Me & Mine Magazine: Fall 2012

Fall 2012

Breast Surgery 101 Gracious Living Feast in Fashion

Meet Debra, Barbara, Leslie, & Lonetta...

Women make up a large percentage of the eligible voter population. Our elected representatives make decisions and write laws that affect local business, the economy, the environment and our personal rights. The impact and consequence of these decisions affects women, our families, and our future generations. It is fundamental that women have a voice in selecting our representatives and in the initiative process; it is important that they exercise that right.

Debra Givens

Statistics show there are more women than men who are registered to vote. With over 54% of the voters being women and the fact that women tend to vote in higher numbers than men, their vote will be crucial in the upcoming presidential election. Clearly, both political parties are courting the women’s vote this November. Another important factor is that over 80% of women do the consumer spending and tend to vote their “pocketbooks.” Women voters will make a big difference in the upcoming presidential election.

Barbara LeVake

VOTE!

Register to Vote by October 22nd!

Remember to Vote on November 6th!

Your Voice Counts!!!

Early education is key. If young women (and men) are not educated about their duty and privilege to vote prior to becoming of voting age, the likelihood they will develop this interest as they mature diminishes. Starting when children are young and engaging them in thoughtful discussion around the dinner table or in the car about national and local issues in small doses is very important.

Pick issues that they can understand and broaden the tent as they mature. Set the example by reviewing sample ballots with them and asking them to participate by bringing them to the voting booth. If parents or mentors set the example early, when the time comes, young women and men will eagerly anticipate the privilege of having their voices heard.

Leslie McBride

August 26, 1920 marked the end of a long-fought battle for women with the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in all United States elections. Because of that amendment, women were able to break through the “glass ceiling” of the corporate world, hold elected office, and make decisions that continue to impact the future of this great nation. I believe women, as well as all Americans, must continue to vote, continue to use their voice, and continue to have an impact on the future of the United States and its role in the world.

Lonetta Riley

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4 Breast Surgery 101 12 Frequently Asked Questions About Grief 23 Fall Hair Tips

25 Gracious Living 26 Feast in Fashion 28 Dinner Is Served!

14 Meet Jonah 16 Survivors

6 Children’s Posture and Spinal Safety 8 What Are We Drinking?

10 Teens & Tobacco

2 From ME & Mine 34 ME and My Home

on the cover

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Debra, Barbara, Leslie, & Lonetta, photographed by Moments to Remember Phototography

www.meandminemagazine.com Me and Mine magazine is an LLC and its information, format and designs are protected by copyright laws.

Any reproduction of content, photography or arrangement is not permitted unless written permission is granted by the publisher of the magazine.

Contributing authors and photographers are responsible for content and accuracy in their submissions and Me and Mine Magazine, its founders or members assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

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Me and Mine Magazine, LLC, Š Copyright 2012

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Thank you to our contributors!

Brandi Schwartz Design & Photography brandischwartz.com Moments to Remember Photography

by Michelle Chandler mymomentstoremember.com Samantha Prather Photography samanthaprather.com

Jennifer Jaeger Traynham Publisher Rona Desmond Marketing & Advertising Executive Jessica Jaeger Editor

Sarah Tamagni Photo sarahtamagniphoto.com Alyse Delaney Photography facebook.com/AlyseDelaneyPhotography

e’re bringing you an issue full of inspiring, entertaining, and empowering articles and stories from the amazing families of people in our community. It is such a treat for us to kick start the holiday season with the latest entertaining trends, such as the mixture of groovy tableware and vintage pieces, not to mention eye-popping colors and patterns.

We are more than a little excited to be able to share another exquisite

local home, furnished with impeccable style. We’ll also take a look at a menu from our own Plumas Street chefs.

In this issue, we will also meet some extraordinary women. These women became enlightened and grew beyond cancer to embrace an incredibly bigger picture. They embodied strength and perseverance as they fought this disease for both themselves and for their families.

Academically Spiritually Emotionally Socially Physically 7 4 1 Wa r e av e n u e • C o l u s a • 9 5 9 3 2 W W W. t h e o l l s C h o o l . o r g • 5 3 0 - 4 5 8 - 8 2 0 8

In addition to cancer survivors, we will also meet women who are fighting a different disease — Type 1 diabetes—on behalf of themselves and their children.

This fall, our philosophy is to live our lives focused on what’s good and what we’re grateful for, in order to have balance and harmony and achieve peace. We wish you all a very happy, peaceful season!

Me and Mine

“We are a State-of-the-Art dental office providing a wide array of dental procedures. Our treatments are

GENERAL COSMETIC DENTISTRY INVISIBLE BRACES

designed to deliver a healthy dazzling smile, using the best materials, technology and minds in today’s dentistry.”

Dr. Gibson believes health care is a whole body and mind experience. Our Yuba City location was designed to deliver comfort the minute you step through the door. The atmosphere is soothing, peaceful and quiet, from the intimate reception area with its comfortable furnishings and the soft scent of aromatherapy… your experience with us should be relaxing, comforting, and even pampering.

Here are a few of the things we offer to help make this a stress free, restful, and yes, even enjoyable dental experience:

• Dark Glasses to increase relaxation • Aromatherapy scents • Heated gloves • Scented eye pillows • Lip Balm • Massage chairs • Neck Pillows • Warm blankets • High quality music • Hot towels at the end of visit • Noise cancellation and iPods • Gift bag with sample of dental products • Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) • Oral Sedation • Patient education on TV’s “Getting you to the dentist shouldn’t be like pulling teeth. Try it once and you’ll agree… spa dentistry is good for you.”

1275 Tharp Rd Suite A.

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Yuba City

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530.673.4614

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Breast Surgery

By Dr. Margaret Skiles

veryone knows that October is breast cancer awareness month. Yet fewer people are aware of the breast reconstruction surgery options available to those who have had cancer treatment, or the fact that if insurance covers surgery for breast cancer, it also by federal law must cover reconstructive procedures.

This includes surgery on the opposite breast to achieve acceptable symmetry.

Breast Reconstruction

There are many options available now for treating breast cancer; a mastectomy is NOT the only one. However, if the surgical removal of all or part of the breast is the best chance for a cure, there are a number of options for reconstruction.

The goal of any breast reconstruction is to achieve good symmetry, as well as an acceptable size and shape. This can often mean improvement of the unaffected breast as well.

There are several methods of reconstructing a breast after removal or partial removal, and sometimes several stages are necessary. Usually the breast mound is created first, any revisions are done next, and then the nipple and areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) are created last after any swelling has gone down and the final size, shape, and position of the breast have been determined to make placement more accurate.

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The quickest and easiest way to create a breast mound is by using an implant similar to those used for cosmetic augmentation. Often, it is necessary to stretch the skin out prior to placement of the implant. This is done using a tissue expander, which is like an implant but which includes a valve that can be used to add fluid after surgery.

Adding fluid is done in the office over a period of time until the desired size is reached.

Some expanders are designed so only the valve needs to be removed; some have to be removed entirely and replaced with another implant. In either case, this is usually a brief outpatient surgery.

Another option for breast mound reconstruction is to use the patient’s own tissue, usually from the back or

abdomen. This is a more complicated surgery, which takes longer to perform and recuperate from but does not require an implant. If the tissue is taken from the abdomen, a tummy tuck is essentially performed, as the tissue that would be removed in a tummy tuck is instead moved and used to create the breast mound.

Any of these options can either be done at the time of the original breast surgery or at any time after recuperation from the original surgery.

What is best in any individual case will need to be determined by the doctors and surgeons involved, who will need to work together to coordinate care.

Breast Reduction

In some cases of reconstruction, large breasts

need to be made smaller. This may be necessary in very large-breasted women who cannot have a large enough breast mound reconstructed to match its previous size. Several different techniques are available to accomplish this result, but all involve surgery under general anesthesia.

Recuperation is usually relatively quick, taking only a few weeks. There are permanent scars after the procedures and the ability to breastfeed will likely no longer be possible, which can be an important concern if the surgery is being done for non-cancer-related reasons.

For example, if large breasts are causing back pain or rashes under the breasts, not only will breast reduction surgery relieve, if not eliminate these symptoms, but often insurance companies will cover the procedure.

Breast Augmentation

Just as large breasts can be made smaller, small breasts can be made larger. Whether the need stems from a lack of development, loss of volume after pregnancy and nursing, or the need to match a reconstructed larger breast mound, breast augmentation surgery is performed routinely.

Implants are placed under the breast, which moves the breast tissue that is present forward and creates a larger breast

mound. This is deemed cosmetic surgery so insurance will not cover it—unless it is done to create symmetry with a breast being treated for cancer. There are many options with augmentation surgery—size of implant, type of implant, placement of implant, and incision. A thorough discussion with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery should occur before proceeding with this surgery.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

As we all know, breast tissue tends to move south with time—and the larger the breast, the farther it is likely to move. Since breasts vary so widely in size and shape, a variety of techniques have been developed to reshape and lift them. These can vary from relatively minor office procedures to essentially the same procedure as a breast reduction. The right procedure for any given case can only be determined in consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

general health, and length of the procedure. You should talk with your surgeon about the risks for you and the surgery you are considering. In addition, you should discuss alternatives to surgery as well as the expected benefits. Ask questions about the procedure, its risks, and the expected outcome. You should also be aware that no one can predict the future and that no guarantee can be made about the outcome of any surgery. The following list of questions can help you find out what you need to know before going ahead with any surgery.

Questions to ask your surgeon

Is he or she certified by the appropriate American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board? This is very important, as the ABMS consists of legitimate specialty boards which have definite requirements for certification, such as years of training and passing rigorous tests. For plastic surgeons, the appropriate board would be the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

• How many procedures like yours has he or she performed?

Risks and Benefits of Surgery

• What procedure is recommended and why?

All surgery has risk associated with it as well as the expected benefit. The goal is to maximize the benefit and minimize the risk. Many factors determine how much risk is associated with a given procedure for an individual patient, such as age,

• How long is the recuperation?

• What sort of scars can you expect?

• What follow-up is necessary?

• What should you do to prepare for the surgery?

•C an you talk with a patient who has had the procedure you are considering?

Questions to ask yourself

• Do I understand what I have been told?

• Have I had all my questions answered?

• Am I comfortable with the procedure I have decided on?

• Do I understand that complications are possible and the chances of complications increase with longer and more complicated surgery?

• Am I comfortable with the surgeon I have chosen?

Dr. Skiles has been practicing in the Yuba Sutter area since 1993.

She was trained at New York University and the University of Pennsylvania. After a short time in an academic practice in Massachusetts, she opened her own private practice.

As the only board-certified plastic surgeon in the area, she is dedicated to providing the full range of plastic surgical procedures appropriate for our area.

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(530) 751-1071 • featherriverplasticsurgery.com

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Children’s Posture/Spinal Safety: Backpacks

by Dr. Randal Jung, D.C., Q.M.E.

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healthy spine is largely determined at an early age. It has been well documented that poor posture as a child leads to early spinal decay and arthritis. The shape of our spine is quite unique and serves several purposes. Some of the more important functions include protecting our spinal cord; facilitating motion and movement; providing anchor points for muscles, tendons, and ligaments; and absorbing shock while walking or running.

Poor posture over time will create abnormal loads on the spine that hinder its important functions. These abnormal loads also cause the spine to decay and develop arthritis more rapidly.

Today’s youth are subject to multiple factors that lead to poor posture, with heavy backpacks being one of the biggest concerns for parents. Within the Yuba City Unified and Marysville Joint Unified School Districts, only Yuba City High and Marysville High have lockers. Consequently, our younger children are forced to carry all of their books and supplies in their backpacks, making it not uncommon for these backpacks to weigh 30-40 lbs. A child’s spine is not designed to carry this much weight, especially if the backpack is poorly designed or not used properly.

The Department of Health and Human Services reports more than 21,000 childhood injuries each year due to backpacks. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, orthopedic surgeons nationwide have seen an increase in the number of children visiting their offices due to back pain caused by their backpacks.

Unfortunately, there are no universally-accepted guidelines to backpack safety when it comes to our children. Often, color or fashion or popularity is the deciding factor when purchasing a backpack for our children rather than fit, function, and safety. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), a child should carry no more than 15 % of their total body weight on his/her back. So for a 100 lb child, the backpack should weigh no more than 15 lbs. A recent study from the School of Kinesiology at Queen’s University found that even at 15% of the child’s body weight, a properly fitted and loaded backpack significantly changed the trunk posture and skull/neck angles of a child. When the same subjects were exposed to the same backpacks that were poorly loaded or improperly fitted, the changes in posture worsened. Their conclusions were that even under the most current safety guidelines, harmful changes in posture occurred when children wore a backpack that was properly fitted and loaded.

About 55% of all students carry backpacks that

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are heavier than the recommended guidelines.

In another study it was reported that in students between 11 and 15 years of age, 64% reported back pain related to overweight backpacks. In other studies it was not the weight that caused the problem, but rather the way the backpack was worn. Most backpacks are not worn properly by children. Often, only one of the straps is being used, forcing a side leaning posture; the straps are poorly adjusted, causing the load to be carried to low or too high; or the backpack has a poor design, where the straps are poorly padded, there is not enough adjustability in the straps, or there is no waist strap that allows the load to be carried on the pelvis instead of the shoulders.

The pictures below show the effects of wearing a backpack. The first frame shows a welldeveloped, muscular subject with a fairly normal static posture. The green center of gravity line should fall directly over his ankles.

The second frame shows the same subject with a properly fitted and loaded backpack, which was only 10% of his weight. Notice the forward head and trunk posture. His center of gravity falls further over his feet instead of over his ankles where it should be. This forward posture causes excessive loading on the spinal discs, vertebrae, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The third frame shows the effects of a properly fitted but overweight backpack, which was 25% of his body weight. Here the forward head and trunk posture is causing his center of gravity to fall well over his toes.

The fourth frame shows an overweight AND poorly fitted backpack. His center of gravity falls even further over his toes.

All of these forward postures cause excessive pressure on the front of the spine, which causes the discs of the spine to “bulge” backwards toward the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This eventually weakens the discs and may cause them to herniate or cause early spinal decay.

The next two images shows what happens

when only one strap of the backpack is used instead of both. This backpack was 25% of his body weight. Notice how his posture bends from left to right. This type of posture has been shown to cause a condition known as adult onset scoliosis.

One of the proposed solutions to this growing problem was to have children use rolling backpacks. However, while studying subjects using wheeled backpacks, it was revealed that the wheeled packs also exposed students to injury.

The subjects pulling the wheeled packs still showed a forward leaning posture and abnormal skull/neck angles. In addition, they also exhibited a rotational component while pulling these packs. Rotation of the torso weakens the spinal discs by up to 50%. The other risk factors were that the backpacks were more difficult to lift and handle, they caused tripping hazards, and many of them had hard-edged frames which could be dangerous.

So as parents, what are we to do? It’s obvious that it is almost impossible to create a backpack that is ergonomically, esthetically and practically perfect. But there are some practical suggestions to make them safer. There are also ways to counteract backpack problems by doing specific types of exercise and stretching to balance out the ill effects. These, however, should be prescribed by a doctor/therapist who is properly trained to diagnose and treat disorders associated with biomechanics and posture.

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Warning signs to look for: 1. A change in your child’s posture.

2. P ain or pressure points when wearing the backpack, or persistent pain after the pack has been removed.

3. Difficulty putting the pack on or taking it off.

4. N eck/back pain, headaches, and/or numbness or tingling in hands, fingers, feet, or toes.

5. L oss of flexibility or discomfort during movement.

Ergonomic Tips: 1. S ee if the school has a second set of books available for your child to use instead of toting books back and forth from home to school. See if the book being used has a “downloadable” version that can be used on a mobile device or computer.

2. K eep the loads at or less than 15% of the child’s total body weight. Load the pack with the heavier loads low in the pack and close to the spine where it will be closer to the child’s center of gravity.

About 55% of all students carry backpacks that are heavier than the recommended guidelines.

3. C hoose a backpack that has a padded waist belt and have your child wear it tight enough to carry the load on his/her hips instead of bearing the weight on their shoulders.

4. M ake sure the shoulder straps are wide and well padded to dissipate the load. ry to find a pack that is padded where it rests against your 5. T child’s spine.

6. F it the pack properly. The size of the pack should match the size of the child. The pack, when loaded, should rest evenly in the middle of the “small” of the back, close to the child’s center of gravity. Make sure the shoulder straps and waist belt allow for this.

7. M ake sure your child has help putting the backpack on and taking it off. Hang the backpack where it can easily be retrieved without bending over or having to lift it. Do not lay the backpack down where other people can trip over it.

Dr. Randal Jung earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology from CSU Fresno and CSU San Francisco in 1993, and his doctorate from Life Chiropractic College West in 1998. He worked as an instructor at Life Chiropractic College from 2003-2005, and has advanced certifications in posture, whiplash, chiropractic pediatrics, and Webster’s breech turning technique, as well as being a Qualified Medical Examiner. He specializes in biomechanics and posture correction as well as whiplash traumatology. He currently practices at SpineFIT Medical, located at 1215 Plumas St, St. 1600 in Yuba City.

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by Kelly A. Knox In 2010, 64% of Sutter County adults were overweight or obese.

That’s two-thirds of the adults in our community. We have a major problem, one that hasn’t gotten any better now that we are mid-way through 2012. What’s even scarier is that one-third of children in this area are overweight or obese. The current generation may be the first in U.S. history to have a shorter life span than those that came before them due to chronic illnesses associated with being overweight. As a society, we have become disconnected from where our food comes from and what is in it. The food we eat plays an enormous role in our health, and can be either detrimental or beneficial. In addition to nutrition, factors such as heredity, environment, and lifestyle have to be taken into consideration when thinking about the reasons why weight has become such an issue. No matter what factors are causing this problem, the fact is that chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are directly linked to being overweight. Even so, let’s start simple. This article will focus on only one topic: sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

So…how much is just right? The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting the amount of added sugar consumed to no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar for women. For men, the amount of sugar consumed should be no more than 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons of sugar. The AHA recommendations focus on added sugar without singling out any particular types of sugar, such as high fructose corn syrup. For detailed information regarding guidance on added sugar intake, see the scientific statement in the August 2009 issue of Circulation, The Journal of the American Heart Association.

The USDA 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) also state that added sugar in our food may increase the risk of certain chronic illnesses.

Unfortunately, the average American drinks about 45 gallons of SSBs each year in the forms of soda, coffee, juice drinks, and “energy” drinks, to name just a few. Those 45 gallons of sugary drinks contain about 42 pounds of sugar…which is equal to the weight of an average kindergartner. This is way too much sugar! The effect of all that liquid sugar is causing us to take in too many calories, and too many calories equals putting on extra pounds! Eliminating just one 12-ounce sugary beverage a day could reduce your calorie intake by 50,000 calories in one year. That’s a 10 pound reduction in weight!

So what can we do?

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Know what you are drinking!

The list below is a list of the average number of teaspoons of sugar in some popular drinks: 20 ounce sports drink = 8 teaspoons of sugar 16 ounce juice drink (contains 5% juice) = 8 teaspoons of sugar

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16 ounce “energy” drink = 13 teaspoons of sugar 20 ounce soda = 16 teaspoons of sugar 20 ounce bottled iced tea = 8 teaspoons of sugar 20 ounce lemon lime soda = 16 teaspoons of sugar

has added sugar! Sugar Check labels for out the list eck Ch s. me na many dif ferent examples! below for a few cane sugar n cor syrup maltose molasses juice t frui sucrose concentrate raw sugar dextrose corn syrup sweetener glucose honey corn syrup high fructose

Be aware!

Get educated using reliable & accurate sources such as:

Sugar is not “bad,” but added sugar in our diets is a health concern. Naturally occurring sugar in fruit, vegetables, dairy and whole grains do not need to be avoided.

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National Institute of Health www.nih.gov Network for a Healthy California www.cachampionsforchange.net

Lead by example!

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention www.cdc.gov

Children learn and model what they see adults doing, not what they are told to do.

California Department of Public Health www.cdph.org California Center for Public Health Advocacywww.publichealthadvocacy.org

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al e physic Do som every day! y activit to

t way the easies alking is ast 30 le at Walk! W d ee n . Adults every ty vi ti get active ac al of physic 3-10 s to te u in in it m eak kay to br n o re ’s d It il . h day too! C ical sessions, s of phys minutes te u in m ast 60 need at le . ery day activity ev

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Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition from Oregon State University and has been working in nutrition-related positions for the past 20 years. She enjoys living a healthy, active lifestyle with her two children and chocolate lab.

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Spre e aw aren ad infor the wor ess! d mati on w ! Share t ith o thers his !

When your whole life has been one day, you want it to be a very good day.

At the Women & Infants Center at Fremont Medical Center in Yuba City, you will find everything to make your baby’s first day a good one.

Things like spacious, private bedrooms. As much time as you like with your baby in your room.

And the same helpful nurse for mother and child.

To learn more, visit us online at www.RideoutHealth.org. Or, to sign up for our free childbirth classes, call 751-4165.

Women & Infant Services at Fremont Medical Center

970 Plumas St.,Yuba City, CA 530 751-4165

www.RideoutHealth.org www.facebook.com/FremontRideout

teens TOBACCO &

ow often do you use?” we ask.

“Every day,” they respond.

“Have you ever tried to stop?” we inquire.

“Sure, but I couldn’t get through the day. I’ve got to get some as soon as I wake up, or I feel bad all day!” answers one.

“I tried to stop for a month. I wanted to go out for a sport. But I couldn’t even run across the field,” says another.

These are the responses of drug-addicted local youth in a focus group this spring. The drug they were discussing wasn’t methamphetamine.

It wasn’t even marijuana. It was tobacco.

Sutter County Public Health Tobacco Control Program staff conducted focus groups to find out how easy it is for youth to buy tobacco products in our community. Focus group members told us they found ways to buy packs of cigarettes or cans of chew at local stores.

“Go in lots of times, they’ll get used to seeing you, then they won’t bother you,” says one.

“I grew a beard.

Everyone trusts the man with the beard!” jokes another.

“If they ask for ID, I say I left it at home.

They give it [tobacco] to me anyway,” shares another.

The youth told us that the “smoke shops”, stores dedicated to selling only tobacco and smoking-related products,

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by Carrie Ozeran

were the easiest to buy from, although they could get tobacco from almost any kind of store.

“Sting” operations by local law enforcement support the young people’s claims that tobacco is easy to get. Stores in Sutter County were twice as likely to sell tobacco products to teens than the state average. More than 10% of local youth under 18 are current tobacco users, even though they are not old enough to legally buy tobacco.

Sadly, many people believe that youth don’t get addicted to tobacco easily. Adults tell each other, “All teens are rebellious and try risky things,” or “They may smoke one or two cigarettes, but they won’t be smoking by the time they grow up.” The truth is, nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

Youth can become addicted after just a few cigarettes or dips of chew, as their developing brains are very vulnerable to any addictive substance.

Too many people think of tobacco as “not a big deal,” and let the young people in their lives have access to cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

Tobacco companies have been adding sugary

flavors to their products, and creating youth-oriented marketing campaigns to catch our kids’ attention. They have recently created tobacco pellets that look like candy, as well as dissolvable nicotine-infused strips to “help”

their customers get their nicotine “hit” even if they are in a place (like school or work) where smoking is prohibited. They have even paid stores to put tobacco products in easily accessible locations, such as displays in front of the counter, at the eye level of children, where they are easy to steal. This is probably because they know that 90% of all adult smokers report starting tobacco use before they were 20. Many of the youth in our focus groups reported starting using tobacco before entering high school. These young people will probably be tobacco users for life…and their lives will be shorter as a result. The lives and health of their future children will also be affected due to the toxicity of secondhand smoke.

Tobacco use costs not only the health of the users and of their families, it costs us all money in terms of increased healthcare costs and lost productivity. A survey of local residents

showed over 80% support a law requiring stores that sell tobacco to buy a license annually. The licensing fee would go towards paying for more enforcement of the laws against selling tobacco products and drug paraphernalia to underage youth. Other communities with such licensing laws have seen great success. In some cases, sales to youth dropped by more than 50% once the new laws went into effect. Appropriate penalties, like possibly losing the right to sell tobacco to adults in the future, make selling tobacco products to youth too risky. Store owners make more of an effort to train and supervise the actions of their employees in this area. Such a licensing program here could help reduce our children’s access to tobacco, which would greatly improve the health of our entire community. It might even help some of our focus group members stop using.

“One thing I like about my older brother is that even though he is over 18, he won’t buy me cigarettes,” one student told us. “It helps me because it makes it a little harder for me to get cigarettes.” This is one area where making something harder for youth is actually helping them – and us.

Carrie Ozeran has a BA in Biology and Master’s degree in Public Health.

She has been educating Yuba-Sutter residents about healthy choices for more than ten years. A lifelong Californian, she and her family have lived in Yuba City for the past twenty years. She and her husband have raised their two daughters to be tobacco-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About

by Tim Guerrero

How long will this go on?

Our journey through grief is an individual, personal experience. Instead of focusing on a timeline, it is more helpful to focus on its intense duration. Initially, grief is overwhelming and we can feel out of control. With time we find we are more able to choose when we access memories and emotions. The intensity of our grief is connected to the degree of attachment to the person we lost, the type of relationship we had with that person, and other factors such as understanding and social support, personality, and specific details of the bereavement journey.

Am I losing my mind?

It will certainly feel like it at times, particularly if our need to grieve is out of tempo with social and cultural expectations. Grief affects people relationally, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and of course, spiritually. People may be required to make adjustments to their lives at a time when they feel least able to do so. Being given permission to grieve is a powerful comfort on a bereaved person’s journey.

Is there a right way and a wrong way of coping with grief?

People are individuals with differing personalities and life experiences, which influence the way in which they address grief. While grieving, our emotions must be respected. In this sense, there is no right or wrong way. However, it is a common belief that the amount of support people receive can alleviate some of the impact of grief and facilitate a healthy recovery. People often have an awareness about what they need to do to feel better, but feel inhibited or judged and don’t act on their inclinations. Verbalizing what we are going through, expressing our emotions, and existing in a supportive and accepting climate is very helpful to the grief process. Cultural factors may impact a person’s feelings of a “right” or “wrong way” to grieve, but considering the approach of what is healthy or unhealthy grieving can offer another insight to positive recovery.

How do I know I need help?

Connecting with others who have also experienced grief can give us a helpful understanding of how to walk this path. Any ongoing

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fears or anxieties about your well-being or thoughts of self-abuse should be addressed by seeking help. Prolonged intense emotion or obsessive thoughts or behaviors that make functioning difficult may also require help. A safe and trustworthy environment is the best place for a grieving person to be.

What are the stages of grief?

Grief does not follow a linear pattern. It is more like a roller coaster: three steps forward and two steps back. Ultimately, people manage to integrate the experience to the point where a

Photography by Samantha Prather Photography

new life rises from the old. The loss of the loved one remains and is always remembered, but the overwhelming, intense grief is no longer disabling.

Much of grieving is about expressing emotion. Some emotions may be awkward and unacceptable to ourselves or others, such as anger, guilt, or remorse. Seeking a safe place and an accepting person for support to work through all the effects of bereavement is critical. The amount of support available from family and friends may be limited, because they too may be grieving. External supports may then become a vital factor in surviving and continuing on. It is important to know that you can come through the experience and that the new life that eventually comes about can be very positive despite the difficulty of this journey.

Do support groups help?

It is a well-known fact that grieving alone is much more difficult than being supported through the grieving process. The difficult emotional and relational stresses we experience while grieving can have longterm, and perhaps even lifelong, negative effects. There are multiple testimonials that support that grief and loss support groups can and do

have a profound and positive effect on the grieving process. As we care for families and friends during this process, it is our practice to direct them to a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental environment. Similarly, a carefully trained facilitator navigates our conversations to produce the most supportive results possible. Support groups that provide this kind of education, sharing, and support are sincere, effective, and healing.

Tim Guerrero is the Spiritual Care and Bereavement Coordinator at Sutter North Hospice. He has twenty plus years experience as a community pastor in Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Yuba City. He is currently the CPE Resident Chaplain at Sutter Memorial Hospital, providing spiritual care for patients.

He is also a facilitator for Sutter Center for Psychiatry ICU Spirituality Groups. Sutter North Hospice and Bereavement provides grief and loss support groups on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:15, Tuesday evenings from 4:30 to 5:30 for young widows, and Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 for adult grief and loss. These are drop-in groups, everyone is welcome, and there is no cost to attend.

wish I could tell you that there is a way to prevent your child from being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I also wish we could tell all the parents who have children with Type 1 diabetes that there is a cure. However, that is not the case. It is our job as a society to educate ourselves on this disease and to provide support to the people who deal with this illness every day.

First, we need to understand that children who are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes did not get this disease from poor eating habits or lack of exercise. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that destroys the cells in the pancreas, which prevents the body from producing insulin. It’s a very serious disease, one which requires frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels to be sure that the diabetic has enough insulin in his or her body to function properly.

Amber Vieira’s son Jonah was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on September 25, 2011. According to his mom, Jonah is an amazing, outgoing, vivacious little boy who dreams of being a super star. Prior to his diagnosis, he had been complaining of a stomachache for about a day. While at the appointment with the pediatrician, a loss of 10 pounds was noted. Amber also shared that frequent urination and bed wetting had become a concern, as well as an increase in thirst. Little did Amber know, these were all symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

Now, Amber says that the family’s biggest challenge is trying to keep Jonah’s blood sugar stable. Because of Jonah’s age and activity level, it’s especially hard. All physical activity burns sugar, which will of course lower one’s blood sugar. It’s not easy to explain to a six-yearold that he cannot have an ice cream cone whenever he wants one, unless he is prepared to also have a shot of insulin. In Amber’s words, “This disease is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no breaks from it. It is constant care and carbohydrate counting for the rest of your life. Every single thing a Type 1 diabetic puts in their mouth has to be accounted for.”

An amazing resource in our local area is the Yuba Sutter Children’s Type 1 Diabetes Support Group and Resource Center. Ouida Wakefield founded this organization after her own daughter was diagnosed in November 2002. She says, “We needed emotional support, and my daughter needed to meet other children with this same disease.

I read; talked to physicians, nurses, and anyone that would listen to me; and educated myself.” This organization has grown since its founding, and there is now a resource center in Yuba City. The center offers a public computer for blood glucose pattern downloads, diabetes classes, a library of cookbooks, educational materials on insulin pumps, helpful tips for carb-counting, and also hosts a Kids Night In/Parents Night Out once a month. This gives parents a chance to go out while entrusting their diabetic children to others that understand the illness and the stresses that come along with it. The kids enjoy movies and games, and the parents can feel safe enough to enjoy an evening out to dinner alone.

This organization also holds monthly support groups for the families of Type 1 diabetics at the Fremont Rideout Conference Center. Ouida says, “We are a big family there. We laugh together. We cry together.

We share our experiences. We work on a variety of topics such as healthy eating and exercise, but we also have fun too. We work hard so that families know that at the end of the day, they are not alone.” At the support groups, there is also help for newly diagnosed families—both with the transition period into this new lifestyle and the discrimination that is sometimes associated with it. Families in the support groups also

receive information to help them better understand their rights within the school system, so that their children may receive the best care and be safe in their learning environment. The resource center also helps educate Type 2 diabetics as well.

Ouida says that one of the biggest challenges after hearing the diagnosis of this disease is acceptance. It takes time, and the ability to face the fact that there is currently no cure. She says that she wants people to understand that living with Type 1 diabetics or raising someone with Type 1 diabetes is life changing, but can be accomplished with patience, education, and especially acceptance.

Amber wants to encourage people to choose their words wisely when speaking to someone about diabetes. She has had people tell her horror stories about someone they know with diabetes losing a limb, their eyesight, or their life to the disease, which is very upsetting and not appropriate to share with someone who has a diabetic family member.

Because of some of these comments, her son Jonah questions if he will ever be “normal” again. Diabetics and their families are very aware of the consequences of not taking care of this disease. With proper care, there is no reason Jonah or any other diabetic cannot live a long, healthy life.

Her advice to someone who has just received news about their child having diabetes is to remember that it really is going to be okay. Don’t Photography by Alyse Delaney Photography

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go home and throw out everything that has sugar in it, because contrary to belief, Type 1 diabetics can have sugar, and sometimes their lives even depend on it! She would also tell them that they will be amazed by their child’s bravery and how well he/she will adapt to this new situation. It’s also important for people to know that there is hope. Amber says, “When someone tells you that your child has this disease, a part of you dies in that moment. But through that death there is light, and in that light there is hope. Every diabetic or family member of a diabetic that I have met is hopeful. Hopeful for the future, hopeful for technology and research to continue, and most importantly, hopeful for a cure. Without hope, most of us wouldn’t make it through the day.”

For more information on how you can help get involved in raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes or how to visit the YSCDSG support group, call (530) 763-4171. The resource center is located at 990 Klamath Lane, Suite 1, in Yuba City. www.yscdsg.org or www.ysdrc.org Bikearoundthebuttes.com

Greg Stone Peach Tree Healthcare - CEO We are proud to introduce our new Chief Executive Officer, Greg Stone. Being a California native, Greg comes to us from the Santa Rosa area of Sonoma County.

Greg graduated with a degree in biology from UC Santa Cruz, and started his career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

He worked in the lab at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for several years and climbed his way up to Chief Technologist, Lab Manager and ultimately Director of Laboratory Services. He found himself enjoying his new leadership roles and decided to venture out from the lab and into hospital administration.

After serving in several administrations and in different roles, he opted to join the booming high-tech manufacturing sector in TeleCom Valley. He worked for both Medtronic and Agilent Technologies as a Project Manager and learned a great deal about product development, manufacturing and high-performing team management. He says he thoroughly enjoyed the ride…all the way to the bottom of the tech industry crash.

He landed a job as the Chief Operating Officer for REACH Air Medical Services, which is headquartered in Santa Rosa. REACH provides emergency patient care and transport via helicopters and airplanes, and he installed the local REACH base here at the Yuba County Airport. Working at REACH allowed him to get back into healthcare again, which he found much more rewarding than manufacturing.

A friend told him that the Petaluma Health Center (in southern Sonoma County) was looking for a new COO. He was drawn to the mission and culture of community health centers, and found a new calling. As the COO he was able to complete the EMR implementation, build and open a new 52,000 sq ft center, and initiate a series of innovative care models that helped to rapidly grow their services.

When he was introduced to the opportunity to serve as the CEO for Peach Tree, it was quickly evident to him that Peach Tree Healthcare had something special to offer. “There is a strong community bond here, a solid foundation of clinical practice and some of the most genuinely friendly and hard working staff I have ever met. I believe Peach Tree is on the verge of something amazing, and I am honored to have the opportunity to guide us there.”

Greg and his wife Cathy (a wedding and event specialist) recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary. They have nearly completed their move from Santa Rosa to their new home in nearby Browns Valley. Although this is the furthest either of them has ever lived from the coast, they have absolutely fallen in love with the Yuba/Sutter area and are thrilled to be here and make it their home!

ancer survivors have climbed the highest mountains, facing many challenges along the way. Through it all, they have had to stay strong and carry on, becoming enlightened, growing beyond cancer, and embracing the bigger picture.

Behind every tragedy there is a gift. You may not see it at first, but a tragedy can provide enormous opportunity. Living through a tragedy gives opportunity to tap into an inner strength one never knew existed. Extraordinary women who have been there share their hope and courage with our readers, and offer inspiration through their beautiful strength.

KATHRYN SHEPPARD People often label cancer survivors as heroes. To some, this may be true, but I would never consider myself a hero for surviving cancer. I was 8 years old, and quite frankly didn’t know anything different. Cancer didn’t define me; it altered my path for the rest of my life.

Heroes are supposed to be selfless, giving and brave individuals. My parents, brother, grandparents, family friends, teachers, doctors and nurses, and oncology camp volunteers...those were the heroes in this story. I didn’t have the capacity at 8 years old to truly realize how sick I was, how close to death I was. Those people did. They gave up their time in days that seemed to go far beyond 24 hours, money they couldn’t spare, and emotion that no one person should have to be burdened with just to love me, to sit by me in a hospital bed while I was hooked up to countless machines, to buy me a wig when chemo stole my hair, to give me a future when no one knew how long that would be, to give me a purpose in life, to cure my cancer.

I don’t know who I would have become had I not had cancer as a child. My options in life, until that dreadful day of diagnosis in June of 1983, were endless.

What I can tell you is that cancer, and the people that became my family because of it, set the destiny for the choices I would make in adolescence, as a young adult, and now. I truly value the people close to my heart, as I know that life’s path can change in a split second. I tell people they are important to me and try to show them that in any way I can. I also think cancer

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is to blame for making me an incredibly impatient person! I want to live now! I want to have experiences, and see things and do things NOW! I don’t want to wait to live life because life doesn’t wait for me!

People often use cliches like “Life is short, play hard,” or “You never know what you have until you lose it,” or “We just have one life, keep it simple.” What do I wish everyone knew?

I wish they knew that sayings like these aren’t just cliches to put on their Facebook pages. I wish all parents knew they should be thankful for every second of every day they get to spend with their kids, because every child is a miracle. I wish everyone knew that good health is a gift that not everyone is fortunate enough to receive.

I wish they knew that kids with cancer want to be treated like kids; they want to play, laugh, and love. They are innocent human beings who are blessings, no matter how long their life may be.

I mentioned the volunteers at my oncology camp being heroes in my cancer story.

Camp Okizu is what I am most proud of in my journey from child cancer survivor to adulthood. The Okizu family afforded me opportunities and relationships with other kids with cancer and their families that I would not have had an opportunity to experience any other way. I have remained lifelong friends with many of the campers and volunteers I met at Okizu, because we have a forged bond that few are privileged to share. I am proud of the community I live in and the family and

friends who support my seemingly endless requests for donations and time to support the Okizu Foundation because, though many of them didn’t know me as a child, they know me now. They really understand that a large piece of my heart truly belongs to the Okizu family and the children who know, all too well, the fight I fought.

Most of all, I think having cancer taught me to never take no for an answer, to be persistent and driven in life, to pursue what I love deeply, no matter the price. People ask me all the time if I wish I never had cancer, or if cancer robbed me of my childhood. In many respects, I suppose I missed out on many things that other kids my age got to do while I was taking chemo and hunkered down at my house, forced to grow up more quickly than a child should. Cancer sucks! There’s no disputing that! However, I would never say that I regret having had cancer as a child. I am thankful for the experience, for the person cancer made me. I am thankful I had an army of warriors that helped me fight that fight and win!

Photography by Sara Tamagni Photo

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We take pride in providing every woman with the highest image quality mammogram at the lowest patient radiation dosage in the market.

We are proud to be recognized as a certified Pink Ribbon Facility. At our spa-like women’s imaging suite, you will have a new mammogram experience…warmer and more comfortable.

We also offer the most sophisticated digital mammography technology. All mammograms are done on Selenia Dimensions Digital mammography system which provides a more accurate mammogram, including women under 40, women with dense breasts, and those who are perimenopausal (a menstrual period within the past 12 months).

The combination of Dimensions digital technology and the unique relaxing women’s imaging environment provides you with a truly “high-tech, soft touch” experience.

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NANCY CHEGE, M.D. Imagine the shock a doctor feels when they become a patient. Nancy Chege, Founder/ Medical Director of Yuba City Advanced Imaging Center, received just such a shock when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through her own experience of fighting this disease, she has learned how to relate to other women facing the same emotional and physical challenges that she once did.

The moment that gave me the courage to fight and beat cancer: My youngest daughter was with me when I got the diagnosis of a suspicious lesion that turned out to be breast cancer. The moment I looked into my 6 year old daughter’s eyes, I knew I had no other choice but to fight. Survival was not just for me. It was for my two young daughters who needed a mom and a dad.

How I’ve changed: In many ways, this was a life-altering experience.

One particular example is that I realized that I was very much human, with no exceptions. One out of eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Just being a woman is enough risk by itself. Whether I am strong, highly educated, with many responsibilities or not, I am still vulnerable. I have learned self-acceptance and I try to take one day at a time.

What I wish everyone knew: Since I accepted my diagnosis of breast cancer, I have never skipped my annual mammogram exams. Looking back, the year I skipped my mammography is the year the cancer in my breast could have been picked up at an even earlier stage. Now I know better. Mammography can detect early cancer.

Early detection saves lives.

What I’m proud of: I am proud of my daughters, who are now teenagers. My family is a blessing. I am proud of my professional accomplishments and consider myself fortunate to be the owner/founder of Yuba City Advanced Imaging Center.

Photography by Samantha Prather Photography

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Rideout Cancer Center Is Expanding

uring my 20 years in the beauty and hair industry, I have seen many clients, friends, and family members battle cancer. One common side effect of chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments is the loss of one’s hair. After seeing everything these brave women go through, I wanted to provide a place where they could come to gain back their self-confidence.

Wiggies Shop and Salon offers the finest custom-made wigs in a variety of colors, sizes, and lengths, as well as one-on-one styling consultations. With a wide variety of both synthetic and human hair wigs in stock, Wiggies will accommodate your needs and be sure that you are comfortable and confident in your new look.

Here are a few of the products you can find at Wiggies:

• Jon Renau Wigs • Chemo Scarves • Sleep Caps & More • XTREME Lashes

• Wig Brows • Brow Powders • Brow Stencils • Traditional Hair Services Also Available

567 Reeves Ave. Yuba City (530) 822-WIGS (9447) http://www.wiggiesshop.com/ stacy@wiggiesshop.net Wig Fittings by Appointment

More Leading Edge Treatment Options and Patient-Centered Care for Our Region When cancer strikes close to home, close to home is where you want to be — close to the comfort of family and friends, in more familiar surroundings with an atmosphere of emotional support and healing. But you also want to be sure you’re getting the most comprehensive, most advanced treatment. At the Rideout Cancer Center, our patients find both — world class care and one-to-one compassion. We have UC Davis physicians on staff, who join our outstanding group of nurses and technicians to provide comprehensive, state-or-the-art cancer care — under one roof — close to home.

The expansion will add 16,461 square feet of new construction and will enable us to add: • 11 additional Transfusion Bays, for a total of 25 • 6 additional Exam Rooms for a total of 14 • 1 additional Linear Accelerator for a total of 2 • 1 new PET CT Scanner • 1 new Ultrasound • New Reception & Waiting area and office space • A remodel of the existing Pharmacy Expansion completed, Dec. 2012

Rideout Cancer Center

In Parnership with UC Davis Health System

970 Plumas St.,Yuba City, CA 530 749-4400

www.RideoutHealth.org www.facebook.com/FremontRideout

through my journey with cancer, I was given the opportunity to see life from a new perspective. I became passionate for Jesus and my relationship with Him on a daily basis. I learned that God has amazing plans for each of our lives and that sometimes He uses the toughest of times to reveal these plans to us. I went into cancer one person and came out stronger and with more depth for what I believe in. For that, I am very thankful!

What I wish everyone knew: When you can see obstacles for what they are, you never lose faith in the path that takes you where you need to go.

Who we are meant to be evolves from every experience, big and small.

Appreciate each detour and bump in the road, for they are part of our journey to become exactly who we are meant to be while letting in the light.

What I’m proud of: I am a fighter! I never stopped believing in the Lord’s beautiful course of miracles.

Photography by Samantha Prather Photography

SpineFIT Medical Inc. Health, Wellness, and Spine Fitness

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JENNIFER GIVENS From the moment the diagnosis process began, Jennifer Givens radiated grace, self-assurance and authenticity. She was living her happily ever after; she had a beautiful marriage, three healthy children, and she was safe, content, and secure from adversity. It was through the process of the diagnosis, the discovery of an inoperable, 17cm tumor in her chest cavity, a biopsy surgery confirming nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, and an offering of her heart to a much deeper faith that transformed her journey into the most unforgettable experience of her life.

The moment that gave me the courage to fight and beat cancer: I had an awakening. Believing in God’s infinite possibilities gave me astounding courage to embrace this journey as a respite, a pause which allowed every part of my life to have its own new rhythm. I relinquished all efforts to be in control, and allowed God to reveal himself to me and through me.

How I’ve changed: I believe for sure that extraordinary things happen when you dare to be awakened to greater heights. I believe

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Hair care Tips

fall FOR

As the weather gets cooler, the leaves turn golden, and the holiday season gets closer, you may be noticing that summer has taken its toll on your hair.

Here are a few tips to get your hair back in shape for holiday parties in no time! o you know any blonde babes who have a slight green hue after a summer in the pool? Have no fear, the solution is probably already in your kitchen! To remove the greenish shade and restore hair back to its natural PH, mix about a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of shampoo. Lather up your hair and allow it to sit for about five minutes, then rinse and follow up with a deep

conditioner. The green should be gone, restoring the hair back to a lovely shade of blonde!

Did your hair get exposed to a little too much sunshine and abuse in the summer months?

It is a good idea to use some type of deep conditioner about once a week to restore moisture and strength to your hair. As an extra boost to lifeless locks, you can ask your stylist for a shine enhancing color gloss, also known as “demi permanent color.”

These color treatments have no negative effect on hair and can actually restore shine and offer some protection to dried-out strands. They come in almost every hue— even clear if you prefer to go natural.

This treatment can be applied all over or just to the middle and ends during your regular touch-up appointment. Most

By Tuesday Reece

Photography by Samantha Prather Photography

last up to eight weeks and give hair an unbeatable shine!

Is your brown, blonde, or red hair looking a shade or two lighter after all that fun in the sun? Ask your stylist to place in some “low-lights,” which are dark strands that can be woven in to restore depth and richness in hair without the dramatic effect of darkening all over.

To prevent further sun oxidation, you can pick up a sunscreen specifically for your hair and scalp.

Want to do something new?

Try a braid! Braids have made a comeback in so many fun and different ways, and can be perfect for many different occasions. Growing out those side bangs? Braid them across your front hairline for a fun fall look that keeps them out of your eyes until they grow out! In need of a quick party or wedding style?

French braid only one side of your hair, secure with a small hair band

or bobby pin, and curl the side that is left down. Need a new twist on the classic French braid? Play around by french braiding both sides of your hair and securing them together in the back as a messy bun. You could also try a waterfall braid, an elegant and fun look for day or night.

The waterfall braid is a French braid that goes around both sides of the crown, but drops the new top section of hair as it is added instead of weaving into the braid. The possibilities are endless!

Tuesday Reece is the owner of Elements Salon in Yuba City. She is an educator for Goldwell Hair Color Company, as well as a stylist and hair color specialist.

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NTK Photography

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GraciousLiving

What RSVP Means

The term RSVP comes from the French expression “répondez s’il vous plait,” which means “please respond.” If RSVP is written on an invitation, it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you’re coming, and it does not mean respond only if you’re not coming. It also does not mean wait until the day before the party to respond. It means the host needs a definite head count so they know how many guests plan to attend their event. If an RSVP is clearly requested, you should show your host the courtesy of responding promptly, thereby making the planning of the event easier.

Why It’s Inconsiderate Not to RSVP Not knowing the number of people who are attending a party or event can cause numerous problems for a host. These may include planning food quantities, seating charts, party favors, catering, and renting a venue, among others.

Whether hosts are doing the cooking themselves or hiring a caterer, they need to know how much food they need to have at their party. If they’re planning a big event, they also need to know if additional tables, chairs, dishes, glassware, and silverware need to be rented. A caterer usually needs at least a week’s notice before the event to know how much food to prepare.

Once they are given the number of guests scheduled to attend, they charge based on that number, not based on how many guests actually show up.

If some of the guests RSVP and then don’t come, and the host has already paid for extra tables, chairs, and food, they will have spent a lot more money than they needed to. Also, none of us want to have a party with empty tables and no one sitting in them. It can be embarrassing for the host or hostess and shows that the people who were invited didn’t care enough to help them have a successful party. Similarly, if people don’t RSVP and then show up to the event, there may not be enough food, drinks, or seating for them, which can put the host or hostess in an awkward situation.

by Sondra Lanza

Who is invited?

Generally, the names on the envelope are the only people being invited to the event. Some may wonder if it is acceptable to call a host and ask if more people may attend. In most instances, I do not think it is a good idea to call the host to try to add more people. A good rule of thumb is to consider the type of event to which you were invited. If it’s a cocktail party, there is usually room for a few additional guests, and it might be okay to ask the host or hostess if you can bring someone. If it’s a sit-down dinner party, there is usually only room at the table for the invited guests.

The Wedding Invitation One of the most important invitations you can receive is a wedding invitation. Please respond at once to this invitation, as much more planning is involved for a wedding than any other kind of party or event.

Some weddings are children-friendly, while some brides and grooms want only adults at their ceremony and reception, so read your invitation carefully.

Gracious hosting lets others know how important they are to you. The time spent planning and preparing a meal for friends creates an opportunity to share in one another’s lives and create lifelong friendships. As summer days come to an end and the harvest season begins calling, we put away our shorts and bathing suits and our minds turn to the rich colors of fall and the bounties of the earth. During this time, we may begin receiving invitations to parties. It only takes a moment to pick up the phone or check the box on the invitation and RSVP. Your hostess will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Sondra Lanza owned her own company, Sondra Lanza Publicity Et Al, for fifteen years. She was the Executive Director of the California Prune Festival for seven years and served on the California and Nevada Festivals Committee for ten years. She also wrote a weekly column for The Appeal Democrat called “Grace Notes” and was one of the first women asked to join Yuba City Rotary Club. She served on the Sutter Yuba Hospital Foundation Board for sixteen years and sat on the Yuba Sutter Fair Board for eighteen years.

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Feast in Fashion Photography by Moments to Remember Photography

This season we are smitten over feasting in fashion!

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about how “food is the new fashion,” so we believe every family of serious food-lovers should dine among a well-dressed table.

In this latest round-up of entertaining trends, we were inspired by the idea of using our best tableware, mixing patterns, and adding an array of eclectic pieces. resentation can make a dinner party feel so much more formal. Whether your menu is really simple or an elaborate affair, displaying your feast beautifully can dress anything up. I think the contrast between something elegant and silly — like miniature grilled cheese on a silver platter — is fun yet decadent. That’s part of what makes people have a good time. When entertaining your family or a group of friends, use your china, crystal, and silver…every elegant and timeless piece. Saving all your stunning pieces for that one special

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moment is depriving yourself of celebrating every moment, which truly makes dining much more of a treat. These treasures are for enjoying! Age and use give a natural grace and beauty to silver, so put it to good use. We may not be enjoying ten course meals these days, but don’t let that stop you from adding a bit of beauty and tradition to every meal. Whether your china has been passed down over generations or you drooled over each new piece while registering, you’ve most likely been thinking, “When will I use this?”

Well guess what? The time is now!

Exotic Bohemian Table‌ A faded table serves as a landscape for an air of Bohemian romance and a relaxed lifestyle. Footed planters, various containers, and bird figurines add a touch of whimsy, while accents of pewter, silver, and brass provide elegance. All in all, this is the perfect setting to create a romantic and intimate mood. The timeless copper accents do wonders, and are complimented by the saturated hues of grey and white. The mixing and matching of different vases and baskets adds an eclectic and informal touch to the table.

Yuba City Florist enriches the color story with beautiful and unfussy arrangements. Bob Bigham used rothcheldion, fall aged hydrangea, pincushion potea, succulents, and branches with figs & walnuts to create the wild but refined look.

We created the concept and styling behind this unique Exotic Boho Tablescape that we think is perfect for a fancy little fall dinner or holiday party!

Thank goodness for creative people coming together to assist us with styling this inspiration shoot, and thank you Melisa Desmond for inviting us into your dining room and sharing your exquisite treasures.

Silver will dull and turn gray if washed in the same dishwasher load with stainless, so keep it separate.

The one unbreakable rule for a formal table setting is that everything must be geometrically spaced. All place settings must be at equal distances from one another, and all sterling silver flatware balanced. It is not necessary that the entire set of sterling silver match; an eclectic style is hip today!

Gray marks on china left by cutting and scraping silverware can be rubbed away gently with a soft cloth dabbed with a little toothpaste.

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Dinner is Served!

Tuscan Chicken INGREDIENTS

2 chicken breasts Linguine 2 cups heavy cream Shredded Asiago cheese Julienned sun-dried tomatoes 1/2 tsp. roasted garlic cloves Fresh mozzarella Marinated artichoke hearts 4 cups loosely packed arugula DIRECTIONS Saute chicken breasts in pan until browned, then finish in oven until just done.

Butterfly breasts by slicing through the side, but not all the way through.

Place two cloves of roasted garlic, several pieces of sun dried tomatoes, and a few pieces of the marinated artichoke (cut to an appropriate size) on the other side of the breast.

Layer a thin slice of mozzarella on each side of the chicken breast, then set aside.

Make the arugula pesto by adding four cups of loosely packed arugula, chopped garlic, and Asiago cheese to a food processor. Turn on processor and drizzle in olive oil until the pesto is thick enough to drizzle.

Add a pinch of salt.

In a 12-inch saute pan, add approximately 2 cups of heavy cream and bring to a boil. Now stir in two tablespoons of the pesto and, using a whisk, 3/4 cup of Asiago cheese. Stir with whisk until slightly thick and bubbly. TIP: Don’t make it too thick because the starch in the pasta will thicken the sauce as well.

Boil the linguine.

Now, place chicken under the broiler to warm and melt the cheese. When the cheese is melted, fold the chicken back together, stir the pasta into the pesto cream sauce, and place the chicken and pasta on the plates. Leave some sauce in the pan to pour over the top, then drizzle with the arugula pesto. Voila!

Courtesy of Jeff Boutilier, The City Cafe

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Greek Village (Horiatiki) Salad INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

3 – 4 tomatoes 1 red onion 1 green bell pepper 1 English cucumber Feta cheese cut in cubes 1/2 cup Greek olive oil 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives 1 teaspoon Greek oregano salt & pepper (optional)

Slice the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and cucumber.

Mix the slices, then add the feta cheese, olives, oregano, and olive oil.

Toss lightly and serve. Traditional style Greek salad is served without lettuce.

Courtesy of Fotine Halikaskopriva, Fotine’s Simply Greek Café

Apple Crisp

“

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

8 cups peeled, cored and thinly sliced Gravensteins or Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tbsps flour (for apples) 2 tsp cinnamon 3/4 cup flour (for crisp) 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Place apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 2 tbsps. of flour in a 9” square baking dish or 1 1/2 to 2 quart casserole dish.

1 cup rolled oatmeal

In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the flour, brown sugar, and butter. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until only coarse chunks remain, then add the walnuts and oatmeal.

Sprinkle this mixture on top of the apples, then bake at 350 degrees until apples are tender and topping is browned (45 minutes to 1 hour).

Courtesy of Linda McKenna, Linda’s Soda Bar & Grill

Thank You Contributors!

The City Cafe: 667 Plumas Street, Yuba City Fotine’s Simply Greek Cafe: 647 Plumas Street, Yuba City Linda’s Soda Bar & Grill: 666 Plumas Street, Yuba City Yuba City Florist: 669-A Plumas Street, Yuba City

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Don’t Cry Over Broken Dishes “Don’t cry over broken dishes.”

We’ve all done it, broken a favorite plate or piece of grandma’s china. The question is what to do with those broken pieces...

In my cabinet, I have always saved various cracked pieces or broken plates from my family’s favorite china. I just couldn’t throw them away. I brought them with me on my moves through three states until I finally found a way to “repurpose” every broken piece— create jewelry!!

Two years ago, I embarked on a new journey of creating jewelry with broken plates. I call my collection Shards. In this collection, I use plates

that I find at garage/estate sales, antique stores, and even department stores. I use a wet saw and cut the plates, which allows me to select the areas of the plate I want to use. Then, I wrap the “shards” with copper foil and solder them with metal.

I sand each piece and either leave it silver or patina the piece. Finally, I polish with a wax, buff with a drummel, and set the piece. With the broken plate shards, I am able to make pendants, rings, bracelets, and hair clips.

My new passion has become an amazing adventure. I have designed pendants and cufflinks for wedding parties, creating timeless pieces for families using Grandma’s china.

I have jewelry shows a few times a year and also

C elebrate theS easons

Kevin Robert DeHoff invites you to join him for two special holiday events

Holiday Open House Thursday, November 15 • 5 to 9 p.m.

and

Ladies Night Thursday, December 13 • 5 to 9 p.m.

1500 North Beale Road, Marysville ~ 743-7387 mycountryflorist.com

do home shows for anyone who wishes to host a jewelry party. It brings me joy to see my jewelry worn by others and to hear the stories shared through each piece of unique jewelry created from inherited collections of dishware.

I love designing jewelry and no longer “cry over broken dishes.” I cherish wearing my grandma’s china around my neck and love sharing this gift with others.

Shards, broken plate jewelry

by Stacy Baker Photography by Moments To Remember Photography

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Hostess Gifts Photography by Brandi Schwartz Design and Photography

When you’re invited to a dinner party, it is a nice gesture to bring the host or hostess a gift. But what should you bring? The easy choices are champagne or wine, but it is rare that the hosts actually open those. Houseplants are not always a great gift idea, because you’re handing someone something that says, “Here’s a project for you.” Here, we bring you a few of our favorite host gifts for any event, so you can thank your host with gifts that are sure to delight!

Serendipity’s Natural Life line is full of fun stuff that girls with free spirits love!

Here you will find unique, unexpected, serendipitous gifts! Serendipity offers an assortment of dazzling, colorful, and

Cupcake Magic makes finding the right hostess gift a delight, providing the sweetest way of showing gratitude!

Cupcake Magic is a magical place where the finest cupcakes are made by hand from the finest ingredients, including options for Gluten free, Vegan and no sugar added cupcakes!

A dozen mini gourmet cupcakes $12 Juicy & Groovy caramel apples $5 each Dipped Strawberries $2.50 each Cupcake Magic 728 Plumas St. Suite. B, Yuba City 530.923.7847 www.cupcake-magic.com

Posh Décor’s line of Archipelago Botanicals bath and body products are sure to help any host enjoy, relax, and take a break from their busy schedules. Leave the bottle of wine at home and instead bring your hostess with the mostess the perfect gift. The gorgeous packaging and endless fragrance selection make finding the perfect gift effortless.

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Bird’s Eye View will inspire you with their newest gardening collection: mixed and matched pieces for the outdoor hostess!

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Sunsweet Gift Outlet provides the perfect sweet and savory hostess gifts for every home!

Kisses & Cots Gift Box - $32.95 A wonderful hostess gift of French Kisses® & California apricots covered in milk and dark chocolate…and gift-wrapped, too!

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California Apricot Scone Mix - $3.95 Pair this up with the Apricot Harvest Jam for a great hostess gift!

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and my home

By Rona Desmond Photography by Moments To Remember Photography

t has been said that quality is never an accident. Rather, it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. That is precisely why the exquisite home of Jeremy Nieto, styled to perfection, is no coincidence.

Mixed 18th century treasures, vintage items, and personal favorites collected from world travels broadcast a carefully constructed cultural environment in Jeremy’s home. This eclectic mix is what creates a uniquely-styled home, and when it’s done this well, each room broadcasts confidence in one’s own style, yet still adheres to the qualities of great design.

Everything works together in this home to give it an amazing energy, from the wall colors he’s chosen to how he has filled his shelves to the placement of each piece of furniture. Jeremy has reshuffled the rulebook, mixing and matching old and new, impressive and humble, magnificent and quiet. His decisions have given him a home where he can showcase his keen eye for great finds and flair for the extraordinary.

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How would you describe the style of your home?

If I were to describe my home in one word, it would be “eclectic.” I prefer unique items, such as aged antiques, over new items that are mass-produced. There is a patina about my home. It is a mixture of 18th-century antiques, items I have picked up from estate sales, and interesting pieces I have collected while traveling the world. I have an extensive collection of transferware that I both display and use. The colors and patterns blend nicely, but none of the pieces match. The furniture is comfortable, yet easy to maintain.

The couches and chairs are filled with down, which creates a sumptuous feel, and covered by slipcovers, which give the furniture a functional and lived-in look. This look is both casual and unique, and plays well off of the other accents in the home.

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Explain your passion for decorating, and any of your thoughts or secrets!

As a child, I was exposed to a thoughtful exploration of the visual world in many different ways. My family owned a small antique shop where I often spent time.

This piqued my interest in antiques from an early age. I was also exposed to art, both in galleries and in my surroundings. I have soaked up all I know from books, magazines, museums, art galleries, antique shops, and home and design stores. Most importantly, I know what I like. If I were to give out any advice or decorating secrets, I would say to stay away from the notion that everything must match. In addition, lighting is of utmost importance. Every light, from the patio to the garage, should be on a dimmer!

Describe your style of entertaining.

When I entertain, I like to keep things simple. I want my guests to feel comfortable and at home. One thing I do to set the mood is make sure I have pleasing music playing in the background. I use a variety of dishes, both old and new. I like to create a pleasing palette using unique items that have been passed down from generation to generation, and accompany these items with an abundance of freshly cut flowers throughout the house. I create multiple focal points to entertain the eye, as well as the guest.

What are your favorite things about your house?

I like that my house is unique and ever-evolving.

The landscaping is mature and lush, and the house sits on a large lot. I feel as if the house has a character of its own; it’s both weathered and charming, simple and elegant. I love the color I chose for the walls, which creates a natural, luminous glow. The floors in my house are great because they’re easy to maintain and pet-friendly.

Give us a couple of your organizational tips.

One organizational tip I have would be to make sure the pantry is neatly organized and stocked with crackers, olives, and good wine, in case you have that last-minute dinner or card game. Your refrigerator should always be stocked with the essentials, which should be neatly displayed for quick convenience. I have a place for everything. There are no junk drawers in my home; all the drawers are dedicated to the different seasons.

What makes your house a home?

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Surrounding yourself with the things you love and draw inspiration from makes a house a home. It should be a sanctuary where old and new are melded together to create endless possibilities. Bowls of candy are always strategically placed throughout the house and are never far from reach. The treasures I have collected over the years, old photographs from the past, and pictures I have taken have created a spirit within my home that allows me to live a gracious life. And the addition of my dog, Bentley, has done more to make my house a home than anything else.

s

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