May_June_Magazine by Central California's Family First Magazine

MAY/JUNE 2012

The Fall Of The Met Josh Freeman Stain

Water Safety

Children’s Summer Fashion Trends Parenting • Health • Community • Education • Fashion

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May/June 2012

04 Community

Parenting

Education

4 7 8 10 12 14

20 Water Safety

30 The Artistic Scientist 34 Above the Grade/Teacher Spotlight 37 Tie-Dye Pet Bed

The Fall Of The Met Teen Ranch Gratitude Stain Rain is a Good Thang Snapshots

Future Buzz 16 From a Childs Perspective 18 Beautiful Wise Owl 19 Starlet

Health 24 Antioxidants 27 What is Fitness? 28 Combat Chronic Stress Eating

Fashion 38 Mommy Make Over 42 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Trends 46 Storybook 48 Brushes

Cover Model

Photo by Nicole Vargas Taken at Revue/Tower District 1-year-old Derek Phillip Graves III is our cover model for the May/ June issue! For a chance to have your child or family featured on the cover please send your submissions to info@familyfirstmagazine.com

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Future Buzz Contributors Adalie Main Angelica Castillo Bianca Santana

Contributing Writers Tamar Mekredijian Beth Warmerdam Natalie Carcavallo Stephanie A. Avila Cambria Avedikian Jim Blanks

Special Thanks Jenny Toste John Russell Erik Traeger Mike Horn Abbie Mast Suzie Garcia Mua

Copy Editor Stephanie A. Avila

Creative Designer David Carrasco

Photographers GM Photography and Design What If Photography Albina Campos Nicole Vargas with Platinum Imaging Photography Kristine Morgan

Publisher Stephanie A. Avila

Future Buzz Submissions If you have a child that would like to have their written work featured please email submissions to info@familyfirstmagazine. com Advertising If you’re interested in advertising with us, please contact info@familyfirstmagazine.com Contact Central California’s Family First Magazine P.O. Box 3147 Pinedale, CA 93650 www.familyfirstmagazine.com (559) 213-0632

Central California’s Family First Magazine reserves the right to edit submissions which may be published or otherwise used in any medium. All submissions become the property of Central California’s Family First Magazine unless other arrangements have been documented. The opinions expressed by contributors and writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Central California’s Family First Magazine. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Neither the advertisers nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc. herein contained. Copyright 2011 by Central California’s Family First Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any part of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. If you would like more information on how to obtain a copy of Central California’s Family First Magazine, please visit our website at www.familyfirstmagazine.com.

Family First Magazine

The Fall Of The Met

Turning Our Attention to Children and Art By Tamar Mekredijian

There are many reasons why we encourage our children to work with their hands. It not only keeps them occupied, it stimulates their minds in a very important way. Creativity is crucial for a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental development. In many ways, the ability and opportunity to create opens our kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; minds to new possibilities. They are educated about how things are made, and learn to appreciate what art is and does: a venue to express oneself and create something that others have the opportunity to interpret or reflect upon.

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Art is also directly connected to history, thus teaching us about those who came before us: what they did, and how they perceived and felt about the world around them. Aside from learning the importance of expressing yourself through art, the appreciation of it must extend to exposing yourself to different types of art, from all around the world. This will provide a well rounded exposure to the art world. This is why museums

are so important in our communities. They provide a window into the art produced by renowned and emerging artists around the world, which educate us and stimulate our imaginations toward inspiration. The fall of the MET in downtown Fresno was a tragedy for both our children’s and our awareness of art in the world and in our community. It is unfortunate that a financial crisis resulted in its closing, however it is hopeful that it brings our attention to the significance of art in our lives, and drives us to put more of an effort into keeping art alive in our community. In 1978, a group of Fresno civic leaders began entertaining the possibility of opening a museum in Fresno, and raised $5.5 million dollars from 1981-1985. The Fresno Metropolitan Museum, housed in the historic Fresno Bee building, opened its doors to the public on April 8, 1984. The MET was a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and American Association of Museums accredited museum, becoming one of the largest museums between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It promoted themes reflecting art and science, including exhibitions such as Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of the Sublime and Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body. An extensive interior renovation of the museum took place in August of 2005. It was a major remodel, costing about $28 million dollars, including structural enhancements, bathroom and elevator renovations, and restoring the fourth and fifth floors that were not previous gallery spaces. The fourth floor became a large gallery space that was also used as an educational forum, housing the Michaelis classroom. After the exten-

Photo By Stephanie Avila

sive renovation, the MET reopened to the community on November 13, 2008. However, they were not able to close the debt caused by the renovation, and were forced to close on January 5, 2010. What was most beneficial to the academic community of Fresno was the MET’s effort put into reaching out to schools and community centers to educate Fresno, Los Banos to Visalia, providing hands-on science and art activities. The Mobile MET Outreach Science Program visited schools, YMCA groups, summer school programs and day care facilities to teach science lessons based on the California Science Standards for Kindergarten through sixth grade students. The Docent Outreach Project allowed teachers to access the museums programming for art lessons without having to make the trip to the museum. Visual Thinking Strategies used art to teach “critical thinking, communication skills and visual literacy” to schools, free of charge. Started on October 13, 2008, MET on the Move provided hands on art and science lessons to elementary schools in or around the San Joaquin Valley. These programs, promoted by the museum, make its closing a great loss to the educational community, especially for students. Local portrait artist and teacher of art, Ma Ly, believes that art is important for a child’s education, and is saddened when reminded of the closing of the MET. He grew up in France, and is surprised by the educational system in America because they don’t include art in their curricu-

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for children to really understand what we’re trying to teach them, and if a child is a visual learner, what better way than through the concept of art? More importantly, Sammy believes that art is just as crucial as any other subject when it comes to a child’s education. “Pablo Picasso once said, ‘Art is a lie that tells the truth.’ The lie we tell ourselves is that art is not as important as science, math, reading, or history, but the truth of it is that it might be more important. “For what is science but observing and understanding the art of the universe? Math is the art of numbers, and history is the art of who we were, who we are, and who we will become. We cannot continue to lie to ourselves or our children,” Sammy says. Art is a part of every aspect of learning, thus deeming it extremely important for a child’s education. Although the fall of the MET was and still is a tragedy, it is only unsalvageable if we don’t set art as a priority in our and our children’s lives. The closing of the MET is a reflection of how we view art in our community. Art does not take precedence in our schools or in our daily lives, and this must be changed. Knowing that art is a significant part of an individual’s development, we need to make an effort to keep art programs and local museums open and thriving.

lums. “I think it’s just stupid not to consider kid’s artistic abilities. If you don’t show them, how are they going to express themselves?” Ly plans on taking on more kids in his art classes, being so passionate about its importance for children and their development. “To me it’s a shame that the city wasn’t able or didn’t fight to keep [the museum open], even though there [were] a lot of cuts,” Ly says about the fall of the MET. He believes that the city should have fought to keep it open, for the education of the community’s sake. He does think that improvements could’ve been made while it was If you can, give to the museums financially. We must still open. work together to prevent another such blow to the arts in our community. Visit local museums and art exhibits For example, “it should have been more family ori- frequently to encourage local artists, so that their work ented,” and it was “too fine art oriented,” he says. Ac- will continue to influence the children in our commucording to Ma Ly, visiting museums is very important, nity. Only then will our children be enriched by creativespecially for children who are being slowly introduced ity. Inspiration is only a hard thing to come by if there is to art. “Take your child to the museum,” he recom- no source for it. Let us include art in our daily activities mends to parents. Drawing and painting at home is with our children and consistently take them to musegreat, he explains, but taking them and exposing them ums to give them the most well-rounded education that to art from around the world is equally as important for we can. their full understanding of art and its influences. California Art Academy’s children’s art teacher, Sammy, confirms that art is an important part of learning, and that although the closing of the MET was a tragedy, it has produced positive results, turning the public’s attention to art in the community. One of Sammy’s main reasons for promoting art in a child’s education is that it is an important tool for teaching. He says that it is “an intrinsic part of learning, and if not nurtured, can affect children who learn visually.” This is a very interesting perspective. As parents and teachers, we try to find ways

Family First Magazine

Valley Teen Ranch By Mike Horn

Valley Teen Ranch is a faith based, non-profit We all have basic needs, ranging from survival needs residential treatment program for adjudicated youth. and the need for unconditional love and acceptance, to having a healthy self concept. When we attempt to A recent news article summarizes some of challenges minimize, devalue, or persuade youth that their needs we currently face with troubled young people today: are unimportant (I.e. gangbanging gives young a sense (CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Two 12-year-old boys from of family and belonging, protection, etc.), we just set Harlem have been charged with felony assault and them up for more failure. misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon after they allegedly pushed a shopping cart off a fourth- Of course you’re going to ask an important question floor walkway in a New York City shopping plaza. The based on the news story mentioned at the beginning of cart went over the walkway and hit a woman in the this article: What kind of need is being met by throwhead who was four floors below. ing a shopping cart off the second story of a mall onto a woman who now has suffered a serious brain injury The victim, Marion Salmon Hedges, is in critical but and lost the sight in one of her eyes? stable condition at New York City’s Harlem Hospital. Hedges was walking with her 14-year-old son outside Of course this is not a “pitch” to hold young people less a Target store in East Harlem on Sunday when the cart accountable for their delinquent behaviors, but rather fell on her. Her son wasn’t injured. Her father-in-law, to create empathy in our hearts for kids that really do Michael Hedges, says prosecutors should “throw the want help. “Throwing the book” at them doesn’t really book” at the two boys. solve the problem. Neither do “so called” treatment programs that only promote “behavioral abstinence”, “If we can help the boy, we won’t have to punish the while not looking at and resolving root issues that foster man.” internalized change. Just something to think about. After spending close to 30 years working with teens, and the last 20 years with youth caught up in the juvenile justice system, I am more convinced than ever that this statement holds true. Of course this article is not a scientific paper showing the most current research concerning causes and treatment of delinquency, but rather just sort of a blog generated from my personal experiences of working with broken adolescent boys. Our criminal justice system continues to “bounce back and forth” around issues surrounding the best possible way to reduce recidivism in delinquent youth, from “throwing the book” at them at one end of a spectrum, all the way to the other extreme of light, suspended sentences that include things like electronic ankle monitoring or six months in group care in a “residential treatment facility”. I continue to believe that many, if not all of our behaviors are “need driven”. One of my college professors used to say, “All behavior is relevant. People do things for a reason, even the “criminally insane.” They just live in a “different world” than we do.” Based on this model, delinquent youth are also meeting their “legitimate needs illegitimately.” Because their needs remain constant and are legitimate, the goal in treatment is not to “just say no to drugs”, or “just stop gangbanging”, because drug use and gang involvement is meeting a “perceived need”. Rather the goal is helping kids discover an alternativ and healthier way to get their needs met.

Gratitude

The spiritual act of counting your blessings By Cambria Avedikian A couple months ago I read a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She talks about this exact phenomenon. Life can feel burdensome and empty without gratitude. Expressing gratitude is a way of taking back control of your day. Ann’s method was very practical. She started making a list. A list of one thousand things she’s thankful for. Her list covered everything from the little chubby hands of her children to the color of the sunset. Those are the moments in life that we rarely take the time to stop and enjoy and they are also the ones that mean the most. Have you ever noticed how grateful you are for something or someone when they’re gone? Two years ago my husband Andrew and I sat with his Grandmother. It was my first time meeting her and it had just been a few months since her husband had passed away. She looked at us with tears in her eyes and said, “I hate him because he made me miss him so much. He did everything. He made me coffee and took care of me and now he’s gone. What am I supposed to do?” They had been married for 59 years. Tears came to my eyes and I told Andrew how they must have had an amazing love story. He couldn’t help but laugh. “They fought all the time,” he said. “They drove each other absolutely crazy. “ Andrew’s Grandfather had taken care of his Grandma in many little ways and in the day-to-day craziness of life she had missed it. She hadn’t been grateful. It was only when he was taken from her that she realized just how much all those little things meant. I couldn’t help but think of how many little moments I miss. Seasons change. Kids grow up too fast. Our hectic lives fly by. How many little things happen- little wonderful things- that I don’t pause to notice and thank God for?

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I started my list. It’s in a little red notebook I carry around with me. My list contains everything from my puppy climbing in my lap when I have my morning coffee to my husband doing the laundry. Little things. Little things I don’t want to miss.

Stain

By Natalie Carcavallo

edly; making use of WD40, coffee, and rubbing alcohol to stain his paper. Josh said, “It’s all about finding stuff and exploring my mind.” He finds aspiration in random stains. He will stare at them for long periods of time and study them as one might study the clouds. One time he unintentionally spilled two colors of paint on a $20 sheet of paper and at first he was troubled but then he just worked with it. He said, “Destruction leads to creation and creation leads to destruction…”

“I like taking something that is chaotic and putting a little order to it.”-Josh Freeman As an artist in Fresno, Josh Freeman appreciates the way that art serves as a way to interact with its viewers. Josh Freeman has lived in Fresno all of his life and says that he enjoys the diversity of the city. He began drawing at the age of five by reading “Draw Squad” by Mark Kistler. Josh says that he started by following the lessons in the book and as he progressed his creativity flourished. Josh’s art is intricate and compelling as he makes use of dynamic shapes and shading techniques. He said, “I don’t even know what I have created until people start pointing it out…it’s like ink blot.” He experiments with random materials that he comes across unexpect-

Family First Magazine

Josh went to Edison high school and then attended art classes at Fresno City College. Over a summer he attended an art program in San Francisco. During that time Josh honed his skills in figure drawing; spending hours a day drawing people of all shapes and sizes. Josh says that he enjoyed his time in San Francisco but has always loved Fresno. He is particularly inspired by the diverse population, the art, local and live music, and the potential that Fresno has as a city. Josh also enjoys sculpting and the lost wax technique in which the artist creates a metal sculpture from a clay sculpture. Josh began showing his art at different galleries involved in Art Hop and his work has been featured at The Treasury. The Treasury is a vintage up-cycled

boutique in downtown Fresno. Another interesting aspect of Josh’s art is that he likes to build his own frames for his artwork, often creating three-dimensional frames that the viewer can move and adjust to see the piece from another perspective. The viewer is able to experience each piece of art in a way they would normally not be able to if they were merely looking at it mounted on the wall. Josh says that he enjoys watching how people interact with his art, even if their feedback is negative, “I would rather someone look at one of my pieces and say they hate it than to be indifferent about it. Because at least that way I know that they experienced something when they saw it.” Aside from drawing, Josh is an avid reader and enjoys building models such as ships and cars. He credits his desire for the consumption of literature to his parents, especially his mother who read him Edgar Allen Poe when he was a child. Josh draws on a daily basis, often beginning right away in the morning. He said that he views art as something that is self-sustaining, meaning that he doesn’t desire to be rich and famous as an artist, but to succeed to the extent that allows him to continue to create. “Art is a need, like breathing…”-Josh Freeman

“Rain is a Good Thang” By Jenny Toste

I grew up back east in Maryland where the summers can get so humid that it starts to rain out of blue skies, simply because the air can’t hold any more water. I’ll never forget standing in a hot field at church camp one year when big drops seemingly emerged out of thin air – falling from a sky with not a cloud in it. Back there, every summer afternoon is marked with a brief but powerful thunderstorm, and it’s great. You don’t have to worry about watering your lawn, the air becomes charged with the smell of ozone, and there’s a freshness to the land.

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I didn’t appreciate those summer rain storms, or rain in general, until I moved to Central California. We’re one step up from a desert; getting only eleven inches of rain a year. We depend on Sierra snowpack and irrigation canals for water in the summer. And yet somehow we still manage to be the “bread basket” of the world. Last summer I was out watering my newly-planted crape myrtles when I noticed all of the spider webs on the neighboring Japanese maple. Hmm…I wondered why I’d never noticed trees with webs before.

I took the hose, shot the leaves, and marveled at the vibrant shade of green emerging from the dust and debris. And I thought to myself, ‘how have I never thought to wash the trees before?’.... And then I laughed – nobody washes trees! Only someone with a landscaped yard in the middle of the desert would think of that. Everyone else in the world just has rain, and suddenly I appreciated the rain; as the childhood smells of a freshly-cleansed world wafted back. When I first started doing the weather on TV, I quickly learned not to phrase the rain in “negative” terms. The farmers love rain. Strange people, like my husband, love rain; and since we get excited about a tenth of an inch (or even one hundredth!), I embraced the coziness those gray days bring. (I even chuckled when the country song “Rain is a Good Thang” came out, since I’d already learned that lesson!) But embracing the rain also teaches me to appreciate the beautiful days we’re given, too. So often we complain about the storms and the busyness of life, but the bitter really does make the sweet sweeter. Because of my hectic workweeks and the sometimes distressing events that occur, I appreciate the simple times when I have my family around me. Like a recent Saturday afternoon when we finished up a relaxed round of errands with lunch at Burger King – a rare treat for my son, since we hardly eat fast food, but something he’d been begging to do. So as we sat there soaking up the sunshine and reveling in a rare moment of free time, I’ll never forget the smile on my son’s face as he finished up his first “Whopper Junior,” telling me about his “big muscles” in the sweetest little three-year-old voice. My husband looked at me and said, “You know, Jen, we really do have it great.” And I agreed – smiling and realizing that rain really is a good thang. Jenny Toste is the Morning Weather Anchor for CBS47 On Your Side. When she’s not super busy, she enjoys going to the mountains, watching scary ‘80s movies, and playing golf with her husband. They have a 3-year-old son and a rescue dog, Buster. Jenny just finished her Masters in English Literature at Fresno State and hopes to one day write a book. You can read more of Jenny’s stories and about her favorite places and upcoming events on her blog at www.CBS47.tv

FRESNO • August 23-25 Fresno Fairgrounds • Industry Building 1121 S Chance Ave

VISALIA • Sept. 9-15 International Agri-Center in Tulare • 4450 S Laspina,Tulare

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Snapshots

MMMMM Photo By: Bryana Bettencourt

Millerton Sunset Photo By: Christopher Jorn

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Shooo Photo By: Bryana Bettencourt

Sneek Peek Photo By: David Carrasco

Princess Photo By: Elia and Robbie

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The death of a loved one can be life changing and traumatic. We received this submission from a young girl who lost her mother to cancer. This is her story…

From a Child’s Perspective… By Angelica Castillo 4th Grade, Wishon Elementary

Before Anything Mom, I am going to write this note directly to you. Mom, you are the best mom that a girl could ever wish for…today and from now on. Just to let you know, I would never tell you that I hate you. Mom, you are the best cook and you keep me healthy. But when you’re gone, I won’t have your cooking. When you’re gone, I won’t have your love or things like you combing my hair, tucking me in at night, giving me a kiss on the forehead and saying, “don’t let the bed bugs bite.” But before that, you and I say our prayers and the next morning is you loving, cooking, combing my hair for school and saying “be good.” And I say, “Okay, anything for you because you’re my mom who loves me, feeds me and takes cares of me.”

Day 2 Mom this is to you. I remember a sad day for the whole family. Remember when your hair started falling out? That is when we knew that you had cancer. You would keep coming and going to the hospital. You would leave Christopher in charge of us. I remember Briana coming over and Grandma going to visit you at the hospital. I think a week later, you went to this little house where you stayed. When we got there; you were asleep. We all got to talk to you and I said, “Mom we hope you survive and come home.” After that, the doctor told us to take a seat outside. The doctor left and then came back and said, “Sorry but your mom has died.” She said “we’re sorry but we tried everything.” Then me, my sister Alyssa and Grandma Delores cried and cried for a long time.

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Day 3 Mom, I miss you. I remember when you were in your coffin at church and I couldn’t see you because I was too short. I wish I was tall. Anyways, before that I invited one of your friends to be there and we all said what we had to say. Every single person got to say something to you in your coffin. I said, “Mom, we will miss you more than anything.” When we were leaving we got a card that had the names of the people who carried you in your coffin and where it was. After, we went to see you at the cemetery. We went to see you one more time before you went underground. After you went underground everyone prayed. Grandma said that we would visit you one day and we did. We visited you on your birthday…just to let you know that you exist. Now you are an angel. You are a good angel that tells people to do the right things and not the wrong things. You are not alone, because you are with your dad and your sisters. That was the last time I cried…except when I think about you I still cry sometimes, but not in school. Well, I mean I think about you and I try not to cry but my eyes get watery and people say, “Are you crying?” I say, “No, it’s allergies.” That was the last time I ever had saw my mom. So take care of your mom because when you need her she is there. So take care of your mom and tell her that you love her.

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Beautiful Wise Owl By Bianca Santana

4th Grade, Bullard Talent Once upon a time there was a beautiful wise owl. Her name was Aurora. Aurora was the queen of her tree. She cared for her four owlettes. Their names were Randa, Mia, Bianca and Vivi. Aurora would get compliments about how beautiful and well behaved her owlettes were. The owlettes adored Aurora. Over time the wise owl got very ill; her owlettes never left her side. On the last night of her owl life she called her owlettes to her bedside. She said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You guys are my everything. Do not cry when I am gone. Smile because we were able to love each other. I pray you will do great things and grow into beautiful owls. I love you my darlings. Good night.â&#x20AC;?

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Musical Dancer Spotlight Adalie Jean Main 4-years-old, Ericson Elementary

Starlet! By Stephanie Avila

Soon to be 5-years-old, Adalie Jean Main is dancing her way to stardom. This talented young starlet has been dancing since the age of 3! Adalie loves to perform and according to Judy Jo Wilson, “Adalie will melt anyone’s heart who watches her.” Judy is the owner of Judy’s dance studio and has been Adalie’s dance instructor since she first started twirling. Each June, Adalie has a dance recital at the Williams Saroyan Theatre and this star in the making loves the “Big Stage”, which is what she calls the Williams Saroyan Theatre. An avid ballet and tap dancer this rising young star can not only dance but she can sing! Adalie’s favorite song to sing is, ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ from the Lion King and it’s easy to see that this starlet is on her way to stardom!

Photo By Albina Campos Photography

Water Safety By Beth Warmerdam

The temperature has passed the 100 degree mark. You and your child are enjoying the afternoon cooling off and splashing around in the backyard swimming pool. You hear an incoming message on your cell phone and get out of the pool to check it, turning your back on your child for only a matter of moments. Harmless, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. Taking your eyes off your child when there is water nearby – even for just a short time – can turn deadly. Tragedy can strike in seconds. Knowing the Facts An average of 750 children ages 14 and under die each year due to unintentional drowning. Statistics like this are enough to make any parent scared. “Knowing how many young children lose their lives in a swimming pool is a real eye opener,” said Fresno mom

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Susan Jackson, who has three kids under the age of five. “It makes me definitely more aware of the dangers and the need to watch my kids at all times.” Some more drowning-related statistics include the following: • Every day, approximately 10 people die from unintentional drowning, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of these 10, two are children aged 14 and under. • In Fresno County, 20 to 30 people drown each year, and statistics show that 10 of these victims will be children between the ages of 1 and 18, according to the Water Safety Council of Fresno County. In addition, 30 to 40 children in Fresno County are hospitalized because of a near-drowning incident every year. • Nationally, drowning is the second leading cause of

unintentional death for children ages 1 through 14, behind automobile accidents. However, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 through 4, according to the California Center for Childhood Injury Prevention. • Only 31% of parents in California are aware that drowning is one of the two leading causes of accidental death for children 14 and under, according to Safe Kids USA. • Most drownings of children between the ages of 1 and 4 occur in residential swimming pools, according to the CDC. • In nearly 9 out of 10 drowning-related deaths, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child, according to Safe Kids USA. • For every child who dies from drowning, another four are hospitalized for near drowning, according to the CDC. Nonfatal drowning can cause brain damage that can result in long-term disabilities. • In the months from May to August, drowning deaths among children increase dramatically – 89 percent – over the rest of the year, according to Safe Kids USA. Preventing Tragedy No parent wants their child to become part of these statistics. Many drowning incidents could have been prevented had the proper precautions been in place. When it comes to children being in water – whether in the family pool, at the beach, or simply in the bath tub – parental supervision is key. Parents and caregivers of infants and young children should never – even for a moment – leave children alone in or near a body of water. Just over an inch of water can be enough for an infant to drown in. In fact, more than half of drownings among infants under the age of 1 occur in the bathtub. Drownings can happen very quickly and quietly, which is why parents should always be actively supervising their children. It only takes a second for a child to fall beneath the water, and once that happens they cannot cry out or scream for help. Within two minutes under the water, a child will lose consciousness. Children have been known to drown while an adult was in the pool area, but not actively supervising. This is why it is so important for parents to stay in visual contact with their child at all times. “It’s something that you kind of take for granted, and you think it won’t happen to your child,” said Fresno dad Steven Garcia. “But a couple of years ago, a buddy of mine had a scare with his kid when he turned his back to grab something from the side of the pool. He turned back around and saw his 3-year-old son starting to slip out of his floatie. He grabbed him before anything happened, thankfully. But, man, that’s a big wake up call.”

This kind of incident is unfortunately all too common. In Fresno, it is estimated that one out of every three homes has a swimming pool, and one out of four of these families has reported a “close call” where a child may have drowned or been injured if they had not been rescued, according to the Water Safety Council of Fresno County. In addition to visually supervising, parents also need to provide “touch supervision.” This means that all infants and toddlers should have an adult swimmer within arm’s reach. Parents should also learn infant and child CPR in case their child does have an accident in the pool. When children get to be old enough – at least by the time they are 4 years old – they should be taught how to swim. Most communities have recreational pools where qualified instructors give swimming lessons. Although knowing how to swim is very important, it does not prevent a drowning from happening, and parents still need to actively supervise. In addition, parents should not rely on any sort of floatation device to protect their child. For those families with pools or spas in the backyard, it is very important to have four-sided isolation fencing

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around the water. Studies have shown that installation and proper use of such fencing could prevent anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of residential pool drowning and near drowning incidents. In California, it is legally required for residential pools built in 1997 and after to have one of the following: 1. Pool fences 60 inches tall separating the home and pool; or 2. Alarm devices that go off when a door leading to the pool has been opened; or 3. Manual or automatic pool covers. Gates around pools should be tall enough that a child cannot climb over them, and should have no foot or handrails that could be used to climb. The slats in the gates should be less than 4 inches apart so the child cannot climb through. Finally, the gates should be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch out of the child’s reach. Swimming pools are not the only dangerous waters for kids. Parents need to be vigilant when their children are near other bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, canals, ponding basins, and at the beach. Lakes and ponds can be dangerous because they can be shallow near the bank and then suddenly drop deep. They also may contain rocks and broken glass that could cause injury, and weeds that could entangle feet and arms. Canals have steep and slippery sides, are quick-moving, and have dangerous undertows and turbulence. Rivers can catch swimmers off guard because of their strong currents beneath the surface. In the ocean, kids should be aware of currents and tides, as well as strong waves that can knock them over.

Acting Quickly When the unthinkable happens and a child goes underwater against their will, quick action is key. A child loses consciousness after two minutes under water, and brain damage occurs after four to six minutes of submersion. If you discover your child in the water, immediately pull them out and have someone call 911. Tilt the child’s head back and check for breathing and signs of life. If the child is not breathing, CPR should be performed. In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, CPR could make a difference between the child living or dying, according to the CDC. If the child appears to have suffered from a neck injury – from diving into a pool, for example – then keep the child on their back and keep their neck immobilized by bracing their neck and shoulders with your arms and forearms. Do not let the child move and wait for paramedics to arrive. Playing and swimming in water is one of summer’s best activities. By making sure you and your children are following all of the necessary safety precautions, you can enjoy your swimming experience even more.

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Antioxidants Looking Beyond the Hype By Beth Warmerdam It seems like antioxidants are everywhere these days. Phrases like “Rich in Antioxidants” or “Antioxidant Powerhouse” have been splashed across products ranging from beverages like sodas, coffees, and teas to foods like muffins, ice creams, and breakfast cereals. And, of course, the vitamin aisle at the store is abounding with antioxidant pills and supplements that purportedly help prevent diseases and fight the effects of aging. The word “antioxidant” has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the health industry lately. In fact, between 2002 and 2006, the number of products making antioxidant claims rose by 306%, according to market analyst Packaged Facts. Sales of top antioxidant supplements reached $5 billion in the U.S. in 2010, which was up 2.3% from the year before, according to Nutrition Business Journal.

Clearly, people believe that antioxidant supplements and antioxidant fortified foods are beneficial to them. But what, exactly, are antioxidants? And are they really as amazing as the hype would have you believe? A Science Lesson on Antioxidants To understand how antioxidants work, we have to understand the science behind them. When the cells in our bodies interact with oxygen, a normal process called oxidation occurs, and the cells change in one way or another. Oxidation occurs all the time in our bodies, such as when we turn food into energy. Unfortunately, there are disturbances that happen during the oxidation process, in which damaged cells are created, commonly referred to as free radicals.

PhotoTaken at Kristina’s Natural Ranch Market Fresno CA.

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The free radicals cause molecules that are missing electrons to become unstable. In an attempt to make themselves whole, free radicals will attack other cells in the body to steal electrons, thus damaging the other cells. This creates a chain reaction of cells turning into free radicals, attacking other cells, turning them into free radicals, and so forth. This is when antioxidants come into play to stop the chain reaction. The antioxidants prevent the free radicals from causing damage to other molecules in the body by essentially ‘taking one for the team.’ “They get oxidized themselves, thereby protecting the other molecules,” said Dr. Henry Jay Forman, a professor of Natural Sciences at UC Merced and a leading authority on antioxidants. The body naturally produces these antioxidants, which are able to donate electrons to the free radicals while still staying in balance and not becoming free radicals themselves. It’s important that the body not be overloaded with free radicals because there’s evidence that they are associated with many diseases and chronic conditions. “Basically, a lot of diseases have an oxidant component,” Dr. Forman said. “Cardiovascular disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, all kinds of inflam-

mation.” The Theory Behind the Antioxidant Craze Many external factors can cause our body to create an increased amount of free radicals, including cigarette smoke, air pollution, radiation, stress, and increased exposure to sunlight. Thanks to all of these toxins in our lives, the body can’t produce enough antioxidants to keep up with all of the free radicals that are formed. When scientists discovered that nutrients found in food –such as vitamins C and E – also acted as antioxidants in our bodies, it seemed to make sense that we should be getting more of them. The more antioxidants we bring into our body, the healthier we will be, or so goes the theory. Before scientists even had the chance to study or research if and how consuming extra antioxidants would be beneficial, the food and health industries took off with the idea of antioxidants as the ultimate in disease fighting and preventative care. Supplements started popping up with antioxidant claims, and labels were pasted on foods and beverages boasting of their disease fighting power. After many tests and trials on the effectiveness of consuming large amounts of antioxidants, the results at best have come back mixed, and in many cases, have come back disappointing.

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“Although there are some studies that suggest taking more than the minimum that you need of certain antioxidants, like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, is going to be helpful in living longer or preventing heart disease or cancer, there is a caution,” Dr. Forman said. “Unfortunately, the really well-done, long-term studies have shown really no beneficial effect of these high doses. That’s a disappointment, but it’s not really something that surprises people in the field.”

have a lot of very good compounds that not only are involved as antioxidants, but also as anti-cancer agents,” Dr. Forman said. “Tomatoes contain a lot of compounds, such as beta carotene, that are very good for you.”

Researchers and scientists say that antioxidants have been overhyped. At this point, scientific studies are overall inconclusive, but there is very little data to support the use of antioxidants as disease preventers. Even the Food and Drug Administration has become stricter about how companies can advertise antioxidants in their products. Despite all of this, the health and wellness industries continue to tout their antioxidant products and consumers keep eating it up. Literally.

“But, as with vegetables, no one fruit has all the compounds that are beneficial,” he said.

Practical Advice on Antioxidants So should we take antioxidant supplements and buy the products that claim to have disease-fighting antioxidants in them, just in case? And how do we know if we can believe the claims we read out there? “A lot of people are out there to make a buck in everything, and this area is no exception,” Dr. Forman said. “There is a lot of hype out there, companies selling a lot of things and making a lot of claims. You have to be very cautious. Don’t believe what you read on the internet unless you know the source is reliable. The fact is there is a lot of garbage out there.” Dr. Forman’s best advice when it comes to antioxidants is simple and something that we’ve heard time and time again: eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.“Basically, what you need to do is eat a really good diet with fruits and vegetables,” he said. Eating antioxidants in the way nature prepared them is the best bet. In contrast to taking supplements, eating whole fruits and vegetables has been shown to provide protection against chronic diseases. In addition to being natural antioxidant carriers, fruits and vegetables contain other essential compounds, vitamins, and minerals. Whether the antioxidants play a role in the health benefits that fruits and vegetables have on the body is unknown. It could be that all of the elements need to work together to produce the optimal results, which is why isolating one vitamin in a pill won’t work the same way. Eating just one type of fruit or vegetable isn’t going to get the job done, though. The key is to eat many fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. Different fruits and vegetables bring different vitamins, minerals, and other compounds to the table, all of which are beneficial to your body in different ways. “Phosphorous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower

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For fruits, Dr. Forman said blueberries have often been cited for having very effective compounds and citrus fruits are a good source of Vitamin C.

The final word seems to be that supplements should not be substitutes for a well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. So get to the store, visit the vegetable and fruit aisle, and think color! Your body will thank you now and in the future.

What is Fitness? By Erik Traeger, MA, CSCS

Many people want to get in shape or get fit, but what is fitness really? Is fitness being able to run, cycle, or swim long distances? Is it about looking good in a swimsuit? Is it about having big muscles? Is it about being able to lift heavy weights? Is it about having good flexibility? Is it about having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;six packâ&#x20AC;?? Fitness is not one-dimensional! It is very broadbased and really all about being healthy. According to CrossFitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s model of fitness, health is a continuum in which sickness is at one end, wellness is in the middle, and fitness is on the other end. Measurements of health include blood pressure, body fat, bone density, triglycerides, good and bad cholesterol, flexibility, muscle mass, etc. CrossFit recognizes 10 fitness domains: cardiovascular and respiratory endurance (V02 max), stamina (muscular endurance), strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Fitness can also be described on a continuum. At one end of the fitness continuum is aerobic endurance. The other end of the continuum is anaerobic (strength, speed, and power). Athletes who train in the outer fringes of the fitness continuum such as marathon runners, triathletes, body builders, power lifters, and weightlifters are often thought of as being some of the

fittest people in the world. However, these athletes are usually great at one end of the continuum, but poor at the other. For example, power lifters, weightlifters, and body builders have high muscle and bone mass and strength, but poor cardio-respiratory fitness and stamina. Marathon runners and triathletes have high V02 max and low body fat, but have relatively low muscle mass, strength, speed, and power. People who are truly fit are good in all ten fitness domains, but not necessarily great in any one particular domain! To be world-class in one particular domain requires a sacrifice in other domains. True overall fitness requires you to do the bulk of your training in the middle of the fitness continuum. You should also include some training toward the aerobic and of the continuum (long distance runs, swims, rows, or bike rides), and some training at the other (anaerobic) end (short sprints, heavy lifts). So, the question is, how diverse is your fitness regimen? Is it one-dimensional? Or do you strive for competency in all ten fitness domains? Erik Traeger is the owner and head instructor of SPEED Sports Performance, CrossFit Combat Fitness, Fresno Indoor Boot Camp, and the Russian Kettlebell Club of Fresno.

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Combat Chronic Stress Eating By John Russell

There is a term used in time of war, when the last resort of battle comes down to “hand to hand combat.” In times of turmoil and stress, some rephrase this term and go to battle using “hand to mouth combat.” This would be those times when you’re in the trenches and you feel like you’re losing the battle, so you turn to the refrigerator for sanctuary. These are the times that you need to close the refrigerator door and use some simple alternative weapons to combat stress eating. Some people binge when they experience stress and

then there are those who don’t eat when they face great emotional stress. We often see these non-eaters lose weight dramatically. You may even hear them say that they are on the “heart break” diet. Regardless if you are a binge eater or someone who goes on the “heart break” diet, there are some healthy ways for you to combat and take back the ground that stress has taken from you. If you think you are alone in this battle, you are not. According to the Department of Mental Health, it is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder-seven million women and one million men. Two to three in 100 American women suffer from bulimia. You are not alone. Many celebrities have suffered from eating disorders: Paula Abdul, Justine Batemen, Elton John, Jane Fonda, Princess Di and Tracey Gold (to name a few). Weapons to Combat Chronic Stress Eating When implementing these weapons below to go to war against emotional eating, it is important to remember that most often the greatest enemy we face is ourselves. The amount of energy we put into worry, stress, fear, anger, sadness and loneliness only empowers these emotions causing one to suppress or help comfort these negative emotions through food. Here some helpful tips to help keep you away from food in time of emotional battles: • Put Yourself Through Boot Camp - A great way to combat stress is through exercise. Keep your exercise routine fresh by trying different types of exercise regularly such as Yoga, Pilates, weight training, bicycling or a boxing class. • Check Yourself Before You Wreck Your Figure -Are you really hungry? After eating a healthy sized lunch, you may want to ask yourself are you really hungry if you find yourself reaching for a snack shortly after finishing that lunch. • Buddy System - You are not Rambo. Fighting the war against stress eating is not going to be successful

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if you are a one person army. Turn to a friend, a family member or a support group for assistance. • Stay Active - Boredom can be a huge draw towards filling your time with food. Get out of the house and go for a walk, read a book, watch a movie. Do not let idle time and thoughts ambush you. • Out Of Sight, Out Of Mouth - Clear out the pantry. If those comfort foods are not around, you are removing the temptation and giving yourself some time to retrain yourself to deal with stress in a positive and healthy way. • Professional Help - When all else fails, there is no shame in calling in the Calvary for assistance. Talking with a professional maybe what is needed to help win the battle and maybe even the war against emotional eating. John Russell is a certified personal fitness trainer and published fitness author. Get more tips on fitness and nutrition at www.fittrainer1on1.blogspot.com or www. facebook.com/fittrainer1on1

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The Artistic Scientist (Or, the Scientific Artist) By Jim Blanks

Photo By Nicole Vargas “Is teaching an art or a science?” I recently posed this question to a class of eighth-grade students. Being young and polite, and hesitant to cause controversy or possibly upset the teacher, the students answered, diplomatically, “Both.” I was not surprised by their response, nor was I surprised that a majority of teachers provide a similar answer. However, when pressed, nearly all of my students and most teachers said that, if given only one choice, the teacher should be an artist.

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Until recently, I placed myself within this group, and it is no wonder: Art itself relies on intuition, on a feeling, on subjective interpretation. When comparing art to science, art appears flexible, the more creative subject, while as my students suggested, the teacher-as-scientist “is boring, and just reads from textbooks.” Using these two endpoints on a spectrum, I evaluated the effectiveness of the teacher as an artist, and the teacher as a scientist. At first glance, the artist seems vastly superior. I think about the inspirational teachers of my youth, and each

line for my ideal teacher. But then I turned a more critical eye on my past. It is true that the teachers I remember most fondly had a personal impact on my life. The only problem (in terms of this argument) is that they were not the ones from which I learned the most. The teachers I remember best often taught language arts, which was an area in which I already excelled. Because of this, I benefited from an artistic teacher – but I cannot say exactly what I learned. Mostly, I learned life lessons or further developed my love for the subject.

one had a special charisma, an intangible technique for drawing excellence from the students. The teacher eschewed traditional methods, relying on what I could call his own artistry to command the class. Material suddenly came alive; discussions were spirited; lulls were met with flashes of inspiration from our teacher. The classroom hummed with life. Look to literature and film for examples of great teaching, and you’ll find example after another extolling the virtues of the artistic teacher. The reason in fiction of course is a matter of story; nobody will pay to watch a film highlighting a classroom in which the teacher teaches and the students learn and nothing of great consequence happens. The story exists in life too, however; when evaluating our own education, we remember the standout teachers, the ones that made some type of personal impact – and when we evaluate based on an internal rubric we have already made the teacher an artist. The artist’s goal is to work from the inside out; the artist takes something internal and represents it in film, literature, music, or visual art. There are not many rules within this system; most often, we judge an artist by how their work makes us feel, by how much we like it. With a wide-open system, the artist is free to experiment and explore, often resulting in stunning, transformative work. As a teacher, the artist can experiment with different styles and techniques. If he sees that particular students are not succeeding, he can adapt his material; he is not bound by conventional pedagogy and often he deliberately steps outside the bounds to suit himself or the class. And because the artist is sensitive to the need for expressing what is internal, he is often more successful at engaging the reluctant student.

I can say, however, that in courses such as economics, math, and history, I learned a lot – and all of those teachers were scientific in their approach. They were meticulous in their planning; each lesson moved seamlessly into the next, and although the class itself was not particularly memorable, the knowledge I gained has carried over into the present. Having an artistic teacher when I didn’t know the material might have been disastrous, and highlights the limitations of the teacher-as-artist. The artist, because his rules are largely internalized, does not have a way to critically analyze his ideas. He is judged subjectively – if the students like and remember him, he is deemed a good teacher. But this teacher is also unpredictable. This teacher can be swayed by the desire to experiment, and a student with limited subject knowledge may find himself hopelessly lost and unable to discern the material or even the expectation of the class. And, because the artistic teacher often gains popularity, that student may be reluctant to speak against him. The artistic teacher, then, creates experiential outcomes. You remember the class but little of what you have learned, outside of stories that begin, “Remember when …” Most of what I have learned was learned using a technique that has been going out of fashion: rote memorization. Which makes sense; it is difficult to have a deeper understanding of a subject if you don’t know the basic information. You cannot experiment without first

All of this, at one point, was a guide-

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knowing what you’re using to experiment, without at least working knowledge of the system. It appears then that all this time, I was wrong; I was swayed by movies and my own nostalgia. The more effective teacher is the teacher-as-scientist. The scientist teacher has a much different approach. His goal is to help the student gain an objective understanding of the world. While the artist works from the inside out, the scientist works from the outside in. His methods are effective because the material becomes paramount; the teacher recedes as the material gains importance and the responsibility for learning fall more heavily on the student. The teacher is invested in his class, but he does not change the material to fit the student. Rather, the student must adapt to the class. This style is particularly effective because of its clarity. Expectations are clearly set out, the method of delivering information does not change, and the instructor does not alter the class. The student, even the struggling student, is secure at least in the knowledge of how the class dynamic works. The complaint here is that the teacher becomes cold, unfeeling, and that a student who struggles in this system is likely guaranteed to struggle throughout the class, whereas with an artistic teacher there is at least an opportunity for change. But the problem in this system is really not that the teacher is cold, or methodical, or (to the horror of his students) boring. In an ideal world, the teacher should not be the focus of the class – the material should. The problem in this system, though, is that we are not in an ideal world. The students are not automatons, and it is never a perfect exchange of information between the teacher and the class. The classroom requires at least minimal social interaction,

which in itself opens the door to misunderstanding. Also, because we are humans with sometimes fickle emotions, the mere fact that we dislike someone can disrupt the information flow. If a student considers a teacher or the material boring, he will be less likely to learn. And just as we looked at the artistic teacher at his extreme as subjective and unpredictable, so too must we look at the scientific teacher at his extreme. The artistic teacher relies on internal rules to govern his methods, but the scientist is completely governed by external forces. His practices are constantly subject to peer review, and any new idea must be thoroughly evaluated for its effectiveness and possible harm to the student. Steven Day is a researcher at Genentech, a research facility in San Francisco and a company that develops drug treatments for some of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Mr. Day described the process of bringing a drug to market: “It goes from hypothesis to actual drug, then the testing of the drug in an assay, then fine tune testing in regulated trials. In between all that there is a lot of data analysis that drives every step of the process. Just to give you an idea, the usual timeline from an idea to marketed drug is close to twenty years.” Apply this concept to the field of education; a teacher could have a revolutionary educational idea, but he wouldn’t be able to implement it until it had undergone rigorous, lengthy trials. This makes sense in medical research; you cannot take every idea to market. However, it can be argued that the same care should be taken with educational research. Unfortunately, so many variables exist within individual districts, classrooms, even among students, that orchestrating tests would be impossible. It is difficult to know if any of our current systems work – depending on the test group, the results will be widely skewed. When I originally posed this question to my class, my interest was in opening a discussion about their education – both what it is, and what it ought to be. In many ways, my interest remains the same. The approach a teacher uses may depend upon his own goals. If you want to be remembered, be an artist. If you want your material to be remembered, be a scientist. Of course, even that conclusion is too reductive and forces the teacher to be one thing or another. Teaching is still very much a human endeavor, a profession that requires that the instructor be many things at once. One day that teacher may need to be an artistic scientist, and the next day, a scientific artist. All of which means I have led myself in a large circle, and have arrived back where I began. And this leads me to a final, simultaneously pleasing and troubling conclusion: My students were right all along.

Above the Grade “Mr. Inspiration”

Dennis Lewis Artist/Graphic Design Instructor Institute Of Technology By Stephanie Avila “Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners.” --Ken Blanchard Teachers play such an important part in our lives: they have an opportunity to inspire us. Each issue we plan to spotlight a teacher in our community-not just any teacher, but a teacher who is going above the grade and making a difference in lives. This issue, we would like to focus on Dennis Lewis. You might not know it, but Dennis Lewis is quite a chapter book. Artist, educator, and family are the words that best describe this man. An artist since age 7, Dennis attended the Chouinard Art Institute (located in Los Angeles, California), and majored in illustration design. After graduation, Dennis opened his own art studio in Hollywood, California. There he spent a majority of his time designing album covers for famous artists; artists such as Babyface, Patsy Cline, and Lakeside…to name a few. A cool fact-When Dennis was asked to design the cover for an album titled ‘The Chronic’; Dennis said he would do it, but asked that his name not go on it due to all the profanity associated with the lyrics…but was he surprised when that album became one of Dr. Dre’s most successful albums. Dennis eventually moved from Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington; where he became part of the whole internet boom. He also held various positions in game design and soon found himself working for a company in Clovis, California…which is how he discovered Fresno. Dennis’s teaching career spans back to Los Angeles, where he taught concept design and layout to students; teaching students how to create ideas and put them on paper. He also was involved with the web and art program at The Art Institute of Seattle. Dennis says,

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“I strongly believe in sharing knowledge…I enjoy it.” “Everybody wants fast success; but if you really want to achieve something, you have to put the time into it.”-Dennis Lewis Dennis has currently found himself at Institute of Technology in Clovis, California; where he has helped develop the Institutes web and graphics program. Dennis’s goal as a teacher is to inspire everyone that he is given an opportunity to teach…he is “committed to the betterment of mankind”, as he puts it. He also wants for his students to graduate and pursue their lifelong dreams. Dennis says, “If you are going to work 2/3 of your life, why not make it something that you enjoy doing…” Nothing defines success to Dennis more than having his past students contact him and tell him that he was a part of their inspiration. David Carrasco, a graphic design graduate from I.O.T. and also a former student of Dennis, says, “He not only teaches about design, but most important …Life.” David says, “I wish there were more teachers out there in the world like him. This world would be a better place.” “Even when you mess up…you are still learning. The key is picking yourself up and moving forward.” -Dennis Lewis

Photo By Kristine Morgan

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David says, “He makes you want to go to his class every day; as he makes it fun, and a great experience. My only regret is that I didn’t have him longer as a Teacher.” He says, “When he (Dennis) critiques your work…he does it in a way not to make you feel bad, but what to expect in the real world…and he’s only doing this to make you a better designer.” “You want to be a motivator, not a downer.” -Dennis Lewis Dennis finds the strength to be motivational and inspirational by saying a little prayer each morning as he drives to class. He says, “Make every day count. Give something that gives relevance to that day.” He does warn that not every day is easy…but he finds the strength from within to keep going. When it comes to family, Dennis strongly believes that family is the most important thing in life. He says, “If not for the support and love of my family, I know I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish many of my goals in life. I truly believe we all have a destiny to fulfill in life. Faith in God and family is the key to fulfilling that destiny.’ He is proud to say that his three children, (Christopher, Nathanael, and Christina), have all followed in his and his wife Sheryl’s footsteps, and are themselves artists. He says, “I am proud to have a family of artists.” Keep doing what you’re doing Dennis =)

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Tie-Dye Pet Bed Designed by Pattie Wilkinson, courtesy of iLoveToCreate® Materials List Tulip® One-Step Dye™ Fuchsia Tulip® Craft Gloves™ Tulip® Surface Cover™ Miscellaneous Long needle Fabric – white – 100% cotton – 1 ½ yard Large jeweled button (1) Bed pillow – standard size Scissors Thread to match

Instructions 1. Prewash white 100% cotton fabric without fabric softener. 2. Cover work surface with Surface Cover. Spread out the damp fabric on covered surface. 3. Pinch the center of the fabric and twist the fabric, creating a spiral. Continue to turn in a circle, pulling the edges in until you have a compact circle of spiral fabric. Hold together tightly with several rubber bands. 4. Wearing plastic gloves, add water to Fuchsia dye bottle to line indicated on bottle. Replace cap tightly and shake until dye is dissolved. 5. Squirt dye onto fabric, saturating completely. Pull the Surface Cover over the wet fabric and let set for 6 to 8 hours or longer for more intense color. 6. Cut rubber bands. Fill washer to large load setting with cold water and a small amount of laundry soap. Wash and dry separately. Wash separately the first few washes. 7. Cover a standard bed pillow with tie-dyed fabric, pinning or sewing in place on the back. 8. Option: Attach a jeweled button to the top center of pillow, using long needle and thread and sewing through to a flat button on the bottom of pillow and pulling tightly to create a tuft. Knot tightly. (Not suitable for all pets.) www.ilovetocreate.com

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Blessing In A Time Of Adversity By Stephanie Avila

I now find myself putting my pleasures off so as to give my children the latest trends and styles…I am selflessly left wearing last year’s spring dress or my favorite sweats. Family First Magazine decided that we wanted to do something selfishly delightful for our readers. We teamed up with Suzie Garcia Mua from Dollface Mua, Kevin Chavez from What If Photography, and Lupe Aguilar-Oftedal from Bebe O’s; and hosted a Mommy Makeover Contest. We asked our readers to nominate a mommy that they felt deserved to be pampered. Not only did we want nominations but we wanted to hear their story…why did this mommy deserve to be pampered? Winner would be chosen by our team of judges and receive an entire makeover that included hair and makeup by Suzie Garcia Mua, Wardrobe from Bebe O’s, and a photo shoot from Kevin Chavez. We had dozens of entries and we read dozens of stories. One story stuck out to us, Lenze Pasillas story. The Nomination Gabriel Pasillas nominated his wife Lenze Pasillas for The Mommy Makeover Contest; we were touched by what he had to say about her.

Motherhood is without a doubt an incredible experience, but this incredible experience can leave some incredible changes to our bodies and our selfimage. As a mother I know firsthand how easy it is to devote all time and attention to my children. It is all too easy to put off that pedicure and that manicure. Makeup, which was once an everyday necessity, becomes a rare pleasure that is reserved for special occasions like Christmas. When I once would splurge on that Victoria’s Secret bra or those cute Betsy Johnson heels;

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Gabriel said, “My Wife is the fourth of seven children. She grew up in a household that was not always the most positive environment.” Gabriel told us that Lenze was witness to spousal abuse, drug addiction, and alcoholism. He said, “Though many of her older siblings would go down the wrong path she always seemed to find the good in everything.” On the night of her brothers 23rd birthday, Lenze’s brother was murdered in a home invasion. Lenze was witness to this murder. Gabriel tells us that regardless of even this, “she was able to keep herself together and keep her heart full of LOVE for life.” He says, “You would never know, unless she told you, that she’s been through so much; because she chooses to live life in a positive and loving way. I love her so much.” Gabriel told us that Lenze rarely gets a chance to do anything for herself. He said that she lives for her two children. “As their mother, of course she does everything for the kids. She feeds them, bathes them, and loves them; she doesn’t do it because she has to. She LIVES for them. I know some people say it, but she LIVES for her kids. They give her purpose in LIFE and to her they are worth everything she has overcome to get to this point in her life.” The Makeover “Sometimes it is okay to be a bit selfish…because if you don’t take care of your wellbeing, who else will?Suzie Garcia Mua Gabriel’s nomination stuck out from the others because Lenze had all of the excuses in the world to give up on life and to fail. Lenze didn’t give up on life; she chose to move forward in a positive direction, Lenze beat the odds. Kevin Chavez from What If Photogra-

phy said, “She’s had a rough go of things throughout most of her life, but you wouldn’t know it by talking to her. Most people would fall under the weight of the types of challenges she’s faced, but not her. She’s a rock.” He says, “How we deal with adversity in our lives defines us. In the case of Lenze, it’s made her a strong and positive person. I couldn’t help but be inspired and encouraged by her.” Preparing for The Mommy Makeover went charming thanks to Lupe Aguilar-Oftedal. Lupe is the owner of Bebe O’s; a clothing boutique located in the tower district that offers one-of-a-kind, new, and vintage clothing for both men and women. Lupe was gracious enough to provide wardrobe for The Mommy Makeover. She was also available to help pick out clothing; Lupe’s point of view on style helped the clothing selection process go smoothly. Suzie Garcia Mua read Lenze’s story and was touched. She said, “I had an instant emotional connection just through words on paper. Lenze might have gone through the most troubling times having to deal with abuse, violence, anger, and the murder of a loved one…yet she is a prime example of a woman who makes a happy family. Her struggles gave her courage, and it speaks volumes in her spirit.” Suzie used Lenze’s energy as the basis for creating her look. She said,” Lenze is such a happy, bubbly, fulfilled person. I created her hair in waves that matched the vibrations of her energy. That fire and that drive in her were brought forth in her hairstyle.” Also, “Her makeup was created to show off the beautiful contours of her bone structure. I brought emphasis to her beautiful eyes with metallic colors that reflect the specks of her soul.”

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Suzie’s tips to achieve Lenze’s look: 1. Cleanse: Wash or use makeup remover 2. Moisturize: Using a sensitive skin formula (be sure to use a product designed for your face type). 3. Prime: With Silicon based primer. (I used a foundation brush to apply all over the face). 4. Foundation: Use foundation with primer to create a flawless finish. 5. Powder: Always use a fluff brush to apply your powder and blot rather that swipe. 6. Blush: Make sure to apply to the cheek bones, temples, forehead, and the chin. This keeps your skin looking fresh and lively. 7. Bronze: For Lenze, I used Too Faced Bronze and The Beautiful to define her jawline, cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin. By doing so, it allows everything to look more sharp and defined. 8. Eyes: Always define the eyes by applying your base primer before starting your artistry, this allows for pigments to be more potent and glimmer brightly when applied. With Lenze, I used Metallic gray shades to bring out the beautiful blue and green specks of her eyes. I contoured the crease with a deep plum ma-

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hogany brown shade of shadow mixed with a sweet burgundy hue, to accent the entire look. A bit of color makes the world of difference, even when it’s only a speck. 9. Brows: Remember that the eye brows define the eye shape. I used a Classic blonde eyebrow wax and shadow to fill, shape, and define her arch to create a clean look. 10. Lips: Line the lip with a neutral color to create an outline. Fill in your lips with a shade of your choice. I used a light pink lip color coated with sparkle lipgloss, which is frosted with a hub of rose. Lenze’s Story 24-year-old Lenze Ann Pasillas’ family consists of her adoring husband Gabriel Angel Pasillas, her beautiful 2-year-old son Gabriel Angel Pasillas Jr, and her beautiful 3-month-old daughter Victoria Rose Pasillas. She says, “My kids are what keep me going every day. I would do anything for my babies. I also love being married; although it is a lot harder than I expected, it is worth fighting for. My husband came into my life at the perfect time and he has made my life so much more worth living.” An Average day for Lenze consists of taking care of her family, going to school, and going to work. She works as a behavior instructor at Holdsambeck and Asso-

ciates. She says, “I work with Autistic kids and those beautiful kiddos have brightened up my life in an incredible way. I love each and every one of them and I am honored to be a part of their lives.” Lenze has experienced many obstacles in her life; from growing up with an abusive alcoholic father, to living in poverty, to being taken away from her parents and being put in Child Protective Services. There was a point in her life that she found herself moving from place to place and never really having any sort of stability. She recalls the worst day of her life…May 8th, 2006. At this time, Lenze was staying with her older brother James, his girlfriend Nicole, and their children. She says, “My brother’s birthday was on May 7th, so we were celebrating his birthday. We were playing dominoes and listening to music. Around 1am, a man walked in and he opened fire. He killed my brother James and his girlfriend. He also paralyzed my other brother Joey. I wasn’t shot and neither were the babies.” Lenze says, “To have to witness something so tragic is something I hope to never have to go through again. I was jumping from place to place after this horrible tragedy, until I met my husband Gabriel… who, like I said before, came into my life at the perfect time.”

things WILL get better. Put your faith in God and he will take care of you. I know that if it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am still an outgoing happy person…who loves life, no matter what happened in my past. I always told myself, ‘this too shall pass’, when I was going through a hard time…and it did. I’m not saying it will be easy or happen overnight…BUT it WILL happen.” Lenze you are truly an inspiration!

This life is filled with adversity, heartache, pain, and obstacles that come when we least expect them. But, this life is also filled with love, hope, faith, and good things that happen when we least expect them…what we call blessings. It was hard for Lenze to find peace after her brother’s death, but Gabriel filled that void in her heart. “In 2009 we got married and we had our son. In 2011, we had our daughter. They bring the most joy to my life and I am very blessed to have them.” This year will be tough for Lenze and her family. She has to face the man that killed her brother James and paralyzed her other brother Joey; the trial is coming up. She says, “I’m hoping justice will finally be served.” Lenze leaves us with this to think about: “All I have to say, to those of you who are struggling in life… hang in there, don’t give up, Photo By: What If Photography

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Sun Soaked Retro!

Photo By Nicole Vargas Check out these exciting childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion tips by Abbie Mast; the owner of the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion boutique, GaGa Chik, located in Fig Garden Village.

School is nearly out and the retro infused styles of summer are on full display. Inspiration for this season comes from the 1950s, when style and innocence were not mutually exclusive. A time when summer fun meant: spending time with your family, playing in the yard, shopping with mom at local boutiques, BBQ, or swimming until the sun went down. This Season for Girls! Slouchy harem pants are the trend; pair with a neon floral print top to complete the look. Embroidered tunics and dresses go marvelous with metallic gladiator sandals, tangerine floral sandals, or the American classic cowgirl boot. Denim is always in style, but this summer look for color to dominate. The brighter the better! For those cool summer nights, layer denim with a navy-striped blazer or an army green cardigan. (Both colors compliment almost any outfit and allow for easy layering when traveling coast side!)

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Going to the islands for a summer escape? Maxi dresses with a palm frond print will be the talk of the Tiki Room! The color of the year is Tangerine Tango! Hot and Saucy and Everywhere! If your style lends itself to a more neutral color pallet then you are in luck! European designers are rolling out sea foam green, pale grey’s, dusty rose, and violets in their collections. Linen & Lace that is trimmed with bronzed vintage buttons is in. This timeless look of the 20’s & 30’s keeps our children looking age appropriate and fresh for the heat that will hit us here in the valley before we know it.

This Season for Boys! Retro-fit tees and seersucker shorts will be the look to beat. Comfort is key with boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; these versatile pieces can be dressed up or down for backyard play or dinner at Grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Add a pair of Natives (the easiest going shoe in the world of kids), and the final touch is the Fedora.. These hats are not just for the grownup anymore! And as always, remember your sunscreen, drink lots of H2O, and eat healthy! The school year will be here before you know it. Loading up on junk food all summer is so 1990s!

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Storybook By Suzie Garcia Mua

Try this storybook trend for that special occasion. Every woman wants to look her bestâ&#x20AC;Ś especially when it comes to that special event. The proper hairstyle is essential to creating the perfect look. A Rule Of Thumb-Select the right updo for your hair color, length and face shape. The right updo can accent facial features, complement your outfit and make heads turn. Browse photos of updoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in beauty magazines, celebrity news and online websites to get inspiration. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding on an updo. Does the hairstyle compliment your face? Does your face look better when your hair is pulled back, flowing loosely, or pulled back with tendrils to accent it? Is your hair long enough for a particular style? Do you have the right accessories (grippers, bobby pins, bands, pony tail holders, etc) for the hairstyle? Do you have enough time to have your hair styled a particular way? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can start the prepping process. Tip-Hair often sets or styles better when it is a bit dirty. Also, using high quality professional products helps you to do the job better. Although they can be expensive, they really do make a difference. It is also important to acquire the correct tools of the trade. In this example, my subject wanted a look out of a story book. Cinderella came to my mind; elegant and graceful. In this case, my subject has long hair, thus she had an entire array of cute and glamorous updos to choose from; loops, swirls, French twist, and braids are some of the options that we

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had to choose from. I used a mixture of techniques to create this detail oriented updo. The front of her hair has more of a loose style that allows some locks of hair to fall gently to the side of her face. The front of this updo varies with variety of styling methods. A sweep is textured, soft, and angled. The softer, more angled sweep creates a special look that does not require any hair accessories to show it off. The textured sweep creates less of a fancy showing, but could easily be accented with a tiara. Additionally, single tendrils were created to embellish the side of her face. Whether you decide to have hair pinned close to the head or pinned loosely is another choice that you will have to make. Also keep in mind that the size of the curls makes a difference in the look that is achieved. In this example, I used a 1Âž inch ceramic curling iron. I then pinned the curls tightly using different and combined techniques to achieve the perfect storybook look Once you have a starting point, building up to the finish gets easier. Suzie Garcia Mua is one of the Central Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most talented, diverse and creative Makeup Artists with a natural, innate sense of style! For more tips from this experienced fashion is to follow her at http://facebook. com/dfmakeupartist Or www.Facebook.com/dollfacemuah

Photo By What If Photography

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Brushes? By Suzie Garcia Mua Did you know that having the proper tools and quality products is equally as important as the makeup skill that you have? If you want to apply your makeup like a professional just simply do what they do and use the proper brushes for application. Here are the basic brushes you will need to achieve any look:

Suzie Garcia Mua is one of the Central Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most talented, diverse and creative Makeup Artists with a natural, innate sense of style! For more tips from this experienced fashionista follow her at http://facebook.com/dfmakeupartist Or www.Facebook.com/dollfacemuah

1. Foundation brush 2. Concealer brush 3. Fluffy powder brush 4. Blush brush 5. Small blending brush 6. Flat eye shadow brush 7. Precision angle brush 8. Lip brush Once you have the proper tools, the importance of knowing how to hold them is a fundamental component to improving your skills and technique. It is very important to remember to place your fingers on the center of the brush handle. The closer your fingers are to the barrel (silver section beneath the brush head); the less control you have in applying color evenly. It is merely impossible to add depth and contour to your eyes by trying to blend eye shadow with your fingers. Below I listed a variety of brushes specific for the eyes. You can use these brushes with the proper shadows to achieve the look that I created for Lenze Pasillas who won the Mommy Makeover Contest for Family First Magazine.

Brush Types for the eyes: 1. Shadow brush: use this brush to add shadow to the whole of the eyelid. 2. Blending Brush: use this brush to blend your eye shadow and to give it a softer look. 3. Angled Brush: this brush can be used to add color to the creases of your eyelids. 4. Liner Brush: this brush is used to create perfect lines to the inner and outer eyelid. 5. Mascara Brush: this brush is used to separate eyelashes after mascara application. 6. Eyebrow brush: use this brush to brush the eyebrows and create an arch and open the eye.

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Photo By What If Photography