You truly do not know how challenging (and at the same time wonderful) it is to be a mother, until you experience it for yourself. Even though there are a lot of funny emails about being a Mom that go around, I thought this one was quite good – “The Next Survivor Series.” And on a sweeter, more serious note, please read our “Poem of the Month” by Ron Lee Stewart, titled “From The Heart.” Happy Mother’s Day to all of you tired, hard-working, resilient, super Moms!
If you missed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Obama’s speech was a lot of fun – so check out the video. Obama poked fun at Jay Leno, as well as many others, in his humorous address. “Glad to see the only person whose ratings fell more than mine last year,” he said, looking at Leno.
The Louisiana oil spill oozes on, as I write this, and it’s maddening to think of all of the wild animals, birds and fish that will be killed by this colossal spill.The National Audubon Society is recruiting volunteers in the fight to save “ecologically sensitive areas.” OilSpillVolunteers.com also provides the opportunity sign up and assist with the cleanup. This spill, caused by BP, threatens the entire Gulf Coast, and all living things in that environment, oozing at least 5,000 barrels a day. So the next time you hear someone say, “Drill, baby, drill,” ask them to stop their chanting and think of alternative energy resources instead.
Our fabulous contests continue! The first one runs from May 1st to 10th and the prize is a rejuvenating, one-hour massage from Massage Envy! And then please don’t forget to return to our “Contest” page between May 15th – 20th for a very special prize from the Improv at City Place!
We have a few fun stories about celebrities too (authors Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson and late night star Chelsea Handler). Thanks to Marla E. Schwartz, we have an exclusive interview with Barry and Pearson as they prepare for their book tour for their children’s Starcatcher series. If you’re able to, catch them at Fairchild Tropical Garden on Saturday, May 8 at 3pm for a very special book signing and garden tour event. Marla writes this month in her “Cultural Corner” about queen of late night comedy Chelsea Handler. She was able to see her on tour with her latest book “Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang.”
Feeling like there’s no way you can get back to your old, fit 20-something body that you once knew and loved? Local personal trainer and stretch expert Cheryl Alker is here to help. Read Glenn Swift’s story about how Alker gets her clients back to a “lean and lifted” body shape in our “AW Stories of the Month.”Cheryl, by the way, writes our AroundWellington.com “Health & Fitness” column each month and this month she asks, “How Strong Are You?”
As usual, I wish I could tell you about all of our May articles, but this is a good start. Click around and see our latest stories, photos and videos.
Each kid will play two sports
and take either music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must
take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework, complete science projects,
cook, do laundry, and pay a list of ‘pretend’ bills
with not enough money.
In addition,
each man
will have to budget enough money
for groceries each week.
Each man
must remember the birthdays
of all their friends and relatives,
and send cards out on time–no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor’s appointment,
a dentist appointment
and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and
inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes
for a school function.
Each man will be responsible for
decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television
when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave theirlegs,
wear makeup daily,
adorn themselves with jewelry,
wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,
keep fingernails polished,
and eyebrows groomed
During one of the six weeks,
the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches,
have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down
from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings
and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar
setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids eachnight
and in the morning,
feed them,
dress them,
brush their teeth and
comb their hair by 7:30 am.
A test will be given
at the end of the six weeks,
and each father will be required to know
all of the following information:
each child’s
birthday,
height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size,
doctor’s name,
the child’s weight at birth,
length, time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child’s favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance.
The last man wins only if…
he still
has enough energy
to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment’s notice.
If the last man does win,
he can play the game over and over and over
again for the next 18-25 years,
eventually earning the right
to be called Mother!
Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson on Tour, Delighting Little Pirates and Everyone Else too!
By Marla E. Schwartz
If you live in Florida and haven’t heard Dave Barry speak, then you’re missing out on something very special. Books and Books in Coral Gables has lined up an evening dubbed as a ‘Special Event’ in which Dave Barry will be discussing and signing his latest book, “I’ll Mature When I’m Dead: Dave Barry’s Amazing Tales of Adulthood” on Saturday, May 8 at 3PM, at Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156. Actually, it’s two treats in one – Dave’s not-to-miss presentation along with a visit to this lush tropical paradise – it can’t be beat.
You must purchase your tickets ahead of time in order to gain entrance into the event held at the Garden House. You can purchase tickets at all Books and Books locations as well as Fairchild Garden, while supplies last. You can call the bookstore at 305.442.4408 to pre-pay and get more information on the event. It costs only $40 for the talk, Q&A, book signing and a tram tour of the gardens (this is a must if you haven’t done it; and a must-do again if you’ve already done it), a copy of the book and a dessert reception after the event, which is sponsored by Whole Foods. If you’re a member of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, tickets are discounted by five-dollars.
Florida writer Ridley Pearson, who is on tour with Dave Barry
A few months ago Dave Barry was on tour with fellow scribe Ridley Pearson as they traversed the states discussing the newest novel in their children’s book series. If you’re looking for real-life superheroes, look no further than the dynamic duo of Miami’s own Pulitzer-Prize winning author Dave Barry, America’s most notable humorist since Mark Twain, and one of this country’s most inspiring crime thriller writers, Ridley Pearson, whose engrossing tales will leave your children waiting impatiently for their next masterpiece.
Peter and the Starcatchers - Barry and Pearson's 1st book in the children's series.
A pocketful of imagination mixed with a little bit of star stuff is all that was needed for these two very entertaining and fun-loving guys to begin writing their very first book together called Peter and the Starcatchers. This best selling children’s novel, which provides a back-story for the characters of Peter Pan, serving as a prequel to J. M. Barrie’s novel Peter and Wendy, has delighted children everywhere. Since then, they’ve written Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon and have recently been on a book tour for their latest fête Peter and the Sword of Mercy.
There’s no denying that these two unassuming gentleman are the best of friends, thanks in fact to Dave’s brother, Sam Barry, whose wife Kathy Goldmark, founder of The Rock Bottom Remainders, recruited them to play in this band together fifteen-years-ago for a charity benefit. This first meeting turned into a long-lasting friendship. The story of how they met is just as important as the origination of the idea for their children’s novels that ties into the curiosity of one child. No, not Peter Pan, but that of Paige Pearson.
One night when Ridley was reading J. M. Barrie’s book to his daughter when she said, “Yah, dad, but how did Peter Pan meet Captain Hook in the first place?” Well, Ridley’s imagination took off and he said, “Paige, that’s its own book and daddy’s going to write about it.”
“And she’s thrilled by this whole thing,” Ridley said. “She didn’t realize the can of worms she had opened up”
During a recent book tour in the Los Angeles they were able to interact with many children with the release of Peter and the Sword of Mercy.
The fourth book in the Starcatchers series takes place in 1901. It has been 23 years since Peter and the Lost Boys returned from Rundoon and none of them have aged. Captain Hook is still in the picture. Molly and George Darling moved to London, got married and had three children. One night they’re visited by original Lost Boy James who is now working for Scotland Yard. He believes that the heir to England’s throne is under the influence of shadow creatures. The exciting journey soars. The journey of the book and the book tour.
“We get huge crowds, which have been unexpected in a recession”, Dave points out. “The kids come dressed as pirates and swordfighters and there are a bunch of one-eyed pirates in the audience.”
“And {we’ve} been driving {around} in this ridiculous vehicle which I’m not sure whether it has any impact on anybody,” Dave explained as Ridley begins to crack-up.“Well, it did have an impact on one bicyclist and us – which I mean in the sense that he means that it actually impacted him.”
“But we don’t know, maybe he was just figuring anybody who can afford the Sword Mobile must be loaded,” Ridley pointed out.
“The Sword Mobile is a Ford hybrid escort … is it called an escort?” Dave asked Ridley.
“Yes it is,” Ridley assured him. “An escort that they’ve wrapped with our jacket art so that our faces our on it, and the jacket cover is on it and it’s really fun.”
These gentlemen are definitely having fun on their book tour. But is fun the only name of the game? Years ago Ridley was quoted as saying he likes people to absorb knowledge when reading his books. Then what type of knowledge exactly is he hoping that people acknowledge people absorb while reading Peter and the Sword of Mercy?
They both crack up.
“Really, I said that?” He pondered. “I must’ve been smokin’ something’,” he joked. “That was something I said years ago and I was talking about my crime novels and it wasn’t knowledge.”
“He does a lot of research,” Dave said.
And without missing a beat, Ridley pointed out, “I meant that I put a lot of research into the book, so you learn something when you read my books. But knowledge – that’s a far stretch.It’s not like I have any knowledge to share.”
“We have no intention of putting meaning or life-lessons into these books,” he continued.‘These books are supposed to be what J.K. Rowling opened the door to, which is that the kids love the story and the characters, and they’re willing to read a big book.So we hope we’ve written big rich, fun books with a lot of story and character and very little significance to the world.”
Author Dave Barry
“We’re just trying to write fun books,” Dave said. “We have fun writing them, we try not to write down to kids. We take out bad words, and take typical relations between adults and knock them down from an R rating to a PG rating, but if somebody has to look a word up in the dictionary, so be it. The feedback is that the kids love reading them for that reason. They just love getting wrapped up in these characters and being taken on a wild ride.”
“A lot of times when we’re on this tour they’re seeing this book for the first time, and they’ve all brought the previous three books with them. We’re signing them and then they want to know what’s going to happen {next}, but they don’t want to know too much.”
One of the favorite characters in their books is Molly. She’s one of the most enigmatic female characters in children’s literature.Everyone loves Molly.
“We love Molly, too,” Dave said. “We both have daughters so we wanted to create a kick-butt little girl to be our heroine and every bit the equal of Peter. We’ve been really gratified to the reaction of girls to the books because there’s a tendency in the part of the book industry to divide fiction up between girl fiction and boy fiction and I can see some of that, but we really didn’t want that {to happen}.”
Dave’s daughter is now “nine and she’s just starting to read the Starcatchers and loves them.But if you ask her, she actually thinks she’s read them all because she’s been watching her father write them and go on book tours for all these years,” Dave explained. “She loves book events and my kids love it when their dad is in front of everybody and they come and drape themselves around me just to make sure that everybody knows ‘this is my dad’ you know and it’s pretty cool.”
So what have the kids asked these esteemed writers?
“Well, we do this little routine when we’re talking about the books and we talk about how we couldn’t call Captain Hook “Captain Hook” because when we started the first book, he still had both hands because he hadn’t met Peter Pan yet, so we called him the Black Mustache.So one little boy raised his hand and said, ‘What did they call him when he was little?’ Well, I had never thought about that,” Dave explained.
“And in the first book everybody gets washed up onto this island and one of the kids raised his hand and said, ‘hey you know, when they got washed up on the island, what did they eat?’ Ridley said.
“So we let Ridley handle that one and he thought about it for a moment and said, ‘bananas.’ That’s the thing about kids. They don’t care about rights, they don’t care about lawyers or film deals – they care about story and character and that’s what makes it so refreshing and fun,” Dave said.
“And this sounds weird because we’re talking about stuff we made up,” Dave said.
Also, when it comes to the star stuff, “we could’ve just said it’s pixie dust, but we wanted something that had more to it with the story behind it,” Ridley said.
“We wanted there to be more of a logic to it so that you could build more of a sustainable world around it,” Ridley said.
“There’s logic to this fantasy,” Dave pointed out.
“Dave demanded this from the beginning,” Ridley said. “I was more of the school of ‘star stuff can do anything’ and Dave very quickly laid down the law that there had to be rules to this world or it wouldn’t be any fun because then anything was possible at anytime.If you establish rules for a world it actually helps you because it sets up conflict and defines what’s going on.”
“It gives kids real problems to solve instead of ‘oh magic,’ you know,” Dave said.
So what advice do these prolific writers want to tell aspiring writers?
“Well, we meet a lot of them,” Dave said.“In any group of kids there’s always going to be two or three you can just tell are really into it.In fact one little boy brought us a written and illustrated complete new Peter and the Starcatchers book, which was really pretty good.”
“Yah, it was six-pages long,” Ridley added.
“There are certain kids who are just born to write,” Dave said. “If that’s what they want to do, we tell them to keep writing and to read a lot.”
“And be prepared to revise because there are days that Dave and I revise our stuff four or five times because that’s the only way it gets good.,” Ridley explained.
And what about a reality program about them – sort of like Dave’s previous show based on his life, ‘Dave’s World” – it could be called “Dave and Ridley’s World”?
“Sure, if I get the same arrangement as I had with ‘Dave’s World’, which was basically that {I didn’t have to do} anything.”
The idea of these men not doing anything isn’t real – so nix the reality show idea.
For those of you who cannot get enough of Barry’s work, he still periodically writes for the Miami Herald.You can also go to his official website for information:www.davebarry.com.And of course, make sure you check out Ridley Pearson’s website:www.ridleypearson.com for details on his novels, film deals, tour schedule and more.
——————
Dave Barry is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of more than two-dozen books including The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog; Dave Barry’s Money Secrets; Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys; Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway; and Big Trouble.
Ridley Pearson is the best-selling author of twenty-three novels, including the young adult novel The Kingdom Keepers and the adult thrillers Killer Weekend, Killer Summer, Cut and Run, The Pied Piper, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, Beyond Recognition, and Undercurrents.
Titles of the books they’ve written together in this series include:
A native of Toledo, OH and a graduate of Kent State, Marla E. Schwartz has been a professional journalist since she was a teenager.She’s a Senior Writer for Miami Living Magazine, and a freelance writer for CRAVINGS South Florida in Aventura, as well as Around Wellington Magazine, Lighthouse Point Magazine, and P.A.N.D.O.R.A.An avid photographer, her images have appeared in numerous Ohio publications, as well as in Around Wellington Magazine, Lighthouse Point Magazine,Miami Living Magazine, The Miami Herald, The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and The Palm Beach Post.She has had numerous plays published and produced around the country.Her short play, America’s Working? was originally read at First Stage in Los Angeles and in the same city produced at the Lone Star Ensemble.It was then produced at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL and taken to an off-Broadway playhouse by its producers Adam and Carrie Simpson.Her piece, The Lunch Time Café, was a finalist for the Heideman Award, Actors Theatre of Louisville. She has also written a handful of screenplays with one opted for production a few years ago.Feel free to contact her at: meschwartz1@hotmail.com.
A river runs through it, wine country surrounds it, poets and artists call it home and evidence of cultural diversity is everywhere.One should expect nothing less from a city that has been a colony of Spain, a territory of Mexico, a part of the Republic of Texas and ultimately a city in the United States.To say San Antonio has an interesting history would be a gross understatement!
The Alamo. SACVB Photo/Nancy H. Belcher.
Most certainly you remember the Alamo.Originally a mission, the Alamo later became the place where soldiers courageously fought for Texas independence against overwhelming odds.The battle at the Alamo has become a symbol of heroism where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.The Alamo is one of five beautifully-preserved Spanish colonial missions in San Antonio.(www.TheAlamo.org)
La Villita, a small village developed in the mid to late 18th century, was one of San Antonio’s original settlements.It was the center of Texas revolutionary activities in 1835 and 1836.Today it is an arts village offering hand crafted treasures like blown glass, jewelry and Mexican fashions.Located along San Antonio’s famed River Walk, La Villita is also the site of various cultural activities throughout the year including the annual Soul Food Festival held in May.This free event offers samples of down-home cooking and an annual “Gospel on the Plaza” choir competition.(www.lavillita.com)
San Antonio River Walk. SACVB Photo/Morris Goen.
Now about that River Walk, early in the 20th century, San Antonio began to develop the areas along the banks of the San Antonio River.Today, the “Paseo del Rio” is the anchor of this vibrant city.Four miles of cobble and flagstone paths wind along the border of the river as it runs through downtown San Antonio.It flows past night clubs, sidewalk cafes, luxury hotels and spas, specialty boutiques, museums and historical gems.Rio San Antonio Cruises floating transportation system provides a unique perspective for sightseeing along this scenic waterway with their informative cruises.Dine aboard an open-air cruiser or take a “Learn Aboard” cooking class.As this floating class drifts down the river, recipes are demonstration with an on-board mirror and cook top!Whether you are interested in shopping, dining, sightseeing, partying or a romantic stroll along the river banks, the River Walk is the place to be in San Antonio.(www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com)
When you go to San Antonio, you will need a place to stay and nothing beats staying on the River Walk.The Hotel Contessa is one of the River Walk’s newest premier hotels and the perfect place to relax after exploring all San Antonio has to offer.This Mediterranean-style property is both elegant and inviting.Hotel Contessa features a rooftop pool and fitness center as well as a Spa.The guest rooms are one-bedroom suites.Most have a river view, a separate parlor, exposed brick feature walls and marble baths.The service is spectacular – you may never want to leave!Hotel Contessa is home to Las Ramblas.This unique restaurant offering Spanish cuisine has an open exhibition-style kitchen and outdoor seating along the River Walk.The adjacent Cork Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a beverage and relax. (www.thehotelcontessa.com)
Beyond the banks of the river, there are numerous areas to explore.Many of these areas were home to early German settlers and at one point street signs were displayed in 3 languages – English, German and Spanish.Fredricksburg, Texas, located 70 miles north of San Antonio is an excellent place to experience this German culture.Here you will find German-style Biergartens as well as delicious German cuisine.A great place to start is the Fredricksburg Brewing Company on Main Street.You can sample the made on site brews and fill up on schnitzel and sauerkraut.(www.yourbrewery.com) This lovely historic town is also home to the Admiral Nimitz Museum.This National Pacific War Museum is dedicated exclusively to the telling the story of the Pacific and Asiatic Theaters in World War II. (www.nimitz-museum.org)
The area north of San Antonio and west of Austin is known as the Texas Hill Country.The beautiful rolling landscape is a sharp contrast to this state’s otherwise flat terrain.The Hill Country is also home to 24 wineries and is second only to the Napa Valley in wine production in the nation.Tour the vineyards, sample the delicious variety of Texas wines or join one of the scheduled wine trail events planned throughout the region.(www.texaswinetrail.com)
Ten miles east of Fredericksburg is a tiny hamlet with a familiar name – Luckenbach, Texas.Brought to worldwide fame by the Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson song, Luckenbach’s motto is “Everybody’s Somebody.”There aren’t a lot of somebodies living in Luckenbach, but a whole lot of somebodies visit!This “town” consists of a Post Office, General Store, Tavern and Dancehall – all in one building.That’s all, really.
Originally settled in 1849 by August Engel, a German preacher,
Luckenbach, Texas. Photo: Terri Farris.
Luckenbach was named by the preacher’s daughter, Minna, in honor of her fiancé.Opened in 1886 as a Trading Post that catered to pioneer farmers and Comanche Indians alike, the original building is still used today for all of Luckenbach’s activities.In 1970 Luckenbach was still in the hands of the Engel family when Benno Engel retired as postmaster and placed an ad in the local paper:“TOWN FOR SALE – lock, stock and dancehall”!Enter Hondo Crouch and his unusual friends and the town took on a new life.Hondo proclaimed himself Mayor and gave his accomplices titles like Sheriff and Foreign Ambassadors.Luckenbach became the backdrop for events such as the Ladies State Chili Bust, Hug-Ins and a Luckenbach World’s Fair.These events continue today, as well as the daily sessions of drinking and song-picking in the tavern and outside beneath the 500-year-old oak trees.Roosters roam freely and the resident cats, Miss Kitty and Marshall Dillon, assist with bartending and night security.You will need a map to find Luckenbach because the signs are stolen as soon as they are posted! (www.luckenbachtexas.com)
Deep in the heart of Texas you will experience the beauty of the landscape, the river, art, wine, culture, history and some truly unique characters – and you might just leave a piece of your heart behind!(www.visitsanantonio.com)
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at tfarris60@hotmail.com.
On first meeting Cheryl Alker it does not take long to realize that whether sitting or standing, she holds herself with such ease in perfect posture.Now I’m not a specialist on the matter, but when you do see someone sitting or standing “tall” it is very noticeable even to my untrained eye.
The reason for such a perfect stance?Cheryl is a flexibility specialist and particularly focuses on the muscles that affect postural alignment.
Cheryl began her career in the health and fitness industry over twenty-seven years ago, she has run her own health club, managed a British Government fitness testing program, and lectured across the UK (that’s the United Kingdom, not the University of Kentucky). She has trained and certified literally hundreds of group fitness and personal trainers who have gone on to very successful careers within the industry.
Half moon stretch
In recent years she began to notice how body shapes, quality of movement and postural alignment had changed. The computer age was obviously responsible for many postural alignment problems; however, Cheryl noticed her own classes were beginning to lack one very important component of physical fitness – flexibility.
Her clients were well aware of the benefits of cardio and muscular strength and endurance, this information was readily available in every magazine or newspaper, but flexibility? What did that do for them?As far as most were concerned, “stretch” needed little attention – it seemed to have no bearing on how their body looked or felt.
Once Cheryl noticed her own work gave little time to stretching, she also noticed that other instructors were falling into the same trap. Regular gym-users were also not stretching. In fact, it was virtually nonexistent. It was at this point that she began to incorporate a pure stretch program to her own workout schedule and soon noticed a huge difference in her own body shape – and well-being.
At this stage in her career Cheryl studied yoga and pilates, and although she gained much from these disciplines, they were not the “pure” flexibility program she was looking for.
Cheryl’s work began in earnest nine years ago when she began to specialize in flexibility, postural alignment and movement quality. The Stretch Results program is the result of not only the past nine years, but her entire twenty-seven year career in the fitness industry.
“I have been fortunate to have worked successfully with literally hundreds of clients from all walks of life.Through this program I have been able to assist professional athletes wanting to shave a tenth of a second off their best time, people suffering from chronic neck, back and shoulder pain, children and elderly clients with double hip replacements. I am not sure if there is anyone I can’t stretch and who does not gain results from the program.However, no matter what their reason for starting the program one thing is consistent – the change in body shape and appearance.”
Band stretch with Peggy
One such client is Peggy Bidgood.Peggy, a Wellington resident, is 58 years old and has always led an active lifestyle; she lived on a sailboat for eight years, rides horses, has taken yoga, pilates and attended the gym.“I read about Cheryl in a newspaper article when she first arrived in the U.S.Intrigued by the article and the program she offered I decided to take a session with her.At the time I had a hamstring injury that had prevented me walking for the whole summer and a chronic neck and shoulder condition due to eight years of office work with a headset. Within a few sessions I noticed my pain start to alleviate and at that point I was hooked”.
“My hamstring, neck and shoulder pain are now a thing of the past which was reward enough but the real icing on the cake has come from the change in my body shape.The first thing I noticed was how my waistline started to re-define itself, the tops of my legs lost inches, my bottom started to lift and my shoulder girdle was open and back with no effort. I looked slimmer and taller ……… it was a miracle!I had spent 2 years taking pilates classes religiously 5 days a week, attended a gym and followed a weight training and cardio program and to be honest I could only see minimal results as far as my body shape was concerned, this was the first program I have ever done that has delivered the promises made.”
“Cheryl’s knowledge of anatomy was far superior to anyone I had ever met within the fitness industry but it was her way of imparting that knowledge to me that made the difference. She uses muscle diagrams, unbelievable demonstrations and verbal instructions; however, it is her hands-on approach that really makes the changes – she literally moulds your body into shape”.
“Cheryl’s program not only concentrated on my flexibility but also gave me an insight to the core that no-one had even come close to before. I can at last control a 1,500 llb horse with my core instead of my hands which has improved my riding technique ten fold, however, the feeling I love most is when I wake up in the morning and walk towards the kitchen, instead of feeling stiff and in pain I feel as if I have an inner strength that is lifting me from the inside and holding me in effortless perfect posture”.
So how can stretching make such a difference?Cheryl explains that when muscles are short and tight they draw our bones closer together, for instance pectoralis major is our main chest muscle that originates at the sternum (breastbone) and inserts into the humerous (upper arm).When this muscle is short and tight it draws these two points closer to each other resulting in the shoulders rolling forward, the ribcage collapsing and the breasts drooping.Stretching this muscle opens the shoulder therefore lifting the chest. Voila! A natural breast lift.
Cheryl smiles when she recounts the story of how the British press were convinced Princess Diana had gone under the knife to achieve what could only be described as a remarkable difference in photos taken a year prior showing a definite breast lift.“A colleague of mine was in fact her personal trainer and told me that nothing could have been further from the truth, her training regime had included a focused stretching program….As the press could verify, the results were dramatic!”
Other areas that can benefit from regular stretching are the buttocks. “When the hamstrings are short and tight they will literally drag the bottom towards the knees, by stretching this inherently tight muscle the bottom will return to a lifted and rounded look just as nature intended,” Cheryl explained.
If you attribute losing your waistline to turning 40, think again. Turn back the clock by stretching a muscle called quadratus Lumborum.
Cheryl showed me on my own body where the muscle starts and finishes (mostly finishes) – the top of my hip bone and my lowest ribs in my back.“When this muscle is short and tight it draws your ribcage closer to your pelvis, making your waistline appear thicker.” Stretching this muscle will create distance between the pelvis and the ribcage. Before you know it your long-lost waistline re-appears”.
Cheryl is keen to address the body as a whole and has extensive knowledge of the facial muscles and pays particular attention to the head position. “Too many trainers today stop their work at the neck, we have fifty-seven facial muscles that also need our attention but often the only way we care for them is to apply cream daily.Applying cream to our body will not give you the body shape you desire, so why do we think it will work on our face?”Many of our facial muscles also become too tight and can cause problems such as TMJ disorder, neck and shoulder pain and tension headaches.Stretching these muscles can often help.”
Good breathing techniques are also a part of The Stretch Results program.
“The benefits of training your diaphragm to work efficiently are huge. My clients often notice improved skin tone, circulation and energy levels.”
Cheryl does not believe for one moment that you should only stretch and that all other types of fitness are a waste of time.She is alarmed that it has become the trend not to stretch, and therefore she believes a vital link has been missed to overall wellbeing, aesthetics and physical fitness.
So, if you are not quite ready to go under the knife for a body “lean and lifted,” it may be time to stretch yourself into better shape.
For more details on the Stretch Results program and Cheryl Alker, please visit www. stretchresults.com or call Cheryl personally – 561 889 3738.
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Glenn R. Swift is a freelance writer and editor living in Palm Beach Gardens. Winner of the Florida Magazine Association’s Bronze Award for Writing Excellence, Swift is Co-founder/Editor in Chief of the Palm Beach eMedia Group and Co-founder/Director of Marketing of the Theatre Orchestra of Florida.
ORT America’s Florida Region recently held its 130th Anniversary Celebration & Visionary Campaign Opening Brunch with its theme “ORT Visionaries Creating the Future Today” at the Polo Club of Boca Raton.ORT, which means organization through rehabilitation and training was founded in 1880 and has evolved into a multifaceted, universal alliance of training programs. It has established an astounding record of producing more than three million graduates from its schools, colleges and international programs. ORT America has a national board with national and regional offices, 400 chapters and couldn’t survive without the help of numerous volunteers who diligently raise funds to keep its many schools open, to make sure these schools are equipped with the most recent technological educational tools and supports its international programs, as well.
The 130th celebration began when co-chairs Lois Dermer and BarbaraSiegel conducted their welcoming and opening remarks to a crowd of 165 people. Lois is from New York and came to Florida with her husband Arthur thirteen years ago.She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and has two Masters Degrees, one from Hofstra University and the other from Brooklyn College.Lois became an ORT member in 1970. Barbara joined ORT in 1972 and she eventually served as President of the North Woodmere-Hewlett Chapter of the South Nassau Long Island Region and has served ORT in numerous capacities. They both have extensive teaching backgrounds in New York.
Ort Co-Chairs Barbara Siegel and Lois Demer. Photos by Marla E. Schwartz.
Lois opened the event by remarking about the recent earthquake in Chile. “We do have a school in Chile and I would just like to very, very briefly update you on (the situation),” she said. “The National Director of ORT Chile said that ‘at 3:40 AM on the last Shabbat of our summer holiday just a few short days away from the first day of classes at schools throughout Chile, the earth moved; ORT in Chile has two headquarters which both seem to be alright and all personnel are safe and sound.’ Robert Singer, Director General of World ORT, said, ‘ORT has been actively working in Chile for more than five decades and we have a very good history in Chile and is home to our Latin America headquarters and we will continue to monitor the situation.’
ORT Luncheon Attendees
“Today has great significance to us and all of you as we celebrate the milestones and achievements of ORT throughout the generations,” Lois continued. “We will also hear personal testimonies of ORT Alum and students about the quality of the education they received in ORT schools and programs. We will also speak about our 2010 campaign goals and objectives.”
Then Barbara took the helm.“Our personal life’s journey has been to serve in the field of education,” she began. “As educators, Lois and I, when we saw first-hand, the direct impact of our teaching and training in the classroom, our commitment everyday was to ensure a bright future for each of our pupils. Our own parents understood the value of an education and worked their hardest during their most difficult years to provide quality education for us and in turn, we’ve passed this core Jewish value onto our children and grandchildren. We believe that through education we are creating a paradigm shift in a child’s life giving them the opportunity to change a path of poverty with little or no hope for the future to becoming the best they can be and have choices in their lives. Education makes a difference and opens the door for our students to lead independent lives with dignity and pride as contributing members of their communities and society and this is why we became involved in ORT so many years ago.”
ORT Luncheon Volunteers
Barbara continued to explain how volunteer efforts have made it possible to educate “the students of today and tomorrow in fields of study that we never could’ve imaged years ago. Science, Robotics, Nanotechnologies, Smart Boards linked with computers and individual stations, teacher trainings, laboratories with high caliber technology, virtual learning with online training and tutoring with specific funding to lift up the underserved and underprivileged.”
These women have made great strides in their ORT efforts by traveling to places with ORT programs in locations such as Cape Town, South Africa, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Moscow, Russia. “These visits have left an indelible impression upon us and reinforce the moral imperative of our volunteer efforts,” Lois pointed out.
The invocation was then presented by esteemed ORT member Shirley Sokolsky. She opened her remarks by thanking God for “giving us eyes to see” and recognized the ongoing need for vocational and technological training in countries around the globe.
“By bringing the latest in high-tech training, as well as a Jewish education, to all our students from Israel to Russia from India to Argentina … to hear the voices of the disadvantaged in Israel who yearn for the opportunity of ORT’s expertise” are key elements, said Shirley. She then spoke about the science technology initiative that’s reaching 40,000 disadvantaged youngsters in over thirty of ORT’s campuses in Israel’s border communities. “These students at risk … will be technologically prepared to enter Israel’s high-tech work force,” she said. “Each of us is a Queen Esther committed to rescuing and responding with education. As visionaries we in ORT America continue to help create tomorrow today and every day.”
Co-chair Barbara Siegel with Rose Mezon-Feinberg
After Shirley’s moving invocation Elaine Bernstein stirred the audience with a mesmerizing interpretation of the Israeli National Anthem, Hatikvah as well as the Star Spangled Banner and then the Hamotzi (blessing before the meal) was recited very beautifully by Jona and Anny Lerman. Then it was time for a delicious brunch buffet.Afterwards there was a Mission and Mitzvah Video called “ORT American Mission & Mitzvah” (mitzvah means an expression of human kindness) shown to the gathered guests, an Introduction of Special Guests and the ORT America “Tzedakah” (charity) Message was presented. According to wordi.com, “there are eight levels of Tzedakah in Jewish tradition, ranging from publicly giving funds, so that the donor and recipient both know who each other is, to providing means by which a needy person can become self-sustaining.”
At this time in the program Esteban Koffsmon, an Alumnus of the ORT High School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, spoke about his ORT experiences. He graduated in 1993 from the ORT Technical School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture with honors; a Masters in Architecture in Urbanism in 1999 at the University of Buenos Aires School of Architecture Design & Urbanism. He recently graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development and Finance. He spoke to the crowd about his personal ORT story. “The most important thing is to try to communicate how important what I learned in school was to me and how it contributed to my career,” Esteban said.
“ORT in Argentina is very popular as it has more than 7,000 students and two large schools and it means a lot to the Jewish community. So it’s in the process of expanding in order to accommodate everyone,” he explained.“ORT in Argentina is giving the students the tools and the possibilities to do something on their own no matter what you study, so you will always have a degree and that’s something that’s valuable.”
The next speaker was Julia Toubiyan a student at Bramson ORT College in Forest Hills, New York. She’s a delightful young woman who immigrated to the United States with her family from Iran in 2009 to have the basic freedoms and obtain the education that is denied to the Jewish people in that country.She was awarded a full-year scholarship upon her acceptance in Bramson through the Robert and Margaret Bloom Scholarship Program. “This group makes immigrants to this country hopeful about their futures in world Jewry,” she began. “This organization used to have a branch in Iran before the revolution. ORT was the connector for the Iranian Jews for the new skills, different languages and progress. Although I was a successful student in Iran they didn’t let me enter the high school that I chose because I was Jewish.In the United States I didn’t feel comfortable studying in English so I needed a school which could guide me for my future educational decisions.I decided to become a pharmacist.”
Then the Keynote Speaker, the dynamic and The Honorable Zevin Auerbach, gave a rousing speech. He started an ad agency in 1947 with forty-seven dollars in his pocket and twenty years later Zimmerman acquired the company, he became a board member, and this agency is now the nation’s sixteenth-largest ad agency with billings in excess of 1.5 billion dollars. Among his many other notable accomplishments he was elected to the city commission of Aventura in 2003 and as always is devoted to philanthropic work that benefits children and emphasizes education. In 2003 he became involved with ORT America in the Greater Miami Region. At the recent ORT America Convention he became a new member of the ORT America National Board. Additionally, he’s a devoted student of Kabbalah. “I hope you’re all excited because I’m excited and I’ll tell you why,” he said. “There are two reasons I’m excited today; one, I have been trying to get into the Polo Club of Boca Raton for thirty years (the audience laughs and applauds) and today I pulled up again and this time the security guard with the gun looked at me a little crossed-eyed and I looked back and him and said the magic words, ‘I’m with ORT’ and those gates opened. The other reason I’m so excited is because I’m going to pay tribute to a special group of people sitting right in front of me, you. Paying tribute because you have and continue to change the world. What do you mean change the world … with you there’s no Esteban and Julia.”He then tells a beautiful Kabbalistic story involving angels in which one angel repairs the barn of a rich couple in order to hide the pot of gold from their greedy hands and the poor woman, who treated them like royalty had her cow sacrificed by the elder angel, so the angel of death would spare her life. “The secret to life is that you never know what’s about to happen unless you look to the big picture,” Zevin said. “Education is one of those things you never know about, but ORT knows what education can do.”
He concluded his speech and then the closing remarks and raffle drawing concluded this most welcome experience. ORT welcomes you to contact the organization for more information. You can go to its website: , call: 561-997-1072 or email: .
A native of Toledo, OH and a graduate of Kent State, Marla E. Schwartz has been a professional journalist since she was a teenager.She’s a Senior Writer for Miami Living Magazine, and a freelance writer for CRAVINGS South Florida in Aventura, as well as Around Wellington Magazine, Lighthouse Point Magazine, and P.A.N.D.O.R.A.An avid photographer, her images have appeared in numerous Ohio publications, as well as in Around Wellington Magazine, Lighthouse Point Magazine,Miami Living Magazine, The Miami Herald, The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and The Palm Beach Post.She has had numerous plays published and produced around the country.Her short play, America’s Working? was originally read at First Stage in Los Angeles and in the same city produced at the Lone Star Ensemble.It was then produced at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL and taken to an off-Broadway playhouse by its producers Adam and Carrie Simpson.Her piece, The Lunch Time Café, was a finalist for the Heideman Award, Actors Theatre of Louisville. She has also written a handful of screenplays with one opted for production a few years ago.Feel free to contact her at: .
Continuing with our dissection of the definition of physical fitness we are, in this article, giving you valuable information on muscular fitness.This aspect of fitness is actually a combination of muscular strength and muscular endurance.
Muscular strength is defined by the ability to exert maximum force in one effort.For example, the ability to lift an object one time.
Muscular endurance is the muscles ability to make repeated efforts.
Improving your muscular strength and endurance helps you maintain or increase bone mass (reducing the risk of osteoporosis), reduces body fat, reduce blood pressure, improve your lipid profile and control your blood glucose.So it is definitely worth knowing a little more about improving muscular strength and endurance and incorporating into your fitness routine.In fact, surveys show that a large segment of the U.S. population lacks muscular fitness.In 1990, the American College of Sports Medicine added strength training to its list of exercise guidelines, recommending that people do at least two sessions a week.
How to Improve Muscular Strength & Endurance
ØWhen lifting weights or using resistance exercise equipment, ensure that the contractions of your muscles are rhythmic.
ØMove slowly and with control; take at least four seconds for each movement.
ØMove the limb through its entire range of motion.
ØBreathe normally while you lift.Holding your breath can cause your blood pressure to rise.Breathe out when you are doing the most strenuous part of the exercise. Weight train on days when you are not doing hard aerobic workouts.
ØAllow at least one day between weight training sessions to let your muscles recover.Proper recovery will help you build strength faster.
ØTo train for pure strength you should only be able to lift the weight one time; however, 1 to 4 repetitions would be acceptable.
ØTo train for muscular endurance you should be able to lift the weight 8 to 12 times.
ØWork to overload.Lifting a weight that is so light you could make 20 to 30 repetitions will not deliver the results you desire.
(This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Around Wellington, the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.)
Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, core strength and postural alignment, working with a select clientele across Palm Beach County. Her company, Stretch Results International, certifies health professionals in her results-based stretching program, educates consumers through public speaking and offers private or class consultations to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. For more information, please call Cheryl at (561) 889-3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies Coming This Spring and Summer (Part 2)
by Anna Sanclement
All right sci-fi fans, here is part two of last month’s article on what good movies to go see from now until July. From action sci-fi, adventure sci-fi, fantasy sci-fi and fantasy sci-fi, these movies should attract audiences of all types.
Be prepared for the long awaited films and also for some new surprises. Get your friends or family together and get that babysitter because you have to at least go see one of these if you are a true sci-fi fan.
Iron Man 2
This highly anticipated sequel based on the popular Marvel comic looks like it will follow suit to its predecessor and wow the fans once more.
This time, the story brings Iron Man along with Pepper and “Rhodey,” to forge new alliances while preventing the Iron Man armor technology from falling into the wrong hands.
Robert Downey Jr. returns as our hero, Iron Man, and still with him is faithful Pepper, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Newcomers to the sequel include Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle and Sam Rockwell. Iron Man opens on May 7th.
Jonah Hex
Jonah Hex is based on the western DC Comics character, who is a scarred bounty hunter with a history that left him half in this world and the other half on the other side.
In a chance to get his freedom, Jonah receives an offer to track down and stop a ruthless terrorist named Quentin Turnbull. Turnbull is getting ready to unleash Hell and as Jonah’s oldest enemy, he will stop at nothing until he is dead.
Josh Brolin stars as Jonah Hex, with Megan Fox as his love interest, Leila, a tough brothel resident and John Malkovich plays the bad guy terrorist Quentin Turnbull. Jonah Hex opens on June 18th.
Predators
While not exactly a sequel, the Predators movie is from the same universe as the original Predator film and its other recent spin-offs.
The story is about a group of elite warriors that are mostly killers, mercenaries, convicts and death squad members. They have all been brought to a planet in order for a new breed of alien Predators to hunt and kill them for sport.
The cast includes seasoned actors such as Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, Topher Grace and Laurence Fishburne. Predators opens on July 9th.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
A Disney Studios production, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is an original and innovative comedy-adventure from the same team that created the National Treasure franchise.
Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer who is trying to save Manhattan from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Since he can’t do it by himself he enlists the help of an apprentice, a seemingly normal man who has hidden skills.
Starring as the sorcerer is Nicolas Cage, Alfred Molina plays the bad sorcerer, Maxim Horvath and Jay Baruchel is Dave Stutler, the sorcerer’s apprentice. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice opens on July 16th.
Sky events this month, May of 2010:
This month brings us the Last Quarter Moon on Thursday the 6th, then, the New Moon occurs on Thursday the 13th, with the First Quarter Moon happening on Thursday the 20th,and a New Moon coming on Thursday the 27th. So, May will bring the main lunar phases all on Thursdays!
When looking west after sunset, Venus should become very apparent as it shines brightly against the sky. It remains visible until sometime after 10:00 p.m. EDT, as it hangs with the stars of Taurus in the background.
Mars and Saturn also come out in the evenings shortly after sunset in the east, and staying in view well past midnight. Mars will appear reddish, while Saturn looks more yellowish-white in color. Saturn will look great through a telescope with its rings just slightly tilted, and bright star Spica to its lower left.
Jupiter is now visible in the predawn hours in the lower eastern horizon, and with a telescope or a pair of good binoculars you can also see Uranus and Neptune.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak on Thursday the 6th at dawn. Look towards the east and you could catch 10 to 20 shooting stars an hour, even with the interfering light from the Last Quarter Moon.
A bright comet will come into view in May in the eastern sky before dawn. The comet, named C/2009 R1, was discovered by Robert McNaught, who also discovered C/2009 K5 (McNaught). It will reach 8th magnitude this month and should be nicely visible with a telescope. The McNaught Comet will also be visible this May; during the month’s second half it will appear near the star Polaris.
Look on up and smile!
You can read other articles and tips by Anna on these websites:
Anna Sanclement writes from home and has recently started to write articles for various Internet sites. She has also finished a novel and has written many stories and a movie script, just for fun.
This month I’m continuing with the new format with the hope that more of you will write in and share your stories and questions. All submissions will be kept confidential and anonymous at your discretion. If you would like to submit something for publication, you can email me directly at lisa@lightworkerlisa.com.
Dear Lightworker Lisa,
We have been married for about seven years now. There’s not necessarily a “seven-year itch” problem, but there’s possibly a rut or a boredom factor. How do you put that spark into your relationship when you start to feel like you’re always working, sleeping or cleaning up? It seems especially hard when you have young kids, and you have literally no free time to yourself, never mind “quality time” with your spouse. Any suggestions on getting that spark back?
Signed,
Lost that loving feeling…
Dear “Lost”,
A true spark never dies; it simply smolders beneath the ashes of responsibilities. However, if you blow away the ashes and add breath you can fuel a brand new flame and reignite the passion.You mentioned finding “quality time” with your spouse. Before you find quality time, you must first define quality time.Exactly what does it mean to you? Perhaps quality time might be as easy as sharing an intimate moment and even amidst a busy, crazy schedule there are several opportunities to share an intimate moment. The key is to give due pause and appreciate that moment. Intimacy can be found in an instant. The goal is to connect even if just for a quick glance or a slight stroke of hand. To catch that quick glance of your loved one, to feel the excitement of that brief, soft caress, simply pause and acknowledge it. Anything you do together, for example, sharing in responsibilities, can be intimate; such as preparing a meal, getting the children ready for bed, or even washing the dishes. As long as there is interconnectedness and it is done with love, that is a form of intimacy. It is the little, mundane daily things that if done right, can keep the spark alive. That all being said, if you are looking to “spice things up” a bit, plan a date night. While spontaneity has its place, it might be better to plan this event so you don’t choose a day when you or your spouse can’t focus on the task at hand.Go on a picnic and bring some sexy, erotic foods like berries and cream, wine, or anything that drips and is sticky. (Think 9 ½ Weeks)Better yet, wait until the kids go to sleep and have your picnic at home in the bedroom or on the living room floor.When trying to inspire this kind of intimacy remember to engage as many senses as possible; sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.Light some scented candles, play some soft music or nature sounds that have a rhythmic quality which is calming. Personally, I like ocean sounds. Try some sensually arousing Kama Sutra Feather Honey Dust or a massage with edible oil to tantalize the senses. Then while being both relaxed and stimulated, find a way to connect spiritually. Happiness is part of our Divine mission and Divine Spirit wants us to enjoy love and enjoy life.Always make love, life and loving life a top priority, believe that you deserve these things you shall have them.
Let me know how it goes.
Lightworker Lisa
Until next time, may your days be brighter and your lives be lighter.
Let me ignite the light in your life!
A Lightworker is someone with an innate ability to know and heal. Lightworkers believe it is their divine mission or higher purpose to write, teach or counsel others that spiritual methods can heal any situation. Lightworkers are souls who volunteered, before birth, to help people learn about love and heal from the effects of fear. Lisa Dawn Wax, aka Lightworker Lisa is a born Lightworker, certified Angel Healing Practitioner and Reiki Master; all of which basically confirm her intuitive abilities to help, heal and teach. Using reiki (energy healing), divine messages and intuitive readings, she has helped many people to identify the source of their pain, clarify current life situations, and successfully redirect their focus into positive channels.If you are in need of affordable healing and/or life coaching with immediate results, please call her at 561-594-3948 or visit her new website www.lightworkerlisa.com.All rights reserved.
On Mother’s Day, make sure whatever you give her is “From the Heart.”
What does this mean?
F:Friend: Make sure you tell her how much of a friend that she has been. R:Remember: Remember all the things that she has done for you. O:Other: There is no other person that will ever love you more than your Mother. M:Mother. A very special place in the hierarchy of life. A Gift: Given only to women with children.
T:Time: Think about all of the good times you had together. H:Heaven: God has a special place in heaven for Mothers…with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. E:Everyday: Everyday that goes by without telling her you love her, is one day less you can.
H:Helpful: There is nobody who has ever helped you more than she has. E:Extraordinary: It takes an extraordinary person to put your needs before hers. A:Ardor: You will never find anyone that is more loyal to you in all of your endeavors. R:Reliable: Your Mother is always there for you whenever you need her. T:Trust: She is the only person you will ever meet whose trust can never be doubted.
From The Heart