Focus Magazine Fashion & Style

MAR/APR 2014

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CONTENT C o llie r - S arasot a - Charlot t e - Lee

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22 Afraid 25 Eat Like an Athlete 29 Fitter, Healthier You 30 Staying Healthy Over 50 33 Refuel Your Muscles 34 Skewed Work-Life Balance?

39 Protecting Your Identity & Money 41 Putting Off Your Taxes 43 4 Percent Rule 44 Financial Resolutions 48 FOR FREE 50 Your 62 Are You Doing it Right‌ 64 Next Battle Against Aging 68 Reception 70 Wedding 72 Designer Zac Posen 74 Banking on Your Terms 77 Will Social Security Be in the Mail 2015?

82 Visual Signature 84 Striking Appearance 108 Spring into Style 118 Too Hot

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CONTENT

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C o l l i e r - Saraso ta - C h a r lo t t e - L e e

Artist Gallery

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154 156 160 162 164 166 168 178 180 182 184 186 188 199 205 209 210 213 214

Keep Connected Grande Dames Tea Lawn Care Myths The Hemingway Bringing the Outside Indoors Laundry Room Transformations Inspired Lighting Italian wine series From Nurse to Patient Long-Term Care Cost 101 Start Eye Health Good Oral Health Habits Artist Marvin Gralnick Heart Healthy Coastal-Inspired Creation Culinary Adventure Fuel Your Active Lifestyle

Fight the Flu

News & Info

167 Winner of Gasparilla Poster Design 181 Employees Save 86 Lives 185 Raising Funds to Help Cancer Patients 12 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

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www.focusofswfl.com Publisher: Focus Magazine of SWFL

Cover Photography: VINCENT GOTTI Model: CLAUDIA GALLO – Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT

Contributors:

Terri Profetto, Mai Yomioto, Ginny Grimsley, Allison Stephens, Michelle Tomao, Fernanda Calfat, Arun Nevader, Neilson Barnard, Albert Urso, Scott Black, Laura Ferreira, Antonio Martez, Scott Black, Dan Myricks, Krystina Woldanowski, Samantha Ramos, Frazer Harrison, Alexandra Cook, Melissa DeHaven, Susan Bennett, Diane VanArsdale, Richard Evans, Jim France, Richard Ramos Focus Magazine of SWFL is published Bimonthly. Articles do not necessarily reflect Focus Magazine of SWFL policy. © 2010 Focus Magazine of SWFL, All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send all remittances and correspondences about subscriptions, undelivered copies and address changes to: Focus Magazine of SWFL at 105 Triple Diamond Blvd, Suite 101, Venice, FL 34275. Editorial, publishing and advertising offices. questions@focusofswfl.com

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1. KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid The first stage lasts seven days. Only eat protein and reduce fat consumption, as the body's burning of protein actually assists in the burning of the body's fat cells, so you achieve weight-and size-reduction by the end of the first week.

Afraid to Step on a Scale

By Michelle Tomao

The first thing most readers will notice about Judy Condon's new book, Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny, is the statement on its cover: "This ain't no diet book."

Why the disclaimer? Because according to Condon, the word "diet" implies a beginning and an end; meaning when you reach your target weight you are finished and can revert to your normal eating habits, however ill-advised they might be.

Not so with Condon's program for weight loss, which she describes in the book's introduction as "a new way of eating you can live with forever."

In addition to adopting a new way of eating, Condon also urges readers to adopt a new way of looking at themselves and their bodies; one based on total honesty and total accountability.

2. Go for the Gold This is your food plan until you achieve your target weight, which can take anywhere from 2-to 3 weeks or 6-to 8 months, depending on the amount of weight you need to lose. Here you should begin to add variety to your meals: two days protein only, as you followed in the KISS stage, but every third day proteins and vegetables. Avoid vegetables high in sugar and carbohydrate content, such as carrots and corn.

3. Celebrate You Now you have reached your target weight, so your menu opens up and offers more choices. By this point, sound and healthy ways of eating and managing food have become established. Your weekly plan consists of two days protein only, five days protein, vegetables, fruits and processed carbs. Any one day during the week may be designated as a 'free day' where you are free to experience any foods of your choice.

After winning a lifelong 50-year struggle with her own weight, Condon says she became inspired to put her experiences and successes in book-form in order to empower others with enough information to take control of their food and their lives.

"Successful weight loss often requires a lot of 'tough love' - don't be afraid to use it," Condon says. "Come along if you dare."

"We can't pull punches when we examine our bodies and the bodies of our loved-ones," says Condon. "We need a little blunt language and blunt language can be painful.

Only when you see a thing for what it really is are you then able to change it into something truly better."

Once the reader completes an honest self-assessment and accepts total responsibility for their condition, Condon lays out for them the three essential stages to achieving lasting weight loss:

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www.asgoodasskinny.com

Eat Like an Athlete Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features

It is common to pair an exercise routine with a plan to cut calories and improve eating habits. While this good old fashioned approach to getting in shape is a smart and healthy one, it’s important that your new diet provides adequate nutrition to fuel your exercise.

Food is your body’s energy source, and giving yourself a boost of energy before your workout is a sound strategy for powering your workout. Afterward, you will have depleted a good portion of your energy reserves, so it’s important to refuel post-workout, as well.

While your doctor or a nutritionist can help you determine your body’s exact needs based on your physical activity level, age and body type, you can get started keeping these tips in mind: • Create an eating plan that incorporates carbohydrates and protein, as well as fat in moderation. Carbohydrates are what the body converts into glucose, which in turn, muscles use for energy. Protein slows the absorption of carbs, prolonging your body’s access to the energy they provide. Your body needs moderate amounts of fat, too, which can be found in a wide range of low-fat foods such as milk and lean meats. Aim to incorporate each of these food categories into every meal.

• Timing when you eat will affect how much energy you have to exercise. A small snack before you get started may give you the power you need for a successful workout.

• Before beginning a workout, start with a warm-up. Rather than static stretches (holding a stretch for a period of time), which can actually have an adverse effect on your muscles, incorporate a dynamic stretching routine with more movement to get blood flowing, increase muscle temperature and kick-start your nervous system.

• While working out, and throughout the day, stay hydrated. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day, and more if your workouts are strenuous or lengthy. Also avoid caffeine, which may give you a short-term boost but actually dehydrates your body.

• Within one hour of finishing your workout, refuel your muscles with a dairy-based protein beverage. Milk contains high-quality protein and essential amino acids that can be particularly beneficial in building and maintaining muscle mass when combined with exercise. Several recent studies suggest low-fat milk after exercise can help increase lean muscle.

“Milk is an excellent source of natural protein,” said Blake Atkinson, director of brand management for Shamrock Farms. “For people looking to build and tone lean muscle, a smart addition to their post-workout nutrition is a beverage that contains calcium, vitamin D and potassium, all of which are essential nutrients naturally found in milk.”

One example is the new Rockin’ Refuel Lean Recovery, a protein beverage made with 100 percent real milk has the recommended 2:1 carb to protein ratio for muscle recovery. The beverage offers 17 grams of high quality protein with no sugar added.

Just as you need to give your car gas to make it go, your body needs fuel to perform its best, especially when you’re starting a new fitness program. Proper nutrition will give you the energy you need to create new healthy, active habits to last all year long.

www. rockinrefuel.com

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Whimsical and Grandiloquent Art Characterized by a unique style and precise designs where the combination of a matte-shine effect on gold, and meticulous craftsmanship make for exceptional jewelry pieces where gold and precious stones come to life.

This collection is inspired by the embroidery, fabrics, and colors of Spain’s Golden Age. This touch of color and these brocades can be seen in pieces crafted in yellow or white gold with amethyst presented as grandiloquent and whimsical art.

Jewelry with generous volumes and rich decoration where the characteristic and signature Carrera y Carrera matte-gloss effect can be appreciated. Refined and ornate pieces reflect the image-preoccupied culture that existed during this period.

For Carrera y Carrera, its link to Spain is essential as a source of inspiration for the development of its collections. The entire creative and development process of each jewelry piece takes place wholly in the Madrid workshop. Each step in the creation of a piece is influenced by the Spanish character that has become one of the fundamental pillars in the evolution of the company’s excellent trajectory throughout its history.

Carrera y Carrera endures thanks to a standard of incalculable value – the savoir faire of the nearly 60 jewelers who work in its Madrid workshop, where tradition and the expertise of master goldsmiths are joined together. It is here that each jewelry piece is crafted entirely by hand, giving each one a flawless grandeur.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Fitter, Healthier

YOU Family Features

If kicking off a life-changing fitness and nutrition program seems daunting, try taking smaller steps to make it feel more manageable.

Knowing just where to start can be the biggest hurdle, but once you’re on your way, you’ll find yourself on the path to new healthy habits before you know it. Breaking down a whole new lifestyle into week-by-week chunks will not only let you ease in gradually, but also allow you to make meaningful changes right from the start.

Wednesday: Spruce Up Your Fruit – Working out is key to keeping fit, but so is maintaining a healthy diet. When shopping for snacks, make smart choices that taste delicious, such as Dole Fruit in Jars, which provide five servings of all natural, fresh fruit.

Try pairing with Daisy Cottage Cheese to spruce up your fruit for a tasty parfait. Simply combine Dole Sliced Peaches, Daisy Low Fat Cottage Cheese and sliced almonds in a small bowl, then drizzle with honey and enjoy.

Begin by charting out a week-long plan that will make you more conscious of how you approach important elements of your program including muscle toning, cardio and making nutritious food choices. Here’s a five-day schedule to get you started:

Thursday: Multi-task – Just because you’re catching up on your favorite TV show doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Clear some space between the couch and TV so you can watch while you do push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks and squats. For extra motivation, leave your fitness tools near the television as a daily reminder.

Monday: Start the Week Strong – Kick off the week with a medicine ball workout, which is a great way to work various muscles all at once. Try using a medicine ball with exercises that you’re already familiar with, such as push-ups, lunges or squats, or look up demo videos online to learn some new ways to use the medicine ball.

Friday: Give Yourself a Star – Gold stars aren’t just for classrooms. At the end of the week, mark each day that you exercised with a star on your calendar. Whether you went for a run, hit the gym or went for a walk with friends, the calendar will be a visual reminder of how often you’ve been working out, and will encourage you to keep going.

Tuesday: Turn it Up – Running is a great form of exercise, but it’s important to mix up your cardio workouts to help prevent injury and become stronger overall. Grab your friends and try a cardio-focused class, such as Zumba.

Remember, setting a long-term goal, such as running a marathon or dropping two dress sizes, can help keep you motivated over time, but also remember to celebrate your first mile run or your first five-pound loss. Keep tackling your new program one week at a time, and your goals will easily become reality.

www.dole.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 29

Staying Healthy Over

A healthy lifestyle is necessary at any age, but for those over 50, it’s especially important. As you age, your body changes, and your risk for health problems increases. Fortunately, there are three simple things you can do to lead a healthier and happier life.

Eat Heart Healthy If high blood pressure isn’t controlled through lifestyle changes and/ or medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems and other serious health issues.

A great way to establish a heart healthy diet is by reducing your sodium intake, which may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Starting the day with a low-sodium ready-to-eat breakfast cereal is just one way to choose a healthier lifestyle. For example, according to a recent survey, 9 out of 10 physicians recommend Post Shredded Wheat cereal as part of a low-sodium diet to help support healthy blood pressure levels, (based on an online survey of 400 physicians conducted by Wakefield Research. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation).

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Family Features

Enjoy Nutrient-Dense Foods As you age, your body needs fewer calories for energy – but still needs the same amount of nutrients. It’s important to make your calories count by eating foods packed with good nutrition such as: • Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, canned, frozen – it doesn’t matter.

Vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals your body needs.

• Protein: Add some variety to your diet with delicious protein sources such as fish, beans and peas.

• Whole grains: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends at least three servings of whole-grain foods each day (16g per serving or 48g per day).

Get Moving Physical activity and regular exercise can decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 65 years of age or older, who are generally fit, and have no limiting health conditions, try to get: • Two hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or yoga, and • Muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week.

www.PostShreddedWheat.com 30 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

You should consult your physician or other health care professional before making changes to your diet or exercise plan to determine what is right for your needs.

In addition to taking up walking or yoga, joining group activities or sports are great ways to keep moving. In 2014, Post Shredded Wheat will be partnering with the National Senior Games to grant 20 seniors the opportunity to participate in their local Senior Games.

Those who submit entries will also be asked to sign a petition to get the National Senior Games to add a 20th sport in 2015. To apply and sign the Post Shredded Wheat “Game On” petition, visit www.

PostShreddedWheatGames.com.

Taking care of your blood pressure, enjoying healthy foods, and staying active are three steps you can start taking today to help you get and stay healthy for tomorrow.

Refuel Your Muscles Family Features

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

When you cool down and towel off after a long workout, you’re not quite done taking care of your body.

It’s important to refuel your muscles, too.

Moderate- to high-intensity workouts use up your body’s stores of glycogen, the main fuel used to get you through those workouts. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that if you work out at a moderate- to high-intensity rate for 90 minutes or longer, you should have a healthy refueling drink within 30 minutes post-workout.

After a long workout, many people reach for a favorite sports drink, water or maybe even juice. But there’s actually a great workout recovery drink option: chocolate milk. It may surprise you to learn that the drink you loved as a kid is actually an excellent post-exercise recovery beverage.

Compared to juice, water or some sports drinks, chocolate milk has double the carbohydrate and protein content, which is ideal for replenishing tired muscles. Its high water content replaces fluids and electrolytes that are lost during exercise and, unlike water or sports drinks, chocolate milk packs in the additional benefit of calcium, and includes just the right amount of sodium and sugar – which may help you retain water and regain energy.

Like regular milk, chocolate milk provides eight essential nutrients: calcium, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and potassium.

“Together, these nutrients help strengthen bones and build and repair muscles,” said Willow Jarosh MS, RD of C&J Nutrition. “And a low-fat chocolate milk, like TruMoo, which has no high fructose corn syrup and 35 percent less sugar than a leading chocolate milk brand, is a practical way to get the nutrients we need without all the sugar we don't. Plus, it’s made with fresh milk from your regional dairy, so it’s from a source we can trust.”

The newly reformulated fat-free variety of TruMoo contains only 120 calories, 18 grams of sugar and 6 grams of added sugar per serving, compared to other chocolate milk formulas, which can contain high fructose corn syrup and up to 140 calories and 12 grams of added sugar. (TruMoo milk in California will differ slightly in nutrition composition due to different regulatory requirements for dairy in that state).

www.trumoo.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 33

Photo by Abdone

Skewed Work-Life Balance?

By Ginny Grimsley

With reports of the unemployment rate dropping to 7 percent, lower than it was even five years ago and down from a peak of 10 percent in October 2009, many are breathing a sigh of relief. But the effects of a long bout of high unemployment are sure to have thrown off the balance of employee well-being, says former Exxon executive Bob Epperly.

“Of course, the rate does not take into account those who are underemployed, including over-skilled workers in menial jobs and those with too few hours. For those lucky enough to have decent employment, many feel insecure and are willing to skew their work-life balance into a tailspin, with exaggerated emphasis on their career,” says Epperly, a CEO who realized at age 55 that even a very successful career cannot fulfill every aspect of life.

“Most people cannot afford to simply refuse the demands of their job, so what’s a worker to do?”

Epperly, author of “Growing Up After Fifty: From Exxon Executive to Spiritual Seeker,” offers tips for correcting lifestyle imbalance.

• It’s never enough. Ambition is admirable, but if it’s all that drives you, no matter how much you accomplish, it will never be enough. If professional ambition is more important to you than anything else in your life, that’s a red flag that your life is dangerously unbalanced. The consequences will be painful feelings of emptiness, lack of fulfillment, and having missed out. Take steps now to restore balance, beginning with personal, non-work relationships.

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• No one ever says, at the end of their life, that they should have worked longer and spent less time with family. When it’s all said and done, life is short, and many realize that time is life’s most precious resource. Intense focus on work tends to deprive professionals of opportunities with their loved ones – moments and memories that cannot be replaced. Set goals for how much time you’ll spend giving your family 100 percent of your attention each day and week, and stick to them!

• Make communication a top priority! The importance and value of real communication cannot be overemphasized. “More important than speaking is listening,” Epperly says. “My relationships immediately improved when I began listening very carefully to what was being said.”

• Only you are responsible for your life. The Serenity Prayer goes a long way in work-life balance; it reads: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Epperly says that recognizing he is responsible for his life and focusing on the aspects of it over which he has influence while recognizing those he needs to let go has been pivotal.

• Accept who you are. This can be challenging; it demands courageous self-reflection and letting go of the need for external approval. “When a friend asked me, ‘Do you think the world is ready to accept Bob Epperly just as he is?’ I suddenly saw that I had always felt I had to accommodate; that I wasn’t okay as I am,” he says. “I started to give myself permission to be me.”

www.bobepperly.com

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Protecting Your Identity & Money

By Ginny Grimsley

At least 110 million consumers were affected by the hack involving Target and Neiman Marcus retailers.

Whether or not millions more will have their identities manipulated and finances ruined within the coming months due to more breaches of security at other stores is anyone’s guess, says identity theft recovery expert Scott A. Merritt.

“By necessity, I became an expert on identity theft. My information was stolen in 2006, and in repairing the damage, I learned some not-so-obvious ways we can all protect against identity theft in the first place,” says Merritt, CEO of Merritt & Associates and author of "Identity Theft Do's and Don'ts."

Merritt’s problems began quickly. While disputing financial charges and dealing with resulting business problems, in 2007 he was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested on a false outstanding felony warrant. He immediately knew why.

“I had to enlist my U.S. congressman and convince the state police, NCIC, FBI and Secret Service that I didn’t commit the felonies. For a few years, I had to prove that the prints did not match the false record in question.

After legal action, however, I was able to have this corrected.”

Unfortunately, the millions affected by the recent hacks may be dealing with similar repercussions in the years ahead, he says.

Before you become a victim of identity theft, Merritt offers seven ways to guard against it.

• Understand how and where it happens. Identity theft is like being robbed when you are away from home; most thefts occur in places where you do business every day. Either a place of business is robbed, a bad employee acts improperly or a hacker breaches the office through the computer.

• Secure your wallet’s information. Photocopy everything in your wallet: photos, credit cards (front and back), membership cards – everything. Put the copies in the order the cards are arranged in your wallet, staple the pictures and place them in a strong box or safe.

• Make sure your information is consistent. For all of your identity and financial documents, make absolutely sure, to the smallest detail, that all of your personal information is accurate and consistent! Discrepancies such as using your middle initial on some documents, and not others, or having different addresses, can wreck havoc in proving your identity, and can compromise your credit score.

• Secure your digital habits and data. Change your passwords at least twice a year on a non-scheduled basis – don’t be predictable. Have a strong firewall if you shop online, and only access sites that are protected by a strong firewall and high industry standards. Access accounts of a financial nature only from your personal computer.

• Protect your banking information. While in the bank, keep account numbers and other data out of sight, and avoid stating account numbers, Social Security numbers and similar information out loud. When planning a bank visit, have items such as deposits and withdrawal slips prepared in advance.

• Account for your interactions with vendors. Every time you speak to someone with whom you do business, write down the time, date, name and the purpose or outcome of the call. If an identity theft occurs on the vendor’s end, you will be able to reference these prior conversations effectively. Be sure to note any animosity or reluctance from the vendor.

• Don’t carry around your birth certificate or Social Security card. Unless it’s necessary, keep those vital items in a safe, or at least a firebox. If you know someone is going to need a copy of your tax returns or your driver’s license, for example, make the copies ahead of time. This avoids the need for a firm’s employee to leave the room with such information.

“Of course, you can greatly reduce being a victim of such recent hacks that occurred at the major retailers by using cash more often,” he says. “But if you’re going to use credit, use a card from a national bank or a national credit union and never a debit card, no exceptions.”

www.scottamerritt.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 39

Photo by Alan Crosthwaite

Putting Off Your Taxes

By Ginny Grimsley

Nearly 150 million Americans will file federal income tax returns this year and, unfortunately, many will be shelling out much more of their hard-earned money than necessary, says veteran financial expert Jeff Gorton.

“With the ridiculous complexity of our tax code, I can understand how the average person might want to put off doing their homework, but that’ll cost you,” says Gorton, a veteran Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, and head of Gorton Financial Group.

“When you think about all you do to earn your money, and the lengths we’ll go to save a few bucks, it doesn’t make sense to not do all we can to prepare for the inevitable – our compulsory contribution to Uncle Sam’s bank account.”

There is nothing unpatriotic about taking advantage of legal measures to reduce your tax bill, Gorton says. Most Americans, however, don’t understand the basics of how to minimize the tax burden, he says.

“If you wait until the last minute to do your taxes, you’re sure to miss out on savings,” says Gorton, who offers some basic and more advanced tax-saving options.

• Credits: Tax credits are usually subtracted dollar for dollar from the actual tax liability and may be utilized when filing for 2013. They include the Child Tax Credit, which allows up to $1,000 for children younger than 17; the American Opportunity Credit, featuring up to $2,500 in tax savings per eligible student for tuition costs for four years of post-high-school education; and the Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which grants qualifying taxpayers 10 percent of the cost of certain energy-efficient building materials — up to a $500 lifetime credit. The Child and Dependent Care Credit, for those who have to pay someone to care for a child younger than 13, or another dependent, offers up to $3,000 for one qualifying individual, or up to $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals.

• Deductions: Like tax credits, deductions have phase-out limits, so you may want to consult with a professional. Deductions are subtracted from your income before your taxes are calculated, which may reduce the amount of money on which you are taxed and, by extension, your eventual tax liability. Some examples include contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. And, you may be able to write off out-of-pocket costs incurred while doing work for a charity. Others may include amounts set aside for retirement through a qualified retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account; medical expenses exceeding 10 percent of your adjusted gross income are now deductible – expenses exceeding 7.5 percent are still deductible for those older than age 65; and, potentially, mortgage interest paid on a loan secured for your primary residence.

• Tax-favored investing: This involves both tax-exempt investments and tax-deferred investments. Tax-exempt investments, which include such vehicles as municipal bonds and certain money market funds, offer a way to grow your money that’s exempt from federal taxes. Municipal bonds are free of federal income tax and may be free of state and local income taxes for investors who live in the area where the bond was issued. Tax-deferred investments, on which taxes are postponed until you withdraw your money, include qualified retirement plans, such as traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, as well as insurance products such as annuities and, sometimes, life insurance.

www.gortonfinancialgroup.com Jeff Gorton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in individual tax and retirement planning. He is also an Investment Advisor Representative under Alphastar Capital Management, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, and has a life and health insurance license. Gorton works with individuals and their families to create and protect their financial legacies. He specializes in working with retirees in the areas of tax planning, benefits, retirement planning, estate planning and safe money techniques. He received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Gorton previously worked for 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer for a large retail organization, overseeing their accounting, benefits and 401(k) retirement plans.

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4

Know the

Percent Rule?

“Who has my back in retirement?” – That’s the question pre-retirees and retirees want answered when it’s all said and done, says veteran financial planner David Zolt.

Baby boomers have been retiring in droves in recent years, and will continue to do so throughout the next decade – 10,000 of them a day, the Pew Research Center estimates.

Unfortunately, the average boomer is about a $500,000 short on their savings, according to a recent survey by TD Ameritrade.

We have already entered upon an unprecedented moment in retirement history; never has so many people, with such variability in financial wealth, retired at once, Zolt says.

“Clients want to know when they can retire, how much they can withdraw from their savings and how confident they can be that they won’t outlive their money,” says Zolt, a senior consultant who created retirement income planning software for financial advisors.

“If the facts of their wealth do not support their goals for retirement, then they’ll need to do one of three things: adjust their expectations, change their financial behavior or know how to improve their wealth, because the last thing any retiree wants is to run out of money while in their 80s or 90s.”

Zolt breaks down some fundamental aspects of retirement that may help boomers and others make better financial decisions after their working years.

The “4 percent” rule – a good target for withdrawals: When can you start pulling from your retirement portfolio, and how much should you withdraw? Twenty years ago, Bill Bengen came up with the answer: A well-allocated portfolio subjected to an initial 4 percent withdrawal, and adjusted for annual inflation thereafter, would survive at least 30 years in almost all scenarios. Given today’s market, however, once-stable rules have been significantly challenged. Just one factor in recent years throwing off Bengen’s rule are low bond yields, which historically averaged 5 to 6 percent, but today are much lower. “Four percent is still a good target, but it’s not absolute!” Zolt says.

By Ginny Grimsley

The seven variables to consider in retirement planning: Seven variables should be included in an individual retiree’s plan: portfolio size, portfolio return, savings, living expenses (including taxes), years to retirement and withdrawal rate. Each of these variables is multifaceted, and it’s important to understand how each affects the others. To troubleshoot this complexity, Zolt created affordable, easyto-use retirement-planning software called The Retirement Planner by RetireSoft, for financial advisors. “Retirement planning is an equation; rather than assuming the 4 percent rule, I’ve fixed other variables by making the number of years to retirement the variable and solving for the withdrawal rate, which is a key component to retirement planning,” Zolt says.

A simple formula calculating withdrawal rates: Whether you’re working with a professional or you’re a DIYer, retirees and pre-retirees want to know how much they should have in savings; how much they’ll receive from fixed income sources, and what they’ll be spending for living expenses. Here’s a simple formula…Subtract your annual fixed retirement income (Social Security, pensions) from your expected annual living expenses in retirement, including income taxes. That’s how much you’ll need to withdraw from savings each year. If the figure is 4 percent, and you have a well-balanced portfolio, you can reasonably expect to have a reliable income during retirement for 30 years. If the total is 5 percent, you probably have enough to last 30 years, but you may have to cut back on your spending later in retirement. If the percentage is 8 percent, you don’t have enough money to pay for many years of retirement.

www.RetireSoft.com

David M. Zolt, CFP®, EA, ASA, MAAA worked more than 25 years in retirement and employee-benefit planning as a senior consultant. His position as trusted advisor to the managers of some of the largest pools of liquid assets in the world gave him the rare opportunity to watch professionals advise multi-million and multi-billion dollar pension funds utilizing the best practices of investing. In the process, he learned firsthand how seasoned professionals invest. Zolt’s clients included The Ford Motor Co., American Greetings, The United Nations, The World Bank and The International Monetary Fund.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features

With the new year behind us, there is a heavy focus around resolutions. Whether you are making a resolution to celebrate a fresh start or looking to make a change no matter the time of year, maintaining resolutions can be difficult. In fact, a recent survey from Bank of America found that 49 percent of respondents don’t make New Year’s resolutions because they prefer to set goals throughout the year.

Goals tied to the new year, and those set at various points in the year, are all aimed at making significant life changes. According to the survey, 81 percent of resolutions involve health and fitness, 45 percent involve personal finances and 30 percent are targeted toward making changes in social life and relationships. With the large number of people planning to make changes in their finances, it is helpful to determine how to best ensure you achieve your goal.

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“I’ll be the first to admit keeping to a financial resolution takes a lot of hard work. It takes good behavior and good habits,” said Farnoosh Torabi, a consumer finance expert.

“With life being so complicated, stressful and complex, we often abandon them. Get the systems in place — the small steps you need to take now — to help you get on the right track.”

Research shows that consumers who understand their behaviors and motivations are more likely to build and keep positive habits for the long term. That’s why it’s so important to have strategies to keep those financial resolutions throughout the year. A few pointers to stick with your financial resolutions include: Prepare before your resolution begins Putting thought into your resolutions before you spring into action can put you on the path to change. Starting early with a few small changes can also improve your odds of staying the course to achieve your goals.

For example, if you’re looking to improve your financial health, begin by imagining a debt-free life. Visualizing how things may change can provide additional motivation you may need to move forward. Think about having more money available each month and how it would change your stress levels. Imagine what it would be like to not worry about meeting your payments, or saving more for retirement, education or emergencies. Thirty percent of survey respondents said they identify their New Year’s resolutions early as a way to stick with them throughout the year.

Develop an action plan It’s fine to make a resolution, but the odds of sticking with it improve dramatically if you create an action plan of smaller steps to support your goals. If your number one resolution is to lose weight, your plan might include budgeting money for a gym membership and cleaning out any junk food from your pantry. Creating a budget? Start by tracking your spending to see where the money is going. Then create a budget that’s tight but workable, to give you more flexibility to pay down debt, increase savings or invest for retirement. If have to carry a balance, but want to responsibly manage your credit card, consider a card that helps build positive habits.

For example, Bank of America’s Better Balance Rewards card pays you to manage your credit card use. Every quarter that you pay more than your minimum balance on time, you earn $25 cash back. If you have at least one other qualifying account with Bank of America, you can receive another $5 bonus, totaling up to $30 a quarter.

You’ll be eligible for up to $120 a year toward your balance, and you’ll feel better knowing how much you can spend each month. continued on pages 46 & 47...

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center

“

Our Guest Book says it all...

Thank you! Helpful - got lots to read! Very helpful and friendly smiles! So pretty!

See you next year! Very visitor friendly and lovely scenery! Help is fantastic! Danke!

Just moved into an older home so thanks for the info on services to my home! OMG! Merci Beaucoup! Wonderfully warm and helpful individuals! Great service! I love Naples!

Grazie! Our second visit here! Thanks for your valued advice! Excellent help from a local!

Volunteer was a wonderful help! Awesome staff! We love it here! You’re great people!

Very good advice and ideas! We want to live here! We’ll be back! Beautiful Center!

Excited to be here! One of the nicest and prettiest Visitor Centers we’ve seen on our trip!

I love Paradise! Fabulous place...wonderful people! Gracias! Wonderful information!

Thanks for helping me find things to do for my grandchildren’s visit! Gorgeous!

”

...to live, work and play in Greater Naples

900 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 102 Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Stop in to see us and sign our Guest Book too!

239.262.6141 www.napleschamber.org

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www.GerroArt.com (941) 639-6364

One of a kind handmade fashion Photography by Tone Imaging Model Wendy Wil liams

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Write it down Forty percent of survey respondents say they use written reminders to help stay on track with their resolutions. Try writing your resolutions on Post-it notes, in Evernote, in calendar reminders or on notes stuck to the refrigerator — whatever you’ll look at regularly — to keep yourself committed and on track. Research shows that a written goal is more likely to be achieved. If your goal is managing your finances better, write a reminder on your daily calendar to check your credit card statements as they come in — it’s the best way to spot transactions you don’t recognize.

Get a little help from your friends Sometimes a gentle reminder from a family member or friend can work wonders. Share your resolutions with a trusted person and ask for occasional reminders. Some 23 percent of survey respondents plan to enlist help this way. A friend may be able to coax you to going to the gym, or even talk you out of buying that handbag you’ve been eyeing that’s out of your budget. The key to cutting debt is to stop adding to it. If you’re in a hole, stop digging.

Partner up Find a friend or loved one with the same resolution and agree to motivate and support one another to stick to your goals. It’s easier to manage a diet, exercise plan or budget if you have support. Twenty percent of respondents plan to partner up to keep to their resolutions.

It's not too late to start your New Year’s resolutions thinking today, and keep the big goals in mind every day, whether they aim for better health, sounder finances or better relationships. With the right attitude and commitment, 2014 could be a very good year.

www.bankofamerica.com

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Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features

Looking to save money and time when it comes to your taxes?

There’s a simple way to do your federal taxes, and it’s all for free. The program, called “Free File,” does the hard work for you, either through brand-name software or online fillable forms. And, it’s available only at IRS.gov.

A Simple Way to Cut Fees Free File is offered through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by 14 of the nation’s leading tax software manufacturers. Nearly 40 million people have used this helpful program, and using the most conservative estimate, they’ve saved $1.2 billion in fees.

It’s available 24/7, giving you the freedom to decide when and how to do your federal taxes. Plus, the software is userfriendly, offering a familiar Q&A format and the freedom to complete your return at your own pace.

How to Sign Up Here’s how you start: • Go to www.irs.gov/freefile.

• If your income was $58,000 or less, select the “Start Free File Now” button.

• Each of the 14 participating companies has a special offer.

• Review the company offers or use the “help me find Free File software” tool.

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• Select your tax software that matches your situation.

• Leave IRS.gov and go to the company’s site to begin your taxes.

If your income was more than $58,000, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. Just select the “Free File Fillable Forms” button at www.irs.gov/ freefile. This version is best if you are comfortable preparing your own tax return with more limited help.

Remember to always use e-file to file your returns electronically. You’ll get your refund faster when you combine e-file and direct deposit.

Use Self-Help Options on IRS.gov Free File is just one of many self-help options available at IRS. gov. Wondering about your refund? Just select “Where’s My Refund” to track the status of your refund and get a personalized refund date.

Have a tax law question? Visit the Interactive Tax Assistant, IRS Tax Map or Tax Trails. You also can find payment options and request an installment payment agreement online. You can even order a summary of a previous tax return. When you have questions, make IRS.gov your first stop.

Materials Needed to Get Started Keep this as a checklist of the items you will need to file your return. The IRS recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Tracking incomerelated documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you.

• A copy of last year’s tax return • Valid social security numbers for yourself, spouse and children • All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms from all employers • Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms • Form 1099-G showing any state refunds • Unemployment compensation amount • Social Security benefits • Expense receipts for deductions • Day care provider’s identifying number Did you know?

• Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

• Combining e-file with direct deposit is still the fastest way to get your refund.

• Use “Where’s My Refund?” to get personalized refund information.

• You can also use the IRS app, IRS2Go, to check the status of your refund.

• Can’t meet the April 15 deadline? Use Free File for a free extension; then use Free File to do your taxes by October 15.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly, which is operated by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, offers free help all with priority assistance to people who are age 60 and older. Find a Tax-Aide site at AARP.org or call 888-227-7660. Some VITA/TCE sites even offer Free File.

Earned Income Tax Credit: How to Get It Right No tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But putting this credit to work can be complex. The IRS has upgraded its EITC Assistant on IRS.gov to make it easier than ever to determine if you are qualified and how much you may receive.

Here are a few things to keep in mind: • You must have a social security number and have earned an income.

• The maximum credit for 2013 tax returns is $6,044 for workers with three or more qualifying children.

• Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors including earnings, filing status and eligible children. Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount.

You can learn more at www.irs.gov/eitc and use the EITC Assistant or ask your tax professional. If you are eligible for EITC, you also qualify for free tax help at VITA sites nationwide or for Free File at www.irs.gov/freefile.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance There are 13,000 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide that offer free help to people earning $52,000 or less. Search “VITA” on IRS.gov for a nearby site.

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Yo u r Photo by Smith John

Fi n an ci al Fu tu re in 2014

By Ginny Grimsley

Financial resolutions can be the most difficult to keep. They can include minute detail, number crunching, plenty of files and discipline that can affect a person’s entire lifestyle, says veteran investment advisor Paul Taylor, a member of the National Ethics Bureau.

“Many folks simply are not predisposed to combing through the details of their financial situation; for them, the financial world is abstract and filled with arbitrary rules, constantly changing interest rates and other complexities, but being more involved in your own money is well worth the investment,” says Taylor, an architect-turned-founder and owner of Capital Advisory Group & Tax Planners of Lake Norman and Capital Investment Advisors, Inc. “While professional help is recommended for many aspects of a person’s financial affairs, it’s ultimately up to the individual to understand his or her own money.”

There are many things the average person can do to take control of their financial life. Taylor offers the following suggestions: • For your cash flow, keep in mind the four A’s: Accounting, Analysis, Allocation and Adjustment. The four A’s describe a systematic and disciplined approach to your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly spending habits. Accounting involves gathering all your relevant financial information – income, recurring bills, and other expenditures – creating a central list of each item, and pulling it together in a place where it’s easily accessible. Analysis is reviewing the information to determine whether you have a shortfall or surplus, and finding places to reduce expenses. Saving $100 a month on dining out, for instance, would allow you to apply $100 to your mortgage loan principle, saving you a substantial amount in interest payments. Allocation involves determining your financial commitments and priorities, needs versus wants, and distributing your income accordingly. Adjustment involves periodic reviews of your financial information and shifting assets to meet changing needs.

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• Utilize estate planning tools such as wills and trusts; make sure the details are accurate. Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property to be distributed, and much more. A will gives you the opportunity to nominate your executor and guardians for your minor children. If you fail to make such designations through your will, the decisions will probably be left to the courts. Bear in mind that property distributed through your will is subject to probate, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Trusts, which are more complex, let you customize the distribution of your estate with the added advantages of property management and probate avoidance.

• Start planning your retirement sooner rather than later.

There are a variety of retirement planning options that can meet your needs. Your employer funds some; you fund some.

Bear in mind that, in most cases, early withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty. The latest date to begin required minimum distributions is usually April 1 of the year after you turn age 70½. Withdrawals from tax-deferred plans are taxed as ordinary income. The top planning options include defined benefit pension; money purchase pension; profit-sharing plan; savings plan; employee stock ownership plan; tax-sheltered annuities; individual retirement accounts; self-employed plans; simplified employee pensions; and savings incentive match plans for employees.

• Remember the first commandment in safe investment: diversification. Virtually every investment has some type of risk associated with it. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversification is one of the main reasons why mutual funds may be so attractive for both experienced and novice investors. Many non-institutional investors have a limited investment budget and may find it challenging to construct a portfolio that is sufficiently diversified. For a modest initial investment, you can purchase shares in a diversified portfolio of securities. Depending on the objectives of the fund, it may contain a variety of stocks, bonds and cash vehicles, or a combination of them.

www.capitaladvgroup.com

Fashion & Style

ATLAS® BANGLE Atlas® tapered bangle in sterling silver

ATLAS® PENDANT AND RINGS Atlas® pendant and rings with diamonds in 18 karat white gold (from left): open round pendant, small; open ring, wide; open ring.

Tiffany & Co. presents new Atlas® jewelry with the striking beauty that made this celebrated design a fashion icon. The latest options trace the collection’s signature Roman numerals in designs symbolic of strength and freedom. These creations distill style to its very essence; each is bold enough to stand on its own, yet graceful and uncomplicated enough to stack and layer, so that every wearer can tell their own unique story.

The versatility of Atlas® is achieved with graphic elements of utmost integrity that allows them to be shaped into a crisp pattern as distinctive as its inspiration: the Atlas clock that presides over Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store, located at the crossroads of energy and evolution in the heart of New York City. This elegant pattern shines in new bangles, medallion pendants and band rings, as well as wide cuffs in a weave of numerals. Crafted in 18 karat yellow, white or rose gold, as well as sterling silver, the jewelry generates a sensuous play of light that casts a luster over dressing day and night.

ATLAS® BANGLES Atlas® flat low bangles (from left): 18 karat rose gold, 18 karat gold, sterling silver.

Every variation on the theme reflects a tradition of excellence that over the past 177 years has made Tiffany & Co. an international house of design. Here, the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship are matched by brilliant jewelry that captures the imagination and epitomizes contemporary life. The newest Atlas jewelry collection brilliantly articulates this enduring legacy.

www.tiffany.com ATLAS® CUFFS Atlas® Weave cuffs in 18 karat gold and sterling silver 52 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

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SJP Collection Launching exclusively at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com on February 28, 2014, the SJP Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker is a new collection of shoes crafted by artisans in Italy and imported handbags, reflecting Sarah Jessica’s personal looks and feminine style. The line will also feature the “Manhattan” trench coat to complement the collection as a whole.

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“I’ve taken inspiration from things in my life such as the grosgrain ribbons I tied in my hair as a girl, to the flower accents from the Sex and the City wardrobe, to references to classic styles from the late 70's and early 80's. I’m a firm believer in quality and timelessness and have created this collection with the hopes that women will love wearing it for years to come,” said Sarah Jessica Parker, President SJP USA LLC. As a reflection of Sarah Jessica’s childhood, grosgrain ribbon detail is intricately featured on each shoe, emphasizing the feminine design of the collection. With a story behind the name of each shoe, the collection is infused with fashion influences of Sarah Jessica’s life – from “Carrie”, understandably so, after her acclaimed character on Sex and the City to “Maud”, named after legendary designer Maud Frizon. Colors, as Sarah Jessica has often said are “the new neutral” and can be seen in the collection ranging from her spring favorites such as coral, mint, teal and pink, to classic colors including purple, red and navy.

With a wide variety of heel heights, the collection of twenty-five shoes reinvigorates the classic single sole with a range of silhouettes that fit the styles and personalities of women of all ages. The shoe prices range from $195 to just under $500. The entire shoe collection is made in Italy from high quality leathers and materials. The SJP handbags are functional pieces but with a fun and fashionable twist. They can be carried by the everyday woman on the go and transition easily to night out.

The line features versatile styles from the “New Yorker” hobo shoulder bag, the “Waverly” cross body and the “Beekman” clutch, all named after some of her favorite NYC spots. They will retail from $245 to $375. The SJP “Manhattan” trench coat was created to highlight the shoe and handbag collection with its A-Line fitted silhouette and skirting design that is sure to accentuate a woman’s figure. Maintaining the integrity of the collection, the trench coat incorporates the signature blush color grosgrain detail, exclusive SJP buttons, and a signature print lining. The SJP trench comes both in natural and navy and retails for $495.

The SJP Collection is a personal endeavor for Sarah Jessica as a realization of her enduring affection for fashion as she teams up with business partner George Malkemus to launch her namesake collection exclusively at Nordstrom stores. Nordstrom, which began as a shoe retailer, is a fitting partnership for Sarah Jessica’s new collection as the retail store is a staple among fashion driven consumers with the retailer’s vast knowledge of the industry and what the customer wants.

“We’re honored that Sarah Jessica chose to work with Nordstrom to launch the SJP Collection. It has been a true collaboration and a pleasure working together. Sarah Jessica’s aesthetic and style is so inspiring to so many women, and this collection reflects her unique point of view. We can’t wait for customers to see the line. There’s something for every shoe lover and we think they’re going to respond really well,” said Scott Meden, Nordstrom EVP and GMM of Shoes.

“I thought about launching my own line for a long time,” Sarah Jessica says. “It just feels like an enormous privilege to be doing it now with George and with Nordstrom.”

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Fashion & Style

Ivanka Trump

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A Collection inspired by passion & a sense of tradition.

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1. Aberdeen Bracelet with Diamonds in 18tk White Gold 2. Metropolis Bracelet with Diamonds in 18kt Yellow Gold 3. Patras Necklace with Aquamarine and Diamonds in 18kt White Gold 4.

Patras Earrings with Diamonds in 18kt White Gold 5. Metropolis Cuff with Diamonds in 18kt Yellow Gold 6. Patras Ring with Aquamarine and Diamonds in 18kt White Gold 7. Patras Ring with Blue Sapphire and Diamonds in 18kt White Gold 8. Patras Earrings with Aquamarine and Diamonds in 18kt White Gold

www.ivankatrump.com

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Style & Beauty Whether you’re planning beach bag roundups or tackling summer beauty concerns head on, here’s the latest lineup of seaweed-based skincare products from Repêchage. Will give you the bikini confidence and keep your skin and hair glowing all season!

PROBLEM: Uneven Skin Tone & Dark Spots o SOLUTION: Reduce the appearance of age spots, hyper pigmentation, discoloration and freckles using Biolight Brightening Body Corrector ($75, Repechage.com). This power-packed body cream helps brighten uneven skin tone and fade the appearance of dark spots on both the hands and body. Infused with EcoCert Seaweeds combined with Willow Bark, Goto Kola, Licorice and Watermelon Extracts, the product enhances cell renewal and reduces inflammation, revealing luminous skin.

PROBLEM: Flabby Skin o SOLUTION: Get a smoother body this summer using Vita Cure Triple Action Slimming Body Cream ($52, Repechage.com). This patented 3-way-system is a synergistic blend of Bupleurum, Caffeine and Coenzyme A, that works to tighten thighs and smooth skins appearance.

Clinical studies demonstrated that flabbiness of skin decreased by 27.5% after 2 months of twice daily application.

PROBLEM: Sun Damaged & Chorine Hair o SOLUTION: After a week of sun and chlorine chemicals, give your hair a break with a restorative hair conditioning treatment like Repêchage Hair Spa Seaweed Mask ($55, Repêchage.com). Packed with amino acids, vitamins & minerals, the mask will help to repair stressed-out tresses, strengthen damaged and chemically treated hair while protecting it from further damage. Its Avocado Oil will moisturize, nourish and strengthen damaged hair, while Aloe Leaf Extract helps to stimulate circulation to the scalp, promoting new hair growth - Leaving your hair smooth, hydrated and full of new life!

PROBLEM: Cracked Heel and Dry Hands o SOLUTION: Insulate dry skin after a long day at the beach with Repêchage Sea Spa Hand Cream and Foot Cream ($19.50/$24, www.Repêchage. com). Packed with soothing ingredients like Shea Butter, Laminaria Dignitata Seaweed, Lavender, Chamomile and Eucalyptus these products work to sooth, nourish and protect skin from premature aging. Not to mention, they’re both ideal for travel and perfect for your beach bag!

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Age Game

Beauty & Care In Your 30s: Peptides: Peptides are molecular links of amino acids that help your skin produce collagen – the wonder protein that prevents wrinkles, and keeps skin looking young.

G.M. Collin Bota-Peptide 5 Concentrate is a light textured fluid with a natural bouquet of bergamot, black currant, green apple, jasmine, musk, and cedar wood. The formula embraces the unprecedented combination of 5 peptides, each of which has been individually clinically proven: Argireline®, Lipo-Arginyl Tyrosine, Soja Oligopeptides, Palmitoyl Oligopeptides and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3. These 5 peptides have been particularly selected for their targeted anti-aging action; they relax skin-related muscles, act on the skin neurosensorial mechanisms, increase skin density, stimulate skin functions and smooth the skin’s surface. (www.GMCollin.com)

Choosing an anti-aging product is no easy feat. With hundreds of creams/serums/oils to choose from, how does one know which is the most effective? The key is in the ingredients, and personalizing your skincare based on your age. Experts advise scanning the packaging before buying, searching for an ingredient that complements your skins current condition.

In Your 40s: Renovage®: Renovage is an essential ingredient that prolongs the cell and tissue life span also improves cellular metabolism which results in a DNA repair effect.

Phyto Stem Cell + Eye Contour Cream is a part of the Phyto Stem Cell + line that optimizes the cellular metabolism of the skin. The advanced anti-aging eye contour cream moisturizes, soothes, and visibly improves the firmness of the skin and the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, and fine lines.

In Your 50s: Mitoquinol: At this stage, skin has already been through hardships and anti-aging, so it needs a strong ingredient! The mitoquinol molecule is the newest patented antioxidant to hit the U.S. market through the breakthrough anti-aging face cream, MitoQ. It’s the most potent antioxidant on the market to date and proven to be 1,000x stronger than CoQ10.

MitoQ: The mitoquinol molecule is the newest patented antioxidant to hit the U.S. market through the breakthrough anti-aging face cream, MitoQ. MitoQ is considered to be the most potent antioxidant on the market to date and proven to be 1,000x stronger than CoQ10.

Developed over 10 years of rigorous research and development, it is the only topical cream proven to deliver antioxidants to mitochondria at levels shown to have an immense effect in rejuvenating the cells, encouraging the natural production of collagen and elastin and leaving skin looking radiant with a lit-from-within glow. (www.MitoQ.com)

G.M. Collin skincare, Daily Ceramide Comfort Capsules a Daily Ceramide Comfort system is a replenishing and nourishing skin care supplement in practical single dose capsules that protects the skin against environmental elements and reduces the skin stress and irritation while improving hydration.

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Are You Doing it Right...

By Allison Stephens

Our daily shower seems pretty straight forward, right? But odds are, at least one step in your well-meaning routine unintentionally leaves your skin or hair worse for wear. For anyone who’s ever gotten that dry, tight feeling, an itchy scalp, irritation or redness after a shower, these five common shower mistakes are likely culprits that unintentionally strip skin of oils and throw the skin’s pH balance out of whack. Fortunately, the fixes are simple! Spending five minutes to optimize your cleaning routine makes can leave your body balanced and refreshed:

• Mistake #1: Overdosing on Shampoo. Ninety-three percent of the country’s adults shampoo almost daily, according to market research firm Mintel. But so much washing strips hair’s natural oils, drying and weakening the strands and irritating the scalp. Dermatologists lathering up just 3 to 4 times per week (or less!) with just a dime sized dollop of soap free shampoo, and only rinsing hair on other days. If you can’t resist washing daily, make sure to choose a pH balanced formula like Sebamed Scalp Activating Shampoo ($14.99 at SebamedUSA.com), as balanced formulations which won’t strip hair of oils.

• Mistake #2: Washing with Soap and Hot Water. They may seem innocent, but traditional soap bars can have a pH of up to 9, leaving skin dry, tight and vulnerable to damage. Ditch the soap and switch to a soap-free cleansing bar or soap-free milky cleanser for both the face and body, like Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash ($19.95 at SebamedUSA.com).

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• Mistake #3: A Sudsy Shave. Shaving with foam and water alone may protect from cuts, but foam isn’t protective enough to defend against razor burn and redness, especially if you’re using hot water. If skin is dry, try using your hair conditioner as an alternative shaving aid. It hydrates and sinks deep within skin to prevent nicks, cuts and razor burn, but it’s smooth consistency won’t clog your razor, as long as you rinse.

• Mistake #4: Using Your Regular Body Wash on Intimate Areas. The intimate area’s ideal pH is actually different than the rest of our skin (3.8 as opposed to 5.5) and regular soaps and showers, certain clothing, diet and even sex all affect that balance. Stock your shower with a product like Sebamed Feminine Intimate Wash ($14.95 at www.SebamedUSA.com) that’s specifically formulated at pH 3.8 to balance the delicate pH down there, making it easy to stay fresh, healthy and happy by protecting against imbalances that trigger infections and odors.

• Mistake #5: Not Moisturizing Immediately After Your Shower.

After a hot shower, you have three minutes before your body loses essential moisture. To prevent dry, crackly, irritated skin, store a body lotion in your shower and apply all over while skin is still damp.

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Photo by Andrew Taylor

Next Battle Against Aging

By Ginny Grimsley

Most people today know antioxidants to be an effective method of fighting age, but few are aware of the biological process underlying for most skin damage – and what directly addresses the problem, says skin-care expert Ron Cummings.

“The word that has been on the minds of dermatologists and other skin-care researchers for many years is glycation, which is what happens on the cellular level to age our skin,” says Cummings, founder and CEO of AminoGenesis Skin Care.

Glycation – damage to proteins caused by sugar molecules – has long been a focus of study in people with diabetes, because it results in severe complications, such as blindness and nerve damage. People with uncontrolled diabetes have excess blood sugar, so they experience a higher rate of systemic glycation, he says.

“Antioxidants fight inflammation caused by free radicals, which are largely created from external, environmental factors such as excessive sunlight or cigarette smoke. Glycation, though, damages from the inside out.”

Using antioxidants and topical moisturizers are a good start to keeping the effects of aging at bay, but they only go so far, Cummings says. Even more important is reversing the damage to skin caused by glycation, which became possible only recently.

Cummings shares two points anyone interested in skin care should know about glycation:

• Glycation is the skin’s No.1 aging factor. Sugar molecules in our body bombard our cells like a ferocious hail storm, bonding with fats and proteins. The proteins then become misshapen and excrete exotoxins that disrupt cellular metabolism. Collagen, which makes skin look smooth and plump, is a protein that’s particularly vulnerable to glycation. The damage manifests as wrinkles, lines, discoloration and edema. Rather than attacking a cell from the outside, like a free radical, glycation occurs from within.

• Anti-glycation topical solutions have been clinically shown to be effective. Old lotions, from your favorite moisturizer to Grandma’s secret facial solution to the new DIY recipe you found online act as a barrier to moisture evaporation. But their effect is temporary, and they don’t prevent or reverse damage.

New anti-glycation formulas, however, directly address aging by releasing the sugar molecule’s bond with protein, allowing the cell to return to its natural shape and state.

“Just as antioxidants have revolutionized anti-aging efforts around the world, anti-glycation will be understood to be exponentially more effective,” Cummings says.

Ron Cummings is the founder and CEO of AminoGenesis Skin Care, which utilizes amino acids as the key ingredients to its age- and damage-reversing products. The formula for the solution features 17 plant-purified amino acids, which are necessary for healthy and radiant skin. The company’s formulas include anti-glycation properties, which are very rare in today’s skin-care products. Cummings donated one of his products, a protective agent, to support military forces in Afghanistan and received a hearty letter of gratitude from the Marines of Special Operations Company Bravo, which described the product’s excellent performance, as well as a flag that was flown “in the face of the enemy, over Forward Operating Base Robinson in Sangin, Afghanistan.”

www.aminogenesis.com 64 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Reception

Family Features

to Remember

Whether it’s set in the great outdoors, a lavish ballroom, the couple’s favorite restaurant or at home, the wedding reception is a special time for newlyweds to celebrate with family and friends.

The signature dessert – cake – is usually the centerpiece for this occasion, a continuing reflection of the wedding theme and colors. An assortment of cupcakes or a tower of layers allows today’s cakes to take almost any form – from square to round, even pillow or heart-shaped. This stunning all-white creation from the wedding experts at Wilton is both simple yet elegant. Cake layers are covered in pure white fondant, while additional bands of fondant glistening with white sparkling sugar decorate the bottom of each tier. Dots of sugar pearl sprinkles, resembling perfect pearls add a hint of texture, while a gem-studded monogram topper adds the finishing touch.

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This unique do-it-yourself wedding topper kit can easily be customized…with one initial, two or a trio. Self-adhesive crystal-like gems are used to trace the initials onto the clear disc.

Gems can also be used to create a border or other complementary design. After the reception, it makes a perfect keepsake for the couple that will be treasured for years to come.

Guests will want to raise a glass in honor of the newlyweds with the timeless custom of a champagne toast. Decorated flutes for the bride and groom create a long-lasting memory of this special tradition.

Individual boxes are ideal for truffles or other candies to send home with guests. Tie with ribbons reflecting the color theme of the wedding. Another fun memento is a mini champagne bottle favor that can be filled with small candies. Attach a label with a personalized message. Make it elegant or simple…and always make it meaningful and memorable.

www.wilton.com

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• Start Early: Most couples like to register 4-6 months before their wedding date, which allows more time for choosing items, planning for showers and meeting other deadlines.

• Register Together: Whether it’s in-store, online or both – make a day of it and have fun selecting all the things that will be part of your new life together.

• Choose Different Price Points: Guests will appreciate a varied list that has many gift options to fit their personal budget.

• Create a Registry That Reflects You: If you’re a laid-back, easygoing couple, consider registering for a more casual dinnerware pattern that you can use every day, then mix in some fancy pieces to use for those special occasions. If you enjoy entertaining friends and family, be sure to choose a range of serveware and barware.

Wedding Family Features

Registry 101

For engaged couples, it can seem as if there are a million things to accomplish before the big day arrives. One essential piece of the wedding puzzle involves creating a registry that makes it easy for guests to celebrate your union with gifts that reflect your personality as a couple.

Before Building Your Registry It’s no wonder why guests love the ease and simplicity of a gift registry. But many couples may not know where to begin when setting out to create this useful list. Here are some helpful pointers from Macy’s to help you get started on creating a perfect wedding registry: • Meet with a Consultant: These trained professionals are on site to assist and discuss everything you want and need. It’s a good place to start if you have questions on what items to include and what brands are available.

• Look for Special Programs: Some stores offer special features, such as Macy’s, whose Dream Fund allows guests to contribute any amount to the ultimate gift card, so the bride and groom can later choose exactly what they want.

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Making the Right Choices With all the things needed to properly stock your home, selecting the right ones can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to keep in mind while adding to your registry: • Select Your Settings: A five-piece setting is meant to serve one person and includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, tea cup and saucer. If you want to serve eight guests, you will need to register for eight five-piece settings.

• Factor in Some Extras: When registering for drinkware, be sure to register for a few extras in each glass size in case some break down the road.

• Protect Your Cutlery: Be sure to choose a sturdy cutting board to protect your knife blades from chips and cracks. You can keep your cutlery in top condition by registering for a honing steel and knife sharpener.

• Stock Up on Kitchen Must-Haves: When it comes to cookware, make sure to stock up on the essentials. This should include a fry pan, sauté pan, grill pan, sauteuse (round, deep-sided design for sautéing on the stovetop or baking in the oven) and a chef’s pan.

• Opt for the Basics: White dinnerware allows you to transform the look of your table year-round by changing the décor and accessories around it. The classic look will be a design that you can appreciate for years to come.

Visit www.macys.com/registry for a full registry checklist, helpful tips and more information on Macy’s Dream Fund.

er n g e i Des rofil P

Zac Posen

A globally recognized designer of women’s fashion, synonymous with the modern American glamour lifestyle. House of Z, currently produces a range of products through his Zac Posen, ZAC Zac Posen and Z Spoke Zac Posen labels including women’s ready-to-wear, furs, handbags, accessories and eyewear.

David’s Bridal, the nation’s leading bridal and special occasion authority, announces the launch of the highly anticipated Spring 2014 collection from premier American designer, Zac Posen. ‘Truly Zac Posen’ is available exclusively in select David’s Bridal stores worldwide and online at DavidsBridal.com on February 6, 2014. This romantic collection of bridal and social occasion styles is rooted in Zac Posen’s signature design sensibility and red-carpet heritage.

Says Zac Posen, “I am so honored to partner with David’s Bridal on the ‘Truly Zac Posen’ line as we have jointly created love notes to brides everywhere. Each design in this collection depicts a romantic femininity with silhouettes that embrace and enhance every woman’s body while celebrating life’s exceptional moments.”

‘Truly Zac Posen’ reflects signature elements of Posen’s globally renowned collections, integrating the artisanal craftsmanship, anatomical silhouettes and design innovation for which he has come to be known. The ‘Truly Zac Posen’ line offers a selection of exceptional bridal gowns and social occasion dresses.

The bridal gown collection, with seven styles to choose from, showcases bold silhouettes and whimsical colors – from a satin fit-and-flare gown with corset detailing and embellishments to a champagne-colored tulle dress with a featherweight lace overlay. The ten social occasion dresses in the collection are steeped in signature red-carpet glamour. Strapless cocktail dresses are available in lavish shades including portobello, lavender haze and midnight blue. Other styles in the social occasion line feature tulle skirts complementing corset-detailed taffeta dresses and evening gowns telegraphed with both ethereal simplicity and structured volumes.

“Since we announced our new designer partnership with the extremely talented Zac Posen, our consumers have been anxiously awaiting the in-store date of his standout designs,” said David’s Bridal EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Brian Beitler. “His new collection speaks to the beauty, grace and glamour that each woman deserves on her big day and we’re thrilled that our customers can have a ‘Truly Zac Posen’ piece hanging in their own closets.”

As the latest designer collection in the David’s Bridal collaboration portfolio, ‘Truly Zac Posen’ will continue to deliver seasonal styles throughout the year at an accessible price-point. Bridal gowns are priced from $850 to $1,350. For the social occasion collection, cocktail dresses start at $195 and floor-length evening gowns retail for $225. Jewelry and accessories will also be included in the collection.

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www.davidsbridal.com

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Banking on Your Terms Family Features

When it comes to managing their money, people often use the same banking provider for a number of years. Whether you’re loyal to your current bank or are looking for a better option, it’s important to review the available benefits to ensure your financial needs are fully met.

In an industry driven by technology, banks now serve up a platter of benefits to their account holders. From accounts that reimburse ATM fees to mobile apps, which allow upto-date monitoring of funds, today’s banking is better than ever before. By making smart choices and using new technologies and resources, account holders are able to minimize their banking costs and have a clearer understanding of their finances.

“Consumers should investigate what options are available to them,” said Ryan Bailey, executive vice president of deposit and payments, TD Bank.

“For example, certain checking accounts waive non-bank ATM fees and some, such as our Convenience Checking account, offer a low minimum balance. By doing a little bit of homework, consumers can choose a product and an institution that matches up with their banking needs.”

Banking benefits Getting the most from your bank involves a general knowledge of the products and services that are out there, which may exceed the offerings of your current provider. In fact, according to the TD Bank Checking Experience Index, a nationwide survey of more than 3,000 checking account 74 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

holders at various banks, 83 percent stated that they are satisfied with their day-to-day experience. But the survey also revealed that 36 percent are extremely or very likely to switch banks to avoid fees. Armed with the proper information, account holders who share these feelings will be pleased to know of the various fee-free options available to them.

Here are some of the other benefits today’s banking customer can receive: Checking All checking accounts are not created equal. Taking the time to find an account that aligns with individual needs

improves the banking experience while minimizing costs.

Some bank benefits include instantly issued free debit cards upon opening an account. For those looking for added convenience, free direct deposit may be just the ticket to make payday a breeze.

with more convenient locations and specific accounts that reimburse these costs. For example, the Premier Checking account from TD Bank waives fees at non-affiliated ATMs when the account holder keeps a low minimum daily balance. For more information, visit www.tdbank.com.

And, while technology may be top of mind to many, banks are finding that good old-fashioned customer service is an equally essential part of today’s banking experience. Account holders seek branches that offer more hours in the evenings, on weekends and on holidays when banks are traditionally closed. The ability to speak with a live customer service representative 24/7 is also a highly valued asset.

Protect Against Theft It seems like every day the media reports another story about identity theft, security breaches and other situations of fraudulent behavior. While it may seem that thieves are always devising new ways to steal, there are ways to protect your funds and your family. Here are three helpful tips to keep your money safe and secure: • Be Aware of Your Balance: While it may not be possible to write down every transaction that occurs throughout your busy day, having a good idea of your balance is essential. An awareness of this figure will keep you alert of any strange activity should you become a target.

• Monitor Your Account Daily: The tools of online and mobile banking apps can make checking funds simple. If you don’t have online access, see if your bank offers a toll-free phone line to access your account information.

• Cover the Keypad: When using an ATM to check your balance or receive cash, always cover the keypad while entering your PIN number. Thieves are now using cameras and other tactics to steal this confidential information as you are pressing down on those buttons. Keeping it covered reduces the chance of having your account compromised.

Online Banking The convenience of smartphone and tablet technology has made banking at your fingertips a daily ritual for many account holders. This ability to review the status of funds at any time, day or night, has proven to be essential for today’s device-driven world. Forgetful account holders rejoice — online bill pay is another helpful program offered by many banks. This organizational tool allows you to manage and pay all your monthly bills so they’re always received on time. As an added bonus, this form of paperfree banking is the environmentally-friendly way to manage your money.

ATMs Checking account holders who tend to use ATMs outside of their bank’s network should look to financial institutions

www.tdbank.com

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Will Social Security Be in the Mail 2015

For many baby boomers, it’s comforting to believe that part of the 12.4 percent Social Security payroll tax they (or they and their employer) have been paying is going into a $2.7 trillion Social Security Trust Fund designed specifically to ensure the tidal wave of boomers now retiring will be assured their benefits.

For those already on Social Security, the taxes they pay on a portion of their benefits has also been earmarked for the fund since 1983.

Economist and former professor Allen W. Smith, however, says there is no trust fund – and a number of elected officials, including former President George W. Bush, have acknowledged that.

“To make a long story very short, we are supposed to have $2.7 trillion in Social Security surplus, all earmarked for the baby boomers’ retirement, due to money generated by amendments approved in 1983,” says Smith, who has researched the topic for 15 years and is author of several books, including “The Looting of Social Security” and “Ronald Reagan and the Great Social Security Heist,”.

“But there’s no money in the fund.”

Where did it go? Four administrations, from Reagan to George W. Bush, spent it on myriad non-Social Security efforts.

“Obama didn’t have a chance to use it – it was gone,” Smith says.

The 1983 amendments approved under Reagan generated revenue by accelerating Social Security payroll tax increases, allowing a portion of benefits to be taxed, and delaying cost-of-living adjustments from June to December.

According to the Social Security Administration website: “The surpluses are invested in (and the trust fund holds) special-issue Treasury bonds.”

But what’s actually sitting in the Trust Fund is nonmarketable government IOUs – worthless, Smith says.

?

By Ginny Grimsley

The fact has been publicly acknowledged by a 2009 Social Security trustees report; Sen. Tom Coburn; and President George W. Bush, who in 2005 said, “There is no trust fund, just IOUs that I saw firsthand … future generations will pay – pay for either in higher taxes or reduced benefits or cuts to other critical government programs.”

Recently, Speaker of the House John Boehner offered a sobering statement on ABC’s “This Week,” on Oct. 6, 2013: “…Ten thousand baby boomers like me (are) retiring every single day – 70,000 this week; 3.5 million this year. And, it’s not like there’s money in Social Security or Medicare. The government, over the last 30 years, have spent it all.”

Smith examines what needs to happen starting today.

• Get the secret out. The total cost of paying full benefits in 2010 exceeded Social Security tax revenue by $49 billion, and the gap between revenue and costs will become larger in the coming years. “On Sept. 27, 2000, I appeared on CNN Today to discuss my book, ‘The Alleged Budget Surplus, Social Security, and Voodoo Economics;’ the host did not take me seriously and asked me if I was ‘a voice crying in the wilderness,’ ” Smith says. “I’d quickly realized that he was right, with the exception of multiple statements by politicians and officials.”

• Get the AARP, NCPSSM and the media involved. The only way the government was able to pay full benefits in 2010 was to borrow billions from China, among other creditors. The public is repeatedly being told by government officials and leaders from the AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare that the trust fund has enough money pay full benefits until 2033. “I have tried engaging the leaders of these organizations with my research, but my attempts have been unsuccessful,” Smith says.

• Get the baby boomers engaged in protesting once again. Boomers are no strangers to taking to the streets to express their outrage. However, “I’m beginning to think that it’s going to take missed checks before the public gets raises their voices. Unfortunately, you just don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

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Visions of Design Two legendary brands with legendary visions united once again at the Miami International Boat Show. Cigarette Racing and the Mercedes-Benz high-performance brand AMG join forces for the fourth consecutive year to present futuristic visions, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept car and the Cigarette Racing 50' Vision GT Concept.

Extreme proportions, sensual contours and intelligently implemented high technology blend to form a body that visually brings to life the breathtaking performance of the AMG V8 front-mid engine with 577 hp (430 kW) and 590 lb-ft of torque. Realized as a 1:1-scale model, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo celebrated its world premiere on November 19, 2013 at the opening of the new MercedesBenz Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California. The super sports car with its hallmark Mercedes gullwing doors made its auto show debut in Los Angeles on November 20, 2013 and then took to the virtual racetrack when the new racing game went on sale in December 2013 – as the first of the "Vision Gran Turismo" series of vehicles.

by Mai Yomioto

The sports car proportions that are a typical Mercedes feature are reinterpreted in the Vision Gran Turismo: the long hood has a flowing transition into a compact greenhouse offset to the rear, which takes the form of an aerodynamically efficient water drop to descend slightly at the rear, where it rests on the rear end with broad shoulder contours. The dynamic aura is accentuated by an extended, dramatic side contour and a pronounced bulge to the wheel arches, which blend into the low-slung, muscular bodyshell. The extraordinary headlights, with their color scheme and determined look, convey a sense of sportiness and readiness to leap forward. This impression is reinforced by the hood with its expressive forms and motorsport details, such as the release catches on the hood and the fuel cap, for example. The red-glowing contour lines on the lower part of the vehicle create an effect similar to that of exterior ambient lighting and stand out from the silver-painted bodywork. This makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo look even more expressive.

The exterior design of the Vision Gran Turismo, which is systematically and passionately geared to motor racing, is congenially mirrored in the interior of the two-seater. Inspired by the Formula 1 cockpit, the red integral sports seats blend into the black flooring of the footwell to form a protective shell. The form of this flowing, sculptured shell suggests enormous forward thrust. The dashboard also creates an equally dynamic effect. It has been designed in the form of two gullwing doors which are positioned on each side of the steering column. As a result the actual doors themselves appear to be an extension of the instrument panel. The technical details engineered with utmost precision, such as the headlamps, the front grille and even the tailpipe trim, create a deliberate contrast to the sensual design idiom of the vehicle body and bolster its breathtaking appearance on the road. While this concept car is a vision that is not committed to production, it does preview design inspirations for the future of Mercedes-Benz.

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Virtually simultaneous to the development of the Vision Gran Turismo was the special development of the Cigarette Racing 50' Vision GT Concept, a one-of-a-kind special model which is the most powerful production twin engine performance boat ever developed and built by Cigarette Racing. Collaboration between Cigarette Racing Team, Mercedes-AMG and Polyphony Digital Inc. created one-of-a-kind elements for the Cigarette Racing 50' Vision GT Concept, incorporating a stunning Alubeam painted exterior that includes a custom matte black hull and accents.

Marauder. Lightweight construction has allowed for approximately 1000 lbs to be removed from the standard spec weight, thereby allowing the boat to have an estimated top speed of more than 140 mph at a length of 50' and a width of 8'.

No detail was left untouched when designing the interior of the Cigarette Racing 50' Vision GT Concept. The crafted interior is black with black alcantara accents, and uses carbon fiber dash panels inside the boat with silver face gauges.

User interface technology is also maximized with Bluetooth, computerized controls, four high-definition displays, and the next generation integration of Garmin and Cigarette navigation and audio.

Photos courtesy of Daimler AG

The price of this one-of-a-kind boat from Cigarette Racing Team is USD $1.5 million.

The Cigarette Racing 50' Vision GT Concept has twin 1650 hp Mercury Racing engines, which roar at 300 hp per engine higher than the standard engines used in the 50' Cigarette

Signature Visual

by Scott Black

The latest in industry-leading technology was unveiled from Rolls-Royce with the introduction of the new Ghost Series II. A subtle re-design to a timeless yet cool modern luxury sedan, that entrepreneurs and successful business men and women demand. Ghost Series II is the ultimate contemporary combination of luxury, technology and connectivity available to the successful entrepreneurs on the move today. It is an oasis of calm in a busy connected world where he or she can do business in peace.

On unveiling Ghost Series II, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Torsten Müller-Ötvös said, “The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is the ultimate entrepreneur’s business tool. Following the worldwide success of its predecessor, I am confident that this re-designed and updated Rolls-Royce will continue to attract increasing numbers of new customers to the marque, in particular business entrepreneurs seeking an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world.”

Protecting the popularity of Ghost’s iconic design whilst delivering the latest Rolls-Royce technology to its exacting customers, the subtle re-design of Ghost Series II begins from the front. Re-sculpted LED headlights encircled by daytime running lights lend Ghost Series II a more dynamic visual signature and blend perfectly with revised surface

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treatments to the front of the car. A tapered ‘wake channel’ on the bonnet, emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy, evokes the sight of a jet’s vapour trail or wake of a fast luxury yacht and hints at the car’s dynamism. Subtle resculpting of Ghost’s bumpers creates a stronger stance and a sense of extra width and height, whilst the contemporary aesthetic is further enhanced with the addition of chrome

inserts to the front air intakes, which now feed more air cooling to the front brakes. In addition, the famous waft line has been re-designed on Ghost Series II to lean further forwards emphasising the car’s effortless dynamism.

“As a design statement, Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II continues to transcend time,” comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “This is ensured by the

Its suite of technologies ensures that both business and leisure time in the car are a super-luxurious effortless experience. On-board Wi-Fi makes Ghost Series II the most connected, luxurious place in which to conduct business on the move, whilst Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), debuted in Wraith last year, enhances the car’s dynamism – ensuring the car automatically adapts to its surroundings augmenting the drive experience. Updates to navigation systems and the car/user interface ensures accessing Ghost’s features remains an effortless experience, whilst optional Bespoke Audio – the most exhaustively engineered and finest audio system in automotive history – brings new levels of aural satisfaction to passengers.

deft treatment of features such as the new headlights, the new wake channel on the bonnet and surfacing that lend the car a more dynamic, purposeful stance and hint at the cutting edge technology inside. I am very pleased with the overall sense of design harmony.”

Inside, Ghost Series II delivers on its outward appearance.

The ultimate contemporary combination of luxury, technology and connectivity available to the successful entrepreneur on the move today, Ghost Series II’s onboard technology ensures it is an oasis of calm in a busy, connected world where he or she can do business in peace.

In short, Ghost remains the ultimate choice for successful entrepreneurs around the world and the calmest place from which to run their successful enterprises on the move.

www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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Striking

Appearance

Sensual purity as an expression of modern luxury – this was the focus for the designers, and is the design philosophy of MercedesBenz. The aim is to create clear contours and smooth surfaces that showcase high tech while radiating emotional appeal. The sensual purity is reflected in the core design values of tradition, emotion and progressivism. These make up the guiding star, and are accentuated differently depending on the model. MercedesBenz creates a bridge between modernity and the avant-garde, between tradition and progressivism. Each model series has an assigned role and a very specific character, depending on the attributes on which the design focuses. And yet a Mercedes-Benz is always recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz. Because in addition to incorporating new stylistic developments, and in the interests of keeping tradition alive, the designers draw from a gene-pool of styling features typical of the brand.

"Our new S-Class Coupe is one of the most gorgeous coupes of all time, representing the most radical aesthetic departure from its predecessor," says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Daimler AG. "The sensuous flowing silhouette in interplay with the clear progressive design language forms a perfect symbiosis and expresses our philosophy of sensual purity with pithy precision."

The history of the large post-war Mercedes coupes dates back to the year 1952, when Mercedes-Benz launched the legendary 300 S Coupe - a "car for the world's elite" as the automotive press of the time judged. It was followed in 1956 by the 220 S Coupe of model series W 180, which created a sensation in particular due to its self-supporting pontoon body. From 1961 to 1971 the longdrawn out elegant Coupe of model series W111/W112 enthralled no less than 29,918 highly discerning customers, who were able to choose between the Type 220 SEb Coupe six-cylinder models and the Type 280 SE 3.5 Coupe eight-cylinder models.

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by Mai Yomioto

"As exclusive as it gets – the ultimate in aesthetic sportiness", stresses Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The breathtaking design of the Concept S-Class Coupe marked by sporty-classic proportions and sensual purity is transferred to the series-production S-Class Coupe virtually unaltered. The large coupe has always been the supreme pinnacle of our model range and that's why it's now called the 'S-Class' again."

Photos courtesy of Daimler AG

Stylistically self-assured presence, exclusive appointments and refined sportiness – welcome the new S-Class Coupe from Mercedes-Benz. A breathtaking large, sporty coupe with modern luxury and state-of-the art technology, uniquely produced to evoke the possibilities.

"The world premiere of the active curve tilting function demonstrates the possibilities offered by Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive," notes Prof Dr Thomas Weber, member of the board of management of Daimler AG with responsibility for corporate research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development. "The vehicle leans into bends much like a motorcyclist, thereby reducing the lateral acceleration acting on the vehicle's occupants. On country roads in particular, this means greater driving pleasure and ride comfort for our customers." The two-door S550 Coupe will be available in the U.S. as a 4MATIC only with a 4.7L V8 biturbo engine. The

continued on page 86...

S550 Coupe has an output of 449 hp and its torque level peaks at 516 lb-ft. The sporty driving experience is significantly enhanced by the emotional sound produced by the exhaust system.

With the curve tilting function the Coupe introduces a further world first for series-production cars: The Coupe leans into bends in a manner similar to a motorcyclist or skier. The lateral acceleration acting upon occupants is reduced in a way akin to when driving in a steep curve, and passengers sit more firmly.

On country roads in particular, the new curve tilting function enhances driving enjoyment and comfort.

Numerous standard equipment features are available to make the interior of the S-Class Coupe exceptionally luxurious and comfortable. For example, the AIR-BALANCE package including the components "fragrancing" and "ionization" is available. Optional equipment includes an electric armrest heating as a component of the Warmth Comfort package.

The interior design of the new S-Class Coupe is an expression of the Mercedes-Benz design idiom – sensual purity. An enthralling combination of sculptural sensuous volume elements and components, and the clear geometry of its basic architecture create an avant-garde design idiom. A high class appeal, quality workmanship and exceptional touch and feel are a treat for the passengers' senses, so that the car's interior represents the highest level of "modern luxury".

Like the S-Class Sedan, the new Coupe is available with numerous new assistance systems that make driving even more comfortable and safer. The "Intelligent Drive" systems include, among other things the PRE-SAFE® brake with pedestrian detection, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and Night View Assist Plus. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS features an additional function apart from the adaptive brake assistant, which provides collision protection from a speed of 4 mph: if there remains a danger of collision and the driver fails to respond, the system can carry out an autonomous braking maneuver at speeds of up to 65 mph, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles.

The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 31 mph, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to 25 mph.

As in the sedan, the PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system has been expanded through the inclusion of PRE-SAFE® PLUS. PRE-SAFE® PLUS can recognize an imminent rear-end collision. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the parking brake on the vehicle stationary and thus minimize the risk of whiplash injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.

The new S-Class Coupe and its innovations seamlessly continue the tradition of large coupes into the future and will launch in the U.S. this fall with the S550 4MATIC.

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Sun-Sational elegance

By Scott Black

Take on a great challenge to develop a large-size yacht without sacrificing comfort or sportiness. One company completed the task; Pershing, a brand of the Ferretti Group. Introducing the Pershing 82', a distinguishing performance yacht like no other.

Pershing 82', penciled by the yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni in close collaboration with AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology - the centre of naval research and design of the Ferretti Group) and the team of architects and designers of Centro Stile Ferrettigroup, features an external profile that is more sleek and aggressive than that of its predecessor, thanks to the shape of the wider lateral windows which can be opened, providing more interior brightness.

The elongated superstructure that enhances the new attractive lines and the introduction of a sun-deck while keeping the retractable hardtop above the main helm, makes the yacht look sharp and it stands out immediately.

After the success of Pershing 74', Pershing 82' returns with a sun-deck, that can be easily accessed from an automated hatch and a carbon fiber staircase, a little mechanical masterpiece created by AYT in close collaboration with Besenzoni. The staircase is decentralized and drops automatically into the cockpit by electro-hydraulic control and automatically disappears upwards when closed, freeing the space in the cockpit.

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The sun-deck is simple and functional: there is an (optional) retractable helm, and two comfortable lateral chaise lounges next to the pilot's seat, in which a practical minibar has been placed. To complete the layout of the sun-deck, there are sunbeds with separate and folding backrests and for safety purposes there are two lateral handles and a pulpit which blend in completely with the aesthetics of the superstructure.

All the other stylistic features that have distinguished the Pershing models, contributing to its worldwide success, remain the same: the large windows on the walls, the large retractable door that divides the cockpit from the saloon with electro-hydraulic control and the special system of fiberglass vacuum molding.

Pershing 82' is 24.97 (81ft 11in) metres long and has a maximum width of 5.50m (18ft) with 4 comfortable guest 90 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

cabins (the master suite amidships, a VIP cabin forward and two cabins with twin beds at the bow) for the standard layout, or 3 guest cabins for the optional version, with a lounge-cinema room starboard, and two crew cabins with three beds.

Practicality, combined to design, reigns in the cockpit, where there is a sofa and a seat, which can electrically transform into a comfortable sunbathing area, a mobile bar with BBQ and a fiberglass table, which is the same colour as the hull, providing all that is necessary for social on board living. As in other models of the range, even on Pershing 82' the sun-deck at the cockpit is completely independent from the opening of the large garage, which has a folding bottom to facilitate the movement of the jet ski and a tender. This comfort is completed a hidden passarella created

by Besenzoni. The crew are able to enter their quarters from the cockpit or inside the salon.

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The main guideline leading the stylistic choices for the large salon is maximum space flexibility with refined elegance. As you enter, on the right, there is a big L-shaped sofa, while in the middle there is another sofa that can be joined to make u-shaped seating. The long-standing and prestigious partnership with Poltrona Frau, that designed the sofas of the saloon, inspired by the model Quadra, has been renewed on Pershing 82'. All the furnishings are made of pore oak while the flooring is made of oak covered in wengè.

On the sun-deck there is also a comfortable sunbathing area at the bow, with dinette and a table, providing complete privacy in an area that is entirely dedicated to relaxation.

Below deck, space is typical divided for a mega yacht, for example the galley is separate from the salon and it combines with the crew area to allow greater privacy for the guests and the ship owner. The galley, which is L-shaped and is completely separate from the sleeping area, has a dinette and a folding table, ensuring comfort and a decent life on board. The crew area, which is made of two cabins (one for the captain and one for two additional crew) as well as a laundry and a bathroom, can also be accessed from the kitchen.

The standard sleeping area, made of four cabins, is a model of comfort and design. In the master suite, amidships, we find the appreciated wide open-view windows, which marked the aesthetic course of the new Pershing range.

The sinuous shape of the window draws in a generous passage of light that throws a pleasant play of lights onto the Poltrona Frau Leather furnishings.

The VIP cabin, at the bow, with an en-suite head, features an elegant central bed and two big lateral wardrobes, while the two guest cabins have a more traditional setting with two twin beds. All the guest cabins are finished with carpet as standard.

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Photos courtesy of Ferretti Group America

The wrap-round light system, which was already used on Pershing 74', provide indirect lighting with the embedded LED lights, distributed along the ducts on the concealed molding emphasizing the homogeneously diffused lights and giving a modern style to the environment. Moreover, all the internal steps have a LED light to illuminate the passageways.

Besides the innovative solutions designed for the external structure and for the design below deck, the new Pershing 82' was developed to ensure maximum performance at sea: two powerful MTU 16 V M93 of 2435 mhp (1792 kW) coupled with ZF Searex SR140S surface propellers that guarantee a maximum speed of 45 knots and a cruising speed of 40 knots with high levels of comfort and a range of more than 300 nautical miles. The Autotrim of ZF contributes to the high technological level of this vessel. It is a system that is capable of optimizing performance at any speed automatically making it very easy for newcomers to operate Pershing's surface drive propulsion system.

www.pershing-yacht.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week FALL 2014 Lincoln Center was abuzz with the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with a line-up of over 100 designers showing their fall 2014 Collections. Among the world's most renowned designers, Mercedes-Benz is showing off a trendsetter of its own, the all-new 2015 GLA-Class. Hitting showrooms this fall, this stylish, new SUV is part of an innovative category of vehicles offering a new gateway into the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The GLA-Class combines a fun, adventurous spirit with a design that begs to be noticed, similar to the famous NYC street style revered by the fashion industry. To help celebrate, Mercedes-Benz is bringing street style inside Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in a unique installation featuring photography by renowned street style photographer Youngjun Koo of KOO.IM. Throughout the week, Koo hit the streets of New York to capture urbanites sporting notable fashions. His photography was printed and wheat-pasted onto an interactive display surrounding the GLA-Class within the main lobby of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, who will make the entire city of New York their stage.

One of the most anticipated events of the year is the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC. Lincoln Center was abuzz with the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with a line-up of over 100 designers showing their fall 2014 Collections. Among the world's most renowned designers, Mercedes-Benz is showing off a trendsetter of its own, the all-new 2015 GLA-Class. Hitting showrooms this fall, this stylish, new SUV is part of an innovative category of vehicles offering a new gateway into the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The GLA-Class combines a fun, adventurous spirit with a design that begs to be noticed, similar to the famous NYC street style revered by the fashion industry. To help celebrate, Mercedes-Benz is bringing street style inside Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in a unique installation featuring photography by renowned street style photographer Youngjun Koo of KOO.IM. Throughout the week, Koo hit the streets of New York to capture urbanites sporting notable fashions. His photography was printed and wheat-pasted onto an interactive display surrounding the GLA-Class within the main lobby of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The Fall 2014 Collections have been much talked about over the last several months following the announcement of some exciting changes completed for the shows.

By Samantha Ramos Photography by Frazer Harrison Fernanda Calfat Arun Nevader Neilson Barnard Albert Urso

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“As each season marks new growth for us, for Fall 2014 we decided to look for a premium show space that would allow us to create an environment tailored to our aesthetic. The introduction of The Pavilion at MercedesBenz Fashion Week offers us the chance to show in a venue that feels unique to Creatures of the The Wind, and also makes use of the various benefits of showing on-site at Lincoln Center. It’s a new idea for us, and we are excited to see the results,” Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters, designers, Creatures of The Wind.

“This is my fifth year showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and throughout the years the team at IMG Fashion has always been there to help me produce a show that is impactful and makes sense for my overall business,” says Mara Hoffman. “I am looking forward to seeing how the new venue changes and event upgrades will improve the guest experience, show production and ultimately help my brand connect with the consumer.”

Desigual

The newly launched MBFW District, will gave designers the opportunity to extend their energy of fashion week across all of New York City and present their collections at off-site venues while remaining under the MercedesBenz Fashion Week umbrella.

The MBFW Digital District was a virtual home for fashion week, with live-streamed runway shows of designers showing at Lincoln Center and throughout New York. Was a powerful platform for designers to debut their collections and to reach a worldwide audience of fashion lovers.

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"I am very happy that MBFW and IMG Fashion have taken the right steps to meet the industry's needs,” says Diane von Furstenberg. “New York City is the epicenter of fashion and the redesigned MBFW District will show off all of the talent and culture that is seen throughout the entire city. 2014 is a very special year for my brand; the 40th Anniversary of the wrap-dress, and I wanted to do something special to celebrate.

I am looking forward to hosting my show at a space that is unique to this season’s vision and celebration, and excited to continue being a part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.” continued on page 103...

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

With redesigned show venues that offer more versatile environments, the introduction of The Pavilion- a brand new venue at Lincoln Center, and The Hub at Hudsona flexible presentation space for emerging talent just minutes from the Tents. These venues were complimented by a redesigned and modern Event Lobby that offered guests a fashionable environment to conduct business and network with a carefully curated list of people. The redesign have enthused returning designers to reconfigure their show production and have also attracted new designers to debut their Collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Alicia Quarles

Mercedes-Benz all-new 2015 GLA-Class

Designer Diane Von Furstenberg

Ana de la Reguera (L) and Cesar Galindo

Emmy Rossum

Jamie Chung

LaToya London

Kamie Crawford

Sasha Iastremska

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Mathieu Mirano

Tome

Marissa Webb

Son Jung Wan

Todd Snyder

Diesel Black Gold

Zimmermann

Carmen Marc Valvo

Naeem Khan

Mark And Estel

Nautica

Nicole Miller

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Mathieu Mirano

David Tlale

Custo Barcelona

CMO of Macys Martine Reardon (L) and AHA CEO Nancy Brown

Ireland Baldwin

Lindsey Vonn

Giada De Laurentiis

Nene Leakes

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women (GRFW) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Heart Truth® present the 2014 Go Red For Women® / The Heart Truth ® Red Dress Collection?. The centerpiece of both organizations is the Red Dress, which was introduced as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 by NHLBI. The Red Dress® reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. Seeking to advance the Red Dress symbol, Go Red For Women and The Heart Truth will collaborate to bring forth its greatest assets in order to increase awareness about women’s No. 1 killer, heart disease. During the 2014 Red Dress Collection?, top designers, models, and celebrities demonstrated their support for the issue of women and heart disease by participating in the Go Red For Women® / The Heart Truth ® Red Dress Collection? at Fashion Shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

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Pamella Roland

Katya Zol

Venexiana

Badgley Mischka

Vivienne Tam

Dennis Basso

Herve Leger

Lela Rose

Reem Acra

Ivan Aguilar

Angel Sanchez

Joshuan Aponte

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Donna Karan

Custo Barcelona

Diane Von Furstenberg

Zac Posen The preliminary lineup for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 Collections includes: NICHOLAS K, BCBGMAXAZRIA, RAOUL, RICHARD CHAI, CREATURES OF THE WIND, TADASHI SHOJI, DESIGUAL, TOME, MARISSA WEBB, DANIEL VOSOVIC, TODD SNYDER, GO RED FOR WOMEN ®/THE HEART TRUTH ® RED DRESS COLLECTIONSM, MARK AND ESTEL, ZIMMERMANN, REBECCA VALLANCE, CARMEN MARC VALVO, PEDRO DEL HIERRO MADRID, TRINA TURK, NAUTICA, REBECCA MINKOFF, HACHE, NICOLE MILLER, CHARLOTTE RONSON, ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, EMERSON BY JACKIE FRASER-SWAN, RUFFIAN, LACOSTE, JILL STUART, SON JUNG WAN, KOONHOR, HERVÉ LÉGER BY MAX AZRIA, MARA HOFFMAN, ADEAM, IVAN AGUILAR, MONIQUE LHUILLIER, ASIA FASHION COLLECTION, VENEXIANA, LELA ROSE, DKNY, DAVID TLALE, CUSTO BARCELONA, PARKCHOONMOO, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, VIVIENNE TAM, GEORGINE, MESKITA, MATHIEU MIRANO, CAROLINA HERRERA, NOON BY NOOR, TOMMY HILFIGER, ANGEL SANCHEZ, DENNIS BASSO, ALON LIVNÉ, MILLY BY MICHELLE SMITH, KATYA LEONOVICH, REEM ACRA, RICARDO SECO, ZAC POSEN, DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, TORY BURCH, J.CREW, BADGLEY MISCHKA, JENNY PACKHAM, DIESEL BLACK GOLD, LIBERTINE, NAEEM KHAN, CONCEPT KOREA, PAMELLA ROLAND, MM6 MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA, SKINGRAFT, THE ART INSTITUTES, MICHAEL KORS, NANETTE LEPORE, LIE SANG BONG, KAUFMANFRANCO, HUGO BOSS, BETSEY JOHNSON, MARIST COLLEGE PRESENTS BETSEY JOHNSON REPRISE, CLOVER CANYON, CUTECIRCUIT, ANNA SUI, ZANG TOI, RALPH LAUREN, RACHEL ZOE, J. MENDEL, CALVIN KLEIN, BIBHU MOHAPATRA and HERNAN LANDER.

Enthusiasts found no shortage of thrilling content during this week long schedule of backstage beauty looks, insider interviews and streaming videos. The magic of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York continues with new life in a highly stylized, fashion forward world; to perfectly illustrate the diverse roster of talent, beauty and digital presence. Once again, Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with other companies, including esteemed designers from around the globe delivered the excitement to all fashion lovers everywhere.

Tadashi Shoji

"Mercedes-Benz design is fascinating in so many ways providing the brand with a unique opportunity to position itself among the most important fashion labels in the world," says Danielle Nachmani, stylist for Mercedes-Benz. "There are only a handful of iconic fashion houses that can take luxury across every segment, but still hold true to its values and craftsmanship."

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er n g e i Des rofil P

Alfredo Villalba The delicate treatment of structuring the base model is performed using the technique of moulage; directly over a mannequin, afterwards decimated motifs of other Haute Couture fabrics are applied by hand on the model. Subsequently are added details of rhinestones, metals or Swarovski crystals also sewn by hand, one by one. Finally each model is thoroughly inspected, the seams are hidden and ultimate adjustments are made. Each Haute Couture model by ALFREDO VILLALBA entails between 150 and 300 hours of work in its confection and is accomplished entirely by skilled petite mains in the Atelier of the luxury brand in Madrid.

Exclusive models that comprise the Haute Couture Collection by ALFREDO VILLALBA SS 14, the luxury brand Made in Spain that redefines the aesthetic concepts related to Haute Couture. Seven unique dresses, fashion jewels inspired by a floral metalica.

Antagonistic concepts, seal of the Couture House, flowers and metal come together in a fashion collage. Portraits that enhance the shape of women, veiled by transparencies, of tulle, of lace. Long dresses spread kissing the floor, short dresses bloom into subtle leggings that render shoes covered with delicate floral motifs.

Metal mesh, guipure metallic thread, rhinestones, pearls and ostrich feathers, a textile nature enriched,metalica in a botanical garden. Tenuous colors, natural, silver, blue, raised embroidery, sensorial dresses that spin 360ยบ, in search of the sun, in search of the moon, arriving at the reflection of beauty.

www.alfredovillalba.es

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Spring into

Style!

Shake off those snow boots and put away the parka. The new fashion season has arrived, and it brings with it a slew of new trends that are warm-weather ready.

Our favorite looks for spring 2014 and tips on how to wear them – from the season’s biggest color to its freshest cuts and boldest prints and patterns, you’ll find everything you need to get the look you'll love this spring.

Back in Blue This spring’s hottest hue is actually pretty cool. Blue in shades like ice, glacier, navy and everything in-between will show up all over your wardrobe in the coming months, so scoop it up early in the season and wear it through the summer.

An easy update that adds some blue: swapping out your black for navy. Trade your black jacket and white tee in for subtly textured scuba jacket and shell in navy. Want to keep it casual? Add a pair of slouchy track pants in heathered navy to keep the look monochromatic without going overboard.

For something a little more prim and proper, blue print in a classic silhouette. We love the bright blue and tan, so add a waist-cinching of tan pumps for a little something extra that eye from your dress.

try an abstract combination of belt and a pair won’t draw the

Start with an a-line silhouette you already know and make it sportier from head to toe. Rather than cinching your waist in a midi skirt, go for a cropped tank that shows some skin– add a chunky flat sandal with thick leather bands to keep the look athletic rather than ladylike.

Mix genres a little with a short suit that’s sport-inspired without being unprofessional. A zigzag pattern makes the combination of a skort and leather tee look a little more serious, and the collarless jacket is the perfect fit to top the look off with something more grown-up.

Whether you’re wearing a shift dress or wide-leg trousers, sheer panels and mesh can take a monochromatic look from staid to sensational. In a dress, stick to a simple silhouette with a high neckline – a sheer hem that’s short enough speaks volumes without showing off too much leg. If you’re sticking to pants, try layering a mesh sweater over a perforated leather shell – the combination keeps you covered and cool at the same time. Add a pair of wide-leg trousers and slicked-back hair for a sleek finishing touch.

Seeking something a little sleeker? Try a color-blocked strapless dress in shades of cobalt and robin’s egg, complete with nautical stripes that give the whole look a touch of summer.

Lace looks a little edgier this spring as designers up the ante on the classic texture with colorblocking, unusual patterns, and three-dimensional embellishments. The easiest way to try out the latest lace is in a simple shift that tries all three trends at once – featuring a sheer chiffon hem, nude and canary yellow color-blocking, and a seriously 3-d pattern, this Rebecca Taylor dress is just the ticket.

If you’re only looking for a hint of blue, add some to your accessories. A suede fringe tote, cobalt bejeweled sandal, or ice blue bangle is the perfect way to try out the trend without diving in head-first.

Feeling like your sporty streak is a little sidelined by a ladylike look? Trade those single-sole pumps in for an unexpected sandal – a pair of white leather Birkenstocks will do the trick perfectly.

Sporty Femme The newest feminine and flirty looks incorporate unexpected sporty touches from head to toe. Add athletic touches to classic silhouettes, see-through patches to sheaths and sweaters, and eye-catching color-blocking to more traditional lace for a look that’s entirely of-the-moment.

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Everyday Exotic This spring’s prints are inspired by exotic textures, old-school dye techniques, and traditional patterns from around the world, but they’re designed so that you won’t quite be about to put your finger on their origins. It’s like all the conversational prints from last spring went on vacation somewhere warm and came back looking more interesting – and easier to wear – than ever before.

Can’t quite place the inspiration behind that print?

That’s what we like best about this Proenza Schouler dress. Looking simultaneously like stained glass, tangled tree branches and abstract art, it’s the perfect way to keep ‘em guessing and look great at the same time.

Mixing prints was big last spring, but now the proportions have changed. Try a totally exaggerated floral print with a teeny tiny tile pattern – as long as the color combination fits, they’ll mix just fine.

Nobody does a big abstract print quite like Mary Katrantzou . A big box pleat and a scuba-style racerback neckline help this cocktail frock feel of-the-moment, and the oversized digital print makes it a huge step up from a basic black dress.

PROENZA SCHOULER Proenza Schouler Layered Dress with Peplum, $7,850, available at select Nordstrom stores and nordstrom.com

A loud print often looks best on a simple silhouette, and this Diane von Furstenberg dress is no exception.

The fit-and-flare scoop-neck shape makes it easy to wear and the attention-grabbing pattern makes it hard to forget.

To make sure your favorite print gets the spotlight, pair a pattern on your clothes with a solid on your feet. A sporty metallic sandal does the trick perfect – and it’s comfortable to boot.

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DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Diane von Furstenberg Fit and Flare Dress, $498, available in March at Nordstrom stores and nordstrom.com

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VINCE CAMUTO ORGANZA Vince Camuto Organza-Trim Dress, $159; FauxLeather Sleeveless Pullover, $159; Mesh Sweater, $99; Wide-Leg Pants, $109, available in March at Nordstrom stores and nordstrom.com

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I•N•C INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS T-shirt 59.50 Shorts 49.50 Available at select Macy's and at macys.com

AFANI Dress 69.50 Available at select Macy's and at macys.com

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AMERICAN RAG Romper 45.00 Available at select Macy's and at macys.com

KENSIE Blazer 119.00 Dress 119.00 Available at select Macy's and at macys.com

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Short Sleeve Fine Gauge Cotton Cable Polo $59.50 5 Pocket Straight Leg Jean $24.97

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Original Stretch Chino Trouser $59.50 Emma Classic Ballet $49.50 Long Sleeve Woven Ruffle Henley $34.50 Leather Single Belt $49.50

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PANDORA’s collection of outstanding jewelry features raw, elegant designs inspired by rock style with a hint of vintage and a bit of attitude.

PANDORA bracelets give women the freedom to capture the unforgettable moments that make life extraordinary and the new charms of the fall season offer a twist on what has become the hallmark of the PANDORA brand.

Two elegant sterling silver bracelets are also new–one is designed to hold one traditional or new decorative clip, the other as many as five. Mix, match and combine the clips and bracelets in any combination, creating pieces that are unique to your personal style. It’s an idea inspired by PANDORA’s popular charm bracelet.

Create and combine looks with other new additions to the PANDORA universe, including a line of 14k solid gold earrings, pendants and dangle charms with intricate lace details and diamonds; and large cocktail rings, featuring amethyst or grey moonstone, that are perfect for stacking.

Stunning earrings inspired by delicate lace patterns in 14K gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds can be worn on their own, layered or combined with other pieces from the Compose collection. Rings in 14K gold, sterling and black oxidized silver have florally inspired designs with an unpredictable twist that is raw yet feminine.

Large cocktail rings in amethyst or grey moonstone are perfect for stacking with this season’s more delicate pieces.

New LovePod rings in white, yellow and rose 18K gold with brilliant-cut diamonds or colorful gemstones work beautifully with other pieces of PANDORA jewelry and interlock when stacked together.

The spirit of nostalgic rock infuses the collection, especially our new sterling silver decorative clips in raw, sculptural shapes. The other standouts include a star-shaped pendant and charm in black oxidized silver, an alluring finish that runs through the collection.

Model: Ellina K. Hair & Make up: Lars R端ffert (www.lars-rueffert.de) Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski

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TOO HOT

KrystinaWoldanowski www.krystinawoldanowski.com

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Model: Claudia P. Hair & Make up: Anna Tsoulcha

(www.anna-tsoulcha.de) Styling: Anna Tsoulcha & Krystina Woldanowski Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski

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Model: Isabel B. (Wolf Models Hamburg) Hair & Make up: Shani Make up Artist Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski

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Model: Isabel B. (Wolf Models Hamburg) Hair & Make up: Shani Make up Artist Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski

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Model: Nina Ensmann (www.ninaensmann.de) Hair & Make up: Jutta Alvermann (www.alvermann.de) Styling: Julia Albracht Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski 124 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Model: Nora B. Hair & Make up: Milko Grieger (www.milko-grieger.de) Styling: Krystina Woldanowski Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski

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Model: Nina Ensmann (www.ninaensmann.de) Hair & Make up: Jutta Alvermann (www.alvermann.de) Styling: Julia Albracht Photo & postproduction: Krystina Woldanowski 126 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

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Photo by AUC Photography/Alberto Coronel – www.facebook.com/AUCphotography Model: Amalia Lopez (Dark Alice – a creation/inspiration by Cara Silverman) Hair by Andrea Beckerich – www.Hairbyandreanyack.com Vision, coordination, casting, wardrobe styling, creative direction & make-up by Cara Silverman: www.facebook.com/eye2cheekchic 128 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Magic Air

in the

by Dan Myricks

Award-winning, published make-up/visual artist, Cara Silverman is taking the world by storm and doing so with vibrant colors, passion and energy like none other. Born & raised Jersey girl, with a prominent New York City spirit, Cara has always had a love for nature, NYC and art, which she tries to incorporate in as many of her shoots as possible.

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Photo by AUC Photography/Alberto Coronel – www.facebook.com/AUCphotography Model: Azarja (Mad Hatter) Hair by Andrea Beckerich – www.Hairbyandreanyack.com Vision, coordination, casting, wardrobe styling, creative direction & make-up by Cara Silverman: www.facebook.com/eye2cheekchic 130 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Photo by Nino Ignacio Photography – www.facebook.com/NinoIgnacioPhotography Models: (Left to Right) Vanessa Aviles (Queen of Hearts), Deranged Dollface (Cheshire Cat), Amalia Lopez (Dark Alice – a creation/inspiration by Cara Silverman), Azarja (Mad Hatter), Marine Michaels (Alice) Hair by Andrea Beckerich – www.Hairbyandreanyack.com Vision, coordination, casting, wardrobe styling, creative direction & make-up by Cara Silverman: www.facebook.com/eye2cheekchic

Very different than other make-up artists, Cara invests herself completely in every project she does. She organizes a lot of her own shoots and chooses her own models, photographers, hair stylists and sometimes gets others involved too; like designers and retouchers.

When Cara grew up and started working in the Big Apple, she spent a lot of time at Sephora in between waitressing shifts, and learned all that she could about the cosmetics industry. She became friends with the artists and specialists and absorbed all of the information that she could.

A socialite at heart, Cara loves networking and creating art with the most talented people in the industry. She has a keen eye for casting, and also acts as the creative director & wardrobe stylist at her photo shoots. Her never-ending energy and inspiring passion is contagious and the word is spreading quickly – she has a multitude of inquiring clients from all over; some within the U.S., like Georgia, and some internationally, like Israel and Brazil.

One day, she was introduced to a DJ by a close friend and was told to "go nuts" with her make-up. A prominent make-up artist in the Times Square Sephora used to use Cara as a demonstration to tourists, and when Cara came in over-joyed about the opportunity to wear some crazy make-up, he introduced her to the world of COLOR and LASHES. For the first time in her life, Cara wore fake eyelashes… probably not what you're imagining. I'm talking about hot pink with black feather eyelashes. It was at that moment, and that first look in the mirror, that Cara realized her love for make-up and the vision of transformation, the beauty that lies in the art of make-up. This fabulous make-up artist friend of Cara's did her make-up about 2 more times before he had to move to Hollywood to pursue his own dreams.

Cara has had a love for makeup since before she even understood it. As a child, Cara would sneak into her mother's room to play with the vast colors and soft brushes that her mother had. Not knowing what was what, she used concealer for lipstick, eye shadow as blush, and so on.

continued on page 133...

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At this point, Cara was hooked. She loved the colors, the textures, the lashes; all of it. So, she taught herself how to put them on without his help… and succeeded. She was inundated with compliments and inquiries every time she posted an image, and received tons of encouragement to be a make-up artist and pursue a career, but at first, she was reluctant. She didn't want something she loved so much to become "work" that she would grow to dislike.

A few years down the road, she realized that her love for make-up was the one constant in her life. The one thing that was always unwavering and strong. She woke up one day and simply said to herself: "I'm going to be a make-up artist." …and she did just that.

Thanks to the continued love and support of her friends and colleagues, Cara returned to doing what she loves. To express art, share beauty, help others see the world in a way that they may not have before. She does it because she loves it, to put something in the world that wasn’t there before, to thrive in her passion, and she really is an inspiration to so many. She is living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. Cara is quickly becoming a very highly sought after artist and photo shoot organizer. In a world that can be so dull and sad at times, it is refreshing to see some vibrancy and magic, and that is exactly what Cara brings with her unique talent and incredible passion.

She didn't have a real portfolio, only pictures of herself, which no one would take seriously, so she set up her own Portfolio Photo Shoot with 3 models, a wardrobe stylist, hair dresser, photographer and assistant. From there, she was able to acquire more gigs, which all made her fall more and more in love with the industry. She even got to a point, the summer of 2012, where she was to be a featured make-up artist in a showcase, but had to turn it down due to the unexpected loss of her mother. Because of this loss, Cara took a pretty big hiatus from her makeup career to gather her thoughts and mourn in her own way.

She didn't have a real portfolio, only pictures of herself, which no one would take seriously, so she set up her own Portfolio Photo Shoot with 3 models, a wardrobe stylist, hair dresser, photographer and assistant. From there, she was able to acquire more gigs, which all made her fall more and more in love with the industry. She even got to a point, the summer of 2012, where she was to be a featured make-up artist in a showcase, but had to turn it down due to the unexpected loss of her mother. Because of this loss, Cara took a pretty big hiatus from her makeup career to gather her thoughts and mourn in her own way.

Thanks to the continued love and support of her friends and colleagues, Cara returned to doing what she loves. To express art, share beauty, help others see the world in a way that they may not have before. She does it because she loves it, to put something in the world that wasn’t there before, to thrive in her passion, and she really is an inspiration to so many. She is living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. Cara is quickly becoming a very highly sought after artist and photo shoot organizer. In a world that can be so dull and sad at times, it is refreshing to see some vibrancy and magic, and that is exactly what Cara brings with her unique talent and incredible passion.

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LauraFerreira Photography of

www.lauraferreira.com

Photography by Laura Ferreira

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Photography by Laura Ferreira

Photography by Richard Evans

Florida Fashion Week

By Richard Ramos Photography by Jim France

Everyone likes fashions for its glamour and trends. The image of seeing new designs coupled with high energy music gives us unlimited ideas, of what could be heading towards our closets. If you enjoy the fashion shows in Paris, New York and other locations, the Florida Fashion Week would have been no exception. This year, hosting an unforgettable event, Florida Fashion Week kicked off in Naples, Florida; internationally recognized for Bentley’s, estate homes and beautiful weather.

Fashion and culinary enthusiasts came out to celebrate personal style and support the St. Matthews House of Southwest Florida.

Florida Fashion Week has grown to become the premier industry event of the year, bringing together everyone from the fashion and culinary industry including. The event included designers, chefs, mixologists and artists, to create a week like no other. Running for its second season, Florida Fashion Week unleashed its creative and colorful vision to a packed group of attendees that had a great appreciation for new trends.

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This is truly something special, filled with a colorful vision for those that love to interact, meet industry professionals within a creative platform. This year was set to unleash one glamorous spectacle after another, beginning with “The Spirits of Fashion” an evening of exotic mixes; followed by “The Fashion of Food”, with an array of chefs creating art like delights. The presentations were so exotic and delightful, it was difficult to choose what to take home or eat, as everything was tasteful! These events were followed by a high energy show, “Glamour and Glow,” a black light fashion show. Ending the week with a grand runway show and VIP event.

This year’s Florida Fashion Week inspired everyone with unforgettable moments that combined femininity, strength, and glamour.

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Photography by Jim France

Backstage was brimming with the hottest models, makeup artist and hair stylist for this year’s weeklong event. Joining the limelight, these esteemed designers, such as Helen Gerro (resort wear), Styles By Jada, VY Fashions, Desiree Nicole (formal wear and men’s suits), Luis Salvotti (paper gowns), Lunatik Clothing (Fridays Glamour & Glow night), Petunias Boutique, Exclusively Fabulous, Dillard’s (men's wear) and Lourdes Atencio joined in collaboration for this year’s Florida Fashion Week in Naples. Title sponsor for the event was Germain BMW of Naples joined by Whole Foods, Hair Creation & Beautycare, Salon Salvati and others.

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Florida Fashion Week 2014

Photography by Jim France

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Photography by Richard Evans

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Petit Pois’ Inspired by Alice in Wonderland! Incorporating sleek silhouettes and a fantastical color palette, designer Viviana Gabeiras channels fun and playful vibes with a Venezuelan twist in her pieces. Combining her traditional use of playful patterns with solids in perfect spring hues, Gabeiras creates an amazing array of pieces that combine the feminism of the Petit Pois line with the anticipated trends next season. From edgy and urban to feminine and whimsical, the collection is perfect for all personalities.

www,mypetitpois.com

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Photographer: Antonio Martez FOCUS of SWFL 2014 151

Photographer: Antonio Martez 152 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

FOCUS of SWFL 2014 153

Photographer: Antonio Martez

Keep Connected Photo courtesy of Getty Images

When Away from Home

Family Features

Whether your international travel is for business or pleasure, chances are you’d like to remain connected. Your wireless phone or tablet is a likely solution, but not all wireless services are created equal.

When U.S. customers use their phones abroad the way they normally do at home, their costs can total $1,000 a day or more. According to a study by T-Mobile, more than 40 percent of customers turn off data roaming completely to avoid those fees, and another 20 percent say they would if they knew how.

“Wireless customers face a hard choice — use their phone when they need it and pay the price, or cut off communications to contain costs,” said Desmond Smith, senior product manager at T-Mobile. “In reality, with a little pre-planning, customers can find the right carrier and service plan that meets their travel needs, significantly reducing, or even eliminating, travel-related wireless charges.”

Before you pack your bags and begin your travel adventure, spend some time researching the best wireless company, device and data plan to fit your needs and check that you have the right accessories too, including an international power converter.

Choosing a Carrier With so many wireless service providers available, it’s difficult to know which one to choose. Especially if you will be traveling internationally, choosing the right data plan is not only about ensuring you have freedom and peace of mind (so you don’t come home to bill shock) — it’s also about making sure you choose a phone company that focuses on customer service and provides flexibility and choice.

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• Ditch the burdensome contract — Several providers offer no-contract wireless service that gives you freedom and flexibility without being locked into a service agreement for a year or more.

• Make the world your network — Look for carriers, such as T-Mobile, that provide unlimited data and texting worldwide, freeing you from worrying about coming home to bill shock from outrageous roaming fees.

• Don’t break the bank — Some providers offer programs to help manage the out-of-pocket costs associated with purchasing new devices.

• Device upgrades — If you’re accident prone, likely to break or lose devices while circling the globe or just like to upgrade your phone frequently, look for protection and upgrade options such as T-Mobile’s JUMP! program. For $10 per month, you can protect your device and have the option to upgrade twice per year to the latest phone.

• Explore the extras — Prepaid international calling cards may also be available through your wireless provider. If your travels keep you in the States but your wireless needs take you beyond, some carriers offer plans that allow you to talk with friends, family or business associates across the globe.

The Right Device Shopping for a smartphone or tablet doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. Selecting the right device is simply a matter of asking the right questions and talking to the experts. A sales associate can help you select a phone that will best meet your needs.

Several new options are now available, and one in high demand is Google Nexus 5. When combined with a nationwide 4G LTE network, Google Nexus 5’s stunning, lightweight design, speedy processor and LTE capabilities offer users the best experience for staying connected.

When making your purchase, consider: • Device compatibility abroad • Shape/size • Display • Keyboard size and form These and additional tips for staying connected when traveling internationally can be found at www.T-Mobile.com.

Worry-free Wireless Travel Abroad Follow a few tips from the experts at T-Mobile and help keep your travels on track and free of complications: 1. Pack the essentials, including portable chargers, an international power converter and MicroSD cards to give you added storage space for photos and more.

2. Get insured. If you don’t already have one, now is the time to secure an insurance plan to protect yourself in case your device is damaged, lost or stolen.

3. Check your coverage before you travel, including network specifications and international data rates, and make adjustments if necessary to avoid costly surprises in your bill when you return.

4. Travel safe with features such as Bluetooth for hands-free driving while navigating the twists and turns of unfamiliar roads, or applications like T-Mobile’s DriveSmart Plus, which silences incoming notifications, sending callers to voicemail and auto-responds to incoming text messages.

5. Pack light by bringing a multi-function smartphone that allows you to access entertainment with videos and games, mobile music player, GPS navigator, high quality digital camera, and in some cases, even a mobile hotspot.

Best Apps for Travel

Check out these leading apps to help you navigate a successful journey: Unit Conversion Free, Currency (iOS, but others are available for most platforms): Converts temperature, distance, weight, volume, speed and more, including currency in real time Where (iOS, Android, BlackBerry): Collects the location-specific information you can find in a number of other, more specialized apps into one uber-app — making it easy to find a restaurant or other location nearby Expedia (Android, iOS): Travel search, information and hotel/flight booking, with the opportunity to uncover mobile-exclusive discounts on last-minute hotel bookings GateGuru (Android, iOS, Windows Phone): View your TripIt and Kayak itineraries, as well as view/post airport security wait times and see a structured list of airport food, shops and services iStone (iOS): Translation app designed for international travelers without any great linguistic skills; records and translates into 12 languages and provides more than 300 useful phrases Image It (iOS): Translates a picture into the actual word of the object with more than 450 pictograms in categories such as food, emergencies, accommodation and transport Waze (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone) Navigational map system that is constantly updated in real time using drivers’ GPS points with automatic alerts on traffic jams, fender-benders, detours and even police traps SeatGuru (Android, iOS): Provides crucial in-flight information — from seat pitch to the proximity to the toilet to the likeliness to be bumped JetLag Genie (iOS): Helps reduce the effects of jet lag by providing customized action plans based on your flight info and personal sleep patterns FOCUS of SWFL 2014 155

PACE Center for Girls of Lee County has selected three more women to be honored at the Sixth Annual Grande Dames Tea honoring some of our community’s most revered women.

This year’s honorees are:

● Barbara Norris Brown of Fort Myers– This 82-year-old doesn’t know the meaning of “retire.” As the full-time Development Coordinator of Hope Healthcare Services, she works with donors to the non-profit organization to help them accomplish their goals, just as she has done for the past 20 years. As a fifth generation Lee County native, Barbara has left her imprint throughout Southwest Florida as president of the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club, president of FGCU’s Town & Gown, chairman of the Canterbury School Parents Association and as a member of the Edison Pageant of Light and the Fort Myers Centennial Committee.

● Sarah Sciple of Matlacha – Few people have lived a more adventurous life than Sarah, a Lee County native who has jumped out of an airplane 25 times, sailed the Nile River, walked the Great Wall of China and embarked on a zip line adventure in Costa Rica seven years ago when was 85 years old. Sarah earned her pilot’s license at age 17 and drop delivered The News-Press by airplane to Sanibel, Captiva, Useppa and Boca Grande before there were bridges to the islands. Her love of flying led her to become Chief Stewardess for Ozark Airlines, a job that allowed her to travel the globe and live in Germany and Iran.

● Margaret Sirianni of Fort Myers – Margaret is a former Lee County School Board member and guidance counselor at Fort Myers High School, where her husband, the late Sam Sirianni, was the high school football coach for many years. While on the School Board, she supported starting an International Baccalaureate program and a Center for the Arts at Lee County high schools. She also has served as president of FGCU’s Town & Gown, trustee of the Edison-Ford Winter Estates and a member of the Woman’s Community Club and the Edison Pageant of Light. Margaret now works on the annual golf scramble to raise funds for scholarships in her late husband’s name.

The Grande Dames Tea honoring the three women will take place Friday, April 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broadway Palm at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Chair of the Grande Dames Tea is Cheryl Komnick, with Deanna Hansen serving as co-chair. Both women also are members of the PACE Lee Board of Directors.

“These three outstanding women come from varied backgrounds and are sure to have some insightful advice for the audience and the PACE girls,” said Komnick

“Our theme of The Wisdom of Age – Honoring the Female Spirit is so appropriate because each of these women has much to share from her own life’s journey,” Hansen said.

Invitations to the Grande Dames Tea will be mailed in mid-February, at which time guests may also register online at www.pacecenter.org/lee.

Admission is $50 per person. Table sponsorships are also available. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite tea party hat.

This is the sixth year of the historic Grande Dames Tea. Previous honorees have included Berne Davis, Eleanore Kleist and the late Barbara B. Mann in 2009; Jeanne Bochette, Helen Hendry and Veronica Shoemaker in 2010; Myra Daniels, Kathleen Nealon and Mimi Straub in 2011; Michel Doherty, Mavis Miller and Anna “Boots” Tolles in 2012; and Thelma Hodges, Helen O’Rourke McClary and Ettie Francis Walsh in 2013.

The Grande Dames Tea was originated by PACE Center for Girls of Lee County to honor women who have played major roles in Southwest Florida history through decades of service, philanthropy and helping others.

The agenda for the tea will include interaction between the PACE girls and the three Grande Dames, in a question and answer format that Komnick and Hansen said “is sure to be thought-provoking and poignant.”

Mei-Mei Chan, News-Press Media Group President and Publisher, will once again serve as mistress of ceremonies.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc., is a non-residential delinquency prevention program targeting the unique needs of girls, ages 12 to 18 years old, facing challenges such as physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, foster care, neglect, death of a parent, family history of incarceration and declining grades.

PACE is a Florida-based, not for profit organization, and the only statewide prevention program for adolescent at-risk girls in the nation. In the past year, the Lee County program provided 116 girls with education, counseling, training and advocacy resulting in 94 percent having no involvement with juvenile justice within six months of leaving PACE, 88 percent improving their academic performance and 80 percent remaining in school or obtaining employment three years leaving PACE. As a result, PACE reduces the significant long term costs associated with teen pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment and long term economic dependency.

PACE accepts referrals from the juvenile justice system, the Department of Children & Families, school personnel, community services agencies, parents, family members, friends and self-referrals.

For information about the Grande Dames Tea or to become a sponsor, please contact PACE Event Coordinator Sally Kee at (239) 470-7548.

www.pacecenter.org/lee 156 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Barbara Brown

By Susan Bennett

One word describes Barbara Norris Brown’s prescription for staying young at heart – work. This perky 82-year-old continues to work full-time at Hope Healthcare Services, where she is the Development Coordinator and works with donors to the not-for-profit organization.

“I love working. It gives me such energy to get up every morning and know that I am needed in the workplace,” she says.

A native of Fort Myers, Barbara can trace her family back at least four generations in Lee County. Her father, the late Clayton Norris, died when Barbara was just 10 years old, leaving her mother to care for Barbara and her sister Margaret at a time when Fort Myers was host to two wartime training bases.

The decision was made for Barbara and her sister to live with their grandmother on Boca Grande, when the only way to reach the island was by boat.

“My grandmother was my mentor. She taught music so she taught me piano and voice. I learned self-confidence by getting up and performing in front of others. She taught me that there is nothing that I cannot do,” Barbara recalls. Barbara’s grandfather was an accomplished musician and she was taught to play the violin, and several other instruments. Barbara played in the violin section of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra when she was at boarding school in Charleston.

Barbara attended St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers, then boarding school in Charleston, S.C. for two years, before returning home to graduate from Fort Myer High

School. Then it was off to Macon, Ga., and Wesleyan College where Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history.

Upon her return to Fort Myers, Barbara started work at First National Bank, married and had a daughter. After a number of years as a housewife and an active Community volunteer Barbara was divorced in 1974 and returned to work as a banker. In the first of several serendipitous events in her life she received a phone call from Mary Lee Mann, asking her to become the first executive director of the Foundation for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

Barbara worked there for two years until she received another unexpected telephone call from the late Bill Smith, Jr. He was on the campaign committee for Hope Hospice to build an inpatient facility and asked Barbara to organize a campaign kick-off party. That party led to full-time work for Barbara, who now is celebrating 20 years with Hope Healthcare Services.

Barbara has left her imprint throughout Southwest Florida over the years as president of the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club, president of FGCU’s Town & Gown, chairman of the Canterbury School Parents Association and as a member of the Edison Pageant of Light board and the Fort Myers Centennial Committee.

Her advice to young women is: “Focus on the most important thing you have to do today – whether it’s putting food on the table or getting a job, planning a party or chairing a committee. FOCUS.” FOCUS of SWFL 2014 157

Sarah Sciple

By Susan Bennett

Few people have lived life on a grander scale than Sarah Sciple, a 92-year-old Southwest Florida native who not only has a bucket list, but has checked off everything on it.

That list includes jumping out of an airplane (25 times), sailing the Nile River, climbing the tallest mountain in the Middle East, seeing Big Ben, climbing the Eiffel Tower, walking the Great Wall of China and much more.

“No regrets,” is how Sarah describes her adventurous life that began in Arcadia, where she was born, and took her around the globe before returning home to live in Matlacha.

Sarah grew up on Edgewood Avenue in Fort Myers, graduated from Fort Myers High and spent summers sweeping out hangars at Page Field to pay for her flying lessons. Earning her pilot’s license at age 17, Sarah became part of the “Dawn Patrol,” which drop-delivered The News-Press by airplane to Sanibel, Captiva, Useppa and Boca Grande before there were bridges to the islands.

Sarah worked at the Buckingham Air Field after college until she passed the civil service exam. She was assigned work in Washington, D.C. and New York City but longed to be on those big airplanes she saw at LaGuardia in New York.

She applied to United Airlines to become a stewardess and the next day was flown to Chicago to begin stewardess school.

She went on to become Chief Stewardess of Ozark Airlines.

Along the way, she met her husband, Carl, who was a colonel in the U.S. Army. The couple lived in Stuttgart, Germany, then 158 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Teheran in Iran. During that time, Sarah worked as director of purchasing for Iranian Air. She also continued to tick off items on her bucket list, like digging for artifacts between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, skiing in the Swiss Alps, and climbing Mount Damavand.

When Carl retired, the couple moved to Dallas where Sarah became a Girl Scout Troop leader, guiding a group of 12 girls from third grade through high school. She also helped to raise her brother’s daughter from age five until adulthood. She still maintains contact with most of those Girl Scouts today.

The couple returned to Sarah’s hometown of Fort Myers in 1977 when Carl had a stroke and languished for 13 years until his death. Sarah was 12 years his junior and began selling jewelry for Peter Bradley Jewelers, who shared her love of flying.

Sarah’s adventures were far from over even after her official retirement in 1991. On her 65th birthday, she went bob sledding in Switzerland and broke her leg in five places. But that didn’t stop her from walking the Great Wall of China on crutches a few weeks later – just one week before Tiananmen Square. At age 85, she embarked on a zip line adventure in Costa Rica.

Her advice to young women is: “If you want to do it – just go ahead and do it. Don’t look back one day and wish you would have dared.”

Margaret Sirianni

By Susan Bennett

Being married to a celebrity requires a bright light of one’s own – to complement the other, rather than disappear in a shadow.

Margaret Sirianni has it.

level, including as board chairwoman. “My philosophy has always been home-school-community working together for the betterment of the student,” she says.

That must have been clear even before 1955, when as a college student, majorette and soon-to-be Miss Marshall University , the former Margaret Quintier met fellow student and football player Sam Sirianni. They would soon be a team in Fort Myers, where Sam became a legendary high school football coach, mentor and friend – traits Margaret shares.

She is an ace storyteller. But her tales usually center around others; you must pry a little to find that as guidance counselor at Fort Myers High School, she was instrumental in establishing dual enrollment and advanced placement. On the school board, she supported starting an International Baccalaureate program and a Center for the Arts at Lee County high schools.

She played a vital role in technology, using community and student input to help bring the district into the ’90s.

Drawn together by their Christian faith and their dedication to young people, the West Virginians spent 44 years as a couple. The game-changer was Sam’s cancer; he died in 2002. Still, “Mrs. Sam” is a badge Margaret, 77, wears proudly along with her other titles, from president of Town & Gown for FGCU, Edison-Ford Winter Estates trustee and member of the Woman’s Community Club and the Edison Pageant of Light.

And every year since Sam died, she has been on the committee and worked at the annual golf scramble that raises money for scholarships in his name.

While losing Sam has been a great challenge, evidence of their lives together remains in sight. She still wears the gold cross he gave her on their second date. “It told me what kind of man he was,” she says. That character attracted so many lifelong friends to both.

Her nurturing role as mother to their children, Stephanie and Sam Jr., and now a grandmother and great-grandmother, has carried over to her work in education – locally and on the state

She grew up a tomboy, ready for a pick-up game of whatever was in season. As a child she enjoyed sled-riding in winter.

In warmer months, her father drove her and her friends from school, church and 4H club to football games and sometimes to Little Beaver Lake in an old bus he bought and painted in their school colors. But “not until we did our chores. We had discipline.”

Parents Fred and Versa Quintier also taught generosity. “We had good lives and were taught to work hard, help others and never take anything for granted,” Margaret says.

They are values she’d pass along to the PACE girls, to whom she advises: “Feel good about yourself. Know that people care.

Dream and dream big, because people will help you get there.

Then when you do, help others reach their dreams.”

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Photo courtesy of John Deere

Family Features

Lawn Care Myths Family Features

The lawn is the backdrop to the home and essential to curb appeal. While keeping a healthy lawn may seem straightforward (mow, water, fertilize, etc.), don’t be fooled by some common lawn care myths.

Myth #1: All grass is created equal.

Truth: Grass and their seeds come in many different varieties, all with various maintenance, climate and mower requirements. While some varieties require more sunlight, others may be prone to certain diseases.

The type of grass and scope of land you need to mow will determine how powerful of a lawn mower you’ll need. Large lawns with thicker, tougher grass will require a mower with higher horsepower and bigger, taller wheels. Varieties of grass that have thinner blades and slower growth, or a small backyard space, can be maintained easily with a lower horsepower machine. Riding mowers like the John Deere 100 Series come in a variety of models to fit different needs.

Myth #2: The shorter I cut the grass, the less often I need to mow.

Truth: For the best quality turf, only remove one-third of the grass blade with each mow. Shorter clippings break down more easily, allowing some of the natural nitrogen to return to the soil. If you cut too much at one time, the long clippings can cause stress on the grass, inhibiting healthy growth.

Myth # 3: Bagging it is best.

Truth: Although bagging grass clippings is a common practice, mulching is much more beneficial to your lawn. Mulching returns essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, back to the soil.

As noted above, removing only a small amount of the grass blade each time you mow produces shorter clippings that can decompose more quickly and discourages the development of fungal diseases. If you do decide to bag, be sure to compost your clippings and reuse on site. Look for a lawn tractor, like the John Deere X300 Select Series, which comes with a mulching feature on the mowing deck, to help return the clippings to the soil.

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Myth #4: Focus on the green.

Truth: While grass is what we see and tend to, the soil is the most essential component for a healthy growth year-round.

Soil supplies the roots with necessary nutrients, which in turn yield a beautiful lawn. Consider taking a soil sample to your local university extension program or landscape supplier for soil analysis. This will help determine the best type of fertilizer to use throughout the year.

Myth #5: Keep a consistent mowing pattern.

Truth: It’s easy to fall into a mowing routine, but frequently cutting grass in the same direction can mat down the turf and inhibit growth. By varying the mowing pattern, you will reduce strain on the turf and encourage a healthier, more beautiful lawn.

Myth # 6: You’re off duty in the winter.

Truth: Many people think grass “dies” off in the winter so you can take a break from lawn care; however, this is the best time to care for your equipment. Complete mower maintenance such as adding fuel stabilizer, blade sharpening and replacing missing or damaged parts and your mower will be prepped and ready come springtime.

Aside from practicing the proper mowing techniques, having the right equipment is one of the most important factors in maintaining a green and vibrant lawn. The proper type and size for your lawn and lifestyle will help you mow more efficiently so you can spend more time enjoying and less time maintaining your lawn.

Visit www.johndeere.com/residential to learn which type of riding lawn equipment is right for your yard.

‘The Hemingway’

a new Key West Style Home

By Diane VanArsdale

Aubuchon Homes, a division of The Aubuchon Team of Companies, is a custom home builder in beautiful Cape Coral, Florida, a popular vacation destination for Europeans and northerners. Their newest floor plan, ‘The Hemingway,’ brings the laid back feel of the islands and Key West to life in beautiful Cape Coral, Florida. If you are looking for natural light, tropical breezes, and low maintenance, this is the home for you.

Inspired by the relaxed and whimsical atmosphere commonly found in the Florida Keys, this custom home sets the stage for a perfect day as the sliding glass doors open to magnificent unobstructed views allowing the outdoors to come in. Just like magic, the home is transformed into an oasis for you to escape and unwind.

The light and airy open great room serves as the focal point with a functioning cupola allowing tropical breezes to fill the home with windows that open with a simple touch of a button. The kitchen and dining areas reflect vintage Key West with a simple, casual elegance. The kitchen island and oversized window in the dining room, like so many features of the home, are designed to take full advantage of the waterfront views.

This home offers countless architectural details and high end finishes, from wainscoting design elements, to custom mosaic tiles in the foyer mimicking the homeowner’s actual footprints. In the master bath, check out the molded ultra glass piece in the shape of waves featuring a unique underwater scene, conveying a feeling of the majestic sea.

The flooring in the home is made of porcelain plank tile, and emulates a true vintage Key West style.

Look for a cottage style exterior installed with Hardie Plank material, a metal roof, a unique decorative pergola, a cozy front porch area complete with rockers, and a whimsical tiki hut next to the water. See the unique blue Hardie Plank ceilings reflect an old Key West wives’ tale of helping to keep the bugs away.

The color palette consists of an array of neutrals, blues, greens and everything in between. A mix of materials and finishes were strategically selected for each space to create a comfortable, yet refined atmosphere. This home is a great example of quality luxury with a casual, comfortable feel.

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Find out what our in-house team of architectural designers, interior designers, and team of professionals can create for you. With expert advice from each team member at your side, we will walk you through the home building process making it one of the most rewarding and exciting times of your life. All you have to do is imagine...and we'll take it from there.

Cape Coral is SW Florida’s” Venice” with hundreds of miles of canals and waterfront properties, offering amazing views! And with quick access to Caribbean-like islands, i.e. Sanibel, Captiva, Matlacha, Pine Island, and Fort Myers Beach, it doesn’t get much better than this! When you’re ready to escape from the cold and build your dream home in this tropical wonderland, contact Caprice Krumsick, 239.677.7141, or ckrumsick@teamaubuchon.com.

Caprice Krumsick is a German native who lives and works in beautiful Cape Coral as a Realtor for Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group. Her specialty is helping out-of-state and out-of-country clients find or build their Florida dream home. As a result of her success, she now has many happy clients who are excited to be living the lifestyle they have always desired.

www.TEAMAUBUCHON.com

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Bringing the Outside Indoors Family Features

When the weather conditions are just right, a relaxing evening spent on the porch or patio is perfect for enjoying good company and the beauty of the outside world. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy these comforts regardless of the season?

Bring the rejuvenating, refreshing and calming effects of nature into your personal space with a few simple touches. The best place for incorporating these organic elements is the space closest to your patio or outdoor space. Let this area serve as a transitional space where the outside world connects with the comforts of your interior.

Here are a few tips to make your outside world an extension of your home: Choose Natural Materials For chairs, sofas, rugs, pillows and other décor, choose natural patterns, textures and fibers. Pair materials like hemp, rattan, bamboo, wicker and jute, with softer textures, such as cottons, velvet and velour for added dimension.

JELD-WEN W-4500, which comes in a variety of different colors, finishes and is available in 2-, 3- or 4-panel configurations.

Add Natural Elements to Décor The right decorative tchotchkes can evoke the serenity of nature within your space. For a rustic look, add dried flowers, pinecones, rocks, wood and straw. For a seaside touch, use sea shells, starfish and jars of sand for a coastal inspiration. If you lack space to scatter throughout the room, place these items in a large decorative bowl and use as a centerpiece.

Frame It The best way to incorporate your favorite natural nuances is to photograph it. Do you have photographs from that trip to the Grand Canyon or Glacier National Park? Display those beautiful memories and scenery. Dust off your favorite old photos and place them in neutral-toned frames to set throughout the space.

Light Up the Room Nothing pleases the senses like natural light, so be sure to rid windows and doorways of heavy drapery and other barriers.

Bring this beautiful resource inside by adding a retrofit folding patio door, such as the JELD-WEN® W-4500, which uses floor-supported technology for a simpler fit into an existing door opening.

Choose Natural Colors Pick chairs, sofas, coffee tables and buffet pieces that are white or ivory. These light colors will make the outdoor tints of greens, blues and browns pop. For the woodsy look, choose faux bois upholstery, a textile pattern that mimics the grain of wood.

Spruce Up the View Add trees or other lush landscapes to serve as your focal point when you look outside. Attach window boxes and plant flowers and shrubbery in colors that complement your décor. Add trees or other lush landscapes to serve as your focal point when you look outside. Truly access your serene views with a wider expanse and with ease by adding a folding patio door, such as the 164 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

www.jeld-wen.com

Enhance your pool with rock water features.

Waterfalls - Stack and Veneered Stone on Spas - Coping - Decks - Planters & Fire Pits - Steps - Walls - Driveways & Patios

(941) 237-1626

Wet-Rock Innovations

wetrockinnovations@gmail.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 165

Laundry Room Transformations

When decorating a home, there are endless possibilities to make each room a chic oasis. The laundry room can be upgraded to exude personality and design flair so it becomes a more enjoyable place to spend time in.

From the color palette or patterns on the walls to the floors under foot and everything in between, decorating your laundry room with things that inspire productivity and tranquility can transform your tired, dull space into a room that feels luxurious, welcoming and relaxing.

Tips to Add Lux to Your Laundry Room To help get you started on the road to re-design, Electrolux has teamed up with Design Expert Camille Styles, founder of the popular lifestyle blog www.CamilleStyles.com, to offer these words of advice: • Begin your design overhaul with beautiful, stylish appliances – like the sleek, high performance Front Load washer and dryer set from Electrolux. These eye-catching machines marry a sleek form with high-performance function, including the fastest combined wash and dry time out there, with a 15 minute wash time and 14 minute dry time.

• Designate specific areas of the space for different tasks like folding laundry, ironing and polishing shoes. Keep all the necessary supplies for each task nearby so everything is easily accessible when needed.

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Family Features

• Transform laundry room supplies into decorative objects by storing them in refillable clear containers. Use labels to identify what is in each.

• Space that is uncluttered is always more inviting, leading to enhanced productivity and a sense of calm. Make use of cabinets, woven baskets and lidded containers to keep items like serving pieces, craft supplies, gift wrap and vases well out of sight.

• If space permits, installing a refrigerator in the laundry room is incredibly useful. When entertaining, a well-stocked second refrigerator will allow you to turn your laundry room into a party prep and staging area. It’s a great place to store larger items and to keep beverages and desserts at the perfect temperature, ready to serve at any moment.

Blending simple design tips with functional storage ideas and high performance appliances will find you well on your way to creating an inviting space you are happy to spend time in.

www.electroluxappliances.com

Winner of Gasparilla Poster Design Though Gasparilla has come and gone, for those looking for a unique way to commemorate the 2014 pirate invasion, the time is now as the winner of the 2014 Gasparilla Pirate Poster Project has been announced.

Now in its third year, the annual contest invites designers and Gasparilla enthusiasts to submit poster design concepts, one of which is named winner, printed professionally and sold. The 2014 contest drew both local and international submissions.

The winning design was submited by Dominic Mcan and depicts the most valued possesions of all pirates including a treasure map, sword, compass and gold coins, with cleverly hidden text announcing event details like date and location.

The team behind the Gasparilla Pirate Poster Project (from Creative Motion, Inc.) is now in the process of printing 100 limited edition posters featuring Mcan’s design using a printing press located right here in Florida. They are available for purchase (as are posters from previous years) at www.GasparillaPiratePoster.com. More than 30 pre-orders for the 2014 poster have already been placed.

“I want to thank all those who took the time to imagine, create and submit a concept and offer a big congratulations to Dominic on his winning design.” said Nick Gulick, principle of Creative Motion and founder of the Gasparilla Pirate Poster project. “We hope others are as excited as we are to add it to their collection.”

www.GasparillaPiratePoster.com

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Inspired Lighting Whether you’re reminiscing about a romantic getaway or dreaming of a future foray to the City of Light, you can recreate the elegance and joie de vivre of Paris in your own corner of the world.

Vignettes of French life provide delightful inspiration for handmade crafts and decor that bring the mystique and romance of Paris to life. Pull inspiration from the sights and sounds that define the city, such as the softly muted illumination of a cozy French bistro.

Strips of fabric are tied and knotted around wire lampshade frames to create soft stripes of color and texture in this project for Fabric Strip Lamp Shades, from the crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Whether you hang them indoors or out, these whimsical pieces create a soft and romantic ambiance you’ll love.

Family Features

Fabric Strip Lamp Shades Crafting Time: Weekend project Skill Level: Some experience necessary Supplies and Tools: Lampshade Fabrics in a variety of colors and textures (approximately 2-3 yards) Rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler Scissors Spray paint to match fabric Cover for work surface Lamp cord set, turn knob socket and loops for hanging (available at hardware stores) 1. Remove any fabric or paper from the lampshade so only the wire frames are exposed.

2. Spray paint lampshade frames. Let dry.

3. Cut fabric on the bias into 2" strips.

4. Starting at the top of lampshade frame, tie a knot with the end of one fabric strip onto frame. Wrap fabric around the top of frame until completely covered, knotting strips together when each strip is close to ending.

5. Tie another strip of fabric to the knot tail and wrap under and around the front of the closest vertical wire on the frame.

Go to the next vertical wire, wrap and continue around all vertical wires working around and down the lampshade. Tie extra knots throughout to add interest. At the bottom of the frame, tie a knot to finish.

6. Tie another strip to the knot tail and wrap around the bottom until the entire frame is covered. Tie knot to finish.

7. Trim all knot tails throughout.

8. Attach cord set, knob and hanging loops as instructed.

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www.joann.com

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RADIANCE VincentGotti Creative Director Niccanor Photographer

www.thecandyfactorystudio.com

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Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Fashion Designer: ANA CECILIA ORTEGA Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT FOCUS of SWFL 2014 171

Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT 172 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Fashion Designer: SHERRI HILL Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT FOCUS of SWFL 2014 173

Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Fashion Designer: MARIA VELAZQUEZ Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT

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Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Fashion Designer: ANA CECILIA ORTEGA Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT

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Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Fashion Designer: SHERRI HILL Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT

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Model: CLAUDIA GALLO

Courtesy of STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT Hair and Make-Up: OZZIE MENDOZA Stylist: ERIN ECKERT Stylist Assistant: KELLI DALEY Lighting Director: SCOTT NOBLES Photographer's Assistant: CHRISTIAN THOMAS Creative Director: NICCANOR Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI Jewelry Provided by: ERIC ECKERT

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Wine

Italian

series

Serving classic Italian cuisine, Angelina’s Ristorante features a 30-foot wine tower with more than 4,000 bottles of wine with a focus on Italian wines, selected by the on-site sommelier. Committed to excellence, the 210-seat restaurant is ideal for a romantic meal or a private party for 50. Private meeting rooms are equipped to handle audiovisual presentations with state-of-the-art technology and customized menus.

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Winner of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 2012 and 2013 (the only restaurant in Lee County), Angelina’s extensive wine list includes popular, affordable (53 percent are less than $100), sought-after vintages and exclusive labels from around the world with a special focus on Italian producers. The restaurant was also recently named an OpenTable 2013 Diner’s Choice Award winner for the Top 100 Restaurants with a Most Notable Wine List (the only one in Southwest Florida).

Angelina’s Ristorante will feature an Italian wine series through May. The exclusive wine experiences will explore Italy’s diverse and rich culinary traditions through delectable courses and perfectly paired wines created by Manager and Sommelier Angela Morales and Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg.

March 12

The culinary voyage continues to get interesting as we venture to the “Heartland of Italy.”

Emilia Romagna is home to the most widely known and loved essential ingredients of Italian food, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Aceto Balsamico tradizionale (balsamic vinegar). These simple, key ingredients and the artisans of this region are the center of this four-course festa (Italian feast).

6:30 p.m., $95 per person

March 26

A special farm to table lunch departing Angelina’s at 11:30 a.m. on a luxury bus to Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm in North Fort Myers. The lunch will include several courses picked on-site that day with select wine pairings. $95 per person

April 9 Explore the soil rich region of “Campania: Napoli and Monte Vesuvius” in the south of Italy with a four-course dinner. Famous for the rich volcanic soil surrounding Monte Vesuvius, Campania produces the best tomatoes, interesting grape verticals and is the birthplace of pizza. The cuisine of Naples, Italy, seafood delicacies, iconic pizzas, white wines from the coastal areas and robust reds from Taurasi will be brought to life in its sister city Naples, Florida. 6:30 p.m., $75 per person

April 23 Taste your way through “The Spice Trade in Italy: Venice, Sicily and Sardinia.” Five courses and wine pairings will explore the influence of the 15th century spice trade on Italian history and cuisine.

Enjoy a true taste of history with some of the oldest wines in the world from these regions. 6:30 p.m., $105 per person May 7

“Grand Finale & Goodbye.” The final dinner of the series celebrates the season of eating and drinking. We are keeping this theme a secret for now but be sure to stay tuned for more information.

6:30 p.m., $145 per person

The wine series pricing does not include tax and gratuity. Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance at 239-390-3187.

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Photos courtesy of Getty Images

From Nurse To Patient Family Features

Despite her career as a scrub nurse for general cancer surgeries, a personal diagnosis of cancer still came as a surprise.

“It was a surreal moment to be on the other side of the surgery table and faced with a cancer diagnosis,” said Sheila Brake, who was diagnosed seven years ago with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a common type of blood cancer. “It gave me a real appreciation for the confusion, fear and anxiety my patients feel at their time of vulnerability.”

Many people confronted with a new cancer diagnosis face unfamiliar medical terminology and treatment decisions. Even as a scrub nurse, Sheila faced similar fears.

“It’s nearly impossible at first to get your head around the reality of a cancer diagnosis,” Sheila said. “I found it was crucial to educate myself about my disease, the new terms, and to have an open, trusting dialogue with my oncologist to figure out the best treatment plan for me.”

CLL, the most common type of adult leukemia, is a chronic disease that typically affects older adults.

Symptoms vary and may take years to appear.1,2,3 “I was lucky that I didn’t happen to have pre-existing medical conditions,” she said. “In my case, we decided on the ‘watch-and-wait’ approach, where no active treatment was actually given until the disease and symptoms got worse.”

Almost three years later, Sheila initiated her treatment regimen and feels lucky she was able to continue her work in the surgery room and day-to-day life alongside her husband and two dogs until she reached remission.

Since CLL is chronic and incurable, many people require additional treatment due to the return of cancerous cells.1 Sheila said that while the possibility of relapse weighs on her sometimes, she has hope for the future.

“My oncologist told me researchers are working on even more therapies, which is amazing and will give folks more options,” she said.

CLL Facts: • A cancer that starts in the blood and bone marrow.3 • More than 4,500 deaths are expected in the U.S. during 2014.4 • The average age of diagnosis is 71, and is rarely seen in people under age 40.2 For more information about CLL and other blood cancers like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, talk with your doctor or visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website at http://www.lls.org or the Lymphoma Research Foundation website at http://www.lymphoma.org.

References 1. Dighiero G and Hamblin T. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. The Lancet. 2008; 371:1017-1029.

2. National Cancer Institute. SEER Stat Fact Sheet: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.html. Accessed January 2, 2014.

3. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Disease Information & Support. http://www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/. Accessed January 2, 2014.

4. Siegel, R., Ma, J., Zou, Z., & Jemal A. (2014). Cancer Statistics, 2014. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 1-22. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21208/pdf. Accessed January 7, 2014.

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EMPLOYEES SAVE 86 LIVES

Employees of SalusCare, Inc., the region’s leading provider of treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, showed their support for helping others February 12 by donating enough blood to save 86 lives.

Employees donated 43 pints of blood in the one-day blood drive conducted by Lee Memorial Health System bloodmobiles stationed at three SalusCare locations. Each pint of blood may save two lives, according to officials.

“Our employees work every day to assist individuals and families in our community in many ways. Giving back to the community and being part of the solution is a way of life for our employees, and is another example of their investment in helping our friends and neighbors,” said SalusCare CEO Kevin B. Lewis.

This is the third year of the blood drive, which previously was a challenge between Lee Mental Health and Southwest Florida Addiction Services. The two non-profit agencies merged last summer to become SalusCare, Inc. The blood donations will be used at Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark and Lee Memorial Hospital, which houses the only Trauma Center within a five-county area. Blood also benefits patients at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, The Rehabilitation Hospital and the Regional Cancer Center.

Officials said donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days so it must be continuously replenished to meet the need at area hospitals.

For more information, call 239-275-3222

By Susan Bennett

SalusCare Chief Administrative Officer David Winters relaxes after giving blood

www.SalusCareFlorida.org.

SalusCare CEO Kevin B. Lewis with Bloodmobile technicians George Comtois and Roxanne O’Rourke

Jabneel Torres and Becky Joldersma of SalusCare’s Vince Smith Center Campus complete paperwork to give blood

SalusCare Director of Accounting Ronne Apicella and Bloodmobile technician Emanuel Thomas

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features

There are important realities every American must know about long-term care. Long-term care is more expensive than most people think. And, most importantly, the cost of care is usually paid for out of savings and income.

About 70 percent of people turning 65 can expect to need some kind of long-term care as they age. A number of public programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, may help pay for some long-term care services under certain circumstances.

However, each program has specific rules about what services are covered, how long you can receive benefits, whether or not you qualify for benefits, and how much you have to pay in out-of-pocket costs. To accurately plan for your longterm care needs, it is very important to know the facts about what may or may not be covered.

Medicare focuses on acute care costs Medicare covers medically necessary care and focuses on medical acute care, such as doctor visits, drugs and hospital 182 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

stays. If very specific conditions are met, Medicare will help pay for all or a portion of a short stay in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care or home health care.

Medicare does not cover custodial long-term care services.

These services and supports help people perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) that are non-medical, such as getting in and out of bed, walking, bathing, dressing, eating, and bowel and bladder management.

Medicaid only available if income and assets are low enough Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that helps people with low income and assets pay for some or all of their health care bills. It covers medical care, longterm care services in nursing homes and long-term care services provided at home. Rules about who is eligible for Medicaid benefits and what services are covered are based on federal requirements, but states have considerable leeway in how they operate their programs.

To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet certain requirements, including having income and assets that do not exceed the levels used by your state. The Medicaid eligibility process considers the value of your home to make sure it is under the state set limit, your assets and your income.

Documentation from your financial institutional “looking back” five years will be required. Once your state determines you are financially eligible for Medicaid, the state will conduct a functional assessment to determine whether you are disabled enough to qualify for long-term care services. Your state Medicaid Assistance office is the best source for information about how to qualify for Medicaid in your state and if you qualify for long-term care services.

If you receive Medicaid coverage for long-term care services, federal law requires states to recover the amount Medicaid spent on your behalf from your estate after you die. Most states recover the cost of long-term care services.

Paying out-of-pocket for care If you have enough income and savings, you will need to pay for long-term care services on your own, from your incomes, savings and, possibly, the equity in your home. Many people believe wrongly the medical insurance or disability insurance they currently have will pay for all or much of their long-term care. In general, health insurance covers only very limited and specific types of long-term care. Disability policies serve to replace income and, as such, do not cover long-term care at all.

Long-term care insurance is designed to cover longterm services and supports. Policies reimburse policyholders a daily amount (up to a pre-selected limit) for services to assist them with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing or eating. You can then select a range of care options and benefits that allow you to get the services you need, where you need them. If you are in poor health or already receiving long-term care services, you may not qualify for long-term care insurance.

For more information about additional methods of paying for long-term care, including reverse mortgages, annuities and trusts, visit www.longtermcare.gov.

Calculating the cost Because there are many kinds of long-term care services and supports, there is a wide range of costs depending on the type of care needed, duration of care needed, provider you choose and where you live. Some average costs for long-term care in the United States (in 2010) were: • $19 per hour for homemaker services • $21 per hour for a home health aide • $67 per day for services in an adult day health care center • $3,293 per month for care in an assisted living facility (for a one-bedroom unit)

• $205 per day or $6,235 per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home • $229 per day or $6,965 per month for a private room in a nursing home Calculate the cost of care in your area by visiting http://longtermcare.gov/costs-how-to-pay/costs-of-care-in-your-state/.

Start Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Your Wellness Routine

Family Features

If the decadent dishes and busy schedules of the holiday season have set back your efforts towards a healthy lifestyle, fear not. With the right plan in place, it’s easy to get back on track, re-energized and refocused for the year ahead.

Shorter days and colder weather may seem to heighten the desire to indulge in comfort foods, just as much as it can lessen the motivation to take part in physical activity, like hitting the gym or taking an afternoon stroll.

Health expert, author and registered dietitian, Patricia Bannan, shares a few simple changes to help re-charge your routine and get excited, no matter what the thermometer reads outside: Set realistic expectations If you haven’t been running in months and plan to jump on the treadmill tomorrow, it’s important to take your new workout in stride. Having high aspirations for your health is a wonderful thing, but there’s nothing wrong with starting small. Setting achievable goals – such as jogging or walking for a certain amount of time each day – will help to keep you working toward the goal of running a10K in the long term.

Supply your body with quality nutrition Beyond getting in your required fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains through a balanced diet, taking a high quality supplement can help bridge any nutrient gaps and help you get what your body may be lacking. Bannan recommends Adult Gummies Energy‡ B12 from Nature Made®, the #1 pharmacist recommended brand of letter vitamins.1 Vitamin B12 supports cellular energy production by helping the body convert food into energy, and gummies offer an enjoyable way to take your vitamins.† Swap out ingredients Healthier alternatives exist for all of your favorite dishes. If you crave a hearty bowl of chili, switch out ground beef for a leaner variety of ground turkey. Use whole-grain pasta in your favorite Italian dishes or whole-grain breads for sandwiches. These changes are small, but can have a big impact on your overall nutrition when put into practice.

By incorporating a few of these simple tips into your daily wellness routine, you’ll be on the path to a healthier new you.

Buddy up By now you’ve likely commiserated with friends about the lapse in your health and wellness goals. This is the perfect opportunity to ask someone to partner up in your healthy pursuits. Ask friends, family, neighbors or co-workers if they are interested in joining a gym, taking a boot camp class, or participating in a healthy cooking course.

1 Based on US News & World Report - Pharmacy Times Survey ‡Vitamin B12 supports cellular energy production in the body.† †These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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raising funds to help cancer patients Florida Cancer Specialists

Elaine Miller had to stop working when she was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer last February. Although she had some money saved for emergencies and was covered by health insurance, by summer she was having trouble paying her bills.

similar situation while being treated for Stage 3 cancer, “When the subject of finances came up I told them I was struggling and they referred me to the foundation. They paid my rent for the month. It was a big help at the time.”

The foundation assists qualified patients, like Miller and Spencer, with non-medical expenses, such as rent or mortgage, utility and telephone payments and transportation costs. Much of the money is donated by the physicians and staff members of Florida Cancer Specialists.

Now the foundation is reaching out to the public in an effort to expand the help it can offer. On April 5, the foundation will hold its inaugural fundraiser. Rio Carnival is the festive, colorful South American FUNraiser, featuring live dance performances, a silent auction, dinner, music and dancing.

Leading the charge for the April event is chair Jackie Bearse, an advisory board member of the foundation. The Naples resident is fortunate to have been successfully treated for both breast and lung cancer, and realized while receiving treatment there were many people who struggled with bills during their battle with cancer.

“I saw so many people who didn’t have transportation or weren’t able to pay for basic necessities,” Bearse said. “When you are being treated for cancer, you don’t need the extra stress of worrying about finances, too.”

Shelly Glenn, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute’s chief marketing and sales officer, hopes this will become an annual event that will grow and, with it, the foundation’s ability to help those who are fighting cancer.

Dr. Mark Rubin

That’s when one of the financial counselors at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute told her about the oncology practice’s charitable arm, Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, which provides financial assistance for non-medical bills to qualified cancer patients.

“They helped me with my mortgage that month,” said Miller, “and put me in touch with three or four other groups that were able to help me as well. It took the pressure off for a little while.”

Peter Spencer, an Army veteran who completed three tours of duty in Vietnam and now lives in Cape Coral, found himself in a

Dr. Mark Rubin, a board-certified oncologist and hematologist, said, “We’d like for everyone to experience this night in true sharing of heart and generosity for the less fortunate in our community. We would love for you to join the members of our medical community, friends and neighbors, patients and former patients and their families, for a fun-filled night for a very serious cause.”

The event begins at 6 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort located at 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples. Tickets are $500 per person; underwriting and sponsorship opportunities are available.

For Rio Carnival tickets, sponsorships or additional information, call 855-585-5433

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Eye Health

Understanding the benefits of regular exams

You head to the doctor for a fever or a physical and to the dentist for a sore tooth or a cleaning, but what about your eye health? If words on the page seem a bit out of focus, or your night vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be, do you head to the eye doctor? You may not, but you should.

Hidden health clues uncovered You’ve probably heard that the eyes are windows to the soul. While this may be true, your eyes also reveal a number of important clues about your overall health. Did you know that early signs of health conditions can be detected by your eye doctor during an eye exam? Interestingly, through an eye exam, your doctor can detect conditions like diabetes years before you show signs of the disease.

In addition, eye exams can identify both eye and general health conditions, such as: • • • • • •

Macular degeneration Glaucoma Diabetes High blood pressure High cholesterol Heart Disease

Understanding your vision coverage options “Good health starts with wellness care, and that includes a thorough eye exam to detect signs that threaten a person’s sight or whole body health,” said Leonard J. Mendez, O.D., M.S., and doctor with VSP, a not-for-profit vision service provider. “Families and individuals can enroll directly in affordable individual vision plans that cover eye exams, lenses and frames.”

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Family Features

In an age where medical insurance makes most of us picture red tape and expensive premiums, vision insurance is affordable and easy to obtain. Even if your employer doesn’t offer vision insurance, you can purchase an individual plan, like the one Dr. Mendez mentions, for approximately $200 a year – and you can do it online in minutes. VSP, for example, offers individual plans nationwide for less than $17 a month. And when you consider that frames alone cost more than $200, individual vision insurance starting under $17 a month that includes an eye exam, frames, lenses plus other benefits is a genuine value.

Make an appointment for better sight What can you expect from an eye exam? If you immediately picture a chart with rows of letters in different sizes, you’re not far off the mark. The Snellen Chart is still used in an eye exam, along with a few other simple procedures used to evaluate your health. These include the use of light and various lenses to determine your eyewear prescription, a puff of air in each eye to detect glaucoma, dilating drops to allow for a better look at the inside of your eyes and a biomicroscope to get a magnified view of your eye. Once your doctor determines your prescription and eye health, it’s time to shop for contact lenses or the perfect frames that complete your individual style.

So, the next time you catch yourself squinting at the computer screen, know that there are affordable options that make an eye exam possible.

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A toll-free resource of the Florida Department of Transportation (standard mobile phone minutes, text message and data charges may apply)

FOCUS of SWFL 2014 187

Good Oral Health Habits

Family Features

A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaw at birth. Baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around six months help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for adult teeth. The American Dental Association recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist.

To help ensure you are well prepared to provide your little one a lifetime of good dental health, the experts at Ameritas offer this information about the leading oral health concerns for youngsters: Cavities. Early childhood caries (cavities) is the number one chronic disease affecting young children. It is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Tooth pain keeps many children home from school or distracts them from learning.

Consumption of sugary foods, soda, juice or energy drinks increases the risk for tooth decay and gum disease, so minimizing these items is an important aspect of dental health. It’s also important to always brush teeth twice daily for two minutes and floss once a day.

Another option to protect children’s teeth is sealants, which act as barriers to cavity-prone areas. They are applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars after the teeth erupt and are completely above the gum. Both primary and permanent teeth can benefit from sealants.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

You may wonder whether it’s important to take care of your child's first teeth, which will fall out in early childhood. However, healthy adult teeth start with healthy teeth during childhood. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Sports Injuries. Mouth guards can help protect children from a dental emergency. They should be worn whenever children participate in sports and recreational activities.

Mouth guards cushion blows that can otherwise cause broken teeth, injuries to the lips and face, and even jaw fractures. Mouth guards are available at many retail stores or may be custom-made by a dentist.

Jaw and bite problems. Malocclusion, or bad bite, is a condition in which the teeth are crowded, crooked, out of alignment or the jaws don’t meet properly. This may become particularly noticeable between ages six and 12, when a child’s permanent teeth are developing.

If not treated early, a bad bite can make it difficult to keep teeth and gums clean where teeth are crooked or crowded, increasing the risk for cavities and gum disease. Bad bites can also affect proper jaw development, making protruding teeth at risk for chips and fractures. It can also affect eating and speaking, and make some teeth more likely to wear abnormally or faster than those that are properly aligned.

Teaching children good oral hygiene habits early is a simple way to create a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles. Remember, modeling your own good oral hygiene habits not only reinforces your advice, it improves your own dental health.

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Artist

Marvin Gralnick

Solo Exhibition

By Melissa DeHaven

Self-taught artist, Marvin Gralnick was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, where for over fifteen years he worked with his father in the antique, design, and decorative arts fields, before embarking upon a career marketing and designing clothing and apparel. The fashion business he and his wife, Helene, founded in 1983, on Florida's tiny Sanibel Island, eventually evolved into a successful national retail chain known as Chico’s. Some thirty years later, retirement led the restless entrepreneur to explore painting and sculpture as an outlet for yet another aspect of creative expression.

Gralnick's dedication to his own art began in 1999. In recent years he has emerged, literally and figuratively, onto a wider artistic plane, making his work available to a growing circle of international art professionals and collectors, including Europe and USA, through gallery representation, solo shows, group exhibitions, and international art fairs.

Gralnick’s brand of Post- Modernism is best described as “Urban Primalism”, inspired by artists like Picasso, Dubuffet, and Basquiat. In his paintings there is a strong overtone of cultural and political satire with roots in primitive self expression. The viewer is left with a serious message, that it is up to each of us, individually to be better human beings. Philosophically rooted in a personal brand of activism, all of Gralnick’s work conveys a passion for kinetic strokes of color, provocative words and arresting images which embody the American dream filtered through the raw lens of popular culture.

In addition to experimenting with different ways of applying paint--variously splattering, brushing, smearing, and squeezing directly from the tube--he has perfected the depersonalized industrial technique of photo transfer similar to that utilized by neighbor Robert Rauschenberg, whose influence Gralnick embraces.These photo silkscreen paintings contain deliberate imperfections, revealing the uneven inking of the roller, slips of the screen, and an overall graininess and partial blotting out of images.

Gralnick transforms mixed-media collage, richly painted surfaces, and photo silk screens into elegantly layered amalgams of motifs, both iconic and mundane, familiar and exotic, the placement of which, although seemingly juxtaposed at random on the picture plane, has been intricately strategized by the artist.

Sculptor and artist Lawrence Voytek, former director of art production for Robert Rauschenberg for over twenty eight years, is a collaborator with Gralnick and works with him at the Gypsy Ranch studio, assisting with art fabrication.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is proud to present the solo exhibition of artist Marvin Gralnick, opening on March 7, 2014. Gralnick is the retired CEO and founder of retail giant Chico’s and a renowned artist in his own right.

The show opens for Art Walk on Friday, March 7th, at 6 p.m. and continues through March 28. The Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First Street, in the River District, downtown Fort Myers.

www.sbdac.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 199

Artist Gallery

Reflection - By Mary Taglieri

figurin - By Miguel Marinero

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Past is Past - By Gael Collar

BE KIND - by Marvin Gralnick

MIDNIGHT VASE - by Thomas Van Sciver

Abstract/Expressionism - By Gina Battle Art FOCUS of SWFL 2014 201

Extra Virgin

Recipes

By Alexandra Cook

Celebrity Chefs and stars of the Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin, Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos, combined their love of all things Tuscan with their favorite not-sosecret ingredient, House Foods Tofu – America’s premium tofu purveyor since 1983. The new recipes created by the couple are not only healthly, but perfect for the upcoming season and include:

• Cavolo Nero, Beets and Fennel with Creamy Tofu Dressing kicks a traditional salad up a notch with roasted beets, fennel, kale, and a simple, yet satisfying, dressing that combines House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Soft with anchovies, lemon and garlic.

• Pan Seared Crispy Tofu with Rustic Tapenade is the perfect appetizer for outdoor entertaining during the spring and summer. In this dish House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Firm is topped with a delicious combination of nicoise and green olives, capers and lemon juice.

• Bucatini with Creamy Tofu Sauce is a healthy, yet delectable, main course. Simply combine bucatini pasta with asparagus, peas and garlic to create a base for the sauce of House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Medium Firm, vegetable stock and lemon juice.

• Tofu Lemon Tart with Olive Oil Crust is a wonderful way to end a meal on a sweet note. This good-for- you take on an Italian classic finds the rich House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Firm, sugar and freshly squeezed lemon tart as a perfect complement to the heart healthy olive oil crust.

www.house-foods.com 202 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Cavolo Nero, Beets and Fennel with Creamy Tofu Dressing Ingredients

3/4 pound red beets (3 medium sized), scrubbed 1 large bulb fennel, trimmed, and cut into 1 inch chunks 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 2 Tbsp olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large bunch cavolo nero (Tuscan kale), washed, tough stems removed, roughly chopped into 1 inch pieces 1/3 cup smoked almonds, chopped Shaved Parmesan (optional)

Dressing:

1/3 of a 14 oz. package House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Soft 3 anchovies (packed in oil) Juice of 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, peeled 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Wrap each beet in foil and place on sheet tray and roast for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss fennel and onion in a small bowl with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add to the sheet tray with the beets after they have roasted for 25 minutes.

Continue roasting fennel and beets for 30 minutes more.

Then open up the foil packets to let beets cool, rub off the skins of the beets using a paper towel and chop into bite size pieces.

Add the tofu, anchovies, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender and blend until smooth.

Combine the kale and roasted beets, fennel, and onion to a large bowl and drizzle with the dressing.

Toss to thoroughly coat.

Garnish with smoked almonds and shaved Parmesan.

Serves 4

Directions

Spray a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom with non stick spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean seeds.

Drizzle in the olive oil and stir it in with a wooden spoon, then drizzle in the water, and stir in together until lumpy.

Use your hands and knead the dough until it just comes together as a ball in the bowl.

Dust your work surface lightly with flour and dust a rolling pin.

Roll out the dough 1 inch bigger than a 9- inch tart pan.

Move the dough to the tart pan and press evenly into the pan.

Prick the bottom with a fork and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chilled tart shell on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, add the tofu, sugar, lemon juice, flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.

Remove tart dough from oven and carefully pour the filling into the shell.

Place tart back into the oven and bake for 45 minutes, until just the center of the tart is still wiggly when gently shakened.

Remove from oven and let cool completely.

The filling will deflate slightly as it cools.

Sprinkle lightly with confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.

Serves 8

Tofu Lemon Tart with Olive Oil Crust

Ingredients

Olive Crust: 1 ½ cups all purpose flour ½ cup confectioners’ sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 vanilla bean, seeded 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup cold water Zest from 1 lemon

Lemon Filling:

1 (14 oz.) package House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Firm 1 ¼ cup sugar 1 ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/3 cup all purpose flour 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp kosher salt Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish (optional) FOCUS of SWFL 2014 203

Pan Seared Crispy Tofu with Rustic Tapenade Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) container House Foods Extra Firm Tofu, cut into ½ inch slices 1 clove garlic, smashed 1/2 cup nicoise olives, pitted and roughly chopped 1/2 cup green Sicilian olives, pitted and roughly chopped 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp chopped parsley 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp capers, rinsed and chopped ¼ cup olive oil

Directions

Pulse the garlic, olives, olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, and capers in a bowl of a food processor until chunky. Empty to a bowl and reserve.

Pat the tofu dry with paper towels and season on both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat the ¼ cup olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat.

Once hot, add the tofu and fry for 4 1/2 minutes, until golden and crisp, then flip and continue cooking on the other side for 4 minutes more.

Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain off any excess oil and sprinkle evenly with another pinch of salt.

Top each crisp piece of tofu with a heaping tablespoon of tapenade.

Serves 4-6 as an appetizer

Celebrity Chefs, Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos

Bucatini with a Creamy Tofu Sauce (with Asparagus and Peas)

Ingredients

¾ (14 oz.) package House Foods Premium or Organic Tofu Medium Firm 1 pound bucatini pasta 3/4 cup vegetable stock Juice of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, minced 6 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp red pepper flakes 1 cup frozen peas 1 bundle (12 – 16 oz.) thin asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1 inch pieces Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

www.house-foods.com

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and set a timer and cook for 4 minutes less than package instructions.

Add the asparagus and cook for 3 more minutes, until pasta is cooked and the asparagus is softened.

Stir in the peas then drain pasta and reserve.

Blend the tofu, vegetable stock, and lemon juice until smooth in a food processor.

Set aside.

Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large sauté pan.

Once hot, add the shallot and garlic, and cook, while stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute more.

Stir in the blended tofu mixture and turn heat to medium, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.

Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Stir in the cooked pasta, asparagus, and peas, and toss well with the sauce.

Season the pasta with lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Serves 6 204 FOCUS of SWFL 2014

Family Features

With risk factors for heart disease on the rise, it has never been more important to incorporate heart-healthy meals into your family’s diet.

According to recent statistics, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. With this in mind, Campbell Soup Company is on a mission to help women care for their hearts. With a diverse portfolio of foods that balance great taste and nutritional value, Campbell offers nearly 100 options that meet the criteria for the American Heart Association’s® Heart-Check mark.

Caring for your heart starts in the kitchen Creating balanced meals for the family doesn’t have to be difficult. In addition to offering heart-healthy foods, Campbell works with its culinary staff, nutrition team and trained chefs to create healthy recipes. This recipe for Sante Fe Chicken Saute is a simple, one-skillet dish that combines lean chicken breast, black beans and corn with a spicy picante kick. Or, try this recipe for Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Chowder, which features chicken paired with a flavorful combination of zucchini, corn, potatoes and cream of celery soup. And no one can resist comforting Easy Chicken Shepard’s Pie. For more easy-to-prepare and heart-healthy recipes and for nutrition information, visit www.campbellskitchen.com.

Seven steps towards a healthier heart A strong heart starts with a healthy diet and lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, following these seven health and behavior factors can make a huge difference in your heart’s health. For more heart-healthy tips, visit www.heart.org.

1. Don’t smoke.

2. Maintain a healthy weight.

3. Engage in regular physical activity.

4. Eat a healthy diet.

5. Manage blood pressure.

6. Take charge of cholesterol.

7. Keep blood sugar, or glucose, at healthy levels.

Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Chowder Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 1 hour Servings: 6

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 large onion, minced (about 1 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Cream of Celery Soup

1 cup nonfat milk

1 cup water

2 medium red potatoes, diced (about 2 cups)

1 large zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup whole kernel corn

2 cups diced cooked chicken

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Heat oil in 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in soup, milk and water and heat to a boil. Stir in potatoes, zucchini and corn. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Cook for 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken and parsley and cook until mixture is hot and bubbling.

continued on page 178...

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Sante Fe Chicken Saute Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 6

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 3/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 teaspoon minced garlic

4 green onions, minced (about 1/2 cup)

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Tomato Soup

1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce

1/2 cup water

1 can (about 15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup whole kernel corn

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves Stir chili powder and cumin in small bowl. Season chicken with chili powder mixture. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 minutes or until browned on both sides. Add garlic and onions and cook; stir for 1 minute. Stir in soup, picante sauce and water and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add beans and corn. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Easy Chicken Shepard’s Pie Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 4

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Healthy Request® Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 1/4 cups water

1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning, crushed

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1 cup instant mashed potato flakes

1 cup fat free evaporated milk

1/4 cup shredded 2% milk Cheddar cheese Heat oven to 350°F. Stir soup and 1/4 cup water in large bowl. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, onion powder and poultry seasoning. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until well browned, stirring occasionally. Add chicken and vegetables to soup mixture and stir to coat. Spoon chicken mixture into 2-quart round casserole. Microwave remaining water in microwavable bowl on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until hot. Add potato flakes and stir until water is absorbed. Stir in milk and remaining black pepper. Loosely cover and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes or until mixture is hot. Spread potato mixture over chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until chicken mixture is hot and bubbling.

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Coastal-Inspired Creation Make family mealtime convenient and delicious by incorporating a fun, coastal twist into your household’s favorite dishes. Introducing a new ingredient, such as shrimp or seafood, is an easy way to serve a mouthwatering meal that is big on flavor.

Families today are busier than ever, with job obligations, household duties, school demands and extracurricular activities all chewing into free time. When it comes to eating, it’s easy to fall into a recycled dinnertime routine that relies heavily on the same old, tried-and-true recipes. Switching things up with a unique dish that breaks out of this mealtime rut can bring delight to everyone at the dinner table – and add a layer of convenience to your carefully balanced schedule.

For a simple, upbeat change, try adding a new ingredient, such as shrimp, to a traditional dish like pasta or tacos.

Using frozen seafood eliminates unnecessary prep time and fuss, while still delivering big on flavor and quality.

With options ranging from crispy Popcorn Shrimp to savory Salmon Burgers and crunchy Shrimp Spring Rolls, SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co. makes it exceedingly easy to bring more coastal flavor to your dinner table.

The recipe below combines easy pesto pasta and SeaPak’s new Parmesan Encrusted Butterfly Shrimp, for an innovative and flavorful entree that you can have on the table in just 30 minutes.

Parmesan Shrimp and Pesto Noodles Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

Family Features

1 package (18 ounces) SeaPak Parmesan Encrusted Butterfly Shrimp (includes packet of tomato Romano sauce) 1 pound spaghetti, cooked al dente 1 cup prepared pesto 1 package flatbread or pita bread Prepare shrimp according to package directions and keep warm. Heat tomato Romano sauce according to package directions. Warm flatbread or pita bread in microwave.

Toss pasta with pesto and top with shrimp. Garnish with basil and parmesan, if desired. Serve with bread and tomato Romano sauce on the side.

www.seapak.com FOCUS of SWFL 2014 209

Culinary Adventure

Family Features

From taking a food tour through the Mediterranean to infusing everyday recipes with exotic herbs and spices, home chefs are eager to explore the world through culinary adventures.

Americans are looking for adventure, sophistication and new experiences in the kitchen, according to a recent survey of people ages 45 to 65 commissioned by Florida Grapefruit. Based on the findings, the top five culinary adventures home chefs in this age group want to achieve are: 1. Spice up everyday meals with trendy, of-the-moment ingredients.

2. Add sophistication to beverages by using fresh herbs in unusual ways.

3. Create an exciting new dessert by pairing unexpected flavors, such as smokiness and a Middle Eastern influence.

4. Adopt a Mediterranean flair by exploring the tastes, culture and ethnic flavors of this region.

5. Add an exotic twist to favorite cuisines with a fusion of two favorite globally-inspired dishes.

To deliver on this wish list, celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira has created a series of tangy, exotic and delicious recipes. Each dish features a sweet and zingy favorite – 100 percent Florida grapefruit juice or fresh Florida grapefruit segments.

The recipes, part of the “Taste a World of Zing” collection, feature step-by-step instructions that give even kitchen novices the confidence to try something new. Among them is the Grapefruit Tart with Cardamom Cream, which answers the call to pair unexpected flavors in the same delicious dish.

For more ways to “Taste a World of Zing,” visit www.facebook.com/FloridaGrapefruit to find additional recipes that answer your craving for culinary adventure. Chef Aarti will release a new recipe every two weeks throughout the spring.

Florida Grapefruit Tart with Cardamom Cream Makes: 4 to 6 servings 1 1/2 cups whole milk 5 cardamom pods, crushed 5 extra-large egg yolks, room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water 1 tablespoon Florida grapefruit zest Pinch Kosher salt 1 tablespoon heavy cream 1 refrigerated pie crust 3 ruby red Florida grapefruit, peeled, white pith removed, cut into segments Maldon smoked salt, for sprinkling

Place milk and cardamom pods in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, until small bubbles form around the circumference of the saucepan. Turn off heat, cover and steep for 20 minutes.

Beat egg yolks and sugar together in a stand mixer at medium-high speed until pale yellow and very thick, about 5 minutes. Turn the speed down to low, then add the cornstarch.

Meanwhile, strain milk into a measuring cup. Stir in orange blossom water and grapefruit zest, along with a pinch of salt. Keeping the mixer on low, slowly pour in the milk mixture, beating until just combined. Transfer the milk mixture to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it comes to a boil, 5 to 10 minutes. Switch to a whisk; whisk constantly until it has thickened to the texture of pudding. Turn heat off. Stir in heavy cream and then strain into a large bowl. Place plastic wrap on the actual surface of the pastry cream, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Once pastry cream is chilled, pre-heat oven to 425° F. Place pie crust in 9 1/2-inch tart pan. Prick dough evenly with fork to keep it from puffing up in the oven. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the pie crust is just golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.

Just before serving, pour the pastry cream into the tart crust and even out. Decorate with concentric circles of grapefruit segments.

Sprinkle with smoked salt and serve immediately.

For individual tartlets: Divide pie crust among four 4 3/4-inch tart pans. Bake at 425°F. for about 10 minutes or just until golden brown.

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MOBILE Go to FOCUSOFSWFL.com on your mobile device.

Regional information at your fingertips!

Le Macaron The macaron, perfected in France, has a long history dating back centuries in Europe. Macarons are small round cakes that fit in the palm of your hand. They are lightly crisp on the outside, smooth and creamy in the center, filled with ganache (chocolate), rich cream, home-made fruit jams or other quality ingredients.

Each season and month, new flavors will be introduced to complement the collection. Dine in or take - out, gift boxes, favor boxes, and custom orders are available.

Like more information please contact: 941.552.8872.

www.lemacaron-us.com 382 St Armands Circle Sarasota, FL

Audrey's Jamaican Cuisine

4463-D Ashton Rd Sarasota, FL 34233 941-928-3309 www.audreysrumcakes.com

iPad, iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and web enabled mobile device

where yo u live a nd w o rk ; i t is w h o yo u a re.

S ervice-provider fees may apply.

Availabili ty va ries by phone/network.

A simple way to indulge yourself!

Fuel Your Active Lifestyle

Family Features

Many people are taking advantage of warmer temperatures and increased hours of sunlight to get fit for the fun season ahead. As they do, they’ll be looking for ways to fuel their efforts. Enter dairy, a protein powerhouse that provides numerous benefits to active individuals.

More protein per ounce The perfect addition to snack or mealtime, dairy foods offer a convenient way to add the protein needed to help you achieve your fitness goals. While helping your body build and repair muscle, as well regulate metabolism, it also keeps you satisfied longer. In fact, just one serving of milk, cheese or yogurt provides approximately 8 grams of high quality protein, including all essential amino acids. When it comes to smart snacking, dairy really packs a protein punch.

Protein-packed whey Whey protein is a high-quality protein found naturally in dairy foods, and it provides the nutrients that help promote better health.

Need a helpful way to remember this beneficial nutrition source? Think “Y-M-C-Whey” when you’re looking to fuel your fitness efforts: • Y is for Yogurt: Enjoy this versatile food at any time of day.

Double up on protein with Greek yogurt, which often contains twice the amount as regular yogurt.

• M is for Milk: Reach for low-fat chocolate milk after exercise. The protein it provides supports healthy muscles and the carbohydrates help refuel you with energy.

• C is for Cheese: Grab a slice, wedge or stick when you need something to tide you over between meals. The protein in cheese can curb hunger, which makes it a great tool for weight management.

• W is for Whey: Add whey protein powder to your postworkout smoothie or cereal, which can help build and maintain lean muscle.

It’s simple to power your fitness goals – whatever they may be – with dairy.

Rainbow Fruit & Cheese Kabobs Servings: 6 Prep time: 15 minutes

www.dairymakessense.com

6 6 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1/4 6

straws (8-inches or longer) ounces Monterey cheese, cut into 18 cubes cup strawberry halves cup cantaloupe, cut into 3/4-inch cubes cup pineapple, cut into 3/4-inch cubes kiwifruit, peeled and cut into 6 pieces cup blueberries purple grapes

To make a rainbow for each kabob, thread onto a straw a piece of cheese, a strawberry halve, a cantaloupe cube, a pineapple cube, another piece of cheese, a piece of kiwi, 2 blueberries, a grape and another piece of cheese.

Repeat pattern with remaining straws.

Nutritional information per serving: 135 calories; 9 g fat; 7 g protein; 8 g carbohydrates; 1 g dietary fiber; 25 mg cholesterol; 135 mg sodium; calcium 22 percent of daily value.

FOCUS of SWFL 2014 213

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Fight the Flu

Family Features

With cold and flu season upon us, it may be tempting to hibernate until the danger of red, puffy eyes and a stuffy nose disappears. Waiting for a cold or flu to run its course can truly feel like an eternity, especially when the symptoms have you looking as bad as you feel.

While there is no guaranteed strategy for avoiding the flu or sniffles, there are steps you can take to safeguard yourself and your family. And if you do fall ill, taking extra care will help ease you through until you’re on the mend.

While the Centers for Disease Control recommends the flu shot as the single best preventive measure, you can also help ward off illness with healthy habits like these: • Keep yourself and your belongings away from others who may be sick to prevent the spread of germs. Don’t share dishes and utensils in the kitchen, and provide sick family members with their own hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom.

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• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based rub. Avoid unnecessarily touching your eyes, nose and mouth, which are easy portals for germs to enter your body.

• Keep your immune system running strong by eating sensible and nutritious meals, exercising regularly, managing stress in a healthy way and getting plenty of sleep.

If your prevention falls short and you find yourself combatting sniffles, take these steps to nudge yourself back to good health: • Consult with your pharmacist or doctor about which medications may help relieve your symptoms.

• Use a soft facial tissue on your irritated skin. Puffs Plus Lotion is dermatologist-tested to be gentle and helps soothe irritated skin by locking in moisture • Stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever passes. This will help you catch up on much-needed rest and prevent the chance of passing anything contagious on to your friends and co-workers.

• Calm stuffy sinuses with the steam of a long, hot shower.

Take the sinus soothing a step further by using Puffs Plus Lotion with the Scent of Vicks.

• Cover your nose or mouth with a tissue like Puffs when sneezing or coughing to minimize the spread of germs.

As your symptoms ease, remember to take it easy and allow your body to fully recover so you don’t suffer a setback that needlessly prolongs your illness.

www.puffs.com