Space Coast LIVING - May & June 2020 by Space Coast Magazines

MAY/JUNE 2020

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ALPIZAR LAW FAMILY, FAITH AND COMMUNITY PAGE 56

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Contents

MAY/JUNE 2020

ON THE COVER Photography by Jason Hook

FAITH, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ALPIZAR LAW

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

18 22 30

KEEP CALM AND CARRY OUT SEVEN SPACE COAST TAKEOUT-FRIENDLY SPOTS KEEPING IT SIMPLE COOKING WITH KIDS

SASSY, SPICY MEXICAN FLAVORS KICK UP YOUR KITCHEN GAME ONCE UPON A THEME PARK UNIVERSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VOLCANO BAY

BEYOND BREVARD PALM BEACH GIRLS GETAWAY

SPECIAL FEATURES

36 46

CELEBRATING SPACE COAST MOMS

HONORING SPACE COAST DADS

HOME & GARDEN

86 8 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PACECOAST L I V I N G .CO M

62 64

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN MORE THAN ALMOST PARADISE PLAYFUL PLUMERIAS & TROPICAL LEIS

68 70 72 74

HOME DECORATING INNOVATION FROM BLINDS OF ALL KINDS

THE REAL ESTATE AUCTION OPTION ELLINGSON PROPERTIES

MOVING AND MOBILE STORAGE OPTIONS MI-BOX

PREPARING FOR HURRICANE SEASON G & G ROOFING

HEALTH & WELLNESS

77 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 97 98

WOMEN’S HEALTH GUIDE PRESENTED BY PARRISH MEDICAL CENTER

MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS WEIGH IN COPING IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES LASER SPINE BREVARD

STOP THE INSANITY MINDFULNESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

PASSION FOR AESTHETICS & WELLNESS THE REFINERY MEDSPA AND WELLNESS

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE VISITING NURSE ASSOCATION (VNA)

CALMING OPTIONS FOR DENTAL TREATMENTS EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY

COMMUNITY

100

REDEFINING INNOVATION TOYOTA OF MELBOURNE

IN EVERY ISSUE

104 107

RESTAURANTS, RETAIL AND SERVICES DIRECTORY

THE SCENE

AVOIDING AND PREVENTING SKIN CANCERS PORTER PREMIERE DERMATOLOGY PARENTS, HOSPITAL GRANT GIRL’S BIRTHPLACE WISH HEALTH FIRST MEDICAL TEAM’S QUICK ACTION SAVES BABY HEALTH FIRST COMPASSION & EMPATHY DENTAL CHOICE OF MELBOURNE

M AY/J UN E 2020: 9

MAY/JUNE | VOLUME 17 | NUMBER 5 SpaceCoastLIVING.com Eric Wright, President

EDITORIAL Shawna Lucas, Publisher Heather Motro, Assistant Editor

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food & entertainment

KEEP CALM AND CARRY OUT Seven Space Coast Takeout-Friendly Spots Article and Photography by Space Coast Foodies

Website: spacecoastfoodies.com | Instagram: @spacecoastfoodies

s we’ve recently come to understand, now is not a good time for a long, leisurely evening out at a local restaurant. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a lovely, prepared meal at home… and it also (never!) means that “to-go” food only comes from fast food chain spots.

Chez Quan’s

⊲

The Space Coast has some amazing restaurants which have mastered the art of takeout. Check out this list of seven unique places you may not have thought of to grab your next delicious meal. All of them are practicing safe serving during this time.

Thai fusion with attitude We’re big fans of this quirky, Thai-Latin fusion spot on of Aurora Road in Melbourne. While the location is a bit unassuming, the rich, authentic flavors coming out of this kitchen are nothing to scoff at. Their preparation of Pad Thai, curry chicken empanadas, and “spicy drunken noodles” are some of our personal faves. It’s an exotic taste experience with a modest price tag and filling portions.

Genna Pizza Company

⊲

1470 Aurora Rd, Melbourne. (321) 622-6979. Online at: https://bit.ly/CQmlb

Inventive pizzeria goes beyond the basics You know this list wouldn’t be complete without a classic pizzeria, right? While there is no shortage of top-notch pizza joints on the Space Coast, Genna Pizza Co. in Viera is a stand-out for us. We love the specialty pizzas here because they don’t skimp on toppings and everything comes out hearty and delicious, with a nice variety of less traditional options like their mac n’ cheese and BLT pizzas, plus an amazing Chicago Deep Dish! 4301 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne. (321) 242-3003. Online at https://bit.ly/gennapizzamlb M AY/J UN E 2020: 15

Café Surfinista South ⊲ Health-conscious, beachside bliss Breakfast you can eat while sneaking a peak at the surf is always a good idea! Café Surfinista South in Indialantic is a great option if you love smoothies, great coffee, and filled-to-the-brim Açai bowls. Created with wellness in mind, there’s a long list of nutrient-rich options here, including fresh fruit juices, Açai bowls — among the best on the Space Coast — loaded with generous toppings of fresh fruit and granola, a variety of bagel sandwiches and even sammies and hot bowls for lunch, starting at 11 am. 2 Wavecrest Ave, Indialantic, (321) 327-4570. Online at: https://www.facebook.com/ surfinistasouth/

⊲ Third Culture Kitchen Foodie-forward + globally inspired One look at the artsy takeout window and outdoor dining area and you know you’re somewhere special in Titusville. As one of the most foodie-forward spots in the county, you’ll find menu offerings here unlike any you’ve seen before including street tacos, bao, burgers and wings, all on the same menu!! Don’t let the variety scare you; dig right in to savor global flavors that are refreshing and fun! Don’t skip the Korean BBQ ribs, they are amazing!! 1000 Cheney Hwy Titusville, (321) 225-4103. Online at http:// www.thirdculturekitchen.com

⊲ Joan’s Perfect Pies

#1 pies on the Space Coast

A sweet, tiny bakery in the heart of downtown Eau Gallie where you’ll find one thing and one thing only – pies. From Key Lime to Chicken Pot Pies and everything in between, no one else makes homemade, fromscratch pies daily quite like Joan. Her crust is perfection every time. Our favorite flavor? Chocolate Peanut Butter. Try an easy weeknight dinner fit for your family with takeout frozen Quiches and Beef or Chicken Pot Pies for a savory treat! 1478B Highland Ave, Melbourne. (321) 610-7953, Online at https:// joansperfectpie.com

Green Turtle Market ⊲

Gourmet groceries, fine wines and prepared foods Some call it Green Turtle Market, we call it foodie paradise! This specialty market specializes in gourmet groceries and wine, fresh cuts of meats, fish and shellfish, divine baked sweets and breads and also boasts a wide variety of prepared selections for lunch and dinner. Their chefs are top-notch, and the food quality is some of the best around. 855 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach. 321-773-2001. Online at https://greenturtlemarket.com

⊲ Mustard’s Last Stand

Quick bites, big flavors, dawg!

Don’t underestimate this funky little hot dog stand – it’s been a timeless classic in Brevard since 1987, and now boasts two locations in middle Melbourne. This is where you’ll find hot dogs and fries dressed up in countless imaginative combinations: from the “Firecracker Dog” (cheese, sriracha, fresh garlic, topped with fries) to “The Green Thumb” (veggie dog, grilled onions, guacamole, curry-garlic mayo), there’s a ‘dog to satisfy every craving here. Two locations: Downtown Melbourne at 415 East New Haven Ave., Melbourne, (321) 951-3469 and Eau Gallie, 1288 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, (321) 254-5776. Online at https://www.mustardslaststand.us Follow @spacecoastfoodies on Instagram for more on great, local restaurant favorites!! M AY/ JUN E 2020: 17

Simple Recipes to Make with Kids

Article and Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson Website: harmonylynn.com | Instagram: @harmonylynngoodson

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ow that all our kids are homeschooled, we thought we’d put together a few recipes that would afford some distraction from computer learning with hands-on activities that engage little minds.

Making meals together is one of our favorite family activities. My little one really enjoys the science and math that goes into baking, and we all enjoy tasting our newest creations together. One of our favorite snack/sides are sweet potato fries, which satisfy both the salty and sweet tooth at once and are a healthy alternative to the old stand-by French fry. I like using paprika and garlic powder to flavor my fries, but really, you can use just about any type of seasoning… get creative and encourage your little helpers to try a variety of seasonings to expand their culinary horizons! If you like spicy, switch out the paprika with chipotle or chili powder; if you like sweeter, try cinnamon and sugar instead.

Sweet Potato Fries Makes: 4 Servings Ingredients: 1 large sweet potato 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt

If you’re in the mood for a throwback comfort drink, a refreshing choice for kids and parents alike is a freshsqueezed lemon spritzer, a real favorite in this house! My kiddo really enjoys creating this one himself and serving it to us at our kitchen counter bar.

Kid-Friendly Sparkling Lemonade Makes: 2 Drinks Ingredients:

1/4 tsp pepper

8 oz Sprite or diet lemon lime soda of choice

Directions:

1 Fresh Lemon

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Crushed Ice

Wash and cut the sweet potato into thinly shaped fries

Instructions:

Evenly lay out the sweet potato fries on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet Toss in olive oil and generously sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated Bake for 25 minutes, or until cooked through Season with paprika and more salt to taste

Cut the lemon into 4 equal wedges Fill a small glass with crushed ice Pour Sprite to about 3/4 full Freshly squeeze one wedge of lemon over the Sprite, stir, and serve garnished with another piece of lemon or lemon slice

Tacos are great for even the pickiest eaters in the family. With plenty of toppings (or nothing at all) kids can pick and choose how they want to build their own dinners. A parent can brown the meat while the kids chop up the toppings for this easy weekly dinner staple.

Spicy Mango Tacos Makes: 6 Tacos Ingredients: 6 soft flour tortillas, warmed in the oven (or taco shells if you prefer) 1 lb ground turkey (or meat/seafood of your choice) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 packet taco seasoning 1 medium mango 1 cup iceberg lettuce 1 medium tomato 1 medium onion 2 limes, quartered Hot Sauce, if desired We love banana bread for breakfast and dessert. Bananas are a great natural sweetener and kids love to stir the simple ingredients together. You can vary this recipe by adding in nuts or chocolate chips, or even fresh berries for a flavor burst!

Directions: In a large pan, brown the meat over medium-high heat with olive oil until cooked through, drain excess oil/water

Banana Bread

Return to low heat and add the taco seasoning. Stir to combine

Makes: 1 Loaf

On a cutting board, chop the mango, lettuce, tomato, and onion

Ingredients:

Arrange fixings, meat, and tortillas on a serving board for a build-your-own taco station. Garnish with limes and hot sauce, if using.

1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed 2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 3 overripe bananas, mashed 1 banana for decoration (optional) Directions: Preheat the oven to 350F With a hand or electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar Add the eggs and beat for about 20 seconds Slowly add the mashed bananas and beat until well mixed. Small chunks of bananas are ok! In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt Combine wet and dry ingredients into one bowl. Stir together vigorously with a rubber spatula until well combined If desired, decorate the top of your loaf with cut pieces of bananas! (optional) Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

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OLÃ&#x2030;! Taco 'bout a bounty!

Sassy, Spicy South of the Boarder Morsels to Enjoy Anytime of the Year

Article and Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson Website: harmonylynn.com | Instagram: @harmonylynngoodson

inco de Mayo is famously celebrated at venues and in home across Mexico and America on the fifth of May each year. The event commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. In America, it’s more of a reason to celebrate and toast the culture and food of our southern neighbors, but you can choose to honor them anytime with these tasty recipes that combine the vibrant colors and flavors of the country into some feel-good, tasty treats. Adjust heat according to your own taste and ¡diviértete!

Spicy Bay Margarita Ingredients: • • • • •

2 oz Tequila 3 tbs Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 2 tbs Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice 2 tsp Light Agave Syrup 1 Serrano or Jalapeño Pepper, Thinly Sliced

Margarita Salt: • •

1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning Lime Wedge & Pepper for Garnish

Directions: 1. To salt the rim of a glass, start by rubbing the juice of a lime generously around the rim. 2. Pour the margarita salt onto a plate and stir in Old Bay seasoning. 3. Dip the lime-coated rim thoroughly in the salt mixture, fill the glass with crushed ice and set aside. 4. In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, agave syrup, and a few slices of jalapeño. 5. Lightly shake or stir the mixture and pour over the prepared glass of ice. 6. Garnish with a wedge of lime and jalapeño, using a toothpick for stability.

Taco Grazing Tray

A colorful grazing tray full of tacobuilding favorites and a few more decadent items for extra special flavor. Meat and seafood items are displayed in cabbage cups nestled next to Mexican street corn, sauces, salsas, and a variety of toppings. The black bean and corn salsa is a particular favorite!

Black Bean & Corn Salsa Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1 15 oz. can black beans, drained 1 15.25 oz. can whole kernel sweet corn, drained 2-3 medium vine ripe tomatoes, diced 1 cup red or yellow onion, diced 3/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped 2 tsp. red pepper (if using) 2 tsp. Chili powder (if using) Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions: In a medium bowl, gently stir together ingredients. Add fresh ground salt and pepper to taste. Let ingredients meld together in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours, or overnight. Serve chilled with blue or yellow corn tortilla chips, or alongside your favorite Mexican meal.

Once Upon a Theme Park

Disney Springs Food Trucks

Article and Photography by Jess Mack, Columnist Website: jessamack.com | Instagram: @jessamack_

isney Springs is full of amazing places to eat, including amazing restaurants run by world-renowned chefs, and smaller, quick-service restaurants that give their own spin on simple foods. If you like to dine on the fly, adventurously, you need to check out the Disney Springs food trucks!

Located on the West Side of Disney Springs, these food trucks offer their own special types of cuisine. It’s the definition of quick serve, on-the-go food, though you do have the ability to grab a seat at the surrounding tables. It seems like these food trucks are around for a few months before being replaced, offering a rotation of innovative and fun food choices unique to Disney and the time of year you may be visiting!. Recently, for example, the Fantasy Fare Food Truck departed, making room for Hot Diggity Dogs! When this article was written in March, Hot Diggity Dogs, Mac & Cheese and the Cookie Dough & Everything Sweet trucks were all parked and serving. I’ve been lucky enough to try all but one food truck and can report they have all been great. So far, my favorite of the bunch is the Mac & Cheese truck (pictured on the right). Here are a few of the items I’ve tried:

Comfort Food with a Twist

Lobster and Shrimp Mac & Cheese with Swiss and Toasted Buttery Crackers ($13), pictured below. I am not a huge seafood or Swiss cheese person so I am surprised to say that this might be one of my favorite mac & cheese combos, EVER…The shrimp and lobster were cooked and seasoned perfectly, and the crackers added a nice crunch. Texas Chili Mac & Cheese served with Four-Cheese Blend, Corn Chips & Chives ($11). You really can’t go wrong with this one. The chili was delicious and not too spicy, the cheese blend was flavorful and extremely creamy, and the corn chips added a nice crunch to the mac & cheese. This is comfort food with twist, but no less satisfying, I assure you.

As of mid-May, theme parks across Central Florida remained closed. Please visit online to learn more about projected opening dates, hours, etc.

Classics that Stand the Test of Time

From Hot Diggety Dog, the BLT is a quarter pound all-beef dog topped with lettuce, tomato, and bacon and a garlic-Ranch dressing served with house-made chips ($12.25), pictured below. It sounds strange, but it is true, that this hot dog – served on a lightly toasted bun – was unexpectedly refreshing, probably the combination of crisp lettuce and savory tomatoes against the salty bacon and dressing. It was delicious and I would eat it again any day. Another unexpected treat was the pricing vs portion size. These are filling foods – and priced below what I might have expected from a traditional restaurant. The most expensive item I tried was the Lobster and Shrimp Mac & Cheese for $13 dollars. Trust me, the amount you get for that price is crazy considering that same dish would probably be about $25 or higher at a fancier, sit-down establishment.

One More Option

These aren’t the only food trucks at Springs either. 4 Rivers Smokehouse, a locally- owned restaurant chain, has a food truck called 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck located by World of Disney in the Marketplace. Serving up items like the squash blossom quesadilla, nachos and the crowd-favorite Taco Cone, which is huge. I haven’t tried this truck yet but close friends of mine have and they love it. I have no doubt that it’s fantastic because my experience with 4 Rivers Smokehouse has shown it’s an amazing place to grab delicious barbecue. In my opinion, food trucks always have the best food. Whenever I hear of food truck festivals or a new truck opening up in downtown Orlando, I get very excited and can’t wait to check them out. Having these trucks available as a dining alternative is such a nice diversion and welcome change! If you find yourself wondering what to eat in Disney Springs and you don’t want to spend a ton of money at a sit-down restaurant, definitely check out these trucks. Your taste buds and tummy will thank you!

Access the Globe… Right Down the Road! Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photography by Harmony Lynn Goodson

Website: harmonylynn.com | Instagram: @harmonylynngoodson

e get it! Not everyone has the time, means or inclination, especially lately, to hop on a plane or plan a road trip Beyond Brevard.

One way you can capture the feeling of traveling far from home – if only for a brief few hours – is to seek out restaurants offering ethnic eats: savory curries from India with basmati rice and garlic naan bread; a foamy sweet Cuban coffee with guava and cream cheese pastry; hearty Irish beef stew with pumpernickel bread; or perhaps a grill-fired plate of meze from your favorite Greek restaurant.

Tropical Feelings: Frigates in Melbourne

⊲

However you like to travel for your food, or bring it home for special suppers, here’s a selection of local places offering a getta-outta-Brevard kind of feel that we think you’ll like…

Most popular lunch items pictured: Lobster Roll & Fried Grouper Special

⊲

Global Cuisine: Nomad’s in Downtown Melbourne

Lunch menu items pictured: Roasted Beets, Signature Nomad Burrito, Avocado Caprese

⊲

European Vibe: Heidelberg in Cocoa Beach Lunch menu items pictured: Specialty Beer and Baked Brie & Salmon Crepes

NOTE: Some of the establishments listed here may be closed or have limited/restricted hours and accessibility due to the Coronavirus. Please call the establishment directly to learn more.

M AY/ JUN E 2020: 27

Mexican Munchies: Señor Loco Tacos and Tequila in Indian Harbour Beach

⊲

Pictured: Margarita & Steak Fajitas - Lunch Special ⊲

I Dream of India: ⊲ Taste of India in Cocoa Beach Pictured: Lunch Buffet & Dinner Menu Items

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2020!

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M AY/ JUN E 2020: 29

Once Upon a Theme Park Universal's Volcano Bay

Article and Photography by Jess Mack, Columnist Website: jessamack.com | Instagram: @jessamack_

ummer break is quickly approaching and that means it’s time to start planning for a dip in a nearby water park!

Central Florida has its share of amazing water parks, but we’re going to dive deep into one of the area’s newest, Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park. Opened in 2017, Volcano Bay replaced Wet 'n Wild as Universal Orlando Resort's water park, and it was the first constructed by Universal itself, according to the company website. The park is themed around a 200-foot-tall volcano called "Krakatau," which rises high into the air in a stunning marvel of engineering and construction. On its own, the volcano is imposing and impressive. But the slides? They are just nuts. This isn’t a run of the mill, hang out and chill water park: the slides are intense and there is an action river, offering extreme options for thrill seekers of all ages. For those who want to chill, there is a lazy river and a gentle wave pool and beach, offering laid back venues where you can relax (or recover for a bit after the heart-pounding slides!) One of the more interesting aspects of this theme park is the “virtual line” feature called Tapu Tapu, which is a waterproof wristband used at various touch points around the park. You simply tap a touch point at a slide that you want to ride and you are magically – and virtually – placed in line. Then you keep having fun until your wait is up, when the band buzzes to let you know it’s time to head back to your ride on the slide. From this point, there is a 10-minute (or so) wait, but that’s a lot better than standing in the sun for 30 minutes (or more) making your way up the steps for a ride. Also much appreciated about the slides at Volcano Bay is not having to carry floatation tubes to the top of the stairs. Instead, every slide has a conveyor belt that ferries the tubes to the top for you. Less work, more play.

As of mid-May, theme parks across Central Florida remained closed. Please visit online to learn more about projected opening dates, hours, etc.

Take note about these slides: these are not your average water park attractions. In my opinion, they are all very intense, and super thrilling, but in the best way possible. And don’t be fooled: even the family raft slides are quite exciting.

Riding The star of the park is the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. It’s fast, fun and really long, unlike some other slide rides I’ve experienced. (If you’ve been on Crush 'n' Gusher at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, it’s like that but faster, longer and more fun!) For the two river options, there’s the “traditional” lazy river and the quicker-paced action river. The lazy river, Kopiko Wai Winding River, is a slow-moving, scenic tube ride pretty standard at water parks and large theme resort hotels, only this one floats you through the park’s signature volcano.

The action rides on the other hand, are at a whole other level. The Puihli of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides is a multi-person rafting ride that winds you through a dark, winding cavern, where you experience zero-gravity hang time and are dropped into the far side of an immense funnel, splashing your way to safety at the bottom. At the Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slide, trap doors plunge two guests down clear, intertwining tubes before sending them splashing into turquoise waters below. It’s a crazy rush and one of the most fun attractions at Volcano Bay. At the Ohno of Ohyah @ Ohno Drop Slides, thrill seekers cross a deep chasm, braving a rope bridge and sliding down a serpentine slide that ends six feet above the waiting pool.

Dining The food offered in Volcano bay is definitely the best quick service food in all of Universal. My suggestions are the tacos from the Feasting Frog and the Jerk Shrimp Mac n Cheese from Whakawaiwai Eats. The park also has two main bars and plenty of snack options. One of my very favorite treats at Volcano Bay is the Waturi Fusion ice cream found at Koka Poroka kona ice cream shop. It’s so good, we have even contemplated visiting the park just to be able to order this. It’s a combination of four different flavors: banana, blue raspberry, orange and strawberry and is so delicious and refreshing that we’ve made sure to stop and pick some up on our way out of the park every time we’ve visited. Park hours change from time to time, and prices vary depending on group size, packages and amenities. For more information, including details on park events, times and costs, visit online at www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/ theme-parks/volcano-bay.

Beyond Brevard: Girls Weekend Getaway to Sunny Palm Beach Article by Katie McCarty Instagram: @sunshinestyleblog | Website: www.sunshinestyleblog.com

o me, nothing is more exciting than buying a new bikini, packing a bag and leaving it all behind to head out for a girl’s weekend trip. Every once in awhile, every girl deserves a little R&R and lucky for us, there are no shortages of cool places to visit within a few hour’s drive. For this trip, my friends and I chose Palm Beach for a quick visit. Busy season runs November through May, which makes the two-hour drive South even more exciting knowing you will basically get the town to yourself if you head down in the summer months. Palm Beach is full of luxury shopping, beautiful blooms, white sandy beaches and Katie McCarty and friends mouthwatering cuisine. It has been called the playground of the rich and famous and with celebrity homes there for Jimmy Buffet, Tiger Woods, Bill Gates and Donald Trump, we know that’s more than just a rumor.

Shop ‘til You Drop

In Palm Beach, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing a place to stay, but one of my personal favorites is The Colony Palm Beach (www.thecolonypalmbeach.com). It’s a large pink number that was originally erected in 1947, is filled with Old Florida charm, and within walking distance to the beach and the shopper’s haven known as Worth Avenue.

Palm Beach is filled with shopping for every budget. On Worth Avenue, you will find world-famous luxury boutiques and stores such as the Lilly Pulitzer flagship store, Chanel, Gucci, J. Mclaughlin, Neiman Marcus and so may more! The redesigned Royal Poinciana Plaza is another must visit, filled with fresh blooms and a garden-party vibe. Be sure to take note of the black and white checked floor! They have unique stores like Stoney Clover Lane that offers customizable lifestyle and travel accessories, Cynthia Rowley and Alice + Olivia.

A few other popular resorts include the iconic Breakers Hotel, Eau Palm Beach and the Brazilian Court Hotel. If you are travelling with a large number of girls, and want more space and privacy, try an online lodging site (such as Airbnb) to select the amenities and location best suited for your party.

Other worthwhile stops include The Skinny Dip – filled with unique and emerging designers; Rosemary Square for more budget-friendly shopping; Northwood Village – trendy shops and hip boutiques that feature original art; and N. and S. County Road – where you’ll find a slew of unique shops and boutiques with a local vibe.

Where to Stay in Paradise

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Cultural and Architectural Immersion A proper girl’s trip is not complete without a bike ride along Lake Trail with views of Lake Worth lagoon and the opulent lake-front mansions. Another must-visit is the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, featuring Whitehall, a 75-room Gilded Age mansion filled with history and charm. If you’re an active group, there are a number of fun activities to round out your visit including snorkeling the Blue Heron Bridge, a boat ride to Peanut Island, late night clubbing and dancing at Cucina Palm Beach, touring the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse or visiting manatees at Manatee Lagoon!

Let’s Eat One of my favorite ways to really get to know a new destination is to sample a variety of restaurants and cafés. Breakfast at one, lunch at another and dinner at yet another. If you plan ahead, you can sample a few really great places recommended by locals by reading reviews on restaurant apps such as www.opentable.com or www. tripadvisor.com. One place we about died over on our recent trip is the Grandview Market on Clare Avenue in the warehouse district. Part chef/restaurant incubator, part indoor industrial food hall with live entertainment and a variety of vendor food options – from super fancy to super simple – this place is packed with indoor and outdoor seating and a covered patio that is dog friendly. Other tantalizing options include Surfside Diner for breakfast, Pizza al Fresco or Café Flora (located behind Lilly Pulitzer) for lunch, cocktails at the Breakers, and Buccan or Cucina for dinner. And take it from us, Sloan’s Ice Cream is a sure bet to end the night on a sweet note. NOTE: Many of the establishments listed above may be closed or have limited/ restricted hours and accessibility due to the Coronavirus. Please call or check online before making any plans. Top: Henry Morrison Flagler Museum Middle: Lake Worth Bottom: Worth Avenue

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Rafting down the Lazy, Lovely Ginnie Springs Tips for Enjoying Florida's Beautiful Spring-Fed Waters Article by Amy Gilbride Facebook: The Florida Travel Girl | Instagram: @thefloridatravelgirl | Website: www.thefloridatravelgirl.com

ne of the best aspects of living in Florida is exploring the varied and unique environments around us: from white sandy beaches to the swamps of the Everglades to crystalclear freshwater springs, this state has so many opportunities to get in touch and up close with nature. With over 700 springs to choose from, figuring out which one to visit could be daunting. Ginnie Springs – a little more than a 3-hour drive northwest of Melbourne – is one that delivers beautiful surroundings and an unforgettable experience. I recently took a weekend trip there and wanted to share some tips and anecdotes for Space Coast residents making the drive. Ginnie Springs is located in North Florida, less than an hour from Gainesville. If you are not into camping, I recommend staying in town near the college. This way, you can try some of the local favorites, like First Magnitude Brewery and the famous pizza spot, Satchel’s. Whether you are camping or just spending the day, I recommend arriving at Ginnie Springs early, especially if it’s a summer weekend. The park opens at 8 AM but arriving earlier will help you avoid the long line for admission. Entry to this privately-managed park are $14 for adults spending the day, and $22 for adult campers. (Discounts are available to both kids and seniors.) The main appeal of Ginnie Springs is a float down the Santa Fe River. This is your chance to experience a lazy river as it was meant to be – in all of nature’s splendor and so much better than a water park! When we visited, we parked as close as we could to Beaver Landing and then enjoyed the hour-long float down to the Twin Spring exit. It’s only about a fifteen-minute walk back to the car and we were able to float down three times before the afternoon clouds arrived! Most people bring tubes for floating, although you can rent them at the General Store. There is a free air station for inflating tubes, but the lines can get pretty long. I recommend bringing a pump that you can plug into your car to blow up the floats. Make sure you test it beforehand to avoid the hassle we experienced: realizing ours was broken when we got there, leaving us no choice but to queue up for the air station.

Photo provided by Amy Gilbride

You can easily make a day out of floating down the Santa Fe. There’s plenty to see – from the abundant wildlife, to towering Cypress trees, to day trippers jumping off ropes into the Springs – you’ll enjoy a bit of everything that makes Florida wild and wonderful. We packed a picnic lunch to eat in between rides down the river and a floating cooler for drinks during the float. There are options for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding on the river with available rentals, or you can bring your own. Cave diving and camping also can be booked at the Springs. Costs vary so check the website before you go for details and requirements. Other fun activities include snorkeling and scuba diving. The main river is not always very clear, but there are sections of the river perfect for seeing everything from fish to fossils! We swam around in the Devil’s Ear spot and, although it was freezing, the water was beautifully clear! Regardless of how you spend your time at Ginnie Springs, it is definitely one of the most unique experiences you can have in Florida! It does get very crowded and a bit rowdy in the summer, but that’s because it’s the only place around for a refreshing and leisurely float! Eco-tourists into paddling or scuba diving may want to stick to the off-season for optimal nature viewing. For everyone else, plan a trip during the warm summer months for a true Florida experience! www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com M AY/ JUN E 2020: 35

Space Coast Moms 36 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

hen my mother had the first of us, a baby boy, she was just 19 years old. A baby herself, mostly. By the time she finished having all five of us, she was 36. In between, there would be three more boys – one profoundly retarded – and me. She made it look easy, managing five kids, a dog or two, and international assignments following my dad around the globe through his Army career. She never went to college but was smarter than most anyone I’ve ever met. Her worldview was centered around providing for – and protecting – her family, her kids, and her marriage. There were moments when it was all so obviously exhausting. Sometimes, in the middle of the day, she’d fall asleep standing over laundry she was folding. Sometimes, she lost her temper. Sometimes, she cried. But she never complained. Motherhood was, she often said, the best job she never got paid to do. As I began thinking of how to honor moms in what was to be our May monthly issue, I began thinking of all the different ways my mother, my mom, my mommy, moved through life. Far from perfect, but so damn close, she was authentic, humble, kind and, most of all, human. Like my mom, the mothers we interviewed for this short series are authentic – they follow the voice inside that guides them towards tomorrow. Some have had it easier, some have weathered some difficult situations and loss. But each one exemplifies – to me – the uniqueness of motherhood: there is no one way, no best way, no right way, to do it. You learn most of it as you go. You make mistakes. You trip up. You get back up. You keep going. And, you fight: for your kid(s), for your place, for your voice, for your life. My mom is now 87 and in an assisted living facility in South Florida. Due to the advanced nature of her dementia, she doesn’t remember me or my brothers most of the time. But every once in a while – like on my last visit to see her before the quarantining began – a spark happens and I know she knows I’m there with her. An “I love you,” mouthed from a silent place in her heart brought my mom back to me. Just for a second. A moment later, she reached for my hand and held it as tight as she did when she crossed a street with me as a young girl. To all the moms out there who are doing their best to hold it together, keep heading for tomorrow.

Intro and Articles by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Article Photography by Jason Hook Facebook: Jason Hook Photography

Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

Additional photos provided by featured moms M AY/ JUN E 2020: 37

Beautiful Chaos

The Life of a Working Mom

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average, she sees 40-60 clients each week, filling time when she’s not with clients with administrative tasks, reporting and assisting other duties as needed. This working mom is in good company among other moms who work. According to information from the Pew Research Center in 2019, seven in 10 moms with kids younger than 18 were in the labor force in 2015, up from 47% in 1975. And, as in this case, in 46% of households with both a mother and father, both parents are employed full time. Lissette’s partner is a full-time software engineer. The clinic has been open about 18-months and has seen a steady increase of clientele during that time. Guerra is grateful for the flexibility of working so close to home and the ability to actively participate with each of her children’s lives. During the week, she heads home to feed and play with her son during lunch when time allows. She is blessed, she said, to have the full-time help of her partner’s mother, Kathryn McGovern, with the baby Monday through Friday.

ike most moms of young children, Lissette Guerra wishes she had a few precious moments more of sleep in the morning. “The alarm goes off, and I’m the one delaying it every five minutes until I can get myself moving,” she says with a shy grin. Once she’s up, she’s running. Her day typically begins between 5:30 and 5:45 in the morning with a quick coffee and small breakfast after a snuggle session with her 8-month old son, James. Her daughter Isabella, 9, and partner, Clint McGovern, sleep in a bit longer before their day together begins. Out the door an hour or so later, she makes the quick drive to the office she manages in Palm Bay for First Choice Orthopaedics and gets to work as Clinical Director and Physical Therapist. Most days, she is working with outpatient clients following surgical referrals, or helping with low back or neck pain, sport injuries, gait, balance, and sometimes, even vertigo. On

Later, after ending at the office around 4, she picks up Isabella from after-care and they spend the drive catching up on the day’s events. Once back home, Guerra heads straight to the bath for a quick shower – what she calls “me time” – and what all moms can relate to: a few quiet moments to get centered and regroup. This ritual helps her shift from working mode to “mommy mode,” and for the next four hours, she shares and divides time with her family as a whole, and with her partner and each child, individually. “We all try to sit together to eat dinner each night, and we work our schedule with prepared meals that Clint coordinates, or order take out when we need to,” she said. After dinner, she prepares James for bed and then spends time with Isabella in conversation or quiet play time. By 9:30 most nights, both kids are tucked in and, except for waking up to feed James, the night is done. If she’s not too exhausted, Lissette makes time for evening devotionals or, maybe, a little reading. Then the house goes quiet with sleep and dreams and rest and recharging. On the weekends, they shift time between activities for Isabella (soccer, roller skating, books, board games, and walking their Pomsky puppy) and family time together. Sometimes, Lissette admits, “we don’t schedule anything at all,” instead opting to stay home together and chill out, doing a whole lot of nothing, or spending time at the community pool. Also on the weekends, Guerra’s parents chip in, offering to sit for the kids so that Lissette and Clint can have alone time together for a dinner, or maybe a movie, or even a laundry date. “Everything follows a basic routine and it works for us,” she said. Quoting from a friend, she adds, “It’s beautifully chaotic,” and, “I wouldn’t change a thing about it.” M AY/ JUN E 2020: 39

Tina Lange A Mom Fighting for other Moms

he hard parts of her story have been softened by time and understanding that can only come from deep reflection and intense therapy. And, in the retelling of what she remembers. “So much of it feels like a dream. There are parts I just can’t recall,” said Tina Lange, who suffered from Postpartum Depression in 2004 after the birth of her first child, a girl named Samantha. Tina said she doesn’t remember why or when she started feeling poorly after Sam’s arrival, but the anguish was undeniable: “I felt awful, like I couldn’t be a good mom. I was afraid to hold her, to touch her, to be near her,” she said, straining to hold back tears. Like many women who’ve gone before her, Lange was suffering silently. She says she cried at doctor’s 40 : S PAC E COA ST L IV I N G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

appointments, at baby checkups and, often, randomly. She was told that her husband (they have since divorced) even put a call into her doctor’s office to express concern. But no information was shared about Postpartum Depression, which affects as many as 1 in 7 women of childbearing age. (In Brevard, that could mean as many as 12,000 women have or will experience this mental health issue annually after childbirth.) After about four months, Lange recalls starting to feel “more back to my old self, brighter.” But the damage to her marriage was insurmountable, despite the later arrival of a healthy son and many hours of marriage therapy. “I knew that our marriage had changed and I wanted so much to make it work,” she said. But, eventually she and her partner realized there was no turning back. Tina wonders out loud if having access to services that would have specifically addressed her depression and anxiety might have helped. Now, thanks to her tireless efforts, moms in Brevard won’t ever have to wonder the same thing.

Fighting for Moms In 2018, Tina and a group of female friends who also had suffered postpartum depression got not-for-profit classification for the Postpartum Support Network from

the Internal Revenue Service. The women who make up the board today are professional, working moms who have either personally experienced, or understand the crippling effects of, post-birth depression and anxiety. (Full disclosure, I am involved with this organization and have recorded a video about my experience, which can be accessed online at https://postpartumsupportnetwork.org/ videos) The organization launched publicly during the first week of May 2019 — kicking off during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week — and immediately began helping local moms access the services they need to address and heal from postpartum depression. Through an extensive list of community contacts, Tina has assembled a network of nurse practitioners, mental health providers and postpartum doulas who all pledge services (some at reduced fees and even pro-bono services) to be part of the network. Tina is the point person, fielding calls from moms in crisis, checking on their insurance coverage, and following up on referrals. Additionally, she provides materials to the Department of Health, hospitals and other organizations assisting women and children in the community, educating them on the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, and where to turn for help. During the six months that the organization operated in 2019, more than $5,500 was raised to provide direct support and therapy services to 27 women. This year, Tina anticipates being able to help around 100 local moms. Aside from helping moms in need, growing the network by adding providers who “touch” moms and babies in the weeks and months after birth is a priority. “We need the Ob/Gyns, Mental Health Providers and even Pediatricians to all be aware of how prevalent this is and to be trained to recognize the symptoms; We need them to ask moms, even moms who have had a second or third or fourth child, ‘How are you feeling? How is it going?’” Tina is also working to encourage obstetric doctors in Brevard to adopt the peer-reviewed Edinburgh screening for postpartum depression (called the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale). The simple, 10-question screening helps identify patients at risk for “perinatal” depression with questions that measure feelings, physical symptoms and thoughts of self-harm. Mothers who score high on the screening are likely to be referred further for clinical assessment, therapy and treatment. Or, they can be referred to Tina and the Postpartum Support Network, who will make sure they get the treatment they need, regardless of their ability to pay. “Every woman who comes to us will receive services that can help them,” she said. If the women are not covered by insurance, scholarships (paid for through crowd sourcing and funding drives) cover crisis treatment. In between taking those calls to help moms in need, Tina works full time as a Real Estate agent for Cloud 9 Real Estate Group and balances work with time with her happy, healthy

kids. Samantha is a beautiful young teenager, learning to drive and helping mom with social media tasks. Alex is a doe-eyed preteen with a mop of hair who loves to watch Star Wars movies and play Rummy with his mom. Often, the three will share time together playing board games, creating art projects or snuggling up on the couch with their pug for movie nights. Tina feels lucky that she was able to move through the darkness of postpartum depression and is now in a position to create a safe space for other moms who might be wading into those waters. “I want every mom to know that if they are feeling bad, or depressed, or afraid, that they are not alone and they should feel free to seek help – to tell someone they love that they need help,” she said. Or they can call Tina directly at the Postpartum Support Network and she will pick up the phone to calm, relate, encourage and guide moms to the services that will help them learn to cope with and come through postpartum depression. To learn if you are experiencing postpartum depression, call (321) 223-1013 or visit online at www.postpartumsupportnetwork.org

Kelly Collazo Camirand Empty Nester Mom Considers Next Phase 42: S PAC E COA ST L IV I N G | S PACECOAST L I V I N G .CO M

“I’m not joking, I never even thought about it. After he graduated from Melbourne Central Catholic, we had two weeks before he headed up Tusculum University (in Tennessee),” she said. Joaquin, former left-handed quarterback at the school, was recruited on a full scholarship and began his first year as a red-shirt freshman. The first few months were the worst, she recalled, with the two family pups heading to Joaquin’s room each morning to look for him. Many friends, close and not so close ones, would call to check on her - concerned for how she was coping with her only son being out of the house. Kelly said the home she had shared with her son and his stepdad Eric felt too large and had too many memories, so they sold their beachside residence to relocate inland. In the beginning, Kelly said she was traveling every chance she could to see Joaquin in Tennessee, whether to cheer at the football games or just squeeze in some precious moments with her boy. After cycling into a new normal, though, she recalls thinking 'What’s next for me?' Like many parents with kids heading off to college or other adventures after high school, Kelly was in the throes of empty nest syndrome. It’s a common occurrence among parents, and though not a clinical diagnosis, can lead to anxiety, loss of purpose and stress. Finding a path forward, many parents head back to the work force or reinvent themselves, personally, or professionally. For Kelly, that meant taking stock of where she was and what she wanted. After scaling back from successful stints in marketing, radio and PR to take part in the last few years of her son’s life at home, Kelly has slowly and thoughtfully started to accept new clients into her business, Executive & Healthcare Promotions, which she launched when Joaquin was much younger. “I’d work from morning until school release, pick him up from school, be a mom from 2-9 pm (or later as he grew), and then jump onto the computer while he slept to do paperwork or write or follow up with clients by email,” she said.

elly Collazo Camirand mists up a bit thinking back on the past 20 years. “It’s all flashed by so quickly, especially the last two

or three,” she said, recalling the routines and scheduling, shopping and prepping, doctor’s appointments, emergency room visits, girlfriends, field trips, tutors and classrooms that any working parent can identify with. When Kelly’s only child Joaquin, a handsome young man with ginger-colored hair, broad shoulders and a “chill” disposition headed off to college two years ago, Kelly said she really wasn’t prepared.

Now, in between daily texts to her son and visits up to see him, Kelly works with clients such as physicians groups and financial planners – and credits helping successfully launch Katie Jacobus’ campaign for Judge of the 18th District Court. She’s also examining reentry into radio, hoping to build back up the successful audience she had grown doing live prep sports announcing for ESPN for five years on 95.9FM, as well as looking to launch podcasts and writing projects. “I’m comfortable with how things are going for Joaquin (often also referred to as “The Dream” by Kelly and close friends and family), noting that he was the best – the very best project – she’s ever taken on. She knows her work is not done yet, but for now, she’s content to stand by (or “sidebar,” as she jokingly calls it), at the ready for when he needs her next. M AY/ JUN E 2020: 43

Bobbie Dyer

A Grieving Mom finds Hope through Loss

obbie Dyer was getting ready to sit down to dinner with a dear family friend on a summer night in 2019 when the police showed up. She opened the front door with an easy smile, assuming they were following up on a neighborhood watch issue, or something like that. She had every reason to not suspect something was wrong. She had spent time with her son, Spencer Hertrich Pacheco, just three days earlier and he was in a good place, asking to borrow her car for a trip to Port St. Lucie to attend his brother’s graduation. Work at her mortgage company, Dyer Mortgage, was going very well. Everything seemed to be in its place. The police were polite, but they did not have good news. Spencer was dead, at 28, the victim of an apparent accidental overdose. The earth swallowed her, confusion and grief and disbelief conjoining to take her breath and slow her blood pressure. She fainted, falling to the floor of the beautiful home on Riverside Drive that she had shared with her only child, her beautiful boy. Spencer.

What she found out in the days after would both anger her and spur her to action to help other young people in the area. She knew Spencer had struggled on and off throughout his young years with anxiety and depression. He got help when he needed it and seemed to be moving into a particularly positive phase: he was dating, planning a trip with his mom to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and doing well at his job as Assistant Kitchen Manager at Charlie & Jakes BBQ in Indian Harbour Beach. But that was the outside of Spencer. Inside, he was struggling and trying to find help. Dyer said that after he passed, she read through records left behind in his apartment that he had attempted to gain admission to multiple emergency mental health providers, but was denied due to lack of space and funding. “I knew he self-medicated when he was depressed,” she said, referring to the pills he would sometimes take to help numb the pain. “But he seemed to be doing just fine, so I wasn’t even thinking this could be a problem.”

The very week that Spencer died in his mother’s car from cocaine laced with fentanyl, three other young people in Brevard overdosed from the same batch of the tainted drug. “It was surreal, and so pointless. He made a really bad choice, but he shouldn’t have had to pay with his life,” Bobbie said. Bobbie recalls the smart young man who loved history and was studying to become a history teacher. She recalls his sweet disposition and amazing work ethic and remembers being told – before his passing – by his bosses at Charlie & Jake’s about how hard he worked and how much he was admired. When parents hear these things, unsolicited, “it really makes an impression,” she said, “and made me proud. He was very giving, a hard worker and would help anyone. Friends went to him for advice and for help solving problems. He was incredibly smart and would easily help others. But… he could not (seem to) help himself.”

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though the lens of time. But nothing readies you for the loss of a child. There is no getting over or around that. Somehow, though, a silver lining has emerged from the dark cloud that enveloped Bobbie after Spencer’s death.

From Devastation to Hope

Spencer’s 23-year old half-brother, Charles Hertrich, has become another son to her. He’ll never replace Spencer, but it was only through losing one son that she was able to find the other. “I met him on the day of Spencer’s service – June 13, 2019, she said.” Since then, the two have spent time getting to know each other. Charles is a nurse in Port St. Lucie who comes up to visit Bobbie often. On a recent visit, she helped him negotiate the purchase of his first car. “I know this sounds strange to say, but I love him just like I loved my Spencer,” Bobbie said, noting that nothing will bring her son back, but having the love of Charles – and sharing her love with Charles – somehow has helped to smooth the sharp edges of the loss. “I call him my bonus son, and he calls me his bonus mom,” she said. “I am grateful for him in my life. He adored Spencer and, sometimes, he reminds me of Spencer so much.” Though the two came to know each other through unfathomable tragedy, they remain together forged as family, because “the two of us are the only ones what knows what it feels like to lose him.”

It has taken Bobbie time to learn to navigate the train of grief, which roars in and out of her mind at its own pace. She knows the memories help sustain her, like the time they spent two weeks at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and myriad other experiences both inside and outside of the country. “In his short life, he traveled to more than 20 countries,” she said, “and most of them were with me. He was just such a nice kid. A really nice kid, and he was doing so well,” she said.

Finding Purpose by Helping Others She has found purpose in her loss and is working to ensure that students who attend Florida Tech, of which she is a Trustee, will have access to mental health services for things like addiction, assault, and mental health struggles, whether or not they can afford to pay for it. In Spencer’s name, she has pledged $50,000 towards these efforts over the next five years. “I want to help eliminate the barriers and stigmas for mental health services for young people, so I’m starting with [students at] Florida Tech. This is a way I can honor my son and do some good to help others in his name,” she said. “There are things living is supposed to prepare you for,” she said, “like the loss of a parent,” which seems appropriate

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, including addiction, anxiety or depression, seek help through the National Alliance on Mental Illness by texting NAMI to 741741. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.

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n the house I grew up in, honor was in important concept: We were taught to honor commitments, to honor our God, to honor others. Truth was especially thus — the most honorable thing someone had to share with another was the truth.

My father was our professor, instilling these lessons learned from a life of hardscrabble beginnings that played out beautifully, he said, in the long view back over the reel of his life: A loving marriage that sustained over more than 60 years, five kids, multiple deployments to (and returns from) Korea and Viet Nam, with assignments all over the globe. A second career after retirement from the Army, dad served as the Director of Transportation for Miami Dade County schools, with (if I recall correctly) some 300 buses and 1,200 employees more than 50 years ago. Dad was loved by almost every single person he met. He was the stuff of movie legends, a combination of straight (and kind) words, met with piercing hazel eyes and an easy smile. He seemed to know his path from an early age and worked hard towards it: husband, father, officer, friend - there were the descriptions that mattered most to him. So many of the qualities I admired in my father have surfaced in this series of articles about Space Coast Dads. I don’t think I was conscious of it at the time, but it’s certainly obvious to me now, that I chose these men because they all had an intrinsic truth that resonated with me about my father: Brad was devoted to caring for his developmentally-disabled daughter for all the days of her life; my father, too, was devoted to my brother JJ who was born with Down syndrome and lived at home until he was 52. Matt is laying the foundation for businesses in Brevard to thrive and helping to create a better world for his children one day for their children. His development work engages across multiple industries and helps bring about employment and stability to the region. My father laid foundations in different ways, but his work was equally as important. At the end of the day, both men are helping others prosper, and that is a great measure of success. Dan is called to share the word of God through the sports ministry he serves; my father was a dedicated Christian who exemplified though his actions what it means to “walk the walk” as he ministered to his own young children and to the specially-abled adults who were peers of my brother as they transitioned from high school into an adult day program that my father helped develop and manage. Luis is a career military man who’s faced multiple deployments away from his kids; my dad, too, was career military and deployed to active duty combat a number of times. Interestingly, dad was a pilot to the types of machines that Luis is skilled at maintaining… small, small world, indeed. These Space Coast Dads are a small sample of the amazing men around us who are helping raise their children with love and a commitment to the future, and in turn are helping to forge our community with purpose and integrity. It is my distinct honor to share their stories with you.

Intro and Articles by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Article Photography by Jason Hook

Facebook: Jason Hook Photography | Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

Additional photos provided by featured dads

46 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

Space Coast Dads

M AY/ JUN E 2020: 47

Matt Williams

Developing a Thriving Community Article by Michelle Salyer 48: SPAC E COA ST L IV I N G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

s a child growing up in Melbourne, Matt Williams was fascinated by growth in the area. He watched his dad, Mike, founder of MH Williams Construction, raise building after building, and witnessed his dad’s passion for seeing a project through from start to finish. But what intrigued Matt the most was figuring out where the job originated. “Who was constructing these buildings and why did they choose to build there?” he wondered. That thought process led him to a career as a partner in the local commercial real estate development and investment firm, Matthew Development. “I love the process and vision it takes to see a street corner, empty tract of land or even an old building and then reimagine it for the betterment of the local economy and

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community,” Matt explained. “It is especially motivating when the community it benefits is where my wife and I were both raised and where we are now raising our family as well.” Matt and his wife, Christie Upton Williams, met in seventh grade as students at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy and graduated with the school’s second senior class in 2004. Holy Trinity’s Upper School, its second campus near the Pineda Causeway and U.S. Hwy 1, was completed in 2000, and with that expansion came high school athletics. Matt made history as Holy Trinity’s first-ever football quarterback. Matt and Christie weren’t high school sweethearts but stayed in touch over the years and began dating after college. After high school, Matt attended The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a B.S. in Economics with a major in Real Estate. He worked in real estate development in Tampa for many years before he and Christie returned to Melbourne in 2014.

meaningful for the couple to have their children and extended family together at the same school that they and their siblings attended – Matt’s siblings, Andrea and Michael Jr. Williams, and Christie’s siblings, Laura, Kate and David Upton all attended HT. Matt also met his business partner, Danny Renfro, there. “It’s important for us to have our children in an academicallychallenging environment that reflects Christian values, so Holy Trinity was the perfect fit,” Matt explained. “Sometimes it’s a bit surreal to go through several of the same traditions and activities as the parent rather than the student. I’ve loved taking them to a few football games!” Having little girls means “a lot of singing and dancing, cannon balls in the pool, jump rope and imaginary nail salons,” said the dad of two, but “the best part about being a dad is the unconditional love we share. Being a ‘daddy’ has been one of the most rewarding experiences I could ever imagine. Seeing the world from their eyes motivates me every day to be the best father and husband possible.” For Matt, part of being the best father possible means creating a thriving community for his children. His first project with Matthew Development was bringing Wawa to the corner of Pineda and Wickham, which raised the bar for convenience stores and delis throughout the county. His work will also bring a much-needed Publix to Indialantic this summer. “It is exciting and rewarding to have a hand in developing the Melbourne area. Major national brands want to open stores here and we are happy to help them. It is a true testament to the continued upward trajectory of our community. The future is bright for the Space Coast and I’m excited to be a part of this growth, while always keeping the heart of the community in mind.”

Today, the couple’s oldest daughter, Millie, is a rising first grader at Holy Trinity. Their youngest daughter, Rae, will join her big sister as a preschooler in 2022. Matt’s niece, Preston, is also a kindergartner at “HT”. It’s especially

“ Sometimes it’s a bit

surreal to go through several of the same traditions and activities as the parent rather than the student.

“ M AY/ JUN E 2020: 49

Dan Carter

Connecting Young Athletes to Faith

ince he was young boy, Dan Carter of Palm Bay has been surrounded by people of faith: his own father was a volunteer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – and he vividly recalls spending evenings with football players and other athletes from around the county, eating meals together and learning about “the love and messages of Christ,” delivered by youth pastors in the comfort of the family living room. Established in 1954, FCA focuses on serving local communities in the U.S. and abroad by “engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel,” according to the organization’s website. Locally, the FCA established a presence in Brevard in the 1970’s, but it wasn’t until 2004, when Dan took over as area director, that the organization began to establish a real foothold in the community.

Origins

Dan was born and raised in Brevard and played football for Palm Bay High School, where he was a three-year letterman and defensive captain on the 2000 6A State Championship team. After graduation, he attended the University of North Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, then on to Jones International University where he earned a Masters degree in Educational Leadership, culminating in a doctoral degree from the University of Central Florida in 2014, also in Educational Leadership. Returning to his high school Alma Matter, he served as an instructor of History and Law, and as defensive coordinator for varsity football and head track and field coach at Palm Bay High. Following administrative roles as an assistant principal for three years, Dan rethought his game plan and again was drawn to the mission of FCA.

Huddle Up

Dan now serves FCA full-time as Regional Director, helping to coordinate “huddles” among a field of 1,200 local coaches and athletes in Brevard, and an additional 3,000 athletes and coaches in Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Okeechobee counties. “Huddles are gatherings where we come together to share the Gospel through spoken word and song and [where we] offer support and fellowship to our athletes and coaches,” he said. Among the six counties, Dan estimates that more than 340 huddles are organized annually in a normal (not quarantined) year. You might say Dan is on the path of his father, in a march towards the Father, as he serves his own five children – as a father.

Family Man

When he and his wife Kate aren’t scrambling with the daily duties of homeschooling their tribe – son James, 5, and four daughters, Payton 11, Adison 10, Avery 8, and

Karis, 3 – they can be found serving other kids as youth ministers at First Baptist Church of Melbourne for 7th and 8th graders, and also as leaders of their church’s life group. When sports seasons are in full swing, as they again one day will be, Dan rallies his kids to be part of the FCA huddles. The FCA has branched from traditional high school sports, where it originated, to include other sports such as travel teams and localized league sports. “My ministry is to lead them [all] to the teaching of Jesus and to show them, through example and process, how to help others,” he said. To that end, his kids take part alongside older athletes, peers and coaches, especially during the summer months when FCA camps are offered for kids in grades 3-8. Wife Kate assists with coordinating and planning huddles as well, making for an encompassing family tradition that very likely will resonate with his young children the way it did with him. “I felt called to do more, and I feel so fortunate that I’m able to do this,” he said. To learn more about the FCA, visit online at https://www.fca.org.

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Brad Curtsinger Creating Pathways for Creativity

y the time the cycle of life had closed in on his daughter, Brad Curtsinger of Palm Bay had learned a thing or two.

His first child, a girl named Morgan, was born with a host of medical ailments so disjointed and misunderstood by medical professionals, and so unique to her, that her doctors called it “Morgan’s Disease,” he said. She was just shy of her 24th birthday when she passed in 2010. Developmentally restricted. Physically confined. Rationally unavailable. Completely reliant on Brad for food, care, exercise, mobility, and transportation. Imagine a 3-monthold baby in an adult body that cannot ask for help. 52 : SPAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

Brad was 21 years old, living in Kentucky and just about out of art school when Morgan came. A few years later, a healthy boy would arrive, Aaron.

start a new chapter in his life. Brad began working with adults with special abilities. He became the Program Coordinator for an art-centered adult day program.

There is no manual to prepare you for parenting a child like Morgan. She was non-verbal, non-ambulatory and incontinent. Morgan became the teacher and Brad and his wife, Amy Fernandez, trained as students learning her cues, moods, sounds and even dirty looks. She loved Disney theme parks and collected character pins which she displayed on her lanyards and wheelchair seatbelts.

Adaptive Techniques Born of Necessity

Totally devoted to her every need, they performed daily physical and occupational therapy so her muscles would not atrophy. Morgan was fed through a G-tube and required constant care in every aspect of life. Brad describes the care – something he would not trade for anything in the world – as all-encompassing: “One of us was always home with her, 24/7.” Art was his passion, but the responsibilities of raising children, one with mounting medical needs, forced a shift from his studies to a job at Ford Motor Company assembling cars. He never lost his love of art and managed to find sacred moments to nurture his love of ceramics. “I’d come home from working a night shift and spend one hour each day working with clay,” he said. It was a lifeline, a way to center his soul before the chores and responsibilities of caring for two young children rose up with the sun each day. He was determined to finish his art degree and eventually did so while raising his family and working at Ford. After 15 years in the auto industry, Brad left to spend more time with his children and his art. His experience dealing with therapists, teachers and Morgan provided him with unique insight that would

Brad managed an art gallery dedicated to the work of disabled adults and has over 25 years’ experience working with therapists in developing adaptive art projects, texture boards and quiet rooms. His work with physical and occupational therapists helped to fine tune art processes – think finger movements, shaping clay on a wheel, using fine motor skills to grip a paintbrush – as a way to satisfy therapy goals. “This population [of young adults] is so creative, they have wonderful ideas and are very expressive. The problem for them, often, is that so many decisions are made for them every day – out of necessity – that they don’t often get the chance to express themselves in the physical world.”

Helping to Nourish and Create

Developing adaptive techniques to create art became a passion for Brad and allowed him to become a translator of sorts for his students – he’d explain a project about a specific medium, say clay, or yarn, or canvas, then ask for input on how they wanted to proceed. “I wanted them to tell me what they wanted to create, rather than the other way around,” he said. Then he’d work with the student to make it happen, developing the processes, sourcing any additional materials and offering guidance, as well as formal instruction on the project. Every student received customized instruction. The results have been spectacular, but not just in the physical sense of creating art. “My students feel so proud about making art – about making decisions – about being allowed to choose. I want to offer a safe space for them to do this, to feel this sort of freedom,” he said.

Stray Dog Pottery Throughout the years, Brad has exhibited his ceramic art at juried and invitational art shows, to critical acclaim. He has been awarded multiple ribbons in the Fine Arts Ceramics division of the Kentucky State Fair, including several Blue Ribbon First Premium awards as well as the distinguished Purchase Award. In 2009, Brad was part of the Maker’s Mark 2009 “Mark of Great Art,” a juried exhibit and his works from that show are now on permanent exhibit in England. He has been a regular exhibitor in juried art shows that include the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair, the Butchertown Art Fair in Louisville, Art in Speed Park and Art on the Parish Green in Indiana. He is a juried member of the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts. Additionally, he has instructed students of all abilities locally as an instructor of Ceramics and as glaze technician at the Foosaner Art Museum, and as art instructor at the Promise in Brevard Creative Arts Center. For more information, please contact bradcurtsinger@yahoo.com.

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Luis Sanchez Serving Country and Family 54 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

here is one particular way of life that is very different from most others. Mostly. Not everything is different, but in some ways, nothing is really the same as when you’re the child of a career military servant. You move a lot. You change schools. You make and remake friends. You master new routines in a lineup of everchanging cities, every couple of years. You have to adapt. You learn to be flexible. This same is true, too, for the service member as Luis Sanchez, an Army helicopter mechanic, should know. At 17, he joined the Army and throughout his lifetime of service has weathered four long deployments: in 2006 for 15 months, in 2008 for 12 months, in 2011 for 12 months, and in 2013 for nine months Anytime a service member is called to duty, it’s difficult for the family members they leave behind. But this was certainly true in 2006, when Luis had to leave his son Titan, who was just three months old at the time.

Satellite Beach since 2017, after assignments in Hawaii, Texas, and Savannah. He was stationed in Savannah when he married his wife Tammy, who lived in Palm Bay and wanted to remain there for her kids to finish school. “I travelled back and forth until I got stationed [at Patrick] in 2017, [and then we] were all together again,” he said. Tammy and Luis share their lives with Jordin Sanchez (20), his adopted daughter from his current marriage, daughter Jaydin Ulp (16), and son Titan (14). “Jordin plays college soccer, so we try to watch or attend as many games as we can. Jaydin plays club soccer, so our weekdays and weekends are full of practices and games. Titan played baseball for two seasons and now runs track, so overall our daily schedule (is pretty hectic),” he said. To relax, the family uses travel time for quality time, discussing life and checking in with each other on the long car rides to and from meets and games. Other times, they bond by watching movies, swimming, playing board games or card games, and occasionally breaking out the old-school Wii device to sing, dance, and bowl together as a family. Luis knows that the sacrifices he’s made have been difficult at times for his family. But his goal is similar to that of so many men and women who’ve chosen to serve in the Armed Forces: to make the world a safer and better place for his children. “As much as I wanted to be with them, I had a job to do…I wanted to help make this world a better place for their future. “It’s a job I love, for a country I love, and one that has given me so much.”

By the time Luis returned from duty, his son was 18 months old. “The hardest part was missing everything that he did for those first 15 months and, intermittently, from June 2008 until around 2014, when I was able to see him every weekend” he said. In 2015, Titan reunited with his father to live with him full time. Until then, they stayed in touch as much as possible via phone and video chats when Luis was out of country, and kept up with each other in daily conversations when he was assigned to bases in the U.S. Luis remarried and has been stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in

M AY/J UN E 2020: 55

cover feature

ALPIZAR FAMILY LIVING A LEGACY OF SERVICE Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photography by Jason Hook Facebook: Jason Hook Photography | Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

he ripple effects of kindness, community service and giving back are easy to identify when you examine the personal and professional choices of O. John Alpizar, a noted Brevard County personal injury attorney, who came from modest beginnings. And, they spring forward through his four children and seven grandchildren, who deeply revere and greatly respect, the patriarch that leads the Alpizar family. John, as he is called by family and friends, was born in Key West to parents who journeyed from Cuba in the 1940’s and worked tirelessly to put food on the table and give their family access to a better life. Growing up in Key West was a marvelous adventure at times, but also a time for concentration and studies, as John worked his way through grade school and then high school, becoming the first in his family to graduate. The work ethic was ingrained. The drive was undeniable. But there was always time for giving back. “I learned that from my own father,” he said, about the importance of service to community and giving back to others. After graduating from college (another family first) with honors, John attended and graduated law school in Ohio before returning to Florida in 1978, deciding to start his career and plan for a family right here in Brevard County. His father also instilled the values of hard work and sacrifice for others, which has turned Alpizar Law into the leading personal injury law firm it is today. John recalls the story of his father coning from Cuba and arriving with 13 cents in his pocket and the clothes on his back. He worked tirelessly to build a life for his family, frequently working multiple jobs at once. This has resonated with John throughout his life and career. Those life lessons and characteristics have been at the center of John Alpizar building Brevard’s preeminent personal injury law firm specializing in car accidents, trucking accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, boating accidents and incidents that involve catastrophic injuries.

“Personal injury lawyers get a lot of jokes about them. But my ability to help so many people in their time of need after an accident or life tragedy is inspiring and fulfilling to me. What I can do for them makes a real difference. I walk through these difficult times in life with so many people looking to me for help and that bond has formed many lifelong relationships with my clients. That’s what’s heartwarming about what I do,” says John.

Family Ties

After John’s career was underway, four children would be welcomed into the Alpizar family —three boys and a girl — all born and raised in Brevard. They attended local schools, swam at our local beaches, played sports, went to church, and made lifelong connections growing up on the Space Coast. They also grew up listening to stories about their grandparent’s escape from Cuba with the rise of communism, settling in Key West, and witnessed firsthand a dedication and commitment to service through the actions of their parents. Two sons would follow their father’s footsteps into the legal profession. This is what has molded Alpizar Law not only into a highly regarded personal injury law firm, but also one of Brevard’s local business pillars for service and charity. “Both my parents instilled in us to be thankful and to extend opportunity wherever possible,” said son David Alpizar, a trial attorney and shareholder in the family law firm. Another son, Scott Alpizar, joined the firm as a trial attorney in 2017. As a team, the family has formed one of Florida’s most preeminent and professionally respected personal injury law firms. It’s no small coincidence that two of John’s sons wanted to work alongside their father. The respect and love are evident whenever either mentions or speaks about their dad. And vice-versa. “I can’t imagine any greater joy than having [them] come to the firm and work with me,” he said.

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(L to R) O. John Alpizar, David Alpizar and Scott Alpizar

When they are not working at the family business, they thoughtfully identify ways to help expand their joy of blessing others in the community on a wider scale. When asked to help, there are not many things the Alpizar family has said no to. For example, in 2013, Alpizar Law began sponsoring a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway to help families enjoy the holidays without the financial burden of having to buy a bird. Last year, they gave away more than 700 turkeys, and also benefitted a small local business where they purchased the birds. Since 2013, they have given away more than 3,000 turkeys. “This is one of the most heartwarming things we are able to do for families in the community,” said John Alpizar. Family members, including grandkids and spouses, along with staff from the firm and volunteers from the community, assist at the annual event, waving handmade signs to draw drivers into the firm parking lot off Palm Bay Road. The Palm Bay Police Department manages traffic and one big bird is provided to each family, served on a first come, first served basis. “We are always excited to host this event. With the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has caused to our local community, we are looking forward to once again helping hundreds of Brevard families enjoy Thanksgiving this year,” says John. Over the years, many efforts of service to the community have helped local charitable organizations including: ➢ John has established the O. John Alpizar Endowment with the Brevard County Bar Foundation, generously gifting seed and ongoing funding to allow the endowment to assist community organizations identified through board selection. Additionally, he has served as past President of the Brevard County Bar Association, past President of the Central Florida Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), founding partner of the Brevard Zoo, Board of Trustees for Bethany College, and Board of Directors at Florida Business Bank and Security National Bank. He has also served as a member of the Brevard Art Museum, Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce and Space Coast for Marine Conservation. ➢ David currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement Space Coast, Brevard County Bar Association, Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, Operation Hope and Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association. He is a past president of the Vassar B. Carlton Inns of Court and committee member for Young Life Space Coast, a nonprofit assisting youth in connecting with faith through fellowship, events and camps. David also is active in the Florida Bar Association, Florida Justice Association and is a member of the University of Florida Alumni Association. ➢ Scott is a member of the Harvard Alumni Association and has served as part of the interview process for local high school students seeking admission to Harvard University. He serves as President-Elect of the Brevard Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. He has been a member of Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court. 58 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

As a few examples, Alpizar Law has been proud supporters of: ➢ Operation Hope, which assists families and individuals with educational and support services and hosts Back to School and holiday drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas. ➢ Candlelighters of Brevard, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families by offering emotional support and financial assistance. ➢ Junior Achievement of Space Coast, which helps over 13,000 Brevard students each year connect with relevant learning and the importance of staying in school, building a bridge between what kids learn in the classroom to how it is applied in the real world. ➢ Brevard Zoo, family fun Halloween activities such as “Boo at the Zoo” to Jazzoo. ➢ Drive Alive, a public service program to encourage safe driving and the importance of following traffic rules and laws, was developed and sponsored by Alpizar Law for years in local schools, with both John and David serving as spokesmen for the project. ➢ Parent Teacher Organizations: Alpizar Law helped raise funds for the procurement of new playground equipment, computers and other technology items, as well as classroom needs and school supplies for area schools in need. ➢ Children's Home Society, which provides educational and counseling services to children and their families to help strengthen the family unit to help them attain lifelong self-sufficiency. Giving back to the community extends throughout the family. David’s wife, Rebecca, while helping raise two children, serves as Chair Elect of Children’s Home Society, on the Board of Directors at the Haven for Children, President of the Parent Teacher Alumni Organization for Satellite High School and Treasurer of the Scorpions Soccer Booster Club. She also served on the Event Committee for New Life Mission (formerly Brevard Rescue Mission) and is past committee member for YoungLife Space Coast and Past President for DeLaura Middle School PTO. John’s wife, Janna, is retired from Esquire Corporate Solutions where she served as National Vice President working with many Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies providing litigation support services. She is active in the fitness community, encouraging exercise and regularly attending Orange Theory Fitness in West Melbourne. Janna supports organizations including Candlelighters of Brevard, New Life Mission (formerly Brevard Rescue Mission),

Community Service

If you are blessed with the ability to change someone else’s circumstances for the better, never waste that gift. Service through love is one of the most powerful gifts from God.

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Brevard Humane Society, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and The Children's Hunger Project. Scott’s wife Jaime serves the Brevard community daily in her work as a registered nurse for Health First. She uses her dual bachelor degrees from Florida State University and the University of Central Florida to help care for the sick and vulnerable in the community. She began working on a neuro-trauma floor and currently travels between all four Health First hospitals as a resource nurse, serving in multiple capacities. Community service not only bonds the family to the community, but also helps give action to the belief that acts of giving create a ripple that returns good will as sure as it dispatches it. It is something that continues to be a family focus for future generations. “Part of being a parent is ensuring that your own children learn some of the lessons that you’ve learned. My parents instilled the importance of community and giving back, both with time and resources, to those that need it. There are a lot of wonderful organizations that truly help others in Brevard and it is important for my children to make sure they understand the joy of blessing others,” says David Alpizar, who has two daughters, ages 15 and 12.

Family Interests

Whenever time and circumstance and calendars align, the family spends time celebrating birthdays, milestones and holidays together. The Alpizars also enjoy traveling in their free time, whether together or with their individual families. “Growing up, we looked forward to a family trip each year, which allowed us to experience so many different cultures and customs. This is something that I have looked forward to experiencing with my own family,” says David Alpizar, while reminiscing about a trip with his family to Europe last summer. When the weather allows it, John and his sons are enthusiastic boaters, heading offshore to the deep seas to fish whenever possible. In the sunlight, bright blue waters surrounding them, there is both peace and purpose. “In December 2018, we had a boy's fishing trip with my father and two brothers to Tropic Star Lodge in Panama,” says Scott Alpizar who is already looking forward to the next fishing trip. This, perhaps, is the most sacred of time among the father and sons who are living a legacy of service: to family, to community and to clients.

Alpizar Law Trial Attorneys is located at 1528 Palm Bay Road, NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905. For more information, call 321-549-7903 or visit online at www.alpizarlaw.com

Photos provided by Alpizar Family

M AY/ JUN E 2020: 59

Something Special for Dad: An elegant cheese pairing with GlenDronach Single Malt Scotch By Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher

ere’s a different idea for a Father’s Day gift with panache: a cheese and whisky pairing. An elevation to the wine and cheese pairing familiar to many in the foodie realm, I was unsure and unsettled about pairing whisky with anything other than, maybe, a splash of water or a cube of ice. But then I tried GlenDronach “Allardice” 18-year-old Highland Single Malt Scotch with Gorgonzola – and, just like that, I was a convert. The Allardice is matured in Oloroso (sherry) casks imported from Spain. The nutty, caramelly taste was evident and – matched with the cheese, a marbled blue cheese that was creamy and velvety – there also was a sweet, buttery flavor that somehow managed both to complement and tame the robust, pungent bite of the cheese. Cost for the 18-year old (from $149) may prohibit regular gifting, but for the man of the house on a once a year cycle, we feel it’s worth the splurge – a special drink for a special man: dear ol’ dad (or dear ol’ granddad). A little lower on the pricing scale (about $60) from GlenDronach is the 12-year-old Original Highland Single Malt Scotch. This was paired with a Dubliner cheese, a cow’s milk version similar to Cheddar but with the buttery richness of a Parmigiano and holy tastebuds, this was oh-so-good! Flavor notes from this whisky included walnuts, a bit of oak and some dark chocolate.

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home & garden

Here Comes the Rain Again:

Prep for Florida’s Rainy Season

By Amanda Rose Newton, Rockledge Gardens | Website: www.rockledgegardens.com

fternoon showers are part of the everyday routine for most summer days in Florida.

Aside from being prepared with an umbrella at the ready, there are a few steps you can take to make sure your yards are also rainy-season-ready in the wettest months of May through October. Especially for new yard and lawn afficianados (homeowner and renters, alike), Brevard county ordinance restricts the amount of phosphates, nitrogen, and applications allowed in your landscape as a barrier of protection to our waterways. In fact, all counties surrounding the Indian River Lagoon watershed have similar rules in effect. So, what does this mean for you? • Rainy season ban runs June 1st to September 30th for nitrogen and phosphorous • No phosphorus is allowed year-round UNLESS you have a soil test proving need • Only slow-release fertilizers with a 50% or less nitrogen content is allowed • No fertilizing 10 feet from all bodies of water • The limits vary slightly by grass type • No grass clipping permitted on impervious surfaces • No fertilizing permitted when heavy rain in the forecast • All fertilizer providers/applicators must be trained in Green Industry Best Practices • Penalties may be assessed for noncompliance To get ahead of the ban, consider the following tips to maintain year-round compliance and also to reduce the overall time spent managing your yard, giving you more time to actually enjoy it!

Reduce Runoff Florida’s porous, sandy, flat composition invites runoff. Heavy rains easily wash excess water, nutrients, and pesticide/herbicides from the soil straight to impervious surfaces and right into our waterways. The heavy rains also mean estuaries, lakes, ponds, and streams are especially sensitive to pollutants; even slight change can negatively affect these delicate ecosystems. Taking the time to consider plant choices, application rates, and properly controlling pests and disease, will ensure you are doing your part in keeping our waterways healthy.

Choose Appropriate Plants Native and well-adapted non-invasives will create beauty, add shade, and provide food and shelter for wildlife while helping to control erosion. The latter is especially key in helping to reduce the amount of runoff making its way to the lagoon, as a layer of plants helps buffer leaching from the soil. Starting with groundcovers is a great way to mitigate runoff reduction. In addition, good groundcover also reduces noise, erosion, temperatures, and limits the amount of impervious surfaces, creating a buffer that gives time for soil microbes to break down water contaminants and pollutants. Consider replacing your fertilizer-loving lawn with a native or Florida-friendly groundcover; but if you are not ready to part with your bright green lawn, no worries! There are several techniques that are environmentally friendly and keep your grass looking lush and full.

Go Low on the Mow One of the easiest ways to improve the health of your lawn is to increase your mow height. This simple exercise increases the vigor of your grass as constant cuts cause stress which invites in disease, fungi, and pests. The healthier your grass is, the less likely you will need to use fertilizers or pesticides, reducing your total impact. The same applies with pruning your large trees and shrubs. Pruning smartly and removing needed branches encourages healthy growth and flourishing plants. Be sure to time your pruning with seasonal temperatures in mind.

Understand Fertilizers For many, deciphering the information on fertilizer bags is an unwanted extra chore. To keep it simple, look for the three big numbers on the front of the bag: nitrogen (29), phosphorous (0) and potassium (5), which are the nutrients your plants need most for good health. Florida soil very rarely needs phosphorus (the middle number on the bag), and it is advised you obtain a soil test first. To add a safe, natural fertilizer that will increase the resiliency of your plant, liquid seaweed is a great alternative that contains no phosphorus.

Properly Prep Your Palms You will find that palms are one of the few landscape plants that need a separate fertilizer due to their love of micronutrients. Applying a well-balanced, slow release palm food during the nonrainy months should be adequate to keep them those fronds looking healthy and lush. Remember to fertilize only when nutritional deficiencies are presenting in your landscape. Both the county agricultural extension office in Cocoa as well as Rockledge Gardens on US 1 offer services to help correctly identify deficiencies and provide suggestions on how to properly manage plant and lawn care.

Dodging raindrops in Florida is proper sport, no matter how you manage it – or what you wear when you’re trying. Here’s a few fun and classic pieces to consider for the dash from the car or the trod to preschool and what might be both the coolest and geekiest umbrella ever.

Practice Integrated Pest Management The easiest way to limit the amount of pesticides and herbicides you need to use annually is to reduce your pests. And, though it may be difficult to keep pests off your plants all the time, you can learn how to best manage them to keep your yard, family, and environment healthy. Simple steps such as selecting vigorous plants, spacing to allow maximum air flow, removing dead material, and following correct water guidelines will help make your foliage less appealing to pests. Make sure to take advantage of natural controls such as citrus oil-based weed killer, pheromone traps, sticky traps, and horticultural oils and soaps. If you do need to use a harsher chemical, be sure to apply the lowest recommended amount and perform several applications over a period of weeks. Monitoring the pests that persist season to season can also be effective in crafting your battle plan in upcoming years. Finally, accepting imperfection in your yard and treating only when you need to is perhaps the easiest step to instantly increase the environmentally-friendly factor of your yard.

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Enjoy Your Lawn If you follow these suggestions, your landscape will be both rainy-season compliant and lagoon-friendly year ‘round. If you still need clarification on which laws apply to your yard in your part of the county, check out www.befloridiannow.org, which provides region-specific regulations as well as Florida-friendly plant choices and growing tips.

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More than Almost Paradise

Playful Plumerias & Tropical Leis By Amanda Rose Newton, Rockledge Gardens Website: www.rockledgegardens.com

f this quarantine has you dreaming of a getaway, you can bring a bit of tropical paradise home by planting plumeria – the classic flowering tree that evokes visions of hula dancers, cocktails, and ukuleles on warm Hawaiian sands. But you don’t need to go that far to get that vibe.

If you plant it correctly – and soon – you will be enjoying the fragrant flowers throughout the summer. And, as if you need more reasons to love plumeria, here’s two: they are simple to care for and are easy to propagate from simple stem cuttings.

Celebrating a Tropical Heritage

Plumeria, or Frangipani (Plumeria rubra), is a small flowering tree known for its beautiful, fragrant flowers and peculiar sausage-like branching habit. Though associated with luaus and the Polynesian Islands, it is native to Mexico and the Caribbean. Typically, this compact tropical beauty does not require a large backyard – even a large pot can accommodate its growth. And bonuses! Plumeria thrive even with the presence of salt in the sea breeze, and is drought-tolerant, meaning it can go for long periods of time without water. If you love the look of plumeria but feel it’s still a bit too large for you, check out its petite cousin, the Bridal Bouquet (Plumeria pudica), which is more compact and produces white flowers. As the name suggests, this variety of plumeria is used to create the ceremonial lei for the bride on her special day.

Making the Cut: Propagating from Stem Cuttings

During the next few months, brilliant clusters of yellow, pink, orange, red and white plumeria flowers are going to be on full display here, signaling the perfect time to grow your own. If you are interested in growing your own plumeria, you may find them at open nurseries and home stores for purchase, or you can order online (www.etsy.com has more than a few options). Have a friend or neighbor with a beautiful tree? Ask them for a stem cutting or two. The spring and summer

months are the perfect time to take cuttings from a plumeria as the warm, moist weather prompts healthy growth. It doesn’t make a difference where you cut to start your cutting along a branch, as long as your pruners are sharp and clean. Use your pruners to make a downward angle cut to reduce the likelihood of introducing rot to the naked end. As easy as plumeria are to care for, they do tend to be prone to fungi, no matter the season. You can decrease the chances of introducing unwanted fungus by sterilizing your pruners and removing leaves from the plant in the late fall that have orange colored rust spots on their backsides. To successfully prepare a cutting, you must allow it to completely dry out over a period of a day or two, the latter a safer move. A moist cutting is just asking for fungi (rot) to move in, and that will not get things off to a great start. Next, remove all the leaves from the stem. This will entice the plant to start putting energy into making roots instead of leaves that are no longer useful. Using a smaller pot, 4 to 6 inches in diameter, makes it easier to gauge water needs, ensuring you don’t overwater the stem. For your potting soil, you can DIY your own blend of equal parts sand, perlite, and potting soil (I recommend Foxfarm Happy Frog), or you can use premade succulent soil with similar results. For optimal results, using a rooting hormone powder, such as Dip n’ Grow, can help get things started easier. Simply dip your cutting into the solution, shaking off the excess before placing it into a premade hole formed by your fingers. Pack the soil around the stem until it is able to stand upright without support and water it in. Our swampy Florida conditions, the perfect mix of humidity and warm temperatures, will help the roots develop within two to four weeks of cutting. After that, you can move it to a bigger pot or plant it directly into your yard.

Stringing a Plumeria Lei This is a fun and easy project that delivers beautiful, fragrant results! All you need to get started are a few dozen flowers, kitchen twine, a large eyed sewing needle, and a free afternoon! If you’ve got kids at home looking for something to do, put them to work! With only five simple steps, this is an activity that everyone can get in on. • Measure out a long enough piece of twine to create a necklace that falls midway down your chest. • Collect the flowers and cut at the stems, leaving at least ¼ inch of stem intact. • Take a threaded needle and push through the stem at the back of the flower, up through the face of the flower, until the twine comes through. Most of the time, they will go on cleanly… however, there are always a few casualties that end up splitting so it’s a good idea to have extra on hand. For a full length 40” lei, around 50 medium flowers are needed. • Line them up nicely so they are all facing the same direction. Continue with the rest of your flowers, or until the end of the string is filled. • Tie off the ends of twine making sure the necklace can be placed around the wearer's head without untying. • Enjoy! Leis will stay looking fresh for two days. Enjoy your tropical lei, even if it’s more of an escape than a vacation! With our beautiful summer weather, the right tropical drink, and a classic plumeria lei, you might just find paradise is closer than you think.

M AY/ JUN E 2020: 65

Working with you and for you to find the best mortgage. After you’ve found your dream home, let Shelter Mortgage Company provide the dream loan. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to buy your next home, or refinancing, your satisfaction is our #1 priority. • Lots of options for low down payments on our Conventional, VA, USDA, FHA, and even Jumbo loans • Renovation Loans: Facilitate home improvements • Jumbo loans up to $3M • Construction-to-Permanent Financing • Qualify with Less-Than-Perfect Credit

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Home Decorating Innovation

from Blinds of All Kinds

Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photography by Jason Hook Facebook: Jason Hook Photography Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

f necessity is the mother of invention, then customer service must be the mother of intention. Since the news of the pandemic started sweeping through the country, there have been countless stories of new ideas, new technologies, adaptations, flexibilities and more across all types of industries. Applying these attempts to retail services, especially home decorating ones, has been challenging but these are challenging times, said Christine Brown, Sales Manager and Custom Drapery Designer at Blinds of All Kinds. Since 1983, Blinds of All Kinds has had a prominent walk-in showroom on Highway 1 in Rockledge that has welcomed DIY and professional home decorators to rooms full of custom drapes, shutters, blinds, Roman shades, designer fabrics, wallpaper and more. Showroom service is still offered, safely, on a sociallydistanced basis. Under quarantine guidelines the company is limiting showroom consults to two people at a time, with all employees wearing masks and customers offered masks for personal use at their appointment start time. 68 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PACECOAST L I V I N G .CO M

Keeping Up with the Times In further response to the pandemic, and in direct response to customer inquiries, Blinds of All Kinds has embarked on a new type of service: virtual consultations for clients sheltering at home. “We use Facetime and Google Duo to have our initial client interaction, which includes review of project scope, questions and a tour around a client’s site project (such as windows or doors for drapes, blinds or shutters),” she said. From there, Christine and her team write up “ballpark” recommendations based on that consultation and clientprovided measurements. Next, a consultant from the team is dispatched to the business or home to measure the project, collect a deposit and, once ready, schedule an installation date.

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Since the consult is done in real time, with a real person who knows the business side of things as well as the design side of things, a connection is made that does not always happen with an online sales platform, for example. Customers do not have to come into direct contact with the installer and can advise specific requests for safety and distancing, Brown said. So far, despite some appointment and installation cancellations due to the pandemic, Brown says the company is still managing to pay its employees and juggling a fairly busy work schedule. Staff is also keeping busy with a coronavirus response project after Blinds of All Kinds entered into a partnership to produce covers for the N95 safety masks used by healthcare and construction workers. (see Space Coast Business story in pp 32-33) Consumer Safety is No. 1 Priority Brown is confident that the virtual appointments will continue into the future, even when travel restrictions relax enough to allow businesses to fully open up again. Especially for older customers or homebound ones, this is a game changer that allows Blinds of All Kinds to compete more effectively against big box retailers and establish a more local, personal connection. Showrooms are hard to beat, though, due to the ability to see and touch fabrics and envision particular products in your space. To that end, Blinds of All Kinds is exploring options for developing a virtual show space that can offer clients options for viewing products in detail both texturally and mechanically, such as with their automated and smart blinds. “We are using technology to help our clients now in this unexpected situation,” she said, “and we know our industry needs more of a virtual presence, so we are considering something like [a virtual showroom] for down the road.” To learn more about Blinds of All Kinds, visit online at ww.blindsofallkinds.com or call (321) 632-2821 to schedule a live or virtual consultation.

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The Auction Option Luxury Real Estate Auctions Return to the Space Coast

hen it comes to marketing and selling luxury residential properties, there are two options. The first is the traditional real estate listing, an industry standard that most people use and are familiar with. The second is one that is being increasingly utilized around the country and, by and large, becoming the preferred method for moving luxury digs is the auction. It is with this second method, which links qualified buyers to motivated sellers who are seeking an efficient and expedient timeframe in which to sell, that Ellingson Properties of Rockledge is beginning to stand out.

Property Photos Provided by

Within the auction realm, there are likewise two approaches: An absolute auction â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the type Ellingson Properties most recently employed â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is an auction where the sale is awarded to the highest bidder. There is no minimum bid, nor is there a final price, so bidding continues until the auction closes. The seller has less control over the final price than in a reserve auction, where they can choose to accept or deny a final bid.

Headshots by Jason Hook

Because the final bid in a reserve auction wins the auction outright, absolute auctions are often used when there is immediate demand for

Article by Eric Wright, President Ellingson Properties

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the sale and when the property is considered unique or “high valued,” where the property price point may not be supported by the current local market conditions. There are many upsides to the sellers who chose an absolute auction. Since auctions require a minimum marketing timeframe, homeowners are guaranteed that the property will sell within 90 days, or less. In a slower market, this creates a sense of urgency among buyers and becomes an incentive for the home sales process. The seller controls the schedule of the home’s marketing plan, including all the terms and conditions (e.g., earnest money deposits, closing time frames, etc.). Greg Ellingson commented on why this option is attractive: “Value is created by demand, utility, scarcity and transferability. Without these in sync, ultimate value is not optimized. With the proper marketing and pressure, the demand is created, which gets our client the best result.”

From Months to Minutes

Auctions offer a degree of exclusivity within the market. Instead of a typical home listing, which is shown to potentially dozens of buyers in the market, an auctioned home is exclusively showcased throughout a web-based marketplace, providing maximum visibility among the target market. Since absolute auctions have no minimum bid, bidders may be able to purchase a property for a premium price, depending on the competition at each specific auction. Companies like Ellingson Properties have a well-established reputation for helping buyers evaluate a property, so the client can become an informed and confident bidder. Additionally, they have all the tools to help sellers understand the process and to analyze the value their property can command. The advantages of an absolute auction were recently demonstrated on a beautiful private estate property on South Tropical Trail in Merritt Island. In spite of the growing concerns over the coronavirus at the end of March, Realtor Jack Jeffcoat guided the process that led to a successful bidding experience that dropped the gavel just 15 minutes after the bidding started.

unprecedented,” he commented. The home had been listed for $2.3 million prior to the auction. “Someone really got a great deal today, Jeffcoat said, adding “The land value alone could easily be over $1.25 million. These types of properties only hit the market every decade and are a rare find.”

A Unique Choice for A Unique Property

The home has been described as ‘Art created with bricks & mortar.’ Beautifully situated on 220-feet of river to river waterfront, it was constructed in 2001 by custom home builder David Charroux and designed by award-winning Palm Beach architect, Raphael Saladrigas. The stunning, two-story home sits on a bluff at the end of a seashell-and-gravel driveway on a bountiful 3.41-acre lot, and boasts 3,700 sq. ft. of interior space, with three bedrooms, four baths, living room, dining room, and game room. Captivating views of the surrounding waterways can be enjoyed from nearly every room in the house. A luxurious West Indies design is featured throughout the home with the appointment of exotic wood and bamboo flooring. Like most sellers who chose this option, the owners of this tropical estate were highly motivated and did not want to wait while their home lingered on the market. Recently retired, the sellers were ready to move on to the next chapter in their lives.

Identifying and Meeting Client Needs

“Admittedly, an absolute auction of this type appeals to a smaller client population, but it is one in which traditional real estate techniques may not adequately serve our client best. As the popularity of the Space Coast’s unrivaled real estate options become known and appreciated, the demand will only increase.” This is another example of how Ellingson Properties is steadily evolving to meet client’s needs — by continually expanding their portfolio of customer-centric offerings, including Echelon Title Services, Echelon Real Estate Services and Echelon Builders. To Jeffcoat, auctions are a popular trend in other markets whose time has come in Brevard.

Jeffcoat, a Florida native who grew up in Key West and the son of a successful realtor, moved Brevard for both independence and opportunity. Since that time his agency, Jack Jeffcoat & Co., which operates under Ellingson Properties, has established a reputation for moving highend estate properties along with expertise in auctions in Orange and Brevard counties. This particular auction started precisely at 11am, with 16 registered bidders entering the process with a $25,000 cashier’s check as earnest payment. The bidding opened at $1 million, and, amazing as it may seem, by 11:15 am the property had been sold for $1.66 million. On a property of this caliber, even Jeffcoat was astonished at the briskness of the sale. “For 3.41 acres of land, featuring a 220 feet of river front to sell in under 15 minutes was

Jack Jeffcoat

Greg Ellingson

M AY/J UN E 2020: 71

Another advantage that Ernst said is especially compelling in these times is that customers do not have to deal with teams of people coming in and out of their home or business to assist with the move. “The MI-BOX system allows our clients to move at their convenience, using single contact moving from one space to another,” she said. Paramount to the business is the localized customer service that Ernst credits with helping her maintain a five-star rating for her business. The Ernst’s – including their four daughters – moved here from Madison, WI, a decade ago to operate another business and fell in love with Florida. They bought a house in Suntree and their kids all attend local schools here. “We love it here and we love being business owners here. When people call, they get someone local – we know the area and what’s around and what works – and that can help with alleviating some of the stress of moving,” she said.

MI-BOX

Striving to be a resource-driven business, MI-BOX also works with a host of local Owners John and Jennifer Ernst professionals, offering referrals for movingrelated professions such as home staging, real estate, remodeling and more.

Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photography by Jason Hook

Facebook: Jason Hook Photography Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

he recent pandemic may have stalled or stopped business operations across many cities in the U.S. and abroad, but not all plans have been abandoned: people are still retiring, houses are still being listed for sale, employees are still being relocated and families are still planning to move into the starter or bigger homes they closed on before the panic set in. And one business that can help all these folks out – with minimal interaction and indefinite storage options – is MI-BOX Moving and Mobile Storage. Located in Melbourne, the business caters to home and business owners, as well as customers with storage needs, said Jennifer Ernst, who owns the business with her husband John Ernst. The two decided to reinvest dividends from a business sale in 2018 and have been running MI-BOX ever since. The concept is simple and sound: MI-BOX delivers a storage unit to a home or business, allowing the customer to set the timing for (and duration of) the move. The self-storage units come in three sizes: 8-feet, 16-feet and 20-feet, and each unit is placed using a patented system that gently places containers on any surface in any weather that will not damage the resting surface or landscaping around it. (Instant quotes are available on the MI-BOX website at www.getmibox.com).

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Short- and long-term storage options abound at a dedicated facility out west of I95 on West Eau Gallie Blvd.

Packing Tips from MI-BOX:

To cover and protect items in storage, MI-BOX recommends the following considerations, among others. For a full list, visit online at www.getmibox.com General Packing Tips • Fill cartons to capacity: partially-filled or bulging cartons may tip over or collapse • Heavy items such as books or tools should be packed in smaller cartons so they are easier to handle. Books should be packed flat, not on their spines • Packing and labeling cartons room by room makes for easier unpacking • Label the sides and top of each carton so it is easy to see from any angle • Remove batteries to avoid damage from leakage Furniture • Empty the contents of wardrobes, drawers and cupboards • Clothing and personal goods should be packed in strong secure cartons • Where possible, remove the legs from items to save valuable packing space. • Vacuum food crumbs from couches and lounges to prevent attracting pests • Plastic covers or large bags should be used for couches and mattresses, and will keep them clean and dust-free Dishes and Glassware • Place a layer of packing paper inside the bottom and top of cartons containing breakables. Protect fragile items by individually wrapping in packing paper

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• Nestle cups and bowls, stand plates, saucers and casseroles on their edges • Fill gaps in cartons with packing paper, bubble-wrap or packing peanuts – this will help keep fragile items protected and prevent them from moving while in transit • Label all cartons containing fragile items and avoid storing heavy items on top of them Glass and Mirrors • These items should be protected by packing materials i.e. bubble-wrap or a flat-pack box, also known as mirror or picture box • Store mirrors and glass standing on their edges in an upright position • DO NOT lay them flat

• If you are unsure about your computer, refer to the manufacturer’s manual, or consult you retailer, especially if storing for longer periods of time. • If you are in any doubt, please carry these items with you and do NOT store them. Keep A List of Items: • Keep a copy inside the storage unit and one for your records • Add or delete items as they are added or removed from your storage box MI-BOX is located at 5101 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. For more information, call 321-500-4344, or visit online at www.getmibox.com.

Electrical Items • Original boxes are ideal to repack items in. • Wrapping items individually in bubble-wrap, packing them in cartons, and sealing them into cartons also offers excellent protection for electrical items. Computers: • The original boxes are highly recommended for packing • Bubble-wrap and good quality packing cartons will also do the job. • Remember to use some packing or linen in the bottom and top of cartons. This provides extra protection to the contents. • Pack any gaps securely.

M AY/J UN E 2020: 73

Preparing for Hurricane Season

G & G Roofing Offers Smart Options for Protecting Your Home Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photos provided by G & G Roofing

ith hurricane season in full swing through the end of November, contractors and roofers have been busy helping homeowners fortify and stabilize their homes and roofs in the midst of a global pandemic. According to news reports, 2020 could see as many as 16 named tropical storms, up from an average of 12. As many as eight are predicted to reach hurricane status, with winds greater than 74 mph. As many Floridians have found out the hard way, a stable roof can be key to mitigating massive damage and avoiding partial or complete loss of habitat. As distinct as the houses they may cover and protect, roofing styles abound – from shingle to barrel tile, to asphalt to metal options.

Protecting Homes, Valuables and Lives

The safest option for hurricane conditions is a metal roof, said Ray Smith, President and Owner of G & G Roofing Construction Inc., in Rockledge. Metal roof panels are overlapped and attached to the structure of the home or business, sheltering the home by reducing the ability of wind to catch onto or under the roof structure. 74 : SPAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

Before (above) and after (main) shots of new metal roof by G & G Roofing

By industry standards, most metal roofs are warrantied with defense against winds up to 140 mph. Additionally, they offer protection against other extreme weather events, including lightning/thunderstorms and hailstorms. The durability of metal roofs means they do not require the same level of maintenance, nor do they have many of the problems associated other roofing options – they will not rot, split, crack, dry out, chip, or warp. Metal roofs also are environmentally friendly, typically fashioned from recycled materials that can be again recycled at the end of its use.

Metal Roofing Options

The most commonly used material in metal roofs is Galvalume – a coated steel – that is not recommended for placement within 1,500 feet of saltwater due to its susceptibility to rust.

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The second most popular material used in metal roof systems is Aluminum, which lasts longer than steel and will not rust. Aluminum is recommended in coastal areas and but does cost more than steel.

Other Options

Shingle roofs are low maintenance, easier to patch and replace, and some of the newer asphalt tiles are rated for winds up to 130 mph. This could be a viable option for inland homes that are better buffeted against coastal winds, and certainly a more affordable one for budget-minded homeowners.

Roof Repair and Emergency Services

If you’re not financially able to replace a leaky or damaged roof but still need help, there are options for repairing an existing roof, Smith said. After a free inspection to determine whether a repair is warranted, G & G Roofing can service the roof and provide an updated life expectancy. If your roof is leaking, or if your home has suffered storm damage or needs emergency service, G & G Roofing can provide emergency repairs until more permanent repairs can be completed. Additional benefits of proper roofing include reduced energy costs (from 10% to as much as 40%), improved curb appeal and increased home value. Plus, there’s the peace of mind, said Smith, which you can’t really put a price tag on.

Signs You May Need a New Roof

MCC roofs by G & G Roofing

• Leaking or cracking around where roof connects to the home or office structure • Sagging on the roof deck (the foundation of the roof system) • Signs of water damage inside and outside • Daylight visible through gaps in the roof • Buckled and loose shingles or missing shingles

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Get to theHeart of the Matter Article by Parrish Medical Center

lthough it once was considered a greater health risk to men, heart disease now is the top cause of death in the U.S. among men and women equally. But while men and women are both likely to feel uncertain about what chest pain means, women take longer to seek medical attention, according to a recent Harvard School of Public Health study. Compared with men, women were one-and-a-half times more likely to wait. Women should learn the warning signs of an impending heart attack. A month before a heart attack, common symptoms include unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, indigestion, anxiety, the heart racing, and the arms feeling weak or heavy. During a heart attack, women feel shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, a cold sweat, dizziness, nausea, and weak-feeling arms. They may feel pain in their abdomen, neck or shoulders. Unlike in men, women do not often feel a sudden, overwhelming chest pain during a heart attack. If there are symptoms in the chest, in women it is more subtle feelings of pressure, aches, or tightness rather than pain. We promote you taking care of your health to prevent the risk of a heart attack, however, in the case of an emergency we are prepared to help. Experts in the Art of Healing Your Heart, Parrish Medical Center is now using an FDAapproved device to treat some heart attack patients. PMC’s first Impella CP heart pump™ patient was treated well under national benchmarks of 90 minutes from arrival in the emergency room to the time the coronary artery was opened (door-to-balloon time.). The Impella™ is an advanced cardiac assist device that pumps for the heart. It allows the heart to rest during stent placement or balloon angioplasty. The device is inserted via catheter in the patient’s femoral artery. “It is extremely gratifying to us to be able to provide this best practice for our community,” said George Mikitarian, Parrish Medical Center | Parrish Healthcare president/ CEO. “Use of the Impella™ allows more patients with severe heart damage to go home to their loved ones with their own heart.” According to Parrish Medical Center’s 2019 Community Needs Health Assessment, more than 90% of adults in North Brevard report one or more cardiovascular risk 78 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

factors. Risk factors include being overweight, smoking cigarettes, being physically inactive or having high blood pressure or cholesterol. The Florida Department of Health attribute 2 out of 10 deaths in Florida to heart disease and it is the number one killer in the U.S. While, to date, over 50,000 patients have been treated with Impella in the United States, Impella is currently used in only 1 percent of percutaneous coronary interventions. As a result, tens of thousands of patients remain undertreated and potentially unaware of the procedural options Impella can afford physicians.

Know Your Warning Signs Chest pain, known as angina, includes feeling pressure, tightness, or a burning sensation in the chest. It can warn of a future heart attack. Here are six stages of reaction to angina: 1. A period of uncertainty, when the discomfort may be thought to be due to something else, such as indigestion 2. Being in denial and dismissive of symptoms 3. A period when family members are consulted 4. Recognition of symptoms and feeling defeat 5. Seeking medical care 6. Acceptance of the condition

Are you at risk? Learn more about your risk for heart disease by taking our heart risk assessment at parrishhealthcare.com/ heartaware, then talk with your doctor about your heart attack risk.

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The Head-to-Toe Benefits of Yoga Article by Parrish Medical Center

or centuries, yoga enthusiasts have boasted about the physical and mental health benefits of the discipline. Now, more than ever, people are using yoga as a way to relax, de-stress and even as a way to combat stiff and achy joints. Here are some excellent reasons why you should adopt yoga into your exercise repertoire:

Get a “Leg Up” on Your Immune System

There are many factors in life that can wreak havoc on your immune system, including stress. A weakened immune system can leave you vulnerable to illnesses and disease. Not only can yoga reduce your risk of cancer, but many cancer patients and survivors have incorporated yoga into their health and wellness routine. Yoga can serve as a support system in reducing fatigue from treatments and relief from anxiety.

Get “OM” Your Way to Better Bone and Joint Health!

Yoga has an abundance of poses that can not only relieve joint pain, but can also increase bone health! Since yoga poses are low-impact, it can be a safe exercise for those who may suffer from the following common bone and joint problems: • • • • • •

Arthritis Carpal tunnel syndrome Back pain Fibromyalgia Osteoarthritis Power Up Your Noggin!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this low-impact activity can strengthen your muscles, balance ability and improve your flexibility. Practicing often can help maintain your range of motion so you can continue to enjoy everyday tasks.

Power Up Your Noggin

Listening to Your Body Maintaining a safe level of physical activity is very important to avoid causing longterm damage to your bones and joints. Follow these tips to ensure you are staying active and aware:

Yoga offers some brain health perks too! While there is no cure for Alzheimer's or dementia, the latest research suggests that yoga can help with prevention and improve symptoms. Since yoga poses involve practicing posture, breathing, and meditation, these exercises can play a role in increasing cognitive functions. Some other surprising facts - improve memory, increase attention and sharpen focus.

1. Talk to you doctor

Heart and Soul

Try not to put much stress on your joints

Since stress has a strong link to heart disease, yoga is a great stress-buster that can keep your ticker healthy! According to the American Heart Association, yoga can have a positive impact on your heart health by: • • • • •

Managing stress, depression, and insomnia Lowering cholesterol Decreasing blood pressure Improving heart rate Improving body mass index (BMI)

If you have sore and achy joints, before beginning any physical activity don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for their advice. They will be able to guide you on the type of activity and frequency that is best for you. 2. Engage in low-impact activities and get moving by doing activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, light gardening, group exercise classes and dancing. 3. Modify and start slow It’s okay to ease into physical activity. Pay attention to how your body reacts and modify for what is most comfortable for you. Your body may need extra time to adjust.

Knowing you risk for joint pain is important!

Take the OrthoAware risk assessment to take action to reduce your level of risk, including making you aware of the many services available through Parrish Healthcare. Visit parrishhealthcare.com/orthoaware.

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The Health Benefits of Breastfeeding Article by Parrish Medical Center

ccording to Mayo Clinic, the benefits children receive from breastfeeding are well-established. Breastfeeding can provide newborns with antibodies to help them fight off infections and can lower their risks of developing allergies. Additionally, the CDC recommends that babies are breastfed for at least the first year. While breastfeeding provides a host of nutritional benefits for your baby and fosters a bonding experience, moms can benefit health wise too! Here are some reasons to consider breastfeeding your baby:

Weight Loss Mothers will typically lose 10 to 15 pounds immediately after their baby is born. However, returning to prepregnancy weight can sometimes be a struggle for new moms. Mothers who breastfeed tend to lose weight quicker than those who do not. Here are some fun facts about weight loss and breastfeeding: • Breastfeeding can burn between 200 to 500 calories per day. • Moms who make a higher supply of breast milk will burn more calories. • The younger the baby, the more calories you burn. It’s essential to keep in mind that trying new fad diets or not taking in enough calories while breastfeeding is never a good idea. Not only do newborns rely on their mothers for nutrients through breast milk, but it’s also important for mom to stay healthy, too. Stick to eating a healthy and well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat.

Helps to Contract the Uterus Pregnancy causes the uterine muscle to stretch, but after you give birth, your body will begin to contract the uterine muscle back to pre-pregnancy shape. This is why many new moms feel-menstrual-like cramps after

Hear from Our Experts “I love helping moms reach their breastfeeding goals! It’s been a passion of mine for the last 25+ years. The ways breastfeeding helps children has been talked about for years but more is being discovered all the time. The ways breastfeeding helps moms…now that’s another matter—many don’t know that there are any benefits for them. It’s fascinating to learn about the way a woman’s body naturally protects her baby (and herself) from harm, and the connections between breastfeeding and postpartum healing, ” said RN International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Rita Jordan.

giving birth. Feelings of “crampiness” after giving birth is a natural sign that your body is doing its job. Breastfeeding your baby can aid your body in getting your uterus back into its pre-pregnancy shape. When breastfeeding, the hormone oxytocin is released into the bloodstream and causes uterine contractions.

Reduces the Risks of Certain Cancers Breastfeeding your baby can help reduce the risk of the following cancers in women: Breast Cancer Breastfeeding can slightly lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding reduces a woman’s number of menstrual cycles thus decreasing a woman’s exposure to hormones like estrogen. Estrogen production can be a factor in the growth of breast cancer cells. Ovarian Cancer Breastfeeding may reduce a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer due

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to the delay of ovulation. The more a woman ovulates, the more the risk of cancer cell mutation that could trigger the onset of ovarian cancer. Parrish Medical Center cares for women in every stage, whether through supporting a healthy pregnancy, diagnosing and treating disease or easing the transition to menopause. Parrish Medical Center’s team-based care philosophy ensures your concerns will be heard, understood and treated appropriately. PMC’s Women’s Care provides a full range of gynecologic services, from routine medical screenings and treatments to gynecologic surgery, oncology and health navigation services. If you would like more information about how breastfeeding can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of certain cancers, visit parrishhealthcare.com or call 321-268-6682. Our team of health care professionals is here to answer all of your questions and ease your concerns.

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Voice of Concern

Article by Patricia Deisler, MD, Parrish Medical Center

f your body could tell you something was wrong, would you listen? Of course. But what if the body was silent? That’s been the problem with ovarian cancer—its symptoms have always been vague. By the time cancer is detected, it likely has spread. There is no specific screening test for ovarian cancer, which makes paying attention to your body essential. Women will describe having insidious symptoms which can easily be confused with indigestion. They describe struggling with bloating and abdominal distension for months. They in retrospect report intermittent constipation which made them chronically uncomfortable but which they felt was something they had to live with. They describe a slow and ongoing loss of appetite. There is often no pain or signs of bowel obstruction until the disease is advanced. When you add the first and second reasons together, you have a very aggressive high-grade tumor which grows and spreads without symptoms until it has occupied a lot of space in the abdomen and spread away from its site of origin. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and other groups recommend that you see your doctor if you experience: • • • •

Bloating Pelvic pressure or stomach pain Trouble eating or feeling full quickly Trouble urinating or the urge to urinate right away

While these symptoms frequently don’t indicate cancer, those that persist for weeks could be cause for concern. Women who have a mother or sister that have been diagnosed with the disease, have an increased risk for some types of ovarian cancer. But most cases occur in women without a close-family history. Scientists believe that approximately 15% of cases of ovarian cancer are linked to defective genes (mutations). These mutations are passed from parent to child. However, this does not mean that every child inherits the defective genes. Ovarian cancer, as well as some other cancers, is linked with aging. The older you are the more likely you are to develop the disease. As women, we experience menstruation, childbirth and cyclical changes that involve cells division and cell death. As the cell divides, the DNA must be replicated and there is a risk for an error. The longer we live, the more likely there is of a mistake (mutation) occurring. According to ACS, other risk factors of ovarian cancer: • • • • • • •

Being overweight or obese Smoking Hormone replacement therapy post-menopause Being overweight or obese Fertility treatments Having children later or never having a full-term pregnancy Smoking

Even though this disease is not entirely preventable, there are some things that can help reduce your risks: • Maintain a healthy weight • Consuming pungent vegetables such as garlic and ginger • Eating dark green vegetables like kale, spinach and broccoli

• Oral contraceptives, when taken for five or more years, can decrease your risk by about 50% • Tubal ligation or hysterectomy gynecologic surgeries Ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognize, but if cancer is suspected, doctors can use a variety of tests for confirmation. This includes pelvic exams, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs, tissue biopsies and blood tests. Gynecologic oncologist can perform surgery to decrease tumor size, intraperitoneal chemotherapy and other lifesaving procedures. Over the last few years, several new targeted treatments have been developed thanks to the perseverance of doctors, researchers and patients. PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitors are indicated for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. They include drugs such as Olaparib, Rucaparib and Niraparib. Use of these can help repair damage to DNA inside cells. There is great optimism supported by hard data that these drugs will change the story for those 50% of patients who die from this disease. Regardless of the research, there is always hope.

Know Your Risk Parrish Cancer Center provides the services and technology you expect from a world-class cancer center. Healthaware is a series of free Health risk assessment (HRA) tools provided by Parrish Medical Center that bring awareness and information about your risk for various health conditions. Each free risk assessment will take about seven minutes to complete. Text the word “Health” to the number 321-204-1966 and you can also take the assessment on your phone. At the end, you will receive personalized, confidential information that will help you learn your risk. Visit parrishhealthcare.com/healthaware for more information.

Oncology Physician Patricia Deisler, MD Board Certified Oncology/Internal Medicine Patricia Deisler, MD, has practiced medicine since 1996, after receiving her medical degree from Weill Cornell School of Medicine in New York. She completed her internal medicine residency training at St. Luke-Roosevelt Hospital Center and HematologyOncology Fellowship at Cornell University Medical College. She welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. Dr. Deisler is conveniently located in the Parrish Cancer Center in Titusville, located at 845 Century Medical Dr. Please call (321) 529-6202 for an appointment.

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Mental Health Providers Weigh In:

Coping with Mental Health Issues in the time of Coronavirus Article by Kelly Collazo Camarind, Contributing Writer

or residents of the Space Coast - along with much of the world - March would prove no ordinary start of Spring. As the country would soon learn, an invisible disease tagged coronavirus was killing expeditiously in a tour de force around the globe. Seemingly overnight, everything went upside down: from stay at home orders, to school closings, to businesses shuttering, to streets clearing and to images straight out of a motion picture horror flick cycling through every conceivable news outlet, major life changes were thrust upon us all. The fear of the unknown, compounded with the lack of control over what has been happening around us is taking a toll. Nowhere is that more evident than in the community of mental health providers.

High Alert

Among those already experiencing anxiety, stress, coping challenges, emotional disorders and other mental or behavioral health problems daily, the pandemic has acted to amplify and exacerbate the struggles. Alarmingly, and pre-pandemic, the Florida Behavioral Health Association reported that almost 62% of Floridians that experience emotional or mental challenges do not regularly seek treatment, compared to the national average of 51%. Additionally, Florida ranks 44th in access to mental health care, with Brevard County’s ratio of one healthcare provider for every 500-750 patients in need of care.

Students and Stress

With schools abruptly closed through summer, children and teens have settled into a new way of learning. Some transitioned easily while others have had a more difficult time. While teens are expected to manage their obligations, special needs and younger students require assistance from a now furloughed, unemployed or telecommuting parent. The added stress can be difficult to manage for families. There is an upside for some of the students, though. Very young kids are enjoying the “downtime” with parents at home, and do not miss the day-to-day comparisons to others that most children experience during a traditional school day. “Many children, including teen patients, are enjoying virtual schooling. They aren’t having to deal with being left out, or not being included in a play date or party because everyone is home. With the stress of the traditional school setting removed, they

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aren’t experiencing the same level of anxiety,” said Dr. Brady Bradshaw, MD, a child psychiatrist in Orlando who treats patients from Brevard. However, for the parent who’s trying to balance the emotional changes associated with the new homeschooling reality, the additional obligations of ensuring the children stay on task can be completely overwhelming. “The ability to focus and maintain a schedule is important and helpful. But, not at the sake of destroying the family dynamic,” Bradshaw said. “Ideally you want everyone to reflect back on this very odd time in our lives as a positive, bonding experience for the family. Not a high-stress, challenging one.”

Virtual Applications for Counsling

Mental health professionals have had to hustle to transition from traditional office settings to virtual ones (often referred to as telemedicine) as an alternate form of support for patients. The need for mental health professionals to continue to provide care required identifying on-line video conference applications that would also be complaint with the federally-mandated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly referred to as HIPPA. Even before the pandemic, one in six adults in the United States reported experiencing some sort of mental health issue in a given year. For many already experiencing these challenges, feelings of anxiety and depression are heightened by the isolation of social distancing and quarantining, uncertainty about work, dealing with kids at home 24/7 and other factors. For some with more pronounced conditions, the thought of traveling outside the home for treatment is absolutely crippling.

Telemedicine has been a relief for many of these patients, giving them the ability to hold on to a small bit of control in their lives, from the safe confines of their home. Amy Jordan, MA, LMHC, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Brevard Counseling in Rockledge and Viera, continues to see some patients in her office while applying strict social distancing measures. Patients wait in their cars until they are called in for their appointment time and they practice safety protocols for hygiene while together. “My patients have been so kind, and so grateful that I’ve been able to continue to provide in-person care,” she said. Ms. Jordan said she’s been impressed with how people in our community have come together to help one another during the many transitions that have been forced upon us: “It has been heartwarming,” she said.

Marriages: Bonding or Breaking?

While each marriage has its own set of unique challenges, couples seeking professional care generally are doing so to address shortfalls, a crisis, or evolution to a better partnership. Each relationship has a specific skill set that both help and impede intimacy and progress. When marriages are in peril, and additionally presented with an uncontrollable crisis such as a pandemic, the resulting outcome will fluctuate: unions are either strengthened, weakened or destroyed. Anthony Ferretti, Ph. D., a Melbourne-based psychologist who specializes in couples counseling, explains that some couples may grow closer to fight against a “faceless enemy” such as the coronavirus, while problems for other couples may be further intensified. “Unfortunately, when we experience stress, it often magnifies our personality traits,” he said. Couples can avoid further damaging their relationship by setting clear expectations and boundaries, alternating attention among the needs for children, pets and work, planning for individual (alone) time and checking in regularly with each other on feelings and frustrations in a calm and supportive manner. As Florida begins on the path to reopening at a gradual pace, it’s important we consider that we have a social responsibility to our community, to those that serve on the front lines and most especially to each other. “Having empathy and considering how someone else may be doing during this trying time is a helpful way to check in with ourselves, too,” said Jordan, noting that giving of ourselves to others has the added benefit of providing a feeling of more in control over our own well-being.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration toll free at 800-487-4357 for referrals to local treatment and support options.

Kelly Collazo Camarind owns and manages Executive and HealthCare Promotions, Inc., a boutique public relations and market development agency serving the legal community, specialty practice physician groups, hospitals, and more. For information, visit online at www.executiveandhealthcarepromotions.com

nxiety and stress, especially these days — and unlike toilet paper and chicken nuggets — are readily abundant and easily accessible. They need not control your life, however, and here I’d like to share a few simple (and affordable or free) ways that I get focused and grounded when my cortisol is spiking, and my mind is swirling… Take a Long Walk on the Beach (or around the block) Listen to Classical, Metal or Rap (or whatever!): Whether you sit quietly with a mug of tea listening to Sebastian Bach, or mirror-sing with a hairbrush to Snoop Dog, or scream at the top of your lungs jamming to songs by Tool, listening to music has proven benefits, including the transmission of dopamine to the brain, which contributes to feelings of satisfaction and pleasure and can help mitigate or lessen stress and anxiety. Cook a meal or bake something: A recent news report (backed up, undoubtedly by the thousands of Facebook and Instagram posts you’ve probably seen since lockdown started) explained that the act of creating a meal or baking a cake allows us to create and control our environment - something very difficult to do in the uncertain times of a pandemic. (I also happen to think the smells of bread baking, or garlic sizzling, or mats braising helps redirect anxieties to something more present, forcing us to “live in the moment,” even if it in in the kitchen.) Snuggle with your favorite furry friend Meditate or pray: There is solid scientific evidence that mediation and prayer help reduce stress, control anxiety, and promote kindness. The best part? You don’t need anything more than a few minutes of time in a quiet space. Ask the universe for what you need, pray for others, repeat a positive mantra. Your brain and your heart will thank you. Read Poetry Flip through scrapbooks, photo albums or images on your phone: I have found that remembering that life was different (and believing it will again one day be so) and giving over to the memories of family vacations, of birthday candles on a cake, of hikes in the woods… of so many happy moments along the path of my life… helps center and ground me. It could do the same for you. By Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher

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Laser Spine Brevard Advances in Surgical Technologies for Better Patient Outcomes Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Office Renderings Provided by Laser Spine Brevard

ost everyone has, at one point or another in their life, suffered from back pain. For most of us, it’s a temporary situation that resolves itself and life carries on. For others, though, it could be ongoing, chronic, debilitating pain that compromises emotional health and quality of life. And that is something Laser Spine Brevard is trying to change.

“We are offering cutting-edge, futuristic treatment (modalities) right in line with the tech innovation of the Space Coast. It’s one reason we centered our core business in Brevard,” Stewart added.

With three offices in Brevard, and others in Tampa, Orlando and Daytona, the specialty medical practice is redefining traditional back, spine, and neck surgeries. First, most procedures are completed on an outpatient basis, with the majority of patients returning home the same day to recover in familiar and comfortable surroundings.

Most evaluations are completed among three offices in operation: the first office on Evans Road near the Melbourne Mall, an office in Titusville to cover north county patients, and a new flagship office being developed Suntree’s Medical City, which is being built out in phases and should be completed by the end of 2021.

Typical recovery is 1-3 days, said John Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Physician Advisors, the parent company of Laser Spine Brevard. That’s a far cry from the three-week recovery process, usually with at least an overnight hospital stay, required with traditional spine surgeries.

Cutting Edge Means Less Cutting

Nowadays, the technology and surgical equipment is so advanced that many of these surgeries – ones that used to require an 4 to 8-inch scar down the spine – can now be completed with an incision as small as a dime and have patients back to normal routines, and jobs, within a few days.

Ready Access to Therapies and Treatments

The newest office (in Suntree) will combine four units into a comprehensive surgery and clinical center, offering evaluation, MRI, lab testing (including EKG, bloodwork) and surgical suites for outpatient procedures. Laser Spine Brevard currently is conducting patient evaluations at Suntree Internal Medicine and accepting new patients at all locations. “We want to ease the fears some people may have about the complexity of these procedures so they can get the treatment they need to feel better and experience optimal health.” To schedule your new patient visit, please call 321-265-7246 or visit our website at www.LaserSpineBrevard.com.

The precision of the surgery can help correct and provide relief for chronic conditions such as sciatica, stenosis and slipped or bulging discs. Patients with moderate to active lifestyles can experience progressive degeneration of joints and the spine over time. The body, as it ages, is not able to effectively repair itself and intervention is sometimes required to help the body realign and heal. When prescribed, these minimally invasive surgeries offer patients an alternative to regular surgical procedures when other treatment methods have not worked. Fusion techniques allow distribution of weight over larger areas of the spine, which helps bone fuse together naturally over time. Laser techniques offer faster recovery times with fewer complications and less need for pain medications, said Stewart. Most patients are injected with pain relief medications at the point of surgery that are released over 3-4 days to aid recovery with as little discomfort as possible. Additionally, these procedures called “bloodless fusions” result in very little blood loss for the patients, which also helps speed the recovery process. The practice offers comprehensive treatments to address pain management and has recently begun offering regenerative medicine, including PRP and Stem Cell treatments, which are used to treat and alleviate joint pain.

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Top: Suntree Office Clinical Room Rendering by Wavy Mirror Media Bottom: Suntree Office Waiting Area Rendering by Wavy Mirror Media

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Stop the Insanity: Mindfulness Practices for Mental Health Article by Brooke Deratany Goldfarb, Community Editor

he body knows: It lets out a giant sigh when you feel frustrated or overwhelmed. You don’t even think about it. If you were to notice what you were feeling before, during, and after the sigh, you might realize that your body released some of the tension you were experiencing. Try this: Take a deep belly breath in and exhale it slowly and fully. Listen to that breathing. Notice how you feel. This is mindfulness. Easy as breathing, in and out, 1-2-3. If your spouse or child were to walk up to you now and say something like, “I’ve decided not to do dishes anymore,” perhaps you would ask for more information and have a calm conversation rather than yell or get into an argument, especially if you kept breathing mindfully while taking in this information and formulating a response. We can teach our children mindfulness practices to help them weather the rough spots of their days and lives. In 1999, Eckhart Tolle wrote in The Power of Now that he hoped mindfulness would become one of the earliest skills taught to children. A person’s ability to regulate her internal emotional experience has been shown to translate over time into improved mental health. By teaching mindfulness to more children, there’s a chance we might stem the crisis of increased violence in our communities, reverse the rising rate of suicide among young people, and help improve American school children’s standings

among those of other industrialized countries. It’s worth a try, even if all we are doing is helping our children have a more peaceful, pleasant home and school life. It begins with parents, at home. Peaceful, happy parents make for peaceful, happy children. When parents practice mindfulness they are able to live by example and set a peaceful and joyous tone in the home. Mindful people direct their attention inward becoming more aware of thought processes and feelings resulting in a greater ability to be open, receptive, non-reactive, and non-judgmental, and turning negative moods into positive ones. Once you make your own life more peaceful, you will bring more peace to your home and relationships. The first step is to explain to your child how her brain works and that she can control its functions just by taking the time to breathe deeply. You might tell her that in her brain she has an amygdala, which we can call the “Guard Dog,” and a prefrontal cortex, which we can call the “Wise Old Owl.” When confronted with a stressful situation at home, in class, or on the playground, the Guard Dog might start barking, “Danger! Fight! Yell! Run Away! Hide!” Or maybe even, “Freeze!” However, if she pauses to do some deep belly breathing, the Wise Old Owl has a chance to assess what is happening and make a better choice than what the Guard Dog is inciting her to do. Breathing and paying attention to how she is feeling throughout the day can help her remain calm, happy, and peaceful, and will help direct more information through the gate to the Wise Old Owl, who will help her think things through, figure out math problems, and deal with her pesky little brother, for example. This will fill her with positive feelings of competence and hope. Knowing she can self-soothe with deep belly breathing opens up emotional space for her to have empathy and express kindness and compassion. Children who have trouble sleeping, getting along with other children at school, or

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dealing with depression or anxiety have been shown to improve their situation with mindfulness skills. Studies demonstrate that social and emotional skills like mindful breathing can help reverse the effects of stress and can help people of any age become more calm, competent, and resilient. Here are some fun ways to incorporate mindfulness into your and your child’s day: • In the car or while making dinner breathe the alphabet. Say the letter “A,” inhale deeply, exhale slowly and fully, then name an animal like Aardvark. Your child can then say “B,” inhale, exhale, and perhaps suggest Brontosaurus. Continue through “Z.” • Pretend that you are each blowing up a balloon. Describe your balloons to each other, their shapes and colors, how big they are getting, whether they pop or whether they are so large you can climb inside them and float away to visit far off lands. Share how you are feeling at different points while blowing up the balloons. • Choose a tree, shrub, or plant to be a breathing buddy. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Breathe your carbon dioxide onto the plant and breathe in the oxygen it is giving up. Maybe even send happy thoughts to your plant while you breathe with it a couple of times a day. Check in daily to see how you and your plants are feeling. • Take a mindful walk together through the neighborhood or at the beach. Pick one of your five senses to focus on while you walk. Maybe focus on what you see, like the birds, the clouds, the colors of the sky, grass, flowers, and trees. Or focus on sounds such as rustling leaves, children playing, waves hitting the shore. Notice how you feel as you walk and focus on the sensory experience you have selected.

• Color, draw, paint, play with clay, or do crafts together. Suspend rules such as needing to stay within the lines or only using the “right” colors. We express ourselves through our creations. As we focus on drawing, painting, or squishing clay with our fingers, it is easy to let our thoughts flow. Share with one another what you have made, why you made it that way, and what your creation means to you. • YOGA! There is always yoga and there are many videos for children and families available online and through social media. Or, make a yoga game with pictures of poses. There are various youth-oriented yoga cards such as the Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Deck for Kids, which has cute stick figure poses. Take turns picking a card. Imitate the pose together. It’s not about being perfect. Talk about what you feel when you do the pose. Where do you feel sensation? Maybe mom feels stretching in the hamstrings, dad in his back, daughter along her side. If we make the move a little bigger or a little smaller, does it feel different? These are just a few simple suggestions to incorporate mindfulness into your family’s lives while strengthening both your children’s resilience and your relationship with them.

• Sing a song at the top of your lungs together. It is impossible to sing without breathing. Turn on the music and dance with abandon, copying each other’s movements. Not only are you creating an authentic bonding experience resulting in soul-nurturing memories for your child, you will definitely be breathing deeply by the end. • Have a family drum circle with bongos or djembes, pots or pans, or maybe just the floor, counter, ottoman, or backs of chairs. Drum the rhythm of your names. Drum silly sentences such as “Moth-er” (clap clap) “Moth-er” (clap clap) “Moth-er, what’s for din-ner” (clap clap), or “Mac-mac-and-cheese-mac-and-cheese-mac-andcheese” or even “Lu-cas is awe-some-is-awesome-isawesome.” Take turns making rhythms then put them all together.

Brooke Deratany Goldfarb is a mother, wife, mediator, wellness advocate, yoga instructor and instantly-good friend to almost everyone she meets. To reach her directly, email peacebeachbrooke@yahoo.com

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The Refinery MedSpa and Wellness Article Presented in Collaboration with The Refinery MedSpa and Wellness Photography by Jason Hook

Facebook: Jason Hook Photography | Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

he Refinery MedSpa and Wellness opened September 2018 in West Melbourne. Jarrod and Karin Stoldt, the husband and wife team who own and manage it, dedicated themselves to develop a facility that offers a very diversified portfolio of aesthetics and wellness treatments in southern Brevard. They each have over 25 years of experience in the medical field and wanted to bring their passion for aesthetics and wellness with quality care and positive clinical outcomes to the community. “We did extensive research,” said Jarrod Stoldt, “and what we found was that no one here Coolsculpting™ (at Hammock Landing in West Melbourne), and the surrounding area was offering all of the treatments we provide, at the price points we wanted to offer them with the highest standards of care possible.” Specifically, the dynamic team (if you know them, you know this), wanted to provide non-surgical and minimallyinvasive aesthetic and wellness treatments to people who might be more inclined and comfortable in a relaxed modern spa setting versus a medical office environment. “We believe everyone who wants to make themselves look better, and feel better, should have the opportunity for it,” said Karin Stoldt, a registered nurse, former Air Force medic, and treatment coordinator at the spa. Jarrod divides his time between medical device sales and administrative, marketing and finance duties. The Refinery MedSpa is a licensed health care clinic through AHCA, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and has Michael L. Grainger MD as medical director for oversight. Jarrod Stoldt said the couple decided to seek this accreditation so the MedSpa could offer an extremely wide range of medical aesthetic and wellness treatments using FDA-approved equipment and consumables. The Refinery Medspa is now offering an individualized 15week weight loss program with maintenance options that will provide a mentor to help clients reach their goals. The 88 : SPAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

Refinery Medspa will also be partnering with local gyms to enroll these clients into exercise programs that encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle changes. For those already following consistent eating habits and exercise routines, The Refinery MedSpa offers body contouring to eliminate stubborn areas of fat through FDA-cleared Coolsculpting™, and now Cooltone,™ a revolutionary new procedure that is FDA-cleared to tone and enhance muscles in the abs, glutes and thighs through a series of equipment-induced magnetic muscle contractions that mimic exercise crunches and squats. A full range of services are also offered, from recognized enhancements such as waxing, eyelash extensions, microblading, facials and peels, to a comprehensive line of injectables, laser hair removal, microneedling with PRP (Platelet-Rich-Plasma) for correcting fine lines and wrinkles as well as hair regrowth and the award-winning treatment Hydrafacial MD ©, combining three facials in one. Additional services, or refinements, include specialty services such as Whole Body Cryotherapy, a step-in cryosauna that uses hot and cold therapy to move blood through the body’s core to remove toxins and enrich the blood, distributing it back to the body’s peripheral tissues. “It’s an incredible therapy, one that I do three times each week,” said Jarrod Stoldt.

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The result is that the “enriched” blood, energized with oxygen, nutrients and enzymes is infused into muscle tissue and joints helping decrease inflammation and increasing range of motion all while burning 400-800 calories per session. This therapy is used by athletes, celebrities, people with chronic pain and can help with chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. Currently, The Refinery MedSpa is the only facility in Brevard offering this therapy, said Jarrod Stoldt. Other treatments that target wellness include B12 injections to combat fatigue and increase stamina, Glutathione Injections to replace important antioxidants lost over life span due to aging and environmental toxins. Lipotropic Injections that aid the body in releasing stored fat deposits, increase metabolism and promoting healthy liver function. The broad array of treatments helps keep customers on the cutting edge of wellness and medical aesthetics improving appearance, health, and quality of life. The Refinery MedSpa and Wellness is in the Hammock Landing shopping plaza at 4311 Norfolk Parkway, Suite 114, West Melbourne. For information, visit online at www.refinerymedspa.com or call (321) 339-1576. Top: Whole Body Cryotherapy Bottom: Hydrafacial MD ©

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Celebrating 20 Years Of Service Here we Grow! Article and Photo Provided by Visiting Nurse Association

ongratulations VNA! As we celebrate 20 years of outstanding service, caring for our patients and community, we would like to say thank you for trusting us with your care. For 20 years, we’ve been committed to delivering the highest quality care for our patients and community. We’re committed to the highest level of professionalism and expertise; whether you’ve stopped by our wellness clinics for free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, have seen one of our nurses for your flu shot during the Shoo the Flu clinics or you’ve chosen us and received home health care services during an illness or after surgery, we are dedicated to be here for you when you need us most. Home health care offers patients the unique ability to receive care from a nurse or therapist at home. After a diagnosis of an illness, surgery, injury or hospital stay, our team works closely with your physician to ensure your individualized plan of care is provided. For two decades, we have consistently delivered patientfocused home health care. We are proud to have been

nationally recognized for the care we deliver, including being awarded as one of the top 25% home care providers in the nation from Homecare Elite and earning double 5-star status from CMS. Ann Culley, Executive Director of VNA’s Brevard County office, explains how they maintain their standard of excellence. “It starts with reviewing resumes, the interviewing process and ensuring candidates are the right fit for our VNA family. We look for our core values and best practices in our candidates. It’s about integrity, always doing what’s right, having compassion, understanding what our patients and families are going through, knowledge and love.” VNA is affiliated with VNA of the Treasure Coast in Vero Beach, which was founded 45 years ago with the same mission of delivering quality home care to its community. When the opportunity to expand into Brevard County presented itself, the company took steps to begin services for the Brevard County community.

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Founder and VNA Treasure Coast Board Chair, Anne Marie McCrystal, shed light on the early days explaining how Brevard services came to fruition, “After Orlando VNA released their Certificate of Need for Brevard County, the east coast market was available. We recognized a great opportunity. We applied for and were granted the Certificate of Need for Brevard. We have made an impression and we continue to grow. Home health care is more critical today than it ever was – our VNA is under great leadership.” With a far-reaching influence, Anne Marie humbly credits VNA’s success to servant leadership. What matters most is the patient. Ann explained the impact home health care can have on a patient’s life. “We receive thank you letters, cards, calls and emails from our families and patients telling us how much they appreciate what we do. Our three best practices? I’d say accessibility, communication and courtesy. We’re always available. Our patients know they can count on us at any time to be there for them. Our communication is impeccable. We ensure patients, families, doctors and providers are kept in the loop regarding progress and process. Our patients tell us they appreciate it when they receive courtesy call appointment reminders. It’s the little things that matter most. In addition to our home health care, we also give back in many ways: community wellness programs provide free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, as well as flu shots.” VNA is committed to the whole person, to the whole family. It’s about being human. Patients and clients know VNA is committed and dedicated to their well-being. Ann attributed this to the relationship developed among the VNA team, families and physicians. “We are constantly identifying how we can address additional needs while our patients receive services. For example, a patient may need medication and treatment education, nutritional education, medical equipment training, information on environmental safety or fall prevention.”

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Ann offered a key to their success, “To be honest, collaboration keeps us moving forward. In addition to our internal team, we also belong to the Brevard County Medical Coalition. It’s a monthly meeting where different hospices and health care agencies get together to determine how to reduce hospitalization. We work together as one. We have one purpose.” It’s more than a milestone, it’s looking back on lives that have been nurtured and healed. “As we celebrate 20 years of caring, it’s been the VNA’s honor to serve Brevard County. We’re continually raising the standard of excellence and it wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful clinicians that make us who we are providing treatment for injury, chronic illness and postsurgical care,” reflected Ann. VNA started with trail blazers and visionaries. Looking forward, the home health agency is committed to flourishing with a new program on the horizon. Later this year, families will be able to request and schedule unskilled private care such as transportation, assistance in the home with basic cleaning or assistance with activities of daily living. The addition of this program will allow VNA to care for even more in the community for future decades to come. VNA delivers Medicare-reimbursed home health care. To find out more about how the VNA can help you, call 321-752-7550 or visit our website www.vnatc.com.

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Beverly Rose, DMD. Photo provided by Exceptional Dentistry

Beverly Rose, DMD.

Old Fashioned Service - Modern Community Dentist Article by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher

f her name, Beverly Rose, seems a bit cinematic, then the smiles she creates for her clients can be thought of in the same way: dazzling and bright. Really though, it’s the customer service offered at her dental office in central Melbourne that has helped build her business and cement her reputation since coming here 24 years ago, fresh out of dental school, from the University of Florida in Gainesville. “At Exceptional Dentistry, we take such pride in helping our clients, and are accessible to them 24/7,” Rose said, noting that clients are sent home from treatment with her personal cell phone number for anytime concerns or questions. Additionally, she and her staff have ongoing dialogue and training about how to make the client experience as hassle-free and inviting as possible. 92 : SPAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

To that end, amenities such as noise cancelling headphones, blankets and chair massagers help ease the fears some clients may experience when visiting a dentist. Additionally, in an effort to limit anxiety, “No one sits for hours in our waiting room and then, once seated, wait longer for treatment,” she said. Instead, clients are carefully scheduled to ensure prompt response and treatment times. Dr. Rose is proud of her diverse client base, which serves all ages including young children to one patient who is 103 – a centenarian! A broad range of services include general and preventive dentistry, implants, dentures, root canals, extractions and smile makeovers for patients who struggle with decayed, broken or missing teeth. She also offers limited – and corrective – orthodontia, for patients who might have a turned tooth or gapping.

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Often, a bonus of the smile makeover, is that it can help rid a patient of chronic pain by aligning how their teeth fit together. When jaws and teeth are not aligned properly, headaches, pain in the neck and shoulders, and other complications can occur. Addressing these issues has helped provide relief to an untold number of clients over the years. For clients wishing to improve their smile vitality, Exceptional Dentistry offers an in-office whitening service called Zoom!™ Whitening. Using a special bleaching gel with a low-heat UV light to brighten tooth enamel in three to four 15-minute intervals, this simple method can reveal results up to eight shades brighter in one office visit. “It’s a spectacular process and results are quick and effective,” Dr. Rose said.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth:

Dr. Rose recommends brushing at least 2 times daily, flossing, and gargling with mouth wash. Flossing can be done before or after brushing, she said, according to preference. She prefers electronic toothbrushes over manual, noting that the oscillating or sonic actions of current models allow for better cleaning. Additionally, “I’m a big fan of the Water Pick™,” a brand name for an oral irrigator which uses high-pressure pulsating water to remove plaque and food between teeth and under the gum line. Dr. Rose recommends using this device nightly after brushing and flossing.

Each client brings a different challenge to resolve, but Dr. Rose looks beyond the immediate problem to think more comprehensively about the entire dental experience for the patient, considering age, previous experiences, dental needs and the psychology of the visit. “We really are a small-town kind of business, with a conscious approach towards customer service: by focusing on the unique needs of each client and providing the most comfort for their particular situation, we set our business apart from some of the larger, chain dental practices.”

Photography by Jason Hook

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Caution in the Sun, Avoiding and Preventing Skin Cancers Article by Dr. Anthony Porter, M.D., F.A.A.D Porter Premier Dermatology

o many of the beautiful things that make living in Central Florida feel like paradise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the warm sun, theme park attractions and easy access to beaches and waterways, for example â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also pose hidden (and avoidable) dangers that could have serious health consequences. With summer quickly approaching (and 300 or more days of sunshine annually here), many of us engage in a wide array of outdoor activities that have dermatologists working overtime treating pre-malignant and malignant tumors caused, in large part, by excessive, chronic sun exposure and blistering sunburns. The most common of these skin cancers are actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions), basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are cancers of the cells in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) from which they originate. Basal cells and squamous cells make up 10% and 85% of the epidermis, respectively. Repeated sun exposure over decades eventually damages and alters the DNA of the skin cells, leading to the development of skin cancer. (Patients are typically confused and frustrated about the delayed diagnosis of these cancers, which can take as long as 30 to 40 years to develop.) Fortunately, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are usually not fatal and only rarely metastasize (migrate) to other parts of the body. They are readily treated in the clinic by a wide range of surgical and non-surgical interventions. The deadliest and most challenging skin cancers to treat are malignant melanomas. Melanomas are cancers that develop in melanocytes, or the skin cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin color. Melanomas can also occur in your eyes and internal organs. 94 : S PAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PAC ECOA ST L I V I N G .CO M

Recent projections from the American Cancer Society estimate that nearly 100,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year with an estimated 6,800 deaths. Melanoma can occur at any age, but it is most common in patients older than 60 and is one of the leading causes of cancer in women ages 25 to 30. Although the exact cause of melanoma is unknown, people with fair skin have the greatest risk: white patients are 20 times more likely to develop melanoma than African American ones. However, melanomas diagnosed in African Americans, Hispanics and other ethnicities with darker skin types are typically far more advanced. This is most usually due to a delayed diagnosis as many patients with dark skin falsely believe that they will not get skin cancer.

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Amelanotic melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Unlike most forms of melanoma, a person with amelanotic melanoma will develop a mole or similar growth that does not contain melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin cells and moles their color.

In addition to the common risk factors of blistering sunburns and excessive sun exposure, other risk factors for developing melanoma include family history, suppressed immune system (especially among organ transplant recipients), multiple atypical moles, and prior history of melanoma. And unlike basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, melanomas can develop in patients who have not had excessive sun exposure. The typical melanoma appears as a brown, black and/or red irregularly shaped lesion which may be flat or raised above the skin. Other symptoms such as bleeding, itching, and pain and discomfort may or may not be present. This typical appearance accounts for the vast majority of melanomas. However, there is another unusual clinical presentation which is seldom addressed: amelanotic melanoma. Amelanotic means “without melanin,” or without pigment. These melanomas present as red, pink or scar-like, dome-shaped lesions with little or no pigment. Due to the scarcity of color, they are typically ignored and as a result, diagnosed at a later stage. Any lesion that recurs next to a previously treated melanoma should be examined immediately, even if the lesion looks like a scar. To keep things in perspective, amelanotic melanomas account for only about 5 percent of all melanomas. They are treated by the same aggressive surgical and medical interventions that are used for the pigmented variants. Treatment for melanomas is based on five stages (stage 0,1,2,3 and 4) of the cancer, as established by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The depth of the lesion is a major component of its stage. If the cancer is confined to the top layer of the skin at the time of diagnosis, it is called melanoma in-situ, and is classified at stage 0. Surgical excision, followed by routine surveillance skin exams every 3-6 months, is the recommended treatment for melanoma in-situ. If the melanoma invades deeper than the epidermis at the time of diagnosis, the depth is measured and assigned a number. This measurement is called the Breslow depth and it plays a critical role in the behavior of the cancer. If the Breslow depth is at least one millimeter thick, the recommendation is to biopsy the sentinel (first) lymph node that drains from the site of the melanoma. The result of the lymph node biopsy plays another crucial role in the staging and subsequent treatment of the cancer.

The AJCC system uses Breslow depth, lymph node biopsy result, and other prognostic factors to establish the stage of the cancer. In the past decade, a myriad of immunotherapies for melanomas has emerged that have increased life expectancy for patients with advanced, metastatic melanoma. These therapies enhance the patient’s own immune system to help fight the melanoma. One innovative technology – developed by the company DermTech – uses genomics to enhance the accuracy of melanoma diagnosis and avoid unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions. The technology works by rubbing an adhesive strip across the suspect lesion which harvests the RNA of the skin cell. This genomic material is sent to a lab that evaluates the tissue for specific genetic signals that are uniquely present in melanomas. This genetic material provides information that cannot be obtained through routine pathology and, If the results show genetic signals suspicious for melanoma, the lesion can be surgically removed. I have used this technology numerous times over the past several months; it’s new and exciting and helps patients avoid unnecessary biopsies.

Protect Your Skin, Save Your Life To combat the damaging effects of too much sun exposure, we should all arm ourselves with wide brim hats, sun protective clothing, sunglasses and sunblock. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following: • Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) • SPF 30 or higher • Water resistance Additionally, planning outdoor activities before 11 am and/ or after 4 pm also can help minimize ultraviolet radiation exposure. If you notice any changes to your skin, or notice any enlarging, non-healing lesion – regardless of color – seek the immediate attention of a dermatologist. The best chances for successful treatment include early detection, prompt removal of the lesion, and continued routine surveillance.

Anthony Porter, M.D., F.A.A.D., received his medical degree and completed a formal dermatology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. With offices in Melbourne and Suntree, Dr. Porter is board certified in dermatology and has practiced in Melbourne since 2006. For more information, call (321) 308-0659 or visit online at www.porterderm.com.

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Parents, Hospital Grant Girl’s Birthplace Wish 7-year-old visits Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center, where she was born before joining her forever family By Jeni Szmidt, Health First Photo provided by Health First

even-year-old Ripley cherishes the story of her adoption – even keeping a book about it next to her bed, which she leafs through often. For some time, the New York girl has been asking her parents, Chuck and Kim, to take her to the Florida hospital where she was born. Since they were curious, too, the couple happily obliged. They recently took Ripley to visit Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne – the place where she was welcomed to the world, a week before they officially became a family. “Visiting the hospital Ripley was born in is something I have always wanted to do,” Kim said. “It’s so nice to fill in this missing puzzle piece. I wasn’t with her the first seven days of her life, so seeing this is comforting. I couldn’t picture it before, and now I have a visual of it – and that’s awesome.” The story of Ripley’s adoption is one the family has embraced and talked candidly about. Seeing where it all began was a meaningful experience for the three of them. 96 : SPAC E COA ST L IV IN G | S PACECOAST L I V I N G .CO M

“It’s so great to come here and see where she was born,” Chuck shared. “I am so glad she wants to know more. We have always been open and honest about her adoption.” Ripley, who will soon turn 8, loves playing the piano and participating in gymnastics, ballet and theater. She’s even acted in a couple of television shows. Touring Ripley’s birthplace was the perfect next chapter in the life story of the little girl whom Kim and Chuck dreamed of so much. “I always wanted a girl, and we got really lucky with that,” Kim said. “We are so happy to come here together to see where our daughter was born.”

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Health First Medical Team’s Quick Action Saves Baby

Despite a Frightening Emergency C-section, 10 Months Later, ‘Everything is Perfect’ with Tiny Patient By Sara Paulson, Health First Photo provided by Health First

ndi was 37 weeks pregnant with her second child when she went into labor.

Andi was also touched by the compassion provided by a particular nurse.

“They did their tests and everything was fine,” Andi said of being admitted to Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“She came up and said, ‘It’s OK for you to cry,’ ” Andi remembered. “I just lost it because I was trying to figure out what was going on.”

“And then, suddenly, it was not fine.”

This nurse stayed to support Andi in the recovery room. Andi wondered aloud if she could have done things differently.

An emergency C-section was performed. When little Penelope was born, Andi could hear the concerned chatter on the other side of the medical drape. “I knew something was wrong,” said Andi, who eventually learned her daughter, nicknamed Penny, initially didn’t have a pulse. There was a flurry of adrenaline shots and chest compressions. After 8 minutes, Penny finally had a pulse. Andi credits the staff – who also employed a cooling treatment to avert brain damage ¬– with saving her baby’s life. They also helped save Andi’s emotional well-being. “The anesthesia doctor was amazing,” Andi said. “He sat there with me and held my hand.”

“She kind of stepped in and was like, ‘You can’t think like that. Nothing you did could have changed the outcome of this.’ She was really, really sweet.” That compassion was critical to Andi during her ordeal. “That’s what you need,” Andi said. “You don’t need it all robotic. You need something for them to show that they actually care.” While Penny didn’t initially have a good prognosis, now, “everything is perfect,” Andi says. Penny is a jubilant, healthy 10-month-old. “There’s no issues whatsoever.” “Whatever they did, it saved her,” she said. M AY/ J UN E 2020: 97

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Dr. Julia Bunker Owner/Dentist

402 N. Babcock St. Melbourne FL 32935 (321) 600-4487 dentalchoiceofmelbourne@gmail.com dentalchoiceofmelbourne.com

r. Julia Bunker has been practicing dentistry in the USA since 2003, and in 2019 opened her practice, Dental Choice, in Melbourne. Originally from Russia, Dr. Bunker is dedicated to excellence in comprehensive dental care. Before moving to the United States, Dr. Bunker earned a Medical Degree in Stomatology – the study of the mouth and diseases of the mouth – from the from the State University of Bashkiria, Russia.

Dr. Bunker earned her DDS from New York

Dr. Bunker is grateful for the mentors and peers throughout her career who helped her become the professional she is today. The most impactful mentor was Dr. Kuklina ZG in Russia. Dr. Bunker notes, “She taught me a lot about dentistry, but also about compassion, understanding, and empathy for my patients. And for a 21-year-old student, who spent all of her young adult life in a school or library, this was an important lesson.”

by the International Congress of Oral Implantology.

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University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors and joined the National Honor Dental Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Bunker’s enthusiasm for her profession continues to grow: in recent years, she has traveled internationally to study dental implantology. In 2011, she was awarded a fellowship in implantology She is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantology, and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. Each year, Dr. Bunker takes hundreds of hours of continuing education in order to keep up with the latest state-of-the-art techniques and to provide the highest level of dental care possible.

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Adaptation & Innovation, In Advance How Toyota of Melbourne is Succeeding in the New Economy Article by Eric Wright, President Photography by Jason Hook

Facebook: Jason Hook Photography | Instagram: @jasonhookphotography

hanging times causes certain business to analyze how the market is evolving and innovate to take advantage of changing or new customer expectations. Others fail to adapt, or wishfully think things will go back to the way they were and often end up bewildered when clients go elsewhere.

services and access to the customer,” Heinze said. He explained that, typically, customers would come to the dealership to look at cars, find out what their car payment might be or what financing rate they might qualify for. Now, instead of or before coming into their facilities on US 1 in Melbourne, many of these questions are answered online.

Long before American businesses were rushing to respond to he coronavirus pandemic, Toyota of Melbourne’s Christopher (Chris) Heinze began putting in place an innovative approach to car buying and service. These creative steps made for a much more user-friendly customer experience, but also helped them adapt to the new realities created by the pandemic lockdown.

However, their vision went beyond this first phase. Now, customers can look at cars, pre-qualify to own them and then participate in a test drive or delivery after on-line sales is approved with the car delivered directly to their location of choice. The same system also was implemented to schedule repair or service: Toyota of Melbourne picks the car up, takes it to the dealership for repair or maintenance and returns the car to its driver when completed.

“Our approach was informed by what could be called the ‘Amazon World’ we live in, where the customer experience wasn’t completely based on visiting our showroom or service department alone, but rather bringing those 100 : SPAC E COA ST L IV I N G | S PACECOAST L I V I N G .CO M

To facilitate purchases, Heinze said, “We built our own digital platform called EZ-Purchase, where customers can log on, play around with different payment options, see

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terms and special interest rates. It allows them to go as far as they want into the process, over as long a period as they chose and is extremely secure. Most eventually want to come into the dealership, but they like it because the process is almost complete before they get there.”

Engaging Technology with a Personal Touch This approach was something Heinze began working on three years ago. With a team, they developed this platform locally, because, though Toyota corporate is working on something like this, they wanted a system that was intuitive for their consumers and reflected the uniqueness of this region, especially from a financial and regulatory basis, as these things vary from state to state. They also wanted something they could bring to market as soon as possible. They factored in the reality that car buying isn’t something people do on a regular basis, therefore, Heinze wanted it to be intuitive and as easy as possible for customers to complete at their pace. “You have to approach developing something like this from the consumer’s perspective. It was something we knew we had to jump into as soon as possible, so we could work out the glitches early on,” he said. “But the fact of the matter is, it has worked way beyond our expectations, in terms of not having to go in and rework the platform, though it is still evolving.” The team went live with the platform about a year ago, but just now are starting to understand the foresight of the move, especially during this recent the coronavirus pandemic. Toyota of Melbourne is also working on an app for the service side which customers can use to track pickup and delivery in addition to how the vehicle is moving through the service continuum. Heinze said it all began when they asked themselves ‘How do we fit into the future?’ The answer was making the customer experience easier and being more mindful of people’s time. “As busy as people’s schedules are, we had to make doing business with us easier and more convenient,” he said. This approach, coupled with Toyota’s reputation for automobiles that are beautifully designed, technically sophisticated, and which bring remarkable innovation at a price that is affordable to most people, positions them well in the market. The Toyota Corolla has been the bestselling car in the world, with the Rav4 being the bestselling midsize SUV and Prius, always one of the top hybrids. In fact, Heinze said that Toyota’s early entry into the hybrid market has enabled them to make their hybrid models more affordable and reliable than many of their competitors.

Platinumwerks Another service provided at the dealership where this customer-centric approach is having a major impact is their Platinumwerks Collision Center. They intentionally branded this part of the company differently, because they wanted the community to know that their services went beyond the Toyota brand. Because of the technology that goes into vehicles today, including very complex sensor equipment and aluminum

body parts, manufacturers have recognized that the typical body shop is not always equipped to complete accident repairs as they were done in the past. Toyota of Melbourne saw this evolving over time and began making substantial investments in their collision repair department, which is now certified by major foreign and domestic car manufacturers. Typically, manufacturers do not sell parts to repair services that are not factory authorized to do the work, mainly because of the liability involved. “We made a commitment to be certified in as many brands as we could,” Heinze said, citing luxury brands such as Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, Ford and of course the Toyota and Lexus brands. Certification is currently in process for BMW and VW, and the equipment to make repairs on these brands has already been purchased. When one of the most appealing portfolios of automobiles is coupled with a simplified approach to sales and service that is industry-leading, it’s easy to see why Toyota of Melbourne continues to capture both new clients while maintaining a vibrant return-customer base. Additionally, with many clients choosing incentivized lease options, which maintain full warranty while offering the latest technological and safety options – along with a faster new car cycle update – consumers with varying needs find the dealership appealing on every level. “Between our products, our people and our innovated approach to service, we feel we bring what customers are hoping to find,” Heinze said. Chris Heinze

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! TATION L U S N O FREE C

DIRECTORY Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service www.gattos.com

Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service is Brevard’s go-to for friendly customer service, leading tire brands and ASE-certified technicians. Started by Mike Gatto in 1971, Gatto’s continues to be a locally owned and operated family business with 6 locations across the county. Whether you have a car, truck, RV or a commercial fleet, Gatto’s is dedicated to providing quality work at an honest price.

Burke Consignment & Gallery

327 N. Babcock St., Melbourne, FL - (321) 917-2815

We offer quality collectibles like Waterford and Lladro, as well as costume and fine jewelry, and original art work. With us, you can find brand name furniture like Drexel, Henredon and Tommy Bahama, that is in such good condition that local interior designers purchase from us. We also buy individual items or whole estates with highend items, which is a great solution for HOA’s that don’t allow estate sales. “Once You Visit, You’ll Keep Coming Back.” Hours of Operation: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday close at 3:30 p.m.

Garage Experts of Brevard

5585 Schenck Ste #10 Rockledge, FL - (321) 878-8065 The leading lifetime warranty, epoxy floor coating, cabinet and organization company. They install the highest quality lifetime warranty epoxy floor systems as well as custom cabinets and other storage solutions. Garage Experts of Brevard is a local, independently owned franchise with Garage Experts. Call them today for a free estimate on how they can help transform your dirty, dingy garage into an extension of your home.

Amazing Explorers Academy 8911 Trafford Dr. Melbourne, FL - (407) 413-8326

Amazing Explorers Academy fosters a nurturing environment where little minds open up to develop lifelong learning skills designed to inspire, connect and engage the great minds of the 21st century. We do this with our leadingedge STEAM curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Infants | Preschool | VPK | Before and After School Join our waitlist today! www.aexplorers.com/viera

Sunrise Facial and Oral Surgery

1325 Pine Street, Suite 102, Melbourne - (321) 725-5377

Dr. Rick Schmid has been practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in Melbourne, Florida since 1983. He is one of only two surgeons in Brevard County that has earned Board Certification as a Diplomate of both the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. Sunrise surgeons, Drs. Schmid, Kim, and Kossak practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery, trauma and dental implants to wisdom teeth removal. Website: SunriseOralSurgery.com

Glamour Lounge

635 S. Wickham Suite 101 West Melbourne, FL - (321) 220-0023 The Glamour Lounge is about more than just creating beautiful hair. Our mission is to help you discover your inner glamour and let it shine through. Our team specializes in creating custom-tailored top trending cuts and color for our clients. We believe in sustainable hairdressing and are a Green Circle salon. Hours: Monday 10 am - 3 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9 am - 8 pm, Friday 9 am - 6 pm and Saturday 9 am - 4 pm.

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MI-BOX Space Coast Melbourne, FL - (321) 500-4344

Locally owned & operated, our goal is to take the stress out of moving. Traditional methods of moving are simply becoming outdated. Don’t cram what should be a few weeks of work into a day. MI-BOX storage containers can be used at home, at the office, during events, at construction sites, during remodeling projects, or anywhere else you need secure, weathertight, convenient storage. MI-BOX portable storage containers come in three convenient sizes so you only rent the space you actually need. We are proud to offer 8’, 16’, and 20’ mobile storage containers. www.getmibox.com

Dental Choice of Melbourne

402 N. Babcock St. Suite 103 Melbourne, FL - (321) 600-4487 At Dental Choice of Melbourne, we will be delighted, if you choose to join our family of happy and satisfied patients. The practice provides full scope of general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Dr. Julia Bunker, New York University graduated, brings to practice over 20 yrs. of experience in dentistry. Come and Meet our caring, knowledgeable, and friendly team.

YOUR LISTING HERE

Annual DIRECTORY Listing Plan CALL 321-622-5986 ADVERTISING@SPACECOASTMAGAZINES.COM

M AY/ JUN E 2020: 105

Located waterfront on the beautiful Indian River Lagoon, River Rocks has long been regarded as one of Brevard County’s premier waterfront restaurants. Dinner is served nightly featuring fresh seafood and steaks in the stunning modern dining room with expansive waterfront views. The bar provides a perfect spot for business networking over innovative cocktails or sharing a bottle of wine and appetizers with friends. A delicious ala carte morning brunch menu is served on Saturday and Sundays along with unlimited mimosas and bloody marys. River Rocks specializes in spectacular events of all sizes with multiple private dining options and a personal event coordinator to help plan your occasion.

Watch the fishing boats pull up and unload the day’s catch while enjoying some of the freshest seafood on the coast. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Captain Butcher’s features a large deck overlooking the marina. The happy hour specials at the waterfront bar always draw a crowd and are a local favorite. Inside, the inviting dining room is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal and includes private rooms to accommodate events of all sizes. Come join us!

Open daily for lunch and dinner, The Dock Bar and Grill is the more casual outdoor experience at River Rocks. With a perfect water view and dockage if you come by boat, the Dock features a family friendly menu focused on fresh seafood, sandwiches and salads. The 5,000 square foot covered deck is the perfect place to while away the afternoon or sip cocktails while listening to the area’s best live acoustic entertainers. Locals tend to quickly fill the large outdoor bar for great happy hour specials daily. Sit around the fire pit, feed the catfish off the dock, or pull up a stool on the waterfront boardwalk. The Dock welcomes groups of all sizes, come relax in true Florida style!

Hours

Monday 4PM–9PM Tuesday 4PM–9PM Wednesday 4PM–9PM Thursday 4PM–9PM Friday 4PM–10PM Saturday 4PM–10PM Sunday 4PM–9PM Brunch 8AM-2PM Sat. & Sun.

Monday 11AM–9PM Tuesday 11AM–9PM Wednesday 11AM–9PM Thursday 11AM–9PM Friday 11AM–10PM Saturday 11AM–10PM Sunday 11AM–9PM

Monday 11AM–10PM Tuesday 11AM–10PM Wednesday 11AM–10PM Thursday 11AM–10PM Friday 11AM–11PM Saturday 11AM–11PM Sunday 11AM–10PM

321.757.7200

772.918.4229

321.757-0142

Location

6485 S. US-1 Rockledge, FL

1732 Indian River Drive Sebastian, FL

6485 S. US-1 Rockledge, FL

JA President Anne Conroy-Baiter, Mark Malek, Deanna Tangeman, Event Chair Brent Peoples

2020 Laureates Don and Julie Herndon with 2019 Laureate Larry McIntyre

Master of Ceremonies Travis Proctor 2020 Laureate Bob Cabana, 2003 Laureate Robi Roberts, Greg Pallone, 2020 Laureate Frank DiBello

Brigadier General Douglas Schiess, Debbie Schiess, 1989 Laureate Hugh Brown, Ina Brown, Jesse Kirk, Bob Kirk

2020 Laureate Frank DiBello with 2019 Laureate Lynda Weatherman

Mary and Rick Simonian

2020 Laureates Bob Cabana, Don Herndon, Julie Herndon, and Frank DiBello with JA President Anne Conroy-Baiter

theSCENE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SPACE COAST BUSINESS HALL OF FAME Black Diamond Sponsor Natasha Cartagena Spencer, Vonnie Hoyman, 2010 Laureate Chas Hoyman Caity and Michael Ayers

Susie Wasdin and 2002 Laureate Tom Wasdin Rick and Jeanette Roach

On March 7, 2020, 500 leaders celebrated the induction of Bob Cabana, Kennedy Space Center; Frank DiBello, Space Florida; and Julie and Don Herndon, Classic Wood Flooring into the JA Space Coast Business Hall of Fame under the Saturn V at Kennedy Space Center. Photography by Randy Coleman Photos provided by Junior Achievement of the Space Coast

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Karen & Marty Skurla, Cenda & Joe Falcone, Valentina Dashi, Susan & Tony Romano, Brenda & Carmen Sidoti, Natsha & John Pasko

Musicians/Songwriters from Nashville, D. Vincent Williams and Dillon Dixon

Kirk Trutner (Actor/Master of Ceremonies) and Jim Clamons (Committee & Board Member)

Ross Niebergall (CTO of L3Harris) and wife Kathi

Sandi Lee (L3Harris) and husband Patrick

Ken Stackpole and Christine Lance

Linda McKnight, Darin Jordan (former American Football linebacker for SF 49ers) and Colonel Danny McKnight (Retired United States Army)

Tracey & Kris Latshaw, Therese Nelson, Michelle & Steve Russell, Bruce & Raffy Nelson of Cocoa & Coastal Hyundai

Greg and Katie Pallone

theSCENE SPACE COAST EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER'S JAM FOR THE KIDS Jam For The Kids is Space Coast Early Intervention Center's major fundraising event. All the money raised goes to benefit the center and the kids it serves. We rely on our community to help make our center such a success and on February 28 at the Melbourne Hilton, we raised over $200,000. Thank you everyone for such a great event! Photography by Matthew Withers

Chefs for the evening, local Jason Engle (Engle Group of Brevard), Celebrity Chef Lee Hillson (Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix) and Chef David Dashi (Amici's Italian Restaurant)

Brenda McKee, Bob Brown, Sherry Covell, Wes Covell, Beth & Rick Palmer

Terri Clark (Director of SCEIC) and Sandy Withers (Fund Developer)

Linda Phillips, Dudley Garner and Mary Underwood

SPONSORED

Dr. Shashin and Dipty Desai

Drs. Dwayne and Mary Helen McCay

Bino Campanini (Master of Ceremonies) Matt and Christie Upton Williams

Drs. Nathan and Angela Allison

Mike and Theresa Williams

Dr. Katherine Cobb (President of HTEA) and Mr. Mark Cobb

Robert and Carlyn Clark

theSCENE HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL ACADEMY EVENING OF ELEGANCE Dan and Caterina Schwinn

Dana and Briggs Kilborne

Cheryl and Ed Scott (hosts)

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy hosted its annual Evening of Elegance on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The theme, Sunsets & Sangrias, was brought to life with stunning flowers and decor by Bella Dolce Events, delicious Spanish cuisine by FIT Catering, and signature sangrias by Broken Barrel Tavern. Photography by Michelle Salyer Photos provided by Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

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Candice Hodge, Anne Conroy-Baiter

Marie Nelson, Rebecca Allison, Megan Ayers

Marta Reidel, Tiffani Cole, Deana Kouleau, Billie Jo Hopwood, Lisa Lansing

Pam Brodhead, Ken Brodhead

Eric Wright, Marissa Pietrobono, Jason Hook, Kristy Wright, Rebecca Burgman, Adeline Morgan

Glad Kurian, Amanda Courtney

Grace Morris, Kiara Friedrich, Kelsey Friedrich (2020 Cover Model Winner), Wayne Friedrich

Greg and Katie Pallone

theSCENE SPACE COAST LIVING'S LITTLE BLACK DRESS & COVER MODEL REVEAL A special thank you to our event and Cover Model sponsors: Amazing Explorers Academy, DJ Tunes of Florida, Glamour Lounge, Porter Premiere Dermatology, Rockledge Country Club, TapSnap and The Astronauts Wife. Congratulations to our 2020 Cover Model, Kelsey Friedrich, and thank you to our finalists: Jess Briguglio, LaurenAnn Graham, Bianca Ortiz and Taffy Schneider! Photography by Shaun Haugh

Denise Jeffcoat, Bria McCullough, Amy Leon, Koreen Crider from Porter Premiere Dermatology

Lauren-Ann Graham (Cover Model Fan Favorite and Finalist), Loghan Ashline, Natalie Holliday, Cory Love

Richard, Bianca Ortiz (Cover Model Finalist), Euds Celian, Jasmine Celian

Ben Stuckey, Gery Stuckey, Patricia Colan, Jeffery Colan

Melik Henderson, Merika Henderson, Maina Henderson, Krista Middleton

Alex Carazo, Jeff Smith

Alfonzo Alexander, Violeta Musseb, Todd Sutherland

Jenny Ernst, Erin Fernandez, Carmelia Byers

2020 Cover Model Winner, Kelsey Friedrich, and Photographer Jason Hook

Julianna Stafford, Taffy Schneider (Cover Model Finalist)

Lara Chuvala, Taylor Leo, Theresa Zorn

Dr. Ross Clevens, Lori Reader, Dr. Ricky Sayal, Teresa Beard

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR Melbourne Melbourne Central Catholic High School Ascension Catholic School Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

Palm Bay St. Joseph Catholic School

Indialantic Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School

Rockledge St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic School

Merritt Island Divine Mercy Catholic Academy

Cocoa Beach Our Saviour Catholic School

Titusville St. Teresa Catholic School

Serving students in Pre-K3 and VPK4 through 12th grade | Visit BrevardCatholicSchools.org M AY/J UN E 2020: 111

AVAILABLE AT A STORE NEAR YOU!

Submit Your Event

REE FOR F

NOW INCLUDED

BREVARDCOUNTYEVENTS.COM We want to hear about what you are planning! To be listed in our calendar, submit your event at www.brevardcountyevents.com. SEE AND BE SEEN

CVS

4292 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach 1599 Palm Bay Rd Ne, Palm Bay 1820 Rockledge Blvd, Rockledge 1185 Fay Blvd, Cocoa 2324 State Road 524, Cocoa

PUBLIX

3200 Lake Washington Rd, Melbourne 4711 Babcock St Ne, Palm Bay 1150 Malabar Rd Se Ste 120, Palm Bay 7777 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 3830 Highway A1a, Melbourne Beach 7325 Us Hwy 1 N, Cocoa 145 Palm Bay Rd Ne Ste 117, West Melbourne 1411 S Babcock St, Melbourne 4100 N Wickham Rd Ste 109, Melbourne 125 E Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island 2301 State Rd 524 Lot 50, Cocoa 3450 Bayside Lakes Blvd S, Palm Bay 3820 Murrell Rd, Rockledge 1850 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island 270 E Eau Gallie Blvd, Indian Harbor Bch 5645 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach 1024 Hwy A1a Ste 120, Satellite Beach 2261 W New Haven Ave, West Melbourne 3275 Garden St, Titusville 5380 Stadium Pkwy, Ste 100, Rockledge 2000 Cheney Hwy, Titusville 2067 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach

WINN DIXIE

Sign up for the Brevard County Events e-newsletter. Specially developed to keep you up-todate on all the latest news, announcements and happenings around the Space Coast! Sign up online at: SpaceCoastLIVINGcom.

1535 N Singleton Ave, Titusville

WALGREENS

7415 N Highway 1, Cocoa 2605 Barna Ave, Titusville 3090 W New Haven Ave, West Melbourne 975 S Babcock St, Melbourne 1350 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 4020 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 1160 Malabar Rd Se, Palm Bay 1213 Palm Bay Rd Ne, Melbourne 4280 Minton Rd, Melbourne 1098 Highway A1a, Satellite Beach 5245 Babcock St Ne, Palm Bay 175 Malabar Rd Nw, Palm Bay

WAL-MART

1001 E Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne 1000 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 3950 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 1500 E Merritt Island Cswy, Merritt Island 1040 Malabar Rd Se, Palm Bay 3175 Cheney Hwy, Titusville 8500 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne 845 Palm Bay Rd Ne, West Melbourne

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NOTE Due to the coronavirus, many events that were previously submitted may have been canceled or postponed. Please check with the event host or sponsor for updates on upcoming events.