Tallahassee Magazine January/February 2011

Kick Back & Relax Businessman Peter Boulware and Other Local VIPs Open Their Homes and Share Their Most-Loved Rooms

Salary Survey Takes a Peek Into Our Paychecks

A Slice of Pie: Deconstructing Your Perfect Pizza

Pretty and Practical Children’s Rooms

$3.95

JAN-FEB 2011

www.tallahasseemagazine.com A product of Rowland Publishing, Inc.

Tallahassee

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January–February 2011

January/February 2011

« 80

WHAT WE EARN

We’re taking a snapshot of salaries from around Tallahassee, as well as telling the tales of workers who are making a living in tough economic times.

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MY FAVORITE ROOM

Busy local notables share their favorite room — ­and what it is that makes the space such a special one.

Photo by scott holstein

ON THE COVER

Businessman and former football great Peter Boulware can escape the hubbub that comes along with his large family in his lodge-like living room. Photo by Scott Holstein

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contents In Every Issue

36 PERSONALITY

Jamie Bullock shows what happens when you stick to a New Year’s resolution.

13 From the Publisher 15 From the Editor 16 Letters to the Editor 130 The Last Word

40 GIVING BACK

Quick Reads 19 ONE TO WATCH

Tallahassee co-stars in a music video directed by Stephen Baldwin.

What goes on in the bedroom, stays in sex therapist Linda Humphries’ office.

Mind & Body

Treating “Nature Deficit Disorder” with a dose of the outdoors.

50 ARTS & CULTURE

24 HOW TO

Museum exhibit showcases Florida birds as drawn by the master — John James Audubon.

26 EDITOR’S CHOICE

Florida’s Civil War history began 150 years ago with a secession convention.

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58 CALENDAR

75 SOCIAL STUDIES

» 24

FSU’s “Bridge” program provides the connection to med school for nontraditional students.

30 HISTORICITY

57 SPOTLIGHT

Resolve to go out and have fun in 2011.

Departments

The newest generation of paint should be seen — but not smelled.

44 ON THE MOVE

Events

Rack up the points in this low-tech dice game, but try not to Farkle.

99 CHECK IT OUT 100 HABITAT

22 FYI

Tallahassee’s home-grown solution to pet overpopulation.

Home & Garden

Developmentally challenged adults learn life skills through the arts at Pyramid Inc.

Super-fans tell why you should see their favorites at Seven Days of Opening Nights.

20 FIRST PERSON

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Smiling faces in party places.

Creative strategies for decorating a “just right” room for your child.

109 IN FOCUS

When the legs can’t rest, neither can you.

110 HEALTH

Pertussis can still be a threat, especially to young children.

Dining

115 FIRST COURSE

Beyond bran: Less obvious foods where you can find fiber.

117 FLAVOR

Here’s a guide to help pick your perfect pizza.

122 DINING GUIDE

Helping you find what’s cookin’ at local eateries.

photos by Scott Holstein and courtesy Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center

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January–February 2011

Vol. 33, No. 1

Publisher Brian E. Rowland Editor Rosanne Dunkelberger

designer Saige Roberts Staff Writers Jason Dehart, Lilly Rockwell Contributing Writers Laz Aleman, Jamie Bullock, Ana Goni-Lessan, Angela Howard, Tisha Keller STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Holstein

Editorial Interns Ana Goni-Lessan, Brandon Neasman, Antonio Rosado, Janeen Talbott traffic coordinator Carlin Trammel

Sales Executives Lori Magee, Linda Powell Online tallahasseemagazine.com twitter.com/tallahasseemag facebook.com/tallahasseemag

President Brian E. Rowland

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Kimberly Howes

Director of Lisa Carey Publishing operations

Creative Director Lawrence Davidson

Production DIRECTOR Melinda Lanigan

Director of Linda Kleindienst Editorial Services

Manager of Finance Angela Cundiff HR/Administration

Manager of Daniel Parisi Integrated Sales

Administrator of McKenzie Burleigh Sales/Events Assistant Saige Roberts

Creative Director Production Coordinator Carlin Trammel

senior designer Tisha Keller Graphic Designers Beth Nabi, Marc Thomas, Daniel Vitter Receptionist Lisa Sostre

Network Administrator Daniel Vitter

Web Site rowlandpublishing.com

Tallahassee Magazine is published bimonthly by Rowland Publishing, Inc. 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. 850/878-0554.

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 2011 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 and Florida Magazine Association.

one-year Subscription $24.95 (SIx issues) (850) 878-0554 Tallahassee Magazine can be purchased at Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Books-A-Million, Walgreens and at our Miccosukee Road office.

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January–February 2011

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January–February 2011

From the Publisher

After Years of Rough Roads, the Future Looks Brighter in 2011 asked for food donations, but when Cherie and I drove to their home last year, the SUV was packed with presents, food, clothes and more than $200 in gift cards for essentials.

I had never done this before and had no idea how many positive feelings I would have driving away after our brief visit: Pride in my staff for stretching their personal resources to help others, the satisfaction of seeing the true appreciation of the family — and lastly, personally experiencing the magic of the holiday season like I never had before.

In the same way, when local nonprofits ask, I will help promote events and causes. Usually, my contributions are behind the scenes.

But Gerry Phipps managed to hit my soft spot when she asked me to participate in the inaugural Top Dog contest that benefits Be the Solution.

(There’s an entire story on the good works of her organization on page 22.) My dogs — Sam, Bonzi and Chance — are in the running to be named Tallahassee’s Top Business Dog, but they need your votes to win.

If a complimentary copy of Tallahassee Magazine is mailed to your house and you’ve enjoyed reading it over the years, I would ask that you say “thanks,” by going online at bethesolution.us through Feb. 22 and voting for us. Each vote is a $1 donation, but if all of our readers voted, we could raise $18,000 to pay for spaying and neutering companion animals to help eradicate pet overpopulation. Thank you.

I look forward optimistically to 2011 being the year of economic recovery on all levels. At Rowland Publishing, we will maintain our commitment to excellence, work as a team for the betterment of all and commit to give back when we can again and again.

Brian Rowland, Publisher

PHOTO by David eggleston

Listening to the news shows, I could not count the times the “talking heads” kept referring as the past decade being the worst in many generations. I totally disagree.

As I look back since the new millennium was rung in 120 months ago, I feel it has been a decade of learning, maturing and growth in so many ways. Granted, the past 15 months have been challenging, yet I have learned much. During this period, I have seen friends pass, people I care about endure personal tragedies and the economic foundation which allowed Rowland Publishing to support more than 30 families maximally challenged.

The past three years have also been a challenging and difficult period of time for our world, our nation, our communities and for many of the people we know and care for. Our world has changed, probably forever.

During periods like this, the best and the worst side of human nature tends to rise to the surface. People I know and care for have put their lives on hold to be a caregiver to a loved one, struggling to balance work, family and personal lives. People have lost their jobs and businesses and are adrift trying to make ends meet. I also have observed people walk away from their financial obligations with an unconscionable sense of entitlement, contempt and disregard.

The group of individuals I have the privilege to work with and who have committed their talent to this publishing company have pulled together this past year and have gotten us there with all of our bills paid, our products completed on time and to the satisfaction of our most valued assets — our clients and our readers.

The team also made contributions to society, most impressively during the holidays last year to a Tallahassee family in need. A father of five who lost his job captured the giving hearts of the Rowland team. His wife has a part-time job, and they struggle each month to pay the basic bills. The 2009 holiday would not have happened for them had it not been for the RPI team. I had

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From the Editor

PHOTO by David eggleston

A Year of Living Differently Invariably, the first-of-the-year issues of magazines include a story about making and keeping New Year’s resolutions. Usually, our resolutions fail, which is why it’s such a popular and perennial topic.

Heaven knows I’ve done so. Very publicly three years ago, I shared my weight with the world in this very column and swore I was going to lose 50 pounds in my 50th year. Didn’t happen — although I am about 10 pounds lighter than when I made that illfated pronouncement.

I decided to take a different approach to the resolution article this year when Jamie Bullock shared her story with me over breakfast last fall. You see, she resolved to make changes in her life in 2010 — and actually did so. A plugged-in thirtysomething, Jamie spent her early adulthood achieving and striving and go-go-going until her health and (un)happiness led her to a yoga retreat — which led to a new attitude, which led to weight loss, which led to starting a small nonprofit, which ultimately led to quitting her job. Where it will lead her in 2011 is a story still in progress.

Even though the vast majority of us aren’t willing or able to make such drastic changes, I find her story inspirational; that positive, lasting transformation is possible.

I had sort of given up on resolutions, but a couple of things happened in 2010 that caused me to do a little rethinking. While every issue of the magazine and every day here is different, there’s also a lot of sameness to my work: Report, write, edit, manage, meet … and so forth and so on.

In 2010, I was given two opportunities to get out — way out — of my comfort zone.

Last spring, I was asked to participate in the Celebrity Comic Challenge, a fundraiser for the Challenger Learning Center. In the fall, I was a last-minute substitute in the Dancing with the Local Stars competition that benefitted the local chapter of the American Lung Association.

Now, I fancy myself a humorous person and thought “how hard can it be to do five minutes of standup?” I learned the answer to that right quick. It’s easy to know what you want to say. But actually saying it fluidly, without pausing or grasping for the right word, takes a lot of practice. I was a bundle of nerves the night of the event, even more than on my wedding day.

I considered myself a dancer during my disco college days, but that was 30 years and — let’s just say, lots of pounds ago. I told my instructor I would make up for my lack of training and finesse with loads of enthusiasm and promised to go “all out” and do whatever he asked of me. He asked a lot. Over-the-top gestures, a miniskirt, crazy faces, head bobs, shimmies … . I always thought I was pretty much shameless, but this stuff was embarrassing even for me.

So I joked and danced and did my best. I didn’t get the top prize for either (sorry, this isn’t the movie version of my life) but I learned I could work hard and do something I’d never done before — and have a great time in the process. In the weeks leading up to both competitions, I was filled with energy and anticipation I hadn’t felt in years. And it was great.

I want that feeling to continue. It might not be comedy or dancing, but I will be challenging myself in 2011. And I hope this will be the year you add some zing to your life by trying something different.

Best of luck in all you do.

Rosanne Dunkelberger rdunkelberger@rowlandpublishing.com

The first thing you did was name your business. Now put a face with the name. Your visual products communicate who you are to your customers. Without well-designed, well-marketed materials, you’re just another face in the crowd.

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Letters to the Editor

HAPPY RETURNS Reader Amy Dietz and her sons pass along vintage issues of Tallahassee Magazine to Rowland Publishing Director of Editorial Services Linda Kieindienst.

Pages from the Past I grew up in Tallahassee and we received your magazine throughout the years. For some reason, when my mom was going through some old boxes, we found three of your very old editions. Both Fall and Spring 1987, and then Nov/Dec 1989.

Before I recycle them, I thought I would drop you a message and see if for any reason you would want them back. I figure you probably already have your archived editions, but thought I would ask anyway.

Thanks. I still enjoy your magazine, 20plus years later.

Amy Dietz

Kudos for a Job Well Done I just wanted to thank Mr. Brandon Neasman for such an informative and a well done article in this month issue capital care regarding Elder for the GolDeN Years Day Stay and my A father George Waters. We thank you and the staff for informing people about the things that are available within our community.

Giving Back

Elder Care Services Offers Day Stay and More to Keep Seniors Safe and at Home By Brandon neasman

round 5:30 a.m., long before the sun starts its shift, Debra Waters gets up and starts to prepare breakfast.

She hustles through the morning — picking out his clothes, helping him wash and getting him dressed — aware the bus driver usually arrives around 7:30 a.m.

Although routine by now, she still waits with him at the bus stop, making sure he gets onto the bus without a glitch. After saying goodbye and knowing he’s well on his way, she returns to the house and gets ready for work, confident her dad will have a good day.

For 38 years, Elder Care Services has been a helping hand for families needing

assistance taking care of elderly loved ones.

Best known for its Meals on Wheels program, which delivers meals to more than 300 homebound seniors a day, ECS offers a plethora of services for senior citizens in the Tallahassee community.

The not-for-profit organization offers programs such as S.T.A.R.S (Seniors Transporting At Risk Seniors), in-home assistance, Project Pride (which provides incontinence supplies to seniors) and several nutritional programs.

Sharon Davidson, director of development and communications at ECS, said these services provide a major assist to seniors who need help with some of life’s basic tasks.

“People tell you how to plan financially to grow old, but they don’t tell you how

to plan logistically — who’s going to cook your meals for you, who’s going to help you keep your house clean, do your laundry and how are you going to get to your doctor’s appointment,” Davidson said.

One program she sees as particularly essential to the community is the Elder Day Stay, a day care program for seniors that allows caregivers to go to work, knowing their loved ones are being cared for.

“It’s kind of for that sandwich generation — that group that’s still raising kids, but also has to take care of their loved ones,” Davidson said. “As our generation is living longer, and as people are having to work longer, there are so many people that need adult day care. It’s the up and coming need for our generation.”

Do you have something to say?

If you have a comment about or correction to Tallahassee Magazine, send a message to editorial@rowlandpublishing.com or 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

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Photo Ana Goni-Lessan

Respectfully, Debra Waters

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QUICK READS people | items | places

One to watch

Photos by scott holstein

Paul Cohen

Cory Lamb

Shooting a scene in front of Andrew’s Capital Grill.

» Tallahassee’s Star Turn

Sites throughout our fair city, including Railroad Square, The Moon, All Saints Café, The Other Side Vintage shop and Florida State University’s Goldstein Library, serve as the backdrop for a music video filmed here last December.

The song is “Break the Cycle” by contemporary rocker Cory Lamb, but the video’s director was the most recognizable face on the set, Stephen Baldwin. Best known as the youngest of the acting Baldwin brothers who appeared in the highly praised “The Usual Suspects” and the silly stoner film “Bio-Dome,” this video serves as Baldwin’s debut behind the camera.

“A lot of serendipity” brought the shoot to Tallahassee, says Baldwin, including the fact that Paul Cohen, director of FSU’s Torchlight Program, was his neighbor in New York. The Torchlight Program was created to introduce students to the marketing and distribution

aspects of film making. Baldwin has had previous connections with FSU, teaching an acting seminar on campus and appearing at Torchlight screenings of three of his films on the Emerald Coast. “I worked with students then (and) they were incredible,” says Baldwin. “That prompted Paul and I thinking what might be some sort of production opportunity (and) this music video came along.”

Most of the crew involved in making the video are students from FSU’s film school, including the Director of Photography, Patrick Nissim, and the video’s editor.

Baldwin says he will continue his relationship with The Film School, doing production work on a documentary planned for this year.

To see the video, visit corylamb.com.

Join Lamb’s mailing list and you can download “Break the Cycle” for free. — Rosanne Dunkelberger

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Sex Talk Therapist Linda Humphries says individuals and couples with sexual problems are not as alone as they think.

Intimate Discussions The Couch is Just for Talking in Linda Humphries’ Sex Therapy Practice

S

he’s a talk therapist with an advanced degree in the thing that most people don’t talk about — sex.

Like the world’s most famous sex therapist, “Dr. Ruth” Westheimer, Tallahassee’s Linda Humphries is a cheerful, matronly sort with a ready laugh who disconcertingly and matter-of-factly uses anatomically correct words when describing people’s private parts and very private activities.

Sitting in an overstuffed chair in her sunny Park Avenue office, the 60-year-old therapist shared information with Tallahassee Magazine editor Rosanne Dunkelberger that she has gleaned over her 35 years of counseling, including more than 20 years locally specializing in sexual matters.

While she’s open-minded and non-judgmental, when it comes to casual sexual encounters, Humphries offers advice that seems downright old-fashioned.

In addition to her private counseling practice, Humphries offers PG-rated advice on her blog featured on the tallahassee.com website. A more frank version of her blog appears on her personal website, drlindahumphries.com.

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I started off just as a regular therapist.

As a social worker, I was taught to look at everything: “How’s your job? How’s your relationship with your family?” — everything, including the sex part. I would ask and people would say, “You know, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I just don’t have an interest in sex anymore” or “I don’t know what’s happened, but I just can’t get it up anymore.”

When you go to regular school for counseling, they only have maybe one or two courses in sexuality. I started taking classes and more classes until finally I had so many classes I figured I just might as well get a degree in this. So that’s my higher degree, a doctorate in human sexuality.

I can do regular therapy. I can do sex therapy. I can do a combination, which is a lot of times what it turns out to be. Very seldom do you have people coming in for just the sex where it doesn’t affect any other part of their life.

Most people come in thinking they’re the only ones having sexual issues. A lot of couples will come in and say, “We know we’re the only one in our group that doesn’t have sex hardly ever at all,” and I’m thinking to myself, “You really just don’t know.”

For women, low sexual desire is way out front more than anything else they come in for. No. 2 are orgasm issues, such as “I’ve never had an orgasm. I’d like to have more orgasms. I don’t know if I’ve had an orgasm.

My boyfriend tells me I should have more orgasms.” No. 3 is pain. Dryness or something’s wrong or they have back issues and they don’t know how to have sex without pain.

For men, it used to be always No. 1 was erectile dysfunction, for as long as I’ve been doing this, but now the top contender with ED is sexual addiction problems. When people are having financial stresses like they have been now, their addictions are more prominent. As the recession came, there are more people coming in with addictive behaviors. There are more people drinking, taking drugs, doing all kinds of stuff, including the sexual addictions, because they’re so stressed out.

There’s a very high rate of kids doing sexual things other than just straight intercourse and considering it not to be sex.

I would say that it is sex. When I talk to them, I say, “You want to think about what you’re doing and what kind of sexual activity you’re having with people. Are you putting the cart before the horse when you have sex with them before you really know them?”

There’s an emotional price to pay, especially for women and girls. Women get very much connected to the person they’re having sex with a lot more than what some men do.

People who are sexually connected to each other are happier and they’re healthier.

Scads of studies show that. It’s about the connection and also the physical release, and it’s also good exercise. But mostly it’s about the deeper connection.

Photo by Scott Holstein

“

QUICK READS first person

Mark A. Demont and Paul V. Watts, COO Electronet Broadband Communications

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Mark A. Demont

3 4 1 1 C a p i t a l M e d i c a l B l v d . Ta l l a h a s s e e , F L | 2 2 2 . 0 2 2 9 | w w w. e l e c t r o n e t . n e t tallahassee

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QUICK READS fyi

Who’s Tallahassee’s Top Dog?

Fido’s a star Visit bethesolution.com to nominate your pooch for the Tallahassee Top Dog contest.

Be the Solution’s Online Pooch Popularity Contest Raises Money to Spay and Neuter Pets

By Rosanne Dunkelberger

ll her life, Gerry Phipps has had A dogs and cats in her home, and all of them have been strays.

“We always rescued animals,” she explained. “I kept running into strays, even when I was on vacation in North Carolina.” That particular critter was a dog named Beau she couldn’t keep because he chased her horses. He was ultimately adopted, but it wasn’t easy because of the abundance of available animals.

In frustration at seeing the number of animals that needed to be adopted, she went to Lamar Outdoor Advertising “and said ‘I want to put up a billboard to tell people to spay and neuter their pets.’ And the lady was like ‘Well, you got to be somebody. And then, if you do, you’ve got to offer them a way to do it cheaply.’”

The “somebody” Phipps decided to be was Be The Solution, a nonprofit organization she created in 2007 to encourage people to control pet overpopulation by giving away vouchers for free spay and neutering of cats and dogs.

Phipps and her husband, Tim, completely bankrolled the project with $70,000 in its first year and made substantial contributions over the next three years. Since its inception, Be the Solution has been responsible for spaying and neutering more than 2,800 animals. With discounts negotiated with several local veterinary clinics, the cost for altering each animal averages about $50.

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January–February 2011

But, said Phipps, the need is greater than her family can meet alone. “We need to get more money from the community. It’s time,” she said. With the help of a part-time grant writer, Be The Solution is seeking support from the charities of PetsMart, Publix and the Spay/ Neuter auto tag, as well as holding fundraisers that last year included a wine tasting and a “Spayghetti” dinner. As an example of the need locally, Phipps said the wine event earned enough money to fund about 100 surgeries — and all were given away within three hours.

After years of being without a permanent location, Be the Solution now has a storefront in the Tallahassee Mall near Barnes & Noble where people can apply for vouchers to have their companion animals spayed and neutered (a $5 copay is required).

This year, Phipps is initiating a Tallahassee Top Dog contest she hopes will become an annual event and a major fundraiser for

her cause. There will be nominees in three categories: Top Official Dog, Top Business Dog and Top Citizen Dog. In the first two, the pooches of local politicians, governmental officials and business leaders have been nominated. In the final category, anyone can upload a photo of their “top dog” with a $10 donation. Online voting at bethesolution.us is going on now. Each vote is a $1 donation and you can vote as much as you like.

Winners will be announced Feb. 22, which is National Spay Day. Be the Solution works closely with the Animal Services Center, the Leon County Humane Society and other nonprofits to fill local needs and to educate people about the terrible costs of pet overpopulation. “The sad fact is over 10,000 animals are brought into our shelter every year and…approximately 5,000 are put down,” she said. “It’s all about prevention.”

Calling All Pets! ... And Their People!

Bark. Meow. Slither. Shove. Chirp —

whatever you have to do to get your human down to the Eighth Annual “Pets and Their People” event! Get a free 5x7 photo of pet and owner and a chance to win great prizes and gifts ... plus the possibility of having your photo chosen to run in Tallahassee Magazine!

Saturday, March 5, 2011 • 9 am–3 pm • Proctor Subaru (1707 Capital Circle NE)

Call Rowland Publishing at 878-0554 for a photo appointment. Walk-ins also welcome.

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QUICK READS how to Farkle Scoring = 100 = 50 Three of a kind = 100x face value (except ones)

= 1000 = 200 = 300 = 400 = 500 = 600

Fun with Farkle

Four of a kind = Twice the value of three of a kind

= 2000 = 400

A Simple Dice Game Provides Hours of Amusement By Jason Dehart

F

amily and friends don’t need high-tech TV gaming gizmos to have an engaging evening of fun. Next time you have gaming fever and are tired of zapping bad guys, try a casual game of Farkle. You might wind up having Farkle nights on a regular basis.

Farkle is fun — and addictive — because it engages our brain on a primitive level. Dice games are an ancient diversion, and our brains are hardwired to count things. Farkle in particular appeals because it pits our sense of logic against our sense of greed. Logic tells you, “Don’t roll again,” but greed whispers at us, “Go ahead. See if you can score more points.”

Farkle is handed down to us from antiquity. Its origins are shrouded in mystery and speculation, and like most dice games it is considered a “mutant” because it is ever-changing and can be played in several different ways. But we do know that it was commonly played by the 18th century and was used as a way to teach math. Today it’s a fun, geeky game that involves thinking and strategy.

To play Farkle, all you need are six traditional (six-sided) dice, and a pencil and paper for keeping score. Farkle is played in rounds, and some rules state 24

January–February 2011

that to determine who goes first, each player rolls one die. The highest number is the first to play.

Generally speaking, each player must score at least 350 points (some versions call for 400, 500 or even 1,000) per round to get on the board. The scoring dice are (in a single roll): 100 points for a one spot and 50 points for a five spot.

Three ones in one roll get you 1,000 points. Scoring gets a bit complicated from there, but we’ve put together a handy scoring chart to clip ’n’ save.

At the beginning of each round, the player throws all six dice. If none score, that player’s round has ended and he or she has “Farkled.” Scoring dice are set aside or “banked,” and the remaining dice are rolled until the minimum number of points is scored.

Once the minimum number of points is reached, the player can stop at that score or roll again for more scoring points. If the player elects to keep rolling the dice, he or she risks losing the accumulated points for that round.

Here’s where strategy comes into play. For example, say you have 400 points on the score sheet and you roll three one spots for 1,000 points. Not a bad roll, but you have three dice left.

Do you stand down, or roll those three other dice? You could perhaps get more

= 600 = 800 = 1000 = 1200 Five of a kind = Four times the value of three of a kind

= 4000 = 800 = 1200 = 1600 = 2000 = 2400 Six of a kind = Eight times the value of three of a kind

= 8000 = 1600 = 2400 = 3200 = 4000 = 4800 Straight (1–2–3–4–5–6)

= 1500 Three Pair

= 500

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Editor’s Choice

Bridging the Gap

FSU Program Helps Less Fortunate Students Achieve Their Medical School Dreams

H

e took a deep breath before turning a knob that could open the door to a better future. His nerves were on edge. Although confident, he was used to being told “no,” “can’t” and “sorry.” This interview could make or break his chance of getting into medical school. Only a few people had ever taken the time to see the potential in him.

Why would this occasion be any different?

Rashad Sullivan, 28, recalled applying for the Florida State University Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program three years ago. Designed to give 10 disadvantaged students each year the opportunity to prepare for and be accepted into medical school, he assumed his unfortunate circumstances might have been too great to secure him a spot.

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January–February 2011

Hailing from the small town of Leesburg and raised with eight siblings by parents who were on and off drugs, the young father’s early years were far from sweet. Despite the odds, he graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in biology/pre-med.

Many thought his good fortune would have stopped there. Only about 4.3 percent of students attending college are African American men. Of that small number, only about 37 percent graduate. Luckily for him, Sullivan’s previous hardships are what made him eligible for the program.

For that, he is forever grateful.

“They’re like my family. They want to see me succeed,” Sullivan said of the administrators and instructors in the Bridge to Clinical Medicine program. Looking at the big picture, the family comparison is

ideal. The Bridge is a part of FSU’s Outreach Program Pipeline, a combination of several initiatives starting as early as middle school and continuing through college, that helps mold less-advantaged students who might not have an interest in the sciences into star pupils.

“It’s a consistent interaction with these kids. We also can attest to their character and what type of student — what type of physician — they will become,” said Thesla Berne-Anderson, an assistant director of the Bridge Program who works closely with preteens and teens working their way through the earlier divisions of the Outreach pipeline.

The Bridge Program became the last piece of the pipeline when FSU’s College of Medicine opened 10 years ago. Seventy percent of the students selected for

Photo by Scott Holstein

By Janeen Talbott

‘I GENTLY LANDED’ Rashad Sullivan was one of several FSU Bridge to Clinical Medicine students who spoke at a recent event honoring its leaders about the support they received to reach their medical school dreams.

it go through the feeder process. The rest are selected from the general application pool. If a student graduates from the program with a B average or higher, he or she is automatically accepted to the FSU College of Medicine. The master’s degree they obtain can be taken elsewhere, but because students are guaranteed a spot in FSU’s med school, they generally don’t pass up that opportunity.

The Bridge Program’s non-traditional mission is to train today’s students to become physicians helping the under-served populations of tomorrow.

“We say non-traditional in terms of coming straight from high school to college, or [having] no mother [and] no father … not just in terms of ethnicity, but age too,” said Helen Livingston, the program’s director who has been nourishing it from inception.

“I know that we function better as a diverse population,” Livingston said, “I have benefited from being a member of a diverse population.”

She is part of the team that handpicks the students for the Bridge program each year. Her applicants’ success isn’t the only thing keeping her going. What drives her most are the individual’s stories, part of the process she said is a humbling experience.

“Occasionally I have a chance to look at the global impact and it’s almost overwhelming,” Livingston said.

In almost half of Florida’s 67 counties, there are fewer than 100 physicians for every 100,000 patients — and only a small percentage are minority.

Not only does the Bridge Program cater to those who have been interested in the sciences for years, it’s also open to those who don’t have a college major in the sciences. All applicants must have completed core science classes such as biology and chemistry, a GPA that improves from semester to semester, a service-oriented background and have taken the MCAT. To stay true its mission, FSU’s Bridge program focuses on accepting students from Florida, but also accepts people who obtained undergraduate degrees in other states. This helps fulfill the mission of supplying the Sunshine State with a varied physician pool.

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January–February 2011

“Our specific purpose is to assist this college with its diversity initiatives ...We are achieving what we set out to do,” Berne-Anderson said.

The rigorous courses also prepare them for academic success in medical school.

The students take two med-school courses, non-medical courses such as Clinical Ethics and do a semester’s worth of research in the community.

Sullivan is a prime example of a Bridge program success story. He was an assistant coordinator and taught anatomy class for the SSTRIDE program (a pre-college segment of the Outreach pipeline that prepares high school students for college-level science courses) and developed a bond with the directors through that experience.

They saw his potential and thought he’d be perfect for the Bridge program.

Now, two years into the College of Medicine, he firmly believes their faith in him is a big part of what prepped him for success. Sullivan admits it was rough getting a handle on some of the coursework in his early months in the Bridge program.

He failed his first anatomy test. Although the grade is a vivid memory, the professor’s words to him after dismissing class were brighter: “What do I need to do to help you do better?”

That concern helped Sullivan earn an A on the next exam. He passed the class with a B. “Our Bridge students are at the head of the class. They’re helping the other students,” Livingston said with a small smile.

Sullivan agreed. “I had all the help I needed … Most people hit the ground running when they start med school right after getting their bachelor’s. I gently landed here.”

Sullivan’s graduation is only a couple years away. His dreams are becoming tangible. And he is motivating the young men that he mentors to strive for what they may think is impossible. n

Photos by Scott Holstein

HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED The Bridge program’s supportive staff includes Director Helen Livingston and Assistant Director Thesla Berne-Anderson.

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Historicity LEAVING THE UNION Members of the 1861 secession convention included zealous advocate John McGehee (42) of Madison County, as well as Abraham Allison (23) of Gadsden County and George Ward (50) of Leon County who wanted to delay Florida’s secession as long as possible.

Florida’s Uprising

R

ichard Keith Call was furious.

The old ex-governor witnessed his beloved Florida leave the Union on Jan. 10, 1861. The day after a convention of delegates signed the Ordinance of Secession, a group of pro-secessionist “fire eaters” confronted the staunch Unionist to flaunt their victory.

“Well, Governor, we have done it!” they said.

Call — a passionate advocate of statehood and the Union — was not impressed and chastised them bitterly, waving his cane at them.

“And what have you done? You have opened the gates of Hell, from which shall flow curses of the damned to sink you to 30

January–February 2011

perdition,” he said.

Call’s prophetic words would eventually come true in the wake of the looming Civil War, but in 1861 his blunt and openly proUnion views were shouted down.

Florida, at the time a state for just 16 years, was the third state to secede from the Union 150 years ago, after South Carolina and Mississippi. The state’s secession sesquicentennial marks the start of a raft of events in upcoming years commemorating significant occurrences and battles of the Civil War. Rise of the Republicans

For years, many state leaders saw secession as the only way to correct grievances against Northern politicians they believed were bent on denying the Southern states’

economic equality. Florida and most of the nation had actually experienced a degree of economic prosperity and growth in the decade before secession, but postwar historians say the new wave of Southern unrest was generated because of the ascendancy of the anti-slavery Republican Party.

Historian Thomas E. Woods Jr. said the Republican Party emerged following the controversy surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This legislation — proposed by Illinois Sen. Stephen Douglas — created two territories out of the Nebraska Territory. The act also allowed residents to determine if they did or didn’t want slavery and repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which meant “theoretically” opening these areas up to slavery, Woods said.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act was con-

Photos courtesy Florida Archives

Economic Tensions and Bitter Political Divisions Motivated the State’s Secession Convention of 1861 By Jason Dehart

troversial, Woods asserts, because some territories became states faster than others.

If one set of interests took root first, chances are those would have the most influence.

“Had slavery been permitted during the territorial stage, slaveholders would likely have settled in the territory, and increased the possibility that it would become a slave state. This is why the legal issue of slavery in the territories was so important and divisive,” Woods wrote in his 2004 New York Times bestseller “The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History.”

Woods said the turmoil over the KansasNebraska Act “proved too much” for the old Whig Party, which had been formed in the 1830s to oppose the Democratic policies of Andrew Jackson. But by the mid-1850s the Whigs were torn apart by sectional differences. The Republican Party filled the “political vacuum left by the self-destruction of the Whig Party,” Wood said.

Floridians watched the new party’s rise with caution.

“The formation of the Republican party was the primary cause for the vast popular support which aligned itself behind the Florida Democrats,” wrote Stetson University Professor John E. Johns in his 1963 book, “Florida During the Civil War.” “From the very inception of the Republican party, Florida radicals had watched its progress with alarm,” state historian Dorothy Dodd wrote in a 1933 edition of the Florida Historical Quarterly.

Dodd said Gov. James Broome addressed the Republican problem when he spoke before the state legislature in 1854.

“Governor Broome had recounted the grievances of the South, not the least of which was the existence in non-slaveholding states of ‘fanatical organizations’ that had elected a House of Representatives ‘purely and wickedly sectional in its character’ on a platform of restoration of the Missouri Compromise, repeal of the Fugitive Slave act, and admission of no more slave states into the Union,” she wrote.

In 1856, Democrats continued to denounce the Republican Party as a “fanatical organization,” Johns wrote, and in 1860 tensions reached the boiling point with the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln to the presidency.

Growing Discontent

There is more to Florida’s secession than a sharp divide between two political parties over the extension or existence of slavtallahassee

31

Historicity ery. Jackson County author and historian Dale Cox said that while slavery was an important issue, it wasn’t the only “state’s right” being debated at the time.

“In short, secession in Florida was not as much related to slavery as it was the result of years of growing distrust and anger between South and North that finally exploded in the winter of 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln,” he said.

Cox said a decades-long battle had been fought over whether states were sovereign entities able to determine their own fates or whether a strong, centralized government had the right to impose such things as tariffs and fees (on cotton exports, for example). It was, in essence, a 19th-century “cold war,” with the stronger industrial North trying to bend the South’s agrarian culture to its will.

“The Northern business interests pushed their political representatives into taking action to increase tariffs on Southerners who exported their cotton to England and other European countries instead of factories in the North,” he said. “Their goal was to use political maneuvers and the power of the federal government to force the South to provide cotton to New England textile mills at discounted prices.”

Cox said that in many ways, Florida’s secession was driven by younger men and by “fire eaters” such as wartime governor John Milton and many of the state’s newspapers. However, the state was probably more divided against itself over the issue of secession than people today realize.

“Many of the state’s plantation owners were Whigs and Unionists who opposed secession,” Cox said. “Jackson County, for example, had one of the largest slave populations in the state, and yet its delegates opposed secession. Holmes County had virtually no slaves at all, yet its delegates supported secession without reservation.”

Slave owners actually had the most to lose from secession and war, Cox said.

Many Floridians stood by the “Old Flag” and opposed or sought to delay secession.

“Many individuals of wealth were older and had grown up in the Jacksonian era when ‘Old Hickory’ stood down South Carolina when it threatened to secede,” he said. “Their fathers and grandfathers had served in the War of 1812 and American Revolution, and they were very attached to the Old Flag.”

Lincoln’s election did not come as a surprise to Floridians. When the state’s General Assembly met in regular ses32

January–February 2011

SYMBOL OF DISUNION Ladies from Duval County designed a flag symbolizing Florida’s withdrawl from the Union. It was never officially adopted.

sion in November 1860, Gov. Madison Starke Perry told the legislature that the long-anticipated crisis was at hand. He requested the assembly call a convention of the people of the state, revise the militia laws and appropriate $100,000 for a military fund. The legislators moved fast, and bills were introduced to have a convention on Jan. 3, 1861.

Johns, the Stetson University professor, said the question faced by the delegates in their election campaigns was not so much whether or not to secede; rather, it was a question of “immediate secession against

cooperative secession.”

“Because of economic and geographic ties with Georgia and Alabama, the ‘cooperativists’ desired Florida to secede only after those states had seceded,” he wrote.

Former Gov. Call, meanwhile, denounced secession as treason against the constitutional government.

“Call maintained that the calling of a convention of the people at this time could only produce ‘the most fatal consequences.’

He appealed to the patriotism of the people and implored them to remain calm,” Johns wrote. “Fervently he asserted, ‘I pray that in the hour of death, the Stars and Stripes may still wave over me, and wave forever over our whole united country.’”

CAREERS SHOULD BE

YOUR DECISION.

The Secession Convention

The convention opened “in an atmosphere of secessionist euphoria,” wrote historian Daniel L. Schafer, professor emeritus of history at the University of North Florida, in a chapter of “The New History of Florida,” a compilation of essays edited by Florida historian Michael Gannon.

However loud the secessionists were, many Floridians remained unconvinced of the need for disunion. “In some coun-

Florida ‘Votes’ for Secession Again The Historic Capitol will provide the backdrop for a special dramatic program commemorating the 150th anniversary of Florida’s Vote of Secession.

Graphic Courtesy Florida Department of State

CHANGING

On Jan. 3, 1861, delegates from across the state convened in Tallahassee and after a week of debate, voted 62-7 in favor of withdrawing from the United States.

On Jan. 8, 2011, the 150th anniversary of those historic days will be replayed by a new set of “delegates” who will convene in the 1902 Senate Chambers for the occasion. History enthusiasts from all parts of the state will take part in the event.

Coordinator Jamey Creel said the program will feature 19 main speaking roles based on actual statements made by members of the Secession Convention.

“Some of the speakers are actual descendants of the original delegates,” Creel said.

Creel said historian Dale Cox of Jackson County will narrate, explaining the roots of secession and the convention proceedings. The program will be filmed for future educational use.

The event will be hosted by local chapters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Order of the Confederate Rose and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Other groups assisting in the program are the CSS Tallahassee Marine Guard, Leon Rifles, Ladies Soldiers’ Friend Sewing Society and Norwood’s Militia. The Ladies Soldiers’ Friend Sewing Society is expected to present the assembly with a replica of the secession convention flag, known as the Ladies of Broward’s Neck flag. The original flag was presented to Governor-elect John Milton at the conclusion of the convention.

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Historicity ties, Duval and Clay in particular, delegates were elected on public platforms embracing moderation and Union,” Schafer wrote.

But their views did little to block the rising tide. Fire eater John C. McGehee of Madison County was elected convention president. And “with leading secessionists from South Carolina and Alabama in the galleries, the delegates had finished their committee work and prepared an ordinance of secession by 9 January,” Schafer said.

Among the observers was the ardent secessionist Edmund Ruffin of Virginia, who was famous for his outspoken views, and for (according to legend) firing the first shot at the battle of Fort Sumter.

As the secession ordinance was being considered, a faction of delegates offered amendments to delay secession as long as possible. These men included George T. Ward of Leon County and Abraham K. Allison of Gadsden County. But these amendments were defeated.

“Secession fever had spread too rapidly, and turning back was no longer possible,” Schafer wrote.

On Jan. 10, 1861, the final vote was 62-7 in favor of secession. The seven delegates who voted nay were from Jackson, Liberty, Clay, Walton and Orange counties.

When Leon County’s Ward signed the Secession Ordinance, he said, “When I die I want it inscribed upon my tombstone that I was the last man to give up the ship.” Despite his opposition to secession, he would go on to fight and die as a Confederate officer.

Schafer said that by Feb. 4, Florida representatives were in Montgomery, Ala., to participate in the creation of the Confederate States of America.

These events meant more change and turmoil.

“It was a time to change flags again, write another constitution, and hold new elections, all under the shadow of looming war,” Schafer said. Despite the enormous task at hand, celebrations abounded across Florida with the news of secession.

“The parades and gun salutes, speeches and toasts, and pure jubilation that greeted the news of secession was evident in every hamlet in Florida,” Schafer wrote. “Crowds filled the hotels in Pensacola, Tallahassee and Jacksonville and danced in the streets amidst torchlight parades and fireworks.”

Only after the war had ravaged Florida’s economy, and the best of its youth lay in graves from Virginia to Tennessee, did Floridians realize the tragic reality of Richard 34

January–February 2011

tallahassee

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Personality

A Year of Resolution

O

n Dec. 31, 2009, I sat on my outdoor rocking chair, drinking a glass of wine and thinking about what I wanted from 2010.

I was overweight, I was miserable taking the medication I needed, and I was thinking: Is this life? I contemplated as I sipped: What did I want to do with 2010?

Every year, we’re all guilty of making New Year’s resolutions and not following through. How many times have you said to yourself: “This is going to be the year I change?” That was me. I called my mom, and made a pact with her that this would be my year. I told her, “Things are going to shake up a bit, are you ready?”

At the time, I was in my mid-30’s and had never been married, nor had kids. I 36

January–February 2011

am your modern-day Bridget Jones of the eight-five-oh. I did what I wanted when I wanted, and went where I wanted. At that time, I wanted a career in government and had progressed to a position of responsibility and authority. My life was driven by two mottos: “Set the bar as high as you can and achieve it,” and “Work hard, play even harder.”

You could find me at any party, bar or social event the area had to offer. I was always networking, always on the go, always thinking about how to take things to the next level. Whether it was out and about or at home, I was going to the extreme. Was I happy? I’m not sure. But I was having fun.

So there I was New Year’s Eve trying to plan out my attack for 2010. What was I

going to do? How was I going to achieve this? I went to Atlanta to see my friends and get their advice, and my best friend told me something that really got me thinking: “You live once. How do you want to be remembered?”

Ouch. Did I want to be remembered for being the girl who sang bad karaoke and drank way too much wine at parties?

Did I want to be remembered by every taxi driver in town? Who would show up at my funeral? Bartenders and bar backs? I asked a 5-year-old how she would want to remember me, and she said: “Auntie Jamie, I want you to be remembered as a gem.” Well, that’s what Auntie Jamie wanted too.

I returned to Tallahassee, reached out to people and asked them how I could change.

photo by Scott Holstein

Great Change is Possible When You Stick to Your New Year’s Promises By Jamie Bullock

MY BEST FRIEND’S CLOSET Author Jamie Bullock poses with some of the donated business wear her new nonprofit organization will give to young adults who need help after aging out of the foster care system.

The first quest was physical, what I needed to do to get back in shape. Wii yoga is great, but it’s not a workout. A girlfriend invited me to her class, saying it would get me off the nicotine addiction, and I would learn how to mediate my problems. I went, stretched and almost passed out. I came home and tried to smoke a cigarette afterwards, but my body rejected it. Amazing.

Maybe there was something to this yoga thing after all. I began to go once a week, truly cherishing my time there. I would turn off both cell phones, and take three hours out for myself and relax.

Two weeks into this yoga thing, I was hit with a major medical blow. I had gone to the doctor’s office for chest pains, and he told me my blood pressure was sky high. He asked if I was under stress, and I laughed. I reminded him what I did for a living, and he offered a prescription for more pills. I told him to save the paper; I wouldn’t take any more meds. But after being seen by every pulmonary doctor my parents and I could find, the results were the same: I was 33 and looking at my first heart attack. I informed them I was doing yoga. They replied, “Do more.”

I found a yoga retreat program called “Women’s Quest,” offering women a chance to recuperate from life. The earliest I could go was for their trip to Tulum, Mexico. It was not tourist-friendly Cancun-type Mexico. This was back-ofbeyond Mexico. When I got there, I was completely stripped of cell phones and anything connecting me to the outside world. I was taken to a remote island that had one store, one restaurant and it cost me $40 to get anywhere. For a week, I lived in a tent with mosquito netting, toilet paper went into a trashcan and food was made with the freshest ingredients available. It was primitive — at its finest.

I returned to the states a new person.

My blood pressure had dropped 25 points.

My face looked younger. I was refreshed. I had a new attitude.

I also did some jaw-dropping things after I returned.

Due to funding cuts, my program was losing two positions, so I decided to resign last summer. My executive director couldn’t understand why I was giving up a position I had worked so hard to achieve.

I loved what I did, but I needed to do this tallahassee

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Personality

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January–February 2011

for me. I had made a promise to myself that 2010 was going to be different and this promise was one I needed to keep.

Since leaving my job, I’ve been able to do things I would never do. For the first time in six years, I was able to dream BIG. I began to think about changes that needed to be made within our society. How could we be better? How could we inspire the new generation? How could we inspire ourselves?

Recently, I took the LSAT to see if law was something I wanted to pursue. I believe if more legal aid was offered to those who desperately needed it, maybe some things could be solved. All it takes is a little imagination to change the world.

I also became more attuned with my body. To date, I’ve dropped five sizes, and 31 pounds.

I’ve also done more with the community.

I am giving back to what has given to me.

I also began a nonprofit charity called My Best Friend’s Closet. I collect clothes donated by friends, families, and neighbors to give to young adults who have aged out of foster care. This program enables them to dress for success, learn how to write a winning resume and receive free makeover services from partner salons — letting them be the gem they should be.

Now, I know we all can’t do what I did in 2010, but you can make one important promise to yourself — and then do it.

Don’t worry what your friends or family will think. Are they you? What’s the one thing that is making you want to change?

Is it health? Is it financial? Is it personal relationships? Do it.

Learn to cook an ethnic meal, help a stranger, buy the person behind you lunch, take a stranger out to breakfast, walk 30 minutes longer than you normally would, try out an ethnic restaurant or simply help a friend.

The list is endless on how you can change yourself, and also make your life worth living. Take the New Year’s resolution to a whole new level. Don’t just make a list and look at it from time to time. All of my changes were gradual, and they didn’t happen overnight. Leave room for trial and error. It will come to you when you least expect it.

So, what I am going to do in 2011 that will top 2010? I guess we are all going to have to see.

As you reflect on your own life, remember my eight words of advice: Be the gem you were born to be. n

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Giving Back BANG A DRUM Nate Sailor says drumming as part of the Pyramid program has helped him calm his temper and given him the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, such as a visit to the Gator football stadium in Gainesville.

The Triangle Effect

D

ifficulties coping with frustration limited his ability to function in society. He had been referred to programs for adults with developmental issues in the past, but Nate Sailor still didn’t have a way to cope with life’s obstacles.

“I was like a firecracker ready to blow up every day at anybody who said something to me,” Sailor said.

After more than 20 years of suppressing his frustrations, the 35-year-old Gadsden

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January–February 2011

County native enlisted the services of an innovative program that helped him find a release valve. He joined Pyramid Incorporated, a nonprofit art-based program for adults with severe disabilities, and with their help learned how to control his temper.

In 1994, the first four Pyramid offices opened to serve more than 200 adults with severe mental and physical deficiencies.

Today, the organization has grown to six centers in five Florida cities that serve more

than 700 students. Pyramid founders said integrating creative and performing arts into the curriculum in the late ‘90s signified a turning point for the program.

“We tended to serve people with the more severe disabilities, and our basic focus was on physical nutrition, behavioral managing assistance and activities geared toward enhancing their living skills,” explained Bill Fuller, co-founder and art director of Pyramid. “Then we started to develop the arts little by little over time,

Photo By Scott Holstein

Pyramid Inc. Uses the Arts to Create a Unique Program Assisting Adults with Developmental Disabilities By Antonio Rosado

and that’s how people know us now. It’s the core of our programs.”

Pyramid Studios primarily uses performing and visual arts to teach life skills. Fuller and Marilyn Yon, co-founder and chief operating officer, began to incorporate different elements of the arts into the structure of the Pyramid curriculum, challenging the notion that people with disabilities wouldn’t enjoy being exposed to the arts — and it worked.

“The skills they were learning were enormous,” Yon said. “We work with adults, and most of the adults had gone through many programs and training, and by this time they were starting to feel like ‘Hey, how many times can you learn how to do one thing?’ ” Lana Smith, director of Pyramid Tallahassee, says the amount of art curriculum is the primary difference between Pyramid Studios and Pyramid Tallahassee local operations. The hybrid offices resemble a convergence of a classroom and corporate office. She manages more than 150 students daily in a traditional setting where about a quarter of the material covered is art-based and the rest is devoted to teaching life skills. Even with the high traffic, it’s easy to find her interacting with individual students like Sailor, and tracking their personal growth.

“The more we expose our students to things they are not familiar with, just like anybody else, the more cultured they become as human beings,” Smith said.

“And the students getting paid for the art they produce is amazing because now they have a vocation, a social role and a new identity.”

She said the creativity that students access through the arts is life-altering, and offers an alternative to the simpler and sometimes mundane tasks often associated with the disabled.

“When you think about jobs for someone with disabilities, you think about someone busing tables at McDonald’s, bagging groceries at Publix; there’s only a few (possibilities),” Smith said. “This opens up a whole new social network and world for these guys.”

At Pyramid Tallahassee, Sailor learned how to use his passion for playing the drums to calmly deal with his temper. He calls it the “Max and Mix” concept. Pyramid instructors helped him develop the idea to deal with the pressures surrounding the death of his brother and cousin, and an automobile accident involving his best tallahassee

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friend. He expressed his gratitude for the specialized assistance he has received.

“If I wasn’t inside these doors right here, I wouldn’t be able to function the way I do today,” Sailor said. “Music calms me down, and as long as I’m angry, you can’t talk to me … you’ll never get why I’m mad. But if you just let me ‘max’ out for a minute on those drums and ‘mix’ in the smooth, cool guy that I am now, I’ll be the nicest person you want to meet.”

In addition to his job at the Pyramid Tallahassee office as a part-time secretary, Sailor is a drummer in a rock and roll band birthed by Daniel Woods, Pyramid’s music director. Smith was instrumental in persuading Sailor to join the band, which has already been a broadening experience for him.

“They’ve already gone on two tours this year, which is incredible for Nate because he is a big Florida Gators fan and one of their stops was in Gainesville, so he got to go to the Gator’s stadium,” Smith shared.

Sailor proudly relates, “I went to my favorite place to be, and it was like magic when I finally hit the field. I wasn’t on the outside, I was on the field at the Swamp.

It just felt like a dream to me because I didn’t ever think that I was going to go to Gainesville.”

While Sailor has embraced music, other students have found their creative niche in drawing and painting, theatrical performances and other artistic endeavors.

The gains made by students varies. Some make modest efforts, like improving interpersonal interaction, while others leap into leading roles in large productions, like last August’s play “The Serendipity.” The cast was comprised of all Pyramid students, some with major disabilities. Yon said more than 1,000 people attended the play, and she was completely impressed by the event.

“Our students tell us that we have given them a lot of opportunities to travel; we’ve given them a lot of opportunities to earn a check, and to make money off a performance and their art,” she said.

Fuller said he is grateful for the opportunity he has to help develop the talent of those who, in certain cases, didn’t believe they had any.

“We get really excited about a great performance where the audience is really electrified because that is important,” he said.

“But the most important thing is to give them the opportunity to transform their lives. That’s what it’s all about.” n

tallahassee

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On The Move

ENJOYING OUTDOORS Conservationist Beau Turner demonstrates archery techniques to youngsters at his Jefferson County nature center.

Take It Outside

E

leven children, ages 5 to 12 — along with four fathers and a mother — sit in a long, narrow classroom with a rustic, outdoorsy motif on a beautiful morning, listening to a fishing instructor talk about casting techniques. All the while, the thin, weathered and jeans-clad speaker hands out colorful pictorial pamphlets of marine species.

The children, from Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson counties, most of whom had never fished before, listen with varying degrees of attention, mostly anxious to be off to a nearby pond. Midway through the brief, informal presentation, Beau Turner casually enters the room and greets everyone.

The youngest son of media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner, and a nationally recognized conservationist in his own right, Beau Turner welcomes the kids and wishes them a day of fun.

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January–February 2011

This, of course, is no ordinary class, as it’s a Saturday and the class’ sole purpose is to introduce the kids to fishing. Nor is it a coincidence that Turner happened to drop in. Not only is the program his brainchild, he donated and equipped the 160 acres that make up the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center just east of Tallahassee in Jefferson County, which Turner, 42, calls home.

The center, a fully equipped, solarpowered prototype youth facility, aims to combat today’s growing “disconnect” between young people and nature by providing a place — and an array of free programs — specifically designed to getting kids outdoors and into outdoor activities. Established by Turner in 2005, and joined in partnership by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in 2007, the facility boasts a solar-powered pavilion with an upstairs classroom; a 3D archery course; rifle and

shotgun shooting ranges; state-of-the-art skeet-shooting houses with biodegradable targets; a 36-acre, fish-stocked pond; and hundreds of wooded acres for hiking, hunting and wildlife watching.

“There is no other place like this in the state,” says William R. Cline, FWC section leader for Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges, which oversees the facility through the Youth Hunting Program of Florida.

“It’s the only private/state-run facility specifically geared to providing youths with the opportunity to learn and develop hunting and fishing skills, and teaching them land stewardship and greater appreciation of the outdoors,” agrees Kenny Barker, who directly oversees the center as FWC statewide coordinator of the Youth Hunting Program of Florida.

At the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, trained volunteers teach young

Photo courtesy Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center

Beau Turner’s Youth Conservation Center Targets ‘Nature Deficit Order’ By Lazaro Aleman

people ages 12 through 17 — and on occasion children as young as 5 — Olympicstyle archery; fishing and casting techniques; shotgun, rifle and muzzle-loading shooting; land stewardship; and flora and fauna identification, among other outdoor skills. The kids may also, in season and with appropriate supervision, shoot waterfowl in an impoundment area, shoot dove in designated fields, or hunt deer and other game in an adjacent 900 acres that Turner regularly makes available.

The classes are free, and the center and the FWC provide all equipment and materials, including the ammunition and tackle.

The only requirements are that participants complete the free hunter-safety education course, and that they come accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent or guardian.

Each spring, the center holds an open house to showcase the facility’s offerings.

(See inset, page 48.) And most recently, it offered a four-week pilot summer internship program that paid high school students to work at the center and learn about wildlife, conservation and forestry practices, all the while exposing them to conservation-oriented careers, part of the facility’s expanding function.

Turner and the center, in fact, are at the forefront of a growing national movement that includes the National Wildlife Federation and the No Child Left Inside Coalition — an umbrella organization of more than 1,800 business, health, faith, recreational, environmental and education groups that advocates for more environmental education in the schools — and that this year, for the first time, saw the U.S. Department of Education include environmental literacy in its coming year’s budget.

At the state level, the FWC has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a network of youth conservation centers across the state, modeled after the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center. And a group calling itself Get Outdoors Florida — made up of land managers, government representatives, children’s advocates, health-care professionals and others concerned about the physical and emotional wellbeing of today’s youth — has started a statewide campaign to get families outdoors and into enjoying the state’s natural resources.

At its most basic, the movement is about getting kids reconnected with nature. On a deeper level, however, it’s about combating a host of children’s physical and emotional health problems that studies have linked to excessive television watching, electronic game playing and other passive activities. Consider the Kaiser Family Foundation’s most recent tallahassee

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study, which found that 8- to 18-year-olds today “devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day”; if one takes into account media multitasking, “they actually manage to pack a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes … into the 7½ hours.”

The outdoors movement’s basic tenets were possibly best articulated by author Richard Louv, credited with formulating the concept of “nature deficit disorder” in his 2005 bestselling book, “Last Child in the Wood.” Nature deficit disorder, as Louv describes it, encompasses a host of behavioral and other problems that include obesity, impaired social skills and higher stress levels — maladies he attributes to children spending less time outdoors and more time engaged in passive indoor activities. The antidote, in the view of Louv, Turner and others who subscribe to the theory, is to get kids back outdoors.

Proponents of the theory point to studies indicating that children who spend time outside perform better academically, have less stress and healthier immune systems, and experience fewer symptoms of ADHD than their counterparts “who do not recreate outside.”

Turner, who struggled with learning disabilities as a child, is convinced that kids who spend days indoors playing computer, video and other electronic games are going to be hyperactive and experience problems. He firmly believes outdoor activities 46

January–February 2011

Photo courtesy Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center

On The Move

GOIN’ FISHIN’ Youngsters get an introduction to fishing. Beau Turner says an important part of preserving public lands is making sure there are outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy and support them.

not only provide a healthy outlet for kids’ energies, but that these activities can keep kids engaged and out of trouble during their teenage years. Kids who fish, hike and participate in other outside physical activities don’t have the time or energy to get into trouble, he says. And in the process, it’s his fervent hope that they will come to learn about the natural world and its relation to them.

The chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Turner Endangered Species Fund and also the director of natural resources and biodiversity for Turner Enterprises Inc., Beau Turner’s responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing the wildliferelated projects for the Turner family’s 2-million-acre operation. He also serves on the board of directors of Tall Timbers, the Wetlands America Trust and the Land Trust Alliance, among other environmental organizations.

Tall, lanky, worldly and world-traveled (he logged approximately two million air miles by his 25th birthday), Turner is casual, down to earth and engaging in person. He also exhibits a boundless energy, enthusiasm and boyish charm that are never more evident than when he is expounding on some favorite theme such as conservation, energy independence or the youth center.

Talk to him long enough and you realize a sense of earnestness and urgency about him, and that the center is but another

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On The Move facet of his longtime commitment to protecting the environment and the planet’s dwindling resources.

Several factors contributed to his creation of the youth center. One was his coming to the Tallahassee area to help care for the late Jimmy Brown, a lifelong family friend who Turner describes as being “like a father and mother to me” and to Turner’s father before him. As it happened, Brown was mentoring two wayward youths who Turner got to know and who ultimately ended up going to prison, an outcome that made a lasting impression on him.

At about the same time, what Turner calls “the land machine” he and his father had created to buy land (the agreement was that 10 percent of Ted Turner’s net worth would go into land preservation) “was decimated when Dad lost 90 percent of his net worth,” Beau Turner says, alluding to the AOL/Time Warner debacle in 2000.

“I suddenly had the capability to stay in one place,” he says.

The birth of his son, Beau Jr. — now 8 — was another factor in his shifting priorities. And finally and perhaps most telling was his realization — almost an epiphany — that the outdoors enthusiast was possibly on the road to extinction.

“Here we’ve got more public land than ever in Florida and fewer users,” Turner says. “The Florida Forever program has bought hundreds of thousands of acres for public use. But they’ve forgotten, like what I forgot when I was rushing about buying

Enjoy a Day Outdoors

On Saturday, March 5, the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center holds its annual family-oriented open house. The free, daylong event starts at 9 a.m. and will feature rifle and longbow shooting demonstrations by nationally recognized experts, wildlife educational programs, a petting zoo, oodles of children’s games and rides, and plenty of opportunities for kids to fish, target-shoot with rifles and bow and arrows, and partake in a host of other outdoor activities, all under the watchful eye of trained volunteers.

The center is off U.S. Highway 19 in Jefferson County. From Tallahassee, take Interstate 10 east, get off at Exit 225 (U.S. 19) and travel south 4.2 miles. Or take U.S. Highway 27, turn north on U.S. 19 and travel 1/3 of a mile. The center is on the west side of the road. For more information, visit btycc.org.

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January–February 2011

land to preserve, that hey, if you don’t have people coming up to use and manage the land, it’s for nothing.”

Turner takes it a point further.

“We’ve got an emergency,” he says. “I think the outdoors enthusiast is endangered. And if the outdoors enthusiast is endangered, then what I’ve done in land preservation is pointless. Nature and the environment are the kinds of things that, if you take people out of the equation, whether it’s fighting noxious weeds or invasive plants or timbering or farming, they will suffer. We’ve got problems, and it’s going to take man to get us out of these problems. Not having the outdoors enthusiast also means you don’t have the political stamina, and it means that the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act and all these laws are in jeopardy.”

It all comes down to education and youth recruitment and growing a new generation of people with a love of the outdoors, Turner says. He takes hope from the fact that the FWC plans to replicate his center across the state and that youth participation continues to increase at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center.

But he believes that the FWC, forestry and other related state and national agencies must take it a step further and make youth recruitment part of their missions.

Turner plans to establish youth centers on other of his family-owned lands across the country and in South America. Meanwhile, he remains committed to doing whatever it takes to keep the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center viable for kids, going so far as to tour a Viking-themed youth facility in Norway to learn what it is that attracts kids. What he found, he says, is that it’s usually the simple and inexpensive things that work, such as longbow and skeet shooting.

“And while they’re at it,” he laughs, “hopefully I can hit them with longleaf pines, endangered species and the environment. What I’m saying is, OK, you kids can come out and break skeet, shoot the rifles and fish, but we’ve got a little thing we’ve got to go through.”

Education, in other words, is at the core of Turner’s philosophy, and by extension, his philanthropy.

Meanwhile, back at the pond on the Saturday morning, the 11 children’s squeals register each time one catches a fish, hopefully establishing a newfound connection with nature. It all starts with catching that first fish, Turner will tell you. n tallahassee

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Arts & Culture

FAN FAVORITES Three local devotees were among the first to buy tickets for Seven Days of Opening Nights appearances by tap dancer Savion Glover, radio host Ira Glass (above) and actor/comedian Bill Cosby (right).

Seven Days Super Fans

E

ach year, Seven Days of Opening Nights announces a new lineup of entertainers for its eclectic February festival. Seven Days Director Steve MacQueen has mastered the ability to find artists who will delight various segments of Tallahassee’s population, from film enthusiasts to jazz lovers.

The festival is known for its mix of familiar names, such as Willie Nelson and Art Garfunkel, with more obscure artists, including this year’s Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Montero.

The idea behind the festival, run by Florida State University, is to showcase the school’s historic strength in the arts.

This year, it runs from Feb. 3 through Feb. 21, though there are some performances in March and April, because of 50

January–February 2011

the complicated booking schedules of some entertainers.

To highlight this year’s festival, Tallahassee Magazine profiles some of the Seven Days entertainers through the eyes of their biggest fans. These fans explain how their favorites touched their lives — and why you should line up to see them, too.

A Transformative TV Show

Each Friday while in high school, Heidi Otway would join her friends at the cafeteria and launch into a discussion about the previous evening’s episode of “The Cosby Show.”

“We said ‘Did you see what Lisa Bonet was wearing?’” she remembered. “And we all loved Theo. We had a crush on Malcolm-Jamal Warner, with posters above our beds.”

For Otway, 40, the popular “Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984 to 1992, was transformative. “They showed that a black family can be successful and wealthy and have good jobs and good kids,” she said.

“He is a trailblazer.”

The “he” she refers to is Bill Cosby, the show’s star and creative influence. “The Cosby Show” is considered one of the most influential television shows of the 20th century.

“He really changed the perceptions of black families for the whole nation,” Otway said, adding it had crossover appeal to viewers of all ages and races. “Everyone could relate to this family regardless of your ethnicity, culture or background.”

When Otway learned Cosby was coming to Tallahassee to do his stand-up comedy show, she bought tickets for herself

Photos Courtesy Seven Days of Opening Nights

Local Enthusiasts Look Forward to Seeing Their Favorite Artists in Action By Lilly Rockwell

Photo by Scott Holstein

Bill Cosby fan Heidi Otway

and her husband the first week they became available.

“I didn’t want to miss this, not Bill Cosby,” she said. “He’s an icon.” Otway said even her 18-year-old daughter watches the show’s reruns on television, proving that lessons and laughs written for a 1980s audience are still relevant today.

Cosby had previous forays into television with “The Bill Cosby Show,” and a children’s TV series called “The Electric Company.” Just prior to developing “The Cosby Show,” he helped write and create a Saturday morning cartoon show called “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” which Otway said she dutifully watched every week.

“You didn’t leave the house on Saturday until Fat Albert was over,” she said.

Cosby, 73, has retired from television shows and focused on stand-up comedy, regularly touring the country with his trademark mix of wisdom and wisecracks.

Otway has never seen Cosby’s stand-up show live before, but has watched videos of his performances. She even rented a video of a Cosby performance to watch when she was pregnant with her first child, because he joked about the birthing experience.

“What I like about him is I can expect to laugh without obscenities,” Otway said.

“He doesn’t curse but I will still be entertained and tickled.”

She even follows Cosby on Twitter. He impressed her by managing his own social media account, rather than letting a trained professional do it for him.

Cosby is guaranteed to make you laugh, Otway said. “You will get some wisdom because of his experiences. You will hear something that will probably change your view on life, and he will share it in a funny, funny way.” tallahassee

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Arts & Culture Radio stories

Michael Sullivan dreads the hour-and-ahalf commute each day from his Crawfordville home to his job as the owner of Goin’ Postal, a packing and shipping services shop in north Tallahassee. To amuse himself during the dull drive, Sullivan likes to listen to podcasts of the radio show “This American Life,” hosted by Ira Glass.

Sullivan, 31, said the show has transformed a few sluggish hours each week into thought-provoking entertainment.

“It doesn’t matter what the scope of the story is, it can be this huge national or worldwide problem like the current economic housing crisis or healthcare in the United States,” Sullivan said. “Or it could be the most incredibly intimate story. It is always appealing.”

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The podcasts have become as crucial as gasoline for his daily commute.

As a super fan of the show, Sullivan was excited that host Glass will be coming to Tallahassee as part of the Seven Days festival on Feb. 19, when he will be telling stories about stories to a live audience at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.

Founded in 1995, “This American Life,” is the most popular podcast in the country, with half a million Internet downloads. The show spends each week telling stories centered on a theme. Topics range from interviewing random people at highway rest stops, to driving around the state of Georgia trying to find the most interesting person in a very small town, to a serious discussion on why the housing crisis caused the American economy to collapse. It hardly matters what the topic is — the show’s producers have a knack for turning almost anything into a compelling hour of radio.

Sullivan said “This American Life” is ap52

January–February 2011

Photo by Lawrence Davidson

Ira Glass fan Michael Sullivan

pealing because of the way it draws listeners into mind-bogglingly complex (health care reform) and surprisingly simple (summer camp) topics, making each relevant and interesting to all of its listeners.

For instance, when the show tried to explain the complicated financial instruments used by Wall Street firms to bet on the housing market, they commissioned a Broadway song to explain credit-default swaps and derivatives to the average person.

At his live show, Glass is expected to give the story-behind-the-story, explaining to the audience how he puts together his weekly show and what makes a story worth telling.

Sullivan, an Iraq veteran, has listened to the show for years and can tick off his favorites without hesitation, some dating back years. He can recall when certain episodes were aired based on whether he was serving in Iraq at the time or not.

Sullivan said the show also tells stories from a unique perspective. Like the story about the man who defended himself in court and won. Instead of interviewing the defendant, the show asked the seasoned prosecutor to talk about what it was like to lose a case to a non-lawyer.

“It really comes down to the fact that it is a totally different perspective than anything I’m used to watching on network news or even on NPR,” Sullivan said. “You will definitely hear something unique and you are going to hear a story you didn’t know existed.”

The Tap King

Michele Ackermann not only knows who Savion Glover is, she’s shared a mentor with him.

Founder of The Dance Studio, Ackermann is a Tallahassee dance teacher who specializes in tap and learned her technique from Los Angeles-based Al Gilbert.

One of Gilbert’s other students was Glover, arguably the best-known tap dancer in the United States. He starred in the Broadway show “Bring da Noise, Bring da Funk,” which transformed tap dancing from its more traditional Broadway form, to an urban, street-dance style that appeals to younger generations.

Glover will be performing Feb. 21 at Florida A&M University’s Lee Hall.

“In the Broadway style, you are concerned about the overall physicality of your movements, from head to toe,” Ackermann explained. “With Savion, picture him with his head down, making wondertallahassee

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Arts & Culture Seven Days Schedule Tift Merrit & Simone Dinnerstein FEB. 3 | 8 p.m.

Turner Auditorium, Tallahassee Community College. $25, $10 students

Jim Roche, ‘A Retrospective’ FEB. 11 | 6–8 p.m.

FSU Museum of Fine Arts. FREE

Mark Morris Dance Group FEB. 11 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $30–$60, $20 students

Randy Newman FEB. 12 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $35–$75, $20 students

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January–February 2011

Autumn Cashmere • Eva Franco • Betsey Johnson • Juicy Couture • Envi • BCBG • Lilly Pulitzer • Liquid

Michael Stars • Dani Black • Beauty Mark • Melissa Jellies • Aidon Mattox • Tony Bowls • Diane von Furstenberg

DVF Shoes • Tory Burch • Milly • Kate Spade • Yoana Baraschi • Tibi • Trina Turk • Blank • AG

Gabriela Montero FEB. 13 | 2 p.m.

Pebble Hill Plantation. $100

Bill Cosby FEB. 13 | 5 & 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $45–$90, $20 students

Gabriela Montero FEB. 14 | 8 p.m.

Turner Auditorium, Tallahassee Community College. $25, $10 students

PRISM FEB. 15 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $25, $10 students

Anthony Bourdain FEB. 16 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. SOLD OUT

Luciana Souza FEB. 17 | 8 p.m.

Turner Auditorium, Tallahassee Community College. $25, $10 students

Kronos Quartet & Wu Man, ‘A Chinese Home’ FEB. 18 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $35–$75, $20 students ‘Silents!’

FEB. 18 | 12 a.m.

FSU Student Life Cinema. $10, FREE for students

Saturday Matinee of the Arts FEB. 19 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Tallahassee Museum.

FREE

Geoffrey Gilmore & A Film You Haven’t Seen FEB. 19 | 3 p.m.

FSU Student Life Cinema. SOLD OUT Ira Glass FEB. 19 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $25–$50, $10 students

‘Silents!’

FEB. 20 | 8 p.m.

FSU Student Life Cinema. $10, FREE for students

FSU Symphony Orchestra & FSU Jazz Sextet with guest soloist Marcus Roberts FEB. 20 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $25–$50, $10 students

Savion Glover FEB. 21 | 8 p.m.

Lee Hall, Florida A&M University. $25–50, $10 students

The Acting Company MARCH 14 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. $20–$40, $10 students

David Sedaris APRIL 10 | 8 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, FSU. SOLD OUT

For ticket and location information for Seven Days of Opening Nights, visit sevendaysfestival.org or the Fine Arts Ticket Office Web site at tickets.fsu. edu. Students attending high schools and colleges in the area are eligible for discounted tickets but must present a valid student ID when picking up the tickets.

ful rhythms and sounds.”

His urban style is more about the rhythms of music, Ackermann said, than about the smiling, happy presentation of traditional tap. Ackermann said she has enormous respect for Glover, who was actually trained in the more traditional style.

“He was a child prodigy,” Ackermann said. Glover made his Broadway debut at age 12 and won a Tony at age 15. “He came along at the right time.” Besides the successful run of “Bring in da Noise,” he has performed at major concert halls like Carnegie Hall and was the choreographer and motion-capture artist for Mumble, the main character in the animated movie

Photo Courtesy Michele Ackerman

Savion Glover fan Michele Ackermann

“Happy Feet.”

Glover’s style was inspired by tap dancers such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. “If you look at those old movies, (Robinson) was very much a performer,” Ackermann said. “What was transforming about what Glover did was he and a whole group of people were expressing themselves by not trying to please the audience but by riffing to the music.”

Having seen Glover perform before, Ackermann said his distinctive style doesn’t detract from his ability to put on a good show. “He is very charming in real life and a lovely man,” she said. Tap-dancing newcomers needn’t worry that it will be over their heads. “He’s a great performer and will explain it all to you as he goes along.

He is very lovable, and there is a sweet quality to him.”

Ackermann said Glover will appeal to dance enthusiasts and novices. “Tap is so much fun, you can’t be depressed or sad if you are tap-dancing,” she said. “With Savion, he comes from a place of such joy, tallahassee

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Arts & Culture

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The Arts Aren’t Just Performing at the Newly Renovated Ruby Diamond As Seven Days of Opening Nights performances return to Florida State University’s newly renamed Ruby Diamond Concert Hall after a two-year hiatus for a $35-million renovation, guests will be wowed by the expanded seating options and ear-pleasing acoustics.

But what many remember about the “new” Ruby Diamond isn’t what they hear, but rather what they see. The renovated venue features large murals that adorn the walls depicting a daytime and nighttime scene above a pine forest.

And who could forget the owl? Hovering overhead is a six-foot-wide, 125-pound owl in flight. This bird symbolizes learning and education, and was commissioned as part of the renovation and constructed by Chris Horn through FSU’s Master Craftsman Program.

The owl is the auditorium’s artistic theme.

Architect David Gilchrist, a principal at Tallahassee-based Gilchrist, Ross Crowe, said former FSU President T.K. Wetherell wanted to make sure the auditorium was pleasing to the eye, not just the ear, and was instrumental in creating Ruby Diamond’s new look.

“We worked with him to develop a theme and give it more decoration and aesthetics, including murals and woodwork,” Gilchrist said.

The Master Craftsmen Program, which sustains itself through artwork commissions, helped develop the auditorium’s art. Bob Copper, a Monticello-based artist with extensive experience painting large scenes for opera, film and movie sets, was tasked with painting the murals in four weeks using ordinary acrylic house paint.

“Murals are not paintings,” Copper said.

“It has to be a part of the building.”

Meanwhile, Horn worked to create the owl, with strict guidelines — such as it couldn’t weigh more than 200 pounds but must look as if it was made out of carved wood.

With guidance from the Master Craftsmen Program, Horn used a combination of lightweight materials, such as foam, plastics and balsa wood. “It challenged our creativity,” said Ira Hill, associate director of the Master Craftsmen Program.

“Halls, and in particular music halls and concert halls, tend to be more about acoustics and less about the visual,” Gilchrist said. “But (Wetherell) said it has got to be visually superior. Sometimes those are opposing things, but it didn’t become problematic.” — Lilly Rockwell

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Image Courtesy Museum of Florida History

calendar | social studies | charity

SPOTLIGHT

» Audubon in Florida

Florida in 1831 wasn’t exactly a vacation getaway for John James Audubon, the scrappy naturalist who, at the time, was quickly gaining respect for his lifelike wildlife portraits. Audubon came to Florida twice during its territorial period to explore and sketch water birds for the third volume of his epic illustrated work, “The Birds of America.”

After coming ashore in St. Augustine that November, Audubon set out by foot, pony and skiff to explore the marshes along the east coast.

He was beset with mosquitoes and no-see-ums,

and this winter expedition wasn’t very successful.

Undeterred, he came back in the spring of 1832 and had a much better experience, this time in the Keys, where he recorded 52 types of birds he’d never seen before.

Today, examples of this groundbreaking work will be on display at the Museum of Florida History starting in February. “John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist” will run from Feb. 4 to May 2.

The exhibit includes a selection of rare Audubon

works of art, as well as artifacts. There are original Audubon oil paintings, letters, photographs, personal items and more than 60 original handcolored oversized engravings from “The Birds of America,” selected from the collection and archives of the John James Audubon Museum in Henderson, Ky. The Museum of Florida History is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 S. Bronough St. For more information, call (850) 245-6400 or go to museumoffloridahistory.com.— Jason Dehart

Tallahassee t

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calendar January & February Compiled by Ana Goni-Lessan

Through Jan. 14 From Morning to Night: Domestic Service in the Gilded Age South Last call for this traveling exhibit which offers insight into the typical lives of domestic servants and staff — the butler, cook, housemaid, laundress, lady’s maid, chauffeur and others — who maintained similar mansions throughout the South.

The special exhibit is included in the main tours, which cost $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

(850) 877-4202, goodwoodmuseum.org Through Jan. 31 Leon County Adopt-A-Tree Program If you live in Leon County and outside of Tallahassee’s city limits, you may be lucky enough to have a tree planted in your yard between February and March.

Fill out an application at leoncountyfl.gov/ pubworks/oper/row/adopt_request.asp by Jan. 31 and Leon County Public Works will plant a Southern Crabapple for FREE. Through March 4 Quest for Quail: A Tallahassee Hunting Tradition This exhibit emerged from the Knott House collection of Charlie Knott’s hunting gear and memorabilia. Visitors will learn about the important role hunting plantations played in the social and economic culture in north Florida during the early 20th century. FREE. Knott House Museum, 301 East Park Ave. Call (850) 922-2459 for hours and tours. museumoffloridahistory.com Jan. 4–23 Art Across All Ages Support the student community and visit FSU’s Museum of Fine Arts museum education K–12 projects. FREE. Fine Arts Building, FSU campus. (850) 644-6836 Jan. 5–10, 13–16 and 21–23 Romeo & Juliet O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? He’ll be at Young Actors Theatre for Capital City Shakespeare’s 10th anniversary performance. Prices TBD. Young Actors Theatre, 609 Glenview Drive. E-mail ccshakespeare@aol.com for more information.

Jan. 7 The Color Purple Based off of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, this 11-time nominated 58

January–February 2011

musical is part of Tallahassee’s Broadway Series. $66.25–$76.25. Tallahassee Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St., tlccc.org Jan. 13 Tots on Trails Bring your little ones and backpack or stroller to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge for a short hike and fun hands-on activities. This event is held on the second Thursday of each month through April.

FREE. 1255 Lighthouse Road, St. Marks.

11 a.m.–noon. (850) 925-6121, fws.gov/ saintmarks Jan. 14–April 2 Alla Prima Come see North Florida’s landscapes like you’ve never seen them before. This Sara May Love Gallery exhibition will showcase artists who have learned studied under John Stanford. FREE. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 Madison St., Quincy. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org Jan. 14–April 2 Stalking the Wild Landscape Two plein-air painters, Lynn Priestly and Julie Bowland, will be exhibiting their artwork featuring landscapes of the Southeastern United States. FREE. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 Madison St., Quincy. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org

N OW AC C E P T I N G R E G I S T R AT I O N S F O R AG E S 3 T H R O U G H A D U LT: Fairytale Pre-Ballet – request your free Fairytale DVD! Ballet • Contemporary • Jazz • Tap • Musical Theatre • Hip Hop Voice • Piano • Guitar

Convenient Northeast Location: 2028 North Point Blvd (Across from Carraba’s and Calico Jack’s on Capital Circle NE)

Performing Arts Center OF TALLAHASSEE

(850) 562-1430 • pactdance.com

Fostering success in the arts, school and in life for over a decade!

Jan. 15 Horton Hears a Who Presented by the Attic Players, this Dr. Seuss favorite for toddlers and preschoolaged children calls for active participation, including rhythm, counting and imagination games. $5 at box office. Young Actors Theatre, 609 Glenview Drive. 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. youngactorstheatre.com Jan. 20 Tallahassee Community Chorus Annual Unity Concert This year will feature special guests Carla Connors, Pam Laws, Del Suggs and Jazz Combo. $5–$18. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Wescott Building on FSU campus.

8 p.m. (850) 445-8700, tcchorus.org Jan. 21–30 How I Learned to Drive Leon High School’s drama teacher Rod Durham is directing this Pulitzer Prize-winning play written by Paula Vogel. $20 adults, $16 for students and seniors. Tallahassee Little Theatre, 1861 Thomasville Road. tallahasseelittletheatre.org Jan. 22 Families in Nature The entire family is invited to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge for fun activities, crafts and scavenger hunts. Each month has a different theme. This event is held on Tallahassee

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events calendar the fourth Saturday of the month through April. FREE with $5 refuge admission.

1255 Lighthouse Road, St. Marks. 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. (850) 925-6121

• • • • • •

Tree Removal Trimming & Pruning Commercial & Residential Insurance Work Fully Insured 24 Hour Emergency Service FREE ESTIMATES

BY A CERTIFIED ARBORIST

850-228-7876 www.millertreesrv.com • miller-tree@hotmail.com

Jan. 27 Hymn Festival Part of the Tallahassee Church Music Conference, the Hymn Festival will be led by concert organist Bruce Neswick, Director of Cathedral Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York and one of America’s major talents in the field of organ performance and improvisation. Night prayer will follow the concert. FREE, donations are accepted. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 N. Monroe St. 7 p.m. (850) 980-2812, churchmusicconference.org Jan. 29 Winter Gala Party like it’s 1920 at this year’s speakeasy-themed gala at the Gadsden Arts Center. Live music, silent and live auctions and food. Gadsden Arts Center, 13 Madison St., Quincy. 6 p.m. (850) 875-4866, gadsdenarts.org Throughout February Seven Days of Opening Nights For more information on these events, please go to page 54.

Feb. 2 The Friends of the Library Author Event Presents Christopher Buckley Christopher Buckley, the award-winning author of best-selling novels such as “Thank You for Smoking,” will be speaking on TCC campus. All proceeds benefit the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library. $50. Turner Auditorium, 444 Appleyard Drive. 8–9:30 p.m. Contact Julie Lovelace, (850) 915-1670 Feb. 3–6 ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ This Pulitzer Prize-winning play captures the spirit of the young girl who writes about the terrible reality of hiding from the Nazis with honesty, wit and determination. $14 for children (12 and under), $16 for students and seniors and $18 for adults. Young Actors Theatre, 609 Glenview Drive. Feb 3–5, 7:30 p.m., Feb 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. youngactorstheatre.com Feb. 5 ‘The Two B’s?’

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra will be performing Symphony in C Major by Bizet and Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 23 by Brahms, featuring Thomas Sauer on piano. $12–$46. Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, 502 S. Copeland St. 8 p.m. tallahasseesymphony.org

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January–February 2011

photo courtesy Junior League of Tallahassee / Volaj photography, LLC

best bet: february 25–26 Whale of a Sale The Junior League of Tallahassee’s leviathan garage sale — its biggest fundraiser since 1974 — features gently used merchandise at low prices. The two-day shopping event returns to the Tallahassee Mall in the former Goody’s location. The bargains kick off on Friday night with a preview party and silent auction from 6–10 p.m. With the theme “Havana Nights,” the preview allows guests to check out all the items before the crowds of visitors and bid on items of all prices during the silent auction. The evening also includes food, drinks and activities. Tickets for the preview party are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Friday shopping-only tickets are $5. For just $1, shoppers can rummage through the bargains on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 2011 sale will feature a new section called “Rodeo Re-Drive,” where all items are brand new. All proceeds from the Whale of a Sale flow back into the community through projects that benefit children and families such as Operation Prom Dress, Kids in the Kitchen, Kids Boutique and Fostering Hope. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jltallahassee.org.

Tallahassee

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events calendar Feb.5 6th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance Grab Dad and dance the night away with dance exhibitions, refreshments and door prizes brought to you by Tallahassee Northside Rotary. Advance tickets, $40 with $15 for each additional daughter. Tickets at the door, $50 and $20. Ticket sales at The Moon, Applebees locations and Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que. The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. 6:30–9:30 p.m. rotaryddd.com

best bet: february 27 26th Annual Chefs Sampler No need to limit yourself to just one eatery on this Sunday night, when you can sample the culinary creations of more than 50 of Tallahassee’s finest restaurants and caterers in one place at this popular local charity event. The Chefs Sampler is an annual tradition that demonstrates all that’s wonderful about our community, while giving attendees a true taste of Tallahassee.

Honorary chairs for the evening are FSU football Coach Jimbo Fisher and Candi Fisher. All proceeds benefit the 12 programs of Children’s Home Society’s North Central Division, which collectively serve more than 5,000 children each year, most of whom are abused and/or neglected or born with developmental delays. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at the door. The event runs from 7–9 p.m. at the Tallahassee Mall (Monroe Street entrance next to Guitar Center). For more information, call Rebecca Amnott at (850) 921-0772 or visit chstallychefs.com.

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January–February 2011

Feb. 11–20 ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Performed by the FSU School of Theatre, audience participation makes this musical a must-see. Fine Arts Building, FSU campus.

8 p.m. (850) 644-6500, tickets.fsu.edu Feb. 12 Love My Dog Day All dog lovers are invited to enjoy Valentine’s Day treats, exhibits by local pet businesses and giveaways. FREE. Tallahassee Mall, main entrance. 11 a.m.–2 p.m., bethesolution.us

arts and crafts market and a barbecue cook off. Adults $5, children ages 6–12 $3 and kids 5 and under are FREE. North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road. Feb 19, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Feb 20, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (850) 222-2043, cacaainc.org Feb. 24–27 Thomasville Antiques Show Furniture, paintings and rugs, galore! This year’s antiques show will exhibit 30 of the most renowned antique dealers in the country and acclaimed speakers. Feb 24 preview

party tickets are $150, and general admission is $15. Thomasville Fairgrounds, 2057 Ga. Highway 122. Feb 25–26, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Feb 27, noon–5 p.m. (229) 225-9354, thomasvilleantiquesshow.com Feb. 25–March 6 ‘The Miser’ by the School of Theatre at Florida State Moliere’s delightful 17th century French farce presents the antics of miserly old Harpagon as he tries to negotiate a second marriage while protecting the love of his life: his

Feb. 18–19 & 25–27; March 4–5 Steel Magnolias You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll love the habitués of Truvy’s beauty parlor in this play that became the much-loved movie. Dinner before the show available by reservation. $10–$35. Monticello Opera House, 185 W. Washington St. Friday and Saturday, doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7, show at 8.; Sunday, doors open at 12:30 p.m., lunch at 1, show at 2. Reservations needed for meals.

(850) 997-4242, monticellooperahouse.org Feb. 19 Big Bend Community Orchestra Concert Musical selections include Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila Overture, Hanson’s Serenade for Solo Flute and Harp and Beethoven Symphony movements. FREE, donations accepted. Turner Auditorium, TCC Campus, 444 Appleyard Drive. 4 p.m. (850) 893-4567 bbcorch.org Feb. 19 Saturday Matinee of the Arts at the Tallahassee Museum Celebrate the community’s love for the performing arts with Chinese dancing dragons, African drumming, Thai fruit carving and much more. FREE. Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Drive. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (850) 575-8684, tallahasseemuseum.org Feb. 19-20 Italian Family Festa You don’t have to be Italian to be famiglia during this weekend celebration of all things Italian. The two-day event kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. With the Tomato Trot 5K and continues throughout the day with activities including a Bambini Parade, folk dancers, pizza dough toss, grape stomp and fireworks. $5, children 12 and under FREE. John Paul II Catholic High School, 5100 Terrebone Drive, SouthWood. (850) 201-8801, tallahasseeitalianfesta.webs.com Feb. 19–20 Southeast Regional PIGFEST! Pig out on barbecue and support the Capital Area Community Action Agency. The event will include a car and bike show, an Tallahassee

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We put your family in our family medicine.

7 locations providing you with quality family care.

Cyneetha Strong, M.D.

Ramel Failma, M.D.

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Christienne Sain, M.D.

Your Neighborhood Medical Center

January–February 2011

R. Lee Baisden, A.R.N.P.

Rebecca Easterling, M.D.

www .patientsfirst.com

events calendar money! $20. The Lab Theatre, FSU Campus, 502 S. Copeland St. 8 p.m. (850) 644-6500, tickets.fsu.edu/ Feb. 27 A Night at the Oscars Party and Fundraiser Join the FSU Film School for its fourth annual Academy Awards fundraiser. General admission includes a live broadcast of the awards, trivia and a chance to win prizes.

7 p.m. Location TBD. For more information, call Sabrina Reisinger at (850) 644-0453.

photo by scott holstein

save the date: march 11–13 Red Hills International Horse Trials Riders from across the world will flock to Tallahassee to participate in one of the nation’s premiere equestrian events, the Red Hills International Horse Trials. Founded in 1998, the threeday event attracts more than 15,000 spectators each year and features the sport’s best riders, including Olympians. This year, Red Hills is expected to be a qualifying event for riders vying to participate in the 2012 London Olympics. At the horse trials, competitors are tested in three areas: dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping.

General admission is $15 per day and $25 for a three-day pass. Children under 12 accompanied by adults are FREE. Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, 4000 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee. Fri and Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–til. (850) 580-4020, rhht.org

Family Medicine Urgent Care Travel Vaccines OUR TEAM APALACHEE PARKWAY (850) 878-8843

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Tracey Hellgren, M.D. William Placilla, M.D. Barbara Williams, M.D.

Dan W.T. Peters, M.D. Garrett H. Chumney, M.D. Cathy Bracher, A.R.N.P. Deborah May, A.R.N.P.

APPLEYARD DRIVE (850) 576-8988

MAHAN DRIVE (850) 877-7164

Cyneetha Strong, M.D. Dung Nguyen, M.D. Len Goff, M.D. Catherine Tilbury, A.R.N.P. Joye J. Hughes, P.A.

Fredrick Lutz, M.D. Juan Carlos Martinez, M.D. Wilton R. Kane, M.D. Carol Easton, A.R.N.P.

KERRY FOREST PARKWAY (850) 668-3380

NORTH MONROE (850) 562-2010

Angelina Foley Cain, M.D. Randy Reese, M.D. Ashley Janney, M.D. Suzanne Morgan, M.D. Richard Donovan, P.A. Robert C. Simpson, Ph.D. L.M.F.T.

Rebecca Easterling, M.D. Priya Kumar, M.D. R. Lee Baisden, A.R.N.P. RAYMOND DIEHL (850) 386-2266

Christienne Sain, M.D. Ramel Failma, M.D. Lynn Steele, A.R.N.P.

F. Josef Plum, M.D. Elizabeth Curci, M.D. Iftikhar Ahmed, M.D.

Your Neighborhood Medical Center

patientsfirst.com Tallahassee

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January–February 2011

January / February 2011 THE TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HEART & VASCULAR CENTER

Saving Lives through Heart Disease Education, Prevention and Intervention

W

hile Tallahassee Memorial joins the nation in observing February as Heart Month, its Heart & Vascular Center is a leader — day-in-and-day-out — in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. According to Catherine Heimbecher, R.N., the program’s administrator, “For more than 25 years, Tallahassee Memorial has offered advanced cardiovascular services to patients with a variety of conditions, including heart attack, coronary artery disease, atrial brillation, electrophysiology disorders, valve disease, heart failure and peripheral artery disease.”

The Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center is committed to educating and building awareness in the ght against heart disease.

This awareness begins with knowing what the risk factors are and identifying those factors as early in life as possible. Mrs. Heimbecher noted, “We must start with our youth by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and focusing on prevention and the risk factors that can be controlled such as: smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, stress, elevated cholesterol and diabetes.”

According to the American Heart Association, one in three American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. According to the CDC’s 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey of adolescents in grades nine through 12, over a quarter of students spend three or more hours per day using computers outside of school time (29.1 percent) or watching television (37.5 percent). Lack of exercise places young people and adults at risk for heart disease.

In order to make a difference with controllable risk factors, it is important to “know your numbers.” Therefore, TMH has traditionally offered a wide variety of cardiovascular screenings throughout the community. Now, it has partnered with the Premier Health & Fitness Center, a service of TMH, to introduce the Well Wise Wednesday Program – rst Wednesday of each month at Premier – to screen for circulation issues, risk of heart disease and stroke. Space is limited so individuals and businesses should call

Wayne B. Batchelor, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.C. performing a cardiac catheterization

Premier at 850.431.4835 to make a reservation. Health counselors are available to provide consultation based on screening results.

“People can often modify their lifestyles before it comes to the point where they have disease so screenings are really for anyone,” said Lisa Mullee, Director of Cardiovascular Labs at TMH. “Tallahassee Memorial is an accredited Chest Pain Center, which means it has demonstrated expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a stringent set of criteria including assessing, diagnosing, and treating chest pain patients rapidly,” noted Wayne D. Bachelor, M.D., F.R.C.P.,F.A.C.C. The “Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI” (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) is awarded by the Society of Chest Pain Centers to (Continued on page 6)

Tallahassee

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The Big Bend Region Celebrates National Philanthropy Day TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL’S

Heart of Gold Recipients at National Philanthropy Day

Marcia Deeb Thornberry and Family Jean and Al McCully, M.D.

Elva and Tom Brady

The Junior League of Tallahassee, Betsy Couch and Amanda Clements Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tallahassee and Ronald McDonald House Charities Global – Kiki Dunton, Kathy Anderson, Joan and Gary Stout

The TMH Auxiliary – Georgeann Hartsfield and June Ragans Laurie L. Dozier, Jr., M.D. Virginia A. Glass

Leon High School

Fred Lindsey, M.D.

Joseph Sobodowski

Betty Plescia Bender and Dr. Lou Bender

“National Philanthropy Day is set aside each year to recognize and pay tribute to the philanthropic community,” said Sharon Davidson, Director of Development and Communications for Elder Care Services and an ofcer of the Big Bend Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the lead sponsor of this region’s National Charlotte E. Maguire, M.D. and Paula Fortunas Philanthropy Day celebration. “This event places focus on those who give generously as well as the recipient charitable organizations and acknowledges philanthropy’s profound societal impact.

It is a privilege to honor the Big Bend’s outstanding donors, volunteers and professionals for their gifts of time, expertise and nancial resources,” added Judie Miller, Community Affairs Director for Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend and Big Bend AFP President.

2010 National Philanthropy Day Honorees Julie Montanaro

Outstanding Media Personality… is committed to publicizing and promoting not-for-prot services in Leon and the surrounding counties.

A member of the WCTV news team since 1989, Julie has been an active member of the greater Tallahassee community. She has generously donated her time and talents to charitable causes such as hosting the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon for more than a decade. She has served on the young Actors Theatre Community Advisory Board and on Catholic Charities of NW Florida’s Regional Board of Directors. “There is no telling how much money Julie has helped raise or how many volunteers she has helped solicit for organizations in her twenty years of community involvement in the Tallahassee-Thomasville area,” said Anna Johnson, Julie’s predecessor at WCTV and Philanthropy Day mistress of ceremonies.

O Ambassadors of Oakridge Elementary School

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy… is a school-based program Golden Gala

Martha Anne, Emily and Theo Proctor and “Tee Off for Tots”

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Board of Directors

anuary–February 2011 68| Jtallahassee memorial foundation ADVERTORIAL

created by Oprah’s Angel Network and Free the Children to inspire young people to become active, compassionate and knowledgeable global citizens. The O Ambassadors’ philanthropic endeavors include an annual “Penny Harvest” – collecting pennies for several weeks and donating them to the Capital City Youth Services, The Alzheimer’s Project and to a local homeless shelter. As a group, the O Ambassadors focus on sustainable development, with emphasis on activities for Earth Day. “Whew! It’s hard to believe these are elementary school students.

It’s truly amazing how much has been accomplished in just two years,” says Kristen Tope, O Ambassador Instructor, Oakridge Elementary School.

– TMH Foundation in “Fine” Philanthropic Company Kiwanis of the Big Bend

Outstanding Volunteer Philanthropic Organization… works toward enhancing the quality of life for members of the community including those with disabilities. “Kiwanis of the Big Bend, led by Jim Wylie, raised approximately $200,000 in funding for the Miracle Field and the Miracle Sports Program,” said Stephanie Rehberg, Miracle Sports program coordinator. Additionally, Kiwanis of the Big Bend supports other area agencies through nancial and volunteer activities: Ability First, Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels, ECHO, FSU School of Music Scholarships, Turn About, Salvation Army, Big Bend Hospice’s Tree of Remembrance and Lifeline among others.

TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL’S

Heart of Gold Recipients at National Philanthropy Day

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation Outstanding Professional Philanthropic Organization… is

the entity designated by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to secure charitable support on its behalf. In this pivotal time of history-making change and challenge for the health care industry, TMH continues to perform well on both operational and clinical measures and has gained national recognition as a leader in performance improvement. “Prominent among the reasons Tallahassee Memorial remains a viable and secure Award Winning TMH Foundation Staff Front L to R: Judi Taber, Annual Fund Officer and health care organization is the Felicia McCoy, Funding Specialist. Back L to R: TMH Foundation’s remarkable Aaron Kinnon, Director of Community Outreach, Bonnie Cannon, Special Events Coordinator fund-raising success under the and Assistant to the President, Janet Borneman, leadership of Paula Fortunas,” said Director of Planned Giving and Grant Writer Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, FSU President Emeritus, who presented the TMH Foundation’s award. Mrs. Fortunas countered, “The heart of our work resides within the hospital’s community of donors and it beats through the dedicated service of each and everyone associated with TMH. In the nal analysis, each of us is inspired because we know, in no uncertain terms, that every dollar raised translates and transfers to the life-saving work of TMH.”

Mary and Ray Solomon

Board of Trustees, TMH Foundation

Maria Yealdhall and Karen Vogter – “USTA Tennis Challenger”

Jackie and M. T. Mustian

“Cards of a Cure” Committee – Cal Brooks, Sarah Nan Haney, Kathy and Jay Brooks

Grace and Sherrill Dansby Flecia Braswell and Fred McCord

Margaret and Robert Scott

Tillie Allen

Marjorie and Charles Nam

The Brenda and Roger Luca Family

Chuck and Patty Mitchell

Philanthropists of the Year and Recipients of the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award… have dedicated their lives and resources to volunteer service. “The Mitchells have a ‘mile-long’ list of volunteer organizations that they support, among them the TMH Foundation, Big Bend Homeless Coalition – Hope Community, Leon County Adult Literary Program and Companions for Therapy which involves them in every aspect of animal-assisted therapy in this region – from health care facilities to the schools and the courts of the Second Judicial Circuit. The Mitchells were instrumental in developing the Miccosukee Land Co-Op. “We are humbled, we are honored and we are overwhelmed,” said Patty Mitchell as the awards were presented by Rick Kearney, the 2009 Philanthropist of the Year, and Dave Ramsey, retired SunTrust banker and long-time friend of the Mitchells. “Thank you for recognizing us for doing something we truly love with all our hearts,” concluded Chuck Mitchell.

Pediatric Unit Fund-Raising Steering Committee – Sara Brown

Tallahassee Memorial Nursing – Lori Knarr, Barbara MacArthur and Robin Kretschman

The Jenny and Lou Farrah Family and “Ride for Hope” The TMH-FSU-ISP “Paint it Pink” Team

tallahassee memorial foundation ADVERTORIAL |  Tallahassee

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Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and its Foundation Salute the 2010 Cards for a Cure Sponsors and Donors

Trow Engineering Consultants, Title Sponsor Anesthesiology Associates of Tallahassee Arthrex AstraZeneca BB&T John and Leslie Baker Nicholas Belletto, D.C. University Family Chiropractic Shelby Blank, M.D. Ed and Janet Borneman Cal Brooks Jay and Kathy Brooks Camp Nobra Nan Cherry Red Cherry Amy Cooksey Mitch and Valerie Covington Chase and Michelle Dickson The Laurie Dozier, Jr., M.D. Family Marc and Chollet Dunbar Howard and Susan Eisenman Electro-Tech Forms Management Incorporated Fraley Provisions Gabor Agency Gentry and Thurman, P.A.

Missy Gunnels Brian and Tori Haley Steve Halderman and Steffany Lendon Dr. Tom and Dianne Haney Mark and Sarah Nan Haney Lance and Michelle Hart Hayley Hart Foundation Hematology Oncology Associates of Northwest Florida Hill Mortgage Consulting Wilson and Tee Hinson Robert and Laura Hosay Patricia Hyler IFS Business Interiors Richard and Claudette Jackson Chip and Susan Johnson Katie’s Cakes and Catering Amy Kelly Robert (Rip) and Kelly Kirby Kristen and Erik Kirk Keith Lawson Plumbing Maclay School Mainline Information Systems Keith McNeill Plumbing Contractors, Inc Greg and Cari Miller, Miller Septic Service North Florida Women’s Care Notary Public Underwriters, Inc. Terrill and Lisa Parham Allen and Michelle Pullam Scott Ritchey Richard and Linda Royster, Royster’s Storage Trailers Dr. Christopher and Mara Rumana Bo and Laurie Shelfer George and Lindi Simmons Abby Smith Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. Dr. Bill and Ida Thompson J.R. and Nicole Walker

A Special Tribute of Thanks

to the Students, Faculty, Staff, and Administration of Leon High School 70| Jtallahassee memorial foundation ADVERTORIAL anuary–February 2011

TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL PEDIATRIC SERVICES DEDICATES

The Junior League of Tallahassee Pediatric Unit Waiting Room The Junior League of Tallahassee Pediatric Unit Waiting Room was dedicated at Tallahassee Memorial on November 2, 2010. Mike and Christy Askari of Express Rent A Car, Sara and Brewser Brown, Carpet Studio, General Sheet Metal, Gulf Winds Track Club, DOCS, Keith McNeill Plumbing, North Florida Pediatrics Associates, Almena and Brooks Pettit, Zachary and Selena Richardson, Scott-Burnett, Dr. and Mrs. Stan Sheppard and Sun Coast Electric joined with the Junior League to donate funding for a total renovation of the former family waiting area.

“It was a way for our family to give back, as we are very grateful to TMH.”

Left to Right, Robin Glady, RNC, Pediatric Services Assistant Nurse Manager at TMH, Betsy Couch, President of Junior League of Tallahassee, Selena Richardson and Christy Askari

– Christy Askari In response to the dedicatory remarks by Paula Fortunas, president and CEO of the TMH Foundation, Betsy Couch, Junior League of Tallahassee President, explained, “It is our mission to create, fund and support programs that directly improve the lives of women and children. The Junior League of Tallahassee was very pleased to provide funding for the waiting room.” Mike Askari commented further, “It was a pleasure to help Tallahassee Memorial Pediatric Services renovate the waiting room.” Christy Askari added, “It was important to support this project because our children received such wonderful care at TMH. It was a way for our family to give back, as we are very grateful to TMH.” “This total ‘makeover’ is a blessing for the families and friends of our pediatric patients,” said Ann McClean, RN, BSN, MSHSA, Nurse Manager of the Pediatric Unit. “The space is transformed with new furniture and ooring, at screen television, artwork, cabinetry and an under-counter refrigerator.”

Since January 2010, the Pediatric Unit Fund-Raising Steering Committee, headed by Chair Sara Brown, worked

The Junior League of Tallahassee Pediatric Unit Waiting Room

with TMH Foundation Annual Fund Ofcer Judi Taber to help raise funds for the project. Kathy Waleko, RN, PhD, Service Line Administrator for Women’s and Children’s Services at TMH, expressed her gratitude, “It is wonderful to see individuals and organizations in the community come together to provide more comfortable surroundings for the families and friends of hospitalized children at Tallahassee Memorial.” Ms. Taber further complimented the committee, “It has been a joy to work with the committee on this important renovation project and, what’s more, we are already planning another facility enhancement for Pediatric Services.”

Tallahassee Memorial Pediatric Services is focused on providing superior care to children from newborns to adolescents in a 16-county region in North Florida and South Georgia. The Pediatric Unit has 23-beds with private rooms where those children with a wide variety of conditions and those recovering from surgical procedures receive care. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is the only hospital unit within a 100-mile radius equipped to care for critically ill children. Pediatric Services also include the Kid’s Korner, a 4-bed unit for outpatient care. There is also a certified child life specialist to help children effectively cope with hospitalization and a playroom open twice daily with toys and interactive games.

tallahassee memorial foundation ADVERTORIAL |  T a l l a h a s s e e 71

Know the Warning Signs

(Continued from page 1) facilities who use PCI as one of the primary intervention strategies for chest pain. PCI is commonly known as angioplasty, a procedure to treat narrowed coronary arteries.

The Diagnostic & Interventional Suite (Cath Lab) is the hub of activity at the Heart & Vascular Center where the anatomy of the heart is studied and life-saving diagnostic procedures take place.

It includes an Electrophysiology Lab that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with the electrical system of the heart. When patients need pacemakers and deďƒžbrillators, a majority are implanted in the EP Lab.

Many heart attacks can be minimized or stopped by seeking immediate medical attention. The key is recognizing the warning signs.

Chest pain is the most common symptom associated with a heart attack. However, you may have any of the following symptoms: t 5ISPBU PS KBX QBJO SBEJBUJOH UP UIF left shoulder t 1BJO UIBU SBEJBUFT EPXO UIF MFGU BSN t 4IPSUOFTT PG CSFBUI t .JE CBDL QBJO SBEJBUJOH UP UIF chest t $IFTU UJHIUOFTT PS QSFTTVSF t $IFTU EJTDPNGPSU TFWFSF IFBSUCVSO unrelieved with antacids) David L. Saint, M.D. performing bypass surgery

In the Cardiovascular Lab more than 50,000 procedures are performed annually by TMH’s staff of credentialed sonographers, ACLS certiďƒžed RNs, and highly skilled EKG technicians. The Cardiovascular Lab is accredited in adult Echo and Transesophageal Echo (TEE). TMH’s experienced team of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons annually performs more than 9,000 surgeries and procedures in the hospital’s Main Operating Room and in Specials/Vascular Labs from the moderately routine to more complex procedures. For further information regarding procedures and services performed at the Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center, call 850.431.2727 or visit www.tmh.org/heart. “Tallahassee Memorial’s Heart & Vascular Center is committed to serving the community with a focus on wellness and prevention along with ‘recognized world class’ treatment,â€? said Aaron Kinnon, Director of Community Outreach for the TMH Foundation and lead fundraiser for the Heart & Vascular Center.

For information on ways you can beneďƒžt the Center, please either call 850.431.5698 or e-mail aaron.kinnon@tmh.org or visit www.tmhfoundation.org.

Protocols for Philanthropy will return in the March-April issue of Tallahassee Magazine.

t 'BJOUJOH t /BVTFB t 4XFBUJOH t %J[[JOFTT %PO U FWFS JHOPSF B IFBSU BUUBDL symptom – the longer you wait to get help, the greater the chance your heart will be permanently damaged. If you ever experience any of these symptoms, CALL 911 and request immediate transport to the Tallahassee Memorial Bixler Emergency Center.

Tallahassee Memorial is exceedingly grateful to you — its community of donors and friends — for the generous outpouring of charitable gifts at the close of 2010. You recognized and, rightfully so, that your gifts are more important now than ever. Thank you for your expressions of confidence in G. Mark O’Bryant President & CEO Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare

Paula S. Fortunas President/CEO TMH Foundation

These symptoms may be accompanied by:

Paula S. Fortunas President & CEO Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation

TMH Foundation, Inc., 1331 East Sixth Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 850.431.5389: OfďŹ ce Telephone 850.431.4483: Fax foundation@tmh.org: Email To Make a Secure Online Donation, please visit: www.tmhfoundation.org

 tallahassee memorial foundation ADVERTORIAL 2011

72 J| a n u a r y – F e b r u a r y

events

SOCIAL STUDIES

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7 8 Cafe Cabernet foundation wine experience: 1. Alex and Rob Vezina 2. Angela Peterson, Alex Szaro, Scott Patel, Manny Arisso and Steven Lohbeck 3. Brad Copenhaver, Brad Burleson, Ed Lombard and Bob Schafer 4. Katy Urban, Debi Hudson, Bart Carey, Teye Reeves and Pete Mitchell; Junior League of Tallahassee’s jingle jubilee Fashion Tallahassee: 5. Kelli Schroeder, Gigi Jones, Shannon Jones, Lori Mattice and Karen Joiner 6. James and Louise Heidenreich with Caroline Mae Heidenreich 7. Jacki Colson, Randi Buchanan and Tamalia Lloyd 8. Juli Downs, Randi Buchanan, Laurie Hartsfield, Terra Palmer, Calynne Hill and Marsha Doll. [Photos by McKenzie Burleigh and Shannon Grooters] t Ta al ll la ah ha as ss se ee e

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events

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Ronald McDonald Stone Crab festival: 1. Kevin Wall, Danielle Freeze 2. Maria and Mark Yealdhall with Melissa Fontenot 3. Bill and Debbie Giudice, Jason Moore and Warren and Faith Jones 4. Hilary Brooks, Rebecca Delarosa, George and Karen Smith, Ashleigh and Ted Brodley; Tallahassee animal shelter foundation golden ticket wine tasting 5. Derek and Veronica Jackson with Tracey and Gregory Hall 6. Steve Adams, NIcole Haibach, Camron Morettin, Lorie Ray, Kate MacFall and Bruce Carpenter; Tallahassee Museum’s Zombie Zoobilee: 7. Russell and Carol Daws 8. Terri Daniel, Pam and Mark Bauer and Lee Daniel 9. Kathy Mueller, Abby Kinch, Karen Smith and Michelle Wilson. [Photos by McKenzie Burleigh, Ana Goni-Lessan and Shannon Grooters] 74 74

January–February 2011

Tallahassee

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events

SOCIAL STUDIES

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A Chocolate affair: 1. Chocolate Carving created by Jacobs on the Plaza 2. (Back Row, L to R) Larry Lane, Chris Traylor, Kathi Bess, Curtis Richardson, Lauren Searcy, Rachel Melson, Michael Blanks, (Front Row, L to R) Tori Hunnellwell, Pamela Manley and Carolyn Maison 3. Curtis Richardson, Michael Blanks, Rachel Melson and Lauren Searcy 4. Elizabeth Schlein and Bonnie Waugh and Madison Hegler; Salter Mitchell’s 6th annual Halloween Chili Cook-off: 5. April Salter and Rick Oppenheim 6. Rick McAllister, Dave Royse and Karen Cooley; Young Actors Theatre 35th Anniversary Gala: 7. Worth Williams Hages, Kathy Doolin and Majel Barrett 8. Tina Williams and Tony Hale 9. Ben Frick, Beverly Frick and Susannah Frick. [Photos by Colin Hackley and Alison and Paul Grimes] 76

January–February 2011

PRESENTING SPONSOR RUSSELL B. RAINEY D.M.D.

FEBRUARY 5, 2011 | 6PM–2AM HOTEL DUVAL Thanks to your nominations, the top salons have been selected to compete for the title of Tallahassee’s Top Salon! Now the competition begins.

Mark your calendar for the Top Salon celebration February 5 at Hotel Duval.

Thirteen salons will make over a contestant at this exciting event, and the transformations will be unveiled in a runway show. A panel of judges and all attendees will cast votes to determine the Top Salon of Tallahassee.

The competition is sure to be fierce, but only one establishment will earn the right to call themselves Tallahassee’s “Top Salon”!

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

TALLAHASSEE’S TOP SALON wins an advertising campaign developed by ROWLAND PUBLISHING and a year-long ad campaign in Tallahassee Magazine. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the winner’s favorite charity.

Visit

TICKETS ARE $40 ($50 at the door) and include two drink coupons, heavy hors d’oeuvres and automatic entry to win a 3-day/2-night Sandestination getaway and complimentary use of a 2010 BMW 3 Series convertible from Capital Eurocars to drive there in style.

TopSalonTLH.com

to purchase your tickets before they sell out!

(Tickets go on sale January 1, 2011)

PRESENTED BY:

Tallahassee

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PRESENTING SPONSOR RUSSELL B. RAINEY D.M.D.

ENVY SALON

MODEL: Karen Richards CHARITY: Catholic Charities

SO PURE SALON

MODEL: Stephanie Penova CHARITY: American Breast Cancer Foundation

CHELSEA SALON

MODEL: Kathy Raynor CHARITY: Refuge House

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January–February 2011

MILLENNIUM NAIL AND DAY SPA MODEL: Shamane Miles-Rice CHARITY: Progressive Pediatric Development Center

ATHENA SALON MODEL: Cleo Kelly CHARITY: Boys Town

HAUTE HEADZ

MODEL: Leah Boles CHARITY: Cards for a cure/Breast Cancer

GREEN PERIDOT

CABELLO’S HAIR AND NAIL STUDIO

MODEL: Tracy Brown CHARITY: The Oasis Center for Women and Girls

BELLA HAIR DESIGN

MODEL: Chelsea Martin CHARITY: Big Bend Hospice

FUEL A SALON

MODEL: Isaura Garcia CHARITY: Children’s Advocate

MODEL: Sherri Ramsey CHARITY: Leon County Humane Society

HAIR ON EARTH

MODEL: Claire Mott-Smith CHARITY: Friends for Charlie

LIVIN’ IN THE CUT

MODEL: Greg Kraus CHARITY: Capital City Youth Services

EMILEE’S SALON

MODEL: Carolyn Dotson CHARITY: Poly Cystic Kidney Foundation

PHOTOGRAPHY BY REID COMPTON

Tallahassee

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Earning

Power Admit it, you’ve often wondered about your neighbor, your boss, your friend, your

doctor, local barista and pastor. “What do they make?” It’s one of the closest-held secrets a person has, next to their age and weight: Salary. And usually, you don’t have the guts to ask. Fortunately, we do.

Tallahassee Magazine spent months asking people from a wide spectrum of careers what they earned in one year. We found a poet who makes $4,000 a year on a part-time gig and an eBay salesman who earns $130,000 selling musical instruments online.

A few things made our job easier. Thanks to Florida’s open records laws, the salaries of anyone employed by the state, city, county, Florida State or Florida A&M University, or any taxpayer-funded entity, is available for anyone to see. The salaries of top executives at most local nonprofits, including associations, are also publicly available.

What we learned was not only do salaries and earnings vary widely in Tallahassee, but an old adage remains true: money doesn’t always buy happiness. When it comes to job satisfaction among the people we interviewed, we found money mattered less than finding a job that suits your passion, whether it’s giving massages or putting out fires.

Coordinated and written by Lilly Rockwell. Additional reporting provided by Jason DeHart, Ana Goni-Lessan, Janeen Talbott, Brandon Neasman and Antonio Rosado.

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Tallahassee

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Paul Arnold, 30 Staff Attorney Legal Services of North Florida, Quincy office

$49,000 Where did you get your formal education? I went to UCF and my undergradu-

ate degree was in psychology. I started law school at Barry but I transferred to FSU and did two years at Florida State Law School.

What type of a job did you have before going to law school? I worked

at the Swan and Dolphin Resort in Disney, doing banquet functions for large corporate events, for companies like Pfizer and Microsoft. I did that for three years but it got monotonous. It was the same week, every week. That’s why I decided to go to law school in 2004.

Why did you want to work for Legal Services? Initially I was in private practice. I was

making $65,000 out of law school in 2009. But I didn’t go to law school to make a lot of money.

There was something different about Legal Services compared to private firms. I liked feeling like the good guy. I want to use my mind and abilities to make the world a better place.

What do you like about your current job? It’s not just helping the poor and elderly. The

Government

President and CEO, MW Land and Investments

Photo by Ana Goni-Lessan

work is extremely diverse. The experience you get at a place like Legal Services is awesome. From the day I got here I got 50 of my own cases. They just hand it to you and say “run with it.” You get to be in court, and every week is different from the last.

How often do you get to be in court? A lot. That’s a cool aspect of it. We try to settle our cases, because it doesn’t do us any good to (work) additional hours. Our interest is in helping as many people as we can. The more people we help, the greater the impact on the community.

Minority Office,Florida House of Representatives

LAWMAKERS

$36,000

$99,000

The House

Marti Coley, 49

Legislator, Florida House of Representatives

Diane Bell, 64

Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, 50

Legislator, Florida House of Representatives $29,697 (part-time)

Professor, Tallahassee Community College

$106,123 (Additional joint income from Mike Vasilinda Productions) Alan Williams, 35

Legislator, Florida House of Representatives $29,697 (part-time)

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$29,697 (part-time)

Instructor, Chipola College $60,000

House Staff Mathew Bahl, 39

Chief of Staff, Office of the Speaker, Florida House of Representatives $147,865

Durward Brewer, 54

Staff Director, House

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Assistant Secretary, Office of the Clerk, Florida House of Representatives $77,412

Chicarla Williams Pye, 35

Legislative Aide, Florida House of Representatives $43,548

Melissa Robel, 30

Legislative Research Assistant, Florida House of Representatives $30,082

The Senate Bill Montford, 62

Legislator, Florida Senate $29,697 (part-time)

Florida Association of District School Superintendents $161,983

Florida Retirement System $92,086

Charlie Dean, 71

Legislator, Florida Senate $29,697 (part-time)

Retired Sheriff $95,476

President, Charlie Dean Inc. $88,148

Social Security $21,496

Senate Staff Stephen MacNamara, 57

Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Florida Senate $175,008

Craig Meyer, 62

Staff Director, Senate Budget Office, Florida Senate $165,000

Richard Boyd, 32

Senior Support Services Assistant, Senate Print Shop, Florida Senate $28,140

Christine Scheu, 48 Licensed Massage Therapist Self-employed

$20,000 Is your salary typical for a massage therapist? Massage therapists don’t make so much

money unless you work in a resort or a place where it’s a factory-type setting, with one patient after another.

And if you work for someone else you don’t get paid the full amount the patient pays, you only get paid a percentage. I’ve had some dry spells and then a really good month comes and I get caught up.

What other jobs have you had? I was a mom and did little part-time stuff. I sold Tupperware and Avon. That was another lifetime … almost 30 years ago in Oklahoma. I’m from Germany and I trained there to be an esthetician, which is skin care, and it includes massage therapy and facials and makeup.

What was the worst job you’ve ever had?

Photo by Scott Holstein

The worst job was probably cleaning stables. It was smelly. This was in Germany, and it wasn’t exactly a job. I actually did it for free because I got riding lessons for it.

What was your first paid job? I was in a dentist office, but the kind where they actually make things like crowns, more like a technical lab. The smell in that place … ugh. I was supposed to be the receptionist and then when I was done I had to do some (manual labor).

I wasn’t that good at it. It didn’t last very long.

What is your favorite job? The one I have now! I have been doing this for 19 years now. I am certified in Thai yoga massage; it was something I had to learn from scratch. But I don’t claim to do just one style of massage.

What is your dream job? To have a retreat in the country in a natural setting, which Tallahassee is, but I would like a large piece of land. That is my dream.

Andrew Mackintosh, 26

Legislative Analyst, Senate Republican Office, Florida Senate $50,004

Carrie Riley, 41

Editor, Senate Office of Bill Drafting Services, Florida Senate $39,696

Kenneth Winker, 63

Senior Legislative Analyst, Senate Democratic Office, Florida Senate $70,044

Higher Education

Head of the Class Gary Bonvillian, 61

President, Thomas University

James Ammons, 58

President Florida A&M University $325,000 $80,000 (Bonus)

James Murdaugh, 58

President, Tallahassee Community College $262,130

$182,189 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $16,691 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org)

Education Earnings

Eric Barron, 59

Dean of College of Education, Florida State University

President Florida State University $395,000 $100,000 (Bonus)

Mary Driscoll, 59 $164,864

Donald Weidner, 65

Florida State University

Chandra Clark, 41

Kelli Alces, 29

$46,335

$272,950

Assistant Professor, College of Law, Florida State University $127,000

Linda DeBrunner, 48

Engineering Associate Professor, Florida State University $77,250

John Roberts, 42

Philosophy Associate Professor, Florida State University $60,499

Assistant Professor of English, Florida A&M University Cynthia Cook, 60

Sociology Professor, Florida A&M University $56,590

Joe Ritchie, 61

Professor, Knight Chair in Journalism, Florida A&M University $117,638

LeRoy Pernell, 61

Dean of the College of Law, Florida A&M University $251,000

Dean of the College of Law,

Tallahassee

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Cynthia Hughes Harris, 63

Jeff Brady, 23

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Florida A&M University

Firefighter/EMT

$256,000

Tallahassee Fire Department

In the Game

$35,343

Joe Taylor, 60

Head Football Coach, Florida A&M University $226,000 ($12,000 housing allowance) W. Eugene Harris, 55

Men’s Basketball, Florida A&M University $151,000

LeDawn Gibson, 41

Women’s Basketball, Florida A&M University $91,000

Sheila Martin, 42

Bowling Coach, Florida A&M University $35,000

Jimbo Fisher, 45

Head Football Coach, Florida State University

$1.8 million (plus profits from the football summer camp). Eligible for up to $715,000 annually in bonuses Leonard Hamilton, 62

Head Coach, Men’s Basketball, Florida State University

$1.5 million (plus profits from summer basketball camp. Eligible for up to $575,000 annually in bonuses Sue Semrau, 48

Head Coach, Women’s Basketball, Florida State University

$304,875. Eligible for up to $391,656 annually in bonuses Mark Stoops, 43

Football Defensive Coordinator, Florida State University

$400,000. Eligible for performance bonuses based on salary.

Dealmakers Michael Sole

like the excitement, not knowing what to expect. And I just like the camaraderie of being around the guys at the big station.

There are 11 people here on each shift, so there are a lot of people to hang around with and have fun with.

What is your schedule like? It’s 24 hours on, 48 off. I work at Station One. How did you become a firefighter? I worked for Leon County EMS for

a year and gained some experience while waiting to get hired at the Tallahassee 84

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Fire Department. My goal was to get into the fire department. It’s always been a dream to follow my grandfather’s footsteps. I used to come up here when I was little. He worked at Station One and I would hang out with him for hours at a time, always been around it and always loved it.

How is the recession treating you? It is treating me all right, I’m still

single and don’t have kids yet. I pay rent for an apartment, I have a truck payment, and insurance, and a cell phone and so I’m doing OK.

Vice President of State Governmental Affairs, Florida Power and Light $350,000 (Source: Miami Herald) Andy Ford

President, Florida Education Association $152,559 (From 2009;Guidestar.org) $50,038 (Bonus/Other from 2009; Guidestar.org) Alejandro Sanchez

President and CEO, Florida Bankers Association

$329,507 (From 2009; Guidestar.org)

Photo by Scott Holstein

What do you like about your job? It’s not really one particular thing, I

Edwin Moore

President, Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida $237,800 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $12,150 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org)

Rachel Gustafson, 25 Director of Media Relations and Social Marketing CoreMessage

$65,000

Barbara Petersen

President, First Amendment Foundation $88,930 (From 2009; Guidestar.org)

Local Government John Marks, 63

Mayor, City of Tallahassee $72,134

All Tallahassee City Commissioners are paid $36,067.20 annually and are considered part time employees. Most have other sources of income.

Anita Thompson Favors, 59

City Manager, City of Tallahassee $204,610

Parwez Alam, 65

County Administrator, Leon County $243,836

All County Commissioners are paid $72,130 annually and are considered full-time employees. Most have other sources of income.

Bert Hartsfield, 57

Property Appraiser, Leon County Property Appraiser $128,334

Larry Campbell, 68

Sheriff, Leon County $138,936

Jackie Pons, 55

Superintendent, Leon County Schools $128,334

Ion Sancho, 60

Supervisor of Elections, Leon County $111,904

Doris Maloy, 54

Tax Collector, Leon County $130,334

Big Hearts and Business Minds Clarke Campbell-Evans, 54

Photo by Scott Holstein

Senior Pastor, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church $83,884

Tyer Turkle

Executive Director, Big Bend Habitat for Humanity $67,667 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $5,793 (Bonus/other from 2009;Guidestar.org)

What was your first job? It was a part-time job when I was in high school.

I worked at a pizza restaurant that is now a Starbucks in Fort Lauderdale. It was a small 10-table restaurant and I moonlighted as a delivery person, too. I liked that it was so small and I got to participate in every component. Short order cook, saladmaking, grilled cheese sandwiches. We also had a drive-through, where you could pull up like McDonald’s and order by the slice.

It was minimum wage, around $5.75. But we got tips.

What do you like about your current job? The flexible culture we have

at CoreMessage. I have really grown with the company. I was given opportunities I don’t think most people my age are given.

My first year I got to work on the Republican primary presidential debates. We were assisting the Republican Party with media handling. And when I came here people were leaving and I was given opportunities

to move forward and I took it. Cory (Tilley, owner of CoreMessage) is not ageist. If you are skilled, he rewards you.

You are a Democrat, and your boss is a Republican. How does that work? I have always been a big

believer in open partisan lines. My dad was a big influence on me. (Her father is former Florida House Speaker Tom Gustafson).

The issues I work on have both Republican and Democratic ties. There are times when you look at an issue and personally it’s not something you agree with, but you do what is best for the client.

What is the biggest challenge with your job? We are small and some-

times it’s difficult in convincing folks that our office is capable of moving mountains.

What is your dream job? Something very closely aligned to what we do here. I would love to work with an elected official and help with speechwriting or community outreach.

Tallahassee

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Louis Garcia, 38 Chief Executive Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend

$55,000 What was your first job? Bagging groceries at Publix. I

was probably 15. It was minimum wage back in the mid-‘80s. I learned that having a smile does wonders for customer service.

What was your favorite job? I had a career for 13 years working in residence halls, what most people call dorms, at large universities. I had tons of fun when I was in college working as an RA (Resident Advisor). And that was probably one of the greatest jobs I had. After college it became my professional career. I lived in a dorm for 10 years.

What are some unusual things you experienced working in dorms? As I progressed professionally I was

Kenneth Armstrong

President, United Way of the Big Bend

$127,308 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $24,786 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org) Carla Braveman

President and CEO, Big Bend Hospice

$171,480 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $39,900 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org) William Wertman

Executive Director, The Alzheimer’s Project $44,800 (From 2009; Guidestar.org)

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Dale Fuller

Executive Officer, Tallahassee Builders Association

$67,000 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $11,897 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org) Sue Dick

President, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council $75,781 from chamber, $50,521 from EDC (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $3,317 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org)

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Beth Kirkland

Executive Director, Economic Development Council of Tallahassee $130,863 (From 2009; Guidestar.org)

Art Work Chucha Barber

Executive Director, Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science $106,367 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) Bob Copper, 60

Artist, Self-employed $60,000

Photo by Scott Holstein

overseeing multiple buildings with 1,500 bed spaces and I dealt with serious issues like sexual assault and suicide threats.

The weirdest thing that ever happened to me was a girl hitting me with her car because she didn’t want to give up her boyfriend’s key. The boyfriend had left for the summer. She was living in his dorm with her pit bull, which was not allowed.

The dog gave her away in about a day.

What is your dream job? Traveling the country in a Volkswagen and seeing a college football game at every Division 1 school. And then I’d write a book about it.

What was your worst job? Delivering yellow pages in the middle of the summer. I had a dolly filled with yellow pages and would go street by street. It was in Phoenix where it was 120 degrees. That was in my late 20s and I purposefully left my job out there and lived in my car for six months and explored the Southwest. It was one of the greatest times of my life and I had to do odd jobs like that to survive.

What is the best part of your current job? Being associated with an organization in which everyone believes in the mission. I truly believe in the mission, and the people I work with are incredible. The volunteers have a tireless devotion to doing something positive. I feed off that energy on a daily basis.

Body and Cents Larry Kubiack, 58

Director of Psychological Services, Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center $75,000

Aneshia Barr, 24

Nurse, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital $35,000

Anthony Harvey, 26

Strength and Conditioning Coach, Florida A&M University $36,000

Michele Manting, 59

Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Associate Professor, Florida State University $180,100

David Robinson, M.D.

Medical Director, Big Bend Hospice $209,523 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $5,600 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org)

Rich Cichowski, 50 CEO A Better Guitar Store — eBay and online stores

$130,000 Tell me about your eBay store. What do you sell? I have an eBay store and a web page called abetterguitarstore.com. I just started it in July. I carry all types of musical instruments, from guitar strings and parts to guitars and basses and violins. Ukuleles are really big right now. You can sell anywhere from six to eight ukuleles to one guitar. The trend has really exploded.

Where do you store all of your instruments? I have a room dedicated to it, and now it’s more than one room. But once you reach a certain level of trust with a company, they will also allow you to put their product online and then when you do sell it, they will ship it to them.

Do you play an instrument? I don’t play any. I know about them all and know things inside of them. Knowledge is half the battle.

What was your first job? I was a busboy at a Chinese restaurant.

What other jobs have you had? I was a horticulture major and I taught school for a few years at adult centers for mentally challenged individuals. I spent 18 years on the road promoting concerts.

I worked for the largest concert promoter in the country. I was a supervisor at Shoney’s for training servers and working with cooks. And I traveled the road selling industrial equipment for a while, generators and things like that. The financial value was extreme but we spent nine months on the road.

What sort of musicians did you meet or work with as a promoter? There were shows ranging from country to ‘50s rock.

Whitney Houston, Reba McEntire, The Drifters.

What do you like least about your current job? The un-

certainty of what tomorrow will bring as far as sales and the economy.

What do you like most about your current job? The biggest thing is I’m at home all day and all night with my other half.

This job is awesome, you do have the inconvenience every day of having to get your postage done. But if that is the worst thing you have to deal with, you have no room to complain. It’s just waiting in line.

The Spin Zone

Information Officer, Tallahassee Police Department

Ryan Cohn, 25

$61,950

Law and Order

Order

$50,000+

Helping in a Jam

Owner, What’s Next Marketing Mark Hollis, 45

Communications Director, House Minority Office Florida House of Representatives $75,000

James McQuaig, 42

Public Information Officer, Leon County Sherrif’s Office $79,461

David McCranie, 41

Police Officer, Public

Ryan Hamilton, 27

Manager, Capital Wrecker Service $39,000

Stephen Suarez, 27

Paramedic, Leon County $45,000

Thomas Andrews, 53

Locksmith , Florida State University $34,897

Dennis Jones, 57

Police Chief, Tallahassee Police Department $127,649

Glen Sapp, 45

Police Captain, Tallahassee Police Department $95,326

Angie Boothe, 46

Police Investigator, Tallahassee Police Department

Bobbie Parks, 59

Herbert Thiele, 57

$24,171

$228,943

Security Guard, Florida State University

Law Graham Nicol

Director of Legal Affairs, Florida Dental Association $169,218 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $20,446 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org) James English, 63

City Attorney, City of Tallahassee $170,290

County Attorney, Leon County Leah Marino

Senior Attorney, Senate President’s Office, Florida Senate $45,000

Betty Steffens, 60

General Counsel, Florida State University $158,591

Avery McKnight, 45

General Counsel, Florida A&M University $151,000

$61,950

Tallahassee

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Trimming the Family Budget

Meet the WeLiveFit Competitors

Judges Robert Benton, 64

Annual income $90,000 Monthly expenses Mortgage: $1,260 :: Electricity: $350 :: Cable: $125 Telephone: $42 :: Groceries: $1,000 :: Work/school food: $40 Credit card bills: $600 :: Health insurance: $376 :: Gas: $185 Car Maintenance: $40 :: Auto insurance: $105 Auto registration: $8.30 :: Daycare (for summer): $1,600 Daycare (during school year): $535 :: Life insurance: $50 Pharmacy/Doctor: $168 :: Hair/Personal Care: $50 Gym/Fitness: $60 :: Clothing: $100 :: Laundry: $10 Pool service: $10 :: Gifts: $20 :: Pet care: $20 Cigarettes/Alcohol: $60 :: Church/Charity: $40

The Shaws

Annual income $45,000–$55,0000 Monthly expenses Mortgage/Rent: $1,050 :: Electricity: $200 Cable, Internet, Telephone: $110 :: Groceries: $400 Restaurants: $75 :: Student loans: $215 Gas: $350 :: Car Maintenance: $50 Auto insurance/registration: $80 Pharmacy/Doctor: $50 :: Hair/Personal Care: $70 Gifts: $25 :: Church/Charity: $350

What you earn is only part of the equation.

What you spend that money on is even more important. To that end, Tallahassee-based Florida Commerce Credit Union launched a popular contest called “WeLiveFit,” that focuses on this question.

They recruited families who were willing to share every dirty detail of their finances, from their credit scores to debt to monthly expenditures. Each family wrote blogs, starred in webisodes and had frequent check-ups with a financial coach. Online voters have a say on which family gets to stay in the competition, which offers a top prize of $10,000.

Tallahassee’s Middleton and Shaw families participated in this contest, which ended in December. Both families say the contest opened their eyes to new ways to cut spending and allowed them to pay down debt.

“We’ve learned a lot,” Danielle Middleton said. “We learned about wants versus needs, and that we have to pay ourselves first.” The Middletons, who have three children, had racked up $27,000 in credit card debt and had savings of just $1,800.

Thanks to help from their financial coach, they whittled down their debt to $15,000 by late November, Todd Middleton said. They 88

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also learned how to cut back their grocery bill from a whopping $1,700 a month to $1,000 by planning meals.

More importantly, the Middletons have also increased their meager savings by $4,000. “Savings and credit card debt go hand in hand,” Danielle Middleton said.

“We need savings so we won’t have to use our credit cards.”

Jim Shaw and his wife Cheryl pared down their budget to the basic necessities and ultimately won the top prize. They did something that most families wouldn’t dare: eliminated all cell phones. Even the one for their 17-year-old daughter. “It’s a life-changer,” Jim Shaw said. That move saved them $150 dollars every month, Cheryl Shaw explained.

They also scaled down to basic cable.

They held four garage sales in one year, netting $1,000 in the process, Cheryl Shaw said. Jim Shaw said the best part of the WeLiveFit program was having a personal financial coach who works at Florida Commerce Credit Union. This coach could peer at their bank account to make sure they weren’t making unnecessary expenditures.

“We needed that accountability,” Jim Shaw said. The Shaws have gone from a savings account in April that was “non-existent,” Jim Shaw said, to more than $3,000.

Chief Judge, First District Court of Appeals $150,077

Frank Sheffield, 65

Judge, Second Judicial Circuit Court $142,178

Charles Canady, 56

Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court $157,976

Judith Hawkins

Judge, Leon County Courthouse $134,280

Tech Savvy Anonymous

IT Technician, Coordinator of Campus Systems, Florida A&M University $69,000

Paul Peeples

Vice President of Information and Technology, Florida Association of Insurance Agents $90,000 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $80,000 (Bonus/other from 2009; Guidestar.org) Mark Schlaudraff, 41

Business Systems Analyst, Florida House of Representatives $48,012

Number Crunchers Larry Thompson

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Florida Association of Insurance Agents $109,492 (From 2009; Guidestar.org) $80,750 (Bonus/other from 2009;Guidestar.org) Sheila Washington, 49

Accounting Specialist, Florida State University $32,697.50

Teresa Hardee, 45

Vice President of Administrative and Financial Services, Florida A&M University $226,000

Middleton Photo by Scott Holstein, Shaw Photo by Ana Goni-Lessan

The Middletons

Getting Along When Wages Aren’t Rising

Floridians have been hit hard by the economic recession, with more

than 800,000 jobs lost and nearly 12 percent unemployment. Many “lucky” citizens who have managed to keep their jobs are no longer getting annual raises or performance bonuses. State workers, for instance, haven’t gotten an across-the-board raise since 2006.

Unemployed Floridians who managed to find new jobs often took dramatic pay cuts.

And hourly workers have seen their hours, and therefore wages, cut back.

We asked several of the state’s top economists and workforce experts to weigh in on what stagnating wages means for Florida’s economy — and your career.

Kimberly Moore

Workforce Plus CEO

Employers are concerned » about losing talent, but are instituting no-raise policies in order to save jobs, feeling they have no other choice. If you want a raise, be realistic. Do an informal survey of your current environment and working climate around you.

Reverse roles. Put yourself in » the role of your employer, who might

be struggling to make ends meet in this rough economy. Is it the right time to ask for a raise? Look for signals that business may be picking up before speaking to your boss about it.

Establish whether it is dollars » that matter, or certain perks, such as

more vacation time or working from home. Employers may be more willing to grant these non-financial perks.

»

Recessions can be good opportunities to ask for more training and learn new skills. An employer may be willing to pay for a valuable training course over a flat raise, or may be willing to give you added responsibilities.

When researching employ» ment opportunities elsewhere, be thorough. How has the company handled this recession and others? Does it turn to downsizing every time the economy hits a bump in the road? Talk to people who already work at that company.

Rebecca Rust

Chief Economist, Agency for Workforce Innovation

Florida’s average annual raises » have actually risen over the last few years. In part, this is because many hundreds of thousands of laid-off Floridians were lower-paid workers, which skewed the averages to make it seem as if wages were rising.

Since 2005, Florida’s average » annual wage has risen from $36,804 to $40,974. When you look at the average annual salaries, they are increasing each year, but at a decreasing rate. So while wages are rising, they are doing so at a slower rate each year.

Certain industries are hit » hardest when it comes to wages. The construction, tourism, real estate and finance industries have all seen their wages fall.

David Denslow

University of Florida Economics Professor

Stagnating wages can be as » harmful to the economy as unemployment. People who are not getting raises are changing their expectations about future income.

»

But more important than expected raises is whether you believe you will have a job in the next year or two.

Your level of job security impacts how much money you are willing to spend on consumer goods and services.

Top Ten Highest Paid Jobs in the Tallahassee Area

1. Physicians and Surgeons �������������$227,947 2. Psychiatrists ���������������$194,106 3. Dentists ������������������������$178,838 4. Chief Executives ��������$163,925 5. Chiropractors �������������$145,496 6. Family and General Practitioners ���������������$137,821 7. Industrial Production Manager �����������������������$115,211 8. Medical Scientists �����$111,925 9. Optometrists ���������������$107,224 10. Sales Managers ��������$105,955

Top Ten Lowest Paid Jobs in the Tallahassee Area

1. Fast Food Cooks ���������� $16,827 2. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge and Coffee Shop ������������������ $17,285 3. Dishwashers ����������������� $17,368 4. Food Preparation and Serving Workers, including Fast Food ����������������������� $17,410 5. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers ��������������������� $17,846 6. Cashiers ������������������������� $17,992 7. Maids and Housekeepers ��������������� $18,179 8. Short-Order Cooks ������ $18,200 9. Laundry and Dry Cleaning Workers �������� $18,325 10. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants ��� $18,387 Salaries are based on mean hourly wage estimates from the Agency for Workforce Innovation for the third quarter of 2010. All assume a 40-hour workweek. The Tallahassee area includes Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties.

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My Favorite Room Local Luminaries Share their Best-Loved Spaces at Home

w

hile many of us love the houses we live in, there’s usually a place within that home that brings a special sort of delight. It could be the site of family gatherings, like the living room, or the refuge found in an oversized bathroom tub.

Or, it could be a place that’s designed to be the perfect place just for us, like a reading nook or hobby room.

Several notable people in the local community graciously opened their homes to Tallahassee Magazine, to allow our readers to see those distinctive places — and share with us what makes them so special.

Photos by Scott Holstein Stories by Ana Goni-Lessan, Rosanne Dunkelberger and Lilly Rockwell

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Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda The Living Room

The living room of state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda was inspired by the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. She painted the soaring ceiling blue, with threedimensional stars hanging down to match those in the hotel lobby. The walls were painted gold to create a warm atmosphere.

“It’s such a big room that we kind of wanted to make it cozier,” she said.

One of Rehwinkel Vasilinda’s favorite memories of her living room is when an opera singer performed at a Christmas party for her friends and family a few years ago. The acoustics in the room were wonderful because of the 16-feet-high ceilings, she said.

Another unique element of the room is the gold trim with hand-painted roses bordering the walls of the room to emulate a garden rail. “We wanted to bring the outside in,” she said.

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Peter Boulware The Living Room

Peter Boulware’s living room scores some major points.

The newly remodeled room has a ski lodge feel with cozy couches, armchairs and a sleigh bench. The room gives you a look into the feel of the house since it’s the first one guests walk through when entering the front door, said Boulware, who’s a co-owner of Legacy Toyota and was a star linebacker for Florida State University and the Baltimore Ravens.

An entire wall of reclaimed brick from Chicago and a ceiling of old barn wood from Virginia add a rustic feel to the warm living room. “It feels very comfortable,” he said.

Unlike most households, there’s no TV. Large glass double doors let in enough light for occupants to read on the couch or enjoy family conversation. With four children and one on the way, the room is set apart from the commotion as a place to unwind.

“This is an area where we can just relax, enjoy the room and enjoy the elements of the room,” he said.

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Virginia Glass

The Front Porch After working in Tallahassee real estate for 44 years, and as the owner of many investment properties, Virginia Glass knows a thing or two about what makes a good house. She decided to buy her current home in 2003 before she had even toured its bedrooms. “I did everything I tell my clients not to do,” she said. “I offered $5,000 over the asking (price).”

She fell in love with the home’s large kitchen and dining room because she loves to cook and entertain. Still, her favorite room isn’t even inside the home. It is the front porch, which overlooks a small lake shared by only a dozen nearby homes. “There’s nothing more serene than seeing the water,” Glass said. “I enjoy hearing the Canadian geese that fly in to say hello. It’s like taking a tranquilizer.”

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Beth Langford

The Kitchen/Family Room You might think the commanding view of Lake Jackson — along with the occasional bald eagle flyby — is what makes Beth Langford’s kitchen/family room her favorite. But you’d be wrong.

“For 15 years I fed my two children, every morning, right there on those two stools,” she said, pointing to the kitchen’s breakfast bar. “It was the start of every day.”

On a quick tour of the room, she pointed to a casual dining table, saying, “this was homework, this was dinner,” and then says “this was TV,” gesturing in the direction of the comfortable family room. “This is the energy room, the family hub.”

As “very recent” empty nesters with two children in college, the rooms in the Langford’s home are more low key now, but shelves, tabletops and even the kitchen counters are filled with dozens of memories captured in framed snapshots. But Langford isn’t exactly pining away at home. In addition to serving on the boards of several local nonprofit groups, she also stays on the go as national president of Kappa Delta sorority. n

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Samantha Strickland The Nursery

Samantha Strickland knew this was her favorite room even before its occupant moved in.

The nursery was her attempt at nesting when she was expecting baby Sloan. “I would just sit in here and think about what she was going to be like,” said Strickland, who was a vice president at Florida Commerce Credit Union and is now launching a new marketing company, Pea Green Solutions.

She picked and discarded several different ideas until finally settling on the green, black and white color scheme, a motif she felt her daughter, who turns one in January, could grow into.

“We knew we’d be spending a lot of time in here,” she said. “We wanted this room to be serene and calm and just a place to relax.” The most important feature of the uncluttered room (toys are relegated to another part of the house) is the overstuffed beige recliner where Strickland says she spends much of her time rocking Sloan to sleep.

One of her favorite moments is coming into the room first thing in the morning and seeing the baby’s little head pop up out of the crib.

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Mary Maida

The Living Room Signature Gallery owner Mary Maida brings her work home with her.

Art in all different mediums, from painting to sculpture, is displayed throughout the room on shelves and walls, showcasing some of Tallahassee’s most famous artists. In between the fine art are travel mementos, family pieces and pottery the kids made in kindergarten.

“It’s full of a lot of our favorite things,” she said.

The focal point of the room is the large wall creation by local artist Denise Choppin. Fifteen squares of vibrant color pop out from the walls and are the first thing one notices when walking into the living room. “The room is neutral so the art really makes a statement,” Maida said.

When Maida and her husband built the home in 2003, she planned the living room so it would accommodate a blended family of five teenagers, dogs, cats, friends and family.

“It’s definitely the room where we live,” she said.

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home&

GARDEN

CHECK IT OUT

» Green Paint

Let’s face it, green is the new black. As society becomes more environmentally conscious, homes also are evolving to reflect this growing green-shift.

Paint is the foundation of a beautiful space, but it also can contribute to indoor air pollution and create or worsen health conditions. The culprit? Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), toxic solvents that are emitted as paint dries.

The hazardous fumes can emanate from the walls for up to five years even after the strong

odor when it’s still drying has dissipated.

Several companies now offer a safer alternative for those who want to add some color to their homes. “Green” paints have low or no VOCs and are made with ingredients like water, citrus oil and chalk. Although more expensive than conventional interior paints, they come in the same finishes and can last for up to 20 years.

When low-VOC paints were first introduced in the ’90s, “they weren’t so great and painters didn’t like them. It didn’t flow right, didn’t cover

design | tips

well and took extra coats,” reports Mike Flemming, president of Southeast Painting. Over the years, major manufacturers have improved and expanded their lines of environmentally friendly interior paints and now, “they’ve gotten to where it’s hard to tell them apart” from the older versions, he says. “We’re starting to use them by choice rather than being forced to.

Customers request them more and more now — even if they have no reason other than it seems like the right thing to do.” — Janeen Talbott

tTaALLAHASSEE llahassee

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youthful (re)fashion

SIBLING SIMPATICO Moms are finding that designing for kids can be fun and a real creative outlet — even when the sibs are different ages and genders. Shannon Grooters designed this “woodland theme” room for her young daughter and son.

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Whether You’re a Design Diva, a Savvy Shopper or a Tag Sale Maestro, Decorating Your Kid’s Room Can Be Great Fun and a Great Success By Tisha Crews Keller

Photos Courtesy Terri Smith Photo

f

ew things excite a mom more than the chance to decorate her child’s room. Whether that child is 8 months, 8 years, or even 18, the thrill of designing the space is one part retail therapy, two parts nesting and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Some parents approach this with a clear idea of what fits their taste, while others like to veer into uncharted territory in the kid’s room. One thing is unanimous, though.

When it comes to decorating for kids, anything goes!

Ask some basic questions before you put paint to brush. How many children will use the room? What does your child do with her time in the room? Is it for playing or just sleeping? Are there separate television and study areas? How much stuff do you need to store?

What level of (relative) independence can you give your child by putting clothes and other bedroom accoutrement within little arms’ reach?

With pen in hand, answer these thoughtfully — and with your child’s input, if possible. Whatever your plan, it’s a good idea to think about how the room will transition as your child grows and his needs change along the way.

Ready, Set, Decorate!

If your goal is to have the latest in bedroom fashion trends, you may need an expense account. Mary Solomon Moor, an interior designer in Tallahassee, points

out that staying on top of ever-changing design trends is next to impossible.

“Trends change faster than the weather,” she advises.

“First, consider the age of the child. Kids grow out of their stages very quickly — especially once they get to middle school. They are influenced by fast-changing trends.”

Experts agree that choosing one starting place is the key to a unified look. Many parents choose a favorite bedding to anchor the room. Others focus on the paint color — the most visual statement of all. Some like to begin with an accessory that infuses an attractive color palette and simplifies the choices.

As with any decorating project, strategy will be key.

Look at your budget and be strict about it. Some moms really invest in their child’s room, while others believe such transient tastes deserve frugality. There are a few basic ways to get started.

Copy a room: Find your perfect bedroom in a catalog or magazine and then set off in a quest to recreate it.

Look at how the designers coordinated colors and accessories. Notice how much (or how little) they have included storage and knick-knacks.

Start from scratch: Let imagination be your guide.

Pull together fabrics, paint chips, rugs and art that you love and put them together puzzle-style.

Repurpose and reuse: Move furniture from elsewhere in your home (or a tag sale) to update the flow of the tTaALLAHASSEE llahassee

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PINK PERFECTION Even with a shocking shade of pink, Stacy Hartmann chose accents and accessories that amp up the frilly side of her daughters’ room while still capturing her own timeless taste. Family memorabilia like the “Elizabeth’s” collage (inset) pay homage to a child’s lineage and make a kids’ room even more precious.

bedroom and update the look. Think outside the box here: an armoire can become a makeshift dresser or plastic trash cans also double as storage containers.

Photo by Tisha Crews Keller

New Baby Means New Roomie

When Shannon Grooters realized she was pregnant with little Paige, she immediately knew her kids would be sharing a room.

The SouthWood mom had a third bedroom — a second master, in fact — but she was loath to give up the playroom.

“We talked about moving our room downstairs, and then decided that, obviously with a newborn, it’s hard to run up and down the stairs when you’re waking up every two to three hours.”

Since she was going to need the crib her son, Jack, was using, she decided to transition him to a toddler bed and make room for his sister in one swift move. She started

by poring over Pottery Barn Kids and Gap Kids catalogs. While she liked the unifying themes for boys and girls that were offered, most were meant for twin siblings. Finding a crib and toddler bed setup proved to be difficult.

Since she already had a Pottery Barn crib, she went back to the company for matching furniture in the new sibling room, and chose their Catalina collection diaper changing station and twin bed. With the clean lines of the white furniture, she set to choosing a color scheme.

“I knew that green would be a unifying color because it’s gender neutral. So, pink and blue are sort of the gender identifiers in the room and then the green kind of ties it all together.”

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curtains and bedding. On a trip to Gastonia, N.C., her mom found a handful of samples, from which they chose coordinating pastel pink/green and blue/green stripe for the bed skirts and linens. In addition, she reupholstered an antique rocking chair and sewed pillows and the crib bumper in coordinating polka dots and stripes. For the window dressings, they hung French Cleat curtains her mom had done in blackout material.

On a lucky trip to Target, Grooters found adhesive wall art in a “woodland theme” and one very lucky buy — an ottoman done in the same stripe as the custom bed skirt.

The resulting room is bright, airy and the perfect blend of feminine sweetness and toddler boy playfulness. And, Grooters accomplished the shared room for about $800.

Two Peas in a Pod

Like Grooters, fellow SouthWood resident Stacy Hartmann believed her two girls would enjoy being roommates.

“I always wanted to have a sibling in the same room as me. We have girls that are close in age and are the same sex so we wanted them to have that kind of bond and experience growing up.”

So, when her two girls, Abbie, 4, and Kate, 2, were old enough, Hartmann set to designing an ultra-feminine space for her daughters.

Room Sharing: A Guide Putting two kids together has its benefits and challenges. Here are some tips from those in the know about making the buddy system work for you:

» Depending on their ages, your kids may »

»

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need a degree of privacy within the room.

This can be as simple as a reading nook in a corner.

Don’t underestimate personal space.

Consider bunk beds to create a space where your child can create a place of his own. Or think about “zones” in the room where each child can be in command.

Room dividers also help with this issue. A curtain or a bookcase can make delineating personal space easy.

Organization can be a challenge in a shared space. Use color-coding to keep things straight.

“I’m not really a theme person. I just knew I wanted it to look really girly. Because I have two, I can do that. I have the advantage of being able to go crazy girly.”

Crazy girly, she did. The room is a hot, Disney pink that glows like neon. Hartmann, however, tempered that bolt of color with low-key feminine accessories and timeless simplicity.

“Paint color was my starting place.

I knew if the walls were something fun, whatever I did would just enhance that,” she explains. “I always do white linens on all my beds. Some people pooh-pooh that because of stains, but when it’s white you can bleach it. And so we’ve had all the kid messes but those look as new as the day we got them.”

The room includes two identical twin beds framed by teal headboards (scored inexpensively from Wood You) and finished with simple matelassé coverlets.

Above each headboard is its occupant’s monogram, scored from etsy.com. And, in place of a ceiling fan, Hartmann hung a small chandelier that puts the girly factor right over the top.

Hartmann’s most compelling skill is restraint. Her rooms are not cluttered or overdone; she instinctively knows when a room is just so. The girls’ clothes are stored in the closet and in a white armoire — a holdover from the nursery days — and an ultra-comfy glider with ottoman waits for bedtime stories.

Much like Grooters, Hartmann believes the bedroom is for sleep, not play. All of the girls’ toys are stored in the playroom closet and in neat baskets in the living room.

The cost of Hartmann’s girl-crazy room?

About $1,000 for headboards, linens, paint, bed skirts and window dressings.

Tween and Beyond

Tiffiny Hewitt-Brown’s kids have moved past nurseries and toddler rooms. So, when her son, Quinlan, 11, and daughter Aleigha, 13, wanted to update their rooms, she was excited to see their personal styles.

As with most things teen, decorating a room can be a struggle of wills. As a compromise (Quinlan wanted black walls), Hewitt-Brown tried to direct the kids’ choices by looking through catalogs and talking about light and space.

“We compromised with what Mom wanted and what the kids wanted,” her husband, Mike, explained.

“We only let them paint the walls —

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&

Estate

Habitat

UPCYCLED UTOPIA Tween and teen tastes can be a design challenge, but if you go with the flow and explore options together, it’s fun for all. Tiffiny Hewitt-Brown worked with her kids to create funky, personality-driven rooms inspired by yard-sale finds, upscale catalogs and DIY projects.

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» Use no more than three or four colors in the room for a unified look. » Think about the layout of the room and its flow — how will your kids move around the room and what will they be doing in there? » Integrate storage into your design by thinking about your child’s unique organizational skills. » Decide whether you want the space to incorporate toys. » Think about how the room will grow with your child. Experts say it’s

not unusual to redecorate any room every five to seven years, but it’s worth making decisions now that will smooth transitions later.

Photos by Scott Holstein

easiest to change. It’s kind of a give and take,” Hewitt-Brown added. “It’s not whatever they want, but we try to let them have a lot of choice. We are about choice within reason.”

On a trip to Lowes, the kids found storage containers they loved. What resulted is a masculine space with a pop of boyish personality for him — chocolate walls with teal circle appliqués —and a garden of bright flowers for Aleigha.

Having a cabinet-maker dad was a big plus. Both rooms include custom floor-toceiling cabinets for storage, eliminating the need for dressers.

“One of the best things about those rooms is there is so much storage,” Hewitt-Brown said. “They don’t have to edit as much because there is enough room for everything.”

Quinlan’s room is outfitted with a “trap door” that includes a secluded reading space and a secret passage to the attic. This literal hole in the wall is hidden behind a large mirror. As for Aleigha, she asked her dad to copy a swinging bed found in a catalog. A couple of roof truss-cross ties later, her bed is suspended from the ceiling by four chains. This “porch swing” bed frees up the space around, above, and below it, making the room seem even larger than it is.

The Browns are avid furniture recyclers.

Most everything in their beautiful home is repurposed or reclaimed.

“We get things at yard sales and things that people pass on to us,” Hewitt-Brown said. “We also go on Craigslist and find things on the side of the road, too.”

And the family scored great deals to put the finishing touches on the rooms. Rugs from yard sales and Goodwill. Curtains from Target. Mirrors from yard sales. For Aleigha’s birthday, she got many of the accessories in her room.

To add personality to the spaces, Aleigha hung her own photographs on simple black matte board and a corkboard for her ever-changing keepsakes. Quinlan got help from his dad to create a shelf out of skateboards.

The family’s devotion to repurposing paid off. They did both rooms for under $500. Which just goes to show, whether you have a large budget or small, adding style and personality to your kids’ rooms is easier — and more fun — than you think. n

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mind&

BODY

In Focus

» Restless Legs

That strange, crawly sensation in your leg at night isn’t a herd of bedbugs galloping across the covers. More likely, it’s Restless Leg Syndrome.

Restless Leg Syndrome and its next-ofkin, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, are frustrating problems that can be mildly aggravating or emotionally debilitating, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Restless Leg Syndrome itself affects between 5 and 15 percent of the population.

The percentage increases in the elderly, and also if you have kidney problems or have a

relative with the disorder.

“The symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome are a strange sensation in the limbs, a creepy, crawling sensation … that occurs usually later in the evening when laying down or sitting still,” said Dr. Gregory Holt, board certified clinical sleep specialist and owner/director of the Tallahassee Sleep Diagnostic Center.

Periodic Limb Movement disorder, on the other hand, can be described as a series of four or more leg or foot twitches spaced about 20 to 25 seconds apart. Why that hap-

your life | well-being

pens is a mystery, Holt said.

“At times it could be related to iron deficiency, anemia, B-12 deficiency or kidney problems,” he said. “We always do blood work to see if there is a physical cause, but sometimes there’s no reason for it to occur.”

Both conditions can keep you from getting a restful night’s sleep, but can be treated with medication, according to Holt.

Holt said that RLS is diagnosed in a physician’s office but PLM disorder needs to be diagnosed in a sleep lab. — Jason Dehart

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Health

More Than a Bad

Cough Pertussis, or ‘Whooping Cough,’ Is a Potentially Deadly Disease That Can Be Easily Prevented By Angela Howard

A

s parents, we do everything we can to keep our kids safe. We cuddle them and hold them, love them and keep them warm. But those very actions can be dangerous, even deadly, if we carry pertussis.

“We can’t control everything that could happen to our children, but pertussis is one disease where we have options,” said Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, chief medical officer at Capital Health Plan.

More commonly known as whooping cough, the highly contagious respiratory disease is caused by a type of bacteria called bordetella pertussis. According to the 110

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U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the bacteria cling to the tiny cilia — hair-like branches — that line the upper respiratory system. Then the bacteria release germs that harm the cilia and cause swelling or inflammation.

Pertussis is only found in humans and, according to the CDC, symptoms usually develop seven to 10 days after exposure but they can take up to six weeks to present. It can be a difficult infection to spot and reveals itself in three states: Stage 1: The disease starts out like the common cold. It can show with a mild fever, runny nose and slight cough. This stage lasts for one to two weeks.

Stage 2: It brings about violent coughing fits that can make breathing tough. In fact, it’s the labored breathing or whooping that gives pertussis its nickname.

(Think wheezing, phlegmy, smoker-withemphysema kind of cough.) The coughing may also bring about vomiting and exhaustion and can cause blood vessels around the eyes to break. This stage typically lasts for one to six weeks, although it can last up to 10 weeks.

Stage 3: The infected person finally starts to rebound, but bouts of coughing and secondary infections are still possible.

Since the 1980s, the CDC says there’s been an increase in the number of cases in the U.S., especially among 10-19 year olds and infants younger than 6 months old. Some blame the increase on a recent reluctance to vaccinate, but the CDC says the U.S. actually sees periodic epidemics of pertussis every three to five years. The last peak was in 2005 when more than 25,000 cases were reported; 2009 saw nearly 17,000 cases.

A vaccine is available, but for those who do come down with the disease, it can seem to last for an eternity.

“The bacteria attach to the lining of the airway, causing significant changes which persist even after the infection has cleared,” Van Vessem said. “These changes cause the prolonged cough. In China it is referred to as the 100-day cough.”

Who Gets It

Pertussis knows no bounds and thus is present around the globe. The CDC said it is especially prevalent in developing

Early symptoms

» Runny nose » Low-grade fever » Mild cough » A pause in breathing (In infants)

Infants hospitalized with pertussis » Half will have apnea (slowed or stopped breathing) » 1 in 5 will get the lung infection pneumonia » 1 in 100 will have violent, uncontrollable shaking » 1 in 300 will develop a disease of the brain » 1 in 100 will die (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

areas where fewer people are vaccinated and the medical care available to them is sometimes inferior and often harder to come by. For these reasons, millions are infected with pertussis each year, and hundreds of thousands of people lose their lives to the disease.

Yet despite modern medicine and advancements in care, pertussis is not strictly a Third World disease.

“We are seeing scattered outbreaks across the country,” Van Vessem said.

In fact, many areas of the United States have seen outbreaks of pertussis over the past few years, with the West Coast being hit especially hard. According to the California Department of Public Health, more than 6,000 cases were reported in 2010 alone — the largest number reported in 60 years.

In Florida, 314 probable or confirmed cases of pertussis were reported in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics were available from the state Department of Health’s Office of Health Statistics and Assessment. This represents a 33-percent increase over the number of cases reported in 2007 and a 61-percent increase over 2006.

From 1999 to 2008, Florida records show a total of four deaths related to pertussis: one in 2005, one in 2006 and two ttALLAHASSEE allahassee

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Health

DTaP Vaccination Side Effects

Getting diphtheria, tetanus, or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergicreactions. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems (Common) » Fever (up to about 1 child in 4) » Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4) » Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given (up to about 1 child in 4)

These problems occur more often after the fourth and fifth doses of the DTaP series than after earlier doses.

Sometimes the fourth or fifth dose of DTaP vaccine is followed by swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot was given, lasting 1-7 days (up to about 1 child in 30).

Other mild problems include:

» Fussiness (up to about 1 child in 3) » Tiredness or poor appetite (up to about 1 child in 10) » Vomiting (up to about 1 child in 50) These problems generally occur 1-3 days after the shot.

Moderate Problems (Uncommon) » Seizure (jerking or staring) (about 1 child out of 14,000) » Non-stop crying, for 3 hours or more (up to about 1 child out of 1,000) » High fever, over 105ºF (about 1 child out of 16,000)

Severe Problems

(Very Rare) » Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses) » Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness » Permanent brain damage.

These are so rare it is hard to tell if they are caused by the vaccine.

Controlling fever is especially important for children who have had seizures, for any reason. It is also important if another family member has had seizures. You can reduce fever and pain by giving your child an aspirin-free pain reliever when the shot is given, and for the next 24 hours, following the package instructions.

(Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control) 112

January–February 2011

in 2008. Worldwide, the World Health Organization reported an estimated 195,000 deaths due to pertussis in 2008.

Of those infected with the disease, Van Vessem said the youngest are the most susceptible because of their smaller sizes and the fact that their immune systems are not as developed.

“Babies and small children have small airways leading to their lungs,” she said.

“Pertussis causes swelling in those airways, so it is relatively more severe in small people as compared with larger people.”

The CDC said that more than one-half of infants under the age of 1 who get the disease are hospitalized for it. The younger the infant, the more likely he or she will need hospital care. Of those infants who are hospitalized with pertussis, half will have trouble breathing, 1 in 5 will contract pneumonia, and 1 in 100 will die.

The National Institutes of Health also said the whooping sound that signals the disease in many children and teens is often absent in babies ages 6 months and under and adults, which can make diagnosing it in those groups even more difficult.

How It’s Spread

Pertussis is highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person. On the CDC’s “Kid Friendly Fact Sheet,” the “Pertussis Disease Villain” is known as an “air attacker” because it moves through the air until it reaches a person to cling to and infect.

The disease is transferred when a person coughs or sneezes, but the bacteria don’t always have to be passed from person to person directly. The CDC said it can also be passed to someone via a contaminated surface or object — for example, when an infected child coughs or sneezes on a toy, then passes that toy to a friend who plays with it and touches his or her face, or puts that toy directly into his or her mouth.

Surprisingly, parents, older siblings, family members and caregivers are the most likely to pass the whooping cough infection on to the little ones because many teens and adults are not properly immunized against it.

It has been more than 100 years since scientists first identified the bordetella pertussis bacteria in 1906. By the late 1940s, the pertussis vaccine was given regularly.

Van Vessem said the vaccine used to contain whole cells of the inactive pertussis bacteria, but those were found to have

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Health

certain unfavorable reactions, such as erythema — a reddening of the skin — as well as swelling and pain at the site where the shot was given.

“Now, the acellular vaccine is widely available,” Van Vessem said. These vaccines, which do not contain the infected cells, are shown to have fewer adverse side effects.

Prevention

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January–February 2011

For infants as young as 2 months, the CDC recommends the DTaP vaccine; this combo shot protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. “The first three shots are given at two, four and six months of age,” the CDC writes. “The fourth is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and the fifth shot is given before a child enters school at four to six years of age.”

However, Van Vessem said immunizations received as a baby do not give extended protection, so a booster shot is recommended for adolescents and adults.

That booster is called the TDaP and can be given instead of the traditional Td booster. It is recommended for any teen or adult up to age 65.

“In non-immune households, the attack rate is 80 to 90 percent,” Van Vessem said. All children are required to be up-to-date on their vaccinations before starting school. However, Ann Waltz, the immunization nurse for the Leon County Health Department, said those who oppose them for religious reasons can be exempt if a parent and health department administrator sign a religious exempt form. Still, Van Vessem said it only takes one outbreak close to home to send people running to get immunized.

“When I was an internal medicine resident years ago, there was a pertussis outbreak in Wyoming,” she said. “This happened primarily in communities where people had decided not to have their children vaccinated. It just takes seeing one child struggle for air or a child’s death reported in the newspaper to change attitudes overnight.

“The demand for pertussis vaccine was so great in Wyoming that they borrowed vaccine from all the neighboring states,” Van Vessem said. “The previously reluctant parents were desperate to get their children vaccinated when they became fully aware of the risks from the disease. I did not hesitate to have my children immunized.” n

dining

GUIDE

restaurants | food | atmospheres

first course

» FIND YOUR FIBER

Nutritionists suggest we consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day. Unfortunately, the average Joe and Jane consume about half of that amount. Do yourself a favor and resolve to up your fiber intake in January, which is national Fiber Focus month. Not only is fiber necessary for the efficiency of the digestive system, but it also wards off hypertension, coronary heart disease and colon cancers.

Admit it, although most of us would like to be a little more health conscious, fiber isn’t

always appetizing. Obvious sources such as wheat bread, bran cereals and oatmeal can be a little boring after a while — but what if there was a tastier way? Fiber often hides out in places that most people wouldn’t think to look.

Make some popcorn for a TV-watching nosh.

Hold the butter and you’ve got a healthy snack full of fiber and antioxidants.

If you’re in a rush at breakfast, a muffin and a cup o’ joe may be the best way to start your day. Coffee is a great source of fiber.

The grains, fruits and nuts that make muffins so tasty are also doing your gastrointestinal tract a favor.

Other flavorful fiber sources are apples, broccoli, almonds, raspberries, potatoes, baked beans and sunflower seeds.w If you can’t be bothered with gram-counting, try fiber supplements. Powders like Benefiber can be stirred into drinks or used in cooking. Citrucel and other fiber tablets also can be taken daily to maximize your fiber intake. — Janeen Talbott

ttALLAHASSEE allahassee

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January–February 2011

Flavor

Pick Your

Perfect Pizza

By Rosanne Dunkelberger

Photo by Scott Holstein

Adding Up the Things that Create a Pie You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

P

THE MARGHERITA Named for the queen of Savoy, this Neapolitan pizza’s toppings — tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil — mimic the colors of the Italian flag. This slice can be found at Little Italy.

izza just might be the perfect food.

With the right toppings, it hits most of the main food groups. It’s easy to portion, serve and eat. It’s relatively cheap — and really, really delicious.

While the concept of a flavored flatbread goes back to antiquity, the tomato-and-cheese-topped pie Americans are familiar with started out as peasant food in Naples sometime in the 16th century, after Columbus brought tomatoes to Italy. (In an article in American Heritage magazine, food historian Hanna Miller said Sophia Loren, who had grown up thinking of pizza as poor people’s food, pitied Americans when she first came to the U.S. after seeing the proliferation of pizza parlors here.)

Pizza landed in the big cities of the eastern seaboard in the early 20th Century, brought by Italian immigrants who settled there. Its popularity boomed after World War II, sparked by returning soldiers who developed a (Continued on page 121)

ttALLAHASSEE allahassee

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Flavor

Slice by Slice Reviews from around town

Barnaby’s Family Inn

2331 Apalachee Pkwy.

Crust Thin and crispy with a

Brooklyn Pizza 2035 W. Pensacola St.

Crust Just one choice, it’s dry and crispy.

Toppings A lot of variety and oddities such as tempeh, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese.

You Gotta Try The

homemade look.

Sauce Not a lot.

Sauce Excellent. Not overwhelming, but you can taste the spices.

Toppings You’re sure to find one or more you like — there are 32 choices.

Toppings Very generous.

They offer the usuals, plus things like pineapple and tomato slices.

You Gotta Try Supreme Pizza. It’s the favorite of the restaurant’s patrons.

You Gotta Try The

to-go.

Cost (for medium pie) $13.25

Ambience Great location for

Specials two-for-one draft beers from 6-9 p.m., SundayTuesday

pepperoni. It’s the favorite.

Delivery/To Go To go only.

Ambience English pub décor

with a visible kitchen so you can see your pie being made.

Very kid-friendly, with a great game room.

Delivery/To Go Delivery and

college students and faculty.

Outside dining under tents on the patio.

Cost (for medium pie) $8.75 Specials Choose from 10

Cost (for medium pie) $9.89

lunch specials for $6. Also a pizza special every day.

Commentary Comfortable

Commentary A scary-

and familiar, Barnaby’s is still a family favorite — and little ones still get pizza dough balls to play with.

Brickyard Pizza 4819 Kerry Forest Pkwy.

Crust Very light, thin and

buttery.

Sauce A simple, sweet

marinara with basil and garlic.

Toppings Not too generous.

Meat is crumbled rather than chunky.

You Gotta Try Brickyard

looking guy takes your order, but the place gets comfortable.

Service is average, but the pizza is top notch.

Cici’s Pizza

1214 Capital Cir. SE # D Crust Thick and fluffy.

Sauce Moderate amount,

unremarkable flavor.

Toppings Standards, plus exotic choices including buffalo chicken, spinach, mac and cheese and jalapenos.

You Gotta Try The peach

Special. It includes pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, sausage, green pepper and mozzarella.

pizza cobbler.

Delivery/To Go To go only.

Ambience It’s clean. The staff is friendly and kids are welcome.

Ambience Eclectic décor combining antique elements with a workshop and a traditional pizzeria.

Cost (for medium pie) $10 Specials Lunch special, a

slice for $2.50. Also combos with slices and a drink for a special price.

Commentary They serve

beer and wine some unusual toppings like eggplant and pineapple. The afternoon we stopped by, service was really slow.

118

J Ja an nu ua ar ry y –– F Fe eb br ru ua ar ry y 2 20 01 11 1

Delivery/To Go To go only.

Cost (for medium pie) $5.99 Specials Lunch buffet and a drink, $6.97. “Just for Kids” ages 4-10, drink and pizza buffet for $3.99

Decent Pizza 1026 N. Monroe St.

Crust Perfection. Not too

thick, not too thin.

Sauce Slightly spicy, but

pedestrian. The cheese outshines the sauce.

Ben. An olive oil base with gorgonzola, green pepper, red onion, roasted red pepper and pineapple with a garlic parmesan crust.

Delivery/To Go Yes for both.

Ambience Very grungy, like a

bar or tavern.

Commentary Decent serves

vegan pizzas. And salads too.

They also offer large single slices that are less expensive than a full pie.

Leaning Tower Pizzeria and Ristorante 2475 Apalachee Pkwy.

Crust Thin and chewy.

Sauce Minimal.

Toppings 18 “traditional”

choices and 10 “premium” toppings.

You Gotta Try The garlic

rolls!

Delivery/To Go Both.

Delivery Monday-Saturday within a three-mile radius.

Ambience Not much decor and what’s there needs updating.

Cost (for medium pie) $8.99 Specials Thursday Night Special: 16-inch pizza with two traditional toppings.

Little Italy

111-17 S. Magnolia Dr. Crust Thin, crispy and fresh.

Sauce Just the right amount of a mild tomato sauce. You’ll need to add your own spices if you want to perk it up a bit.

Toppings All the standards, or artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes for an extra $2.

You Gotta Try White Pizza,

with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and garlic. It’s very rich.

Delivery/To Go To go.

Ambience Very friendly servers and an nice outdoor dining area with a fountain that makes you feel like you’re in Italy.

Inside is pretty Italian restaurant standard, but it’s quiet.

Cost (for medium pie) $13.10 Specials 15 percent off for everyone on Tuesdays, 10 percent off for students on Mondays.

Commentary The small size

pizza is reasonably priced and perfect for lunch. The quality is the same, no matter when you go.

Red Elephant

1872 Thomasville Rd. 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy.

Crust Thin, with a twisted edge that has a cornmeal crunch.

Sauce Simple and sweet with a hint of oregano.

Toppings Typical meat and veggie options.

You Gotta Try The Santa Fe.

Southwesterrn sauce, chicken, onions, jack and cheddar cheeses, jalapenos, tortilla strips and a sour cream drizzle.

Delivery/To Go To go available, delivery by Capital City Food.

Ambience Very family friendly, with table amusements and a game room for the kids. Music is geared toward the 40-plus crowd. Cool original paintings

by Georgia folk artist John “Cornbread” Anderson.

Cost (for medium pie) $8.99 Specials Lunch Special (actually available all day) onetopping individual pizza, side salad and drink for $7.99.

Commentary Since it’s

opening, Red Elephant has won Best of Tallahassee awards for pizza, casual dining and being kid friendly. The company also generously supports local charitable organizations.

Mellow Mushroom

1641 W. Pensacola St. Crust No variety, just one

fluffy, crispy crust with choice of seasoning or parmesan cheese sprinkled on. It’s good while it’s hot.

Sauce Pretty generous, but be careful when you bite in because it can be hot.

Toppings An abundance of

fresh toppings from a list of more than 20 offerings.

You Gotta Try The House

Special, Mellow Mushroom’s version of the Supreme Pizza.

It’s pretty expensive, but all the ingredients are locally grown.

And the fresh-baked pretzels.

Delivery/To Go To go only. The menu is online at mellowmushroom.com Ambience Convenient

location for students and faculty of all three campuses. Ample inside and outside seating.

Good place to watch a game.

Trippy wall murals incorporate Seminole and mushroom themes.

Cost (for medium pie) $12.10 Specials Lunch and Happy

Cost (for medium pie) $13, but the medium is a huge 16 inches that feeds two to four people.

Specials Lunch special is one slice, two toppings and a drink for $6.40.

Commentary Voted Best of

Tallahassee by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine for pizza in 2010. The slices are colossal.

The best and only way to eat it is to fold it up.

Rummy’s Pizza Pasta & Grill

2887-1 Kerry Forest Pkwy.

Crust Thin, but the texture is

bread-like and soft.

Sauce Very light and plain. Not very salty.

Toppings Some unusual

possibilities such as spinach, pesto, Bradley’s sausage, gorgonzola and feta cheese.

You Gotta Try Spinach

Alfredo Pizza: Fresh spinach, basil, garlic, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Delivery/To Go To go only.

Hour specials daily. Also nightly specials Monday-Thursday and Sunday.

Ambience A sports bar with lots of TVs. Kid-friendly as well, with arcade games.

Commentary The variety of

Cost (for medium pie) $15.49

menu items, food quality, space and young, friendly wait staff make this one of the top pizza spots in town.

Momo’s Pizza 1416 W. Tennessee St. 1410 Market St. Crust Soft and thick.

Photo Courtesy Domino’s Pizza

Ambience A funky hangout place for all ages.

Sauce Plentiful, but not so much that it overpowers the chest.

Toppings Close to 40

Specials Monday-Friday, seven items under $7 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Happy Hour, 4-7 p.m.

Commentary Very good,

solid pizza. And you don’t feel like you overate because of the thin crust.

Surf City Pizza 6753 Thomasville Rd,.

Suite 107

Crust Homemade, always

different toppings. Great for vegetarians and meat lovers.

fresh and baked perfectly.

Gluten free is available.

You Gotta Try The BBQ Chicken Pizza. It’s extremely tasty.

Sauce Just the right amount with a fresh tomato taste.

Delivery/To Go To go.

You Gotta Try Their homemade ranch dressing.

Goes great with pizza and wings.

Delivery/To Go Both.

Ambience Friendly service, convenient parking.

Cost (for medium pie) $6 Specials Tubular Tuesday, buy one, get one 50 percent off.

Wipeout Wednesday, 14-inch one-topping pizza, $7.99 Commentary Great pizza

that’s easy on the budget.

Village Pizza & Pasta

1400-33 Village Square Blvd.

Crust Nicely chewy. Whole wheat crust available for an upcharge.

Sauce Just the right amount, with a nice garlic flavor.

Toppings Generous. Your

best value is to buy the combination pizza specials.

You Gotta Try Florentine Pizza. Fresh mushrooms, spinach, sliced tomatoes, garlic, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Delivery/To Go To go.

Ambience Looking at the wall “frescos” is a delight. The staff is friendly, attentive and happy to accommodate children.

Cost (for medium pie) $14 Specials Kids eat spaghetti and ziti free on Mondays. Daily lunch specials include soup/ salad and garlic rolls.

Commentary

Pizza Nation » Domino’s most

popular day for pizza delivery is Super Bowl Sunday. (Close runner-ups include New Year’s Eve, Halloween and the day before Thanksgiving.) » Pepperoni is Domino’s most popular topping choice. “Generally, you see more cheese pizzas in the Northeast, meat toppings in the Midwest and veggie toppings on the West Coast,” says company spokesperson Chris Brandon.

Sicilian deepdish pizza is also available as well as a full menu of pasta dishes and Italian specialties.

Toppings Fresh toppings and plenty of them. Not greasy.

Compiled by Angela Cundiff, Jason Dehart, Rosanne Dunkelberger, Linda Kleindienst, Brandon Neasman, Lilly Rockwell and Antonio Rosado ttALLAHASSEE allahassee

119

The Pub From Ireland

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120

January–February 2011

Live music Dance Music Provided by Greg Tish/GT Entertainment 37 Draught Beer Taps Two Full bars with spirits, wine and beer Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights Located next door to Finnegan’s Wake 850.298.8092 | Facebook: Fifth-Avenue-Tap-Room 1122 Thomasville Road, Manor@Midtown

Flavor

(Continued from page 117) taste for the local fare while stationed in Italy.

“It’s a food that fits the bill for people on a lot of occasions,” says Kevin Keating, dean of culinary arts at Tallahassee’s Keiser University. “There are so many things about it that work.”

“Born and raised” in New York City, Keating claims that city’s iteration of pizza is the best, calling it the “quintessential street food” whose goodness can be determined “by how much grease you have dripping down your arm.” The Big Apple’s traditional-looking round pie is Neapolitan-style. Chicago’s layered deepdish version, which is served in rectangles,

Lighten Up Your Slice With fiber in the crust, calcium-rich cheese and lycopene-filled tomato sauce, pizza can be a healthful and nutritious meal option. But your choices when ordering can make a huge difference in the ultimate fat and calorie count.

For example, a single slice of a Pizza Hut medium-sized, thin-crust Veggie Lover’s pizza has 170 calories and six grams of fat, according to calorielab.com. The same-sized stuffed-crust Meat Lover’s pizza clocks in at a whopping 410 calories and 17 grams of fat.

For people who want to watch their calorie and fat intake, nutritionist Dr. Freddy Kaye has this suggestion: Start out with a green salad and light dressing on the side. Then, order a marinara pizza — that is, with sauce but no cheese — and load it with vegetable toppings. (For inspiration, Village Inn Pizza & Pasta’s Florentine Pizza has fresh mushrooms, spinach, sliced tomatoes and garlic.) Grab the parmesan shaker and have at it — it punches up the flavor with only 22 calories per tablespoon, he says.

“The salad and pizza will fill you up when a slice won’t do it alone,” Kaye says. “Or, just eat slowly and enjoy the taste without the volume.”

— Rosanne Dunkelberger

Pizza Pairings Wine authority Lee Satterfield, owner of Lee’s Wine Bar in Lake Ella Plaza, offers a few suggestions for pairing libations with pizza. » “A red zinfandel is great, especially with pepperoni,” he says, because the spiciness in both complement each other. If you’re eating a pie topped with earthier flavors like mushrooms, a French pinot noir is a good choice.

“I also love a nice shiraz,” Satterfield says. » Satterfield’s surprise pick is a “nice, dry rosé” because “it’s so cool and helps cut the spice.” » When it comes to beers, he advises, “you don’t want anything too heavy.” Belgian Stella Artois is “a great pizza beer,” or consider Samuel Adams Boston Lager or a pale ale like Sierra Nevada.

is more like Sicilian pizza.

New Yorkers will tell you the city’s water contributes to a perfect crust, and Keating says they aren’t just blowing smoke. “It comes from the reservoir out of the Catskills and Adirondack Mountains.

It’s soft water, which means it has high sodium and low calcium and minerals,” the chef explains. “The dough gets conditioned, and that’s what gives New York pizza its characteristic texture and flavor.”

Pizza crust should also be made from highgluten flour and it should be given “a good workout” to develop the gluten, he says.

New York pizza aficionados also credit wood-fired ovens for their pie’s quality.

It’s not really the wood or the hearth-style oven that creates the proper crust, Keating says. It’s the high temperatures — upwards of 800 degrees — that deserve the credit. At lower temperatures, “the crust doesn’t cook the same way, so you kind of lose out on some of that crispness.”

Pizza sauce is simple, Keating says, “just a basic tomato sauce flavored with oregano, garlic, salt … maybe some bay leaf in there too.” It’s not the ingredients, but the cooking time that makes a super sauce, he contends. “You need to allow the acidity to cook out of the tomatoes.”

He also cautions against too much sauce.

“Spread it out to get that thin coating. Too much sauce ruins the crust.”

A stellar pizza should also feature fresh, not processed, mozzarella cheese, Keating advises.

But when it gets right down to it, figuring out what combination of ingredients adds up to your perfect pizza is up to you. We’ve deconstructed the pies from 13 local restaurants and pizzerias and created a chart to tallahassee

121

dining guide 2010 Best of Tallahassee.........................

Breakfast/Brunch....................................

Lunch......................................................

Dinner.....................................................

Takeout Available...................................

Outdoor Dining......................................

Live Music..............................................

Bar/Lounge.............................................

Reservations...........................................

Credit Cards Accepted............................

Up to $10............................................... $ $10 – $15................................................$$ $15 and up.......................................... $$$

Gourmet Specialty A LA PROVENCE $$$ French. A rich décor and graceful atmosphere creates a memorable dining experience at A La Provence, offering French-Mediterranean cuisine, including Crepes De Mer and Escargot de Bourgogne. A complimentary treat of amuse bouche, a bite-size appetizer, allows chefs to show off their culinary skills to guests. 1415 Timberlane Road. Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri., Dinner 5:30–9:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat. (850) 329-6870 A.J. Sports Bar & Grill $ American. This hangout spot is known for its sandwiches, backyard burgers and flavored wings. Watch sports from one of their 50 flat screens, shoot some pool or play darts, or enjoy happy hour. 1800 W. Tennessee St. 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Mon.-Fri. and noon–2 a.m.

Sat.-Sun. (850) 681-0731 Andrew’s 228 $$$ American and Italian. A chic urban restaurant serving signature blends of creative American and Italian cuisine. Named one of the Top 20 Restaurants in Florida three years in a row by Florida Trend and “Best Romantic Restaurant” by Tallahassee Magazine in 2008. Private rooms are available for banquets and meetings. 228 S. Adams St. 6–10 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 6–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 222-3444.

Andrew’s Capital Grill and Bar $$ American. Andrew’s, a Downtown landmark for 35 years, is an energetic, casual, see-and-be-seen spot.

House favorites include Capital Dip, hamburgers, chicken quesadillas, Mediterranean Pasta, Cedar Plank Salmon and Chicken Fiorentina. Downtown delivery. 228 S. Adams St. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.– Thu., 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; Brunch 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. Sun. (850) 222-3444/Fax (850) 222-2433.

Another Broken Egg Café $$ American. Made-to-order items using the finest ingredients, cooked to your liking. Voted Tallahassee’s best seven times, including the 2010 122

January–February 2011

award for “Best Breakfast and Best Brunch.” Tallahassee’s second location open in Evening Rose at 5740 Austin Davis Ave. 3500 Kinhega Drive.

7 a.m.–2 p.m. Tue.–Sun. (850) 907-3447.

Café Cabernet $$$ Fusion. Café Cabernet has a new chef and a revamped menu. Its palate-pleasing menu offers selections featuring local and fresh ingredients. Relax and unwind with live entertainment, a cocktail, a fine cigar and, of course, a glass of wine from hundreds of selections. 1019 N. Monroe St. 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Mon.– Sat. (850) 224-0322.

CHEZ PIERRE $$$ French. French and Southern hospitality converge at Chez Pierre, which offers gourmet cuisine sure to please when you want to make a good impression.

From the signature Crepes Poulet to delicious grilled duck breast and fresh-ground Australian lamb burgers, the restaurant earned “Best Happy Hour” and Best Outdoor Dining” honors by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine in 2010. Live music accompanies your meal most nights of the week. Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. 1215 Thomasville Rd. (850) 222-0936.

Circa Sushi $$ Japanese. Enjoy delicious Japanese dishes in the fun, modern atmosphere of Tallahassee’s first conveyer belt sushi restaurant. Diners can opt for tableside service and menu selections such as Thai specialities tempura and noodle stir-fry, or they can sit beside the belt and partake of a rotating sushi feast.

Catering available. 2819 Mahan Dr. No. 106. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri.; Dinner 5–10 p.m. Sun.– Thurs., 5–10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 222-4722.

Exquisite Table Service French~Mediterranean Cuisine Private Dining Room & Catering Reservations Available Rated 5 Hats

Mon~Sat, 5:30~9:30pm ~ Sun, 5~9pm ~ Lunch: Mon~Fri, 11:30am~2:00pm

1415 Timberlane Rd. ~ (850) 329-6870 ~ www.AProvence.com

Cypress Restaurant $$$ New Southern. Voted “Best Fine Dining” by Tallahassee Magazine readers in 2010. Sophisticated Southern regional dining in a contemporary, metropolitan setting. Menu features chef-cut fish and aged meats, fresh in-house preparations, comprehensive wine list and full bar. Valet parking available at night. 320 E. Tennessee St. Dinner only Tues.–Sat. Open at 5 p.m. (850) 513-1100.

Food Glorious Food $$$ American. Choose from several savory soups, nearly a dozen salads, and a great selection of sandwiches and pastas with hot entrées that represent a variety of world cuisines. Heavenly dessert concoctions — voted “Best Dessert” in 2010 by Tallahassee Magazine readers — will please even the most discriminating diner.

1950 Thomasville Road. Lunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Mon.–Sat., Dinner 5:30–9:30 p.m. Tues.–Thurs. and Sun., 5:30–10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., Closed Mon. for dinner. Sun. Brunch 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (850) 224-9974.

Georgio’s $$$ American. If George Koikos is in the house, you can count on a visit to your table from him during your meal. His hands-on commitment to quality, food, service and a personal touch have kept his restaurants in business for 44 years. Now with two locations.

3425 Thomasville Road. Opens 5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (850) 893-4161 or 2971 Apalachee Parkway. 4-10 p.m.

Mon.-Sat. (850) 877-3211.

Thanks for voting us #1!

Best Asian

Restaurant/Sushi A modern dining experience.

847-0003 | 1001 N. Monroe St. | www.masatallahassee.com

Tallahassee

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Kitcho Japanese Restaurant $$ Japanese. Its specialty, sushi, was named the best in Tallahassee in 2006. Step inside Kitcho’s Velvet Lounge for a sip or two of sake as you sit comfortably while waiting for your table. 1415 Timberlane Road.

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5:30–10 p.m. Tue.–Fri., 5:30–10 p.m. Sat., 5:30–9 p.m. Sun. (850) 893-7686.

Mockingbird Café $$ Enjoy hand-cut steaks and Gulf seafood along with American regional, Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern dishes in an upscale refined atmosphere.

Food is fresh, locally purchased and seasonal, made from scratch by talented in-house chefs. Diners will also enjoy delicious seasonal desserts, nightly food and drink specials and live music on weekends.

1225 N. Monroe St. Lunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Mon.– Sat., dinner 5:30–10 p.m Mon.-Sat. Bar/lounge 5:30 p.m.–2 a.m. Mon.–Sat. Brunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Sun. (850) 222-4956.

Sushilicious $$ Japanese. Modern Japanese and Thai cooking makes Sushilicious the place to enjoy a culinary trip to the Orient. With a six-page menu of makimono, sashimi and special sushi rolls, sushi lovers have plenty of options. You can also enjoy the red and yellow Thai curries, the deep-fried crispy soft shell crab with tempura sauce or the house shrimp with honey-wasabi sauce. 2915 Kerry Forest Pkwy., Suite 604. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri. Dinner 5–10 p.m. Sun.–Thu., 5–10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 906-0400.

We Have Enjoyed Serving You For A Wonderful 44 Years Then, 1966

Now, 2010

“Your Dining Pleasure is Our Speciality”

Dinner Mon.–Sat. 5pm ’til Private Dining Rooms 10 up to 80

OUR NEW LOCATION (FORMERLY TORREYA GRILL)

2971 Apalachee Parkway 877-3211

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Anthony’s Wood Fire Grill $$ American and Italian. After 26 years in Betton Place, restaurateur Dick Anthony has returned in a new location with a new menu featuring grilled chicken, steak, fish and hamburgers. Italian favorites that made the original Anthony’s so popular have returned on the “First Loves Second Chances” portion of the dinner menu. 1355 Market St. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri., Dinner 5–9 p.m. Mon.– Sun., Brunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun. (850) 224-1447, anthonyswoodfiregrilltallahassee.com AZu — a Lucy Ho’s restaurant $/$$ Asian. Serving Tallahassee since 1970, Lucy Ho’s offers Japanese style cooking with Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Peking and Taiwanese influences.

After nearly four decades, Lucy Ho’s has moved back to the Apalachee Parkway, just east of Capital Circle Southeast, to better serve its customers. Diners will also find a full bar and the freshest sushi. 3220 Apalachee Parkway. Weekdays, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sat., noon–10 p.m.; Sun., noon–9 p.m. (850) 893-4112.

Now With Two Convenient Locations Carriage Gate Center 3425 Thomasville Rd. 893-4161

Dinner Mon.-Sat. 4:30 p.m. ’til Private Dining Rooms 6 up to 55 Happy Hour 4:30–7 p.m.

Specialty

Owner George Koikos

Bella Bella $$ Italian. Cozy home-like atmosphere and authentic homemade traditional Italian food make this a Midtown dining hotspot. Try their famous Bubble Bread and delicious pasta specials. Catering available. 123 E. 5th Ave. Lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri.

Dinner 5–9:30 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 5–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 412-1114. $$ Carrabba’s Italian Grill Italian. The ambiance of the restaurant can romanticize any meal as you sip the best wines around and dine on fresh Italian cuisine. Voted “Best Italian” by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine again in 2010.

2752 Capital Circle NE. 4–10:30 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 4–11:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3–10 p.m. Sun. (850) 297-1100. $ The Crepevine French Fusion. Delicious signature crepes are stuffed with fillings that make them savory or sweet. You can order from the menu, or create your own. Try breakfast-style crepes that are served all day long. The menu at this casual bistro also includes salads and yogurt bowls. 2020 W. Pensacola St., (850) 562-7373; 1304 N. Monroe St., 329-6754. thecrepevine.com $$ EL JALISCO Mexican. With two–for–one margaritas most nights of the week, where can you go wrong? And the food, named “Best Mexican/Latin American” in 2010, is great too. Endless chips and salsa complement any menu item; the chicken quesadillas and beef tamales will keep you coming back for more. Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. 2022 N. Monroe St. (850) 878-0800. 2915-301 Kerry Forest Pkwy. $ Hopkins’ Eatery American. Sandwiches, salads, delicious sweets and more. Once again voted the best place to have lunch by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine in 2010. 1660 N. Monroe St. and 1415 Market St. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. (850) 386-4258, (850) 668-0311. $$ Kiku Japanese Fusion. With a wide selection of sushi rolls and traditional Japanese dishes, Kiku caters to a variety of tastes. 3491 Thomasville Road Suite 12. Open Mon.– Thurs. 11–2:30pm, 4:30–10 p.m., Fri. 11–2:30 p.m., 4:30–10:30 p.m., Sat. 12-10:30 p.m. and Sun. 12–10.

(850) 222-5458. $$/$$$ Kool Beanz Fusion. As winner of Tallahassee Magazine’s 2010 “Best Locally Owned” restaurant, this colorful and casual spot has been serving up gourmet dishes since 1996. Diners can expect delicious modern American cuisine, as well as dishes influenced by the worldwide travels of the kitchen staff. Menus change daily so guests can expect something new with each visit. 921 Thomasville Road. Lunch Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Dinner Mon.–Sat. 5:30–10 p.m. (850) 224-2466. $ LUNA’S ITALIAN FOOD Italian-American. Gourmet deli sandwiches and pasta dishes to take home. Large selection of imported wine, cheeses, sauces and Italian grocery items — plus Italian gelato. 1122 Thomasville Road. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sat. (850) 421-5862. $–$$ Masa Asian Fusion. This sister restaurant to Lucy Ho’s serves up a creative menu with items such as Chilean Sea Bass Wraps with mango salsa, Tropical Fruit Tallahassee

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Happy New Year from The Wine Loft staff !

• Voted BEST wine list 2010 by Tallahassee Magazine • Two full liquor bars • Wednesdays FREE wine tasting 5:30–7:30 pm • Happy Hour every Monday–Friday 5–8 pm • Chic lounge setting • Outstanding small plate menu and desserts • Tallahassee’s only Balcony Bar overlooking Midtown

facebook.com/winelofttallahassee 850.222.9914

Open Mon–Thur 5pm ’til Fri & Sat 4pm–2am

Located at the Orleans@Midtown

1240 Thomasville Rd.

The corner of 6th Ave & Thomasville Rd.

Sweet and Sour Chicken and Japanese tiramisu.

Voted “Best Asian” and “Best Sushi” in by Tallahassee Magazine readers in 2010. Enjoy an extensive selection of wine, beer and sake in a dark, original and casual dining setting. 1001 N. Monroe St. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., Noon–10 p.m. Sunday.

(850) 847-0003.

Melting Pot $$$ Fondue. This restaurant offers a variety of fondues including cheese and chocolate dessert. The Melting Pot earned two “Best of” awards in 2010, for “Best Romantic” and “Best Celebration/Special Occasion” restaurant. 2727 N. Monroe St. 5–11 p.m. Sun.–Thu., 5 p.m.–midnight Fri.–Sat. (850) 386-7440.

Old Town Café $$ American. Southern hospitality is embedded throughout this family-owned restaurant. Mom’s meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans makes you feel like you’re home, not to mention their world famous prime rib, which slowly roasts all day. Timberlane Road. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon. Thurs., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri. and 4-10 p.m. Sat. (850) 893-5741

Southern Cuisine

with fresh, made from scratch entrées,vegetables and desserts.

Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar $$$ Japanese. Known for its sushi, but also serves a variety of dishes including chicken, steak and seafood that earned Osaka the 2006 award for “Best International Restaurant.” 1690 Raymond Diehl Road. 5–10 p.m. Sun.–Thu., 5–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 531-0222. Private parties.

Po’ Boys Creole Café $ Creole. Specializes in Po’Boy sandwiches, jambalaya and gumbo and named 2010 “Best Cajun” restaurant by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine. 224 E. College Ave. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun. (850) 224-5400 and 1944 W. Pensacola St. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun. (850) 574-4144. 1425 Village Square Blvd. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.– 10 p.m. Sun. (850) 906-0020. Catering available.

Sakura $$$ Japanese. Sleek interior design mixed with amazing dishes equals a spectacular meal experience. This new and exciting Japanese cuisine rewards not only your taste buds but also your eyes with its beautifully prepared dishes of sushi and other traditional Japanese fare. 1318 N. Monroe St. Lunch 11:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Mon.–Sat. Dinner 5–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 5–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 4:30–10 p.m. Sun. (850) 222-9991.

A Tallahassee tradition since 1985 Full Service Catering 3196 Merchants Row Blvd. Ste. 110 • 692-3491 • 692-3492 (SouthWood Town Center) Breakfast & Lunch 7 am–3 pm Mon–Sat • Sunday Brunch 7 am–1 pm 1812 S. Monroe st. • 224-7090 • (located inside Henry’s Meats) Breakfast & Lunch 6:30 am–3 pm Mon–Fri 7 am–noon Sat (Breakfast only) 126

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THE WINE LOFT Wine Bar $$ American. Enjoy delicious items off the small plate menu and a vast selection of wines in a chic, sophisticated atmosphere downstairs or on the balcony overlooking Midtown. The Wine Loft boasts a generous array of more than 50 wines by the glass and more than 70 by the bottle that earned it “Best Wine List” honors in 2010. The Wine Loft has two full liquor bars and Tallahassee’s only balcony bar. 1240 Thomasville Road. Open 5 p.m. Mon– Thu., 4 p.m.–2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. (850) 222-9914. thewinelofttallahassee.com

Family five Guys $ Burgers. A newcomer to the local dining scene, Five Guys was a quick hit with the readers of Tallahassee Magazine, who named its burgers the best in 2010.

Serving up made-to-order burgers and hot dogs with your choice of Cajun or home-style fries, it’s no wonder this restaurant has customers coming back for more. 1872 Thomasville Road. Mon.–Sun. 11 a.m.– 10 p.m. (850) 597-7514 Earley’s Kitchen $ American Southern. For 33 years, Earley’s has been dishing up “good ole Southern” country cooking for breakfast and lunch at its restaurant inside Henry’s Meats. A second location now open in SouthWood will be serving fried chicken, pork chops, made-fromscratch vegetables, desserts and more, as well as a few extra Savannah-style dishes like shrimp and grits. The SouthWood restaurant also serves a Sunday brunch buffet. At the 1812 S. Monroe St. location: Mon.–Fri., 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sat. (breakfast only) 7 a.m.–noon. (850) 224-7090. The SouthWood location at 3196 Merchant’s Row Blvd.: Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.–1 p.m. (850) 692-3491.

THE BEST LITTLE STEAKHOUSE IN TALLAHASSEE

MOMO’S $ Pizza. Boasting the largest pizza you’ll find in Tallahassee — and possibly the Southeast — Momos offers big flavor that’s gotten a “Best of” award in 2010 along with size. Fill yourself up with a slice for yourself or order a pie to share. Now with two different locations: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. 1410 Market St. (850) 412-0222 and 1416 W. Tennessee St. (850) 224-9808.

Red Elephant PIZZA AND GRILL $ American. Enjoy a fresh, fast and filling meal that will satisfy your taste buds and wallet. The casual atmosphere is perfect for social gatherings with friends and family. 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy Suite C-3., Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.– 10 p.m. 1872 Thomasville Road Suite A., Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Fri. Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Kerry Forest (850) 668-7492. Midtown (850) 222-7492.

Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q $ Barbecue. Enjoy Sonny’s “feel good” barbecue and special sauces. Voted “Best Barbecue” in 2010. 3101 Dick Wilson Blvd., 2707 N. Monroe St. and 1460 Timberlane Road. All locations 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.– Thu., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Dick Wilson Blvd. (850) 878-1185, N. Monroe St. (850) 385-2167, Timberlane Road. (850) 906-9996. Catering available.

Wing Stop $ Wings. Declaring themselves the “wing experts,” Wing Stop offers freshly made wings sauced and tossed in a choice of nine flavors. Savor something sweet with the Hawaiian sauce or something zesty with the Hickory Smoked BBQ. 1964 W. Tennessee Street, 3111 Mahan Drive, 6668 Thomasville Rd., All locations 11 a.m.–midnight Tennessee St. (850) 574-9464, Mahan Dr. (850) 942-9464, Thomasville Road (850) 219-9464.

2010

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Join us for lunch and dinner at our beautiful new 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.

F

MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAK HOUSE

2705 Apalachee Parkway | Tallahassee, FL | (850) 270-9506 Tallahassee

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food bites

Shula’s Spinalis ribeye

Our recommendations from the menus of Tallahassee’s finest eateries.

SANDWICH | Midtown Filling Station

The Dang Hippie sandwich starts off with crispy fried eggplant on a Cuban loaf that is stacked high with vegetarian-friendly fixin’s including alfalfa sprouts, hummus, tomatoes, feta cheese, onions, roasted red peppers, sliced cucumbers and Greek dressing. It’s a lot to get your mouth around, but mighty tasty and filling. $8

If you’re looking for a exceptional cut of steak that will melt in your mouth, try Shula’s Spinalis ribeye. It’s a perfectly marbled 7-ounce cut of steak grilled to perfection and served on a bed of sautéed portabella mushrooms and topped with tobacco onions and a drizzle of balsamic. You can choose two sides. May we suggest the grilled asparagus and red mashed potatoes? $35

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LUNCH | Mad About Food

For those chilly winter days, nothing beats the warmth that comes from a serving of hot homemade soup or a piece of creamy homemade quiche. You can find both at Mad About Food, which is known for offering customers a wide variety of specialty quiches, including chicken parmesan, spinach artichoke and tomato, basil and mozzarella. $4.57

DESSERT | The Cake Shop

Cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat and The Cake Shop has 15 varieties on display every day. You can indulge in a few perfect bites of Red Velvet or Mint Chocolate, but there’s something simply satisfying about the plain vanilla with buttercream icing. $2

Photo by Scott Holstein

ENTRÉE | Shula’s 347

Dining Guide

VILLAGE PIZZA AND PASTA $$ Pizza/Pasta. Made-from-scratch New York-style pizza is a favorite at this casual Italian spot, but its mouthwatering pastas with secret marina sauce are close behind. One of its most popular choices, the Village Special, includes enough fresh toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, broccoli and mozzarella, to satisfy any pizza lover. Not to mention homemade garlic rolls — they’re addictive! 140033 Village Square Boulevard. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.– Sun. For catering call (850) 893-9001.

Authentic Mexican Restaurant 2010

TWO LOCATIONS

2022 N. Monroe St. (850) 878-0800 NEW LOCATION!

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2915-301 Kerry Forest Pkwy.

(850) 668-1002

Steak/seafood BONEFISH GRILL $$$ Steak/Seafood. Although a chain, Bonefish works hard to make each restaurant—and each meal— unique with an array of seafood and sauces that can be mixed and matched to diners’ tastes. The restaurant earned 2010 “Best of Tallahassee” honors for its appetizers (Can you say Bang Bang Shrimp?) and the star of its menu, seafood. Mon.–Thurs. 4–10:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 4–11:30 p.m., Sun. 4–10 p.m. 3491 Thomasville Rd. (850) 297-0460.

Harry’s Seafood $$ Bar & Grill Cajun. A New Orleans dining experience you won’t soon forget! Delicious Creole cuisine, fresh seafood and steaks, rich pastas, sensational salads and more. “Great Food, Great Service; Good Value, Good Times.” 301 S. Bronough St. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Thu.– Sun., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. (850) 222-3976.

Marie Livingston’s $$$ Steakhouse Steak. This restaurant specializes in steak — named Tallahassee’s “Best Steakhouse” in 2010 — but also serves seafood such as shrimp and fish. Marie Livingston’s has moved to a new location with a sophisticated decor, but the quality and value remain the same. 2705 Apalachee Parkway. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri. Dinner 5 p.m. daily (850) 562-2525. $$ PARADISE GRILL & BAR Seafood. This Tallahassee favorite offers a wide variety of fresh seafood, including Maryland crabcakes, seafood gumbo, fried shrimp and oysters, conch fritters and more. The 2008 winner for “Best Bar” in town. Live entertainment Friday nights. 1406 N. Meridian Road. Open 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Mon.– Tue., 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Wed.–Thu., 11:30 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri., 4:30–10 p.m. Sat. Closed Sunday (850) 224-2742. Accepts local checks. Catering available. $$$ Shula’s 347 Steak. The legendary Miami Dolphins’ head coach brings his philosophy for winning football games — the quest for perfection — to the dining table at his namesake restaurant, located in the newly refurbished Hotel Duval. Keep it light and casual with Premium Black Angus Beef burgers or a gourmet salad or opt for one of their signature entrées — “Shula Cut” filet, New York strip or Cowboy steaks. Reservations are suggested. Sun.,–Thurs., 5–10 p.m.; Fri.– Sat. 5–11 p.m. 415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005 n

“We’ve moved to a new location” GRAB ‘N’ GO features reasonably priced, delicious frozen meals already prepared for you.

WALK-IN SPECIALS every Friday and Saturday. Call For Details.

WE ALSO CATER breakfast, lunch or dinner — From an office lunch for 8 people to a wedding of 300.

2010

Thank you for voting us Best Carryout/ Gourmet To Go!

2785 Capital Circle NE 576-4488 • www.yoursecretpantry.com Tallahassee

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The Last Word

10 AUSTIN

Not Quite Love at First Sight Or, How an Austin Expat Finds Romance and a New Town to Call Home By Lilly Rockwell

I

t was a Super Bowl Sunday, and my father and I were on the last stretch of a cross-country drive on Interstate 10 from Texas to Florida. I was 21 and had abandoned my last semester of college for an internship in a city I knew nothing about: Tallahassee.

We found our exit and cruised down an empty Tennessee Street, past shiny car lots, an eerily quiet Florida State University campus, and onto Monroe Street and the white columns of the old state Capitol building. I turned to my father and asked incredulously, “Is this it?”

I couldn’t believe the tiny four-block area of darkened two-story buildings could possibly be the city’s downtown.

Where were the people, bars, clubs, shopping and restaurants?

I was born and raised in Austin — Texas’ capital city, and a thriving metropolis of 1.7 million people known for its nightlife, dining, internationally acclaimed music scene, unique culture and bustling downtown.

Austin has Sixth Street, a six-block stretch of bars and clubs known for its eyebrow-raising debauchery. Tallahassee has three bars on West Tennessee Street.

Austin’s South Congress Avenue is

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a beacon of shopping, restaurants and boutique hotels that A-list celebrities frequent.

Tallahassee’s North Monroe Street has strip malls, car repair shops, sports bars and the occasional good restaurant.

I spent four months reporting on the 2005 legislative session for the Florida Times-Union. By the end of my internship, I had secured a Tallahassee boyfriend, but leaving town in May to move back to Texas, I privately swore I would never live in boring Tallahassee again.

Four years later, I’m on another Interstate 10 road trip from Texas, this time with my mother behind me driving a U-Haul. My Tallahassee boyfriend is now my Tallahassee husband, and he did what Florida governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist could not: convinced his wife to move to Tallahassee full time.

My first morning as a permanent Tallahassee resident, I woke up with tears in my eyes, thinking about all the reasons why my new hometown was lacking.

I ran almost daily on Austin’s popular hike-and-bike trail, which outlines the river that winds through downtown Austin and offers pause-worthy views of the Hill Country and the skyscrapers of downtown. There are also amenities

such as free water stations, bathrooms and nearby restaurants for a post-run margarita.

In Tallahassee, I was facing a humid run, lugging a heavy water bottle along a gray sidewalk with views of the traffic on Capital Circle.

The city didn’t have my favorite clothing store (Anthropologie) or a running store. I missed the sweeping vistas of Austin’s Hill Country. Many local running races were poorly attended and lacked volunteers or cheering spectators.

Trail running left me unsettled. I felt as if I was on the brink of being kidnapped.

My favorite bands never traveled to Tallahassee, there were no large music festivals, and finding a place to watch a Texas Longhorns game on TV is next to impossible. Don’t even get me started on Tex-Mex, and the appalling lack of breakfast tacos, good queso or horchata. (Note to Mexican restaurants: just melting cheese is not queso.)

But as the months wore on, my perspective began to change. We bought a house in SouthWood, a neighborhood I love, with plenty of running trails and a large park. There was no Hill Country, but there were tall trees dripping with Spanish moss. I discovered Urban Thread, a store that sells catalog returns from Anthropologie. A new running store called Capital City Runners opened in October.

I accepted that while Tallahassee’s races were smaller and had fewer volunteers, that also meant I actually had a shot at placing in my age group!

I got third place in my age group at the Wakulla Springs 5K and second at the Tails and Trails 10K. I learned to love Tallahassee’s local cuisine. There may not be Tex-Mex, but Bella Bella has its bubble bread, Samrat makes a mean Tofu Matar and Riccardo’s pizza is divine.

Once I got over my fear of kidnapping, I learned to appreciate the beauty of the sky-kissing trees, peace, tranquil-

Illustration by Saige Roberts

TALLAHASSEE