Area Woman Magazine Jun/Jul '11

AnnA G. LARSOn

is from Fargo and graduated from NDSU with a journalism degree in 2008. At NDSU Larson was an editor at The Spectrum and a member of Lambda Pi Eta. She enjoys running, photography, kittens, fashion and all things Martha Stewart. Larson is a freelance writer and lives in Fargo.

KRISTI MOnSOn

is the assistant director of marketing and communications at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and an MBA, both from MSUM. She has 25 years experience in writing, editing, public relations, and marketing. She lives in Fargo with her husband, Brad, and their two teenage sons and daughter. She enjoys fitness activities, scrapbooking, reading, time with family and friends, and attending myriad kids’ activities.

JILL n. KAnDEL

grew up in North Dakota and lived in Zambia, Indonesia, England, and in her husband’s native Netherlands. Her work has been published in literary journals such as”The Review”, “River Teeth”, “Brevity”, and “Image”, and has received two Pushcart nominations. One of her essays is forthcoming in “The Best Spiritual Writing 2012” to be published by Penguin and available this fall.

KRISTI OLSGAARD

grew up in Buhl, Minnesota and graduated from Moorhead State University. She spent 16 years in the banking industry. After moving to her husband Kevin’s family farm, she has had the privilege to be a stay-at-home mom, a title she is proud to wear. It has given her time to pursue a career in writing. With two sons, Nick and Tyler, the family keeps busy attending their activities. Their family spends time golfing, snow skiing, and mowing a large yard!

AnnA G. LARSOn

KRISTI MOnSOn

JILL n. KAnDEL

KRISTI OLSGAARD

area life

- calendar - featuring fargo

Summer is finally here! Make a tall glass of lemonade (from real lemons — not that powdered stuff) put up your feet, and enjoy a new season of Area Life! In the calendar, the forecast calls for sunny daytime activities and evening showers of culture. Find a fundraiser to attend, and your photo may end up on the pages of Area Life — like your neighbors who attended the recent Fargo Air Museum and Soroptimist Club events!

areawoman life

Monday, June 6

(through June 10)

PandaMania Vacation Bible School

8:45 a.m.-noon

Triumph Church, Moorhead triumphlbc.org

June 6

Lil’ Fisherman Derby & Clinic

5:00-7:30 p.m. Dike East, Fargo 701.499.6060 or fargoparks.com

Tuesday, June 7

Golf “Fore” Life –Marathon Invitation

7:45 a.m.

Rose Creek Golf Course, Fargo 701.237.5902 or susan@firstchoiceclinic.com

Tuesday, June 7 (through June 9)

PandaMania Vacation Bible School

6:15-8:00 p.m.

Triumph Church, West Fargo triumphlbc.org

Tuesday, June 7

Thursday, June 2

(also June 16, July 7 & 21) Infertility Support Group for Women

7:30-8:45 p.m.

Living Hope Counseling, LLC

218.329.2048

calendar june

s unday, June 5

Classical Music Festival

1:00-6:00 p.m.

Trollwood Park, Fargo

701.499.7788 or fargoparks.com

Moorhead Library Pet Show Youth can enter any one pet real or imaginary.

6:30 p.m.

Moorhead Library

218.233.7894 or Moorhead@larl.org

Wednesday, June 8

The Moody Blues

All Ages. General admission and reserved.

7:00 p.m.

Bluestem Center for the Arts, Moorhead 701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

Friday, June 10

CLASSIC MUSIC FESTIVAL JUnE 5

(each Friday through August 5)

Free Friday Movies

View full schedule online. 701.241.1495 or fargolibrary.org

s a T urday, June 11

Going Green on Century Farm

Hands-on activities and farm animals on site. Pre-registration is required.

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Lee and Noreen Thomas Farm, Moorhead

218.284.3400

communityed.moorhead.k12.mn.us

Tuesday, June 14

RiverArts

Outdoor concert featuring Silverado, pony rides, horse drawn carriage rides, shopping, and more.

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Memorial Park, Moorhead

218.299.5340

Thursday, June 16

Saving Abel with Red Line Chemistry and Desperate Union

All ages, general admission. April 1 show tickets will be accepted.

6:00 p.m.

The Venue, Fargo

701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

Friday, June 17 Midwest Kid Fest Island Park, Fargo

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

701.499.7788 or fargoparks.com

s a T urday, June 18

(also August 20)

Marine Moms

Support, hugs, advice, stories, laughter, inspiration, and encouragement.

1:30 p.m.

Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo

701.799.8946 or ruth@calvaryfargo.com

s a T urday, June 18

MS Research Symposium

Learn about the latest MS research and therapies and have your questions answered by an expert.

9:30–11:30 a.m.

Moorhead, AmericInn Lodge and Suites

800.344.4867 or MSsociety.org

Monday, June 20

Against Me!

All ages, general admission. February 8 show tickets will be accepted.

6:30 p.m.

The Venue, Fargo 701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

Tuesday, June 21

Lefse Making Workshop

All materials will be provided. Space is limited; pre-registration is required.

2:00 p.m.

Dr. James Carlson Library, Fargo 701.241.1495

Tuesday, June 21

Red River Watercolor Society

National Juried Watermedia Exhibition Opening Reception

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead 218.299.5511 or hcscconline.org

Tuesday, June 21

Orgone with O’Fosho

Ages 21+, general admission.

8:00 p.m.

The Aquarium, Fargo 701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

RED RIVER WATERCOLOR SOCIETY JUnE

areawoman life calendar

s a T urday, June 25

Jack’s Mannequin

All ages, general admission.

5:30 p.m.

The Venue, Fargo 701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

Tuesday, June 28

(through June 29)

Soroptimist International of Fargo Annual Garden Tour

Call for ticket locations.

1:30-7:30 p.m.

Tues. Moorhead gardens; Wed. West Fargo gardens 701.235.5994 or 701.361.6333

Tuesday, June 28

NDSU BisonArts Gala

5:30-10:00 p.m.

Tickets: $75 each

NDSU President’s House 701.231.6814 or ndsualumni.com

Tuesday, June 28

Moorhead Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Park Party Free Games Galore, crafts, a clown and more!

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Morningside Park, Moorhead 218.299.5340

Thursday, June 30

Trollwood Performing Arts School’s Sun Celebration

Talent Showcase and Barbecue Picnic

Picnic, 5:00 p.m.; Talent Showcase, 6:00 p.m. Bluestem Center for the Arts, Moorhead 218.477.6500

AFTERMATH: IMAGES FROM GROUnD ZERO JULY 2

s a T urday, July 2 (through September 11)

Aftermath: Images from Ground Zero

Photographs of Joel Meyerowitz Exhibit Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead 218.299.5511 or hcscconline.org

July 2

(through July 4)

Red, White and Blue

Tye Dye Day

Sat. & Mon. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sun. 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Yunker Farm

701.232.6102 or childrensmuseum-yunker.org

Wednesday, July 6

Gooseberry Park Players presents Cinderella 2:00 p.m.

Moorhead Library

218.233.7894 or moorhead@larl.org

Wednesday, July 6

Family Fun Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m.

Roosevelt Park, Fargo 701.499.7788 or fargoparks.com

Thursday, July 7

Community Play Day

9:00-11:00 a.m. & 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Rheault Farm, Fargo 701. 499.7788 or fargoparks.com

Friday, July 8 (through July 16)

Red River Valley Fair

Free admission M-F 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Redrivervalleyfair.com

Tuesday, July 12

RiverArts

Outdoor concert featuring Penny & Pals, River Keepers fishing clinic, horse drawn carriage rides, shopping, and more!

5:30-8:30 p.m.

RED RIVER VALLEY FAIR JULY 8 - 16

Morningside Park, Moorhead

218.299.5340

Wednesday, July 13

Ships, Shields, Swords and more!

2:00 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead

218.233.7894 or Moorhead@larl.org

Wednesday, July 13

Sara Bareilles with Raining Jane

All ages, general admission.

8:00 p.m.

Fargo Theatre

701.289.0071 or jadepresents.com

Thursday, July 14

(also July 15, 16, 20-23, 27-30)

Trollwood Performing Arts School presents Meredith

Willson’s The Music Man

8:30 p.m.

Bluestem Center for the Arts, Mhd

218.477.6502 or trollwood.org

s a T urday, July 16

(through July 17)

Midwest Viking Festival

Formerly Viking Village. Viking-age crafts, demonstrations, food, linking chain mail, era games and more!

Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sun. noon-4:00 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead

218.299.5511 or hcscconline.org

s a T urday, July 16

Marine Family Day at the Lake

Join other Marine families from Sub-Station Fargo at Lake Melissa. Potluck meal. RSVP’s required by June 30. Bring your own water toys and canoes/kayaks with life vests.

11:00 a.m.

Lynch Cabin on Lake Melissa 701.799.8946 or ruth@calvaryfargo.com

Tuesday, July 19 (through July 24)

Gooseberry Park Players presents “Cinderella–The World’s Favorite Fairytale”

A musical version from four cultural perspectives accompanied by songs and dances from a pop culture/music perspective. For all ages.

Tues.-Sat. 7:00 p.m.; Sat.-Sun, 1:00 p.m. Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia College

218.299.3314 or gooseberryparkplayers.org

Wednesday, July 20

RedHawks vs. Lincoln Saltdogs

First 1,000 fans receive RedHawks Mini-Bat thanks to Cass County Farm Bureau.

7:02 p.m.

Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo 701.235.6161 fmredhawks.com

Wednesday, July 20

Kids’ & Teens’ Talent Show

Prizes; pre-registration required. 7:00 p.m.

Main Library, Fargo 701.476.5978 or teens@cityoffargo.com

Wednesday, July 27

Community Playground Carnival Rheault Farm, Fargo Noon-7:00 p.m. 701.499.6060 or fargoparks.com

Friday, July 29 (through July 30)

Midwest Waterfowl Fest Scheels Parking Lot, 1551 45 St. S., Fargo

Fri. 3:00-9:00 p.m., Sat. 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 701.499.6060 or fargoparks.com

Tuesday, a ugus T 2 (also August 3)

Trollwood Performing Arts School presents Into the Woods Jr.

Tues. 7:00 p.m.; Wed. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Fargo South High School Theatre 218.477.6500 or trollwood.org

s a T urday, a ugus T 6 RedHawks vs. Sioux Falls

Pheasants

First 1,000 fans receive a Jeff Bittiger Bobblehead thanks to Mountain Dew.

6:00 p.m.

Newman Outdoor Field, Fargo 701.235.6161 or fmredhawks.com

PUBLIC nOTICE:

All dates and times are subject to change. Event participants should confirm dates and times before attending.

Quotable

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Then you will seek me and find me: when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”

- JEREMIAH 29: 11-14

areawoman featuring fargo

Flying HIGH

The Fargo Air Museum Celebrates

WRITER: JILL N. KANDEL PHOTOGRAPHER: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

he Fargo Air Museum celebrated its Celebrity Auction and Dinner: Planes, Pilots & Puns on April 14 with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, dinner, and a live auction. The Fargo Air Museum is unique in the world of aircraft museums because it not only houses, but also flies, many of its historic aircraft.

“This auction was our kick-off fund raising event for the museum’s new wing,” Fran Brummund, executive director, said. “Our new wing will double the size of our existing museum and will focus on education and restoration.”

Twenty-five celebrities, including NDSU President Bresciani, graced the tables with entertainment and antics while they served a dinner prepared by the Garden Hilton.

The spirited live auction included tickets for an aerobatic ride on “Super Chipmunk,” two rides on the P-51, and a ride on “Miss Mitchell,” which is a North American B-25 Bomber. Gift certificates and gourmet dinners were also included.

“The Celebrity Auction and Dinner was a great start to begin funding our new wing,” Brummund said.

Activities at the Fargo Air Museum this summer’s are high flying! They include WWII Bomber tours, a plane camp, the Vietnam Memorial Exhibit, and the Fargo AirSho. [AWM] For more information visit fargoairmuseum.org.

areawoman featuring moorhead

SoroptimiSt WOMEN

A Day of Purses, Cakes, and Fashion

WRITER: JILL N. KANDEL PHOTOGRAPHER: KANDEL PHOTOGRAPHY

oroptimist International of Moorhead hosted its signature fundraiser Saturday, April 9, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. “This is our sixth year of celebrating the Spring Style Show and silent auction. It is our biggest fundraising event,” president Maureen Kelly Jonason said. “It supports our club in giving direct assistance to women and girls. We raised more than $5,000 and sold a record number of tickets.”

The Moorhead Soroptimist Club donates money locally to many groups including the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, YWCA, Expanding Your Horizons, and the Tri-College NEW Leadership Institute. This year they also sent money to help their international sister clubs in Japan.

Fifty-eight purses, artfully arranged and brimming with jewelry, perfumes, scarves, gift certificates, and other treasures, were available in the silent auction. “People started coming an hour early,” Jonason said. “They wanted extra time to browse and make their choices.”

Coffee and deluxe cakes followed the bidding. Music by Clarion Quartet set the tone while volunteers modeled fashions with looks that ranged from dressy to casual from Coldwater Creek, Chico’s, Downtown Divas, and Sanford Gift Shop.

“The event is a perfect combination of our favorite things,” Jonason said. “Purses, shopping, and cake!” [AWM]

For more information visit www.soropotimistncr.org.

area style

- weddings - cutie patooties

- where to shop - resorts

- pets - business - women’s resources

Beautiful weddings and charming children make good subjects for fabulous photos! See this issue’s picks of talented photographers, and their photos, in this issue of Area Style.

PHOTO: MILESTOnES PHOTOGRAPHY

MILESTOnES PHOTOGRAPHY

SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

SCHERLInG PHOTOGRAPHY

HAnEY’S PHOTOGRAPHY

HAnEY’S PHOTOGRAPHY

LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY

weddings

SCHERLInG PHOTOGRAPHY

SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY

MILESTOnES PHOTOGRAPHY

cutie patooties

SCHERLInG PHOTOGRAPHY

CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

HAnEY’S PHOTOGRAPHY

SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

JORDANA PAIGE - RIO

Gather your latest knitting project, tools, work papers and the day’s essential purse items into Rio.

$69.95-$89.95.

Available at BOUCLE YARN STUDIO

311 Broadway, Fargo 701.356.YARN

BRIGHTON’S FLIP FLOPS

Have fun in the sun with assorted flip flops from Brighton. Find them only at LAURIE’S 25th and 32nd Avenue South, Fargo 701.282.8180

JUICY COUTURE EYEWEAR AND SUNGLASSES

Women and girls of all ages will love this quirky, confident, feminine and edgy eyewear! Available exclusively at MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY

2553 Kirsten Lane, Fargo

(Corner of 25th St. & 32nd Ave. S.) 701.373.2020, www.optixgallery.com

H OW BAMBOO OF YOU …

Fabulously chic & comfortable. Eco Chic Boutique proudly features Yala Designs line of bamboo clothing. From sleeveless to half to full sleeved wraps, short & long; yoga/dress pants; tanks & bandeaus, each piece makes for a casual or dressy wardrobe addition. Available at ECO CHIC BOUTIQUE

4955 17th Avenue South 701.356.6600, www.beingecochic.com

MONOGRAM TOPPERS

Beautiful monogram cake toppers are available in two sizes. $16.00.

Available at CAKE & CANDY WORLD

1517 South University Drive, Fargo 701.232.1119

WEBER ® K ING OF THE G RILL BY T ELEFLORA

Fire up Dad’s day with bright flowers in a perfect replica of the legendary Weber® kettle grill. Approximately 12” W x 15 1/2” H. $49.99.

Available at DALBOL FLOWERS

25th Street Market, 1450 25th Street South, Fargo 701.235.5864

www.dalbolflowersfargo.com

MEGA PASS IS BACK!

Nine days of unlimited rides, grandstand entertainment and free gate admission. All for $50 through June. Get yours at redrivervalleyfair.com or at any Stop-N-Go location.

NOT YOUR DAUGHTER’S JEANS

The most uplifting jeans ever! Not Your Daughter’s Jeans prove that style and comfort can go hand-inhand. Every jean features Lift/Tuck Technology to slim, reshape and help you feel fabulous. Available at FUSION BOUTIQUE located inside

SCHEELS HOME & HARDWARE

3202 13th Avenue South, Fargo 701.232.8903

where to shop

KOOL SHADES

Designed inspired sunglasses. Your largest selection of quality high fashion optical glasses for men, women, and children.

Available at KOOL SHADES

West Acres Kiosk in the Food Court wing

LOCAL ~ FRESH ~ NATURAL

Holland’s has everything you need to make your home your favorite place to be! You’ll find locally-grown trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, veggies, fruits, vintage home decor, gifts & unique garden art.

H OLLAND ’ S L ANDSCAPING & G ARDEN C ENTER

1201 Center Avenue, Moorhead 218.233.6131

www.hollandslandscapingandgarden.com

TESSIE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

areawoman resorts

mAKing FriEnDS, FUn & mEmoriES FOR 71 YEARS

How Cragun’s Resort Keeps Guests Happy With Old World Hospitality

t was 1940 when Merrill Cragun, Sr. and his wife, Louise, opened their six-cabin housekeeping resort on the southern shore of Gull Lake, just 10 minutes north of Brainerd. They achieved their dream of providing a respite for the World War II generation. But they faced a challenge in their northwoods paradise. How would they compete with other area resorts in the beautiful Brainerd lakes area of north central Minnesota?

Merrill and Louise found the answer in providing an incomparable feeling of welcome to their guests. They created Cragun’s signature brand of warmth and hospitality that has become a northern tradition. It’s a tradition that has grown along with the resort

over the past 71 years, carried on by second-generation owners Dutch and Irma Cragun.

Today, Cragun’s features 300 superior lodging choices, including rooms, family suites, and one- to five-bedroom cabins. All offer great views overlooking the lake or the huge indoor pool. It’s estimated that more than three million guests have enjoyed Cragun’s Resort since it opened.

The resort has made wonderful, lifelong memories for generations of guests. Such as Joelle from Maple Grove, MN…

“We stayed at Cragun’s for the first time last August and had the best time ever!...Boy did we hit the jackpot!...I think the best memory was golfing on the Legacy Par 3…It was a perfect …We hope to come back soon!”

Guests love that Cragun’s is a celebration of fun, food, and fond family vacation memories. There are simply more recreational possibilities at Cragun’s.

It starts with Cragun’s Legacy Courses, named “Minnesota’s #1 Resort Course.”

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the 18-hole championship Dutch Legacy was rated 5 Stars by Golf Digest. The 18-hole championship Bobby’s Legacy was rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest. And the Reversible Legacy Par 3 is fun for the entire family.

There’s fishing, boating and water skiing from Cragun’s complete marina with rentals. Guests can swim on one of the spectacular sandy beaches, or in Cragun’s indoor and outdoor pools. There’s an awardwinning Camp Cragun’s kids program and a 22,000 sq. ft. indoor Sports Centre. Guests can also enjoy beautiful biking, hiking, and nature trails or a unique horse drawn trolley ride along the lakefront.

Cragun’s offers the complete array of winter activities, too. Venture out snowmobiling, ice fishing, X-C and downhill skiing, warm up at a bonfire with hot chocolate after a horse drawn trolley ride, or go dog sledding. Cragun’s rents all the gear.

Resort guests Tammy and family from Thief River Falls, MN had a winter blast…

“All our memories from Cragun’s vacations are fantastic! [Our kids] swim, splash and squeal and just have a blast!...We love how Cragun’s feels like home…and we always feel welcome…We can’t wait for our next vacation to you!”

Great food is part of Cragun’s fun. Five unique dining experiences start with their famous poolside “Welcome Party” and dinner buffet. Delicious dining is found lakeside to poolside to course-side, at such facilities as Cragun’s Main Dining Room, the Hungry Gull, and the Legacy Grille.

Cragun’s invites guests to discover their secret to making vacation friends and memories for 71 years. It simply comes down to giving guests that welcome home feeling.

For reservations information, visit http://craguns.com/?phonalytics=8es, or call 877.295.8282.

tAil WAgging AnD PuuR-FEct

Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley Bringing People, Pets, and Wishes Together

lene Cohen-Pearson, president of Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley, owns two cats, three dogs, and an African gray parrot. “We’re at the legal limit of animals,” her husband joked. Pearson laughs and bends down to pet Marley, the gray and white, blueeyed dog at her feet. “Marley is a rescue dog,” Pearson said, “When we found her, she was feral. And she’s deaf.” Marley looks up at Pearson and wags her tail, looking around. “Marley is wondering why we are here. She thinks we should be going over to the other people and greeting them.”

As members of the Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley, Marley and Pearson get out together often, going to nursing homes, schools, and the library. “The first time Marley and I went to nursing home, she brought so much joy to the residents. My face hurt from smiling so much!”

The group started in 2003 and now has about two dozen members, each with one or two certified pets. They meet as a group once a month to discuss the places they will visit.

“People want Therapy Pets to visit them, but we don’t have enough members,” Pearson said. “It’s fairly uncomplicated to be certified. We’d love to see the program grow!”

WRITER: JILL N. KANDEL PHOTOGRAPHER: CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Therapy Pets of the RRV is part of the national Delta program. “Being part of Delta gives us the benefit of a million dollar liability coverage when volunteering,” Pearson said. Study groups for pet certification are scheduled twice a year. Owners work through a training manual and practice together. After the training, Therapy Pets RRV sets up practice times and a mock evaluation at Red River North Obedience School. The practices include wheelchairs and volunteers who walk by with odd gaits or drop treats that pets must walk past – in a real setting it might be a pill. Pets are evaluated for their friendliness with strangers and with other dogs.

When the pets have finished training, they are tested locally by Tony Bach, who is qualified to certify the animals. Bach has certified both dogs and cats, and she certified two miniature horses near Bismarck. “Last year we had six dogs in our certification study,” Pearson said. “And all six passed.” The international group Delta has certified dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, chickens, and guinea pigs.

After certification, therapy visits begin under the guidance of a mentoring program. Mentors go with newly certified pets and owners to their first visits.

Therapy Pets RRV currently make visits to the Fairmont Nursing home in Moorhead; Waterford, Bethany, and the VA hospital in Fargo; and into several public schools. One Saturday a month they go to the Fargo Public Library and help out with the PAWS for Reading program. At Longfellow School they work with developmentally disabled children during the school year, and a summer program for developmentally disabled adults has recently been added to the growing list of groups who would like Therapy Pets RRV to visit them.

Working with handicapped children is great,” Pearson said. “The interaction gets the kids moving physically. The

areawoman pets

kids are very excited. Even children who are completely wheelchair bound and can’t talk will be waving their arms calling their friends over. You totally make their day.”

“A lot of the dogs in Therapy Pets RRV are rescue dogs. We have mixes, whippets, American Staffordshire terriers, Labradoodles, little French bull dogs, Australian shepherds, collies, and various small breed dogs as well,” Pearson said. “We have one cat. And we have Marley, who is deaf. I use hand signals with her and it’s great for the kids to see it and realize it doesn’t matter.

It’s not a bad thing to be different.”

“There are couples in our group,” Pearson said of the volunteers. “We also have a mom and a son. It’s a great family activity. The common bond is animals and people. You have to love your pet and love to be with people. We have one 14-year-old boy who volunteers. It’s interesting to see teens going out with their pets into environments to help others.”

“At the end of the day it is so relaxing to take my pet and sit with seniors. When the tables are turned I hope there are people who will do this for me. You form bonds with the people. It’s a wonderful thing. You get to spend time with your pets and make people happy. Nothing could be better than that!”[AWM]

For more information visit therapypetsrrv.org

“It’s fairly uncomplicated to be certified. We’d love to see the program grow!”

areawoman pets

lEt’S FinD tHEm A HOME

Humane Society of Fargo

he FM Humane Society is primarily a pound rescue organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats at risk of being euthanized at local impounds. Each year, we adopt out hundreds of wonderful pets that just needed a second chance at finding a “forever” home. We have a variety of pets available for adoption, from puppies and kittens to senior pets and everything in between, and almost any breed, including purebreds. Next time you’re considering adopting a pet, please check out our shelter and consider giving a pet in need a home. Check us out at fmhs@f-mhumanesociety.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ fmhumanesociety, or give us a call at 701-239-0077.

Buzzy

Ella

Asha

Akela

Winston

Jagger Hosmer

nora

PHOTOGRAPHER: LINDSAY KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Chaps

Courtlyn

Shelly

CombinED CHAmbEr poSitionED FOR FutuRE

elow is a conversation with Craig Whitney, President/CEO of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

What role does the Chamber of Commerce play in our community?

The Chamber is a cheerleader for the community, serving as a catalyst for positive change. We represent private, public and nonprofit entities, educational institutions and

elected officials. We bring the right people to the table to foster an environment of economic growth and investment. When the business community joins forces, amazing things can happen.

How does the Chamber benefit area businesses?

Benefits are incorporated into our seven committees, comprised of hundreds of engaged, active and competitive people who oversee two Ambassador committees, Business Training, Chamber Leadership, Public Affairs,

A conversation with CEO Craig Whitney

WRITER: KRISTI MONSON PHOTOGRAPHER: LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY areawoman

Young Professionals Network and Youth Leadership. Additionally, a part-time lobbyist monitors the North Dakota Legislature, and the Minnesota chamber keeps us abreast of state issues.

What policy issues is the Chamber advocating?

Priorities for this legislative session included supporting funding for flood protection, addressing the infrastructure needs in our region and across the state, expanding partnerships between higher education and businesses through the Centers of Excellence and supporting the continuation of local government aid. The Chamber Advocacy Center provides members a streamlined way to engage in the public policy process at all levels by allowing individuals to find information on key issues and contact their legislators directly. The Chamber can mobilize members to take action, making it an even stronger voice of the metropolitan business community. To explore the Chamber Advocacy Center, visit FMWFChamber. com and click on “Advocacy.”

How does a Chamber presence benefit the community?

The Chamber collaborates with business associations and universities, serving as a conduit to those outside our area. As an advocate, we promote our community’s strengths and showcase our region. Our new Voices of Vision speaker series brings world thought leaders and business visionaries to the community. It is poised to be a significant annual community event, with Lt. Col. Oliver North the inaugural speaker last November. The Chamber is also bringing the original Apprentice Bill Rancic to Fargo this summer to keynote the Great Plains Young Professionals Summit. A strong business community contributes to the community in so many ways.

business areawoman

Chamber Board

Chamber Staff

Discuss the merger with the West Fargo Chamber.

The merger of the Fargo Moorhead and West Fargo chambers took place October 1. This is a new chamber, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for our community to increase collaboration. Members have access to new benefits, and we unveiled a new brand, strategic plan, logo and website. Our goal is to build on the history of the three solid chambers we originate from, as well as the unique strengths and momentum of the three individual cities.

What are the Chamber goals for the coming year?

Our first official membership drive put us over 2,000 members, making our Chamber the largest regional Chamber in North Dakota and Minnesota. Our goals are to 1) create a strong, unified organization, 2) impact public policy by increasing participation in and influence on business-related issues, 3) increase membership and improve retention, 4) continue delivering strong educational and training programs, and 5) receive accreditation by the U.S. Chamber. We are a vibrant organization, but there is room to grow and to improve.

Discuss being a finalist in the 2010 Chamber of the Year Award competition.

Key factors in last year’s Chamber of the Year the nomination were 1) networking events that are unprecedented for a community our size, 2) excellent educational programs, and 3) ChamberView Virtual Expo, which provides members immediate access to news, specials and opportunities. These activities set our chamber apart on a national scale and are used by peer chambers around the country as best practices and benchmarks. We are well positioned to compete nationally in the near future. [AWM]

For more information about chamber benefits and programs, visit FMWFChamber.com.

WomEn impACt bUSinESS cultuRE

Local NAWBO Chapter Strengthens Business Connections

omen-owned businesses increased 20.1 percent since 2002, accounting for 7.8 million non-farm business, according to preliminary results from the 2007 Survey of Business Owners. And women-owned firms held 28.7 percent of all non-farm businesses in the United States. (http://www.census.gov/econ/sbo/)

A 2010 member survey by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) indicates the trend will continue, not only in women starting new businesses, but also in the growth and expansion of existing businesses. If the valley’s business corridor mirrors that statistic, the newly formed Greater Red River Valley Chapter of The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-GRRV) will be a welcome addition to the region’s women-focused and women-owned businesses.

Generous support from US Bank has propelled NAWBO-GRRV to fully recognized national status.

“Women in business, and individually, greatly influence a community, and US Bank sees that impact as a reason to support this organization,” said Jessica Hoppe, vice president of business banking at US Bank and a NAWBO-GRRV steering committee member.

“We are targeting women business owners, but it’s not absolute,” said Teresa Lewis, owner of The Growth Coach and vice president of NAWBO-GRRV. “We are open to anyone looking to broaden their skills, mindset, or network. Or maybe they want to own a business someday, and we can help get them on that path.”

Mentorship, education, advocacy, entrepreneurial development, networking, and relationship building are key elements of NAWBO and its affiliated chapters. NAWBO represents more than 10 million women-owned businesses in 68 chapters across the country. The Greater Red River Valley chapter is the only one in North Dakota; the next closest affiliate is in Minneapolis.

“Nationally, NAWBO has a strong history and prestige, and they will help support our organization locally and nationally,” said Natalie Sparrow, director of The Ultimate Image and president of NAWBO-GRRV.

While the region’s business climate is not suffering as much as other parts of the country, this is “business under a new normal,” Lewis said. “We will provide a mechanism to enhance business relationships and be very intentional about networking. We will focus on development opportunities and engage in conversations about business and personal growth.”

WRITER: KRISTI MONSON PHOTOGRAPHER: MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

Business-building events will include speakers, socials, member open houses, business recognition, and mentoring opportunities. Clothing Connections and Dress for Success are key charitable partners.

“We want to support new business owners and women who need assistance,” Sparrow said. “What you see in corporate America is not what you see in entrepreneurship. Membership will benefit business owners and working professionals of all ages, at all stages of life and career, because the focus is on educating and encouraging women.”

Even though members represent different businesses, all business owners face similar challenges. NAWBO-GRRV will be the catalyst to allow business owners and professionals to learn and grow from each other.

Myriad membership levels are offered to women and men, with many “members-only benefits,” but many events will be open to nonmembers.

NAWBO-GRRV intends to unite business owners and professionals with a common mindset and attitude of growth. “It will be a supportive and encouraging place that lifts you up,” Lewis said. “People will leave these events feeling confident and excited. And who can’t use that in their life?” [AWM]

For details on membership and upcoming events, visit nawbogrrv.org/

Women Owned Business in the United States:

• 10.1 million firms are owned by women (50% or more), employing more than 13 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales.

• Three quarters of all women-owned businesses are majority owned by women (51% or more).

• Women-owned firms (50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms.

• One in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned.

• 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 millionr more compared with 6% of men-owned firm.

(Statistics from the Center for Women’s Business Research, 2006. Census information from 2002. Visit www.womensbusinessresearch.org for more information on women owned businesses in the United States.)

women’s resources

area health

- hearing

- project linus

- beautiful smiles

- health foods - exercise

This issue of Area Health is jam packed with useful information. For instance, if you like the idea of getting prescription glasses in one hour, you’ll like this: advancements in dental technology can make a crown in one hour! And have you been wondering if you can really ‘spray your fat away’? Area Health has the scoop on this new weight loss option.

tEEn HEAring loSS ON tHE RISE

Simple Solution Prevents Noise-induced Hearing Loss

hat? Huh? I can’t hear you!

It’s a sign of rebellious adolescence, or it could indicate your teen has some hearing loss.

A 2010 study compared hearing loss in 12- to 19-year olds from 1988-94 to 2005-06. The trend is startling: Nearly one in five teens has noise-induced hearing loss, or 6.5 million American teenagers.

“The portability of music has increased dramatically — speakers in car trunks, iPods, Nintendo DS, sound-enhanced stereos. These devices are on constantly everywhere in our environment,” said Dr. Megan Bolda, Au.D., a clinical audiologist at Catalyst Medical Center. “Kids are technologically plugged in and start hearing damage at an earlier age.”

Even common sounds like lawn mowers, snowmobiles, and motorcycles can harm hearing.

Signs of hearing loss include talking loudly, ignoring behavior, misunderstanding directions, or increasing the volume of electronic devices.

“A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear your child’s iPod from two feet away, it’s too loud,” Bolda said. “Or, if you talk in a normal voice and your child can’t hear you from two feet away, it might be time to have your child’s hearing checked.”

Hearing loss can cause problems at school, work, and set the stage for issues later in life. Hearing loss is permanent, irreversible, untreatable, and expensive. Hearing aids cost $2,000 to $5,000 and last only three to five years.

While hearing loss is progressive, it is also preventable. Bolda says if you remove noise exposure, you can stop further damage, thereby reducing the need for a hearing aid later in life.

WRITER: KRISTI MONSON PHOTOGRAPHER: CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

A simple, affordable, and accessible solution helps prevent hearing loss in children, teens, and adults. Kidzsafe™ Earbuds ($30) are sound-limiting headphones for ages 10 and under that are compatible with any audio device. No matter how loud the volume is turned up, the level always remains below 85 decibels (dB), which experts agree is safe.

Custom-fit earbuds are ideal noise protection for ages 11 and above and adults.

Bolda says custom earbuds provide a tight seal on the ear canal so background noise doesn’t compete with noise coming into the ear. For example, treadmill runners increase the volume on an iPod to drown out the treadmill noise. “A custom fit results in lower sound pressure at the ear drum, which translates to less noise exposure.”

Melissa Schmalenberger’s son’s history of ear infections and an auditory processing disorder increased his chances of hearing loss.

“Custom-fit earbuds protect his ears when he practices drumming, plays with his band, or listens to music. Compared to the cost of permanent hearing loss and the investment of speech therapy, doctor visits, and tube surgeries, the cost is minor,” she said. “He even custom blended the colors so he can promote his favorite football team.”

Schmalenberger also got a pair for herself, and for the first time can exercise without her earbuds constantly falling out.

A simple 15-minute appointment is all it takes to get an impression for an earbud.

Because it’s custom made, a snug fit improves comfort and performance.

Each type of earbud, from solid industrial plugs to hunter’s plugs, varies slightly in thickness, shape, and size and is acoustically designed to filter out specific sounds. One can pick up to three colors and even add glitter. Average cost is $160. [AWM]

Catalyst Medical Center provides complimentary hearing screenings and educational sessions for all ages throughout the year. Information about protecting your family’s hearing is at www. catalystmedicalcenter.com.

EXErCiSE DUring PREGNANcY?

Get An Expert View from Sanford Women’s

ain. Snow. Heat. Cold. None have dampened Tarah Bjorem’s passion for outdoor running. She averages six miles a day before the sun rises.

“It’s been great for me — physically and mentally. And I’ve stuck with it for 12 solid years,” said the 33-year-old who recently shifted careers from nursing to information technology at Sanford Health.

But what happened when the season of her life turned to motherhood?

Best for baby

“At every prenatal appointment I’d ask the same question: ‘Can I keep running?’” recalled Bjorem. “My doctor always said yes as long as I felt okay and wasn’t having any problems. He also said it would make my labor

quicker. I’m living proof.”

Bjorem ran through every month of pregnancy, right up to the day before she delivered.

On September 18, 2009, after a 3-hour labor and a 20-minute delivery, she and husband Josh welcomed Rhonin, a healthy baby boy.

“I attribute my short labor to running,” said Bjorem.

A medical view

Sanford Women’s obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Rebekah Tompkins listened to a recap of Bjorem’s experience and agreed.

“There’s variation from person to person, but certainly it’s well known that women who are physically fit and exercise regularly during pregnancy have easier, quicker labors,” she said. “One reason is a better blood supply to the uterus and placenta. Another

is the muscle strength that enables efficient, effective pushing.”

The mental boost from exercise is a plus, too. “Pregnancy adds more stressors, so an activity that calms you is definitely beneficial,” she said.

Benefits beyond

In addition to preparing the body for labor and delivery, regular exercise during pregnancy can open the door to several other benefits:

* Lower blood pressure

* Improved mood

* Better sleep

* Reduced backaches

* Decreased constipation

* Decreased swelling in the lower extremities

* Better regulated blood sugars in women with gestational diabetes

* Ease in losing weight after delivery

Exercise safely!

If you’re pregnant and considering exercise, first talk with your doctor. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology typically recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day most days of the week. In addition:

* Exercise at a pace that allows you to maintain a conversation.

* If you’re new to exercise, start gradually — walking on a treadmill for example.

* No contact sports or strenuous lifting.

* Beginning the fourth month, avoid lying flat on your back.

* Be extra cautious — your growing belly affects your balance.

* Always listen to your body.

“Appropriate exercise during pregnancy is excellent, but don’t let it stop there,” said Dr. Tompkins. “Keep exercising after your delivery. It’ll make weight loss easier. And a walk outside on a gorgeous summer day is a really nice way to spend time with your baby.”

And the Bjorems? They’ve discovered the joy of family exercise. On summer evenings you’ll find them together on the winding paths of Fargo — Tarah rollerblading, Josh biking, and Rhonin laughing in delight from the safety of his bike trailer. Happy trails! [AWM]

CrEAting bEAUtiFUl SMIlES

Advancements in Dentistry Are Changing Lives

f all the things you wear, your smile is the most important. Nothing is more appealing or memorable than a beautiful smile. Using the most advanced technology, Dr. Brenda Barfield is able to create a smile that makes a lasting impression.

Dr. Barfield played an active role in her father’s practice for more than 10 years. In 1992, she received an associates of science degree in dental hygiene and practiced in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Shortly after her father’s retirement, she received her doctor of dental surgery degree from Creighton University.

In 2003, Dr. Barfield opened Friendly Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry in Fargo. Hers was one of the first practices to implement computerized dentistry. Dr.

Barfield sets herself apart by using the latest advancements for her patients.

“Everything is computerized, including charting, digital x-rays, and computer-assisted dentistry,” she said. “Dentistry is always evolving. Digital x-rays use 90 percent less radiation, and the images are available for immediate diagnosis.”

Dr. Barfield uses diagnodent laser technology, which examines each tooth’s structure. She explains that this technique actually detects lesions or decay before it can be seen on film with 95 percent accuracy. Early detection means less invasive procedures, which are less expensive and reduce further complications. This tool helps preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

She also uses computer-assisted dentistry that can

WRITER: KRISTY OLSGAARD PHOTOGRAPHER: CLASSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

produce a crown (or filling) in the office — eliminating the need for uncomfortable temporaries. “From start to finish, our patients have a new crown in about one hour. I remove decay or filling material, saving as much tooth as possible. A digital picture is taken of the remaining tooth structure, and then a customized design is generated to fit the compromised area. In about six minutes the milling machine creates the piece from a pressed ceramic block matching the patient’s tooth color.”

Dr. Barfield then bonds the custom crown or filling to the tooth. The material used is as close to human enamel as possible and is biocompatible with our bodies.

She also offers her patients Six Month Smiles — a new orthodontic treatment that gently aligns the teeth that show when you smile. The procedure can straighten teeth in four to nine months. The braces and wires used blend with the patient’s teeth.

Dr. Barfield explains that dental health is an ancient concern with a noted symbiotic or holistic relationship to our physical and emotional health. A disease in a particular tooth can impact a linked part of the body. For example, the wisdom teeth are connected to the heart. “An infection in a tooth can affect your health, so it’s important to see your dentist regularly. It’s not just about your teeth, but your overall wellbeing! We are also able to check your thyroid, sinuses, and do a cancer screening.”

Dr. Barfield also stresses prevention to maintain an impressive smile, including good nutrition, regular check-ups, brushing, and flossing.

And Dr. Barfield and her staff guide patients through their appointments pain free. Friendly Smiles’ motto is “We Cater to Cowards.”

“Our procedures are virtually pain-free due to developments in technology that make patients feel comfortable. I believe providing patients with the best dental care and creating a confident smile can change their lives,” Dr. Barfield said, with a beautiful smile. [AWM]

area

bEnEFiting proviDErS ANd PAtIENtS

flurry is moving into northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota — a flurry of activity and excitement as Essentia Health’s FargoMoorhead region becomes the next to upgrade its health information system to an electronic health record (EHR). Currently, Essentia Health Fargo uses a combination of paper charts and computer records to manage patient information. By the end of July, the hospital and F-M area clinic locations will transition to an entirely digital approach with

its EHR system through the installation of integrated software from Epic Systems, Inc.

Essentia Health internally brands their electronic health record project as Encompass. Lara Lunde, MD, the lead physician for the project, said an EHR will centralize patient information. “Speaking as a provider, it will be a one-stop shop for all of the information I need on a patient,” Dr. Lunde said. “It’s coordinated care.”

Mary Jane Rivard, RN, the Encompass inpatient clinical lead for Fargo, agrees, noting that rapid information

sharing is a significant patient safety benefit of an HER — especially in a medical emergency. “You are able to see real-time documentation, so there is no need to wait for a fax or a call,” she said. “Several caregivers can review a record all at once, saving a great deal of time.”

According to Sue Strapple, Essentia West Region site lead, the EHR upgrade means Essentia Health can begin offering patients online access to certain medical records through a module in the Epic system called MyHealth. “Patients will be able to access information such as physician-released lab results and immunization records and also contact their providers securely,” she said. “We expect MyHealth to be available this fall. Also, in the future, we hope to allow patients the ability to request or book appointments online, which will be very convenient for them.”

A great deal of planning is underway for the migration, both to educate staff and patients and to generate excitement around the EHR effort. The organization even has an Encompass countdown clock that is moving ever closer to the go-live date.

Miranda Glandt, marketing manager, said Essentia Health patients will be notified well in advance of the change. “We want people to understand why this transition is exciting and important,” she said. “And we want to thank everyone in advance for their patience as our team implements the new electronic system to better our patient’s healthcare experience.”

“We are going to ensure that we’re well staffed during the transition,” Dr. Lunde said. “Experienced system users from our partnering Essentia Health regions who currently use Encompass will be available 24/7. We’re taking appropriate steps to make sure this transition goes as smoothly as possible.” [AWM]

WrAppED Up in BlANKEt HuGS

Project Linus Brings Comfort to Children in Need

“blanket hug” can make a world of difference in the life of a child. North Dakota’s chapter of the national nonprofit organization Project Linus has donated more than 10,000 blankets to comfort the children of North Dakota.

“Giving away our 10,000th blanket is a huge milestone,” chapter founder Lynne Olien said. “ It feels good to give so many kids blanket hugs.”

Olien started North Dakota’s only chapter of Project Linus after recalling how her son Nathan found comfort in a blanket during his time in the hospital

fighting fatal Batten disease. The hospital staff accidentally put his blanket, or “B” as they called it, in the wash and lost it, but they quickly found him a new fleece blanket to sooth his nerves.

“It’s amazing how a few pieces of fabric can make a child feel better,” Olien said.

Three years after losing her son, Olien was searching the Web for knitting patterns and found the Project Linus website. “It hit me that it was something I could do and I never do anything half-heartedly,” Olien said.

By January 2006 Project Linus was up and running,

WRITER: ANNA G. LARSON PHOTOGRAPHER: SHAWN COULTER PHOTOGRAPHY

donating blankets to hospitals, foster care homes, shelters, and fire and police stations. Roughly 2,000 blankets are given per year. Dedicated “Blanketeers” meet every Monday to pick up and deliver blankets, sew quilts, and sew special labels onto donated blankets.

The blankets are made by individuals, school groups, scout groups, 4-H groups, church groups, professional groups, and quilting clubs — anyone can make a blanket and make a difference. The blankets must be handmade from new fabric and be at least 36 inches by 42 inches large and from a nonsmoking environment. Several dropoff sites exist in the Fargo-Moorhead area, including Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts and Blow’s Sew-N-Vac. Each blanket acquires a specialized tag stating that a person or group made the blanket with TLC. The tags are included to give the child and his or her family a personal connection.

“Knowing there are people out there who do nice things for total strangers is a good feeling when you’re in a tough situation,” Olien said.

Named after Charles M. Schulz’s blanket toting “Peanuts” character Linus van Pelt, Project Linus exists in all 50 states and has delivered more than 3.5 million blankets to children.

Last summer North Dakota’s chapter donated 500 blankets to children with parents in the National Guard. “Kids pick out a blanket and immediately snuggle their face in it,” Olien said. “You get goosebumps because you can’t believe how much they love it.”

She remembers the first blanket she ever made for Project Linus — a teal fleece blanket decorated with ducks. Although it is uncommon to meet the children due to privacy issues, Olien met the little girl who received her blanket.

“Something made me pick out the right color and fabric to use before I even met her,” Olien said. “I found out teal was her favorite color and she loved ducks — it was meant to be.” [AWM]

For more information visit www. orgsites.com/nd/projectlinusfargo.

SprAy yoUr FAt AWAY

New Weight Loss Approach Arrives in Fargo

pray Your Fat Away owner Steven Fitch says there are only two reasons why people gain weight and keep it on: poor eating habits and low metabolism. He recently opened Spray Your Fat Away, which is modeled after a Las Vegas clinic founded by Emile Bouari.

The oral Spray Your Fat Away spray is homeopathic and all-natural. It is made with the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) that triggers your brain into releasing or metabolizing up to 2000 calories of nutrition from your fat every

day,” Fitch shared. “As the fat comes off your body, the nutrition stored in it goes back to feed you, so you can be on a low calorie diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein without starving.”

The Spray Your Fat Away dieter consumes only 500 to 800 calories a day while on the program. In addition to the hCG, the spray contains ingredients that support the elimination organs including the gall bladder, pancreas, liver, and spleen. Spray Your Fat Away offers dieters appetite support supplements along with vitamin B-12 while on the reduced-calorie program.

“In the case of most low calorie diets your brain goes into shock, your body goes into starvation mode and holds on to fat and you lose muscle mass and structural fat,” Fitch continued. “Our program targets excess water weight and abnormal fat cells. You don’t lose muscle mass or structural fat.”

The 500 to 800 calorie a day diet includes specific fruits, vegetables, and proteins spelled out in detail in the Spray Your Fat Away diet manual. Dieters need only to spray and follow the calorie protocol until they meet their desired weight loss goal. After the goal is reached, those following the program go on a 21day maintenance diet in which the dieter consumes a greater variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins — thus increasing his or her overall caloric intake.

“All white flours and white sugars must be avoided as caloric intake increases,” Fitch cautioned. “This stabilization period resets the hypothalamus gland which regulates metabolism and supports the thyroid. After the 21-day period, white flours and white sugars may be consumed occasionally.”

The price for the 50 to 60 Spray Your Fat Away program is $599. The 25 to 30 day program is $449. Fitch is currently offering a special discount on both programs in celebration of opening a new Sioux Falls location. A Grand Forks storefront is in the planning stages.

Spray Your Fat Away, which is managed by Fitch’s brother Darren, is located at 1632 32nd Avenue South in Fargo inside Hair Success Salon and Spa. More information is available at HYPERLINK “http://www. sprayyourfataway.com/” \t “_blank” www. sprayyourfataway.com.

As for those two reasons why people gain weight, Fitch can help. “We address both. Spray Your Fat Away teaches people to eat healthy fruits, vegetables and proteins while resetting the hypothalamus gland.” [AWM]

SyDnEy’S pAtH tO HEAltH

There’s More Than Granola at the Health Food Market

ydney Engel was missing music and gym last May—two classes she loves, but she loves Sydney’s Health Market just as much, and not because it’s her namesake.

“I want to be sure everyone who needs to knows about this does,” Sydney said. “This” is what Sydney’s Health Market would remedy for Sydney—Celiac disease.

From the time she was a baby, Sydney experienced symptoms that, after doctoring for 14

months, ended in a diagnosis of “lactose intolerant.” But after Stephanie Engel, Sydney’s mother, did not see improvement, they switched physicians, had a blood panel completed, did a biopsy of her small intestines, and the day after Sydney’s second birthday they re-diagnosed her with Celiac Disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic1, Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune

WRITER: CARLA TRITTIN ISOM PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

reaction occurs in your small intestine, causing damage to the surface of your small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.

Eventually, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment. This can lead to other illnesses and stunted growth in children.

No treatment can cure celiac disease. However, you can effectively manage celiac disease through changing your diet.

“At the time I was teaching preschool,” Stephanie Engel said. “It was so frustrating reading every label to make sure everything was gluten-free. The Red River Celiac Group was and is still a great resource.”

“Me, my cousin, grandma and my grandpa’s brother, we all got sick a lot,” Sydney said. Now nine years old, the mini health guru named off symptoms of the sickness: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches.

“Not fun,” Sydney said. “But since we knew so many people with Celiac Disease, everybody else was there to help me out.” Within a few weeks of changing Sydney’s diet, there was a noticeable difference.

“I didn’t have so many stomachaches anymore,” Sydney said. “I could eat because the food was the right food for me.”

After a move from a small building in north Fargo to its current location at 810 30 Avenue South, Moorhead, Sydney’s Health Market also is thriving.

“We’ve had the market now for two and one-half years, and we focus on local products,” Stephanie said of her and her partner Darby Smith. “We want to support the local farmers and U.S.made foods.” Many products in Sydney’s Health Market are from within 30 miles of Fargo-Moorhead and include organic beef, honey, flour, eggs, and non-homogenized glass-bottled milk. Theirs is a no-nonsense claim of being a path to healthier living,

and the proof is in Sydney and their many satisfied customers’ visits.

Their website, www. sydneyshealthmarket.com, tells the market’s tale: “We offer the best selection of Organic Foods, Gluten FreeAllergen Free Products, and Nutritional Supplements.”

Stephanie said that a typical meal once included hamburgers and hotdogs, plain, no buns. Now options include gluten-free buns. Sydney’s favorite bread is “Udi’s Bread.”

Udi’s also makes cinnamon rolls, pizza crusts, and granola. In fact, it’s not unusual to see Udi’s Blueberry or Lemon Streusel Muffins advertised on the site.

Sydney’s school, Reinertson Elementary, has three students who are on gluten-free diets, and they keep that in mind when preparing the school meals. Well aware of Sydney’s special diet needs, one her best friend’s mom’s purchased cupcake treats from Sydney’s Health Market for a school celebration.

“That little extra thing she did, it meant a lot to us,” Stephanie said.

“We are hoping our store is a good addition to the F-M area. There is so much more we can offer now with the extra space.”

People may wonder if the store’s namesake puts in her share of work.

“Oh yes, I mark product and stock shelves,” Sydney said. That’s between all the other favorite things she loves to do: sculpting, painting, and coloring.

Sydney’s Health Market is located on the southeast corner of I-94 (Exit 1A) and 8th Street South in the Southmoor shopping center in Moorhead. The store is open for business Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Call them at 218.233.3310 or email info@sydneyshealthmarket.com.

[AWM]

For more information about Celiac Disease visit the Red River Celiac Group at www.redriverceliac.org.

area home

- ravishing remodel

- make it mine

This issue of Area

Home tours an elegantly remodeled home that’s all dressed up in this year’s hippest color — grey. Check out the before and after photos and be inspired to give your own home a facelift!

Strande Home Remodel with By Design

Ravishing Remodel

WRITER: JOYCE EISENBRAUN PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

NTERIOR DESIGNED BY: BY DESIGN KARI BUCHOLz

his gracious, elegant home, built in 1990 on South Hackberry Drive in Fargo, was ready for a fresh look that was less formal and more naturally colorful. The result, thanks to great collaboration between newly married owners Sharon and Larry Strande and Kari Bucholz at By Design, is a brilliant, beautiful renovation.

Downstairs, the living room, dining area, powder room, kitchen, family room, and laundry are reconstructed and redecorated. Upstairs, the guest bath and the master suite are totally updated.

“We wanted to introduce more color, and have the living area more open for family gatherings,” said Sharon. “The original cream color was more formal, and we preferred something warmer.”

“The island in the kitchen was to be a focal point,” added Larry, “and we wanted to have the fireplace make more of an impact, not just have a simple surround and mantle.”

Larry and Sharon had known one another for years. Both were married previously to spouses who passed away in the last decade. They reconnected, and were married, just this past February. Both agreed to move into Larry’s existing home but wanted to create a new environment that reflected both their tastes.

Living Spaces

The anchoring color palette in the remodeled areas is a lush gray color, accented with metallic silver and natural stone in complementary colors. In the living room, the Strandes opted to keep the existing cream-toned couches, but added a rich gray tone to the walls, and metallic fiber throw pillows. The window treatments are contemporary panels of white sheers with a geometric metallic pattern on a gray satin back. The Strandes chose taupe frieze carpet for the living room and deep gray porcelain and metallic tile throughout the rest of the main level.

The dining room is visually separated from the living room by two columns, adding a romantic, European flair. Strandes opted to take out the back wall, opening the dining area to the kitchen, making the dining area visually brighter and roomier for entertaining. Above the contemporary dining table they added a six-light chandelier with alabaster lights on brushed nickel base. The dining chairs were recovered with gray and black tweed fabric on the front and a diamond pattern on the exposed back.

Down the hallway, the powder room has been transformed from nice to fabulous. The flooring was inset with metallic silver tiles. A gray and copper-

toned granite countertop includes an arched backsplash across the mirrored wall. Nickel faucets now jut out from the wall, spilling into a gray ceramic vessel sink with inset copper rocks. Two new sconces with sparkle taupe glass in copper frames bring warm light into the room.

The kitchen has undergone the most dramatic transformation. The former contemporary cream laminate cabinets have been moved to the garage, and been replaced with custom cherry cabinets. A large island holds center stage— with room for seven chairs upholstered in fabric with ribbons of metallic fibers running through brown, tan, and gray. The top level of the counter is granite with silver shitz in the gray and black rock. Complementing the top design, Strandes chose a “water-spot” granite pattern for the lower countertop. Above, new pendant lights in a classic alabaster are suspended from a deep gray soffit that matches the contour of the countertop.

The outline of the kitchen has been expanded, stealing some space from the laundry room behind. Cherry cabinets line the entire back wall of the kitchen, surrounding the two ovens and microwave. Between the island and the back wall, the flooring has a beautiful inlaid design in the tiles, with geometric metallic insets. The inlay perimeter is outlined with glass mosaics that match the backsplash.

The kitchen’s five-burner gas stovetop features a hood and surround that is finished in a beautiful cream stone for authentic Old World appeal.

The same stone is also used for the fireplace mantle and surround in the family room, which is open to the kitchen area. The carved stone-embellished gas fireplace is a winter favorite according to the Strandes. A large sectional couch curves around the east side, overlooking a spectacular view of the river. Two occasional chairs in studded gray leather and metallic fabric create a cozy conversation area on the other side. A whimsical wire hippo serves as a coffee table and fun conversation piece. Cream window casements are finished with

granite sills — a beautiful custom finish added throughout the main level.

Behind the kitchen is a hallway to the garage and laundry room. In the laundry area, recycling bins are tidily hidden in pullout cherry cabinets, while basket alcoves tuck laundry out of sight.

Living Upstairs

Upstairs, the Strandes decided to keep two of the bedrooms and Larry’s office intact and concentrate their efforts on the guest bath and the master suite.

In the guest bath, they used natural elements for a stunning effect, beginning with granite on the countertop. The entire wall above the sink is mirrored. A tall distressed copper bamboo faucet pours into a cream square vessel sink edged in mosaic tiles. Mosaic tiles are also used as an inset accent in the taupe ceramic floor and bath walls, adding another craftsman detail.

Just down the hall, two French doors swing open to the master suite. The carpet has been changed to a dramatic taupe in a sculpted ribbon design. The south and east window panels are sheer silver and bronze over silk. The king size bed is dressed in a striped duvet in shades of bronze, cream, and silver with matching throw pillows.

before

Originally, the bath was open from the bedroom, but Strandes opted to put in walls and a pocket door for separation. On the right is Larry’s cabinet, while Sharon has her sink and vanity table on the left. Both areas have nickel faucets that project out of the wall into cream-colored vessel sinks with custom-designed rock bases. Mirrored walls above the granite countertops have fourlight alabaster fixtures above. Next to Larry’s area is a whirlpool tub with an unusual rock and wood surround.

A short hallway leads to other remodeling highlights: his and hers closets and a walk-in shower. Glass block is used for one wall while the rest is ceramic tile with a mosaic inset design that creates the appearance of a natural waterfall and meandering creek.

A Joint Effort

“We wanted to make this ‘our’ home,” Sharon said, “so it became a project we worked on together.” Sharon and Larry are both happy with the results and give much of the credit for the success to By Design. “Kari was very intuitive,” Sharon complimented. “She asked the right questions, talked about our lifestyles, and came up with great ideas. Everyone said it would be scary working with a designer, but it was not the case with Kari. She is a great listener.”

“One of the keys,” Larry said, “was also hiring the right people. John and Kevin Hanson with Hanbro Construction were phenomenal. They do their own work, and they do it right. Everybody said it would take six to nine months to get things done — we started last September and were finished before Christmas.”

Both agreed they wouldn’t change a thing in their newly revitalized home. Thanks to talented design and construction staff, and two individuals who knew what they wanted to create, the result is a ravishing remodel, beautifully tailored to their needs as a new family. [AWM]

mAKE it MINE

Heritage Homes Creates a Home That’s Just the Right Size

eritage Homes’ Montclair model is a house to make a home. Designed with flexibility in mind, the five bedroom, three bathroom rambler packs a lot of bang for the buck.

Located at 4906 Loden Court in South Fargo’s Woodhaven neighborhood, the home features tan vinyl siding, stone, and a three-car garage. The stately columns on either side of the covered porch’s stone steps suggest unassuming style and class. The foyer greets future homeowners with nine-foot ceilings, large windows, a neutral color palette, and glimpses of what’s to come.

The theme of the 3,419 square foot home appears to be open, efficient

WRITER: ANNA G. LARSON PHOTOGRAPHER: SAMANTHA MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY

connectedness. Soft khaki walls, maple wood accents, and plush bisque shag carpeting extend to every room. Floorto-ceiling drapery frames sizeable windows throughout the home.

A large mirror hanging in the foyer makes a perfect spot for a once-over before heading out the door. To the left of the entrance are two bedrooms divided by a full bath. Personalized with a white sleigh bed, pink decorative accents and watermelon and white full-length curtains on the westerly facing window, one room is sweet and whimsical. A mid-size closet is perfect for housing dresses and shoes.

The next bedroom has the active boy in mind. The multi-color striped comforter, royal blue drapery, and dark wood furniture are masculine and timeless. Skateboarding décor keeps the room fun and youthful.

Dividing the bedrooms is a full bath outfitted in gold, rust, and cream hues. Tile flooring and a simple vanity complete the bathroom.

The living room and kitchen/ dining area flow together seamlessly. The inviting warm color scheme of rust, gold, taupe, and cream appears on the furniture, drapery, and carpeting. This is the ideal space for family time or lowkey gatherings. A sleek wall-mounted plasma television is barely noticeable amidst the cozy décor, suggesting it’s there to use but it’s not the focus of the space.

In the kitchen and dining area, gleaming black granite counter tops, custom maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a graphic tiled backsplash demand attention. The tiered island has seating for casual lunch or little ones who want to watch dinner preparation. Ample counter space and storage will delight buyers who consider the kitchen the heart of the home. The durable wood laminate floors brighten the space and lead to the dining area encased by generously

sized windows framed with maple. The dinette and living room feature ceiling detail with rope lights. The soft lighting compliments the low-key vibe of the space.

An organic-looking round leather shag rug sits beneath the espresso wood dining set. A sliding door in the dinette offers the future homeowner the option of al fresco dining.

The master suite is a peaceful space on the opposite end of the house from the two main level bedrooms. Missionstyle mahogany furniture and a leather chair accent the subdued sunset color palette. An easterly window floods the room with light. The master bath has his-and-hers sinks separated by a maple linen closet. Heated tile floors keep the shivers away on brisk mornings. The toilet has its own nook with a sliding door for maximum privacy.

The master walk-in closet at the rear of the bathroom features a window for natural light.

The “drop zone” counter and storage space off the garage entrance to the home ensures that umbrellas, mail, cell phones, and keys stay in one spot for easy access. The tiled garage entrance has a large closet for coats and shoes. A pocket door for the laundry room keeps dirty laundry out of sight.

Steps in the foyer lead to the 1,413 square foot lower level of the home, which boasts a fireplace with a tiled mantle and a living space large enough for a pool table, dining set, and furniture. Egress windows framed with floor-to-ceiling drapery allow natural lighting in the basement. Two bedrooms and one bathroom set up similar to the main level bedrooms provide extra space. Storage under the steps and a utility room complete the lower level.

The airy, open floor plan and smart, thoughtful details of the Heritage Homes Montclair model adapt to any lifestyle — it could be the last stop on your home journey. [AWM]

women’s resources

area profiles

- going green

- family reunion - nicaragua - chris linnares

Chris Linnares knows there are beautiful women in our area. She’s the energy and impetus behind ‘Beautiful Women of north Dakota,’ and several other projects that celebrate womankind. Read all about her in Area Profiles, but first, enjoy profiles of a few examples of those beautiful women.

going grEEn IN StYlE

Eco Chic Boutique is First of its Kind in F-M Area

aybe it’s the repurposed bathtub in the center of the store. Or, maybe it’s the selection of made-fromtrees men’s briefs called Woodies — Eco Chic Boutique is a high-spirited take on what it means to be green.

“Green is fun, exciting, cool, and healthy,” Eco Chic co-owner Maria Bosak said. “We want to make the natural and organic industry easier to understand.”

Bosak and co-owner Leanne Sucrow met three years ago when they distributed Shaklee organic cleaning products. The women discovered a mutual love for coffee, bulldogs, and all things green. They

noticed Fargo didn’t have an eco-friendly product hub and decided to fill the void. On June 4, 2010, Eco Chic Boutique opened its doors at 4955 17th Avenue South.

Repurposing found items, not altering the space’s architecture, and using non-toxic paint made the store ecofriendly. Local artisans helped to craft shelving and counters.

“Being green isn’t about being perfect, it’s about balance,” Bosak said. “We work with what we have so we don’t waste.”

The end result of the women’s effort is a conscious space transformation. Chartreuse walls and a fresh, earthy clean scent greet shoppers with as much warmth as the owners

WRITER: ANNA G. LARSON PHOTOGRAPHER: DENNIS KRULL

do. That’s the other thing about Eco Chic — it’s the store where everyone knows your name. “By the time people leave our store we know their name, who they’re shopping for, and probably their pet’s name,” Sucrow said.

The family-centric boutique has products for babies, moms, homes, and pets. Some art, clothing, jewelry, and other goods offered at the shop are made by local artists and entrepreneurs. The Eco Chic co-owners are huge supporters of buying local.

“Here in Fargo we are so good at supporting our community, and we have so many fabulous people who make really cool things,” Sucrow said.

Everything in the store is planet friendly in some way. Products are chosen after Sucrow and Bosak research companies and ensure that the company is green, local, fair trade, or earth conscious. They estimate that 75 percent of the store’s products are U.S. made. “There is nothing like this in town, and we are more than just a retail space,” Bosak said. “We’re here to educate and make people’s lives healthier.”

Eco Chic offers classes on topics such as how to reduce pesticides in homes and how to do cloth diapering.

Cloth diapering is the store’s specialty and a favorite on the Eco Chic baby registry of expectant mothers. The store currently carries GroVia and Kushies brand cloth diapers. The reusable diapers can be used from the time a baby is newborn until he or she reaches 35 pounds. “Cloth diapers save money, the environment, and they are safest for babies because they don’t have nasty chemicals,” Sucrow said. In the near future Eco Chic will have a cloth diapering room to teach parents about cloth diapering. “We want to be known as the cloth diapering experts,” Bosak said.

Eco Chic offers its store space for business meetings, baby showers, and other small events. [AWM] For more information visit Eco Chic Boutique on Facebook, visit the website at beingecochic.com or call 701-356-6600.

FAmily REuNION

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Celebrates 20 Years Building Hope

n 1991, Concordia College Pastor Phil Holtan attended a Peace Prize forum with former President Jimmy Carter. Carter championed the impressive work done by Habitat for Humanity around the globe. An inspired Holtan swiftly formed a Habitat campus chapter at Concordia College. The outpouring of community support was overwhelming and on June 1 of that same year, Habitat for Humanity International officially adopted Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as the 609th Habitat affiliate in the United States.

Twenty years and 40 homes later, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity is honoring the true and honest

work of past and present volunteers, partner families, board members, and community supporters. They’ll reunite at a Family Reunion picnic at Rheault Farm on July 21.

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity symbolically acquired its first home in 1991 from the Fargo Park District for $1. Three months later, a Fargo family moved into the home with a nointerest mortgage. In 2010, that first Habitat partner family paid off the mortgage.

According to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s executive director Shirley Dykshoorn, the number of applications from potential Habitat partner families has grown by 10 percent each of the last four years. During the

WRITER: JANELLE BRANDON PHOTOGRAPHER: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

SHIRLEY DYKSHOORN

2010 application period, 150 requests were submitted and five partner families became Habitat homeowners.

“Each adult who lives in a Habitat home must complete 250 hours of sweat equity. They build other Habitat homes, help at the ReStore, and work at the Habitat office,” said Dykshoorn. “We’re giving families the opportunity to become successful homeowners and pay back a mortgage. These homes are definitely a hand up, not a hand out. Our families attend homeowner education classes to prepare for the responsibility of becoming new homeowners.”

ReStore

The Habitat ReStore, located in North Moorhead, is a gift to Habitat families and the community. The building materials donated from businesses and individuals in the community have increased the total number of Habitat homes built each year from an average of one to two per year before the ReStore to four or five a year with the help of the ReStore. Last year alone, the Habitat ReStore diverted almost one million pounds of construction material from local landfills.

Volunteers need not swing a hammer to give back to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. They can donate, shop, or volunteer at the Habitat ReStore or consider a monetary donation to the organization. A “Women Build” event is planned for the summer of 2011 and women volunteers are requested. (The FM Derby Girls built the shed for the house already!) More information is at lakeagassizhabitat.org.

“My greatest joy is the dedication ceremony with the family once their home is built,” said Dykshoorn. “I especially enjoy the reactions of the children. They talk about how proud they are to have a house and how they can now ride their bike in their neighborhood. They’re thrilled to invite friends over after school, decorate for the holidays, and have their own bedroom. The outpouring of appreciation and gratefulness from the family is memorable.”[AWM]

WRITER: COURTNEY WEATHERHEAD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: MSUM NURSING STUDENTS

ContinUing CArE in NIcARAGuA

MSUM nursing students provide care to children with handicaps

very February, for the past 10 years, Jane Bergland travels with her nursing students by car, airplane, and bus to reach their destination of Jalapa, Nicaragua, to help children with handicaps. Each year she returns knowing Minnesota State University Moorhead was integral to caring for these children.

In 2002, MSUM nursing professor Bergland partnered with close friend and pediatrician Dr. Teri of Hennepin County to go on medical trips with nursing students and pediatric residents. Their focus is not only to provide care outside of westernized medicine, but also to give students a good experience to work as a team, be flexible, and serve an underserved population.

Medical Eye Dental International Care Organization (MEDICO) leads the trips, and Healthcare Equipment

Recycling Organization (HERO) of Fargo provides some of the medical supplies.

“We don’t go down there thinking we’re going to save the world. That’s not what this is about,” Bergland said. “It’s really doing the best we can with the resources we have.”

Jalapa has limited running water, no garbage pick up or sewer system. The city is in a mountainous region 10 miles from the Honduran border.

“Our world is small and I think the students need to experience what it’s like in a developing country,” Bergland said. “It’s important for them to come back and be better nurses by opening their eyes and minds to different cultures, different ways of thinking, and different ways of providing care.”

In Jalapa, the nursing students set up tables outside to check heights, weights, and head circumferences and to

evaluate the patients’ situations. The patients then see the pediatrician. “The patients bring their medication slips to us. We get them ready and have an interpreter help us explain the medications. It’s a well run system,” Bergland said.

The medical trip changed nursing student Heather Erickson’s life. “I dropped a pill on the ground. In the U.S. you’d dispose of it, but in Jalapa that pill could help someone for another day,” Erickson said. “Now I’m more resourceful.”

Berland said most rewarding part of the medical trip is watching the students grow and the friendships and collaborations made between Minnesota and Nicaragua to improve health outcomes for the children. “The local interpreters, doctors, and people who work at the hospital had no idea there were so many children with handicaps until we started serving them,” Bergland said.

“Mothers will carry their handicapped child miles to come and see us if they don’t have a wheelchair, money for a cab or bus,” Bergland said. “They will walk because we provide seizure medication, which is a huge incentive for them to see the medical team. They will wait, and wait, and wait if the line is long.”

Bergland’s team sees many of the same patients every year, and she emphasizes that it’s not emergency care but continuity of care. “It’s baby steps, but every year we see improvement and mothers understanding why their children have handicaps,” Bergland said. “Students aren’t fixing broken bones and going into surgery. They’re supporting these women, telling them they’re doing a wonderful job. That’s an important part of the nursing intervention.”

Bergland has taken 54 nursing students to Nicaragua in the past 10 years. “I just can’t wait to go back,” Bergland said. [AWM]

To learn more or to provide support for the MSUM medical trip to Nicaragua, visit www.medico.org

Enthusiastic, Exuberant, Expressive Chris Linnares

Dancing Her Own Dance

Exuberant, enthusiastic, energetic: this is Chris Linnares. “I moved from Brazil to Fargo — yes, you heard that right — from the tropical country of Brazil to the frozen tundra of North Dakota,” she said with a laugh. “I love it here. But it hasn’t been easy.”

Linnares grew up in a small Brazilian neighborhood with four brothers and one sister. “My mom was my inspiration,” Linnares said. “She came from a really simple family; her father was an alcoholic. She moved to São Paulo and worked as a maid to pay for her studies. Today she runs her own schools and has more than 3,000 students. I watched her succeed. “

When Linnares was 17, already an actress and professional dancer, she was invited to tour in a musical. Her mother suggested she take a break to do something different. Linnares decided to be an exchange student and spent her senior high school year in West Virginia. “I had a sweet American mom whose great-grandfather was in the Civil War,” Linnares said. “She sat with me for hours and told me American history. I became passionate about American history and the American spirit. “

“One day, I watched the Oprah show for the first time. A psychotherapist was talking about giving back to our families. When I heard him, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to become a psychotherapist.”

eauty is so much more than skin deep. It’s what you give to the world.

Linnares went back to Brazil for college, where she also worked on a radio show. She wrote and published “Divas on the Divan,” graduated with a degree in professional clinical psychology, and spent two years working in clinical and group therapy.

“I was invited to do a fifteen-minute talk show every week on national television about women’s issues. I decided to write a play about women’s self-esteem. It started playing in small theaters, and I performed it with one other actor. To my surprise, the play became a smash hit and was made into a successful DVD. Then my book became a big success. It was huge. I was young. Wow, I felt like I had it made; I had two cell phones and a cool lifestyle.”

About that time, a woman in Linnares’ life, whom she calls her ‘second mom,’ telephoned her. “I’m in the hospital. I have some pain in my back,” she said. “Can you stop by the hospital to see me?” Linnares said she’d try. Her second mom persisted, “The hospital is nearby. Can you come this afternoon?” Linnares said maybe. “My second mom passed away that night,” Linnares continued. “And that day it hit me. Whatever I was doing, however I was leading my life with all its interviews and columns and successes, I hadn’t even made the time to go see someone I’d loved, who’d taken care of me.”

Linnares said, “I closed my fancy office and went back to my parent’s hometown. I started reviewing my values. I had thought that I didn’t need anything. I didn’t need a man. I didn’t need help. But I was confusing things. I didn’t know that being vulnerable could be powerful.”

“Society helped me to be a success in my career, but did not teach me how to be successful in my private life,” she said. “I decided to be humble. I started praying, every day. I want to find the man of my life. I want to get married. I believed that God would bring me this person.”

I had a dream.

“One evening, I had a dream,” Linnares said. “In it a man was walking on a beach. He said, ‘I am waiting for you in Los Angeles.’ It wasn’t a normal dream. So, believe it or not, I signed up to take women’s studies at UCLA and moved to L.A. I told people in Brazil to take a last picture of me alone. I was going to find my soul mate. It sounds really funny. People said I was crazy. But I trusted.”

While in L.A., Linnares met her future husband, Bill Marcil Jr. When her family found out she was serious about a man from North Dakota, they rented the movie “Fargo.” They said, “You still have two months. You can still cancel!” The first time Bill brought Chris to Fargo was in May, when they were engaged. “He took me downtown — me from São Paulo, a city of 20 million — and I said, ‘Oh, I love this neighborhood. Where is downtown?’ I was looking for big buildings!” Linnares laughed.

Chris and Bill were married in Brazil in August of 2005, six months after they’d met.

Some of the people who knew Linnares, read her book, had seen her on television, accused her of being a powerful woman who’d left it all for a man. “But what did I really have?” Linnares asked. “What was I doing with my life? I had no one to share love with. I married my Prince Charming, and he came to pick me up with what I call my two little ponies, our wonderful daughters Isabelle and Zoe.”

“I didn’t know anybody in Fargo. I loved to talk, but was really uncomfortable with English. About that time my father discovered he had a brain tumor. He was my hero. I was crazy about him. Then I got pregnant. I don’t remember one day during my pregnancy that I didn’t cry. I gained sixty pounds. Our daughter Luiza was born with difficulties and was in intensive care for a week. She was six months old when my father died.”

Artificial Happiness

Linnares had begun her journey though depression. “I was mourning so many things: my father, my changed body, loss of my culture and language, dealing with a new baby. My therapists wanted me to take anti-depressant medication. They said my depression was a disease. They wanted to take away this difficult time in my life and give me artificial happiness. But being sad is not always a disease. I had a right to be sad. I wanted to find a way out without being medicated.”

Talking through cultural differences with a therapist helped. “Latin people talk loud,” Linnares said. “Bill would ask, ‘Why are you yelling at me? Why are you screaming?’ and I’d answer, ‘I’m not. I’m just talking!’ We both had a lot to learn about each other’s cultures. He learned to say, ‘Chris is not yelling, she is talking with passion.’”

“My father was a Don Juan type — giving flowers and telling my mom she was the most beautiful woman,” Linnares said. “I didn’t understand that people expressed love differently.

I’d say, ‘You don’t love me.’ And Bill would say, ‘Of course I love you! I take the garbage out!’ My father said, ‘Honey, if you wanted to marry a romantic guy, you should have married an Italian. Bill is a good man. He has a good heart.”

Linnares craved a natural alternative to treat her depression. “I felt like I was facing my Red Sea, like Moses did. I was feeling tired, sad, and lost. If I wanted to continue to move forward in my journey I needed faith. I looked to God. I studied and read. In the past I had helped women, but now I was the

In the past I had helped women, but now I was the one that needed inspiration.

one who needed inspiration.”

Linnares read about a study from Duke University in which two groups of depressed people were compared. One group exercised; the other took medication. The group with the best results was the one on the treadmill. Linnares began to think about when she’d been happy. And she remembered that when she was in Brazil, dancing had brought her joy.

Diva Dance

Linnares began to dance samba again, to the music she loved, and she started eating better. “Sugar is a depressant,” Linnares said. “You are not what you eat. You eat what you are. If you are healthy you will eat healthy. I needed to treat my body like a sacred temple. Because I was created in the image of God.”

In 2007, Linnares was attending Total Balance Gym in north Fargo, owned by Barb Kloeckner. She started talking to Kloechner about the power of the body/mind connection and dance. “I was a stay-at-home mom, I didn’t feel secure with my English, I was so afraid to speak in public,” Linnares said. But Kloeckner encouraged Linnares, saying, “We are going to do this.” Linnares decided to teach a class. She had a good cry in the bathroom before the first class. Forty women showed up.

“I felt the fire when I saw the women,” Linnares said. “I made fun of how I talked and the women connect with my humor. It was surprising to me. People said, ‘Oh, those white girls cannot dance!’ but they did! They had a blast. They were like me, starving for a moment to relax. I wasn’t alone.”

Diva Dance — a combination of pep talk, dance, teaching, and the science behind the mind/body connection — took off with its message: Energize your Body, Empower your Mind, Express your Soul. “Diva Dance is a metaphor for our lives,” Linnares said. “Dance is a way we express our emotions.”

Diva Dance has grown into workshops, camps, wellness programs, DVD’s, and conferences worldwide from Rio to Paris to London. Diva Dance has been enthusiastically featured in magazines including “Women’s Health,” “Shape,” and “Marie Claire,” and has earned rave reviews from the American Heart Association, Fox News, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Dr. Robert Sallis, past president of the American College of Sports and Medicine. And on top of all of its fame, Diva Dance is also a whole lot of fun.

The Beautiful Women of North Dakota

As Diva Dance grew, Linnares’ husband — Bill Marcil Jr., publisher of the Fargo Forum — was

thinking about his three daughters. “My husband is a photographer,” Linnares said. “He picked his mother’s maiden name, Black, to use as his photography pen name: Billy Black. We watched how our daughters were struggling with superficial images of beauty. We began to wonder where the true heroes were for our daughters to admire.

In 2009, Bill and Chris began to think about making a book to recognize women who were extraordinary but not commonly noticed by society. They placed ads and asked for nominations for “The Beautiful Women in Your Lives.” They traveled across North Dakota in a motor home with their three daughters while they interviewed and photographed twenty-two women. As they heard the women’s stories and saw their lives, Linnares’ life changed, too.

“For me,” Linnares said, “That’s when a final puzzle piece came together. Why I am here? Why Fargo? Why 30 below? This place helped me to discover a hidden beauty. Beauty is so much more than skin deep. It’s what you give to the world. I love the people in Fargo,” Linnares said. “There is something special here, a genuine heart.”

“Beautiful Women of North Dakota,” published by Kototama Publishing in Fargo, celebrated a red carpet debut at the Rourke Art Museum and was featured on “Entertainment Tonight.” It also won the prestigious

National Best Books

2010 Award in photography.

“After the Beautiful Women project, I knew I couldn’t raise my daughters in a better place than North Dakota. The women we interviewed made me feel so little; they had such values! I met a woman who raised eleven children on a farm by herself. My generation can be a bunch of complainers. These women were amazing. Meeting them changed my life. I know why I am here. I want my daughters to be inspired by these women.”

Marketplace for Kids and Naturally Diva Head to Soul

Linnares, ever exuberant and lively, didn’t stop with the publication of, “Beautiful Women of North Dakota.”

This year the Beautiful Women project has partnered with Marketplace for Kids to develop a literacy project. “We’ve made a curriculum, free for teachers to use. Students, ages 11 to 13, will find their own beautiful women to interview, write a story about, and photograph. Twelve thousand students will take part in the program, and we will publish a second Beautiful Women book with students’ work in it.”

Linnares is partnering with Swanson’s Health in Fargo to develop pure and empowering products for women called ‘Naturally Diva - from Head to Soul.’ They use mostly 100% organic items and natural products such as coconut oil and essential oils products and combine them with positive and empowering messages to nurture the body as well as the mind.

The new Swanson’s products will help support a part of Chris and Bill’s foundation called ‘Dance Your Own Dance.’ “Part of everything we sell goes to this foundation,” Linnares said. “Sometimes, people raise a million dollars to send to Africa, but don’t know that their neighbor might need $2,000 for a sewing machine. Our foundation gives small grants to individuals and organizations.”

“We are all looking for a sort of promised land. My generation of women was told, ‘You can have it all.’ But we lost the

nurturing side of femininity. I am totally comfortable saying, ‘No, I can’t have it all.’ Some days the ‘promised land’ is that the house is peaceful, or my daughter dressed herself, or I can have a piece of chocolate. Life is not perfect, but we can develop a love for what we are going through.”

One of Linnares’ goals is to find a way to include a Diva Dance DVD in the care baskets that hospitals send home with new mothers. “Many women have depression and weight gain after the birth of a baby,” Linnares said. “I’d love to see baskets contain something for the new mothers, not just the baby.”

Linnares has found her place with the people of Fargo, North Dakota. She came with her exuberant Latino personality and stayed, showing herself and others that sometimes the best thing you can do is dance. As she said, “We all want to feel healthy, sexy, and powerful for our families and our community. We want to be divas. Super kiss! Ciao-ciao!” [AWM]

For more information visit: Naturallydiva.com

recipes

CHAMPAGNE STEAK SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE

Total Recipe Time: 30 to 35 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 beef shoulder center (ranch) steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 8 ounces each)

1 pound green beans, trimmed

2 teaspoons crushed mixed peppercorns (black, white, pink and green)

2 medium red and/or yellow bell peppers, cut into quarters

1 package (5 ounces) mixed salad greens

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Orzo:

1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground mixed peppercorns

Directions:

1. Bring 1-inch water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add green beans, cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, combine vinaigrette ingredients in small bowl; set aside.

3. Press 2 teaspoons peppercorns evenly onto beef steaks. Place steaks in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange peppers around steak. Grill steaks, covered, 11 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness. Grill peppers 7 to 11 minutes (Gas grill times remain the same.) or until crisp-tender, turning steaks and vegetables occasionally.

4. Carve steaks into thin slices. Cut peppers into 1-1/2-inch pieces. Season beef and vegetables with salt, as desired. Divide salad greens among four serving bowls; top evenly with vegetables. Arrange beef on salad. Sprinkle with blue cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette.

SIZZLING SIRLOIN KABOBS ON A BED OF ORZO

Total Recipe Time: 35 to 40 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick

2 green, red and/or yellow bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil

1 tablespoon prepared Italian dressing

2 large cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper

Orzo:

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions

2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley

2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

1. Soak eight 8-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain.

2. Cut beef steak into 1-1/4-inch pieces. Toss beef and bell peppers with 1 tablespoon basil, dressing and garlic in large bowl. Alternately thread beef and peppers onto skewers.

3. Toss Orzo ingredients in medium bowl; keep warm.

4. Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, about 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9 to 10 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve with orzo.

TENDER PEPPER-RUBBED STRIP STEAKS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLE TRIO

Total recipe time: 40 to 45 minutes Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 boneless beef top loin (strip) steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 10 ounces each)

1 pound baby red-skinned potatoes, cut in half

3-1/2 ounces fresh pearl onions, unpeeled, cut in half

1 pound asparagus, trimmed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt

Rub:

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground mixed peppercorns (black, white, green and pink)

Directions:

1. Place potatoes in microwave-safe dish. Cover, microwave on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3 min or until crisp-tender. Let stand 5 min to cool slightly. Thread potato halves onto 10 to 12-inch metal skewers. Thread onion halves onto separate metal skewers.

2. Combine rub ingredients; reserve 2 tsp for garnish. Press remaining herb mixture evenly onto beef steaks.

3. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange potatoes, onions and asparagus around steaks. Grill steaks, covered, 11 to 14 min (over med heat on preheated gas grill, 11 to 15 min) for med rare (145°F) to med (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill potatoes and onions 5 to 10 min (gas grill times remain the same) or until golden brown and tender; grill asparagus 6 to 10 min (covered, 8 to 12 min on gas grill) or until crisp-tender, turning occasionally.

4. Remove potatoes and onions from skewers; peel onions. Combine potatoes, onions, lemon juice, and oil in large bowl. Toss to coat. Season with salt, as desired.

5. Carve steaks into slices. Season with salt, as desired; sprinkle with reserved herb mixture. Serve steaks with grilled vegetables.