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September, 2009 – The Day My Heart Went Haywire

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September, 2009 – The Day My Heart Went Haywire

AS I WAS SAYINGAlan Williamson

by Alan Williamson

 

The Day My Heart Went Haywire

 

      Most days I wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, toss back some coffee, go to work and everything kind of unfolds within the familiar framework of my daily life. Now don’t get me wrong – there are surprises, small adventures and moments of spontaneous departure from the established plot lines, but for the most part, I can count on the essential who, what, where and when of my life being firmly in place on a daily basis.

      Except . . . for the Monday morning my heart started beating like an extended drum solo performed by a manic-depressive jazz musician. It sped up. It slowed down. At one point, it even played an African-influenced bongo riff from Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints album. The end result of all this uncoordinated percussion was that my heart stopped efficiently pumping blood to the rest of my body, making me lightheaded, dizzy, and morbidly preoccupied with my own mortality.

      A quickly arranged trip to my doctor for an EKG revealed that I was experiencing something called “atrial fibrillation.” A-fib, I was told, is an irregular heartbeat where the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and out of synch with the two lower chambers of the heart, affectionately referred to as “the ventricles.” This disruption in the heart’s electrical system causes poor blood flow to the body, heart palpitations, weakness, and an increased risk of stroke.

      “This is all good information,” I told my doctor, “but there’s one small problem. You’ve got the wrong guy.”

      “Are you the guy whose wife drove you over here because you had a rapid heartbeat and dizziness?” she countered coolly.

      “Yes,” I conceded, “but this is the kind of thing that happens to unhealthy people – people with heart disease, high blood pressure or a thyroid condition. I’m in the best shape of my life, I work out, I meditate, eat whole foods, don’t smoke, drink red wine moderately, and have never been admitted to a hospital in over 50 years on this planet.”

      “Well your heart didn’t get the memo,” she pointed out. “I’m putting you in the hospital for further tests.”

      Going from a self-reliant man in command of his destiny to a patient with three IV’s in his arm and a skimpy hospital gown covering up roughly 50% of his God-given goodies is a serious blow to a guy’s pride.

      “I’ll run home and bring you some sleep pants,” my wife volunteered. “Anything else you want?”

      “Do we have any ‘Get Out of Hospital Free’ cards lying around?” I ventured lamely.

      Any remaining shred of manly dignity disappeared the first time I had to pee in the plastic container they put at my bedside. Had I known I’d be relieving myself in a plastic jug any time soon, I would have practiced at home in my spare time to hone my speed and accuracy. As if taking a wiz propped up in bed while strangers walk by your open door wasn’t degrading enough, I then had to hang my steaming micro-brew from the IV stand for visitors to gaze at.

      “Just bottled a fresh batch,” I told the nurse stopping in to check on me. “I’m calling it Haywire Heart Amber Ale.”

      “Did they tell you what needs to happen by tomorrow morning?” she asked, unimpressed with my entrepreneurial spirit.

      “Is that the part where I wake up and realize this was all a dream?”

      “Actually, with the help of these IVs, your heart needs to convert back to a normal rhythm by then.”

      “And if it doesn’t?”

      “If it doesn’t, we put you under and electrically shock your heart to interrupt the arrhythmia.”

      “Sounds like a plan,” I nodded thoughtfully. “Listen, if for some reason I’m not here in the morning, feel free to start without me.”

      Fortunately, my heart did convert back to a normal rhythm, at 11:46 that night to be precise. I know this because I woke up out of a fitful sleep to see a nurse standing under the clock at the foot of my bed saying, “You converted.” Groggily coming to, my mind scrambled to grasp her words – I converted? To Judaism? Organic living? A life of fighting crime wearing a skimpy hospital gown?

      “Your heart converted back to a normal rhythm,” she clarified. “Now go back to sleep so we can get on our schedule of waking you up every 20 minutes throughout the night.”

      With my heart back on script, the only remaining concern was why it went rogue on me in the first place. Because all the tests confirmed that I didn’t have any underlying heart disease, high blood pressure or thyroid issues, all the main causes of A-fib didn’t apply. The cardiologist called it “lone atrial fibrillation,” which is basically medical jargon for “sometimes stuff happens and with any luck it won’t happen again.”

      Here’s what I think happened. My pericardium, a thin, two-layered, fluid-filled sac that covers the outer surface of the heart, became inflamed because of a viral infection. With the membrane around the heart swollen, the pressure caused changes in the normal heart rhythm bringing on the isolated episode of atrial fibrillation in an otherwise healthy man. But hey, I’m no expert . . . just a guy with a computer who Googles the Mayo Clinic.com and the New England Journal of Medicine.

      Just to be safe though, I have made some lifestyle changes. I’ve converted to an organic diet and taken up interval training wearing a hospital gown. The healthy eating and extra exercise are great for my heart, and wearing the hospital gown reminds me of a profound but simple truism:

Life is short, so live fully and cover your butt when you can. 

 

Alan Williamson is an award-winning writer with 27 years in the field of true fiction (advertising). A practical man who knows that writing for a living is risky going, he has taken steps to pursue a second, more stable career as a leggy super model. Alan can be reached at alwilly@bellsouth.net.

September, 2009 – To all the grandchildren in the world

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September, 2009 – To all the grandchildren in the world

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  This column first appeared shortly after the 9/11 tragedy in 2001.  It has run every year since, with the author’s updates.)

CANTANKEROUSLY YOURS

by Wendell Abern

 

To all the grandchildren in the worldWendell Abern

 

Dear Grandchildren Everywhere,

      Today, I am writing to apologize to all of you.

      Usually, I try to write funny things.  But I can’t today.  On September 11, eight years ago, a few evil men stole some airplanes and flew them into buildings, killing thousands of people.  And this month, memorials throughout the country will mourn those who lost their lives.  Reminders of that horrendous day make it too hard to think funny thoughts. 

      Instead, today I want to apologize to everyone in your generation from everyone in mine. 

      My generation inherited two world wars that killed millions of people.  We should have learned something from those terrible wars, to make the world a better place for you.  We didn’t … and we didn’t.

      And so, it would be hypocritical for me to offer any advice to you.  I can, however, tell you some of the lessons we should have learned … that every generation should have learned.  None ever has.  I hope yours will.

      We never learned the one thing that every human being on earth has in common:  none of us asked to be here.  We had no say in the matter at all.  But once given the gift of life, no one should have the right to take it away.  Yet human beings kill other human beings every day.  Every hour.  Every place on earth.  And too often, in the name of some –ism, or –ology, or –ocracy.

      One reason for this is because of another lesson no generation has ever learned:  how to tell The Good Guys from The Bad Guys.

      That is just as dumb as it sounds.  But see … we never understood how badly we want to believe in our leaders.  Our presidents, our prime ministers, our priests, our rabbis — any of our leaders.  We want them to be smart, to be fair, to be honest, and always to be right. 

      But our leaders are merely human beings.  They make mistakes, just like we do.  They are wrong sometimes, just like we are.  Yet we continue to endow them with kindness, intelligence and righteousness, whether they possess such qualities or not. 

      Another reason we never learned how to tell the Good Guys from the Bad Guys is because history is written by the winners. 

      Many centuries ago, a man named Alexander led an army that conquered other countries.  Some history books still refer to him as Alexander The Great.  No history book tells us what he was called by the thousands of widows and orphans his marauding armies left in their wake.

      If Germany had won World War II, the madman Adolph Hitler – arguably the most evil human being who ever lived — would be portrayed in today’s history books as a dynamic, righteous leader.  

      Because we want so badly to believe in our leaders, we seem to be willing to do anything they ask.  Our leaders discovered long ago that by using the hatred of others, it is easy to galvanize us in a common cause, which almost invariably leads to mass killings.

      Many in this country balked at the Vietnamese War because we didn’t understand who hated us.   Conversely, if our government had declared war on Iran after zealots

had kidnapped 52 Americans, everyone in the country would have backed our leaders with fervent jingoism.

      My personal belief is that there is nothing as beautiful or sacred as a human life.  Any human life.  Yet, at some point in the history of our civilization, our leaders decided that our beliefs were more important than our lives.  I’m not sure just when or why this happened, but that has never changed.

      About seven thousand years ago, there were almost 27 million of us listening to a few leaders, telling us to go kill each other in the name of some –isms.

      About five hundred years ago, there were now 450 million of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other in the name of some new -isms.

      Today, there are more than six billion of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other in the name of some –isms.

      When does it stop?  When do we stop killing each other?   

      More than 150 years ago, a man by the name of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said, “What we learn from history … is that we never learn from history.”  Sadly, that is just as true today.  

      And because we never learn, we keep repeating past horrors.  More than 60 years after the unspeakable atrocity known as The Holocaust, after a weary world swore, “Never again,” after a United Nations was created to bring peace to the whole planet, genocides continue to flourish.  Ethnic cleansing seems to occur every decade or so.  As I write this, the slaughter of innocent people continues in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, all in the name of some –isms. 

      When does it stop?

      Another important lesson we never learned:  don’t stop questioning just because you believe in something.  We have survived on this planet because of our brains.  We are not as strong or fast or agile as most other animals on earth.  But we are smarter.  Our brains are our most potent weapon.  And we should never stop thinking. 

      Yet somehow we always do whenever we are told that what we believe in gives us license to kill other human beings.

      Well, almost always.

      Mahatma Gandhi tried mightily to bring people together with love instead of hatred.  So did Martin Luther King.  So have a precious few others.  Too many have discovered that hatred works better. 

      But I believe there are glimmers of hope; that the current president of my country, Barack Obama, is one of several world leaders trying to temper centuries-old conflicts with dialog instead of dogma … that they are sincerely trying to give you a world with much more love than hatred.  I hope your generation can help them succeed.  

      And finally, here is a lesson we all should have learned in kindergarten:  there is only one planet that supports life.  This is where we all have to live.  It’s not as if we have other options, like when we want to move to another neighborhood.  There is no other neighborhood.  This is it.  We should be taking care of this planet.  And I must admit, your generation is doing a much better job of it than mine did.

      I hope you can start to turn other things around also.

      Most of all, I hope you can start to stop the killing.  It will take many, many future generations for that to happen.  But it has to start sometime.  I hope it starts with you.

I hope you can make the world a tiny bit better.  And a little bit cleaner.  And much safer.

      I hope when you are my age, you never have to write a letter of apology

to all the grandchildren in the world. 

      Sincerely,  

      Wendell Abern 

Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@comcast.net.

 

September, 2009 – Back to school — Back to the gym!

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September, 2009 – Back to school — Back to the gym!

HEALTH & FITNESS

by Cheryl Alker

BACK TO SCHOOL – BACK TO THE GYM!

So you madecheryl-alker-0909 the “Commit to be Fit” pledge on January 1st 2009
and it was all systems go. Statistics show that at least 50% of new members to a fitness facility will have dropped out within the first three months. Your good intentions, however, may have actually lasted until the beginning of June but then summer came, the children broke up from school and that pledge now seems a lifetime away. Or maybe the pledge was made but you actually never went any further than the pledge itself. Either way, with the children now back at school it is time to re-assert your promise to yourself “To get fit in 2009” but how, where, and what?

It would seem like there is a fitness center of some sort on just about every street corner these days, so where do you start?

The first question you have to ask yourself is what type of exercise you want?

  • Do you love to swim?
  • Will you be happy
    just running or walking on a treadmill or do you need the latest machines
    to keep you motivated?
  • Is yoga, stretch
    or pilates your thing?
  • Are you the outdoor
    type?
  • Would tennis be
    something that could keep you motivated?

health-fitness

 

Answering the above questions is vital to the type of facility you should start investigating. Your enthusiasm may be high at the moment, but unfortunately, even with all the best will in the world this will wane. For success, it is imperative that the right choice is made now.

If variety is your thing, you’ll need a gym with lots of group classes, maybe a pool, a racquetball and basketball court and many different types
of machines.

If you just need to get in and out, find a facility set up for a “quickie workout;” this way you won’t be paying for all the classes and amenities you won’t be using.

If your daily life runs at 110 miles per hour, maybe you need to consider some balance, therefore, a mind/body studio that offers, yoga, stretch and pilates would be more beneficial.

The good thing is they are all available and will no doubt be close by, although convenience is a priority. It will be far too easy not to go if your travelling time is too great. Decide when you’re going to work out most of the time. If it’s in the morning or on weekends, a facility close to home may be more suitable; however, if you want to fit your workout in during lunch or after work, choose a gym close to the office.

Once you’ve decided on the type of facility that will work for you, then it’s time to take a field trip. Visit at the time you generally will be exercising. This way you can see how busy the club is and whether you will easily be able to use the equipment or get into the group class of your choice.

Ask what type of credentials the staff have, and do research on it yourself if you are not familiar with the certification they tout. Check the facility’s
emergency procedures; not only should their staff be able to coach you through a safe and effective exercise program, they should know how to handle a medical emergency.

The facility should have an automated external defibrillator (AED), a machine that analyzes a person’s heart rhythm, determines if an electrical shock is needed, and delivers the shock. An AED’s use while waiting for paramedics to arrive can be life-saving. If the club doesn’t have an AED, find another facility.

Be observant when you tour facilities. Is it clean? Are there “Out of Order” signs on any pieces of equipment? Are there sprays or wipes easily available throughout the gym for cleaning the equipment after use? Are the locker rooms unkempt? Are the showers dirty or leaking? Is the hot tub cloudy? Do the machines look like they are in poor condition? Is the studio floor clean? What about the mirrors? Consider these questions when determining whether this is the place where you want to spend your money or your time.

Does the Club offer all the amenities you desire (e.g. child care, personal training, massage, a restaurant)?

What is the cost? Cost is usually tied to what the gym has to offer, so don’t pay for the nicest, newest club if you are never going to need the showers, lockers, child care or pool. If you just want to run on a treadmill, there will probably be a less expensive option in your area.

For whatever gym you join, be wary of the fine print. Ensure you’re not locked into a long-term commitment. Find out the allowances for special
circumstances such as the birth of a child, illness of a parent, operations. Can you freeze your membership any time you wish?

If you travel often, make sure your club has a reciprocity agreement with other clubs.

Finally, talk to people. Does the gym have a good reputation? Get some impartial information by checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the facility you are considering.

Of course a gym may not be what you are looking for; perhaps outdoor pursuits are more up your alley like walking, cycling, tennis etc. If this is the case, you’ll need to consider how the weather variations throughout the year will affect your ability to adhere to your program regularly and long term.

No matter what your preference, consider finding a “workout buddy.” Making an appointment with someone, whether it a friend or a trainer ensures a greater chance that you won’t cancel on yourself. No matter how you feel on your workout day, make yourself a promise that you do at least 10 minutes. If, after that first 10 minutes, you are still not up to the challenge then you may stop and go home. You will often find the most difficult part of your workout is getting there, once you have started it really is not that bad!

Exhausted? Don’t be – now you have made this important decision, don’t set yourself up for failure. Get it right at the outset and this will be the last year you make “Getting Fit” your number one New Year’s Resolution or come September you feel as if you have to start all over again.

Happy Hunting!

Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 26-year career began as a group fitness and personal trainer. She has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a British governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, certifying health professionals in her results-based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Her program has been accredited with The National Association of Sports Medicine, The American Council of Exercise, The National Strength and Conditioning Association and The Florida Physical Therapy Association. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, please call Cheryl at (561) 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com.

September, 2009 – I Love Calling Stonehaven My Home

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September, 2009 – I Love Calling Stonehaven My Home

Neighborhood Scoop debbi-sanacore-web

By Debbie Sanacore 

I Love Calling Stonehaven My Home 

I love calling Stonehaven my home, it is so close to everything, yet nestled away on a natural 35-acre lake is this manned, gated community of 253 one and two story homes.  It was one of the first “newer communities” built in the Wellington area along the 441 corridor constructed by Centex homes on 133 acres in unincorporated Palm Beach County.  The first homes were completed in 2001.  The community features two sections; the estates section features a minimum lot size of 65 X 120 and the Classic series lot size is a minimum of 55 x 120. Under air sq. footage ranges from 2200 to 3800 square feet providing a variety of living spaces well-designed to suit many different lifestyles.   

stonehaven-entry-sign

The Community has its own website www.stonehavenestates.org, and newsletter “The Stonehaven Chisel” communicates important information to residents regarding all community affairs. 

clubhouse

The recreation area includes an Olympic-size heated pool and Jacuzzi, as well as tennis courts on a 35-acre lake that can be used for fishing and boating. A lovely Clubhouse is available for all the residents with a banquet/meeting room, kitchen facilities and an exercise room with free weights and machines.  By the pool is a large covered patio is with tables and chairs. 

 A sand-based tot lot is used by our younger residents, as well as four other park areas.  The association fee includes the use of all this, as well as basic cable, individual home alarm monitoring and the 24-hour manned gate for extra security.   

tot-lot

One thing that Stonehaven residents enjoy is the small size of this community. In other words, it’s large enough to have these nice amenities, yet small enough that you can “get to know your neighbors.” 

 

 

Debbie Sanacore has lived and worked in Palm Beach County for the past 30 years.  She is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Wellington, where she serves on the agent leadership council and is the current secretary of the Wellington Rotary Club. She also owns a thriving “unfranchise” business. Want to know more? Call her at 561-301-3229.

September, 2009 – The Truth about Bottled Water

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September, 2009 – The Truth about Bottled Water

jathy-hi-techLiving Green

Why Do We Scream About Gas At $3 A Gallon…

But Willingly Pay Nearly $16 a gallon for bottled water?

 

By Jathynia Garcia 

It is a fact that the global bottled water industry has become very profitable in the past ten years. Huge multinational companies currently make billions of dollars on water they simply extract from the ground, slap a label on and sell at competitive prices. Examples of these companies include: Aquafina (Pepsi), Dasani (Coke), Perrier (Nestle), Evian, and Fiji Water among hundreds of others. But what are some real facts about bottled water? Is it truly safe on the environment? How will it affect the generations to come? Here are some mind-boggling facts:

Bottled Water Facts

  • The United States is the world’s leading consumer of bottled water. In 2006, bottled water consumption in the US reached a record 8.3 billion gallons, 185 million gallons of which was imported. The total amount spent on bottled water was over $11 billion.
  • In contrast to tap water, which is distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure, transporting bottled water long distances involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels.
  • Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year.
  • It costs more money to drink bottled water than to put gas in your car–up to five times more–due mainly to its packaging and transportation.
  • 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter.
  • Buried water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade.
  • Studies show that consumers associate bottled water with healthy living. But bottled water is not guaranteed to be any healthier than tap water. In fact, roughly 40 percent of bottled water begins as tap water; often the only difference is added minerals that have no marked health benefit.
  • Bottled water companies do not have to release their water-testing results to the public, whereas municipalities do.
  • A city’s tap water cannot have any E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria, while bottled water is allowed a certain amount of these bacteria. In addition, most cities’ tap water must be tested for Cryptosporidium or Giardia, common water pathogens that can cause intestinal problems, including diarrhea. In contrast, bottled water companies are not required to conduct these tests.
  • People pay from $1 to $4 a gallon for the perception of higher quality when, in fact, the quality of bottled water is at best unknown! Over 90% of the cost of bottled water is in the bottle, lid and label.
  • On average, one person uses 166 disposable plastic water bottles each year.
  • If everyone in New York City were to use a reusable water bottle for one week, for one month, or for one year it would make a significant difference in reducing waste. 
    One week = 24 million bottles saved 
    One month = 112 million bottles saved 
    One year = 1.328 billion bottles saved

SO WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

Water Filters

The best alternative to tap water is in-home water filtration. With an in-home water filter you can have better than bottled water quality for under 10¢ a gallon. Fill a reusable water bottle from your filter and you are good to go!!

There are so many benefits to having ultrafiltered water at every faucet.  Of course, it eliminates the on-going cost and inconvenience of bottled water.  Beyond that, 

  •   You’ll enjoy “bottled water” taste from every tap — no more unpleasant taste or odor

 

  •   It’s healthier: this system removes 99.99999% of bacteria & 99.9% of viruses from your water supply…while also significantly reducing particulates & chlorine without removing the essential minerals in the water you drink

 

  •   There’s no energy used, and it continues to filter water for your home (even if there’s a power failure) — so there’s no electric or gas costs.

 

  •   Your appliances and pipes may last longer, since particles that build up and damage working parts won’t get there to start with!

 

  •   It reduces dry skin & allergic reactions that chlorinated water can cause

 

  •   The system cleans itself — automatically — every day

 

  •   And there’s no significant impact on water pressure

 

There are many options on water filter systems. From water softeners, to reverse osmosis, even ultraviolet filtration systems, from single cartridge filters to whole house system, there are many possibilities & depending on the condition of your water a licensed water specialist will advise you of what specific filtration system will best suit your family. And, you can pay for your in-home filter system with all the money you will save by reducing or eliminating your bottled water purchases!!

FINAL TIP ….Reusable Water Bottles – Want to do something good for the environment and for your health? Instead of buying bottled water, which is a big waste of resources, try filling a reusable water bottle from your tap or filter.

So ditch the bottle and save money by getting a water filter system that meets your needs. Contact your local plumbing company or visit www.hi-techplumbing.com for a complimentary analysis of your water. We even offer maintenance plans to continue providing you with clean, peace of mind, great tasting drinkable water… just as if it were coming out of the bottle.

Thinking Green? If you think green is the right choice for your upcoming plumbing project, we invite you to call us at Hi-Tech Plumbing about adopting a green remodeling philosophy. Hi-Tech plumbing is a local plumbing contractor in your local Wellington area who specializes in green building and remodeling, so you can be sure that your new plumbing is as green as it comes. For more information visit our website at www.hi-techplumbing.com or call our office at 561-790-6966.

September, 2009 – Life Lessons from My Two Year Old

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September, 2009 – Life Lessons from My Two Year Old

Kids’ Cornerps_lookingback-forpage4

HEY KIDS! Hey…great young writers! Do you have a story that you would like to submit for aroundwellington.com? Send your 1-2 page story to us, along with your 1. Name, 2. Email address, 3. Age and 4. Phone number.

 

Life Lessons from My Two Year Old

by Amy Ahlers

 

My firecracker of a daughter, Annabella, aka “Bella,” is turning two on September 4th. I marvel at her energy, her zest, and her strong will. This phase of parenting is often referred to as the “terrible twos,” but this stage has been a profound teacher for me. I am learning so much about life by witnessing Bella in all her two year old glory. Here are some of my favorite lessons:

Celebrate EVERYTHING: This is one of my favorite things about being Annabella’s mom. She celebrates e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, no matter how small or large. Drinking a smoothie? Clap your hands with glee. Made it up the stairs all by yourself? Shout with joy, “I did it!” Have a friend coming over to play? Run around and do the happy dance! Couldn’t we all celebrate more? Isn’t it wonderful when we acknowledge our wins? Let’s take this tip from Annabella and start noticing and focusing on our wins, accomplishments, and when we feel GOOD. Relish your joy!

 

Persistence Is Key: Watching Annabella learn to walk and talk is fascinating. She has an amazing relationship with failure and persistence. Can you imagine if we approached new things with the persistence and enthusiasm of a two year old? Fall down? No big deal! Fumble that word? Try again. And again. Oh, and be gentle with yourself in the process. Failure is no big deal. Wow!

Singing Really Does Make Life More Fun: Annabella often begins her day with singing. We’ll hear her on the baby monitor singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. She can frequently be found walking around the house humming a tune or singing “la, la, la” to her own beat. And truly, I see the healing power of music in her and the vibration of the entire house is raised. Try it for yourself and see what happens.

Say NO With Conviction: Being on the receiving end of a firm “NO!” isn’t always fun, but I have to admire the sheer will and conviction of Annabella knowing what she WON’T do and what she DOESN’T want. Imagine if we were able to simply say “no” when we don’t want to do something. Especially for women (who are masters at saying “yes” when we really mean “no”) there is power in saying a clear “no” and sticking to it.

Make Friends Everywhere You Go: My husband and I took Bella on the subway recently and she was hilarious. She made so many people smile and laugh – she literally made friends on the 20 minute BART ride. It was wild, and it reminded me of the magic of being open to new people, places and things.

Wearing Your PJs Out In The World Is Fun: Need I say more?

Hug, Cuddle And Say “I Love You” As Often As Possible: When Bella is having a bad day, hugs and cuddling are the cure-all. And I must say, I feel like we don’t value it enough as adults. Take it from Bella and ask for a hug when you need one. Add to that, Annabella recently learned how to say “I Love You” and she loves saying it. She’ll look at you, smile and say a big “I love you” at the most unexpected moments. My heart melts every time. So, my friends, get a hug, snuggle with your loved ones and express your love loudly and often. This practice will change the world.

 

Amy Ahlers is a celebrated Success Coach and professional “wake-up call” to the world. To learn more about her powerful techniques for waking up to the truth about how fabulous you are, please visit www.WakeUpCallCoaching.com.

***

HEY PARENTS! Are your young children (approx. 2 to 5 years old) ready for some online games that are challenging and educational? Here are some of our favorite links.

www.sesamestreet.org

www.noggin.com

tv.disney.go.com

readysetlearn

Feel free to suggest more of your favorite links! aroundwellington@earthlink.net, subject heading: “Kids’ Corner.” THANKS!

August, 2009 – The Acreage Meeting

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August, 2009 – The Acreage Meeting

Acreage Cancer Cluster Meeting at Seminole Ridge High School

 

Concerned citizens came together on August 27th to ask questions about the numerous cancer cases, tumors and other medical conditions suffered by residents of the Acreage in recent times. Representatives from the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg were on stage, trying their best to answer questions, under the circumstances (with no known causes yet of the environmental problem in the Acreage). A few possibilities were discussed including possible toxic waste from Pratt & Whitney nearby, toxic fill from another source, as well as other possibilities. The event was well attended with over five hundred people, anxious for answers. For more information, visit the Acreage Cancer Cluster study at: http://www.theacreagecancerstudy.com/.

October, 2009 – Glow Ball Golf Tournament!

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Glow Ball Golf Tournament on October 17th!
Round up 3 friends or business associates and enjoy a night on the golf
course while supporting a great cause. Please help, we could really use it.
Thank you in advance for the consideration.

Royal Palm Beach Rotary’s 2nd Annual Glow Ball Golf Tournament
Saturday Evening, October 3, 2009 ~ Links at Madison Green ~ 8:30 pm Shotgun
Start

        The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of
service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and
foster: the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; high
ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the
worthiness of all useful occupations. The dignifying of each Rotarian’s
occupation as an opportunity to service society; the application of the
ideal service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; and
the advancement of internal understanding, goodwill, and peace through a
world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal
of service.

Golf Committee
Scott Armand
Michael Patterson
Eric Gordon
Ron Tomchin
Terri Wescott

Night’s Agenda

6pm:
Registration & Dinner
7pm:
Rules of Game Announced
7-8pm:
Silent Auction and Raffle Prizes Awarded
8:30pm:
Night Golf Begins – Shotgun Start

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Award Ceremony after dark under a Full Moon!!!

Visit us online to complete form at www.rpbrotary.org
http://asoft152.securesites.net/secure/rbt/index.php?cid=2797&forward=7&cur
lid=8

                Mulligans are Placed Throughout the Course
Mulligan on Hole One
Pedro Silver

Mulligan on Hole Two
Island Ice Teas

Mulligan on Hole Three
Mogeetos

Mulligan on Hole Four
Sour Apple Tinis

Mulligan on Hole Five
New Orleans Punch

Mulligan on Hole Six
Captain & Coke

Mulligan on Hole Seven
Woo Woos

Mulligan on Hole Eight
Harvest Moons

Mulligan on Hole Nine
Goldfish

       Foursome Rate:
$300
Price includes:
Full Italian Dinner, Golf, Carts, Lighted Accessories for Course Activity,
Glow in the Dark LED Balls, and Golfer Goodie Bags.

Individual Golfer:
$75

Light the Course Sponsor:

Wellington Rotarian
Karen J. Hardin
$1,000
This is a great way to showcase your business(es).

Green Sponsor:
$600

Dinner Sponsor:
$250

Dinner Only Attendee:
$20

This is a great way to get your family involved. Invite your wife, husband
or kids to come for the dinner, participate in the raffle and silent auction
or just enjoy the tournament and camaraderie of Rotary.

Please make checks payable to: Royal Palm Beach Rotary Foundation or you may
also pay or register online with your credit card at our website
www.rpbrotary.org
http://asoft152.securesites.net/secure/rbt/index.php?cid=2797&forward=7&cur
lid=8  or call 561.253.4724 for more details.

Please remit all to:
Royal Palm Beach Rotary Foundation
c/o Glow Ball Golf Tournament
PO Box 211015
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421

September, 2009 – Hillary’s Heart

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September, 2009 – Hillary’s Heart

AW SPOTLIGHT

  

Hillary’s Heart

 

A Unique Shopping Experience

 

 

See our Hillary’s Heart Children’s Fashion Photos!

 

If you’re looking for the perfect gift, accessory or outfit, you will find it at Hillary’s Heart! Customers love the unique assortment of merchandise, the warm and friendly atmosphere, and the excellent customer service.

 

“You’re only a stranger in my store once,” says owner Hillary Leibsohn. “It’s very important to me to always make the customer feel comfortable and welcome.”

 

Funky fashions at Hillary's Heart
Funky fashions at Hillary's Heart

 

 

 

Although some shoppers are intimidated by small specialty boutiques (because of the possibility of higher pricing), at Hillary’s Heart they can find items ranging from $5 to $500 and discounted prices on all of the kids’ fashions.

Wall art for a boy's room
Wall art for a boy's room

 

 

The shop, located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe, is adorable and fun throughout! There are baby gifts, birthday gifts, room decorations, clothing, toys, party favors, games, puzzles, receiving blankets, bibs, burp cloths and many, many hand-painted items. In the clothing department, which Hillary likes to call “funky fashions,” you can find infant, toddler and junior clothes for girls. For boys, the clothes range from infant sizes to size 8.

 

Hillary’s Heart has been here in Wellington since March of 2008. Prior to this store, Hillary had a store in New York. She’s been in the children’s merchandise business since 1996 and brings her friendly customer service and excellent eye for fashion to her current store.

 

img_5997
"Super girl" tank tops

 

 

 

Because her personalized, hand-painted gifts are such a delight to recipients, parents and grandparents, she receives a lot of cute “thank you” notes after the gift has been received. Recently a customer wrote a note about the hand-painted cradle she had asked Hillary’s Heart to ship to her boss. “Thanks so much for your attention to the important details and for making my gift to a very important person in my life so very special!”

 

What do customers appreciate most about Hillary’s Heart? “The generous selection of unique items, the warm, friendly atmosphere and the beautiful gift wrapping,” says Hillary. The store is open Monday thru Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

 

If you’re looking for a memorable gift for a baby, child, tween or adult, Hillary’s Heart is the place to shop!

 

The store is summed up in the following poem.

 

Hillary’s Heart

 

We have gifts, clothes and

Unique room décor.

 

Bibs, burp blankets, toys,

Puzzles and more.

 

Please don’t think that’s all we do.

We have great things for toddlers, tweens and adults too!

 

There is one thing we

Know for sure . . .

 

Hillary’s Heart is one great store!

 

So come on in for just one look

And we promise you’ll be hooked!!!

 

Back to school in style with Hillary's Heart
Back to school in style with Hillary's Heart

 

 

 

 

          Hillary’s Heart

          Personalized, HandPainted Baby Gifts . . . Our Specialty

See Coupon on this Website under “AW Coupons”

          Marketplace at Wycliffe

          4095 St. Road 7, Suite U-1

Lake Worth, FL 33467

          Phone: 561-968-5471
            www.hillarysheartgifts.net

October, 2009 – 14th Annual Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

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MEDIA ADVISORY/CALENDAR ALERT

SAVE THE DATE!

 

            14th Annual Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®

 

 

WHAT:            14th Annual Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

 

WHEN:            Saturday, October 17, 2009

 

7:30 a.m. Survivor Procession

7:45 a.m. Survivor Ceremony

8:30 a.m. Race Begins (5 K Co-ed Run & Walk)

8:50 a.m. One Mile Fun Run

9:45 a.m. Tot Run – Tot Run will feature short-distance tracks for kids.

·         2-3 Year Olds – 50 feet

·         4-5 Year Olds – 100 feet

·         6-7 Year Olds – 200 feet

 

Be sure to stop by the Kid’s Zone tent featuring games, face painting, prizes and a bounce house! Also, new this year PETS SLEEP-IN for the Cure® while you Race, donate on behalf of your pet. Join Bobbi Meyers, Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale executive director, feline’s team, Misha’s Marauders.

 

WHERE:         Bayfront Park

                        301 Biscayne Blvd.

                        Miami, FL

 

Register online at www.komenmiaftl.org or at Bayfront Park on race day.

For more information, please contact (305) 666-RACE.

 

DETAILS:       5K Run/Walk $27 by October 9; $30 by October 16; $35 on Race Day

One Mile Fun Walk $27 by October 9; $30 by October 16; $35 on Race Day

Tot Run for ages 2-7 $10

Sleep-In for the Cure $27

 

WHO:              The Miami/Fort Lauderdale Affiliate is dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Since its inception in 1996, the Miami/Fort

Lauderdale Race For the Cure® and the Affiliate has raised more than $6 million and reached hundreds of thousands of women and men in educational outreach through grassroots efforts. For more information visit, www.komenmiaftl.org.

 

###

 

 

Natalie A. Davis

Thorp & Company

150 Alhambra Circle, Suite 725

Coral Gables, FL 33134

305.446.2700 Phone

www.thorpco.com

ndavis@thorpco.com

 

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