HERS magazine March/April 2015 by Hers Magazine

TAKING FILM DIRECTIONS STAY HEALTHY WITHOUT HOME COOKING

THE BUSINESS WOMAN’S MAKEUP KIT

101

CREATE A LEGACY,

NOT A HUSTLE

FIFTY SHADES

OF FEMINISM

FROM

HER HOW FEMALE FILMAKERS ARE CHANGING VIEWERS FOCUS

DIVORCE

IS NOT DEFEAT

WOMEN WHO GET DIRTY IS MADONNA ON HER WAY OUT?

Editor-in-Chief, Annette Johnson Managing Editor, Morgan Hufstader Design Director, Joey Shepherd Online Editor, Bianca Nelson Beauty Editor, Erika Mitchell, Travel Editor, Peggy Hattendorf Social Media Director, Tamara King Editorial Assistant, Sarah Kitchens Sales Manager, Mic Mell Special Projects Manager, Veronique Thomas Contributors: Jennifer Adams Chloe Barksdale Fran Dean Bishop Nicole Brodie Linnet Brown Stevie Boi Chavella Campbell Claudette Cleveland Laura Ginn Paige Harden Hovey Gretchen Howard Jaime Johnson Andrea Jurjevic Darcell Lawrence Rhea Li Ellie Mack Ingrid Michaelson Genie Patterson Tracee Randall Donte Slocum Jenny Strebe Lenise Williams Customer Service For subscription service or change of address, including email, contact info@hersmagazine.net or write to P.O. Box 1071, Atlanta, GA 30301 Hers (ISSN 2372-3785) is published six times per year by Allwrite Communications, 241 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303 404-221-0703

March/April

CONTENTS

Domestic Violence Hurts Everyone

Are you trapped in a bad situation? You might have more on the line than you think.

54 Fifty Shades of Feminism How ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ changed female sexuality as we know it

56 Women Who Get Down and Dirty These women share how some traditions have changed very little for women in construction and other maledominated careers

60 She Tows It: Bernice (Women Who Get Down and Dirty) Super strength

and super cool, Bernice won’t be intimidated by the men around her

46 How Busy Families Stay Connected

For the on-the-go family, you can reconnect with your family with these quick and easy tips

51 Divorce is Not Defeat

How to learned to stop worrying and Love who’s important – you – after divorce

52 6 Essential Tips for Attracting Healthy Relationships We must

13 Homemade Facial Scrubs Make these simple facial

scrubs yourself to renew your skin

17 The Super Quick DIY Hairstyle In the spirit of getting ready on the go, this hairstyle is perfect for the woman who never stops moving.

18 Spring into Plakinger Heat up with this fiery spring collection

32 Sweetie’s Jewelry Box

Florida teacher combines food and fashion to create a integrated line of cute, sweet accessories

47 The Business Woman’s Makeup Kit All made-down

with everywhere to go? Look as professional as you feel with these 10 quick and simple beauty tips

50 Greek Meatballs

Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, either way these meatballs are mouthwatering

66 Gloria Govan See what former ‘Basketball Wives’ Star is wearing on the beach in her fashion spread

strive to develop these ingredients for healthy relationships

79 Lentil Sloppy Joes Give

74 Reducing Allergens

93 10 Skin Care Tips

Jennifer Adams shares some other surprising ways that you can reduce allergens in your home

him the hearty meal he wants with your own healthy spin

Tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible

16 Create a Legacy, Not a Hustle Are you in it for the money

or the long haul? Find out and make the most of your small business.

75 Top Three Gadgets

Use these top three gadgets for work and play.

76 Back Accounts for Bad Credit 101 Bad credit can make a dent in your plans, but it’s not irreversible.

80 Furious Self-Exploration

Home Design Tips for Spring It may be cold outside now, but getting a jump start on your spring cleaning will give you more time to enjoy the warm weather.

A book about one woman’s journey to keep her head above water and survive all the turbulent trials life throws at her.

36 Taking Film Directions From Her

Take a look at how these 20 female filmmakers are changing their industry and viewers’ outlook of women

86 Year Round Ski Resorts

Can’t get enough of winter? Follow the snow with these year-round resorts.

94 How to Dance the Tango in 8 Moves Impress your friends

and loved one with these spicy moves.

8 Beneath the Veil A few years

ago, she wouldn’t have been able to write these words. Now, she speaks out against crippling self-doubt.

14 4 Steps to Combat a Bad Day Having a bad day? Turn it

around with these four helpful steps.

H E R H E A LT H 42 A Deadly Dis-Ease

It’s better to give than to receive, until the giving kills you. How to avoid a martyr’s life and death.

62 Healing Benefits of Weeds Cleaning up the garden?

78 A Place of Her Own

Think before you pluck; you may have more in common with your weeds than you think.

82 The Beauty and Business of Big Booties Paying big bucks

64 5 Ways to Stay Healthy Without Home Cooking Don’t have time for a

Do you have your own sanctuary? We explain why every woman should.

for bigger butts is the in-thing, but what is it really costing women? hers-magazine.com

home cooked meal? Here are five ways to keep yourself healthy.

96 Daytime TV in Heels

A list of our top five favorite women currently on TV.

97 Female Director Takes On Race The female director of

Selma uses her own keen eye to bring to light discrimination and the struggles of Martin Luther King Jr.

98 Madonna is Only Human Is Madonna on her way out or on her way into the 21st century? You decide.

99 No One Puts Baby in a Corner Dirty Dancing brings its best to Atlanta’s Fox theatre.

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F E AT U R E S • H E A R T • F L AVO R • H E A LT H L E S S O N S • W O R K • P L AY W W W. H E R S - M A G A Z I N E . C O M 6

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Editor’s Letter

o we have arrived in the month (March) that celebrates the significance of women’s accomplishments. I’m sure most are aware of some of these historical feats, including the19th amendment to the Constitution that allowed women to vote. What we may have missed or could be overlooking are the history-making occurrences that are going on today, in this era. To that end, we have included the industries (film and construction) and opportunities (inequities in pay and promotion) where women still lag behind despite substantial gains in other areas. Take time to read about each modern woman’s victory in filmmaking, such as Angelina Jolie, Ava DuVernay, and Rory

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Kennedy, and some of their continual challenges. You’ll learn something about them, your own potential, and our prospects for the future. We even included the historical fascination with one of women’s most endearing physical assets: her buttocks. Sir Mix-A-Lot 1990s hit, “Baby Got Back,” may have given credence to the love for big buns, but you’ll read and learn that this is nothing new. In this issue, you’ll also see spring fashion and trends from around the world, including a beachwear spread with former Basketball Wives LA star Gloria Govan. You’ll learn a little bit more about love, namely the love for oneself, because “being average” can be a source of self-loathing, according to one of our contributors. As

for the fantasy of romantic love, we have a full comparative analysis from a “Fifty Shades” book series fan who wants to share her thoughts with you about the movie’s adaptation. “Fifty Shades” director Sam Taylor-Johnson, by the way, had the biggest opening ever for a female film director. That’s something else to celebrate and commemorate. Just keep flipping pages to hail what other women have done and what’s still left for us to do. Always remember to share whatever you gotten from us with others. Until, Annette R. Johnson

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++ H H EE R R FL EE A S TSUORNES

BENEATH

THE

VEIL TRACEE RANDALL

Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to write these words. I was so gripped in fear, self-hate and pain that the thought of exposing the “real truth,” that is, the truth that I had been hiding deep inside that no one could ever know, was unbearable. So there it remained, for more years than I care to remember, that truth, the feeling that I was a “fake.” I was terrified that one day someone would remove the veil and then everyone would know.

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recently had lunch with a very wise woman whose past seemed way more horrible than mine, and she said, “Tracee, never let them expose the truth about you. You should be the one to do it.” So what is the dark secret that has plagued me all these years, for as far back as I can remember? Let me tell you what it is not. I wasn’t sexually molested, abandoned, or a drug addict. I didn’t recover from alcoholism or suffer a great tragedy. No limbs were lost – no, no. Still, I suffered. You may laugh under your breath, thinking, she has no story to tell; she had no obstacles to overcome. All the great speakers and heroes overcame great adversity to become who they are today, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that I represent a huge group of women. From the outside looking in, these women don’t seem to have a reason to hurt (and maybe we don’t have a good reason), yet they hurt. I thank God for my journals, the spiral notebooks that held all my secrets. Let me explain. For as long as I can remember, I have felt like an “outsider,” like I didn’t belong. It was as if I were the main character of a movie, yet I was invisible and of no value to all the other actors. In the movie that played inside my head, I was always conscious of the way I looked, what I said, how I said it, or what I wore. Consciously, I was critical of every move I made, as if there were a director critiquing me, but I never measured up. I could hear myself speak and laugh on the outside while still hearing that inner voice speaking even louder, “You are invisible. No one is watching you.” I tried really hard to be heard, to be seen. It seemed the harder I tried, the worse it got, somewhat like those actors in B-movies who sound rehearsed and fake, never quite hitting the mark. More than anything, I wanted to be really great at something, not just great, but the “best” at something, anything.

I was neither the prettiest nor the ugliest. I definitely wasn’t the thinnest, but I surely wasn’t the fattest. My hair was neither the straightest nor the curliest. I wasn’t the smartest or the dumbest. I was sickeningly “average.” I hated, no detested, being average. I despised being mediocre, so self-hate controlled my life. One of my symptoms was self-denial of food. I began this love-hate relationship with food that caused me to binge and starve. However, I was only mediocre at that too. I was a teenager during the time that the awareness of anorexia was first coming onto the national scene. Girls were literally starving themselves to death, and then looking in the mirror seeing themselves as fat. At 100, 90, 80, or 70 pounds while literally dying, their body image was so skewed that they could not see what others saw. I tried so hard to be anorexic because at least they weren’t invisible like me. I remember writing in my journal: “I am so average. I am half-ass at everything! I even suck at being anorexic.” I will tell you one thing I was amazing at and didn’t even know it at the time. I could act. I was living an Academy Award winning performance. No one, no one knew of my secret self-hate. No one knew that inner panic was controlling my life. I hid behind a veil of lies while outlaughing, out-performing, out-doing those around me. As much as I wanted others to know how I was truly feeling, I was even more ashamed, consumed with guilt, jealousy, pride, and embarrassment. Thus, I learned to cope. My desire to be loved and accepted led me down a dirty path of lust, where I substituted sex for love. This caused more shame and more self-hatred. I could play the role, though, pretending in my real life movie that I was the desirable, loved, talented, beautiful heroine. Meanwhile, night after night, day after day, the veil of deception grew longer and darker. No one could see any of this because I protected my secret well. I was the head

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“There are many women who feel as I once did, invisible. If I can share my story and lift the veil, exposing everything – sincerely smiling and laughing now – there is hope for you,,” mistress of the set and prop department of our high school drama team. I graduated from high school with an “A” average, not the best of course, but certainly in the 1% of my graduating class of 700. I became the youngest and only female bartender in Dallas, Texas at the time. I excelled in college and received a teaching scholarship that was only given to one person in the state per year, and I was asked to speak to more than 100 educators about what being a teacher meant to me. In every job I got (and I always got the job I applied for), I would start in an entry-level position and end up as manager or make changes that would affect the company’s profits in a dramatic way or sometimes even end up owning the company. I never passed up an opportunity, yet the secret of self-hate plagued me endlessly. It filtered everything I did and said. So, what is the point of my sharing all of this? Why should you care about the life of a successful, Caucasian, middleaged woman who had everything going

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+ HER BEAUTY

Facial Scrubs for All Skin Types GENTLE FACE EXFOLIANT

2 tablespoons powder milk 1/2 cups ground oatmeal 1 teaspoon cornmeal water 3 drops of Geranium essential oil Directions Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly. Combine 1 tablespoons of scrub mixture with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Allow one minute to thicken, then massage onto face and throat. Rinse. hers-magazine.com

ALL-PURPOSE EXFOLIANT/SCRUB

1/2 cups ground oatmeal 1/3 cups ground sunflower seeds 4 tablespoons almond meal 3 drops of tea tree essential oil 1/2 teaspoon ground peppermint, spearmint, or rosemary leaves Dash of cinnamon powder Water, milk, or honey cream Directions Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly. Use 2 teaspoons of scrub mixture for the face, more for the body. Add more water for oily skin, milk for normal skin, and cream for dry skin. Allow one minute to thicken, then massage onto face throat and body. Rinse. | M arch /A pri l 2 0 1 5 | H ER S Ma gazin e |

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H ER

H E A LT H

4 Things To Remember When You’re Having A Bad Day BY NICOLE BRODIE

When we were young, most of us could always depend on the “rock” of our family, whether it was mom, grandmother, dad, or even our older siblings to paint the rainbow at the end of our bad day. Now that we are older, most of us are realizing that it takes more than a rainbow to get us through those days when we wish we had never gotten out of the bed. We all have certain expectations when planning out the marvelous days

ahead; however, our expectations sometimes prove to have nothing to do with what life decides to throw at us at any given time. Whether prepared or not, we all have, and will continue to receive our share of good and bad days. It’s important that we remember that even though a day may start off bad, we don’t have to end the day the same way. Here are four things to remember when you’re having a bad day.

+ HER

Breathe I used to wonder why it is that when a person is visibly disturbed by something, the first advice given is to “breathe?” Well after being on the receiving end of one too many bad days, I finally get it. It’s amazing how when we are upset, breathing is the last thing on our mind. The act of breathing has proved to have one of the most calming effects on not just the body, but the mind as well. When we take a moment to breath within the heat of a moment, we will be amazed at how that act alone can prevent an action that could cost us dearly for the rest of our lives.

You Are In Control of your Actions and Reactions When things are going wrong, our reaction can determine the events that follow. When we are upset, our mind immediately searches for a resolution that will result in us regaining our peace as soon as possible. However, many forget that some of the

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choices we make in the name of peace may bring us anything but, especially when they are not well thought out. We must remember that there are consequences that accompany every action; therefore, we must not act recklessly, but rather responsibly in the pursuit of the peace we so desire. Remember that you are in control of your actions and reactions; therefore, the power to activate or prevent destructive behavior is in your hands.

It’s Never Too Late to Start Over For those of us who have taken the bait and allowed our emotions to turn a bad day into a worse day, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are not expected to get it right every single time. The truth is, we all have had the unfortunate experience of being devoured by the circumstances of our day more times than we’d like to admit. However, the great part about being human is that it’s never too late to start over. The very moment that you realize that you are out of control is an awesome place in time to

LESSO NS

change direction. Take this opportunity to self-evaluate and end in a better place.

The Power of a Smile Smiling serves a purpose that goes deep beneath the surface. When we smile, we send off internal and external signals that suggest that we are in close proximity to peace. Smiling has a masking effect that confuses the purpose of anger long enough to strip away its power over us. Remember that a smile first starts within our spirit then manifests itself on the outside. The next time you are challenged by a bad day, fight back with the power of a smile. Author Nicole Brodie takes great pride in inspiring people to live a happier, more productive life through her articles on topics covering self-esteem and accepting personal responsibility in the pursuit of freedom. Nicole is also the author of “Exposing the Bondage Within” which is an inspirational and motivational tool designed to inspire those to take the journey of self-evaluation in order to find freedom from what keeps them from forward movement. To learn more visit www.nicolebrodie. com.

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+ H E R FAS H I O N

PLAKINGER PHOTOGRAPHER: BJÖRN GIESBRECHT MODEL: VLADA WILLOW FROM MODELWERK AGENCY HAIRSTYLIST AND MAKE-UP ARTIST: JOUJOU ECKERT

Svetlana Ziggel and her mother Galina Plakinger founded the brand together, starting with bespoke atelier designs for a luxury clientele from Russia, Arabic countries and the United States. PLAKINGER is a fashion label whose collections are a vibrant mix of modern and unpretentiously luxurious fashion. All clothes are produced in limited quantities. It’s 100% handmade in Germany with the most luxurious and exquisite fabrics (they have the same fabric suppliers than Dior and Chanel so the quality is definitely amazing). Now the brand is expanding with high-end ready to wear. The silhouettes, cuts and details bring together feminine classics and elements of traditional men tailoring. This Spring-Summer 2015 collection has been showcased during Paris Fashion Week in September, and the Fall-Winter 2015/2016 will be presented in March in Paris too.

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Wrap-style dress crafted from ivory, lightweight wool. Gold-flecked coral broche, full length, snapped fastening on the waist, button closure on the cuffs of the bishop sleeves, lined though body.

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Silk obi-belt dress with large pink stripes, positioned in chevron pattern, reversed at bottom of the dress. Back vent, V-neck, invisible zipper on the side.

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Pencil skirt cut from a black, perforated faux leather, features triangular shaped peplum. Exposed silver colored zipped on the back, back vent, fully lined in beige viscose. Black silk organza scarf on request.

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Navy blue blazer tailored from a sumptuous virgin wool and angora blend, features a contrasting under collar made from a vivid pink silk jacquard. Tailor cut, pagoda padded shoulders, a covered button, well pockets, fully lined in pale pink. Pink striped pants cut from a Mikado woven silk. Elasticated waistband and cuffs, slant pockets.

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Tailored tuxedo blazer crafted from a lustrous linen and silk-blend features menswear inspired details. Shawl collar, covered button, pagoda shoulder pads, front welt pockets, fully lined in pastel blue viscose. hers-magazine.com

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+ H E R FAS H I O N

SWEETIE’S JEWELRY BOX

Florida teacher combines food and fashion to create an integrated line of cute, sweet-looking accessories Jessica White is a 24-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Sweetie’s Jewelry Box in Boynton Beach, Florida. The company specializes in fashionable accessories that mimic sweets. The product line includes lollipop earrings, ice cream cone and fruit necklace sets, gumdrop bracelets, tasty lip gloss, and much more. “We always want to ensure that each customer leaves with a quality fashionable sweet,” says White. Currently a first-year teacher at Boynton Beach Community High School where she helps at-risk students recover credits in courses they have failed, White allows her students to volunteer at her various business events. They can learn customer service skills, business networking, and time management while earning community service hours. The students were actually White’s inspiration for launching the almost one-year-old company after they kept asking her about the custom jewelry she wore to work.

Connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SweetiesJewelryBox20

Taking Film DIRECTIONS FROM HER

Take a look at how these 20 female filmmakers are changing their industry and viewers’ outlook of women

lot has changed for women in the workforce, but not in the film industry. Women and Hollywood reported that women directed an

average of 4.7% of studio films from 20092013, and 10% of independent films from 2009-2013. Women comprised 6% of directors working on the top 250 films in 2013, which is down 3% from 2012 and 1998, according to a study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University. On episodic TV shows, women represent 14% of the directors.

Jennifer Lee – “Frozen” ($400,738,009) Jennifer Lee is a writer and director known for Frozen (2013), Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Frozen Fever (2015). Lee co-wrote and co-directed the blockbuster “Frozen” with Chris Buck, and she is the first female director at Walt Disney Animation Studios. In Her Words: “Really, it’s just about creating a very powerful, emotional story, but also having it be something that is a lot of fun and actually quite epic, something big.” (Fast Company)

“I’d thought we would be done asking these questions by now,” said Martha Coolidge, the first female president of the Directors Guild of America, in a February 2015 Los Angeles Daily News article. There are 13.7 percent female directors in the Directors Guild. In 2014, women accounted for 7% of film directors, up 1 percentage point from 2013, according last year’s annual study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film. These recent films directed by 20 women have grossed more than half a billion dollars combined:

Sam Taylor-Johnson – “Fifty Shades of Grey” ($147,764,000) “Fifty Shades” had the biggest opening ever for a female film director. In 2011, Sam Taylor-Johnson directed “Nowhere Boy,” an indie film about John Lennon as an adolescent. She also directed the short “Love You More” in 2008, an intimate account of budding teenage sexuality. In Her Words: “I think, in hindsight, they were really hoping for a woman director to handle [Fifty Shades of Grey].” (Interview Magazine)

Shana Feste – “Endless Love” ($23,438,250) Shana directed and co-wrote “Endless Love,” a remake of a 1981 film. She is also the writer and director of “Country Strong” (2010) and “The Greatest” (2009). In Her Words: “As soon as I got pregnant, I was just dreading telling the studio and my agent. And I thought, ‘OK, this is where I’m fired.’” (Mom.me)

Jennifer Kent – “The Babadook”

Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Beyond the Lights”

($944,726) “The Babadook” is the debut feature of Australian actress turned filmmaker Jennifer Kent, who drew from her 2005 short film “Monster.” The psychological horror film written and directed by Kent, the film has earned near-unanimous critical acclaim. The film won the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards for Best Direction and Best Screenplay.

($14,618,727) Gina Prince-Bythewood also wrote and directed the widely acclaimed feature film “Love & Basketball” (2000). Her other directing credits include the HBO film “Disappearing Acts” (2000) based on Terri Macmillian’s best-selling book. “Beyond the Lights” (2014) is an exploration of race and gender in the music industry and the alienation artists can feel from their public images.

In Her Words: “We had many people fight the ending. I had to really defend that ending. To be perfectly honest, if I had to have killed that thing (the monster) I wouldn’t have made the film. You can’t kill the monster; you can only integrate it.” (The Dissolve)

Stephanie Soechtig – “Fed Up” ($1,538,899) Written, produced and directed by Stephanie Soechtig, “Fed Up” is a documentary about the causes of obesity in the US. Katie Couric also produced and narrated the film. She also produced the documentaries “Tapped” (2009) and “GMO OMG” (2013). In Her Words: “We spent a little over a half a year just calling schools, churches, synagogues, different hospitals, doctors that specialized in diabetes and obesity and we’d say, ‘We’re looking for some families that could give us sort of a look into their world. What was making it so hard to make good food choices?’” (Beliefnet)

In Her Words: “There are two things that are important for me in shooting a love scene. First: No nudity. Because nudity, I think, immediately takes an audience out of it… Two: Just focus on faces because love scenes are about the emotion that’s going on… And there’s a story to every scene. A love scene shouldn’t just be a sex scene. There should be a story to it.” (Vulture)

Soundarya R. Ashwin – “Kochadaiiyaan” ($817,192) Soundarya began her career in film as a graphic designer. She made her directorial debut with “Kochadaiiyaan,” in which she directed her own father as one of the actors. She was honored for “Technical Innovation in Film” at the NDTV Indian of the Year awards 2014. In Her Words: “Recreating [the actors] and to maintain that realism was the most challenging part of this technology. The entire process is created. The entire film is created, so people act wearing bodysuits and head cameras. We capture their actions, and we apply it to a virtual 3-d image of the same character.”

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+ H E R FA I T H /S P I R I T UA L I T Y

A Deadly Dis-Ease BY CLAUDETTE CLEVELAND

here exists a disease especially prevalent in women but not exclusive to them, that is more deadly than any known to medical science. It is more deadly because it attacks the spirit, which eventually affects the physical. I have given the name “It’s better to give than to receive” to this infliction. It creates a tumor called guilt in the majority of American women. When or where this disease originated I can only guess. I do know it is very often inherited, passed from mother to daughter and so on. Its physical symptoms are numerous. Some of the more obvious are malfunctions in the female body, depression, poverty, suppressed creativity, and PMS, to only name a few. When I approach some clients on this subject during therapy or counseling, they become extremely defensive and even angry. Some common verbal responses are: “it makes me feel good to give” or “its duty to give to my children or husband” or the lamest response of all, “that’s what my mother and church say God wants me to do.” These are the same women who come to me because they are unhappy and have exceptionally low self-esteem and self worth. Some clients through years of living with this disease take on the role of martyr as a defense, which cripples their spirit even more. Even when 42

wonderful things are given to them, they find some way to sabotage the gift. With guilt and a feeling that they do not deserve, they make certain something else in their life that they value is given away. I have taught methods of practicing unconditional love. What exactly is unconditional love, particularly in reference to this disease? It is the willingness to give unconditionally, which most women have mastered, but it also is the ability to receive unconditionally, which most have no idea of its meaning, much less do it. Unconditional giving is giving something to someone and not expecting anything in return including not dictating how that something is to be used. Unconditional receiving is being able to receive something without feeling you owe the giver something in return. I can hear your rebuttals: “but I like giving, it makes me feel good.” In most ancient teachings, a circle represents the divine, a complete circle not a semi-circle. When you only give and do not receive you are creating a semi-circle. The same is true when you only receive and do not give. It is just another half circle. When our lives don’t work in a way we want them to work, it’s often because we are out of balance. Creating half a circle definitely causes an imbalance thus creating “dis-ease” in the body. When working with a client, a couple of the

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“Some of the best memories of childhood were of freshly baked cakes with fluffy icing swirled on top,” diagnostic questions I ask are: “what do you say when someone compliments you?” and “what’s the first thing that comes to your mind when someone gives you a very expensive gift?” It is sad for me to report that most clients deny the compliment and immediately think of how they can possibly repay the giver for such an expensive gift. Try this simple test on yourself. The next time someone tells you that you have pretty hair or your eyes are magnificent; take note of your reaction. If you respond by thanking them and believing what they are saying is

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+ HER HEART

BY LINNET BROWN

5 Ways Domestic Violence Affects A Child Domestic violence in the home is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon. Domestic violence has parents at each others throats and children pitted against their parents and siblings. Although domestic violence can take on many forms, the impact it bears on the lives of children is always devastating. While an adult can walk away from a violent situation, a child is not able to. Although domestic violence occurs in different ways, the issue it creates will destroy the emotional well being of the minor.

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+ H E R FA M I LY

Families Stay Connected How Busy

BY FRAN DEAN BISHOP

Between homework, weekend activities, grocery shopping, and the work commute, you barley have time to breathe (let alone think). You’re so busy keeping everyone’s plates spinning that experiencing real, meaningful connections with your kids often falls by the wayside. If the quality family time you crave seems harder and harder to come by, and work-life balance seems like just a pipe dream, it may be time to revisit your “why.’”

Remember the Big Picture

Replenish Your Life

Everyone is focused on getting it done. But what is the purpose of doing, doing, doing? Do you ever stop to think about WHY you’re doing it all in the first place? Most people are running themselves ragged for a very good reason – to support and care for their family and loved ones. If you’re constantly frazzled and stressed, it’s probably because you’ve lost sight of the big picture, otherwise known as your personal “why.” When that happens, it’s crucial to step away from the business of doing, and focus on why you’re doing it all in the first place.

The start of the year is a time to replenish the energy that’s been exerted throughout the year past. It’s also a time to make small, positive changes that can be carried over throughout the year. It’s much more effective – and much more replenishing – to set small, achievable goals and meet them, than it is to make big, sweeping changes. Replenish what’s been lost by nurturing yourself and your family with good nutrition, exercise, and activities that have nothing to do with school or work.

Focus on Connections You can’t grow and maintain authentic connections with your kids if you don’t have an authentic connection with yourself. Creating a strong work-life balance begins on a personal level – it starts with you. The more balance you’re able to create within yourself, the deeper your relationships will be with your kids. Balance is an internal phenomenon that radiates outwards and positively impacts everyone in its path, but it has to start with you. However, getting in touch with yourself and connecting with your family is only possible when you…

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Build a Legacy The greatest gift you can give your kids is a legacy of connection and inspiration. By pursuing activities together outside of work and school, you’ll demonstrate the importance of simply being together and having fun. You’ll also set an example by putting yourself and your health first while inspiring your kids to do the same. Fran Dean Bishop is an award winning business coach and CEO with 20 years in the health management industry. She founded Aerobodies Fitness Company, (now AFC Management Services), in 1994 as a corporate service provider of health promotion, fitness management and behavior change programs for the private sector and federal agencies. Fran also designed and launched two successful health technology innovations, MyEquilibriumCoach and MECkids.com. To request Fran for a speaking engagement or workshop, contact her at franb@afmsco.com. hers-magazine.com

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6 Ways to Make Cleaning Easier eaning ring Cl

Tips

Though it may not feel like it just yet, springtime is coming sooner than you think. So why not prepare in advance? Springtime means getting more light with longer and brighter days. But it seems like dust and grime gets more visible! This must be why spring cleaning was invented in the first place. Who sees the dirt with all the darkness and gray skies? Fortunately, spring cleaning isn’t that bad if you keep up on a few tasks. Here are my latest tips on how to make your cleaning chores easier come sunny, bright days: BY JENNIFER ADAMS

Clean before you need to. Avoiding cleaning chores for a while and tackling them all at once seems like it saves time, but it doesn’t, really. Here is an example. It takes a quick 10 minutes to scrub an all-tile shower once a week. That’s not too bad. But if you wait for three weeks, it takes 40 minutes to scrub because it’s really dirty! Plus, you have to live with the dirty shower. That’s no fun. The same idea applies to kitchen surfaces, toilets and floors. Split up chores by vacuuming one day, cleaning the bath another, laundry on yet another. Who wants to spend all day cleaning house?

For tile, use a non-acidic cleanser weekly and seal stone, tile and grout occasionally. Harsh, acidic cleaners and bleach makes grout porous, allowing dirt to penetrate and algae and mold to grow. Sealed stone and tile simply doesn’t get as dirty and is easier to clean.

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Recipe

Sfarnas Greek Meatballs with Mint (Keftedes) GENIE PATTERSON

When visiting restaurants in Greece the common name for meatballs is Keftedes (kef- teh-des). Different towns and islands have their own variety of Keftedes. For example, I have had Keftedes at many Greek homes over the years and everyone has their own version. Some use tomato and some use cheese. Whose grandmother do you argue with?

Yield: Serves 6

Ingredients 1 pound ground lamb or beef 2 slices of bread 1 onion finely chopped ½ cup chopped parsley 1 cup chopped fresh mint 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper 1 egg, beaten 1 cup cooking oil Flour for dusting Steps: 1. Place meat in a medium size bowl. Briefly dip bread into water to dampen, then squeeze out the excess water and crumble it into the meat. 2. Combine meat, bread, onion, parsley, mint, salt and pepper and egg. Mix thoroughly. Pour oil into a large sauté pan. 3. Form meatballs, lightly dust in flour and sauté in hot oil until brown on all sides. 4. Cook thoroughly. Drain on paper towels. 5. Serve over Greek pasta or rice and bask in the comp. Please also visit my shop on Etsy at GenietheSpiceGoddess Follow me on Twitter @GrkVillageMkt “Like” us on Facebook Genie the Spice Goddess

Essential Tips for Attracting Healthy Relationships BY MAY CHEW

When a relationship ends, we feel the pain. We are left to flounder on our own on how to fix the relationship, whether we should fix it, or how to recover from the relationship. Building healthy relationships from the beginning is essential to avoid pain of broken relationships. It’s about building the essential bridges that serve to salvage hurt minds, bodies and souls. It about reversing pain, neglect, and lack of understanding with love, commitment and caring. Here are 6 ingredients for healthy relationships that we should strive to develop in every relationship, especially those close to us, our close friends, buddies, colleagues and even business relationships.

Acceptance, empathy and respect. Essentially, it is love. Love is much deeper than a feeling. Love is a commitment we make to people to always treat that person right and honorably. To understand and accept the other person as he is 52

Fulfilling of needs. ”You can have everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want out of life.” A healthy relationship helps meets needs. We serve – and get in return –without consciously and eagerly expecting, of course. Rewards will come mutually and naturally.

Open and honest communication. “Communication is to relationships what breath is to life.” The key to communicating is to be a good listener, have something good to say and express yourself well. Project warmth, empathy and caring. By letting the other person know what we think and feel, it lets us connect with the other person. It enables us to make a connection. Both listening effectively and communicating what we feel is essential.

Patience and loyalty. We are humans and humans make mistakes after all. And it takes time to change. Often, those who give up on relationships too early or because the other person isn’t perfect, often forget that their next friend, their next spouse or business partner, will not be perfect either! And those who have gone through major

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turmoil in their relationship and emerged with patience have emerged stronger after the crisis.

A common purpose. Working together, building together, failing and succeeding together – while pursuing a common purpose - that is what relationships are made of. Find people with whom you have common purposes. In your current relationships, find a common purpose to look forward to. It will gel and create long lasting joy and benefits.

Have fun. OFun brings enjoyment to the relationship. Often, this is forgotten or neglected in our family and spouses. Especially when we take the relationship for granted. We have to remember to consciously create fun situations and moments that we will remember with amusement and gratitude for a long time. Having and developing all these takes time, but it is the most rewarding activity one can have. You’ll not regret and be ever so grateful you did at the end. May is passionate about helping people achieve the life of their dreams. Discover your self. Live Fully and Achieve. http://www.successinspired.com.

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Women Who Get Dirty BY ANNETTE JOHNSON

“I love what I do,” said Linda Anderson, owner of Anderson CCBI Construction & Quintessential Homes. “I love the creativity of it all. I work 60-80 hours a week, and I don’t mind.” Her 15-year-old company builds everything from affordable to highend homes in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area. Through the implementation of affirmative action programs that began in the early 60s, women like Linda have been able to make great strides in political, economic and social realms in the United States. Women have even moved from the sidelines to the main players in certain professions, such as education,health care and communications. The career opportunities where women’s advancement remain stunted may come as no surprise because even some women perceive these jobs as male-preferred occupations. They are physically demanding trades with historically male appeal, such as welding, carpentry, auto mechanics. In construction, women have been less than 2.3 percent of the workforce since the early ‘80s. In other fields, however, the numbers have changed quite dramatically. Ironically, 56

affirmative action programs began in the construction industry. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson created the Office of Federal Contract Compliance requiring all government contractors and subcontractors to use affirmative action to expand job opportunities for minorities in federallyfunded construction jobs. Susan Eisenberg, author and professor at Brandeis University, started working as an electrician in 1978 when, she says, affirmative action first opened construction jobs to women. President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12067 in 1978 to develop uniform equal employment enforcement standards that applied throughout government. Seventeen federal agencies and departments were then responsible for enforcing non-

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discrimination statutes and orders under the oversight of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). “When Jimmy Carter issued the executive order, in the early days,” says Susan, “it had a lot of strong enforcement. The women who came in that period actually experienced affirmative action that was enforced and had that expectation. When it went from Carter to Regan, he kind of dealt with affirmative action like he did with OSHA. Things didn’t go off the books, but they stopped being enforced. They slashed the number of monitors. With nobody checking, that’s where the numbers really stalled.” Susan, one of the first women in the country to achieve journey-level status as a union electrician, has discovered that hers-magazine.com

question about whether do women have the strength or physical ability is a totally different question in 2015 than it might have been in 1980. The [construction] work itself today is much more mechanical so that’s not an issue. Because the work is a lot more computerized, it involves using your brain more than your biceps. So a lot has changed in the industry and the way women are raised has changed and yet, these figures are the same. In her book, “We’ll Call You If We Need You,” Susan examined the factors that contribute to women’s low representation in male-dominated professions. She interviewed 30 women in five trades and examined the role of violence, including random accidents, in the workplace. Overall, she discovered that there is a “need to regulate the office” better than it is now. She also has a blog to bring the

perspective of grassroots tradeswomen into the public policy conversation. Among the issues is the topic of keeping tradeswomen as an apprentice, which is equivalent to a college intern. You are paid as you train. In 1978, women were supposed to be 25% of all the apprenticeship classes, recounts Susan. “That would have led to women being 25% of the workforce. One thing wrong with the federal guidelines is that they don’t separate apprentice and journey level. It’s not an advantage to an employer to hire a journey level rate person. So you see a lot of women working as an apprentice rather than a journey level.” Susan insists that there must be a legislative and societal commitment to making changes. “All these years later, how do we make Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) a reality, not just a law?”

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Tips For Women Seeking Careers In Male-Dominated Fields: • Look at the “real” opportunities to advance in that career. Are the opportunities limited or fairly dispense based on ability and experience? • Find out the systems that are in place to ensure your safety and success on the job. Who are the gatekeepers? • Work with employers or seek unions who have demonstrated their commitment to fair employment. • Don’t do it alone. Network with other women who are ahead of you, those who are doing or have done what you’re trying to do. Get mentors (male or female) or friends who can problemsolve with you. • Look for political allies who can keep pressure on enforcement of having a fair workplace. • Be aware of your own rights and resources.

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Towing is for Her: ‘Bernice’ BY ANNETTE JOHNSON

omen are taking on all sorts of roles formerly restricted to men. Although these jobs may not be seen as desirable to some women, one woman shows us repeatedly that not only can a woman do a “man’s job,” but she can also do it better to some degree. If you haven’t seen her on TV, taking, towing and even flipping cars, then you missed one of our modern-day superwomen in terms of physical strength and mental fortitude. Lakatriona Brunson, or “Bernice,” is a tow truck driver for Tremont, a Miami, Florida, towing company featured on TruTV’s reality show “South Beach Tow.” The show features dramatized 60

reenactments of unwitting Tremont Towing customers, or some might say “victims.” The show first premiered on July 20, 2011, and among the show’s breakout favorites was Bernice, a cool but no BS driver who literally moved anything out the way that interfered with her one goal – making money. “It’s like a family,” says Bernice of her interaction with castmates. “We fight. We fuss and all that other good stuff.” Of her on-air family, she describes tow driver Jerome “J-Money” Jackson as the

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“lady’s man.” Like a big sister, Bernice finds herself being protective of others on the show who need her strength. “I’ve always been like that growing up. The weaker people, I always cling to them. Basically, I mentor them and try to get them to a point where they don’t have to depend on anybody [for protection].” Prior to working at Tremont, Bernice worked in Miami’s public school system as an SCSI (in-school suspension) teacher. She was looking for summer work when she landed the towing job and subsequent

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Pick Those Weeds! The Herbal Benefits of Five Common â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unwantedâ&#x20AC;? Plants BY JAIME JOHNSON

Technically, a weed is defined as any plant that is growing in a place where it is unwanted. Most weeds are very invasive and can quickly take over your entire garden. Before you remove that unwanted plant, make sure you know what it is. Often these undesired plants have health benefits that might just give them a special place in your yard. Before using any of these plants, be sure they have been obtained from areas free of pesticide use.

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Plantain has long been considered a healing plant. Of no relation to the banana-like plant of the same name, this particular plantain is a perennial that is commonly found in meadows or on the roadside. Plantains have anti-inflammatory properties and have long been used as a soothing, pain reducer for bug bites and stings. It may even be used on small wounds to help stop bleeding or to soothe and reduce the swelling of minor burns. To use, crush the leaves and apply to the skin.

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1. Exercise

Engaging in regular physical activity is a logical and obvious way to lose weight. These days, a gym membership may be too expensive or too far from where you live. Instead, try walking for at least 30 minutes per day. This could include walking to and from your car in a parking lot, doing laps around the park or campus, or window-shopping at a mall. If your safety is an issue, you can also keep your workouts indoors by running up and down the stairs, doing sit-ups, jogging in place, or jumping rope. For weight lifting, try using canned foods or packs of dry beans instead of dumbbells.

2. Do Not Skip Meals

Ways to Prevent Weight Gain When You Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Make Your Own Food BY RHEA LI

Staying healthy can be difficult when you have limited resources. Frequent business travelers, for example, must rely on pre-made restaurant foods often loaded with salt, fat, and other preservatives. Trying to find a good meal with fresh fruit and vegetables can be an arduous task without the necessary support. However, there are numerous ways to stay healthy and prevent weight gain, even when

One of the biggest myths to weight loss is that skipping meals is the best solution. On the surface, it makes sense: eating less means fewer calories, thus leading to weight loss. However, what actually happens is that your bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s metabolism slows down in an effort to conserve energy, thus storing fat. As a result, when you do eat, the food is broken down a lot more slowly. This food is also stored as energy or fat, which means that even when you exercise, your body does not burn fat. Another issue with skipping meals is that since your body is so hungry, you end up overeating during the meals that you allow yourself. Therefore, it is recommended that you eat every few hours, about 5-6 small meals per day. For example, have some eggs for breakfast, and have a small piece of fruit a few hours later. Consume a small lunch, such as a sandwich, and snack on crackers and cheese in the late afternoon. The key is to include protein and carbohydrate at every meal. Nuts, dried fruit, cheese, saltine crackers, and peanut butter all make nutritious satiating snacks.

you are unable to prepare your own food. 64

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GOVAN GIVES

US SOMETHING

FOR SPRING BY CHLOE BARKSDALE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEF JASSO | STYLING BY STACY ELLEN BEAUTY BY DAVED MUNOZ SCISSORHANDS (HAIR) & ELLA ARREOLA (MAKEUP). EYE WEAR COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT WWW.STEVIEBOI.COM

Gloria Mendoza Govan is mainly known for being the wife of Los Angeles Clippers player Matt Barnes and a former reality star on the hit TV series “Basketball Wives: LA.” Much notoriety was gained from not only her role on the TV show, which she appeared on for three seasons, but also for her turbulent relationship with Matt that has played out in the media over the last few years. In October 2014, the couple, who married in 2012, announced their separation. While at the recent premiere of “The Wedding Ringer,” Govan says she’s “letting it ride out” rather than airing all her personal business on social media. Gloria apparently first met Matt when only 12 years old. At that time, she vowed that one day they would marry, and years later, her prediction rang true. Though most would only know of Gloria through her estranged proballer husband, assuming by him she’d rest on her laurels, a VH1 blog revealed that Gloria’s parents own nightclubs in California. In the past, she’s stated that she hoped to open up a club like her parents,

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possibly in Orlando with her brother, and she was working on developing a crib mattress that would help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). On “Basketball Wives,” Gloria held firm in her belief that what she and Matt shared was far superior to the experiences of others on the show. Her refusal to succumb to the questionable antics of her costars along with her refusal to accept the often-unsolicited advice of the other women, tended to keep her somewhat isolated at times. Yet now, Gloria, who Matt has described as an “attention seeker,” has joined the ranks of most of her former co-stars, a soon-to-be ex. With the TV show now behind her, it is the controversy between her and Matt that seems to keep the blogs talking rather than her current career aspirations as a model and actress. Take a look at some exclusive pictures of Gloria posing in beachwear. Go online to Facebook (/hersmagazine) or Twitter (@ hersmagazine) to tell us what you think.

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For those facing a major life crisis, hitting progress barriers, or simply want to learn how to lead a more fulfilling and happy life. “What differentiates Bridging to Joy from similar-sounding approaches is its commitment to outlining the exact steps to ‘getting there’—and that’s what makes it a standout in both self-help and business genres.” —D. Donovan, Book Reviewer, Midwest Book Review “Rather than cheerleading with superficial encouragement, Carr offers substantive suggestions and insight born of her extensive experience working one-on-one with clients in her life coaching practice. Her results-oriented approach is easily adaptable to any reader’s unique circumstances, whether the reader wishes to overcome a challenging life event, or simply feels stymied in reaching success and achieving happiness.” —US Review of Books, Recommended Read “A must-have tool for anyone who is looking to enhance their life or business in ways that they never thought possible.” By skilled life coach, transformation specialist and consultant Mary Taylor Carr www.Bridgesc.com https://www.facebook.com/BridgingtoJoy

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HER LESSONS

BIG The Beauty and Business of

BOOTIES BY ANNETTE JOHNSON

rom wearing butt lifters to rubbing on butt creams, everything is all about the butt lately, the bigger the better, it seems. The so-called “Michelangelo of buttocks injections,” a transgender hip-hop performer named Padge-Victoria Windslowe, is on trial for allegedly causing the death of a patient that he injected with food-grade silicon in 2011. That same year, Padge hosted a “pumping party” in Philadelphia, where someone claims to have been harmed, resulting in hospitalization. Stories like this continue to emerge in the news, as people desperate to transform their behinds undergo procedures from unlicensed individuals. Some even travel to other countries, such as Thailand and Brazil, where they reportedly “do the best work for less.” As more celebrities are now donning enhanced

buttocks – some claiming they are all natural, however – we wonder if the trend will become more popular. What do everyday women think of this trend? We asked them in our latest poll. Almost all (87%) of the respondents felt that having a plump butt was important. Only 13% of the respondents said they would consider getting their own butt enhanced. The majority, more than two-thirds (67%), said they would keep what they have. Meanwhile, one in five (20%) said “maybe” they’d consider it. What this means is that most women believe society, or more specifically men, prefers a rounder derriere. They may secretly envy the attention and seemingly overnight celebrity of those who have gotten career-defining butt augmentations. Still, they are not willing to alter their rear-ends to suit the current culture. Of those who may have gotten a little help from

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Ski RESORTS

year-round fabulous vacation spots BY PEGGY HATTENDORF

Push off skiing down the steep, snow covered hill - the wind against your face - heart pounding – adrenaline rushing – a combination of fear and total exhilaration. Sit with a hot cup of cocoa and gaze out the window at the icicles hanging from the eaves of the houses. Fresh powdery white snow from an overnight snowfall glistens in the morning sunlight. Head to the backcountry for Nordic skiing where the snow crystals twinkle along the perfectly prepared path. Feel the excitement of landing by helicopter and stepping out onto a glacier. Laugh with your children as you float in tubes in a pristine mountain lake. There’s something to enjoy winter, spring, summer or fall at these charming mountain resorts. These gems will give you reason to grab your skis now or plan for a family summer vacation.

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Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado are consistently ranked top ski areas by travel and ski publications. World-class skiing and world-class people watching. You can spot celebrities on the slopes, walking in town, shopping in the elegant boutiques or dining in the fashionable restaurants. With the extensive terrain there are places for all levels of skiers. Experts like the runs at Aspen Mountain, locals take to Aspen Highlands, beginners try Buttermilk and families flock to Snowmass. Winter activities not only include downhill skiing, but also cross-country skiing, tubing, snowbiking and Powder Tours on snowcats. Summer brings the perfect time for hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting as well as golf and tennis. Plan a visit to the Maroon Bells, with aspen forest, lofty granite peaks and alpine meadows. Located in the Snowmass Wilderness area, rising in elevation to over 14,000 feet, these mountains are the most photographed peaks in North America. Aspen has wonderful lodging choices with the Hotel Jerome and St. Regis at the top end of the spectrum as well as excellent mid-range priced hotels. There are noteworthy restaurants such as Pinons, Creperie du Village and The J. Bar at the Hotel Jerome. Aspen also has an engaging nightlife. Snowmass, part of the Aspen/ Snowmass ski resort complex in Snowmass Village, is 14.5 miles from Aspen and tends to be more affordable and family friendly, offering condos in every size and budget. Destination Resorts Snowmass Vacation Rentals offers a large inventory of properties.

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Deems itself the “Last Great Ski Town” – authentic, friendly and free of crowds. This quaint 1880’s mining village, with its collection of colorful Victorian buildings, also holds the distinction of being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Skiing plays a central role in winter activities. The town erects a ski jump in the middle of downtown during the annual Big Air on Elk celebration. It also holds The Alley Loop which is the highest-altitude Nordic skiing marathon in the U.S. But it’s not short on other winter outdoor activities with snowboarding, dog sledding, iceskating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Turning to summer, Crested Butte hosts a six-week Music Festival featuring free outdoor concerts and art walk. The town is a mountain bike paradise and even has a festival for that too. Accommodations in Crested Butte range from historic hotels and inns in the heart of town, to bed and breakfasts, condos and hostels spread around the area. For an interesting dining experience, try the Sleigh Ride Dinner to Uley’s Cabin.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Lake Placid, New York Delights in its sports history - home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. It still operates a training ground for new athletes staying true to its Olympic heritage. It features a ski-jumping complex, bobsled run at Mount Van Hoevenberg and ice rinks on Main Street. But it is also one of the oldest vacation destinations in America, and during The Gilded Age, the well-heeled visitors held court at the Lake 88

Placid Club. Here one can ski the greatest vertical drop in the east at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington or enjoy world class Alpine skiing. Summer weather brings forth hiking, boating, fishing, golfing and biking. Lake Placid has a vibrant arts scene and film festival. Learn more about the Olympic Games with a visit to the Lake Placid

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Winter Olympic Museum. There are accommodations for every budget. At the top end are the Lake Placid Lodge, Whiteface Lodge and Mirror Lake Inn. The Crown Plaza Resort & Golf Club and Best Western Adirondack Inn Lake Placid are mid-range properties. For a memorable dining experience try Paradox Lodge or The View Restaurant at Mirror Lake Inn. hers-magazine.com

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How to Dance the Tango in 8 Moves BY INGRID MICHAELSON

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Madonna is Only Human

BY MORGAN HUFSTADER

ove her or loathe her, Madonna is back in full fury with the release of her latest album, Rebel Heart. Though the album was initially intended for release later in the year. After a few tracks leaked, her label was forced to release the first half of the album. While the marketing might seem a little strange, at very least it gives us, and the rest of the world, a chance to sample the album before it’s official release. Rebel Heart starts off with more of a whimper than a bang. The first track, Living for Love, doesn’t do the album justice. It starts off like something that would play in a dentist office. Devil Pray is a little more like it. Madonna incorporates a lot of her standard religious (or, depending who you’re taking to, sacrilegious) iconography within the lyrics of the song. The message is a strange blend of hippie-era drug worship (is acid still a thing?) and genuine soul searching. There are a little too much synthetics in some of the tracks, giving the impression that they’re masking years of wear and tear on her voice, but then Madonna busts into Ghosttown. The song proves, above all, that Madonna is not irrelevant in the 21st century. She manages to bring a surprisingly modern sound to her music and her voice, providing fierce competition to the “young and fresh” pop stars, including Rihanna or Sia. Unapologetic Bitch is in the same line. Illuminati sounds the most like a homage to her fans of the 80s, mainly with her opening monologue and pulsing electronic feel. Ironically, Madonna blends in smoothly to the age of electronic, rusty metal synthetic pop. In many ways, she rode the initial wave of incorporating synthetic sounds in her music. With that said, there is still an aged quality to her sound. Bitch I’m Madonna featuring Nicki Minaj is a very obvious attempt to break into club music, but it feels more like something Mrs. Pacman would rock out to. At the end of the day, Madonna has a lot to prove with this album. It is a clear effort to stay true to Madonna’s old sound, as well as update her.

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Ultimately, no one is arguing that Madonna is a legend, but maybe she is destined to be just that—a legend of something that was once great. Songs like Ghosttown proves that Madonna does have it in her to rise to the occasion again, but Rebel Heart doesn’t have the shock-and-awe spice that long-time Madonna fans are accustomed to hearing. As Madonna herself admits in the lyrics, “I can’t be a superhero right now…I’m only human.” This is, however, only the first half of her album, so there may still be a trick or two up Madonna’s sleeve. Look out for Rebel Heart in March.

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No One Puts Baby In A Corner BY PAIGE HOVEY

wenty-eight years after her unforgettable introduction in 1987, Frances “Baby” Houseman leapt from the corner of the silver screen and onto a live stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Dirty Dancing- The Classic Story on Stage stopped at the Fox for a five day run in late November. Producers intended to place the audience “in” the movie. Everything was nearly the same from start to finish, sans a few details. A few supplemental songs that effortlessly fit the story and era were added to the recognizable soundtrack. According to creator Eleanor Bergstein, she tried very hard to get these songs into the movie soundtrack, but they were beyond the budget at the time. This was her second chance to incorporate these missing songs into the story, just as she originally intended. The pressure to stick to the formula, however, was on. The classic film has been watched and beloved by millions of zealous fans for over a quarter of a century. This stage musical was not only made for those who have seen the movie, but also for those who have seen the movie countless times and know every minute of film by heart. Patrons most likely to buy tickets expect status quo. Set designer Stephen Brimson Lewis chose minimalism to devise a genius series of versatile stages that transitioned seamlessly from one to another. One moment, we are with Baby at a racy employee party, and within a blink we arrive with her to a wholesome family outdoor activity. Even in the field, forest, and lake scenes when Johnny and Baby practice doing the catch, the setting was impressively clever and never unclear. If I had to guess how the show’s budget was prioritized, I would bet that most money was spent on eye-catching costuming, lighting, and choreography. Funds seemed to be saved on “triple threat” talent that we’re so used to seeing in all other Broadway shows. If not for a couple of powerhouse vocal soloists, the show could hardly pass as a musical. The cast included the two singers, a few respectable actors, and of course about a dozen exceptional dancers. The skill of the dancers and entertainment value of the show itself accounted for the missing traditional musical components. Jillian Mueller played the fresh-faced daddy’s girl “Baby,” whose transition from girlhood to womanhood advanced beautifully and gracefully. The way she looked at the faculty of dancers for the first time showed the awe and envy for who she wanted to become. Her costuming was a character all its own in her maturation, growing Baby up right before

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the eyes of the audience. Seasoned and broken-in Johnny Castle was portrayed by Samuel Pergande. As an excellent dancer with impressive credentials, his footwork was mesmerizing. His disposition toward Baby made it clear in their first scenes together that he found her to be a burden with whom he did not want to be bothered. Unfortunately, that treatment continued throughout the show. Samuel seemed to have no fun with the role and Johnny’s evolution to a kinder, softened man did not make it past the stage. Johnny remained a cold, rigid character and his lines were recited with monotoned resentment. Off the dance floor, there wasn’t a degree of heat between the two leads, but with music, the flame rose. Samuel’s inner actor clearly lives in his legs, as the absent passion and love for Baby came to life with no resistance during the duo’s dances. The producers very much delivered directly to their aim to bring the movie to life. The stage production was a near carbon copy of the ‘87 film, but with modernized color palettes and brighter, jazzier visuals. Along with a few added songs and a quick scene or two of extra dialogue, it was every bit the timeless film painted onto a stage. I would strongly wager it hit the mark for die-hard fans, and for those new to the story, it was a fun, visually stunning, and highly entertaining event. Paige Hovey is an Atlanta-based freelance columnist specializing in food writing, theater, interpersonal dynamics, religious philosophy, and personal growth. She can be reached at thesephoolishthings@gmail.com.

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