Flourish His Side December 2013

Flourish North Florida DECEMBER 2013 Volume 1 Issue 11 www.MYFLOURISHMAGAZINE.COM

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Wellness and the Y: YMCA Seeks Donations Gain GolfSense with Zepp CEO and UF Grad Jason Fass Gators Hoops Preview

FLIP FOR mor e flourish

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Outdoor living 352.472.3699 | thegreenhousenurseryfl.com 15207 W. Newberry Road | Newberry FL 32669

Well, hello again!

Gainesville locals are revving up for another busy holiday. Whether you’re staying in town or hitting the road, we’ve got everything you need to keep up on all the latest sports around the Swamp, including football highlights, basketball previews, volleyball notes, and up-in-coming golf stars. Plus, we’ve prepared a surprise of our own! Join us for our first annual Fire & Ice New Year’s celebration on December 31st – a festive night of family fun, snow and fireworks!

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Publishers Lauren Douglass Marc Douglass

Managing Editor Sarah Mason

Copy Editor Daniel Sutphin

Assistant Editor Mike Capshaw

Art Director Daniel Tidbury

Graphic Design Daniel Tidbury Jane Dominguez Patrice Kelly

Promotions Amanda Liles Karen Jones Hilah Driggers Annmarie Defeo

Accounting Lynsey Parrish

Circulation Adam Simmons

Special Projects Lauren Kolansky Daniel Sutphin

Advertising Director Shane Howell (Shane@Whpinc.Com)

Advertising & Sales Shane Howell

Writers Debora Dyess Ginger Henderson Kevin Kage Heather Aulisio Kristy Wyatt Tyler Stevenson Connie Holubar Danielle Boudreau Kat Freestone Lauren Kolansky Katie Moss Katelyn Vilardel Truman Carter Kelly Herman

Photographer Steffanie Crockett

As always, we love hearing from you.

So send us a note at mail@whpinc.com

What’s Inside…

6 Heroes Hoop It Up 8 Veteran’s Day 9 Read to a Dog 12 BBQ Battle 14 Holiday Lockdown 16 YMCA 4

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

18 On The Road Again 20 Do New Year’s Different 23 The Secrets of College Success 24 Jason Fass 26 Young’s Young Guns 28 Nine is Enough

For advertising opportunities, please contact us at 352-371-5881 or sales@whpinc.com.

30 Gators Notebook 34 TaylorMade 36 W hat’s Happening in Prep Sports 38 Local History: Marbles & Mumblety Peg 40 What’s Happening in Local Business

Magazine subscriptions are available at www.whpinc.com For subsciption related questions or concerns, please call 352-371-5881. www.whpinc.com

Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. Jesus

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Northwood Family YMCA is located at 5201 NW 34th Blvd. For more information, call 352-374-9622 or visit www.ncfymca.org.

Heroes Hoop it up Inaugural tourney benefits breast cancer, YMCA Law enforcement and firefighters made a fast break to the Northwood Family YMCA on October 19th, but it wasn’t for any type of emergency.

They were there competing in the first annual Heroes Hoops Basketball Tournament, a fundraiser benefitting the YMCA and American Cancer Society.

6

combined players from both Gainesville Fire Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue.

The ACSO and the Fire Rescue team hooked up in the title game after posting 1-0 records in the round robin event. GPD lost its two games, but battled the ACSO into overtime in the first game of the day before falling 57-55.

“The whole point of this event was to give back to the heroes in the community,” said YMCA CEO John Bonacci. “This was our way of thanking the heroes that protect us and keep us safe.”

The YMCA’s gymnasium was packed throughout the inaugural event and fans were entertained by several exciting plays by all three teams. Competition was fierce and physical as one member of the Fire Rescue team was even taken away in an ambulance after suffering a knee injury.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office won the championship and bragging rights against teams representing the Gainesville Police Department and Fire Rescue, which

Admission was charged and players sold tickets in advance to raise money for the event. In addition, there was a raffle for items such as a basketball autographed by the

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Story and photos by Mike Capshaw Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan and a pair of posters signed by UF’s cheerleaders and Dazzlers dance squad.

Sheriff Sadie Darnell cheered on the ACSO team during the tournament and was all smiles during the trophy presentation. She posed for photos with the winning team as well as individual players and their families.

“This was a good event,” Bonacci said.

“We had great media coverage and that will help raise awareness for the YMCA and everything we do for our children in the community while also bringing together the heroes who support all of us every day.”

The YMCA hosts multiple events throughout the year, but Bonacci hopes the Heroes Hoops Basketball Tournament will become the non-profit organization’s signature event. The Fire Rescue squad already plans to put together separate teams next year, one for city and one for the county.

“We’re possibly going to invite some teams from the military, too,” Bonacci said. “Next year it will be bigger and better.”

While the ACSO chose to donate proceeds to help fight breast cancer, the other two teams participating picked the YMCA as their charity of choice. Bonacci said the funds raised will be utilized for facility repairs and youth scholarships.

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.

Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.

Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

Improved oral health. Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene. Implant don’t get cavities and never need a root canal.

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Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day This past November, Alachua County paid special tribute to our veterans during the Annual Veterans Day Celebration at the Freedom Community Center at Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park. The day included a tribute poem, flyover, drill team performance, flag ceremony, musical presentation, military and police displays, sky divers, a formal wreath laying ceremony and Gainesville High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior Navy ROTC BBQ.

Read to a

Dog Interview by Sarah G. Mason On the outside, Nalia looks like a regular yellow lab – happy, lovable and eager to please. Under the surface, however, she has an extraordinary story to tell. Joan Hayes, retired school teacher and Nalia’s owner, is here to share how this retired guide dog for the blind transformed into a teacher for children.

For people who aren’t familiar with Nalia, can you tell me a little about her?

Nalia is an 11-year-old yellow lab. She has an interesting background; she was a guide for the blind through an organization called Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. We – my family and I – raised her as a puppy for them, and when she was about 16 months old, she went in for formal training. She then went on to work for a blind person for nine years. Last March, Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. called me and said that Nalia was being retired and wondered if we’d like her back.

What was your reaction when, after nine years, you found out you were getting her back?

We were surprised and delighted. We’d really not planned on having another dog because it’s such a long term commitment. And yet, when I heard that Nalia could come back to live with us, it just seemed like such a wonderful idea. She put in her service and did such a wonderful thing for somebody by being their eyes 24/7 for all those years; I felt like she really deserved a good retirement.

How did Nalia adjust to being retired?

Since she’s gotten back as a retired guide, she’s not allowed in any of the public places

where she used to be able to go, like into movie theatres, restaurants and on airplanes.

Now that she’s retired, we’ve been trying to find new jobs for her. Nalia really wants to be with people and loves to be in public; she’s not happy just hanging out at home with me.

Where did the idea to have kids read to Nalia come from?

I’m a former teacher; I taught kindergarten for 10 to 12 years, and I also taught elementary school kids for a long time. I’m very passionate about reading. I knew there existed programs where children could read to a dog, so I contacted the Alachua County Library Millhopper Branch to set it up. I knew it would be perfect for Nalia. She wants to be going somewhere with a purpose in mind.

How has this experience been for Nalia and you?

It’s been fun! There has been a lot of interest, especially from children who don’t have a dog. They’re interested in petting her and getting used to her. Because of Nalia’s background, she’s exceptionally calm and extremely well-behaved. She’s great with all the kids; often times there will be big groups of kids around her or multiple kids reading to her at once and she doesn’t seem to mind [laughs]. We spread out a blanket and spend an hour there for whoever wants to come by.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau

Do you think kids feel more comfortable reading to Nalia than they would an adult?

It’s really nice for children to have an opportunity to read where no one is correcting them. They’re just reading to Nalia and experiencing success. Even if they make a couple of mistakes, they continue to read without feeling self-conscious.

What suggestions do you have for parents when it comes to their child’s literacy?

Because I taught kindergarten, I’m very passionate about literacy and I love teaching kids to read. My recommendation to parents is to make reading fun. A lot of kids are given books that are too hard for them; if you go to the library, most kids’ books have paragraphs on each page and the print is really small.

Those kinds of books aren’t really made for beginning readers. I think having books that your child can read independently makes them eager to read. Especially for young readers, it’s important to make reading fun and inviting so that they can feel proud and therefore eager to continue.

If your child would like to read to Nalia, visit the Millhopper Branch Library at 3145 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606 every Wednesday from 3 to 4. Everyone is welcome!

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

9

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BBQ Battle Photos by Mike Capshaw

There was a lot of smoke, sauce and sizzle at the Rembert Farm in Alachua for the 5th Annual Title Town Hoedown and Bar-B-Que Showdown. Dozens of restaurants and caterers battled in multiple categories to see who has the best “BBQ in Title Town.” A panel of judges featuring a few former Florida Gators ranked the top three in 11 categories while the hundreds in attendance casted votes for the “People’s Choice” awards in 13 different categories.

identical, including Beef (Swanny Q), Chicken (BubbaQues), Cole Slaw (Sonny’s), Hot Potato (Hill’s), Mac & Cheese (Eddie Q), Pork (Griffin Catering), Pot Salad (Swanny Q) and Mac Salad (R & M Catering). The judges liked Bono’s Baked Beans better than Sonny’s, which earned the People’s Choice nod. Mike Hill of Hill’s BBQ & Catering was the People Choice for Ribs and Turkey while the judges picked Sonny’s Ribs and R & M Catering’s Turkey for first place honors.

Interestingly enough, the winner in eight of the 11 categories judged by both were

While meat and sides soaked up some of the spotlight, the talk of the event was Bono’s Pit

12 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Bar-B-Q’s Fried Oreos and apples, which won first place for the People’s Choice in the Wild Card division. Sauce was the other category only judged by attendees with Dos Mama’s Blueberry Bourbon taking the top spot.

Proceeds generated from admission, sponsors, a raffle and silent auction benefitted Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County’s School Readiness Program.

Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. Ancient Indian Proverb

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Teach thy tongue to say, “I do not know,” and thous shalt progress. Maimonides

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Holiday Lockdown

By Sarah G. Mason

If you think you’re the only one who’s been eyeing that new 60-inch flat screen for Christmas, you’d be wrong; burglars love the holiday season, too. Unlike you, however, their gifts will be free. Though the holidays are notorious for break-ins, here are a few measures you can take to protect your home and your family against thieves.

If you’re leaving town, have a trusted neighbor pick up your newspaper and remove any flyers from your door. Burglars may leave advertisements on your door to see how long it takes you to pull them off.

If you’re staying home, keep the kids’ toys picked up in the yard. Burglars love seeing toys – it means there are likely expensive gaming systems inside your home.

If you’re leaving town, avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page; it’s not difficult for a stranger to find your address.

If you’re staying home, close your blinds before it gets dark. Burglars will walk through neighborhoods at dusk, casually looking through windows to see what kind of TV, sound system and other valuables might be in sight.

14 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

If you’re leaving town, bolt your safe to the ground. No, burglars can’t break into your safe in the short amount of time that they’re inside, but they’ll certainly take it with them to finish the job later.

If you’re staying home, don’t trust anyone who comes to your door. Burglars will often knock first to see if you’re home; if you answer, they’ll offer to clean your gutters or ask you for directions.

If you’re leaving town, leave the TV on. It gives the impression that someone is home.

If you’re staying home, install a chain lock on your front door and an intercom system on the front porch. These devises will allow you to carefully screen anyone who may come knocking.

Don’t have the time or money for an expensive security system or an all-out home makeover? Here’s an important tip everyone – especially stay-at-home moms – should know; keep your car keys within reach. If someone attempts to break in, hit the panic button. Test this in different areas of your home; the car alarm should go off, no matter where you’re standing. It’s a built-in security system that will scare a burglars off before they even step foot inside.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe

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YMCA Interview by Sarah G. Mason

The YMCA is more than meets the eye. From afterschool kids’ programs to fully equipped health and wellness facilities to subsidized memberships for under-privileged individuals, this family-friendly center does it all.

Top Left: Northwoods YMCA is the only facility in Gainesville that offers boxing classes and training with Steve Gaurdia, a personal trainer and boxing coach.

Top Middle: Kevin Lee has been the Director of Membership Services at the YMCA for less than a year, but isn’t new to the YMCA. He even learned to swim there as a young boy.

Top Right: Built in 1967, Northwoods YMCA’s pool is one of the few outdoor pools in the area that’s heated year ‘round.

The YMCA is trying to raise $100,000 to refurbish the pool that was built in 1967.

Above: Benjamin Owen, a personal trainer at Northwoods YMCA, poses between sets of 205-pound bench press.

“I give tours regularly where people will just sit back and say, ‘Wow, I never realized you offer all of this,’” says John Bonacci, CEO of the North Central Florida YMCA. “There are a variety of things we do that tie into health, wellness and preventative healthcare. We also cover a wide gambit of services for families in need, at-risk youth and seniors who are on fixed income. Our aid varies from scholarships to afterschool programs

16 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

to subsidizing memberships for low-income families and fixed-income seniors.”

Of course, these programs won’t pay for themselves. This year, the YMCA has spent $193,000 on their programs, but they’ve only received $29,000 to date in community support. Though they’re doing all they can, the YMCA is in need of donations to stay up and running.

“We’re fiscally responsible,” says Bonacci.

“According to our 2012 tax return, we’re operating at 101.2 percent efficiency; that means we’re spending more money on direct programs than our total revenue.

That’s why we need help.”

“Even for people who don’t have kids or don’t use our services, we encourage them to donate,” says Kevin Lee, North Central

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank

Florida YMCA Membership Sales Director.

“For at-risk youth, our programs are so vital.

Many of these kids wouldn’t have a place to go without the YMCA. Especially during the summer months, the meals they get through our childcare program is often the only food they’re getting.”

According to Lee, much of the money donated to the YMCA goes to subsidized memberships for children, seniors and low-income families who could not otherwise afford fitness programs or afterschool care. “[Low-income individuals] can’t go to Gainesville Health and Fitness because their monthly fee is $65. We subsidize our memberships so it will cost those same individuals 20 or $30 a month for a YMCA membership. The funding for those is what the YMCA is losing because we don’t have enough donations.”

Even for those who don’t use the YMCA for its many services, Bonacci and Lee both agree that their programs impact the community as a whole.

“Our programs affect everyone,” says Bonacci. “Any law enforcement officer will tell you that the highest crime rates are from when school lets out to the time parents get off work because that’s when kids are unsupervised out roaming the streets. Every time an elderly citizen goes to the hospital for a broken hip because of a fall, those types of claims affect everyone who pays for health insurance because it affects the rates health insurance companies charge. The YMCA impacts everyone, it affects taxpayers, it affects people who pay healthcare costs and it affects the safety of your neighborhood.”

It’s for these reasons and more that the YMCA is vital to the health of our community. Money donated to the YMCA always goes to the right places, Bonacci says.

“We’re trying to fix some issues from years of past neglect. We’re doing everything we can internally to keep these programs going, but we’re not getting the help we need. Each one of our departments has competition in this community, but nobody

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao Tzu

offers everything that the Y offers under one roof. The money’s going where it’s supposed to be going.”

No matter the struggles, the YMCA continues to be an integral part of the Gainesville community.

“Overall, I want people to know that the YMCA is truly a family place,” says Lee. “Most people think that the YMCA is either swimming or gymnastics, but this is a place to bring family.”

On December 31, 2013, Flourish Magazine has partnered with the Northwood YMCA to present Fire and Ice, a fundraiser with ice slides, snow pits, games and a custom fireworks show at sunset. The event takes place at the YMCA field off of Archer Road from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. For ticket information and to purchase tickets, please visit NewYearsForKids.org.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 17

Road On the again Holiday celebrations often mean travel.

As any parent knows, unoccupied time in the car with kids can quickly spell disaster. Keep the kids busy and quell the “Are we there yet?”s with these tips.

By Ginger Henderson

• Pillow (much better for young necks than trying to rest against the shoulder belt)

Babies and Toddlers Packing for a trip with kids is no small feat.

Just as you pack a bag for your child’s stay, you should pack a bag for your child’s trip as well. Be sure your car bag includes these items to keep your trip running smoothly:

• Blanket (someone is invariably going to be cold when someone else is hot)

Extra clothes for spills or accidents – Include several pairs to be safe.

Diapers – Consider how many diapers you’ll need for the trip, and double it. Don’t forget to include hand sanitizer or cleansing wipes, as you may be far from water to wash up after an emergency change.

Formula – If you’re bottle feeding, be sure to bring more formula than you’ll think you’ll need – you want to be prepared in case of a flat tire or other car trouble along the way.

Snacks for Mom – If you’re breast feeding, be sure to bring extra water and snacks for yourself.

18 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Musthaves for the trip!

Novelties – Consider picking up a few new baby or toddler toys for your child to bring out during the trip when boredom strikes.

When planning your trip, account for frequent stops so you’ll arrive to your destination unrushed. Babies and toddlers can pick up on your frustration and will become increasingly frustrated themselves. Keep things cool and collected, and allow yourself time to stop as needed along the way.

• Snacks (be sure these are nutritious – you don’t want to be stuck in a car with a child on a sugar rush) • Plastic grocery bags (these multi-taskers can be used for nearly anything during the trip) • First aid kit (make sure you’re prepared for boo boos along the way)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Maya Angelou

Kids While traveling with older children is a bit more predictable than with babies and toddlers, it comes with its own set of challenges. Keep the kids busy by breaking up the trip into manageable chunks of time that they can understand.

Children thrive on schedules, and car trips are no exception. Consider creating a schedule ahead of time to help break up the trip. Include times for rest stops, snacks, games and quiet times.

Bring plenty of healthy snacks and note what the snack will be at each time on the schedule, rather than overwhelming the child with too many options.

Older children will likely appreciate having a map of their route. Go online to print a map of your route, or draw one yourself.

Make notes on your child’s map to correspond to items on your schedule, and note approximate times on your map to help children grasp the length of time until each item occurs.

Consider picking up a few dollar toys for your child or children and wrapping them as gifts. Include “reward” times on your schedule, and reward your child’s good travel behavior by giving them the toy at these times.

Teens While teens are often easier to manage on trips than younger children, they, too, can benefit from forethought and planning.

Consider giving your teen an “allowance” in gift cards or game credits to be used during the trip. Invite him or her to purchase new game apps, books, magazines or music the night before the trip. Teen siblings can earn more credits for the return trip by helping out with the younger ones along the way.

Remind your teen to charge his or her electronic device(s) the night before the trip and to bring the chargers along as well.

Pack a deck of cards for game play. Teens can include younger siblings in games like “Go Fish” and “Old Maid.”

Plan for a “worst case scenario” (dead device battery) by sticking a few paperbacks and puzzle books in the car.

By following these tips, you can rest assured that you’ll arrive at your destination ready to celebrate and enjoy your time together.

Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 19

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If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. Latin Proverb

Each year, we make New Year’s resolutions.

We write them down, hang them up and promise ourselves, “This year’s going to be the year!” And yet, it’s easy to lose sight of our promises to change as the months slowly pass. This year, let’s think of our resolutions in a different way, not as a single, yearly promise to be kept, but a whole host of lifestyle changes taken step by step.

Lose Weight It is perhaps the most commonly abandoned New Year’s resolution, and it’s no secret why.

Slimming up takes some serious effort, planning and knowledge – things that may be overlooked as you add “lose weight” to your list. Not to mention, it’s not all that fun! This year, instead of resolving to simply lost weight, why not take your goal in a new direction? “Go swimming once a week,” “Take Fido on a nightly walk” and “Learn to cook a new healthy dish every weekend” are all specific, exciting, attainable goals that will help you trim down without ever mentioning the word “weight.”

Save Money Last year, times were hard. You may have racked up debt, spent thoughtlessly or

overestimated a tight budget. Now, as you prepare to dig in your heels and zip the wallet shut, what are you going to do differently?

Simply resolving to “save money” puts hard-to-calculate restrictions on your spending. This year, look at saving money as a reward. Think, “For every 100 dollars I save, I’ll reward myself with one splurge purchase” or “Here’s my set spending goal per week, and when I meet it, I’ll go out for a nice dinner.” By breaking savings into smaller goals and rewarding yourself when they are met, you’ll clearly define your limits and stick to your New Year’s resolution.

Spend More Time with Family Between work, soccer practice, dinner preparations and homework, it can be tough to find a free minute. If your family is constantly on the go, it’s no wonder you’d like to hit the brakes and spend some quality time together.

And yet, with so many hectic schedules, this is one resolution that’s just begging to be broken.

Instead of tackling the whole gang at once, opt for one-on-one bonding time with the kids or some much-needed alone time with the hubby. Think: “I’ll make it to every one of

Jimmy’s basketball games,” “We’ll call a babysitter each Saturday” and “Family dinner will be written on everyone’s schedule.” By tackling small, specific goals, you’ll ensure that you spend more time with the ones you love.

Be Less Stressed This is one resolution you can’t afford to break.

Stress wears us down and takes a toll on our health, but battling stress can be, well, stressful.

This year, instead of thinking “I want to cut out stress from my life,” instead think, “I want to add relaxation to my life.” By looking to gain something positive as opposed to quitting something negative, you can take constructive steps in the right direction. Not to mention, it’s easier to pick up peaceful activities than to quit your worries. Resolve to take a yoga class once a week, to put your phone and computer away on the weekends and to plan one, well-earned vacation this year.

No matter what your New Year’s resolutions may be, we hope you take the time to think them through and plan your path to success!

When I start school, will I be ready?

One in five children in Alachua County is not.

Powerless Children Need Powerful Friends Visit www.elcalachua.org and Become an Early Learning Champion!

As little as $20 a month combied with our 16:1 match, will pay for a child to stay in a quality learning program for one year! Parents are able to remain in the workforce/school and better provide for their family while knowing their children are getting the right start in life.

Ready for school, ready for life!

Florida’s School Readiness Program is funded by state, federal and local funds. Approximately seventy-three percent (73%) of this initiative is funded through federal dollars in the amout of $4,111,283; 24% is funded through Florida sate funds in the amount of $2,339,339; and 3% is funded through local dollars in the amount of $325,421.

If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on. Sheryl Sandberg

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 21

Interview by Sarah G. Mason

The Secrets of

College

Success

Professor Jeremy Hyman has what every new college student wants – an insider’s take on how to succeed. In his new book “The Secrets of College Success,” authors Lynn F. Jacobs and Hyman discuss the ins and outs of college life from the eyes of a professor. As students come home this holiday season, Hyman gives a few tips on what to talk about in relation to your child’s success at college.

What was the main idea behind “The Secrets of College Success”?

It seems as though students don’t really know what their professors are thinking.

We thought, “If students only understood what their professors were thinking, then they could succeed in college.” The book is filled with “Top 10” lists and provides information that students can start using from the very first day of college.

What is different in today’s college life that parents may not have experienced?

Picking a major. When most parents went to college, you’d take your first two years and then you’d pick a major. Now, students are often pressured to pick a major at the door.

As a result, students often gravitate towards majors they’re familiar with like American History or Biology. Now, at a large university with 300 majors, students may be depriving themselves of the opportunity to choose a major that might really interest them.

Another difference is that schools that used to be not very good are now very good, and vice versa. When parents help their child pick a college, it’s important that they recognize that the landscape is not the same as it was 30 years ago.

Parents want to help their kids, but can parents ever be TOO helpful?

Some parents are helicopter parents. They want to hover over their child. These are the parents who are texting or calling their child three or four times a day. This can prevent the student from developing intellectually, personally and socially. But then it turns out

that there’s a flip side of the coin; that the students are the ones who are calling up their parents every hour and want to go home every weekend. There are things that need to be done to help the student gain independence. Sometimes it requires the parent laying off, but sometimes it requires the student laying off.

What kind of grades should parents expect their kids to make?

At most schools, the average is a B+. When you make a C, it means that you really haven’t learned a lot in the class. There’s a very good website called GradeInflation.com where parents can go and actually look at the gradepoint average for a particular school.

It can help them know what to expect.

What about students who aren’t adjusting? Should parents be worried?

It’s very common for students to have doubts when going to college. A recent study shows that in a given semester, one-third of all college students will report that they’re overwhelmed. For parents, I’d say don’t hit the panic button too quickly.

How can parents help a struggling student?

The first thing a parent should do is talk to the student and try to diagnose what the problem. Is it academic? Is the problem social? Is the student undercapitalized?

Is the student sick or have some illness that they need treated?

The next thing I would say is that it’s not good to give the student grade ultimatums.

Parents say, “I’ll pay for your college if you

maintain a B average.” That puts unbelievable pressure on the student.

Last, rather than trying to intervene, I think it’s best to encourage the student to seek help. Encourage them to reach out to the appropriate college person, whether it’s the departmental advisor, to the success office, to the veteran’s office, the first generations office or health services.

What should a parent do if their child is unhappy and wants to transfer schools?

Struggling students sometimes think that if they changed schools things would be better, and sometimes they would be, for instance, if a student is at a large school and they want to be at a small school. But again, one needs to make a judgment – is a problem with the college or a problem with the student? When you go off to college, you take yourself with you.

There is sometimes negative talk about the true benefits of college.

What are your thoughts on this?

I think this is a very good time to be going into college. A lot of the news today is negative; “Is college worth it?” “Is college affordable?” “Can you get a job?” “Do students really learn anything at all?”

There’s all this reflective worrying about college, but teaching and research is better than it’s been in the past, and I think it’s a very good time to be going to college.

Having said that, college is not for everyone.

That’s an important thing to realize. For certain people, college is not the right home for them. I think parents should respect that.

We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. Marie Curie

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 23

Interview By Sarah G. Mason

Jason Fass 24 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Joshua J. Marine

“Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s a question Jason Fass – UF grad and CEO of Zepp Labs – doesn’t have to ask himself, now that his hot new product GolfSense has hit the market. Today, Fass talks with me about how he got to where he is today and shares some unique advice for for young business owners.

Tell me a little about your background – have you always been interested in the technology sector?

I’ve always been a gadget geek. My undergraduate degree from the University of Florida was in exercise science and sports medicine. After graduating, I made a big shift from that field into tech. I followed my passion for technology and marketing.

What experience do you have in the technology and marketing sector?

I worked at a small startup which was then acquired by Cisco Systems. At that time I decided to go back to school to get my MBA. I went to Pepperdine while working full time, and after that I went to Apple to pursue the tech side of me. At Apple, I was the senior product manager for the MacBook Pro.

Can you tell me a little about your career now?

Everything has come full circle in my new company Zepp Labs. We’re combining sports and exercise physiology with technology. Our first product is a golf product called GolfSense. You wear this little sensor on the back of your golf glove and when you swing, you can see the full analysis of your swing on your iPhone, iPad or Android device.

How would you describe your journey up to this point?

It’s been great. We’re a small team and GolfSense has done really well; it’s in every Apple store in the world and every Verizon store in the U.S., as well as thousands of sports and technology retailers. We’re currently working on more secret sports products, too.

Successful business owners are just engaged Having worked for Apple, how has that helped shape your work today? at a level that other employees aren’t.

My time at Apple was awesome. I loved that company and the people. I learned so many things there. When you look at Apple products, of course they’re high-quality, but also everything around them is high-quality: The message, the photography, the web experience the mobile capabilities. It’s all very polished. The one thing that Apple does better than anyone else is that they’re often clear, not clever. We’ve adopted that mantra into our company. We’re trying to make everything clear and simple, not just the data, but the messaging, our communication to our customers, everything.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when the company was just starting up?

The biggest challenge was around the world of hardware. Hardware is hard. A lot of times consumers take it for granted that there’s a thing on a box in a shelf and it works. When you’re building hardware that only comes to life with software, that’s a challenge.

Especially with companies like Apple that integrate these two, the bar is set very high.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own company but doesn’t have much money to invest?

I could say a bunch of cliché things like “follow your passion,” but today, really with technology, there are ways to start a company very inexpensively. There are ways to effectively start a business without having to raise much capital, like building websites or starting blogs; those kind of things can be done for free. There are so many tools where you can test your idea before you invest a ton of money.

What would you say is more important -- earning a degree in your area of interest, or having lots of first-hand experience in that area?

Just make sure what you’re going to school for is in line with what you want for your life.

If I went back to school today, it would be in software engineering. It’s important to think about the real world and not just get a degree to have a degree.

What kind of mindset do successful business owners have?

What are your looking I think it’s just every day waking up and forward to in the future? saying, “What do we need to do today to push everything further?” To me, it’s not about starting work at nine and going home at five. For me, I’m always engaged because it’s really about what we’re doing. The company, the people and the customers are so meaningful to me, so it’s this weird, exciting stress. I love not knowing what tomorrow’s biggest challenge is going to be.

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. Les Brown

There’s all this excitement and energy around where technology is going. All of these sensors on or around the body – it’s very exciting. I kind of looked at it and said, “You know, people are counting steps, people are counting floors and that’s all very interesting, but why isn’t anyone doing this for sports?

Why aren’t there sensors on sporting equipment?” We’re creating that platform.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 25

FLORIDA MEN’S HOOPS PREVIEW

Young’s Young Guns Talented, but inexperienced, the Gators have the weapons to get over the Elite Eight hump

By Mike Capshaw | Photos by Jim Burgess/UF Communications With football tanking, it’s up to basketball to give Gators fans something to cheer about, something for which they can puff out their chests, something to be proud of when they pull on that orange and blue hoodie and head out into public with their heads held high.

A new season gives everyone new hope for the future, erasing the pain that culminated with the football team’s first losing season in more than three decades.

This Florida basketball team could be the cure for it all. With center Patric Young returning for his senior season surrounded by a bevy of talented transfers, returners and newcomers, expectations are as high as ever for a team that has made three straight Eilte Eight appearances.

Above: Will Yeguete hopes to earn a spot as a starter after returning from an offseason knee injury.

Top: Patric Young should get more help inside than he has had in his past three seasons at UF. Opposite Page Right: True freshman phenom Kasey Hill is an explosive point guard that will be tough to defend.

26 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Jacksonville native made a backdoor cut around the NBA Draft to pursue his degree and improve his overall game after averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. Young anchors a strong lineup that should feature an inside-outside threat that coach Billy Donovan’s hasn’t had to work with since guiding back-to-back National Championship teams in 2006 and 2007.

Don’t start puffing out your chests quite yet.

There is plenty to replace after the Gators graduated Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Mike Rosario. The trio provided tons of offense

(a combined 36.7 points per game) and defense, but more importantly, leadership and basketball IQ. “I’m always trying to find ideas and ways and be creative trying to utilize our personnel to take advantage of the things those guys can do well,” Donovan said. “There will have to be some changes and adjustments on the offensive end of the floor just because we are different. We’re not the same shooting team we were a year ago, losing Murphy, [Kenny] Boynton and (Mike) Rosario. Those three guys started pretty much every single game.”

Outside three seniors, this is a young team that will have growing pains early on as it struggles to find an identity and learns the nuances of what Donovan expects on both sides of the floor.

Take the first two games of the season against in-state directional schools for example. Florida gave up 13 three-pointers in an exhibition game against Florida Southern and nine against North Florida in a closer-than-expected official season opener before a road trip to No. 20 Wisconsin where the Badgers boast the best home-court advantage in the Big Ten Conference.

Growing pains.

Short handed, Florida wasn’t quite ready for

I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong. Benjamin Franklin

primetime so early in the season, falling 59-53, but it does have enough firepower to make some noise when it matters most in March – if it can learn to play together and smarter, both on and off the court.

Three key cogs didn’t make the trip to Wisconsin. Senior guard Scottie Wilbekin and transfers Dorian Finney-Smith and Damontre Harris spent the early part of the season suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.

Wilbekin, a Gainesville native, is arguably the best defender in the SEC and has steadily improved as a scorer, something that reportedly continued during the team’s closed workouts. Once off suspension, he’ll team with Frazier and Hill to form a dangerous backcourt. Hill, however, may be out until Christmas with a high-ankle sprain.

Still, the McDonald’s All-American, is lightningquick off the dribble. He put up 17 points in the

Despite the six-point loss and giving up another nine three-pointers, Donovan had a reason to smile after the game.

In addition to the suspensions, Florida had others dealing with issues. Sharp-shooting sophomore Michael Frazier II missed the exhibition with mononucleosis, senior forward Will Yeguete and transfer guard Eli Carter were recovering from injuries and true freshman point guard Kasey Hill missed valuable practice time with back spasms.

“My challenge, as a coach, based on your personnel, is to evolve,” Donovan said.

“We’re going to have some things philosophically that we’re always going to believe and that we’re always going to do, but I feel like my responsibility on the offensive end of the floor is to put these guys in situations to take advantage of the skill set that they have.”

Getting and staying healthy will be paramount for the Gators to put together a deep run. Missing practice possibly resulted in the weak defense in the early going, especially on the perimeter. Last season’s squad was among the nation’s best at defending because the veteran-laden lineup understood and executed Donovan’s defense.

“We have to be a team that’s balanced,” Donovan said. “We have to be an unselfish team, an extra pass team. We have to be really great at moving and passing the basketball. I do think – and really believe – that we have to be a team that has five or six guys in doubledigit scoring.”

Prather has the speed to help in transition and the size to help inside where Young should have the best supporting cast he’s had in his four seasons in Gainesville thanks to the addition of Harris, a 6-10, 228-pounder who’ll play center and allow Young to move to forward when they’re on the court at the same time.

Yeguete is a tenacious defender and rebounder who may challenge for a starting role when he gets healthy. At 6-8, 212-pounds, FinneySmith also will play forward as will DeVon Walker (6-6, 195), who can also play guard. The duo has the size and quickness to help in transition.

“I think we got better,” he said.

“We made some strides.”

That should come with more practice time and more games as the Gators get all of their players on the floor at the same time. When healthy, it could be one of the deepest lineups in the league, if not the entire country.

and 4 steals in the exhibition and followed it with a career-high 28 points and eight rebounds in the season opener.

exhibition and 15 points and four assists in his official collegiate debut.

Frazier can play guard or forward and will do the most damage from beyond the arc. Still not quite 100 percent recovered from his illness, Frazier scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds against North Florida and then put up a team-high 20 against Wisconsin.

Playing more confidently than a year ago, power forward Casey Prather opened the season with 23 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. Booker T. Washington

That skill set could get a major boost if 6-11 signee Chris Walker can make it to campus for SEC play in January. The McDonald’s All-American was ruled ineligible for the fall semester because of academic issues.

Donovan is optimistic Walker will make the grade and has a plan ready for Walker to contribute, if and when he joins the team.

“Do you cut down what you’re doing if you have to just to be on floor playing just to make it a little bit more simple for him?” Donovan said. “We’ll probably have to do that with him being a freshman. If that opportunity presents itself for us, we’ll figure out a way to try to utilize him as best we can.”

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 27

GATORS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Nine is Enough

By Mike Capshaw Photos by Jim Burgess/UF Communications

Small roster could lead to big things Showing the most balanced attack in the program’s 40-year history, seven of Florida’s nine players scored in double figures in a 93-65 season-opening win against BethuneCookman.

“Fantastic team effort,” said Florida coach Amanda Butler after the game. “I was proud of how our minutes were distributed, our points were distributed, and for the most part [how] our rebounds were distributed, except for the giant bunch that Ronni [Williams] got for us.”

Coming off the bench just 1:55 into the game, Williams wasted no time living up to her preseason hype. The true freshman had 15 points on 7 of 9 shooting and grabbed 17 rebounds while blocking a game-high five shots. Former All-American and US Olympian Tammy Jackson is the only other UF player to record a double-double in her 1981 debut.

The performance earned Williams what should be the first of many SEC Freshman of the Week 28 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

honors. The 6-foot guard/forward from Daytona Beach was the first McDonald’s All-American and highest ranked player (No. 13

by ESPN) to sign with the Gators.

“I was just excited to be out there,” said Williams, who averaged a double-double in all four seasons at Atlanta High. “Just ready to play my first game as a Gator and to play in front of my family with this great group of ladies and coach. It was a blessing. I thought I did pretty good, grabbed rebounds, scored, but mainly grabbed the rebounds.”

Top Left: Florida coach Amanda Butler called senior guard Jaterra Bonds the best leader she has ever coached. The record-setting Gainesville native is fourth all-time in consecutive starts.

Top Right: Ronni Williams became only the second UF player to record a double-double in her collegiate debut. The true freshman from Daytona Beach had 15 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots in a 93-65 win against Bethune-Cookman.

while classmates January Miller and Carlie Needles each had 11 points.

It wasn’t just Williams, though. The entire team played more polished and confident as it was the first time seven UF players scored double figures in the same game.

“It was a great debut for these three women [Williams, Bannister and Peoples] and I think the best is yet to come for them,” Butler said.

“You always feel good as a team when you feel like everyone contributed big minutes, big plays that you know will be so crucial for us.”

Lily Svete, one of only two seniors, sank four three-pointers to tie a career high with 15 points. Sophomore transfers Antoinette Bannister and Cassie Peoples had 13 and 12 points, respectively, in their Florida debuts

The seventh player in double figures was senior Jaterra Bonds, who had 10 points and six rebounds to go along with a game-high five steals. The Gainesville native has played in all 106 games of her college career, scoring in all

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. Bill Cosby

but three, while setting multiple school records. Her string of 72 consecutive starts is the fourth longest in the program’s history.

“There’s also no question in my mind that she set a very high standard for being the best leader that I’ve ever coached,” Butler said. “The fire she brings, she backs it up with the way that she plays, the consistency in which she practices and how hard she works.

“It’s been a blessing to coach her.”

Bonds scored a career-high 25 points to lead five Gators in double figures during an 88-77 win against North Florida in the second game of the season. Junior Kayla Lewis had 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Svete swished four more three-pointers to finish with 12 while Peoples and Miller chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Gators are down to nine players after Viktoria Dimaite suffered a season-ending knee injury. In order to simulate 5-on-5 situations, assistant coach Murriel Page has stepped in during practices.

Even with a young team low on numbers, this could be a special season as the returners are mixing well with the newcomers. While Williams grabbed the most preseason headlines, Peoples and Bannister will make major impacts after sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

Like Williams, Peoples was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school and signed with Texas, where the 5-6 guard was named the Preseason Co-Freshman of the Year before suffering an injury six games into the 2011-12 season.

Bannister played in eight games at North Carolina last fall before transferring to UF in January. The 5-10 guard from Jacksonville was the No. 26 overall prospect in the Class of 2013 by the All-Star Girls Report.

Both are ready to play after sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

“They are jacked up, y’all,” Butler said during preseason media day. “They are going to be like they were shot out of a cannon. We may

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have to put them in the game and then take them right back out. I’m just excited for them because they are both great ball players. They are very dynamic on the court and really high energy kids that can make plays all on their own, but also make plays within the team and the structure of the team. It is just going to be fun for them to be back out there.”

Butler is excited about the potential of this year’s squad because of its leadership and chemistry. She’s pleased each time she sees players posting photos on social media sites of teammates hanging out together. Butler believes the foundation for success this season was set last March when the Gators were skipped over by the NCAA tournament selection committee. They responded by winning four straight games before losing to eventual WNIT champ Drezel in the semifinals.

“One of the things we talked about was that the season wasn’t necessarily ending,” Butler said. “It was really the beginning of something special. It was really the beginning of hopefully an era of success that we haven’t seen here in a while.”

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A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. Albert Einstein

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 29

Gators Notebook

By Mike Capshaw

News and Updates Around The Swamp Another Taylor True freshman running back Kelvin Taylor made his first collegiate start in the same city where his father starred for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kelvin Taylor, who broke Emmitt Smith’s Florida high school career rushing record, rushed for 76 yards on 20 carries in UF’s 23-20 loss against Georgia. Fred Taylor, Kelvin’s father, was the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jaguars and went on to rush for more than 11,000 yards in 11 seasons.

On September 30th, he became the second player inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars hall of honor.

Pouncey Subpoena Sports Illustrated reported that Mike Pouncey was served a subpoena as part of the investigation into his former UF teammate, Aaron Hernandez. The Massachusetts State Police served the grand jury subpoena in late October as the center left the visitors’ locker room following the Miami Dolphins loss against the New England Patriots, Hernandez’ former team.

According to the report, police are looking at 30 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Hernandez’ potential involvement in interstate gun trafficking and multiple transactions possibly involving Pouncey. The subpoena does not mean Pouncey will be charged with a crime, but the state views him as a material witness in the case.

Pouncey and his brother, Pittsburg Steelers offensive lineman Maurice Pouncey, raised eyebrows after sporting “Free Hernandez” hats in the wake on their former teammate’s arrest on murder and weapons charges.

Tight Redshirt Sophomore tight end Kent Taylor is expected to redshirt this season after showing flashes of potential as a true freshman a year ago. Taylor was signed as a pass-catching tight end, but still needs to improve as a blocker. He was expected to be the heir apparent to Jordan Reed, who left for the NFL after his redshirt junior season and is currently shining as a rookie for the Washington Redskins. Taylor, who caught a late five-yard touchdown pass in UF’s loss against Louisville in the Sugar Bowl last January, suffered an offseason ankle injury that slowed his development early this season.

Sick Shooter Florida sharp-shooter Michael Frazier III missed the Gators’ season opening exhibition after testing positive for mononucleosis, the same saliva-transmitted infection that center Patric Young had two summers ago. Frazier, a sophomore, is projected to start this season.

His absence left the Gators with a thin backcourt as point guard Scottie Wilbekin was suspended indefinitely and Rutgers transfer guard Eli Carter was recovering from a leg injury. Sophomore DeVon Walker, who considered redshirting this season, started in Frazier’s spot while true freshman Kasey Hill started at point guard against Florida Southern.

Hoops Recruiting One of the top Class of 2014 forwards verbally committed to UF after an October 12th visit to campus. Devin Robinson (6-foot-8, 180 pounds) is a five-star prospect and Rivals.com’s No. 20 player overall in the class.

From Christchurch (Va.) School, Robinson will be the first five-star from out-of-state to sign with the Gators since Corey Brewer (Portland, Tenn.) in 2004. Four-star guards Brandone

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile. Roger Staubach

Opposite Page: True freshman running back Kelvin Taylor made his first collegiate start in Jacksonville, the same city where his father shined as an NFL playmaker. Photo by UF Communications.

Francis and Chris Chiozza also have pledged to sign with UF as part of the 2014 class.

Florida also gained a commitment from Zach Hodskins, a 6-4, 200-pound guard who was born with one hand. Hodskins accepted an offer to be a preferred walk-on, which guarantees his spot on the team without a tryout.

Catching Champ During a post-game interview with ESPN’s Chris Berman, former Gators catcher David Ross said “I have a world championship under my belt” as he dug a game ball out of his back pocket. The ball was secured in Ross’ glove as the final pitch thrown in the Boston Red Sox’s 6-1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the 2013 World Series.

TINTING

“I’ve got it right here,” Ross said, proudly holding the ball up. “There it is. It’s already authenticated.”

Ross, a 12-year veteran who sported one of the best beards on the bearded BoSox team, caught Koji Uehara’s strikeout pitch before bear-hugging the reliever to start Fenway Park’s post-game celebration. It was the Red Sox’s third World Series crown in the past nine seasons and eighth in franchise history.

Berman spoke with Ross about being on the receiving end of starting pitcher John Lackey’s “gutsy” outing as well as that of a bullpen that worked out of several jams.

“It’s what we expect out of all of these guys — that’s why we’re here,” Ross said. “We have guys with a lot of heart who go out there and lay their neck on the line for one another.”

Ross was the hero of Boston’s Game 5 win with two hits, including a ground-rule double that drove in the go-ahead run. He also was credited with keeping Cardinals batters off balance by calling all the pitches to pilot Jon Lester’s performance during the 3-1 win.

“I never thought I’d be here,” Ross told a room full of reporters from the podium after Game 5. “There were times I was questioning whether my career was over. But thanks to a lot of positive people, good doctors, I’m here.

I’m playing in the World Series, so just the whole skit is just — I’m up here talking to you guys, this is pretty cool, right?”

In his final season at Florida in 1998, Ross hit .332 with 69 RBI, 21 doubles and 19 home runs. The Gators won the SEC Championship and reached the College World Series that year. He’s just the sixth former UF player to win a World Series, joining David Eckstein (2002, 2006), Steve Lombardozzi (1987), Randy O’Neal (1984), Al Rosen (1948), Witt “Lefty” Guise (1940) and Lance Richbourg (1924), according to John Hines with UF Communications. Ross is the 12th former Gators player to participate in the World Series.

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 31

Softball The Gators wrapped up a perfect “fall ball schedule” against a trio of junior colleges. They went 8-0 while outscoring opponents by a whopping 127-0 margin. Four of the games were against nearby Santa Fe College, which the Gators beat 19-0 and 23-0 during a doubleheader to open the fall slate Sept. 29. They wrapped up fall by sweeping Chipola College 16-0 and 21-0 on November 10th.

Cross Country Led by junior Jimmy Clark and senior Agata Strausa, Florida had a solid showing at the SEC Championships with the men finishing second overall and the women coming in fourth at UF’s Mark Bostic Golf Course on November 1st. Clark ran a 23:57.03 to finish fifth in the men’s 8K while Strausa picked a perfect time for her personal best 6K time of 20:17.79 to come in fourth.

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UF’s men’s team wrapped up the fall season with an eighth place finish at the Invitation at The Ocean Course on October 28th.

Freshman Ryan Orr led the Gators with a 7-over par 223 to tie for 17th. The women’s team finished fourth at The Alamo Invitational and were led by junior Sarah Schober’s career-best 209 (third place) in the fall season finale.

Soccer No. 5 Florida was upset 2-1 by No. 21 Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament championship match in Orange Beach, Ala. Savannah Jordan, Hannah Solaun and Christen Westphal were named to the All-Tournament team. With matching 9-2 records, the Gators and Aggies became the first teams to tie for the regular season title in the 21-year history of SEC soccer.

Swimming & Diving Florida’s men opened the season with five consecutive wins, including SEC victories against Georgia (179-119) on November 1st and Alabama (169-123) on November 7th. On the flip side, the women’s team began 3-2 and split their SEC meats, losing 162-138 against Georgia and winning 179-113 against Georgia, following the Ohio State Buckeye Invitational on November 22nd-24th.

Volleyball Teaming up for the first time in their careers, UF seniors Florent Diep and Stephane Piro won the doubles title at the 2013 Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic in Lakewood Ranch on November 10th. On the women’s side of the event, senior Olivia Janowicz took home the singles title while UF freshmen Kourtney Keegan and Brianna Morgan won the doubles championship.

I would rather die of passion than of boredom. Vincent van Gogh

UF senior runner Agata Strausa turned in a personal best 6K time to finish fourth at the SEC Championships. Photo by Jim Burgess/UF Communications

Gators Sports Schedule 2 Men’s basketball @ Connecticut, 7pm 4 Women’s basketball @ Troy, 8pm 10 Men’s basketball vs. Kansas, 7pm 17 Women’s basketball vs. St. Francis (Pa.), 6pm; Men’s basketball @ Memphis, 9pm 20 Women’s basketball vs.

Tennessee State in Gator Holiday Classic, 7pm

21 Men’s basketball @ Fresno State, 4:30pm; Women’s basketball vs. FIU or La Salle in Gator Holiday Classic, 7pm 28 Women’s basketball vs.

Georgetown, 2pm 29 Men’s basketball vs. Savannah State, 3pm

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TaylorMade Oak Hall golfer Taylor Tomlinson is taking her lucky frog to Florida Story and Photos by Mike Capshaw

Among athletes, golfers rank among the most superstitious. Say they drain an unsinkable putt with their collar up, so now they always play with it up.

before handing it to me.

Taylor Tomlinson doesn’t consider herself superstitious. However, the Oak Hall senior and future Florida Gators golfer began to panic when her “lucky” frog ball marker went missing midway through a South Carolina tourney.

Of course she didn’t. She’s a golfer and golfers are superstitious by nature. Perhaps she was having an off day and had birdied the one hole (or five!) she played while using Taylor’s ball mark.

Fortunately, Mom was there to search for it. It wasn’t easy considering the frog was green and likely left behind on one of the greens or somewhere else in the plush grass.

It is, after all, a lucky frog.

“She lost the frog and I couldn’t believe it — she had had it for so long,” said Tami Tomlinson, Taylor’s mom. “I walked like five holes looking for it.”

Taylor didn’t need luck to secure a college scholarship as her skills are taking her (and her lucky frog) to the next level. She’ll be a chip shot away from home after inking with UF during November’s early signing period, following in brother’s footsteps. She received attention from other colleges, even taking a visit to Miami, before zeroing in on Clemson and Florida.

“No!” Taylor chimed in, shaking her head but smiling. “You walked like one hole.”

“Yeah, I did! I walked about five holes looking for it,” said Tami, who had given her daughter the frog when Taylor was six. “There was a group behind her, maybe two groups back and another golfer picked it up.”

Even more comical than the duo’s conversation recalling the incident was what happened next.

“I told [the golfer who found it] that it was a lucky frog, and she hesitated before giving it back to me,” Tami said. “I said, ‘My daughter lost this frog,’ and she said, ‘Yeah, I found it.’ So I said, ‘Well, it’s a really lucky frog,’ and she froze for a second or two, looking at [the frog], 34 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

“It was almost like she didn’t want to give it to me.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m superstitious, but I won’t play with any other ball marker,” Taylor said.

While new facilities and a chance to be a part of a Clemson’s new women’s golf program was enticing, it wasn’t enough for the Tigers to outdrive the Gators.

“It was just hard to ever see myself playing against the Gators,” Taylor said. “Growing up in Gainesville my entire life, I couldn’t go away from it. Being a Florida girl, a Gator girl.”

Certainly, Mom agreed. Keeping her daughter close to home and seeing both children playing at the same college is a dream come true for any parent.

“Florida beat [Clemson] by a shot [this fall], so you obviously picked the right team,” Tami said while flashing a smile at Taylor. “But winning a national championship for another team would have been tough.”

What wasn’t tough was Taylor developing an early love for the game. Her dad, JD Tomlinson Jr., golfed at Southern Illinois University and taught his sweet swing to his wife and children.

The family began golfing most Sundays after moving close to the Gainesville Country Club when Taylor was 5.

JD Tomlinson III would hit the course after school as well. At first, Taylor would drive the golf cart for her brother, but it wasn’t long before she wanted to drive the ball instead.

“Ever since she was little she’s just had a real natural, athletic swing,” Tami said. “She played a lot of different sports, but we always tried to keep her in golf.”

These days, Taylor’s staying focused on golf as she practices or plays six days a week.

“Monday the course is closed,” Taylor said, sounding disappointed to have to take a day off.

Her dedication has paid off. The reigning Gainesville Sun Girls Golfer of the Year shot an 8-under 64 to win the district tournament for fourth straight season. After scoring on even par on the front nine, Taylor scorched the back nine with a 28 at Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club.

Because Oak Hall didn’t have enough players

The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it. Chinese Proverb

to field a girls’ squad, Taylor teamed up with the boys during the regular season. Growing up with her brother, competing against boys was nothing new.

In fact, she claims to have bested big brother before, although he plays from the championship tees and she plays from the men’s tee box.

“I think I may have got him a couple of times,” Taylor said. “He may deny it, but I’m pretty sure I have [beat him].”

Calling him a mentor on and off the course, it comes as no surprise that big brother is responsible for Taylor’s only other superstition.

A superstitious golfer himself, JD suggested she use a permanent marker to write the letters “PGS” on each of her Titleist Pro V-1s.

“He told me to do it and I’ve just kept doing it,” Taylor said. “It stands for Pretty Girl Swag. So now, every time I play, I always have that on my ball and that little frog marking my ball.”

Well, maybe she’s simply “stitious” instead of superstitious.

Birdies for Charity This past summer Taylor Tomlinson raised just over $2,245 for charity as part of the American Junior Golf Association’s Leadership Links program.

Half of the money Taylor raised went to the AJGA’s ACE program that helps young golfers travel and pay tournament fees that they otherwise couldn’t afford, while the other half benefitted Tyler’s Hope Foundation, her charity of choice.

“I knew Tyler growing up, before he was diagnosed with dystonia,” Tomlinson said.

“Just knowing the Staabbs, they’re such a great family. They’re always kind and such goodhearted people, so it was definitely something I wanted to support.”

Taylor sent out emails and hung a flyer up at the Gainesville County Club to attract donations. Folks could make one-time donations or pledge a certain amount for each birdie Taylor made during summer tournaments. She made a whopping 51 birdies to raise $2,245.50.

“Some people would make a one-time donation of like $100 because she can be a birdie machine,” said Tami Tomlinson, Taylor’s mother. “You just don’t know how much she’s going to rack it up to. You think $5 a birdie isn’t much, but when she birdies 51 times then that can be a lot of dough.”

Tyler’s Hope Foundation raises awareness and hopes to find a cure for dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that affects the central nervous system. It causes involuntary and sometimes painful muscle spasms. It was founded by the Staab family after their son, Tyler, was diagnosed and then later their daughter, Samantha, also began showing systems. Tyler turned 16 on November 2nd.

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 35

What’s Happening

in Prep Sports

Wolves Downed

Story and photos Mike Capshaw

St. Francis’ volleyball team gets knocked out of the state semifinals while a Bell running back is in a class of his own.

36 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

St. Francis’ volleyball came up short in its bid to repeat as Class 3A state champs. The Wolves finished the season 27-4 after losing 3-1 against Miami Westminister Christian in the state semifinals in Kissimmee on November 12th.

The team has piled up 54 wins over the past two seasons while being led by seniors Allison Benton, Farah Rajee and

Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. Farrah Gray

Ann Lorayne Bzoch.

Benton led the team with 17 kills while Rajee had 35 assists and Bzoch added 15 digs in the seasonending loss.

“It’s great that we came this far again,” Rajee told The Gainesville Sun after the match. “We really worked hard … It’s something that we are definitely going to remember.”

For the season, Benton finished with 422 kills. Rajee had 860 assists and Bzoch had 481 digs. They were three of 10 seniors on this season’s roster, which also feature five underclassmen.

Bulldogs’ 32-0 win against Branford in the regular season finale.

PK Yonge setter Kayla Simmons signed a volleyball scholarship with Marshall.

In 10 regular season games, Ritchey has averaged 9.39 yards per carry. He has 2,038 yards and 20 touchdowns on 217 attempts heading into the postseason.

The Rock point guard Mitchell Wilbekin, the brother of UF point guard Scotie Wilbekin, signed with Tulsa.

State Champ

• The Oak Hall girls cross country team came in second at the Class 1A state meet behind senior Brittany Ollinger’s third place overall finish. It was the team’s 13th consecutive time to compete in the state meet.

Gainesville Eastside swimmer Wesley Olmstead claimed a pair of victories at the Class 2A state meet on November 9th.

The senior, a 5.0 GPA student who signed a scholarship with Stanford during November’s early signing period, won the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle during the meet in Stuart. Last season, Olemstead won the 50 freestyle and finished runner-up in the 100 backstroke at state.

Other Signees

2,000-Yard Club

The week-long early period saw several area athletes sign National Letters of Intent.

Bell running back Austin Ritchey became the first player form the area to eclipse the 2,000-yard rushing mark. He surpassed the plateau with 176 yards on 17 carries in the

Buchholz catcher Cassidy McDilda signed with Troy during an after-school ceremony in the BHS library.

Flourish Magazine’s

Quick Reads

• Marcella Perez, a freshman, became the first St. Francis runner to reach the Class 1A state meet, where she finished 60th overall.

• Williston head football coach Jamie Baker has reportedly resigned after his second stint at the school.

Information for this report was gathered using our own resources as well as reports

by The Gainesville Sun, Williston Pioneer and WCJB TV-20. Email tips about local athletes to mike.capshaw@whpinc.com.

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 37

Local History:

Marbles &

Mumblety Peg Kirby Smith Center once was among oldest school buildings in state

By Truman Carter

Top Left: Two girls dancing during the Florida Folk Festival in May of 1956. A few people watch from a buggy with a sign on the side that reads “Stephen Foster Memorial.” According to a note on the photograph sleeve, the dancers were led

by Maurice Wilson. The photo is part of Robert R. Leahey’s collection Top Middle: One of the earliest photos of the Kirby Smith School with students playing out front. The date is thought to be between 1911-19.

Of all of the old buildings in downtown Gainesville, one stands out because of the impact it’s made on local education.

Constructed in 1900 out of red bricks, the Kirby Smith Center is one of the oldest existing school buildings in Alachua County.

In fact, it was one of the oldest public schools in the state before becoming the main offices of the Alachua County School Board in the early 1980s.

The 12-room, two-story structure with a unique square tower allowed only white children in when it opened as the Gainesville Graded & High School. An addition was built in 1912 for students in “higher grades,” according to a Gainesville Sun article published in 1954.

In 1922, the construction of Gainesville High School on West University Avenue resulted in a name change to Eastside Elementary, as it housed children in “primary and grammar” grades.

It received another name change to the Kirby Smith School after a major overhaul in 1939. New wings were added on both sides of the existing building and the entire exterior was painted white. The size of school’s auditorium also was increased.

Images from the State Archives of Florida suggest students wore school uniforms from the early 1900s all the way into the 1950s and 1960s when Kirby Smith students regularly performed at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs.

Top Right: Above the Kirby Smith Center entrance is a square bell tower that was rung to signal the start of the school day. After sitting in storage for two decades, the 300-400 pound bell reportedly was re-hung in 2008.

Opposite Page: Young female students pose during a May Day Celebration at the Kirby Smith School in the 1920s.

Bottom Right: Palmettos that were shown being planted in photos of the Kirby Smith School from the early 1900s now grow as high as the two-story building.

38 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Dream big and dare to fail. Norman Vaughan

This following excerpt is taken from a blog

by Donna Parrish offers a glimpse into student life at Kirby Smith. Parrish and her family moved from Oklahoma to Gainesville in 1945 when her step-father was discharged from the Air Force after World War II. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Kirby Smith we had a morning recess and an afternoon recess. Also at lunch we had an hour and when we cleaned our plates we could go play. I remember the playground as dirt but there were big

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For the past three decades the building has served as the administrative center for the Alachua County School Board. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a regular site of school board meetings and community gatherings, such as a recent Crime Task Force meeting that was attended by some 75 residents as law enforcement discussed a recent increase in gang activity.

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The school is one of at least two in Florida named for General Edmund Kirby Smith, the last full general survivor of the Confederacy who died in 1893. The St. Augustine native and West Point graduate battled in the Mexican War, the Indian campaigns in Texas and the Civil War. In addition, Kirby Smith also had a long career in education. He taught mathematics at West Point and as a professor at the University of the South. He served as president of the Western Military Academy and chancellor of the University of Nashville. He also was the president of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company.

Information for the article comes from various sources, including a booklet titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Historic Gainesville: A Tour Guide to the Pastâ&#x20AC;? as well as the Alachua County Library Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heritage Collection.

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The bell that hangs in the tower was used at the school for years, but at some point was moved into the Gainesville High gymnasium. The Sun reported that the bell, estimated to weigh between 300-400 pounds, sat in storage for about two decades before being re-installed at Kirby Smith in 2008.

covered concrete areas where we could play if it was raining. The schoolyard was not fenced and if the ball went in the street, you had to look for cars before you could go get it. In big boxes in the covered area where the buses picked us up, there were balls and bats and jump ropes that were handed out to play with at recess.

The girls would bring from home their small jump ropes and their jacks. The boys brought their marbles and their pocket knives to play mumblety peg.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Memories of Kirby Smithâ&#x20AC;? on DonnaSmith.com.

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 39

What’s Happening

in Local Business Story and photo Mike Capshaw

A new company is joining Gainesville’s crowded tire market, two more businesses are announced for Butler Plaza and Newberry’s Nations Park possibly changing hands highlight this month’s report.

computerized to adjust accordingly. Samuel said he’s aware of only two others — both at car dealerships — in use in Gainesville.

Another way Kauffman plans to beat the competition is by beating competitors prices on tires. It carries 18 different brand names such as Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo, Cooper and Pirelli. But it’s not just about tires, Kauffman can handle brake, battery, oil and air conditioner service, as well as various other preventativetype maintenance. Trained technicians will diagnose a vehicle’s problems and even fix flats for free, regardless of where the tire was purchased.

Several community and environmentallyfriendly aspects were incorporated into the Gainesville store as it was designed “not to look like a tire shop,” Samuel said. “We’re the only store with one door in and one door out because we wanted to keep the noise down for our neighbors.” The facility does not use in-ground bays with hydraulic lifts, which can leak and harm the environment. All of Kauffman’s stores are “super organized, super friendly and super clean,” from the red-brick facade down to employees’ shaved faces.

“We are a very pro-community company,” Samuel said. “Everything we do is with our community and our customers in mind.”

World’s Best

Kauffman Tire management and employees pose in front of the newly constructed facility on University Ave. during a grand opening and ribbon cutting on November 7th.

A new player entering the Gainesville tire race plans to separate itself from the same tired, old names of service shops in the area. Kauffman Tire treaded lightly with a soft opening on October 7th followed by a ribbon cutting November 7th for its store at 3545 W. University Ave. A quick yellowpages.com search shows more than 30 tire dealers in Gainesville.

Despite the heavily trafficked market, manager Dwight Samuel said the company’s reputation has been driving business during the first month.

“Slowly but surely it’s picking up as people start finding out that we’re here in Gainesville now,” said Samuel, a Florida Gators fullback from 40 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

2004-07. “We’ve got a lot of customers that come from other areas who have had positive experience with (Kauffman Tire) in the past,” The family-owned company that began in Ohio in 1936 now has more than 50 retail stores in Ohio, Georgia and Florida and 14 wholesale distribution centers in seven states.

Samuel said opening in Gainesville helps bridge the gap between dozens of locations around its Atlanta headquarters and Kauffman’s seven locations in the Tampa area.

The six-bay facility features state-of-the-art equipment and technology such as “roadforce balancers,” which puts pressure on each tire to mimic actual road conditions and is

The Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator of Alachua was ranked by the University Business Incubator research group as the world’s best incubator during the 16th Annual BioFlorida Conference. UBI analyzed 150 incubators in 22 countries for the rankings. During the two-day conference in Tampa, SMBI CEO Patti Breedlove received the BioFlorida Leadership Award while Alachua-based Nanotherapeutics CEO James Talton earned the Weaver H. Gaines Entrepreneurship Award.

Speaking of Nanotherapeutics, the biopharmaceutical company hosted a groundbreaking for its new facility that was attended by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, among others. The 165,000-SF facility will be located in Progress Corporate Park in Alachua and is scheduled for completion by March of 2015.

Nanotherapeutics needed the new facility after securing a $135 million contract from the Department of Defense to develop and manufacture countermeasures to combat biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological attacks as well as infectious disease outbreaks.

If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Zig Ziglar

Butler Still Booming Alumni Hall is one of the newest tenants in Gainesville’s fastest growing retail area. The Butler Plaza store offers collegiate apparel and merchandise for Florida Gators fans. The company that’s headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., has 17 locations in nine states, including eight covering SEC teams. While Alumni Hall may be new to Gainesville, owner Jeff Goodfriend and his family are not new to the area. They owned Goody’s Department Store in Butler Plaza Central from 1994 to 2008.

Another addition to Butler Plaza will be Gigi’s Cupcakes, which is expected to open in December in the same outparcel strip center that also will include BurgerFi and WhichWich.

Gigi’s has 84 locations in 23 states, including six in Florida. The Gainesville “gourmet cupcake boutique” is owned by Nancy and Eric Rollins.

Nations Park The Gainesville Sports Commission is in discussions with the City of Newberry to take over management of Nations Park. The city and the commission have been trying to form new partnerships — such as packages for

visiting teams to go to Disney World and Cedar Key as incentives — to bring in more teams and events to the park.

Nations Park cost $7 million to build and has encountered a few snags since the 16-field softball/baseball complex opened in March.

Both the city and commission will have to approve the deal before it’s finalized, which could happen before the new year.

On The Move A pair of student moving companies, Smarter Moving Solutions and 2 College Brothers, are merging to expand business. The merged company will continue hiring only college students and operate under the name 2 College Brothers Inc., because that company had a stronger brand recognition. It hopes to expand to other college towns and currently serves Gainesville, Orlando and Tallahassee.

Wade Swikle founded Smarter Moving Solutions while Bryant and Kevin Weschler founded 2 College Brothers.

Quick Hits • The Florida Lottery reported its $928.3 million in revenue has benefitted 365,150 UF

students with Bright Futures scholarships.

• Gator Dining Services earned the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s “Campus Sustainability Case Study Award.” Since 2011, the program has reportedly diverted about 1.2 million foam products from landfills.

• FloridaWorks is changing its name to CareerSource North Central Florida in early 2014. The re-branding campaign should help align the state’s CareerSource Florida System and improve awareness of the system’s services and resources for job seekers and employers.

• The City of Bronson is considering a deal with Verizon Wireless to place a cell phone tower at James H. Cobb Park. Verizon would pay $1,000 as well as a 2-percent yearly fee for the small corner of land. The 25-year deal would bring in an estimated $384,000 to the struggling city’s budget.

Information for this article was compiled from our own sources as well as information from The Gainesville Sun, The Business Report of North Central Florida, WCJB TV-20, Chiefland Citizen and The Tampa Times. If you have a tip about a local business, please email it to mike.capshaw@whpinc. com for consideration.

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Events What’s Happening:

December December 1st Walking Tour of the Southeast Gainesville Historic District @ Downtown Public Library, 1pm; Turkey Trots National Open @ Gainesville Raceway, 3pm

December 2nd Rotary Greater Gainesville meeting @ Napolitano’s, 12pm; UF men’s basketball @ Connecticut, 7pm: Hello, Dolly! starring Sally Struthers @ Phillips Center, 7:30pm

December 3rd Kiwanis Club University meeting @ UF Hilton, 12pm; Newberry Area Professionals meeting @ Newberry Municipal Building, 12pm; Rotary Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; UF Symphony Orchestra – Sounds of the Season @ Phillips Center, 7:30pm

December 4th Gainesville Area Networking Group meeting @ Northwest Grille, 11:30am; Kiwanis Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; Rotary Club Downtown Gainesville meeting @ Jolie, 12pm; Women & Wealth Seminar by Banks Carroll Group @ Morgan Stanley, 5pm; Oral History in the Delta: 6th Annual Student Panel @ Civic Media Center, 6pm; UF women’s basketball @ Troy, 8pm

December 5th Rotary Club Sunrise meeting @ UF Hilton, 7am; Growing Shiitake 38 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

& Oyster Mushrooms workshop @ Alachua County Extension Office, 5pm; Civil War Roundtable of North Florida @ Millhopper Branch Library, 6:30pm

December 6th Holiday Lights First Friday @ The Opera House, 5pm; Santa Crawl in Downtown Gainesville, 5pm; Women & Wealth Seminar by Banks Carroll Group @ Morgan Stanley, 5pm; Charity Mingle @ Maude’s Cafe, 5:30pm; Establishing and Building Credit @ Tower Road Library, 6pm; Hometown Christmas @ UF Auditorium, 7:30pm; Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band: Hometown Christmas @ University Auditorium, 7:30pm; Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational @ O’Connell Center, all day

December 7th Alachua County Farmers’ Market @ 8:30am; Buchholz Baseball 5K + Fun Run/Walk @ Buchholz High, 9am; Cane Day @ Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 9am; Guided Tour @ Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 10am; Farm to Table Dinner w/ Chef Chase Rossi of The Top @ Swallowtail Farm in Alachua, 4:30pm; Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational @ O’Connell Center, all day

December 8th Revved Up and Ready to Wear: Jewelry Making @ Cade Museum, 1pm; Writers Alliance of Gainesville

@ Millhopper Branch Library, 2:30pm; Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational @ O’Connell Center, all day; Annual Homestead Holidays @ Haile Homestead, 12pm

December 9 Rotary Greater Gainesville meeting @ Napolitano’s, 12pm

December 10th Kiwanis Club University meeting @ UF Hilton, 12pm; Newberry Area Professionals meeting @ Newberry Municipal Building, 12pm; Rotary Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; Healthy Cooking: Cooking with Herbs @ Alachua County Extension Office, 5:30pm; UF men’s basketball vs. Kansas, 7pm

December 11 Cookies with Santa @ Library Partnership Neighborhood Resource Center, 11am; Kiwanis Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; Rotary Club Downtown Gainesville meeting @ Jolie, 12pm; 3-D Geometry Christmas Trees @ Cade Museum, 1:30pm; A Visit From Santa @ Millhopper Branch Library, 6:30pm; USGBC Heart of Florida Chapter meeting @ Volta, 8pm

December 12th Rotary Club Sunrise meeting @ UF Hilton, 7am; Simple Sugars, Complex Carbs Class @ Earth Origins Market and Sundgren Chiropractic Health

Clinic, 12pm; Holiday Sing A-Long @ @ Library Partnership Neighborhood Resource Center, 4pm; Gingerbread House Competition @ High Springs Library, 4pm; International Association of Administrative Professionals, 5:30pm

December 13th Uptown Art Hop for the Holidays @ Thornebrook Village, 6pm; Candlelight Visits @ Haile Homestead 6pm

December 14th Season of Hope 5/15K @ Gainesville Hawthorne Trail, 6am; Alachua County Farmers’ Market @ 8:30am; Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Start Up Basics @ Tower Road Library, 10am; Free Lesson Day @ The By Ear Musician Studio, 10am; Reindeer 5K Run/Walk 2013 @ Tioga Town Center, 2pm; Visit Santa @ Hawthorne Branch Library, 3:30pm

December 15th Santa Jam – Toys For Tots drive @ Thunder Music Park in Hampton; High Springs Music in the Park Series @ James Paul Park & Community Garden, 2pm; Carillon Recital @ UF’s Century Tower, 3pm; Holiday Harp Music with harpist Barbara Kerkhoof @ Archer Branch Library; Alachua County Youth Orchestra Annual Winter Concert @ Phillips Center, 7:30pm

December 16th

Fall seven times and stand up eight. Japanese Proverb

Rotary Greater Gainesville meeting @ Napolitano’s, 12pm; Unique Holiday Ornaments @ Alachua County Headquarters Library Downtown, 1pm; Holidays on the Loose with Dr. Suess @ Tower Road Branch Library, 3:30pm

December 17th Kiwanis Club University meeting @ UF Hilton, 12pm; Newberry Area Professionals meeting @ Newberry Municipal Building, 12pm; Rotary Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; UF women’s basketball vs. St. Francis (Pa.), 6pm; Santa’s at the Library @ High Springs Library, 6pm; Danu performs @ Phillips Center, 7:30pm; UF men’s basketball @ Memphis, 9pm

December 18th Jordan Glen School presents scenes from “A Christmas Carol” @ Archer Community Center, 10:15am; Gainesville Area Women’s Network monthly luncheon & meeting @ Sweetwater Branch Inn, 11:30am; Gainesville Area Networking Group meeting @ Northwest Grille, 11:30am; Kiwanis Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm; Rotary Club Downtown Gainesville meeting @ Jolie, 12pm; Tonewood Family Music @ Tower Road Branch Library, 1:30pm; Gingerbread House Contest @ Newberry Branch Library, 3pm; Mommy & Me @ Phillips Center, 5pm

December 19th Rotary Club Sunrise meeting @ UF Hilton, 7am

December 20th UF women’s basketball vs.

Tennessee State in Gator Holiday Classic, 7pm; Dance Alive National Ballet: The Nutcracker @ Phillips Center, 7:30pm

December 21st Alachua County Farmers’ Market @ 8:30am; UF men’s basketball @ Fresno State, 4:30pm; The 75th Annual Hunger Games – Catching Fire Release Party @ Millhopper Branch Library, 5:30pm; UF women’s basketball vs. FIU or La Salle in Gator Holiday Classic, 7pm; Chocolate & Champagne Holiday Gala & Dancing with the Stars @ Phillips Center, 8pm

December 22nd Dance Alive National Ballet: The Nutcracker @ Phillips Center, 2pm; Sugar Plum Tea @ Phillips Center, 4pm

December 23rd ES Winter Break Camp @ Eastside Recreation Center, 7am; ARM Winter Break Camp @ West Side Park, 7am; School Holiday Camp: Float My Boat @ Florida Museum of Natural History, 8am; Rotary Greater Gainesville meeting @ Napolitano’s, 12pm

December 24th Kiwanis Club University meeting @ UF Hilton, 12pm; Newberry Area Professionals meeting @ Newberry Municipal Building, 12pm; Rotary Club Gainesville meeting @ Paramount Plaza, 12pm

December 25th CHRISTMAS

December 26th Rotary Club Sunrise meeting @ UF Hilton, 7am

December 27 DC vs. Marvel Movie Marathon @ Alachua County Headquarters Library Downtown, 1pm

December 28th Alachua County Farmers’ Market @ 8:30am; Art Fest @ Waldo Farmer’s & Flea Market, 10am; DC vs. Marvel Movie Marathon @ Alachua County Headquarters Library Downtown, 1pm; UF women’s basketball vs.

Georgetown, 2pm

December 29th Art Fest @ Waldo Farmer’s & Flea Market, 10am; UF men’s basketball vs. Savannah State, 3pm

December 30th The Weird, the Wonky, and the Wild, Best of 2013 @ Cade Museum, 9am/1pm; Rotary Greater Gainesville meeting @ Napolitano’s, 12pm; New Year’s Open Mic @ Tower Road Branch, 3pm

December 31st Newberry Area Professionals meeting @ Newberry Municipal Building, 12pm; FIRE & ICE Family-Friendly Event and Fireworks Show @ YMCA Sports Facility, 2pm; Downtown Countdown: A New Year’s Celebration @ Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 8pm

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. George Addair

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 39

Paula’s Choice Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter Treat skin to a decadent cream to ease the drying effects of winter with this new Soothing Body Butter. This clinically proven treatment immediately comforts and softens dry, rough skin and keeps it moisturized for 12 hours. With a non-greasy texture, its blend of antioxidant-rich plant oils, restorative emollients, anti-irritants, and pure shea butter work to restore and strengthen skin’s natural protective barrier. $19 Paulaschoice.com

Beauty Ouidad Curl Recovery Curl Defining Styling Soufflé Ideal for dry or damaged textured hair, the styling product reconstructs curls and doubles as a hair repair aid and is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones and synthetic dyes. The Proprietary CR 4 Complex envelopes the hair shaft with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids. $26 Ouidad.com

Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner and Styling Primer Treat your hair to a break with a daily conditioner that restores, softens and conditions curls.

With its sulfate-free, triple Olive Oil blend and Green Tea Extract , the formula provides for soft and supple hair while also priming it for styling as it instantly moisturizes and enhances shine. $26 Ouidad.com

Clairvoyant Beauty Coffee Butter Body Scrub Exfoliate and soften skin with this scrumptious body scrub that’s designed to restore skin’s natural luster. Sea salt and caffeine help to exfoliate dead skin cells while encouraging circulation and detoxification for a firmer appearance. The added bonus of super hydrating shea butter and olive oil leave skin soft and supple to the touch. $40 ClairvoyantBeauty.com

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36 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Ouidad Salon Series by Ouidad Omega 3 Replenishing Treatment For added moisture, try this deeply hydrating wash-out treatment. The organic Macroloba Oil, harvested from the Amazon rainforest, promotes shine for dry, damaged and tired looking hair. A potent combination of Omega 3, 6 and 9 restores deeply damaged hair with regular application three times per week. $36 Ouidad.com

Trinity Trunk or Treat This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Pumpkin Harvest and Trunk-or-Treat hosted by Trinity United Methodist Church was a hit! Dozens of families joined the celebration by dressing up, decorating their trunks and filling their buckets and bellies with candy.

G i f t 1. Scosche: boltBOX Colorful lighting unit, with a 3-foot retractable cable that allows for tangle-free charging and syncing. The cable is housed in a sleek enclosure at the size of a matchbox. It’s great for Apple devices and can fit into any pocket. $24.99 scosche.com 2. Etón Boost 8400 Super-slim, backup battery pack features a rechargeable 8400mAH lithium battery for long-lasting, reliable power. It can fully revive most smartphones up to four times and the USB ports can simultaneously charge two devices. Give it a shake and LED charge indicators will let you know how much charge you have left. $79.99 etoncorp.com 3. Grill Daddy Pro Also designed with steam-cleaning technology, it helps keep grills spic and span without the use of chemicals. The sturdy handle provides leverage while the main brush and scraper brush are made of double gauge stainless steel. Safe on stainless-steel, ceramic and iron grills and dishwasher safe. $19.99 Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Amazon, Walmart & BuyGrillDaddy.com 4. Scosche: microBOX This version of the charge and sync cable is made for Android, Samsung, Motorola Windows, LG, HTC and Nokia devices. It has a magnetic locking connector that easily extends and retracts by pulling both ends simultaneously and is also tangle-free. $14.99 scosche.com 5. GoBites GoBites packs can be tailored to fit an individual’s lifestyle or dietary needs, and a box snacks can be delivered at weekly intervals of your choosing. These individually-wrapped snack packs are available in 26 different varieties and are filled with nutrient-dense ingredients, offering a healthy, filling boost.

Prices vary, GoBites.com

34 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

G u i d e

6. Golf-X Cube For that golf lover in your life, this tool is the ultimate training aid! It is designed to help make better upper body rotation and allows the shoulder to turn on a solid base.

Immediately you can see any wrong movements and your body will be stabilized. $39.90 golfxcube.com 7. Roolen BREATH Smart Ultrasonic Humidifier This intelligent device reinvents the traditional humidifier with technology that automatically detects and adjusts humidity output levels to achieve maximum comfort. It also uses less energy and water consumption and weighs under 2.5 pounds. The porcelain-like design cleverly conceals a whisper-quiet motor that automatically shuts off when out of water. $129 http://www.roolen.co/ 8. Grill Daddy Heat Shield Tongs Keep the griller in your life safe with these stainless-steel tongs. The heat shield guard swivels to protect hands from searing heat, plus its customizable attachments create unique grilling combos such as a flip spatula/ tong. $19.99 Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and BuyGrillDaddy.com 9. Planon Scanstik The world’s first credit card-sized scanner that lets you stay organized on the go. It’s a full-featured, high resolution color scanner so small and light it can go anywhere, and is perfect for capturing crisp digital images of easily misplaced items, like business cards, receipts, and other printed materials. $139.99 planon.com 10. SensoGlove A unique digital golf glove that corrects the “death grip” for a better, more accurate swing.

This training aid’s tiny sensors measure your grip pressure through the swing, alerting you when you use a choke hold. The breathable, cabretta leather glove even shows you which fingers are gripping too tightly, so you can adjust your grip accordingly. $89 sensoglove.com

11. Laser Pegs Runners Similar to Legos in its connectable construction, each Laser Peg block has an LED bulb that lights up as you put together pieces. With the kit, you can build a car that lights up and even drives! $19.99 www.laserpegs.com 12. Mina’s Purely Divine Baking Mixes These allergen-free baking mixes let bakers make all their favorite treats and sauces without sacrificing flavor. You can even make several different recipes with just a few mixes.

Comes in Gluten-Free Bread Mix, Gluten-free All Purpose Baking Mix and Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake mix.

Prices Vary, Minasgf.com 13. Grill Daddy Heat Shield Spatula “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!” Now you don’t have to, with this professional-grade, stainless-steel spatula. It offers a comfort-grip handle and telescoping shaft that can extend 5 and a half inches. A convenient meat thermometer sits in the handle, and this dishwasher-safe tool also features interchangeable attachments. $19.99 Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, Meijer & BuyGrillDaddy.com

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt

2 1 4

6

3

5

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11

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12 There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. Aristotle

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 35

Little

Voices Interview by Lauren Douglass

Singer-songwriter Julie Mar’s new song “Little Voices” is charged with emotion, depth and meaning. Bullied as a child, Mar seeks to express her remembered feelings of hurt and heartbreak through music. Here, Mar talks with me about the inspiration for “Little Voices,” the making of the music video and the importance of always staying positive.

How did the video shoot go?

The video shoot was absolutely incredible.

Tell me a little about your personal What did you learn about yourself It looks like it was filmed in a hi-tech studio, but it was actually filmed in the basement of involvement with bullying. while writing “Little Voices”?

I was in middle school when most of the bullying happened. I was bullied for being overweight, but I was lucky enough to have a good group of friends and family so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

I learned that I’m stronger than what I gave myself credit for back in the day, and that everybody else has that same strength within them. That’s the purpose of the song.

You have to allow yourself to rise above the negativity, the bullying and the depression.

Why is speaking and writing songs on bullying a passion of yours?

Tell me about the writing Even as an adult, the bullying from my process. Where did you draw childhood affects me. I know there are an your inspiration from? innumerable amount of people who are going through the same thing, so I felt like it was my responsibility as a songwriter and a singer to make this issue known.

I have a cousin who was also bullied. She would talk to me about her struggles and I would try to help her through it. I was lying in bed one night thinking about that, and I got inspired. I started typing out lyrics on my iPhone, and it kind of just fell into place.

Sophie Duphin, a friend of mine and an amazing songwriter, helped me finish it and make it what it is today.

my house. We reached out to a bunch of our friends on Facebook and Twitter, asking if anyone was willing to be in it. We were worried that we wouldn’t get enough people to get the crowd that we needed, but when the day came people were shuffling one after the other into my house. It was amazing.

You’ve shot a few videos before.

Did this one go as expected or were there some surprises along the way?

This is the first video I’ve shot with a song that means something heavy. There’s a really deep message behind it, and I wanted it to come out perfectly. Patryk Larney, the video director, really understood where I was coming from and how I wanted the storyline to be clear, so having him was wonderful.

What do you want people to take away from this?

I want people to know that they are powerful and that positivity is just as strong as the negativity. People can really bring themselves out of a bad situation just by loving themselves and accepting themselves, because if you don’t accept yourself for the way you are, nobody else will.

How can people get involved, and what can people do if they’re being bullied?

juliemarmusic.com

32 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

It’s always good to stand up for yourself and tell the bullier how they make you feel. If they don’t accept it and listen to you, the best thing you can do is ignore them and move on with your life. Always remember that what they say isn’t true. The voice in your head needs to be louder than the voices coming at you.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see. Confucius

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 33

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Holiday

Fire Safety

By Kat Freestone

As much as we love to light up our homes with twinkling lights and shimmering candles, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep safety in mind this time of year.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 390 homes will catch fire due to holiday and decorative lighting this Christmas. To protect your home and your loved ones, follow these important fire safety tips:

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â&#x20AC;˘ Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by Christmas trees or decorations. â&#x20AC;˘ Use non-flammable or flame-retardant decorations. â&#x20AC;˘ Check old holiday lights each year for frayed wires or bulbs that sway excessively. â&#x20AC;˘ Never link more than three strands of holiday lights together.

â&#x20AC;˘ Never leave a burning candle unattended. â&#x20AC;˘ Considered using batterypowered candles, especially if you have small children or pets who might knock them over. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep Christmas trees well away from fire places. â&#x20AC;˘ Water your tree daily to keep it moist; dry trees are more likely to catch fire.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. Mark Twain

MADD

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Interview by Sarah G. Mason

“I was just a little buzzed, it’s not a big deal. I only did it once.

I didn’t get caught, right?”

No matter how harmless it may seem, drunk driving is anything but. In 2011, nearly 10,000 people were killed and approximately 315,000 were injured due to drunk driving incidents.

These aren’t nameless faces. They’re friends, family, classmates and coworkers. They’re people we love and care about. People we want to keep safe.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving aims to do just that.

According to Allen, drunk drivers are often repeat offenders – something she and the rest of the MADD team hope to change.

“Research states that someone who’s been arrested for drunk driving for the first time has probably driven drunk 80 times,” says Allen.

“People think, ‘I didn’t get caught the first or second time, I guess I’m OK to drive.’ The behavior continues over and over until they do get pulled over, or they get into a crash, or they kill someone.”

For 33 years, MADD has worked tirelessly to end drunk driving once and for all. Their primary role is to support victims of DUI both nationally and locally, and to educate the public about the seriousness of this crime.

Of course, the smartest solution against drunk driving is to always designate a sober driver when you know you’ll be out drinking. But what about the people who don’t have a plan?

“The biggest misconception people have about drunk driving is that it’s just a mistake and that it’s not affecting anyone but themselves,” says Kristen Allen, State Victim Services Manager of the MADD Florida Division. “That’s completely wrong. I like to say DUI is the most socially accepted violent crime in the country. DUI is not a victimless crime; it affects so many different people.”

“For people who don’t plan ahead, there’s always an option,” says Allen. “Call a taxi. Pull to the side of the road and call for help. Just don’t think drunk driving is your only option. Know what your options are, or if you don’t, ask. Even if you don’t have the money, talk to the bartender, ask the taxi driver, see what routes are available for people who aren’t in the right frame of mind to get home safely.”

The best revenge is massive success. Frank Sinatra

Since its inception, Allen estimates that MADD has saved over 300,000 lives. Of course, they can’t do it alone. Allen says that parent education and intervention is vital to their mission.

“Parents are the number one influence on their teens to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving,” says Allen. “Parents should talk to their teens and help them understand that there are other alternatives to driving drunk. And teens can play their part, too. Be the one who stands up and says, ‘I’m not going to do this. I know what research says about my brain development and I have an influence over my friends.’ Parents can help teens think about this.”

Looking forward, MADD will continue to provide public education and victim services for all who are affected by this crime. We hope, with community involvement, we can put an end to drunk driving and its repercussions forever.

If you’d like to learn more about the MADD Florida Division, visit www.madd.org/ local-offices/flv Flourish Magazine | December/2013 29

Protect Yourself During the Holidays While Shopping Online For Online Purchases Only do business with websites that have that security lock symbol up in the address bar. That symbol will indicate that the website has the security measures that will allow you to know you are entering your information in a secure way.

Using public Wi-Fi

Tips

It’s pretty convenient to go into a coffee shop or some other area with open access to a network. While logging onto those, there is a potential for other people to see your data, so don’t go to sites with your banking or other sensitive information.

If you are visiting a news portal, you’re probably okay, but be careful about plugging in things you wouldn’t want other people to see.

Green Your Wrapping According to the Stanford Recycling Center, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during the holiday season than at other times of the year. So this year, get creative with your wrapping with these ideas. The Earth will thank you!

for the 2013

Holiday Season

• Paper wrapping can’t be recycled with left-on tape, so instead wrap tightly and tie with yarn or twine.

• Use the gift as the package. Fill stylish mixing bowls for cooks, fill and tie a baby blanket with toys or wrap jewelry in gorgeous scarfs.

From ProtectMyID’s Ken Chaplin • Repurpose old maps, magazines or newspaper as gift wrap.

Let The Celebrating Begin Hanukkah began November 27 and ends December 5.

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight hours, occurs December 21.

For Seinfeld fans, December 23 is the date of Festivus which challenges the commercialism of the season. It is celebrated

26 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

with an unadorned Festivus Pole, a dinner of either meatloaf or spaghetti, an airing of grievances and feats of strength like arm wrestling.

The 46th-annual Kwanzaa will be celebrated from December 26 to January 1 with an estimated 18 million African Americans taking part.

• Use nature as decoration.

Leaves, berries and branches make beautiful, natural decorations.

By Sarah G. Mason

Believe Santa is real Let them

He’s real in the hearts and minds of children across the nation. He’s real in storybooks and on Christmas cards. We talk about him, make lists for him, bake cookies for him. And yet, as children get older, you may start to wonder if you’ve taken it too far. You’ll think to yourself, my child is eight years old and she still believes in Santa Claus.

She’ll get made fun of at school. She’ll lose sight of reality. Should we tell her the truth?

According to Jared Durtschi, assistant professor in the marriage and family therapy program at Kansas State University, the answer is one big, resounding no. There’s no set age at which a child should stop believing in Santa, and kids will normally reach a conclusion on their own as they get older. In the meantime, there’s no need to spoil the fun.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for parents to decide upon a time to tell their children there is no Santa,” Durtschi said in a university news release.

“Christmas tends to be more fun for kids who believe in Santa compared to those who don’t.”

As children develop, they’ll begin to realize that the idea of Santa is impossible, though they may still believe in him. During this transitional period, it’s best to keep your opinions open ended.

Instead of agreeing that the idea of Santa is unrealistic, ask, “What do you think about Santa?” or “Do you believe in Santa?”

When the time comes and your child realizes that Santa isn’t real, they may experience a period of sadness or resentment. Many parents find that the best way to comfort their children is to explain that Santa is real; though he may not be the jolly, bearded man in red, he’s alive in the magic of Christmas.

Either you run the day, or the day runs you. Jim Rohn

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 27

Goin’

Gardein

By Sarah G. Mason

The holidays are a wonderful time, filled with family feasts and warm gatherings. And yet, many Americans find themselves indisposed during the holidays. Whether you’re away at school, far from family or slammed at work, you may need an alternative to festive get-togethers, all-out meal plans and the hectic bustle of the holidays. Where can you go for a quick and healthy festive meal that doesn’t involve leftovers or a trip to the drive-thru?

When Yves Potvin came up with the idea of Gardein 25 years ago, he had no idea how revolutionary his brand would be. Gardein uses vegetables to create healthy quick meals, featuring innovative and convenient plant-based materials. These better-for-you options are the perfect solution to those holiday mealtime woes.

If you’re looking for a traditional holiday dinner, the Stuffed Turk’y is a must-try. This dish features a savory blend of spices, moist cranberry with wild rice stuffing and homestyle gravy. At only 280 calories, the Stuffed Turk’y goes easy on your waist. Best 24 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

of all, it comes in two individually wrapped packs with two packs of gravy, perfect for dining alone or with a special someone.

The Holiday Roast is another great option.

Offering 15 grams of protein, no cholesterol and only 140 calories per serving, you can enjoy it without any post-feast guilt!

Preparing a normal roast can take hours, but the Holiday Roast is ready in a fraction of the time, meaning less stress and more munch! It’s quick, easy and boy is it delicious.

Are you looking for something a little less

traditional this holiday season? The Chick’n Scallopini is your answer. This meat-free and lightly seasoned meal is only 110 calories and is ready in minutes; just sauté and enjoy.

You can also try the Gardein home style Beefless Tips, a fresh take on an old favorite.

In eight minutes, this tasty dish is ready to eat. Not sure which one to try? With such affordable prices, you might as well pick up both!

This Holiday, don’t fret over the oven. Try Gardein’s wide array of holiday meatless meals and enjoy the season!

You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. Christopher Columbus

Exercising Isn’t Selfish With tons of family time happening, it’s sometimes hard to find a few minutes to yourself for some healthy aerobic activity.

So, what’s the solution? Why not grab a family member or two to go on a brisk walk after your big meals? It will help keep your digestion and metabolism going strong. In addition, don’t feel guilty about taking time to exercise by yourself. Try to exercise between 30 and 60 minutes about four to five times each week for the best results.

Even if you only have time for a short workout, it’s better than nothing!

It’s OK to Say No to Food

By: Katie M. Moss

Gain this holiday season Avoid

Weight

The holiday season is upon us and delicious temptations are all around.

With all of the holiday parties and tasty treats constantly surrounding us, it can be daunting to stay on track in terms of healthy eating. So, what are some steps you can take to keep your diet and healthy lifestyle on track? Read on to learn more!

Cope at Parties If you’re trying to cut calories at holiday parties, curb your appetite by eating a healthy snack beforehand. Suggestions include a handful of carrots, a small bowl of healthy cereal or some Greek yogurt. This will keep you from gorging on a large amount of fatty, sweet foods.

Portion Sizes Of course, it’s similar to torture to deprive yourself of your favorite foods during the holiday season. Instead, opt for small portions. Don’t eat anything that wouldn’t fit between your hands when cupped together.

Keep Your Cool at the Office Skip the office treats. Instead of scooping up

holiday food that’s provided by your co-workers or company, bring your own healthy treats to work. If you must partake, do so in small portions.

Family Events Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the biggest days of temptation. One of the best ways to keep yourself from going over the edge is to eat standard portions. Just because there’s a large amount of food, doesn’t mean you have to load up. In fact, make it a rule to still see your plate underneath after piling on the food. If you’d like to try everything available, take a one or two-bite portion of each item. And, remember, you don’t have to clean your entire plate. Your mother likely isn’t standing over you telling you to do so, after all.

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Pablo Picasso

Have you heard “Oh, I made this just for you!” before? It can be hard to turn down family members’ food offerings, but if they truly care about you, they’ll understand that you have to skip or can only have a bite or two. You can also feign fullness and ask for a take-home portion. After all, they can’t check your plate when you’re home alone.

And, remember, you don’t have to rationalize unhealthy eating habits simply “because it’s the holidays.” The best time to start healthy eating habits is right now, and it’s okay to be the “healthy” one in your group!

Go Easy on the Alcohol Alcohol really packs on the calories. For a lower-calorie drink that’s still celebratory, add two-thirds mineral or seltzer water to your wine. It’s especially important not to add additional liquid calories to an already unhealthy meal.

Keep Moderation in Mind In addition to choosing small portions, remember that every meal counts. Just because you have a sugar-filled breakfast, doesn’t mean your other meals of the day have to be unhealthy. One bad meal doesn’t make you gain weight. Several meals over an extended period of time does. “Cheat” days or “cheat” meals shouldn’t be a part of your vocabulary. Instead, go for eating great 80 percent of the time and what you’re in the mood for the other 20 percent.

Create a Support Group Whether it’s your closest friend, an assortment of co-workers, or your significant other, keep yourselves accountable for taking your well-being to heart. A simple text message reminder to stay on track can sometimes make all the difference!

Have fun this holiday season! All of us here at Flourish wish you safe travels, delicious meals and fun family time.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 25

Franci

Cohen Interview by Lauren Douglass

Personal trainer, certified nutritionist and exercise physiologist Franci Cohen talks with me about her total-body cardio resistance workout SPIDERBANDS®, discusses her passion for health and fitness and shares her wisdom on staying safe while getting fit in the cold.

What is SPIDERBANDS and how does it work?

SPIDERBANDS is a unique total-body cardio resistance workout that leverages gravity and your body weight with many intense exercise modules such as rebounding, kickboxing and indoor cycling. It is unlike any other program or fitness equipment in the industry and offers a fun and innovative twist to the group exercise community, while providing a kick-ass total body amusement park experience!

What kind of approach do you take towards health and fitness?

My approach is definitely more of a "tough love" type. In my life, I always jump at the chance to do anything that others deem "impossible," and I foster that behavior at home with my own children and in the gym with my clients. "Say you can, and you will."

"If it doesn't challenge you, it will not change you." "Nothing worthwhile comes easy."

These words hold true to my beliefs and are near and dear to my heart.

scientific-based theories when designing my classes in order to achieve optimal results. When my theories translate into reality, it is really very cool.

What advice do you have for someone who is afraid of being judged at the gym or in a group fitness class?

There will always be someone prettier and someone uglier than you. There will always be someone skinnier and someone fatter than you. If you spend your life worrying about how others perceive you, you’ll live a very unhappy life.

You will never please everyone all of the time, but as long as you live your life the way you see fit and you can be proud to look at yourself in the mirror each day, that’s all that matters.

What is your favorite part of being a fitness coach?

When exercising in the cold, are there any health concerns we should look out for? What can people do to prevent getting hurt or sick while exercising outdoors?

I enjoy making people happy – always have. In a world where people are struck with tragedy and even simple worries on a daily basis, I feel blessed to be able to uplift people's spirits and improve both their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, I am a bit of a science geek and use many

Layers are best. Often, people overdress prior to an outdoor workout because they anticipate extreme cold, but exercising generates a ton of heat. Dressing in layers is key.Your first layer of clothes should consist of a moisture-wicking fabric to draw sweat away from the body. Cotton tees are the

22 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. Stephen Covey

for a home to call my own.

worst. On top of that, you can add your sweats to keep you comfortable but not too warm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no puffy down jackets or heavy sweaters. During your workout, simply add or remove layers as needed.

Protect your extremities from the cold by keeping ears, hands and feet covered and warm. In cold temperatures, bloodflow is concentrated near your organs and away from your extremities, putting them at risk for frostbite.

Also, be aware of your terrain! Don't go running at night in the dark on unfamiliar, uneven ground. Choose running paths that are smoothly paved and designed for running. If you are running in the daytime, protect your eyes with a hat or sunglasses and your skin with sunscreen; sunscreen is not only for the summer. When running at night, run in well-lit areas such as parks or streets with street lights. One uneven piece of ground can lead to a devastating fall.

My name is Michael. I am an energetic and talkative young man. I describe myself as kind, very active, and I love to run. I enjoy participating in school plays.

My favorite sports are baseball, football, and soccer. Some of my favorite dishes are ravioli, chicken noodles, mashed potatoes, and string beans just to name a few. I would benefit from a strong male role model. I need a family who will be patient, understanding, and help me with my school work.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the importance of a warm-up before a workout?

Warming up gives you a better workout. When you go outside in the cold, your muscles are tight and bloodflow to the extremities is diminished. Warming up with either static or rhythmic-limbering stretches will increase blood flow to the muscles, making them more elastic and more receptive to growth. Beginning your morning jog without a proper warm-up can reap havoc on the body and possibly cause an abrupt tear to your muscles or ligaments.Â

Why do you think group fitness classes are a great way to get motivated?

Exercising alone or with a personal trainer definitely has some perks, but nothing can compare to the amount of energy that erupts in a group fitness class. With group exercise, the energy and drive by others around you can push you to work harder and soar higher. The music, the sweat, the people ... it's like a rock concert for your body and nirvana for your soul. I am definitely a little biased, as I am a HUGE group exercise advocate, but truth be told, when you're dragging your tired self to the gym at 8 a.m., you're definitely going to "bring it" when you have a herd of fitness gurus cheering you on. www.francicohen.com Winning isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t everything, but wanting to win is. Vince Lombardi

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Flourish Magazine | December/2013 23

Bad Habit:

Eating Too

Quickly Why it’s Dangerous:

How to Stop:

When you wolf down your meals, you’re doing more than just missing the chance to enjoy your food; you’re also putting yourself at risk for overeating – which can lead to weight gain, upset stomach and indigestion. Gastrointestinal discomfort and gas are probably not what you’d hoped to have for dessert.

• Try putting your fork down between each bite • Converse with friends during meals to slow you down • Stay mindful of how long you’ve been chewing It should take about 20 minutes to finish your meal, because that’s how long it takes for your stomach to tell your brain that it’s full. If you finish before the 20 minutes are up, wait until that time passes before you decide if you’re still hungry.

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20 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Steve Jobs

Aging

Backwards Interview by Lauren Douglass

Jackie Silver is Aging Backwards. Here, this soughtafter anti-aging and beauty expert shares her secrets, discusses her new book “Aging Backwards” and gives us a few lessons on staying beautiful, both inside and out.

Tell me a little about your background. How did you get involved with aging techniques?

I’ve always been very interested in looking young and feeling my best. Because of that, I keep up on the trends. Friends would always ask me, “What do I do about this?” or “What do I do about that?” I realized that this is something people want to know.

That’s how I started my company called Aging Backwards in 2006.

Tell me about the book, Aging Backwards.

Over the years, I had amassed so much information that I decided to put it in a book. To make the book a little extra special, I interviewed some of the top anti-aging gurus on beauty, hair and similar topics. I think sprinkling their quotes throughout the book makes it special, since it’s not just my opinion but also that of experts.

What were some of the things that surprised you during your research?

I was surprised by how much women really want shortcuts. People are pressed for time and want easy ways to stay young and healthy. That’s what I strive to find for everybody. My book is an easy-reading book; you can pick it up and open it to any page you like because it’s not sequential. You’ll learn that aging backwards isn’t about a magic pill or lotion; it’s lots of little habits that you must incorporate into your daily routine.

Can you tell me a little about some of those daily routines?

Number one: Exercise is the fountain of youth. The thought of exercising is exhausting, but it’s all about getting started.

Put on your exercise outfit that you feel Eighty percent of success is showing up. Woody Allen

really good and comfortable in and just get started. Whether it’s a class at the gym, a workout at home or a walk outside, once you get started, you’ll always find your second wind.

What about diet? How much does that influence your youthfulness and health?

Diet plays a huge role, too. We can’t just sit on the couch eating bonbons and expect to age backwards [laughs]. I always recommend that you supersize your veggies and half the size of everything else you’re eating. By doing this, you’re guaranteed to start feeling lighter and more energetic, your waistband will loosen and you’ll start making better eating choices out of habit.

What can women do differently in their twenties, thirties and forties to increase their aging backwards?

Don’t smoke and don’t over tan, because those things will give you wrinkles in your thirties! Also, women need to really commit to taking off their makeup at night. Leaving it on is just not good for you; it clogs your pores.

Are there health consequences to using too many beauty products?

The amount of chemicals in beauty products is pretty negligible, but to be safe, there are many lovely, natural and organic products on the market that don’t contain them. Education is key; you should always know what you’re putting on your skin. It’s your largest organ, and it’s going to absorb everything you put on it.

Tell me a little about your website.

On the website, you’ll find up-to-date news and information about beauty, anti-aging

and nutrition. I meet new people in the industry all the time, so I’m constantly learning new information and staying current on health and beauty.

What is something you wish you would’ve known in your thirties?

Everything! [Laughs]. Most importantly, I used to care so much about what other people thought about me. I would spend a lot of money trying to find the perfect products and the perfect outfits. As I got older, I realized we’re all individuals, we all have our own inner beauty in our own way, so it really doesn’t matter what other people think. Now when I go out to big charity balls in New York City, I’ve realized it doesn’t matter what I’m wearing on the outside.

I just want to have my most beautiful self on the inside and that will radiate outward.

What are your beliefs on plastic surgery?

I believe that everybody should do for themselves what makes them feel the best.

If someone is considering plastic surgery, I recommend doing your homework on the surgeon. I also recommend trying the most natural thing first before committing to plastic surgery. Try facial exercises and natural products first.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you’d like to share with women?

I love that question, and this is always my one piece of advice: Studies show that people who volunteer on a regular basis are the healthiest and live the longest and are the happiest. There’s such a thing as the helper’s high; it’s that high you get when you help other people. So my advice is this: Volunteer your time to stay happy and healthy.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 21

18 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

An unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates

Joyce Giraud Interview by Lauren Douglass

You founded a pageant, Queen of the Universe. Can you tell me a little about it?

Queen of the Universe is a pageant that I created through UNESCO, which is the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization. I come from the pageant background, and I believe pageants provide this amazing opportunity to have a voice. Suddenly, when you have a title, people listen to what you have to say. It was for that reason that I’m able to represent Puerto Rico in different parts of the world.

I’ve always wondered, why does having a baby at a young age disqualify a girl from being in a pageant? Why can’t a woman who is married represent women throughout the world? That’s just not right, so I created this pageant where women can be single, married, divorced, have children – it doesn’t matter. The only important qualification is that they have a charitybased platform. If you want to get involved, you can go on QueenUniversePageant.com or contact our office at 323-848-8966.

Joyce Giraud jumps from her leading role in NBC’s faux-reality scripted drama “Siberia” to the reality realm as the newest cast member of Bravo’s hit show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” This hot Hispanic housewife talks with me about her experience filming “Siberia,” her transition to reality TV and some of the surprises she encountered along the way.

were watching a reality show – that means we’re doing our job well!

Has it been picked up for another season?

I can’t tell you yet, because I have to wait for the official announcement, but wink wink [laughs].

You and your husband coproduced the show. How was it working with your husband?

It’s the best gift in the world. A lot of people ask me, “Don’t you feel sick of being with this guy 24 hours a day?” I think when you’re in love, you can’t get sick of being with that person too much. I adore him, I admire him, and I’m a fan of his work. I’m more madly in love with him every day. He’s the best father, the best husband, the best soul mate, and the best lover in the world. I just can’t say enough about him.

notion of her – and thank God I got to know her because I really do like her and we established a great relationship. I also thought I would get along great with Brandi [Glanville], but obviously you see that a lot of things happened.

Do you think your background as an actor has influenced what you allow the public to see on the show?

You know, no. I should’ve known better [laughs], and I should’ve used my background in film, but I didn’t because I wanted it to be a natural experience.

I wanted people to get to know the real me.

Though, I should have used my acting background in some cases. For example, I hate my tag line. I hate it with a passion; it’s so not representative of who I am!

At least, now you’ll have more experience for the next season.

That’s true. I just don’t know why they’d

So on to Real Housewives of Beverly choose a tag line that is so not my character.

When I asked about it, they said the network Hills, what has filming been like? liked it so they went with it. How could the network like something that wasn’t me?

I was so upset about it.

Siberia is an amazing show. It’s about a group of reality contestants who go to Siberia to compete for $500,000, but once they get there they’re told that there are no rules, nothing in the game. They realize they’re lost in Siberia because the producers and everybody abandons them. It’s kind of like Survivor meets LOST.

It’s had ups and downs [laughs]. Overall it was a great experience. I loved the producers and the crew. I just hope it’s portrayed true to everything that happened.

Housewives is one of those guilty pleasures that people love watching because it’s light television you can escape into when you get home. I watched the show, too. That being said, I was surprised by some of the characters. As an audience member, I had preconceived ideas about how some of the girls would be, but it didn’t turn out that way.

It’s a faux-scripted reality show.

Can you tell me what that means?

What has surprised you most about either filming or the cast?

What can we expect from this season?

Actually, it’s a fully scripted show, but shot through a reality lens. We shot it kind of like Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, so it does feel very real. One great compliment we received is that our audience thought they

I thought that it would be really guided reality, but it’s not. What you see is what it is.

The other thing, just to give you an example, I thought Kyle [Richards] would be conniving and horrible – that was my preconceived

You can expect a total roller coaster. For me, I was shocked to discover the true colors of some of the girls. You can expect a lot of ups and downs but at the same time you can expect a lot of entertainment.

Tell me about the show NBC show Siberia. What is it about?

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. Chinese Proverb

Speaking of that, are you worried how the public will judge you?

I’m not worried. Once they watch it and get to know me, I think they’ll start to see the real me. You’re not a hundred dollar bill, like I always say, for everybody to like you. Some people will like you and some people won’t.

I did stay true to myself.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 19

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Make a first

Katie Saxton is a nail beauty and health expert and founder of Custom Nail Solutions. The Custom Nail Solutions Nail System provides a perfect canvas for any of your favorite nail designs. It is a revolutionary artificial nail product that gives you reusable and chemical-free custom nails that uniquely fit only your nail beds. They are thinner, stronger and virtually indestructible. You can have lovely, natural-looking salon-style nails on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home.

Impression with your

Nails!

Custom Nail Solutions president Katie Saxton takes out the guesswork when it comes to nail styles and first impressions.

Another year, another plethora of hot new nail styles! Whether our nails are adorned with shimmery holographic polishes or left plain and natural, there are many exciting new ways to express our unique personalities.

What does your nail style say about you?

Coral Coral polish is very popular right now, and this hue tells others that you are a trendsetter who’s up to the minute on all the latest fashions. Adorn your nails with this color if you want to show off your fashionable and stylish side!

Dark Green The year’s breakout polish, dark green tells others that you are sophisticated and highly confident. Wear this hue to steal the spotlight at classy high fashion events.

Bold Nail Decals Decorating your nails with decals like rhinestones or lace tells others that you are spontaneous and live in the moment! Jazz up your nails with fun adornments when you want all eyes on you wherever you go!

Chipped Manicure If your mani has chips and peels on each nail, others get the impression that you have a bustling life and don’t take a lot of time to relax and unwind. If you notice that your manicure has more chips than polish, spend 10 minutes re-polishing your nails so they are ready to impress!

Au Natural Water Marble Mani Adorning your nails with intricate and colorful water marble designs tells others that you have a creative imagination!

Choose this style when you want your nails to show off your artistic side!

Charcoal and Black These dark hues tell others that you are outgoing and love adventure. When others see these nails, they get the impression that you are an adrenaline-junkie who isn’t afraid to take a walk on the wild side.

Shimmery Holographics Shiny holographic polishes give off the impression that you are imaginative and inventive. Wear one of these polishes when you want your nails to express your creative and lovable personality!

Leaving your nails unadorned tells others that you are self-confident and worriless when it comes to appearance.

If you have been trying to figure out what your nails truly say about you, the above list should help. Don’t forget, you can also easily match your nails to your personality with a pair of Custom Nail Solutions’ custom fit nails. Custom Nail Solutions is a revolutionary artificial nail product that offers reusable, chemical-free, and virtually indestructible custom nails that uniquely fit only your nail beds. Because they are everlasting, you will save thousands of dollars by not having to make expensive and inconvenient nail appointments. You can have lovely, natural-looking, salon-style nails on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home.

Colorful Polka-Dot Mani

With Custom Nail Solutions, you can also choose your own specific length, smile line and shape. Select from styles like sport, active, fashion, glamour and stiletto to express yourself and give a fab first impression! Bobby Thomas, "The Today Show" Style Editor, featured Custom Nail Solutions as one of the latest must-haves for nails and it is easy to see why!

A bold, multi-colored polka-dot manicure tells others that you are spunky and exuberant. Adorn your nails with this style when you want to be noticed at a dance party or music festival.

Check out CustomNailSolutions.com for more information. You can also like Custom Nail Solutions on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @customnails and Pinterest.

Pale Nails Neutral and clear polishes give off the impression that you are easy-going and relaxed. Choose a nude hue if you want others to know that you are unstressed and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

The mind is everything. What you think you become. Buddha

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 17

Easy Ornament Crafts

By Danielle Boudreau

Instead of spending money on fragile ornaments that kids are likely to drop and break, why not have a fun, glass-free holiday crafting day instead? These ornament ideas are cute – and affordable! Gather the kids and make it a day of holiday crafting and tree decorating.

Glitter

Ornament What You’ll Need: • Clear plastic ornaments • Sheet music (personalize it with your favorite song!)

• Tacky Glue • Glitter • Scissors

Directions: 1) Cut the sheet music into long strips.

2) Curl strips of paper by wrapping them around a pencil.

3) Put strips of sheet music into the ornament and glue the top shut.

4) Spread glue around the top of the ornament. Pour extra glue and let it drip down around the ornament.

5) Cover glue with glitter and hang to dry.

ALTERNATIVE: Swap sheet music for New Year’s resolutions on strips of paper. Have the entire family fill one out and reopen the ornament next year to see if your resolutions were achieved.

14 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

5-finger Snowman Ornament

What You’ll Need: • Opaque, colorful ornaments • Washable paint (colors needed: white, black, brown, red, orange) • Ribbon

Directions: 1) Cover your kid’s hand with white paint and place it on the bottom of the ornament with fingers spread out.

2) For the reindeer ornament, cover thumb with brown paint and press onto ornament.

3) Decorate snowmen or reindeer as pictured.

4) Tie ribbon to the top of the ornament for extra decoration.

Stuffed

Ornament

What You’ll Need: • Clear plastic ornaments • Filler items such as jingle bells, tinsel or personal trinkets

Directions: 1) Fill ornaments with items.

2) Glue ornament shut and decorate them on the outside as desired.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. Alice Walker

Tricks to

Wrapping

Awkward Objects

By Kat Freestone If you’ve ever tried gifting a tennis racket, coffee mug or toy truck, you know how difficult it can be to wrap oddly-shaped objects. This year, don’t waste time and yards of tape trying to cover awkwardly shaped gifts – there’s a better way:

Bulky Items To wrap bulky gifts like stuffed animals or handbags, you’ll need tissue paper, wrapping paper and ribbon. Layer several pieces of tissue paper over one large square of wrapping paper – this will help strengthen the wrapping. Place your gift in the center of the paper, pull the edges up around it like you’re creating a sack, tie it with some decorative ribbon and voila!

Cylinders Wrap them like pieces of candy.

Flourish Magazine’s

Place candles, wine bottles and other cylindrical objects on a sheet of wrapping paper and roll it up like a Tootsie Roll. Then, twist each open end and tie them together with ribbon.

Paper Substitute When packaging odd objects, you run the risk of tearing the wrapping paper. Instead of covering gifts in paper, opt instead for a cloth or fabric wrap.

Purchase several yards of holiday-inspired fabric and use it in paper’s place. Your gifts will be beautiful and rip-free!

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:

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A FIREWORK, SNOW AND ICE SLIDE FAMILY FESTIVAL

DECEMBER 31, 2–6 PM w YMCA Archer Rd, 9315 SW Archer Rd Snow and Ice presented by Gainesville Ice, Bounce Houses presented by Bouncin’ Big and Firework show presented by Flourish Magazine. Other games � family activities will be on site.

SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

Fire and Ice is a fundraiser for the YMCA � The Weekend Humger Backpacks Program of Catholic Charities, brought to you by the Flourish Children’s Foundation.

Go to NewYearsForKids.org to purchase tickets and for event information.

ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED $5 � 1 CAN OF FOOD PER PERSON Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. Charles Swindoll

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 15

By Ginger Henderson

New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Tips

for Toddlers to Tweens Celebrating the birth of a new year is an exciting time for a family. Help your kids enjoy the holiday with these tips on igniting New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit: Toddlers and Preschoolers

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While your toddler may relish the idea of staying awake past midnight, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t likely make for a happy new year for everyone else involved. Try celebrating with a New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast instead! Put out party decorations and have your child wear a party hat or crown. Encourage your child to count backwards from 10 to 1 with you, and give them a handful of confetti to toss when the countdown is complete. Your child will experience all of the fun of a New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration without the inevitable midnight meltdown.

Grade Schoolers While older kids often scoff at the idea that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too young to stay up past midnight, the truth is that they often are. To avoid the heartbreak that ensues when someone inevitably falls asleep before the big moment, push the countdown to earlier in the evening instead. Watch the sunset together, counting down until the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ballâ&#x20AC;? (the sun) has dropped, or simply set a one minute timer and count down

the seconds from 10 to 1. Have the complete party setup â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hats, noisemakers, music, the works â&#x20AC;&#x201C; available for the early version.

Then, if your child is able to stay wide-eyed until the real event, they can experience it once again, but if not they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel as though theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve missed out.

Tweens Tweens are often old enough to make it to the midnight event, but a few tweaks to your celebration can help them feel more involved. As youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re waiting for the big event, bake cookies with your tween and have a cookies and milk toast at midnight. You can also include your tween in the adult midnight toasts by pouring a glass of nonalcoholic cider for him or her to raise at midnight.

By altering your plans just a bit, you can help your child feel more like a part of the celebration. Involving the whole family will ensure that everyone feels ready to tackle the new year with togetherness and love.

And Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Forget!

On December 31, 2013, Flourish Magazine is hosting a daytime festival and food drive with ice slides, snow pits, bounce houses, games and a 6:00 p.m. firework show. Visit NewYearsForKids. com. Tickets are $5 and one can of food per person.

The past is a ghost, the future a dream. All we ever have is now. Bill Cosby

Did You Know?

Fun Christmas Facts

Mistletoe is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads though bird droppings.

The tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas fir, according to the Guinness world records.

Have you ever wondered about the history of Christmas? Where did our traditions come from, anyway? Here’s your daily dish of fun Christmas facts:

Ever wondered where the idea of elves came from? They’re actually modern day versions of “Nature folk” described in past Pagan religions.

It is estimated that the single “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best-selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide.

President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1912.

New York’s Rockefeller Center has been raising and adorning its iconic tree for 80 Christmases.

Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Dasher and Comet. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female.

Each year, more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.

All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.

Christmas purchases account for one-sixth of all retail sales in the U.S.

The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers.

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. John Lennon

According to data analyzed from Facebook posts, Christmas Day is the least favorite day for breakups.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 13

The Most Wonderful

Time of the Year?

By Kat Freestone

December birthdays – what’s not to love? Each year, December babies get to celebrate their special day with the entire world; holiday birthdays are surrounded by glowing lights, family gatherings and lots and lots of presents. And yet, some children may not appreciate these cheery events, feeling instead that their birthdays are overshadowed by the holidays.

To make your child feel extra special on their birthday this year, here are a few quick, simple and fun ideas: 1) Sneak into their bedroom the night before and cover the floor with balloons – when they wake up, they’ll be so surprised!

2) Write “Happy Birthday!” with a dry-erase marker on the bathroom mirror for them to find in the morning.

3) Hang streamers on their doorway for them to walk through. Use different colored streamers for a festive effect.

4) Put away any big Christmas decorations for the day and hang a happy birthday banner in their place.

5) Decorate the kitchen chair like a throne.

Drape the chair in colorful fabric, tie balloons to its back and hang a sign that says “Birthday Chair.”

6) Give them a birthday button that says, “It’s My 5th Birthday!”

7) Prepare their favorite meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can make meals extra exciting by adding a candle to every one – eggs, toast, lasagna, chicken, it doesn’t matter, light them up!

8) Make up your own Happy Birthday lyrics that include your child’s name, teach it to the family the night before and sing it as they blow out the candles.

9) Allow your child to decorate their own cake. Lay out icing and sprinkles and let their creativity run wild.

With a little bit of planning, you can make your child’s December birthday one to remember.

10 Flourish Magazine | December/2013

We become what we think about. Earl Nightingale

Creative

Christmas Cards

By Kat Freestone

As you gather ‘round the tree and beg your kids to smile, do you experience a moment of déjà vu?

You’ve got the same décor, the same lights. And you’re even wearing the same sweaters.

This year, get creative with your Christmas cards by doing something different.

Photo Booth It’s time to get close – really close. Hop inside a photo booth and get ready to say cheese! Bring along props like reindeer antlers or mistletoe and snap a string of pictures; the goofier, the better.

Include Your Interests Instead of describing your current interests in writing, show your friends and family firsthand what everyone’s been up to. Have your kids wear their football uniforms, tutus and swim goggles, pull out their favorite toys or games and have them hold up any

awards, ribbons or report cards for a memorable picture.

Gingerbread Family Instead of dressing up and posing for a picture, try this sweet alternative. Bake a batch of gingerbread cookies, have each member of your family decorate one to look like themselves, arrange them for a photo and voila!

Light It Up It’s lights, camera, action! For an eyecatching Christmas card, gather a twinkling

Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. W. Clement Stone

string of lights, drape them over your shoulders and smile for a picture.

Mad Lib Traditionally, we add a little blurb to the back of our Christmas cards to let our friends and family know how we’re fairing. This year, let them take control! Create a personalized Mad Lib for a unique holiday greeting.

“Merry Christmas from the Smiths! It’s been quite a (adjective) year for our family. Don still works for (business name), and he’s doing (adjective)!”

Flourish Magazine | December/2013 11

You’re So Invited with

Cheryl Najafi Interview By Lauren Douglass

Panic less and play more! That’s the message Cheryl Najafi, author of “You’re So Invited,” hopes to share with women everywhere. Najafi gives a whole new meaning to the art of entertaining, inspiring hosts to infuse their own humor and wit into any occasion. Here, she shares her fresh approach to planning and partying.

Tell me about your background – what got you interested in becoming an entertaining and lifestyle expert?

I come from a small Midwestern town of 7,000 people and moved across the country to attend college. After graduate school I married; my husband invited business contacts to our home to network a great deal. At first I was petrified that I didn’t know what I was doing, so I stressed and dreaded every minute. But, instead of letting those awkward situations get the best of me, I decided to make things fun and not take myself too seriously. The more fun I had, the more fun we all had. Within a few months, having people over became something I enjoyed. When you enjoy something you tend to get good at it. I started to get quite a reputation for having really fun get-togethers. That’s where it all began – in my home.

Tell me a little about your book “You’re So Invited.” What inspired you to write it?

I was inspired to write YSI because my friends started referring their friends to me for advice.

Most people stress when they have guests over. I don’t, so everyone wanted to know my secret. YSI helps you relax and enjoy the process.

What would you say is the biggest mistake women make when they’re hosting company? What advice do you have on fixing this mistake?

The biggest mistake is fussing too much. You may be a crazy person running around making certain everything is in its place, but once your guests arrive, it doesn’t matter if you spill wine on your dress, the chicken burns or you catch the table cloth on fire. Make fun of the situation and everyone will laugh with you. Cringe and 8

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

get upset and your guests will feel sorry for you. It’s all in your attitude. Remember your guests are there to enjoy you in your home. They really don’t care that everything is perfect.

In your book, you break the rules of “proper” entertaining. What are some of these rules? Why is it time for women to break them?

When you sit down to a table perfectly set with china, crystal and silver with everything matching perfectly, people feel like they need to unfold the napkin, place their hands in their laps and behave themselves. If you have a fun eclectic table with playful name tags (like changing everyone’s names to a pseudonym or alter ego) everyone relaxes and feels like having a great time. If something does go awry, they’ll think you did it on purpose.

How do you think the role of a host has changed over time?

My mother’s generation entertained, we gather. Gone are the days of five-course meals and cooking for three days! Our role now is to assemble our guests and make certain they have fun; if you’ve done that you’ve succeeded.

If you’re hosting a party, what are a few simple things women can do to stay relaxed and stress-free?

Take a shower and get ready early. You can always put the finishing touches on the meal in front of your guests, but you can’t blow out your hair in front of them. Then, do the sit test. If you’re stressed for time, concentrate on the places you know everyone will gather. If it is in a room that never gets attention, go in there and sit down. Clean what you can see.

Oh, and always give the bathroom a once over, that room should never be overlooked!

What about moms with kids? Is it better to leave the kids out of the equation when having guests over?

I love to include my kiddos. If I want a kid-free zone, I typically opt for a restaurant. Make certain you have a place for them to gather. Kids will come up with their own games; they just need a place to be creative.

It is best to hide anything you treasure. Adults and kids alike can knock over your precious keepsakes, so keep them out of harm’s way.

Do you think it’s possible to spruce up a home without spending a lot of money? Can you give a quick example?

Cutting fresh greenery or flowers and bringing the outside in is the easiest and most inexpensive way to give any room a fresh new look.

What about those of us who aren’t crafty and have difficulty cooking? Is there a way to start small and get better, or are there tricks we should know?

Oh, you are my favorite if you aren’t crafty and can’t cook! Getting your friends together is not about that. Focus on what you are good at and resource or outsource the rest. For example, get a deli or cheese tray, hummus and pita chips or salsa and chips and take them out of the plastic containers and onto a tray. You’d be surprised how “homemade” it will look in your own stuff. In YSI, there is a whole “Fake It” section that shows you how to turn storebought items into “homemade” yummies. My favorite is taking a store-bought cheesecake, cutting it up into bite sized pieces, placing them in small cupcake liners or in shot glasses and drizzle a little caramel sauce on top. Voila!

No one knows you didn’t make it yourself!

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. Emelia Earhart

Grin and Bear

By Ginger Henderson

It

You can choose your friends but not your family, and there’s no time when that’s more apparent than during the holidays! If you suddenly find yourself stuck with one of those “vocal” relatives, don’t jeopardize the festivities with knee-jerk reactions. Use the tips below to help you hold your tongue and keep the family celebrations moving smoothly.

Scenario: Your sister-in-law holds a hand up as you offer her a slice of turkey, responding with “I don’t practice in the barbaric act of eating animals.”

fussy baby’s mouth. “Those things are terrible,” she says. “They’ll ruin the shape of the baby’s mouth.”

Advice: Your sister-in-law obviously feels very strongly about her decision. Often, people who follow dietary restrictions feel as though they are made to constantly justify their actions, which may explain her curt response. Instead of taking her words as an insult, use them to open the conversation and invite her explain her new lifestyle choice. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d given up meat. One of the mom’s at Julie’s dance group is vegan, too. What did you have to do to change your diet?” By diffusing her defensive attitude and offering a validation of her choice, you’ll turn the conversation into a positive one and help everyone relax.

Advice: There’s nothing that sets a mom’s nerves on fire quicker than an unsolicited dig at her parenting skills. While the initial urge to pop off a sharp retort can feel overwhelming, it’s best to remember that she’s only trying (be it in a backwards way) to look out for the youngest member of the family. Try shifting the focus away from yourself and toward her instead. “I don’t know what we’d do without his binky. What did you do to soothe your babies when they were this young?” Often, this is all it takes to get the conversation moving in a positive direction. She will enjoy sharing her parental wisdom with you, and with any luck you might even learn something along the way.

Scenario: Your great aunt clicks her tongue when she sees you pop a pacifier into your

Scenario: You’re with your extended family around the table when a family member

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. Babe Ruth

makes an off-color joke or comment, immediately stifling all conversation.

Advice: At times like these, it’s often best simply to change the subject quickly. Make a quick, matter of fact statement that acknowledges your family member’s feelings, and then move on. “Well, that was certainly interesting. Speaking of interesting, have any of you read/seen/heard…”

Responding this way will, hopefully, send a message to the offensive family member that his or her comment was inappropriate and will ease other family members back into conversation.

Doing your part to keep the peace will help ensure everyone has a holiday experience that brings back pleasant memories and helps you keep your focus on the important elements of the season.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

9

Tips To Avoid

Holiday Burnout

By Ginger Henderson

This year, do the holidays seem a little less, well, merry? Don’t let the rush of the season get to you. Read on for tips to keep you safe from holiday burnout.

Create a holiday budget One of the major stressors of the gift-giving holidays comes by way of pocketbook. If money worries have you stressing about your gift list, take the time to create a budget for your holiday spending before you head out to do any shopping. Being prepared can help keep you from indulging on too extravagant a gift when you’re on your search.

Stick to your list Stores know that holidays mean hurried and harried shoppers, and they’re ready to pounce! Before heading out, make a gift list so you’ll remember exactly who you’re buying for and what you intend to get. Try to start your shopping early in the season and break it into manageable chunks so you don’t get overwhelmed. If you do find yourself tempted to grab impulse buys, take a few minutes away to catch a breather and re-center yourself.

Plan shopping trips to save time With a little planning and forethought you can save yourself both time and frustration.

Planning to buy a gift card for someone on your list? Check the grocery store while you’re picking up the week’s groceries – many of them carry gift cards to popular stores. If you’re planning to shop particular stores, make a mental map of your route and avoid the hassles of fighting traffic during your trip. Planning becomes especially important if shopping with children. Know the times when your child is least patient and avoid shopping at those times to keep from being faced with a meltdown.

6

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

Let others pitch in Overwhelmed by the pile of gifts waiting to be wrapped? Invite others to help you finish the job. Older children love to be included in wrapping, and grandma will love that your child wrapped her gift by themselves (no matter what the finished product actually looks like!) Let your partner take over bath time or meal prep while you get a few wrapping jobs crossed off your to-do list. Sharing the load makes things less stressful and helps everyone feel more involved.

Take time for yourself When things start to feel like a little bit too much, take a step back to regain your focus.

With the holiday parties, gift shopping, food preparations, decorating and other event s

of the season, it’s easy to become quickly overwhelmed. Don’t be afraid to take time to breathe. You’ll emerge calmer, more focused and better able to enjoy the season.

Focus on the moments With so many events crowding your schedule, it’s easy to lose focus on the reasons why this season is meaningful to you. Take the time to notice all the little things that make this time of your life so special. Your kids will never be this age at this time in your life again – be careful not to rush through without noticing all the amazing things they are experiencing.

These are the moments that lifetime memories are made of, and you want to be sure you’re mentally recording each and every one!

I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse. Florence Nightingale

All About Women OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Take Care of You. How to Handle

Less-Than-Merry Holiday Moments

By Leil Lowndes

Leading the Way in Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgery

AllAboutWomenMD.com

352.331.3332

During holiday gatherings, there are sure to be a few awkward moments, convo slip-ups and embarrassing faux pas. Here are a few ways to handle those not-so-merry moments.

How to Make Them Remember You Let’s say you spot a slight acquaintance at a gathering.

Naturally, you say hi. But, ouch, he or she responds with a panicked look which probably means, “I have no idea who you are.”

You can avoid this happening by first greeting them with something like, “Hi, I’m (your name). We met at (where you met). It’s good to see you.”

If they’re cool, they’ll pretend to remember you. But even if they don’t, they’ll have much better feelings toward you.

Save Their Face (And Their Friendship) If someone asks you the same question twice, don’t embarrass them by answering with precisely the same words.

Rescue them from that

mortifying moment when they realize, “Whoops, I already asked that.” For example, someone inquires, “What year did you graduate?” You answer, “In 1986.” Forgetting they had asked, later in the conversation, they again pose the question, “What year did you graduate?” Don’t repeat “1986.” That makes it obvious to one and all that they weren’t listening. So this time say “Ten years ago.” They now happily carry on the conversation oblivious to the fact they had messed up by asking you twice.

Yes, you are being kind by rescuing them from their embarrassment. But it rebounds to your benefit as well. Why? A funny thing happens to people. Even though they’ve made the big blooper, their well-deserved humiliation later turns to subconscious resentment of you.

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

7

Well, hello again!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Join us as we celebrate all the merry moments in life. No matter whether you’ll spend this month painting Christmas tree ornaments with the kids, picking the perfect present for your loved ones or grinning and bearing those unpleasant family moments, we have all the tips and tricks you need to make this season bright.

Happy Holidays!

Lauren Douglass

8JOOFS 2013

"XBSE PG &YDFMMFODF FROM THE

PUBLISHERS Lauren Douglass Marc Douglass Managing Editor Sarah Mason COPY EDITOR Daniel Sutphin Assistant EDITOR Mike Capshaw ART DIRECTOR Daniel Tidbury GRAPHIC DESIGN Daniel Tidbury Jane Dominguez Patrice Kelly PROMOTIONS Amanda Liles Karen Jones Hilah Driggers AnnMarie DeFeo ACCOUNTING Lynsey Parrish CIRCULATION Adam Simmons SPECIAL PROJECTS Lauren Kolansky Daniel Sutphin ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Shane Howell (shane@whpinc.com) ADVERTISING & SALES Shane Howell WRITERS Debora Dyess Ginger Henderson Kevin Kage Heather Aulisio Kristy Wyatt Tyler Stevenson Connie Holubar Danielle Boudreau Kat Freestone Lauren Kolansky Katie Moss Katelyn Vilardel Truman Carter Kelly Herman PHOTOGRAPHER Steffanie Crockett

As always, we love hearing from 2013 you.

So send us a note at mail@whpinc.com "XBSE PG &YDFMMFODF

8JOOFS FROM THE

What’s Inside…

5 Ho-Ho Holiday Budget 6 Tips to Avoid Holiday Burnout 7 How to Handle LessThan-Merry Holiday Moments 8 You’re So Invited wit Cheryl Najafi 9 Grin and Bear It 10 T he Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

11 Creative Christmas Cards 12 New Year’s for Toddlers to Tweens 13 Did You Know? Fun Christmas Facts 4

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

14 Easy Ornament Crafts 15 How to Warp Awkward Gifts 17 Make a First Impression with Your Nails 18 Joyce Giraud 20 Bad Habit: Eating Too Quickly 21 Aging Backwards 22 Franci Cohen 24 Goin’ Gardein 25 Avoid Weight Gain this Holiday Season

26 Tips for the 2013 Holiday Season 27 Let Them Believe Santa is Real 28 Holiday Fire Safety 29 MADD 32 Little Voices 33 Growing Up with Scientist Mom 34 Holiday Gift Guide 36 Winter Beauty Reviews 37 Trinity Trunk or Treat 38 W hat’s Happening Events: December

Flourish Magazine is brought to you by What’s Happening Publications, Inc. For advertising opportunities, please contact us at 352-371-5881 or sales@whpinc.com.

Magazine subscriptions are available at www.whpinc.com For subsciption related questions or concerns, please call 352-371-5881 .

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Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Napoleon Hill

Ho-ho

Holiday

Budget

By Kat Freestone

It’s the holidays. “Yay!” says my heart, but “Boo!” says my wallet. If you’re like me, you may find yourself spending more than you can afford on food, travel expenses and of course, gifts. So how can we enjoy the holidays without harming our savings?

Know Your Budget It’s time to have a heart-to-heart with your bank account. Ask yourself, how much can you honestly afford to spend this holiday season? Focus on what money you might have saved up for the occasion, and resist the temptation to pull out the credit card.

Make a List Odds are that you have a rough idea of the purchases you plan to make: Thanksgiving groceries this month, a plane ticket home the next, and so forth. Write these expenses down and be as detailed as possible. Then, think of smaller purchases you may be forgetting. Do you need an oil change before you drive your car up North? Do you need a new serving platter to fit your 15-pound turkey? The little things add up quickly, so don’t overlook them.

Create Spending Limits And stick to them! Once you’ve got a rough idea on how much you can afford to spend and the things you’ll need to buy, it’s time to create limits. Break your purchases into categories such as “gifts for others” and “travel.” Make sure to add a separate section titled “spill over” to give yourself a little wiggle room in case you happen to exceed your limit.

Track Your Spending This is important! All of your planning will be for naught if you don’t pay attention to the money you’ve spent. Create an excel sheet, make a list in your phone or jot notes with good ol’ pen and paper. No matter how you choose to track your spending, it’s important to be thorough.

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. Albert Einstein

Slow Down Now that you’ve created a budget, you’re probably excited to spend your allotted money. Pause. Take a deep breath. If you rush out and blow your entire budget all at once, you may be tempted to overspend later. Instead, take time to choose great gifts, find cheap hotels, get deals on groceries and save a little for later. If you notice that you’re teetering on the edge of your budget, put your cash away for a few days; you’ll be less tempted to spend it if it’s not right there.

Money Isn’t Everything Do the numbers discourage you? Cheer up!

Remember, the holidays are a time for family and happy gatherings. If you can’t afford luxurious gifts for others or those new suede boots you’ve been eyeing for yourself, focus on the non-monetary holiday happenings instead like good food, great laughs and loving friends and family.

Flourish Magazine | December/2013

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How to Keep the Holidays Happy

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Make Entertaining an Art with

Cheryl Najafi

PRST-STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tall ahassee, FL permit #296

Star Joyce Giraud Talks Season Four

Postal Customer

Christmas Ornaments Made Easy

Turn Back the Clock “Aging Backwards”

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Author Jackie Silver

North Florida DECEMBER 2013 Volume 1 Issue 16 www.MYFLOURISHMAGAZINE.COM

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