San Diego Woman Education Issue

Dr. TESS Photo by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

BUILDING BLOCKS

to Brain Health

ASK DR. K

SILVIA MAH

Supporting Female Entrepreneurs

WIN an MBA SCHOLARSHIP

at Point Loma Nazarene University

SLEEP • RESTORE • FOCUS Boost your brain and experience your best self with brain health supplements formulated by Stanford-educated MDs.

S H O P N O W AT

L I V E L I .COM

BV @ J O I N T H E L I V E L I H O O D

J O I NTH E LIVE LI H OO D .CO M

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CONTENTS Silvia Mah, Ph.D., MBA

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PLNU Women in Business Scholarship

11

Victoria Sandoval.

Helping Clients Achieve Their Dreams

14

Women’s Museum of California

15

Christianity, wedding planning

16

Nicole J Caplette. A Life-Changing Career Transition

18

Bettie Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D. A Woman Who Makes Things Happen

20

Analia Mendez.

Serving Those Who Have Served

23

Ask Dr.K!

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Dr. Tess & Dr. Lee. Building Blocks to Brain Health

25

For-Profit Education

28

Cardenas Farms

29

Reena B. Patel, LEP, BCBA

30

Fabulous Finds 16

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Herstory 31 Haley Attig.

Future Farmers of America Superstar

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The Adventures of Lusho – The Computer Cat 40 I Have One Arm

42

Cindy Karen. Designs for The Jetsetter In All Of Us

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“Dare to Be D.I.N.O!” Women’s Business Leadership Conference

48

The Healing Power of Going with Nature’s Flow

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Fresh Fruit Within Reach

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Letter From the Editor

Photo by Lisa K. Miller

Dear Readers, Welcome to our Education issue. I am a firm believer that our journey through life should always include education. Regardless of how young or old you are the old adage “You learn something new every day” is and should be true.

Over the years, life changes, we change, and the world around us changes, so to keep in tune with what is going on around us education is the answer.

Perhaps you have never gone on to get that MBA that was part of your game plan. Take some time and read our feature on one of the best colleges around, Point Loma Nazarene University. Not only do they have a great MBA program, with tons of flexibility, but they are now offering a Women in Business Scholarship. So check them out and see if you can finally make that dream come true.

Our Cover Girl Dr. Tess and her husband Dr. Lee have created an amazing supplement program to help your brain obtain all of the natural elements to operate optimally. I have personally been a follower and user of the Liveli program, and I can honestly tell you it works. Read the amazing story about how Dr. Lee turned a horrible life-altering event into Liveli, now available to help us all.

Higher education often leads to great entrepreneurship. Read our story about Silvia Mah who invests in women to help them live their dreams, and don’t miss her daughter’s breathtaking photo spread and article in our Kid’s Section.

These are but a few of the great features in our Education Issue. Take some time, read our issue and learn what our women are accomplishing every single day.

Thanks for reading our magazine, and always remember we are always looking for new women to feature if you are one, or know one, email me at editor@sdwomanmagazine.com Thanks for reading!

Warm Regards, Judy

Letters to the Editor I had never heard of TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Simulation until I read your article about Dr. Inamdar. I have been looking for answers for my sister, and this just might be it. I have shared it with her, and she was excited to give it a try. Thank you for printing this article as it may just change my sister’s life.

ჸჸ Josie from Del Mar I loved your article on Sleep deprivation. As the mom of an infant, I totally understand every word of the article. Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone.

ჸჸ Julie from La Mesa I love reading your magazine and hearing about the wonderful things that our women do.

It is so encouraging. Thank you.

ჸჸ Anita from Carlsbad Whose ever idea the San Diego Kids Section was should get a raise. Now not only does your magazine inspire me, but my 12-year-old daughter as well. Thanks, San Diego Woman for doing it so well.

ჸჸ Andi from San Diego Thank you for your Service San Diego Woman. Your service to veterans. I loved the section on women in the military. I think most people believe that women in the military still don’t hold important jobs. Your section showed otherwise. As a Navy veteran, I know women are making great strides in the service of our country. Thanks for sharing this information with your readers.

ჸჸ Mary from San Diego I loved the article on Lonnie Murray. It is refreshing to see a woman in such a male oriented business. It really proves that women can do anything. I loved reading her story.

ჸჸ Lucille from Rancho Bernardo We loved the Pearls of Wisdom article. You know when you read an article written by such intelligent people that you have to stop what you are doing and just listen to what you are being told to do. I am going to pay close attention to the information in that article. I am certain it will work.

ჸჸ Connie from Encinitas

Contributors travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She is now focusing on writing about her travels and interviewing entertainers, which is a great combo!

1. Robert Tussey

Robert has been a published writer for over thirty years and has been providing editing services for the past twenty-five. As a musician, he has written scores of songs. His life has revolved around his music and writing, often melding the two into articles and interviews.

2. Carol Heath

8. Dr. Mimi Guarneri

5. Maggie Ramos

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

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

6. Dawn Nicoli

3. Gerald Neff

With more than 40 years living and working in South America in the agriculture and forestry business. topped off with 25 years in the U.S. Em- bassy and Peace Corps. His writing experience includes local publications and years of U.S. Embassy reports; so sit back and enjoy the ride. Gerald Neff can be contacted at 760 796 4877.

For over 20 years Dawn has owned and operated Nicoli Productions, an environmental portrait studio, run out of her two-acre property in Escondido.

Starting a new chapter of her life, when serenity has become so important, Dawn spends her time in her palapa tree house with her dog, Karma. exploring the world of writing.

7. Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf, MD

4. Debbie Storms

Debbie has enjoyed many careers from accountant to air traffic controller. She believes life is an adventure to be lived to its fullest.

Growing up in New Jersey, she learned life skills to help her practice that credo. Her passion for

Nancy Lonsdorf, MD is a Johns Hopkins and Stanford- trained physician who is trained in the Bredesen ReCode Protocol for Reversing Cognitive Decline and helps patients restore memory and overall health, naturally. She practices Integrative Ayurveda and offers the Healthy Brain Recode Success Program at Guarneri Integrative Health at the Pacific Pearl. Call 858-459-6919 for details.

Mimi Guarneri, MD is President of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. Dr. Guarneri is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Integrative Medicine. She is the medical director and founder of Guarneri Integrative Health at Pacific Pearl La Jolla.

The reason - He combines his great artistry with his very caring Heart to give his patients what is in their very best interest. He has a solution for every body – and face!

Have more questions about plastic surgery? Contact “Dr.K” at ykadeskyofc@gmail.com or schedule a complimentary appointment at (760) 741-5466.

12. Eva Redding

9. Jaime V. Habert

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

Eva was born and raised in former Czechoslovakia. She came to Southern California as a student and later met her husband. They have been married for 22 years. Even though English is her second language, she has always been drawn to exploring it through reading and creative writing. Her favorite is writing poetry and mysteries.

13. Nini Hodge

10. Sharon Hightower

Sharon is a native of California, and has lived in Chicago and Guadalajara, MX. She earned an MA in Teaehing English as a Second Language (TESOL) from CSULA some 20 years ago, but recently completed her MBA at Point Loma.

A busy woman with 9 grandchildren, she combines teaching with her love of writing.

Head Writer San Diego Kids Natalia (Nini) Hodge, an avid equestrian, has won more honors than many win in lifelong careers. Nini competes at all levels of horse shows local and out of state. She has made quite a name for herself over the last 4 years appearing in various magazines and news articles and even on television. Her latest undertaking is as Head Writer for our San Diego Kids Section.

14. Sofia Algeria Mah

11. Dr. Yale Kadesky

Yale Mitchell Kadesky, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon in North County, San Diego who calls his practice the “H-Art of Plastic Surgery.”

Sofia Algeria Mah is a 12 year old dancer, model, actress & percussionist. Dance is her respite, her passion.

She is a 7th grader at Santa Fe Christian Schools, where she delights in Honors Math, History and Honors English. Her favorite scripture is: “He restores my soul” - Psalm 23:3

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

Behind the Pages Judith A. Habert

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Carol Heath Assistant Editor

Jaime V. Habert

Entertainment/Events Editor

Dawn Nicoli Photographer

Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Maggie Ramos

editor@sdwomanmagazine.com

Photographer

Raya Tkachenko Graphic Designer

11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128

888 275 7125 844 SDWOMAN

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Carol Heath Assistant Editor Facebook.com/SanDiegoWoman

Jaime V. Habert Entertainment/Events Editor

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Disclaimer: Products, services, practices, websites or informational packets mentioned within our pages are in no way an endorsement by San Diego Woman, but are provided to our readers for informational purposes only.

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Women of Distinction

Silvia Mah, Ph.D., MBA

Making Women’s Dreams a Reality

By Judith A. Habert

Photos by Nikkie Achartz of SNAP Savvy Strategies

S

ILVIA MAH IS AN AMAZING lady and one who is determined to make a big difference in the lives of women.

Her upbringing sounds like something out of a best-selling novel. Silvia was born in Caracas, Venezuela to a mom who was a CIA Operative of the U.S. foreign service. "My mom was first stationed in London after WWII, where she became well versed in Russian politics and analysis. When the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred, being an expert on Russian and Communist theories and policies, she was transferred to Venezuela. She obtained her degree at Stanford University, one of the first 4 or 5 women to attend and graduate from Stanford. She is 90 years old now; her mind is alive and she still writes stories and articles about politics. She is my rock."

While stationed in Venezuela, Silvia’s mom met a dashing Italian man

who would soon become Silvia’s father.

His beginnings were hardly mundane having been an orphan who in order to get away from the monk-run orphanage had become an apprentice & learned the trade of printing. At the time he did not know the importance of this decision.

When the Germans invaded Italy, he was placed on the firing line with the rest of the children when the Nazi’s asked if anyone had a trade. Silvia’s dad spoke up informing them that he did have a trade as a printer and could repair all types of printing equipment.

This bit of knowledge saved his life as they pulled him off the firing line and brought him to Germany. Once there he was charged with printing Nazi propaganda flyers promoting Hitler and his regime. “Had my dad not had a trade, an education, he would have died that day.

Printing saved his life,” adds Silvia.

After the war, Silvia's dad returned to Italy and found his town of Torino

had been destroyed in the war, so he first immigrated to Argentina and then to Venezuela.

These two transplanted individuals met and fell in love and had a family in Venezuela. “Dad worked in the printing industry and produced coffee table books, magazines, and labels for Heinz and Gerber Latin America as well as all of the postage stamps for Venezuela. He came up from nothing and created an amazingly successful company. He was definitely an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word. My mom had to leave the US service because she married a foreigner, a sacrifice for love not taken lightly. Her mind could not be contained, so she was my dad’s translator and translated his books from Spanish to English.”

Quite a story of love and survival.

They spent their entire life in Venezuela, and it was only after the death of her dad, in 2010, that Silvia’s mom moved back to the States after 40 years and is now living in the Bay Area.

To say that Silvia’s upbringing was wild is not an understatement. With a rainforest in her backyard, Silvia's dad taught her how to hold a machete before she was taught to hold a pencil.

Together they would venture into the forest to cut down Mango trees. For a child enthralled with biology, she was in the center of it all. "This is what truly spurred my love of biology because I was surrounded by lizards, porcupines, toucans, monkeys, snakes, and turtles.

My backyard was like a zoo. I loved the biology of life and all the scientific processes involved. Unlike in most houses, we had no TV, so I learned from exploring and whenever I became bored (and God forbid I said I was, it was like a bad word at our house), my Mom directed me to do a science project.”

In Venezuela, Silvia attended an American International High School and was just one of 12 in the graduating class. Her love for science brought her to the United States to study at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California since

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Women of Distinction they had an excellent program for international students.

While at Pepperdine, Silvia met a man who would eventually become her husband. Their unique similarities were part of what brought them together.

Silvia, appeared like a white girl on the outside but was Venezuelan and Italian on the inside, so when she met a fellow biology student who was Chinese on the outside, but Mexican on the inside they

totally understood each other. Neither felt they were hot enough for the other but soon learned that the attraction was mutual.

“I graduated with a degree in biology. What I loved about Pepperdine was that they allowed their students to make huge strides in experiential learning.

I spent time in the deserts of Arizona and California trapping rats and bats and learning how to skin them. When an opportunity came for me to go on a research trip to Guyana to trap rats and bats with the Smithsonian Institute, I jumped at the opportunity. During our explorations, my advisor contracted a severe case of Malaria, and at the age of

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21 I had to find a way to get him out of the deep rainforest and back to the US for treatment to save his life."

As I mentioned earlier, this is not your typical San Diego Woman profile.

So what was next on Silvia's life plan?

With a particular love of Marine Biology Silvia decided to continue on to obtain her Ph.D. at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD. During this time, pursuing her Ph.D. Silvia gave birth to two children, and so the program took her a bit longer than anticipated to complete. After seven years she had succeeded in obtaining her Ph.D. One of her three children, her son Matteo had special needs and spent sometimes 3 days a week at Children’s Hospital. Although she had been working as a director of a service-learning program at the Jacobs School of Engineering, UCSD, called Teams in Engineering Service, the pressure of work-life integration hit home.

Silvia now felt she needed to slow down to care for her children. Silvia decided it would be an excellent time to obtain her MBA in a part-time program, since she felt a sincere desire to understand the business world and knew that she possessed the entrepreneurial spirit as had her father.

She pursued her MBA at Rady School of Management at UCSD. This was an easy decision after attending an admission meeting and experiencing the total dedication to the student and their desire to mold the program experience around the students and not the reverse, as was the case in many MBA programs.

Her training at Rady’s led her to the startup world, and she loved it.

“When my father passed away my inheritance allowed me to become an investor overnight. I decided that I wanted to invest in startups as a good use of his inheritance. Based on my research, I made the conscious decision to only invest in female entrepreneurs. Through the data, I ascertained that I wanted to focus solely on women since I believe they are a better investment for my money. Women tend to be more frugal, they manage money very well, and they

know how to be gritty and determined to get things done, and that diversity of thought is essential. You have to be able to pivot and to listen to your customers; women are very good at doing this.

That’s my rational, scientific brain. My investment thesis is so much more emotional through the impact I must make.

My dad was rather old school and never imagined the inroads that women could make in the business and science world; providing for a distant father-daughter love. By investing in women, I felt it was a way to use this inheritance to help women prove this was not the case; to help create a world for my children’s children that is innovative and accepting of the power of women & diversity."

Silvia is the youngest of four children, she has two brothers and a sister who is special needs, and this alone has given her a unique insight into life and what can be accomplished even when obstacles stand in your way.

"Growing up with a sibling with special needs humbles you. I watched my sister accomplish so much in her life. She has held down a job with Bank of America in a special program. She is always the first in the office and one of the last to leave; on task and with a smile. I always told myself, If she can do so much with limited function what could I accomplish?”

Silvia has been personally responsible for assisting in giving life to the business ideas of hundreds of women over the years. Her company Hera Labs is a business accelerator for women who want to launch a business or grow an existing business. If you have only an idea but no knowledge of how to bring it to market, Hera Labs can help. If you have an existing business and want to grow it, they can help you too. You can go onto their site at www.heralabs.com and submit an application. They even offer scholarships to help all women have an opportunity to live their dreams. They now have two locations one in Solana Beach and the other in National City through a

Women of Distinction partnership with the Women’s Business Center to assure getting to their program is not an obstacle that will stand in your way.

Hera Labs has several programs, their Launch Intensive is for those with an idea that they want to bring to market, their Scale Intensive, if you want to grow an existing business or change direction to improve a product or service. So regardless of where you are on the scale of things, Hera Labs can be of assistance. If you feel you qualify please go online and fill out an application and watch your dreams become a reality.

Along with 3 other partners, Allison Long Pettine, Vidya Dinamani, and Eric Gasser, they launched another venture equipping women with business skills, Ad Astra Ventures, which includes an investment of 20K for existing businesses with proven traction where they walk you through a ten-week program to transform you into the confident and strong business leader. In addition, to keep up with the innovative ideas, Silvia teaches and serves as the Student Programs Director at the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at UCSD where student-led startups launch and scale.

Silvia currently added another element to her already busy schedule, a podcast entitled “She Invests,” which highlights the investors she works with and the great things they are doing.

It is a casual coffee table conversation between Silvia and the investor, bringing to light individuals who are generally behind the scenes. She is also currently writing a book of the same name, which will allow readers an insight into these investors as well as her own story and her startup portfolio of 28 investments.

You can download the podcasts off of iTunes or youtube.

As I often do when I am interviewing a Woman of Distinction, I asked Silvia for some tips on how women can be successful in the entrepreneurial world.

She offered us the following: 1. Be true to yourself and your idea.

2. Relationships do matter.

3. Integrity is important. It is the core of who you are.

Another factor that is extremely close to Silvia's heart is the fact that women need to practice work-life integration. Being a mom of three, Silvia knows how important this is in her life.

Although she works Monday to Friday, she spends evenings and weekends with her children and is even a dance Mom to her 12-year-old daughter Sofia who is a competitive dancer. All three of her kids Alexio her 19-year-old, Matteo her 15-year-old and Sofia her 12-year-old are often included in their mom’s work agenda; Alexio produces videos for Hera Labs and Hera Angels, Matteo is a fantastic event coordinator, and Sofia can interview any investor or entrepreneur

and get their story out. (You can view one of her interviews at: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=u5YJuM726SU She often invites them along should she have out of town speaking engagements or trips out of the country. Silvia wants them to be happy that their mom is working to make life better for as many women as she can. As a result, they don't resent the fact that their mom is a working mom, but instead, have learned lessons that she already sees them implementing. "The time for feeling guilty for being a working mom is over; today our children can relish the fact that they have mothers who are making a difference in the world." Silvia Mah is definitely making a difference.

To learn more from Silvia and her tribe of fellow investors and mentors, the opportunity is yours at Hera Venture Summit, taking place at University of San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 15. The one-day event will include an “entrepreneur track”, an “angel investor track”, an experiential gamified venture fund session, and pitch competition. To purchase a ticket, please https://www.heraventuresummit.com/.

To learn more about Hera Labs, please visit https://www.heralabs.com/ or follow the nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about Ad Astra Ventures, please visit https:// adastra.ventures/.

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Navy’s First Female Admiral, Alene Duerk, Passes Away From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division Photo courtesy of :NHHC Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) – Retired Rear Adm. Alene B. Duerk, the Navy’s first female admiral, passed away July 21, 2018.

She was 98 years old.

“It took 197 years and a forward-looking Chief of Naval Operations, Elmo Zumwalt, to break with tradition before Alene Duerk became the first woman admiral in the U.S. Navy,” said Naval History and Heritage Command director Sam Cox. “But the credit goes to Duerk. From the crucible of caring for wounded Sailors, Marines and prisoners of war during World War II in the Pacific, she blazed a trail of stellar performance in tough jobs, serving as an inspiration for an ever increasing number of women officers who have followed her path.”

Born in Defiance, Ohio, on March 29, 1920, she received nursing training at the Toledo [Ohio] Hospital School of Nursing, from which she earned her diploma in 1941. From there, Duerk entered the U.S. Naval Reserve and was appointed an ensign in the Nurse Corps.

“Alene Duerk was a strong and dedicated trail blazer who embodied the very principles that continue to guide Navy Medicine today,” commented Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general, upon learning of her passing. “She will forever be remembered as a servant leader who provided the best care to those who defended our nation, honoring the uniform we wear and the privilege of leadership.”

Her first tours of duty included ward nurse at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in Virginia, Naval Hospital Bethesda in Maryland, and sea service aboard the Navy hospital ship, USS Benevolence (AH 13), in 1945. While anchored off the coast of Eniwetok, Duerk and the crew of the Benevolence would attend to the sick and wounded being brought back from the Third Fleet’s operations against Japan.

Upon cessation of hostilities on Sept.

2, 1945, Duerk and the Benevolence crew took on the task of repatriating liberated Allied prisoners of war, an endeavor that solidified her commitment to nursing and patient care.

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Years later, when asked about her service for the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project, Duerk said, “The time I was aboard the hospital ship and we took the prisoners of war, that was something I will never forget . . . that was the most exciting experience of my whole career.” 2 Thereafter, Duerk was assigned to Naval Hospital Great Lakes until being released from active service in 1946.

In 1951, Duerk returned to active duty serving as a nursing instructor at the Naval Hospital Corps School in Portsmouth, Va. and later as inter-service education coordinator at the Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Penn.

Her skills in ward management, surgical nursing and mentoring would be put to use over the next two decades while serving at hospitals in San Diego; and Yokosuka, Japan; at the Recruiting Station in Chicago; and in Wash., D.C. In May 1970, following assignments as assistant for Nurse Recruitment in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and assistant head of Medical Placement Liaison (Nurse Corps) at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Duerk was appointed director of the Navy Nurse Corps.

Over the next five years, Duerk provided direction for the Nurse Corps, updating policies affecting Navy Medicine

and expanding the sphere of nursing into ambulatory care, anesthesia, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.

Her selection to the rank of rear admiral was approved by President Richard Nixon on April 26, 1972. The first woman to be selected for flag rank, she was advanced on June 1, 1972.

Rear Adm. Duerk retired in 1975, but remained a strong advocate for Navy nursing through the remainder of her life.

Duerk was awarded the Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star.

Duerk’s biography offers greater insight into her service, it can be found online at the website of the Naval History and Heritage Command here: https:// www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/ diversity/women-in-the-navy/first-female-flag-officer.html See the entry on Duerk at the Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project online here: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.28852 The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.

For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.history. navy.mil.

Women of Distinction

Point Loma Nazarene Announces New “Women in Business” MBA Scholarship

By Judith A. Habert Photos courtesy of PLNU

P

oint Loma Nazarene University has just announced a brand new scholarship available to women seeking an MBA through their university. It is the first time that they have offered a special scholarship just for women, in the hopes that this will encourage more women to fill the need in the business community for more female leadership.

Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the most well known and respected universities in San Diego.

Their statistics speak for themselves, with over 90% of PLNU graduates who apply obtaining acceptance to medical schools. The same high standards apply to their graduate programs. Their MBA program is exceptional not only in content and concentration but in the varied methods in which you can attend their programs.

To make Point Loma Nazarene the perfect spot to earn your MBA, they have provided a format that works for their students whether they are recent college graduates or have been in the workforce for years and now decided to finally pursue their MBA. There are currently three programs for MBA candidates from which to choose. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jamie M. McIlwaine, who serves as the Associate Dean of Graduate Business Education at Point Loma Nazarene University.

She provided a wealth of information regarding the university and its MBA programs. Dr. McIlwaine explained, “We have three modalities in which you can obtain your MBA. Each offers the same curriculum, but the delivery is a bit different. There is an Evening MBA program, which is typically for

full time working students who have been in the workforce anywhere from five to twenty years. These students attend classes two nights a week, taking two classes at a time with the program taking two years to complete. Our second option is our Daytime MBA program, and that is for recent college graduates who decide to continue after college graduation

One of the biggest deterrents for students obtaining their MBA is often the cost involved to do so. Point Loma Nazarene has many scholarship opportunities available to help alleviate the financial limitations faced by many students. They have just announced the implementation of their newest addition, their Women in Business Scholarship. “We

to obtain their MBA. These students typically have zero to two years of work experience and attend the MBA program full time during the day.

They attend classes Monday through Thursday for one year, at which point they have completed the curriculum and will receive their MBA. The last program is our Online MBA which is ideal for the working student who wants to complete their MBA but cannot get to classes on campus, so they choose online learning.”

have created this scholarship program to encourage women to earn their master’s degree and continue their education. In addition to the scholarship award, we will match the recipients with a mentor, providing them with encouragement and support throughout the program. This is not only for the brand new graduate but even for the more seasoned businesswoman who can be helped to leverage their MBA as a way to advance their career and move into a

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Women of Distinction leadership, or executive level position. We want to help level the playing field when it comes to women holding leadership roles in businesses. The numbers are still much lower for women than for men. Our goal is to help change this statistic.”

The Women in Business Scholarship is available to any woman applying to the MBA program regardless of whether they are in the Daytime, Evening, or Online program.

2. What leadership goals are part of your career plan?

3. How do you believe an MBA will help you maximize your current potential now and in the future?

Once you have applied, the scholarship committee reviews the application packet and looks for women whom they believe have substantial leadership potential.”

Although the MBA program is a long-standing part of Point Loma

So, what are the criteria for a woman to apply for the scholarship?

Dr. McIIwaine explains, “Eligibility requirements for the Women in Business Scholarship are of course that the student applying is female and has a 3.0 or higher GPA. The selection committee will review her academic achievements and look at her resume, both academic and professional, and the provided letters of recommendation. She will also be required to submit an essay with three questions that she must answer as part of the application packet. The three question that we pose are the following: 1. Why do you believe it is important to have women in leadership positions?

Nazarene’s offerings, the Women in Business Scholarship is a brand new addition. There are, however, several additional scholarships available, one of these is for international students, another is for entrepreneurs, and yet another is their Dean’s Scholarship.

There is also one other scholarship which is limited to their Daytime MBA students. It is a research scholarship that gives the recipient the opportunity to work with Dr. Lynn Reaser. Dr. Reaser is one of PLNU’s most prominent MBA faculty members, with a renowned reputation in the economic world. Her background and experience include work as the Chief Economist for the California State Treasurer’s Council of Economic

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Advisors, Bank of America, and being named one of San Diego’s Top-50 Influentials.

Dr. McIlwaine had this to say about her colleague, “Dr. Reaser is a nationally recognized economist and probably the most brilliant and humble person I have ever met. So, this is a truly unique honor to receive this scholarship. She is an amazing individual who is incredibly well connected. It is an excellent opportunity if you are selected for this scholarship program. In addition to the unparalleled education experience you will receive — and the chance to work one-on-one with Dr. Reaser — you may have the opportunity to have your findings published through the Fermanian Business and Economic Institute. This scholarship is a more challenging one to obtain; in addition to the normal application process, there is also an interview process where the scholarship committee, along with Dr. Reaser, interviews and selects the top candidate with the greatest potential.”

PLNU offers four areas of concentration within their MBA program.

One is in healthcare management, one in innovation and entrepreneurship, one in project management and one in organizational leadership. So, there is an MBA program that varies based on your area of interest.

So, what makes Point Loma Nazarene such a special place from a student’s vantage point? “Our MBA classes range in size from about 15-20. This allows us to put a strong emphasis on building relationships with professors. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to have a personalized learning experience.

There is a feeling of family here. The personal and professional relationships with which our students leave Point Loma Nazarene University will stay with them throughout their entire career. I think what makes this program truly unique is our

Women of Distinction faith-based approach to the business world; we put a very strong emphasis on ethics. This is true of both our undergraduate and MBA programs.

Along with a strong emphasis on the importance of ethics in business, we also focus on developing leaders who genuinely want to make a difference in the world. I think it is essential that we create business leaders who want to operate in a more ethical and meaningful way to have a positive impact on society.”

Another excellent quality of the education that you will gain in PLNU’s MBA program is that unlike so many graduate programs that are super competitive, Point Loma provides a very supportive environment in their classrooms. It is very collegial, very teamwork oriented, very supportive of the team as a whole. They are focused on finding the individual student’s strengths.

It is indeed a good environment for women to obtain a solid background in the area of business.

I asked Dr. McIlwaine what suggestions she would give to students applying for PLNU’s MBA program: “I would say do your research and make sure you are a good fit for the university. Keep in mind that when we review admission and scholarship packets, we are looking to see if the proposed candidate embodies the character and beliefs that are important to us. If you believe you are a good fit, then be sure to tell us why you should be considered for a scholarship or even admission into our MBA program.”

A quick note for prospective students, be sure to check out the admission guidelines when applying.

The next admission date is January if you are interested in starting the Evening or Online MBA program in the spring. The Daytime program only begins once a year in August, so students can apply for the program that will start in August of 2019.

So how long does the scholarship application process take? “Once they have completed and submitted their application to the MBA program, they would then be eligible to apply for the scholarship. In general, most applicants say that it takes about one to two weeks to gather the necessary documents and complete the essay.”

So, if you are awarded the Women in Business Scholarship, what will be the monetary amount provided

than you may think apply, so your chances of obtaining scholarships are often excellent if you are willing to invest the time.”

Keep in mind also that it is not only colleges that offer scholarships, but many organizations do as well, so thoroughly research your options and you may find out that you can afford a school that you previously thought was out of reach financially.

My last question to Dr. McIlwaine

towards your MBA program? “The Women in Business Scholarship comes with an award of up to $2,500.

Point Loma Nazarene has one of the most reasonable tuition costs to obtain an MBA in San Diego. The cost is currently $845 per unit, and to complete the MBA requires 42 units. So, if you are one of the lucky recipients of the scholarship you will be getting your MBA at an incredible value.”

Dr. Mcllwaine adds an important insight for prospective students: “One of the realities that we have seen is that students are often remiss in applying for scholarships. There are a variety of scholarships available; they may take some time and effort to file the applications, but fewer people

was why do you believe the Women in Business Scholarship is so important? “There are still some ceilings that we need to break through for women in business. I was thrilled when our institution decided to create this particular scholarship. I think it is an important way for us to encourage women to go into business and to aspire to take leadership roles. I think there are a lot of opportunities and great benefit for all of us if this happens.”

If you would like to apply for the Women in Business Scholarship visit https://www.pointloma.edu/graduate-studies

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Women of Distinction

VICTORIA SANDOVAL

Helping Clients Achieve Their Dreams Photos Courtesy of Victoria Sandoval

W

HEN WE THINK OF the perfect real estate professional, it conjures up an image in our minds. When I interviewed Victoria Sandoval, I immediately knew that I met the perfect agent. I realized after just a few short moments that not only was she beautiful on the outside, but inside as well. Though she barely looks old enough, she is a 16 year veteran of real estate. Over her years as a top producing agent, she has fine-tuned her skills to assure that her clients receive the best possible representation, in what is by far the biggest purchase that most people make in their lifetime.

Victoria is a native San Diegan, born and raised in Chula Vista. Right after school, she took a job in the banking industry which eventually led her to her true love, real estate. This is a decision she never regretted. She started off her career working for the big guys, Coldwell Banker, Prudential, and Keller Williams. “I ended up taking the best qualities of each organization and incorporated them into the opening of my own agency. Select Premier Properties, headquartered in Hillcrest California. “Our agency is more like a family

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environment than a workplace. I carefully interview and select my team not only for their qualifications, but based on whether I believe they will fit in with the rest of our family.”

Victoria’s clientele is diverse, and she loves working with all types of clients, although she admits that she really enjoys first time home buyers. “I love seeing how

clients. Their agency charges only a 1.5% listing fee, they are veteran specialists, and work with many first time home buyer programs that help with the buyer’s down payments. “We also assist most of our clients with credits towards their closing costs.

Getting most agents to give back part of their commission is like pulling teeth, but we understand when you are a

excited they get when they are finally able to become homeowners. I love guiding them through the process and especially seeing their faces when their offers are accepted, and they get the keys to their first home.” Being in business for 16 years has allowed her to watch couples go from that first house to a bigger one when their family arrives to their ultimate dream house.

“It is such a joy being part of the whole process and growth of a family.”

Victoria does all she can to make the dream of home ownership possible for her

first-time home buyer that it is hard enough to come up with the money to buy the home so we do all we can to help.”

Victoria sums up her feelings about what she does with the following statement, “My life purpose is to help people. I feel that if what I am doing isn’t helping people or making their lives better then it’s a waste of time.”

Victoria’s husband Abel is a lender and works part-time out of their Hillcrest Location, making Premier Properties a one-stop shop. I asked how it was to work and live with

your husband? “I love it, she explains, for a marriage to be successful you have to be understanding of each other’s career requirements and since real estate often involves evenings and weekends, having a husband in the same or similar industry makes it a lot easier. Victoria and Abel are the parents of two, Isabel who is turning 17 and has dreams of becoming a Criminal Justice Attorney and a 12-yearold son, Daniel who loves animals and wants to become a veterinarian.

Not only do they have a close-knit family at home, but their office is an extension of this as well. With an open office layout, everyone can communicate easily with each other. The mentality of her agents is to help one another succeed, since they believe if one succeeds they all succeed.

This was different than what Victoria experienced with the larger firms that had 200 or more agents.

With a staff of about 20 agents, Select Premier Properties is diverse enough to have agents who speak and understand several languages. “We currently have agents who speak Spanish, Portuguese and Tagalog. Being able to provide a client with someone who can communicate with them in their native language makes the transaction a lot more comfortable for those whose first language is not English.”

I asked Victoria where she saw her agency going in the next five years. “I like the

Women of Distinction size of my agency, I would not like to get much bigger, 50 agents maximum, although we are considering opening additional offices, perhaps in the Riverside area since we currently service that area as well as San Diego.”

Victoria was upbeat about the current Real Estate Market. “To be honest the market is great right now. My last property sold in three days.

There are a lot of programs out there to help buyers, I anticipate a shift may be in the next year or so. Whether this will cause another bubble to burst depends on lending guidelines, if they remain strict I don’t see this happening. Next year should be a good one. Currently, this year is the best we have seen in a while.”

Having been in the industry for quite a while, there was one question that most potential homeowners need to know. How can a person prepare themselves to be able to qualify to buy a home? Victoria explains, “If your goal is to buy a house a year from now start inquiring now. Give yourself time to prepare for this monumental step in your life, since it is probably the most significant purchase you will ever make. If you don’t thoroughly research your decision, you may end up getting into a property that you can’t afford, or into a neighborhood, you don’t like. Before selecting a real estate agent be sure to Interview several and do so a year or six months before so they can help with the pro-

cess of building your credit.

Remember to leave a reserve of funds so that you have a budget for improvements or repairs. Always deal with an agent with experience. When you are buying a home, it is an emotional purchase so when you do interview an agent, and you say what your goals are, be certain that they are listening. A lot of agents don’t really listen. You can also look at reviews of the agent before you make your final decision.

Victoria’s agency, Select Premier Properties, was recently ranked in the top 100 in the country on Social Media Marketing (70). Property Sparks ranked them #9 in San Diego. Select Premier Properties does everything possible to make your buying experience a positive one. “We have strategic marketing plans to sell your home quickly and get you top dollar. With our experience and technologically advanced systems, you are guaranteed to obtain the outcome you desire.

I always like to ask our Women of Distinction for suggestions to share with others who might want to get into their field. “For anyone wanting to get into the real estate business, I would give them the following three tips.

1.Find a good mentor.

2.Have at least 4-6 months of funds in reserve so you can work at real estate full time.

3.Work hard. It’s easy work, you just have to work hard at it. If you fight for your career, it will fight for you.”

For More Information contact Victoria Sandoval at: Select Premier Properties Owner/Realtor Direct: 619-392-2455 www.selectpremierproperties.com

Women’s Museum of California 13th Annual Women’s Suffrage Parade

On August 26th the Women’s Museum of California commemorated 98 years since the ratification of the 19th amendment with a parade in Balboa Park. Women from organizations all over California showed up dressed in white wearing sashes and buttons and waving equal rights for Women signs.

The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920. The 15th amendment made it illegal for the federal or state government to deny any US citizen the right to vote. For some reason, this did not apply to women. The 19th amendment changed this by making it illegal for any citizen, regardless of gender, to be denied the right to vote.

The movement to allow women the right to vote through the 19th amendment was the Suffrage movement. Well known women such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were key figures in the Suffrage movement.

Photo by Maggie Ramos

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Women of Distinction

L

OUISA LLANES, #LoveWarrior, Christian, Millennial, and although it took some prodding, she finally admitted to being a fox, made her debut into this world on February 25, 1991. I choose to describe her with one word, survivor.

Some of us get through our childhood, while others, including Louisa, survive it.

Louisa was not planned, but surprise surprise, she became the fourth member joining her sister, mother, and father, of a family struggling financially and emotionally. Baby Louisa had no idea that in a few short years her parents would initiate a long and contentious divorce. Louisa’s childhood memories began somewhat a skewed, as she was always ‘daddy’s little girl’ and spent much of her time defending his reputation. She remembers being taken from class and answering endless questions about child abuse.

As the years went by Louisa learned that daddy was not her protector, but actually part of the mental and physical abuse during her formative years.

At one-point, Louisa and her mother became almost homeless. After losing their condo, they were allowed a cabin located in a remote part of San Diego, 45 miles east of Mission Valley. They had no hot water, no bathroom, no real furniture of their own to speak of, just 4 walls and a sometimes-spider – leaky roof. Louisa does not regret the time spent at the cabin.

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Photo by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

What does Christianity, wedding planning, and a fox have in common?

By Carol Heath In fact, she speaks of it fondly as the experience taught her humility. She also became aware of, to use her words, “the im-

portance of a relationship with the Lord, not simply a religion.”

At the very tender age of 17, Louisa and her

mother agreed that she could get an apartment and live independently on her own. With her new -found freedom, she decided to explore the dating world and experience she did.

It was during these years, she learned a lot about men and relationships.

Her acquired knowledge did not go unnoticed; she decided to put it to good use. Ergo, with a passion for all thing’s marriage and a commitment, she signed up for a local Wedding and Event Certification Program and became a fullfledged Wedding Planner.

(Who Knew?) It didn’t take Louisa very long to land a job with a very busy company, and in a very short time, this little dynamo was Super Wedding Planner by day — and night.

After a few years of this lifestyle, she realized she really had no life. Her cell phone was always attached to her ear, and her laptop was like an extension of her arm. So, unlike most, she decided it was time for a “time out.” She craved to have a relationship with ‘the Lord’ top priority in her life, and whereas it stood, her top priority was the happiness of her clients.

In a spontaneous, yet wise decision, she ventured out to the east coast where she attended Regent University in Virginia. For Louisa, this was a chance to finish her Degree, learn more about God, and meet new people — and new men. And meet she did. But dating was only

Women of Distinction part of how she gathered the knowledge needed to complete her latest adventure as an author.

The fuel in her tank?

Her relationship with ‘the Lord.’ She communicates with Him often, and He does the same in kind.

Louisa has always lived a moral, ethical life because of this special relationship and in this day and age that is an accomplishment all by itself. She has experienced heartbreak, more than once, has most likely caused some heartache, but has survived it all, seemingly unscathed.

So much so, that she decided to write a book about all her experiences as a Chris-

tian Millennial in the 21st Century.

Louisa has experienced so many things in her short 27 years; however, the primary thing she wants to convey to both men and women is something she contemplates on a regular basis: what are the applicable principles for a strong, healthy, and happy relationship. It is basic - but complex. She is not judgmental; however, she always thought a relationship with a Christian man, one who believed in the same morals and ethics, or at least they said they did, would be more conducive to what she wanted in a lasting relationship.

She learned many lessons after lots and lots of research; one is that claiming to be a “Christian” man often makes very little difference in the way a woman is treated. She goes on to describe her perfect mate now, “A man with a good heart, not necessarily simply one that claims to be religious.”

Louisa has figured out that men are men, big, tall, little, short, whatever, they are still just mortal men. Hard to live without them, and even harder to live with the wrong one.

I haven’t read the book, yet, however when it comes out I look forward to reading it as this Christian,

#Love Warrior, Millennial fox, has a charming, unique style of relating her experiences and is completely unaware of how truly different and amazing she is. I loved every minute of my interview with her that was supposed to be 20 to 30 minutes, and after 2 1/2 hours, I finally had to go as I had another appointment. She is a real sweetheart with some wonderful outlooks on life and how to live it with a strong relationship with ‘the Lord.’

Oh, the answer to the title is Louisa Llanes, just in case you haven’t come to that conclusion.

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Women of Distinction

Nicole J Caplette

By Judith A. Habert

O

VER THE YEARS THAT I have been interviewing women for our “Women of Distinction” feature, I have been amazed by the strength and courage of women.

When women are referred to as the “weaker sex,” I have to laugh. Our featured ladies have overcome obstacles and prospered. Nicole Caplette, of Anchor Financial, and partner with Five Rings Financial is one of these women.

Nicole was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she studied cosmetology and worked in a corporate retail hairstyle establishment where she quickly moved up the ranks to management.

Shortly after Nicole met her former husband, they married and moved to Las Vegas where their son, Aaron, was born. When he turned one, they decided to move back to Utah so they could be close to family. Unfortunately, they soon realized that their son had developed severe asthma and could not handle the climate. After a serendipitous dinner with friends who told them how much they loved San Diego, Nicole and her family decided to relocate to San Diego. Within less than two years their son’s condition had improved so immensely that he no longer even needed to be on any asthma medication.

When Nicole’s former husband decided to start his

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own business, she felt that to run their company effectively, she needed more business and accounting knowledge, so she enrolled in a vocational school. She soon had the entrepreneurial bug as well and started a second business as a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. “I would partner with small business owners and oversee their staff on a monthly basis and do the higher end accounting for them.”

While working in her new business, Nicole met a woman who was in the financial services field who invited her to join a category exclusive networking group. “We wanted to see how we could collaborate and help each other grow our businesses. I was really intrigued by some of the things she shared with me. I started exploring her company by attending their training sessions. After attending a few trainings, I realized that the company’s values didn’t align with mine. Fortunately, as a result, I became interested in learning more about the financial industry.”

Shortly thereafter Nicole attended a Wine, Women & Wealth event, hosted by Five Rings Financial and she immediately knew she had found her home in the financial industry. “I learned about the values, the culture, and the heartfelt servant leadership of Five Rings Financial.

Photos by SNAP Savvy Strategies

A LIFE-CHANGING CAREER TRANSITION

I discovered one of their missions is to educate and empower women, especially regarding money. When I learned this, I immediately knew this is what I was looking for. I said, how do we get started?”

Unfortunately, over the years, stress at home was building for Nicole. Her son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which had only been partially accurate, she later found out that he was on the Autism Spectrum. Her former husband, who was an alcoholic, had become abusive. Nicole felt trapped with no way out.

That was until she found a supportive community within Five Rings Financial that provided her with the self-confidence and strength to change her life.

As Nicole dug deeper into her career, she embraced what made the company so different, their passion for helping people. “That is why I was so enamored with Five Rings Financial. In addition, I

felt aligned with the mission of reaching Middle American’s with much needed financial education. For many years the industry has focused on working only with the wealthy. Now it’s time for us to change that. We work with those who have been ignored and invisible to the financial industry through an educational approach that meets people where they are and supports them in creating a life they love.”

Five Rings Financial has a mentorship and leadership program which guides new team members in building a successful business in a proven model. “I can personally attest to the power of mentorship. It completely changed my life. Through the mentorship program, I built my confidence and began hosting Wine, Women & Wealth events, the same events that attracted me to this industry. Wine, Women & Wealth events are hosted throughout the U.S. Twelve years ago they were in only

Women of Distinction two states, and now there are events hosted in over 40 states. We’re growing by double digits every year.”

So, what happens at these events? “Wine, Women & Wealth creates a safe place, a community, where women can freely ask questions.

We don’t discuss the hottest investment tips, or where to put your money. We talk about our money mindset, mental roadblocks that have been put in our way that limit our financial success as women. There’s a networking component that allows women to make amazing connections. Some women find their best referral partner, their next best client or a new best friend. It’s really cool to watch this magic happen.”

In addition to hosting women-centric events, Five Rings Financial also hosts a co-ed educational class called Money 101. This event covers the 6 Key Money Principles that every American needs to know, one of the most exciting of those being Indexed Accounts. “An index account protects your money.

It shields the retirement dollars you don’t want to lose from any downside risk due to stock market loss, while giving you upside potential without any fees. Plus, if this account is set up properly, you could access all that money tax-free.”

Another key concept we cover in Money 101 is Living Benefits. If a client becomes seriously ill, they can access a cash reserve that helps them cover all of their expenses so they can focus on getting better instead of worrying about money. “As an example, one of my clients who was a healthy vibrant woman from Germany came to me about saving money for her

daughter. Through our conversations, she decided she wanted Living Benefits. About two years later, she went in for a routine physical and was diagnosed with colon cancer.

She contacted me in the hopes that she could access money to have alternative treatments. I was able to get her $325,000. Not only did

and find myself again. I finally found my voice and was able to leave the trauma of an abusive marriage.”

Nicole’s personal life has come full circle. Her son is doing well and just started college, and she is getting married this coming December. “I found a wonderful Retired Naval Officer who

Photos by SNAP Savvy Strategies she get the treatment she wanted, but she was also able to have some much-needed travel time with her young daughter.” (See the testimonial video link below to hear the whole story).

Not only does Five Rings Financial help their clients, in Nicole’s case, it was her lifeline. “After 20 years in an abusive marriage with an alcoholic husband and a special needs son, I was in survival mode with no self-esteem.

Finding Five Rings Financial changed my life. It saved my life. The personal development, the support, and the loving environment gave me a place and a space, to grow

is truly a gentleman. He is extremely supportive. He is always there for my son and me. He is trustworthy and has the most integrity of anyone I have ever known.”

This past year has been record-breaking for Nicole.

She ended last year as the #2 producer at Five Rings Financial for the Index Account portion of the businesses, which qualified her and her fiancé for an all-expense paid Alaskan Cruise. She was invited as a VIP speaker to address a room full of 300 of her peers about the power of Living Benefits. She’s about to attend Five Rings Financials’ Annual Leadership Retreat at

a 5-star dude ranch in Colorado with 90 of her colleagues from around the U.S., a family reunion she’s really looking forward to. Plus, she’s on the brink of being promoted to Executive Vice President and will marry the love of her life at the end of the year…And she says she’s just getting started!

After seeing the changes in her own life over the past seven years, Nicole is passionate about hiring new women into an incredible company and industry.

“After what Five Ring Financial has created in my life, I’m so excited to pay it forward by mentoring other women who are looking for a new career. Whether women are looking to get out of a bad situation or up their game financially, Five Rings Financial is a place where that can happen. They did it for me, and they can do it for you.”

For more information on Nicole Caplette’s company, Anchor Financial or to find out how you can become a part of Five Rings Financial contact Nicole at: Nicole J Caplette Anchor Financial Executive Vice President Five Rings Financial nicole@fiveringsfinancial.com (858) 705-3644 Testimonial Video: https://youtu.be/OYqO-eYsBDA Website: https://livingbenefitsexperts. com/nicole vCard: http://m.mvcard.me/nc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ njcaplette LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/ncaplette/

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Women of Distinction

Bettie Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D. A WOMAN WHO MAKES THINGS HAPPEN

By Judith A. Habert Photos courtesy of Bettie Youngs

Photo By Martin Mann Photography

D

r. Bettie Youngs is truly a woman who makes things happen. After spending some time with Bettie, I can honestly say that I have never been as impressed with a woman as I am by her. Not only will you be impressed by her remarkable accomplishments over the years, but she is probably one of the nicest and most unassuming women I have ever met. I have known Bettie casually for many years, as our paths have often crossed, but it was an extra privilege of sitting down for this interview.

Born and raised in Iowa, a Midwest girl, Bettie grew up on a farm and went on to attend Drake University, in Des Moines. She began her career as an educator in the Des Moines public school system, and in her fourth year was awarded the Distinguished Iowa-Teacher-of-the-Year. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology and later, an Ed.D. in Administration.

What brought this Midwest girl to San Di-

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ego was an amazing career opportunity. In 1980 Bettie was SDSU’s finalist in a national search for a Graduate School Professor in Administration, Management, Leadership. As Bettie explains, “It was an exciting time and change was in the air. Finally, it was no longer enough to have been a good coach to be at the helm of a school or university.

However, more and more women were vying for administrative jobs in school leadership. So, we put new credentialing standards in place at the State level, revamped the program, and opened the Calexico and north county campuses— for starters.”

She also started International Leadership Conferences for Women.

Through these conferences, Bettie brought together the thought-leaders of the times. In the early years, it was Bella Abzug, F. Lee Bailey, Gloria Steinem, Millard and Linda Fuller, Betty Friedan, Governors, Congressman, and many of San Diego’s power players.

These conferences were a huge success, drawing from audiences around the country. With this foundation, she created the popular annual meetings in San Diego, “101 Powerful Women and a Few Good Men.” Along the way, she wrote some twenty-plus books (which are translated into 28 languages) with

various publishers. Stellar reviews followed, the likes of movie producer Joan Marx, "Bettie has an absolutely beautiful style of writing—passionate, poetic, strong and intelligent. But what elevates her to an elite league of writers is that through her writing she has an indelible voice. You don't see that all that often.

It's rare, it's special, and it's simply a captivating style for the reader."

Jenny Craig; former US President Bill Clinton; Rev. Robert Schuller, Founder, Crystal Cathedral; Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of Georgia and the US; Larry King; Deepak Chopra; singer-songwriter Naomi Judd, actress Jane Seymour—to name a few. Oprah Winfrey named “The House That Love Built, The Story of Millard and Linda Fuller as an “Oprah & Friends” selection.

Her list of reviewers are as dazzling as her reviews, and include a long list of notables, among them, poet and playwright Maya Angelou; Stephen Covey; Ruth Stafford Peale; former Secretary of Defense William Perry; Mother Teresa (who said, "Your words create happiness and soothe suffering"); Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw; Florence Henderson, actress, singer;

In addition to her books for adults, she has authored the wildly popular 12-book teen series with her daughter, Jennifer. The series, “Inspirational Short Stories and Encouragement on Life, Love, Friendship and Tough Issues—has more than 2 million books in print worldwide. She has even written two children's books with her granddaughter Kendahl.

Women of Distinction When I asked Bettie what motivates the tenor of her writing she said, “It's the mindset that it’s our honor, as much as it is our obligation, to help others see their lives in the most positive light possible. I would want that to reign.”

Her book success lead to Hampton Roads Publishing creating an imprint in her name. However, in time, Bettie wanted to have more control over the message.

“I’d met so many interesting people doing important and purpose-filled things, and wanted to champion their work, especially capture that belief in the indomitability of the human spirit. So I created my own publishing company (Bettie Youngs Book Publishing Co.) to bring readers a line of books about fascinating people and their remarkable journeys, narratives of powerful and insightful experiences that allowed them to create new paths and to live more fully, creatively, and abundantly. Moreover, I wanted to produce them in the formats people wish to access; be it print, ebook, audible or film. In today’s times, we can literally reach readers most anywhere in the world.

With the click of a button, we can translate content not only into the reader's native language, but in the reader’s format of choice, be it Large Print, Braille, DAISY, or interactive formats that readers can manipulate themselves to navigate between text and audio.

And we can upload them most anywhere around the world via Espresso Book Machine®. It's a fascinating technology.

"At Bettie Youngs Books, we focus primar-

ily on Memoirs and have some amazing titles. The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Behind It, for example, spans some 70 years, is a period piece, so is too unwieldy for a feature film but would work as a television mini-series. We've just done an Appalachia Trail adventure by writer

said that from space, the earth looks like a small blue marble laying on a piece of black velvet, so fragile.

And to think that so many people are at war or causing harm to others, it's unimaginable. Especially with the birth of my grandchild, I am REenergized more than ever by the notion that we must

Photo By Martin Mann Photography

Jane Congdon, "How the Wild Effect Turned me into a Hiker at 69"—that's been riding the wave as #1 on audible and ebook in a couple of categories on Amazon.

We're in film right discussion on that now.”

Well traveled, Bettie has been around the world twice and has always had that adventurous spirit, which was part of the reason that this Iowa girl ended up in San Diego. “It's a small world, really. However, I'm still dazzled by it, and perplexed, too, of course. My friend and astronaut Steve Smith

each do all we can to care for one another—and this little blue “marble” we call Mother Earth."

One of the most notable events in Bettie’s life was when Millard and Linda Fuller, founders of Habitat for Humanity, invited her to a think-tank group called the Renaissance Weekend.

Her friendship with the Fullers led to them inviting her to Nepal since they were building homes there.

She accepted the invitation and has since built homes literally around the world with them. Bettie was in-

strumental in the launch of their “All-Women’s Build” in Coachella Valley. Bettie shares, “The publicity and excitement of this event inspired us to take it a step further, and the following year we held the "First Ladies Build" which included all living president's wives from First Lady Hillary Clinton to Rosalynn Carter. In addition, we had a full house of Governor's wives, from Kentucky’s first lady Libby Jones to Oklahoma’s first lady Cathy Keating—along with many other women in influential positions; the effort grew to be an official Habitat for Humanity program, and now in practice around the world. Since then women volunteers have constructed thousands of homes around the world."

As Habitat for Humanity grew, so did their objectives.

“Millard Fuller believed that the most effective solutions come when communities create locally-led projects.

He saw Habitat as a grassroots movement (at the time we’d grown Habitat to a 70+ country presence) while the corporate sponsors saw its mass appeal for gaining exposure for their brands and pushed for a more top-down management-focused organization. Hence, the Fuller’s started The Fuller Center for Housing International which today has 70+ covenant partners across the United States and Canada, and with 20 international partners in foreign countries. There are some 12+ foreign country builds going on as we speak.”

Bettie served on their Board of Directors for a number of years. She then founded The Fuller Center for Housing, San Diego in 2008 and within months they had

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Women of Distinction partnered with the City of San Diego; Urban Corps of San Diego; and, Community Housing Works to renovate homes in City Heights that needed both interior and exterior repair. These renovations added to both the comfort of families, as well as a much-needed facelift for the community.

Bettie shares, “Wanting to test the wings of other models for helping local families get on their feet, our continued partnerships within the community involved acquiring four blighted homes and renovating them to the fullest

extent possible. With the help of local agencies, we identified four families in need of housing and moved them into our four homes. It was a 5-year experiment; our key mission was aimed at ourselves: to feel a great responsibility to assist each family in becoming productive members of their community—stable and thriving, competent and confident. That is exactly what happened. Helping these four families is one of the most satisfying "give-backs" for which I've been involved.”

If by now you have not fallen in love with this woman you do not have a heart! With a desire to help her “fellow travelor” and strong professional background as a professor, entrepreneur, Publisher, and all-around great person, Bettie continues on her trajectory in her leadership role for the California Ballet Association. When Bettie speaks of this honor, you can hear the excitement she exudes. "Yes, it's thrilling to be a part of this truly historical company and with its exciting and fresh and innovative plans for growth and expansion in the years ahead. First, there is the honor and appreciation for California Ballet's rich 50-year history

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and its Founder, Maxine Mahon, who oversaw the growth of the California Ballet School into one of the largest academies of professional dance in California, with three locations and over 800 students.”

California Ballet School is among the largest professionally staffed schools of dance on the West Coast.

The faculty have impressive performance backgrounds and have danced with many of the most prestigious companies in the country. California Ballet is poised to continue its reign as the premier ballet company not only San Diego County, but Southern California. From their state-of-theart Main Center in Kearny Mesa to their three branch facilities in Liberty Station, Point Loma, and La Mesa, California Ballet is the industry leader in the performing arts in Southern California.

Bettie is extremely excited about the year ahead. "Mega-watt talent Jared Nelson has just been named as Artistic Director; Jared has danced for presidents and first ladies from George H.W. Bush to Barack Obama. Jared brings incredible new life and pizzazz to the company; he was a principal dancer for over 20 years and danced for the Washington Ballet in DC and the Boston Ballet among others. A choreographer bar none, he originally came to San Diego to bring The Great Gatsby to the Civic Theatre for California Ballet. At the helm of California Ballet is Michael Andrew Currey who joins California Ballet following a six-month search led by the company’s board of trustees and founding director Maxine Mahon. Christopher Wixom, MD who heads the Advisory Board has assembled an impressive

team of San Diego’s power-players to help launch the new Season. Deloitte’s Bill Byers, a former Board member on the Washington D.C. Ballet, also joins the Board of Directors as an Officer. "It is an exciting group and a phenomenal Ballet company, and we’re having a lot of fun.”

California Ballet springs into action on Nov 9 and 10 at the Balboa Theatre with Noche Latina, the world premiere of Jared's interpretation of the fiery Bolero featuring a live Cu-ban Band—and with a full-on party on stage after the performance. Then leading into the holiday season, we can look forward to their rendition of the Nutcracker, again at the City Theatre with performances December 14-23, 2018. California Ballet's Nutcracker is not to be missed, a truly glittering production; under the baton of Music Director John Stubbs, Tchaikovsky's extravagant score comes to life with the San Diego Symphony.

With all of these accomplishments under her belt it is not surprising that in 2006, Dr. Bettie Youngs was a recipient of the San Diego Business Journal’s “Woman Who Mean Business” and is now on the panel of Judges for this prestigious honor.

Although this was a great honor to Bettie, one of her greatest joys is being mom to her daughter Jennifer and Grandmother to her 13-year-old Granddaughter Kendahl, who is the light of her life.

If this article proves one thing, it’s that San Diego is home to some fabulous women—and Bettie is one of them! Thank you, Bettie, for all that you do and continue to do. You certainly help to make San Diego a better place.

Image Courtesy of California Ballet

Women of Distinction

I

T NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE me the number of truly distinguished women we have living in San Diego. This issue of San Diego Woman is focusing on education, and I had the pleasure of interviewing Analia Mendez, who just happens to be one of those distinguished women. Analia has been in the higher educational system for over seventeen years. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself here so let’s start from the beginning.

Analia was born to immigrant parents in the northern California city of Modesto on July 27th. I left off the year on purpose, it is not a typo.

Although since I am older than dirt, she seems like a baby to me. She joined a large family consisting of 5 girls and 2 boys and was the third in line of siblings. She is the first female in her family to graduate from college first with a BA in Psychology, then a Masters in Counseling. Not too shabby from a kid who was raised in the small town of Riverbank, California.

Analia hit the ground running as they say, whoever they are, and began guiding and counseling college students with career choices and the required classes to achieve their goals. Of course, along the way, I’m sure her shoulder was used many times to shed a tear or two.

Variations of the title Director of Career Education and Advising have been on her college office doors in 3 different states. The explanation of why Analia worked in so many states has to do with her other job. She is a United State Marine Wife, yup all caps, not a typo. This is a title she is very proud of, and I applaud her service to our country. Many people forget when a Marine is deployed to a new post their family is also deployed.

Each time her Marine husband was sent to his new

Analia Mendez

SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED

By Carol Heath Photos by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

post, Analia would pack up the house, and her two sons, and follow. That meant setting up a new household, finding new schools for the boys, and a new job for Analia. Sounds like tons of fun, but she did it willingly as she knew that this was the life of any mate that was married to someone in the Armed Forces.

Master Sergeant Valdivieso has now retired from the Marine Corps. and Analia is also ready for the next stage of her life. She is presently still The Director of Career Education and Advising at UCSD, but is about to transition into her new career.

Analia has started a brand new career, well, sort of, it is still advising and coun-seling, but no longer college students.

Analia found a void in the career-transitioning world, and she has now filled up that hole.

Her new business is Signature Careers; a virtual offering, that makes it very easy to get all the necessary information received, then processed and delivered. That is a very simple explanation of what Analia is doing for adults, who are for various reasons, wanting to transition into another career.

In case you have checked out of the world lately, you may not have noticed that

more and more older adults have to work longer and longer before they can retire.

Often times these adults find it very difficult to find employment. They may have already retired from a job, they may be tired of the job they have and are ready for a change, the list goes on, but the result is in order to transition into another career, they need help.

It’s hard to know where to start as things have changed so much in the corporate and non-corporate world of employment opportunities. Take me for example, when I got my first job fresh out of high school the electric light was just coming into its’ own and, not really but again you get my drift. Analia has never been away from the ever-changing career opportunities that exist in today’s marketplace.

Signature Careers is a natural next step for Analia, and she hasn’t forgotten her roots so to speak. Although Analia and her staff can help anyone transition into a new career, Analia focuses on active duty military personnel about to retire. That shouldn’t surprise anybody as much of her life was spent as a military wife.

Analia coaches men and women who are still in the service of their country, and

counsels and advises them on the many opportunities they might have in the job market. Many of these men and women are not aware of the training they have had while serving and how that training can relate or fill a need in the job marketplace. Analia is the perfect person for this job, because she has been training for it almost all her life.

Analia has a certain grace when she talks about helping adults transition careers, almost like a ballerina dancing to Swan Lake or the like. It seems so natural for her and her commitment to helping service men and women and civilians is genuine and sincere.

If you are at that stage of your life when you are ready for that next career Analia Mendez and Signature Careers is here to help.

Signature Careers: https:// www.signaturecareers.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaturecareers/ Instagram: @signaturecareers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/analiamendez Phone: (858) 353-8845

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Ask Dr.K!

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Yale Kadesky

Local plastic surgeon Dr. Yale Kadesky has pioneered an innovative technique that is giving San Diego women art like makeovers, nipping and tucking, lifting eyelids and saggy tummies empowering them to stay looking young and vibrant gracefully!

Dr. Kadesky, an award-winning plastic surgeon, made Escondido the home of his boutique private practice. Conveniently located, when you enter his office, his love of art, architecture, and family are quickly revealed. He calls his passions and practice “The H-Art of Plastic Surgery.” His patients rave about his bedside manner, care, and makeover results. Dr. Kadesky draws from a diverse and unique background to create the affordable, realistic transformations his patients seek.

Graduating from John Hopkins Medical School, he is a fully qualified general and plastic surgeon. He is a Former Chief of Plastic Surgery. He helped pioneer Liposuction and the “Seamless” Breast Reduction technique. He also has specialized experience in understanding how skin grows, heals and ages. One area of specialty surgery was from his time working in the burn field. He treated almost 400 burns in just one year, including two marines who had third-degree burns to 85% of their bodies.

These decades of experience have laid the foundation for his keen eye and skilled hands that create the masterpiece of you.

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San Diego women benefit from this unique mix of skills to wind back the clock 20 to 30 years using life-saving breast cancer plastic surgery techniques to tackle aging.

A huge advocate for gracefully and artfully maintaining youthful vibrancy, Dr. Kadesky answers questions on one area that he often answers in his practice: Q: Is there one feature that first reveals aging that is easy to change to maintain a youthful appearance?

A: The eyes have it! Yes, sagging upper eyelids and baggy lower eyelids create the impression that you are older than you really are. We have a few seconds to make a great first impression.

The eyes are called the “Windows to the Soul” because we focus on people’s eyes to understand what’s going on inside their mind/spirit. Sags and bags make the person look tired and worn down.

Also, the beautiful color of the eyes is hidden in the shadow of these upper eyelid curtains.

Q: What can be done about eyelids that are sagging and making women appear older?

A: In our office, we regularly perform amazing transformations with our Mona Lisa Package. This is a blended approach to restoring a more youthful look to the entire face and neck in women. The Mona Lisa includes an eye lift. We also can focus only on the eyes.

The eyelid tuck, medically called blepharoplasty, is performed in a fully accredited ambulatory surgical suite located in my office. This procedure is effective, safe, painless, fast, affordable, and with almost invisible scarring.

I understand the concerns of how women want to be seen; beautiful and confident with themselves. Opening up the beauty of the eyes by artfully removing the puffy upper eyelids and baggy lower eyelids and restoring a healthy plumpness, my fully registered surgical team cares for you through the whole process. Twilight sedation or general anesthesia keep you relaxed and pain-free during the entire procedure.

As an artist myself, when I perform these makeovers, I am always intentional

and mindful of making sure scars are beautifully hidden in the natural upper eyelid fold and just below the lower eyelid lashes. We want people to see the beauty of you!

Q: Does insurance cover eyelid surgery?

A: Patients with upper eyelids that obstruct vision can get a visual field examination by their eye doctor. If the visual field of view “cuts” are significant, insurance may cover the procedure.

Lower eyelids are only covered if the lid doesn’t make normal contact with the eyeball. We accept insurances and have affordable payment options when insurance does not cover a procedure.

Q: What’s the post-op care?

A: Recovery is easy and quick. It involves three post-op days of cold compresses to the eyes to resolve bruising and swelling. On day 4, you can resume light activities with sunglasses and some makeup. In 2 weeks, your eyes are big, beautiful and bright. You look energized, fresh, youthful, healthy and inspired!

BIO: Yale Mitchell Kadesky, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon in North County, San Diego who calls his practice the “H-Art of Plastic Surgery.”

The reason - He combines his great artistry with his very caring Heart to give his patients what is in their very best interest. He has a solution for every body – and face!

Have more questions about plastic surgery? Contact “Dr.K” at ykadeskyofc@gmail.com or schedule a complimentary appointment at (760) 7415466.

He would also love to see you at the Successful Aging Expo October 27, 2018, at Town and Country 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108.

Stop by his booth to meet him in person.

Women of Distinction

Dr. Tess & Dr. James

BUILDING BLOCKS TO BRAIN HEALTH

By Judith A. Habert

Photos by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

T

HEIR BACKGROUNDS couldn’t have been more different. Dr. Tess Mauricio came from humble beginnings.

Born in the Philippines and the oldest of four children, her family immigrated to the United States when she was 12. “My mother and father worked night and day to try to make ends meet, and I took on the role of caretaker to my three younger siblings. My father had a heart attack in his 40s and then sustained a back injury, and I watched my mom

single-handedly support the family and keep things going through these tough times. I think this is where I get my drive.”

Dr. James Lee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of two physicians; his father, an OB-GYN and his mother, a family practitioner. From an early age, James knew he wanted to go to medical school – he grew up listening to his parents discuss their professions around the dinner table and quickly developed his own passion for medicine. In pursuit of his dream to be a doctor, he chose to spend his undergraduate years at Yale University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and confirmed his aptitude and love for science. Taking his education to the next level, James attended Stanford University School of Medicine from 1994 to 1999 where he met Tess.

Tess, on the other hand, was awarded a scholarship from NCR (National Cash Register) and decided to attend UCSD to study electrical engineering. During this time she realized her true love of medicine and drummed up the courage to tell NCR that she wanted to be a doctor instead of an engineer. To her surprise, they agreed to honor her scholarship – Tess excelled and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Like James, Tess decided that Stanford University’s medical program was the right choice, and NCR supported her studies there as well.

During their first year at Stanford, Tess and James were

thrown together as lab partners.

They worked side by side over a cadaver, which was hardly a romantic setting, but the two promising young medical students soon fell in love. James laughs as he recalls that time in their life, “My joke about how we met was that I guess I looked and smelled better than the cadaver, so I got her attention.” Tess adds, “James had a habit of humming while he was dissecting. I love to sing, so I knew we had something in common, plus I thought he was cute.” Music was a big part of her life and helped to hold her family together during tough times, which led her to organize the first Stanford Medical School talent show and she asked James to sing a duet with her.

Their duet led to dating and the couple married while still in medical school. At the completion of his training, Dr. James became a prominent anesthesiologist in San Diego, and Dr. Tess pursued dermatology, becoming known as “America’s Favorite Dermatologist” with multiple locations of M Beauty Clinic throughout San Diego and on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles.

Life was good. They started to grow their family with the birth of their daughter Jana, now a student at Stanford, and son Michael, who is only 12 but already well-advanced for his age. Little did they know that their storybook life would soon come to a crashing halt.

One Sunday in March 2010, Dr. James was finishing a case – the surgeon was preparing to close up and finish and asked Dr. James to give the patient appropriate medication. Dr. James picked up the bottle and inspected it to ensure it was the correct medication, and suddenly he felt a pop behind his left eye, followed by sudden vision impairment. He saw only purple and the faded images of the physician whose

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Women of Distinction surgery he was attending. The medical staff knew something was wrong as Dr. James fell to his knees. Even in this impaired state he was able to complete his job and wake the patient after which, he and the patient were both wheeled out of the operating room on stretchers.

A battery of tests followed, finally leading to a shocking diagnosis – he had a brain tumor on his pituitary gland. He recounts, “They put me on chemo and the next six to nine months were a living hell. I lost function, and my peripheral vision was severely affected. I was still awake on the inside, but that was tough to discern for anyone looking at me.

My wife would watch me stand at the sink with my toothbrush in one hand and the toothpaste in the other, and I wouldn’t know what to do.” Since the pituitary gland controls so many different areas, including the disbursement of hormones in our system, Dr. James experienced a multitude of negative side effects from the tumor, some emotional and some functional. The medication affected his emotions, and the tumor gave him the hormones to the likeness of a pregnant woman.

It was tough for his wife to witness the complete transformation occur of her husband and the father of her children. “Before the diagnosis, I thought he was going crazy. I thought he had early onset dementia. His mood changed, and he had fits of rage and frustration. James had a loss of energy and interest in anything and slipped into a severe depression.”

I had to ask Dr. Tess how she managed to deal with seeing her husband go through this.

She answers, “There was definitely a lot of fear, uncertainty, and sadness because I felt like I lost that person I knew and loved … I suppose my feelings were similar to those who have had family members suffering from dementia.

Then there was also the financial burden of having a husband unable to work and provide income, so I took over that responsibility. Thankfully I had experienced this growing up and looked back on how my mother handled it all, so I knew I could. I was also blessed with a great family whom all came together to help during this time, and between

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this and my strong faith in God, I knew He would see me through these rough times. I prayed so many times during the day for strength and guidance. I also believed that there is a reason for everything. On the outside, I hid what was going on. I felt there was no sense in being negative. I knew I was blessed I had healthy children, a great husband, a great career, a supportive network of family and friends and a profession that I knew would support my family. So I was operating from a place of gratitude and a belief that this was all happening for a reason.”

Dr. James recounts, “I was going through such a tough period that at one point, life just didn’t matter to me. Not that I didn’t care. I could argue it either way, I could live, or I could die. That’s how far gone I was. I thought I had married, I had procreated, and I had done what I was supposed to do as a being on this planet. So if I disappeared it wouldn’t matter.”

Between the medicine and the chemotherapy, he felt scattered and disoriented but tried to deal with it as best he could. “I thought, okay let me just be retired, I will play golf, but that didn’t even work. When your brain isn’t func-

tioning there isn’t much you can do. I had no memory of my score or how I played the week before. I was unable to communicate with any friends since I didn’t remember them.”

Feeling imprisoned, he believed he could hear himself thinking and trying to complete tasks, but it took so much time, and it hurt to do anything that required more than one step. Others noticed he was slow, lethargic, and didn’t move well. He now recalls his thought process, “I’m still here, I’m still thinking, I’m still working, but it’s like in the highway of my brain, seven lanes were shut down, and only three were working. I needed to figure out how to reorganize those three open lanes, but that’s not enough, I need to build new lanes.” Based on his knowledge of the brain and new understanding of the learning process, Dr. James knew that if he were to recover his missing brain function, it would require that he be meticulous in building the foundation.

Motivated by the love for his family and the desire to be a good husband and father, he reached out to his father for guidance and the family began the healing process together. He had to relearn everything that was previously second nature to him. He remembers telling himself, “I need to give my body what it needs. I know medicine, I know biochemistry and biophysics so let’s go back and try to fix my brain. I focused on the bio-nutrients that I knew my body required. When thinking about the body, you think about all the things the body needs or uses when the brain is active or to create an active brain.

Supplements give our body what it’s missing from our diet, what we should be taking in. How do we get all this working? We need the right mix of amino acids supplied to neurotransmitters, the right mix of vitamins, minerals, and your metabolic fires are working. Tess and I explored supplementation and searched desperately for the ingredients that we knew, based on our medical knowledge and expertise, were most essential to improving brain function.”

Dr. James was relentless “I didn’t care how long it took – I was going to track down the solution.

Women of Distinction First, I started eating to feed my brain. Our brain uses about 25-30% of the calories we take in, so I wanted to be sure my diet gave my brain what it needed. This had to go further than diet. I had to add in the elements that my brain and body required to repair the injury it had sustained.”

This personal experience motivated them to create something that could not only help support overall brain health, but also help others perform at their highest potential, and that something was Liveli. Liveli is a collection of more than 70 ingredients assembled

Designed to complement one another, Liveli’s three unique formulas – FOCUS Clearli™, SLEEP Peacefulli™, and RESTORE Dayli™ – are designed to support brain health and function.

SLEEP Peacefulli™ features ingredients that help you sleep so you can wake up refreshed. Dr. Tess adds, “My life is hectic. As a doctor, as a woman, as a business owner, as a mother, I thank God for Liveli, since I started taking it, I feel so much better.” Dr. James suggests taking this supplement when brushing your teeth in the evening. “By the time you are done

into specific, holistic formulations, many of them backed by diligent science, and intended for the sole purpose of improving brain health. Dr. James says, “I’ve broken them up into a system of three unique products, each one designed to help the brain navigate its various phases in different cycles.”

Dr. Tess believed in her husband’s method and approach to supplementation and supported him throughout the whole process. “Looking back at my belief that everything happens for a reason, I now know I was right. Out of James’ illness came the inspiration to create the Liveli brain health supplementation system. The reason for the tragedy he suffered was so James could create a program to revolutionize brain health and provide these products to help others.”

with your evening routine, you can lay in bed with soft lighting or no lighting, and feel like you can naturally fall asleep.”

To achieve our peak potential, we need targeted nourishment that helps our neurons communicate effectively and fire throughout the day. RESTORE Dayli™ is Liveli’s multivitamin formula with ingredients that help nourish the brain and support cognition. Dr. James suggests taking this supplement in the morning when you are brushing your teeth.

“When you’re sharper, steadier and simply clear, you can make the most of your time. That’s how we make the most of ourselves,” says Dr. James. FOCUS Clearli™ has ingredients that help activate the brain when it needs to be

working and concentrating. He recommends people take FOCUS Clearli™, after lunch, “I think it’s better and more effective than a cup of coffee with sugar, which only lasts about an hour and a half before our bodies crash.”

One of my main questions was, why doesn’t our body get this stuff normally? Why do we need help? Dr. Tess explains, “If our diets matched our lifestyles, we wouldn’t need any help.

In our modern world, we are using our brains in ways we never have before – reading emails all day, watching videos all day, being on the phone all day. Liveli’s formulations help provide the brain with many of these natural elements, as many are supported by rigorous science.”

Dr. James adds, “Liveli is not meant to combat a particular disease, it is designed to give you the building blocks and essential minerals to give your body and brain as much as science has to offer to function optimally, so the body can do what it needs to combat disease. Some of the scariest diseases that most of us fear, such as dementia and Alzheimers, are linked to not having good sleep or dealing with things like jet lag.”

The two doctors believe in this product so strongly that they’ve made a believer out of their 19-year-old daughter, Jana, who is a sophomore at Stanford with a hectic and stressful schedule. I would also like to add that I am personally a huge supporter and user of the Liveli supplements. I have mentioned in previous issues, I suffer from severe and constant tinnitus and rarely got a night’s sleep until I started taking these products.

Dr. Tess was right when she said there is a reason for everything. Dr. James explains, “As I started getting better, I knew one thing – I wanted to share with the world not only the product, but how I came to it. I am not just a physician, but a patient who has survived a very dark time in my life and because of this I am now a better person.”

Liveli products are available directly from their site at https://jointhelivelihood.com/.

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A

s a businesswoman, I’ve long said that profit is not a four-letter word. Indeed if a business isn’t making a profit, it’s not really a business. It’s a hobby or perhaps just a waste of time. Profit is used to keep the business going as well as to provide a living for its owners. And that’s the point, but what about a for-profit school?

As an educator, I’m against them. In my experience, they promise things that cannot be delivered.

And their promises are what attracts people to them. Mainly, they promise to educate quickly. And some things just cannot be done in a hurry. But for this promise, they charge a great deal. And people pay.

Unfortunately, they often don’t deliver. A close friend of mine who got her MBA with me went to work for a well-known for-profit school that offered nursing degrees. As an RN herself, my friend was an excellent choice for them as an administrator.

However, she didn’t stay long after she discovered that over 70% of their graduates failed the state boards. Some things just cannot be learned overnight. They take time.

And the suggested time it takes has been changing for years. Nursing was my first career choice as a young woman, and the route to becoming a nurse was different back in the 60s. Prior to that time, one learned on the job at a teaching hospital. Gen-

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FOR-PROFIT EDUCATION

By Sharon Hightower erally, it took three years.

The big deal of the 60s was the plan for the community college (called a junior college back then) to offer a two-year degree. After which, one could take the state boards. Today, an RN requires a four year Bachelor of Science degree.

Other career paths were changing as well. A decade later when my husband got out of the service, he wanted to follow his childhood dream of being a cop and soon discovered

that he would need a two year administration of justice degree before applying.

Previously, becoming a policeman was more like the military. One attended a boot camp sort of training and then learned the trade on the job, if you will.

The routes to a vocation continue to change.

High schools used to have lots of vocational training opportunities. Today, they don’t offer many. The community college has taken that path over. And more

and more jobs require a college degree of some sorts. And more and more for-profit schools offer a range of choices.

Not all vocations require a degree, however.

My younger brother is a plumber. He learned the trade on the job with a former boss. And he still makes fun of me. With all my college degrees vs. him without any. And he earns more in a month than I do in several. So, if its income that concerns you, you need to plan carefully.

You also need to consider the expense side. The for-profit schools do not come cheaply and have not been for some time. My daughter’s friend went after a license as an anesthesiologist’s assistant some 20 years ago. The for-profit school she was attending cost $9,000 when the same credential was being offered by the local community college for something like $20 per unit, but she was in a hurry.

I think lots of career paths could do without the traditional liberal arts education offered by most four year schools, and I’d like to see the return of vocational arts in high school, but it is what it is. As young people and old alike embark on a new career path, they must weigh the pros and cons. A traditional school can lead you in a variety of directions, but you will get what you pay for. Not so in the for-profit arena. Beware. Be careful.

Hard Work, Exceptional Results Dreams are Goals! Sometimes, we don’t learn that until later in life. Agustin Cardenas, as a child learned that his goal was to work hard and accomplish exceptional results.

Cardenas got introduced into the agricultural field in the United States when he was a teenager.

Cardenas expresses, “I had no ambition, all I had in mind was that I was here to work hard and that is what I focused on.

With time my hard work paid off. I took on a few opportunities that life presented before me. I received the opportunity to work during the day and go to school in the evenings. I was able to complete high school obtaining my GED and continued on to college.” Cardenas explains he learned to see and use money as a tool.

He is now a successful farmer who grows nectars in the San Juaquín Valley.

He grows and produces in order to send his harvestings to a packaging company, who distributes his produce among grocery stores.

Another great practice that Cardenas has is taking good care of his team. He cares for the people who work for him. His helpers admire and respect him because they have learned his story and realized that not everyone accomplishes what Agustin has. "He is a great boss, he understands that good work takes time, and he doesn't push us around or put pressure on us. We all know what we are supposed to do and as a result, we get things done.

He takes the time to teach us about labor laws and how to use things in order for me to teach the rest of the crew and continue producing great organic fruit”, his foreman explains. He adds, "he treats us with respect, and therefore he receives great results when we harvest."

Agustin Cardenas is an inspiration to follow. He is an excellent example for those who believed that they had to settle. Too many people set their mind on the negative, and because of that, they think that dreams are impossible to accomplish. Employers have offered him opportunities, and he took them. Agustin followed his dream and with hard work has achieved many of his goals.

Cardenas Farms Article and Photos by Maggie Ramos

1 559-905-7459

Trabajo duro, resultados excepcionales ¡Los sueños son metas! A veces, lo aprendemos hasta más adelante en la vida. Agustín Cárdenas, cuando era niño, aprendió que su objetivo era trabajar duro y lograr resultados excepcionales.

Cárdenas conoció los campos agrícolas en los Estados Unidos cuando era un adolescente.

Cárdenas expresa: "No tenía ambición, todo lo que tenía en mente era que estaba aquí para trabajar duro y eso es en lo que me enfoque". Con el tiempo, mi arduo trabajo valió la pena. Tomé algunas oportunidades que la vida me presentó.

Recibí la oportunidad de trabajar durante el día e ir a la escuela por las noches. Pude completar mi escuela secundaria obteniendo mi GED y continué en la universidad ".

Cárdenas explica que aprendió a ver y a usar el dinero como una herramienta.

Ahora es un agricultor exitoso que cultiva néctares en el Valle de San Joaquín. Crece y produce para enviar sus cosechas a una empacadora profesional que distribuye los frutos a los supermercados.

Otra gran práctica que tiene Cárdenas es cuidar bien a su equipo de empleados. Él se preocupa por las personas que trabajan para él. Sus ayudantes lo admiran y lo respetan porque han conocido su historia y se dan cuenta de que no todos logran lo que Agustín a logrado. "Es un gran jefe, entiende que el buen trabajo lleva tiempo y no nos empuja ni nos presiona. Todos sabemos lo que debemos hacer y hacemos el trabajo.

Se toma el tiempo para enseñarme sobre las leyes laborales y cómo usar las cosas para que yo sé las enseñe al resto de el equipo laboral para seguir produciendo una gran fruta orgánica ", explica el mayordomo. Él agrega, "él nos trata con respeto y por lo tanto, él recibe grandes resultados cuando cosechamos".

Agustín Cárdenas es una inspiración a seguir. Él es un excelente ejemplo para aquellos que creen que se tienen que conformar y muchas personas se implantan pensamientos negativos que los sueños son imposibles de realizar. Los empleadores de Agustín le ofrecieron oportunidades y el las aprovechó para bien. Agustín persiguió su sueño y trabajando duro a logrado muchas de sus metas.

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Women of Distinction

REENA B. PATEL, LEP, BCBA Author, Advocate, And AutiZm CEO Photos Courtesy of Reena B. Patel

“To gain knowledge and strength through study and experience, while laughing along the journey, to better support our family and friends in an effort to serve society.”

This is the family mission statement of Reena B. Patel, LEP, BCBA, and it’s not just what she and her husband preach to their three curiously active children, it’s what she practices - day in and day out for the benefit of all types of children in her community and beyond. It’s precisely how and why she’s gotten to where she is today professionally, personally and academically, and how she plans to get to where she’s going tomorrow. And it’s what drives every action she takes in her life, constantly reminding her of what her core values are.

For more than 20 years, Ms. Patel has had the privilege of working with families and children supporting all aspects of education and positive wellness as a Guidance Counselor, Licensed Educational Psychologist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Ms. Patel has worked extensively with typically developing children as well as with children with

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exceptional needs, supporting their academic, behavioral and social development.

It all started while in graduate school when Ms. Patel was working at UCLA’s NeuroPsychiatric Hospital’s Early Childhood Partial Day Program. It was here when Ms. Patel first worked with children with Autism, “I realized my love for special needs children and how I wanted to support them through their educational journey and work with families to make sure they had access to everything a typically developing child would.” From then on, Ms. Patel was on a mission to make sure that all children are included no matter what.

She began to hone in on identifying any limiting factors whether it be learning challenges, physical impairments, and/or social/emotional difficulties by working in schools. Ms. Patel successfully created Autism programs, conducted ongoing training in Behavior Interventions for District Administrators, Teachers, and Staff, created District Behavior Training Modules (teacher and instructional assistants), implemented parent education trainings to assist with generalization of educational skills and positive behaviors across settings, conducted comprehensive Psycho-Educational and Functional Behavioral Assessments and so much more.

And then, she wanted to do more. “I wanted to help identify the factors and

help provide the strategies and interventions to get our children the resources they need to succeed in life,” says Ms. Patel. So she decided to start her own company doing just that.

As Founder and CEO of AutiZm & More, Ms. Patel serves to help children and their families embed positive behavior support strategies across home, school and community settings. Her company strives to improve the quality of life for children of special needs and all individuals involved within the social network of a child with special needs.

She routinely holds workshops throughout California, guiding and training parents, mental health professionals, families and educators on the purpose of inclusion and how it can be beneficial for all children by focusing on positive behavior support at home and in the classroom, parent education, academic and social emotional interventions, and truly understanding special education.

Of course, she didn’t stop there, true to her family mission statement, Ms. Patel wanted to serve society in a more direct, meaningful manner. She wanted to take her positive message of kindness and compassion to more than just the special needs families she was already helping. She wanted to take her message to the masses.

That’s when the idea of writing children’s stories came about, “I want to teach an overall theme of compassion and kindness. Through my practice and when working with clients in therapy, I

see that the earlier we teach and work on this the better. Why not start with our children?” Through her practice, Ms. Patel also found it difficult to find resources that address everyday challenges through the lens of a child’s eye and written in a story format with practical tools that help educators and parents.

Her first two stories, published by Kind Eye Publishing, LLC, help to fill that void. “My Friend Max: A Story About a Friend with Autism” tells the story about a young boy with Autism and his typically developing best friend and how we can learn to create bonds no matter what our differences may be by learning the proper ways to communicate.

“Winnie & Her Worries”, released just this past month, offers an anxiety relief toolbox for children and their caretakers in an easy to understand story format. It is Ms. Patel’s hope to use these stories to start a dialogue to help address crucial topics such as inclusion, compassion, friendships, and working through stress and anxiety.

Of course, all of these professional ambitions don’t come easy, especially when having to deal with the reality of creating that work/life balance. Ms. Patel says, “As a parent, the work/life balance is always a juggle because I am devoted to and love it all… however, you do not have to sacrifice one area in your life to do another.” Ms. Patel continues to strive for the best in all areas of her life. She is nominated for San Diego Magazine “Woman of the Year”, she continues to write children’s stories, provides unmatched support to her community and beyond via her private practice and training, and she will always be an advocate, educator and support to school districts.

As Ms. Patel contends, “There is never an end to learning.” Her journey is far from over, and she plans on enjoying every moment of it.

“My Friend Max: A Story About a Friend With Autism” & “Winnie & Worries: An Anxiety Relief Toolbox for Children and their Caretakers” are available via Amazon.com and on Kind Eye Publishing’s online store at www.KindEyePublishing.com For more information regarding Reena B. Patel or her programs please visit www.AutiZmandMore.com

Herstory

By Sharon Hightower

I hadn’t particularly thought about the worldview as a young person and not really as a young adult, but I came face-to-face with the man's view when I applied to the local university.

I had graduated with an AA some 12 years after finishing high school, and I'd been satisfied with that, but I was in the field of accounting, and many people felt I should have a bachelor's degree even though I had years of experience and had even owned my own bookkeeping company. Nonetheless, at some point, I gave in and decided to get the 4-year degree.

At the time, there was a department at the school that was in charge of verifying that incoming juniors had indeed met all the requirements for the two years of undergraduate work. The folks at the community college had assured me that the history course I took, which was titled “Herstory" would indeed be credited as the U.S. History course that was required.

Ah. Not so. Au contraire. The university would not accept Herstory in lieu of History. The herstory course was fascinating in that it presented women’s role in the building of this country. And it turns out we were quite involved – long before Rosie the Riveter. For instance, a woman actually finished Paul Revere’s famous ride. Anyway, I immensely enjoyed it and was pleased not to have to take yet another history course. I mean how many times do we study history in school?

Anyway, the woman who did my review was adamant, so I had to take U.S. History 101 before she would accept my application to the university.

I think folks may be more flexible nowadays, but rules were rigid then. You didn’t spit in the wind. You didn’t have sex before marriage.

And you didn’t fight city hall.

It may have been the first time I truly realized it was a man's world, but it surely wasn't the last.

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HALEY ATTIG

By Nini Hodge Head Writer San Diego Kids Section

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HIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT an FFA (Future Farmers of America) superstar Haley Attig, she is 16 years old and attends El Cap high school in Lakeside. Besides her stellar participation in FFA, she also does cheer and receives near-perfect grades. She comes from a long line of animal people in her family, her brother Troy is a rodeo star and shows his animals through 4H and her mom Darcey is a renowned horse trainer who trains and shows morgens, saddlebreds, and fresions.

Haley has also competed and won at the Morgan Grand National and World championship horse show in Oklahoma. Haley raises pigs, sheep, and other livestock, she discovered her love for showing and raising livestock at a young age several years ago. The animals she raises, and shows, have taken her all over the United States and have taught her about leadership and responsibility. In the last 11 years that she has been involved with FFA, Haley has learned things about the industry and how it impacts society. Haley hopes to use the knowledge she has gained and the information

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she has gathered to share with the public and turn the view of the farming industry from a negative to a positive.

FFA was founded is 1928; however, women were not allowed to join until 1969.

FFA is relevant because whether you want to be an engineer, a doctor, a business owner or a farmer, you need a foundation of leadership skills. Here are a few key factors that FFA has to offer: • The relationships • Preparation • Professional speaking skills • How to prepare to win • How to accept defeat Sadly, a lot of FFA programs are being eliminated in the schools due to budget issues and school administration thinking that it’s not a necessary course, I say how can it NOT be necessary, farming is what sustains the earth and its where our food comes from, not genetically modified labs. Haley says she would like to take her past and future FFA experience and apply it throughout college and in her career.

According to Haley, the FFA is such a fantastic program that isn’t just about animals and that it also includes leadership, speaking to the public as well as judging competitions. “I believe it sets up a person to develop an outstanding work ethic,” Haley says.

Photos Courtesy of Haley Attig

Future Farmers of America Superstar

This year at the Del Mar fair Haley competed in showing her pig and sheep who both won their FFA divisions as well as take over all reserve in market pig and market sheep, this is where they are sold. Haley also won first in her swine showmanship then placing reserve in the master showmanship. Haley is an outstanding student and horsewoman who has been an active member of her community almost her entire life. In her spare time, she helps her mom at River Run Farms in Lakeside, training the horses as well as taking care of various animals. Haley states the lack of knowledge concerning farm to table

plays an extreme roll in today’s society, this has unfortunately negatively affected the FFA programs. What the FFA can do is educate the public more about agriculture and help them understand what FFA is truly about, this is something they have failed to do in the past. It might seem overwhelming to someone who is considering joining FFA; however Haley says “DO IT,” going to the conferences and getting involved with the other kids makes it so worthwhile, she says you will enjoy your time and create a new family. Personally, I can’t wait for high school, I will be joining my schools FFA program for sure. Haley wants

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to pursue a career in the medical field, and if that does not work out, then she will pursue a career in agriculture literacy. On a side note, a fun fact about Haley is that she has toe talent, meaning she can move her toes in odd directions and ways. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors and are sure we will see her succeed in anything she chooses.

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Photo credit: Holly Ireland Dance Dancewear Top: Jo + Jax bottom: Ilogear

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Dancewear: Ilogear

Dancewear:Ilogear

Dancewear: Tiger Friday

Dancewear:Ilogear

Dancewear: Ilogear

Dancewear:Ilogear

Photo credit: Holly Ireland Dance

Dancewear:Ilogear

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The Mah’s

By Sofia Mah Can I let you in on a little secret? But you have to vow never to tell anyone or anything for that matter. Our family, the Mah family, isn't just your ordinary nextdoor-neighbor kind of family. The Mahs are superheroes. Yes, yes, I know it's hard to believe at first, but it is true, no matter how bonkers it may seem to you. See my brother, Matteo, has super speed, which is super helpful because he plays video games a lot. His nickname at school is the dodger. He got his name because he has such fast hand coordination and such quick thinking in video games that he can dodge absolutely anything that comes his way in absolutely any video game. He’s a video game legend! My other brother, Alexio, can travel into anyone’s mind and control what they think, how they act and what they do. So, he gets away with a lot. For example, if Alexio didn’t do his homework, then he can control the teacher’s mind to somehow think that he did his homework, and just give him a one hundred percent. That’s

why he has such great grades!

However, he turns in two or three assignments late and owns up to it, to keep it realistic. I know, this all sounds crazy but hang in there, I’m almost done. Let me talk about my mom now. Actually, let’s talk about my dad. My dad’s power is healing. If someone is injured, all he has to do is think about healing the person, although it looks like he is doing some kind of weird yoga. But, he can truly heal people. Not just physically, but also mentally. If someone is emotionally feeling sad or angry, he can use his special power and make them feel the happiest they have ever felt. I remember one day I got the worst score on my math test out of everyone in my whole entire class.

You could imagine how I felt. But, when I saw my dad, he made me feel the happiest I have ever felt.

And that's his superpower. Now on to my mom. My mom can duplicate herself which means she can be in multiple places at once.

So while she is in a meeting, she is also getting her nails done, and

also spending time with the rest of our family. Which is super helpful on days where she has to run like a thousand errands. Pretty cool huh? Now, for my own superpower. I can create peace in any situation. Whenever my parents argue over something or when my brothers fight, I can create peace and calm the situation. I can also create peace between animals. I never thought that creating peace between animals would ever be useful until last week when I stopped a fight between two pigeons fighting for the same piece of bread. My pets also have superpowers, but I'll tell you about our gravity controlling dog, talking shrimp, shape-shifting pitbull, and flying turtle next time. I think that your brain is fried already, so I don't want to add anything else too crazy for you. Yes, yes, I know that it is always a little hard to believe at first but let it settle in and then it won’t sound so crazy.

But you can't tell anyone that you know the secret of the Mahs.

Promise?

It’s a matter of perspective. Sofia wrote this essay as an introspection into her not so typical family to shine the light on their “superpowers”. She believes that when looking at people or families, you could focus on negativity and limits, but being a superhero is limitless. Sofia’s brother, Alexio, the one who can read minds, has ADHD and is challenged with focus, thus consistently not being able to hand in homework on time or at all (even when he has finished it). Matteo, her other brother, has Cerebral Palsy, mitochondrial disease, and is color blind, so even though he is challenged with running fast, video games allow him to be the avatar he dreams of. Sofia’s mom, leads 6 companies/organizations and manages to be everywhere, but is challenged with schedules that don’t sometimes allow for that. Sofia’s dad, is a stay at home dad after many years in retail management, so this year has been a challenge of transitions, losses, and miracles all rolled into one, and he takes it with a smile and tons of jokes. So this essay is so much more than a story of a superhero family, it’s a story everyone should write about their families. This is what every individual deserves, to be limitless.

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Fabulous Finds Junior BABY BUTZ CREAM Majda Ficko is an amazing woman and an incredible inventor. She saw a need and acted upon it.

Her first child was born with a rare syndrome, Cornelia de Lange, which meant that her son needed to be in diapers 24/7. He spent most of his first three years at Children’s Hospital, and the pharmacy had a formulated diaper cream that helped keep her son’s terrible diaper rash stay under control. When the pharmacy closed, he would suffer. This caused Majda to research how she could come up with a diaper cream for all moms to use to help prevent diaper rash.

POTTY DUCK Potty Training can be one of the most frustrating times for new parents. How do you know if your child is ready for this next step in growing up? Pediatricians say that there are three readiness signs: 1. Dry diaper after a twohour nap 2. Your child follows you to the bathroom 3. Your child can walk, sit down, and stand

Working with a research chemist, she developed a formula that is amazing. Her son has never had diaper rash again in the seven years she has been using it. The

a squirt toy that had a hole in the bottom and after making the toy pee wanted to do the same herself.

Longenecker joined up with pediatrician Dr. Shelly Mann and launched the Potty Duck in 2016 to help kids learn through play and discovery. Since little ones are like sponges, they watch and copy whatever they see.

What is the Potty Duck?

It is a Rubber Duck with a

best part, is everything in Baby Butz Cream is 100% natural. Pediatricians across Canada and the USA are handing out samples of Baby Butz cream to their

hole in the bottom and a flushing toy toilet which has suction cups that adhere to the bathtub. Prior to trying to toilet train your little one, give them the potty duck to play with at bath time. Show your child how to make the duck pee into the toilet and then flush.

Potty Duck turns potty training into a fun and playful experience. As your child plays with Potty Duck

patients, and the cream is being used in several hospital neonatal units.

Licensed with an NPN (natural product number)

by Health Canada and FDA Registered, Baby Butz cream meets the Gold Standard of Pediatricians.

I personally used it on my granddaughter, and I have to tell you that since the first application she has not had one case of diaper rash. If you are looking for a solution to diaper rash, you have just found it.

Ask your pediatrician for a free sample.

For more information go to www.babybutz.com or call 1 877 494 4313

teach him words so he can eventually communicate his need to go potty. Never force your child to sit on a potty, but instead use the Potty Duck as an incentive to do so.

If you are having difficulty with Potty Training, or if it is time to start training and you would like a way to simplify the process go to www.pottyduck.com

Once you see these signs present what do you do next? This is where the Potty Duck comes in. The idea for Potty Duck came when Fred Longenecker’s two-year-old daughter was playing with

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The Adventures of Lusho – THE COMPUTER CAT

By Gerald M. Neff “MEOW”! “YEOH” She left the top open on the magic “Acer” computer. I finally get my paws on those non-edible plastic keys to look for my fuzzy friends.

To bring you up to date, I am putting this tale on my very own red Kitty-Kat USB. I tried to get online several days ago as a “Cat-Scan” but all I got was “Lusho-Cat-Scram.” Just no sense of humor these human adopted parents of mine.

Since the secret formation of the “Kitty-Quam” connection, I have got to be in contact with the neighboring cats Strippie and Cuddles with an occasional growl from the wandering Tom. Mr. Nibble (he is a food robber and takes everyone’s kibble and treats, sneaking around the doggie doors of the neighborhood – but we know they are really “Kitty-Doors”-).

Because Strippie and Nibbles are not computer literate, I am the key kitty communicator plus I have just been introduced online to a beautiful Persian blue with code name “Pampered Pussycat,” and she is my source of information from the San Diego Cat Club and all of the Lamplight Kitty Activities, plus I just love to play with that mouse!/ More news later, for my human “Mommy,” Miss Betssy saw me on the table playing with her machine…

So it’s meow for now and more next week.

Purringly yours, LUSHO

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BU M PY TH E H A P PY PU M PK I N

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It was Hallow’s Eve at our town And the folks came from miles around Just to see the Great Pumpkin comes down At midnight when it was so dark The Great Pumpkin would land in the center Of the town park.

All of the local townsmen and farmers, too Would be on hand to receive The event of the year, To bring good cheer for the crops of the coming year.

However, just before the arrival A small pumpkin names "Bumpy."

Was bought and whisked off To nice harvest feast For a very special reason, To complement a beautiful table scene With colorful corn and fresh Veggies of the season Bumpy was loved at first sight The children clamored with delight So instead of turning Bumpy into pie The folks put his smiling face in the sun to dry He dried dark orange and Several blemishes he had Just like the face of My old Grand-dad After several glasses of apple cider His smile seems a bit wider The children all say.

Bumpy is remaining this way To receive the Great Pumpkin, Next Halloween Day Happy Fall Festivities!

Half Moon Bay Great Pumpkin Day

By Gerald M. Neff

She Said Robert Tussey

If ever there was a time in history when society should wake, it is now. Change comes slowly. Laboriously slow. But…it comes.

On all fronts. The struggle for Civil rights and injustices should have been in the rear view mirror a long time ago. They’re not. A woman’s ‘place’ should be anywhere she wants. It’s not. Education should be the best in the world. It’s not. Generations of antipathy have led us to a place where a college education is an amalgam of accomplishment and crushing debt. The middle class should be the stalwart of a strengthening society. It is not. This isn’t about politics or who’s on whose side. This is the conundrum of change.

Men, women, and children are the future. Not mechanized assembly lines and robots. But where do we fit in? Where is the path to follow? Where it’s NOT is where we are going. Paradise lost, and a Pumpkin Spice Latte have become allies in the conversation. We are looking for answers to questions we can’t yet frame. Simply put, we’re all armchair quarterbacks in this game, and no one has all the answers.

I know this is cryptic, but that’s what life feels like today. The last three generations have had opportunities unlike any before.

But they are finding out that what was true when they were eighteen isn’t true at twenty-five. Oh, we Boomers did too, but it was never on the scale we see today. College debt is crushing the spirit of far too many. Home ownership is a distant prayer.

Financial stability is iffy at best. Women are becoming stronger and speaking truths that have remained hidden far too long.

Women are taking a major role where their male counterparts once ruled. The dynamic of genders is changing: As it should.

The giddy day-to-day travails between men and women will probably never change. We’re going to tease each other about clothing, cooking, and kids, et al. But we men have a larger responsibility to women and to themselves. Most are stepping up: Those that don’t will find themselves out of the arena. But this level of turmoil isn’t new. It’s the pendulum of societal change.

It’s that dichotomy of the Peace and Love generation who also brought down a President and ended a war.

The cliché of ‘older folks’ being afraid of change is simply not true. I am watching this unfold from the front row. I am a participant in this change. The women’s movement, Me Too!, and so many of the other groups are necessary, if not mandatory.

Voices need to be heard, and actions must be taken. But, it WILL take all of us to build and sustain this power.

Again, this isn’t about political differences or the animosity it creates.

Judith has done a miraculous job with San Diego Woman Magazine. She has given voice where there was none. She has taken action. It is this example of the strength and power of women I applaud. But, she is one of a large (and growing) group of women who will change the world and make it better. Props where they are due. But remember, there are a lot of us guys who are right there beside you.

Photos by Lisa K. Miller

He Said Judith A. Habert

First, I would like to thank Bob for his kind words. It is men like Bob who support women in everything they attempt that helps makes our growth possible. So kudos to you Bob. I must say I am glad I’m not a young person trying to find my way at this time in history. Things were always tough, but they never seemed quite as difficult as I sense it is for our young people today.

Getting a college degree is a challenge, which unfortunately this new generation doesn’t feel is as important as back in my day. College for many is financially out of reach which is sad, as where does that leave the future of our country if our youth is not adequately educated and prepared to take over the country.

I feel as if true education and knowledge is, unfortunately, lacking in our youth. Some colleges fear to discuss issues in their entirety and instead focus alone on their beliefs instead of allowing free discussion and inquiry on all sides of an issue.

College back in my day, encouraged differing opinions and as a result, we all learned tolerance of views that were not our own as well as actual facts about each side of the issues. Today it appears as if sound bites are being repeated over and over again, but if the person reciting these statements is questioned more in-depth, there are no answers, simply because they are only repeating what they have been told and never inquire further into the reason for these statements. There are good colleges out there, so do your homework, look for financial assistance and scholarships, and if you still can’t manage it now, realize that you are never too old to learn. Work and save so you can get the education you desire. This will allow you to graduate ready to take the reins.

That being said, much of what is happening today was bound to come about at some point. Women are now speaking out against injustice without the fear of doubt or reprisal, or loss of a hard-earned career position. This is definitely a positive step for womenkind. Though, as in any newsworthy event, there may be those who will try to benefit off the pain and suffering of others, so we must always be cautious of taking everything at face value.

The lines need to blur some, and we need to work together if we are going to work at all. There are good and bad in both sexes, so no strong lines need to be drawn. What we should do is draw all of us together to fight to right the wrongs. Yes, there are many good men like Bob out there who don’t let gender, race, religion or political affiliation cloud what is often right in front of their eyes.

We have come this far in our fight for equality we can’t let divisive times ruin all that we have accomplished. Don’t just repeat what you hear, get educated. There are many great schools out there, take advantage of them and don’t be afraid to always stand up for what you believe. That is how we as women got the rights we currently have. We can’t stop here.

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ES, IT’S TRUE, DUE TO AN injury in my right arm, a few months back and the slow pace of my HMO, I have been slowly but surely learning what it means to have a slight disability. This has only made me appreciate the disabled and those poor veterans who returned to our country with a missing limb.

I pray for them and realize how thankful I am that this Is not a permanent situation.

Until you are without the use of a body part you do understand, that we were created with all the parts we have for a very specific reason. We need all of our limbs.

Getting dressed for instance. Have you ever tried putting on a bra with one hand, sorry for you guys reading I am sure you haven’t, but trust me it is impossible? You can physically get it on, but how the hell do you hook the back. Most women use the spin technique. Put the bra on backward, which if your husband, boyfriend. Or significant other ever walked in during this process they are either scared or jumping for joy as it appears you have boobs on both sides of your body.

Once hooked the next step is to spin it around until the cups are where they belong.

Voila, you have accomplished the solo application of the bra. However, depending on your injury (mine is rotator cuff related meaning that the spinning to the front step is impossible as it causes waves of pain shooting up your entire arm) so eliminating this bra putting on process the next is putting it on facing the correct position and reaching behind your back to hook it. Nope, once again rotator cuff does not allow

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I Have One Arm

By Judith A. Habert

your arm to be positioned behind your back. So there are only two solutions, well three actually; have someone who can help you put on your bra, difficult if you live alone, as neighbors might not react well to the ringing of their bell at 7 am to help you get dressed for work.

The second choice, don’t wear one, which only works if you are no older than 20 and petite, or what I have done... buy one two sizes too big hook it before you put it on and then slide it over your head. Not a great solution but one that took me three weeks to figure out when the screams from my bathroom, mine I might add, were annoying my neighbors and the pain was no fun either.

It isn’t just the top undergarments that cause problems. The bottom half is just as much of a challenge. It will easily go up the uninjured leg (in my case the left side) but then what do you do about the right side. Unfortunately, humans do not have long monkey length arms so

your left hand can only go so far when you approach from both the front and back of your body to pull up your panties. So once again you are forced to use your pain ridden arm to shimmy them up all the way.

Once the undergarments are conquered, it is now moving on to the outerwear. Dresses seem the only answer as pants require the monkey arms again. So now you are at least appropriately dressed. Probably not for a night on the town, but passable if the Amazon delivery person comes to the door.

Ok, so the next hurdle, breakfast. After three weeks I have mastered the one-handed egg cracking technique (aside from a few shell fragments that found their way into my bowl).

What I have found is everything takes twice as long with one arm. So put down the egg open the closet reach for a pan (warning: this is not the best time for cast iron unless you want to dislocate the one good

arm that you still have) Put pan down, pick up egg bowl place egg in pan and put bowl away so you can turn on a burner. Oh, and I might add, try to injure your nondominant hand, I made the mistake of hurting my right hand so I can’t write or eat with my left. So once the egg is done than I attempt to get the food 12 inches from the plate to my bent down head and about half of the egg lands on my chest or the table. So I must allow twice the amount of time for breakfast because half the time is spent retrieving food off my chest, the table and the floor. Did you consider adding a condiment to your egg? Forget it! Have you ever tried uncapping a bottle or jar with one hand? Which reminds me, what kind of masochistic pharmacist believed it was a good idea to put my pain meds In a childproof bottle? I have to turn it upside down place the cap on my knee and turn it with my good hand, which undoubtedly then causes all of the contents of the bottle to fall on the floor and I have to use my one good hand to pick them up, and considering the pain I’m in my thoughtful doctor gave me 120 painkillers, there goes another wasted 20 minutes scouring the floor to be sure none have missed my sight for fear that my little puppy or granddaughter might think it is a new piece of candy, but I regress. Once breakfast is over than it is time to clean the dish and pan, ever try scrubbing a pan with one hand? Without the second hand to keep the pan in one place you end up chasing it across the counter.

Or you can lean it up against

B I T C H I N your body and then have to change your outfit again.

So now it is time to get in your car and drive to work.

Aha, another challenge.

Getting in the car is easy enough. Use the good hand to put the key in the door and to open it. Get in and put the key in the ignition.

Damn, that happens to be on the right side. So lean over your body and your sling to use your left hand to insert the key and start the ignition. Okay home free.

Nope not so fast. Click it or ticket, so you need to put on your seat belt. You can get the seat belt easy enough, but it has to go around the right side of your body to be hooked in. Again reach across body and sling to

&

hook seat belt. Now unless you have an older car, your shift is on the right of you so again the maneuver to take off the emergency brake and shift the car in reverse to back out of your garage and then again to put it into gear. Now, pray there is no rain since those are on the right side too. Radio and Air conditioner once again require the across body move.

At last, you are on your way to work.

This is where the kind of work you do becomes extremely important. There are few jobs that you can do one-handed. Especially not construction or waitressing.

Although even typing poses its own challenges being you have to go back to the old

M O A N I N G hunt and peck method using only one hand.

I challenge all of you out there to attempt going about your day using just one arm, and you will undoubtedly realize how difficult everything becomes.

Enough bitchin and moaning for one day, though I have to say it took me twice as long to write this, with one arm. I truly have gained a renewed respect for anyone with a limb disability. As I said earlier, we were given two arms and two legs for a very good reason of which I am now greatly appreciative. I am totally amazed by the obstacles that so many people have lived with and learned to overcome. All of this experience has left me

in awe of the stories we have seen over the years of those with permanent disabilities, those who are paraplegic or were hurt in war or life and now have learned to cope in such amazing ways. I recall those who have learned to paint or type with their feet.

Hell, I can’t even eat with my left hand without coming out looking like a toddler.

Next time you see someone with an obvious disability I hope you will think back to this little article and hold that door open or offer to carry a package to their car.

I know once my surgery is done and I am back, I will take more notice of those around me and lend a much-needed hand, whenever I can.

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Women of Distinction

Cindy Karen DESIGNS FOR THE JETSETTER

IN ALL OF US

By Judith A. Habert Photos Courtesy of Cindy Karen

C

INDY KAREN HAD QUITE A unique childhood. No one else that I know could say that they grew up in an airport. Cindy’s grandfather was Flavio Madariaga, and he and his partner Bob Bogan purchased a strip of land in Riverside California in 1943 that had been an airport but was destroyed by a flood five years earlier. Flavio and his partner set out to renovate it, and that is exactly what they did.

This airport known as Flabob became legendary. “Flabob was a hub for pilots, aerobatic champions, inventors, and designers— anyone who, like my grandpa, was passionate about flying. Many aviation celebrities got their start there.”

Cindy’s grandmother ran the control center of the airport, and as soon as Cindy was old enough, she worked by her side. “I learned so much from my Nonie, including how to be a businesswoman.” This would serve to be an important

Britt Karen

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lesson for Cindy in the years to come.

As a young boy of 16, Cindy’s father Don, had a rather untraditional newspaper route. He used one of his father’s planes to deliver newspapers between Flabob and the Van Nuys airport.

Cindy’s older brother Robert started flying at such a young age that he required phone books on the seat of the plane so he could see properly Both Cindy and her brothers, one older than her and one younger, had tremendous freedom. The airport was their playground and every day was a new adventure for the three of them.

“Flying with my grandpa and brothers was always an exciting and sometimes scary event. My brothers loved to mess with me, and they would fly straight up into the air and then cut the engine, or do barrel rolls just to freak me out.

It definitely worked!

As Cindy shares in her soon to be released book, “Come Fly With Me!“ The airport wasn’t only a center for flying. During the off hours, we raced motorcycles down the runway. There were also stables on the grounds, and we would ride the horses around the airport. Grandpa loved nature, so I learned about nature, animals, and aviation all at the same time.

The busy airport was also the site for magazine photo shoots and movies. I spent part of my childhood on Hollywood sets, which was an absolute dream for a little girl. I was an extra in the movie

Cindy Karen

“Howard Hughes,” and was fascinated by the hairdos, the shoes— all of the costuming. That may well have been what sparked my early interest in fashion.”

Even though Cindy moved away to San Diego to attend San Diego State University and then settled here, she still managed frequent trips home to visit her family, and the airport remained an important part of her life, even as an adult.

“Sadly, when I was twenty-three, my grandparents were both killed in an airplane crash.

The last time that I saw them was shortly after I got back from a post-graduation trip to Europe, for which I had worked to save the money. My parents invited the family over for a barbecue to welcome me home. My mom, always the gracious hostess, had prepared my grandparents’ favorite dishes. We all shared stories and enjoyed every moment of the evening. As my Nonie and Grandpa were leaving the party, Nonie hugged me tightly and said, “Next time you go to Europe, I’ll be going with you.” I was thrilled.

Women of Distinction The next day my father received a phone call. My grandparents’ airplane had crashed. Our family piled into the car and drove to the airport, where all we could do was witness the aftermath of the tragedy. We were told that there had been a complication during takeoff—a fluke problem that, before my grandparents even reached full flight, had caused the plane to go down. My father fell to his knees in front of the runway where they had taken off. We were all weeping. The loss was devastating.”

After the loss of her beloved grandparents, Cindy could not bring herself to get on a plane.

“Around that time, I had booked a trip. But, unable to board the helicopter, I sat on my suitcase in the airport, crying. I vowed never to fly again.” With the help of her brother Robert, she started to get past the fear.

“Robert took me up on my first flight after their deaths, and then the next and the next. He helped me resurrect my passion for flight and seeing the world. I slowly but surely began to feel safe traveling

again.” Cindy was determined that she would not allow this tragedy to determine the trajectory of her life. “I fell back in love with flying and adventure. I also got married and gave birth to my daughter, Brittany.”

And then another tragedy struck, Cindy’s brother Robert lost his life in a plane crash. Although devastated again she attempted to utilize the lessons Robert had taught her, and these lessons would be with her for the rest of her life. She realized how precious life was and how she needed to

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Women of Distinction

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live every day to the fullest, and she has done so ever since as a way to pay homage to her brother and grandparents.

Since she had always loved fashion Cindy decided to take the leap, and she set out to create her own clothing line. With the encouragement of her longtime friend a successful businessman and mentor, Cindy Karen Clothing became a reality. Cindy focused on making her clothing line both unique and practical. She did so with a twist and one that can obviously be attributed to her childhood, the grandparents and brother that she loved and the backdrop of her life, the airport in which she grew up.

hand in hand with her, and can personally attest to the fact that Cindy’s clothes work as well in her closet as her mom’s.

Being raised in a family of aviation entrepreneurs gave her the inspiration to develop a line of clothing that would make travel easy and stress-free. Most women would admit that one of the toughest parts of traveling for business is trying to decide what to bring and how to keep it light.

Men don’t seem to have as much problem when it comes to business travel. They pack a dark suit, a pair of slacks and a few shirts, and they are good to go. As women, we are faced with deciding not only the clothing but then

Cindy’s logo, a plane, is indicative of her upbringing and the inspiration that led her to create ‘Clothing for the Jetsetter in All of Us’ The ability to believe that nothing is out of reach leads to success no matter what field we as women choose to undertake.”

Cindy Karen Clothing is the epitome of classic style with fun and adventure thrown in. Her selection is full of flattering lines and appropriate for women of all ages. Her daughter, Brittany works

the proper undergarments, shoes, and accessories for each outfit.

We also must consider which clothes will travel well, and be stunning right out of our suitcase.

Cindy Karen’s clothes fit the bill.

Her color palette of black, white, and navy blue can be dressed up or down allowing one dress to be appropriate for a business meeting or dinner at the Ritz. One look at Cindy’s website at www. cindykaren.com and you will see the beauty and versatility of her designs.

As Cindy shares, “Travel is every day you live life get out the door and embrace life. Say yes to that event and creating new adventures. With Cindy Karen clas-

sics on the go for every women’s wardrobe.” Cindy Karen clothing is not just for those of us who travel, but solves the age-old problem for women of what to wear and how they can make the most of their clothing budget. What is so amazing about the Cindy Karen line is the versatility of it. You don’t have to buy ten different dresses to get a variety of looks. Those around you won’t even realize that you don’t have an extensive wardrobe. With the classic pieces of her line, you can do just about anything with them to make them appropriate for whatever your day entails. You can use the Cindy Karen clothing as the primary piece and dress it up or down.

Add scarfs, jackets, accessories, flats, thongs or Manolo Blahniks, and it will work.

Today Cindy Karen is bi-coastal, living both in New York and San Diego and is still an avid traveler.

She continues to follow her belief that you must live every day to it’s fullest and not be afraid to experience new exciting adventures.

If you are in search of that perfect wardrobe while both at home and on the road take a look at Cindy’s amazing collection online at www.cindykaren.com

Cindy Karen Clothing is available at Tre Boutique DEL MAR (858) 755-7227 Flower Hill Promenade 2690 Via De La Valle, Ste D240, Del Mar, CA 92014 ENCINITAS (760) 942-0227 Encinitas Ranch Town Center 1006-D North El Camino Real, Encinitas CA, 92024 CARMEL VALLEY (858) 847-2760 The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch 5980 Village Way, Ste B104, San Diego, CA 92130 www.TreBoutique.com

Poetry Corner

Marionette

By Maggie Ramos My feelings come across intense yet fearful.

Sometimes even weak.

My feelings weaken my strength against my will.

My carcass often feels the manipulation pulled by your strings.

Overwhelmed, like a true puppet; I lose awareness of where it begins and where and when it ends.

I run and run away and yet you manage to pull me back.

Like a true marionette, I leave my body While my spirit directs my soul to your side.

I have fallen and failed again.

I have fallen in an unfaithful gap I have tangled in your ties

MY STORY

By Maggie Ramos My story used to be in black and white Now I can share it and embrace it in color My story was from the past , now my story is from my present My old story will move passed on my present and into my future but my present story will always be with me at all times My present story shall become everyone's story once it becomes shared in the future.

My future at times intrigues me because I am certain I can feel it, smell it, sense it and most of all sometimes I can even practice all the above without calling for it nor calling you to be part of any of these stories.

I am learning how to embrace you as my Best Friend. I am also learning how not to feel you as a curse any longer.

I know the Sacred Heart Of The Lord guides my path just as he lights yours.

Intensity follows strength, I am going to let go, I am going to let go I ripped away from the strings That had me stumbling At the snap of your fingers.

Watching Over Me

By Eva Redding

I have called out to you before I understood the depths of your soul and you came to me attentively. I have cried out of the stillness of the night and you ran to me without hesitation.

You carried me around until I became as heavy as your biggest burden. You never let go of me even when your feet were numb and your skin pale from fatigue.

You rejoiced in each new step I took and each new song I sang. And like a perching eagle you watched over me as our hearts became one and our blood ran in unity. I turned more like you with each passing day and each passing year.

So I continued to run to you even when I could no longer see you, and I continued to knock on my imaginary door even when you returned nothing but silence.

Like a scared sheep, I wandered in wilderness getting lost on the path we once traveled together. Inevitably, your voice became faint and your face frozen in time. So while you sleep in your divinity, I live for you. While you wait in your eternity, I will come to you.

Live Your Life

By Eva Redding

Live your life boldly, live it without fear Graduate mighty not wasting a tear.

Live your life freely not missing a beat, choose wisely without giving up your seat.

And when life becomes a delight, continue to sail it with no end in sight.

And when life turns sweet, Rejoice in whom you will meet.

But when dark clouds surround you, learn to take flight.

And when others strike you, don’t hold to it tight.

When your friends come and go, Never debate whether to stay true or foe.

And when monsters steal your soul, let the spirit make it whole.

When good fortune joins your path, share your blessings with those you love.

When your wisdom makes you strong, freely admit when you are wrong.

With that being said, Live your life boldly with no regret.

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“Dare to Be D.I.N.O!”

WOMEN’S BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Changing The Way We Learn to Do Business October 19-2st, 2018 The Annual “Dare to Be D.I.N.O!” Women’s Business Leadership Conference is making a return appearance on October 19-21st in Oceanside California.

Missed last years event? Be sure to attend this one to avoid making the same mistake again.

Men have been the stronghold of business in the USA for decades. The tides are changingand the fastest growing segment of innovative businesses are being led by women. There's one issue though. Men approach business differently than women. It's part of why men have dominated in this arena for years.

“Dare to Be D.I.N.O!” is a unique three-day hands-on learning opportunity where you will be inspired, supported and educated on how to Raise the Bar In Body, Mind & Business! You will learn how to Go from Vision to Victory and Pivot Into Profits. And…

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you’ll learn How to Think Like a Man but WIN Like a Woman.

Organizer Debbra Sweet shares some insight, “I personally believe the current ways of how we are told to learn how to ‘do' business- are outdated, antiquated and keep people struggling unnecessarily. There’s a common statistic that states that most businesses fail within the first 2 years.

There’s more business ‘deaths’ along the way. The numbers are actually staggering! Research reveals from 1990 to 2011, there have been a total of nearly 12.8 Million business births and 12.2 Million business deaths in the United States.“ Debbra has seen the struggles of that fact in the lives of her clients for decades. In fact, their pains of ‘following the status quo’ mindset on how to start, grow and maintain businesses has inspired Debbra to do everything she can to save small businesses from similar fates.

“I’m on a mission to change how we learn to do business.

There are inherent problems in the status quo process of starting and growing businesses. Building better business, by building better education, to create better entrepreneurs can stop this vicious cycle. I have been bridging the gap in planning, instruction, and implementation for years with private and small groups of clients.

Their positive, consistent growth shows me I’m doing something

right. Yes, I’m bucking a system, but it’s what’s needed. The past 7 years, I’ve been innovating my style so I can now support the masses. This ‘D.I.N.O!’ Conference is one way I can bring a room full of Dynamic ‘Get it Done’ Women & Men who want to break the mold of status quo and leave a positive mark on the world with who they are and what they do.”

One of the most interesting statistics that Debbra shared is that most businesses in the U.S. are owned by men, yet the largest amount of new businesses are led by women. Of that, less than 3% of businesses that reach 7 figures are women-owned!

“Women often can make better business owners because we have an inherent desire for collaboration- and creating a positive experience. Part of what I am going to teach at this conference is ‘How to Think Like a Man But Win Like a Woman.’ Men approach business differently. I’ve been working with men for decades and at D.I.N.O! I will reveal insights to help women pull from the good that men do in business, and strengthen it with our own feminine assets.”

If I must say so myself, I have to agree. Over the years interviewing subjects for our publication I have found that the women I have interviewed have always been willing to share not only their knowledge, but their centers of influence as well.

Debbra discusses the dilemma that women in business face every day, "Everywhere you look, there's something 'new' you are told you 'need to use' to get more business. Add that to our already full schedule with kids, family, self-care, parent care… can get you bogged down, overwhelmed, spinning in your wheels. Each woman has something of great value to bring to her community.”

She shares “Funny thing... sometimes you can have too much. Too much clutter anywhere stagnates. Feeling a bit frenetic right now as you try to stay on track, get more clients, close more sales, manage what we already have...oh yeah, and have a personal life too?

If this is how you are feeling, Debbra knows that the 2nd Annual "Dare To Be D.I.N.O!" Business Leadership Conference will equip you to conquer this problem as growth-minded visionaries with information, insights & support to overcome overwhelm, go from Vision to Victory so you can Confidently & Consistently Pivot Into Profits!

• You'll receive the tools needed to "RAISE THE BAR" in Body, Mind & Business.

• Boost your confidence by knowing how to “Think Like a Man But Win Like A Woman!”

• Learn the Benefits and Why You Need to ’Go Big!’ • Experience proven ways eliminate the negative thoughts holding you back.

• Gain insider “been there, done that” in business to make the money you deserve.

• Master three cornerstones to ‘Go Big!': your mindset, skillsets, and your network.

How else will “Dare To Be D.I.N.O!” help you? There are three ways that attending this event will help.

1. You'll recharge and rejuvenate while strengthening your network.

2. You'll gain knowledge and learn how to take the tools, resources, and knowledge you already have and understand how to use them.

3. You'll understand influencers of business and have a tactical, real world, easy to implement plan on HOW to grow your business profitably without overwhelm!

Debbra has an added Bonus for those who sign up for this event.

“When you invest in yourself and get your ticket to the event by Oct 1st, you'll receive a private Zoom Room training on Oct 11, 2018, where you will develop your 90 Day 'Jump Start' Marketing Plan before you attend the "Dare To Be D.I.N.O!" Business Leadership Event.

(This is a $1k bonus… for free!)”

I asked Debbra with what it is that most women business owners struggle "There are 3 problems women who are scaling up their business universally struggle with: Work-Life Balance, Overwhelm, and Limiting Beliefs. I stated before, men approach business differently than women. Men consistently, strategically plan the growth of their business. They have a playbook, a game plan, step by step, month by month. As women, we plan many things… but most never plan their business- the very thing that fuels and funds everything else we do.”

The Guests scheduled to appear at Debbra’s event include N.Y. Times Best Sellers, Major Network and Media Producers, Global Train-

ers and Local Experts who have lived through the scale-up process.

As for who should attend, "Whether you are a seasoned businesswoman or just have an idea for a new business, you will gain invaluable information from attending this Women's Business Leadership Conference." October is also Women's Small Business Month, and this conference attracts strong, resilient, driven, committed, visionary, capable, intelligent women in business.

Debbra shared feedback from last year’s attendees, “The feedback of the attendees, (some who are very seasoned conference goers), was that D.I.N.O! was the best learning event they had ever been to … and they are coming back for more!: She continues “I’ve stayed in contact with my attendees from last year and the dramatic improvements in their life, mindset and businesses are awesome to hear! I'm motivated by seeing others grow, and their results make this all worthwhile.”

In closing Debbra wanted to let women know this, “It is time to quieten the battle raging in your mind and transform your life. It is time to break free from the drama, selfdoubt, professional who is running a business upside down instead of right side up. It’s time to become the person, entrepreneur, the business owner you want to become… the woman that you were on track to be as a joyful, passionate, and “I can do anything I dream about” filled with tenacity kind of gal. Just like we were as young children!”

Do yourself and your business a huge favor and attend the “Dare to Be D.I.N.O!!” Conference. Go to www.daretobedino.com and order your tickets today. Use promo code: DINO18SDWM and receive $100 OFF your all-inclusive conference tickets thru 10-8-18. Tickets on sale until 10-15.18.

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Fabulous Finds

1 1. The Comfy There is nothing quite like cuddling up on a chilly night with your significant other, your favorite movie and a bucket of popcorn, well that was until now. There is one other item that can make the evening pure perfection. This item is taking the world by storm, it is the creation of two brothers, Brian and Michael Speciale who have created this combination blanket and sweatshirt that is guaranteed to not only warm your body but your heart.

I suppose you are thinking, wow it must be really cold where they come from to create this fabulous, comfortable and toasty garment that combines a microfiber blanket with a Sherpa lining that will keep out even the most frigid of weather, but no, these two brothers live in Arizona. Yet they saw a need and acted upon it, and not in a small way.

With just an idea in place, some prototypes, and a dream, a decision was made to tackle one of the toughest marketing methods out there. They set their sights on getting a spot on the number one most popular entrepreneurial TV show, Shark Tank.

After making it through several qualifying rounds, they got their chance to stand before the five most famous names and brilliant minds in business today, Mark, Lori, Keven, Barbara, and Robert.

The first to step up with an offer was Robert, but as part of the deal he required 50% ownership in the company, so it was Barbara they ended up with who

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requested a smaller share and who they felt would be the best partner to catapult them to success.

The Comfy is a one size fits most oversized sweatshirt with a hood that can double as a pillow and a front pocket large enough to hold an iPad and still warm those chilly hands. The great part about this product besides its descriptive name is that it can be used by anyone, from children to even football player sized men. It can be used at home on the couch, at the beach, camping, at sporting events or just out and about running your normal errands. Plus, it will fit over anything you are wearing. To join the comfy bunch, click on their site at www. thecomfy.com and order one for you or several for your whole family today.

2. Fresh Baked NY Classic Pastries Baked in the Heart of NYC This review has to start with an important disclosure. I am a native New Yorker and an Italian.

So when I was introduced to Fresh Baked NY, I knew they were in for a very tough critique. I grew up in New York and just about every one of their products are ones that I grew up on.

It would take an outrageous product for them to get a rave review and they didn’t disappoint.

Keep in mind that this package traveled 3,000 miles to make it to my desk.

The packaging was well thought out, and its contents were as fresh and perfect as

2 if I walked into the bake shop in NY and ordered it directly from the baker fresh out of the oven.

New York is referred to as a melting pot due to the many ethnic groups that have settled there. Along with the people came their unique delicacies. Fresh Baked NY’s line of baked goods run the gamut from the many different cultures that reside in the big apple. My favorite product of all was one that I grew up loving and have even baked in my own kitchen. These are an Italian favorite called Rainbow Cookies. Though I must admit, mine were not as good as Fresh Baked NY’s version. They are yummy three layer cookies in a rainbow of colors with a hint of marzipan between each layer and covered in Chocolate. Fresh Baked NY also makes them with a white chocolate coating, which I never had before, but they were equally delicious.

Let’s talk macaroons! Michelle’s Macs, another one of Fresh Baked NY’s popular items are not only delicious but unique as well. They come in 13 different flavors including Mango, Key Lime, Banana Walnut, Expresso, Amarena Cherry, Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Orange Zest, Chocolate Chocolate, Simple Dark, Simple White, Simple Milk and Pina Colada. All of these sinful flavors are covered in Belgium Chocolate, one bite will make you a forever fan.

Let me just add, I wasn’t the only one who went crazy over the baked goods from Fresh Baked NY, those in our office were thrilled when they tasted the products, and even more excited when they

Fabulous Finds 5 3 4

learned about the NY delicacies that can now be shipped to the west coast. Baked goods that many transplanted New Yorkers have been craving since they relocated can now be shipped to Sunny San Diego.

If you are an east coaster, I am sure you have craved a delicious black and white cookie, Hamentashen, some delightful Rugelach or the sweetness of a Linzer tart. Let’s face it no one makes these NY pastries the same as they are made in New York, and you can now be guaranteed that you can order them, have them in a few days, and when they arrive they will be as perfect as if you jumped on a plane and picked them up yourself.

Go to www.freshbakedNY.com and order your favorites today. They are sure to make your mouth water.

3. Hipsi Belts SOLVING AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM How often have you been faced with a pair of jeans that just didn’t fit right without a belt? Then you think about which shirt you want to wear with it and it is not going to look right if you tuck it in, but if you don’t, you will have that unsightly bulge at your belly which looks like you ate a large meal before getting dressed. Enter the Hipsi belt. An innovative new belt which is high end and no show. They are made from elastic with metal and leather buckles, and they fit every type of jeans.

What is an awesome part about these belts is the fact that they have inter-

changeable buckles, so you can mix and match them. Not only do they look great with jeans, but will garner you attention with your coworkers when they notice the stylish belt that adorns your otherwise ordinary dress.

The year was 2010 when Amy Sirich and Aly Harber were in search of the perfect belt which led them to frustration.

After 18 months, they created a belt that met all of their needs. You can purchase the entire belt, which includes the strap and the buckle and then purchase additional straps or different buckles as desired, giving you versatility as you have never had with another belt. One of the greatest features of these belts is that you can adjust the size after it is on, with a simple pull of the elastic strap. There is never a dangling flap to get in the way.

If you want to avoid buckle bulge, back gap, and belt flap Hipsi is the answer.

Visit their site at www.hipsi.com.

4. The Perfect Solution for the Outdoorsy Woman THE TINKLE BELLE Are you an adventurer? Do you enjoy everything outdoors? Many women do, except there is a common problem that women experience when they attempt to live the outdoorsy life. What happens when nature calls? Not that kind of nature. When you are hiking or camping biking or kayaking, it is essential, especially if the weather is warm to stay hydrated. We all know what happens if you drink too much and you are in the middle of nowhere. There are no ladies

rooms available, and we end up suffering waiting until we can find a public restroom or an area respectably hidden by trees. That was until now. The Tinkle Belle has arrived to change all of that for women.

The Tinkle belle is anatomically shaped, so it comfortably fits into your trousers allowing you to urinate without having to squat or take off your clothes.

It is antimicrobial to prevent germs, and it is foldable, portable and comes in a discreet carrying case. No longer do you have to expose yourself to the elements or creepy crawling bugs in order to relieve yourself on that camping trip or hike. You now can have the same advantage as your male counterpart and not fear the lack of facilities when planning your outings.

This is also a great invention for those who suffer from frequent urination, they no longer have to fear long road trips with few available rest stops.

We salute the forward-thinking inventors of Tinkle Belle and thank them in advance for all of the women who will feel a lot more confident on their adventures.

If you would like to find out more visit their site at www.TheTinkleBelle.com 5. The Woofie Taking Pet Photography to the Next Level It never fails, just as you are about to snap the most adorable photo ever of your little puppy, she moves on to discover the next scent that grabs her attention. The Woofie has met this problem head-on. It is designed to help you get

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Fabulous Finds 7

6 that shot because your puppy’s attention is now solely focused on you. Well, maybe not actually you, but her favorite treat which you have attached to your cell phone. We all know that a treat trumps all other distractions.

The Woofie is a clip that easily attaches to your cell phone or tablet on one end, and on the other end, you clip your pet’s favorite treat. Once attached you can either snuggle close to your pet and take an adorable selfie, or set up that perfect portrait to hang on your wall or place on your desk.

Model Citizen, the company that produces the Woofie, is not only innovative in their ideas but are on a mission to help pets, by donating a percentage of every sale to their local animal shelter. So you can not only get that great shot, but help a homeless animal at the same time.

Visit https://modelcitizenpet.com/ to purchase your very own Woofie and to check out their other amazing products.

6. Bee Inspired® Baby Oil When you think of baby oil what comes to mind is a large clear bottle that we all grew up with. The Bee Inspired Baby Oil by Waxing Kara is an entirely different product. This 90% organic oil is a combination of light and hydrating sunflower, apricot kernel, and jojoba oils all blended together with a kiss of Bulgarian lavender oil to create this gentle mixture safe for infants and adults alike.

Even though it was developed for use on infants, this oil is ideal for people of every

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age who deal with dry, sensitive skin.

Bee Inspired® Baby Oil if vegan and cruelty-free, handmade in the USA, and free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, sodium lauryl/eth sulfates, artificial colors, and fragrances.’

The blend of plant-based oils is vegan, and the Bulgarian Lavender provides soothing relaxation for both you and baby. This product Comes with baby massage instructions written by the professional massage therapists of the Spa at Cliff House Maine.

My granddaughter, not a great sleeper, was a tough candidate for this product, but guess what, they passed with flying colors. It only takes a small amount massaged into baby’s skin after a bath.

She calmed down and seemed to really enjoy the techniques of the massage and the soothing oil on her super sensitive skin. The lavender did its job and had her “sleeping like a baby,” in no time at all.

For adults, the nourishing properties of the sunflower, jojoba, and apricot oils help to boost the skin’s natural radiance while providing moisture and antioxidants. The inclusion of Bulgarian lavender oil not only calms your mind, but aids in the renewal of your skin, improving the appearance of scars, discolorations, and uneven texture. It is suggested to apply while skin is damp. This soft and silky oil is safe for use on face and body.

Kara Brook is the founder of Waxing Kara. She’s an artist with a fascination for beeswax. Kara paints and sculpts with encaustic. Encaustic is paint made with beeswax, tree resin, and pigment.

Though you may not have heard of it, it’s actually been around a really long time.

Encaustic art dates all the way back to ancient Egypt. Kara found herself going through so much beeswax she decided to take up beekeeping. Soon after she began beekeeping, she started sharing her honey products with friends and family who loved them too. That was the beginning of Waxing Kara®. In almost no time, a small but committed team turned a small beekeeping operation into a full-fledged company creating healthful, nurturing Bee Inspired® goods. For more information on Waxing Kara products visit them at https://waxingkara.com/ 7. The Sailfin Sailing Shoe In sunny San Diego sailing is one of the favorite pass times. To be safe while doing so requires a good pair of sailing shoes. The SailFin is a fast-draining and quick-drying women’s sailing shoe with a mesh upper and 5-eye synthetic textile lace system. The non-slip outsole with forefoot water flow system makes it ideal for sailing and boating enthusiasts, surfers and beachcombers. The SailFin holds its grip on slippery surfaces - in the water and out.

Aside from the features that make it perfect for sailing comes the fact that it is probably the most comfortable pair of shoes you will ever wear. At the core of the SoftScience™ shoes’ construction and personality is a proprietary material called Trileon™ -a closed cell copolymer developed by Scott Seamans exclusively for SoftScience™. The unique properties

Fabulous Finds

8 of Trileon™ — cushioned, stable and lightweight — allow us to produce a shoe weighing just six to ten ounces that is comfortable with high-impact resistance and support. Trileon™ is used in the shoes’ durable outsole and in the removable, washable insole. The outsole and insole combine to produce the unique comfort experience, which is the “WOW” factor in all SoftScience™ shoes.

The Trileon™ insole provides superior comfort and stability, but you can also remove and replace it with your own custom orthotic. For more information or to order these fabulous shoes visit https://www.softscience.com 8. FROWNIES’ Rose Quartz Roller How many times have you gone to the mirror first thing in the morning and found lines and puffiness there that was not present when you went to sleep?

Well have no fear FROWNIES now has the solution, and it isn’t harsh chemicals or poison injected into your skin. It is a Rose Quartz Roller. It has been shown that gentle massage helps to eliminate toxins and promotes blood circulation which lifts and firms the skin.

FROWNIES chose Rose Quartz for its known antibacterial properties and healing emotional stress. Use the Rose Quartz Roller consistently, and in just a few weeks you will see a significant difference.

The cooling stone also eases headaches and painful sinuses. The roller has two different size rollers at each end. Use the smaller roller for areas around your

eyes, nose and lips and the bigger roller for forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, collar bones shoulders, wrists, and forearms.

Available at https://www.frownies.com FROWNIES’ Moisturizer Face & Neck If you are using the right moisturizer, it can build the lipid layer of your skin and give you more solid support under the top layer of cells. Moisturizer Face & Neck Gel Cream contains ceramides and high levels of naturally occurring vitamin E, acting identically to skin membrane to support the structure of the skin and improve skin appearance.

FROWNIES’ Moisturizer Face & Neck contains plant-based antioxidants and peptides in an Aloe base. Apply it at night on the entire face and neck area. You will notice the difference in no time at all.

Available at https://www.frownies.com FROWNIES’ Facial Patches This product has been around for decades, and it still manages to do a better job than all of the latest and greatest wrinkle removal products. They help to soften and smooth the appearance of deep wrinkles or fine lines mechanically instead of with harsh chemicals or needles. These patches address the problem of wrinkles between the eyes, often called the elevens, and also horizontal forehead wrinkles.

When they say that they work mechanically what they mean is that the muscles of the face cannot move under the patch, which keeps you from frowning or expressing while you sleep or any

time you have the patch on. At the same time, the paper patch allows the skin to breathe, promoting skin restoration and repair. By holding the crease flat and relaxed while you sleep the body can relax muscle memory. With FROWNIES’ you can smooth out wrinkles as soon as you see them by using Frownies’ Wrinkle Treatment Patches a few nights a month directly over the lines. Lines that are in their early stages will be softened in three to five nights, deeper lines taking longer. 144 PATCHES IN A BOX Available at https://www.frownies.com FROWNIES’ Rose Water Hydrator Spray with Essential Oils Frownies Hydrating Spray compliments the pH balance of the skin. Women who use Frownies Hydrating Spray say it helps reduce the appearance of pore size and plumps fine lines and wrinkles.

The Rose Water Hydrator was created to enhance the effectiveness of FROWNIES’ facial patches. Before applying the patches spray the adhesive side with Rose Water Hydrator Spray to make it sticky and then flatten out the patch and apply.

Rosewater is a wonderfully refreshing pick up after exercising, during air travel or anytime a warm, dry environment threatens to dehydrate and age your skin.

Frownies Rose Water Hydrating Spray can be used throughout the day to refresh the face and neck. Carry it in your handbag and freshen the face as needed. Not just another toner or water spray “Beautiful Skin in a Bottle Available at https://www.frownies.com

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W H A T

I

R E A L L Y

W A N T

I S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Success-How Do We Measure It?

By Debbie Storms

T

HE BENEFITS OF LIFE ARE plentiful, the question is, how do we obtain them? How do we build the framework that allows us to acquire the soft skills in life? We live in a constantly changing environment and meeting the challenges of everyday life require skills for adaptive and positive behavior that allows us to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of daily life. A well rounded and comprehensive education is critical to expanding your horizons.

Life skills go beyond choosing our future education or career goals. They provide us with essential tools such as decision making, socializing and independent thinking. Approaching problems from multiple angles to find solutions and having the skill to communicate clearly and effectively is just as important as knowledge of a particular academic subject.

The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits are gained during our entire lives. Any experience that has an effect on the way we think feel or act educates us on our path in life.

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Truth and time are the greatest teachers. A beautiful quote by Lailah Gifty Akita “The quest for learning is the quest for self-discovery’” tells us it is a never-ending process that will allow us to grow and pass on what we have learned. Gaining new forms of knowledge can mean any form of learning.

Personal fulfillment as a lifelong process that starts with hearing stories as a young child to adult formal and self-educating experiences. Awakening our creative selves gives us a greater ability to open our awareness to differing perspectives and situations. We become more adaptable and are able to know what to do in real life situations independently and with others.

The benefits cannot be overstated.

Developing life skills at every juncture of our lives gives us creative outlets and promotes a healthy self-worth. The core of our being has a strong foundation to make better choices for ourselves. These experiences will enrich our lives.

All types of enrichment are improvements; they leave things better than they were before. You can also say such

enrichment has improved the quality of your life. Riches are not only valuable objects, such as money, jewels, and gold.

Improve the quality of your life by learning something new today and passing it on. The wealth of knowledge keeps on giving. Creativity is a gift that increases your wealth.

What I really want is to be a bit unruly and live life to its fullest!

“Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

- Martin Luther King Jr. We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

– Helen Keller “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

– Albert Einstein “I dwell in possibility.”

—Emily Dickinson Debbie Storms dstorms88@gmail.com

Pearls of Wisdom

T H E H E ALI NG P OW ER OF GOING WITH NATURE’S FLOW

By Dr. Mimi Guarneri & Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf

I

F YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH as a kid to have a mother or other caregiver telling you when to go to bed at night and putting food on the table at a certain set time, you may have effortlessly imbibed a sense of just how much a regular daily schedule can soothe and ease the stress of everyday life and work to keep your body in balance.

With record rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression and sleep problems in youth and elders alike, health experts are grappling to identify causes and cures. Beyond the well-known diet and exercise factors, researchers are beginning to discover the powerful influence that “timing” –revealed in the burgeoning new field of “chronobiology”-- plays in maintaining our health and vitality through our lives.

Dr. L: I personally discovered this principle back in 1969, being driven home with my girlfriends after our first “sleep-over,” feeling -- physiologically speaking-- utterly miserable. I vowed then and there that I would never stay up that late again!

Alas, medical school and residency forced a renege on my promise, but I nevertheless continue to appreciate how much better I feel--- mentally, emotionally and physically—after not only a good night’s sleep, but one started early-ish, like by 10 PM. It turns out that Ayurveda divined this principle over 5000 years ago, and teaches that everyone--- night owls and morning larks alike--- will benefit from an early bedtime and getting up with the birds.

Ayurvedic rishis, or “seers” cognized the laws of Nature governing health with regard to diet, herbs, and lifestyle--- the “tools” they had back in 3000 BC--- and clearly described that our body follows a rhythmic pattern of metabolic, hormonal and physiological activity throughout the 24-hour cycle.

As the earth turns on its axis, rotating us towards or away from the warm, nourishing rays of the sun, our bodies respond with corresponding 24-hour rhythms that determine the optimal time of day to eat our biggest meal, go to bed, get up in the morning and exercise.

When we do these activities at the “right time,” i.e., in alignment with our body’s natural biorhythm, we feel

our best and move through the day with the least effort and stress. Just as riding the waves in the ocean is easier (and more fun!) than swimming upstream, so is following a daily schedule that’s in-sync with our body’s natural cycles.

After 30 years of “clinical validation” of the Ayurvedic guidelines for when to eat, sleep and exercise, I have been delighted to find that research in the pioneering field of chronobiology is validating many of these Ayurvedic concepts.

“In-Sync” for Better Sleep Dr. L: I recently took an informal poll of 15-20 people, about 1/2 of whom described themselves as night owls and half as “morning larks.” In-

55

quiring further into how well they feel they sleep at night, nearly every one of the “morning larks,” who go to bed early, slept well, and less than half of the night owls claimed good sleep. Informal research as it is, it reflects what I commonly see in my practice.

One of my patients, a woman several years past menopause, wrote me to say that she had slept poorly for years and simply resigned herself to the idea that “this was menopause,” and she’d probably never sleep well again. The day she learned about going to bed early as a better sleep strategy, she returned from a business trip and instead of her usual compulsive unpacking and organizing late into the night, she turned in early, by 10 PM. Guess what? In her words, she “slept like a baby.” This hadn’t happened for years!

Dr. G: This is such an important point, how earlier bedtime may promote better sleep, performance and mental health outcomes. Disturbed sleep is very common and associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even mood and memory problems, including cognitive decline. We offer an easy-touse, sleep apnea test at Pacific Pearl La Jolla that people can take and do at home. I recommend it for most of my patients, as detecting and correcting sleep apnea and other sleep disorders is so key for prevention, as well as quality of life.

There are many everyday examples of the wonders of an aligned daily schedule, but let’s look at the research.

In short, there are three key Ayurvedic schedule recommendations for good health: • Go to bed (lights out!) by 10 pm • Eat your main meal by 12-1 PM • Exercise between 6-10, in the morning or evening

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Dr. Mimi Guarneri

Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf

Nancy Lonsdorf, MD is a John Hopkins and Stanford-trained physician who practices Integrative Ayurveda and over all health, naturally at Guarneri Integrative Health at the Pacific Pearl. Call 858-459-6919 for details.

Mimi Guarneri, MD is President of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. Dr. Guarneri is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Integrative Medicine. She is the medical director and founder of Guarneri Integrative Health at Pacific Pearl La Jolla.

For more information visit their site at http://pacificpearllajolla.com/ or call 858 459 6919 Data on Early Bedtime In a US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1), researchers compared students randomized to go to bed at 10 pm vs. students going to bed at midnight.

The results showed students with midnight bedtime were 24% more likely to be depressed, and 20% more likely to have suicidal thoughts. A further study showed early bedtime benefits were independent of the total number of hours of sleep. In addition, the effects were long-lasting: those going to bed before 11:15 pm in high school had better academic achievement and less emotional distress up to 6 years later. (2)

Dinner at Noon—like Those Close to the Land Dr. L - When I was a kid, my rural classmates living on farms used to call our lunch meal “dinner,” and their evening meal “supper.” Now I understand why. Being in tune with “the land” and nature, their families traditionally ate their main meal in the middle of the day, when our bodies most need and can best process a major intake of nutrition.

I find clinically that eating your main meal at lunchtime helps prevent the late afternoon “munchies,” enables you to easily eat lighter in the evening and sleep better, too.

As a culture, we need all the help we can get to combat today’s epidem-

Photos Courtesy of Pacific Pearl

Pearls of Wisdom

Pearls of Wisdom ic of obesity and diabetes, and it turns out that eating our main meal at noon is another way to do just that.

A study of 420 subjects published in the International Journal of Obesity (3) showed that those randomized to eating the majority of their calories before 3 PM had more and quicker weight loss over those eating the majority of their calories after 3 PM—even though they consumed the same number of total calories in both groups. The researchers concluded that “novel” approaches” to weight loss that include the timing of meals should be considered in any weight loss program.

Bring on the midday “dinner!”

We Know We Should Exercise, but When?

Dr. G - First of all, I advise my patients that with today’s overly-busy lifestyle, exercise at any time is better than not at all. But beyond that, research indicates that certain times are more beneficial than others, and may have to do with our underlying physiological state at different times of the day.

I do recommend avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating, especially a full meal. A comfortably-paced walk is fine, but wait at least an hour, and preferably two, before heading out for a run, or to the gym.

Ayurveda recommends exercising in the time between 6-10 in the morning or evening—with the morning being ideal--- as the body tends to be more stable, resilient and possibly a bit sluggish then and will benefit most with the least likelihood of strain or injury.

A fascinating study (4) on people with early hypertension bears this Ayurvedic recommendation out. Researchers looked at the blood pressure drop during sleep in relation to what time of day—7 am, 1 pm or 7 pm—

the subjects did aerobic exercise (with a greater drop at night predicting better heart health.)

In line with the Ayurvedic prediction, morning exercise at 7 AM resulted in the greatest drop in systolic nighttime blood pressure, and deeper sleep was an added bonus. Second place, went to those exercising at 7 PM, which resulted in the greatest drop in diastolic nocturnal blood pressure.

Those who exercised at 1 pm actually saw an inhibition of nighttime BP drop, so just as Ayurveda prescribes, “after lunch, rest awhile, after dinner, walk a mile,” it’s better to eat, rest and digest at lunchtime, and leave the exercise for earlier or later in the day.

One Last Powerful Tip Ayurveda highly recommends a morning walk for everyone as the best prevention and rejuvenative for just about everything. Interestingly, this ancient recommendation is also supported by modern research. A recent study (5) by Northwestern University looked at light exposure and its effect on the human body.

The researchers found that being outside in the morning appears to dramatically influence our metabolism for the entire day. They also discovered that people who get more morning light exposure are leaner— have less fat.

As much as 20 percent of our body mass, and our weight, is determined by how much morning light we get. If we don’t get enough light in the morning, our body clock gets de-synchronized and alters our metabolism.

When that happens, even if we eat the same amount of food, we tend to gain more weight. The researchers concluded that being outdoors in the

morning—for at least 20 minutes—is beneficial for weight maintenance.

Add the extra benefit of walking to your morning “sun time,” and you’ve got one doubly-powerful technique for good health!

Ride the Waves Riding the waves of a good daily routine can ground and protect us from the hustle, bustle, and stress of everyday life. Now that you know Nature’s ideal schedule, you can truly “go with the flow” and enjoy better sleep, mood, weight, digestion, and heart health as you cruise through your days with the help of Nature’s wisdom fully supporting your health, happiness, and rejuvenation.

• Gangwisch, JE, et al, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, USA, 1994-1996; Sleep, Vol. 33, No. 1, 2010.

• Asarnow, Lauren D. et al., The Effects of Bedtime and Sleep Duration on Academic and Emotional Outcomes in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents, Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 54, Issue 3, 350 – 356 • Ordovás and F A J L Scheer, Timing of food intake predicts weight loss effectiveness. International Journal of Obesity 37, 604-611 (April 2013) • Fairbrother K, Cartner B, Alley JR, Curry CD, Dickinson DL, Morris DM, Collier SR. Effects of exercise timing on sleep architecture and nocturnal blood pressure. Vascular Health and Risk Management. Dec 12, 2014.

• Reid K, Santostasi G, Baron KG, Wilson J, Kang J, Zee PC. Timing and intensity of light correlate with body weight in adults. PLOS One. April 2, 2014

Pacific Pearl La Jolla 6919 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 459 6919 www.pacificpearllajolla.com

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FRESH FRUIT Within Reach Article and Photos by Maggie Ramos

Walking outside and reaching up to pick a fresh piece of fruit is mostly always a joyful experience. It’s also great to be able to sit under a fresh fruit tree that provides shade in the midst of heat waves or during nice spring days and evenings. There is no need to go far to enjoy a peaceful afternoon and savor fresh guacamole made from the fresh avocados you cared for in your own backyard, and if you add a bowl of chips with freshly made salsa from the chili peppers that were developed at your own site; it is an indescribable flavor to all. Simply stepping outside to pick a few oranges at their best timing to squeeze a fresh glass of orange juice. Per say, a combination of blood oranges and Valencia oranges; I can already imagine the tangy yet sweet refreshing flavor.

Perhaps you would love a bigger variation for a growing ground?

Delicious chirimoyas, apples, pomegranate, persimmons, fresh jujubes, and exotic fruits such as litchis, passion fruit, and dragon fruit.

At Atkins Nursery and growing grounds, you may be mesmerized by over four hundred varieties of trees of edible fruits. It’s always a joy to step into their nursery and admire a pineapple developing in its own palm or a papaya growing from seedling to fresh fruit.

Sometimes we may think we don’t have enough space in our backyard for fruit trees. No problem there is always the option of having dwarf trees in some varieties that you can maintain at a reasonable height and size in a container for several years and take it with you when you move. This can very well be an alternative for decoration on your patio and enjoying the fresh nectars or citrus. Some trees including dwarf trees may even carry more than one type of its own kind of variation of fruit.

Atkins Nursery has over fifty years of experience growing trees, plants, and vines. Victor is very knowledgeable of everything he has available. The premises welcome everybody to take a tour, purchase one tree or large quantities in a variation in sizes. There is also always the option of stopping by to purchase fruit at reasonable prices and or wholesale. I always feel welcomed, and it is no surprise to me when Atkins sells out of avocados on festivity dates and celebrations.

If you don’t plan ahead for your delicious fresh guacamole to enjoy during Super Bowl, more likely you will miss out!

Victor Gonzalez is the owner and CEO of Atkins Nursery and can best direct you when it comes to planting and growing trees. He can provide you with recommendations about what is best to grow in your area considering the type of land, location, and weather. You can visit his growing grounds at 3129 Reche Rd. Fallbrook Ca. 92028. Tel~(760) 801-3605 cell Office (760) 723-1610

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It’s time FOR AN MBA

THAT FITS INTO YOUR BUSY LIFE

PLNU’s MBA may be just what you need to acquire the business knowledge and management skills necessary to become an influential leader and pursue your purpose more fully.

Evening and online formats available Campus conveniently and centrally located in Mission Valley ACBSP accredited program 46% increase in regional demand for MBA grads (2014–15)

Is the PLNU MBA right for you?

Learn more at pointloma.edu/mbaprograms mba@pointloma.edu | (619) 563-2856