®
SPRING ISSUE 2016
VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 1 GoodLiving® Magazine is published byLight Shine Media Group, LLC Editor-in-Chief Pamela Se le To submit story pitches or events, news@goodlivingmag.com To adver se or purchase bulk copies of the magazine, adver sing@goodlivingmag.com GoodLiving® Magazine P.O. Box 1795 Oldsmar, Florida 34677 (727) 776-3656 info@goodlivingmag.com
Table of Contents GoodLiving Local PAGES 8 - 15 Community Voices PAGES 16 - 25 Good Products PAGE 26 My Story PAGE 30
Letter from Editor Dear Readers, Welcome to the Spring Issue of 2016! The weather is fantastic and our area is rich with family-friendly events nearly every weekend. Check out our event picks and try to make time to do a charity walk this season with your children. Doing so demonstrates the importance of being involved and helping others in our own community. It’s also an election year, and our country is heated up with debate as we look to choose our leadership for the upcoming years. While the presidential campaign may be getting the bulk of the media attention, don’t forget in Florida we have some important state and local elections, too. I’d like to welcome Dr. Yamani from All Care Health Center as a new advertiser. We appreciate your commitment to wellness in conjunction with traditional medical care and congratulate you on the opening of your new center in Seminole.
About the Cover Photograph provided by Brandi Morris
BrandiImage.com (727) 515-6659
In between our print magazines, we’d like to continue sharing good news, good events and special deals to you in our online newsletter. Please come to our website at GoodLivingMagazine.com and sign up. It’s free and we promise we won’t bombard you with emails. Enjoy this most lovely time of year and have a wonderful Spring Break! Until next time,
Pamela Settle
GoodLiving速 is a registered trademark and a publication owned by Light Shine Media Group, LLC. It is a free publication distributed throughout Pinellas County or is available to read online at GoodLivingMagazine.com. Bulk copies are donated to local schools as a community service. To request copies, contact info@ goodlivingmag.com. All photographs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving速 magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
GoodLiving速 magazine, Light Shine Media Group, LLC and its owners are not responsible for any statements made by advertisers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the advertising information of the advertisers and all specials are valid to the expiration date set by the advertiser. GoodLiving速 magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. The views expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.
Good Events
Top Picks for Spring
GoodLiving sponsored event
Healthy Family Fair Saturday, April 2 • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Glazer Children’s Museum Bring the kids and enjoy the day at the Glazer Children’s Museum. While they play, parents can chat with vendors that wind through the museum to get samples, information and resources for raising a healthy family. GoodLiving’s Guide to Happy Healthy Kids is a proud sponsor of this event because we know it does take a village to raise a child, and our community is full of tremendous professionals who can help parents on the journey with their kids. Attendees will get 50% off the daily admission to the museum for the day. Swag Bags will be given to the first 100 families through the door with additional giveaways and other fun activities happening all day long. Features include: Best Beginnings: Dedicated to giving new and expecting parents the very best from pregnancy, delivery and through the first year. Special Support: An area with a special focus on products, services and support for families with special needs children. The Mommy Market Area is full of Mompreneurs. This is a great chance not just to find out about great products but also to explore additional income opportunities. The event is FREE and included with your half price museum admission. TampaBayMomsGroup.com The Compassion Experience March 18-21 Countryside Christian Center, Clearwater Teach your children what it’s like to live elsewhere. This FREE event features an interactive journey through the true stories of children living in developing countries like the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. In over 2,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space, visitors will step inside homes, markets and schools — without getting on a plane. Each child’s story starts in poverty but ends in hope. cts.compassion.com
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4th Annual Pin Chasers for Parents Saturday, March 19 • 1 p.m. Countryside Lanes in Clearwater A fun day of bowling for a cause with proceeds benefiting Paul’s Project, which provides packs of supplies and love for parents who are experiencing unexpected stays at the hospital, in an ICU or on extended stays with their children. Funds raised pay for the many necessary supplies parents need at their most critical time. “I was crying, it was so helpful, I had nothing” says a mom who received a pack while in the hospital. Often times, these are the only items our parents have during the stressful and painful days in a hospital. Together we can take care of them as they take of their children.
You Must Love Dogs Fest Saturday, March 19 • 10 a.m. Raymond James Stadium Billed as the largest dog festival in Tampa Bay history, You Must Love Dogs Fest Mix & Mingle is for animal lovers who want to take an enchanting journey with their pups through tastes, sights, sounds and fun. Attendees can expect to see great attractions including 100+ vendor booths, a live musical showcase, a large tented VIP lounge area and multiple activity zones to keep everyone having fun. Enjoy a large band stage, hydration stations, The Doggy Cooking Show Pavilion, fun kids zone, K9 massage therapy, doggy unleash play zone, treats, games, face painting, rescue organizations and more. Enter your pet into these fun pet competitions: Best Trick Contest, Best Dog and Owner ‘looka-like’ Contest, Best Dressed, and Best Tail Wagger. Proceeds benefit SPCA Florida. youmustlovedogsfest.com Natural Birth and Baby Expo Saturday, March 19 noon - 4 p.m. Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, Tampa Tampa Bay Area’s best and biggest Natural Birth and Baby Expo includes: • A Baby Wearing booth • A Mother’s Blessing ceremony to celebrate and honor mothers-to-be (space limited, be sure to RSVP) • Guest speaker presentations on a variety of topics • A fenced playground and field where the kids can run and play • A rock climbing wall and a bounce house • A drum circle with Steve Turner of Giving Tree Music • Indoor Waldorf play area • Vendors including midwives, birth centers, doulas, educators, photographers, nutrition and fitness experts, natural product retailers, chiropractors, family service providers, non-profit educational organizations and more • Concession stand, food vendors and picnic area • Face painting, belly art and balloon animals • Giveaway gags for the first 200 guests and a truly amazing raffle for all Corbett Preparatory School of IDS is located at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa. $5 Suggested donation per family. tampabaybirthnetwork.org Madeira Beach Kite Day Thursday, March 24 • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ROC Park in Madeira Beach The City of Madeira Beach is holding its first Kid’s Kite Day featuring kid friendly activities in celebration of Pinellas County Schools Spring Break. The first 300 kids will receive a free kite to enjoy flying out in the open field. Also featuring a butterfly release, community gardening project, kite decorating, local kid friendly vendors, food, police and fire demonstrations and more. This event is sponsored by Robert Alloca and family as a dedication to Juanita who lives on as a dolphin memorial in ROC Park, which was created as a beautiful space for parents to remember children they have lost.
Gluten Free Expo Saturday, March 26 • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Pete Coliseum Come out for a Gluten-Free Day filled with food, education and fun at this annual event hosted by the Gluten-Free in Florida Support Group. National brands and local organizations come together to share samples and information for anyone who lives gluten free whether by choice or medical necessity. The St Pete Coliseum is located at 535 Fourth Avenue N in St. Petersburg. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash or check) and children under 12 are FREE.
Family Extravaganza Saturday, April 2 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Largo Central Park
GoodLiving sponsored event
Three great events all in one day for children of all ages. Playing! Unplugged offers discovery stations, imaginative play and construction areas. There will be multiple play spaces to explore, build, and create including: archery, open play, hands-on games, toddler/infant zone, train rides, kayaking and more. Touch-a-Truck gives kids a chance to climb, honk and play around in every vehicle you can imagine. Fire trucks, buses, police vehicles, dump trucks, motorcycles and more. Also enjoy FREE Rocketship car rides and Largo Central Train rides. See the Bayflight helicopter land at 11:30 a.m. and take off at 1:30 p.m.! Storytelling Festival celebrates Largo Public Library’s 100th birthday with storytelling, puppet shows, special performances, crafts and face painting.
Gulf Coast MakerCon 2016 Saturday, April 9 • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Florida State Fairgrounds Gulf Coast Makers is a creative community for entrepreneurial and creative DIYers where members join together to share resources, information and events. The annual event is a community festival celebrating the DIY (Do It Yourself ) Inventive Spirit with more than 100 exhibitors, 300 technologists, artists, crafters, mechanical and electrical wizards, costumers and prop makers, roboticists, musical artists, inventors, coders and gamers. Also happening is the Robotics Extravaganza featuring Southeast Combat Robotics Championship, FIRST youth robotics exhibit and hobby and commercial robotics displays. Preregistration is not required unless competing in Combot event.
Largo Paw Fest Saturday, April 9, 9 - 2 Largo Central Park Largo Central Park becomes Dog House Village for the Day with play house, activity midway and art house. Plus a day of shopping, fun, food entertainment and adoptable dogs. Fun for the entire family! Stop Child Abuse Run Saturday, April 16 • 7:30 a.m. Walsingham Park April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and St. Petersburg Exchange Club needs your help in raising funds for local programs. Be a part of the 7th Annual Blue Ribbon 5K Run and One Mile Family Walk for child abuse prevention, benefiting Suncoast Center’s Parent Aide Program that utilizes volunteers to mentor younger parents. Parent education can strengthen families and improve stability for children. 11th Annual Fiesta by the Bay for Autism Friday, April 22 • 6 - 9 p.m. Ybor City Museum Garden A family friendly event with music, drinks and delicious food by La Septima Café. This year’s silent auction promises to be the best ever, benefiting the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF. Join their Fiesta by the Bay Facebook event page to get the latest information on the event including silent auction items, special guests and more.
Advanced tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children through Advance Tickets can be purchased online for $10 students and $25 adults at usf.edu/ua/RSVP April 8. Gate Admission is $15 for adults and $13 per child. Children 5 and under are FREE. Gulfcoastmakers.com The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF) serves over 7,000 families and professionals across 14 counties in southwest Florida. It offers services and trainings at no cost.
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On April 9th, the IRONKIDS Clearwater Fun Run offers young male and female athletes the unique opportunity to feel the excitement of competition while enjoying the outdoors and promoting healthy living. Children ages 3 - 15 can choose from the a one-mile or a half-mile course. Parents, family and friends are invited to cheer on the racers while enjoying the area and familycentered event. Begins at 3 p.m. in Coachman Park. ironkids.com St. Pete Earth Day Saturday, April 23 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Williams Park, St. Petersburg Be a part of the 45th Earth Day celebration in St. Petersburg to be held in Historic Williams Park and join with others who share a common respect and reverence for this beautiful but fragile planet. This free event is organized by Chart 411, a local nonprofit based in St. Petersburg. With the help of volunteers and environmental groups, they will present a true community event with a focus on green businesses, environmental activists, and family focused activities to foster a deep appreciation for the planet we call home.
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Iron Girl on April 10th brings together women of all ages by offering a supportive, energetic and empowering environment for females pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. This year’s races include new custom finisher medal with charm, tank top participant shirt, personalized bibs, professional timing, and postrace food provided by Carraba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Outback Steakhouse. Even if not running, they invite women to continuetheir wellness journey with Iron Girl. Half marathon begins at 6:30 a.m. 5K begins at 7 a.m. Irongirl.com Take Back the Night Saturday, April 30 • 6 p.m. Straub Park, St. Petersburg
Take Back the Night is an annual assembly of survivors of sexual or domestic violence, and their supporters, gathering to 7th Annual Eco Fest build strength and awareness. This interactive event includes a Saturday, April 23 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Men’s Pledge, Candlelight Vigil, Silent March, Empowering Lowry Park Bandshell Area Performances, and a Survivor Speak-out that invites survivors and supporters to shatter the silence of sexual violence. April EcoFest 2016 is a community event organized by is Sexual Violence Awareness Month and they encourage Learning Gate Community School, the City of Tampa the public to join in this powerful evening of hope and and the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability healing. Partners this year are the Crisis Center of Tampa to celebrate the many businesses, organizations Bay, and Suncoast Center, Inc., certified rape crisis centers of and individuals in the Tampa Bay area dedicated Hillsborough County and Pinellas County respectively, and to the principles of sustainability – Ecology, Equity The Spring of Tampa Bay -- certified domestic violence shelter and Economy. There will be live music, workshops, for Hillsborough County, in putting on this year’s event. demonstrations, informational booths, green living Volunteers are still needed. The schedule for the night includes products and services. Some local artists, green a Music Festival & Resource Fair at 6 p.m.; Ceremony & businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, organic Pledge Against Violence at 7 p.m.; and an Empowerment March, Candlelight Vigil and Survivor Speak-out at 8 p.m. farms and gardens with produce will be in attendance. Event is FREE.
Nils Nilsen/IRONMAN
Iron Kids and Iron Girl April 9 and April 10 Clearwater Beach
Food and Wine Festival at Busch Gardens Busch Gardens in Tampa has created a tasty and romantic parents date night out, and with our gorgeous weather, spring is a wonderful time to stroll the park and enjoy this once-a-year festival. Use your annual passes, or buy park tickets for the day, to enjoy access to the chef-created food items, wine and beer tastings, bourbon tastings and more. With your admission into the park, walk hand-in-hand to the various tasting stations and choose from a wide variety of food and beverages to include these offerings plus many more: Bison Slider, Venison Chili, Pickled Shrimp, Lobster Ravioli, Roasted Cauliflower Hummus, Duck Taco, Lamb Chop, Pan Seared Creole Shrimp, Goat Cheese Polenta Cake, Espresso Flan, Pheasant Sausage Flatbread, Green Peppercorn-Seared Hanger Steak Each tasting station has perfectly paired wine or beer selections for sale. Purchase each food or beverage item separately, or take advantage of a variety of a sampler packages. No Food and Wine Festival date night would be complete without an outdoor concert to go along with your dining delights. The concerts are included with the tickets, as well, and some of the acts scheduled are: George Thorogood and The Destroyers, Mercy Me, Third Eye Blind, Commodores, Meat Loaf, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jordin Sparks. A Festival VIP Experience ticket is available.
GoodLiving sponsored event
The Food and Wine Festival runs Saturdays and Sundays from March 5th to April 24th during park hours.
PreK 5K Readiness Run Saturday, April 23, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is holding their first PreK 5K Readiness Run and Hickory, Dickory Kid’s Dash. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve will be transformed into a Fairytale Forest, where adults and children can run, walk and experience the beauty of Lake Maggiore‌ along with a few extra surprises! At the end of the race, everyone is invited into the Storybook Village, where children and adults will step into a world of literary classics. Register now at elcpinellas.net/readiness-run-registration/
Oldsmar is 100 Going on 15! For a small city that is turning 100 years old this year, Oldsmar sure acts like an active teenager! No retirement attitudes for city leaders who are constantly looking at new ways to keep up with the “yungins” while taking advantage of gorgeous park lands and access to the top of Old Tampa Bay.
BMX Track Opens USA BMX
City of Oldsmar
Just off of Tampa Road in Oldsmar, in Canal Park, stands the newly built Olympic-level BMX Supercross Facility. Not only will it house international competitions, and training for Olympians, local amateur riders will be able to use the track to hone their skills on the 20-plus-foot high ramp and two-tiered track. Since opening in August 2015, the track has held two of the USA BMX Gator Nationals. The first one held in October 2015 was such a success, they came back four months later for their 2016 USA BMX Gator Nationals in late February. More than 1,000 riders from 29 countries and 39 states competed to earn Olympic qualifying points. The track earned rave reviews from the young pros and comments were heard that this is one of the best BMX tracks in the U.S. Expect to see a good deal more activity at this impressive new track. Open “practice” is usually held on Tuesday evenings; plus local races on Thursdays & Saturdays. Find fees, schedules and information at OldsmarBMX.com
New Environmental Education Center At Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve a new Outdoor Environmental Center is about ready to officially open. It will hold environmental education seminars, fishing lessons, youth programs and summer camps. The structure itself is an eco-accomplishment. Wooden interior trusses for the center were build by city employees and solar panels were installed on the roof as part of a pilot program to test their ability to conserve energy costs for the city and meet green standards. The center is near the kayak launch area that is open to the public. The plan includes kayak rentals in the near future. City of Oldsmar
Zip Line Attraction Coming Soon What better way to see the beauty of preserved wildness lands and water than by flying over it? Coming in mid May is a brand new Zip Line attraction that will cross waterways and provide open water views of Tampa Bay. Empower Adventure Operations is set to install a 55-foot-tall start tower, five ziplines of varying lengths, a 100-foot suspension bridge as well as other adventure park elements such as log bridges, catwalk bridges, steps, tires, and poles. Reservations are recommended. Their mission is to provide fun and empowering adventure experiences while providing powerful, memorable and inspirational activities that awaken the spirit.
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This page sponsored by I have got to have the best job in the whole world. I do a daily three hour radio talk show on WTIS AM 1110 about the inspirational and empowering people that live here in our area. Don’t tell my boss, but I would pay them to do this job. I am serious, don’t tell them that or I will have to come live at your house.
GOOD PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY Christine Garner is a senior in high school. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been confined to a wheelchair since birth. She could easily be a bitter and angry young lady. Not even close, people! She is the sweetest and kindest person I know and she has incredible faith. She counsels the other kids in her school. She has stopped more than one of them from doing something self destructive. She is the binding thread between all of the diverse clicks within her school. She intends to go into ministry work full time someday. She pretty much is doing so already and she makes a tremendous impact on people of all ages on a daily basis. Victor Padilla and his wife started the annual Cuban Sandwich Festival here in Tampa Bay. They want to celebrate an amazing culture and bring together folks of all ethnicities to have fun together. They are going to attempt to break the record for the world’s largest Cuban Sandwich, which is currently 102 foot long. I intend to be there to eat the whole thing! (Weekend of March 18th in Ybor City.)
by PETE O’SHEA
Listen to his show 3 - 6 p.m. on AM 1110
Kelly Watts teaches an anti-violence series to high school students in the inner cities.
Brent and Pam Woody stand up for victims of human trafficking.
Cindy Tilley helps the kids who have aged out of the foster care system.
Karen Hubbard serves the orphaned, abandoned and impoverished. All of these people are local residents just like you. They had no experience or funds to make these things happen. All they had going for them was a desire to serve and a big heart. The needs are great but the volunteers are few. The time to step up is now. Who’s in?
Mark Wolfson and John Henderson both fought proudly for our country in Iraq. They each achieved the rank of sergeant. After their discharge, they formed their own non-profit community organization called Post 9/11 Veterans. They want to bring the veterans and the community closer together while being a vital resource for returning veterans who do not receive the things they need from our government. They are doing an awesome job too. The Reverend Lionel Cabral runs the Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission in St. Petersburg. They served over 5 million pounds of food last year. That equals 5,000 meals a day plus food to take home for underemployed families that are just trying to squeak by. They have been steadily growing since they opened in 1988. Countless people depend on them for food, clothing and more. They never have enough, but they always find a way to meet the need.
Shannon Turner and her husband started a non profit for families that have been through abuse. Pete O’Shea hosts The Pete O’Shea Show weekdays from 3-6 p.m. on WTIS AM 1110, The Neighborhood read and write. Inspiration Radio Station since 1976. He is the author of the book, Pain Was My Friend and that inspirational Viet Le leads the same youth group now that brought him to the book can be purchased at totalfusionpress.com Lord ten years ago.
Jon Brennan went to Uganda and taught the children to
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THE FIGHT FOR RECESS “Excessive test prep. Entire days with no physical activity. Extensive blocks of reading and math with no breaks. Teachers having to sneak away for “secret” recess. Fidgety kids getting in trouble. Silent lunches. Attention and focus problems. Over medication and over-diagnoses of ADHD. Kids who dread going to school... These were just some of the issues that parents in Pinellas County were reporting when we started asking friends and neighbors if recess was an issue in their school. The overwhelming response was YES. It was not just my school and my kids, it was something that parents and kids across the county were struggling with. We had to take a stand and take action, and time was of the essence. Our kids are only little for a short time and they are being cheated out of part of a healthy childhood.” Christie Bruner, St. Petersburg Christie Bruner is a mom on a mission to restore daily recess for elementary school students. She is not alone. The “Recess Moms,” as they are called, come from Pinellas County, Orange County and other areas in Florida. What started as individual grassroots efforts became a unified campaign to make it a state law that elementary school students would receive 20 minutes of recess per day. They did their homework and they obtained legislative supporters in both the Florida House and the Senate. Their experience is an example of how a group of determined citizens can advocate for policy change, the way our founding fathers had wanted it. None of them are experienced lobbyists. They are parents who see that a change is needed. It’s about the well being of their kids. No lobbyist is as motivated as a mom fighting for her child!
Here’s how it has gone so far in their own words: September 2015: Local parents started talking about why some schools in Pinellas had recess and some did not. The teachers blamed the principals, the principals blamed the district, the district blamed the state. The message was, “There is no time.” However, we determined that was not entirely true. We found that there are only two state mandates regarding classroom time, reading and PE. All other time mandates are made at the district level. Pinellas has one of the shortest school days in Florida at six hours. The state funds a five hour day and the district can choose how much more time to fund after that. October 2015: We launched an online petition and private Facebook page. A week later, several parents attended the Superintendent’s Parent Cadre to share their views and to demonstrate that recess was not a single school issue. We were told that recess is an OPTION if a school is able to fit it within their master schedule. They did not want to mandate it from a district level, instead leaving it up to the schools. Two weeks later: Dr. Grego arranged for a parent action committee to meet with top district officials. Committee members met to present our points with various department heads (PE, Health, Elem Education) and a deputy superintendent. They told us we had to take it up at the state level if we wanted anything mandated; that they would not mandate recess or make it a policy at the local level. November 2015: Our local group learned other groups like ours were forming around the state and they were generating media stories. Moms in Orange County had actually been working for over a year on this issue and had gotten their local State Representative, Rene Placensia, to write the Recess Bill.
Recess Moms with two house sponsors of the bill: L-R: Angela Browning (Orange County), Laura Cronin (Polk County), Christie Bruner (Pinellas County), Rep. Chris Sprowls (Pinellas County), Kate Smith (Manatee County), Rep. Rene Plasencia (Orange County), Amy Narvaez (Orange County)
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On the local front in late January, Superintendent Michael Grego surprised the Recess Moms by issuing a statement at a school board meeting that all grades in elementary schools should have 20 minutes of recess on non PE days starting Fall 2016. This is not a policy nor a mandate; it is being handled as a curriculum issue at the school level. Parents should most definitely talk with their school principals about recess and make their feelings known. If recess is not being given to all grades in your elementary school, then speak up. Spring is the time frame for setting the master schedule for next year, so time is of the essence. The conversa on will con nue among local parents in the county. Join Chris e Bruner and the other Recess Moms (and dads) in their Facebook group: Pinellas Parents for PE, Recess and Healthy Schools. Also stay connected to GoodLiving Magazine on Facebook for updates on this and other educa on related issues in Pinellas County.
In Pinellas County, these three moms led the fight: Barbara Hedge, Christie Bruner and Stephanie Cox
Early January 2016: We met with Senator Jeff Brandes at his St Petersburg office before the legislative session began. He supported the bill and became one of the first co-sponsors. He suggested we go to Tallahassee and start raising support among other legislators. So the next week, we joined moms from around Florida and started lobbying. We found a good deal of support, but first had to educate them that parents have been working at the local level with no success and that we were representing more than 20 counties across the state. We explained that teachers felt like their hands were tied and that they would get in trouble if they took their kids out to recess. We shared that schools are under pressure to have higher school grades, so principals opted for more test prep and academic time. Also, districts are mandating so many additional things, that teachers and students were struggling. Our work earned us many additional co-sponsors, including Rep. Chris Sprowls and Senator Jack Latvala from Pinellas County. Various Recess Moms returned to Tallahassee each week from counties all over the state. The house version of the bill soared through three committees and passed the full house with a vote of 112 - 2. The senate version of the bill, however, never made it to the first committee, the K-12 Senate Subcommittee, chaired by Senator John Legg of Pasco County. Senator Legg refused to put the bill on the calendar for committee discussion and vote, citing that he preferred recess to be a local issue. After an onslaught of emails, letters, calls and encouragement from other legislators, Legg did not change his mind. Attempts to use other procedural methods to move the bill through the senate were blocked by Legg. At the time of this writing, there is a slim chance the bill will survive, but it is likely it won’t even get to a senate vote.
Recess Moms Press Conference in Tallahassee on February 18th, just before the victorious house vote.
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a note from Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County Investing in Children. Strengthening our Community.
In the past several issues of GoodLiving magazine, I have been sharing valuable information and life-saving tips on the three leading causes of preventable death for children under six outlined in our Warning Signs campaign. The campaign is based on the premise that things that kill kids should come with warning signs, and it features eye-opening facts and easy-to-remember tips proven to save lives.
JWB and our partners believe that one preventable death of small child is one too many. Supporting parents, caregivers, and other caring adults with information before tragedy strikes is critical. You can be the warning that saves the life of a small child. To learn how, we urge you to visit PreventNeedlessDeaths.com.
The third leading cause of preventable death for children under six is abusive head trauma. Sometimes referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome, these violent acts often result in severe brain damage and even death. Over the past four years, 13 Tampa Bay area children under age six have died from abusive head trauma. Many more survived, but have life-long consequences. What happens when a baby is violently shaken? From a medical perspective, the three main resulting injuries are bleeding on the brain (subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage), massive brain swelling (cerebral edema), and bleeding inside the eye (retinal hemorrhage). Other associated injuries include skull fractures, long-bone fractures of the child’s arms and legs, and rib fractures. In 25% of the cases across the country, children die as a result of their injuries. Those who survive suffer from life-long disabilities that may require constant personal and medical attention. In the most severe cases, the baby is almost immediately unresponsive or having seizures. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing or the baby turning blue; changes in level of awareness; inability to suck or swallow; loss of consciousness; and ultimately death. Crying is the number one trigger for inflicted head trauma at the hands of a parent or caregiver. Yet crying is completely normal; it’s how babies communicate their needs. Babies cry for many reasons, and on average, they cry two to three hours a day – sometimes more. Crying happens most often in the evenings and may start or stop for no apparent reason. It is important to remember that a baby’s crying will not hurt him or her; again, it is completely normal. In addition to crying, potty training is another critical flash point for stress and frustration among parents and other caregivers.
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Parents and caregivers need to know their own limits and understand that it is okay to take a break or ask for help. Family members, neighbors, and friends should reach out to new parents to offer support in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner. It is also critical that parents know that the person who is watching their child is safe to do so.
Coping with Crying plus Safe Caregiver Tips
Check Baby’s Basic Needs: Is baby hungry or is the diaper dirty? Is baby comfortable, too hot, or too cold? Is baby ill, teething, or running a fever? Is baby overstimulated or overtired? Soothe Baby: Swaddle, cuddle, rock, or sway baby. Hold the baby close while walking or swaying. Make a SHHHH sound, sing, hum, or talk in a soothing voice. Play soft music or dim lights. Take the baby for a walk in a stroller, ride in a car seat, or place in a swing.
Cope with Frustra on: Put baby safely in a crib and walk away. Find a calming technique such as listening to music or meditating; check on baby every five to ten minutes. Have a support plan, and identify people to call anytime day or night. Know your Caregiver: Spend time getting to know and observing a person before leaving them alone with your child. Ask yourself whether that person treats others with respect? Gets angry or impatient when your child cries or gets fussy? Expects your child to do things unrealistic for his or her age? Gets angry or stressed easily or is verbally or physically abusive? Drinks alcohol in excess or uses drugs?
Because all children matter and no child should die for a reason that is 100% preventable. Dr. Marcie A. Biddleman Executive Director Juvenile Welfare Board
PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM CERTAIN CANCERS AS SIMPLE AS
Three, Two, One by DR. ULYEE CHOE, DIRECTOR Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County There are many steps we take to prepare our children for adulthood, from making sure they eat right to instilling good work habits. Part of that preparation includes protecting them from vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio and pertussis through a vaccination schedule recommended by your child’s doctor. Many parents may not be aware of the latest vaccine added to the childhood vaccination schedule, yet it helps adolescents avoid certain types of cancers later in life. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides protection from a virus that infects about one in four Americans. For some, there are no significant concerns from the virus but, for others, it can have serious consequences. HPV causes cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. In both women and men, HPV can cause cancer in the back of the throat in addition to genital warts. Because HPV vaccines are actually the only effective protection against these forms of cancer, adolescents should begin receiving the vaccine around the age of 11 to provide the best protection, but teens and young people into their early-to-mid 20s can also benefit from it.
parents. They may have heard that the vaccines encourage or promote sexual activity in young people, which is totally false. Immunizing children from HPV protects them for the time when they’re sexually active, so it’s a proactive approach to cancer prevention later on. In much the same way that fluoridated water protects a child’s teeth now so that his or her permanent teeth are healthy later, the HPV vaccine lays the groundwork now for adult health. In fact, the reason why the vaccines are administered to preteens is precisely because it’s the time before they’re exposed to HPV via sexual activity. There’s also misinformation about a lack of testing for the HPV vaccines, which are available under trade names such as Gardasil® or Cervarix®. Instead of being “untested,” HPV vaccines were subjected to years of evaluation before they were licensed in 2006. As with all vaccines, they continue to be monitored for safety concerns by the Food and Drug Administration, which also monitors all of the other vaccines administered in the United States. Since 2006, no serious safety concerns have been associated with HPV vaccination.
Check with your child’s insurance provider about the vaccines it will cover to prevent disease. Don’t let cost prevent you from fully protecting your child because there are state efforts that Parents usually think of childhood as the time to fully will provide vaccines at no cost to you. At all clinic locations of vaccinate their kids, but sometimes neglect to follow up the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (except with their immunization schedule when it’s time for them for Largo), HPV vaccines are provided to preteens and teens to enter middle school. Remember the formula Three, without the copay that some other providers charge. Cost is not Two, One to keep your preteens healthy as they prepare to a barrier when it comes to protecting children from diseases that leave elementary school: That means a series of three HPV are vaccine-preventable. vaccines, two doses of meningococcal vaccine to protect As an infectious disease and internal medicine specialist, I can them from meningitis and one dose of Tdap to boost their speak with families about the many benefits of fully immunizing resistance to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. their children. As the parent, I can also relate to the desire all of Your child’s pediatrician may have already mentioned the HPV vaccine but if not, you should ask about adding it to your preteen’s schedule. Because it’s a newer vaccine, some parents are still not fully informed about how it will protect their sons and daughters from many forms of cancer for the rest of their lives. In clinical trials, the HPV vaccines provided almost total protection against precancers and in some cases, against genital warts. Since the HPV vaccine was introduced in 2006, there’s been a 56 percent reduction in HPV infections among teen girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If more girls and boys received the HPV vaccine, there would be even more significant reductions in these rates. If the HPV vaccine is effective protection from many types of cancer, why are some parents uninformed or unaware about its benefits?
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First of all, the unfounded rumor that the HPV vaccine is associated with sexual activity scares some
us have to do what’s right for our children and to protect them from all dangers. When I recommend a regular immunization schedule that includes the Three, Two, One series, I can speak as both a physician and as a parent. Don’t wait—vaccinate your preteens now to protect them from certain cancers with the HPV vaccine along with the others recommended by your pediatrician. It’s as simple to remember as Three, Two, One. Dr. Ulyee Choe was appointed as Director of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County in 2015. He is board cer fied in both internal medicine and infec ous diseases and is currently an assistant professor at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infec ous Disease and Interna onal Medicine.
NEWS FROM PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS Registration for Summer Bridge begins March 7
...Let’s Talk Underage drinking is a significant, but often overlooked, problem in the United States. More teens use alcohol than tobacco or other drugs. Parents and caregivers should start talking to their children early—as early as 9 years old—about the dangers of alcohol. Every day in the United States, more than 4,750 kids under age 16 have their first full drink of alcohol. Underage drinking accounts for 11% of all the alcohol consumed in the United States. Youth who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse in their lifetimes than those who begin drinking at age 21 years or later. Hear from local experts and Live Free! students who participated in the 12th Florida Kids and Alcohol Town Hall Meeting that will air locally on WEDU in April. Access the program at WEDU.org/KidsandAlcohol Be a part of the local activities to keep our kids drug and alcohol free! If your middle or high school doesn’t have a Live Free! club, get one started! Talking and education are important. Prevention works! Go to PinellasCoalition.com for more information. Underage drinking sta s cs from samhsa.gov/underage-drinking-topic
Most Summer Bridge programs for elementary, middle and high school will take place June 20 - July 14. Summer Bridge programs provide engaging activities and intensive instruction to ensure that students are prepared for success when the next school year begins. Summer Bridge is especially important for students who are performing below grade level or who need extra support to be successful. More information is available at pcsb. org/summerbridge. Contact your child’s school for additional information.
Parent Nights about the new SAT To educate families about the new, redesigned SAT and free Khan Academy resources to prepare for the test, PCS has scheduled three KHANnect with your Future Parent Nights. The events are for parents of students throughout the county: March 15 at St. Petersburg High • 6:30 p.m. March 29 at Pinellas Park High • 6:30 p.m. March 30 at Countryside High • 6:30 p.m. More information and SAT resources are available at pcsb.org/sat.
PCS offers STEM Summer Camps Pinellas County Schools is offering several summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camps for students in grades 4-7. The camps will be held from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 20-23 at Pinellas Technical College (St. Petersburg) June 27-30 at East Lake Middle School, July 11-14 at Pinellas Park Middle School July 18-21 at Pinellas Technical College (Clearwater) The camps are a $100 per session and there are 40 spots per camp. The application deadline is May 30. For more information, go to pcsb.org/stem.
Visit GoodLivingMagazine.com to get the parent/child pledge form to help solidify the promise to live alcohol free as a teenager.
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Want a better way to manage healthcare and have more time with your doctor? …. If you live in Pinellas County, see what we are all about. “The newly opened, state-of-the-art All Care Health Center was born out of my belief that as a healthcare provider we must do a better job of treating the whole person.” Our location in Seminole houses a clinical team that works together to enhance a patient’s experience with quality and convenience. Patients are supervised by medical doctors who oversee both an in-house wellness regimen as well as diagnosing and treating illness and disease as needed. At All Care Health Center, we offer a variety of treatments based on the fundamental concepts of regenerative and restorative medicine, which includes nutrition, exercise training and meditation. We offer our patients access to fitness equipment and classes, massage therapy, nutrition counseling and more. This blend of wellness and medicine is referred to as functional medicine, a practice that addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach between doctor and patient. In this way, we shift the traditional disease-centered focus to a more patient-centered approach. Functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Doctors spend more time with patients, listening to their histories and looking at genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex chronic diseases.
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As medical director and founder of this practice, I am pleased to offer this improved approach to health care. Today’s parents need to be at their best, both physically and mentally, in order to care for their children and aging parents. We can not only help you feel better and prevent disease, we can do it with added convenience and a commitment to your total well being. Our goal is simple… healthy, happy patients free of chronic disease, living balanced lives with positive purpose. Take control of your health today, call us for a free wellness evaluation. Mention this article and receive a FREE Wellness Consultation at the Health Center (18 and older)
M. IIyas Yamani, M.D Diplomate of American Board of Internal Medicine Masters in Medical Management Certified Fellow of American Academy of Anti-Aging
EDITORIAL by PAMELA SETTLE
It’s only February and I predict that many folks out there already have
election fatigue. I see it on social media: the desire to tune it all out because the bickering and name calling are difficult to listen to and even worse to watch on TV. However, many of those who study politics say that this may be one of the most important election year’s ever. Most likely by the time you read this, our state primary will be over and Florida voters will have chosen their candidates for the general election. If you are not a registered voter, the deadline to vote in the November election is October 11, 2016. The presidential election will take center stage as it does every four years, however Florida and Pinellas County have local elections that matter too. Our primary election on August 30th will have some races to watch. Deadline to register in time to participate in the August primary is August 1, 2016.
More information about
registering to vote:
VotePinellas.com Voters under the age of 45 are under-represented in Pinellas County elections. From what I have witnessed happening in Tallahassee regarding children and family issues, we need significantly more parents speaking up and taking action with their votes. As parents across the state chat about the “Opt Out” movement when it comes to saying “No” to mandatory testing, it appears that parents are more than frustrated with what is happening with our state’s public education system. Those grassroots education movements saw little attention from lawmakers this session. The same is true for the group of parents who advocated for mandatory recess this session. They found support, but encountered one senator who stopped their whole effort. Read more about the fight for recess on pages 14 and 15.
In looking at the upcoming elections for this column, I was thinking about the “throw the bums out” sentiment and how great it is that constituents can vote against the politicians that aren’t listening to the people. This is true, except that candidates need to have opposition in order for this to happen! In Pinellas County, four out of seven state representatives have no opposition at this point: James Grant, Chris Sprowls, Chris Latvala and Kathleen Peters. Larry Ahern and Dwight Dudley have one opponent each and four new candidates are vying for exiting Darryl Rousson’s seat in south county. Rep. Rousson is running for the senate spot being vacated by Arthena Joyner. State Sen. Jack Latvala is running unopposed. On a county level, County Commissioners Ken Welch, Karen Seel and Janet Long are running unopposed at this point. Only Charlie Justice will need to campaign against Michael Mikurak for the at-large seat. For school board, Janet Clark is not seeking reelection for the District 1 at-large seat. There are three candidates to fill that spot. Ken Peluso and Carol Cook each have two opponents. Because this is a non partisan election, the election takes place on August 30th. Only if there is a run off will school board seats be decided in November. Parents need to be aware of this so they are not caught off guard at the end of summer. We’ll continue to talk about the elections this year. The main goal is to encourage readers to know the candidates, know their own issues, register to vote and on election day, BE HEARD! The future of our children’s educational and economical opportunities are at stake and we need to know what is happening at all levels of government and demand better for our kids!
Follow the issues at our Facebook Page: Facebook.com/GoodLivingMag and by signing up for our monthly newsletter at GoodLivingMagazine.com The conversation continues this year as we keep parents up to date on issues pertaining to their children’s health, well being and education. Join us because #GoodLivingStandsForKids
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Earth Friendly Entrepreneur
BEAUTIFULLY SAVES TREES
Wrappily Papers Most styles are $5.00 Meet Sara Smith. Self-designated saver of wrapping paper because she couldn’t stand to see paper used one time and thrown away. At parties, everyone knew she would be the one to grab the paper, smooth it out and stash it away for another time, along with bows and ribbon. Sara also comes from a family of publishers and had a secret love for printing presses. So taking from her family’s already existing entrepreneurial tendencies, she struck out to create her own company that is a special blend of interests. What resulted is called Wrappily, a company that prints beautiful designs on recycled paper sold in rolls, just as they do for printing but this is wrapping paper. Not only does Sara use recycled newsprint, she purchased and repurposed an old, unused printing press and put it back to work. Wrappily’s paper is earth friendly. Newsprint can be recycled up to seven times. The company uses recycled paper, but after the gift is unwrapped, that paper can go in a recycle bin with the other newspapers or it is compostable. Wrappily prints with soy-based inks and doesn’t use any sealers or laminates. Each sheet is reversible and all patterns are created by independent designers. The company is based in Maui and ships all over the world. Shop from her inventory of bright, vibrant and happy designs on the website and purchase papers, ribbons, gift toppers and cupcake toppers.
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Wrappily sells to customers through its website. They do custom designs and are happy to sell wholesale to retail stores. Shop for earth friendly wrapping paper at Wrappily.com.
Multiple bright and cheery patterns. Reversible gift wrap sheets come flat and folded with complementary gift tag stickers. Sheets are 21.5” x 34.”
Eco Shred Basket Filler Perfect for those Easter Baskets! $6.50 This pliable material provides a lofty fill with colorful prints for a subtle pop of color to your presentation. Uses soy-based inks and is 100% recyclable and compostable. Each bag is approximately six ounces and fills two large baskets.
Cupcake Topper Kit (makes 12) - $6.50 Add an Earth-safe personal touch to homemade or store-bought cupcakes with this DIY kit. Kit includes: 24 bright colored paper shapes, 12 biodegradable paper sticks, 12 mixed buttons and 12 glue dots.
My Story by MADISON MILLER
My name is Madison Miller and I’m pretty much a Florida native. In 2011, I graduated from Countryside High School, then studied for two years at SPC for my AA degree. In 2013, I received an offer for my dream internship in California, except a month before the move, my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. My grandpa was a dad in my life, always at my games, award ceremonies, etc. He was the one I dreamed would walk me down the aisle one day. When Grandpa was diagnosed, I postponed my internship to help in any way that I could. Fast forward a few months to April, I was on my way to work and felt this really odd chest pain for the third day in a row. My doctor advised me to get to an emergency room as soon as I could. So, I headed over to Mease Countryside Hospital where my mom and step-dad met me after being next door for Grandpa’s chemo treatment. At the hospital, they scanned my chest and found a tumor. A few more days and tests later, I found out that the tumor was lymphoma. I was only 20 years old. I’m sure you can imagine the surreal feeling that accompanied that diagnosis. Like most other young adults, I thought I was invincible and that cancer was for old people. But I chose to trust the words in my Bible more than the words on a test result, so I prayed. I told God I was confused, but that I’d trust Him and that I knew He was going to use this to make His name and power known. From the “Amen” of that prayer, I felt peace throughout the rest of my cancer season.
at Moffitt Cancer Center - an inpatient cycle of one week on and two weeks off. Our two-week break was always spent at the regular hospital though, so doctors could monitor my low blood count. In mid May, I lost my hair. Though our confidence still resided in Christ, it was the hardest day of cancer. This cancer story isn’t just my story, it’s our story - the people who came alongside and fought with me. My boyfriend at the time, my family, my church family, and my friends formed an army in this cancer war. They equipped me, fought with me and kept my eyes on the God. Between a victorious God and some amazing, compassionate people, I felt from the beginning that cancer had met its match. On February 5, 2015, we claimed remission! At 21 years old, we could say that we had beat cancer. You better believe that I high-fived God, started the fight back to myself and birthed a nonprofit called Spark the Way. We are an organization that exists to equip young adults to be fearless and light-bearing in their battle with cancer - whether fighter, survivor or caregiver. Facing cancer at that young adult age is different and there are so many aspects of life affected by it like: Can I continue school? What effect will treatments have on my future babies? How will I pay off school loans and medical bills? and Will I get to live the rest of my life?
Cancer is hard, but when you have God on your team, it’s peaceful and when you have an army to fight with you, it’s empowering. Check out SparktheWay.org and let us know how May 2013 is kind of a blur. In early May, we lost Grandpa. In we can help you or someone you love that’s affected by cancer. early May, we started getting shots to put my eggs to sleep which God bless! put me in menopause. In early May, we started chemotherapy
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