have received some national attention on the radio and local television coverage, as well.” Bell believes through appreciation of the arts, that mind, body and spirit evolve making a person whole.

“I have this feeling that I have something to contribute to make things better,” Bell tells me. And, I have to insist for a woman so intensely involved in her community, Regina Bell has her life together. Maybe you could say that this life she lives is her bliss. Many of us would be overwhelmed and frantic if not a little bit crazy, but Bell is so at peace with herself she makes it all look easy. That’s a very special talent and a very special lady.

“I have this feeling that I have something to contribute to make things better.”

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SPRING/SUMMER 2012

Spring Flings & Summer Dreams Spring is in the air and summer is fast approaching. With the changing seasons comes a change in what to wear. From colorful and chic to edgy and sophisticated. From polka dots and floral print to stripes and evening-wear. Dresses and shorts will become hot items for the season, so flip through the next few pages and discover what are must-haves for your new wardrobe. Items are available exclusively at Indulgence Boutique in Apple Valley; find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/ IndulgenceBoutique.

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Special thanks to the Mile High CafĂŠ at the Hesperia Airport, Nicole Stewart of Indulgence Boutique and Wolf Whistles Salon in Apple Valley, models Tiffani Beckham and Channing Clemons, stylists Teri Schow and Carrie Marshall of Wolf Whistles Salon, photographers George Sillas and Susan Whitney.

Want more?

Go to www.facebook.com/hdlivingmagazine for behind the scenes pictures, videos and more from our fashion photo shoot.

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» restaurant spotlight

Serving the Healthiest Food Around The Flame Broiler

The flame broiler 18975 Bear Valley Rd., Suite 301, Apple Valley (760) 961-1700

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I

n today’s fast paced world, fast food is too convenient to pass up sometimes. But, thanks to The Flame Broiler, fast food doesn’t have to mean unhealthy food any longer.

In fact, The Flame Broiler substantiates that affordable convenience can also denote high quality food, robust flavor, and personable customer service. Since opening their doors in 1995, The Flame Broiler franchise has quickly become Southern California’s Rice Bowl King! Kimberly Lupien and Reuben Behlihomji opened the Apple Valley location in 2009 and have worked diligently to provide fresh, nutritious meals for families on the go. They have introduced the High Desert to a healthy, delicious alternative served with a smile.

The Flame Broiler’s motto is “Not all Fast Food is Created Equal” and with good reason.

Their unique and flavorful menu features rice bowls (served in bowls or plates), with melt in your mouth premium meats including boneless, skinless chicken or white meat chicken breast, Angus rib eye beef and/or delicious premium all beef ribs, your choice of white or brown rice, and fresh, colorful veggies. Customers can also top their bowls or plates off with fresh green onions and their choice of The Flame Broiler’s Magic Sauces. What you won’t find on their menu is anything fried or containing skin, added MSG, trans fats, or dairy. The Apple Valley location also provides a not-so-secret “secret menu,” which offers items such as The Reuben Special. Or, perhaps you may want to sample their delightful Chicken Salad topped with their Magic House Sesame Dressing or their tasty seasonal soups. Gluten Free items are also available upon request.

When it comes to cleanliness and customer service, they’ve got that covered too.

Manager, Emilee Smith is on her toes, answering questions, making suggestions, and keeping things tidy. Devoted and talented Head Cook, Felipe Olvera and Cook, Riley Tews, have been at the Apple Valley location since its grand opening. Kim is justifiably proud of her team and boasts, “They do all they can to provide excellent customer service. They know many customers by name and also know their orders by heart. We truly are like one big family.” The pleasant atmosphere at The Flame Broiler reflects the affable respect they have for each other and for their guests. Fast, affordable, delicious, and healthy—it’s all that. – By Stephanie Morris

Spring/sUMMER 2012

Happy Mother’s Day from the staff of HD Living magazine!

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Food Eating Out Miyako Sushi

Dining Guide The following is a listing of select High Desert Restaurants. These listings are a free service provided by H.D. Living Magazine and are subject to change. This guide also includes wine tasting venues. If you would like your dining establishment considered, send information to frankc@hdlivingmagazine.com, include your name, the name of the establishment, address, and contact information.

» Victorville

Thai Dawn Bistro 14317 Bear Valley Rd Ste 2 Victorville, (760) 244-7600 Paulina’s Mexican Grill 14845 Monarch Blvd, (760) 955-2661 Tokyo Steak 14317 Bear Valley Rd., Ste 2 (760) 780-1499 Yoshi Sushi 14177 Kentwood Blvd, (760) 241-1960 Chateau Chang Restaurant 15425 Anacapa Rd, (760) 241-3040 Divine Wine Bar 14845 Monarch Blvd. suite C, (760) 843-3888

Marie Callenders 12180 Mariposa Rd, (760) 241-6973

Amy’s Mexican Restaurant 18768 US Highway 18 Ste 170, (760) 242-1474

Siam Thai Cuisine 18564 Outer Hwy 18 Ste. 203 (760) 242-5093

Outback Steakhouse 12400 Amargosa Rd # B, (760) 962-1003

The Wine Seller Apple Bear Center, (760) 961-2500

Apple Valley Golf Course Grill 15200 Rancherias Rd, 760-242-3653

Mimi’s Cafe 12032 Amargosa Rd, (760) 244-6888

Los Domingos Mexican Restaurant 17790 Us Highway 18 (760) 946-5344

Original Roadhouse Grill 11940 Amargosa Rd, (760) 949-2308 Carino’s 11970 Amargosa Rd, (760) 949-2248 Crown and Sword Restaurant 14173 Green Tree Blvd., (760) 513-6046

Oggis Pizza & Brewing Co 19201 Bear Valley Rd, (760) 240-8977 Mama Carpino’s 22010 Highway 18 (760) 240-9664 Viva Maria 20162 Highway 18 #D (760) 946-2087

» Hesperia

Miyako Sushi 14073 Main St., Ste 109 (760) 956-7817 Juliano’s Italian Restaurant 12052 Hesperia Rd. (760) 949-0595 Go Bangkok Thai Cuisine 15800 Main St Ste 200 (760) 947-9029 Cancun Mexican & Seafood 15550 Main St. (760) 956-7720

La Casita Mexican Restaurant 14977 Palmdale Rd, (760) 241-0119

Grumpy Golfer 14144 Green Tree Blvd, (760) 955-6017

Marcelinos Mexican Restaurant 21510 Bear Valley Rd. (760) 240-4344

La Casita at the Lake 12170 Spring Valley Pkwy, (760) 843-0440

» Apple Valley

Linko Sushi 12115 Apple Valley Rd. (760) 240-1125

Thai-Lotus Restaurant 12027 Hesperia Rd. (760) 949-9362

Carmen’s Ponderosa Restaurant 9544 Kiowa Rd. (760) 247-7727

Wood Grill Buffet 14135 Main St. (760) 981-4418

Rinconsito Del Mar 14678 7th St, (760) 951-0344 Tokyo Sushi & BBQ 14741 7th St, (760) 955-7123 Golden Gate Restaurant 15208 Bear Valley Rd # B, (760) 245-6189 Steer ‘n Stein Restaurant 12224 Mariposa Rd, (760) 241-0775

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Angel’s Roadhouse 2 13685 John Glenn Rd, (760) 240-6923 Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant 21919 US Highway 18, (760) 240-1051 Go Bangkok Thai Cuisine 20783 Bear Valley Rd, Ste H (760) 240-3888 Di Napoli’s Fire House 17856 US Highway 18, (760) 242-5802

Ninja Sushi 15850 Apple Valley Rd., (760) 242-3913 Mama Carpino’s 22010 Highway 18 (760) 240-0664

Italian Kitchen 16409 Yucca St. (760) 244-7757

Los Domingos Restaurant 15885 Main St. (760) 948-6161 Oasis Sushi Restaurant 12719 Main St. (760) 244-9608

Spring/sUMMER 2012

JAPANESE RESTAURANT

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» wine cellar Tasting Notes

wine trends

by Stephanie Morris

“I tell people to throw away the vintage charts and invest in a corkscrew. The best way to learn about wine is the drinking.”

— Alexis Lichine Reader Recommendation Oak Ridge Winery Old Vine lodi zinfandel, 2008 Forgive her, for she has “Zinned.” Voice-over talent, Dawn Griffin’s latest favorite is Oak Ridge Winery’s “OZV” Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel, 2008. If you enjoy notes of cherry and blackberry jam, along with hints of chocolate and mocha, you’ll love this smooth Zin. Dawn, and her husband, Jim, like to pair it with a grilled garlic and herb pork tenderloin.

It’s also a great accompaniment of salmon and lamb dishes as well. At $13.99, it’s a reasonably priced pleasure.

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W

ine—we just can’t get enough of it.

We love the smell of it. We savor the taste of it. We enjoy wineries, ogle wine art, and we love to fiddle with our wine gadgets and paraphernalia. Well, now there’s another reason (excuse) to drink wine: wine crafts! We must drink wine so that we can recycle the bottles, corks, crates, and barrels and turn them into fashionable, yet functional household décor items! If you twist your mind around it and tilt your head slightly to the right, it’s almost as if drinking wine is good for the environment! And, you know, crafty wine décor just looks cool!

Let’s start with the barrels. Most of us have seen wine barrels that have been transformed into beautiful tables and planters, but the creative possibilities are endless. The innovative are using barrels to make wine racks, sinks and ice chests, and barrel staves are being morphed into gorgeous candle holders, key racks, swings and even chandeliers.

With or without wine, wine bottles are beautiful; add light to them and they’re gorgeous. With a few candles, a little work, and some imagination, wine bottles can be transformed into elegant lanterns or

hanging hurricane lanterns. For special occasions, monograms can be added to the glass for a touch of class and personalized elegance. And, for an outside event, wine bottle tiki torches are easy to make and very festive looking.

Cork cages are cool, but why just allow your pretty corks to sit lazily in a cage? Put their beauty to work! Multi-capable corks are now being converted into gorgeous wreaths, floor mats, coaster sets, wall hangings, and even trendy key chains.

Really, the list of crafty cork creations is endless.

Wine crates can even be repurposed!

Use them as garden boxes, or even better, line them with a little wall paper for hot looking wall display cases. They also make great shelves and bookcases.

Many of these ideas, tips, and pictures can be found at http://pinterest .com.

Have fun and enjoy recycling! Until next time, cheers!

Spring/sUMMER 2012

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(Provider for most commercial and senior dental plans)

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Entertainment Calendar : Spring/Summer 2012 May – June high desert mavericks baseball Don’t miss your High Desert Mavericks take on teams from the California league as the Mavericks swing into action this spring season. The Mavericks, who are off to a great start, bring another year of special promotions and evening fun for the season. Maverick Stadium 1200 Stadium Rd, Adelanto. For Tickets Call: (760) 246-MAVS (6287) or go to www.hdmavs.com

May 3–31 concerts in the courtyard Enjoy a chance to reconnect with friends, family and neighbors for great music in 2012 featuring rock, R&B and jazz on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Courtyard of Apple Valley Commons. The Courtyard at Apple Valley Commons is a beautiful outdoor dining area located in Apple Valley, which is at the northwest corner of Highway 18 and Dale Evans Pkwy. These events are made possible through the generosity of Apple Valley Commons and Lewis Retail Centers and are hosted by the Town of Apple Valley.

Apple Valley Commons: Call (760) 241-7000 x 7071 for more information.

May 12–13 calico spring festival Calico Spring Festival featuring Americana Music, Arts & Crafts Fair and Cowboy Poetry. Calico park offers visitors an opportunity to share in its rich history and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding desert environment. Calico Ghost Town - 36600 Ghost Town Rd, Yermo, visit calicotown.com for more information

May 25 – June 3 RECKLESS, by Craig Lucas Reckless begins on Christmas Eve. Rachel is in bed with her husband recalling wonderful childhood memories of watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” at which point her husband breaks down and tells her he has hired a hitman to kill her and now she must flee for her life. Rachel meets a variety of people who are also running away from things in their own lives. This funny, quirky, dark comedic

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drama is one for the adults. V.V.C. Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre: Call (760) 245Fear Festival, 4271 ext. TIX (849) for tickets and showtimes or go to www.vvc.edu/tix .

May 26 – June 3 San bernadino county fair Come out & play at this year’s County Fair in Victorville! The 2012 lineup promises to please from Country and Classic Rock to a Michael Jackson tribute act, along with another year of great food, rides and exhibits. Don’t forget to check out the livestock competitions, homemade crafts and even a pie eating contest. San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Victorville.

For information go to www.sbcfair.com

June 2 desert breeze car show Come check out this year’s Desert Breeze Car show put on in association with the Victor Valley Vettes. Held at Greiner Buick GMC from 8:00am to 2:00pm, this year’s event is a car show with a separate category for all year Corvettes and all classic cars from 1900-1980. Enjoy the food and vendors at this year’s show as it will be a fun day for the family. All proceeds from the event are distributed to local charities. Greiner Buick GMC 14555 Civic Dr. Victorville. For information on the event call: (760-965-9314 or go to www.vvvettes.com/carshow

June 15 – 17 huck finn jubilee Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers headline more than 30 hours of old time Country and bluegrass music at this year’s Huck Finn Jubilee. Tales of life on the river, jumping frogs, hot air balloons, camping and the arrival of a small town circus can be lived first hand this Father’s Day weekend. During the three-day festival which runs June 15-19, families can whitewash fences, build river rafts and climb a greased pole. Nearly all 1880’s style contests are free to enter, and winners receive not only bragging rights, but ribbons too! Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Victorville. For tickets call (951) 341-8080 or go to www.huckfinn.com

Spring/sUMMER 2012

October 15 - 31

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Âť HD HAppenings

Victor Valley College Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame and Distinguished Awards On February 25 the Victor Valley College Foundation held the 2012 Alumni Hall of Fame & Distinguished Awards Celebration Gala at the Hilton Garden Inn events center in Victorville. This cherished community event honors local heroes and helps the Victor Valley College Foundation give opportunities through scholarships to people with dreams.

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» Susan’s corner

Honor Our Mothers & Fathers

by Susan Landers

A

If you would like to see something special featured in Susan’s Corner, or if you have a special recipe, drop me a line and let me know about it at: Susan Landers at H.D. Living Magazine 6630 SLV Box Victorville, Ca. 92395, or e-mail me at susanl@hdlivingmagazine.com.

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As you may have read in Katie Chavez’s article on the origins of Mother’s and Father’s Day, the celebrations began because one woman decided to honor her mother and another decided to honor her father. What began nearly one hundred years ago, allows us today to pay tribute to those who gave us life, tended us through childhood illnesses and scraped knees, went to school plays, Little League games, Girl and Boy Scout fundraisers, and taught us to ride a bike, throw a baseball, and generally put our needs before their own.

Though not everyone has such great parents, it is possible to become the mom or dad you wish you had. My parents were proof of that.

I was one of the lucky ones. My siblings and I had parents whose own childhoods were not in the least idyllic, yet they strove to make ours as perfect as possible. They weren’t perfect themselves, yet they always put us first. My mom and dad grew up in poverty with alcoholism and abuse, but they never used that as an excuse to continue the cycle. My sister, two brothers and I all knew just how much our parents loved us. They were “up by your bootstraps” kind of people and pulled themselves and us into the middle class through hard work and sacrifice. They gave us many things they never had, including a sober household where none of us needed to worry about having a roof over our heads, food on the table, or clothing on our backs. They did not give us everything we wanted, but they certainly gave us everything we needed, and more.

My dad was on his own at seventeen years old. He married my mom five years later only days after her high school graduation, and they were together for sixty-four years. He was drafted into the Marines and sent to serve in the South Pacific when my sister was just a baby. Yes, my parents were part of the “Greatest Generation,” a term I do not use lightly because what they accomplished is great.

Dad was only allowed an eighth grade education and Mom never went to college, yet one of their daughters earned a master’s degree and writes for a magazine. It’s a very American story.

Even when our parents passed away, they put us first. Mom, ever the planner, had paid for and arranged for their funeral, including their headstone: in atypical fashion under their names it reads: Beloved Father and Husband, and Beloved Mother and Wife—even in death, the mother and father came before the husband and wife. So, though they have been gone more than five years, I honor them in the life I lead, the choices I make, and how I view the world. Thank you Leland and Alfreda Nylander, with love from a grateful daughter.

Spring/sUMMER 2012

(760) 241-6666 • 31 Primary Care Providers

• On-site X-ray Services in Victorville • On-site Lab Services Available

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Hesperia/Urgent Care 17095 Main Street Hesperia, CA 92345

Apple Valley Medical Office 19333 Bear Valley Rd., Ste. 101-102 Apple Valley, CA 92307

Victorville/Urgent Care 12550 Hesperia Rd., #100 Victorville, CA 92395

Introducing the newest member of

our cardiovascular team

Reginald G. M. Abraham M.D. FACS, FACC, FCCP Board Certification

Areas of Specialization Include:

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American Board of Thoracic Surgery and General Surgery

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Off-pump/beating heart surgery

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Fellow of the American College of Surgeons

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Minimally invasive heart & lung procedures

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Fellow of the American College of Cardiology

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Video assisted robotic thoracic procedures

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Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians

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Valve repair

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Surgery for atrial fibrillation

Experience Practiced cardiac and thoracic surgery for over 12 years.

16850 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395 241-8000, ext. 8204