The Anniston Star l Sunday, January 12, 2014 l Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS Christine Mayo Allen, Talladega Geneva A. Bolton, Jacksonville Charles Estes Brown, Nances Creek Rosetta “Tap” Brown, Anniston William Jerrell “Fog” Cain, Anniston Frances Willene Benefield “Bill” Camp, Piedmont Vickie D. (Cammack) Caver, Anniston Robert Wesley Chaney Jr., Jacksonville Hoyt Edward Cochran Sr., Jacksonville Susie Cowden, Anniston Margaret Crumbley, Ranburne Shirley J. Culpepper, Jacksonville Inez Crumpton Duncan, Aliceville Lestine Easley, Talladega George James English, Texas Jonathan A. Evans, Hobson City Charlie Gamble Jr., Jacksonville Paul Eddie Garrett, Talladega Lessie Earlene Glass, Anniston Mary Guinn, Talladega Emmalene Sellers Hall, Ohatchee Mary Alice Hamby, Anniston Minnie Lee Harville, Gadsden Louis Calvin Heard, Michigan Barbara Jean Inman Hightower, Heflin William Paul Holliday, Roanoke Randy Burl “Hub” Hubbard, Talladega Doris Dean Nunnelly
Hughes, Albertville Dorothy Hunsucker, Ohatchee Edgar Lee “Sonny” Johnson, Anniston Benny Jerry Kilgore, Alexandria Teresa Stephens Harris Laney, Anniston Anthony “Wayne” Lindsey, Anniston Eva L. Lipham, Anniston Allene Littlejohn, Oxford Lonnie McClurey, Lincoln Belinda Gail Murphy, Anniston Donald C. Payne, Anniston Milton Sims Peek, Lineville Thomas W. Poss, Ohatchee Debra Lynn Ray, Anniston Kevin Wayne Schubert Sr., Roanoke Linda Gail Pair Sexton, Oxford Jansen Allen Ray Shook, Gadsden Maxine K. Simmons, Piedmont Donald Joe Simons, Roanoke William Howard (Smitty) Smith, Anniston W. Howard “Cajun” Smith, Wellington Rev. Jesse R. Steele, Georgia Jimmy Dean Walker, Heflin Anna Wallach, Anniston John Wilburn Watts, Ashland Betty L. Wells, Talladega Adams Williams Jr., Oxford Homer Darden Williams, Birmingham Ronald Williams, Florida Huel Wayne Wilson, Woodland Augusta Wood, Chicago Joseph Robert “Joe” York, Anniston
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES 1212 1010 8
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52 weeks ago
Last week
This week
CATTLE SALE
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business.
• John Thomas Spauld- Edwards of Irondale ing Jr. of Anniston to to Sherry Michelle Shante Renee Brown Sprout Kingery of of Anniston Piedmont • Horace Lee Burns of Anniston to Racheal • Dustin Wayne NewMarie Haisch Starkey ell of Oxford to Tabitha Strickland Kinder of of Anniston A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, • John Christopher Oxford through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan DIVORCES under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year • Michael Wayne Joseph Lee Hughes period. During that time, debtors are prohib- Prickett and Canessa • Stanley Funderburg ited from starting or continuing collection Renee Prickett and Shabria L. Funderefforts. • Patricia Ann Shaf- burg fer and Anthony Elvis • Tamara Michelle The following bankruptcies declared by Cal- Shaffer Crumley and Brian houn County residents were recorded by • Jerrell Hughes and Kent Crumley U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
INCORPORATIONS
Chapter 7
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 233 compared to No Sale last week. Receipts a year ago 1104.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 lbs. 235.00 to 270.00; 400-500 lbs. 190.00 to 210.00; 500-600 lbs. 170.00 to 190.00; 600-700 lbs. 160.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 lbs. 195.00 to 212.00; 400-500 lbs. 165.00 to 180.00; 500600 lbs. 150.00 to 170.00; 600-700 lbs. 137.00.
• K9 Employment LLC tique LLC • Angel Mashburn LLC SLAUGHTER CLASSES: • The Office LLC • High Plains ConCows: Breakers 77.00 to • Jonathan Langley, Crescent Avenue, • K and M Pump & Ser- 78.00; Boners 84.00 to 97.00; struction LLC Anniston Lean 76.00 to 87.00. vices LLC Dissolved Chapter 13 Bulls: Normal Dressing • The Blessing Bou- • PLD Distributing LLC 54-58% 100.00 to 102.00; • Sherria R. Holder, East 15th Street, AnnisHigh Dressing >58% 116.00; ton Low Dressing <54 % 94.00 • Mary Jane Steadham, Medders Street, AnnistonStar.com to 96.00. Anniston • Larry Jones, Heards Lane, Oxford • James D. Hord and Janice A. Hord, PatriRESTAURANT INSPECTIONS cia Lane, Oxford Here are food service establishments Alexandria — 97. • Frederick Huntley, Weaver recently inspected by the Calhoun • Discount Food Mart, 7665 U.S. 431, • Daniel R. Stitt Jr., U.S. 431, Wellington County Health Department, along Alexandria — 97. • Brandy Brooks, Dessie Circle, Oxford with scores. A score of 100 indicates • Discount Food Mart, 401 Memorial the inspector found no deficiencies. Drive, Piedmont — 98. FORECLOSURES Potentially hazardous deficiencies • Ezell’s Fish Camp, 50 Oxford (four- or five-point demerit items) Exchange Blvd., Oxford — 95. • Martin L. Box and Helen L. Box, Lake Park are noted. These must be corrected • Firehouse Subs, 522 Oxford subdivision, block 2, lot 3. immediately and inspectors say they Exchange Blvd., Oxford — 100. • Linda A. Smith, Lyncoya subdivision, are often corrected while the inspec- • McDonald’s, 312 Pelham Road, N., block 7, lot 9. tion is underway. Restaurants earn- Jacksonville — 97. • Matthew Taylor Dover and Jamie Leigh ing below 70 must raise their scores • Pizza Hut, 813 Pelham Road, S., Dover, fractional section B/E of parcel of within seven days or face closure. Jacksonville — 95. land in section 18, township 14, range 6. • Quiznos Sub, 505 Pelham Road, N., • Carl F. McRath and Lisa M. McRath, 4-OR 5-POINT DEMERITS Jacksonville — 97. Anniston Land Co., block 541-A, lot 2. • Struts, 500 Forney Ave., Jacksonville • Roma’s Pizza & Steak House, 1 Pub• Michael R. Gaines and Tabitha H. Gaines, — 90, approved food safety course lic Square, Jacksonville — 93. a parcel of land in section 21, township 14, certificate required. • Sleep Inn, 88 Colonial Drive, Oxford range 8. — 100. NO MAJOR DEMERITS • Wal-Mart (Bakery), 1625 Pelham EDITOR’S NOTE • Captain D’s, 1021 Pelham Road, SW, Road, S., Jacksonville — 97. • Wal-Mart (Produce), 1625 Pelham The material inside the Sunday Record is Jacksonville — 99. recorded by The Anniston Star from various • Chick-Fil-A, 700 Quintard Drive, Road, S., Jacksonville — 98. Oxford — 99. • Wright Dairy, 241 Cane Creek Farm institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they • Country Corner, 101 Shady Grove Road, Alexandria — 99. Road, Piedmont — 96. appeared on the documents obtained by the • Discount Food Mart, 7640 U.S. 431, • Zaxby’s, 91 Colonial Drive, Oxford — 98. newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at igodwin@annistonstar.com.
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ARRESTS The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston Police Department (addresses not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Friday. • Kevin Lee Jones, 39: possession of a controlled substance. • Michael Maurece Curry, 37: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Michael Dewayne Dunn, 21: second-degree receiving stolen property. • Clinton Davis, 31: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Kevin Oneal Johnson, 21: second-degree theft. • Roy Melvin Woodrow, 21: second-degree theft. • Mario Lavonte Kirby, 31: third-de-
gree domestic violence. • Quavion Jewarren Floyd, 27: first-degree theft, second-degree receiving stolen property. • Denovario Goode, 37: possession of a controlled substance. • Joshua Clee Norman, 37: possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana. • Montegoes Todelous Adamson, 27: possession of a controlled substance. • Quindarious Dominque Phillips, 24: possession of a controlled substance. • Tony Alphonzo Crockett, 42: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Timothy Lamar Hutchinson, 27: first-degree assault. • Stevarian C. Nixon, 18: first-degree robbery. • Chiquetta M. Thomas, 29: second-degree domestic violence.
• Jeffrey Tyler Thomas, 31: second-degree promoting prison contraband. • Mondraka Lorenzo Smith, 33: violation of sex offender-identification requirements. • Ashley Lashay Mayne, 24: possession of a controlled. • Jessica Rae Hyde, 19: second-degree promoting prison contraband. • Martez Lamar Jones, 18: second-degree theft, first-degree possession of marijuana. • Rachel Devona Swink, 20: obstructing justice by using a false I.D.
Calhoun County The following felony arrests were reported by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
• Jennifer Michelle Orr, 37, of Jacksonville: states motion to revoke bond. • Maureen Nicole Shannon, 24, of Heflin: failure to appear in court. • Michael Don Chapman, 54, of Birmingham: failure to appear in court. • Anthony Riley 23, of Oxford: obstruction of justice by using a false I.D. • Marcus Glenn James, 48, of Anniston: failure to appear in court. • Anthony Clark King, 25, of Anniston: parole violation. • Montez Lajuan Burns, 29, of Anniston: failure to appear in court.
• Christopher Charles Mitchell, 30: second-degree theft of property. • Hollie Yvonne Pace, 29: first-degree theft of property. • Justin Wyatt Adams, 30: possession of a controlled substance. • Joshua Tyler Johnson, 23: first-degree possession of marijuana. • Joseph Dale Higginbotham, 53: second-degree theft of property. • Sandra Pinson Higginbotham, 48: second-degree theft of property. • Billie Charles Turner, 25: possession of a synthetic narcotic and methamphetamine. • Samuel Joseph Hughes, 25: possession of methamphetamine. • Baily Ray Carr, 31: conspiracy Oxford to commit a controlled substance The following felony arrests were crime. reported by the Oxford Police • John Elliott Ferrell, 34: second-deDepartment during the 21-day peri- gree possession of a forged instrument. od ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
• Residence, 1400 block of Pine Avenue: televisions, game consoles, jewelry. • Residence, 400 block of West 29th Street: television, game console, games. • Residence, 2200 block of Moore Avenue: television. Anniston • Residence, 400 block of Parker Street: The following property crimes were report- household items. ed to the Anniston Police Department during • Residence, 400 block of Willingham Drive: medications, long-haired chihuahua, debit the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Friday. cards. Burglaries • Residence, 400 block of West 29th Street:
televisions, computer, DVD players, game console, controllers. • Residence, 1400 block of East 11th Street: copper wiring and pipes, sink, heater. • Residence, 5000 block of Arrow Avenue, televisions. • Residence, 100 block of Huntington Trace: coins. • Residence, 2400 block of Noble Street: stove. • Residence, 600 block of North Ledbetter Road: cash.
• Residence, 3800 block of Rice Avenue: television, entertainment center. • Church, 100 block of F Street: bicycles. • Residence, 4100 block of Choctaw Street: lawn mower. • Residence, 1700 block of Wilmer Avenue: medications, tool set, jobsite radio, cash. • Residence, unspecified block of East 25th Street: mp3 players, games, cash, game concole, headset, clothing.
Please see BLOTTER | Page 7E
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The Anniston Star
Sunday, January, 2014 Page 7E
SUNDAY RECORD CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED
• Jo Ann Jones to Andrew Weyerman, a parcel of land in section 18, township 14, range 6, $10. • Housing & Urban Development to Shawn Keel and Abbie Keel, Brown Acres, 1st addition, lot 13, $10. • Curtis Alan Todd and Nancy Todd to James Alan Todd, Andrew Christopher Todd and Patrick William Todd, fractional section B/C of a parcel of land in section 8, township 13, range 10, $10. • Donald R. Morris to Albert P. Johnsey and Lisa G. Johnsey, Pleasant Harbor subdivision, 1st addition, lots 37 and 39, $10. • Rose Anne Schaefer to Jason W. Reaves, Quintard Land Co., block 121, lot 5, $135,000. • Judy S. Miller and Larry Miller to Larry Miller, Lake Park subdivision, block 1, lot 24; block 2, lots 1, 5 and 10; block 3, lot 1, $10. • Judy S. Miller and Larry Miller to Judy Miller, Lake Park subdivision, block 1, lot 25; block 2, lots 4 and 6, $10. • Housing & Urban Development to William N. Thornton and Dorothy E. Thornton, Cave Place, lot 7, $10. • Mark A. Sims and Valerie J. Sims to Joy F. Thrasher, McIntosh Manors, block 2, lot 1, $10. • Bear MGC Properties to McIntosh Property Management LLC, Jacksonville Industrial Park, lot 2, $1. • Wells Fargo Bank to Housing & Urban Development, Ledford subdivision, block A, lot 12, $10.
• DG Partners LLC to PIF LLC, Ezell Park, lots 1-5, $10. • Alexcia L. Caputo to B. Lynn Longshore, Delwood Estates, 2nd addition, block D, lot 12, $10. • Travis E. Fleming Jr. and Susan T. Fleming to Jennifer Wilkerson Robinson and Curtis Robinson, Chosea Place subdivision, lot 12, $10. • William P. Kauffman to Brian K. Gravitt, a parcel of land addressed 385 Jerrie Dale Drive, Anniston, $1. • W. Tyson Bennett Revocable Trust to James W. Bennett, David W. Bennett, Kay Bennett Hubbard and Joseph N. Bennett, a parcel of land in sections 20/21, township 16, range 9, $10. • Franklin E. Coogler, Stephen R. Coogler and Pamela J. Floyd to James Thomas Ballew, Calhoun Manufacturing & Investment Co., block 4, lots 17-19, $10. • Consolidated Publishing Co. Inc. to the State of Alabama, a parcel of land in section 10, township 16, range 8, $12,000. • Jack Ragsdale and Susan Ragsdale to Carl Dickerson, fractional section 1 of a parcel of land in section 7, township 14, range 6, $170,00. • Carol J. Price and Kenneth Wayne Price to BNT LLC, DeArmanville, Boozer-Shelton addition, block 2, lots 10-14, $1. • Bank of America to Jennifer Yates, Chateau Manor, lot 21, $147,000. • Demetrius Grant to Leshun Caldwell,
a parcel of land addressed 417 West 4th Street, Anniston, $100. • Edgar E. Crook to Mark Watts, a parcel of land in section 26, township 14, range 7, $100. • Mary Frances Spruill to Tim Cain Enterprises LLC and Lester Cain, Smith Heights, block A, lots 5 and 6, $100. • Nancy J. Boorman to Carla L. Morgan and Larry W. Morgan, a parcel of land in section 10, township 16, range 7, $10. • Brandi Vincent to Derrick W. Vincent, Pine Hill Estates, 4th addition, lot 53, $10. • Bank of New York Mellon to Timothy M. Russell and Teresa G. Russell, Scenic Heights, block A, lot 8, $18,500. • Hazel Creek Properties Inc. to Rocky Road Development Co. Inc., Emily Trace subdivision, lot 4, $10. • Sarah Elizabeth Echols to Pamela E. Duke and Sarah Elizabeth Echols, a parcel of land in section 25, township 16, range 6, $1. • Heirs of George F. Montgomery to Shirley Brown and Dennis Edward Montgomery, a parcel of land in section 20, township 14, range 7, $10. • Pamela E. Duke, Alan B. Echols, George Clifton Echols III and Sarah Elizabeth Echols to George Clifton Echols III and Sarah Elizabeth Echols, a parcel of land in section 25, township 16, range 6, $1. • Pamela E. Duke, Alan B. Echols, George Clifton Echols III and Sarah Elizabeth Echols to Alan B. Echols and Sarah Eliza-
beth Echols, a parcel of land in section 25, township 16, range 6, $1. • Habitat for Humanity of Calhoun County to Cathy Young, Henry Grady Highlands, lot 19, $74,000. • Freddie Mac to Edmond Howard Lane, a parcel of land addressed 303, Dailey Street, Piedmont, $8,000. • Billy Pressley to Pressley Land Co. LLC, a parcel of land in section 34, township 16, range 7, $1. • Fannie Mae to Robert P. Konkel, Wayside subdivision, lot 1. • Heirs of Lewis and Velma Dickson to Dana Thompson and Jeffery Dickeson, a parcel of land in section 25, township 14, range 9, $1. • Calhoun Development Co. Inc. and Angel Station Properties Inc. to Buckhorn Commercial Development LLC, a parcel of land in sections 28/29, township 14, range 8, $10. • MMG Weaver LLC to Realty Income Properties 25 LLC, H.W. Fite’s re-plot of Weaver, block 2,lot 4, $10. • Jack H. Morrison-Estate to Lynne E. Bishop, a parcel of land in section 34, township 16, range 7, $43,160. • Daniel L. Robertson and Jennifer M. Robertson to Larry J. Robertson and Faye Robertson, Sherwood Forest, 8th addition, lot 30, $10. • P. D. Pritchett to P. D. Pritchett Construction Co. LLC, Gaps Grove subdivision, lots 1-5, 8-13, 15, 19, 20, 22 and 23, $10.
BLOTTER
BLOTTER
Avenue: pit bull dog. (Recovered 12-26-2013) • Residence, 5700 block of Glade Circle: truck box, lawn mower, garden tiller. Continued from Page 6E • Residence, 4300 block of Skyline Drive: • Residence, unspecified block of Bristol lawn mower. • Drug store, 400 block of East 10th Street: Place: silverware set. • Unknown location, 2400 block of Walnut cash.
Auto-related thefts • Residence, 2500 block of Simpson Street: tablet computer. • Residence, 4400 block of Welch Circle: navigation system, sunglasses, CDs, flashlights, tool set, door remote. • Residence, 1500 block of Warrior Road:
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. • Parking lot, 2400 block of US 431: tablet computer, jewelry, checkbook, CDs, cash. • Residence, 4800 block of Mark Avenue: 1984 Toyota Xtracab truck, televisions, game console, games, fishing rods, laptop computer.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Like any skill, organization takes time, practice BY DEBBIE ARRINGTON The Sacramento Bee
Get organized! It’s near the top of every New Year’s resolutions list. “It’s just exactly like dieting,” said author and organization expert Deniece Schofield. “Organizing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s one bite at a time, one step at a time. Just like those extra pounds, you added on stuff a lot easier than it comes off.” Nicknamed “America’s most organized woman,” Schofield is all too familiar with such resolutions. What makes her different is she’s figured out ways to make them work. “My first book came out in 1982, before organizing was an industry,” said Schofield, who has written five books on home management. “I really was an organizing pioneer. These resolutions come from things I’ve learned from years and years of experience.” A simple January declaration isn’t going to make mountains of paper disappear or make sure you never misplace your keys again. But it can start a new mindset and perhaps launch some constructive lifelong habits. Schofield gets the same questions at her in-person organization workshops. “‘How can I get my husband and kids to buy into this?’” she said with a laugh. “Then, they’ll ask about paper.” In the digital age, would-be organizers continue to be overwhelmed by paper. “Half my workshop is devoted to managing time and getting rid of paper,” Schofield said. “Paper is everybody’s nemesis. It never stops coming.” All that clutter adds up to stress, which is why organizing is so popular. People want to de-stress their lives as much as possible. As an industry, organizing has more than doubled in size in the past decade. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) boasts about 4,000 members. Annual sales of organizational products and services are close to $1 billion.
Joel Koyama/Minneapolis Star Tribune
Rita Stollman-Levin sits in her home office space after removing years of clutter from her home in St. Paul, Minn. According to NAPO, the top reasons consumers hire professional organizers will sound familiar to anyone making an organizational vow: Too much clutter, general disorganization, difficulty determining what to keep and what to discard, difficulty finding things, and selling a home or moving. NAPO offers advice for hiring organizing pros and an online search tool for referrals via its website. It compares the process to hiring a fitness trainer or image consultant; sometimes, you need a coach to get started. NAPO also recommends organizational products. Its top 2013 pick for Best Solution for Organizing at Home: Ziploc’s Space Bag. Schofield takes a DIY approach to home organization. Aimed primarily at busy moms (and grandmothers) like herself, her methods have worked for thousands. From her base in Las Vegas, Schofield travels the nation for seminars, teaching organizational shortcuts. Through work-
ing with so many would-be declutterers, Schofield realized they were trying to do too much all at once. The result? Everything stayed messy. “This time of year, everybody wants New Year’s resolutions,” she said. “So, I came up with six resolutions for organizing. The trick to making it work: You choose only one. Just by following one resolution, you can make a huge difference in your life and home.” • Never ever buy something new unless you know exactly where to put it in your home and what you’ll use it for. “We’ve all heard this, probably done this: ‘It’s such a good deal, I couldn’t pass it up,’” Schofield said. “But what happens? All those good deals pile up.” This is particularly true for collectors or bargain-hunters. Before you buy that item, make sure it will have a home in your home, Schofield added. “Or you’ll just have more stuff piled up in the corners.”
• Never start today with yesterday’s work. We’re talking procrastination, the enabler of disorganization and clutter. “Empty the dishwasher, don’t leave the dryer full of clothes,” Schofield instructed. “It’s all those little things that add up. If you’re in the middle of a project and have to stop, write down where you left off, so you can step right in and pick it up instantly. It helps eliminate procrastination.” • Eliminate from your vocabulary the phrase, “for now.” “‘For now’ becomes forever,” Schofield said. “We say, ‘I’ll put this here — for now. I’ll leave it this way — for now.’ You’ve really got to train yourself to stop saying, and doing, ‘for now.’” • Let go of clothes you won’t wear. “Sort your clothes into three piles: Yes, no, maybe,” she said. “You can hold onto the ‘yes’ and ‘maybe’ piles, but give away the others. It’s selfish to hold onto clothes you don’t need when there are so many people and charities that need them.” • Plan menus. “What will I fix for dinner tonight?” she said. “That question is always floating around in your brain. Your family is thinking about it, too. You can eliminate a lot of stress, for you and them, by planning menus.” Advance planning also allows for shopping for all the ingredients at once and having them on hand. “Then, ‘what’s for dinner’ is up to my mood ... how much time I have to cook. I can also delegate dinner duties; the ingredients are all ready to go.” • Ask yourself: Would you let someone walk through your home unattended? What would you hate for them to see? Then, deal with it. Every home has a trouble spot, be it a messy office, closet disaster or whole house. This walk-through exercise can focus your organizing energies. “If you chose the right resolution for you, it really makes a difference. If you can keep that one thing going for four to six weeks, it can become a habit for life.” And it will become one organizing resolution you’ll actually keep.
Conquer fear and push resolutions into high gear BY ALEXIA ELEJALDE-RUIZ
when you don’t have all the information, said David Ropeik, author of “How Risky Is It, Really? As we commence the annual Why Our Fears Don’t ritual of pledging to be trimmer, Always Match the Facts.” thriftier, tidier and overall more Although that instinct disciplined human beings, conworked wonders for our sider adding another goal to the primitive ancestors fleelist of resolutions: riskier. ing lions and bears, the Whether it’s reaching for more complicated risks Mount Everest or reaching for a of the modern world promotion, plunging from a perrequire more careful fectly good airplane or plunging thought, Ropeik said. into marriage, 2014 can be a year Otherwise, we fear some things of living adventurously, if only we too much and some things too confront those primal fears that so little, and the mistakes can be often hold us back. dangerous. For example, many Two authors weighed in on the people might fear going scuba value of taking risks and releasing diving on vacation in the South the stranglehold of fears that can Pacific, lest they encounter a keep us from pursuing potentially very unlikely shark, while they enriching experiences. wouldn’t hesitate to venture into the sun for hours without sun proDavid Ropeik: Risk tection, despite plenty of evidence perception consultant of the dangers. “We should challenge ourFeeling afraid evolved as an selves to be more critical thinkintuitive reaction that allows you ers,” Ropeik said. “Don’t just react to make a quick judgment about whether something is a threat and you’re done. Get the facts, Chicago Tribune
have more say in the combat with your feelings.” Having more control over something makes it less scary. So does familiarity. To mitigate fears so that you feel more comfortable taking a risk, address those issues, Ropeik said. So you might envision and focus on the beauty of the South Pacific. To gain some feeling of control, you research which waters have man-eating species and avoid them. You might make the experience more familiar by visiting Trip Advisor and getting acquainted with the region. Those steps don’t necessarily make the experience any safer, but it starts to feel less scary, Ropeik said.
Jaimal Yogis: Author of ‘The Fear Project’ When San Francisco-based journalist Jaimal Yogis set out to
confront his fears, a journey he chronicled in the book “The Fear Project: What Our Most Primal Emotion Taught Me About Survival, Success, Surfing ... and Love,” he channeled Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice and did one thing each day that scared him: talk to a stranger, pitch a story to a bigger magazine, surf a bigger wave. “Courage is a muscle in your brain, and every day you exercise it makes it stronger,” Yogis said. The confidence he gained with each new triumph had a trickle-down effect. During the course of his research, the self-described commitment-phobe felt his fears of marriage start to crack. He proposed to his now-wife and became a father. One of Yogis’ most life-changing challenges was going cage diving with great white sharks, to confront a recurring childhood nightmare in which he was eaten by sharks while escaping Alcatraz.
“It was so beautiful, it was like watching this prehistoric and biological Ferrari,” Yogis said of seeing a great white close up. “I wanted to follow it out of the cage.” The shark became a symbol for his ability to beat his fears. Taking action is the “magic sauce” to conquering fears, Yogis said. But it’s smart to go in prepared. Train hard to give yourself confidence. Take baby steps. Make it fun, perhaps by doing it with friends. Be safe, because if you hurt yourself doing something you’re afraid of, it will only reinforce that fear. One sports trainer suggested he list all of his fears about an activity he wished to do, scratch out the items he can’t control and take action on those he could. “All of our brains are plastic, and experience is what rebuilds them, so we have to give ourselves those experiences,” he said.