Sep oct13

Care Give Grow Finding the light…

The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation

Small talk with Jaguars’ most prevalent

Blaine Gabbert

By Tera Barz

Lunches, locks and looks for fall

What’s cool for back to school

pilot pen�

Merging fashion and essentials

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Tell me PUBLISHERS Melissa Intemann Amy Vizanko CREATIVE DIRECTOR Inger Williamson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amy Olivieri EDITOR Tracy Margol CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nikki Kimbleton Preede Anna McFarland Cindy Polverino Dr. Shreena Patel Tera Barz Tracy Margol Tom McManus Inger Williamson Terry Lane Laura Bushey Slayton Haney Cara Murphy Chuck Puttman STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER JRB Studios FASHION EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Jennifer Grissom

For advertising information, contact

904.222.8938 info@PonteVedraLife.com P.O. Box 1091 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004 Copyright 2013 Ponte Vedra Life, a product of KTTS Media Group LLC, is published bimonthly.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Neither the publisher nor the advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. Ponte Vedra Life makes no representation or warrant of any kind for the accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct.

Publishers’ Letter Greetings!

Amy and I are thrilled to welcome you to OUR inaugural issue, as the new co-owners and publishers, of Ponte Vedra Life Magazine (PVL)! From its launch in 2010, PVL’s been the magazine that can be found at local boutiques, gyms, department stores and coffee shops, spanning from St. Augustine to the San Marco area and beyond. With this being our first issue, “The Fall Issue,” we wanted to focus on family, fun, football and philanthropy and we are very honored to share the stories of so many committed and thoughtful people who live within the gates of our very own coastal community. Please take the time to get to know the new layout of the magazine, as we have expanded on our editorials, and have added new departments to the publication. Amy and I have many ideas and goals for PVL, as we plan on taking this publication to the next level by serving ALL coastal communities. This will allow us to expand readership, broaden distribution and build upon on advertorials.

enthusiasm as we embark, on what we thought was a destination, but now have come to realize…it’s more of a journey.

And like life, every journey comes with the most unexpected twists and turns. With the loss of my husband and Amy’s loss of her father in the last two years, we have formed KTTS Media Group, “Kisses To The Sky,” in honor of them both. We would like to thank Inger Williamson, our creative art director, Tracy Margol, our editor and Amy Olivieri, our graphic designer, for their dedication, ongoing support and for their “Let’s do THIS!” attitude. They are truly the “spine” of every issue.

So as you, our dear readers, embark on your very own journey, allow PVL to be your guide to the best in life, a license if you will, to embrace and endure the pure essence of life…live it up and let life “Fall” where it may.

KTTS,

We thank you all for your encouragement and your

Aim & Mel

Amy Vizanko & Mel Intemann

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CONTENTS THE FALL ISSUE HEALTHY DOSE

PLAY

16 Rx: A straight beautiful smile at every

by Dr. Shreena Patel 20 NUTRITION: Beyond PB&J…simple school lunch tips to keep kids healthy

64 GAME: The Other Football.

Creating rugby fans in Florida with national success — The Jacksonville Axemen 68 MAN CAVE: The Lion and The Gazelle. Tom McManus gives us his two cents on play 70 TERA TALKS: Small talk with Blaine Gabbert 72 PEOPLE: The Man Behind the Mask. PVL catches up with Curtis Dvorak, aka: Jaxon de Ville about personal life, this and that

HOUSE OF HEARTS 42 FOOTPRINTS: CARE GIVE GROW. The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation.

48 FIVE MINUTES OF FACE TIME: With Blessings in a Backpack Board Members, Tabitha Furyk and Sara Moores.

52 FAMILY: The Weed Family Unit.

Uniting with HEAL. 56 LIFE: A cancer survivor’s journal on challenges, trials and undertakings.

By Slayton Haney

CAMERAWORK Jennifer Grissom Behind the lens…

Amy Dodaj, Hans Aase, Nicky Dodaj

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24 Once Upon A time: Playing, butterfly catching, dancing, laughing…just being a kid 78 Sweet September: Teen Americana.

Feeling free… and loving it!

SAVOR, SEE AND SOUND 102 EATS: KC Crave’s, Chef Kemper Creates Your Cravings. Meet who’s cookin’ tonight!

106 CARA-BOUT-IT Autumn festivals and local happenings

COASTAL A-LIST 60 Angelwood Fashion Event 108 PVL The Women’s Issue Release Party

TEXTILES DOSSIER 88 SHOP: A Beach Boutique that makes fashion fun for KYDS 92 PRIME AND PREP: POSH KIDS. Playin’ it cool with back-toschool hair trends 94 STYLE: MIA M-Pire. Shop local with MIA M-Pire 96 TREND: Making a fashion statement with Pilot Pen

COVER: Photography: Jennifer Grissom Creative Director: Inger Williamson Wardrobe Stylist: Emilie Christenson Hair: Dirty Blonde Salon Makeup: Carrie Wilson Model: Addy Pillsbury Ponte Vedra Life

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A STRAIGHT BEAUTIFUL at Every Age

Smile

by Dr. Shreena Patel

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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have an initial evaluation at age seven. Your doctor will perform a thorough evaluation of your child’s teeth, bone and jaw structure to look for early signs of possible problems such as over or under bites, future crowding, blocked out teeth and more. Your orthodontist will determine if braces will be necessary and recommend a custom treatment plan for your specific case. It’s common to place children on a six-month recall schedule to monitor oral development. >>

Ages 7-10 Ages 15-18 Ages 19-30

No matter what his or her age, now is the time to think about improving your child’s first impression with orthodontic treatment.

Most adult teeth are in the mouth, and it’s time for full treatment.

Planning braces in middle school gives you the best opportunity to have your child’s smile perfected in time for high school.

Ages 30+

W

hen it’s back-to-school time, we examine our kids’ class schedules, wardrobes, haircuts, activities etc., and we’re highly focused on today. It’s also a great time, however, to think about future challenges your children may have like college interviews and the impression they’ll make on their friends, colleagues and admissions counselors. Of course you want to give them every opportunity to succeed.

Schedule an appointment early with an orthodontist to learn about what to look for and possibly early treatment to make comprehensive braces as an adolescent easier and shorter.

Ages 11-14

RX

If your child has had braces, make sure he’s wearing a retainer to keep teeth straight. It’s a good idea to schedule retainer check visits biannually or at least annually. If he or she hasn’t had braces yet, there are esthetic options for “invisible” braces, either clear braces or clear aligners, so they can be ready for college interviews and proms.

We see many college kids and young adults in the working world. All things being equal, an employer is going to gravitate toward a professional, presentable prospect… and that all starts with a smile!

The fastest growing segment of orthodontics is the adult population.

As we get older, many of us get crowding of the lower front teeth, making dental care (flossing) difficult.

Look for an orthodontist using the latest technology, such as Insignia Advanced Smile Design. With this advanced technology, your orthodontist will combine digital imaging and specially designed brackets and wires tailored just for you. Whether you’re single or in line for the next promotion at work, give yourself every advantage you can and let your smilePonte leadVedra theLife way!!! | 17

Whether your kids are in elementary school, middle school, high school or even college, consider for them a bright, healthy smile – a smile that says, “I care about my teeth, my appearance and my health.”

The goal of orthodontic treatment is a good bite so that the two jaws fit together properly, enhancing your dental health and making it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Braces are about more than a beautiful, healthy smile – that beautiful smile is about confidence, self-esteem and poise – all the things we hope for our children.

And while you’re at it, think about braces for yourself as well. Did you miss the opportunity when you were a kid? Make it a family experience and have your own smile perfected while your children are taking care of theirs.

Braces today have never been easier. Gone are the days of headgear, heavy metal bands and monthly

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adjustments. Today’s orthodontics are less visible, less time-intensive and more high-tech than ever before. Certain systems such as the Damon system allow appointments to be spread out every 8-10 weeks during the beginning stages.

Today’s orthodontists have many advanced tools including braces that are virtually invisible.

After graduating from dental school, orthodontists study another two or three years, focusing on orthodontics. Many general dentists will attempt to correct crowding or spacing with cosmetic dentistry, however, it’s recommended to have an orthodontist also evaluate.

Oftentimes, a combination of tooth movement followed by restorative work with the dentist is the answer. With care from a trained orthodontist, you have an expert with additional years of training who understands the science of tooth movement.

Visit www.mylifemysmile.org and search for a local doctor in your area. Most offer a complimentary consultation.

Add a bright, perfect smile to your back-to-school checklist and make an appointment to see an orthodontist today. A smile can make or break a first impression, and a beautiful smile helps create a long-lasting impression among peers and can give your child the confidence to pursue his dreams. • Ponte Vedra Life

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NUTRITION

Beyond PB&J Simple School Lunch Tips to Keep Kids Healthy School’s in full swing, which means endless planning and back-toschool lunches, so along with books, binders and a year’s supply of writing utensils, why not start packing lunches that are not only appealing to eat but replete with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients kids need.

Creating healthy, kid-friendly lunches involves a little bit of time but it doesn’t have to be tedious or cumbersome! Here are some helpful tips to get the creative juices flowing.

The Basics

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✓ Avoid processed foods ✓ Use all-natural and organic when possible, especially corn, soy and dairy ✓ Keep lunches minimal in sugar ✓ Purchase colorful foods ✓ Offer nutrient dense items ✓ Avoid desserts like cookies or pastries

The

Main

Leftovers. To keep leftovers warm until lunch, trying using a Thermos BPA-free Foogo container. They come in 7, 10 or 16 oz. sizes.

Sandwiches. There are many wonderful brands of glutenfree breads like Rudi’s or flourless, sprouted-grain breads like Ezekiel made by Food for Life. The benefits to eating lowglycemic, nutrient-dense sprouted breads means the absence of blood sugar surges found with conventional breads.

Dish

Nut butters. An alternative to the proverbial PB&J! Add a high-calcium choice like almond butter, local honey and banana slices or a chocolate hazelnut spread instead. Ditch the bread and cut apples into slices and use the nut butter as a dip.

Salads. I consider salads the most versatile of all the lunch choices.

They’re are also a great way to get greens and a plethora of nutrients into your child’s diet; you can add just about anything to a salad to make it colorful, tasty and nutritious. For starters, baby lettuces are tender, milder and more nutritious than their adult counterpart. Top salad greens with your child’s favorite raw veggies like finely chopped carrots, red peppers and cucumbers. For heart healthy fats, try adding half an avocado. Healthy fats keep us full and feeling satisfied longer. Sprinkle sunflower, pumpkin or sesame seeds instead of croutons for added crunch. Bite-sized portions of chicken or eggs, nuts (such as walnuts or pistachios) and various cheeses like cheddar add a significant amount of protein. For a simple dressing use first cold-pressed olive oil with lemon or vinegar. If using bottled dressings, avoid those made with canola or soybean oil as they are highly processed. To keep salads soggy-free, purchase two oz. disposable plastic containers online.

Vegetable

Snacks

Sliced or julienned organic red peppers or grape tomatoes (oh, so sweet!)

Sliced vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, celery. Pair with hummus or ranch. >> Ponte Vedra Life

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Fruit

Snacks

Offer a different fruit for each day of the week. If you slice it, they will eat it!

Make your own trail mixes with bulk nuts and organic dried fruit.

Alternative to Processed Snacks Many of these options not only offer an abundance of health benefits, they are tasty too.

These salty and sweet treats will surely satisfy while nourishing kids’ bodies and minds.

✓ Organic tortilla chips with salsa for dipping ✓ Bagged organic popcorn ✓ Cliff’s Kid ZBar or Cascadian Organic granola bars instead of wheat-based bars ✓ Sweet treats ✓ Hail Merry Chocolate Macaroons (5g sugar) contain raw coconut needed for energy! ✓ Chocolate! Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and can be added to any trail mix.

LAURA BUSHEY is a health educator and personal holistic chef. Her company, Kitchen of Life, provides a hands-on approach to transitioning individuals and families to the joys of eating and living healthier.

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Once Upon

a Time‌ Photography by Jennifer Grissom

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Butterfly,

butterflyf lutters in the breeze AND GENTLY LANDS ON A

friendly flower.

She tickles its tummy, as it smiles.

THEN SHE GIVES IT A

pollen shower.

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Gray, 6 Ponte Vedra Life

Ella, 8

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Little deeds of KINDNESS, Little words of LOVE, Make our earth AN EDEN,

Like the

HEAVEN ABOVE.

30Namath, | Ponte Vedra 6 &Life Curren, 8

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Sticky f ingers ‘ tangled everywhere.

Fancy artwork ‘ on the wall ‘drawn

hair, scattered crayons, by little people

three feet tall.

Come dr eam with me

Where the forest reach the sky Wake up and dream and don’t be shy.

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Grace, 8 36 |

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JD, 10 Ponte Vedra Life

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Photography: Jennifer Grissom

Creative Director: Inger Williamson Prop Stylist: Melissa Intemann

Wardrobe Stylist: Emilie Christens0n

Hair Artists: Jami Talley and Liz Davis of Dirty Blonde Salon Makeup Artist: Carrie Wilson

Wardrobe: Kyds and Sunrise Surf Shop

Models: Curren 8, Ella 8, Noah 8, Gray 6, Namath 6, Grace 8 and JD 10.

Special thanks to Kyds Boutique and Sunrise Surf Shop for providing the wardrobe & accessories for the beautiful children.

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Noah, 8

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FOOTPRINTS

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hen Chet’s Creek Elementary fourth grade student Samantha was asked to write about why her after-school education center, the McKenzie Academic Research Center (MARC) was important, this is what she had to say:

Care GiveGrow: The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation Story

by Tracy Margol

“…the MARC keeps McKenzie’s memory alive… if the MARC wasn’t open, I would never have known about her. She always lived a life like a role model. Nobody will ever forget about her. In the first place, I always wonder how she would feel if she saw the MARC. I think she would feel proud of herself and what she accomplished, and she’d feel comfortable here. I wonder how she feels when she sees the MARC up in heaven. Now, the MARC is an important way to keep McKenzie’s memory forever.”

Samantha is referring to 15-yearold McKenzie Noelle Wilson who passed away in 2010 as a result of a rare and sudden illness. A teen whose passion was to positively impact the lives of others, McKenzie and her kindness live on through the McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation (MNWF) created by her parents Stephanie and Blake Wilson and family to honor her life and continue her legacy of helping others.

The MARC center is part of the foundation whose mission is to help young people recognize their full potential by providing programs that encourage caring for others, giving to those in need, and growing in their own spirituality. The foundation started with just one MARC, which provides academic assistance and mentoring to Jacksonville-area children, and now has a global reach, helping children to uncover their deeper life’s meaning and purpose.

“McKenzie’s foundation has been a

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way for our family and McKenzie’s friends to transform our tragic loss into something positive, something that reflects McKenzie’s loving and caring spirit, and something that is changing the world in remarkable ways. Thanks to so many amazing people in our community, especially young people, McKenzie’s Foundation has created something incredibly special, just like our daughter,” says McKenzie’s father Blake Wilson.

LOCAL REACH

The foundation now has a second MARC location on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville. Both MARC locations offer after-school Ponte Vedra Life

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mentoring for elementary, middle and high school students, early learning programs for young children, special teen development programs, and English and family programs for adults. The center’s goal is to help young people recognize their full potential by providing programs that will increase the high school graduation rate among students. The foundation is currently serving over 250 students at both centers and now offers Kamp Kenzie, a summer camp that helps keep kids active and on the right track.

“I love Kamp Kenzie because it teaches you to be nice to other people that you don’t even know.

That’s why I like being a role model to other people.” – Kylie, MARC summer camper “Being with these kids it makes us happy because when we see them it lights up our day. If it wasn’t for

McKenzie and her family this would have never happened and these kids mean the world to us.”

–Jasmine Camp Kenzie volunteer Middle and high school students get a chance to make a difference too when their school participates in McKenzie Clubs. Created to help unite and mobilize students to care for others through volunteering and charity, the clubs are currently in 11 Jacksonville middle and high schools. Student volunteers can help with projects such as raising funds for the building of orphanages in Uganda, volunteer as mentors at a MARC location, help out with McKenzie’s Run or collect donations for the annual book drive.

LIV-N-GRACE

Volunteers also pitch in to create Liv-N-Grace beaded bracelets. Handcrafted and worn by fashionistas the world over, these mix and match bracelets

represent peace, love, hope, faith and growth. Proceeds help to support the foundation and allow McKenzie’s legacy of compassion and purpose to carry on. (Sold at local boutiques and livngrace.com.)

RUN FOR MCKENZIE

Dust off your running shoes or volunteer for the fourth annual 5K McKenzie’s Run on November 16th.

With over 3,600 participants in 2012, the run continues to expand its reach, contributing to programs that help young people recognize their full potential. Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback, Blaine Gabbert led the start of last year’s run with an opening ceremony commemorating McKenzie and giving praise to local youth who have united to better their community. The race started with a confetti cannon explosion as participants took to the course knowing they were running and walking for a great cause. Tune into PVL partner CBS 47 Fox 30 Jacksonville or www.actionnewsjax. com for the latest on the upcoming McKenzie’s Run.

ACTS OF KINDNESS

In line with the McKenzie motto “Care Give Grow,” teens are encouraged to post their good deeds on the foundation’s Random Acts of Kindness blog. The blog is a movement that encourages unique ways of spreading kindness either anonymously or to friends and neighbors. It aims to teach 44 |

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today’s youth what it means to be a considerate person by suggesting simple and meaningful ways for them to express care and concern in their everyday lives. To join, visit www. mckenziecares.org.

TEAL DAY

The 17th of each month is Teal Day, created to honor McKenzie and to support the foundation’s mission.

MNWF encourages all to wear teal and do a random act of kindness, then post the story on their blog or Facebook.

MODEL OF HOPE

Within each community, the foundation is also a partner in the Model of Hope, a partnership between MNWF, local schools, local churches, and the community management, as well as other nonprofit organizations, to provide programs to positively transform a community.

GLOBAL REACH

The benevolence of MNWF, however, isn’t limited to Jacksonville -- it has partnered with the Okoa Refuge, Inc. in Uganda to provide food, shelter and medical attention Ponte Vedra Life

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I Need the MARC

Written by Samantha, 4th grade student

It’s Tuesday afternoon. I am sitting with my teacher and my language study guide, learning and writing. I see people on computers, reading, or getting help for math. I have a pencil in my hand listening to my teacher.

I am at the MARC! The MARC is important because the resources support and help us, we can learn new things while having fun, and it keeps Mckenzie’s memory alive.

The MARC is important because the resources support and help us. The MARC supports me by the way high schoolers and adults help kids and use teamwork. Let me explain. One time, I needed to work on my book summary, but I didn’t have a computer at home. So, I used the computer at the MARC! Without the computer at the MARC I wouldn’t have finished my reading response! Another helpful resource is my teacher, Mrs. Koster.

She is a helpful resource because without her, I wouldn’t have finished something I was supposed to and forgot! Mrs. Koster is loving, sweet, and an awesome teacher just like Mrs. Willet who always helps me.

The MARC is important because we’re learning and having fun at the same time. When I am learning at the MARC, I have fun with my friends. Let me give you an example. My two cousins, Adela and Joao, and I were playing a reading game and learned things about volcanoes! We learn new things while having fun. It’s “funlearn”, a combination of both!

Most importantly, the MARC keeps Mckenzie’s memory alive. Let me begin. If the MARC wasn’t open, I would never have known about her. She always lived a life like a role model . Nobody will ever forget about her. In the first place, I always wonder how she would feel if she saw the MARC . I think she would feel proud of herself and what she accomplished, and she’d feel comfortable here. I wonder how she feels when she sees the MARC up in heaven. Now, the MARC is an important way to keep Mckenzie’s memory for ever.

This makes me realize that without the MARC, my life (and my classmates’ and neighbors’ lives ) would be down in the dumps. Others should care about the MARC because we need the resources to be Einsteins! Think about it. One day, we can be lawyers, doctors, and teachers. We learn new things while having fun and we keep Mckenizie’s memory alive. The MARC is making our dreams come true! I don’t want to imagine my life without it.

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to orphaned children. Made possible by fundraising efforts from teen volunteers of the foundation, a home was built in 2011 in Uganda called Amaka ga McKenzie, or “McKenzie’s Home” in Lugandan, in hopes that through small means, change will occur.

The teens’ contributions were matched by other donors to make the orphanage a reality. Today, the foundation is continuing to support children in Uganda by building a boy’s orphanage and an abandoned baby home, all located on the same compound as the girl’s home.

A group of seven teens and four adult McKenzie volunteers recently visited Amaka ga McKenzie to paint orphanages, deliver school supplies and visit children in hospitals and other orphanages. “Even when they came home, they were still filling suitcases and sending back clothes and shoes to the children of Amaka

ga McKenzie.” says Tori Pappas, a spokesperson for the foundation.

“Going to Uganda was one of the hardest but most rewarding things I’ve ever done. We would work so hard during the day but when all the kids finally came home from school with their bright smiles and joyful hearts it made it all worth it. We just knew that Kenzie was up in heaven smiling down on us.”

– Grace, friend and Global Outreach Team Member As the foundation’s vision states, they are “dedicated to helping young people find their purpose in an increasingly complex and challenging world.”

And they are right on target.

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FIVE MINUES OF FACE TIME

It’s one of the most basic needs for kids, food.

Yet, thousands across Jacksonville, the beaches and Ponte Vedra don’t have enough to eat. During the week, children who qualify for the federal free and reduced meals program get one to two nutritious meals at school. On the weekends, however, they are on their own. That’s where the local branch of Blessings In A Backpack fills the gap.

They provide backpacks full of food to several thousand area children each Friday during the school year to get them through the weekends. We sat

Anchor, Nikki Kimbleton gets acquainted with board members, Tabitha Furyk and Sara Moores about a charity that’s impacting local youths.

By Nikki Kimbleton

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down with two of the board members, Tabitha Furyk and Sara Moores, to find out more about the charity, how it’s changing their lives and impacting the kids in so many amazing ways.

Nikki: What is it about Blessings In A Backpack that made you want to get involved?

Tabitha: Children, family and education are three of my biggest interests and Blessings in a Backpack impacts all of these. I have a degree in elementary education so helping children succeed has always been very important to me.

Sara: This program meets a fundamental need; we are feeding hungry children. These children are our future. They are going to be making the decisions that impact our lives in 20-30 years. We can’t afford not to feed and nurture them today.

Nikki: How does the program help children in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra?

Tabitha: There are two chapters for Blessings in a Backpack, Duval and St. Johns County. They work together to make sure that as many children as possible have food to take home on the weekend. By providing food that they otherwise may not have access to, they are now coming back to school on Monday ready to learn. This program is showing both an increase in attendance and academic success for the children who are involved.

Sara: We started with one school and a few hundred children. Now we’re feeding children in seven schools and more than 2,000 children. In one of our schools, our volunteer packers are from a local senior center. It is a wonderful collaboration where you are bringing the youngest of our society together with our older members. Many of these children have many “surrogate grandparents” because of the program and they are getting nurturing and food each and every week. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Nikki: What do you think surprises people most about the schools involved in the program?

Tabitha: I think the most surprising things about the schools involved is the number of schools that are in need of this program. We have nearly 60,000 Ponte Vedra Life

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unsuspected change. Petty theft in the local neighborhood dropped and they were able to attribute it directly to the implementation of the program. Children weren’t having to steal to eat. Its amazing how a tiny change can have such a big impact!

Nikki: How has being part of this charity changed your life?

children in Duval County alone that are on the free and reduced lunch program. They would benefit greatly from Blessings in a Backpack but we just don’t have the budget to provide all of those backpacks. It is also amazing to find out that even the nicest schools in the nicest area have students that just don’t have the financial or parental support they need to know where their next meal will come from.

Sara: Hunger is everywhere, but most people turn a blind eye towards it and think “that can’t happen in my school.” Every single school has children going hungry and people are always surprised when they hear the startling statistics.

Nikki: What kind of impact does the program have on the kids involved?

Tabitha: Blessings In A backpack

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currently feeds seven schools in our area and The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation provides support for three of those schools. I can’t tell you how many thank-you letters we have received from children. They are simply thanking us for the food that we provided and sharing how much they appreciate it. The principals of the schools are thrilled by the increase in attendance and rise in test scores. The teachers are excited to see children ready to learn as opposed to exhausted from lack of nourishment.

Sara: The children see that people really care about them. For many, they don’t have this type of adult or societal care in their homes. Not only does the program feed their tummies, it feeds their hearts! This is a national charity and in one school in the West, there was an

Tabitha: With the PGA Tour Wives Association, I have participated in packing backpacks in many different cities across the country and have met many of the children that are impacted by our support. It is an amazing feeling to know that these kids need food and that you can help them. People always think of children in other countries that need our help when actually there is a huge need in the United States, and in Jacksonville specifically. Feeding children in need will always be important to our family.

Sara: We have the opportunity to change the course of a child’s life by providing them with the nutrition they need, giving them the base they need to do well in school. I cannot tell you how many children and their parents have come up to me or written letters to say thank you and explain that without the food they get on Fridays, they would have gone hungry. Lastly, and most importantly, through this ateach our children that people care about them.

Nikki: How has this changed the way you look at buying groceries for your family or stocking your pantry at home?

Tabitha: It has given me a new look

on selecting things that we need versus things that we want. I used to find myself going to the grocery store when we still had things in the cupboard! Our menus now are varied not necessarily by what would go together but what we can put together to use the things we have already. It also makes you think a bit more on what you are spending. It’s only $80/ per child to send home a backpack with food for every weekend during the entire school year. When you weigh that fact against your grocery bill, you find yourself making more careful selections.

Sara: You take for granted that you can afford the food to feed your family when so many children are going hungry. The “I want” mentality quickly becomes “do we need.” There is a world of difference between the two and that, I think, is an important lesson for all of our children to learn. • For more information on the local chapter of Blessings In A Backpack go to www.jaxblessingsinabackpack.org.

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FAMILY

L The Weed Family Unit

Uniting With

eslie’s purpose in creating widespread. Her approach is the foundation, along with simple, minimalistic, yet active her husband, was due to and influential. She hopes that their daughter who required other people will take a similar extensive care and therapy. She stance and initiative for growth that was non-verbal and profoundly provides foundational stability. autistic. Fortunately, they had resources for her and were interested in Their dynamic approach, and raising money and contemporary attitude for health and doing whatever they improvement, have given both children could altruistically.

Leslie feels like every and parents an optimistic outlook that town should have has beneďŹ ted everyone involved. a program that has similar motivations and aspirations. She The Heal Foundation focuses on explains that she prefers the evolution of the charity. It has foundation to stay local due to its sponsored $80,000 a year in public intimacy and ability to stay lowschool systems, including special key and undiluted, which isn’t so easy once something becomes need systems. It has also funded

The Heal Foundation is an interactive association that promotes autistic awareness and serves as a positive inspiration for the children, parents and adults involved. Founder Leslie Weed is the mother of an autistic daughter and makes it her mission to spread knowledge and creative as well as educational programs to make the local community an advanced one. She combines the necessary incentive of general awareness with emotional, physical, and intellectual activity, planting seeds of progression with each and every goal.

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ESE classrooms and teachers. iPads were even donated by the foundation, and their efforts were showcased on news network, Channel 12. Children were also able to attend camp at no cost. Since 2007, more than $1 million has been invested in the Jacksonville area by the Heal Foundation and twenty programs have been set up for

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area children. Raising a total of $23,000, the Butterfly Program featured well-known local artists who collaborated with the children and gave them artistic guidance.

Other programs the Heal Foundation has sponsored, enabled, and been affiliated with include: MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), Cummer

Museum of Art and Gardens, golf and day camps, music and film camps, Red Carpet Night, sailing, fishing, baseball leagues, horse therapy, aquatic physical therapy, and a host of other solid projects. All of these programs have provided the children with a creative, all-purpose environment that elevates their sense of self, idea of fun, and optimizes their talents, interests, and expressions.

The main theme of these activities are art, sport, and awareness. The Heal Foundation speaks for itself.

Their dynamic approach, and contemporary attitude for health and improvement, have given both children and parents an optimistic

outlook that has benefited everyone involved.

Leslie’s main virtue is the action she puts forth into the foundation.

Her gift of bringing grand ideas to fruition has set her in view as an outstanding mother figure for all those who have been impacted by her foundation. Her family’s future goals for the foundation are to continue enabling children to attend camps, providing iPads, sparking fresh new ideas, and maintaining the longevity of the Heal Foundation. Since 2007, there has been an estimated 350 people involved in Heal Foundation programs. • Ponte Vedra Life

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My Journal

LIFE

by Slayton Haney , my worries consisted of friends, happy hour, and my new job! I felt like I had finally exited my college years and really become an adult as I ventured into my new career, and this new life as a self sufficient, independent adult — I was on cloud nine.

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ditor: y I Dear E my short stor ird so e w s little Here i a s t nge I a wrote. eel free to ch f nt to please you wa m not the r e v e t a wha in it. I am much e g n a h c tory iter, I best wr t telling my s what better a ; let me know tried n in perso to change. I story d e al e I n the usu and e v i g t to no ys tell ies I a w l a that I e journal entr ment. t use som uring my trea t to wrote d lease reach ou you g p Again ere is anythin h t me if

Like any other brave cancer survivor I have that date, that date that changed my life forever, that date that changed my worries that were once on the next happy hour to worrying about my next d I n a t i chemo appointment. That date that s to revi ssist. e m t a n comes once a year, which no matter to wa m happy how healthy I feel, will always loom will be ou; and I a y over me, representing possible Thank teful for this my a r d g a e y r r reoccurrence. The date that I now p e s v any ity to n m u t s r a o p can’t remember living before. op touch n :)

nd ca story a s I possibly people a ney ton Ha y a l S −

yton: Dear Slaory is perfect; thing.

Your st ot changing a I am n

rgol Tracy Ma Editor

Though this date intimidates me, this date also brings me courage, hope, and most importantly faith, that when fear visits I answer with my faith, faith in God, my doctors, my support system, and of course myself.

My story is good. I am proud to say that I am a 24-year-old Stage II Breast Cancer survivor. >> Ponte Vedra Life

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June 7, 2012

Discovering my lump during a routine breast check, I was able to be proactive about my health and see a physician and get an opinion, get a second opinion, and finally a biopsy which led me to Mayo Clinic. It was through the diligent guidance with the medical team at Mayo that I was able to make a choice regarding my future. I made the decision to not let cancer control my life, I made the conscious decision to have a double mastectomy, so I could do everything in my power to never have to visit cancer town again. This decision did not come easy, the cancer was in only one breast but I knew the risk that was associated with my age of diagnosis. Having to tell a doctor to remove a part of my body that had been a part of me for my entire life was, to this day, the hardest chapter in my

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cancer journey, but it has been the most rewarding chapter; it has given me the ultimate gift, peace of mind. I now have the peace of mind that I did everything in my power to never face cancer again.

Being diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer at the age of 23 has allowed me to become proactive about my health. Through this I have learned that I’m not invincible; being young does not give anyone or me a “get out of jail free” card. What young age does give me is a voice. It is now my responsibility to spread my story and learning experience to educate other young women.

Education and early detection is key to survival, I owe my life to early detection.

My date has now come and gone, and I am starting to look and feel like the “old” me. Though the “old” me represents my shorted naïve days as a young 20 something living in oblivion, I have come to like the new me, post date.

Post date, I am confident in my faith. Post date, I am proud of the experiences that I have endured and how they have molded me as a young adult. Post date, I have perspective. Post date, I have knowledge… knowledge that I can share with other young women, so hopefully one day if they have to have a date, it will be as good as mine. �June 7, 2012 Ponte Vedra Life

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COASTAL A-LIST

Fashion Show

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GAME

Jacksonville is building a tradition of

rugby greatness

that only gets stronger with each new fan we bring out

The Other

Football The Jacksonville Axemen

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Axemen E veryone knows that Northeast Florida has a passion for football. But long before the Gators, Seminoles and Jaguars lit up scoreboards in Florida, football’s cousin rugby was blazing the path as the original tough-guy game in places like Britain, Australia and South Africa. Now a local team, the Firehouse Subs Jacksonville Axemen, is attracting national recognition for its efforts to grow the sport of rugby in the U.S. by tapping into the local fans’ newfound love of the hard-hitting, fast paces.

Playing in just their eighth season, the Axemen have won national titles in two of the last four years, made the playoffs five years running, and played in their second straight championship game this year, which is their fourth title game appearance in five seasons. It doesn’t take long to see where this success comes from.

The Axemen draw thousands of fans to each of its home games, which treat spectators to not only a wideopen brand of rugby that features big runs and hard hits, but also cheerleaders, music, food, giveaways and other fun game day activities.

The Axemen play a brand of the game known as “rugby league,” which is a more fast-paced version, predominant style, played around the world in nations like Australia, England, France, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, but where it is 66 |

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the national sport. With 13 players on the field, the players pitch the ball to each other in an effort to create breakaway runs towards the goal line in order to score a “try,” rugby’s version of the touchdown.

“Jacksonville is building a tradition of rugby greatness that only gets stronger with each new fan we bring out,” said Axemen Co-owner Drew Slover a founder of the team and one of its biggest fans. “Rugby players in the U.S. are amateurs who love the game and just want to compete at the highest levels. Around the country it’s known that if you want to play rugby league in the U.S., you come to Jacksonville.”

Slover, owner of the Slover Consulting marketing firm, started the team with former professional Rugby League player, Daryl “Spinner” Howland after he fell in love with the game on a trip to Australia that included attending a professional rugby match between top-tier regional rivals. They launched the team in 2006 and steadily built their fan base, which now comes to University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium to see the Axemen play. By 2010, the Axemen had won their first title in the national competition.

In order to expand the sport’s reach, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Boston and other cities formed the USA Rugby League in 2011. The Axemen

Axe men – Left to Right: Mao Laumoli, Jay “Schee” Defau, Taylor Alley, Josh Jackson, Taylor Youngling, Jaime Uyttewaal, Rich Alleger, Kevin Wathen, Gaz Walker, Bart Longchamp, Akarika, Josh Cock, Brent Shorten (C), Brenden Beedle, Craig Howitt, Steven Hill, Kenny Britt, Matt Thornton, Nick Shea

won the league’s title in 2012 and narrowly missed the chance to repeat this year, falling 28-22 to The Philadelphia Fight in the 2013 USARL league title game after finishing the season at 7-1.

Slover likens rugby league play to American football if played without pads and with only running backs and linebackers. The result is a tough but exciting game, that cuts out some of the slow play associated with “rugby union,” the favorite rugby of European countries. “Fans of football can really take to the game. The hits are hard, but tough play doesn’t just earn points on the field, but respect from the fans,” Slover said.

While a local team, the Axemen attract talented players from all over the world. The 2013 team was lead by player, coach and captain Brent Shorten, a native of Sydney, Australia. While England, Papua New Guinea and Pago American Samoa are some of the other places that members of the 2013 Axemen called home, most are from Jacksonville

and the surrounding region. The Axemen helped boost Jacksonville’s reputation as a rugby capital by hosting international competitions since their inception, including the professional Rugby League team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs who are owned by movie star Russell Crowe.

Slover said the national success and international attention are helping to grow the local support, which makes players want to come to Jacksonville.

Thanks to the enthusiastic fan support, local advertisers support the team, giving the Axemen the ability to support their players in ways that other teams aren’t able.

“Because of sponsors like Firehouse Subs, Heekin Orthopedic Specialists, and others, we can cover travel costs, provide equipment and meet our players’ needs. It’s great for the players, they don’t have to worry about anything other than performing on the field, we’ve got the rest covered. That’s why we get so many good players,” Slover said.

“They all want to be Axemen.” • Ponte Vedra Life

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When the going gets tough, the gazelle runs away while THE LION remains genuine, strong, and sturdy.

MAN CAVE

THE

LION

gazelle and the

I

n business, in sports and in life, people are either gazelles or lions. A gazelle sure looks the part — shiny coat, fast and sleek, looking pretty. They hang around all day, running, jumping, eating grass, getting pruned by their mothers. Most of the time life is good for the gazelle, until when? Until they’re challenged. Until adversity strikes them in the face. Then what happens?

They scatter, running for their lives, not knowing what to do. Their false bravado exposed.

by Tom McManus

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The lion spends every waking moment taking care of the family and strategizing for the next meal, to keep the pride strong and happy. The pride collaborates to accomplish its mission to attack.

Even when the attack goes astray, what do they do? They regroup and re-strategize. They know if they don’t eat, they don’t survive, and the strength of the pride weakens. They carry on and get better. Adversity? Ha ha! They laugh in the face of adversity because their faith in themselves and in one another is ever powerful and never wavers.

You see gazelles all over the place.

You know the ones I’m talking about. They’re on their Bluetooth, while in line at Starbucks, talking at the top of their lungs about a great big deal they have going on or what vacation they just came back from.

Hair is perfect, outfit too. Looking around hoping that someone will notice them.

Lions sit at the table quietly, sipping their cup o’ joe, confident in who they are. They don’t look for attention. Attention comes to them.

They are leaders, they are dreamers, they are doers. They don’t boast or brag for they know that if they get too cocky, their world could crumble. They stay humble and

gracious. And when adversity strikes, they don’t cower, they strike it back for they cannot be beaten.

In football, the gazelle is the guy in the weight room throwing around all kinds of ridiculous weight, yelping at the top of his lungs and hoping that someone will notice him. The lion goes out on the field and knocks the gazelle on his ass and wonders, “where did that 450 pound bench press go?”

At the neighborhood bar, the lion sits with his back to the wall, not looking for trouble, just staying quiet and humble, and having a good time. The gazelle is a talker, running his loud mouth, hoping someone will please notice him, until he gets punched in the face and his glass jaw gets exposed.

When the going gets tough, the gazelle runs away while the lion remains genuine, strong, and sturdy.

And above all else, the lion puts his family first for the lion knows providing, protecting, and loving them is his most important job and greatest accomplishment.

In business, in sports, and in life, there are lions and there are gazelles.

Which one are you? • Ponte Vedra Life

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Let’s show you just how normal he really is…

Favorite food: Seafood… but steak and potatoes are good too Favorite Movie: “We Were Soldiers” Favorite Music: Rap… but loves country too

It’s

a mild morning on the St. Johns River. The sun is just beginning to rise.

The fish are just beginning to bite. Hearing the reel sing from a speckled trout or a redfish sure would be nice. The goal of this rare day off for the Jaguars star quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, will be catching instead of throwing.

An avid angler from an early age, you would often catch a young Gabbert playing tee ball or rough housing with his younger brothers.

He was always a standout – a star at his high school in Ballwin, Missouri.

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is just down the road in Orlando playing for UCF. The Gabbert brothers meet every Monday to have dinner together and talk about the game they love.

Gabbert says for him, it’s simple, “I just want to play ball, score points and win the game.”

Blaine Gabbert

with

Small Talk

Photo: Tiffany Manning

by Tera Barz

TERA TALKS

He played for the University of Missouri Tigers before entering the 2011 NFL draft after his junior year.

He was selected by the Jags in the first round as the 10th overall pick in a $12 million deal.

A Midwest boy at heart, Gabbert says Jacksonville has really grown on him. “Once I got here, I really came to love this city.”

You know Blaine Gabbert on the field, but what about off the field?

In his own words, “I’m just a pretty normal guy. I like to hang out and have a good time.”

Whether it’s on the water, on the golf course or on the football field…

Gabbert is never okay with losing.

Competition is a key that has opened | Photographer Rick Wilson many doors for him.

He says this year you will notice along Favorite Actor: Samuel L. Jackson with a new regime and a new look – Car or Truck? Both there’s a new pep in everyone’s step.

Favorite Golf Course: TPC Sawgrass “We want to exceed expectations.

In the off season you’ll see Gabbert We set the bar pretty high… we teeing off at TPC Sawgrass and Pablo want to go out there and show Creek. He says, “I am not the best at people who we really are. Dave and it but if I can shoot in the 80’s I’m OK Gus have brought a whole new level with it.” of energy into this football team.

People are feeding off of it… from Even though Gabbert is loving the the front office to the guys in the salt life… he misses home and his locker room. We are loving it.” family. His mom and dad live in St. Louis with his youngest brother, And Blaine Gabbert loves Brett, who is just starting the Jacksonville. Two years ago this city seventh grade. A love of football had him hook, line and sinker. It still runs in the family. Tyler Gabbert does… “We have it all right here.” • Ponte Vedra Life

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PEOPLE

It’s that time again: the smell of stadium

hotdogs, fans rumble rushing to their seats, the crowd roars and belts Lynyrd Skynyrd lyrics, cheers are heard for miles… the stadium painted teal and black. After all, it is Monday Night Football.

In the locker room, none other than our very own Jaxson de Ville in preparation for his big appearance – as always with his crazy antics, this one will be his personal best. Not your typical NFL mascot, Jaxson flies in on helicopters, parachutes to work, zip lines across the stadium and bungee jumps to the games.

All just another work day for our favorite Cat. PVL catches up with Curtis Dvorak, aka Jaxson de Ville, about the other non-football days and who’s really behind that furry mask.

“Difference between us: I can do your job.

No chance you can do mine”

The Man Behind

- Jaxson de Ville to a website owner

The Mask

By Inger Williamson and Tracy Margol

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PVL: Let’s talk about your childhood. Where did you grow up? How does your background tie into your present profession?

Curtis: I mostly grew up in New Jersey and I’m the youngest of four children, which explains a lot. I have a wisecracking sense of humor. In elementary and middle school I was in the principal’s office a lot, not for being bad, but when the teachers would ask a question, I figured they were only talking to me and I never passed up the opportunity when something came up, to be funny. I talked a bit and acted up a bit in class; I enjoyed audience reaction and I always got laughs.

PVL: Did you ever think you would be zip lining to work? Tell us about this mascot career. What brought you here?

Curtis: I think I always wanted to be in some form of entertainment.

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fan in college and saw the mascot on the sideline and my buddies dared me to try out for it. And in our minds, (19-year-old college students) we knew the perks would be that I’d get to be on the sidelines AND get to be with cheerleaders and hang out with them. It seemed liked a cool opportunity to have fun. I was mostly entertaining myself, my buddies and fans (during the games). I geared it towards my sense of humor and that of my friends and everyone enjoyed it. I was a PR / communications major and saw guys actually doing this for a living, so I thought, I can go work for a PR firm or do something where I get to entertain people. So I put together a resume and a tape, and (eventually) got invited to try out for Jaxson in 1996. They actually found out about me through a tryout with a minor league baseball team. I was one of 50 people they invited to a two-day tryout and I was fortunate to win.

This is now my 18th season!

PVL: Your position puts you in a spotlight. What is your position like on your homefront?

Curtis: Life imitates art a lot lately. Currently, work is dominating most of my time.

We’re going to London, there’s nonstop appearances, more games, another trip to London in October… and among my friends

it’s a lot of the same. At home I have two walk-in closets, one with regular clothes and the other with costumes of every kind — for Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, superhero costumes, wigs, crazy shoes and pants… an entire wardrobe like a set of “Saturday Night Live.”

These are Curtis costumes, stuff I’ll dress up in like on a random Tuesday but mostly on holidays.

I live on the beach and my friend and I will put costumes on and go out to the beach where kids are playing sports and throw flags on kids playing paddleball on the beach and then we’ll just take off and they’ll be like “what just happened?”

PVL: Aside from captivating fans, we hear you’re very much involved in the community, endlessly supporting local charities and making public appearances. What projects are you presently working on?

Curtis: Currently – the big one is the Plaid Party. My buddies and I started it about 12 years ago and it has become a beast of a production. It started out as a silly house party and evolved to what is now, 2000 people showing up wearing plaid! This year, $25,000 went to Cystic Fibrosis. So over the years, we’ve donated nearly $100,000 to CF from this party, and it’s a non-corporate driven party just based off ticket sales, and it’s still

reasonably priced and we tried to keep the spirit of the party which was “Everybody says you have to grow up but nobody wants to.”

That’s probably my biggest project but there are a bunch of others. I get a lot of requests to do live auctions as myself… hosting, MC work, hosting NFL 101 for the Jaguars and draft pick parties.

PVL: When the suit is off- what is a typical day in Curtis’ life?

Curtis: It depends on time of year; if it’s in season, I’m booking appearances, getting ready for games and running the mascot program. Off season, it’s golf, beach, staying involved and going to events around town.

PVL: You have already checked a few boxes with your stunts.

What’s presently on your bucket list?

Curtis: One will be checked off when I get to jump off the roof of Wembley Stadium at the London game! I still want to be shot out of cannon so we’re working on that.

His webpage says he’s lobbying the league for bigger helmets so he can play for the Jags, but until then, we’re going to enjoy his fanatical antics on the sidelines (and in the air)! • Ponte Vedra Life

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Sweet

September Photography by Jennifer Grissom

Smells like

Teen Spirit!

Amy Dodaj, 15

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in our life there is a single color,

as on an artist`s palette,

which provides the meaning of life and art.

It is the color of

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love.

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Alex Devereux ,16 Nicky Dodaj, 16 Ponte Vedra Life

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#summerromance #firstkiss #crush #neverwantthismomenttoend #reasontosmile #bestfriendsforever 84 |

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Photography

Jennifer Grissom

Creative Director Inger Williamson

Wardrobe Stylist Emilie Christenson

Prop Stylist

Melissa Intemann

Hair Artists

Jami Talley and Liz Davis of Dirty Blonde Salon

Makeup Artist Carrie Wilson

Wardrobe

Jaffi’s Boutique and Sunrise Surf Shop

Models

Addy Pillsbury, Nicky and Amy Dodaj, Alex Devereux and Hans Aase Special thanks to Jaffi’s Boutique and Sunrise Surf Shop for providing the wardrobe and accessories for the stunning teens.

Someday everything will all make smile through the tears and keep everything happens

perfect sense. So laugh at the confusion, reminding yourself that for a reason.

SHOP for boys, girls and babies to size 14. As owner and founder of Kyds, Emilie Christenson explains, “We offer great lines like Flowers by Zoe, Splendid, Joe’s, Ella Moss, Kicky Pants, and Trumpette Socks — our prices may not be cheap but

raphy Photog

rissom

A Beach Boutique That Makes Fashion Fun

B

for KYDS

by Tracy Margol

ringing fashion, function and fun to the children’s boutique world is a feat not many have accomplished. But in a quaint courtyard property at 200 First Street, Neptune Beach, sits a children’s boutique with a special vibe that’s jam-packed with cool styles and accessories from the hottest designers just for kids. In fact, it’s called “Kyds” and it’s so popular, it’s been voted Jacksonville’s best children’s clothing store since 2002 by Jacksonville Magazine, Folio Weekly and Arbus among others.

With a vision of fashion, function and fun, Kyds’ goal is to meet the needs of the Jacksonville market with high-quality lines that aren’t too expensive

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community a priority and we do it

in style! of each season so busy parents don’t have to sift through all the garbage out there and show up to the birthday party where four other kids have the same outfit on! It’s easy to find expensive, nice things or inexpensive blah things.

It’s a lot harder to find lines that are fashionable, fun, high quality and a great value. I am still tickled when I see our clothes bopping around the beaches… these clothes have been around for nearly 12 years and are still out there in full force — now that’s impressive!

nifer G

by Jen

giving back to our

We make

they’re always a great value… I’m a fabric snob; I want my kids and my customer’s kids to be in clothing as soft, comfy and as durable as the ones I wear — even if they do cost a bit more.”

Searching far and wide to find the best each season has to offer in fashion and accessories from the hottest children’s designers, Christenson is uncompromising in her commitment to good value, quality and uniqueness. “We carry a hand-picked selection of the best

Christenson got her inspiration to open Kyds 12 years ago while traveling to Miami with her husband. “It was our first trip without kids and of course they were all we talked about!” she exclaims. While traveling in her previous career, she would visit children’s boutiques and noticed none of the shops had much of a selection for children of ALL ages and most boutiques would specialize in specific size ranges and only offer a few cool pieces. In addition, she says most were extremely expensive and Ponte Vedra Life

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those special pieces were not always practical for families. Just prior to her trip to Miami she was looking at photos of her girls and noticed she wasn’t in any of them. “This broke my heart and eventually I decided a more family-friendly career would be better for me and our young family.”

Now she says “it’s the best decision I ever made for me and my girls who are now amazing young ladies, age 14 and 16.”

arrive. Or they will call and say, ‘I need a baby gift for a colleague at work.’ They describe their taste, we take a credit card over the phone, and run a beautifully wrapped gift out to the car when they drive by 30 minutes later. You can’t do that at the mall!” says Christenson. And to keep customers in the loop, Kyds posts photos of new arrivals on Facebook and Instagram daily and ships anywhere upon request.

Kyds has recently joined forces with Deanne Dunlop’s esteemed photography studio to share a hip, trendy studio space and help customers create a lasting impression while staying true to their own personal style. Deanne Dunlop specializes in photography that celebrates life. Her studio offers fun and innovative sessions and products for children and families: Baby Art for newborns, Celebrate Motherhood sessions for moms and kids of all ages and her popular new Kids’ Birthday Club.

Aside from providing world-class service, Kyds is actively involved in the community. They’re known for hosting and being involved in several annual fashion show fundraisers for local non-profit organizations. “We make giving back to our community a priority and we do it in style!” exclaims Christenson. “Once a child models in one of our shows and parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents see their little ones strut their stuff, they are hooked and become part of our ‘Kyds family’ for good.”

Today, Kyds offers a rare personalized service according to Christenson.

“We have fun working with customers on a more personal level and service them locally, long distance, over the phone, and through social media.”

The company acknowledges that busy parents and gift givers don’t have time to waste so they try to make the shopping experience as quick, easy and painless as possible. “Customers will call ahead and have us pull a bunch of goodies for them so they can pop right in the dressing room when they

“If you stay true to yourself and align all of your activities with your vision and mission, chances are you will be successful at whatever you choose to do,” says Christenson.

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Outfitting Jacksonville’s hip kids with fun, functional and high-quality clothing is definitely the foundation of the company’s success. • For more information about Kyds or Deanne Dunlop Photography, call 904.595.5092, email kyds.store@ gmail.com or visit www.kyds.net.

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PRIME & PREP

PlAyIn’ iT cOoL with back-to-school hair trends

By Chuck Puttman

Back to school they go with new shoes,

clothes, backpacks, supplies and of course, the freshest new haircut/style to show off! I remember back when stylists dreaded cutting children and we would run if we could but not anymore! Kids have their fingers on the pulse of style a lot earlier than we ever did. I now love having them in my chair for cuts and new styles. Today their desired looks run the gamut and they’re full of input, from bringing in pictures from a magazine to showing ideas on their iPhones and iPads!

Boys’ styles are all over the place from surfer/skater deconstructed looks to the newer “mad men” slick-tothe-side look that Justin Timberlake is sporting. And they’re into hair products to make sure they produce the precise look. Girls are into trends like nobody’s business!

Long, medium length and now, with Anne Hathaway cutting her locks for the big screen, the pixie look is all the rage with the younger crowd. As for color, kids are having fun with peek-a-boo highlights with different colors to full blown bleach-outs like Billy Idol.

Heavily influenced by music and media, kids love and obsess about the look of the moment. As a parent myself with an artistic background, it helps to be open and allow them to create their own style because as we say “it’s hair and it’ll grow back so have fun with it and make it your own”!

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STYLE

M-PIRE

A few of my favorite things…

Shop local! −Mel

Lu La Mae • Jacksonville Beach Jennifer Lyon Collection $100- $299

Levy Jewelers • Jacksonville Levyjewelers.com David Yurman – Labyrinth collection. $2,950- $5,400

Red Daisy • Neptune Beach 904-339-0137 Mug- $15 • Hardy Boy’s Books- $13 Laguiole Steak Knives- $145 Ice Bag- $11 • Slinky- $9

h • Neptune Beac Kyds Boutique 92 50 559 kyds.net • 904Cd’s- $18 Hushabye Baby ckabye Baby &

Ro

Sidney Cardel’s • Jacksonville Beach sidneycardels.co • 904-372-4000 “Hoot Couture” Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets, Benefit The Donna Foundation- $25-$50 donnahickenfoundation.org

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Emly Benham • Jacksonville Beach emlybenhamboutique.com • 904-246-1401 Obakki Dress - $425 MZ Wallace Clutch - $325 Pedro Garcia Suede Pumps - $460

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Pilot Pen • pilotpen.com Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity Pen, Benefits Breast Cancer & the National Breast Cancer Foundation $7.50

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Imagine sitting in a meeting or at lunch, dressed to

TREND

the nines, trying to write with an old, chewed up pen that writes worse than it looks. The days of dredging the bottom of your

P

purse for a tired, drab pen are finally over...

ilot Corporation of America (‘Pilot Pen’), based right here on the First Coast, has always been known for fulfilling consumers’ unmet writing needs with innovative writing instruments.

Recognizing a gap in the marketplace, Pilot now has a solution to help you complete your personal style with the ultimate home or office accessory – the pen! Pilot’s new fashion-forward pens, Acroball PureWhite®, FriXion® Clicker and G2® Fashion, take writing to the next level with stylish looks to delight the discriminating pen buyer.

Make a Fashion

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graduate used Pilot’s striking, smooth writing pens to create oneof-a-kind handbags inspired by the

Statement with pilot pen

By Tracy Margol

To showcase their new pen collection, Pilot has literally made writing fashionable again by featuring fashion accessories at New York Fashion Week that are crafted out of a total of 650 Pilot pens. A local Florida Institute of Technology 96 |

A fringe tote adorned with 276 Pilot G2 Fashion pens, showcased at New York Fashion Week

season’s hottest colors and styles.

“Fashion and writing are all about self-expression. The right accessories are the perfect way to personalize your style,” said Ariann Langsam, Director of Consumer Marketing.

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key products

rivia

Pilot T

: 1918

Tokyo

Established in the U.S. in 1972, Pilot Pen’s production and Yea in Du s e e y n operations have been located in k pe mplo Gel In Pilot e 2 f o G . e o Th N Jacksonville since 1995. A market k pen: pens recise g gel in P in l t l leader in both the gel and rolling o e s il n: P No. 1 ball pe g n in o l ti ball categories, Pilot’s state-ofl ro duc selling ille pro v n o s No. 1 k the-art manufacturing facilities Jac of the 0 otage 05,00 fo 3 : e in the U.S., Japan and around r y a it Squ facil ar: this ye ations r e e c p u o d the world operate under strict ro and t will p ns Pilo e p quality control standards, f o er Numb ,000 0 0 ensuring the superior quality ,0 0 over 6 of all Pilot products.

“When To what can the company attribute you reach for a pen it should express your style its success? The high quality of the products and the innovation of and your words effortlessly!

Pilot’s research and development teams. “Pilot prides itself on an unwavering commitment to From the color-blocked Acroball product innovation,” said Dennis PureWhite, to the striking J. Burleigh, President and CEO of flourishes of G2 Fashion, to the Pilot Corporation of America. >>> bold pantone colors of the erasable and retractable FriXion ‘ facebook loyal fans on pilot�s Clicker, Pilot’s new pens deliver style and page comment regularly that substance. For NYFW why wouldn’t you use a they have to pen that looks as good as you do?” ed in s found

wa r Pilot

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unty: val Co

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hide their coveted pilot pens

G2 Pilot’s key products include the G2 Gel Ink pen; it is the No. 1 Selling Gel Ink Pen1 in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the success of the G2 lies in its functionality -- the combination of the smooth comfortable writing experience and the fact that it writes two times longer than other competitive gel ink brands.

G2 Fashion G2, America’s No. 1 selling line of gel ink pens, announces a striking new addition – the G2 Fashion Collection.

The smooth-writing G2 Fashion pens still write two times longer and are available in brilliant floral designs in a range of colors, all with black ink.

So now your Go-2™ pen can be stylishly dressed – just like you.

Precise The Precise® V5/ V7 line is another key product line for Pilot.

Precise pens are the No. 1 Selling Rolling Ball Pens1. The foundation for the success of the Precise line is that the pens deliver an exceptionally smooth 2

writing experience, a precise clean line, and are proven to be the Smoothest Writing Rolling Balls2.

FriXion Clicker FriXion Clicker is a new kind of erasable pen that writes smooth and erases clean.

With an innovative clip-click mechanism, FriXion Clicker is the first erasable pen that’s retractable.

Its revolutionary ink is designed to disappear completely from the page with erasing friction and its unique erasing tip does not break down or leave behind messy eraser crumbs.

Acroball PureWhite With vibrant hybrid ink, the Pilot Acroball PureWhite combines smooth smear-free writing with a stunning design so you can express yourself effortlessly. It features gorgeous color block grips layered on a glossy white barrel and is available in black or colored ink. Make Acroball your newest accessory!

Stay in the forefront of fashion when you write with a superlative writing instrument from Pilot Pen!

1 AC Nielsen, Mass Market Data, 2012 Based upon independent ISO testing, Data on File, Pilot Pen, 2012

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“Our philosophy is to create superior writing instruments, providing an exceptional writing experience that ultimately encourages self expression.”

The response from consumers has been overwhelmingly positive. The company frequently receives emails thanking them for moving in the right direction and for making “relevant” and “innovative” products available. Loyal fans on

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Pilot’s Facebook page comment regularly that they have to hide their coveted Pilot pens. Other fans say that using a Pilot pen can even make paying the bills fun! •

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EATS

yakiniku sauce made from a fruit reduction. A natural paring with this dish is the Ying Yang cocktail prepared by Bar Manager, Carissa Quigg. She infuses Stolichnaya Premium Vodka with cucumbers. To this she adds Domaine de Canton (a ginger liqueur), fresh lime juice, agave and fresh basil. The complex flavors are served in a sugar and wasabi-rimmed glass.

Chef

Kemper

Cravings

Another popular favorite is the melt-in-your mouth smoked salmon with a beer and mustard glaze; it’s smoked in-house over applewood then drizzled with smoked gouda fondue and accompanied with flatbread crisps. A little Crave Sauce gives the fish an added spice note. This addictive sauce features various peppers such as local datils for a nice heat and is available for purchase.

creates your

By Cindy Polverino

k

nown for taking 24 hours to prepare meats (in the sous vide cooking style)* and for his locally-grown, organic creations, Executive Chef Matt Kemper is the man behind the brilliantly inventive cuisine at KC Crave in Jacksonville Beach.

One would never imagine, that after lavishing the palate with roasted pork corn cakes, gorgonzola fondue filet or pistachio lamb lollipops, that the chef on the other side of the swinging door is a mere 28. But he is, and he brings his fresh take on American Fusion to this posh-casual, big-city eatery as if he’s had two or three more 102 |

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decades of experience.

With nine different herbs in the garden behind the restaurant for use in the food and cocktails, Chef Kemper is known for making good use of his green thumb, which was cultivated where he grew up in rural Eastern Kentucky and Pennsylvania. As a child his parents taught him to tend to such bounty as green beans, honey and potatoes and he admits, he’s still a momma’s boy. “Mom thinks I am a Superstar,” he proudly confesses.

His encouragement comes from his mother and his six siblings.

Chef Kemper also derived culinary

influences from Lulu’s Waterfront Grille, a Ponte Vedra-owned and operated restaurant featuring culturally eclectic cuisine, where he trained under Chef Jeff Kemp. His restaurant career began 12 years ago in a dishwasher position and he later moved up the ladder to become employed by Bonefish Grill where he spent five years.

One bite of his creations and your mouth will explode with various sensations. A favorite, Unami Tuna, features buttery wasabi-seared yellow fin tuna stacked with seaweed salad in sesame oil, avocado and rice noodles with a side of hot and crispy vegetable spring rolls and

*Cutting edge sous vide (Sue vee) cooking, which is utilized by television Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, has been perfected

by Chef Kemper. The sous vide simmers the food in a warm water bath between 131 and 140 degrees.

It takes up to 12 hours to cook the sirloin for the Crabby Diane, a dish that marinates for 12 hours before cooking. It’s topped with sautéed mushrooms and lump crab in a creamy brandy peppercorn sauce.

Sous vide cooking breaks down the collagen in the meat which makes it very rich. “Every protein requires a different cooking time and temperature,” said Kemper. “We had to experiment in varying a tenth >>> Ponte Vedra Life | 103

one day, he came up with the blackened egg. Brunch dish Turkey Cordon Goo, features the egg with parmesan, jalapeño gouda and sliced ham served over wasabi mashed potatoes.

Marketing Manager Kelly Bermel declares hands down, the staff’s favorite is the Cinnamon Fried Cheesecake featuring homemade cheesecake wrapped in crunchy layers of phyllo dough served with bananas, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

degree at a time to get our desired products.” The meats are selected locally and must be hormone, chemical and preservative free and the seafood comes from right here off the First Coast of Mayport.

The food is prepared tight, with complex flavor notes. “Chris Jones is a restaurant visionary,” said Kemper, referring to KC Crave’s operating partner and founder.

“Jones settles for nothing but the best… we share the same vision, as does Bar Manager Carissa Quigg. I find it impossible to take shortcuts and use inferior product…

Jones created the restaurant of the future.”

Anxious to please everyone, Kemper has been known to whip up ranch dressing or ketchup from scratch for special orders. While experimenting in the kitchen 104 |

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KC Crave features something no other restaurant has in the area: four semicircular booths with themed self-serve beer taps built into the tables. And yes, they monitor how much guests pour.

Bermel encourages patrons to reserve the beer tap tables for Gator and Jaguar football parties.

(The restaurant features 80 and 60 inch televisions). A large, covered outdoor patio has comfortable sofa groups for casual dining. With live music and drink specials to keep the bar exciting, Crave has a visually delightful and contemporary fire and ice theme with white leather freeform booths to keep it cozy.

Wherever you sit and whatever the occasion, the staff is friendly, loves the food and shares the vision. This is high-end dining at surprisingly affordable prices. One bite will have you planning your next visit. • KC Crave, 1161 Beach Boulevard, www.kccrave.com Ponte Vedra Life

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The Spirit of the Suwannee

CARA-BOUT-IT

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a place that holds my absolute favorite memories and a place where I will continue to make memories for the rest of my life.

Fun Awaits Autumn Outings at these

T

by Cara Murphy

he traffic is a bit more congested and the school zones are enforced by actual humans with big signs, whistles and bright orange vests. School is definitely back in session, with schedules, practices, homework, and that sense of normalcy that summer seems to put on the back burner.

But, for those of us who have completed school and do not yet have children of our own, this time of year holds an entirely different hustle and bustle that I find myself getting antsy for as soon as the back-to-school Target commercials start to interrupt my episodes of “New Girl.” It’s the excitement of knowing that the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. has some seriously face-melting music and memory-making good times ahead.

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It’s a place where thousands of people from all walks of life come for one simple yet fundamental goal: to share their undying love for music and togetherness. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a place that holds my absolute favorite memories and a place where I will continue to make memories for the rest of my life. It’s not just a campground with a pretty river, it’s a destination for people all around the country, and it’s only about an hour-and-a-half drive from Jacksonville.

The season also brings festivals I start to look forward to the second I leave the one from the year before. Magnolia Fest happens in October, with headliners including the legendary Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and Stephen Marley. Halloween will bring the Hulaween Festival, complete with crazy costumes and a rare opportunity to see two nights of the neo-psychedelia jam band, The String Cheese Incident. Then in November, the ever so popular Bear Creek Festival will, as always, bring some fantastic bands such as The Roots, Lettuce, and one of my personal favorites, the incredible oneman-band, Zach Deputy.

‘Tis indeed the season for beanies, jackets, furry boots and hot chocolate with Baileys. While back to school means teacher meetings, new backpacks and school supply shopping for most, it’s also time for campfires, s’mores and taking a day off from work to lose yourself in a weekend that will change your life. So take the short drive down I-10 and take part in this incredible season of togetherness and music. I’ll see you at the River! •

COASTAL A-LIST

The Women’s Issue RELEASE PARTY

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