Dallas Flow Magazine May Issue

ENTERTAINMENT

BEAUTIFUL SAVANNAH, TEXAS

FASHION

LIFESTYLE

Flow

ON THE COVER:

KATIE MCCUTCHEON

AN INSIDE LOOK AT ONE OF THE TOP SPAS IN THE METROPLEX

Ruthie Foster at The Kessler

Resort Style Living Page 30

Page 22

Katie McCutcheon

Zen & The Pure Spa

Page 34

Page 42

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Peep toe Madness Page 18

Scenes from The Celebrity Fashion Experience Page 20

GCB: Good Christian…

Blondes?

Page 26

Is Facebook good or bad for your social life?

Page 34

Who’s Got The Voice

Studying Abroad

Page 32

Page 62

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10455 North Central Expressway

Photographers

Ste 109.239

Joyce Nicole

Dallas, Texas 75231

Milind Kothare Jason Sanders

Duraine Williams

Jonah Gilmore

President & CEO

Jason Gilmore

durainewilliams@dallasflow.com Jennifer Hobson Editor –in-Chief jenniferhobson@dallasflow.com

Karen Scatlebury Chief Marketing Officer karenscantlebury@dallasflow.com Marketing marketing@dallasflow.com Advertising advertising@dallasflow.com Careers careers@dallasflow.com

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From the Editor

THE FLOW WITHIN YOU We all have a flow within us. The word flow has over twenty different meanings (leave it to the English language to be as difficult as possible), and one of these meanings is ‘to rise’ or ‘to arise’. What does this to mean and how does this apply to Dallas? We all have a flow: a smooth and graceful continuity within us. It is the way that we walk. It is the way that we talk. It is the way that we travel through our day, and it is the way that we handle the everyday events and happenings in our lives. Your flow is the rate in which you step, the tempo of your arm swings, the rate of speed you drive, and the rhythm in which you eat. Have you paid attention to your flow? What does your flow says about you?

We all came into this world with a flow, whether natural birth or C-section, there was a flow in which you were birthed into this world and from that moment, your lifestyle was created. Your passions, your love, your purpose, how you talk. You name it, and it all started from that divine push that started your flow of life. The end result is the life you live now. What do you do for fun? What music do you listen to? What does your lifestyle look like now? Do you live in a condo, apartment, house, loft, ranch, or a mansion? Do you dine out or cook in? What does your living environment look like? What does your house say about you? Even better, what does your hair and attire say about you? Do you prefer neutral colors or brights? Do you wear trends or set your own style and fashion pace? We are here to help you identify, establish and perfect that flow within you! It’s yours and unique just to you, just like your fingerprint. So, allow us the opportunity to expose you to a new flow- Dallas Flow.

Dallas has its own tempo and it includes Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Fashion. Here at Dallas Flow Magazine(DFM) our mission is simple: DFM is a free lifestyle, entertainment, and fashion magazine that delivers passionate, creative, and complete coverage of the Dallas Metropolis in which it is published. Our Vision is to be the magazine that best understands and satisfies the lifestyle, entertainment, and fashion needs of all readers in Dallas. We will expose you to new lifestyle genres, upscale living varieties, couture and high fashion at its finest, and the preeminent of entertainment that Dallas has to offer. Allow us to help you define your flow, as we document Dallas at its best, in its prime, and in its unique flow.

Join us every month for social topics, relationship advise, fashion police guidance, and home décor suggestions for the classy, upscale, and high profile. From million dollar condos, to fashion shows that draw in international press…. Dallas Flow will be there… for you!

Your Editor in Chief, Jennifer Hobson 6

JENNIFER HOBSON

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www.dallasflow.com 8

PASTA

PIZZA

BAR

5319 MOCKINGBIRD LANE; DALLAS TEXAS WWW.VAPIANODALLAS.COM 9

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ABC hints at B-word in 2 new shows about women; first in US to tease term in title LOS ANGELES — B doesn’t just stand for broadcasting at ABC. The network uses the letter as an abbreviation for “bitch” in the title of its new Wednesday night sitcom “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt. 23.” ABC’s prime-time soap “GCB” is based on the book “Good Christian Bitches,” although it says the B actually stands for “belles.”

Both shows, which are about women and aimed at female audiences, may have started out with the complete B-word in their titles, but the network abbreviated it before introducing the shows to advertisers.

Paul Lee, president of the ABC Entertainment Group, said in January that “on broadcast television, as it turns out, that isn’t a word you want to use in the title.”

“Dallas” Is Back The one and only Dallas is back with more delicious drama. JR, Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing return to the ranch with secrets, schemes and betrayals. This time, they're joined by the next generation of Ewings, who take ambition and deception to a wicked new level. The battle for power, love and Southfork erupts in the new Dallas premiering Wednesday, June 13 at 9/8c on TNT. The new Dallas stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Brenda Strong, and they will be joined by iconic stars Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing.

The explosive rivalry between brothers J.R. and Bobby (Duffy) now lives on through another generation, with the future of the family fortune in the hands of the Ewing offspring: cousins John Ross Ewing (Henderson), the son of J.R. and ex-wife Sue Ellen (Gray), and Christopher Ewing (Metcalfe), the adopted son of Bobby.

Broadcast standards allow the word on TV, and its use has tripled in the last decade, but these are the first American shows to tease with B’s in their titles.

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'Dancing with the Stars' reveals SJP to fill Demi Moore's role season 14 cast in 'Lovelace'

Now that Demi Moore is focusing on recovery, the crew of "Lovelace" has made swift work of finding a replacement.

The upcoming season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" could be the most difficult yet for the popular series.

"Dancing" once ruled the Monday night ratings roost, but with NBC starting to show muscle with "The Voice," the Tom Bergeron-hosted affair is facing pressure to step it up for its 14th season, especially after critics took umbrage with the series' lack of star power in recent seasons.

So who will be hoofing it up for season 14? This season's stars, revealed this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America," are: Jack Wagner - The soap star, who currently appears on "The Bold and the Beautiful," is also quite the golfer, having won the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic on two occasions.

Melissa Gilbert - The TV icon played "Half Pint" Laura Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie."

Donald Driver - The 13-year NFL veteran is the alltime receptions leader in Green Bay Packers history, and was selected to play in four Pro Bowls.

Moore, 49, was supposed to play Gloria Steinem in the project, one of the two biopics in the works about adult actress Linda Lovelace. But amid reports that she'd been rushed to the hospital last week, Moore's rep told CNN that she was pulling out of the project.

"Demi has chosen to seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health," her rep said at the time. "She looks forward to getting well and is grateful for the support of her family and friends."

In the meantime, "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker will be taking Moore's place in the film, which is being directed by "Howl" duo Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.

Amanda Seyfried stars in the project as the titular adult film star, with James Franco portraying a younger version of Playboy titan Hugh Hefner and Adam Brody as adult actor Harry Reems. Production on the project is said to have kicked off in late December.

William Levy - Levy is a popular telenovela actor who appeared in the music video for Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Into You."What do you think of this season's "Dancing" cast? Season 14 will kick off on Monday, March 19 at 8 p.m. ET with a two-hour premiere.

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From nail polish to sun glasses. It's all about Orange! Lets explore how to wear it:). OH MY!

What I "LOVE"

about orange is that it comes in a lot of different shades! You can "Rock It" very BRIGHT or you can tone it down to a more coral shade.

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'COLOR BLOCKING' this summer is a MUST! or switch it up with other colors and make it look 'FESTIVE!!!!

For the summer guys are rocking this look as well. Love it! From sporty to casual to a semi formal suit, you can find an outfit in completely orange. ROCK IT! 15

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CUSTOM HOMES WWW.LIVINGBELLAVITA.COM 17

by Jasmine McGee 18

A

Spring is all about finding that rejuvenation, serenity, and ultimate relaxation. Shoes say a lot about your personality, but also the mood you’re in. Opting for bright colored shoes let others know you’re an uplifting spirit, innocently flirtatious, and a daring soul ready for a new adventure. But you can easily pair a sexy pair of black Louboutin shoes with a colorful baby doll dress and still make a bold statement.

round this time of year, nail salons throughout Dallas are booming with business. Of course they are always having customers coming and going, but as the weather warms up ladies throughout the city are reeving up for the biggest event of the year, “peep toe madness.”

Remember ladies, simplicity is often key. Pick one bright pattern somewhere on your outfit and then choose accordingly what works and doesn’t.

Peep toe madness is that time of year when fashonistas begin putting their Uggs in the back of their closets, and they embark on the rigorous task of making room for their new spring wardrobe. Any fashionable lady knows that it’s quite the fashion faux pas to be caught dead wearing winter boots in spring. Unless you live in a place that has snow year round, then there is no excuse for wearing winter boots in spring. Yes, wearing Uggs in spring is occasionally viewed as chic (or daring), but it’s far from trendy. And any fabulous fashionista knows that spring is that time of year when you can be daring, but it’s more fun with colorful peep toe shoes.

Every year the color for the season is changing, but this year designers & fashion enthusiasts across the world are swimming in a vibrant selection of colors.

You always want to make sure you have a basic black shoe, a nude heel, and a daring pop of color in your wardrobe. But this year peep toe madness is all about vibrant patented pumps in hues of tangerine, cabaret, solar power, sweet lilac, sodalite blue, cockatoo, driftwood, and bellflower. The colors this season allow for a sexy sophistication infused with a flirtatious exotic vibe.

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Peep toe madness is all about finding the right style for you. Gladiator sandals may work for some ladies, and others may prefer a pair of chunky wedges. There are so many different styles to choose from this season, and it’s all about finding the right shoe that shows off your mood. You can easily show off your daring side by wearing a fabulous pair colorblocked heels by Fendi. But if you want to opt for a more primitive & organic look, then buy a pair of Burberry woven sandals. If you want to keep it sleek, sexy, and still exude luxury, then make sure you have a pair of pointed toe heels in your closet. You can never go wrong with a pair of Louboutin shoes.

But oh, lets not forget that peep toe madness isn’t just about “peep toe shoes.” It’s all about bringing out that energetic spirit that has been under layers of sweaters, boots, and scarves. Winter often tries to kill every fashionistas spirit, but spring is that moment of glory in which any woman can reach her maximum fashion potential.

So whether you decide to wear a pair of woven wedges, gladiator sandals, pointed toe heels, or a good old fashioned sandal, remember that peep toe madness is your time to grab your girlfriends, a latte, head to the mall, and embrace your shoe obsession! If you see a neon pink shoe or an exotic tangerine heel staring at you from the display case, don’t shy away from it. Try something new! In the end, you’ll be glad that you pushed yourself to experience a new style, and in the end, you might actually love it!

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Visit www.dallasflow.com to view more photos from this event.

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Old Friends, New Friends:

Ruthie Foster at the Kessler

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f the Kessler had a voice, it would be Ruthie Foster. An eclectic mix of genres, deeply passionate and yet playful, sounds of a bygone era floating over modern notes, and a downright

funky side, you have pretty much summed up both the artist and the venue. You would be hard pressed to find a more perfectly matched duo. Texas native Ruthie Foster defies description and refuses to be stamped into any one particular musical category, while the Kessler hosts such a wide variety of performers, and puts incredible emphasis on local, and community talent, it is difficult to compare it to any other music oriented venue. It was over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend Ruthie Foster greeted her new found friend for the second time in just over six months.

Playing selections from past albums, and from her latest release this year, Let It Burn, Ruthie Foster’s voice drenched the standing room only crowd with jazzed up country, gospel infused rock, and soul covered ballads.

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Without a bad seat, or place to stand, in the house, the intimacy and flawless acoustics of the venue allowed fans not only to hear Ruthie Foster’s music, but to feel it deep in their blues hungry soul.

The restoration of the Kessler began less than three years ago, but the history of the theater sings out like one of Ruthie Foster’s songs. Lively, diverse, and sometimes tragic, the Kessler begins life in the midst of World War Two as a stylish one screen movie theater. Owned by Gene Autry from the late forties until the early fifties, the Kessler then became property of United Artists until 1957, when a devastating tornado ripped through Dallas, destroying much of the building. Five years later, the Kessler was resurrected as a church, until tragedy struck again, this time in the form of a catastrophic fire that essentially left only a burnt out shell. The last use

of the former theater was in

the form of a retail shop until

the late seventies, where the

Kessler stood, boarded up,

essentially abandoned for

more than thirty years. Ed-

win Cabaniss, investor and

Oak Cliff resident, finally

breathed life into the historic

landmark in 2009, taking on

Dallas local, a man synony-

mous with everything music,

Jeff Liles as artistic director.

Together, the two created a

music and dance studio, gal-

lery, venue, and most im-

portantly, a gift to the com-

munity in the form of an old

friend restored.

Hanging out with an old

friend is how it feels to hear

Ruthie Foster at the Kessler. Her voice belies her only forty plus years on this earth, sounding more like an old spirit who has lived as long as the Kessler. Since her debut at the age of fourteen in her church choir, Ruthie has been immersed in music. Even a stint in the Navy led Ruthie to join a band inside the service.

After the Navy, touring, and even living in New York for a time, eventually Ruthie came back to Texas, settling down in Austin. Picking a favorite song from any one of the six albums to her credit is impossible.

Even picking a favorite album would still be a difficult task. Let It Burn rings out with longing in the song 23

Welcome Home, stuns with a gorgeous rendition of Ring Of Fire, and sparkles in Aim For The Heart, a song Ruthie originally pitched to Bonnie Raitt, who, for thankful, lucky, Foster fans, turned it down. Getting a chance to hear this Grammy nominated musician at the Kessler was a jewel in the crown of concerts.

The Kessler, also capturing multiple awards of its own, including Preservation Dallas, Preservation Achievement Award in 2011, Best Live Music Venue in 2011, and the People’s Choice Winner, Best Performing Arts Venue in 2010, stands as a glorious beacon of renewal, not just in the Oak Cliff neighborhood but, in such a contemporary city of Dallas, a uncovered gem of history. Plan an evening at one of the many concerts happening soon, such as the Cinco De Mayo event that runs from May 3rd to May 5, featuring such acts as Austin-based rock group Del Castillo and Denton, and the ensemble of Texas-based Mariachi Quetzal. Or later on in the month, May 24th, Eric Nadel, who has served as the Texas Rangers Radio Announcer for the last 34 years, is partnering with CONTACT, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping teens to seniors facing daily life-challenges, to celebrate his birthday. The benefit concert will star Daphne Willis, who opened for Ruthie Foster, and the Ray Johnston Band, always a Dallas favorite. Bring some old friends, and get ready to meet some new ones.

Allison Smith is a freelance writer and educator living in the DFW area.

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972.951.7278 Walk-Ins Welcome

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GCB: Good Christian…

Blondes?

ABC’s new hit T.V. show is capturing viewers and taking them on a crazy ride filled with praise and drama.

After the tragedy of losing her husband and discovering that he had been stealing money from investors for more than five years, Amanda Vaughn packs her things and her children, and move back home to Highland Park, Texas to live with her opinionated yet classy mother.

After moving back home to Texas, Vaughn crosses paths with a few high school “frenemies”. A few of her classmates include Carlene Cockburn played by Kristin Chenoweth who has starred The Pink Panther, Stranger than Fiction, and Four Christmases), Sharon Peachum played by Jennifer Aspen(Vanilla Sky, A Very Brady Sequel, Mr. Woodcock), and Heather Cruz, played by Marisol Nichols( 24, Can’t Hardly Wait, Scream 2) who eventually forgave Vaughn for her actions in high school stating that “The Lord forgives,” but still joins Cockburn and Peachum in an attempt to poor on revenge. Hence, Good Christian B*****s.

Amanda Vaughns mother, Elizabeth Stopper, played

by Annie Potts (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story), is single, but not alone by any means. She is well involved in the high profile and high-class society of Highland Park, as well as her participation in the church.

Preaching forgiveness in the church, but outside the Good Christian Belles, formally known as Good church still subtly dishing out what vengeance you Christian B*****s, first aired March 4, 2012 on ABC. can against someone who once made your life misNot sure of how the series would pan out after fol- erable may seem a little hypocritical. Is the show lowing the nearly decade long series of Desperate taking low-blows at the Christian faith?

Housewives on Sunday nights, GCB has caught the Watch Sunday nights at 10/9c on ABC to find out. attention of millions of Americans every week.

The series centers around the life Amanda Vaughn, Cortney Haygood played by Leslie Bibb who has stared in movies such as Law Abiding Citizen and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Vaughn has recently lost her wealthy husband in a car accident with a woman he was having an affair with.

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SUPERIOR TRAINING HELPS YOU STAND OUT

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT www.hobson-training.com 29

BY Allison Smith

D

riving up to the arched gates of the master-planned community of Savannah, Texas, located on U.S. 380, about five miles west of the Dallas North Tollway, I have a sudden urge to kick off my work shoes, don a pair of flip-flops, and throw on a swimsuit.

It may be the enormous private water park, equipped with two giant tube slides, the cascading, fifteen foot, rock waterfall, or the massive clubhouse with its own private theater, greeting me as I arrive, that gives me this overwhelming feeling as if I have just arrived on vacation, however, glancing around at the unique homes which circle around this towering center, proves otherwise. Although Savannah may seem like a holi-

day retreat, make no mistake, while this may be premier, resort-style, living, it also stands as a deeply rooted community that boasts something for everyone.

A Huffines Communities Development, built only eight years ago and carved out of open land in the 380 corridor, Savannah now has a population of over five thousand.

Each house in this community, by builders such as Grand Homes, LionsGate Homes, Grand Homes, Nathan Carlisle Homes, and History Maker Homes, has a very distinctive style, elegant architectural details, and well laid out floor plans. The original concept of the community was fashioned after both Southern and Cape Cod styles, but newer construction also incorporates an Austin, Texas look, with brick, natural wood, and stone work. Just recently, Nathan Carlisle Homes began construction on Savannah’s active adult community for the fifty-five plus set, Isabella Village.

This area of the community offers single story homes and 2 models with optional 2nd floor game rooms, plus a separate Amenity Center, specifically for these residents. When people hear the words “complete community� they may 30

think of cookie cutter homes, where it becomes impossible to distinguish one house from another, but this is definitely not the case in Savannah. The variety of designs available offer a multitude of houses available for any taste, and owner’s needs, and the prices ranging from the $140's to the $300's, make it accessible to a wide scope of budgets.

Despite the variety of elegant and charming homes available, the real draw to Savannah is the amenities and the community spirit. Aside from the private water park, the Junior Olympic swimming pool, separate adult pool, and the over eighteen parks scattered about the neighborhood that include fishable ponds, the community also features tennis courts, a regulation baseball field, basketball court, and a soccer field. The clubhouse itself offers a three story workout facility, conference rooms, a spectacular cathedral ceiling sitting area, a breathtakAccording to Chellie Feathers, one of the onsite Huffines team members, residents are all very active in the community, and it is the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbors.

Families with young children make up a large part of this community, but there are also many empty-nesters, singles, and working couples, creating a very dynamic make-up of residents.

The attraction for prospective Savannah residents may be the resort-style living, a place where you can live and play in top notch, well maintained facilities, but the community feel, that is so very evident when walking around the neighborhoods, where families watching their children on the playgrounds, or single people jogging to the gym to workout, wave welcomingly, is what will have buyers calling this their home. ing library with fireplace, a private theater which can accommodate up to seventy people, a cafĂŠ area, and a commercial kitchen for both catering and community events. The community also features and exemplary Denton ISD neighborhood school, Savannah Elementary for kindergarten through to grade five, and while kids may be sold on the waterpark, parents will definitely be sold on the fact their children can bike or walk to school located right in the community.

The jewel in the crown of Savannah, however, is the energetic role the residents and Homeowners Association play to create a one of a kind community. A full-time activities director helps organize the many neighborhood activities and events that take place, such as pancake breakfasts, baseball games, and pool parties. The events staff always tries to host one event a month, and ensures there is always something for everyone.

Allison Smith is a freelance writer and educator living in the DFW area.

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Knock Knock. Who’s There? It’s The Voice

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ith extremely high ratings, and high profile coaches, The Voice is making a name for itself giving weekly reasons as to why their outshine other singing competition shows.

With over 25 million viewers during the season premiere, The Voice has become one of the nation’s most intriguing singing competition shows.

Differing from shows such as American Idol and X Factor, The Voice is truly about what it says…the voice. American Idol gives any contestant an opportunity, whether they are phenomenal or 32

whether they are not good at all. To audition for The Voice, it is a necessity to have background and legitimate experience in your back pocket. So bad auditions aren’t what brings viewers in. When first auditioning, contestants are singing to the back of chairs, proving that it’s not always all about appearance.

After a couple episodes of bothersome and rather awkward auditions, American Idol loses viewers. After all, that’s what most claim their reasoning is as to why they watch American Idol; to see the judges insult and pick on the less talented participants, and in some sense, that shows a lack of professionalism.

But oh no, not The Voice. The Voice requires true talent, and that is why their popularity continues to sky rocket on a weekly basis.

Well renowned pop singers Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine along with R&B/Pop sensation Ceelo Green and country star Blake Shelton are the four coaches who all have previous fame before joining the show.

The Voice starts off with the “blind auditions” in which the four coaches chose their teams, and for the rest of the season they coach them and form bonds and relationships with them, which heightens the competition.

The competition is now in the quarter-final stages where judges will have to send home at least one of their team members. Last week, contestants Jesse Campbell from team Christina and Jordis Unga from team Blake were eliminated. America saved Chris Mann leaving Ashley De La Rosa and Lindsey Pavao to sing for their lives. Christina Aguilera decided to send Lindsey Pavao packing, which leaves Ashley De La Rosa and Chris Mann fighting for their place in the finals. From team Blake, Jermaine Paul was saved, which left Raelynn and Erin Willet to duke it out for the finals. In the end, Erin Willet was too much dismay, let go.

This week, it was Team Adam and Team Cee-lo who had their final four contestants battling it out on stage.

Jamar Rogers, James Massone, Cheesa, and Juliet Simms are the four contestants left on Team Cee-lo and sang their hearts out on tonight’s show as well as Katrina Parker, Mathai, Tony Lucca, and Pip from Team Adam, leaving coaches Adam Levine and Cee-lo Green with a difficult decision to make in their instant elimination.

Gritting their teeth, Adam Levine eliminated Pip and Cee-lo eliminated Pip, shrinking their teams down to three.

Watch Tuesday night on NBC at 8/7c to see who gets saved by America and who will have to lay their voices on the line in hopes that they will receive immunity from their coaches.

And give your hearing senses a little tingle Monday nights on NBC at 8/7c to watch the semi-finals and see who makes it one step further on winning The Voice.

Cortney Haygood (cortney.haygood@mavs.uta.edu) Student at University of Texas at Arlington 33

Katie McCutcheon 34

Red locks like Julia Roberts, legs like the Nile River, and the spirit of a Pastor Graham grandchild, Katie is a force to be reckoned with in the Dallas market. She has taken the city by storm and has longevity painted on her forehead. Not just a dumb model, this gal is educated, mannered, morale, and talented. She is a professional volleyball player with international experience (and legs to prove it), a fashion and print model, and a professional at her best. Her name…. most call her the ‘Tall Red Head’, but to us she is our cover model for the Dallas Flow Magazine. We sat with Katie to ask her about her uniqueness and her career. She is unique like no other, and we are the first to bring you a feature on the budding talent. She is represented

by Sports & Lifestyle Unlimited, an agency in Portland, Oregon and managed by Hobson Management in Dallas Texas. You have seen her in a plethora of fashion shows in Dallas including Fire & Ice, as featured on Good Morning Texas in September 2011. Allow us to introduce Miss Katie: DFM: Well Hello Miss Katie! We have been seeing your image all over Dallas; you are a very busy gal. You recently were cast as a mermaid for a commercial print ad. Tell us about this.

KM: Yes, It’s a print ad for Mikes Hard Lemonade, coming out in June.

DFM: So, tell us about your career as a professional volleyball player. When did you start?

What team have you played for?

KM: I graduated from University of Arkansas, Little Rock and went straight to Croatia to play.

Last season, I played in Italy with my team.

DFM: When did you decide you wanted to model?

KM: My modeling debut was kind of accidental. My mom volunteered me without asking and I was on the Jan. 2005 cover of Horse& Rider magazine.

DFM: Wow! That is amazing that you just fell into modeling. So, how has being an athlete helped you in being a model?

KM: It's actually limited me to doing more fitness modeling then anything because I have a lot of muscle tone. And, beefy arms don't look great in Vogue :-) but I'd love to bring beefy "in"!!

DFM: You’re not the average ‘industry standard’ model: blonde hair, size 0-3, etc.. Do you 35

think this has been an advantage or disadvantage for you?

KM: That I'm bigger than most of the girls?

I'd say disadvantage because it’s unlikely that I could do high fashion with the muscle tone that I have, when a skinny girl could do fitness as well.

DFM: What future projects do you have on the table in fashion and volleyball?

KM: God has blessed the mess out of me in volleyball and modeling. I just take opportunities as they come. God willing, I have a lot to look forward to.

DFM: What advice would you give to aspiring models, who are also athletes or perhaps not the industry standard model size?

KM: I just try to be relatable. There are so many different shapes and sizes of women and we tend to see a certain type always in the spot light. My advice would be, be who God made you because you're never going to be someone else. If you work hard, stay healthy, and keep God first, you can do anything you want to do!

~Jennifer Hobson Editor-In-Chief Dallas Flow Magazine To Follow Katie on facebook click the link: https://www.facebook.com/KTMccutcheon

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have never been able to before. We can now keep in touch with friends and family who have moved away, without awkward silences in phone calls or through the lengthy process of snail mail. Facebook helps us organize our groups of friends, getting messages out to specific people in the blink of an eye. We can invite people to events that we are holding without writing out invitation after invitation or making phone call after phone call (sure there is mass texting, but who really likes those?). Facebook clearly has made it more convenient for us to communication with one another.

Although easy, how accurate is this form of communication? Meaning, facial expression, and body language are lost through written forms of communication whether that be snail mail, fax, texting, and the quickest form of them all, Facebook chat. Through each of these means, many of the traits that would make up a great active listener cannot be done. As Steven Littlejohn and Kathy Domenici explain in their book, Communication, Conflict and the Management of Difference, active listening takes four parts, one of which is to “pay attention to nonverbal cues.” How can this be done if you cannot see the person? Even through video chat, a person could be distracted on their computer or focusing on something else in the room. Although the exact percentage is debatable, researchers agree that a staggering percentage of communication is nonverbal, something that is lost from keyboard to computer screen.

“Is Facebook good or bad for your social life?”

by Kelly Craig

F

acebook as a social media should benefit our social lives right? It seems to be that this is not always the case. Between miscommunication, public displays of couples coming together and breaking up, pressure to constantly have something clever to say or an interesting experience to show off in your pictures, how much good is Facebook really doing to your social life?

Facebook is a social media that will always be in the lives of this generation. Even without an account, a person does not make it through a week without something being referenced to Facebook or seeing a “Like Us on Facebook” sign. It has given us another portal to communicate and ease the management our social lives, but let’s not forget to keep the serious talks to face-to-face interaction. Breaking up a relationship over Facebook may not result in a physical slap in the face, but its sure not a mature and respectable way to leave things.

It is true that Facebook connects us in ways that we 38

Karson's Clothier 818 N. Hwy 67 Suite #102-A Cedar Hill, Texas 75104

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RESTAURANTS

Dallas Dining Do you enjoy live entertainment with your dining?

Enjoy these fine restaurants with excellent entertainment that will please every taste.

Arthur's Steak & Seafood - Addison 15175 Quorum Drive ; Addison, TX US 75001

(972)-385-0800

Arthur's serves prime aged steaks and fresh seafood in a glamorous and elegant setting. Live Piano entertainment adds to the already sumptous atmosphere and the four curtained rooms are popular for romantic dining.

Bruno's Ristorante - Irving 9462 N. MacArthur; Irving, Texas 75063

972-556-2465

You will be delighted with the romantic atmosphere, excellent cuisine, pleasant service, and the beautiful view of the canals in this great Valley Ranch location on MacArthur just north of LBJ. Live piano music, featuring Mike Coldewey, will make your dining experience a memorable one, not just for the food but for the ambience he creates.

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Lavendou - Far North Dallas 190009 Preston Road; Dallas, Tx 75225

972-249-1911

On Thursday's, join our vocalist and French guitarist on Lavendou's enchanting patio for a relaxing evening.

India West Fine Dining & Lounge - Addison 5290 Belt Line Road #114; Dallas, TX 75254

972-503-5000

India West features live jazz every Friday and Saturday evening. Join us for a relaxing evening of dinner and jazz.

Steve Fields Steak and Lobster - Plano 5013 W. Park Blvd.; Plano, TX 75093

(972) 596-7100

View our website www.SteveFieldsRestaurant.com for our current drink special and upcoming events.

Bavarian Grill - Plano

221 West Parker Road; Ruisseau Village; Plano, Texas 75023

(972) 881-0705

Bavarian Grill offers live music nightly. We have live accordion music Tuesday thru Saturday 710pm and on Tuesdays we also have Bavarian Bier Jazz (Dixieland) 7-10pm.

Avanti Ristorante - Uptown/McKinney 2720 McKinney Avenue; Dallas, Texas 75204

214-871-4955

Avanti Ristorante offers a small and intimate dining room with a sleek, uptown bistro atmosphere convenient to the McKinney Avenue Trolley line. The menu features Northern and Southern Italian dishes made with fresh seafood, steaks, veal and pasta. Avanti Ristorante offers live jazz nightly.

Citrus Bistro - Dallas 5930F Royal Lane; Dallas, TX 75230 Located at the SW corner of Preston and Royal, Citrus Bistro Seafood offers creative and original cuisine by chef Didier Viriot. The small dining room allows chef Didier to bring you an exceptional experience, giving the attention that is necessary to make everything run to perfection.

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Zen and the Art of Pure Spa and Salon

By Allison Smith

T

ypically, spas have been a place for pampering and calm relaxation, but the increasing demand of clients expecting more long-term outcomes from their treatments has invoked a new generation of businesses crossing the feel-good indulgence clients expect, with the long-term visible effects customers want. While many spas offer a few medically infused techniques into their repertoire of treatments, or offer a few pampering facials along with a full range of cosmetic medical procedures, there are few spas in the Dallas area that offer the complete package. Pure Spa and Salon is one such spa that offers a full range of skin, body, and hair services, along with long-term cosmetic medical procedures practiced by a board certified physician.

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Tucked away on East Mockingbird Lane, at the

can have your hair done, get a massage, or a facial,

edge of the University Park neighborhood, the mi-

and having the medical services available is a huge

nute you open the door to Pure Spa and Salon a

plus for those who want that option of maybe con-

calming drift of herbal and coconut aromas draw

sidering something a little more permanent than

you in. You will find Minna Taylor at the spa on

what they already are currently having done. We

any given day, quietly scurrying about, ensuring

also have our Waterhouse available, complete with

everything is perfection. Dallas Flow sat down with whirlpool, steam cave, and rain shower. Very few Minna, to find out the plans for the future of this top day spas can offer this kind of service. We are alrated spa in the city.

Since taking over Pure Spa and Salon in November of last year, what changes have you made to the spa, and what concepts do you foresee instituting that will separate you from other salons?

When we took over the spa we made some physical changes, but we really wanted to concentrate on keeping the best of the best technicians. Each one of our staff comes highly recommended, and all our technicians have seven plus years of experience.

We currently have eight massage therapists, three

ways looking forward to see what is out there, what are the trends, what is hot right not, and we try to make sure that we bring that to Pure.

estheticians, three hairstylists, and two full time manicurists and pedicurists, each one of them the

What are your most popular services at present?

best in their field. I think the incorporation of both

Definitely our massage bookings, and our Pure Re-

the medical side along with the spa amenities, is

newal Facial. The Pure Renewal facial really leaves

what separates us from other day spas. We are the

your skin glowing. The mushroom mask we apply

complete package. You come to our spa and you

during the treatment really helps to reduce pore size 44

and smooth out fine wrinkles, your skin looks and

How has beauty changed over the years and how

feels firm and smooth.

has Pure Spa and Salon transformed along with

You Tweeted a special on a coconut lime wrap

those changes?

and body treatment a few weeks ago, that sounds Well, we are constantly looking to see what else is delightfully Spring-like. What inspires you when out there, testing new products, and creating more effective treatments, finding out

designing a spa experience for your clients?

Many of our body treatments we make ourselves.

We purchase organic ingredients, such as fresh limes, sugar, and play with the ingredients, testing them out to make sure we can make them as effective as possible for the treatment. Our body

When we took over the spa we made some physical changes, but we really wanted to concentrate on keeping the best of the best technicians. Each one of our staff comes highly recommended, and all our technicians have seven plus years of experience..

the trends of today and tomorrow, for skin and hair. I feel like right now we have finally found a body wrap that really helps you lose inches and weight. We are still working and training on this treatment which we hope to launch in May. We always have our finger on the pulse of what is hap-

wraps our different from

pening in skin and hair care.

other spas, we really lather

Have you found an increase in

the product on and wrap the whole body. I try to

male clients over the years, and what services are

think seasonally, bringing ingredients into the treat-

popular with men?

ments that remind me of that time of year. I am

Oh yes, I would say our male clientele has risen to

playing with an orange vanilla treatment right now,

about twenty-five percent now. I think for years

kind of like a “Creamsicle� for summer. Products

men were kind of left in the dark, and suddenly,

that we do not directly make at the spa are all organ- whether they were dragged into a spa by their wives ic, and many come from right here in Texas.

or girlfriends, realized what they were missing, the 45

benefits, as well as the relaxation of the experience.

of their skin before the start of the warm weath-

Massage is a popular service for our male clients,

er?

but right now we have a new monthly maintenance

I think the best treatment on the medical side to real-

Pure Platinum Membership program, where for $69

ly give you that glow, where your skin looks beauti-

per month, you can choose from a Pure Signature

ful and fresh, would be Microdermabrasion with La-

Manicure plus a Hot Stone Pedicure, a fifty-minute

ser Genesis Skin Therapy. The Microdermabrasion revitalizes your skin by the application of fine grains that buff away the surface layer of your skin, and the Laser Genesis, or collagen remodeling, helps to lessen any redness in your skin, improves skin tone, and gives your skin a completely vibrant look. On the spa side of treatments that can help revitalize skin, I would sug-

Pure Signature Facial, a haircut conditioning treat-

gest a Renewal Facial, and a massage.

ment, plus a blow-out, or a fifty minute Massage Hot Towel Aromatherapy. Couples have been purchas-

What are your favorite services at the spa and salon?

ing these together, so it is really becoming a popular thing for men and women to do together.

Definitely a Blow Out before a night out. I love having that, it really makes you look great and feel

What would be your two essential service picks for someone who is looking to revitalize the look

special. I also love our Hot Stone Massage. The hot stones really get deep into your muscles, and com46

pletely relax you, and massage has been proven to

deserve some peace, to forget about everything go-

have medical benefits, increasing your overall

ing on. Emails, text, phone calls, I want this to be an

health.

oasis from “out there.� I want our clients to know

June weddings are around the corner, what service suggestions would you offer to a bride to be

that as soon as they walk in the front door, they are in for an hour or more of relaxation and calm.

The atmosphere of Pure Spa and Salon immedi-

for the big day?

Pre-wedding, Microdermabrasion, and a massage.

ately washes over you when you walk in the door,

On the day of, definitely hair, make-up, manicure

and calms any tension in your body. The peaceful

and pedicure. We have a lot of bridal parties that

ambience, soothing music, and the friendly welcome

come in for services before the wedding, and that is

from the staff makes you want to slip your shoes off,

really a fun and relaxing thing to. We offer a twenty shut your cell phone down, and indulge yourself percent discount on bridal parties of six or more, so

with all of the offerings the spa presents. You will

that can be a big advantage for a large group.

leave Pure not only feeling good, but also looking

What is your primary concern when a client visits Pure Spa and Salon?

I want to ensure that we have top notch technicians

great.

Pure Spa and Salon is located at: 5555 E Mockingbird Ln S300 Dallas, TX 75206 phone 214.827.4200

working on our clients. I feel this is really im-

Allison Smith is a freelance writer and educator living in the

portant. I also want the clients have a very positive

DFW area.

experience in all respects. Keeping the facility top notch, making sure the salon is sparkling clean, relaxing, calming, these are all concerns that I make sure are attended to at all times.

In one word, describe a trip to PSS? Zenful. Life is so difficult and so stressful; people 47

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Exploring Dallas: Hidden Gems

charm that is rare in Dallas.

By Allison Smith

center. From the 1920’s until the 1940’s, both Da-

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ibrant, innovative, and full of life, Dallas is a fascinating, sprawling city. It would be easy in such a vast metropolis,

to miss the many hidden gems located within this glimmering, contemporary, urban environment: The Bishop Arts District. Chances are, if you are not directly looking for this fascinating neighborhood, you may never know it exists, and that would be a shame. Bursting with energy, these whitelighted, tree-lined streets, illuminate a historic

Originally, this area was a bustling, burgeoning

vis Street and Bishop Avenue greeted rising warehouses, as well as an abundance of shops. Unfortunately, the emergence of shopping malls and suburban spread contributed to the decline of the region in the 1960’s. A spirited revitalization effort two decades later transformed this neighborhood into the charismatic destination it is today. Walking down North Bishop Avenue, the allure of the independent and unique makes the draw to these city blocks even more appealing. You will find an eclectic mix of vintage and local designs at Epiphany

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Boutique, and revel in the their one of a kind jewels

you feel like you have arrived in an urban cross of

sparking amidst the clothing, or inhale the calming

New York and San Francisco, take a stroll through

drift emanating from natural, handcrafted blocks of

the Bishop Arts District. First Thursday is a great

herb infused soaps from Shambhala.

place to start your initial visit to this amazing area, when every month, many of the stores and restau-

The other magnet that will pull you back to these rants stay open until 10PM, while offering a host of trendy streets is the availability of undisputedly

interesting wares, sales, and goodies. Savor the dis-

some of the best restaurants in the city. Neighboring tinctive flavor of this great spot by spending an eateries such as the infamous Bolsa, and, the recent- evening taking in the sites, sifting through the shops, ly opened and high-end Italian fare of Lucia’s, com- and tasting the tempting selection of food. I guaranpete with an outstanding mix of other delectable cui- tee you will enjoy one of the most independent and sines. The gorgeous Hattie’s, a Southern American

unique hidden treasures of

bistro style restaurant, will surprise you with the

Dallas.

sublime every time. You have never had chicken

The Bishop Arts District is located in the heart of Oak Cliff, at

and waffles like this, both elegant and comforting all

the intersection of Davis Street and North Bishop Avenue.

at once. Another almost unassuming treat is VeraAllison Smith is a freelance writer and educator living in the

cruz Café. Do not leave without tasting the Mole

DFW area.

Xiqeño, without dispute, the best dish in the city.

Save a bit more room for a chicken or pork tamale, sprinkled with “pipian,” a spicy, ground pumpkinseed topping.

Whether you are simply looking for an escape from the everyday chain stores that pervade the city, or searching for a unique experience that will make 51

Restaurant Review: Dallas's Tasty Bites and Rich Spirits

By Christina Dowers

D

allas is home to some of the best, world-class restaurants and bars. Whether it’s a Mediterranean flare you are seeking or good ol’ American cuisine, the Big D has a lot to offer. The slew of choices that are available in the city is enough to satisfy any appetite and quench every thirst.

The restaurant is famous for their unique, fresh cocktails. One of the most popular drinks is the passion fruit gimlet, which is made with fresh thyme, vodka, real pieces of passion fruit, freshly squeezed lemon juice and house-made clover, honey syrup. All of their specialty cocktails are served in a tall or short, chilled martini Chris Davidson, cofounder of FN Dinner Club (a glass. They also offer a small batch of Ameriblog about Dallas’s best restaurants), suggests can craft beers. to those who are looking for a more upscale atmosphere to try out Victor Tangos, Rosewood Mansion, or The Chesterfield Bar and Restaurant. All three offer a unique menu and some of the best savory cocktails in town.

Victor Tangos offers an intimate charm Victor Tangos, located in the increasingly popular Knox/Henderson area, is known for its intimate dining experience where guests can catch up with friends and share American inspired small plates. The restaurant’s acclaimed, executive chef, Greg Buffey, is very familiar with what Dallasites are looking for in cuisine, as he has worked for two other restaurants in the Dallas area (Stephan Pyles in the arts district and Hibiscus Restaurant) prior to opening up Victor Tangos four years ago.

Mansion Restaurant is unique to Dallas and Texas alike The Rosewood Mansion is a restored 1925 mansion that has a different ambiance from other restaurants and bars in the city. The restaurant has been around for more than three decades; therefore, it has a loyal following of customers. Offering haute Texas cuisine, The Mansion has a daily, full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

“On any given night you’ll find people just hanging out in the bar, getting engaged in the library “It is one of Dallas's most understated yet viand having a business dinner in the main dining brant eateries! Their infamous lamb chops and room,” Stephanie Hutson, marketing manager, mint julep's are simply divine!” Azalea Murga, a says. “When the weather is nice, the terrace is frequent customer of Victor Tangos, says. a great, relaxing place to be.”

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Live entertainment is provided throughout the week and on the weekends. A mixture of blues and jazz fusions are part of the usual playlist. The music tends to start out mellow at the beginning of the night and grows livelier as the night progresses.

plates to share with each other, but the restaurant also has a variety of entrees.

Every Thursday evening, the bar has wine chats where guests can sit down with Mansion beverage director, Michael Flynn, to try new wines the restaurant has brought in. And Monday through Thursday customers can enjoy half -price specialty cocktails for happy hour. The most popular drinks include the homemade tonic with gin; and the blazing turtle, The Mansion’s signature cocktail, with lots of champagne.

Whether you are looking for an intimate setting to have good conversation with friends in or a more classical atmosphere to relax to jazz music in, Dallas has what you are looking for. Victor Tangos, The Mansion and Chesterfield are just a small sample of what this city has to give.

Come out and experience it for yourself!

Newly opened Chesterfield brings downtown back to the golden age of cocktails While only being in business since this past December, The Chesterfield has already established a big pool of returning customers. Guests tend to come in and get lost in the menu, as it offers chapters of signature cocktails to try. The bartenders and waiters strive to create a personalized experience for each guest by asking what types of flavors they like, then making a specially concocted drink based on their preferences.

“My life has led me to the obsession of managing bars and restaurants,” Eddie “Lucky” Campbell, the owner, says. “Bars are a living piece of art. All walks of life gather to celebrate events and most bar scenes are of life gathering at bars.”

In addition to the signature cocktails, The Chesterfield has Mediterranean style dishes with a new American and classical French twist. A full lunch and dinner menu is offered. The chef makes his own pasta and breads, and the seafood used in the dishes is always fresh (never frozen). Guests usually come in and order small 53

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ROMANCE

AT THE

WORKPLACE Work place romance good, bad or ugly?

By Noel Liz Smart

I

n today’s day and age, it seems as though there are more people than ever on their grind, trying to get to the check. So it is not surprising that many are spending more time on their jobs than freely, giving leeway to a workplace romance.

But can real love develop on the nine to five? Maybe it should be all work and no play, then again, there is that possibility of business mixing strictly with pleasure.

There are more than just the elements of broken hearts or the chance at happily ever after when considering entering into a romantic conquest on the

worksite. It’s an issue that is not only built on lovers but it also includes foundations based in liberty and popular culture. To me, the possibility of soul mates meeting at their place of employment and having a successful relationship sounds wonderful, especially if the industry in which employed is stable and profitable. However, it is easy to neglect the facts that some feel employers compromise rights when enforcing rules against dating, which could be viewed bad in more than one way. On top of that, relationships that do not consist of strings are constantly portrayed in movies, television shows, plays and songs in a popular way which affects dating colleagues in a diverse way as well.

Some can make a workplace love affair work. If I had to guess, I would have to assume that it must take a whole lot of patience and more than the love of Jesus, (that is love thy neighbor of course) to make a workplace rendezvous work . For these couples, convenience may play a large role. Working the same schedule and clocking out at the same time is a thing of dreams for those couples that just adore being attached to the hip. Yet still, for those couples that do not mind having time apart, alternating shifts at the same company would be ideal. A relationship backed by a shared job security blacket is a plus as for most financial security is a factor in their liaison.

Two gainfully employed people that have adoration 55

for each other is also good for the economy (especially during holidays) because people with dispensable money buy things; typically, people that are in a relationship buy things not only for their significant other but also to impress their companion.

There are dating and wedded couples that work or have worked together on the job successfully not only in blue collar but also within white collar and the entertainment industries.

However just as there are married couples working together, there are also numerous amounts of divorcees that were once married to a person that was or is a coworker. For this reason, some companies enact anti-romantic fraternization rules that will likely result in unemployment if broken. This could work, but then again, this could be a depraved thing in two ways. First, you have to consider how much authority you think your employer should have over your life off of the clock. Do I think that employers should have that much say in an employee’s personal life, especially since most of my bosses generally displayed a “leave home at home” attitude? Well, too much control is always a bad thing right? Then you have to consider what could happen if you do not decide to rebel against these fraternization policies and end at a job where you have to do the right thing by following heart-influenced rules. There is the possibility of missing out on that Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, bring it right back to you, earth-shattering, deep, love’s gonna bring you home type of love. You know, that has to be considered worse than a bad thing, that’s just disastrous, terrible, catastrophic.

Then there is the ugly also known as the coworkers with benefits beast. Although the notion of friends with benefits has become a popular notion, the odds of such a relationship ending in blockage and titter beef are high. Adding the element of making money into the mist of such a delicate situation could end terribly messy. Divide and conquer is an idea that can be implemented with success in any situation, there is no greater divide that torn secret lovers and nothing worse than having enemies on the same team.

Love or relationship at work can be good, bad or ugly. A successful drama free courtship could be a virtuous thing in more ways than one.

Both partners being employed together can affect both the relationship and economy positively. Employers trying to control its employee’s emotions by restrict intimate relationships from blossoming could be looked at by some as a ruthless device. The unrestricting of work romance but the implementation of the wrong type of passion on the job can very easily get ugly. However, all in all, I believe that the success or failure of a work romance is contingent upon the people in the relationship. If there is patience and willingness to make a relationship work, no matter the articles or obstacles, it can work. I am not totally against love and the workstation as it has worked fairly well for me in the past. For me, working together also affected the compassion we had for one another as we understood what stresses we encountered on the job which boosted the success of our time spent together. But, a romance on the job is not for everyone because love and money is cursed with good, bad and ugly.

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Dropped with a capital ‘D’ from the Big D Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks have thrown in the white towel on Lamar Odom. So what happens next for the NBA’s former 6th man of the year and his reality co-star and wife, Khloe Kardashian?

Surprisingly, yet expected, the Dallas Mavericks gave Lamar Odom the big Texas boot Monday morning.

Acquired from the Lakers during the lockout, Lamar Odom clearly showed where heart was from the beginning, and it wasn’t with the mavericks or in Dallas. Due to “family issues,” Odom missed games and practices forcing the mavericks to place him on the “inactive list” stating he will not be playing the rest of the season with the mavs.

Shocking? Not so much.

Seeming completely out of character, Mark Cuban embraced the reality star, well, the NBA star’s celebrity status due in part to the reality show.

If you don’t follow the fairly popular reality show ‘Khloe and Lamar’ on E! Sunday nights, the most recent episodes have been showcasing the couple getting ready to adjust and take on life in Big D and for Khloe, really embracing the city and all her fans here, if not gaining more fans during her brief “visit” in Dallas.

It really is a toss-up of whether Dallas residents are more upset about Lamar leaving the mavs or the fact that Khloe K won’t be calling “Big D” her temporary home anymore. So what’s next for Lam Lam and wifey, Khloe?

Either way, this particular ‘Khloe and Lamar’ episode on E! will be one to watch.

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Studying Abroad Even in the Current Economy

by Kelly Craig

E

verything familiar -- food, language,

scenery, transportation, culture -- is being left behind. College students have decided to escape all things familiar and live out of their comfort zone by studying abroad through the bad economy.

According to VistaWide.com, a website known for study abroad statistics, studying abroad has increased nearly 130% in the last decade. In 2007/08, it said, about 262,000 American students studied abroad in foreign countries.

There is no question unemployment has soared. Not only America, but Canada, most of Europe and Asia have been hit by the recession.

Amid the economic squeeze, how can studying abroad even be an option for college students?

Rosemary Orr, a junior at Ramapo College, is currently studying in London, England, where the economy has been hurt as it has in the United States.

Throughout her experience, she realizes how the economy is plummeting in England like the United States. “Tuition is so outrageous that if you're going to be in debt for 10 years after graduation anyway, might as well tack on two more years of 62

Michelle Cox, a senior at Ramapo College, is spending her fall semester in Ireland. “Well for me it was the experience,” she said. “The economy sucks here too, but I wasn't going to let it hold me back from an experience of a lifetime. At homeyou work with what you have and get through it.”

Sheldon Nguygen, a sophomore at Rutgers University says, “The experience is priceless...not to sound corny.”

“Traveling and seeing new things and meeting new Cox described her itinerary: “Germany for a week, people and learning is not something you get to do Brussels, Italy, all over Ireland and I’m headed for every day, so people take advantage of it,” she Scotland, London... and Spain! I travel every week- says. end. I was originally planning on going with $3000 and then someone told me that she studied abroad Frank Santoriello of Penn State says, “it's an opand to bring $5000,” she added, “so I worked as portunity to see the world. When you get a job you much as I possibly could and had close to that.” won't have the time to travel or have the opportu“I’m borrowing a little from my dad,” Cox said. nities presented to you by universities. If you can “but I tried to budget as much as I could.” get out of the U.S. and get credits at the same time you're golden. Sometimes that experience is worth According to VistaWide.com, more women study the money you have to spend to do it.” abroad than men. About 65% of participants each Junior Marisa Magrino points out, “Students were year are female, 35% male. never rich to begin with. Does the economy really affect them? There are always loans, which they Patrick Dwyer, a sophomore, says students study abroad “to experience a different culture, to have a were probably going to take out to pay for school anyway. Also, if the economy is bad, and study resume builder, and to get away from America.

People feel that the economy will pick back up, so abroad is about the same price or just a little bit more than a normal semester, than its really like a they will pay off when it does. bargain vacation.”

“I think studying abroad is an awesome opportunity regardless of the condition of the economy, assuming there are no money issues with the person doing it. The experience alone is worth it,” says Alexander Ucci.

“Students have the opportunity to Experience cultures outside of their own.

Kids are too sheltered.”

Kate Godfrey, Study Abroad Advisor of Ramapo College, says, “Students have the opportunity to experience cultures outside their own. Kids are too sheltered. Cultures open their eyes to the world. It is a chance at independence and to learn. There is still a strong desire, and there are more scholarships now than 20 years ago; they’re more accessible,” she said.

-Patrick Dwyer

Millions of dollars are donated in scholarships to help students study abroad. These scholarships are very accessible to all college students no matter the institution. Public, private, community, four-year, and even graduate schools participate in studying abroad programs and encourage students to apply for scholarships.

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ent cultures.

According to transitionsabroad.com, a site about studying abroad, The Institute for the International Tera Duffer of Missouri State University, an ISA, Education of Students (IES), www.iesabroad.org, International Students Abroad, student is quoted on surveyed alumni from all IES study abroad programs http://studiesabroad.com/parents/comments/ from 1950 to 1999. fromStudents#Florence: Regardless of where students studied and for how long, the data from the more than 3,400 respondents (a 23 percent response rate) shows that studying abroad is usually a defining moment in a young person's life and continues to impact the participant’s life for years after the experience.

She said:

“I learned more from the past four months of studying Spanish here in Argentina than I learned in five years of high school classes and two semesters of college classes. The ISA staff are so helpful and easy to talk to, I can’t say enough how strongly I Though students are abroad to learn, over 90% said would recommend this program. “Not only did I the experience increased their self-confidence. They learn the language I came here to learn, I really also said the experience served as a catalyst for incame to love the culture and really gained perspeccreased maturity and had a lasting impact on their tive on the United States and how I feel about how personal worldview. The trips have influenced sub- things work in this world. I would pay the money sequent educational experiences. Studying abroad all over again for the amount of mental epiphanies experiences helped students better understand their and realizations I had on this trip.” own cultural values and biases. Trips influences one to seek out a greater diversity of friends and continues to influence interactions with people from differ-

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www.purespaandsalon.com

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