San Diego Woman by Raya Tkachenko

Cover Photo By Monique Hoppe. Fashion Design by Kenneth Barlis.

CITADEL PENN

Creating a Beautiful Life

CONTENTS Gail Illingworth

Poetry Corner

Dr. Deena Stacer

Citadel Penn

Donna Hale

Brett Stokes

Honoring Our Veterans

USS Tripoli Arrived in San Diego

Come in for a FREE Consultation and Smile Preview 24 Transform This Holiday Season

Leslie A. Braun

CBD Roundup

Gratitude 28 Dawn Nicoli

United We Cook

Walking on a Glacier

The Vatican Museums and Colosseum in Rome

Blue Lantern Hotel

Your Best Life

CBD Roundup

Diet? I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Need no Stinking Diet

Meet The Artist

Fabulous Finds 42-57

Letter From the Editor

Photo by Lisa K. Miller

Dear Readers, No one could have predicted how life would change for us in 2020. We have had to be separated from friends and family and learn what life during a Pandemic means. When it comes down to it, life may be a bit unusual, but those we love are still with us, and we can look forward to a time when life gets back to normal. Admittedly, everything has been more difficult in putting together a magazine issue without contact with others. Phone and Zoom interviews became the new normal, but through this all we managed to make it happen through the tenacity of our featured women and writers who have learned what it means to be flexible and to think outside the box. As a result I am happy to bring you our new issue. Our cover girl epitomizes beauty, both on the inside and outside. She shared her desire to make certain that each and every client she comes in contact with would be financially sound, so they too could concentrate on the beauty in life. We are thrilled to have Fashion Designer Kenneth Barlis share his beautiful creations with us and Monique Hoppe, share her interpretation through her breathtaking images. Please take some time reading about the magnificent women who share the title of Women of Distinction in this issue. Women never cease to amaze us in what they can accomplish. I know we are all stuck inside and have been for some time, but live vicariuously through our travel section, and make note of those spots that you would like to experience once we can travel again. With the popularity of CBD, we felt it was time for San Diego Woman to do a Roundup of some of our favorite brands based on safety, purity, and transparency. Read about what is available and what it is that allowed these manufacturers to make our list. I wish great happiness and health to all of our readers and we know that some of you have had some great losses through this time, but we pray that things will get better soon and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Hugs to all of you and please stay well. Warm Regards, Judith A. Habert

Letters to the Editor I loved the article on TIE San Diego. I think it is great that so many influential business people are dedicating their time to help our children.

Malia from San Diego I learned so much about CBD from your article on Pelin Thorogood. She is an absolute wealth of information. I often wondered how CBD could all of a sudden be in every product. I have been considering trying it for muscle aches and arthritis, but before reading the article I didn’t know what to look for. Thank you for giving us so much great information.

Phoebe from Escondido Reading the story about Y'vonne Ormond was very inspiring. I hope to one day own my own business and have the opportunity to give back to the community the way she does.

Andrea from Santee Hearing about unique travel destinations is always fun. I am definitely going to look into a trip to Merida, once we can all travel again. I have been to many parts of Mexico, but never there.

Linda from Oceanside The San Diego Kids section is the one part of your publication that I go to first when I read San Diego Woman. As a teacher, I am always struck by how smart and resourceful our younger generation can be. Lily Smith’s article about herself and other teen entrepreneurs was great. Our young people are great and I love that this section of your magazine highlights so many great kids.

Karen from San Diego The story, “A Father’s Memory,” was so heartwarming. My wife is a loyal reader and on occasion she will hand me the magazine to read an article that she especially loved. This was one of those stories. I had a similar event happen when one of my grandchildren was four, and she immediately recognized the similarities. I smiled broadly when I read it. We need more heartwarming stories in our lives, especially with what is going on in the world right now.

Robert from San Diego Congratulations to Ruth Young-Loaeza. Her story is so inspiring. I love reading about women who fight so hard to achieve a dream and then end up successful. I will be one of the first to buy her sheets. I worked as a maid in a hotel when I was in college and I know how hard a job it is. Kudos to Ruth for never giving up.

Anna from Valley Center

Contributors

Carol Heath Carol is a Certified Clinical Master/ Teacher; she is certified in a myriad of alternative modalities including Color and Sound therapy, Chakra therapy, Reflexology, Cranial and Lomi lomi massage and developed her own hands on healing method.

Charles Illingworth Charles frequently writes humorous and heartwarming short stories, and is often quite full of himself. He seems to take pride in embarrassing his kids and grandchildren whenever he can. In addition to writing numerous satirical articles for a local newspaper, as well as authoring two very well written books, so he says, his goal is to bring joy and contentment into his readers life. He writes under the byline C F Illingworth.

Dawn Nicoli For over 20 years Dawn has owned and operated Nicoli Productions, an environmental portrait studio, run out of her two-acre property in Escondido. Starting a new chapter of her life, when serenity has become so important, Dawn spends her time in her palapa tree house with her dog, Karma. exploring the world of writing.

Jaime V. Habert Jaime is the Managing Editor of San Diego Woman and a freelance writer out of Carlsbad, CA. She loves to document topics of health and fitness, entrepreneurship, and body image. Her dream is to have a not-for-profit which empowers young girls to focus on their goals in the business world.

Deena Stacer Dr. Deena Stacer is the Director and facilitator of the High Conflict Intervention and Coparenting Program. She works with parents, children, extended family members and all types of professionals who are involved in resolving conflictual custody cases. She is also a licensed real estate broker and a writer.

Diana Vahedi Diana has over twenty years of experience teaching both elementary and middle school students. She began writing poetry when she was 14 years old and has written three children’s books. She is currently working on a novel entitled, “My Alter Ego: How I Survived Seventh Grade as a Walking Lightning Rod.” Diana inspires a love of reading and writing in her students and encourage them to pursue their dreams of becoming writers. She lives in North County with her two daughters and practices a Korean Martial Art, Tang Soo Do, in her free time.

Lisa Lohani Lisa graduated with a BA in Psychology and started her career writing and editing procedures for a local manufacturing company. After about 13 years, she quit her job to spend more time with her kids. Since then, she has spent a good deal of her time figuring out ways to entertain and educate her kids without going insane. She entered the writing scene to help share her creative ideas with others in a simple and fun way.

Deanna Bates Deanna Bates is a retired educator and author of the book, In Pursuit of Clouds (Stories and Lessons from a Life Lived on the Ground). In her next life chapter, she has become a trained retreat facilitator and works to inspire women in their next life path through newpathwaysforwomen.com.

Maggie Ramos Maggie Ramos is a student at MiraCosta College and is artistically multi talented. She is a great writer, painter and a skilled photographer, thanks to several recent courses. She puts her soul and heart in every piece she creates. Her art and writing pieces tend to be very emotional. Maggie creates art based on self experiences and from experiences of those around her. 760-695-2525. Artbymaggieramos@yahoo.com

I N F O R M I N G, E N T E R TA I N I N G, A N D F E AT U R I N G T H E W O M E N O F S A N D I E G O

Behind the Pages Judith A. Habert

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Carol Heath Assistant Editor

Jaime V. Habert Managing Editor

Dawn Nicoli Photographer

Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Maggie Ramos

editor@sdwomanmagazine.com

Photographer

Raya Tkachenko Graphic Designer

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Jaime V. Habert Managing Editor

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Women of Distinction

Gail Illingworth A TACTICAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION By Lisa Lohani Photo Courtesy of Lisa Lohani.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

(Benjamin Franklin)

f you have ever been around children, you have undoubtedly seen proof that this statement is indeed true. As an educator for over 30 years, Gail Illingworth has influenced the lives of many students, having guided them through a hands on learning environment, thus building long-lasting knowledge and skills. When Gail was a child, she loved to get outdoors to explore, play, and “just do things.” “Playing school” was a popular game with her and her friends. Having admired her teachers and maintaining a good rapport with them throughout her education, she decided at a young age that she wanted to become a teacher. Being a teacher also meant that she would have the opportunity to be active all day, rather than sitting at a desk, just like when she was young. Gail’s love for school, her teachers, and her exploratory active play attitude would later shape her curriculum as a tactical hands-on educator. As a widowed mother, Gail’s mom was unable to pay for her to attend college, so Gail worked

at Desmond’s, a popular retail chain, to put herself through college. “I was never a strong student. I had to work my tail off to get B’s and A’s.” Working and attending college full time was not easy, and she pulled many all-nighters studying for her classes. Her diligence and determination throughout her entire education mapped the way to the influential, hard-working teacher that she would later become. Without realizing it, Gail’s career actually began during her last semester of college, where she was a student teacher at an elementary school in El Monte. The teachers she had assisted in the 1st and 6th grades were so happy with her work, they submitted glowing recommendations to the Superintendent at the school. “After my student teaching was over, the Superintendent and I chatted and he asked, ‘So what grade would you like to teach?’ I said I wanted 2nd grade, and he said, ‘Okay, you got the job.’ I didn’t even have a formal interview.” Gail taught 2nd grade at El Monte for five years, and then another five years teaching Kindergarten in Cucamonga, with a few years in-between subbing in Cucamonga due to having her own two children. In the late 1970’s, Gail and her family went on a four-year

adventure to Wisconsin, where she substituted part time in Hallie and lived the challenging, yet educational experience of life on a hobby farm. “When I look back on our move to Wisconsin, it was scary. We made it work, and we had fun. It was enjoyable, challenging, and exciting because it was all brand new. You don’t really think of it at the time, you just enjoy it.” It was here that she learned how to make many things from scratch, including butter, soap, clothes, toys, etc. These were some of the skills that she would later take with her to use as part of future curriculum in her classes. In 1983, Gail and her family moved back to California, carrying on the country living in rural Valley Center. Gail worked close by in a small district in Pauma Valley, where she taught full time for another 22 years. As we all can imagine, a teacher’s job is very challenging. Gail mentioned that teaching “takes a lot of my patience.” So, why do they do it? When asked what she loved most about teaching, Gail responded, “My favorite thing was watching a child light up, when suddenly, they are able to do something they couldn’t do before. Usually, it was in reading when they would figure out a word, or just read a complete sen-

tence. It made me feel good to be able to see that process of learning. Especially in the younger grades; I could see it in their eyes. They would just light up. It was seeing the feeling of accomplishment in their faces. That was my favorite part of being a teacher.” Not surprisingly, Gail’s curriculum was primarily a tactical, hands on type of learning. “I believe in physically doing something in order to learn. The sense of sight, and touch stays with them better. I always tried to make sure they had something physical to work with because when you are physically involved with something, you retain it better. Sitting and listening, it just doesn’t work.” One of the ways Gail ensured interactive experience was in the front of the classroom on the rug. “Work on the Rug was extremely critical. We would start on the rug because they were close and could see better. Since the rug was big, there was room to put things in front of them to work on together. I also used the chalkboard a lot because it was something tangible the kids could use. I made sure they interacted with me, rather than just me talking to them.” Parents don’t always see the amount of work that goes into

Women of Distinction preparing lessons. Gail put in a lot of work in her free time so that her classroom would run smoothly. “I had to be extremely well organized. There was a lot of prep work.” In addition to the typical preparation of lesson plans, Gail further expanded her tactical curriculum in math, reading, and science/social studies by using physical, tactical objects and, as mentioned before, active experiences to help the students learn. Solving math problems in Gail’s class was about utilizing physical objects to count, add, subtract, and sort. Gail made math centers with boxes, each containing a different object to be used for solving problems. These objects were things like fish, beans, washers, buttons, pebbles with faces, etc. Some of the objects were made in multiple colors, so they could be separated and sorted easier. “The boxes were nice because with some of these, it just clicked with them because they were physically able to do and see them.” The math centers were justifiably named ‘Math their way.’ Almost everything she used had to be made at her home. “It was all very tedious and time-consuming to make, but once they were done, they were used every day as one of the centers.” Science and social studies were, of course, hands-on experiences as well. Kids got to make their own butter with a butter churn brought back from Wisconsin. Silk worms were given to each child in a box so they could see the progression from caterpillar, to chrysalis, to moth. These are just a couple of examples of things the kids got to do in the classroom. One of the most notable programs that Gail had launched in her classroom was a reading program called “Books and Beyond.” After attending a class in the summer, she immediately implemented the program within her classroom, seeing the incredible potential it would have

for her students. The ‘Books and Beyond’ reading program was noticed by the school principal and Gail then presented it to the school board. The board loved the program and asked Gail to organize a school wide “Books and Beyond” program. With the help of “some very dedicated parents,” Gail launched and maintained the “Books and Beyond” program for the entire K-8 Pauma Valley School District. Gail’s efforts with the reading program would later earn her the ‘Award of Excellence’ from the Greater San Diego Reading Association in 1988, 1990, 1992, and the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award in 2001. After teaching for over 30 years, Gail retired in 2005. Helping others learn, however, did not end at retirement. Gail has kept herself busy by taking care of and teaching her grandchildren, making quilts, and lots of traveling. In 2009, Gail began volunteering for PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), an organization led by women that raises money to provide educational opportunities for women of all ages. She is currently the president of a chapter located in Valley Center. Even after retirement, Gail is still recognized for the learning experiences she provided for her students. Parents, and now grown students of hers, recognize her and approach her to give their appreciation. “It was nice to know that the parents felt good about having their kids in my classroom. When I was out in public, they would come up to me and say that their kids really liked my class. It feels good to know that what you have done with them has really helped them learn.” Gail’s influence and teaching methods to involve students in interactive experiences provided a foundation where kids could truly retain what they learned at such a young age, and which they will remember for years to come.

Women of Distinction

ative San Diegan Sherise Varga has always had a love of travel. Sherise attended Whittier College, a private division 3 school where she played Lacrosse. “I graduated in 2010 with an international business and marketing degree.” When I asked Sherise why she chose this degree, she admitted that her true love was travel and believed this would be the perfect degree for someone with such a passion, not realizing that you didn’t need to work for an international company to have an excuse to travel. After graduating from college, Sherise started working at a local wine bar in San Diego, named the Barrel Room. Little did she know how this would make her develop a great love of wine. She developed quite a refined palate at the young age of 21. When Sherise wasn’t working she was doing what she loved, traveling.

“I decided since I had my degree, it was time to use it. I applied for a work visa and ended up landing a great sales administration job with Oyster Bay Wine in Auckland, New Zealand. I had my first big girl job in the real world.” Sherise loved New Zealand, “I love the people and the culture, everyone was just so hospitable. They work to live, and not the other way around. There are a lot of holidays and when they aren’t working, they are very active, have a passion for rugby, and getaway on the weekends with their friends and families. Their wine is some of the best I ever had, and yes, I am admittedly a bit biased! However, in essence of it all they know how to enjoy life. Even if you are somewhat of a stranger to them, they will invite you into their home. They really loved hosting gatherings and showing their genuine Kiwi hospitality.”

Sherise

VARGA

MAKING TRAVELERS FEEL AT HOME By Judith A. Habert Photos courtesy of Sherise Varga

One lesson she learned quickly was how lonely it could be to be a young woman alone in a foreign country. Luckily, she had been introduced to a native New Zealander from her friend in the states and Sherise was very grateful that there was someone there to kind of show her the ropes. She learned where the best restaurants, beaches, and night spots were and soon made close friends of her own. That little bit of loneliness would later fuel an amazing idea when she returned to the states. When Sherise’s work visa expired she was extremely heartbroken to leave, but took away great memories and long-lasting friendships she made from her time there. Coming back to San Diego was tough for her. It was the middle of the holidays and there were next to no jobs open for her to continue on the career path of which she had dreamed. “My mom's best friend had an execu-

tive recruiting firm, and she always wanted to take someone under her wing to train. I figured that I would give it a shot, and it ended up being a career that I love. I am going on 7 years and am now Vice President at eSearchPro, Inc. www.esearchpro.com. eSearchPro is a boutique executive search firm who partners with software startups and tech companies and helps scale their sales, marketing, and product teams with elite talent globally. I love working with C level, VPs and their startup companies; understanding what they need, who they want, and being part of the process of helping them truly grow out their company and sales teams. I find the industry really exciting because technology is ever changing and there's just always something new and always something that can be innovated, created, and used for the better.” While Covid has changed how companies are doing business and

Women of Distinction

due to an increased acceptance toward a remote workforce, Sherise specializes in placing regional enterprise sales reps who often work remotely, and this has opened up a huge talent pool and untapped market for those not required to go in office daily. “I always find recruiting very rewarding, knowing I have impacted someone’s life by helping them find that next step in their career with an awesome company who puts their people and culture first. Candidates are excited at the prospect of obtaining a position with a growing tech company, even though they are not in the same state where the company is physically located.” Sherise is definitely a people person, so this position is ideal for her since she is meeting new people all the time, connecting, and playing a huge part in helping them to find their ideal

job. There is however still that travel bug in her and it was bound to come out some way. “I have been thinking about this for quite some time. After some experiences that I have had traveling, one thing became obvious to me. I realized that when visiting a foreign country people wish they had a friend there. I was lucky to have one in New Zealand who could show me the ropes. I realized that was it, what was missing was an app that offers connections and experiences, a way I can pay it forward to those who were so hospitable to me. An app that can help people who are visiting new places, recently moved to a new city, or even locals dial up that “go-to friend” for suggestions on what to do and where to go. Having the ability to look at your phone and find the hot places to eat, or listen to music, or go for a hike

would be a great idea. We are such a generation of experience and exploration and wanting to “do as the locals do” which led me to the development of my app, Locali. The concept of Locali is bringing people together by matching their interests with others. You can swipe through fellow travelers, adventurers, and even locals to make the most out of your trip and make some new friends along the way. "You can explore local gems and find fun local activities, hikes, beachfronts, park views, farmers’ markets, rooftop lounges and breathtaking city skylines, making your experience an adventure. You will never miss a special event going on in town. You can do everything from concerts, sporting events or even just finding the best spot for Taco Tuesday. There is so much that keeps our cities vibrant that

not every traveler knows about. My app allows the traveler to not only do the touristy things, but to find the best local spots so you can truly get a feel for the place you are visiting.” I took some time on the app and even after living here over 20 years and running a local magazine, I still found things to do that I didn’t even know about. One element I liked best about Locali is that you can create your own profile and make it public or hidden. If public, it allows you or another user to connect if you are looking for someone to explore along with you." Download Locali on the Apple app store and check it out for yourself. You will love it. With Covid, Sherise has pivoted a bit and refocused her app to include more outdoor activities, open air or rooftop restaurants, and other events that people could still enjoy amid our pandemic, and I must say she did that wonderfully. Of course, being in a city with approximately 360 days a year of great weather also made this a possibility. Sherise’s app is fully functional for San Diego and she is working towards one day having a Locali version for every hot spot you plan to visit. To learn more about Sherise and her new app Locali visit her site at www.locali.io or download Locali on the Apple app store. Email: sherise@locali.io Instagram: @explorelocali Facebook: @explorelocali

P O E T R Y

C O R N E R

Middle Life

Girls Plays

By Beatrice Pittoco

By Maggie Ramos

Sometimes I stand in the middle of life. Watching the people rushing on by. They move so quickly to and fro, and I wonder where it is, they’re about to go. I look at the faces, and don’t comprehend. Each one of them has a beginning, and each one has an end. Each life is unique, yet ordinarily the same. And I try to adjust to this very strange game. Maybe I am a part of something bigger than me. Like words in a book, in a library. Each word holds no meaning but together they speak. And by reading we see, that it isn’t so bleak. There’s a subtlety to this life, that’s hard to ignore. Love is the answer we refuse to explore. And all that I want, almost desperately, is for someone to want me indefinitely. I have lived like the rest, rushing to and fro. In my own head, in my own mind, always on the go. But truth is, I was running, looking for an escape. Trying to fill the void of emptiness with a different landscape. But I know now the truth, that is in my heart. I was the happiest when I loved, from the very start. I was fulfilled when I wasn’t just thinking of me. I was happy to be with someone, living vivaciously. But sometimes, things just don’t seem to work out. And you are filled with sadness, and so much self doubt. That you find yourself standing in the middle of life. Hoping to understand it, all, in due time

In an instant I was lost. I thought it would be like a game of girls and then I would laugh at it Like a cute dresser doll I joined Childish proposal, it was what I accepted from you. We play like teenage girls with toys that we shouldn’t have. The same toys that are now absent. We leave out the outside world to enter our world of toys from within We played, with their long, silky hair. We frequently dress and undress them in simple, casual and dress clothes for gallant parties, dressed in nudity. Each change of fabric was a party to choose their precious outfits. Our childhoods were left behind.. The girls grew up, the outfits were packed and we attended different parties. We went from dance to dance on many occasions. We danced and enjoyed to the rhythm that the songs would beat for us. Many times we danced and enjoyed a new dawn. We were reborn with each sunrise like girls who enjoyed their new rebirth. Girl games, with absent toys. The toys were downloaded from the archives of our imagination. Our girl games were our own invention. We set the rules and the rules were the agreement. Now as a distant memory I run through the memories of those toys that were never really mine.

Photos by Roxanne Morganti

Women of Distinction

Dr. Deena Stacer

THE ART OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION By Judith A. Habert

hen a family is in crisis Dr. Deena Stacer is the one that is called in to help. Doctor Deena, as her clients call her, handles high conflict resolution for families during one of the toughest periods in their lives. Divorce does not just affect the husband and wife, but often has a profound effect on their children as well. When there appears to be no easy way to solve these issues among themselves, it is Dr. Deena who is called upon to bring a healthy and peaceful resolution to the situation. Deena attended San Diego State University, where she

obtained her teaching credential, for grades K through 12th. She then went on to get her social sciences degree with an emphasis in child development. She earned her master’s in counseling and leadership. Wanting to be as knowledgeable as possible, she decided to earn her PhD in Conflict Resolution, through a program at Pacific Western University of Hawaii. I asked Deena if she planned to go into her current profession. “I would never have designed my life to be a high conflict expert. I remember saying to my long-time

mentor, Fred Stemen, “Why am I doing such painful work with families?” He said, “Look Deena, if you can solve the highest levels of problems for people, then it is easy to help people solve the smallest levels of conflict.” Later, I realized he was so right. I have taken on really high conflict custody disputes, and in some cases the fights had been going on for more than five years. This is just an awful situation for the children. In most of these instances, I have been able to settle the conflict down and get the children out of the middle.” I asked Dr. Stacer how she manages to resolve what often appears to be an unresolvable situation. “What I have found over the years is that there is usually one of the two parents who wants to stop the fight. They just don’t know how. I coach parents the scripts, stories, and strategies to help them focus first on being emotionally available for their children. As the parent applies what they are learning, their children respond with love and gratitude because they are finally getting their parent’s attention. The parent begins to feel closer to their children at the same time. As the parent gets emotionally rewarded by their child’s love, they build more powerful connections to them. Suddenly, the parent finds it is much easier to stop negatively reacting to the other parent and the desire to continue their feud wanes. It is a magical solution.” Some of Deena’s back story explains how she is able to be so effective, “I went through my own high conflict divorce with three small children. I was so scared and frustrated. I didn’t know how to stop the conflict

and I didn’t know how to be emotionally present for my children. The fighting lasted for about seven years. At that time, no one understood high conflict custody cases. Court professionals were just as lost as the parents. I had to learn how to end the conflict myself. I had to learn how to become emotionally present for my children again. My mentor, Fred Stemen and I had to keep trying different strategies until we found the ones that worked. There was a lot of trial and error. I went through conflict in the early 80’s. There was no research published yet. There was no internet to look for answers. This was a brand new frontier. Eventually, we started figuring out what worked. I applied the new skills and scripts that worked. I calmed down. I stopped being afraid of my ex. I was able to completely end the conflict because of what I learned. I became a better parent. I saved my children from permanent emotional damage. In 1997, I started the first high conflict coparenting class in San Diego County for the Family Law Court. I was one of the first parenting educators to teach high conflict coparenting classes globally. I have traveled to Hong Kong and have continued to teach the skills and concepts to help families end their conflict. I offer classes online and through Zoom to help parents around the globe learn the same strategies and stories that will work for them.” https://www. coparentingsecrets.com/ Deena explained to me that not only is she dealing with the conflict between the parents; she is also helping the parents to manage the anxiety that results from the conflict. “What most parents don’t realize is that anxiety

Women of Distinction is always created whenever these parents have contact or communicate with each other. It takes a minimum of three days for each parent to calm down after every interaction with the other person. I help parents learn how to control the contact and the communication with the other parent to calm down.” “I teach a concept I call “The Trustline.” Working with hundreds of high conflict couples, I have discovered that one of the parents was raised in a totally trusting environment. As a baby, the family met all of their needs. As a result, they became totally trusting people. They learned to be nurturing, and by two years of age, they developed the neuro connections in their brain to develop a conscience. These people also learned to be caring, compassion, responsible, respectful, and nurturing. They are driven by love to help others. Unfortunately, the other parent was raised in a completely different environment filled with chaos, confusion, and conflict. They did not get their needs met as a baby. They did not develop the neuro connections to form a conscience. They did not get the neuro connectors to become a respectful, responsible, and emotionally intelligent person. They do not have the ability to be nurturing or caring. These distrusting people are driven to survive. They use manipulation of others to get their needs met. When these two diverse people get together and have children, they will have conflict because of their core beliefs. When they break up, their conflict will include custody battles over the children.” What Deena has to do is to help the trusting parent learn

to stop trying to get the other parent to change and accept they will not be able to work together. The trusting parent has to understand that they are the only ones who can take their children out of the middle. They are the only ones who can help their children to become resilient, confident, and well-adjusted. It is up to the trusting parent to end the fight and save the children.

first marriage ended. Deena is driven to be the best at what she does. Her biggest reward is that “the kids get a chance to have a normal life.” “I believe that the painful journey of my own divorce and custody conflict happened for a reason; it allowed me to help other families going through the same thing.” In addition to the amazing work that Deena does, she

This concept is revolutionary, since most professionals in the court system still insist that parents must learn to work together to get along. These parents actually need a giant time out from each other not time together!” This experience of being in such a terrible battle over the children was enough to drive Deena to continue doing extensive research and keep honing her craft. She wanted to help other women to get through the same struggle she had to endure when her

has another love, which she began in 1979 when she obtained her real estate license. “I grew up with my grandpa doing real estate, and I was so intrigued by it. So, I decided to get my license. I did a little bit of real estate and then I stopped to have my children. I came back to real estate in 2002 and immediately earned my broker's license. Real estate is often filled with high emotion, especially when families are sometimes torn apart after the loss of a family member or a divorce when a

battle ensues regarding the distribution of assets. Deena is often called in to help with these complicated real estate transactions due to a conflictual divorce or probate case. Her expertise in conflict resolution is a perfect fit for real estate transactions too. Deena can lessen her client’s stress levels by helping them with this process as well. A lot of the negotiating skills and conflict resolution methods used in her profession are invaluable while negotiating properties for her real estate clients. https:// drdeenahomes.com/ I had to ask Deena how she de-stresses when she is in such an intense profession. “My husband is in an equally stressful field, he is a divorce attorney, so we both love to travel and try new adventures. I love to laugh and have fun too. Most of all, I love to play with our two adorable grandchildren, these are the things that make me happy and give me so much joy.” Deena and her husband use their individual skills and talents to offer another level of care to those people going through divorce. “We offer free workshops twice a month for anyone who has legal questions related to divorce, custody, and family law issues. https://www.stacerlaw.com/ workshop/ It is obvious when you meet Deena that she deeply cares about all of her clients. She is probably one of the most caring individuals I have ever met, and she brings this into everything she does. If you are struggling with conflict in your life, I cannot think of anyone who would be a better fit to help bring peace to your life. You can reach Deena Stacer at 858-229-8072, or by email at Doc@DeenaStacer.com

Women of Distinction

itadel Penn is beautiful both inside and out, and her beauty comes shining through as you get to know her. This amazing woman was determined to make a difference in the world. She wasn’t quite sure how she would achieve this goal, but with a heart of gold she was determined that she would.

Citadel worked in various jobs during school, starting in customer service, then in accounting, and finally doing research for a law firm. It was at this point that she realized that law might not be the field she wanted to pursue. With few professional connections in the Philippines, Citadel decided to pursue a new career opportuni-

Citadel Penn Creating a Beautiful Life By Judith A. Habert Photos by Monique Hoppe

Citadel was born and raised in Jones, in the province of Isabella, a small town in the Philippines. She spent her first 22 years there and attained her bachelor’s degree in accounting. Citadel went on to work full time while attending law school in the evenings.

ty in Taiwan. Although she did not speak the language, as with other aspects of her education, she quickly became proficient. Citadel worked there for two years and was excited when she found out that a cousin she had never met before, would be visiting Taiwan. “So, I met my cousin

Rey in Taiwan, he was working for Intel at that time, traveling to different countries to do business. We met in Taipei and spent our time together touring Taiwan. It was at this point that he asked me if I wanted to visit the states. His family lived in Orange County. I jumped at the opportunity.” Citadel visited with her aunt and uncle in Orange County and then went to visit her sister, who was living in Georgia. Although she loved the time spent with her sister and her family, she realized Georgia was not for her and decided to settle down in California. She moved to Los Angeles, where she started a whole new life. Not long after her move to LA, she met her husband, Kelson, online. “I was lucky he was the first person online that I met. He lived in San Diego and when we met in person, we just clicked. I have heard horror stories about online dating, but I was the lucky one! Today he is my husband, and we have a beautiful little girl, Jasmine” Citadel decided to continue on with her education and began attending classes to obtain her MBA in International Business. “I planned on going to work for an organization where I could utilize this specialty. From the time I was a young child, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and felt that this would be a good fit.” While attending college, Citadel obtained a position as a caregiver working with both the elderly and disabled patients. “I realized how much I loved being a caregiver, but I was faced with some very sad cases, some of which caused me to seriously think about what I would do with my future. A few of my patients were young quadriplegics who had no way of knowing the tragic card they would be dealt, and as such, were neither emotionally nor financially prepared for what they would have to face.” Citadel realized that these individuals were being taken advantage of and it broke her heart to watch it. It was at this point that she decided that she needed to focus on becoming a financial advisor, so she could guide them toward a better and more comfortable life. “It was heartbreaking to see what they faced as a result of their physical challenges, but seeing that they could not get proper care because they were not financially prepared broke my heart even more.” In an effort to cover the cost of her education and living expenses, Citadel was

Women of Distinction not only working as a caregiver but she had obtained two additional positions, one as a personal assistant and the other working as a photographer and event planner. “I was working as a personal assistant with an amazing lady in Newport and she was a financial advisor, she was one of the top 100 best female financial advisor in California and top 1000 in the country. I was fascinated watching the way in which she guided her clients in every decision of their life, as most important decisions involved money. I watched the tremendous differences her help made in the lives of her clients.” It was then that Citadel’s research began, searching out the best company to align herself with so she could be the best possible advisor for her future clients. “My husband’s father had a childhood friend who worked for Edward Jones for many years, and he introduced me to this wonderful company. Ironically, my research had led me to the same result.” One of the most important lessons Citadel learned was the importance of listening to her clients. “You need to listen closely to the needs of your clients because one decision can impact other aspects of their lives. So, you must be certain that you're making a good decision based on what's really important to the person and to their family. If you do this, they will be your client forever.” I asked Citadel what her favorite part of her job was, and she responded, “My favorite part is that my job allows me to help people understand what is really important to them. Sometimes they are not even certain what that might be. So, guiding them to know what their priorities are, what are their short-term and long-term goals, and how they can achieve these goals. I become part of their family. Lately my clients are in need of advice and comfort, which has been especially important due to the economic challenges we are all now facing.” Citadel’s clients know that she is always there to help them and is always just a phone call away. This helps to calm their fears. “I say to them that whatever happens in this environment, in this economy, it's important for them to hold my hand, to make sure that when the time comes, if you're feeling down, I'm holding your hand and I can pull you up and get you back up on your feet.”

Citadel particularly loves caring for older individuals who are nearing retirement and living in retirement. “I want to be certain that they have properly prepared for this time in their life, so they don’t run out of funds. They need to consider that their healthcare costs will go up and that the cost of living in general will rise. Once you stop working, you need to be certain that your money doesn’t stop working for you. Also, I wanted to make sure that no one will try to take advantage of them. I wanted them to have the level of care, service, and respect that they deserve.” Many young people do not consider the need to hire a financial advisor, and many individuals feel that unless they have a large fortune to be concerned about, a financial advisor will not be willing to work with them. Citadel makes sure that they understand that this is not the case. “For young people, I help them build their wealth. The first move I suggest is for them to get a life insurance policy because you cannot anticipate what may happen in your life, and you need to be prepared should an accident happen. My clients who were paraplegics never expected that their lives could change so desperately in a matter of minutes. One of these clients was living life to the fullest, and an accident changed their entire future. They were forced to start fundraising campaigns in order to pay for the expensive treatments, and the level of service and equipment they required to even be comfortable in their new existence.” I asked Citadel what advice she would give to our readers in terms of being sure to protect their future. “First, I would encourage everyone, regardless of how young they may be, to protect themselves by getting life insurance, and disability insurance, to ensure their financial future. I would also tell them to work with a professional that really understands them and will spend time learning what is important to them.” Citadel admits that there are a lot of financial advisors and planners out there, but they are not all the same. “What really differentiates me from other planners is the care that I provide. The time I take to really understand what is important to my clients and why. If they themselves don’t know, I try to help them figure it out. It is not only about making money, it is also about making sure they don’t lose their money and to

make certain that their money will work for them in the long run, even if unanticipated events occur.” Citadel reminds readers that even if you don't have money, it is actually a great time to ask for help. Working with an adviser does not mean that you must already have money, many clients search

out financial advice in order to become rich, in order to build wealth, so they can have a great life. According to Citadel, you are never too young or too old to plan for your financial wellbeing. Life has changed in the best way since Citadel has become a mom to Jasmine Jade, her beautiful ten months old daughter. “I'm a different person since she was born. I have always been focused on my career and I still am, but there is a new side of me that wants to not only protect my daughter from harm, but it has made me more passionate about protecting everyone around me, particularly family which includes my clients.” I asked Citadel what a new client can expect from her in their first meeting. “I

Women of Distinction

MONIQUE HOPPE Monique Hoppe is an award winning photographer with a luxury portrait studio located in Poway, CA. Her goal is to create beautiful images in a fun and relaxed environment where her clients feel beautiful and experience the transformative power of a magazine styled portrait session. It is her great joy to uncover that spark and beauty within each and every one of her clients. She is creating portraits that last a lifetime and get passed from generation to generation, long after we are gone. For a role this important she has selected the finest products from the U.S. and Europe. • View her amazing photography at https://moniquehoppe.com/ • Take a look at Monique’s new project 50 over 50. Celebrating fabulous Women over 50: https://moniquehoppe.com/50over50/

KENNETH BARLIS Kenneth Barlis is an internationally recognized brand that has a penchant for elegance and luxury. Established In 2012, Kenneth Barlis’ enthusiasm for couture fashion resulted in the completion of his first bridal and evening gown collection. The Brand is motivated by its artistic, imaginative, and modern design. • View his incredible creations at https://kennethbarlis.com/

start off by listening to their needs and once we have established this, then we simplify their plan to our five-step process. Step one is to see where you are today. Step two is where would you like to be to attain your goals, both short-term and long-term. Step three is to analyze what you already have and what you are trying to accomplish, and finding out if you can get there. Step four is how can you get there, and step five is to see how you can stay on track in order to achieve your long-term goals. Citadel has placed a special focus on her DSWB clients, which stands for Divorced, Seniors, Widows and Business Owners. “I have found that the first three categories are important since these individuals often require more attention, since they may find themselves alone trying to navigate through emotional times in their lives. This often makes them vulnerable to those looking to take advantage of them. I also enjoy working with business owners to be certain that they are properly protecting the businesses they worked so hard to build.” Citadel spends much of her time working on her profession and doing all she can do to further her knowledge while lending support to her clients. “I am the Chapter Leader of The Divorce Transition Professionals - San Diego Chapter. This is a group of professionals that supports people who are thinking about, going through, or have just finalized their divorce. We also serve the Grey/Silver Divorcees. Those who find themselves divorcing later in life. This group is comprised of professionals from legal, finan-

cial, accounting, real estate or mortgage support, private investigation, professional organizing, mental health or physical health, coaching, consulting, credit repair or debt consolidation, and others that cater to the divorce space are welcome to join. (See the videos below for more information on this organization) Citadel also is a volunteer at the Art of Care Outreach, a non-profit organization in San Diego that brings a special art of care for patients with life limiting illness and their loved ones while focusing on their unique needs from physical, emotional, social and spiritual points of view. You can also learn more from reading her weekly financial column with the local newspaper called The Paper that caters to Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside.(Please check the articles below to sample her financial genius.) Aside from having a heart of gold and a need to help those around her, Citadel has always loved to create things of beauty, and this is the way she views the work she does for her clients. With her past history as a photographer, it is a passion for her. “When I create a plan for my clients, I am certain that the result will put them in a position where they have the flexibility to create a life full of beautiful things.” When a client no longer must be concerned about their daily expenses, they can sit back and focus on their passions. From her time as a photographer and event planner, Citadel always loved to create things of beauty. Her clients will tell you that working with her side by side has allowed them to feel safe and confident and enjoy the beauty in life.

For more information or to set up an appointment with Citadel Penn contact her at • Office: 858 391 2777 • Phone: 760 891 9040 (Mobile) • Email:citadelpenn@gmail.com • Business Email: citadel.penn@edwardjones.com • Website: edwardjones.com/citadel-penn For Information on Divorce Transition Professional Organization go to: • https://www.thedivorcetransitionprofessionals.com/ • https://www.meetup.com/the-divorce-transition-professionals-san-diego-chapter/ To Read Some of Citadel Penn’s articles click on the links below: • http://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-citadel-nicolas-penn-edward-jonesinvestments-poway/ • http://sdvoyager.com/interview/art-life-citadel-nicolas-penn/

Photos by Monique Hoppe. Fashion Design by Kenneth Barlis.

Women of Distinction

Donna Hale Helping Companies Thrive By Judith A. Habert Photos courtesy of Donna Hale

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee the youngest of 7 children, Donna Hale knew at an early age what path her future would take. “I realized that I wanted to get involved with computers and technology when I was in 11th grade taking a typing class. My teacher often talked about what the future would be like with the advent of computers and mainframes and all things of that nature, which put me on the road to doing different types of internships.” With a natural curiosity, she found she craved learning more in technology. Not quite sure where technology was going, Donna realized that everything she was learning was soon to evolve and that most businesses were run on some kind of computer system. Donna did her first internships with The Internal Revenue Service and another with FedEx where she picked up various computer languages. During her internships, it was a family emergency that required her to move from Memphis to Hampton Roads, Virginia. Donna’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, so she went there to help her through her treatments. Unfortunately, her mom passed a week before her 25th

birthday, but she decided to stay in Virginia for a bit. Donna obtained a position working as an engineer for the Navy Exchange Service Command and was assigned to the West Coast Region making frequent trips between the corporate office and California. “I thrived in this environment because I picked up a variety of skills that led me to be a well-rounded engineer.” In 2001, Donna gave birth to a son, and then shortly thereafter a change in location occurred when Military Orders moved them to San Diego in 2003. The family moved and she has been here ever since. Although she enjoyed her time working for the Navy, when she relocated to San Diego, they were unable to provide a satisfying job fit to her background and qualifications, so she ventured forward working as a Network Engineer for a manufacturing company based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. As a testimony to the kind of work Donna does and how she puts everything into any job she undertakes, it did not take long for them to realize how valuable she was to the company. She had started this new job in October and by January was promoted to Director. Unfortunately, the company ended up closing down their San Diego division, and not wanting to make a move to Scottsdale she transitioned to a management position with a web analytics company. Two years later, she found an exciting position working for three boutique hotels in San Diego and remained there for nine and a half years as the Vice President of Technology. In her role, she led the design of the technology architecture and managed the software, infrastructure, team, and budget for technical solutions. Donna puts her heart and soul into everything she does and has a very giving nature. She finds time in her busy schedule to mentor students in technology and has been a moderator on various women in technology panels helping to bring more women into the field. With her close to a decade worth of experience in the hospitality arena she has also found herself on different advisory councils for the hospitality industry. With a vast 30-year career in tech, she has helped an infinite number of companies upgrade their systems to meet all of the wonders that can be accomplished through state of the art technology. She has often created roadmaps for companies leading them to the cutting edge of technology and helping them to simplify processes they were not even aware they could simplify let alone im-

prove. “At first, I must admit, I did receive some push back from those who were not familiar with the changes in technology and actually found it hard to change with the times, but once they realize how much better everything can run by being open to the changes suggested, they often realized they had no idea how they managed without it.” Donna noted one of the common misconceptions people have when updating their systems to improve technology is that the process will shut business down when in reality with the technology we have today changes are made behind the scenes without any disruption at all.

It was through her association with a local chapter of The Association of IT Professionals that Donna met Y’vonne Ormond, and her next career path emerged clearly - Consulting. “Y’vonne was then president of the organization and I was providing CIO consulting services to various private organizations. We would meet and talk at different events and from the very first day that we met, realized that we were kindred spirits, and both had such a love for community and technology.” Some time passed and at this point, Donna had become president of the Association and it came to her attention that a position for a

Women of Distinction Principal Consultant had become available with her now firm, 5P Consulting. “Without even thinking twice we both knew it would be a perfect fit. We have been working hand-in-hand ever since.” Now Donna is a Managing Partner and Fractional CIO with 5P Consulting. Having had the pleasure of getting to know both of these amazing women it is instantly apparent that they make an incredible team. “We have become family now. It's not just a business that provides a much-needed service; we are all here for each other. If I am having a bad day, I can call Y’vonne or one of the other teammates and vice versa. I've been at 5P consulting for a little over two years now and I love it. I love the path that we're going down. I love how we go in and can literally assess an organization's infrastructure and find out what their pain points are. We come in and really just turn their companies around, helping to direct them into the next phase of their organization’s growth.”

Although she is far from home, Donna has a very close relationship with all of her siblings and they make it a point of having an annual trip where they all gather to visit and catch up on what has been going on in their lives. “I listened to some words from my mom when she was pretty sick and these words struck home with me. She was adamant about how important it is to keep the family together and so that is something that is very important to me.” Donna and her son, Caleb, who is 19 and attending Cal Poly Pomona, have an extremely close relationship. “I am about family. I am about my nieces and nephews, my sisters, and brothers, and this even transfers to how I do business. When I go into a company, I like for it to be more of a family-type environment, I like to greet people by their first names and get to know a bit about them not just as employees of the company, but as people.” Since the pandemic, many businesses have slowed down, but thanks to the work that 5P Consulting has done and continues

Brett Stokes

"Muralist in Town"

Photos and Article by Maggie Ramos Don't be a stranger. Talk to your neighbors. You will learn a lot from them. I've learned from my neighbors, and our neighbors have learned from us as a family.

I recently took the time to meet and know more about my neighbor and friend, Brett Stokes. I've learned he is a great artist, and now I also know one of the muralists in town. Brett grew up in Fallbrook and enjoyed it all the way. During his high school years, he was doing a lot of art and taking a lot of art courses, but then got into construction and didn't do much art. During his construction time people learned he was capable of being a good artist and began requesting signs, logos, magazine illustrations, and different art from him. Before Brett knew it, he was practicing more as an artist than a

to do, they are able to help companies to see how technology has made things easier if they need to have employees remotely doing their jobs. With old technologies, much of this would not be possible. Many businesses have had to scale back and rethink things and, look at their roadmaps differently. These business changes may have slowed things down for other consulting firms, but for 5P they have taken this opportunity to do something that this company with a huge heart has always wanted to do. “We are so passionate about what we do that we aren’t letting anything get in our way to help businesses. We are currently doing pro bono work for some of the local businesses, some of the smaller businesses here in San Diego. We are saying ‘Hey, I know you may not have the budget or capital right now, but let's see how we can help you.” It’s all about helping other businesses in the community, providing value, and helping businesses become more efficient through the use of data and technology solutions.

construction crew member. Brett expressed, "It then started to almost become a career type of thing." Brett took the time to sit and share about the opportunity to work with other muralists artists and traveled to Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and California to show some of his work in different galleries and paint interiors in casinos. Brett laughs as he says, "I never hit it big you know, but it was marginal success, and it was fun." Brett practiced road trips and enjoyed the country sightseeing as he traveled. In the past, he has also done home interior art and participated with the mural at the entrance of the library in Vista Ca. Most recently he has been invited to do a few murals in Fallbrook. Brett explains to me that the canvases on the murals become feet instead of inches,

and they are not much different from any other canvas. He has also done, and still does, children’s books. Brett continues to work by commission. You can find this great artist and friend "Brett Stokes," at btmstokes@gmail.com or text him at 760-420-8656

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Honoring Our Veterans Read How This Vietnam Vet Came to Appreciate His Veteran Father and Other WW II Veterans.

grew up in rural Ohio. Every kid I knew had a father who served during World War II. Some might criticize this: we played war almost every day. Weather, of course being a factor. We played with BB guns and wore our father’s combat uniforms. Some of us looked ridiculous with sleeves hanging down to our knees, and helmets that would roll down the street when we tripped. We hid in a stand of woods nearby. We fought over who would wear what. The prized possession was a fatigue shirt with the screaming eagle patch. It represent the 101st Airborne. My father was a soldier in Airborne. It made me very proud to know that. I still carry that pride with me today. He died a few years ago at the age of 86. I wish I could talk to him this Veterans Day.

He taught me respect. Every Veterans Day and Memorial Day we would go to the cemetery to pay homage to our relatives, and never missed going to the graves of our fallen heroes. I know my playmates did the same with their fathers. Our dads did not talk much about the war. Occasionally at our neighborhood barbecue, when the beer was flowing you might hear words like Amsterdam, Normandy and the Pacific Island. No details, but we knew they were there. Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Dean Martin and the McGuire sisters’ music would play from someone’s Motorola. They were quiet patriots. Even at the town’s American Legion. They only said things that showed appreciation for one another. They were truly

a “band of brothers”. Tom Brokaw got it right. They were the “The Greatest Generation.” I serve three tours in Vietnam. A total of 40 months as an electronic counter measures specialist and later as a combat Aviator. I was a mustang. I rose through the ranks and was at the right place at the right time to receive a commission as a Naval Officer. The things that I learned and benefited from my father’s generation was to always pay respect to your fellow veterans. Be a veteran who helps veterans. When people say “Thank you for your service” let them know the honor you feel. Be a proud American. Serve in any way you can. Right now, there are millions of veterans who need help getting their veteran benefits. Educate yourself

about the Veterans Administration. If you served in a foreign war join the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). But do not just join…be an advocate. Get involved. If not the VFW, join another service organization. Our fathers taught the principles for all that, including the need for teamwork. I wish we had listened more to our World War II vets. Now it is the Korean and Vietnam vets who teach us. Soon the veterans of the middle east wars will guide us. I read that fewer than a million of the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are still alive; they are dying at a rate of nearly 500 a day, according to the Veterans Administration. Soon they all will be gone. It saddens me. Those are my thoughts for this Veterans Day 2020.

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USS Tripoli Arrived in San Diego The Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), arrived at its new homeport in San Diego, Sept. 18, 2020. The Navy’s latest America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli arrived at Naval Base San Diego following its commissioning and subsequent sail around South America this summer. “Our Sailors did an outstanding job in getting Tripoli safely to our new homeport of San Diego,” said Capt. Kevin Meyers, Tripoli’s commanding officer. “Now, we shift our focus to preparing this ship for her future mission: supporting combat operations and providing humanitarian assistance around the globe, in the air, on land, and sea.” Tripoli, the only America-class amphibious assault

ship in San Diego, joins the Wasp-class large deck amphibious assault vessels USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), and USS Makin Island (LHD 8). As the largest amphibious ship on the waterfront, Tripoli serves as an LHD variant designed to accommodate the Marine Corps' future Air Combat Element (ACE) including the F-35B Lightning II and MV-22 Osprey. “Tripoli serves as a fine example of our Sailors’ ability to learn, adapt, and continuously improve even in the face of uncertainty,” said Capt. Jennifer Ellinger, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 7. “The ship’s arrival here today is exciting and the crew has worked diligently to get to this point.”

Tripoli’s arrival brings approximately 1,100 Sailors and their family members to the San Diego area. “It will be nice to get the ship to her homeport in San Diego, a city that is renowned for its continuing support of our service members," said Master Chief Alicia Harrison, Tripoli’s acting Command Master Chief. "This crew has not ceased to amaze me in how they have risen to every challenge from ship's delivery, to crew move aboard, to operating under new health guidelines, to sail around.” Tripoli is the second LHA to be delivered to the Navy, and the third in naval history to bear the name which harkens back to the first U.S. battle fought on foreign soil. The name Tripoli was previ-

ously assigned to a Casablanca-class escort carrier which saw service in the Second World War. Later, the first amphibious assault ship with the name USS Tripoli (LPH 10) served in Vietnam and during the Gulf War. Tripoli was built in Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Huntington Ingalls Industries. Prior to departing for San Diego, Tripoli’s crew conducted a 14-day restriction of movement (ROM) in accordance with U.S. Navy pre-deployment guidelines. In addition, the Navy cancelled the ship’s traditional commissioning ceremony as a COVID mitigation measure. The Navy commissioned Tripoli via naval message on 15 July and transitioned the ship into service as scheduled.

Come in for a FREE Consultation and Smile Preview

ith the upcoming holiday season, you may feel like Scrooge who was dreading the “Ghost of Christmas which is yet to come.” The Pandemic has created fear, sadness, and negative anticipation for many families this year. Thinking about the holidays may be causing you anxiety and confusion. Remember the Ghost of Christmas Present showed Scrooge that even the poor Cratchit family still celebrated the holidays together. During this particular holiday season, you can create wonderful memories with your children that will last a lifetime. Here are seven strategies you can do with your children to permanently lift everyone’s spirit.

Always create something to look forward to daily: Since The Stone-

Transform This Holiday Season With Your Children Into A Magical Wonderland By Dr. Deena Stacer the list going until your children move out of your home. Decide on a date to complete the first holiday activity. Aim to complete the special activity within one to three weeks of the start date. The never-ending list keeps everyone thinking about having fun together. It gives everyone a purpose and direction for the days ahead. You will find that excitement starts growing in everyone’s imagination. You are creating dreams for your family in the future.

Select one special activity from the never-ending list that everyone in your family wants to do: Al-

time to spread out the small steps creates more positive anticipation for your children and keeps them excited about being with you again, in the near future. Children do not understand the concept of time. For children, time seems to take forever until an event arrives. Since you are pacing things out over a few days or weeks, your children will continue to feel close to you because the next time with you is “forever away.”

Give your children a voice and a vote in all activities you do with them.

1 3 5 Age, our brains have been wired for negative anticipation. We normally react with fear, sadness, loneliness, and depression when bad things happen to us. To share our laughter, joy, excitement, and cheer, we must deliberately create something we look forward to doing in the near future. Researchers tell us that positive anticipation helps to take us out of a funk quickly, as long as we are doing activities we are looking forward to doing. Sit down as a family and discuss all of the fun activities, ideas, and events you want to do during this season. Ideas can include things like baking special family recipes, watching favorite holiday movies, looking at holiday lights, decorating the home, making, or wrapping special gifts for others. All of these special activities will get your children excited and feeling hopeful. They will lift your spirits too.

ways have a special activity going on with your family. Select another special activity to do together while you are completing the first activity. Always talk to your children about what you are going to be doing to make the special event happen. Children stay excited about all the simple little things that they get to do with you. Their excitement becomes contagious and spreads to everyone in the family. You will notice that you will feel more positive, hopeful, and less stressed over the world situation when you are constantly creating fun things together.

Just as your children get excited about the simple things you do together, you can give them an opportunity to express their opinion and vote on the special activities they want to do with you first, second and third. Children need to feel like their voice counts and that they are special. Giving them choices and helping them make decisions helps them feel valuable. You can help your children grow by offering them the chance to look up ideas and share what they have learned. You are helping them build confidence and competence.

Your children will learn powerful life skills while they have fun with you. You can teach your children

6 4 2 Create a never-ending-list of activities to do with your children:

This never-ending-list should always be growing with new ideas and activities everyone wants to do over time. Set up a special time to invite your children to help you think of as many ideas and activities they want to do together. Write the ideas down and post them in a place where your children can see them daily. Add other activities to the never-ending list, like camping, hiking, vacationing, making breakfast in the park, redecorating rooms, creating family plays, making family videos...Keep

Invite your children to help you do every step along the way to completing the special activity: Your

children can help you with each of these steps. Let’s say you decide to bake holiday cookies together. You will choose one cookie recipe to make first. Talk about the recipe. Your children can write down the ingredients for the shopping list. Set a date to go to the store. Gather the ingredients and let them help put them away at home. Schedule a day and time to make and bake the cookies. Take pictures, post, and share these with family. After the cookies are made, have a taste test. Score the results. Share the cookies with others. Repeat in the same way with the next activity. Do not be in a hurry to do everything on the same day. Taking

how to get along with others and learn communication skills. Going back to baking cookies together, you will be helping your children learn fractions when they measure ingredients. They will learn to follow instructions in a recipe. They will learn chemistry while mixing ingredients. And they will learn to work together in the kitchen with other family members. When your children do the little steps on the way to completing the special activity you have planned, they become more appreciative for how much work it takes to complete an activity. When you give your children guidance and challenge them to find the best solutions to solving problems they feel competent and smarter. You will also be teaching them respect. They learn respect

for other people’s opinions and different skills. They learn to respect the equipment and tools needed to complete each task. You are teaching them to take responsibility for their assignments and the hard work it takes to reach a special goal.

Special activities with your family will create a magical connection and an unbreakable bond with your children. When you follow the first six

steps in this list with your children you will find you are constantly amazed at how magical this process becomes to your family’s emotional well-being. You will find it is easy to keep that never-ending list growing because it is so rewarding. You will want to expand special activities with other family and friends as time goes on. You may find that your own heart will experience great laughter like Scrooge did. When he awoke, he felt full of life, and his transformation brought more delight to those he cared the most deeply about. May you feel the same delight as you experience the magical connections with your family during this holiday season and for the rest of your life. Happy Holidays. God Bless us everyone! If you would like to learn more simple strategies that will empower you while you raise confident, resilient well-adjusted and happy children, contact Deena Stacer, PHD at Doc@Deenastacer.com.

Women of Distinction

Leslie A. Braun Making a Difference By Judith A. Habert

Photos by Dawn Nicoli / Nicoli Productions

eslie A. Braun was born and raised in Southern California. She knew that she wanted to be an attorney since she was in high school. Her plans changed when she married young and had a family. Years later, after her dissolution of marriage, she decided to pursue her goal by going to law school. “I was determined not to give up on my dream. I was a single mom with three children ages two, eight and ten. I was determined to go to law school to fulfil my dream, and at the same time, enter a profession that would allow me to support my children.” In December 1995, Leslie graduated with her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

After passing the bar in June 1996, Leslie worked with a few solo practitioner attorneys practicing law in various areas including employment law, civil litigation, family law and juvenile delinquency law which gave her experience in a wide range of practice areas. In 1998, Leslie went to work at a statewide employment law firm headquartered in San Diego. As plaintiff ’s counsel, she represented employees against employers throughout the State of California in employment law cases including racial, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age and religious belief discrimination, sexual harassment, defamation, interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, constructive discharge and wrongful termination. In 2001, she left the employment firm to go practice law at a civil litigation defense firm in San Diego to gain experience as defense counsel. She became a partner there and practiced law at the firm until March 2020. Leslie is now practicing civil litigation representing plaintiffs and defendants at THE ORACLE LAWYERS. During her lengthy law career, she has had varied experiences, so I asked Leslie if she had a favorite experience that she enjoyed the most. “I find my experience serving as a Judge Pro Tem/ Settlement Attorney in civil litigation and family law cases to be very rewarding. Most of my experience comprises resolving family law cases prior to trial, which is very fulfilling and gratifying. It allows me to make tough decisions that can make a huge difference for families. Going through my own dissolution and custody issues provides me some

added perspective to resolve these cases in addition to the knowledge that I obtained while practicing law. I know that I could help make things right for children that were often torn apart in the wake of difficult dissolution cases.” Leslie went to law school because of a need to help people and that makes her the happiest, knowing that a decision that she made while serving as a Judge Pro Tem/Settlement Attorney made a child’s life better because she settled his/her parent’s dissolution case. “I remember being in the same situation when I was going through my dissolution and what a great feeling it was to have it behind me so I could carry on with my life with my children. You have to pick up the pieces and move on with life, especially if you have children. At the time, I told my children that it was better to have two happy homes than one angry home. I always express this sentiment to parents that are going through a dissolution.” Leslie finds the perception that people have about attorneys and the law interesting. For the most part, people believe that being an attorney and practicing law is similar to how television and the movies portray it – fast-paced, exciting and justice always prevails. “When I talk to people about their perceptions of what it is like being an attorney and practicing law, they are always surprised that it often takes years for a case to get to a trial. I also tell them that trial should not always be the ultimate goal, as it is usually better to have some input in the outcome of your case by resolving it prior to trial.” Aside from being an amazing lawyer, I asked Leslie what she enjoys doing with whatever spare time she has, as I know that spare time is a rare commodity for attorneys. “I love interior and landscape design. We bought a new construction home in Carlsbad last year, and I have really enjoyed designing the interior space and the landscape.” Leslie admitted that if she was not happy with her LSAT score,

Women of Distinction she was planning on pursuing interior design as a career. Lucky for Leslie, and all the clients’ lives she has improved through her legal representation and decision-making as a Judge Pro Tem/ Settlement Attorney, she ended up in her original choice of careers. Leslie’s volunteer work includes advocating on behalf of foster children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.) for Voices for Children and serving on the Board of Directors for the Cal State University San Marcos Foundation Board. Aside from her husband, children, stepchildren and her brand new 2-month-old granddaughter, Leslie has two Yorkies named Penelope and Gwendolyn. Her Yorkies are a big part of her family as “they bring me so much joy. No matter what kind of day that I have had, they are always happy to see me.” I asked Leslie where she sees her career moving forward, “I like what I am doing. But I would love to be a judge one day. This is a career move that would require an appointment or an election. So only time will tell. I do enjoy making decisions that change people’s lives for the better. I would also like to teach law students. I love the law and it would be great to share my passion of the law with students.” I asked Leslie if she could give some insight to women who would like to follow in her footsteps and become lawyers. “I would really like to teach a seminar to women entering law school to educate them and provide them with some perspectives on what it is like being a female lawyer. I did a podcast a couple of years ago called; ‘Women in the Law’ which focused primarily on the statistics in the law of female partners and gender stereotyping. Statistics-wise, women are very under-represented as partners, especially since women now make up the majority of students in law school. I basically discussed how gender can really make a difference as a practicing attorney.

Luckily, I am now practicing at a law firm where gender is not a factor. However, through-out my career I have been forced to deal with gender bias.” It shocked me to hear that even in 2020, female lawyers are often not treated equally in the legal field, It is so

hard to believe that prejudices like this still exist. “A female lawyer often has to work twice as hard and bill more hours to make it as a partner in a law firm. I have been at law firms in the past where gender played a role every day that I went to work, which was so unfortunate. So, I would like to educate women about bias and gender stereotypes that they could face as practicing attorneys.” Leslie admits that she was forced to face this bias when she was defending cases on behalf of her clients. “I was in court on a case as developer’s counsel with twelve other male attorneys. I was the only female attorney. I addressed the Court last. One by one, as the twelve male attorneys addressed the Court, the judge referred to them as ‘counsel.’ When I addressed the Court, the judge said, ‘What can I do for you this afternoon, young lady?’” Leslie admits that it most likely would not have changed her mind

about becoming a lawyer, but she wishes that someone would have provided her with some insight about what to expect. “I think women going into the legal field need to know ahead of time what the challenges could be and what they could face as a female lawyer. When first confronted with gender bias and being stereotyped, it is shocking. We worked so hard to go to law school, pay the same tuition fees and take the same bar exams, and still we are often confronted with disparities because we are female lawyers. Hopefully, this will change in the near future. I think that having a granddaughter in my life has made me even more hopeful that things will change in her lifetime.” One thing that Leslie loves about her profession is how it is always changing. “The law is always changing, which is fascinating to me. I love the law and even though it may not always be fair, I think that we have the best legal system in the world.” I asked Leslie to share some other tips for those entering law school, “I’ve actually mentored a few young women who wanted to study law. I advised them to focus on the results – getting through law school and passing the bar.” You can contact Leslie A. Braun at lbraun@oraclelawyers.com The Oracle Lawyers Office: (760) 452-6750 Mobile: (760) 415-2333 191 Calle Magdalena, Suite 200 Encinitas, CA 92024 For More Information go to: https://www.calbar.ca.gov https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-abraun-84072015 https://www.csusm.edu https://www.continentalwhoswho.com https://www.martindale.com/ https://www.iawomen.com https://www.aiotl.com https://www.aaoaus.com

Women of Distinction

Gratitude By Carol Heath

Photos courtesy of Vivianne Knebel

“I

remember carrying a little metal pail, I think I was about 5 or maybe 6, and I went to this department store that was just rebuilt after being destroyed during the war. I had my pride of course so I told the butcher in the grocery department, I would like some fish and chicken heads for my cat. Then I brought them home to my mother so she could make soup for us.” These are the memories of a very courageous, determined Lady, Vivianne Knebel, that I had the opportunity to interview recently. I have met only one real Lady in my life, and now I think I have met another. It is funny that both these women have over-come some hardships in life to rise above it all and become beautiful, accomplished, classy, Ladies. Yes, I said classy I know it isn‘t politically correct but class is something you are born with, you can‘t learn it, or buy it, you either got it or you don‘t. I can only imagine seeing a scrawny little imp of a child with cropped hair swinging her little pail full of fish and chicken heads, her bounty for the day. This little waif, born in 1943, a product of post-war Nazi Germany, was the second illegitimate child born to a proud, strong woman, but above all a survivor. Marija Pavic was young, beautiful, and full of life a unique quality in wartime Nazi

Germany. In times of war every relationship may be your last, so you give of yourself freely, and Marija wore her heart on her sleeve like so many other young German girls. By 1943, and the birth of her second child, Marija vowed to protect both her daughters from falling bombs, crumbling buildings and hunger - the ever present threat. She struck deals in the black market and sewed brasseries to survive. As the years passed and the war came to an end, life for Marija and her two young daughters did not change that much. The bombs may have stopped, but again they were often cold and hungry. It fell on little Vivianne, barely six years old, to provide scraps from the market, so her mother could make soup for the family. As for keeping the family warm, Vivianne would collect the fish crates to use in the stove to keep them warm. Vivianne was excited to begin school and to excel in her studies, as she was accustomed to pleasing her mother. However, this was not the case, and it was difficult for Vivianne to grasp the information; she just needed more time to assimilate the idea. This was post-war Berlin, there were no excuses made, you learned the information, or you were not promoted, it was that simple. There was no summer school or extra help, so Vivianne was humiliated and doomed to repeat the first grade, and condemned to her mother as dumb. There seemed to be a pattern forming that Vivianne was not accustomed to, and she

felt life changing even at her young age. That little girl with her silver pail, so confident, so proud, began to disappear and being held back to repeat the first grade added to this heavy feeling. Vivianne began to lose her confidence and her self-esteem began to waiver. As the years passed the Pavic family survived, however doing without was a constant reminder of how hard life was with each passing year. When Vivianne was 7 years old, her mother was reunited with an old school friend, who had just spent 5 years in a Siberian prison camp. His return to Berlin was fortunate for Marija and her two daughters as well as for him. He reconnected with a beautiful, warm, loving woman with a passion for life, something he admired. He was a tailor by trade and began making clothes for the family, clothes that fit and kept them warm. One day when the girls returned from school, their mother sat them down to tell them he was going to be their new father. The girls welcomed him, as going to bed with a full stomach and wearing warm clothes was something they became accustomed. Vivianne began to call him Papa almost immediately, while her big sister was a bit more reserved. As Berlin started to rebuild, so did Vivianne‘s hopes of a happy family, the kind of family she read about in school. Her dreams of a happy family began to shatter as her mother and new Papa would have loud verbal fights. Hiding in the next room

with a pillow over her head did not drown out the loud voices full of abusive sounding words. Vivianne watched her mother lose some of her love for life- she begged her mother to leave, a full stomach and warm clothes were not worth her mother‘s unhappiness. Marija told her children it was just too hard to survive, she was tired and didn‘t want them to be hungry or cold anymore. The loud fights continued, sometimes turning into physical altercations, but again her mother would not leave him. When Vivianne turned 13, she began to recognize that people would say her older sister was beautiful with her fully developed body and pleasing personality. However, once again these thoughts did nothing to help her self-esteem; mercifully there was a big change about to happen. One afternoon Marija sat her girls down and told them that she was going to marry the man they called Papa. The girls begged her to reconsider, reminding her of the constant horrible fights. Marija reassured her daughters and told them this would not be a marriage of love but of convenience and survival. The family was to move to Canada and begin a new life, one with no fights-physical or verbal. Once her mother applied for immigration, Vivianne was deemed stateless in her mother‘s passport. She was not only illegitimate, she was also countryless, she didn‘t belong to any country and no country claimed her. This was yet another obstacle for her to overcome. She vowed one day she would belong to a country and they would welcome her. Once in Canada things did not improve, in fact things got worse and the first winter they went hungry. One afternoon Vivianne‘s mother took her by the hand and went to a local Catholic Church where Vivianne explained the family‘s

Women of Distinction plight in her broken English and the priest gave them $35.00. This money bought rice, flour and other staples to hold the family over until Papa could find work. This experience made a deep impression on Vivianne, and she decided to take life in her own hands. At 14, she begged her mother to get a work permit for her so she could go to work and help the family. Vivianne got a dream job for a 14-year-old immigrant, one that would guarantee her future and give her a profession. She was to work for a dentist, and he was going to train her to become a dental assistant. Vivianne looked older than her young 14 years and her natural beauty was beginning to become noticeable. One afternoon when the dentist was out, a friend of the dentist sexually assaulted Vivianne. Her next job was one of service as she began making sandwiches behind the lunch counter at Woolworth‘s, a large drugstore that became famous as they sold a myriad of different things. Vivianne liked this job as she felt appreciated and even noticed with her little name tag. She wanted more out of life, so while working at Woolworth, she enrolled in night school and learned how to be a stenographer and how to type. This proved to be a smart decision as soon after she was able to find a job working with the famed German automaker Volkswagen. She was excited to be a part of a large team of women working together, but soon became very despondent as these women were over twice her age. There was no camaraderie - no life. Every day that passed was becoming more and more oppressive and Vivianne became very depressed and decided all her efforts to improve herself and help her family were in vain. No matter what she did,

Vivianne felt defeated. So, at the tender age of 17, she decided to take her own life. She thought about the different ways to end her life and after considering the possibilities she remembered she heard- once if you were in a garage and closed the door and let a car motor run you would be overcome with carbon monoxide and simply fall into a deep sleep. With the garage door closed and the motor running, Vivianne was about to let her young life leave her body when suddenly she saw a little girl with cropped hair wearing a short dress. The little girl asked Vivianne what she was doing and immediately Vivianne turned off the engine. While getting out of the car and shaking her head clear, Vivianne looked for this little girl but couldn‘t find her. Vivianne’s told me she thought the little girl was about 6, and she thought maybe she came into the garage by a side door. I would like to entertain another idea if I may. As most of you know I am an energy healer among other things. I believe we all have an inner child that will appear when and if we need them to help us with unparallel wisdom. I would like to think this little girl was actually her inner child, telling her she had a whole life to live and a mission to complete. I also believe that part of that mission was writing this book to help others in similar circumstances. With a newfound energy, Vivianne returned to her job and was able to transfer to another job with the same Volkswagen company as the secretary to the manager of the customer service department. One day a handsome, dashing young man walked in and bought a Porsche. He didn‘t have a white steed or shiny armor, but he was Vivianne‘s white knight and her savior.

She was 20 years old, beautiful, full of life, with a twinkle in her eye when fellow German immigrant, Wiland Knebel noticed Vivianne and her life changed forever. When Wiland saw Vivianne he ‘thought she was a stone that looked different from all the others. I had the foresight to polish that stone, and it turned into a diamond.” The soon to be diamond and her knight married in 1965 and immigrated to the United States and found success in Wiland‘s wood exporting business. They raised two children together and settled in the Midwest. Wiland has always encouraged Vivianne to be all she could be, and she learned to pilot a plane, run a marathon and become that shiny diamond. Vivianne declares that one of her biggest accomplishments was when she became an American citizen. “This country has given us so much, and we are forever grateful for that.” Vivianne‘s gratitude extends to her husband of 55 years and to Karsten Joehnk, another German immigrant, who has been a partner since 1974, a visionary, a friend and a family member. She decided to write a book called, From Rubble To Champagne for his 80th birthday. Vivianne was presented with yet another obstacle she would have to overcome. In a routine visit with her doctor, he found a lump in her breast. After a mammogram, she was given her diagnosis of breast cancer. She was shocked and in disbelief, why now when everything she had worked for her whole life was finally achieved. After maybe 15 minutes of self-pity, Vivianne decided she would treat cancer like she has treated every challenge in her life. She faced it with a positive attitude and refused to allow this dreaded disease to invade her life the way it had her body. After surgery,

radiation, and the loving support of Wiland, Vivianne is a cancer survivor. Vivianne‘s decided that it was time to pay tribute to her husband, and to share her story. A story of a brave Lady, who survived bombs, hunger, sexual abuse, and the stigma of being illegitimate, and cancer. The minute she turned off the engine in that garage, she knew she had a mission to complete. Her mission has been fulfilled by sharing her story, so others may know that trials and tribulations can be overcome as long as you keep a positive attitude. Vivianne and Wiland are retired and live in La Jolla, an affluent California community and part of San Diego County. They still enjoy each other’s company. She takes good care of herself and sets a beautiful table with wine glasses ready for her knight to fill. She is also very fashion conscious, takes regular trips to Europe to check out the latest fashion, and is always perfectly coiffed. This, ladies and gents, is my idea of a real Lady! To learn more about Vivianne’s incredible life order her book: From Rubble To Champagne:Rising from the ashes of wartorn Berlin to a life of grace, beauty and gratitude. Available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble

Women of Distinction

Photos courtesy of Dawn Nicoli

awn Nicoli is a woman with a multitude of talents. Dawn is a world class photographer, an exceptional writer, and an incredible human being. She has spent most of her life creating aesthetic beauty and has an innate beauty that radiates from within. Dawn was raised in a wonderful caring family in Westfield, Massachusetts where she attended school and remained until the photography bug took hold and she pursued her passion attending photography school at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. To finish her training, she chose San Diego City College and ended up not wanting to leave our beautiful town. There was one secret that was revealed to her when she was just six years old, and that was that Dawn was adopted. “I can remember my mom sitting me down and telling me in the most beautiful way. She told me that she and my dad couldn't have a baby, but there was a woman, my mother, who had a baby and couldn't take care of her. She said that God put us together, and we magically became a perfect family.” Dawn understood and was blessed with an incredible childhood, but she always wondered who her birth mother was, because she would gaze around at all her friends, and they all looked like little clones of their mothers. She always wondered if she looked like her mom as well. Dawn had shared this with her babysitter who told her that when she got older, she could go to the big Catholic Monastery from where she was adopted, and they would have to tell her who her real mom was. When Dawn turned 18, she set out to do just

Dawn Nicoli By Judith A. Habert

that, but sadly found out that it wasn’t quite that easy. “One of the saddest days was when I found out that it was a sealed adoption meaning that the information was locked and sealed away.” Dawn is not a woman who easily takes no for an answer. She continued searching every way possible to find out the coveted information. In the meantime, Dawn had pursued her photography career. “I knew when I was 16 years old that pho-

She couldn’t go but passed the trip on to me and my best friend. This was a pretty big trip for a 16-year-old to take, from Massachusetts to Acapulco. My girlfriend and I went, and we hired a taxi to take us up into the hills to photograph the Mexican people. We spotted this family of pigs walking across the street and as we followed them with our cameras, they lead us to this little hacienda. A Mexican father was standing over a hearth

tography was what I wanted to do. I took an elective course in dark room photography and learned how to process film. That same year, my mother won a trip to Acapulco.

with a large machete. He was cutting vegetables for the family meal with all his little children in the background, looking at dad preparing the meal. I took that photograph in black

and white. And then I came back to Massachusetts and developed it in the school darkroom, excited to show my friends a scene they could never have imagined. At that moment I knew how powerful photography could be. It became a means of communication, a means of showing somebody something that they couldn't fathom and a way of expressing myself.” Dawn was hooked and knew she had chosen the right profession. During her studies at San Diego City College she was enrolled in a Photography Business class and one day during the class, somebody came in and put a note in front of the teacher's eyes and he read it at the end of the class. It was this note that would start her on her photojournalism career. The note informed the class that channel eight, KFMB, was looking to hire freelance photographers and to call Bob Kari, the art director, at the number provided. Dawn jotted down the number, thinking that everyone in the class would be flooding the director with calls. “I ended up getting selected for it, along with another guy from my class, and come to find out we were the only ones that applied. This was what I guess you would call one of those life lessons. I realized that if you don't reach out and try to make something happen, nothing ever will.” Dawn loved her time there. “I worked for three years creating photographs

for the station’s feature stories in TV guide. I would find the models and locations to depict the theme of the story.” Dawn freelanced for about 10 years just doing all sorts of different jobs while she waitressed to help pay the bills. “I wondered what the heck was ever going to happen to me. Warnings my parents gave me about my career choice kept haunting me, but when you love something so much in the back of your mind, you just know it will work out. I was working for the Sheraton hotel as a concierge and a banquet waitress. Because I loved photography so much, I would wander down to the hotel’s basement as they started transforming it into an exhibit hall. They would roll out this carpet and create exhibit booths for annual corporate conventions. I‘d venture down there on my breaks and I just started photographing the set ups. One day a woman came up to me and asked if I was a professional photographer? Of course, the answer is always YES. She handed me a card that said Greyhound Exhibit Services. The woman explained to me that they set up these big shows all over the country. Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was traveling all around the United States, photographing these exhibits for different associations. Each association would put my forms in their packets so that ev-

Women of Distinction ery exhibitor could get an eight by ten of their booth. It was a fun job.” Dawn did the corporate conventions for seven years and then transitioned into weddings. “I’m a people person and the emotions during a wedding were so much more appealing to me than exhibit booths. While experiencing the extraordinary San Diego venues, photographing weddings, and preserving my client’s memories, I built a very lucrative business. It was at this point that Dawn had met her husband, Bruce, and things were getting serious when they decided to search out their perfect home. They found an amazing property, a two-acre tear down in Escondido, with wonderful possibilities, but a lot of work to make it into the estate it eventually became. Dawn continued with her wedding photography business, but was able to expand and build her own studio, and Nicoli Productions now had its own home. This allowed Dawn to focus more on her true love, portrait photography. “My husband was a landscape contractor and together we created these little sets around the property. We began adopting all kinds of farm animals to share this new land with us. I started photographing children and engagement couple’s portraits and my family portrait business grew.” Although Dawn was busy with her business and renovations on their new home, the need to find out about her birth mom was constantly gnawing at her. She knew there would be no calm until she found out the truth. She decided it was time to take the next step, and so she hired a private detective to see if he could track down the woman who gave her life.

“Finally, after so many years and so much searching, I found her. I wrote her a letter and waited patiently for a response. I can still remember my hands shaking as I opened her first letter back to me.” As it turns out Dawn’s mom was from Ireland and although she had been in the states when she had Dawn, she was now back in her native land. “I booked the first flight I could and journeyed on the trip that would put an end to all my unanswered questions. I not only met my mom on this trip, but also my 87-year-old grandmother and all four male cousins who treated me as their sister. I had a great big Irish family that I never knew about.” Dawn had several more trips to Ireland to get to know her new family, and her Mother came to the states as well. “It was so great looking at my mom and seeing the characteristics that I had inherited. When I first met her, she was even wearing a blouse in my favorite color, which it turns out was her favorite color too. I finally felt like I knew where I was from and learned of so many similarities with my mom. A void had been fulfilled.” Dawn, who has always loved to write and is an excellent writer, decided, during the shutdown of Covid to finish the book she started twenty years ago. “My book entitled ‘The Search,’ not only tells my story, but examines who we become by comparing both biological characteristics and the effects of the environment in which we are raised.” This is a book that you will not be able to put down. I had the honor of being given a copy to read, and the story is just so endearing, so compelling, and one of the few books

that I have read in a long time that I did not want to put down. Dawn takes you through the parallel lives of three women, and their stories are told in such a sincere and heartwarming way that you don’t want the story to end, because these women become friends and an integral part of your life. Everyone needs to read ‘The Search.’ It will change you.

Over the years Dawn’s property in Escondido has metamorphosed into a magical space with an energy that is felt the moment you set foot on her grounds. Dawn and her

husband parted ways after a twenty-year marriage, but Dawn has continued to add her personal touches to this beautiful and unique property. With the addition of the Airbnb flat, and all the beautiful landscape improvements, her property has become an idyllic wedding venue and more recently has been transformed into a healing retreat. Reiki masters, Pilates instructors, yoga instructors, and massage therapists are available

for all guests. This serenity “Not wanting to let transports you into anoth- the essence of the tree go, er world, one of relaxation I felt there was a way of and renewal. reinventing it, kind of like I had done with myself. Within a year a treehouse was built, over the top of its trunk and now the familiar owls still come back to nest in it.” As an added bit of information, Dawn Nicoli has also been our Staff photogThere are so many nooks and crannies on the two acre grounds, including a hammock garden, infrared sauna and the turtle ponds; you’ll not run out of places to explore. The property has also been used to film movie scenes, produce several commercials, and numerous fashion shoots. “The grounds had an amazing Torrey pine tree which was the heart of this property when we bought it, and so instead of uprooting it we built the deck around it. It has continued to grow and at one point

we talked about taking it down and I couldn’t bear the thought, plus it provided an incredible amount of shade during the hot summer months. There came a point though when it had out grown its space, so much that the branches were over the entire house and they were falling, and the tree’s roots were coming up in the driveway. It was clearly a remarkable tree. It was tough but I had to make the decision to cut it down.

rapher at San Diego Woman Magazine for over 8 years, and has been the one responsible for the most beautiful covers and interior shots which have graced our publication. We are so thankful to have someone of her talents and grace working with us. There is not one of our women who has not come back to us raving about their experience with Dawn. She has been a Godsend and the consummate professional. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy her book ‘The Search’ and if you are looking for a fabulous location to host an event or just spend some tranquil time visit https://acountryoasis.com/ To View Dawn’s breathtaking photography, visit her website at https://www. nicoliproductions.com

Women of Distinction

United We Cook By Carol Heath

So, you cleaned out your kitchen, rearranged your closet, and even started reading that best seller, kudos for you. How about this – you spend countless hours researching and then emailing 100’s of restaurants. Then answers to your emails begin to trickle in and before you know it you are spending hours and hours on the phone. These phone calls begin to produce mountains of paper with thousands of words. This is how Nadia Mashar spent the latest lock down due to that thing we now call Covid-19. Well buckle up, because it looks like we are about to go around for a second lock down, which means no candlelight dinners, unless they happen in your dining room. Nadia is “a gal that is single and loves to eat,” (her words) when I asked her to describe herself. She was doing her part to keep her favorite restaurants, ordering take-out, when she decided she could do more, much more. Being a type A personality, she decided to see what would happen if she got say, 200 random recipes together in a small

cookbook. Then she could compile these recipes, put them together in a file you could download, charge for this little cookbook, and send the proceeds to the participating restaurants. Sometimes good small ideas explode into fantastic big ideas. Nadia’s idea grew into a cookbook with recipes from some 100 independent restaurants including 37 US cities, representing 24 states. This is not your typical cookbook as it features 23 different cuisines along with a sprinkle of some remarkably interesting cocktail recipes. Fine dining, as well as some mom and pop special little gems are included in this labor of love. Some of these recipes are from award winning chefs, who graciously shared their culinary delights. This unique downloadable Pdf, full of recipes from New York to San Francisco, San Diego to Atlanta, and some in between will never appear together again. As I was rolling through the book with my mouse, I stopped at Lazy Betty from Atlanta who offered Grilled Spanish Octopus, Bartlett Pears, Fermented Black Bean Vierge, as their entry. Rolling on, my absolute favorite recipe was on page 20, is the entry from Intero Restaurant in Austin, Texas. Are you ready? It’s a recipe for Ricotta, being Italian I was jazzed, but surprised

that it came from Texas, San Francisco or New York I wouldn’t give it a second thought but Texas! Rolling on we have Gadabout’s Pumpkin Hummus from Chicago, also from Chicago, there is Mott Street Korean Chili-Kansas City style Dry Rub Tri-tip with Chinese Hot Mustard & White Nectarine Dip, from Mott’s. And let’s wash all these delicacies down with some Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch from New Orleans. When I had the opportunity to speak with Nadia, she was very gracious about sharing the ingredients, whipping and blending them together, to ultimately produce this one of a kind book. Nadia seemed to be completely oblivious that she accomplished something amazing; it was like all in a day’s work. And speaking of work, Nadia has led a successful Finance and Investment firm for some 13 years. She is the founder & Managing Partner of Ouro Partners, whose services include but are not limited to helping investors buy and sell middle market companies in various sectors. She told me she loves helping people and this is her real passion; I’d add successful publishers to her accomplishments. This labor of love, entitled United We Cook, was conceived, and totally achieved by Nadia Mashar. The whole process was a one woman show from

sending out the emails, talking to the chefs, getting the recipes, putting them in a Pdf file, opening the bank accounts for the proceeds, doing the bookkeeping, sending out the checks, and now she is marketing her baby. Ahh, did I forget to tell you that the $28.00 price goes in a bank account and is divided between all the participating restaurants and food banks, and yes Nadia does it all. I take my hat off to you my new friend and Bon Appetit! I love the way Nadia formatted the book, first she quoted a notable figure. Then separated by cities and states, each restaurant has a small write up that they offered, along with a good-sized color photo, and of course the recipes. And finally the icing on the cake, every once in a while Nadia gives us what she calls FFF, which are little facts about food, i.e. loud music makes you eat more and faster; Honey is the only food that will never rot. It can last 3000 years. Wow! I told you it wasn’t your average cookbook and I hope you will buy it, try the recipes, and enjoy them knowing that your purchase will help those restaurants that are closed down because of the damn virus. You can download the book, in Pdf form, at: www.unitedwecook.org for $28.00.

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n August 12, 2017, our cruise ship pulled into port at Juneau, Alaska. The air was cold and crisp. Both my husband and I were excited and a little scared about our next adventure. We were going to tour in a helicopter, then land on the Mendenhall Glacier and walk on ice. To tell you the truth, I had never written “walking on a glacier” as one of my bucket-list-must-do-items, but once I got into the thrill of the activity, I was ready to try this new challenge. We were driven to the Juneau airport. One amazing fact that I didn’t know about Juneau is that it is landlocked. There are no roads leading into or out of Juneau. The only way to get in and out is by boat or air. The large glaciers and the mountainous forests keep the city landlocked and unable to expand. We were given a pair of snow boots, ski pants, a ski jacket, and helmet to wear. We were handed a pair of ice axes, a small backpack for our equipment, and a trekking pole; a fancy word for a walking stick with a metal point that pokes the ice to determine depth. They escorted us to the helicopter. I was seated by weight in the front seat of the helicopter. I love helicopter flights. I’ve hovered over spewing volcanic lava, rugged porous sandstone coastlines, and on this flight, we glided over the most magnificent glacier in Alaska. The view was splendid, filled with mountains of massive snow drifts, remarkable ice sculptures changing with each turn of the blades. I was awestruck looking into the deep blue water that flowed beneath the virtual winter wonderland below. I was overwhelmed

Photos courtesy of Dr. Deena Stacer

WALKING on

a GLACIER By Dr. Deena Stacer

by the majesty and power of this glacier. Everywhere I looked it was a breathtaking view with swirls of snow and ice blocks that kept changing shapes as we flew by. As the helicopter landed on the ice, anxiety grabbed my heart. We disembarked and cautiously shuffled our feet across the crunchy slippery ice to the guide’s orange tent staked in the ice to keep it from blowing away. The ice was filled with a kaleidoscope of all shapes and sizes. It was also scary as we shuffled one

foot at a time, holding hands, slowing making our way toward the tent 25 feet away. At the tent we were given Crampons to fit onto our boots. They reminded me of the vintage metal adjustable skates I skated on during my childhood. Once we put on the crampons, three metal prongs extended forward and angled down from the toe of our boots. They were our brakes and the ice cutters for our feet. They would secure our footing in the slippery and hard-to-get-traction ice.

The guides taught us a few strategies for glacier walking, and off we marched behind our guides to explore this magical world. We were just learning how to coordinate all of our equipment, crampons and trekking poles, when my husband commented, “You know that blue color underneath the ice is deep rushing water? If the ice breaks it will sweep us away?” “Thanks, honey!” I muttered… I really didn’t want to think about being sucked into a swirling, bottomless blue lake with freezing temperatures.… I suggested we focus on walking in the same footprints as our guides. They seemed to know which sections of the ice were safe to hike on. We spent an hour learning to use our tools while we diligently stayed together exploring the changing textures of the glacier. We traipsed through mushy, crunchy, slick, and smooth ice. We saw changes in the depth of the blue water under the ice. We walked on white powdery snow. The guides told us that we were going to climb up an ice wall. I thought they were talking about us climbing an ice wall like one of those rock climbing walls in a gym. We practiced walking up and down the hills using our trekking pole and crampons. I needed a little extra help from our guides to walk sideways up the hills so I would be prepared to climb this mysterious ice wall. One of the men in our group was a daredevil. He was having a great time jumping from extra high mounds of snow and wandering off to find the newest ramp he could conquer. He reminded me of a little boy in

T R A V E L a classroom who was always being asked by the teacher to stop being so adventurous and come back to his seat. The guide politely requested he stay with the group and stop exploring on his own. I laughed at the scenario. I liked this guy. Watching him was intriguing because he

This was truly a once-in-alifetime-event. I thought that the biggest risk wasn’t jumping off a snowdrift. It was getting too close to the edge of one of several gargantuan crevasses flowing with tons of icy cold rushing blue water, which disappeared into the center of the ice. One false

wasn’t afraid of the ice, he was totally engrossed in the experience. Trekking all over the ice was an amazing adventure. It didn’t feel that cold, partially because of our clothing, and partially because I was feeling an incredible exhilaration inside, trying to capture every moment with all my senses.

step on the ice and it would be goodbye forever. I stayed 8 feet from these edges. We were told that the glacier is melting every day, and, in a few years, there would be no ice trekking or climbing mammoth glaciers in Alaska. I wasn’t sure if this was just a promotion by the tour company or if it was a fact. I

just knew that I felt so alive at the moment, and either way, I wanted to make the most of this delightful moment. We were given more time to practice using our ice axes and crampons, walking through frozen water above the surface and exploring the length of the sections we could walk on. It was finally time to climb the mysterious vertical ice wall and our guided pointed out the wall. It stunned me. It was over 30 feet high! They told us that we were going to climb to the top of the rim. For a moment I questioned whether I could do it. I looked at the daredevil and suggested he be the first one to try, since he was not afraid of jumping from snow mounds several feet tall. I wanted to see how scary it was for him to climb this giant wall of frozen water. He gladly stepped forward. The guides attached a rope around his waist, while the other end was secured over the top of the ice wall. Then the guide took that end to create a pulley system. I watched the daredevil scramble up the ice wall without straining. He made it look so easy. He gave me confidence that I could do it too. My husband was ready to climb next, but his boots needed tightening around his ankles. When he bent down to tighten his laces, I immediately volunteered to go. I was excited and curious. I wandered if I could get to the top of the ice as easily as the daredevil? I donned the rope. I started climbing the ice. I raised my right foot about 12 inches off the ground and swung my boot with crampons straight into the ice; I succeeded. I had made my first rung of the ladder in

the ice. Now stretching my right arm above my head and to the right, I swung my ice axe and slammed it into the ice. I hit the ice and the axe’s blade sunk into the ice. I smiled. This was cool. I pulled my left foot up to a higher position than my right foot and kicked my boot hard into the icy wall. My crampon grabbed the ice, and I was off the ground. I then swung my left arm above my head with my pickaxe and it grabbed a spot in the ice. I had succeeded at getting all four limbs into position to climb to the top. Then I started again with my right foot, slamming my crampon into the ice a few feet above my last position, then my right arm getting my blade into the ice a little higher than my last, and each move I made created a rhythm, right foot, right arm, left foot, left arm, axe in ice, crampon in ice. I was moving up the ice easily and steadily. Sometimes, I had to kick my foot into the ice a couple of times to get my crampon to grab that strong toehold. Sometimes I had to swing my pick a few times to get the blade to sink into the ice. I was having fun. It was exhilarating! I was surprised that I was climbing the ice so easily with just an hour of training. I worked my way up the ice to about 15 feet from the top with this consistent pattern of movement. My husband’s boots were now tightened, and he looked around for me. He suddenly realized that I was half-way up the ice wall, and he hadn’t even seen me do it. He grabbed his phone, taking video of my climb. He was shouting to me, “Wow, Deena!” “Look at her go!” “That’s my wife!” I was chuckling at him since I was having such a

T R A V E L great time. He wanted everyone else to see me. About this time the ice suddenly changed. It became slippery, looking like an ice cube that melted, then froze again. The ice was shinny and slick. I had to swing with more force to get the blade of my axe to dent and grab the ice. I was now moving at a snail’s pace. Each move up the wall took more energy, more effort, and more concentration. I had to kick my boot into the ice several times to get my crampons to catch hold. My arms were a little shaky because of the extra force I was exerting. My limbs began to feel heavier to lift. Each step up took more swings, more kicks, and more effort. I knew that the rope was around my waist and I wasn’t worried about falling, but I was using more and more physical effort. Even though it was harder to climb, I was falling in love with this journey up the ice wall. As I worked my way up, my mind exploded with possibilities of all the opportunities I could still do in my life. I was thinking about other experiences in my life that I had not yet tried. I didn’t even know whether they existed. I had never considered all life’s magnificent experiences I could conquer. What about experiences that I had decided were too hard for me to do? I could go for those too! During the hardest moments on the ice, I was filled with deeper confidence and wild enthusiasm! I realized that I had not been thinking big enough, deep enough, or wide enough about my life! It wasn’t just the physical challenges I was thinking about. If I could climb a 30-foot ice wall, I could certainly create a nobler, worthier, and more

exhilarating life, even if it took more concentration, preparation and working harder than I had ever worked before. I was finally 12 inches from the top of the rim and my husband shouted to me, “Deena, what do you have to say for yourself ?” I turned to him, hanging by one axe blade and one crampon in the ice and the rope, and I sang a few bars of the Sound of Music song, “The hills are alive with the sound of music!” Jeff was ecstatic! I had climbed a 30-foot ice wall on the Mendenhall Glacier, something I’d never even dreamed about before that day. As I backed my way down the ice, using the rope as a pulley, I knew that this was one of the best moments in my life. It was different

than bringing a child into the world. In a few moments of life on the ice, I had become a better person. I had done something very few people in the world will ever do. And I felt such wonder and joy inside. It was pure bliss! The glacier had been awe-inspiring and intimidating. It could have been dangerous if I had been careless or untrained. Instead, I felt privileged, special, and powerful. I had proven to myself I could face a giant and steadily reach the top of a slippery-icy 30-foot glacial wall all by myself ! When I hit the ground, all I wanted to do was to climb that wall again. The guide told me we had run out of time and we needed to head back to the helicopter. I was disappointed because I wanted to take advantage

of these moments on the glacier. I wanted to lock in this memorable experience forever in my mind! Everyone on Facebook saw the video of me singing at the top of the ice wall. They told me how brave I was; how they could never do that. But I realized that I wasn’t as courageous as they believed, instead I had just practiced taking one baby step at a time until I was at the top of 30-foot icy giant. I believe bravery is a matter of perception and experience. I didn’t feel as brave as my friends believed I was; however, I was the one who had walked on a glacier and lived to share it! I decided that my next adventure was going to be walking on fire. How many people can say, “I’ve walked on fire and ice!!”

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A Visit to the Vatican Museums and Colosseum in Rome By Diana Vahedi

magine walking among ruins and monuments that are thousands of years old. Imagine traveling to a city that is as much a museum as it is a world-famous metropolis. Rome, the Eternal City, is just

that place. With its Egyptian obelisks brought back from ancient conquests, to the serene, hallowed beauty of Vatican City, Rome, Italy has something to offer everyone. Where else can you walk in Julius Caesar’s footsteps, be mesmerized by the glorious artwork of Michelangelo, Titian and Rafael, pretend to be a gladiator preparing to fight in the Coliseum, and dine on sumptuous, authentic Italian cuisine? My husband, daughters, and I arrived in Rome in the middle of Europe’s biggest heatwave in July of 2019, but that did not dampen our spirits. Rome is better to view while walking because many of the famous sites are within

Photos courtesy of Diana Vahedi walking distance from each other. Therefore, wearing comfortable shoes is important. Although Rome is home to numerous tourist attractions and a bevy of history, its streets were filled with cigarette butts and trash. But the ethos of historical facts and Roman architecture quickly detract from that detail. There are so many things to see in Rome, but the two places that stood out the most to me were the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. They were both interesting as well as teen and tween friendly. We began our tour by visiting the Vatican Museums, since it was simply too hot and too crowded to visit St. Peter’s square. Tickets are easy to purchase on site and cost about 17 Euro for adults and 8 Euros for children between 6 and 18. Children under six are free. You can also purchase an audio tour for an additional 7 Euro. Most people visit the museum to see the famous Sistine Chapel, but the architects of the museum were clever to put that at the very end of the tour so visitors must walk through a plethora of different rooms before reaching Michelangelo’s masterpiece. The museum dates back to the 16th centu-

ry and houses an enormous collection of Renaissance art and sculpture amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries. As you wander through the 53 rooms and galleries, your eyes are drawn to such memorable works as Leonardo da Vinci’s St. Jerome in the Wilderness, Raphael’s Transfiguration, Caravaggio’s Entombment along with numerous jewel encrusted reliquaries, crosses, and Roman sculpture. I majored in Art History in college and had only seen these paintings in textbooks. To see them in person was truly amazing. The highlight of the tour is, of course, The Sistine Chapel, perhaps considered the crown jewel of the museum. What struck me was how small and dark the chapel is. While one revels at the illustrious artwork on its ceilings, the sanctity and joy is somewhat dampened by the guards’ constant shushing and loud reminders that photos are not allowed. However, when you look up at the ceiling, you cannot resist becoming entranced with Michelangelo’s deftly painted elongated figures depicting the Book of Genesis in the Bible. The most famous panel is the “Creation of Adam” where you can almost feel the energy

flowing between God’s and Adam’s finger. Despite the noise and the constant warnings, that invisible spark between Adam and God makes this museum worth the trip. Our next stop was the Colosseum. As you approach what remains of one of Rome’s most famous sites, it is hard to believe that it is 2000 years old and was once covered in white marble. It is strongly encouraged to buy tickets ahead of your visit on any of the online sites in order to avoid the long lines. Even if you buy tickets beforehand, it is impossible to avoid the long lines. Tickets are priced at 24 Euros for adults. Teenagers and children under 18 are free. If you ask the tour coordinators for help getting in with the preferred line, they pretend that preferred entrance does not exist, and you end up in line with the other hundreds of hot, dehydrated visitors.

T R A V E L While waiting in line, however, you get an excellent view of the architecture including the thousands of holes from the iron clamps that used to hold the stones together. The iron clamps are long gone, but the holes are a testament to the Roman’s superior building skills. Once inside, there are numerous plaques that explain the history of the Colosseum as well as models that give you a better idea of what it looked like during its glory days. There are some artifacts exhibited as well as Latin inscriptions. The highlight of the visit is when you enter the arena where mighty Gladiators fought to the death and Christians were slaughtered. It is hard to believe that the Colosseum could once seat 50,000 to 80,000 people and supposedly had a retractable roof. In fact, the arena was often filled with water for reenactments of certain sea battles. So much of the interior has been preserved that you can almost hear the roar of the ancient crowds as Caesar held a warrior’s life literally in his hands as decided whether or not to hold his thumb up or down. The construction and architecture are so interesting that you can get lost in looking at all the fine details of how this site was constructed. Below the subfloor, one can catch a glimpse of the secret passageways that were used to lead animals and gladiators into the arena. What looks like a large stone structure from the outside holds an enormous wealth of history and memorabilia of the glory days of Rome inside. Despite the long lines, the Vatican Museums and Colosseum are definitely two must sees in Rome. These structures have been there for centuries and will continue to delight future tourists. Thus, this is why Rome is and always will be the Eternal City.

Blue Lantern Hotel AN AFORDABLE LUXURY BEACH HOTEL

By Deanna Bates

Photos courtesy of Deanna Bates

fter months of covid induced hibernation and numerous trip cancellations, my husband and I were desperate to experience a safe weekend away from home for our wedding anniversary. We immediately thought of the Blue Lantern hotel in Dana Point, California. A Four Sisters hotel, this Inn is part of a small grouping of hotels along the California Coast, (as well as Hawaii and Mexico). Less than two hours away from San Diego, this Inn blends modern luxuries and the services of a small, boutique hotel with the traditional amenities of a Bed and Breakfast. Tucked into a small culde-sac on a side street in Dana Point, it oﬀers stunning harbor views and a casually elegant atmosphere for its guests. From the moment you enter the lobby with the gas fireplace flickering, you feel the stress of the outside world melt away. The beautiful guest rooms feature luxurious mattresses you can sink into, cozy reading chairs and gas fireplaces. The large spa like bathrooms have jetted tubs where you can soak away the outside world. Be sure and request a balcony room so you can relax and gaze at the harbor dotted with sailboats against the horizon. Guests are treated to a delicious breakfast delivered to their room and an afternoon wine and cheese box that can be savored in your room or taken out to enjoy in the Dana Point area beach or park areas. For those that want to venture away from this little

slice of heaven, the nearby harbor shops and restaurants offer a great destination for an afternoon of wandering or an evening meal. The front office staff has menus available and recommendations for anything you want to do in the area during your stay. If you choose, as we did, to enjoy this romantic destination by staying mostly at the hotel, the other amenities available include onsite spa treatments, a fitness center, and bicycles for exploring the beautiful coastline. Blue Lantern Inn was featured on The Today Show as one of the most affordable beach resorts. If you can get away during the week you will get the best prices, but be sure and ask for any special rates or packages that are being offered on your dates. Blue Lantern Inn turned out to be the perfect getaway for us. We were impressed by the safety and sanitation procedures that were in place to both protect and to provide a luxurious experience for their

guests. This romantic southern California destination is a perfect antidote for pandemic fatigue. Book your stay with the friendly and knowledgeable staﬀ, and be prepared for the relaxation to commence!

BLUE LANTERN INN 34343 Street of the Blue Lantern Dana Point, California 949-661-1304, bluelanterninn@foursisters.com

Great Nearby Getaways One of the great advantages of living in San Diego is the ability to get away to the mountains or the desert in a mere two hours. If you want a desert retreat check out 2 Bunch Palms https://twobunchpalms.com/ For the Idyllwild area, check out Idyllwild Inn-in the heart of downtown Idyllwild where you have a choice of rooms or cabins https://idyllwildinn.com/ or the Creekstone Inn with charming private rooms in a hotel setting with great communal areas to gather by the fireplace. http://www.creekstoneinn.com/

Your Best Life By Diana Vahedi

t seems like everyone today is a guru when it comes to leading a happy and healthy life. They know what to do to help you find that one and only soul mate you’ve been searching for your entire life, to landing that dream job!!! They know what to do to help you have the most mind blowing sex and they can even advise you on what to do to make everyone love you. You wanna be happy, do these five things every day when you wake up? You wanna be successful? Stop making to do lists and think positive thoughts. They can even tell you the best ways to get rid of stretch marks, age spots, baby pooch, wrinkles, fine lines, varicose veins, skin tags, bloated belly, and flabby thighs. Heck, there’s a guru for everything. Pop a pill, say a prayer, join hands and sing kumbaya. Just follow these steps to live your best life. Can I get an amen. Sorry, I got a little carried away there. But, what does that really mean? What is your best life? The media plies us with all these professionals, life coaches, and let’s not forget, Dr. Oz dictating what needs to be done in order to be, well, perfect and happy. It’s as though all of our problems would magically disappear if we whitened

our teeth more often and repeated the phrase, “I am good enough” in the mirror as soon as we woke up in the morning. There’s lollipops with laxatives in them that will help you lose weight, gummy bears that promote hair growth, fit teas to make us fit, but actually destroy our intestines and let’s not forget my all-time favorite, the skechers sneakers that firm and tone your butt while you walk. Just lace up and firm up and you’ll be bootylicious in no time. Remember that saying, if it’s too good to be true……….? The media has always bombarded us with these kinds of messages since the advent of radio back in the day. Heck, soap operas were mini skits to get you to buy soap and now Luke and Laura’s wedding on General Hospital is the most popular in soap opera history. And, there’s a line of Dove body wash to keep your skin, silky smooth for your man!!! They mold our minds as a sculptor molds and plies his clay into a desired shape. This is what you need to buy, to do, to wear, to say to have your best life. Just do it! Ooops, I just stole Nike’s slogan. As I have spent the last three months in quarantine lying on the couch binge

watching Netflix, while wearing the same comfortable, black yoga pants almost every day, showering and washing my hair a lot less often and not even wearing lipstick (I never leave the house without lipstick!) I’ve had an epiphany. I’ve actually had many epiphanies, but the most important one is no amount of pills, fit teas, hair loss gummy bears, or self-help books are going to create your best life. That comes from what you have on the inside. It comes from inner strength, self-confidence and above all else, resilience. those are your magic elixirs. That comes from realizing that life is going to throw you curve balls from time to time and you need to keep swinging. Life is going to throw you down to the ground and try to beat the shit out of you, but you still get up and keep moving forward. As Rocky would say, “That’s how winning is done!” Once you hit rock bottom, use that as your foundation to build yourself up. Your best life is not out there in the pages of Cosmo magazine or on Dr. Phil’s stage, it’s inside of you, within your reach. Be brave, be bold, be daring, be best. But don’t be afraid to create your version of your best life. Now I have to go and make some fit tea for a friend of course.

CBD Roundup It has become increasingly difficult these days to find a health or beauty product that does not have CBD as a primary ingredient. At first, the use of CBD was strictly for those who were looking for alternative medicine and beauty, but today, what was previously touted by a few has now become the norm. At San Diego Woman we found that many of the products that we were testing turned out to include CBD so we wanted to investigate more into this widespread popularity and find out if all CBD was created equally. The current statistics are astounding, but there are also many misconceptions around CBD so we thought we would share what we have learned along the way. There is no doubt that when some people hear the term CBD

they immediately think of marijuana, however they are not one and the same. CBD is largely a hemp derivative, which is a close relative to marijuana, but it is not the same plant. Both hemp and marijuana fall into the cannabis genus. Cannabis plants contain two naturally-occurring compounds: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC are both cannabinoids but have different effects on the body. Most prominently, THC has psychoactive effects and CBD does not, which is why CBD doesn’t make you feel high. Here are the statistics, 33% of American adults have used CBD once or more. (SingleCare, 2020) and an estimated 64 million Americans have tried CBD in the last 24 months. (Consumer Reports, 2019) Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in all 50

states, as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC. (Food and Drug Administration, 2020.) California comes in second as the state with the most CBD sales ($730 million) only beat out by Colorado. The most common use for CBD is pain relief, followed by anxiety and then insomnia coming in third. So, what makes one CBD product better than the next. We have found through previous research, and some amazing women who are experts in the field, that there are some factors to look for when selecting a CBD product. Since there is currently no FDA regulation over CBD there are still a few things we as consumers can do to make sure we are getting the best product out there and that it contains the safest most effective CBD in both quality and quantity advertised. If a company has

a certified third party analyze their product and produce a Certificate of Analysis (COA) then we are not forced to just believe the advertisement for the products, there is proof that what they say is true. The safest and most accurately advertised CBD brands are those who utilize hemp plants which are grown in the USA. Hemp is a bio-aggregator, which means it extracts whatever is in the soil where it is grown. If the soil is polluted with heavy metals, etc., those compounds will actually show up in the plant and ultimately in the CBD product. Knowing these two key factors we have had the opportunity to test a number of CBD products which do in fact follow these two measure. Below is a listing of some of the great CBD products that we have tested and wanted to share them with our readers.

AmourCBD™ AmourCBD™ products use only the finest, U.S.-grown hemp and the highest grade, broad spectrum CBD oil available on the market today. All AmourCBD™ products have Zero-THC and they back this claim up with regular, independent third-party laboratory tests. We tried their Advanced Pain Relieving Cream and found it to be an amazing product for quick pain relief. This cream is FDA registered as an OTC product, a step few CBD companies take the time or spend the money do. It contains the most effective, proven pain reliever commercially available today, lidocaine, and is odor free. This means you can apply it anytime, anyplace! In addition, they have a full line of CBD products including gummies, soft gels, and tinctures. Visit their site today at https://amourcbd.com/

Batch There are CBD products popping up everywhere, but the ones we have highlighted are those that go the extra mile to be certain they will deliver as promised. Batch made the grade with their products which are lab tested by an independent third party lab. This is a key element since CBD is widely unregulated. Their tinctures are full spectrum which mean they include a small amount of THC, less than 3% which is a non intoxicating amount, but along with the CBD provides all the goodness of the hemp plant. The hemp is locally grown in Wisconsin with the help of local farmers who provide the safety associated with US grown hemp plants. One of the things we also liked about this product is that their packaging is sustainable since it is also made from hemp. Their website is full of products to meet every need. Check out their tinctures appropriately named for the desired results: Soothe, Clarity, Dream, Calm or Original. As well as lotions and balms. Check their website at https://wisconsinhempscientific.com/

Brooklyn Hempology Among our list of favorite CBD companies is a relatively new one, Brooklyn Hempology. The company was founded in 2019 by Dr. Noah Wills and Carla Lewis, created with a focused purpose to provide pure THC-Free CBD to Dr. Wills’ patients and all people seeking holistic health and wellness.

Brooklyn Hempology carries a full line of THC Free CBD. The commitment made by these two partners was that all CBD products sold would maintain scientific, third party testing. To learn more about Brooklyn Hempology and their full line of products available, which even includes pet products, visit their site at https://www.brooklynhempology.com/

CBD Living California-based CBD brand CBD Living has just released a new addition to the popular CBD Living Travel line - new 1oz travel-size CBD Living Hand Sanitizer. With the threat of Covid, we are always on the lookout for was to stay safe. CBD Living Hand Sanitizer combines 50mg of 100% organic US-grown hemp with 62% ethyl alcohol to sterilize hands. It also includes Vitamin E and Aloe to deliver moisture and keep skin smooth. CBD Living’s proprietary Skin Retention Technology also allows the CBD particles to better absorb through the skin, leading to faster - and longer - relief. To order yours go to https://cbdliving.com/

Elite Phyto With the shift in Western culture and its views towards the use of natural holistic solutions, we are seeing a plethora of scientific evidence showing us that many common ailments such as inflammation, upset stomach, cough and congestion, migraines, and more, can often be managed just as effectively using natural holistic solutions. Elite Phyto has made it their mission to create a tincture for just about everything that ails you, including hangovers. They also have a line of luxurious CBD Creams. Made with love right here in San Diego. They have a retail shop in North Park. They have curbside pickup, delivery, and shipping. They are located at 2878 El Cajon Blvd, Unit 101 San Diego, CA 92104 or you can visit them online at https://www.elitephyto.com/

Just CBD JustCBD was founded on the basis that Cannabidiol is Mother Nature’s secret miracle. At JustCBD, they believe that you have the right to know what is inside your CBD products. They have one of the most complete lines of CBD products that we have found. They offer bath balms, soaps, pet products, and even sugar free and vegan CBD gummies. You will even find a recipe on their site to make a CBD protein smoothie. Take some time on their website to not only shop, but become educated on their vast line of products at https://justcbdstore.com/

KindUrth™ The name says it all. The product line is focused on providing the community with wellness products that are derived from nature, completely safe and of the highest quality available. KindUrth has a full line of products for all your wellness needs. This is a CBD line that cares about its customers. Their CBD Cream is nano-amplified for maximum absorption and is optimal for those in need of fast muscle and joint relief. This THC free product earned its name, and I would highly recommend it for those who want a natural solution to whatever is ailing them. For more information or to order products go to: https://kindurth.com/r/sdwomanmagazine/

MAD RITUAL™ This is one of the most fun CBD products we have come across. They refer to their products as TLC in a tin, R&R in a tub. Their CBD Balms come in a variety of scents or unscented if you prefer. We liked that they were packaged in a way that allowed you to drop them in your purse and have them at hand whenever needed. They have just introduced their newest product their CBD Bath Bombs. For a relaxing interlude go on their site and check out their products at https://madritual.com/

Mana Artisan Botanics™ Mana Artisan Botanics™ is Hawaii's premier wellness-driven hemp company. They offer artisanal, wholeplant hemp extracts infused with Hawaiian botanicals—nature’s mana. Always isolate-free. Always pure. Their product line contains some unique products that other CBD companies do not. Located in Hawaii, they have included some of the many treasures of the island in their CBD products. Their chocolate line is made of their decadent dark chocolate squares infused with 40mg of cannabinoids, Hawaiian sea salt & Hawaiian Macadamia Nuts. They also have Hawaiian Hemp Honey which is made with a blend of raw organic Lehua and Wilelaiki honey that is small batch infused with phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract. If you are looking for a delicious twist on the traditional CBD offerings check out their full line of topicals, drops, honey, chocolates and pet products. Visit them at https://manabotanics.com/

Prima Prima has a line of Wellbeing essentials with broad spectrum hemp CBD and functionally innovative botanicals. They provide the highest standards of purity potency and transparency. Their beauty products are designed to make you look and feel better. Their top products are there to help you glow. Their product line includes Night Magic, an intensive facial oil which helps with hydration and radiance. Besides the CBD, it also has a targeted combination of potent botanical oils, vitamins E & K, phytosterols, natural fatty acids, polysterols and cannabinoids to give your skin back that beautiful glow. The Afterglow, restores skin with an age defying combination of ayurvedic adaptogen complex and broad-spectrum hemp extract. Their Enlightenment Serum, is a serum with CBD and niacinamide to give you hydrated radiant skin. If you not only want to feel better, but look better too, visit their site and check out their full line of wellness products at https://www.prima.co/

Pure Bloom CBD Pure Bloom offers a beauty line that includes their Glow Getter Beauty Serum, Glow Getter Night Cream and Glow Getter Beauty Bites. The Glow Getter Collection combines the power of nanotechnology optimized CBD-phytocannabinoid extracts with 30 skin-beautifying, potent botanicals to transform skin from within and restore its natural radiant glow. They also have a muscle relief cream which is great for athletes and anyone suffering from pain ranging from arthritis to achy muscles and a hand sanitizer to help keep you safe. The “beauty bites” are unlike anything you have seen, combining collagen and CBD. Pure Bloom bridges the gap between the wellness and beauty industries. This female-founded company is changing the way consumers approach self-care. Visit them at https://getpurebloom.com/

Trilogía Trilogía, provides a little bit different use of CBD. They have come out with an immunity bundle which includes a liposomal vitamin C supplement to protect your immune system, and a hand cleanse infused with botanicals. A portion of proceeds from their daily immunity will go directly to their Masks for Good campaign to help provide medical communities with critical PPE. These products use terpenes, which are compounds that give plants their smell and flavor, and the cannabis plant is full of them. These valuable compounds unite the cannabis, health, wellness, and flavor industries with a wide range of benefits and applications. Their Daily Immunity supplement is Great tasting, fast-absorbing, pharmaceutical-grade liposomal Vitamin C to support your immune system. This product is fortified with anti-inflammatory terpenes and botanicals. Their hand cleanse has 70% locally sourced alcohol, and anti-inflammatory terpenes with aloe to keep your hands soft and hydrated. Their products are made in the USA, Crafted in Santa Cruz, California. Visit their site at https://trilogia.com/

Vitagenne Vitagenne utilizes all-natural CO2 extraction techniques to ensure that their products provide you with the purest form and highest concentration of hemp-derived CBD products while filtering out any unnatural substances. Their Pure Relief CBD Cooling cream is one of the most popular items as it provides rapid cooling effect for sore muscles and joints. It also provides moisturizing for relief of dry skin and comes in an easy-pump container that allows for dosed application. It contains 99% Pure CBD Isolate. Their other products include Hemp CBD Oil, Hemp extract capsules, and CBD sleep gel capsules. They are so confident in their high-quality line of CBD products that they even offer a 30day money back guarantee. To learn more visit Vitagenne at https://vitagenne.com/

Photos courtesy of Jackson Corley

Fabulous Finds

Jackson Corley THE INCREDIBLE INVENTOR OF INCREDIWEAR By Judith A. Habert

hen bad things happen, there is always solace in the belief that something good will come out of it. For Jackson Corley, it would indeed lead to something good. “I was a chiropractor, a sports injury chiropractor for many years, and did extreme sports. In 2008, two days after Christmas, I was in a very serious mountain biking accident. I knew I was in pain, but I shrugged it off and went home. I woke up the next morning. I took one step and fell to the ground. That was the last step I took for almost four months without a walker or wheelchair. I had a broken wrist, and a broken hip. I had four renown surgeons examine me, and they all felt that they needed to fuse my spine. They told me I would never run again.” At this point Jackson wasn’t sure what to do, “I had been studying the use of germanium in Japan. germanium is a semiconductor, but they were using it early on for increased blood flow. I feel as if the hand of God pushed me off the bike to make me try to do something else important. Then one day in February I had an ‘aha’ moment, and it was just like, Whoa, you know what would happen if I put germanium, which was also being noted extensively as the fastest growing computer chip, in a brace. I figured I would give it a try and see what happens. That was how Incrediwear began in 2009. This was not the first invention for Jackson, over the years he had invented about 18 other products for his patients.

His first application was to put germanium in a back brace to see what would happen. “I was amazed. My back quickly started to feel better. Instead of making me feel warm, this back brace was cooling me down.” At first, he didn't really know how it worked. He had made it for himself, never planning to market it, he was just hoping to get out of pain. It took some studies to fully understand how and why it worked. “We now know, as a result of extensive studies, that it is like a transducer. It actually transmits optical waves to transmit information. And so, what germanium and carbonized charcoal do in a semiconductor form, is that they release midlevel infrared optical waves. These waves go into your body and It's like getting a micro massage at a cellular level, 24 hours a day. It has been proven to increase blood flow and by increasing energy and blood flow it allows your body to work better. Two or three years later, I conducted an experiment (you can view this on the Incrediwear site at www.incrediwear.com) We put a patient’s finger underneath a microscope and laid the product on him. It is visible through the microscope that by doing so we see a visible increase; it actually quadruples blood flow right in front of your eyes.” This invention was a curiosity for many athletes, and the interest started to build. Jackson took his product to the Olympic water polo team, and it amazed the athletes. “They got out of the pool and they put on the product and they were like, wow, it's cooling me down. It was as if they put ice on, but they were hot.”

It was also found that the product also releases negative ions and scientific studies have credited these as a significant source of longevity in places like Okinawa. Sardinia and Costa Rica, where residents lived to a hundred years of age or longer as a result of negative ions found in the ground. Incrediwear increases blood flow and takes away inflammation. “Independent studies have proven that we are the first wearable anti-inflammatory, that's accelerating healing and current double-blind studies on chemo induced and diabetic neuropathy are in the works to help bring this product to those suffering from these conditions. One of the greatest benefits is that we have a wearable way to decrease pain, and as a result reduce the use of addictive pain medication for those with injuries or recuperating from surgery. I had the opportunity to try Incrediwear for severe arthritic pain for which I had been attending rehab for close to 2 months. I can tell you that I would not have believed it had I not experienced it myself. I felt so much better wearing this product. As you can all imagine, typing is a large part of my life, and I had

Fabulous Finds found that when the pain moved into my fingers, I was having a hard time doing my job effectively. I would often wake up with numbness in my hands several times a night. After I started wearing Incrediwear circulation gloves while on the computer, and throughout the day and night, I slept soundly. The gloves expose the fingers, so you can operate phones or iPad devices without having to take them on and off. They have truly been a Godsend and have kept me able to do my job without pain. While speaking with Jackson I was blown away by all the many uses that they have now found for this product. They have even found that this product can help slow the aging process. “The reason we age is that our cells are not working the way they should because of swelling and trauma. There is no difference between having an injury and the aging process, it is really the same process. If I can take away the swelling from your body with wearing something while you're sleeping, while you're sitting in a chair, while you're doing activity of any kind, what is going to happen is it's going to allow you to wake up in the morning without being stiff or sore.” Jackson is currently working with 27 NBA teams and 20 NFL teams testing the product on their talented athletes. They are currently using the products for recovery post-surgery and post-game fatigue. They even did a study in the NBA this year on referees, where they were able to reduce their injury rate by 150%. The statistics are amazing! Incrediwear does not leave women out when they are doing research to create their amazing line of products. They are currently working with plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills to provide products to improve healing times after surgeries, products to aid in weight loss, and are even working with USC to create products to decrease swelling postpartum. If you are looking for a solution that is almost immediate and does not involve addictive pain medication, but instead just the wearing of these comfortable healing solutions, look no further. Take a few minutes to visit their site at www. incrediwear.com and preview their products. New items are being developed all the time to help make you pain free and feeling young again. Thank you, Jackson Corley, for turning your own horrific accident into a solution from which we can all benefit.

1. Formula 10.0.6

It seems like just about every day a new makeup company comes along, but how often do we get a chance to try products from a makeup company that has the expertise of being a fourth generation family owned company. Their products are tried, tested and trusted the world over. With a main focus on creating effective skin and body care that’s super simple to use and doesn’t disturb the earth, Formula 10.0.6 was created. Their face and body products deliver everything you need (and nothing you don’t) to support clear, glowing skin for the most radiant you. With over 87 years’ experience, they absolutely know what works and what doesn’t. Each and every product is formulated by their in-house chemist, then tested by their family and team until they create something worth sharing. They don’t inflate price tags or make your beauty regimen so complex that you will stop doing it. We were thrilled to get a bunch of their products to pass around to staff and they were literally fighting over them. The happy conclusion to this was that everyone who tried a product, even if it wasn’t the one they wanted, brought us back glowing reports about how wonderful it was. Many of our older staff were blown away to find out that this was the same company that we knew as Bonnie Bell. I can personally recall using their “Lip Smacker,” as a young girl. Matter of fact it

was the first makeup that my mom let me use, since it was fresh and safe for a young girl. The same is true of their new collections. Sisters Peyton and Hadley continue in the tradition of their great grandfather, grandfather and father’s vision to provide simple and effective skin care to a new generation who values botanical driven and environmentally responsible cruelty free products. One of the other things we loved was the great fun names they gave each of their products. We had the pleasure of testing their Total Take Away Bubble Mask which awakens dull and fatigued skin. Pores be Pure skin clarifying mud mask. Draw it all out which is a skin-detoxing peel mask, Down to the Pore which are chin, forehead and nose strips with charcoal and witch hazel, We also loved Bare Face Beauty, a skin moisturizing cleansing oil with almond and vanilla. Even the box it all was delivered in made us smile and feel good as the first glimpse you get at this fine company and their product is a box that reads, "Hello Beautiful". Let’s face it who doesn’t like that greeting. The items we reviewed are but a small portion of their available line. All we can say is if the products we received were an indication of the quality of their line, start ordering the full line and know you are getting a quality product that performs as promised. For more information and to order these wonderful products to arrive at your doorstep go to https://www.formula1006.com/

Fabulous Finds

4 22 2. ANSHI

With all of the companies and products that come across my desk every day, ANSHI is one of the most unique and honest ones I have had the pleasure of testing. ANSHI believes that you should not only be concerned with what you eat, but as concerned with what you put on your skin. ANSHI means God’s gift and comes from the ancient Sanskrit language. Their products are a multipurpose, versatile line of personalized natural medicine and skin care. What is equally amazing is that the creation of this incredible product occurred at the hospital bedside of their founder and CEO's daughter Raegan. ANSHI consists of only six all natural ingredients. These therapeutic grade ingredients work in minutes to relieve a wide range of symptoms including headaches, skin irritations, swelling, and pain. When you apply ANSHI it immediately gets to work. The transdermal application is delivered into the bloodstream while reducing side effects since it is not delivered orally. For years I have suffered with a hereditary skin disorder which I am told has no known cure, what ANSHI did was minimize the redness and roughness of the skin in the affected areas. I also noted that it helped with joint pain as well. I have to say that others in our office gave it a try and were surprised that I was not exaggerating the quick relief achieved with the use of ANSHI. The list of symp-

toms that this amazing product can help is astounding. It helps eliminate eczema, rejuvenates facial skin, relieves joint and muscle pain, stops swelling, heals bites and other irritation, improves foot circulation, soothes bumps from shaving, heals cracked feet and even relieves cramps. Even more amazing is that they are extremely transparent about what is inside their product. It includes coconut oil, castor oil, pink Himalayan salt, vitamin E oil, beeswax, and 100% pure turmeric oil. The application is made easier due to the presence of the Himalayan salt as the directions suggest rubbing ANSHI in until the salt disappears, allowing a level of confidence knowing it has been properly applied. Thank you to Founder and CEO Janelle and her daughter Raegan for this product. It is safe for anyone at any age. For more information visit: www.anshiheals.com

3. Arcopédico.

If you are looking for the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear look no further than Arcopédico. We had the pleasure of trying out their amazing silver and black sandal. One of the things we loved about them were how great they looked with both trousers and dresses. The absolute best part of these sandals were the way they felt. I could be on my feet all day long, and my feet felt as good as when I first slipped them on. The hallmark of all Arcopédico shoes can be seen in two fundamental design

principles: the “barefoot” upper, a soft, non-binding design that conforms to the top of the foot to allow circulation and all-day comfort, and the patented, metal-free twin arch-support soles (made from molded polyurethane), which protect the foot arch and allow the distribution of body weight through the entire plantar surface. We all know how much we love our shoes, but often we love how they look, but not how they feel. This makes Arcopédico a step above the others, because not only do they look great but they feel great as well. Go to https://arcopedicousa.com/ and order your today.

4. Belcorva

Due to the fact that these days we are spending more time at home, our office wear has changed to comfort wear. Belcorva is the perfect fit for our needs. Not only is it some of the most comfortable pants and capris we have ever tried, but there was some serious thought put into the design of their products. Many companies forgo the addition of pockets in their design, but Belcorva does just the opposite. They have more pockets than you can imagine you will need, but trust me you need each one of them. The modern day woman on the go carries a phone on her if nothing else, yet trendy athletic brands barely provide pockets that fit spare change and a small key. Their pants, capris, and shorts have enough pockets to

Fabulous Finds

securely hold your phone, money, keys, ID and more. Belcorva boasts five pockets with side pockets large enough to hold the largest iphones on the market. In addition, they also have smaller 4 x 2 inch zipper pockets in the back for smaller items, as well as a small waistline pocket. Not only do they come in a large variety of designs and styles, but they have moisture-wicking properties, are tag less and include a drawstring in the waistband for the best possible fit. Imagine being able to run your errands around town without lugging along a heavy handbag, since there are enough pockets to meet all your needs. Check out their full line of great products at https://belcorva.com/

5. Coalatree

We all love the outdoors and a lot of us are making use of the time away from the office for some spur of the moment camping trips. One of our favorite companies, Coalatree, designs eco-minded gear and apparel for the adventurer in everyone, from athletes and photographers to your average city folks and weekend warriors. Their mission is to introduce elements of the outdoor life together with the city life. Their products are truly versatile enough for the weekend warrior or the city lover. Their mission is to allow you to be ready for just about anything. To Coalatree, a MTN2CTY lifestyle is one of adventure, freedom, and ease. Our

customers are out on the town on a Friday night with friends, then up for dawn for an impromptu hike in the woods. Unbeknown to most, Coalatree started out as a self-sustaining organic farm in Colorado. The farm focused around a "reap what you sow" mentality, and integrated sustainable practices with quality products. It was out of this mission that in 2010 they decided to create the perfect clothing to go along with their lifestyle. We had the pleasure of trying their Trailhead Adventure Shorts and their Kachula Adventure Blanket. One of our editors decided to give the shorts a go and said she had never had a more comfortable pair of shorts. They were lightweight and breathed and moved easily with every movement she made. As she puts it, “a perfect pair of shorts for a weekend camping trip or to run around and do errands in town on the weekend.” I guess Coalatree achieved their goal. Not only did these shorts pass our test” they have other great characteristics that make them a must have purchase. These shorts are tear resistant made from durable ripstop nylon that stops tears before they start. The unique fabric is antimicrobial which inhibits the growth of bacteria and easy to pack for your trip as they can be stuffed into a small bag and come out looking great and ready to wear. The Kachula Adventure Blanket is an item ideal for camping, but just as ideal for keeping in the trunk of your car for a trip to the beach. This blanket can be used

as a blanket, travel pillow, light sleeping bag or even an emergency poncho. They have snaps which allow you to connect several together. The blanket comes with a removable hood so you can convert it to an emergency poncho.The material is coated to keep it dry. Water and stains will bead right off the surface. Needless to say we love the products created by Coalatree, but there is one other thing that makes us huge fans of Coalatree and that is how much they giveback. Every year they use the excess material to construct blankets for the homeless. They also partner with local organizations to maintain the hiking and biking trails that they frequent. Go to https://coalatree.com/ and check out their full line of products.

6. Deminuage™

We were sent this awesome product for review and I have to tell you I am extremely impressed. Due to shut downs of salons and spas, many of us have learned how to make do with at home versions of many of our beauty treatments. Unfortunately, not all of the procedures that we visited salons for are available at home. That was until Deminuage™ Many of us have heard of the procedure known as Microneedling. It can be used to treat a wide variety of skin irregularities, For example, fillers can improve the appearance of scars or wrinkles, but cannot treat discolorations like sun spots on the surface of the skin.

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7 The company behind Deminuage™ is iFacial™ which was founded in 2019 and is based in Palo Alto, California, iFacial™ focuses on developing and commercializing non-invasive drug delivery technology. Before starting the company, the founders of iFacial™ spent more than a decade developing the QuickPore™ technology, along with patented skincare solutions. This proprietary transdermal delivery system enhances the absorption of active ingredients into the skin without chemical enhancers. With this innovation came the launch of iFacial™‘s brand Deminuage™. It introduced a first-of-its-kind product line that combines proven active formulations with QuickPore™ technology. Deminuage™’s products aim to treat various skin conditions such as wrinkles, dark spots, blemishes, and other signs of aging. It also has amazing results on acne because it overcomes the skin barrier for acne care. There is no bleeding or discomfort. Deminuage™ is also great for helping smooth fine lines and softening wrinkles. The concept behind microneedling is that small injuries are created with the needles which the body quickly begins to heal and in doing so new skin is produced that evens out skin tone and color in essence creating a new surface. The pen used to do this is lightweight and compact enough to stick in your bag or overnight case when traveling.

Altough they have a few options when selecting the pen we tested their standard pen which we thought did a superb job. The came with everything you need to immediately start improving your skin. In addition to the pen included was 20 daily NanoChips, 10 Booster NanoChips and 10 Blanq brightening Serums with rubber applicators. The process is simple and painless. You screw in the NanoChip to the pen then snap open the serum bottles. Attach the applicator to the serum and pat it all over your face. Once you have coated your entire face take the NanoPen, which is powered by one AAA battery and hold it perpendicular to the face and gently begin sliding it onto the skin, starting from the inside to outside and bottom to top. Don’t slide the pen over any area more than three times. When you have finished your daily treatment, which only takes 5-10 minutes, remove the nanochip discard it and any extra serum. This procedure should be followed daily for the best results. After doing this for one week I could see the amazing progress it made and found my skin brighter, I saw fine lines disappear and even some brown spots faded to barely visible. The texture of my skin was much improved and I felt as if years had been washed away from my face. Bring the salon to your house by visiting Deminuage™ at https://deminuage.com/

7. Drift

We have the pleasure of trying many different products for review in our publication. Rarely do we come across one as unique as Drift. When most of us think about car air fresheners most of us conjure up those pine trees that hang from our rear-view mirrors. Drift is the new wave of car air freshener. They have combined functional design with real scents that are always phthalate free It consists of a slick looking metal holder that easily fits over your car visor and a handsome natural hand-cut wood which is soaked in essential and fragrance oils. And then magnetized to fit perfectly on your visor with our metal clip. It is strong enough that it does not bounce off even when you hit a bump. What makes this product even better is that Drift is a subscription giving you the opportunity to try out their varied scents until you find the one you favor. Even more important is the subscription caters to you and the frequency you receive new scents is up to you. You can also change your original timing choice should you find it doesn’t work for you. There is free shipping each month and you can cancel at any time, but once you try this great new product, you won’t want to. What we liked best about Drift fragrances is that the scents last, unlike other car air fresheners that are overpowering at first but then within days there is no scent at all. Best of all this is a product that is proudly made in the USA.

Fabulous Finds

Go online today and learn all about this unique and functional car air freshener. Go to https://drift.co/

8. Flax4life A Tasty Solution for Gluten Sensitivity

There are many who suffer from a sensitivity to Gluten and for those with these sensitivities, they have previously been sentenced to a life without some of the most delicious foods. Up until now that is, enter Flax4Life, an amazing company that does wonders creating tasty items such as muffins, brownies, cakes, toaster buns and granola. When I tried these items, I wouldn’t have known that they were heathy, as they were not only delicious, but tasted similar to their unhealthy counterparts. Not only are the Flax4life products delicious, but I learned of the many benefits to adding Flax to your diet. Flax is a rich source of omega fatty acids and lignans which is a potent cancer fighter found in nature. It also helps with weight management as it stabilizes sugar levels and the fact that it expands to five times its bulk when ingested provides us with a feeling of fullness. Studies have also shown that it helps increase immunity. For those with gluten sensitivity and those suffering with the more serious Celiacs disease, flax4life has given them the ability to eat as those around them, without forgoing tasty foods. Flax4life is a family owned and run company. “As a family of bakers, four

generations of baking and distribution of baked goods, it became our mission to develop products that have many health benefits, are gluten-free, made with all natural ingredients, but most importantly taste – ‘DELICIOUS!’" The reason that they reinvented themselves from traditional bakers to specialty bakers came over a decade ago and for reasons close to home. When several family members became ill, and one even ended up confined to a wheelchair, they realized how important diet was in turning their ill health around. After two years of visiting some of the best medical specialists, it was eventually discovered that they had Celiac Disease. Since then, almost everyone in their family has discovered that they are either gluten-intolerant or have Celiac Disease. Their commitment is to provide their customers with the highest quality products, produced in a dedicated gluten, nut, and dairy free facility. The light, nutty taste of flax seed enhances the flavor of food and adds nutritional value to your diet. Visit their site at https://flax4life.net/ to find not only healthy products, but ones you can’t wait to savor.

9. Feltman Brothers

There are some customs that have been around for decades, some even centuries. One of these are the love of classic dolls that may start out as a fun plaything, but will remain with a child as beloved treasure even into adulthood.

There are not many companies around that can still be counted on to provide such treasures. Feltman Brothers dolls have been part of our children’s lives, our lives, our parents lives, our grandparents and in some cases even our great grandparents. The company was started in 1916 and has been creating heirlooms since then. In addition to their beautiful dolls they also make vintage baby clothes Their vintage baby clothes feature the classy, antique look you love, with lots of lace trim, smocking, handmade pintucks, and hand embroidery. These baby layettes have been, and continue to be, passed down for generations to come. Feltman Brothers keeps high value in the attention to fine details that makes their pieces true one of a kind finds. Classic baby names have come back into style so it is not surprising that the same is true of classic dolls and baby clothes. Check out their website at https://feltmanbrothers.com/ and travel back in time with a simple click of your mouse.

10. Jane Austen Boxed Set

As a writer I have always dreamed of a library full of the classics that I could share with family and friends. Printers Row Publishing’s has several different imprints one of which is Canterbury Classic Books. They produce the most beautiful books that anyone would be thrilled to have in their library. We had the oppor-

Fabulous Finds

tunity to review their Jane Austen Boxed Set. Jane Austen has been a long time favorite of mine and needless to say I am not alone. Jane Austen's stories are tales of clever women, elusive love, and social mores which have struck a chord with millions of fans who consider her work compelling, heartwarming, and essential. Her literary creations have not only been read by countless readers, but many of us have also had the opportunity to watch her stories come to life on stage and screen. The stories hit upon such profound realities that there are few people who do not lose themselves in her stories. This elegant collection includes Austen's acclaimed novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Readers will be enchanted by the specially designed spines, custom endpapers, and six brilliant stories. Just like Jane Austen's memorable characters, readers will fall in love with this set of novels on their bookshelf. If you have missed out on reading any of these classic books, or if you read them long ago and would like to experience the enchantment of Jane Austen’s characters once again simply go to https://www.canterburyclassicsbooks.com/books/janeausten-boxed-set-9781645170006/ to order your boxed set today. While you are on their site look at the myriad of classic books that are must haves for our libraries and our families.

This is a fun way to unplug your kids and allow them the great value of using their imagination to create these amazing characters in their minds and perhaps get back to simpler times when reading was more fun than movies because each of us could recreate the characters as we read the words of the great authors.

11. KeaBabies

Where life is such a rush every day, it is refreshing when you come across a company that’s prime purpose is to get us to step back and live in the moment. KeaBabies is this company. With their primary goal being to remind new moms and dads that every moment counts, especially when it comes to time spent with their newborn. Founders Jane and Ivan believe that there is nothing better than seeing the world through their child’s eyes. They founded KeaBabies after the birth of their first son in 2016. Some of the greatest inventions are built out of necessity. When their first son was just 5 months old Jane found out she was expecting again. She soon found that taking care of an infant was wearing on her as her pregnancy progressed. At that same point her son was at his most needy, wanting to be carried all the time. Just as she entered her third trimester her husband Ivan got into a serious bicycle accident that injured his spinal cord. Ivan got into a very bad bicycle accident which injured his spinal cord. Thanks to a strong support network of family and friends, Ivan came through his surgery and

was getting better every day, just in time for his second son’s arrival. It was through this experience that Jane and Ivan came to understand the importance of a strong support group. As such, they decided to build a brand community where all mothers and fathers can come together to support one another through the ups and downs of the parenthood journey. KeaBabies was born out of their experiences. Today they have a full line of amazing baby products to help make the process easier for new parents and allow them to worry less and enjoy more. We had the opportunity to try out their wonderful diaper backpack, which I used when traveling cross-country to visit my granddaughter and bring her back to San Diego. It made the trip so much easier, having everything organized and within easy reach. I found it so much easier than a traditional baby bag, particularly while changing planes with a toddler in tow. The other item came just in time for one of our staff to welcome their new baby girl. The Baby Handprint and Footprint Keepsake Kit, was not only a great memory for mom and dad to have for years to come, but created a wonderful bonding moment creating this keepsake together with their beautiful baby girl. These two items are but a small sampling of the treasures you can find on their site. Not only are they on spot, but every item they offer is of the highest quality. Go online now and start making memories with your little ones. Go to https://keababies.com/

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12. StickTogether Puzzles

With the added stress of the COVID-19 Pandemic filling our lives, we all need a way to decompress. If you need to escape reality for a minute, let us introduce you to StickTogether Puzzles. Unlike typical jigsaw puzzles, the person completing the StickTogether puzzle uses a coded poster, a color key and stickers to create a fun pixelated image. The unique puzzles are available in a variety of designs like animals, beaches, works of art, and holiday scenes. The added perk to these puzzles is their ability to improve, practice, and enhance visual scanning, fine motor skills, visual tracking, motor planning, hand-eye coordination, social interactions, and letter recognition. It’s a beautiful thing to see a work of art that people from all walks of life can create together. With standard and large format kits available, you can pick the design you love in the size you desire. They also offer bundles so you can get a set of 4 kits, which is great for the family or classroom, or as a way to ensure you have activities on deck anytime the kids are ready! Visit www.letssticktogether.com to watch videos on exactly how these puzzles are completed and purchase some of your own.

13. Gloves in a Bottle

Some of us have had this problem for years, but some of us have only recently understood what constant washing and sanitizing our hands can do to our skin.

13 Anyone in the health profession or any profession for that matter, where they are constantly washing their hands has felt the pain that this can cause. Your skin becomes dry, cracked and raw and you may even develop open cuts which makes it difficult to perform even the simplest of tasks. Many of us have found that our skin is worse in the winter months when it is affected by weather changes. For anyone who has ever suffered from these skin issues I am happy to say that there is a cure. We had the pleasure of sampling Gloves In A Bottle (available on Amazon), a shielding lotion that actually bonds to the outer layer of skin filling in any gaps and protecting skin for up to four hours while washing and sanitizing. Heath care workers were absolutely elated at this product, especially during this pandemic as the need to clean and sanitize has drastically increased. This product is heads above the regular creams and moisturizers that most of us have previously used in an attempt to solve the problem, but quickly found it did not. The reason this is such an issue is you would apply the lotions or moisturizers and then as soon as the need arose for you to have to sanitize your hands again, you would be washing off the product that you just applied. Hospital workers have said that it is the only thing that helps heal their bleeding hands after a shift where they are constantly washing them, and it is approved for them to use in all areas of the hospital

including operating rooms. Gloves in a Bottle is 100% free of harmful chemicals and is vegan, dermatology tested, cruelty free and every ingredient is on the FDA’s most safe list. What we love more than anything is that they pledged to send product free of charge to any health care worker who contacts them asking for it. Even if you are not a healthcare worker the benefit of this product to all of us is amazing, so visit their site today and order some for you and your loved ones. Go to https://www.glovesinabottle.com/ to order today or you can also find them on Amazon.

14. Jet Set Candy

Jet Set Candy combines two of my favorite things, beautiful jewelry and travel. How could they possibly accomplish this feat? By helping to turn our travel memories into something that we will possess for a lifetime. Yes, there are the pictures that we take, but Jet Set Candy takes it a step beyond. They allow you to wear your memories for all to see. Their jewelry is versatile and so creative. There are gold and silver replicas of Passport Stamps and Luggage Tags from all over the world. There are symbols that clearly represent special locations to all of us. A vespa scooter with the word Italia on it, the Chrysler Building in NY, a NY metro card charm, an Eiffel Tower charm, a NY Taxi charm and even Russian Matryoshka Nesting Doll. Now aren’t these

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17 better reminders of your world travels than a t-shirt or refrigerator magnet? At Jet Set candy, travel is their world. Launched in October 2014, with passion and a very cool idea, they developed the first premium line of travel souvenirs so they could collect their global adventures, and allow their customers to do the same. Their jewelry is stylish, playful, and just a little cheeky. It's modern yet nostalgic and always classic. We absolutely fell in love with this company and their products. We personally got a look at the most adorable Italian Vespa with little wheels that actually spin. Quite honestly, we only wish we could have one of each. When you see the quality, craftsmanship and beauty of their designs, I know you will feel the same way. Each piece in their collectible, destination-specific range is thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted from quality sterling silver, 14k vermeil, or solid gold. Jet Set Candy captures the spirit of favorite destinations and far-flung places. Check back often because they are constantly adding new pieces. The inspiration for this company is Founder and designer Nicole Parker King. Throughout her travels to over six continents and more than 50 countries, Nicole Parker King was always on the quest for the perfect souvenir. The seed for Jet Set Candy was planted while on a trip to Sri Lanka where, after only finding

generic t-shirts with sunset designs and home goods that were more authentic but not easily packable, Parker King set out to reinvent travel souvenirs with a line of collectible and stylish, wearable keepsakes for travel lovers. Nicole spent three years living in India with her husband, an Australian Diplomat who currently works at the UN. She took this time to refine her concept for Jet Set Candy. As soon as she returned to New York Nicole launched Jet Set Candy. Parker King is a sixth generation New Yorker and graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and former creative director at L’Oréal. Not only are the pieces beautiful, but they take care and expertise in the presentation. Their packaging reveals hidden travel quotes, map & coordinate details, and always pops with color. All jewelry is wrapped in a tarnish-resistant pouch and protective box. Between usage, they recommend that you place your jewelry back in the pouch. To view their full line, go to https:// jetsetcandy.com/

15. The WOOZOO®.

Spending a lot of time at home and in our home offices, WOOZOO fan is a perfect addition to keep the air circulating and keeping you cool and comfortable. The WOOZOO is the most powerful, efficient and quietest fan available today. When you are on that zoom conference

or just talking on the phone to clients the noise from a normal fan can be quite distracting. This won’t be a problem with The WOOZOO. This fan is capable of moving the top-to-bottom air content of an entire room in minutes to maximize air flow while minimizing noise. They come in a variety of styles and colors to match your décor. You will love it. Go to https://www.irisusainc.com/ to learn more and order the one missing element to your perfect home office.

16. Kate’s Real Food

One thing that most of us seem to be doing lately is a lot of snacking. This can be a problem if we are not snacking on the right foods. Kate’s Real Food, is the answer to this problem. They produce products that are all-natural and made with high quality ingredients that are a perfect snack for any outdoor adventure or long day in the home office. Choose from their array of hand-rolled flavors of energy bars in six delicious flavors with a great-taste guarantee and no artificial sweeteners. From the Mango Coconut Tiki Bar, to the Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Handle Bar, each one is certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO, and Kosher. Kate’s latest addition to their line are their Snack Bites. These are bite-sized morsels of your favorite Kate’s Real Food flavors and are packaged in a resealable pouch that makes them perfect for quick energy on the trail or snacking on the go.

Fabulous Finds

17 We always love knowing the story behind the products that we test and highlight in our Fabulous Finds section. We found out that Kate Schade, the developer of Kate’s Real Foods started her energy bar company back in 2010. Kate was a skier back in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Always on the go, skiing during the days and waiting tables at night she found little time to sit still for a healthy meal. She realized as an athlete that she needed a healthy food that could help her perform well on the slopes while working a vigorous job in the evenings. Her solution became the original Tram Bar: a pocket-sized energy bar made from the tastiest organic ingredients she could find. Once Kate perfected her recipe, she started sharing her bars with friends in the mountain tram line. It didn’t take long before she established a loyal following; the Tram Bar was an instant favorite! After a few years of steady encouragement, Kate finally decided to take on her greatest adventure: selling her bars. Today, the Tram Bar-along with five more amazing flavors-goes by the name Kate’s Real Food and continues to inspire people as they pursue a healthy lifestyle. What has given them continued success is staying true to their roots: making great-tasting food using wholesome, organic ingredients that will fuel your next great adventure. We had the pleasure of sampling these amazing products and many of the staff came back looking for more. I guar-

antee you will too. Go to their site at https://katesrealfood.com/ to learn more and order some of your own tasty snacks today.

17. Live Love Gameday®

Live Love Gameday® is a comfortable and trendy sports-themed clothing and accessories line based out of Dallas, Texas. Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (2008-2015), Sydney Durso-McArthur, loved football so much, that after cheering for the Dallas Cowboys for 7 seasons, she truly believed that the field was her home away from home. In January of 2015, Home Is Where the Field Is® was launched and Live Love Gameday® was born. From there other phrases such as My Daddy Taught Me About Jesus & Pass Interference™ and I Vow To Always Love You, Even During Football Season™ came to life. Live Love Gameday® is not only for football fans, but offers designs for baseball, softball, soccer, hockey, racing, hunting, fishing and more. Their products are fun for anyone who is a sports fanatics. They have adorable studded hats with baseball seams, earrings in the shape of baseballs, and crossbody bags resembling a football. You can shop by sport or check out their newest line of adorable fashionable one of a kind items. With sports slowed down this season they have met the problem head on. Live Love Gameday understood how a season without sports would be unbearable for those of us who live for our

sports teams. So, in addition to the sports themed items they decided to make the best of things and created a fun line of face masks as well as a humorous line of Quarantine shirts. Including Straight Outta Hand Sanitizer™, “Caffeine and Quarantine™,” and “Like a Good Neighbor Stay Over There™” So whether you are looking for team wear or some unique one of a kind fashions, Visit their site at https:// livelovegameday.com/

18. Megababe

There are facts of life that many of us are embarrassed to talk about, but this did not stop one determined woman to not only talk about them, but to do something about them. Founder of Megababe, Katie was very straightforward with her issues, because she knew she was not alone. “My thighs rub together. My boobs sweat. And my B.O. is the worst! I couldn’t find products I loved to address issues like these, so I started Megababe! We make clean, cute body care products that really work to keep you comfy.” They certainly do just that. Katie knew that it was necessary to join together to tackle “taboo” body issues, making women of any size more comfortable and confident. She sent us a wide array of products and we are not too embarrassed to admit that they do in fact work, and do make us more comfortable. We tried her Thigh Rescue, a non-toxic anti-friction stick that protects against chafe. The balm-like formula

Fabulous Finds

20 creates a barrier that sits on top of skin, allowing thighs that rub to glide smoothly against each other. It is comprised of Aloe, grapeseed oil and antioxidant rich vitamin E to provide extra hydration for happy, healthy skin and much more pleasant hot summer days. Another product we loved was Bust Dust. If you think you have to live with sweat stains on your top? Think again! their talc-free powder absorbs sweat in an instant, helping to keep your bra & top dry. The non-aerosol pump deposits powder directly where you want it for a no-mess application. Made with skin soothing aloe & chamomile. Perhaps their most unique product is called Le Tush Butt Mask. This helps fight everything from butt’ne to dry itchy skin, to those mysterious tiny bumps that pop up from time to time. Megababe believes that our butts need facials too! Slather on this facial-grade mask for a few minutes before hopping in the shower & get ready to glow. A blend of hard-working acids — glycolic, malic & azelaic — combine with earth-friendly exfoliating beads to effectively resurface your bottom. Willow bark extract helps clarify while squalane & kelp extract lock in moisture. It leaves your tush ready for prime time: soft, smooth, & radiant! You no longer need to be embarrassed by these problems. Go to https://megababebeauty.com/ and order your own today.

19. Root’d™

You may think you are eating healthy, or at least trying your hardest to do so, but the truth is that 4 out of 5 people don’t get their daily nutrition from food alone. Still, on average, studies show our bodies only absorb 10-20% of the nutrients found in the typical multivitamin pill or gummy, rendering them, kind of pointless! Why does that matter? Because for the 80% of us that are unknowingly nutrient-deficient, your energy levels, immune response, and overall health are greatly depleted. Root’d will change this for you. It is a gluten-free, dairy free, caffeine free, soy free and allergen free. With health being a major concern for all of us, especially amid a Pandemic. I knew that I had some missing nutrients in my diet, so having the opportunity to try Root’d could not have come at a better time. One of the reasons was that I had a hard time remembering to take my supplements, and I found myself skipping them and not maintaining a consistent routine. Root’d was easy because all I had to remember was to drop the supplement into a glass of water and not only was I getting all the nutrients I needed, but it counted as one of my daily waters, which I often have a hard time getting in to my diet. Supplementing our diets is an obvious and easy way that we can improve our overall health and immune systems from a brutal coronavirus attack. For many of us swallowing a pill or chewing on gummy shaped vitamins may not be in our sched-

ule, but imagine if you can get all of the supplements which have all the immune boosters you need in one daily tasty drink? Root’d is a liquid which promotes absorption, as do the super greens mixes because they promote digestion, so you’re able to get more benefit, faster than from a food or a pill which has to first be broken down. Root’d includes: Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin A, Selenium, and Manganese. So even if up until now you have not done the best at being sure you are getting all the healthy multivitamin and supplements needed, you can start today with just one drink a day. There’s no time like the present to start yourself down a path toward better health. A blend of 25 unique vitamins, minerals and super greens, with ingredients sourced for high bio-absorption, and no sugars, chemicals or additives. In fact, sugar is a key factor that reduces immunity, meaning that products like gummy multivitamins are not the right way to go. I think these crazy times can at least serve as a reminder to us to take better care of ourselves, both now and for the lifetime of our health! For more information and to get yourself on the road to a healthier you, go to https://rootd.com/

20. Nodpod

Sleep is such an important factor in our health. So when we heard about the Nodpod we were excited to give it a try.

Fabulous Finds

We all have times when sleep eludes us, and in the event that this happens why not be prepared. Very simply, when gentle pressure is applied to the body it has a profound calming effect, like a hug. This science is known as Deep Touch Pressure and it’s something from which we can all benefit. The Nodpod consists of four weighted pods with scent-free,machine washable microbeads.The scallop-edge contours to your face for total-light blocking comfort There is no Elastic or Velcro so the nodpod lies freely over your eyes or you can secure it with our pull-through slit. With Hollow Ends it allows for Head resting comfort in any sleeping position One of the elements that we liked best is that one side is made of a cooling jersey cotton and the other side of a warm microfiber. I sometimes find it difficult to sleep so when I received this sample I was hoping for a solution and I was pleased to find one. The Nodpod not only blocked out light but the deep touch pressured seemed to somehow calm me and made sleep a lot easier. If you want to guarantee a restful night’s sleep go online to https://nodpod.com/ and order yours today.

21. Swaddle Designs

Swaddling a newborn is an ancient technique for wrapping a newborn in a thin blanket or cloth making your baby

bear a strong resemblance to a burrito. What is the purpose of swaddling? It helps your baby feel secure as he or she adjusts to life outside the womb. It also prevents your baby from flailing her arms or legs, which can trigger the baby's startle reflex. It keeps babies cozy and warm until their internal thermostat kicks in and often is responsible for giving your newborn a better night’s sleep. The founder of Swaddle Designs, Lynette, an experienced nurse, created an easier way to swaddle your baby. Rather than attempting to do so with a plain blanket which can be a challenge for a new parent. Her Swaddle Sack is designed for convenience, comfort, and safety for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents stop restraining baby’s arms in a snug swaddle around two to three months, or when baby shows signs of starting to roll over. However, many babies are not ready and are unable to sleep well in a loose wearable blanket at this stage. If parents continue to swaddle their baby with arms restrained at this stage, the risk of suffocation increases if baby was to roll over. To address this issue, Lynette created The Transitional Swaddle Sack® with Arms Up and Mitten Cuffs. It is a very important innovation in Safe Sleepwear - especially for babies who can roll over. Lynette, has made it her life mission, and the mission of Swaddle Designs, to help new parents prevent sleep depriva-

tion and exhaustion by providing educational content based on the AAP safe sleep recommendations and to provide safer sleepwear for babies. Visit the Swaddle Design site to not only order one of their beautiful Swaddle Sacks, but also to learn more tips so you and your baby can get a better night’s sleep. Go to https://www.swaddledesigns. com/ and order yours today.

22. Slim Chillers®

With restaurants and bars being closed for so long many of us have missed the opportunity to go out with friends to grab a cocktail and just chill out. Thanks to Slim Chillers we now can move the party inside. Their Vodka Cocktail Skinny Freezers are not only delicious and refreshing but only 100 calories. So, now we can enjoy an alcoholic beverage without the guilt. Our staff enjoyed our after work gatherings just a little bit more with this addition to our freezer. Slim Chillers were formed on the premise that it is not only possible, but also highly probable, to have an adult frozen cocktail without all the unforgiving calories and still make it taste great as well! They made a point of using only the finest alcohol. they certainly didn’t want to utilize inferior “malts” or “wines” for what they felt truly was to be a premium beverage Their Skinny Freezers uses only 8 times distilled, Triple Filtered, Vodka; along with select, carefully bal-

Fabulous Finds

24 23 anced flavors and ingredients to create the best tasting Frozen Vodka Martini in 4 outstanding flavors! The choice of flavors provided something for everyone. First up was their mouth watering Lemon Drop Vodka Martini, carefully balanced with just the right Lemon zest and flavor. Next comes Bursting with an abundance of Cranberry, Orange and a pinch of Lime; the Cosmopolitan Skinny Freezer delivers the perfect refreshing poolside cocktail. The third choice is their Appletini which is like biting into a Granny Smith Apple; it is both tart and sweet, with an amazing texture and a little kick. My favorite of the group is the Watermelon/Lemonade With its perfect balance of sweet Watermelon flavor and the zest of summer Lemonade, it is sure to quench even the most discerning palate, while offering a unique flavor twist in a low calorie frozen Vodka Martini. They have also added a line of wine freezers for the wine lover, which we haven’t had the pleasure to try, but if they are anything like the vodka martinis we know you will love them. They come in some amazing flavors Orangberry Mimosa, Blackberry Pomegranate Sangria, Strawberry Grapefruit Rossini, and the Peach Mango Bellini. They are available at Costco, Walmart, BevMo and Ralphs, just to name a few or you can go online today and order yours at https://slimchillers.com/

23. Aria Travel Kit

These days, we find ourselves planning road trips more than flights, but regardless of your mode of transportation, you always need to bring along the essentials. The Aria Travel Kit provides all the needed products in the most luxurious form! If you want to bring first class comfort wherever you are, this kit includes natural deodorant, a handmade lip balm, a silk sleeping mask, moisturizing lotion, a bamboo toothbrush, a travel notebook, and handmade solid perfume that will make you feel like you are flying in the front row. The other parts of the kit that you will utilize is the satin care pouch which features hair ties, Emergen-C supplements, 2 pairs of ear plugs, and 2 individually wrapped Q-tips; as well as the 2 disposable protective masks and pen you always forget to pack! The items in this kit are sourced primarily from the Pacific Northwest and were curated by travelers, for travelers. On a recent trip I was rushing out the door when I realized I hadn’t packed all of my necessities. Luckily the Aria Travel Kit was within reach and I grabbed it as I was heading out the door. As a result, I had everything I needed. Thanks Aria! Get yours today at: https://ariakit.com

24. ROSE & CARAMEL

The best kept secret in tanning just got told! If you love to tan but hate the mess, ROSE & CARAMEL has solved your problem. The widely popular U.K. based brand

and 2020 Global Makeup Award Winner offers a full range of unique tanning products to suit all skin tones. The newly launched ‘Nudity Mousse and Self Tan Removing Bubble Bath” came available to U.S. markets in January of this year. Nudity products only develop on skin cells, providing a mess-free spray tan in your own home. Thanks to their revolutionary nourishing technology, the aerosol provides softer skin with an easy application, deeper tan, and long-lasting finish. Now, if you are like me, even before the glow of your tan has subsided, you are dreading the removal process. Well, ROSE & CARAMEL made this the simplest tan removal process you will ever experience. They developed the world’s first Self Tan Removing Bubble Bath called “Purity”. Packed with rejuvenating salts, Purity Bubble Bath leaves your skin feeling super soft, squeaky clean, and ready for your next tanning application. To purchase your own set visit: www.roseandcaramel.co.uk – these items, as well as their gift sets make the PERFECT present for your girlfriends or family!

25. My Little Mascara Club

The one piece of makeup I cannot go without is my mascara. The wide-eyed look instantly makes me feel alive! When I am searching for a mascara there are a lot on the market but very few that meet all my needs. My Little Mascara Club does just that. With 90% natural ingredients, this lit-

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tle mascara won’t flake, clump, or smudge, and washes off with water only. The name comes from its small size which is perfect for fitting in any purse, or do as I do and keep it as an essential part of your car console. The size of this mascara allows for easy application and a short wand that helps to fit your lash line like a glove. This size also allows the mascara to glide like a dream onto your lower lashes. One of the biggest perks of this company are their gift sets and subscription box offerings. You can perk up anyone’s day by sending them a beautiful set from My Little Mascara Club or give yourself the gift of the monthly subscription box. Everything you need for luscious lashes is included in the starter kit. It includes: The Best Little Mascara Ever made with over 90% natural ingredients, ERASE reusable mascara remover wipes and a Little Box of Happy surprise. You can find their products at: www. mylittlemascaraclub.com.

26. Vive Wear’s Exum Crew Sock

If you are on your feet for most of your day or finding yourself dealing with the pain of plantar fasciitis, you will thank the heavens you’ve come across Vive Wear’s Exum Crew Sock. Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Marcus Duda, is the mastermind behind this revolutionary sock that is the first of its kind. With built-in electrical stimulation capabilities, this sock helps to promote circulation and alleviate many of the symptoms of heel

pain and inflammation commonly experienced by adults. The current climate of being more sedentary can also worsen your symptoms due to lack of circulation, so having this product on hand is a simple way to solve those issues. If you don’t trust that this product will make a difference, take into account that they were inspired and tested by the Exum Mountain Guides of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Made from certified organic baby alpaca and merino wool, Vive Wear is the first medical-grade compression sock to incorporate silver and copper nanoparticles into its fibers. This patented combination generates a microcurrent that energizes recovery. This means that when you sweat, a tiny electrical current is created to help your body’s natural method of recovery. That extra energy helps reduce fatigue and decrease inflammation. And the cherry on top? These beauties are MADE IN AMERICA. To get your hands on this groundbreaking product, visit their website at: www.vivewear.com

27. SKOON CAT LITTER

These days, we are spending more time at home than ever before. This new lifestyle does give us more quality time with our fur friends, but even that perk can have some negatives. When you are stuck in the four walls of your home, the last thing you want to be smelling is your cat litter. Skoon Cat Litter is the answer with its “100% Odor Control Guarantee”. It has complete odor control, is

low dust, non-tracking, and 100% natural. Not to mention, this litter is incredibly light weight, so there is no more lugging it into the house or needing a helping hand with refilling the boxes. Our cat owning editor raved about Skoon Litter and resigned herself to making it a regular staple in their home. You will feel the same once you give it a try Delivered right to your front door, they really took out all the negative in caring for your cats. My favorite quality is its incredible absorbency. The particles of this litter are almost completely hollow, allowing it to soak up more than its weight in liquid. Knowing the litter is not going to give away how many furry friends you have taken into your home also gives you peace of mind when the holidays come around! If you want to get your own box of Skoon Cat Litter delivered to your door, visit www.skooncatlitter.com and receive free shipping today!

28. Zincuta

In San Diego we almost always have sunny days to enjoy. Unfortunately sometimes we end up spending just a little too much time in the sun. The go to cure has always been aloe, until now. The next time you are suffering from sun burn, or any other skin issues think about trying a new product, which isn’t really new at all. Pronounced Zin-coo-ta, Zincuta Ointment is a specialty skin cream that brings relief and heals skin afflictions. It has been found to work on easing chafes, burns, sun burns,

Fabulous Finds

abrasions, raw sores, insect bites, psoriasis, eczema, poison ivy and more. The completely new patented Zincuta Ointment was inspired by the works of Dr. Josiah C. Case (1865 – 1930), an eighth generation Southold resident with an impeccable reputation. A very effective and successful remedy. To Honor Dr. Case and a way of life, Herbalist Donna Penney thoroughly researched, and lovingly formulated a completely new version of Zincuta. It is concocted in Brooklyn, New York with the highest standards. This exceedingly good ointment is made with the finest, purest, natural ingredients. With a nagging skin issue there are not many remedies I have not tried. I have to say I was extremely impressed with the results that I obtained with Zincuta. If you are looking for solutions to many ailments in one little tin, that can easily be tossed into your bag, this is the solution for you. Go to https://zincuta.com/ and order yours today.

29. SAVINO WINE SAVING CARAFE

Have you ever opened a bottle of one, for your party of one, and found yourself saddened at the thought of how quickly the remainder of the bottle will spoil in the fridge? With Savino Wine Saving Carafe, you never have to worry about it again! This innovative design comes in glass or plastic, depending on your preference, and features an oxidizing preventative float which rests atop the wine. The carafe holds a standard bottle of wine (750 ML)

31 and fits easily in most refrigerators at 10.5 inches tall. The plastic float in the carafe is BPA free and the carafe and lid are made of the highest quality flint glass. Savino’s main premise is that “great products begin with a great experience” and with this effective, elegant, and easy to use carafe, that is definitely the result. Savino is manufactured in the USA and can be purchased directly online at www.savinowine.com

As someone with several health issues it was imperative that I do all I could to protect myself especially during the pandemic. This has been my go-to solution to help raise my immunity levels and feel like I am doing something positive to protect my health during these uncertain and scary times. To order yours today go to: https:// www.baseline-wellness.com/pages/ liposomal-immunity-boost

30. Baseline Immunity Boost

Z Wraps are eco-friendly reusable food wraps. Their new multi-packs offer the combination of value and design people are looking for right now, and not often found. It was mom, Michelle Zimora who wanted to create a product that was beautiful and useful, making something ordinary extraordinary. Michelle taught outdoor education before having kids, “I care about making smart choices that are good for the environment – and look great, too. In 2017, in my kitchen, I took one of my favorite printed fabrics and coated it in a blend of beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. After a whole lot of testing, I got the recipe just right. My girls went to school with their sandwiches wrapped in them the next day.” We tried out Z Wraps and now our staff fridge is full of a beautiful array of Z Wraps. They are reusable and washable, the perfect answer for lunchboxes, leftovers, hostess gifts and more. You will love them! Go to https://myzwraps.com/ and order yours today.

In times like these we are always searching out ways to keep safe and Baseline Immunity Boost should be at the top of your list. It is an optimal liquid liposomal Vitamin C & D. It is 6x more bioavailable than non-liposomal formulas which means it offers a much higher absorption rate. This is the most potent way to supply your body with a safe & powerful immunity boost. The natural orange flavor means you won’t shy away from taking this supplement every day. Each serving provides 1000 mg of potent vitamin C and 500 IU vitamin D all in a one teaspoon serving. One important factor that we love about Baseline Immunity Boost is that you are assured of the quality since it is made in the USA, Non GMO, gluten-free and vegetarian, so everyone can use this product regardless of your dietary restrictions. Baseline is a California based lifestyle wellness brand that promises and delivers nature’s finest and highest quality product.

31. Z Wraps

Fabulous Finds

CHIRP WHEEL

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before; myself included. While we are saving time in our cars, we are spending more than ever in non-ergonomic seating like our couches, dining room tables, and home office set-ups. If you are dealing with new or worsening neck and back pain, you need a way to get knot-kneading relief and effortlessly release low back tension. Now, I have been the person to scour the internet in search of some magical device to give me any semblance of relief of my shoulder and lower back pain. I have

even gone as far as to try an inverted table, hanging myself upside down like a bat at midnight just to be lulled into sleep. While this was an expensive endeavor, it gave me an equal amount of relief as this affordable wheel. The minute you are able to relax tight muscles, you’ll also find your sleep greatly improved. So how do you do it? The Chirp Wheel! The Chirp Wheel was designed to fit perfectly between your shoulder blades, targeting the muscles that go up and down your spine. The Chirp Wheel can hold up to 500lbs and is great for all ages 18 and up. It is built 100% PVC free and won’t break even under the most stressful conditions. If you’ve shopped at budget retailers, you have probably come across “yoga wheels” that advertise similar results. The Chirp Wheel is of another class. First, it is 5” wide to fit exactly in line with the spine. Next, it comes in various sizes to allow for

proper amounts of pressure on your neck or spine area of choice. Also, there is a canal designed in the center of the wheel to pull tension away from the spine and specifically massage the width and length of the area. Foam Rollers, a common item used for relaxing your back are nowhere near a comparison to The Chirp Wheel. With a foam roller, you are pushing down on a large area of your back and there is absolutely no targeting of specific muscle tissue. This result is the same with yoga balls. A yoga ball is too relaxed in structural design and will cause you to fall into the ball with no pressure on the areas of concern. It is recommended that The Chirp Wheel is used for 5-10 minutes each day, or as needed to reduce tension, target knots, and help “open” your vertebrae. Personally, I kept a regimented 10 minutes a day. At first, I found the pressure difficult to become accustomed to, but on the advice of friends, I continued using the wheel and within a couple of days I felt a complete relief. Beyond the pressure becoming relaxing, it also provided me with a great ritual prior to going to bed each night. I was able to release tension in my muscles and fall asleep without issue. If you want to find yourself sleeping easier, and reducing your back and neck pain, visit their website at: www.gochirp.com and discover all the products and varying sizes they have to help get you back to your prime!

B I T C H I N

M O A N I N G

Diet? I Don’t Need No Stinking Diet

just got back from the doctor this afternoon. He told me that I am Pre-Diabetic. Doctor “J” informed me I need to watch my weight and my “DIET”. If that wasn’t bad enough, my wife was with me when the Doc gave me the news. Most guys know that it is a very bad idea for your wife to know about your poor health, because they now believe they must h-e-l-p you with your problem. Ok, ok, so I’m 52 lbs. overweight. Big Earth-shattering Deal. Incidentally, here’s a little-known fact: there is a Patron Saint of Obesity and Dieting. Yep, that’s right. His name is Saint Charles Borromeo. I want to make it very clear that my wife is a wonderful, loving person, and I have enjoyed being married to her for 55 years. However, yes, there is a however in this story. However, she can be too helpful when it comes to my wellbeing. It’s like she is on a quest to watch over me and assist me in losing those extra pounds. The thing is, it’s taken me about 30 years to get up to my weight, and I enjoyed acquiring every pound. Those pounds were not procured by eating junk food; but rather, by enjoying delicious meals accompanied by a multitude of beverages. Some of these included fine wine, gourmet beer, such as Leinenkugel, and even some hard liquor. I also enjoyed A&W root beer, cherry coke, and my hometown drink, MOXIE. I grew up in Portland Maine; and therefore, my favorite childhood meals prepared by my grandmother included virtually every kind of fish and seafood that the Atlantic Ocean could provide. This, of course, included fine whole succulent lobster served with farm fresh melted BUTTER. My grandmother and step-grandfather owned a boarding house. My grandmother would cook for her boarders and was renowned for her exquisite clam chowder and crispy fish and chips; not to mention scrump-

By C F Illingworth

tious steaks, ribs and roast dinners. Her apple-berry pies were legendary. I should also mention that my step-grandfather was a French Canadian, and he also loved to cook. He and I got along famously. He enjoyed preparing some of the most delectable, high caloric breakfast foods that a gourmet chef would ever place on a plate. He methodically put incredible tasting sauces on everything he prepared. So, to this day, breakfast is by far my favorite meal. So, as you can see, I was introduced to good food from an early age. It wasn’t until my wife and I got married that I really started to put on a few pounds by enjoying my wife’s fantastic meals. And now, after all these years of diligently adding precious pounds to my five-foot nine-inch frame, I am told I have to lose my cherished poundage. My wife, on the other hand, has been on a maintenance diet for a couple of years now. (I think she is at her perfect weight, and she also has a nice butt.) Can I say that here? However, yeah I know another however; my teeny tiny wife has been on a special diet devised by some gal named Watcher. My wife wants me to begin following this same diet. I think she wants me on this diet so she can weigh my food and count out the Ritz chips. Everything has a point value, and you are allowed only so many points for the day. When I first started, I ran a little over my daily allotment of points. Actually, it seems I used up not only my points for the day but her points as well. I found out that you can’t put anything into your mouth until you first take a picture of the barcode shown on the food product. I was also informed that there are some foods that are considered FREE. That means you can eat as much of that food as you want, and it won’t add weight. I ate a whole bag of Lay’s sour cream potato chips before I realized the barcode was on the bottom of the bag. I figured that

if there was no barcode, then it must be one of those free foods. I was pleased with myself. I ate a basket of strawberries because they are a free fruit, although no one told me that I shouldn’t have added the whipped cream on top of the berries. I guess it evens itself out. My wife wants me to attend a meeting so I can meet a woman named Mrs. Watcher. I understand that everyone plays a game that includes standing on a scale; consequently, each dieter will know how many points they can have for the week. I’m not sure that I want to go. The whole procedure sounds a little scary to me. I’m worried now that my clothes won’t fit me anymore once I lose the weight. Right now, all of my wardrobe fits me perfectly. I’m afraid if I lose too much weight, no one will recognize me. What if I get stopped by a Sheriff, and he asks me for my license? He will look at me and say, “That’s not you”, and then I’ll be hauled off to the sheriff ’s station for questioning. I don’t think they will believe me if I tell them that it’s because I’m

on a special diet. I’m sure you wouldn’t believe me either, would you? As one famous over-weight celebrity said, “Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your points”, or something like that. As you can tell, I’m desperate. Help me, help me. “I’m melting, melting. Oh what a world, what a world.” Mr. Illingworth is the author of two books. One is a comical, country, family themed book. The second book is a memoir of his childhood. They are both published on Amazon.com. You can purchase the e-books or the paperbacks by typing: C F Illingworth in the Amazon search bar.

Meet The Artist

Segun Owolabi His name is Segun Owolabi and he is an extremely talented African Artist. I first met him on LinkedIn and after seeing his work, I needed to share it with our readers. Take a look at his beautiful creations. For more information and to view more of his art, contact him via email below. owolabisegun75@gmail.com

From Rubble to Champagne is one woman’s journey from war torn Berlin through extreme poverty, attempted suicide, sexual abuse, and a devastating cancer diagnosis, to finding a life of love in the arms of a man who turned her life around. This beautiful story shows the power of love and a life of gratitude. Order your copy today on Amazon.com.

“One of the most inspiring books you will ever read. This San Diego writer shows how a life can be turned around by a chance encounter and result in a lifetime of happiness.” San Diego Woman Magazine

San Diego Woman

Articles inside

Meet The Artist

CBD Roundup

Diet? I Don’t Need no Stinking Diet

Your Best Life

Blue Lantern Hotel

The Vatican Museums and Colosseum in Rome

Walking on a Glacier

United We Cook

Dawn Nicoli

USS Tripoli Arrived in San Diego

Gratitude

Dr. Deena Stacer

Honoring Our Veterans

Transform This Holiday Season

Brett Stokes

Poetry Corner