March 2018 Search Parker Magazine

SEARCHPARKER PARKER’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2003

In This Month’s Issue Parker, CO

PAID Permit 46 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

Plus much more!

ECRWSS

Local Business Spotlight

magazine

Bald is Beautiful l The Bookends

POSTAL PATRON

Parker’s Secret Closet l Operation Teddy Bear

Cover photo by Taryn Weiss 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202 Parker, CO 80134 303-805-9455

Parker Events Calendar l Schoolhouse Renovation

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Ready for its Next 100 Years A new chapter for the Schoolhouse in Downtown Parker

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Stuffed With Love Operation Teddy Bear in its 7th year of helping bring kids comfort

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Easter Egg Hunt Bring the kids to O’Brien Park in Downtown Parker for lots of fun

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Parker Events Calendar See what’s happening around town!

Parker’s Secret Closet Helping to create memories, one dress at a time

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Local Parker Business Spotlight Honeywood Homes Local Parker Business Spotlight Dream Dinners We Need Your Head Bald is beautiful and so is fighting pediatric cancer The Bookends & Local Author Spotlight

Search Parker Restaurant Guide Great local places to eat

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VOLUME 15

This month’s Cover Photo Contest winner is Taryn Weiss with this beautiful snap shot in time of a local resident admiring the vibrant sunrise.

If you’ve got a perfect photo for the cover of Search Parker then submit it for our cover contest!

ISSUE 3 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700

SALES DIRECTOR KAYCE ARTHUR

kayce@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 706

EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE

tiffany@waidpublishing.com

Visit SearchParker.com for details and to enter.

Search Parker Magazine is published 12 times per year by Waid Publishing (www.

WaidPublishing.com), a division of Mike Waid & Associates, Inc. (www.MikeWaid.com), 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202, Parker, CO 80134, 303-805-9455. Search Parker Magazine is available online at www.SearchParker. com. Search Parker Magazines is a trademark of Waid Publishing. All rights reserved. The views, opinions and/or statements made or expressed by individuals and/or entities, are not necessarily reflective of the views and opinions of Waid Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced without explicit permission from Search Parker Magazine. Copyright 2018 Search Parker Magazine - All rights Reserved.

PARKEREVENTS

Visit SearchParker.com for our expanded calendar

March 2018 MARCH 1

Parker Chess Club 7pm - 9pm Parker Library

MARCH 3

Saturday Skate Night Skate Nights are great events for skaters of all ages or teens who are looking for something to do on a Saturday night!

Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult while at the Fieldhouse. Participants must bring their own skates. Skate Night admission does not include other Fieldhouse venues.

5:30pm - 9:00pm Parker Fieldhouse ParkerRec.com

MARCH 4

Colorado Miss Amazing 9:30am - 6:00pm Colorado Miss Amazing is an opportunity for girls and women with disabilities to build self-confidence through the skills learned in pageantry in a supportive environment.

PACE Center co.missamazing.org

MARCH 10

Home Alone and First Aid 8:30am - 12:30pm This popular and entertaining workshop is designed to prepare children to look after themselves during these times. The workshop helps your child to be prepared for most emergencies.

Parker Recreation Center ParkerRec.com

MARCH 10

The Buzz Behind Bone Broth and Collagen Maybe you’ve heard of bone broth, or have seen some of the latest collagen supplements at the health food store. You may have even tried some of these trendy products without knowing what makes them so great. Find out why these products have become so popular, what they are, and how to use them to support optimal health.

Parker Natural Grocers NaturalGrocers.com

MARCH 10

2:00pm - 4:00pm Nonprofit Fair Learn about local nonprofits and their impact on the community. All ages. No registration required.

Parker Library dcl.org/parker

MARCH 10

6:00pm - 10:30pm Parents’ Night Out Parents, grab some friends and enjoy a night with adults while we watch your kids.

Our talented staff will keep your kids active and entertained so you don’t have to. We host plenty of games and activities, crafts, movies, climbing, and skating to keep your kids busy. Children must provide their own skates. For kids who need a little down time, we show a family-friendly feature film and mini-films. The movie title will be posted at check-in. Concessions will be available to purchase.

Parker Fieldhouse ParkerRec.com

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MARCH 14

Thyroid Health 4:30pm - 5:30pm Join Dr. Akilah Spencer to learn why thyroid dysfunction is all too common these days.

You may have thyroid symptoms but when you get your thyroid tested, the test results are “fine.” Come find out why your test results may be inaccurate. In this seminar you will learn why your thyroid is important, what thyroid testing should include, and how to deal with thyroid dysfunction.

Parker Natural Grocers naturalgrocers.com

MARCH 16-18

Lutheran High School Presents Fiddler on the Roof PACE Center Parkerarts.ticketforce.com

MARCH 19-23

Camp DCL - Be a STEAM-y Chef Kids will cook up two recipes each day, learning science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) concepts like the science of taste and genetic modification.

Camps are available at the library’s Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough locations.

The 2018 camp themes may sound familiar to former Camp DCL campers, but Kerri Morgan, Douglas County Libraries department head special events, says this year’s camps will offer brand-new experiences, so any returning campers can expect something different. dcl.org/camp-dcl

FIND MORE EVENTS ONLINE AT SEARCHPARKER.COM

Lessons and Lemonade 9:30am - 12:45pm Learn color field painting Hobby Lobby Parker parkerartistsguild.com

Do you have an upcoming community event in Parker? If so, go to SearchParker.com and submit it for inclusion in our calendar! searchparker.com MARCH 2018

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Ready for its Next 100 Years!

A New Chapter for the Schoolhouse 7

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The quaint building on Mainstreet that is the Schoolhouse Theater has always served as a reminder of the rich history of Parker. Originally opening its doors in 1915, it operated as a school for just over 50 years. A little over 20 years ago, the building was purchased by the Town of Parker for community use and it has been home to numerous cultural and recreational activities over that last two decades.

Predictably, with a building over a century old, there was a laundry list of improvements and updates that needed to be made. Now, after more than three years of work, the historic Schoolhouse on Mainstreet is open for business and welcomes residents and visitors through its doors to see the amazing transformation that has taken place.

This massive renovation was funded through state and historic grants as well as money contributed through the Town of Parker. This was not your run of the mill fixer-upper; a deliberate effort was made to match materials original to the building, including getting as good a match as possible on the century old brick (or making the best match look as much like it’s older counterpart as possible.) The intent was to keep the authenticity of the landmark building, while updating fire and safety features.

Some historic treasures remain, such as the original chalkboards in the classrooms and the still functional transom windows; while others got a bit of a facelift. One of the smaller classrooms will now serve as a parent lounge and bridal room and the original cafeteria has been transformed into a beautiful new dance studio. Other changes include the new elevators that were added for accessibility reasons.

Another wonderful addition to the Schoolhouse is the artist’s studio that is currently occupied by in-house artist Lorenzo Chavez. The goal for this space is to serve as a base and nurture an artist’s talent until their career really takes flight and then be home to another up and coming artist.

While renovations on the historic Schoolhouse have to follow specific guidelines to maintain its historic designation, the annex that was added on later does not and with that leverage comes some exciting changes. The annex now has a steampunk theme with design elements that include Edison lights and exposed beams. A larger, more open space has been created to house the concession and receiving areas and the theater itself has new seats and risers (allowing for a better sight line for those in attendance) and will hold an audience of 200. Dressing rooms for performers have also been added.

With $2 million in improvements to the theater and $1 million in improvements to the annex, the Schoolhouse Theater will now be home to theater and musical performances, dance classes, jazz nights and much more. The theater’s Friday Night Jazz and Comedy and Cocktails series have both proven to be huge successes, capitalizing on the intimate setting of The Schoolhouse Theater. With the new seats and renovated “steampunk” lobby, those programs are sure to grow in popularity. This spring, a chamber music series will be added on Sundays, featuring performers from DU’s Lamont School of Music, enhancing the classical offerings of the theater.Tickets to all performances at the Schoolhouse Theater are available through the PACE Center (parkerarts.org). The small theater is also a perfect venue for plays that are “for children by children”, and the theater’s partnerships with Classical Acts, Inspire Creative and Missoula Children’s Theater will ensure those continue. There will be plenty of time available on the calendar for local organizations to rent the theater for their own productions, bringing even more diversity to downtown Parker’s entertainment scene. Additionally, the Schoolhouse Theater is available for private event and special occasion rentals. The Schoolhouse Event Room is sure to be a popular venue for mid-sized receptions, parties, and other community events. Originally the school auditorium, this warm and inviting space will be perfect for sit-down dinners of 80 or less.

Volunteers from the Parker Area Historical Society will continue to manage the Parker Heritage Center and the Parker Artist Guild will again curate the lobby art gallery, further ensuring that the community will play an important role in activating the building.

The front doors of The Schoolhouse are finally open again, and they invite you to stop by anytime during regular business hours to see the amazing improvements for yourself ! searchparker.com MARCH 2018

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Parker’s Secret Closet

Helping to Create Memories, One Dress at a Time

H

omecomings, proms, weddings, events like that are often once in a lifetime experiences, but the price tag for such things can be quite costly, especially since for those types of events, you’re wearing the gorgeous dress you spent forever to find for just one evening. According to a survey

by USA Today, the average amount spent on dresses in this part of the country is over $600! That’s before the shoes, accessories, makeup, hair, tickets to prom and other expenses! For a lot of families, that kind of out of pocket cost just isn’t an option - but no one should have to miss such milestone events like Prom or Homecoming because they can’t find a dress that really makes them shine. Something that they’re comfortable in, makes them feel amazing and shows their personality.

That’s where Parker’s Secret Closet comes in. This amazing program allows high school girls to have a private, one of a kind, shopping experience to find the perfect dress for proms, weddings or other formal events - at NO COST to them whatsoever.

The focus of Parker’s Secret Closet is Prom and Homecoming, but thanks to generous donations and vast array of choices, anyone in need of a formal dresses for parties or special events (even wedding and bridesmaid dresses) is welcome to make an appointment to shop. Parker’s Secret Closet is run entirely on donations (both of dresses, shoes and accessories as well as in kind donations for the purchase of items.)

Volunteers are needed and always welcome (and hours can be counted toward the volunteer graduation requirement.)

Parker’s Secret Closet has a bit of a fairy tale story of its own. Started three years ago

by Susan Quarles, the intent was to collect dresses for young ladies to find that perfect dress without worrying about the cost. Soon after, the donated gowns no longer fit in the suitcase Susan used to store them and her friend Bonnie Bruin offered to house the gowns in her boutique in Downtown Parker. When Bonnie’s store moved to a smaller space, she no longer had space for dress storage so yet another Fairy Godmother stepped in and Kiva Frey took the project on, opening the collection to the public and transforming Parker’s Secret Closet to what it is today, just three years later.

Appointments to “shop” are available year-round and can be made online. As we creep closer to prom season, it’s a good idea to make those appointments early! If you have beautiful dresses just hanging in closets at home, donating them to Parker’s Secret Closet is a great way to give that gown new life and make another young lady’s prom night absolutely perfect.

“I donated a huge bag of very nice clothes a while back and am already seeing pictures of them being worn. They were really hard to part with because I had spent so much time and money on them, but I could not have given them to a better person or place. I’m so incredibly thankful that young ladies will be able to wear this clothing, vs my taking it to consignment. What a blessing! I wish Secret Closet would’ve been around when I was young and couldn’t afford a dress so didn’t bother attending homecoming or proms. I praise God for Kiva’s heart and kindness toward the community.”

As this program continues to grow, finding a new home for the Secret Closet may be necessary. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a store front, but possibly back room or basement of an office that had ample room for the collection. It would still be run by the volunteers and shoppers would still come by appointment only. As much as Kiva loves this program, she would ideally like to move it out of her basement; and as it grows, moving it will be more of a necessity. Parker’s Secret Closet is growing quickly and working on getting their 501c3 status, but are very much open to another non-profit willing to umbrella them until they are able to do it on their own.

There’s nothing like the feeling of finding THE dress. The one that, when you step in front of the mirror, you feel like a princess (even if you are a tried and true tomboy.)

There’s a perfect match for everyone and Parker’s Secret Closet can help you find it, without the worry of being able to afford it. Go to their website or find them on Facebook to see what Parker’s Secret Closet is all about.

To find out how to donate, volunteer or to make an appointment to shop at Parker’s Secret Closet, go to www.parkersecretcloset.com

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Stuffed with It’s an iconic scene. Friends and family, gathered around the birthday boy or girl, singing happy birthday wishes while the little guest of honor hovers above the candles on their cake with their eyes squeezed tightly shut as they conjure up the most perfect birthday wish possible. The chorus of “Happy Birthday” comes to an end, everyone holds their breath as the candles are enthusiastically blown out and that wish is sent into the universe, hopefully finding its way to come true.

For Daniel Velasquez, that birthday wish has been the same each year for the last seven years. When Daniel was very young, he and his mother were in a harrowing car accident. Being in a car accident is scary enough as an adult, when you’re a child the trauma of the accident combined with the frenzy of activity with emergency responders can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily for Daniel, Parker Police Officer Casey Cashman, who was one of the first on the scene of the accident he and his mother were involved in, gave Daniel a stuffed teddy bear to comfort him in the wake of that trauma. When Daniel learned that his bear was the last stuffed animal the Police Department had to give out to children in similar situations, he was inspired to pay it forward.

Every year since the accident, in lieu of receiving gifts for himself, Daniel has asked family and friends to bring new stuffed animals that Daniel can then donate to the Parker Police Department. Last year, Daniel received overwhelming support from the community in his mission to collect 400 bears.

He crushed that goal, receiving over 1,320 stuffed animals from individuals, businesses, a fourth grade class, and a baseball team! He was able to not only bring donations to the Parker Police, but also to the Adams County Sheriff ’s Department for Operation Freebird, Elbert County Sheriff ’s Office, Sheridan Police Department, and the Aurora Police Department, who launched a new teddy bear program with Daniel’s donations.

This year, stuffed animals will be given to these same police departments. If you, your business, your class or scout troop would like to help Daniel with Operation Teddy Bear, you can bring your donation of new and unused stuffed animals to local businesses (Fika Coffee House, Search Parker Magazine or Rauch Motors) here in Parker throughout the month of March.

You can also contact DanielsBears@gmail.com to make an in-kind monetary donation towards the purchase of stuffed animals and follow Operation Teddy Bear on Facebook for updates.

We should all follow Daniel’s advice to kids who want to make a positive impact in their own communities, “Stick to it and do not give up. It’s a lot of work, but worth it because you know it’s helping other people.”

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Love The 7th Annual Operation Teddy Bear

Donations of new stuffed bears and animals can be dropped off March 1-31 at: Fika Coffee House - Mainstreet 19559 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138 Fika Coffee House - Idyllwilde 22040 East Idyllwilde Dr. Parker, CO 80138

Search Parker Magazine 12760 Stroh Ranch Way Suite 202 Parker, CO 80134 Rausch Motors LLC 18225 Ponderosa Dr, Parker, CO 80134

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The Hunt at O’Brien Park March 31st 9:45 am-12:00 pm Hunt Times: 3 and Under: 10:20am 4-5: 10:40 am 6-7: 11:00 am 8-10: 11:20 am

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With Easter falling on April Fool’s day, there may be even more of an air of fun and games on Easter this year. One thing is for sure, you and your family won’t want to miss all the fun in O’Brien Park, the day before Easter, and that’s no foolin’!

From 9:45 am until noon on Saturday, March 31st, O’Brien Park will be transformed into the Easter Bunny’s personal playground with countless, goodie filled eggs, and the chance to see Mr. Cottontail himself before he hops off for his egg hiding duties on Sunday.

The Hunt will be broken into small, separate hunts for different age groups. The littlest egg seekers, toddlers 3 and under, will venture out at 10:20am. Four and five year olds will then have their turn at 10:40am. Six and seven year olds can seek out their eggs at 11:00am

and then the oldest, 8-10 year olds, will get their chance at 11:20am.

In addition to the fun of the Egg Hunt itself, the event will also have a prayer booth, a snack booth, tattoo and prize booths and, of course, roaming Easter Bunnies.

Be sure to have your cameras at the ready for some great Easter Bunny photo opportunities!

Sponsored by local area churches, The Hunt at O’Brien park is a wonderful way to get out with your friends and neighbors and celebrate the holiday at this wonderful community event.

This is a completely FREE family event, so grab those baskets and make your way to O’Brien Park on Saturday, March 31st for a wonderful way to begin your Easter weekend.

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Parker Colorado

Local Business Spotlight

Discovering local busiensses that make our community great!

WHEN DID YOU OPEN HONEYWOOD HOME? We just opened our doors a few months ago in November!

11020 South Pikes Peak Drive HoneywoodHomeofParker.com 303-345-3940

PLEASE DESCRIBE HONEYWOOD HOME We proudly offer an inspired collection of home furnishings, lighting, decor and unique gifts. Find something different each time you walk through the door.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO OPEN YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? We are thrilled to be a part of the Historic District of Downtown Parker. Our hope in opening Honeywood Homes is to fill a niche not previously provided to those looking for perfect touches to their homes; whether they are outfitting an entire room top to bottom or finding the perfect finishing accent and conversation piece for their coffee table.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS “UNIQUE” OR DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS? I mix in one of a kind pieces, so you’ll find antique pieces to give your space an old world feel, bohemian inspired pieces for a more eclectic look as well as the clean lines of modern finishes in more contemporary finds. We want shopping for those perfect additions to your home to be an experience, not a chore.

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WHY DID YOU GET INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS? I’ve been passionate about design since I was a little girl. Now I can “play” everyday at work by helping my customers design their spaces or choose the perfect gift.

FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL BE COMING INTO HONEYWOOD HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY SHOULD PURCHASE AND WHY? We definitely have beautiful furniture; dining sets, leather pieces, dressers and other larger statement pieces. But sometimes all it takes to reinvente a space or make it new for the season is a small change. I love helping people find an unexpected find, like the gorgeous table linens we have in the store that cheer up a space and transform it so simply.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT OWNING YOUR BUSINESS? My business is my blank canvas each and every day. I get great joy from putting together my displays and watching all these separate things come together in a way that might surprise people when they walk in the store. The finds I surround myself with are a constant source of inspiration to me and I hope to my customers as well.

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Parker Colorado

Local Business Spotlight

Discovering local busiensses that make our community great!

10447 S Parker Rd Parker, CO 80134 dreamdinners.com 303-840-3030

WHEN DID YOU OPEN YOUR BUSINESS? I purchased this Dream Dinners location in September of 2017, but this store has been in business in the Parker area for over 12 years.

PLEASE DESCRIBE DREAM DINNERS Dream Dinners is a location where guests come to assemble dinners. We’ve done all of the shopping, chopping and prepping, so putting together your meals just takes a few minutes! After you’ve made an appointment that’s convenient for you, you’ll come in to assemble your meals, choosing from 17 different dinner options off of our monthly menus. Once assembled, guests take the dinners home to freeze, thaw and cook when you need it for a meal that is Homemade Made Easy! Many of our meals can be cooked at home in less than 30 minutes, so Dream Dinners allows families to get back around the dinner table together and Grow Great Kids!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PURCHASE DREAM DINNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY? Dream Dinners is a company that is about more than just food. Through the Dream Dinners Foundation, our corporate office and individual stores support families here in Parker, and all over the World. I think the people of Parker care about our mission to Grow Great Kids and help families in need. I choose to live and work in the Parker area because it a great place to raise a family and it is a fun and thriving community.

WHAT MAKES DREAM DINNERS “UNIQUE” OR DIFFERENT? Our product is unique from door delivery services and other competitors because it is designed to be frozen until you are ready to cook and serve it to your family. This eliminates food waste and the pressure to cook ingredients before they go bad. Our meals are also easier to cook with no chopping or prep work needed at home and can be customized to fit your families dietary preferences.

Our service is unique from our competitors because we truly care about our clients. We want to get to know you and find out more about how we can help in your household. We pride ourselves on being in the business of relationships and would love to find out how we can help make your dinnertime easy, delicious and stress free!

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WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS? We have a unique opportunity to change lives with something as simple as a homemade meal, but I know that it makes a difference. I went into business with Dream Dinners because I believe in what we do. Dream Dinners provides a lifestyle change for many families and individuals, reduces stress, and allows families to sit down and savor moments together. I love hearing stories about picky eaters that finally enjoy dinner with the family, and busy parents who no longer feel guilty about stopping for take out or fast food because they can cook up a Dream Dinners meal in 20 minutes instead. I believe that Dream Dinners provides more than just a solution for “what’s for dinner” and that makes my work fulfilling everyday.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT OWNING YOUR BUSINESS? I love owning a Dream Dinners, because I enjoy being around people who are having fun and are happy to be where they are. My team and I have a great time during our sessions with our customers and feel good about what we do. Owning a business can be a lot of long hours and hard work but it is all worth it because I believe that, day by day, we are changing the community of Parker and helping a lot of families along the way.

FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL BE COMING INTO DREAM DINNERS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY SHOULD TRY AND WHY? For first time clients, we offer a great Introductory Offer to try us out and see how Dream Dinners works for them!

Guests can sign up for the Introductory Offer online or by calling our store. The Introductory Offer is for 6, 3 person meals (18 servings) and is a flat rate of $84.95. We are not a subscription service, so guests can come check it out one time, without committing to anything additional.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? I would recommend that they join the Chamber of Commerce! I have been extremely impressed with the Chamber connections I have made and the overwhelming support the office staff and members have given me as new business owner.

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WE NEED YOUR HEAD Bald is Beautiful

Cancer sucks. Sorry for such strong language, but I don’t know any other way to put it. Cancer just plain and simply sucks.

Especially if the person battling this awful disease is a child. Not only is it scary to fight this battle, but kids also have to undergo the negative effects of treatment including losing their hair during chemo.

This is where you come in. You can become a warrior against cancer, help raise money to find a cure and stand in solidarity with a proud bald head! That’s right, you going under the clippers can make the difference in this fight against pediatric cancer.

Here is all you have to do. Head over to shavethemayor.com and click the GET SHAVED button at the top of the page to sign up as a “shavee” at the 6th annual Shave the Mayor fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s foundation. Once you sign up, you will set a goal to raise and start asking your friends and family to support you.

Let them know that if you reach your goal, you will go bald for them...and for all the kids who don’t have the choice to go bald, but do so while fighting cancer and undergoing treatment.

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Young or old, boy or girl, no matter who you are or what you do, we can all pull together to show these kids that they are not alone when they lose their hair and the we are battling along side them to find a cure.

This is our 6th year of shaving our heads (and our faces) while we raise money and awareness of pediatric cancer. Last year we raised over $80,000 and had over 110 peole shave. This year, we can do better but we need your help. Our theme for 2017 is “Six Figures in Six Years.” That’s right, we are trying to raise over $100,000 for pediatric cancer and the way we do it is by having 200 or more people shaving.

So please join us in becoming a cancer warrior. Head over to ShaveTheMayor.com and join me, my son Matthew and many others as we go bald on April 28th and become warriors against pediatric cancer!

Sign up today at ShaveTheMayor.com

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THEBOOKENDS

with Pam & Becky

The Underground River

By Martha Conway

May Bedloe is separated from her cousin, Comfort Vertue, when their steamboat sinks on the Ohio River in 1838. Everything they own is lost and May must search for Comfort among the survivors.

May and Comfort have been traveling and working together as Comfort acts and May creates costumes for her cousin. By the time May locates her cousin, Flora Howard (a noted abolitionist) has convinced Comfort to give lectures for the anti-slavery cause.

May finds work on a floating theater that cruises between northern and southern states. As May becomes a part of the theater family, she is drawn into a scheme to ferry babies of slaves across the river to freedom. May must try to balance her feelings for her new family with her dawning understanding of the situation and her ability to help people, although it comes with great risk to all.

PAM This book sounded very interesting and I was compelled to read it. There are many different angles to this story and I was drawn in immediately. Did you feel the same?

Was the author able to bring you into May’s story?

BECKY A riverboat theater is a creative way to look at helping the slavery situation in the southern states. I was drawn to the story and the topic, but the first half of the book is focused on May discovering a new way of life after separating from her cousin Comfort. The title had me expecting the book to be focused on the slavery topic more than a character’s story. Maybe that’s why I struggled warming up to May. She was blunt and lacked some common social skills so it was hard for me to embrace this character. What did you think about this serious seamstress?

PAM I also struggled to connect to

May’s character in the beginning. Her lack of social skills made it hard for her to make friends and even communicate with others in a time where women were expected to exhibit specific behaviors. May struggles to find a job, as she turns off prospective employers with her straightforward manner. She stumbles across a floating theater that has lost a key member to the same riverboat accident that May escaped. Here, she finds a job opportunity and a home. What did you think about this floating theater?

BECKY At the beginning of this story, the picture that I had in my mind of the floating theater just didn’t make sense so I googled some images of old floating theaters. Wow, was I surprised to see just how large these vessels were. The production must have been quite a sight to see for these small towns on both sides of the river. The movement between the North and South provided a 31

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perfect opportunity for this storyline.

May has always been in her cousin Comfort’s shadow. Her life has been focused on providing Comfort with all of her needs and she received little appreciation for her dedication. May’s new job on the theater allows her to shine and be valued for the individual talents she brings to this troupe. After being so unappreciated in the past were you surprised that May went to warn Comfort of threats made against her because of her public speaking on abolition?

PAM It did not surprise me, since

May seemed to be a very loyal person and still seemed to care for Comfort.

However, her feelings for Comfort were complicated. On one hand, she cared for her and worried about her.

On the other hand, she did not want to fall back into their normal pattern of Comfort belittling her and teasing her if May received any attention.

This contradiction was apparent when May went to warn Comfort. I felt this was such an issue for May because she was finally given the opportunity to make friends and shine in her own way. Did you feel this internal struggle with May during this part of the story?

BECKY I’m not sure that I saw it as a struggle as much as I had the impression that May was a bit of a loner and was familiar with Comfort’s actions towards her so she gravitated toward that type of love. I feel that May felt obligated to Comfort and didn’t seem to be angry by her cousin’s actions. Yet, being on her own has given her a chance to see her beauty and talents, through the eyes of others so it was a blessing to be cut loose from the controlling cousin. After this meeting, May accepts the invitation to help with the abolition party. Did you find this storyline exciting and believable?

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Your Relationship with You

by Denise C. Onofrey, LMFT, CST

PAM First, I just have to men-

tion how much I love the way you described May’s ability to “see her beauty and talents.” What a lovely way to express that we all have our own talents, but we don’t always recognize them! Although there were certain coincidences in the story and some eccentric characters, I did feel that the story was believable and had some excitement built in. The time period, alone, carried such dangers and challenges depending on where you were and with whom you were talking. Were you worried that her decision to join the cause would destroy her new relationships?

BECKY Yes! However, I was more concerned that she was involving and putting others in danger that didn’t sign up for this risky proposition. Especially Hugo the owner of the boat and theater. She was dabbling in a situation that had deadly consequences. Speaking of Hugo, what did you think of this budding romance?

PAM This was a great part of the

story! May was able to find someone that appreciated her. She didn’t have to try to be someone she was not, but could be herself. Hugo and their budding romance were a large part of what made this theater a true home for May. This was one of my favorite parts of the story. After all of the time spent doing everything for her cousin, it was May’s turn to focus on herself and her relationships. Would you read another book by this author?

BECKY This story was missing some depth for my taste but she has three other novels and they look interesting so I would possibly consider reading her work again. It’s time to move on to our April pick which will be The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash.

A historical fiction novel set in 1929 during the beginnings of the fight for union support in factories.

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searchparker.com MARCH 2018

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