January 2014

january 2014

hair, fashion & makeup

trends for 2014

2014 fab find

karma water menopause minute

dr. james woods

Miss America Nina Davuluri

Creating Circles of Unity f o r a l l t h e t h i n g s t h at yo u a r e . . . r o c h e s t e r w o m a n

I

rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

1

w w w. r o c h e s t e r w o m a n m a g . c o m

Insure your 4-door and save money on your front door.

Let us help you get the protection you need.

Call us today for affordable home & auto coverage. We can help you save twice when you bring both your home and auto policies to Allstate.

Vincenzo Scollo Agency vscollo@allstate.com

(585) 381-3530 835 Fairport Road East Rochester

(585) 244-2130 2261 Monroe Avenue Rochester

Subject to terms, conditions, qualifications and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. Š 2012 Allstate Insurance Company

59263

Putting our community in Good HandsÂŽ for over 15 years.

January ETC 7

8

PLATTER CHATTER: Voulas Greek Sweets

8

FABULOUS FIND: Karma Water

11

57 43

TRENDS FOR 2014 15 FOR A GOOD CAUSE

18

LOCAL BUSINESS MATTERS 20

11

SPECIAL FEATURE: Katherine Whipple, MD

22

LEADING WOMAN: The Business of Ballet

24

40

COVER STORY 26 FITNESS 31 RESOLVE: PART 3 32

14

HEALTHY WOMAN: Menopause Minute

34

WISDOM IN A TRAFFIC JAM

36

QUEEN OF ARTS 38 READS & WRITES: You Had it All Along

40

38

RW INSPIRES 43

15

22

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 47 TIPS FOR WOMEN 48

26

34

OUR TEAM...

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHERS diversity will undoubtedly inspire you.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” — Edith Lovejoy Pierce As we close the book on 2013 and leave another great year behind, we start 2014 with crisp, clean pages in your choice women’s magazine. This year is ripe with opportunity and full of hope for all the possibilities that lie in the months ahead.

How the year unfolds is completely up to us and determined solely by the choices we make along the way. Some will be good, some bad, but then that’s what makes life’s unique journey worth the adventure.

Every month we feature incredible journeys of women in Rochester Woman Magazine, and 2014 is no different. With every edition, we are proud and committed to inspiring, educating and entertaining our audience — you.

Sharing her own personal journey with us this year is Nina Davuluri, Miss New York and newly crowned Miss America.

Spending her childhood right down the road in Fayetteville, N.Y., Nina reclaimed Syracuse and Central New York as her home three years ago. One stepping stone on her road to Miss America was Nina’s selection as Miss Greater Rochester in 2012. RWM Co-Publisher Kelly Breuer was one of the judges that helped her earn that crown.

We are proud to have Nina on our cover to start the New Year. Read her incredible story on page [26]. You will quickly learn why this region is proud to call her its own Miss America. Nina’s genuine spirit and focus on changing our society’s outlook on

Also embarking on a new beginning is Dr. Rachel Lauber, the new conductor of the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Lauber has learned from some of the greatest conductors in the world and brings that experience to her newly acquired position. Read her story on page [38].

Publishers Kelly Breuer Barbara McSpadden

For a child dealing with a life-threatening illness each day can be a challenge. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted more than 60 wishes in the Rochester area last year to try to make the lives of these children a little happier if even just for a moment.

Read about this great organization on page [18].

Creative DIRECTOR

Self-confidence is an easy thing to lose, but a hard quality to get back. In her recently published best-selling book, “You Had it All Along” — author Sheila Kennedy show’s how to get that self-esteem and confidence back by making a few simple changes in your life. On page [40] we feature an excerpt from her book: Chapter 4, The Cost of Burying Confidence. If you’re like us, after reading this chapter, you will want to go get the book and finish what we started here.

Contributing Writers

As the pages of this new year unfold, take us along on your journey and let’s write a story of success for 2014 and beyond. We have plans for some exciting new changes for the coming year and we can’t wait to share them with all of you, our loyal readers. Here’s to a successful 2014 for everyone!

Happy New Year!

Sincerely

Kelly & Barb ON OUR COVER...

Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, a native of Fayetteville and former Miss Syracuse, is pictured on our January cover. The cover photograph and all images in the cover spread were provided by the Miss America Organization which we worked with closely for this edition.

Editor-in-Chief

Barbara McSpadden

associate editor Ashley Cooper Kelly Breuer

Graphic Design Megan LeMay

Photography

Elton Photographic Jeff Gerew Brandon Vick Laura Card Bethany Comella Ashley Cooper John Hutchings Farah Jadran Sheila Kennedy Joan E. Lincoln Nadia Pierre-Louis Angella Luyk Alli O’Malley Tiffanie Prota Nicole Shein Becky Vasilovski Brandy Whitbourne James Woods, MD

for advertising information:

Please contact sales@rochesterwomanmag.com

Advertise with us...

Unlike any other publication in the Rochester area, our feature articles address major topics that interest local women.

Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Rochester women.

The print magazines are distributed locally in over 350 locations and will be in your inbox electronically by the first week of every month. The publication is available free of charge.

Contact our home office 585.287.5362 1115 E. Main St, Box 60 I Rochester, NY 14609 info@rochesterwomanmag.com Download our media kit at www.rochesterwomanmag.com The magazine is published 11 times a year by InnovateHER Media Group, llc. 1115 E. Main Street, Box 60, Rochester NY 14609.

Copyright © 2013 InnovateHER Media Group, llc.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced or republished without the consent of the publishers.

Rochester Woman Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photos or artwork. All such submissions become the property of InnovateHER Media Group, llc. and will not be returned.

etc

MOVIES

The Adventurer- Jan. 10 In The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box, 17-year-old Mariah Mundi’s life is turned upside down when his parents vanish and his younger brother is kidnapped. Following a trail of clues to the darkly majestic Prince Regent Hotel, Mariah discovers a hidden realm of child-stealing monsters, deadly secrets and a long-lost artifact that grants limitless wealth—but also devastating supernatural power

OUT & ABOUT National Wear Red Day is February 7th 2014

Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. This means women you know — mothers, sisters, friends — are dying at the rate of one per minute. In fact, in the time it takes to read this, another woman will die from heart disease.

It simply does not have to be that way. At the American Heart Association, we work every day to fund research and fight this killer so that more women can be saved. But we need your help.

Get Involved You can show your support on National Wear Red Day or any day throughout the year in many ways – from simply wearing red to helping organize an event at your workplace, school or local organization. Visit GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay for moreinformation on this annual celebration.

You can also raise funds with our easy-to-use Wear Red Day fundraising tool. Join our mission to ensure we never have to deny research that could save a woman’s life.

Help raise the funds needed for lifesaving educational programs and the development of new treatments to fight heart disease.

Help make America Go Red and save women’s lives this February!

The Nut Job– Jan. 17 Surly, a curmudgeon, independent squirrel is banished from his park and forced to survive in the city.

Lucky for him, he stumbles on the one thing that may be able to save his life, and the rest of park community, as they gear up for winter - Maury’s Nut Store.

It’s easy to sign up and make difference.

Fundraising Page.”

Step One: Visit GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay and select “Create a

Step Two: Select Individuals or Groups.

Step Three: Choose a fundraising goal and complete the simple registration form.

Step Four: When you receive your confirmation email, share your page with social network groups.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – Jan. 17 The story follows a young Jack Ryan from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst. When Ryan believes he’s uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others.

Labor Day – Jan. 31 Follows a 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-toschool shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers, a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict.

.

28th Annual Chocolate Ball, February 8th On Saturday, February 8, 2014, the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton, a division of Epilepsy-Pralid, Inc., will celebrate 28 years of the Chocolate Ball at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The event begins at 5:30 pm with a champagne cocktail reception as guests sample a dozen award-winning cakes and bid on items in a silent auction. A highlight of the event comes after dinner with a live auction for the many unique chocolate cakes created exclusively for the Chocolate Ball by more than a dozen Rochester-area pastry chefs.

The Chocolate Ball is our premier fundraiser for our epilepsy programs. Funds raised at the 28th Annual Chocolate Ball will go to support our education efforts regarding epilepsy and seizure first aid, our short-term counseling program for newly diagnosed individuals, and Camp EAGR, our residential summer camp for kids with epilepsy.

For more information contact: Debbie Baker at (585) 442-6420 x286 or dbaker@epiny.org Ticket Information: $200/ticket, corporate tables and sponsorships available www.epilepsyuny.org/chocolateball.htm

::platter

chatter

A Taste of

greece Voulas Greek Sweets

By Nicole Shein | Photos by Brandon Vick

::SHIFT+CONTROL

Before I can begin to talk about the food at Voula’s Greek Sweets, I have to say that the moment I stepped into the charming little Monroe Avenue restaurant, the owner, Voula Katsetos-Stratton greeted me with the warmest smile -- a smile that rarely left her face as she brought me plate after plate of delicious Greek appetizers, entrees and pastries, told me stories about her family, and described her mission to bring authentic Greek food to Rochester. Voula clearly works hard to fulfill this mission--making virtually everything she serves from scratch--and yet just as clearly, she enjoys every moment of cooking and caring for her customers.

Now, onto the food. Think you’ve had a Greek salad? Not till you’ve had Voula’s, which has no lettuce, just an intensely flavorful mixture of vine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, and copious kalamata olives. The dressing is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar and a touch of oregano, but as with the vegetables it accentuates, is more than the sum of its parts. There is a freshness and purity to this salad, as there was to all the appetizers Voula offered me, including a dish of amazing imported feta cheese that, she said, “makes our food taste just like the food in Greece,” another helping of kalamatas, and basket of lagana--a vegan Lenten bread that is baked fresh each morning.

I put the lagana to good use when Voula served me a selection of dips: tzatziki, skordalia, kafteri, melitzanosalata, and hummus. Despite repeated tastes of each, in the end I couldn’t choose a favorite. The hummus here bears only a passing resemblance to that stuff in the tub that shows up at every potluck; here there is no tahini, just a puree of chickpeas, parsley, lemon, garlic and olive oil with a few spices. It’s different, but absolutely delicious. Melitzanosalata is a cousin to baba ghanoush, with eggplant, roasted red peppers and onions, but is lighter and slightly spicier. Skordalia, a creamy and nutty puree of almonds, russet potatoes and garlic, stood in contrast to the spicy kafteri, which blends roasted red peppers, jalepenos and feta together. Lastly, Voula’s tzatziki owes its thick consistency to fat-free greek yogurt and its freshness to dill and grated cucumber.

Spanakopita is a Greek dish with which most Americans have some familiarity, but the version at Voula’s is truly stunning. First, the phyllo dough--again, rolled out by hand on a daily basis--was so flaky and crisp that it shattered when I touched my fork to it. Inside this buttery pastry is a filling made from spinach, scallions, ricotta, and more of that fantastic feta cheese. If you like the spanakopita you’ve tried elsewhere, you will adore Voula’s. I was hard pressed to not devour the entire portion, but instead saved some room for the tyropita (a similar dish, only minus the spinach and with more cheese) and the prasopita (filled with leeks, scallions and feta). And then Voula brought me a steaming bowl of lentil soup which was comforting and hearty, with enough spice to make it extra warming.

Voula offers many options for vegetarian and vegan diners, and cooks up specials like Greek calzones, lemony potatoes and the legendary Thursday stuffed peppers--mouthwatering pictures of which she posts on her Facebook page. The restaurant also hosts Saturday brunch, which is a perfect excuse to stop in and take a leisurely look at the gleaming display case of confections.

It’s unthinkable to leave Voula’s without trying at least one Greek sweet, and she actually didn’t let me leave without a box full of them, in addition to the almond cookies and butternut-squash and cinnamon pastry that I tasted while enjoying a cup of strong, hot Greek coffee. Yes, there’s baklava, but don’t pass by the other dessert offerings, like chocolatina, a rich torte-like cake blanketed in ganache. As with the dips, it was hard to decide which of the treats I preferred, but no worries-another few dozen visits to Voula’s, and I’m sure I’ll narrow it down.

Voula’s Greek Sweets I 439 Monroe Avenue I 585-242-0935 Monday - Thursday 11am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 4pm rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2014

9

Project2:Layout 1 12/12/13 5:02 PM Page 1

wANt to lose weight ? look At your PlAte!

80 %

of weight loss is due to diet!

IT’S THIS SIMPLE:

• Fresh, delicious take-home meal program • Fun, energizing fitness classes • Unique team approach

RISK FREE TRIAL

LOOK GOOD AND FEEL BETTER! 585.406.7118

1290 University Avenue • Rochester NY • 585.406.7118

rea l life f ood a n d f i t ne ss . com

find

::fab

Karma Water Sets a New Standard

By Meredith Doyle With the New Year approaching and many resolving to be healthier in 2014, the discerning health conscious consumer is faced with many challenges along the way including the task of navigating a beverage industry inflated by products boasting lofty health benefits. Locally produced, Karma Wellness Water aims to set a new standard in the vitamin-infused water industry.

What sets Karma apart from the rest is the patented KarmaCap, which keeps vitamins separated from the water until consumption. This is essential because water-soluble vitamins deteriorate in water. Thus, the benefits promised by competing premixed vitamin water companies can be misleading, offering a mere fraction of the label’s stated vitamin percentages. The KarmaCap assures that the vitamins are at their peak potency when the consumer opens the bottle.

Karma Wellness Water is currently available in five varieties, Body for fitness acceleration, Vitality for healthy hydration, Balance to boost immunity, Spirit for mood elevation and Mind for mental acuity, each offering these distinct benefits based on their unique composition.

Most importantly, Karma has no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.

The Rochester based company has already gained widespread attention for its take on vitamin-enhanced water, gaining a presence in the East Coast, Midwest and Canadian markets and is making its way to the

West Coast. This success is compounded by the fact that the company is relatively in its infancy. Having been available for less than two years, its national visibility is a testament to the economic viability of small businesses within the community.

The company’s innovation extends beyond the bottle design. Social Media and Consumer Relations Director, Shanna Baccari, traveled to Boston this summer to spearhead the Random Acts of Karma campaign.

Together with a contingent of enthusiastic employees, Baccari paid for yoga classes, carousel rides and boat rides for unsuspecting people and often their families, distributing free Karma water at every opportunity.

The catch? Only a tag on each bottle compelling the recipient to “pass it on” and bestow an unexpected kindness on a stranger. They have done this twice in Boston and once in Philadelphia, with no plans to stop anytime soon with a Random Act of Karma Day planned for Rochester in 2014. More than just a clever marketing campaign, the message is one Baccari and those in the Karma camp both believe in and try to live by.

Remember that any true transformation begins within. Make a resolution to be better to yourself this year.

For more information visit drinkkarma.com.

LIFE COACHING WITH INITIATIVE

Quit living in the shadows, reveal your inner glow BRENDA STEFFON INTEGRATIVE COACH PROFESSIONAL Specializing in breakthrough shadow coaching.

Call for your free session!

585.259.5090 THEPEACOCKSTAILCOACHING.COM BRENDA@THEPEACOCKSTAILCOACHING.COM

COMING SOON TO VICTOR - Eastview Commons

-womens clothing and accessories -warm cozy atmosphere -clothing from NYC - young girls clothing ages 2-12 15 S. Main Street, Pittsford, New York 14534 (585) 248-0886

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH STYLE

Chandeliers carries many handmade items by local clothing desingners.

Under new ownership

Grand Opening in January!

CHANDELIERS BOUTIQUE I 15 S MAIN ST. I PITTSFORD NY

WE BRING THE CASINO EXPERIENCE TO YOU  Upstate Vegas Events is the absolute best form of casino gaming entertainment outside of Las Vegas. Serving the Buffalo, Rochester  and Syracuse areas of Western New York, we bring the total Vegas experience to you for all occasions. Upstate Vegas has over 50 of the  highest quality gaming tables available and professional dealers for each game that can teach and entertain all your guests.

  





::trends for

FASHION & Make up trends for 2014

2014

Salon Bella Vita The feel of this season for hair is mixing 80’s,60’s and 40’s.

Looks are strong, edgy but softened by color and texture.

#1:

Rich reds warm and cool tones mixed together for natural dimension.

#2:

We love our strawberry family, the hardest to create. This luxiourous color will be seen more this season not just as a solid color but as an accent to blondes and brunettes.

#4:

Subtle texture is created using colors in the #3; same tonal families. Instead of the continous

ombré at the ends of the whole entire head, ombré will be used as only placements customized to the look and feel of the cut, thus making a stronger statement .

Blondes with multiple dimension using dark, medium and light colors throughout.

This look is a very strong style, great with darker features and adds tons of movement to the hair.

fashion colors, such as #5; High pink, violet, red, yellow will

be used as accents to basic colors. Again placed in the hair depending on the look and feel of the cut. This is customizing a color.

#6;

Platinum blondes are a color family of their own. Look closely, as you can see ,there is still dimension to this platinum blonde. Dimension adds depth and texture to a style and makes the hair look and feel soft and natural.

rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

15

Pantone originally made color cards for cosmetic companies. Lawrence Herbert, an employee since 1956, purchased the company in 1962 and began working on a color matching system.

The Pantone Color Matching System created a standard method for users to match colors exactly during the graphic design process.

Radiant Orchid allows for creativity and ingenuity, which may appeal to the fashionminded and tech savvy. The hue also offers a sharp contract to the Emerald, Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year.

::trends for

2014

PANACHE

#1 Love it, Hate it, A New Pink is on board for 2014

Women who follow Fashion want to be wearing the color of the moment. You will even see the stores FULL of Radiant Orchid options from footwear to, home decor and appliances.

Prints: #2

Well, it’s no summer without floral, right? The next springsummer 2014 season comes with beautiful floral prints that appear everywhere starting from tops to dresses and outerwear.

Floral prints seem to be really timeless and extremely versatile to create and alter. Designers use quite complicated schemes, details and colors to make unique and original floral prints wearable but almost any body shape and style.

#3

Get wardrobe essentials and you’ll neveR again ask “What should I wear?”

While every woman has different requirements from her wardrobe, there are some basic clothing items that every woman should have hanging in her closet. Whether you work on Wall Street, program computers or spend your days at the toddler park, consider these essential items.

The little black dress: This advice has become a cliché only because it is so true. A well-fitting dress of good quality can be worn to nearly any occasion.

Select a black dress of a woven fabric (stretchy dresses will not hold their shape year after year) in a flattering and classic cut. If there is only one piece of designer apparel in the closet, this should be it.

It can be worn alone or accessorized to dress it up, down and all around the town. Lined, dry clean only dresses will hold their shape better and resist fading over those that are washable.

A white collared shirt: Ordinary? Yes, but also incredibly necessary. For the outfit that only goes with certain colors, for the neutral suit for the stodgy business meeting or topping the comfortable jeans, the white collared shirt is the most in-demand item in a well-dressed woman’s closet. It is the solution when all else has failed her and it never goes out of style. Find a shirt in a crisp cotton and do not let the laundry spare the starch. The most versatile of the white collared shirt will have long sleeves, button up the front, have a medium sized collar and tuck in smoothly and neatly to any slacks or skirts.

Fabulous denim: Another wardrobe essential, that is a building block to a solid and functional wardrobe, is a stylish however great inventory of fabulous denim.

Few pieces feature more prevalently in a woman’s wardrobe than a pair of blue jeans. Relaxed, simple and sexy denims can be casual or elegant, depending on how pieces are mixed together. Combined with a well-fitted white shirt, denim jeans can inspire classic elegance and style. A low-waisted pair is kinder to more mature woman if they are podgy around the middle. Any expanse of overhanging fat can be minimized by buying a size up.

Ethnic Theme – one of the most popular in the spring and summer. However, this season designers choose sophisticated prints that do not immediately give us clue as the source of inspiration. Recent ethnic inspirations have included a nod to the Orient as well as Global Awakening, with a much more diverse pop culture influence.

While the 60’s has been a popular expression for the past few seasons, we have never seen it appear so graphic with a strict monochromatic palette. In keeping with traditional silhouettes of the favored era, boxy and shift shapes move forward and allow prints and patterns to take center stage.

& Tuck changes transform a The Fit Difference ~ Off the #4 .Niplook, Rack rarely fits!!!

If your career makes you swirl in the professional corporate world, then wearing a suit is part of your 9 to 5 wardrobe.

A Tailor’s toolbox of nips and tucks is going to be your best friend. Because ready-to-wear is rarely ready-towear. Your chosen tailor or seamstress will be your best friend in transforming your “off-the-rack” investment with hidden changes will make subtle changes to make you feel like you have your won personal stylist.

Historically, tailoring was common for men, since women did most of their sewing at home. As most of us know, women designing and sewing at home, let’s just say some rolls have changed. Fashion and styles always come back in style but never exactly the same. Having a tailor or seamstress to adjust the shoulder pads, waistlines, and sleeve widths will make some of your older styles feel like a new wardrobe.

Do your research and make a connection, the talent in the tailoring and seamstress industry is aplenty.

The transformations can be addicting, but well worth the expense, you soon will want to reshape your entire wardrobe to perfection.

Allow me to remind the fashion conscious of Upstate New York and the Greater Rochester area, that fashion trends ever die. They just get transformed and altered, each time being reborn and brought back with something new and something cool.

::trends for

MARY KAY

2014

Go between two beautiful worlds this season~

For a uniquely modern take on romantic beauty and fashion. Free-flowing chiffon and pearls dance among ethereal pastels and glimmering gold. Alluring velvet enhances every curve while deep, royal hues and smoky makeup techniques add mystery.

REINVENT THE SMOKY EYE.

High Shine Lip Gloss

Shimmery gold eye colors create an eye popping effect when applied as a base for eye color. Create unique color depth and allure by blending two shades of plum eye color into eye-creases and along lower lashlines.

cause ::for A GOOD

Granting Wishes, Fulfilling Dreams

By Ashley Cooper | Photo by Elton Photographic December 6, 2013 marks the day that one Steuben County teen had her wish granted.

At 9:30am, a stretch limousine containing Courtney Tolbert, 15, of Painted Post pulled up to a velvety red carpet rolled out in her favor outside of Marketplace Mall. As Tolbert entered Macy’s Department Store an admiring crowd surrounded her, showing their support as the teen prepared to embark on a shopping spree extraordinaire.

But Tolbert is not an average teen, and in fact, she did not intend to utilize the shopping spree to her own satisfaction. She has been diagnosed with Job’s Syndrome, a rare immunodeficiency disorder. December 6, 2013 was the fifth annual “National Believe Day”—a feature of the Macy’s campaign that pledges $1 to Make-A-Wish foundation for every in-store letter mailed to Santa. Tolbert’s wish was to select gifts for friends and family in order to express her thanks to them for investing in her own wellbeing.

Wishes like the above-mentioned are granted every day through the work of Make-A-Wish. According to media relations manager Kate McGowan, “In the fiscal year of 2013, Make-A-Wish Western New York granted 146 wishes. In the Rochester area, close to 60 wishes were granted.” Make-A-Wish serves the Western New York area with two regional offices: one in Rochester and another in Buffalo. Rochester oversees nine counties.

Rochester Woman Magazine was fortunate enough to sit down with the Rochesterarea Regional Director, Mary Jones as well as Development Coordinator Michelle Scaglione. They explained that every day, Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children, ages 2 ½ to before the 18th birthday at the time of referral, who are suffering from a life-threatening medical condition. This is done, according to the mission statement, “to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

When a child is referred to “Make-A-Wish,” a team of volunteers, called “Wish –Granters” are assigned to essentially interview the child and family, in order to not only learn the details behind the wish, but to relay as many facts about the child as possible to the “Program Services” Department.

Each wish is intentionally designed to be individualized, ensuring that it is special and exclusive to that child alone. According to Jones, wishes (which cost approximately $7500 each, on average), primarily fall into one of four categories: “I wish to go,” “I wish to be,” “I wish to have” and “I wish to meet.”

And although a trip to Disney seems to fall at the top of the charts among wish popularity, Jones and Scaglione insist that no two wishes are alike; they

are as varied and unique as the kids themselves.

Jones explained that often, the families find themselves in the midst of a topsyturvy situation, and “Make-A-Wish” appeals to the “intangible, emotional” aspect of the child’s experience, which is often a “gigantic component” of the illness.

“It is pretty devastating,” shared Jones of the initial news of diagnosis. “Their life is turned upside down. In the gobs of information that is being thrown at the parents from the doctors and medical team, here, in the shuffle, is MakeA-Wish. One ‘wish’ mother shared that of all the services that were offered to her, i.e. parking passes, Make-A-Wish was the one thing that was only for her child. It’s all about the kid. The child gets to choose….it gives them something to focus on. It really makes a lasting impact.”

Scaglione agreed. “I think one of the things that speaks volumes is when we have people approach us and say, ‘I’m a wish kid! What can I do to help?’” she stated.

Jones and Scaglione discussed the phenomenal “ripple effect” that the organization tends to have upon a community. Although 61 wishes per year may not appear to be an overwhelming number, Jones explained that most are familiar with the organization’s mission. “No matter where you go or what group you’re talking to, someone always knows someone in their family, on their street, at their school or in their community that experienced Make-AWish. There’s a bigger” she said.

At present, Make-A-Wish is determined to deflate a common misconception about the individuals served. “We serve any child with a life-threatening condition,” shared Scaglione. She stated that the common myth that Make-AWish just serves children with a “last wish” frequently prevents the organization from reaching the maximum amount of families.

For those interested in getting involved with Make-A-Wish, there are several opportunities to give back. Local development groups should be aware that any funds raised in the area will go directly to local wishes. Interestingly, frequent flyer miles can be donated to Make-A-Wish, which are heavily utilized as they never expire. If you’re more apt to volunteer your time, the organization is always looking for more “Wish-Granters” who are the chief individuals for making the magic happen.

Stay tuned for the annual Make-A-Wish gala, entitled “An Evening of Wishes” on March 15, 2014 at Locust Hill Country Club. Visit http://wny.wish.org/ for more details.

matters ::local business

Don’t Just Survive…Thrive!

By Becky Vasilovski | Photo by Elton Photographic This is the message that Webster-based nutritionist Barbara Goshorn is sending to our community. “Today more than ever, good nutrition is the foundation for good health,” says Webster-based nutritionist Barbara Goshorn. “The staggering epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer all have at their core a nutritional imbalance. Misinformation and contradictions compound the problems. I can show you that eating well improves your health emotionally and physically…don’t just survive…thrive!”

With over 30 years of clinical services as a registered nurse, Goshorn decided to follow her true passion when she obtained her Master Degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition. She now serves as the only “Nurse Nutritionist” in Rochester.

It is important to Goshorn to exude a critical message that everyone can identify with, such as one accentuating health and nutrition, as these topics are on the forefront of most everyone’s mind. We are a sick nation today and Goshorn intends to empower and educate her clients as well as anyone listening on how to take control of their own lives. As everyone is unique and has different needs, Goshorn meets people where they are to start helping build a healthy foundation that works for them.

Goshorn acknowledges that it is hard to change the way we eat because there are so many things to consider. It is both cultural and emotional and people need a powerful reason to want to change. For example, Goshorn will ask a client his or her a reason for wanting to change eating habits, to which might entertain the response, “the patient wants to get off all of the medications they are taking.” Goshorn explains, “They feel as though they are living in a 90 year old body yet they are only 40; they want to be healthy enough to play with their grandkids and the list goes on. But as you can see everyone’s ‘want to’ is different and it is important to meet people where they are at because it is about them, not me.”

Along the way, Goshorn has realized that the pain and issues that people deal with when it comes to food are very common. More often than not, we come to realize certain foods are addicting. Like alcoholism, individuals can suffer from food addiction. According to Goshorn, it is a process and behavioral change that starts with education. We all would like a quick fix, but it is not that simple.

Food journaling has proven to be a great accountability tool among Goshorn’s clients. A journal should encompass not only what we eat, but how we feel when we eat certain foods, what are our emotions might be while consuming, or how we react thereafter. As Goshorn would stress, it is important to pay attention the body we have and be good to it and know what that looks like.

With the surplus of contrasting information available, I asked Goshorn what the most common misconception is. “People are being told by their doctor to eat less and move more and we have been saying this for decades and reseacrh has shown over and over that it is not how much we are eating, it is what we are eating that is contributing to weight gain and obesity.

It is obvious there is more to our health and nutrition than what we are being told and have been told. I teach people to eat healthy and what that looks like; it’s about lifestyle choices and the side effects of having a healthy lifestyle is weight loss and feeling better, healthier. I do not use words like ‘diet’ or ‘restrict/reduce.’ I have learned that these only cause confusion and people being misinformed and the making of poor decisions.”

A good analogy that Goshorn uses for her patients is likening our bodies to an automobile.

Our bodies react to what we put into it just like a car. A key is inserted in the ignition to turn the car on and the car will react with the correct key. Goshorn explains that when you fuel your car with gasoline it will run, but not if you put water in the fuel tank; such is the same with our bodies.

The difference with a car is that we have the option to trade it in, whereas we only are allowed one body, one vessel to house our spirit and we need to maintain it properly because we cannot trade it in for a new one. As we surely are what we eat, proper care and maintenance will prevent us from feeling tired, sluggish and sick.

Your BodY: The BaTTlefield

InterAct has the expertise and compassion to help you find freedom.

InterAct counselIng specIAlIzes In women’s Issues DIssAtIsfIeD wIth your boDy ImAge? 4 Is Food at the forefront of your mind?

4 Does self-hate occupy your core?

4 Can’t lead a balanced life?

4 Obsessing about weight or appearance?

4 Poisoned by the pursuit of perfection?

4 Does emptiness stalk your soul?

4 Always trying to please others?

4 Relationally unfulfilled? when tIme Is of the essence……

4 eating Disorders 4 Body Image Dissatisfaction 4 Low Self Esteem 4 Chronic Dieting 4 Relationships 4 Addiction, Trauma, Abuse

www.interactcounseling.com | 2136 Penfield Rd 585-388-8010

Madonna OB/GYN is Accepting New Patients

interact ad.indd 1

1/20/2014 8:52:22 AM

Welcoming New Patients To Madonna Ob/Gyn Offering a state of the art facility that provides all aspects of women’s health as well as Botox!

Catherine Falcon, NP • Sraddha Prativadi, MD • Madonna Tomani, MD, FACOG • Catalina Vial, MD • Christy Jackson, CNM If you are considering a new OB/GYN, come to our conveniently located state-of-the-art facility at Cambridge Place in Brighton, right off of I-590.

•We offer Comprehensive, Compassionate OB/GYN services focusing on women’s health and wellbeing in a serene and personalized atmosphere.

Women’sHealthCare Call us at 585-698-7077 to schedule a complimentary Get Acquainted appointment.

Procedures, • Ultrasound, Visit us at madonnaobgyn.com for a complete listing of our services. daVinciRoboticSurgery

Affiliated with Highland Hospital Cambridge Place 1882 S. Winton Road, Suite 3 Rochester, New York 14618

MadonnaInvision OB/GYN Health

feature ::ispecial

Filling an Unmet N

By Brandy Whitbourne | Photo by Elton Photographic

Perhaps you’ve opted to finally start utilizing your gym membership, or plan to drop by the beauty parlor and undergo a complete makeover.

Maybe you’d additionally like to start the New Year off by treating yourself to a session at Reed Eye Associates where you can meet Rochester’s newest Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon: Katherine Whipple, MD. Born and raised in Webster, Dr. Whipple endured 14 years of rigorous schooling and training after graduating high school. She began at SUNY Geneseo where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and later spent four years at New York Medical College where she earned her Doctorate in medicine. Whipple completed a one-year internship at Aultman Hospital, three-year residency in Ophthalmology at University of California in San Diego, followed by a two year fellowship in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Oculofacial Plastic Surgery at University of California in San Diego, where she served as “Resident of the Year” and earned “Teacher of the year Award.” She is board certified in Ophthalmology.

“I loved surgery from the moment I stepped in the operating room during medical school,” said Dr. Whipple. “The question was: what type of surgery did I want to do? Growing up I was always creative and found I was a very visual person.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of room for creativity in medicine, except in plastic surgery. Whether I am reconstructing a patient’s face after trauma or injecting filler, there is an artistic as well as technical component to achieving the best result. That’s what makes me love what I do!”

Dr. Whipple’s surgery is restricted solely to the face, concentrating primarily on the eyelids, orbit and tear drainage system. Her passion is optimizing visual function and the aesthetic appearance of the eyes and face. She also educates each patient on their option of aesthetics such as skin care, Botox, fillers, laser skin rejuvenation and surgery; most common being the endoscopic brow lifting to correct droopy eyelids or removing bags from under the eye.

As for medical treatments, she fixes ectropion (where lower eyelid turns outward), entropion (when the lower lid turns inward), blocked tear systems, ptosis(when the eyelid droops), thyroid eye disease, tumor removal from behind the eye, removal of the eye itself if needed and the removal of eyelid lesions and growths.

“I truly enjoy facial reconstruction surgeries after we remove a large tumor. It is similar to trying to piece back together a very delicate puzzle,” said Dr. Whipple. “On one hand you must respect the facial anatomy, blood supply and nerves, but on the other hand you must find a way to rebuild what anatomy was removed. It’s challenging and fun for me. I love the artistic component of fixing droopy lids and bags under the eyes. It is similar to putting together a sculpture as the 3-D contours are important.”

Reed Eye Associates in one of the very few offices that has the Sciton Laser and Dr. Whipple is thrilled to be able to offer this premier laser to patients. “The laser is capable of facial resurfacing, removing brown spots, reducing redness, stimulating collagen, tightening skin, reducing pore size, hair removal and more,” says Dr. Whipple. “…

The best part for most women is that there is no downtime. While most women need three to five treatments, it is the best per dollar investment you can get.”

The laser is now being used to treat dry eye, a common problem for millions across the country. “The top layer of the tear is an oil layer created by glands in the eyelid called the ‘meibomian glands.’ If these oil glands become blocked, the oil layer of tear film is deficient and tears evaporate too quickly from the eye, leading to dry eye. The thought is that by treating the skin around the eyes, we are stimulating and cleaning out the meibomian glands. Additionally, the laser can target tiny blood vessels in the eyelid that should not be present. By causing these blood vessels to shut down, we are decreasing inflammatory markers being brought to the eye…Dry eye is the most common diagnosis in ophthalmology. A lot of people, especially women after menopause, develop this syndrome but this new therapy will hopefully have a huge impact.”

For younger women trying to stay young, Whipple recommends to start treatments early. The easiest way to treat wrinkles is to never let them deepen in the first place. This “preventative aging” solution should be started as young as possible to prevent the collagen from breaking down further. It is an economically wise investment to start early and not allow your skin to wrinkle, sag or become dull. By doing so you can put off a face lift for years, decades or maybe altogether.

Whipple says that there is no cream or serum on the market that will have the effect that neruomodulators can have. Most of the neuromodulators such as Botox, Xeomin and Dysport last three months but she it is typically advised that most women wait four to five months before additional treatments.

Dr. Whipple deems the opportunity to work at Reed Eye Associates a “true honor.”

“Dr. Reed and Dr. Bloom have really welcomed me and allowed me to create the practice I’ve dreamed of,” she said. “I have been truly impressed by the doctors at Reed Eye Associates. The nursing and technician support staff have been wonderful.”

“Helping me is my lead technician, Pam Emory, junior technician Amanda Phelps and our Practice Manager, Anne Marie Phelps. We would be no where near our level of success if it were not for these three dedicated ladies.”

Dr. Whipple said that she is off to a wonderful start and even busier that she thought she would be at this point and said, “It’s nice to feel like you are filling an unmet need the community has.”

feature

As we kick off the New Year, the resolutions come flowing as women worldwide pledge to look and feel better in 2014.

::ispecial

Need in the Community

woman ::leading

The Business of

Ballet

By Ashley Cooper | Photo by Jeff Gerew For over 25 years, the Flower City community at large has been the direct beneficiary of the grace and beauty of the Rochester City Ballet. Countless of local patrons have flocked to attend the Company’s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker —each year’s performance seemingly better and more breathtaking than the last. The Ballet has indeed proven to be a scintillating gem among the array of elite artistic sources in the area.

We cultural habitués are seldom are allowed a sneak peek into the various “behind the scenes” aspects of dance companies like that of the Rochester City Ballet. Equipt with a knack for understanding finances, growth and development needs with an appropriate solution and the ability to effectively lead teams with ease and grace. Ward comes from an extensive background in banking and brings her insurmountable financial savvy to the table (or perhaps, “to the barre”) as RCB moves forward into 2014 full-throttle-a fresh, meticulously-designed business model in tow.

Ward has worked in banking for the majority of her professional life.

Equipped with a knack for understanding financial systems, fundraising and development skills and the ability to effectively lead teams with ease and grace, Ward maintained management-level positions at the likes of Chase and HSBC banks before arriving at the Ballet.

At an early age, Ward knew that one of her greatest gifts in life is not only seeing the potential in others, but having the ability to help those same individuals realize their own inner strength and work toward establishing and exceeding goals.

“When I see people succeed, it gives me great pleasure,” comments Ward.

“I love managing and watching people grow.” Ward invested 25 years to helping companies reduce internal costs, streamline operations and settle into good cash positions. Although she was exceedingly passionate (and remains so) about her former work, she began to entertain the notion of “giving back” on a full-time basis. It was her volunteer work at St. Louis Church that prompted Ward’s decision to transition into the not-forprofit realm.

“I realized that when you get so much out of something, you’re compelled to give back,” she says. “I started thinking, ‘I will always meet and exceed my objectives on the corporate side, but where can I truly make a difference?’”

Flash forward to July 2013 in which Ward assumed the position she holds today.

The transition from banking to ballet has been relatively smooth, according to Ward. One of the greatest components into settling into her new role included reacquainting herself with the ballet. Although Ward had always admired the talent and beauty of the dance, she now reveres the work of the RCB on a deeper level.

“It’s like I have this beautiful product to sell and I think, ‘how am I going to take that to the community to ensure that they understand the beauty of RCB?’ It brings chills watching them perform; they’re like gazelles. I feel so fortunate, so lucky to be able to help grow this business. [In terms of banking], I loved it. What it is more is be able to give back so I know I can make a difference.”

Ward also credits the partnership of RCB Artistic Director Jamey Leverett as a key to success. The combination of Leverett’s eye for beauty and Ward’s level of expertise in financial systems makes for a dynamic duo sure to lead the Rochester City Ballet to a heightened level of success. According to Ward, the Ballet is liberally equipped with a dedicated staff, with talented performers and with an engaged board of directors.

Part of Ward’s new business model for the Ballet includes fostering partnerships by exchanging of services.“I really believe strongly in the collaboration with other agencies,” says Ward.

“Others are willing to give, but it’s a question of, ‘how can we as a ballet help you?’ That’s my strategy going forward—redesigning the corporate sponsorship program, making it manageable for smaller companies, allowing them to enjoy the arts as well. We will put their logo on our website and give them media coverage because they gave to us. We are re-focusing so we can have a greater reach.”

There’s no question, in speaking with Ward, that her striking charisma, her seemingly effortless ability to lead is one of the predominant factors in her success. She acclaims her mother, first and foremost, for instilling in her a work ethic that she clings to even now. When probed for the markings of a great leader, Ward responds, “It’s someone who has the ability to listen, to understand what the strengths of the team members are. It’s accountability, consistency, sustainability to not only meet but exceed expectations. It’s kindness, finding joy in each day, and being that light, that driver, but in a really passionate way.”

story ::cover 26

january 2013 :: rochesterWomanMag.com

Creating Circles of Unity… SYRACUSE’s very own

Miss America

BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION

We’ve all seen it and we’ll never forget it, whether you saw it live or the next morning on local TV stations. If you watched it live on ABC on Sept. 16, 2013, it went like this… Four runners up in ornate gowns were called and walked away from center stage. Finally, it came down to Miss California Crystal Lee and Miss New York Nina Davuluri. In Atlantic City, they stood there, face-to-face, waiting to hear which young woman would be crowned Miss America 2014.

Ultimately, the announcer revealed that 24-year-old Nina was the new title-holder, but there was more to this win than many viewers saw coming.

WEATHERING THE TWITTER STORM It is now well known that Nina had countless social media notifications (mentions) building up as soon as she was taking her first walk with the title and crown — there is much to be learned from the storm that brewed during the competition.

After winning the pageant as the first Miss America of Indian descent, Nina has had much time to reflect on the special moment, but also her journey this far.

The swirling negative and evidently racist comments, mostly in the Twittersphere, were not new to Nina. “I did experience it on a much smaller scale as Miss New York,” she said. And in many ways, she said she expected it as she moved further along into the finals of the pageant.

However, the expectation of backlash was the last thing on Nina’s mind. She was on a mission, and remaining positive throughout the process made it possible for her to compete well and, ultimately, win the crown.

“For every one negative tweet, comment or post, I received hundreds, and now thousands, of positive ones from across the country and around the world.”

Nina’s early childhood was spent in Fayetteville, N.Y., and she was raised in the Midwest since she was 4 years old, but has reclaimed Syracuse and the Central New York area as her home almost three years ago. Her family still resides in the eastern suburbs. No matter where she has been or what pageant title she was after, Nina said she was always running into some form of negativity due to her ethnicity.

“I grew up with stereotypes all my life,” Nina said. Because she was competing in the Miss America Organization’s pageant competitions,

she was required to choose a platform that she would essentially lead and live by. That in mind, Nina chose “Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency,” which describes the change she is working to ignite. “It lifted my heart,” she said.

Nina was named Miss Greater Rochester in 2012. Rochester Woman Magazine was on the scene the night she was crowned as Co-Publisher Kelly Breuer served as one of the judges for the competition. Nina was already leading the way with her platform to help her community when she was competing in Rochester. “Diversity is the backbone of America,” she said proudly.

“It’s been a wonderful way for me to bring awareness and educate our youth to build a more inclusive society.” Nina says this is just one way she will communicate with younger generations.

One of the best points of view that Nina shared with me in one of our most recent conversations is this: “Change can start with one person.” She’s right. If we’re settled in accepting racism, discrimination and negativity in our nation, then what are we working toward? And second, what are we living for?

Nina has said many times since winning her title that the “girl next door” is evolving. “This is one way for me to reach out to young girls and children…they can say, ‘Wow, she looks like me and I can relate to her,’” Nina explained. With this mission in mind, she is taking social media into her own hands and straying away from those days of Twitter terror.

Nina created a hash tag for her platform (#CirclesOfUnity) and has been asking everyone to tweet pictures, thoughts and videos about unity. “It’s a different conversation,” she said. It is definitely a much different conversation than many were having the night she won.

There is no negativity or “hating” here. Instead, it’s about hope and unity among fellow Americans, and beyond.

“Social media is a new tool,” she said. What is the silver lining of the negative tweets and posts once spawned? “The silver lining is that it sheds more light [on the issues] and brings awareness,” Nina said.

ONE MOMENT IN TIME Her family was in the crowd watching Nina advance to each level of finalists. A trip sure to be made after Nina’s father missed her Miss New York crowning because he was on call at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

27

story

“It’s funny,” Nina said. “When I went into Miss America, I kind of had this feeling and it was almost a calming, peaceful feeling, I suppose.”

::cover

The entire experience was very surreal, according to Nina.“It was an out-of-body experience.” There was (and always is) a total of two weeks of preparation leading into the competition with three nights of preliminaries, which no one saw, unless they were in Atlantic City and in attendance of the competition. “People see the finals [on TV],” Nina said.

“That Sunday morning for the final, it was a sense of calm that came over me.” To be calm in a moment with a large crowd in front of the stage and an unknown number watching the telecast is a moment to be thankful for.

A PATH OF PAGEANTS Nina, a former Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen of 2006, began competing in the Miss America Organization (MAO) competitions when she was 16 years old. Because she waited until her teen years to enter the pageant world, Nina was never exposed to the somewhat peculiar realm of “Toddlers in Tiaras.” “I have never seen kid pageants.

I was never exposed to that,” Nina said.

“Pageants are not in my culture. I made that my decision.” Nina’s family was very supportive and they encouraged her in this decision. “For me, it was a lot about the Miss America Organization,” she said. “I got to share my talent and share my culture. It aligned with everything that was important to me.”

What attracted Nina to this line of pageants? “Miss America is based on service and scholarship,” said Nina as she explained that other televised and well-known pageants such as Miss USA are more about “modeling.” For Nina, she was looking to compete and find her own niche. “You align yourself with what is most important [to you] and to your values and ideals.”

In addition, Nina takes pride in her title because the MAO program is the longest standing of its kind. Along with her title and crown, came a $50,000 scholarship for her future educational goals.

According to missamerica.org, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.

Nina says that it is thanks to the MAO scholarship program that she was able to graduate from the University of Michigan completely debtfree. She earned $10,000 from her Miss New York title and $50,000 from her Miss America title, and all of it will go toward her medical school education. “It’s a wonderful resource,” she added.

28

january 2013 :: rochesterWomanMag.com

NINA IN THE NEW YEAR The night she was crowned, Nina began a rigorous schedule of, both throughout the states and internationally. Her New York City and Syracuse homecoming took place during Mid-November of 2013, which Syracuse Woman Magazine (our sister publication) was a part of.

And in 2014, she will travel around 20,000 miles each month and will stay in every destination for no more than 48 hours. “It’s my year of service,” says Nina, and it’s the schedule and suitcase-living Miss America must be dedicated to.

The MAO has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to raise funds and awareness for children’s hospitals throughout the United States. Contestants competing in Miss America-sponsored competitions raise donations through appearances and fundraisers that benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Miss America Scholarship Fund.

In addition, each new Miss America becomes the goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, speaking on behalf of kids treated at children’s hospitals and raising awareness around the country. This is a responsibility that Nina has assumed and she had already been hosting service events in Syracuse and all over New York with her previous titles.

“I will be traveling across the country and interacting with children,” Nina said. She also looks forward to promoting the idea of young girls entering the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field.

Nina has an undergraduate degree in brain behavior and cognitive science from the University of Michigan. She earned dean’s list honors, the Michigan Merit Award and was named to the National Honor Society.

She has made it known that becoming a doctor is important to her future academic endeavors. “My family definitely influenced me,” Nina said. However, she wanted to make sure she was making the decision for her and not her family.

“I chose to compete in Miss America, and I’m going to medical school,” Nina said with pride. “In the past, it was laid out to me. I did this solely on my own and I found the opportunity. I have a sense of worthiness and I put my name on it.”

Because being Miss America is a full-time job, Nina says she aims to enter medical school after she completes her year of service. “I have already taken my MCAT,” she said.

Is SUNY Upstate Medical University on her radar? “I love the community and it’s always been my home,” Nina said. “[Central New York] truly made me feel like Miss America all the time with its support.”

And will she have time to travel to India to share her title with her grandmother and aunt? “I am really hoping I can go back this year,” she said. Nina is second generation American, but she has spent many summers in India — it’s actually where she learned the traditional rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

29

Inspiring you to achieve fitness goals you didn’t believe possible.

Saturday mornings at 9 am on Sports radio 950am. www.fitnessedgeradio.com

::fitness

Develop a Plan to Achieve Your Fitness Goals

By John Hutchings

Having been a fitness professional for the past 15 years, I’ll admit it, our industry generates a large percentage of our new customers from New Year fitness resolutions. I would, however, like to use this space to dispel one common misconception. To those of you who have ever said to me or my peers, “I bet you make a lot of money from people who sign up and never show up.” You’re wrong. Here are just two.

Reasons why we want you to succeed. One, most of us could probably be in another profession that has more regular hours and perhaps even make more money. We chose the fitness industry because we get great personal satisfaction from seeing people succeed with their health. Two, we do make our living helping people workout. That’s pretty difficult to do if you quit. Suffice to say, we all want you to be successful in achieving your fitness goals in 2014. Now you know my motivation, let me detail how I’m going to help you do just that.

For many, the mere thought of a New Year resolution is enough to launch an anxiety attack. Here’s why. A typical, “I want to lose weight” resolution lacks detail. Without a target, it’s impossible to formulate a strategy. With no strategy, you’re left with unfocused effort and enthusiasm...which quickly leads to disappointment and loss of motivation to continue trying when you come up short of your undefined goals. In short, your vague resolution is too big and contains too much pressure without any concrete plan to succeed. Statistically, 60% of all people who begin working out as New Year resolution quit

by Valentine’s Day. That’s not going to be you.

Here’s how to make your fitness resolutions a reality in 2014.

1. Don’t call it a New Year resolution. By definition, a resolution is a firm decision to do something. Albeit, success starts with a decision, a decision without action is a wish that goes unfulfilled. You need a plan. By definition, a plan is a system for achieving an objective which is much more concrete.

2. I wish I could number this point zero, because before you put

together a plan, you need a goal, the aforementioned ‘objective.’ A goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

Go to www.topachievement.com/smart.html for all the details of the smart goal setting system, but for the purposes of this article, let me hit on a couple points I consider essential to your success. Consult a qualified fitness professional. Your friend may have completed the

Lake Placid Ironman this past summer, that doesn’t mean he or she is qualified to help set appropriate goals and make plans for you, look for a qualified fitness expert with a proven track record of success in the area you are looking to choose as your goal. Also, make at least one of your goals is performance based. For example, “I will complete the Tough Mudder race on July 12” is such a goal. Rather than focus on one specific result, such as losing X number of pounds, you turn your energy toward doing what is necessary to enable you to perform a certain task and in doing so, reap all the benefits that come from a well constructed plan to accomplish that goal.

3. Anticipate obstacles. Life happens. Prepare for it. I’ve heard it said, “set your goals in stone, but make your plans in sand.” Be flexible and have a plan B...but know, it’s going to require some sacrifice to achieve anything worthwhile in life and be willing to go to plan C, D, E and beyond. When the universe knows you’re committed to something, the solution has a way of appearing. Have faith.

4. Don’t let your focus and commitment consume your joy. Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm!” Most of us have families, friends, and social circles. Try to keep a balance in your life with respect to those who ‘knew’ you before you became a fitness machine. I’m not advocating giving up one bit of time in the gym or on the roads out of guilt for leaving loved ones ‘out’ of your journey or insisting that your husband and kids join you in every workout either. Where possible, share your goals with them, include them in your plans and make time to do most of the things you used to do while explaining the importance of the changes you are making that can and will affect them Don’t worry about being a ‘cliche’ by setting your fitness goal this January.

It is a time for reflection, assessment, planning and launching into new adventures...why NOT? Do yourself one more favor. Whatever you decide, write it down. There is power in a written goal kept where you can see it often. It will sustain you through the adversity that you will undoubtedly encounter along the way. Do it. And remember, nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm...and being smart.

John Hutchings is the owner and chief fitness coach at the Downtown Fitness Club, located at 50 Chestnut Street. www.downtownfitnessclub.com

Part 3 ::resolve::

This is the third in a recurring series of articles dealing with domestic violence

Domestic Violence: Trauma and Degrees of Separation

By: Alli O’Malley

Over the past six weeks, I have been approached by several close friends concerned about people they know who are living with domestic violence. In each case, my friends were shocked by the disclosure. They felt disarmed and angry. They came to me in confidence, seeking answers; wanting to know why this was happening and how they could help.

They presumed I had a “to do list” (or magic wand) that they could use to bring this nightmare to an end.

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about domestic violence and its consequences. Through my lens, everyone is impacted by domestic violence. It boils down to degrees of separation. A victim or child living with domestic violence is ground zero and faces the most severe impact. Perpetrators also struggle, sometimes publically, always privately. Close friends or family members that comprise the victim or perpetrator’s support system are also caught in the chaos. Then there is the less obvious systemic impact that extends to employers, schools, health care, the legal system, faith communities, and already overburdened human service programs.

Being exposed to domestic violence is traumatic. In fact, many victims and survivors are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, a syndrome most often linked to soldiers who have lived in combat zones. I live with the effects of trauma. Over time and with professional help, I’ve learned to recognize my trauma triggers and manage them so they don’t control me. Because I have a handle on my own trauma, I can be present to other victims or survivors when they contact me.

32 january 2013 :: rochesterWomanMag.com

With them, I am not guarded; I am open and can hear their stories with compassion. We’re kindred spirits, connected by common experiences and language. In each other’s eyes we find a mirror that reflects our strength, resilience, determination, and sometimes grief, anger or lingering shame.

I often take for granted what I know about domestic violence trauma.

I forget that other people don’t know what I know; and can get really impatient with those who don’t get it. When my friends came to me, I was grateful. Facing domestic violence, as a victim or someone who loves a victim, is frightening. I gave my friends the opportunity to talk and ask questions. I offered options and education; and I could tell that I wasn’t meeting their needs. They wanted definitive answers.

They wanted to know how I did it. They expected me to lay out an exit strategy, to give them the secret. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-sizefits-all approach to ending a violent or abusive relationship.

When domestic violence impacts someone we care about, we are forced to confront it. Depending on how close the victim is to us, our reaction can be visceral. One day we may be afraid for the victim’s safety and consumed by worry; the next, we’re emboldened and determined to fix it. We may be outraged at the perpetrator or confused because we care about them too and we can’t reconcile the abusive or violent claims. As time drags on, we may feel angry and frustrated when the victim makes choices we don’t understand and they don’t seem willing to take our advice. Then we may feel guilty for turning our backs on

While I am aware of vicarious trauma as it relates to our staff, until meeting with my friend about her niece, I had not recognized it as a major contributor to the strain that friends and families feel when helping a victim.

If you have ever or are currently helping a domestic violence victim, it is essential that you make self-care a priority. Giving until it hurts ultimately hurts you both. Here are some things to remember: • Always maintain healthy boundaries with the victim. It is important to set limits. This isn’t selfish; it’s a matter of self-preservation.

a long time for a victim to share the whole story and you may not know how dangerous the situation is. You do not want to be caught, literally, in the crosshairs.

• If hearing the stories is too much for you and hearing them makes you feel panicked or worn out, urge the victim to find professional help and gently clarify your limits. Remember, he/she doesn’t recognize how their experiences can be harmful to you.

• Pay attention to your own health and well-being. If you begin to experience changes in sleep habits or notice you are over eating or not eating; if you are unable to concentrate or have begun feeling depressed or hopeless in your own life; or if relationships within your own family are coming apart, take a break from the victim and seek a professional counselor.

We are fortunate in this area to have a coordinated community response to domestic violence. If you are looking for help for yourself or a friend, check out the Rochester Domestic Violence Consortium website (www.rmcdvc.org) that lists over 50 different agencies that are available to help. Virtually all provide services free of charge and you may be surprised by the multitude of options available.

Take heart and remember, for a domestic violence victim to make it, she/he must be internally motivated. As much as you may want to, you cannot pull them along. What they need from you more than anything else is to see that you believe in them; not that you have the answers.

•Be mindful of your safety and the safety of your own family. It takes

rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

33

::SHIFT+CONTROL

them and succumbing to our anger and helplessness. I could go on and on. Exposure to domestic violence, even indirectly, can be traumatizing and it hurts. In the field, we call this impact vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue.

When we are caught in the wake of domestic violence with a loved one, we will often give until it hurts. The victim does not intend to leave the residue of their experiences with us, yet it often happens anyway.

This is what happened to my close friend who was trying to help her niece. In my friend’s eyes, I saw panic and terror. She did not know what to do and everything she tried seemed to backfire. Her niece’s situation was fracturing relationships in the family; and my friend’s attempts to help were seen by some as over-stepping and by others as not enough. When she came to me, she was depleted and hopeless.

These are attributes we expect to see in victims, yet there they were, consuming my friend; the victim’s Aunt who was desperate to help.

minute ::menopause

MENOPAUSE

Minute

MENOPAUSE OR MENOPAUSE TRANSITION, WHEN DOES THE BIOLOGY BEGIN?

By James Woods, MD Does menopause really begin only when a woman experiences that first year without a menstrual period? On average, the age of those women is 51 years. But ask any woman in menopause how she recalls the 3 to 5 years before she reached that milestone and most will remember that their menstrual cycles became more erratic and unpredictable. We now know that other biological changes also are occurring.

The official statement of the North American Menopause Society (2012) marks the Menopause transition as a several- year window of time, beginning with an early perimenopause of variable length signaled by fluctuating follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, a late perimenopause of 1 to 3 years with consistently rising FSH levels, and then early menopause of 2 to 6 years in which FSH levels vary initially, and then stabilize into late menopause.

This time-line offers women a calendar of change. But what is really happening? For that we must look at the roles played by estrogen and inflammation.

In the reproductive years, estradiol, 95% which is produced by the ovaries, functions as the most powerful estrogen. It was always respected for its role in pregnancy and menstrual cycling.

Yet more recently scientists have shown that it also serves to suppress production of critical inflammatory proteins such as interlukin 1 (IL-1), interlukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF a) normally generated by monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and other cell populations.

These inflammatory proteins, when expressed, are capable of stimulating over 60 other inflammatory proteins that we now recognize attack brain, bone, heart, skin and blood vessels.

The appearance of these inflammatory proteins parallels the 34

january 2014 :: rochesterWomanMag.com

fluctuating and then rapidly declining estrogen levels seen in late perimenopause.

Women may recognize this period of their lives only by the onset of irregular menstrual periods. Yet it is during this window of time that estrogen levels fluctuating and even may increase transiently before beginning to decline permanently. It is also a time when some women for the first time begin to experience transient hot flashes, mood disorders, vaginal dryness or sleep disorders.

From clinical studies, scientists also have shown that during the three to five years leading up to the last menstrual period, visceral fat around our abdominal organs and that coat our blood vessels increases to a greater degree than does subcutaneous fat. These specialized fat cells act as tiny factories to produce inflammatory proteins. These changes are accompanied by a rise in blood lipid levels, and increases in wall thickness of our blood vessels. These cardiovascular events, while perhaps not generating the emotional reaction of many of the other perimenopausal symptoms, signal the real risk in menopause, that of a cardiovascular event and stroke.

As scientists continue to clarify the biology of the menopause transition, they will offer clinicians, and their patients, education and novel approaches to accommodate this most natural time in life.

James Woods MD. Reprinted with permission from the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York and Peri-FACTS Academy, an online educational program for nurses and doctors in obstetrics and gynecology

Henry Hess, MD, PhD

Jim Woods, MD

The Hess/Woods/Warshof Obstetrics and Gynecology practice specializes in perimenopausal and menopausal care and welcomes new patients to our practice.

Patients are seen at 2255 South Clinton Avenue Rochester, NY 14618 To make an appointment, please call 585.271.7800

Kalin Warshof, MS, RN, FNP-BC

traffic jam ::wisdom in a

How Do I Get Referrals?

By Angella Luyk Dear Angella, I am trying to grow my business, I thought referrals would be an easy way to do this, but am having no luck. What am I doing wrong? My clients like me, but never seem to send people my way. ---Krista Dear Krista, What business doesn’t want a referral? A referral is your client/ friend telling others what a great business you have. They feel confident letting others know about you and your service or product. If you are doing a good job, it stands to reason you should be getting a lot of referrals. Why is your business not receiving them? There are a few possible reasons for this.

1

Christina, owner of Skintopia Spa says, “You need to be careful how you treat your clients. There is a fine line to walk between being friendly towards your client and being too friendly. You should never take advantage of your relationship, as in arriving to an appointment 20 minutes late believing they won’t mind. When in fact, yes they will, their time is just as valuable as yours. The best thing to do is treat your clients how you would want to be treated, and the referrals will start coming.

Do your friends/clients know who your ideal client is? Perhaps the people they are talking to are unable to use your services. There is no use in giving a referral to someone who is not your ideal client. You will end up wasting both of your time by giving them a proposal when you most likely will not be able to work with them.

Are you giving out referrals? There is a concept called “pay it forward.” It means that when you pass on referrals, then referrals come back to you. Are you making a conscious effort to use the services of the people in your network? When you do, are you letting them know where you got their name from? If people know you are passing their name out, they are that much more likely to pass out yours.

Are you asking for referrals? You could put out a signs that says, “A referral is the highest compliment you can pay us that we are doing a good job.”

You can offer a card that specifies a discount for anyone who refers their friend to you. The person recommending their friend gets a smaller discount and the new client gets a discount. Sometimes people want to give referrals, but get busy and don’t think about it. A card in their wallet is a nice reminder to them.

Lastly, have you thought of joining a group that is referral based? There are networking groups out there that are geared to specifically passing referrals to each other. They meet at different times and different locations. Check a few of them out and see which one fits your business best. The Rochester Women’s Network has just started one, called Women Referal SIG (www.rwn.org). There is a group called Business Networkers International (www.bni.com), one called Women Ties (www. womenties.com). They are easy to find on the internet, each group is geared towards building relationships to pass referrals.

Whatever you choose to do, remember your client is your most important asset.

Without them you would have no business so treat them well.

Do you have a question for Angella? Send it to Angella@wisdominatrafficjam.com or visit her at www.wisdominatrafficjam.com, www.midnightjanitorial.com

February 5, 2014 St. John Fisher College Department of Sport Studies Presents

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

5th Annual Essay Contest The NGWSD Essay Contest promotes creativity through writing as an effective method for female authors to express their dreams and goals for a succesful life and a better community. This contest encourages young women to express their ideas about the importance of sport and physical activity in their lives as well as their community at large.

Visit: http://sportforeverygirl.com for details Essay Submission Deadline

January 27th, 2014 Free ticket to the 2/15/14 Lancers game for every essay entrant.

Families of entrants should call (585)872-5425 to purchase discounted tickets to the 2/15/14 game at Blue Cross Arena

arts ::queen of

Dr. Rachel Lauber

By Bethany Comella | Photo by Jeff Gerew Within seconds of meeting Dr. Rachel Lauber, one gathers that she is indeed a woman passionate about the arts and her place in them.

Lauber was recently named the conductor of the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra in its 42nd year. She began her relationship with the orchestra in the fall of 2012 when she guest conducted the annual performance of the Nutcracker. Having previously conducted the ballet, Lauber was excited to approach the piece again, and jumped at the opportunity. She was eventually asked to become the orchestra’s permanent conductor one year later.

In addition to conducting the orchestra, Lauber is also able to select the programming for the 2013-2014 season. Under her direction, the orchestra has performed selections from Bizet’s “Carmen,” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol.”

She enthusiastically describes the orchestra as “an incredibly dedicated group of musicians and artists” with incredible personalities.

“It’s a combination of great focus and fun and humor, and joy – joy in music making,” says Lauber.

Though having landed in Rochester by way of Detroit, Lauber is no stranger to New York State. She grew up in a small village south of Saratoga Springs, in a “beautiful old farmhouse” with a wood-burning stove. Her mother was from Geneva, so she frequently spent summers in the Finger Lakes, particularly in Lyons, where her extended family lived.

Lauber describes her parents as “very creative people,” who cherished the arts. They would bring her as a child to ballets in New York City and open-air performances, exposing her at an early age to music and dance.

Lauber also acknowledges the fortune she had of growing up in a school district that believed the arts were important in creating a well-rounded human being, and her formal education encouraged her music education.

“I was very, very lucky,” she says.

Lauber returned to the Finger Lakes when she went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, majoring in violin performance and education. While obtaining her DMA in Orchestral Conducting in Ann Arbor, Lauber was able to attend “a gazillion” American Symphony Orchestra League workshops. It was being noticed at these workshops that led to an eventual position with the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra.

During her time in Detroit, Lauber had the opportunity to work with and learn

from some of the greatest conductors in the world. Though she was one of the younger members of the group, she credits her colleagues in Detroit as being very generous, always willing to chat about a score or work with her. Lauber states that it is “rare” to have that kind of opportunity, and that those experiences are what fed her passion for conducting and helped her develop as a young artist.

“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now,” she says, “without the people who joined hands to help me out.”

In 2009, Lauber’s husband became the Associate Dean of Admissions for the Eastman School of Music, his alma mater, and the family had the opportunity to return to the Rochester area. Though she describes Detroit as a “magical place” that she absolutely loved, Lauber sees parallels between Detroit and Rochester. Both cities, she says, support the arts, and the people are passionate about the arts and engaged in the arts.

“I enjoy the energy and sizes of these kinds of cities,” she says, “and I enjoy the artistic energy – both cities embrace dance, theater, and orchestral music. There are so many opportunities to enjoy the arts in both cities, and so they are so widely supported.

It’s such a healthy environment for any musician to be able to work in.”

Much like her parents, Lauber’s teachers throughout her studies encouraged all forms of the arts, believing that they all feed into each other and help the artist grow. This has led to her, in preparing to study a score, to turn to painting as a means of expressing herself and quieting her mind. She has exhibited her work in small cafés, as well as the 6x6 show at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, alongside her daughter.

While Lauber has had the opportunity to work with many mentors who have guided her career, she is now able to pay it forward and guide her own conducting students, both private and with the Eastman Community Music School.

“I try to give everything that I’ve been given over to my conducting students,” she says. “All the knowledge I have, I try to pass on, and I try to send them to the right people that can help them down their path to become an artist, because people were so generous with me.”

“Once you’ve been taught, the only way to show how much you appreciate what people have done for you is to do as much as you can for others.”

New-U is the recognized leader in multi-therapeutic hair restoration for men and women suffering from the devastating effects of hair loss, including: • Non-Surgical Hair Replacement • Surgical Hair Restoration • Laser Hair Therapy • 100% Natural Human Hair Extensions • Topical Treatments New-U has over 25 years experience and is New York's Hair Replacement experts.

We offer FREE private, confidential consultations to help you determine which hair loss treatment is best for your individual situation.

Saginaw Plaza • 1425 Jefferson Road Rochester, New York • 585.272.7320 www.baldness.com

The venue formerly know as mcneills has shed the fat, made some changes, and are taking it back old school...

The all new McKenzie’s Anchor Inn has some great new additions Come down and join us!

Jeff Gerew jeff@C7photo.com • www.C7photo.com

5324 Saint Paul Blvd Rochester, NY 14617 (585) 319-4125

reads & writes ::rw

Chapter Four: The Cost of Burying Confidence

By Sheila Kennedy

When Sheila Kennedy, The Confidence Coach and Best-selling author of You Had It All Along, asks women if they feel confident, most reply yes. Although that is music to her ears, Sheila realizes that she would have had the same reply a few years ago. She seemed to have everything a girl could want, but struggled with leading a mediocre life. She discovered that not feeling truly confident was costing her in a big way and holding her back from the success she desired.

The following excerpt is from her book, You Had It All Along. See if you identify with any of the costs of not having confidence at your core.

The stakes are high. Life changes dramatically when you live without the mask of false confidence. Before you can embrace the difference, I think it is vital to outline the cost of living with less than confidence at your core.

-You think less of yourself and place more value on the opinions of others.

-You believe less in your abilities and focus more on your faults.

-You lack the energy and the health to make positive changes, so you coast on what you have always done and get stuck in a sea of mediocrity.

-Your income stands still or your financial success feels hampered. You tend to make lateral moves rather than climbing up the ladder of success.

-You rely on validation from outside sources because you cannot find it from inside. You spend your time performing for compliments, and every negative comment, awkward glance, and disengagement holds you hostage and freezes forward motion.

-You get stuck in a negative cycle of fear, self-doubt and insecurity that spins so fast you can’t see your own worth.

-You have a difficult time making decisions. You miss deadlines, flip flop, and are easily influenced by what other people want you to do. You fail to trust your own decision making capabilities.

-You put everyone else’s needs before your own.

-You justify why you don’t engage in self-care.

-You struggle in your relationships with others. There is not a balance and you don’t feel acknowledged.

- You allow new adventures or opportunities to pass you by. You cling to the safety net of what you know rather than attempting to reach new heights.

Those are some pretty high costs if you ask me. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. You can turn it around right now, this very day. You have had the solution all along buried underneath the mask. It is time give yourself the gift of confidence felt deep at your core.

Author Sheila Kennedy is a confidence coach and speaker. She is also an advocate for women achieving an unshakable faith themselves and all of the amazing opportunities that confidence can bring. Her book “You Had It All Along” is available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions. rochesterWomanMag.com :: october 2013

41

To us, all banking is personal.

Financial Solutions for Changing Times

70 South Main St. • Fairport, NY • www.fairportcu.com • 223.9151

Inspire

rochester women

Wanda Acevedo

CEO, Wilson Commencement Park

By Nadia Pierre-Louis | Photo by Elton Photographic

We often hear that a team is only as strong as its weakest member.

A community struck with empowered and employed individuals must therefore be considered incredibly able-bodied. Rochester has a great resource to be thankful for, aiding in its unyielding strength, and that is Wilson Commencement Park. The woman who stands at its forefront is Chief Operating Officer, Wanda Acevedo.

Acevedo never imagined that after being a resident herself in 1995, she would now have the opportunity to help those who are in the shoes she found herself in years ago…and would be publicly recognized for doing so! Acevedo is now a finalist for the 2014 Rochester Women’s Council Athena Awards. The award acknowledges professional women with outstanding accomplishments in their present roles that include community involvement and the mentoring of other women, among other things.

At Wilson Commencement Park, Acevedo is heavily involved in the betterment of society by helping others strive to be better workers and more active members in the community. She mentors not only women, but also any single and struggling parent in need of assistance.

Social work wasn’t Acevedo’s original career plan. Before being introduced to the program by a former staff member, Acevedo was a hairdresser. Although she loved her profession, she realized human service was her life’s calling after seeing how Wilson Commencement Park significantly impacted her own quality of living.

“I was experiencing domestic violence and just like every other victim, I was hopeless,” said Acevedo. “There came a time I was tired of being tired. Really it was for my children. I wanted them to have a different future. So I went to Wilson and it was a safe haven and made me realize that I do have power and a voice so I was able to move forward with my life.”

At Wilson Commencement Park, Acevedo says there are four main goals, which are to ensure residents have financial literacy, to stabilize and strengthen the family unit, to improve the health and wellness of residents and assure said residents can keep a safe and stable home after leaving.

The program was established in 1991 to help low-income, single parents transition their lives from being dependent on public assistance, to being completely self-reliant for financial support. Residents can live in housing for 24 to 36 months and receive support and guidance on education, life skills and career development. The main goal is to get residents to be selfsufficient and learn how to become valuable, productive societal contributors.

From this position, Acevedo has been the recipient of two previous awards: the 2011 G. Jean Howard Award and the 2010 Rochester Business Journal’s “40 under 40” award. Although she isn’t new to being recognized for her achievements, it is still a shock to Acevedo to be nominated for the prestigious Athena Award. (continued on page 46)

rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2014

43

inspire :rw

“I get to do all my favorite things.”

Carol DeMoulin

President, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester

By Ashley Cooper | Photo by Elton Photographic

Carol DeMoulin says that from the moment she wakes up, she simply “can’t wait” to get to work! After catching a glimpse of DeMoulin thriving in her newfound element, I can certainly understand why.

From the moment one steps into her place of employment, there is an overwhelming air of hope emitting about the premises.

For DeMoulin, “going to work” means entering the “House the Love Built,” or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester she currently serves as president. “Every day I pinch myself,” she humbly states. “I get to do all my favorite things!”

Though DeMoulin has only been at the helm of RMHC Rochester for approximately four years, she is no stranger to the realm of not-for-profit work. In years past, DeMoulin has served as the Senior Vice President of Fundraising and Marketing for the Catholic Family Center, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arthritis Foundation and as the Executive Director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Her journey into charitable agencies began when she landed her first postcollegiate job at the American Cancer Society.

Growing up, the only thing DeMoulin was sure of was that she loved to write. When it came time to select a college major, very few institutions of higher learning offered an all-encompassing program that would appeal to her interests. At William Smith College (presently Hobart and William Smith Colleges), DeMoulin came of age as a young, independent female aspiring to one day boast an illustrious career. She studied undergraduate English and later attended Syracuse University to attain her Master of Arts degree in Communications and Public Relations.

As part of her graduate program, DeMoulin was poised to complete a field practicum as well as an internship. Although she landed a seemingly prestigious internship at one of the city’s largest ad agency, she dreaded her practicum at a local non-profit organization.

“I thought, ‘that is going to be awful; it will so boring!’ And, in fact, I hated [my internship with the ad agency] and in fact, I loved my practicum in nonprofit. I suppose that was a defining moment for me.”

In her role as President of RMHC Rochester, DeMoulin is fortunate enough to be in a position in which she says conglomerates the “best pieces” of her former workplaces. She loves interacting with the residents and their families on a daily basis and is fueled by the opportunity to lead the organization in fundraising and development—two of her utmost passions.

According to the RMHC Rochester site, “There are many reasons a family may need to use the Ronald McDonald House, including premature birth, organ transplants, accidents and injuries, cancer treatments and other childhood diseases.” A mother of two, DeMoulin in continually inspired by the steadfastness of parents dwelling at the Westmoreland House. It is strikingly evident in DeMoulin’s retelling of personal experiences with past ‘house’ guests that she is equally as impacted by the families as they are by the services of the Ronald McDonald house. (continued on page 46)

inspire

::rw

“I want people to become aware and I want to continuously be a place of resource for people.”

Mary Loewenguth

Executive Director, Monroe County Bar Association

By Brandy Whitbourne | Photo by Elton Photographic

The Women’s Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Women’s Alliance, is proud to select 13 professional women who have exceeded in business, community involvement and aiding fellow professionals. This distinct group of women, past and present, are masters in their fields ranging from health care, law, education, nonprofit and business sectors.

Among this year’s finalists is Executive Director of the Monroe County Bar Association, Mary Loewenguth.

Loewenguth started out at St. Bonaventure University where she set out to earn a degree in sociology. After leaving her studies and working two summers in a dark room at Kodak, she realized she needed to return to higher education. Loewenguth opted to attend St. John Fisher College after her father gave her an idea about the new and up coming degree in Communications. The program would focus on the exciting, vastly growing fields of marketing and public relations.

As many do, Loewenguth went through a series of job titles until she found her ultimate calling. She landed her first job via a temp agency because of her beautiful handwriting. Loewenguth managed a database (before computers). From there, she used her communication skills to experience herself in the real estate business and eventually health care.

“I heard about the job at MCBA through a friend,” said Loewenguth.

“I ended up throwing my resume in and 13 years later here I am!”

Established in 1892 as the Rochester Bar Association, the MCBA had 25 members and has magnified to 2,000 law professionals. The voluntary bar association provides legal education for the public, improved convenience to the justice system, provides a solitude for law professionals and is where law professionals and people in need can unite.

Together, the Association and all of Rochester’s legal services were housed under the Telesca Center for Justice, making them one of the more distinguished bar associations in the country.

“When I found out I was nominated for the ATHENA awards I felt humbled,” she said. “When you look at the many women in the line up and think to even be amongst this group is extraordinary.”

In past years, Loewenguth has won the MCBA Humanitarian Award, the Nathaniel Award and Presidential Award for her role in law.

As for the future of her career, Loewenguth surpirsignly still considers herself a fledgling. “I’m happy here and I don’t foresee anything happening,” she said. “I am challenged here on a daily basis and I like to think I’ll do better than I’m doing now. I don’t want to get to a day where I say, ‘I’ve already done it.’” (continued on page 46) rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2014

45

wanda acevedo

Carol DeMoulin

Mary Loewenguth

“When I found out, I was surprised and very honored and humbled by it. I never thought I would be a finalist,” said Acevedo.

DeMoulin leads what she calls a “nickel tour” of the Westmoreland House, although she leaves no territory uncovered, no questions unanswered.

As the Chief Operating Officer of Wilson Commencement Park, Acevedo oversees daily operations, looks to enhance programs, troubleshoots issues with residents and families and also helps with fundraising and development. And one key concern Acevedo is facing, along with the entire staff at Wilson Commencement Center, has been budget cuts.

The house is beautiful, to say the least. It is 20,000 square feet of pure warmth; it is truly fashioned as a “home away from home.” There are 20 guest rooms, some currently undergoing renovation.

The rooms themselves are bereft of televisions to encourage a “communal feel” among occupants.

Some rooms are designed for families with siblings, others for families with visiting grandparents.

When it comes to advice for young women yearning to enter the field, Loewenguth insists that individuals only do what they know and love.

::rw

inspire

(cont)

This program tremendously benefits the community at large as well as Park residents in that they are lessening the large homeless population and teaching occupants the difference between a job and a career. It is proving to be successful as 50% of residents have sought higher education upon completion of the program.

As the Wilson Commencement park residential program is non-profit, members rely on the support of donors in order to press forward in their mission. Some believe that there isn’t much to be done after cuts have been made, but Acevedo has seen the power of advocacy.

She and her team have experienced funding being zeroed out in the past. However, with unrelenting in championing the cause, they have gradually brought the funding back.

“People think there’s nothing we can do, but we can vote people in and out of these positions,” said Acevedo.

(cont)

The three-station kitchen is intentionally placed in the center of the house to appeal to residents as a central meeting place. DeMoulin shares that local volunteers extend themselves in preparing dinner for the families every night. There is a cozy great room, adorned with holiday decorations and a fully-trimmed Christmas tree in the center!

I even spotted a piano off to the side; surely, they’ve thought of everything!

The “House within a Hospital” is an additional feature of RMHC Rochester. It is located in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. The 4,000 square foot facility is purposefully designed for parents to be only seconds away from their children undergoing treatment.

DeMoulin calls the staff at RMHC Rochester “small, but mighty” and credits the some 250 volunteers as having a central role in keeping both facilities successfully running.good day.”

(cont)

“You have to be fearless in your work ethic, she said. “Don’t ever compromise yourself.”

Loewenguth also says that as women we need to find balance in our lives. We are so used to taking care of other people that we often forget to take care of ourselves. Women often come last on their own lists and need to work towards making themselves a priority.

In recent times, Loewenguth experienced a cancer scare. Fortunately, the results were negative, but it was eye-opening enough for her to start taking care of herself and now publishes a new blog entry every two weeks.

Loewenguth has proven that with dedication and devotion, anything is possible, including a nomination for the prestigious ATHENA Award. She needed to find herself and was able to help people on the way, but now that she knows who she is and where she is going, she can continue her journey of success.

The 28th annual award will be presented at the Riverside Convention Center January 16, 2014.

You can visit Loewenguth’s blog at: http:// mcbabarview.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/ learning-to-take-care-of-ourselves/

Barbara G oshorn RN M SACN Barbara RN MSACN TheGoshorn N urse Nu M

ake this year you tritionist r h e a l t hiest...

The Nurse Nutritionist Make this year your healthiest...

Barbara Goshorn , Rochester’s on ly Nurse Nutriti you to a health onist, will educ ier way of life! ate and guide Yo u’ll learn behavi yo-yo dieting, ho oral modificatio w to make heal n to avoi thy food choice what nutrientsonly Nurse Nutritionist, techniquesand Barbara Goshorn, Rochester’s wills, educate guide d your medicatio to ha ndle stress, ns may be depl diet isofmaklife! eting, and why to avoid ing usYou’ll you to a healthier way fat andlearn the American sick. behavioral modification Weimake yo-yo dieting, how• to food choices, techniques to handle stress, ght Lohealthy ss • Food Aand what nutrients your medications may be depleting, llergwhy ies the American • GER D diet is making us fat and sick.

• Food Sensiti vities • IBS • Weight Loss • Food Allergies • Leaky Gut • Inflammati on • GERD • Food Sensitivities • Detoxificati on • Metabolic Sy ndrome • IBS • Leaky•Gut Type 2 Diabet Don’t be left out. es ..join the hundre • Inflammation • Detoxification ds who have tu

rned their health SAVE $50 around! o•nType the 2“SDiabetes hape ReCla “New You” imed” or W eighave ht Lturned o Don’t be left out...join theOhundreds who their s s P r o grhealth ffer expire ams around! s February 28, 2014 SAVE $50 on the “Shape ReClaimed” or Gosh orn Wellnes s Center • 72 5 Ridge “New You” Weight Loss Programs Rd. Web ster

• Metabolic Syndrome

, NY 14580

Offer expires February 28, 2014

• 585-671-09 34 • www.t

henursenu tritionist.co

m Goshorn Wellness Center • 725 Ridge Rd. Webster , NY 14580 • 585-671-0934 • www.thenursenutritionist.com

EVENTS CALENDAR

january 2014 28th Annual Athena Awards

16 RYP Social with Vittorio Menswear & Tuxedo

16 Mendon Ponds Park Winterfest

19 Emotional Intelligence at WORK

22 Side By Side with the RPO

22

Organization: The Women’s Council (affiliate of The Rochester Business Council) Where: Rochester Riverside Convention Center When: 12:00 PM Website: www.grwc.com Organization: Rochester Young Professionals Where: The Erie Grill When: 6:00-9:00PM Website: r-y-p.org Organization: Monroe County Parks Department Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Mendon Ponds Park, Pittsford Website: www.mendonpondswinterfest.org/ OrOrganization: Digital Rochester Where: Irondequoit Country Club When: 11:30AM, Admission $30-$35 Website: digitalrochester.com Organization: RPO Community Orchestra Where: Kodak Hall in Eastman Theater When: 8:00PM Website: www.rpo.org

rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013

47

women

Happy Healthy New YearKick-Start Guide

By Laura Card

::tips for

The “most magical time of the year” is over, and as much as we’ve enjoyed the holiday season, we are also glad that it came to its end…

We all love the holidays, and everything that they bring – fun, laughter, joy, happiness, gratitude, friends and family gatherings, and of course all the delicious foods! But let’s face it, spending too much time around the dinner table or at the bar, being less active than usual, getting overwhelmed with all the pre-holiday events and activities can be quiet exhausting, and impact us in negative ways.

Compromised weight management efforts, feeling heavy, stuffed and congested, even fatigued and sluggish, headaches and flared allergies are not unusual post-holiday symptoms.

The good news is – it is quite easy to overcome these symptoms, and give yourself a nice, clean kick-start. Here are some suggestions and tips: •A good place to start is to eat lighter foods (steamed and roasted vegetables, fresh salads, light soups, lightly-cooked fish and poultry, seasonal fruits), and avoid heavy meats, dairy, breads, pastas, and other processed foods. And of course, it goes without saying – stay away from microwavable dinner solutions, chain restaurants, drivethroughs, and low-quality take-outs. Feed your body with REAL food, not in-the-lab-engineered edible substances.

• Cut down on soda and alcohol; better yet – avoid altogether for a while. Remember that “diet” soda is still soda full of chemicals which have no business being in your body. Hydrate and nourish yourself with clean water and green or herbal teas instead of caffeinated drinks and commercial juices. Use honey or agave syrup to sweeten your drinks if you need to, and say good-bye to white sugar and all artificial sweeteners that come in yellow, pink and blue packets.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth with a couple squares of high quality dark chocolate or a fruit salad, and say “thanks, but no thanks” to rich desserts and pastries.

• Consider a “detox” day or two – instead of eating solid foods, nourish yourself with home-made vegetable broth, freshly-made smoothies, and herbal teas. Some nutritionists might recommend

48

january 2013 :: rochesterWomanMag.com

juicing or fasting, but I would be hesitant to do it this time of the year, mainly because you will likely get too cold and uncomfortable; warm broth and hot tea are better for a winter time detox.

• Another great ritual to adopt is to start your day with a cup of hot lemon water and a few slices of ginger root. The sour taste and vitamin C are a great boost for the sluggish liver, and ginger is a very well-known digestive aid.

• Incorporate tongue cleaning, dry brush body scrub, warm bath with aroma oils, and other self-care rituals into your daily routine.

Upgrade your cosmetics and beauty products to natural and organic, and rely on fresh avocados, plain yogurt and coconut oil for your skin health and glow.

• Get enough sleep. This is a MUST! Nothing gets our health and well-being compromised more than lack of adequate rest and sleep.

If you find it difficult to slow your racing mind down once you get in bed, consider using aroma-therapeutic remedies or guided meditation recordings for sleep.

• Last but not least – find an exercise program that won’t bore you to tears. Let’s face it, very few of us feel excited about going to the gym, sweating out on a treadmill, or pumping iron – I know, I am not one of them. Experiment with the different types of physical movement and find the one that your body will enjoy, respond to, and express itself with. Yoga, Zumba, belly dance and hula-hoop classes are a few ideas to play with…

I hope that you find these tips and suggestions helpful and easy to incorporate. As always, feel free to reach out with questions and comments, and if you feel like you could use help and guidance in starting 2014 in the healthiest, happiest way possible, consider joining me for a 30-day Reboot & Revive!

Happy, Healthy New Year!

Reviving 5,000 years of civilization

M

ILLIONS have seen Shen Yun. Standing ovations at sold-out theaters around the world have made it a global sensation.

Experience a performance that will touch your soul.

“An extraordinary experience ... exquisitely beautiful. The level of skill, but also the power of the archetypes and the narratives were startling. ”

—Cate Blanchett, Academy Award-winning Actress

“It’s the quintessential perfection of the human spirit, the talent. There is nothing beyond this. I was in tears, because the dignity, the power and the love coming out of those people was astounding. ” —Jim Cril, producer

“I have reviewed over 3,000 to 4,000 shows.

I give this production Five stars ... the top!

Go back and see it six times!”

—Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic

“Incredible!

Groundbreaking!”

—MSNBC NEWS

MARCH 1-2

ROCHESTER AUDITORIUM THEATRE Great Holiday Gift Idea ORDER NOW FOR BEST SEATS

AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY across 5,000 years of Chinese civilization! With classical Chinese dance, live orchestra, dazzling costumes and animated backdrops, Shen Yun will transport you to another world.

TICKETS: $50, $60, $80, $100, $120, $150 Phone: 800-745-3000 Online: ShenYun.com/Rochester Information Hotline: 877-519-0905

ShenYun.com Presented by Upstate New York Falun dafa Association