SASSY Magazine January 2015 by FAMILY Magazines of Michiana

January 2015

NO31

Schedule

Your

Downtime

Fitness TechY

Money Mistakes

Avoid

Healthy Dinner Tips for the Person on the Go

Long and Lean in 2015

www.goodwill-ni.org

“I was arrested more times than I can remember. I lost my freedom, my family… I almost lost my life. But mom never gave up on me. Not many stories like mine have happy endings. My future began when Goodwill helped me find a job. That’s how your donation to Goodwill changes lives.” Janie

20 January

/ contents

EVERY MONTH 4 8 Things We Learned While Making The May Issue 5 Contributors & Testimonials

BALANCE 16 How To Keep New Year’s Resolutions When It Comes To Your Home

SASS FACTORY: STUFF WE LOVE 6 Sassy Time

5 Money Mistakes We Should All Avoid

By: Lara West

Time To “Unschedule”

SASSY BOOK REVIEW 7 Popular: A Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen

By: Cyndy Searfoss

By: Andrew Skipper

WORK 24

Bouncing Back After A Layoff

By: Allison Boelcke

SASSY RECIPE 23 The Perfect Cranberry Banana Bread

Shine In 2015: Setting Marketing Resolutions For The New Year

By: Jillian Koeneman

LIFE 8

Five Digital Trends For 2015

Give Back This New Year

By: Jillian Koeneman

By: Lara West

ADVICE FROM A BUSINESS COACH 22 Dear Charrise

Reviewed By: Helen Crawley

HEALTH 10 Are You A Fitness Techy?

By: Jackie Folkert

Long and Lean in 2015

By: Abbi Pollyea

Healthy Dinner Tips for a Busy Schedule

By: Allison Boelcke

THE DATEBOOK 30 Sassy Events To Put In Your Calendar SCENE AND BE SEEN 31 The Return Of The Holiday Walk Presented By Southold Dance Theater

SASSY | January 2015

LETTER FROM THE

publisher

Things Photography: Classic image photography Makeup: Camellia Maalouf, Camellia Cosmetics Granger

We Learned Making The January Issue

President & Publisher: Betsy Tavernier

Betsy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

MANAGING Editor: Jessica Haviland

Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud

1. Stop overspending and watch your bank account grow! Visit page 18 to help avoid these common money mistakes this year.

Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER AMANDA OILER Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

MEDICAL EDITOR: Dr. Jesse Hsieh

2. You can make healthy meals while on the go! Get the tips and tricks on how you can eat healthy without spending a lot of time in the kitchen on page 14.

3. Find a cause that means something to you to donate this year. Learn more about crowdfunding and how it can be a part of your life on page 8. 4. Get long and lean in 2015! Go to page 12 and try this workout to help lose those extra pounds you put on over the holiday season. 5. Find your target audience to maximize your marketing. Visit page 26 to learn more on how to make this year’s marketing strategies be profitable.

Distribution Managers: Mike Trentacosti Kevin Reynolds

SASSY Magazine is a division of Michiana Family Magazines, LLC established in 2006. All rights reserved. We would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines PO BOX 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 • FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaSassy.com Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication. Read SASSY Magazine online each month! Go to www.MichianaSassy.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way! January 2015 Volume 5: Number 1

6. Schedule your downtime. Always make time for yourself by doing these few tricks on page 20. 7. Update your workout gear to keep your fitness routine kicking! Check out these awesome fitness gadgets on page 10.

LOOK WHO’s TALKING

8. Organization at home will show in every aspect of your life. Go to page 16 to learn on how you can keep your New Year’s resolutions when it comes to your home.

www.facebook.com/Sassy-Magazine pinterest.com/MichianaSassy/ instagram.com/michianasassymag

JANUARY

/ contributors Jillian Koeneman

(@jillianmk) founded Freshlime: Digital Marketing (www.freshlimemarketing. com) in 2010 in order to lead businesses to increased sales and greater brand awareness through social media marketing and other online vehicles. Koeneman is a Board Member of the Women Business Owners of Michiana and volunteers on the Marketing Committee for the Humane Society of Elkhart County. She also heads up all marketing for her husband’s new business, Anytime Fitness in Goshen. Koeneman earned a degree in advertising and public relations from Michigan State University in 2004 and was a member of two National Championship Water Polo Teams.

SASSY

/ testimonials

“I can’t stop talking about how great the Glitz and Sass Holiday Fashion Show was last year! I bought several outfits from the boutiques already!” – Stephanie T.

“My favorite section in SASSY Magazine are the articles relating to work. It gives me great ideas on how I can better myself professionally!” – Kelsie S.

Cyndy Searfoss is a mom, fundraiser, writer, equestrienne, creative writing adjunct instructor, volunteer and insomniac (which is how she manages to fit everything into the space of 24-hour day). Her professional history includes stints as the managing partner of an advertising agency, director of creative services, director of alumni services at IU South Bend and director of advancement at a local independent school. She received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in journalism and her master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame in 1995.

Charrise McCrorey is certified as a Business & Transformative Coach, working with businesses and individuals around the world. Her local office is in Elkhart, where she resides with her family.

“My friends and I get our sass from SASSY Magazine!” – Lindsey M.

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Email your testimonials to Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

VIP January Advertisers Abby Pollyea

is a proud wife of 14 years and has four children ranging in ages from 16 to two. She values family above all else. They keep her feeling humble and surrounds her with unconditionally loved. Abbi teaches Pilates, yoga, barre and dance classes in locally owned studios in Granger. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from IUSB in History and has also participated in IUSB’s Human Counseling Graduate program.

Special THANKS to the following VIP January advertisers that help us provide Sassy Magazine to the Michiana community for FREE:

 Massage Envy  Goodwill  Basney BMW

 Mutualbank  The Centre PC  Studio One Boutique

SASSY Time JANUARY 19

Mellencamp, Morris Performing Arts Center, 7:30 P.M.

Winter Holiday Concert, Saint Hedwig Memorial Center, 5:00 P.M.

11 13

The Bridal Spectacular 12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. The Century Center

Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day

Make Your Dream Come True Day

Sister Act, Morris Performing Arts Center, 8:00 P.M.

Cross Country Ski Lessons, St. Patrick’s County Park, 10:00 A.M.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

The Odd Couple, Bristol Opera House, 7:30 P.M.

The Keystone Light Friends of Bob & Tom ShowComedy Tour at Palais Royale 7:30 P.M.

Spouse’s Day

The State Theatre of Russia “Swan Lake,” Morris Performing Arts Center, 7:30 P.M.

Bubble Bath Day

2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14 15 16 18 20 24 25 27 28 29 30 Th

Popular New Year’s Resolutions

We ALWAYS Break

Reuse Your Old Coffee Grounds There are some mornings where we just can’t live without our cup of joe! The smell, the taste and ultimately the perk it gives us is what keeps us moving in the early morning hours. But, what do you do with the leftover coffee grounds? Instead of throwing them away, reuse your coffee grounds with these five ideas!

 After brewing a pot of coffee, take the grounds out of the coffee maker and let them dry. Once dried, place the grounds in a bowl and place them in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors!

Have you made the same New Year’s resolutions for the past few years now? Below are the top five most popular New Year’s resolutions that we are all guilty of making and not succeeding. 1. Losing Weight At least not the amount we first set for ourselves. 2. Eating Healthier Celery and carrots get bland really fast! 3. Saving More Money Saving for a vacation works, right? 4. Stressing Less Can this ever really happen? 5. Getting Organized Works in the beginning but never seems to last!

What We Are Pinning: Quotes To Live By

pinterest.com/MichianaSassy

 Reuse your coffee grounds by placing them in your indoor plant’s pot! The grounds will give the plants nutrients that the soil may not have!  Does your hardwood dining room table have a few scratches that you would like to hide? Dip a cotton swab into the grounds and dab them onto the scratches (for dark wood).  Use your coffee grounds as a hand scrub! Place a scoop of the grounds between your palms and mix with your favorite soap. This will help eliminate smells from foods and help remove dead skin! 6

January 2015 | SASSY

Whatever Is Good For The Soul… Do That www.laurenconrad.com

Don’t Forget To Fall In Love With Yourself First www.withlovefromkat.com

Be Fabulous Today www.skinnyms.com

SASSY

book review

Popular:

A Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek By Maya Van Wagenen Reviewed By: Helen Cawley, Young Adult Librarian at Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library

Editor's

Pick

Yes Please By: Amy Poehler

www.barnesandnoble.com

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail By: Cheryl Strayed

www.barnesandnoble.com

Leaving Time By: Jodi Picoult

Most women and girls I have known have had bouts in their lives of wanting to feel more popular with their peers. Popularity is that elusive quality that we think somebody else has, but often we can’t find it. It’s why some people have lots of friends, are always invited to parties and everyone seems to say what a great person they are. We as human beings, especially women, long for that feeling of being liked by others, but how do we get it? Are some people just born popular? Is it something that some people just naturally know how to be, or is it a quality we have to learn? Is it even possible to learn how to be popular? Maya Van Wagenen explores the elusive and powerful characteristic of popularity in her book, Popular: A Memoir. Maya is a precocious fifteen-year-old who exhibits the same feelings of inadequacy that many of us have felt at one point or other. She feels awkward, shy, maybe not ugly but certainly not pretty, and generally “geeky” as she defines herself in the subtitle of the book. One day, Maya is given an old book by her father entitled Betty Cornell’s Teenage Popularity Guide, written in the 1950s. This guide, written by a teenage model, may be the answer to Maya’s prayers. She decides to divide the book into monthly sections, concentrating on one aspect of her looks, grooming and personality, and see if it changes her popularity level at school. Along the way, she will write about her procedure and progress, describing what changes she perceives in herself and others. The experiment is a secret, although the changes in her appearance and behavior will be evident but not explained. Written in diary form, this author does what many of us wish we were brave enough to do. Maya follows the 1950s advice carefully and faithfully, often noting how different it seems from current practices. Sometimes she isn’t sure if the guidance will lead to her popularity or to massive ridicule, but she courageously never gives up on the experiment. In the end, she learns many things about herself, not least of all that “popularity” is a deceptive quality. By trying these new methods of dressing, wearing her hair, talking to people, etc., Maya discovers a she is a new person, someone who can be confident in herself rather than someone who is putting on a show for others. As a result, Maya finds out that popularity isn’t something that anyone else can give us, but something we give to others. Reaching out to other people, getting to know them, getting along with all types of people, loving them for who they are, those are the secrets Maya Van Wagenen passes on to us in this book. If we dig deep and find our “best selves,” and become more compassionate and self-confident, great changes can happen in this world. 

www.barnesandnoble.com SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

life

Give This Back New Year By: Lara West

hanks to the popularity and ease of crowdfunding sites, donating online has never been easier! Just a few simple clicks and you are a contributor to easing someone’s burden and/or investing in their dream. Now into the New Year, I really thought about my New Year’s resolution list, and how every year I fall short of promise to donate monthly. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a donation, you know that every little bit helps, and those who give genuinely are pressed to do so from the heart. I’ve found that my good intentions are usually derailed just a few months into the year due to a few reasons, such as overthinking, poor budgeting and not knowing where it is needed. Over the past three years, I’ve learned that donating does not have to be difficult to do effectively throughout the year. There are a few simple steps that will help make this resolution one of the most successful and rewarding on your list:

“If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a donation, you know

that every little bit helps, and those who give genuinely are pressed to do so from the heart.”

• Evaluate your finances. After making a budget that is comfortable for your family, you can either allot a certain amount of the extra funds for giving, or you can measure the available amount of money you have when a need that arises that inspires you to donate. • Determine giving intervals. You may be blessed with the

ability to give monthly or even weekly, but giving once or twice a year is also a great relief to those in need. If you determine you are able to contribute $10 a month, you can donate that monthly, or you can set it aside and let it accumulate for a need that really speaks to your heart.

Crowdfunding: The practice of soliciting financial

contributions from a large number of people especially from the online community (Merriam-Webster). •Find a cause. If there is a certain cause that speaks to your

heart then this might be an easy decision for you, but not everyone has that immediate cause to reach out and help. There are several national organizations to donate towards in fields such as cancer research, but there are always needs in your own community to consider. This might be the women’s shelter, the animal shelter or individual people. Online crowdfunding has made it easier to search for local needs, as well.

•Go all the way. Now that you’ve done the planning, it’s time to power up and make that donation. Many organizations allow you to make donations right from their website for ease and convenience. If you are helping a specific family in need then you will probably need to write a check, get cash or money order or purchase the items you know they are need of. No matter how the money transfers hands to bless another party, the important thing is that it does. Finding a cause can be difficult when you know you want to give, but you haven’t found that something to get your heart into. My advice here is simple and real; Giving should be something we do because our hearts feel compelled to, not because we feel it is our obligation. Don’t make a donation to something that doesn’t feel right for you.

Popular Crowdfunding Sites: • GoFundMe (gofundme.com; personal needs) • Causes (causes.com; campaigns, petitions) • Kick Starter (kickstarter.com; creative projects) • Indiegogo (indiegogo.com; creative, personal, business) • Donors Choose (donorschoose.org; classroom needs)

Crowdfunding sites provide people in need of assistance with an easily accessible portal to getting their needs heard by people who want to help. Some of the most popular needs are families struggling from medical bills and people looking for startup money with a unique business proposal. Most sites allow you to search by needs (medical, memorials, animals, etc…) and/or by location. These sites are not entirely free to use, however, most of them do not require any upfront fees for registering, and paid memberships are often optional. Most collect a percentage fee based on the total donation amount. It’s possible, with some sites, that the percentage will be reduced if they meet or exceed their total goal. Crowdfunding sites also provide people with giving hearts a convenient way to find people who need help in various aspects of their lives. One of the problems I came across often was that I did not know who to help, because I didn’t know of anyone really needing the assistance when I had something available to give. Thanks to the ease of crowdfunding, we can all search for and find the need that satisfies our desire to give anytime we feel motivated to do so.  SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

health

Are You A

Fitness Techy By: Jackie Folkert

oes the sight of your old yoga mat make you want to drive heave? Or maybe your running watch died in the middle of your 10-miler. Does your spinning outfit leave you less than enthused to attack that rapid incline? Sports accessories make a difference—especially when you feel the pressure to pursue fitness resolutions. Sometimes it’s the gear and gadgets that motivate you to exercise. They’re not requirements, but life’s too short not to have fun while you exercise.

January 2015 | SASSY

Kick your gear up a notch to keep your fitness flowing. The avid spinner, for example, might ditch her cross training shoes for cycling shoes to transform a mediocre workout into a phenomenal one. The cleats allow you to clip into the bike, making it easier to get the maximum benefits of spinning, said Chris Pawielski, owner of Inertia Cycleworks in Niles. He said to shop for a cycling shoe with a stiff sole. Mary Rumble of Granger has been spinning at Ice Athletic Center in Mishawaka for eight months. She said that wearing cycling shoes “helps when you’re pedaling so your foot doesn’t cramp up.” Shoes begin at $80 and shoot as high at $300. Specialized is a brand that makes a cute shoe called the Spirita RBX ($100) that comes in black or white with pink and aqua details. The Solstice women’s cycling shoe runs $89.99. It’s a casual shoe you can wear about town after your workout.

Innovative sports watches and activity trackers can bust you out of a fitness rut. The newest gadgets include the Garmin activity tracker Vivo Smart ($170). It tracks your activity and alerts you to the messages from your smart phone. The Vivo Smart sends your workout stats to your phone for storage, keeping all your information in one place. The Timex Ironman OneGPS+ is an example of a standout gadget that may rev up your motivation. You will travel lighter: it streams music to Bluetooth-compatible headsets, allows phone-free messaging, tracks your progress and location, and keeps you safe with a SOS feature that jets out a pre-set message to your emergency contact. This is the rock star for Timex—it costs $449.95. But Timex also offers less expensive watches that will entertain you during your last grueling mile.

The biting cold is enough to persuade even the most dedicated runner to take it indoors. The treadmill, however, might not be an appealing second choice. Cross training via a new machine is more interesting and brings a comparable workout. Regional Manager John Wise of Metro Run and Walk in Mishawaka said that the eGlide XG 400 High Speed Standing Spinner serves both casual and die-hard athletes. It’s a hybrid machine that runs about $1,999. It will give you feedback on your workout, so there’s no need to feel guilty that you’ve managed to watch “Sex and the City” while breaking a sweat. The machine is built to keep you in the proper position for maximum workout benefits.

“Life’s too short not to have fun while you exercise.”

Donning a new workout top may not burn you more calories, but it sure may feel like it. “A new outfit always motivates you to work out, doesn’t it?” said Bridgette Clark, owner of Beyond Zen Studio in Granger. She said Lululemon and Lucy brands carry pants and tops that flatter women’s bodies so they feel confident while they do Pilates and yoga. “The Lucy Perfect Core Pant sucks everything in and prevents muffin top,” she said. “The pants are like magic.” The Lucy Perfect Core Pant is $108, but Lucy also carries pants starting at $65. She also raved about the crossover tops and mats from Lululemon. She said that you can’t underestimate the value of new yoga mat “especially when your mat has a lot of miles on it . . . and pieces of it are sticking to your feet.” Lululemon yoga mats start at $48 and top out at $88. No gear, gadget or garment can replace sheer willpower to work hard and reach those fitness goals for 2015, but a flashy new toy isn’t just for kids, is it?  SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

health

Long and Lean in 2015 Article & Photos By: Abbi Pollyea

Each New Year presents an opportunity

to start fresh by getting rid of bad habits and adding good ones. Fitness goals are common for New Year's resolutions, but are often challenging to achieve. There are many reasons why regular exercise can be hard to stick too, but it is safe to say that time, convenience and confidence are important factors for workout consistency. The following pilates workout can be done anywhere and at anytime. All that is needed is a mat or a soft floor. The intention of this workout is to build both inner and outer strength. Try completing these moves in your own home or office for the entire month of January, or until the entire workout is mastered. In doing this, you will conquer the initial "exercise hump" on your own terms. Perhaps the success of the completion of "Long and Lean in 2015" will be the motivation needed to make exercise a constant in your life. Happy New Year!

Remember that with each breath we take, we have an opportunity to turn things around.

1. "Cardio Jump Switch"

Before you begin the Pilates mat workout, get your heart rate up with this fun cardio exercise. Begin with one foot in front, both knees bent, upper body tall. Jump and switch legs midair. Find a rhythm and complete 20 switches, working up to 40 by the end of the month. To modify, eliminate the jump and instead step back foot forward to complete the switch.

2. "Single-Leg Push-Ups"

Begin in a plank position. Lift one leg without arching your back. Keep leg extended and lifted while completing five push ups, working up to 10. Repeat with the other leg lifted. To modify, put hands against a wall or on a step. Feel free to put down the knee of grounded leg for more support.

3. "Inner Thigh Leg Lift"

Begin lying down on side, top leg folded over straightened bottom leg. Bottom leg should have a flexed foot. Make sure your neck is supported with either your hand or a pillow. Lower and lift bottom leg, focusing on the lift more than the lower. Do 20 lifts, and then 10 circles in each direction, (circles about the size of a golf ball). Repeat on other side. Hint: keep glutes contracted on the side of leg that lifts. 12

January 2015 | SASSY

4. "Kneeling Side Leg Lift"

Begin kneeling on one leg, other leg extended out to side. Use one arm to support your weight keeping wrist directly under shoulder. Lift and lower the extended leg 10 times, working toward 20. Follow with five circles in each direction. Repeat on other side. The higher the leg, the more challenging the exercise. To modify, keep leg closer to the ground, or lie on side.

5. "Side Bend"

Begin sitting on one hip, with bent knees. Turn out top hip and place front ankle directly in front of back ankle. On an exhale, lift top hip toward ceiling and connect thighs together created a "bow" shape. Inhale, and then exhale to return to start. Repeat five times and then repeat on the other side. To modify, keep bottom knee down throughout exercise.

6. "Roll Up"

Begin in a supine position with arms above head. Inhale and reach arms to ceiling. Exhale and continue rolling spine off the mat until upper back is in a "C" shape. Roll back to start position on an exhale. Repeat 5-8 times. Hint: Keep shoulders down and inner thighs engaged throughout. ď Ś

SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

health

Healthy

Dinner Tips for a Busy Schedule By: Allison Boelcke

A fast-paced lifestyle can be a major obstacle to overcome in the quest for achieving one of the most common New Year's resolutions: eating healthier. Willpower is like a muscle – it can only be worked so hard before it begins to become fatigued and less effective. After being in the office and making healthy meal choices all day, your willpower reserve may dwindle. Combined with fatigue or stress, this can make it even more difficult to resist the temptation of convenient, but high calorie dinner choices. Make this the year that you’re successful in your healthy eating resolutions with these easy dinner tips for a busy schedule:

Plan Your Meals Use the same planning skills for meals that you use to stay on top of your game in your career. At work, you most likely have a basic idea of what you will be doing that day. Set aside some time each week to plan out your dinners. Browse recipes to brainstorm healthy meals that won’t take long to get on the table. Be realistic and compare recipes against your own schedule and skills. For example, a hands-off meal that goes directly into the oven for a longer cooking time may be simple to prepare but take too long if you work extra late, or a 15 minute stir fry recipe may not be a good fit if you have beginner chopping skills.

Stock Up on Essentials Keep your kitchen stocked with healthy staples that you can easily combine into quick meals, instead of being tempted to get takeout because you have nothing to make! This could include canned beans, canned tomatoes, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, frozen veggies, chicken breast, vacuum packed fish filets or eggs. Come up with a few go-to combination of mixing and matching your preferred healthy staples and soon, healthy dinners will be a breeze. 14

January 2015 | SASSY

Prep Common Ingredients in Advance The allure of takeout or other convenience food is that it doesn’t require much effort. After a long day, the idea of peeling, slicing and chopping healthy ingredients may seem like too much work. Give yourself a break and prep common ingredients ahead of time. Make a big batch of salad when you get home from your weekly grocery trip or cook up some chicken breast or brown rice, then store it in the fridge. A healthy dinner will be even easier than making the trip to pick up something fast and unhealthy.

Utilize a Slow Cooker A slow cooker can be one of the best investments for a busy working woman who wants hot, healthy meals on the table quickly when she gets home. Sure, it requires thinking about dinner the night or morning before - but after that it’s just a matter of mixing a few ingredients and adding to the slower cooker. You can find tons of healthy slow cooker dinner recipes online. A slow cooker can also make it easier for you to prep ingredients ahead of time, such as a big batch of cooked shredded chicken to use for salads, wraps, or pasta dishes.

Double Up Recipes Have a favorite healthy recipe that you love but may be too time-consuming to make on a night after work? Whenever you’re ambitious enough to make it, double it up and freeze for another time. It doesn’t take much additional effort since you’re already making it, but the payoff will be great when it’s ready for you to heat up and enjoy on a busy night after work.

Have a Backup Plan Life happens and can interfere with your best laid plans and intentions – you forget to defrost your planned dinner or turn on the crockpot, or you come home with a splitting headache after work and can’t muster the energy to cook. Your best preemptive strike against the drive thru or ordering a pizza is having a backup plan of healthy convenience food options. Swinging by the grocery store deli for a rotisserie chicken and bag of salad greens or even just stocking up on frozen organic meals can keep you from giving into the temptation of comfort foods when your willpower is at its lowest.

With these tips, you can make dinner time easier on yourself, even after a busy day at work. By decreasing the amount of physical and mental effort put into your evening meals, you can stay on track with your healthy eating resolution and accomplish your resolution.  SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

balance

How To Keep

New Year’s Resolutions When It Comes To Your Home By: Andrew Skipper

Each New Year marks a new beginning. January ushers in an excitement and a fresh take on life. We make resolutions and commit to changing our ways but somehow, most often within a few weeks, we are back to our old ways. Not this year! Here are some common resolutions people make each year accompanied by ways to implement them so this time next year you can say "did that" instead of “going to do that...this time..."

Be More Organized

Being organized isn’t just about having everything look good. It’s about convenience and saving time. When you know where things are, you don’t have to waste time looking for them! Instead of feeling overwhelmed this year, take a strategic approach to organization. Set aside one hour— or even a half hour if that’s all you have— and focus on one storage area at a time, be it a closet, shelf in the basement, drawer in the kitchen or cabinet in the bathroom. Take everything out so that you can wipe down the shelves. While everything is out, sort through things. I recommend the tried and true sorting system: make three piles labeled “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Trash.” Then begin placing the “Keep” items back 16

January 2015 | SASSY

in the storage area. After trashing and donating the unnecessary items, you’ll probably find that there is a lot of extra storage space. Use these areas to put away things that are cluttering your tabletops and counter space. By freeing up valuable storage space, you’re able to de-clutter your livable space, which results in a more peaceful, organized and happy home. Rather than focusing on the entire house, focus on one small storage area at a time and work your way from room to room. By limiting your work time to one hour, you’ll be more motivated to stick with it and when you see immediate results—i.e. a clean kitchen counter— you’ll want to keep working your way through the house. And, the good news is that once everything has a home, you’ll know right where it is, saving you time and energy.

Keep The House Clean

We’ve all been here. We want a clean house and say that we’re going to do a full-on deep clean on Saturday. Then the weekend comes and goes and there are still dust bunnies living under the bed. Instead of over-committing yourself and subsequently avoiding house-cleaning all together, take a “one bite at a time” stance.

Each morning when you’re finished getting ready, wipe down bathroom counters with a rag that you keep under the sink. Keep shower spray handy as well and make sure the last person getting ready in the morning sprays the shower down. Each evening when dinner is finished, load the dishwasher and do a quick wipe-down of the counters and stove top. By doing small tasks daily, you’ll avoid letting dirt and grime build up. The reality is that most messes are easier to clean up right away. The longer they sit, the more difficult it’s going to be to clean them. Another way to make it easier on yourself is to keep cleaning supplies accessible. I keep glass & wood cleaner as well as a swifter duster under the sink in each bathroom. That way I can easily do a quick clean up without having to lug the cleaning caddy up from the basement.

Have More Family Dinners

With busy schedules and long work days, it can be easy to order take out or let everyone fend for themselves. But, family dinners are so important because they are the times when you’re able to sit across the table from one another, make eye contact and discuss what’s going on in each other’s lives. If sitting down all together at the table isn’t something you do already, why not try and establish at least one night a week where everyone is home for dinner? A great way to make this happen is to ask each member of the family to help, whether that be to set the table, choose background music, slice bread and help cook or help serve. You may encounter resistance at first, but just be patient. When people are assigned a task, they most often want to prove themselves. The teenager may baulk at having to help prepare a meal, but the time you spend together teaching them to cook is quality time—so long as you keep your cool. I’ve found that no one does things exactly the way I would do them, and find myself thinking, “I could have set the table faster and better on my own,” but when I involve other people in the process, they take ownership of their part and it helps us connect. The great thing about family dinners is that they are memories in the making. It may seem mundane now, but time flies and someday you’ll all look back and be thankful that you set that time aside to all be together.

Be a Better Hostess

Many people would love to have guests to their house, but feel completely intimidated by the idea of hosting a party. Don’t let another year pass by without entertaining your friends in your home. Start small by just having a few close friends over for drinks. Observe how the flow of your space impacts conversation. Is the furniture arranged for good conversation? Does everyone have a place to set a drink down within arm’s reach? Make adjustments as needed and then have people over again!

Also, when it comes to hosting, my motto is “be prepared!” By stocking up on serving pieces like trays, stemware and cocktail napkins, you’ll be setting yourself up for stress-free hosting. Then you won’t be that person who has to serve wine in juice glasses or who is frantically searching for a coaster when someone wants to sit a drink down. Also be sure to have a few easy snacks for guests who drop in. I always keep cheese and crackers on hand along with pretzels, Chex mix and olives. These are things that, unopened, have a long shelf life in your pantry. Try to think of things that are no-fuss and don’t take any time to prepare. This allows you to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

Update Interiors

We all have projects that we want to do at our homes. That kitchen floor that needs replaced. The bathroom cabinet that needs updated. The light fixture that is still stuck in the 70’s. Don’t let this year pass without checking some of these projects off your list. Start by making a list of what you want to update. Then order the list from most important to least. Start with the top priority and find out how much it’s going to cost you to do that project. Let’s say it’s a bathroom remodel. Go through everything you’ll need to change out including the floor, tub, tile, toilet, sink fixtures and paint. Then select all the pieces you want. That will give you an

idea of the cost of the project—don’t forget to factor in labor. Now that you know the cost, you can begin saving money. Put a certain amount away each month to keep yourself on track. By knowing the cost and scope of your projects, you can begin realistically budgeting them into your schedule and finances. 

SASSY

5 balance

Money Mistakes We Should

All Avoid By: Lara West

e began learning about money and all its wonders

from before we really understood it. All we knew at three-years-old is that not having money was what stopped us from taking a toy home every time we left the store. The hard truth now is that being a respectable working adult doesn’t mean we’ve mastered the ability to spend it wisely. There are five money mistakes so common that some people don’t even realize they’re making them.

Check to be sure you’re not making any of them: 1. Not having a budget. Numeral uno, the biggest mistake that most people are making with their money every day is the fact that they don’t have a budget. It’s unfortunate, because making a budget can actually be very simple. Start by listing all your bills according to the due date, plan to pay bills due the first half of the month with one paycheck and bills due the latter part of the month with the next check. Account for food and fuel during each period, and determine how much you need to put away into savings. Savings can account for large home purchases (appliances, furniture,) vacations, clothes and any other expense that is not a daily need already budgeted for. After you put all the necessary money away, you can count whatever is left as fun money.

2. Over spending. This certainly is a troubling aspect for anyone who does not make a budget, or has trouble sticking to their budget. Are there going to times where you send a little more eating out than you planned? Yes, but if you have a budget, you can adjust elsewhere to make up the overage. I created a simple spreadsheet that lets me know when I’ve gone over my budget for the month.

3. Hiding Bills. Dropping them directly into the trash bin and stuffing

them in drawers doesn’t really make them go away. In fact, it only makes things worse. Late fees will build, and eventually you may find yourself sitting in the dark with no power, standing at the register with a declined card or hiding from debt collectors. If you don’t have the funds to pay them off immediately, call and speak with a representative about payment options. They may be willing to reduce the late payment charges, or give you an extension to get it paid in full. January 2015 | SASSY

“Making a budget can actually be very simple.”

We’ve got the corner on good taste.

4. Paying bank fees. Imagine how much money you can save if you had an account fit for your spending habits. Ok, there really is no need to imagine with guess work. You can go in to your bank and speak with a representative about your account and they can tell you exactly how much you spend on maintenance fees, ATM fees, overdrafts and any other type of fee you have paid. Each type of account has different requirements that must be met in order to avoid a monthly maintenance fee. For instance, some accounts require a certain balance be maintained, a minimum number of transactions be made, or a specific dollar amount be direct deposited monthly. Combing through your account with a banker can help you get into an account that fits your needs to avoid the monthly fee. (And if you think a small $7 fee is nothing to worry about, remember its $7 twelve times a year which is really $84 that you could have saved or spent on something fun.)

5. Not saving. Putting money away is a lot harder than it sounds, but it is very important. Check with your HR department at work and be sure you are utilizing any long-term (401K, IRA) and insurance savings plans offered that you qualify for. Then, build an emergency savings account. This should grow until you have 3-18 months’ worth of expenses saved just in case anything should happen to your income. Once you’re comfortable with the amount saved in your emergency fund, you can start saving for the big, fun purchases. Don’t make a plan to put any extra you have into savings, because there will never be any leftover (trust me, I know.) A good target has always been 10% of each check as a baseline figure. 

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SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

balance

Time to

“Unschedule” How to Bring Some Sanity Back into Your Schedule By: Cyndy Searfoss

reakfast meeting 7:45. Marketing planning session 9:30. Workout at lunch. Drop off dry cleaning after work. Soccer practice pick up 6:15. And while it may sound counter-intuitive, one of the very best things you can schedule is a block of unscheduled time. Whether you realize it on a conscious level or not, a busy, tight schedule increases your stress levels. There are more things to remember, more places to be, more time spent in meetings, the car or traffic. Stress, besides being no fun, is one of the leading causes of illness. Study after study has shown that stress weakens the immune system. And cortisol, one of the hormones released as your body reacts to stress, has also been linked to increased cravings for fats and sugars. Higher levels of cortisol have also been found to increase the amount of deep abdominal fat (the belly fat that none of us wants to be carrying around). If that’s not bad enough, cortisol can also inhibit your ability to keep

your thoughts straight or retrieve memories as it interferes with neurotransmitters responsible for creating and retrieving memories. Adding stress to our already full schedules is the fact that our society rewards busyness and productivity. At meetings, family gatherings, school functions, we all check to see who has the busiest schedule, who gets the least amount of sleep, who has the most responsibilities. It’s difficult to step back and carve out time just to be. The benefits are huge, though, once making unscheduled time becomes a routine practicing at home and work. Not only will you find your stress levels lower and more manageable, you may very well find you have the time and space necessary to reflect on what’s important in your life, which then allows you to make better, more deliberate decisions.

Here are a few ways to begin the process of “unscheduling:” • If you use an electronic calendar at work, begin by setting aside 20-30 minutes a couple of days a week that aren’t dedicated to answering emails, attending meetings, or other routine tasks. It could be time you use to write a thank you note to a mentor, catch up on reading industry news or organize your desk. It could even be a walk outside. You may even find that getting some fresh air and away from your desk is the perfect way to solve thorny issues or find a creative approach to your next marking campaign. Even though putting “unscheduled” time on the calendar seems like an oxymoron as author Gretchen Rubin noted, “If we put an activity on the calendar, we’re much more likely to do, and in this way, make it into a habit. Even if the activity on your schedule is to make some time…to be unscheduled.” TIP: If interruptions from co-workers, phone calls, etc. are an issue, you might want to try either taking an early or late lunch and blocking your time out during the time that most people are gone. If coming in early is an option, a half hour before everyone else arrives is a good strategy as well. • Learn to say “no” – or at least “not today” – to requests for less-than-critical meetings, especially on already busy days. Or, try to schedule routine meetings on the same day, freeing up other days for unscheduled time. • Create a mom group that alternates outings and play dates so each mom gets at least an hour of free time on a rotating basis. When it’s your turn, don’t try to cram it full of errands or shopping. Schedule a massage, manicure, pedicure or other relaxing activity. If your budget won’t stretch that far, check out a book at the library (the St. Joseph County Public Library even has e-books for your reader or tablet, if you don’t want to bother with remembering to return it by the due date) and find a coffee shop, park or other quiet place to read and relax. Finally, the point of unscheduled time is to relax. If you feel like staring at the wall, the tree outside the window or your desk, that’s fine. Just take a breath and let it be. 

Afternoon Tea in Sorin’s Featuring Rishi Tea Spend your afternoon in the company of close friends and good conversation. Proudly featuring Rishi Teas, our tea in Sorin’s is a great way to catch up after the busy holiday season! Now – Sunday, March 29 Three Seatings Daily – 2:30, 2:45, 3:00 pm

Little Sipper – $10 // Apple cider or hot chocolate with assorted treats Traditional Tea – $16 // Assortment of sweet treats Afternoon Tea – $24 // Assortment of sweet and savory treats Champagne Afternoon Tea – $45 // Assortment of sweet and savory treats with Champagne

Reservations can be made by calling 574.631.2000. Does not include tax and gratuity. Valet parking included.

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SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

advice from a business coach

Dear

Charrise:

I am a busy mom with a full time (sometimes more than full time) job. Every day ends with a feeling of exhaustion. After taking care of dinner and homework and the children’s baths, all I want to do is fall in bed and go to sleep. My husband would like to have more intimate time with me, but it often feels like it’s just one more thing on my list of things to do. I don’t want it to feel that way. Any suggestions for how to have it all, including my libido?

Answer: I get it. Consider that this may be a phase in your life, like other phases, which will pass. Also, decide where you can create a new commitment. It may mean omitting something else from your day so that you can create some time to unwind before bed. Maybe you could enjoy a glass of wine or a hot cup of tea to get yourself centered. All time is precious. If you lived as if that were true, what would you stop doing so that you could fit more of the important stuff in? My guess is that you’d like to have that intimacy back as well, if only you didn’t have so many competing priorities. By reviewing for yourself the things on your to-do list, and reconsidering their urgency, you may just find that special time with hubs creeps up to the top of YOUR priority list. When that happens, you’ll both be satisfied with the shift. Have you talked to him about this? That kind of conversation might very well make your marriage stronger than ever, as you both work through a collaborative solution. 22

January 2015 | SASSY

Have a co-worker who’s driving you batty? A boss who just won’t listen to reason? Or maybe you’re wondering if this is your time to break out and show the business world what you’re really made of – but you don’t know exactly how to go about it. Sounds like you need some sound business advice! Send your questions to Charrise, our SASSY Business Coach, and have them answered here. It’s time to get a fresh perspective!

Email your questions to :

Charrise McCrorey is a global coach/consultant, writer, speaker and founder of Arms Wide Open Corporation, supporting the empowerment of people and businesses to live and work in their highest purpose. She has offices in Elkhart and Chicago.

Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com to have them answered by Coach Charrise!

My son plays football. Even though my mommy heart sinks every time he’s tackled, I know how much he loves to play. It’s one thing to have to worry about him getting hurt, but I also have to put up with listening to the parents sitting around me complaining about the players or the coach. Sometimes they criticize my son’s performance, even though I’m sitting right there. How can I show my son that I support him in the sport, and be a peaceful mom while in the stands?

Answer: Parents seems to lose their minds a little bit when it comes to being spectators of their kid’s sports. There is a protective instinct that will always prevail as the mother of that child. Some people lose their “filter” in such conditions. While I understand it’s frustrating, you can’t stop people from being insensitive. All you can do is control your reaction to their behavior. Though I know it’s tempting, be mindful not to fall in the trap of following them in their descent to small thinking. Take the high road. You’ll feel better about yourself, and they won’t get the satisfaction of ruffling your feathers. Eventually the behavior will stop -- or the season will be over. Meanwhile, choose your seat carefully. There must be positive parents in the bleachers, somewhere. Seek them out. 

SASSY

recipe

Ingredients:

Directions:

• 1 Cup Sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Then, grease an 8 ½ by 4 ½ inch loaf pan.

• ¼ - ½ Cup Softened Margarine • 1 Cup Mashed Banana • ¼ Cup Milk • 2 Eggs • 2 Cups Flour • 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder • ½ Cup Chopped Walnuts

2. Mix sugar and butter in a medium mixing bowl until completely blended. Add banana, milk and eggs, mixing well. Then, add the dry ingredients, mixing just until moist. Stir in the nuts and cranberries. 3. Spread batter evenly into the loaf pan and bake for a 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack.

• 1 ½ Cups Chopped Fresh Cranberries SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

work

By: Allison Boelcke

For many women, career is a major part of our identity, something we’ve worked for many years to

achieve. Unfortunately, layoffs due to company restructuring or budget issues are much more common than they used to be. Being laid off from your job, even if it’s not performance-related, can make you feel lost, aimless and anxious about the future. After the shock wears off, you may feel unsure of how to go forward.

Bounce back after a layoff and get your career path back on track with these tips: Acknowledge Your Emotions

“Decide to change your mindset from being a victim to being a woman in control of your career future.”

January 2015 | SASSY

It’s normal for losing your job to be an emotional time. Vent your feelings of frustrations, anger, sadness, etc…once to a trusted friend or even just to yourself, and then get started on learning to let it go. No matter how unfair the circumstances behind your layoff, constantly being negative will only hinder your progress on determining your next career move. Decide to change your mindset from being a victim to being a woman in control of your career future.

Work Out the Details

Once the emotions sink in, it’s time to deal with the financial aspects – these processes can take time, so the sooner you can start, the better. Find out if you’re eligible for severance pay or to file unemployment. Take a look at your budget and available funds to figure out if losing your job is going to be a significant immediate financial hit. If so, call your service providers and let them know of your situation right away – they may be able to temporarily lower your payments or at least prevent you from dealing with the stress of collection phone calls on top of everything else.

Take Inventory of Your Career

The silver lining of a layoff; being able to make changes to your career. Sit down and really think over what you’re looking for going forward. Do you want to continue in the same position, move into being selfemployed, or even go into a completely new career? Once you know what you want, you can put together a list of what you need to achieve it (such as going back to school or getting your first clients) and then develop a plan and start working toward your goals.

Reach Out to Your Network

Word-of-mouth referrals make up the majority of job offers, so it’s time to start reaching out to family, friends, and colleagues. There’s no need to be embarrassed! People are understanding about layoffs that are out of your control and will typically want to help. Simply let your contacts know of your situation and ask if they have any job tips they could send your way. You never know, the friend of a friend may have the perfect opportunity for you. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to change fields and need entry level experience.

Stick to a Routine

Having a job gives your days structure, so you may not know what to do with yourself after a layoff. Set yourself up for maximum productivity in your job transition or search by treating your job search as your job and create a daily routine of tasks that get you closer to achieving your goals. For example, set aside time for networking, researching job leads, working on your resume, and reading career advice. Doing a moderate but consistent amount of work will generally yield better results than hardcore effort periodically.

Don’t Give Up

“Remind yourself this just means that the right opportunity hasn’t come along, and keep trying.”

Losing your job can be a major hit to your confidence, and coupled with not getting the immediate results you desire from your effort can really make you lose motivation. Remind yourself this just means that the right opportunity hasn’t come along, and keep trying. Try different strategies and look for areas to improve, such as reworking your resume or practicing your interview skills, until you find something that works – this can help you feel more in control and empowered in your situation.

Many women find that looking back, being laid off was the best thing that could have happened to them. It can give you a chance to move onto new opportunities that the seeming stability of your previous position kept you from pursing. Keep up the same work ethic you had while you were in the workforce, and you’ll be the next “better than ever after unemployment” success story!  SASSY | January 2015

SASSY

work

Shine In 2015:

MarketingResolutions Setting

for the New Year

By: Jillian Koeneman

ith a New Year comes new beginnings, new opportunities and new adventures. With a New Year also comes rejuvenated spirits and the renewed passion to do better. All of these things are what’s so special about the impending possibilities that come with saying goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015. The excitement for the New Year should also flow into your marketing strategy. There are exciting things happening in the wide world of marketing this coming year, and with a little strategy your business or brand or organization can take control of it’s future and make 2015 your year.

Here are some examples of some marketing resolutions you should set for your business:

In 2015… Tell Your Story Telling your brand story is probably going to be the most important thing you will do in 2015. Take your time to craft it. Be authentic and true. The world of consumers is vast and clamoring for a connection to the businesses they patron. Be that business. Tell your story in a way that your audience will emotionally (therefore monetarily) invest in. 26

January 2015 | SASSY

Target Your Audience This year, commit to doing a better job at targeting your customers and brand ambassadors. Do some soul searching and figure out just who your target market is. Luckily, both social and traditional media has become increasingly specific in their market research that statistics and data can pinpoint who you want to reach, and the best way to do so. Take advantage of these opportunities this year, and instead of paying for a service and praying it reaches an audience that matters, let’s do it ourselves.

Take Better Pictures All media forecasts for 2015 predict one thing over and over. Visuals will continue to gain power and engagement. You will need to take better quality photos of your work or products in order to tap the 2015 market. Maybe that means investing in better equipment, or maybe it means learning to add filters and effects on your smart phone. Nevertheless, 2015 will be the year of the image. Make sure you put your best shot forward. Work Together Vow to establish at least one strategic partnership this year. Team up with a fellow business with a like-minded mission. Partner with a cause that makes sense for your organization. Studies show that partnerships that “fit” or make logical sense garner brand loyalty and have endless reputation benefits.

Work Your Websites Make sure you have a responsive websites that work equally as well on a desktop and on a mobile cannot be more important in 2015. With the unveiling of the tablet-like iPhone 6+ and the Galaxy Note 3, mobile should now be a top priority. Your customers are using their phones for everything; you need to make sure that one of those things is finding out how awesome your business is.

Make 2015 be your most profitable year yet by setting a smart integrative strategy from the beginning! 

Your membership to

a Happy New You

SASSY

work

Five

Digital Trends for 2015 By: Jillian Koeneman

“

Invest some time in researching your current web presence and how to best adapt it.”

The Internet has a funny way of making you feel like you’re always one step behind the curve. As soon as you feel that you’ve gotten the hang of this SEO thing, BOOM! There’s a new strategy you HAVE to be using in order to be seen. When you’ve finally gotten some positive engagement on your Facebook posts, they change the algorithm and you have to start from square one! Yes, it is infuriating but it’s a part of doing business in today’s economy. Moving into 2015, I want you to feel confident about your digital strategy. I want you to be ahead of the pack, armed with information on the latest trends and the knowledge that you are, in fact, getting the most out of your Internet presence. That being said, here are the five social and digital media trends for 2015 to be aware of:

Invest in Content

Content marketing hit its stride this year with everyone from Social Media Today to Newsweek reporting on the importance of original and interactive content. 2015 is going to be no different. More than ever, the public will be clamoring to hear your organization’s story. Potential customers want to interact with your brand in a way that is authentic and humanizing. This coming year, invest in some really great content.

Diversify

Previously, it has been the stance of many social media professionals that businesses should take on one social media platform at a time. Pick one platform and get really good at it before moving on to the next one. However, in 2015 experts are calling for diversity of media. Your organization needs to have a presence on multiple platforms to be seen. Diversifying your presences will juristically improve your reach, while also serving to build brand equity.

“

Feel confident about your digital strategy.”

Mobile is Key Is there anyone you know who doesn’t have a smartphone? Even those who have yet to adapt the technology have devices that connect to the Internet that are separate from their desktop or laptop. It is going to be extremely important next year to make sure your website is responsive across all mediums. Invest some time in researching your current web presence and how to best adapt it to mobile.

Pay to Play Unfortunately, social media platforms have been regulating who sees your posts, and will be continuing that into 2015. Algorithms are changing constantly and you’re going to have to pay for the exposure you’ve received for free in the past. Research your audience, and the tools available on each platform and target, target, target. Pay to boost posts and sponsor tweets, but do it consciously. Make sure you’re being seen by the people who matter.

Visual above Everything You may have heard that people digest visuals faster than text-based messages. The fact of the matter is, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. The brain also processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text. These are MASSIVE numbers. We live in a world full of text. You are going to have to stand out from the bunch and include sharable, engaging pictures to move your audience during this New Year. A picture is worth a thousand likes, right?

2015 is going to be an exciting year for businesses taking on digital media. The flashiness that initially surrounded social and digital media platforms have dulled and what’s left is an opportunity to truly connect to your audience on an authentic level. It’s going to take some work, but I’m positive your brand will have a happy (and prosperous!) New Year if you spruce up your Digital Strategy. Happy 2015!  SASSY | January 2015

January 2014 Events This listing includes events around town. Always call ahead for updates.

January 3rd Yoga Fest

The Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote

Spacious Heart Yoga

Lake Michigan College Mendel Center

9:00 A.M.

4:00 P.M.

Spend a day stress free at Yoga Fest! This is your time to meet with the teachers, explore the classes and have your questions answered! Discounts and giveaways will be offered! For more information, please visit Spacious Heart Yoga’s website!

This beautifully artistic storytelling through dance will capture the audience’s attention at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center when the Russian National Ballet Theatre will perform Don Quixote! Tickets range from $34 to $45.

January 9th

Winter Holiday Concert

January 17th

The Odd Couple

5:00 P.M.

Bristol Opera House

The Winter Holiday Concert will take place on Saturday, 17 January, 2015, at Saint Hedwig Memorial in Downtown South Bend. The doors will open at 5:00 PM. Night Moves - Tribute To Bob Seger, will play from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Echoes Of Pompeii - Live Tribute To Pink Floyd, will play from 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Tickets available in advance or at the door for $15.00 each. For more information call 574-233-2540. Proceeds supports the Holiday Food Baskets and the Santa Cop programs for the Saint Joseph County FOP, Lodge Number 155.

7:30 P.M.

Want a fun night full of laughter? Visit the Bristol Opera House to see “The Odd Couple!” Tickets are $17 per person!

January 11th The Bridal Spectacular

12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. The Century Center

Is your daughter or granddaughter getting married this year? Stop by the Century Center on January 11th for a one stop shop to get the majority of the vendors booked for her big day! For more information, please visit the Century Center’s website at www.centurycenter.org.

January 10th

Cross Country Ski Lessons 10:00 A.M. – Noon

St. Patrick’s County Park

For ages 12 and up, join St. Joseph County Park staff for a cross country ski clinic. Topics include: equipment selection, waxing, clothing and gear, safety techniques and training. There will also be a ski lesson for beginners. If there are poor snow conditions, the program will be offered on January 17 instead. Registration and payment required by January 7. To register call 574-654-3155. 30

January 2015 | SASSY

Saint Hedwig Memorial Center, South Bend

Ballet, Maya Plissetskaya, the State Ballet Theatre of Russia, now under the direction of award-winning dancer and Moiseyev soloist Nikolay Anokhin, presents one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. This full-scale production, set to the music of Tchaikovsky and based on Russian folklore and German legend, follows a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents 50 of Russia's brightest ballet stars to bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life! Full length ballet in four acts. Music by Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky. Choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Tickets range from $15 to $55. Contact the Morris Box Office at 800-537-6415.

January 23rd Sister Act

8:00 P.M.

Morris Performing Arts Center

John Mellencamp

SISTER ACT is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash hit! The New York Post calls it “RIDICULOUSLY FUN,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Sister Act will be at the Morris Performing Arts Center for everyone to enjoy! For more information, please contact the Morris Box Office at 800-537-6415.

Morris Performing Arts Center

January 31st

January 21st 7:30 P.M.

John Mellencamp is a must-see at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $39.50 to $249 depending on seating. For more information, please contact the Morris Performing Arts Center or visit their website at www.morriscenter.org!

January 22nd

Swan Lake The State Ballet Theatre of Russia 7:30 P.M.

Morris Performing Arts Center

Founded by legendary dancer and former Prima ballerina of The Bolshoi Theatre

The Keystone Light Friends of Bob & Tom Show-Comedy Tour at Palais Royale 7:30 P.M.

Palais Royal Ballroom

Watch the popular comics from the syndicated morning show, Bob and Tom, performed live at the Palais Royale! The South Bend show lineup includes David Dyer, Drew Hastings, Ms. Pat and the show will be hosted by Chick McGee. Tickets are $27.50 each and includes a $1.00 donation to the Red Cross. For more information, please visit their website at www.morriscenter.org.

SceneBe Seen

SASSY Magazine promotes Michiana’s cultural offerings, personalities, attractions and local businesses with a special emphasis on non-profit organizations’ events and activities. Please send us some of your favorite photos from your organization’s or charity’s best events and fundraisers. They just may make the next issue of SASSY Magazine! We prefer snapshots of people that are full of life and enjoying the moment, so please send them our way: Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com.

The Return of The Holiday Walk Presented By Southold Dance Theater

The return of The Holiday Walk held in November of 2014 presented by Southold Dance Theater was a great success. The rain did not stop the hundreds of guests who toured five fantastic South Bend homes that were completely decorated for the holiday season by local interior decorators. "The Holiday Walk was a huge success. We had a very high number of guests walk through the homes in a very short amount of time on a rainy Sunday afternoon - and it was fabulous,” said Betsy Tavernier, Vice President of Marketing of the Southold Dance Theater Board of Directors. The homes featured in last year’s Holiday Walk was located between Twyckenham and Miami Street. The homes incorporated the design and character from the Studebaker family and a Frank Lloyd Wright home. Their charm was accentuated by the holidayinspired designs of five well-known Michiana interior decoratorsLuxe Home Interiors, Interior Motives by 321, C. Kramer Interiors, Sarah Powell Timeless Interiors and the Southold Dance Theater Guild. Along with each home decorated to the nines with fabulous holiday décor, the Southold Dance Theater had their students welcoming guests dressed in part of their upcoming Nutcracker ballet performance. "I had so many people tell me that they were thrilled that we brought The Holiday Walk back to Michiana, so stay tuned,” Betsy said. “We will be announcing the official date for Holiday Walk 2015 in the next few months which will be hosted by several beautiful homes on Eagle Lake in Edwardsburg." Southold Dance Theater was formed in 1973 when the founding dancers came together to share their love of dance. In the early years, classes and performances were held at Dancenter, a 100 year old church, before eventually moving into their current location at Colfax Cultural Arts Center. 

Holiday2014 WALK Photos Provided By; Southold Dance Theatre

The newest dining option at the Morris Inn, Rohr’s serves casual but enticing food in a warm and welcoming environment. Ideal for a relaxed evening with friends or a lively place to watch the big game!

JANUARY SPECIALS Drink specials available all day. Food specials begin at 4:00pm. MONDAY:

WEDNESDAY:

SATURDAY:

Quarterback Sack // 5

Sangria // 5

Simply Divine // 5

New Amsterdam Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice

Bell’s 2 Hearted or Seasonal Draft // 4

Divine Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice

Appetizers // 3 off

Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald or Woodchuck Hard Cider Draft // 4

THURSDAY:

Prime Rib Sandwich // 12

Shock Top or Bud Light Draft // 3 Green Chili with Pulled Pork Ultimate Nachos // 9

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey // 4 SUNDAY:

Guinness or Smithwicks Draft // 4

TUESDAY:

Game Changer // 5

Bone in or Boneless Wings // .60 each

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum // 3.50 Stella or Sam Adams (Seasonal) Draft // 4

Camarena Silver Tequila, Lime Juice, Triple Sec

FRIDAY:

Rohr’s Burger // 5

3 Floyd’s Pride and Joy or New Castle Draft // 4

Berries and Cream Martini // 7

Cheeseburger // 6

Dogfish Head (Seasonal) or Fat Tire Draft // 4

Chef’s Choice

Fried Calamari Basket // 8

HOURS: Weekdays 11:00 am to 1 am // Weekends 11:00 am to 2 am

130 MORRIS INN

NOTRE DAME, IN 46556

574-631-2018

MORRISINN.ND.EDU