August/September 2017 Tallahassee Woman Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY

JAMI

COLEMAN

Designing a Meaningful Life

SPECIAL FEATURE The Next Generation You Oughta Know

SPICE GIRLS

Add Pep to Your Plate

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017

GETTING

REAL

with the

’90

s

I’ll Be There for You… the meaning of friendship

SLEEPLESS

in Tallahassee

Restful Tips tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 1

STROKE CAN LEAVE A VOID — a lack of independence, mobility or communication — if not treated in time. Because when a stroke happens, time is not on your side. How quickly and where you receive care matters. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is the only hospital in North Florida designated as a comprehensive stroke center, offering minimally invasive treatments. Your hospital for stroke is your hospital for life.

Learn the signs of stroke, or see if you are at risk: TMH.ORG/Stroke

2 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

When we were

little girls,

We dreamed we had

super powers.

Now, we do.

Communication is power.

Sachs Media Group. Empowering women to reach new heights for more than 20 years.

Public Relations

Public Affairs

Digital

Research

Integrated Marketing

Crisis

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 3 

contents

tallahassee woman magazine | august/september 2017

On the Cover

About the Cover: Photography by Kira Derryberry | Hair styling provided

by Kenyetta Ray of Raydiance Hair Salon and Vanessa Johnson of Hair on Earth.

Makeup provided by Sharisse Perkins, freelance MAC Artist.

10

Our Thoughts

12

Trending

’90

THE

Jami Coleman: Designing a Meaningful Life By Heather Thomas

60

s ISSUE

Women Have Drive

Keeping it Real With ’90s Trends | Don’t Be Clueless About Germs | A Calming Craft | Book Nook: Banned Books | Spice Girls: 3 Ways to Spice Up Your Palate | Faves & Raves: Back to School

24

Style and Grace

26

Healthy Living

28

Bodies in Motion

Hairstyles Beyond “The Rachel”

Sleepless in Tallahassee

12 4 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

30

Real Life

37

Feature

42

Business & Career

44

Money Talks

46

Our Community

60

Home and Garden

64

The Dish

66

Funny Girl

21

Gonna Make You Sweat! Five Best ’90s Exercise Trends

Alamy

32

I’ll Be There for You

The Next Generation You Oughta Know

’90s Business Buzzwords

’90s Memorabilia Worth Keeping (or Selling)

Junior League of Tallahassee’s Little Black Dress Initiative | Cards for a Cure 2017 Honoree: Lea Lane | Chef Shac Conquers TV's Chopped | Women We Admire: Summer Calenberg— Designing Fitness for Life | Women Who Mean Business (WWMB): Women To Watch | Haute Happenings | Around Town

Full House, Fuller House: ’90s Interior Design Comebacks

A Central Perk: How Cold Brew Became Cool Beans

Boom! I’ve Got a Full-Blown Case of Middle Age

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 5 

TWM | august / september 2017

View Tallahassee Woman

TM

August / September 2017 Volume 12 | Issue 4

YOUR WAY

PUBLISHER Kim Rosier

Print...

EDITOR Heather Thomas

Pick up a copy around town.

COM PLIM

ENTA RY

JAMI

AUG UST

COLE

The digital version of the magazine is posted online on our website, TalWoman.com.

ER 2017

GETTING

AN Designing M a Meaning ful Life

Digital...

/ SEPT EMB

REAL

’90 s

with the

SPECIAL FEATURE The Next Generation You Ough ta Know

I’ll Be There for You… the meaning of friendshi p

SPICE GIRLS

SLEEPLES

Add Pep to Your Plate

in Tallahass

S

ee

Restful Tip

s

tallah assee

wom an • augu st/se ptem

Watch the pages come to life USING YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET! Scan the page wherever you see this TWM icon using the LAYAR APP. Watch videos, view slide shows, connect to websites, blogs, social media sites and much more. (Data charges may apply.)

Get Social With Us...

ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, AND INSTAGRAM FOR EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT AND UPDATES, INCLUDING EVENTS, PHOTOS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MORE.

twitter.com/talwomanmag pinterest.com/talwomanmag instagram.com/tallahasseewomanmag 6 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Stinson, Ad Sales Manager Michelle Royster Hart, Ad Sales Associate GRAPHIC DESIGN Christy Jennings BUSINESS OPERATIONS Jane Royster Munroe, CFO

ber 2017 1

Virtual Reality...

facebook.com/tallahasseewoman

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Maria Elena Margarella

INTERNS Michelle Abraira Katia Fernandez Alexandra Pushkin Tallahassee Woman Magazine LLC Post Office Box 13401 Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone (850) 893-9624 Fax (850) 254­-7038 info@TalWoman.com Tallahassee Woman is published six times per year and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.

The information in this publication is presented in good faith. The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions.

ADVERTISING

For more information on advertising, call (850) 893-9624 or e-mail ads@TalWoman.com.

Copyright ©2017 Tallahassee Woman Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.

TalWoman.com

*model

Enhance Your Natural

BEAUTY. With

T a l l a h a s s e e

Plastic Surgery Clinic & Physicians’ Skin Care Clinic

T a l l a h a s s e e

The latest laser treatment to improve the appearance of brown spots and skin blemishes while making your skin appear lighter and brighter

Plastic Surgery Clinic & Physicians’ Skin Care Clinic (850) 877-2126 • TLHPlasticSurgery.com

LASER | FACIAL REJUVEN ATION | COSMETIC FACIAL S URGERY | SKIN CARE | COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY | BODY CONTOURING tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 7

“Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic is proud to advertise in a magazine that focuses on our community. Our experience with Tallahassee Woman Magazine has been extremely positive. Congratulations to Tallahassee Woman Magazine on your continued success.”

– Advertiser for 11 years, since June 2006.

TM

8 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic is just one of the many businesses that is part of the economic fiber of the community. At Tallahassee Woman, our goal is to help other businesses reach the community with information on their goods and services. We value our advertisers in supporting the women of Tallahassee. Call today to see how we can help you grow your business through effective advertising.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS STYLE & GRACE SECTION Terra Palmer is not only our Style Editor, but she also has a luxury design firm with a passion for quality interiors.

She designs interiors all over the United States and has been featured in multiple publications. Terra is also an accomplished artist—her paintings can be found in art galleries across the Southeast. You can see her work at terrapalmerdesigns.com or follow her on Instagram @terrapalmerdesigns and @terrapalmerart.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michelle Nickens is a vice president at the Institute for Intergovernmental Research, a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida, and a local actor, blogger and author of the novel, Precious Little Secrets.

Tavia Rahki is a yoga teacher, blogger and holistic health advocate pursuing a career in alternative medicine. She is a Florida State University and University of South Florida alumna with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master's degree in aging and neuroscience.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kira Derryberry is a Tallahassee-based portrait photographer specializing in families, headshots, boudoir and commercial photography. She books locally in Tallahassee and is available for travel world wide. View Kira’s portfolio online at kiraderryberry.com.

Lydia Bell, owner of elleBelle Photography, is a member of COCA, PPA, Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild, FPP, PPA Charities, NPPA, NAPCP, ASMP, APA Atlanta Chapter, IFPO, and Fotolanthropy. She has been commissioned by many local and national publications, organizations, businesses and events.

You can find an online portfolio of Lydia's work at ellebelle.pics.

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 9

OUR

thoughts Women Have Drive

“We can’t control events and we can’t control people, but we can control what life means to us. The most successful people are the ones who have taken control of that.” –Tony Robbins

A

h, that word—successful. It can cause different reactions, with a strong one being anxiety as we get older and start critically looking at our life’s journey. In this issue’s theme of “Designing Women,” we take a look back at the decade of the ’90s and revisit a time when many of us were in the early design stages of our lives—achieving milestones in high school, college, or the workplace, getting married or raising children. We were following dreams, making mistakes and all the while trying to figure out our purpose and what gives meaning to our lives.

In TWM’s August-September cover story, Jami Coleman shares her struggle in designing a life with meaning and purpose and redefining what success means to her. At the core of her story is the relentless pursuit of a dream—there is something within her that does not allow her to give up. What was and is that ‘something’ that Jami possesses? According to many experts on leadership, Jami has “drive,” or an intense will and determination to see something through. She is also driven by the knowledge that she has a choice. Motivations come and go, but the lasting fuel to compel someone to keep going forward—despite tremendous obstacles and events they have no control over—is the willingness to tap into their personal driver and decide who or what is going to be behind the wheel.

So, putting the “pedal to the medal” had new meaning when it came to planning our first daylong, Women Who Mean Business event, “Women Have Drive.” It’s a work+play conference on October 11th that will include dynamic

10 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

speakers, vendors and of course food, since we will need fuel for all of our drivers! We believe you will also find empowerment and inspiration to keep your tank full when many of us are running on empty these days.

Ultimately, women who have drive—and a full tank—are women who have recognized the power of decision making. We may not have a choice in what happens to us, but we have the power to decide how something defines our lives. A life with meaning is one that embraces all experiences, choices, and people as important threads of a grander design and acknowledging that a life lived constantly looking at a rearview mirror of regrets is no life at all.

Perhaps a truly successful woman is someone who has incorporated time, skills and strategies into her life’s design for helping others find success too, so that when she is crossing the finish line she is surrounded by those who have encouraged her, and those that she has motivated in return. We are all racing against the clock, but time waits for no woman—use every day as the gift that it is, fueling your drive with purposeful moments that fill up your tank and those of others.

Until the next bend in the road,

Heather (P.S. “Honk” if you love TWM on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!)

TM

LADIES….Start Your Engines!

Tallahassee Woman Magazine and the Women Who Mean Business Community present WWMB Work + Play Conference

“Women Have Drive!”

TIC ON S KETS ALE NOW AT

TALW OMA N.CO JUST M $129

*

*

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(Registration check-in begins at 8 a.m. Event begins at 9:00 a.m.)

Location: Tallahassee Community College Center for Workforce Development 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL

P P P P P

This one day event is open to all professional women in the Tallahassee community with sensational and inspiring speakers presenting throughout the day on business topics, as well as inspirational and lifestyle topics for the well-rounded businesswoman. You will leave this conference inspired and empowered with information to drive you to success!

Your ticket entitles you to a day of: Dynamic Speakers on Business Topics & Lifestyle Topics Valuable Networking Vendor Exhibits Giveaways Catered Lunch and more!

Scheduled to speak:

Michelle Ubben Sachs Media Group

Marsha Doll Marsha Doll Models

Terrie Ard Moore Communications Group

Colene Rogers Colene Rogers & Associates

Dr. Michelle Mitcham Patricia McCray Courageous Conversations Butterfly Life Journeys, Inc. Consulting, Coaching Counseling

Laura Johnson Founder, Coton Colors

Prissy Elrod Author, Far Outside the Ordinary

Judy Micale Judy Micale and Associates

Dr. Asha Brewer Speaker, Author, Radio Personality

Kimberly A. Moore Vice President for Workforce Innovation TCC–Division of Workforce Development

For the most up-to-date information on speakers and other agenda items visit TalWoman.com and follow us on social media. Business/corporate sponsorship opportunities available—call or e-mail us today sign up.

Tallahassee Woman Magazine • talwoman.com • (850-893-9624) • e-mail: wwmb@talwoman.com

Early Bird Discount Code (good through 8/31/2017): Enter WORKANDPLAY to receive $20 off of your ticket. tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 11

TRENDING • shoppi ng style • wellness • knowled ge

KEEPING

IT REAL

WITH 1990S TRENDS

While the 1980s set the stage for many of the trends we know today, the 1990s helped to modernize them. In many ways, the ’90s represented the beginning of the digital age. If a decade had tech bookends, the introduction of the World Wide Web in 1990 was only the start to various Internet-based technologies to come, with “Y2K” serving up a hold-your-breath ending to a tech and style trend-setting decade. Music became more than just tunes on the radio, with genres such as alternative, rap and hiphop serving as the voices of an entire generation. In television and film genres, sitcoms and movies were evolving, producing some of the most well-loved series and movies of all time. With 1990s slang expressions keeping things “fresh,” the decade had its own “flair” and moments to remember.

12 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

S

MUSIC

Born out of alternative rock in Seattle, Washington, in the mid1980s, alternative music became increasingly popular in the 1990s.

With the release of albums such as Nirvana’s Nevermind, Pearl Jam’s Ten, Stone Temple Pilots’ Core and others, the grunge subgenre spread quickly and marked itself as its own subculture. Also exploding onto the music scene, hip-hop and rap became a significant part of mainstream music. Artists such as Dr. Dre, Eminem and the Wu-Tang Clan helped to boost hip-hop and rap to popularity throughout the ’90s. Girl power dominated the decade as well, with artists such as Jewel, Brittany Spears, Whitney Houston, Alanis Morissette, Mary J. Blige and the group Destiny's Child, which launched the career of megastar Beyoncé.

SLANG

Alamy

“As if!”—Replaces “I don’t think so!” as immortalized by Alicia Silverstone in Clueless.

“Fresh”—With references to the sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air, meaning “original” or “unique.”

“Fly”—Cool, good, fun. For example, the “Fly Girls,” which were the dancers on the comedy show In Living Color.

“Keepin’ it Real”—Staying honest and doing the right thing. It was also used in Clueless, among many other movies and sitcoms during that time.

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 13

trending | style

TRENDS

0 9 ’

S

EVENTS

The early ’90s saw the beginning and end of two wars: by 1991, both the Gulf War and the Cold War had come to a halt.

The Gulf War, beginning in 1990, was the United States’ response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The Cold War, beginning in 1947, was a state of geopolitical tension between the Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc following WWII. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane, struck South Florida and became known as the most destructive hurricane in Florida’s history. The mid-’90s saw several bombings, including the 1993 truck bomb at the World Trade Center, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 1996 Summer Olympics bombing. In politics, Bill Clinton was reelected, becoming the first Democratic incumbent to be elected to a second term since Lyndon Johnson, and the first Democrat to be elected president more than once since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The end of the ’90s saw not only the end of a decade but the end of a millennium.

As the year 2000 approached, worldwide tension emerged regarding what was known as the Y2K Bug and it’s potential impact on computer calendar formatting, with speculations of massive detrimental effects throughout the world.

14 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

TECH

The 1990s served as its own tech revolution. In December of 1990, the World Wide Web and its well-known HTTP protocol and HTML language were born. In 1995, Windows 95 was released, Oracle (previously Sun Microsystems) developed the Java programming language, and Internet Explorer was born. In 1994, online shopping became more common with Amazon and eBay. E-mail and instant messaging through websites such as AOL also became increasingly popular.

The emergence of new technologies, such as the digital camera, compact disc, and DVD, began to replace their outdated kin, such as film, vinyl records, and video cassettes, respectively. Other recognizable inventions include the first portable MP3 player, Netflix, DVR, text messaging, and 3D graphics in video games.

Lighting & Landscape Design

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 15 

trending | style

TRENDS

0 9 ’

MOVIES

S

Disney produced numerous animated features during this time, and with the popularity of VHS tapes, Disney dominated home movie collections. With The Little Mermaid being the first Disney princess movie since 1959, the ’90s gave rise to the popularity of Disney princesses, with movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas premiering. Soon after Drew Barrymore received that phone call in Scream, teen scream movies became a hit. Satirizing the slasher films of the ’80s, teen scream films mixed comedy and horror elements. Movies such as Clueless, Boyz II Men, and Pulp Fiction, reflected the styles, trends, music and culture movements occurring during that time. Many blockbusters, such as Forrest Gump, still remain popular to this day.

The film Forrest Gump premiered in 1994, winning a number of Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Hanks.

16 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

0 1 2 0 9 TELEVISION

Sitcoms that began in the ’80s, such as Seinfeld, The Golden Girls, and Cheers, continued airing and were popular TV shows through the ’90s. New sitcoms that began in the ’90s, such as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond, carried on the popularity of sitcoms. Teenage dramas such as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Dawson’s Creek helped to pave the way for future teen dramas of the 2000s. A notable genre, reality television, began in 1992 with The Real World. Now known as simply Real World, it is one of the longestrunning reality television shows. Animation helped to define TV of the ’90s. Nickelodeon debuted its first animated shows, Rugrats, Doug, and The Ren & Stimpy Show, in 1991.

Born and made famous in the early ’90s, adult animated sitcoms, such as Family Guy, Beavis and Butt-Head and South Park, gave rise to a genre of cartoons made for adults. Airing in December 1989 and becoming a household name by the ’90s, The Simpsons leads the pack as the longest-running American sitcom and longest-running American animated program. Anime gained worldwide popularity after becoming increasingly in demand in the ’80s. The genre grabbed the attention of audiences of all ages with shows like Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z. Fantasy series became popular in the mid- to late ’90s, with shows such as Touched by an Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

fab’rik is a women’s fashion retailer offering on-trend style through effortless pieces and accessible prices. We pride ourselves on a unique, personalized shopping experience, and love curating great looks for our local Tallahassee women.

1817 Thomasville Road, Suite 520 | Tallahassee, Florida 32303 | 850.765.6224 |

fabrik_tallahassee

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 17

trending | wellness

Don’t Be

CLUELESS

About Germs

TIPS TO BOOST IMMUNITY

By Michelle Abraira

I

n August, students of all ages go back to school, and germs find their new home in many of our immune systems. Even though we sometimes can’t help but catch this “back to school and work” plague that goes around, here are some tips to help you stay healthy and boost your immune system.

Wash Your Hands and Keep Surfaces Clean

Whether it’s in your house or an exercise machine you use at your local gym, it’s always safe to wipe down and clean all surfaces with any bacteria-killing wipe. Also, make sure to wash your hands properly, rubbing them together for at least 20 seconds with soap, then rinsing them well with warm water.

Get Plenty of Sleep

A tip that almost seems so simple—and one that we would love to follow—might be one of the hardest to stick with. Dealing with the many day-to-day activities that demand our full attention, we often put sleep on the back burner. It is recommended that we get at least 8 hours of sleep a night to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Avoid Sharing Personal Items

Sharing kitchenware items, such as utensils and water bottles, is an easy way for germs to make their way into your system. Avoid sharing other objects that may come close to your eyes, nose, or mouth, such as makeup, lipsticks and lip balms. These are great ways to prevent the spread of germs to you and others.

Keep Away From Germy Spots

Other than the gym, a water fountain is where most of us may encounter germs, especially children. Bring your own water bottle to avoid using one of the biggest germ hot spots. If not, make sure to run the water a little first and then begin to drink.

18 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

A CALMING CRAFT

By Alexandra Pushkin

N

eed to relax? Then you may want to take up knitting. Having been around since ancient Egyptian times, knitting has grown from a means of survival to a means of relaxation. Many immersed in the craft enjoy it for its quiet, relaxing qualities. The complexity of the garment mixed with the simplicity of the motions to make it creates both a calming craft and the element of satisfaction.

The act of knitting is akin to that of meditation, lowering the blood pressure and heart rate. Knitting is among other relaxing activities slowly becoming more popular, such as adult coloring books.

Both coloring and knitting provide a break from technology and allow us to use our hands on something other than our phones. Knitting keeps the hands busy without straining the eyes.

In addition to the calming effect it can have on your physical and mental well-being, knitting can be a unique skill to learn. The complexity of the craft requires you to pay more attention and use your hands more than you would, say, using a phone. After you have gotten the hang of it, the once complex craft now seems simpler. Your mind and hands are still focused on the garment in your lap, leading you to be focused enough to be teaching your mind a new trick, yet relaxed enough to go with the flow of the needles.

A mother’s heart is a very special place.

CapitalRegionalMedicalCenter.com

OOnline Appointment Scheduling

P HYS IC IAN NE TW OR K O F C AR E

Check out heart health videos, preventive screenings and interactive decision making tools from our online Healthwise® Knowledgebase at www.capitalhealth.com.

www.capitalhealth.com/sales SM

An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

www.capitalhealth.com

Capital Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-247-6512 (TTY: 1-877-870-8943). ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-877-247-6512 (TTY: 1-877-870-8943).

2017.07.002

SOUTHWOOD Shamil Castro, MD William Kepper, MD Maci McDermott, MD Paul Modafferi, ARNP 1910 Hillbrooke Trail, Suite 2 Tallahassee, FL 32311 850.878.2637

To view our Physician Network of Care, visit CapitalRegionalMedicalCenter. com/physicians/affiliatedpractices.dot Accepting appointments at all locations.

Rohan Joseph, MD Anthony Wright, MD 2626 Care Drive, Suite 206 Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.219.2306

Jeffery Snyder, MD 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 109-C Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.877.1100

Obaeda Harfoush, MD 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 200 Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.877.0910

CRMC - Tall Woman Mag HP - 7.5x4.875 - Network of Care 5-18-17.indd 1

MAIN CAMPUS 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 200 Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.878.8235 PODIATRY Kevin Derickson, DPM 850.878.8235 CHATTAHOOCHEE Brian Ham, ARNP Terence Murphy, MD 409 High Street Chattahoochee, FL 32324 850.663.4643

Accepting appointments at all locations.

We all have an idea of what the perfect healthcare experience should be.

Responsive yet friendly.

Technologically advanced yet compassionate. At Capital Regional, our physicians strive to be the very best every day.

And we think it shows.

e all have an idea of what the perfect healthcare experience should e. Responsive yet friendly. Technologically advanced yet ompassionate. At Capital Regional, our physicians strive to be the ery best every day. And we think it shows.

INTERNAL MEDICINE Rick Damron, MD J. Roberto Mendoza, MD Terence Murphy, MD Andrea Randell, MD Richard Thacker, DO Leonard Waldenberger, MD 850.878.8235

Jolita Burns, MD, FACOG 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 100 Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.877.5589

Jeffrey Kirk, MD 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 109-C Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.402.0202

Brian Allen, MD Maci McDermott, MD, Lynn Steele, ARNP 3445 Bannerman Rd., Suite 100 Tallahassee, FL 32312 850.894.2401

FAMILY PRACTICE Erin Ayers, ARNP Jennifer Russell, ARNP Molly Seal, ARNP 850.878.8235 CRAWFORDVILLE Robert Frable, DO Aida Casto, ARNP 2382 Crawfordville Hwy., Suite C Crawfordville, FL 32327 850.926.6363

Joseph Baker, MD 850.656.7265 Carey Dellock, MD Niraj Pandit, MD Jack Swing, ARNP 850.877.0320 2770 Capital Medical Blvd., Suite 109-C Tallahassee, FL 32308

Michael L. Douso, MD, FACOG 2626 Care Dr., Suite 105 Tallahassee, FL 32308 850.402.3104

5/18/2017 10:23:21 AM tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 19

trending | knowledge

MAKE LIFE SIMPLE

BOOK NOOK

BANNED BOOKS

By Katia Fernandez

F

or the last 35 years, “Banned Book Week” (September 24–30) has been dedicated to honoring the freedom to read despite common efforts to restrict or ban literature that challenges societal norms. By embracing diversity and freedom of expression, the American Library Association brings awareness to the harmful effects that censoring and creating limited access to written works can have on students and the community. To help support the value of open-minded education, here are some of the most recommended reads that have been challenged or removed from libraries and schools.

’90s Banned or Challenged Books:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Maya Angelou retells a personal story of hardships and growing up in the South in this classic coming-of-age memoir. She touches on topics such as racism, rape, self-identification and literacy while exploring how to overcome unfortunate circumstances. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a book for everyone to enjoy.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Released in 1985, this dystopian novel takes place in an oppressive society where a woman’s only role is to bear children.

As a handmaid, Offred’s freedom is restricted, which results in an interesting tale about unrealistic expectations for women. Despite being challenged for its sexually explicit content and profanity, The Handmaid’s Tale has been transformed into a TV series on Hulu.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett The Pillars of the Earth is a historical fiction novel published in 1989. This #1 New York Times Best Seller is only the first of three books about medieval architecture and power struggle. This story is guaranteed to enthrall and show you a peak of life during the 14th century.

Recently Banned or Challenged Books:

Your storage trailer specialists.

RoystersStorageTrailers.com

850-574-3800 20 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard At only 11 years old, Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped. After 18 years of being held captive, she went on to write this #1 New York Times Best Seller about the abuse and trauma she faced during those unimaginably difficult times. Including real journal entries, A Stolen Life recounts many harsh truths balanced with hope and faith for the better.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini In Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel, The Kite Runner, he shares a unique take on a story about a friendship between two boys from contrasting social classes in Afghanistan during a time of hardship.

Though considered to be offensive due to language, this book uses both history and strong relationships to create meaning and explore this culture when violence was unavoidable.

SPICE GIRLS 3 Ways to Spice Up Your Palate

W

By Katia Fernandez

ith the right combination of flavors, spices can help transform any average weeknight meal to an entrée prepared by a professional chef. Seasoning your food can help motivate healthy eating when bland grilled chicken and vegetables get too repetitive. This list of spices will help switch up your favorite food and perk up your palate.

SLEEP ISSUES? We can help

Rosemary Garlic

This seasoning blend combines traditional flavors into one for the perfect addition to chicken, meat or potatoes. This savory Italian spice also works well in combination with olive oil for bread and pasta. If you prefer to make this mix at home, simply combine rosemary, garlic, onion and black pepper with a splash of lemon.

Cayenne Pepper

With an array of health benefits, cayenne pepper adds a kick of heat to any meal.

It is particularly helpful in inspiring healthy cooking because it works as a digestive aid that helps burn fat. A touch of this South American flavor can take any simple food from boring to bold.

Add to chicken or shrimp for your next Cajun-inspired dinner.

Beachton Denture Center’s vision is not only to increase awareness of the inherent dangers of undiagnosed and untreated Sleep Disorder Breathing but also to improve the quality of Life in people with Sleep Disorder Breathing and Respiratory Disorders.

Ginger

Ginger may be one of the best-kept secrets to creating a healthy and delicious meal for everyone to enjoy. Mix with onion, garlic and soy sauce for a simple chicken marinade or zest up your favorite stir-fry with a dash of ground ginger to add an Asian flair without the extra hassle.

Ginger is great for both savory and sweet cooking; there’s no wonder why she’s our favorite Spice Girl.

Beachton Denture Clinic 2515 US-319 Thomasville, GA 31792 229-233-0249 • Beachtondental.com tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 21

trending | shopping

faves & raves Remember the excitement at the start of a new school year?

Get that “back-to-school” feeling with these motivating and rejuvenating products from local shops and service providers. #shoplocal

Zoya Manicure Kit $35 Zoya Hand Lotion $14 Zoya Nail Polishes in a variety of colors $8 Studio B A Salon 2010-1 Raymond Diehl Road, Tallahassee (850) 692-2244 | vagaro.com Carb Blocker tablets $25 Water Relief $20 Healthy Solutions Medical Weight Loss & Spa 2003 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee (850) 309-0356 hs-med.com

22 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

Electric Toothbrush by Oral B $110 (includes five toothbrush heads; full-size mouthwash; toothpaste and dental floss)

Lumicia Shampoo $22 Lumicia Conditioner $24

Bastien Dental Care 2621 Mitcham Drive, Tallahassee (850) 425-1300 BastienDentalCare.com

Salon IQ 1350 Market Street, Tallahassee (850) 422-3350 SalonIQTally.com

Clear shoulder bags with FSU logo or clear with gold $28 (can be monogrammed for $8)

not actual patient

Sparkle by Madison New location: 1240 Thomasville Road Suite 102, Tallahassee (850) 702-5006 Facebook/SparkleByMadison

Venus White Pro Teeth Whitening Kit $250 Beachton Denture Clinic & Dental Center 2515 US-319, Thomasville, GA (229) 233-0249 BeachtonDental.com

Look Up and Live $10 Book by local author KarGrecia Robinson, with spiritual inspirational messages on the power of God’s love for you through your life journey. Purchase online at blurb.com.

revitalize. renew.

Award-winning doctors, Ben J. Kirbo, M.D., Laurence Z. Rosenberg, M.D. and Chris DeRosier, M.D., are dedicated to providing outstanding patient care, in a quiet, relaxing environment.

~ Breast enhancement ~ facelift ~ hair transplants

~ tummy tuck ~ Liposuction ~ nasal Reshaping

Results-oriented medical spa treatments, using the latest technology, are also given by experienced professionals at the SPA at Southeastern Plastic Surgery.

Ask us about Summer Breast Enhancement specials Ben J. Kirbo, M.D. ~ Laurence Z. Rosenberg, M.D. Chris DeRosier, M.D. CeRtifieD By the AMeRiCAn BoARD of PLAstiC suRgeRy

Hush Puppy Navy Blue Sandals $99 Shine Boutique New Location in Bannerman Crossings!

3427 Bannerman Road, Building D, Suite 105, Tallahassee (850) 765-1854, Facebook/ShineBoutiqueTallahassee

850.219.2000

2030 Fleischmann Rd. ~ Tallahassee, FL

visit us At ouR new weBsite At

www.se-plasticsurgery.com

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 23

style & grace

24  tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

HAIRSTYLES BEYOND “THE RACHEL”

By Maria Elena Margarella

Bert Morales, M.D.

Photography by elleBelle Photography Hairstyles by Colleen Morgan Styling by Terra Palmer

When it comes to ’90s fashion icons, there’s Rachel and there’s “The Rachel.”

And you’re probably “Friends” with both of them. But it’s time to (hair)cut it out!

Check out these stunning styles that will move you and Miss Green right into the millennium.

Our Team Will Help You Succeed With Healthy Weight Loss Goals

BOUTIQUE

SHOP HERE FOR GAME DAY!

Sizes S-3X 1817 Thomasville Road (In the Whole Foods Shopping Center)

Special thanks to Style & Grace feature model Alice Watts.

850-999-6105

Instagram:#WalterGreenStyle Facebook: Walter Green Boutique

WalterGreenBoutique.com tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 25

healthy living

SLEEPLESS IN TALLAHASSEE

By Tavia Rahki Smith, M.S., RYT200

Second to love, sleep is the closest thing we have to magic.

T

oday, we face a sleep deprivation epidemic in which incidences of dozing off at work or behind the wheel happen all too often. Our modern world dances to the beat of its own drum, an unhealthy, fast-paced society whose sleeping hours are dictated by the flip of a light switch instead of the absence of sunlight. While we can’t stop evolution, we can take hold of our lives as individuals. Developing healthy sleep patterns cultivates synchronicity, attuning us to the circadian clock, a biological mechanism that guides the lives of not only humans but also plants and animals. According to the National

Sleep Foundation, adults need about eight hours of sleep every night, but many get less than seven on a regular basis. Western culture glorifies selfsacrifice as a success strategy, but the truth of the matter is that ignoring biological limits has detrimental effects on our health and quality of life. These effects include weakened immunity, brain-fog, mood swings, weight gain, low libido and higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. Ongoing sleep deficiency contributes to chronic stress, which may even cause inheritable gene mutations and degenerative disease.

So what exactly makes sleep so magical?

Well, the fuel of life known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the most important

26 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

biochemical energy source for all living things, is restored to a healthy balance in the brain during our deepest sleep.

ATP transports the energy necessary for all cellular metabolic activities. During sleep, our glymphatic system (special clearing pathway of the central nervous system) rids the brain and spinal cord of neurotoxic waste products. This includes beta-amyloid, a protein fragment that clumps together, forming the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimers patients.

Adequate sleep also supports healthy hormone levels of leptin and ghrelin, our satiety and hunger hormones. Our body’s entire defense system depends on getting quality sleep. A good night’s rest is a first priority in achieving homeostatic wellness.

Let’s explore ways to restore balance and promote restfulness:

Environment: Choose surroundings that cater to your needs, focusing on your senses.

Diet: Stay hydrated and make healthful food choices. Think positively about food, chew slowly and breathe through your nose. Avoid caffeine in the evening and abstain from food within three hours before bed. This gives the body time to digest earlier meals and prepare for the work that must done while you sleep.

What do you hear? Listening to binaural beats can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Activity: Exercising in the morning helps you sleep better at night and stick to a routine. If you have time to nap, take it! Practice yoga nidra (yogic sleep) using a guided meditation.

When setting your alarm, use a sleep calculator. The mobile app Sleepyti.me mobile tells you when to go to sleep or when to set your alarm so that your sleep cycles are not harshly interrupted.

Mentality: Start and end your day with healthy innerdialogue sprinkled with positive affirmations. Focus on the present moment to dissipate anxious mind chatter. Do not obsessively start replaying your interactions throughout the day or try to analyze every little detail of tomorrow or go on a guilt trip about what didn’t get done. This type of thinking stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, prompting the body to prepare for wakeful functions instead of restful sleep.

What do you smell? Aromatherapy has been used as a natural remedy for centuries. Diffuse essential oils such as lavender and bergamot to reduce stress and relax the body.

What do you see? Turn out all the lights. The light from phones, televisions and laptops signal your brain chemistry for wakefulness, thus suppressing the release of melatonin (the primary sleep-regulating hormone).

What do you feel? Have the attitude of gratitude. Before bed, think of all that you are thankful for while finding the coziest spot in your bed. Check in with your body. Good sleeping posture means optimal spinal alignment. Try sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. If you’re a side sleeper, place a thin pillow between your knees.

You may not get in the swing of things right away, but healthful living is a product of a million little tiny things; when you add them all up, it just feels right. Start one night at a time. In the words of Sam Baldwin, “I’m going to get out of bed every morning...breathe in and out all day long. Then after a while I won’t have to remind myself.”

Comfort for the WHOLE family

We have the area’s largest mattress selection, while offering the highest quality name brands at unbeatable prices. Our factory trained sleep consultants can assuredly help you find the perfect night’s sleep. The Sleep Gallery is Tallahassee’s Mattress Experts!

222-0435 • 711 North Monroe Street

• TheSleepGallery.biz tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 27

bodies in motion

Gonna Make You Sweat!

Five of the Best ’90s Exercise Trends

By Michelle Abraira

F

rom Billy Banks and TaeBo to Kathy Smith’s Aerobic Fitness, the 1990s gave us some of the most iconic fitness trainers and exercises to date. Filled with spandex, lots of neon and leotards and those endless infomercials, the ’90s were centered around one main exercise—aerobics. Let’s flashback to some of the most memorable fitness exercises of that decade that are sure to make you sweat!

Spinning

Before Soul Cycle popularized spinning for the modern world, spinning was one of the biggest exercise fads of the ’90s.

Being one of the most popular forms of cardio today, spinning is a low-impact exercise that tones your muscles while also burning a huge number of calories.

Many gyms these days also offer multiple spin classes run by a trainer who has put together a fun, fast-paced routine to get your blood and muscles pumping.

8-Minute Videos

If you wanted rock-hard abs or any part of your body to look rock-solid in a short amount of time, this was the perfect exercise for you. Designed by Jaime Brenkus, 8-minute videos were known for how simple they were to use and their fast results. Covering the entire abdominal region, these 8-minute videos consisted of 9 exercises, 45 seconds each, and worked out your obliques and lower abs, two areas that most exercise programs leave out. For even better results, make sure you’re staying consistent with the routine and eating right. Thanks to their modern-day counterparts on streaming cable services or YouTube, getting those defined, rock-hard abs can be achieved in just 8 minutes a day.

Step Aerobics

If you’re looking to get your blood pumping, step aerobics is a must-try. As the ’80s were ending, gymnast Gin Miller introduced the world to a new workout, step aerobics, as it was her only form of exercise she could to do rehabilitate her knee without exerting too much pressure on it. Made up of choreographed movements that work to tone your lower and upper body, this exercise is meant to strengthen your cardiovascular system.

Being a full-body workout, step aerobics is a high-intensity, calorie-burning exercise that is perfect for those who want to lose weight. The best part of step aerobics? It can be done anywhere if you have a raised platform and some music to go along with your routine.

ThighMaster

With Suzanne Somers as the face of this major ’90s fitness trend, the ThighMaster was a workout no one could forget.

Invented by Joshua Reynolds, the ThighMaster gave women a new way to tone and tighten their thighs, hips and butt. Toning inner thighs was made easy with the first model of the ThighMaster, while the second model toned your outer thighs. Even though the ThighMaster might seem like a thing of the past, the desire to have toned leg muscles is a major part of modern-day Barre or Pilates routines with plié squats or standing leg lifts.

28 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

TaeBo

Who knew that pairing martial arts moves with fast-paced music would produce one of the most iconic workouts to date.

Incorporating elements of karate and boxing paired with the flexibility and coordination he learned from taking ballet, Billy Banks changed the game of exercise with TaeBo. Even though this high-cardio workout may seem like a thing of the past, Jillian Michaels’ Kickbox FastFix incorporates those kickboxing and martial arts elements from TaeBo into her routine that are sure to make you break a sweat.

Bright Ideas & Inspired Results

We create websites, print graphics, advertisements, logo & identity branding, and much more.

850-294-3300 www.christyjenningscreative.com

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 29 

real life

elleBelle photography 30  tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

I

’ll be there for you! When the rain starts to pour… said every best friend ever. And now that the classic ’90s theme song is stuck in our heads, we wanted to see what you had to say (or sing?) about friendship. We asked our readers on Facebook and Instagram what friendship means to them, and this is what you said!

Where’s a fountain to dance in when you need one?

From Our Instagram Friends...

From Our Facebook Friends…

“No matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen or spoken to one another, they are there when you need them.”

—Genise Smith @smithgenise

“Real friendship is unconditional support, the unvarnished truth, no questions asked when I say that I need your help in the middle of the night and no judgments on the copious amounts of wine consumed on girls night out!” —Paula DeBoles-Johnson

“Friendship is when people are always there for you no matter what. No matter where you are or how far apart you are, they’re never absent from your life. Moving away to college has taught me this first-hand, and I’m glad to know that my best friend is always there for me when I need her and vice versa. That is what friendship means to me.” —Brooke McLane@brooke_mclane “Truth without judgment, laughs and unconditional love.” —WE Heart Tally@streetarttallahassee “The support system!” —Sarah@sarahmobius “L O V E” —Sweet Face@sweetofaces “Friendship means being there for one another, the good, the bad, the ugly, being a listening ear, a sounding board, an encourager. Friends are those people that let you have a pity party and then don’t let you live there and tell you to put on your big-girl panties. Friendship is having people see all sides of you and still love you.”

—@tyrehall2010

“Arguably, we believe friendships are like marriage.

It involves the utmost commitment, loyalty and tolerance.

It embodies characteristics from the ever-famous I Corinthians 13—it is not arrogant, it is not irritable— and like love it never ends. Realistically, friendships can be messy. Friendships can be annoying. Friendships can make you angry, because as humans we are flawed, remarkably. And sometimes, good friendships can end.

Friendship isn’t an idea. It’s not a quote. It’s also not going to be forever. Friendships allow you to know you had and continue to have someone there for you when life was good, bad and ugly. Friendships can be good, bad and ugly. I guess like marriage, friendships are about sticking together for as long as you can because despite the flaws, you love each other and value each other’s happiness until the very end.” —Ranya Salvant “Friendship is unconditional love, acceptance without judgment, being her champion, encouraging your friend to be her very best, being tactfully honest and always being there for one another through the good times and the bad, even when the miles may separate the friends.”

—Gabrielle Gabrielli “Friendship, to me, means seeing someone after many years and feeling just as comfortable, close and able to chat for hours on end as if time hadn’t passed at all.”

—Lynn Lea

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 31

Jami Coleman

on the cover

32  tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

DESIGNING

l u f g n i Mean A LIFE

BY HEATHER THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRA DERRYBERRY

Poised, confident and possessing a beauty that radiates from within, Jami Coleman, Tax Law and Estate Planning attorney with Viera Williams, P.A., is a hugger—she wraps her arms around life and embraces a person in every way, as if she intuitively senses the sheer brevity of the time we have on earth to make a difference, and she wants to make a personal impact while she has the breath to do it. Every smile, handshake and hug is recognition of the deeper connection she has to what matters in life and what gives her life meaning. “I know my purpose in life is to love others and help them feel loved. I don’t think I’m unique to that purpose—I believe that we are all called to love, and that love should be at the center of any design for your life.”

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 33

on the cover

D

esigning a life with meaning did not come easily for Jami Coleman. However, her desire to love others in a purposeful way, even when challenging, is lived out and was learned early. Jami is the fourth child in a family of 7 children. Her father was in the military, which required them to move many times, but ultimately the family settled in Tallahassee in 1992.

Even though the countries, cities and even languages would change, the family unit remained strong through the love they had for each other and their faith in God. “My dad enlisted in the military at 17 and my mother was a daughter of a Southern pastor, so service and hard work were core values engrained into us. We were encouraged to dream big but that dreams take consistent, personal effort.”

From a young age, Jami dreamed of being an attorney. “As I matured, it became more of a desire to serve and help people, especially people who couldn’t afford an attorney. It was important to me to be an asset in other people’s lives.” She even had a specific law school in mind—Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Which is why, in 1998, when Jami became a pregnant 17-yearold, she felt ashamed. “It was a huge disappointment for everyone. My parents had worked so hard for me to make sure I succeeded. But those feelings—shame, embarrassment and denial about being a teenage mother— are the same feelings that caused me to pursue a more meaningful and intentional life for my child and myself.

I wanted to be an attorney first and then a mother. But being a teenage mother wasn’t going to keep me from being an attorney. Instead, I was determined to make my parents proud and to provide a life for my child that he deserves, which also meant pursuing a life where my dreams were not deferred but realized.”

It was during this time that her life’s design steered her towards tax law when she filed her tax return and received

more money back than anticipated.

She became fascinated by the ins and outs of earned income tax credits.

And she would need every penny.

Instead of finding one job, Jami ended up working 3 jobs (with one of those being at the Florida Bar) while juggling life as a student at Florida State University and being a single mom, since she received little to no assistance from her son’s father.

“I clung to Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you hope and a future.’ I believed that there was a grander, divine design for my life.”

Then there was the devastating loss of her younger sister in a car accident a year after her son was born. “We were incredibly close—she was only a year and a half younger than me. She had just picked up her dress for prom and was going to graduate that year from Lincoln High School.” It was an unimaginably tough year, but it became a marker for Jami. “I watched my parents endure one of the worse losses there is. If I could survive the year I had and bear witness to all of it, then I could get through anything.”

After graduating college, her dream took another hit when advisors told her that it was highly unlikely that she would make it into law school with her grade point average, which had suffered as she struggled in her college years to take care of herself and her son.

Also, despite the tough lessons she had learned, Jami had to learn more when

34 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

she became pregnant with her daughter right before graduating college. This time, she was determined to make things work as a family, and so she and the children moved to Miami and then to Orlando in 2004, where her daughter’s father was employed.

Between 2003 and 2005, Jami applied to over 100 law schools. None would accept her. She would rally though, with the encouragement of her parents and her faith. “I clung to Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.’

I believed that there was a grander, divine design for my life.” It was the mentorship of a judge who wrote a letter of recommendation for her that enabled Jami to finally get her shot, and she began attending Florida A&M University Law School at the end of 2005. The elation of acceptance into law school turned into exhaustion and strain as she was working a full-time job and traveling 45 minutes each way to attend classes at night. Finding herself a single mother again, she was making just enough to pay her bills, but she barely saw her children. “I felt that I wasn’t really providing for my kids the life that they deserved.” The culmination of her pressures resulted in her naively writing bad checks, which would come to haunt her later. She completed a diversion program to clear the criminal charges and assumed that she was in the clear.

After being accepted into Florida State University Law School, Jami and her children moved to Tallahassee in order to be closer to the support of her family.

In 2008, a month before graduating, she received an acceptance letter from Georgetown University Law Center for their Master’s in Taxation program.

She was ecstatic. However, after passing the Florida Bar test and applying for admittance, the gavel of judgment sent her dream crashing down. Jami received a letter from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners requesting that she do an investigatory hearing on her application as to the issue of

Georgetown for a year and completed her Master’s of Law in Taxation. During that year and then the next 2 years afterwards, she endeavored to show rehabilitation, as required by the Bar’s appeals process, in the hopes of reconsideration for admittance. “As I went through the process of showing requisite character to practice, I reflected on my journey and held onto the belief that there was a grander plan. It was very difficult at times, and again I had feelings of embarrassment and shame. But I had had those feelings before and I knew that all things would work together and would work out the way they were designed to be. I had a reference point, and things eventually fell into place.”

whether she was fit to practice law, due to her poor credit, the bad checks she had written, the resulting criminal charges, and her failure to disclose it on her bar application, not realizing that she needed to disclose it even after completing the diversion program.

In 2009, after the hearing, the Bar recommended that she not be admitted. “It caused me anxiety and depression, but deep down I had a reference point. I knew in my heart that God wouldn’t take me through all that I had experienced and that I didn’t get this far— get into law school, graduate from FSU Law School, get accepted into Georgetown—to not become a Florida attorney.”

While her parents helped to take care of her children, Jami attended

After what amounted to her character being put on trial (it involved a hearing in which years of research and sworn testimony were presented), on April 15, 2011, Jami was finally sworn in to the Florida Bar. “When you are in the middle of all of it, you don’t see how your steps were ordered. At the timethey all look like obstacles and roadblocks, but they were all designed to get me to where I am.”

During the 3-year period of appealing the Florida Board of Bar Examiner’s decision, she interned for Special Trial Judge John F. Dean at the United States Tax Court. She was also able to devote a large portion of her time to the Legal Services of North Florida where she assisted hundreds of low-income residents with taxation representation.

As her experience grows, so do the leadership positions and accolades.

Jami is a past-president of the Legal Aid Foundation and is currently serving on numerous nonprofit boards. She was selected as a 2017 Rising Star, and has

been recognized by the National Bar Association as a recipient of the 2016– 2017 Top 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates and received the distinguished award and recognition as the 2016 Nation’s Best Advocate. The Tallahassee Bar Association recently selected Jami as this year’s recipient of the Thomas M. Ervin Jr. Distinguished Young Lawyer Award, which honors a young lawyer who exemplifies the contributions that attorney Tom Ervin made to the legal profession, the Tallahassee Bar Association, the Legal Aid Foundation, the TBA’s Young Lawyer Section and, quite poetically, the Florida Bar. Despite the recognitions, Jami says, “To God be the glory. I am a work in progress. As I experience new and even old challenges that I thought I would never see again I am reminded that I am still here and able to realize whatever I desire and can be successful.”

When it comes to the word “success,” everyone has their own interpretation.

Perhaps meaningful success is when a story’s design has adversity in it, but its purpose is welcomed into the tapestry and used as important threads to make life more resiliently beautiful and thereby bring others hope. Success to Jami wasn’t just in the obtaining of her dream, but was realized when she chose to learn from mistakes and tough times and allow it to fuel her forward.

As Jami’s story conveys, not only can you design a meaningful life, but you can redefine past events on your own terms. “As I encounter women who may face similar challenges, I am reminded to share my story in the hopes that they can see themselves in it. If I was able to do it, then surely they can too. I have an obligation to touch someone in such a way that they can be moved to touch someone else.

Our purpose and life’s design is not just our own. We are intricately connected to one another.”

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 35

Look up and Live!

Spiritual inspirational messages on the power of God’s love for you through your life journey.

To purchase Look Up and Live, contact KarGrecia.Robinson@yahoo.com

850-702-1332

or visit www.blurb.com and search “Look Up and Live” Author KarGrecia Robinson began writing when she was 16, a sophomore in high school who had trouble explaining her emotions but found release and relief when she put pen to paper. An only child, she was born in 1988 in Quincy, Florida, where she was raised by her beloved grandmother, Shelly Robinson Clay, and graduated with honors from East Gadsden High School. Dedicated to her grandmother, this book reflects KarGrecia’s commitment to God, a personal love she wants to share with others to encourage them on their own life’s path.

To be part of our women’s support group: I HEAR YOU...LET’S TALK!! – Call 850-702-1332

36 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

AN ELEGANT SUITE CONCEPT SALON Now offering Manicure and Pedicure Services Featuring: Zoya Nail Polish Products Appointments and Walk – Ins Welcome

850-692-2244 2010-1 Raymond Diehl Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 Tuesday-Friday 9:00am - 8:00pm, Saturday by appointment only

TALLAHASSEE 2017 TOP SALON JUDGES CHOICE AWARD Visit us on Vagaro.com to book your appointment on line 24/7

THE NEXT

By Michelle Abraira, Elena Margarella and Alexandra Pushkin Photography by elleBelle Photography

GENERATION: YOU OUGHTA KNOW

W

hile trends come and go, we still look to the future. Each year, TWM has the honor of sitting down with inspiring, talented young women who are paving the future after being nurtured in the Tallahassee community. This time, we talked with a singer/songwriter who has major music ambitions, a dancer with a passion for biomedical science and a plant pathologist with big dreams. Here’s what you oughta know about the next rockin’ generation of Tallahassee women. tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 37

feature | next generation

Alani Triplett Dance and Biomedical Science

By Michelle Abraira

With a passion for dance and a future that she hopes will make a difference to many, Alani Triplett is ready to take on anything. Starting her dancing career at a young age, she recalls looking back at old videos, seeing herself running and dancing around. Being the energetic child that she was, Alani and her mother wanted to find some way where she could release this energy. Lucky for her, ballet was that outlet.

“My mom and I attended a lot of shows and I liked ballet performances. I wanted to be on stage with the dancers, and I thought it was the best life.”

Although her dance focus is ballet, she has participated in many other forms of dance: jazz, tap, modern and African dance—she has done it all. For Alani, dance is a form of expression and a creative way of being able to communicate to others. “I’ve been dancing for so long that when I’m on stage, people can see how I’m feeling through dance. Dance follows me through my life struggles, and people can visually see what I’ve gone through.” Being one of the most emotional and expressive forms of art, dance is anything but easy. “The physical turmoil it has on your body would probably be the hardest part of it all,” she said.

If the physical toll dance has on the body wasn’t enough, juggling ballet and schoolwork was also difficult to keep up with. “It would get hard, and I would usually do my homework at ballet. There were a couple of times my mom told me I might have to quit because of school performance or to stop altogether so I could breathe a little.” Even with these obstacles, Alani was still able to keep up with schoolwork, graduating with honors, being an active member of the student government at her high school, as well as lead ballet classes for children at the studio where she had learned to dance, Pas de Vie Ballet. Throughout the ups and downs of her dancing career, Alani would say her mother has been the biggest role model in her life. “She’s been through it all with me and is the person I look up to and who motivates me to keep going.”

As a recent graduate of Lincoln High School, Alani will be attending the University of South Florida (USF) in the fall and major in biomedical science. Although she doesn’t plan to dance in college, she hopes to still be a part of the dancing world, and the best way for her to do that will be to become a physical therapist for dancers. “I hurt my knee twice and had to go to physical therapy. While at physical therapy, I almost felt like my technique got worse because I was being seen by physical therapists that were meant for football players or for the elderly.” Because of this, she hopes to help dancers in the future and make sure they get the right therapy they need to improve their technique. Leaving her pointe shoes behind, Alani is ready to take on the next four years at USF, but she will never forget the impact that dance had on shaping her into who she is today.

38 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

Allison Clarke Music

By Michelle Abraira

A Tallahassee native and Florida State University alumna, Allison Clarke has done what many of us in our early 20s haven’t done—released her first EP (extended play record.) From a young age, music has always had a big impact on her life. “It’s always been a passion of mine, even when I was little. I grew up singing in chorus and church choirs. I started writing songs in high school but didn’t start performing them until my senior year. When I finally got to college, I got better at guitar and would sing at coffeehouses.”

As she is just getting started in her career as a musician, Allison released her first EP, Back to You, in May and learned a lot in the process of making it. “Every step I was learning something new. It was definitely a learning process and a good adventure,” she said. “It was fun to pull from different creative outlets. My favorite part would have to be sharing my release with other people and bringing them along on my journey.”

Finding inspiration from some of her favorite artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Colbie Caillat, and Ellie Holcomb, she finds her voice and passion in the music she writes. “I always knew that I wanted my career to be something based in writing,” she says. “I’m a very rhythmic person when I’m writing, so I will usually start with the music and then fit the lyrics in.”

Although writing and connecting people through music is one of her favorite parts of the process, there’s no doubt that it’s not easy. “It can definitely be a hard journey sometimes,” she says, “I’m just getting started and doing it independently. Sometimes, there’s only one voice that tells me to keep going and stay motivated even when I’m discouraged and that’s God’s.” However, the hard work pays off in the end for Allison, as she connects with people through her music. “It has a way of bringing out emotions and people’s perspectives in a way that nothing else can. It’s really an honor to be able to share that with others.”

Her strong faith also has an influence on her music. “Most of all my music comes from my faith journey,” she says. “Some songs are more prayers, while others talk about how God is working in different circumstances of my life. My song, ‘You Lift Me Up,’ is a great example of this. I wrote it at a time where I was really discouraged, but God used that moment to show me that we can find His joy at all times.” She also shared how Tallahassee has influenced her music. “I’ve only recently seen the influence Tallahassee has had. This city is really country-driven, and I think my music has a little bit of that, as well as the laid-back vibe that Tallahassee has.”

With the support from her parents and loved ones, she always has the motivation to keep going. “My parents would probably have to be the ones who have supported me the most. My dad always tells me to just have fun with it.” For those who are aspiring young musicians, the idea of starting a music career can be daunting. But Allison shares that by going into it with the right reasons and having a passion for what you’re doing, you can achieve anything. “Be honest with the work you’re creating. Don’t try to create art to please someone else. Instead, be honest about what you believe and always look for opportunities to reach people with your art.” Allison is currently living in Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue and further her music career, and we can’t wait to see where her journey will take her next. tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 39

feature | next generation

Kelsey McWilliams Science

By Alexandra Pushkin

After a rare opportunity to do research in the Kolomiets Lab, Kelsey McWilliams decided in that lab that she wanted to further research plant pathology. Graduating from Chiles High School in 2012, Kelsey went on to Texas A&M to pursue a bachelor of science in bioenvironmental science and soil science.

“I fell in love with it my senior year,” says Kelsey, who initially had her heart set on the preveterinary track. Kelsey changed to plant pathology when she had to take one of her major-specific classes and decided in the lab that she would pursue it as a career.

Plant pathology is an emerging field, with around 30 people in Kelsey’s program. “I can’t praise it enough for fostering research,” she says. Plant pathology and microbiology at Texas A&M focus on the research of plant diseases and how they impact the health of humans, animals and our environment. “My interests in the realm of plant pathology are focused on plant-microbe interactions, bacterial genetics and microbe adaptations to extreme environments,” Kelsey says.

Given her situation, Kelsey is able to delve into her interests both on and off campus. AgriLife Extension is research-based educational programs with a network of 250 offices and over 900 professional educators. These extension programs intertwine farmers, agriculturalists and researchers. “The research goes from lab to farmers,” Kelsey says, “who can use what we figured out to benefit crops.” The work is a cooperative involvement rather than private research, which allows those working to help the public as soon as the research is peer-reviewed. Kelsey’s undergraduate, published research symposium was in maize, better known as corn, done in the Kolomiets Lab. What motivates Kelsey is how her field impacts everyone.

“Everyone is affected by plant pathology,” Kelsey says.

Whether you eat meat or vegetables, somewhere along that line something is eating plants, and of course, everyone eats.

This line of study allows Kelsey to look at global issues of food and food availability, how climate change has affected food crops and even human rights violations as a product of not having scientists to look for these diseases. In short, we need more plant pathologists.

When she’s not in the lab, Kelsey describes herself as an avid reader, art history enthusiast and a “chronic camp counselor,” spending her summers in Maine as a horseback riding instructor and counselor to freshmen figuring out their first year. Kelsey discovered her passions as an upperclassman and now serves as a mentor to kids ages 6 to 16. Recently, Kelsey has been accepted into Texas A&M under the Excellence Fellowship for the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. She plans to complete her doctorate and postdoctoral research and work at the university level as a professor.

40 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

Sizes: Tween-Plus Size New Location: 1240 Thomasville Rd., Suite 102 New Number: 850.702-5006 /sparklebymadison @sparklebymadison

1410 Market Street | Tallahassee | 850.224.2924 | ChrysalisFabric.com

252 Capital Circle SW | Tallahassee FL 32304 | 850-575-1000 | WernerHyundai.com

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 41 

business and career

Off ice Space

’90s Business

By Katia Fernandez

F

alling back on clichés and buzzwords is a common mistake everyone makes. So often, we use these phrases without truly understanding what they even mean. To best represent yourself, avoid using outdated expressions and replace them with fresh, direct word choices. Everyone will appreciate your professionalism and clarity when they don’t have to Google what it means to take a “bio-break.”

Buzzwords to Avoid

Words to Say

“Out of Pocket”

“Teams”

“Think Outside the Box”

“Best Practices”

This is a quick, yet ambiguous way of illustrating that someone may be unavailable or out of the office. Unfortunately, this isn’t universal knowledge and can cause some confusion in the work place. Instead, choose to professionally explain your situation and provide a line of assistance if any issues occur.

By now, it should be known that creativity goes a long way when it comes to innovative thinking. This motto may have been effective once before, but the overuse has caused it to lose its impact.

“Low-Hanging Fruit”

This term implies that something is so guaranteed, it requires minimal effort. Though popular in the ’90s, eliminating this phrase from your business vocabulary is essential. Every project, customer or situation should receive full attention. No one wants to be referred to as a fruit, even metaphorically.

“Bleeding-Edge”

Describing a brand-new, innovative concept, this gory slang is the amped-up version of “cutting-edge.” Convey your excitement for this breakthrough idea by properly explaining what it is. Doing this will give it the proper credit it deserves.

42 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

For years, building a strong team has proved to be a crucial step in creating any rewarding business. It may seem obvious at this point, but in order to ensure a positive work environment with the most productive results, team building is essential. It can truly make or break an organization.

The term “best practices” is just as the words explain—a plan or an approach that has proved to be the most resourceful and successful. As long as it is made clear, this classic phrase can be used to easily consult and work through any issues that may erupt. Every business should know what their “best practices” are to keep things going smoothly and adequately.

“Breakpoint”

Everyone struggles from time to time to find that “breakpoint” when they finally land on the right idea.

Encouraging insightful, smart thinking will eliminate the use of clichés and allow for a direct line to that successful moment.

Are there other business buzz words you would recommend or avoid saying? Give us a buzz at talwoman.com.

Southern Beauty

Work. Life. Balance.

Trimming | Removal | Reasonable Rates

850-421-1260

Forrest’s Tree Service

Summer Brooke Gomez, PhD

Professional Identity Workplace Social Strategies Ambitious Couples Exceptional Adolescents Creativity & Spirituality FSU MSW & PhD in

Marriage & Family Therapy

Individuals Couples & Families

Call or text 850-566-9941 Serving Tallahassee for 15 years - No job too large or too small - Complete Clean Up

Doug Jones, Owner Licensed & Insured

There is incredible wisdom within you. Awaken it.

FL LCSW 12608

WHEN WHAT IF BECOMES

WHAT NOW. None of us can predict what will happen next. But when you choose RGVI as your insurance provider, the “what now” is as simple as calling your agent.

Automobile

Homeowners

Umbrella

Boat

Recreational Vehicles

Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance | WE’RE ALL ABOUT YOU! (850) 386-1111 | RGVI.com

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 43

money talks

’90S MEMORABILIA

Worth Keeping (or Selling)

By Katia Fernandez

W

hether it’s for the hope of reselling it or the nostalgia alone, it’s not uncommon to find an array of ’90s memorabilia collecting dust at home. Before you decide to get rid of any timely pieces, it’s important to know their worth.

VHS Tapes

Pokémon Cards

Furby

Beanie Baby

Before DVDs and online streaming, VHS tapes were the best way to watch your favorite movies from the comfort of your home. Though they may seem obsolete, some of these tapes are quite valuable. A “Black Diamond” edition of Beauty and the Beast can be sold for up to $1,000 on eBay, despite originally being sold for about $20. Another popular, profitable option is any wrestling special from the ’90s.

Any ’90s person can recognize Furby as an iconic token of their childhood. Whereas they could be originally purchased for $35, now these packaged toys can be sold for a few hundred dollars. A working Furby out of the box can still be sold for $100. The most valuable model is the 1998 Tiger Furby with a misprinted label.

American Girl

In 1986, American Girl dolls were created and quickly became one of the most popular toys for every little girl. Though valued originally at an average of $100, dolls from before 1998 can now be resold for anywhere between $200 to $1,000 depending on the model. The three American Girls Kristen, Samantha and Molly are especially profitable.

44 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

A true ’90s collector knows that Pokémon cards hold strong value, even more so today. Trading and battling cards became a popular hobby back in 1996. A pack of cards costs between $10 and $20, but the right card can be worth a fortune. A complete first-edition card set can be sold for $5,000 and specialty cards like the Pikachu Illustrator card are worth even more.

Collecting Beanie Babies was a common habit in the ’90s.

At only $5 a piece, there was a hope that these toys would eventually grow to become gold mines. Unfortunately, many are not worth very much, but there may be a few jackpots hiding in your collection. A first-generation edition of Punchers (later named Pinchers) can be worth over $800.

Other prized members include Royal Blue Peanut, Korean Raspberry Patti and a wingless Quacker.

Polly Pocket

Another classic piece of a ’90s girl’s childhood, Polly Pocket became all the rage after first appearing in stores in 1989.

These miniature dolls may be small, but their value is quite grand. Years ago, Polly Pockets could be purchased for $20, but if you try to buy any now you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars. Sealed collections have been known to sell for as much as $600.

Prime Meridian Bank provides its mortgage clients with outstanding service and our best, most competitive rate the first time.

Adrienne Granger Mortgage Loan Officer Prime Meridian Bank (850) 907-2398 NMLS# 451760

Invested In Your

Dreams

Tallahassee | Crawfordville | TryMyBank.com

NMLS #393620

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 45 

OUR COMMUNITY A look at the events, organizations, businesses and people that make Tallahassee a great place to live—and love.

Junior League of Tallahassee’s Little Black Dress Initiative

By Michelle Abraira

T

he simplest choices that we have in life, those of deciding what to wear or where to get our morning coffee, are all little things that we take for granted.

Every day, we have a house to come home to, a bed to sleep in and food on our table. For those in poverty, these simple choices or luxuries that we have may not even be an option. Some of our neighbors have little to no money or a way of supporting themselves and their families.

Instead, they must struggle to find ways to get work or find work, to provide quality child care and nutritious meals for their children and to just get by every day. Although poverty is a worldwide issue that has affected and will continue to affect millions around the world, those in our local community are affected by poverty in more ways than one.

Thankfully, nonprofit organizations such as the Junior League of Tallahassee (JLT) are doing everything they can to help.

With the Little Black Dress Initiative, the organization raised awareness for those in poverty and shed light on ways that others in the community can help.

By promoting volunteerism and leadership, JLT aims to improve the lives of children and families in our community through strategic projects and effective volunteers. “We want to get our members involved in different community initiatives that address basic needs,” said Jess Tharpe, immediate past president of the organization. “The Little Black Dress Initiative does exactly that by highlighting the lack of choices people living in poverty have.”

Taylor Hatch, current president of JLT, was also an active participant in the event.

“For me, the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) acts as a platform for our members to leverage our woman power

46 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

in a multitude of ways,” she said.

“Through various communication outlets, we are able to raise awareness about poverty and cascade the important message of how it affects our community.”

Through the initiative, participants wore the same black dress everywhere for 5 days in a row. From running errands to going to work, they wore their black dresses proudly with a button on the front that read “Ask Me About My Dress,” which helped create an open dialogue with people they encountered. “We had about 40 members participate in the event, and with the button, we wanted to start the conversation and spark action in our community,” says Jess. By talking with people in the community, JLT shared local poverty rates and how those living in these conditions are affected.

“I spoke to someone that week and told them that more than 58,000 people in

Tallahassee live in poverty, and this came as a shock to this individual. Most people don’t realize that many people right here in our community are living below the poverty line in our area. By having that conversation and getting that information out there, we want to motivate change and action and get people involved.”

An organization that strives to give back to those in the community, JLT will continue to do everything it can to raise funds for those in need. “The funds raised during this weeklong event help the league carry out its mission of improving the lives of children and families and support our projects that focus on basic needs like our Kids’ Boutique back to school event and our new partnership with Hope Community,” says Taylor. “I believe we have a duty to give back, and it’s inspiring and makes me personally proud to be a member of the Junior League of Tallahassee and a resident of Leon County.”

VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!

JEWELRY. CLOTHES. HANDCRAFTED LOCAL SOAPS. CANDLES & MORE 3427 Bannerman Road, Building D, Suite 105

/ShineJewelry&Gift Boutique

850-765-1854

Shinejewelrytlh

Tuesday – Friday 11-7:00 / Saturday 10-7:00

With our busy schedules and every curve ball that life throws at us, we sometimes find it difficult to take a step back from our world and take the time to help others. “We have a choice to get involved or to not get involved,” says Jess. “We can either go about our everyday lives not thinking about other people’s struggles, or we can make the choice to get involved. Whether you’re donating to a nonprofit or volunteering, it doesn’t take much to make a difference.” The organization has high hopes for the future and plans on expanding to help reach more children and families. “We have more than 500 active and sustaining members and we look forward to seeing even more of our members and community leaders help us raise awareness by wearing a dress and button next year.”

FEEL GREAT

ABOUT YOUR LEGS THIS SUMMER Our Board Certified Vascular Specialists invite you to determine if your troublesome varicose veins are more than just cosmetic.

Most insurance plans provide coverage for patients with venous disease.

Vascular Surgery Associates offers a full service line of both, non and minimally invasive treatment plans.

Please call for a consultation.

VS A

Vascular Surgery Associates

Vascular Surgery Associates

Dr’s Kaelin, Hoyne, Brumberg & Massie

2631 Centennial Blvd., Suite 100 | Tallahassee, FL 32308

850-877-8539 | WWW.VSAFL.COM |

/ VascularSurgeryAssociates

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 47

community

2017 CARDS FOR A CURE HONOREE

Lea Lane’s Story Triple negative.

I

was on a six-month mammogram schedule (my physician was concerned about an area in my left breast), when I found a lump and a biopsy was taken.

It was a Friday at work when radiologist Mary Swain, MD, called to tell me I had cancer. A week later she called again to let me know the pathology was back and it was Triple Negative breast cancer.

Because I’m an oncology nurse, she realized the impact the news had on me.

I knew surgery would give me answers, but the wait can be so long.

We took our time sharing the diagnosis with our children and extended family and friends. My husband Randy and I have two boys and a girl, and at the time they were 17, 19 and 21 and we wanted their lives to remain normal for as long as possible. All of my extended family is in Tallahassee, my parents are elderly, and I knew once my diagnosis was shared our world would never be the same. Randy and a few close friends and coworkers knew, but this time allowed me to think, research, cry alone and pray.

When, ‘Why me?’ turns into, ‘Why not me?’

I have read Anne Graham Lotz’ book, WHY? In the book, she recounts how her son was diagnosed with cancer and she prayed with him. She says, “We

acknowledged that he could bring God glory through faithfully trusting him if the cancer led to death, or if the cancer went into remission, or if the cancer was surgically and successfully removed, or if the cancer simply disappeared.” I felt those words—I needed to pray, have faith, and trust God. I knew I had the best doctors around me and an amazing group of coworkers by my side.

Surgery was a defining moment. I knew my life could change drastically after that, but at this point, I was ready to move forward. I can certainly appreciate the emotions patients face between diagnosis, further testing, waiting on results, and getting surgery scheduled. I remember waking up in recovery, after a double mastectomy, and Randy telling me the lymph nodes were negative.

Groggy, and out of it, all I could think was “Thank you.”

Next was chemotherapy and it was strange to be on the receiving end. With each treatment, I felt blessed to have people I worked with taking care of me.

A coworker gave me a card with a girl pushing a boulder that said, “You may not see us standing behind you on the front end, but we are all there pushing that boulder with you.” Family and friends also pushed that boulder and helped give us a sense of normalcy.

48 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

I am a cancer survivor...

a term I have a hard time saying. My story is not remarkable, and as an oncology nurse I live and breathe cancer every day. My point is, there are so many courageous people who I admire— people that don’t see a cure in sight, or patients that keep enduring treatment after treatment to stay alive a little longer to be with family and friends another day. I am honored and blessed to be a part of the team at One Healing Place.

Each person at the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center makes a difference. There is research being done to find new treatments and funding is the driving force, but we need to remember to take care of those that take care of us too, and also to remember not only those with breast cancer, but everyone enduring a cancer diagnosis. This community is blessed to have so many people dedicated to helping patients through their cancer journey. Thank you for helping me through mine.

For more information about the 2017 Cards for a Cure, to become a sponsor or to buy tickets, visit online at cardsforacuretallahassee.com, or e-mail janet.borneman@tmh.org.

All proceeds from the event benefit all cancer programs at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Chef Shac Conquers Chopped

ADVANCED DERMAL

S O LU T I O N S

By Katia Fernandez

ENDLESS SUMMER SUMMER CHECKLIST Facial, Chemical Peel Botox and Fillers Eye Lash Extensions Information and online booking at

www.advdermal.com

Advanced Dermal Solutions 3116 Capital Circle, NE, Suite 5 at Hermitage Blvd.

(850) 906-9900

Like us on Facebook for weekly specials.

F

WESTMINSTER OAKS

Though mixing unknown ingredients provided a thrill, Chef Shac admits that her biggest challenge with Chopped was ultimately time. She confesses, “It has always been my biggest issue. I don’t cook fast—it’s not my natural way of handling my ingredients.” Fortunately, her strengths outweighed her struggles when she was ultimately decided as the winner.

Enjoy active senior living with a variety of affordable apartments and single-family homes, plus the security of additional support like assisted living and nursing care, all on one campus.

or the last ten years, Food Network’s Chopped has been bringing together the very best chefs and supplying them with endless cooking challenges. Recently, Tallahassee’s very own Shacafrica Simmons, most commonly known as Chef Shac, not only competed but won the potato-themed episode. She chose to participate after falling in love with the infamous mystery-basket style of cooking featured on the show. “I would be at home watching and thinking ‘they should do this or do that.’” Chef Shac’s creativity in the kitchen is due in large part to her grandfather’s cooking influence, their lack of resources growing up and learning to create a meal with what they had on hand.

Chef Shac may have won the episode, but the true victory came for the city of Tallahassee, which is too often underestimated in the culinary field. Her talents are starting to bring some much-needed recognition to our flavorful city and she couldn’t be prouder. She says, “I was happy to represent and bring some positive attention to Tallahassee while showing them all the great things that are happening here.”

She may have found her spotlight, but don’t worry, Chef Shac is still committed to the ever-growing town of Tallahassee. Following her success on the show, she plans to continue expanding her work and maybe even collaborating with the Food Network again in the future. Facing a variety of new opportunities since the show, the future is looking bright for our local, well-loved celebrity chef.

TALLAHASSEE’S FIRST CHOICE IN SENIOR LIVING

For more information call (850) 878-1136.

www.WestminsterOaksFL.org 4449 Meandering Way Tallahassee, FL

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 49

our community

WOMEN WE ADMIRE SUMMER CALENBERG DESIGNING FITNESS FOR LIFE

By Michelle R. Nickens | Photography by elleBelle Photography

“Your strongest life is built through a continuous practice of designing moment by moment.”

—Marcus Buckingham

D

esigning a life with meaning and purpose takes initiative, passion, commitment, support and vision.

Recently, I heard, “Tell me what breaks your heart, and I’ll tell you what your purpose is.” Sometimes, we recognize it right away. For others, the discovery is a journey. I’ve had friends who knew what they wanted to do at 12 years old, while others experienced something later in life that resulted in an epiphany. Patience, courage and endurance are needed not only to realize your goal but to execute it.

When I met Summer Calenberg, I immediately felt inspired, energized and encouraged for our future. At 22 years old, Summer has experienced, learned and achieved more than many do in a lifetime. Just like the sun breathes life into our lives, gives us energy and fuels our strength, Summer’s attitude and approach to life are empowering, warm the heart and feed the soul. “I could not believe in or do something,” Summer said, “that didn’t bring value to my life and to other people’s lives.”

Summer grew up in New York City and moved to Florida when she was 16.

After living in West Palm Beach, school led her to Tallahassee and Florida State University. As an undergraduate student, she studied merchandising and then received a master’s degree in business. “I interned in New York City and went to many fitness studios. They were diverse, different and fun. Back in Tallahassee, I tried to seek out something similar, but couldn’t find a fit. I thought Tallahassee

50 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

could benefit from a place like those I had visited in New York City. I decided to take action, and in April 2017, Drip Drop Fitness became a reality.”

The concept? You will be “dripping” with sweat during a great workout and “dropping” your stress at the door. But Drip Drop Fitness isn’t like your regular workouts or going to the gym. It’s jampacked with dance cardio set to pop and hip-hop music. And, to top it off, lights flash overhead. “We call it our happy hour,” Summer explained. “When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and makes you happy.”

Summer doesn’t have a fitness certificate or dance experience. “I am a customer, not a teacher. The business is my role—the marketing, designing the space, working with the staff, building relationships with the community and other businesses and developing a plan for the future.” The studio has three instructors with expertise in dance and knowledge of fitness, muscles and techniques. “Our goal is to have fun and offer a great workout without it being painful and tiring. Often people dread going to work out. Our vision is to be a place people look forward to going to.” The classes are for all ages. No dance background is needed, and the instructors encourage people to modify the workout to fit their fitness level.

“Don’t get caught up in the fear of failing.

Look at the positives, not the negatives. Attitude is everything. Relationships are critical. Keep focused on the big picture." side during every stage of her journey.

“My faith is very important to me and is a core part of my life. I am thankful for the blessings I have received and how they have helped during this process.”

For young people entering the workforce or working to be an entrepreneur, the challenge can be daunting. Summer said, “Don’t get caught up in the fear of failing. Look at the positives, not the negatives. Attitude is everything.

Relationships are critical. Keep focused on the big picture, not just numbers and successes. Make sure your life is not just work. Balance your life.”

Summer is positive, caring, energetic and knowledgeable. Her skillful strategy has resulted in a unique approach to fitness. Looking ahead, she wants to make her business the best it can be, to learn from it and grow. Ultimately, she would like to hire a studio manager and open a second location in Florida.

The studio is located at 307 N. Adams Street, close to downtown and the universities. More information about the classes, schedules and specials can be found at dripdropfitness.com.

Get ready to drip and drop while supporting a new entrepreneur with her purpose—to improve the health of our community.

It can be a difficult and stressful climb for anyone when establishing a new business. “It wasn’t easy,” Summer admitted. “In addition to all the aspects of starting a business—setting up the space, building a website, creating marketing, hiring staff—I also was juggling school and tests. Sometimes, I wonder how it all got done. The support from my parents, close friends, local mentors and the Tallahassee business community was so strong. I suffer from anxiety. Starting a new business fuels anxiety.” Summer lived in New York City during 9/11 and it has had long-lasting effects. Faith and family have been at her tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 51

W WMB N E

Women Who Mean Business WOMEN TO WATCH

W S | A W A R D S | M I L E S

T O N E S

As part of a community of business-minded women, Tallahassee Woman celebrates, recognizes and honors the achievements made by women in the workplace and in the community. In doing so, we are connecting women together, empowering one another and celebrating our successes that are making a difference for everyone.

Wallisa Cobb was recently named a member of the Flagler College Community Advisory Council.

Wallisa is the Managing Broker of Cobb Realty and Investment Company. She also serves as chair of the Leon County Affordable Housing Committee, chair of the United Way Income Council Financial Education Committee and member of the United Way Economic Stability Steering Committee. Wallisa is a courtappointed child advocate through the Guardian ad Litem program.

Meghan Daigle has recently joined the Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee as its new Promise Zone Staff Attorney.

Meghan brings 15 years of legal experience in the areas of family law, dependency, probate, guardianship, medical malpractice, automobile negligence, corporate, small claims and employment discrimination. She is the past president of Tallahassee Women Lawyers (TWL), and has been recognized for her pro bono work, including as the recipient of TWL’s Inspirational Service Honor.

Zoe Linafelt recently joined the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers in the role of Communications Manager. Zoe was named a national “PR Champion” by the PR Council in 2015 and a member of the Joe Curley Rising Leader Class of 2016 by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). She earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from Florida State University and is an active member of the Capital Chapter of FPRA, currently serving as the Director of Membership.

52 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

Lily Etemadi recently joined the Private Events Team at the University Center Club (UCC). As a 10-plus-year veteran of destination marketing and corporate event planning, Lily brings a creative perspective and will continue the growth of the UCC as a place for celebrating and collaborating all year. Lily is on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Tallahassee and is a Leadership Tallahassee (Class 32) graduate.

Majesty Coates has launched a new business—a cosmetic teethwhitening salon called SmileLabs.

Her business is located in the medical offices area near Capital Regional Medical Center. After reviewing the company’s products and procedures, Majesty participated in the SmileLabs training program and is now offering the teeth-whitening services to the Tallahassee community.

Vicki Weber, a local attorney, has been recognized for her extensive support and involvement in the statewide organization Leadership Florida at their 2017 Annual Meeting in Palm Beach. This award is presented to a member whose work in support of Leadership Florida and its programs or initiatives went above and beyond that expected of someone serving in a volunteer capacity. In addition to this award, Weber was elected to serve as General Counsel for the third year in a row on the Leadership Florida Board of Directors. She is a graduate of Leadership Florida Cornerstone’s Class VIII.

Submit your items for the WWMB Community Women to Watch to listings@talwoman.com.

Regina “Gina” Reeves has joined Syntech in Human Resources as Talent Acquisition Manager. Regina brings experience and a proven track record of success in the human resources arena. Under her leadership, Syntech has successfully filled vital IT positions and Gina has championed an Internship program coordinated through Florida State University and CareerSource Capital Region, consisting of a steady pipeline through outreach and implementation, currently employing nine productive interns. Gina has a master of science degree from Florida State University and has achieved her certification as a Society of Human Resource Professional, SHRM-CP. Brianna Page was recently promoted to the position of Associate Treasury Manager II at Prime Meridian Bank. In this role, Brianna will be developing business for the bank, providing client service and support, and assisting clients with the Treasury Management services the bank provides. Brianna is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Business, receiving dual degrees in finance and hospitality.

Lawn Care Maintenance Turf and Shrub Care Tree Trimming Hedges and Weeds Landscape Design & Installation Drainage Work Pressure Washing

850-766-8370

TallahasseeLawns.com tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 53

our community

haute HAPPENINGS The Big Champagne Bash 2017 August 4, 2017 | Doubletree by Hilton Join Big Brothers Big Sisters in helping to fund-raise and “friend-raise.” Each year, Big Brothers Big Sisters match over 500 children with dedicated mentors. The event begins at 8:00 p.m. and ends at midnight. For more information on the event, visit bigbendmentoring.org/bash.

Night Prowl at the Museum August 5 and 19, 2017 Tallahassee Museum

Tallahassee Museum features a guided tour of the Florida Wildlife Trail at night. Spot nocturnal animals along the trail, and even interact with a nocturnal animal yourself. The tour is from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration deadline is the Wednesday before each event. For more information, visit tallahasseemuseum.org/calendar.

Visions of the Nazca September 1, 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Florida State University

Florida State’s Museum of Fine Arts presents an exhibition of pre-Columbian ceramic items curated from the Carter collection. Curated by GermanáRoquez and researched by students in her Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies class, this exhibition features 29 pieces from the Nazca civilization. The exhibition is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Elizabeth McLendon at (850) 644-1299 or emclendon@fsu.edu.

Opening Reception: The 32nd Annual Tallahassee International September 1, 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Florida State University

Tallahassee International is a juried competition sponsored by Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts. This year, close to 250 artists have entered the event, with 34 works by 22 artists being accepted. Join the Museum of Fine Arts at the opening reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Elizabeth McLendon at (850) 644-1299 or by e-mail at emclendon@fsu.edu.

Brooke B. Bluebird Run September 4, 2017 J.R. Alford Greenway

The Brooke B. Bluebird Run will show support for Suicide Prevention week by gathering members of the community for a walk and run. J.R. Alford Greenway will glow with party lights, live music by the Long Lost String Band featuring Irish jigs and reels, a wide assortment of refreshments, a

54 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

tent for shade and, of course, beautiful scenery for walkers and runners alike.

This year’s run will facilitate the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tallahassee, Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) and other ongoing efforts in the community. The 1-mile walk begins at 8:00 a.m. and the 5-kilometer run begins at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit online at bluebirdrun.com/the-event.

2017 Tallahassee St. Jude Run/Walk to End Childhood Cancer September 16, 2017 Southwood Town Center

In recognizing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Big Bend is joining 62 other communities across the country for a family-friendly 5K event to raise funds to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Registration for walkers is $10 and $20 for runners.

For additional information, contact Amy Hutcheson at (850) 933-9553 or call (850) 907-1901. Register your team by visiting stjude.org/walkrun.

POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS The Florida State University College of Medicine is partnering with Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. and Westminster Communities of Florida to research the effectiveness of the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program for caregivers of individuals with dementia. The program aims to reduce caregiver burden and improve quality of life. We are seeking participants who would: 1. Attend a 90-minute Powerful Tools workshop once a week for six weeks.

2. Complete three surveys at different times over the course of the study.

3. Wear an activity monitor (such as a Fitbit) for one week before and after the Powerful Tools program.

There are no costs for attending the workshop and study participants are compensated for the time needed to complete the surveys. We are asking for participants through the fall of 2017.

To participate or for more information please call or email: LaVon Edgerton at (850) 644-5619 or geriatrics.research@med.fsu.edu

Research supported by the Florida Department of Health, Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program. Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshops supported by a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement grant funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 55

. . . . . . [SOLD] . . . . . . [SOLD] our community | haute happenings . . . . . . [SOLD] Saturday, September 17, 2016 . . . . . . [SOLD] Florida Tap 7 –5th 11 Annual pm . . . . . . $3,000 Invitational 2017 Tallahassee Automobile Museum September 29-30, 2017 . . . . . . $2,000 • Pink Tie Optional . . . . . . $1,500 • Live Entertainment The 5th Annual Florida Tap Invitational • Silent & Live Auctions . . . . . . $1,000 2017 is presented by Proof Brewing • Heavy Hors d’oeuvres . . . . . . $500 Company and For The Table Hospitality, • Must be at least 21 years of age and sponsored by Visit Tallahassee. . . . . . . $250

Over 40 Florida craft breweries and over 100 new and rare beers make this two-day event North Florida’s largest tion of weekend beer festival. Madison Social & Township host a beer carnival with food/ beer pairings on Friday evening. Proof wing for credit Brewing Company hosts Saturday’s beer festival in the afternoon. For more SouthWood Town Center ver Tallahassee, FL information, call (850) 577-0517 or www.CardsforaCureTallahassee.com ican Express visit online at fltapinvitational.com.

850-431-4048

for a Cure

Sept. 16

LiveSave Entertainment the Date featuring the

community for her va breast cancer. The ev musical entertainmen Save the Dated’oeuvres, and live an Tallahassee Woman The Cards for a Cur Magazine & WWMB Community Committee works wit Women Have Drive!

Memorial HealthCare Work + Play Conference promote breast cance October 11, 2017 raise funds for the Tal 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TCC Workforce Development CancerCenter Center and its 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee

The E

Saturday, Septe 7 – 11 Tallahassee Auto Ticket Price: Ladies...start your engines! Join us at Pink the Tie TM

2017 Women Have Drive! Work+Play Conference, presented by Tallahassee Cards Woman Magazine and the Women Who The Tallahassee Mean Business Community.

This one day Mem event is for all business andfirst professional was accredited in women. Spend the day networkingCollege with American of S other incredible women, absorbing Commission knowledge on current trends, with on Canc dynamic, experienced inspiring asand the longest continu speakers presenting throughout the day onComm Comprehensive various business and lifestyle topics. Also, Program many more activitiesCancer and opportunities are in Fl planned including a recent vendor area, giveaways accreditation s and more. Tickets are just $129 and standard Commission include a catered lunch. Early birds get a “Accreditation with C discount of $20 by using the code WORKANDPLAY at checkout (through August 31, 2017.) TheseAll events sell out from C proceeds quickly so get your ticket today at remain in the Tallahas Talwoman.com or via our Facebook page. area to benefit its patie Business/corporate sponsorships are available (850) 893-9624 Talk tobyuscalling about our expert installation or e-mail wwmb@talwoman.com.

Why

Cards for a Cure

October 14, 2017 Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

2016 Sponsorship Levels

Sign up today. stjude.org/walkrun

©2017 ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (28683)

Local Sponsors & Supporters

Support Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center at its 12th Annual Cards for a Cure event. Every year, Cards for a Cure a woman in the community who Janet honors Borneman has demonstrated courage in the fight TMH Foundation, 850-431-4048 against breast cancer. This year’s honoree Janet.Borneman@TMH.ORG is Lea Lane (read her story on page 48.)

The event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. www.cardsforacuretallahassee.com For more information visit online at cardsforacuretallahassee.com.

on both indoor & outdoor solutions.

Talk installation Talktotous usabout about our our expert installation ononboth solutions. bothindoor indoor && outdoor outdoor solutions.

Serving Tallahassee & Surrounding Areas

CALL TODAY to Schedule Your FREE Consultation 56 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

850-656-2856

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 57 

AROUNDTOWN Events • Benefits • Activities

WWMB Networking Luncheon Bringing together Tallahassee’s business community, the Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) Networking Luncheon, presented by Tallahassee Woman Magazine, provided everything from chicken salad to priceless knowledge, with a presention by Colene Rogers of Colene Rogers & Associates. As the president of the leadership training and human resources consulting group, Colene spoke to the businesswomen on how to be both effective and influential. The event was sponsored by Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance, Wyndham Garden Hotel and Chicken Salad Chick.

1.

2.

3.

5.

8.

4.

6.

7.

9.

1. Amanda Regan, Colene Rogers, Gina Giacomo 2. Kim Stirner, Elizabeth Scott, Loveleen Verma, Alyene Calva, Dawn Woods 3. Jenny Cherry

10.

4. Jodi Wilkof, Regina Wright 5. Tarsha Davis, Mesha Ware 6. Hope Lamantia, Majesty Coates, Katy Tucker 7. Vanessa Fletcher, Rachel Ogle

58 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

11.

8. Susan Walton, Jamie Brown 9. Lauren Helm, Stacey Hammond 10. Holly Hensarling, Brianna Page 11. Stephanie Richards, Dr. Tracy Eckles, Joy Eppes

THE PERFECT BALANCE OF STYLE AND DESIGN COMING

SOON

SHOP OUR

NEW SITE

CLASSICAL • FUNCTIONAL • BEAUTIFUL Complete Design Services

850.508.1597

Over 28 years design experience

artofarrangement@comcast.net

References available

Nicki Bowden, Allied Member ASID

WWW.ARTOFARRANGEMENT.NET

People who live in glass houses...

...SHOULD CALL MILLER GLASS Custom Shower Enclosures Vinyl Window Replacement Screen Repair and Replacement Sunscreens Mirrors and Furniture Tops Quick turnaround on residential insulated glass replacement

1961 Raymond Diehl • 850-224-6030 • millerglassco.com

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 59

home and garden

FULL HOUSE, FULLER HOUSE ’90s Interior Design Comebacks

60 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

By Maria Elena Margarella

You might argue that the most talked-about trends of the past should just stay there—in the past.

But “what if they could come back in a better way?” That’s how local interior designer Nicki Bowden of design firm Art of Arrangement sees it when it comes to comebacks. “It’s amazing how things go around and come back—they always come back! Clients always ask me, ‘how long will it be before this looks dated?’ The truth is, everything’s gonna look dated after a few years because it’ll go through its cycle, but hey, it’ll come back!”

WHITE KITCHEN The Comeback Kid of the ‘90s— clean look, minimalistic, classic, marble countertops. Another emphasis on minimalism—bright, white cabinets.

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 61

home and garden

62  tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

HUNTER GREEN sophisticated, lush, early ‘90s OPEN SHELVING eclectic and cozy flea market-chic vibe, Monica Gellar’s open kitchen shelves WALLPAPER floral, geometric or country-inspired wallpaper (with borders to match), vintageinspired prints and colors, key is an updated pattern in a small dose BRASS paved the way for warm metal accents, weathered antique brass adds charm and contrast to this blue and white space, the finish is less shiny and the shape is more modern, relatively easy to do in small doses GEOMETRIC ACCENTS late 80’s carryover trend, edgy geometric print wallpaper, rugs… bold accent pieces BEIGE new age of minimalism

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 63

the dish

A CENTRAL PERK

How Cold Brew Became Cool Beans

By Michelle Abraira

C

offee—it’s the one thing many of us need to make sure our days run smoothly, and it has the magic to make anyone a morning person. Whether it’s hot or iced, coffee is what inevitably makes the world go round. Recently, cold brew coffee has been trending among many coffee lovers. However, the idea behind this delicious drink is nothing new.

Historically, the idea for cold brew came from Japan, where it was known as “Kyoto-style.” Even though the Japanese had been cold brewing multiple drinks, such as tea, many speculate that they may have learned about cold brew coffee from the Dutch, who, around the 1600s, used to prepare their coffee for their long travels.

When the ’90s came along, coffeehouses rose in popularity in tangent with the rise of the digital age. Known as “Internet cafés,” coffeehouses were, at the time, one of the only places where people could have Internet access, meet up with friends and enjoy a nice cup of Joe. Thanks to the ’90s sitcom Friends, we have all imagined the perfect, casual meet-up at the local coffeehouse, similar to the fictional Central Perk, surrounded by our best friends.

Starbucks and many other coffee cafés have helped with keeping this coffeehouse tradition alive, along with bringing back the cold brew to the modern-day coffeescape.

Even though coffeehouses are still a great meeting spot, most cold brew concoctions can easily be made in your own kitchen. While drinking your cold brew beverage watching an episode of Friends is not required, it’s highly recommended for a perfect perk-me-up.

64 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

COLD BREW What You’ll Need: • • • •

1 1/3 cups coarse ground coffee 4 cups water (cold or room temperature) Pitcher Fine mesh strainer

Instructions: • Put ground coffee in a pitcher and pour water over top.

• Stir the coffee and water together.

• Seal it tight and let it sit at room temperature overnight for at least 12 to 24 hours.

• Pour the mixture through a strainer into a bowl.

• Clean the pitcher you used, and once clean, strain the mixture a second time.

• Dilute the coffee concentrate to your liking.

• Add ice if desired.

COLD BREW MOCHA FRAPPE What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup cold-brew coffee • 8 milk ice cubes • 2 to 4 tablespoons light chocolate syrup Instructions: • Prepare your cold brew and let it sit overnight.

• Pour your milk of choice into an ice tray, cover with plastic wrap and let it freeze overnight.

• The next morning, place 1 cup of the cold brew coffee, 8 milk ice cubes and chocolate syrup into a blender.

• Blend until it is smooth or to the texture you desire.

Richard J-P Bastien, DMD

Giving Tallahassee a Reason to Smile

Brunch with us!

Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

850-999-1696 www.thebluhalo.com Bannerman Crossing Shopping Center 3431 Bannerman Rd #102 Tallahassee, FL 32312

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Same Day Crowns Latest Technology Professional and Caring Team

Classic

Italian

Creations

Richard J-P Bastien, DMD & Camilla Savardi, DMD

Since 1963

Tue-Thur 5:00PM-9:00PM Fri-Sat 5:00PM-10:00PM Now Open on Sundays!

4:00PM-8:00PM 850-877-4518 momanddadstally.com

2621 Mitcham Drive,Tallahassee, Fl 32308

850-425-1300

www.BastienDentalCare.com Hours: Open M-Th: 8am – 4:30pm, phones closed (12-12:30 pm), Friday: Closed

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 65

FunnyGirl.

BOOM!

I’ve Got a Full-Blown Case of Middle Age

by Lisa A. Beach

F

rom hair loss to heel spurs, middle age can slowly ravage your body from head to toe. It all starts innocently enough, with a suspicious mole here and a high-cholesterol count there—here a pound, there a pound, everywhere a pound, pound.

At first, I barely even noticed the small, sporadic changes that began to crop up—the stray gray hair, the smile lines that remained long after I stopped smiling. But then I started to connect the age spots, as I perceived a more frequent pattern of disturbing physical transformations inching their way into my body. Then it hit me. BOOM!—I’ve got a full-blown case of middle age.

This is a good news/bad news situation.

First, let’s rip off the Band-Aid and look at the down side.

1. The Metabolic Middle Finger.

My metabolism tanked at midlife. Secretly, I was hoping for a dysfunctional thyroid to blame.

Nope, I was just getting older.

Like an Energy Star appliance, my middle-age metabolism clicked into conservation mode. Now I need to do more of everything (i.e., exercise, eat healthier, take vitamins and supplements, manage stress) just to maintain the status quo.

2. Less-Than-Stellar Skin. In middle age, I learned to deal with the sheer volume of wrinkles that might soon

rival a Shar-Pei. My skin, with the elasticity of a 20-year-old balloon, just doesn’t spring back the way it used to. I need more products than ever to combat dry skin, age spots, under-eye circles, broken capillaries, enlarged pores and not-so-fine lines.

And that’s just my face. Cellulite?

Don’t even get me started.

3. Ho-Hum Hair. Women spend an enormous amount of time and money on their hair, from cuts and color to extensions and blow-dry bars. Middle age guys are just happy to still have hair. Me? I’ve always struggled with my fine, flat, mousebrown hair, wishing for more color, bounce and body (hence the many perms in the ’80s and ’90s). These days, I curse the irony of my wishful thinking as I look at those coarse, springy gray strands that now pepper my hair. There’s your color and bounce!

4. Declining Vision. I skipped the “good-vision gene,” needing glasses since fifth grade. It’s sad to think that I peaked at 10. In my 20s, I wore a stronger prescription than my grandmother, and she had cataracts and bifocals. These days, I’m squinting at menus in dimly lit restaurants and grabbing my reading glasses to decipher the microdirections on a bottle of Nyquil so I don’t overdose in my sleep.

5. Unexplained Aches & Pains. Hi, my name is Lisa and I’m athletically challenged. Physical prowess has eluded me my whole life, but I can still hold a yoga pose or two. Despite my attempts to stay semi-active and healthy, a muscle cramp, hip pain or back spasm could strike for no apparent reason, like sitting on the couch watching Modern Family.

Or sleeping. One time, on vacation in Tennessee, I was reading a book and reaching for a glass of wine, when a childbirth-intensity level of pain ripped through my lower back literally driving me to tears.

In addition to worrying about drinking and driving, now I’ve got to worry about drinking and reading?

Dear. God. But the good news? I don’t want to be 20 again. (OK, not exactly true. I would want the better physical health, skin and vision. But I’ll take my silver highlights over my perms any day.) While I do care how I feel (both physically and mentally), there’s a certain soul-sucking aspect to caring too much about how I look. These days, I’m shooting for “presentable.” And if, as the saying goes, “a smile is an instant facelift,” then I’m laughing myself all the way through middle age. BOOM!—there it is.

Lisa Beach is a freelance writer, copywriter, and recovering homeschool mom who lived to write about it. Check out her website at LisaBeachWrites.com.

NEXT TIME IN TALLAHASSEE WOMAN MAGAZINE The Hidden World—Finding and meaning and mystery in the undiscovered.

Plus: Women in arts and culture and healthy living through fitness, food and finances.

66 tallahassee woman • august/september 2017

tallahassee woman • august/september 2017 67 

68  tallahassee woman • august/september 2017