Go Red for Women! 3. Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes. 4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. 5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Publisher of: The San Jose Woman’s Journal The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal
Publisher/Editor Suzanne Egeln publisher@NEFLWomansJournals.com
Business Manager Anthony Egeln bizmgr@NEFLWomansJournals.com
Graphic Design Samantha Angeli samantha.angeli74@gmail.com
Photography Christine Cousart Christine@Cousartstudios.com
Email / Web info@neflwomansjournals.com www.NEFLWomansJournals.com P.O. Box 3655, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004 Voice & Fax: 904-280-0788 U.S. Mail • Direct Drop Distributors • Subscription The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal is published bimonthly by Northeast Florida Woman’s Journals and is available free of charge, by display stands in approved private and public establishments and by authorized distributors only. Subscriptions are available.Trademark laws and U.S. copyright laws protect The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal. No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal is not responsible for (1) any editorial comment (other than its own), (2) typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or (3) any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready. If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal, its owners, publishers, and employees, against any and all liability, loss or expense arising out of claims for libel, unfair trade names, patents, copyrights and proprietary rights, and all violations of the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication by this newspaper or its advertising copy. Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertisement. Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publication and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The publisher will exercise reasonable judgment in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate. The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or reproductions made by advertisers. Representations by The St. Augustine Woman’s Journal™, Copyright 2009.
B
You should never wait more than five minutes to dial 9-1-1 if you experience even one of the signs above. Remember, you could be having a stroke even if you’re not experiencing all of the symptoms. And remember to check the time. The responding emergency medical technician or ER nurse at the hospital will need to know when the first symptom occurred. www.goredforwomen.org/home/aboutheart-disease-in-women/
Signs that you may be having a stroke: 1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side the body. 2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
If volunteering is part of your new years resolution, don’t forget about the: St. Francis House Shelter - 904.829.8937 www.stfrancisshelter.org/ They need volunteers throughout their organization. Some examples are: Kitchen - Assist with preparation and service of the noon meal, kitchen clean up, other cleaning/organizational tasks (Kitchen help is especially needed on Saturday and Sundays. Cooking experience is helpful, but not necessary.) Food/Donation Services - Sort/organize/ stock donations, pack and hand out community food boxes (Mon. Wed., & Fri.)
Suzanne Egeln, Publisher
esides being the month of cupids and chocolate the month of February is designated to raise awareness for the “heart”, whether for love or wellness. Heart disease is the number one killer of women. To raise awareness everyone is asked to wear RED on Fridays in February, know their cardiovascular risk, and take action to live longer, healthier lives.
Administration - Data Entry, thank you letters, general office support Special Events/Seasonal Opportunities - Day of event support, assist with pre-event tasks
Looking forward to running into ‘spring”. Check-out: www.kindrunner.com/how-to-donate When you purchase a new pair of running shoes from Kindrunner.com you will receive a postage-paid shipping box to “donate” your old shoes to someone in need. And finally, here is another wonderful opportunity to volunteer: Blessings in a Backpack is currently feeding over 64,000 children in 618 schools in 44 states. BIB provides for approximately 295 children in the program at 5 schools in St. Johns County: The Webster School, Crookshank Elementary, Sebastian Middle, PVPV-Rawlings and Ocean Palms Elementary Schools. Go to www.jaxblessingsinabackpack.org for more information. As always we invite you to enjoy the article enclosed in these pages and to support our Contributors. We welcome your suggestions for new Contributors for the Woman’s Journal, and recommendations of area women to be featured in our ”Women in Profile” section.
Slainte! Suzanne Egeln
Find us on the web at: staugustinewomansjournal.com sanjosewomansjournal.com
W
ant Home Delivery?
A one-year subscription (6 issues) via First Class Mail is only $24. Check or money order payable to:
Please clip and mail this completed form along with your check. NAME ADDRESS
Northeast Florida Woman’s Journals P.O. Box 3655, PHONE Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004
ZIP CODE
In This Issue
st. augustine woman’s journal | february/march 2015
12
31 23
44
30
29 Health & Medicine
4 | Spring Renewal and Detoxification 5 | Don’t Cheat Your Feet! 6 | The Simple Truths of Cataracts 8 | PAP Smear Every 3 Years? Is That Safe? 9 | Minimally Invasive Pain Therapy Options. 10 | New First Coast Heart and Vascular Cath Lab Opens Transradial Cardiac Catheterization 12 | Discover the latest in varicose vein treatment 13 | Colon Cancer. Prevent it. Treat it. Beat it. 14 | Pediatrics and the AAP 15 | Are You Wearing the Right Size Bra? Did You Know 80% of us ARE NOT? 16 | Local Asthma Patient is Breathing Easy Again 17 | Weight Loss Patient Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary 18 | Preventative Health Maintenance Guidelines for Women 19 | Do you have it ALL? 20 | Health Care Benefits of Massage Therapy
Health & Fitness 22 | Harbour Island Tennis Centre
Life Services
24 | Haven Hospice Celebrates One Year Anniversary at New Facilities
45
25 | Providing Compassionate, Dignified, & Personal Services to Remember Your Loved One 26 | Simply Susie. Let us clean, cook and run
errands for you! It’s just a part of what we do!
Business & Finance
27 | 3 Reasons Your Business Website Hosting Could Affect Your Search Engine Rankings 28 | Is Your Insurance Company Financially Stable?
36 | The Charitable Gift Annuity...A Win-Win Proposition! 37 | Betty Griffin House 5k Run & Walk-A-Thon 38 | Transforming Your Aging Brain 39 | All Children Are at Risk 40 | Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Fashion & Beauty
Travel
29 | America’s Cowboy Country
42 | Relationship, Relationship, Relationship! 43 | Who’s that Girl? The Engagement Ring Cheat Sheet
Legal
Home & Garden
30 | This Little Piggy Got a Foreclosure Defense 31 | Buckle Up! The Florida Seatbelt Defense in Automobile Accidents
Women in Profile
32 | Heather Brooke Quick, Kayla Loveday Peloquin, Cindy Treaster, Carolyn Wilson
and Carol A. Kidder
Community
35 | COA Golf Tournament Benefits Sunshine Center
44 | Smart Buyers and Sellers Know….. 45 | Now is the Time! To Enhance Your Yard
with Proper Lawn Care Tools &
Equipment!
Food & Entertainment
46 | Ichiban Buffet 47 | Treat Your Taste Buds at PJ’s Asia One Market
Back Cover
48 | 2015 St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival
Health & Medicine
Spring Renewal and Detoxification
A
loss, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and detoxifying metal and drugsxv. As an inhalation, glutathione is used for treating lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung disease in individuals with HIV disease.xvi, xvii When injected intramuscularly, glutathione is used for preventing toxicity of chemotherapyxviii and for treating male infertilityxix. Intravenously, glutathione is used for preventing anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis, preventing renal dysfunction after coronary
bypass surgery, treating Parkinson’s disease, improving blood flow and decreasing clotting in individuals with atherosclerosis, treating diabetes, and preventing toxicity of chemotherapy. Additionally, glutathione may inhibit the activity of enzymes that help the flu virus colonize cells lining the mouth and throat. Flu-infected mice fed glutathione-enriched drinking water have lower tissue virus levels than untreated mice. Human studies are needed to determine the effects of glutathione on flu infectionxx. Although available without a prescrip-
tion in various oral dosage forms, glutathione is only bioavailable (readily absorbed) in it’s reduced pharmaceutical grade form.xxi Oral doses of reduced glutathione vary; however a dose of 250 mg daily is typical.xxii Glutathione inhalation and injectable solutions are only available by prescription through a licensed compounding pharmacy. No adverse effects or drug interactions have been report with glutathione administration in the literature thus far. As with all medications, please consult with your physician or clinical pharmacist prior to beginning a new therapy regime.
Dr. Naomi Conant, Pharm.D.
s spring begins our consciousness organically shifts to concepts of renewal, including detoxification. One element that is essential for the daily processing of environmental and medicinal toxins is glutathione. Glutathione gained attention initially due to the over use of acetaminophen and the corresponding rates of hepatic failure. Glutathione is synthesized in the liver i,ii, and is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, protein and prostaglandin production, amino acid transport, metabolism of toxins and carcinogens, immune system function, prevention of oxidative cell damage, and enzyme activationiii,iv. Cellular glutathione levels increase during exercisev,vi and deficiency is associated with aging, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, lung and gastrointestinal disease, pre-eclampsia vii,viii, Parkinson’s diseaseix,x and other neurodegenerative disordersxi, and poor prognosis in AIDSxii,xiii. Although glutathione is present in fruits, vegetables, and meats, the levels in the body do not seem to correlate to dietary intake. This suggests that unreduced oral glutathione might be inactivated by peptidases in the gut xiv. Orally, glutathione is used for treating cataracts, glaucoma, preventing aging, treating or preventing alcoholism, asthma, cancer, heart disease (atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia), hepatitis, liver disease, immunosuppression (including AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome), maintaining immune function, memory
February/March 2015
Anderson ME. Glutathione: an overview of biosynthesis and modulation. Chem Biol Interact 1998;24;111-112:1-14. Lu SC. Regulation of hepatic glutathione synthesis: current concepts and controversies. FASEB J 1999;13:1169-83. Lomaestro BM, Malone M. Glutathione in health and disease: pharmacotherapeutic issues. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:1263-73. iv Powers SK, Hamilton K. Antioxidants and exercise. Clin Sports Med 1999;18:525-36. v Powers SK, Ji LL, Leeuwenburgh C. Exercise training-induced alterations in skeletal muscle antioxidant capacity: a brief review. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999;31:987-97. vi Powers SK, Hamilton K. Antioxidants and exercise. Clin Sports Med 1999;18:525-36. vii Walsh SW, Wang Y. Deficient glutathione peroxidase activity in preeclampsia is associated with increased placental production of thromboxane and lipid peroxides. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;169:1456-61. viii Knapen MF, Peters WH, Mulder TP, et al. Glutathione and glutathione-related enzymes in decidua and placenta of controls and women with pre-eclampsia. Placenta 1999;20:541-6. viiii Jenner P, Olanow CW. Understanding cell death in Parkinson’s disease. Ann Neurol 1998;44(3 Suppl 1):S72-84. x Jenner P. Oxidative mechanisms in nigral cell death in Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord 1998;(13 Suppl)1:24-34. xi Marshall KA, Reist M, Jenner P, el al. The neuronal toxicity of sulfite plus peroxynitrite is enhanced by glutathione depletion: implications for Parkinson’s disease. Free Radic Biol Med 1999;27:515-20. xii Lomaestro BM, Malone M. Glutathione in health and disease: pharmacotherapeutic issues. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:1263-73. xiii Knapen MF, Mulder TP, Van Rooij IA, et al. Low whole blood glutathione levels in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 1998;92:1012-5. xiv Lomaestro BM, Malone M. Glutathione in health and disease: pharmacotherapeutic issues. Ann Pharmacother 1995;29:1263-73. xv Borok Z, Buhl R, Grimes GJ, et al. Effect of glutathione on oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lancet 1991;338:215-6. xvi Roum JH, Borok Z, McElvaney NG, et al. Glutathione aerosol suppresses lung epithelial surface inflammatory cell-derived oxidants in cystic fibrosis. J Appl Physiol 1999;87:438-43. xvii Holroyd KJ, Buhl R, Borok Z, et al. Correction of glutathione deficiency in the lower respiratory tract of HIV seropositive individuals by glutathione aerosol treatment. Thorax 1993;48:985-9. xviii Links M, Lewis C. Chemoprotectants: a review of their clinical pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy. Drugs 1999;57:293-308. xix Lenzi A, Culasso F, Gandini L, Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility. Hum Reprod 1993;8:1657-62. xx Antioxidant lozenge could help ward off flu. www.reutershealth.com (Accessed 19 April 2000). xxi Cascinu S, Cordella L, Del Ferro E, et al. Neuroprotective effect of reduced glutathione on cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Oncol 1995;13:26-32. xxii Witschi A, Reddy S, Stofer B, et al. The systemic availability of oral glutathione. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1992;43:667-9. i
ii
iii
4
Health & Medicine
Don’t Cheat Your Feet! The feet act as shock absorbers for the entire body and in the course of a one-hour strenuous workout, will cushion nearly one million pounds of pressure. As a result, many people feel the pain of this stress, usually caused by foot imbalance. This pain shouldn’t be ignored as it is not a normal result of foot function. One of the most common ways to treat foot problems is with shoe inserts known as esthetics. These esthetics come in many forms and functions. The most common foot esthetics are arch supports, cushion insoles, and more specific esthetics such as heel or ball of foot cushions.
T
By José Concha, DPM Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center
he shoes and sneakers that you buy do not provide adequate support. There, I said it. I will now tell you why. Through years of shrewd marketing and advertising, shoemakers have us believing that their product will make all the difference in helping you perform at work and at play. They are only half right. The shoe construction provides good outer support for your feet but there is still something missing. Our feet are different from one another yet a shoe’s design is exactly the same for every consumer. The size is the only difference. The internal support system of a shoe reveals a flimsy insole with a flat, non-supportive interior sole. The missing link between our shoes and our feet is an orthotic. An orthotic, or insole, will provide your feet with very much needed internal support. The human foot is a marvelously complicated yet efficient machine, comprised of over 100 working parts, including as many as 28 bones working in conjunction with ligaments, tendons and muscles. All of this supports and balances our entire body, and in the course of normal walking, bears up to 1.5 times our body weight on each foot. The pressure is enormous, and with the average foot traveling 1,000 miles a year, it is no surprise there are many injuries.
“A proper shoe with a well designed orthotic will give you the ultimate in support and balance for your feet and your life” Regardless of the type or model, the goal of these orthotic inserts is to help keep the feet in proper balance by offering support and aiding in shock absorption. They also help to improve the biomechanical function of the foot, as well as the other joints of the lower body including the knees, hips and back. The importance of proper foot function can’t be over-stressed. When the foot fails, not only is there increased strain and ultimately pain to the many joints in the foot, but also in the ankle, knee and hip. These imbalances can lead to many other painful conditions, but ultimately, it starts at the feet. A proper shoe with a well designed orthotic will give you the ultimate in support and balance for your feet and your life.
5
We have been treating your feet in St Augustine and Palatka for over 12 years. Make an appointment today with Richard Johnson, DPM or Jose Concha, DPM at (904)8261900 in St Augustine or (386)328-1122 in Palatka. At Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, we are setting the highest standards for your foot and ankle care.
Health & Medicine
The Simple Truths of Cataracts continuum of care. In each issue an area of interest is address to help consumers be even more informed about their health and wellness.
T
his forum is a regular contribution from BayView Healthcare to help share the knowledge and expertise of the more than 280 healthcare professional across our
C
ataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined, according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA). Today, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older and more than half of the people age 80 or older. And as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020.
February/March 2015
John M. Vassallo, M.D., is a board certified surgical ophthalmologist who has passed the board exam four times. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, followed by medical school at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his residence in ophthalmology at Bethesda Eye Institute. Also, Dr. Vassallo performed a private fellowship in advanced corneal, cataract and refractive surgical techniques. He has been in private practice since 1992, when he opened the Vassallo Eye Institute in St. Augustine and Palatka. He is on staff at Flagler Hospital in St. Au-gustine and Putnam Community Medical Center in Palatka.
We are living longer, and with the changes in healthcare reform, confusion continues to rise regarding what healthcare services are covered and not covered at all. As we age, most of us contend with multiple healthcare issues, many of which are chronic and cannot be cured – only managed. In this FORUM, Dr. Vassallo will explain the cloudiness of cataracts, who is often affected and what treatments options if necessary are available. Cataract are very common in older adults. In my research I learned that more than half of all Americans will have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by the age of 80.
Cataract Symptoms and Signs A cataract starts out small and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass. Hazy or blurred vision may mean you have a cataract. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. You may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did. The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When a nuclear cataract first develops, it can bring about a temporary improvement in your
near vision, called “second sight.” Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens. On the other hand, a subcapsular cataract may not produce any symptoms until it’s well-developed. Types of cataracts include: • A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high far-sightedness or retinitis pigmentosa, or those taking high doses of steroid medications have a greater risk of developing a subcapsular cataract. • A nuclear cataract forms deep in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens. Nuclear cataracts usually are associated with aging.
6
•
A cortical cataract is characterized by white, wedge-like opacities that start in the periphery of the lens and work their way to the center in a spoke-like fashion. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.
What Causes Cataracts? The lens inside the eye works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina. It adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. No one knows for sure why the eye’s lens changes as we age, forming cataracts. Researchers are gradually identifying factors that may cause cataracts — and information that may help to prevent them. Many studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet light is associated with cataract development, so eye care practitioners recommend wearing sunglasses and a widebrimmed hat to reduce your exposure. Other studies suggest people with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract. The same goes for users of steroids, diuretics and major tranquilizers, but more studies are needed to distinguish the effect of the disease from the consequences of the drugs themselves. Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), selenium and vitamins C and E, may forestall cataract development. Meanwhile, eating a lot of salt may increase your risk. Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption.
Health & Medicine How is a Cataract Treated? The treatment of cataracts is based on the level of visual impairment they cause. If a cataract affects vision only minimally, or not at all, no treatment may be needed. Patients may be advised to monitor for increased visual symptoms and follow a regular check-up schedule with their ophthalmologist. In some cases, a change in eyeglass prescription may provide temporary improvement in visual acuity. Increasing the amount of light used when reading may be beneficial. The use of anti-glare coatings on clear lenses can help reduce glare for night driving. When a cataract progresses to the point that it affects a person’s ability to do normal everyday tasks, surgery may be needed. Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The artificial lens requires no care and can significantly improve vision. New artificial lens options include those that simulate the natural focusing ability of a young healthy lens. Choosing an IOL (Intra Ocular Lens) Today you have many types of IOLs to choose from for your cataract surgery, depending on your specific needs. In addition to IOLs that correct nearsightedness and farsightedness, there are now Toric IOLs that correct astigmatism as well. If you don’t mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery, a monofocal lens implant usually is used. Often, only parttime use of reading glasses is needed after cataract surgery with monofocal IOLs. But if prescription eyeglasses are needed (which often is the case if you only need cataract surgery in one eye), Dr. Vassallo typically will prescribe new glasses for you approximately one to three months after surgery. If you like the idea of being less dependent on glasses after cataract surgery,
During at least the first week of your recovery, it is essential that you avoid: • Strenuous activity and heavy lifting (nothing over 25 pounds). • Bending, exercising and similar activities that might stress your eye while it is healing. • Water that might splash into your eye and cause infection. Keep your eye closed while showering or bathing. Also, avoid swimming or hot tubs for at least two weeks. • Any activity that would expose your Cataract Surgery Recovery An uncomplicated cataract surgery healing eye to dust, grime or other typically lasts only about 10-15 minutes. infection-causing contaminants. But expect to be at the surgical center for 90 minutes or longer, because extra If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, time is needed to prepare you for surgery Dr. Vassallo typically requires you to wait (dilating your pupil; administering until your first eye has healed sufficiently pre-operative medication) and for a and you have good vision in that eye before brief post-operative evaluation and the second surgery is performed. one way to correct presbyopia and reduce your need for reading glasses is to choose one of a variety of advanced presbyopiacorrecting IOLs to improve your reading vision without sacrificing your distance vision. Presbyopia-correcting IOLs include accommodating IOLs and multifocal IOLs; both types are designed to provide a greater range of vision after cataract surgery than conventional monofocal IOLs.
instructions about your cataract surgery recovery before you leave. You must have someone drive you home after cataract surgery; do not attempt to drive until you have visited your eye doctor the day after surgery and he or she tests your vision and confirms that you are safe to drive. You will be prescribed medicated eye drops to use several times each day for a few weeks after cataract surgery. You also must wear your protective eye shield while sleeping or napping for about a week after surgery. To protect your eyes from sunlight and other bright light as your eye recovers, you will be given a special pair of post-operative sunglasses. Also, many centers require someone to be with you after cataract surgery if you received anesthesia. Be sure to ask about this requirement prior to your cataract procedure so you are prepared for surgery day. While your eye heals, you might experience some eye redness and blurred vision during the first few days or even weeks following the procedure.
Dr. Vassallo
Dr. Vassallo has extensive experience in cataract surgery. If you or a loved one suffers from decreased vision due to cataracts please call (904) 797-7722 for a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss whether or not you are a candidate for standard or advanced cataract removal procedures.
Health & Wellness Forum
161 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL (904) 829-3475 www.bayviewhealthcare.org BayView Healthcare is a private, not-for-profit comprehensive continuum of healthcare provider founded in 1920. Our superior level of services includes short-term inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing at BayView Rehab at the Samantha R. Wilson Care Center, BayView Home Health and BayView Assisted Living at The Pavilion and Buckingham Smith, an Emergency Charitable Assistance Program and BayView Wellness. Caring Hands-Caring Community is a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization founded in 2004 by our parent organization. It was formed to support the exceptional services and con-tinuum of care provided to people in need of healthcare
7
services and financial assistance. For further in-formation about any of the programs offered through the BayView Healthcare continuum please call (904) 829-3475.
Health & Medicine
PAP Smear Every 3 Years? Is That Safe?
O
Susan Yarian, MD
ne of the most important advances in public health came about in the 1960’s with the introduction of the PAP smear. Initially, there was great resistance to this new, invasive exam, but it’s successes in detecting early precancerous conditions and preventing cervical cancer made it clear that it too valuable to ignore. The need for an exam and a PAP smear became an unquestioned annual ritual, passed along from mother to daughter. Here’s why the PAP is so wonderful. Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It’s #12 in the US, with only 4,000 deaths in 2014. Pap smear screening is responsible for this. Women in poverty are unable to get routine pap smears. The death rate from cervical cancer is directly related to the incidence of poverty in the developing world. Even the death rate in the U.S. would be lower if women in poverty here had access to better medical care. Cervical cancer is a terrible disease. Treatment regimens are tough and the death is often a very difficult one. The
February/March 2015
average age of cervical cancer victims is only 46. The PAP is a good indicator that something is wrong, but until recently, we didn’t understand what actually caused cervical cancer. We now know that it is caused by a virus called human papilloma virus, or HPV. There are over 100 types of HPV, which is transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse. Of these, 15 have been have been associated with the development of cervical cancer. It is estimated that up to 80% of women have at some time had an HPV infection. The good news is that we can suppress it (much like we suppress chicken pox or shingles) meaning that the vast majority of women who get HPV will not develop a precancerous condition if treated. The presence of abnormal looking cells on a PAP smear alone does not predict the degree to which a patient is at risk for cervical cancer, only that they might be at risk. With the addition of HPV testing, we can better understand who is truly at risk for this disease and treat it early. If you do not show evidence of high risk HPV on a PAP, the chance that you will get a pre-cancerous lesion within 3 years is extremely remote. Hence, the following guidelines are now used for routine cervical cancer screening: • No PAP until age 21 • PAP every 3 years from ages 21 to 65 While HPV is considered an STD because it is transmitted through sex, it is different than other STD’s, like Chlamydia, in that: A) HPV is extremely common, and B) it has no immediate symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control: “ HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.” There is an HPV vaccine that covers the worst of the high risk HPV types (which account for 70% of cervical cancers) and the
low risk types that account for 90% of warts. According to the CDC, all kids who are 11 or 12 years old should get the HPV vaccine. Teen boys and girls who did not get the vaccine when they were younger should get it right away. Young women can get HPV vaccine through age 26, and young men can get vaccinated through age 21. The vaccine is also recommended for gay and bisexual young men (or any young man who has sex with men) and also for young men with compromised immune systems (including HIV) through age 26, if they did not get HPV vaccine when they were younger. The vaccine is safe. There is no evidence that it encourages earlier sexual activity, no associated with any medical condition, and huge registries have confirmed its safety. It is 100% effective in preventing the cervical cancer associated with the two highest-risk types.
8
Talk with your gynecologist about the new screening guidelines and the HPV vaccine. It could be lifesaving for you or the women in your life. Susan Yarian, MD Dr. Yarian is a graduate of the University of Florida, with a BS in Industrial Engineering. She worked as an engineer for years before pursuing her medical degree at the University of South Carolina. As the founding partner of ObGyn Associates of St Augustine, she has been gratified to watch the practice grow from a one doctor, one midwife office in 2001 to our current practice. She is particularly interested in high-risk obstetrics, but enjoys all aspects of gynecology care. Even after 21 years in private practice, she feels it is a privilege to be a part of women’s lives in such an important way.
Health & Medicine
Minimally Invasive Pain Therapy Options.
S
By: Dr. Jyoti Patel, Pain Management Physician Physicians Pain Center
uffering from chronic pain is debilitating. Discovering how the brain processes these signals of pain and also the causes of pain is important for obtaining a diagnosis and administering proper treatment. Pain is categorized by a wide variety of sensations in the body such as throbbing, burning, tingling and numbness. Pain usually develops once peripheral nerves are harmed and these nerve fibers send a message to the spinal cord which then transmits the message directly to the brain. Not all causes of pain are known, pain can be centralized or wide spread and sometimes pain does not diminish over time consequently the pain is then categorized as being chronic pain. Neuropathic pain is a form of chronic pain which usually occurs following tissue damage and is defined by a dysfunction in the relationship between pain levels and actual injury. Since neuropathic pain is a complex diagnosis a comprehensive approach for treatment should be administered. Neurostimulation is an advanced therapy that can reduce pain levels for patients suffering from chronic pain. The interventional pain management physician first will interview a patient and determine if there is a need for the neurostimulation procedure. A grea tip for patients is to be prepared for the visit with the physician by having a description of your chronic pain (location and levels), medications, past medical history and specific questions regarding your condition. Neurostimulation requires a minor proce-
dure, whereas a trial is first administered to the patient to determine the levels of treatment satisfaction. During the procedure an implantable device known as a neurostimulator is used to deliver electrical pulses that block pain signals thus improving the patients’ quality of life. There are different types of neurostimulation systems available for patients and the interventional pain management physician will discusses these options. The electrical stimulation is not a cure for pain but instead a therapy which controls and manages pain levels. Once a trial is determined to be a success then the permanent placement procedure is performed by an interventional pain management physician. The physician sets the limits for the neurostimulator then will
Neurostimulation is an advanced therapy that can reduce pain levels for patients suffering from chronic pain.
educate and prepare the patient for post implant care. Neurostimulation implantable devices were first developed over forty years ago and since improved many debilitating conditions such as sever back and leg pain. Neurostimulation therapy is considered advanced by medical professionals as a minimally invasive therapy option typically performed in an outpatient setting, with little or no hospital stay required. As a treatment for chronic pain the neurostimulator implantation procedure reduces hospitalization and health care costs for patients. There are different types of neurostimulation systems available for patients and the interventional pain management physician will discusses the options available once the need for a neurostimulator is determined.
Dr. Jyoti Patel is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. She has been practicing medicine in the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area since 1991. Dr. Patel and her business partner, Dr. Elena Stanescu, opened their private practice, The Physicians Pain Center, in 2002 with offices in St. Augustine and Palatka. The Physicians Pain Center is a full service interventional pain management practice offering in-house procedures, EMG/NCV testing, and medication management for all types of acute and chronic pain. The goal at PPC is to reduce the patient’s pain and to provide the education necessary to understand his/her condition; enabling the patient to achieve the highest level of relief and allow for a return to a productive and fulfilling lifestyle.
9
Health & Medicine
New First Coast Heart and Vascular Cath Lab Opens Transradial Cardiac Catheterization Your doctor may perform cardiac catheterization to: • Diagnose or evaluate coronary artery disease • Diagnose or evaluate congenital heart disease • Diagnose or evaluate problems with heart valves • Diagnose causes of heart failure or cardiomyopathy In addition to its use as a diagnostic tool, cardiac catheterization can also be used as an interventional procedure to treat heart attacks, to open blocked arteries with balloons and stents, and/or repair stenotic, or By Majdi Ashchi, narrowed heart valves. DO, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, FABVM In the United States, a majority of cardiac catheterizations (90-95%) are performed through the femoral artery, the large artery supplying blood to your leg, hat is cardiac catheter- which is accessed through the groin. Alization, and when is it used? though generally considered safe, this apIn general, cardiac catheterization is a proach presents a slightly higher risk of minimally invasive procedure done to get bleeding compared to cardiac catheterizainformation about the heart muscle and its tion through the radial artery in the wrist. blood supply or to provide treatments such as intracoronary stents in certain types What is transradial cardiac of heart conditions. It may also be used catheterization? to determine the need for heart surgery Transradial cardiac catheterization offers a or other procedures. less invasive, lower-risk option compared
W
Why come to First Coast Heart and Vascular Center? FCHV is one of the few cardiology groups in North Florida to routinely offer transradial cardiac catheterization procedures, and our physicians have been perfecting this procedure for over 13 years. Our physicians are involved in training new physicians and already accredited interventional cardiologists in this technique. FCHVC opened its office-based, or outpatient cardiac & vascular Cath lab on January 14, 2015. It is a state of the art facility and first system of its kind in the nation. We are honored to have been able to team with the medical equipment company Schimadzu to get its latest version of cutting edge equipment. This the most advanced software and imaging system, which makes the operator’s job easier, safer and with significantly reduces procedure time and radiation to both patient and operator, and the amount of contrast used. The advancement in technology in this system is second to none. The FCHVC Cath lab offers not only heart catheterization, but is also able to perform simple angiogram and intervention, to most complex peripheral vascular procedures. Such procedures include: Carotid angiogram, renal angiogram, mesenteric angiograms, leg angiogram, abdominal aneurysm angiogram and the same for interventions. We use the latest in interventional technology from simple balloon angioplasty, simple stents and medicated stents, and a multitude of atherectomy devices including laser. We diagnose and treat all vascular beds from the neck to the feet (arterial or venous). Dr. Ashchi built and opened the first free standing office based Cath lab in northeast Florida in 2007, and now has built on his experience to build the FCHVC cath lab, with advancement second to none. Patients at FCHV Center are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team of board certified general and interventional cardiologists, along side an electrophysiologist, working together to formulate individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s specific needs and disease stage. Our doctors have a dedicated team to consult on simple to complex cases of hypertension, heart failure, Atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, vascular diseases, leg ulcers, leg pain, leg swelling, carotid disease, mesenteric and renal artery diseases. Please visit our website at www.firstcoastheart.com or call our main office number (904) 423-0010 for all of our 8 locations. We are active at most hospitals in Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties. The FCHV Center team of doctors, L. Van Crisco, Majdi Ashchi, Vincent Caracciolo, Dinesh Pubbi, Kevin Hayes, David Grech, Millie Singh, Neal Sanghvi, work in collaboration with best area cardiac surgeons for our patient’s best results. Links to information about Transradial Cardiac Catheterization:
February/March 2015
10
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2039370-overview http://www.invasivecardiology.com/article/3334 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transradial_catheterization http://www.ptca.org/voice/2013/01/28/european-society-of-cardiology-transradial-accessshould-be-1st-choice-for-angioplasty-1067 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002870399701432
Health & Medicine to traditional femoral artery access for cardiac catheterization because the procedure is performed through a small artery in the wrist rather than the groin. This allows for a quicker recovery time and a shorter hospital stay. Immediately after the procedure, patients should be able to sit up, eat, and walk. In contrast, after a traditional cardiac catheterization through the femoral artery in the groin, patients must lie flat for two to six hours, in order to ensure that bleeding will not occur from the site. Furthermore, the femoral artery is adjacent to the abdominal cavity. Inadvertent puncture through the femoral artery can lead to blood loss into a very large space, the retroperitoneal cavity that is behind the abdomen. Every year someone in every large city in America dies of a large bleed into this space that is either not stopped or not appreciated. Transradial access for heart catheterization is without this risk, 100%. Blood loss from the radial artery is simply compressed with a finger. The physicians of First Coast Heart and Vascular Center are some of the only cardiologists in North Florida who routinely offer transradial cardiac catheterization and transradial coronary intervention procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting procedures.
How is the procedure performed? A determination is made to confirm that the patient is eligible and safe for radial artery catheterization. The patient is sterilely prepped, and minimally sedated. The wrist area is anesthetized and accessed with a small needle. Catheters are then inserted and advanced to the heart arteries. The rest of the procedure is identical as if it were performed from the traditional femoral approach. The catheter is then inserted through the wrist (radial artery) and is threaded through to the heart and its chambers. A wristband is used to compress the artery when the procedure is finished, and the patient is able to ambulate almost immediately after the procedure.
Who is eligible for transradial cardiac catheterization? Despite the advantages to this approach, the procedure may not be appropriate for a very small number of patients: • Patients with inadequate blood supply to the hand due to prior surgeries on arteries or other injuries or causes of vascular insufficiency to the hand or wrist We evaluate each patient’s case carefully to determine the best type of procedure to perform. We encourage patients to ask our team about this form of diagnostic testing to see if it is appropriate for them.
Why doesn’t every cardiologist perform transradial cardiac catheterization procedures? This is a common question and one that is difficult to answer. Some doctors have either never trained to do the procedure, or are reluctant to change their established practice. If transradial cardiac catheterization is safer for the patient and associated with fewer complications, the physicians of FCHV Center believe it should be an option for every patient if appropriate.
The staff of the Woman’s Journal recently interviewed Dr. Majdi Ashchi and asked him questions about the new FCHV Cath lab which should give our readers a good picture of what the new lab is all about: 1. Is there new technology employed in your cath lab? YES. Trinias is a system made by Schimadzu. It is the first one installed in the USA. It has most advanced and sophisticated software. The images are far more advanced than any other system we have ever used. The options this system offers makes the operator physician work much easier and safer in terms of time spent in the procedure, as well as minimizing radiation exposure to the patient and operator regarding contrast usage.
What are the benefits/ advantages of transradial versus traditional cardiac catheterization? • Reduced risk of bleeding and damage to blood vessels • Patients can sit up, walk, and eat immediately after the procedure, rather than the typical two to six hours lying flat after femoral access • Shorter hospital stay or outpatient facility stay • Quicker recovery time • Increased patient comfort • Potential discharge to home the same day even after stenting procedures
2. Can a patient be treated then go home in the same day? YES… the patient may have heart cath and go home within one to three hours after procedure. It can be performed from the wrist (radial artery) or groin ( femoral artery) with a small catheter and local anesthetic. NO need for cutting or use of a knife. It is simply a catheter that is a bit larger than an IV catheter. 3. Will my insurance cover treatment at your cath lab instead of at my hospital? Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover office-based procedure (outpatient facility). Depending on the insurance policy. Our staff will assist in getting the approvals necessary. 4. Are there cost savings for patients using the FCHV cath lab? Yes. The cost of most procedures are much less in an office-based environment. Again, based on each insurance policy, Co-pays if any, are much less in an office-based treatment than in a hospital setting.
First Coast Heart & Vascular Center
11
904.342.8300
1000 Plantation Island Drive, Suite 9 St. Augustine, FL 32080 • www.firstcoastheart.com
Health & Medicine Discover the latest in varicose vein treatment -A Solution to Leg Pain
pools in leg veins, which can become enlarged or varicose. Endovenous ablation is an ultrasound guided procedure that uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to close off these faulty vessels, diverting blood flow immediately to nearby healthy veins.
H
By: Ryan Pereira, DPM FACFAS
ave you taken a look at your legs lately?
What are some common uses of the procedure? Although this procedure may be used for cosmetic purposes, it is more commonly used to help alleviate symptoms associated with venous insufficiency. Leg pain, fatigue, tiredness, heaviness, aching, burning, itching, and restless legs are common symptoms of venous insufficiency. These symptoms often worsen with long periods of standing and can lead to leg swelling, throbbing and leg cramps. Conservative treatments include heavy support stockings, anti-inflammatory medications, and leg elevation. Venous disease is not as yet curable; however with appropriate treatment, the progressive nature of vein disease can be slowed and controlled
What is Radiofrequency Endovenous ablation? There are several options in the treatment of varicose veins. They involve Endovenous ablation, vein stripping and ligation, phlebectomy and sclerotherapy. For the purposes of this article I will focus on endovenous ablation treatment. Varicose vein treatment with endovenous ablation, is the latest minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to cauterize (burn) and close abnormally enlarged veins in the legs, a condition called venous insufficiency. Normally, blood circulates from the heart to the legs via arteries and back to the heart through veins. Veins contain oneway valves, which allow blood to return from the legs against gravity. If the valves leak, blood
How is the procedure performed? Dr. Pereira and Dr. Ross will numb the area where the catheter will enter into the abnormal vein with an anesthetic solution, and use the ultrasound probe to study the vein and track its path. The leg being treated is then cleaned, sterilized and covered with a surgical drape. A very small nick is made in the skin at the site. Using ultrasound guidance, the catheter is inserted through the skin into the vein and positioned within the abnormal vein. The radiofrequency electrode is inserted through the catheter and placed into the ‘safe zone.’ The local anesthetic solution is injected around the abnormal vein with ultrasound guidance. Radiofrequency energy is applied as the catheter is withdrawn 7 cm every 20 seconds. The skin is then covered with a bandage. No sutures are needed. This procedure is usually completed within 45 minutes. Following the procedure, you will need to wear a gradient compression stocking to help reduce
For more information about vein treatments, please visit: www.anastasiamedicalgroup.com or contact the office at 904-461-0821. The Center for Advance Vein Care (CAV care) treats all of the aspects of venous disease, the most common of which are varicose veins, spider veins, venous ulcers, and refluxing veins. We utilize the VNUS® Closure® procedure and treatments usually last approximately 45 minutes. In order to provide for total comprehensive vein care, vein stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy and sclerotherapy are also performed at the Center for Advance Vein Care. Dr. Ryan J. Pereira (pictured above) has been in
practice since 2002 and has been treating venous disease since 2005. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is Board Certified in both Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/ Ankle surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American ColDr. David S. Ross lege of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine with his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine.
If you don’t like what you see then, at the Centre for Advanced Vein Care, Dr. Ryan Pereira and Dr. David Ross are who can relieve your painful symptoms and improve the appearance of your legs to restore them to a more youthful look!
February/March 2015
bruising, tenderness, and minimize the very rare possibility that blood clots may form. You may resume your normal activity immediately, with the exception of air travel or prolonged sitting (such as a long car trip). The physicians will perform a follow up ultrasound examination in order to assess the treated vein. Within Additional procedures (such as sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy) may be necessary to treat the smaller associated vein and are finishing touches to make your legs beautiful and youthful once again!
• This procedure leaves virtually no scars because catheter placement requires skin openings of only a few millimeters, not large incisions. • Endovenous ablation offers a less invasive alternative to standard surgery. • Most of the veins treated are effectively invisible even to ultrasound 6-12 months after the procedure. • Most patients report symptom relief and are able to return to normal daily activities immediately, with little or no pain.
What are the benefits of this procedure? Benefits are . . . • No surgical incision is needed-only a small nick in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed. • When compared with traditional vein stripping techniques, endovenous ablation is more effective, has fewer complications, and is associated with much less pain during recovery. • Endovenous ablation is generally complication-free and safe.
And finally Your legs will look great!
Dr. David S. Ross has been in practice since 1977 and has been treating venous disease since 2008. He is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Family Practice and is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Florida.
12
Health & Medicine
Colon Cancer. Prevent it. Treat it. Beat it.
S
By Sandra Hoogerwerf, MD, Borland-Groover Clinic
pecialists at the Borland-Groover Clinic know that screening for colorectal cancer saves lives. “Everyone has a five percent chance of developing colon cancer, but if there is a family history then the risk is two to three times higher,” says Sandra Hoogerwerf, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Borland-Groover Clinic. Colon cancer is 90 percent curable if detected early. It’s one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men and women. Both genders are affected nearly equally and the key risk factor is age, with risks increasing after the age of 50. If a family his-
tory is present, Borland-Groover Clinic recommends to be screened ten years earlier than the age of the family member at diagnosis. Patients with colon cancer most often have no symptoms, though symptoms can include a change in stool size or habits, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. “We want to get to people before these symptoms occur,” said William Foody, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Borland-Groover clinic. While age 50 is recognized as the age to add a colonoscopy screening to your medical checkup, colon cancer can present itself at any age. Screening is essential, yet misconceptions remain about who should be screened and what the screening process involves. If you have a family or a personal history of polyps, colon cancer, inflammatory bowels, Crohn’s disease. If you have a family or a personal history of polyps, colon cancer, inflammatory bowels or Crohn’s disease, then you should be screened more often, Dr. Foody adds. Other risk factors for colon cancer include obesity, consumption of more than four to five alcoholic drinks per week and smoking. Physical activity also plays a part. “Just increasing exercise and activity to a moderate level can decrease your risk for colon cancer by as much as 50 percent,” says Dr. Hoogerwerf. According to the physicians and staff at the Borland-Groover Clinic, colon cancer
screening has never been easier. Physicians are able to see a patient, and in a single visit, remove all signs of polyps and offer a diagnosis within 24 hours of the procedure. Since screenings have become much easier, the death rate from colorectal cancer has significantly dropped in both men and women. As a result, there are now more than 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the United States. While the colonoscopy is a fairly routine procedure, it is the prep that concerns most people although it only consists of consuming a fairly strong laxative the day before the procedure. The cleaner the colon, the easier it is to examine it for polyps. The colonoscopy itself is a comfortable and safe test - the patient is sedated and mostly unaware of the procedure, lasting only about 15 to 30 minutes. Most polyps can be removed during the colonoscopy. In some cases, a non-surgical technique called Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) can be used to remove polyps that are larger than two centimeters with almost no upper limit as long as there is not deeply invasive cancer present. “No one likes to talk about colon cancer, but I am willing to talk about it if it will help others,” said colorectal cancer survivor and patient of the Borland-Groover Clinic, Jan Pratt. Pratt was diagnosed in 2002 with stage
three colorectal cancer at 35. Pratt’s family history with the disease, and persistent stomach issues caused her to receive a lifesaving screening that led to her diagnosis. As a result of her experience, Pratt became active with the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, traveling to Washington D.C., to lobby for legislation making colorectal cancer screening easier to access and covered by insurance. Now, luckily for patients, most insurance companies cover up to 100 percent of costs for colonoscopy screenings. “We promote awareness in March, Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the year in an effort to encourage people, all the way up to the state legislature, to get the people screened who need to be screened,” said Dr. Hoogerwerf. Getting screened is the first step to prevent colon cancer. As the leading educators on issues of colon cancer prevention and screening in Northeast Florida, Borland-Groover Clinic has been thinking globally and acting locally. Through education and prevention messages, the physicians and staff, along with local cancer survivors, are making it a personal mission to help make colorectal cancer issues a top priority on a local and national level. “One simple screening is worth a day of your life,” says Dr. Hoogerwerf.
Dr Sandra Hoogerwerf graduated Cum Laude with a Doctorate of Medicine from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She subsequently completed her internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, and her clinical gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Brach in Galveston, Texas. In addition, she completed a gastroenterological research fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Before joining Borland-Groover Clinic in 2010, she served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Hoogerwerf has a longstanding interest in women’s health issues, functional bowel and motility disorders. She has published on a variety of topics including the management of gastrointestinal disease in pregnancy, acid suppressive therapy and reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and motility disorders such as achalasia.
13
Health & Medicine
Pediatrics and the AAP
W
Vincent S. Luz M.D. FAAP
hy Choose a Pediatrician? Pediatricians are child health experts. Infants and children have different needs medically and emotionally than adults. Although still considered a primary care doctor, Pediatricians specialize in preventing and managing health problems in infants, children and adolescents. What training does it take to be a Pediatrician? After 4 years of medical school, a doctor must complete a Pediatric Residency, which consists of taking special courses and training for 3 years specializing in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. At the end of the residency the doctor has to take a long, detailed test given by the American Board of Pediatrics to become board certified. Once passed, the Pediatrician may elect to become
Pediatricians, especially Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics, have a lifelong commitment to advocating for children and maintaining their own educational standards to the highest quality.
February/March 2015
a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (that is what FAAP means after a Pediatricians name). What does it mean to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics? A fellow of the AAP is one of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, social health, and well being for all infants, children and adolescents. It also means that the fellow has a lifelong commitment to learning and advocacy for children. More about the AAP: The American Academy of Pediatrics was founded in 1930 as a not for profit organization. They demanded the medical community acknowledge the difference between adult and child care. Starting with 60 physicians it has grown to 60,000 physicians including general Pediatricians, Pediatric subspecialists, and Pediatric Surgeons. The AAP is a leader and one of the foremost medical societies in the world. They are the strongest voice in advocacy of children. Members work everyday at the local level in their hospitals, offices, local state, and federal government to protect the wellbeing of children. AAP Committees and sections analyze critical research developing policy statement that guides members to practice up to date standard of care Pediatrics. Topics range from obesity, breastfeeding, immunizations, and injury prevention. Many more practice guidelines are developed to help a FAAP make the best clinical decisions for his pediatric patient. The AAP also makes it easy for your Pediatrician to have the best continuing medical education available and to maintain his standards throughout his career. Conclusion: Pediatricians, especiallyFellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics, have a lifelong commitment to advocating for children and maintaining their own educational standards to the highest quality. As stated by the 75th anniversary
statement by the AAP: “We believe in the inherent worth of all children.” “They are our most enduring and vulnerable legacy.”
Santo Tomas and did his residency at Nassau University Medical Center in NY. He has special interest in pediatric ENT and has been practicing since 2004. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Vincent S. Luz M.D. FAAP Dr. Luz graduated from the University of
For more information or an appointment call 904-342-7648
14
Health & Medicine
Are You Wearing the Right Size Bra? Did You Know 80% of us ARE NOT?
H
By: Susan Detar, CFm Owner, The Pink Door
ere are a few things that will tell you that you should be fitted for a new bra. ◆ Your bra rides up in back ◆ Straps fall off or leave indentations ◆ Under wire cuts into tissue ◆ Back tissue spills over the band ◆ Breast tissue spills out the top or pushes out the bottom ◆ You have gained or lost l0 pounds ◆ You purchased a different size top
While every woman should wear the right size bra, after mastectomy or lumpectomy, when a prosthesis is added to the equation, the fitting becomes even more important to ensure the “system” is completely in balance. Not replacing the lost tissue can create misalignment of the spine which after time can create shoulder droop or head and neck pain. These same chronic health conditions can also be caused by heavy breasts not being supported. Often women have purchased a bra they feel fits well and when they go shopping for new garments they purchase a different style or manufacturer in the same size without trying it on. This garment usually stays in the drawer because there is no standardization in the lingerie industry. So you can’t count on a 36B being a 36B. You must know what a proper fit looks and feels like and you must try it on.
Before
To care for your lingerie, hand or machine wash (in a lingerie bag) in cold water with your regular laundry soap. Do not use detergent with bleach. Always hang dry your bras. It is recommended that at a minimum every woman should have three new bras at each purchase— one to wear, one to wash
and one for a spare. And if you can, an entire wardrobe of bras. The life span of even the best bra is no more than 12 months. The fibers have begun to break down and will no longer be able to do the work. As a rule, you should be fitted annually.
“For years I’ve just grabbed an armload of the biggest bras I could find and hoped for the best. My size was way off, and the regular stores don’t even carry what I need. Even the plus-size shops. Don’t suffer another day with less than adequate support!! Do your girls a favor and go see Susan at the Pink Door!!” - Robin “I was fitted for new bras to compensate for my disparate sized breasts. I couldn’t have asked for better service. This shop is a local treasure. Much better than having to drive out of town.” - Linda The store is a little farther than others, but Susan has given me a very personalized service and she goes out of her way to find what I need and fits me well. - Leticia I was overwhelmed with the service given to me, and the selection of bras. - Marilyn
After
A good fitting bra should be snug around the rib cage as that is where 90% of the work is done. This is where the lift happens. The straps are only to hold the fabric in place, not to hold up the tissue. Usually, decreasing the band size and increasing the cup size resolves most issues. Often, it takes a little time to become accustomed to the new “feel”, but once you have discovered what a proper fit does, you will be so much happier. A good fit makes you stand tall and confident. And your clothes look better. Susan Detar is a Certified Mastectomy Fitter. The Pink Door is an accredited post-mastectomy care center. Our mission statement: “The Pink Door will be recognized as the preferred provider of foundations to women affected by breast cancer. We will offer a wide selection of products in a knowledgeable and caring environment. Our goal is to fulfill 80% of our customers’ needs on the first visit.” This mission extends to all women who walk through the door. You will be served in a warm, inviting boutique occupying a home in the south historic district of Palatka. Our job is to provide products that will make you look and feel better.
15
Health & Medicine
Local Asthma Patient is Breathing Easy Again
S
heri Fulkerson is full of enthusiasm, as she excitedly shares how, with the help of an innovative procedure, she is recovering from a long and debilitating struggle with asthma. “Before the procedure, my asthma had gotten so severe, and I was such a shallow breather, that I couldn’t do most of the things I used to do. The athlete I had once been - riding my bicycle 12-15 miles a dayseemed like a different person; I couldn’t even come close to doing that anymore. I had to quit playing softball, and honestly, just going up and down the stairs took a lot of effort for me.” All that changed when Sheri came across an article about bronchial thermoplasty in the New England Journal of Medicine. “I started volunteering at Flagler Hospital in 2002 because I wanted to pay back the hospital for the good treatment they have given me over the years and to make a difference in our community. Well, because of my weakened state, I took a job in the mail room - away from patient Sheri Fulkerson
“Since surgery, I haven’t had any breathing problems – I don’t have to constantly monitor the weather. I’m starting to ride my bicycle more and starting to do more deep-breathing yoga; I never used to be able to do that before without coughing. I don’t have to use a rescue inhaler or nebulizer. As I continue to heal, I feel like the possibilities are endless.” areas- and that’s where I saw this article that changed my life. I left the mailroom thinking ‘there is hope for me’.” When Sheri saw the article, she wondered if the procedure would be good for her and was surprised to learn that Flagler Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the nation offering the innovative bronchial thermoplasty services she had read about. Sheri consulted with her pulmonologist, Dr. Husain, and he confirmed she was a good candidate for the procedure – and that he could perform it right here at Flagler Hospital. “My first procedure was on a Friday, 4 days after having an appointment with Dr. Husain. There were 3 different areas of my lungs that were treated. The first one I breezed through. The anesthesia was the toughest part for me during the second and the third procedure was my upper lungs and it was sore after, but it
really wasn’t too bad,” Sheri explained. “What got me through all of it was truly the people at the hospital. From the moment I walked in the front door, everyone I encountered was happy to see me, supportive and caring through every part of the process.” Today, Sheri says she is breathing easy and getting back to all the activities she loves – and trying some new ones as well! She is extremely thankful for the care concern and expertise of her doctors. “Since surgery, I haven’t had any breathing problems – I don’t have to constantly monitor the weather. I’m starting to ride my bicycle more and starting to do more deep-breathing yoga; I never used to be able to do that before without coughing. I don’t have to use a rescue inhaler or nebulizer. As I continue to heal, I feel like the possibilities are endless.”
About Flagler Hospital Flagler Hospital is a 335 bed, acute care hospital that has been ranked among the top 5% of all hospitals in the nation for both clinical excellence and patient safety for the past seven consecutive years. The hospital has operated as a not-for-profit healthcare institution in St. Augustine, Florida since its founding in 1889. The hospital has earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Care Centers, national accreditation for its total hip and total knee replacement programs, and Center of Excellence Designation for its Bariatric Surgery Center. For more information, log on to www.flaglerhospital.org
February/March 2015
16
WHAT IS BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY? Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma in patients 18 years and older whose asthma is not well-controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists. The system delivers thermal energy to the airway wall, in a precisely controlled manner, in order to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. Reducing airway smooth muscle decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, and helps in reducing the number of asthma attacks. This minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedure is performed in outpatient procedure visits. Bronchial thermoplasty is routinely performed under moderate sedation or light anesthesia, and the patient typically goes home the same day. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY? Bronchial thermoplasty is typically reserved for select adult patients whose severe and persistent asthma has not been helped by inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonist medications. WHAT IS THE EXPECTED OUTCOME? Bronchial thermoplasty is expected to complement asthma maintenance medications by providing long-lasting asthma control and improving asthma-related quality of life of patients with severe asthma. In addition, bronchial thermoplasty has been demonstrated to reduce severe exacerbations (asthma attacks) emergency rooms visits for respiratory symptoms, and time lost from work, school and other daily activities due to asthma. Learn more and watch an animated video of the procedure by clicking on Pulmonary Care under the Medical Services tab at www.flaglerhospital.org
Health & Medicine
Weight Loss Patient Celebrates 2 Year Anniversary “The vibrant, happy person that always lived inside me now radiates through each and every day. I feel beautiful on the inside and out.”
F
ive years ago, Yolanda made the decision to travel from the Orlando area to Flagler Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Center for a life transforming weight loss procedure. Led by nationally recognized surgeon, Dr. Robert Marema, Flagler’s bariatric program features two center of excellence bariatric surgeons, specially trained nursing staff, dietitians, mental health counselors, concierge services, a bariatric chef and both live and online support groups. Here’s what Yolanda had to say about her life after surgery. “Talk about a life change! I had gastric bypass surgery on August 6, 2008 and my life has not been the same since (in a good way). I’ve lost 110 pounds and am proud to say I have kept it off. I just celebrated my 5 year surgery anniversary on August 6, 2013. The vibrant, happy person that always lived inside me now radiates through each and every day. I feel beautiful on the inside and out! Dr. Marema and his staff were there every step of the way and really taught me how to transform my lifestyle and use weight loss surgery as a tool, rather than a cure for my obesity. In 2010, I married my amazing husband on Daytona Beach. Our son, Corei, will be 7 in December and Camryn, our little princess was born in March of this year. My newfound love for Zumba and passion to stay healthy led me to become a certified Zumba instructor in 2011 and I even flew to Boston for Zumba
toning instructor training while 7 months pregnant. I have done several charity Zumbathons and 2 Flash Mobs for the homeless in Downtown Deland! We collected 44 jackets and 38 pairs of shoes. Recently, I have been facilitating a 6am Bootcamp on Mon, Weds and Friday and am studying to become a certified personal trainer. Life is good!” For more information about surgical weight loss options and Flagler Hospital’s program, log on to www.flaglerhospitalweightloss.com.
17
The Flagler Hospital Bariatric Surgery Center features lifelong support for patients. Our support group recently sponsored a cooking class for patients to learn new recipes, cooking techniques and have some fun!
Health & Medicine Photo by Christine Cousart www.cousartphotography.com
Preventative Health Maintenance Guidelines for Women AGEs Test 21-65 Cervical Cancer Screening (PAP Smear)
Comments *Or 30-65 years old in combo with HPV testing
24 or younger 18 and older
Chlamydia screening risks
*Or 25 and older if increased
15-65
HIV screening
Blood pressure screening
45 and older Lipid disorders
D
By Scott R. Michaels M.D. Board Certified Family Medicine
uring a woman’s life her body changes and requires different preventive measures in order to maintain optimal health and prevent disease. The following is a guide for preventive maintenance for diagnostic testing for women throughout their lifetime. Guidelines for preventive health maintenance change often, therefore consult your physician for updates for the latest tips and facts. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) are excellent sources for further information as related to your individual preventive medicine needs. The Electronic Preventative Services Selector (ePSS) is a handy app for your
*If at increased risk *if at increased risk for coronary artery disease
50 till 75 Colorectal Cancer screening *Frequency is dependent on screening modality -fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy All adults
Tobacco use screening
smart phone that will tell you specifically what preventive healthcare services you should have based on your age, sex, and selective behavioral risks. Guidelines change, as new scientific evidence is discovered. Preventive health care can help prevent you from getting sick and help detect disease early. These two measures can have a dramatic effect on a persons’ overall health status. Early detection of disease results in early treatment which may decrease the associated effects or course of a disease. The above chart includes is a few of the age specific preventive testing Grade A recommendations for a sexually active, non-smoker and nonpregnant females.
Scott Michaels M.D. is a board certified licensed family medicine physician that practices in Saint Augustine Florida. Dr. Michaels completed his residency training at the University of Illinois, Rockford IL in family medicine. Dr. Michaels has a unique background, in addition to being a medical doctor he also has a doctor of chiropractic degree and is licensed in chiropractic medicine as well as traditional allopathic medicine. “Helping my patients achieve, their personal health care goals, and caring for them when they need medical care is my number one mission. I am driven to help my patients improve their health and utilize evidence based practice measures to get the best possible outcomes for my patients.” Dr. Michaels has an affordable concierge medical care option for patients. This enables patients to get timely access to personalized medical services. The concierge program includes comprehensive wellness services and a host of other medical services. The program is limited to a patient panel of 300 patients. Call now for more information: (904) 823-8833
February/March 2015
18
Health & Medicine
D
Do you have it ALL?
o you believe that a joyful, centered life is possible despite the stress of of modern day living? Peace, joy and love are always present-we are simply not always tuned in, much like a radio frequency. We are capable of shifting our focus or awareness upward and outward, which actually calms our inner being. When we recognize the abundant availability of these blessings, we will truly have it all. Having more of what you don’t really need will never satisfy you Is there a strong sense of attachment within your marriage and with your children? Think of attachment and security issues with a toddler in a new environment. The child may initially sit on his Mother’s lap, but eventually slides down to exploreknowing Mom is there. The same is true for adult relationships. When we are secure, we regulate our affect and emotions better, process information more effectively, and maintain a stronger sense of self. Without attachment and connection, people are lost and lonely and possibly even underdeveloped, as this is an essential human need. We have written before about the pace of life and social media contributing to an anti-social experience, which simply creates more emptiness.
discovered that reaching out to others during a stressful time improves mood through an increase in this hormone. Feelings of being soothed and reassured offer a foundation upon which trust and cooperation can be built. You can boost the level of oxytocin through touch, positive daydreaming, pleasant aromas, music, or petting an animal. More recent studies have show levels of oxytocin rising when people are in worship, prayer or meditation. Think of these actions as ways to become grounded or centered, therefore creating more inner security. When we are secure, are are less threatened by outside stressors and become more resilient in our response. Think of opening your wallet on a windy day only to see your last $10 spiraling out of your hands and landing in the drain; unreachable. Now think of your reaction if the same thing happened to a ten dollar bill, but you had a wallet that was stuffed with twenties. The same loss is perceived differently because of perspective. So why do we avoid that which can heal us? We allow electronic devices, work schedules, the “to do list”, negative emotions and unresolved issues to create a barrier to human connection. People need touch and connection, even if they appear to resist it. Let this year begin with you DOING less a nd BEING more.
Kathleen Abbott,
Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Director
“Kate” has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has over 25 years of experience as a therapist and as a business leader. She coaches managers on best practices, is a regular speaker on creative and practical life strategies and believes “transformation begins with a renewing of the mind.” Her clinical expertise is broad with specialties in eating disorders, PTSD, women, couples, teens and faith-based counseling. She is also highly experienced in providing counseling and crisis intervention training to various organizations in our community. A former licensed foster care parent and mother of two daughters, she is able to equip others in managing life’s many changes and challenges.
The caring and experience professionals at The Life Source Group are available to treat all ages and any concern. Please call 904-797-5680 or visit our website at Thelifesourcegroup.com for more information.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S BEST COUNSELORS
19
“Jack” has an MBA from Columbia University, a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Florida, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Certified Family Law Mediator. A former CPA with over 20 years of international business experience, he now specializes in working with teenage and adult substance abuse, family and couple discord, parental alienation syndrome, trauma, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Practicing what he calls Cognitive Soul Therapy, dramatic results are sought using both science and spirituality. He is also familiar with the courtroom through his experiences as a Family Law Mediator, Guardian Ad Litem volunteer, licensed foster care parent, and adoptive father.
Lasting Results Through Science & Spirituality an We are now ic Amen Clin Affiliate
What are you using to fill that empty spot? Oxytocin, known as the bonding or love hormone is most often discussed at birth and during those early moments of holding and touching your infant. Scientist have now
John R. “Jack” Jones, Jr,
Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Certified Family Law Mediator
Kathleen Abbott, LMHC John “Jack” Jones, LMHC Melody Ott, LCSW Thomas Swisshelm, MEd, EdS Barbara Jenkin, M.A., CAP Megan Keegan, MS Liggett M. Cato, CECP Lin Brightman, BCHC Liz Villanueve, MS Melissa Muller, MA, LMHC
Thank you for voting us St Augustine’s Best Counselors for 2014 Free Counseling Through Our Graduate Intern Program Free Substance Abuse Groups Featuring Smart Recovery
(904) 797-5680
Displaying the Spiritual Paintings of Mary Lou Gibson Fax: (904) 797-5681 • www.TheLifeSourceGroup.com
248 Southpark Circle East • Saint Augustine, FL 32086
Health & Medicine
Health Care Benefits of Massage Therapy
A
Tammy Kelz,
Coastal Massage Therapy and Wellness
ccording to the results of a recent survey conducted by the American Hospital Association’s Health Forum and Samueli Institute, a nonprofit research organization, 40 percent of hospitals indicated they offer one or more alternative therapies—up a full 37 percent from 2007. Responding to patient demand and the increasing cost of health care, more and more hospitals are taking a good look at complementary and alternative therapies— including massage therapy—to help patients with a variety of issues. From back and neck pain to stress relief, doctors and hospitals are beginning to think a little differently
about how they might help patients better deal with some of these conditions. “Today’s patients have better access to health information and are demanding more personalized care,” says Sita Ananth, study author and director of knowledge services for the Samueli Institute. “The survey results reinforce the fact that patients want the best that both conventional and alternative medicine can offer, and hospitals are responding.” Of the hospitals that responded to the survey, 64 percent reported using massage therapy as part of outpatient care, and 44 percent use massage therapy as part of inpatient care. These results dovetail nicely with the findings of a reader survey published in the September issue of Consumer Reports, where three out of four adults reported using some form of alternative therapy for general health. Chiropractic, deep tissue massage and yoga all dominated the lists of helpful alternative treatments for conditions such as back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis. According to the report, survey respondents indicated that yoga, deep tissue massage and Pilates rated the same as prescription medications for help with back pain. And some of the respondents initially looked to complementary and alternative therapies upon the suggestion of their physicians. “Twenty-eight percent of readers who used deep tissue massage, usually for back or neck pain, said their doctors had recommended it,” the report explains.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: As we begin to learn more about the benefits of complementary and alternative therapies such as massage therapy, don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor about how these options might fit into your overall health care regimen. Additionally, talk to your massage therapist openly and honestly about the benefits you want to receive from massage therapy, making sure you get all of your questions answered and fully understand what you can expect. Take some time to gather information on your own. There are quite a few resources out there that can help you better understand the research being done on the benefits of massage therapy, as well as the different techniques and modalities your massage therapist might use. Massage offers real health benefits, so much so that some conventional hospitals are making it a standard therapy for surgery patients and others. Along with promoting relaxation and improving your sense of well-being, getting a massage has been shown to: • Relieve pain (from migraines, labor, fibromyalgia and even cancer) • Reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and ease insomnia • Decrease symptoms of PMS • Relax and soften injured and overused muscles, reducing spasms and cramping. • Provide arthritis relief by increasing joint flexibility.
lowering raised blood pressure. Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility. Massage is said to increase activity of the vagus nerve, one of 10 cranial nerves, that affects the secretion of food absorption hormones, heart rate and respiration. It has proven to be an effective therapy for a variety of health conditions— particularly stress-related tension, which experts believe accounts for as much as 80 percent to 90 percent of disease.
Massage affects your nervous system through nerve endings in your skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, which are natural “feel good” chemicals. Endorphins help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being, relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline — reversing the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and Coastal Massage Therapy and Wellness, is a mainly mobile service. I provide a professional, caring and knowledgeable practice. The mobile massage service seemed a perfect niche for me, as I was a residential house painter for 17 yrs.I bring the table, bolsters and music to you. When I leave, you are relaxed and can enjoy the benefits of the massage, not having to experience the stress involved with driving. Family gatherings and party settings are also a good time for a therapist to be available using chair massage or a conventional table set up. If in home is not your choice we can meet US1 north location, south of SR16. Fitness is available: Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation classes. Your home or patio is a perfect setting for one on one practice or gather a group of friends together as a fun option. Hope to see and meet you on the path, enjoying health and well being.
February/March 2015
20
Health & Medicine
February/March 2015
21
Health & Fitness
Harbour Island Tennis Centre
H
Marie Turnbull, Owner
in 2015 along with lights for night play. We are still in discussions with our architect and club house plans are getting close. Plans and sketches will be available for comment and viewing at the club within the next several months. It is a fun and exciting time. The club is growing, membership is growing and everyone is having a great time on the courts. Tennis Ladders will be introduced in the month of March and the entire years Tournaments schedule is available online at www. harbourislandtennis.com. We are also growing our Pro Shop, new Head Racquets have been ordered and other items can be ordered directly from Ivo in the Harbour Island Tennis Centre Pro Shop Whether you play competitively, for your health or just for fun, tennis has great benefits for the mind and body. Here we’ll share five ways that taking up a racquet and hitting the court can have positive impacts on your health.
arbour Island is growing and construction on court for will be completed in time for the February 14 Valentine Tournament. Remember with growth comes increased rates so join now and save on the initiation fees as they will go up on April 1st. Court number 5 Health Benefits of Playing Tennis five is just around the corner it will be complete 1. Decrease Your Risk of Heart Disease 2. Enhance Your Flexibility, Coordination Gala Dinner & Silent Auction and Balance Gala will Follow Saturday’s play 3. Boost Your Brain Power Doors open Saturday 4. Improve your Bone Health March 28th at 6:00pm 5. Lose Weight Dinner served at 6:45pm Professional Tennis Instruction is available daily Live Entertainment from the band at Harbour Island Tennis Center. Members & “Those Guys” Dinner Cost $50 per person Non-Members are welcome to participate in our Players dinner included in entry fee programs. We have something for everyone from All proceeds benefit the beginner to the experienced tennis player. The Rotary Club of Coastal St Johns Call today to join in on the fun and learn Its local and international charities this great game we call TENNIS!
February/March 2015
22
T
Health & Fitness
Historic Tennis Tournament Prepares for 3rd Year
he Rotary Club of coastal St. Johns County is proud to present the 3rd Annual Tropical Tennis Tournament March 27, 28 & 29. All net proceeds from the tournament will be donated to The Rotary Club of Coastal St. Johns County, to be distributed to charities within the local community. This revived annual event is actually a continuation of a tournament that took place in the late 1800’s and then ceased for generations. It was known in the tennis community as the first annual outdoor tournament of the year and took place on the wooden tennis courts (now a parking lot) behind The Alcazar Hotel & Casino. The warm weather and fancy hotel attracted players from the north and overseas, during a time when the rest of the country was still huddled indoors to escape the cold. But it wasn’t only the warmth and accommodations that attracted tennis players. Many participants came for a chance to win the championship trophy—known as “the handsomest tennis prize in the country.” Nearly two feet tall, the sterling silver trophy, cast as a replica of the City Gates. The beautiful trophy displays the name of the last Tropical Champion, Mr. Oliver S. Campbell, who won the trophy back in 1894. The original tournament concluded with dancing and festivities on the wooden tennis courts at the Alcazar. In following years, Henry Flagler evolved the
celebration to include a 25-piece orchestra and Gala ball that was held at the Ponce de Leon Hotel. This year we will conclude the weekend’s events with a grand gala ball keeping the history of the tournament
Ponce De Leon Dining Hall 1890’S alive and well while we celebrate St Augustine’s 450th anniversary. The tournament will include men’s and women’s singles and doubles events. To maintain the historical spirit of the tournament, players are strongly encouraged to dress in traditional tennis whites or attire from the period, including men in white trousers and women in long dresses. To heighten the stakes a little, the players
To maintain the historical spirit of the tournament, players are strongly encouraged to dress in traditional tennis whites or attire from the period
If you are interested in participating, please reserve your spot by
Grand Ball 1800’S
904-686-4212, emailing courts@HarbourIslandTennis.com calling
will also be required to use wooden racquets; the tennis centre will have some wooden racquets available to rent. Be a part of bringing history, tennis and tradition together again in St. Augustine, Florida!
23
or by visiting our Facebook Page.
Life Services
Photo by Christine Cousart www.cousartphotography.com
Haven Hospice Celebrates One Year Anniversary at New Facilities
I
Cathy Johnston Haven Hospice Administrator
t is just one year ago that Haven Hospice demonstrated its continued commitment to the St. Augustine community by purchasing and renovating a combined facility to house its newest administrative offices, community room and open a brand new Attic Resale Store on U.S. Highway 1 South. These new environments assisted Haven in continuing to fulfill its mission of bringing comfort, care and compassion to over 500 patients and families in the St. Augustine community and St. Johns County in 2014. The new community room provides a space for volunteers and community outreach
personnel to hold meetings and better serve St. Johns County. For example, special occasions for Haven patients and families are celebrated in the new space. Haven Hospice staff and volunteers helped Laura Bruggeman mark her 102nd birthday in June 2014. Laura celebrated with her daughter Linda Ranous, son Tom Bruggeman and daughter-in-law Olive Bruggeman at the Haven Hospice community room. Her daughter Linda, who teaches water aerobics, had some of her students come by to celebrate as well. In 2014, our volunteers in St. Augustine provided nearly 7,000 volunteer hours for patients, families and community outreach. Haven Hospice St. Augustine Volunteer of the Year Millie Badea was celebrated for volunteering a total of over 5,000 hours for Haven Hospice in the St. Augustine area since 2010. This past year, Millie was also presented with a State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs certificate honoring her dedication to volunteer work. Community outreach efforts in 2014 included awarding Francesca Brown the first Haven Hospice Academic Scholarship of $500. Francesca was recognized for this achievement in May 2014 at the St. Augustine High School Student Awards Night. She is using these monies for educational costs while attending St. Johns River State College. The Haven Hospice Academic Scholarship requires that the scholarship is awarded to one deserving student who is enrolled in
the ASSIST (Aid & Support for Students in Sudden Transition) program in St. John’s County School District and has been accepted into St. Johns River State College. Haven also works with community care partners to create special moments for Haven patients and families. In June 2014, Haven Hospice collaborated with Bayview Healthcare making a wedding vow renewal wish come true for John and Ann McDonald. The vow renewal celebration at the BayView Healthcare Pavilion in St. Augustine reflected the couple’s first wedding in 1944 with a patriotic theme, flowers and a cake with the original topper. “I first met my wife when I was 14 years old and I knew she was my soulmate,” said John McDonald of his wife Ann who were celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. Haven Hospice Chaplain Tina Sweet officiated the vow renewal which was also attended by family, friends and the original maid of honor, Dorothy Rooney. At the Attic Resale Store, staff and volunteers are also reaching out to the community with care and compassion. In July 2014, the Greater St. Johns County Foster Adoptive Parents, Inc.(GSJCFAP) partnered with the Haven Hospice St. Augustine Attic Resale Store for the third annual clothing drive to provide clothes, shoes and toys to more than 40 foster families. The Haven Attic Resale Stores also serve as a way for the community to donate their time,
24
talent and treasure to support Haven Hospice. Over $120,000 was raised in 2014 through the St. Augustine Haven Hospice Attic Store sales to pay for unreimbursed hospice programs and services for Haven patients and families in St. Augustine and St. Johns County. Local artists began displaying and selling their work in 2014 at the St. Augustine Attic Resale Store through the Haven ArtsCare Program while donating a percentage of the sales to help Haven patients and families. Some of the unreimbursed programs and services Haven provides for patients, their families and members of the community include Healing Hearts, grief support for those in the community who are grieving; Camp Safe Haven, offering opportunities for healing to children, teens and families who lost a loved one; the We Honor Veterans program, recognizing those patients who have served in the military; Pet Peace of Mind, helping patients complete their end-of-life journey without worrying about their pet’s current or future needs; and Transitions, providing connections to community resources for those not yet ready for hospice care. If you would like to learn more about what we can do for you and your family, please ask for Haven Hospice. Call our St. Augustine office at 904.810.2377 or visit our website: www.havenhospice.org.
Publisher’s Testimonial: Haven Hospice provided services to our mother, Doreen Egeln, at the end of her battle with colon cancer. They are such an amazing, carefully and professional organization, we could not have gone through a minute of that time nearly as well without them. Please consider calling Haven when you need hospice services.
February/March 2015
Life Services
Providing Compassionate, Dignified, & Personal Services to Remember Your Loved One
W
Presented by: Linda Roy
Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer
Craig Funeral Home
hen a death occurs, there are certain criteria, mandated by law, which must be recognized and requirements fulfilled as a routine matter. Beyond this, the coordination of services and disposition choices are determined by the family. The staff of a funeral home will assist you and offer any guidance you may require in your time of need.
The following are services with which a Funeral Director will assist you: • The transfer of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home. • Professional care of the deceased, which may include sanitary washing, embalming, dressing, hair dressing, cosmetology, and casketing. • An arrangement conference with the family to plan specific details for the funeral. • Locating the deceased’s doctor to sign a death certificate; then filing this certificate at the local health department; obtaining the requested amount of certified death certificates for the family. • Obtaining all necessary permits and authorizations, as required.
• Preparing an obituary to be placed in any newspapers requested by the family. • Contacting local cemeteries or crematory, as required. • Care and arrangement of floral pieces, and delivery to the family’s residence after the funeral. • Arranging for Pallbearers and motor equipment, including limousines, as required. • Ordering special floral pieces at the family’s request. • Arranging for Cash Advances for cemetery expenses, clergy honorariums, music, funeral escorts, and custom acknowledgments. • Contacting Fraternal or Military organizations to take part in the ceremony. • Arranging for a personalized remembrance package, consisting of a guest register book, memorial folders, acknowledgments. • Assist with Social Security and Veteran benefits. • Filing of life insurance claims. • Alternative Services If a family chooses not to have a service with burial or entombment, a funeral home can offer cremation options, immediate burial plans, and anatomical donation. Why Funerals Are Important • Initiates the grieving process. • Acknowledges the importance of a life that has been lived. • Can be personalized to allow mourners to remember and honor their loved one in ways that are special and meaningful. • Serves as a central gathering place for family and friends to give emotional and physical support to one another. • Provides closure for the bereaved. • Confirms the reality and finality of the death. • Encourages mourners to face the pain of their loss and express their
• •
thoughts and feelings. Helps survivors to better cope with their grief and assist in enabling them to move on with their lives. Provides a context for expression of religious and other beliefs.
• Grief shared is grief diminished and grief denied is grief delayed. Consult your Funeral Director regarding ways to help make the funeral you are arranging more meaningful.
Linda Roy is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she received a BA in Business with a major in Marketing. She is married to Jason Roy and they have two sons, Christopher and Brian. After staying home with her children, Mrs. Roy returned to school in 2003 and earned an AS in Mortuary Science from FCCJ. Linda served her internship and has worked for Craig Funeral Home as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for the past 5 years. “My goal after becoming a LFD was to work for an Independent/ family owned funeral home that offered the highest level of service and still believed that caring about the people they serve was an essential part of their business. Craig Funeral Home has been serving the families of St. Augustine and all of St. Johns County for the past 95 years with dignified and respectful funeral and cremation services. Always sensitive to the needs of the people of St. Augustine, they were the first funeral home in St. Johns County to own and operate their own cemetery, crematory and Cremation Society. Craig Memorial Park is the only local cemetery that offers traditional ground burial but also offers families the option of both public mausoleums and cremation niches. An expansion and beautification project is underway to serve the future needs of our county. Dedicated to a tradition of caring for everyone as if they where our own family, we will be stand ready to be of service to all who need our services any hour of any day”.
25
Life Services Simply Susie: Let us clean, cook and run errands for you! Photo by Christine Cousart www.cousartphotography.com
It’s just a part of what we do! Testimonials:
Susie cleans my house and is always happy to do any special chore I happen to need. She is very reliable and my house looks and feels great. - Brenda L. St Augustine
D
By Susie Sullivan
Simply Susie brings me delicious home cooked meals each week. I have the monthly menu, call her on Friday to order for the following week, and get great tasting and healthy meals. Beats the hassle of having to eat out every night. - J. Sandifer St Augustine
Susie has been helping me declutter ear Friends: my home. We are taking our time While many more mature adults are and she understands sometimes it’s enjoying staying in their homes longer, difficult to let go of things. Already it some find they still need some extra looks so much better. She also takes “care”. That’s where I come in. I am me to my Dr. appointments and is very prompt and knows the area so well. offering a wide variety of “in home non - Pete O. St Augustine medical” services. They include but are not limited to: • Grocery Shopping (send me with a list or come with) • Companionship • Meal Planning (special diets invited) • Homemade meal delivery (up to 4 meals a week) • Budget and/or bill paying (snail mail or online thru your bank) • Decluttering • House Cleaning (special rates apply) My rates are $20 hour with a 1 hour minimum
In other words… Make me your personal valet. Use me occasionally or put me on your regular schedule! I hope you will find some value in this opportunity and give me a call and let’s see how Simply Susie can help.
February/March 2015
Hi friends, My husband Michael and I have been in St Augustine since 1980. We enjoy being active in our community and were lucky to raise 2 great daughters here. We are now proud grandparents of 9 awesome grandchildren! I am finally at the right place to where I can combine 2 of my long time passions: Cooking and providing services to others. The idea of “in home non medical” services is extremely appealing to me in that there is nothing in those words we can’t do for you. This allows you to get personal, reliable and quality care and attention without having to rely on several “agencies” to provide them for you. I have spent many years private catering and also residential cleaning as a 2nd income. Now it’s time to make Simply Susie and you, my client, my main focus. So, give me a call at 904-392-0423 and let’s get together and come up with a plan for you. Best regards, Susie Sullivan Simply Susie
26
FebruaryWeekly Menu
Feb 2 Beef Shish Kabobs w/ Veggies/Cold Corn Salad Peas n Ham Soup/Ham n Cheese Panini Healthy Choice Braised Pork Tenderloin over Brown Rice w/ Pineapple Salsa Baked Salmon w/ Dill Sauce/New Potatoes/Dill Green Beans Feb 9 Beef in Wine Pot Roast w/ Carrots over Rice/Dinner Roll Chinese Chicken w/ Veggies over Lo Mein/Garden Salad Healthy Choice Stuffed Peppers w/ Wild Rice/Sauteed Squash Breaded Cod/Sweet Potatoes/Brussels Sprouts Feb 16 Curry Chicken over Rice/Spinach Salad Beef n Cheese Lasagna/Spinach Salad/Roll Healthy Choice Baked Ziti w/ Spinach/Broccoli Salad Mediterranean Flounder/Grits/Corn Muffin Feb 23 Traditional Meatloaf/Mashed Potatoes/Peas n Carrots Chicken Parmesan over Pasta/Garden Salad/Roll Healthy Choice Chicken Georgia/St Asparagus Parmesan Swai/Sweet Potatoes/Red Cabbage
Business & Finance
3 Reasons Your Business Website Hosting Could Affect Your Search Engine Rankings don’t want to send searchers to a destination that’s likely to frustrate them, or not be there when they need it – both good reasons to choose a quality business website hosting plan.
A
By Jay Owen Owner, Design Extensions
s search engine optimization concerns go, business website hosting is usually pretty far down the list. After all, Google, Yahoo, and Bing care what’s on your site and who they can see linking to it rather than the server it lives on… don’t they? While it’s true that your on-page SEO and inbound linking strategy is likely to have the biggest direct effect on your search engine position, your choice for web hosting may factor into the mix more than you think. Here are three reasons finding the right post could affect your search engine rankings: A good hosting plan will load your site quickly and keep it online. All other things being equal, the major search engines seem to prefer websites that load quickly for users. They also place a preference on sites that don’t experience a lot of downtime. In other words, Google and the other engines
Your business website could share server space with a blacklisted site. If another webmaster or business owner has been using the same server as you, and using it to spam people or run a shady online company, then there’s a small chance that you could be penalized for their indiscretions. Keeping good company, and staying in the right neighborhoods, is important to your SEO campaign. Having the right hosting company makes it easy to add new content. The easier it is for you to go into your site’s file manager or CMS, the fewer reasons you’ll have to put it off. You want it to be a simple process to update and optimize the content on your pages, which is an area where a good business website hosting plan can be worth its weight in gold. Fresh content is the cornerstone of any sustainable SEO plan, so choose a hosting plan with that in mind. Finding a business website hosting provider might not be your first SEO consideration, but it’s one that matters more than you might think. Given that the top spots on Google are more competitive than ever, doesn’t it make sense to have every possible advantage on your side? With all of the different ways Design Extensions can help your business be seen, isn’t it about time to give us a call?
“While it’s true that your on-page SEO and inbound linking strategy is likely to have the biggest direct effect on your search engine position, your choice for web hosting may factor into the mix more than you think.”
Design Extensions was founded by Jay Owen in St. Johns County over 15 years ago. He and his team at Design Extensions design and develop websites for clients all over the country. His passion is for developing high quality web sites and graphic design work that help his clients businesses grow. When not working on websites, he is usually spending time with his wife, Claire, and four children.
27
W
Business & Finance
e live in a State prone to hurricanes and other natural disasters, making it critical for home insurance companies doing business in Florida, to have the financial stability to not only withstand hurricanes, but pay customer claims and continue to remain in business after the storm – after multiple storms. Why is this important? To have a high rating by A.M. Best, a company must have enough reserves and reinsurance to survive two major storms or events in a year. You need to be sure your carrier has the resources to match its coverage commitments. If you provider doesn’t have a strong rating, you may want to move on to a more stable, trustworthy provider. Do you remember pictures from disaster areas, with blue tarps on the roof months afterwards, and in paint asking, “(Blank) Insurance where are you?” In any relationship, trust is key, and your relationship with your insurer is no exception. Knowing your home insurer is financially stable is an important element of that trust. After all, you are investing your money in premiums, trusting that the insurer will be able to fulfill its financial obligation to you in the event of a claim. Are you willing to risk a major investment (Your Home) to a company that has no track record, or ratings? Given the potential risk of insurance companies failing, it is best to know the financial status of any company you’re buying insurance from. One benefit of working with an Agency like AAA, we are always keeping close tabs on the financial status of all insurance carriers our agency works with, and recommend working only with insurers that are financially stable with a rating of B++ or better with A.M. Best
of insurance industry rating agencies or by going directly to the Web site of each insurance carrier. Most carriers that are highly rated display their ratings prominently. Rating agencies for the insurance industry include: A.M. Best (www.ambest.com), Demotech, Inc. (www. demotech.com), Fitch (www.fitchratings.com), Moody’s Investors Services (http://www.moodys.com/), Standard & Poor’s (www.standardandpoors.com) As you are going through these different rating companies, and you are looking at your insurer’s rating. You are going to see the rating given is not the same from one rating service to the next. A.M. Best could give one insurance company “B+” rating while Demotech could be giving that company a “A” rating. One company may use their highest rating as an “A” while the other uses a “AAA”. And the “A” from the first is actually better than one with a “A++”. If you find that your present company has a rating that alarms you, consider changing insurers. Ratings also change so it is necessary to review your company at least once a year. Seeking additional advice from your personal Insurance agent would be worthwhile to your financial protection.
Don’t be the one stuck with a blue tarp call AAA today!
Photos by Christine Cousart www.cousartphotography.com
Is Your Insurance Company Financially Stable?
Cigale Bichard-Utley – Licensed Insurance Agent
“Cigale states that “My clients are my family…and I treat them as such”! Awarded Top Agent Honors each year since joining AAA in 2008, Cigale is passionate about helping her clients with all Personal Lines including Home, Auto, Boat, Motorcycle, RV, Home Warranties, Mortgage Protection, Flood, Umbrella, and more. Before joining AAA, Cigale served our country for 12 years in the USAF. Cigale began her insurance career after relocating to Jacksonville from Birmingham, AL in 1997. As Cigale says….”I finally found my home here at AAA”!
AAA – The Auto Club Group
February/March 2015
Katie is a newcomer to the state of Florida, moving down fromRehobothBeach,Delaware.Eventhoughsheisnewto St. Augustine, she comes to us with over 27 years experience, and is well versed in all lines of coverage. She prides herself in always going the extra mile for her clients. With her extensive knowledge of the insurance business she is always looking to get her clients better protection for the least amount of money. Katie specializes in Auto and Homeowners Insurance.
Our office in St Augustine is part of the Auto Club Group which has offices in 11 states and Puerto Rico. ACG is the second largest AAA affiliate in the world. Since it’s founding in 1902, AAA has been an advocate for motorists, safer roads and vehicles, better educated drivers and the rights of travelers. AAA is the only company in Florida to offer a true home and auto package with both covered under one policy, often times giving better coverage, as well as substantial savings.
When you think of AAA, think of “A” Rating Often overlooked during an insurance purchase is a carrier’s financial rating. It is important to at least know what the financial rating of your insurance carrier is. AM Best is a widely used rating organization specializing in the financial and insurance sectors. The AM Best system is an easy way for you to understand the quality of an insurance carrier’s financial stability. Most carriers you are going to find at the retail level will have AM Best rating of A- or better. Occasionally you will find a carrier with a B+ or B++ rating. For the average personal home and auto purchase look for a company rated at least B+ or better. How stable is my carrier? In addition, you can check on the financial ratings of your insurance carriers by visiting the Web sites
Katie Steighner – Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Agent.
28
Travel
America’s Cowboy Country
S
Kelly Maguire Monroe, AAA Travel Professional
ince before the days of Lewis and Clark, the American West has been a place that calls out to the cowboy spirit in every traveler. No other part of the world offers the same wondrous combination epic landscapes, surprising cultural gems and an undying sense of freedom. America’s Cowboy Country tour explores the best of the west including Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Begin your adventure with two nights in the cowboy town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the crown jewel of the Northern Rockies. This gateway to the great national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, boasts unsurpassed scenery. Yet, it’s also a center for art and culture, offering world-class dining and shopping opportunities. Marvel at Grand Teton National Park’s towering peaks, marked with mountain glaciers on your way to Yellowstone National Park. This true symbol of the west stretches
across 3,470 square miles and touches three western states. Here you will experience the Wild West as it once was with its incredible array of wildlife including free-ranging herds of buffalo. Check off one of life’s mustdos as you stand in awe of magnificent Old Faithful as it erupts. Then, it’s on to Cody, a town named for one the legends of the frontier and home to the Buffalo Bill Cody Historical Center. You can feel his legacy and spirit that pervades all things here. The journey continues to Sheridan. You’d be hard-pressed to dispute Sheridan’s claim of being the “#1 Western Town in the US” as you can’t help but embrace everything the “King of Cowboy Towns” offers. You can explore the past and experience history with panoramic vistas as your backdrop and welcoming people who take the meaning of hospitality very seriously.
Make a stop in the rowdy, rambling western town of Deadwood aptly named a National Historic Landmark. Re-creations of turn-of-the-century street lamps light the way through the restored architecture. This historic city is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other figures from the Wild West. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you ramble through the streets where gold, gambling and gunpowder were once the order of the day. Spend three nights in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving as your “Gateway to the Black Hills.” Nested in this majestic mountain range are two of the country’s most prominent monuments. You’ll marvel at the impressive Mt. Rushmore, one of the true icons of the west and gaze in awe at the remarkable work of art, the Crazy Horse Memorial – the world’s largest mountain sculpture still in progress. Discover the rugged beauty of Badland’s National Park. The landscape is a treasure-
trove of remarkable rock formations and vibrant colors caused by mineral deposits. But the Wild West comes to life as you get a true taste of the west during a traditional Chuckwagon dinner in Custer State Park, home to over 1,500 free-roaming
buffalo, bighorn sheep and majestic elk. Saddle up for this adventure through the American West and get ready to soak in the stunning views and old west atmosphere. This tour will fill you with the American spirit as you explore many famous parks and towns that seem frozen in time on this great American guided travel adventure. With AAA Member Choice Vacations® you’ll have the expertise of a professional tour manager at your disposal. It’s as if you are traveling with a trusted friend. There’s also an industry best travel protection plan and private, round-trip home to airport sedan service available. Needless to say, you are in good hands every step of the way.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE! Remember those days? AAA Travel St. Augustine does! Call or come by today and let our Travel Professional, Kelly Maguire Monroe, who has been sharing her passion for travel and creating memorable vacations for 30 years do all the work! Research, compare, and negotiate for the most competitive prices in town! Tours, cruises, hotels and cars. AAA Travel is equipped with the most up to date technology to ensure the best pricing for you! No fee to do on-line registrations, boarding passes or print electronic documents for all clients. Serving members and non members Monday thru Friday 8:30AM-5:30PM. Contact Kelly today and allow her to create a memorable vacation for you! (904) 825-0298 ext. 2225.
29
Legal
This Little Piggy Got a Foreclosure Defense
T
By J. Russell Collins, Attorney
his little piggy’s house went to short sale, This little piggy got a modified loan, This little piggy got a reverse mortgage, This little piggy: a Hardest Hit Fund, And this little piggy cried, “Free! Free! Free!” all about his home. LITTLE PIGGY #1 – SHORT SALE This little piggy owed more on his mortgage than what his home was worth. So he found a buyer, then got his lender to take a lower payoff than the mortgage balance and forgive the shortage. This short sale let the piggy move out from underneath the negative equity of his brick mansion and into a straw house he could afford. A Short Sale is when the lender agrees to accept less than the mortgage amount owed. Though the lender does not get the full payoff of the mortgage, at least they receive some income from the property; generally they get more from a short sale than a foreclosure or real estate owned sale. The homeowner is released from upside down equity. Property value is maintained by putting another homeowner in the home instead of leaving it vacant.
LITTLE PIGGY #2 – LOAN MODIFICATION The second little piggy was eligible for a modified mortgage loan. With lower monthly payments, he could now afford to remain in his home, snug as a pig in a blanket. A loan modification lowers monthly mortgage payments to a manageable amount so the homeowner can stay in his house. This gives the homeowner a way to fulfill his responsibility to pay his loan and gives the lender continuity of income, even if at a lesser amount. LITTLE PIGGY #3 – REVERSE MORTGAGE The third little piggy was 62 years old and had equity in his home. He was able to get a reverse mortgage, which allowed him to remain in his home and receive a monthly payment in his piggybank. A reverse mortgage (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM) is for homeowners 62 or older and allows them to withdraw funds from the equity in their primary residence in a fixed monthly amount or a line of credit or a combination of both. A reverse mortgage is not for everybody, but sometimes it is the best solution to help an older person live more comfortably, especially on a fixed income with increased expenses.
LITTLE PIGGY #4 – HARDEST HIT FUND The fourth little piggy owned his home, but lost his job. With less income due to unemployment, he started to miss his mortgage payments while he looked for work. He was eligible for Florida’s Hardest Hit Fund, which helped pay his mortgage until he could bring home the bacon again. The Florida Hardest Hit Fund provides mortgage assistance for homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own. These federal funds are for homeowners seeking employment or better employment, just returning to work, or recovering from underemployment. LITTLE PIGGY #5 This little piggy was on acid. A “free house” is not the typical outcome of a foreclosure defense—there is the same likelihood of capturing the Loch Ness Monster. You cannot launch a legal defense just to live high on the hog without a house payment for a while. You need to have a goal, (such as a short sale or loan modification) so you can afford the payments and cure the default, or an arrangement that allows you to recover from your financial difficulty and reinstate the loan on your current home.
No single solution fits every mortgage foreclosure case. Your best solution depends on your circumstances—how much equity is in your home, if you are unemployed, if you are retired, if you are raising children or are a caregiver for a family member, if you have a medical hardship, or if you have other financial difficulty. Most homeowners in foreclosure cases have choices; however, these foreclosure alternatives often take time. You may have to get a third party professional involved—an attorney, St. Johns Housing Partnership, HUD Certified Counselor, or reverse mortgage specialist, etc. Meanwhile, a legal defense of your foreclosure provides time for you to pursue that alternative outcome. Thus foreclosure defense increases your likelihood of success for obtaining your best result. Competent legal counsel can help you review the choices available to you, so you can make informed decisions towards an optimal outcome.
Rusty Collins was admitted to the Florida Bar on September 27th, 2008 and his legal practice has grown rapidly since. His vast experience in real estate motivated him to attend law school, and consequently expand to serve both the real estate and legal needs of his clients. He is proud to provide service in areas where legal and real estate issues often overlap.
30
While a large portion of his practice is in foreclosure defense and consumer law, Mr. Collins’ reputation in fairness and honesty has brought him referrals in a variety of legal branches. He builds his professional profile as an attorney willing to do the work and accomplish difficult tasks.
February/March 2015
Legal
Buckle Up! The Florida Seatbelt Defense in Automobile Accidents
I
By Patrick Canan, Canan Law
n a car accident, you are much more likely to be injured if you are not wearing a seat belt. Every hour someone dies in America simply because they didn’t buckle up. This is precisely why Florida has mandatory seat belt laws. Seat belt laws apply to all automobiles including pickup trucks and vans on the road. All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt and all passengers under 18
must wear a seat belt. Not only can failing to buckle up raise the chance of death or serious injury, it also could reduce the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to recover following an accident. In a personal injury claim, if the victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, the defense will likely argue that the victim’s injuries were at least partially the result of his or her failure to wear a seat belt and should decrease the value of the claims accordingly. This is generally referred to as the seat belt defense. In most jurisdictions, a successful seat belt defense allows victims to recover only a portion of the damages they would have incurred if they had been wearing their seat belts. Florida follows the theory of comparative fault (or negligence), which means if you are partially responsible for your injury, then the amount that you would otherwise recover in damages may be reduced in proportion to your responsibility. The defendant can assert that the injuries were caused not by his/her negligence but instead by the victim’s failure to wear a seat belt. This can be considered negligence on the part of the victim because
“Not only can failing to buckle up raise the chance of death or serious injury, it also could reduce the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to recover following an accident.” most reasonable drivers would wear a seat belt. If a defendant successfully argues that it was the lack of wearing a seat belt that caused the injuries to the victim, the defendant can generally escape some or all financial liability for the accident. This is true even if the defendant was negligent. For example, if you are deemed 20 percent responsible for your injuries because you weren’t wearing a seat belt, then your maximum recovery will be 80 percent of the total damages. Comparative negligence aims to hold each party responsible in relation to their fault, no more, no less. In some cases, the defendant can entirely escape financial risk if he or she is able to show that the victim’s failure to wear a seat belt is the sole reason for the injuries
31
the victim sustained in the accident. If you have been injured in an accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, but were not wearing your seat belt, your damages will not necessarily have to be reduced. Asserting or countering the seat belt defense in Florida requires the knowledge and guidance of an experienced professional. Attempting to pursue or defend against a claim following a crash without the guidance of an attorney could hurt your case. You should contact an experienced personal injury attorney prior to settling any claim, especially if the insurance company is attempting to reduce your claim based on your failure to wear a seat belt.
As the former Chief Prosecutor of St. Johns County, Patrick Canan is now one of the area’s foremost trial lawyers. Patrick earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 1981. His firm, Canan Law, is well recognized in St. Augustine, St. Johns County and all of NE Florida for expertise in the fields of medical malpractice, personal injury, family law, civil rights and criminal law. Our attorneys gain a complete understanding of your intent and work within the law to best protect your interests. Canan Law has two offices conveniently located at 1030 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. in downtown St. Augustine and at 2245 C.R. 210 West in St. Johns County.
Women in Profile
Heather Brooke Quick, Founder and CEO The Quick Law Group
H
eather Brooke Quick is the founder and CEO of the only divorce and family law firm for women in Northeast Florida, The Quick Law Group, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She has been a practicing attorney in the State of Florida since 2001. Her vision for The Quick Law Group began with Heather’s own experience as a child of divorce and her passion for changing the way women in Florida go through divorce. When women go through divorce, they are affected emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially. During this process, it is important to focus on all of their needs and The Quick Law Group provides access to those resources for our clients. Divorce creates layers of uncertainty in every area of a woman’s life. No length of marriage is sacred anymore. There is a growing trend in “Gray Divorce” where she has seen an increase in divorce among baby boomers. Additionally, Heather has
Kayla Loveday Peloquin, Co-owner and Character Coordinator for Girly-Girl Partea’s Inc.
K
ayla Loveday Peloquin was born and raised in St Augustine, Florida. Kayla and her husband share two Siberian Huskies, Aiden and Sasha, and are excited for the arrival of their first child in May of 2015. As a graduate of Flagler College, she worked hard to earn an MBA by the age of 21. Her education and professional experience focuses on marketing with an emphasis in social media.
February/March 2015
represented many elderly women during divorce, in cases where the parties are in their seventies and eighties and the grown children of the parties initiate the divorce. This is growing as well and The Quick Law Group works in conjunction with elder law attorneys to make sure that in cases where one party is being taken advantage of due to their early dementia, that the court awards a guardian and in some cases, prohibits the divorce. Heather believes it is never too late for women to experience a happy, healthy, peaceful lifestyle. This year, Heather began offering Seminars, Workshops, and Retreats customized to the unique needs of women looking to find their power and re-launch their lives. Heather is also providing workshops for women entrepreneurs to help them launch their business or improve them through a two day intensive workshop. All of these efforts are to empower women to accomplish all they are capable of and realizing their true potential and event dates can be found on our website. Heather is an active member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, serving since 2013 as co-chair of the Judicial Relations Committee as well as a member of the St. Johns County Bar Association. Heather is the legal contributor on the daytime talk show, The Chat on WTLV, NBC and ABC affiliate. She is a member of the Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council for the City of Jacksonville, and is in the first year of a three year term of appointment to the Family Law Rules Committee for The Florida Bar. She has been featured in the Jacksonville Magazine’s Best Lawyers edition for the past two years, and is rated by Martindale Hubbell as BV and Superb by AVVO. Heather is the author of Women’s Guide to Divorce in Florida, published in 2014, Is Divorce Right for You? Both are currently available on Amazon for the kindle and iPad. Heather and her husband Mike have been married for thirteen years reside in Ponte Vedra Beach with their three children, two dogs and a guinea pig.
As a former Director of Marketing and self-taught graphic designer, Kayla strives to provide effective marketing solutions for business owners with services including social media marketing, blogging, copywriting, graphic design and brand management. She currently manages social media and marketing accounts for several clients including Herbie Wiles Insurance and MenuMax. Previously, she worked for Community Income Tax, assisting in the growth of the company to 90+ offices within the first year of operation. She was also contracted corporately by Hurricane Grill & Wings for a co-op marketing campaign for eight Northeast Florida franchise locations. In addition to her many marketing endeavors, Kayla is co-owner and Character Coordinator for Girly-Girl Partea’s Inc, Northeast Florida’s #1 choice for themed children’s parties and character entertainment. She manages all character performers including hiring, training, scheduling and costuming, in addition to running the company website and furthering the Girly-Girl brand through social media and other marketing initiatives. For six years Kayla served in many capacities with the St Augustine High School cheer program and helped secure a FHSAA competitive finalist placement for the first time in school history in 2013. She is also active with the Police Athletic League cheer program and has helped choreograph their competition routines since 2011. Kayla is available for freelance and non-profit marketing opportunities. For more information please visit www.kaylapeloquin.com.
32
Women in Profile
Cindy Treaster, Personal Trainer and Founder of Real Women Lift
“R
eal Women Lift… They really do,” says Cindy Treaster, personal trainer and founder of Real Women Lift, Saint Augustine. “Some think of bodybuilding as a mass of over-toned muscles in tiny bathing suits slathered in baby oil! Nevertheless, most would never dream of their maturing body being considered physically fit!” Cindy had a dream to change the insecure perception that women seemed to settle for mediocre results. Realizing her passion for fitness in the 1980’s when Jane Fonda’s workout met Jazzercise and leotards, Cindy found her love with steel and the science of women’s bodybuilding. Competing all over the country from Nevada to South Carolina, Cindy took the core beliefs of the sport to her community and transformed the stereotypical workout. “It truly is something I do for myself. I get pushed beyond what I would push myself. This shows me that I am stronger physically than I think I am. I then carry that into other areas of my life. When I think I can’t do something I push myself anyway and go for it! Life isn’t a 50 yard dash, it’s a marathon with many obstacles and triumphs… I didn’t always have a passion for fitness. It wasn’t until after my son was
Carolyn Wilson, BSN, RN, Director of Care Coordination First Coast Health Alliance
C
arolyn Wilson, BSN, RN serves as Director of Care Coordination for the First Coast Health Alliance – a Physician Hospital Organization made up of more than 200 community physicians and Flagler Hospital. In this capacity, Carolyn leads the overall project management for care coordination, working with physicians
born that I decided to change my body.” These values were the catalyst that started her own vision. Real Women Lift in Saint Augustine, a personal fitness training group designed to help women of all ages enjoy the benefits of strength training. With talent levels from intermediate to advanced, Cindy designed workout programs that gave confidence to every woman interested in mind, body, and core wellness to their daily regimen. “My mission is to provide women the inspiration and information they need to create their own best bodies. What I provide and what my ‘Lifters’ needs are an individual balance for daily lifestyle.” Cindy’s goal is to help women of ALL ages who want to gain all the benefits and take control of their body and make strength training a priority! Over her extensive career, she has achieved great success working with a diverse clientele that includes adults with chronic disease, seniors and maturing bodies, advanced athletes as well as a wide variety of clinical populations in both health club and clinical settings. Community outreach, health and fitness screenings, lectures, and seminars have all been vehicles that Cindy has used to fulfill her passion for bringing a greater awareness of how exercise, good nutrition and a positive mindset. “We can transform the lives of every person who will love themselves enough to pursue healthier habits. It’s not just flexing your muscles, it’s flexing your mind to a ‘Yes to Success’ mentality… and flexing your own accomplishments with Real Women Lift!” Cindy currently resides in St Augustine, Florida with her husband Don. This year they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. She is a proud mother of two, Dianna and Derrick and a grandmother to Kyle, Ashlin, Layton and Garret. For more information regarding Real Women Lift please visit her website at www.realwomenlift.com.
and clinical staff across the continuum of care, including Flagler Hospital, medical offices, Nursing Homes, Home Health Care, and Hospice. She also oversees a team of nurses who ensure that the organization’s beneficiaries receive value-based care that is patient-centered, efficient, timely, effective, equitable, and safe. Carolyn attended Purdue University and graduated with a BS in Foods and Nutrition, followed by earning her BS degree in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. During her career, she has served as a nurse manager in Perioperative Services and Quality Management and has directed the implementation of a number of new programs at New York Presbyterian Hospital, University of California, San Diego and Stanford Medical Center. Carolyn grew up in Dayton, Ohio, surrounded by a family of healthcare professionals who shared a genuine love of the Art and Science of Nursing. In addition to her love of nursing, Carolyn enjoys cooking and sailing. She and her other half, Jim, have enjoyed cruising aboard “Atlantis” - a 34’ steel hull sailboat – for the past 20 years. Their most recent adventure was sailing Atlantis from San Diego to St. Augustine – a 3-year journey which included passage through the Panama Canal.
33
Women in Profile
Carol A. Kidder, Administrative Manager & Senior Equine Therapist Haven Horse Ranch
C
arol moved to the Jacksonville region 23 years ago from her hometown of Tampa. She later married and moved to St. Augustine with her husband Kermit L. Kidder Jr., who is a St. Johns County Deputy and Sports Programs Coordinator for PAL. She has 5 boys of which four are adults: Chad Allen, Joshua Matthew, Kermit Leroy III, Kyle Andrew and 9 year old Caleb Thomas. She has one granddaughter, Karma Shayleigh.
February/March 2015
Carol is a member of St. Augustine Nazarene Church where she assists with the pre-teen Sunday school class, works in the children’s nursery, and assists with the food pantry monthly. Carol enjoys helping others in whatever way possible. She loves to cook, looking at Pintrest and listening to Christian music. Given the opportunity, Carol would choose spending quality time together with her family and sharing life moments together. Carol’s passion is helping others. Her career paths have always been working with the public, whether it was while she was in property management helping a newly married couple get approved for their New Home together, or helping the elderly make their new place a HOME. In May 2013, while looking for a job in locally that would give her the opportunity to do what she loves as well as where her strengths would be utilized, she came across Haven Horse Ranch. Hired as a part-time receptionist, she has grown into a full-time Administrative Manager and Senior Equine Therapist helping children with Special Needs. Carol is associated with and/or a member of the Crookshank PTO, Susan G. Komen®, Relay For Life of St. Augustine, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), the St. Johns County Police Athletic League (PAL), the St. Augustine Humane Society, and St. Augustine Nazarene Church.
34
Community
COA Golf Tournament Benefits Sunshine Center
Mark your calendars for the COA Sunshine Golf Tournament by Susan Johnson, Communications Coordinator Council on Aging
S
wing away. And support the COA! The Council on Aging is pleased to announce a new way to support services for the almost 4,000 St. Johns County residents currently dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. And it’s as easy as one...two...swing!
Scheduled for March 27th at 1:30 pm at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club located at 205 St. Johns Golf Dr. This new tournament is a Captain’s Choice event and includes a BBQ Buffet and Awards Ceremony. Cost is $89 per golfer or $340 per team of four.
All proceeds from the COA Sunshine Golf Tournament will benefit the Council on Aging’s Sunshine Center and the COA’s Memory Enhancement Programs, all of which assist those facing various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other brain traumas.
(Buffet only is $21 per person.)
For more information on the tournament or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please Susan Johnson is the Communications Coordinator for the Council on Aging, 180 Marine St., the host of “Look Who’s Talking with Susan Johnson” on 102.3 FM WFOY and the editor of gus! magazine, a publication of the COA, and the St. Augustine Record. She can be reached by phone at (904) 209-3700 or by e-mail to sjohnson@stjohnscoa.com.
35
call Jane Faybik at (904) 209-3687.
Community
I
The Charitable Gift Annuity... A Win-Win Proposition!
magine a gift that makes it possible for you to receive high returns on an asset, receive tax deductions and realize your philanthropic goals. The kind of gift we are talking about is known as the “Charitable Gift Annuity” (CGA), a true win-win proposition! Here’s How a CGA Works… A Gift Annuity is a contract between you and Flagler Health Care Foundation, Inc. An asset (cash, stocks, bonds, or even real estate) is transferred to Flagler Health Care Foundation and the Foundation agrees to make annual payments to you for the rest of your life. When all the payments have been made, the remainder of the gift becomes a permanent part of the endowment for Flagler Hospital. In addition, you will receive a current year income tax deduction. Better yet, part of each payment you receive from us is tax free! The rate for income payments is based on your age at the time of the gift, and rates are generally higher than CD and other fixed income rates. For example: A gift made in January 2015, by a 70-yearold donor, would return payments of 5.1%; a gift made by a 80-yearold donor would pay 6.8%. When
you consider that part of the return payments are tax-free, it boosts the effective return rate for a 70-year-old donor to 6.14% and to 8.39% for an 80-year-old donor. With the benefits of high payment rates, reduced taxes and an ultimate gift to Flagler Hospital, it is easy to see why many friends consider the Gift Annuity to be the ultimate win-win proposition! Interested? Contact Linda Bartimus, CFRE, at Flagler Health Care Foundation by phone at (904) 819-4494 or by e-mail at giving@flaglerhospital.org for more information. There is no obligation for a consultation. Overview information, including a planned giving calculator, can also be found at www.FlaglerHealthCareFoundation.org under the “Leave A Legacy” tab.
Upcoming Events 2nd Annual FHCF Golf Classic Monday, February 9, 2015 Marsh Creek Country Club Gala XIII May 15-17. 2015 Hammock Beach Resort
“With the benefits of high payment rates, reduced taxes and an ultimate gift to Flagler Hospital, it is easy to see why many friends consider the Gift Annuity to be the ultimate win-win proposition!”
36
Through philanthropic efforts and community outreach, the mission of Flagler Health Care Foundation is to financially support Flagler Hospital’s goal of providing the best patient experience with the best staff and the best equipment.
February/March 2015
B
Community
Betty Griffin House 5k Run & Walk-A-Thon
etty Griffin House will host their Annual Betty Griffin House 5K Run & Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 8:00am. This family friendly race will start and finish at the St. Augustine Beach Pier. Registration and packet pick-up will be at the Betty Griffin House Thrift Shoppe on the Island, located at 1961 A1A South St. Augustine, on Friday, April 17th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and on Saturday, April 18th at the St. Augustine Beach Pier near the start/finish line beginning at 6:30am. The registration fee is $20.00 until February 28th. From March 1st to April 17th registration is $25.00 and on race day registration is $30.00. Children 14 & under are $15.00. Your registration also entitles you to an awesome t-shirt and race bag. Strollers and pets on a leash are welcome. Let’s Run for Peace! All fitness levels are welcome so create a team with friends, family or co-workers and run or walk together to raise awareness and funds to end domestic violence and sexual abuse! We encourage you to create or join a team which is easy to do on our new website right where you register to participate! There will be prizes for the individual and teams that raise the most money! You can even find a donation form right on the website to make it easy to keep track! For more information about creating a team go to www.bettygriffinhouse5k.org and click the teams tab. Participants who raise and turn in $100 or more by April 10th will be invited to the Friends of Betty Brunch following the race where there will be prizes, raffles, mimosas and more! The Friends of Betty Brunch is a great opportunity for participants to recharge with a full course brunch catered by Salt Life Food Shack and lots of fun for everyone to enjoy! For every $100 raised, participants will receive a raffle ticket to win amazing prizes, including a $1,000 necklace, cruise for two, an assortment of gift baskets and lots lots more! To register for the Betty Griffin House 5k Run Walk-AThon go to www.bettygriffinhouse5k.org. You may also call Malinda Everson, Development Director for Betty Griffin House at (904) 808-8544 if you have any additional questions or interested in volunteering.
To register for the Betty Griffin House 5k Run Walk-A-Thon go to www.bettygriffinhouse5k.org. You may also call Malinda Everson, Development Director for Betty Griffin House at (904) 808-8544 if you have any additional questions or interested in volunteering.
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. By working together and raising awareness during the month of April, we can highlight sexual violence as a major public health, human rights and social justice issue and reinforce the need for prevention efforts. As a private, nonprofit agency, Betty Griffin House provides emergency shelter to abused women, men and their minor children. Other support services available to shelter residents and nonresidents include a 24-hour crisis hotline, individual and group counseling, forensic/medical rape exams, and legal assistance. Confidential individual and group counseling are available in all parts of St. Johns County including, Hastings, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach. For more information or to make a donation, visit our website at www.bettygriffinhouse.org. You may also like us on Facebook.
37
Community
February/March 2015
38
Community
All Children Are at Risk
I
will come one day per week for six weeks and that they are not there to just play with the horses. We then turn them over to an instructor and off they go to the barn. He explains that along with the gratification of having a beautiful ranch with horses, as in life, there are also less likable aspects of keeping the ranch in shape along with taking care of the horses. They learn how to clean stalls, feed and water the horses, groom and saddle the horses, and even cutting grass or pulling weeds. They’re taught that working together will get the job
By Mary Rigsbee Haven Horse Ranch
normally am talking about children or adults with disabilities, but today, I would like to tell you about another kind of program we have here at Haven Horse Ranch. Unfortunately, Northern Florida is not alone in young people being at the wrong place at the wrong time and falling into trouble, then having to be housed behind bars for a period. Here at the Ranch, we work with the surrounding counties juvenile detention centers and have been fortunate to have some of these young men come to the Ranch for six week sessions to help them learn basic life’s principles and to learn they can turn their lives around. A session usually starts with 6 young men who have shown through the system that they are ready to remake their lives in a positive direction. Initially we let them know the rules of the Ranch and just what is expected of them during their time. We explains they
the boys. We take time to teach them there is more to life than getting into trouble. We talk to them about life and since the ranch is a Christian Ranch, We tell them about our walk with God and how it has affected our lives. The boys talk and listen; something many have never had someone actually listen to what or how they feel. No one is
laughed at or discouraged for what they say. To see the change in the boys as the weeks go by is nothing short of a miracle. At the end of the 6-week program each young man is given a certificate of accomplishment and participates in a Horse Soccer game with officials and everything. The success rate for turning these young men around is over 95%, meaning they stay out of trouble and do not return to incarceration upon their release. Would you like to help keep this program working? Please go to www.HavenHorseRanch.org and click on “Support the Kids” in the light green box for more information on how you too can help support our programs. Changing the world, one child at a time!
done a lot faster and with more fun than trying to go it alone. By the time they are through with the chores, they are pretty sure they never want to be on a ranch or see another horse again. Then it’s time to learn to ride! Now remember, some of these boys have never been close to a horse let alone get up on top and ride one of them and many are so scared to try. But the staff is very patient and teaches them how to get up on and ride the horses which gives the boys such an accomplishment. As the weeks continue, they learn more about how to handle the horses and they’re introduced to the 4 foot soccer ball to show that even the horses like to play once in a while. It is exciting to see the horses kick the huge ball around like it was a basketball and the expressions on the boys’ faces when the horses jump with them on their backs! What fun to see these young men learn to work together and to learn they can have fun with a 2,000 pound horse under them. Then it is time for lunch and a message to
39
Haven Horse Ranch, a non-profit, 501c3 organization is a licensed SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center and member of PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). The ranch provides riding lessons, horse camps, clinics , retreats and trail rides to all individuals including those with special needs. “Horses just have a way of breaking down barriers,” explains Lehman. Whether child or adult, whether “normal” or “special needs” doesn’t matter to the horse. If you’re good to them, they’ll do right by you.” To sponsor a child, make a tax deductible contribution or for more information contact Haven Horse Ranch at 904-813-5710 or info@havenhorseranch.org or visit our website at www.havenhorseranch.org.
Community
“Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
- C. T. Studd, Missionary
2015 RUN FOR LIFE 27th ANNIVERSARY
On February 22, 2015 the Run for Life will end at the Great Cross at Prince of Peace Church, San Marco Blvd., St. Augustine, at about 12 noon. Join us as we welcome and cheer the very dedicated pro-life runners that have spent 9 days and gone a total of 365 miles, running from Homestead, Pensacola and Marco Island, Florida, promoting LIFE at crisis pregnancy centers throughout the state. You don’t have to be a “runner” to join us and the Knights of Columbus, in full regalia, to show appreciation for their commitment to the cause.
By Caroline A. Wolff, Founder, St. Gerard Campus, St. Augustine
D
ear Friends of the Unborn Baby, Did you know you are one of the special few? You can save the lives of the unborn again and again! On February 22, 2015 the Run for Life will end at the Great Cross at Prince of Peace Church on San Marco Blvd. in St. Augustine. Runners are scheduled to arrive about 12 noon after a grueling 9-day, 365 mile run. There are 3 runs now, one that begins in Homestead Florida, one starts in San Marco and a third begins in Pensacola, Florida. Their mission is to pray a 9- day Novena to end abortion. Their stops will include many prolife pregnancy centers throughout Florida where banquets will be held in their honor to raise funds for this continuous fight. When they arrive in St. Augustine, the runners will be met by Bishop Estevez, the Knights of Columbus and supporters from around the state. They will prostrate themselves at the foot of the Great Cross and pray. A Mass will follow at the Prince of Peace Church on San Marco Blvd in St. Augustine. The 4th Degree Knights will
February/March 2015
There will be a brief ceremony at the Great Cross and a Mass following at 12:30 PM in the Prince of Peace Church. At 2:30 pm, St. Gerard and the Knights of Columbus are hosting a banquet in honor of the runners at San Sebastian Catholic Church, 1112 State Road 16, St. Augustine. A delicious buffet luncheon, provided by the Knights of Columbus, will be served and the young ladies of St. Gerard Campus will be selling dessert to raise funds. Tickets are $20 per adult, children, under age 12, will be $3. Step up to the plate and make some noise! Help by sponsoring a runner for $1.00 a mile.
Please contact St. Gerard Campus at 904-829-5516 for more information, ticket purchases and sponsorship. St. Gerard Thrift Store
Located at 1333 #3 Old Dixie Hwy, St. Augustine, our store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Come by and check out our great merchandise, guaranteed to be the best prices in town. Volunteers needed, any days, or any hours.
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout our campus. If you can spare some time, we need thrift shop helpers, lunch cooks, receptionists, pregnancy counselors and other jobs that keeps St. Gerard humming. Any hours from 8 am to 4 pm are available. Come join us and fall in love with this most wonderful and loving ministry! escort the runners to the church for Mass. This year is the 27th anniversary of October/November 2014 the original run that began in Homestead Florida when I applied to the Knights of Columbus for financial aid. To talk about prolife is one thing…stepping up to the plate and doing something is quite another. Mike Sapp, a Knight from Homestead, replied with a resounding “YES” and so began the run. The Knights have not let us down for the past 27 years. The movement to save the babies has grown even bigger. Please join us as we greet and honor these courageous runners. We will be hosting a banquet at San Sebastian Church
at 2 pm that same afternoon. The Knights will be serving a wonderful luncheon. In addition to meeting the runners, there will be guest speakers, music and wonderful door prizes. Our students and their babies will join us with home baked desserts to raise money. Please show you care. Step up and join us as we shake the cause for the ones that cannot fight for themselves. Continue to stand strong, my friends. The tide is turning and with the Lord to bless us, we will win this battle.
40
God bless you and keep you, Caroline Wolff, Director
St. Gerard Campus 1405 US Highway 1 S St Augustine, FL 32084 (904)829-5516 www.stgerardcampus.org
Why
should your business or practice become a contributor to the Woman’s Journal?
Susan Detar, CFm
“Over my five years of business, the SAWJ has been the most effective tool to bring customers to the shop. Everyone who opens this publication is impressed with its content and anxiously awaits the next issue. Partnering with Anthony and Suzanne has been an exceptional way to reach new customers and remind existing customers.”
Owner, The Pink Door
“Being a contributor in The Woman’s Journal has benefited me and my company a great deal. It continually proves to be an excellent marketing tool for our services and goes “beyond local” to attract customers to our door. It’s an appealing, informative and popular publication that gets results.” Betty Carvajal, PhD – Ponce Home Medical Equipment, Inc. “The Woman’s Journal has been a great asset to our community. I love sitting in doctor’s offices and watching people pick up the Journal and enjoy the articles. It has certainly spread the word about our mission at St. Gerard Campus. We have had the opportunity to touch people’s minds and hearts with the plight of pregnant teens and teen mothers who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to finish high school and make a better life for themselves and their children. Through the Woman’s Journals we have been able to share the success stories of our graduates. We thank the Woman’s Journal for bringing attention and awareness of issues facing women today.” Maria Gleason - St. Gerard Campus, Inc. “From professional offices to public libraries, and even the regional airport, my clients and future clients can find me in the St. Augustine Woman’s Journal. Great distribution and content.” J. Russell Collins – Rusty Law “I am always so pleased to have customers tell me how they came to our restaurant while browsing through the Woman’s Journal. The articles are informative and the distribution is widespread. We are very grateful to the staff of Woman’s Journal for encouraging us to update our ads. This has definitely increased our business.” Yvette Schindler – The Present Moment Café “The Woman’s Journal has really helped me build business for the AAA Travel department in St. Augustine. I ‘ve been contributing articles for just about a year now and hardly a day goes by that someone doesn’t mention the fact that they have seen us in the SAWJ. I have made some VERY profitable sales because of this exposure and feel so lucky to be partnering with Suzanne and Anthony . Thanks for all your support.” Kelly M. Monroe, The Auto Club Group The woman’s journal is a superb educational tool and is a great resource for the community at large to gain factual knowledge written by leaders in their field. Dr. Ryan Pereira, DPM, FACFAS
- Susan Detar, The Pink Door
“Working with Anthony and The Woman’s Journal has been a tremendously rewarding experience for our clinical counseling practice. We are reaching individuals and families who may or may not have heard of us, but most importantly, by reading our articles, they grow far more comfortable with the counseling process and who we are as therapist. It’s as if we are already having our first session together, addressing expectations and uncertainties that are part of the deeply rewarding experience of psychotherapy. When the phone rings (and it does far more frequently now), our readers already feel a sense of knowing us and, we too, feel a special connection with them when they say they saw us in The Woman’s Journal. Finally, the publishing deadlines become a gift by forcing us to focus on the most important issues impacting individuals and families within our very special community. Thank you Woman’s Journal!” John R. Jones and Kathleen Abbott – The LifeSource Group “Thank you, Woman’s Journal for your many contributions to our community! Your paper is full of important information on issues that affect the quality of life for all of us who live in St. Johns County. I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked me for details about something they read in the COA column in your magazine...probably because the Woman’s Journal is one of only a very few publications that everyone I know reads from cover to cover...and because your distribution is awesome... this magazine is everywhere! People really do come up to me and say, “I read about you in the Woman’s Journal while I was at the library...or waiting at the doctor...or in my dentist’s office...!” Or better yet, “I know you...you’re in the Woman’s Journal!” You rock!” Susan Johnson – Council on Aging “I cannot tell you the number of patients that have found their way to our office in response to their having seen our articles in the Woman’s Journal. From former patients who lost touch years ago who were delighted to see a familiar face again, to brand new patients who have never seen a podiatrist before, but who felt so encouraged by what they read that they placed that important phone call. The Woman’s Journal is a publication that is informative, inviting and compassionate to it’s readers. We are proud to be associated with the Woman’s Journal and so pleased with the increased business we’ve experienced as a result!” Amy Smith–Practice Manager, Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center
Fashion & Beauty
Relationship, Relationship, Relationship!
A
Christine Cousart
Owner, Cousart Studios
s real estate agents will often say “location, location, location”, I might do the same with the word ‘relationship’! As a photographer who frequently develops a client to friend, it is so important to me to be in good relationship with the people I do business with. It begins with honesty, communication and the golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do to you”. One of the benefits to having an ongoing relationship with the ones that I photograph is that I get to watch their children grow up (the only bad thing is I’m growing older with them!!). The Hirko family is a local family who I have walked with through many changes in their lives. When I first met Andy, he was our son Christian’s kindergarten teacher who switched careers and became our daughter’s college pastor at church, who then became a pastor and is now our pastor and also a mentor to our son Dylan who is youth pastor at the same church. I was one of the mom’s in the kindergarten
class, then a helper at the college ministry and have always been his family photographer. One of the benefits to this is being great friends with him and his wife and their extended family. I know their children and have photographed them from day one. The photos are so meaningful to me and I believe that this makes it easy for them when they want photos because I can slip in without a big fuss and do the photos without the kids getting crazy. They know me and so it helps when it comes to the pics. Another family is from New Jersey. It began by him calling me out of the blue wanting me to help him with an early morning sunrise photo session on the beach with his girlfriend who he wanted to propose to. We collaborated and I brought the champagne and glasses (my assistant was the wine steward) and we had a successful launch with great photos to tell the story. Wind forward four years, I have since done one more session with them and will be doing another one this July with his wife and two children! I love this couple and keep up with their lives on Facebook and the occasional communication via email. I look forward to many more sessions with them in the future! You may be hoping to have a family photo. I would love to help you with that! As an incentive, I would like to give you a free 8X10 photo if you mention this story when you call to book your session! Cousart Studios of Fine Art & Photography 320 Hightide Drive #101 Saint Augustine, FL 32080 www.cousartphotography.com 904.687.7700
Christine Cousart has lived in St. Augustine since 2004 and says that it is the closest to the life she had when growing up in New Zealand. She owns Cousart Studios of Fine Art & Photography. She enjoys painting in all mediums as well as photographing a variety of subjects. She and her husband Kevin have two children that have graduated from Flagler College and one child that is in the AICE program at St. Augustine high school. The family loves to travel frequently and loves their relationship with many friends in the community. Cousart Studios of Fine Art & Photography | www. cousartphotography.com | 904.687.7700 | 320 Hightide Drive #101 | Saint Augustine, FL 32080
February/March 2015
42
Fashion & Beauty
Who’s that Girl? The Engagement Ring Cheat Sheet
C
Jeanie & Danny Carter, Carter’s Jewelry
an you gauge a girl’s personality, spirit, and style by glancing at her engagement ring or noticing which rings she gravitates towards? We certainly think so… So many “personality quizzes” are based on individual preferences and choices, and since an engagement ring is usually a once-in-alifetime decision, it can be a quite telling one. She’s a Minimalist: Sleek, streamlined, and never fussy, but just to be clear—that doesn’t necessarily mean small. She’s a woman who does not mince her words and when it comes to rings, she prefers the rock speak for itself. We’re talking solitaires here, but that still leaves plenty of choice for diamond cut, head type, and metal colors.
She’s got Classic Style: Serious, mature beyond her years with an eye for a retro-yet-lasting kind of glamour. The slender profile of a marquise with tapered baguettes in platinum looks great with a champagne flute and almost makes you wish foot-long cigarette holders were still acceptable fashion accessories… She’s a Romantic: Whether it’s velvet and lace or more of the contemporary steampunk trend. Channel your inner Mr. Darcy and suggest a vintage style ring with filigree, milgrain, scrolls, a cushion cut center stone, and lots of glittery accents. She’s a Traditionalist: Friends and family are top priorities. She values enduring styles and here-to-stay trends. Halo style engagement rings, with their feminine look and strong circle-round-the-sun message speak to her sense of commitment and grace.
She’s Larger Than Life: Bold and passionate, some women pull off bigger-is-better with flair and a contagious enthusiasm. She enjoys lots of accessories and needs a ring that won’t get lost in the crowd. Pavé or multi-row rings with plenty of sparkle will complement her bubbling personality and over-the-top wardrobe. She’s got a Modern Sensibility: With the will and the wits to lead—unique, contemporary designs balance her break-the-rules style. Two-toned combos with sculptural lines and high polished finish speak to her sense of individuality and forward-minded outlook. Goes great with the latest mobile device and the coveted corner office. Nature Girl: She loves the outdoors, wears floral prints, and accessorizes with leafy, feathery things… Designs engraved with leaves,
tendrils, and flowers just make her happy as can be. Precious gem side stones in her favorite color would be especially significant to her. She’s Mysterious: In a galaxy of her own, she likes contrasting dark-and-light, yinand-yang, and can sometimes be hard to read. Add a mounting to a rings-of-Jupiter style ring with black and white diamonds to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring as unique as she is. Personality tests are a popular feature in ladies magazines and on social media sites—most are tongue-incheek and just for fun, but if you look carefully you’ll find the grain of truth that makes for just the perfect ring for your personality. Let Carter’s Jewelry experienced staff help you choose the perfect ring for her spirit and style.
Honesty and integrity are the foundation for our family-owned business that first opened its doors in 1988. Jeanie was born and raised in St. Augustine and can trace her heritage to the original settlers of the Nation’s Oldest City. Danny was born in Marietta, Ga. and grew up in Jacksonville. After a decade-long career in law enforcement, he decided to pursue a dream of owning his own jewelry business. Throughout our years in the business, we have cultivated and refined diamond contacts from around the world. There’s no need to wait for us to travel to a foreign place and spend thousands of dollars to hand pick your stone. We would rather pass the savings on to our customers. If we don’t already have it in our vast array of diamonds, a phone call to our suppliers will get you exactly what your heart desires overnight if necessary. Carter’s Jewelry is St. Augustine’s only place for diamonds.
43
Home & Garden
Smart Buyers and Sellers Know…..
U
Cheryl Dziurzynski, Realtor®
sing the services of a licensed real estate professional is a smart move Whether you are purchasing, selling or leasing An office building, a warehouse or a single-family home, it is sure to be one of
Lanny Linn, Broker Associate the major financial decisions of your life. And it deserves to be handled accordingly. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (BPR) is reminding Floridians of the value of hiring a licensed real estate professional to assist in the purchase, lease or sale of your home or business property. In Florida, real estate specialists are required to have a professional license, and DBP regulates that process. ‘There are more than 300,000 licensed real estate professionals in Florida”, says Ken Lawson, Secretary of DBP. “To insure the financial and personal safety of potential home buyers and sellers, the Division of Real Estate is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of over a quarter-million individuals, corporations, real estate schools and instructors”. And for good reason. The process of buying or selling property is arduous, and a risky proposition for those not properly trained and licensed. Now more than ever - from making an offer to the signing papers at closing - having a licensed real estate professional at your side is essential to ensure that all aspects of the transaction are handled properly. Education. Expertise. Experience. While there are thousands of Licensed real estate professionals across the state of Florida, the path to licensure is not an easy one. Licensed real estate professionals have success-
fully completed both pre- and pos-licensing courses and passed the real estate examination, in addition to having the necessary experience requirements mandated by Florida law. DBPR regulates the licensing of both real estate brokers and sales associates. A broker is an individual or entity that performs the services of real estate on behalf of another person for compensation. Sales associates are individuals who are allowed to perform these services, but only at the direction and control of a real estate broker or for their registered owner developer. The requirements for sales associates include completion of a 63-hour pre-licensure course and 45 hours of post-Licensure courses. Brokers complete a 72-hour pielicensure course and 60 hours of post-licensure courses, and must have two years of real estate experience. Real estate licenses also require a renewal every two years through
the completion of 14 hours of approved continuing education courses. Choosing a Real Estate Professional While licensed real estate professionals must all meet specific requirements to do business in the state of Florida, they have a wide variety of experience and areas of expertise. DBPR suggests that all consumers use friends, family and local resources to help find the best fit for your specific commercial or residential real estate needs. Be sure to ask lots of questions and ask for references. And before any efforts necessitating a licensed real estate professional are performed, consumers should always verify the individual’s State of Florida professional license, which can be verified online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling (850) 487-1395 or by downloading the DBPR mobile app for iPhone and Android devices. As Seen in Florida Trend May 2014
When A License is Required All real estate professionals are licensed to perform various services associated with real estate transactions, such as scheduling appointments to view listings, verifying the legal names of all parties involved and finalizing the real estate sales processes Not everyone involved in the sale of must property must be licensed by the state, however. Below are examples of real estate services and activities that do and do not require a license. REQUIRES A LICENSE • Auctioning or attempting to auction real property of another for compensation • Selling or attempting to sell real Property of another for compensation • Buying or attempting to buy real property of another for compensation • Renting or leasing or attempts to rent or lease reel property of another for compensation • Advertising or attempting to advertise real property of another for compensation • Representing that you are engaged in the business of brokerage activity • Undertaking to list or sell one or more timeshare periods per year on behalf of another individual or entity for compensation
Testimonials “Cheryl went above and beyond! We were out of town and she took care of everything.” – Keith Batchelor
DOES NOT REOUIRE A LICENSE • A salaried employee of an owner of an apartment community working in an onsite rental office • The owner of a timeshare period who later offers the timeshare period for resale • Any person or business entity that rents or advertises for rent a properly licensed public lodging establishment • A tenant in an apartment complex who receives a referral or finder’s fee, not to exceed $50, for the referral of a tenant. The tenant may not advertise or otherwise promote the service of finding a potential resident • The owner of real property who offers the real property for resale
“Cheryl is reliable and all of her information was accurate and quite helpful. She has a great knowledge of the area.” – Eugene Mitchell
“Lanny is very professional, accommodated our schedule, handled our closing very smoothly, we would recommend him to others.”
Lanny Linn was one of Atlanta’s top producing real estate professionals. He brings to North Florida his 31 years of experience guiding and assisting people in the selling and purchasing of homes and condominiums. Lanny believes that whether your house is big or small, or whether you have a lot of money to spend or have a limited budget, you should get the same professional and competent assistance. 904-347-6975 • Lanny_Linn@Bellsouth.net
44
Cheryl grew up in Atlanta, Ga. and attended college at Georgia Southern University. After college she moved to Florida and spent 14 years in customer service and management. Since then she has moved her exceptional skills to Real Estate and community service. Cheryl is dedicated to her client satisfaction and brings her professional skills to all. 904-377-6986 • CherylD@WatsonRealtyCorp.com
February/March 2015
Home & Garden
Now is the Time! To Enhance Your Yard with Proper Lawn Care Tools & Equipment! by extra features, or riding mowers that can cover a whole lot of ground. If you have a large property, look for a heavy duty riding lawn mower. For small yards with a lot of nooks and crannies, a rear engine rider is sure to get the job done right. Lawn cleanup is a breeze with powerful leaf blowers, yard vacuums and lawn mower attachments that collect all of your
L
Susan & Glenn Hooper
andscaping and gardening can be a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. When you have your local Sears Hometown Store of St. Augustine to help you find the perfect lawn care tools for your yard, you can keep a pristine front and backyard every season. From lawn mowers and tractors to trimmers and edgers, you can find everything you need to take care of your yard. Always get the best tool for the job. Sears sells push lawn mowers enhanced
regularly, so you can enjoy more time relaxing. Clear up excess shrubs and trees so that you can make room for backyard furniture. Powerful chainsaws help you manage the large plant growth and trees on your property with the touch of a button or the pull-start of an engine. Large aerators give your lawn oxygen and help to keep the soil rich. With chippers, you can remove and reconstitute dead tree
If we don’t have it in the store, we can get in just a few days. Don’t shop online when you can purchase and/or return directly to your hometown store. And you can try it before you buy it!
limbs, unsightly bushes and other yard debris that has built up over time. Lawn edgers and trimmers will help you clear out and mark new planting spaces, or refresh the old ones. Sears St. Augustine has powerful lawn care tools that can help you complete almost any lawn and garden task quickly with less elbow grease. And you can try out anything before you by it. Just ask!
Home Management Tip of the Month: Time 2 Tune Up your Lawn & Garden Equipment! DIY or bring it to us. Treat your lawn equipment like your car. If properly maintained, your gear will last for years to come. Why Push / Walk Behind Mower Maintenance? A well-running mower is essential in keeping your lawn looking good, and maintaining your mower properly will help to ensure that it operates as intended. Sears St. Augustine experts are here to help. We’ll give your push or walk behind mower a thorough safety check and make sure it’s running efficiently, so you can have peace of mind that it will work when you need it. An efficient, professionally maintained mower will save you money on replacement or repairs.
trimmings for you. Simple fertilizer, grass seed and weed & feed spreaders will accurately dispense the right amount of chemical every time to remove unsightly weeds. Keep your lawn maintained
Tune-Up is $99.00 total charge for our labor (parts not included).
Mention The Woman’s Journal and Save $10.00 during February & March 2015. • • • •
Any other parts and repairs needed beyond Maintenance are extra, and customer will be notified for approval prior any work being performed. Maintenance not eligible on reel and electric mowers, or covered under any warranty. Push mower/walk behind mower maintenance available only at Sears St. Augustine - drop off mower (empty all gas). Repair should be completed in 10 business days. Tune-Up charge will be collected at time of drop off.
Curbside Service Available: Call us in advance of arriving Sears and we’ll help you remove it from your vehicle for free, or we will pick it up from your home for only $25.00
Home is where the Heart is!
Sears St. Augustine is locally owned and operated by Susan & Glenn Hooper and named one of the top 50 Stores in the Country by Sears Holdings.
45
2121 US 1 South • Ponce de Leon Mall • Saint Augustine, FL 32086
“Our #1 Product is Service!” • 904-794-5814
Food & Entertainment
February/March 2015
46
Food & Entertainment
Treat Your Taste Buds at PJ’s Asia One Market advice from PJ’s proprietor, Thailand native and culinary school graduate Praphaphan “PJ” Johnson. After several years as a chef in St. Augustine, PJ and her husband Bob decided to open the grocery store in December 2009 and have been serving the community ever since. So send out the summer with a bang by picking up some special ingredients for your next meal at PJ’s Asian One Market!
Recipe:
E
njoy a taste of cultural zest from PJ’s Asia One Market. St. Augustine’s only Asian grocery store offers a wide variety of ingredients from fresh produce to frozen seafood for some delicious dishes from around the globe. PJ’s Asia One Market carries 10 different styles of Thai curries and a fully stocked condiment section featuring many types of spices, sauces and dips from several Asian countries. If you’re a sushi enthusiast, PJ’s has all the ingredients you need to create your own sushi feast including rice, vinegar, nori, wasabi and flash frozen “sushi grade” seafood. Also available in the frozen section are packaged seafood items such as gyoza, lumpia along with an assortment of Asian flavored ice cream and icy treats. For soups and pasta dishes, a variety of noodles in both dry and refrigerated forms are available from Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, China and Indonesia. PJ’s also offers several different types of rice including Jasmine, sticky (sweet), brown, red and Basmati. You can also find a large selection of fresh Asian vegetables and fruits in PJ’s produce section. If you’d like to try your hand at a special Asian recipe or need some help with a special ingredient, make sure you get some
Green Papaya Salad For those extra hot Summer afternoons, try this cool dish for a special treat! Ingredients: 1 Small green papaya (Peeled and shredded to small thin strips it should measure about two cups) 2 Fresh Thai chili 1 clove Garlic Juice from 1/2 Lemon or lime or 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste 1/2 Teaspoon palm sugar 2 Tablespoons fish sauce 1/4 Cup toasted chopped peanuts 1/4 Cup ripe tomato cut into wedges 2 Tablespoons dry shrimp--optional Using a pestle and mortar, crush the toasted peanuts, then remove from mortar and set aside. Next, crush the chili, dry shrimp (optional) and garlic in the mortar and then add sugar, lime, lemon juice or tamarind paste, fish sauce, tomato, papaya and half of the crushed toasted peanuts. Gently mix everything together until papaya is well coated. Place the mixture on a serving dish and sprinkle remaining crushed peanuts on top. Serve at room temperature or cold with an optional lettuce garnish.
47
Recently, I decided to prepare a special meal for my girlfriend. Since she really enjoys Asian food, I went to PJ’s market looking for some great ideas. PJ was really helpful; she gave me her own recipe for a Thai curry chicken served with a cold papaya salad. I was able to get almost all the ingredients I needed for the meal at PJ’s, plus some advice on how to prepare everything. My girlfriend was seriously impressed, and I owe it all to PJ! Thanks! -Ty Moore