Tallahassee Magazine- September/October 2015

THE MEDICAL ISSUE: 7 STORIES OF REGIONAL HEALTH CARE

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TALLAHASSEE’S GRANDE DAMES OF REAL ESTATE THE STREET WHERE HALLOWEEN HAPPENS TIME TO GET COMPANY READY PUMPKIN IS THE FLAVOR OF FALL

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVES FAMU’s Elmira Mangum and FSU’s John Thrasher Reflect on Their First Year at the Helm

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A HEALTHY LIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE.

TMH.ORG

AND YOUR HEALTH MEANS EVERYTHING TO US.

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TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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T a l l a h a s s e e

Plastic Surgery Clinic & Physicians’ Skin Care Clinic established 1978 » Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Eyes & Nose » Cosmetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery - Reduction, Lifts & Breast TAugmentation a l l a h a s s e e » Body Contouring - Tummy Tucks, Liposuction & Body Lifts » Fat Grafting for Face & Body » Laser Hair Reduction & Laser Skin Rejuvenation » Botox & Injectable Dermal Fillers » Medical Skin Care, Facials, Chemical Peels, Lipo Massage & Skin Care Products » Permanent Make-Up & Eyebrow/Eyelash Tinting

Plastic Surgery Clinic & Physicians’ Skin Care Clinic

(850) 877-2126 | TLHPlasticSurgery.com Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. We accept most insurance plans. Financing Plans available.

6 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Our board certified plastic surgeons Providing the latest techniques and procedures since 1978

Larry L. Harper, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Larry Harper joined Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic in 2000. His special areas of practice include breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction and thigh lifts as well as reconstructive surgery. Dr. Harper graduated from Florida State University in 1987 and received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. In 1996, he completed his general surgery residency at the University of South Alabama Medical Center followed by a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Harper is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the esteemed American College of Surgeons. Dr. Harper is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Alfredo A. Paredes, Jr., M.D. Dr. Alfredo Paredes, Jr., is a board certified plastic surgeon whose interests are cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, facial surgery, and body contouring. Dr. Paredes attended college on a merit scholarship at Emory University, where he graduated first in his class. He attended Emory School of Medicine on another merit scholarship (the prestigious Woodruff Fellowship) and graduated with honors. In 2003 he completed his plastic surgery residency at Emory University and then joined Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic. Dr. Paredes is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He recently served as president of the Capital Medical Society and serves on other professional boards in Tallahassee.

Jeffrey M. Rawlings, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Jeffrey Rawlings received an undergraduate degree from Auburn University. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia where he stayed to complete residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery. He then accepted a position at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He received training from internationally recognized surgeons in areas of endoscopic plastic surgery, oculoplastic surgery, breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast surgery, body contouring and microvascular surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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All the things that make a house a home make us far more than a store.

Hearth & Soul offers Tallahassee a new place to discover the finer things in life within a cozy, curated setting where you’re invited to gather, connect and acquire amongst friends.

Open 8am - 6pm | Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm | Sat 12pm - 5pm | Sun

Open September 1 1410 Market Street hearthandsoul.com 850.894.SOUL 8 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

»contents VOLUME 38, NUMBER 5

features

118 Views from the Top We’re sitting down with President John Thrasher of Florida State University and President Elmira Mangum of Florida A&M University to catch up after their first year on the job.

FSU MEDICAL SCHOOL/BILL LAX

128 Medicine in Tallahassee This feature package is designed to paint the “big picture”story of the state of local medical care through seven stories, including a look at what Boomers can expect when they turn 65, the latest offerings from local hospitals and personal stories of cancer treatment and its aftermath.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»contents VOLUME 38, NUMBER 5

departments

96

162

life

style

culture

26

SNAPSHOT The street where ghouls gather.

29

PARENTHOOD Taking the candy out of Halloween treats.

31

CHAT The young violin virtuoso.

33

CLICK Virtual money with real value.

35

DECONSTRUCTION What gets your blood pressure up?

36

PERSONALITY The musical times of Scott Carswell.

42

GREAT OUTDOORS Shooting wildlife — with a camera.

51

LIFE FEATURE Plants and animals we can live without.

57

LOOKING BACK Homes as hospitals in Civil War times.

63

AGENDA Awards, promotions and more.

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MIND AND BODY Think about meditation for your health.

73

TRENDS Choosing the best jeans for your body.

75

DÉCOR It’s a color.

It’s a metal. It’s back in your home.

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81

96

HABITAT Guests are coming. Are you ready?

MS. GROW-IT-ALL Wise

ways to water.

GETAWAYS A different kind of ski trip.

198 food

162

SPOTLIGHT Adorable Alert: Pups in the Pool.

165

THE ARTS Playing for the love of music.

198 ON THE MENU Coffee and a bite at the Catalina cafes.

168 CALENDAR So much to do in fall’s social season.

185

SOCIAL STUDIES Sizzling

summer events.

189 THE BUZZ Good times — and the people who were there.

192

FLAVOR Tasty dishes from around the world.

203 ON YOUR TABLE Are you ready for some pumpkin?

206 DINING GUIDE Great places to eat around town.

in every issue 18 Publisher’s Letter 20 Editor’s Letter 23 Contributors 24 Feedback 210 The Last Word

On the Cover

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TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Florida State University President John Thrasher was a loyal FSU supporter and alumni. Elmira Mangum was the first nonFlorida A&M University-affiliated president in decades. We take a look at the accomplishments of their first year as leaders of their respective universities. Photo by Lawrence Davidson.

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON (75, 198), TRISIN KROENING (162), RYAN HEFFERNAN (96)

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CANCER

THE U.S. POPULATION DIAGNOSED WITH IT WOULD FILL DOAK CAMPBELL STADIUM NEARLY 19.5 TIMES. But since 1991, the 5-year death rate for all cancer types has fallen nearly 20%. This success is no accident.

It’s driven by relentless research, new therapies, early detection and better patient care.

Viralkumar Bhanderi, MD • Paresh Patel, MD • Scott Tetreault, MD 1600 Phillips Road, Suite 300 | (850) 877-8166 | FLCancer.com | 2626 Care Drive, Suite 200 | (850) 219-5830 1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2015. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2015.

2. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Clinical cancer advances 2015. CancerProgress.net website. http://cancerprogress.net/cca/clinical-cancer-advances-2015. Accessed June 6, 2015

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»contents VOLUME 38, NUMBER 5

special sections

- a boutique like no other

Over 4,000 square feet · Contemporary · Evening Plus Size · Jewelry · Gifts · Swimwear

1817 Thomasville Road · 850.999.6105 (Whole Foods shopping center) SHOP ONLINE! · WalterGreenBoutique.com

84 Deal Estate Hear

the wisdom of five women who have sold real estate in Tallahassee for three decades or more. Plus, a profile of the popular in-town neighborhood Waverly Hills.

101 Visit the Beach

Summer is over and it’s just the time to explore Florida’s beautiful coast. No crowds, off-season prices, lots of fun events and cooler temperatures … insiders know it’s the best time of year to enjoy Northwest Florida’s beach communities.

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

144 Medical Profiles

Here’s your chance to learn about health care professionals in and around Tallahassee and the life-enhancing services they provide.

MEDICAL PROFILES WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? IF YOU SAY GOOD HEALTH, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

In this special section, Tallahassee Magazine fills you in on dedicated health professionals, their practices and their plans for keeping you healthy. Here they discuss their specialized skills, backgrounds and how they can help you with your important health care decisions.

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177 TMH Foundation

Terese Combs is a wife, mother, CPA, carrier of the BRCA2 genetic mutation, cancer survivor — and 2015 Cards for a Cure honoree.

Plus, stories of fundraising success.

next issue WalterGreenStyle WalterGreenBoutique

Best of Tallahassee Winners Holiday Gift Guide SPECIAL PROMOTION

12 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES FALL 2015

SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 1

World Premiere: Urban Bush Women - Walking With ‘Trane OCTOBER 27

NOVEMBER 5

Anaïs Mitchell

Film - Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

OCTOBER 13

Film - Shorts by Filmmaker Ian Samuels

The Barefoot Movement

OCTOBER 15

OCTOBER 24

Film - Movement and Location

Edgar Meyer & Christian McBride

DECEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 10

NOVEMBER 21

NOVEMBER 24

Kate Davis

Gil Shaham, Violin

Bill Frisell Trio

Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 15

SEPTEMBER 17

Tallahassee Broadway Series

850.644.6500 openingnights.fsu.edu

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»all access ONLINE

tallahasseemagazine.com EXTRA CONTENT ONLINE ONLY

SERVING UP THE GOOD STUFF

VIDEO

Join the Club!

Text TMAG to 20673. Or visit tallahasseemagazine.com and look for the Top of the Town logo to sign up for special promotions, events and exclusive offers. (Text STOP any time to opt out.)

Check our website to see how you can sign up for promotions and offers from these local businesses: ▪ Aloft ▪ Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning ▪ Bob’s Auto Repair & Collision Center ▪ Hotel Duval ▪ Miller’s Ale House

14 September–October 2015

▪ New Leaf Market Co-op ▪ Orangetheory Fitness ▪ Polished ▪ REMACC

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

▪ ResortQuest by Wyndham ▪ Sparkle by Madison ▪ Tallahassee Downtown ▪ Tallahassee Museum ▪ Walter Green

SPECIAL PROMOTION

CARLIN TRAMMEL

We are pouring out online content for the September/ October issue with two new videos including Catalina Café and Top Singles. Whether you are a hot coffee sipper in the morning or an iced coffee, pick-me-up fanatic in the afternoon Catalina Café is a go-to for many Tallahassee residents. We went behind the scenes at Catalina Café’s newest location to watch the process of how beans are roasted and how each cup of joe is prepared. Relive the hottest event of the year, 2015 Tallahassee Top Singles! Watch the fun unfold as Tallahassee’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes strutted their stuff in the name of charity.

#TMAGSELFIE Admit it, we all take selfies. Why not include Tallahassee Magazine the next time you have the urge to selfie?

Whether it’s in your mailbox, at your doctor’s office or out and about town, grab a copy, take a photo and caption it with #TMAGselfie for your chance to be featured right here on our online page.

@muchomoore takes a #TMAG selfie at Fuel A Salon.

PRESENTED BY

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE BEST

OCTOBER

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6:30 PM

The Edison Restaurant @ Cascades Park The 16th annual Best of Tallahassee event, celebrating the community’s best of the best, voted by the Capital City. The winning businesses from more than 100 categories will be announced live throughout the evening, with an exclusive release of the November/December Best of Tallahassee issue of Tallahassee Magazine.

NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Come enjoy decadent fare by renowned Chef John Minas of The Edison Restaurant, specialty cocktails, live auctions, live music and more!

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT: TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM/BEST-OF-TALLAHASSEE-EVENT

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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Organic Nail Spa

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE President/Publisher

BRIAN E. ROWLAND EDITORIAL Director of Editorial Services STEVE BORNHOFT

for d e h s i l o e!

P m t a e g G g i b the

Editor ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER Senior Staff Writer JASON DEHART Staff Writer CHAY D. BAXLEY Contributing Writers ELVIN C. BELL SHELBY BOUCK MARINA BROWN JENNIFER IRELAND LINDA KLEINDIENST ROCHELLE KOFF JACK MACALEAVY REBECCA PADGETT SANDI POREDA AUDREY POST ZANDRA WOLFGRAM Editorial Interns CASEY FEINDT KIYO KAWAGUCHI PAIGE SNEED ARIANNA THEOMAN

1854 Thomasville Road (next to Red Elephant in Midtown) (850) 224-8778 • Appointments available • Walk-ins welcome

Production Specialist MELINDA LANIGAN CREATIVE Creative Director LAWRENCE DAVIDSON Production Manager/ Network Administrator DANIEL VITTER Senior Art Director SAIGE ROBERTS Art Director JENNIFER EKRUT

To have & to hold

850-385-7363 blossomsflowers.com 541 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee (Walker Building)

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TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Publication Designers SHRUTI SHAH REBECCA TAYLOR Advertising Designers JILLIAN FRY AMANDA HARTSFIELD Contributing Photographers NATHON ABBOTT DAVE BARFIELD MARINA BROWN MATT BURKE LAWRENCE DAVIDSON TIM DONOVAN JENNIFER EKRUT SHANNON GRIFFIN RYAN HEFFERNAN SCOTT HOLSTEIN KEVIN HUBBARD TRISTIN KROENING BILL LAX KAY MEYER

AMBER O’CONNELL BRIAN PROCTOR SAIGE ROBERTS LOGAN STANFORD RAY STANYARD MARK WALLHEISER

SALES, MARKETING AND EVENTS Director of Sales and Marketing MCKENZIE BURLEIGH Director of New Business DANIEL PARISI Advertising Services Coordinator LISA SOSTRE Account Executives BESS GRASSWICK LORI MAGEE WILL PATRICK LINDA POWELL PAULA SCONIERS ALICE WATTS Sales and Marketing Assistant CHRISTIE GREEN Events and Special Projects Coordinator LEIGHA INMAN Corporate Client Liason SARA GOLDFARB OPERATIONS Staff Accountant JOSH FAULDS Accounting Assistant TABBY HAMILTON Administrative Assistant CARYN NELSON Receptionist LISA SNELL WEB Digital Services Manager CARLIN TRAMMEL Digital Services Coordinators JENNIFER IRELAND REBECCA PADGETT Digital Services Producer CHELSEA MOORE SUBSCRIPTIONS One Year (6 issues) is $30 CALL (850) 878-0554 OR GO ONLINE TO TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM Single copies are $3.95 PURCHASE AT BARNES & NOBLE, COSTCO, BOOKS-A-MILLION, WALGREENS AND AT OUR MICCOSUKEE ROAD OFFICE

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 September 2015 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.

© 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET

YOUR JEWELRY ISN’T JUST JEWELRY IT’S A SET OF WINGS FOR YOUR IMAGINATION. YOUR FLIGHTS OF FANCY. PLAYFUL ONE MINUTE. MAJESTIC THE NEXT. WHERE WILL YOU SOAR TODAY? SHARE THE #ARTOFYOU AND EXPLORE AT ESTORE-US.PANDORA.NET SHOWN: ARTFUL FEATHERS IN .925 STERLING SILVER AND HAND-SET PAVÉ

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TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»from the publisher

One of the absolutely great parts of doing our jobs is the opportunity to collaborate as a team to come up with new ideas and bring them to fruition.

Ideas may come in the form of an innovative story concept; the development and execution of one of the many images we present in each issueofamagazine;creativepagedesignwherebywemeldimagesandwords together; a captivating brand ad for one of our advertisers; or a promotional project that engages the advertising community and leads it to make an investment.The opportunity to create is an inspirational force that leads the 40-member RPI team and me to greet each new day enthusiastically. It is energizing and fun. It’s what we do — and do quite well.

Events as a component of our business all started 15 years ago with our signature classic — “Best of” — which has developed into a brand of its own and has been emulated by many. We then created Top Singles in Tallahassee and Top Salons in Tallahassee and on the Emerald Coast. All have a charitable aspect to them and serve to bring people together in one place on one day to celebrate and interact with old and new friends.

Soon, RPI had reached the point where we had to create a new Events Department and hire a full-time professional dedicated to handling the many moving parts of planning and execution. We found the perfect fit in Leigha Inman, whose focus on excellence and advancing the RPI brand is laser sharp. In 2014, we added 850 Magazine’s Northwest Florida Pinnacle Awardstooureventslineupasavehicleforrecognizingoutstandingwomen in leadership positions in our region.

Currently,wearebirthinganewconcept:TallahasseeMagazine’sCitizensof Style. Event particulars are in the works, but here’s the concept, one that will have community leaders stepping out onto the runway …

Wearelookingfor10maleresidentsandalikenumberoffemaleresidents for whom “style” is an important consideration in their life and who are willing to commit to a three-month fundraising effort benefitting a charity of their choosing.They will host dinners and approach friends and other associates seeking donations.

All of this activity will culminate in an evening event at which the Citizens of Style, outfitted by sponsors with lots of sartorial expertise, will be showcased. The date and venue for the event, which will be held in 2016, will be determined soon. For sure, we will secure a location that will accommodate hundreds of folks who will reward the 20 Citizens of Style with their applause as fundraising totals and benefiting charities are announced.

Our top photographers will be there and the top male and female fundraisers will be presented on the cover of Tallahassee Magazine. All of the Citizens of Style will figure in a showcase of 10-12 photos from the runway that will appear inside that issue.

As always, we’re striving to create an event that will be gratifying for the participants, fun for the audience and sponsors and of real benefit to deserving organizations.

Have a Citizen of Style to suggest? Email me at browland@rowlandpublishing.com with a brief description of your nominee. And be watching for more information about the Citizens of Style event night. It’s an occasion you are sure to want to support.

Brian Rowland, Publisher browland@rowlandpublishing.com

18 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

SCOTT HOLSTEIN

We’ve Come Up with Another One

Š2015 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.

It's done what no luxury car has done.

Be a Porsche.

The first true sports car that s also a luxury sedan. Step on the accelerator and best in class performance and handling is undeniably present. But now, there s a new source of exhilaration executive class comfort. Elegantly crafted leather seats, a remarkably spacious cabin and a sleek ascending center console. With an endless amount of customization options. In short, the world s most thrilling contradiction. Experience it for yourself, with a test drive.

The Porsche Panamera.

Contact Michael Ludes for your private demonstration mludes@crowncars.com or (850) 205-1710

Capital Eurocars 3963 W. Tennessee St. Tallahassee FL 32304 (850) 574-3777 www.capital.porschedealer.com TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»from the editor

MATT BURKE

Just two issues ago, I was taking a victory lap to celebrate my 10th year as editor of Tallahassee Magazine, talking about the stories I’ve written, the interns I’ve known and rehashing the good — and bad — old times.

I’ve had a good run, but it’s time for me to move on to the next stage of my life and career. Not exactly sure how it’s going to play out, but it sure will be different.

The good news, and I hope you’ll agree, is that although I am giving up my title as editor, I will still have lasting ties withthemagazine.We’vehashedoutanagreementthatwill allow me to keep my antennae up around town to find stories that will appear in Tallahassee Magazine and the other publications of Rowland Publishing.

I hope to spend part of my time consulting about writing, marketing and doing what I like to call“dot connecting”— gettingpeopleincontactwithotherpeoplewhocanhelpor otherwise enlighten each other.

Now, it’s time for me to give thanks ... and the list is way too long to be contained in this 600-word column. But, by jingo, here goes: A great big thanks to Publisher/President/Owner Brian Rowlandandhisthen-second-in-command,KimHowes,for taking a chance on growing a reporter into an editor. In the early days, it was so challenging to switch from not just writing stories, but to thinking them up, assigning them, editing them, editing them again, and again ... and again. I have grown, as hasTallahassee Magazine and the company I work for.

I’d like to thank the parade of editorial assistants I’ve had over the years, especially Erica Bailey (who threwthemostobnoxiouslyenjoyable50thbirthdaypartiesever),AshleyKahnandthelatest,sweetest person in a long line of people who“keep me straight,”Chay Baxley. All of them started out as interns and it has been my pleasure to see them grow into professionals who will far outshine me in the future.

Senior writer Jason Dehart has been my rock for almost my entire tenure as editor. He never, ever missed a deadline or fussed about an assignment — although I never did give the guy who’s into“Star Wars” and history a “Let’s Plan a Mother’s Day Brunch” story either.

Lord love the managers and designers of the production team, especially Senior Art Director Saige Roberts, who makes words look beautiful while also constantly having to climb the stairs to nag me to turn in every little last piece of copy as each issue nears completion.

Many thanks to the advertising team, but for whom I would not get a paycheck.

Thanks and praise to my fellow editors, Zandra Wolfgram at EC and Linda Kleindienst at 850.

Zandra, you have served me well as an arbiter of style, comrade-in-arms and provider of story ideas.

And Linda. My hero. A reporter’s reporter. A lover of horses and big dogs. The best big sister I never had. And the best damn boss I have ever had.

It has been an honor and a privilege to share stories with you, readers ofTallahassee Magazine. I’ve made so many friends over the years, people I’ve met in person, and others I know only in the virtual world. Throughout my tenure, your words of praise and encouragement — and, yes, even the occasional smack on the snout — have inspired me to give you my very best efforts. Thank you.

Rosanne Dunkelberger rdunkelberger@rowlandpublishing.com

20 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

PICKLED SKUNK BRAINS, ANYONE? The work of the Leon County Hazardous Waste Center is important, but I have to give props to the Florida chapter of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association for having a sense of humor when handing out awards for outstanding staff and service. Leon County’s Hazardous Waste Center picked up an award for 20 years of service as well as a “Golden Bung Award” for its innovative collection events in the community. But by far the one that is sure to have a place of honor in its Apalachee Parkway facility is the “Pickled Skunk Brains Award” for the most unusual item discovered during collection, in this case a World War II-era aerial photoreconnaissance photograph paper roll. It wasn’t hazardous and was donated to the collection of Florida State University’s Institute on World War II and the Human Experience.

GREETING CARDS THAT SAY IT WITH SASS My job is all about finding the right words, but there are situations in life where I find it hard to say something helpful to someone who is going through a difficult time. And I don’t seem to find much help in the greeting card aisle. “Get Well Soon” just doesn’t hack it for a friend who’s facing a terminal illness. That’s why I was thrilled to find “empathy” cards from the Emily McDowell Studio.

They’re honest and kind of sassy.

One, for example, declares “I promise never to refer to your illness as a ‘Journey’ unless someone takes you on a cruise.” The Thomasville Road shop Sweet Patina carries the line, or you can purchase them online at emilymcdowell.com.

EMILYMCDOWELL.COM

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye ... Sort Of

editor’s pick

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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Host your own game day reunion at collegetown’s premiere event space Want to have a college reunion on game week-end? The Gathering at CollegeTown is a private event & entertainment space for up to 400 of your closest friends, family, classmates and colleagues. Located above famed Madison Social, the 3,500 square foot open-concept interior space boasts unobstructed views of Doak Campbell Stadium and is equipped with an audio-visual system and five large screen HDTV’s. Guests will enjoy the attached 2,000 square foot outdoor deck overlooking CollegeTown’s T-Alley. Great for any occasion, party or tailgating experience, The Gathering is the place in CollegeTown to be.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PRE-BOOK FOR NEXT FOOTBALL SEASON, CALL KEY COFTY AT 850.545.2302.

THE GATHERING at

C o l l e g etow n

705 S Woodward Avenue | Tallahassee, FL 32304 | www.fsucollegetown.net

22 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

»contributors

WAVE GOODBYE TO FRUSTRATION.

STEVE BORNHOFT

For 10 years, Steve nibbled around the edges of Rowland Publishing Inc. as a freelancer. Now he’s in the thick of things as RPI’s Director of Editorial Services. He’s been putting words together for a living since Jimmy Carter was president, as a newspaper editor and as a marketing/ communications director for banks. Steve holds a master’s degree in corporate and public communication from Florida State University and for five years was an adjunct professor at FSU’s Panama City campus, twice winning adjunct-of-theyear honors. He loves birds, baseball and speckled trout.

MATT BURKE

Director of Editorial Services

KIYO KAWAGUCHI AND CASEY FEINDT

▪ In this issue, Kiyo wrote prodigiously, including stories on invasive species, the flavor of fall, healthy Halloween for trick-or-treaters and the city’s Puppies in the Pool event. Casey introduced us to the online currency Bitcoin, ways to refresh your home and the Waverly Hills neighborhood.

CHELSEA MOORE

Kiyo and Casey are both Editing, Writing and Media majors at Florida State University. Kiyo also studied linguistics and graduated after the 2015 summer semester. She hopes her future career will involve books, magazines, design, food or any combination thereof. Casey is a Jacksonville native and, after graduation, plans on pursuing a career in travel journalism and also becoming Russell Brand’s personal secretary. In her free time, Casey likes to go to the pool, procrastinate and pet your dog.

CHELSEA MOORE

Editorial Interns

REBECCA PADGETT,

We’ve never seen anyone make the pains of outdated technology disappear by waving one of these. One call to us, on the other hand, and we’ll show you a kind of magic that no one spell could ever do.

Digital Services Coordinator

For technology that powers your business, call your local RJ Young representative at 800.347.1955 or visit us online at RJYoung.com.

CHELSEA MOORE

As long as Rebecca can remember, she has always wanted to work for a magazine or be a ballerina. Fortunately, the first is what she gets the privilege to do every day. In her job, she combines her passions of the written word, design, social media, photography and free coffee.

Rebecca works with clients to ensure their advertisements appear correctly, writes advertorial pieces such as Deal Estate and profiles and maintains social media accounts and other digital projects. When her eyes aren’t on a computer screen or a book you can find her dancing, hopping on airplanes, scrounging through antique stores and constantly wishing football season was year-round.

Your productivity is our mission.

▪ In this issue Rebecca wrote the Deal Estate articles, assisted in the copy of medical profiles and ensured clients were content with their advertisements.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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» from our readers

feedback

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

The two letters below refer to the story “From Body Electric to Boomers Rock” (July/August 2015). In it, Body Electric founder Margaret Richard said that, while exercise was important Body for older people, they often Electric Boomers weren’t capable of doing the Rock workouts they could when they were younger and that traditional fitness venues didn’t have many offerings for them.

»life PERSONALITY

From to

For More Than Three Decades, Margaret Richard Has Led Her Generation to Health and Fitness

PHOTO BY MATT BURKE, HAIR AND MAKEUP BY VERONICA SHULTZ/HAUTE HEADZ

By Rosanne Dunkelberger

CAST YOUR MIND BACK, if you will, to exercise in the early 1980s.

That time after Jack LaLanne’s black-and-white television calisthenics, but well before high-intensity workouts such as P90X and CrossFit. You know, when Jane Fonda looked slamming hot in her “Workout” book and video — even though she was pushing 50. When Olivia Newton-John rocked a headband and importuned us with “Let’s Get Physical.” When, à la “Flashdance,” we revved up to “Maniac,” were schooled by Jennifer Beals on the art of taking off a bra without removing a one-shouldered, oversized sweatshirt and wondered: “Is there really such a thing as a club where drunk guys pay good money to watch a woman dance without taking her clothes off?”

What many of us might not know is that Tallahassee made its own contribution to the shiny-spandex-and-leg-warmers era of fitness, courtesy of an energetic and forward-thinking Miami transplant named Margaret Richard and the brand she created — Body Electric.

It was the name of her locally popular exercise studio in the Miracle Plaza shopping center (where Whole Foods now stands), which became a cable-television exercise show, which then exploded into a nationally syndicated Public Now living in Boston to be near Broadcasting System show once seen her daughter and grandchild, on 130-plus stations — nearly half the Margaret Richard looks as fit nation’s PBS network. as she did when she owned Although she hasn’t taped new proa popular exercise studio in Tallahassee 30-plus years ago. gramming in five years, reruns of the

500-odd workouts she’s done throughout the past 30 years are still being shown on television stations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. And Richard is at the helm of her own Web-based fitness mini-empire, still promoting and selling DVDs of series past, as well as continuing to teach and take fitness classes in her new hometown of Boston.

A very vibrant 68 years old, Richard isn’t ready to unlace her sneakers quite yet. In fact, she’s seeking to create a new series of shows aimed at a huge group she declares is hugely underserved by the fitness industry — the baby boom generation.

Boomers are now hitting retirement age, but that’s a life stage that can cover 30 years or more and a large range of physical ability.

Traditional exercise classes can put stress on an older person’s wornout joints, she said, but alternatives such as seated exercise and mall walking often aren’t enough of a challenge.

“There’s a group of women like myself; we’re youthful, we’re strong, we’re energetic and we’re not senior citizens, per se,” she asserted. “Your skin may sag, but your muscles will always respond to the challenge, always. If you are working out in your mid-years, it has an effect on your later years. They’ve proven that.

“It’s so critical that people maintain their strength as they get older, and … I would like to set myself up as a proponent, as a voice for baby boomers in fitness,” she said. “I have the background for it, I have the passion for it and no one else is doing it.”

But let’s start her story … at the start.

WATCH BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FROM OUR PHOTO SHOOT WITH MARGARET RICHARD AT TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

36 July–August 2015

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37

2014 Model Winner Maleena Pruitt wears a look by 2014 Emerging Designer Romey Roe

From a Fitness Instructor

Today I sat down to read the article featuring Margaret Richard. I started out interested and engaged by the “history of exercise” in Tallahassee. However, as I read on, I thought: This is absolutely not true and actually downright insulting!

I am a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at Premier Health and Fitness and Sweat Therapy Fitness. On Fridays, I teach an interval training class at Premier that would be considered high intensity.

Almost 70 people were at a recent class, and I’m guessing there were at least 10 to 15 people older than 60. We jump, step, lunge, squat, kick, turn and move fast. Not everybody does everything but, executed properly, all levels are shown. Group exercise is about being part of something bigger and engaging daily or weekly with others who have the same common interests or goals as you, no matter the age range.

Ali Campbell

From a Fit Boomer

I respect Margaret Richard and her before-their-time classes. At the time, I recorded her workouts on my VCR and did them at home after work. I do, however, disagree with her statements.

I am in my 60s and work out five days a week for over two hours at Premier. I do yoga, Pilates, conditioning and interval training. Most days I then go home and walk 2 to 4 miles. On weekends, my friends and I oftentimes go to Move Tallahassee walks or our own walks that can be up to 10 miles.

I encourage you to check with OLLI (the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at FSU), walking groups, Move Tallahassee and Premier gym and find for yourself that people over the age of 60 are active and encourage people to do so, not read Margaret’s comments and think they can’t. Age is not commensurate with ability.

Jerri Patterson

Setting it straight ...

An article that appeared in the March-April edition of Tallahassee Magazine mistakenly credited Joyce Dove with running the Rotary Youth Camp for 20 years. Dove, a longtime Rotary Club board member, in fact became a camp employee in October 2014. “The Rotary Club and many employees and supporters account for the camp’s success,” Dove told us. “Here, we’re not about giving individuals credit. It’s all about the kids.”

Have a thought? Write to us at tmag-editor@rowlandpublishing.com, facebook.com/tallahassee or through twitter @tallahasseemag.

24 September–October 2015

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life

26 September–October 2015

PEOPLE » PLACES » INFO

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

PARENTHOOD / CHAT / CLICK DECONSTRUCTION / PERSONALITY GREAT OUTDOORS / LOOKING BACK / AGENDA

Snapshot

SAIGE ROBERTS

Monsters in Midtown

Each year near dusk on All Hallows Eve, Beard Street’s sleepy corridors begin to come alive.

Goblins, ghouls and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles steadily fill the narrow Lafayette Park street — overtaking it entirely as darkness envelopes the passageway’s charming bungalows and statelier abodes alike. By night’s end (say, 8:30 p.m.), thousands of masked mini-monsters will have spooked, giggled and treated their way through this one-of-a-kind, annual block party.

“The atmosphere is so refreshing because it feels like your childhood Halloween experience on steroids,” laughed Gail Stansberry-Ziffer, a two-year resident of Beard Street. “There are hundreds of families walking around.”

Exactly how this roaring night got its creepy start seems to be lost in the dusty chronicles of Midtown folklore. According to Lisa Carey, a Beard Streeter since 2004, the legendary event was well underway when she moved in.

Since then, residents have started embracing the holiday entirely — many using the area’s expansive network of trickor-treaters as an excuse to throw a seriously happening house party for family and friends. It’s also expanded to Ingleside Avenue, the next street over. If you’re lucky enough to snag an invite, leave your favorite crockpot recipe at home. What these folks really need is another bag of candy.

“This is not just a kids’ event,” Carey said. “We have a significant number of adults dressing up. It really is a family atmosphere.”

Stansberry-Ziffer (who parceled out 2,400 pieces of candy last Halloween, only giving doubles to 50 very lucky youngsters) said she isn’t surprised Beard Street is home to such a festive gathering. These neighbors get fairly spirited when Halloween honor is at stake.

“People start decorating at the very beginning of October,” she said. “It’s very intense. There’s definitely some competition going on.”

“I know that every house is pretty excited to get in on it,” observed Keaton Nieves, general manager at Lucy & Leo’s Cupcakery. Lucy & Leo’s, located a few steps west of all the Beard Street action, has been intimately involved with the festivities for years. In 2014, they even held a candy drive to help fuel the party.

“Some go more all-out than others, of course,” he added. “A few even have haunted houses.”

Residents of Midtown’s It’s all in good fun, Stansberry-Ziffer Beard Street go all out assured.

Her first year on the block, for Halloween, with neighbors opened up their homes/ elaborate decorations, makeshift Halloween stores to help her haunted houses and get the hang of things in the ’hood. activities to entertain the thousands of “This year, I’m coming out full force, people who come to baby,” she bragged. join in the fun.

// CHAY D. BAXLEY

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»life PARENTHOOD

Healthy Halloween Suggestions for Treats That Aren’t So Sweet

By Kiyo Kawaguchi

Another option is to eliminate edibles THE SKY IS INKY BLACK. The only entirely — there are plenty of non-food sources of light are the moon, the stars options more tempting than toothbrushes. and the friendly porch lights dotting the Kids are sure to enjoy stickers, temporary neighborhood. Under the cover of darktattoos, plastic spider rings, pencils, erasers, ness, tiny goblins and witches prowl; crayons and mini-tubs of Play-Doh. storybook characters and superheroes Candy alternatives are a hit with local scurry from house to house.Their sacks of mom Tisha Keller’s family. “My kids fight sweet treats grow heavier with each stop. over those,” she said.

One princess, her sneakers visible Florida State University graduate Rachel beneath a gossamer gown, rings a doorTullius has fond memories of another inedbell. Her cry of “Trick or treat!” turns ible substitute: “There was one house that intoahorrifiedgaspassheseesthetreats gave out real two dollar bills instead of in store at this house: a basket full of candy. We were always thrilled.” toothbrushes.

If you prefer more traditional treats, you Forasweet-toothedchildonHalloween, might choose to avoid artificial colors and being health-conscious is hardly the top flavors, hydrogenated fats and other potenpriority. For parents, keeping kids healthy tially harmful ingredients. A variety of andhappycanbeastruggle.Howcanyou better-for-you alternatives are available in find the perfect balance? snack-packs at stores such as Whole Foods.

The first step is to have a plan. Purchase Surf Sweets gummies, for example, are candy just before Halloween — instead made with organic fruit juice and are free of weeks in advance — to ensure that the of the 10 most common allergens. Annie’s chocolatedoesn’tdisappearbeforethebig Homegrown Halloween Bunny Grahams day. Sit down to a healthy meal before are made with whole grains. Endangered trick-or-treating,sokidswillbefullandless A healthy, filling dinner before your little ghouls hit the streets Species Chocolate Halloween Treats are inclinedto overindulge laterthat evening. on Halloween night can cut down on overindulging in candy ethically traded, organic and non-GMO. Theholidaycanalsobeanopportunity once the trick-or-treating is done.

Snyder’s of Hanover Halloween Pretzel to teach children about portion control.

Snack Sacks are fat free and sugar free.

GrazingonsweetsoverthecourseofsevOf course, a healthy lifestyle does not necessitate depriving yourself eral hours is much worse for your teeth than enjoying it in one sitting. of“bad”foods. Gretchen Sunderman says a typical meal for her 9-yearWhen eating lots of candy at once, acid builds up in the mouth but is old son Cole consists of things like salmon, quinoa and Brussels sprouts. eventually neutralized by saliva; with grazing, the acid exposure is conHaving nutritious, organic meals year-round, she and her husband are stant and too great for saliva to neutralize. In other words, continuous “pretty laid back about Halloween.”They check through Cole’s collected consumptioncanleadtocavities.DecidehowmanyTwixbarstoeatnow, candy to make sure it’s not“open or weird looking”and let him enjoy it and save the rest in the freezer — out of sight, out of mind. over the next few days.

When choosing your own treats to hand out, consider healthier “Honestly, I usually hide it at some point and he forgets about it,” options. While it may be tempting to create a wholesome homemade Sunderman said.“And Mom and Dad sort of pick at it Halloween night snack, parents will be wary of anything that’s not prepackaged and — we all have our favorites!” sealed. Instead, try single-serving packs of trail mix: The nuts provide Whetheryouchoosemorewholesomesnacks,non-ediblealternatives protein and healthy fats. Mini-boxes of raisins are sweet without any or the customary candy, don’t let nutritional concerns take the fun out of added sugar. the holiday.The key to a healthier Halloween is balance and moderation “My backup this year was single-serve microwave popcorn bags,”said — and having a good toothbrush doesn’t hurt either. n Chris Ginter, father of 15- and 11-year-olds.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

29

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»life CHAT

Maximizing Potential Young Violinist on Track for Success

By Sandi Poreda

COURTESY SUSAN VANHOEIJ

JENNIFER EKRUT

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU NOTICE about Tallahassee violinist MaxwellVanHoeij is his confidence. He practically exudes it, along with composure and extreme focus. He plays Mozart, Bach and Haydn with such natural talent it’s hard to believe he’s only 12 years old.

HehasalreadyperformedwithmasterviolinistItzhakPerlman,served asconcertmasteroftheJacksonvilleSymphonyYouthOrchestraandwon national violin competitions, including first place at the American String Teachers Association Eclectic Strings Festival in Georgia.

VanHoeij showed a natural gift for music at an early age, starting violin lessons at Thomasville Road Baptist Church when he was four years “My favorite signature is from Mr. Perlman,” said VanHoeij. “He has old. His mother, Susan, believed music lessons would help her quiet son inspired me ever since I was given one of his CDs a few years ago.” come out of his shell.

VanHoeij first met Perlman in early 2013 and later that year audiIt did more than that. tioned for the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Super Strings One day, she noticed he was playing a tune he hadn’t been taught.

Program in Sarasota. He was accepted and excelled, enjoying the Turns out, VanHoeij could play music by ear even before he learned to opportunitytoplaywithPerlmanandbuildingrelationshipswithother read sheet music. students in the program.

“I have to listen to a new piece a couple of times to get it into my head, Elizabeth Power, the Executive Director for the Perlman Music and then I just work out how to play it,”he said.“Sometimes it helps to Program/Suncoast,wasthrilledwhenVanHoeijjoinedtheprogramand play along with the piece, too.” when he returned for the 2014/2015 season.

Now his favorite piece to play is the Mozart Violin Concerto No.3 in “Max is really special to us,” Power said. “He has an amazing skill set, G Major — one of Mozart’s best known violin concertos. buthealsohasthecommitmenttoexcelbylearningnewmusic,performWhat started as a hobby to help VanHoeij, a student at Cobb Middle ing with his peers and standing up as a leader.”

School, build confidence has turned into incredible opportunities, bolVanHoeij also plays regularly with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth stered by a lot of hard work. He takes lessons Orchestra,drivingovernearlyeveryweekendfor from Dr. Shannon Thomas, a visiting assisrehearsalsandperformances.Hewasjust10years tant professor of violin at the Florida State old when he first earned his spot as concertmasUniversity, and practices at least two hours a ter, the first violin who tunes and leads the entire day.When he’s not practicing, he plays outfield orchestra. It’s a long way from the quiet 4-yearon a local baseball team. old taking violin lessons at the local church.

“You get to catch the good stuff out there,” “He looks so different when he sits in that he said with a grin. first chair, leading other musicians with confiHis violin is Bavarian, one of only 300 made dence,” said his mother.

by Louis Otto in 1892. VanHoeij’s parents, So does the future hold for VanHoeij? He Susan and Mark, bought the violin for their son wants to perform, and not just anywhere. Over from an expert in Atlanta, and VanHoeij has a the summer, he traveled to Europe to hear deep respect for the instrument. classical violinist Janine Jansen perform at the The violin’s case is a visual indicator of famousConcertgebouwinAmsterdam,where VanHoeij’s major influencers. It’s covered theRoyalConcertgebouwOrchestraperforms.

Max VanHoeij (top of page) was named a concertwith signatures from Perlman, Ray Chen, Now he has a goal. master when he was just 10 years old. His violin case is covered with the signatures of his violinist idols, Joshua Bell, Nicola Benedetti and the Dover “I want to get into the Concertgebouw when including this one (above) he’s getting from Ray Chen.

Quartet, among others.

I grow up,” he said. n

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»life CLICK

Is Bitcoin Legit Coin?

After a Shady Start, This E-Currency Is Going Mainstream

By Casey M. Feindt BITCOIN, OFTEN CALLED “the currency of the future,” has begun to revolutionize the way a growing number of people think about money. Never heard of it?You aren’t alone, but you’re likely to encounter this cybercurrency before long. Increasingly, it seems that Bitcoin will outlast debates about its legitimacy and establishitselfasaviableexchangemediumin the financial marketplace.

It just may be the future of dough-re-mi as we know it.

The concept underlying Bitcoin is simple.

It’s a type of currency created and controlled solely by its users. Debuting in 2009, Bitcoin appealedtoearlyadoptersbecauseitisn’tcontrolled by a bank or other private institution or an agency of government. By eliminating the middleman, Bitcoin allows individuals to sendmoneytoeachotherwithouttransaction fees or added interest. Bitcoin is revolutionary because it functions as both a type of currency and a payment network simultaneously, making it the first independent money system of its kind.

A dollar bill, of course, is a tangible item.

We can hold it in our hands and know exactly how much it’s worth at any given time. Bitcoin is different because, unlike a dollar bill, it isn’t tangible.It’sessentiallyinvisibleonlinemoney.

At this writing, one Bitcoin is worth about 249 U.S. dollars, a value that fluctuates along with the market. Today, a MacBook Air would run you 3.5903 Bitcoins.

While traditional money is printed at the United States Mint, Bitcoins are created through a complex system of mathematical codes controlled by Bitcoin users. But it isn’t a free-for-all. There is a cap of 21 million on

the number of Bitcoins that can be created.

Bitcoin also is attractive to users because of its high degree of anonymity. Bitcoin users can send and receive the e-currency without divulgingtheiraddressoreventheirrealname.

While this may be enticing to some, to others it equates to a lack of security and an absence of legitimacy.

The underground Internet marketplace Silk Road threatened to give Bitcoin a bad name. Drugs and weapons were bought and sold using Bitcoin via transactions that were untraceable. Silk Road was to Bitcoin as pornography is to the Internet — a bad element tarnishing a valuable concept.When Silk Road was shut down, Bitcoin gained momentum.

Manycompaniesandindividualsnowaccept Bitcoin as authorized payment. Last year, Tallahassee attorney Bill Wholsifer, running for state attorney general as a Libertarian, was among the first politicians to accept Bitcoins as campaign contributions. Bitcoins were donatedthroughascannableQRcodedirectly linked to his campaign fund.

Bitcoin also made headlines in recent months when the New York Stock Exchange introduced a Bitcoin price index (NYXBT).

The price index reflects the daily dollar value of a single Bitcoin and is published on the stock exchange’s Global Index Feed.The price

index reflects transaction data from one of the world’slargestBitcoinexchangeservicescalled Coinbase, located in San Francisco.

“Bitcoin values are quickly becoming a data point that our customers want to follow as theyconsidertransacting,tradingorinvesting with this emerging asset class,” said Thomas Farley, the New York Stock Exchange’s group president. “With this investment, we are tapping into a new asset class by teaming up with a leading platform that is bringing transparency, security and confidence to an important growth market.”

According to The Wall Street Journal’s “MoneyBeat”blog, 83 percent of people surveyed said they believed there is a legitimate future for cybercurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Data produced by Blockchain Info indicates that Bitcoin is catching on. Daily Bitcoin transactions jumped from 58,963 in January 2015 to 136,640 in June.

It’s difficult to predict the future of this online currency. Will it fizzle out after a few years, only to be replaced by a new form of currency that is even more technologically advanced? Or will it become a vital part of our global economy?

This much is for sure:Those who suggested that Bitcoin would be a mere flash in the pan already have been proven wrong. n

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

33

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5/16/14 12:11 PM

»life DECONSTRUCTION

Trying to break through to the help line at the Internal Revenue Service.

City Blood Pressure Monitor

Being shouted at by Ultimate Image Auto or American Freight commercials.

The final five minutes of most any Seminole football game during the 2014 season.

VERY HIGH

Reading the editorial page when you’re a conservative.

Navigating the parking lot at the Trader Joe’s/T.J. Maxx shopping center.

Seeing the TPD motorcycle officer as you blow by him on Miccosukee Road.

Opening the July electric bill.

HIGH

Pollen

Here’s a compendium of Tallahassee-centric people, activities and things that can bring you to a state of total relaxation … or send your blood pressure skyrocketing. For your convenience, we’ve ranked them from Zen (bottom) to infuriating (top) on this handy chart. // ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

MODERATE

Slow Internet.

LOW

Watching children play in the dancing waters at Cascades Park.

Listening to Tom Flanagan’s voice on WFSU-FM. Fishing … anywhere.

Driving on a canopy road.

Walking through Maclay Gardens in the spring.

Listening to birds sing in the morning.

Going through security at any metropolitan airport that’s not Tallahassee.

Driving on a canopy road behind a school bus.

Enjoying a Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra concert.

Going through security at the Tallahassee airport.

Living next door to the student-occupied house in your neighborhood.

Reading the Tallahassee Democrat’s coverage of FSU football when you root for the Gators or the Hurricanes.

No Internet.

Reading the Tallahassee Democrat’s coverage of FSU football.

Listening to Preston Scott’s radio show when you’re a liberal.

VERY LOW

Taking a lesson at the Tai Chi Society on Thomasville Road.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»life PERSONALITY

A Self-Made

NICHE

Promoter Scott Carswell Reflects on The Moon, Showbiz and Finding Joey Ramone Sleeping Under a Table

SCOTT CARSWELL LOOKED AROUND Jake Gaither Auditorium. Nearby, girls from Florida A&M University were falling like logs at his feet. But it wasn’t the 16-yearold’s charm and good looks causing the mass swooning. No, it was the crazy dude on stage, a guy named James Brown, streakedwithsweat,shoutingintothemicrophoneanddoing his trademark splits that drove the ladies wild.

It was 1967 and Carswell was at his first concert ever, in a packed college auditorium with no air conditioning. He remembers the scene vividly to this day, 48 years later.

“It was hot, women were fainting everywhere — the only security issue I had being the only white guy in the room wasdodgingthesewomenwhowouldfaintwhenJamesdid his split,” he said. “They’d come down like a live oak. When James hit the stage, nobody was sitting down. It was a great show, and I’ve been a James Brown fanatic ever since.”

Since then, it’s been a long and winding road for the man who runs The Moon, Tallahassee’s premier music venue, which first opened its doors 30 years ago in 1985. Although a music lover who’s played in his share of small bands and brushedshoulderswithsometalentedentertainersoverthe years, Carswell didn’t exactly chart a clear course in that direction. Nor did he actually plan on making a big impact on the cultural landscape of Tallahassee. It just sort of happened that way.

“It provided me a job doing just what I wanted to do, but I kind of fell into it and just invented my own job. But in

36 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

terms of the town, I just filled a niche,” he said. “Anyway, I’m just thankful Tallahassee has supported us for 30 years.

There’s been some highs and some lows, that’s for sure; but all in all, we’ve been very lucky and happy to be doing what we’re doing.”

It was little experiences here and there that led to the creation of The Moon. In his early days, the Tallahassee native and Florida State University graduate worked as an accountantforaNashvillenightclubownedbyrenownedsaxophone player Boots Randolph (of “Yakety Sax” fame), recorded ambient sounds for Walt Disney World, ran his own recording studio in nearby Monticello and enjoyed playing R&B. His biggest inspiration, though, has to be his involvement with Boots Randolph’s venue.

“By virtue of doing that nightclub, I always wanted to have a music room,” he said. “I think another thing that really influenced me was Studebakers,” a large, popular nightclub on Apalachee Parkway located where Olive Garden now stands.“A friend of mine here in town was very instrumental in all the Studebakers, and they had this (’50s and ’60s music) theme, and Scott Carswell has I wanted to have the opposite of that. collected many memories and I wanted something that was not the enjoyed musical same every night.” good times during But back then, that just wasn’t done. his 30 years owning Every “music room” was themed. The Moon.

MARK WALLHEISER

By Jason Dehart

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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In his long career, Scott Carswell has had encounters with musical notables such has Willie Nelson (above) and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys (right). He booked the group as part of a concert series at Cascades Park’s Capital City Amphitheatre.

Hall & Oates, The Temptations, George Strait, The Judds, Joe Cocker, Pat Benatar, Tab Benoit, Merle Haggard and hundreds of others. On top of that, every Wednesday is Ladies Night, followed on Friday night by country dance club Stetsons On The Moon, and Grown Folks Night on Saturday night.

Three thousand shows later, The Moon is still in business, and Carswell has plenty of great stories to tell. One of the funniest involves The Ramones, a group he said was known to be“kind of whacky.” Anyway, right before curtain time, lead vocalist Joey Ramone turned up missing.

“When it got time for The Ramones to go on stage,somebodycomesscreaming,‘Wecan’tfind

COURTESY THE MOON

Venues either had a ’50s theme or catered to disco or the country music crowd. None of them flipped back and forth. Carswell challenged that conventional thinking.

“Why couldn’t you have country, and why couldn’t you have R&B? And why couldn’t you have jazz, and why couldn’t you have folk music?

Why couldn’t you just do everything? The room should be neutral,”he said.“Everybody said,‘You know,thatjustwon’twork.Nobodyhasaclubthat jumps from white people to black people, black people to old people, or old people to kids.’In the early to mid-1980s, nobody had ever had a room that went back and forth. You had your theme, and that’s what it was seven nights a week. And I’d say one of the most interesting things that will go down about The Moon, forever, is that it was the first club in the country to ever do it.”

It was just crazy enough to actually work. But where would he put this new concert venue?

Oddly enough, in an abandoned grocery store.

The empty A&P building on Lafayette Street, to be exact.The structure was renovated and the interior engineered to recording studio quality, a wooden dance floor was installed and 130 tons of air conditioning was added. (“With that air conditioning system, I can drop it to 59 degrees before we open the doors. In the summertime, we sell air conditioning,”he said.) The only thing needed was a name. Actually, they had part of a name but couldn’t come up with the rest of it.

That all changed one night in October 1984, in the form of an astronomical event as he sat in his car in the parking lot. It would come to symbolize the neutrality of the venue.

“Right up over the A&P came the biggest harvest moon you ever seen. We had the name; we liked the name ‘Musical something’ but I could never get the last name,” he said. “And then I was sitting in that car looking and here came that moon right over the A&P cupola and that was it — Musical Moon. And then we dropped the ‘Musical’ years later, just called it The Moon.”

It was the perfect name for a generic, nondefining and neutral music venue.

“Everybody has stories about the moon, of a feeling of the moon. It’s not young people, old people,blackpeople,whitepeople,Chinesepeople, Latin folks — everybody has a moon story or moon songs, all races and genders. It’s crosscultural,” he said.

So, too, is the diverse selection of acts that have graced the stage at The Moon. And not flash-in-the-pan groups, either. We’re talking legendary performers like Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, B.B. King, Gregg Allman, George Clinton, Dionne Warwick,

COURTESY THE MOON

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Joey!’ I’m like, ‘My God, you can’t find Joey? What do you mean?

He’s the star of the show! He was just here, I just saw him five minutes ago,’” Carswell said. “Everybody is frantically looking all around. Well, I go back in the dressing room. We had a table in there with food that had a tablecloth on it. And I just happened to pick up the tablecloth … and there he was, sound asleep. I had to wake him up, drag him out of there, for him to get to work. So, that was a funny night of panic — we had to find the star under the food table.”

“Everybody has Carswell’s 30 years of stories about the experiencewithshowbiz — including marketing, moon, of a feeling promotion and all other of the moon. It’s forms of production — recently propelled him not young people, into the role of show proold people, black ducer at the new Capital City Amphitheater. In people, white people, 2013, Leon County put Chinese people, Latin out an RFP request for proposal for the posifolks — everybody tion, which he applied has a moon story or for and won.

“I am the contractor moon songs, all races that puts on the shows in the park,” he said. “We and genders. It’s do the ticket sales, I buy cross-cultural.” the acts, sell the tickets, settle the show, promote — Scott Carswell the show, soup to nuts.

Everything. Sound system, gatekeepers, ticket makers, security, cleanup, the whole nine yards.”

Aside from his showbiz connections, another factor in the company’s favor is his longstanding relationship with theTallahassee community.The Moon has hosted booster events, charity shows, banquets and fundraisers for such causes as Big Bend Hospice, United Way, Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, Pyramid Studios and more. Carswell saidThe Moon hosts about 30 nonprofit benefits a year.

“Wetrytodonatethebuildingandhelpeveryonethatwecan,”he said.“Somebodytoldmethere’smorenonprofitsinTallahasseethan any other town our size in the country.There are a lot of good things going on in Tallahassee. And it’s hard to turn any of them down becausethey’reworkingsohardtomakesomethingrighthappen.”

Meanwhile,theneutral,nonpartisanvenueprovidesagreatlocation for politicians to gather.

“We try to give the building as much as we can to all people. It doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree with them. If they want to have a crowd and tell their side of the story, then I need to let them do it,” he said. Unlike other venues such as Ruby Diamond Concert Hall or the Civic Center, Carswell can waive rental fees if he wants to. It’s his place, and he can do what he wants to help out.

“If I want to give somebody the room and help out with a cause, that’s my decision,” he said. “I’m lucky to be able to make that decision. If I was working for a public venue, of course you can’t do that. So it gives me a lot of flexibility that I enjoy, because I enjoy people.” n

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»life GREAT OUTDOORS

Ready. Aim.

Shoot.

Nature and Wildlife Photographer Brian Proctor Captures the ‘Perfect’ Shot Story By Chay D. Baxley // Photos By Brian Proctor

THE OUTDOORS HAVE ALWAYS had a holdonTallahassee-nativeBrianProctor.

Acommercialadvisorattherealestate powerhouse NAI TALCOR, Proctor spends a good chunk of his week toting clients around the region — pointing out the various attributes of large, often plantation-sized properties to his bigtime land investors.

Off the clock, you’re likely to find him exploring near many of those same parcels, his Canon camera and tripod slung over his shoulder.

“I love the challenge of capturing something on film that normally you’re not going to be able to see just by walking into the woods and hanging out,” explained Proctor, who’s been active in the world of professional nature and wildlife photography for decades.“It’s a littlemoreinvolvedthanthatandittakes a little more time and effort than that.

But I love doing it. I love the challenge.”

For Proctor, the fascination started with an honest appreciation for the

Photographer Brian Proctor captured a swirl of color and light during a sunset at Hickory Mound — a wildlife management area located in Taylor County, approximately 20 miles west of Perry.

outdoors and, as he’ll tell you, “a tremendous respect,” for wildlife. But it wasn’t until the end of duck hunting season,circa1967,thathebegantorealize his adventures in nature didn’t have to end just because the game warden called time.

“I’d have the binoculars focused,” recalled Proctor,“and I’d think how cool it would be to capture something like that.Ihadnorealideaaboutthephotography aspect, I just kept thinking,‘Golly, how neat would that be.’”

According to Proctor, snapping a perfect picture (a phrase he doesn’t feel could ever truly embody his wildlife portraits due to the often untimely movementsofhissubjects)isaboutmastering two things:lightingandpatience.

The first is easier. Photos taken at dawn and dusk have a softer, more tranquil quality that simply can’t be duplicated by studio lighting or even direct sunlight. Another tip? Look into the animal’s eyes, he says.

“To me, focusing it is all in the eyes,” emphasized Proctor.“If the eyes are not in focus, then you’ve lost the image. It doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect; it can be a soft focus. But the eyes have to be fairly sharp.”

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»life GREAT OUTDOORS

(Clockwise from top left) A lone structure on the plains of Saskatchewan, Canada, is set against a clouding sky. Northern Bobwhite Quail in flight, as seen in Thomasville, Georgia. Sunset at Hickory Mound, Florida. Two wild turkeys wander through the woods of Leon County. Great Horned Owl looks ahead, Saskatchewan, Canada. Puddle ducks take flight in north Leon County.

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»life GREAT OUTDOORS

(Clockwise from top) Hunting dogs point during pursuit in South Georgia. Wood duck takes flight near Thomasville, Georgia.

Barn sits atop rolling foothills in Saskatchewan, Canada. A wide-eyed tarpon is caught during a fishing expedition along the grass flats of Franklin County.

46 September–October 2015

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»feature INVASIVE SPECIES

Unwelcome A

Guests Non-Native Plants and Animals Damage Florida’s Ecology and Economy

By Kiyo Kawaguchi

guest who overstays his welcome is irksome. A non- Striking looking, native species that settles in but a predator in canbedownrightdangerous. the underwater When an exotic plant or animal arrives environment, onthescene,itmayturnouttobeharmless state officials have declared open season or even beneficial. Citrus trees, for exam- on Lionfish in Florida. ple, are not native to Florida, but they’ve become one of the state’s most important and iconic natural resources. However, species are considered invasive if they are likely to cause harm to the environment, the economyorhumans.Theintroductionofinvasivespeciesdisrupts Florida’s ecosystem and can lead to a loss of biodiversity.

Here are a few invasive species that have spawned concerns in Florida.

LIONFISH

Lionfish are known for their flashy stripes and venomous spikes.

While they look pretty in a saltwater aquarium, they are unwelcome in Florida waters.

Lionfish arrived off Florida’s Atlantic coast in 1985. With no natural predators and a voracious appetite, they have wreaked

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havoc on the environment. For example, their consumption of algaeeatingspeciesleadstoanexcessofalgae,whichcansmotherandkillcoral reefs. Not only does this harm the sea creatures that rely on the reef, but it also affects the countless people who depend on this ecosystem for their livelihood.

Amanda Nalley of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said controlling the lionfish population requires removal, prevention and education.

Legislationwasintroducedbeginningin2012tohelpcontrolthelionfish population. Limits on lionfish hunting were removed; importation and breeding (except for scientific purposes) were banned.

In May 2014, the FWC introduced the Report Florida Lionfish app, which enables divers to report lionfish sightings and removal. In May 2015, the commission unveiled the new Reef Rangers program.

It allows people to adopt a reef and care for it year-round by removing lionfish. Studies show that continued removal in a specific area has a positive effect.

Nalley said that of all the recent changes regarding lionfish, the most noticeable difference is awareness.

“A lot of people don’t know anything about it other than seeing it in an aquarium,” she said.

That’s why the FWC declared the first Saturday after Mother’s Day to be Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day. This year, the commission hosted a festival in Pensacola. About 3,000 people attended the event, whichincludedalionfishremovaltournament,kid-friendlyactivitiesand even chef demonstrations. Recently, the FWC floated the idea to allow divers to take an extra lobster during the mini-season — if they removed 10 lionfish while they were at it.

Lionfish have venomous spines, but the flesh is not poisonous — in fact, many say it’s delicious. Tallahassee’s Sage Restaurant serves this flaky white fish when it’s available from local divers, creating dishes including Lionfish and Chips.

TERMITES

The two most destructive termite species in the world have begun mating in Florida. The result is a hybrid “super-termite” more destructive than either of its parents.

Every year, the Formosan termite and the Asian termite cause an estimated $40 billion in damage worldwide. Originally from China and Southeast Asia, the two species traveled in cargo holds to other parts of the globe. One of the few places where the climate is just right for both of them is Florida.

The species evolved separately for hundreds of thousands of years, but researchers believe unusually warm winters in 2013 and 2014 disrupted their mating patterns.

TheAsiantermiteusuallymates in February, the Formosan in April; it appears that climate change may be causing their swarming seasons to overlap.

This leads to interbreeding because male Asian termites prefer female Formosans. In fact, in lab experiments, the Asianmalescompletelyignored thefemalesoftheirownspecies in favor of the Formosans.

TIM DONOVAN/FWC

»feature INVASIVE SPECIES

Not native to the state, pets released in the wild are to blame for the explosion of Burmese pythons (above) found in South Florida, where they have few natural predators. Two species of termites have begun interbreeding (below left), creating a “supertermite” that could cause serious damage to homes.

Experimentsalsoshowthat,separately,eachspeciesproducesabout80 offspringayear.Wheninterbreeding,theyproducenearlytwiceasmany.

Researchers are still unsure if the hybrids will be able to reproduce.

But even if the termites are sterile, a colony of millions can live up to 20 years. This poses a serious threat to homeowners. Scientists predict dramatic increases in damage. And although the habitats of the Asian and Formosan termites are limited, this hybrid may be able to tolerate climates from North Carolina to Brazil.

PYTHONS

One of the largest snakes in the world, the Burmese python has been a popular pet. Though it’s now illegal to import pythons into the United States or transport them across state lines, a large population exists in South Florida. Sightings have been reported in Everglades National Park since the 1980s. It’s also likely that many more pythons were introducedintothewildwhenabreedingfacilitywasdestroyedbyHurricane Andrew in 1992.Those spotted outside of South Florida are escaped or released pets.

The species has been successful for two main reasons. First, the average adult Burmese python caught in Florida measures 6 to 9 feet in length, larger than other native snakes. The largest python captured in Florida was over 18 feet long and weighed 150 pounds. Because of their large size, adult Burmese pythons have few predators.

Second, they also have flexible dietary needs and prey upon a variety of native species — birds, mammals and even alligators — and some endangered animals. Pythons also occasionally prey on cats and dogs.

Thesnakesarehardtoremovebecausetheyarehardtospot.Burmese pythons are well camouflaged with their giraffe-like markings. Often

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»feature INVASIVE SPECIES confused with corn snakes and brown water snakes, they can be recognized by the dark brown arrowhead marking on the top of their head. Burmese pythons are often found in or near water, but they are also skilled tree climbers.

In 2013, the first Python Challenge was held in the Everglades, designed to protect native wildlife by removing pythons. At the most recent event, 1,600 registered competitors gathered in the swamp and removed a total of 68 Burmese pythons. This monthlong competition will be held again in early 2016.

UPLAND PLANTS

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According to Bill Caton, leader of the FWC’s Invasive Plant Management Section, the most troublesome upland plants in the Tallahassee area are Chinese tallow, Chinese privet and coral ardisia. These plants spread rapidly and outcompete native plants.

Chinese tallow, a tree cultivated in eastern Asia for its seed oil, was a popular ornamental plant in Florida because of its fast growth rate, vivid colors in autumn and resilience against pests.

Until recently, the invasive tree could be purchased at nurseries.

Its leaves and fruit cause nausea and vomiting in humans and are toxic to cattle.

Before Chinese privet was discovered to be a harmful invasive plant, it was widely used as an ornamental shrub because of its ability to tolerate poor environmental conditions.These perennial plants can reach 16 to 20 feet in height. Though it is an invasive weed, it is still available for purchase and is used in landscaping.

Coral ardisia, also known as the Christmas berry, is an ornamental shrub native to Japan and northern India. It WANT gained popularity in Florida because it is TO lowmaintenanceandproducesattractive HELP? coral-red berries. Its seeds are spread by birds and raccoons, and it can even resprout after a fire.

If you come across a The best way to control the spread non-native plant or of invasive plants is to avoid planting animal, take a picture them. Caton stressed the importance of and note the location. awareness.Somenon-nativeornamental Then report it by plantsareharmless,butothersarenot,so phone (888) Ive-Got1 alwaysbeawareofwhatyou’reintroduc[483-4681], online IveGot1.org, or using ing into the environment.

AQUATIC PLANTS

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Caton says the invasive aquatic plants that have the biggest effect on the Tallahassee area are water hyacinth, water lettuce and hydrilla. Possession of these plants is illegal without a permit.

All three of these plants lower oxygen levels in the water and crowd out other species, often eliminating other plants and animals from the ecosystem.

Infestationsblockwaterways,soboattraffic and recreational use is disrupted. The restrictedwaterflowcanleadtoflooding.

Dense populations also provide the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Water hyacinth has spongy stalks, glossy leaves and lavender-blue flowers.

Leaf clusters float on the water, linked

the IveGot1 app. Those who have non-native pets should never release them into the wild. The FWC sponsors Exotic Pet Amnesty events where owners can surrender non-native pets, no questions asked. Visit MyFWC. com/Nonnatives for more information on invasive species. By increasing awareness and working together, Floridians can get one step closer to saying goodbye to these unwelcome guests.

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On land or in the water, several types of invasive plants can choke out the area’s natural vegatation. They include (clockwise from top left) Chinese Tallow, Coral ardisia, water lettuce, hydrilla and water hyacinth.

togetherbyhorizontalstems.Awaterwaycanaccumulate500tons of rotting plant material annually from just 1 acre of water hyacinth.

Water lettuce forms dense mats of“rosettes of fuzzy-soft, palegreen leaves,”according to the FWC’s website. With the ability to double its population size in three weeks, the plant can survive in freezing temperatures and drought.

Hydrilla, also known as Indian star-vine, was originally intended for decorative use in aquariums. Its stems can be more than 35 feet long, with white flowers and whorls of pointed leaves. Hydrilla was introduced to Florida in the 1950s by an aquarium dealer. When it was dumped into a waterway near Tampa, it spread rapidly throughout the state.

Theseaquaticinvasivesareundermaintenancecontrol:“Westay on top of plants and don’t let them get too far out of control,”Caton explained. By nipping the plants in the (literal) bud, the FWC can use smaller amounts of herbicide and avoid killing non-target plants. It’s more efficient and cost effective.“Would you rather treat an area the size of a desktop or an acre?” Caton asked. n

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»life LOOKING BACK

Capital Angels

STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA MEMORY

Tallahassee Hotels and Homes Became Hospitals During the Civil War

The Ladies Soldiers Friend Sewing Society existed during the Civil War, and shortly afterward existed under the title Tallahassee Memorial Association. In 1898 the memorial association organized themselves as Anna Jackson Chapter 224 of the U.D.C.

By Jason Dehart

THE ALARM CANNON SOUNDED throughout Quincy before dawn on March 5, 1865. Dr. Charles Hentz, a local physician, paid no mind to it at first. He had heard the alarms before and nothing had ever happened. But this time, it would be different. Before too long he was on a train bound forTallahassee, and then on to the front lines of war, where his surgical skill would be put to good use tending to the wounded and dying in the aftermath of the Battle of Natural Bridge.

Small towns, even most capital cities, were unprepared for the carnage of the Civil War. During the three-day fight at Gettysburg alone, more than 46,000 men were either killed or wounded. Modern research suggests that upwards of 700,000 men died during the four-year war. One-third of the soldiers died in combat, while the rest died from wounds or disease. Both ConfederateandUnioncapitalsbecamehospitalcities;a hospital was set up in the U.S. Capitol’s rotunda, and in Richmond,Va.,churchpewswereusedashospitalbeds.

In Florida, the“smallest tadpole in the Confederacy,” Tallahassee’s men and women did whatever they could to find beds and provide care for the sick and wounded.

Thiswasatimewhenthehealthcarelandscapewasquite different from what it is today. Today, we have a vast array of doctors’offices, clinics and specialists to choose from, not to mention two very fine modern hospitals.

It was quite a different story in antebellum Tallahassee.Perhapstheonlypurpose-built“hospital”at thebeginningofthewarwasafederalmarinehospitalin St. Marks, and it wasn’t even being used for the purpose it was intended. It was designed originally to care for sailors sick with yellow fever. But it fell into Florida’s hands when the state seceded and became a barracks for Confederate troops stationed at nearby Fort Ward.

The two-story structure was built in the late 1850s from materials scavenged from the ruins of the ancient Spanish masonry fort San Marcos de Apalache.

Hentz recalled in his autobiography that on a duckhunting trip to St. Marks in January 1865, he visited the artillery unit billeted inside the old hospital. In his autobiography, he lamented the dismantling of the historic old Spanish fort and remarked that a great number of human bones had been dug up when parts

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»life LOOKING BACK

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of the fort were torn up for building material. These old remains offered proof of untold suffering from decades past: “Some of them with shackles on them — and some bearing the marks of wounds; there was an oaken coffin also — I took home a number of the bones,” he wrote.

COMPASSION AND PATRIOTISM

Early in the war years, it became apparent that the families of Tallahassee had to step up and do their part to help the sick and wounded soldiers coming into their town from far-flung battlefields. In the spring of 1862, the Florida Sentinel in Tallahassee askedresidentstodonatewhateverfoodtheycouldsparetoaidthe recuperating soldiers.

“There are now some twenty … patients in the Hospital in this city, who are being cared for and attended to by the ladies and also have good medical attendance. We learn that they are unable to procure some articles of diet, which are very necessary to the sick, such as young chickens, eggs, butter, honey, … .”the editorial states.“We appeal to persons in the country, who have such things to bring them in for sick soldiers. Donations of small amounts of these things would hardly be felt by the giver, while they would be an incalculable value. When it is recollected that at least every third family (of) this county have dear relations in the camps who are liable at any time to be prostrated on beds of sickness by some one or other of the diseases incident to camp life, it should induce every one to lend his or her aid to this most noble, self-sacrificing and patriotic efforts of the ladies of our city.

Let them come to the aid of the ladies, who are untiring in their efforts for the comfort of the sick.”

Aside from various locations withinTallahassee, hospitals were set up in Marianna, Quincy, Monticello, Madison, Lake City and Gainesville. Hotels, schools, homes and buildings next to railroad depots were pressed into service to provide aid and comfort to convalescing soldiers. In Tallahassee specifically, several notable buildings were used as hospitals at various times, including the First Baptist Church, the First Presbyterian Church, the City Hotel, the Meginnis-Monroe house, the Masonic Lodge and the old Planter’s Hotel. Princess Catherine Murat, Dr. Edward Bradford and other residents took soldiers into their homes, but these were mostly wounded Confederates.

“After battles they generally used the regular military hospitals to treat the Union wounded and put the Confederates in private homes. They definitely did this after (the battles of) Olustee, Marianna and Natural Bridge,” said historian Dale Cox. “The Confederates had learned that their wounded were more likely to recover with fewer complications if they were cared for in private residences. They weren’t quite as worried about how quickly the Union wounded recovered.”

Wherever the wounded were gathered, there were civilians — mostly women — performing essential tasks such as sewing, rolling bandages, scraping lint from white cotton cloth or wool for wound dressings, cooking, baking bread, reading to soldiers, writing letters home and even doing laundry.The Ladies Soldiers’ Friend Sewing Society was just one of the Leon County women’s groups that provided valuable assistance in the form of food, clothing and medicine.

“Many a citizen would find a place assisting in these and similar facilities,” writes Civil War historian Keith Kohl in his book, “Florida’s Civil War Years.” Kohl notes that “much of the nursing was often in the hands of dedicated women volunteers who

devoted time caring for and comforting the sick and wounded soldiers. Collections were organized to gather food and other necessities for the recovering combatants.”

Dr. Bradford, father of Susan Bradford Eppes, cared for and housed soldiers not only in his home but another building on his property north of town. He spent much of his waking hours tending to the business of healing his charges, and as medicine got scarce he scoured the nearby woods and fields for medicinal plants and herbs. The rest of the family stayed busy as well.

Susan Bradford kept a journal and wrote down on Sept. 29, 1863, that “Three times a week Mother fixes up a basket to send in to the Tallahassee hospital, fresh butter and butter milk; fresh vegetables from the garden, any kind of fruit we happen to have and always two large loaves of delicious home-made bread.This last is a luxury as flour is hard to get. Father raises wheat and he has put in bolting cloths in his gristmill, so the wheat can be prepared for use.”The Bradfords also maintained a saltworks and made shoes in their tannery.

Another notable Florida figure, Mary Martha Reid — the widow of former Florida territorial Gov. Robert R. Reid — went so far as to help establish a hospital for Florida soldiers in Richmond, Virginia in 1862. At Florida Hospital, she served as matron throughout the war, Kohl wrote.

“Besides repeatedly holding drives to raise stockpiles of funds, foodstuffs and other necessities, Mrs. Reid ministered to the many Florida soldiers as well as any Union troops who came through the hospital’s doors.These facilities often noted a shortage of needed supplies, despite the noble donations that were being sent by the citizens of Florida,” Kohl wrote.

Closer to home, Ellen Call Long, daughter of former territorial Gov. Richard Keith Call, recollected in her book “Florida Breezes” how clergy implored their members to lend a hand in the wake of the bloody Battle of Olustee in February 1864. “… I was at church; the congregation appeared as usual, unexpecting and unmoved, when they were startled by the clergyman returning thanks for‘victory.’Almost every one in the building had some relative or friend at the front. Some gave way to tears; others rushed out to learn the particulars, and those that remained were still more shaken by the request made from the chancel that bandages, lint, and relief of all kinds should be sent to our hospital, where the wounded from the battle field of Olustee or Ocean Pond would arrive before nightfall,” she wrote. “So the twenty-second of February — once a proud holiday — found the ladies of our cityengagedinmakingbandagesandlintforthecomingwounded.

One poor wife was so engaged when she heard that her husband hadbeenkilled.Asthehospitalcannotholdthesufferinghumanity comingtouseveryhousewasthrownopenfortheiroccupation,and all the good of head, heart and hands showed itself.”

Call mentions that this care and compassion even extended to blackUnionsoldierswoundedduringthefightandwhowereprisoners of war.

“The Federal wounded came to us, consisting almost entirely of negroes;threeregimentsofthesepoorcreatureshavingbeenmade to receive our bayonets, and their mutilated bodies tell with what effect. They are called, as if in derision, First and Second Carolina Regiments, but their tongues betrayed more Northern origins.

These occupy, with their white officers, the Masonic Lodge and BaptistChurchofourtown,anditismuchregrettedbythehumane that we have so poor accommodation for them,”she wrote.“Their condition excites the commiseration of all kind hearts; so much so TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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thatmanyhavesentthemdelicaciesandcomforts,thathaveexcited comment from the prejudiced, who cannot make a difference between a fallen and a fighting foe. Our battle was so unexpected thattherewasnoprovisionsmadeforprisoners,andtheyweresent here in such numbers that but for the attention of citizens their sufferings would have been greatly increased.”

Cox said that in the wake of the Battle of Natural Bridge, Union black and white soldiers were treated side by side at Tallahassee’s military hospital.

“They also treated white and black soldiers from Olustee side by side in the hospitals after the battle,” he said.

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Asthewardraggedon,thefightinggotmuchclosertoTallahassee.

Coxdetailstheeventsleadinguptothebattleinhisbookaboutthe Battle of Natural Bridge.

On March 5, 1865, the alarm sounded in Quincy. And when Dr. Hentz learned that the alarm heralded the approach ofYankee troops from St. Marks, he sprung into action. He called in a $200 debt(nosmallsuminthosedays)andusedthatmoneytobuymorphine,bandages,ahaversackandotheritems.Hethenwenthome, grabbedacanteen,quicklybakedupabatchofbiscuitsandgrabbed aslabofbaconfromhissmokehouse.Next,hegavehishousekeeper some money, told her to look after his children, and was on the 9 a.m. troop train leaving Quincy for Tallahassee. When he arrived in Tallahassee, he obtained more supplies from the army medical department and went off to war as a surgeon for the Gadsden County militia and home soldiers.

A long troop train crammed with men and artillery slowly rolled south and pulled into an army camp around 10 p.m.; from there, the troops marched on to Natural Bridge. Hentz and a small medical detachment joined them on the fatiguing march. During the next day’s battle, he and other local physicians realized there was no safe place to be during a battle, for Union artillery shells and bullets overshot their target and landed behind the lines amongst the doctors.

“Oneshellburstsoclosetousthatafragmentaslargeasthepalm of my hand tore the ground up just beyond my foot and Dr. Mapp’s which were about a foot apart,”he recalled in his autobiography.“I picked it up without moving my position, and have it yet as a relic of the battle; another burst right over my head as I was proceeding to the field hospital, and the fragments rained all about me.”

Hentz survived the battle and spent the next few days tending to the wounded men that lay battered and broken across not only Natural Bridge but in Newport, scene of the first attempt by Union troops to cross the St. Marks River. Overall, there was much work for him and other doctors to manage. Total Confederate losses for the two confrontations were 11 killed, 39 wounded and two captured. This includes five civilians who were killed during the Newport skirmish prior to the fight at Natural Bridge. Union casualtieswerehigher.Twenty-twowerekilled,109werewoundedand 38 were reported missing.

Hentz said he was “profoundly grateful to God for our signal victory.”His survival was even more welcome news to the family.

Hisbrother,Thaddeus,hadbeenwoundedandcapturedduringthe bitterfightingatMariannathepreviousSeptemberandlanguished as a prisoner of war in Elmira, New York.

“The Confederate victory at Natural Bridge kept the rest of the family together and saved them from even greater losses,” Cox wrote. n

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»life AGENDA ADDITIONS & TRANSITIONS ▪ Leigh Jenkins, CPA, is the new assurance-services department manager at Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A. Jenkins, a Gulf Breeze, Florida, native, has provided assurance, consulting and other accounting/financial services for Harrell 11 years. Allison Harrell, a shareholder with the firm, has been appointed to the North Florida Outreach Fellows Program of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. The program is a group of professional and scholarly individuals from different backgrounds and professions who share their knowledge and expertise assisting small-business owners and nonprofit leaders over a yearlong period.

▪ Fiore Communications recently hired Robby Cunningham, APR, as senior account manager to oversee major client activities and provide strategic content development. Cunningham is a Florida native and award-winning communicator with an extensive background in executive-level government communications, crisis management and media relations. He has nearly 17 years’ experience in state government and served primarily as communications director in several agencies under five governors. The company also announced the opening of its first satellite office in Duluth, Minnesota. Liz Kossakowski, digital marketing strategist, is managing the new office and will continue providing services such as strategic website content and social media management.

PHOTOS COURTESY PICTURED INDIVIDUALS

J. Cameron Yarbrough has joined the business law firm Gunster as a government affairs consultant in Tallahassee. Before joining Gunster, Yarbrough was president of Yarbrough & Associates, a governmental advocacy firm. In his 20 years Yarbrough of work as a governmental consultant, he has been in many positions within the Governor’s Office, as a legislative liaison for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and a legislative director for the Department of Management Services.

▪ Vicky Shetty, CTP, has been named vice president and regional treasury solutions officer by Ameris Bank. She will work with business clients to provide customized treasury management solutions to help optimize their working capital and Shetty liquidity needs. Before Ameris Bank, Shetty worked for SunTrust Banks for 17 years as vice president and treasury sales officer for North Florida.

She has also worked for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, and during the course of her career has earned the designation of Certified Treasury Professional.

▪ Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, with offices in Tallahassee, Crawfordville, Pensacola, Cantonment, Gulf Breeze, Atmore, Brewton and Milton, has received

a 5-Star Superior rating now for 84 consecutive quarters. This coveted rating puts Gulf Winds into an elite club consisting of the strongest credit unions in the nation. By achieving this rating for so many quarters, Gulf Winds has earned an even more elite status of Sustained Superiority. Fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s credit unions can claim this distinction.

▪ Courtney Schoen was recently appointed coordinator of Tallahassee’s Think About Personal Pollution (TAPP) program, which focuses on educating people about how they can make a difference in keeping our lakes and streams cleaner and free of pollution. Schoen earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and moved to Tallahassee 11 years ago to work for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Resource Management section. She spent several years as an ecologist for a local environmental consulting firm before returning to graduate school at the University of Florida, where she earned a master’s degree in ecological restoration.

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throughout session to help educate legislators on the impact of the county’s priority issues such as juvenile detention and Medicaid. In related news, Leon County Administrator Vince Long was elected president of the Florida Association of County Managers.

▪ Jeffrey W. Askins, CFP, an LPL Financial-affiliated advisor at Six Pillars Financial Advisors, has been recognized as a top financial advisor and named to LPL’s Director’s Club. This is based on where the advisor’s annual production ranks among LPL’s approximately 14,000 registered nationwide adviAskins sors. Six Pillars is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Commerce Credit Union. LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc., is a leader in the financial advice market and the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer since 1996.

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▪ Will Davis is now senior lender and vice president of commercial lending at Centennial Bank. Davis, who’s worked there for five years and has 12 years experience in banking and finance, previously held the title of commercial loan officer. In Davis his new role he’ll have oversight over the bank’s commercial lending team in the Tallahassee/ Quincy market.

Leitman

▪ Park Broome, former business services executive at First Commerce Credit Union, recently joined the staff of Centennial Bank as vice president, commercial lending.

His new job responsibilities include managing a commercial loan portfolio and providing financing to business customers. Broome has 15 years experience in banking and finance.

▪ A third of the attorneys at Messer Caparello, P.A. in Tallahassee were recently named 2015 “Super Lawyers”

by Super Lawyers magazine, including shareholders Dominic M. Caparello, Mark Herron, William P. Dillon, Robert J. Telfer III, and Gigi Rollini.

Meanwhile, associate Melanie R. Leitman has been named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” Honorees are picked through a competitive process of peer review and independent research into professional achievement, credentials, competence, experience, professional activity, pro bono work, honors and recognitions.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

▪ Leon County Commissioner John Dailey recently completed the Advanced County Commissioner certification program, offered by the Florida Association of Counties during its 2015 Annual Conference and Educational Exposition in St. Johns County. The ACC program is a way for commissioners to enhance the skills and knowledge relevant to a commissioner’s responsibilities. Dailey follows in the footsteps of Commissioner Jane G. Sauls and Commissioner Bryan Desloge who also graduated from the Advanced County Commissioner program. At the recent conference, Desloge was honored with the Presidential Advocacy Award for being instrumental to the FAC during the recent legislative session. He visited the capitol

▪ Bevis Funeral Home was recently named the “Chamber Business of the Year” by the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. The annual Chamber Awards recognize businesses for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community. Of the original 60 businesses nominated in six categories, 18 were chosen as finalists with one winner in each category. The six category winners then competed for the overall award.

▪ Sachs Media Group Senior Account Executive Zoe Linafelt was recently named a national “PR Champion” by the PR Council, one of only 26 public relations professionals in the nation chosen for this honor. A full-time member of the Sachs Media Group team, Linafelt was previously an intern but quickly came into her own as a talented writer, editor and strategic planner. In her five years working at Sachs Media Group, she has become an accomplished project coordinator, video producer and event planner.

▪ The City of Tallahassee Underground Utilities department was recently awarded The Governor’s Sterling Award for 2015. For 23 years, the prestigious award has recognized organizations and businesses in Florida that have successfully achieved performance excellence

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within their management and operations. Tallahassee’s Underground Utilities department has 376 employees and is one of the largest municipal departments. It has made use of technology and innovation to become a highly efficient leader in the utility industry. The city’s cost of reclaimed water in 2014 was $140.58 per million gallons, substantially lower than the Florida Benchmarking Consortium average cost of $236.05.

The department consistently operates in full compliance with federal and state regulations and is a frequent recipient of operating performance recognitions.

▪ The City of Tallahassee’s Growth Management department is one of the best in class, according to Harvard University, thanks to its Residential Money Back Guarantee Program. It was cited as a Top 25 Program out of more than 500 entries in the Innovation in American Government Competition.

The program, which applies to new oneand two-family building permits, was designed to address concerns about being more business-friendly and managing uncertain permitting timelines.

Customers are guaranteed a seven-day (business days), on-time review for initial building permit applications or all money is refunded.

▪ Wallace Knight of Leon County’s Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts and Thomas Speight of Jefferson County Middle/High School were among eight educators from around the state to be recognized with Governor’s Shine Awards during a recent Cabinet meeting. Knight is a fifth-grade mathematics and science teacher and STEM coordinator. Speight has taught U.S. and world history in the Jefferson County school system for 12 years.

▪ Georgia-Pacific’s Foley Cellulose mill in Perry recently donated $12,500 to the Boys and Girls Club in Taylor County.

Thanks to this support, the club will be able to help 200 young people every day. All told, Boys and Girls Clubs serve nearly four million young people annually, through membership and community outreach, in some 4,000 club facilities throughout the country and Boys and Girls Club of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.

▪ Leon County Government recently received 11 national awards from the National Association of Counties for outstanding county programs and services.

Leon County’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance received highest honors as Best in Category. This program encourages residents to volunteer and

give back to the community as a way of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 4,400 hours of service were donated to military veterans, low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities and families of active-duty military by 976 volunteers over the past four years alone.

▪ Tallahassee lawyer and lobbyist Reggie Garcia’s book, “How To Leave Prison Early: Florida Clemency, Parole and Work Release” (Laurenzana Press), has garnered 22 gold five-star reviews on amazon.com and been in the Top 100 of Criminal Procedure Law books.

▪ Christy Crump, director of operations with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Regulatory Compliance Services, was recently elected to serve her second term as president of the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women. The organization facilitates opportunities for women to advance their career goals, earn higher and equitable salaries, build stronger businesses, establish rewarding careers, and balance work and personal life.

▪ Rick Feldman, certified public accountant, was recently hired by accounting and consulting firm James Moore as a senior consultant in the Accounting and Controllership Services department. Feldman had previously served as an accounting services manager for the City of Tallahassee and supervised more than 30 employees.

He administered the process for yearend audit and state financial reporting and ensured accounting compliance with various federal, state and local regulatory requirements. Feldman also maintained internal controls that safeguarded resources, reliability of financial information and compliance requirements. At James Moore, Feldman will be responsible for advanced bookkeeping and accounting services for the firm’s business and nonprofit clients.

▪ Barbara Wills, former assistant superintendent of Leon County Schools, is the new vice president of administrative services at Tallahassee Community College. Feleccia MooreDavis, previously the vice president for instruction at Lone Star College-CyFair in Houston, is TCC’s new provost.

Audrey Mathews has accepted a position as the director of human resources at TCC. Mathews was previously the employee relations manager at the Florida Department of Revenue’s Office of Workforce Management.

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Mind and Body

Meditation Mending the Mind, One Breath at a Time

By Chay D. Baxley

SHANNON GRIFFIN

T

ake a deep breath. Relax your shoulders. Now your mind.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Any good yogi with his or her chakras in working order will tell you that if you can follow those simple instructions, you can meditate. In fact, staying conscious of one’s breathing is a technique many meditation coaches refer to as “breath awareness meditation.”

On the long journey to mastering this ancient practice, it’s the perfect place to start.

“The breath is a very powerful tool for coming in to stillness and mediation,”explained Charlene Cappellini, an instructor at Namaste Yoga in Tallahassee.

“It’s a wonderful tool for relaxing the body, but it can also be a tool for energizing the body,”she continued,“and for shifting mood, and calming people down. It actually has many, many uses. It’s a very powerful tool.”

For novice meditation practitioners, experts agree that this soothing mental exercise is ideal for learning how to tune out the distractions and stressors of the modern world, one relaxing breath at a time. Once you figure out how to do so on the yoga mat, they say, it’s far easier to do the same in everyday life.

Intrinsically linked, for many, yoga provides the perfect gateway into deeper meditation.

“Yogaisreallygoodformybodyandmymind,”explainedSuzanne Harrell, owner of Tallahassee’s Journeys in Yoga.“And that’s where, for me, the meditative aspect of the physical practice of yoga comes in — especially a practice like Birkram Yoga that’s a set series, so we do the same thing every single time.

“Once you know the series, you can really kind of zone out and just get into the Yoga instructor Charlene poses and your body and tune everything Cappellini, shown here else out. It becomes very, very meditative in a seated pose, says in that way.” breathing is a “powerful It all sounds very relaxing, no doubt. tool” in the practice of But, technically speaking, what exactly is meditation.

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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meditation? Who should try it out? And, besides breathing, how does one know where to begin?

Defining this incredibly personal experience can be tricky and is perhaps best explained by what it is not. For instance, if you’re thinking meditation is about solving the world’s problems, or is solely aimed at somehow gaining religious insight or becoming enlightened, you couldn’t be more wrong.

In reality, it’s just about you.

“I get a calmness and a piece of mind,”shared Harrell of her own meditation practice.“I do mini-meditations throughout the day.”

SHANNON GRIFFIN

With A-listers from Oprah Winfrey to Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington taking to the airwaves to give the art of meditation its just deserts, the practice has lost much of its“hippie-dippy”connotation. Even Johns Hopkins University is chiming in, with researchers there having recently released a review of 47 trials that suggested consistent meditation could have a lastingimpactonpsychologicalstressorssuchasanxiety, depression — even pain.

Unlike many healthful living crazes, this trend is easily achievable for any fitness level and is as well suited for the young as it is for the young at heart. Many believe having rambunctious or energetic youngsters decompress through meditation could be a holistic solution to a cognitive issue.

“I think it’s very effective,” said Cappellini, a retired schoolteacher.“I’veknownanumberofpeoplewhohave workedwithchildrenwhohavefoundthatteachingthem breath awareness is a good way to cope with the stress in their lives.”

While everyone’s path toward“successful”meditation is unique, there are a few standard steps you can take to get started.

First, find a quiet, clean, calm space. This can just as easily be your living room as one of the city’s beautiful meditation and yoga studios — it’s all about where you’re most comfortable, emotionally and fiscally.

Position your body so you are both content and alert.

Whether that means reclining entirely or sitting up crosslegged is entirely up to you. If focusing on inhaling and exhalingleavesyourmindwandering,tryinsteadconcentrating on a single word — repeating it, and only it, over and over in your mind. A mantra, if you will.

According to Harrell, concentrating on a mantra helps the meditator cope with chitta vritti, yogi talk for “mind chatter.”

“Anythingthathelpsbreakupthat tendency to go down a path into an abyss, a rabbit hole so to speak — a Suzanne Harrell word, a phrase, an image,” she said. and Charlene “Sometimes people have a flame as Cappellini an image that they can bring into demonstrate the “Tree Pose” their mind.” together.

“I have a mantra that I use,” continued Harrell, of her minimeditations.“It’s more about taking myself out of obsessing about a problem or worrying when I feel like I’m really wrapped up in something. And this can happen at any time of the day — I’ll stop, I’ll breathe and I’ll just sit and just say my mantra in my head several times.That disrupts any kind of stressful thought process that I get in to. For me, it’s amazing.”

Harrell’spersonalmantra?ABuddhistphraseshesaystranslates to, “May I be peaceful. May I be joyful. May I be well.”

Repetition is key to finding focus and emotional relief through meditation. Incorporating the practice into your daily routine might not be feasible for some, but allotting 10 minutes per day can offer an otherwise hectic schedule a brief respite and have a lastingeffectonthewayoneprocessesstress,acontributingfactor to many serious medical conditions. n

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»style TRENDS

Your Perfect Pair Keep These Tips in Mind to Find Figure-Flattering Jeans

If you’re petite, try styles that hit near your natural waist.

Long, lean cuts will visually extend the leg. Avoid anything too baggy; wide-leg jeans and oversized buttons or pockets can overwhelm a tiny frame. Cropped cuts appear to shorten the leg.

If you’re pear-shaped,

try a darker wash, mid-rise, straightlegged style that will elongate your legs.

Choose a pair that fits your largest part, and then get the pants tailored. Avoid faded effects like whiskering (which draw attention to thighs) and choose jeans with small or no back pockets (which can make your tush look bigger).

If you’re apple-shaped,

try a straight-legged style that hits around your belly button or slightly below it. Avoid high-waisted styles, which draw attention to the midsection.

Pleats, faded effects and other embellishments can also draw attention to the waist and hips, so try a solid dark wash.

If you have an hourglass figure, try skinny jeans to highlight your curves, or a slightly flared boot-cut style to balance your body. A contoured waist and stretchy fabric will give you a better fit in the hips. Avoid pants that are too tight — you want to hug your curves, not squish them. If you want to de-emphasize your rear, avoid embellished back pockets.

If you’re column-shaped,

try jeans that are fitted through the thighs and backside.

High-waisted jeans will highlight your hips, as will embellishments on the rear. Avoid flares cut for curvier shapes and superlow-rise styles.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY REBECCA TAYLOR

Jeans: versatile, comfortable, effortlessly

fashionable. They’re a timeless wardrobe staple — but the trick is finding your perfect pair. Whether you want to lengthen your legs, balance your body or accentuate your curves, there’s a pair of jeans that can make you feel comfy and confident.

Above all, remember that these tips are just guidelines. The most important factor in choosing jeans is finding a pair you love — because self-confidence is always in style. // BY KIYO KAWAGUCHI

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»style DÉCOR

The

COPPER COMEBACK 1

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON (1, 2, 3, 4) AND COURTESY URBAN OUTFITTERS (5)

3

5

2

4

YOU’VE HEARD IT time and time again: “What goes around comes around.” A cliché? Sure. The hyperbole does hold true in the design world, though. And it’s certainly been the case for copper, the season’s favorite born-again metal.

From the clinking of Moscow Mule mugs to the glistening effect of a well-lit penny backsplash to those intriguing miniature succulent pots none of us can get enough of, copper is quickly becoming the accent of choice for many interior design enthusiasts. With an agreeable balance of rustic and a clean and contemporary vibe, copper is ideal for adding contrast in texture, color and shape to any lackluster space. “I think the copper trend is a very aesthetically pleasing way to incorporate natural, earthy pieces into your home,” said Lisa Mergel, owner of Kanvas Beauty in Midtown. // BY CHAY D. BAXLEY 1. Arizona Copper Bowls, Kanvas, $52–$95 based on size 2. Homestead Small-Batch Candles, Haute Headz Salon, $25–$29 3. Moscow Mule Mug by Sertodo, Bedfellows, $35 each 4. Golden Lighting Pendant, Tallahassee Lighting, $127–$195 5. Magical Thinking Antique Flourish Full-Length Mirror, Urban Outfitters, $299

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»style HABITAT

Company Ready Holidays Are Coming — Are You Ready for Houseguests?

READY OR NOT, THE HOLIDAYS are on their way. In the next few months, a slew of visitors will be trotting in and out of your front door — and speaking of your front door … didn’t you mean to have that refinished before Thanksgiving?

A long weekend here. A night there.

Road warriors will come from far and wide to celebrate the holiday season with you and yours. After all of their travel troubles, they’ve certainly earned a little extra Southern hospitality. Make them feel at homebybeginningtheprepworkonyour house early enough to make an impact.

That means considering more than just how freshly laundered the towels are.

From big-picture items (like kitchen gut jobs and flooring updates) to the simple things in life (a homemade batch of cookies and a few fresh-cut flowers), extended entertaining during the holidays hinges on the details.

“It does take preparation,” admitted renowned local hostess Judy Pate. Pate has been impressingTallahassee with her homemaking skills since the early 1990s, when she and husband, Mike, moved to town when he became publisher of the

By Chay D. Baxley

Tallahassee Democrat. She does have a few tried-and-true favorites in her welcoming repertoire.

“I like to bake cookies (during the holidays),” Pate continued. “Again, you have to start early. You can always freeze them. I have a recipe called ‘Death by Chocolate,’ which is pretty much a favorite of everyone.”

Any great masterpiece starts on a clean canvas. Early on, set aside a weekend or two to organize your home in preparation for the celebratory craziness to come. Pay particularattentiontounderthebathroom

A supply of soap, shampoo, lotion and other toiletries (above) in the bathroom can be helpful for guests who may have left an essential at home. For a luxury touch, welcome your guests with a flower arrangement (left) or a sleeping mask on the nightstand.

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»style HABITAT

TACKLING THE BIG STUFF If a Major Revamp is Needed, Industry Experts Say It’s Best to Plan Ahead PAINTING? Nothing spruces up the place quite like a fresh coat of paint. According to K&C Painting Services’ longtime employee Connie Brannen, around the holidays they see an influx of smaller inside jobs. “Chair rails, columns, everything that is visible to the eye can be spruced up,” she noted. In the market for some repainting? Brannen recommends making appointments two to three weeks in advance.

REMODELING? Big remodels can take a big chunk of time. Barton Construction owner Doug Barton said he sees a spike in interior work as the holidays approach. According to him, it’s best to start remodeling projects as much as three months in advance. “It can probably be done sooner than that,” Barton admitted, “but when you have company coming, you don’t want all of your furniture to be out on the front yard.”

FRESHENING UP THE FABRIC? After 26 years in the industry, Rose Marie Brabec, owner of Design and More, says that if people want to update their home before the holidays, they need to start thinking

78 September–October 2015

early. When it comes to custom drapery, she says the budget ultimately helps determine the appropriate ordering window. “It’s best to order larger custom pieces at least 60 days before Thanksgiving,” Brabec said. “Smaller pieces can be purchased a few days out.”

NEED NEW FLOORING? “To be on the safe side, you’ll need about two to three weeks to reach out to someone for ordering and scheduling,” shared Marais Leon, design consultant at Florida Floors, on obtaining flooring before the festivities. “It seems like (business) picks up right before the holidays.

Folks like to get their home prepared for visitors and the holiday season.”

CLEANING THE CARPET? If you aren’t looking to make any major changes, carpet cleaning is one of the easiest ways to freshen up the look of your home’s interior without too much effort. Unlike extensive renovation projects, carpet cleaning won’t stretch your wallet too thin right before Christmas shopping commences. But if you want these services on a specific day and time, it’s never too early to make your appointment. // CASEY FEINDT

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

sink and guestroom closets, as well as any other areas your company is sure to come in contact with.

Next,thinkaboutwhatyouforgottopackonyour last weekend retreat. Eliminate a run to the drugstore for your guests by stocking up on bathroom toiletries.Anabundanceoftoiletpaper,cottonballs, Q-tips, toothpaste and extra toothbrushes is a solid investment.

“Youalwayshavetomakesureyouhavethesoaps for the showers and for the vanities,” Pate said.

Another great tip? Amp up your guest quarters.

Whether Grandma is luxuriating in her private mother-in-law suite or getting cozy in the family den, quality bed and bath linens can make a big difference when sleeping in an out-of-the-ordinary space. Sheets with a minimum 400-thread count should do nicely.

So guests feel that they have a space to retreat, add a warmly lit reading lamp to a nightstand stocked with tissues, a bottle of water, a good book and hey, maybe even a sleeping mask or two.Want to add even more opulence? Finish the room off with a chocolate mint on the pillow and prepare to receive your loved ones’ accolades.

After a quick check for food preferences, you’ll be ready to host with the best of them.

“And, of course, you need to know what color of wine they drink,”quipped Pate,“garnet or gold?” n

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

Judy Pate’s Guest-Pleasing Recipe Ingredients » 2 packages (16 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate, divided (Pate recommends Baker’s) » ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar » ¼ cup butter or margarine » 2 eggs (lightly beaten) » 1 teaspoon vanilla » ½ cup all-purpose flour » ¼ teaspoon baking powder (not soda) » 2 cups chopped nuts (Pate prefers pecans) Directions Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coarsely chop 8 squares (1 package) of chocolate; set aside. Microwave remaining 8 squares of chocolate in a large microwavable bowl on high for 1-2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder. Stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in the reserved chopped chocolate and nuts. The batter will be stiff. Drop approximately ¼ cup (or smaller if you prefer) of batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and feel set to the touch. Cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack until cooling is complete. Note: These cookies do not spread out.

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»style GARDENING

Parched Plants? st, Ms. Grow-I t-A y Po ll dre Au

Water Longer, But Less Often, During Dry Periods

By Audrey Post

OCTOBER TENDS to be the driest month of the year, in terms of rainfall, in Tallahassee and the Florida Panhandle. That’s great for football tailgates and trips to the beach, but not so ® goodforfallgardeningand lawnmaintenance.Youcan Ms. Grow-It-All ® spend as much or as little moneyasyouwantkeeping your landscape watered, because there are lots of options available. The key is to make sure you water correctly.

Unfortunately, some people follow the“frequent small sips”formula for watering, which is not the best way to do it. Turning on sprinklers for a few minutes every day, or several times a day, just teases your plants, and they can’t get a good drink. This is particularly true of lawns. Even worse, it encourages shallow root growth, because roots stay near the surface of the soil since the moisture doesn’t seep down very far with only a light watering. Shallow roots make plants more susceptible to drought and dry spells. It creates an unhealthy cycle for the plant.

Just as you want a tall, cool glass of water to quench your thirst when you’ve been out in the heat, so do your plants.

Longer,deeperwateringencouragesdeeproots,whichcan seek out the moisture in the subsoil. Plants with deep roots are stronger and healthier. Healthy soil retains moisture better than sandy or clay soils, so soil amendments are a good way to help your garden beds make the most of the water they get. Compost, whether homemade or storebought, is the cure for sandy soil that drains too quickly or clay soil that doesn’t drain well at all. Work the compost in with a garden fork or spade to a depth of several inches, being careful not to damage the roots of your plants, then leave a layer on top to serve as mulch.The mulch will break downandyou’llneedtoreplaceiteventually,butit’sagood way to keep your soil nice and crumbly.

If you have an irrigation system already in place, check it with a rain gauge to see how long it needs to run to apply Ms. Grow-It-All

®

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»style GARDENING

an inch of water to your landscape and to make sure it is hitting all the planting areas you want irrigated. If you don’t have a rain gauge, take a coupleofemptytunacansandusearulerandpermanentmarkertomark an inch on the inside.

Don’t turn the water on to full blast; soil can’t absorb moisture at pressure-wash speed and most of it will run off, so you’re wasting water and moneyandyourplantsarestillthirsty.Checkyourplantingbedsandlawn; it’s OK if the water puddles a bit as long as it is sinking into the soil at a steady rate.

Water early in the morning or late in the afternoon, so your lawn can dry before nightfall. Soggy soil at night invites fungi and other problems.

Also, don’t water in the middle of the day when the sun is beating down on your lawn.The water droplets can act as a magnifying glass, intensifying the sun’s heat and burning the grass blades.

Use whatever watering system works for you. If you have a small garden or landscape, you might be able to get by with a watering can or a garden hose, although dragging either around in the heat can get tiresome fast. Irrigation systems, either in-ground or hidden under the mulch, can make the chore easier. Make sure you have it set properly, or better yet, turn it on manually so you water only when your lawn and gardenreallyneeditandcangetthemostbenefit.Don’tbethatgardener whose sprinklers are on when it’s raining. ©2015PostscriptPublishing,allrightsreserved.AudreyPostisacertified AdvancedMasterGardenervolunteerwiththeUniversityofFloridaIFAS ExtensioninLeonCounty.EmailheratQuestions@MsGrowItAll.comorvisit herwebsiteatmsgrowitall.com.Ms.Grow-It-All®isaregisteredtrademarkof Postscript Publishing.

Fall Garden Chores September

» If you’re planning to put in a garden or plant trees or shrubs this fall, get your soil tested first.

Kits are available at the Leon County Extension Office, 615 Paul Russell Road, along with complete instructions. With your soil tested and prepared, plant cool-season vegetables such as greens, carrots, beets, radishes and scallions. Plant cool-weather herbs such as parsley, dill, sage and cilantro. » Fall blooming perennials such

as lion’s ear (Leonotis Leonurus), firespike (Odontonema strictum) and Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) can be planted now, as well as wildflower seeds for spring. Wait until October to plant fall annuals.

» If you missed giving your citrus a

third and final feeding for the year in August, apply fertilizer during the first couple of weeks of September. After that, you risk promoting new growth just as cold weather hits.

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October

» Now is the time to plant fall

annuals such as petunias, larkspur, snapdragons and sweet peas.

» Spring bulbs such as daffodils

and irises can be planted now. For daffodils in particular, make sure you select varieties recommended for North Florida, such as Carlton, Sweetness and Ice Follies. The staff at local nurseries can help.

» Plant strawberries

this month, again choosing “short day” varieties for North Florida, such as Florida Belle and Florida 90.

» Replace mulch around shrubs and trees, making sure it doesn’t touch the trunk or main stem and is no deeper than 2 or 3 inches.

» Begin bringing cold-sensitive container plants indoors, taking care to spray the foliage with a soapy mixture to wash off any insects or pests.

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»feature DEAL ESTATE FEATURE

The Grande Dames of Real Estate Perseverance Pays Off for Veteran Realtors

REAL ESTATE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. This business is a roller coaster,withchangingtastes,economicsandlegalitiestokeepupwith.So it’s impressive that Cassandra Harbin, Ann Cleare, Virginia Glass, Rae Roeder and Jan Soto (left to right, above) have each managed extremely successful real estate careers in Tallahassee lasting 30, 40, even 50 years.

They have seen the market grow and retreat over the course of their manyyearsinthebusiness,andeachpresentsaninterestingperspective

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By Paige Snead // Photos by Kay Meyer

onthefield’sever-changingnature.Theyhavelivedthroughtheimmense growthandchangeourcityhasundergoneoverthecourseofthepastfew decades, bravely entering the real estate business even when it was run predominantly by men. Here, then, are five smart, experienced women whohavebeeninTallahasseethroughouttheircareersandarestillgoing strong, thanks to their tenacity and refusal to give up despite the challenges they faced.

GO TO TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM FOR UPDATED LISTINGS

VIRGINIA GLASS

Virginia Glass works in direct sales with Coldwell Banker. Her specialtiesrangefromfirst-timebuyerstodreamhomes,andsheisconsistently ranked among the top 1 percent in sales production by theTallahassee Board of Realtors. She has worked in real estate since 1965 — a career spanning 50 years.

Her longevity means Glass has seen this city and the real estate business grow immensely. When she moved to Tallahassee in 1958, the Centre of Tallahassee (formerly the Tallahassee Mall) was a farm and the city had only 45,000 residents.

Our world looks a lot different now. Glass attributes her success to her early start.

“I coped with the dramatic changes by growing up with them,” she said.Shesaysshegotherfeetwetwhentherewerefewerrulesandfewer properties — then mastered new developments one by one as the real estate business evolved.

“Every time we get used to one rule, they go and change it!”she said.

This has not affected her love for this business, though. Her favorite part is“turning dreams into addresses,”and she does everything in her power to help her clients. She believes Realtors always need to do their best, because a solid reputation is essential for success.

“Mycustomersare mybestmarketingtools, andIamso fortunate that most everything I do is repeat and referral business,” Glass explained.

She has developed a contact management system so she can keep up with past clients.

One of her proudest achievements is the School for Young Children on Gadsden Street. She worked for months trying to get a day care facility approved in what used to be a private residence, and the city kept coming up with new issues preventing her from doing so. She persevered,though,untilananonymouscallertoldherexactlywhatneeded to be done.

This tenacity is evident in every facet of her personality.

“I never know when to let go,”she said.“When you tell me it can’t be done is when I’m determined that it will be.”

JAN SOTO

Jan Soto has put in more than 30 years and was named Top Producer in 2004 and 2006 by the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. She has a passionate love for real estate and uses her intimate knowledge of Tallahassee to her advantage.

“I love the fun of real estate and getting to meet so many people. I can’t think of anything else I’d want to do,” she said.

When Soto started her real estate career, she did so in a field dominated by men. She proved herself a worthy contender early on, though, when she designed the interior offices for Tallahassee’s first high-rise.

Now the Bank of America Building, located downtown on Calhoun Street behind the Leon County Courthouse, this project kicked off her real estate career and her love of the city.

“I had worked on high-rises before, the Lennox Towers in Atlanta, when I was called to the groundbreaking of Tallahassee’s first high-rise.

I was so excited,”she explained. It was a vast success and served as her introduction to the city she now cannot imagine leaving.

Soto’s career developed as the real estate market rose and fell, and she watched the city grow from a small town to a little big city. Her first direct sale happened accidentally. She had been working as the salesmanagerofTallahassee’sfirstcondominiumcomplexwhenaclient approached her about wanting to buy a home. Soto did not hesitate to take the sale.

“My co-workers were a little miffed at me, since it really wasn’t my territory,”said Soto, but their reaction did not stop her. She put the client in a home for $11,500, and her experience grew from there.

Today, she deals in multimillion-dollar properties, long after opening her own real estate business in 1975. She attributes the growth in her businessprimarilytoherfocusonhelpingpeople.Shegetsalotofrepeat customers and has a great reputation. Helping people find exactly what they are looking for is her favorite part of the job.

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»feature DEAL ESTATE

CASSANDRA HARBIN

Cassandra Harbin also has more than 30 years of real estate experience.

She has received a plethora of accolades and awards, among them trophies from the Board of Realtors recognizing her for two consecutive years of more than 200 sales — and all without a full-time assistant.

“We only had five restaurants back then!” Harbin recalled of her arrival in Tallahassee. She witnessed the four-laning of Thomasville Road,sawstudenthousingdevelopfromnotenoughtooverabundance, and watched as interest rates on homes dropped more than 50 percent.

Being here so long and getting to see all of these changes has given her anextremelythoroughknowledgeofTallahassee.Sheisproudofthecity and sincerely tells new residents that they will love it here.

Harbin struggled through seven years in which the housing market “completely tanked,” she said. “But I hung in there. I thought about going down to Publix and becoming a cashier, but I just could not leave this business. Truly, I do not think it would be possible to be a real estate agent unless you passionately loved it. It becomes your whole life!”

Making it through the housing crash was definitely demanding. She worked seven-day weeks and saw many others give up. Harbin persevered, though, and is proud of it.

Now, she cannot imagine doing anything else.

“It is never boring, and I get to learn something new every day,” she said. She feels that the longer you are in the business, the harder you will work, the more you will learn and thus the more successful you will be.

She attributes much of her success to the people she knows:“I’m not so smart myself, but I keep smart people all around me,” she said.

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ANN CLEARE

Ann Cleare has been selling real estate for nearly 40 years. She was vice president and president of District 8 Florida Realtors, served on several boards and won the President’s Spirit Award in 2010.

Getting started in real estate as a woman was challenging, but she was fortunate enough to sneak through the back door. She became a broker first, not selling real estate until five years after getting her license. She considereditatremendousadvantage,becauseshealreadyknewallofthe paperworkandtechnicalitiesinvolved.“Somepeoplearescaredtodeath to write a contract, but I already knew all of what was involved,”she said.

Anotheroneofherbigadvantageswasthewidevarietyofexperience she garnered over the years. She has experience with construction companies, property management, resales and developers.

All of this helped her stay in real estate.

“Surviving the falls is one of my biggest accomplishments in this business,” she said. She is proud to still be here and to still enjoy the intricacies of real estate.

“I love that I get to wake up in the morning, and I can receive one call that will completely change my calendar for the day,” Cleare said. It is never boring, and the longer she is in real estate, the more she likes it.

And she cannot imagine doing it anywhere besides Tallahassee. She loves the real estate community here.

“The Realtors here are my second family,”she said.“The community is very cooperative, and it makes it so much nicer.”

She loves Tallahassee’s culture, too. She loves the small town feel the city has maintained despite the massive growth it has seen.

“We have wonderful people, wonderful parks, a great symphony and the list just goes on and on. It’s just home,” Cleare said.

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RaeRoeder,whowasnamedRealtoroftheYearin2000,alsoboasts a vast knowledge of theTallahassee community. She is dedicated to customizing each real estate experience to meet the needs of her specific clients. She has put an emphasis on staying up to date withcertificationsandclasses,becausethefieldisalwayschanging.

“Changesovertheyears?Thebusinessisunrecognizable!”shesaid.

Her favorite thing about her career is the excitement of finding the perfect buyers for clients who are selling their home and finding the perfect home for clients looking to buy. A successful hunt is the best part for Roeder; she loves getting it just right.

For example, she once hooked two of her clients up so that one of them moved into a house previously lived in by the other in less than 30 days while the other found temporary living quarters, chose a preferred builder, purchased a lot and moved into a brand new home in less than six months.

“The happy ending continued,”Roeder said.“When they retired, I had the privilege of listing and selling the home for them.”

Return business means a lot to Roeder, too.

“My biggest accomplishment is having my customers come back when they want to upgrade or downsize, having their children come to me and having both generations refer me to their friends,” she said.

Roeder has served as president of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, vice president of the Florida Association of Realtors, Certified Residential Specialist President for the Florida Chapter and was given the Florida Certified Residential Specialist of the Year Award.

“Over the years I have accumulated a string of designations, because every year something new needs learning. Even after 40 years, I love it.” n

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IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

Waverly Hills

Neighborhood Hosts Large Homes at Affordable Prices By Casey M. Feindt and Paige Sneed

Waverly Pond (top) is a popular gathering spot for community events. The well-established Waverly Hills neighborhood has large homes (above) with reasonable prices.

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PICTURESQUE BRICK HOMES situated among rolling hills, bucolic ponds and streams, and sprawling live oaks draped with SpanishmosslendtheWaverlyHillsneighborhoodanabundance of Southern charm.

The onetime hunting and fishing plantation has evolved over thepasthalf-centurytobecomeahighlysought-aftercommunity ofmorethan400homes.Indeed,WaverlywasnamedTallahassee’s best large neighborhood of the year in both 2009 and 2014.

Named after the novels written by Sir Walter Scott, the Waverly Hills neighborhood is tucked off Thomasville Road, across fromTallahassee Nurseries. It’s convenient to Interstate 10, Market Square, downtown Tallahassee and Midtown. In addition, Waverly Hills lies within some of the area’s top school zones.

For longtime resident Barbara Davidson, the Waverly Hills community is much more than convenience, scenery and awards. She has served as both president and secretary of the volunteer homeowners association board.

“Waverly is such a desirable neighborhood. I am proud of Waverly and would not want to live anywhere else,” she says.

Continued on page 94

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History and Southern Charm A BRAND NEW HOME may hold appeal, but nothing compares to a home that QUICK LOOK speaks history.This brick beauty was origiAddress: 1574 nally crafted in 1937 with classic character Cristobal Drive and fine attention to detail. Owning this home would result in not only a lovely List Price: $795,000 place to live but your own page in this Square Feet: 4,213 home’s history book.

This home embraces you from the Bedrooms: 5 outside in with its Southern charm. The Bathrooms: 3½ brick façade is fashioned in that precise yetweatheredwaythatindicatesthebricks Contact: Hettie are from decades past. A matching brick Spooner, Hill walkway leads you past historic live oaks Spooner & Elliott, to the front door.You can almost picture a (855) 711-1190 mother with a pitcher of sweet tea standing in the doorway watching her children play on the lawn.

The spacious interior features an abundance of windows that let sunshinebeamthroughontothepolishedhardwoodfloors.Thewoodofthe floors matches the allure of the brick in the Southern style department.

The home has been restored since it was originally built, but the goal has always been to maintain and retain the originally crafted details.

The cheery kitchen features custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliancesandgranitecountertops.Thekitchenleadsintoformaldiningand living rooms, ideal for hosting dinner parties. This five-bedroom and three-and-a-half-bathroom abode is a perfect match for a family that includes children.The youngsters would agree once they see the rather sizable playroom. The outdoor patio is perfect for family barbecues or morning coffee sipping.

The home is situated in the venerable Los Robles neighborhood, just minutesawayfrompopularshopping,diningandentertainmentvenues, but is secluded enough in a comforting environment.

“The major selling point of this home is definitely its historic charm and its character,” said Realtor Hettie Spooner. “The area it is in and the amenities available in the home make it ideal for a family.” // REBECCA PADGETT

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Craftsman-Style Home Crafted a Quick Sale SOME HOMES ARE not meant to stay on the market long. The QUICK LOOK beautifulCraftsman-stylehome Address: 2003 Trescott Drive on Trescott Drive in Betton Hills was no exception. A lucky List Price: $350,000 buyer set their sights on this Sold Price: $350,000 lovely home and snatched it up in the blink of an eye.

Square Feet: 2,147 The home was constructed Bedrooms: 4 in 2002 and is complete with a columned front porch and Bathrooms: 2½ manicured lawn to catch the Contact: Priscilla Tharpe, passerby’s attention.The home is a classic charmer from the Coldwell Banker Hartung & outside, but the desirable feaNoblin Inc., (850) 386-6160 tures on the interior made this or mobile (850) 933-9412 a swift sale.

The lofty ceilings and numerous windows throughout give the home an open and airy essence.The centerofthehomefeaturesanopenconceptkitchenthatoneitherside opens up into a formal dining room and living room. The living room offers a set of French doors that unfold onto a back porch. The porch is furnished with fans and connects to a spacious backyard.

Threebedroomsarefoundthroughoutthehome,andthefourthisthe master bedroom and bathroom complete with a sizable walk-in closet, vanitiesandadoubleshower.Auniqueattributeofthishomeisthehandscraped hardwood floors that were installed in 2012.

“The condition is excellent, and because it is only 13 years old it had a lot of the amenities that buyers want,”said Realtor Priscilla Tharpe. “It sold within its second day on the market with backup offers.”

The location of the home is appealing, as it is in one of Tallahassee’s finer communities nestled up to Midtown. It is located about 100 yards from Winthrop Park and is a pleasant walk to nearby restaurants,parks,schoolsandevendowntown.Withsought-afteramenities, location and design, this home was not left to be lonely for long. // REBECCA PADGETT

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As a Realtor, Davidson knows what homeowners want in a community. Waverly Hills has no homeowners association fees; instead, the association asks for donations every three years and always receives more than enough to support its projects. That’s impressive, because the board is active with plenty of initiatives.

“We have few rules and get together often at beautifulWaverly Pond for food truck Mondays, potluck dinners, ice cream socials, egghuntsandmovienights.Wesponsorgaragesales,abookclub and have a quarterly newsletter,” Davidson said.

These activities make for a close-knit community, one in which residentslooktohelpeachotherout.Forexample,Waverlyishome to a Little Free Library built by resident Pam Flynn. Operating on thehonorsystem,thelibraryinvitesresidentstotakeorleavebooks.

“We take pride in how we look and like residents to maintain their homes and yards,” Davidson says. “But we know that can be very difficult at times for many reasons, so we encourage neighbors to help neighbors.”

Joe Manausa, a local real estate broker with 23 years in the business, is intimately familiar with Waverly Hills. A former resident of the neighborhood, Manausa reports that Waverly Hills is both mature and popular.

“There are homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, some renovated to current standards, some still sporting lime-green shag carpeting,butthisplacehas Residents of Waverly Hills are a sociable got it going on,” Manusa bunch, with several events throughout the says.“Sitting on more than year and this Little Free Library where people 400woodedacresandcencan trade books on the honor system. tered on Waverly Pond, Waverly Hills has much of whatTallahassee’s homebuyers are seeking today in Midtown.”

How much will a home in Waverly Hills cost the average homebuyer? Surprisingly, not an arm and a leg. According to market data gatheredbyManausa,theaveragevalueofahomesoldintheneighborhoodthisyearhasbeenapproximately$125persquarefoot,with most homes falling between 2,300 and 2,700 square feet in size.

That is, a typical home in Waverly Hills is selling for $250,000 to $350,000. Not bad.

“If you want a large house at a far-less-than-large price,Waverly Hills continues to deliver value in the Tallahassee real estate market,” Manausa says.

Last year, the neighborhood saw a 5 percent increase in home values, and this year is looking just as promising. Affordable, consistent,convenientandcharming,theWaverlyHillsneighborhood is sure to remain popular for decades to come. n

KAY MEYER

Continued from page 90

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Not Your Average Beach House THINK ABOUT YOUR TYPICAL BEACH HOUSE: a tropical shade of paint on the outside and palm tree décor on the inside. It’s a look that’s expected but not necessarily desirable. The homes at Tresca Place at Seagrove Beach will change what you envision a beach home to be.

These homes take beach-house style to a contemporary level with a moderndesign,exquisitearchitectureandluxuryfinishes.Theirpristine designispresentedbytheprestigiousbuilders,BlueDoor,whofocuson aesthetic beauty and operational balance in their designs.

While cutting-edge in design, these homes still offer all of the amenitiesabeachhomerequires: QUICK LOOK anabundanceofspace,closeproxAddress: All available homes imity to beach destinations and stunning views. are on Seapointe Lane The homes range from three Price: Ranging from to five-bedrooms, but in each $779,000 to $1,249,000 home the master suite is located on the top floor with a bird’s-eye Bedrooms: Ranging from view. Hardwood floors, craftsman 3 to 5 cabinets,stainlesssteelappliances, Contact: Nathan Abbott, granite countertops, screened (850) 803-7653, nathan@ porches, garages, elevators and nathanabbottteam.com viewing decks are just some of the perks. Did we mention that a golf cart is included for easy beach access?

The views are what steal the show. Step out onto any porch or deck for scenic views that include Seagrove Beach, Tresca Lake and the Gulf of Mexico.TrescaPlaceisaprivate,low-densitycommunitywithamenities suchasaneighborhoodpooloverlookingthelake,butjustminutesaway are popular destinations such as Seagrove Beach and Deer Lake State Park. A short drive down nearby Scenic Highway 30A will lead you to popular dining and shopping venues.

“Tresca Place gives you easy access by golf cart to all the amazing amenities of Scenic 30A, yet you can escape to a very private, coastal lifestyle,” said Realtor Nathan Abbott. “There are only nine home sites, which provide amazing privacy in this luxury beach community.” // REBECCA PADGETT

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»style GETAWAYS

THE SLOPES OF NEW MEXICO Go Southwest to Enjoy a Different Kind of Rocky Mountain Ski Experience

COURTESY FEED MEDIA/RYAN HEFFERNAN

By Jack Macaleavy

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A new, $3-million chair lift, which summits at 12,450 feet, takes expert skiers to the top of Kachina Peak in Taos Ski Valley.

WHEN SOMEONE MENTIONS SKIING the Rocky Mountains, people often think of high-profile and pricey resort destinations known for catering to the rich and famous, such as Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Isuggestyoutraveltothesouthernendof themajesticmountainrangeinNewMexico.

You’ll find three ski resort destinations that offer all the height, vertical drops and impressivesceneryofthenorthernvenuesat a fraction of the cost. And you’ll also avoid crowds—bothintheresortdestinationsand on the slopes. The density factor is important to skiers at all levels, but especially for those at the beginner or intermediate levels

whoarealreadychallengedbyfear,inexperience and control issues.

At the start of five days of New Mexican ski experiences, Mike Cerletti, cabinet director of the state Tourism Department, addressed his state’s identity crisis.

“Eitheronehasnoconceptionofwhatthe state has to offer or the wrong one,”he said.

On this particular media trip, our intermediate group experienced three ski destinations, spending a full day on the slopes at each, with an overnight stay to get a feel for the accommodations and culinary options.

For all the resorts, Albuquerque is your point of entry.

Travel an hour out of town to Santa Fe and the nearby Ski Santa Fe. At 10,350 feet above sea level in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Ski Santa Fe offers one of the highest base elevations in the United States. There is no need for the novice to be intimidated: Sixty percent of Ski Santa Fe’s 72 runs are at the green (easy) and blue (intermediate) levels.

On the day of my first ski lesson, about a foot of snowfall from the night before created the kind of ideal conditions that ski enthusiasts live for: a coating of dry, powderysnowthatallowsonetoexperiencethe sensation of floating down the hill.

My ski instructor for the day was George Brooks, executive director of Ski New

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Website is Like Pressing the Easy Button for Quality Ski Wear Ski wear is bulky and goes out of fashion quickly. So if you’d rather not deal with the packing and toting of all the “stuff” needed, or if you don’t want to make a big investment for a once-a-year ski trip then the Get Outfitted website (getoutfitted.com) is a perfect solution. It’s simple.

Go online, choose exactly what you want, and when you arrive at your resort hotel it will be there meticulously packed and ready to wear. Then, when you are ready to come home just put it all in the supplied FedEx bag, leave it at the front desk and walk away. The styles are current, the prices reasonable, the quality of the outerwear first rate — and the convenience is priceless.

The site also rents gear for summer activities like backpacking and camping, including Go-Pro cameras. Both-way shipping is free for orders over $50.

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Mexico. With more than 45 years of skiing experience, Brooks had the teaching skills to successfully coach me from an intermediate to advanced level in the six hours he spent by my side.

It was all about eye contact and his consistent coaching of the simple technique of working oneself down the hill — regardless of its steepness. “Look ahead to where you want to be on the hill, not down at where you are,” he emphasized. “Use your hips and knees to change direction and let gravity slow you down.”

After about four hours of hearing this and feeling the hill, it all came together and my mind and muscles began to work together. Fear began to leave, and I was for the first time beginning to have fun. Lo and behold, he assured me I could do it, and we ascended to the top ofthemountain,whereonlyblackdiamond(advancedlevel) trails could get me back to the bottom. It may not have been the prettiest descent, but I made it without falling down — and I am now hooked on skiing.

Of course, there’s plenty of après ski time in a day, and Santa Fe offers an abundance of diversions when you’re not on the slopes. The city, settled more than 400 years ago, was a cultural crossroads in its heyday and still embraces the American Indian, Spanish and The Inn and Spa at Western American influences of its Loretto in downtown inhabitants,settlersandconquerors. Santa Fe offers guests traditional Accommodations in Santa Fe Pueblo construction run the gamut, from five-star and regional resort hotels to chain motels. decor paired with Several are steeped in the city’s exceptional service.

»style GETAWAYS history, such as the traditional, adobe-style Inn and Spa at Loretto, built next to the famous Loretto Chapel. Or consider the 71-room Inn on the Alameda, in the heart of Old Santa Fe, within walking distance of the restaurants, art galleries, shops and historical structures that define the city’s unique character.

For a different experience, drive about two hours north, and you’ll skip back in time at the town of Red River — a real Western townwithonemainstreetlinedwithshops,cafésandquaintmuseums. The Red River Ski Area is a family-owned operation run by the granddaughter and grandson of the original developer, who essentially built the ski area himself.

Red River accommodations offer value and a sense of what life was like back in the 1950s at the onset of the rapidly expanding ski industry. With 57 runs (70 percent of them at the green and blue levels) and a 1,600-foot vertical drop, Red River is a family destinationstaffedbycongenialpeopleandinstructors—manyofwhom have been part of the Red River family for decades.

Best known in the ski world is the last stop of my marathon Ski New Mexico tour — Taos Ski Valley. The resort was developed in 1954 by Ernie Blake, a German immigrant who, with his wife and fewer than a dozen good men, came to the area and found a tucked-away mountain valley. Over time, they would cut 110 runs and build 13 lifts. Also run by a granddaughter and grandson,Taos runs are a challenge to expert skiers. Upon entering, a sign says “Don’t Panic,” and the first view is of a black diamond drop that looks almost vertical. However, nearly half of the runs are green and blue, so fear not, beginner.

Before heading for the slopes, my previous“ski”experience was of the water variety, where you’re taught to lean back as the boat pulls you. In snow skiing, you lean forward and allow gravity to do most of the work. Much easier said than done, as my DNA was fighting the downhill lean.

Styled after a Bavarian tour, everything at Taos Ski Valley is walkable from the condos. I would recommend staying in town to maximize the experience and enjoyment.

Of all the hills, Taos was most challenging to this intermediate skier. The teaching and resort staff there have assimilated a family-ownedphilosophyofcustomerservice.Manyofthemwork 12-hourdays,sevendaysaweek,during130seasonaldaysofoperation from Thanksgiving to the first Sunday of April.

Recently, the family sold the Taos Ski Valley to a long-term customer WHERE TO GO and manager of a New York hedge fund.Overthenextfewyears,a$350 Red River Ski Area million renovation and upgrade to 400 Pioneer Road the entire village will ensue with the Red River, NM strategy of keeping the intimate ski (575) 754-2223 village atmosphere while elevating redriverskiarea.com theaccommodationsandamenities to contemporary levels of luxury.

Ski Santa Fe Skiing New Mexico is fun and Santa Fe, NM easy to navigate, and you can gain (505) 982-4429 skiingexperienceatatolerablebudskisantafe.com get level. So if you’d like to learn or polishuponwhatyoualreadyknow Taos Ski Valley andhaveavacationnextwinterthat 116 Sutton Place willexceedexpectations,bookNew Taos Ski Valley, NM Mexico. n (866) 968-7386

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FA L L E V E N T S F R O M A PA L A C H I C O L A T O P E N S A C O L A

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Why Do We Love the Emerald Coast?

Let Us Count the Ways

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THE BEACH

20 Things

Locals ❤ about the Emerald Coast

1

I love the Forgotten Coast …

St. Teresa Beach, Alligator Point and Dog Island. No hotels, no stores, all old beach cottages filled with people laughing, singing, cooking out and enjoying the beach.

Sara Noel Childers Destin

go rock to an outdoor concert in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. You can go to a crowded beach at Norriego Point or go to a desolate island in the sound. So for a guy with multiple tastes — or attention deficit disorder — you have everything in one little town!

Tim Krueger Destin

2

What I love about the area is the diversity of what one can do for entertainment. You can dine at a fine restaurant like Seagar’s or ride your Harley to the Boat House. You can go hear a classical concert at a Sinfonia Gulf Coast event or

leries, unique boutiques and events that cannot be found online or in big box stores.

More importantly, it is a great place to see the true culture and community of Fort Walton Beach. With merchants who truly care about the products they are selling, these entrepreneurs are not only passionate but also very knowledgeable about their niche markets. In Downtown Fort Walton, it is not only about the products, it is about the experience and the community.

3

Downtown Fort Walton Beach is a hidden gem on the Emerald Coast. It is home to beautiful public spaces, historical monuments, art gal-

Mercedes Rodgers Fort Walton Beach

The diversity of fishing the Emerald Coast is unmatched. You can run out in the Gulf in the mornings and catch snapper and grouper then hit the flats in the afternoon and get a box full of trout and reds.

You’re always just a cast away from great fishing.

Hunter Ray Freeport

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

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KAY PHELAN

5

It’s where Southern hospitality meets a Jimmy Buffet feel and vibe!

Nicole Scott Miramar Beach

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

VINTNER'S DINNER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

AL FRESCO RESERVE WINE TASTING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

SEEING RED GRAND TASTING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

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FALL WALKABOUT & CHARITY WINE AUCTION

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The four days of festivities include 104 September–October 2015

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reserve wine tastings, dinners and a brunch with featured guest winemakers.

Several of Seaside's well-known restaurants showcase how their farm-to-fork and gulf-to-table offerings pair beautifully with a variety of hand-selected wines.

All proceeds go to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, benefiting children in need in Northwest Florida.

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THE BEACH

HarborWalk Village

Best thing on the Emerald Coast? Four working orchestras — Pensacola, Sinfonia, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Panama City POPS — and they all use double bassists!

David Goldflies Panama City Beach

9

I really think what sets the Emerald Coast apart from any place else is the people.

I’m not sure if it’s because we are all so happy we live in such a beautiful place, or because we have 364 days of sunshine a year, or because we are still such a young community, but our positive spirit is contagious to all who come here.

Jeanne Dailey Miramar Beach

7

1. The Emerald Coast Science Center, of course.

Where else can you go on a rainy day with your kids?

2. Running! There is a 5K and 10K road race almost every weekend.

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James W. LaFollette Jr.

8

Total relaxation to sit with friends over a cocktail at The Beach House restaurant in Sandestin overlooking the beautiful Gulf waters.

Kay Phelan Destin

11

All of the caring folks with big hearts, specifically, the staff behind local non-profits such as Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and Gulf Coast Kid’s House, helping abused and neglected kids in Northwest Florida.

Jennie McKeon Navarre

12

I love the spirit of being a part of a community that offers a special quality of place for people of all ages and lifestyles.

10

I love Choctawhatchee Bay. Go east into the river mouth and you’ll find yourself all alone in an Amazonlike jungle, populated with ospreys, bald eagles, turtles and alligators. Travel west, and you can enjoy waterfront restaurants, playful dolphins and stunning emerald-green Gulf waters.

Mike Ragsdale Santa Rosa Beach

Larry Sassano Santa Rosa Beach

SCOTT HOLSTEIN

6

Amavida Coffee

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THE BEACH 13

My answer (hands down) is the state parks, as well as Freeport’s Biophilia Center. These places offer great educational resources, as well as being some of my favorite places in the area. Although I am thankful for the quiet time I have there, I wish more folks took more time to enjoy them.

Bess Grasswick Santa Rosa Beach

17

I love being able to get my favorite cup of coffee from Amavida in Seaside and then drive to Grayton Beach for breakfast on the beach. My husband and I will sit with our coffee and breakfast croissant while enjoying the view. I’d imagine it’s like breakfast at Tiffany’s. The view of the sparkling water, cool morning breeze and the scent of the Gulf give the day a sense of hope.

Hayley Bryant Santa Rosa Beach

14

I like finding paths to the bay or beach off the beaten path so that I can enjoy my little piece of paradise, and I love the fact I live where people want to visit! My Emerald Coast has so much to offer; I would not be able to do it all in one lifetime!

18

Going out on the boat and spending the day at Shell Island with friends.

Ashley Capps Panama City Beach

Leann Pope Valparaiso

15

I love Rosemary Beach Foundation’s Walk Her Way event! This event is not only tons of fun, but the proceeds benefit a great local cause — Shelter House, which provides refuge for victims of domestic violence.

Jessica Standley Panama City Beach

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19

I love the Emerald Coast because it has discovered and begun to grow into its artistic and creative potential, which inspires me to do the same.

Chase Yakaboski Mary Esther

20

Water to the north of me and water to the south of me. If I wanted to go boating, there is a launch by the 331 Bridge.

If I wanted to take a walk on the beach at night with the full moon and the Gulf breeze blowing on my face, I can. The woods surrounding me surprise me with deer and other wildlife in my backyard.

I love the Emerald Coast for its worldclass fishing! I love spending the day with my family out on the water and seeing them get excited when a big fish takes their line, and they struggle to bring the fish in the boat to see what they’ve caught. Being out in the Gulf, under the sun, with a fishing rod in hand soothes the soul and brings our family together to make lasting memories.

Deborah Madden Santa Rosa Beach

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THE BEACH

Give PCB Conservation Park a Go 12 trails pave the way for fitness and fun for nature-loving hikers and bikers

By Zandra Wolfgram

COURTESY PANAMA CITY BEACH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

D

o you know where to go to get your “green” on at the beach? Head to the beautiful Panama City Beach Conservation Park located just west of Griffin Road off Highway 98. This innovativepublicgreenspaceprotectsandbalancesthe area’s natural resources while providing 2,912 acres of outdoor recreational fun.

And that’s just the start. As ecosystems are restored and habitats are improved over time, more native species will be reintroduced to the park. The park is part of a network of trails and connects to Frank Brown Park and Aaron Bessant Park. It’s a long-term environmental project that’s off to a great start.

The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Hikers can trek 24 miles on 12 different trails (ranging from .6 miles to 11 miles) not to mention over a mile of boardwalks that meander through scenic cypress domes. A great place to start is the 1.8-mile hike on the Green Trail; it Panama City Beach’s hits the high points closnew Conservation est to the trailhead, is Park features vast a comfortable walk for woodland areas with children and is wheelmiles of hiking trails and boardwalks. chair friendly.

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COURTESY PANAMA CITY BEACH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

THE BEACH

This is a fantastic place to exercise furry fourlegged friends. Up to two dogs per person are welcome as long as they are leashed.

Bring a mountain bike and enjoy an easy ride through the restored pine forests on any of the trails.

For your convenience, parking and public restrooms are located at the Trail Head building. Here, you can pick up a brochure with a map and size up the various trails. Make a day of it and picnic at the covered pavilion (which is available for rent for family gatherings and special occasions). Ask about the guided Audubon bird walks, and the volunteer and recreational programs offered in the Trail Head classroom seasonally. To fully enjoy all the nature around you, be sure to bring your binoculars for bird and wildlife watching. And don’t forget your camera to capture the beauty of the moment. n

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Getting There From the intersection of US 98 and SR 79, drive west to Griffin Road. You’ll find it on the right immediately past a La Quinta Inn. It’s the main road through Beach Commerce Park, a St. Joe-owned industrial and office park. Follow Griffin Road until it ends. It jogs left into the Panama City Beach Conservation Park through a main gate at the southern boundary of the preserve and continues north, paralleling the paved bike trail to a loop through the trailhead area.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO >> Open daily from dawn to dusk >> Bicycles are permitted on all trails >> Bring binoculars for bird watching >> Only two dogs permitted per person

IF VACATION HAD A FLAVOR

NO. 850™ / PINEAPPLE COCONUT RUM

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY | © 2015 THE CHASTE® COMPANY, LLC.

www.chaste.co

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Sept. 22-26

Destin Fishing Rodeo

Oct. 1-31s

Destin Seafood Festival

Oct. 2-4

Pensacola Taste of the Beach

Sept. 18-19

Perdido Key Octoberfest

Oct. 3

Thunder Beach Rally

Oct. 21-25

Bluegrass at the Beach

Sept. 12

ida

Destin Beer Week

lor

Saturdays Year Round

st F

Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market

e w th En r o joy N f a Taste o

Fall is the perfect time to savor the many splendors of Northwest Florida, plus our rates start as low as 35% off our summer rates.

From white sand beaches and emerald green waters to fishing, golfing and shopping, there is something for every traveler’s palate. And for those who love food as much as travel, there are a host of local festivals to enjoy. Come stay with us this fall and enjoy a taste of Northwest Florida, while you relax in one of our spacious condominiums or beach homes.

Visit us online at ResortRentalVacation.com or call (877) 558-8441

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©2015 Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America, LLC. 14 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Wyndham Vacation Rentals and related marks are registered trademarks and/or service marks in the United States and internationally. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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THE BEACH

Calendar of Events AUG. 16 AND SEPT. 20

SEPT. 5–7

Baytowne Wharf Art Walk Welcome in the fall season under the moonlight with a three-day weekend good for the heart and soul. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald

Destin Seafood Festival

liner, will perform at the Dugas Pavilion and the Village Green at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Center in Destin. Purchase your tickets online at mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.

SEPT. 13–14

KAY PHELAN

ArtWalk on the Harbor Every third Sunday of the month, dozens of artists come out to showcase their vibrant, engaging and creative artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary and from paintings to jewelry. You’ll find a mix of unique, handcrafted items from both emerging and established artists. FREE. HarborWalk Village, Destin. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., emeraldgrande.com

Coast Parkway W., Miramar Beach.

5–10 p.m., baytownewharf.com

SEPT. 12

Bluegrass at the Beach Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation by

joining in its new cultural event presented in partnership with ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacations.

Enjoy a daylong concert on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Six musical acts, including the award-winning Blue Highway as the featured head-

Annual Florida Scallop & Music Festival Sample scallops to your hearts desire! Enjoy live music, southern food, a car show and kids activities all while overlooking St. Joseph Bay. The festival takes place at George Core Park in Port St. Joe, drawing large crowds every year.

SEPT. 14–20

Lobster Festival and Tournament Gulf-front Schooners restaurant in

OCT. 2ND, 3RD & 4TH

37TH ANNUAL

DESTIN SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

OVER 1 1/2 MILES ALONG THE DESTIN HARBOR BOARDWALK

SEAFOOD FAMILY FUN

LIVE MUSIC

FOR MORE INFO ON THE EVENT AND MUSIC LINEUP

DESTINSEAFOODFESTIVAL.ORG

FREE Admission FREE Shuttle

FRIDAY, OCT 2ND 4–10PM SATURDAY, OCT 3RD 10–10PM SUNDAY, OCT 4TH 11–4PM

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THIS IS

THATplace Where the kids had as much fun jumping into the waves as they did jumping into their bunk beds.

This is the place the kids still talk about, where they played in the surf all day and swam in the indoor pool after dinner every night. There was so much for them to do between the beach, the pools and the Kids Krew, they never would have slowed down if not for the bunk beds in our suite! Left to them, we’d return to this place every vacation. Maybe we will.

+1 877 705 6641 • info@HiltonSandestinBeach.com • HiltonSandestinBeach.com • #HiltonSandestin #ThatPlace 114 September–October 2015

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THE BEACH

Calendar of Events Panama City Beach hosts the largest lobster festival in Florida. Its 26th annual Lobster Festival & Tournament will give divers a chance to compete for prizes and bragging rights and give festival-goers a treat: amazing lobster dishes. Weighins begin Saturday and end Sunday with grand prizes and a Lobster Feast.

SEPT. 25–26

Alan Jackson Joins 2nd Annual Chasin’the Sun Music Festival Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Alan Jackson will perform front and center at the 2015 Chasin’ the Sun Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater. The area’s newest concert tradition celebrates classic beach tunes for the perfect vacation soundtrack.

Doors open at 4 p.m.

OCT. 2–4

Destin Seafood Festival The Destin Harbor Boardwalk welcomes back the Destin Seafood Festival for its 34th year.

The festival provides the freshest of seafood supplied by local vendors. Enjoy the best of the best in seafood, live music and fun for the whole family — all for free!

OCT. 5–11

South Walton Fashion Week Celebrate high fashion as local boutiques and designers showcase their style during South Walton Fashion Week.

Along with seeing the latest fashions, attendees vote for their favorite emerging designers whose creations are displayed in an exclusive runway show. Tickets are $55–$75; VIP passes are

$150. Proceeds benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance. Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach. (850) 622-5970, swfw.org/tickets.

Business Insurance Specialists: Will Croley, Angie Hearl, Mary Katharine (Croley) Lawler, Doug Croley

OCT. 12

The 16th Annual Mexico Beach Art & Wine Festival Browse local and regional artwork while sipping on spectacular wines and beers. The festival begins at 2 p.m. at the Driftwood Inn with art for viewing and purchase. Participate in live and silent auctions that offer unique art and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Live entertainment, art, food and wine!

We Focus on Your Insurance So You Can Focus on Your Business 2814 Remington Green Circle, Tallahassee, FL 850-386-1922 • www.dougcroleyins.com

OCT. 16–17

Beer Fest The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin presents its eighth annual Beer Fest, featuring specialty beers from around the nation. The main event on Saturday, Oct. 17, will feature more than 200 craft beers for sampling.

OCT. 17–20

Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival Celebrating its sixth anniversary, Florida’s Gulf Coast will play host to over 30-plus musicians from throughout the country. This is always a fun-filled weekend of music and storytelling. All concerts are free.

The Best Maritime Collecti The Best Nautical & Nautical Maritime&Collection of the Mississippi!

East of the East Mississippi!

Shed TinTin Shed The

The

NauticalCollectibles Antiques, Collectibles & Gif Nautical Antiques, & Gifts

OCT. 24

Best of the EC Leading businesses and service providers in the EC will be honored and celebrated at the Best of the EC event. Sample food, beverages and services from the winners selected by EC Magazine’s annual poll. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Grand Boulevard. n

170 Water St., Historic Apalachicola • 850/653-363 170 Water St., Historic Apalachicola • 850/653-3635 Visit us at www.thetinshednautical.com Visit us at www.thetinshednautical.com

The Best Nautical & Maritime Collection East of the Mississippi!

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VISIT THE

Forgotten Coast PLAY • SHOP • DINE • STAY

F

all is here, and the Forgotten Coast has a lot to offer anyone who just wants to escape city life for a day, a weekend or longer. Along the bays, beaches and byways there are many opportunities to slow down and take it easy. While there, we recommend visiting the following locations:

CRAWFORDVILLE

8

PANACEA

MEXICO BEACH LANARK VILLAGE St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

St. Joseph Bay

3 2

PORT ST. JOE

CARRABELLE

5

7a

1 Dog Island

EASTPOINT

Apalachicola Bay

Cape San Blas St. Vincent Island San Blas Bay

7b

4

Apalachee Bay

BALD POINT ALLIGATOR POINT

6

APALACHICOLA

TALLAHASSEE St. George Island

Bob Sikes Cut Cape St. George

SHOPPING

DINING 1

LIVE OAK POINT

4

CJ’S GRILLE

ISLAND OUTFITTERS

You’ll love our homey atmosphere, Southern hospitality and delicious food, featuring hand-cut steaks, juicy Phillys, fresh seafood, the best burgers around and much more!

Hobie authorized dealer. Kayaks and Paddleboards — sales and rentals. Pro tackle shop, charters, outdoor apparel, footwear, jewelry, art and much more!

(850) 697-5151 1637 Hwy. 98 W., Carrabelle

(850) 927-2604 235 E. Gulf Beach Dr., St. George Island

DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM TALLAHASSEE Head south on South Monroe Street toward Apalachee Parkway. Turn right onto East Orange Avenue, then take the first left onto South Adams Street and continue onto Crawfordville Road.

Turn right onto US-319 South and continue for about 50 miles.

VACATION RENTAL 2

UP THE STAIRS

5

A distinctive upscale atmosphere for the 21+ crowd with quiet dining, extensive martini and wine lists, signature cocktails and a variety of bottled craft beers.

(850) 653-4888 upthestairsfl.com 76 Market St., Suite F, Apalachicola

THE TIN SHED

The best nautical and maritime collection east of the Mississippi.

(850) 653-3635 | thetinshednautical.com 170 Water St., Historic Apalachicola

7

We’ll save you a spot on the beach! Offering family-friendly beach vacations and romantic coastal getaways for 35+ years.

Call or visit us online!

(800) 341-2021 uncommonflorida.com 84 Water St., Apalachicola 224 Franklin Blvd., St. George Island

SUPPLIES 3

HOLE IN THE WALL

6

LANARK MARKET

Seafood market and raw bar. Family owned and operated. Serving fresh locally caught seafood.

Open Tuesday through Saturday.

Fuel, boat fuel, ice, bait, beer, drinks and snacks. Outdoor patio, bathroom and showers.

(850) 653-3222 23 Avenue D, Apalachicola

(850) 697-2211 2348 Hwy. 98 E., Lanark

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SUNCOAST VACATION RENTALS

ATTRACTION 8

GULF SPECIMEN AQUARIUM

A unique experience to get up close with sharks, sea turtles, starfish, octopus and other sea life from the Gulf of Mexico. One of the largest touch tanks exhibits in the U.S. (850) 984-5297 gulfspecimen.org 222 Clark Dr., Panacea

Florida State: An elite research university and a leader in the arts Our faculty members are doing amazing work in the fine and performing arts, the sciences and humanities, and they push our students to excel both inside and outside the classroom.

Private support is often the defining factor between a good university and one that is truly great. — FSU PRESIDENT JOHN THRASHER

Visit raisethetorch.fsu.edu to support the arts at Florida State University.

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While the early days of their presidencies were filled with crisis and controversy, FAMU’s Elmira Mangum and FSU’s John Thrasher have settled into their leadership roles throughout the first year at the helm of their respective universities.

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Change and Challenge The New Leaders of FSU and FAMU Look to the Future

T

setting the vibe for the Tallahassee community. Both have embarked on major capital campaigns to improve their campuses, their university offerings and the student experience.

Thrasher and Mangum face different challenges in their new posts, but both are determined to see their schools succeed.

After a year in the job, Tallahassee Magazine sat down with each to learn a little more about them, the obstacles they have overcome and may still face, and their visions for the future of FSU and FAMU. // LINDA KLEINDIENST

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

his year, John Thrasher and Elmira Mangum celebrate one year in their new roles — Thrasher as president of Florida State University and Mangum at the helm of Florida A&M University.

For each, it is their first time running a state university. And, for each, it has been a year of acclimating to a new life challenge while beginning to set an agenda for the future of their respective universities.

FSU and FAMU are at the center of some of the hottest new commercial, residential and cultural development in the region and play a big part in

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LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

“As I analyze this job, creating new opportunities for faculty and expanding research, it ultimately comes back to the student experience here.

What are we doing to make sure that every student who comes here has the opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams?"

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FSU and FAMU Presidents Change and Challenge

Innovative Programs, Lofty Goals FSU President John Thrasher Seeks to Create a Top-Tier University So Students Can ‘Pursue Hopes and Dreams’ By Linda Kleindienst n his 10th day as president of Florida State University, John Thrasher received a call that would shake him to the core. Just after midnight on Nov. 20, 2014, former student Myron May had walked into Strozier Library and opened fire, shooting at seven and injuring two students and an employee before being gunned down by police.

It was “almost like an out-of-body experience.Noneofitmadesensetome,”remembers Thrasher, who was in New York on a fundraising trip for the university.

He was on a flight home six hours later.

Attendingacampusvigiltheeveningofhisreturn,thenewpresident wasn’tsurewhattotellthethousandsofstudentswhohadgathered.But then his military training kicked in.

“When you have a fallen comrade, you pick up the pieces, you care about them, you pray for them and as a family you move on, you keep moving on,” he says.

In the following hours and days, Thrasher would show his mettle, calling for the“Seminole nation”to unite and reaching out to soothe a university community reeling with disbelief and grief. His confident demeanor, his resolution to return the campus to some sense of normalcy as quickly as possible, and his reassurances to students, their parents and staff are credited with quickly bringing a sense of calm back to the campus. Students and faculty who only weeks earlier had criticized his lack of academic credentials for the job were praising the new president for his leadership skills honed in the military and in the world of Florida business and politics.

“Whenhehungupthatphone,hepickeduphiscellphoneandcalled Delta,” remembers Thrasher’s wife, Jean, of that tragic morning. “He asked for an agent, calmly told her who he was and why he needed to urgently get home. She got us the first flight out of New York. By 10 a.m. he was in his office, getting more information and ready for a press conference. I’d describe him as a man of steel. He knows how to handle a crisis and how to carry through.”

The Lure of FSU

Thrasher, 71, was an ardent supporter of FSU during his days in the Florida Legislature, including his two years as speaker of the House of Representatives. Through the Legislature, he helped funnel millions of dollars to his alma mater and in 2000, his final year as speaker, he bucked staunch opposition to help FSU establish a medical school that today bears his name.

As chairman of FSU’s Board of Trustees from 2001 through 2005, Thrasher helped raise outside dollars for the school and was part of the decision to expand the Atlantic Coast Conference to include schools like the University of Miami and Boston College.

He had thought about applying to be FSU president after the retirement of Sandy D’Alemberte in 2003, although Thrasher was chairman of the trustees and focused on his successful lobbying firm, Southern Strategies.

“I was working with T.K. (Wetherell). I hired him after he left Tallahassee Community College. I kinda knew he wanted to do it, and I had some people thinking I should go for it then, too,”Thrasher said.

“But I realized he was a better fit for it back then than I was. And then once Dr. (Eric) Barron got here (in 2010), I honestly thought he was going to stay for his career.”

But Barron left early, choosing after only four years to return to Pennsylvania State University, where he had worked from 1986 to 2006. That’s when Thrasher, representing St. Augustine in the Florida Senate, decided to go for what he describes as the job of a lifetime.

“FSU has always owned a piece of his heart, so it made perfect sense,” says Jean. “Florida State gave him a life he never dreamed of — an education, two degrees and an opportunity to succeed in great jobs.”

A native of Columbia, South Carolina,Thrasher considered going to a small college in North Carolina, but then some friends urged him to consider FSU. “Darned if I didn’t get accepted,” he says. Pausing, he chuckles and adds,“ButIthinkbackthenifyouhadapulseyoucouldgetinasopposed to today, where the kids coming here are really top notch. It was a great four years.”

Leaving FSU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business, Thrasher wentintotheArmy.HewasawardedtwoBronzeStarsinVietnam,where he served exactly 365 days, and left the service with the rank of captain.

He started law school at FSU four days after leaving Southeast Asia.

“Asanundergraduatestudent,Iwasprettyaverage,”heconcedes.“But in law school, I was pretty good. The difference? Married and having been in the military. I had a lot of energy coming back (out ofVietnam).”

Making His Bid

“So far, so good,”Thrasher says when asked how his relationship is with thoseoncampuswhoopposedhisappointment,oppositionthattruly surprised him with its intensity.

At times he found himself embroiled in a contentious battle to win the job — not so much with those who would make the ultimate decision (the university’s trustees and state Board of Governors) but with thoseoncampuswhoquestionedhisconservativepoliticalleanings,his religious beliefs and his thoughts on scientific issues such as climate change. ButThrasher countered that his business ties and political acumen put him ahead of the other contenders when it came to the ability toraisemoneyfortheschool,especiallyfromdonorsneededtofuelthe university’s $1 billion “Raise the Torch” capital campaign.

“It got a little personal sometimes,”Thrasher says.“I would see something written about me and it would say,‘John Thrasher, Republican, TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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chairman of Gov. Rick Scott’s re-election campaign, 70 years old. I assume all those were intended to be negatives. But I love Florida State, and I think I have abilities that people maybe didn’t think about.”

His wife says that while there were challenges for Thrasher in applying for and getting the presidency,“We both believe people have the right to express their opinions. I just had to remember they didn’t know John, didn’t know his heart.”

HenowattendsFacultySenatemeetingsand has individual one-on-ones with faculty members. He knows there was concern,“but I think we’ve accomplished a lot in terms of understandingeachother,whatmystrengthsareand where I need their help. And where I can give them help.”

After the decision to hire him was made by the state’s Board of Governors, the Thrashers spent their first night in the president’s house with a bottle of champagne.

“It had been a long and emotional road,” recalls Jean.

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Work to Do

The first few months on the job weren’t a piece of cake for Thrasher. The Strozier shooting weighed heavily on everyone, and the university did all it could to help Ronny Ahmed, who wasshotthreetimesinthebackandparalyzed, in his recovery. Ahmed went to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for treatment and is now back on campus.

“He’s paralyzed from the waist down, but we’ve done our best to make sure he has everything he needs to get started again and hopefully complete his degree,”Thrasher says.

Then came what he calls “the stuff” with athletics and the antics of quarterback Jameis Winston.

“It started as a joke at first and then almost became a reality, that the best day in the life of the president of FSU is when I didn’t hear from the athletic director,” Thrasher says now.

“I’m not going to talk a lot about it. It’s still in litigation. Jameis is gone, and I wish him the very best. Jameis is Jameis. He’s a charming

The day after a deranged man wounded three people in a shooting the night of Nov. 20, 2014, Florida State University President John Thrasher (above) returned to campus to meet with students and the media to reopen Strozier Library. (Right) FSU’s First Lady Jean Thrasher and President John Thrasher serve the good stuff to a student (facing page, bottom) during the university's annual President's Ice Cream Social. The Thrashers wave to the crowd (facing page, above) at the FSU Homecoming parade in November 2014.

young man in a lot of ways. Hopefully he’ll have theguidanceandsupportheneedstosurvivein a very competitive environment, the National Football League. We wish him the very best.”

Through it all, Thrasher has not lost sight of his top priorities, which include getting FSU into the Top 25 public universities in the country,raisingfacultysalaries,buildingaworld-class

FSU and FAMU Presidents Change and Challenge

surethateverystudentwhocomesherehasthe opportunitytopursuetheirhopesanddreams?

“So I get out a lot on campus, and I feel like that’s resonating. They want to have someone they can pick up the phone and call or email or text. I’m trying to be that person for them, so if they have something they need I can help them with it. The kids want to see the president, touch him, know what he’s about.”

Havingrecentlywrappedupspringgraduation ceremonies,Thrashersaysthebiggestrewardof hisjobisknowingthatheandtheuniversityhave donesomethingtogetthestudentstoapointin their lives where they are going to go out and change the world in many different ways.

“They’re going to do things for our community, for our state, for our country,” he says. “To me, that’s the ultimate thing that makes this job so incredible.” n

veteran-friendly university in the country.

There is already an effort to encourage veterans to come to Tallahassee.

“We’re letting them know that if they come to FSU, they’ll have a unique opportunity to use their experience, not only for themselves but as mentors of other students,” Thrasher explains.“To me, veterans who come here are uniquely qualified to make a difference in the lives of a lot of our kids. And we want to make sure they have every opportunity to pursue their goals, whether in military service or the private sector.”

The university is already working on improving the veterans’ center. And before every graduation, there is a dinner at the president’s house honoring veterans — and giving them a special cord to wear for their graduation.

Thrasher smiles when talking about the job of assuming the mantle as FSU’s 15th president.

Perhaps it’s the politician in him who loves the meetandgreet,thehandshakingandsmalltalk with the small groups of prospective students touring campus, or current FSU students just walkingaroundcampusorattendingorganization meetings.

“As I analyze this job, creating new opportunities for faculty and expanding research, it ultimately comes back to the student experience here,”he says.“What are we doing to make

FSU PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES/BILL LAX

On Campus

FSU PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES/BILL LAX

facility to house the College of Business and DedmanSchoolofHospitality,andmakingsure the university’s fundraising goal is met.

As of early summer, the campaign was twothirds of the way to the $1 billion mark and Thrasher, conceding it’s a big job to raise that kind of money, is hoping it will finish by 2018.

As for reaching the Top 25, the Legislature helped FSU take a major step toward that goal by designating it and the University of Florida as the state’s two pre-eminent universities. By meeting the criteria set by the state for that designation, the school gets extra resources. This year, FSU met all 12 of the criteria.

“If you’re in the Top 25, it gives you the opportunity to recruit some of the best faculty,” says Thrasher, looking toward the future. “It also gives us an opportunity to recruit some of the best students.”

FSU currently has 42,000 students, and that number will likely not grow by much. This fall’s incoming freshman class will have 5,000 students — who have an average 4.0 GPA and SAT score of 1863.

“Thesekidsarebright,they’resmartandthey want to be challenged,” Thrasher says.

He would like to see smaller size classes — the school is still trying to play catch-up from the recession by hiring more professors — and islookingforopportunitiesaroundtheedgesof the current campus for some expansion.

“For the big universities, we probably have the smallest footprint from the standpoint of available land, but buying property is very expensive. There is still an intimacy about our campus that I think others don’t have. I tell students, ‘Don’t be afraid of 42,000, the number.

When you come here, you can shrink the campus by getting involved in some kind of service project or organization.’”

Meanwhile, there is the ongoing drive to make FSU an entrepreneurial university, commercializing research projects, attracting more research money, growing and enhancing the medical school.

Last year, FSU attracted the largest amount of research money in its history — $230 million — and Thrasher is reaching out to the National Science Foundation is see how to get more. The school is gearing its research to the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering and math), and a lot of that work is being done at Innovation Park, where the MagLab — the largestandhighest-poweredmagneticlabinthe word — is bringing in scientists from across the country and around the world.

There is also another, more personal goal that Thrasher has set for FSU. He wants his school to be known as the most

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FSU and FAMU Presidents Change and Challenge

The Change Agent Elmira Mangum: Florida A&M University’s ‘Transformative’ President

By Rosanne Dunkelberger

lorida A&M University’s 11th president hadn’t evenhungthecurtainsinheron-campusresidence when controversy came a-knockin’. On April 2, 2014,ElmiraMangum’sseconddayonthejob,the Florida Legislature, at the behest of one Sen. John Thrasher,wasconsideringwhethertobreakupthe FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

The effort was ultimately sidelined by the state Board of Governors after vehement objections from Florida A&M and a study showing that splitting the engineering college would cost $1 billion.

MangumsaystherearenohardfeelingsbetweenherandThrasher— now president of Florida State University — about what she referred to as “the engineering thing.”

“Surprises occur at colleges everywhere, but right now we have a great relationship with Florida State University around the engineering program,”Mangum says.“The joint college that was emphasized as a result of the takeover attempt … actually has resulted in a much better relationship for both of the schools around engineering.”

Thetwopresidents,aswellasTallahasseeCommunityCollegePresident Jim Murdaugh, communicate with each other cordially and regularly.

“We talk. He’s got my cell, I’ve got his cell,”she says. “John and I have breakfast on occasion. I’ve been to his house for dinner, and he’s coming to mine for dinner.”

Time for a Change

While the engineering college brouhaha developed quickly, Mangum knew before she arrived that her tenure as president wasn’t necessarily going to be smooth sailing. The nation’s premier historically black college and university (HBCU) had been weathering numerous storms: a student killed in a hazing scandal, accreditation woes and a 27-percent drop in enrollment over the previous five years. She would be FAMU’s sixth president (including three interim presidents) in 13 years.

Although many of her predecessors were tasked with righting the FAMU ship, their presidencies tended to wreck on the rocky shoals of problemssuchasdysfunctionaloperations,anoften-contentiousBoard of Trustees and an entrenched staff that was resistant to change.

ButachangeagentwasexactlywhatFAMU’spresidentialsearchcommitteewaslookingfor,andchangeiswhattheygotinMangum.She’sthe first female president of FAMU in its 128-year history and the first leader in decades to have no connection to the university — alumni, faculty memberoradministrator—beforebeingappointedtothetopposition.

Inherfirstyearaspresident,Mangumhasassembledan11-personleadership team. None worked for FAMU when they were named, and only two had a previous connection to the Rattler Nation.

Her 28-year-long professional career has been in higher education administration. According to FAMU’s official site, she was vice president 124 September–October 2015

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for planning and budget at Cornell University, charged with managing that university’s resources and annual budgeting process. Before that, she spent nine years in administrative positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as stints at the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Wisconsin.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in geography and education from North Carolina Central University, an HBCU. She earned two master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from SUNY Buffalo.

When asked to describe her leadership style, she answers,“I would say transformative. It’s always been about change. I think it’s indicative of the work I’ve been doing throughout my career.”

In her time at Cornell,“the idea was to change the way they were conducting the business,” she explains. “And I think here at Florida A&M, partofmybudgetingandplanningbackgroundisabouttransformingthe institution into one that will sustain and be sustainable through various economicdownturnsandchangesinenrollmentandcrises…tobuildon the foundation and to transform it into one that is responsive to changes in institutional needs and changes in societal needs for education.”

Mangumhasananswerforthosewhowouldsuggestweliveinapostracial society, and the need for separate HBCUs is a relic of the past.

“I think anybody that wants to say that is not paying attention to what’s going on in America — or the rest of the world, in fact,”she says. For starters, FAMU’s student body isn’t all African-American; about 15 percent of its students are other races.“We’re probably as equally diverse as Florida State, or the University of Florida; it’s just flipping the percentages.”

The world, Mangum says, is looking for diversity in the workforce.

“We need to have diverse experiences and we need to take into consideration diverse points of view in different cultures,” she says. “Our goal is to add more people to that diversity.We know when (graduates) leave our institution, they’re going to be in a diverse society … but they have to be trained somewhere.”

After arriving, Mangum’s first task was recruiting a stable leadership team. FAMU had a valid strategic plan, she says, but constant changes at the top and a cavalcade of interim leaders kept the university from making progress.

“Planning and budgeting has always been a significant part, in fact at its core, to any good university,” she says. “One of the things that I immediately realized at Florida A&M was that we needed more emphasis on planning for the longer term.”

An early focus was“stabilizing the team and reorganizing the functions of the institution … and that meant relocating people in terms of physical location to create the synergy that’s needed to provide the support,” she says.

Already, student advising services have been consolidated in a single location, important on a campus where 35 percent of students are the first generation of their family to attend college.

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

“Planning and budgeting has always been a significant part, in fact at its core, to any good university. One of the things that I immediately realized at Florida A&M was that we needed more emphasis on planning for the longer term.”

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FSU and FAMU Presidents Change and Challenge

The State of the University

Gettingstudentsgraduatedinareasonableamount of time is critical to the university’s success.

“And reasonable to me is four years if you are in a four-year program,” the president says.

Currently, FAMU’s four-year graduation rate is 13 percent, the lowest in Florida’s university system, and the six-year rate is only 40 percent.

In the past, Florida universities were funded using a formula based on student population.

“In order for the institution to maintain its level of operation, it had to bring in a lot of studentsthatdidnotmeetwhatwehadasminimumrequirementsbecauseweneededittoget the funding from the state, and so we packed in thestudentsbecausethefundingwasbasedon FTE (full-time equivalent),” she explains.

Now, funding is based on 10 metrics related to student performance and student success, and FAMU currently ranks dead last in the state university system. Mangum said she is not as concerned about boosting FAMU’s enrollment as she is with attracting quality students “to make sure that we have the quality on the inputsidesoweknowtheycomeoutontheend in terms of graduation rates.”

Another goal to improve FAMU’s standing is attracting grants to the university, which will allow the faculty to get out of the classroom to do research.

“Our (teaching) course load is four sections persemester…andthat’stwiceashighasmost other institutions,” she says.

When asked what she would tell the parents of a National Merit Scholar to encourage their child to attend FAMU, here’s what Mangum had to say:

“A student that comes to Florida A&M University comes to first of all the seat of Florida; there are all kinds of opportunities.

The student body is small enough for you to get individual attention, you get to work with faculty who are (on) the cutting edges of research if you want to, but you also have the opportunitytomajorinanythingthatyouwant to.We’vegotscience,technology,engineering, math.We’ve got life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences. We’ve got theater, we’ve got arts. We have competitive sports teams (with) fivechampionshipsthisyearinourconference.

It’s a great place to come and to study, to learn, to make friends for life … many people meet the love of their life out here on our Set.”

At Home with Dr. Mangum

Mangum is the first president to live in FAMU’s official presidential residence since Frederick Humphries stepped down in 2001.

It got an update before she arrived, and “it’s a pleasant place to live; it’s not too big that you get overwhelmed and think you’re living in an institution,”she says. It’s also very homelike for herbecause,“outofnecessity,”thehouseisfilled with her personal furniture. “Everything in there is mine, and it’s all modern,”she explains.

“I spend more time on what I call ‘my side’

— the smaller spaces — unless I have guests.”

Receptions and dinners are held on the“public side” of the house, often utilizing the home’s four patios.

Off campus, Tallahassee has made the newcomer feel welcome.

“Everybody’s nice everywhere I go,”she says.

“The wonderful thing about that Southern hospitality … it is here. It’s not a big-city kind of place. It’s a community, and you feel community.”

Mangum has three adult children, all settled along the East coast. “They are livin’ life; they’re all launched,” she says.

Her oldest son was an executive with a health care firm and recently graduated with an MBA. Her daughter is in her second year of residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and her youngest son, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina, is going to be working for the city of Chapel Hill in its parks and recreation department.

“They’re good people … that’s what I raised them to be … and they have decided to be successful, too,” Mangum says. “I’m very excited; I’m very proud of all of them.”

Mangum made the ultimate expression of maternal love in 2003 when she donated a kidney to her oldest son, Gregory Frank Daniel Jr.

What’s in a Name? FAMU’s president’s first name is Elmira, with an “m” in the middle. Not to be confused with Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark, or the one who set the Oak Ridge Boys’ heart “on fira.” Her last name is Mangum, not to be confused with the gun, Derek Zoolander’s facial expression or Tom Selleck’s television series. The easiest way to remember how to pronounce it is to think of the word “mango,” substituting “gum” for the last syllable.

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FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

“Part of our advising, part of our freshman first-year experience in classes, is providing them with the information they need to create a path to graduation,” Mangum says.

In her early days as president, Mangum created the FAMU Sustainability Institute and hired an executive director.

“It is designed to not only provide us with information about how to use less energy or decrease our footprint in terms of a university asawholewithenergysavings,butalsotocommit the faculty across the variety of colleges across the schools around the area of sustainability,” she says.

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

Dr. Elmira Mangum receives congratulations from her three children (facing page) during her inauguration as Florida A&M University president. Mangum shows her Rattler pride speaking at Fenway Park (above) in April and consults with a student researcher (left).

FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

He was diagnosed with a form of kidney diseasecalledfocalsegmentalglomerulosclerosis, or FSGS, when he was a young teen. She had been screened, so when his kidneys failed after his first year of college,“it was something I was going to do; it wasn’t even a question.” She acquired a small scar from the experience, as well as a mission to promote organ donation.

“I encourage people to, on their license, be donors,” she says. “Especially because, in the African-American community, we don’t (often choose) to be a donor. Many times the matches don’toccurforpeopleofcolorbecausewearen’t large on the donor list, so people wait a long time for transplants.”

The only family member sharing her home is Pearl,herpart-pitbull,part-boxer“designerdog.”

A favorite activity is visiting Cascades Park.

“I walk there practically every time I have a free moment,” she says. “I like to be in places where you can get the serenity of watching water flow.”But it’s difficult to travel incognito when she’s walking Pearl. “Every time I went, I putmyhatonandmysunglassesandeverybody would still know it was me because they knew I had a dog,” she says with a smile.

In addition to walkabouts, Mangum says she also enjoys the Saturday Downtown Market, flea markets and“the small businesses that are scattered about the city.”

ShehasfoundachurchhomeatJacobChapel Baptist Church on Lake Bradford Road, pastored by the Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons.

“I love that church. I do,” she says.

The Challenges Ahead

Those in the know say Mangum is a highly intelligent and effective administrator but, while affable and pleasant, she isn’t much of a schmoozer—whichmayhavegottenheroffon the wrong foot with FAMU Board of Trustees members,whonearlyvotedtogiveherawritten reprimand in June for her leadership style and lack of communication.

But Mangum has friends in high places, as evidenced by a letter sent to Florida’s Board of Governors that was signed by five Florida legislators, all FAMU graduates. They said they were“deeply troubled”by the trustees’actions and asked that the governing body of the state universitysystemdeterminewhetherthegroup

hadoversteppeditsauthoritybygoingbeyond policy decisions and injecting itself into the daily operations of the university.

The legislators had particular criticism for Chairman Rufus Montgomery, an Atlanta businessman appointed by Gov. Rick Scott, saying his “abrupt and ongoing challenges to herleadershipareborderingdangerouslyclose to bullying.”

Over the first year of Mangum’s presidency, the amount of money raised and number of alumni donating to their alma mater has increased. Mangum sees a major fundraising effort in FAMU’s future and recently hired a newvicepresidentforadvancementanddevelopment, who will be tasked with planning a campaign.

“I’m excited about that,” she says. “We are going to be chasing quality, and in order to do that we need our alumni to participate. They haveembracedthechangesandunderstandthe need for us to make changes in the institution and our approach.” n TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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‘MICRO’ MEDICAL Creating the Big Picture of Health Care, One Story at a Time “All politics is local.”

It’s a truism that’s been around for decades and refers specifically to, well, politics. But the notion that big, overarching policiescanbetrumpedbypersonal,everydayconcernsisone that also resonates in the realm of health and medicine.

Love it, hate it or — in the case of most of us — don’t understand it, the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) was just something politicians fought about until Uncle Bill, who had a kidney transplant, was able to buy health insurance. Or, conversely,youwerenavigatingaroundhealthcare.govandpulling your hair out trying to understand the nuances of different policies — and how in the world you were going to pay for it.

Medicare was a line on the pay stub until, one day, you looked up and were closing in on your 65th birthday. Cancer wassomethingthathappenedtootherpeople—andthenyour world was forever changed by a diagnosis affecting you or a loved one.

Think of this feature package as sort of a photomosaic — those big pictures that, when you look at them, are actually composed of thousands of tiny little snapshots. Like the photomosaic, there are thousands of health-related stories in our hometown.We can’t tell them all, but we’re hoping to capture the big picture of health care in our area with a collection of seven “micro” stories. // ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

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HEALTH CARE EDUCATION

WANTED: HOMEGROWN DOCTORS FSU’s College of Medicine is Reshaping Health Care by Recruiting Rural Doctors, Creating Residencies and Expanding Opportunities

By Jason Dehart

Florida ranks 43rd in the number of available residency slots.

55% of FSU Medical School alumni in practice are caring for patients in Florida.

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BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, the town doctor was an aging sage who practiced out of his home and treated everything under the sun. He knew everything about everyone in town, as well as those living on the nearby farms and homesteads. He could deliver babies, pull teeth and set broken bones. Sometimes he had an idealistic young apprentice tagging along, soaking up his wisdom, learning the trade and building relationships withthepeoplewhowouldcometocountonhimwhen the boss retired.

Times may change, but you always return to the classics. As health care changes and the need for doctors increases, Florida State University’s College of Medicine is hoping to provide the small towns of North Floridawithmodernversionsoftheclassictowndoctor.

The first medical school in the United States to be establishedin20yearswhenitwascreatedbystatelegislation in 2000, FSU’s College of Medicine graduated its first class in 2005. Since then, the alumni ranks have swelled to 910. Of that number, 294 have completed theirgraduatemedicalworkandhaveenteredpractice, while 65 percent of alums are still in residency or fellowship programs.

The college’s official mission statement is clearly defined. It says, “The Florida State University College of Medicine will educate and develop exemplary physicians who practice patient-centered health care, discoverandadvanceknowledge,andareresponsiveto community needs, especially through service to elder, rural, minority and underserved populations.”

Medical school dean Dr. John P. Fogarty talks about that with a touch of pride. It aptly states the case that there is a real need for the college.

“It’s been described as the most focused mission statement for a medical school,” he said. “I think that was on purpose. We didn’t believe that North Florida had enough physicians, and we needed to create the

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ones they needed.We’ve been holding to that mission.

That’s the good news.”

Training new doctors is one thing, but it’s been an uphill battle to keep them in the third-largest state in the nation. Despite a population nearing 20 million, Florida ranks 43rd in the number of available residency slots. Many fledgling doctors go out of state for postgraduatetraining.Someofthemcomebackhome,but Fogarty thinks more could be enticed to stay here.

Fogartynotedinthemedschool’s2014annualreport that 55 percent of alumni in practice are caring for patients in Florida.

“Thepercentagecouldbemuchgreateriftherewere more opportunities to retain graduating students in Florida for residency training,” he wrote.

“For the last three years, anywhere from two-thirds to 70 percent have left Florida to go out of state for residencies,”Fogarty said recently.“The good news is theyareinspectacularprogramsthroughoutthecountry, many of the best hospitals in the country. Which makes us feel really good about the students we produce. The better news is most of them are returning.”

The med school pins its hopes on a “communitybased” approach. In the past, at least 75 percent of medical teaching for third- and fourth-year students happened in hospital-based settings. Times have changed,though,andhospitalstaysaremuchshorter.

For the med student, this means a small window of learning opportunities.Time to turn the conventional model around. In FSU’s model, 75 percent of training takesplaceinamentoringdoctor’soffice,Fogartysaid.

This enables the future physicians to build long-term relationships with doctors, patients and the community they train in.

“Our philosophy is train where the patients are.

They’re getting a much more real view of cases that present commonly in the offices,” he said.

FSU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE/RAY STANYARD

HEALTH CARE EDUCATION

But while you have a “captive” audience when it comestomedstudentsstillincollege,oncetheygraduate, it’s very possible — as previously noted — that gradstudentswillseekresidencyprogramsoutofstate.

Dr.Tanya Evers, 37, a Brandon native and 2008 alum, is among the FSU med-school grads who traveled out of state for her graduate education. In her case, she did

her residency in obstetrics/gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee. But a deep Floridaconnectioncalledherback,andshe’scurrentlya physician and faculty member atTallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s Family Medicine Residency Program.

“My husband and I are both from the Tampa area and wanted to return to Florida to be closer to

Robin Albritton graduated from FSU’s College of Medicine and the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Family Medicine Residency Program. Today, he’s a family physician and FSU med school faculty member in his hometown of Marianna.

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FSU PHOTO SERVICES/BILL LAX

The Florida State University College of Medicine and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare opened a new Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2012.

family,” Evers said. “Having lived and worked in Tallahassee previously, we were comfortable here and felt it was a nice place to raise a family. I believe that having a medical school closer to‘home’for many people who grew up in the Panhandle of Florida will keep them here to practice. I also know that there will be some who come toTallahassee and love it, want more of the same and therefore will settle down in the area.

I also suspect that the patients being cared for by these homegrown providers will be able to connect with them on a more meaningful level.”

In fact, as part of its mission statement, FSU activelyrecruitsmed-schoolstudentsfromsmalltowns andunderservedcommunitiesinhopestheywillwant to practice medicine in these rural areas. Sometimes, though, they don’t need a lot of encouragement. In those cases, it fits a future doctor’s personal desire. For example, Dr. Robin Albritton, 37, is a family doctor who grew up in Marianna, went to med school at FSU, conducted his residency at TMH and fulfilled his dream of coming back to Jackson County to practice.

For him, the idea of having more doctors in more rural areas hits close to home. Most residency programs are heldinurbanareasbecauseyouneedahighvolumeof patients to be able to train new doctors. That’s all well and good, but the way he sees it, places like Orlando really don’t need any more primary care doctors.

“We need them more out here,”he said. “And quite frankly, it’s not just primary care doctors. I’d rather we put a new general surgeon in rural Marianna than another family doctor in Orlando. And so really what we have to work toward as FSU continues to expand its graduatemedicaleducationislookforopportunitiesto develop rural residency tracks.”

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As it turns out, Marianna is becoming a popular place for FSU’s med-school students to put in clinic hours, Albritton said.

“We here in Marianna actually have four third-year medical students every year from FSU that spend their entire third year of medical school here,”he said.“And … all of us that practice here teach those students.”

Thissmall-townexperienceisalsomakingsomestudents change their mind and their career goals.

“There are three or four people … currently doing theirresidenciesinprimarycarewhoneverconsidered primary care and had never considered the possibility of practicing in a rural area, and now their goal is to do such because of their experience here,”Albritton said.

“So, really looking forward in the future, that’s what I think we need to have a focus on.We need to continue to expand graduate medical education and also try to getmoreruraltracksassociatedwithsomeoftheseresidency programs that are based in urban areas.”

But FSU’s med school is stirring things up in Florida.

Foundedatatimewhentherewasgeneralresistanceto creating new medical schools, it wasn’t until after the state bit the bullet that suddenly the need was realized.

“There was actually a projection at the time that there was a surplus of doctors and that there was no reason to create a new medical school,”Albritton said.

“And certainly, not long after FSU was founded, they really revised that and said, ‘Oh boy, we’re in trouble, we’re going to need more doctors,’and therefore you sawothermedicalschoolspopupinthestateofFlorida.

Butwhatyoudidn’tseewasalotofnewresidenciespop up. And that is where the boat is being missed.”

Fortunately, FSU is taking the lead in that regard by establishing new programs across the state. The college works with more than 90 health care systems and 2,500 physicians to provide clinical training in five residencyprograms:pediatricsandobstetrics/gynecology at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola; internal medicine at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital; family medicine at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, and a general surgery residency at TMH — which is currentlywaitingonthegreenlightfromtheaccreditation process.The college is also sponsoring an internal medicine residency program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and one in dermatology at Dermatology Associates in Tallahassee, which already has a dermatology fellowship.

“That is the answer to keeping more people,” Albritton said. “I will tell you that only about 10 to 15 percent of my graduating class stayed in the state of Florida. The rest of them all left. And many of those have never come back. I believe we had 59 in that class.

But that’s the realization of it, if there are (not enough) residency programs in … Florida, people are going to havetogooutsidethestatetogettheirgraduateeducation. Unless they have strong family ties, they’re not going to come back.” n

HEALTH CARE RECORDS

Say “goodbye” to manually transferring medical information from paper to a patient’s records.

Ideally, this information will be directly added to a complete virtual “file” that can travel with each patient.

HEALTH BY THE NUMBERS Switching to ‘Paperless’ Health Records Creates Myriad Hassles Today that Will Pay Off with Better Research in the Future

By Rosanne Dunkelberger FIRST, A BRIEF HISTORY of medical recordkeeping, as related by Dr. Randa Perkins, a board-certified family practice physician and executive director of Medical Informatics at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare: At the dawn of humanity, Ogg saw somebody die after eating a poisonous plant and told Ugg not to eat it. Or maybe he drew a warning on a cave wall. Time marched on, and an early physician developed a technique for expelling evil spirits, then wrote it down for the edification of others who came after him.

During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale laid thefoundationformodernnursing.Shewasalsoa“data junkie,” keeping detailed statistical information and publishingworkstospreadinformationabouteffective medical practices.

But it wasn’t until 100 years ago that surgeons began keeping medical records about specific patients.

“The rapid growth in science behind medicine required more detailed records,” Perkins explained during a recent appearance before the TalTech Alliance, a nonprofit created to promote technology innovation in Tallahassee.“We all know that negative outcomes happen in health care; we prefer that they happen less, if at all. Providers were documenting to communicatewitheachotherandremindthemselves about a patient’s history.”

Then insurance companies had their own needs for records, and the era of medical coding arrived. (Just FYI, 401.1 is hypertension. Perkins said she used that one a lot during her family practice days.)

We have about 67 different kinds of EHRs in Tallahassee, and do any of them talk to each other? It’s like the United Nations out there, and we don’t have enough translators.”

— Dr. Randa Perkins

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HEALTH CARE RECORDS

$19.2 Billion The amount allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the purpose of encouraging doctors and hospitals to convert to electronic health records (EHRs).

And the latest revolution in medical recordkeeping is of a much more recent vintage, dating back to February2009,whenthenewlyinauguratedPresident Barak Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It was a $787 billion effort to goose the economy out of the Great Recession. Of that total, $150 billion was dedicated to health care, most for Medicaid and health insurance subsidies. But $19.2 billion was set aside to encourage doctors and hospitals to ditch the paper and convert to electronic health records (EHRs).

EHRs existed at the time but, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, only 17 percent of physicians and 8 to 10 percent of hospitals were using them.

“Paperless” records became the goal and, in the beginning, it was Perkins’ job locally to get TMH’s 550 or so clinical providers to start keeping their records and writing their orders electronically. To say manydoctorswerereluctanttomaketheswitchwould be an understatement.

“As a clinical informaticist, I have had to walk the fine line between having a vision of the future of what we can do with IT … while recognizing the massive disruptionthisiscausingthepatient/providerrelationship,”Perkins said.“You shouldn’t transfer to electronic just because you can; there should be a practical purpose behind it. Doctors are passionate about patient careandangryaboutanythingthatdecreasestheirability to see their patients efficiently.We’re hoping there’s a benefit at the end, and that’s what I see, but it’s hard to push that through.”

Perkinssaidtodaythey’veeliminatedtheoldfrustrationsanderrorsofpaperrecordkeeping—deciphering handwritingscribbles,forone—andcreatednewones,

Florence Nightingale (right) laid the foundation for modern nursing keeping detailed statistical information and publishing works to spread information about effective medical practices, but it wasn’t until 100 years ago that surgeons began keeping medical records about specific patients. The high-tech equipment (opposite page) required for doctors to do minimally invasive brain surgery in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s neurovascular cath lab.

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suchasannoyingpop-upmenusoraccidentallyclicking the wrong box.

Perkins and her staff constantly work with Information Technology staff to make the systems more user-friendly and upgrade processes that need to change to keep up with advances in medicine. The stakes, she said, are high:“A glitch at home, no big deal; a glitch at the bedside kills somebody.”

The doctor spoke at the TalTech meeting to encourage the IT community to work on the problems — and they are myriad — that keep EHRs from being fully functional. For starters, there is what Perkins calls the“Tower of Babel”problem.“We have about 67 different kinds of EHRs in Tallahassee, and do any of them talk to each other? It’s like the United Nations out there, and we don’t have enough translators,” she said.

Many of the records that were transferred to electronic versions are in not easily searchable PDF versions and, because of privacy concerns, many times doctors will have to log in to several different systems to get a complete look at your medical records. None of which is comforting when said doctor is trying to figure out how to treat your heart failure in the emergency room.

So,foralltheaggravationandglitchesanddifficulties gettingsystemstocommunicatewitheachother,what is that bright future Perkins sees from using EHRs? For individuals, an electronic record could immediately be at the fingertips of every doctor you see, in the office or in case of emergency — your health history, medication lists, allergies, test results, contact information and more. If you are a do-it-yourself sort, there are currently online resources such as Microsoft HealthVault, where you can collect the information yourself.

But there’s an even longer view.

“Our very mortal patients are providing immortal data,” Perkins said. “To me, that’s a mind-blowing concept. If we get good information, this is research that our kids could use, their grandkids could use generations from now.”

Otherpossibilitiescomefrom the realm of science fiction.

Remember the tricorder from “Star Trek”? Where Dr. “Bones” McCoy would wave a gadget over a patient to collect information? The technology exists today — “We’ve got the Bluetooth. We’ve got the tablets. We’ve got all these cool things,” Perkins said. n

HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS

Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery WHO?

Patients suffering from brain aneurysms, acute strokes, arteriovenous malformations of the brain and spine, arteriovenous fistula, carotid disease, intracranial stenosis, and carotid and vertebral artery dissection are candidates for endovascular neurological surgery.

WHAT?

COURTESY TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Neurovascular surgery utilizes catheters to perform procedures in the brain through arteries in the groin — eliminating the need to open the skull.

WHERE?

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, tmh.org

QUICK FACTS » TMH has a dedicated

CUTTING EDGE — WITHOUT THE BLADE

neurological and neurosurgery floor with 26 neurology/neurosurgery beds, SIX neuro intermediate care beds and 10 neuro intensive care beds — a total of 42 beds.

TMH Offers Neurovascular, Minimally Invasive Surgery for Patients Throughout the Region

» There are 105 employees

By Chay D. Baxley

» Of those 105 employees,

FOR NEARLY 700 PEOPLE across the region, brain surgery — without scalp cutting and skull sawing — has become a reality atTallahassee Memorial Hospital.

A reality, and a blessing.

“Basically what we do in the (catheterization) lab is called endovascular neurosurgery,”said Dr. Matthew Lawson. “What that allows us to do is to treat bloodvesseldisordersoftheheadandneckthroughminimally invasive means.”

A neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular surgery and endovascular neurosurgery, Lawson

(physicians, nurses, catheterization lab techs, etc.) working on this floor.

arrived at TMH in 2012 to launch the hospital’s new endovascular program. Since then, he and Dr. T. Adam Oliver, a fellow neurosurgeon and a Tallahassee native, have built the program from the ground up.

Together in the catheterization laboratory (affectionately dubbed the “cath lab”), Lawson and Oliver treat patients suffering from a variety of neurological ailments, including brain aneurysms, acute strokesandarteriovenousmalformationsofthebrain and spine.

19 belong specifically to the neuro catheterization lab — two physicians, 10 lab technicians and SEVEN RNs.

» In 2012, TMH spent $3.1

million on the endovascular neurosurgery equipment to kickstart the program.

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HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS

“Many of those diseases, like acute stroke, don’t have any open surgical procedures as a treatment option,” Lawson continued. “All of these endovascular procedures that we do, we’re going from inside the blood vessel. We usually go in through a blood vessel in the leg called the femoral artery.We navigate the catheter all the way up to the head using X-ray guidance from inside the blood vessels.Then we can repair them or do whatever treatment we’re doing.

“Much the same way a cardiologist would do a heart catheterization — we’re basically doing a brain catheterization.”

Before 2012, Northwest Florida patients and their families were traveling to major metropolitan areas such as Tampa, Orlando and Gainesville for these lifesaving treatments. According to Oliver, allowing patients to be treated and recover closer to home is a win for everyone — especially loved ones.

“It’s not just a hometown pride thing,” Oliver said.

“It’s a realization that when you have a person with a sickness, with a vascular lesion, it’s not going to be in and out of the hospital. With a ruptured aneurysm, evenifyoulookgoodneurologically,you’resittingwith us for two weeks. Minimum. And often longer.”

The 14,000-squarefoot unit cost $4 million to construct. The state-of-the art, self-contained facility is bright and comfortable, but also includes the security and privacy considerations required for a behavioral health facility.

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Sincetheseproceduresgenerallyrequireonlyalocal anesthetic, patients are wide awake while in the cath lab.Oncethesurgeryhasbeensuccessfullycompleted, they are kept for an extended period of observation.

That’s where Nancy Anne Teems, the nurse managerforneurology,neurosurgeryandneurovascularat TMH, along with her team of seven registered nurses who are dedicated full time to neurovascular cath lab patients, come in.

“We’re looking for any of the slightest neurological changes,” Teems said.

That also means monitoring patients’ hemodynamics and liquid outputs. According to Teems, rehabilitation can look different depending on the patient. The major factor for a speedy recovery?

Early detection.

While it’s a boon for Tallahassee, the neuro cath lab services patients from three states.

“We’re drawing patients from as far as Dothan and Pensacola, up into Cairo, Georgia, all the way over to Valdosta,” Oliver continued. “So for this segment of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama, we’re it. And we’re very proud of that.” n

CARE FOR THOSE IN CRISIS Capital Regional Medical Center Expands Mental Health Services With a New, State-of-the-Art Unit

By Rosanne Dunkelberger WHILE TALLAHASSEE IS RICH in health care, those withseverementalillnesscouldspendlonghours,even days, in local emergency rooms waiting for a spot to openupinoneofthearea’s106inpatientbedsdevoted to mental health.

In 2013, Capital Regional added two floors on top of its existing six to prepare for future needs, and decided a year later to dedicate the entire seventh floor to inpatient mental health care. Earlier this year, the hospital added a badly needed 24 beds to that total with a new BehavioralHealthCenter,dedicatedtotreatingpsychiatric disorders in adults.

The 14,000-square-foot unit cost $4 million to construct. The state-of-the art, self-contained facility is bright and comfortable but also includes the security and privacy considerations required for a behavioral health facility.

The unit is approved to accept patients requiring emergencymentalhealthservicesunderFlorida’sBaker

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Act, which allows for the temporary detention and evaluationofpeoplewhocouldpotentiallyharmthemselves or others.The center is also designed to provide thefollow-upcarenecessarytopreventorminimizethe future need for intensive treatment.

The center sees patients for common mood disorders, including depression (and post-partum depression), anxiety and bipolar disorder, as well as those with thought disorders, such as psychosis and schizophrenia, said Meg Young, MSW, director of behavioral health services.

Once admitted, patients receive multidisciplinary care from licensed psychiatrists, registered nurses, specialized therapists, social workers, mental health technicians and physicians. There are group and individual counseling sessions as well as music and art therapy provided by master’s-level caregivers.

Patients also have access to the full range of services provided by Capital Regional, such as laboratories and

HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS

COURTESY CAPITAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Patients are approached as a person first and treated with kindness and caring.

Their needs and wants are respected, and they are part of the treatment team.”

— Meg Young, MSW, CRMC director of behavioral health services The new Behavioral Health Center at Capital Regional Medical Center was designed to be homelike, with all the safety and security required for a medical unit treating those with serious mental illness.

imaging, speech and physical therapies, chaplaincy services and services for pregnant women. Important, saidYoung, because mental illness is often paired with physical ailments.

“There is a high rate of co-morbidity in mental illness with cardiac, cancer and diabetes and other endocrinologic illness,” she said. “Definitely the signs or symptoms of serious illness could lead to having a secondary issue with mental health.”

The treatment team works closely with each patient, who is involved in all aspects of his or her own care.

“Patientsareapproachedasapersonfirstandtreated with kindness and caring,” Young said. “Their needs and wants are respected, and they are part of the treatmentteam.Theysettheirowngoals,andweencourage them to discuss the progress they are making toward meeting their goals.”

The environment is as homelike as possible, said Young, with abundant natural light and artwork on the

walls, and patients are allowed to choose their meals from a menu.

FutureplansincludeadditionalexpansionofCapital Regional’s behavioral health services, such as electroconvulsive therapy. Known in the past as “shock” therapy, “it’s a much more civilized process now for peoplewithtreatment-resistantdepressionthatcanbe done on an inpatient or outpatient basis,”Young said.

Another part of CRMC’s growth plan is to open programsthatwouldallowpartialhospitalizationaswellas intensive outpatient services.

“There’s no such thing in Tallahassee now,”she said.

They would be ideal for individuals who are “in crisis but don’t need hospitalization, or if once-a-week therapy isn’t going to be enough.”Or for people who have beenhospitalizedto“helpthemtransitionbacktotheir work or daily functioning.”

The ultimate goal, said Young, is “to be a partner within the mental health community to serve the folks that have the needs.” n

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HEALTH CARE SPECIALISTS

THE ERA OF TRIALS Sherry Hall’s Doctors Told Her She was Terminal — but a Clinical Trial has Changed her Life. This is the Future of Cancer Treatment.

By Shelby Bouck

138 September-October 2015

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COURTESY FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS

KEVIN HUBBARD

IN SEPTEMBER 2013, Sherry Hall’s oncologist told her there was cancer in her bone marrow. Her official diagnosis was stage IV follicular lymphoma, better known by the name non-Hodgkin lymphoma, for which there is no cure. (It is the cancer that killed Jackie Kennedy in 1994.)

That night, she took to her blog.“I know that God is going to Heal my Body,” wrote the Crawfordville resident.“I know this body might suffer but there is a Miracle in the Making.”

Her miracle was a long time coming: Two years of chemotherapy, a blood clot and countless side effects from the drugs, the steroids and the cancer took a toll on Hall’s body and her mind.

Eventually, she had two options: try another round of intravenous chemotherapy, or take chemotherapy pills. Her doctor felt the pills would not improve her condition, and Hall did not want to try the intravenous method again.

“I had already gone that route with no results and no better quality of life,” said Hall, who turns 58 in September. “I was literally at the point of death and dreading the thought that I would have

Dr. Scott Tetreault’s (left) Florida Cancer Specialists encourages cancer patients to consider drug trials that could be available to them. Sherry Hall’s (far left) quality of life improved greatly after she started taking a “miracle pill” to treat her advanced nonHodgkin lymphoma.

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to do another round of chemo — I was actually praying for death. I had problems breathing and was so weak that walking any distance was becoming an issue.”

After switching oncologists in late 2014, Hall found out about a third option available in Tallahassee: a pill in the second phase of clinical trials whose creators were looking for test subjects. Though Hall had been much longer without treatment than the clinicians running thestudywouldhavepreferredinasubject,they added her to the list of patients in the trial.

For the first time in a long time, Hall thought her treatment options might be too good to be true.

“I was excited and at the same time thinking, ‘This can’t be that easy,’” she said. “It’s not an easy thing to know that you are going to be poked and filled with chemicals that could destroymajororgansandleaveyoufeelingweak and actually lifeless … so this ‘miracle pill,’ as I’ve come to call it, was an answer to prayer.”

Many cancer patients currently in treatment may not know that drugs in clinical trial are available to them. Dr. Scott Tetreault of Florida Cancer Specialists in Tallahassee says this is a major issue.

“The bottom line is, in this country, way too few cancer patients go on clinical trials,” Tetreault said. He offers some advice to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer: “What youreallyneedisagoodmedicaloncologistwho has access to clinical trials so you know whether traditional or trial methods are your best option.

You should consider it when your doctor says this might be a good option for you.”

There are, of course, some risks inherent in becoming a part of a clinical trial — trial, after all, is just another word for experiment.

“I’m a big proponent of clinical trials, but I do tell other doctors all the time that they are not for everybody,” Tetreault said. “Unlike an FDA-approved drug, a clinical trial drug has not been proven to be safe and effective. You can’t sugarcoat that fact. But if clinical trials are suggested by your physician, you should strongly consider it.”

In a time when medical insurance and affordablecarearesensitivesubjects,there’ssomegood newstobehadaboutdrugsintrial:Experimental drugs are, in general, free to their test subjects.

“Speaking frankly, it costs an insurance company less money for a patient to be on an experimental drug than for a patient to be in traditional treatment, because the company doesn’t have to pay for the drug,” Tetreault explained. “For this reason, we get less

pushback from insurance companies than you would expect.” In fact, Medicare has been all but pushing for its users to get on experimental treatments for exactly this reason. The ethics behind this move may be questionable, but the patient benefits are there.

Since the pill is still in trial, neither Hall nor Dr.Tetreault was able to divulge the name of the drug Hall is using. However, Tetreault was able to explain what it does.

“It is a drug that works unlike any other,” he said. “It’s a pill, first of all, it’s not chemo, so it doesn’t make you sick, doesn’t make your hair fall out … I don’t think there are any side effects, other than good ones. It is a pill that goes to the cancer cells and very simply turns them off. They use a particular pathway to grow called PI3K. The pill blocks those pathways, putting the cancer cells to sleep. It dies off on its own.”

Suchrevolutionarycancer-fightingtacticsare only a portion of the innovations to come.

“Without getting too philosophical, there is one huge treatment wave that is going to changeeverythingandischangingeverything

right now: immunotherapy,” Tetreault said.

“What immunotherapies do is take the brakes offtheimmunesystemandthecloakingdevice off the cancer. That way the immune system can ‘see’ the cancer and attack it itself. Five of the largest drug companies either have such drugs approved for clinical trial or in the late stages of gaining approval.”

“I know that medication affects everyone differently, but if you have cancer and you’re given the chance to try this pill, don’t hesitate for one moment,” Hall said of her own “miracle pill.”

“I have had no side effects,” she continued.

“It took me about eight weeks to tell a really significant difference in my health. I am not cancer-free, but my lymph nodes have shrunk dramatically … I have been taking the miracle pill for six months now, and my energy level is amazing. I feel like my old self again. I am not sluggish, and I’m more active.” She credits her family and her faith with the strength and timing that has helped her survive:“I owe it all to Jesus Christ, who led me to this clinic and to the right doctor.” n

THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ After Chemo and Radiation, Cancer Can Leave Survivors Struggling With Lingering Aftereffects

By Linda Kleindienst I RECENTLY RAN INTO AN OLD FRIEND at a wedding who kept looking at me and repeating, “I can’t believe how good you look.”That’s normally quite a compliment, but in this case I knew what she meant. Not yet two years out from completing a regimen of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to battle Stage 3 breast cancer that was not picked up on a mammogram, I was finally returning to looking like my old self. The hair was a bit shorter and thinner but my overall self was looking like the BC (Before Cancer) me.

As I passed the two-year cancer-free mark in mid-July, I felt blessed and confident of the future. And I still am. Family, friends andbusinessacquaintancesoftenassumethat once the treatment is over a survivor has no more issues — “You’re cancer-free!” — and

I have definitely encountered that. My usual response is to jokingly say, “Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Mostcancersurvivorsdon’ttalkaboutwhatlife is like after treatment is over. We’re just so thankful to be done with the grueling regimen that controlled our lives for months on end that we only wish to talk about how much better we feel and how happy we are that we beat the demon.

But for many there are aftereffects from chemo,fromradiationandfrommedicationswe have to take in hopes of staving off a reoccurrence.These lingering reminders of the physical battle that was waged can have a major impact on our daily lives. The National Cancer Institute calls it the“new normal”that we all need to deal with but can be quite unprepared for. In the NCI pamphlet “Facing Forward,” available

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REBECCA TAYLOR

HEALTH CARE LONG TERM

… Next time you see a friend or relative or acquaintance who is a cancer survivor, they might not talk about it but be aware there may be a lot more going on behind that smile than you know.

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through cancer.gov, one survivor admits, “I had very unrealisticexpectationsofwellness,andsodidmyfamily and friends. This led to a great deal of worry.” He is not alone.

Istartedfeelingprettygoodacoupleofmonthsafter finishing radiation. But then the first medication I was put on began to cause severe joint and leg pain. Some days at work I felt I could barely walk after sitting for a few hours and then trying to get up.The doctor ended up prescribing an antidepressant that had an off-label use of combating the effects of the cancer drug.

Soon I was getting migraine-like headaches, which I had never experienced before. Another antidepressant, with the off-label use of fighting migraines, was prescribed.

The antidepressants did help lessen the joint pain, but the headaches continued. Meanwhile, I was constantly tired and having trouble focusing. And I was gainingweight,about20pounds,whichwastheopposite of what I was supposed to be doing.

Then, on Mother’s Day this year, I ended up with a three-dayhospitalstaytobattlecellulitis—anastyskin infection — caused by a tick bite under my arm on the side where I had the mastectomy (and no more infection-fighting lymph nodes). Who knew a tiny insect couldcausesomuchtrouble?Ihadbeenwarnednotto have blood drawn or my blood pressure taken on that arm, but no one ever mentioned being careful about bugs — or even that cellulitis could be a concern. A

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Google search when I got out of the hospital, however, revealedthatcellulitisiscommonamongbreastcancer survivors. (We now have several bottles of insect repellent with DEET scattered around the house.)

And, of course, there is always the nagging worry about reoccurrence. I usually avoid reading cancerrelated blogs — don’t want to get too worked up about something that might never happen. But I do get worried when I feel certain pains or am overly tired. I’ve had a brain MRI and a PET scan (a medical imaging technique)tocheckonwhetherthecancerhaspopped upelsewhere.Luckily,ithasn’t.(Althoughtheoncologist scaredthelifeoutofmewhenIsawhisnameshowupon a Saturday morning call. He just wanted to let me know that the test came out clean.)

Today, I am off those original medications, including the two antidepressants. I am on a different pill that doesn’t have the same side effects, although I still have days when I am very tired and need to make myself rest. I stopped taking the medication that was supposed to help with the numbness left in my feet and fingersfromthechemotherapybecauseitwasmaking me lightheaded and dizzy. I’ve just learned to live with neuropathy, which isn’t bad once you get used to it — although tramping through the South Dakota snow duringapheasanthuntlastfallmadeitatadmorepainful for my cold feet.

Somecomparesurvivingcancertoamarathon.Itisn’t asprintthatissoonover.Ittakestimeanddetermination.

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Mary McCabe, RN, director of the Cancer Survivorship program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, is quoted in a feature on WebMD as suggesting: “Makesureyourfamilyandyourofficematesunderstand that just because treatment is over, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to be able to jump right back intorunningthecarpool,coachingsoccerandtraveling to conferences a week out of every month.

“Everyone’s ready for treatment to be over, not just you, and although they’ve been supportive, your friends and family may be expecting you to spring

back right away. It’s an education process. They need tounderstandthatwhenthetherapystops,thatdoesn’t meanthattheeffectsofthetherapystopimmediately.”

So, next time you see a friend or relative or acquaintance who is a cancer survivor, they might not talk about it but be aware there may be a lot more going on behind that smile than you know. Our bodies have been hit with toxic chemicals and intense radiation, and there are bound to be lingering effects, some of which we may not realize for years. We all, however, stillwanttohearthatwe’relookinggood—becauseit’s an important reminder of just how far we’ve come. n

WHEN I’M 65 Don’t Wait Until Retirement to Make Plans for the Medicare Years

By Rochelle Koff BARBARA KIRKSEY KNOWS FIRSTHAND the challenges of navigating the Medicare system.

She and her husband, Fred, weren’t aware of a technicality regarding signing up for a prescriptiondrugcoverageplan,sohenowpaysa$13penaltyeach month, for as long as he lives.

“The same thing happened to a family member,” said Kirksey, a Monticello great-grandmother and registered nurse.“I wanted to prevent other people from falling into that trap.”

For five years, Kirksey has been volunteering as a counselor for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elderly, or SHINE, a program run by the state Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Area Agency on Aging.

Kirksey is among 35 volunteers locally and 500 statewidewhohelpresidentsnavigatethecomplicated world of Medicare, which often spins in far-reaching directions.

Coping with Medicare is just one of the issues people face when they reach that big number: 65. But it’s a major one — and a common concern in Florida.

There are an estimated 4.8 million residents who are 60 and over in the state, with Florida ranking first in the nation for population percentage of elders (about 25 percent).

“Eighty-five-plus is the fastest growing group we have in Florida,” said Ashley Marshall, director of communications for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

There are nearly 4 million Floridians on Medicare, which provides health insurance for people over age

65 as well as disabled residents who qualify for the program.

“The most paralyzing component is thinking you have to face Medicare yourself, and that’s not the case here,”said Jeff Johnson, state director of Florida AARP. “It doesn’t hurt to have a second set of eyes take a look at what you’re thinking.”

While there are various classes offering Medicare help, SHINE is the major resource for helping peopleunderstandtheprocess—andmuchmore.These volunteers,whogothroughanintensivetrainingand vetting process, are located in 11 areas around the state, offering phone and personal counseling.Their services are free, unbiased and confidential.

Counselors also help Medicare recipients apply for financial assistance programs and truly understand their benefits.

HERE ARE SOME GROUPS THAT CAN HELP PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICARE AND OTHER SERVICES: AARP Along with its advocacy work, the organization, geared to people 50 and older, offers a variety of programs and benefits.

Its “Life Reimagined” initiative helps people explore what they want to do when facing a major life transition. For more information about Life Reimagined, contact Leslie Spencer at (850) 577-5165 or Lspencer@aarp.org or visit lifereimagined.aarp.org.

For general information, call (866) 595-7678 or visit aarp.org.

TALLAHASSEE SENIOR CENTER Call (850) 891-4000 or visit talgov.com/seniors/SeniorsHome. aspx; for senior resources, call outreach coordinator Kim Corsmeier at (850) 891-4043 or email tallahasseeseniorcenter@ gmail.com.

To set up an appointment or for more information, call the Elder Helpline at (800) 963-5337, email information@elderaffairs.org or visit floridashine.org.

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LOGAN STANFORD

HEALTH CARE LONG TERM

Barbara Kirksey (right) counsels people trying to navigate their way through the rules and other intricacies of Medicare through the state program SHINE.

A lot of people don’t know what benefits they have.”

— Barbara Kirksey, SHINE Counselor

142 September-October 2015

“A lot of people don’t know what benefits they have,” Kirkseysaid.Shehelpedonewomanwhowasoverpaying for a pain patch costing her $300 a month. It turns out the elderly woman only had to pay $5 for generic or $15forbrand-namepatchesunderretirementcoverage she didn’t realize she had.

“Therearesomanyscenariosforhowpeoplearecovered for health insurance,” said Patty Shaffer, SHINE training consultant with the Department of Elder Affairs.“A lot of what we do is educate people to understand this crazy maze.”

One tricky issue: Not everyone retires at 65 anymore. For Social Security, the age of retirement with full benefits is age 66 if you were born before 1955, and 67 if you were born after that. But many decide to retire as early as 62.

For those who have already signed up for Social Security, a Medicare card will automatically come in the mail, and then the choices begin.

“People not immediately eligible for Social Security tend not to pay attention to Medicare,”AARP spokesman Dave Bruns said.

And that’s a mistake.

Experts advise those eligible for Medicare who are still working to apply for Medicare Part A, since it can supplementtheirhealthinsurance.It’salsovitaltolearn about penalties and just what to expect from Medicare coverage, even for those who don’t need it yet.

People often expect Medicare to be their total safety net, and that’s not the case, experts say.

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“A lot of people think Medicare is free,” said Janet Mills, a SHINE volunteer based in Treasure Island whohashelpedmorethan10,670peoplewithMedicare counseling. She became a volunteer counselor after SHINE helped her with Medicare choices.

“Use the resources that are out there,” Marshall advises seniors. “The bottom line is there are a lot of decisions to make. Don’t avoid it. Don’t procrastinate.

Get educated and empower yourself with the help of a program like SHINE.” When you’re ready to go on Medicare, you’ll have plenty of options, but how you receive your benefits comes down to two main choices.

Option One

ORIGINAL MEDICARE: It includes Part A, which is hospital insurance, and/or Part B, providing medical insurance.Youwillhaveachoiceofdoctors,hospitalsand other providers as long as they accept Medicare. If a provider doesn’t accept Medicare, you may have to pay the whole bill at the time of service and may be charged up to15percentmorethantheMedicare-approvedamount.

You don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if you’ve worked full time for at least 10 years (40 quarters; they don’t have to be in succession). Don’t worry if you’ve worked part time most of your life. If you’ve worked at least 20 hours a week for 20 years, you’d still be eligible for Part A without those premiums. But all recipients pay a $1,260 hospital deductible each time they are admitted and discharged from the hospital. (This is known as

HEALTH CARE LONG TERM

a benefit period.) If you’re eligible for Medicare but still working, Part A can supplement your hospital costs.

With Part B, which covers outpatient medical care, most Medicare recipients currently pay $104.90 per month. This also covers equipment such as hospital beds,canesanddiabetessupplies.Therearealsocopays anda$147annualdeductiblebeforeMedicarekicksin.

You’ll likely want a supplemental insurance policy (Medigap) to help cover Medicare coinsurance and deductibles. There are lots of different plans with varying costs and coverage. Select a plan based on your health care needs and finances. For instance, some people might want coverage for cruises and foreign travel only available in some plans.

You’ll also want to consider Part D, which covers prescription drugs.You will pay copays and possibly a monthly premium and deductible.

Original Medicare doesn’t include coverage for hearing or hearing aids, eye examinations for glasses, acupuncture, cosmetic surgery or most dental care.

However, a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO, PPO, etc.) may offer some of these services as an enhanced benefit. Otherwise, you might want to get a private plan for these costs.

Option Two

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN choices include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), Private Feefor-Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plan (SNP) coverage. It incorporates both Medicare A and B — hospital and medical insurance.

Advantage plans may include some dental, vision and hearing coverage.

You may pay a monthly premium in addition to the Part B premium and copays, but when enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, insurance agents may not sell you an additional Medigap policy.

Inmostplans,youneedtousedoctors,hospitalsand other providers that are in the plan’s network. PPOs arenotasrestrictiveaboutgoingoutsidethenetwork, but the copay will likely increase.

The majority of plans include prescription drug coverage.

Important Deadlines to Keep in Mind

WHEN TURNING 65, you have seven months to sign up for Medicare. This initial enrollment period is three months before your birthday, your birthday month,andthreemonthsafteryourbirthday.Startthe processearly,expertsrecommend,soyouhavetimeto work out your finances and figure out all your options.

You also don’t want to have a break in service of insurance coverage.

If you’ve already signed up for Social Security, you’ll automatically receive a Medicare card. If not, you’ll

need to go to socialsecurity.gov to enroll. Your last chancetoenrollwithoutapenaltyisthreemonthsafter turning 65 if you or your spouse are without employer coverage. If you are covered by a drug plan from work, you must get a letter from your insurance plan each yearthatconfirmsyouhave“creditable”drugcoverage (that measures up to Medicare’s standards), or you’ll face a lifetime penalty. As long as you are enrolled in Part D, you will pay that penalty.

Therearespecialenrollmentperiodsavailabletoeligibleindividuals.Forexample,youhaveeightmonths after leaving your job or moving from one area to another to enroll in Medicare Part A or B. If you do not enroll in your initial enrollment period or are not eligible for a special enrollment period, the nextopportunitytoenrollisduringthegeneralenrollment period, which is from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. Coverage begins on July 1.

You can change your Medicare coverage whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Prescription Drug Plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, with changes effective Jan. 1.

Then there’s long-term care to think about. Keep in mind that Medicare only covers medically necessary skilled nursing care and home health care under certain conditions. The average annual cost in 2014 for a semi-private room in a Florida nursing facility is close to $87,600 ($91,615 for a private).

You may want to consult a legal or financial advisor aboutprotectingyourassetsanddeterminingwhether to invest in long-term care insurance.

“Three out of four people want to receive long-term care,” AARP’s Bruns said. “The ideal situation is for a long-term policy to pay for skilled care for you in your home.Alotofpeoplehavethatdream,butyouhaveto make sure your policy gets you what you really want.”

But turning 65 isn’t just about financial and insurance concerns.

“Research is showing that one of the most fundamental predictors of life expectancy is remaining socially active and engaged,”said Hella Spellman, servicesandprogramsupervisorattheTallahasseeSenior Center, which draws about 400 people a day for its activities,classes,entertainmentandotherprograms.

“The more socially engaged you remain, the more active you can be, the more power you have over your own retirement and how you spend those retirement years,” said Rosetta Land, communications coordinator at the center, which also offers help in finding resourcesforcounseling,caregiving,dentalcare,utility assistance and other needs.

Linda Roberts, the president of the board of the Tallahassee Senior Foundation, sums it up this way: “Really enjoying your life is what everyone’s real retirement goal is: to have fun and to live as comfortably and as healthy and as happy or content as you can possibly be while taking care of all these other things.” n

Really enjoying your life is what everyone’s real retirement goal is: to have fun and to live as comfortably and as healthy and as happy or content as you can possibly be while taking care of all these other things.”

— Linda Roberts, Tallahassee Senior Foundation board president

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Southeastern Plastic Surgery in Tallahassee Where Experience Matters EvEryonE talks about pErsonalizEd carE, but at southEastErn plastic surgEry in tallahassEE, it is exactly the patient experience that makes all the difference. From the moment a patient enters the door, they will encounter a sense of caring that continues throughout their visit. the importance of individualized, personal treatment is at the heart of every patient experience. as tallahassee’s preferred patient’s choice for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, southeastern plastic surgery includes board-certified plastic surgeons, skin care specialists and others dedicated to provide outstanding care and service. “patients are my number one priority,” said dr. ben kirbo, board-certified plastic surgeon. “they influence the quality of staff and technology, the design of our office and the time we spend to educate our patients about the procedures and services they are considering.” dr. kirbo has been practicing in the north Florida and south georgia area for more than 17 years. he is dedicated to providing unparalleled quality to every patient. l-r: Dr. rosenberg, Dr. Kirbo, Dr. Derosier

a native of bainbridge, georgia, ben J. kirbo, M.d. received his undergraduate degree from the university of georgia and completed his medical degree at the university of Miami. dr. kirbo completed his general surgery residency at the university of kentucky and his plastic surgery residency at vanderbilt university where he trained under several internationally recognized plastic surgeons. he has a particular interest in facial cosmetic surgery, breast surgery and body contouring. additionally, he has interest and experience in postbariatric weight loss surgery. he has extensive training in melanoma/skin cancer treatment and Mohs repairs. dr. kirbo is known by his colleagues for his expertise in correcting undesirable plastic surgery results. along with southeastern plastic surgery, he was selected as the only local surgical practice to participate in the Florida Melanoma study. dr. laurence rosenberg, a board-certified plastic surgeon said, “at southeastern plastic surgery, we strive to deliver excellent patient care, in a warm, compassionate setting.” dr. rosenberg grew up in albany, new york. he attended Emory university in atlanta, georgia for both college and medical school, where he earned many awards and distinctions. dr. rosenberg completed both general surgery and plastic surgery residency. he trained at the university of alabama under pioneering plastic surgeon, dr. luis vasconez. he is board-certified by both the american board of surgery and the american board of plastic surgery. dr. rosenberg has a variety of interests and areas of specialization within cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. his areas of focus include facelifts, eyelid surgery, breast reconstruction, breast augmentation and reduction, abdominoplasty, hand surgery, laser treatments of skin disorders and body contouring with particular interest in massive weight loss patients.

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dr. rosenberg is the only board certified physician in north Florida and south georgia to perform a unique hair restoration procedure of surgically transplanting individual hair follicular units. dr. chris derosier is board-certified by the american board of surgery, american board of plastic surgery and the american board of surgery. he is a graduate of the university of alabama (uab) school of Medicine. he completed both his general and plastic surgery residencies at uab prior to starting his practice at the university. dr. derosier performs both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. he is also trained in microsurgery and is excited about offering free tissue breast reconstruction (Free traM and diEp flaps) to the tallahassee area.

For more information about southeastern plastic surgery, visit them online at se-plasticsurgery.com or find them on Facebook. ~

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850.219.2000

2030 Fleischmann Rd. ~ Tallahassee, FL

www.se-plasticsurgery.com

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MEDICAL PROFILES WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? IF YOU SAY GOOD HEALTH, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

In this special section, Tallahassee Magazine fills you in on dedicated health professionals, their practices and their plans for keeping you healthy. Here they discuss their specialized skills, backgrounds and how they can help you with your important health care decisions.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, SURGICAL ONCOLOGY SPECIALISTS WA D E D O U G L AS , M. D . , FAC S

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? Services we provide involve surgical treatment of malignancies including:  colorectal  skin  stomach  liver  pancreas  soft tissue  head and neck WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF SPECIALTY? Areas of specialty include general surgery, surgical oncology, head and neck surgical oncology.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY OR STRATEGY? Prepare for new opportunities and enjoy the journey along the way.

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TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER WHAT DO YOU DO OR WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? The Behavioral Health Center provides a broad array of psychiatric and chemical dependency services including suboxone treatment for persons who have been addicted to opioid medications. The Center treats persons with acute and chronic depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) for severe depression is provided by two psychiatrists within the Surgery Center facility.

Back Row L-R: Sireesha Chimata, M.D. Board Certified Adult; Peter C. Debelius, M.D. Board Certified Adult; Wayne Denton, M.D., Ph.D. Board Certified Adult; Kelly Clouse, M.D. Board Certified Adult and specialized in ECT; Prasanti Tatini, M.D., Medical Director, Board Certified Adult and Geriatric and specialized in ECT Front Row L-R: Esther Undag-Elphick M.D. Board Eligible Child and Adolescent; Edith E. Hidalgo, M.D. Board Certified Adult; Michael Mitchell, M.D. Board Certified Adult Not pictured: Connie Speer, M.D. Board Certified Adult and Child-Adolescent; Mark Strickland, M.D. Board Certified Adult and Child-Adolescent; Kathy Lourvis, ARNP Adult Advance Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY? Psychiatry. All psychiatrists who practice at The Behavioral Health Center are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSION? Success is measured by improved quality of life, prevented suicides and improvement in patient’s functional levels, allowing them to be productive, contributing members of society.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, ENDOCRINOLOGY SPECIALISTS TERRY SHERR ADEN , M . D. ; O M O DELE AWON I Y I , M. D . ; K AT H L E E N W I L S O N , A R N P

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE AND PATIENTS DO YOU SEE? We evaluate and treat patients with complex endocrine diseases, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Consultations and management are provided for diseases and disorders of the endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, adrenals, etc.) and other hormone-related conditions.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY OR STRATEGY? We help our patients learn how to control their endocrine issues and lower their risk for long-term complications. We work with the consulting provider to formulate a plan that is customized for the individual patient.

WHAT BRIEF STATEMENT WOULD DESCRIBE YOUR VIEW OF YOUR PROFESSION? Our goal is to help our patients successfully understand and manage their chronic endocrine diseases so they can feel good and live longer.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, RHEUMATOLOGY SPECIALISTS L E S S S H R E ST H A , M. D . , FAC P

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We specialize in the care of patients with various arthritic and autoimmune conditions.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY OR STRATEGY? I describe my practice as patient-centered. I adhere to providing quality service to each patient’s satisfaction and well-being.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? I am able to bring about significant change in the lives of my patients while enjoying long-term relationships with each patient.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE? In the near future, I plan to open an infusion suite in the office.

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THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE WHAT DO YOU DO? We provide both hospital-based and ambulatory care for adult patients. Our area of specialty is internal medicine.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? Our main goal is to provide excellent care to patients — both in the hospital and in the clinic.

WHAT IS THE “SECRET” OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? The secret to our success is we focus on each patient as an individual and customize their care.

L-R: Jonathan Appelbaum, M.D., Ingrid Jones-Ince, M.D., Gregory Todd, M.D., Raymond Shashaty Jr., M.D., Brittany Clark, M.D. 1 3 0 0 M I C C O S U K E E R OA D ( 8 5 0 ) 4 3 1- 7 9 10 TMH.ORG/RESIDENCY

TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL LIPID CENTER J. OR SON SMITH, M. D. , F. A. C. C. ; SU DHA RAVI LLA , M. D . ; B OA R D C E RT I F I E D C L I N I C A L L I P I D O LO G I ST S E LI Z ABETH F ORD, ARN P- BC

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We work with our patient’s primary care provider to manage complex lipid disorders. We assist the primary care physician, cardiologist or other specialist in the diagnosis and management of difficult lipid disorders. Services include assessment of cardiac risk factors, advanced lipid testing and novel drug combinations.

We assist and educate our patients on appropriate nutrition and lifestyle choices in hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY OR STRATEGY? We work with our patients to help them understand their problem and encourage them to participate in coming up with solutions.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, RADIATION ONCOLOGY SPECIALISTS WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? Our mission is to meet the full cancer care needs of our community by providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art care close to home. Through the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center, we have a diverse, multi-disciplinary team that includes nurses, social workers, patient navigators, registered dietitians and a certified genetic counselor.

We have all of this team in one location for patient convenience.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE? The future of the practice is exciting. Through our partnership with UF Health, we look forward to continuing to bring the most advanced care and new procedures to our patients. We offer a full complement of radiation treatment options to include Sterotactic Radiosurgery, Stereotactic Body RadioTherapy along with brachytherapy and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

L-R: Philip Sharp, M.D., Ovidiu Marina, M . D . , Ra j B e n d re , M . D.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? We measure success with every positive patient and family experience.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, CANCER & HEMATOLOGY SPECIALISTS

WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? Our mission is to meet the full needs of our community by providing comprehensive, stateof-the-art cancer care close to home.

HOW IS YOUR PRACTICE GROWING? The Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center is known for offering specialized care under one roof. With services including hematologyoncology, radiation therapy and most recently surgical oncology, we continue to bring needed care to our community. We are pleased to share the practice is continuing its growth by adding gynecology oncology treatment this fall.

L-R: Janice Lawson, M.D.; Amit Jain, M.D., MPH; Tim A. Broeseker, M.D.; Iman Imanirad, M.D.; Jeannine M. Silberman, M.D.; Karen B. Russell, M.D., FACP

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The most powerful cancer program in the Big Bend region, the Center has been proudly accredited since 1951 by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer — making it the longest continuously accredited comprehensive community hospital cancer program in the state of Florida.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? We measure our success through every patient and family who find the care they need right here in town without having to leave Tallahassee.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, SOUTHWOOD B O BBY A BRA H A M , M . D .

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? Primary care for adult patients, including preventative care for stroke and heart disease. We also provide management of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, endocrine disorders, COPD and asthma.

We offer a variety of preventative and screening health care services including immunizations, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk assessment, cancer screening as well as diagnosis and management of complex medical conditions affecting our adult population. In addition, we offer comprehensive diagnostic X-ray services conveniently located on-site to better serve our patients.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? We try to make the patient experience as pleasant and convenient as possible. Our office is located in a brand-new, one-level building with a covered driveway and ample parking. We also offer same-day appointments for sick patients.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, CARDIAC SPECIALISTS, SERVICES PROVIDED BY SOUTHERN MEDICAL GROUP, PA

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY? Cardiovascular diseases — specifically treating and preventing diseases of the heart, blood vessels and vascular system.

HAVE YOU INCORPORATED ANY NEW TECHNOLOGIES OR TREATMENTS IN YOUR PRACTICE? We have brought new procedures including TAVR, MitraClip, CTO intervention, EKOS and most recently, we were the third hospital in the nation to commercially place a WATCHMAN device which is used to reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.

Back Row L-R: Gregory R. Hartlage, M.D.; J. Galt Allee, M.D., F.A.C.C.; Wayne Batchelor, M.D., M.H.S., F.S.C.A.I., F.A.C.C.; Gian-Carlo Giove, M.D.; Venkati Bavakati, M.D., M.P.H.; Farhat Khairallah, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C. Front Row L-R: William C. Dixon, IV, M.D., F.A.C.C.; David L. Tedrick, M.D., F.A.C.C.; David W. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.C.; Marilyn M. Cox, M.D., F.A.C.C.; Gadi Silberman, M.D.; Frank E. Gredler, M.D., F.A.C.C.; Thomas E. Noel, M.D., F.A.C.C. Not pictured: John N. Katopodis, M.D., F.A.C.C. and Akash Ghai, M.D., F.A.C.C.

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WHO ARE YOUR PATIENTS? We treat patients who have hypertension, blocked arteries, irregular heart rhythms, fainting, highcholesterol, congestive heart failure, heart defects and diseases of the arteries and veins.

WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? Our team of physicians is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for cardiac conditions focused on communication with our patients. We believe in building a strong relationship with each of our patients so we can develop an individual care plan tailored to each person.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, SURGICAL SPECIALISTS ROBERT SNYD ER, M . D. , FACS; ALEXAN DER R A MI R E Z , M. D . ; RICHARD ZOR N , M . D. , FACS

MEDICAL PROFILES

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY? General, laparoscopic, minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS IN YOUR PROFESSION? When we have positive outcomes that allow our patients to live healthier lives and have improved quality of life, we know we have been successful.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS GROWN OR CHANGED? With the addition of Alexander Ramirez, M.D, who received his fellowship training in minimally-invasive and bariatric surgery from the Cleveland Clinic.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? We are dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients. It is our goal to establish mutual respect with our patients through communication and education for the best possible surgical outcomes. We believe this is why we have treated generations of families in our region.

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WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE? We are excited to be participating with the FSU College of Medicine General Surgery Residency Program at TMH. Being faculty members will allow us to shape the next generation of general surgeons.

TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, CENTER FOR MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE DO N ALD C . W I L L I S , M. D . & R O D E R I C K F. H U ME , M. D .

WHO ARE YOUR PATIENTS? Expectant mothers whose pregnancies are considered high-risk due to preexisting conditions, maternal age, multiples or any other complication identified by the patient’s obstetrician.

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY? Maternal-fetal medicine is a sub-specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. As the only maternal-fetal physicians within a 150-mile radius, we work with high-risk pregnancies to minimize complications and manage the health of moms and their babies. Dr. Hume is also Board Certified in Genetics and offers prenatal genetic testing, diagnosis and counseling.

WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY? Working closely with our patients allows us to help prepare them and their managing obstetrician for delivery, involve the appropriate specialists, prevent complications and provide the highest level of care for mothers and newborns who need special attention and support.

HAS YOUR PRACTICE EXPANDED RECENTLY? The field of Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis is rapidly expanding with new and better tests to identify genetic abnormalities. New technology is now available through our office that allows prenatal diagnosis of some genetic abnormalities in the developing baby using a simple blood sample from the mother.

WHAT BRIEF STATEMENT WOULD DESCRIBE YOUR VIEW OF YOUR PROFESSION? We try to lift the mystery (the unknown risks) from pregnancy, provide personalized prenatal risk assessment and treat the fetus as our patient; not just the mother.

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TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? The Family Medicine Residency program offers primary medical care for the entire family with specialty services including maternity care/ delivery, gynecological procedures, skin surgery, cardiac stress testing, anticoagulation as well as behavioral and nutritional interventions. The program also provides medical training for physicians who have chosen the specialty of family medicine.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN PRACTICE IN TALLAHASSEE? We have been providing primary care services in the Big Bend for over 40 years.

Front Row L-R: Gina Hope, M.D.; Tanya Evers, M.D. (OB/GYN). Second Row L-R: Dwight Hooper, M.D. (OB/GYN); Phillip Treadwell, Pharm.D. (Pharmacology); Ronald Machado, M.D. Third Row L-R: A.D. Brickler, M.D. (OB/GYN); Joseph Mazziotta, M.D., Program Director; Lisa Jernigan, M.D.; Julia Weeks, M.D.; Edward Forster, M.D. Back Row L-R: Russell Cole, M.D.; Cathy Snapp, Ph.D. (Psychology); Michael Allison, M.D.; Donald Zorn, M.D.; B. David Robinson, M.D. (Internal Medicine).

Not Pictured: D. Paul Robinson, M.D. (Pediatrician)

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TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL CLINICAL GENETICS CENTER L . K R I STIN PARSL EY, M.D.

WHAT MAKES YOUR PRACTICE STRATEGY UNIQUE? Being a training site offers many valuable benefits for our patients.  Our physicians are accustomed to providing medical care that spans from OB and pediatrics to adult and geriatric medicine. We also treat a large spectrum of care from health maintenance to treating chronic disease.  We have extended hours for both weekdays and weekends.  We provide inpatient and outpatient care. If you are admitted to the hospital, you will see our physicians instead of an assigned hospitalist.  Because our physicians are training new physicians, we are up-to-date on the latest medical advances and able to provide a full spectrum of care.

WHAT DO YOU DO OR WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We provide services in pediatric, adult and cancer genetics.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? Genetics is a fascinating field that is rapidly evolving as scientific technology has advanced. It is now at the forefront in patient management as we move toward personalized medicine in primary care management.

WHAT IS THE “SECRET” TO YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? Improved technology has enabled us to discover the underlying cause of many patient disorders. As someone who has personally experienced this with my family, I am empathetic and focused with each and every patient.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? I have the wonderful opportunity to see rare and unusual disorders on a weekly basis, which keeps us on our toes and up to date on recent clinical advances.

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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. I grew up in Walton County. I attended University of Alabama School of Medicine for my medical degree, University of South Florida for my pediatric residency and University of Colorado Health Sciences for my clinical genetics fellowship. I worked in primary care for 12 years before returning to fellowship. Following fellowship, I wanted to return to my North Florida roots. My husband and I have seven children, ranging in age from 6 to 21 years of age.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, SURGICAL SPECIALISTS S H E L BY B L A N K , M. D . , MS

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? I perform a wide range of both elective and emergent surgical procedures. I most commonly perform gastrointestinal procedures such as cholecystectomies, appendectomies, hernias and colon resections. Most of these are performed in a minimally invasive fashion. In addition, I perform breast surgery for both benign and malignant disease. As part of the Trauma Service, I also care for patients with significant injuries from accidental or traumatic causes.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN YOUR FIELD? I have been practicing in Tallahassee for nine years. Prior to that, I lived and trained in Tampa at the University of South Florida at Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center and the VA hospital there. I have strong ties to Tallahassee, and my family is still here. I was born at TMH and even worked here while an undergraduate. Coming home after my training seemed like a good fit.

WHAT IS THE “SECRET” OF YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? The most important things to me in my professional life are providing a successful, safe operation and a great surgical outcome for my patients, as well as being a teammate and advocate. I never want patients to feel alone or overwhelmed during what may be a very difficult time.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, SURGICAL SPECIALISTS SERVICE

BY TALLAHASSEE SURGICAL ASSOCIATES TIM F. RUARK, JR. , M . D. , FACS; JEFFREY W. C R O O MS , M. D . , FAC S ; E L I OT B . S I E LO F F, M. D . , FAC S

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? Our practice offers a broad range of surgical options for patients of all ages. We provide advanced laparoscopic treatments for gastrointestinal disorders, malignancies (cancer), breast surgery, trauma, hernia, reflux, weight loss, endocrine surgery (thyroid and parathyroid) and the care of trauma patients at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? We are proud to provide exceptional care 24 hours a day. This availability and our advanced, effective surgical care to our patients has led to our success.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE? We will continue to provide excellent surgical care techniques to the community and stay abreast of new techniques. Additionally, we will be participating in the FSU College of Medicine’s General Surgery Residency Program at TMH to train new surgeons.

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TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL BARIATRIC CENTER K E L L EY L A N G , M. D .

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? Medical assessment, treatment and follow-up care for weightrelated conditions.

WHAT IS THE “SECRET” OF YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS? My team includes a registered dietitian and a behavioral therapist. We work together to address obesity as a chronic relapsing disease, considering all possible causes for weight gain. Unlike other weight loss programs, we analyze other factors including genetics, medical and lifestyle choices, which could affect our patient’s success and we then cater our services to that person.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? Helping people succeed at changing their lives and getting healthy.

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TMH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS, INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALISTS, SERVICES PROVIDED BY SOUTHERN MEDICAL GROUP, PA WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

We provide primary care for adult patients with special emphasis on diagnosis, evaluation and management of both chronic and acute complex conditions of the heart, lungs, intestinal tract, kidneys and endocrine system.

L-R: Ileana Popa, MD; Satish Mital, MD; Camille Blake, DO, PhD; Donald Loucks, MD; Judith Lewis, MD; Robert Rowland, MD; Jesse Judelle, MD; Michael Forsthoefel, MD; Marlisha Edwards, MD; Eric Bouchard, MD; Farah Soliman, MD

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Our internal medicine physicians are boardcertified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. We offer highly skilled, compassionate care and state-of-the-art diagnostic services. We are committed to quality patient care by seeking educational opportunities to stay current on the latest drug therapies and diagnostic tools.

We believe in fostering a positive, open relationship with our patients as well as their caregivers to provide optimal care, to instill confidence and to ensure patient satisfaction. We work to maintain a strong network of specialists should our patients need to be referred for further evaluation and believe that communication with the consulting physician and the patient is imperative to seamless, quality care.

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THOMAS E. OPPENHEIM, DMD O P P E N H E I M S I G N AT U R E S M I L E S 2 0 7 E . J AC K S O N S T. , T H O M A S V I L L E , G A

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“When I joined the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 1994, it had become clear to me that the best interests of my patients demanded the expansion of my education far beyond the skills and knowledge that were taught in dental school,” says Thomas E. Oppenheim, DMD, as he reflects on his professional journey over the years.

Today, Dr. Oppenheim is recognized for his exceptional artistic ability to create that perfect “signature smile” for each client. He is one of only 63 dentists in the world to have achieved Accredited Fellow status in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

“Delivering cosmetic and restorative excellence required that I master and maintain proficiency in an entirely new set of artistic and technical skills.

That is why I continue to fully engage in every learning challenge the AACD offers, and it is also why I voluntarily tested my skills against the AACD’s most demanding standards. By passing the rigorous testing required to become an AACD Accredited Fellow, I am demonstrating that I can, and will, consistently deliver no-compromise, beautiful results every time,” he states.

Dr. Oppenheim’s smile designs are known for their strikingly natural appearance and lasting beauty. His work has not only graced the cover of the prestigious Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry an unprecedented eight times, but has also won him Top Honors in AACD International Smile Gallery competitions for 10 consecutive years (including Best of Show in Honolulu).

A writer and frequent lecturer on advanced smile design techniques, Dr. Oppenheim has served on the Accreditation Board of Examiners for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and mentored other dentists pursuing accreditation in the AACD. Dr. Oppenheim is an alumnus of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry as well as the Comprehensive Esthetics Restorative Continuums at the College of Dentistry at Baylor University and Louisiana State University. He is also an honorary fellow of the International Academy of Dental-Facial Esthetics.

“With each new patient, I remind myself that I am only as good as the last smile I created. Our patients choose us because they want the best, and in return for their trust, we promise to do what it takes to provide just that — every time.”

Dr. Oppenheim’s smile designs are known for their strikingly natural appearance and lasting beauty. “I can, and will, consistently deliver no-compromise, beautiful results every time.”

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For more than 40 years, the physicians and staff of Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) have been dedicated to helping patients live healthy lives through exceptional orthopedic service and compassionate care. TOC is the leader in orthopedic care for the residents of North Florida and South Georgia. With a team of 23 physicians, TOC offers patients a fully integrated experience by providing evaluation, treatment, prevention and education for conditions that effect the body’s muscles, joints and bones. At Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, patients can take advantage of complete orthopedic medical diagnosis, imaging services, treatment and/or surgery, rehabilitation and assistance with orthotics care all in one place.

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Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic’s highly acclaimed practice offers patients access to an unparalleled institution of knowledge with physicians experienced in the treatment of general orthopedics, sports medicine, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, joint reconstruction, spine, orthopedic trauma and concussions.

Front Row (L-R): William Thompson, M.D.; Matthew Lee, M.D.; Floyd Jaggears, M.D.; Garrison Rolle, M.D.; Gilbert Chandler, M.D.; Andrew Wong, M.D.; Andrew Borom, M.D.; Aaron Guyer, M.D.; Chris Berg, M.D.; David Bellamy, M.D.; Tom Haney, M.D.; Edward Jackson, M.D. Back Row (L-R): Brad Stephens, M.D.; Robert Thornberry, M.D.; Mark Fahey, M.D.; Gregg Alexander, M.D.; David Oberste, M.D.; Ray Bellamy, M.D.; Kris Stowers, M.D.; Hector Mejia, M.D.; Scott Burkhart, Psy. D.; Tom Park, M.D.; Hank Hutchinson, M.D.

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Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic Spine Center offers a comprehensive approach to spine conditions. The physicians at Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic work closely together to provide complete care for patients suffering from spinal disorders offering complete evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of the spine all in one place. Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic Spine Center is dedicated to improving each patient’s function and quality of life by setting elevated standards for innovated approaches to spine treatment.

GREGG ALEXANDER, M.D.

GILBERT CHANDLER, M.D.

MATTHEW LEE, M.D.

TOM PARK, M.D.

MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE &

SPINE SURGEON

SPINE SURGEON

PAIN MANAGEMENT

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

MEDICAL PROFILES

WALTER E. COLÓN II, DMD, MS P E R I O D O N TA L A S S O C I AT E S O F N O R T H F LO R I D A 16 14 W E ST P L A Z A D R I V E

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(850) 562-7263

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WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? Our services include non-surgical prevention and surgical treatment of periodontal diseases. We also place dental implants to replace lost teeth or to reconstruct mouths with several or all missing teeth. Other treatments offered are the cosmetic exposure of teeth correcting a gummy smile, bone regeneration, laser periodontal therapy and soft tissue or gum grafting.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? It’s no secret! Clinical excellence and compassionate care.

We are grateful every day to serve our patients and referring colleagues. We enjoy serving Tallahassee’s patients needs. Our team prides itself in showing our patients that we are there for them and thankful for the opportunity to exceed their needs.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY? We are committed to providing patients with the highest quality facility, services, products and experiences. We are constantly evolving through research and adopting state-of-the-art procedures, technology and equipment that will provide our patients with the best results possible. We are a dynamic practice. We take pride in maintaining an immaculate, modern and clean surgical center and in providing our patients the most personalized care possible.

CREDENTIALS: Certificate of Periodontics and Master of Science, University of Kentucky (1997–2000)  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship, Vanderbilt University (1993–1994)  General Practice Residency, Vanderbilt University (1992–1993)  Certificate of Hospital Dentistry and General Practice Residency, University of Kentucky (1991–1992)  Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of Kentucky (1987–1991)  Bachelor of Science, University of Dayton (1982–1986) 

AWARDS: American Board of Periodontics, Diplomate (2006)  Rotary International – Rotary Club of Tallahassee “Service Above Self” Award (2009–2010)  American Association of Periodontology 2012 Academy Award Winner – Special Citation 

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MEDICAL PROFILES

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I NG S E C T I O N

RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF TALLAHASSEE, P.A.

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

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L-R: James Killius, M.D.; Stephen Carr, M.D.; Maribel Lockwood, M.D.; Steven Ostrov, M.D.; David Vermess, M.D.; Daniel Yang, M.D.; Arjun Kaji, M.D.; Carey Linker, M.D. Not pictured: Charles Williams, M.D.; Sergio Ginaldi, M.D.; Mary Swain, M.D.; Michael Cavallaro, M.D.; Kurt Luhmann, M.D.; William Yaakob, M.D.; Timothy Sweeney, M.D.; David Durden, M.D.; Gregory Albright, D.O.; Michael Pentaleri, M.D.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? At Radiology Associates of Tallahassee, the needs of our patients and the physicians who refer their patients to us are our first priority.

We are committed to providing a state-of-the-art imaging center with the full spectrum of radiologic studies: CT, PET/CT, mammography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, DEXA, interventional, fluoroscopy, X-Ray and MRI (Tallahassee Diagnostic Imaging). Our PET/CT unit is the only one in this area.

Our Women’s Imaging Center is the only facility in our area offering breast tomosynthesis (3-D mammography) in conjunction with the traditional 2-D mammogram and is an American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

Our newest service is low-dose CT lung cancer screening, recommended for individuals 55–77 years of age with a 30+ packyear smoking history. We are an ACR Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center.

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN PRACTICE IN TALLAHASSEE? Fifty-four years. Since 1961, our physicians and staff have been serving our community. Over the years, we have continually added new radiologists to our group.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? Our physicians and staff are dedicated and love what they do! We offer a pleasant and friendly environment so patients feel at ease when visiting our office.

Our extensive training and experience is a unique asset to this community. Each physician is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. In addition, our physicians have sub-specialty fellowship training in neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, pediatric radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, body imaging and mammography.

Our physicians live and work in Tallahassee. Local referring physicians can easily consult with them to provide timely, expert patient diagnosis.

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

MEDICAL PROFILES

BEACHTON DENTURE CLINIC D R . W I L L I A M MC FAT T E R

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We offer solutions for missing teeth, from implants to dentures, with a concentration on denture services and implant solutions.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. For over 30 years, I have been focusing my dental practice on removable prostheses and surgery.

I am a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a major in molecular biology, a 1981 graduate from Emory University Dental School and participated in a yearlong residency at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in dentistry.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE THIS CAREER? My life conspired to direct me to this area of service, and I am thankful for that direction.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? We focus on how we can best serve our patients.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY? We create a dental environment that is friendly, comfortable and service oriented.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? Interacting with patients and hearing their unique stories.

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CENTRE POINTE HEALTH & REHABILITATION WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? Centre Pointe Health & Rehab offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services following surgery, an injury or an illness. We provide a wide range of outpatient rehabilitation utilizing stateof-the-art equipment to address individual therapeutic needs including pre-surgical strengthening, balance/vestibular disorders and concussion management.

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Our staff and management team are passionate about providing individualized care, customer service and developing a reputation of excellence in the health care community.

L-R: Boo Suber, Community Liaison; Kristen Hensley, Administrator; Satish Mital, M.D., Co-Medical Director; Andrew Scanameo, M.D., Co-Medical Director; Teresa Edge, Director of Nur sing; Hank Walsh, Director of Rehabilitation 2 2 5 5 C E N T E R V I L L E R OA D (850) 386-4054 | CENTREPOINTEREHAB.COM

WHAT AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED? Centre Pointe was awarded the highest rating by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as -a Five Star Facility. Centre Pointe also earned the best ranking possible with deficiency free health surveys from the Agency for Health Care Administration in 2014 and 2015.

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HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF TALLAHASSEE

DR. JAMUNA SIVAKANTHAN WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION? I grew up with a cousin who had a severe form of spinal muscular atrophy. The doctors gave her two years to live, but with the love and caring of family and a medical facility, she lived to be 27 years old. This made me think about a medical career, helping those who are disabled.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR PATIENTS CHOOSING A REHABILITATION FACILITY? The patients and families need to make sure that they are getting the right services they need to progress in their goals. HealthSouth is the only acute rehabilitation hospital in the Big Bend. Dr. Miller and I are trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation and the only board certified PM&R physicians in town.

DAVID MILLER, M.D., AND JAMUNA SIVAKANTHAN, M.D. 1 6 7 5 R I G G I N S R OA D | ( 8 5 0 ) 6 5 6 - 4 8 0 0 H E A LT H S O U T H TA L L A H A S S E E . C O M

WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION? I pursued a career in PM&R after my experience with it and the difference it made for my dad after he had a stroke. I found the holistic approach to patient care very rewarding. The focus on patient function and overall well-being mirrored my philosophy of life.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTHSOUTH? I see the future as a continuing, intricate part of the well-being of Tallahassee and surrounding communities. HealthSouth will continue to be an important part of the patient’s transition from various illnesses and injuries that affect a patient’s ability to take care of themselves. While technology is already rather amazing, it will continue to improve — but the hands-on approach to patient care will always be critical.

SEPTEMBER 26 St. Jude patient Mabry, age 2 acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Southwood Town Center, 3196 Merchants Row Blvd.

Registration: 7:00 a.m. Run start: 8:15 a.m. Walk start: 8:30 a.m.

Presented locally by: SM

Join our fight.

stjude.org/walkrun

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©2015 ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (21377)

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

DR. DAVID MILLER

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

MEDICAL PROFILES

RUSSELL B. RAINEY, D.M.D. 2 2 1 E . 7 T H AV E .

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(850) 385.3700

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D R R A I N E Y. C O M

Dr. Rainey, Cindy Griffiths, Jane Rice, Elizabeth Holm, Tracy Fairfield, Sheila Monk, Diane Biederman, Jacque Brewton and Marie Long

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We provide general dental care, including cosmetic dentistry, full mouth reconstruction, implant restorations, dental cleanings, non-surgical periodontal therapy and Invisalign® — the clear alternative to braces.

WHAT IS THE “SECRET” TO YOUR SUCCESS? We take the time to listen to our patients and establish a true relationship prior to beginning any treatment. The loyalty from our patients is a direct result of engaging them in the process, discovering their individual needs and crafting the care we provide to those needs.

Our areas of focus include:

HAS YOUR BUSINESS EXPANDED? Over the last several years, our practice has seen an increasing number of patients who experience pain and discomfort from TMJ symptoms. We also have seen an increase in health issues resulting from sleep apnea and/or snoring disorders. Both of these conditions have dental solutions. We have participated in numerous courses to receive further education on the treatment of TMJ and sleep apnea and work directly with specialty labs to custom fit oral devices to relive the symptoms for our patients.

General and Restorative Dentistry Sedation Dentistry  TMJ Pain Relief  Sleep Apnea Solutions  Neuromuscular Dentures  Invisalign®  

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN PRACTICE? Our practice is in its 28th Year.

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS PRACTICE: Our practice is very patient-centered. Everything we do is based upon making our patients feel both welcome and comfortable. We strive to anticipate needs and exceed any other dental experience.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? We are very fortunate to work in a field where our care has a positive impact on our patients’ overall health and quality of life. We measure our success by how they feel about their experience while in our care and how they value the results of the treatment we provide.

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THE ARTS CALENDAR SOCIAL STUDIES THE BUZZ

Spotlight

TRISTIN KROENING

Puppies in the Pool

The sweltering days of summer are coming to a close, but fun in the sun isn’t over quite yet — at least not for our furry friends. Just before the city’s pools close for the winter, Tallahassee canines can enjoy a day splashing and socializing. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3–4, Trousdell Aquatics Center is hosting the 10th annual Puppies in the Pool event.

Cheri Howe, pool supervisor at Trousdell, said the event was started as a service to the residents of Tallahassee — it’s something fun for both dogs and owners. Last year, more than 400 dogs attended the event.

According to the ASPCA, dogs are naturally active and social animals, but they have fewer opportunities than their wild ancestors to exercise and interact with others. Though some breeds are more comfortable than others in the water, even those that aren’t bred for aquatic activities can enjoy a day at the pool.

Pups will be allowed in the water during time slots based on weight. Small dogs (under 40 pounds) can enjoy the pool between 1 and 2 p.m. Large dogs (over 40 pounds) will have sessions from 10 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Dog owners who want to get in on the fun must pre-register at Trousdell with their pets’ paperwork. Dogs must be 6 months or older, be spayed or neutered and have proof of vaccination. The cost is $4 per person and $4 per dog.

Those concerned about cleanliness can rest assured that the event is safe: The Get ready for lots pups’ pool has a water of fetching and source separate from other splashing as dogs pools in the facility, and get their chance it’s drained after the event. to take a dip in For more information, visit the swimming pool at Trousdell talgov.com/parks.

Aquatics Center.

// KIYO KAWAGUCHI

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MARINA BROWN

»culture THE ARTS

The ‘People’s’ Orchestra The Big Bend Community Orchestra Begins Its Twenty-First Year

By Marina Brown THE LIGHTS DIM MOMENTARILY before the gels along the proscenium cast cascades of blues and pinks onto the orchestra. In a black Nehru jacket,theconductorraisesbotharms,silhouettedbeforetheplayerslike a genie emerging from a magic lamp.

The orchestra is poised; bows hover millimeters above strings; the reedsofwindinstrumentsarewetted;thecircularmouthpiecesofgolden horns are pressed into the embouchures of men with powerful lungs.

And they wait — as attentively as soldiers primed for assault or for the surgeon who will make the first cut.

What will follow is a tidal wave of the known and unknown … an orchestra unleashed with the dropping of the tiny white wood of the baton … a movement that will bring the past into the aural present and emotionally connect 200 people on the thread of a sound.

To be inside an orchestra as it rises and falls, drives powerfully forward or whisThe love of making symphonic music keeps the amateur pers secrets of the heart is a privilege few musicians of the Big Bend have. Yet for the past 20 years, the Big Community Orchestra Bend Community Orchestra has offered practicing and performing thatopportunitytovolunteermusicians year after year. whorehearsetogether,practiceathome and find the exhilaration of playing works of the great symphonic masters another of the surprising musical bonuses of living in Tallahassee.

GinnyDinsmoreissomeonewhoknows.AlongwithWaldieAnderson, aretiredvoiceprofessorfromMichiganStateUniversity,theyfoundedthe Big Bend Community Orchestra in 1994. Though Dinsmore had played with the precursor of the Tallahassee Symphony, that fledging group had collapsed before it later reemerged as a professional organization in 1979. In the meantime, Dinsmore, who for 25 years taught kindergarten throughfourthgrademusicatFloridaHigh,continuedtooccupyherfree time playing clarinet with the Tallahassee Community Band.

“A fine organization for sure,”she smiled.“But I really wanted to play symphonic music.”

AboutthetimeDinsmoreretiredfromteachingandwas“startingtoget my clarinet skills up to par,” Anderson and his Florida State University professor wife, Carolyn Bridger, were settling intoTallahassee. Anderson too played with the Community Band but also hankered for more classical fare. Then at a band party, much like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in the movies of the 1940s, Ginny andWaldie decided on a whim to “put on an orchestra.”

“We rounded up 22 string players and enough personnel for a complete wind and percussion section,” Dinsmore said. “For several years

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»culture THE ARTS

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we rehearsed and played at local city high schools. Many concerts were at Lee Hall on the FAMU campus.” Today the orchestra rehearses atTallahassee Community College and plays most of its three concerts per year in Turner Auditorium. TCC and Florida A&M students who play with the orchestra receive college credit.

From the beginning, the Big Bend Community Orchestra’s mission was expansive: All concerts would be free to the public. And it would serve as an outreach. Dinsmore and Anderson wanted to include professional players, homemakers, music teachers and students, and those at a variety of levels of expertise.

“Music education is one of our major goals,” Dinsmore said.

“For me, orchestral “And not just for kids.

Having the opportuplaying is more nity to play Mozart or soothing than Sibelius doesn’t fallinto everybody’s lap, and band — and harder. that’sprettywonderful.

But the people Butbeingintroducedto newcomposersasadult are so accepting. players is truly a unique In fact, I think I andthrillingchallenge.”

As a longtime music like rehearsals educator, Dinsmore’s even more than thoughts often go to children. performances!”

“Teaching music in the schools and after— Cellist James Brown school instruction is so important,” she said.

“It’s the basis for understanding and becoming curious about not only music written at a certain point in the past, but about history too.What was going on whenBeethovenwrotethe‘Eroica’?Whatpoliticalbackgroundcan you hear in Mahler? By giving advanced students the opportunity to attend and even play with a large orchestra, you can sometimes make a life-changing difference.”And it’s even fun if you don’t play an instrument.

Dinsmore said co-founder Anderson had wanted to introduce little children to the dynamic that makes up an orchestra.

Following his lead, before the last piece of the concert, children under 12 are still invited up on stage to sit or stand beside a musicianoftheirchoosing.Wide-eyed6-year-oldsperchcross-leggedat the feet of a cellist while pre-adolescent boys stare at the blur of a timpanist’ssticks,eachoneexperiencingthepowerofanorchestra in full throat.

ButwhatkeepsbusyprofessionalscomingoutonThursdayevenings to rehearse for two hours? What motivates them to pull out their horns or harps, cellos or oboes to practice in back rooms or kitchens during the week?

James Brown is a retired assistant superintendent of schools and a former band director himself. Brown plays concert piano, clarinet and a variety of other instruments, but“I’d never experienced the challenge of strings,” he said. Ten years ago, he bought himself a cello,whichfithishandsbetterthanaviolin.Brownsaidhepracticed two to three hours a day in the beginning. A year later, with some butterflies, he joined the orchestra.

“For me, orchestral playing is more soothing than band — and harder,” he said. “But the people are so accepting. In fact, I

Celebrating 60 years of excellence in education in Tallahassee MARINA BROWN

WWW . HOLY - COMFORTER . ORG • PK3-8TH GRADE • 850-383-1007

think I like rehearsals even more than performances!”

Over the past 20 years, the Big Bend Community Orchestra has undergone its share of adaptations. For many years it was connectedwiththeArtistSeries;today,the orchestra has applied for its own nonprofit status. James Croft, a director of bands at FSU, took over when Waldie Anderson stepped down in 2004 and continued on the podium until passing the baton to the current conductor, FAMU Assistant Band Director Shelby Chipman, in 2007.

What’s next for an organization that has played 325 orchestral compositions and had 724 musicians pass through its ranks over the past 20 years?

“Well, we’d love to see more players like Matthew Kajicinski, one of our violinists who now plays in Europe; Ashanti Floyd, a viola concertizer; and Dunwoody Mirvil, a trombonist with the Tallahassee Symphony, cycle through the BBCO. We love to nourish talented musicians,”Dinsmore said.“And we’d love some more babies!”

Babies?

“Sylvia Howell, a violinist who has moved to South Carolina, has given us our first ‘baby BBCO,’” she explained. “Called the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra, she says she missed our Big Bend Community Orchestra enough to clone it in South Carolina.”

Dinsmore, who has no children of her own, laughs that her own years of teaching gave her hundreds of children to love, and now in South Carolina she feels she has another one. And guess what?

She’s hoping for more. n

A retired education administrator and a former band director, James Brown started playing the cello 10 years ago and is now a member of the BBCO.

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»culture BEST BETS

September–October

Kick off the fall season with good times galore!

» events

COMPILED BY JENNIFER IRELAND

The party starts at 7 p.m. and is Pink Tie optional. Tickets are $100 each. Visit cardsforacuretallahassee.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

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Cards for a Cure October 3 Get your poker face and pink ties ready for the 10th Annual Cards for a Cure, benefiting the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center and all cancer programs. This year’s event will be held at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum and features a live band, silent and live auctions and heavy hors d’oeuvres. This year’s honoree is Terese Combs.

» culinary

Florida Seafood Festival November 6–7 Fish and shrimp and crabs, oh my! The Florida Seafood

The festival kicks off on Friday, and Battery Park opens at 10 a.m. with no admission charge.

The blessing of the Fleet and live entertainment are scheduled for Friday. The Redfish Run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday and gates open at 10 a.m. Admission on Saturday is $5 per adult and kids under 12 are free. For more information, visit floridaseafoodfestival.com.

» business

Power Forward Speaker Series

COURTESY DECCA/ANDREW ECCLES

Festival is back for another year in the historic town of Apalachicola in scenic Franklin County. Delicious seafood, arts and crafts, live entertainment and special seafood-related events are part of this two-day celebration. Some of the notable seafood festivities include oyster eating and shucking contests, blue crab races, a photo contest, parade, 5K Redfish Run, The Blessing of the Fleet, History of the Festival exhibit and Tonging for Treasure.

November 4 November marks Entrepreneurship Month, and Tallahassee’s own

First Commerce Credit Union is sponsoring its third year of the Power Forward Speaker Series. This year’s speaker is Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media.

Randi started as part of the original Facebook startup team, running the marketing programs from 2005–2011. Today, she owns a boutique marketing firm and production company working with clients such as Cirque du Soleil and PayPal. Andy Serwer will moderate the event for a second year as guests learn about entrepreneurship and get motivated by Zuckerberg. Early bird ticket prices are available through Sept. 30.

This year’s Speaker Series will take place at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on Florida State University’s campus. Main level seating is $50, balcony seating is $40 and student admission is $20. Visit firstcommercecu.org for more information.

» music

Zoobilee popular annual “fun” raiser is an evening filled with live music from the Groove Merchants, an open bar and delicious eats from various restaurants around town. The event benefits the educational, conservation and preservation activities at the museum and is sponsored in part by the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, COCA and the Florida Division of Cultural Arts.

TALLAHASSEE MUSEUM/AMBER O’CONNELL

November 6 The Tallahassee Museum’s most

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.

All-inclusive tickets include all you can eat and drink.

Purchase your tickets before 5 p.m. Oct. 9 for $40. Tickets purchased after this time will be $45. Visit the museum’s website for more information at tallahasseemuseum.org/calendar.

» music

The Diva and the Symphony October 16 The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 35th anniversary in splendid style with an Anniversary Gala featuring one of the world’s most renowned musical luminaries, soprano Renée Fleming.

“An Evening with Renee Fleming” is set to include both melodic aria ensembles as well as songbook classics. Also known as the “People’s Diva,” this four-time Grammy winning soprano has been awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barak Obama and was the first opera singer to sing the national anthem at a Super Bowl in 2014.

The concert will be held at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at 8 p.m. and tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime performance range from $80–$150. For more information, visit tallahasseesymphony.org

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»culture CALENDAR COMPILED BY CASEY FEINDT

SEPT. 5

Hispanic Festival The North Florida Hispanic Association invites you to enjoy a day filled with authentic Hispanic cuisine, live entertainment, and arts and crafts. This event is sure to be fun for the whole family.

FREE, St. Louis Church, 3640 Fred George Road.

10 a.m–4 p.m. (850) 216-6049

SEPT. 7

Bluebird Run for Brookie B Organized by NAMI Tallahassee, this walk/run highlights National Suicide Awareness Month and honors Brook Bowers, who died by suicide in 2012. All funds raised will benefit NAMI Tallahassee’s efforts in suicide awareness and prevention. $10–$20. Alford Greenway Park, south end of Pedrick Road.

7:30 a.m. start. Register at bluebirdrun.com.

SEPT. 12

Always ON TREND Amber Brogdon Photography

Bluegrass at the Beach Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and ResortQuest present this familyfriendly celebration of music and culture. Featuring seven awardwinning bluegrass bands, an interactive Kid’s Art Village, and a range of food and beverage offerings. $45–$55, Children under 12: FREE. Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive, Destin.

11 a.m.–10 p.m. (850) 650-2226, mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/ bluegrassatthebeach.html

SEPT. 14

ALL UNDER $30

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@sparklebymadison

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Dr. Bass Large Mouth Open Golf Tournament Come tee off at one of the city’s largest charity golf tournaments supporting the programs at Big Bend Hospice. Winners will receive exciting prizes from local golf clubs and retailers, Foursomes starting at $800, Golden Eagle Golf Club. Shotguns at 8 a.m and 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Connie Palmer at (850) 878-5310.

SEPT. 19

9th Annual Tallahassee Brewfest Hop heads will come together to enjoy unlimited tastings of over 200 different beers at this alwayspopular event sponsored by Sunrise Rotary. Sample, experiment and learn about beer while you indulge in delicious food and good company. This year features a special room just for VIPs and expanded food choices for purchase by general admission ticketholders as well as a shuttle bus running from downtown locations. $40, $100 VIP. Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Drive. VIP ticketholders 4–5 p.m. General admission 5–8 p.m. brewfesttallahassee.com

SEPT. 19

International Shoreline Cleanup This Adopt-A-Shore Event put on by Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful helps to clean up 38 local ponds and lakes right here in the Capital City.

Refreshments and T-shirts provided. FREE. Supplies can be picked up at the Atkins office, 2639 N. Monroe, Building C, from 7:30–9 a.m. Cleanups held 8–11 a.m. (850) 545-6507

SEPT. 19

Sixth Annual Evening of Grace Fundraising Gala Come wine and dine at this gala event benefiting Grace Mission’s community outreach programs.

Enjoy a silent auction, sit-down dinner and live entertainment by Tocamos Mas. You don’t need to be graceful to dance the night away, $100, FSU Alumni Center.

5:30–10 p.m. (850) 224-3817

SEPT. 19–20

The Fuzzy Pineapple’s Annual Craft and Art Festival Artists and vendors and crafters galore! The Fuzzy Pineapple is bringing more than 100 of the city’s many diverse and independent local artists together for this event that will feature live entertainment, an art and fashion show, auction and gourmet food

from local vendors, FREE, 1209 Paul Russell Road. 9 a.m.– 7 p.m., thefuzzypineapple.com

SEPT. 24

Trivia Night at the Museum Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres as they are challenged with trivia questions that encompass Florida history, politics and much more. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening, $20 per team, $5 for individuals, Florida Historic Capital Museum. 7–9 p.m.

Register your team by calling (850) 487-1902.

SEPT. 26

Fourth Annual Capital City Bikefest Rev up those engines and come enjoy a day dedicated to all things motorcycle. This year’s Bikefest will feature a bike show, local vendors, silent auction and live demonstrations by the FSU Police Department Moto Squad.

FREE. Tallahassee Airport General Aviation Terminal. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. tallahasseebikefest.org

SEPT. 26

St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer This 5K walk/run event takes place nationwide during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Help join the fight against childhood cancers and participate in this walk benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, $10, SouthWood Town Center. 7–11 a.m. Register at st.jude.org/walkrun.

OCT. 1

Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars Hosted by the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, this concert will open the season with a melodic combination of arias, duets and ensembles performed by some of New York’s greatest opera stars. $38, students $15.

Thomasville Center for the Arts.

7:30 p.m., tefconcerts.com

OCT. 1–3

First Floridians First Americans Conference Learn about Florida’s history

before the Spanish arrived.

The conference will feature esteemed archaeologists, paleontologists, anthropologists and scholars from throughout the nation, as well as artifacts and other displays. FREE (donations encouraged).

Monticello Opera House. 8 a.m. firstfloridiansconference.com

Best Hair Salon • Best Place to be Seen THANK YOU ALL from So Pure Team.

OCT. 2

Second Annual Wells Fargo Aim for a Cure Banquet Dust off those cowboy boots and enjoy a night of fun benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis foundation.

The event will come complete with dinner, dancing, a live auction and include featured guest Coach Mickey Andrews. $85. Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Drive.

7 p.m. aimforacurefunshoot15. eventscff.org

1318-D N. Monroe St. 850.681.6681 soleil7.com

OCT. 2–3

Greek Food Festival Come feast on traditional Greek delicacies like pastitsio, moussaka, souvlaki and pastries while enjoying a day dedicated to Greek heritage.

The event will feature unique, imported goods from Greece, Greek music, dancing, laughs and fun. FREE admission, food available for purchase. Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Road. hmog.org/festival

OCT. 2–11

‘Some Girl(s)’ Directed by Carrie Colton, this masterful stage production follows Guy as he travels the country looking up old girlfriends in an attempt to make amends for past heartbreak before he gets married. $20, students $15.

The Lab Theatre. For more information or to buy tickets, call (850) 644-6500 or visit tickets.fsu.edu.

OCT. 3

Science Saturday at Lake Ella Come channel your inner mad scientist and spend the day enjoying a plethora of exhibits dedicated to science and TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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MATT BURKE

»culture CALENDAR

» event

Best of Tallahassee October 28 1817 THOMASVILLE RD, STE 520 (NEXT TO WHOLE FOODS) 850.765.6224

Y SPA DA

NA

Join Tallahassee Magazine at The Edison Restaurant at Cascade Park as we celebrate the best of the best.

The winners from more than 100 categories will be announced live throughout the evening, accompanied by an exclusive release of the November/December Best of Tallahassee issue of Tallahassee Magazine.

Come enjoy decadent fare by the Edison’s renowned Chef John Minas, specialty cocktails, live auctions, live music and more! Open to the public.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at tallahasseemagazine.com/best-of-tallahassee-event.

I L SALO N

» regional event

Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest at Sandestin

FULL SERVICE SALON & SPA

850.224-2222 | MillenniuMAtMidtown.coM 1817 Thomasville Road, sTe. 230 850.894-4772 | MillenniuMnAilAnddAySpA.coM 2915 KeRRy FoResT PaRKway, sTe. 606 172 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Here’s to beer! The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin presents the 8th Annual Beer Fest with American specialty beers from around the nation to sample and savor. Friday night is free Beer Bingo. Visit merchants, fill out your Bingo card and turn it in for a chance to win prizes. The main event is Saturday, Oct. 17 and features more than 200 domestic and international craft beers. Learn the different types of lagers and ales from a variety of brewers and enjoy live music in Sandestin’s lively entertainment village.

COURTESY SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT

October 16–17

Saturday Craft Beer Tasting tickets are $25 for general admission, $55 for VIP. Buy them at baytownewharfbeerfestival.com.

FALL’S MUST-HAVE FASHION ACCESSORY: IRRESISTIBLE SKIN nature. There will be food, music and elaborate hands-on exhibits that would make even Bill Nye proud. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE, Lake Ella

OCT. 3

Caribbean Family Festival Eat and groove to the sounds of the islands at this annual familystyle cookout that celebrates Caribbean heritage. Sample exotic food and participate in fun activities geared for children of all ages. $4. 8701 Salem Road, Havana. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

OCT. 3

Blessing of Animals The Blessing of Animals originated in the 13th century to honor St. Francis of Assisi, who believed all animals should be treated with dignity and respect.

All animals are invited to attend.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE, pet food donations will be accepted.

Mission San Luis, 2100 W. Tennessee St. missionsanluis.org.

OCT. 4

Dining in the Dark The Lighthouse of the Big Bend invites you to a one-of-a-kind experience that helps benefit its programs that assist the blind.

You’ll be served a four-course meal completely in the dark by members of Leon County SWAT Team wearing night vision goggles. $60. University Center Club, FSU Campus. 5–8:30 p.m, firesight.org

OCT. 10

Apalachicola Riverfront Film Festival Experience the majestic Apalachicola River beneath October’s full moon for a unique film festival and celebrate the art and love of filmmaking. This event features independent short films from around the world, local films, documentaries and student films. $20–$25.

Water Street at Riverfront Park, Historic Apalachicola Florida.

7:30 p.m. (850) 653-3474, apalachriverfilm.com

OCT. 11

The Artist Series of Tallahassee: The Prima Trio Dubbed “A virtuosic tour de force ... a whirlwind of joy,” by the Palm Beach Daily News, the Prima Trio continues to captivate audiences across the nation. $23, $5 students, Opperman Music Hall, FSU campus. theartistseries.org

OCT. 23

17th Annual Oktoberfest Elder Care Service’s signature fundraising event returns to Mission San Luis. Oktoberfest festivities feature authentic German cuisine, a traditional biergarten, ale and lager samplings, a silent auction, entertainment, live music and much more. $55. 2100 W. Tennessee St. 6–11 p.m. eldercare-services-inc.ticketleap. com/oktoberfest

OCT. 23

EUROPEAN WAX CENTER® REVEALING BEAUTIFUL SKIN™ FIRST WAX FREE* This fab offer ends 10/27/15

waxcenter.com TALLAHASSEE / 850 765 3900 101 North Blair Stone Road

First-time guests only. Guests must reside in state where redeemed. Not valid for all services.

Additional restrictions may apply. Visit waxcenter.com for complete terms and conditions. ©2015 EWC

17th Annual Stone Crab Fest Floridians sure love their stone crab, and at this event there will be plenty! Enjoy all-you-can-eat Stone Crab claws, cocktails and entertainment by The ENCORE Band. The event benefits the Ronald McDonald House. $400 per couple. Eagle Hill at WC Dover Farm. 6:30–10 p.m. rmhctallahassee.org

OCT. 23

Shoot the Moon Night Golf Scramble Enjoy an evening under the stars as you tee off for a good cause. This event will feature food, fun, games and a cash bar social hour, all benefiting the programs of Keep TallahasseeLeon County Beautiful. Capital City Country Club, 6 p.m. For more information, contact Diana Hanson at keeptallahasseebeaut@ comcast.net.

OCT. 23–25

Ghost Walking Tours Looking for a hauntingly good time? Explore some of the city’s most eerie spots with Tallahassee’s Ghost Walking Tours. Meet spirits from the past

The right choice means everything.

They were there when you scraped your knee and needed a hug.

Provided a shoulder to cry on when your heart was first broken. They supported the choices you made in life and gave advice along the way.

Now your parents are facing the challenges of aging, and you know they deserve the best care possible. At HarborChase, we focus on providing the highest level of service and care for seniors. With your loved one here you’ll feel secure knowing you made the right choice.

Join us for a tour to learn more about our programs.

Call toll free: 888-684-0674 or 850-531-0404.

Assisted Living Facility # AL9730

100 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, FL | 888-684-0674 | HarborChase.com TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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WINDOWS OUT OF REACH?

»culture CALENDAR who tell their tales of woe … if you dare! $5 children, $15 adults.

228 S. Adams St. Tours depart on the half hour between 6.30 and 9:30 p.m. toursintallahassee.com

OCT 24–25 850.224.0999 • Locally Owned & Operated • Commercial & Residential Licensed & Insured • Servicing the area for over a quarter of a century

Old world feel with modern style!

OCT. 25

St. Marks Stone Crab Festival Sunshine, great tunes and succulent Stone Crab. What’s not to love? Guests can also participate in activities such as arts and crafts or watch the “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed parade. FREE. 788 Port Leon Drive.

10 a.m. stmarksstonecrabfest.com

a shabby chic boutique 1100 N. Monroe Street in Midtown 850.577.1162

WHAT IS MY ORANGETHEORY®?

“FEELING AMAZING WHEN FRIENDS ASK HOW I

GOT INTO SUCH GOOD SHAPE” GROUP PERSONAL TRAINING

BURN 500–1,000 CALORIES

BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED

BUILD ENDURANCE, STRENGTH AND POWER

CONTINUE BURNING CALORIES UP TO 36 HOURS POST WORKOUT

60 MINUTE WORKOUTS

850.210.0503 | IN MIDTOWN - 1321 THOMASVILLE RD. 174 September–October 2015

Eighth Annual Farm Tour by New Leaf Market Thirty-four local farms are teaming up to bring you a weekend full of workshops, farm-fresh goods and exclusive tours. Each farm offers its own unique products and activities. What are you waiting for? Think global, eat local! FREE. Time and locations vary. newleafmarket.coop

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

OCT. 26

“The World Must Know — 2015 HERC Benefit Dinner” The Holocaust Education Resource Council presents Dr. Michael Berenbaum, a noted Holocaust scholar and FSU alumnus as the keynote speaker. Honorary HERC Dinner Chairs are Judge Robert Cohen and Karen Asher-Cohen.

The dinner buffet will be prepared

by Food Glorious Food and includes donations from local restaurants. $75. Goodwood Plantation Carriage House.

5:30 p.m. Contact Judy Lamb at (850) 556-1304. holocaustresources.org.

OCT. 29

Ladies Night Masquerade Tallahassee’s best and brightest women will come together for the Second Annual Ladies Night hosted

by Dress for Success. The event will feature live entertainment, gourmet food stations, dancing, champagne and an exclusive raffle. $75. Mint Lounge. 7–10 p.m.

(850) 656-0181

OCT. 30–NOV. 8

‘The Twelfth Night’ Directed by Michael Hayden, this classic tale of mistaken identity and misplaced love is one of William Shakespeare’s most iconic comedies. $20, Students $10. The Lab Theatre, FSU campus. Times vary. For more information or to buy tickets, call (850) 644-6500 or visit tickets.fsu.edu.

NOV. 7

Wish Upon a Star Benefitting the Children’s Home Society of Florida, this event will be a night to remember. A pre-event skeet shoot and bourbon tasting will take place before an elaborate dinner. Afterward, enjoy silent and live auctions and entertainment.

Ticket prices vary. W.C. Dover Farm, Havana. 5:30 p.m. For more info, visit chsfl.org/wish.

NOV. 7

5th Annual Goodwood Jams Put on your dancing shoes and come enjoy a plethora of live music, delicious food and good company at this annual event that helps benefit the Goodwood Museum and Gardens. $40. goodwoodjams.com

NOV. 8

A Fall Affair Gear up for a night of harmony at Big Bend Hospice’s annual Fall soirée. The night will be centered around the theme “Playing to the Heart Strings” and proceeds will support music therapy programs that are available for families receiving care. $125 per couple.

Capital City Country Club. 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Connie Palmer at (850) 701-1341 or bigbendhospice.org.

NOV. 12

Light the Night Walk Teams of families, friends, coworkers and local corporations are invited to come together for a night walk that helps raise funds to bring needed assistance and hope to people battling blood cancers.

FREE (with donation). Langford Green, Florida State University’s.

5:30 p.m. To register, visit lightthenight.org/ncfl.

EXPERIENCE TALLAHASSEE’S HISTORY, WILDLIFE AND CULTURE FROM 60FT ABOVE THE GROUND Explore the beauty of nature through zip lines and challenging aerial games.

Free Parking | Café | Playground | Museum Store

ALIVE WITH

FLORIDA WILDLIFE

3945 Museum Drive, Tallahassee, FL • (850) 575-8684 • tallahasseemuseum.org TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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Save these dates for fall events! TallahasseeMuseum.org Friday, November 6 7–10 pm

ZOOBILEE

haunted trail trick-or-treating carnival games live music costume contest and more!

Live Music

fro m the

275+ artists & craftsmen marketdays.org

Groove Merchants

50th Annual

Open Bar* AYCE from Local Restaurants

October 23 + 24 › 6-10 pm

December 5 • 8 am–5 pm December 6 • 10 am–4 pm North Florida Fairgrounds

*21+ to attend

For more info: 850.575.8684 tallahasseemuseum.org

Market Days

Events sponsored in part by

It’s Okay to Talk About Death.

The subject of death doesn’t have to be alarming or taboo. In fact, talking about the end of life can be inspiring and enlightening.

Join us for casual, constructive, life-affirming conversations about death in a relaxed environment.

The only cost is your drink and food selection.

The Death Café of Tallahassee Bimonthly: Fourth Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

Hopkins Eatery 1208 Capital Circle, SE (across from Sam’s Club)

(850) 325-6422

Please Join Big Bend Hospice for

Visit BigBendHospiceFan on Facebook for upcoming dates and times!

For more information or to RSVP, contact Vicki Warren at vicki@bigbendhospice.org

Big Bend Hospice • 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308 • 850-878-5310 • www.bigbendhospice.org 176 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation

September / October 2015

TENTH ANNUAL CARDS FOR A CURE TERESE COMBS — HONOREE Terese Combs is the mother of three beautiful adult children, Thomas, David and Andrea, and wife to her best friend, Tom. She is a CPA, and for 31 years has worked as the Business Manager at Maclay School. In June of 2008, Terese had a routine mammogram which disclosed an irregularity in her right breast. Mary Swain, MD performed a biopsy and asked Terese to return the next day to review the results. Terese said, “In the kindest way possible, Dr. Swain confirmed what she had suspected, that I had breast cancer. It was such a shock.

I didn’t feel sick and never thought I was anything but perfectly healthy.” Dr. Swain immediately assisted in making a treatment plan, and suggested to Terese that she be tested for a mutation in the BRCA genes. Dr. Swain said, “You have a family history and I know you have a daughter who could be at risk as well.”

care for you in ways that I cannot put into words. I wanted to increase my chances of being done with it.”

TERESE COMBS

Things happened quickly after that.

First, an MRI followed by a meeting CURRENT with, as Terese describes him, “dear, sweet Dr. Robert Snyder,” who explained in great detail what Tom and she should expect. Next she had a lumpectomy, followed by surgery to remove lymph nodes, and a third surgery to insert a port for chemotherapy.

Terese was trying hard to get her head around all of this while working to keep things moving at her job. Terese says, “My husband, my children, my entire family, my tennis buddies and friends at Maclay were wonderfully supportive. When my hair started to fall out, my daughter Andrea bought a good bottle of wine, cranked up some loud music, and made a party out of shaving my head.” Terese requested testing for the breast cancer gene, and discovered that she did carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation. “When I read the statistics on the risk for a second primary breast cancer diagnosis,” she said, “I asked to have a bilateral mastectomy.” With the love and support from so many, Terese felt she was doing well, but knew she didn’t want to go through this again. She summed up her feelings saying, 125% “Cancer is a terrifying disease, and it hurts you and all those who

Terese learned that there was a 50-50 chance she had passed the mutation to her children and spoke with them about their risk. Andrea, their only daughter, knew right away she wanted to be tested. “Knowledge is power,” she said emphatically. Terese was truly crushed to learn that Andrea carried the BRCA2 mutation. She was just 21 at the time. After genetic counseling, she began receiving regular health screenings and preventive care. Terese says, “Andrea will always be my hero for the way she handled the news and how she has dealt with it since. My baby sister, Glenda, also elected genetic counselling and testing. The results were not what we hoped for but she bravely faced facts and made smart, informed decisions. I am so very proud of her.”

Currently breast cancer mutation testing is done with a simple saliva or blood test.

Tallahassee is very fortunate to have Kristen Parsley, MD, as the Medical Director for the Tallahassee Memorial Clinical Genetics Center, which provides clinical genetic services in pediatric genetics, neurogenetics, and cancer genetics to all of North Florida. Terese and her family had to make some tough choices. “It was not always easy,” said Terese, “but I feel I am truly blessed in so many ways and am happy with my decisions.”

“It is wonderful that we have such excellent medical facilities and personnel here in Tallahassee,” Terese said. “Dr. Mary Swain, Dr. Robert Snyder, Dr. Alfredo Paredes, my oncologists and their teams guided me through my treatment and reconstruction with 150% compassion and tenderness.”

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Your Support is No Gamble

The Florida A & M University Royal Court Celebrates the Summer Spirit of Giving for the Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center

Cancer Center and Cancer Programs

In Honor of Terese Combs

The Florida A &M University (FAMU) Royal Court celebrated its summer session with a new project to collect and donate toys and art supplies to benefit the Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center.

The FAMU Royal Court is an organization that strives to embrace community service and encourages members and others to help those in need.

Imir Hall, Mr. FAMU and community outreach coordinator, explained further, “The project was a perfect opportunity for the Royal Court to give back to the local community by helping hospitalized children at TMH.” TMH Foundation Director of Annual Giving Judi Wills added, “It was indeed a pleasure to partner with Imir and the FAMU Royal Court for the purpose of helping children feel better during their treatment and hospital stay.”

Presents

The 10th Annual

Cards for a Cure

Additionally, the Royal Court enjoyed a TMH tour and were surprised to learn that over 4,500 children are served annually by the Children’s Center that includes the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit within a 120-mile radius. The Royal Court members also visited with pediatric patients and their families to deliver their gifts, resulting in the sweet sound of children’s laughter throughout the Mike Martin Family Playroom in the Children’s Center.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Tallahassee Automobile Museum • • • • •

Pink Tie Optional Live Entertainment Silent & Live Auctions Heavy Hors d’oeuvres Must be at least 21 years of age Left to Right: FAMU ROYAL COURT MEMBERS: Torris Pollock, Devin Harrison, LaDarius Calhoun, Imir Hall, Marquavia Smith, Crystal Sheffield, Ariana Wilder, Colleah Gilbert

Left to Right: FAMU ROYAL COURT MEMBERS: Devin Harrison, Crystal Sheffield, Imir Hall, Marquavia Smith, LaDarius Calhoun, Colleah Gilbert

www.CardsforaCureTallahassee.com 850-431-4048 LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FEATURING

LUCKY TOWN 178 2015 TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM 2 | September–October tallahassee memorial healthcare foundation

advertorial

DINNER CARNIVAL

Sunday, October 18, 2015 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Proctor Subaru, Located at 1707 Capital Circle NE • Cocktails & Dinner provided by The Seineyard • Raffle – Win a new 2016 Honda HR-V EX • Raffle – Other select prizes • Raffle tickets are $75 each and include admission to the Dinner Carnival

Make Your Reservations NOW for Dinner Carnival and Golf Tournament

The 22nd Annual Tee Off for Tots Dinner Carnival and Golf Tournament are set, respectively, for October 18 and 19. The proceeds from both events will be divided equally between the Proctor Endowment for Children with Diabetes who are served at the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center and Tallahassee Memorial Children’s Center for children with a variety of conditions and treatment requirements. Your generosity, support and participation in Tee Off for Tots will positively influence the lives and medical outcomes of thousands of infants and children and their families.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Monday, October 19, 2015 Rain date - Thursday, October 22, 2015 GOLDEN EAGLE COUNTRY CLUB Two flghts: 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Registration: 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Every effort will be made to accommodate requests for specific flight times. Soft spikes, please.

This is your chance to WIN a new car!

Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.

AWARDS RECEPTION • Immediately following each flight in the Plantation Room • Top three teams in morning and afternoon flights • Awards Presentation

a NEW

2016 Honda HR-V EX

28

35

MPG CITY

GAMES WITHIN GAMES There are 5 contests: • Longest Putt • Putting Contest • Closest to Pin • Hole-In-One on Specified Hole • Straightest Drive in Fairway, 150-Yard Minimum

MPG HWY

In addition to the Hole-In-One opportunity under Games Within Games, ALL PLAYERS will be eligible to win an all-new 2015 Acura TLX 2.4 8-DCT P-AWS with a Hole-In-One on the 17th hole! *Hole-In-One Terms and Conditions Apply.

TICKETS ARE

Sponsored by:

$

FORMAT: CAPTAIN’S CHOICE SCRAMBLE All players hit their tee shot. The captain selects the best shot and all players hit their second shot from that point. This format repeats until the ball is in the hole.

TO REGISTER OR MAKE A DONATION To make a secure online donation, please visit TMH.org/foundation and click on DONATE NOW. For gift designation, select “Other” and type in Golf (Gold Team,Team, Individual or Donation). To make a donation over the phone with your credit card, please call Bonnie Cannon at 850.431.4590.

LUNCH Lunch will be served between rounds.

LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION MAJOR SPONSOR

There are multiple opportunities. Please call the TMH Foundation at 850-431-5389 for details.

PURCHASE

TICKETS AT

TMH.ORG/CA OR CALL

R

431-5389

GOLD TEAM OF 4 PLAYERS

Name on Tournament Board, Tee and Green, 4 Tournament Gift Bags, 8 tickets to Dinner Carnival, 4 Games Within Games tickets.

TEAM OF 4 PLAYERS

Name on Tournament Board, 4 Tournament Gift Bags.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call or e-mail Bonnie Cannon at the TMH Foundation: 850.431.4590 bonnie.cannon@tmh.org

1 Tournament Gift Bag.

GAMES WITHIN GAMES (per player)

$2,000

$1,200 $300 $25

| 3 tallahassee memorial healthcare foundation advertorial TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015 179

Bowling for Diabetes — a Success Story for Children Served by the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center The Tallahassee Sigmas — Beta Lambda Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at Florida A & M University — celebrated eight years of Bowling for Diabetes’ success by presenting a check in the amount of $4,416 to the TMH Foundation. This gift marks an all-time high in dollars raised by the Sigmas for the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center Scholarship Fund for children with diabetes to attend the Florida Diabetes Camp.

Dr. Errick Farmer, Tallahassee Sigmas Educational Foundation Director and Bowling for Diabetes coordinator, explained, “It was a pleasure partnering again with the TMH Foundation and the Sigmas were very excited about the total amount raised through the Bowling for Diabetes event this year.” Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter President Eddie Williams, added, “Each of our members is committed more than ever to continuing efforts to provide funding for children’s scholarships. All of the Sigma brothers are very grateful to the event sponsors including: Comcast, Larry C. Deeb, MD, Parks and Crump, Attorneys at Law, Quartress of Tallahassee, Inc., Shriner’s Ahmed Temple #37, Electrotech, Madison Social, Walgreens and Capital Lanes. We are determined to continue to raise the bar for each annual event.”

Dawn Smith, Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center Director, concluded, “The Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center appreciates the Tallahassee Sigmas efforts and is thrilled with the success of the 2015 Bowling for Diabetes event. Proceeds received will provide funding for at least ten children with limited financial resources to attend the Florida Diabetes Camp where they learn more about Type 1 diabetes and have an opportunity to build new friendships with other diabetic children.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center, children’s camp scholarships and how you can help provide support for these programs, please contact Judi Wills at 850-431-5904 or Felicia McCoy at 850-431-5801.

Left to Right: Florida Diabetes Camp Board Member Kim Neal, Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center Director Dawn Smith, TMH Foundation Director of Annual Giving Judi Wills, Tallahassee Sigmas President Eddie Williams, Tallahassee Sigmas Educational Foundation Director and Event Coordinator Dr. Errick Farmer and the Tallahassee Sigmas fraternity members, TMH Foundation Accounting and Fundraising Coordinator Felicia McCoy, and Florida Diabetes Camp Director Helene Rhine.

4180| tallahassee memorial healthcare foundation advertorial September–October 2015 TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Dedra Cares for Children’s Diabetes Camp Project Dedra A. Mitchell was selected as one of the 2014 Top Singles of Tallahassee by Tallahassee Magazine. She is a Realtor® with Ekk and Hamilton Realty and serves as a Pharmaceutical Senior Sales Representative for a Fortune 500 Company.

During her reign as a Top Single, Ms. Mitchell’s charity of choice was the TMH Foundation and, within 60 days, she enthusiastically raised $4,200 for the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center’s Scholarship Fund for children with diabetes to attend the Florida Diabetes Camp in Gretna.

The Dedra Cares for Children’s Diabetes Camp fund-raising project began in June 2014 and in June 2015 Ms. Mitchell graciously visited the Florida Diabetes Camp on registration day to formally present a gift check to the children.

Ms. Mitchell explained her passion for the project, “It was a pleasure to raise funds for the Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center for the benefit of the children’s camp scholarship program through the TMH Foundation. I am 2014 Tallahassee Magazine Top Single Dedra honored to help these Mitchell and TMH Foundation Director of Annual children in the local Giving Judi Wills community to attend diabetes camp and very grateful for the generosity of all donors who supported Dedra Cares for Children’s Diabetes Camp including Rowland Publishing, Ekk & Hamilton Realty, LLC and my family.”

Dawn Smith, Tallahassee Memorial Diabetes Center Director, concluded, “The Diabetes Center is grateful to Ms. Mitchell for providing additional funding for children who need scholarships to attend the camp and learn about positive ways to cope with diabetes and also understand that they are not alone during this process.”

The Chrome Divas of Tallahassee, a local women’s motorcycle group, will host its 14th Annual Breast Cancer Poker Run on Sunday, October 11, 2015. The Poker Run will begin at the Tallahassee Harley-Davidson on Capital Circle North West with the first bikes out at 9:30 a.m., last bikes out at 10:30 a.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit A Woman’s Place at Tallahassee Memorial.

For details, contact Judi Wills at the TMH Foundation 850-431-5904.

The TMH Animal Therapy Program is an Emmy Finalist!

In 2011, the TMH Animal Therapy Program led the effort with the Florida Legislature to enact the first law in the nation allowing therapy dogs to accompany child victims of violent crimes into courtrooms to help the children testify. As part of that initiative, the video, Testimony: Truth’s Best Friend, was produced by Gary Yordon and C.B. Lorch of Evolution Media, in conjunction with the TMH Animal Therapy Program, the Second Circuit of Florida, and the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse. “This video has been circulated nationally among those involved in prosecuting crimes against children to inform them of this valuable emerging practice,” said Chuck Mitchell, long-time animal therapy advocate and volunteer, who was instrumental in the enactment of the permitting legislation and the subsequent production of the video.

“TMH and the TMH Foundation are proud to announce that Testimony: Truth’s Best Friend has been nominated for an Emmy and is a finalist in the category of Public/Current/Community Affairs. Winners will be announced at the Emmy Awards ceremony in October,” said Paula Fortunas, President and CEO of the TMH Foundation.

View the 8-minute video on the Florida Courthouse Therapy Dogs website: www.FlCourtdogs.com

TMH Animal Therapy Team Chuck Mitchell and Rikki at work in the courts.

TMH Selected to Join Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative As a result of a grant proposal submitted by the TMH Foundation in May of 2015, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare has been selected to be among the first hospitals in the nation to join the EMPower Initiative to enhance maternity care practices and work toward achieving the Baby Friendly USA© designation.

EMPower is a hospital-based quality improvement initiative focusing on maternity care practices leading to the BabyFriendly designation. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EMPower is aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health. The EMPower Team is led by Abt Associates, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and the Center for Public Health Quality.

As part of this effort, TMH will receive ongoing support in breastfeeding practices from experienced coaches, as well as training and resource support in lactation education. The effort supports evidence-based practices for prenatal and maternity settings known as the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, launched in the United States in 1996, encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that complete the Ten Steps.

According to Connie Styons, TMH Women’s and Children’s Service Line Administrator, “TMH is looking forward to its first visit in early September with representatives from the EMPower Initiative to develop an appropriate timeline for accreditation.

The funding will provide expert assistance during TMH’s endeavor to achieve the Baby-Friendly USA© designation that will provide a very supportive network of experienced medical professionals who will encourage family-centered care and best practices for breastfeeding resulting in healthier babies in our local community.”

| 5 tallahassee memorial healthcare foundation advertorial TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015 181

Protocols for Philanthropy

Paula S. Fortunas President/CEO TMH Foundation

Mission and Vision: The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation (the Foundation), established in 1976 for the benefit of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), functions as an integral part of TMH’s operational structure.

It is a Florida not-for-profit corporation, organized under Chapter 617 of the Florida Statutes, and is licensed by the State of Florida as a charitable organization. Furthermore, it is designated as a public charity under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income tax. Contributions to the Foundation are deductible by donors and/or their estates for federal income, gift and estate tax purposes.

The Foundation champions the TMH mission: “Transforming Care. Advancing Health. Improving Lives.” and illuminates its vision: “Leading our community to be the healthiest in the nation.” by fostering and strengthening philanthropic initiatives to secure charitable contributions.

Goals and Means: Members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees are community leaders charged with overseeing fund-raising projects, managing the Foundation’s assets, distributing funds to TMH, and encouraging community involvement within and beyond TMH’s service area through educational programs and research projects.

The Foundation aspires to practice and effectively deploy strategic philanthropy to benefit TMH’s patients, their families and the region’s population at large. This includes raising funds for the hospital’s basic areas of healthcare delivery, inspiring donors to make gifts that will serve as a catalyst for innovation, encouraging contributions to elevate the environment of care at TMH to match its quality of care, to promote population and public health and to manage and prevent chronic disease. Every gift is important and the Foundation pledges that 100% of your contributions will be used to fulfill your philanthropic intent.

Charitable Gift Planning: The Foundation offers a broad spectrum of charitable gift planning opportunities and options. These include outright gifts of cash, securities, real and personal property, employer matching gifts, corporate and foundation grants and special events. Further, the Foundation welcomes deferred gift provisions under wills, living trusts, designations of retirement plan assets, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, pooled income fund trusts and personal residences or farms with a retained life estate. Contributions of life insurance policies and charitable lead trusts are also encouraged.

Chiles High School Students — Claire Gunter and Veronique Shaftel — Raise Funds for TMH Cancer Patients What began as a high school English class assignment grew into a fund-raising project that will benefit cancer patients at the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center. Called the ”20% Project,” Claire Gunter and Veronique Shaftel, rising juniors at Chiles High School, were instructed to spend 20% of their class time on any project that would benefit someone in the community.

Claire and Veronique created a Benefit Concert featuring Claire’s talents in ballet and Veronique’s mastery of the violin. The Concert was held at Chiles on April 24, and was attended by students, teachers and the general public.

The enterprising duo raised $667 which will benefit low income cancer patients in need of transportation to and from treatments.

“I learned a lot from this assignment,” Claire said, “especially communication skills.” “It was hard to accomplish,” she said, “but I am very glad we did it.” Claire’s mother, Susan Gunter, is a Registered Nurse who practices at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

If you have either specific or general questions about your gift plans, please contact the Foundation at either 850.431.5389; foundation@tmh.org; 1331 East Sixth Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 or use the Foundation’s website, www.tmh.org/foundation, as a charitable giving resource. If you choose to explore the website, you can make an online request for additional gift planning materials. However, please recognize that the website is general in nature and any materials you request and receive through it or the Foundation’s offices are not intended as either legal, financial or tax advice. You should consult your own professional advisor(s) as a part of your gift decision-making process.

Tradition, Gratitude and a Request: TMH, through its Foundation, has maintained a long-standing tradition of philanthropic support through the generosity and dedication of individuals, businesses, professional associations, corporations, foundations and organizations – both religious and secular – and TMH is profoundly grateful to one and all. Please continue your support and, if you are not presently among the TMH community of donors, please contact the Foundation to make your gift.

Thank you very much.

1331 East Sixth Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Telephone: 850-431-5389 Facsimile: 850-431-4483 Email: paula.fortunas@tmh.org Website: www.tmh.org/foundation 182 September–October 2015

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Chiles High School student Claire Gunter (center) presents proceeds from Benefit Concert to Janet Borneman, TMH Foundation Director of Planned Giving (left) and Paula Fortunas, TMH Foundation President and CEO (right)

To Make a Secure Online Donation: Please visit www.tmh.org/foundation and click on Donate Now.

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»culture SOCIAL STUDIES Day of Dialogue February 26–­May 15 A Day of Dialogue Speaker Series featured accomplished women in the community who have answered the call to leadership in their personal and professional lives. Over the course of three months, five speakers educated and empowered women at the Capital City Country Club. Speakers included President of Florida A&M University Dr. Elmira Mangum, Dr. Nancy Carter, Sierra Bender, U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and Kim Rivers.

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Sierra Bender and event moderator Cherie Rowland

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»culture SOCIAL STUDIES Cattle Barons’ Ball February 21 The 14th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball was held at Shiloh Farm and was a rootin’ tootin’ good time. Guests shined their belt buckles and polished their cowboy boots to party with a purpose as proceeds from the night benefitted the American Cancer Society. The theme of the night was “Champagne and Diamonds” and attendees enjoyed dinner, drinks, dancing, and silent and live auctions.

Dede Stowers, Sonya Bartolomeo Williams and Susanne Miller

// PHOTOS BY RUSS BACKES

Peper Willis and Loi Kay Cogdell

Jason, Angela and Nolan Taylor

Midtown Barre Crawl June 6 Cheers to the Tallahassee Ballet and their Fourth Annual Midtown Barre Crawl! The event started at the Manor at Midtown where attendees could enjoy a cold brewskie or wine at the 5th Avenue Tap Room and Finnegan’s Wake. Other stops along the crawl included Fire Betty’s, Waterworks, Wine Loft, Parlay and Midtown Pass. Proceeds from the night help support the local arts community.

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»culture THE BUZZ

The

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WELCOME TO THE BUZZ, Tallahassee Magazine’s column created to share who’s where and what they’re doing. While we try to flit around with all of Tallahassee’s social butterflies, the Buzz can’t be everywhere. Send the skinny on your next soiree to buzz@tallahasseemagazine.com. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

TheBowSternmarketingandcommunicationscompany weighedanchorandmovedandinvitedlocalVIPstoagrand opening event in May at their new headquarters in Summit East, near the intersection of Interstate 10 and U.S. 90.

Guests were greeted by company President Tom Derzypolski and CEO Kelly Robertson.

Among those who stopped by at the end of the workday were Stephanie Derzypolsky, Greg Shelley, Hannah Chaires, Winston Howell, Becca Gilbert, Daryl Green, Kerri Bryan, Warren Jones, Dustin and Lucky Rivest, Tyler Huston, Michael Winn and Sean Singleton.

Enjoying the live music, refreshments and libations were Rick Oppenheim, Mayor Andrew and R Jai Gillum, Ben Graybar, Derek Goldfarb, Alison Vorhees, Heather Mitchell, JoAnne Suggs, Bill Moor and William Smith.

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Listed in the 1954 phone book under “Hotels — Colored,” the Tookes Hotel in Frenchtown was one of the only accommodations available to black visitors to Tallahassee. It’s a designated as a National Historic Landmark, but the house at 412 W. Virginia St. has seen better days and now operates as a rooming house. Ron McCoy, grandson of Dorothy Nash Tookes, wants to breathe new life into his grandmother’s hotel, holding a kickoff fundraiser in June. Aiding him in the effort is Karen Robertson, a tiny dynamo from Ponte Vedra with a background in luxury interior and product design and a passion for recreating the Tookes Hotel as a bed and breakfast inn, museum and event venue. About 60 supporters gathered at the Four Points by Sheraton to hear about the planned $1.25 million renovation and view a small sampling of the estimated 5,000 artifacts Mrs. Tookes had collected while she was alive. The group,

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»culture THE BUZZ

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serenaded by the barbershop quartet The Rolling Tones, included Amos and Pat Bradford, Steven and Kelly Conner, Gerald Ensley and Sally Karioth, Kate Bruner, Mary Wellington and Carolyn Ryals, a close friend and neighbor of Dorothy Tookes.

Guests were gifted with tokens including handkerchiefs with the hotel’s turquoise “TH” logo and slices of pound cake made by McCoy using his grandmother’s recipe. A contingentfromsponsorNic’sToggerywasthere,including Jim Schalow, Randy Martin, Michael Gavalas and Greg Bonner, as well as Julia Casseaux, Keith and Jennifer Deal, Genevieve English-Charles, Lynn Jones, Vaughn and Terry Samuels, Ivy Mitchell and Cicero Hartsfield.

Volunteers for the evening included Amy Wheeler, Spencer Marchesano and Sandy Floyd. Also enjoying the event were some of the hotel’s Frenchtown neighbors, including Richard Dusenbury, Ann Harris, Aron Myers, Keith Bowers, Valerie Scoon, Agatha Carter, Darryl Scott and Oscar and Shirley Woodberry.

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On the evening of June 27, The Donald L. Tucker Civic Center was the venue forTallahassee’s most colorful event of the year — Big Bend Cares’ 17th Annual Artopia Art Auction. The silent and live auctions featured art in media including painting, photography, sculpture, decorative items, jewelry and more.

A record $75,000 was raised (a 20 percent increase over 2014) ticket sales and attendance were the highest in the historyoftheeventandmorecorporatesponsorsthanever stepped up to support Big Bend Cares and its mission to provideHIV/AIDSpreventionservicesandcompassionate care for those in our community affected by the disease.

Big Bend Cares Deputy Executive Director Charlie Adams said the event could not have been so successful withoutthesupportoftheartists,sponsors,andattendees.

Donating artists, called “Artopians” by the nonprofit, included Tripp Farrell, Stuart Riordan, Richard Drake, Mr. Maki, Denise Boineau, Chiara Saldivar, Schelley Cassidy and Kayleigh Kirkpatrick.

While the artists opened their hearts, participants opened their wallets, purchasing a record $15,000 worth of art in the rousing live auction conducted by Malcolm Mason and the crew from Manor Auctions.

CorporatesponsorsincludedMail-Meds,AutoDataDirect, PSBI, the Southeastern Center for Infectious Diseases, BKJ Architecture, Bevis Funeral Home, Clear Health Alliance, Hopping Green & Sams, Centennial Bank, NAI Talcor, 7Hills Communications and Copyfax 2000.

At Artopia, Big Bend Cares also unveiled its new primary care medical facility, now under construction. The new center is located on South Monroe Street, directly across from Big Bend Cares’ current home. Bonnie Johnson, President of BKJ, Inc. Architects, said designing the primary care center was an important project for her firm.

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DINING » FEASTING » ZESTY BITES

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ON THE MENU ON YOUR TABLE DINING GUIDE

Flavor

Explore Exotic Options Local Restaurants Offer Tantalizing Tastes from Around the World

By Rochelle Koff

I

DAVE BARFIELD

Pupusas are an El Salvadoran specialty served at El Viroleno restaurant.

t’s easy to find burgers, barbecue and Buffalo wings in Tallahassee. But how about pupusas, pho or pinakbet?

We have those, too. In fact, the Capital City offers a treasure trove of ethnic restaurants with menus that take us around the globe and chefs who are proud to share the cuisines of their homelands.

Candy Hernandez brings beloved recipes from her native El Salvador to cozy El Viroleño. Inspired by their family meals in faraway Java and Borneo, Iwan and Yeni Tan prepare traditional Indonesian dishes at Tan’s Asian Cafe. And at Sahara, Sophia Al-Siroa transports diners to the Middle East with rich flavors and exotic spices.

Each translates into a culinary adventure. And these are just a few of the city’s multicultural destinations.

If you’re eager for a new dining experience, here’s a look at 10 tantalizing tastes to try in Tallahassee.

BANDEJA PAISA AT SUPER PERROS:

Save your appetite for this traditional Colombian dish, which originates in the province of Antioquia, where the residents are known as paisas, or country folk. They must be hearty souls, because this is an enormous platter packed with chorizo (fried pork

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November 6 & 7, 2015



BATTERY PARK IN APALACHICOLA   Redfish 5K Run • Parade • Carnival • Oyster Eating Contest • Oyster Shucking Contest • Blue Crab Races  Fresh Local Seafood • Arts & Crafts • Friday: Christian Music Concert • Saturday: Headline Top Country Music Artist  FLORIDA’S OLDEST MARITIME EVENT! | Free on Friday & $5 Saturday  194 September-October 2015

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»food FLAVOR

sausage), chicharron (fried pork rinds), sweet plantains,whiterice,pintobeans,salad,whitecornarepa and fried egg ($13.99).Yum! Along with Latin comfort food, this quaint eatery serves burgers and hot dogs (after all, Super Perros means Super Dogs) toppedwithcrushedpotatochips,pinksauce(mayo andketchup),mozzarellaandpineapplesauce.Pair with refajo, a blend of beer and Colombiana soda.

2010 W. Tennessee St., (850) 421-2378

Candy Hernandez makes pupusas (top left), corn flatbread that can be stuffed or topped with a variety of fillings, including curdito (top right), a Salvador-style coleslaw.

BULGOGI AT KOREAN BBQ: Join the

fans who have discovered the South Korean specialties at this tiny, no-frills gem, where the focus is on the food.

Cook-owner Seunghwan“Swan”Lee prepares eight or so authentic dishes, but the big attraction is the oh-so-tender beef bulgogi ($9.99), marinated in a soy-based sauce and grilled with scallions and sesame oil. Barbecue pork is spicier but also terrific. If sharing, add an order of silky sweet potato noodles with veggies. Dishes are served with sticky white rice in a plastic foam box. Order at the counter and then load up on complimentary sides — must-try kimchiandsoups,plusbeveragesofsoothingbarleyteaandsweet rice milk. All are included in the tab, which is so reasonable you can afford to be adventurous. 2624 W. Tennessee St., (850) 574-4151

DAVE BARFIELD

DOSAS AT MAYURI INDIAN RESTAURANT:

Tallahassee has several fine Indian restaurants, but Mayuri is the only place we’ve found that serves dosas, which resemble a rolled crepe or pancake with a paper-thin crispness. Mayuri offers a complimentary mini-version during the lunch buffet, but you’ll find more than 30 full-size dosas ($6.99-$15.99) at dinner. This South Indian treat is made with a batter of ground rice and lentils ladled over a hot griddle. Dosas can be eaten plain or wrapped around assorted fillings, such as onions, nuts, cheese and vegetables.The

masala dosa is a favorite, filled with mashed potatoes transformed by turmeric, cardamom, cumin andotherspices.Breakoffpiecesanddipintococonutandtomatochutneysandthetangylentilsoup, sambar. 1108 S. Magnolia Drive, (850) 402-9993

ETHIOPIAN STEW AT NEFETARI’S FINE CUISINE & SPIRITS: Owners

Dana and Sharon Dennard like to call dining at their eatery “a royal experience.” It’s certainly a global one, with stops that include Egypt, India, Asia, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. From Ethiopia, there’s a vegetarian stew platter that looks more like a feast. First, your plate is covered with a house-made, unleavened injera bread that resembles a flat pancake. It’s topped with moundsofchoppedvegetablesandorganiclentils,seasonedwith an Ethiopian spice mix called berbere. The stew platter comes with your choice of two sides, including firm Chinese black rice and “talking spinach,” both vegan and gluten-free. Break off chunks of bread, scoop up the toppings and eat with your hands.

812 S. Macomb St., (850) 210-0548

PUPUSAS AT EL VIROLEÑO: Candy Hernandez makes

thesehumblecorncakesbyhandinthe50-seatnooksheoperates with her daughter, Luvy Carballo. Pupusas ($1.50-$2.50) resemble flatbread arepas, but they’re thicker and stuffed with melty mozzarella, meat, loroco (a Central American vine flower bud), beans or other fillings. The camaron is one of the best, packed with perfectly cooked shrimp nestled in the warm masa. Pupusas come with salsa and curtido, a zingy Salvador-style coleslaw.

The menu includes a long list of Latin entrees. Pair with a fruit shake or horchata, a nonalcoholic drink made from rice and milk.

460 W. Tennessee St., (850) 681-2700

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»food FLAVOR

NASI GORENG JAWA AT TAN’S ASIAN CAFE:

Nasi goreng jawa is a good introduction to Indonesia’s often fiery fare. This classic dish is a Javanese version of fried rice with a little more kick. Pick your protein or get the whole shebang — stir-fried pork, chicken, beef and shrimp — served with pickled cabbage and bean sprouts, topped with a fried egg.To kick it up a notch, add Indonesia’s famed chili sauce, sambal. Tan’s also has a big selection of Chinese dishes and sushi. 2743 Capital Circle NE, (850) 523-4282

PORK ADOBO AT REAL SARAP: Four nurses who work

at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare decided the city could use a Filipino restaurant. So in April, they opened Real Sarap, offering homestyle cooking. If many dishes seem familiar, it’s because Philippine fare reflects Latin, American and Chinese cuisines comingledwithislandingredientsandtaste.Inporkadobo,themeat is simmered in a tangy vinegar and soy-based sauce spiked with garlic and other spices ($8.99). Other Filipino favorites include pinakbet (vegetables flavored with shrimp paste), lechon kawali (deep-fried pork belly), lumpia (reminiscent of a spring roll) and pansit bihon (stir-fried noodles with veggies). If you’re indecisive, go for the combo plate. 435 W. Tennessee St., (850) 224-7325

PHO AT PHO 7: Vietnam’s ubiquitous soup is a breakfast

staple, a street snack and a family meal, complex and soul-satisfying. Pho (pronounced fuh) features a savory broth and tender rice noodles, served with your protein choice and a colorful array of fresh herbs, sprouts and garnishes.The restaurant features several variationsofpho,butadventurousdinersandVietnamesecustomers go for the meat-intensive House Special with brisket, tiny strips of tripe, meatballs and tendon. Squirt lime into the savory beef brothandtossonsomesprouts,basilleavesandfreshchilipeppers.

2121 W. Pensacola St., (850) 385-7467

SHORBAT ADASS AT SAHARA GREEK & LEBANESE CAFE: Sophia Al-Siroa can still recall her mother

cookingpotsofredlentilsoupinasmallvillageinJerusalemwhere she lived as a child. “Poor people didn’t have meat, but we had beans,”said Al-Siroa, who opened Sahara 15 years ago.“And lentil soup is filling enough for a meal.”The russet soup, cooked with onions,tomatoesandahintofcumin,isservedwithpitabreadand lemon. It’s available as a cup, but you’ll want a bowl ($3.99, $4.99).

Other home-cooked specialties include tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, gyro and chicken kebabs, and the eggplant dip, baba ganoush. 1241 E. Lafayette St., (850) 656-1800

THAI RED SNAPPER AT REANGTHAI RESTAURANT: This snapper is artfully presented with the

head perched up, tail intact. The fish is removed, filleted and stirfried with an abundance of fresh vegetables, then tucked back in place. What makes this dish sublime is an exquisite sauce made from the broth of fresh vegetables and herbs, fragrant of lemongrass, cilantro and garlic. The price varies (expect $30-plus), but the serving is big enough to share. Chef-owner Donna Mulsing, a native of southernThailand who opened Reangthai 21 years ago, also serves the whole snapper deep-fried and crispy, a version she says is popular with Asian customers. 2740 Capital Circle NE, (850) 386-7898 n 196 September-October 2015

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Thursday, September 17 6:00 Social Hour - 7:00 Dinner & Awards at the University Center Club The 2015 Leadership Tallahassee Distinguished Leadership Awards recognizes individuals who have made contributions to the community through accomplishments in professional and community endeavors. All proceeds benefit the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program.

Honoring Althemese Barnes 2015 Lifetime Leadership Award

2015 Award Finalists

Thursdays 10:30 am Fox 49

Leadership Pacesetter Brian Bouleware, Palmetto Security Services Betsy Couch, Knight Creative Communities Institute Keith Dean, Association CFO Christic Henry, Kingdom First Realty Jake Kiker, Williams, Gautier, Gwynn, DeLoach & Sorenson Leader of the Year Jim Croteau, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend Rick Minor, Consultant Alyce Lee Stansbury, Stansbury Consulting Micah Widen, Domi Ventures, LLC Servant Leadership Lila Jaber, Gunster Law Firm Debie Leonard, Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A., CPAs Nan O’Kelley, Community Foundation of North Florida Paul Watts, Electronet Broadband Communications

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Sponsored tables: $1250 - Individual reservations: $150 For information contact: Barbara Boone, Executive Director Leadership Tallahassee, 850.521.3112, bboone@talchamber.com Leadership Tallahassee is an affiliate program of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to cultivate a diverse network of emerging and experienced leaders committed to improving the community.

9 years in a row!

(850) 385-5141 • 2701 N. Monroe St. • nflah.com TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»food ON THE MENU

A Feast for the Senses Neighborhood Coffee House, Catalina Café Grows Up to Be a Groovy Local Success Story

By Chay D. Baxley Photos by Lawrence Davidson IF THE ENTICING AROMA of freshly roasted coffee beans and the friendly smiles of an attentive staff tend to rub you the wrong way, be sure to steer clear of Catalina Café.

However,withthreeconvenientlocations sprinkled throughout Tallahassee — and a fourth on the way — that’s going to be an increasingly difficult task. On second thought, maybe it’s better just to give in to this charming little set of locally owned bistros. Hey, if coffee isn’t your thing, don’t worry.They have wine and an assortment of Florida craft beers, too.

The smell of coffee beans roasting (above) add to the atmosphere at Catalina Cafe. Proprietors Maurice Moulton and Patricia Allaire (right) have planned four Catalina Cafe locations, each with a different vibe.

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FUN FACTS » Catalina Café is named after the couple’s smiley 5-yearold daughter, Catalina Moulton-Allaire. » Catalina Café’s coffee-roasting enterprise is taking off. Today, their beans are available for purchase in coffee houses across the region as well as at 10 Florida Whole Foods locations. » No watereddown iced coffees here.

The ice cubes are made from frozen coffee!

“It’saverywelcoming,warm(place)thatsellsawesomespecialtycoffeeandawesome, quality food in a great environment,”said co-owner, barista and chief roaster Maurice Moulton. “It’s a place where you can take your family.”

With a casual air of“bohemian chic”(as one profoundly positive online reviewer put it) Catalina Café’s flagship location, situated just north of Apalachee Parkway on Capital Circle Southeast across from Sam’s Warehouse, offers artful lunch fare along with an extensive list of all-day breakfast options.

Walking in, the intimate dining area feels as aligned with a romantic brunch as it does with a constructive work lunch. The work of local artists fills the walls.

Lattes named after Moulton and business/life partner Patricia Allaire’s four collective children fill the menu.

“We have a strong customer base,”shared Allaire, sitting alongside Moulton in their Capital Circle location. “This is where people got to know us. They know ourfood.Sowhenwebranchedout,peoplewouldcomeinhereandwe’dtellthem about the different locations. It makes a lot of people happy because they work downtown. But this is our hub.”

Moulton and Allaire’s brand of authenticity has Catalina Cafe offers a attracted quite a fan base since Catalina Café’s 2011 variety of coffee drinks opening. The warm reception by Tallahasseeans such as this artfully encouragedtheduotoopenasmaller-scale,truecoffee created cappuccino (above) as well as fresh-made sandwiches (left) and baked goods for breakfast and lunch.

WATCH BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO OF CATALINA CAFÉ AT TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

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LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

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house alternative to their main eatery in 2012, nestled on trendy All Saints Street Cold-brewed coffee is one of many neardowntown.Thissetupremainsoperaselections on the tional, even though this summer, Moulton restaurant’s menu. and Allaire launched another location within walking distance in the Gaines Street neighborhood.

This location, they said, will add to their existing culinary repertoire immensely.

“This one is ‘homey,’” said Allaire of the couple’s Capital Circle location. “Families come here on the weekends with their kids.

The small one at All Saints is like the little neighborhood coffee shop. Kind of like‘Cheers’— everyone knows everyone. The new one (is) a little trendier. It’s sort of an industrial buildORIGINAL LOCATION ing. It’s open later.

1208-B Capital Circle S.E. “We’re going to do more (850) 877-5999 vegan, more organic, more gluten-free. We’re going to ALL SAINTS LOCATION really focus on that.We do it Drinks and Pastries Only 114 All Saints St. a little bit here, but the mar(850) 443-7288 kethasn’tbeenasdemanding in this part of town. We GARAGES ON think it will be there.”

GAINES LOCATION “We’re excited about the Full menu and Garage on Gaines locaonsite coffee roaster tion,” added Moulton.

603 W. Gaines St. “We’ll have GrassLands (Brewing Company) right *COMING SOON* there, us and then Gaines Ground Level at The Edison Street Pies.”

470 Suwannee St. As for their soon-to-be For menus, hours of operation fourth location — ever and more information, visit heard of a little place called catalinacafe.com.

Cascades Park? n

16 Fiery Hibachi Tables • Spectacular Seafood Combinations Fresh Sushi Bar • Expert, Experienced Chefs Cocktail Lounge with Exotic & Local Favorites Private Dining for Groups up to 70

Open Daily • Lunch 11am – 2:30pm • Dinner 2:30 – 10:30pm 850-531-0222 • 1690 Raymond Diehl Road

We’re so much more than just cakes

1908 Capital Circle NE | 850-386-2253 | TallahasseeCakeShop.com | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Sat 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

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Perfect Location for Your Private Event or Party Happy Hour Every Day Voted Tallahassee’s Best Wine List Creative Cocktails, Craft Beers Outstanding Small Plate + Dessert Menu Only Balcony Bar in Tallahassee

Mon–Thurs 5pm–2am, Fri & Sat 4pm–2am 850.222.9914 • thewinelofttallahassee.net Located at the Orleans@Midtown 1240 Thomasville Road (corner of 6th Ave. & Thomasville Rd.)

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»food ON YOUR TABLE BREAKFAST » Top your morning oatmeal with a dollop of pumpkin purée, a handful of raisins, cinnamon and walnuts. » Stir a spoonful of pumpkin purée into vanilla Greek yogurt.

Sprinkle with cinnamon, ginger and chopped pecans. » Make a smoothie: Blend frozen banana, pumpkin purée, almond milk (or your favorite kind of milk) and pumpkin pie spice. Optional: Add ground flaxseed or a handful of fresh spinach for a nutritional boost.

LUNCH/DINNER » Add pumpkin purée to your favorite chili recipe. » Make a pasta sauce: Sauté 5 cloves of minced garlic for 1 minute. Add 1 cup pumpkin purée. Stir in ½ cup milk (or coconut cream, for a vegan version) and simmer for a few minutes. Add cooked pasta to the pan and serve. » Season pumpkin purée with garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper to use as a creamy spread in a veggie panini. » Make curry: Sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped bell pepper until tender. Add 1 can coconut milk, 1 cup pumpkin purée and 1 cup water.

Season with 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger and salt to taste. Add your favorite veggies and simmer until tender.

Bring on the

Pumpkin

DESSERT » Blend a scoop of pumpkin purée into a vanilla milkshake and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.

So Many Ways to Indulge in Fall’s Favorite Flavor

By Kiyo Kawaguchi WINTER. SPRING. SUMMER. Pumpkin season.

It’s that time of year when the aroma of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove fills the air, and the image of that orange gourd is omnipresent.

From hummus to marshmallows, Pringles to whey protein powder, the signature flavor of fall can be found in almost every edible imaginable.

Perhaps the most recognizable form is the Pumpkin Spice Latte. This Starbucks beverage, whose arrival is eagerly anticipated each year, has becomeanautumnalicon.Starbuckswasn’tthefirst tomakeapumpkin-pie-inspiredcoffeebeverage,but it was the first to make it a branded phenomenon.

DevelopmentofthePumpkinSpiceLattebegan in January 2003. Starbucks’seasonal winter beverages — the Peppermint Mocha and Eggnog lattes —weresopopular,thecompanydecidedtocreate one for fall, too. In a preliminary survey, the idea of apumpkincoffeedrinkwasnotpopular.Thedevelopers, however, saw its potential; after months of experimenting,thefinalrecipedebutedinfall2003.

Within the first week, sales had already exceeded expectations. Today, the latte — often known by its initials, PSL — is the most popular seasonal Starbucks beverage of all time.

The recipe has remained unchanged for more than a decade. It features cinnamon, nutmeg and

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»food ON YOUR TABLE

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clove. (The actual flavor of pumpkin is in the formula, but it’s not discernible.) In the 12 years since its creation, more than 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold, and the initials “PSL” have been trademarked. Fans of the beverage share their love of the Pumpkin Spice Latte with more than 3,000 tweets per day during the fall.

Tallahassee’s Catalina Café has put its own spin on the latte with the Catalina Pumpkin Spice. Owner Maurice Moulton said seasonal lattes are fun, and something to look forward to — but “if you’re gonna do a pumpkin spice, let’s do it right.”The café uses real, fresh and local ingredients.

“We really take pride in our attention to detail, fresh ingredients, such as ginger root in our ginger sauce, and our creativity,”said coowner Patricia Allaire.The café’s signature pumpkin sauce, created

by Allaire, is made with real pumpkin and a blend of spices.

In addition to beverages, the Catalina Café offers pumpkin cookiesandpumpkinbread,bothmadewithpumpkinpurée,and pumpkin-spice sugar cookies, all made from scratch.

Thepumpkincrazehasspreadfarbeyondcoffeeshops,too.The number of pumpkin-spice menu items in restaurants increased 234 percent from 2008 to 2012. Stores such as Trader Joe’s offer even more opportunities to incorporate these fall flavors into your kitchen, stocking more than 40 pumpkin-themed products.

At Trader Joe’s, the traditional pie is just one option for a pumpkindessert.Thestore’ssignatureJoe-Joe’ssandwichcookies

LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

are available in a pumpkin cream variety, and Pumpkin Pie Mochi Ice Cream is a In addition to their own new twist on the classic Thanksgiving spin on the pumpkin treat. Breakfast options range from pecan latte, the Catalina offers pumpkin pumpkin instant oatmeal and Pumpkin Café cookies and pumpkin O’scerealtopumpkincroissants,pumpkin bread, both made with waffle mix and organic frosted pumpkin pumpkin purée. toaster pastries.

Savory fare includes pumpkin soup, pumpkin ravioli, and a salad with pumpkin seeds, pumpkin cornbreadcroutonsandpumpkinvinaigrette.Beveragescompletethe pumpkinexperience:Pumpkinspicecoffee,teaandevenpumpkin beer are available. Not even Fido has to miss out on fall flavors — pumpkin dog treats are also on Trader Joe’s shelves.

If you want to make the most of pumpkin flavors this fall, experiment with the real veggie. One cup of canned pumpkin purée is only 80 calories and contains 7 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and just 1 gram of fat. Unlike artificially flavored products, pumpkins are rich in vitamin K and beta carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body). When purchasing pumpkin purée, make sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling — it should not contain added sweeteners or spices.

After all, canned pumpkin isn’t just for pies. It’s a versatile ingredient that can play a starring role in breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks. n

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THE BEST LITTLE STEAKHOUSE IN TALLAHASSEE

»food DINING GUIDE Gourmet Specialty ANDREW’S 228 American, Italian. A chic urban

restaurant serving signature blends of creative American and Italian cuisine in stylish surroundings. Private rooms are available for banquets and meetings. 228 S. Adams St. (850) 222-3444. $$$ D AVENUE EAT & DRINK American Fusion. A downtown

restaurant offering a melting pot of flavors fresh from the South, served in scrumptious dining presentations.

Sunday brunch is a not-to-be-missed treat. 115 E. Park Ave. (850) 224-0115. $$$ B L D CYPRESS RESTAURANT H New Southern. To make a special

evening a cut above the rest, bring the celebration to Cypress. Known for its sophisticated take on Southern cuisine, this restaurant won readers’ votes in 2014 as Best Celebration/ Special Occasion and Best Fine Dining restaurant. 320 E. Tennessee St. (850) 513‑1100. $$$ D THE FRONT PORCH H Southern, Seafood. Located in the heart

of Midtown, The Front Porch mixes Southern comfort with fresh seafood to make for one of the finest casual dining experiences in Tallahassee. Stop by for dinner or special Saturday/Sunday brunch. The spacious “front porch” under the oaks earned the restaurant Best Outdoor Dining honors in 2014.

1215 Thomasville Road. (850) 521-5821.

Join us for lunch and dinner at our beautiful location on Apalachee Parkway.

Our steaks are not only the best in Tallahassee, but USDA choice midwestern corn-fed beef, specially selected, aged to our specifications and cut daily. We also serve fresh jumbo shrimp and fish — grilled, blackened or fried.

So please join us for lunch and dinner or just meet up for drinks at our fully stocked bar.

F

MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAK HOUSE

2705 Apalachee Parkway | Tall ah assee, FL (850) 270-9506

$$$ L

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 more than 45 years. 2971 Apalachee Parkway. (850) 877-3211. $$$ D

MICCOSUKEE ROOT CELLAR Fusion. With its hand-hewn décor,

organic menu items and seemingly endless supply of artisan crafted beer and wine, it’s the place to go when a fresh twist on tradition is what the taste buds order. 1311 Miccosukee Road.

(850) 597-7419. $$ D

SAGE RESTAURANT American. Sage’s menu masterfully

melds regional influences, including Southern and French, to produce some of the finest cuisine in town.

The setting is gorgeous but cozy, and the outdoor patio sets a charming, romantic tone for a relaxed evening.

3534 Maclay Blvd. (850) 270-9396.

$$$ B

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The Key

The restaurants that appear in this guide are included as a service to readers and not as recommendations of the Tallahassee Magazine editorial department, except where noted.

Best of Tallahassee 2014 Winner Breakfast/Brunch Lunch Dinner Outdoor Dining Live Music Bar/Lounge $ Inexpensive $$ Moderately Expensive $$$ Expensive ★ B L D

Specialty 101 RESTAURANT H American. Readers say 101 has the Best

Happy Hour and cocktails, whether you work 9 to 5 or just want to enjoy a night out with friends. Guests can choose from two happy hours, a selection of delectable martinis and cocktails, two-for-ones and a bevy of other drinks. 215 W. College Ave. (850) 391-1309. $$ B L D

ANDREW’S CAPITAL GRILL AND BAR American. A Downtown landmark for

40 years, Andrew’s is an energetic, casual, see and-be-seen spot. House favorites include a popular lunch buffet, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. Downtown delivery.

228 S. Adams St. (850) 222-3444/Fax, (850) 222-2433. $$ B L D

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. Diners also will find a full bar and the freshest sushi.

3220 Apalachee Parkway.

(850) 893-4112. $/$$ L D

BELLA BELLA H Italian. Take your taste buds to Italy

with a trip to Bella Bella, voted Best Italian by Tallahassee Magazine readers in 2014. This locally owned and operated restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with all the classics to satisfy your pasta cravings. 123 E. 5th Ave. (850) 412-1114. $$ L D BROOKLYN WATER BAGELS AND PIZZA American. Using the freshest ingredi-

ents and an exclusive water treatment process, renowned Brooklyn bagels, coffee and pizza made famous in their original location can now be found in Tallahassee. CollegeTown, 815 W. Madison St. (850) 765-1058. $ B L D

THE CAKE SHOP H Bakery. From your plain vanilla and

chocolate to specialties like Snicker’s Candy Bar and Chunky Monkey, The Cake Shop provides delicious cakes, cookies and cupcakes for special occasions or just to satisfy your sweet

tooth. It earned honors for Best Bakery and Best Dessert in our 2014 readers’ choice poll. 1908 Capital Circle N.E. (850) 386-2253. $ CANTINA TALLAHASSEE Mexican. The menu includes all your

South of the Border favorites — tacos, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and more — along with $5 and less fast food options as well as sharing-sized Platos Con Amigos. CollegeTown, 705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 273-4002.

$L

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CARRIE ANN & CO. American, Catering. No reservation

required for Carrie Ann & Co.’s Tuesday Night Dinners at the Mays House, a charming, historic 1922 residence in Monticello. Or head downtown to their Rosemary Tree Café & Gift Shop for coffee and daily specials on wraps and sandwiches. Custom catering available. The Mays House, 925 E. Washington St. (850) 544-2427 or (850) 544-1582. Rosemary Tree Café, 170 N. Jefferson St. (850) 997-2106. $/$$ B L D (Tuesdays Only) (Mays House only) COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGE H Cajun. This Best Cajun Restaurant

winner for 2014 brings the best of the Bayou State right to your table. The menu is jam-packed with Louisianastyle dishes, favorites like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Not in a Cajun mood? Coosh’s also offers classic hamburgers, salads and chicken wings. 6267 Old Water Oak Road. (850) 894‑4110. $$ B L D THE EGG CAFÉ AND EATERY H American. When you’re looking

for breakfast favorites, even if it’s lunchtime, The Egg is the place to be.

Made-to-order items use the finest ingredients. Voted Tallahassee’s best 11 times, including the 2014 awards for Best Breakfast and Best Brunch. In Evening Rose at 3740 Austin Davis Ave. (850) 907-3447. Light breakfast fare is available at The Egg Express, a second downtown location in the R.A. Gray building. 500 S. Bronough St. Room G-22 (850) 907-3447. $$ B L

EL JALISCO H Mexican. In the mood for sizzling

enchiladas and frozen margaritas?

Make your way to the 2014 Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. 2022 N. Monroe St. (850) 878‑0800; 2915‑301 Kerry Forest Pkwy. (850) 668‑1002; 2736 Capital Circle N.E.; and 3197 Merchants Row Blvd. in SouthWood (850) 727-0094. $ L D HASU Asian. Hasu offers carefully prepared

sushi that comes with a great,

welcoming atmosphere for those dining in as well as carrying out. Two convenient locations. 3551 Blair Stone Road, Suite 132 (850) 671‑4278; 1400 Village Square Blvd., Suite 14 (850) 893-4278. $$ L D JOE MAMA’S WOOD FIRED PIZZA Italian. Crisp toppings. Freshly

prepared pizza dough. Traditional Tuscan wood-fired oven. What more could you ask for? Joe Mama’s offers quintessential casual Italian dining.

307 N. Monroe St. (850) 577-1231. $L D 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.

(850) 222‑5458. $$ L D KLASSIC KATERING H American, Southern, Italian. The

culinary masterminds behind Klassic Katering know how to transform an event from drab to fab. With a ton of flavor and a pinch of panache, this Best of Tallahassee winner will cater to all of your foodie needs. 2207 Bannerman Road. (850) 894-0423.

KOOL BEANZ CAFÉ H Fusion. This colorful, casual spot has

been serving up gourmet dishes so tasty and creative it was named Best Locally Owned Restaurant in 2014.

Diners can expect delicious modern American cuisine, as well as dishes influenced by the worldwide travels of the kitchen staff. Menus change daily.

921 Thomasville Road. (850) 224‑2466.

$$/$$$

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The ‘eyes’ have it.

VOTED TALLAHASSEE’S BEST SEAFOOD MARKET SINCE 2002

LEVEL 8 Nightclub. This modern downtown

rooftop bar at the Hotel Duval is the perfect setting for any get together.

The upscale environment sets the bar high, so dress in your best attire. 415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6000. $$ MADISON SOCIAL H American. Whether it’s for a social

cocktail, a quick lunch or a place for alumni to gather before home football games, Madison Social offers something for everyone. Madison Social earned Best Bar honors in 2014.

CollegeTown, 705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 894-6276. $$ L D

MASA H Asian Fusion. For another year, Masa

earned the title as the Best Sushi and Best Asian in town — and with a good reason. This Japanese fusion restaurant packs bold, delicious flavors into each finely crafted, authentic roll.

1001 N. Monroe St. (850) 847-0003. $/$$ L

All Great Seafood Dishes Start with Great Seafood

D

OLD TOWN CAFÉ American. Southern hospitality is

embedded throughout this familyowned restaurant. Mom’s meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green

BEST SEAFOOD MARKET

1415 Timberlane Road in Market Square 850.893.7301 southernseafoodmarket.com TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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Angus Beef GULF SEAFOOD FARM-TO-TABLE Full Bar, Fine Wine, Craft Beer

CHEF’S COURSE TASTING

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Hours: Tues – Sat: 5:00 pm - ’til • P: (229) 236-2467 123 North Broad Street • Thomasville, Georgia 31792

ChopHouseontheBricks.com

»food DINING GUIDE beans makes you feel like you’re home, not to mention their world famous prime rib, which slowly roasts all day.

1415 Timberlane Road. (850) 893-5741. $$ L

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OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR H Japanese. Rated Best Hibachi for 2014,

Osaka provides dinner and a show with chefs seasoning and preparing your meal right in front of you. It’s a meal that’s sure to leave you satisfied as well as entertained. 1690 Raymond Diehl Road. (850) 531-0222. $$$ D PAISLEY CAFÉ American. Guilt-free lunch has never

keep in touch!

F O O Y

PRAREFULL

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been easier now that Paisley serves up food with seven natural ingredients or less. This charming Midtown spot boasts a fresh bakery and garden full of wholesome treats. 1123 @ Midtown on Thomasville Road. (850) 385-7268.

$L

TACO REPUBLIK American/Worldwide Fusion. An

authentic taqueria, Taco Republik specializes in creating tacos and burritos in abstract and delicious ways.

Located in the heart of Midtown, this restaurant is beloved for bold flavor combinations and wallet-friendly prices. 705 S. Woodward Ave., (850) 559-5464. $ L D THE WINE LOFT WINE BAR H American. When it’s part of your

name, of course you’re going to be chosen as the Best of in 2014.

Midtown’s Wine Loft features a variety of worldly wines and bartenders who love to experiment. The Wine Loft is ready to help you relax and enjoy the evening. 1240 Thomasville Road, Suite 100. (850) 222-9914. thewinelofttallahassee.net $$ D

Family/Casual BURGERFI American. BurgerFi uses all-natural,

Tailgate With The So You Can Relax & Enjoy!

Let us do the preparation for your perfect tailgate. Chicken Salad Chick has everything you need – 15 flavors of chicken salad, pimento cheese, and delicious side salads. Come in or call to place your order at either of our two locations.

1410 Market Street, Unit D3 | 850-894-2502 1496 Apalachee Parkway, Unit 14 | 850-402-0653

A Simple Concept, A Superb Experience! www.ChickenSaladChick.com | 850-894-2502

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CHICKEN SALAD CHICK H Southern. Chicken Salad Chick exceeds

expectations with 15 different chicken salads to choose from served in a bright setting that earned it Best Casual Dining honors in 2014. There are also deli sandwiches, side items and soups, and a cookie of the day. 1410 Market Street, D-3. 1496 Apalachee Pkwy., #14 (850) 894‑2502. $ L D HOPKINS’ EATERY American. This deli provides more than

just your average sandwich. Favorites like the Ultimate Turkey and the Linda Special and a variety of salad meals keep customers coming back for more.

And it’s healthful, too! 1660 N. Monroe St. (850) 386-4258; 1415 Market St. (850) 668‑0311, and 1208 Capital Circle S.E. (850) 325-6422. hopkinseatery. com $ L JUICY BLUE American Tapas. In the Four Points by

Sheraton Downtown this cool lobby restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unique offerings include tapas with a twist like the Georgia peaches and caramel. Sandwiches, salads and a nice variety of seafood, pasta and chicken dishes round out the menu.

316 W. Tennessee St. (850) 422-0071.

$B

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MERV’S MELT SHOP American. This daytime cafe specializes

in homemade breakfast and handcrafted sandwich melts. Enjoy one of their gourmet sandwich choices or create your own. Fresh bread is baked daily, and they even make their own chips. 825 Railroad Ave. (850) 320-6287. $ B L D

MOMO’S H Pizza. After devouring a slice “as big

as your head” at this 2014 Best Pizza winner, chain pizza simply is not gonna cut it. From the black-and-white photos to the bathrooms decorated in album covers the restaurant has an unmistakable and enjoyable “hole in the wall” vibe. 1410 Market St. (850) 412-0222; and 1416 W. Tennessee St. (850) 224-9808. $ L D

free-range beef and is dedicated to sustainable practices. Their menu is packed full of tasty, savory and creative hamburger and hotdog creations as well as fresh-cut french fries and gigantic onion rings.

Vegetarian options, frozen custard, beer and wine are also available.

1817 Thomasville Road, No.7.

(850) 629‑4333. $ L D

PUBLIX DELI H Casual. The delis at Publix Super Markets have a certain reputation around these parts. A 2014 Best of winner, these convenient eateries are beloved not only for their tasty “Pub subs,” cold cuts and graband go meals, but also for their exceptional customer service. Multiple locations.

CANOPY ROAD CAFÉ American. Combine fresh ingredients,

spirits? A bite of brisket can make the world seem right. Specializing in the deliciously savory, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a new addition to Tallahassee’s barbecue scene. Conveniently located in Midtown’s Miracle Plaza, this small Florida-based franchise offers patrons a better-than-mama-made-it, home-style meal in an inviting, rustic atmosphere. 1817 Thomasville Road (844) 474-8377. $$ L D

made-to-order dishes and a welcoming staff, and you have the components of a deliciously successful restaurant.

This casual, family-style restaurant proclaims itself a “greasy-spoon diner meets modern Southern cafe.”

1913 N. Monroe St. (850) 668-6600; 2202 Capital Circle N.E. (850) 893-0466. $ B L

4 RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE Barbecue. Need something to lift your

SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q H Barbecue. Nothing satisfies a rumblin’

stomach quite like a plateful of hot, savory barbeque; and if you’re looking for the tastiest grilled dishes, 2014 Best Barbecue winner Sonny’s has them in spades. 3101 Dick Wilson Blvd.

(850) 878-1185; 2707 N. Monroe St. (850) 385-2167; and 1460 Timberlane Road (850) 906-9996. $ L D

STARBUCKS H American. Whether you’re craving a

Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino or a simple cup o’ joe, Starbucks provides a wide variety of beverages that will satisfy even the most adventurous caffeine addict. The 2014 Best Coffee Shop winner also offers free Wi-Fi. 2264-1 N. Monroe St. (850) 386-2417; 3425 Thomasville Road. (850) 894-7005; and 2120 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 671-2041. $B L THE LUNCH BOX American. This iconic little café

conveniently nestled at the corner of Mahan and Magnolia offers up homestyle breakfasts and plenty of lunch items to choose from. Dine in, take out and outdoor seating is available. 295 N. Magnolia Drive.

(850) 942-9766. $ B L

THE TIN COW American. The Tin Cow boasts an

impressive mix of canned craft beer, spiked milkshakes and mammoth build-your-own burgers. A new-toTallahassee bar and eatery, this lively establishment is situated near FSU’s main campus where AJ’s once hailed.

1800 W. Tennessee St. (850) 681‑0731. $/$$ D UP IN SMOKE PIT BBQ Barbecue. While their barbecue is

certainly succulent, Up in Smoke’s other menu options — including fried green tomatoes, meatloaf and grilled salmon — cater to even the pickiest of palates. 402 Tennessee St. (850) 597-7964. $ B L D VERTIGO BURGERS AND FRIES H American. The No. 1 spot for

hamburgers in 2014 went to Vertigo, home to some of the juiciest, funkiest burgers in town. The modern building provides a no-frills setting to enjoy such favorites as the Vertigo Burger — a beef patty with fried egg, applewood bacon, grilled jalapenos, sharp cheddar and Vertigo sauce.

1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878-2020. $$ L D

WINGSTOP H American. After being voted Best Wings

in town for the ninth year in a row, it’s safe to say that this joint is the ultimate source for chicken wings. Wingstop

offers a variety of homemade sides and 10 mouthwatering flavors for their wings. 1964 W. Tennessee St. (850) 574-9464; 3111 Mahan Dr. (850) 942-9464; and 6668 Thomasville Road. (850) 219-9464.

$L

You don’t need to travel to Japan when Kiku is right around the corner.

D

Steak/Seafood BONEFISH GRILL H American. With countless perfectly

cooked, succulent seafood items to choose from, in addition to delicious “turf” options for those who do not enjoy their food from the “surf,” it’s no wonder Tallahassee Magazine readers selected Bonefish Grill as its favorite restaurant for seafood and appetizers in 2014. 3491 Thomasville Road.

(850) 297-0460. $$$ D

CHOP HOUSE ON THE BRICKS American. This family-owned upscale restaurant serves local organic and sustainable meats, seafood, poultry and produce. Craft beers, fine wines and specialty drinks complement house specialties like Bone-In Ribeye, Plantation Quail and the Chop House Burger. Their Knob Creek Bourbon Bread Pudding is a dessert favorite. 123 N. Broad St., Thomasville, Ga. (229) 236-2467. $$ D

Killearn Shopping Center 3491 Thomasville Rd, Suite #12 | 850.222.5458 Ocala Corners 800 Ocala Rd, Suite #370 | 850.575.5458 WWW.KIKUFUSION.COM

MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAKHOUSE H Steak. Dining at Marie Livingston’s is

upscale yet comfortable and always a special treat. Not just a restaurant that serves up savory cuts of prime rib or marbled steaks, this 2014 Best Steakhouse winner is a Tallahassee tradition, and newcomers owe it to themselves to make it a priority to visit. 2705 Apalachee Parkway.

(850) 562-2525. $$ L D

Great Food Great Friends Warm & Inviting Atmosphere Upscale Tastes at Affordable Prices NEW MENU ITEMS!

SHULA’S 347 Steak. The legendary Miami Dolphins’

head coach brings the quest for perfection to the dining table at his namesake restaurant, located in 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” steaks Reservations are suggested.

415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005.

$$$ L

D

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD H American. Whether you’re looking for

fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, crab or lobster, these guys have you covered.

The 2014 Best Seafood Market winner brings the ocean’s freshest choices to Tallahassee’s front door. 1415 Timberlane Road. (850) 668-2203.

Visit our comprehensive, searchable dining guide online at tallahasseemagazine.com/ Restaurants

Se rv in g Br ea kfas t, Br un ch & Lu nc h

Apple Walnut Salad

The Egg Cafe & Eatery

3740 Austin Davis Ave. (off Cap Circ NE near Mahan) Tue–Sun 7 am–2 pm | (850) 765-0703

The Egg Express in the R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough, Room G-22 | Lite Breakfast Fare Mon–Fri 7:30 am–3 pm | Sat 10 am–3 pm | (850) 907-EGGS (3447) TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM September–October 2015

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»the last word

The Statue of Liberty is a Colossal Lady America’s Symbol of Hope Turns 129

By Elvin C. Bell

SHE WILL BE 129 YEARS OLD on Oct. 28, 2015, but the years have been kind. She stands erect and unbowed. With untiring constancy, she beckons with her lighted torch the homeless, the hopeful and the oppressed of the world. On her island pedestal, she is a welcoming symbol of the greatest dream of mankind — liberty.

Howmanyheartshavebeengladdenedatthesightofher?Howmany millions have felt their prayers answered upon arriving in her presence?

How many refugees have felt secure at passing behind the folds of her robes?To millions of immigrants, she represents a new beginning — her torch the flame of opportunity.

Perhaps it is fitting that she, too, is an immigrant. Born in Paris in 1884, she was named “La Liberte Eclairant Le Monde.”A gift of the people of France, she came to this country at an early age and assumed her vigil in NewYork Harbor in October 1886. Her creator, Auguste Bartholdi, chose the site with the thought of “liberty enlightening the world.”

Designed to celebrate American liberty and the friendship of two nations, she became a symbol of hope to people the world over.

The American people immediately shortened and Anglicized her name and accepted her into their hearts. Tens of thousands visit her on her island each year. There, high above the waters of the bay, the panorama of metropolitan NewYork unfolds in unparalleled splendor.

There, the visitor can follow her gaze seaward in search of incoming ships. To others, she seems to wave a bon voyage with best wishes for a safe return.

Herdimensionsareawe-inspiring.Standingonher150-footpedestal, she towers yet another 150 feet to become a significant part of the New York skyline. Her skeleton framework, designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of Paris’ Eiffel Tower, supports some 200 tons of copper and steel. The tablet, inscribed July 4, 1776, that she holds in her left hand measures an immense 23 feet. Everything about her is colossal.

And yet, perhaps it is the distant view that sets her in the proper perspective. Watch her someday from the deck of an inbound ship or from the window of a circling airliner. Or stop someday in Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and watch her across the bay. See her in the fullness her creator intended. Gracious, proud and radiant, she stands amid the fruits of a society founded in her name.

210 September–October 2015

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

Just as Americans have adopted her as their own, it is also theirhopeanddream thatsomedayshewill embraceallmankind.

In her name, the sacrifices of our patriot forefathersarebeing repeated today in all corners of the world.

Thegrandsonsand granddaughters of our forefathers are now in more than 200 different countries around the world fighting oppression, defending liberty, providing health care, feedingthestarved,buildingschools,constructingsafewatersystems,teaching hungry minds and serving a multitude of other humanitarian tasks.

We have many memorials immortalizing the deeds of our Founding Fathers.Yet she is our only national monument to the motivating ideals theysocherished,andthattheirsonsanddaughtersarenowdefending.

“An empty shell of copper and steel,”the realists will say. But though no heart beats within her, she is herself the heartbeat of America.

For she is Liberty.

How did she make a difference to me?

I spent most of the Cold War winter of 1977 on sensitive intelligence missions to Poland, Czechoslovakia and Russia.The temperature never rose above 8 degrees. After a long but successful period, I was escorted over rough terrain, deserted back streets and various hiding places for five hectic days and nights until the timing and opportunity was ripe to catch an Air France flight out of Moscow bound for Shannon, Ireland.

When I boarded the connecting flight to New York, I had gone without sleep for at least 80 hours.

The flight attendant awakened me as we approached New York and raised my window shade.

There she was, the Statue of Liberty.

I was home. n

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