Ocala Magazine by Jim Canada

January

people who are

2011 $4.95 U.S.

outstanding in Ocala including our person of the year Frank Hennessey

your 2011 key to the community plus

Chef Rick Alabaugh makes eating healthy in the new year

simply delish

CELEBRATING OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY Representing the ultimate in gracious Central Florida living

WINNER

HIGHEST NUMBER OF AWARDS, HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS for ANY magazine in Central Florida

MOST LOYAL MAGAZINE READERSHIP in Florida according to the 2010 Media Audit survey

Immediate opulence.

Previewing two exceptional homes. Surrounded by Golden Ocala’s world class amenities.

The Lancaster

5,252 square feet of air conditioned space.

LUETGERT DEVELOPMENT CORP.

The Biscayne

6,884 square feet of air conditioned space.

ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES

F or those who would rather do than dream, Golden Ocala unveils two exceptional homes in Masters Village. These are homes beyond your wildest dreams, carefully crafted by two of the area’s finest homebuilders – Arthur Rutenberg Homes and Luetgert Development Corporation. To see these masterpieces and the world class amenities of Golden Ocala, call for a personal tour.

800-251-7674 • 352-369-6969 www.GoldenOcala.com

To visit, take I-75 to Exit 354. Travel north on US 27 for 5 miles. The entrance to Golden Ocala is on the left.

I’ll only ever have one Daddy. Thanks to ICE, we have a lot more moments together.”

Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence 4600 SW 46th Ct. Suite 340 Ocala, FL 34474 Office: 352.854.0681 Fax: 352.387.0390 1400 U.S. Hwy 441 N. Suite 531 The Villages, FL 32159 Office: 352.509.9295 Fax: 352.509.9296 412 West Noble Avenue Williston, FL 32696 Office: 352.528.3540 Fax: 352.528.0271 Institute of Medical Excellence The Villages, FL 32159 Office: 352.528.0790 Fax: 352.528.0732

New Year, New Smile For your added comfort we now offer Sedation Dentistry complimentary consultations by appointment 3321 SW 32nd Ave, Ocala FL 34474 ocaladentistry.com I 352.622.8897

Now Available

Ocala, Florida This spectacular twenty-first century estate has craftsmanship and attention-to-detail that is unsurpassed. The Mediterranean/Tuscan inspired interior finishes are elegant and include: a family room with handscraped Hickory floors, Cypress beamed ceilings, stone walls, fireplace and built-in entertainment cabinetry; superb wine room with Sub-Zero wine refrigerators and appliances, copper sink and granite counters; den with Busby Knotty Alder cabinet wall with built in desk; and a gourmet kitchen, breakfast bar plus breakfast nook. The home sports four bedrooms, four and one-half baths. The sumptuous master suite is masterfully showcased with remote controlled window treatments, his and her walk-in closets, plus a bath enhanced by barrel ceiling treatment with gold leaf finish, stone and marble walk-in shower and Kohler jetted tub.

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Tuscan patio entertainment area with oversized swimming pool, raised spa, sundeck, full outdoor kitchen, television, audio and a fireplace. The professionally designed landscape includes authentic English garden, Zoysia turf, Italian Cyrpess and Olive trees with a complete lighting package.

illustration/photography credit i name goes here

106.72 +/- Acres with rolling hills and magnificent views in the NE awaiting equine estates – 10 to 20 Acres available – Borders Florida Greenways and trails your dream home.

174.23 Acres Borders the Florida Greenways and trails. Additional adjoining Country Club of Ocala – 1 to 2 Acres lots 86 +/- acres also available.

Via Paradisus – 10 to 32.38 +/- acres – Borders the Florida Greenways and Trails 100 +/- Acres – Beautiful Granddaddy Oaks, rolling hills and lake complete with equestrian facilities.

Additional tracts of land available boarding the Florida Greenway and trails – call for additional information.

Joan Pletcher reAltOr

(352) 347-1777 Cell (352) 266-9100 • (352) 804-8989 For additional information & listings, visit www.joanpletcher.com illustration/photography credit i name goes here

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ear! Y w e N y app

5 Things That Make Me Smile

1. Our family vacations. 2. Watching my beautiful daughter Rayna dance. 3. Traveling the world! 4. Shopping! 5. Creating Beautiful Smiles in Ocala! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dr. Tina Chandra Chandra Smile Designs

Dr. Tina Chandra,

Cosmetic and General Dentist

Photo by Tammy Griffin Photography Ceramic Veneers by Aurum Lab

a beautiful smile begins here featuring cosmetic restorative zoom! whitening crowns & bridges dentures sedation dentistry

veneers periodontics digital smile makeovers cosmetic fillings implants tmj disorder

botox + juvederm BEFORE

Call Sandy today at

(352)861-1500 for your smile evaluation www.chandrasmiles.com

AFTER

We know Ocala by

urban cardi logy MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI

More than 25 years experience Amanda L. Reid, ARNP MSN, ACNP-BC 1800 SE 17th St, #700, Ocala 352.789.6008

Develop the Whole Student.

Experience the St. John Advantage.

Experience the advantage. Experience St. John Lutheran. Come and see what the Saints are all about! “Saint for a Day” visit St. John classes for a day!

St. John Lutheran School “A Tradition of Excellence”

JANUARY 14TH, 20TH, 28TH AND FEBRUARY 11TH, 25TH

“High School Preview Night”

(for any student and parents interested in SJ high school) JANUARY 24TH, 5:45 P.M.

Kindergarten Roundup

(for any students & parents interested in PK3, PK4 or Kindergarten) FEBRUARY 17TH, 4-6 P.M.

Campus Wide Open House

(for any students & parents interested in any grade PK3 – 12th grade at St. John) FEBRUARY 24TH, 4-6:30 P.M.

For more information, or to reserve a seat at any of these events, contact 352-622-7275 x6 or x1 or saints@stjohnocala.org

1915 S.E. Lake Weir Avenue, Ocala 352.622.7275 www.stjohnocala.org www.saintsblueandgold.blogspot.com St. John Lutheran School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin. N O W ACCE P TIN G E N R O L L ME N T F O R 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 12 CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND CAMPUS TOUR! STUDENTS MAY SCHEDULE TO BE A “SAINT FOR A DAY” VISIT.

AUTHENTIC SEQUENTIAL CURRICULUM • K3 – 12 • STRONG ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

“WE’RE NOT JUST A GREAT DEALERSHIP — WE’RE AN EXCEPTIONAL DEALERSHIP!”

ING... PRESENT EW N THE ALL LE RY X ic ll 2011 CriAM Sea Meta Cap

MPG HWY

! RENCE E F IF D HE AKES T M A C U 50 L R… De 0) 342-25 0 A 8 C ( r E o 0 H T -077 MAKES (352) 732 A A T L A O C Y O O T ty AD IN with hones LEGE RO COL 1719 SW yota.com cato www.delu

ustomers 2 years!” 3 “Treating c ty for over ent/Owner and integri ca, Presid DeLu —Frank

AZIN AZI ZINE NECON CONT NTEN TEN January 2011

features

032 I

STORY: PERSON OF THE YEAR

061 I

STORY:SIMPLY DELISH

departments

015 I AGENDA 040 I

STORY: CITY GUIDE

017 I publisher’s letter 019 I reader perspectives 020 I calendar 023 I what’s news 029 I q+a with Jaye 031 I trends

073 I SNAPSHOTS 087 I MEDICAL JOURNAL

048 I

087 I assisted living in marion county STORY: WAYNE SMITH

096 I VOX ON THE COVER (AND THIS PAGE): FRANK HENNESSEY PHOTOGRAPHY: FRED LOPEZ

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$2 ates start ,95 ing at 0 Start Your New Year

Wonderfully at the Windsor

“I Sold My Ass On Ocala4sale.com!” --Dawn McCrary

ocala4sale.com

2650 SE 18th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 • 352.873.8000 The Right Leaders, The Right Place

Marion County's Internet Marketplace!

ALF#11656

22 S. Pine Ave. • 352-629-1663

Creative Film & TV Workshops with LA Producer Nick Loren Coming In January! The Hottest New Entertainment Show Anywhere! Focusing on Celebrity Interviews, Independent Artists, and Rising Stars! Shot on Location as well as our Ocala Studio. Get Ready for "Living The Dream At OMT" Check out our website for further information.

ocalamodelsandtalent.com Special Thanks to Grammy Winner, Linda Davis, for her fabulous workshop. 7355 SW 38th Street, Suite 101, Ocala // ocalatalent@earthlink.net // 352.369.1212 Studio 352.425.1111 Cell

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Photography by Michael Crains

Photos by:Michael Cairns

opinions, commentary + feedback

happening in Hoggetowne! on page 027

publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter I 017 calendar I 020 whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news I 023 q+a with jaye I 029 trends I 031 January

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jointheclub The fabulous Rick Alabaugh — former executive chef of the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa (Vail’s only 5 star resort) and Central Florida’s most award-winning chef — is now at Country Club of Ocala. If you haven’t experienced Rick and his personality and cuisine, you are missing something extraordinary, Private dinners or an event in the banquet hall are not to be missed. Looking for the country club with an atmosphere of elegance that is not only luxurious but family-friendly? Well you’re almost there! Just call to discuss the many benefits Country Club of Ocala offers. Whether it’s a relaxing dinner or an active day of fun, you will find the best facilities here.

Call today to learn more about the membership choices and benefits for your family, your company and you!

6823 SE 12th Circle, Ocala, Florida • 352.237.6644 • www.thecountryclubofocala.com • banquets@thecountryclubofocala.com Various levels of memberships available. Please contact us for more information.

publisher’sletter xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

linda marks publisher linda@ocalamagazine.com Gene McConnell vice president gene@ocalamagazine.com

OCALAMAGAZINE Volume 31, Issue 07

EdItOrIAL/ dEsIGN Jamie Ezra Mark editorial+creative director jamie@ocalamagazine.com

Brittany Batsel executive editor brittany@ocalamagazine.com Bud Beck marketing editor bud@ocalamagazine.com Kip Williams art director kip@ocalamagazine.com Jim Canada senior designer james@ocalamagazine.com Fred Lopez photo editor/photographer fred@ocalamagazine.com -------------------------

sALEs & MArkEtING Ron Kolb director of sales & marketing ron@ocalamagazine.com

Alex Martinez business analyst alex@ocalamagazine.com

I’m not crying, it’s only January Well, the NewYear has hatched, sticking its scrawny neck out of the eggshell of 2011. For me, I can only think of January beginnings in terms that are not exactly warm. Both of my marriages ended in January. The first when in a fit of anger – over what, I can’t even remember now – I packed my bag, a TV set and a bed and left in a huff. My second marriage ended even more tragically. My husband died of a massive heart attack right in front of me. That was a tape that looped and replayed in my head for years, making sure that I always remember January. After that, I clutched my furry, warm, wiggling-to-get-away dog, the one that I hadn’t even wanted my husband to buy, and retreated to try to figure things out. I spent way too much time and money in the wild jungles of Costa Rica and among the dark stone monoliths of Malta trying to find my way. I’m not so sure that I got any answers to life’s probing questions; but at least I outlasted the month. Both events held enough traumas to seal the deal in making sure that I leveled a flint-edged stare at January. Isn’t it interesting that we let events mark our lives and calendars forever? So, when two years ago my mother died, although assuredly against her will, of course it was January. And by the way, before she died she did remind me that with her exit, I was now on life’s front line. But not-to-worry, I’ll just keep telling myself that time and dates don’t matter.

-------------------------

OpErAtIONs Norm Herbert distribution

Barbara Stanton accountant + collections barbara@ocalamagazine.com -------------------------

Linda Marks I Publisher linda@ocalamagazine.com

CONtrIbutOrs Djamel E. Ramoul photographer Paula Bleau web development Robert Sanes editorial intern Kerry Bedaw editorial intern -------------------------

EdItOrIAL Or AdvErtIsING INquIrIEs phone 352.622.2995 fax 352.622.9200 www.ocalamagazine.com

OFFICES 743 S.E. Fort King St. Ocala, FL 34471 MaIlIng addrESS P.O. Box 4649, Ocala, FL 34478 PHOnE 352.622.2995 FaX 352.622.9200 lETTErS TO THE EdITOr by mail or email: letters@ocalamagazine.com SUBSCrIPTIOn $30-one year, $50-two years, $4.95-single issue. COPYrIgHT All contents copyrighted 2010 by Special Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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17TH ST DISCOUNT PHARMACY&COMPOUNDING

Family owned and operated I providing low cost prescriptions to non-insured I compound pharmacy specializes in compounding hormone replacement, pain management, dermatology, and veterinary drugs ACCEPTING PRIVATE AND SELF PAY PATIENTS

2506B SE 17TH STREET OCALA, FL 34471 PHONE 352.351.3330

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readerperspectives reader perspectives letters from readers

The December issue is amazing! Everyone’s photos turned out fantastic! —Donnie Berry via facebook

our best effort I loooooove Best of the Best 2010 — thank you for doing this! Such a win win for the community, so many reasons to celebrate. People are coming up to me with congratulations for “Best Local Author.” I am surprised and honored — I love your readers! — Lucy Tobias

honorable mentions I wish to commend you for the November Ocala Magazine cover featuring Vietnam veteran Miguel Cruz and your story, “A Call to Duty.” The article was a topic of conversation after the Ocala Palms Worship Community Sunday morning worship service on November 7th. It was a morale booster, and as a veteran, I believe it is good to hear the accounts of other veterans who served because so many veterans feel that they are forgotten and not appreciated for their sacrifice and service. Thank you for remembering them. — Rev. Dr. Robert Greaves Pastor, Ocala Palms Worship Community

an Ocala Palm resident was so much appreciated by veterans and their families. Your photos and remarks were so appropriate at this tribute to veterans and their dedication and service to this great nation. Sometimes America looks at football, baseball or movie stars as the “Heroes” when in fact it’s the American veteran, whose sacrifice and dedication to this great Nation, made our freedoms possible. Their sacrifice only proves the saying I use so much: “Freedom is not free”. Freedom came at a great price and we should be humbled at the cost of lives and dreams of the many veterans. We were pleased to see Miguel Cruz put in a place of honor in your November Issue. — Larry Fleming Ocala Palms Veterans Committee

Got a chance to get through the November issue. I have to say that the “dog tag” cover art and the fade in of the photos when the veterans were in active duty is top notch. Great job once again! — James Tomlinson via facebook

During our last Veterans Day service some 450 veterans, friends, and family members attended this most special service. Your “Ocala Magazine” article and cover photos of Miguel Cruz,

healthy praise Congratulations Brittany and Rob on your wonderful, brave story in the recent issue of Ocala Magazine! Outside of my own

salvation, the birth of my sons and grandson Colton, Rob’s recovery in April/May 2002 is the biggest miracle in my life! How blessed all of us were to get to witness God at work. Thank you for using this “second chance” to do something “good… really good”. Rob, you and your family remain on my prayer list… on the thanksgiving side of said list! — Carrie King Ocala

Thank you for publishing the article on my experiences with cancer and H.U.G.S Charities — and for the flattering pictures. I hope the article will be of benefit. — Michael Koontz

voice of reason I was shocked and saddened to read the VOX (voice of the people) in the November issue of Ocala Magazine. The juxtaposition citing your 30th anniversary and the honors for the magazine with the printing of the sick and disgusting signage from Hercules sign company left me with only one question… what were YOU thinking? I fully appreciate our right of free speech but these vitriolic and insensitive phrases need not be published. Why give credence to anyone that is so small minded and disrespectful

to the people of Marion County. Your right as the publisher is the right of refusal for heinous material that indeed is NOT reflective of the majority. Domestic violence, demeaning remarks about women and certainly making an utterly repulsive comment about someone in a wheelchair is just wrong. — Susie Berger

editor’s note: We believe sometimes the best thing to do with this type of messaging is just to shine a light on it. We trust that the good people of this community will recognize it for what it is — we count on it.

China express My husband Danny and I were excited to pick up a copy of Ocala Magazine with the story about our recent Chamber group trip to China. Danny had one correction — at the World Expo, the article said that the travelers scattered to do a variety of things, but failed to mention that some travelers went in search of “cheap Chinese beer.” Great trip, great new friends, great photos and great article. Thanks for a wonderful trip souvenir. — Sarah Ritterhoff Williams County Judge

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calendarjanuary calendar

Your guide to what’s happening in Ocala this month

January 8 The Joint is Jumpin’ at the First Annual Canteen Dance to benefit Operation Shoebox and the Silver Springs Shores Lion’s Club. Event will be at the VFW Hall in Belleview. Live music, costume contest, 50/50-food, cash bar, dancing demonstrations and more. Call Operation Shoebox for ticket information. 352.307.6723 or 352.208.8061. January 8 & 9 17th Annual Ford & Mustang Roundup at Silver Springs. A relaxing weekend in a natural setting to visit with fellow hobbyists and friends. Silver Springs is more than a show... it’s a tradi-

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tion. 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. For more info, including registration, contact Derek Putnam at 352.861.8701, ext. 4207 or www. nationalpartsdepot.com January 9 The Ocala Symphony Orchestra and the Appleton Museum of Art will present a three-event series of music and art beginning Sunday, January 9th at the Museum with “The Nature of Music” celebrating the Appleton’s Reflections exhibition. Musical experts will talk about, play, and explore classical chamber music inspired by the great outdoors. The afternoon will include an introduction from OSO conductor Matthew Wardell and opportunities for audience members to interact, ask questions, and be a part of this intimate music-making experience. 4333 East Silver Springs Blvd. Call 352.732.3863 for more information. January 15 AAMCA presents their 4th annual “After New Year’s Scholarship Fundraiser Dance” from 7 PM-1 AM. The event will be held at the Silver Spring Shores Community Center located at 590 Silver Road. The cost for this semiformal affair is $20 per person or $100 per table of six (includes a set up) BYOB. The price includes dinner. For additional information call: 352.687.1274

January 15 38 Special in concert at Silver Springs. 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 352.236.2121 January 15 Ryan Weaver in concert at Midnight Rodeo 8 PM. 718 South Pine Ave. 352.369.4014

January 22 Alternative Healing Networking event. 6-9:30PM at Nexus Alternative Healing Center, 500 SW 10th St. 352.433.2624. Visit nexusalternativehealing.webs. com for more information.

January 15 Health and Wellness Expo at the Circle Square Cultural Center, 10 AM-2 PM. Admission is free. 8395 SW 80th St. 352.854.3570

January 22 - March 20 Visions of the Gulf at the Appleton Museum of Art. Paintings by Christopher Still and photography by Carlton Ward Jr. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 352.291.4455

Until January 16 The Full Monty on stage at the Ocala Civic Theatre. 4337 East Silver Springs Blvd. For tickets call 352.236.2274

January 22 & 23 Ocala Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Weekend. For more information visit: www.ocalamarathon.com January 22 24K Golden Oldies Show at Marion Technical Institute. Come enjoy tributes to big hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Show begins at 7 PM (with an addition show on February 5 at 7 PM). Tickets are available online or over the phone. 1614 SE Ft. King St. 34471. 866.884.0291 or www.C24K.com/

January 16 The College of Central Florida will bring author and Grammy award-winner Garrison Keillor to their Lecanto campus, in the Curtis Peterson Auditorium, 3810 W. Educational Path in Lecanto at 3 PM. Tickets are $26 and are available online at tickets.cf.edu or by calling Laura Wright at 352.854.2322, ext. 1416. January 19 - 23 HITS Ocala January Classic at HITS Post Time Farm. 13710 US Highway 27. 352.620.2275. www.hitsshows.com

January 22 Roy Clark in Concert at Silver Springs. 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd. 352.236.2121 January 22 & 23 2011 Ocala Camellia Show presented by the Ocala Camellia Society. 2-5 PM on Saturday and 1-4 PM on Sunday at the Pioneer Garden Club at the Appleton Cultural Complex. 4331 East Silver Springs Blvd. For more information contact 352.595.3365 or patrickandrews@att.net

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

January 6 Foreclosure Prevention Workshop Scheduled at the Howard Johnson conference center, 3951 Blichton Rd. 7-9 PM. Admission is free, but advanced RSVP is requested at 877.306.5299.

January 26-February 5 It Runs in the Family Dinner Theatre performance at the Webber Center Gallery. 3001 Southwest College Road Ocala. 352.854.2322 ext. 1415

January 23 Interested and budding writers are invited to a talk on the craft of writing, presented by Forest High School teacher and freelance writer John Dunn. 2 PM in Room C at the main library on Silver Springs Boulevard. As a writer of more than 350 articles for various publications, Dunnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk will cover all aspects of the craft, including the business end of the profession. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ocala Library and is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided. www.friendsoftheocalalibrary.org.

January 29 Grand Funk Railroad in concert at Silver Springs. 5656 East Silver Springs Blvd. 352.236.2121

I do.

January 29 & 30, February 5 & 6 Hoggetowne Medieval Faire 10AM-6PM at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, 2900 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL. $14 adults and $7 ages 5-17. 352.393.8536 January 29 Fraternal Order of Police Car Show, 9 AM-3 PM at the Market of Marion 12888 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352.236.3069

EMERALD PASTURES FARM PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

January 26-30 HITS Ocala January Festival. 13710 US Highway 27. 352.620.2275. www.hitsshows. com

January 28 The Lettermen performing at Circle Square Cultural Center, 7 PM. 8395 SW 80th St. 352.854.3670

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Join us for our ongoing

2010 BEST FLORIST

Vein

WINNER

Clinic Screening for leg pain and swelling

FLOWERS & GIFTS

www.lillisﬂowersandgifts.com • 352.732.0500

Services Provided in Hospital:

Cardiac Catheterizationusing wrist artery Cardiac Angioplasty/Stenting Peripheral Angiography Peripheral Artery Angioplasty Transesophageal Echocardiography

Services Provided in Clinic:

Stress Echocardiography Nuclear Stress Testing Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound Coumadin Clinic Pacemaker Clinic

Vein Clinic: diagnosis and treatment, Complex Venous and Clotting Disorder Endovenous Ablation for Varicose Veins Everything Flowers • Gift Boutique & Baskets • Event Planning

Custom designs, specializing in weddings and funerals, gift baskets, and more! 23 NE 12th Terrace Ocala, FL 34470

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Caring staff for all your vascular needs: Kim Torres, RN, CEO, Jennifer Greene, RN, Brenda Breed, LPN, Cardiovascular technitions are Noemi Torres, CVT and Other services we provide : Certified compression stocking fitters and Rx grade compression stockings at a low cost to the patient.

Premranjan (Prem) P. Singh, M.D. Interventional Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease Vascular Medicine Endovascular Medicine Cardiology Research Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA

Accepting New Patients!!

Ocala office 1805 SE Lake Weir Ave 352.867.9600

2010

what’snews

Compiled by BRITTANY BATSEL, KERRY BEDAW

at a glance

As we prepare to enter 2011 and the fads of a new year, here’s a look back at 2010, and the things that will make it memorable... Most popular baby names of 2010:

Most popular YouTube videos:

Double Rainbow Bed Intruder Vidcon Rules Golden Voice Lin Yu Chun The Hau

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Treatment of Common Ailments such as Bunions, Hammertoes, Heel Pain, Fractures, Sprains, Athlete’s Foot, Neuromas, Tendonitis Ankle Arthroscopy • Laser Foot Surgery Children’s Foot Care • Custom Orthotics

Sheila Noroozi, DPM, FACFAS Diplomate,American Board of Podiatric Surgery Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Shannon Floyd, DPM 7550 SW 61st Avenue, Suite 1, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352.867.0024 www.familyfootankle.org

Aeration & Fountain Sales & Service // Aquatic Plant Management // Fish Stocking

Fountains

Future Horizons, Inc. 800-682-1187 www.futurehorizonsinc.com info@futurehorizonsinc.com

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Aerators

Circulators

Diffusers

www.kascomarine.com

what’snews

newyear newyou!

The Marion County YMCA focuses on strengthening communities through healthy families and healthy living. Which is why they are encouraging people to adopt new, healthy resolutions for 2011. Check out these tips from our friends at theY and make your new year a healthy one:

an architectural

PHOTO, FAR RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ACHIEVEMENT The New American Home (TNAH) is an annual construction project affiliated with the NAHB International Builders’ Show. Its purpose is to demonstrate innovation in building technologies and products. The result is a home that showcases design trends, technologies, and products that might be used in any new or remodeled home. Donnelly Architecture, Incorporated of Beverly Hills was selected as the architect of record for the New American Home 2011 in Orlando, Florida. President of Donnelly Architecture, Chris Donnelly, worked with the National Association of Home Builders as well as the contractor to create a home that tailored to the individual needs and tastes of the owners. The house, largely inspired by 1920’s Florida estates, also features the likes of contemporary touches and materials. Designed to take full advantage of the local climate and features, the home affords views of the lake and backyard from nearly every room. The peaceful ambiance of the home’s yard and surroundings provides peaceful escapes from its urban locale — like a private master suite and sitting room, a secluded spa and copious space for friends and family to gather and mingle. The house is open to the public and tours are available during the 2011 International Builder’s Show. Visit www.buildersshow.com for more information.

1. Make family dinner time a priority. Experts say that children who eat meals with their families on a regular basis are less likely to be overweight, get better grades and have stronger self-esteem. Healthy children turn into healthy adults! 2. Volunteer! Teaching children to give back is the ultimate gift — and finding volunteer opportunities the whole family can enjoy is the easiest way to do it! 3. Healthy traditions. Planning traditions as a family promotes a healthy home and encourages communication. 4. Play! With physical activities incorporated into your daily routine, you are stimulating your body and your mind. Take a walk, ride a bike, jump rope … get your blood flowing! For more tips on staying healthy in the New Year, visit www.centralfloridaymca.org

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Join us for our ongoing

Vein

Services Provided in Hospital:

Cardiac Catheterizationusing wrist artery Cardiac Angioplasty/Stenting Peripheral Angiography Peripheral Artery Angioplasty Transesophageal Echocardiography

Services Provided in Clinic:

Stress Echocardiography Nuclear Stress Testing Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound Coumadin Clinic Pacemaker Clinic

Vein Clinic: diagnosis and treatment, Complex Venous and Clotting Disorder Endovenous Ablation for Varicose Veins

Clinic Screening for leg pain and swelling

Premranjan (Prem) P. Singh, M.D. Interventional Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease Vascular Medicine Endovascular Medicine Cardiology Research Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA

PEGASUS REALTY AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

Accepting New Patients!!

Ocala office 1805 SE Lake Weir Ave 352.867.9600

026 I OCALAMAGAZINE.COM I 2011 January

Call

George de Benedicty, Broker 352-895-8900

Home for Lease Executive 5 bedrooms 4 .5 baths Hilltop Home, 8 Miles to HITS Across from Golden Ocala Country Club Great Views and Privacy on an Elegant Horse Farm Furnished, $3,500/mo Plus Utilities on 1-2 Year Lease

what’snews hoggetowne happening! Come be enchanted by magicians from faraway lands, watch the powerful Merlin battle the head mistress of Orkney, Morgause, and enjoy the wares of times gone by! Spend a day at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville at the Alachua County Fairgrounds where the setting will bring you back to a world long ago where knights battled on horseback, gypsies roamed the land, and kings ruled the lands. January 29-30 and February 4-6, rove the streets and enjoy the fragrances of roasted turkey legs, fresh-baked pastries, mouth-watering ribs, and the spectacle of jugglers, knife throwers, and a multitude of medieval games. The Faire is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children 5-17 and children 5 and under are free. The Alachua County Fairgrounds is located east of Gainesville at 2900 NE 39th Avenue, adjacent to Gainesville Regional Airport. For more information, visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org or call 352.393.8536.

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

cold case campaign tlet that al crime prevention ou Crime Stoppers, a loc prevent unity to help solve or reaches out to the comm paign. The a new “Cold Case” cam crimes, is spearheading unsolved more than two dozen campaign is targeting Stoppers n County. Local Crime homicide cases in Mario release that said in a recent press president, Leo Smith, ormation netary rewards for inf his group will offer mo t leads to ed anonymously — tha — which can be report are currently tured cold cases. There arrests in any of the fea ’ web site nted on Crime Stoppers 28 cold cases docume can view . By visiting the site, you (ocalacrimestoppers.com) e victims, tories of all the homicid images and read case his 1950’s. some dating back to the tial 28 will begin with the ini ign pa The ongoing cam and will be County Sheriff’s Office cases from the Marion cases are in the spring as unsolved refreshed and expanded ictions. added from other jurisid om visit ocalacrimestoppers.c on ati For more inform

GREAT

AMERICAN ★ COFFEE ★ ROASTERS

Does the chilly weather have you itching for an Iced Caramel Macchiato with a side of George Washington? Or how about a Lemon Soufflé tea? At Ocala’s new Great American Coffee Roasters, a classic coffeehouse menu meets the likes of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and homemade Italian soda. Owners Steve and Jeryl Durand have opened a coffeehouse dedicated to serving superlative coffee and keeping American history alive. Why? Because drinking coffee is patriotic. From serving coffee and grinding coffee, to creating gourmet gift baskets and private labeling, the options at this new residential café are nothing short of gourmet. The new establishment provides local coffee lovers with a new brand of coffeehouse ambiance. So grab a book, open a laptop and come enjoy a traditional latte or better yet, splurge on a coffee a’la mode! Yes, that’s right, your favorite coffee topped with ice cream! www. greatamericancoffeeroasters.com or 352.328.3737.

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Heroes Aren't Born... THEY VOLUNTEER

Call now to find out about this program and how you can volunteer

MAGGIE "MICKI" MIDDLETON 352-629-0137 ext. 2001 MarionMRC@doh.state.fl.us

90 Days to One Year Extended Care • Focus On Trauma/PTSD 12-Step Based • Holistic Approach • Mutli-Diagnosis • Chronic Relapse • Substance Abuse • Codependency

MARION COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.

No medical experience necessary

www.marioncountymrc.com  www.medicalreservecorps.gov

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Process Addictions: Sexual Compulsivity • Eating Disorders • Self Harm Financial Disorders • Compulsive Gambling • Gaming

www.TheRefuge-aHealingPlace.com 866-4REFUGE• 352-288-3333 • Admissions: 866-473-3864

q+a with

a conversation with the Chamber’s new Chairman of the Board, Dave Fetchman

2011 Chairman of the Board for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Dave Fechtman takes charge and gives straight answers.

LOGO COURTESY OF OCALA MARION COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Q: Dave, the gavel has been passed from John Hunt to you. What are your goals for the Chamber during your year as Chairman of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce? A: 2011 is the third year of a five year strategic plan. The Board of Directors each year has refined the plan to stay relevant to the current environment. It is a great plan, and I intend on supporting it fully. In addition, I’d like to see us focus on providing meaningful programs throughout the entire county, and deliver exceptional service to our existing members. Q: What role do you see the Chamber play in community and economic development? A: A significant role. We are championing, along with the City and others, the Accelerate Ocala project. We are focused on international trade, advocacy for our businesses in Tallahassee (and locally), and providing significant programs to add value for our members. Q: As a principal in Root Theory Advisors, you have a unique perspective on our community’s business climate. What are you observing? A: We are fortunate to work with businesses and executives throughout the country. Ocala has been hit hard by the economy, but our resolve is strong. As a result, many of our businesses have focused on strategic redirection and innovation. Additionally, I think that

growth will accelerate if we continue to buy locally and sell outside of Marion County. That will bring new dollars into our community. Q: You were one of 54 travelers on the Chamber sponsored trip to China. What was your biggest take-away from a business perspective and from a personal perspective? A: Shanghai was so progressive to me. They have 22 million people in one city (4.5 million more than Florida) and everything was new. Other than terrible smog, there was no litter, traffic jams, or apparent crime. Personally, I was amazed in the national pride that everyone had. Each citizen is extremely proud to be Chinese. Q: The City of Ocala has asked the Chamber to take a lead in developing our community’s first business incubator. How do you expect the project, known as Accelerate Ocala to impact our economy? A: Our new incubator is well positioned to thrive. We have amazing local talent and we are positioned in the middle of three world-class universities. I hope everyone quickly realizes that the building itself is just the arena for the innovation to advance. It will bring money to our local economy and will be a pipeline for new businesses and professionals for years to come. Q: What is the most recent book you’ve read and what did you learn from it? A: I just finished a book about Genghis Khan. There are only a handful of

people throughout time that singlehandedly altered history. He was one of them. Q: What is your business philosophy? A: Businesses need to have a plan, but stay nimble and feel comfortable changing the plan as needed. Most importantly, for sustained success people must enjoy what they are doing. Q: You have three small children and a wonderful wife. What does your family time look like? A: Day 1: Wake up, quickly get ready, and rush out the door for school. After school, run around from practice to practice. Come home, quickly sit down as a family and eat dinner, prepare for bed, and then catch our breath. Day 2: Repeat day 1. I truly value my family time, and try my hardest to balance it while running our firm and upholding my community obligations. I’m truly blessed to have the life that I have here in Marion County.

Jaye Baillie, President and CEO

trends nds

1 Anti-Aging Skincare Peter Thomas Roth’s UN-Wrinkle Crème. A moisturizer that uses Un-Wrinkle technology to target the appearance of fine lines and expression lines. $110, ULTA. 352.237.0163

Foundation MAKE UP FOR EVER’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation. This Foundation uses innovative formulas to create a new generation of makeup which is both invisible on HD cameras and to the naked eye. $40, Sephora. 352.331.8880

2 Natural Skincare AHAVA’s Mineral Beauty Serum. This intensive treatment is a rich concentrate containing AHAVA’s Mineral Skin Osmoter™, fruit-based acids and proteins that promote skin repair. $65, ULTA. 352.237.0163 or ahavaus.com

4 Mascara Dior’s DiorShow Extase Mascara. A revolutionary formula with spectacular plumping volume that glides over the lashes to coat them one by one. $28. Dillard’s. 352.629.9266

what’s hot this year by ROBERT SANES 6

5 Blush Estee Lauder’s Signature Silky Powder Blush. This silky blush goes on sheer and builds to full intensity for a natural cheek color. $26, Macy’s. 352.873.5300

Military Trend Cotton On’s Sydney Short. $12.90, Cottonon.com

7 Leather Trend Buckle’s Affliction Black Premium Motorcycle Jacket. $598, Buckle. 352.237.0773

8 ‘70s Trend Charlotte Russe’s Sequin Mini Dress. $34.99, Charlotte Russe. 352.854.0679

the science of beauty Here’s the scoop: beauty has never been so bold. The military trend and color scheme has been translated into many variations … and it is still dominating wardrobe must-haves by finding ways to evolve. From jackets and shorts, to sequined-inspired dresses, adding a bit of military flare adds an edge to any outfit. The runways aren’t just a view into wardrobe trends, but also into beauty trends. One of the strongest themes for 2011 is skin care. New technology is merging science with beauty — fueling the growth of anti-aging formulas and beauty’s buzzword: nanotechnology. Natural skin care brands are appealing to an ingredient-savvy breed of cosmetic consumers, demanding refinement without synthetic additives. As for makeup, everyone knows that natural beauty cannot be topped. The trick is to enhance your best features using the minimal approach: color matched foundation for flawless skin, mascara to enhance the eyes, a little blush to emphasize cheekbones, and a clear gloss for lips to stand out. Be bold in 2011 by accentuating your assets.

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While searching for our person of the year, we discovered a few people who stood out so much, they can only be described as

PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

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person of the year

FrankHennessey, 72 Businessman, breeder of Arabian horses, founder of the Exploratory Committee for the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, Chamber of Commerce board member, co-chair of Accelerate Ocala, Director of Crime Stoppers of Marion County, member of the Stradivarius Society of Ocala and the Horse Protection Association. He loves pizza, Polish vodka and stuffed cabbage. He’s a businessman, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a family man. He’s the image of a centrifugal success that begins at home with those he loves the most, and spreads contagiously to the world around him as he strives to make it a better place. And for that, he is Ocala Magazine’s 2010 Person of theYear. Frank Hennessey’s business philosophy emulates “the Merlin Factor” — modeled after the magician who lived backward in time. The resulting brand of leadership that leaves the past in the past and aligns priorities with long-term objectives, has clearly benefitted Hennessey, as his list of successes is long: he’s the founder of an asset-based lending firm, the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of a billion-dollar manufacturing company, former CEO of a billion-dollar music distributor and the principal of two companies within the Hennessey organization, a Boston-based investment company and a San Francisco-based venture capital firm. Hennessey’s public service contributions are equally extensive and no less impressive. But since his retirement in 2003 most of Hennessey’s time has been spent here in Ocala, on his 93-acre farm, Hennessey Arabian, LLC., home to some of the highest quality Arabian horses in the area. The impressive resume is not what defines the Massachusetts-born Ocala resident. What defines him is his greatest source of pride: his children. Hennessey describes Kate, Frank Jr., and Michael as well-grounded young adults who care about philanthropy and understand the

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importance of family and community. Frank and his wife, Carol, instilled these values in their children from an early age. Now adults, seeing the responsibility and generosity his children exhibit is one of the greatest success stories of Frank Hennessey’s life. Humbled by the privilege they were raised with, Hennessey’s children demonstrate their affection for others by working to enforce the greater good: generously giving and leading with integrity. “In our family businesses we have a simple code of conduct that we all abide by,”Hennessey explains,“and that is‘there is never a good reason to do a bad thing.’” The children transfer their parent’s lessons into their everyday lives as trustees of The Hennessey Family Foundation, whose mission is concern for community. The Foundation allows the Hennessy family to come together as they pursue areas of common interest, and to duplicate acts of generosity that contribute to issues or causes within their respected communities in Boston, San Francisco andTampa. Hennessey, who may be retired by definition, doesn’t let this status slow him down. Between his active role in Hennessey Arabians and dedication to family and philanthropy, Frank Hennessey’s rapport and energy speaks to a man who demonstrates a catalogue of quality — from sincerity and business sense to good old-fashioned hard work. “I am an incredible devotee of the concept of teamwork and have always surrounded myself with people who are more intelligent than I am but just as motivated and future-oriented.”

Despite prolific success and a foundation committed to community, family and other people, Hennessey says the bottom line is Carol, his wife of 47-and-a-half years. “She’s the reason for all of our success.” Why I stand out I am sincerely committed to the success of others. What drIves me Wanting to make a difference. regrets Too few to mention. Proudest moment Too many to mention. Best characterIstIc Integrity. characterIstIc In others I most value Honesty and trustworthiness. I hoPe ocala will embrace a new future where anything is possible when we are all willing to work together selflessly. my Idea of haPPIness Sharing quality time with my family. Best memory The birth of my children. guIlty Pleasure Vodka martini. Pet Peeve Intrusive government and loss of freedoms. Present state of mInd Euphoric. Personal motto There is never a good reason to do a bad thing. most PeoPle don’t knoW I raise Arabian horses. BIggest Influence Charlie Smith for teaching me that I can accomplish anything if I am truly committed to it. Person I most admIre My wife. favorIte Book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Why ocala North Central Florida is a very special part of the world and Ocala is at the center of it all. Warm and welcoming, with caring people representing a diverse community. For people who are passionate about horses, there is not a better place to raise and enjoy animals, all of whom hold a special place in our lives. All that you need, or want, to support the breeding, raising and training of horses is plentiful. Ocala is an “I can get the job done” community, which is a very attractive characteristic that differentiates us from many other places.

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If you’ve ever been to the Dunkin’ Donuts on the Boulevard, chances are you already know about Andrew Davenport. This crew member’s electric personality and jolly spirit has been entertaining customers for years. His solo act includes singing, dancing and comedy, and offers an instant perk to all the Dunkin’ patrons. Currently attending CF to become an elementary school teacher — we will soon see if the kids can keep up with him!

AndrewDavenport, 24 Crew Member at Dunkin’ Donuts, performer with the Ocala Civic Theatre, amateur cook and professional dreamer.

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Why I stand out Optimism, energy, humor and zaniness. What drIves me The desire to use kindness to change the world. regrets Everything that has happened has made me better. You’ve got to lose to know how to win. Proudest moment This ranks up there. Best characterIstIc My laugh makes others laugh. characterIstIc In others I most value Optimism and intelligence. my Idea of haPPIness Making others laugh. Best memory Asking my fiance to marry me. guIlty Pleasure I’m a Gleek. (Glee Fan) Personal motto “Todo cambia, nada se peirde.” Everything changes, nothing is lost. most PeoPle don’t knoW I’m a rapper of the highest caliber. BIggest Influence Jack Black. Person I most admIre Terry Neimiller. favorIte Book Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. favorIte movIe Donnie Darko. favorIte alBum Broken Bride by Ludo. Why ocala This is my city, my home. The people here are my family.

She may be the youngest member of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, but don’t let Kayla Williams’ age fool you — this Forest High School sophomore is part t-shirt designer, part entrepreneur. Armed with her youthful tenacity and creative motivation, watch out world! Kayla Williams is here to change a few things. Why I stand out I bring a sort of energy that most people my age don’t have. I’m quick-witted, and am always thinking of the next big thing. I believe that there is no box to think outside of so there are no limits What drIves me The will to make a difference in the lives of other teens. Along with that, my little sisters Khari and Kiana. They keep me on my feet and make me want to strive to change the lives of other little girls. regrets I’m not really one to have regrets because I think that you wouldn’t do something you know you would have remorse over in the long run, but I do wish I could’ve started this career journey much sooner. Proudest moment When I got to see the faces of all those who participated in Winter Fest 2010, and how happy they were because we put them on a stage in front of hundreds of people who cheered them on as they performed. Best characterIstIc The ability to lighten up a room. characterIstIc In others I most value Being strong-willed. my Idea of haPPIness Being able to look at the bad with a positive attitude and know that the good is never too far behind. Best memory Laughing it up backstage of Winter Fest with my friends, models, performers and awesome friend and Vice President, Lene Daughtry. guIlty Pleasure Reading books in the dark, and having late night conversations with my friends about very pointless topics. Personal motto If it’s meant to be, it will be. BIggest Influence Church and music. Person I most admIre My mom. If it were not for her supporting my events and ideas, if it had not been for her believing in me through it all, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now. favorIte movIe Up Why ocala Because when we reach out a helping hand for one teen with a dream we open doors for others.

Williams, 15 High school student and entrepreneur.

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SaraDassance, 65 Retired educator, President of the Friends of the Ocala Public Library, serves on the board of Hale Academy, Women of Worth and a member of the Ocala Royal Dames. Sarah Dassances’ dedication to Marion County and compassionate nature is second only to her modest quality. As a retired educator, Dassance now spends much of her time with the Friends of the Ocala Library — where she leads a group of dedicated volunteers in their support of an institution that is vital to our local quality of life.

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What drives me Causes I’m passionate about, like the library and quality education for our children. regrets Not really. I’ve been very blessed with wonderful family, friends, and students. Proudest moment The nine years I spent at the IB program at Vanguard High School. Working with the incredible students, parents and faculty was the most rewarding part of my career as an educator. Best characteristic Strong work ethic. characteristic in others i most value Dependability. my idea of haPPiness Reading a good book. Best memory Any time with my grandchildren. guilty Pleasure Chocolate. Pet Peeves High-stakes testing, grading our schools and politicians who think they are educators. Present state of mind Trying to be optimistic about the future. most PeoPle don’t knoW i watch ESPN… a lot. Biggest influence My mother. Person i most admire My husband. favorite Book Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. favorite movie Anything by the Coen brothers. Why ocala My husband’s job brought us here 14 years ago. Until Ocala, the longest we had lived any place was 10 years, so I guess Ocala has become home.

TylerStentiford, 16 High school student, author and musician. Having already published his first book by the age of 14, Tyler Stentiford soon set his sights on music. Now at 16, his talent and passion for the piano has grown into something quite spectacular. With a repertoire resembling that of someone much older, this highschool junior’s musical appearances are giving people something to talk about. Why I stand out I’m very community based and dedicated to what I do. What drIves me my car — when it has gas. But really my faith, family, and friends. regrets Inadvertently passing up a phone conversation with Taylor Swift. Proudest moment When I began playing piano for my church. Best characterIstIc my quirky sense of humor that sometimes only I get. characterIstIc In others I most value Honesty. my Idea of haPPIness Playing the piano. anytime, any place, any where. Best memory going camping with my grandparents when I was 12. guIlty Pleasure Sleeping until late in the afternoon. Present state of mInd Totally optimistic. Personal motto live by the golden Rule. most PeoPle don’t knoW I love to rock climb. The more challenging the better. BIggest Influence my parents. Person I most admIre my grandfather, Bob Stentiford. favorIte Book The Bible. favorIte movIe meet the Fockers. favorIte alBum anything by Rascal Flatts. Why ocala Why not?

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the 2011 En route to becoming Central Florida’s newest mecca, Marion County is booming in many ways. From new areas in shopping, entertainment and dining to growth in healthcare, education and economic development, our county is breaking free from the confines of small-town USA and making the shadow of growth and prosperity more than just a fleeting trend. ORIGINAL PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK MAP: © GOOGLE - MAP DATA

STORY: LEONARD KRANSDORF, BRITTANY BATSEL + ROBERT SANES

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economic development The lifeblood of any community is having a stable workforce able to find needed jobs. While Marion County hovers at 14 percent unemployment, those people geared toward bringing that figure down are pushing hard. All agree the key to adding more jobs is to aim for diversity and work as a team.

Among those charged with reducing that 14 percent statistic is the Marion County Commission. Commissioner Mike Amsden said there is a “sense of urgency” among all those concerned to ensure there is significant job creation in the community. The commission showed that desire with the recent unveiling of the 25-point “Doing More For JOBS” plan. Amsden says the five-member commission is determined not to have this report sit on the shelf, but to take action to implement it. Amsden noted that the commission recently gave the go-ahead for its economic development team to focus some of its effort on trying to get a food/ beverage company to relocate here as well as alternative energy companies. Amsden explained that in the coming months the commission will implement other ways to increase jobs. “This (economic development) is a team effort for this community and the five members of the board are serious in our goal to get more jobs here and play a leadership role,”he says. Also involved in the effort is the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Marion County was greatly impacted by the economic downturn because of the heavy dependence on the construction and real estate market. When the bottom fell out of those two areas, Marion County was hit hard, notes Pete Tesch, president/CEO of the EDC. To respond to that, the EDC has expanded its focus. While recruiting new

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industry is important, it is also vital to assist in expanding local businesses and helping entrepreneurs start their own, Tesch explains. That diversity of purpose can help lay the groundwork for the needed business growth. Tesch says the goal is to entice companies like the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). While the competition is intense to bring new companies here, Tesch notes that our county sells itself because of our location, willing workforce and the many amenities offered. The City of Ocala is also working on many fronts to enhance economic development. A big step in that direction is moving forward with an industrial park at the Ocala Municipal Airport. There are 700 acres at the airport targeted for development, but the key to that figure is there are now 200 acres that are “shovel ready” once an industry shows interest, according to Marc Mondell, director of revitalization

strategies for the city. In the past, the community has missed opportunities because of the lack of a site, but the airport location will alleviate that problem, Mondell says. The city has and will continue to work with existing companies to help in the expansion process. Mondell cites the assistance given to Cone Distribution in securing a federal grant to build a road near the company. That road not only helped Cone, but also made other nearby land available for development by adding access. The city is also targeting blighted buildings, Mondell says.The city is tearing down those buildings to remove eyesores and make room for new businesses. Also, if needed, older buildings are being renovated to make them suitable for future tenants. The city will work with those future tenants to provide incentives to relocate to the sites. The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce is also energized in its commitment to reinvigorate the business community through job growth, according to President Jaye Baillie. That organization has taken a threeprong approach, one of which is helping local companies find markets to be able to export their products out of the county, state and country. Currently, companies here export $200 million, which includes such items as fire trucks, lights and office furniture. The goal for the next few years is to increase that number to $500 million according to Baillie. The second method being used by the chamber is through “economic

gardening. ”That process is making the resources available to assist qualified current businesses to grow into the community. The local program is tied into a state effort designed to provide business advice to assist in the growth of the companies. The third step in the process is to make this county an “incubator friendly community,” says Baillie. That will be accomplished by finding young companies who are trying to get a foothold in the area and giving them that chance to grow.

Toward that end, the City of Ocala is making available the old 15,000 square foot electric generator plant located behind the chamber. Once renovated, the building will house 25-30 young firms and provide them with a variety of marketing, technical and other assistance. The goal is to have the businesses “graduate” out of the building in three years and move into another office, possibly in the downtown area. If that happens, it could add not only more workers to the area but residents

and new apartments, making a vibrant downtown area, Baillie explains. Like other leaders, Baillie says she is optimistic that all the efforts being put forth will enhance the focus of economic development and create a“buzz”for living and working in Marion County. Her sentiments are echoed by Tesch, who notes that economic downturns are cyclical, and he is optimistic this community will once again be one of the fastest growing in the country, especially as all interested groups are working together with the shared focus on job growth.

healthcare

photos: shutterstock

One of the big concerns for any resident of a county is where to go if they or a family member gets sick. To help alleviate that concern, Marion County offers a variety of facilities to meet the needs of an ever-changing population.

Munroe Regional Medical Center is the county‘s 421-bed, locally-owned public hospital that has served the community for 113 years. In addition to the downtown Ocala location, the hospital operates the Emergency Center at Timber Ridge on State Road 200 west. It was the first freestanding emergency department built in the state. Also available is the private Ocala Health System which operates the 200bed Ocala Regional Medical Center and the 70-bed West Marion Community Hospital. OHS offers services ranging from emergency services to a cancer center and a heart and vascular center. At Munroe there have been a variety of enhancements, including a new 14-bed outpatient recovery unit, an expansion of the operating room which includes three new suites, a new recovery room and family surgical lounge. For the eighth straight year the hospital won the prestigious Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation, as the county’s

most preferred hospital for overall quality, image, best doctors and nurses. In 2010, The Delta Group ranked Munroe as the safest hospital in the state. Delta Group is the country’s largest privately held healthcare information services company. The Munroe Heart program was recognized by Consumer Reports as one of the Top 50 Heart Bypass Surgery Programs in the country. Coping with the changing face of healthcare is a challenge for those in the industry. President and CEO of Munroe, Steve Purves, says Munroe has always prided itself in providing high quality and safe care. One of the ongoing concerns faced by Munroe and local doctors, Purves notes, is how to cope with any reductions in Medicare and Medicaid funding. For

Munroe the problem could heighten if doctors stop taking Medicare and Medicaid. As such, patients without primary care could come to Munroe seeking medical care as the “stop of last resort,”as the hospital serves as the safety net for the community. Munroe is also moving ahead to comply with new technology requirements regarding health records of patients as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The hospital is investing millions of dollars into that effort,

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explains Purves, who also sits on the Board of Directors of the Florida Hospital Association and chairs its Advocacy Committee. One of the major accomplishments this year for Ocala Health System was the acquisition of Family Care Specialists and Advanced Imaging Center. Family Care has seven primary care locations in Marion County and Advanced Imaging has three locations. This facility was also ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation by HealthGrades for its stroke care, pulmonary care and critical care coverage. HealthGrades is a leading healthcare ratings group that analyzes millions of patient outcomes at the nation’s 5,000 hospitals. Additionally, for its spine surgery OHS was designated a Blue Distinctions Center by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, to go along with previous

designations for bariatrics, knee and hip replacement. For Ocala Health Systems, one of the continued challenges faced by the hospitals is the effect the economy has had on patients, according to Ginger Carroll, CEO at West Marion Community Hospital. She explains that because of the economy many people have delayed seeking medical care, and when their situation worsens they seek care at the emergency room. The hospital has worked to improve its efficiency in treating those patients and to accentuate that it posts wait times, she says. In the near future, Carroll notes that a keen eye is being kept on upcoming legislative work at the state and federal level especially as it relates to Medicaid funding.

In addition to the two main hospitals, there has been growth of a variety of stand-alone clinics in the county for those unable to go to the hospitals. Also, for those facing financial limitations, care is also offered at the Marion County Health Department and the Heart of Florida Health Center. The facilities offer high quality care at affordable prices. In 2010 the Heart of Florida Health Center in Ocala was designated a Federally Qualified Health Center or FQHC. As an FQHC, Heart of Florida receives federal funding to allow the center to provide healthcare services to those residents who may not be able to afford the care or have no insurance. Among the services offered include pediatric primary care, school and sports physicals, lab work and walk-in care.

education At the heart of any great community is its education system — an investment in the new generation by way of reading, writing and arithmetic. In Marion County we are surrounded by a wealth of knowledge that extends from the public to the private sector. Merging traditional teaching methods with new ideas and creative instruction, the face of education is a colorful one — and our local palate is a vibrant display of that.

Here in Marion County the education system is bound by a wealth of support provided to students across the spectrum — from infant and early-learners to high school and adult students. Like Childhood Development Services’ comprehensive access to children and families, or Take Stock in Children’s college scholarship program, and Community Technical and Adult Education center’s focus on lifelong learning. These programs reiterate that in our community, and in our society, learning is a journey. Marion County is home to 28 public elementary schools, eight middle schools, eight high schools, three charter schools, one community technical and

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adult education center, one exceptional education school and two combination schools. In 2010 over 40,000 students were enrolled in our public school system. From the Marion County Center for the Arts at West Port High School to the International Baccalaureate and Magnet programs at Vanguard High, Lake Weir High, Howard Middle, Oakcrest and Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary Schools — the academic provisions are not limited to basic classroom learning. The broadbased curriculum offered in the public school sector aims to educate children across the spectrum, accommodating learning capacities in varied ways. Like at Marion Technical Institute, where

traditional classroom methods are coupled with workplace opportunity — giving students access to academics with career education. While the debated presence of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) still looms in the spring, last year’s numbers are a mixture of good and bad news. In 2010, 30,000 students in area schools took the FCAT test. Marion County students showed gains in math, making a 13-percentage point gain in the subject. In reading, the ninth grade results were above the area average, but overall the county still remains four percentage points behind the state. Proficiency scores also fell short of the state average in science and scores dropped one percentage point from the previous year. Much like the evolving public sector, the private school scene is also thriving. With the increasing popularity of local Montessori schools — where the Montessori method is the primary teaching concept — students have a number of options when it comes time to decide on which learning environment is the most appealing. In addition, the numerous religious and non-denominational schools in Marion County offer the smaller, more intimate environments that in some cases, incorporate religion into the learning curriculum. From the likes of Pentecostal and Presbyterian-based schools to the Baptist, Catholic and non-denominational schools, private education in our community is increasing in visibility and popularity. Primary and secondary education in Marion County is preparing students for the higher education options in and around our community. Like the College of Central Florida, previously Central Florida Community College, where their new name is second only to the new addition to the college’s curriculum: fouryear degrees. With a variety of programs of study, CF’s broad academic catalog is catapulting this local campus into a new echelon of collegiate competition. Rasmussen College’s Ocala campus is also seeing growth, providing prospective

students with access to remote and onsite learning. The wealth of public and private education in Marion County is one of the many things that sets our community apart. The options afforded to students and prospective learners are unique to our area. Combined with the umbrella objectives shared by local educators, that speaks to helping students excel and preparing them for a successful future — when it comes to learning in Marion County, there really is something for everyone.

arts + entertainment Marion County’s art and entertainment scene is blossoming into one that includes as much of a variety as neighboring metropolises.Visual, fine and performing arts are vital assets to our community: and as awareness and interest increase, so too are the outlets. But the silhouettes of entertainment span to other areas of interest as well. And while our community is seeing various facilities close down, we are also seeing an influx of new spaces and places, promising just what Ocalans are looking for — a good time.

The downtown square comes alive with music and artwork as local artists showcase their work during the First Friday Art Walk. City sidewalks are lined with colorful muses as talent is displayed for downtown guests to enjoy. At the Brick City Gallery, monthly art exhibits are scheduled to feature local exhibits, music and instructional classes. Likewise the Ocala Art Group seeks to develop and promote fine art in our community. These are just a few of the events that contribute to our growing arts scene that is a medley of creativity and artistic dialogue. Ongoing art displays can also be found at the Appleton Museum of Art, home to some of the premier art collections in the area. The extensive program and event lineup is not limited to visual art either. Springtime at the Appleton means

Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s “Sound of Art Music Series”, International Film Series, Educational Art Films and the monthly After Hours reception. Host to workshops, exhibits and events galore, the Appleton a landmark in Marion County — and for good reason. Other community fixtures like the Webber Center Gallery at the College of Central Florida offer various art and cultural programs for students and the community at large. Exhibits and collections at the Webber Center Gallery showcase unique exhibitions to our area. From fine arts to performing arts, Ocala is rich with talent. At the Ocala Civic Theater (OCT), stage performances are second to none. The curtain rises to favorites like The Nutcracker, The Full Monty and The King and I. In addition to

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performances, OCT provides programs to children where their youthful muses can be explored on stage and behind the scenes. In contrast to the scripted performances at OCT is the downtown fixture, Insomniac Theater Company. Dedicated to increasing the awareness and appreciation of the fine arts in our community, the improvising players on stage at this theatre can be found dressed like any good insomniac — wearing footie pajamas. Live performances in our area extend to an impressive lineup of musical talent as well. Country musicians like Phil Vasser, John Thompson and Chris Young

have recently graced the stage at the Ocala Entertainment Complex. Home to themed nightclubs and weekend specials, Ocala’s newest party spot is bringing energy and entertainment to Marion County. Silver Springs continues to showcase timeless favorites like 38 Special and Roy Clark. Combined with the scenic ambiance at nature’s theme park, the entertainment at Silver Springs doesn’t stop with the music. From wildlife displays and the famed Glass Bottom Boat, the world-famous appeal of this local park comes as no surprise. Alongside live performances are

the other new additions to Ocala’s entertainment scene: like Ocala’s abandoned drive-in movie theater. While it may have been on a three-year intermission, there is talk of a reopening within the next few months. Downtown Ocala’s newest fixture, the MarionTheater, is giving film buffs another reason to visit the square these days. Marion Theater’s Vegas-style setup offers movie-goers a chance for featured film and a cold toddy. This contemporary design brings a trendy vibe to the refurbished building, bringing with it an assortment of new releases and date-night options.

shopping + dining Ocala is a melting pot of good eats and great shopping. As our community continues to grow, the availability of assorted choices continues to grow in both areas as well. Although our city’s expansion is quite rapid, there is still a very present down-home, southern feeling in the midst of all the commercialism.That is what makes Ocala special. T h e c i t y ’s varied dining m e n u ranges from Asian and French fusion to Indian cuisine and southern favorites like fried chicken and greens. Posh, unique eateries in our area combine culinary creativity with charming ambiance. Like the Mojo Grill, Sky Asian Fusion, Stella’s Modern Pantry and Amrit Palace — where delicious entrees are as popular as the resounding question: what to order? “I moved here from New York and I can honestly say that I was surprised at all the diversity Ocala has, dinning wise,” says a self-proclaimed starving customer. Ocala residents may have noticed some restaurant doors have closed in recent months, but some may have also noticed many openings as well. This creates a wealth of options when it comes time to determine your palate’s

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preference. It is easy to find places filled with great food and electric atmospheres. Whether these places are gathered in our Downtown Square, or on a single road like State Road 200 or Pine Avenue, these days, quality cuisine is prevalent in Ocala. “Ocala has all types of food, from local to national chains. The hardest part is usually figuring out where to go,”says one consumer. Local options are vast in today’s consumer-driven market. No matter the area you decide to conduct your retail therapy, be it at the Paddock Mall, the Downtown Square, or Market Street at Heathbrook, there is something for every taste and budget. “I like shopping locally. There’s everything I need right here,” says one savvy consumer. Recently, The Paddock Mall, home to 100 plus stores, has added a few new retailers, like Cotton On and Buckle. Market Street at Heathbrook is anchored

by major tenants such as Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes and Noble, Ulta Cosmetics and DSW Shoes, favorites local and nationally. Still one of the newer shopping centers, Market Street continues to grow with national, regional, and local merchants. As for the Downtown Square, this shopping destination offers a peek into the gracious southern heritage that has made Ocala what it is today. It is also home to more than a dozen types of stores and services — from vintage handmade creations at Verbena to posh décor at Shannon Roth Collection and Tres Chic, if it is on your wish list, Ocala’s retail scene probably has it! Thanks in large part to the Ocala/ Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s Buy Local campaign, local spending is on the up and coming. Focusing on retail and procurement, this effort helps to keep business doors open, reduce unemployment, and boost the economy while keeping spending local. O

by the numbers

population*

economy

57,089

Ocala’s estimated population

340,303

Marion County’s estimated population

projected population* (by race in Marion County 2010) White: African American: Hispanic or Latino: American Indian/ Alaska Native: Asian:

278,206 39,388 34,180 1,600 4,495 102

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander:

2010 median age/sex comparison* age: male: female:

0 - 17 35,204 33,073

age: male: female:

18 – 34 34,852 33,776

age: male: female:

35-54 39,706 41,332

age: male: female:

55 – 64 16,934 19,988

age: male: female:

65 – 84 32,743 39,704

median age male: 41.31 female: 45.41 sources: *2010 Claritas MarketPlace Projections

religion+

14.6%

34.4%

Average unemployment (as of 11/10)**

Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregation

133,013

27%

Total Marion County workforce (as of 11/10)**

Southern Baptist

33%

average monthly employment (non agricultural by industry)***

education/health services financial information leisure & hospitality manufacturing natural resources, mining/construction other services professional and business services total government trade, transportation and utilities

Catholic

12%

12,700 4,500 1,600 9,800 6,300

United Methodist

2.2% Episcopal

3.9% Presbyterian

6,500 3,700 7,600 18,600 20,100

financial indicators**

$31,671

Average earnings per worker

climate**

72 degrees

Average annual temperature

91.7 degrees

Average maximum temperature in July

47.2

Average minimum temperature in December

52.49 inches Annual precipitation

major employers** company Munroe Regional Medical Center Ocala Health AT & T Lockheed Martin E-ONE, Inc. Cheney Brothers, Inc. ClosetMaid Signature Brands, LLC Custom Window Systems, Inc.

business Healthcare Healthcare Support Services Manufacturing Manufacturing Distribution Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

employees 2,481 1,725 1,000 810 800 507 460 303 302

**ocalaedc.org *** Employment Statistics Program, Workforce Innovation 2010 + city-data.com

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y e untr h mor e? o c c s l s cro not mu elievab y a d b t. a 30 endingtoo un prove i n o p s s s goe is wife, Sound tures to h t i . c h m ks pi ne S re withnd buc ck the y a W entu usa t ba adv n a tho brough ITH tha ll heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SM E N Y We : WA TOS

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It’s rare when my wife and I can take a vacation together.

So when I heard that JetBlue was offering a promotion where

with a special $499 AllYou Can Jet (AYCJ) ticket, you could fly on any

JetBlue flight between September 7th and October 6th, I decided the time was right for a 30-day cross country adventure. Hopping on the computer, a Google search produced a page announcing the promotion was sold out. My wife, Lucy, asking me to check one more time, led me to realize that I had pulled up the page from last year’s promotion and this year tickets were still available! Purchasing those tickets was easily the most spontaneous thing we had ever done. Within days, we secured places to stay with friends and family around the country, made a flight plan, and convinced my parents to watch our dog for a month. Through Facebook, we found a community of other people participating and got to know people we would run into on our trip. Several people were flying to a new place everyday but the point of our trip wasn’t to spend a month on a plane. So, we chose eight locations with the goal of exploring and photographing the widest variety of places our country has to offer. Taking only what we could fit on our backs, we set out of Orlando on our month-long adventure.

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Portland, Maine (PWM) On our first day, we planned a short layover at JFK to partake in the JetBlue AYCJ launch party at Terminal Five. The terminal was decked out with AYCJ decorations and everyone received a blue running jacket with the AYCJ logo, something that proved handy through the rest of our trip. We flew into Portland but actually stayed in the picturesque little town of Rockland, located an hour-and-a-half north. The place we stayed was a historic home downtown that we found at www.airbnb.com, a website where people rent out rooms in their homes like a hotel. It’s a great way to connect to the area you’re staying in. Our renters helped us find the best places to see in the short time we spent there. While in Maine, we toured Acadia National Park, fought fog and winds on Cadillac Mountain, hiked around Jordan Pond, shared a lobster roll, and watched the sun set with basking seals on the breakwater in Rockland Harbor. We could have easily spent several more days exploring, but that’s also what made the trip so fun — getting just a taste of what these places offer.

Washington, DC (IAD) Lucy and I have always enjoyed Washington D.C. One of its best qualities is how much free stuff there is to do. It’s easy to spend days walking around the National Mall and visiting all of the Smithsonian Institute’s museums and monuments. Weather always being a factor in planning a vacation, we had to roll with the punches on this trip. Fortunately, the weather was perfect, hanging in those sweet 70’s almost every day. An accidental detour to an art fair in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum ended up being one of the most fun things we did in Washington. We spent the day perusing local artists’ wares, sampling street food, and watching all kinds of live music and performances. We were lucky to have family living in the area to put us up during our stay. It felt great to see people we hadn’t seen in the last few years.

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Austin,Texas (AUS) I’d been tempted to visit Austin since some of my good friends moved there. It seems like a lot of interesting stuff is coming out of the area these days and I was just interested to see what was so special. Austin has something for everyone. Less than an hour outside of the city proper, we visited the Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. We went on several hikes and enjoyed the 50-foot waterfall that flows into the pool that’s normally full of visitors beating the Texas heat. In the city, we visited the largest urban bat colony under a bridge leading into downtown. When evening comes, hundreds of thousands of bats fly out in an airborne river. Having heard so much about the food trucks, we made sure to eat at a few. They don’t disappoint. From gourmet doughnuts to the best tacos in the South, we’re still drooling over the variety and tastiness of these traveling trailers.

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San Francisco, California (SFC) Flying into San Francisco, we instantly saw why the city is so geographically unique. With a slight chill in the air, the weather was a nice change from the heat of Austin. In the spirit of adventure, another AYCJ couple rented their place downtown to us and gave us a ride from the airport! Despite having tips of what to do and where to go, we ended up being traditional tourists and taking the double-decker bus tours around the city so we could see everything. Unfortunately with the cool air, fog came with it and covered most of the city while we were there, including during our visit to the Golden Gate Bridge. That didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop us as we moved through the mist and walked around Golden Gate Park and Chinatown. Over the bay in Sausalito, we escaped the grey and basked in the beautiful, blue California skies. While walking down the Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wharf area, we heard someone call after us. It ended up being a couple from NewYork also doing the JetBlue AYCJ thing.They noticed us because of our JetBlue runners jackets. We normally ran into fellow AYCJ-ers at the airport, but in the middle of a city as big as San Francisco, it makes the world feel very small.

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Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) This was the longest leg of our trip mainly because we drove between four states and more than 2,000 miles. A little backstory: Lucy and I had been living in the Jackson Hole area for a few years where I still work for Jackson Hole Magazine. We’ve been wanting to visit our friends and coworkers and SLC was the closest we could fly in. We have no complaints about the drive, though, because this is the most scenic and amazing area in the US. The night we flew in, another AYCJ-er we met offered us a room for the night. The community that developed from this flight deal was unexpected and showed us how gracious people can still be in the world. Our tight schedule got us up at the crack of dawn and we drove up by Bear Lake in Utah, up the Wyoming border. Fall had already come to the Rocky Mountain Region and the trees were lit up with the colors of a flame. After some time in Teton Valley, we headed into Yellowstone National Park, a place we spent a lot of time when we lived out West. In the LamarValley area, we sat in the evening to watch for the wolves and grizzly bears while talking with the other spectators and watching the sun paint the mountains orange and purple as it set. We stayed the night in Cooke City where we woke up the next morning to 20º weather and a frosted-over Camry. Taking another leisurely drive back through the park, we headed up to Bozeman, Montana and visited some of our favorite places. We set out the following day and drove south throughYellowstone to the Grand Teton National Park. Maybe it’s from being gone for a while, but the aspens’ golden leaves showed more brilliant than I ever remember. Before we knew it, the time had come to head back to Salt Lake City and head out to our next destination.

Seattle, Washington (SEA) Originally we had planned to visit Vancouver while we were in Washington, but there was so much to do we thought we’d save it for another time. Since we didn’t know anyone in Seattle, we relied on www.airbnb.com again and rented a room in a newly renovated house from an organic farmer who lived in the middle of the city — an experience you don’t get from staying in a hotel. By the end of the trip we all became good friends and she’s going to stay with us when she comes to Ocala in the spring. Before arriving in Seattle, I remembered it’s where one of my favorite book publishers is located, so I tweeted them to see if I could get a tour of their offices and they graciously agreed. Afterwards, we met a photographer friend for dinner at a hip restaurant and strolled around the different storefronts. Downtown Seattle was laid back compared to other cities we had visited. While there was plenty to do in the city, we headed to the outdoors to see what else the area had to offer. Mount Rainier is only an hour drive and has some amazing views of the Northwest with a mix of leisurely drives and challenging hiking and climbing trails. And if mountains aren’t your scene, the coast is right there. We hopped on a ferry to Kingston, ending up at a place called Dungeness Spit, where we hiked through a misty forest to a rocky beach where seals played in the surf and fishing boats blew their fog horns.

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Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) I spent a summer back in college hanging out with my friends around Harvard Square, exploring the city, and checking out all of the cool shops. And that’s exactly what we did on this trip. Right after we got off the plane, my friend, Andy, picked us up and took us to the best pizza place in the city… a hole in the wall with a swearing bus boy, Johnny Cash playing on the jukebox, and an awesome pie. So far, we spent a lot of our trip exploring new places and while we spent a lot of time catching up with our friends in Boston, we walked the city back and forth… a few times. The smell of the bread baking in the shops we walked past in North End reminded Andy of when he was a kid and rode with his grandfather around town delivering baked goods. We toured the historic areas like Paul Revere’s home, Boston Common, King’s Chapel and the rest of the Freedom Trail.

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San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) There was no better way to end our tour than a trip to the islands. While we flew into San Juan, we actually stayed with family in Ponce, located on the south shore in the middle of the island. In a lot of ways, the jungle-filled mountains we drove through reminded us a lot of Kauai. It’s just a world apart from the other places we’d been on our trip. One of the coolest places in PR is El Yunque, a rainforest with several hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming areas. GPS on the island isn’t all that great, though. On our way there, we went up what felt like a one-way street to what looked like the back entrance of the park. It ended up being a beautiful drive, with views of waterfalls on the mountainside. Once we made it to the real entrance, we hiked a few trails while watching the tropical birds fluttering through the treetops. Ponce itself is a historic town with a rich culture, unique architecture, and great food. It’s also central to a lot of different areas of the island. As is island life, the weather can be unexpected and on one of our drives to the southwest tip, the rain poured down and flooded the streets. The car kept running and we made it out okay and in the end, we wanted to go back so we could get to some of the areas we missed.

back in Ocala Back in Florida the typical wave of heat and humidity that blasts you when you exit the airport was replaced with a cool autumn breeze. The first thing we were asked was if we were tired from all of the traveling. But even after 14 flights plus thousands of miles in cars and on foot, we both wanted to keep the adventure going. Until our next adventure, though we’re grateful for the comforts and familiarity of our home here in Ocala. O

packing points Traveling for a month on airplanes requires a lot of smart packing, especially with the amount of restrictions on luggage these days. Here are a few tips if you’re thinking about taking a trip like this the next time JetBlue’s All You Can Jet passes are offered: • One backpack and one carry-on. You can’t afford to check in luggage and hope they don’t lose it when you’re not staying in the same place more than two days. Wash your clothes as you go and buy wrinkle-free, fast-drying clothes, and Zip-lock bags can help conserve space and keep clothes less wrinkled. • Simplify your gear. It’s easy for photographers to go overboard packing extra lenses and gear. I went the other direction and tested the Olympus EPL1 with a 14-150mm lens for both wide-angle and telephoto shots. The EPL1 is a little bigger than a point-and -shoot and half the size of a DSLR. And as you can tell from a lot of the shots from our trip, it performed just like the big cameras and it took up only half the space. • Mail your souvenirs. When you’ve packed your stuff in two small bags for a month, you don’t have room to throw in extras. Twice we stopped at the local post office and mailed off a flat-rate priority box full of goodies for the family and ourselves.

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promotional feature

Montessori House of Ocala’s unique approach to teaching our children

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ILLUSTRATION/PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT I NAME GOES HERE

promotional feature

y name is Justin and I’m five years old. My mommy and daddy and me moved to Ocala last year. I used to go to pre-school where we used to live, but now I go to school at Montessori House of Ocala. I’m supposed to tell you how much I like it here and why it is better than my old school. My old school was fun. We played a lot and they did teach us numbers and letters. Here Mrs. Jill says their purpose as a Christian based school is to educate and teach the whole child. She says she wants to instill the joy of learning with a hands-on approach through a prepared environment. I like that. The prepared environment means how she has all the classrooms set up

didn’t have to be bad to have mommy pay attention to me. Now being good is better than being bad. Hi. My name is Jessica. I’m four years old and have been here since I was two. Mrs. Jill is like that. She talks to other kids’ mommies and daddies and helps them with things that are going on in their lives. She talks to them about how the kids are doing in school and how they are playing with the other kids. She is just like one of the family. That’s what it’s like here. It’s just like a big family and all the kids in school are like my brothers and sisters. We have a Granma Pat who lives behind the school and comes in to sing and read with us, too. I know it is school, but they make it fun to learn and it is because of the way they do things.

member of the University’s Psychiatric Clinic and wanted to educate the special needs or unhappy little ones who were considered to be un-educatable in Rome. In 1896, she gave a lecture at the Educational Congress in Torino about the training of the disabled. The Italian Minister of Education was there and was impressed by what she said. He appointed her the director of the Scuola Ortofrenica, an institution devoted to the care and education of the mentally retarded. She accepted the job so she could put her theories to work and prove them. Her first success was to have several of her eight-year-old students apply to take the state examinations for reading and writing. The so called defec-

“ Scientific observation has established that education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual,

PHO TO GRAPHY CREDIT I FRED LO PEZ

and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.” so I can reach anything I want to play or learn with. It means they have a plan and help me like to learn. Mrs. Jill also says her goal is to guide the child (that’s me) in obtaining inner discipline in order to manifest respect for self, others, and the environment around them. I suppose that means getting along with everyone and behaving myself. I didn’t always behave myself at my old school. They called it the terrible twos and did even after I was three and four. Mommy and Daddy were worrying about Daddy’s job and paying bills and were ignoring me. The only way they paid attention to me was when I was bad, so I was bad a lot. When we moved here I kept it up, but Mrs. Jill talked to mommy and I found out I

They teach us about all kinds of things. They teach us about Math, Language, Art, Music, Spanish and Culture. They tell us what each subject is and then give us lessons. I listen to my teachers talk about the Montessori idea of education. I also listen to my mommy and daddy talk about it too. That’s History and it all started with a lady named Maria Montessori who was born in 1870 in Italy. When she was thirteen she attended a school where she was the only girl. It was a technical school and she went there to prepare for her dream of becoming an engineer. She was the first girl to graduate from the University of Rome La Sapienza Medical School, becoming the first female doctor in Italy. She was a

tive children not only passed, but had above-average scores, an achievement described as the first Montessori miracle. Montessori’s response to their success was if mentally disabled children could be brought to the level of normal children then she wanted to study the potential of normal children. She said, “Scientific observation has established that education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment. The task of the teacher becomes that of preparing a series of motives of cultural activity, spread over a specially prepared environment, and then refraining from obtrusive interference. Human teachers

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illustration/photography credit i name goes here

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can only help the great work that is being done, as servants help the master. Doing so, they will be witnesses to the unfolding of the human soul and to the rising of a New Man who will not be a victim of events, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society.” Because of her success with these children, she was asked to start a school for children in a housing project in Rome, which opened on January 6, 1907. She called it “Casa dei Bambini” or Children’s House. It was a child care center in an apartment building in the poor neighborhood of Rome. She was focused on teaching the students ways to develop their own skills at a pace they set. This was a principle Montessori

quantity.“The success of the first school sparked the opening of many more, and a worldwide interest in Montessori’s methods of education.” The children agree they are safe at the Montessori House of Ocala. It has extra school features that enhance the Montessori environment. For our safety they have a “Mag Lock” installed that keeps our office door locked until the office person presses a remote button to allow the door to open. We also have a security alarm that lets us know when a door is opened. This will assist in insuring all of the children are being kept safe. Jessica is impressed that the three to six-year-old classroom has two computers. We also have daily Spanish classes in every classroom, and on

that my son truly enjoys himself at your school and that he does not go off kicking and screaming like he has at the other schools that I have tried.You could not imagine how hard it was for me to leave my son in that condition and I had a very hard time concentrating at my job, wondering if he was ok and feeling bad that I had to do that to him. When I dropped him off the other day, he actually clapped and started giggling as I pulled up in your driveway and it brought tears to my eyes, as he loves being there.” Jill smiles as Kim says how much her son loves the school. “Montessori is a lifestyle, not just something you do at school,” she says. “We plan activities all year long to keep the parents involved with their child’s education. We have to

Ph OtOgraPhy CreD it i FreD LOPez

“ We plan activities all year long to keep the parents involved with their child’s education. We have to look at our children as smaller versions of ourselves.” called spontaneous self-development. A wide variety of special equipment of increasing complexity is used to help direct the interests of the child and hasten development. Jill Ferrer, Founder and Director of the school says, “When a child has mastered a work, the teacher guides the child’s first endeavors in order to avoid wasted effort and the learning of wrong habits, when giving a new lesson.” She goes on to explain that it has been reported that the Montessori Method of teaching has enabled children to learn to read and write much more quickly and with greater facility than has otherwise been possible. The Montessori Method of teaching concentrates on quality rather than

Fridays we do an entire day of extra curricular activities that includes Art, Music, Spanish, Science, and Physical Education. We have a large front office that allows our parents to feel welcome into our environment. The idea is to make them feel like they are sending us to a home away from home each day. After all, think of all the time we spend here with all the great teachers like Ms. Ales, Shannon, Jamie, Kayla, Erika, and Krystle. We want our parents to share the wonderful things that happen to us here. The parents seem to get the message and agree with Jessica. Kim says, “I really want to thank you for making this huge change for my son and me so easy. I am amazed and so happy

look at our children as smaller versions of ourselves. They are little versions of me and just as what is happening to us is a big deal, so is everything that is happening to them just as big of a deal. When we realize that and address it, then we are creating the environment for our children to begin to learn.” Montessori House of Ocala, as Karen, a parent put it,“If you are looking for a school that will educate and love your child, you have found the right place!” for information:

Montessori House of Ocala 9880 SW 84th Court, Suite D Ocala, FL 34481 Phone: 352.237.3281 Fax: 352.237.3717 www.montessorihouseofocala.com

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for a year

when you bundle all three!* Plus a FREE Fast Connect Installation!†

Call 866-455-7402 or visit cox.com/bundledeal *Offer expires 12/31/10. Available to residential customers in Cox serviceable areas who have not disconnected such service(s) within the past 30 days and are new subscribers to such service(s). *$75 bundle offer for Essential tier of services only and includes monthly recurring service charge for Cox High Speed Internet Essential service, Cox Digital Telephone Essential service including primary line, call waiting, and caller ID; and Cox TV Essential but excludes monthly and one-time charges for DVR service and equipment, pay-per-view, international calling, directory assistance, operator-assisted calls, per use or à la carte features, long distance and toll charges not included in the calling plan, taxes, fees and other surcharges. Cox TV Essential not available at advertised rate outside of the Cox Bundle. Cox Advanced TV receiver rental not required to view broadcast channels. To receive broadcast signals in digital quality, paid subscription to a minimum of Cox TV Starter and a Cox Advanced TV receiver rental required. After promotional period, regular rates will apply. Other conditions apply. Cable modem required for Cox High Speed Internet services. For best performance, use of Cox approved cable modem is recommended. Uninterrupted or error-free Internet service, or the speed of your service, is not guaranteed. Actual speeds vary. Telephone modem equipment may be required for Cox Digital Telephone service and will be provided by Cox at no additional cost. Telephone modem uses household electrical power to operate and has backup battery power provided by Cox if electricity is interrupted. Telephone service, including access to e911 service, will not be available during an extended power outage or if the modem is moved or inoperable. Installation, inside wiring fees, additional jacks, taxes and surcharges are additional. **Phone Tools requires subscription to Cox Digital Telephone and Cox High Speed Internet service. Access to some functions may require subscription to additional phone features. †Free Fast Connect Installation available only in homes previously wired for applicable Cox services and requires customer selfinstallation. Customers must pick up the equipment from a Cox service center and install equipment themselves. Other restrictions may apply. Telephone service provided by Cox Florida Telcom, L.P. and Cox Georgia Telcom, L.L.C. ©2010 Cox Florida/Georgia. All rights reserved.

delish delish ocala magazine quarterly

spotlight on healthy eating

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

simply

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the secret: creativity

Healthy eating does not have to be tasteless eating. Over the past two decades there is so much more media about what to eat and not to eat. What I’ve found during my culinary

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career is that there is a wide belief that eating healthy equates to eating tasteless, bland and over-cooked meals. That is so far from the truth! I constantly strive to produce healthy meals

that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Just because you are watching your fat intake or lowering your sodium or carbohydrate intake, does not mean you have to settle for boiled chicken and brown rice. I love to experiment with different sauces made from vegetables. For example, one night try to roast some red bell peppers. Peel the charred skin away and puree the vegetables. Strain the puree and add salt and pepper to your taste. Use that as a sauce for your boiled chicken and it will add a great flavor to your meal. Other vegetables that make some really nice sauces are green and white asparagus and tomatoes. Trying new cuts of meat can add variety to your healthy eating as well. Using lean cuts of meat is a great way to lessen the fat content in your diet. Lean cuts of red meat include filet mignon and pork tenderloin. The timeless slogan for pork — The Other White Meat — is completely true. It is lower in fat and good for you. More fatty red meats, like rib eye and New York strip s, h av e e xce ll e n t flavor but with the added aspect of more fat. Another alternative to beef is buffalo. Buffalo is leaner and lower in fat than beef.

When I worked in Colorado I served buffalo hot dogs. I could not keep them stocked! The customers loved them and they were a healthy alternative to a beef hot dog. Another push in the culinary industry is in exotic meats like elk and ostrich. These two red meats are extremely low in fat, lower even than buffalo. Then there is the staple of every dieter — salads! Of course you can liven those up with homemade d re s s i n g s , w h e re yo u control what you put in them. I make a passion f r u i t v i n a i g re t t e w i t h honey instead of processed sugar. The dressing has no fat and tons of flavor. Try experimenting with different toppings on your salads. Adding fruit to your salad is a great way to add flavor and keep the fat content low. I believe the key to eating healthy is being creative. Ju st b e ca us e you a re restricting calories or fat, or anything else, does not mean you have to restrict your taste buds. Eating should be a joy, not a chore. Just because you make your food with healthy ingredients, does not mean you have to compromise taste. It can be a win-win situation. O

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

STORY: RICK ALABAUGH, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA

healthy eating simply delish

tips to healthy eating eat breakfast

It really is the most important meal. It recharges your body after a night of sleep without food.

get your blood moving

Making a conscious effort to insert physical activity into your daily routine produces endorphins and speeds up your metabolism.

be a smart snacker

It’s true that we all love to snack. But the things we choose to snack on can be very good or very bad for our health. Rather than reaching for sister Krispy Kreme, try an apple, graham crackers, or celery with peanut butter.

practice balance

Healthy living does not mean living without favorites like hamburgers and ice cream — it just means eating them in moderation. Finding a way to balance these foods and eat them in stride makes for healthy AND smart living.

your mother was right

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Eat your fruits, vegetables and grains. These foods give your body the energy and nutrients it needs to perform. An apple a day keeps more than the doctor away. It can keep the extra pounds away too!

the truth about

tarragon

The French dubbed it the “King of Herbs”. Tarragon, a perennial used to season foods, has also been cited as having medicinal benefits, making it an attractive ingredient for more reasons than one. A popular ingredient in many French dishes, tarragon’s sweet licorice flavor enhances food with intense flavor and aromatic blend. In addition to being a fixture in favorites like Béarnaise sauce, tarragon has a history of uses outside the kitchen. The Greeks used tarragon for toothaches and when mixed with vinegar, tarragon is said to remedy digestive disorders and insomnia. Other tarragon infusions are recommended to alleviate flatulence and arthritis pain, control menstruation and act as a painkiller when applied topically to sores and cuts. In a recent global analysis of 3100 different foods, tarragon was found to have one of the highest antioxidant contents. Containing 72 potential cancer preventives, tarragon oil is comprised of the chemical rutin (a chemical that strengthens capillary walls), that is said to fight against heart disease and stroke because the chemical prevents plaque deposits in the arteries.

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pan-seared Florida black grouper zucchini wrapped shrimp spinach, polenta and fresh salsa ingredients:

8 oz. black grouper 2 tsp. olive oil salt and pepper 1 zucchini 2 jumbo shrimp 2 cups spinach 1 cup white wine 4 sprigs of cilantro – finely chopped ½ cup diced red pepper ½ cup diced green pepper ½ cup diced onion 2 cloves garlic 3 whole plum tomatoes (canned) 2 cups polenta 1 cup chicken stock

directions: salsa

In a food processor combine cilantro, red pepper, green pepper, onion, garlic, and canned plum tomatoes. Process about 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Serve at room temperature or heat in a small saucepan. This can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Heat before serving.

polenta

In a small pot bring chicken stock to a boil. Add polenta. Cook on medium heat until thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread the polenta on a lightly greased (or parchment paper lined) sheet pan. Let cool until hardened. Cut into whatever shape you like. Set aside. This can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Heat in the oven before serving.

grouper and shrimp

Using a potato peeler, peel 2 slices of zucchini, lengthwise. Wrap the zucchini around the raw shrimp. In a small sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil and grouper. Sauté 4 minutes on each side. Add shrimp and sauté 1 minute on each side. Add white wine and spinach. Simmer until spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper.

On a large plate, spoon salsa in the middle of the plate. Place the polenta on top of the salsa. Top the polenta with spinach. Then place the grouper on top of the polenta. Lastly, place the shrimp on top of the grouper. — Chef Alabaugh

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PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

assembling your plate

healthy eating simply delish

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white vs wheat the eternal struggle STORY: MATT JOHNSON Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last decade, then you have no doubt been affected in some way by the carb craze that’s been sweeping our nation. And, like most Americans, there’s a good chance that somewhere along the line, you’ve gotten lost in the hype and missed the point entirely. In other words, all carbs are not created equal — and thus the battle between white and wheat rages on. In order to gain an understanding of where the two differ, we must first examine the most essential ingredient: wheat. Both white and wheat breads begin as wheat berries, which are made up of three parts: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. When processed, whole wheat flour is broken down to include all three parts, producing what are known as “complex” or “good” carbohydrates. White flour, on the other hand, is processed to include only the starchy endosperm — the part of the wheat berry containing the least amount of nutrients. The type of carbohydrate produced here is referred to as “simple”or“bad.” What does this boil down to? With the inclusion of all three parts of the endosperm, whole wheat flour is found to contain significantly higher amounts of fiber, vitamins B6 and E, zinc, magnesium, folic acid and chromium. Not only that, but during the process of refining white flour, up to 30 nutrients (about 80 percent) are removed. White flour, therefore, is basically broken down by the body in the same way as sugar and is nearly useless from a nutritional standpoint (it is because of this, that these“bad”carbs are often referred to as“empty calories”). What this means is that when a slice of white bread is eaten, the pancreas releases insulin — a chemical that stimulates the appetite, slows the metabolism, and triggers the storing of fat. Unfortunately for us, many food companies advertise their products — especially sliced breads — in a misleading fashion for the health-conscious consumer. To avoid confusion, make sure that when shopping for whole wheat products, you read the back label first. The first ingredient, no matter what, should be whole wheat flour. Enriched wheat flour is just another name for white flour and is in no way equal to whole wheat. Also be careful to avoid labels that say Multi or 7-Grain, which are typically used to trick consumers into buying bread made from white flour. Now armed with the know-how and knowledge to choose your carbs wisely, it’s time to start off 2011 on the right track. Lowering health risks and shrinking waistlines from coast to coast, wheat bread can be the foundation for a better diet and a healthier lifestyle. So get out there, read the labels, and set off on your way to making a healthier start to the NewYear — and always remember to choose your carbs wisely.

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cheers! low-cal toddies

Looking to toast the New Year without sacrificing your calorie count? Check out these healthy cocktail recipes that are simple, delicious and under 200 calories!

Chambord-FlavoredVodka & Perrier® 108 Calories

1 1/2 oz Chambord-Flavored Vodka 3 oz Perrier Pour vodka into a glass filled with ice and top with Perrier. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a black raspberry. Photo and Recipe: Chambord-Flavored Vodka

Chambord & Champagne 199 Calories

1/2 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur Korbel Champagne Simply add Chambord to bottom of flute glass and top with champagne. Photo and Recipe: Chambord

Blueberry Cassis Fizz 180 Calories

6 Driscoll’s blueberries 1/2 oz cassis 1 oz vodka 1 oz low-calorie cranberry juice 3 oz rosé sparkling wine, chilled Lemon twist for garnish 3 Driscoll’s blueberries for garnish Place blueberries, cassis, vodka, and cranberry juice in a rocks glass. Muddle the berries well. Add ice and the sparkling wine. Give the cocktail a quick stir, and garnish with the lemon twist and blueberries threaded onto a bamboo toothpick. Recipe: Tina Ruggiero, M.S., R.D. | The Gourmet Nutritionist. Photo: Driscoll’s

healthy eating simply delish by the numbers

510

The calorie content in a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese: 510 calories, 230 of those calories are from fat. (Versus a Subway 6-inch Turkey Breast Sandwich with 280 calories, 3.5 of those calories are from fat.)

72 million

The number of U.S. citizens who are obese.

30 percent

The number of children aged 2-19 who are considered overweight or obese. It has been estimated that one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

7 percent According to the American Heart Association and World Health Organization, your total calories from saturated fat should not be more than this number.

sources: www.thehealthyeatingguide.com and www.organichealthyeating.com

The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine.

30,000

It is estimated that trans fat could be responsible for this many premature coronary deaths per year!

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

super foods

blueberries Loaded with antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C. Blueberries are also an antiinflammatory — which is thought to be the root of a number of diseases. Incorporating them into your diet can decrease your risk of heart disease and cancer.

almonds Not only are they filling and easy to eat on the go, but studies show that when eaten with other foods, almonds keep blood sugar levels from spiking, which helps control hunger. They are also high in fiber, protein, and essential fatty acids that help raise your body’s metabolism.

— Hippocrates

acai Sure, it’s hard to pronounce (ah-sigh-ee), but acai is said to fight premature aging, and promote cardiovascular and digestive health with its levels of antioxidants (acai has 10 times more than red grapes), monounsaturated fats and essential amino acids.

dark chocolate Finally! A super food that is as healthy as it is delicious. Packed with antioxidants, dark chocolate has the ability to lower blood pressure. The secret is looking for dark chocolate where at least 60 percent of the content is cocoa.

yogurt Containing a healthy balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, yogurt is a great breakfast food as it helps to maintain blood sugar levels and control hunger throughout the day. The protein in natural yogurt also requires a lot of energy to be digested, which burns calories and builds muscle.

salmon Eating foods chalked full of omega 3s , like salmon, flax seed, walnuts and fortified eggs, lowers the risk of heart disease, memory loss and arthritis. They are also known to lower cholesterol levels as they are high in monounsaturated fats.

January

eggs There may not be a better source of protein than eggs, which contain a great balance of essential amino acids, used by your body to produce muscle fibers and even brain chemicals. Eating eggs for breakfast keeps you fuller longer, which will help you avoid eating more, later in the day.

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at the e v i l d Filme

n o n o i t a m r o e f v i n l i r r u o o F f o t r o t a p d n g a bein udience visit a s o e i d d o u s i st p e l l u v f t . h t c u t O t I wa n i h s i

D . w w w

Showtimes

Cox Cable Channel 21, Ocala Sat & Sun afternoons, 12:30 PM Weekdays at Midnight Sponsored by Condello Provisions

Authorized Distributor for

速

food+drink promotional restaurant guide

Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine to Our Friends in Ocala

2437 S.W. 27th Ave., Ocala, FL 352.237.3433 www.OcalaThai.com With specialties like seafood, curries, vegetarian and non-spicy dishes, Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine offers only the finest Thai food in Marion County. Be sure not to miss this gem of a restaurant tucked away in Ocala. MENU HIGHLIGHTS Spring Rolls, Pork or Chicken Satay, Nam Sot, Chicken Red Curry, Whole Red Snapper with Sweet Chili Sauce, Pad Thai, Ayuttaya Duck with Ginger Sauce. HOURS Lunch: Mon – Fri 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Dinner: Mon – Thur 5 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.; Fri – Sat 5 p.m.– 10:00 p.m.; Sun 5 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.

Sky Asian Fusion 3600 SW 38th Ave. Ocala, FL 34474 Located on the 6th floor of the Holiday Inn & Suites www.ocalasky.com Features delectable Asian Fusion menu with a beautiful view of Ocala for a casual but elegant dining experience. Sky menu is a passport to Asia with items across cultural boundaries. Dishes that inspire, from China, Japan, Thailand, Korea. Even American inspired items like beef and salmon. Full bar. INCREDIBLE SUNDAY BRUNCH. Ocala’s most sensational dining experience! Enjoy all your traditional Sunday favorites and the best of SKY! HOURS: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-2 pm. Dinner MonThurs 5-10 pm. Dinner Fri-Sat 5-11 pm. Brunch (Sunday only) 11-2:30 pm. Credit Cards. Reservations suggested for parties of 8 or more. 291-0000.

Mandarin Buffet 9264 SE Maricamp Road #2 Silver Spring Shores, Ocala, FL 352-261-1188 Fax 352-261-1088 NOW OPEN! We have over 100 items of Chinese, Sushi and American food. All you can eat. HOURS Lunch 7 days week 11 am-4 pm. Dinner 4 pm-9:30 pm. Friday-Saturday 4 pm-10:30 pm ALSO BUFFET TO GO: Lunch $3.79 lb, Dinner $4.59, Seafood $6.99 lb $1.00 Off on Dinner ONLY with this ad. Offer not valid with other offers.

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food+drink promotional restaurant guide

Filet and Fin 306 SW Broadway, Ocala, FL 34471 352.351.5063 Secret’s Out — Sophisticated Affordable dining. Chef Daniel has created a menu that features center cut filets & the freshest fish plus a whole lot more. The Resturant features a rawbar, Tapis Menu & an Artisian Wine Bar. Come experience great food, lots of fun with friends and Chef Daniel’s Signature Dishes. Specializing in On- and Off-Site Catering for all occasions. MEnu HiGHLiGHTS Steaks, Fish and a whole lot more. HOuRS Monday – Thursday 10:00 A.M. – 9:00 p.M., Friday and Saturday 10:00 A.M. – 10:00 p.M., Lunch daily from 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 p.M., Closed Sundays.

Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant 2463 S.W. 27th Ave., Ocala, FL Shady Oaks plaza next to Best Buy 352.237.3900 Kotobuki serving the finest in Japanese cuisine in Ocala since 1986. Kotobuki offers hibachi style cooking at your table, freshly made sushi from the sushi bar, and authentic Japanese cuisine from the washoku room. MEnu iTEMS inCLudE Steak, scallops, lobster tail, filet mignon and sushi. HOuRS Sun & Mon: 4:30 – 9 p.m.; Lunch: Tues – Thur 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; dinner 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., dinner 4:30 – 10:30 p.m. Sat 4:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Tony’s Sushi & Japanese Steak House 3405 S.W. College Road, #103, Ocala, FL 34474 352.237.3151 Visit www.tonysushi.com for 40% off on gift card! Tony is a creative artist when it comes to his extensive menu, welcoming atmosphere and delicious food. He brings scrumptious sushi favorites from NY and Miami. Tony’s now offers specialty rolls in half orders so your can enjoy all of your favorites in one sitting. ExpERiEnCE OuR HiBACHi GRiLL where the chef prepares fresh entrees and entertains right before your eyes! Don’t hesitate to try our exciting daily specials. WE OFFER pRiVATE pARTiES And A FAnTASTiC CATERinG SERViCE. HOuRS Mon – Thur 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri – Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. HAppY HOuR 2:30-6:00, 2 for 1, draft Beer and Well Liquor BuY HALF SuSHi ROLL FOR HALF pRiCE

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Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care Community 1665 SW 7th St., Ocala, FL 34471 phone 352.873.1400 www.memorylaneassistedliving.com

ALF License #AL 11887

E IS SPACITED. R LIMKE YOU AY. TA UR TOD TO

CELEBRATING 12 YEARS IN OCALA!

Don’t Agonize,

organize!

Dr. Charles Simpson THIS YEAR’S HORSE’S ASS

Ocala Wine Experience HOME OF HORSE’S ASS WINE, GOLF BALLS, JEANS & APPAREL. Live music Fri & Sat nights, wine tasting, food, desserts, coffee, eclectic gifts, gourmet baskets. Private party & meeting space. Private wine labels available. Hookas in the courtyard with fruit tobacco and cigars. Personalized wine labels available for individuals or businesses. Daily Wine Tastings! HOURS: Mon - Thurs 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri 1 p.m. - Midnight., Sat 2 p.m. - Midnight. 36 S.W. 1st Ave., Ocala, FL 352.369.9858 www.ocalawineexperience.com • www.wineexperience.cc

custom storage solutions closets • garages • pantries • offices • playrooms

1921 SW 15th Ave., Ocala, FL • 352.694.9900 www.proclosetdesigns.com January 2011 I OCALAMAGAZINE.COM I 071

SNAPSHOTS see + be scene

Mark Emery and Calvin Jones from Skill Day Center

Eric Hutcheson Lynn Marie Lusk

Mark Emery

Gateway Bank recently kicked off its new art exhibit featuring the work of celebrated photographer Mark Emery. Emery, whose work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine/Television, Outside Magazine and Newsweek, among many others, donated pieces of photography from his Wildlife Images Collection to be sold at the bank. Proceeds from the artwork will benefit The Skill Day Center, an afterschool tutoring center for the youth in Ocala. PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

Philip Olstein

Mac McDonald

Gateway Bank

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CONNECTING HEART, BODY, MIND & SOUL TOUCHING INTO

Awareness

SPECIALIZING IN DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE NEUROMUSCULAR TRIGGER POINT THERAPY, RELAXATION CHRONIC PAIN & TENSION RELIEF

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bookings over 5 hours receive 1 hour free!

touchingintoawareness@gmail.com

Saddle up for the

 3528541247

WWW.PRONTOLIMOS.COM

11th annual

Trail Ride

Join us on February 19, 2011 at the Florida Horse Park and ride on the beautiful Central Forida Greenway in Ocala, Florida.

For more information and pre-registration contact Karen or Jenny at

Registration is from 8:00 – 10:00 am with the first ride out at 9:15 am. There is a $30 Minimum Donation to ride and wagons are welcome (Driver $30, Passengers $10 each). Includes: Lunch by Tommy’s BBQ, 50 door prizes, 50/50 and entertainment by Bordertown.

352-854-5218 Hospice of Marion County • Your not-for-profit Hometown Hospice Proceeds benefit Hospice Patient Care

074 I OCALAMAGAZINE.COM I 2011 January

Clubs! Horse ng Traveli ost rm fo y h Trop ised by ra y mone ed Club n sanctio

Wreaths of Hope at The Bridge

Holiday fundraiser Wreaths of Hope was a silent auction that included 50 wreaths, all donated by local businesses and individuals. The proceeds were donated to Community with a Heart, a program administered by the Ocala Star-Banner that consists of a network of more than 20 local social service agencies who band together to provide assistance to those who fall between the cracks of existing charitable and government entities. PHOTOS: Wendy dixOn PHOTOgraPHy

Anna Lyse Jones

Peter Gray and Richard West Nancy Kostoff

Sandy Stuner, Clare Candelario, Elaine Torres, Ken Massie, Lori Gomillion, Dawn Fulkerson, Pat Koon, Diann Jones Elizabeth Vina and James Bradley

January 2011 i OCalamagazine.COm i 075

I was always running around stressed out. I never felt like I could keep up. Then one day I couldn’t even catch my breath. Funny how none of those stresses seemed to matter anymore. If I only had another chance. Thanks to ICE, I got that chance and now when I’m running around, it’s for fun. Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence 4600 SW 46th Ct. Suite 340 Ocala, FL 34474 Office: 352.854.0681 Fax: 352.387.0390

412 West Noble Avenue Williston, FL 32696 Office: 352.528.3540 Fax: 352.528.0721

1400 U.S. Hwy 441 N. Suite 531 The Villages, FL 32159 Office: 352.509.9295 Fax: 352.509.9296

Institute of Medical Excellence The Villages, FL 32159 Office: 352.528.0790 Fax: 352.528.0732

MaryLou Nast and Janice Cericola

Belinda and Bob Kitos

Warren McCullough and Pramila Mitra

Life Care Center of Ocala

Sirlestree Dewese, Dr. David Ethier, and Christi Finch

Life Care Center of Ocala recently celebrated in a big way. At their lavish “An Affair to Remember”, guests were treated to ballroom dancing, dinner and live music, to honor the Center’s 12 years of excellence. The venue was decked out to resemble a retro Hollywood awards show, complete with trendy décor and a fabulously chic crowd. PHOTOS: WENDY DIXON PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Segismundo Pares and Janet Pares

Dr. James Duke

Cassidy Vaughn, Cynthia Montalvo, and Tory Montalvo

January 2011 I OCALAMAGAZINE.COM I 077

DON’T BE UNDERPAID GET TWO OR MORE OFFERS

Walt Porter

ESTATE JEWELRY BUYER

GOLD BUYER HIGHEST PRICES PAID FOR OLD & BROKEN GOLD!

401-0077

315 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Proud Member Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce

Montessori Events Chloe and Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;lissa Geatches

Jamie and Allie Ferrer

Kylie and Jill Ferrer

Montessori House of Ocala recently hosted two exciting events: At TrikeA-Thon, children were sponsored to ride their bikes, trikes or big wheels, to raise funds for the children at St. Jude Hospital. Families also came out full force for the Harvest Festival, a celebration where children dressed up, collected candy and paraded around with friends and family for a day of good, old-fashioned fun! PHOTOS: FrEd lOPEz

Cyrina, Cathy and Bellatrix Gonzalez

Daniel Riolo

Tristan and Allie Ferrer

Harper and Arron Geatches Alessandra Zimmerman and Jax Pinson

079

and

Meenu Jethwani

Q: Q: Q:

What is lymphedema and what are its symptoms? Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid (which acts as a filter to remove toxins from the tissues), and generally occurs in extremities but can be seen in the head, neck, abdomen, and genitalia. The lymphatic drainage can be altered through surgery, radiation therapy, infection, scarring, or direct blockage by a tumor. The build-up of fluid can be gradual and without pain, often going unnoticed until it reaches a critical stage. As it progresses, the involved areas swell, mobility is restricted and painful, and the skin becomes taut and dry. Affected tissues can become hard and fibrotic which impairs the flow of blood and oxygen to the area, often leading to recurrent infections that can life threatening and require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic therapy. Lymphedema can be mild and barely noticeable, or severe and disfiguring. More severe lymphedema is associated with lymphangiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Extreme cases can lead to elephantitis, which can be prevented through appropriate, timely care of less severe lymphedema. What causes lymphedema? The more common causes of lymphedema are medical conditions/treatments that interfere with the normal functioning of the lymphatic system, especially after surgery in areas where lymph nodes are, such as breast cancer patients who have lymph nodes removed as part of their treatment. The risk increases with the number of nodes that are removed or damaged, such as with radiation therapy to the armpit or groin area. Being overweight, especially among cancer survivors with lymph system damage, is another risk factor, as well as prolonged standing edema, blood clots and varicose veins. In the US, breast cancer surgery (particularly when combined with radiation treatment), is the most common cause. Other causes are cancer radiation therapy, chronic venous insufficiency, filariasis, cellulitis/lymphangitis, abdominal surgeries, vascular surgeries and traumatic injuries. How can lymphedema be treated? Lymphedema can be treated with complete decongestive therapy. You need to find a therapist who is certified in lymphedema treatment. To find a therapist near your area, go to the national lymphedema network (www.lymphnet.org). My legs have been swollen for years and I have been told that nothing can be done about it. Is this true? Actually, manual drainage therapy along with compression bandages and garments can help swollen legs. The key is to find an occupational or physical therapist who understands the pathology of the condition and is certified in lymphedema management. Is there anything a person can do to prevent further complications from lymphedema? (1) Avoid trauma to skin and reduce risk of infections by keeping skin/extremities clean and dry; (2) maintain optimal weight and build up duration/intensity of exercise, making sure to monitor extremities during and after exercise for any change in size, shape, texture, firmness; (3) avoid limb constriction through use of loose fitting clothing and jewelry (if possible, avoid taking blood pressure on the affected extremity); (4) support affected limbs with compression garments for strenuous activities; and (5) avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

a: a: a:

For more detailed information, or if you feel you are at risk of developing lymphedema, contact Meenu Jethwani of Therapy For You for consultation. Meenu is certified by the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, and is the only therapist certified for Complete Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Marion County. Meenu works closely with cardiologists, oncologists and primary care physicians.

PHYSICAL THERAPY & LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT CENTER “Our Goal Is to Get Our Patients Back to Their Normal Life” OCALA EAST • 352-732-4006 OCALA WEST • 352-237-0073 THE VILLAGES • 352-391-9500 ( Call to Schedule Your FREE Screening)

Bald4Thecure

The team from ocala oncology invited guests to join them as they made an incredible sacrifice to raise awareness and funds for the american cancer Society and leukemia and lymphoma Society by â&#x20AC;&#x153;going Bald for the cure!â&#x20AC;? The successful event took place at the Paddock mall and resulted in over $14,000 worth of funds donated to the benefiting organizations. Russell Creasey and Betty Sue Sundey Hayley and Madeline Creasey, Michelle Bagley, Russell and Olivia Creasey

Kimberley, Sharon and Craig Bucher Jodie Chesser, Cindy Robbins (back), Michelle Bagley and Darlene Dubose Rose Meadows and Betty Sue Sundey

Michelle Bagley, Sharon Bucher and Diane Burkhalter

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Representing the best in Marion County. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to be

calaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magazine celebrating our 30th anniversary Representing the ultimate in gracious Central Florida living

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Humeraa’s health spotlight:

the flu Flu season in Central Florida runs from Nov till May. It's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices that all children between the ages of six months to 18 years be vaccinated against the flu virus. Since the flu strain changes every season the flu vaccine needs to be administered afresh every year. Flu vaccine is best admininstered before the beginning of the flu season. Babies between the ages of 6 months till 36 months get two half dosages one month apart. Contrary to popular belief the flu vaccine does not cause the flu. It is a perfectly safe, effective vaccine that will protect your child against an infection that can cause, at the very least cumbersome & tiring symptoms like fever, cough, nasal congestion and difficulty eating to potentially life threatening complications like pneumonia, encephalitis etc. It also translates into missed school for the child and missed work for the parents. Additionally it will also help protect the babies, pregnant women and elderly family members living in the household. Contact you child's pediatrician to get him or her vaccinated.

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Humeraa Qamar MD, MPH, FAAP

For additional information:

Children’s Medical Group

1749 SE 28th Loop, Ocala, FL 34471 T: 352.369.8690 F: 352.369.8693

732-4085 • 2180 E. SILVER SPRINGS BLVD. January 2011 I OCALAMAGAZINE.COM I 085

the Ocala Medical

JOURNAL health+medical

comfortable assistance Assisted living facilities promote senior health and independence in environments that are as enjoyable as they are functional.

In the state of Florida there are roughly 18.5 million residents. Over three million of those residents are senior citizens. In response to that large demographic, Florida boasts over 3500 communities that are designed with the senior echelon in mind — and a considerable amount of those communities are located right here in Central Florida. Because of Florida’s temperate climate, the Sunshine State is an

appealing option when it comes time to relax and retire. Because of this, availability in assisted living and longterm care has increased. By definition, assisted living facilities provide fulltime living arrangements in settings that resemble the traditional comforts of home. While the specifics of the facilities vary — some are designed as single occupancy while others are shared — their missions are universal. The luxury of assisted living facilities

is in regard to its comprehensive approach to care. Residents are given as much independence as they desire and also have access to a variety of services as needs arise. The communities also provide normalcy to promote rituals and routines. The environment afforded to one living in assisted living is homelike: many residences include kitchenettes, apartment-style floor plans and atmospheres that are both

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Ocala medical journal

unrestricted and functional. A number of communities in Marion County also offer unique services in private settings that lend seniors a number of essentials based on need and preference. Luckily, the Ocala community includes several facilities that tend to assisted living needs, making for varied options and a wealth of senior services. Hawthorne Village, a local nonprofit, privately owned rehabilitation and assisted living community, includes a 120-bed skilled nursing and rehab facility as well as a 36-bed small, intimate assisted living unit. “All of our assisted living rooms are private, to enhance personalized service,” explains Susan Smith, Marketing Director at Hawthorne Village. Currently, Hawthorne Village is looking at the needs of the community and expanding its facility. Soon, the community will be breaking ground on 90 plus new independent living apartments. “We will be the first facility in Marion County to offer all three services: independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing/rehab,”Smith says. At communities like Hawthorne, services are varied and unique, such as their trademark Bounceback Rehab program, where patients rehab, recover,

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and return home. In addition to medical services, there are also a number of free community events, where locals are invited to come and experience festive events like trick-or-treating for Halloween, cookies and crafts with Santa at Christmas and Easter egg hunts in April. The family orientation at Hawthorne speaks to an atmosphere that promotes comfortable and healthy living. A similar approach to care is found at Ocala’s Hampton Manor. Janet Soto, VP of Marketing, Sales and Business Development at Hampton Manor, explains that because they have six Marion County locations, they are able to serve a number of demographics. “If someone has family living on the southeast side of town, we can accommodate them, and it works out beautifully,” Soto says. Independently owned and operated for 25 years, Hampton Manor offers customized service and specialized funding availability. “Many in the area are private pay, and we are able to assist patients,”Soto explains. “We also have specialized licensure — we have an Extended Congregate Care license (ECC) — so we are able to do a higher level of care, avoiding nursing care syndrome, which allows guests to age in place.” With their newest facility located near the Villages, the options at Hampton Manor join the list of esteemed communities in our area. Lynn Domenech, owner of Comfort Keepers explains that their assisted living is more of the in-home approach. “People who need extra care to stay independent and safe are the ones we take care of and we can do that in their home, or in a hospital or a nursing home setting. We go in and do those little things to keep them as safe and independent as possible. We do everything from meal prepping and reading to hiring CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants).” The range of services is broad — and Comfort Keepers aims to preserve

patient independence as much as possible. “What we feel separates us from other agencies is that we do interactive caregiving. We do with the client, instead of for the client. Engaging the client and keeping them active, stimulated and socially involved is a way to give them quality of life, and we train to that model of caregiving. The serenity at newly remodeled TimberRidge Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center makes for an environment conducive to recovery. This five-star rated Medicare and Medicaid-certified, 180-bed center is a partnership of Munroe Regional and Ocala Healthcare Associates, LLP. “Soothing sounds of flowing water can be heard from the stunning bronze and copper water feature, promoting relaxation,” explains Christy Edwards, External Admissions Coordinator. The private and semi-private accommodations feature a number of characteristics that speak to comfort and relaxation: vaulted ceilings, warm earth tone colors, carpet, and custom cabinetry with granite counters. Specializing in Sub-Acute, Orthopedic, Cardiac, Pulmonary, and Neurological rehabilitation, the skilled professionals at TimberRidge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have a unique approach to rehabilitation. Their licensed and certified therapists focus on achieving outstanding results through individualized treatment programs. “This approach helps individuals reach their maximum potential and ultimately return home,”Edwards says. While assisted living and senior health care options are plentiful in our community, the collective goal of the varied facilities is to preserve independence and senior wellness. From the in-home approach to the residential establishments, assisted living in Marion County exceeds traditional caregiving standards with unique environments that administer individualized care.

photo: shutterstock

senior finances: affording long-term care Wealth Advisor Thomas Fross, of Fross and Fross, explains that there are many reasons long-term care is inevitable for many, and preparation is essential. “First of all is life expectancy. The good news is we’re living longer than we ever have before in history,” Fross explains. “The bad news is we’re living longer than we ever have before in history. Things that used to kill us — like heart disease or cancer — because of improvements in medicine, we’re now able to face treatment and in many cases be able to live another 20 or 30 years with that ailment.” Fross says that with longer life expectancy comes the increased potential for long-term care. In 1935, the life expectancy for the average American was only 61.7 years. A 65year old couple today face a one in three chance of living until their mid 90s. “The second reason that many today face long-term care is because they no longer live by their children. In the ‘Walton’s’ era, people’s retirement consisted of living next door, down the street or at worst case across town from their family, their children. If they needed assistance as they advanced in age their families were there to assist. Now, many people live 1200 or 2000 miles away from their children, and supposing they do need long-term care, they have a strong desire to remain independent, and so for that reason many today will face the likelihood of long-term care.” Long-term care is realistic and many have found the need to prepare for it. Fross relates the preparation to the likes of basic home and auto insurance. “There is only a one in 240 chance of having a claim of over $5000 on our auto insurance and yet most, if not all of us, have car insurance.” A similar statistic is mirrored in regards to homeowner’s insurance. Fross explains that there is only a one in 1200 chance

of incurring $5000 or more in damage that would force you to make a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. Yet, most people pay for homeowner’s insurance. “There is a one in three chance that the average American will need longterm care at some point in their life, so when it comes to addressing any sort of risk, including the risk of needing longterm care, we really have three options,” Fross says. “Number one, we can accept the risk. Accepting the risk means that we have

to pay for the long-term care out of our own pocket. We can transfer the risk. You transfer the risk by purchasing longterm care insurance. Or you can ignore the risk, and unfortunately ignoring the risk brings us back to option number one, and that’s accepting the risk.” Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home healthcare agencies are not typically covered by Medicare. Because of this, many question whether or not they should buy long-term care insurance. Fross explains that there

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ocala medical journal is not an easy way to answer that question, but to begin with one should assess which type of long-term care he or she would best benefit from. “Long-term care is needing help with activities of daily living, so someone needs long-term care when they can’t

an extended period of time, the high cost option (which unfortunately most people end up facing) can easily cost much more than sending their grandchildren to Harvard. These costs could easily wipe out any legacy that they were planning on passing on to

bathe, they can’t use the bathroom on their own, maybe they need help eating meals, taking medicine. These are known as the activities of daily living. When a person needs help with those things, there are really four ways to take care of it.” 1. Have a spouse, family or friends pitch in to take care of them 2. Home health care — the low to medium cost option — where you hire a provider to come into your home periodically to assist you. 3. Adult daycare — a medium cost option — or a live-in caregiver. 4. Assisted living facility or nursing home — the most expensive. This, unfortunately is what most people will end up facing in their lifetime. Fross explains that the cost of assisted living facilities can be very expensive. “They can range anywhere between $3000 to $8000 a month, and needless to say at this rate, it wouldn’t take long for one to wipe out their retirement savings,”he says. “If one needs long-term care for

their children.” While Medicaid is an option, many have misconceptions regarding it. Fross explains Medicaid as a federally funded, state-run program that is set up to subsidize the cost of nursing homes, not assisted living or home health care. Because the program is designed primarily for elderly people who are very sick and have little or no financial resources, Fross says that most of his clients do not wish to exhaust the financial resources that they have spent a lifetime gaining so they can qualify for Medicaid. In considering long-term care insurance, Fross explains the following formula: B-O-G. “We want the company to be BIG. It needs to be large enough to be able to handle the financial obligation of covering hundreds of thousands of dollars of potential care for each of their policyholders. They should also be OLD. Consider the experience of the insurance companies. We recommend to our clients that they look for a

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company that has been selling longterm care insurance for at least ten to 20 years. They should also be GOOD. They have high financial ratings to make sure they will be in business the day someone needs care.You can check out the financial ratings of insurance companies through AM Best and Moody’s.” Fross offers these words of advice when shopping for long-term care insurance: look for a company that has not had several recent rate increases, look at the fine print to know exactly what benefits are paid and what conditions need to exist before one will be covered under the insurance policy, and also make sure you know what coverage is available, what the elimination period is, and what the benefit period is. Fross adds that if a couple cannot afford the cost of insurance for both, then a nice compromise would be to purchase the insurance for the wife only. “For most couples the wife will outlive the husband, leaving her alone when she needs long-term care. It’s for this reason that roughly nine out of ten residents of nursing homes or residential care facilities are women.” Fross encourages a prudent financial plan that includes a strategy to cover the cost of long-term care. “Whether the decision is made to pay for the potential care out of investments, or whether they choose to purchase insurance to cover the cost, either way a decision should be made.” For more information visit www. frossandfross.com

illustration/photography credit i name goes here

•Volume No. 2 •

the spine report A MONTHLY CASE STUDY

Gulfcoast Spine Institute specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery, which results in speedy pain relief for patients. Case Study: Richard I. (Male),

Age: 66,

Height: 5 Ft. 10 in.,

Weight: 225 LBS.

Richard is a right handed male with a history of back problems due to sciatica irritation/pain. He has been suffering from pain for the last five months after twisting his lower back, while shoeing a horse. He had received chiropractic care, physical therapy, and epidural injections for this condition, but he continued to have difficulty walking and occasionally lost sleep due to the pain. The only relief had been through medication. During the physical exam, it was observed that Richard walked with a limp to avoid pain and stood with a list to the right. Also, his back pain was worse with forward flexion, extension, side bending and rotation. The seated straight leg raise on the right produced back pain and for the left caused leg pain at 60 degrees. Richard had also developed a left foot drop, causing further distress. X-rays of Richard’s lower spine revealed degenerative changes at vertebras L4-5 and L5-S1. His MRI scan showed narrowing of the spinal canal at varying degrees of severity (severe on the outer left, moderate-to-severe in the central spinal canal, and mild bilateral narrowing where the nerve root exits the spinal canal, as a result of disc herniation). Richard’s diagnosis was Lumbar Disc Displacement, Degeneration of Lumbar Disc, Spinal Stenosis of Lumbar Region and Sciatica. He had extruded disc herniation on the left at L3-L4, extending downward to the L4-L5 foramen, with severe nerve impingement. The diagnostic results were reviewed with Richard followed by recommendation for surgery as his plan of care. Richard agreed to proceed with surgery that would widen the spinal canal and create more space for the nerves. Dr. James J. Ronzo performed a Laminectomy and Micro Discectomy using minimally invasive techniques performed under general anesthesia. The procedure took less than 45 minutes and Richard was discharged to his home later that same day with a Band-Aid. At his postoperative visit Richard told Dr. Ronzo that he was PAIN FREE and able to fully engage in his profession of horseshoeing without any restrictions!

RichaRd i.: “I’ve been doing horse shoeing for 32 years now. I had developed chronic sciatica to the point where it looked like I may have to retire from the business. I saw Dr. Ronzo and he discussed the procedure with me. I decided to take his advice and have the surgery. It was a one day thing. I went in the morning, was operated on in the afternoon, and I was home that night. I woke up the next day virtually pain free.” “I didn’t want to give up my career. I’ve been doing it for so long, and I really love horses and I love the work. So I’d have to thank Dr. Ronzo -- he gave me back my career!”

To view details of this exciting operative method, visit www.gulfcoastspine.net. Click on the Technology tab, then on the far right side click on METRx® Microscope System. Click under the photo in the Related Links box (Microscopic Discectomy Animation) and play the narrated version for play-by-play details of the surgical procedure.

GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE Three locations to serve our patients: The Villages, Inverness, and Spring Hill Call for an appointment: Toll Free 1-855-Gulfcoast (1-855-485-3262) James J. Ronzo, D.O.

Frank Bono, D.O.

tiny incision great precision UF physicians led by Nash Moawad, MD, are leading the way in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

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ILLUSTRATION/PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT I NAME GOES HERE

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PHO TO GRAPHY I JOH NSTON PH OTOGRAPHY, GAINESVILLE

ccording to University of Florida physician, Nash Moawad, M.D., “Today, in spite of the impressive advances in minimally invasive surgery, more than 65 percent of hysterectomies nationwide are still performed through a large abdominal incision like a cesarean section.“Not at UF,”he says.“We are now proud to empower women by offering more options and innovative surgical techniques to perform gynecologic surgery in a minimally invasive fashion.” Dr. Moawad explains,“UF Physicians are capable of performing a multitude of procedures in a minimally invasive fashion using the most advanced technology in the region.” He goes on to explain that laparoscopic surgery involves the performance of procedures using micro-surgical techniques through tiny incisions. “We make one to four tiny incisions, the size of your fingertip, and by employing a minimally invasive approach the patient is out of the hospital sooner (usually the same day or next day), there is less pain, less scarring, reduced bleeding during the procedure, the recovery time is reduced from six weeks to twoto-four weeks, and less pain medicine is required following the procedure.” “These tiny incisions are used to introduce a thin telescope attached to a small video camera, along with very intricate instruments that enables the surgeon to perform the procedure safely through the tiny incisions. This technology facilitates magnification and better visualization of subtle pathologic details in the pelvic cavity and increases surgical precision,”Dr. Moawad says. “What we do for hysterectomies, we do for all other women’s surgical procedures. We can apply these techniques to anything else we do including treating abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, prolapse, ovarian cysts or masses, adenomyosis, uterine anomalies, urinary incontinence, adhesions, and ectopic pregnancy.” Dr. Moawad states, “We have a very fertility-conscious approach to the way

we perform surgery.” He points to the treatment of ovarian cysts.“We attempt to preserve the ovaries and only remove the ovarian cyst.” ”We employ the same philosophy to the laparoscopic excision of endometriosis.” Dr. Moawad explains that this procedure has two primary indications; “The first is the treatment of chronic pelvic pain caused by deep infiltrating endometriosis that has not responded adequately to medical therapy. The second goal is to aid in the treatment of infertility caused by endometriosis. We value the patient’s choice and desire to preserve her reproductive organs for future fertility. Our team provides a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of severe endometriosis involving the bowel, bladder or ureters. We firmly believe that endometriosis can be effectively treated by removing all visible lesions while preserving the uterus, tubes and ovaries for future child bearing.” “I believe minimally invasive surgery is better for the patient, and that is what we are all about here at the University of Florida. The patient comes first.” Moawad says. At the forefront of medical and surgical patient care, University of Florida physician, Dr. Nash Moawad, is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and is the section head of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The UF department of obstetrics and gynecology is proud to offer many gynecologic minimally invasive surgical options. For more information go to obgyn.ufl.edu/patientcare/mis/ To schedule an appointment with Dr. Moawad, or a UF gynecologist, please call 352-265-6200. for information

Women’s Health at Magnolia Parke

3951 NW 48th Terrace, Suite 101 Gainesville, FL 32606 352-265-6200 www.obgyn.ufl.edu January

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You're Never Too Young for Good Healthcare! Accepting New Patients 18 Years And Up

Dr. Ratnasabapathy Sivasekaran

Family Care/Internal Medicine • Privileges at all Ocala Hospitals and Nursing Homes • Accepting Medicare and Most Insurance Plans • Call for Same Day Appointments!

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NAME ________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP ____________________________________________________________ _______I am paying by Check/Credit Card (circle one)  1 year (12 issues) $30.00  2 year (24 issues) $50.00 Checks to: “OCALA Magazine” Credit Card: Please charge the subscription to my credit card Visa Mastercard Amex Discover Name on credit card: ________________________________________________________ Credit Card #: ________________________________________________________________ Exp.: __________________________________________________________________________ Signature of card holder: _________________________________________________________________________________

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Special Publications HELPED ME PUBLISH MY BOOK

Author Julie Ann Miller came to Special Publications in August of 2010 with her rough manuscript. “I want to publish my book,” she said. “Can you help me?” She sat down with one of Special Publications professional advisors and before she left that day she was told if all went well and she worked with them, she could have her book by Christmas. “They did what they said they would. Bud, my personal editor, didn’t hold back. He challenged me to be a better writer and deliver the best possible product I could. At times we fought, but it was always for the book. In the end I wound up with something I am proud to put my name on. This has been a very rewarding experience for me and I can’t say enough about the personalized help I received every step of the way as we gave birth to my book, Dopey Men.” Julie Ann Miller

PUBLISH YOUR BOOK TODAY

Whether it is your first book or your latest manuscript, we will help you publish it. We can help you truly captivate your audience with the perfect package. Our award-winning staff of editors and designers will provide you with everything you need to get your words in print and in readers’ hands. Whether it’s a mystery novel, children’s book, business journal, or a collection of poetry, we make your publishing dreams a reality with a simple process. You write. We provide you with editing, design, distribution, and marketing options that fit into your budget. Then you can share your story with the world! Just contact Gene McConnell at 352.622.2995 ext.317 or email to: gene@ocalamagazine.com

Dopey Men I’ve Known and Other Short Stories by Julie Ann Miller

Dopey Men is a hilarious collection of true stories that is sure to delight the reader as well as make them reflect on their own life. Too many women have gone down the same path as the author and are sure to identify with the tales she tells. There is laughter and there are tears. Each story is unique, but put together they tell the story of a woman’s life. Order your signed First Edition copy of Dopey Men today! Send your check or money order for $29.95 plus $5.50 for shipping and handling ($35.45 total) to: Special Publications, 743 S.E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida 34471. Please include who you would like the book personalized to. Please allow two weeks for delivery.

VOX the people’s voice

Anytime you can go out and help somebody else and make them feel better about what they are doing and what you are doing, it’s obviously a good thing.

— Drayton Florence, NFL Cornerback with the Buffalo Bills and Vanguard High School graduate. During this holiday season, Florence gave back to children in the community by donating meals and organizing a Christmas shopping event.

WEAREANATION OFLAWSANDTHERE ISARIGHTWAYTO ENTERTHECOUNTRY, ANDTHATISTOWAIT YOURTURNAND TOCOMPLYWITH OURLAWS.

— U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns explains his reason for voting against the DREAM Act. (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act is a measure where illegal immigrants who are younger than 30 could gain conditional legal status toward U.S. citizenship by attending college or serving in the military for two years.)

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— A sign of the times

Coach Muschamp is a great hire for the University of Florida. He is a relentless recruiter and brings a tremendous amount of energy and passion to the game. I would run into him on the road often on the recruiting trail and have always been impressed with him as a coach and a person. — Urban Meyer, outgoing University of Florida head football coach’s response to the Gator’s new coach, Will Muschamp.

Yeah, it’s a bad time, but there’s great leadership and very good people working for the city, and we will continue to recover. I would like to see Ocala Airport, particularly the Ocala Business Park, come into fruition in terms of infrastructure. Making sure that it’s done timely and efficiently are key. That’s what I want for Christmas. — Pete Tesch, Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, in response to the city moving forward despite the departure of Ocala City Manager Ricky Horst.

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Fact: More than 90 percent of the books in the United States are self-published. Authors such as Mark Twain (Huckleberry Finn), John Grisham (A Time to Kill), Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit) and Edgar Allen Poe (The Raven) all were self-published.

Your story deserves to be told. Our award-winning staff of editors and designers will provide you with everything you need to get your words in print, on bookshelves and in readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hands.

What to expect: The process is simple: You write. We provide you with editing, design, distribution and marketing options that fit into your budget. Contact: Gene McConnell at 352.622.2995 ext.317 or email gene@ocalamagazine.com Special Publications 743 S.E. Fort King Street Ocala, Florida 34471

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