St. Johns Magazine January 2023 (2)

Moms

When you’re expecting, you have questions. We help answer them.

Rest easy knowing that you and your baby are in the right hands. That’s because Baptist Health is the No. 1 health system in Northeast Florida for maternity services and Wolfson Children’s provides the most sophisticated care for infants and children of all ages.

To learn more or find an OB/GYN who delivers at Baptist Health, call 202.4HER (4437) or visit baptistjax.com/baby

Physicians providing care at our hospitals are not employees or agents of the hospitals.

and babies need special types of care.

About Us

St. Johns Magazine is dedicated to covering the topics readers care aboutfrom hometown stories and community spotlighs to food, health & business. St. Johns Magazine is designed to engage readers and inspire them to enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns!

All rights reserved

©2012-2023

©St. Johns Magazine LLC. St. Johns Magazine is published monthly and distributed by US postal Service to select homes in Northern St. Johns. It is free of charge to consumers receiving it in the mail. It is also availalble at many drop points in Northern St. Johns. All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and published without responsibility for errors and ommissions. @St JohnsMagazine facebook/ St.JohnsMagazine

Happy New Year! January 2023

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2023! It's time for resolutions and the promises we make to ourselves to be better than we were the year before. Many people use this time of year to focus on body image and weight loss. We have an amazing story by Miles Dowdy about his journey with the YMCA and how they helped him lose over 100 pounds! Talk about inspiration for the New Year!

This month SJM celebrates local business, something we have become experts at doing, and something we do every month, really. For me, it is a resolution of sorts to want to see success in those around us, and especially the businesses that support us by existing in our community providing services, activities, and products that are uniquely St. Johns. When you visit your favorite Italian restaurant, or small gift shop or when you decide to get that new outdoor kitchen you are supporting a local. Who are your favorites? Chances are you have learned about them in the pages of SJM over the years.

We have some interesting business spotlights for you this month including a new med spa Modern Aesthetic Centers in Durbin, our very own Ozzy Trevino Photography, and please check out our spotlight on the creative team here at St. Johns Magazine

Please enjoy our January 2023 issue of St. Johns Magazine. We are grateful for all the love, and for the sponsors that are the backbone of our fun and friendly publication. May you have a happy and healthy New Year!

Debbie Gaylord

LAST WORD

Please enjoy our New format Calendar, with events sprinkled through our pages. We share what is happening based on what you.. LOVE to do...

READ

Enhance Your Image, Improve Your Wellness Modern Aesthetic Center in Durbin

Owners: Paul Hassan and Co-founder Lisa Farides

How did you have the idea to open Modern Aesthetic Centers in St. Johns?

Born and raised in the greater Jacksonville community, we started to notice a growth in the medical spa business over the last few years. With our backgrounds in the aesthetics and wellness industry, Paul and I wanted to bring something significant to the table and open our first center in the Saint Johns community. We know that we have to look at our clients as a whole, not just offer treatments to enhance their look. We have a growing service list for wellness offering to address the internal health of our clients and their overall wellbeing.

When did you open your business?

We opened Modern Aesthetic Centers in November of this year, 2022.

What are some of the unique services you provide?

We offer a few unique services that sets us apart from a traditional medical spa. One of those services is hormone replacement therapy, which consists of running a full lab panel and assessing if a client is a good candidate for hormone replacement. If so, we prescribe hormones to put them back in balance, which significantly changes their lives. It treats hot flashes, increases energy levels, increases libido and treats mood swings, just to name a few.

Another unique service we offer is skin rejuvenation with the addition of PRF and exosomes. These are cutting edge offering which dramatically increase collagen and elastin, resulting in visible reduction of wrinkles, age spots, skin brightness and firmness immediately and continuously as over time.

Our team members are remarkable. Tanya Temple is our Nurse Practioner. Her background in dermatology sets her apart from most aesthetic injectors, as she assesses and treats her clients skin health concerns and not just visible enhancements. Bobbie Stewart is our Master Aesthetician. Bobbie is a trained registered nurse and a Massage therapist. The skill set she acquired with her past training elevates her knowledge versus a traditionally trained aesthetician. She understands the skin and muscular system and brings that knowledge to the table when consulting and treating her clients.

Kristen Parker is our Client Coordinator. Kristen has a degree in nutrition and takes a big role in our wellness program. She also understands how to manage the day to day operations of our business and puts our clients first from the moment they call and walk in the door until the moment they leave.

We do offer our clients a consultation before their appointments. When a client makes an appointment with us for the first time, we schedule enough time to provide an initial consultation as well as their treatment. Our providers address all of their aesthetic and wellness concerns during this initial visit by listening to the clients' goals, assessing their overall skin health, reviewing their current and past medical history and providing a customized treatment plan to get them to their goals.

Our diverse menu of aesthetic and wellness services coupled with cutting edge options sets us apart from traditional medical spas. We also have a remarkable team with strong backgrounds, from our leadership team to our providers.

We chose to open our first location in Saint Johns because of the remarkable growth of the county. Living in the Saint John's area myself, I am very familiar with the past, current and future growth of this county. We also have a lack of aesthetic and wellness centers in the area we opened, which we have now filled that need. We do plan to open three more centers over the new few years.

When I am not at work, I have two girls and a large family that keep me busy. We love to enjoy the amazing outdoors our hometown provides. The beach is our favorite place outdoors and we also love the many parks and trails our town has to offer.

Who are your team members and what do they bring to the table?

What do you want clients to know about Modern Aesthetic Centers that sets you apart?

Do you offer a consultation before an appointment? What does this entail?

Why did you choose St. Johns? Do you have plans to open other Centers in our area?

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

"Our goal with every client is to provide tailored results driven by well-educated aestheticians who know the anatomy of the skin inside and out. We pride ourselves in giving each client a relaxing atmosphere with a personal touch in each treatment we offer."

- Lisa Farides

Fun Things To Do

If you Love ART

MIX IT UP AT ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION

JANUARY 6 to 29

In this non-traditional exhibit, artists push the boundaries of the norm. Works reflect subjects — or perhaps a new perspective on traditional subjects — a variety of mediums and experiments with mediums, 2D and 3D. Mix It Up is on display both in-gallery and online. Admission is free and gallery hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-4 p.m. 22 Marine St., St. Augustine, FL 32084 www.staaa.org

SUNDAYS AT STETSON'S AT

BELUTHAHATCHEE

JANUARY 8

Presented by The Stetson Kennedy Foundation and St. Johns County Parks, this monthly folk music concert series features artists who reflect the values, spirit, and goals of Stetson Kennedy. Shows are from 2-4 p.m. and admission is a suggested donation of $20 per person. All proceeds support the Sundays at Stetson's concert series. Tours of Beluthahatchee (Stetson's cottage) may be available. Beluthahatchee Park, 1501 SR 13 N., Fruit Cove. (904) 206-8304 www.facebook.com/SundaysAtStetsons

VILANO BEACH ARTISAN MARKET WALK

JANUARY 21

The Vilano Beach Market Walk takes place from 4-8 p.m. along the sidewalks near the Vilano Beach Pier. Local artisan-made items, plants, home décor, datil pepper sauces, and much more. Free parking and admission. Vilano Beach Pier, 259 Vilano Rd., St. Augustine. www. vilanobeachfl.com

ART IN NATURE

FIRST FRIDAY GARDEN WALK AT WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARK

JANUARY 6

Join a Ranger on the First Friday of every month for a garden walk. Learn about the history of Washington Oaks while exploring the formal gardens. The walk starts in the Garden parking lot at 10 a.m. and is approximately one hour. No registration required. Walk included with park entry fee of $5 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.washingtonoaks.org.

ARTISTIC TREASURES

ST. AUGUSTINE ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL

JANUARY 7, 8

Visit this festival featuring handmade items such as ceramics, stained glass, photography, soaps and more at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach 352-3440657 www.tnteventsinc. com

Fun Things To Do If you Love NATURE

FAMILY SEINING AT GTM RE SEARCH RESERVE

JANUARY 14

Hosted by the GTM Research Reserve, you're invited to join docents from 9-11 a.m. to learn how to pull a seine net. Participants will collect fish and crabs as well as learn about their habitats and role in the environment. Waders and boots provided. The program is included with regular admission to the reserve and takes place in the Environmental Education Center. 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach 904-8234500 www.gtmnerr.org

MATANZAS INLET HIKE JANUARY

16

Join GTM Research Reserve partnered with the National Parks Service on this guided interpretive walk around the Matanzas Inlet. Your guide will explain the inlet dynamics and movement of the sand as the sea constantly rearranges the shore. Hikers will explore the incredibly rich and diverse communities of plants and animals throughout the ecosystem and witness how hurricanes have affected the inlet. This event meets at the Matanzas Inlet west parking lot. This event is free, but registration is required.904-823-4500, Matanzas inlet8655 A1A Str., St. Augustine, FL 32080 www.gtmnerr.org

NOCATEE FARMERS MARKET

JANUARY 21

GUIDED EXPLORATION HIKE OF THE GTM RESEARCH RESERVE JANUARY 7

On the first Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m., visitors can learn about the cultural history of the Guana Peninsula as well as the natural biodiversity during a guided hike. Find out about the peninsula’s 5,000 years of human history, including how native peoples used estuarine resources, what European plantation life was like, and current efforts to learn about and save these resources. Meet at the GTM Research Reserve’s Trailhead Pavilion located west of the Guana Dam. Wear comfortable closedtoe shoes. There is a $3 per vehicle parking fee. Reservations are required and space is limited.505 Guana River Rd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 www.gtmnerr.org

Come out to the Nocatee Farmers Market on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00am-1:00pm! Open to the public; weather permitting. Each month features a different fun and interactive theme! The Nocatee Farmers Market is full of activities, shows, and demonstrations for the entire family. With so much to do, everyone is sure to have a great time. This market offers a wide variety of selections including the freshest locally grown produce and herbs as well as homemade jams, jellies, home-baked goods, hand-stitched quilts, plants, art, and pottery items.www.sjchc.org

Fun Things To Do If you Love CULTURE

SAINT AUGUSTINE FILM FESTIVAL

JANUARY

12 to 15

Screenings of more than 50 independent films take at multiple venues throughout downtown St. Augustine. 954-520-3191. 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084. Tickets and the 2023 film schedule at www.staugfilmfest. com.

Jacksonville Symphony

JANUARY 22

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 pm Regularly heard on more than 250 public radio stations across the country on Performance Today. In 2018, the orchestra was selected as one of four orchestras from across the country to participate in the 2020 SHIFT: A Festival of American orchestras in Washington, D.C. Ticket Prices: $50.00 – Adult | $10.00 – Students. There is no parking at Lewis Auditorium. Price includes parking at St. Johns County Council on Aging, 180 Marine Street and shuttle service to and from the venue. emmaconcerts.com/eve

Cruisers Car Club Cruise

JANUARY 21

-In

Check out the classic cars during the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club Cruise-In. Every 3rd Saturday of the month (except December) from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Classic Car Museum. Cruise-In includes music, door prizes, 50/50 drawing and fun. Stop by and check us out! The Cruisers promote interest in various types of special auto activities, create good fellowship and sportsmanship among the members, and support charities.

Fun Things To Do If you Love HISTORY

FREEDOM TRAIL TROLLEY TOURS W/ HISTORIAN

DAVID NOLAN

JANUARY 14 & 18

Renowned historian and author, David Nolan, with the Accord Freedom Trail Organization, conducts Freedom Trail Trolley Tours on select Saturdays. Tours start at 8:45 a.m. (2 hours) from the Willie Galimore Center, 399 S. Riberia St., St. Augustine. Visit the sites that played major roles in the civil rights demonstrations of 1964 including churches, meeting locations, homes of key local civil rights leaders and places where non-violent protesters were attacked. This tour will be limited by the size of the trolley and reservations are required. For reservations and cost, call 904-347-1382. www.accordfreedomtrail.org

DR. M.L. KING HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

JANUARY 15, 16

This event is hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Committee of St. Johns County and begins with a birthday celebration on January 15 with the Youth of the Church at St. Paul AME Church, 85 M.L. King Ave. at 4 p.m. On January 16, a commemorative breakfast takes place from 7:30-9:30 a.m. in the Virginia Room at Flagler College, 50 Sevilla St. For the breakfast, the cost is $30 per ticket and the guest speaker is Dr. Diana L. Greene, Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools. Following the breakfast at 10:30 a.m., a silent march begins at 86 M. L. King Ave. and ends at the Plaza de la Constitución at 11 a.m. where guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Gary Williams of Hopewell Church will provide a presentation. 904-501-4893 www.mlksjc.org

IT STARTS WITH US:

HONORING

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING

JANUARY 16

Join the West Augustine Improvement Association and the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center in a panel discussion honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The panel will focus on the national theme of Martin Luther King day, “It Starts With Me,” focusing on ways to transform unjust systems and build a beloved community. Admission is free. It takes place at the Lincolnville Museum Cultural Center, 102 Martin Luther King Ave., St. Augustine. www.Lincolnvillemuseum.org

Conquistador Festival

2023

JANUARY 21

Join us at St. Johns County Fairgrounds for the Conquistador Festival. Gates open at Noon. The event had previously been scheduled for June 25, 2022. Celebrating First Responders! Funds raised go to non-profits supporting First Responders in St. Johns County. Includes SJSO PAL, FLNG Foundation, K9s for Warriors, and Horse Therapy Center. Live Music by Kaylee Rose | Whiskey Heart | Special Appearance by John Rich. Games * Food * Laser Tag * Video Games * Kids Events * Traveling Space Dome * Local Vendors For tickets visit Website: https://conquistadorfestival.com/

I HAVE A DREAM

...And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

January 15, 1929 -April 4, 1968

How The YMCA Helped me Lose More than 100 Pounds

by Miles Dowdy

In December of 2021, I stepped on the scale and saw something I’d never see before: 300 pounds. Going up the stairs was becoming difficult and I couldn’t keep up with my son the way I wanted to. The body that won state football and wrestling championships had morphed into something I didn’t recognize. With a daughter on the way, I knew a change needed to be made.

The YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village was just around the corner and my son was already involved with their football and soccer programs. When I decided I was going to start this journey, the YMCA was a simple choice in how I was going to get there. Getting set up as a member is easy and they meet you wherever you are on your fitness journey. They have a little bit of everything, and it was a place my family and I could all go to together. My wife would go to a spin class while I would do my traditional workout and I knew my son was being taken care of through the YMCA’s childcare program.

As much as I wanted this change to happen in my life, I needed to start slow. It was a journey I took day by day, and it wasn’t easy. In the moments where I felt I was not doing a work out correctly or just needed some guidance, the YMCA staff was there to help. The services they provide along with the genuine support they have for their members sets them apart from your typical gym. Over time, the YMCA has truly become family to us.

Through hard work, dedication and consistency, I successfully lost more than 100 pounds. While the number did change, the scale is not what I focused on. In fact, I think it’s what hurt me in previous efforts to lose weight. This time, I

focused on how I was feeling and watched the physical changes in real time. That shift was essential for me mentally and kept me motivated. Through this journey, working out has become habitual and has brought back a sense of competitiveness that I had been missing. My motivation originally was to just change my health and body; now I see it as a part of daily life while connecting with the amazing YMCA staff.

For those looking to embark on this journey, the most important thing is not to wait. This is something you have to do for yourself, and while you can be your biggest motivator, you can also be your biggest obstacle. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to begin. Finding the inspiration in yourself to make this a consistent change in your life will be the first difficult step.

Making a change as big as this isn’t something you can buy at the store or find a magical answer online; it’s based on the hard work you put in and you have to realize there will be ups and downs. One thing I needed to overcome and still struggle with is the anxiety of simply walking in the door. Pulling up to the parking lot is intimidating, but I have to remind myself that everyone is here for similar reasons as I am. Pushing yourself one foot forward every day and finding encouragement in the small victories is key.

It’s okay if you’re unsure what you’re doing when you embark on this journey. We learn more from doing wrong than from doing right. The important thing is that you tried and

that’s what the YMCA is there for. If you have a question, they will be there to find you an answer; you just have to ask. It’s like going to the grocery store and not knowing where an item is. Even if it’s something you want, but don’t ask for help, you’re just going to walk out of there empty-handed.

Now, a year later, my life has forever been changed. I want to thank all the amazing employees at the YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village for being there every step of the way.

To learn more about the wide range of programs and services the Y offers, like the Exercise is Medicine program, 12-week weight loss program, registered dietitian services, personal and small group training, and more, visit your local branch or log on to www. fcymca.org.

Miles with his family in 2021

Connecting Northern St. Johns for Over 10 Years!

Publisher & Creative Director Debbie Gaylord started St. Johns Magazine in 2012. The concept has remained simple from the beginning - a community resource that connects the growing communities of northern St. Johns. Today, SJM is a beautifully designed monthly publication delivered free to homes in Durbin, Aberdeen, Julington, CR210 & Nocatee. Our goal is to share the best of the people, places, and events that make our area special by telling the stories of our sponsors with business spotlights, expert articles, and display ads that elevate their brand and get the word out about what is new and exciting. Like many of SJM’s sponsors, Debbie is a neighbor and a small business owner who lives and works in Northern St. Johns and understands the dynamics of entrepreneurship within this community..

The Creative Team at St. Johns Magazine

Debbie Gaylord has worked in advertising and communications for close to twenty years, creating content for local brands, nonprofits, and politicians over the years. As the mother of triplets plus one, she wanted to do something that would allow her to be creative and give her the flexibility to be there after school. She discovered the publishing world with her first publication in 2005, the Capital District Kids Directory. Through that first experience, she learned how exciting it was to create and share a magazine each month. She later owned a second publication, Our Towne, in upstate New York.

What makes her happy about being a publisher is learning about local businesses, and helping them craft a design that reflects their ideas, and tells their story. The finishing touch is when she puts it out in the world for other people to see and experience. She is thankful to have gone down this path and found her passion in design and publishing.

When she is not working, you can find her at the beach swimming and generally soaking in the beauty of St. Johns. She loves reading and creative writing and most of all traveling the world.

a Special Thank you to our Favorite Coffee Shop, Brass Tacks in Julington Creek. for providing space for our photoshoot

Lori Allen is the St. Johns Magazine Food Blogger. Her authentic reviews, published in St. Johns Magazine, focus on where to find the best food in St. Johns. Her love for food comes from her northern background and her love of cooking, exploring new tastes and experiences as well as meeting new and interesting people. She has never met a stranger nor has she ever been afraid to try an intriguing place to dine. She is a local who moved from the Boston area to attend Flagler College and never left. Lori is a family person that loves the beach, football, working out, and finding new restaurants to try. Lori now has her own instagram page -check it out at mywanderingfork

Eric Wolf is the St. Johns Magazine Account Executive. With many years of experience helping clients, he is the epitome of the friendly positive energy the magazine strives to achieve. He has lived in St. Johns for over twenty years and in his spare time loves spending time with his family.

Ozzy Trevino partners with St. Johns Magazine as our esteemed photographer. The magazine’s covers and feature articles are enhanced by his high level of skill and his ability to capture the personalities of his subjects by making them super relaxed. Ozzy is the owner of Ozzy Trevino Photography. He and his family live in Northern St. Johns. *Read more about Ozzy in his spotlight article on page

Photos by Ozzy Trevino Photography at Brass Tacks in Julington Creek.

New Year's Wine Revolution Resolutions!

So, this is the New Year. What does it hold? One exciting way to create change is to expand our experiences with wine by making New Year's Wine Revolution Revolutions!

Consider this: there are over 10,000 grape varieties grown worldwide! Of those varieties, about 1,300 are used to make wine. Many of those are inaccessible to American wine consumers, and lots of them are used mainly for blending into other, more dominant, varieties. But an incredible number of these wines are available in the U.S., and well worth giving an experimental sniff, swirl, and sip! While you’re finalizing your New Year’s resolutions, think about making your own personal New Year’s Wine Revolution by resolving to explore more varieties and styles of wine than ever before! Your taste buds will thank you!!

Here's a simple way to revolutionize your wine world (for the better!): Reflect on the year that just passed, and your experiences with wine. What did you enjoy, and why did you enjoy it? What did you try that resulted in you making weird faces and pouring it out? What surprised you?

One of the biggest wine surprises I ever had came from an expensive multi-course dinner at a very nice restaurant in New York City. Wines were paired by the sommelier for each course and I quickly encountered my “wine nemesis:” a German Riesling. My past experience with Riesling had been limited to sweet-tasting wines that I definitely did not enjoy. So when I heard “Riesling” my previous experience immediately sprang into mind and I asked the waiter if he could recommend an alternative. He stiffened and said, imperiously, “The chef recommends the Riesling.”

After a tug-of-war over my request, he relented and grudgingly disappeared to the wine cellar, reappearing with the requested alternative. I dutifully evaluated what he brought, swirling, sniffing, and sipping carefully, and found it to be not to my liking. (He may have chosen it for that purpose for all I know. Now I’m glad he did!) So I caved, and he brought the recommended Riesling. This time when I sniffed the wine, I was shocked!

by Steve Terrell, Sommeliér

Uncorked Events

It smelled like the back end of a diesel truck or Jeep! The wine had the odor of petrol (kerosene, gasoline, oily rags) and I was really thrown for a loop. The waiter watched as I reacted to the wine and almost smirked at my comments and wrinkled-up nose. Then he stated, “Yes! It’s as it should be!”

In utter shock, I warily tasted the wine and experienced a Riesling that was unlike any

also makes Kendall Jackson Avant Chardonnay that showcases the crisper side of the grape with its delicate flavors of pear, apple, and a hint of cream. If you only drink big, bold California Cabernet Sauvignons try a medium-body Australian Cabernet Sauvignon like the 2018 Penfolds Bin 407. Use this approach to choose bottles to taste and compare wines that are related to your favorite variety, without going

I had ever tasted before. Aromas and flavors of minerality, lime zest, apricot, honeycomb, and – yes – “petrol” were abundant. I was encountering a classic aged German Riesling that was dry, not sweet. In my state of disbelief, I think I had an out-of-body experience because I don’t recall anything else about that dinner, only that I had a “Riesling Revolution” that persists until today. The lesson I took from that experience is: “Never give up on the grape.”

In other words, don’t let your past experiences and perceptions keep you from experimenting and trying new wines, even when you’ve had unpleasant wine experiences before.

Plan to broaden your wine experiences by looking for wines you have never tasted before or of which you have unfavorable impressions. For example, if you only drink oaky, buttery Chardonnay you could try an unoaked Chardonnay by the same producer. KendallJackson makes several oaked Chardonnays, but

too far out of your comfort zone.

To stretch yourself, plan to compare your favorite wines to other wines you know very little about, or even do your own “blind tasting,” where you cover up the label on the bottle and pour tastes for your friends; then discuss and compare perceptions. It could be a ton of fun! Maybe you could make a “Revolution Resolution” to choose and compare 1 wine a month for 2023! (Invite me over!)

Explore by tasting some of the wines you selected to compare. However you experiment with different wines, use a structured process to compare your reactions and take some notes. The tried-and-true approach of See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor is a simple approach that can produce increased understanding and appreciation of the differences in wines.

To Schedule a private wine tasting event with Steve email him at steven.uncorkedevetns@ gmail.com

Ozzy Trevino Photography Focus on the Future

Meet Ozzy Trevino and learn about the skill and passion he has for capturing light with a camera. Discover his early beginnings, his current work and his dreams for the future.

When someone asks, “What are you?”, my response is usually - I’m an American.

Proud and bold. But of course, one can be many things. With a little more context, you may find out that I am a husband, a father, a Texan, and a photographer.

I have been married to my lovely wife, Rebecca, for over 14 years. She is my best friend, my trusted advisor, and my voice of reason. She motivates me to be more and to be better at everything. She is the definition of a muse.

I have been blessed with two incredibly wonderful kids. Young, healthy, and curious - I couldn’t ask for better children. Their joy and humor is a constant uplifting light in my life.

Born a Texan, I’ll always feel a sense of pride tied to the Lone Star State, but after moving to the DC area for a few years, and after living in Florida for 5 years, I’m happy to say that I’m hopeful to stay in St. Johns for a very long time. St. Johns has become our favorite area by far. The location, the climate, the people… I feel that my family and I fit right in.

I was always the artistic kid growing up. My favorite toys were sharpened pencils, a clipboard, and a stack of blank paper. I grew up knowing I wanted to do something artistic but never really knew what that was until my senior year of high school. I was introduced to graphic design and found it was a great way to express my creativity. Photography came out of necessity during my graphic design work. I did not have access to the images that I needed in order to complete the projects at hand. A company I used to work for purchased a Canon DSLR camera, handed it to me, and said “I’m sure you can figure it out.” From that point on I read blogs, I watched YouTube videos, and I watched other photographers.

Years later, I was lucky enough to work alongside other talented photographers. It quickly became my primary source of creative expression to where I have almost left graphic design work completely behind.

Photography is just another outlet for creating something from nothing, and impacting the viewer in a different way.

After photographing families, weddings, pets, and many other genres, I have found that commercial and stylized portraiture are my passion. Commercial photography allows me to solve an issue by figuring out the best approach and expressing the message that the client needs. Stylized portraiture gives me the opportunity to photograph many interesting people and visually creating a concept or an emotion.

To sum it up, Jessica Huffman once wrote, “Ozzy is an editorial photographer that captures his subject’s energy leveraging their individual strengths and interests. His ability to curate the perfect image communicates creativity, vibrance, and drama that speaks to the proper audience,”

In 2023, I will be setting specific business goals in order to grow. A friend of mine often says, “Goals that are not written down are just a wish”. Go, write them down, but be realistic. One completed goal is better than no goals reached. Make smaller, more obtainable goals, and hold yourself accountable.

As a small business owner, I will be making more of an effort to find the clientele searching for my style who have an appreciation for my type of imagery. My style is not for everyone. It has taken years for me to be comfortable with that. I feel any business owner should find that following and focus on that group of individuals. Build your own brand by doing what you love, how you love it.

Learn from the past, but focus on the future. I wish you the best at the start of this new year. From my family to yours, we wish you nothing but success and happiness!

"Photography is just another outlet for creating something from nothing, and impacting the viewer in a different way."

- Ozzy

by Dr. Deckard, DVM, Pets R Family

My Pet Has a New Lump, Should I Worry?

Chances are that if you own a pet, or have ever owned a pet, you have found a lump that you were wondering if it was a problem or not. Lumps can vary in size, consistency, location, color, texture and level of discomfort. The fact of the matter is that no lump should go unchecked, but the level of urgency changes by a few key factors that should be considered. It is important to know that the majority of lumps cannot receive an accurate diagnosis without either a needle aspirate or a biopsy by your veterinarian.

A new lump can be a sign of a tumor (either benign or malignant), infection, insect bite or other reactive lump, a cyst, foreign body or lymph node enlargement. Where the lump is located is just as important as its appearance. Lymph nodes are in specific locations of the body and checking all lymph nodes to see if there is one or more affected will help determine whether the problem is isolated to one area of the body or more of a systemic (whole body) problem. If the pet was just seen for a vaccination or other injection, the lump could be a local reaction that is temporary and not cause for worry, but it should still be checked out. If the mass is associated with genitalia, the mouth or the mammary glands then they are particularly more urgent.

Certain types of tumors are common for particular breeds of dogs and cats so it is important to know which ones are prevalent in your type of pet. For instance, sebaceous adenomas, which are benign cyst-like growths, are very common in

cocker spaniels and poodles, and have a distinct appearance which can be diagnosed by an exam. More serious lumps such as mast cell tumors are very common in boxers and boston terriers, and lymphoma is common in golden retrievers and basset hounds. These are just a few examples.

Your veterinarian may recommend removal of a mass, even if it is found to be benign. If the mass is in a location that affects the dog’s mobility such as under the arm, near a joint or on the neck, it may be better to remove it before it becomes a problem. If your pet is constantly licking or chewing at the mass or it is continually getting infected then it would be best to do surgery to excise it.

A painful mass is more likely to be related to something that is from a reaction, infection, foreign body or insect bite. This type of mass will most likely need an aspirate to make a diagnosis but could be resolved with simple medical management.

An aspirate is when a needle is inserted into the mass and cells from the aspirate are spread onto a slide, stained and evaluated under a microscope. Some of these can be diagnosed by your veterinarian in the office and others require sending the slides to a lab for evaluation by a pathologist. Aspirates, because they are only a tiny sample, give results that may not be completely accurate. They are a good screening tool, however a biopsy may be recommended based on those results or based on changes that the mass exhibits in the months following the aspirate. Once the results are obtained from the aspirate, your

veterinarian may recommend monitoring the mass, removing the mass with surgery or medical treatment.

A biopsy is a tissue sample that is taken by either removal of the entire mass or submission of a small piece of the tissue. This is an actual sample of the mass and is an accurate determination of the type of growth which can help determine the next steps for treatment. If the entire mass is removed then the pathologist can determine if the entire mass was removed and what margins were achieved to determine prognosis. A consult with an oncologist may be recommended if the mass is malignant.

Knowing the type of mass your pet has helps determine the next steps to take and what to expect from a prognosis perspective. Your veterinarian may recommend doing further tests to look for spread of the mass to other locations by doing x-rays or ultrasound or by aspirating nearby lymph nodes. These tests help determine the best course of action and will help the oncologist plan the appropriate treatment.

The take home message is that if you find a new lump on your pet, the safest course of action is to have it evaluated by your veterinarian who can determine if the lump is worrisome by doing a simple aspirate. It’s better to find out once and for all than to ignore something that could potentially be dangerous. How quickly you have it checked is determined by how your pet is feeling, how fast the lump is changing and if the masses appear painful or infected.