Splendor of Spring
REVAMPING THE YARD The Latest In Landscaping Trends APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH One Mother’s Honest Perspective LOCAL GOES LOCAL Virginia Is For Wine Tasting!
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features
16 Landscaping Tips 38 Autism Awareness 64 Local Goes Local Virginia Wine Tasting what’s cooking
22 Cravings and Crumbs – Kitchen Gardens 24 Smart Ways to Eat Better
out and about
32 Planning a Family Vacation On a Budget 35 Seasonal Events in Long Beach Island Region
health & beauty
28 Making Changes In Your Diet and Lifestyle 8
Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
57 Fashionista on Spring Wardrobe Woes
home & entertaining 10 Refreshing Your Indoor Space for Spring
sports & family
51 Senior Perspective on Activities for Seniors 59 The Forty Year Old Version on the ’93 Phillies 60 Philadelphia Auto Show Trends 62 Pet Food Recalls
26 law & finance
21 Things to Consider When Selecting A Real Estate Agent 44 Harvest Financial on Retirement
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Ahhh, Spring!!
I
t’s the time for rebirth, spring cleaning, garden planning, and best of all… spending more time outside. It’s time to revel in a collective sigh of relief for making it through another brutal winter. Spring is here! Who doesn’t love springtime? What a great way to end the cold, gray days of winter! (As you can probably tell, I am not a big fan of winter!) But now that spring is here all is well in the world again. There’s no better time than the present to get your body back into shape for swimsuit season. For those of you who actually contemplate wearing a bathing suit this summer there are plenty of body sculpting magazines with numerous examples of airbrushed or Photoshop images, to make you crazy at the supermarket checkout lines! Sweating away in the gym is fine, but I believe there are certain benefits to exercising outside. I am of the opinion that a combination of fresh air, sunshine, and the wonders
of nature can stimulate you more than an elliptical machine and a television screen at the gym. So, for those of us who are a little older, a litter slower, and less likely to hit the gym over the winter, get out and enjoy some daily exercise outdoors. Start with walking, biking, or even gardening… And while spring slowly melts away our memories of a particularly cold and snowy winter, I hope the stories and recipes in this issue will brighten your day. May you enjoy all the fresh air this season has to offer! Happy Spring!
Karen A. Kovacs, Publisher
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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editor’s letter
A
s I type this, I am sitting on my deck in the sunshine. It’s hard to believe that just a little over a week ago, my husband and I were out clearing nearly a foot of snow off our walkways. Nature has many gifts, and I always seem to find the beauty that each season provides. But as much as I love sipping my coffee and watching the snowfall, I have got to be honest… after the last snowstorm, I was over old man winter! When the shoveling was finished, I went inside and frantically packed away my snowman figurines and pulled out my bins of spring décor. (Obviously, I felt as though my decorations were encouraging the weather!) For now, the snow seems to have melted and the signs of spring are slowly poking through. This issue has plenty to help us spring into the next season. I can attest that Pattie Krukowski has inspired me to bring life into my indoor space with fresh flowers and seasonal produce, while Landscape Trends has prompted me to make big plans for my backyard garden. Much to my own mother’s disappointment, I am not the most motivated gardener; but each year I find myself learning more. Cravings and Crumbs author, Sara Savini, has me itching to earn my green thumb with her article on how to plan and edible kitchen garden. With spring training in full swing, you will want to check out the Forty-Year Old Version and his recount of the ’93 Phillies. While Drew Giorgi’s recap of the latest car trends demonstrated at the 2015 Philadelphia Auto Show, will make you sigh with envy as you peer out at your standard sedan with a missing hubcap in the driveway. Or maybe that was just me… I hope this issue inspires you to get out of hibernation and enjoy the splendor of spring. Cheers to sunshine, soft breezes, and sipping coffee on the deck!
Lisa Walters Editor-in-Chief
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Home & Garden
The Power of Flower By Pattie Krukowski
“S
eriously; I can’t take it anymore. Did you see the picture I texted you?” My friend, Linny was really starting to feel the effects of the past 5 snowstorms. Her picturesque town of Camden, ME was inundated with piles upon piles of the white stuff in one of the snowiest winters on record. The photo she was referring to depicting a 6-foot high snow mound that basically covered her property. Down the center, was a long, narrow tunnel carved through it, allowing access to her home somewhere on the other side. She said she was literally starting to feel depressed from the overdose of old man winter and desperately needed an antidote. We said our goodbyes, and I offered her a quick “hang 14
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in there,” before I hung up. I live 4 states south of Linny, and we too are experiencing a particularly white and cold winter. I tied my scarf a bit tighter and shoved my hands into oversized shearling mittens to prepare myself for the walk across the grocery store parking lot. Today’s weather forecast of pelting sleet fueled by 35 mile per hour wind gusts was being realized. As I strolled into the produce department, I was immediately welcome by the smell of ripe pineapples and cantaloupes, piled high on display tables. Hand written “fresh” signs hung from above. Long stemmed artichokes, pencil thin asparagus spears and sun colored lemons reminded me that spring is really just around the corner. Bundles of bright, fresh cut flowers in simple black
buckets line tiered display racks. Groupings of small houseplants blooming under the warmth of fluorescent ceiling lights occupy the space next to a cooler full of velvety rose bouquets. The wall behind is stocked with vessels of all shapes and sizes to invite the DIY crowd. I am inspired and grab several different species of blooms, several species of greens and 2 new vases. One vase is a glass oval, about 12 inches high. The other is glass cylinder, about 24 inches high. When I got home, I placed all the cut flowers and greenery in the sink and started to forage for containers and decorative accents around the house. I am always amazed at the resources I already have at home. I found a bag of amber colored pea stones and poured some in the bottom of the tall cylindrical vase. I stacked 3 of the artichokes randomly on top of each other with several lemons in between to achieve an earthy display. I then layered 2 plates of ascending size as a base; a whitewashed ceramic plate lines a bubbled glass charger. Next, I fill the bottom of the oval vase with an inch of the same pea stones as the first vase and add 2 inches of water. Then, I cut yellow tulips the same height, so the blooms rise just above the rim. Three additional blooms are cut at various short lengths and arranged inside the vase. I grab a small glass revere bowl and fill with lemons. I group the 3 containers together on a burlap runner to the far left of the sideboard in the dining room. Instantly, that room radiates an undeniable warmth and assurance of warmer days to come. For the dining room table, I decide to go for a fresh and subtle elegance. I have 18 matching stem-less wine glasses that I line up 9 x 2, down the center of the table covered in a linen tablecloth. Each is filled with several inches of water and stuffed with wispy sprigs of humble Babies Breath. The delicate bundles create quite an impact when simply massed together. Complete the look with all white
china, clear stemware and linen napkins. Too, tame? You could amplify the flower power by substituting the quiet linen napkins with big abstract floral print napkins in statement colors. Think bold and feminine. I picked up a set of vintage Mackenzie-Childs goblets at a flea market years ago that would fit perfectly with this setting. Looking for an urban chic look? Warm up a minimalist space with short branches and large lilies or spider mums cut down and arranged in a rose bowl. Use the scotch tape trick to keep buds and branches in place. After putting water in the bowl, dry the rim and then make a crisscross grid out of the tape across the opening of the vase. Place stems in the spaces so they will stay upright. This trick works for all flowers and vessels although I never use it for tulips, as I adore the way they continue to grow in the vase and drape seductively over the sides. Blocks of floral foam are also a great tool. If you want to use foam in a clear vase, wrap the inside of the vase first with leaves or ferns to conceal the foam. Love Hydrangeas? Chase the winter blues away with these fabulous and easy to work with flowers. I am partial to the periwinkle blue variety. Group 2 or 3 at a time together and fasten with floral wire just under the blooms and overstuff cobalt colored vase, so it is literally bursting with petals. This arrangement is the perfect accent to the grey blue walls of my bedroom and feels so fresh. Need inspiration? Get on a ferry to Nantucket for the annual Daffodil Festival going on April 24th through 26th. The entire weekend is dedicated to the daffodils popping up to celebrate the official arrival of warmer days and shorter nights. Pattie Krukowski is a Freelance Writer living in Doylestown, PA
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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proďŹ le How to Leverage Landscape Architecture and Design Tactics When Building a Poolscape
B
uilding a swimming pool and surrounding landscape is a large and impactful investment for homeowners. The process can be conceptualized as designing a poolscape: an environment that reflects the aesthetic, lifestyle, and logistical needs of your home’s outdoor space. Working with a landscape architect and design firm is an effective strategy when designing a poolscape. Developing a Creative Vision It is important to work with a landscape design firm that will help you develop a creative vision, provide you with a breadth of smart choices, educate you and ultimately facilitate an exceptional experience. A striking landscape has the ability to capture a mood and evoke emotions. Historically, landscape architects have used pools as central design ele16
Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
ments in prominent gardens. Working with a landscape design firm to feature a pool in the scenery of your home has the potential to expand your living space beyond the walls of your house into a vibrant outdoor ecosystem. What does your ideal poolscape look like? Foliage, lighting, earthenware, and fountains are elements that animate a pool’s design. Landscape architects help homeowners define a cohesive vision and manage the complex elements of the pool-building process such as budget, seasonal variations, existing landscape components and long-term site planning. An optimal poolscape seamlessly integrates each of the many components that go into building and maintaining a pool, garden, and peripherals.
Executing a Creative Vision Wallace Landscape Associates, a design build firm with over twenty years of experience building poolscapes, pairs our client’s creative vision with practicality in order to execute sophisticated poolscaping projects. At Wallace, landscape designers collaborate with construction professionals and pool installation companies while directing the creative development of a poolscape. In addition, Wallace fosters an environment of creative cohesion. We work closely with our clients and encourage them to be active participants in the fabrication of their poolscape. As design professionals we provide a comprehensive understanding of the process such as expenses, timeline, and when decisions need to be made. In addition, we work with you to understand the possibilities and constraints of your property. As landscape architects we implement thoughtful space planning strategies that address the intricate and nuanced needs of your home’s outdoor environment. From our initial meet-
ing and throughout the design development phases, we incorporate your specific requests to provide a customizable experience. As construction professionals we leverage partnerships with respected local pool builders and expert craftsmen to produce a superlative end product. The construction process is transparent: a factor that allows our clients to have an honest timeframe for project completion. At Wallace, success is achieved by pairing imagination and creativity with innovation and expertise. Our designers absorb a client’s dreamscape —breathe life into the idea—and cultivate a creative vision that reflects the client’s personal taste and exceeds their original expectations. Our custom poolscapes incorporate vanishing edge and infinity pool designs as well as “smart pool” technology. Notably, Wallace helps clients make sound decisions that align with budgets, code requirements, and utilities standards. At the completion of each project Wallace clients are left with a lasting feeling of pleasure and pride.
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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HOME & GARDEN
Freshening Up Your Garden By Debra Parsons
I
f you’ve had the same landscape for years, maybe it’s time to inject some vitality into the outdoor areas where you relax and entertain. Consider one — or a few — to add some pizazz to your landscape.
Mix asparagus or some raspberry bushes into your cutting garden. And chili peppers… they’re hotter than ever. Before they end up in your salsa recipe, use them as pretty little ornaments to spice up your garden.
Landscape Trend #1: Edible Gardens Separating flowers from vegetables in your garden is so yesterday. The latest trend is blended gardens that incorporate edibles and ornamentals together. These double-duty gardens offer a bountiful harvest of fruit, vegetables and herbs while providing intriguing, energized beds. Tuck tomato plants in with your roses. Plant a drift of “Bright Lights” chard — as pretty as any blooming perennial.
Landscape Trend #2: Birds, Butterflies And Bees — Oh My! More and more gardeners are installing plants that attract butterflies, birds, and since news has spread of its dwindling population, bees are another sought after attraction. Plant wild basil to invite butterflies — it’s one of their favorite nectar plants. Violets are many butterflies’ top choice for a host plant — plants they lay eggs on that will feed the caterpillars when they hatch.
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Yarrow and hyssop will attract native bees. Don’t forget water. Try a birdbath or a mini pond in a basin. Birds prefer shallow water, so keep the depth to three inches or less. Landscape Trend #3: The Soothing Sound Of Water From fountains to water walls to serene ponds, water features are extremely popular. The sound of water is soothing after a hectic day at work. It masks distracting sounds, like traffic in front of your house, or the neighbor kids’ water balloon battles. It attracts birds and butterflies to sip and splash in the water. Landscape Trend #4: Outdoor Rooms and Kitchens Gone are the days of rickety lawn chairs on a flat concrete patio. Your outdoor space can be as comfy and welcoming as your indoor rooms. New outdoor fabrics, made from acrylic fibers for faderesistant, waterproof wear, are available in more patterns than ever, rivaling indoor fabric choices for trend-setting beauty. Use them on comfortable outdoor furniture that mimics living room luxury. Outdoor kitchens now offer all the handy features of indoor kitchens. And more! Sprawling stone counters as far as the eye can see, fancy mosquito-control misters, outdoor air-cooling systems and shiny appliances that make your indoor kitchen look like Barbie’s. Add a cozy fireplace, and your outdoor living space will be the most popular space at your house. Landscape Trend #5: Planting For Privacy The outside world keeps getting busier and more hectic. All the more reason to create a private outdoor oasis at home! That means planting for privacy. This can be as simple as a collection of container plants on the deck or a fence covered in ivy.
Japanese holly or boxwood creates a nice solid hedge. Or create a natural screen with a mix of trees, shrubs and perennials. Landscape Trend #6: The Well Lit Garden When you have a beautiful landscape, it’s tough to leave it once darkness falls. And why should you? Customized outdoor lighting can highlight your garden, pool, walkways, outdoor basketball court, entry way and more. The right lighting not only keeps you safe from tripping on your garden path, it adds a warm, welcoming ambiance and a touch of class. Imagine an evening stroll through your garden, led by a luminous glow. Some fixtures cast light on the path while others nestle in the garden bed, highlighting your most striking plants. With the right lighting, the play of light and shadow can give your favorite plant beauties an entirely new look. Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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Outdoor Living Your Style, Your Comfort
O
utdoor living has come a long way from lounging on a couple of garden chairs that are scattered on the lawn with a fire pit nearby and tiki torches illuminating the evening sky. The elegance and comfort of indoor living has reached the great outdoors with the confidence of long term durability. Start with the foundation of a great patio set. Determining the purpose of your patio, be it poolside lounging, dining, etc. can direct your decision on cushion and frame styles. Wicker It is no longer your grandmother’s wicker. Wicker comes in a durable rust resistant powder coated aluminum frame and a stunning all weather weave that is offered in many elegant designs and colors. Cozy, stunning and easy to care for. Wood Another advancement is wood furniture. Jensen Leisure uses IPE wood, a strikingly beautiful hardwood that weathers with strength
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and elegance. A handsome chocolate brown when new, weathers slowly to a mature elegant silver patina. The original color can be preserved with a simple coating of oil once a season. With an impressive range of traditional and modern designs and styles, this heirloom quality furniture brings elegance to outdoor living. Aluminum Aluminum furniture has been available for years and continues to be extremely popular for it’s affordability and ease of care. Telescope’s Casual Collection offers comfortable aluminum slingback dining and seating for your patio and withstands the beating of a pool environment. The new marine grade polymer tables feature low maintenance, environmentally friendly material with high style and function. Best of all it is manufactured in the USA. Sectionals Curved sectionals continue to offer exciting entertaining possibilities. Sectionals make large spaces feel more intimate by creating warm and inviting spaces suited for conversation and entertaining. This look can be completed by adding a large scale ottoman for additional seating or add a fire pit for some night time ambience. Once you determine what style of furniture satisfies your needs, making this space comfortable and inviting is key.
Add Some Color - There’s nothing like new pillows or cushions to change the whole mood while refreshing your patio set. Cushions and pillows on chairs encourage guests to linger longer. Outdoor pillows are no longer plasticky and uncomfortable. Open Up - Stylish colorful umbrellas help set the space and color theme while bringing a nice vertical element to the usual horizontal lines. Cantilever umbrellas can be placed anywhere on your patio for a wide span of shade. Underfoot Matters - Choose a colorful maintenance free rug to pull your patio furnishing together. The rug will soften flooring and create a visual center to your outdoor room. Create Intimate Lighting - Use traditional candles or battery operated pillars and votives to create a comfortable and relaxed setting. Lanterns, tiki torches, firepits and ceramic table top oil pots all add a flattering glow to any gathering. The Great Outdoors - Place birdhouses and bird feeders near patios along with plantings that encourage hummingbirds and butterflies for all to enjoy or a wind chime to lull your senses into relaxation. Whether you need to start with a new patio set or want to refresh an existing one, Feeney’s, Feasterville, Pa. has everything imaginable to personalize your outdoor retreat. Stop in today and get inspired!
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent By Lauren Cronmiller
T
his article is not about boasting about my credentials, although I will throw in a few, but rather about selecting the realtor that is right for you. I once read a local news article claiming that buyers should interview agents and ask for 4% listing commission, because agents will take it. Really, 4%? While few may agree to that, and I mean very few, let me ask you this, would you take a price cut at your job? Would you put the same amount of time and effort into something yielding you less money? So while you may shop around for the cheapest realtor, will you sell your house quickly and for the highest price possible? Maybe you are considering the “for sale by owner” (FSBO) route. This allows you to only pay for only one realtor because you, the owner, will be acting on your own behalf. Let me throw a few statistics from a 2014 article written by the National Association of Realtors. Over 40% of FSBO’s knew the buyer. For those that did not have a buyer lined up, only half advertised their home. Those that decided to list their home with an agent yielded a 13% higher sale price than that of a FSBO. Did you know Colby Sambratto, creator of forsalebuyowner.com, used a realtor and paid 6% commission to sell his own home? He didn’t even use his own product! If you are in the market for a new realtor, here are tips when selecting an agent to buy and/or sell your home. Ask friends and family for a referral. Ask what they liked and didn’t like about the realtors they used. Their experiences could give you some insight and direction. Don’t go with the realtor with the highest list price. Look at the comps. See if the price they are offering
makes sense. They could be buying the listing meaning once you sign with them, they will offer the home at a very high price and ask for price reductions once the home does not sell. Is the agent a part time or full time realtor? Do not feel obligated to pick a family member, friend, or colleague who is a realtor. Selling your home is a business transaction. Try not to let emotional relationships get in the way of your bottom line and what is best for you. When you talk to an agent. List your expectations. When do you expect feedback? When do you expect to sell/move into your new home? How often do you want to look at houses? If anything changes, be sure to tell them. I lost a buyer because they told me they were browsing the market. I would reach out to them once every week or two. They went with a realtor who was more aggressive because they decided it was time to actively look at houses. I do wear a ton of hats but mind reading is not one of them. Communication is key throughout this entire process. Save yourself the time, money, and energy and hire a realtor. Once you find a fantastic agent, you will never have to go through the interview process again! Lauren Cronmiller is a real estate agent for the Cronmiller Team at Keller Williams Real Estate in Doylestown. She has been a realtor since 2006 receiving Philadelphia’s 5 Star Real Estate Agent award for the past 4 years. Lauren can be reached at her office 215-340-5700, always on her cell phone 215-870-2398, or through email lmcronmiller@gmail.com.
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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cravings & crumbs Gardening for Your Kitchen: You Can Dig It! By Sara Savini
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
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ith CSAs and farmers markets throughout the region, farm to table is at our fingertips. It’s a culinary delight! And so what if the farmers market didn’t have the golden beets you needed, or the $400 CSA membership gave you half a box of kohlrabi in this week’s share. No problem! You’ll just change your recipe, head off to the store, and... Oh, forget it; let’s just go out. There is, however, another option. For fresh produce all summer long, spring is the perfect time for creating a culinary garden. Since the dawn of agriculture, culinary or “kitchen” gardening roots have been planted in good sense. Why go somewhere else to get the ingredients you need when you can grow them right outside your door? Devoting a small garden to the herbs, veggies, and fruits you love to cook with is the best of seasonal, local, and sustainable agriculture. To the beginner, it seems daunting. Do I start with seeds or plants? Do I have the right soil? Ghaaaa! What about a fence for the deer? Take a deep breath. You too can become a part of the garden to table movement. I’d like to be able to tell you that my home garden began with lots of research and careful planning, but it didn’t. It began with a toddler who liked digging, a couple of storage tubs with holes haphazardly poked in the bottom, pea gravel, Organic Mechanic soil, a few tomato plants, and a dose of reckless abandon. We threw our tomato tubs together and set them out on the driveway. And you know what? That year, we had enough heirloom tomatoes to share with friends, family, and neighbors. I was hooked. We had to grow more! The wonderful part about this form of gardening is that it is an extension of self, of what you like to cook with, and what you like to eat. A fan of Asian cooking? Grow your own bok choy and long beans. Pinterested in mason jar salads? Plant a lettuce garden! Pickling obsessed? Cukes, carrots, and cauliflower are perfect picks. Just wait until late April to avoid the last frost and swing by your local garden supply store for some plants. Or you can start now from seed. Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company has a website as easy to navigate as it is visually stunning, and it provides a cornucopia of planting possibility. There are plenty of tutorials online detailing how to use plastic milk jugs as mini greenhouses - that way you don’t have to store seedlings inside and later harden them off outdoors. You can start with any sunny spot. A good culinary garden doesn’t have to be sculpted into the decorative plots of yester-year (think Versailles only smaller). A bit of earth, a raised garden bed, a window basket, a centerpiece filled with herb plants, or some 10-gallon buckets from your hardware store (Seriously, buckets!) will be sufficient. I’ll let you in on a little secret… Most of my garden is in containers. With two kids, a partially wooded lot, and
limited free time on my hands, tilling the earth is not on my to-do list. So I have a mostly moveable kitchen garden. Herbs grow in sleek modern pots on the back deck, so they are closest to the kitchen. There, rock stars like Thai basil and lemon grass and old reliables like rosemary, oregano, and dill co-mingle amidst our patio furniture. Tumbling down above them, mint grows in horse trough baskets to catch the warm evening breezes. Set out by the sandbox are brightly colored pots of top hat blueberries, ground cherries, and one 20 gallon container of perennial strawberries for a perfect pick-your-own summer snack. The vegetable portion of my culinary garden occupies the sunniest spot our property has to offer. Here is my test kitchen for all things agricultural. If it grows in zone 7a/6b, has an heirloom variety in a cool color, and you can grow it in a container, it’s fair game. Our usual suspects are an assortment of lettuces and greens, tomatoes, peppers, scallop squash, zucchini, peas, eggplant, and beans. This year we’re adding kohlrabi, sweet corn, and sunchokes to the mix. I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gardener. If they don’t take, I’ll just try something else next year or if I’m feeling particularly indignant, rip them out mid season and plant something reliable. The best thing about designing a garden for your kitchen is that it is ever evolving to fit your table and tastes. You can explore new flavors there, and from it, create wonderful seasonally inspired dishes. Gardening is a journey. You don’t have to know everything to get started. You just need a shovel, a bit of earth and some gumption. Give culinary gardening a try. You’ll dig it. Sara is a freelance writer, culinary adventurer, and renaissance mom. She lives in Chester County with too many kitchen gadgets, her overly ambitious container garden, her husband Chris, and their two young sons (the Incredible Hulk and the Flash). Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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Smart Ways to Eat Better By Peggy Aston
How many times do you start out the day, full of resolve to eat well? Then by the time you get to dinner, you think, “maybe tomorrow.” Here are some delicious recipes to help you get started without all of the fuss and muss.
Whole-Wheat Linguine with Shrimp, Asparagus and Tomato
This taste of spring combines shrimp and chopped asparagus sautéed with shallots, garlic, white wine and ripe tomatoes, tossed with whole-wheat linguine and grated fresh parmesan. Keep this springtime staple gluten-free by swapping in soba noodles or brown rice pasta. What You’ll Need 8 oz. whole-wheat linguine (or other long, skinny pasta) 12-15 large size peeled shrimp 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 shallot, minced 1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 cup vegetable stock 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish 1 package of grape tomatoes cut in half What to Do Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente approximately 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large sautée pan over medium heat. Add shallots and let them cook (without browning) until fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp, asparagus and garlic, and season with salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and continue cooking until it’s almost fully reduced. Stir in the vegetable stock, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the linguine, tomatoes and parmesan cheese, and remaining black pepper, and toss well. Garnish with additional lemon zest and shaved parmesan and serve immediately.
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Black Bean and Quinoa Burgers
This filling veggie burger is quick to prepare and won’t leave you reaching for an unhealthy dessert. Packed with quinoa, black beans, nutritional yeast, and flavorful spices, it’s a winning burger for both taste and nutrition. Quinoa is a complete protein and both it and black beans are high in fiber, making this meal great for digestion and heart health too. What You’ll Need 1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup cooked quinoa 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for cooking
What To Do Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients using hands or a fork to mash beans and thoroughly mix. (This should form a paste-like mixture that is easy to shape into patties.) Divide mixture into four equal balls, and form each into a patty between 1/4 - and 1/2-inch thick. In a medium oven-safe saucepan over high eat, cook patties in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for 1 minute on each side, or until lightly browned. Transfer the saucepan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Serve patties on whole-grain buns or over fresh greens with desired toppings.
Baked Salmon With Avocado-Dill Yogurt
Salmon is a great staple to add to your weeknight dinner rotation, and for good reason—it’s low in calories and fat, high in protein, and off the charts with omega-3s. If a grill’s not available, baking is a great alternative. Baking the salmon at a high temperature helps to seal in the fish’s natural juices while keeping it tender. What You’ll Need 1 medium avocado, diced (skin and pit removed) 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 1 clove garlic 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1-3 tablespoons water Salt Fresh ground pepper 4 6-oz salmon fillets 1 tablespoon olive oil What To Do Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While the oven heats up, prepare the yogurt sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, dill, garlic, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water, salt, and pepper. Puree the mixture until smooth and creamy. If necessary, add more water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. Set aside. Place fish, skin side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Season with fillets with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil (about 1 tablespoon total). Bake fish (without flipping) until just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes, (depending on thickness). (Note: Thicker, center-cut fillets will take longer, while thinner fillets cut from the tail section will cook faster.) Once cooked, remove from oven and plate each fillet. Top with 1-2 tablespoons of the avocado-dill yogurt, and enjoy!
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Plum Sorbet
You don’t need to give up ice cream if you’re trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. Try this surprising plum-flavored sorbet, which has only 0.2 grams of saturated fat per serving. What You’ll Need 6 large ripe plums, peeled and finely chopped (about 5 cups) 1/3 cup “measures-like-sugar” calorie-free sweetener 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1 (8-ounce) carton vanilla fat-free yogurt sweetened with aspartame Plum wedge (optional) What To Do Combine plums, sweetener, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small saucepan; let stand 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves, about 4 minutes. Add to plum mixture, stirring well. Add yogurt, stirring until smooth. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square pan; freeze until almost firm. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until fluffy. Spoon mixture back into pan; freeze until firm. Scoop into 5 individual serving dishes to serve. Garnish each serving with a plum wedge, if desired.
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nutrition
The Start To A Healthier Lifestyle by Erika Ringwald
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s a Registered Dietitian at a private practice, I get to work with people who are trying to manage a whole host of issues. But there is a common theme that I often come across, which is the majority of people want to take on a healthier lifestyle. There is a lot of information available with which to work. Some will try removing food groups; others will try adding in “miracle” foods. It’s overwhelming trying to understand all the information and put it into action. My job is to educate people and bridge the gaps. I start with each client in a similar fashion. I personalize the education and plan specific to their needs and goals, but a few behaviors are consistent and key to everyone. First of all, you need to be honest with yourself. Journaling as you eat, as opposed to recalling the food you ate that day, will provide better insight into your eating habits and hold you accountable for everything that passes into your mouth. Moving forward and making a change requires seeing where you are coming from. Seeing what you are really doing, not choosing to remember what you are doing, can help identify those problematic issues. Stay active everyday. Including intentional exercise is important, but don’t underestimate the overall benefit of moving more throughout the day. Many people use exercise as an excuse to eat what they want to. This is not a good behavior. If you exercise 1 hour a day, there are 23 hours remaining, some of which are sleeping. If you are sedentary 32
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the majority of the day, you cannot afford to indulge when you eat. Get in as much movement in the waking hours. Use a bathroom far away at work, take a walk during lunch or a break, every time you need to use the stairs, go up, come back down and go up again. You take in energy throughout the day, so you need to use it! Portion control is critical. Learning what reasonable portion sizes are and what they look like will prevent overeating at meals and snacks. Starting to measure out foods and seeing what an actual portion is can be eye opening. Highlight the word control. You control what and how much you eat. Period. Start each day with breakfast. There is caveat to this tip, however. Avoid highly refined foods and definitely avoid added sugars! Starting off with a whole, intact grain, like oatmeal and having some protein, like an egg, will set you up with even energy and better control throughout the day. Once you are able to figure out what it is that is interfering with a healthy lifestyle, you can start to put the focus on where the change will reap the most benefits. Erika Ringwald is a Registered Dietitian with Erika Ringwald Nutrition. She focuses on bridging the gaps between nutrition information and making it work within your lifestyle. Erika can be reached at erika@erikaringwaldnutrition.com.
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2011 Black Box Chardonnay, Monterey, CA Light golden yellow. Aromas of fresh lemon, Braeburn apple, melon and vanilla. Mediumbodied with flavors of pineapple, apple and mandarin with creamy notes on the finish. Price: $22 (3L Box) 2011 Bandit Pinot Grigio, California Pale yellow. Lemon, green apple, white peach and floral hints on the nose. Light-bodied with pear, peach, and lemon meringue on the palate with a crisp finish. Price: $6 (500ml Tetra Pak) NV Lunetta Prosecco, Trentino, Italy Pale straw color with delicate streams of bubbles. Fuji apple, pear blossom and nectarine aromas. Sweet apple, lemon, kiwi and juicy nectarine flavors. Light-bodied with a lively mousse texture and a clean finish. Price: $11 (3-pack of 187ml bottles) 2009 Black Box Merlot, California Moderate garnet red. Blackberry, plum, cinnamon and mint aromas. Medium-bodied with plum, black cherry, vanilla and cola on the palate. Smooth and velvety texture. Moderate berry tinged finish. Price: $6 (500ml Tetra Pak)
A Toast to the Outdoors! By Michele Kawamoto Perry
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pring has arrived. The sun is shining. Skies are blue. Time to come out of winter hibernation ~ the great outdoors beckon! This is the perfect season for picnics, camping, hiking and fishing. Outdoor adventures require light packing. Wine bottles can often be cumbersome and heavy. But don’t fret! You don’t need to leave the wine behind. Nowadays, you can find some good value wines in more portable friendly formats, such as boxes, Tetra Paks and pre-packed single serving bottles. So go ahead, have your cake and eat it too: Enjoy nature while indulging in a glass of wine!
2011 Bota Box Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina Dark ruby red. Intense aromas of dark cherry, anise, vanilla, violet and mocha. Full-bodied with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, tea and tobacco. Moderate tannins with an earthy and dark cocoa finish. Price: $19 (3L Box) 2009 Black Box Cabernet, California Moderate garnet red. Black currant, cherry, cedar and cardamom on the nose. Full-bodied with blackberry, plum, vanilla and smoky oak on the palate. Moderate tannins with a long berry filled finish. Price: $6 (500ml Tetra Pak) Michele Kawamoto Perry is a wine industry veteran, sommelier, and international wine educator. Michele is a Certified Sommelier and instructor through the International Sommelier Guild, and co-owner of Rouge-Bleu winery in southern Rhone, France. She received her MBA from Bordeaux Business School with a focus on the wine industry, and her BA from Harvard University. Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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TRAVEL
Planning a Great Family Vacation on a Budget By Melissa Kordoski
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or most families, vacation comes once a year. (If it even comes that often!) For that reason, you want your family vacation to go smoothly, be fun, and memorable. No matter how much you plan and how organized you are, things will almost certainly go wrong. Much of your experience will depend on other people – the staff and other guests at the hotel, other campers at the campground – and whenever other people come into play, you lose the ability to
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control things completely. That’s okay though. Sometimes the little things that go wrong can make for great stories down the road. The best way to make sure your vacation is memorable is to plan ahead and make sure you’re as prepared as possible but to take those little mishaps in stride. Your vacation may not be perfect, but here are some tips to help you set up a successful trip…
Figure out your budget realistically. Figuring out exactly how much your have for your vacation is important, but it’s also important to remember that there will likely be expenses that come up along the way. If you’re driving, you want to have a little extra money in case your car breaks down. You want to have money to do a little
family member a copy of the checklist and make sure they use it. Tell them not to cross anything off until they have physically have the item in their hand and put it in their luggage. This prevents the most common problem families face on vacation – arriving at the destination and realizing they forgot something important. Make the journey to your destination part of the vacation. If you’re going to be driving to your destination, look up any notable attractions along the journey route. Zoos, wildlife parts, roadside attractions and things of that nature can make fun little pit stops along the way and break up the monotony of long journeys in the car.
shopping or to eat out at a restaurant. Don’t spend all your money getting to and from your destination. Although you might not be able to go to your dream destination, if you’re willing to do a little research, you can likely find something just as appealing at a lower cost. Choose your vacation destination as a family. With your budget, reviews, and potential activities in mind, narrow down the best potential destinations, print off any information you can find (including information on the activities) and present it to your family. Discuss the possibilities and choose as a family. Anyone with more than one child knows it can be extremely difficult to get children to agree on everything, so where to go for your vacation is no different. Get everyone’s opinion and try to find a middle ground. There is always an option that will have a little something special for everyone. Pack carefully and use a checklist. Consider your destination and make a checklist of all the things you will likely need once you get there. Give every
Plan for meals and look for coupons or specials online. One of the most overlooked aspects of family vacation planning is the expense of eating out. You need to factor meals into your budget. If you don’t, you’re going to run into trouble. Set a meal budget and stick to it. Remember that restaurants in popular tourist spots are probably going to charge a lot more for meals but you might find yourself without another option. Before you leave, look for specials or coupons online. Most places will have some sort of offer available to you and your family. Even so, budget a bit on the high side for your meals. If you budget too high, you’ll have a little money left over at the end of your vacation, which is always a great feeling. Don’t stress out – this is a vacation! If you set a budget and stick with it and carefully plan as much of your vacation as you can, the whole thing should go off rather well. Again, there are always unexpected surprises, but with a solid plan in place, you should be able to weather just about any storm. If you feel yourself getting upset or stressed out, take a breath and remind yourself that things could always be worse – you could, after all, still be at work! Have a good time, relax and take lots of pictures to capture the moments. This is a time you should look forward to. Don’t let the stress win.
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LBI Wedding Road Show Unveils Access to Bridal Best This free event will take place Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 9:30am - 4pm Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Wedding Road Show promises a tasteful way to sample bridal venues and wedding professionals during a Sunday dedicated to destination weddings
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ouring, tasting, and talking‌ work your way throughout six wedding venues filled with Southern Ocean County Chamber wedding professionals who represent all of the services that are needed to put together a day to remember. Take the recommended routes, enjoy DIY Pop Up seminars throughout the day, enter prize drawings at every venue, and enjoy the samples and giveaways. The event is complimentary to brides and their entourage through online registration or in person check-in. Beginning at 9:30am, you may check in at one of these three locations: Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce 265 W Ninth Street Ship Bottom Tuckerton Seaport Rt 9 Tuckerton or Holiday Inn Rt 72 Manahawkin. After checking in, embark on a self-guided tour featuring The Stateroom, Surf City Yacht Club, Brant Beach Yacht Club, The Gables, The SeaShell Resort & Beach Club, and The Boat House. Each venue will showcase wedding professionals including caterers, photographers, florists, entertainment, tuxedos, decor and other options needed to customize the special event. The Wedding Road Show will have a digital approach leading up to and through out the event. (Wedding Industry and Media Sponsors include NJWedding.com, Celebrations Guide, Volatile Media Management, Rock the Aisle Bridal Productions, NJ Division of Travel and Tourism.) This year, the Road Show is reaching out through social media to share stories and bridal events on every platform. Please follow dedicated LBI Wedding Road Show for updates on‌
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LBIWeddingRoadShow Twitter: twitter.com/LBIWRS Instagram: www.intagme.com/lbiweddingroadshow Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lbiregion Brides are encourged to register on line at: visitlbiregion. com/weddings/brides to receive even more detailed info about this exciting event. Southern Ocean County Chamber members who would like to be included in the day can find out more information on www.visitLBIRegion.com by going directly to visitlbiregion.com/weddings/wedding-road-show/vendor-registration or stop in the chamber office at 265 West Ninth St. Ship Bottom 609 494 7211.
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Since 2006, Potential, Inc. in Newtown, PA has been providing direct services to individuals diagnosed with autism. erving all ages (from infant to adult), we offer a wide range of services in various locations. Staff utilize Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a research-based approach that includes an analysis of Verbal Behavior (VB) to improve communication, behavior, toileting, social skills, and more. In addition, Potential, Inc. has an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist on staff, and offers a peer program, “Bridge the Gap” mini camps during the summer, and parent education. For more information about our services, please visit www.potentialinc.org or call 215-579-0670 today.
Potential, Inc. & The Springtime School 638 Newtown Yardley Rd. Newtown, PA 18940 (p) 215-579-6070 potentialinc.org
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Locations in PA & NJ
Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
SCIENCE
CHEM
WONDER
BIOLOGY
YOUR FINGERNAILS GROW
ONE NANOMETER
EVERY SECOND.
TECH FOOD & DRINK
April 24–May 2 100+ events across the region celebrating science and technology! FREE Science Carnival on the Parkway! in front of The Franklin Institute
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Tickets and more info at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org
Presenting Sponsor:
#GetNerdyPHL
Created by Philadelphia’s science, cultural and educational institutions and organized by The Franklin Institute.
The S P E C T R U M Autism & Asperger’s syndrome can dramatically affect a child’s life, as well as that of their families, schools, friends, and the wider community. Signs of Asperger’s syndrome and Autism usually will appear in the first three years of a child’s life, although there is no exact age for when signs of these disorders will emerge. These signs may differ between children in type and s everity as well, so Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and similar disorders are often seen as occurring on a spectrum.
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hese disorders are not intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses, or caused by poor parenting skills. Currently Asperger’s and Autism cannot be diagnosed at birth through means such as blood tests or brain scans. Diagnosis occurs as delays are observed in the child’s development, typically at two years of age although some researchers are arguing for earlier diagnosis. Typical Indicators of Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome These disorders will cause delays in a child’s early development, with possible early signs, or indicators, from these groups:
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Social Skills • Cannot carry out simple instructions • Does not maintain eye contact or smile back to others • Appears happy in their own world, with little interest in others • Delays to normal development of speech • Responding to some sounds, but not human voices Behavior • Difficulty coping with changes to routines • Self-injuring behavior • Emotional outbursts with no apparent cause, or overly passive • Overly attached to certain objects or topics • Repetitive or ritualistic behavior such as rocking or flapping of the hands The Senses • Strong reaction to certain sounds • Will not look at objects directly • Insensitivity to pain, or extremes of temperature • Eating a very restricted range of food types • Walking on tip toes • Drawn to watching certain patterns or feeling certain textures. Play and Imagination • Will only play with certain toys, possibly in unusual ways • Prefers not to play with others • Engages in only a limited range of play • Does not engage in pretend play.
I AM A WARRIOR, I AM A MOTHER By Michele Rolfe
I realize it’s hard for people to understand what life is like when you have a special needs child. They see you doing a thousand things and give you credit for your strength and perseverance; but they don’t really know the depth of your struggles. There is a constant theme for hitting roadblocks when dealing with the medical community and insurance companies. Cutting through all the red tape is no easy task and some days you’re left feeling completely overwhelmed, stressed out and down right depressed. It’s hard to express in words the dedication, determination and tolerance you have to find within yourself to help your child recover. And somehow still maintain your sanity and sunny disposition!
The reality is that this journey is emotionally, physically and spiritually taxing. It is also the most rewarding aspect of my life. Well, not to long ago I was having one of those bad days. For whatever reason, I was in a really down mood. It could have been the e-mail explaining how yet another one of Alex’s ABA therapist “new school schedule” didn’t gel with our current therapy sessions. But more than likely it was receiving the estimated cost of biomedical treatment that is not covered by insurance. That shot a bullet through my heart and left me hyperventilating and speculating how we were going to come up with the money to cover it. It might have been the stupid paper cut I got when filling out another 33 pages of medical history for the umpteenth time. Although the snapshot in my mind of the little witch that rolled her eyes when Alex wouldn’t comply with the hearing test, didn’t help either. What is she like 18 years old? How could she possibly understand the anxiety I was already feeling for sitting in the waiting room for 45 minutes watching Alex’s patience fly out the window as the seconds ticked away? Possibly it was the diminutive paycheck I received this week due to hours missed when shuffling Alex to and from his semiannual Psychological testing. The bright side to those visits is confirmation the 25 hours a week of therapy is working and Alex is getting better. He scores higher and higher each time we go, and I find myself do-
ing a victory dance in the hallway on our way out! Then again, my bad day could have been the result of an aching back from dragging my hysterical, fit throwing child out of the grocery store when they were out of his favorite cheese raviolis. Or it could be my humiliated ego from the disapproving looks thrown my way when the necklace he ripped off my neck went flying thru the air and spilled beads in a thousand different directions on the floor. Clean up in aisle 5! The last thing I needed at that moment was the unsolicited advice from a granny with a thick southern drawl who raised 10 kids and of course had all the answers. My sadness could be attributed by the guilt I harbor for not having any time, let alone energy, to give my husband the love and attention he requires and most definitely deserves. Personally I believe he should be considered for Sainthood. What woman wouldn’t love a man who doesn’t complain about her cooking, does the dishes, and vacuums every night? Michael not only puts up with my Jersey attitude and consistent venting, but he keeps me stocked with Riesling wine and chocolate! God I love him! Perhaps my self-pity for placing my own needs on the back burner is the culprit. With a tightly filled calendar and sheer exhaustion always knocking at my door, I’ve finally given up trying to do anything about the reoccurring gray hair, expanding waistline or the notion of ever wearing high heels again. My comfy “mommy wardrobe” usually resembles a napkin with a teary snot-smear, spilled juice, or a cheesy-finger rub somewhere on my outfit. My son considers it a badge of honor I should wear proudly! Maybe, just maybe my head was so full of information, statistics, schedules, protocols, and the “to-do” list that I couldn’t possibly process anything else until I defragged my brain. No wonder I can’t get any sleep without selfmedicating! Don’t get me wrong, not all days are like this. However, on this particular day with my bad attitude in high gear, feeling like I was banging my head against the wall, I had an epiphany of sorts. I had a vision of myself and my world; and the crystal clear revelation that my challenges were not going to change. I’m sure I’m not the first mother for this light bulb to somehow switch on, but I bet very few of them ever talk about it. The reality is that this journey is emotionally, physically and spiritually taxing. It is also the most rewarding aspect of my life. This is the best way I can describe what I’m feeling. This is my metaphorical story: I realized today that I am not in a football game. I thought I was. I thought I was the quarterback, you know the ‘most valuable player’ making decisions on whether to throw or run the ball, move left or fake right. I huddle up with my linemen, wide receivers and running backs; you know those players helping me win the game. We create a plan, execute it and with teamwork we make the goal line, score! Nope…I was wrong. This isn’t a team sport. I see myself;
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I’m in a boxing ring. It’s just me, by myself, no one else. I’m punching away, shuffling my feet, ducking and piv¬oting…but there’s no bell ringing. There’s no corner stool, no Gatorade, no spit pail, no towel. I can occasionally hear people yelling from the corner, “stay off the ropes”, “keep your arms up”, and “go for the body”. Their words are en¬couraging, I need to hear them, and they help keep me going. But, my eyes are swelled so I can’t see my opponent. My bones are busted so every blow I take is painful. If I manage to land a hit, it seems weak against this monster in the ring with me. In my mind I doubt my strength and question my own strategy. I can’t get any air through my nose, it’s hard to breathe and I’m quickly losing energy. I’m wondering, where’s the damn bell, when do I get a break? Then, I realize it’s not coming. There is no bell, there is no time to sit, no time to rest, and no one is going to wipe my brow, plug my bleeding nose or sear my oozing cheekbone. I didn’t sign-up for this, not that I can remember any¬way, it all seems so fuzzy, came at me so fast. But I know the clock is ticking, I’m not only fighting this monster, but I’m fighting against time. I have to win this fight with a knockout; a win by the judges’ decision won’t get me the purse. In fact, the fight won’t end until there’s a knockout. I have more at stake than my adversary; my child’s very ex¬istence depends on it. The quality of his life, the ability for him to reach his full potential is in my hands, in my boxing gloves. So I have to reach far down inside myself, real deep, and pull every bit of life I have up to the surface. I have to make whatever I have inside myself matter. I trip over my feet, stumble and catch myself. My legs are trembling now and I fear vertigo is setting in. Don’t fall down Michele, push harder. I pray for God to direct my punches. I pray for Him to give me the strength to endure the intense pain I’m feeling and the time to see this fight to the end. Ha, the end; is there one? Well, if I manage to rip the belly out of this beast and the chime of the bell finally rings, no one will be there with a big gold belt to put around my waist. I won’t get some great athletic sponsor that will pay me hand¬somely, I won’t make the cover of Sports Illustrated and no one will remember my name. No, my prize is much more precious! You can’t give it a dollar value. It will not be recognized with a trophy or honored with a star on Hollywood boulevard. It’s a quiet satisfaction. It’s the joy of hearing my child speak for the first time in 3 years; to hear him say the words ‘I love you’ and understand the meaning. The ability to have a twoway conversation, taken for granted by others, is priceless for us. It’s the happy thump my heartbeats when Alex eats solid food. It’s the elation of no longer seeing him curl up in a ball on the floor because he is afraid of the noise sur¬rounding him. It’s the smile I wear on my face when I see him playing with another child, engaging, interacting, and having fun.
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
My reward is the pride I feel for Alex, for it is he who battles through all the hours of therapy, the multitude of tests, and hard work that pushes him to his limits.
My paycheck is the happy tear I shed when Alex’s frus¬tration for not being able to peddle a bicycle gives way to happily taking his bear-bear for a ride on his Spider¬man big wheel. It’s the laughter Mike and I cannot con¬tain when Alex comes out of his room with sunglasses and a cowboy hat on; a Star Wars towel wrapped around his shoulders and he’s using a plastic pirate sword as a gun to “shoot aliens”... imagination at it best! My reward is the pride I feel for Alex, for it is he who battles through all the hours of therapy, the multitude of tests, and hard work that pushes him to his limits. The eternal faith I have in my son’s ability to learn, grow, excel, exceed, prosper and live the life that was meant to be his. It’s something that only a mother can feel; it’s the internal peace of knowing that he will be okay. Giving up is NOT an option. So here I am…breathing heavy, battered, bruised and tired…giving it all I’ve got. Seems tough? It is. It’s emotional beyond belief. Small mile¬stones are huge victories in my world. But, the reward far outweighs the battle. I am a warrior, I am a mother; I would fight this war over and over again without reservation. I thank God for my son. I thank God for Autism. Hard to believe I would be thankful for it, but I am. It has forced me to be a better mother. I have an intimate relationship, a bond with Alex that fills my heart with unconditional love and provides purpose in my life. I am willing to admit my drive is tenacious, my focus uncanny. I find myself becoming an advocate, trying to pro¬vide hope to other mothers. I thank God for my family and friends, shouting from those corner ropes offering prayers, support and praises. I thank God for the “super woman pant¬ies” that I put on every morning; they’re my secret hidden armor. And of course, for the duct tape that holds them up! Michele Rolfe is a mom with first hand experience and opinions about raising a child with special needs.
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Does That Mean There’s No Tooth Fairy? by Mary Cushing Doherty, Esquire
A
re we bad parents to spin the tales of a Tooth Fairy trading a small tooth for a surprise? Stories of the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and other magical joys create blissful anticipation for children and parents. Eventually our young impressionable children are tainted by cynical older siblings or their more worldly-wise classmates. Most parents can recount when their daughter or son discovered the truth. Our oldest made the lightening-fast connection: if Daddy hid the Easter baskets, are the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy all lies? The bubble had burst; childhood dreams and trust were forever tarnished. What about telling children I’ll love you forever? Do they wonder about adult sincerity when Mom or Dad say I don’t love Dad or Mom anymore? We adults should recognize we are raising children in communities where divorces occur on a regular basis. This is affecting the core hope of children to be loved “forever”. Do we recognize that children want to believe their home will always include mom and dad? Children assume both parents will be with them when they fall asleep and awake each day. If a marriage is doomed, what can be done to preserve for the children the sense of stability they crave? Adults know children who are touched by divorce. Regardless of the adult’s relationship with the child, one needs to be considerate of the upheaval. In the past ten or more years, many divorcing couples expect each parent will assume significant custodial responsibility. In the early months
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
of separation, the parents may agree to a “nesting” custodial arrangement whereby the parents alternate staying in the home so the children need not travel between two households. Some parents agree each will see the children daily or nearly on a daily basis, as they continue a school drop-off or after-school routine allowing dad and mom personal time with the children. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate to the children that although Mom and Dad can’t live together, each will express: I care for your father (or mother) because he (or she) loves you. For children, the fantasy of the Tooth Fairy is often replaced by the realization it’s not the pretend Tooth Fairy that loves you, it’s your parents who love you. And after separation, hopefully each parent focuses first on the child’s wellbeing and can teach each child that love from both parents will continue forever. Mary Cushing Doherty is a family lawyer and partner at High Swartz LLP, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. In recent years, she has received recognition from her peers and the community, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Lynette Norton Award in 2012 and one of the 2012 Women of the Year by the Legal Intelligencer. She was one of the Women of Distinction chosen by the Philadelphia Business Journal and received the Margaret Richardson Award from the Montgomery Bar Association. Mary can be reached at mcdoherty@highswartz.com.
It Wasn’t the Stork Who Helped Deliver this Precious Bundle Feel confident and comfortable knowing our team of five obstetrical physicians are here to deliver your baby. Make the right choice. Call for an appointment today.
JEAN O. FITZGERALD, MD • VIVIAN YEH, MD • CAROLYN IANIERI, DO NESTOR I. SENDZIK, MD • TUAN A. LE, MD 708 Shady Retreat Rd., Suite 7, Doylestown, PA 18901 215.340.2229 • www.doylestownwomenshealth.com Most Insurances Accepted
FINANCE
The Retirement Reality Check Little Things To Keep In Mind For Life After Work by Rosemary Caligiuri, CASL®, RICP® President of Harvest Group Financial Services
D
ecades ago, there was a popular book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. Perhaps someday, another book will appear to discuss certain aspects of the retirement experience that go unrecognized - the “fine print”, if you will. Here are some little things that can be frequently overlooked. How will you save in retirement? More and more baby boomers are retiring with the hope that they can become centenarians. That may prove true thanks to healthcare advances and generally healthier lifestyles. We all save for retirement. With our increasing longevity, we will also need to save in retirement for the (presumed) decades ahead. That means more than budgeting; it means investing with growth and tax efficiency in mind year after year. Could your cash flow be more important than your savings? While the #1 retirement fear is someday running out of money, your income stream may actually prove more important than your retirement nest egg. How great will the income stream be from your accumulated wealth? There’s a longstanding belief that retirees should withdraw about 4% of their savings annually. This “4% rule” became popular back in the 1990s, thanks to an influential article written by financial advisor Bill Bengen, in the Journal of Financial Planning. While the “4% rule” has its followers, the respected economist William Sharpe dismissed it as simplistic and an open door to retirement income shortfalls in a widely cited 2009 essay in the Journal of Investment Management. Volatility is pronounced in today’s financial markets, and
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
the relative calm we knew prior to the last recession may take years to return. Because of this volatility, it is hard to imagine sticking to a hard-and-fast withdrawal rate in retirement – your annual withdrawal percentage may need to vary due to life and market factors. What will you begin doing in retirement? In the classic retirement dream, every day feels like a Saturday. Your reward for decades of work is 24/7 freedom. But might all that freedom leave you bored? Impossible, you say? It happens. Some people retire with only a vague idea of “what’s next”. After a few months or years, they find themselves in the doldrums. A goal-oriented retirement has its virtues. Purpose leads to objectives, objectives lead to plans, and plans can impart some structure and order to your days and weeks – and that can help cure retirement listlessness. Will your spouse want to live the way that you live? Many couples retire with shared goals, but they find that their ambitions and day-to-day routines differ. Over time, this dissonance can be aggravating. A conversation will help you iron out potential conflicts. While your spouse’s “picture” of retirement may not be a mental photocopy of your own, the variance in retirement visions may surprise you. When should you (and your spouse) claim Social Security benefits? “As soon as possible” may not be the wisest answer. An analysis is needed. Talk with the financial professional you trust and run the numbers. If you can wait and apply for Social Security strategically, you might realize as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars more in benefits over your lifetimes. Securities and advisory services are offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Supervisory Branch: 3902 State Street, Suite 101, Santa Barbara,, CA 93105, 1.888.569.1982. Harvest Group Financial Services and Centaurus Financial are not affiliated.
ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL St. Luke’s is the only hospital in the Lehigh Valley and, in fact, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York to be named one of Truven Health Analytics™ 100 Top Hospitals in the nation.
Better Doctors. Best Hospital. stlukes100top.org
profile Orthopaedic Specialty Care Available Close to Home
T
he highly trained and experienced physicians of St. Luke’s Orthopaedic Specialists diagnose and treat a wide variety of bone and joint conditions, right here in Bucks County. Patients who suffer from such conditions as arthritis, joint pain, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome can access high quality orthopaedic care right at the St. Luke’s Bone and Joint Institute at 1534 Park Avenue in Quakertown. Treating adult, pediatric and geriatric patients, boardcertified hand surgeon Dr. Kristofer Matullo is a member of St. Luke’s Orthopaedic Specialists’ Quakertown team. Fellowship-trained at the renowned Mayo Clinic, Dr. Matullo specializes in complex problems of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. “We often see patients with orthopaedic issues that are the result of over use such as excessive running or continuous motion in the type of work they perform,” says Dr. Matullo. Though specially trained in surgery,
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
Dr. Kristofer Matullo
Dr. Matullo says that only 10-15 percent of his patients require surgery. “The majority are treated with therapy, bracing and activity modification,” shares Dr. Matullo. However, for those patients requiring arthroscopy, fracture care or even total joint replacement, they can receive quality treatment close to home at the St. Luke’s Bone and Joint Institute and St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. “Having these procedures done close to home alleviates a great deal of anxiety not only for the patient but also for the patient’s family,” notes Dr. Matullo. For Ed Treffinger of Quakertown the ability to access great orthopaedic care close to work and home made all of the difference. Treffinger, a part-time shuttle driver and a dedicated volunteer at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital, had a tingling sensation and numbness in his fingers and right hand. At the urging of his wife and his daughter, a nurse at the hospital, Ed went to see Dr. Matullo who ordered
diagnostic testing, including an MRI. Those tests confirmed Ed was suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a nerve disorder typically caused by injury or repeating hand and wrist movements. In February, Treffinger underwent a procedure known as endoscopic carpal tunnel release to relieve pressure on the median nerve to alleviate the numbness and tingling in his fingers and hand. This approach, which causes less pain and scarring than a traditional open surgery, was performed right at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. “I went in [to the hospital] in the morning and was out by noontime,” says Treffinger. Following his surgery, Ed performed hand exercises at home and took a break from driving. Two weeks later Dr. Matullo removed his stitches and cleared him to return to work. Today Treffinger is back driving the shuttle, has full use of his right hand and has resumed his volunteer duties of escorting patients, delivering paper work and transporting lab samples. “Even though I run all around the hospital I hadn’t met Dr. Matullo before,” explained Ed. “He could not have been nicer…he explained exactly what was going to happen during my procedure, how long it was going to take and what to expect afterwards.” Admittedly somewhat biased, Ed says “the whole hospital is great and the staff can’t do enough for you.”
Dr. Kristofer Matullo
Dr. Wei-Shin Lin
Dr. Julia Pring
Dr. Celestine Nnaeto
St. Luke’s Orthopaedic Specialists Quakertown St. Luke’s Orthopaedic Specialsts’ team of physicians is committed to providing patients with the most appropriate care for their injury or condition. In addition to hand, wrist and elbow surgeon Kristofer Matullo, MD, the team also includes general orthopaedic surgeons Wei-Shen Lin, MD and Julia Pring, MD and primary care sports medicine physician Celestine Nnaeto, MD who expertly care for children and adults with a wide variety of concerns including sports injuries, fractures, joint problems, congenital conditions and degenerative diseases. New patients are welcome and office hours are offered Monday through Friday at St. Luke’s Orthopaedic Specialists’ office at St. Luke’s Bone and Joint Institute in Quakertown.
To request an appointment, call 267-424-8850.
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
51
Dr. Kent Lane Mueller, D.D.S. Let us welcome you into my VERY UNIQUE and SPECIAL SERVICE Dental Practice! What makes my Practice unique may be VERY IMPORTANT to you; this may be the very best place for you to receive your care: I accept adult dental patients, which includes patients as young as 12 years old approaching a full adult dentition development. 1) ‘SLEEP-DENTISTRY’ - I often deliver treatment with an Anesthesiologist Physician chair-side, to provide care for those special patients that cannot ‘get numb’, have debilitating gag-reflex, high anxiety or sensitivity; or need complex surgical, prosthodontic, implant, surgical periodontic, restorative, and root canal care. My office facility provides for private post-treatment drive-in dismissal for our I.V. sedation and handicapped patients. 2) ‘DENTAL-IMPLANTOLOGY’ - This has different application and treatment objectives from patient to patient: Immediate single tooth replacement, denture stabilization, fixed bridge full arch tooth replacement, immediate full arch restoration, and more… 3) ‘CONE BEAM CAT-SCAN’ UNIT ON SITE - This low-radiation very sophisticated digital equipment assists in placing and guiding your implant placement in the office, as well as identifying and defining intra-boney pathology, impacted teeth, and missing teeth that may be otherwise obscure. This is a VERY important pre-treatment adjunct in planning my FAST-BRACES and INVISALIGN orthodontic cases. 4) THIS REMAINS A ‘FULL-SERVICE’ DENTAL PRACTICE - I will not require you to interrupt your overall treatment with off site visits. Your treatment is completed here START FINISH! DENTAL EMERGENCIES ARE WELCOME! 5) THIS IS ALSO A ‘PREVENTIVE’ DENTAL PRACTICE - Here your periodic Periodontal-Restorative care is maintained post-treatment for you and your family through my chosen Dental Hygiene Staff. 6) ‘COSMETICS’ - WONDERFUL! - Ailing, failing, and aging bridgework a problem for you? From a FULL SMILE MAKEOVER to modest touch-ups, my chosen porcelain artisans are fantastic. I treat ‘dental train-wrecks’.
7) ‘TMJ’ PAIN / OCCLUSION ANALYSIS AND CORRECTION Should you notice pain in your ear, cracking and/or clicking pain in the joint with jaw movements, fracturing of teeth, rapid wear of teeth, gum recessions and grooving of exposed tooth roots, clenching, or grinding… Often, the solutions are much more simple than you may think. I was schooled in OHIO with respect to the ‘Gnathologist’ principles of occlusion (bite). I proudly incorporate these principles into my treatment of dental pathology and prosthetic dental reconstructions. 8) ‘PERIODONTAL DISEASE’ (GUM DISEASE) This generally painless and often life-threatening disease is often ignored and left untreated or under-treated. Despite the advent of new technologies and medications made available to treat this insidious disease, surgical intervention under microscopes remains the definitive treatment for advanced disease processes. The delivery of this treatment modality is most often performed under I.V. Sedation. 9) ‘FAST BRACES’ AVAILABLE HERE - This is a U.S. patent approved orthodontic bracket technology reduces treatment time SIGNIFICANTLY! Talk to me regarding the dynamics of this treatment modality. CORRECT CROOKED TEETH ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL DISEASE THAT COMES WITH CROOKED TEETH. (Treatment may be significantly less expensive, too!) 10) ‘HOLISTIC DENTISTRY’ - As in medicine, we look to provide you with information that may benefit you from outside the corporate product-marketing model. We are organizing a presentation here for our patients, new patients, and interested others, regarding holistic solutions that may be outside the traditional dental umbrella. CALL US TO RESERVE A CHAIR FOR YOU TO ATTEND! You may contact Dr. Mueller’s office by calling (215) 657-5700, or for more information, visit www.kmuellerdds.com 1115 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090
Office building is just south (left) of PA Turnpike Exit 343 across street from BEST BUY
“One-On One” PersOnalized dental service With tOday’s MOdern dentistry PrOvidinG the hiGhest QUality MaJOr restOrative dental & iMPlant treatMent
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
• ‘Sleep Dentistry’ • ‘Artistic Smile Design’ • Surgical Placement and Restoration of Dental Implants • Artistic Smile Design with Porcelain Veneers & Crowns
Kent Lane Mueller, D.D.S.
(215) 657-5700 1115 Easton Rd.
53
senior perspective Words and Wisdom
Put Away That Rocking Chair by Diane Burns
R
etirement is sometimes referred to as the slower years of one’s life. BUT NOT TODAY! Senior citizens are not sitting on the front porch in rocking chairs snoozing the day away. Many have rejected retirement and are electing to continue working long after the age of sixty-five. The U.S. Department of Labor records show that more than 1.2 million 75 and older seniors are still in the workforce today. Turn on the television and you may be surprised to see how many elderly actors are still performing their art: Betty White at 91, Cloris Leachman at 86, and Ed Asner at 83, just to name a few. They are not letting a number define them or keep them from doing what they love, and neither should you! Believe it or not, statistics show that Bingo and sewing are NOT the favorite pastimes of the elderly. Instead, they are out and about in the world enjoying activities they now have time to pursue. One of the favorite activities seniors are participating in is the walking clubs called Silver Sneakers. Members of these clubs often meet in the morning hours, and circle the floors at malls and many area hospitals. When it comes to the competitive spirit, age is no restriction. Check out any bowling alley, day or night, and you’ll see seniors in energetic competitive leagues. On golf courses
across the country seniors are out trying for that elusive “hole-in-one,” while enjoying the great outdoors. The Senior Golf Association plans year round, friendly tournaments across the country giving golfers an opportunity to play on new courses that challenge their game. Seniors can also be seen on tennis courts for their own pleasure or competing in tournaments. This sport is gaining new senior players every year. In many communities Bocce is the game of choice, whether it is at an organized club, the park, or even the backyard, it’s a game for all ages. Older citizens are taking dance lessons of all kinds. Since the appearance of Dancing with the Stars, we have seen how well seniors can endure the rigors of learning and performing some intricate dance routines. From square, to line, and ballroom… dancing is increasing their energy level and flexibility. And don’t be surprised to see some getting their feet moving with a little tap dancing! Whatever type of dance you enjoy, there is a club around where fellow Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers swirl around the dance floor. While these activities seem fairly normal, some are experiencing extraordinary activities in their golden years. Skydiving, marathon running, and triathlons are just a few of these exciting new challenges seniors are engaging in. So put away that rocker and get out your racket, golf clubs, or dancing shoes and begin to enjoy life again. Make the time you have, the best you can. Diane Burns is a freelance writer currently residing in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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New Knees Help Keep Sisters in Bakery Business C arole Algier and her two sisters work together, baking and selling specialty cakes. Their days, she says, are just filled with joy. Their business, Full Spirited Flavours TM, is a second career for each of them and something the close-knit trio believes was destined to be. But that’s that’s not not all all these thesewomen womendo do together. together. In In the the past past two two But years, all three three have havehad had double double knee knee replacements, replacements Carole at Pottstown years, all Memorial Medical Center, by the same orthopedic surgeon, this past June. All had surgery at Pottstown Memorial Medical Nikos MD,orthopedic of Brandywine Institute Orthopaedics. Center,Pavlides, by the same surgeon, NikosofPavlides, MD, of And they all Institute stayed inoftheOrthopaedics. same room atAnd PMMC’s Brandywine they allCenter stayedfor in the Orthopedics Spine. Center for Orthopedics and Spine. same room atand PMMC’s “Dr. Pavlides is so tuned in to you as a patient, and his team at Pottstown is the same way,” says Algier, a Glenmoore resident. “Everyone is on the same page. You feel safe and secure in their hands and so well cared for.” Sister Sue was the first to have surgery, two years ago. Algier calls her “the scout” who researched and found the best doctor for “mature” knees pained by arthritis. Kathy had surgery a year ago. “We were there for one another through the surgeries, and that support was great,” Algier says. “But also, Dr. Pavlides has such a complete program at Pottstown. There’s no way you can’t recoup!”
Innovative Techniques, Personalized Care Algier says Dr. Pavlides “is not one to jump into surgery” as the only option. He first advises weight loss, exercise and other nonsurgical options to alleviate knee pain. Her praise for Dr. Pavlides includes not only her hospital care and comprehensive therapy, but also her scar. “I’m proud of my scar,” she says. “At therapy other patients noticed it and other doctors have asked about it.” Dr. Pavlides uses minimally invasive surgical techniques and closes the incision from the inside out. It’s a cosmetic approach, he explains. “I don’t use staples or close from the outside, so you don’t get that railroad track effect,” he says. “It takes more time, but I feel patients don’t need a big scar that’s a constant reminder of the surgery.” From her sisters’ experience, Algier also knew she would receive an extraordinary level of personal attention from Dr. Pavlides. “He spent time with me every day in the hospital and made sure I had everything I needed,” she says. “I’ve never had a better experience.” 4 • Fall2013 • TheCenterPost
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
Cake Sisters 17X11 Poster.indd 1
‘‘
The physician you see in the office is the one who performs your surgery and is also the one you see after surgery. It’s very personalized care.
’’
—Nikos Pavlides, MD Orthopedic surgeon Independent Member of the Medical Staff
Why for Why Choose Choose PMMC for Knee Replacement? Replacement? Dedicated orthopedic center • Dedicated orthopedic 1. with private rooms center with private rooms High standard of quality care 2. • High standard of quality care New techniques/gender-specific 3. joint replacement • Gender-specific joint replacement sparing knee replacement infection rate 4.ACLLower • Lower infection rate Demonstrated successful outcomes 5. Designated assuccessful a Blue • Demonstrated outcomes
6. 7.
Distinction Center in knee and hip replacement by Independence Blue Cross
Joint Commission Quality care in knee and hip Knee & Hip replacement accredited by Certification the Joint Commission
Stop living with Stop with knee, knee,hip hip and joint joint pain! pain! and To learn our orthopedic can Meet ourhow Orthopedic Team experts at help you, call us at 610-327-7200. pottstownortho.com
TheCenterPost • Fall2013 • 5
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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Local Living Volume 5 | Issue 2
2
- PIECE
Bikini? Yes, you can.
If you feel your body just isn’t in “bikini shape” anymore — but long for the days when you would turn heads strolling on the beach in your favorite two-piece — a tummy tuck could be your solution. A tummy tuck can give you the flat stomach you once had. It’s often suggested for women unhappy with their tummy’s appearance after pregnancy and for women who diet and exercise, but just can’t seem to lose that annoying little bulge around their midsection. Call us today for a no-obligation consultation. Together we’ll evaluate your situation and determine if a tummy tuck is a viable solution for you.
K E V ITCH&CH UNG AESTHETIC SURGERY ASSOCI ATES
610.437.2378 | ASASurgery.com
Remember that not all physicians who perform plastic surgery or use the title are board certified in plastic surgery. Look for this symbol to be sure.
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fashionista
A
Spring Wardrobe Woes
lmost everyone loves when the weather turns warmer and the smell of fresh flowers in the spring air. Some fashionistas, myself included, wistfully dream of being able to wear boots and coats just a few more weeks. It is not that I am opposed to this season… spring weather just implies less options in outfits, as fewer layers are required mixed with the expectation to wear prints and brighter colors. Just the thought of trying to meet this fashion expectation makes my senses reel in panic, as black is my favorite color and, on an incredibly risk-taking day, possibly white or tan. That being said, spring clothing trends cannot be avoided. We must learn to tackle them like a paint-by-numbers painting, by filling in the suggested images with colors we feel comfortable with. Rather than pinks, cobalt blues and yellows, our pictures will be filled with subtle shades of grey, white and beiges. The painting will keep its artistic integrity, as with the trends of the spring season, but the interpretation will be very different. So we can face the change in season smiling with satisfaction rather than frowning in frustration, here are a few survival tips for the fashionista not so fond of spring: 1. Prioritize what you most like about the upcoming spring season- is it shape, lengths, or accessories? By doing a little research, you will be able to filter through your likes and dislikes immediately.
2. After determining what your spring trends will be, focus on adding those elements to your existing wardrobe. Don’t spend time and money purchasing items from a season you do not want to invest in heavily. 3. Create a budget you want to stay in and what are your investment pieces. By knowing that you are more of a fall/ winter fashionista, concentrate on your investment pieces for the spring to be key items that are more season-less. 4. Sticking to classic shapes in black, white and shades of grey allow you to have a comfortable starting point to add on to. Fabrics that work all year round are: ponte, jersey, and silk. These materials can be layered according to the season. 5. By adding texture or statement pieces to your classic shapes you can remain current and still feel like yourself. Bold statement necklaces, scarves, or handbags in colorful or unusual shapes can easily add a lighter layer to your personal style. 6. Pick bright accessories that will complement your neutral wardrobe. Turquoise is always an amazing color for spring and provides a lift to a black or white dress. Shoes and sandals with color and adornment can add a layer of whimsy to a classic wardrobe. By following these little pearls of wisdom, we can ensure that our personal style stays intact, but we won’t miss an opportunity to be fashionable as the weather warms. — Anonymous Self-Proclaimed Shopaholic
Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
61
The Forty Year Old Version
Remembering The ’93 Phils By Kenny Spaulding
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ith the dawn of spring comes new hope every year for baseball fans. However, since there is very little hope for Phillies fans, I’d like to pay tribute to the memorable 1993 National League Champion squad. For a few weeks in the fall of 1993, The Philadelphia Phillies were America’s Team, a band of mullet-sporting dirtballs that nearly shocked the world en route to a six game loss in that season’s Fall Classic. On paper, the team shouldn’t have even been on the same field with the eventual champion Blue Jays club, a team that already has three players enshrined in Cooperstown. One of the many beauties of the great game of baseball is that it is not played on paper. The irony of the 1993 Phillies is that they were considered “a team of throwbacks,” even referring to themselves as such; but over twenty years later, the truth is that the team was very much ahead of its time. Much of the modern offensive philosophy is built upon what the Phillies did all year in 1993. They took pitches, they got on base in any and every way conceivable, they took pitches, they sacrificed themselves for their teammates, and, oh yeah, they took pitches. The result of this philosophy was a fairly simple one. The 1993 Phillies led the league in runs scored, were not shut out a single time all season, and not only won their division, but upset the vaunted Atlanta Braves in the playoffs. This was a team comprised of unselfish players. It was a team that saw three different positions, manned by a total of six platooned players. It was a team made of guys that would
take pitches just so that their teammates could see what the pitcher was throwing that day. Most of all, it was a team of men who played the game for each other; and that seems to be the one component essential to success in every team sport. That team not only was successful, extorting career years out of many players previously regarded as journeymen, but it was also loveable and memorable. When you play for each other, the fans tend to take notice. It might not have been the most successful team in franchise history, but it is probably the most-loved. With this year’s edition of the Philadelphia Phillies almost predestined to be offensively-challenged, they might do well to take a page from the ’93 team’s book. This year’s team is made up, predominantly, of players that are too young or too old; players who are in a prime position to sacrifice the numbers and get with the program of playing the game the right way. Not much is expected from the 2015 Phillies. Not much was expected in 1993 either. With nothing to lose, perhaps these players should watch that team and learn. Kenny is a freelance writer who writes about sports (memorabilia) for a living. He has lived and mostly died with the Phillies since the late 1970’s. He is a proud contributor to Local Living Magazine and lives in Bethlehem, PA with his loving family.
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INNOVATION AT EVERY TURN: 2015 Philadelphia International Auto Show
Ushers In What Is Shaping Up To Be a Banner Year for Carmakers By Drew Giorgi
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t the Philadelphia International Auto Show, the vehicle that received the most local press had a lot going for it: 100 mpg, 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, and a top speed of 150 mph. It was not made by GM, Ford, or Chrysler, but by the EVX team at the Workshop School in West Philadelphia. Students Derrick Bell and Quwontay Hunter were eager to show off their sleek, blue Factory Five 818 kit car powered by a biodiesel engine that runs on used fryer oil from Federal Donuts. Praised by President Obama at the inaugural White House Maker Faire, in terms of efficiency, power, and embrace of alternative fuels, the car captures the zeitgeist of the American automotive world and this year’s auto show. Described as a blue-collar show where attendees can learn about cars without sales pressure, over 250,000 people flooded the Philadelphia Convention Center to sample 700
vehicles. This year, visitors could experience the handling of the Jeep line-up at Camp Jeep, test drive Toyotas or Kias, and sit inside pretty much any car they desired save for some exotic European sports cars on display in a special fencedoff gallery appropriately nestled alongside that most exotic and innovative American car: Elon Musk’s Tesla. And yes, you could sit in the Tesla. The search for efficiency and cargo space dominates the local car-buying story. Nationwide small sedans lead car sales with four-cylinder combustion engines capable of getting a hundred miles on three gallons of gas, but Philadelphia’s market is exploding with demand for small SUV’s, twice that compared to the rest of the country. One of the show’s big stars was the brand new Honda HR-V, which Honda calls a subcompact crossover. Based on a car chassis, crossovers perform more like efficient sedans with greater cargo space. Based on Honda’s Fit, the HR-V will compete with the Chevy Trax, Nissan Juke, and forthcoming Mazda CX-3. In terms of raw numbers, the top two selling vehicles nationwide in 2014 were trucks. Led by the Ford F-series, Today’s trucks may start at $20,000, but can quickly climb above $60,000 as manufacturers offer every option. Not long ago, this would be unthinkable when electric vehicles (EV’s), vehicles using alternate fuels, and hybrids were considered the future. During an auto show seminar, Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, explained how difficult it is for the government to create a market where there is a lack of consumer demand; EV’s have suffered due to range limitations and a lack of charging station infrastructure. Despite incen-
tive programs, EV’s are not cost effective to produce. They still only have a 3.5% market share. But this figure may rise. Offerings from Tesla and GM address the range issue. The Tesla Model S is a supremely successful EV boasting jaw dropping specs—a range of 300 miles per charge and 0-60 in 3.2 seconds—but is out of most consumer’s reach at $71,000. Meanwhile, Chevy has unveiled the Bolt for 2017. It promises 200 miles per charge with a price tag of $30,000. By comparison, the bestselling Nissan Leaf only advertises 84 miles per charge. Due to government requirements, the batteries in hybrids and electrics are guaranteed for eight years. After that, replacement costs vary by vehicle. When it comes to hybrid efficiency, Scott Sturgis, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Driver’s Seat columnist, noted a 20% increase in fuel efficiency between the gas and hybrid versions of the same vehicle. The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets 41 highway mpg while its traditional counterpart gets 34 mpg. The question is whether that merits the increased sticker price. This year will see the first consumer release of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in Toyota’s Mirai. It will be available in California, which is helping Toyota launch 60 hydrogen fueling stations by 2016. Aside from efficiency, technology is the other story of 2015. Once only available in high-end luxury cars, Chevy will make 4G connections ubiquitous this year, allowing drivers to run apps approved for use while driving. Fear not if you purchase a car without this feature as Apple and Google will soon ship systems for the dashboard. Hyundai hopes to be the first with their 2015 Sonata offering both Android Auto and Apple Car Play as soon as the software becomes avail-
able. Essentially, your phone will connect to your dashboard and present a series of apps allowing you to control your car, use GPS, and access your music and communication services in a user-friendly way with minimal distraction. If you do get distracted, your new car may be able to “see” the road ahead. Previously available from luxury manufacturers, Subaru now offers EyeSight technology. Subaru showed off a dissected Forester’s intelligent camera system; attendees not only saw the tech, but also how the car saw them through a series of connected monitors. Cars with this technology can activate the brakes and even steer around hazards to avoid collisions. Although you may enjoy Eyesight, many companies want to get eyes on you. Privacy and security dominate headlines, and cars are especially vulnerable to hacking. Senator Edward Markey’s report, Tracking & Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk, claims wireless technologies present in all cars manufactured today make vehicle infiltration relatively easy. This issue will be front and center as regulators and consumers call for security and privacy. Cars are lighter and sturdier than ever with more complex electronics rivaled only by Silicon Valley. You can get a beautiful, fuel efficient vehicle for under $20,000, but more variety is available than ever as the industry strives to surprise and delight everyone. Another reason to visit next year’s show ( January 30 to February 7 with the Black Tie Tailgate preview on January 29) is all the good it does. This year $450,000 was raised for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation’s “Driving Away the Cold” program has distributed nearly 178,000 brand-new coats to kids in need since 2008 and The Greater Philadelphia Automotive Technology Competition just finished in February, awarding $925,000 in scholarships and prizes to high school seniors interested in careers in the auto technology industry. So come to the show as every attendee contributes to these valuable causes while enjoying the cars. Drew Giorgi is a teacher of English at New Hope-Solebury High School. He is a graduate of LaSalle University and holds master’s degrees from The College of New Jersey and St. Joesph’s University in English and Educational Technology. He is a Fellow of the Pennsylvania Writing and Literature Project, a Keystone Technologist, and author of Blues for Beginners (an instructional music book), and many articles on Media Ecology. Volume 5 | Issue 2 Local Living
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pets
Food Recalls - Is Your Pet Safe? by Carla Papciak-Glatts
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hether you are watching the news, looking on social media, or at the veterinarian’s office, the phrase “pet food recall” is hard to miss. Pet food has been recalled for kibble, caned wet food, frozen patties, treats, and farm feed. Last year the FDA recalled over a dozen manufacturer’s pet food products due to contamination, insufficient vitamin supplements, and foreign objects. Recalls can happen 3 ways: the manufacturer pulls their product, the FDA Requests, or FDA orders by authority. Some of the popular brands of pet food that have been recntly recalled include: Pedigree, Hills Science Diet, Purina, Beneful, Iams and Nutro. One of the most common contaminations is Salmonella, which is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food processed in a factory. When pet food is made, it is usually cooked to temperatures that would kill bacteria. However, if there is an additive (such as flavoring or food dye) that is contaminated, that could cause the food to become bad. If your pet digests the contaminated food they will demonstrate signs of food poisoning. Vomiting, lethargy, fever and bloody diarrhea are all symptoms that can last up to 5 days. If you suspect your pet is experiencing any signs of distress, contact your vet immediately. Beware that we can also get Salmonella poisoning simply from touching the contaminated food and coming in contact with our mouths. Our pets can harbor the bacteria in their mouths and spread it to whatever comes in contact with them, so to prevent yourself and your family from getting sick follow the following steps: 1. When handling your pet’s food, wash your hands thoroughly after preparing. Don’t prepare the food in an area
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where you are cooking. 2. Use dedicated utensils and bowls for pet’s food. After every feeding wash your bowls with hot water and soap, along with your preparation area. 3. Refrigerate leftover food properly with a seal; this will prevent growth of harmful bacteria. What can be done to help prevent your pet from contaminated food? If the food is contaminated from the factory and is recalled by the FDA, throw it out immediately. Do not buy damaged cans or dry food with tears in the bags. Research your dog food company. This may require a phone call, but it will be worth your time. Find out where they manufacture their food. Companies that outsource their food to other facilities have less control over following protocols. Ask where they obtain their ingredients; poor ingredients can lead to tainted food. Find out if they do quality testing on their food. A reputable company will perform well over 100 tests on their food before it leaves the facility. Lastly, just because the food says, “organic” or “natural” that does not ensure the safety of the product. If you suspect your pet food or treats are making your pet sick, report it to the FDA (www.fda.gov). You can submit a complaint online or call the Consumer Complaint hotline for your state. If you want to research or receive notifications and alerts on recalled pet foods, go to www.petfoodrecall. org. Staying informed and notifying the FDA of concerns could save a pet from a serious illness or death. Carla Papciak-Glatts is an animal activist, shelter volunteer, and busy mom of two girls and a German Shepherd. She resides in Upper Bucks County.
Local
goes local
Virginia Wine Country By Diane Burns
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n 1771 our third President Thomas Jefferson tried his hand at wine making in his home state of Virginia. And although Jefferson was successful in many endeavors, wine making was not one of them. His vines were infected by a deadly louse, which destroyed his vineyard and most of the soil around it. For the next 200 years, any wine that was produced in Virginia was undrinkable and tasted like detergent. Over the years the wines became more tolerable but not remarkable. However, the last 40 years has produced a generation of excellent VA winemakers whose wines can compete with the best of California wines. The state is the home of over 230 vineyards, and Virginia is now the fifth largest wine grapegrowing state in the country. The wines in this state have received many accolades from tourists and high scores from professional critics. So let’s take a short tour of the most awarded wineries in the area. Each winery is in a unique location with beautiful scenery, spectacular views, and quaint little towns. The state is divided into several wine tasting regions, so you have a choice of different areas in the northern, central or southern part of the state. What better 68
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way to experience a short getaway than a visit to the wine country of Virginia? These are the vineyards that are putting Virginia wines on the map: Potomac Point Winery- Stafford, VA The vineyard is a Tuscany-like estate just 45 minutes outside Washington, DC. Enjoy wine tasting in the tasting room or outside in the New Orleans style courtyard, while the children have some play time in the Lil Buds Room. There is also a Bistro open for a light menu of Tapas, soups, and salads. Cedar Creek Vineyard For those who want to learn more about the wines of Virginia, this vineyard has a very educational tasting. Cedar Creek is an award winning family owned farm winery and vineyard. Although they only produce two wines, tourists highly recommend a visit to Cedar Creek. Glen Manor The winery is situated on the west side of the Blue Ridge. The vineyard has a unique environment, with vines perched on steep mountain slopes. Grapes are grown mostly for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.
Villa Appalachia – Floyd, VA This is a beautiful venue with an excellent variety of wines. You will definitely be able to relax at this Italian inspired winery. Chianti Classico is the grape predominately grown and produced at Villa Appalachia. Valhalla Vineyard – Shenandoah Valley Come and enjoy a tour of the winery and barrel cave conducted by the very professional staff. There Syrah has received the Governor’s Cup as well as many other National and International awards. This is just a sample of the more than 200 wineries Virginia has to offer. Forbes Magazine once asked the question “Is Virginia the Napa of the East?” Why not experience the answer to that question first hand. You won’t be sorry you did. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information and a map of the entire wine making regions. Virginia Chamber of Commerce –9 19 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (804)644-1607 or www.virgina.org Diane Burns is a freelance writer now residing in Chester County, PA