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» BEST OF TALLAHASSEE PARTY » THE LIFE OF MARTA
Head Rattler’s Striking Goals FAMU’s president focuses on student achievement, social mobility and caring
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A dying patient’s story of f light, freedom and faith New year, new you: one woman’s journey Off Panama, anglers find a sea of dreams
At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, our Heart & Vascular Center is a leader in the Southeast for advanced care and research. In fact, patients travel from across the region to receive heart and vascular care from our expert team of physicians and surgeons. To learn more about how you can access our exceptional treatment options right here at home visit TMH.ORG/Heart.
YOUR DESTINATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL HEART CARE.
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HEA R T S O N F IRE S T O RES , A U T HO RIZ ED RETA ILERS , 8 7 7 -P ERF EC T
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3501 Thomasville Road Tallahassee, FL 850 893-4171 | www.gemcollection.com January–February 2020
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The relationship we have with our patients has always been a result of the experience we strive to provide. There are many reasons to seek the smile you have always dreamed of– from the health benefits of proper dental care, to the courage and confidence only a great smile can communicate. We are eternally grateful to Daniel, Cindy, Owen, Dana, Robin, and Jacquline for sharing their journeys over the last year. When it is time to begin your journey to the smile you have always dreamed of, we are here for you…
...ready to provide the experience of a lifetime.
(850) 385-3700 | 221 E. 7TH AVE | DRRAINEY.COM 6 January–February 2020
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CONFIDENCE DANIEL SINOR | DOORSTEP DELIVERY
COURAGE
DR. CINDY HUGHES HARRIS | DEAN, FAMU SCHOOL of ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
EXCELLENCE OWEN LONG | STAHL-MEYER FOODS
HEALTH
DANA BROOKS COOPER | FASIG & BROOKS
COMFORT
ROBIN K. HAGGINS & JACQULINE R. KIMBROUGH | ASSOC. PROFESSOR at TCC (RET) NURSING ADMINISTRATOR TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
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855.211.5661 Sandestin.com/tally January–February 2020
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Contents
JAN/FEB 2020
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LIFE OF MARTA
During Big Bend Hospice care, Cuban immigrant Marta Becerra reveals herself as a woman of courage, faith and joy. by PETER T. REINWALD
FEATURES
photography by ALEX WORKMAN
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FAMU PRESIDENT
A YOGA JOURNEY
BETHEL AME
Dr. Larry Robinson says he’s focusing on enriching the lives of students and turning out highly skilled professionals.
Seeking a lifestyle change, photographer Saige Roberts took up yoga and found herself moving toward health and home.
by DANIELLE J. BROWN
by SAIGE ROBERTS
Historic church stands as a “tremendous epicenter of social justice.” by PETER T. REINWALD
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January–February 2020
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Contents
JAN/FEB 2020
30 120 GARDENING
DESTINATIONS
103
23 EDUCATION
History professor Dr. Reginald Ellis was practically born on FAMU’s campus.
28 RESOLUTIONS
Readers share what they plan to start doing or stop doing in 2020.
30 CHAMPION Melanie
GASTRO & GUSTO
Bella’s leaders enjoy the thrill of smooth service amid chaos.
50 DINING IN A look
at cultural traditions that focus on food and the calendar.
45
Bubble bread at Bella Bella
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January–February 2020
103 INTERIORS Find
110 EXTERIORS
aims to offer “a song for just about every mood.”
64 BOOKS Tallahassee
native takes readers on a journey of events following the 9/11 attacks.
16 18 140 157 162
yourself floored by these trendy options and dependable styles. Businesses make solar power more accessible.
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER EDITOR’S LETTER SOCIAL STUDIES DINING GUIDE POSTSCRIPT
BEST OF TALLAHASSEE: A STEP-BY-STEP LOOK AT OUR ANNUAL BASH
Head Rattler’s Striking Goals FAMU’s president focuses on student achievement, social mobility and caring
A dying patient’s story of f light, freedom and faith New year, new you: One woman’s journey Off Panama, anglers find a sea of dreams
TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM
layer up and enjoy your North Florida winter in style.
59 MUSIC New album
out a remote lodge for those hooked on fishing.
» BEST OF TALLAHASSEE PARTY » THE LIFE OF MARTA
35 FASHION How to
A BODES
45 DINING OUT Bella
PANACHE
EXPRESSION
FAMU’S PRESIDENT
Pelc aims to help change the way we deal with death.
Ideas on how to look and feel your best in the new year.
125 GETAWAYS Check
IN EVERY ISSUE
40 WHAT’S IN STORE
JAN–FEB 2020 TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE
ON THE COVER:
Florida A&M University President Dr. Larry Robinson pauses for a photo after an interview on campus with Tallahassee Magazine. Photo by Dave Barfield
PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (30, 45, 59) AND COURTESY OF ERIN GATES DESIGN (103)
59 323
Get to the bottom of healthy plants. It starts in the soil.
HONORING OUR DONORS
L E E
H I N K L E
Schwartz Rounds Program Lee, a member of the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Board of Directors, is a longtime donor and advocate. Her gift will help fund the Schwartz Rounds Program at TMH, which allows healthcare professionals to discuss the emotions they experience while caring for patients and families.
How is this gift meaningful for you? I left my job in 2010 to take care of my husband, Cliff, who had Alzheimer’s disease. I understand the emotions that come with disease, not just for patients, but for their caregivers, friends, family and for the professionals who provide care. Caregivers need healing, too.
How does the Schwartz Rounds Program work? The program will be open to an array of people who are providing care every day – physicians, nurses and social workers. It gives them a structured time and a safe place to talk about their experiences. It gives them an outlet for emotional release.
How did you work with the TMH Foundation to designate your gift? I called the Foundation president and said, “This hospital means a lot to me. It’s doing wonderful things, but I want to support something that I know is giving tangible benefit to the people who are here.” He came back to me with the Schwartz Rounds Program, which was a perfect fit.
Why do you give through the TMH Foundation? Everyone at TMH is working to make this a regional healthcare destination, an academic medical center and a place where people know that they’ll get the absolute best care. We’re there now, but there’s more we can do. People in this community can make TMH even better with their support.
What would you say to others who want to make an impact? Everybody has something that they’re passionate about, and most everybody has family and friends. There are a lot of people who will give, if you’ll just ask them.
“Find something that is going to touch you in a way that also touches others.” AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM January–February 2020 TA L L A H A S S E E M E M O R I A L H E A LT H C A R E F O TALL U N DAT ION
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JAN/FEB 2020
SPECIAL SECTIONS AND PROMOTIONS
62 VALENTINE VIEWS
The Valentine Tour of Homes presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County showcases stunning coastal residences in a unique tour experience.
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LAUGHS AND LEAPS The unlikely combo of comedy and ballet meet in the Opening Nights performance of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, danced by an all-male drag troupe.
148 ↑ BEST OF TALLAHASSEE RECAP
The 2019 Best of Tallahassee rocked the Champions Club as a night of awards and celebration honored the best in the business.
← CUPID’S GIFT GUIDE
Treat your sweetheart to something sparkling and shiny from The Gem Collection. From engagement rings to earrings, give the gift of a gleaming gem.
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LASER TECH
54
ASIAN FUSION
Masa merges Eastern and Western flavors for a taste-bud-tantalizing menu featuring sushi, seafood, Thai and Chinese options in an inviting and exciting atmosphere.
Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic talks safe and effective laser treatments for the removal of tattoos, sunspots and more.
130 NEXT ISSUE
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APPLIANCES FOR ALL
118
HEARTFELT HOMES
Mays Munroe, Inc. is Tallahassee’s only independent appliance dealer. The knowledgeable staff in the showroom can help you find the perfect appliance, and the experienced service department provides product care.
For 30 years, Tallahassee Homes Realty LLC, has built Tallahassee dream homes of high-quality and great prices that align with a relaxed lifestyle of comfort and elegance.
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↑ POET IN RESIDENCE
Poet, artist and activist Michael Rothenberg talks creative process, books and superpowers in a Q&A with the Council on Culture & Arts.
← FORGOTTEN COAST MAP
Our illustrated map orients you to a historic and picturesque region of the Gulf Coast that shies from the spotlight.
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DEAL ESTATE
132
CALENDAR
A just listed home in Betton Hills features spacious 9-foot ceilings, an impressive kitchen with quartz countertops, 4 bedrooms/4.5 bathrooms, a heated spa and a screened-in saltwater pool.
Start 2020 with plenty of performances of both music and theatre, The Tallahassee Beer Festival, The Tallahassee Marathon and much more.
Your guide to Springtime Tallahassee from the Grand Parade to The Jubilee and more. PROMOTION
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BLOOMING BUSINESS
Esposito Lawn & Garden Center celebrates 50 years of servicing lovely lawns and landscapes in the Capital City. Owner Ralph Esposito reflects on the success of his business.
January–February 2020
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PHOTOS BY TRICKY PHOTOGRAPHY (148) AND COURTESY OF THE GEM COLLECTION AND COUCIL ON CUTLRUE AND ARTS
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IS YOUR RETIREMENT ON THE HORIZON? A Capital City Investments advisor can provide invaluable assistance with developing ways to put your money to work for you throughout retirement. Your advisor can help you understand your full financial picture now and how to plan for the future including understanding your options with the Florida Retirement System, how to manage services like social security, health insurance (if you retire before 65), medicare, etc.
Setting your course is the smart thing to do. Contact us today so that we can help you chart out your dream retirement.
Schedule a Retirement Review at www.ExploreRetirement.com or 866.682.1177 Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Capital City Bank and Capital City Investments are not registered broker/dealers and are not affiliated with LPL Financial. Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value • Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency • Not a Bank Deposit Neither Capital City Investments nor any of its advisors are affiliated with or endorsed by the State of Florida or any Florida Retirement System (FRS) programs.Investors who choose to use the services of Capital City Investments will do so independently from any FRS benefit program. TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE VOL. 43, NO. 1
FACIALS | ANTI AGING | TEEN | MICRODERMABRASION
850 322-2632 www.chaaesthetics.com
skinbycha
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BRIAN E. ROWLAND
EDITORIAL EDITOR Peter T. Reinwald MANAGING EDITOR Jeff Price EDITORIAL INTERN Danielle J. Brown CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Janecia Britt, Steve Bornhoft, Bob Ferrante, Kate Pierson, Natalie Kazmin, Rebecca Padgett, Audrey Post, Saige Roberts, Brian Rowland
CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY Daniel Vitter CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Ekrut ART DIRECTOR Saige Roberts SENIOR PUBLICATION DESIGNER Shruti Shah PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Sarah Burger, Jordan Harrison, Lindsey Masterson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sierra Thomas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Barfield, Megan Bean, Elizabeth E. George, Hannah Hill Photography, Scott Holstein, Luis Korda, Lori Magee Yeaton, Ron Moody, Saige Roberts, Brian Rowland, Matt Sauro, James Stefiuk, Lauren Womble, Alex Workman
SALES, MARKETING AND EVENTS VICE PRESIDENT/CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT McKenzie Burleigh SALES MANAGER, EASTERN DIVISION Lori Magee Yeaton SALES MANAGER, WESTERN DIVISION Rhonda Lynn Murray DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EASTERN DIVISION Daniel Parisi DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WESTERN DIVISION Dan Parker ADVERTISING SERVICES COORDINATORS Tracy Mulligan, Lisa Sostre ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES David Doll, Julie Dorr, Darla Harrison, Linda Powell MARKETING MANAGER Kate Pierson SALES AND MARKETING WRITER Rebecca Padgett SALES AND EVENTS MANAGER Mackenzie Little SENIOR INTEGRATED MARKETING COORDINATOR Javis Ogden
OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Melissa Spear CUSTOM PUBLISHING MANAGER Sara Goldfarb CLIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE/PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Melinda Lanigan ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT Amber Dennard RECEPTIONIST Shyann Cruz
DIGITAL SERVICES DIGITAL EDITOR Janecia Britt DIGITAL INTERN Madison Schultz TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE tallahasseemagazine.com facebook.com/tallahasseemag twitter.com/tallahasseemag instagram.com/tallahasseemag pinterest.com/tallahasseemag youtube.com/user/tallahasseemag ROWLAND PUBLISHING rowlandpublishing.com
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EDITORIAL OFFICE 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. (850) 878-0554 SUBSCRIPTIONS One year (6 issues) is $30. Call (850) 878-0554 or go online to tallahasseemagazine.com. Single copies are $3.95. Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and at our Miccosukee Road office. CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBMISSIONS Tallahassee Magazine and Rowland Publishing, Inc. are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged but will not be returned. Tallahassee Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor. Copyright January 2020 Tallahassee Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Partners of Visit Tallahassee and Member, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.
Setting the Standard for Beautiful Smiles. Experience the transformation with a smile designed by Dr. Thomas Oppenheim.
“People compliment me. I’m more self confident. It’s worked wonders in my life!”
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from the publisher
I’d like to address a topic that might make you uncomfortable — death. It’s among the most taboo subjects in American society. As a result, I have seen people and families avoid any preparation for the last step of their journey. For me, it’s quite the contrary. I earned a graduate degree in gerontology, and I focused my thesis on death and dying. While working at a hospital, I found myself at the bedside of many passing souls. I was in my early 20s when I cared for my mother and father in their slow and painful final weeks. When my parents passed away in the early 1970s, hospice was an emerging resource, leaving little to no support for patients and their families. That’s hardly the case anymore. Today the U.S. offers about 5,000 hospice care agencies, including one that serves eight Northern Florida counties. Big Bend Hospice offers care to people who have life-limiting illnesses, and it provides comfort for their families. It offers an array of services that you think you might need — and many more that you probably never imagined you would need. The organization typically serves about 300 patients at any given time, says Dena Strickland, president of the Big Bend Hospice Foundation. It never turns anybody away, she says, and it does its work through the generosity of our community. As a publisher and storyteller, I had long sought to bring one person’s final voyage to the pages of Tallahassee Magazine. After several years of softly asking Big Bend Hospice to find a patient who would talk with us about their end-of-life journey — which would take tremendous courage — the organization during the summer invited our editor, Peter Reinwald, to the Cherry Laurel retirement community to meet Marta Becerra. In this issue of Tallahassee Magazine, you’ll find Peter’s story about Marta and her end-of-life journey, plus a special insert — Five Wishes — a brochure given to you by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Big Bend Hospice and Aging with Dignity. Take time to read it, and share your written wishes with your loved ones so that they know and respect them during your final weeks and days, when you are unable to share them. I urge you to consider this document as important as your will.
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Now more about Marta. She was a Cuban immigrant who was eager to share her life story and her appreciation for Big Bend Hospice. Before she passed in October, Marta told Peter about her life in Cuba, her flight to freedom, her faith in God, her love for her family and her acceptance of death. Peter also met with Marta’s son, Laz, and her daughter-inlaw, Nancy, plus with Big Bend Hospice team members. All provided insight on her condition, care and remarkable story. Eager to portray Marta’s story visually, I asked photographer Alex Workman to join Peter on one of his three visits. On one Saturday morning, I joined Peter on a visit to Marta’s apartment to meet her and to take a family photo. We talked for 45 minutes about her life in Cuba and her immigration to the U.S. in 1970. She told us of the fear of living under Fidel Castro during a time when the government could walk into her home at any moment and take anything it wanted. She even recalled at one point seeing Soviet missiles on hilltops. Then, in 1970, she and her family took advantage of a U.S. program called Freedom Flights and started a new life in Miami — only to be spat upon as they walked through the Havana airport. They built a life in South Florida and became U.S. citizens. Following her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter to Tallahassee, she loved our community and was happy to spend her final chapter here. I found Marta courageous, generous and uplifting. I am a better person for having met her. Here’s wishing you a safe and spiritual passage, Marta. See you on the other side.
BRIAN ROWLAND browland@rowlandpublishing.com
SCOTT HOLSTEIN
A SALUTE TO AN IMMIGRANT WHO TAUGHT US ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH
For more than forty years, the BMW 5 Series stood for uncompromising performance and dynamic driving. Now it takes its place as one of the most interactive and innovative vehicles in the BMW lineup. Gorgeous design and luxurious comfort make the 5 Series more than a statement piece – it’s a work of art. Special lease and finance offers available by Capital BMW through BMW Financial Services. Capital BMW 3701 W. Tennessee St. Tallahassee, FL 32304 (855) 314-6658 Capital-BMW.com
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editor’s letter
I’m Peter now. I’m Peter now because it’s the New Year, and I said in 2019 that I’d stop being Pete in 2020. I’m Peter now because that’s what it says on my birth certificate, and I figured it was time that I remembered myself. I’m Peter now because I’m finished wasting an “r.” It’s mine, and I want to use it. Imagine if Peter Parker had dropped the r and given us Spide-Man. I’m Peter now because Peter means stone. I’m also Pierre or Pedro or Pietro, which apparently means that I rock in any language. I’m Peter now because the Urban Dictionary says flattering things about Peter, including that “Peter is a man who is the sweetest, kindest man but might not believe it. … Peters might start off on the wrong path, but they will eventually make a difference in the world.” I’m Peter now because the Urban Dictionary says unflattering things about Pete, including that “his awkwardness will either been seen as undesirable or endearing. … He has an immature sense of humor which will either be seen as funny or annoying.” I’m Peter now because Pete sounded too much like “Keith” on the phone, at least when Pete said it. “OK, Keith. I’ll make sure that Mr. Smith gets your message.” “No, it’s Pete. PETE, you know, like the plant material.” “Oops. Sorry. I’ll make sure that Mr. Smith gets your message, Leif.” I’m Peter now because Pete rode his electric bike to work, played his guitar at all hours and remained addicted to his cellphone. Peter will merely ride his electric bike to work and play his guitar at all hours. When he longs for his cellphone, he’ll tell himself to stop being such a Pete. “Your awkwardness is undesirable,” Peter will say. I’m Peter now because I told colleagues in late 2019 that I wanted them to start calling me Peter. “What’s this all about?” they’d ask. “The attention, of course.” I’m Peter now because colleagues’ efforts have inspired me. Upon getting it wrong, one wrote: “My apologies, Peter™!” Here’s truly what this is all about: I’m Peter now — Peter T. Reinwald, that is — because I’ve always been interested in transformation and in making myself a better editor, writer, journalist, colleague, neighbor, friend, husband, father and human being, and I’ll try anything to achieve it.
Happy New Year! PETER T. REINWALD preinwald@rowlandpublishing.com
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SAIGE ROBERTS
ONE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: RESTORING THAT SECOND SYLLABLE
H S E
YOU are making a big real estate decision. YOU can trust us to answer your questions and make this an easy process. We can find unexpected opportunities for YOU. YOU need the best. We are here for YOU. Well-connected. Highly effective.
BIG BEND EMERALD COAST FORGOTTEN COAST HILLSPOONER.COM 850.907.2051 TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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PROMOTION
TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM Enter for your chance to win a weekend getaway for two at a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort From the gorgeous Henderson: A Salamander Beach & Spa Resort comes a fantastic getaway opportunity that you don’t want to miss. Giveaway includes a two-night weekend getaway, spa certificate for two and dinner for two. Offer ends Feb. 1, 2020 | Value: $2,000 Visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/giveaways to enter.
Thank you Thank you to everyone who participated in Round 1 of the Tally Top Pet contest. We raised over $15,000 for Be the Solution. Voting for the 2020 Tally Top Pet will resume on Jan. 6, and we need your help to narrow down to the top 8 by visiting TallahasseeMagazine.com/tally-top-pet.
TALLY TOP PET P H OTO CO N T E ST
TALLY TOP PET P H OTO CO N T E ST
Making Tallahassee Beautiful for 50 years From lawn care to Christmas lights to gardening, Esposito Lawn & Garden Center has been serving the Tallahassee community for 50 years. Head to TallahasseeMagazine.com/ home-and-garden-links for more.
@TALLAHASSEEMAG Whether you’re out on the town or relaxing at home, we would love to know how you’e spending this Valentine’s Day in the Capital City. Tag us on Instagram stories for a chance to be featured!
@tallahasseemag Tallahassee Magazine @TallahasseeMag
SETTING IT STRAIGHT Angie Barry is curator of exhibitions and collections at the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in Quincy. In our November/December issue, we misspelled her name in an article about Dr. Armand Cognetta’s map collection, for which she also serves as curator. Also, First Baptist Church supplied three photos that accompanied an article about the church. We incorrectly credited another historic downtown church.
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January–February 2020
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PREPARE FOR SPRING With your next vacation just around the corner, winter is the perfect time to get ready for spring. Visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/ beauty-links for your go-to skincare guide.
Holiday Gemstones Rubies, emeralds and pearls: Which winter gemstone goes perfectly with your holiday dress? Find out by visiting TallahasseeMagazine.com/ style-links.
PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (HOME AND GARDEN LINKS) AND DEAGREEZ / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS (BEAUTY LINKS) AND COURTESY OF THE HENDERSON: A SALAMANDER BEACH & SPA RESORT (GIVEAWAY) AND THE GEM COLLECTION (STYLE LINKS)
WEEKEND GETAWAY AT THE HENDERSON
Celebrating 30 Years of Building Dream Homes
2019 CONSUMERS CHOICE WINNER TallahasseeHomesRealty.com
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January–February 2020
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“One Team, One Family” 29 Years in Business Financing Available
Patios • Landscape • Drainage • Decks, Gazebos and Pergolas • Fire Pits and Fireplaces • Walkways Retaining Walls • Outdoor Kitchens • Water Features • Design Plans
(850) 224-LAND (5263) • contactus@fielderlandscapes.com • fielderlandscapes.com
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JAN/FEB 2020
PROFILING THE PURSUITS, PASSIONS AND PERSONALITIES AMONG US
THE
EDUCATION
BORN A RATTLER FAMU history professor shares his love for his university and hope for even more respect for the institution
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Dr. Reginald Ellis in a conference room at Coleman Library overlooking the FAMU campus
by DANIELLE J. BROWN
RESOLUTIONS photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
Promises, Promises
|| CHAMPION
Room to Grieve
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THE
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Florida A&M history professor Reginald Ellis says, “I feel so much has been poured into me by the university.”
E
rma Jean Ellis was on the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University campus for a bridal shower when she felt her contractions. She drove about 30 miles to Cairo, Georgia, and gave birth to Reggie. “The story is that I was almost born on campus,” Reginald K. Ellis said with a laugh. He might as well have been. He’s home there as a professor of history and assistant dean of the School of Graduate Studies & Research, and he talks about the 133-year-old institution with pride and honor. As a child, he often joined his mother on her 40-minute commute to FAMU, where she worked as an office manager for the Department of History. As he grew up, he would encounter role models in the history department, and he would see family everywhere. That was always the spirit of FAMU, he said.
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Everything about the university made At FAMU, he teaches more than a an impression, from the goose bumps dozen courses, including the History he got from first watching FAMU’s of Florida. The state had a unique Marching 100 to the inspiration he relationship with African slaves, got from an Intro to African American Ellis said, citing a book called “Rebels history course. That prompted him to and Runaways” by FAMU professor change his major from physical therapy Dr. Larry Rivers, whom Ellis frequently to African American studies. cites as a mentor. “I feel so much has been poured into For many escaped slaves, Florida me by the university,” Dr. Ellis said. was a route to freedom. Many lived He’s giving back, saying he wants within native groups, settled in his students to feel the southern Florida and the same inspiration he felt at Everglades or set sail to FAMU. He wants every the Bahamas, Ellis said. one of them to know that Yet Florida was a slave they too can get a Ph.D., in state, with a concentration of slaves in northern anything that moves them. Florida, and that history Ellis earned his Ph.D. at affects Tallahassee culture. the University of Memphis FAMU’s president discusses goals, The city continues to in 2011 and made black students, rankings, address residual tensions education during the Jim the future and more. from Tallahassee’s history. Crow era a focus of his PAGE 84 “Maybe because we’re dissertation.
TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
LARRY ROBINSON Q&A
photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
HONORING OUR DONORS
V I R G I N I A
G L A S S
Telemedicine Tallahassee Memorial Newborn Intensive Care Unit Virginia’s generosity has met many important needs over her 20 years of service with the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Foundation Board of Trustees. Her recent gift provided five Telemedicine units for the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is a Q&A with Virginia and Lauren Faison-Clark, administrator for Regional Development, Population Health and Telemedicine at TMH:
Virginia, why was this gift meaningful for you? I had a great nephew who was born premature, and I remember the anxieties his parents experienced. When Lauren demonstrated the equipment, I had a flashback to my great nephew, who is now, thankfully, a freshman in high school and very healthy. I thought, we need to step up and buy these.
Lauren, how does this technology work and how is it improving lives? Nurses identified this need because they saw the heartache of parents. If your baby is in the NICU for a month, you can’t be there 24/7. Parents have to go back to work, or they have other children they’re caring for. This is a tablet with a webcam and secure video conferencing. Parents can log in to see their baby and communicate with the nurse or doctor. It’s wonderful because we know how important mental health is for healing, for both baby and parents. We also have two units that can go on transportation units so the neonatologist can see the baby and start directing care before they even make it to the hospital.
Virginia, what motivates your giving and service? I keep saying that I’m going to slow down one day, but as long as I’m healthy, needed and wanted, I’m going to continue to try to make a difference. Service is the price we pay for the space we occupy on this earth. Scripture tells us it is more blessed to give than to receive.
“Just listen to the needs. They’re all around us.” TA L L A H A S S E E M E M O R I A L H E A LT H C A R E F O U N DAT I O N TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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THE
Richard J-P Bastien, DMD Julio A. Sixto, DMD
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Giving Tallahassee a Reason to Smile Family & Cosmetic Dentistry · Same Day Crowns Latest Technology · Professional & Caring Team BastienDentalCare.com 1433 Piedmont Drive East, Tallahassee • (850) 425-1300 Monday–Thursday 8am–noon and 12:30pm–4:30pm · Friday 9am-2pm
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in the state’s capital, and we’re in a college town, we’re more aware of race relations,” Ellis said. “The people of Tallahassee have a sense of not wanting to be Old Tallahassee.” Ellis said he notices less racial hostility and closer racial interaction in Tallahassee than when he was growing up. “Twenty years ago,” he said, “you would have never seen the white community this close to FAMU.” He refers to CollegeTown, Railroad Square and South Monroe Street. Developments in these areas raise concerns over gentrification in African American communities. Ellis said he holds out hope that those developments are part of a “good faith effort from the city of Tallahassee to put money into the South Side of Tallahassee in ways that we haven’t historically.” “It will be interesting to see what that looks like in five to 10 years,” he said. He expressed excitement over increased respect for FAMU. The development of CollegeTown, located between FAMU and Florida State University, speaks to the way in which Tallahassee values both universities, he said. He noted that this was not always the case. When he was growing up, he said, African American folks he knew in southern Georgia didn’t feel a connection to Florida State. He said attitudes in those communities began to change when Thomasville’s Charlie Ward attended FSU and led the football team to its first national championship, in 1993. “You can see that shift,” he said. “Florida State has embraced the black community, and the black community has embraced them back. I look forward to the day where Florida A&M is embraced in the same way that Florida State has been embraced.” Ellis said FAMU continues to stand as a beacon of hope to many. He poses a powerful hypothetical question that reflects FAMU’s cultural and historical impact: “What does this community, this part of the city, look like without Florida A&M University?” TM
PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS
↑ Dr. Reginald Ellis shares a photo of him and his mother on a visit to the Statue of Liberty. He also holds warm childhood memories of visits to FAMU with his mom.
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THE
323 TOP RESPONSES
OUR SENTIMENT
Lose weight, eat better, exercise more
We aim only to see our toes again
Save more money
For food and exercise
Travel more
How far to the gym?
Put down your phone more often
How far can we throw it?
Learn a new hobby
Phone throwing
Read more
You mean, without our phone???!!!
Quit Facebook or other social media
Now we’re talking crazy
RESOLUTIONS
PROMISES, PROMISES by KATE PIERSON
One hundred readers responded to a question that we asked in a brief online survey in the fall: “What’s your New Year’s
Resolution?” We provided nine answer options — (1) quit drinking or smoking, (2) lose weight, eat better, exercise more, (3) save more money, (4) learn a new hobby, (5) read more, (6) quit Facebook or other social media, (7) put down your phone more often, (8) quit your job and (9) travel more. A 10th option, “Other,” gave readers an opportunity to write a resolution that we didn’t specify. Thirty-eight respondents chose that option. Otherwise, here are the results.
➺ “Joyfully
‘OTHER’ RESOLUTIONS
make small sacrifices for the betterment of myself, my family and the community”
➺ “Figure out
what living my best life means to me”
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➺ “ Do more
volunteer work”
➺ “ Learn a new
language”
➺ “ To take time
out for myself #selfcareisgoodcare”
➺ “ One night a
week with no TV”
TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
➺ “More mindful
practice (meditation, yoga, poetry)”
➺ “Complete my
memoir”
➺ “Live a life
that is more authentically me”
➺ “Take better
➺ “Encourage young
care of me”
people to register to vote”
➺ “To run one
➺ “To finish my ‘year’
5K per month for 2020”
➺ “I don’t believe
in New Year’s resolutions. If you have a goal, start immediately”
of e-book mysteries set in North Florida”
And, our favorite: ➺ “To be on the cover
of Tallahassee Magazine”
photo illustration by LINDSEY MASTERSON
TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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THE
323
CHAMPION
ROOM TO GRIEVE Melanie Pelc embarks on a new project to reframe attitudes about the grieving process BY DANIELLE J. BROWN
M
elanie Pelc set out almost a decade ago to help others cope with loss. In 2011, she created “Paws to Remember,” a pet-loss support group that addressed the grieving process. Later, having completed a master’s degree in social work, she spent five years working with dying patients. She noticed the difficulty their families had talking about and coping with grief and trauma — just as she had after her mother’s death in 2006. “Our society is a grief-denying society,” she said. Pelc said she observed a societal inability to talk through deeply intense emotions and saw a chance to develop the conversation. In April 2018, she launched a nonprofit, The Living Room. The organization aims to create space, dialogue and coping mechanisms for the grieving process. She laments America’s culture as one that pressures mourning individuals to get over loss in a timely manner. “Other cultures don’t shy away from talking about people who have gone and thinking about them,” Pelc said, citing her Jewish background and the practice of building grief into cultural holidays. Much of our narrative surrounds an idea of getting on with our lives following traumatic events. Vapid expressions such as “time heals all wounds” and the concept of “moving on” isolates those who continue to mourn. This problem extends beyond individuals.
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↙ Melanie Pelc holds a 1999 photo of her and her mother at Melanie’s wedding. “She was radiant that day,” Pelc said. Her mom died in 2006, and Pelc said she had no idea at the time how to cope with grief. Pelc later spent five years working with dying patients and observed “a grief-denying society”— prompting her to launch The Living Room. ↑ Pelc keeps reminders of her mother close to her, including on her right ankle — a tattoo of an orchid for her mom. “She went to Hawaii a few years before she died, and it changed her,” Pelc said. “She loved the beauty and spirituality of it all.” Pelc said she and others gave her mother a Hawaii-themed funeral that featured Hawaiian shirts. “And the immediate family wore beautiful orchid leis,” Pelc said. She said she got the tattoo on Mother’s Day the year her mother died.
Pelc worries that traumatized communities programs to help employees manage the stress do not give themselves enough time to of their position and provide quality patient address emotions from distressing events, interaction. such as the tragedy Tallahassee experienced “That would be a really great way to get in November 2018. better patient care — take care of the people That month, community members doing it,” Pelc said. gathered at three vigils to honor and Studies from Mayo Clinic and American remember the victims of the Hot Yoga Psychological Association support her claim. shooting, Maura Binkley and Dr. Nancy Van These organizations contend that medical Vessem. Pelc highly values these gatherings professionals who receive burnout counseling provide better patient care. Ignoring these stresses and their purpose in community healing but could lead to devastating outcomes, she said. emphasizes that emotional work cannot be “… If the grief isn’t released, then it builds done in one week. up and can lead to compassion fatigue and When these vigils end, Pelc asserts, burnout … all lending to the increase in suicide traumatized communities leave with their for physicians, veterinarians and nurses,” Pelc said. emotions unexamined and without knowing how Everybody experiences grief to confront their grief. She called frequently. For a universal it “a silence in our community.” emotion, grief manifests in She suggested that communities ↓ individual experiences unique to need to give themselves time and every person. Pelc said the work dialogue to grieve for the loss The Living Room is a ahead requires a cultural shift of their members during such 501(c)(3) nonprofit and conscious effort to enrich our scarring events. organization that dialogue surrounding grief. Pelc plans to expand her says it’s “dedicated to empower strength She looks to do what she services into emotionally taxing and hope and can through The Living Room, professions, such as veterinarians promote healthful whose mission statement she and nurses. These jobs demand grief healing and awareness to all sees as simple: daily exposure to the traumas members of the “Every single person deserves of others, which weighs on the community.” Visit to understand that they can and professionals over time. She thelivingroomtlh.org should grieve.” TM aims to provide trauma coping
LEARN MORE
photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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Looking for a Doctor? TMH Physician Partners is a community based, multi-specialty provider network available through Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, the leading hospital in the Big Bend for exceptional care, health services and advanced technology. But choosing a doctor is an important decision – the right physician and a capable staff can make a huge difference in your life! We make the task
PRIMARY CARE TMH Physician Partners – Southwood Matthew Standridge, MD & Daniel Bernabe, MD Our practice is accepting patients of all ages, including infants, children, adults and seniors. We provide comprehensive care for illnesses in addition to physical exams, sports physicals, immunizations, minor surgical procedures, comprehensive diagnostic X-ray services, routine screenings, disease management and patient education. We approach healthcare not simply as the treatment of a particular illness, but with a focus on prevention, health education and the wellbeing of the family as a whole.
Florida State University College of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Ingrid Jones-Ince, MD, Raymond J. Shashaty, MD, Susan Manson, MD, Claudia Kroker-Bode, MD, Gregory Todd, MD & Ramiz Kseri, MD As a clinic, we measure our success on our ability focus on each patient as an individual and customize their care based on their needs. At the Internal Medicine Residency Program, we provide both hospital-based and ambulatory care for adult patients. Our area of specialty is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases with our main goal being to provide excellent care to our patients — both in the hospital and in the clinic.
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easy by selecting highly qualified physicians, and staffing our offices with the best available nurses and administrators to offer you an approachable environment for care and service. Check out a few of our primary care and specialty care TMH Physician Partners locations currently accepting new patients:
TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS SPECIALTY TMH Physician Partners – General Surgery Tim Ruark, MD, Shelby Blank, MD, Raquel Weston, MD, Darrell Hunt, MD, PhD & Eliot Sieloff, MD Our experienced general surgeons diagnose and provide exceptional surgical care for conditions affecting almost any area of the body. Common surgical procedures we perform include the following areas; breast, abdomen, thyroid, arm, legs, colon and skin.
TMH Physician Partners – Urology Charles Yowell, MD & Francisco Carpio, MD Our practice provides the highest quality urology care for men and women dealing with diseases and conditions of the urinary tract. If you aren’t sure about whether you need to visit a urologist, here are some of the common conditions we treat: • Bladder Cancer
• Prostate Enlargement/BPH
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Urinary Incontinence
• Hematuria/Blood in Urine • Kidney Cancer
• Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection
• Kidney Stones
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Prostate Cancer
• Voiding Dysfunction
To learn more about each practice, visit TMHPHYSICIANPARTNERS.ORG, or to give us a call at 850-431-4786 to make an appointment.
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panache JAN/FEB 2020
REGARDING MATTERS OF ALL THINGS STYLISH
FASHION
THE WONDERS OF WINTER WEAR Defrost your closet with hot trends for cold weather
PHOTO BY SOLOVYOVA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
by REBECCA PADGETT
FASHION The Wonders of Winter Wear || WHAT’S IN STORE Retail Roundup TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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panache
hile the rest of the state stays in sandals, shorts and sleeveless tops year round, the Panhandle gets to embrace some winter wear, at least for a couple of brisk months. In my opinion, Tallahassee receives just the right dose of winter. Just enough to dabble in the best winter trends without sacrificing fashion in snow suits. It might be the novelty of having limited time to style winter pieces, but I find that Floridians have a certain affinity for winter fashion. The key to Northwest Florida winter wear is layering, as the temperature can range from brisk mornings to cool afternoons to freezing nighttime temps. “Embrace winter wear by having fun and thinking outside the box with layering,” said Maria Hurst, owner of Gypsy Rose. “Layer a crisp white button-up under a cozy sweater for a chic winter look.” Anna Reid, owner of Walter Green Boutique, shares a similar stance. “Longer, knit cardigans are great to wear over something else, so you can take it off as it gets warmer during the day or add it as it gets cooler at night,” Reid said. “Scarves and hats are also a fun way to participate in winter fashion without adding a lot of bulk.” Your outwear arsenal should include a classic cable knit sweater, a solid colored trench coat, a denim jacket or a leather jacket. These pieces are timeless and easily added as a top layer. Outwear pieces that are trending in 2020 are fur coats, teddy bear fabric pullovers, lightweight cashmere
sweaters and tweed jackets. Hurst suggests pairing unexpected textures such as a cashmere sweater with leather pants or a tweed jacket styled with a suede skirt. Southern Compass Outfitters stocks its shelves with quarter zips, vests and flannels because all of these male clothing options can be easily layered. The most transitional and easy way to embrace the season is through winterized accessories. They add enough of the season’s style, yet can easily be transformed throughout the year. Felt and wool hats, whether wide brimmed or page boy, have become increasingly popular for both men and women, and can be worn in a variety of climates. Scarves not only keep you warm and cozy, they are versatile; wrap them, drape them, knot them or tie them around your head. Boots, particularly, are a fashion staple for all. Men can transition from Timberland-style boots and jeans to suede or leather dress boots and a blazer. For women, booties and jeans are everyday wear, and over-the-knee
FROM SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE
↘ Mountain Khakis Fourteener Fleece Vest, $124.95, Southern Compass Outfitters
boots and a mini skirt offer a sleek look for a night out. If you’re looking for the hottest trend in the coolest season, Zoee Baker, manager and buyer of Narcissus, says, “Animal print, snake, crocodile prints are a must. It can be shoes, handbags, jeans, coats, dresses — you name it.” With so many lovely layers and amazing accessories, there’s no reason not to embrace the season. TM
“When it comes to dressing for the South’s ever-fickle weather, especially after fall’s chillier temps have rolled in, there’s only one smart way to dress ... piling on the layers. You can shed or add layers as the weather dictates, or change up the final layer of accessories to suit whatever events you have on the agenda. When it comes to this layered outfit equation, the magic of the plaid scarf is that it’s always a winner. The plaid scarf is a tried-and-true finishing accessory that can go anywhere.”
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PHOTO BY IPROGRESSMAN (TOP) AND NYS444 (SCARF) / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS AND COURTESY OF SOUTHERN COMPASS OUTFITTERS
W
➺ “Layer a crisp white buttonup under a cozy sweater for a chic winter look,” says Maria Hurst, owner of Gypsy Rose.
E HAIR
SALON
FLAGSHIP (Salon): 1435 E. Lafayette St. (Next to Pier1) Tallahassee, FL 32301 • 850-681-6681 MARKET DISTRICT (Salon+Spa): 1410 - C6 Market St. • Tallahassee, FL 32312 • 850-727-0482
www.Soleil7.com
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PURE FLOWER AND PLANT ESSENCES
SCOTT BROUWER PHOTOGRAPHY
g from Gap to Gucci Everythin
2887 KERRY FOREST PARKWAY, SUITE 4 | NEXT TO STARBUCKS (850) 765-0342 | JLYNNSBOUTIQUECONSIGN.COM
WORLD CLASS FEATURES & SERVICE (850) 999-8182 1894 THOMASVILLE ROAD CAPITAL PLAZA REFINERYBARRE.COM TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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PROMOTION
EVEN CUPID GOES SHOPPING AT THE GEM COLLECTION What’s your heart’s desire or what sets your sweetheart’s heart on fire? Regardless of whom you are buying for this Valentine’s Day, you’re sure to find it at The Gem Collection. Whether you’re planning to put a stunning sparkler on her hand or celebrating many years of love together with a ruby heart pendant, The Gem Collection has a vast variety of fine precious and semi-precious stones and an extensive selection of certified diamonds. All gemstones, jewels, baubles and bling are approved with Cupid’s seal of approval.
1 2
GO 38
➺ The Gem Collection 3501 Thomasville Road | (850) 893-4171 | GemCollection.com
January–February 2020
TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
PROMOTION
1.
SWEET HEART
Make their heart skip a beat with the perfect price point gift that is pricelessly sentimental, the Sterling Floating Heart pendant.
3
$69
2.
GARNET AND GOLD
4
If your love is an FSU fan, she will adore this garnet and citrine leaf ring set in 14k yellow gold. $450
3.
ANGEL WINGS
Does your angel need a guardian angel? This Celtic designed angel is a beautiful combo of sterling, gold and blue topaz. $150
4.
SPECIAL SAPHIRES
5
When you think of your special someone, you think of this ring, set in white gold with sapphires and diamonds. $1,690
6
5.
COOL BLUE
With spring around the corner, add a little color to her world. These stunning Michou earrings are made of amazonite quartz, blue topaz and pearls. $199
6.
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
When it’s time to take your love story to the next level, Valentine’s Day is a perfect time for a proposal and this diamond halo ring. Priced
from $2,990
7.
RUBY ROMANCE
Give her your heart with a ruby red heart pendant that will make her heart throb.
7
Come say hello to The Gem Collection owners Don and Dorothy Vodicka and make The Gem Collection a part of your sparkling holiday tradition.
$225
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panache The Refinery Barre Fitness Studios
➸ What’s a barre class without your sticky socks? The STICKY B SOCKS crew cut completes your look. ↓
➸ The signature REFINERY
What’s In Store?
A roundup of retail happenings throughout Tallahassee by REBECCA PADGETT
Hello, 2020 and to those New Year’s resolutions! With many of us investing in our health, both physically and mentally, why not gear up for the year in style with hot health picks from local stores? From athletic wear to wellness products to skincare, look and feel your best.
Tallulah CBD + Juicebar
NARCISSUS Narcissus is a leader in LEISUREWEAR, from silky cropped sweaters to cozy sweat pants to sleek and versatile yoga pants to snazzy sneakers. The vast variety of brands transition you from yoga or spin class to brunch with the girls or Tuesday afternoon errands.
GREEN ROADS SKIN RELIEF is a wonderful way to enhance your skincare routine in the new year. Made with pure hemp extract oil, this CBD skin cream contains supportive ingredients such as vitamin E, avocado oil and other essential oils. A licensed pharmacist with decades of industry experience has formulated the Skin Relief Cream. // Tallulah CBD offers a tasty variety of CBD-infused coffees. Enjoy WAKE N BAKE, an intense yet smooth, full body and smoky-flavored Brazilian coffee blend. The unique flavor never disappoints, and now that it’s available in a K-Cup, you can enjoy this 100 percent Arabica Heneplex-infused coffee the way it should be enjoyed. // Lift the morning haze with HAZLENUT HAZE. This is a medium roasted, full-aroma Hawaiian Kona Blend. Each sip brewed from the convenient K-Cup features exotic undertones enhanced with hazelnut flavor and the added benefits of Heneplex, which is designed to deliver the taste of the Hawaiian Islands right to your kitchen. Each box comes with 12 K-cups.
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➸ NIKIBIKI LEGGINGS are made for lounging and then transitioning to barre class. They have a highrise waistline with a super cute, stomach-flattering, tie in the front. Because they are Spandex, one size fits most. Try them on once, and you’ll find yourself purchasing both the black and navy pairs.
Wonsaponatime Vintage ➸ EVERYDAY OIL is made to
be used “Everyday, All Over, For Everything, For Everyone.” This product is safe skincare for all ages, using the best organic and wildharvested botanical oils. Everyday Oil is uniquely balancing, hydrating, cleansing and nourishing. It can be used in your hair, on your body and face. It’s one little bottle of goodness for all your needs. It is especially hydrating in the winter months. Emma Allen of Black Mountain, North Carolina, is the founder and maker.
PHOTOS COURTESY NARCISSUS, THE REFINERY, WONSAPONATIME VINTAGE AND TALLULAH CBD JUICEBAR
↑
RACER BACK TANK is a super soft material from Next Level Apparel. It is made in the USA, is machine washable and extremely comfortable. It breathes as you exercise, ensuring there is no sticky sweat clinging to your body. These stylish shirts also come in black, white and gray and a variety of sizes.
Free first visit under 2
Dr. Shawn Hanway Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
(850) 666-5365 TallahasseePediatricDentistry.com 2304 Killearn Center Blvd TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
January–February 2020
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Model
The Latest
Lasers PICOSECOND TECHNOLOGY MAKES FOR SAFE, EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF TATTOOS AND BROWN SPOTS 42
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PROMOTION
S
eemingly nothing lasts forever. Relationships fail. Sports team allegiances change. Career moves happen. The symbol you found poignant as a college student may no longer have meaning. And today even the tattoo you impulsively submitted to as a way to memorialize any ultimately impermanent aspect of your life can become obsolete. The Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic is equipped with Enlighten, a tattoo-removing laser that Dr. Alfredo Paredes Jr. says is both more effective and safer than any laser he had used previously. Early millisecond lasers emitted light every one-thousandth of a second. They evolved to become nanosecond lasers (onemillionth of a second). Enlighten operates with picosecond technology — one trillionth of a second. “That is so fast,” Dr. Paredes said, “that when you are targeting a tattoo, it creates a photo-acoustic effect that shatters the pigment particles underneath the skin small enough that your body’s immune system can come in and remove them.” Dr. Paredes likened the treatment to a lithotripsy procedure whereby high-energy shock waves break up kidney stones, reducing them to pieces that can easily be passed. Enlighten has applications in addition to tattoo removal. It may be used to remove brown spots, often called sunspots; to tighten skin and reduce pore size and to eliminate fine lines. “A lot of people don’t like brown spots on their face or hands, and they occur frequently in Florida where we get a lot of
exposure to the sun,” Dr. Paredes said. “Enlighten is the most effective laser I have used on brown spots. It targets the brown pigment in the skin in the same way you can target a tattoo.” Dr. Paredes stressed that Enlighten is not used on melanomas, but instead on abnormal accumulations of brown pigment known technically as benign pigmented lesions. Enlighten, Dr. Paredes said, is safe for use on all skin types. “It is so fast that it does not heat up the skin,” he explained. “A nanosecond isn’t very long, but with slower lasers, the skin surrounding your target area absorbs the light and it can result in a burn. With picosecond technology, we can apply the light so quickly that it basically gets past the skin before it knows what’s happening.” In employing Englighten, Dr. Paredes uses different wavelengths of light to target brown spots or varying colors of tattoos. Some brown spots can be removed in one session. Laser tattoo removal requires an average of six to eight sessions, and Dr. Paredes recommends that they be separated by eight weeks to give the immune system time to do its work. The cost for removals, beginning with the smallest tattoos, starts at $150 per session. While the surgical removal of tattoos is in some cases a viable alternative, surgery will leave a scar whereas Enlighten treatments do not. Patients present various reasons for wanting tattoos removed. In many cases, a patient’s employer may not allow visible tattoos or the patient may have plans to enlist in the military. “I have had doctoral students who were going to be sitting with their committee for an oral comprehensive exam and they felt like they wouldn’t pass if they had a tattoo on their face,” Dr. Paredes said. Sometimes, he fixes typos. “The tattoo artist may have gotten a number wrong in a date, for example, and we can remove that one number so it can be replaced,” Dr. Paredes said. For patients who require it, Dr. Paredes may use a topical numbing cream or a lidocaine injection (like a dentist uses) to combat pain. He often uses a “test patch” to determine a patient’s pain tolerance and goes from there. No tattoo is so large that it cannot be removed. “I’ve seen remarkable results — a sleeve or an entire chest,” Dr. Paredes said. “It takes more effort and it may take two years, but we can get rid of them.”
TALLAHASSEE PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC 2452 MAHAN DRIVE, SUITE 101 (850) 877-2126 | TLHPLASTICSURGERY.COM Larry L. Harper, M.D. • Alfredo A. Paredes, Jr., M.D. • Jeffery M. Rawlings, M.D. Sue Anne Pearce, Licensed Esthetician • Kansas Gowan, Licensed Esthetician TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
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Seller is Broker
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DINING IN
For the New Year, a World of Peas
|| DINING GUIDE
Page 157
gastro&gusto JAN/FEB 2020
FROM THE SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE TO THE PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE
DINING OUT
Bella
2
↗
Siblings Amy and Marc Schwartz work to blend in with the staff of their popular Italian restaurant.
photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
For Tallahassee’s Bella Bella, service and cohesion create twice the experience by DANIELLE J. BROWN
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gastro & gusto
A
my Schwartz, head of catering, stands at the Front of House and ensures the quality of a massive, colorful salad for the morning’s catering order. “That’s the Bella Bella salad,” she said, pointing to a vibrant salad heavily sprinkled with seasonal fruit. Marc Schwartz, her brother, emerges from the Back of House, camouflaged into the kitchen staff. You would assume Schwartz is simply another cook if weren’t for his title as “Owner” embroidered into his white chef’s coat. Marc and Amy Schwartz operate the adored Tallahassee Italian restaurant, Bella Bella. The two blend in with their workers seamlessly. During an interview with Tallahassee Magazine, Marc and Amy Schwartz described a chaotic thrill when working behind the scenes, especially when each gear of the restaurant machine runs quickly, smoothly and efficiently. “It’s kind of an addiction. When it’s crazy busy and you are just freaking out ... it’s just like adrenaline. When everything is in full swing and just chaos, that’s usually the best time ... Customers are happy. Servers. Everyone’s happy. Next thing you know, your six-hour shift: boom! Flew by,” Marc Schwartz punctuated with a snap. “And you’ve seated 400 people,” his sister added, highlighting Bella Bella’s growth.
↑ Bella Bella touts its Bubble Bread as “soft Italian bread topped with garlic spread, gorgonzola and mozzarella and then baked until bubbly.” → Chef Liz Heerema, right, joins Amy and Marc Schwartz outside the restaurant.
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photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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gastro & gusto
←
Chef Liz Heerema handles a menu that offers classic Italian dishes, often with a Floridian seafood twist.
The restaurant seats 120 patrons. At its 2001 inception, it sat 12. Bella Bella muscled through difficult economic times. It endured the effects of destructive hurricanes, the 2008-09 recession and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that affected seafood distribution. Bella Bella started as one of the oldest staples of Midtown and watched the city’s nightlife build up around it. Today the restaurant stands as a perennial honoree in Tallahassee Magazine’s Best of Tallahassee awards among Italian restaurants. Midtown “wasn’t a destination when we started,” Marc Schwartz said. “There was nothing here. It was nice to see the neighborhood grow.” The restaurant reflects the neighborhood’s appreciation of Tallahassee art and craftsmanship. Paintings and other works from local artists provide a motley collection of differing styles, unified by vibrance.
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High-energy color palettes juxtapose russet wood accents. The result is a unique harmony that encourages lively conversations and invites customers to sit down and stay a while. “We want them to come in and feel waited on and have a good experience,” Marc said. “And feel comfortable, like sitting in their living room,” Amy said. Themes of art and comfort bleed into the dining experience. Chef Liz Heerema’s menu offers classic Italian dishes, many with a Floridian seafood twist. Energy and artistry seep into Bella Bella’s cocktails. Bartenders create original drinks, which the restaurant celebrates as seasonal specials. Nearing 20 years of operation, the Schwartz siblings travel and frequent food shows to gain insight on trends in other Florida cities. Inspiration from cuisine and service, and the restaurant’s commitment to
TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
artistry, help Bella Bella maintain its long-standing position in a rapidly evolving Tallahassee. Marc and Amy Schwartz credit the cohesion and communication between Front and Back of House to keep the gears in motion. “It’s a family,” Amy Schwartz said. “We treat them as family. Everybody works together. It’s a team.” TM
↑ Heerema picks greens from a
hydroponic garden in a room under the restaurant. photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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gastro & gusto DINING IN
FOR THE NEW YEAR, A WORLD OF PEAS Key cultural traditions focus on food and the calendar by JANECIA BRITT
T
he New Year makes us do strange things. Things out of character like getting bangs or going to the gym. From losing weight to budgeting, we tell ourselves that now’s the time to get serious and stay serious. I don’t really make resolutions. I can find everything I need on the stove — seriously. I’ve been eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day for as long as I can remember. You might suggest that I’m serious about my superstitions — the peas for good luck and the greens for money. Add in some cornbread for “gold,” and we’re in business. It’s a Southern tradition that has lasted for centuries and a tradition closely held in the hearts of many African Americans. The oral tradition tells us that slaves ate black-eyed peas to celebrate the day emancipation went into effect, and the ample legumes remain a symbol of hope and prosperity. They continue to stand as a staple on many Southern tables and as an important part of the soul-food canon, which many see as central to the black experience.
↗
BLACK-EYED PEA STEW recipe on page 52
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photography by JAMES STEFIUK
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QR Code Generation and Mobile Websites ∙ CD / DVD Duplication and Full Color Label Printing ∙ Flashdrives with Loaded Data ∙ Document Scanning ∙ Oversize Scanning ∙ Photo Scanning ∙ Holiday Cards ∙ Calendars ∙ Invitations ∙ Custom Notepads ∙ Custom Notecards ∙ Promo Products ∙ Personalized Letters ∙ Postcards ∙ Bulk Business Mail ∙ “Lumpy” Mail & Fulfillment ∙ Newsletters ∙ Training Binders and Books ∙ Binding Options (Comb, Coil, Wire, Perfect, Tape, Booklets) ∙ Programs ∙ Presentation Signage / Foam Board Signs ∙ Event Tickets ∙ CDs / DVDs with Printed Full Color Labels ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Mailing ∙ Step & Repeat Backdrops ∙ Custom Lanyards and Nametags ∙ Postcards (Including Political Mail) ∙ Newsletters ∙ Flyers ∙ Small Posters ∙ Business Cards ∙ Catalogs ∙ Rack Cards ∙ Table Tents ∙ Menus ∙ Presentation Folders ∙ Artwork on Canvas ∙ Backlit Film ∙ Indoor/Outdoor Banners ∙ Foam Board Mounted Signage ∙ Magnetic Vehicle Signs ∙ Architectural Plans ∙ Posters ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Static Cling ∙ Window and Door Lettering ∙ Wall Decals, Fatheads, or Wall Words ∙ Yard Signs ∙ QR I’m hardly the onlywith one Loaded who tiesData certain foods to Scana Code Generation and Mobile Websites ∙ CD / DVD Duplication and Full Color Label Printing ∙ Flashdrives ∙ Document ning ∙ Oversize Scanning ∙ Photo Scanning ∙ Holiday Cards ∙ Calendars ∙ Invitations ∙new Custom Custom Notecards Promo Products year. Notepads Consider ∙challah bread and its∙ role in Rosh ∙ Personalized Letters ∙ Postcards ∙ Bulk Business Mail ∙ “Lumpy” Mail & Fulfillment ∙ Newsletters ∙ Training and Books Options Hashanah, the JewishBinders New Year, which∙ Binding takes place (Comb, Coil, Wire, Perfect, Tape, Booklets) ∙ Programs ∙ Presentation Signage ∙ FoamSept. Board Signs ∙ Event 18–20 this year. Tickets ∙ CDs / DVDs with Printed Full Color Labels ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Step & Repeat Backdrops ∙ Custom Lanyards and Nametags ∙ Postcards (Including Political Mail) ∙ “Challah is super important,” said Sierra Thomas, Newsletters ∙ Flyers ∙ Small Posters (12 x 18 or Smaller) ∙ Business Cards ∙ Catalogs ∙ Rack Cards ∙ Table Tents ∙ Menus ∙ Presentation Folders a at Vehicle RowlandSigns Publishing, owner Plans of ∙ ∙ Artwork on Canvas ∙ Backlit Film ∙ Indoor/Outdoor Banners ∙ Foam Board Mounted graphic Signage designer ∙ Magnetic ∙ Architectural Tallahassee Magazine. “Its circular shape represents the Posters ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Static Cling ∙ Window and Door Lettering ∙ Wall Decals, Fatheads, or Wall Words ∙ Yard Signs ∙ QR Code crown of God and with the world. It’sData often∙ filled with raisins Generation and Mobile Websites ∙ CD / DVD Duplication and Full Color Label Printing ∙ Flashdrives Loaded Document Scanning ∙ Oversize Scanning ∙ Photo Scanning ∙ Holiday Cards ∙ Calendars ∙ Invitations ∙ Custom Notecards ∙ Promo Products ∙ that areNotepads supposed ∙ toCustom represent Jewish people scattered Personalized Letters ∙ Postcards ∙ Bulk Business Mail ∙ “Lumpy” Mail & Fulfillment ∙ Newsletters ∙ Training and Books ∙ Binding Options around the world in theBinders diaspora. (Comb, Coil, Wire, Perfect, Tape, Booklets) ∙ Programs ∙ Presentation Signage / Foam“We Board ∙ Event CDs / DVDs with Printed alsoSigns eat apples withTickets honey ∙for a sweet start to the Full Color Labels ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Step & Repeat Backdrops ∙ Custom Lanyards and Nametags ∙ Postcards (Including Political new year," she added. “The apples are meant to represent Mail) ∙ Newsletters ∙ Flyers ∙ Small Posters (12 x 18 or Smaller) ∙ Business Cards ∙ Catalogs ∙ Rack Cards ∙ Table Tents ∙ Menus ∙ Presentation the story of Adam and Eve.” Folders ∙ Artwork on Canvas ∙ Backlit Film ∙ Indoor/Outdoor Banners ∙ Foam Board Mounted Signage ∙ Magnetic Vehicle Signs ∙ Architectural For the Chinese, theFatheads, Lunar NeworYear, takes place Plans ∙ Posters ∙ Retractable Banner Stands ∙ Static Cling ∙ Window and Door Lettering ∙ Wall Decals, Wallwhich Words ∙ Yard Signs
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Jan. 25 this year, also maintains strong ties to food. “There are so many things we do to celebrate the new year," said Claire Chang, a friend of mine. “Eight is a lucky Chinese number, so in my family we serve eight dishes. You’ll find dumplings, spring rolls, a whole fish and garlic shrimp for wealth and prosperity, as well as longevity noodles for long life and sweet rice balls, and melons to keep the family whole.” Yet even she knows superstitions of the Southern kind. INGREDIENTS ➸ 2 teaspoons of oil “My family is very ➸ 1 tablespoon of salt Chinese, which means ➸ 1 tablespoon of pepper they’re also superstitious," ➸ 1 tablespoon of garlic ➸ 1 small yellow onion, she said, “so we also chopped (roughly one cup) always have a bowl of ➸ 3 cans of Glory black-eyed peas. We’ve brand black-eyed peas with liquid lived in Florida for so ➸ 4 cups of chicken stock long that we’ve just ➸ 1 cup of chopped sausage adopted it as a tradition.” ➸ 1 smoked ham hock ➸ 1 pound bag of cleaned and Food isn’t just wonderchopped collard greens ful. It carries cultural and armesan shavings ➸p religious traditions and DIRECTIONS Heat the oil symbolizes who we are. in a pot and add chopped I’m not sure that sausage. Cook until brown, I believe in all the then remove and set aside. Add in onion and garlic. superstitions that my Cook a few minutes until just mother and grandmother tender and fragrant. Add in passed down to me. But I the black-eyed peas, stock and ham hock. Stir well and do know that these meals cook for about 15 minutes on create memories, and medium-low. Add the collard they represent a chance greens and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, to do the next year a little and cover the pot. Simmer better. on low for about 2 hours. I won’t make any resoRemove lid, stir in sausage and cook uncovered for 5-10 lutions for 2020. But I’ll minutes. Top with parmesan care like heck about what shavings for extra bite. Pair I’m eating. TM with cornbread and enjoy!
A New Take on Black-Eyed Pea Stew
D E M O N S T R AT I O N
COOKINg CLASS Wine & Dine Your Valentine
Bring along that special someone and enjoy a romantic evening of great food, libations, and togetherness. $100 per couple Visit publix.com/tallahassee to sign up or to view additional classes such as Vino in Sicily or Bread Basics Workshop. Drink responsibly. Be 21. Filet Mignon au Poivre with French Green Beans and Potatoes au Gratin
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PROMOTION
N
Masa Asian Fusion
estled in the heart of Tallahassee’s Midtown, Masa is a restaurant experience that will transport you to Asia with its culturally inspired atmosphere and a dynamic menu that blends Eastern and Western cuisines. The Asian-fusion selection serves up sushi, seafood, Thai and Chinese dishes that range from familiar to unique and align with any occasion or visit, making it a beloved spot for many regulars. Masa opened in 2005 as the creation of one of Tallahassee’s most prominent and inspirational restaurateurs, Lucy Ho. In 2015, the restaurant relocated to its new location on North Monroe to better serve customers with more space, a full bar and an outdoor patio. Masa manager Sarah Kuta credits the relaxing and fun — yet upscale — atmosphere for much of the restaurant’s success. “Your experience at Masa can be as fancy or as laid back as you want it to be,” said Kuta. “Many couples come in for our Wednesday Date Night specials for a quiet, romantic evening where they can try unique and experimental dishes. Others bring a big group and sit on our patio with their children for Kids-Eat-Free Sundays. We love to cater to the experience you want.”
MASA 1650 N MONROE
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|
The menu is expansive and impressive. The sushi selection attracts a lot of attention for its dynamic and flavorful variety of rolls and pieces. The signature Grilled Miso Chilean Sea Bass is locally sourced and is a favorite for many dinnertime diners. Comfort food classics include sesame chicken, chili chicken, lo mein and more. The kitchen goes beyond creative flavors to cater to all dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free menus. “We pride ourselves in food quality, an inviting atmosphere and excellent service,” said Kuta. “Many of our customers have been coming here for years because of the reliability of these aspects, stemming from our staff, which is highly trained to answer questions, make recommendations and know our menu extensively.” Much of the staff, Kuta included, has been with Masa for 10 or more years, which creates a familial sense that extends to the customers. Whether you gather around a table of savory steaming noodles with your own family, lounge at the bar with drinks and appetizers, or want to celebrate a special moment over sushi, Masa welcomes you to experience the best of both worlds — Eastern and Western.
(850) 727-4183
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One of
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APRIL 23–26, 2020 Grand Boulevard at Sandestin® Miramar Beach, FL
Thursday • Winemakers & Shakers • 5pm–7pm Friday • VIP Wine Tasting Kick-Off • 4pm–6pm Friday • Craft Beer & Spirits Jam • 6pm–9pm Saturday & Sunday • Grand Tastings • 1pm–4pm
A dazzling roster of dozens of celebrity winemakers, distillers, chefs, brew masters and entertainers converge in South Walton, Florida to wine, dine, educate and entertain guests as part of the four-day celebration of wine during the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival held April 23-26, 2020 throughout Grand Boulevard. Attendees enjoy such attractions as Jackson Family Wine World, featured wine celebrity Alessia Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, Savor South Walton Culinary Village, Nosh Pavilions, Tasting Seminars, Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, live entertainment and more than 600 wines presented by knowledgeable wine industry insiders.
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ADVERTISEMENT
SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL POURS MORE PREMIER WINES THAN EVER
E
Sips, swills, spirits and surprises expected at eighth annual festival
ight years ago, Chan Cox envisioned a wine festival that promised world-class wines, fabulous food and a generous check for charities. These remain the fundamental tenets of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, but he intends each year to bring something new to the festival — and attendees have taken notice. From April 23–26, thousands of wine lovers from around the country will gravitate to the Town Center of Grand Boulevard to taste from an impressive roster of winemakers, distillers, brewers and chefs. The last weekend in April also happens to be when the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation holds their top-ranked charity wine auction, making South Walton the epicenter of the wine universe. Wine, charity and fun converge for Northwest Florida’s ultimate wine week. The festival’s creator and founder of Wine World, Cox has spent decades fostering strong relationships with winemakers, and that will become more apparent this year. “One of the things that is so compelling about this festival is that we mix it up every year, and this year is no exception,” said Stacey Brady, executive director of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. “We work to keep it fresh and incorporate unexpected details that attendees absolutely love.” Historically, the festival has poured over 800 wines, but this year will mark an exciting shift from quantity to superior quality. In 2020, more than 600 wines will be
poured, still an impressive selection, complemented by the best wines the festival has ever had. Another new and exciting element of this year’s festival is the Jackson Family Wine World showcase, which will be a central feature during the Grand Tastings on Saturday and Sunday. Jackson Family Wines has wineries around the world, and the showcase will feature designs that emphasize international stations paired with international wines. Alongside these new additions will be crowd favorites such as: nosh pavilions featuring specialty foods; spirits row packed with distilleries; celebrity seminars; the Friday night Craft Beer & Spirits Jam; and the VIP Tasting on Friday. The Friday evening VIP Tasting is for the serious wine lover, allowing them to taste collectible and rare wines and talk directly to the winemakers. VIP tickets earn attendees access to all of the weekend’s events. While the festival has been highly awarded and is acknowledged as the Southeast’s premier wine and food festival, the most gratifying aspect is that each ticket sale contributes to the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which supports 16 charities throughout Northwest Florida. “Our attention to detail is what makes this a first-class experience, providing access to the finest wines, creative culinary experiences and leading trends in the wine festival industry,” said Brady. The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival presents an unparalleled opportunity to sip, swill, taste and try flavors that will enliven your taste buds and engage your mind.
For more information and to buy tickets go to SoWalWine.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
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Welcome to the best Subaru Outback ever. Go where love takes you.
The all NEW 2020 Subaru Outback Now available at PROCTORSUBARU.COM 58
January–February 2020
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expression
JAN/FEB 2020
KEEPING TABS ON ALL THAT MUSES INSPIRE
MUSIC
MAKING MUSIC HIS FRIEND Dakoda Rollins touts a ‘sonically pleasing’ new album by PETER T. REINWALD
↖
Dakoda Rollins says “Noteworthy,” his third album, offers “a song for just about every mood.”
MUSIC Dakoda Rollins || BOOKS photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
A 9/11 Perspective
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expression
‘NOTEWORTHY’ ARTIST → His name, he said, is an American Indian word that means friend. Tallahassee resident Dakoda Rollins continues to make music his friend. In October, he released “Noteworthy,” his third album. He calls it a “sonically pleasing” project that emphasizes “music to relate to, music to dance to.” A native of Texas, Rollins grew up in an atmosphere of country music and started out playing guitar and doing hiphop. He also found an influence in boy bands, and he says he continues to make his music an exercise in head and heart. “There are just so many ideas that I have in my head, and I need to get them out for my own sanity,” he says. “I want to branch out and do a little bit of everything.” “Noteworthy” he says, trumpets his talent in singing, songwriting, rapping, mixing and trumpet playing. He says the album offers “a song for just about every mood.” About his music, he says, “Some people say it’s all over the place, but to me, that’s just diversity.”
GET IT
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“Noteworthy,” Dakoda Rollins’ third album, is available on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon.
January–February 2020
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photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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PROMOTION
VALENTINE TOUR OF HOMES
PRESENTED BY THE CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE OF WALTON COUNTY
V
alentine’s Day weekend typically means romantic dinners and flowers, but for South Walton residents and visitors, it also signals the highly anticipated annual Valentine Tour of Homes presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County. The tour is known for providing a rare opportunity to enter some of South Walton’s most interesting residences, showcasing stunning interiors, acclaimed architectural designs and picturesque settings — all of which are sure to bring inspiration to tour goers during their winter beach weekend. This annual event — presented by Visit South Walton with additional support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture — will open the doors of a selection of gorgeously designed South Walton homes to participants on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. Guests are invited to take a self-guided tour of a variety of homes. All net proceeds benefit the CAA’s “Art For All” Program, which provides support to Walton County schools, teachers, students, artists and arts organizations to further arts education in the community and other CAA initiatives. “The CAA Tour of Homes has become a cherished Valentine tradition in South Walton for residents and visitors alike,” said CAA Board Member and Valentine Tour of Homes Event Chair Kelly Anderson. “This area is known for world-class architecture in a wide variety of styles, and the tour allows attendees a rare opportunity to view one-of-a-kind gems in person. I really enjoy seeing my friends and neighbors on the tour each year and comparing notes on which homes are the favorites. It’s such a fun way to support arts education in our community!”
Tickets are $35 until Jan. 15, but they will go up to $40 thereafter and will be $45 at the door. Tickets are valid for the entire weekend with one entry per house. Tickets can be purchased in advance at CulturalArtsAlliance.com and locally at several area outlets closer to the event dates. Tickets will also be available for purchase
at each of the homes throughout the weekend. The CAA is committed to ensuring access for all to its programs, including for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Please notify the CAA office in advance for questions regarding access, and best efforts will be made for accommodations.
CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE 105 HOGTOWN BAYOU LANE, SANTA ROSA BEACH | (850) 622-5970 | CULTURALARTSALLIANCE.COM
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New Year
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expression
BOOKS
A 9/11 PERSPECTIVE In a new book, Tallahassee native Christina Stanton recounts her experience in NYC following the attack by DANIELLE J. BROWN
C
hristina Ray Stanton needed to get away from the devastation — the raw, up-close reminders of death, toxic dust and destruction. She had been a New York City resident for eight years when the attacks on the World Trade
Center hit so close to her home six blocks away. The event changed the world, yet it affected those who witnessed it and lived amid the recovery in ways that the rest of us may never understand. “I kind of went running to Momma,” Stanton said.
By Momma, she means Tallahassee. Stanton, a Tallahassee native and Leon High graduate who still lives in Manhattan, returned to the Capital City in September to promote her new book, Out of the Shadow of 9/11: An Inspiring Tale of Escape and Transformation. She visited old friends and gave a 9/11 presentation at area schools, where she portrayed the grim reality of that day in digestible language for children. “Imagine you’re living in a snow globe,” she would tell children as she described the enormous smoke cloud that covered lower Manhattan after the towers fell. On Sept. 11, the 18th anniversary of the attacks, she spoke at Midtown Reader and provided firsthand insight on that day, such as the little-recognized title as the Largest Sea Evacuation in recorded history.
GOING TO NEW YORK?
Tallahassee native Christina Ray Stanton (christinarstanton@gmail.com) has been a licensed tour guide in New York City for more than 20 years and says she has provided tours for a number of people from her hometown. “I especially love touring Tallahasseeans because I feel like we have a common denominator, and there’s a special kinship,” she says.
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photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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expression “I even saw a canoe. That’s a New Yorker for ya,” she said, balancing the solemn tone with light humor. In her book released in May, Stanton recalls the nightmarish experience of running barefoot through lower Manhattan and desperately seeking shelter. She also discusses her physical, emotional and spiritual journey and her escape to Tallahassee, which she said “ended up being a real place of comfort.” As a licensed NYC tour guide, she said, she noticed that much of the narrative on the 9/11 attacks seemed confined to the World Trade Center twin towers — the planes, the people inside, the first responders. Through talks with tourists, she realized that much of the conversation on 9/11 was incomplete. It needed to include the impact on the city and its citizens. “I was guarded, at first, about a lot of the details … but I had a fair amount of people on my tours say ‘We’ve never met anybody who it affected like it did you. You should consider writing “It was real it down,’ ” she told Tallahassee cathartic for Magazine. The reader follows the me to be in journey of Christina and her Tallahassee after husband, Brian, in the events the attacks.” following the 9/11 attacks. Snapshot moments weigh — Christina Ray Stanton, heavily as she recounts the author of Out of the sights of New Yorkers trying Shadow of 9/11 to put their lives back in order — from Broadway actors desperately asking patrons to attend their shows to residents offering emergency housing to strangers with nowhere to go. Stanton fills in this missing narrative with her firsthand perspective. Out of the Shadow of 9/11 widens the lens on the experiences of that day and depicts the story of her spiritual growth and how the events during the attacks and post-9/11 influenced her relationship with her faith. “The attacks, as a result, made us a lot closer to God and a lot more committed to our faith,” said Stanton, who does missionary work in South Africa for Redeemer Presbyterian Church, for which her husband also works. “In reality, God is with us, even in horrific circumstances.” She describes Tallahassee as an arboreal shelter in stark contrast to metropolitan New York. Her mother still lives here, in the house where Stanton grew up. “It was real cathartic for me to be in Tallahassee after the attacks … ,” she said in the interview. “Even though I’ve lived in Manhattan longer than I lived in Tallahassee, Tallahassee was just very warm and comforting and lovely.” TM
february 14-23 Fallon Theatre tickets.fsu.edu
850.644.6500
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda “IN THE HEIGHTS” is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com
tickets.fsu.edu 850.644.6500 By Jackie Sibblies Drury Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois
Marie Antoinette By David Adjmi “Marie Antoinette” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
April 3 - 11
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Introducing Tallahassee’s Premier Senior Living Community The Grove at Canopy offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care lifestyles with unmatched convenience and elegance in a carefree oasis of luxury, featuring: • • • • •
Exquisite dining options Resort-style amenities Dynamic engagement opportunities Holistic wellness offerings Personalized services
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January–February 2020
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PROMOTION
GOOD MEDICINE
A
THE TROCKS INFUSE BALLET WITH COMEDY
s its ballet master, Raffaele Morra watches performances of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo surrounded by audience members and immersed in their laughter and applause. For 16 years, he was a dancer with the company, absorbed by his roles when the lights came up. These days, seated out front, Morra said, “I am reminded that I am part of something really important. Come to a performance and, for about two hours, you forget all of your troubles. It’s good medicine.” An all-male drag troupe, the New York City-based Trocks, as they are informally called, were established in 1974, just five years after members of the LGBTQ community clashed with police in Greenwich Village in the Stonewall Riots and spawned a civil rights movement. The company’s mission, Morra said, was then as it is today: “to entertain people through the freedom of expression and the freedom of being ourselves.” Morra trains dancers, warms them
up prior to performances and sees to the company’s repertory, which ranges from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” to “Stars and Stripes Forever” with music by John Philip Sousa. While he is inflexible about steps and choreography, he encourages dancers to arrive at their own interpretations of their characters. That latitude allows for comedy that also is achieved, Morra said, through gestures, facial expressions and the exaggeration of movements. “We put every style under a loupe and build humor into the choreography,” Morra said. “It gives our shows a lot of energy.” The Trocks attract people who might not otherwise attend a ballet, serving as their introduction to the art form and, many times, leading them to later see traditional performances. They will be in Tallahassee on Feb. 8 as part of Florida State University’s Opening Nights series of live performances. The audience can expect a show both hilarious and technically strong. “We are dancers, after all, who spent many years in ballet schools
trying to achieve perfection in the steps,” Morra said. “Our challenge is to maintain the refinement of a ballerina while allowing for powerful male jumps and turns.” Morra recalled a performance that exhibited the combination of masculinity and femininity in unintended fashion. A dancer in a full-length dress performed moves so robustly that he ripped his costume down the back, revealing the pink flowered panties he wore beneath. Given the nature of Trocks performances, however, he was able to take the wardrobe malfunction in stride.
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MICHAEL ROTHENBERG Artist Artist Spotlight Spotlight
By By Erica Erica Thaler, Thaler, Council Council on on Culture & Arts (COCA) Culture & Arts (COCA)
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR YOUR CREATIVE WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? Food and water, breathable air PROCESS? Food and water, breathable air
and the company of limpkins. There are and the company of limpkins. There are many things I want in the world that would many things I want in the world that would create an ideal environment for creation, but create an ideal environment for creation, but I have learned to function with the basics. I have learned to function with the basics. Inspiration and magic are everywhere. Inspiration and magic are everywhere. WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER WOULD YOU WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET AND BRING TO LIFE? Flush, LIKE TO MEET AND BRING TO LIFE? Flush,
the dog in the novella by Virginia Woolf. Most the dog in the novella by Virginia Woolf. Most of the other characters I have encountered in of the other characters I have encountered in fiction are angry and problematic. fiction are angry and problematic. WHAT MUSIC IS PLAYING IN YOUR CAR? WHAT MUSIC IS PLAYING IN YOUR CAR?
Richard Thompson and Thelonious Monk. I Richard Thompson and Thelonious Monk. I am not sure I need to explain why. These are am not sure I need to explain why. These are great musicians. And Richard Thompson is a great musicians. And Richard Thompson is a fantastic songwriter. I love a great songwriter. fantastic songwriter. I love a great songwriter. Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs are on the other Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs are on the other channel; I will get there later on in the day. channel; I will get there later on in the day.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ THAT WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ THAT HAD AN IMPACT ON YOU? “At Swim-TwoHAD AN IMPACT ON YOU? “At Swim-Two-
Birds” by Flann O’Brien and “Lanark” Birds” by Flann O’Brien and “Lanark” by Alasdair Gray. I think of both of those by Alasdair Gray. I think of both of those books. I love language, great writing, great books. I love language, great writing, great imagination and fabulist ruminations. Plot imagination and fabulist ruminations. Plot is second to a good solid line of strange and is second to a good solid line of strange and beautiful language. I haven’t read Henry beautiful language. I haven’t read Henry Miller in a while, but he made me want to Miller in a while, but he made me want to write and not like him. write and not like him.
Michael Rothenberg Michael Rothenberg
IT’S TIME FOR DINNER; WHAT ARE WE IT’S TIME FOR DINNER; WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EAT? Milano’s or Masa. Milano’s GOING TO EAT? Milano’s or Masa. Milano’s
is honest. My favorite pizza place in town. is honest. My favorite pizza place in town. The calamari salad is pretty great too! And The calamari salad is pretty great too! And the meatballs! Masa never lets me down — the meatballs! Masa never lets me down — smoked calamari, curries and seared tuna, smoked calamari, curries and seared tuna, seaweed salad, fried cheesecake and red bean seaweed salad, fried cheesecake and red bean ice cream. ice cream.
rhinoceros. No species of creation should rhinoceros. No species of creation should ever go extinct again. It is our responsibility to ever go extinct again. It is our responsibility to show that we love the earth and each other, if show that we love the earth and each other, if nothing else. nothing else.
IF YOU WERE TRAPPED IN A TV SHOW OR IF YOU WERE TRAPPED IN A TV SHOW OR MOVIE FOR A MONTH, WHICH WOULD IT MOVIE FOR A MONTH, WHICH WOULD IT BE? “The Fifth Element.” I was going to say BE? “The Fifth Element.” I was going to say
“Brazil” by Terri Gilliam, which is one of “Brazil” by Terri Gilliam, which is one of my favorite movies. I love the theme song of my favorite movies. I love the theme song of that. I want “Brazil” played at my funeral. But that. I want “Brazil” played at my funeral. But maybe if I were trapped my dystopia should maybe if I were trapped my dystopia should have a little bit more humor, and “The Fifth have a little bit more humor, and “The Fifth Element” always has me smiling. Element” always has me smiling.
WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE TO WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? The power to heal the sick and raise HAVE? The power to heal the sick and raise
the dead. I don’t care about flying or having the dead. I don’t care about flying or having X-ray eyes. There seem to be more important X-ray eyes. There seem to be more important things to do in this world. things to do in this world.
Michael Rothenberg Michael Rothenberg
WHAT HAVE YOUR LEARNED FROM FAILURE? WHAT HAVE YOUR LEARNED FROM FAILURE?
Patience. Patience.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU WILL BE WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR? Saving the planet. And REMEMBERED FOR? Saving the planet. And
I mean the plants and animals and the air I mean the plants and animals and the air and sky, elephants, pangolins, giraffes and and sky, elephants, pangolins, giraffes and
Visit TallahasseeArts.org for a complete list of arts and cultural events, public art, arts education and more on the Tallahassee Arts Guide. Visit TallahasseeArts.org for a complete list of arts and cultural events, public art, arts education and more on the Tallahassee Arts Guide.
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PHOTOS PHOTOS BY BOB BY BOB HOWARD HOWARD
Michael Rothenberg is a poet, artist and Michael Rothenberg is a poet, artist and activist. He is co-founder of 100 Thousand activist. He is co-founder of 100 Thousand Poets for Change, Read A Poem To A Child, Poets for Change, Read A Poem To A Child, and Poets In Need, a nonprofit assisting poets and Poets In Need, a nonprofit assisting poets in crisis. He is also co-founder of Tallahassee’s in crisis. He is also co-founder of Tallahassee’s Ecosound Ensemble, a spoken word and music Ecosound Ensemble, a spoken word and music performance group. His most recent books of performance group. His most recent books of poetry include “Drawing The Shade” (Dos poetry include “Drawing The Shade” (Dos Madres Press, 2016) and “Wake Up and Madres Press, 2016) and “Wake Up and Dream” (MadHat Press, 2017). He lives on Dream” (MadHat Press, 2017). He lives on Lake Jackson and is currently Florida State Lake Jackson and is currently Florida State University Libraries Poet in Residence. University Libraries Poet in Residence.
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The Life of
Marta DURING HOSPICE CARE, A CUBAN IMMIGRANT SHARES HER STORY OF FREEDOM AND FAITH story by PETER T. REINWALD // photography by ALEX WORKMAN
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As death approached, Marta shined with life. At her bedside, a music therapist crooned of having lived a life that’s full and having traveled each and every highway.
Marta Becerra came to the U.S. in 1970 when she fled Cuba’s Castro government with her husband and young son. After spending 48 years in South Florida, she moved to Tallahassee in the fall of 2018 so that she could be near her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. In May, she entered Big Bend Hospice care after doctors discovered metastasized cancer in her gallbladder. She died on Oct. 18. During the summer, Marta agreed to talk with Tallahassee Magazine about her life and care. Over three visits, she shared anecdotes about Cuba, including tender experiences before the revolution and traumatic ones after it. She also shared her thoughts on the divine, on death and dying and on Big Bend Hospice. Marta revealed herself as a woman of dignity, courtesy, generosity, humility, humor, peace and, most of all, faith — enough to fill a cathedral. “When we leave, we go home — that is what I think,” she said. “When we leave, we go with Him.” In her efficiency at the Cherry Laurel retirement community, Marta displayed poems that underMarta scored her faith. “Footat age 5 prints in the Sand” told of a man who observes in a dream that he has seen two sets of footprints on the beach, one belonging to God, who had walked beside him. But in the most challenging times, he has seen only one set of footprints, and he asks God why He would abandon him.
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God replies: “It was then that I carried you.” Her apartment also showcased photos of the three most important people in her life: her son, Lazaro, her daughter-in-law, Nancy, and her granddaughter, Kayla, a student at Florida State University. “They are wonderful to me,” she said. Her medical bed faced a small television, and she kept a cell phone on which she frequently received text messages from her family. She otherwise had little use for 21st century technology and vices, especially Facebook. She wondered about the world she was leaving. “We’re going to have a new generation where people might not be talking to each other,” she said. Repeatedly, she apologized to her guest, once for audio text alerts she kept receiving from her son and once for having to adjust her eyes to see through her trifocals and medication. “You know, the morphine,” she said. “I lose focus sometimes.” She also apologized for the uncertainty of her words. At age 74, she still spoke in an accent that pronounced the language of her homeland. She likened having to speak English to having “lost my arms.” Yet she kept her faith. Father John Cayer, the rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, visited her frequently during her final months and observed that “a smile seemed to be painted on her face.” “You need faith,” Marta said. “The only thing I ask for is to give me strength to tolerate what I have to suffer before I leave.” This is her story, as related by Marta, her son and her daughter-in-law. It is a story of pain and perseverance, heartbreak and happiness, fear and freedom.
Life in Cuba She was born Marta Ernestina Gonzalez in Havana. She attended an American-run elementary school where Mrs. Virginia Wilson taught English. Mrs. Wilson would impose a 5-cent fine on students who slipped up and spoke Spanish. All of the money would go to an end-of-year party and a big pie. Marta found it bittersweet, since she provided, at least at first, much of the funding.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BECERRA FAMILY (MARTA AGE 5)
Giving the singer her full attention and spirit, Marta joined in with: “I did it myyyy waaay.” “I love your smile when you sing ‘my way,’” the music therapist said. “It’s a happiness,” Marta said. She paused and added, “I’m ready to go. I want to go.” Then she pointed upward. “It depends on Him.”
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The Castro Years In January 1959, when Marta was 15, Castro’s Cuban Revolution overthrew the government of rightwing military dictator Fulgencio Batista. The Castro regime vowed to end U.S. economic domination of Cuba. It nationalized U.S. assets including land. It also nationalized private property and declared a socialist government. The new government executed scores of Batista loyalists and established neighborhood watch groups to snitch on suspected anti-Castro conspirators. “Ninety-nine percent of the people were on his side,” Marta said. “We were the few that didn’t want it. When they find out, they start to spy on you. They start to come to your home. Strange people would call me,” leaving her to wonder: “Why do they call me? Who are they?” The fear became so intense that when she heard footsteps approaching the door of her Havana apartment, Marta would hide. She attended a year of colFidel Castro, right, enters Havana lege before the Castro govin January 1959, sparking a time ernment closed all American of harassment and humiliation — schools. especially for Marta, her family and other Cubans who opposed Castro’s revolution. In 1964, she married Felipe
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Becerra, a man of faith, fun and family. Wedding photos show a woman and man bathed in joy. She would take care of the home. He would work as an accountant. They would raise a family and somehow, someway, find peace, happiness and freedom. Only years before, Marta never would have imagined living elsewhere. “I love my country,” she said. “I never in my life thought that I was going to leave. Never. Never crossed my mind.”
Time to Leave In January 1966, Marta gave birth to Lazaro, the couple’s only child. About two years later, they applied to leave the country via Freedom Flights, a program that President Lyndon Johnson initiated in 1965 through an agreement with the Cuban government. Castro at the time resolved to oust anybody who didn’t “I love my support the revolution. Freedom Flights relied on country. I U.S. aircraft to fly Cubans to Miami and transported an never in my life estimated 300,000 refugees to freedom. Castro stopped thought that the program for a year in 1971 and for good in 1973. I was going to The wait typically lasted two years. Many became leave. Never. desperate and attempted a harrowing 90-mile escape Never crossed via the Florida Straits, a trek that would claim my mind.” countless lives. Applicants would go not only on a waiting list but a black list. The government fired them from their jobs, cut their food rations, applied steady harassment and humiliation, and labeled them gusanos — worms. It would confiscate most personal belongings, save for some clothes and maybe some photographs. “We were a target,” Marta said. Marta was among those assigned grueling labor, with long periods away from her husband and son. For two years, she would lift rocks and concrete, dig ditches and help build roads. Her family would attribute her chronic knee and back problems to those two years. The government cut food rations to the point of desperation. Adults in the extended family would save food, particularly protein, for Lazaro and resort to the underground market for themselves. That meant danger. “If you get caught,” Marta said, “you go to jail.”
PHOTOS BY LUIS KORDA / COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG AND COURTESY OF BECERRA FAMILY (MARTA AND FELIPE)
“I used to ride home crying,” she said. “Mami, I can’t talk. I can’t understand!” When she was a child, her mother divorced and declared herself unable to raise her daughter. An aunt and uncle became her devoted Mami and Papi. She maintained a relationship with her birth parents and also called them her mom and dad, creating confusion among family members. Her aunt and uncle raised her in a modest but loving environment that included frequent gatherings with siblings and extended family and visits to Playa Varadero, about an hour east of Havana. On Sundays, the extended family would load up in cars at 5 a.m. and get to the beach by 6. They’d swim and play until 1, when they’d go to their hotel rooms for lunch that women in the family had prepared. At night, they’d go into town and hear piano music as people danced into the night. Those visits would remain painted on her soul.
At the airport as they were leaving their country, she said, she and her family suffered perhaps their deepest hurt and indignity: Their fellow citizens spat on them. They boarded their plane to freedom on Sept. 23, 1970. The family landed in Miami and later visited the Cuban Assistance Center inside “The Freedom Tower,” where refugees received food, medical care, federal assistance, identification cards and resources for their transition. The U.S. government released Marta, Felipe and Lazaro to Marta’s first cousin and family, who had immigrated months before. Marta would never see her biological parents and siblings again, and it would haunt her the rest of her life.
A New Start “We started all over again,” Marta said. “The first things we asked: What are the laws? What are the rules? What can we do? What can’t we do? And, by the way, where can I find a job?” Marta got a factory job assembling radios, and Felipe took on various janitorial and auto-repair jobs. The three didn’t have much. But they had each other. And, finally, they again could worship in public without fear of punishment. Every Sunday for
Happy times for Marta mass, Marta would dress up little Lazaro and her husband, funin a three-piece suit. loving Felipe, included “She never lost faith,” Laz said. “It their wedding day and, later, moments from strengthened with every trauma and their lives in Florida. problem that we had.” Their son, Laz, told of Several years later, Marta’s adoptive a time that his parents visited Disney World: parents would join them in Florida, and Marta had gone to the they’d always stay together. restroom. She returned Marta started work in 1978 for the to find her husband doing the conga dance City of Miami, from where she would with fellow retirees. retire as a microfilm supervisor. Felipe kept various jobs, including as a janitor, mechanic and city office worker. Laz graduated from Coral Gables High School and left in 1985 to attend Florida State University. There he met Nancy. When they finished school, they moved to Palm Beach County. Wanting no more of Dade County’s escalating crime, Marta and Felipe relocated to live near their son and daughter-in-law, who in 1999 gave birth to Kayla, the light of her grandparents’ lives. Doctors later discovered prostate cancer in Felipe, who started chemotherapy treatments in late 2004 and discontinued them in early 2005. He died that May. His suffering would influence Marta’s decision on how she would spend her final days, and his death sent her spiraling in sadness. Three years earlier, her adoptive father, who lived in her home, died at age 93. “I went into depression,” Marta said.
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Marta talks at her apartment in mid-August with Haley Davis, MSW, of Big Bend Hospice. “My experiences with Marta have been filled with a lot of life review … which kind of validates her life and gives her a sense of purpose,” Davis said the following month. At right, Marta gets a late-September visit from her son, Laz, and daughter-in-law, Nancy, both of whom visited often. Notice the way that she’s beaming at her daughter-in-law, whom she considered her daughter.
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Less than two months later, she decided on hospice care. “From the beginning I didn’t want any treatment,” Marta said. “My husband died of cancer 14 years ago, and I saw how much he suffered. He lasted only four months … 35 radiations, 11 chemotherapy … and I said I don’t want any treatment.” She added, motioning upward: “He gave me the life, and He’s the only one that’s going to take me away.”
PHOTOS BY BRIAN ROWLAND (MARTA, LAZ AND NANCY) AND COURTESY OF BECERRA FAMILY (MARTA AND KAYLA)
Hospice Care
With each year, the health problems related to her back and knees would worsen. Meanwhile, Laz continued his job as a paralegal/ investigator for a law firm in Palm Beach County. He and Nancy increasingly soured on the traffic congestion and the hyper development. In 2018, Kayla got accepted to FSU, her parents’ alma mater. That set in motion a plan for everybody to move to Tallahassee. Laz would keep his job, spend weekends in Tallahassee and drive 5 ½ hours to work on Mondays. Marta preferred living in an efficiency, and her son found her one at Cherry Laurel. “I love this place,” Marta said. “People in Tallahassee are like the way I was raised. All neighbors were like family.”
In late May, Marta began getting visits at her efficiency from Big Bend Hospice specialists who aimed to give her physical and spiritual comfort. “Here, I’m happy,” Marta said. “I don’t want my family looking at me suffering like my son had to see his father.” A social worker would let her reflect on life and prepare for death. A chaplain would reinforce her faith in God. A volunteer would put together a story about her in book form for her family. An art therapist would give her the tools to express her beauty. A music therapist would inspire soothing memories and tears that flowed into a smile. “My experiences with Marta have been filled with a lot of life review … which kind of validates her life and gives her a sense of purpose,” Haley Davis, MSW, of Big Bend Hospice, said in late September. “Most
Her Cancer Last January, three months after her move to Tallahassee, Marta began to experience stomach pain that exceeded the gastronomic problems she’d had for years. She sought medical help for that and for the pain in her knees. An internist suspected that she had ulcers, her son said, but she had to wait until March to see a specialist. By that time, Marta was having trouble eating and was throwing up. In mid-March, she went to the hospital, and doctors targeted her gallbladder as the source of her problems. They performed surgery to remove it and found cancer that had started in her small intestines.
Marta gets a kiss from her granddaughter, Kayla, whom her father called the light of her grandparents’ lives, during Kayla’s “Sweet Sixteen” birthday celebration. Kayla’s acceptance to Florida State University in 2018 helped inspire her family, including her grandmother, to move to Tallahassee.
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recently, she has felt like she’s a little tired of talking about the past.” Twice in mid-August, Marta allowed a reporter and a photographer to observe her care as she told her story. In late September, she again welcomed Tallahassee Magazine, this time to take photos of her with her son and daughter-in-law. At the time, she was alert, talkative and surprisingly energetic, though she emphasized that she found some days difficult. “I think Marta is very brave,” Gini West, chief clinical officer of Big Bend Hospice, said in September. West said she found it unusual for a hospice patient to share reflections on life and death with a news organization. “I think for most people it’s because they’re afraid,” West said. “They don’t know what their journey is going to be.” Marta seemed to know. “She is at peace, and that’s the place where we’d like all of our patients to be,” Darwin Box, spiritual care counselor for Big Bend Hospice, said at the time. He added: “I get a kick out of visiting with her. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel comfortable.” People would flow into her room. During late summer, one of Marta’s caregivers had two deaths in the family. Marta gave the woman rosary prayer beads. “When you’re feeling bad,” Marta told the woman, “hold this.” “That my mother’s mission, to enlighten people on faith, not to flaunt her courage or her strength,” Laz said in October. “It’s to allow people to see that it does exist, that there is peace when you die, that it’s not the end of the world but the beginning. My mom truly believes that she is going back home.” Marta implored those she was leaving behind to consume less, to put down their phones and to consider what’s happening to the planet. “Look at the hurricanes, especially on the East Coast,” she said. “Only Miami Beach used to be flooded. Now it’s flooded more inside the city. That is dangerous.” On greed and consumerism, she said: “Most people are more concerned with accumulating for the future. What happens? One day, something happens to them. They die. They can’t take whatever they accumulate. They were too busy working to get more and more that they find out that they haven’t lived even one day — to look around, to go outside, to talk to somebody.” She kept her husband close to her heart, and she followed his passion for art: With hospice guidance, she painted. Next to her TV she kept one of her latest works — until a journalist accidentally knocked it over. “My painting!” Marta said. She added jokingly: “You don’t like my painting.” “It’s perfect,” said one of her visitors, Dena Strickland, president of the Big Bend Hospice Foundation. “It’s a beautiful painting.” Marta smiled. Her painting featured details including
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Marta looks in August at a portrait of Kayla, her granddaughter, whose dress and crown celebrate quinceañera, a Latin American tradition that marks a rite of passage into womanhood on her 15th birthday. The family’s celebration of quinceañera, for Kayla’s 16th birthday, carried a mix of American and Latin American traditions.
rippling waves, glistening grass and a promising sun — a scene inspired in part by the beach of her childhood. “Yes, the colors,” Marta said in response to the glowing feedback. “When you go to the beach early in the morning, the water is like a mirror, and you can even see the bottom.” During another visit, music therapy intern Josie Waugh sat at Marta’s bedside and began to sing a Louis Armstrong classic. By the time Josie got to, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world,” Marta was dabbing at tears. When the song ended, Marta detailed a vision that she got from that song: a house on a hill and herself on a swing. She was 11 to 14 years old and in her Sunday dress, basking in the tranquility. The music therapist asked her how the song made her feel. “I feel … nostalgic, like I am missing,” Marta said. “I don’t know. It is my country, and I am so happy.” Then she turned her thoughts to her family.
About Big Bend Hospice Founded in 1983, Big Bend Hospice serves eight Northern Florida counties and touts itself as the region’s only inpatient hospice facility. It offers direct patient care, music therapy, spiritual care, bereavement services and a valor program for military veterans, among other services. “A focus of our mission is to make sure that patients come to Big Bend Hospice at the right time — not too late, but the right time,” said Dena Strickland, president of the Big Bend Hospice Foundation. “We make sure it’s not just a blanket of how we do treatment. It’s individualized treatment for every family, every patient. We are trying to make their last days as comforting as possible.” The organization says it turns away no patients and that it provided care at no cost for 35 people in 2018. It supports its mission through grants, gifts, fundraising and donations.
“Our job is to make sure that the quality of your life every single day is the best that it can be based on your situation. And for many people, that results in us being able to discharge them from hospice care because they improve or they stabilize — things don’t digress or decline as quickly as anticipated. A lot of what happens with our patients, it’s about fear, frustration and the unknown. So we just meet those fears head on.” Gini West, RN, chief clinical officer
“It’s important that they’re going to be at peace,” she said. “That’s the only thing that I want — that people remember me like I was happy, singing.”
Her Final Days In late September, Marta began eating less, and she started experiencing sightings of loved ones who had passed. By the first week of October, her condition deteriorated to the point that her son started staying overnight in her efficiency. Over a few days, she stopped eating and drinking, then became unresponsive. Big Bend Hospice moved her to its impatient care facility, the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House, where her final days largely were free of pain, Laz said. Holding her rosary beads, she died four nights later, on Oct. 18. Upon seeing his mother’s final expression, Laz said he lost it: Marta was smiling. TM
“For me, it’s supporting them and empowering them throughout the process, in order to make the process a bit more manageable and less frightening and to continue to inspire that hope — the hope that (a patient’s condition) may change over time.” Haley Davis, MSW
“I take people from wherever I find them. With hospice, often that’ll help an individual focus on the element of faith and just where they are, or where they’d like to be. It’s where the ultimate questions really start to pop up, about life and death, about a relationship with a higher power, with God.” Darwin Box, spiritual care counselor
“Our primary goal is to give one more intervention, one more clinical methodology, through which our patients can be comfortable. The music therapists can also help with relaxation, and we help with meeting psychosocial needs and giving them a positive outlet for emotional expression.” Susan Droessler, Music Therapy Department manager and internship director
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THE SCIENCE OF RUNNING
A UNIVERSITY FAMU’s president, a nuclear chemist, suggests an art to running one as well story by DANIELLE J. BROWN // photography by DAVE BARFIELD
Long before he became the 12th president of Florida A&M University, Dr. Larry Robinson got up close and personal with the 12th president of the United States. In the early 1990s, Robinson served as a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He worked on a team that, through analysis of hair and fingernail samples, looked into the question of arsenic in the death of President Zachary Taylor. Robinson said he and his colleagues were told not to discuss it — yet word got out to the media. “We had people outside of our homes trying to get us to tell them … ‘What was the deal?’” Robinson recalled to Tallahassee Magazine with a laugh. “Long story short, we did not find arsenic in Zachary Taylor’s hair that would have suggested poisoning.”
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Robinson indeed holds an interesting background. He earned a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. He served as assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and as a group leader of a neutron activation analysis facility at Oak Ridge. In 2018, he received an appointment to serve on the national STEM Education Advisory Panel. He says he’s focusing on enriching the lives of FAMU students, turning out highly skilled professionals and helping to keep the U.S. globally competitive in science and technology. After one year as interim president and various key roles at FAMU dating to 1997, Dr. Robinson began his third year as FAMU’s president in November. Tallahassee Magazine sat down with him recently to discuss his vision for the university and its students. We edited for length and context.
Q: You mentioned your 2017 strategic plan. Can you underscore some of the highlights in that? A: The plan is called “FAMU Rising.” The No. 1
priority is student success. The primary mission here is to ensure our students are successful not only in just graduating in a timely fashion, but leaving here with the skills that are necessary for them to go on and do whatever it is that they want to do next. So, you know, beyond going on to graduate school — working to be a doctor or a teacher or a lawyer, and carrying with them sort of a sense of responsibility. Our motto is “Excellence with Caring.” “Excellence” is how we challenge them in the classrooms and in the laboratories — in their fields of endeavor. The caring part is … that if they leave here with all of those skills that are necessary to be a good reporter or a good writer, but they don’t have a passion, they don’t care about people and communities … I don’t think we’ve done our job as effectively as we should. Q: We see that you’re active on social media, and we noticed a reference to “our FAMUly.” Is that expression yours? A: I didn’t come up with that. But, that’s what our
students feel — the family. The one that I came up with was “FAMUniverse.” No one really caught up to that one.
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Q: You have a top-ranking HBCU institute, and you are climbing the rankings among public universities. How significant do you see those rankings and that recognition? A: I think the story behind the
rankings is an even more important point. We are ranked, in terms of national public institutions, No. 123 (by U.S. News & World Report) out of thousands of institutions in the nation. What I’m really more pleased about is the FAMU social mobility index (a No. 45 ranking), where you look at where the students start in terms of the social economic status. That speaks volumes to me because it reflects the fact that we have the largest percentage of Pelleligible students in the state university system of Florida ... And then they leave us, and they are out earning their current household income as individuals. That’s sort of the turnaround and impact of what’s happening to the students at FAMU. Embedded in the rankings is the fact that the important thing here is the lives of our students. I don’t wake up every morning going to see where we are ranked. I wake up every morning just trying to figure out how can I find monies to support the students at Florida A&M University. Q: You seem to love being president of FAMU. Do you see yourself doing this until you retire? A: I’m going to do this, to the best of my ability, as
long as I have the opportunity to do it. I didn’t come to FAMU 22 years ago to be president. The minute I’ve been deemed ineffective at it, then it is time for me to do something else. It’s an honor, but it’s also an awesome responsibility when you think about how you have the lives, really the future, of 10,000 or so young people and then you look at the multiplier effect around that frame … I feel particularly honored to be in that role here at FAMU. I didn’t get to pick myself to be president, and as long as someone thinks that I’m doing a good job at it, I’ll continue to do it.
Q: How about the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering? Do you feel as though it has lived up to its promise? A: Yes. That’s really an exceptional
model. In this case, one of the white institutions and a historical black college/university partnered together in an academic program of that importance and of that scale — there’s nothing like that anywhere in the nation. And so we have to cherish it … I’ve always been an advocate of the program. When you think about it, the reason that we are Florida A&M, agricultural and mechanical, is because in our beginnings of the founding days, African Americans weren’t considered capable of the so-called “liberal arts.” So, we’ve had this mechanical technology component from the beginning. The engineering school was sort of a natural for us … And it’s one of the most critical areas, I believe, for the state of Florida and for the nation. We just can’t seem to get enough engineers — so many opportunities out there for us to be competitive globally. Q: Please discuss the significance of development in areas near FAMU such as Railroad Square, South Monroe and CollegeTown. A: It’s obviously significant.
We make sure that there is that investment, along or within the South side of town. I had two students who said that they had been in a discussion about development on the South Side versus other parts of town. And they wanted to know from me, how did that happen? I said, “Okay guys, I need about an hour or so to walk you through this.” (continued on page 152)
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The Shape of
Stillness One woman’s journey of finding health and home through yoga story and photography by SAIGE ROBERTS
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unlight curled around edges of blind-covered windows, barely illuminating my two nearby cats patiently awaiting breakfast. They would have to wait a little longer. Shoulders relaxed, legs crossed, spine long, I closed my eyes and began my new morning routine in a quiet room in rural North Florida, inhaling and exhaling with intention. A month earlier, I found myself sitting in a similar posture, perched on a boulder on the side of a mountain in northern Portugal. Instead of two cats, my companions included more than 20 women of varying ages and stages of life, there to immerse ourselves in the study of yoga, and hopefully be able to teach it confidently with the skills and knowledge gained during the monthlong intensive yoga teacher training at the serene D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Center.
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Before then, I never imagined myself as a yoga teacher, or a teacher, period. A lifetime as an introvert with social anxiety kept me hiding behind the scenes of life and behind the screen of a computer or camera. But in 2018, when my favorite online yoga teacher who I’d been practicing with for five years announced her teacher training plans for the following year, I knew I had to sign up. Initially, Esther Ekhart’s early yoga videos on YouTube caught my attention when I was looking for relief from aches and pains (more on that later). I continued following classes on her website because of her calm, introspective nature and her ability to make all aspects of yoga feel accessible to me. Maybe it was because we were both women of roughly the same age, or because she seemed to be just as introverted as me, but whatever the case, her style clicked and inspired me to develop a consistent practice. As I continued taking video classes from Esther and other like-minded teachers on her growing website, I became physically stronger and also strengthened my ability to hear what my heart wanted. The more I followed my heart’s desires, the further I found myself down the path of yoga, yearning to share with others how it helped heal my anxious mind and aging body. One thing I’ve discovered: Most paths toward anything truly meaningful and life changing look more like a roller coaster ride than a walk in the park. They curve in and out, spiraling around an unknown center, until eventually, maybe, the purpose and destination become clear. Spiraling movement, I also found out, is integral to all kinds of growth — be it physical, mental or emotional — but especially involving matters of the heart. Serene view (right) of Portugal’s Cabreira Mountains and the main building at D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Center. Left: Coming into Downward Facing Dog pose, Saige likes to keep her knees bent at first, extending long through the spine before straightening legs for a hamstring stretch.
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Yoga teacher Esther Ekhart, who branded and launched EkhartYoga in 2012, leads a class through a playful warmup, twisting from side to side to wake up core muscles in a variation of Boat pose.
A Walk Down My Path I tend to live life in the slow lane. Even as a kid I’d beg my older siblings not to walk so fast so I could run to catch up, only to start dragging my feet again. As an adult, life has conveniently obliged my need for non-speed on many occasions, serving up wouldbe catastrophes at a snail’s pace. A melange of slowspeed car accidents in my early 20s comes to mind — no injuries or fatalities, thankfully, unless you count the bright teal VW Bug I eventually totaled. This pattern of sluggish crescendoing misfortune continued in my late 30s, when a series of increasingly intense headaches, neck and jaw pain finally motivated me to go see a chiropractor. The official diagnosis: upper crossed syndrome, aka, habitual poor posture.
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Within the previous two years, I had shed two homes, a long-term
relationship and secure employment but still held onto deep-seated fears, doubting my ability to connect with others, to be seen and heard, to walk firmly in my own footsteps and confidently take up space in the world.
Decades of hunching and working at a computer practically all day, with little to no active fitness, resulted in weak neck flexor and mid-back muscles along with tight, shortened upper back and chest muscles. Although my chiropractor offered instructions for exercises and a set of resistance bands, I realized I needed more guidance and ultimately, a lifestyle change. That’s when I took up yoga and began the ongoing process of moving toward health and regaining a sense of feeling at home in my own body.
Learning to Teach Back to the side of that mountain in Portugal. Why had I come so far to sit in silence with a group of relative strangers bright and oh so early on an unseasonably cold June morning? The night owl and the Florida girl in me both really wanted to know. Looking down at the steep, rocky trail we had all traversed together to find our perfect meditating vistas reminded me how much the landscape of my life back home had changed since beginning my yoga journey. Within the previous two years, I had shed two homes, a long-term relationship and secure employment but still held onto deep-seated fears, doubting my ability to connect with others, to be seen and heard, to walk firmly in my own footsteps and confidently take up space in the world. Turns out, my intuition steered me to a safe space to unpack those fears, and I realized the deliberate choice to go there was necessary for a new perspective, a pause between where I came from and where I was headed. Long days filled with lessons in yoga philosophy, anatomy and movement challenged my stamina and patience and rewarded me with new insights and understanding. Esther’s gentle guidance and emphasis on self development, along with assistance from supporting teachers Tracey Uber Cook, Gilda Goharian and Mohsinah Underwood, helped to build a strong foundation for whatever comes next in life, as a teacher and, most importantly, as a functioning person in the world. We went through several days in silence with the intention to turn our attention inward and connect with our own native guidance. That was a piece of cake
Top: Backbending postures, such as Bow pose, stretch the front of the body, strengthen the back of the body and can have an energizing effect. Middle: Curling inward and resting in Child’s pose settles and calms the nervous system. Bottom: Saige Roberts reaches up in Kneeling Side Plank at D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Center in Cabeceiras de Basto, Portugal.
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Saige Roberts (left) joins friends and fellow yoga trainees in a sunrise before their morning mountainside meditation. From left to right: Susanne Cron, Claire Chemo and Rachel Beanland.
for this introvert, compared to the brief stints we had to teach in front of the class. For me, five minutes felt more like five years. While leading the group through a simple sequence of warm-up exercises I got confused and froze halfway in, stumbling through the instructions for seated twists and boat pose. I held it together, mostly, while other students taught their segments, until after Savasana (the so-called Corpse pose) when no fewer than five people gathered around and showered me with hugs and warm words of encouragement. They said I nailed the guided centering portion that sets the tone for the class and assured me I’d make a great teacher with my soothing voice and presence. The instructors suggested it might help calm my nerves if I remembered to keep in mind the reason I was there — because of my love of yoga — and to keep my focus on helping share that passion with my students, rather than on how I was doing. The rest would all come in time.
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Luckily for me we were given six months after the inperson intensive to complete course homework — enough time to not feel rushed but not too much time to lose momentum. After that, I’ll officially graduate as a certified yoga teacher, more than capable of taking care of my own wellbeing. With that, I hopefully can help others develop their own practice with tools that have helped me emerge from my shell to embody the strong, centered, confident woman I kept hidden from myself, and the world, for far too long.
A New Body of Knowledge As it so often goes, the more I learned during the teacher training, the more I discovered how little awareness I actually have, particularly when it comes to anatomy. Funny how much mystery remains contained within the very bodies we carry around with us everywhere we go. For instance, did you know that the human heart is actually shaped like a double helix? (Yes, that double helix, akin to DNA.) Its two sides rotate out from a central point and then fold inward on itself, origami style, like a pintsized, ever-present shirt-pocket yogi, bound by looping appendages, intent on maintaining a meditative devotion to the sending and returning of vitality and life force. When properly dissected, unwound and extended out, the anatomical heart form revealed is a simple, single flat band of muscle. Stunned by this little nugget of knowledge dropped during anatomy class, I pondered how such a profound idea kept itself quiet for so long. Apparently, the true nature of our cardiovascular superhero remained a well-kept secret from everyone until Spanish cardiologist Dr. Francisco Torrent-Guasp made the discovery in 1972, the year before I was born. He deciphered this Gordian knot by discerning the direction of the predominant muscle fibers and digging in, literally, with his fingers. Spirals throughout nature, as you probably know, are old news. From whirling atoms to swirling fingerprints, nautilus shells, pinecones and tornadoes … all the way up to solar systems and galaxies dancing through space. The pattern winds its way around and through existence, not only in the material world but also in the more subtle realms of mind, emotion and spirit. Though artists and scientists have historically studied the phenomenon to build pleasing and sturdy structures and understand physical nature, I can’t help but wonder: In what ways can the wisdom of spirals lead us in the pursuit of more existential answers? Can you map the golden ratio of the rush of a first kiss or the delight in smelling a sweet flower? Can you trace the Fibonacci sequence through a lifetime of epiphanies? I don’t know, but if we decide to take on the quest, Dr. Torrent-Guasp shows us that the first step is to
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Find the stillness, and you’ll find that which holds the in and the out and the up and the down, the turning point of whatever particular spiral you happen to be traversing at any given moment.
begin by observing the obvious … and remember to go with the grain.
Coming Home — A Turning Point Maybe not so obvious at first, the curving path of the roller coaster ride we might find ourselves on at one point or another eventually begins to reveal itself. If you can’t find the brakes, how do you at least smoothly navigate through the ups and downs and ins-and-outs of life everchanging? When circumstances feel out of control and nothing makes sense, how do you regain equilibrium? Yoga says, observe that which doesn’t change. Notice the stillness between breaths, between heartbeats, beyond words — the unchanging spaciousness where intuition is born. Find the stillness, and you’ll find that which holds the in and the out and the up and the down, the turning point of whatever particular spiral you happen to be traversing at any given moment.
This is the center of balance, the apex of choice. This is coming home. As our hearts continue to beat, nothing stays still for long. If your superpower is like mine, you may be able to slow down the chaos, but it never really stops. At least not that I can tell. Instead of fighting momentum, you can learn to move with the spirals. The innate intelligence of the body knows what to do. Besides the heart, which is playing its own special game of Twister, even our muscles wrap around bones, which — you guessed it — have a spiral shape, not unlike a corkscrew. So when standing in a yoga pose or holding an arm balance, with firm placement and even weight distribution, you can turn your arms and legs and press your hands and feet into the natural direction of the rotation, hugging muscles to bones, making it stronger and safer and easier to maintain. Sounds like the perfect position to be in, if you ask me.
And that, if you ask yoga, is the intention of Asana (yoga poses) … to prepare the body to sit in meditation and find the stillness that’s always there. Remember the wisdom of the spiral next time you find yourself spinning out a little, either physically, emotionally or spiritually. Take a deep, slow breath, release it fully and see what happens if you let go of trying to change the truth of the situation. Just go with it and notice how you feel. Who knows, you might wind up in a fantastic faraway land surrounded by kind, supportive people with only your best interests at heart. I know I did. And, hey, my editor tells me I’ve just taught my first class. I feel relieved. How about you? TM
Saige Roberts is a professional photographer (saigeseadae.com) and art director for Tallahassee Magazine’s publishing house, Rowland Publishing, Inc. TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
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BENEVOLENT BETHEL HISTORIC AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AIMS ‘TO MAKE A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE’ Fifth in a series on Tallahassee’s historic churches
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he church today hails them as courageous freedmen. In 1865, as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church tells it, 116 black Christians walked out of Tallahassee’s Methodist church and worshipped at an open-sided shelter at the corner of Duval and Virginia streets. “Many times we worshiped in the gallery, and I think that we wanted more,” the Rev. Dr. Julius H. McAllister Jr., senior minister of Bethel AME, told Tallahassee Magazine recently. In 1866, the new church conducted a cornerstone ceremony for a suitable facility. African Methodist Episcopal missionary Robert Meacham of Monticello helped lay the stone on Duval Street, according to the book Trinity United Methodist Church: Tallahassee’s First Church. That new church continues today as Bethel AME, which offers services in a spacious multipurpose complex at the corner of Orange Avenue and Wahnish Way. Bethel AME boasts about 2,000 members and stands as a “tremendous epicenter of social justice, community and civic engagement, and political empowerment” in Tallahassee, the Rev. Quardricos Bernard Driskell wrote recently in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the AME Church. Bethel feeds children and families, builds and repairs homes and works to keep itself “on the caring side of ministry,” McAllister said. By PETER T. REINWALD Photos by DAVE BARFIELD
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↙ Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church boasts about 2,000 members and stands as a “tremendous epicenter of social justice, community and civic engagement, and political empowerment,” according to an article in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the AME Church.
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“We have always had an opportunity to make a fundamental difference,” he said. It started more than 150 years ago when those 116 worshippers took a stand and a new start. “We wanted more,” McAllister said, “and we wanted to feel this Jesus that we believe ultimately provides the spiritual sustenance we need from day to day so that we can experience a little heaven here on earth, even ↘ The Rev. Julius before we reach the pearly gates.” H. McAllister Jr., McAllister, who joined Bethel AME in 2008, shared who joined Bethel his thoughts on the church’s history, congregation, AME in 2008, says the church remains social outreach and more. We edited his comments for “concerned not only length and context.
ON THE CHURCH’S HISTORY …
with the concerns of our parishioners but also the social and cultural concerns within the framework of Tallahassee.”
“We have a very rich and vibrant history. Our church ultimately started, as far as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1787. And so we started a relationship with the parent organization in Philadelphia. We began to grow here in Tallahassee and started meeting the needs of men and women in this social context. Our church began to grow so much so that now we’re up to about 2,000 members. Bethel has always been a church that was concerned not only with the concerns of our parishioners but also the social and cultural concerns within the framework of Tallahassee. We’ve always been on the cutting edge of providing services or ministry experiences. They not only touch our cerebral capacity but also our heart.”
ON THE CONGREGATION … “That’s the most wonderful thing about Bethel AME church. It’s a great melting pot. You will find persons of all ages, from infants all the way up to a centenarian, within our congregation. We have families, we have college students, we have young children. We have persons from FAMU, Florida State. We have persons who are well trained and educated, and we have persons who work really hard to make ends meet. The former city manager, Anita Favors Thompson, is a member here. Former Mayor Andrew Gillum is a member here. County Commissioner Bill Proctor, City Commissioner Curtis Richardson. Also, we’ve had about three or four presidents of FAMU to play an active role, serving as officers, teaching Bible study and Sunday school, being really active in the life of our congregation. So here you will find everyday people who ultimately love the Lord, worship the Lord and want their hearts and minds to be challenged.”
ON THE CHURCH’S TENETS, BELIEFS AND IDEAS … “We’re no different from any other church, any other congregation, as it relates to our belief and ultimately having an eternal resting
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ON MEETING WITH OTHER CHURCHES TO DISCUSS THE BIGGER PICTURE … “We do. We have conversations and discussions. And a lot of times, it’s centered around social issues or justice issues or concerns that we feel, especially when people are being mistreated.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (TOP, RIGHT)
ON SOCIAL OUTREACH … “Several things. During the summertime, we have provided delicious meals for school-age children who need hot meals and who may only receive one meal that day. We’ll go to different parks and recreation centers. We’ll go to various churches. We’ll go to Tallahassee Housing Authority, and we’ll provide two home-cooked, hot meals, for lunch and for dinner — full-course meals that we hope make a difference. We have a Bethel Community Development Corporation where we build homes. We rehab homes. In the last 11 years since I’ve been here, we’ve built or rehabbed homes for persons who are low-income, and we have done about $14 million in 11 years with the assistance of the City of Tallahassee. We also collaborate with the City of Tallahassee with senior citizens, persons who may live in homes that are in deplorable condition. And we’re able to rehab them. We do Thanksgiving Day baskets where we provide meals for families. We also provide toys and clothes for kids during the Christmas season where this congregation will have over a hundred families that we will adopt and make sure that we provide gifts and toys for persons who are not even members of our congregation. We always want to be a place (continued on page 154)
place, which is in heaven. We believe just what the Bible says, that if you confess with your mouth and you believe in your heart that Jesus the Christ is your personal Lord and savior, then you’re saved. You’re not perfect, because we all make mistakes. We all from time to time make blunders and do things that we know we should not do. But we believe in a God who ultimately looks beyond our faults, our concerns, our issues, our problems, our shortcomings and meets every single need. And we believe in grace and mercy and that Jesus is the very embodiment of it all, because God sent His only son 2,000 years ago. We stand on the word that says that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. And we stand on that promise and we believe that. So we open our hearts and our minds to all believers.”
→ A Sunday service shows a full house. “Here you will find everyday people who ultimately love the Lord, worship the Lord and want their hearts and minds to be challenged,” Rev. McAllister says. (Above) Church members work to distribute Thanksgiving meals.
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Fulfilling Dreams Since 1976
efs a nj u a n.c o m
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TRENDS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, FRONT TO BACK
Let’s
PHOTO BY KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
INTERIORS
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ew floors require a massive undertaking, so we talked with local flooring companies and interior designers to weigh the trendy options and dependable styles from which to choose. How many options? You’ll be floored.
Types
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For full remodels, Tallahassee interior designer Jennifer Taylor favors time-tested styles to ensure lasting value.
She notes versatility and durability as vinyl’s strongest features. These qualities appeal to run-and-go schedules. Large carpeted spaces draw less interest. Homeowners lean toward hardwood or vinyl planks for living rooms, layering rugs to invoke warmth in a space. Carpet still suits smaller spaces such as bedrooms.
TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
Lifestyle Interior designers and flooring companies first want to know how clients use their floors. The answer is different for every lifestyle. For Bryant, it all comes down to foot traffic. “Are there pets with long nails?” Bryant said. “Are kids rolling their little ››
PHOTO BY HANNA HILL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JENNIFER TAYLOR INTERIOR DESIGN
Wood floors offer a reliable and classic look for any home. They provide an immediate association with nature, which makes them popular in Tallahassee, designers noted. If constant cleaning is not your thing, consider blonde wood and whitewashed flooring options. Many homeowners find that lighter tones conceal dirt and grime better than dark woods, making those options more in step with busier lifestyles. Tiles remain a favorite for bathrooms. Laura Bryant, a Tallahasseebased interior designer, notes a yearning for nostalgia with an updated twist from her clients. “They’re wanting that classic, traditional checkerboard floor,” Bryant said, “like a white marble tile checkered with grey marble, as opposed to black marble.” Flooring stores give vinyl options their due. Water resistance allows homeowners to use vinyl in every type of space, even bathrooms. Michelle Roberts, of ABC Flooring Center, highlighted vinyl’s versatility in rental properties. “If the square footage is less than in a larger home, they’ll usually just use the same floor throughout,” Roberts said. “And the advantage of vinyl floor is you don’t have to do tile in the bathroom and the kitchen. You can put vinyl planks there.” Stores notice more interest in such affordable low-maintenance flooring. Marais Leon, owner of Floorida Floors, attributes the pull toward vinyl to busier lifestyles. “Everybody’s working,” Leon said.
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↑ Interior designers, including Tallahassee’s Laura Bryant, cite a yearning for nostalgia. That includes checkerboard floors and updated twists.
strollers? Where is your entertainment space? Those are the first questions I would ask as far as wear and tear.” The answers help clients determine what they need from a new floor. Roberts, of ABC Flooring Center, uses a costumer’s color preference to guide them. “I like to let them look in the showroom to help them find colors that they want,” she said. The price of new flooring depends on your needs and wants, and a full remodel can cost “tens of thousands of dollars,” said Jennifer Taylor, another Tallahassee interior designer. In that situation, she cautions against loud trends in favor of time-tested styles such as deep hardwood floors to ensure lasting value. Your budget is where it starts. Flooring experts point out that popular wide planks and tiles are more expensive than their thinner counterparts. Natural stone and marble are more expensive and high-maintenance than synthetic options such as vinyl. Roberts warns that floor installation is like “moving without moving.” To get the job done, many flooring companies help move furniture. They urge clients to think ahead, which helps the project get done on time. “Some people don’t think about the need to empty china cabinets,” Roberts said. Minimize clutter in spaces and clear out rooms in advance, depending on the availability of contractors. Contractors could need two to four weeks for installation. Your patience and investment will pay off, because your feet and eyes will love it. TM
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIN GATES DESIGN
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(850) 385-9495 2791 CAPITAL CIRCLE NE SHOWROOM HOURS MONDAY–FRIDAY 9–6 SATURDAY 9–5 SUNDAY CLOSED
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PROMOTION
50 Years of Inspiring a Colorful Capital City Ralph Esposito reflects on the perennial service of Esposito Lawn & Garden Center BY PETER T. REINWALD
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PHOTOS BY INES KAISER (TOP) AND PHILLIP DUCAP (BOTTOM LEFT)
R
alph Esposito has seen his parents’ creation — a community-based fullservice garden center in Tallahassee — hit full bloom. He’s owner and chief cultivator of Esposito Lawn & Garden Center, which Dominic and Mary Esposito started as Esposito Nursery in 1969. Esposito Lawn & Garden Center is celebrating its 50th year as the go-to place for Tallahassee residents who have questions and needs that involve everything from the ground up — lawns, plants, tools, landscapes, rentals, small engine repair and more. Esposito’s even offers an extensive hydroponics department, complete with lighting systems and organic growing components and compounds. Most of all, the store offers something that you can’t get on YouTube — experts who give you a personal hello, show you how in real time and answer your questions. Ralph Esposito sat down with us recently to discuss how his Tallahassee institution on Capital Circle Northeast has blossomed into 15 acres of care, color, creativity and convenience.
PROMOTION
TM: You seem to also enjoy customer service. Why is that? RE: I view the one-on-one experiences as an opportunity to learn a little tidbit about a lot of things. I get to ask our customers about their lives — how is their young family doing, how are they enjoying retirement, how was their last vacation, what’s Iceland really like? At the end of the day, I feel like I’ve connected on a level beyond that of just business owner-to-customer.
TM: Fifty years. Amid competition from corporate giants that surround you, what do you see as the key to staying in business — and thriving — for five decades? RE: I think the nature of the business requires superior customer service. Imagine something as basic as a tomato and the myriad questions a novice gardener might ask. Sun or shade? Wet or dry? How much fertilizer? What type? When? If it’s dry, do I still fertilize? How deep do I plant? Now multiply these questions by the 500 varieties of plants that we stock and then add the questions about weeds, fungus, pruning, mowing and more, and you’ll see that any lawn and garden center must emphasize superior customer service. TM: What do you tell your employees about customer service? RE: Simply put, “If you see a customer, assume that they have questions and need help, and it’s our job not to just answer questions but to help them have success in their garden, to educate them. Customer service extends beyond personal face-to-face, and with our weekly email, we aim to give local gardeners a simple reference guide on what’s happening in their garden, and how they should react, during that particular week.
TM: Can you recall a visit with a customer that stands out? RE: I can think of several, including one last summer. First, some background: Back in the ’90s, before the internet and online shopping, we had a terrific electric train layout. That inspired one of our regular customers, Sim Dekle — a fantastic miniature builder — to construct, over time, a complete scale replica of our original store, greenhouse and nursery, down to its tiny rows of flowers. So, on a Saturday afternoon over the summer, I was talking to a customer, a woman in her mid-30s, who spotted Sim’s replica off in a corner by Hydroponics. The buildings prompted her to reflect on having spent many Saturdays at our original store with her father, who has since passed away, as a child. She broke down and cried. At that point, I realized that, for some, my store was more than just a store. TM: Now that we’re experiencing peak winter in Tallahassee, what are customers asking you about? What are you and your team emphasizing? RE: Tallahassee has the perfect climate for camellias, which come in hundreds of varieties. Right now, we’re explaining that camellia varieties have different blooming times. Some bloom in September, others in March. We’re pointing out that the best way to start a camellia garden is to visit the Garden Center about every two weeks and check out what varieties are blooming. The blooming sequence allows our gardeners to maintain constant color — September through winter and into spring. We’re also telling customers what we always tell them: Avoid purchasing your garden all at once. Take a slower approach, ask questions and let us help you. You’ll appreciate the results.
Esposito Lawn & Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee | (850) 386-2114 | EspositoGardenCenter.com
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EXTERIORS
RAYS OF PROGRESS Companies making solar energy more accessible by BOB FERRANTE
DID YOU KNOW Florida is the second-largest producer of electricity after Texas, and its tourism contributes to the third-highest demand for gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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l Simpler has helped make solar systems a reality for thousands of people in nearly 75 countries. Most people in the Sunshine State have a rough understanding of the concept of solar — using the sun’s energy to power lights, fans, small appliances and perhaps even an entire home — but many of Simpler’s most rewarding memories have been helping those in need who have no idea the power that the sun offers. “I will tell you the most wrenching sort of feeling about what you’re doing really comes when you’re out of the country and you’re doing something that’s never been done before in that village,” Simpler said. “And they all stand at it and look at it and say, ‘My God. What is that? It’s magic.’ You’re making electricity from the sun.” Making electricity from the sun isn’t anything new. Solar panels were first developed in the 1950s, and through the decades they evolved from heating pools to wider use. Just 1.18 percent of the Sunshine State’s electricity usage comes from solar, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. But solar is increasing in popularity locally as people look to go green or have the desire to eliminate part or all of their electric bill. Tallahassee’s solar farm, which is located on Tallahassee International Airport property, offers a locked-in rate for the next 20 years. It was met with a warm reception from customers, and city officials boast construction of a second solar farm on the property.
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The cost of using solar has come down dramatically, with panels, mounts and installation running about $18,000-$20,000 for a medium-sized home (this estimate is after a 30 percent federal income tax reduction). The City of Tallahassee is among many municipalities that offer low-interest loans to residents looking for financing of solar panel installation. While the up-front costs are substantial, solar-estimate.org calculates that the average payback time is just under 10 years and that panels can deliver more than $49,000 in savings over the course of their lifetime. Simpler and Matthew Chentnik from Independent Green Technologies recommend taking satellite images of the property and evaluating if there is good exposure to the sun and a recommendation can me made on whether to install panels on a roof or on the ground. They would evaluate a year’s worth of power bills and then model a system that could meet the needs of a family or business. “We can then examine how to get a 100 percent offset,” Chentnik said. “Or you can knock out 10 percent, 20 percent or 50 percent of your bill.” Some local residents have also begun to look into solar because of outages due to thunderstorms or hurricanes. While portable generators are often a lower-cost option, they require more frequent maintenance and the availability of gas is a concern. Once installed, solar panels are as reliable as, well, the sun rising each morning. “No maintenance, no lubrication,” Chentnik said. “They just sit up there silently making electricity all day long.” If going solar sounds appealing but the price is outside the budget, a national company, Goal Zero, offers a solution for emergencies: a solar panel paired with a battery generator. Goal Zero offers its Yeti portable power stations (ranging from $199 to $2,995) that can connect to its Boulder solar panels (starting at about $150). When the electricity cuts out, the Goal Zero products will let you charge phones, tablets and some small appliances, with larger models able to power a mini fridge. “We’d recommend a Yeti 1000 paired with a Boulder 100-watt panel,” Goal Zero’s Cameron Eastman said. “We choose the 100-watt panel because it will fully charge the 1000-watt battery in 15-20 hours of direct sunlight.” TM
PHOTO BY PIXELCI / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
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BB AA TH F IFTI TTETRE.R C .O TH CM OM offerongood the purchase of a bathtub or shower, wall faucet and faucet kit. One er per customer. combinedwith withany anyother otheroff offer. er. Off Offer er must must be *Special*Special offer good the on purchase of a bathtub or shower, wall and kit. One offeroffper customer. MayMay notnotbebecombined be presented presentedatatthe thetime time B AT H F I T T E R . C O M of estimate. samepurchases day purchases Previous orders estimates excluded. er valid onlyatatthetheabove abovelocation. location.† †Subject Subjecttoto certain certain limitations. of estimate. DiscountDiscount appliesapplies to sameto day only. only. Previous orders and and estimates excluded. OffOff er valid only limitations.See Seelocation locationforfor full Off ends 2020-03-31. *Special offdetails. er oner2020-03-31. the purchase of a bathtub or shower, wall and faucet kit. One offer per customer. May not be combined with any other offer. Offer must be presented at the time full details. Offgood er ends of estimate. Discount applies to same day purchases only. Previous orders and estimates excluded. Offer valid only at the above location. † Subject to certain limitations. See location for TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM January-February 2020 111 full details. Offer ends 2020-03-31.
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MaysMunroe The Only Name You Need To Know
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Applying and Supplying appliances for all homes
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SPONSORED REPORT
I
n a world where you can buy at the click of a button, some products are best experienced through tangible touch and are sights to behold. Home appliances and furnishings fall within this category. Fortunately, Mays-Munroe, Inc., the only independent appliance dealer in Tallahassee, realizes the importance of providing customers with a place where they can see, touch and experience before purchasing. The state-of-the-art showroom displays an impressive selection of top-quality appliances, and the on-site service department is equipped should a product need some attention and care. If you have an appliance in mind or are simply browsing, the knowledgeable sales department is present to help locate products that best suit your lifestyle wants and needs, whether it’s refrigerators, ovens, cooktops, ranges, washers, dryers, mattresses or home furnishings. You can schedule delivery, installation and payments all in one visit. For building and remodeling projects, appointments are advised to ensure time and resources are allocated to cater to you.
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“Our biggest compliment is always when someone says that shopping with us was easier than they thought it would be,” said Mike Munroe, sales manager of Mays-Munroe. “We understand that online shopping can lead to analysis paralysis, so we are here to listen, answer your questions and find the product that is truly correct for you.” The company’s mission of providing the best service on quality products for affordable prices has served the company well for many years. The company began in 1936 under Hugh Mays. Upon Mays’ passing in 1973, Ray and Peggy Munroe bought the business in 1974. The 2nd generation consists of Mike (wife Ellen), brother Mark and sister, Meghan Lisson. The company is now managed by the second generation, Mike Munroe and his family alongside several third generation members, including his two nephews, niece and his daughter’s fiancé,
all working in the showroom. With 10 family members employed by the company, they are the very essence of family-owned and operated. “We have always been blessed by the support of the Tallahassee community,” said Munroe. Though Munroe credits the community for their many years of success, Mays-Munroe also greatly contributes to the community. The annual Have a Heart celebration fundraiser benefiting Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s Heart and Vascular Center was established in honor of Mike’s brother, Ray Munroe Jr. In six years, $180,000 has been designated to the Ray B. Munroe Jr., PhD Endowment in an effort to purchase a cardiovascular ultrasound machine. Home is where the heart is, and the heart is the center of the community. Mays-Munroe honors this by providing a service-oriented nature both inside our homes and out in our community.
M A Y S - M U N R O E 2791 CAPITAL CIRCLE NE | (850) 385-9495 | MAYS-MUNROE.COM
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PROMOTION
Superior Homes, Competitively Priced
T
he team at Tallahassee Homes is uniquely qualified to make the home-buying experience smooth, efficient and satisfying. Their repeat customers will attest to how they inspire confidence, given their combined 80 years spent selling and building homes in Tallahassee’s most desirable neighborhoods from the Meadows at Oak Grove to Bull Run and from The Retreat at Mahan to Southwood. Tallahassee Homes’ philosophy is straightforward: to build competitively priced homes of superior quality that afford homebuyers a relaxed lifestyle of comfort and elegance. That approach enabled Tallahassee Homes to win multiple honors in the 2018 Tallahassee Builders Association Parade of Homes, including Best of Show, the Realtor’s Choice award and the Florida Green Building Coalition’s green building award. At the 2019 Parade of Homes, Tallahassee Homes won the Consumer’s Choice Award, a reflection of its commitment to carefully listening to customers and embracing their suggestions. “What sets us apart is we live in our communities and live among our homeowners,” said Porter Chandler, who founded Tallahassee Homes with Rick Singletary after meeting his future business partner in real estate school. “We adapt to what our customers want and need, always
striving to improve our building plans and add new features in order to raise the bar.” Tallahassee Homes started more than 30 years ago with starter homes. Today, it offers homes ranging in price from $240,000 to $800,000. All of them, however, offer awardwinning finishes and designs, meaning that homebuyers can choose among models without sacrificing quality. Tallahassee Homes has placed homebuyers in starter homes and later in upgrades. “We establish professional and personal relationships with our customers,” Chandler said. “It’s an honor to be a part of their changes and growth.” The new home specialists at Tallahassee Homes offer expert advice on customizations and contracts and answer any questions customers may have. The highly experienced construction team uses industryleading materials in delivering fine craftsmanship backed by the best home warranty in Tallahassee. “Personally, my greatest satisfaction comes from driving through the completed neighborhoods and seeing happy homeowners, as well as the street scenes that we create,” Singletary said. For first-time homebuyers and veteran homebuyers, Tallahassee Homes builds scenes consistent with their dreams.
TALLAHASSEE HOMES 8200 DANCING SHADOW COURT, TALLAHASSEE | (850) 545-8491 | TALLAHASSEEHOMESREALTY.COM
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GARDENING
JANUARY
by
AUDREY POST, MS. GROW-IT-ALL®
HEALTHY PLANTS START WITH HEALTHY SOIL. If soil is compacted, plant roots can’t get the oxygen they need and will wither and die. If soil contains too much clay, it holds water too long and roots can rot. If soil contains too much sand, it can’t hold the water long enough for the roots to drink it. If soil is lacking in particular nutrients or micronutrients, your plants will fail to thrive. Follow these basic steps to get your plants off to a healthy start. Take into account what you want to grow. Some plants prefer acidic soil and others alkaline. And as a wise man once told me, dirt is what you sweep up from your floors; soil is full of living organisms that help your plants grow. 1 Get your soil tested. Your county Extension Office has instructions for sending off your samples, and a copy of the report is sent to you and your local Extension Office. The staff and volunteers will gladly help you understand what you should do. 2 Check drainage and
soil compaction. You might just need to loosen the soil to reach the subsoil. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline to be easily fixed,
consider “gardening on top of the soil” by building raised beds or gardening in pots. 3 Compost is the answer
to many problems. Whether your soil has too much clay or too much sand, compost will improve the soil structure.
4 If you must bring in new soil, opt for garden soil for planting beds. Topsoil is usually fine for new and refurbished lawns, but give your flowers and shrubs a bit of extra help by using garden soil.
Critter: Antlion The antlion is the larval form of beneficial flying insect Myrmeleontidae, a family of PESKY Neuroptera and a relative of the lacewing. It feeds PESTS on ants, termites and other insect larvae. Once it has metamorphosed into an adult, it looks much like a damselfly with double wings 1 to 2 inches long. Most people don’t notice the adult in the garden, just the antlion. And antlions are your friends. They live in pits in the ground and prefer ANTLION sandy soil. They dig out a hole in which to wait for their prey, tossing the soil up to create the small mounds that surround the hole. The hole is usually about the size of an average pencil, and the antlion waits at the bottom for the unsuspecting ant or other insect to cross the mound and slide into the hole. The antlions are nicknamed “doodlebugs” because the slight trenches they make in the soil as they look for areas to dig their traps resemble hand-drawn, abstract doodles. Don’t mistake these mounds for fire-ant beds and try to exterminate the creatures within. Fire ant beds have much finer soil grains, get much bigger and don’t have the telltale hole in the middle.
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➸ Prune crape myrtles and other summer-flowering trees and shrubs, removing weak, crossing or rubbing branches. Do not shear off the top; it doesn’t cause heavier blooms and is known as “Crape Murder.” ➸ Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a hurricaneresistant tree such as a live oak, cabbage palm, crape myrtle or bald cypress. Remember to keep it well watered until it is established. FEBRUARY
➸ Plant
seedlings of cool-weather vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower and seeds of lettuce and other salad greens. Start tomatoes indoors from seed early in the month. ➸ Fertilize citrus trees with citrus-specific formulas available at local nurseries. Plan to reapply in May and in August. ➸ Prune roses. Remove dead and diseased canes back to the ground. Cut back healthy canes to achieve desired shape.
©2016-2020 PostScript Publishing LLC, all rights reserved. Audrey Post is a lifelong gardener and has been a certified Master Gardener volunteer with the University of Florida/ IFAS Extension in Leon County for the past 15 years. Email her at Questions@MsGrowItAll.com or visit her website at msgrowitall.com. Ms. Grow-It-All® is a registered trademark of PostScript Publishing.
PHOTOS BY MARS58 (PLANT, SOIL), EMER1940 (ANTLION), MIRASWONDERLAND (GLORIOSA FLAME LILY) AND GRESEI (CAULIFLOWER), / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
HOW TO: IMPROVE YOUR SOIL
➸ Plant summerflowering bulbs such as crinum lilies, agapanthus and gloriosa lilies, mulching well to protect from frost or freezes.
Cool Season Color
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PROMOTION
DEAL ESTATE
JUST LISTED
Dive into Luxury in Betton Hills This stunning, one-story custom home in Pilckem Ridge features a screened-in saltwater pool, heated spa, two outdoor TVs and an outdoor cooking and grilling area. Inside, you’ll find 9-plus-foot ceilings, a separate living room with sunroom, an incredible kitchen and island with quartz countertops, a marble backsplash, gas stove and double oven.
LISTED PRICE: $1,150,000 ADDRESS: 1566 Escadrille Drive SQUARE FOOTAGE: 5,022 BATHROOMS: 4.5 YEAR BUILT: 2005 FEATURES: Beautiful study with French doors; breathtaking and enormous master bedroom suite with arched sitting area, his/her closets and a lovely master bath; three other bedrooms with baths; also includes whole house generator APPEAL: One-of-a-kind millwork plus huge glass walls that overlook screened salt pool; beautiful natural light throughout CONTACT INFORMATION: Priscilla S. Tharpe, Coldwell Banker, Hartung and Noblin, Inc. (850) 933-9412
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PHOTOS BY KIM CASCIOTTI COURTESY OF COLDWELL BANKER, HARTUNG AND NOBLIN, INC.
BEDROOMS: 4
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DISCOVER TALLAHASSEE’S BEST CHOICE IN SENIOR LIVING
Enjoy a variety of residential and supportive options at Westminster Oaks to meet your changing needs. Choose from a wide variety of spacious choices in villa homes and garden apartments, all maintenancefree and enriched by access to beautiful campus amenities with services like dining and housekeeping. For those who need a little extra help we offer assisted living, with services including medication management and support with daily living activities. We can also get you back on your feet and doing the things you love with short-term nursing care and rehabilitation.
Learn all there is to smile about at Westminster Oaks
— Call us today at (850) 878-1136 or visit our new website at WestminsterOaksFL.org Westminster Oaks
4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee
Ac t ive Liv i ng | Assisted Liv i ng | Sk i l led Nu rsi ng | Rehabi l itat ion 124
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JAN/FEB 2020
VISITING NOTEWORTHY PLACES NEAR AND FAR
↘
The excitement of air-time draws people to fish off Panama.
GETAWAY
PHOTO COURTESY OF TROPIC STAR
PISCATORIAL PURSUITS
Panama’s Tropic Star Lodge provides anglers with fish stories and the pictures to prove them by BRIAN ROWLAND
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J
ust 10 miles off Panama’s Pacific coastline, anglers fishing out of the Tropic Star Lodge find themselves in a sea of dreams. Here, the cobalt blue water teems with marlin, sailfish, tuna and other big-game tackle testers. More than 50 years ago, Ray Smith, a Texas oilman who lived to fish, established the Tropic Star Lodge at Piñas Bay. (Is “Tropic Star” a play off “Lone Star”? I’m gonna say yes.) The lodge continues to provide some of the best fishing experiences on the globe for anglers of all skill levels, fishing at various depths. Tropic Star is all-inclusive and first rate, but it’s remote. Getting there involves a few logistical hurdles, but you won’t have to go it alone. A Tropic Star team member will greet you when you fly in to Tocumen International in Panama City and drive you to a hotel located near a smaller, domestic airport. The following morning, your escort takes you to a private hangar where you board a small plane for a one-hour flight to an airstrip adjacent to a village of about 1,000 people and a mile from the beach. An open-air truck delivers you to a boat that carries you and other lodge-bound passengers to Tropic Star, 20 minutes away. Your adventure is about to begin. Already, it’s time for a lunch of fresh fish and vegetables before you check in to your room. The accommodations are immaculate. Later, an orientation session precedes a poolside buffet featuring the previous day’s catch. Then it’s time for bed and anticipation of the days to come.
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Our daily itinerary 5:45 a.m. Hot coffee, juice or tea, delivered to your room. 6 a.m. Breakfast, and we pick up a bag lunch, fresh towel and earplugs. 6:20 a.m. Boarding the boat. Ours was “Canada.” The captain and first mate help our party of four get settled and our belongings stowed. 6:30 a.m. Leaving the dock. About a dozen boats, including ours, head out to sea in unison, like a pod of marine mammals.
We watch the sun rise over the unspoiled coastline. 7 a.m. Bagging the bait. For up to two hours, we fish for bonita, a torpedo-shaped muscle fish capable of strong runs and a preferred live bait for marlin and other big game. The bonita are dropped into a live well that will keep them frisky throughout the day. 9 a.m. Into the deep. We don our earplugs for a two-hour run to the fishing grounds. Twin
PHOTOS BY RON MOODY (BILLFISH) AND COURTESY OF TROPIC STAR
↖ A king sized roosterfish ready for photos and safe release. ← A Tropic Star mate getting the lines in the water, ready for guests. ↗ A powerful billfish soars and presents a challenge for Rowland, who took turns slipping into the fighting chair.
400-horsepower engines do generate some noise. During the ride, anglers draw cards that establish the order for winding in fish. 11 a.m. Deploying the baits. With flat lines and outriggers, the mate places four bonita in a trolling pattern that stretches 100 feet across. The first strike will happen soon. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The hits keep coming … Billfish. Prized black marlin and other billfish must be released. The
mate makes sure to keep the line tight as anglers take turns slipping into the fighting chair and bringing these top predators to the boat. Yellowfin tuna. The captain keeps an eye out for circling birds that feed on baitfish driven to the surface by tunas. From a distance, yellowfin look like skipjacks as they leave the water and crash the surface while sating their appetites. But closer inspection reveals hundreds of 30- to 60-pound yellowfin tuna in a feeding frenzy. In no time, our rods bend to their will. The tuna do not
give up easily. We work for 20 minutes to get the fish to the surface, only for them to turn tail on us and dive down a couple of hundred feet. Gaining and losing line, we wonder if angler or fish will prevail. When finally a fish comes to gaff, we take a moment to breathe and shake the tension from our arms. Then we have a photo taken with our prize before it is placed on ice. Later, the mate cuts up the best of the fillets and serves the freshest sashimi possible. Dorado. These fish, otherwise known as mahi-mahi — or as dolphin in the
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destinations Northern Gulf of Mexico — hit hard and are great leapers. The all-tackle record is 87 pounds, but specimens have been known to reach 100 pounds. Their meat makes for a nice dinner-plate complement to tuna. Shorefishing. Trolling closer to shore is an option. Hugging the coastline, you will hook up with snapper, roosterfish, jack crevalle and possibly sailfish. We encounter four sailfish at the surface, seeming to sun themselves. With their dorsal fins extended into the air, they appear to be waving at us. The hours spent fishing provide fast action and only the occasional moment to think and process. Mostly, one lives in the moment. 2:30 p.m. Time to head in. 4 p.m. Terra firma. Returned to the lodge, any angler who has caught his or her first billfish is required to walk
off a plank at the end of the dock — a longstanding, fun tradition. 4:30 p.m. Story time. We relax, cool off at the pool and swap stories over cocktails and a hot plate of f ish appetizer. 7:30 p.m. Dinner. We enjoy a selection of four to six entrees. On three of our nights, a pool buffet offers numerous culinary delights. 9 p.m. Nightcaps and then we turn in for some of the best sleep of the year. 5:45 a.m. A knock on the door starts another day in a fishing paradise. Given days like that, it should come as no surprise to find that Tropic Star Lodge books up well in advance. There are only a few openings available through the winter of 2021, but it is worth the wait. Find a couple of buddies to commit to a trip, get your deposit in and look forward to an unforgettable adventure. TM
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF TROPIC STAR
↗ The outdoor bar and restaurant serving fresh catch of the day at Tropic Star Lodge. ↗ Guests pose by the lodge’s “First catch plank” where they celebrate their first billfish release with a dip in the Bay. → Five-course meals and fishing stories are shared every evening.
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PROMOTION
PLAY • SHOP • DINE • STAY
at the Forgotten 2ND ANNUAL BREWS BY THE BAY FEB. 1
Events Calendar Matt Law in Concert Jan. 5, 3:30–5 p.m. Cat Point Music 29 Island Drive, Eastpoint
BEER LOVERS RAISE A PINT to the Brews by the Bay Craft Beer Festival offering unlimited samples of local and national craft beers. Held at Panacea’s Woolley Park overlooking picturesque Dickerson Bay, Brews by the Bay is a one-of-akind craft beer festival. The event features live bands, food trucks, craft vendors and live animal exhibits. All proceeds will benefit the Florida Wild Mammal Association.
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Coast Apalachicola Oyster Cook-Off Jan. 17-18 Historic Apalachicola Riverfront Park
SHELLY SWANGER
Vastra in Concert Jan. 19, 3–5 p.m. Cat Point Music 29 Island Drive, Eastpoint Butts & Chucks on the Bay in Apalachicola Jan. 24–25 Downtown Apalachicola
Riley O’Connor & Molly B. Moon in Concert Jan. 26, 3–5 p.m. Cat Point Music 29 Island Drive, Eastpoint Salt Air Farmer’s Market Feb. 1 and 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. City Commons Park Port St. Joe Forgotten Coast Chef Sampler Feb. 9, 6–9 p.m. 4th Street and Avenue D Apalachicola Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus Parade Feb 22, 1 p.m. Apalachicola Historic Riverfront Park
3 LIVE OAK POINT
VISITTHE
Forgotten Coast
L
1 GULF SPECIMEN AQUARIUM
A unique experience to get up close with sharks, sea turtles, starfish, octopus and other sea life from the Gulf of Mexico. One of the largest touch tanks exhibits in the U.S. Open Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (850) 984-5297, gulfspecimen.org 222 Clark Drive, Panacea
January-February 2020
1
MEXICO BEACH LANARK VILLAGE
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
ives and businesses are being rebuilt along the Forgotten Coast after the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael in October of 2018. As the healing process continues, please lend your support to this region and remind them that they are never forgotten by their friends and neighbors.
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PANACEA
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EASTPOINT
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There’s a pristine spot reserved for your next RV adventure at the edges of Indian Lagoon! An oldtimey general store on-site sells local merchandise and stocks a supply of grocery items and spirits. Visit us online to reserve. Located across from world-famous Indian Pass Raw Bar! (850) 229-8600, watersedgervpark.net 8300 County Road 30A, Port St. Joe
ALLIGATOR POINT
Dog Island
APALACHICOLA
2 INDIAN PASS GENERAL STORE
Ochlockonee Bay
CARRABELLE
PORT
St. Joseph ST. JOE Bay
Cape San Blas
Apalachee Bay
St. George Island Apalachicola Bay
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TALLAHASSEE
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JANUARY 29
Opening Nights | Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
FLORIDA SENIOR DAY
For more events in Tallahassee, visit TallahasseeMagazine.com. compiled by JAVIS OGDEN and REBECCA PADGETT
→ Join United Way of Florida and the
Florida Department of Elder Affairs at the State Capitol to celebrate and advocate for Florida’s seniors. More than 90 statewide partners invite you to head out for a complimentary luncheon, entertainment, interactive partnership booths, free health screenings and other special programs.
For more information, visit FloridaSeniorDay.org.
FEBRUARY 22
Fast Cars & Mason Jars
→ For more than 30 years, Tree
House has served thousands of children in Leon and surrounding counties by providing them with a safe home during their time of crisis. Its annual fundraiser, Fast Cars & Mason Jars, upholds this charge. This year’s extravaganza will be held at Phipps Farm and include delicious bites, music and a lively auction.
For more information, visit TreehouseTallahassee.org/ fast-cars-mason-jars.
To learn more, visit OpeningNights.fsu.edu.
JANUARY 26–28
FLORIDA CHILDREN’S WEEK
→ Children’s Week features free breakfast and lunch plus a Storybook Village consisting of over 40 interactive reading booths that children can explore. The annual awards dinner and reception has sold out for the past 10 years with over 400 attendees. Children’s Week supports more than 50 community events and activities each year. These events provide thousands of parents, children, policymakers, professionals and community leaders the opportunity to share knowledge and information about children’s issues in communities across the state. For more information, visit ChildrensWeek.org.
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PHOTOS BY MEGAN BEAN COURTESY OF OPENING NIGHTS, MATT SAURO (FAST CARS & MASON JARS) AND COURTESY OF CAPITAL EVENTS, INC (FLORIDA SENIOR DAY AND FLORIDA CHILDREN’S WEEK)
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar have carved a unique place for themselves in the music industry through soul-stirring arrangements of contemporary gospel, musical theater and rich original compositions. The ensemble, organized in 2009, has performed with gospel greats such as Richard Smallwood, VaShawn Mitchell and James Fortune. Hailing from Augusta, Georgia, McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar are known for their opulent harmonies and beautiful blends, which are showcased throughout their 2012 album “Limitless.”
JAN/FEB 2020
PROMOTION
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
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REGIONAL
JAN/FEB 2020
JANUARY 23–26
BUYER & CELLAR
→ “Buyer & Cellar” is a one-man comedy about the price
of fame and the oddest of all odd jobs. Jonathan Tolins has concocted an irresistible play from the most peculiar of fictitious premises — an underemployed Los Angeles actor goes to work in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu, California, basement. It’s a fantasy so delightful you wish it were true.
Full Service Hearing Care
Tickets and additional show information available at EmeraldCoastTheatre.org/on-stage.
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Tour of Homes
→ Valentine’s weekend typically means romantic dinners and
flowers, but for South Walton residents and visitors, it also Experience you can trust signals the highly anticipated annual Valentine Tour of Homes. 850.877.0101 This annual event will open the doors to some of the gorgeously
Contact us now at 850-877-0101 designed South Walton homes for participants to view on Day 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Day 2 from noon to 4 p.m. www.TallahasseeHearingHelp.com • www.TallyENT.com
Two locations | 1405 Centerville Road #5400 | 2625 Mitcham Drive TallahasseeHearingHelp.com
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For more information, visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com/event/valentinetour-of-homes.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE OF WALTON COUNTY (TOUR OF HOMES) AND EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY (BUYER & CELLAR)
Audiology Associates and Tallahassee ENT:
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TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM January-February 2020 mary goal is to develop and execute the best-looking and most effective ad possible for your business. We seek your cooperation and understanding in fing your ad. Please give us all your comments/corrections and copy changes so the 3rd proof is the final proof. We sincerely value and appreciate
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LEGO LIVE & LEARN JAN 3 Children K-5 can engage with LEGOs in a variety of age-appropriate activities that promote learning and fun. Camp Challenger at the Challenger Learning Center presents this LEGO live and learn. challengertlh.com/winter-camp
LIGHT FROM LIGHT JAN 3-5 All Saints Cinema presents “Light from Light” about single mom Shelia, who moonlights as a paranormal investigator while working at a car rental service and raising her teenage son, Owen. After her appearance on a local radio program, she’s contacted about Richard, a recent widower who thinks his wife may be haunting his East Tennessee farmhouse. Agreeing to help, Shelia brings along Owen and his classmate Lucy in hopes of understanding the mystery. tallahasseearts.org/event/ light-from-light
FREE PLANETARIUM SHOW: JANUARY SKIES OVER TALLAHASSEE JAN 4 “Monthly Skies over Tallahassee” is created and presented by the Tallahassee Astronomical Society (TAS). The monthly sky over Tallahassee will be reviewed, including prominent constellations, stars and planet positions. tinyurl.com/JanuarySkies
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
around the world, but fans and friends pleaded with him to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/therighteous-brothers
MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND JAN 17-19 All Saints Cinema presents “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound,” an exploration of the history, artistry and emotional power of cinema sound, as revealed by legendary sound designers and visionary directors, via interviews, clips from movies, and a look at their actual process of creation and discovery. tallahasseearts.org/event/makingwaves-the-art-of-cinematic-sound
CIRQUE DE SOLEIL OVO JAN 17–19 The ever popular and always exciting Cirque de Soleil presents its colorful creaturefilled show, “OVO,” meaning “egg” in Portuguese. When a mysterious egg appears, insects fly, flutter and crawl toward this object, representative of the cycles of life. tuckerciviccenter.com/events/detail/ovo
BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH JAN 18–19 To celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and guest trumpeters Chris Moore and Mark Clodfelter will perform Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. tallahasseearts.org/event/ beethovens-fifth
JAN 8
CUNNINGHAM
With a string of classics, including the most-played song in radio history, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the Righteous Brothers duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts for over four decades. After Bobby’s death in 2003, Bill Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds
“Cunningham” presented by All Saints Cinema, features the work of filmmaker Alla Kovgan. The film assembles the last generation of Cunningham dancers to present landmark works from the Merce Cunningham Dance Company repertoire. The film concentrates on the
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
JAN 24–26
three decades from 1942 to 1972 when Cunningham was building his reputation.
a collection of American Songbook classics, Broadway and well-known standards.
tallahasseearts.org/event/cunningham
openingnights.fsu.edu/events/ kristin-chenoweth
TALLAHASSEE BEER FESTIVAL
CRISTINA PATO QUARTET
JAN 25 Beer lovers delight as the Tallahassee Beer Festival pours up unlimited samples of over 200 beers, ales, meads and ciders from over 65 breweries. Find your new favorite fermenters! All proceeds benefit the United Partners for Human Services. tlhbeerfest.com
MOONSTRUCK! AN EVENING WITH THE ARTS JAN 25 The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum’s annual winter gala is a fundraiser that promotes and supports fine art within the community and helps to fund art education. tallahasseearts.org/event/moonstruckan-evening-with-the-arts
UNITY 15: VOICES OF LIGHT JAN 26 The Tallahassee Community Chorus and orchestra, joined by the Florida State University’s Glee ensemble, will perform Richard Einhorn’s powerful and haunting oratorio “Voices of Light,” with a screening of Carl Dreyer’s 1928 legendary silent film masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc. The performance emphasizes the power of female heroism. tallahasseearts.org/event/ unity-15-voices-of-light
KRISTIN CHENOWETH IN CONCERT JAN 28 Emmy and Tony Awardwinning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth’s career spans film, television and stage. Her Tallahassee performance will offer a mingling of songs from her album “The Art of Elegance,”
Details of listings can change at the last minute. Please call ahead of time to confirm.
JAN 30 Cristina Pato is an internationally acclaimed Galician bagpipe master, classical pianist and passionate educator. On her unique instrument, she experiments with fusing Latin influences, jazz, pop and contemporary pieces. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/ cristina-pato-quartet
ST. MARKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE HERITAGE & OUTDOOR FESTIVAL FEB 1 Seeking to “Connect People with Nature,” the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge’s Heritage and Outdoors Festival has grown into one of Wakulla County’s largest displays of outdoor culture every year. From wildlife exhibits and dog-hunting demonstrations to turkey call contests and fly fishing or archery tutorials, this festival has a little bit of everything. Local food vendors and nature-based businesses are always on hand, and each festival features live music and wildlife artwork from area artists. visitwakulla.com/things-to-do/ festivals-events/st-marks-nwr-wildlifeheritage-outdoor-festival
TALLAHASSEE MARATHON FEB 2 The Tallahassee Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay have become a cherished Tallahassee event showcasing Florida’s capital city. This marathon is an all-volunteer event organized by the Gulf Winds Track Club, a local nonprofit dedicated to advancing the sport of running. tallahasseemarathon.com
PRISM FEB 2 This favored Tallahassee
event features students from Florida State’s top-ranked College of Music. PRISM offers a wide array of entertainment from Chamber Winds, Symphonic Band, jazz ensembles, the Marching Chiefs and many more exciting groups. The performance is a delightful mix of traditional yet experimental. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/prism
MAGIC TREEHOUSE FEB 7-16 This popular children’s series springs from the pages of Mary Pope Osborne’s book onto the Young Actors Theatre stage. Follow siblings Jack and Annie Smith as they discover a tree house full of books. tallahasseearts.org/event/ magic-tree-house
STADIUM BLITZ AT FSU FEB 8 On your marks, get set, go! The FSU Stadium Blitz will feature 15 unique and challenging obstacles with increasing difficulty, all while fans in the stands cheer you on! raceroster.com/events/2020/26697/ stadium-blitz-florida-at-fsu
THIRD ANNUAL WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL FEB 8 Good Samaritan United Methodist Church invites the community to this educational celebration of culture and connections found through food, art, music, performances, stories and more. This family-friendly event is a celebration of diversity and inclusion. tallahasseearts.org/event/goodsamaritan-umcs-third-annual-worldculture-festival
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO FEB 8 A playful parody of ballet,“Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo” is clever and witty and full of talent as men prove
HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE US TO CONSIDER? Send an email to preinwald@rowlandpublishing.com.
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AN
21ST
N IV E R S ARY
2020 TALLAHASSEE TENNIS CHALLENGER Presented by Visit Tallahassee
See professional tennis up close and personal as players ranked in the top 200s in the world compete for prize money and ATP points. The 21st Annual Tallahassee Tennis Challenger will benefit the D. Mark Vogter, MD Endowment for Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
April 20–26, 2020
Forestmeadows Tennis Center 4750 North Meridian Road
TallahasseeChallenger.com
• ATP Challenger 80 • 48 players singles main draw • 7 day event with Finals on Sunday, April 26th
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that they can indeed dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/les-balletstrockadero-de-monte-carlo
BACH PARLEY FEB 9 The Tallahassee Bach Parley performs music of the Baroque era using period instruments. This recreates for audiences the experience of hearing and seeing Baroque music as it may have been originally performed hundreds of years ago while generating a fresh sound immediately accessible to listeners today. tallahasseearts.org/event/ bach-parley-february-concert
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE FEB 11 This jolly piece of musical theatre features a swashbuckling gang of buccaneers, bumbling British bobbies, Victorian maidens and the delightfully dotty Major General on a rollicking romp of music and comedy. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/ pirates-of-penzance
BOB MARLEY’S THREE LITTLE BIRDS FEB 12-16
CAPITAL PERIODONTAL Beach Boys. The Beach Boys will perform their hits over the past 40 years, including “Surfin,’” “Good Vibrations” and “California Girls.” openingnights.fsu.edu/events/the beach-boys
IN THE HEIGHTS FEB 14-23 From the creator of “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, “In The Heights” will alight the Richard G. Fallon Theatre with the tale of a young store owner who witnesses the heartbreaks of his tight-knit Washington Heights community. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/in-the-heights
AL STEWART FEB 16 Al Stewart, a legendary British folk artist, will perform at Pebble Hill Plantation. His unique style of combining folk-rock songs with delicately woven tales of the great characters and events from history earned him a couple of big hits in the ’70s. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/al-stewart
RACHEL BARTON PINE, ARTS–IN–THE–HEART CONCERT SERIES FEB 21
This reggae musical features the music of Bob Marley, as we follow young Ziggy through the magical island of Jamaica. Despite his childhood fears, he learns that “every little thing is gonna be alright.”
Rachel Barton Pine, worldfamous virtuoso violinist, will perform with the Javacya Arts Conservatory and pianist Matthew Hagle. The concert will feature Pine’s classical favorites, religious music and contemporary works.
tallahasseearts.org/event/ bob-marleys-three-little-birds
tallahasseearts.org/event/rachel-bartonpine-arts-in-the-heart-concert-series
BLACK VIOLIN IMPOSSIBLE TOUR
STEVE SOLOMON
FEB 13
Steve Solomon has inspired laughs for years in his longrunning one-man comedy show. His gift for imitating accents will cause sidesplitting laughs.
Wil B., violist, and Kev Marcus, violinist, combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create Black Violin’s distinctive multi-genre sound often described as “classical boom.” This dynamic duo has roots in Florida and is happy to bring their music back to their home in a high-energy show. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/black-violin
THE BEACH BOYS FEB 14 Even though it’s winter, you can transport yourself to a seaside state of mind with the music of top-charting iconic band, The
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openingnights.fsu.edu/events/steve-solomon
RED HILLS HORSE TRIALS MAR 5-8 Saddle up and giddy up to watch the best in equestrian sports compete in this beloved annual competition featuring dressage, cross country, show jumping and more. Take in this beautiful sport and learn about horses, all on the scenic grounds of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. rhht.org/event-schedule
(850) 942-8111 www.CapitalPerio.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM
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SOCIAL STUDIES Leadership Tallahassee Distinguished Leadership Awards Leadership Tallahassee, a program of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, announced the 2019 recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards, presented by Centennial Bank. More than 400 community and business leaders attended the event, which recognized the best in community leadership. All proceeds from the event benefited the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program for high school juniors. SEPT. 19
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREA JONES, LT 27
1 DLA Award winners Tom Barron, Lifetime Leadership; Tom Derzypolski, Leader of the Year; Talethia Edwards, Leadership Pacesetter; and Mark Baldino, Servant Leadership 2 Kim Smiley of Centennial Bank, the presenting sponsor 3 Antwan Brooks, Laura Kalinoski and Cole Zimmerman
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4 Dan McGrew, Paula De-Boles Johnson and Jessica McGrew
HERC Annual Remembrance Dinner Holocaust Education Resource Council’s (HERC) eighth Remembrance Dinner was a year of firsts, including the firstever sellout. Attendees had the opportunity to meet many local leaders connected to the Holocaust, all of whom were committed to never forgetting. TCC president Jim Murdaugh said, “What inspires me about this event every year is the opportunity for people to get together and remember.” OCT. 10
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH E. GEORGE
1 Allison Tant, Susan Stratton and Susan Turner 2 State Sen. Bill Montford and TCC president Jim Murdaugh 3 Steve Winn, Sen. Bill Montford, Segundo Fernandez and Barbara Goldstein 4 Susan Turner and Barbara Goldstein
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SOCIAL STUDIES Cards for a Cure OCT. 19 Over 500 guests attended the 14th annual Cards for a Cure, which honored breast cancer survivor Marsha Smith Hill. The crowd enjoyed live music, refreshments, casino excitement and an inspiring program. The TMH Foundation is grateful for all the event supporters. By helping provide the best possible care for Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center patients, you save lives and give hope.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIQUE VIDEO CREATIONS
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1 Kathy Brooks with Dr. Dean Watson and Nicole Watson 2 Jimmy and Coleen Minor 3 Dr. Andrea Friall and honoree Marsha Smith Hill 4 Laurye and Jim Messer
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Zoobilee at the Tallahassee Museum NOV. 8 If any event showed how rockin’ the ’80s were, Zoobilee was it. An annual themed event, Zoobilee was established 26 years ago to raise funds to help the Tallahassee Museum, which serves our community through its engaging wildlife exhibits, rare historic buildings and artifacts, and innovative programming and events for children, adults and families. Zoobilee is an excellent opportunity to introduce new people to the museum and its mission, while also being part of one of Tallahassee’s best and memorable moments.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH E. GEORGE
1 School’s out for these snazzy ladies as they enjoy the evening. 2 Guests show off their love for ’80s music while enjoying the evening. 3 Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz join the fun. 4 Nothing says ’80s like flashy colors and an appreciation for The Thundercats.
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SOCIAL STUDIES 2nd Annual Ladies Night at Esposito NOV. 14 Laughter and smiling faces were abundant at Esposito’s second annual Ladies Night. The night was complete with happy customers celebrating the beginning of the holiday season, including a visit from Santa Claus. There was also a Christmas gift card contest and a Christmas tree contest — plus a couple of welcome helping hands from our friends at Trail & Ski and Budget Blinds.
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PHOTOS BY LORI MAGEE YEATON
1 Rebecca Fogleman with Brigit Yown and Angie Wakeman 2 Heather Bradford with Lisa Rodin and Leslie Konhaeuser 3 Barbara Hill and Beth White 4 Kathi Nelson, Xiomara Pelham, Santa Claus, Tanya Weaver, Lori Magee Yeaton and Ralph Esposito
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PROMOTION
SOCIAL STUDIES Winterfall NOV. 21 The beautiful Esposito Garden Center was transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland for Winterfall. Showcasing some of the finest cafes and restaurants in our area, the event benefited the Tallahassee Memorial Telemedicine Program. The perfect setting featured valet parking, live music performed by the Tobacco Road Band and a live auction.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHEMS HAMILTON
1 Janet Borneman and Virginia Glass 2 Jessica Showalter, Melissa Earp, Meghan Sumner and Kendra Adams 3 Marguerite Mathews, Melanie Carr, Virginia Glass and McKenzie Burleigh 4 Brady and Janelle Irwin
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Know someone recently engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Visit NorthwestFloridaWeddings.net to submit their information so we can send them a congratulations package, including the Northwest Florida Weddings Magazine! They will also be submitted for a chance to be covered in the magazine after their wedding!
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PROMOTION
Best of Tallahassee
Rocks The Champions Club Tallahassee Magazine throws its annual party to honor the Capital City’s top businesses and service providers
A Best of Tallahassee timeline:
PHOTOS BY TRICKEY PHOTOGRAPHY
5:56 p.m. Mackenzie “Mac” Little, current sales and events manager for Rowland Publishing and future White House chief of staff, stands near the ticket table as though she’s in charge, because she’s in charge. An hour and a half earlier, she’d walked the Tallahassee Magazine staff through the venue to make sure everybody understood their duties. Now the rush was about to begin. “If they have a ticket, just throw it in the box,” Mac tells her colleagues. “If they don’t have a ticket and it’s not on their phone …” Somebody who needs guidance interrupts Mac mid-sentence. The life of Mac.
6:10 p.m. You walk around the vast Dunlap Champions Club inside Doak Campbell Stadium. You couldn’t possibly already accept a third Champions Club appetizer from this server walking toward you, you think. John Gandy Events scored another venue-design touchdown. Just for the attention, you consider walking outside, going down the steps and somersaulting in the end zone, as Warrick Dunn once did. But you could really hurt yourself. Worse: Mac might kill you.
5:59 p.m. About a half hour before the event officially begins, members of the band Top Shelf get their act together on stage. They’re kind of messing around, you think. They’ll start playing music in a half hour, you think.
6:20 p.m. Live in Tallahassee, which joins Jason Taylor/iHeart Radio as media sponsors, puts a microphone to your face and asks you some questions, with gold glitter in the background. You’re a journalist, so now you know what it feels like for somebody to walk up to you and start asking questions, with or without gold glitter in the background.
6 p.m. “I got my first real six string,” belts out lead singer Jason Kellogg, “bought it at the five and dime …” They weren’t messing around.
6:25 p.m. You remember that Mac told you a half-dozen times to thank ALL of our sponsors. Because you love the idea of a job in a future
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6:26 p.m. “Please, God,” you say to yourself, “don’t let me fail to mention any of our sponsors.” 6:30 p.m. Best of Tallahassee officially begins. McKenzie Burleigh, vice president/corporate development at Rowland Publishing, owner of Tallahassee Magazine, and perhaps best known as the person who hired Mac, tells a Best of Tallahassee newbie that he hasn’t seen anything yet. The crowd of 100 will swell to perhaps a thousand within an hour or so, she says. Just wait. You’ll see, she says. 6:36 p.m. Five women pose for a photo at one of three Smile in Style photo stations. One wears Cat Woman glasses or something. One wears a horse on her head, and one wears a flamingo on her head. It’s going to be a fun night. 6:42 p.m. Mac is back near the ticket table. She looks pleased, thank God. 7 p.m. Mac takes the microphone and asks the growing crowd to turn its attention to the video screens
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throughout the venue. “So without further adieu, let’s begin,” she says. So you’d better believe we begin. 7:13 p.m. As guests watch the video screens for Best of Tallahassee results, yays and woo-hoos continue to erupt all over the place. 7:22 p.m. You observe that the place is really hopping. Selfies and horseheads here, people at the bar over there — or at the other bar way over there — and yays and woo-hoos everywhere. 7:23 p.m. McKenzie Burleigh briskly and happily walks by and gestures to perhaps a thousand people inside. “Was I right?” she asks. 7:30 p.m. Server Michael Parra has a tray on his shoulder. He also has a smile and a song on his face. “Bil-lie Jean is not my lov-er,” he sings to himself with Top Shelf. 7:32 p.m. Amber Swartz, founder of BumbleBee Waxing and More, is asked what it means to win Best of Tallahassee. As a four-time winner, she knows what it means. “It means a lot to our clients who voted for us and for my team to just know that we are passionate about what we do,” she says, “and it just shows in the community that a magazine is so important.” We like Amber. We really like Amber. 7:36 p.m. Keith Lawson and his wife stand like movie stars in front PROMOTION
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of a white and red backdrop that trumpets Rowland Publishing’s three propriety publications, including Tallahassee Magazine. As owner of Keith Lawson Services, a perennial winner in the Plumbing Services category, Lawson had done this before. Asked what the honor means for his business, he says: It means we’re the best.” 7:42 p.m. Javis Ogden, senior integrated marketing specialist at Tallahassee Magazine, stands at his post, where he signs up guests for a chance to win a weekend at The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa in Destin. He discusses the work that goes into putting on a big event. And he praises Mac. 7:46 p.m. Mayra Zimmerman, PA-C, reflects on yet another Best of Tallahassee honor for her place of work. “Dermatology Associates has been trying to give quality care to people in Tallahassee for years, and it really means a lot,” she says. “When I started working there, our CEO, Brian Schaper, took me aside and said, ‘It’s not about quantity. We’re not trying to see a bunch of people. It’s about quality.’ He said take your time with your patients, get to know them, make friendships.” 7:51 p.m. A celebratory outburst disrupts the airwaves and almost drowns out Top Shelf. Video screens reveal that Real Talk 93.3 has won again for Radio Personality. “We talk a lot about how we’re the only
locally owned radio station in Tallahassee,” says general manager Jon Jopling, “and we pride ourselves on providing the most local content and having somebody like Greg Tish at the helm in the morning show. Nobody’s more Tallahassee than Greg Tish, and it feels wonderful that people are recognizing that and giving it back to us in this recognition.” 8:03 p.m. Katrice Howell, owner of The Space at Feather Oaks, is at the trophy table, and you know what that means. She’s a winner. And so is Kim Kimberly, her business manager. “It means much to us because we’ve been in business for 10 years now,” Howell says of her victory in the Wedding Venue category. “We’ve worked and worked and worked, and this is amazing.” Meanwhile, event photographer Charlene Trickey takes a moment to reflect on her award, as best photographer. “For me, sometimes it can be validation,” she says. 8:07 p.m. Jason Kellogg, Top Shelf’s lead singer, finds himself on the dance floor with his microphone and bass player. They’re playing old-time rock ‘n’ roll because “that kind of music just soothes my soul,” sings Kellogg. As the two musicians prance, two couples dance. Heads bob. Guests look at each other and nod and put down their drinks. Now there’s a fifth person on the dance floor. Now seven, and here come some more. The party’s on.
PHOTOS BY TRICKEY PHOTOGRAPHY
White House, you remember our sponsors, including presenting sponsor Ox Bottom Animal Hospital; silver level sponsor Thompson, Crawford & Smiley; official ballot counter Thomas Howell Ferguson; and official online ballot sponsor Joe Manausa Real Estate. You think positive thoughts about all of them, because Mac told you to.
presented by
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To see all the images, video highlights and the complete list of winners visit
TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM/BESTOFTALLAHASSEERECAP19
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THE SCIENCE OF RUNNING
A UNIVERSITY FAMU’s president, a nuclear chemist, suggests an art to running one as well story by DANIELLE J. BROWN // photography by DAVE BARFIELD
Long before he became the 12th president of Florida A&M University, Dr. Larry Robinson got up close and personal with the 12th president of the United States. In the early 1990s, Robinson served as a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He worked on a team that, through analysis of hair and fingernail samples, looked into the question of arsenic in the death of President Zachary Taylor. Robinson said he and his colleagues were told not to discuss it — yet word got out to the media. “We had people outside of our homes trying to get us to tell them … ‘What was the deal?’” Robinson recalled to Tallahassee Magazine with a laugh. “Long story short, we did not find arsenic in Zachary Taylor’s hair that would have suggested poisoning.”
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You know, we have a generation of students who don’t entirely get why things aren’t the same everywhere. But I’ve had meetings with the mayor and counseling about South Side development. They are receptive, and I don’t think that they are short of ideas of their own. So we’re looking forward to partnering with the city more. We see a lot of potential along FAMU Way. Some retail along there would be beneficial to our students. Q: Where do you see FAMU in the next 10 or 20 years? A: What I see is FAMU continuing to rise well within
the top 100 institutions, and students will continue to have an impact in their communities. As much as I am a proponent of accountability … I tell people that, “Perhaps, the best measure of an institution is what the graduates do, not the first year or the second year, but over their lifetime. What types of things did they do?” But beyond that, the advances in science, medicine and engineering will be done largely by students that are here now. Business Insurance Specialists: Will Croley, Angie Hearl, Mary Katharine (Croley) Lawler, Doug Croley
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Q: Do you see FAMU possibly playing FSU in basketball and football in the next 10 or 20 years? A: I think we can manage through all of those kinds
of things. Those young men and young women, 18- to 22-year-olds, are passionate about this. Everybody wants to win. I think there’s a possibility, and let’s see what happens. I think the most important thing is recognizing that you have, in this town, three very fine institutions: Tallahassee Community College, FSU and FAMU. Now, I sat down with an editorial board a year or two ago and said, “Wouldn’t it be remarkable if the first thing that came through people’s minds when they thought about Tallahassee was our outstanding educational institutions — that they have wonderful academic programs — as opposed to the status of football right now?” TM
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Specializing in Art Lessons for Adults and Children
(continued from page 101)
↙ Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church boasts about 2,000 members and stands as a “tremendous epicenter of social justice, community and civic engagement, and political empowerment,” according to an article in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the AME Church.
BENEVOLENT BETHEL HISTORIC AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AIMS ‘TO MAKE A FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE’ Fifth in a series on Tallahassee’s historic churches
T
he church today hails them as courageous freedmen. In 1865, as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church tells it, 116 black Christians walked out of Tallahassee’s Methodist church and worshipped at an open-sided shelter at the corner of Duval and Virginia streets. “Many times we worshiped in the gallery, and I think that we wanted more,” the Rev. Dr. Julius H. McAllister Jr., senior minister of Bethel AME, told Tallahassee Magazine recently. In 1866, the new church conducted a cornerstone ceremony for a suitable facility. African Methodist Episcopal missionary Robert Meacham of Monticello helped lay the stone on Duval Street, according to the book Trinity United Methodist Church: Tallahassee’s First Church. That new church continues today as Bethel AME, which offers services in a spacious multipurpose complex at the corner of Orange Avenue and Wahnish Way. Bethel AME boasts about 2,000 members and stands as a “tremendous epicenter of social justice, community and civic engagement, and political empowerment” in Tallahassee, the Rev. Quardricos Bernard Driskell wrote recently in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the AME Church. Bethel feeds children and families, builds and repairs homes and works to keep itself “on the caring side of ministry,” McAllister said.
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REAL MORNINGS with GREG TISH and BOBBY MAC
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where it’s easy to find God and hard to forget Him. Secondly, we want to make sure that Bethel is always on the caring side of ministry.”
ON HOW THE CHURCH HAS ADJUSTED TO CHANGES IN SOCIETY …
WEEKDAYS 6AM–9AM LIVE and LOCAL
“You always have to make your message contemporary. So the goal for any proclaimer, any messenger, any handler of the holy is to know your audience. And after being in sincere prayer and asking for God’s revelation to permeate your heart and your mind and to share, not Julius Harrison McAllister Jr.’s word — but your word. And simply say, ‘Lord, speak for your servant heareth,’ or ‘I’m listening.’ After you received that word, then it is your prayer that it will touch the canyons of the hearts of men and women in your congregation. Of course, you have the cell phones, you have the iPad, you have all of the various technologies that you use, and we use them here in our church. And we really believe that it helps to enhance the worship service. It helps to enrich the vitality of all that we do and the framework of our worship service.”
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“In any congregation, I think we’re all struggling with the vicissitudes of life. We all struggle with raising children. We all struggle with dynamics of our jobs. We all struggle with making sure that we have all of the sustenance and all of the things that we need in order to make ends meet. That’s a part of the commonality that I talked about, the commonality in our humanity that makes us the same. I don’t care if you’re African American, if you’re Caucasian, if you’re Asian, Korean — we all have basic concerns. We have concerns even with our walk with God and trying to reconcile our differences as it relates to the way we want to walk compared to the way God wants us to walk. And we all struggle with that inconsistency.” TM
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dining guide AMERICAN ANDREW’S DOWNTOWN
After 40 years, Andrew’s is still an energetic, casual, see-and-be-seen spot. House favorites include a popular lunch buffet, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. Downtown delivery. Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm, Sun 10:30 am-9 pm. 228 S. Adams St. (850) 222-3444/Fax, (850) 222-2433. $$ B L D
BACKWOODS CROSSING ★
Sit down for fresh gourmet food at Tallahassee’s farm-to-table, destination concept restaurant featuring locally caught and produced soft-shell crabs, sausage, duck and blueberries. Mon–Thur 11 am–9 pm, Fri–Sat 11 am–10 pm. 6725 Mahan Drive. (850) 765-3753. $$ L D
BUMPA’S LOCAL #349
Featuring burgers, sandwiches, pastas, fried ribs, tacos and wings, this new neighborhood bar and grill has something for everyone. Mon–Thu 11 am–10 pm, Fri–Sat 11 am–Midnight, Sun 11 am–10 pm. 2738 Capital Circle NE $L D
DOG ET AL ★
Foot-long and veggie entrees alike grace this award-winning menu. If the entire family is down for the dog, be sure to ask about their incredibly valued family packs. Mon-Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun Closed. 1456 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-4099. $ L D
THE EDISON
A Tallahassee relaxed fine dining establishment. Equipped with a beer garden, wine cellar, casual café, open-air alternatives and a gorgeous view, this historic building and restaurant has quickly become a Tallahassee favorite. Mon-Thurs 11 am-11 pm, Fri 11 ammidnight, Sat 10 am-midnight, Sun 10 am-11 pm. 470 Suwannee St. (850) 684-2117. $$/$$$
ISLAND WING COMPANY ★
Get baked! Tally’s Best Wings 2019 won’t serve you up greasy, fried wings; instead, they bake them and prepare them fresh. They don’t stop at wings, either: Try the mac ’n cheese, burgers and tacos. Mon-Thurs 11 am-12 am, FriSat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-12 am. 1370 Market St. (850) 692-3116. $/$$ L D
JUICY BLUE
Located in the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown, this cool lobby restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unique dishes include tapas with a twist, such as the Georgia peaches with caramel. Mon-Fri 7 am-11 pm, Sat-Sun 7 am-midnight. 316 W. Tennessee St. (850) 422-0071. $ B L D
KOOL BEANZ ★
Eclectic and edgy, both in menu and atmosphere, Kool Beanz delights in art present both on the walls and your plates. This offbeat alternative won Best Casual Dining in Tallahassee. Dinner Mon-Sat 5:3010 pm, lunch Mon-Fri 11 am-2:30 pm, brunch Sun 10:30 am-2 pm. 921 Thomasville Rd. (850) 224-2466. $$ L D
LIAM’S RESTAURANT
Part restaurant, part cheese shoppe, part lounge — Liam’s features locally grown and harvested foods, expertly made cocktails, craft beer, artisan wines & cheeses and friendly service. Lunch: Tues-Sat, 11 am-2 pm; Dinner: Tues-Sat, 5 pm-close; Lounge: Tues-Fri 5 pm-late, Sat: noon-midnight. 113 E. Jackson St., Thomasville, Georgia. (229) 226-9944. $$/$$$ L D
LOFTY PURSUITS ★
This old-fashioned soda fountain serves ice cream, milkshakes and candy — plus brunch dishes and a selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Brunch: 7 am–2 pm, ice cream: Mon–Fri Noon-10 pm, Sat 10 am–10 pm, Sun 10 am–9 pm. 1355 Market St., A11. (850) 521-0091. $ B
MADISON SOCIAL ★
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ★
The name says it all! This restaurant boasts a palate-pleasing combination of personalized service, eclectic ambiance and award-winning cuisine and is the Best Desserts winner for 2017–19. Tues-Thurs 11 am-2:30 pm, 5:309 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-9:30 pm; Sun 10 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-9 pm. 1950 Thomasville Rd. (850) 224-9974. $$ L D
HOPKINS’ EATERY ★
Hopkins’, a Best of 2019 winner, provides more than just your average sandwich. Favorites such as the Ultimate Turkey and the Linda Special, and a variety of salad meals keep customers coming back for more. Multiple locations. Hours vary. hopkinseatery.com. $ L
The Coast is Here!
Whether it’s for a social cocktail, a quick lunch or a place for alumni to gather before home football games, Madison Social offers something for everyone. Madison Social earned Best Happy Hour honors in 2018. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat-Sun 10 am-2 am. CollegeTown, 705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 894‑6276. $$ B L D
SAGE RESTAURANT ★
Sage’s menu masterfully melds regional influences, including Southern and French. The setting is gorgeous but cozy, and the outdoor patio sets a charming, romantic tone for a relaxed evening. Mon Closed; Tues-Sat 11 am-3 pm, 6-10 pm; Sun 11 am-2:30 pm. 3534 Maclay Blvd. (850) 270-9396. $$$ B L D
just right for dining light Join us for fresh seafood lunch specials served blackened, broiled, or crispy--perfect for a lighter lunch. And if you’re looking for a taste of the coast for your next event, give us a call! From big events to groups ordering lunch in, it would be our pleasure to serve you. ORDER PICK-UP, DELIVERY, OR CATERING ONLINE!
THE KEY
★2019 Best
of Tallahassee Winner
WHARFCASUALSEAFOOD.COM
The restaurants that appear in this guide are included as a service to readers and not as recommendations of the Tallahassee Magazine editorial department, except where noted. $$ Moderately B Breakfast/ Outdoor Dining L D
Brunch Lunch Dinner
Live Music Bar/Lounge
$ Inexpensive
Expensive
$$$ Expensive
Bannerman Crossing 850.765.1077 Costco Shopping Center 850.668.1966
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THE BEST LITTLE STEAKHOUSE IN TALLAHASSEE 2018
SAVOUR
Downtown fine dining with a vision for seasonally inspired, regionally sourced and creatively prepared cuisine, such as bourbonbrined pork chops, Gulf Coast bouillabaisse or miso marinated grouper. Tue–Sat 5 pm–close. 115 E. Park Ave. (850) 765-6966. $$$ D
TABLE 23 ★
This “Southern porch, table and bar” is cozied up among oak trees on one of Tallahassee’s favorite street corners. Lucky Goat coffee-rubbed ribeye and Schermer pecan-crusted chicken are among the regional-produce offerings. Mon-Tues 11 am-2 pm, 5-9 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-2 pm, 5-10 pm, Sat 5-10 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm. 1215 Thomasville Rd., (850) 329-2261. $$$ L D
UPTOWN CAFÉ
Specialties at the bustling, family-run café include apricot-glazed smoked salmon, one-ofa-kind omelets, banana bread French toast and flavorful sandwiches. Mon-Sat 7 am-3 pm, Sun 8 am-2 pm. 1325 Miccosukee Road (850) 219-9800. $B L
VERTIGO BURGERS AND FRIES ★
Vertigo is home to some of the juiciest, funkiest burgers in town. Favorites include the Vertigo Burger — a beef patty served with a fried egg, applewood bacon, grilled jalapeños, sharp cheddar and Vertigo sauce. Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm, Sun 11 am-6 pm. 1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878‑2020. $$ L D
ASIAN AZU LUCY HO’S ★
Enjoy an extensive array of classic dishes with a modern flare, including gyoza dumplings, crab rangoon, General Tso’s chicken and szechuan beef, all in a relaxed setting. Mon–Fri 11 am–10 pm, Sat 11:30 am–10 pm, Sun 10:30 am–9 pm. 3220 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 13. (850) 893-4112. L D
BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH/BAKERY CANOPY ROAD CAFÉ ★
Traditional breakfasts, fluffy omelets, skillets, French toast and sweet potato pancakes keep customers coming back. Canopy goes all out on lunch favorites, too, including salads and steakburgers. Mon-Sun 6:30 am-2:15 pm. Multiple locations. (850) 668-6600. $ B L
THE EGG CAFÉ & EATERY
When you’re looking for breakfast favorites, even if it’s lunchtime, The Egg is the place to be. They were voted Tallahassee’s best 16 times, including the 2018 award for Best Brunch. Second location now open in Kleman Plaza. Multiple Locations. (850) 907-3447. $$ B L
TASTY PASTRY BAKERY ★
Tallahassee’s original cakery features fresh breads, bagels, pies, cakes and catering. Mon–Sat 6:45 am–6 pm. 1355 Market St., No. A-5. (850) 893-3752. $ B L D
THE BADA BEAN
Greeting sunrise with Tallahassee residents for over 10 years, find your favorite breakfast, brunch and lunch specials any time of day. Bada Bean features lattes, cold brew, cappuccinos, espresso and Mighty Leaf teas. Mon 6:30 am–2 pm, Tue–Fri 6:30 am–3 pm, Sat–Sun 7:30 am–3 pm. 2500-B Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 562-2326. $ B L
TREVA’S PASTRIES AND FINE FOODS
Specializing in sweet treats, cakes, pastries and croissants, this bistro-style pastry shop and fine foods store also uses 100% natural ingredients to make savory sandwiches, salads and soups. Tue– Fri 11 am–6 pm, Sat 11 am–4 pm. 2766 Capital Circle NE. (850) 765-0811. $$ L
CAJUN
KIKU JAPANESE FUSION ★
From tempura to teriyaki and from sushi to sashimi, Kiku Japanese Fusion fuses vibrant flavors with fresh ingredients. There’s a reason Kiku was voted Best Sushi in 2019. Mon-Sat 11 am-1 pm, Sun 12-11 pm. 800 Ocala Rd. (850) 575-5458, 3491 Thomasville Rd. (850) 222-5458. $$ L D
Join us for lunch and dinner at our beautiful location on Apalachee Parkway. Our steaks are not only the best in Tallahassee, but USDA choice Midwestern corn-fed beef, specially selected, aged to our specifications and cut daily. We also serve fresh jumbo shrimp and fish — grilled, blackened or fried. So please join us for lunch and dinner or just meet up for drinks at our fully stocked bar.
MASA
In 2018, Masa earned the title of Best Asian in town — and with good reason. Their menu offers a creative blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. Mon-Fri 11 am-3 pm, 4:30-9:30 pm; Sat-Sun 12-3 pm, 4:30-9:30 pm. 1650 N. Monroe St. (850) 727-4183. $/$$ L D
NAGOYA STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI
Dine in or takeout, Nagoya offers a wide variety of authentic Japanese cuisine, including hibachi, salads, sushi and sashimi. Lunch: Mon– Fri 11 am–2:30 pm; Dinner: Mon–Thur 4:30– 10 pm, Fri 4:30–10:30 pm, Sat 11 am–10:30 pm, Sun Noon–9:30 pm. 1925 N. Monroe St. $$ L D
OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR ★
F
MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAK HOUSE
2705 Apalachee Parkway | Tallahassee, FL (850) 270-9506
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Rated Best Hibachi for 2019, Osaka provides dinner and a show, with the chefs seasoning and preparing your meal right in front of you. Sun-Thurs 11 am-10:15 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-10:45 pm. 1690 Raymond Diehl Rd. (850) 531-0222. $$$ D
BBQ WILLIE JEWELL’S OLD SCHOOL BBQ ★ Platters, sandwiches or by the pound, Willie Jewell’s offers smoked brisket, pork, turkey, sausage, chicken and ribs with a bevy of Southern sides. Daily 11 am-9 pm. 5442 Thomasville Rd. (850) 629-4299. $ L D
COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGE ★
This Best Cajun Restaurant winner for 2019 brings the best of the Bayou State right to your table. The menu is jam-packed with Louisiana-style dishes, including favorites like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Mon-Tues 11 am-10 pm, Wed-Fri 7 am-10 pm, Sat 8 am-10 pm, Sun 8 am-9 pm. Multiple Locations. (850) 894‑4110. $$ B L D
CATERING BLACK FIG ★
Whether you’re planning an event for five or 500, Black Fig offers a bevy of dining options, including catering-to-go. Tue–Fri 11 am–6:30 pm, Sat. 10 am–4 pm 1400 Village Square Blvd., #7. (850) 727-0016.
CUBAN GORDOS
Tallahassee’s top Cuban spot for over 30 years, Gordos features favorites such as croquetas, papas rellenas, empanadas and pressed sandwiches like their classic Cubano. Mon–Sat 11 am–11 pm, Sun 11 am–10 pm 1907 W. Pensacola St.; Mon–Thu 11 am–10 pm, Fri 11 am–11 pm, Sun 11 am–9 pm. 1460 Market St. Suite #3-4. $ L D
GREEK LITTLE ATHENS GYRO ★
Across from FSU’s campus, find your fix for Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Mon–Fri 10 am–8 pm, Sat 11 am–5 pm. 666 W. Tennessee St., #5. (850) 222-2231. $ L D
A fresh take on Pan-Asian cuisine and sushi. Join us for lunch & dinner. Extensive selection of wine, beer & sake
Masa 1650 N. Monroe St. (850) 727-4183 Little Masa 619 S. Woodward Ave., #105 (850) 727-8909 MasaTallahassee.com
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our mission is the same as our passion: to serve the most delicious mexican cuisine at five great locations. we invite you to stop by for our world-famous fajitas.
southwood
727-0094 |
capital circle ne
385-9992 |
north monroe
878-0800 |
kerry forest
668-1002 |
crawfordville
926-4329
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SAHARA GREEK & LEBANESE CAFÉ
Serving great food since 2000, Sahara serves everything from gyros and falafel wraps to lamb kebabs and homemade hummus. Mon– Wed 11 am–9 pm, Thur–Fri 11 am–10 pm, Sat Noon–10 pm. 1135 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 656-1800. $$ L D
INDIAN MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE
Featuring Indian classics such as tikka masala, naan and curry, Mayuri also offers an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options. Mon– Wed 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm, Thur 5:30–9:30 pm, Fri 11 am–2:30 pm, 5:30–10 pm, Sat: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5:30–10 pm, Sun 11:30 am–3 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm. 1324 Simpson Ave. (850) 402-9993. $ L D
ITALIAN/PIZZA BELLA BELLA
Take your taste buds to Italy with a trip to Bella Bella, voted Best Italian in 2015, 2017 and 2018. This locally owned and operated restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves all the classics to satisfy your pasta cravings. Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm, Sat 4-10 pm, Sun Closed. 123 E. 5th Ave. (850) 412-1114. $$ L D
MOMO’S ★
After devouring a slice “as big as your head” at this 2019 Best Pizza winner, chain pizza simply is not gonna cut it. The restaurant has an unmistakable and enjoyable “hole in the wall” vibe. Multiple locations. Hours vary. (850) 224‑9808. $ L D
RICCARDO’S RESTAURANT
A Tallahassee tradition since 1999, Riccardo’s features savory Italian classics, from pasta and pizza to homemade subs and calzones — plus a wide-ranging selection of wines and craft brews. Lunch: Tue–Fri 11 am to 2 pm; Dinner: Tue–Sat 5–9 p.m. 1950 Thomasville Road. (850) 386-3988. $$ L D
Z. BARDHI’S ITALIAN CUISINE ★
With delicious Italian cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere, Z. Bardhi’s has been family-owned and operated for over 20 years. Lunch: Sat–Sun, 11 am–2 pm, Dinner: Mon–Sun, 5–9:30 pm. 3596 Kinhega Dr. (850) 894-9919. $$ L D
MEXICAN EL JALISCO ★
In the mood for sizzling enchiladas and frozen margaritas? Make your way to the 2019 Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. Multiple locations. Hours vary. $ L D
EL PATRON MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA
Find all your authentic Mexican classics such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and burritos, or take a sip of a yardstick margarita. Mon–Wed 11 am–10 pm, Thur 11 am–11 pm, Fri–Sun 11 am– Midnight. 1170 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 656-7264. $$ L D
SEAFOOD/STEAK THE BLU HALO ★
Blu Halo is a high-end culinary experience featuring dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood
along with fine wines and a martini bar. A private dining room for up to 20 guests is available. Mon-Thurs 4-10 pm; Fri 4 pm-close; Sat 8 am-2 pm, 4 pm-close; Sun 8 am-2 pm, 4-10 pm. 3431 Bannerman Rd., #2 (850) 999-1696. $$$ L D
BONEFISH GRILL ★
Bonefish is devoted to serving great seafood including shrimp, oysters, snapper and swordfish in a vibrant setting, along with top-shelf cocktails and housemade infusions crafted by expert mixologists. Mon-Thurs 4–10:30 pm, Fri 4–11:30 pm, Sat 11 am– 11:30 pm, Sun 10 am–9 pm. 3491 Thomasville Rd., Ste. 7, (850) 297-0460. $$ L D
CHOP HOUSE ON THE BRICKS
This family-owned, upscale restaurant serves local organic and sustainable meats, seafood, poultry and produce. Craft beers, fine wines and specialty drinks complement any dish. Tues-Sat 5-9:30 pm, Sun-Mon Closed. 123 N. Broad St., Thomasville, Ga. (229) 236-2467. $$ D
GEORGIO’S FINE FOOD & SPIRITS
George Koikos has over 50 years of experience in Tallahassee restaurants, and his hands-on commitment has made this upscale restaurant a local favorite. Serving local seafood and prime steak, Georgio’s offers banquet rooms for private parties. Mon–Sat 4–9:30 pm 2971 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 877-3211. $$$ D
HARRY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILL
Serving Southern, cajun and creole flavors in classic and modern dishes since 1987. Full bar is available at each location and offers beer, wine, liquor and unique cocktails. Sun-Thurs 11 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm, and holiday hours. 301 S. Bronough St., in Kleman Plaza. (850) 222-3976. $$ L D
MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAKHOUSE ★
Specializing in locally sourced seafood and USDA prime steaks Full bar and lounge | Locally owned and operated Private dining | Banquet rooms available Celebrating over 50 years serving Tallahassee 2971 Apalachee Parkway | (850) 877-3211 georgiostallahassee@gmail.com | georgiostallahassee.com
Not just a restaurant that serves up savory cuts of prime rib or marbled steaks, this 2019 Best Steakhouse winner is a Tallahassee tradition, and newcomers owe it to themselves to make it a priority to visit. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm, 5-9 pm; Sat 5-9 pm; Sun Closed. 2705 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 562-2525. $$ L D
SHULA’S 347
Located in Hotel Duval. Keep it light and casual with a premium Black Angus beef burger or a gourmet salad, or opt for one of their signature entrées — a “Shula Cut” steak. Reservations are suggested. Sun-Thurs 5-10 pm, Fri-Sat 5-11 pm. 415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005. $$$ L D
SOUTHERN SEAFOOD ★
Whether you’re looking for fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, crab or lobster, these guys have you covered. The 2019 Best Seafood Market winner brings the ocean’s freshest choices to Tallahassee’s front door. Mon-Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm. 1415 Timberlane Rd. (850) 668‑2203.
WHARF CASUAL SEAFOOD
A Tallahassee institution, the Wharf will fill your need for the coast with fresh seafood, salads, seafood tacos and po’boys. Also available for catering. Open daily, 11 am–8:30 pm, 3439 Bannerman Rd. and 4036 Lagniappe Way, (850) 765-1077 and (850) 668-1966. $$ L D
WAHOO SEAFOOD GRILL ★
Bringing the coast to Tallahassee, fresh seafood options mix with steak and classic Cajun dishes. Mon–Thur 11 am–10 pm, Fri–Sat 11 am–11 pm, Sun. 10 am–1 pm. 2714 Graves Rd. (850) 629-4059. $$ L D
Visit our comprehensive, searchable dining guide online at tallahasseemagazine.com/Restaurants.
Great Food Great Friends
3740 Austin Davis Ave. Tues-Sun 7am-2pm (850) 765-0703
Visit Our New Location Kleman Plaza Tues-Sun | 7am-2pm (850) 907-EGGS (3447)
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postscript
A CRUMMY WAY TO DATE
The challenge of seeking companionship via a mobile app by JANECIA BRITT
I
love cookies. Chocolate chip or sugar, sprinkles or frosted — they’re all delicious. Making them at home is therapeutic for me, and as a single woman with no children, I don’t have to share them with anyone, which I also love. You know what I don’t love? Dating. In a time when everyone is glued to their phone, it’s hard to nab the attention of a potential suitor. Then again, I have a hard time getting even my dog to pay attention to me. Enter dating apps. They’re fast and curious versions of the online dating profile. Swipe left or swipe right for a chance at love or a one-night stand, if that’s your drift. Like selecting a favorite from the holiday cookie tray, you have tons of apps from which to choose. You have Bumble, Tinder and Hinge — Bumble where women make the first move; Tinder where you’re likely to match with the human equivalent of a raccoon; and Hinge, where the app constantly reminds you that you never responded to the creep who sent you a rather explicit photo. I’ve been using dating apps off and on for the last few years. On them, I’ve met a couple of my past partners, a handful of nice people and a whole bunch of weirdos. I bet you’re wondering what happens when you match — that is, when you and another person both have swiped right. The honest answer is that you must venture into an awkward stage: You chat long enough to decide whether it’s worth giving out your phone number and meeting the person in real life. Romantic, right? Now you’re going to meet this stranger. Time to endure the obligatory “coffee date” where potentials meet at a public place to get an understanding — and a first true look — at each other. Sometimes your date looks completely different than their profile, like a chocolate chip cookie that turns out to be an oatmeal raisin. So, for that first date, you want to meet somewhere neutral enough that it’s not awkward if you don’t like them but casual enough that you could get lunch or dinner if all goes well.
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And after that? Hopefully, it forms into something. Often, it doesn’t. I’ve been on 20 or so of these coffee dates since my last relationship ended, and I’ll be honest: They’re always kind of boring, and I don’t even drink coffee. I go for the cookies. Coffee shop cookies are delicious and huge. They’re full of chocolate chips and chunks, and some places even have cranberry with white chocolate or cinnamon oatmeal. They’re awesome and comforting, as opposed to some of these Tinder dates, which I find tiresome and demoralizing. Too often, you both just sit there nervously talking about nothing, and you both leaving feeling uncomfortable. You’re thinking: Why in the world would anyone put themselves through that? In a lot of ways, dating is like baking cookies. You can put in all the ingredients — photos, likes, dislikes, then mix in a witty caption and set aside — and they still don’t come out right. Sometimes, all they do is crumble. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that there’s no secret ingredient in finding the right person, and it’s certainly not baked into a smartphone or swipe. It’s the spices that matter. It’s the spontaneity and the eye contact and the anticipation. Which is why I deleted all of my dating apps. No more coffee dates and awkward encounters for me. One of these days, the right person will come along. In the meantime, it’ll be just me and my oven mitts. TM illustration by LINDSEY MASTERSON
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